Patent ID: 6057868
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus, comprising:a plurality of image recording units that form an image, each image recording unit of the plurality of image recording units comprising:at least one toner passage respectively provided with a control electrode that controls charged toner to pass through the respective toner passage;a control circuit that controls each control electrode by applying a voltage to the control electrode of an electrode array; anda toner supply mechanism which supplies charged toner to the toner passages;a driving system which drives each toner supply mechanism of said plurality of image recording units;a driving separation mechanism that separates at least one toner supply mechanism from said plurality of toner supply mechanisms, such that only the at least one toner supply mechanism is not driven by the driving system to prevent the charged toner from supplying the toner passages; anda control system that controls the driving separation mechanism.