| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which image information is converted into a pattern of electrostatic fields for modulating a transport of charged toner particles from a particle carrier toward a back electrode member. The image forming apparatus includes a background voltage source for producing a background electric field which enables a transport of charged toner particles from said particle carrier towards said back electrode member, at least one printhead structure arranged in said background electric field, including a plurality of apertures and control electrodes arranged in conjunction to the apertures, control voltage sources for supplying control potentials to said control electrodes in accordance with the image information to selectively permit or restrict the transport of charged toner particles from the particle carrier through the apertures, an image receiving member caused to move in relation to the printhead structure for intercepting the transported charged particles, a transfer unit for transferring the image on said image receiving member to a print medium, and a fusing unit for permanently fixing the image on the print medium. The invention is characterized in that said image forming apparatus comprises a buffer zone between the transfer unit and the fusing unit, and buffer means arranged in said buffer zone for temporarily accommodating said print medium being fed out from the transfer unit, before feeding it to the fusing unit. The invention also relates to a method for operating said image forming apparatus. |
