Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090220274 | Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A tandem type photosensitive unit detachably mounted in a main body of an image forming apparatus is provided. The tandem type photosensitive unit includes a plurality of parallelly arranged photosensitive drums; developer cartridges mounted on respective cartridge mounting positions having a constant positional relationship to photosensitive drums respectively; a pair of first side plates opposed to each other in an axial direction of the photosensitive drums for positioning each photosensitive drum by retaining both end portions of each photosensitive drum in the axial direction; and a pair of second side plates opposed to each other in the axial direction for retaining each developer cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting position. The pair of second side plates are provided with guided portions guided to a unit guide portion provided in the main body and cartridge guide portions for guiding mounting of each developer cartridge on the cartridge mounting position. | 09-03-2009 |
20090220275 | Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A tandem type photosensitive unit detachably mounted in a main body of an image forming apparatus is provided. The tandem type photosensitive unit includes: a plurality of parallelly arranged photosensitive drums; a first end-side shaft receiving member engaged with a first end portion of each photosensitive drum in the axial direction; a second end-side shaft receiving member engaged with a second end portion, opposite to the first end portion, of each photosensitive drum in the axial direction; a first side plate collectively retaining each first end-side shaft member; and a second side plate collectively retaining each second end-side shaft receiving member. | 09-03-2009 |
20090269097 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: plural photosensitive members aligned in a first direction; plural developing units for the photosensitive members, respectively, each of the developing units including a developer supplier, and a housing which holds the developer supplier; a translation member which moves the developing units between a contact position in which the developer suppliers contact the photosensitive members and a separated position in which the developer suppliers are separated from the photosensitive members by a linear reciprocating movement in the first direction; plural memory chips provided on the housings of the developing units, respectively; plural contacts provided on the translation member, each of the contacts configured to contact the corresponding memory chips; and a wiring provided on the translation member and electrically connected to each of the contacts. | 10-29-2009 |
20090269100 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a casing, a photosensitive unit removably mountable in the casing, and a protective member. The photosensitive unit includes a plurality of photosensitive members. The protective member is removably attached to the photosensitive unit and includes: a covering plate which opposes the plurality of photosensitive members to cover the plurality of photosensitive members when protecting the photosensitive members; a written part arranged on the covering plate, and including operation information related to the image forming apparatus written thereon; and a support part which supports the photosensitive unit so that the photosensitive members and the covering plate are separated by an interval when protecting the photosensitive members. | 10-29-2009 |
20090324280 | Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A tandem type photosensitive unit includes a plurality of drum retaining units arrayed in line in an arraying direction, and a pair of side plates arranged on both sides of the drum retaining units in an axial direction perpendicular to the arraying direction and collectively opposed to the drum retaining units. Each drum retaining unit retains a photosensitive drum having an axis which extends in the axial direction. At least one of the side plates is provided to be slidable in the axial direction. | 12-31-2009 |
20100028043 | Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A tandem type photosensitive unit includes: a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged in parallel with one another; a first structure member having a side surface extending in an arrangement direction of the photosensitive drums as viewed from an axial direction of the photosensitive drums for collectively retaining the plurality of photosensitive drums and relatively positioning the plurality of photosensitive drums; and a second structure member having a side surface extending in the arrangement direction as viewed from the axial direction for collectively retaining developer cartridges provided correspondingly to the photosensitive drums respectively. The first structure member is fixed to the second structure member on one side in the arrangement direction, and mounted on the second structure member with a clearance on the other side in the arrangement direction. | 02-04-2010 |
20100111562 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a main body, an endless belt, and a drum unit. The drum unit is detachably mounted on the main body. The drum unit is inserted in a mounting direction to mount on the main body. The drum unit has a first end and a second end that is disposed downstream in the mounting direction. The drum unit supports a plurality of photosensitive drums including a black photosensitive drum and color photosensitive drums. The black photosensitive drum has a first axis extending in an axial direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. Each of the color photosensitive drums has a second axis extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction. The black and color photosensitive drums are arranged in the mounting direction. The black photosensitive drum is disposed at a position nearest to the first end. The second end is pivotable about the first axis to be movable between an initial position and a pivot position. The black and color photosensitive drums contact the endless belt when the drum unit is disposed in the initial position. The black photosensitive drum contacts the endless belt and the color photosensitive drums are separated from the endless belt when the drum unit is disposed in the pivot position. | 05-06-2010 |
20100135689 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Unit - A process unit and an image forming apparatus are provided. The process unit is slidably moutable on an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. The process unit includes plural photosensitive units which include photosensitive members, respectively, and are arranged at an interval, each of the photosensitive units including a unit contact, an electrode unit which electrically connects the photosensitive units to the apparatus main body. The electrode unit includes plural unit-side electrode members which come into contact with the unit contacts of the photosensitive units, respectively, a relay electrode member which comes into contact with the respective unit-side electrode members to electrically connect the respective unit-side electrode members, and a body-side electrode member which comes into contact with an apparatus main body contact provided in the apparatus main body. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135692 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus are provided. The process cartridge is detachably mountable in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a first outer side plate which is provided on one side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a second outer side plate which is provided on the other side of the photosensitive drums in the axial direction, and opposes the first outer side plate with the photosensitive drums interposed therebetween, and a plurality of input parts which are provided on ends of the photosensitive drums at the one side, respectively. An end face of each of the input parts being provided inward with respect to the outer surface of the first outer side plate. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135693 | Image Forming Apparatus and Photosensitive Unit - An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a photosensitive unit detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus body. The photosensitive unit includes: a frame; photosensitive bodies supported by the frame; cartridges including a developer carrier and detachably mountable to the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing the cartridges to direct the developer carrier toward the corresponding photosensitive body. Each cartridge can shift in the frame to a first attitude pressed by the pressing portion, and a second attitude released from the press of the pressing portion and detachable from the frame. The image forming apparatus body is provided with an abutment portion abutting the cartridge in the second attitude thereby bringing the cartridge into the first attitude when the photosensitive unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus body. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135694 | Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A photosensitive unit is provided. The photosensitive unit includes a frame, plural photosensitive drums which are held by the frame, plural cartridges detachably mounted in the frame. Each cartridge includes a developing roller for supplying developer to the corresponding photosensitive drum, a supply roller, and a casing having a first casing portion supporting the developing roller and the supply roller and including a first wall, and a second casing portion storing developer and including a second wall connected to the first wall through a first stepped portion. The frame includes plural beam members which are provided between a pair of side parts. Each beam member includes a third wall which opposes the first wall with a distance therebetween, and a fourth wall which opposes the second wall with a distance therebetween in a state where a cartridge is mounted in the frame. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135697 | Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A photosensitive unit includes: plural photosensitive drums; side plates provided on a first side and a second side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, respectively, each of the side plates being formed with through holes at a position opposing each photosensitive drum in the axial direction; and plural bearing members fitted into the through holes, respectively, to support end portions of the photosensitive drums. An inner surface of each of the through holes has four linear portions. The four linear portions are in contact with a virtual circle virtually set in the corresponding through hole, and arranged at a regular angular interval with respect to a center of the virtual circle. Each of the bearing members includes an insertion portion which has an outer peripheral surface having a diameter larger than that of the virtual circle, and is inserted into the through hole. | 06-03-2010 |
20100166456 | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Unit - An image forming apparatus comprises a photosensitive drum, a charged wire which long extends in a shaft direction of the photosensitive drum and charges the photosensitive drum by electric discharge, a frame disposed so as to surround the charged wire, the frame in which a cover side opening is formed in the side opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to the charged wire, and a cover member disposed so as to cover the cover side opening while forming a blow path in communication with the cover side opening between the frame and the cover member. The cover member moves along the charged wire and is constructed extractably from a side surface of the frame and also a cleaning member for cleaning the charged wire is disposed. | 07-01-2010 |
20100166457 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion. | 07-01-2010 |
20110064457 | Image Forming Apparatus and Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit - An image forming apparatus is described. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable with respect to the body, wherein the unit includes: a frame; a plurality of photosensitive bodies; a plurality of developer cartridges, including developer carriers, detachably mountable on the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing each of the cartridges so that the developer carrier thereof is directed toward the corresponding photosensitive body, each of the cartridges is pivoted to be movable to an imaging position pressed by the pressing portion and a detached position released from the pressing by the pressing portion, and the body is provided with an abutting portion abutting the cartridge located on the detached position thereby pivoting the cartridge and moving the same to the imaging position when the unit is mounted on the body. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064463 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 03-17-2011 |
20110211865 | Image Forming Device Including Process Unit Provided with Handle - An image forming device includes a main casing, a support member, a plurality of developing cartridges, a handle provided to the support member, and a pair of interfering parts provided at both ends of the support member. Each developing cartridge includes a casing and a developing member supported by the casing. A gap between the pair of interfering parts is narrower than a length of the developing member, and the pair of interfering parts is located between the handle and one of the developing cartridges. Each of the interfering parts has a higher height than the handle. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211866 | Image Forming Device Having Process Unit That Can Be Pulled Out Thereof - An image forming device includes a main body, a support unit, a driving unit, a developer cartridge, a moving member, a transmitting member, and a detection member. The support unit can be pulled out from the main body in a removing direction. The developer cartridge is detachably mounted in the support unit and has a driving member. The driving member is driven by the driving unit when the developer cartridge is mounted in the support unit. The moving member moves when the driving member is driven by the driving unit. The transmitting member is provided to the support unit and is rotatable about a rotational axis which extends perpendicular to the removing direction and a longitudinal direction of a photosensitive member. When the moving member contacts the transmitting member, the transmitting member rotates. The detection member detects a rotation of the transmitting member. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211867 | Image Forming Device Having Process Unit That Can Be Pulled Out Thereof - The process unit includes a casing, a developer unit, and a switching unit. The developer unit is movable between an image-forming position and a detached position. The developer unit includes a drive force input unit and a drive force transmitting unit. A drive force is inputted into the drive force input unit from outside of the developer unit. The drive force transmitting unit transmits the drive force. The switching member is for switching the drive force transmitting unit between a transmitting state and an interrupting state. The switching member switches the drive force transmitting unit to the transmitting state when the developer unit is at the image-forming position, and the switching member switches the drive force transmitting unit to the interrupting state when the developer unit is at the detached position. | 09-01-2011 |
20110229193 | Image Forming Device - A plurality of photosensitive drums is positioned between a first side plate and a second side plate of a holder unit. The first side plate is formed with a plurality of openings. Each of a plurality of toner cases supports each developing roller and is positioned between the first side plate and the second side plate. Each toner case has a confronting surface confronting the first side plate. Each of a plurality of developer couplings is provided at the confronting surface at a position in alignment with each opening and receives an input force to rotate each developing roller. A fixing member has a plurality of intervenient portions and a connecting portion integrally linking neighboring intervenient portion together. Each intervenient portion is interposed between each opening and each developer coupling to fix a position of each toner case relative to the holder unit. | 09-22-2011 |
20110229194 | Image Forming Device - A holder unit is configured to hold a plurality of photosensitive drums such that the plurality of photosensitive drums are arrayed in a predetermined direction and juxtaposed with each other with a space between neighboring photosensitive drums. A plurality of developing units is held by the holder unit, each is provided in association with each photosensitive drum, and each includes a developing roller displaceable between a contact position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position where the developing roller is spaced away from the photosensitive drum. A spacer member has a plurality of retaining portions each in association with each developing unit and configured to retain each developing unit at the spaced position, and a linking portion integral with the retaining portions and configured to connect neighboring retaining portions therethrough in the predetermined direction. | 09-22-2011 |
20110243609 | CHARGE-REMOVING DEVICE - In the charge-removing device, the light guide portion extends in a first direction. The light guide portion guides light from the light source toward the surface of the image-bearing member. A charge on the surface of the image-bearing member is removed by the light emitted from the light guide portion. The first surface of the light guide portion opposes the light source. The rear surface is an opposite surface of the confronting surface and has a rough surface part that reflects, toward the confronting surface, the light from the first surface. The closer a position of the increasing portion is to the second surface, the larger the length of the increasing portion becomes. The closer a position of the decreasing portion is to the second surface, the smaller the length of the decreasing portion becomes. | 10-06-2011 |
20110318055 | TANDEM DRUM UNIT HAVING RESILIENTLY MOVABLE ABUTMENT PORTIONS - There is provided a tandem drum unit including a pair of side plates, a plurality of photosensitive drums, a plurality of developing cartridge accommodating sections and at least two abutment portions provided on each connecting frame. The pair of side plates is disposed in opposition to each other in a first direction, each side plate extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of photosensitive drums is juxtaposed in the second direction and interposed between the pair of side plates in the first direction, each photosensitive drum having an axis extending in the first direction and supported rotatably about the axis by the pair of side plates. The plurality of developing cartridge accommodating sections is arrayed in the second direction in correspondence with the plurality of photosensitive drums, each developing cartridge accommodating section accommodating therein a developing cartridge having a casing, each developing cartridge accommodating section comprising a connecting frame extending in the first direction and connected to the pair of side frames. Each connecting frame supports the casing of the developing cartridge accommodated in the developing cartridge accommodating section at one side in the second direction when a rotational moment is exerted on the developing cartridge during development. The casing of the developing cartridge is seated on at least two abutment portions, the at least two abutment portions being positioned spaced away from each another in the first direction and deviated toward the one side on the each connecting frame in the second direction, wherein the plurality of connecting frames includes an endmost connecting frame in the second direction having specific abutment portions resiliently movable in a pressing direction of the developing cartridge against the specific abutment portions. | 12-29-2011 |
20120134688 | NEW/USED CARTRIDGE DETECTION - A developer cartridge includes a housing and a detection gear having a detection protrusion detectable by detecting device of an image forming apparatus. The detection gear is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the detection protrusion is detectable by the detecting device and a gear toothed portion opposes an agitator gear. In the second position, the detection protrusion is undetectable by the detecting device and a toothless portion opposes the agitator gear. When the detection gear is in the first position, an urging portion of the housing contacts the detection gear and applies rotational force to urge the gear toothed portion toward the agitator gear. When in the second position, the urging portion contacts the detection gear and regulates the position of the detection gear in the rotational direction to cause the toothless portion and the agitator gear to oppose each other. | 05-31-2012 |
20120148288 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An image forming device includes a main body, a grounding member, and a supporting member. The supporting member is slidably movable between a mounting position and a drawn-out position with respect to the main body. The supporting member includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a pair of side plates, a contact portion, and a connecting portion. The pair of side plates supports each photosensitive drum. At least one side plate is electrically connected to the grounding member when the supporting member is disposed at the mounting position. A user contacts to the contact portion when the user draws the supporting member to move from the mounting position. The contact portion and the at least one side plate are electrically connected with each other via the connecting portion. Each of the pair of side plates, contact portion, and connecting portion is made of an electrically conductive material. | 06-14-2012 |
20120163859 | PROCESS UNIT AND IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE USING PROCESS UNIT - A process unit includes an image bearing member a first frame, a developing unit, a pressing assembly, and a pressing-force adjusting assembly. The first frame supports the image bearing member. The developing unit includes a developing roller and a second frame supporting the developing roller. The pressing assembly generates a first pressing force acting on the developing unit such that the developing roller is in pressure contact with the image bearing member. The pressing-force adjusting assembly contacts one of the first frame and the developing unit and generates a second pressing force acting on the developing unit against the first pressing force. The second pressing force is smaller than the first pressing force. | 06-28-2012 |
20120237263 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided, which is configured to form an image with developer of a plurality of colors on a sheet-type recording medium by a non-magnetic single component developing method. The image forming apparatus includes a first color developing unit which is configured to perform developing of a first color by a jumping developing method, and a second color developing unit which is configured to perform developing of the second color by a contact developing method. | 09-20-2012 |
20120251163 | Image Forming Device Provided with Side Walls Having Empty Region - An image forming device includes a main casing and a photosensitive unit having photosensitive bodies arrayed in an array direction. The main casing includes a first side plate having a first primary portion extending in the array direction, and having a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion spaced away therefrom in the array direction. The photosensitive unit includes a second side plate supporting the photosensitive bodies and having a second primary portion extending in the array direction. The second side plate has a third positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the first positioning portion and has a fourth positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the second positioning portion. The first and third portions are overlapped with each other and the second and fourth positioning portions are overlapped with each other while the first primary portion and the second primary portion are spaced away from each other. | 10-04-2012 |
20120251172 | Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a pressure unit and first and second positioning portions. A photosensitive unit, configured to be mounted in a main frame of the image forming apparatus along a prescribed direction, may include a plurality of photosensitive drums, a pair of metal plates, and a resin frame. The pair of metal plates is spaced away from each other in the axial direction of each photosensitive drum and supports the photosensitive drums. The metal plates are configured to be positioned on the second positioning portion. The resin frame is configured to support the metal plates and developer cartridges. The resin frame is further configured to be positioned on the first positioning portion. The pair of metal plates is pressed against the second positioning portion to be positioned with respect to the main frame when the resin frame is pressed by the pressure unit in the prescribed direction. | 10-04-2012 |
20120269543 | Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus - A cartridge has a first frame supporting a photosensitive member and a second frame supporting a developer carrying member. The first and second frames can take either a contact position where the two members are in contact with each other or a separated position where the two members are separated. A supporting member supporting the cartridge is movable between a mount position in a housing and a pull-out position outside the housing. When the supporting member is held in the pull-out position, the first and second frames are retrained in the separated position. The cartridge is supported on the supporting member to be movable between a first position where image formation is disabled and a second position where image formation is enabled. The cartridge is moved from the first position to the second position attendant to the movements of the supporting member from the pull-out position to the mount position. | 10-25-2012 |
20120288305 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 11-15-2012 |
20120308265 | Image Forming Apparatus and Rotating Body Unit - In an image forming apparatus, a rotating body has a follower member that is arranged to confront with a drive member in an axial direction of the drive member. A drive transmitting member transmits drive force from the drive member to the follower member by coupling the drive member and the follower member with each other, while allowing relative positional deviation between the drive member and the follower member on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive member within a prescribed range. The drive member and the follower member have a drive-member side contact part and a follower-member side contact part, respectively. A making-contact member brings the drive-member side contact part and the follower-member side contact part into contact with each other. | 12-06-2012 |
20130084096 | Image Forming Apparatus Having Cleaning Unit Movably Provided on Photosensitive Member Unit - An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having a pinch roller; a supporting member configured to support a plurality of cartridges; and a cleaning unit provided on the supporting member. The supporting member is movable, relative to the main body, between an internal position located inside the main body and an external position located outside the main body. The cleaning unit includes: a paper dust roller for removing paper dust from recording sheets; a paper dust removing member for removing the paper dust; and a storing section for string the paper dust. The paper dust roller is movable relative to the supporting member and positioning of the paper dust roller relative to the pinch roller is independent of positioning of the supporting member relative to the main body. | 04-04-2013 |
20130084099 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus which may include an apparatus main body and a module unit. The module unit may include a communication member having an opening that allows communication between inside and outside of the module unit and a unit-side positioning portion located adjacent to the opening of the communication member. Further, the apparatus main body may include a ventilation member having an opening located so as to oppose the opening of the communication member. Further, the apparatus main body may include a main body-side positioning portion located adjacent to an opening of the ventilation member. Also, the apparatus main body may include an urging member that is configured to urge the module unit so as to bring the unit-side positioning portion into contact with the main body-side positioning portion. | 04-04-2013 |
20130084103 | Rotary Body Unit - A first rotary body is configured to rotate by a drive force input from an external source and has a first outer peripheral surface. A second rotary body is configured to rotate by following a rotation of the first rotary body through the friction generated between the first outer peripheral surface and the second outer peripheral surface. A first gear is configured to rotate together with the first rotary body. A second gear is configured to rotate together with the second rotary body and is directory engaged with the first gear. The first gear had a first pitch circle and the second gear has a second pitch circle. A radius of the first pitch circle is smaller than the radius of the first rotary body, and a radius of the second pitch circle is larger than the radius of the second rotary body. | 04-04-2013 |
20130114973 | Image Forming Apparatus and Photosensitive Unit - An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a photosensitive unit detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus body. The photosensitive unit includes: a frame; photosensitive bodies supported by the frame; cartridges including a developer carrier and detachably mountable to the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing the cartridges to direct the developer carrier toward the corresponding photosensitive body. Each cartridge can shift in the frame to a first attitude pressed by the pressing portion, and a second attitude released from the press of the pressing portion and detachable from the frame. The image forming apparatus body is provided with an abutment portion abutting the cartridge in the second attitude thereby bringing the cartridge into the first attitude when the photosensitive unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus body. | 05-09-2013 |
20130129386 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion. | 05-23-2013 |
20130164023 | Photosensitive Member Unit - A photosensitive member unit includes: a first image forming unit including a first photosensitive member rotatable on a first axis line; and a second image forming unit including a second photosensitive member rotatable on a second axis line parallel with the first axis line and disposed in parallel with the first image forming unit at a first side in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first and second axis lines. The first image forming unit includes a charger and a cartridge containing portion. The charger includes: a charging member; a cleaning member for cleaning the charging member; and an operating member for operating the cleaning member. The operating member is inoperable when the developing cartridge is installed in the cartridge containing portion, and is exposed to be operable in the cartridge containing portion when the developing cartridge is removed from the cartridge containing portion. | 06-27-2013 |
20130195505 | Image Forming Apparatus - There is provided an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body having an opening, an open/close member which opens and closes the opening, and an image forming unit which is drawable to an outside of the apparatus body through the opening. The open/close member includes a restraint member which is movable between a restraint position of restraining movement of the image forming unit and a restraint release position of releasing the restraint, and a moving member which moves the restraint member from the restraint position toward the restraint release position as the open/close member being moved from a close position to an open position. Once the restraint member is moved from the restraint position toward the restraint release position, the restraint member is held at the restraint release position not to be moved from the restraint release position to the restraint position even when the open/close member is moved. | 08-01-2013 |
20130202317 | Image Forming Device Having Process Unit That Can Be Pulled Out Thereof - An image forming device includes a main body, and a support unit. The main body is provided with a first force receiving portion. The support unit is configured to receive a developer cartridge and be pulled out from the main body in a horizontal direction. The developer cartridge is configured to accommodate therein developer. The developer cartridge has a first force applying portion. The support unit has a transmitting member. The transmitting member includes a second force receiving portion configured to receive a force from the first force-receiving portion and a second force applying portion configured to apply the force received by the second force receiving portion to the first force receiving portion. | 08-08-2013 |
20130259522 | Image Forming Device Including Process Unit Provided with Handle - An image forming device includes a main casing, a support member, a plurality of developing cartridges, a handle provided to the support member, and a pair of interfering parts provided at both ends of the support member. Each developing cartridge includes a casing and a developing member supported by the casing. A gap between the pair of interfering parts is narrower than a length of the developing member, and the pair of interfering parts is located between the handle and one of the developing cartridges. Each of the interfering parts has a higher height than the handle. | 10-03-2013 |
20130294799 | Image Forming Device - A holder unit is configured to hold a plurality of photosensitive drums such that the plurality of photosensitive drums are arrayed in a predetermined direction and juxtaposed with each other with a space between neighboring photosensitive drums. A plurality of developing units is held by the holder unit, each is provided in association with each photosensitive drum, and each includes a developing roller displaceable between a contact position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position where the developing roller is spaced away from the photosensitive drum. A spacer member has a plurality of retaining portions each in association with each developing unit and configured to retain each developing unit at the spaced position, and a linking portion integral with the retaining portions and configured to connect neighboring retaining portions therethrough in the predetermined direction. | 11-07-2013 |
20140016963 | Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Easily Drawing Image Forming Unit From Main Casing - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; exposure members; and a cover. The image forming unit includes a cartridge support member for supporting cartridges. The cartridge support member is movable relative to a main casing in a moving direction from an inside position inside the main casing to an outside position outside the main casing. The cover is movable from a first position to a second position such that the cover allows movement of the image forming unit from the inside position to the outside position. The cover includes a first wall and a second wall integral with the first wall. The first wall covers a top side of the image forming unit at the inside position when the cover is at the first position and supports the plurality of exposure members. The second wall covers a downstream side in the moving direction of the image forming unit at the inside position when the cover is at the first position. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016964 | Image Forming Apparatus and Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit - An image forming apparatus is described. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable with respect to the body, wherein the unit includes: a frame; a plurality of photosensitive bodies; a plurality of developer cartridges, including developer carriers, detachably mountable on the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing each of the cartridges so that the developer carrier thereof is directed toward the corresponding photosensitive body, each of the cartridges is pivoted to be movable to an imaging position pressed by the pressing portion and a detached position released from the pressing by the pressing portion, and the body is provided with an abutting portion abutting the cartridge located on the detached position thereby pivoting the cartridge and moving the same to the imaging position when the unit is mounted on the body. | 01-16-2014 |
20140023407 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion. | 01-23-2014 |
20140037326 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Unit Capable of Collecting Developer on Photosensitive Drum - An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a supply roller; and a cleaning roller. The developing roller supplies developer to the photosensitive drum. The supply roller supplies developer to the developing roller and has a supply roller body. The cleaning roller collects developer on the photosensitive drum and has a cleaning roller body. Axial end faces of the cleaning roller body and axial end faces of the supply roller body are at the same position in the axial direction, or the axial end faces of the cleaning roller body is positioned outward of the axial end faces of the supply roller body in the axial direction. The cleaning roller rotates in one of a forward direction and a reverse direction at a contact portion where the cleaning roller contacts the photosensitive drum. The cleaning roller rotates at a peripheral speed slower than a peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum when rotating in the forward direction. | 02-06-2014 |
20140037329 | Image Forming Apparatus Provided with Cartridge Support Unit - An image forming apparatus includes: a cartridge support unit in which a plurality of cartridges are supported; an abutment portion; and a first applying portion. The cartridge support unit moves in a mounting direction from a withdrawn position to a mounted position. The abutment portion is disposed at one of the main casing and the cartridge support unit. The first applying portion is disposed at the other of the main casing and the cartridge support unit. The first applying portion abuts on the abutment portion to apply a first resistance force in a direction opposite to the mounting direction to the cartridge support unit when the cartridge support unit moves in the mounting direction. The first applying portion and the abutment portion are configured such that the first resistance force continuously increases and then continuously decreases. | 02-06-2014 |
20140056615 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 02-27-2014 |
20140056620 | Developer Container and Developing Device - A developer container includes: a container body that has an opening at an upper part and is configured to accommodate therein developer; a conveyance member that is provided in the container body, and includes a rotation member having a rotary shaft and an elastic part, which is supported by the rotation member, is configured to be elastically deformed and is configured to rotate to convey the developer from the opening to an outside of the container body; and a driving member that is connected to one end portion of the rotary shaft and is configured to rotate the rotary shaft. The container body includes a first support part to which the other end portion of the rotary shaft is loosely fitted and a second support part that supports the one end portion of the rotary shaft. | 02-27-2014 |
20140056621 | Developer Container and Developing Device - A developer container comprising: a container body accommodating developer; a conveyance member that is provided to the container body, and includes a rotation member having a rotary shaft and an elastic part, which is supported by the rotation member and rotates to convey the developer. The container body includes a first support part to which the rotary shaft is loosely fitted, and a second support part that supports the rotary shaft. The container body includes a sliding contact part that the elastic part sliding-contacts while being elastically deformed when the conveyance member is being rotated. A distance from a center of the rotary shaft to a leading end of the elastic part is gradually increased from the one end portion-side of the rotary shaft towards the other end portion-side of the rotary shaft. | 02-27-2014 |
20140093276 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus are provided. The process cartridge is detachably mountable in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a first outer side plate which is provided on one side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a second outer side plate which is provided on the other side of the photosensitive drums in the axial direction, and opposes the first outer side plate with the photosensitive drums interposed therebetween, and a plurality of input parts which are provided on ends of the photosensitive drums at the one side, respectively. An end face of each of the input parts being provided inward with respect to the outer surface of the first outer side plate. | 04-03-2014 |
20140105631 | Image Forming Apparatus Including Coupling Member Selectively Coupled to Photosensitive Drum - An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt. | 04-17-2014 |
20140105640 | Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A tandem type photosensitive unit includes: a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged in parallel with one another; a first structure member having a side surface extending in an arrangement direction of the photosensitive drums as viewed from an axial direction of the photosensitive drums for collectively retaining the plurality of photosensitive drums and relatively positioning the plurality of photosensitive drums; and a second structure member having a side surface extending in the arrangement direction as viewed from the axial direction for collectively retaining developer cartridges provided correspondingly to the photosensitive drums respectively. The first structure member is fixed to the second structure member on one side in the arrangement direction, and mounted on the second structure member with a clearance on the other side in the arrangement direction. | 04-17-2014 |
20140105654 | Image Forming Apparatus Including Black Photosensitive Drum Replaceable Independently From Color Photosensitive Drums - An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a plurality of photosensitive drums, a process frame, and a process unit. The plurality of photosensitive drums includes a black photosensitive drum and color photosensitive drums. Black toner is used in the black photosensitive drum. Each of yellow, magenta, and cyan toner is used in one of the color photosensitive drums. The black and color photosensitive drums are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The process frame supports the color photosensitive drums in fixed positions and is detachably mounted on the main body. The process frame is inserted in a mounting direction to be mounted on the main body. The process unit is detachably mounted in the process frame and supports the black photosensitive drum. | 04-17-2014 |
20140321881 | Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Positioning Drawer Relative to Main Frame - An image forming apparatus includes: a main frame; a drawer; a plurality of cartridges; a contact member; and an urging member. The main frame includes a cover and a positioning portion. The cover is movable between a closed position covering the opening and an open position exposing an opening of the main frame. The drawer is movable relative to the main frame in a prescribed direction. The plurality of cartridges is detachably mounted in the drawer. The contact member is configured to contact the drawer in response to the movement of the cover to the closed position. The urging member is disposed between the cover and the contact member. The urging member is configured to urge the contact member toward the drawer in response to the movement of the cover to the closed position such that the drawer is pressed against the positioning portion. | 10-30-2014 |
20140334841 | Positioning Mechanism for Positioning Drawer Relative to Casing of Image Forming Device - An image forming device includes a main casing, a unit, a side plate, a positioning member, and a fixing member. The side plate is formed with a through-hole having a first surface extending in a second direction crossing a first direction, a second surface extending in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, and a third surface, and a fourth surface positioned between the first surface and the second surface in a contour of the through hole. The positioning member is in contact with the first surface and the second surface. The third surface is positioned opposite to the fourth surface with respect to the positioning member. The fixing member includes an insert portion configured to be inserted through the through-hole. The insert portion is positioned between the first portion and the third surface to press the first portion toward the fourth surface. | 11-13-2014 |
20140363189 | Cartridge Provided with Coil-Shaped Electrode Member - A cartridge includes: a rotation body; and an electrode member. The electrode member is configured to supply the rotation body with electric power from an external electrode provided outside of the cartridge. The electrode member includes: a contact portion; and an urging portion. The contact portion is configured to be contacted with the external electrode. The urging portion is in a shape of a coil formed by winding a wire rod and configured to urge the contact portion toward the external electrode such that the contact portion is pivotally moved about the urging portion. | 12-11-2014 |
20140363190 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming units arranged in parallel with each other at intervals in a predetermined direction toward a first side from a second side of the image forming apparatus, each image forming unit including a photoconductive drum, and a charger configured to charge the photoconductive drum, a frame body configured to support the plurality of image forming units, and a regulating member disposed between a first-side image forming unit of the plurality of image forming units that is closest to the first side in the predetermined direction and a first-side end portion of the frame body in the predetermined direction, the regulating member configured to regulate an air current and urge the first-side image forming unit. | 12-11-2014 |
20140363192 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including an apparatus main body including an inner wall that defines an accommodation portion, photoconductive drums arranged in parallel at intervals in a predetermined direction toward a first side from a second side, in the accommodation portion, chargers disposed corresponding to the photoconductive drums, respectively, each charger charging a corresponding one of the photoconductive drums, a frame body configured to support the photoconductive drums and the chargers and be accommodated in the accommodation portion, a regulating member disposed between the inner wall and a first-side end portion of the frame body in the predetermined direction, the regulating member configured to apply an urging force to the frame body and regulate an air current, and a pressing member configured to press the frame body against the urging force of the regulating member and regulate a movement of the frame body relative to the apparatus main body. | 12-11-2014 |
20140363197 | Unit Provided With Guide Member Capable of Reliably Guiding Recording Medium - A unit for an image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a photosensitive drum; and a guide member. The frame includes: first and second side plates spaced apart from each other in a first direction and a bridging member. The guide member bridges the first and second side plates; and guides a recording medium in a second direction. The guide member includes: first and second positioned portions fixed in position relative to the first and second side plates; and a supported portion supported to the bridging member. A downstream end of the guide member in the second direction and one of the first and second positioned portions define a first distance therebetween, and the downstream end and the supported portion define a second distance therebetween as viewed in the first direction. The first distance is smaller than the second distance. | 12-11-2014 |
20140376959 | Image Forming Apparatus Having Mechanism for Restricting Movement of Cover - An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a cartridge supporting member, a cover and a restricting member. The cartridge supporting member supporting cartridges is movable along a moving path between an inside position and an outside position relative to the main body. The cover is provided at the main body and pivotally movable between a first position and a second position higher than the first position in a direction generally perpendicular to the moving path. The restricting member is movable in interlocking relation with the movement of the cartridge supporting member between a restricting position and a permitting position for restricting and permitting movement of the cover from the second position to the first position. The restricting member is in the restricting position when the cartridge supporting member is in the outside position, and in the permitting position when the cartridge supporting member is in the inside position. | 12-25-2014 |
20150086224 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 03-26-2015 |
20150086245 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 03-26-2015 |
20150086246 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 03-26-2015 |