Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member that is rotatable, a substrate, a lens array, a holder, and a conductive member provided on the holder. The substrate includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, a driver integrated circuit (IC), and a wiring pattern. The plurality of light-emitting elements is arrayed in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive member to emit light to which a surface of the photosensitive member is exposed. The driver IC drives the plurality of light-emitting elements. The wiring pattern includes a supply line that supplies power to the driver IC and a ground wire that grounds the driver IC. The lens array collects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements on the photosensitive member. The holder holds the substrate and the lens array, is grounded, and is made of metal. The conductive member electrically connects the holder and the ground wire.

Abstract: When a new development device is mounted, a control unit of an image forming apparatus identifies a development device type. When an identification result corresponds to a first development device containing a first amount of developer, an agitation member operates in a first mode. When the identification result corresponds to a second development device containing a second amount of developer higher than the first amount, the agitation member operates in a second mode. A second operation amount of the agitation member in the second mode is higher than a first operation amount of the agitation member in the first mode. A developer containing chamber of the development device is provided with a discharge opening from which the developer is discharged. The operations in the first and second modes are performed after a sealing member sealing the discharge opening is removed and also before a normal image forming process is executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive body, a light source, a lens, a light housing, a first fulcrum, a second fulcrum, a stay, and a repositioning mechanism. The lens is positioned to focus light emitted from the light source at a focal position. The light housing holds the light source and the lens. The fulcrums are positioned such that a surface of the photoconductive body is positioned at the focal position when the light housing engages the first fulcrum and the second fulcrum. The stay is positioned to support the light housing at two or more points between the fulcrums. The repositioning mechanism is coupled to the stay. The light housing presses against the fulcrums when the repositioning mechanism is in a first configuration and is spaced from the fulcrums when the repositioning mechanism is in a second configuration.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a process cartridge, a drawer configured to support the process cartridge and move between an inside position and an outside position. The drawer includes a bottom plate. The bottom plate is configured to support the process cartridge. The bottom plate has a flat surface on one side of the bottom plate and further has a recessed portion recessed relative to the flat surface toward the other side of the bottom plate. The drawer has the flat surface at a portion of the one side. The recessed portion has a support surface configured to support the process cartridge.

Abstract: A structure in which a shutter is moved in a first direction by a motor, an opening is provided in the shutter, and the shutter is moved in a second direction using an elastic force of a spring connected to an upper cover of a light scanning device and an inside wall at the opening of the shutter increases the size of the structure of the shutter and the structure of the light scanning device due to the position of the spring. Therefore, a recess is provided in an opposing surface of a cover opposing a shutter, and a spring for sliding the shutter is connected to a connection portion provided at the recess. The recess is provided at a side opposite to the light source units with a polygon mirror being interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A sheet feeder of a friction pad separation type, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a feeder body, a rotary feed body, a separation body, a holder, and a leaf spring. The rotary feed body is disposed in the feeder body and feeds a recording medium along a sheet conveying direction. The separation body is fixed to the feeder body while facing the rotary feed body. The separation body separates the recording medium with the rotary feed body. The holder has a rotary shaft and holds the separation body while being rotatably supported by the rotary shaft. The leaf spring has a flexible deforming part that contacts an area adjacent to the rotary shaft and a line of action of a pressing force of the flexible deforming part passing close by the rotary shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a light source; and a photosensitive cartridge. The light source is provided in the main casing and configured to emit a light. The photosensitive cartridge is mountable in the main casing in a mounting direction. The photosensitive cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a light guide; a first wall and a second wall. The photosensitive drum has a surface. The light guide is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source to the surface of the photosensitive drum to eliminate static on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The second wall is spaced apart from the first wall in a first direction that crosses the mounting direction. The light source is disposed between the first wall and the second wall when the photosensitive cartridge has been mounted in the main casing.

Abstract: A photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, and a guide member. The guide member is configured to guide light emitted from the light source toward a surface of the photosensitive drum to neutralize charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The guide member includes a first part, a second part, and a third part. The first part is configured to receive the light. The first part extends in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The second part faces the photosensitive drum and extends in the axial direction. The third part connects the first part and the second part. The third part is configured to allow the light to pass through the first part toward the second part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light emitting element unit disposed at an operating position closely opposed to a photoconductor in a printing operation and having a light emitting element that forms an image on the photoconductor, a support unit mounted in the image forming apparatus to support the light emitting element unit, and an elastic member disposed between the light emitting element unit and the support unit. In a state in which the light emitting element unit is disposed at the operating position, the support unit supports the light emitting element unit with the elastic member being disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member closer to and further from the photoconductor. The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm including one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm including: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member closer to and further from the photoconductor. The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm including one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm including: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of preventing the image formation unit from being attached to a guide member for the image formation unit mistakenly, including an apparatus body; an image carrier including a rotary shaft; an exposure device configured to form a latent image through exposure of a surface of the image carrier and retractable from an exposure position; an image formation unit disposed detachably from the apparatus body; and a guide member to guide the exposure device to the exposure position. In the optimal apparatus, the guide member is used both to guide the image formation unit to the apparatus body and to guide the exposure device to the exposure position.

Abstract: A moving device includes a rotary member rotatably supported by a frame of the image forming apparatus to move a latent image forming device between a first position at which the latent image forming device forms a latent image on a latent image bearing member and a second position at which the latent image forming device is separated from the latent image bearing member, a biasing member for biasing the rotary member, and a restriction member for restricting rotation of the rotary member in a state in which the latent image forming device is at the first position. A direction of the force of the biasing member is changed from a stopping direction in which rotation of the rotary member is stopped to a direction opposite the stopping direction while the rotary member is rotated to move the latent image forming device from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an exposure unit, and a main housing. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the image bearing member. The exposure unit includes an optical device that irradiates the image bearing member with light to form the electrostatic latent image, and a housing that defines a storage space in which the optical device is located. The main housing includes a partition wall that divides an inner space of the main housing into a first space in which the image bearing member is located and a second space in which the exposure unit is located. The housing includes a first opening wall having a first opening through which the storage space communicates with the second space. The optical device irradiates the image bearing member with light through the first opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image bearing member, an optical print head to irradiate the image bearing member with light to form a latent image thereon, a developing device to develop the latent image with a developing agent to obtain a visual image, and front and rear plates that sandwich at least the image bearing member and the developing device from opposite directions to position at least the image bearing member and the developing device thereof, the plates having focus direction position determining reference surfaces and sub-scanning direction position determining reference surfaces the optical print head contacts to position the optical print head.

Abstract: An apparatus main body has an opening at a front side. A developing-section supporting member configured to hold developing sections and to be pulled in a pulling direction through the opening from an internal position inside the apparatus main body to an external position outside the apparatus main body at which the developing sections is configured to be mounted and dismounted. Exposing members emit light in an optical axis direction for forming a latent image on respective photosensitive members. The exposing members are provided at the developing-section supporting member. A displacement mechanism is configured to support the developing-section supporting member and to displace the developing-section supporting member between: an adjacent position at which the developing-section supporting member is adjacent to the photosensitive members; and a separated position at which the developing-section supporting member is separated from the photosensitive members.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a main apparatus body, a photoconductor, an exposure mechanism, a frame, and a regulating mechanism. The regulating mechanism includes a fixing member, a movable member, and a biasing member. The frame includes a first contacting surface. The exposure mechanism includes second and third contacting surfaces, and the fixing member includes a fourth contacting surface, first and second facing surfaces. The movable member includes third and fourth facing surfaces. When the exposure mechanism is disposed at the approach position, the biasing member allows the second and third facing surfaces to make a contact with the second and third contacting surfaces, respectively. When the exposure mechanism is disposed at the separation position, the biasing member allows the first and fourth facing surfaces to make a contact with the first and fourth contacting surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum extends in an axial direction. An irradiating unit includes a first reacting portion and a second reacting portion spaced from each other in the axial direction. A moving member includes a first acting portion and a second acting portion spaced from each other in the axial direction. The first acting portion and the second acting portion of the moving member act on the first reacting portion and the second reacting portion respectively, in response to attachment of the developing unit to a main body, such that the irradiating unit moves from the retracted position to the proximate position with respect to the photosensitive drum, and cancel the actions on the first reacting portion and the second reacting portion respectively, in response to removal of the developing unit from the main body, such that the irradiating unit moves from the proximate position to the retracted position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member to and away from the photoconductor. The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm including one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm including: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft.

Abstract: A color multifunction printer as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges each containing a photoconductor; a support frame configured to support the cartridges arranged in tandem, the support frame being allowed to be pulled out horizontally from a casing of the apparatus to a position in which each of the cartridges is detachable from the support frame; and a plurality of exposure units mounted to the support frame, wherein each of the exposure units is disposed opposite to a corresponding photoconductor and is configured to expose the photoconductor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Each of the cartridges is configured to be detachable in such a direction that the photoconductor in the cartridge moves away from the corresponding exposure unit upon detachment.

Abstract: A light projecting device includes a base board, a light guiding member, a holding member, a cover, and a positioning member. A plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a line on the base board in a main scan direction. The light guiding member faces a radiation surface of the light-emitting elements and guides light projected from the light-emitting elements to an irradiation region of an illuminated object. The holding member holds the base board. The cover covers the base board and the light guiding member. The positioning member positions the light guiding member on the holding member. The holding member and the cover sandwich the light guiding member positioned by the positioning member. The light projecting device includes the holding member, the light guiding member, the base board, and the cover as a single unit which is detachably mountable relative to a chassis of the light projecting device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a photosensitive member; a moving mechanism; a movable member; and a cartridge. The photosensitive member is provided in the main casing. The movable member moves between an inside position in which the movable member is inside the main casing and an outside position in which the movable member is at least partly outside the main casing. The movable member includes: a frame; a protection member; and an exposure member. The protection member is fixed to the frame. The moving mechanism moves the exposure member between an exposing position in which the exposure member exposes the photosensitive drum to light and a protected position in which the exposure member is protected by the protection member. The cartridge includes a developer bearing member. The cartridge is supported at the movable member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first moving member pressed and moved by an openable/closable member when the member is opened. A cartridge is switched from being positioned in an image forming position to a state where the positioning is released. A second moving member is pressed and moved by the openable/closable member when the member is opened, and the exposure member is moved from an exposure position to a retracted position. When the cartridge is released, a reaction force applied from the first moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a first peak. When the exposure member is moved to the retracted position, a reaction force applied from the second moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a second peak. Timing of the first peak is different from timing of the second peak.

Abstract: A light source device includes: a light source; a package member that holds the light source; a splitting element that is arranged on an optical path of a light beam output from the light source and splits the light beam into a first light beam and a second light beam; and a cap member that holds the splitting element so that the surface of the splitting element is inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to a traveling direction of the light beam output from the light source and that is attached to the package member to seal the light source.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes a housing having a cover swingable around a rotational shaft, and first and second LED heads attached to the cover, a position of the first LED head relative to a first axis line around which a first photoconductive body is rotatable being more shifted toward the rotational shaft in a first direction than a position of the second LED head relative to a second axis line around which a second photoconductive body is rotatable, the first direction being a direction along which the first and second photoconductive bodies are arranged, the first and second axis lines being parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An image scanning unit an image forming apparatus having the same to scan an image recorded on a document. The image scanning unit includes: a transparent window on which a document to be scanned is laid; an image sensor running straightly under the transparent window for capturing an image recorded on the document, a unit for driving the image sensor; a guide shaft for guiding the straight movement of the image sensor; and an image sensor carrier connected to the driving unit and the guide shaft for straightly moving the image sensor along the guide shaft when the driving unit operates. The image sensor carrier has an image sensor mounting surface on which the image sensor is mounted, and a guide shaft holder integrally formed with the image sensor mounting surface and mounted on the guide shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a plurality of photosensitive members disposed in the main body; a cover configured to open and close the opening; and a plurality of exposure members that is provided at the cover and is configured to expose the plurality of photosensitive members, respectively. The cover includes a cover-side metal plate provided along a surface of the cover. Entire parts of the plurality of exposure members overlap with the cover-side metal plate, when seen in a direction normal to the cover-side metal plate. At least four positions of the cover-side metal plate, which surround the plurality of exposure members, are electrically grounded at a state in which the cover is closed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member to and away from the photoconductor. The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm including one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm including: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a first unit and a second unit connected with each other, a first exterior cover covering a part of the first unit, a second exterior cover covering a part of the second unit and formed with a cover main body and an extension extending from the cover main body. A third exterior cover is provided between the first exterior cover and the second exterior cover and overlaps with while contacting the extension of the second exterior cover.

Abstract: A color multifunction printer as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges each containing a photoconductor; a support frame configured to support the cartridges arranged in tandem, the support frame being allowed to be pulled out horizontally from a casing of the apparatus to a position in which each of the cartridges is detachable from the support frame; and a plurality of exposure units mounted to the support frame, wherein each of the exposure units is disposed opposite to a corresponding photoconductor and is configured to expose the photoconductor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Each of the cartridges is configured to be detachable in such a direction that the photoconductor in the cartridge moves away from the corresponding exposure unit upon detachment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover moving between a first position where the cover opens an opening and a second position where the cover closes the opening; photoconductors arrayed in a predetermined direction; and exposure members provided in one to one correspondence with the photoconductors. Each exposure member exposes a corresponding photoconductor and moves between third and fourth positions. The apparatus also includes moving mechanisms provided in one to one correspondence with the exposure members, each moving mechanism moving the corresponding exposure member between the first and second positions; a power transmission mechanism transmitting power from the cover to the moving mechanisms such that movement of the cover from the second position to the first position causes each moving mechanism to move the corresponding exposure member from the third position to the fourth position. Each exposure member tilts when moving from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: A support structure, which includes: a housing configured to store an optical element; a support unit configured to support the housing; a positioning element configured to position the housing with respect to the support unit; a vibration-proof element configured to prevent transmission of vibration from the support unit to the housing; and an extension from the housing toward the support unit. The support unit includes a first surface configured to define an opening into which the extension is inserted. The positioning element supports and positions the extension in the opening so that the extension portion is apart from the first surface. The vibration-proof element is disposed between the first surface and the extension portion.

Abstract: A color multifunction printer as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges each containing a photoconductor; a support frame configured to support the cartridges arranged in tandem, the support frame being allowed to be pulled out horizontally from a casing of the apparatus to a position in which each of the cartridges is detachable from the support frame; and a plurality of exposure units mounted to the support frame, wherein each of the exposure units is disposed opposite to a corresponding photoconductor and is configured to expose the photoconductor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Each of the cartridges is configured to be detachable in such a direction that the photoconductor in the cartridge moves away from the corresponding exposure unit upon detachment.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a support frame configured to support a plurality of cartridges each including a photoconductor is allowed to be pulled out from a casing of the apparatus. A plurality of light-emitting parts configured to expose a corresponding photoconductor to light is arranged in each exposure unit which is movable between an exposure position proximate to the corresponding photoconductor and a retreating position away from the photoconductor. A pair of side plates of the support frame, which extends in a direction perpendicular to a main direction in which the light-emitting parts are arranged, has guide slots formed therein, each of which is configured to guide movement of a corresponding exposure unit between its exposure and retreating positions. Each guide slot includes a positioning portion configured to position the exposure unit in position in a subordinate direction perpendicular to the main direction and to an exposure direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a latent-image forming device; a developing device; a latent-image forming device contacting/separating mechanism; and a developing device contacting/separating mechanism, and the latent-image forming device contacting/separating mechanism allows the latent-image forming device to be movable to the latent-image forming device contacting position in a state where the developing device is moved to the developing device contacting position.

Abstract: In a printer, a scanner unit is formed into a taper shape having a thinner thickness on a side of a pick-up roller in a removing direction of a process unit, to allow the process unit to be removed from the printer. A part of a sheet feeding path is formed in an area between the process unit and a sheet cassette. An image forming position on the sheet feed path is set lower than an upper end of the pick-up roller. Thus, removal of the process unit can be readily performed. Further, the height of the printer at a position of the pick-up roller can be reduced as compared with a case where the scanner unit is not formed into a taper shape.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source which irradiates an original with light, an imaging unit which images by condensing reflected and scattered light from the original via a plurality of reflecting mirrors and imaging mirrors, and a photoelectric conversion unit which converts, into an electrical signal, the reflected and scattered light imaged by the imaging unit. The imaging unit is an imaging optical system which is adjusted such that the difference between the spectral characteristic at an end portion in the main-scanning direction of the image reading apparatus and that at the central portion in the main-scanning direction becomes 5% or less at the peak wavelength of the light source.

Abstract: A cleaning pad that is part of a printer developer customer replaceable unit cleans a laser aperture each time the customer replacement unit is removed and/or replaced. The pad is located on an inboard end of the customer replaceable unit such that when inserted into the printer it wipes any accumulated toner from the surface of the laser aperture. Also, in developer units that include a light proof cover that retracts at the time of insertion, the wiper is situated so that it cleans the aperture in the process of retracting.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a latent-image forming device; a developing device; a latent-image forming device contacting/separating mechanism; and a developing device contacting/separating mechanism, and the latent-image forming device contacting/separating mechanism allows the latent-image forming device to be movable to the latent-image forming device contacting position in a state where the developing device is moved to the developing device contacting position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate light on the surface of a photoconductive member and form an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit configured to form a developer image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductive member, a transfer belt configured to move between a first position where the transfer belt comes into contact with the photoconductive member and a second position where the transfer belt separates from the photoconductive member and transfer the developer image on the photoconductive member onto a sheet, a driving mechanism including a rotating lever and configured to drive the transfer belt between the first position and the second position, a shutter unit configured to open and close a light emission surface of the light irradiation unit, and a power transmission mechanism configured to drive the shutter unit by the torque of the lever.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus is provided with: an image carrier; an exposure member that exposes the image carrier and forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier; a developing member that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; and a contact-retracting unit that rotates the developing member taking a predetermined position as the rotational center, and brings the developing member in contact with or proximity to the image carrier or retracts the developing member from the image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member to and away from the photoconductor. The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm including one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm including: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft.

Abstract: An image exposure apparatus is provided and includes: an optical unit that emits light to form an exposure image on a photosensitive material; a casing that houses the optical unit and that has an image exposure window through which the light is allowed to pass for forming the exposure image; a transparent dustproof member at the image exposure window; and a shutter member switched between a shield position for covering a region above the dustproof member, which serves as a passage region of a cleaning member for cleaning a surface of the dustproof member, and an open position for allowing the light to pass through the dustproof member to form an exposure image on a surface of the photosensitive material. When the shutter member is located at the shield position, at least a part of the shutter member goes into the passage region of the cleaning member.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a support frame configured to support a plurality of cartridges each including a photoconductor is allowed to be pulled out from a casing of the apparatus. A plurality of light-emitting parts configured to expose a corresponding photoconductor to light is arranged in each exposure unit which is movable between an exposure position proximate to the corresponding photoconductor and a retreating position away from the photoconductor. A pair of side plates of the support frame, which extends in a direction perpendicular to a main direction in which the light-emitting parts are arranged, has guide slots formed therein, each of which is configured to guide movement of a corresponding exposure unit between its exposure and retreating positions. Each guide slot includes a positioning portion configured to position the exposure unit in position in a subordinate direction perpendicular to the main direction and to an exposure direction.

Abstract: An image forming includes a main body, an exposing unit, a process cartridge, and a positioning unit. The exposing unit is fixed to the main body and includes an exposing member. The process cartridge is attachable to an attaching portion provided on at least one of the main body and the exposing unit, and includes a photosensitive drum. The positioning unit positions the process cartridge with respect to the exposing unit so that the photosensitive drum faces the exposing member in a first direction when the process cartridge is attached to the attaching portion, allowing the photosensitive drum to be exposed by the exposing member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge supporting member movable between an inside position inside the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside position outside the main assembly, a light source, a light guide member, on the cartridge supporting member, for guiding the light from the light source to electrically discharge charge remaining on a drum after a developed image on the drum is transferred onto recording material when the cartridge is in an image forming position, an interrelating member for moving the light source to an operating position where the light enters the light guide member in interrelation with movement of the cartridge supporting member from the outside to the inside positions, and a positioning member positioning the light source at the operating position.

Abstract: In a printer, a scanner unit is formed into a taper shape having a thinner thickness on a side of a pick-up roller in a removing direction of a process unit, to allow the process unit to be removed from the printer. A part of a sheet feeding path is formed in an area between the process unit and a sheet cassette. An image forming position on the sheet feed path is set lower than an upper end of the pick-up roller. Thus, removal of the process unit can be readily performed. Further, the height of the printer at a position of the pick-up roller can be reduced as compared with a case where the scanner unit is not formed into a taper shape.

Abstract: An optical unit assembly is provided with an optical system including an optical component for irradiating a target object with light and receiving the reflected light, a casing for accommodating the optical system, a supporting frame for supporting a part of the casing, and a height adjusting member having a supporting surface for supporting another part of the casing and placed between the supporting frame and the casing. The height adjusting mechanism is slidable between the supporting frame and the casing with a supported state of the casing by the supporting frame substantially maintained, and the supporting surface includes at least a first supporting surface set at a specified first height position and a second supporting surface set at a second height position different from the first height position.

Abstract: An optical scanning device 65 is adapted to bring a deflector mirror plane 651 into independent pivotal motions about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to each other. A mirror driver section including a first axis driver and a second axis driver is so controlled as to bring the deflector mirror plane 651 into pivotal motion about the first axis thereby deflecting a light beam L for scanning along a main scan direction. On the other hand, the deflector mirror plane 651 is pivotally moved about the second axis thereby to adjust the scanned beam L for its position on a photosensitive member 2 with respect to a subscan direction. Thus, even if the scanned beam is deviated from a reference scan position with respect to the subscan direction due to component tolerances or assembly errors, such a deviation can be corrected.

Abstract: A housing structure includes a first structure, which has body frames and a first shaft supported by the body frames, a second structure to be movably supported between an opened position and a closed position by the first shaft, and a positioning device to position the second structure in relation to the first structure in the closed position. The positioning device includes a first engagement portion provided on the first structure, a second engagement portion provided on the second structure and engaged with the first engagement portion in the closed position, a first biasing device to bias the second engagement portion toward the second structure, and a second biasing device to bias the second engagement portion toward the first structure. The positioning device positions the second structure in relation to the first structure by biasing forces of the first biasing device and the second biasing device.