Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a drum unit having an image carrier carrying a toner image; a fixing unit having a heating member and pressure member forming a fixing nip part with the heating member and fixing the toner image on a recording medium at the fixing nip part; a cooling duct provided between the drum unit and the fixing unit preventing heat transfer from the fixing unit to the drum unit; and a cooling fan causing the air to flow to the cooling duct. The cooling duct is a movable duct being changeable to a first state in which the cooling duct is unopen towards the fixing unit and a second state in which the cooling duct is open towards the fixing unit. The cooling duct changes to the first state during image formation by the drum unit and changes to the second state after the image formation.

Abstract: A sheet storage cassette of the present disclosure includes a sheet storage portion, a rack and a cursor. The cursor aligns sheets. The cursor includes a regulation portion which makes contact with the side ends of the sheets and a lock portion which includes at least one engagement protrusion that engages with the rack teeth of the rack. The at least one engagement protrusion each includes a second inclination surface which is inclined from a tip end portion toward a base portion in a second direction opposite to a first direction. At least one of the engagement protrusions includes a second vertical surface which is extended vertically downward from the base portion toward the tip end portion. At least one of the engagement protrusions includes a third inclination surface which is inclined in the second direction and which is extended to the tip end portion of the engagement protrusion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a drum unit having an image carrier carrying a toner image; a fixing unit having a heating member and pressure member forming a fixing nip part with the heating member and fixing the toner image on a recording medium at the fixing nip part; a cooling duct provided between the drum unit and the fixing unit preventing heat transfer from the fixing unit to the drum unit; and a cooling fan causing the air to flow to the cooling duct. The cooling duct is a movable duct being changeable to a first state in which the cooling duct is unopen towards the fixing unit and a second state in which the cooling duct is open towards the fixing unit. The cooling duct changes to the first state during image formation by the drum unit and changes to the second state after the image formation.

Abstract: A sheet storage cassette of the present disclosure includes a sheet storage portion, a rack and a cursor. The cursor aligns sheets. The cursor includes a regulation portion which makes contact with the side ends of the sheets and a lock portion which includes at least one engagement protrusion that engages with the rack teeth of the rack. The at least one engagement protrusion each includes a second inclination surface which is inclined from a tip end portion toward a base portion in a second direction opposite to a first direction. At least one of the engagement protrusions includes a second vertical surface which is extended vertically downward from the base portion toward the tip end portion. At least one of the engagement protrusions includes a third inclination surface which is inclined in the second direction and which is extended to the tip end portion of the engagement protrusion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member unit having an image carrying member, a developing unit insertable into and drawable out of the image forming apparatus, and a transfer member. The image carrying member unit is movable between a first position where the image carrying member makes contact with the transfer member and a second position where they are apart. The image carrying member unit or the image forming apparatus has a biasing member that biases the image carrying member unit toward the second position. With the developing unit fitted to the image forming apparatus, the image carrying member unit is at the first position against a biasing force of the biasing member. With the developing unit drawn out of the image forming apparatus, the image carrying member unit is at the second position due to the biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: An image carrier unit includes an image carrier, a charging device, and a unit housing. The charging device is attachably/detachably held in the unit housing, and electrically charges a surface of the image carrier. The unit housing integrally holds the image carrier and the charging device. The unit housing includes a light shielding member disposed at a first position at which the light shielding member blocks charge elimination light shone onto the image carrier from a charge elimination device provided on a side of the image forming apparatus such that the charge elimination light does not reach the charging device, the first position overlapping with an attachment-detachment path of the charging device. When detaching the charging device from the unit housing, the light shielding member moves from the first position to a second position retracted from the attachment-detachment path of the charging device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a unit, a high-voltage contact point pin, and a protective member. The unit is mountable/demountable with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus. With the unit mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the high-voltage contact point pin is in contact with a contact point terminal that is provided at the unit. With the unit mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the protective member is disposed at a first position at which a tip end of the high-voltage contact point pin being in contact with the contact point terminal is exposed, and with the unit demounted from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the protective member is disposed at a second position at which the tip end of the high-voltage contact point pin is covered.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a unit, a high-voltage contact point pin, and a protective member. The unit is mountable/demountable with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus. With the unit mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the high-voltage contact point pin is in contact with a contact point terminal that is provided at the unit. With the unit mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the protective member is disposed at a first position at which a tip end of the high-voltage contact point pin being in contact with the contact point terminal is exposed, and with the unit demounted from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the protective member is disposed at a second position at which the tip end of the high-voltage contact point pin is covered.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member unit having an image carrying member, a developing unit insertable into and drawable out of the image forming apparatus, and a transfer member. The image carrying member unit is movable between a first position where the image carrying member makes contact with the transfer member and a second position where they are apart. The image carrying member unit or the image forming apparatus has a biasing member that biases the image carrying member unit toward the second position. With the developing unit fitted to the image forming apparatus, the image carrying member unit is at the first position against a biasing force of the biasing member. With the developing unit drawn out of the image forming apparatus, the image carrying member unit is at the second position due to the biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: An image carrier unit includes an image carrier, a charging device, and a unit housing. The charging device is attachably/detachably held in the unit housing, and electrically charges a surface of the image carrier. The unit housing integrally holds the image carrier and the charging device. The unit housing includes a light shielding member disposed at a first position at which the light shielding member blocks charge elimination light shone onto the image carrier from a charge elimination device provided on a side of the image forming apparatus such that the charge elimination light does not reach the charging device, the first position overlapping with an attachment-detachment path of the charging device. When detaching the charging device from the unit housing, the light shielding member moves from the first position to a second position retracted from the attachment-detachment path of the charging device.

Abstract: A developer container (30) includes a container body (31) and a movable wall (34). The container body (31) includes an inner surface (31K) defining a cylindrical internal space (31H) extending in a longitudinal direction, and a developer discharge port (319). The developer discharge port (319) is formed in a lower part of the inner surface (31K). The movable wall (34) includes an outer surface (34K) disposed slidably in contact with the inner surface (31K) of the container body (31), and a conveying surface (340S). The conveying surface (340S) defines a storage space (31S) for containing developer in cooperation with the inner surface (31K). The movable wall (34) moves in the longitudinal direction from one end side toward the other end side while conveying the developer in the storage space (31S) to the developer discharge port (319).

Abstract: A developer container (30) includes a container body (31), a movable wall (34), and a stirring member (32). The container body (31) includes an inner surface (31K) defining a cylindrical internal space (31H) extending in a longitudinal direction, and a developer discharge port (319). The developer discharge port (319) is formed in a lower part of the inner surface (31K). The movable wall (34) includes an outer surface (34K) disposed slidably in close contact with the inner surface (31K) of the container body (31), and a conveying surface (340S). The conveying surface (340S) defines a storage space (31S) for developer. The movable wall (34) moves while conveying the developer in the storage space (31 S) to the developer discharge port (319). The stirring member (32) stirs developer in the storage space (31 S).

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body, a movable wall, and a detection sensor. The container body includes an inner surface defining a cylindrical internal space. The internal space is in the form of a cylinder extending in a first direction. The container body is formed with a developer discharge port communicating with the internal space. The movable wall includes an outer surface and a conveying surface. The outer surface is disposed in close contact with the inner surface of the container body. The conveying surface defines a storage space configured to contain the developer in cooperation with the inner surface of the container body. The movable wall moves in the first direction from one end side to the other end side of the internal space. The detection sensor is provided on the container body near the developer discharge port and detects the developer in the storage space.

Abstract: A developer container (30) includes a container body (31), a movable wall (34), and a stirring member (32). The container body (31) includes an inner surface (31K) defining a cylindrical internal space (31H) extending in a longitudinal direction, and a developer discharge port (319). The developer discharge port (319) is formed in a lower part of the inner surface (31K). The movable wall (34) includes an outer surface (34K) disposed slidably in close contact with the inner surface (31K) of the container body (31), and a conveying surface (340S). The conveying surface (340S) defines a storage space (31S) for developer. The movable wall (34) moves while conveying the developer in the storage space (31 S) to the developer discharge port (319). The stirring member (32) stirs developer in the storage space (31 S).

Abstract: A developer container (30) includes a container body (31) and a movable wall (34). The container body (31) includes an inner surface (31K) defining a cylindrical internal space (31H) extending in a longitudinal direction, and a developer discharge port (319). The developer discharge port (319) is formed in a lower part of the inner surface (31K). The movable wall (34) includes an outer surface (34K) disposed slidably in contact with the inner surface (31K) of the container body (31), and a conveying surface (340S). The conveying surface (340S) defines a storage space (31S) for containing developer in cooperation with the inner surface (31K). The movable wall (34) moves in the longitudinal direction from one end side toward the other end side while conveying the developer in the storage space (31S) to the developer discharge port (319).

Abstract: A developer storage container includes a main body portion and a rotary cylindrical body. The main body portion has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and a pair of main body side end surfaces. The rotary cylindrical body has a side surface having a cylindrical shape, a pair of rotary body end surfaces and a storage space configured to store developer. A slit extending is formed on the side surface of the rotary cylindrical body to allow communication between the internal space and the storage space. The rotary cylindrical body is so arranged in the internal space that a predetermined clearance is defined between the side surface and the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion. A developer discharge port is opened on the main body portion.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body, a lid, a developer discharge port, a shaft, and a movable wall. The container body includes an inner surface defining a cylindrical internal space and a wall disposed at one end of the container body. The container body is formed with the developer discharge port. The lid is attached to the other end of the container body. The shaft includes a first engaging portion. The movable wall includes a conveying surface and a carrier bearing. The conveying surface defines a storage space configured to contain the developer. The carrier bearing includes a second engaging portion. The movable wall is movable along the shaft in the first direction while conveying the developer by engagement of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. The first engaging portion includes a small pitch part having a relatively small thread pitch.

Abstract: A developer storage container includes a main body portion and a rotary cylindrical body. The main body portion has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and a pair of main body side end surfaces. The rotary cylindrical body has a side surface having a cylindrical shape, a pair of rotary body end surfaces and a storage space configured to store developer. A slit extending is formed on the side surface of the rotary cylindrical body to allow communication between the internal space and the storage space. The rotary cylindrical body is so arranged in the internal space that a predetermined clearance is defined between the side surface and the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion. A developer discharge port is opened on the main body portion.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body, a movable wall, and a detection sensor. The container body includes an inner surface defining a cylindrical internal space. The internal space is in the form of a cylinder extending in a first direction. The container body is formed with a developer discharge port communicating with the internal space. The movable wall includes an outer surface and a conveying surface. The outer surface is disposed in close contact with the inner surface of the container body. The conveying surface defines a storage space configured to contain the developer in cooperation with the inner surface of the container body. The movable wall moves in the first direction from one end side to the other end side of the internal space. The detection sensor is provided on the container body near the developer discharge port and detects the developer in the storage space.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body, a lid, a developer discharge port, a shaft, and a movable wall. The container body includes an inner surface defining a cylindrical internal space and a wall disposed at one end of the container body. The container body is formed with the developer discharge port. The lid is attached to the other end of the container body. The shaft includes a first engaging portion. The movable wall includes a conveying surface and a carrier bearing. The conveying surface defines a storage space configured to contain the developer. The carrier bearing includes a second engaging portion. The movable wall is movable along the shaft in the first direction while conveying the developer by engagement of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. The first engaging portion includes a small pitch part having a relatively small thread pitch.