Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt arranged to have a surface thereof facing the photosensitive members, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, a connector, a first feeding path extending in a range between the first feed roller and the secondary-transfer roller, and a second feeding path being formed in clearance between the intermediate transfer belt and the waste toner container to convey a recording sheet being inserted through a sheet inlet and merging into the first feeding path in the vicinity of the first feed roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, a plurality of photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of primary transfer members, a secondary transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the plurality of photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, to store residual toner collected by the cleaner device, a connector, a first feeding path, a second feeding path, and a second feed roller. The second feed roller is rotatably supported by the cover and movable along with the cover to yield the first opening to the waste toner container when the cover is in the open position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt including a first plane and a second plane, a waste toner container, a first feeding path extending between a first feed roller and a secondary-transfer roller, a second feeding path being a path for a recording sheet inserted through a sheet inlet, a second feed roller arranged in an overlapping position to at least partially overlap with the waste toner container when viewed along a horizontal plane and in a position out of a course of the waste toner container being installed in and removed from the chassis. The second plane of the intermediate transfer belt extends downwardly in an inclined angle with respect to the first plane. The waste toner container is movable along the second plane of the intermediate transfer belt to be settled in the chassis.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt arranged to have a surface thereof facing the photosensitive members, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, a connector, a first feeding path extending in a range between the first feed roller and the secondary-transfer roller, and a second feeding path being formed in clearance between the intermediate transfer belt and the waste toner container to convey a recording sheet being inserted through a sheet inlet and merging into the first feeding path in the vicinity of the first feed roller.

Abstract: An image formation device is provided with a discharge tray configured to receive the sheet discharged from a discharge exit, a guide portion configuring at least a part of a first feed path and a second feed path extending from a fixing unit to the discharge exit, a reversibly rotatable roller configured to reverse a feeding direction of the sheet fed from the fixing unit to the discharge exit so that the sheet is reversely fed toward an entrance of the of the developing unit. In this configuration, the first path and the second path are converged to form a converged feed path on the discharge exit side, the reversibly rotatable roller is provided in the converged feed path, and a converged feed path guide portion, which is a part of the guide portion, is displaceable to a position to expose the converged feed path to outside.

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, comprising: a housing; an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a stacking tray configured such that the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit is stacked; a discharge unit configured to discharge, to the stacking tray, the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit; and a reading device comprising a reading unit configured to read out an image formed on a document and a reversing unit configured to reverse a conveying direction of the document, and wherein the reading device is disposed on a lower side in a vertical direction with respect to the stacking tray and on a downstream side in a discharging direction of the recording medium discharged from the discharge unit with respect to the discharge unit.

Abstract: A method of readily forming a dye-sensitized solar cell having a porous layer of increased thickness. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a translucent substrate, and a plurality of collecting electrode traces formed on the translucent substrate. The solar cell also includes a trench that is trapezoidal in cross-section and is formed on the translucent substrate between the collecting electrode traces. The solar cell also includes a porous layer upon which a sensitizing dye is adsorbed. The porous layer covers the translucent substrate within the trench and the collecting electrode traces.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatably supported in a main body. A developing cartridge is detachably mountable on the main body in a state where the photosensitive drum is supported in the main body. The developing cartridge includes a developing device and a frame. The developing device includes a developing roller disposed in confrontation with the photosensitive drum to supply developer to the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted in the main body, and a developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate developer. The frame includes a waste-developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate waste developer and supports the developing device that is movable relative to the frame. The frame is disposed on an opposite side of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. An urging member is disposed between the frame and the developing device to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.

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: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of photoconductive drums, a drawer configured to be movable with holding the plurality of photoconductive drums, a pair of frames arranged on both sides of the photoconductive drums. The frames have first supporting parts configured to movably support the drawer, a belt unit having an endless belt and a plurality of transfer members, first contacting parts respectively provided to the pair of frames, the first contacting parts contacting contacted parts provided to the drawer to position the drawer with respect to the pair of frames, and second contacting parts provided to the drawer, the second contacting part contacting second contacted parts provided to the belt unit to position the belt unit with respect to the drawer.

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: A photosensitive drum is rotatably supported in a main body. A developing cartridge is detachably mountable on the main body in a state where the photosensitive drum is supported in the main body. The developing cartridge includes a developing device and a frame. The developing device includes a developing roller disposed in confrontation with the photosensitive drum to supply developer to the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted in the main body, and a developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate developer. The frame includes a waste-developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate waste developer and supports the developing device that is movable relative to the frame. The frame is disposed on an opposite side of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. An urging member is disposed between the frame and the developing device to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a drum supporting member has a pair of opposed sidewalls facing in an axial direction of a plurality of photoconductor drums, and supports the plurality of photoconductor drums at insides of the sidewalls. A sheet output tray portion is formed in an upper wall of a casing of the apparatus as a downwardly recessed portion to receive a recording sheet with an image formed thereon. Part of the drum supporting member is disposed in spaces formed inside the casing at both sides of the sheet output tray portion facing in the axial direction of the plurality of photoconductor drums. The part of the drum supporting member overlaps the sheet output tray portion as viewed in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a conveyance belt which conveys a recording sheet via a position opposing the image carrier, a belt cleaner which removes adhered matters on the conveyance belt, a driving unit which drives the image carrier and the conveyance belt, a bias applying unit which applies a cleaning bias to the belt cleaner, and a controller which controls the driving unit and the bias applying unit such that when the image carrier is driven at a first speed, the cleaning bias is applied to the belt cleaner, and when the image carrier is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed, the cleaning bias is not applied to the belt cleaner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt arranged to have a surface thereof facing the photosensitive members, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, a connector, a first feeding path extending in a range between the first feed roller and the secondary-transfer roller, and a second feeding path being formed in clearance between the intermediate transfer belt and the waste toner container to convey a recording sheet being inserted through a sheet inlet and merging into the first feeding path in the vicinity of the first feed roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt including a first plane and a second plane, a waste toner container, a first feeding path extending between a first feed roller and a secondary-transfer roller, a second feeding path being a path for a recording sheet inserted through a sheet inlet, a second feed roller arranged in an overlapping position to at least partially overlap with the waste toner container when viewed along a horizontal plane and in a position out of a course of the waste toner container being installed in and removed from the chassis. The second plane of the intermediate transfer belt extends downwardly in an inclined angle with respect to the first plane. The waste toner container is movable along the second plane of the intermediate transfer belt to be settled in the chassis.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include exposure members, a drum supporting member, guide members configured to support the drum supporting member, a main body circuit board and a relay board. The drum supporting member may include a pair of side walls spaced apart from each other and configured to support photoconductor drums and the exposure members therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the guide members may be configured to support the drum supporting member while allowing movement of the drum supporting member through an opening formed in the main body. The relay board and the main body circuit board may be connected by a cable and the relay board and the plurality of exposure members may be connected by one or more other cables. In some arrangements, the relay board may be fixed to a first side wall of the pair of side walls of the drum supporting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a housing; an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a stacking tray configured such that the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit is stacked; a discharge unit configured to discharge, to the stacking tray, the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit; and a reading device comprising a reading unit configured to read out an image formed on a document and a reversing unit configured to reverse a conveying direction of the document, and wherein the reading device is disposed on a lower side in a vertical direction with respect to the stacking tray and on a downstream side in a discharging direction of the recording medium discharged from the discharge unit with respect to the discharge unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photoconductor drums; a plurality of exposure members; a drum supporting member having a pair of side walls disposed opposite to each other in an axial direction of the photoconductor drum and configured to support the photoconductor drums and the exposure members between the side walls; a belt disposed below and opposite to the photoconductor drums; a pair of guide members configured to support the drum supporting member while allowing rectilinear movement of the drum supporting member; and a main body circuit board provided in the main body and connected to the exposure members via a cable. The main body circuit board is arranged above the drum supporting member.