Abstract: An image forming apparatus (100) includes a photoelectric conversion portion (24) that receives light reflected by a document sheet and outputs an electric signal based on the light, a posture adjustment portion (400) having an operation shaft (34) rotatable about a first axis (AX1) and that adjusts a posture of the photoelectric conversion portion (24) according to rotation of the operation shaft (34), and a stimulus output portion (402) that outputs a stimulus perceivable by an operator of the operation shaft (34) each time the operation shaft (34) is rotated by a predetermined specific angle.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including: an apparatus main body; an intermediate transfer unit; and an image-bearing-member unit. the intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt, a frame, a drive roller, a tension roller, a transfer roller that is movable between a transfer position and a retractive position. The frame includes a first protrusion. The image-bearing-member unit includes an image bearing member, and a first regulating guide that extends in an axial direction of the image bearing member, and that faces the first protrusion in the upper-and-lower direction. The intermediate transfer belt and the image bearing member face each other with a predetermined length therebetween under a state in which the first protrusion and the first regulating guide are held in contact with each other, and in which the transfer roller has come to the retractive position.

Abstract: A transfer unit includes a seamless transfer belt, a plurality of transfer rollers, a backup roller, a plurality of pairs of first bearing holders, a pair of second bearing holders and a pair of sliders. Each of the sliders is reciprocated such that each of the first bearing holders slides on the corresponding one of the first step ribs to be reciprocated in a direction toward and away from the transfer belt and the second bearing holder slides on the second step rib to be reciprocated in the direction toward and away from the transfer belt. The first step rib arranged most upstream in the direction of travel of the transfer belt and the second step rib are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the transfer roller, and overlap each other when viewed in the axial direction.

Abstract: A belt conveying device includes a correction mechanism, a belt cleaning unit, a roller retaining member, a cleaning support member, and a posture maintaining unit. When a belt is meandering, the correction mechanism allows one end side of a meandering correction roller in an axial direction to move in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, so as to correct meandering of the belt. The posture maintaining unit connects the roller retaining member and the cleaning support member, so as to maintain posture of the belt cleaning unit with respect to the meandering correction roller.

Abstract: A belt unit includes a belt that is endless, a plurality of stretching rollers, a pair of side frames and one or more shafts. The side frames are each provided with bearing holes that rotatably support opposite end parts of the stretching rollers, and positioning holes into which opposite end parts of the shafts are inserted. The shafts each have formed therein a first engagement groove that engages with a first holding jig. The stretching rollers each have formed therein a second engagement groove that engages with a second holding jig. When the first engagement groove is in engagement with the first holding jig, the shafts are arranged opposite the positioning holes corresponding thereto, and have a phase thereof restricted in a circumferential direction thereof. When the second engagement groove is in engagement with the second holding jig, the stretching rollers are arranged opposite the bearing holes corresponding thereto.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor drum, a developing roller, a first shaft provided for one of the photoconductor drum and the developing roller, a second shaft provided for the other of the photoconductor drum and the developing roller, a first housing supporting the first shaft, and removable in an axial direction of the first shaft, a second housing supporting the second shaft, and removable in an axial direction of the second shaft, a first contact member provided on an axial end portion of the first housing, a second contact member provided on an axial end portion of the second housing, and located in contact with the first contact member, a first cover covering the first contact member, and a first cleaning device provided on the first cover, and configured to rub against the second contact member, when the second housing is inserted or removed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a housing, a housing support portion, and a posture adjustment portion. The photoelectric conversion portion receives light reflected by a document sheet placed on a document sheet mounting surface and outputs an electric signal based on the light. The housing has a box shape with an open top and forms a housing space for housing the photoelectric conversion portion on a lower side of the document sheet mounting surface. The housing support portion supports a bottom portion of the housing. The posture adjustment portion includes an operation portion provided outside the housing, and adjusts a posture of the photoelectric conversion portion in accordance with an operation on the operation portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus (100) includes a photoelectric conversion portion (24) that receives light reflected by a document sheet and outputs an electric signal based on the light, a posture adjustment portion (400) having an operation shaft (34) rotatable about a first axis (AX1) and that adjusts a posture of the photoelectric conversion portion (24) according to rotation of the operation shaft (34), and a stimulus output portion (402) that outputs a stimulus perceivable by an operator of the operation shaft (34) each time the operation shaft (34) is rotated by a predetermined specific angle.

Abstract: A belt unit includes a belt that is endless, a plurality of stretching rollers, a pair of side frames and one or more shafts. The side frames are each provided with bearing holes that rotatably support opposite end parts of the stretching rollers, and positioning holes into which opposite end parts of the shafts are inserted. The shafts each have formed therein a first engagement groove that engages with a first holding jig. The stretching rollers each have formed therein a second engagement groove that engages with a second holding jig. When the first engagement groove is in engagement with the first holding jig, the shafts are arranged opposite the positioning holes corresponding thereto, and have a phase thereof restricted in a circumferential direction thereof. When the second engagement groove is in engagement with the second holding jig, the stretching rollers are arranged opposite the bearing holes corresponding thereto.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to increase the dimensional accuracy of a structure including a plurality of rectangular pipes. A structure (6) includes a plurality of rectangular pipes (60) joined together. The plurality of rectangular pipes (60) include a first rectangular pipe (60a) and a second rectangular pipe (60b) joined by welding. Two or three of four sides that constitute an end face (62) of the first rectangular pipe (60a) are joint sides (62a) welded to a side face (63) of the second rectangular pipe (60b), whereas the rest of the four sides is a non-joint side (62b) separated from the side face (63) of the second rectangular pipe (60b) by a gap.

Abstract: A skeleton frame has a pair of corner columns facing each other. An image forming apparatus includes a pair of support shafts protruding inward from respective inner side surfaces in the pair of corner columns, and an opening/closing member rotatably supported on a lower end portion by the pair of support shafts. A specific member moves horizontally from an outer side of the skeleton frame through between the pair of corner columns and is attached inside the skeleton frame. At least one of the pair of support shafts is also used as a guide portion that guides the specific member when the specific member is inserted into the skeleton frame through between the pair of corner columns.

Abstract: An image carrier unit includes an image carrier including a cylindrical main body portion and a pair of flange portions attached to both ends of the main body portion, a first cleaning member that rotates in contact under a prescribed pressure with an outer circumferential surface of the main body portion, a unit frame that rotatably supports the image carrier and the first cleaning member, and an image carrier protective cover that includes a cover main body extending in an axial direction of the image carrier and a side surface portion that is disposed on one end side of the cover main body. On the side surface portion, an image carrier holding portion is formed that performs positioning of the image carrier with respect to the unit frame and releases a pressure contact state between the image carrier and the first cleaning member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a housing, a housing support portion, and a posture adjustment portion. The photoelectric conversion portion receives light reflected by a document sheet placed on a document sheet mounting surface and outputs an electric signal based on the light. The housing has a box shape with an open top and forms a housing space for housing the photoelectric conversion portion on a lower side of the document sheet mounting surface. The housing support portion supports a bottom portion of the housing. The posture adjustment portion includes an operation portion provided outside the housing, and adjusts a posture of the photoelectric conversion portion in accordance with an operation on the operation portion.

Abstract: An image carrier unit includes an image carrier including a cylindrical main body portion and a pair of flange portions attached to both ends of the main body portion, a first cleaning member that rotates in contact under a prescribed pressure with an outer circumferential surface of the main body portion, a unit frame that rotatably supports the image carrier and the first cleaning member, and an image carrier protective cover that includes a cover main body extending in an axial direction of the image carrier and a side surface portion that is disposed on one end side of the cover main body. On the side surface portion, an image carrier holding portion is formed that performs positioning of the image carrier with respect to the unit frame and releases a pressure contact state between the image carrier and the first cleaning member.

Abstract: A skeleton frame has a pair of corner columns facing each other. An image forming apparatus includes a pair of support shafts protruding inward from respective inner side surfaces in the pair of corner columns, and an opening/closing member rotatably supported on a lower end portion by the pair of support shafts. A specific member moves horizontally from an outer side of the skeleton frame through between the pair of corner columns and is attached inside the skeleton frame. At least one of the pair of support shafts is also used as a guide portion that guides the specific member when the specific member is inserted into the skeleton frame through between the pair of corner columns.

Abstract: A moving body reciprocation mechanism has a rotation shaft and a moving body that engages with a spiral ridge part of the rotation shaft and reciprocates along an axial direction. The state of the moving body changes among: a first state in which the moving body moves in a first movement direction; a second state in which the moving body releases the engagement; and a third state in which the moving body reengages with the spiral ridge part and moves in a second movement direction. The rotation shaft has a planar part and a cylindrical protrusion part. A cylinder part of the moving body has: a first end part that fits onto the cylindrical protrusion part in the second state; and a second end part that radially faces an outer circumferential surface of the spiral ridge part in the second state.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a conveying roller pair, a correction unit, and a control unit. The correction unit includes a correction roller pair and a roller holder. The control unit moves the roller holder from a reference position, and returns the roller holder to the reference position after the sheet is nipped by the correction roller pair, and after this sheet correction operation, the control unit releases the nip of the conveying roller pair. At least either a swing speed vh when returning the roller holder to the reference position, or a deflection amount of the sheet before the roller holder is returned to the reference position, is adjusted so that tension is not applied to the sheet between the conveying roller pair and the correction roller pair.

Abstract: An grounding structure of an equipment includes a coil spring provided between a first member of an equipment side and a second member, which includes a metal plate member, of a ground side, wherein the first member and the second member are disposed opposite to each other, one end of the coil spring is brought into press contact with the first member, and the other end of the coil spring is brought into press contact with the second member. An engraved groove is formed at an abutting point of the second member with the coil spring, and is formed such that at least a part of a convex burr part generated along an end edge of the engraved groove abuts the other end of the coil spring.

Abstract: A moving body reciprocation mechanism has a rotation shaft and a moving body that engages with a spiral ridge part of the rotation shaft and reciprocates along an axial direction. The state of the moving body changes among: a first state in which the moving body moves in a first movement direction; a second state in which the moving body releases the engagement; and a third state in which the moving body reengages with the spiral ridge part and moves in a second movement direction. The rotation shaft has a planar part and a cylindrical protrusion part. A cylinder part of the moving body has: a first end part that fits onto the cylindrical protrusion part in the second state; and a second end part that radially faces an outer circumferential surface of the spiral ridge part in the second state.

Abstract: An grounding structure of an equipment includes a coil spring provided between a first member of an equipment side and a second member, which includes a metal plate member, of a ground side, wherein the first member and the second member are disposed opposite to each other, one end of the coil spring is brought into press contact with the first member, and the other end of the coil spring is brought into press contact with the second member. An engraved groove is formed at an abutting point of the second member with the coil spring, and is formed such that at least a part of a convex burr part generated along an end edge of the engraved groove abuts the other end of the coil spring.