Abstract: A developing unit and image formation device in which a developer carrier is reliably pressed towards and separated from an image carrier is described. A separation and pressing mechanism is provided for separating and pressing the developer carriers of developing cartridges installed in a drum unit onto image carriers. This separation and pressing mechanism has a pair of direct cam members. Each direct cam member has a release action portion that engages with the releasing projection of a developing cartridge when the developer carrier is to be separated from the image carrier. Each direct cam member may also have a pressing action portion that engages with the pressing projection of the developing cartridges when the developer carrier is to be pressed onto the image carrier.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus is provided, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes: developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters in linking with each other.

Abstract: A process cartridge that is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a drum unit supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing unit supporting a developing roller. The developing unit is movable relative to the drum unit between a contacting position in which the developing roller is contacted to the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a spaced position in which the developing roller is spaced from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The process cartridge further includes a positioning portion and a space maintaining member, with the space maintaining member retracting from the positioning portion to move the developing unit from the spaced position to the contacting position.

Abstract: A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus in which a charging roller is separated from a photosensitive drum by a predetermined distance and in which the separation between the charging roller and the photosensitive drum is released at the time of use without involving an increase in the burden on the user and erroneous releasing of the separation by user is prevented prior to use. The process cartridge, which is detachably mountable to the apparatus main body having an acting portion, includes a process cartridge frame, a locking portion locked with the frame to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum, a separation holding member having an acted portion which penetrates the frame and on which the acting portion can act, and a protruding portion provided on the frame and protruding beyond the acted portion at the position where the separation holding member is locked with the frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body including a driving force transmitting portion and a process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a housing, a photosensitive drum disposed in the housing, a first bearing rotatably supporting an axial end portion of the photosensitive drum, a driving force input portion, which is provided on the axial end portion of the photosensitive drum and is configured to engage the driving force transmitting portion in order to drive the photosensitive drum by a driving force transmitted from the driving force transmitting portion when the driving force transmitting portion is pressed against the driving force input portion, and a second bearing, which rotatably supports the other axial end of the photosensitive drum, and which comprises a first contact portion which contacts the image forming apparatus body when the driving force transmitting portion is pressed against the driving force input portion.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes an organic photo conductor, an OPC frame part to support the organic photo conductor, a developing roller to develop a latent image formed on the organic photo conductor by supplying a developer, a developing roller frame part to support the developing roller, a developer storing part to store the developer and provided with a supplying opening through which the developer is supplied to the developing roller, a spacer removably interposed between the OPC frame part and the developing roller frame part and spacing the OPC frame part from the developing roller frame part such that the organic photo conductor and the developing roller do not contact each other, a leakage preventer removably attached to and sealing the supplying opening, and a connecting part to connect the spacer with the leakage preventer. Thus, the spacer and the leakage preventer are capable of being removed simultaneously.

Abstract: A process cartridge is provided detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a developer supplying roller. The process cartridge further includes portions-to-be-supported, portions-to-be-positioned, a portion-to-be-urged, and a cartridge side developer supply roller bias contact. The process cartridge can be positioned with high accuracy relative to the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: In an arrangement to convey toner from a toner bottle of a toner reservoir into a toner receiving container, the toner bottle has a cover to close an output opening thereof. The cover has an upper cover part to accept the toner bottle and a lower cover part to close the outlet opening. A first locking unit provided within the cover arresting the lower cover part to the upper cover part such that it cannot be displaced before placement of the toner reservoir onto the toner receiving container. The cover is receivable on the toner receiving container so that the outlet opening of the toner reservoir is positioned above a filling opening of the toner receiving container. A slider has an outlet opening, the slider closing or opening the filling opening of the toner receiving container. The slider has an unlocking unit that unlocks the first locking unit upon placement of the toner reservoir on the toner receiving container so that the lower cover part is no longer arrested to the upper cover part.

Abstract: A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can include a main body, and a drum unit movable between an inside position which is inside of the main body and an outside position. The drum unit may include a photosensitive drum. Also, a displacing member may be provided that can be displaced to a first position where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum and a second position where a developing roller separates from the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge for use with an image-forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a cartridge case comprising an upper wall, a bottom wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall. An outer surface of the upper wall faces upwards when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus. The right side wall extends upwardly from a right side of the bottom wall, and the left side wall extends upwardly from a left side of the bottom wall. The upper wall connects upper edges of the right side wall and the left side wall. A light-entrance portion is formed in the upper wall and is configured to allow a laser beam to pass through the upper wall and reach the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which can be switched between states in which a developing roller is attached to an image carrier body by applying a pressing force to a developing cartridge and a state in which the developing roller can be released from attachment from the image carrier body. When an operation part of a toner cartridge is arranged at an installation position a pressing force can be applied to a developing cartridge by protruding parts fitting with spring parts, and a developing roller can be attached to a photoconductor drum by the applied pressure. When the operation part is arranged at a removal position, the fitting can be undone, causing the applied pressure to be released.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a casing, a process unit, a first shutter, a toner cartridge, a second shutter, and a wall. The process unit is detachably mounted in the casing and formed with a first opening, the process unit having a developer roller carrying a toner. The first shutter opens and closes the first opening. The toner cartridge is detachably mounted in the casing, accommodates the toner, and is formed with a second opening, the second opening being in alignment with the first opening. The second shutter opens and closes the second opening. The wall is disposed between the developer unit and the toner cartridge and is formed with a third opening, the third opening being in alignment with the first opening and the second opening. By providing the wall, the process unit and toner cartridge can be detachably mounted in the casing, thereby avoiding a drop in precision for positioning the process unit and toner cartridge relative to the casing.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing, a photosensitive drum unit and a developing device unit. The photosensitive drum unit includes a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposed in a first direction orthogonal to an axis of each photosensitive drum. The developing device unit includes a plurality of developing devices disposed in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of photosensitive drums and a supporting member. Each developing device includes a developing roller having a shaft extending in a second direction parallel to the axis of each photosensitive drum. The supporting member supports the developing devices to be movable between a first position for supplying toner to corresponding photosensitive drums and a second position retracted from the first position. The developing device unit is detachable from the main casing by moving the developing devices to the second position and drawing the supporting member.

Abstract: A developing-transferring module includes a sub frame which is detachably mounted to a main frame, a plurality of photosensitive units which are disposed inside the sub frame with a predetermined interval and includes a photosensitive body to which a developer is attached, and a intermediate transferring unit which are provided inside the sub frame disposed opposite the plurality of photosensitive units so that the developer of the photosensitive units can be primarily transferred thereto and secondarily transfers the primarily transferred developer to a record medium of the main frame.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus includes a first subunit, a second subunit, a first positioning member, and a second positioning member. The first subunit accommodates a photoconductor therein. The second subunit accommodates a developer applicator therein. The photoconductor and the developer applicator are arranged substantially parallel to each other to define a development gap therebetween. The first positioning member is fastened to both the first and second subunits to position ends of the photoconductor and the developer applicator on a first side of the respective subunits. The second positioning member is fastened to only one of the first and second subunits to position ends of the photoconductor and the developer applicator on a second side of the respective subunits opposite to the first side. An image forming apparatus employing such a process cartridge is also disclosed.

Abstract: A waste-toner collection system includes a waste toner container that accumulate waste toner from a transport section. A tray has an upward opening for replacing the waste toner container and can be movable between a retracted position where the tray has been pushed horizontally into the apparatus body from a first side of the apparatus body, and a drawn-out position where the tray has been drawn horizontally out of the apparatus body from the first side, while holding the waste toner container. The waste toner container can be set in a collection position corresponding to the retracted position of the tray for allowing the waste toner container to receive waste toner discharged from the transport section, and a replacement position corresponding to the drawn-out position of the holder tray for allowing replacement to be performed through the container-replacement opening from above the tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can include a body casing and a photosensitive member unit configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from the body casing. The photosensitive member unit can be moved between a first position where the photosensitive member unit is stored in the body casing and a second position where the photosensitive member unit is withdrawn from the body casing, and between the second position and a third position where the photosensitive member unit is withdrawn from the body casing. The image forming apparatus may further include a control member disposed in the body casing, The control member can be configured to move between a holding position in which the photosensitive member unit is prevented from moving between the second position and the third position and a release position where the photosensitive member unit is allowed to move between the second position and the third position.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming a color image on a recording material, the apparatus includes a main assembly; a drum cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and detachably mountable to the main assembly of the apparatus of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus; a plurality of developing cartridges each comprising a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on electrophotographic photosensitive drum of the drum cartridge mounted to the main assembly; a main assembly side drum cartridge guide for guiding the drum cartridge; a main assembly side drum cartridge positioning portion for positioning the drum cartridge to the main assembly of the apparatus; wherein the drum cartridge is provided with a positioning portion for positioning the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge with respect to an entering direction of the developing cartridge, and the developing cartridge is provided with insertion guide means

Abstract: A process cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning frame member, a developer bearing member, a development frame member, a flexible sheet member, and a protection member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member forms an electrostatic latent image. The cleaning frame member supports the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The developer bearing member develops the electrostatic latent image using a developer. The development frame member supports the developer bearing member. The flexible sheet member is fixed onto a seating surface with one end side thereof and contacts the developer bearing member with the other end thereof, for preventing leaking of a developer from between the developer bearing member and the development frame member. The protection member is attached to the cleaning frame member, for protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: A developing-transferring module includes a sub frame which is detachably mounted to a main frame, a plurality of photosensitive units which are disposed inside the sub frame with a predetermined interval and includes a photosensitive body to which a developer is attached, and a intermediate transferring unit which are provided inside the sub frame disposed opposite the plurality of photosensitive units so that the developer of the photosensitive units can be primarily transferred thereto and secondarily transfers the primarily transferred developer to a record medium of the main frame.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an opening provided in a main assembly of the apparatus; an openable member movable between a close position for closing the opening and an open position for opening it; a drawer member for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the drawer member being movable in a direction crossing with an axis of the drum through the opening between an inside position inside the main assembly and an outside position outside the main assembly where the cartridge can be mounted and dismounted; a transfer unit movable about a rotation axis disposed downstream of the drum with respect to a mounting direction of the drawer member from the outside position to the inside position, between a contacting position contacting the drum and a spaced position spacing from the drum in a state that the drawer member is in the inside position; and an interrelating member interrelating the openable member and the transfer unit with each other, wherein the interrelating m

Abstract: An image forming device has a main casing, a first cartridge, and a second cartridge. The main casing has the image forming portion and an inner surface. The first cartridge is loadable to and unloadable from the image forming portion. The second cartridge detachably is attachable to the first cartridge. The first cartridge further has a receiving portion for receiving the second cartridge; and a first guide for guiding the second cartridge to the receiving portion. The main casing further has a second guide provided in the inner surface for guiding the second cartridge to the first cartridge loaded in the image forming portion. The second guide communicates with the first guide of the first cartridge loaded in the image forming portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a drum unit or a developing unit can be individually replaced, and the efficiency of an operation of providing the developing unit with developer or of an operation of removing the developer from the developing unit can be improved includes a supplying roller including a magnetic roller and a developing sleeve arranged on an outer circumference of the magnetic roller. A fixing member is attached to an axial portion of the magnetic roller. The supplying roller can be removably attached to a side of a photoconductive drum by the fixing member, and at the same time, a pole position of the magnetic roller relative to the photoconductive drum can be fixed.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a plurality of image bearing members, a plurality of developing units, a plurality of toner cartridges, a plurality of shutter driving members, a driving force generating member that generates a driving force, and a driving force transmitting mechanism that transmits the driving force to the shutter driving members. Each toner cartridge includes a casing formed with an opening through which toner accommodated in the casing is supplied to the corresponding developing unit and a shutter movable between an opening position at which the shutter opens the opening and a closing position at which the shutter closes the opening. Each of the shutter driving members moves the corresponding shutter between the opening position and the closing position when supplied with the driving force.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing, a support member, a plurality of image bearing members supported on the support member, a plurality of developing units supported on the support member, a plurality of toner cartridges detachably mounted on the support member, and a shutter closing mechanism. Each toner cartridge includes a casing formed with an opening through which toner accommodated in the casing is supplied to the developing unit and a shutter movable between an opening position at which the shutter opens the opening and a closing position at which the shutter closes the opening. The shutter closing mechanism moves the shutter of one of the toner cartridges to be replaced from the opening position to the closing position while maintaining the shutters of the remaining toner cartridges at the respective opening positions.

Abstract: A toner cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus, in which a memory is provided in the cartridge to be accessible by an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a developing device detachably attached to the body the image forming apparatus, and a toner cartridge detachably disposed in the developing cartridge, which includes a memory accessible from a surface of the toner cartridge exposed outside the developing cartridge when the toner cartridge is installed in the developing cartridge.

Abstract: A drum unit is provided, which includes a frame configured such that a development cartridge including a pressed portion is detachably attached thereto, and a pressing member. The development cartridge is movable between a pressed state where the pressed portion is pressed by the pressing member when attached to the frame and a released state where the pressed portion is released from pressing of the pressing member when the development cartridge is attached to the frame. The pressing member includes a pressing section that contacts and presses the pressed portion when the development cartridge is in the pressed state, and a restriction section configured to, when the development cartridge is in the pressing state, restrict movement of the pressed portion in a released direction, in which the pressed portion moves when the development cartridge moves from the pressing state to the released state.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A process unit including a first housing detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus, an image carrier to carry an image on a surface thereof, a charger to charge the surface of the image carrier, a developing device to form the image on the surface of the image carrier, a cleaning device to remove toner from the surface of the image carrier, a lubricant to be supplied to the surface of the image carrier, a lubricant container to contain the lubricant, and a waste toner container to store the toner removed from the surface of the image carrier. The first housing includes the image carrier and at least one of the charger, the developing device, and the cleaning device. The lubricant, the lubricant container, and the waste toner container together are detachably attachable to the first housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first developing cartridge and a first photosensitive cartridge. The first developing cartridge is removably mounted in the first photosensitive cartridge and includes a toner hopper, a supply roller and a developing roller. The first photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a charger provided at a position adjacent to the photosensitive drum, a first wall provided adjacent to the supply roller, the toner hopper, and the developing roller when the first developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge, the first wall including a first opening, and a second wall which faces the first wall and is provided adjacent to the charger, the second wall including a second opening on an opposite side of the charger from the photosensitive drum. A portion of a wall of the first developing cartridge projects through the first opening in the first wall of the first photosensitive cartridge.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, slide rails guided by guide rails of a body frame are provided on an EPU frame. A slidable bolt is provided on a belt unit frame. When the belt unit is attached to or removed from the body frame, the bolt is fitted into an insertion port of the EPU frame and the EPU frame is connected with the belt unit frame. The slide rails of the EPU frame are used to integrally attach and remove the belt unit and the EPU to and from the body frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a body frame and a slide frame. The slide frame is configured to be pulled out from the body frame along a sliding direction. A plurality of image forming cartridges is detachably mounted on the slide frame. A plurality of electrode members is mounted on the slide frame and aligned along the sliding direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges. A body-side contact portion of each of the electrode members electrically connected to the body frame. A cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member electrically connected to the image forming cartridge. The image forming cartridge is connected to the body via the corresponding electrode member when the slide frame mounting the image forming cartridges is inserted to the body frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are a developing unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The developing unit includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame supports thereon a first set of processing members and includes at least one jig hole for mounting to a jig. The second frame supports thereon a second set of processing members. Several connection parts provided in the first and second frames allow assembly of the developing unit that includes a rectilinear movement and a rotational movement of the first and second frames relative to each other during the coupling together of the connection parts so as to couple the first and second frames together. The relative movement in certain direction of the frames may be limited during the relative rotational movement of the frames.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge; a developing cartridge, which holds a developing roller at a first end portion thereof, and which is detachably mounted to the drum cartridge; a lock member, which is provided to the drum cartridge, and which is displaceable between a lock position and a lock release position; an operation member that displaces the lock member to the lock release position; a lifting member that lifts a second end portion of the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge as the lock member is displaced to the lock release position; a developing-side holding part that extends in a direction orthogonal to the lifting direction of the second end portion from the drum cartridge; and a drum-side holding part that extends in parallel with the developing-side holding part while being opposed to the developing-side holding part in the lifting direction when the developing cartridge is mounted.

Abstract: The invention provides an image formation apparatus, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes: developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters in linking with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photosensitive members, an endless belt, and a separation mechanism. The photosensitive members are arranged in parallel with and spaced from one another and correspond to respective colors. The plurality of photosensitive members includes a first photosensitive member and at least one second photosensitive member. Each of the photosensitive members has a first end portion and second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the photosensitive members. The endless belt contacts the photosensitive members. The separation mechanism is configured to swing the second photosensitive member around the first end portion of the second photosensitive member as a fulcrum between a contact position at which the second photosensitive member contacts the endless belt and a separated position at which the second photosensitive member is separated from the endless belt.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a main body and a tandem photosensitive-member unit. The tandem photosensitive-member unit includes a unit frame, a plurality of photosensitive members, a front-side grip part, and a rear-side grip. The unit frame is configured to be slidably installed to and removed from the main body in a predetermined direction. The unit frame has a leading side and a trailing side with respect to the predetermined direction. The plurality of photosensitive members is provided corresponding to a plurality of colors and is supported by the unit frame. The front-side grip part is provided at the leading side of the unit frame. The rear-side grip part is provided at the trailing side of the unit frame.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer carrier configured to carry developer and disposed in a development case, partly exposed from an opening of the development case facing an image carrier, a developer-transporting member configured to transport the developer to the developer carrier, and a discharging member housing a discharging space including a communicating path connecting to an area where the developer carrier faces the developer-transporting member, from which air is discharged into the discharging space, and a discharging port that opens in a longitudinal direction of the developer-transporting member, from which air is discharged from the discharging space.

Abstract: A developing-transferring module includes a sub frame which is detachably mounted to a main frame, a plurality of photosensitive units which are disposed inside the sub frame with a predetermined interval and includes a photosensitive body to which a developer is attached, and a intermediate transferring unit which are provided inside the sub frame disposed opposite the plurality of photosensitive units so that the developer of the photosensitive units can be primarily transferred thereto and secondarily transfers the primarily transferred developer to a record medium of the main frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes process units arranged in a predetermined direction to form a process-unit row, each having a photosensitive body and a developer container; a casing accommodating the process units and having a cover opening and closing an opening formed at one side in the predetermined direction, and an exposure member exposing the photosensitive body, and having a laser source, a deflector, and an optical element, and the exposure member is arranged facing the developer container of each process unit in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The process units are detachable from the casing, through the opening of the casing, and the developer container of one process unit arranged at one end of the process-unit row has a protruding portion protruding toward the exposure member to overlap with the exposure member in the orthogonal direction.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus wherein cartridges are detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, includes a supporting member for supporting the cartridge, movable between an inside position and an outside position; an outer wall; an opening provided in the outer wall, the opening being passed through by the supporting member, when the supporting member moves between the inside position and the outside position; a guiding member for supporting the supporting member movably so that the supporting member moves linearly between the inside position and the outside position, wherein when the supporting member is in the outside position, the guiding member supports the supporting member, so that a downstream side thereof is pivotable downwardly about an upstream side of the supporting member with respect to a movement direction to the outside position from the inside position, wherein in the state that the downstream side is pivoted downwardly about an upstream side

Abstract: A removably mountable frame comprising a driving force receiving means adapted to engage a driving force transmitting means of an image processing apparatus when the removably mountable frame is received within the image processing apparatus; and at least one frame driving force transmitting means, each frame driving force transmitting means adapted to co-axially engage corresponding cartridge driving force receiving means of a cartridge when the cartridge is engagedly received within the removably mountable frame, where the external configuration of the removably mountable frame when the cartridge is received therein is adapted to be received within the image processing apparatus and where the driving force receiving means is further adapted to transfer driving force applied thereto to each of the at least one frame driving force transmitting means.

Abstract: A process cartridge that is detachably mounted to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising: an image carrier cartridge that has an image carrier; and a developing cartridge that has a developer carrier; wherein the developing cartridge comprising: a driving input part, to which external power for rotating the developer carrier is input, is provided to a first axial end side of the developer carrier; a first supported part; a second supported part; and a third supported part wherein the image carrier cartridge comprising: a first support part arranged on a rotational axis line of the driving input part, a second support part arranged at an image carrier side rather than the rotational axis line of the driving input part; and a third support part arranged at an opposite side to the second support part with the rotational axis line of the driving input part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording paper fed from a paper cassette, the apparatus comprises: a housing that accommodates the paper cassette to be drawn toward the front side of the housing and has an opening in the side surface of the housing; and a lid body including a covering part and a sliding part that slidably supports the covering part, the covering part having a member that covers the opening of the side surface of the housing and projects toward the inner side than the opening, the covering part and the sliding part integrally separating from the opening, and the covering part sliding in parallel to the opening.

Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge for use with an image-forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a cartridge case comprising an upper wall, a bottom wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall. An outer surface of the upper wall faces upwards when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus. The right side wall extends upwardly from a right side of the bottom wall, and the left side wall extends upwardly from a left side of the bottom wall. The upper wall connects upper edges of the right side wall and the left side wall. A light-entrance portion is formed in the upper wall and is configured to allow a laser beam to pass through the upper wall and reach the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.