Abstract: An image carrier driver includes an image carrier, a first power transmitter, a rotator, a second power transmitter, and a damper. The image carrier is configured to rotate by power generated by a driving source. The first power transmitter is configured to transmit the power from the driving source to the image carrier. The rotator is disposed further downstream than the image carrier in a flow of power transmission. The second power transmitter is configured to transmit the power from the image carrier to the rotator. The damper is disposed in the image carrier and is configured to attenuate an oscillation associated with the power transmission and transmitted to the image carrier.

Abstract: A process unit includes: a photosensitive drum defining a first direction parallel to an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and including: a tubular body having a first end portion containing a distal end; and a fitting member un-rotatably provided at the first end portion; a bearing member rotatably supporting the fitting member at a position inward from the distal end in the first direction; and a side plate configured to un-rotatably support the bearing portion.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing and a photosensitive unit having photosensitive bodies arrayed in an array direction. The main casing includes a first side plate having a first primary portion extending in the array direction, and having a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion spaced away therefrom in the array direction. The photosensitive unit includes a second side plate supporting the photosensitive bodies and having a second primary portion extending in the array direction. The second side plate has a third positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the first positioning portion and has a fourth positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the second positioning portion. The first and third portions are overlapped with each other and the second and fourth positioning portions are overlapped with each other while the first primary portion and the second primary portion are spaced away from each other.

Abstract: A guide surface of an attachment guide for a cartridge attached to a position nearest to a scanner has, in the vicinity of an inlet of the attachment guide, a portion oriented so as to be away from a guide surface of a guide unit for another cartridge from the upstream toward the downstream side in the direction in which the cartridges are attached.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a latent image forming portion that includes a latent image carrier having a cylindrical shape, and a supporting member disposed at both ends of the latent image carrier and rotatably supporting the latent image carrier, a charging unit that includes a discharge electrode supplying electric charge to the latent image carrier, and a grid electrode having a shape curved around the latent image carrier, a first supporting portion that supports the curved grid electrode from the latent image carrier side, a second supporting portion that supports the curved grid electrode from the discharge electrode side, and a pinching unit that pinches the grid electrode between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion in a contact state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, photosensitive members arranged along an arrangement direction, and developing cartridges. Each developing cartridge includes a developer carrying member configured to supply a developer to a corresponding one of the photosensitive members. Each photosensitive member is configured to move between an image formation position where an image is formed on the photosensitive member and a retracted position where the photosensitive member is retracted from the developer carrying member. When the photosensitive member is in the image formation position, the photosensitive member is configured to close a path through which a corresponding one of the developing cartridges is attached to and removed from the casing. When the photosensitive member is in the retracted position, the photosensitive member is configured to open the path.

Abstract: To facilitate replacing photosensitive drums and/or developing devices in an image forming apparatus, a photosensitive member unit including a plurality of photosensitive members is loaded in a main casing. A developing device unit including a plurality of developing devices is also loaded in the main casing. Both an intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive member unit are configured to be movable toward and away from the developing device unit. Further, when the photosensitive member unit is separated from the developing device unit, the intermediate transfer belt and the plurality of photosensitive members are also separated from each other.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder. Each of the two projections is provided with a recess to facilitate deformation of the projection.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum for use with an image forming apparatus, includes a cylinder; a flange provided at a longitudinal end of said cylinder, wherein the flange has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cylinder; and a resin material injected in a gap in a radial direction between the cylinder and the flange and fixing said flange to the cylinder.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a positioning portion, a replaceable member that is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body, and has a portion to be positioned that comes into contact with and is positioned by the positioning portion at least at one longitudinal end, and an urging mechanism that urges the portion to be positioned toward the positioning portion, wherein when the position of the replaceable member in a longitudinal direction is determined, the replaceable member is mounted on the apparatus body as the urging mechanism is switched from the state where the urging force of the urging mechanism does not act to the state where the urging force of the urging mechanism acts so that the positioning portion and the portion to be positioned come into contact with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drum unit configured to be attachable to and detachable from the body through inserting the drum shaft into the hollow portion of the photoreceptor drum, a plurality of ribs formed on the drum unit, a guide rail formed in a body, and a plurality of cutouts that is formed in the guide rail is configured to engage with the plurality of ribs when the drum unit is positioned at a regular position. The drum shaft and the guide rail are configured with respect to each other such that a center of the drum shaft is substantially coaxial with a center of the photoreceptor drum when the drum unit slides relative to the body in a state in which the plurality of ribs is placed on the guide rail.

Abstract: A cam member has each of a plurality of first exposure-side surfaces provided in association with a first contact part of each exposure units and each of a plurality of second exposure-side surfaces provided in association with each first contact part. Each first contact part confronts but separates from the corresponding first exposure-side surface when the corresponding exposure unit is disposed in an adjacent position where the exposure unit is capable of exposing the corresponding photosensitive drum. Each first contact part is in contact with the corresponding second exposure-side surface when the corresponding exposure unit is disposed in a retracted position positioned farther than the adjacent position from the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable with respect to the body, wherein the unit includes: a frame; a plurality of photosensitive bodies; a plurality of developer cartridges, including developer carriers, detachably mountable on the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing each of the cartridges so that the developer carrier thereof is directed toward the corresponding photosensitive body, each of the cartridges is pivoted to be movable to an imaging position pressed by the pressing portion and a detached position released from the pressing by the pressing portion, and the body is provided with an abutting portion abutting the cartridge located on the detached position thereby pivoting the cartridge and moving the same to the imaging position when the unit is mounted on the body.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus has an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a surface layer of an amorphous silicon carbide. The ratio of the atom density (C) of carbon atoms to the sum of the atom density (Si) of silicon atoms and the atom density (C) of carbon atoms, C/(Si+C), in the surface layer is set larger from one end portion toward the other end portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the direction of rotational axis thereof, and is from 0.61 or more to 0.75 or less in the entire region of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the direction of rotational axis thereof. The electrophotographic apparatus has an air current generator which draws out air from the side of the one end portion toward the side of the other end portion.

Abstract: A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction.

Abstract: A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus are provided. The process cartridge is detachably mountable in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a first outer side plate which is provided on one side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a second outer side plate which is provided on the other side of the photosensitive drums in the axial direction, and opposes the first outer side plate with the photosensitive drums interposed therebetween, and a plurality of input parts which are provided on ends of the photosensitive drums at the one side, respectively. An end face of each of the input parts being provided inward with respect to the outer surface of the first outer side plate.

Abstract: An image bearing member unit for use with an image forming apparatus, includes: an image bearing member including a supported portion onto which a lubricant is applied; a supporting member for rotatably supporting the supported portion; a frame for holding the supporting member; and a spacing maintaining portion provided on the frame or the image bearing member. The spacing maintaining portion is disposed outside the supported portion with respect to a radial direction of the image bearing member, and is disposed inside, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the image bearing member, a region where the supporting member supports the supported portion. When the supporting member is not mounted on the frame, the spacing maintaining portion maintains a spacing between the frame and the supported portion in contact with the image bearing member or the frame.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate, a photosensitive layer, and a cross-linked resin surface layer comprising a cross-linked resin having a charge transport structure, which satisfies the following inequations: 0.01<WRa(LLH)<0.04??(1-1) 0.01<WRa(LML)<0.04??(1-2) 0.01<WRa(LMH)<0.04??(1-3) 0.01<WRa(LHL)<0.04??(1-4) WRa(LHL)>WRa(LHH)??(2-1) WRa(LHL)>WRa(HLH)??(2-2) WRa(LHL)>WRa(HML)??(2-3) WRa(LHL)>WRa(HMH)??(2-4) WRa(LHL)>WRa(HHL)??(2-5) WRa(LHL)>WRa(HHH)??(2-6) wherein WRa (?m) represents an arithmetic average roughness according to JIS-B0601:2001 of frequency components that are obtained by subjecting a one-dimensional data array of a surface profile of the electrophotographic photoreceptor to a wavelet transformation multiresolution analysis.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor including: an electrically conductive substrate; and at least a photoconductive layer thereon, wherein the photoconductive layer contains a diazapentadiene derivative represented by general formula (1): where “X” represents general formula (a), (b) or (c); “R1” and “R2” each represent substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or aromatic hydrocarbon group, and may be the same or different; “R1” and “R2” may be joined together via “Y” to form a ring; “Y” represents single bond, oxygen atom, —CH2CH2—, or —CH?CH—, where “R3” represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group, alkoxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, or halogen group; “R4” represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aromatic hydrocarbon group; “n” represents integer ranging from 0 to 4; and when “n” is integer of 2 to 4, “R3” may be the same or different.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. A coupling member is engaged with the drum flange so that an axis of the coupling member is inclinable with respect to an axis of the drum flange. A regulation portion is provided in the drum flange so as to prevent the coupling member from disengaging from the drum flange. At least a portion of the coupling member and the regulating portion is configured to be deformed to permit the coupling member to disengage from the drum flange or to engage with the drum flange.

Abstract: To facilitate replacing photosensitive drums and/or developing devices in an image forming apparatus, a photosensitive member unit including a plurality of photosensitive members is loaded in a main casing. A developing device unit including a plurality of developing devices is also loaded in the main casing. Both an intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive member unit are configured to be movable toward and away from the developing device unit. Further, when the photosensitive member unit is separated from the developing device unit, the intermediate transfer belt and the plurality of photosensitive members are also separated from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method are provided that realize both the use of a decolorizing toner and a non-decolorizing toner and miniaturization of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a pair of pulleys between which a belt is stretched, and a pin that rotatably supports a driving pulley, of the pair of pulleys; a mount for fixing the pin; a housing; at least two first fastening parts, respectively including first bosses that extend vertically from a bottom portion of the housing and first fastening members that are inserted into the first bosses via the mount to fix the mount to the housing; and a second fastening part disposed on an opposite side to, the first fastening parts with respect to the pin in the scanning direction, including a second boss that extends vertically from the bottom portion of the housing and has a different height from the first bosses and a second fastening member that is inserted into the second boss via the mount to fix the mount to the housing.

Abstract: An color image forming apparatus 1 has photosensitive units 5 and developing units 6 that can be drawn out of an apparatus main body along a direction of a photosensitive drum 15 and has an intermediate transfer unit 7 that can be drawn out of the apparatus main body along a moving direction of an intermediate transfer belt 10. The color image forming apparatus 1 includes a pressing release mechanism 41 that releases pressing against the photosensitive drum 15 by a primary transfer roller 8 in conjunction with an operation required at a time of drawing out any of the photosensitive unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the intermediate transfer unit 7.

Abstract: A housing unit includes: a first housing that contains a cylindrical image holder; a second housing that contains a fuser unit for fixing an image to a recording medium by a heat roller; a protruding unit that protrudes outwardly from a surface of the first housing, which surface faces a circular surface of the image holder; a heat resistant member that is formed of a material having heat resistance higher than that of the protruding unit, and covers the protruding unit; a metallic supporting unit that supports an end of the heat roller; a connecting unit that is formed on the supporting unit and is shaped to contact and fit the heat resistant member; and a fixing unit that fixes the first housing to the second housing at such a position that the connecting unit is fitted to the heat resistant member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a consumable detachably installed in the main body is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a main body having a first opening, a consumable which is detachably installed in the main body, a door mounted on the main body to open and close the first opening, and locking members operable in association with the movement of the door to secure the consumable in place as the door is closed. Possible damages due to the movement of the consumable such as a photosensitive cartridge during shipping and/or transporting of the image forming apparatus can be prevented by the locking members.

Abstract: A sensor device includes: a member that has an aperture facing a target measuring position through which a target to be measured passes; a sensor that is provided in an opposing relation to the target measuring position, and that measures a physical quantity of the target at a sensor surface facing the aperture; and a moving member that reciprocates a movement in a predetermined direction, and includes: a cleaning unit that cleans the sensor surface by contacting the sensor surface while the moving member moves to at least one of an outward movement and a return reciprocal movement; an applying portion that applies to the moving member a force in one direction of the reciprocation movement; and a manipulation portion that is moved by an operator against the force applied by the applying portion in an direction opposite to that of a direction of the force.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a frame member, a first sheet metal member, and a pressing member. The frame member is configured to accommodate the photosensitive drums such that the photosensitive drums are withdrawn along an axial direction thereof. The first sheet metal member is disposed on a first side of the frame member and configured to position the photosensitive drums. The pressing member is configured to press the photosensitive drums toward the first sheet metal member. The frame member includes a first wall disposed on a second side, opposite to the first side, of the frame member in the axial direction, a second wall disposed on a third side of the frame member and connected to the first wall, and a third wall disposed on an upper side relative to the photosensitive drums and connected to the first wall and the second wall.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main apparatus body; an opening/closing member; a drum unit including a photosensitive drum and can be pulled out of an accommodating space along an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; an exposing member provided in the main apparatus body and movable between an exposure position and an evacuation position; and a movable mechanism including: a first movable member movable in accordance with an opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member; and a second movable member for moving the exposing member between the exposure position and the evacuation position in accordance with movement of the first movable member. The second movable member supports both end portions of the exposing member. The second movable member moves the exposing member to the exposure position or the evacuation position by the movement of the first movable member in accordance with the movement of the opening/closing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units that are arranged in parallel so as to be opposed to an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer carriage belt. A black image forming unit that forms a black toner image is arranged at a downstream end or upstream end in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt or the transfer carriage belt with respect to the other image forming units. The black image forming unit is configured so that its lubricant supplying unit contains a larger amount of lubricant.

Abstract: A belt installation guide is disclosed which accommodates the loading in a belt module of a new belt around drive rollers. The guide is placed opposite the end portions of the rollers, the belt is slipped over the guides and held by the guides until the belt is pushed over the rollers. The guides can be attached to the belt module or can be detachable therefrom. Once in place over the rollers, a tension is exerted on the belt to make it taut over all of the rollers. The guide is removed from near the rollers after the belt is in place over the rollers.

Abstract: An image-forming device may include a main body, a developing unit, a transferring unit, and a tray. In some examples, the developing unit may include a developer-accommodating section that accommodates developer and a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing unit may further include a developer-carrying member to develop the electrostatic latent image. The tray may enable the developing unit to move between a contact position and a separate position.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: an image-holding member casing that encases an image-holding member; an apparatus main body into which the image-holding member casing is inserted to a predetermined position; a developing device casing provided in the apparatus main body, the developing device casing encasing a developing device; a pushing member provided in the apparatus main body to push the developing device casing in a first direction toward the image-holding member; and a contact portion provided on the image-holding member casing so as to contact the developing device casing for a predetermined period during insertion of the image-holding member casing toward the predetermined position, to push the developing device casing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein, after the predetermined period, when the image-holding member casing reaches the predetermined position, the contact portion does not push the developing device casing in the second direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a photosensitive unit detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus body. The photosensitive unit includes: a frame; photosensitive bodies supported by the frame; cartridges including a developer carrier and detachably mountable to the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing the cartridges to direct the developer carrier toward the corresponding photosensitive body. Each cartridge can shift in the frame to a first attitude pressed by the pressing portion, and a second attitude released from the press of the pressing portion and detachable from the frame. The image forming apparatus body is provided with an abutment portion abutting the cartridge in the second attitude thereby bringing the cartridge into the first attitude when the photosensitive unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus body.

Abstract: In an image forming device an apparatus is provided that supplies a continuous flow of an electrical charge between a photoconductive drum and a power supply. In one embodiment, an electrically conductive member receives a shaft of the photoconductive drum. An electrically conductive cap disposed on a first side of the electrically conductive member, aligned with an aperture of the electrically conductive member, and capable of being electrically coupled with the shaft via the electrically conductive member. There is also an electrically conductive resilient member having a leading end and a trailing end electrically couple with the electrically conductive member and the shaft in a manner that the leading end is disposed on the first side of the electrically conductive member and the trailing end is disposed on the second side of the electrically conductive member with at least a portion of the trailing end extending across the aperture of the electrically conductive member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes (a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof, and (b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes (i) a plurality of projections provided inside the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange with a space between projections diametrically around the drum flange, and (ii) a recess provided at a position radially outside of an innermost portion of the projections.

Abstract: To provide a coating fluid for forming an undercoat layer having high stability, a high quality and long-life electrophotographic photoreceptor capable of forming a high quality image in various environments, with which image defects such as black spots or color spots hardly occur, an image forming apparatus using such a photoreceptor, and an electrophotographic cartridge using such a photoreceptor. A coating fluid for forming un undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor containing titanium oxide particles and a binder resin, characterized in that titanium oxide agglomerated secondary particles in the coating fluid have a volume average particle size of at most 0.1 ?m and a cumulative 90% particle size of at most 0.3 ?m.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; an exposure member which has a plurality of blinking sections and which exposes the photoconductive body; a support frame which is made of resin and which supports the exposure member; a roller shaft which is made of metal and provided on the support frame; a roller which is made of resin, which is rotatably provided on the roller shaft and which maintains a spacing distance between the exposure member and the photoconductive body; and a metal plate which supports and is electrically connected to the roller shaft and which is electrically grounded. With the image forming apparatus, it is possible to solve a problem caused when the roller shaft is electrically floated, and to suitably arrange parts or components around the roller shaft.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to layer(s) that are useful in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrophotography, including digital, apparatuses. More particularly, the present embodiments provide the negatively charged electrophotographic imaging members with a novel cross-linked charge blocking undercoat layer, which is created to comprise of a binary composition of melamine and formaldehyde or a triple composition consisting of a hydroxyl functional acrylic polyol binder and a methylolation of melamine-formaldehyde, and methods for making the same. The charge blocking layer provides stabilized cyclic photo-electrical properties, enhanced mechanical adhesion bonding, and improved copy print out quality for service life extension.

Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member, first and second side walls, a rotatable body and a unit electrode. The photosensitive member defines an axis extending in an axial direction, and has first and second end portions in the axial direction. The first side wall rotatably supports the first end portion and the second side wall rotatably supports the second end portion. The rotatable body is rotatably disposed between the first and the second side walls. The rotatable body confronts and contacts the photosensitive member in a prescribed direction perpendicular to the axial direction to be movable in the prescribed direction. The unit electrode is provided at the first side wall and supports the rotatable body, the first side wall supporting the unit electrode to permit the unit electrode to be movable in the prescribed direction in conjunction with movement of the rotatable body in the axial direction.

Abstract: A cradle unit for a printhead cartridge is provided having a support bay for removably receiving the printhead cartridge, and an interface mounted on a slanted face within the support bay, the interface comprising connections which are movably tilted on said slanted face so as to be exposed within the support bay for connection with connections of the printhead cartridge when received in the support bay. The connections of the interface connect the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface.

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 cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an image bearing member; a frame; process means contactable to and actable on the image bearing member; a covering member detachably mounted to the frame to protect a surface of the image bearing member; and a spacing portion provided on the covering member and inserted between the image bearing member and the process means to space the image bearing member and the process means from each other, the spacing portion being movable relative to the covering member while being interposed between the image bearing member and the process means when the covering member is removed from the frame.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main assembly, with the main assembly including a preventing portion. The apparatus also includes a supporting member for supporting a plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive members, with the supporting member being movable between an inside position inside the main assembly, and an outside position outside the main assembly in a state in which the supporting member is supported by the main assembly and being disengageable from the main assembly at the outside position. A handle portion is provided to the supporting member, to be touched for disengaging the supporting member from the main assembly, with the handle portion being provided upstream of the plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive members with respect to a movement direction in which the supporting member is moved from the inside position to the outside position.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus which exposes an object includes an exposure member which has a plurality of blinking sections and which is elongated in a predetermined longitudinal direction; a support frame which supports the exposure member; a holder which supports the support frame to be movable relative to the holder; and a pressing member which is provided between the holder and the support frame and which presses the support frame in a direction away from the holder. Accordingly, the exposure apparatus can suppress the deformation of the exposure member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing; a photosensitive member unit detachably mountable relative to the housing and which includes a photosensitive member; a transfer belt unit detachably mountable relative to the housing which includes a transfer belt member and a spacing mechanism for spacing the transfer belt member from the photosensitive member; a shaft member, provided in the housing, for supporting the photosensitive member; a guiding portion, provided on the photosensitive member unit, for guiding mounting, to the housing, of the photosensitive member unit; and a rotation regulating member, provided on the transfer belt unit, for regulating a movement of the guiding portion, in the a rotational direction, of the photosensitive member at the time of the mounting of the photosensitive unit to the housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material in a state in which a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus and in a state in which a developing cartridge including a developing roller for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum and including a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer is detachably mountably to the main assembly, is constituted by a cartridge supporting member movable, in a state of detachably supporting the drum and developing cartridges, between an inside position in which the cartridge supporting member is located inside the main assembly and from which the drum and developing cartridges are movable to an image forming position in which the drum and developing cartridges effect image formation and an outside position in which the cartridge supporting member is located outside the main assembly and in which the drum and devel

Abstract: To provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a high sensitivity, a good balance of various electric properties such as chargeability and residual potential, a good stability of the coating solution, and an excellent light resistance. An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive support having thereon a photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a compound represented by the following formula (1): (wherein R1 represents a group having a chiral center, R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent, R3 and R4 each independently represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, or an arylene group which may have a substituent, and R5, R6, R7 and R8 each independently represents an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent, and at least one member of R5 to R8 is an aryl group having a substituent).

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing and a photosensitive unit having photosensitive bodies arrayed in an array direction. The main casing includes a first side plate having a first primary portion extending in the array direction, and having a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion spaced away therefrom in the array direction. The photosensitive unit includes a second side plate supporting the photosensitive bodies and having a second primary portion extending in the array direction. The second side plate has a third positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the first positioning portion and has a fourth positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the second positioning portion. The first and third portions are overlapped with each other and the second and fourth positioning portions are overlapped with each other while the first primary portion and the second primary portion are spaced away from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a positioning portion, a replaceable member that is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body, and has a portion to be positioned that comes into contact with and is positioned by the positioning portion at least at one longitudinal end, and an urging mechanism that urges the portion to be positioned toward the positioning portion, wherein when the position of the replaceable member in a longitudinal direction is determined, the replaceable member is mounted on the apparatus body as the urging mechanism is switched from the state where the urging force of the urging mechanism does not act to the state where the urging force of the urging mechanism acts so that the positioning portion and the portion to be positioned come into contact with each other.