Image forming apparatus with improved image quality and maintenance workability

• US 20030161656A1
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Saitou, Takeshi, Miura, Tetsuroh
• Granted Patent: US 6,978,103 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/116
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0194 primary transfer to the final recording medium G03G15/0184 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1839 Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0119 Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0132 vertical medium transport path at the secondary transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/1604 Main transfer electrode
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1603 for multicoloured copies
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1684 using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/183 Process cartridge

Abstract

An image forming apparatus is disclosed including at least a plurality of image bearing members, a plurality of image forming units each including plural image forming members for operating image forming steps onto each of the image bearing members, and a further image bearing member, which are held collectively on an image bearing member holding component, image forming unit holding component and second image bearing member holding component, respectively. By further providing a contact/detach mechanism adapted to detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of the image bearing member holding component and the second image bearing member holding component in relation to the image forming unit holding component, the mechanism is greatly simplified with relatively simple and less expensive construction of the mechanism disclosed herein, through eliminating plural contact/detach mechanisms separately provided for the noted holding components and also providing one integrating power sources for use in driving plural units in common. As a result, the previously known disadvantage in image forming apparatus such as contact residue images which are unduly caused by continual contact of the photoreceptors to image forming units and intermediate transfer belt can be obviated, as an example.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of image bearing members adapted for bearing thereon electrostatic latent images corresponding to image data; and

image forming members provided in a circumference of said plurality of image bearing members having different capabilities, wherein;

said plurality of image bearing members is unitized as an image bearing unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of image forming members having similar capability out of said image forming members are unitized as image forming units.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

at least three of said plurality of image forming members having similar capability is unitized as said image forming unit.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

each of said image forming members having similar capability included in a plurality of said image forming units is situated approximately equally spaced each other.

5. An image forming apparatus including at least a plurality of image forming subsystems, each having plural kinds of image forming members and each being configured to perform image formation, wherein:

at least two image forming units are included in each of said plurality of image forming subsystems, each including a plurality of said image forming units having similar capability.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said image forming units each includes at least three of said image forming members having similar capability.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

each of said image forming members having similar capability included in said image forming units is situated approximately equally spaced each other.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

one of said image forming members is an image bearing member.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said plurality of image forming subsystems are each configured to perform color image formation, and wherein;

a further image forming subsystem configured to perform black image formation is provided separately from said plurality of image forming subsystems, including plural kinds of image forming members having different capabilities.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said at least two image forming units are each slidably provided out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said image forming members included in said image forming units are each provided to be replaceable individually.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said image forming members included in said image forming units are each provided to be replaceable as a unit.

13. A plurality of image forming units included in plural image forming unit in an image forming apparatus, wherein:

said image forming units are each formed including a plurality of image forming members having similar capability.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein:

said image forming members are each provided to be replaceable individually.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein:

said image forming members are each provided to be replaceable as a unit.

16. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of image bearing members;

an image bearing member holding component for holding said plurality of image bearing members collectively;

a plurality of image forming units for operating image forming steps onto each of said image bearing members;

an image forming unit holding component for holding said plurality of image forming units collectively; and

a contact/detach mechanism for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said image bearing member holding component in relation to said image forming unit holding component.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing members are held parallel to each other detachably on said image bearing member holding component.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein:

at least one of said image bearing member holding component and said image forming unit holding component is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein:

said image bearing member holding component and said image forming unit holding component each include respective positioning parts for carrying out positioning one in relation to another by engaging said positioning part of said image forming unit holding component with that of image bearing member holding component.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein:

said contact/detach mechanism carries out detachment movements through displacement of said image forming unit holding in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:

a direction of said displacement is vertical in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:

a second image bearing member provided in common for being transferred by images born by said plurality of image bearing members;

a second image bearing member holding component for holding said second image bearing member; and

a second contact/detach mechanism for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising:

a linkage mechanism for carrying out detaching movements of both said image forming unit holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component and said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component, simultaneously.

24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

at least one of said image forming unit holding component and said second image bearing member holding component is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

25. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said image bearing member holding component, said image forming unit holding component, and said second image bearing member holding component each include respective positioning parts for carrying out positioning in relation to each other by engaging said positioning parts of said image forming unit holding component and said second image bearing member holding component with said positioning part of said image bearing member holding component.

26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said second contact/detach mechanism carries out detachment movements through displacement of said image forming unit holding and second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein:

a direction of said displacement is vertical in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising:

a third image bearing member provided for being transferred by images born by said second image bearing member; and

a third image bearing member holding component for holding said third image bearing member, wherein;

said second and third image bearing member holding components each include respective positioning parts for carrying out positioning in relation to one another by engaging said positioning part of said third image forming unit holding component with that of said second image bearing member holding component.

29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein:

said detaching movements are carried out at least immediately after completing image forming process steps.

30. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of image bearing members;

an image bearing member holding component for collectively holding said plurality of image bearing members with a certain degree of positional allowance;

a plurality of image forming units for operating image forming steps onto each of said image bearing members; and

an image forming unit holding component for holding said plurality of image forming units collectively, wherein;

said plurality of image bearing members are each positioned in relation to a main chases of said image forming apparatus after placing said image bearing member holding component at a predetermined location in said main chases, and said plurality of image forming units held on said image forming unit holding component are each subsequently positioned in relation to said plurality of image bearing members positioned previously.

31. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising:

an image bearing member holding component restricting member for placing said plurality of image bearing members at respective predetermined locations in said main chases;

an image bearing member positioning mechanism for positioning said plurality of image bearing members, placed at respective predetermined locations on said image bearing member holding component, in relation to said main chases; and

an image forming unit positioning mechanism for positioning said plurality of image forming units held on said image forming unit holding component in relation to said plurality of image bearing members.

32. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising:

a contact/detach mechanism for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said image bearing member holding component in relation to said image forming unit holding component.

33. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing members are held parallel to each other detachably on said image bearing member holding component.

34. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing members are detachably mounted from above on said image bearing member.

35. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, wherein:

at least one of said second image bearing member holding component and said image forming unit holding component is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

36. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising:

a second image bearing member provided in common for being transferred by images born by said plurality of image bearing members; and

a second image bearing member holding component for holding said second image bearing member, wherein;

said second image bearing member held on said second image bearing member holding component are each subsequently positioned in relation to said plurality of image bearing members previously positioned.

37. The image forming apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising:

a second image bearing member positioning mechanism for positioning said second image bearing member held on said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component previously positioned.

38. The image forming apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising:

a second contact/detach mechanism for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

39. The image forming apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising:

a linkage mechanism for carrying out detaching movements of both said image forming unit holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component, and said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component, simultaneously.

40. The image forming apparatus according to claim 36, wherein:

at least one of said second image bearing member holding component, said image forming unit holding component and said second image bearing member holding component is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

41. The image forming apparatus according to claim 40, wherein:

contact/detach movements are carried out in a same direction for said image bearing member, said image forming unit and said second image bearing member, held on said image bearing member holding component, said image forming unit holding component and said second image bearing member holding component, respectively.

42. The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein:

sliding-out movements are carried out horizontally for said image bearing member holding component, said image forming unit holding component and said second image bearing member holding component; and

contact/detach movements are carried out vertically for said image bearing member, said image forming unit and said second image bearing member.

43. The image forming apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising:

a third image bearing member provided for being transferred by images born by said second image bearing member; and

a third image bearing member holding component for holding said third image bearing member, wherein;

said second and third image bearing member holding components each include respective positioning parts for carrying out positioning in relation to one another by engaging said positioning part of said third image forming unit holding component with that of said second image bearing member holding component.

44. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an image bearing unit including at least a plurality of image bearing members adapted for bearing electrostatic latent images corresponding to image data;

an image bearing member holding component for holding said plurality of image bearing members collectively;

a plurality of image forming units each including at least a plurality of image forming members for operating image forming steps onto each of said image bearing members; and

an image forming unit holding component for holding said plurality of image forming units collectively,

wherein

a contact/detach mechanism is provided for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said image bearing member holding component in relation to said image forming unit holding component.

45. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein:

each of said image forming members having similar capability included in said plurality of image forming units is situated approximately equally spaced each other.

46. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein:

said at least two image forming units are each slidably provided out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

47. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein:

said image forming members included in said image forming units are each provided to be replaceable individually.

48. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein:

said image forming members included in said image forming units are each provided to be replaceable as a unit.

49. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein:

at least one of said image bearing member holding component and said image forming unit holding component is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

50. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein:

said image bearing member holding component and said image forming unit holding component each include respective positioning parts for carrying out positioning one in relation to another by engaging said positioning part of said image forming unit holding component with that of image bearing member holding component.

51. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein:

said contact/detach mechanism carries out detachment movements through displacement of said image forming unit holding in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

52. The image forming apparatus according to claim 48, wherein:

a direction of said displacement is vertical in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

53. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising:

a second image bearing member provided in common for being transferred by images born by said plurality of image bearing members;

a second image bearing member holding component for holding said second image bearing member; and

a second contact/detach mechanism for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

54. The image forming apparatus according to claim 50, further comprising:

a linkage mechanism for carrying out detaching movements of both said image forming unit holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component and said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component, simultaneously.

55. The image forming apparatus according to claim 50, wherein:

at least one of said image forming unit holding component and said second image bearing member holding component is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

56. The image forming apparatus according to claim 50, wherein:

said image bearing member holding component, said image forming unit holding component, and said second image bearing member holding component each include respective positioning parts for carrying out positioning in relation to each other by engaging said positioning parts of said image forming unit holding component and said second image bearing member holding component with said positioning part of said image bearing member holding component.

77. The image forming apparatus according to claim 72, wherein:

said plurality of objects are selected from the group consisting of said plurality of image bearing members, said image bearing unit, said image bearing member holding component, said image forming members, and said image forming members, recited in anyone of claims 44 and 57.

78. The image forming apparatus according to claim 73, wherein:

said plurality of objects are selected from the group consisting of said plurality of image bearing members, said image bearing unit, said image bearing member holding component, said image forming members, and said image forming members, recited in anyone of claims 44 and 57.

79. The image forming apparatus according to claim 74, wherein:

said plurality of objects are selected from the group consisting of said plurality of image bearing members, said image bearing unit, said image bearing member holding component, said image forming members, and said image forming members, recited in anyone of claims 44 and 57.

57. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an image bearing unit including at least a plurality of image bearing members adapted for bearing electrostatic latent images corresponding to image data;

an image bearing member holding component for holding said plurality of image bearing members collectively;

a plurality of image forming units each including at least a plurality of image forming members for operating image forming steps onto each of said image bearing members; and

an image forming unit holding component for holding said plurality of image forming units collectively,

wherein;

said plurality of image bearing members are each positioned in relation to a main chases of said image forming apparatus after placing said image bearing member holding component at a predetermined location in said main chases, and said plurality of image forming units held on said image forming unit holding component are each subsequently positioned in relation to said plurality of image bearing members positioned previously.

58. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein:

each of said image forming members having similar capability included in said plurality of image forming units is situated approximately equally spaced each other.

59. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein:

said at least two image forming units are each slidably provided out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

60. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein:

said image forming members included in said image forming units are each provided to be replaceable individually.

61. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein:

said image forming members included in said image forming units are each provided to be replaceable as a unit.

62. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising:

an image bearing member holding component restricting member for placing said plurality of image bearing members at respective predetermined locations in said main chases;

an image bearing member positioning mechanism for positioning said plurality of image bearing members, placed at respective predetermined locations on said image bearing member holding component, in relation to said main chases; and

an image forming unit positioning mechanism for positioning said plurality of image forming units held on said image forming unit holding component in relation to said plurality of image bearing members.

63. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising:

a contact/detach mechanism for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said image bearing member holding component in relation to said image forming unit holding component.

64. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing members are held parallel to each other detachably on said image bearing member holding component.

65. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing members are detachably mounted from above on said image bearing member.

66. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein:

at least one of said second image bearing member holding component and said image forming unit holding component is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

67. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising:

a second image bearing member provided in common for being transferred by images born by said plurality of image bearing members; and

a second image bearing member holding component for holding said second image bearing member,

wherein;

said second image bearing member held on said second image bearing member holding component is subsequently positioned in relation to said plurality of image bearing members previously positioned.

68. The image forming apparatus according to claim 67, further comprising:

a second image bearing member positioning mechanism for positioning said second image bearing member held on said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component previously positioned.

69. The image forming apparatus according to claim 67, further comprising:

a second contact/detach mechanism for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component.

70. The image forming apparatus according to claim 69, further comprising:

a linkage mechanism for carrying out detaching movements of both said image forming unit holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component and said second image bearing member holding component in relation to said image bearing member holding component, simultaneously.

71. The image forming apparatus according to claim 69, wherein:

at least one of said second image bearing member holding component, said image forming unit holding component and said second image bearing member holding component is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

72. An image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation corresponding to image data, comprising:

a plurality of objects to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a display unit provided for indicating anyone of said plurality of objects and locations thereof;

a detecting means for detecting a need for anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation for said plurality of objects; and

a display means for displaying pertinent information based on detection results on said plurality of objects detected by said detecting means.

82. The image forming apparatus according to claim 72, wherein:

said display unit is a light emitting unit.

85. The image forming apparatus according to claim 72, further comprising:

a light emitting source; and

a means for transmitting light beams emanated by said light emitting source.

73. An image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation corresponding to image data, comprising:

a cover openably provided for covering an object to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a display unit provided at anyone of locations of said cover and corresponding thereto for indicating said cover covering said object;

a detecting means for detecting a need for anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation for said object; and

a display means for displaying pertinent information based on detection results on said object detected by said detecting means.

75. The image forming apparatus according to claim 73, wherein:

at least one of said cover covers two or more of said plurality of objects.

83. The image forming apparatus according to claim 73, wherein:

said display unit is a light emitting unit.

86. The image forming apparatus according to claim 73, further comprising:

a light emitting source; and

a means for transmitting light beams emanated by said light emitting source.

87. The image forming apparatus according to claim 73, further comprising:

a light emitting source; and

a means for transmitting light beams emanated by said light emitting source.

74. An image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation corresponding to image data, comprising:

a plurality of objects to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a display unit for indicating anyone of said plurality of objects and locations thereof;

a cover openably provided for covering said plurality of objects;

a display unit provided at anyone of locations of said cover and corresponding thereto for indicating said cover covering said plurality of objects to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a detecting means for detecting a need for anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation for said plurality of objects; and

a display means for instructing for both said display unit for indicating anyone of said plurality of objects and locations of said plurality of objects, and said display unit provided at anyone of locations of said cover and corresponding thereto for indicating said cover covering said plurality of objects to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation, to thereby display pertinent information based on detection results on said plurality of objects detected by said detecting means.

76. The image forming apparatus according to claim 74, wherein:

at least one of said cover covers two or more of said plurality of objects.

80. The image forming apparatus according to claim 74, wherein:

at least two of said cover are situated in respective locations to be opened in sequence.

81. The image forming apparatus according to claim 74, wherein:

at least two of said cover are situated in respective locations to be opened in sequence.

84. The image forming apparatus according to claim 74, wherein:

said display unit is a light emitting unit.

88. An electronic system, comprising:

a plurality of objects to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a display unit provided for indicating anyone of said plurality of objects and locations thereof;

a detecting means for detecting a need for anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation for said plurality of objects; and

a display means for displaying pertinent information based on detection results on said plurality of objects detected by said detecting means.

89. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of image bearing member means adapted for bearing thereon electrostatic latent images corresponding to image data; and

image forming member means provided in a circumference of said plurality of image bearing member means having different capabilities, wherein;

said plurality of image bearing member means is unitized as an image bearing unit means.

90. The image forming apparatus according to claim 89, wherein:

a plurality of image forming member means having similar capability out of said image forming member means are unitized as image forming unit means.

91. The image forming apparatus according to claim 90, wherein:

at least three of said plurality of image forming member means having similar capability is unitized as said image forming unit means.

92. The image forming apparatus according to claim 89, wherein:

each of said image forming member means having similar capability included in a plurality of said image forming unit means is situated approximately equally spaced each other.

93. An image forming apparatus including at least a plurality of image forming subsystem means, each having plural kinds of image forming member means and each being configured to perform image formation, wherein:

at least two image forming unit means are included in each of said plurality of image forming subsystem means, each including a plurality of said image forming unit means having similar capability.

94. The image forming apparatus according to claim 93, wherein:

said image forming unit means each includes at least three of said image forming member means having similar capability.

95. The image forming apparatus according to claim 93, wherein:

each of said image forming member means having similar capability included in said image forming unit means is situated approximately equally spaced each other.

96. The image forming apparatus according to claim 93, wherein:

one of said image forming member means is an image bearing member means.

97. The image forming apparatus according to claim 93, wherein:

said plurality of image forming subsystem means are each configured to perform color image formation, and wherein;

a further image forming subsystem means configured to perform black image formation is provided separately from said plurality of image forming subsystem means, including plural kinds of image forming member means having different capabilities.

98. The image forming apparatus according to claim 93, wherein:

said at least two image forming unit means are each slidably provided out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

99. The image forming apparatus according to claim 93, wherein:

said image forming member means included in said image forming unit means are each provided to be individually replaceable.

100. The image forming apparatus according to claim 93, wherein:

said image forming member means included in said image forming unit means are each provided to be replaceable as a unit.

101. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of image bearing member means;

an image bearing member holding component means for holding said plurality of image bearing member means collectively;

a plurality of image forming unit means for operating image forming steps onto each of said image bearing member means;

an image forming unit holding component means for holding said plurality of image forming unit means collectively; and

a contact/detach mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image forming unit holding component means.

102. The image forming apparatus according to claim 101, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing member means are held parallel to each other detachably on said image bearing member holding component means.

103. The image forming apparatus according to claim 101, wherein:

at least one of said image bearing member holding component means and said image forming unit holding component means is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

104. The image forming apparatus according to claim 101, wherein:

said image bearing member holding component means and said image forming unit holding component means each include respective positioning part means for carrying out positioning one in relation to another by engaging said positioning part means of said image forming unit holding component means with that of image bearing member holding component means.

105. The image forming apparatus according to claim 101, wherein:

said contact/detach mechanism means carries out detachment movements through displacement of said image forming unit holding means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

106. The image forming apparatus according to claim 105, wherein:

a direction of said displacement is vertical in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

107. The image forming apparatus according to claim 101, further comprising:

a second image bearing member means provided in common for being transferred by images born by said plurality of image bearing member means;

a second image bearing member holding component means for holding said second image bearing member means; and

a second contact/detach mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

108. The image forming apparatus according to claim 107, further comprising:

a linkage mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements of both said image forming unit holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means, simultaneously.

109. The image forming apparatus according to claim 107, wherein:

at least one of said image forming unit holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

110. The image forming apparatus according to claim 107, wherein:

said image bearing member holding component means, said image forming unit holding component means, and said second image bearing member holding component means each include respective positioning part means for carrying out positioning in relation to each other by engaging said positioning part means of said image forming unit holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means with said positioning part means of said image bearing member holding component means.

111. The image forming apparatus according to claim 107, wherein:

said second contact/detach mechanism means carries out detachment movements through displacement of said image forming unit holding means and second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

112. The image forming apparatus according to claim 111, wherein:

a direction of said displacement is vertical in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

113. The image forming apparatus according to claim 107, further comprising:

a third image bearing member means provided for being transferred by images born by said second image bearing member means; and

a third image bearing member holding component means for holding said third image bearing member means, wherein;

said second and third image bearing member holding component means each include respective positioning parts for carrying out positioning in relation to one another by engaging said positioning part means of said third image forming unit holding component means with that of said second image bearing member holding component means.

114. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of image bearing member means;

an image bearing member holding component means for collectively holding said plurality of image bearing member means with a certain degree of positional allowance;

a plurality of image forming unit means for operating image forming steps onto each of said image bearing member means; and

an image forming unit holding component means for holding said plurality of image forming unit means collectively,

wherein;

said plurality of image bearing member means are each positioned in relation to a main chases of said image forming apparatus after placing said image bearing member holding component means at a predetermined location in said main chases, and said plurality of image forming unit means held on said image forming unit holding component means are each subsequently positioned in relation to said plurality of image bearing member means positioned previously.

115. The image forming apparatus according to claim 114, further comprising:

an image bearing member holding component restricting member means for placing said plurality of image bearing member means at respective predetermined locations in said main chases;

an image bearing member positioning mechanism means for positioning said plurality of image bearing member means, placed at respective predetermined locations on said image bearing member holding component means, in relation to said main chases; and

an image forming unit positioning mechanism means for positioning said plurality of image forming unit means held on said image forming unit holding component means in relation to said plurality of image bearing member means.

116. The image forming apparatus according to claim 114, further comprising:

a contact/detach mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image forming unit holding component means.

117. The image forming apparatus according to claim 114, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing member means are held parallel to each other detachably on said image bearing member holding component means.

118. The image forming apparatus according to claim 114, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing member means are detachably mounted from above on said image bearing member means.

119. The image forming apparatus according to claim 114, wherein:

at least one of said second image bearing member holding component means and said image forming unit holding component means is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

120. The image forming apparatus according to claim 114, further comprising:

a second image bearing member means provided in common for being transferred by images born by said plurality of image bearing member means; and

a second image bearing member holding component means for holding said second image bearing member means,

wherein;

said second image bearing member means held on said second image bearing member holding component means are each subsequently positioned in relation to said plurality of image bearing member means previously positioned.

121. The image forming apparatus according to claim 120, further comprising:

a second image bearing member means positioning mechanism for positioning said second image bearing member means held on said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means previously positioned.

122. The image forming apparatus according to claim 120, further comprising:

a second contact/detach mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

123. The image forming apparatus according to claim 122, further comprising:

a linkage mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements of both said image forming unit holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means, and said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means, simultaneously.

124. The image forming apparatus according to claim 120, wherein:

at least one of said second image bearing member holding component means, said image forming unit holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

125. The image forming apparatus according to claim 124, wherein:

contact/detach movements are carried out in a same direction for said image bearing member means, said image forming unit means and said second image bearing member means, held on said image bearing member holding component means, said image forming unit holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means, respectively.

126. The image forming apparatus according to claim 125, wherein:

sliding-out movements are carried out horizontally for said image bearing member holding component means, said image forming unit holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means; and

contact/detach movements are carried out vertically for said image bearing member means, said image forming unit means and said second image bearing member means.

127. The image forming apparatus according to claim 120, further comprising:

a third image bearing member means provided for being transferred by images born by said second image bearing member means; and

a third image bearing member holding component means for holding said third image bearing member means, wherein;

said second and third image bearing member holding component means each include respective positioning part means for carrying out positioning in relation to one another by engaging said positioning part means of said third image forming unit holding component means with that of said second image bearing member holding component means.

128. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an image bearing unit means including at least a plurality of image bearing member means adapted for bearing electrostatic latent images corresponding to image data;

an image bearing member holding component means for holding said plurality of image bearing member means collectively;

a plurality of image forming unit means each including at least a plurality of image forming member means for operating image forming steps onto each of said image bearing member means; and

an image forming unit holding component means for holding said plurality of image forming unit means collectively,

wherein

a contact/detach mechanism means is provided for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image forming unit holding component means.

129. The image forming apparatus according to claim 128, wherein:

each of said image forming member means having similar capability included in said plurality of image forming unit means is situated approximately equally spaced each other.

130. The image forming apparatus according to claim 128, wherein:

said at least two image forming unit means are each slidably provided out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

131. The image forming apparatus according to claim 128, wherein:

said image forming member means included in said image forming unit means are each provided to be replaceable individually.

132. The image forming apparatus according to claim 128, wherein:

said image forming member means included in said image forming unit means are each provided to be replaceable as a unit.

133. The image forming apparatus according to claim 128, wherein:

at least one of said image bearing member holding component means and said image forming unit holding component means is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

134. The image forming apparatus according to claim 128, wherein:

said image bearing member holding component means and said image forming unit holding component means each include respective positioning part means for carrying out positioning one in relation to another by engaging said positioning part means of said image forming unit holding component means with that of image bearing member holding component means.

135. The image forming apparatus according to claim 128, wherein:

said contact/detach mechanism means carries out detachment movements through displacement of said image forming unit holding means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

136. The image forming apparatus according to claim 132, wherein:

a direction of said displacement is vertical in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

137. The image forming apparatus according to claim 128, further comprising:

a second image bearing member means provided in common for being transferred by images born by said plurality of image bearing member means;

a second image bearing member holding component means for holding said second image bearing member means; and

a second contact/detach mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

138. The image forming apparatus according to claim 134, further comprising:

a linkage mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements of both said image forming unit holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means, simultaneously.

139. The image forming apparatus according to claim 134, wherein:

at least one of said image forming unit holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

140. The image forming apparatus according to claim 134, wherein:

said image bearing member holding component means, said image forming unit holding component means, and said second image bearing member holding component means each include respective positioning parts for carrying out positioning in relation to each other by engaging said positioning part means of said image forming unit holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means with said positioning part means of said image bearing member holding component means.

161. The image forming apparatus according to claim 156, wherein:

said plurality of object means are selected from the group consisting of said plurality of image bearing member means, said image bearing unit means, said image bearing member holding component means, said image forming member means, and said image forming member means, recited in anyone of claims 128 and 141.

162. The image forming apparatus according to claim 157, wherein:

said plurality of object means are selected from the group consisting of said plurality of image bearing member means, said image bearing unit means, said image bearing member holding component means, said image forming member means, and said image forming member means, recited in anyone of claims 128 and 141.

163. The image forming apparatus according to claim 158, wherein:

said plurality of object means are selected from the group consisting of said plurality of image bearing member means, said image bearing unit means, said image bearing member holding component means, said image forming member means, and said image forming member means, recited in anyone of claims 128 and 141.

141. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an image bearing unit means including at least a plurality of image bearing member means adapted for bearing electrostatic latent images corresponding to image data;

an image bearing member holding component means for holding said plurality of image bearing member means collectively;

a plurality of image forming unit means each including at least a plurality of image forming member means for operating image forming steps onto each of said image bearing member means; and

an image forming unit holding component means for holding said plurality of image forming unit means collectively,

wherein

said plurality of image bearing member means are each positioned in relation to a main chases of said image forming apparatus after placing said image bearing member holding component means at a predetermined location in said main chases, and said plurality of image forming unit means held on said image forming unit holding component means are each subsequently positioned in relation to said plurality of image bearing member means positioned previously.

142. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, wherein:

each of said image forming member means having similar capability included in said plurality of image forming unit means is situated approximately equally spaced each other.

143. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, wherein:

said at least two image forming unit means are each slidably provided out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

144. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, wherein:

said image forming member means included in said image forming unit means are each provided to be replaceable individually.

145. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, wherein:

said image forming member means included in said image forming unit means are each provided to be replaceable as a unit.

146. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, further comprising:

an image bearing member holding component restricting member means for placing said plurality of image bearing member means at respective predetermined locations in said main chases;

an image bearing member positioning mechanism means for positioning said plurality of image bearing member means, placed at respective predetermined locations on said image bearing member holding component means, in relation to said main chases; and

an image forming unit positioning mechanism means for positioning said plurality of image forming unit means held on said image forming unit holding component means in relation to said plurality of image bearing member means.

147. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, further comprising:

a contact/detach mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image forming unit holding component means.

148. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing member means are held parallel to each other detachably on said image bearing member holding component means.

149. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, wherein:

said plurality of image bearing member means are detachably mounted from above on said image bearing member means.

150. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, wherein:

at least one of said second image bearing member holding component means and said image forming unit holding component means is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

151. The image forming apparatus according to claim 141, further comprising:

a second image bearing member means provided in common for being transferred by images born by said plurality of image bearing member means; and

a second image bearing member holding component means for holding said second image bearing member means,

wherein;

said second image bearing member means held on said second image bearing member holding component means is subsequently positioned in relation to said plurality of image bearing member means previously positioned.

152. The image forming apparatus according to claim 151, further comprising:

a second image bearing member positioning mechanism means for positioning said second image bearing member means held on said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means previously positioned.

153. The image forming apparatus according to claim 151, further comprising:

a second contact/detach mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements, within said image forming apparatus, of said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means.

154. The image forming apparatus according to claim 153, further comprising:

a linkage mechanism means for carrying out detaching movements of both said image forming unit holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means in relation to said image bearing member holding component means, simultaneously.

155. The image forming apparatus according to claim 151, wherein:

at least one of said second image bearing membe holding component means, said image forming unit holding component means and said second image bearing member holding component means is each provided slidably out of a main chases of said image forming apparatus.

156. An image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation corresponding to image data, comprising:

a plurality of object means to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a display unit means provided for indicating anyone of said plurality of object means and locations thereof;

a detecting means for detecting a need for anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation for said plurality of object means; and

a display means for displaying pertinent information based on detection results on said plurality of object means detected by said detecting means.

166. The image forming apparatus according to claim 156, wherein:

said display unit means is a light emitting unit.

169. The image forming apparatus according to claim 156, further comprising:

a light emitting source means; and

a means for transmitting light beams emanated by said light emitting source means.

170. The image forming apparatus according to claim 156, further comprising:

a light emitting source means; and

a means for transmitting light beams emanated by said light emitting source means.

157. An image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation corresponding to image data, comprising:

a cover means openably provided for covering an object means to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a display unit means provided at anyone of locations of said cover means and corresponding thereto for indicating said cover means covering said object means;

a detecting means for detecting a need for anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation for said object means; and

a display means for displaying pertinent information based on detection results on said object means detected by said detecting means.

159. The image forming apparatus according to claim 157, wherein:

at least one of said cover means covers two or more of said plurality of object means.

164. The image forming apparatus according to claim 157, wherein:

at least two of said cover means are situated in respective locations to be opened in sequence.

167. The image forming apparatus according to claim 157, wherein:

said display unit means is a light emitting unit.

171. The image forming apparatus according to claim 157, further comprising:

a light emitting source means; and

a means for transmitting light beams emanated by said light emitting source means.

158. An image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation corresponding to image data, comprising:

a plurality of object means to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a display unit means for indicating anyone of said plurality of object means and locations thereof;

a cover means openably provided for covering said plurality of object means;

a display unit means provided at anyone of locations of said cover means and corresponding thereto for indicating said cover means covering said plurality of object means to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a detecting means for detecting a need for anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation for said plurality of object means; and

a display means for instructing for both said display unit means for indicating anyone of said plurality of object means and locations of said plurality of object means, and said display unit means provided at anyone of locations of said cover means and corresponding thereto for indicating said cover means covering said plurality of object means to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation, to thereby display pertinent information based on detection results on said plurality of object means detected by said detecting means.

160. The image forming apparatus according to claim 158, wherein:

at least one of said cover means covers two or more of said plurality of object means.

165. The image forming apparatus according to claim 158, wherein:

at least two of said cover means are situated in respective locations to be opened in sequence.

168. The image forming apparatus according to claim 158, wherein:

said display unit means is a light emitting unit.

172. An electronic system, comprising:

a plurality of object means to be subjected to anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation;

a display unit means provided for indicating anyone of said plurality of object means and locations thereof;

a detecting means for detecting a need for anyone of parts exchange and maintenance operation for said plurality of object means; and

a display means for displaying pertinent information based on detection results on said plurality of object means detected by said detecting means.