Image Forming Device

• US 20120207511A1
• Filed: 01/31/2012
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: SATO, Shougo
• Granted Patent: US 8,867,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/110
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/00 Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern G03G16/00, G03G17/00 take precedence ; xerographic printers for data processors per se G06K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/00 Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/16 Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1633 using doors or covers G03G21/1638 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1642 for connecting the different parts of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1666 for the exposure unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1676 for the developer unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/169 for the cleaning unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1695 for paper transport
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/18 using a processing cartridge , whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1853 the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1654 Locks and means for positioning or alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1657 transmitting mechanical drive power
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1684 using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/183 Process cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1869 Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1884 Projections on process cartridge for guiding mounting thereof in main machine

Abstract

A first retaining member is configured to be moved in a prescribed direction between a mounted position and a pulled-out position. A plurality of exposure units is configured to move between a first adjacent position in which each of the plurality of exposure units is located adjacent to the corresponding photosensitive drum to expose thereof and a first retracted position in which each of the plurality of exposure unit is moved away from the corresponding photosensitive drum in a direction intersecting with the prescribed direction. A space is formed by removing a tray from a main casing. Each of the plurality of exposure units is moved to the space to be moved to the first retracted position such that each of the plurality of exposure units fails to interfere with the first retaining member in the prescribed direction when the first retaining member moves from the mounted position to the pulled-out position.

Claims

1. An image forming device comprising:

a main casing;

a first retaining member retaining a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposedly arrayed and spaced away from each other in a prescribed direction, the first retaining member being configured to move in the prescribed direction between a mounted position in which the first retaining member is mounted in the main casing and a pulled-out position in which the first retaining unit is pulled out of the main casing;

an endless belt disposed above the first retaining member to oppose the plurality of photosensitive drums;

a plurality of exposure units disposed below the endless belt and configured to move between a first adjacent position in which each of the plurality of exposure units is located adjacent to the corresponding photosensitive drum to expose thereof and a first retracted position in which each of the plurality of exposure unit is moved away from the corresponding photosensitive drum in a direction intersecting with the prescribed direction; and

a tray disposed in confrontation with the first retaining member from below and configured to be inserted into or removed from the main casing, a space being formed by removing the tray from the main casing, the tray configured to supply a transferred medium on which developer image is transferred,

wherein each of the plurality of exposure units is moved to the space to be moved to the first retracted position such that each of the plurality of exposure units fails to interfere with the first retaining member in the prescribed direction when the first retaining member moves from the mounted position to the pulled-out position.

2. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the main casing having an opening through which the first retaining member is moved between the mounted position and the pulled-out position,

wherein the main casing comprises:

a cover configured to move between an open position opening the opening and a closed position closing the opening; and

an interlocking mechanism that moves each of the plurality of exposure units from the first adjacent position to the first retracted position in conjunction with a movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position, and moves each of the plurality of exposure units from the first retracted position to the first adjacent position in conjunction with a movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.

3. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the tray restricts a movement of the cover to the open position by interfering with the cover when the tray is inserted into the main casing.

4. The image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising a second retaining member that retains a plurality of developing units each opposing the corresponding photosensitive drum and is configured to move between a second adjacent position in which the plurality of developing units is located adjacent to the plurality of photosensitive drums and a second retracted position in which the plurality of developing units is moved away from the plurality of photosensitive drums,

wherein the plurality of exposure units is provided on the second retaining member.

5. The image forming device according to claim 4, further comprising a cleaning unit arranged in confrontation with the endless belt in a direction the same as a direction that each of the plurality of photosensitive drums confronts the endless belt and configured to clean the endless belt.

6. The image forming device according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a waste developer retaining portion for accommodating a waste developer, the waste developer retaining portion being provided on the second retaining member.

7. The image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising a supplying member that is configured to supply the transferred medium accommodated in the tray, the supplying member being arranged to overlap with the first retaining member in the prescribed direction when the first retaining member is in the mounted position.

8. The image forming device according to claim 4, wherein the main casing has an opening through which the first retaining member is moved between the mounted position and the pulled-out position,

wherein the main casing comprises:

a cover configured to move between an open position opening the opening and a closed position closing the opening; and

an interlocking mechanism that moves the second retaining member from the second adjacent position to the second retracted position in conjunction with a movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position, and moves second retaining member from the second retracted position to the second adjacent position in conjunction with a movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.

9. The image forming device according to claim 4, further comprising a supplying member that is configured to supply the transferred medium accommodated in the tray, the supplying member being arranged to overlap with the second retaining member in the prescribed direction when the second retaining member is in the adjacent position.