IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND EXPOSURE DEVICE

• US 20140232803A1
• Filed: 08/06/2013
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp. (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: KOBAYASHI, Takahiko
• Granted Patent: US 8,960,853 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/118
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/04036 Details of illuminating systems, e.g. lamps, reflectors lamp housings for copying cameras, reflex exposure lighting G03B27/542

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that rotates; and an exposure unit that includes multiple light emitters, a holding unit, and first contact portions, the multiple light emitters being arranged along a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, the holding unit holding the multiple light emitters, the first contact portions being positioned on the holding unit so as to sandwich the multiple light emitters therebetween, the exposure unit exposing the image carrier to light. While the image carrier is being mounted on an apparatus body, the exposure unit is moved away from the image carrier in an optical axis direction of the exposure unit as a result of the first contact portions coming into contact with the image carrier, and the exposure unit and the image carrier are positioned as a result of the first contact portions coming into contact with the image carrier.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an image carrier that rotates; and

an exposure unit that includes a plurality of light emitters, a holding unit, and first contact portions, the plurality of light emitters being arranged along a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, the holding unit holding the plurality of light emitters, the first contact portions being positioned on the holding unit so as to sandwich the plurality of light emitters therebetween, the exposure unit exposing the image carrier to light,

wherein, while the image carrier is being mounted on an apparatus body, the exposure unit is moved away from the image carrier in an optical axis direction of the exposure unit as a result of the first contact portions coming into contact with the image carrier, and the exposure unit and the image carrier are positioned as a result of the first contact portions coming into contact with the image carrier.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing unit that presses the exposure unit in the optical axis direction,

wherein the holding unit includes a second contact portion that comes into contact with the apparatus body, and

wherein when the first contact portions are not in contact with the image carrier, movement of the exposure unit in the optical axis direction is restricted by the second contact portion coming into contact with the apparatus body, whereas when the first contact portions are in contact with the image carrier, the second contact portion and the apparatus body are no longer in contact with each other and the exposure unit is positioned with respect to the image carrier.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the first contact portions protrude in the optical axis direction of the exposure unit and are at least two first contact portions formed so as to sandwich the plurality of light emitters therebetween, and

wherein one of the at least two first contact portions that is located on a downstream side in a direction in which the image carrier is inserted protrudes to a larger degree than another one of the at least two first contact portions that is located on an upstream side in the direction in which the image carrier is inserted.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure unit includes a second contact portion in a center portion of the image carrier in the rotation axis direction of the image carrier, the second contact portion coming into contact with the apparatus body and being movable in the optical axis direction of the exposure unit and in a direction that crosses the rotation axis direction of the image carrier.

5. An exposure device comprising:

an exposing member that includes a plurality of light emitters arranged along a rotation axis direction of an image carrier that rotates, the exposing member exposing the image carrier with light;

a supporter that supports the image carrier and the exposing member; and

a guide portion formed on the exposing member at such a position as to protrude into a path along which the image carrier is inserted into the supporter in the rotation axis direction of the image carrier, the guide portion moving the exposing member supported by the supporter in an optical axis direction of the exposing member as a result of being pressed by the image carrier to guide the exposing member to a predetermined position.