Image Forming Apparatus

• US 20150139679A1
• Filed: 11/14/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Souda, Makoto
• Granted Patent: US 9,250,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/90
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1619 Frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1652 Electrical connection means

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units in an arrangement direction orthogonal to a rotary axis thereof; a support member configured to support the plurality of image forming units; a frame, which is configured to support the support member, and a plurality of electrodes, which is supported to the frame and is configured to supply power to the plurality of image forming units, wherein the frame comprises: a plurality of support projections, which is protruding inwardly to support the plurality of electrodes, and a projection part, which is arranged at an outer position of the plurality of support projections, at which the projection part overlaps with the support member, as viewed from the direction of the rotary axis, and is contactable to the support member in a case where the support member is moved towards the frame.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a plurality of image forming units respectively having a photosensitive drum rotatable about a rotary axis and arranged side by side in an arrangement direction orthogonal to the rotary axis;

a support member configured to support the plurality of image forming units;

a frame, which is made of resin, is arranged at one end-side of the photosensitive drum in a direction of the rotary axis and is configured to support the support member, and

a plurality of electrodes, which is supported to the frame and is configured to supply power to the plurality of image forming units,

wherein the frame comprises;

a plurality of support projections, which is protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the frame and is configured to support the plurality of electrodes, and

a projection part, which is arranged at an outer position of the plurality of support projections, at which the projection part overlaps with the support member, as viewed from the direction of the rotary axis, and is contactable to the support member in a case where the support member is moved towards the frame.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the projection part is provided at a position closer to one end portion of the frame than the plurality of support projections in the arrangement direction of the plurality of image forming units.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein the projection part is arranged at a position at which the projection part is contactable to one end portion of the support member in the arrangement direction of the plurality of image forming units.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a first interval, in the direction of the rotary axis between, the projection part and the support frame is equal to or smaller than a second interval, in the direction of the rotary axis, between the support projections and the support member.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the projection part is arranged at a position at which the projection part is contactable to both end portions of the support member in an arrangement direction of the plurality of image forming units.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the projection part is arranged at a position at which the projection part is contactable to one end portion of the support member in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the plurality of image forming units.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,

wherein the projection part capable of contacting one end portion of the support member in the orthogonal direction is a first rib, which has a long shape extending in the arrangement direction.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:

a first beam member, which is made of metal, has a long shape extending in the orthogonal direction, is arranged along an outer surface of the frame and is fixed to the frame, and

a second rib, which protrudes from the outer surface of the frame and is configured to contact the first beam member,

wherein the first rib and the second rib overlap with each other, as viewed from the direction of the rotary axis.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising

a second beam member, which is made of metal, has a long shape extending in the arrangement direction, is arranged along the outer surface of the frame and to intersect with the first beam member and is fixed to the frame,

wherein stiffness of the first beam member is higher than stiffness of the second beam member.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

wherein the first beam member is arranged to contact the second beam member at an opposite side to the image forming units with respect to the second beam member.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

wherein the first beam member has a cylindrical shape.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising

an elastic member, of which a part is fixed to the frame and the other part is a free end,

wherein one end portion of the first beam member is held between the other part of the elastic member and the frame.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12,

wherein one end portion of the first beam member is provided with a first plane part along a longitudinal direction of the first beam member, and

wherein the other part of the elastic member is provided with a second plane part configured to surface-contact the first plane part.