Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and supporting mechanism
First Claim
1. An image forming apparatus including a plurality of latent image carriers that are disposed in a first direction substantially parallel to a sub scanning direction thereof, and a latent-image writing device that writes latent images on surfaces of the latent image carriers, the image forming apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of first abutting portions, whereina latent image carrier among the latent image carriers or a holding member among a plurality of holding members, each of which holds a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers, abuts with a first abutting portion among the first abutting portions so as to regulate movements of corresponding latent image carrier in the first direction;
a plurality of second abutting portions, whereina latent image carrier among the latent image carriers or a holding member among the holding members abuts with a second abutting portion among the second abutting portions so as to regulate movements of corresponding latent image carrier in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction;
a first member that is provided with the first abutting portions; and
a second member that is provided with the second abutting portions, the second member being formed separately to the first member, and the second member being formed of different material from that of the first member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a first member and second member that are formed of different materials. The first member includes a plurality of first abutting portions. The second member includes a plurality of second abutting portions. One latent image carrier or one holding member abuts with one first abutting portion so as to regulate movements of the latent image carrier in a first direction substantially parallel to a sub scanning direction. One latent image carrier or one holding member abuts with one second abutting portion so as to regulate movements of the latent image carrier in a second direction, which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An image forming apparatus including a plurality of latent image carriers that are disposed in a first direction substantially parallel to a sub scanning direction thereof, and a latent-image writing device that writes latent images on surfaces of the latent image carriers, the image forming apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of first abutting portions, wherein a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers or a holding member among a plurality of holding members, each of which holds a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers, abuts with a first abutting portion among the first abutting portions so as to regulate movements of corresponding latent image carrier in the first direction; a plurality of second abutting portions, wherein a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers or a holding member among the holding members abuts with a second abutting portion among the second abutting portions so as to regulate movements of corresponding latent image carrier in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction; a first member that is provided with the first abutting portions; and a second member that is provided with the second abutting portions, the second member being formed separately to the first member, and the second member being formed of different material from that of the first member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A supporting mechanism for use in an image forming apparatus that is including a plurality of latent image carriers that are disposed in a first direction substantially parallel to a sub scanning direction thereof, and a latent image writing device that writes latent images on surfaces of the latent image carriers, the supporting mechanism comprising:
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a plurality of first abutting portions, wherein a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers or a holding member among a plurality of holding members, each of which holds a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers, abuts with a first abutting portion among the first abutting portions so as to regulate movements of corresponding latent image carrier in the first direction; a plurality of second abutting portions, wherein a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers or a holding member among the holding members abuts with a second abutting portion among the second abutting portions so as to regulate movements of corresponding latent image carrier in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction; a first member that is provided with the first abutting portions; and a second member that is provided with the second abutting portions, the second member being formed separately to the first member, and the second member being formed of different material from that of the first member.
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Specification