Image forming apparatus

• US 8,577,255 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2009
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Okabe, Yasushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsay, Jr., Walter L
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHMITT, BENJAMIN R
• Application Number:
  US12/606,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20100111562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: 399/111, 399/112
• US Class Current: 399/111
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0178 using more than one reusable electrographic recording member, e.g. one for every monocolour image
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0194 primary transfer to the final recording medium G03G15/0184 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5008 Driving control for rotary photosensitive medium, e.g. speed control, stop position control
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/757 Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1647 Mechanical connection means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1652 Electrical connection means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1825 Pivotable subunit connection
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1842 for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1853 the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1867 for electrically connecting the process cartridge to the apparatus, electrical connectors, power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/166 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1684 using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1869 Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein

Abstract

An image forming apparatus may include a main body, an endless belt, and a drum unit. The drum unit may support a black photosensitive drum and color photosensitive drums in a mounting direction. The black photosensitive drum may include a first axis in an axial direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. Each color photosensitive drum may have a second axis extending parallel to the axial direction. The black photosensitive drum may be disposed at a position nearest to a first end of the drum unit. A second end of the drum unit may be pivotable about the first axis between initial and pivot positions. The photosensitive drums contact the endless belt when the drum unit is in the initial position. The black photosensitive drum contacts the endless belt and the color photosensitive drums are separated from the endless belt when the drum unit is in the pivot position.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a main body;

an endless belt; and

a drum unit configured to be detachably mounted on the main body, the drum unit configured to be inserted in a mounting direction to mount on the main body, the drum unit having a first end and a second end disposed downstream of the first end in the mounting direction, the drum unit configured to support a plurality of photosensitive drums including a black photosensitive drum and color photosensitive drums, the black photosensitive drum having a first axis extending in an axial direction perpendicular to the mounting direction, each of the color photosensitive drums having a second axis extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction, the black and color photosensitive drums being arranged in the mounting direction, the black photosensitive drum being disposed at a position near the first end, the second end being pivotable about the first axis to be movable between an initial position and a pivot position,

wherein the black and color photosensitive drums contact the endless belt when the drum unit is disposed in the initial position,

wherein the black photosensitive drum contacts the endless belt and the color photosensitive drums are separated from the endless belt when the drum unit is disposed in the pivot position,

wherein the main body comprises a reference part configured to adjust a position of the drum unit in the main body,

wherein the reference part is disposed downstream of the first axis in the mounting direction when the black photosensitive drum is supported in the drum unit and the drum unit is mounted in the main body,

wherein the second end contacts the reference part when the plurality of photosensitive drums are in contact with the endless belt, and

wherein the second end is separated from the reference part when the drum unit is disposed in the pivot position.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum unit is configured to be slidably supported in the main body.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drum unit pivoting mechanism configured to pivot the drum unit between the initial position and the pivot position.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the drum unit pivoting mechanism includes:

a protruding part that protrudes outward from the second end in the axial direction; and

a contact part that is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction and configured to hold in contact with the protruding part.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference part includes a reference shaft.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a casing that accommodates the black photosensitive drum, the casing having an arc-shaped protrusion sharing a central axis with the black photosensitive drum; and

a pressing member configured to press the arc-shaped protrusion.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the casing includes a stopper that protrudes outward from the casing in the axial direction,

wherein the drum unit further includes a receiving portion configured to receive the stopper, and

wherein the pressing member is configured to press the arc-shaped protrusion toward a point horizontally between the black photosensitive drum and the stopper.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitting mechanism configured to selectively transmit drive power to the plurality of photosensitive drums; and

a plurality of coupling members that correspond respectively to the plurality of photosensitive drums, each coupling member being selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and having a coupling axis extending in the axial direction of the corresponding photosensitive drum, and

wherein each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the corresponding photosensitive drum is separated from the endless belt.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a mode setting unit configured to set the image forming apparatus to one of a monochrome mode, a color mode, and a drum mounting mode, and

wherein the photosensitive drum is allowed to be mounted on or separated from the main body when the mode setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to the drum mounting mode.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transmitting mechanism includes a switching member that is selectively movable to one of a first position corresponding to the drum mounting mode, a second position corresponding to the monochrome mode, and a third position corresponding to the color mode.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each photosensitive drum is uncoupled from the corresponding coupling member and contacts the endless belt when the switching member is disposed in the first position,

wherein, when the switching member is disposed in the second position, the black photosensitive drum is coupled with the corresponding coupling member and contacts the endless belt and each color photosensitive drum is uncoupled from the corresponding coupling member and is separated from the endless belt, and

wherein, when the switching member is disposed in the third position, each photosensitive drum is coupled with the corresponding coupling member and contacts the endless belt.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a contact part that is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction,

wherein the switching member includes a protruding part that protrudes toward the contact part,

wherein the contact part contacts the protruding part when the switching member is disposed in the second position, and

wherein the contact part is out of contact in the protruding part when the switching member is disposed in one of the first and third positions.