Image forming apparatus
First Claim
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- a toner conveyance path; and
a transfer unit detachably attachable relative to the image forming apparatus, the transfer unit includingan intermediate transfer belt configured to bear a toner image,a cleaning device configured to remove residual toner remaining on intermediate transfer belt,a connector configured to connect the cleaning device with the toner conveyance path, anda moving device configured to move the connector between a first position and a second position, the connector connecting the cleaning device with the toner conveyance path at the first position, and separating the cleaning device from the toner conveyance path at the second position,wherein the moving device includes a lever to move the connector, the lever being disposed at a front side of the transfer unit with respect to a detaching direction of the transfer unit, andwherein the transfer unit is detachable from the image forming apparatus when the connector is at the second position.
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Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member to bear a toner image, a waste toner storage mechanism to store residual toner, and an intermediate transfer unit detachable from the image forming apparatus. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer member onto which the toner image is transferred, a cleaning device to remove residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the toner image is transferred to a recording medium, and a connecting mechanism to connect the cleaning device and the waste toner storage mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes a movable connecting tube and a moving device to move the connecting tube between a first position at which the connecting tube engages the cleaning device and the waste toner storage mechanism, and the second position at which the connecting tube separates the cleaning device from the waste toner storage mechanism.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
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a toner conveyance path; and a transfer unit detachably attachable relative to the image forming apparatus, the transfer unit including an intermediate transfer belt configured to bear a toner image, a cleaning device configured to remove residual toner remaining on intermediate transfer belt, a connector configured to connect the cleaning device with the toner conveyance path, and a moving device configured to move the connector between a first position and a second position, the connector connecting the cleaning device with the toner conveyance path at the first position, and separating the cleaning device from the toner conveyance path at the second position, wherein the moving device includes a lever to move the connector, the lever being disposed at a front side of the transfer unit with respect to a detaching direction of the transfer unit, and wherein the transfer unit is detachable from the image forming apparatus when the connector is at the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
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a toner conveyance path; and a transfer unit detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus, the transfer unit including an intermediate transfer belt configured to bear a toner image, a cleaning device configured to remove residual toner remaining on intermediate transfer belt, a connector configured to connect the cleaning device with the toner conveyance path, and a moving device configured to move the connector between a first position and a second position, the connector connecting the cleaning device with the toner conveyance path at the first position, and separating the cleaning device from the toner conveyance path at the second position, wherein the connector includes a conveyance screw configured to convey the residual toner from the cleaning device to the toner conveyance path, rotation of the conveyance screw is prevented when the connector is at the second position, the transfer unit includes a first gear, and the connector includes a second gear configured to engage with the first gear and to rotate the conveyance screw, and the first gear and the second gear are separated when the connector is at the second position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
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a toner conveyance path; an intermediate transfer belt configured to bear a toner image; a cleaning device configured to clean the intermediate transfer belt; a connector configured to connect the cleaning device with the toner conveyance path; and a moving device configured to move the connector linearly between a first position and a second position in a first direction, wherein the intermediate transfer belt and the connector are detachable from an opening of the image forming apparatus in a second direction different from the first direction when the connector is at the second position, and the connector is disposed at the opening. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification