US 12,265,343 B2
Image forming apparatus adopting an intermediate transfer method
Koju Yamamoto, Osaka (JP); Takashi Morita, Osaka (JP); and Tatsuro Arata, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed by KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Jan. 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/414,948.
Claims priority of application No. 2023-009236 (JP), filed on Jan. 25, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0248424 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 15/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/1615 (2013.01) [G03G 21/168 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a plurality of image carrying member units
each of which includes an image carrying member that carries a toner image on an outer circumferential surface and an image carrying member support frame that rotatably supports the image carrying member and
which are aligned in a horizontal direction; and
an intermediate transfer unit that includes
an endless intermediate transfer belt which is rotatably supported and
a plurality of primary transfer members which are opposite the image carrying members through the intermediate transfer belt,
the intermediate transfer unit being removable with respect to a main body of the apparatus in the horizontal direction,
wherein the image forming apparatus that primarily transfers, in a state where the intermediate transfer unit is fitted to the main body of the apparatus, the toner images carried on the outer circumferential surfaces of the image carrying members by the primary transfer members to the intermediate transfer belt includes:
a locating member that is arranged on a downstream side of the image carrying member units in a direction in which the intermediate transfer unit is fitted so as to locate the intermediate transfer unit in a fitting position in which the intermediate transfer unit is fitted to the main body of the apparatus;
image carrying member-side guide rails that
are formed on upper end portions of the image carrying member support frames included in a first image carrying member unit closest to the locating member in the horizontal direction and a second image carrying member unit adjacent to the first image carrying member unit of the image carrying member units and
extend along the horizontal direction; and
a main body-side guide rail that is formed as a bridge in the horizontal direction between the image carrying member-side guide rails included in the first image carrying member unit and the second image carrying member unit, and
when the intermediate transfer unit is fitted to the main body of the apparatus, the intermediate transfer unit slides on the image carrying member-side guide rails and the main body-side guide rail and is guided by the locating member to be located in the fitting position.