US 12,372,920 B2
Image forming apparatus capable of protecting configuration for cooling developing device
Geki Son, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed by KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Apr. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/637,367.
Claims priority of application No. 2023-067040 (JP), filed on Apr. 17, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0345539 A1, Oct. 17, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/20 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0896 (2013.01); G03G 21/1676 (2013.01); G03G 2221/163 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a photoconductor drum supported by a support frame and on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
a developing device that is detachably supported by the support frame and includes a developing roller configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum with a developing agent, and a developing housing configured to store the developing agent;
a separating mechanism configured to move the developing device so that the developing roller separates from the photoconductor drum before the developing device is removed from the support frame; and
a cooling unit configured to cool the developing device; wherein
the developing housing has a bottom plate that has higher thermal conductivity than other parts;
the cooling unit includes:
a heat receiving plate facing the bottom plate; and
a cooling tube supported by the heat receiving plate;
in a state where the developing device is not being moved by the separating mechanism, the bottom plate comes in contact with the cooling tube and the cooling unit cools the developing device; and when the developing device is moved by the separating mechanism before the developing device is removed from the support frame, the bottom plate is separated from the cooling tube; and
the bottom plate has a recessed portion into which a part of the cooling tube enters when the developing device is not being moved by the separating mechanism.