US 12,066,766 B2
Image forming apparatus including duct structure that supports light emitting elements for exposing a photoconductor
Ryoichi Kawasumi, Ibaraki (JP); Takehiro Ishidate, Tokyo (JP); and Hiroki Takano, Saitama (JP)
Assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Feb. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/175,736.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-037622 (JP), filed on Mar. 10, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0288839 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/04 (2006.01); B41J 2/00 (2006.01); B41J 2/447 (2006.01); B41J 29/377 (2006.01); G03G 21/00 (2006.01); G03G 21/20 (2006.01); G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/04054 (2013.01) [B41J 2/4473 (2013.01); B41J 29/377 (2013.01); G03G 15/04063 (2013.01); G03G 21/206 (2013.01); G03G 15/087 (2013.01); G03G 15/0879 (2013.01); G03G 21/1676 (2013.01); G03G 2215/0407 (2013.01); G03G 2215/0412 (2013.01); G03G 2221/1645 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a rotatable photoconductor;
an exposure portion including a substrate on which a plurality of chips, each including a plurality of light emitting portions configured to emit light for exposing the photoconductor, are mounted, and a support portion configured to support the substrate;
a fan configured to generate an airflow for cooling the exposure portion; and
a duct configured to communicate with the fan and to communicate with the support portion to guide the airflow generated by the fan to the substrate,
wherein the exposure portion is movable between an exposure position where the photoconductor is exposed and a retracted position where the photoconductor is retracted from the exposure position,
wherein the duct includes a duct portion communicating with the fan, and an elevating duct that integrally supports the exposure portion and moves relative to the duct portion between the exposure position and the retracted position integrally with the exposure portion, and
wherein, in a state where the exposure portion is located at the exposure position, a gap between the elevating duct and the duct portion is sealed by a seal member so that the elevating duct and the duct portion communicate with each other.