US 12,487,559 B2
Image forming apparatus having improved mountability of a cartridge while conserving space
Takeo Kawanami, Kanagawa (JP); Kazuaki Nogami, Kanagawa (JP); Takehiro Hayashi, Kanagawa (JP); Kenji Watanabe, Shizuoka (JP); and Shunsuke Hijikata, Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/772,500.
Application 18/772,500 is a continuation of application No. 18/481,545, filed on Oct. 5, 2023, granted, now 12,111,610.
Application 18/481,545 is a continuation of application No. 17/981,740, filed on Nov. 7, 2022, granted, now 11,809,127, issued on Nov. 7, 2023.
Application 17/981,740 is a continuation of application No. 17/397,054, filed on Aug. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,526,124, issued on Dec. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-136143 (JP), filed on Aug. 12, 2020; application No. 2020-136209 (JP), filed on Aug. 12, 2020; and application No. 2020-136229 (JP), filed on Aug. 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0369966 A1, Nov. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 21/18 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/1853 (2013.01) [G03G 21/1652 (2013.01); G03G 21/1814 (2013.01); G03G 21/1842 (2013.01); G03G 2221/1869 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation, the image forming apparatus comprising:
a cartridge including a memory member that stores information, a photosensitive drum, and a cartridge contact that is a grounding member to connect the photosensitive drum to a ground potential;
an apparatus main body; and
a tray unit to which the cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving with respect to the apparatus main body, between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside of the apparatus main body, the tray unit including:
a first side plate configured to support the cartridge, wherein the first side plate is made of metal, and includes a first supporting portion and a first outer side portion, the first supporting portion includes a first positioning portion, and the first positioning portion is configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position at which the image forming operation is performed,
a second side plate configured to support the cartridge, wherein the second side plate is made of metal, and includes a second supporting portion and a second outer side portion, the second supporting portion includes a second positioning portion, and the second positioning portion is configured to come into contact with the cartridge, and
a mounting portion to which the cartridge is mounted in a mounting direction, wherein the mounting portion is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and, in a case of being viewed in the mounting direction, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion are situated between the first outer side portion and the second outer side portion in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion,
wherein in a positioning state where the cartridge contacts first positioning portion and the second positioning portion and is in an image forming position at which the image forming operation is performed, a position of the memory member is higher than a position of the second outer side portion with respect to a vertical direction, and
wherein in the positioning state, a position of the cartridge contact is lower than the position of the second outer side portion with respect to the vertical direction.