US 12,174,554 B2
Image forming apparatus with repositionable shutter assembly
Takuya Otsuka, Sunto Shizuoka (JP)
Assigned to TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/145,818.
Application 18/145,818 is a continuation of application No. 17/466,727, filed on Sep. 3, 2021, granted, now 11,561,484.
Prior Publication US 2023/0126318 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/01 (2006.01); G03G 15/04 (2006.01); G03G 15/05 (2006.01); G03G 15/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/011 (2013.01) [G03G 15/04036 (2013.01); G03G 15/052 (2013.01); G03G 21/1666 (2013.01); G03G 21/1832 (2013.01); G03G 15/167 (2013.01); G03G 2215/0103 (2013.01); G03G 2221/1636 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a photoconductor;
a light source configured to expose the photoconductor, the light source being repositionable relative to the photoconductor; and
a shutter assembly including:
a cleaning member repositionable between (a) a first position in which the cleaning member contacts a surface of the light source that faces the photoconductor and (b) a second position in which the cleaning member is separated from the surface of the light source, the shutter assembly being configured to move the cleaning member between the first position and the second position in response to movement of the light source relative to the photoconductor;
a link coupled to the cleaning member and configured to rotate about an axis, the link including a rotating shaft;
a protrusion coupled to the light source and configured to engage the link to move the cleaning member from the second position to the first position; and
a torsion spring provided on the rotating shaft of the link and configured to urge the cleaning member toward the second position.