# US 12,111,606 B2 · Image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 12,111,606 B2
- Document ID: US12111606B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/095,146
- Filed: 2023-01-10
- Published: 2023-08-17
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2022-02-15
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Applicants: Shiro Akama
- Inventors: Shiro Akama
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111606B2

## CPC

- G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means}
- G03G 21/1623: {Means to access the interior of the apparatus}
- G03G 21/1666: {for the exposure unit}
- G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit}
- G03G 21/12: Toner waste containers
- G03G 2221/1654: Locks and means for positioning or alignment
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a detachable unit, and a guide. The detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the housing. The guide guides the detachable unit when the detachable unit is attached to or detached. The guide includes a first guide portion inclined downward to guide the detachable unit such that the detachable unit moves downward in a direction in which the detachable unit is detached. The detachable unit includes a positioning portion that protrudes in a direction in which the detachable unit is attached to the housing. The housing includes a unit positioner that engages with the positioning portion of the detachable unit at a position above the guide to position the detachable unit. The guide includes a second guide portion that extends from an upper end of the first guide portion toward a side of the housing in which the unit positioner is disposed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image forming apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a fixed component affixed to the housing;
a writing unit attachable to and detachable from the housing;
a waste toner bottle attachable to and detachable from the housing; and
a guide to guide the writing unit when the writing unit is attached to or detached from the housing, the guide including a first guide portion inclined downward to guide the writing unit such that the writing unit moves downward in a direction in which the writing unit is detached from the housing,
wherein the writing unit includes a positioning portion that protrudes in a direction in which the writing unit is attached to the housing,
wherein the housing includes a unit positioner that engages with the positioning portion of the writing unit at a position above the guide to position the writing unit,
wherein the guide includes a second guide portion that extends from an upper end of the first guide portion toward a side of the housing in which the unit positioner is disposed;
wherein the guide includes a third guide portion to guide said waste toner bottle when said waste toner bottle is attached or detached, and
wherein said waste toner bottle is attachable or detachable in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the writing unit is attached to or detached from the housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the second guide portion is a horizontal portion having a horizontal surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the unit positioner is a frame extending in an up-and-down direction and having a flat surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the guide includes a fourth guide portion that regulates the writing unit from moving in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the writing unit is attached to or detached from the housing and extends parallel to the direction in which the writing unit is attached to or detached from the housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the writing unit is positioned by the unit positioner at a predetermined gap between the writing unit and the guide.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the fixed component is disposed in a front portion of the housing at a position above the writing unit overlapping the writing unit in an up-and-down direction relative to a direction in which the writing unit is attached and detached from the housing.