# US 12,111,610 B2 · Image forming apparatus having improved mountability of a cartridge while conserving space > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,610 B2 - Document ID: US12111610B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/481,545 - Filed: 2023-10-05 - Published: 2024-01-25 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-12 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Takeo Kawanami; Kazuaki Nogami; Takehiro Hayashi; Kenji Watanabe; Shunsuke Hijikata - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111610B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1853: {the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member} - G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means} - G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 21/1878: {Electronically readable memory} - G03G 2221/1869: Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a grounding member for connecting the photosensitive drum to 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 inner portion and a first outer side portion, the first inner 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 an 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 inner portion and a second outer side portion, the second inner portion is provided with an exposing opening and includes a second positioning portion, and the second positioning portion is configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to the image forming position, and a mounting portion to which the cartridge is mounted, wherein the mounting portion is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and, the first inner portion and the second inner 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 the grounding member is exposed from the mounting portion through the exposing opening so that the grounding member is electrically connected to the apparatus main body in a state where the tray unit is situated at the internal position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the tray unit is situated at the internal position, the grounding member is electrically connected to the apparatus main body via a grounding contact. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the grounding contact has (i) a contact portion configured to contact the grounding member and (ii) a spring portion that biases the contact portion toward the first side plate in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the contact portion is disposed in a wound portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first side plate has a first opening that exposes the cartridge to an outside of the mounting portion, and wherein the cartridge includes a driving transmission member that transmits a driving force from the apparatus main body, the first opening exposes the driving transmission member to an outside of the tray unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first side plate integrally includes the first inner portion, the first outer side portion, and a first connecting portion that connects the first inner portion and the first outer side portion, wherein the second side plate integrally includes the second inner portion, the second outer side portion, and a second connecting portion that connects the second inner portion and the second outer side portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a memory for storing information, and the apparatus main body includes an urging unit including a memory contact configured to connect with the memory. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the memory is between the first outer side portion and the second outer side portion in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the urging unit is located above the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion. ### Claim 10 An image forming apparatus comprising: a cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a grounding member for connecting the photosensitive drum to 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 inner portion and a first outer side portion, the first inner 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 an 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 inner portion and a second outer side portion, the second inner portion is provided with an exposing opening and includes a second positioning portion, and the second positioning portion is configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to the image forming position, and a mounting portion to which the cartridge is mounted, wherein the mounting portion is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and, the first inner portion and the second inner portion are situated between the first outer side portion and the second outer side portion in a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum of the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion, wherein the grounding member is exposed from the mounting portion through the exposing opening so that the grounding member is electrically connected to the apparatus main body in a state where the tray unit is situated at the internal position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, in a case where the tray unit is situated at the internal position, the grounding member is electrically connected to the apparatus main body via a grounding contact. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the grounding contact has (i) a contact portion configured to contact the grounding member and (ii) a spring portion that biases the contact portion toward the first side plate in the rotation axis direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the contact portion is disposed in a wound portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first side plate has a first opening that exposes the cartridge to an outside of the mounting portion, and wherein the cartridge includes a driving transmission member that transmits a driving force from the apparatus main body, the first opening exposing the driving transmission member to an outside of the tray unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first side plate integrally includes the first inner portion, the first outer side portion, and a first connecting portion that connects the first inner portion and the first outer side portion, wherein the second side plate integrally includes the second inner portion, the second outer side portion, and a second connecting portion that connects the second inner portion and the second outer side portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge includes a memory for storing information, and the apparatus main body includes an urging unit including a memory contact configured to connect with the memory. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the memory is between the first outer side portion and the second outer side portion in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum of the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the urging unit is located above the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion.