# US 12,222,662 B2 · Component movement mechanism for an image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,662 B2 - Document ID: US12222662B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/215,938 - Filed: 2023-06-29 - Published: 2024-02-29 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2008-07-22 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yoh Nishimura; Shougo Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222662B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/0813: {characterised by means in the developing zone having an interaction with the image carrying member, e.g. distance holders} - G03G 15/0822: {Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer} - G03G 15/0865: {Arrangements for supplying new developer} - G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit} - G03G 21/1821: {means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation (G03G21/1825 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1832: {Shielding members, shutter, e.g. light, heat shielding, prevention of toner scattering} - G03G 21/1839: {Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body} - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 2221/1684: using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges - G03G 2221/169: Structural door designs - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus may include a photosensitive member, a developing device including a developing roller, pressing members configured to engage with the developing device and springs configured to urge the pressing members. In some examples, each of the pressing members may be configured to contact and move the developing device between various positions based on the urging of the springs. Additionally or alternatively, various ends of a contact surface of the developing roller configured to contact developer may be disposed relative to an axis line of the developing roller and pressing surfaces of the pressing members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body case; a photosensitive drum; an intermediate transfer belt disposed above the photosensitive drum; and a developing device comprising: a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being disposed below the photosensitive drum; and a developer accommodating chamber configured to accommodate developer therein, the developer accommodating chamber being disposed below the photosensitive drum, wherein the main body case includes a developing device holder, the developing device holder configured to detachably support the developing device, the developing device holder configured to move between a first position in which the developing device is in a close position and a second position in which the developing device is in a distant position, wherein the developing roller is farther away from the photosensitive drum when the developing device is in the distant position than when the developing device is in the close position, wherein the main body case further includes a developing device support frame, the developing device support frame configured to movably support the developing device holder, and wherein the developing device support frame is movable relative to main body case in a second direction different from the first direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing device holder swings between the distant position and the close position with respect to the developing device support frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first guide portion configured to guide the developing device support frame in the second direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a photosensitive support frame configured to support the photosensitive drum, the photosensitive support frame being movable relative to the main body case in the second direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a second guide portion configured to guide the photosensitive support frame in the second direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a developing device move mechanism configured to move the developing device holder upwardly to the first position from the second position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the developing device move mechanism includes an engaging member engaging the developing device holder in the first position and a spring urging the engaging member upwardly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lock configured to lock a movement of the developing device support frame relative to the main body case in a state where the developing device holder is in the first position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a developing device move mechanism configured to move the developing device holder upwardly to the first position from the second position, wherein the developing device support frame includes a hole, the developing device holder includes a projection projecting from the hole, and the developing device move mechanism is configured to engage the projection of the developing device holder and to move the developing device holder upwardly to the first position from the second position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning unit disposed above the intermediate transfer belt. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet feed cassette disposed below the developing device holder. ### Claim 12 An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body case; a photosensitive drum; an intermediate transfer belt disposed above the photosensitive drum; and a developing device comprising: a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being disposed below the photosensitive drum; and a developer accommodating chamber configured to accommodate developer therein, the developer accommodating chamber being disposed below the photosensitive drum, wherein the main body case includes a developing device holder, the developing device holder configured to detachably support the developing device, the developing device holder configured to move between a first position in which the developing device is in a close position and a second position in which the developing device is in a distant position, wherein the developing roller is farther away from the photosensitive drum when the developing device is in the distant position than when the developing device is in the close position, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises a developing device move mechanism configured to move the developing device holder upwardly to the first position from the second position, and wherein the developing device move mechanism includes an engaging member engaging the developing device holder in the first position and a spring urging the engaging member upwardly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the main body case further includes a developing device support frame, the developing device support frame configured to movably support the developing device holder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the developing device holder swings between the distant position and the close position with respect to the developing device support frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a lock configured to lock a movement of the developing device support frame relative to the main body case in a state where the developing device holder is in the first position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the developing device support frame includes a hole, the developing device holder includes a projection projecting from the hole, and the developing device move mechanism is configured to engage the projection of the developing device holder and to move the developing device holder upwardly to the first position from the second position. ### Claim 17 An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body case; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; an intermediate transfer belt disposed above the first and second photosensitive drums; a first developing device; a second developing device; the first developing device comprising: a first developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the first developing roller being disposed below the first photosensitive drum; and a first developer accommodating chamber configured to accommodate developer therein, the first developer accommodating chamber being disposed below the first photosensitive drum, the second developing device comprising: a second developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction, the second developing roller being disposed below the second photosensitive drum; and a second developer accommodating chamber configured to accommodate the developer therein, the second developer accommodating chamber being disposed below the second photosensitive drum, wherein the main body case includes a first developing device holder and a second developing device holder, the first developing device holder configured to detachably support the first developing device, the second developing device holder configured to detachably support the second developing device, wherein the first developing device holder is configured to move between a first position in which the first developing device is in a close position and a second position in which the first developing device is in a distant position, wherein the second developing device holder is configured to move between a third position in which the second developing device is in the close position and a fourth position in which second developing device is in the distant position, wherein the first developing roller is farther away from the first photosensitive drum when the first developing device is in the distant position than when the first developing device is in the close position, wherein the second developing roller is farther away from the second photosensitive drum when the second developing device is in the distant position than when the second developing device is in the close position, and wherein the first developing device holder and the second developing device holder are configured to swing independently of each other. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the main body case further includes a developing device support frame, the developing device support frame configured to movably support the first developing device holder and the second developing device holder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first developing device holder is configured to swing between the distant position and the close position with respect to the developing device support frame, and wherein the second developing device holder is configured to swing between the distant position and the close position with respect to the developing device support frame. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the developing device support frame is movable relative to the main body case in a second direction different from the first direction.