Image forming method and apparatus capable of effectively positioning a cleaning unit
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorTakeshi Fukao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image forming apparatus and corresponding method, the apparatus including at least one image bearing member configured to bear an image, an intermediate transfer member configured to transfer the image formed on the at least one image bearing member, a roller configured to support the intermediate transfer member with tension, a cleaning unit disposed opposite to the roller and configured to remove residual toner from the intermediate transfer member, and is detachably disposed opposite to the roller, a holder configured to accommodate the roller, and a positioning member detachably mounted on the holder and configured to position the cleaning unit to a positioning reference.
Claims22
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- at least one image bearing member configured to bear an image;
- an intermediate transfer member configured to transfer the image formed on the at least one image bearing member;
- a roller configured to support the intermediate transfer member with tension;
- a cleaning unit disposed opposite to the roller and configured to remove residual toner from the intermediate transfer member, the cleaning unit detachably disposed opposite to the roller;
- a holder configured to accommodate the roller;
- and
- a positioning member detachably mounted on the holder and configured to position the cleaning unit.
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- means for bearing an image;
- means for transferring the image formed on the means for bearing;
- means for supporting the means for transferring with tension;
- means for removing residual toner from the means for transferring;
- means for accommodating the means for supporting;
- and
- means for positioning the means for removing to a reference position, the means for positioning detachably mounted on the means for accommodating.
A method of positioning a cleaning unit to an image forming apparatus, comprising:
- mounting a positioning member detachably on a holder attached to a transfer unit of the image forming apparatus;
- inserting the cleaning unit into the image forming apparatus horizontally from one side of the image forming apparatus to an opposite side of the image forming apparatus;
- moving the cleaning unit horizontally toward the transfer unit;
- engaging a guiding member of the positioning member with a guiding member receiving portion of the cleaning unit;
- and
- engaging a first engaging member of the cleaning unit with a second engaging member of the positioning member.
A cleaning unit detachably mounted on an image forming apparatus and disposed opposite to a roller supporting an intermediate transfer member, comprising:
- a first engaging member configured to engage with a second engaging member included in a positioning member mounted on a holder accommodating the roller;
- and
- a guiding member receiving portion with a tapered portion configured to receive a guiding member mounted on the positioning member,
- wherein the cleaning unit is guided by the holder and the positioning member so that the cleaning unit is positioned.
A cleaning unit detachably mounted on an image forming apparatus and disposed opposite to a roller supporting an intermediate transfer member, comprising:
- means for engaging the cleaning unit with means for positioning and means for accommodating the roller;
- and
- means for receiving means for guiding of the means for positioning,
- wherein the cleaning unit is guided by the means for accommodating and the means for positioning so that the cleaning unit is positioned to a positioning reference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.