# US 2021/0240129 A1 · 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 2021/0240129 A1 - Document ID: US20210240129A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/238,900 - Filed: 2021-04-23 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-08 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Daisuke ISHIZUKA; Atsushi OZAWA; Hideshi NISHIYAMA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210240129A1 ## CPC - G03G 21/1642: {for connecting the different parts of the apparatus} - G03G 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus including a main body casing, a cover, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, an intermediate transfer belt and a movable cam. The movable cam is movable among a first position when the cover is in the open position, a second positon and a third position when the cover is in the closed position. In a case where the movable cam is in the first position, the photosensitive drum is in a first drum position spaced from the intermediate transfer belt, and the developing roller is in a first developing position spaced from the photosensitive drum. In a case where the movable cam is in the second position, the photosensitive drum is positioned toward the the intermediate transfer belt from the first drum position. In a case where the cam is in the third position, the developing roller is positioned toward the photosensitive drum from the first developing position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body casing having an opening; a cover movable between an open position in which the cover does not cover the opening and a closed position in which the cover covers the opening; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, the drum cartridge being removably insertable into the main body casing through the opening in the first direction; a developing cartridge including a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the developing cartridge being removably insertable into the main body casing through the opening in the first direction; an intermediate transfer belt positioned above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body casing; wherein in a case where the cover is in the open position, the photosensitive drum is in a first drum position spaced from the intermediate transfer belt, and the developing roller is in a first developing position spaced from the photosensitive drum, wherein in a case where the cover moves to the closed position from the open position, the photosensitive drum is moved toward the intermediate transfer belt from the first drum position, and wherein in a case where the cover is in the closed position, the developing roller is positioned in contact with the photosensitive drum after being moved from the first developing position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus, according to claim 1, further comprising: a movable cam movable among a first position when the cover is in the open position, a second position and a third position when the cover is in the closed position, the second position being intermediate between the first position and the third position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein in a case where the movable cam is in the first position, the photosensitive drum is in the first drum position and the developing roller is in the first developing position, wherein in a case where the movable cam is in the second position, the photosensitive drum is moved toward the intermediate transfer belt from the first drum position, and wherein in a case where the cam is in the third position, the developing roller is moved toward the photosensitive drum from the first developing position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus, according to claim 1, further comprising: a first lifter including a drum guide groove extending in the first direction and a developing guide groove extending in the first direction, wherein the drum cartridge includes a drum guide protrusion engageable with the drum guide groove in a case where the drum cartridge is inserted into the main body casing, and wherein the developing cartridge includes a developing guide protrusion engageable with the developing guide groove in a case where the developing cartridge is inserted into the main body casing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus, according to claim 1, further comprising: a discharge unit including a discharge roller configured to convey a sheet, the discharge unit positioned above the intermediate transfer belt. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus, according to claim 1, further comprising: a feet unit includes configured to feed a sheet, the feed unit positioned below the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body casing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the drum cartridge and the developing cartridges are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body casing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image forming apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein the second direction is intersecting to an up-down direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the up-down direction.