# US 2021/0341864 A1 · Image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 2021/0341864 A1
- Document ID: US20210341864A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/231,477
- Filed: 2021-04-15
- Published: 2021-11-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-04-30
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Hiroki Sato
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210341864A1

## CPC

- G03G 15/5058: {using a test patch}
- G03G 15/5025: {by measuring the original characteristics, e.g. contrast, density}
- G03G 15/80: {Details relating to power supplies, circuits boards, electrical connections}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an optical sensor configured to detect a pattern image formed on the image bearing member, and an attachment member to which the optical sensor is attached. The optical sensor includes a circuit board, a light emitting element and a light receiving element which are provided on a first side of the circuit board, and a connector provided on a second side opposite to the first side of the circuit board. The attachment member has a surface contacting the second side of the circuit board. In an insertion/removal direction of a cable to be connected to the connector, a first thickness, from the surface, of a part of a portion, contacting the second side, of the attachment member is smaller than a second thickness, from the surface, of a portion, not contacting the second side, of the attachment member.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image forming apparatus, comprising:
an image bearing member;
an image forming unit configured to form an image on the image bearing member;
a transfer unit configured to transfer the image from the image bearing member to a sheet;
an optical sensor configured to detect a pattern image formed on the image bearing member; and
an attachment member to which the optical sensor is attached,
wherein the optical sensor includes
a circuit board,
a light emitting element and a light receiving element, which are provided on a first side of the circuit board, and
a connector provided on a second side of the circuit board, which is opposite to the first side,
wherein the attachment member has a surface contacting the second side of the circuit board, and
wherein in an insertion/removal direction of a cable to be connected to the connector, a first thickness, from the surface, of a part of a portion, contacting the second side, of the attachment member is smaller than a second thickness, from the surface, of a portion, not contacting the second side, of the attachment member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the part of the attachment member which has the first thickness falls within a range of a width of the circuit board in a longitudinal direction of the circuit board.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image bearing member is an intermediate transfer belt or a photosensitive drum.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first thickness is smaller than a height of the connector provided on the second side of the circuit board.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member has a wall portion configured to reinforce the part of the attachment member which has the first thickness.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is fixed at a predetermined distance from the image bearing member by the attachment member.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member is provided with a through-hole into which the connector is to be inserted.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises a plurality of optical sensors, and
wherein the attachment member is configured to fix the plurality of optical sensors.