# US 2021/0341865 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 2021/0341865 A1 - Document ID: US20210341865A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/240,835 - Filed: 2021-04-26 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-30 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Kazumi Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210341865A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/5041: {Detecting a toner image, e.g. density, toner coverage, using a test patch (G03G15/553 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/5054: {by measuring the characteristics of an intermediate image carrying member or the characteristics of an image on an intermediate image carrying member, e.g. intermediate transfer belt or drum, conveyor belt} - G03G 15/80: {Details relating to power supplies, circuits boards, electrical connections} - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - H05K 7/14: Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack - G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means} - H04N 1/00559: {Mounting or support of components or elements (H04N1/00538 takes precedence)} - H04N 2201/02466: Mounting or supporting method - H04N 2201/02468: using screws - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion and an optical sensor having first and second positioning holes and a connector. The fixing portion includes first and second screw holes, a through-hole, and an extension portion. If the optical sensor is placed on the fixing portion in a first orientation where the first positioning hole is aligned with the first screw hole and the second positioning hole is aligned with the second screw hole, the connector is inserted into the through-hole without interfering with the extension portion so that screws fix the optical sensor. If the optical sensor is placed on the fixing portion in a second orientation where the first positioning hole is aligned with the second screw hole and the second positioning hole is aligned with the first screw hole, the connector interferes with the extension portion so that the connector is not inserted into the through-hole. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member; an optical sensor configured to detect a pattern image formed on the image bearing member; and a fixing portion configured to fix the optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor includes (i) a circuit board having a first positioning hole and a second positioning hole, (ii) a light emitting element and a light receiving element, which are provided on a first side of the circuit board, and (iii) a connector, wherein the connector is provided on a second side of the circuit board that is opposite to the first side, and the connector is arranged at a position offset from a center between the first positioning hole and the second positioning hole toward the second positioning hole, wherein the fixing portion includes (i) a first screw hole, (ii) a second screw hole, (iii) a through-hole provided between the first screw hole and the second screw hole, (iv) a support portion configured to support a portion of the circuit board in which the first positioning hole is provided, and (v) an extension portion extending from the support portion toward the through-hole, wherein, in a case in which the optical sensor is placed on the fixing portion in a first orientation in which the first positioning hole is aligned with the first screw hole and the second positioning hole is aligned with the second screw hole, the connector is inserted into the through-hole without interfering with the extension portion so that the optical sensor is fixed to the fixing portion by screws, and wherein, in a case in which the optical sensor is placed on the fixing portion in a second orientation in which the first positioning hole is aligned with the second screw hole and the second positioning hole is aligned with the first screw hole, the connector interferes with the extension portion so that the connector is not inserted into the through-hole. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is fixed to the fixing portion by a screw screwed into the first screw hole through the first positioning hole and a screw screwed into the second screw hole through the second positioning hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor further includes a component provided on the second side of the circuit board, and wherein the fixing portion has a recessed portion into which the component is received in the case in which the optical sensor is placed on the fixing portion in the first orientation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recessed portion is formed in the extension portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a depth of the recessed portion from a support surface of the support portion configured to support the portion of the circuit board in which the first positioning hole is provided is smaller than a height of the connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is formed as a separate part from the support portion.