Image forming apparatus and process unit
US9772601B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1636
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process unit includes a rotatable image bearer, an optical writing head to expose the image bearer within an maximum exposure range in an axial direction of the image bearer, a developer bearer, spacers disposed in axial end portions of the image bearer to determine a position of the optical writing head relative to the image bearer and slidingly contact the image bearer, a cleaner disposed downstream from the developer bearer in an image bearer rotation direction, and a remover to slidingly contact the axial end portion of the image bearer to remove a substance adhering thereto. In the axial direction, inner ends of the spacers are positioned inside a toner layer range of the developer bearer extending beyond a largest sheet width. The remover is disposed downstream from the cleaner and crossing a line extending from the inner end of the spacer perpendicularly to the axial direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.