Image formation apparatus

Abstract

An image formation apparatus comprises: an image formation apparatus main body; plural image formation units being provided detachably in the image formation apparatus main body, each of the image formation units including an image carrier and an exposure device that applies light to the image carrier for writing a latent image onto the image carrier; and a positioning section that positions the exposure device of each of the image formation units relative to the image formation apparatus main body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view to show an image formation apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a drawing to show an image formation section according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view to show an image formation unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a lateral sectional view to show plural image formation units according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view to show another example of an image formation unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view to show an image formation unit according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view to show another example of an image formation unit according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a lateral sectional view of an image formation apparatus with exposure devices positioned at image formation units in a comparison example.

Claims

1. An image formation apparatus comprising: an image formation apparatus main body;a plurality of image formation units being provided detachably in the image formation apparatus main body, each of the image formation units comprising an image carrier and an exposure device that applies light to the image carrier for writing a latent image onto the image carrier; anda positioning section that positions the exposure device of each of the image formation units relative to the image formation apparatus main body.

2. The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning section comprises: first positioning parts each formed in the exposure device; and a second positioning part formed in the image formation apparatus main body, andthe positioning section positions the exposure device relative to the image formation apparatus main body by causing the first positioning parts and the second positioning part to abut each other.

3. The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the positioning section further comprises an urging member that urges each of the first positioning parts toward the second positioning part.

4. The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the first positioning parts is formed as a convex portion at one end of the exposure device in a fast scanning direction.

5. The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exposure device comprises an LED array.

6. An image formation apparatus comprising: an image formation apparatus main body;a plurality of image formation units being provided detachably in the image formation apparatus main body, each of the image formation units comprising an image carrier, an exposure device that applies light to the image carrier for writing a latent image onto the image carrier, and a developing device that develops the latent image to form a toner image;an intermediate transfer unit comprising an intermediate transfer body to which a toner image on the image carrier is transferred and a support member that supports the intermediate transfer body in the image formation apparatus main body; anda positioning section that positions the exposure device of each of the image formation units relative to the intermediate transfer unit.

7. The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the positioning section comprises: first positioning parts each formed in the exposure device; and a second positioning part formed in the support member, andthe positioning section positions the exposure device relative to the intermediate transfer unit by causing the first positioning parts and the second positioning part to abut each other.

8. The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the positioning section further comprises an urging member that urges each of the first positioning parts toward the second positioning part.

9. The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the first positioning parts is formed as a convex portion at one end of the exposure device in a fast scanning direction.

10. The image formation apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the exposure device comprises an LED array.