IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming target looped around plural rotators including a driving roller, having at least one straight portion that is shaped straight when viewed in an axial direction of the driving roller, and transported by the driving roller and the rotators, and three or more image formers arranged along the straight portion and configured to form images on the image forming target. An adjacency distance along the straight portion between the image formers adjacent to each other on the straight portion is an integral multiple of an outer peripheral length of the driving roller. The adjacency distance at a downstream end is shorter than the adjacency distance at an upstream end, and one of the adjacency distances is equal to or shorter than the adjacency distance that is relatively on an upstream side.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-137624 filed Aug. 25, 2021.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus.

(ii) Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 63-11967 discloses an image forming apparatus including a plurality of image formers around an annular belt to be circulated by a driving roller and configured to transport paper (image forming target) to be subjected to image formation. The image formers face the belt and form images on the paper.

SUMMARY

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the following circumstances. If all the adjacent image formers are positioned at equal intervals, the image former positioned on a downstream side in a belt circulating direction may have a larger image misalignment amount in images formed by the adjacent image formers.

It is appropriate to suppress an increase in the image misalignment amount for the image former positioned on a downstream side in a transport direction of the image forming target compared with the case where all the adjacent image formers are positioned at equal intervals.

Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure address the above advantages and/or other advantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to address the advantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not address advantages described above.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming target looped around a plurality of rotators including a driving roller, having at least one straight portion that is shaped straight when viewed in an axial direction of the driving roller, and transported by the driving roller and the rotators, and three or more image formers arranged along the straight portion and configured to form images on the image forming target, wherein an adjacency distance along the straight portion between the image formers adjacent to each other on the straight portion is an integral multiple of an outer peripheral length of the driving roller, and wherein the adjacency distance at a downstream end is shorter than the adjacency distance at an upstream end, and one of the adjacency distances is equal to or shorter than the adjacency distance that is relatively on an upstream side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a transfer belt, a driving roller, a loop roller, and a push roller according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view illustrating a part of an image forming apparatus according to a first modified example of the exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view illustrating a part of an image forming apparatus according to a second modified example of the exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. An upstream side in a transport direction of recording paper P that is an example of a recording medium may hereinafter be referred to simply as “upstream side”. A downstream side in the transport direction may hereinafter be referred to simply as “downstream side”. An upstream side in a circulating direction (transport direction) of a transfer belt (belt) (image forming target) 52 may hereinafter be referred to simply as “upstream side”. A downstream side in the circulating direction (transport direction) may hereinafter be referred to simply as “downstream side”.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 uses, for example, an electrophotographic system that forms a toner image (example of an image) on the recording paper P. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 12, a container 14, a transporter 16, and a fixing device 18 in an apparatus body (not illustrated). The components of the image forming apparatus 10 (image forming unit 12, container 14, transporter 16, and fixing device 18) are described below.

In the following description, a width direction (horizontal direction) of the apparatus body is an X direction, an up-and-down direction (vertical direction) of the apparatus body is a Y direction, and a direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction (direction orthogonal to each drawing sheet) is a Z direction.

<Image Forming Unit>

The image forming unit 12 has a function of forming toner images on the recording paper P. Specifically, the image forming unit 12 includes first photoconductor units 20, second photoconductor units 30, and a transfer device 50.

[Photoconductor Units]

As illustrated in FIG. 1, two first photoconductor units 20 and two second photoconductor units 30 are provided. The first photoconductor units 20 and the second photoconductor units 30 are detachable from the apparatus body. The image forming apparatus 10 of this exemplary embodiment includes first photoconductor units 20Y and 20M for two colors that are yellow (Y) and magenta (M), and second photoconductor units 30C and 30K for two colors that are cyan (C) and black (K).

To distinguish yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the reference numerals of the members may be suffixed with letters “Y”, “M”, “C”, and “K”. Without the color distinction, the letters “Y”, “M”, “C”, and “K” may be omitted.

In the transfer device 50 described later, the transfer belt 52 made of an elastic material has two straight portions shaped straight when viewed in the Z direction.

The two straight portions are an upper portion 52A and a lower portion 52B. When viewed in the Z direction, the upper portion 52A extends along the X direction, and the lower portion 52B is inclined with respect to the X direction. That is, when viewed in the Z direction, an angle θB (see FIG. 1) between the lower portion 52B and the X direction is an acute angle and is larger than an angle θA (not illustrated) between the upper portion 52A and the X direction. The angle θA is 0° or an acute angle slightly larger than 0°. When viewed in the Z direction, the upper portion 52A and the lower portion 52B are arranged in the Y direction. The term “straight portion” in this specification and in the claims is not limited to a portion shaped completely straight. For example, the upper portion 52A positioned between a steering roller 45 and a loop roller 48 described later is slightly concave at a part pushed by two first photoconductor drums 22 and two first transfer rollers 41, but corresponds to the “straight portion”. Similarly, the lower portion 52B positioned between the steering roller 45 and a loop roller 47 is slightly concave at a part pushed by two second photoconductor drums 32 and two first transfer rollers 41, but corresponds to the “straight portion”.

The two first photoconductor units 20 face the outer peripheral surface (upper surface) of the upper portion 52A, and are arranged in the X direction along the upper portion 52A. In particular, the two first photoconductor units 20 are arranged so that the flat lower surfaces of support plates 28 of the first photoconductor units 20 described later are parallel to the outer peripheral surface (upper surface) of the upper portion 52A. The lower surface of the support plate 28 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 52A face each other in the Y direction at a short distance therebetween. Each first photoconductor unit 20 includes the first photoconductor drum 22 that rotates in one direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1). Each first photoconductor drum 22 is rotatable about a rotation axis 20X extending in the Z direction. When viewed in the Z direction, a distance (adjacency distance) between the rotation axes 20X of the two first photoconductor units 20 is a first distance 20B. Each first photoconductor unit 20 includes a first charger 24, a first exposer 25, a first developer 26, and a first remover 27 in order from an upstream side in the rotating direction of the first photoconductor drum 22. Each first photoconductor unit 20 includes a pair of support plates 28 spaced away from each other in the Z direction. In FIG. 1, illustration of one support plate 28 is omitted. The first charger 24, the first exposer 25, the first developer 26, and the first remover 27 extend in the Z direction. Both ends of each of the first charger 24, the first exposer 25, the first developer 26, and the first remover 27 in the Z direction are supported by the pair of support plates 28. Relative movement of the pair of support plates 28 is restricted. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the dimension of each first photoconductor unit 20 in the X direction is a horizontal dimension 20L.

The two second photoconductor units 30 face the outer peripheral surface (lower surface) of the lower portion 52B, and are arranged along the lower portion 52B. Each second photoconductor unit 30 includes the second photoconductor drum 32 that rotates in one direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1). Each second photoconductor drum 32 is rotatable about a rotation axis 30X extending in the Z direction. When viewed in the Z direction, a distance (adjacency distance) between the rotation axes 30X of the two second photoconductor units 30 is a second distance 30B. Each second photoconductor unit 30 includes a second charger 34, a second exposer 35, a second developer 36, and a second remover 37 in order from an upstream side in the rotating direction of the second photoconductor drum 32. Each second photoconductor unit 30 includes a pair of second support plates 38 spaced away from each other in the Z direction. In FIG. 1, illustration of one second support plate 38 is omitted. The second charger 34, the second exposer 35, the second developer 36, and the second remover 37 extend in the Z direction. Both ends of each of the second charger 34, the second exposer 35, the second developer 36, and the second remover 37 in the Z direction are supported by the pair of second support plates 38. Relative movement of the pair of second support plates 38 is restricted. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the dimension of each second photoconductor unit 30 in the X direction is a horizontal dimension 30L.

The term “image former” in this specification and in the claims causes a toner or ink to adhere to the image forming target (e.g., the transfer belt 52). That is, the first photoconductor drum 22 of the first photoconductor unit 20 corresponds to the “image former”, and the second photoconductor drum 32 of the second photoconductor unit 30 corresponds to the “image former”. That is, the first charger 24, the first exposer 25, the first developer 26, and the first remover 27 do not correspond to the “image former”. Similarly, the second charger 34, the second exposer 35, the second developer 36, and the second remover 37 do not correspond to the “image former”. When the image forming apparatus 10 uses an ink jet system as described later, an ink jet head corresponds to the “image former”.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first developer 26 includes a developing roller 26A, a collection auger 26B, a supply auger 26C, and a stirring auger 26D. Similarly, the second developer 36 includes a developing roller 36A, a collection auger 36B, a supply auger 36C, and a stirring auger 36D. The supply auger 26C and the stirring auger 26D are arranged in the X direction. The supply auger 36C and the stirring auger 36D are arranged in the Y direction. Therefore, the horizontal dimension of the second developer 36 is smaller than the horizontal dimension of the first developer 26. Thus, the horizontal dimension 30L is smaller than the horizontal dimension 20L.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the two first photoconductor units 20 are arranged in the X direction when viewed in the Z direction. That is, the two first photoconductor units 20 are not arranged in the Y direction. When viewed in the Z direction, the two second photoconductor units 30 are partly arranged in the Y direction. In FIG. 1, a horizontal dimension 30V is a dimension of the parts of the two second photoconductor units 30 in the X direction. In FIG. 1, a horizontal dimension 30E is a horizontal dimension of a portion including the two second photoconductor units 30. In FIG. 1, a horizontal dimension 30G is a horizontal dimension of a portion including the lower portion 52B and the two second photoconductor units 30.

In each first photoconductor unit 20, the first charger 24 charges the outer peripheral surface of the first photoconductor drum 22. The first exposer 25 exposes the charged outer peripheral surface of the first photoconductor drum 22 to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the first photoconductor drum 22. The first developer 26 develops the formed electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. After the toner image is transferred onto the transfer belt 52, the first remover 27 removes the residual toner on the outer peripheral surface of the first photoconductor drum 22.

In each second photoconductor unit 30, the second charger 34 charges the outer peripheral surface of the second photoconductor drum 32. The second exposer 35 exposes the charged outer peripheral surface of the second photoconductor drum 32 to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the second photoconductor drum 32. The second developer 36 develops the formed electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. After the toner image is transferred onto the transfer belt 52, the second remover 37 removes the residual toner on the outer peripheral surface of the second photoconductor drum 32.

[Transfer Device]

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the transfer device 50 includes four first transfer rollers 41 that are examples of a first transferer, the transfer belt 52 that is an example of an intermediate transferer, and a transfer barrel 60 that is an example of a second transferer. In the transfer device 50, the toner images formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first photoconductor drums 22 are firstly transferred onto the transfer belt 52 while being laid over one another, and the laid toner images are secondly transferred onto the recording paper P.

(First Transfer Rollers)

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each first transfer roller 41 facing the upper portion 52A transfers the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of each first photoconductor drum 22 onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52 at a first transfer position T1 between the first photoconductor drum 22 and the first transfer roller 41. Each first transfer roller 41 facing the lower portion 52B transfers the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of each second photoconductor drum 32 onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52 at a first transfer position T1 between the second photoconductor drum 32 and the first transfer roller 41. A distance between the first transfer positions T1 of the two first photoconductor drums 22 corresponds to the first distance 20B. Similarly, a distance between the first transfer positions T1 of the two second photoconductor drums 32 corresponds to the second distance 30B. In this exemplary embodiment, the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first photoconductor drum 22 is transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52 at the first transfer position T1 by applying a first transfer voltage between the first transfer roller 41 and the first photoconductor drum 22. Similarly, the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second photoconductor drum 32 is transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52 at the first transfer position T1 by applying the first transfer voltage between the first transfer roller 41 and the second photoconductor drum 32.

(Transfer Belt)

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the transfer belt 52 has an annular shape so that the toner images are transferred onto the outer peripheral surface, and is looped around a driving roller 44, the steering roller (rotator) 45, a backup roller (rotator) 46, the loop roller (rotator) 47, the loop roller (rotator) 48, and a push roller (rotator) 49 to determine the posture.

The driving roller 44 having a circular cross section is driven by a driver (not illustrated) to rotate about an axis 44X extending in the Z direction, thereby circulating the transfer belt 52 in a circulating direction indicated by an arrow A at a predetermined speed.

The diameter of the steering roller 45 having a circular cross section is equal to the diameter of the driving roller 44 within a tolerance. In other words, an outer peripheral length 45C of the steering roller 45 is equal to an outer peripheral length 44C of the driving roller 44 within a tolerance. The steering roller 45 is rotatable about an axis 45X extending in the Z direction. The steering roller 45 is configured to swivel about a center in the direction of the axis 45X. Therefore, the steering roller 45 suppresses a winding motion of the transfer belt 52.

Each of the first distance 20B between the two first photoconductor drums 22 and the second distance 30B between the two second photoconductor drums 32 is set to an integral multiple of each of the outer peripheral length 44C of the driving roller 44 and the outer peripheral length 45C of the steering roller 45. The second distance 30B is shorter than the first distance 20B. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the first distance 20B is set to four times as large as each of the outer peripheral length 44C and the outer peripheral length 45C, and the second distance 30B is set to three times as large as each of the outer peripheral length 44C and the outer peripheral length 45C.

A distance along the transfer belt 52 between the first transfer position T1 of the first photoconductor drum 22 on the downstream side and the first transfer position T1 of the second photoconductor drum 32 on the upstream side differs from the first distance 20B and the second distance 30B. That is, the distance along the transfer belt 52 between the first transfer position T1 of the first photoconductor drum 22 on the downstream side and the first transfer position T1 of the second photoconductor drum 32 on the upstream side does not correspond to the “adjacency distance (first distance, second distance)” in the claims. The distance along the transfer belt 52 between the first transfer position T1 of the first photoconductor drum 22 on the downstream side and the first transfer position T1 of the second photoconductor drum 32 on the upstream side is also set to an integral multiple of each of the outer peripheral length 44C of the driving roller 44 and the outer peripheral length 45C of the steering roller 45.

The backup roller 46 faces the transfer barrel 60 across the transfer belt 52. A contact area between the transfer barrel 60 and the transfer belt 52 is a nip area Np (see FIG. 1). The nip area Np is a second transfer position T2 where the toner images are transferred from the transfer belt 52 onto the recording paper P.

The loop roller 47 positioned on a downstream side of the second photoconductor unit 30K and on an upstream side of the backup roller 46 is rotatably in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52. The loop roller 48 positioned on an upstream side of the first photoconductor unit 20Y and on a downstream side of the driving roller 44 is rotatably in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52. The push roller 49 positioned on an upstream side of the loop roller 48 and on a downstream side of the driving roller 44 is rotatably in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52 and pushes the transfer belt 52 toward the inner periphery. If the push roller 49 is not provided, a portion of the transfer belt 52 between the driving roller 44 and the loop roller 48 is shaped as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 2. In this case, an overlap angle between the transfer belt 52 and the driving roller 44 is θI. In this exemplary embodiment, the overlap angle between the transfer belt 52 and the driving roller 44 is θ because the push roller 49 is provided. FIG. 2 demonstrates that the overlap angle θ is larger than the overlap angle θI.

<Transporter>

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the transporter 16 includes a transport device (not illustrated) that transports the recording paper P fed out from the container 14 in an arrow B direction. The transport device transports the recording paper P from the container 14 to the transfer barrel 60. After the toner images are secondly transferred onto the recording paper P passing over the transfer barrel 60 (second transfer position T2), the transport device transports the recording paper P to the fixing device 18.

<Fixing Device>

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fixing device 18 includes a heating roller 42 that is an example of a heating member, and a pressurizing roller 43 that is an example of a pressurizing member. In the fixing device 18, the toner images transferred onto the recording paper P at the transfer barrel 60 are fixed onto the recording paper P by heating and pressurizing the recording paper P between the heating roller 42 and the pressurizing roller 43.

Next, the image forming apparatus 10 having the structure described above is described in detail.

As described above, each of the first distance 20B between the two first photoconductor drums 22 and the second distance 30B between the two second photoconductor drums 32 is set to an integral multiple of the outer peripheral length 44C of the driving roller 44.

The second distance 30B between the two second photoconductor drums 32 positioned on the downstream side of the first photoconductor drums 22 is shorter than the first distance 20B. In a comparative example (not illustrated) in which the first distance 20B is equal to the second distance 30B, the second distance 30B is adjusted to the first distance 20B. Therefore, a distance along the transfer belt 52 from the driving roller 44 to the second photoconductor unit 30K is shorter in this exemplary embodiment than in the comparative example. As this distance increases, the cumulative amounts of variation in the speed of the transfer belt 52 and variation in the adjacency distance increase. In the comparative example, the misregistration amount of the toner images on the second photoconductor unit 30C and the second photoconductor unit 30K tends to increase compared with the misregistration amount of the toner images on the first photoconductor unit 20Y and the first photoconductor unit 20M. In the exemplary embodiment, the distance between the second photoconductor unit 30C and the second photoconductor unit 30K (second distance 30B) is shorter than in the comparative example. Therefore, the cumulative amounts of the variation in the speed and the variation in the adjacency distance are smaller than in the comparative example.

When viewed in the Z direction, the acute angle θB between the straight lower portion 52B and the horizontal direction (X direction) is larger than the angle θA between the straight upper portion 52A and the horizontal direction. The two second photoconductor units 30 are provided along the lower portion 52B. When viewed in the Z direction, the second distance 30B (adjacency distance) between the two rotation axes 30X is shorter than the first distance 20B (adjacency distance) between the two rotation axes 20X. Therefore, the horizontal dimension 30G of the portion including the lower portion 52B and the two second photoconductor units 30 is small compared with a case where the lower portion 52B extends in the horizontal direction and the first distance 20B is equal to the second distance 30B.

The upper portion 52A and the lower portion 52B are arranged in the Y direction. Therefore, a horizontal dimension 23L of a portion including the upper portion 52A and the lower portion 52B is small compared with a case where the lower portion 52B and the upper portion 52A are positioned away from each other in the horizontal direction.

The horizontal dimension 30L of each second photoconductor unit 30 is smaller than the horizontal dimension 20L of each first photoconductor unit 20.

When viewed in the Z direction, the two second photoconductor units 30 are partly arranged in the up-and-down direction (Y direction). Therefore, the horizontal dimension 30E of the portion including the two second photoconductor units 30 is small compared with a case where the two second photoconductor units 30 are arranged away from each other in the X direction when viewed in the Z direction.

The push roller 49 that is positioned between the driving roller 44 and the loop roller 48 and is rotatably in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52 pushes the transfer belt 52 toward the inner periphery.

The image forming apparatus 10 may include a transfer belt 52 (belt) having at least one straight portion and three or more photoconductor drums (image formers). For example, a transfer belt 52 of an image forming apparatus 10 according to a first modified example illustrated in FIG. 3 includes one straight portion 52E. In FIG. 3, illustration of the developing roller 26A, the collection auger 26B, the supply auger 26C, the stirring auger 26D, the developing roller 36A, the collection auger 36B, the supply auger 36C, and the stirring auger 26D is omitted. This image forming apparatus 10 includes two first photoconductor units 20 and two second photoconductor units 30 arranged along the straight portion 52E. An adjacency distance 23B between the rotation axis 20X of the first photoconductor drum 22 on the downstream side and the rotation axis 30X of the second photoconductor drum 32 on the upstream side is set to an integral multiple of each of the outer peripheral length 44C of the driving roller 44 and the outer peripheral length 45C of the steering roller 45. There is a relationship of first distance 20B>adjacency distance 23B>second distance 30B.

For example, the first distance 20B is set to four times as large as each of the outer peripheral length 44C and the outer peripheral length 45C, the adjacency distance 23B is set to 3.5 times as large as each of the outer peripheral length 44C and the outer peripheral length 45C, and the second distance 30B is set to three times as large as each of the outer peripheral length 44C and the outer peripheral length 45C.

In the image forming apparatus 10, it is appropriate that the adjacency distance at the downstream end be shorter than the adjacency distance at the upstream end and one adjacency distance be equal to or shorter than the adjacency distance that is relatively on the upstream side. Thus, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has any one of the following relationships 1 to 3 for the adjacency distances.

Relationship 1: first distance 20B>adjacency distance 23B=second distance 30B

Relationship 2: first distance 20B=adjacency distance 23B>second distance 30B

Relationship 3: first distance 20B>adjacency distance 23B>second distance 30B

In a case where the transfer belt 52 has a plurality of straight portions, three or more photoconductor drums (image formers) may be arranged along the straight portions.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second modified example of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an image forming apparatus 10 of the second modified example, an acute angle between the X direction and an upstream portion 52C that is a straight portion of the transfer belt 52 positioned on an upstream side of the steering roller 45 and on a downstream side of the loop roller 48 is θ1. An acute angle between the X direction and a downstream portion 52D that is a straight portion positioned on a downstream side of the steering roller 45 and continuous with the upstream portion 52C is θ2 larger than θ1. FIG. 4 demonstrates that the upstream portion 52C and the downstream portion 52D are not arranged in the Y direction but are arranged in the X direction. Two first photoconductor units 20 are provided along the upper surface (outer peripheral surface) of the upstream portion 52C, and two second photoconductor units 30 are provided along the upper surface (outer peripheral surface) of the downstream portion 52D. The first photoconductor unit 20 of the second modified example has the same specifications as the first photoconductor unit 20 of the exemplary embodiment. The second photoconductor unit 30 of the second modified example has the same specifications as the second photoconductor unit 30 of the exemplary embodiment.

When viewed in the Z direction, a distance (adjacency distance) between the rotation axes 20X of the two first photoconductor units 20 is the first distance 20B. When viewed in the Z direction, a distance (adjacency distance) between the rotation axes 30X of the two second photoconductor units 30 is the second distance 30B. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the horizontal dimension of each first photoconductor unit 20 is 20 HL, and the horizontal dimension of each second photoconductor unit 30 is 30 HL. The horizontal dimension 30 HL is smaller than the horizontal dimension 20 HL.

When viewed in the Z direction, the two second photoconductor units 30 are partly arranged in the Y direction. In FIG. 4, a horizontal dimension 30P is a dimension of the parts of the two second photoconductor units 30 in the X direction. In FIG. 4, a dimension 30F is a dimension of a portion including the two second photoconductor units 30 in the X direction. The horizontal dimension 30P is larger than the horizontal dimension 30V in FIG. 1. Therefore, the horizontal dimension 30F is smaller than the horizontal dimension 30E in FIG. 1.

In the image forming apparatus 10 of the second modified example illustrated in FIG. 4, the angle θ2 is larger than the angle θ1. The two second photoconductor units 30 are provided along the downstream portion 52D. The second distance 30B is shorter than the first distance 20B.

Therefore, the horizontal dimension of a portion including the downstream portion 52D and the two second photoconductor units 30 is small compared with a case where the downstream portion 52D is parallel to the horizontal direction and the second distance 30B is equal to the first distance 20B.

When viewed in the Z direction, the two second photoconductor units 30 are partly arranged in the Y direction. Therefore, the horizontal dimension 30F of the portion including the two second photoconductor units 30 is small compared with a case where the two second photoconductor units 30 are arranged away from each other in the X direction when viewed in the Z direction.

In the image forming apparatus 10, the first photoconductor units 20 and the second photoconductor units 30 may form the toner images on the recording paper P (image forming target) transported by a transport belt (not illustrated) provided in place of the transfer belt 52.

The toner image is described as an example of the image, and is formed by a dry type electrophotographic system. The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the toner image may be formed by a wet type electrophotographic system, or the image may be formed by an ink jet system.

In the image forming apparatus 10, an ink or toner image may be formed on long non-annular continuous paper (image forming target) placed over a plurality of rotators including the driving roller 44, having at least one straight portion by the rotators, and transported by the driving roller 44 and the rotators.

In a case where the image forming apparatus 10 uses the ink jet system, each of a first distance between the centers of ink jet heads (image formers) corresponding to the first photoconductor units 20 and a second distance between the centers of ink jet heads (image formers) corresponding to the second photoconductor units 30 is set to an integral multiple of each of the outer peripheral length 44C and the outer peripheral length 45C.

In the case where the image forming apparatus 10 includes the first photoconductor units 20 and the second photoconductor units 30, the adjacency distances may be equal to each other within a tolerance. In the case where the image forming apparatus 10 includes the ink jet heads, the adjacency distances may similarly be equal to each other within a tolerance.

Both in the cases where the image forming apparatus 10 includes the first photoconductor units 20 and the second photoconductor units 30 and where the image forming apparatus 10 includes the ink jet heads, each adjacency distance need not be an integral multiple of each of the outer peripheral length 44C and the outer peripheral length 45C.

The diameter of the steering roller 45 may differ from the diameter of the driving roller 44. Also in this case, the diameter of the steering roller 45 and the diameter of the driving roller 44 may be set so that each adjacency distance is an integral multiple of each of the outer peripheral length 45C and the outer peripheral length 44C.

The colors of the images (toner or ink images) to be formed on the image forming target (transfer belt 52 or recording medium P) need not be four colors. For example, six colors may be used for the images.

For example, in a case where three or more first photoconductor units 20 are arranged along the upper portion 52A or the upstream portion 52C, all the plurality of first distances may be equal to each other within a tolerance, or at least one first distance may differ from the other first distance. In the claims, description “all the first distances are equal to each other” means that all the plurality of first distances are equal to each other within the tolerance. For example, the first distance between the first photoconductor unit 20 at the downstream end and the first photoconductor unit 20 adjacent to this first photoconductor unit 20 may be shorter than the first distance between the first photoconductor unit 20 at the upstream end and the first photoconductor unit 20 adjacent to this first photoconductor unit 20.

For example, in a case where three or more second photoconductor units 30 are arranged along the lower portion 52B or the downstream portion 52D, all the plurality of second distances may be equal to each other within a tolerance, or at least one second distance may differ from the other second distance. In the claims, description “all the second distances are equal to each other” means that all the plurality of second distances are equal to each other within the tolerance. For example, the second distance between the second photoconductor unit 30 at the downstream end and the second photoconductor unit 30 adjacent to this second photoconductor unit 30 may be shorter than the second distance between the second photoconductor unit 30 at the upstream end and the second photoconductor unit 30 adjacent to this second photoconductor unit 30.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming target looped around a plurality of rotators including a driving roller, having at least one straight portion that is shaped straight when viewed in an axial direction of the driving roller, and transported by the driving roller and the rotators; andthree or more image formers arranged along the straight portion and configured to form images on the image forming target,wherein an adjacency distance along the straight portion between the image formers adjacent to each other on the straight portion is an integral multiple of an outer peripheral length of the driving roller, andwherein the adjacency distance at a downstream end is shorter than the adjacency distance at an upstream end, and one of the adjacency distances is equal to or shorter than the adjacency distance that is relatively on an upstream side.

2. An image forming apparatus comprising: an annular belt looped around a plurality of rotators including a driving roller and configured to circulate along a circulation circuit with at least one straight portion that is shaped straight when viewed in an axial direction of the driving roller; andthree or more image formers arranged along the straight portion and configured to form images on an image forming target that is the belt or a recording medium transported by the belt,wherein an adjacency distance along the straight portion between the image formers adjacent to each other on the straight portion is an integral multiple of an outer peripheral length of the driving roller, andwherein the adjacency distance at a downstream end is shorter than the adjacency distance at an upstream end, and one of the adjacency distances is equal to or shorter than the adjacency distance that is relatively on an upstream side.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one straight portion comprises a first straight portion and a second straight portion,wherein, when viewed in the axial direction of the driving roller, an acute angle between the second straight portion and a horizontal direction is larger than an angle of 0° or an acute angle between the first straight portion and the horizontal direction, andwherein a first adjacency distance between a plurality of the image formers arranged along the first straight portion is longer than a second adjacency distance between a plurality of the image formers arranged along the second straight portion.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one straight portion comprises a first straight portion and a second straight portion,wherein, when viewed in the axial direction of the driving roller, an acute angle between the second straight portion and a horizontal direction is larger than an angle of 0° or an acute angle between the first straight portion and the horizontal direction, andwherein a first adjacency distance between a plurality of the image formers arranged along the first straight portion is longer than a second adjacency distance between a plurality of the image formers arranged along the second straight portion.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the three or more image formers are arranged along the first straight portion, andwherein all the first adjacency distances are equal to each other.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the three or more image formers are arranged along the first straight portion, andwherein all the first adjacency distances are equal to each other.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the three or more image formers are arranged along the second straight portion, andwherein all the second adjacency distances are equal to each other.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the three or more image formers are arranged along the second straight portion, andwherein all the second adjacency distances are equal to each other.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the three or more image formers are arranged along the second straight portion, andwherein all the second adjacency distances are equal to each other.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the three or more image formers are arranged along the second straight portion, andwherein all the second adjacency distances are equal to each other.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first straight portion and the second straight portion are arranged in an up-and-down direction.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first straight portion and the second straight portion are arranged in an up-and-down direction.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first straight portion and the second straight portion are arranged in an up-and-down direction.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first straight portion and the second straight portion are arranged in an up-and-down direction.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first straight portion and the second straight portion are arranged in an up-and-down direction.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first straight portion and the second straight portion are arranged in an up-and-down direction.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formers are photoconductor drums configured to transfer toner images onto the image forming target, and wherein the adjacency distance is a distance between rotation axes of the photoconductor drums adjacent to each other.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of first photoconductor units are arranged along the first straight portion, each of the first photoconductor units comprising, as a unit, a first photoconductor drum that is the image former on the first straight portion and configured to transfer a toner image onto the image forming target, a first charger configured to charge the first photoconductor drum, a first exposer configured to expose the first photoconductor drum to light, and a first developer configured to cause a toner to adhere to the first photoconductor drum,wherein a plurality of second photoconductor units are arranged along the second straight portion, each of the second photoconductor units comprising, as a unit, a second photoconductor drum that is the image former on the second straight portion and configured to transfer a toner image onto the image forming target, a second charger configured to charge the second photoconductor drum, a second exposer configured to expose the second photoconductor drum to light, and a second developer configured to cause a toner to adhere to the second photoconductor drum,wherein the adjacency distance is each of a distance between rotation axes of the first photoconductor drums adjacent to each other and a distance between rotation axes of the second photoconductor drums adjacent to each other, andwherein, when viewed in the axial direction, a horizontal dimension of the second photoconductor unit is smaller than a horizontal dimension of the first photoconductor unit.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, when viewed in the axial direction, the second photoconductor units adjacent to each other are partly arranged in an up-and-down direction.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a loop roller rotatably in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the belt; anda push roller positioned between the driving roller and the loop roller, rotatably in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the belt, and configured to push the belt toward an inner periphery.