IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,838,326
Granted Patent B2
US 10,838,326 · App. 16/592,010 · Granted Nov 17, 2020

Image forming apparatus

Inventor: Shougo Sato (Seto, JP)
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
G03G15/1605G03G15/234G03G15/6502G03G15/657G03G21/1604
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,838,326
App. No.
16/592,010
Granted
Nov 17, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer belt located at a lower position with respect to the photosensitive drum to contact the photosensitive drum, a secondary transfer roller contacting the intermediate transfer belt, a first sheet tray located at a lower position with respect to the intermediate transfer belt to store a sheet, and a sheet guide to guide the sheet stored in the first sheet tray to a position between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer roller, is provided. The sheet guide is located between the intermediate transfer belt and the first sheet tray with regard to a vertical direction and has a curved section. A contact area between the secondary transfer roller and the intermediate transfer belt is located at a lower position with respect to an upper end portion of the curved section.

Claims (43)

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a drum cartridge detachably attachable to the housing, the drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drum cleaner contacting the photosensitive drum;

a transfer unit detachably attachable to the housing, the transfer unit including:

an intermediate transfer belt contacting the photosensitive drum in a state where the transfer unit is attached to the housing, and

a conveyer tube configured to store a first waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum by the drum cleaner in a state where the drum cartridge is attached to the housing; and

a waste toner container configured to store the first waste toner conveyed by the conveyer tube therein in a state where the transfer unit is attached to the housing.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the transfer unit includes a belt cleaner contacting the intermediate transfer belt.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein the conveyer tube is configured to store a second waste toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt by the belt cleaner.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 ,

wherein the waste toner container is configured to store the second waste toner conveyed by the conveyer tube therein.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the waste toner container is detachably attachable to the housing in a state where the drum cartridge and the transfer unit are attached to the housing.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the drum cartridge is detachably attachable to the housing in a first direction, and

wherein the waste toner container is detachably attachable to the housing in a second direction crossing the first direction.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 ,

wherein the transfer unit is detachably attachable to the housing in the first direction.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a developing cartridge detachably attachable to the housing, the developing cartridge including a developing roller.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the conveyer tube includes an auger configured to convey the first waste toner.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 ,

wherein the auger extends in a third direction, and

wherein the photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a fourth direction crossing the third direction.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the waste toner container is positioned below the drum cartridge.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the waste toner container is positioned below the intermediate transfer belt.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the waste toner container is positioned below the conveyer tube.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a first sheet tray configured to store a sheet, the first sheet tray aligning with the waste toner container in a direction.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 ,

wherein the photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in the direction.

16. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a drum cartridge detachably attachable to the housing, the drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum;

a transfer unit detachably attachable to the housing, the transfer unit including:

an intermediate transfer belt contacting the photosensitive drum in a state where the transfer unit is attached to the housing,

a belt cleaner contacting the intermediate transfer belt, and

a conveyer tube configured to store a waste toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt by the belt cleaner; and

a waste toner container configured to store the waste toner conveyed by the conveyer tube therein in a state where the transfer unit is attached to the housing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2019
From: SATO, SHOUGO
To: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 050617/0233 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2016-204511 · Oct 18, 2016 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16235478 · Dec 28, 2018
Continuation 15701699 · Sep 12, 2017
Related Publication 20200033762A1 · Jan 30, 2020