Patent ID: 8688000
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a casing; a plurality of photoconductor drums; a plurality of exposure units each configured to expose a corresponding photoconductor drum to light, to form an electrostatic latent image thereon; and a drum supporting member having a pair of opposed sidewalls facing in an axial direction of the plurality of photoconductor drums, the drum supporting member being configured to support the plurality of photoconductor drums between the sidewalls, and to be movable through an opening provided in the casing between a first position in which the drum supporting member is located inside the casing and a second position in which the drum supporting member is located outside the casing, wherein the plurality of exposure units are provided at the drum supporting member, each exposure unit being movable between an exposure position in which the exposure unit is located in proximity to the corresponding photoconductor drum and a retreating position in which the exposure unit is retreated away from the corresponding photoconductor drum, wherein in the retreating position each exposure unit is positioned by a stopper, such that the exposure unit is located within a vertical dimension of the drum supporting member regardless of whether the exposure unit is in the exposure position or in the retreating position, and wherein a motion-imparting member is provided at the drum supporting member and is configured to move relative to the drum supporting member and to act on an engageable portion of each exposure unit to thereby cause the exposure unit to move to the exposure position or to the retreating position.