Patent ID: 9042767
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member including a photosensitive layer; a charging unit configured to charge a surface of the photosensitive layer by applying a charging bias to the surface of the photosensitive layer; a laser scanning unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive layer by scanning light on the surface of the photosensitive layer, the surface having been uniformly charged by the charging unit; a developing unit that includes a developing-agent bearing member having an outer peripheral surface and configured to bear a developing agent on the outer peripheral surface, the developing unit being configured to form on a surface of the image bearing member a toner image conforming to the electrostatic latent image by using the developing-agent bearing member to cause toner to adhere to the surface of the image bearing member; a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image formed on the surface of the image bearing member by the developing unit to a recording medium; a recording medium conveyance path disposed between the transfer member and the image bearing member such that the recording medium is conveyed therethrough, the recording medium conveyance path including a resin member forming a conveyance surface, the resin member having a concave portion at a location closer to the transfer member than to the image bearing member; a heating element accommodated in the concave portion and configured to heat the image bearing member, the heating element being located downstream from a contact point between the image bearing member and the transfer member in a conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed through the recording medium conveyance path; and a cleaning unit configured to remove residual toner from the surface of the image bearing member, wherein the charging unit, the developing unit, the transfer member, and the cleaning unit are disposed in the stated order in a rotation direction of the image bearing member, and the developing unit is located upstream from the contact point between the image bearing member and the transfer member in the conveyance direction of the recording medium.