Patent ID: 8010012
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus: a latent image carrier that includes an endlessly moving surface; an exposing unit that forms a latent image on the endlessly moving surface of the latent image carrier by exposing the endlessly moving surface with a light; a main unit that supports the latent image carrier and the exposing unit; a biasing unit that biases the exposing unit with respect to the main unit in at least one direction in a direction approaching the main unit, so that the exposing unit makes contact with the main unit in at least one portion to determine a position of the exposing unit with respect to the main unit; a buffer unit that relieves an impact the exposing unit receives from the main unit, provided at or near the portion where the exposing unit makes contact with the main unit; and an attachment forming portion for attaching the buffer unit in switching a functional state of the buffer unit between a buffer functional state and a buffer non-functional state, wherein the attachment forming portion includes a screw hole, the buffer unit includes a screw portion and a contact portion provided at a distal end of the screw portion, and the contact portion is displaced by rotation of the screw portion screwed into the screw hole, thereby making it possible to switch the buffer unit between the buffer functional state and the buffer non-functional state.