Patent ID: 8918018
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet comprising: a main apparatus body; a photoconductor which is held by the main apparatus body, which is configured to carry a toner image, and which is configured to transfer the toner image to the sheet transported in the main apparatus body; an exposure mechanism supported by the main apparatus body displaceably to an approach position at which the exposure mechanism approaches the photoconductor and a separation position at which the exposure mechanism is separated from the photoconductor and which is configured so that a latent image is formed on the photoconductor at the approach position to allow the photoconductor to carry the toner image; a frame which is provided on the main apparatus body so that the frame is positioned on one end side of the photoconductor in a widthwise direction thereof that is parallel to an axial center of the photoconductor; and a regulating mechanism which is provided on the frame and which is configured so that the exposure mechanism disposed at the approach position is positioned in a positioning direction which is perpendicular to the widthwise direction and which intersects an approaching/separating direction in which the exposure mechanism is displaced between the approach position and the separation position, wherein the regulating mechanism includes a fixing member which is supported by the frame displaceably in the positioning direction, a movable member which is supported by the fixing member displaceably in the positioning direction, and a biasing member which is provided between the frame and the movable member; the frame includes a first contacting surface which is directed to one side in the positioning direction; the exposure mechanism includes a second contacting surface which is directed to the other side in the positioning direction at the approach position, and a third contacting surface which is directed to one side in the positioning direction at the approach position; the fixing member includes a fourth contacting surface which is directed to one side in the positioning direction, a first facing surface which faces the first contacting surface from one side in the positioning direction, and a second facing surface which faces the second contacting surface from the other side in the positioning direction under a condition that the exposure mechanism is disposed at the approach position; the movable member includes a third facing surface which faces the third contacting surface from one side in the positioning direction under a condition that the exposure mechanism is disposed at the approach position, and a fourth facing surface which faces the fourth contacting surface from one side in the positioning direction under a condition that the exposure mechanism is disposed at the separation position; and the biasing member biases the movable member from one side in the positioning direction to the other side in the positioning direction, the biasing member including such a biasing force that the third facing surface is allowed to make a contact with the third contacting surface, the second facing surface is allowed to make a contact with the second contacting surface, and the first facing surface is allowed to make a contact with the first contacting surface under a condition that the exposure mechanism is disposed at the approach position, while the fourth facing surface is allowed to make a contact with the fourth contacting surface, and the first facing surface is allowed to make a contact with the first contacting surface under a condition that the exposure mechanism is disposed at the separation position.