Patent ID: 7445330
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit including an inkjet printing head configured to eject ink onto a recording medium, the printing unit including a carriage having the ink jet printing head mounted thereto, the carriage moving along a guide member in a main direction perpendicular to a recording medium conveying direction, the printing unit further including a maintenance mechanism configured to maintain a writing function of the inkjet printing head, said maintenance mechanism including a cleaner configured to clean a surface of the ink jet printing head; and a guide device configured to guide the printing unit, when the printing unit is drawn from the image forming apparatus, in a substantially horizontal direction and in a direction substantially perpendicular to a recording medium conveying direction, the guide device extending substantially perpendicular to the recording medium conveying direction and in a substantially horizontal direction, wherein the maintenance mechanism is drawn together with the inkjet printing head, and is arranged in an inner-most portion with respect to a direction of removal from the image forming apparatus, and the inkjet printing head is located opposing the maintenance mechanism when the maintenance mechanism is drawn together with the inkjet printing head, wherein the maintenance mechanism is drawn in the main direction.