Image forming apparatus having a plurality of exposure devices which are radially arranged on a common supporting member with respect to a rotation axis of an image forming body

An image forming apparatus has an image forming body which is rotatable in a subsidiary scanning direction. A plurality of imagewise exposure devices for imagewise exposing the image forming body are arranged to face the image forming body and to be aligned in a straight line in a primary scanning direction perpendicular to the subsidiary scanning direction of the image forming body. A common supporting member is provided for supporting the plurality of exposure devices, and bearing members are provided on first and second ends of the common supporting member. The plurality of exposure devices are: (i) radially arranged on the common supporting member with respect to a rotation axis of the image forming body, and (ii) fixed on the supporting member with respect to the bearing members, and the image forming body is rotatable against the common supporting member through the bearing members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic type image forming 
apparatus in which a charging means, an image exposure device and a 
developing means are arranged around an image forming body for image 
formation, in an image forming apparatus such as copiers, printers, 
facsimiles, or similar apparatus. Specifically, the present invention 
relates to a holding structure for an image forming body, rotated in the 
subsidiary scanning direction in an electrophotographic type color image 
forming apparatus, in which a plurality of chargers, image exposure 
devices and developing devices are arranged around an image forming body, 
and whereby toner images are superimposed on the image forming body during 
a single rotation of the image forming body for color image formation. 
As a multi-color image forming apparatus, the following apparatuses (A), 
(B) and (C) are generally known: 
(A) A color image forming apparatus in which the same number of 
photoreceptors, chargers, developing devices as the number of necessary 
colors are provided, whereby a monochromatic toner image formed on each 
photoreceptor is superimposed on an intermediate transfer body, or similar 
devices, to form a color image. 
(B) A color image forming apparatus in which a single photoreceptor is 
rotated plural times, and charging, image exposure, and developing are 
repeated for each color to form a color image. 
(C) A color image forming apparatus in which charging, image exposure, and 
developing are successively conducted for each color during one rotation 
of a single photoreceptor to form a color image. 
However, the apparatus (A) requires a plurality of photoreceptors and an 
intermediate transfer body, resulting in a disadvantageous increase in 
overall size of the apparatus. The apparatus (B) has only one charging 
means, image exposure means, and photoreceptor, and therefore, the overall 
size of the apparatus is decreased. However, apparatus (B) has a 
limitation in that the size of the image is limited to less than the 
surface area of the photoreceptor. The apparatus (C), moreover can form an 
image at high speed, but it requires that a plurality of sets of a 
charger, an image exposure means, and a developing device are provided 
around the periphery of the photoreceptor. Further, in the apparatus (C), 
there is the possibility that the optical system which conducts image 
exposure is stained by toner leaked from the adjoining developing device, 
which reduces the image quality. In order to avoid that, it is required to 
enlarge the interval between the image exposure means and the developing 
device, whereby the diameter of the photoreceptor is inevitably increased, 
resulting in an increase of the overall apparatus, which is a problem. 
In order to avoid the disadvantages of the apparatus (C), an apparatus (D) 
has been proposed, (Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection 
No. 307307/1993), in which the base body of the image forming body is 
formed of a transparent material; a plurality of image exposure means are 
housed inside the image forming body; and an image is exposed on a 
photoreceptor layer formed on the outer periphery of the image forming 
body through the transparent base body. 
The image forming apparatus (C) and (D) can form a color image during a 
single rotation of the image forming body. As a result, the image 
recording time period can be shortened, so that high speed recording can 
be carried out. This apparatus is also effective for an increase of image 
quality. 
In the above image forming apparatus (D), an apparatus of the type 
(hereinafter, which is called the optical system including type) has been 
proposed in which a linear image exposure means for each color is arranged 
inside the image forming body composed of a transparent base body and an 
optical semiconductor. The image forming apparatus having the optical 
system included-type exposure means has an advantage in which the overall 
size of the image forming body can be reduced, so that the apparatus is 
structured more compactly. 
In the image forming apparatus having the optical system included-type 
exposure means, a light collection position by each linear light emitting 
means accurately coincides with the image forming surface on the 
peripheral surface of the image forming body, and arrangement positions of 
linear light emitting means are required to be accurately parallel to each 
other with a predetermined interval. Accordingly, conventionally, each 
linear exposure optical system is temporarily attached to an optical 
system supporting body, color image processing is carried out using the 
image forming devices housed in the image forming body, image quality of 
the formed image is checked, and the attached position of each linear 
light emitting means is then corrected. The adjusting operation for this 
position correction requires a technician's skill and a long period of 
time, which is a problem for assembling the apparatus. Alternatively, each 
linear exposure optical system is attached to the optical system 
supporting body, and position adjustment and focus adjustment are carried 
out using optical system assembling jigs. Then the linear exposure optical 
system is fixed onto the optical system supporting body, and after the 
image forming body and a position regulation member (bearing member) are 
arranged, these assemblies are mounted at a predetermined position in the 
image forming apparatus. However, in the above conventional adjustment, 
even when the adjustment is correctly carried out by the optical system 
assembling jigs, when the linear exposure optical system is mounted into 
an actual image forming apparatus, a problem occurs in that the accuracy 
of the focus of the optical system, and the positional accuracy in the 
primary scanning direction or in the subsidiary scanning direction are 
lowered due to the accuracy of the position regulating member or 
assembling errors of the optical supporting body itself. As a result, 
re-adjustment is required after the optical systems have been mounted into 
the actual apparatus. 
In conventional systems, the position of the shaft of the supporting body 
is a reference position, and therefore, it is necessary that this position 
of the shaft is very accurately determined for assembling. For example, as 
shown in FIG. 14(A), if the shape of the supporting body SPT itself is not 
accurate, when an optical system LED is mounted onto the supporting body 
SPT, the LED is moved in the arrowed direction and the mounting position 
is adjusted so that the optical system LED is focused on a sensor S, and 
is mounted on the supporting body SPT through a spacer SP having an 
appropriate thickness, using a reference pin PIN corresponding to a shaft 
hole H of the supporting body and a mounting jig J having a mounting arm 
ARM. Accordingly, distance "a" between an axis A of the supporting body 
SPT and the sensor S is constant. 
After the LED has been thus mounted onto the supporting body SPT, when a 
bearing B and a photoreceptor PR are mounted onto the supporting body SPT, 
as shown in FIG. 14(B), an actual rotation center C is determined by the 
bearing, and there is a deviation between the rotation center C and the 
axis A of the supporting body SPT. As a result, a distance "d" in FIG. 
14(B) fluctuates, and the LED can not be accurately focused on the surface 
of the photoreceptor PR corresponding to the mounting position of the 
sensor S. 
That is, when the shape of the supporting body itself is not accurate as 
shown in FIG. 14(A), the optical system (LED or the like) can not be 
accurately mounted with respect to the rotation center. In other words, 
there is a problem in that the distance between the photoreceptor and the 
optical system fluctuates (conventionally, this is due to problems with 
respect to the tolerance of parts or the tolerance of assembly), and 
therefore, inevitably, material is required to be processed more 
accurately, or it is inevitable to disregard several fluctuations. 
This results from the fact that the actual rotation center is not used as 
the reference. Because the optical system and its supporting member are 
not necessary to be rotated, it is necessary that the rotation member, 
which actually contributes to the rotation, is used as the reference, and 
this point is improved in the present invention. 
An image forming body which is located at an image forming position of the 
plurality of exposure means, and on which superimposed images are formed 
by a plurality of exposure means, is required to be accurately held so 
that the image does not deviate in the primary scanning direction, and to 
be rotatably accurately supported so that the focus is not shifted. 
Conventionally, an ordinal radial bearing is used for a bearing member 
which holds the rotating image forming body. However, in the radial ball 
bearing, movement errors tend to occur in the thrust direction, so that 
mechanical play of several 10 .mu.m occurs in the primary scanning 
direction of the image forming body. When a color image is formed by using 
the image forming body supported by such bearing member, doubling occurs 
in the superimposed images. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In an image forming apparatus having an optical system included-type 
exposure means, the first object of the present invention is to provide an 
image forming apparatus in which: (i) the accuracy of the mounting 
position of a linear exposure optical system onto an optical system 
supporting body is increased; (ii) a decrease of the time period for 
mounting and adjusting operations and an increase of ease of operation are 
attained; and (iii) as a result, an excellent image is obtained. 
In an image forming apparatus having an optical system included type 
exposure means, the second object of the present invention is to provide 
an image forming apparatus in which a color shifting of a color image, 
caused by the bearing member, is minimized. 
The first structure to attain the first object is as follows. 
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming body rotating in 
the subsidiary scanning direction; a plurality of image exposure means 
composed of a plurality of light emitting elements and image forming 
elements, arranged linearly in the primary scanning direction for 
image-exposure onto the image forming body; and an optical supporting body 
to support the plurality of image exposure means at a predetermined 
position. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that: a 
supporting portion to support the image exposure means is provided on the 
optical supporting body; and a position regulation member to regulate the 
image forming position of the image exposure means onto the image forming 
body is integrally provided at end portions of the optical supporting 
body. 
The second structure to attain the first object is as follows. 
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming body rotating in 
the subsidiary scanning direction; a plurality of image exposure means 
composed of a plurality of light emitting elements and image forming 
elements, arranged linearly in the primary scanning direction for 
image-exposure onto the image forming body; and an optical supporting body 
to support the plurality of image exposure means at a predetermined 
position. The image forming apparatus characterized in that: a position 
regulating member for regulating the mounting position onto the image 
forming body is integrally fixed to the end portions of the optical 
supporting body, on which a supporting portion to support the image 
exposure means is provided; and after the image exposure means has been 
fixed onto the optical supporting body by regulating the mounting 
position, using an exposure optical system assembling jig having a light 
detecting means fixedly arranged at the outside of the image exposure 
means, using a movement means by which the image exposure means is held 
and moved, the image exposure means, the optical supporting body and the 
position regulating member are inserted into the image forming body 
through the position regulating member, and fixed in place. 
The structure to attain the second object is as follows. 
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming body rotating in 
the subsidiary scanning direction; a plurality of image exposure means for 
image-exposure on the image forming body linearly arranged in the primary 
scanning direction; an optical supporting body to support the plurality of 
image exposure means at a predetermined position; a position regulating 
member having a rotating portion and a fixed portion, which are provided 
at the end portions of the optical supporting body, and which regulate the 
image forming position of the image exposure means onto the image forming 
body; and a pressing means to press the rotating portion of the position 
regulating member in the primary scanning direction of the image forming 
body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3(B), an image forming process and each 
mechanism of a color image forming apparatus, which is preferable as an 
image forming apparatus in the following embodiments, will be described 
below as an example of the present invention. 
FIG. 1 is a sectional structural view of a color image forming apparatus (a 
color printer), which is preferable as an image forming apparatus 
according to the present invention. 
A color image forming apparatus of the present invention is structured such 
that: a photoreceptor drum, in which an electrically conductive layer and 
a photoreceptor layer are provided on the outer peripheral surface of a 
transparent base body, is used as an image forming body; and image 
exposure devices are arranged inside the photoreceptor drum, and an image 
forming process means such as chargers, developing devices, a transfer 
device, a discharger, a cleaning device, etc., is arranged outside the 
photoreceptor drum. 
A photoreceptor drum 10 which is an image forming body, is structured such 
that, for example, a cylindrical base body, formed of a transparent member 
of a transparent acrylic resin, is provided inside; a transparent 
conductive layer, and a photoreceptor layer formed of an a-Si layer, an 
organic photosensitive layer (OPC), or the like, are formed on outer 
periphery of the base body; and the base body is rotated clockwise while 
being electrically grounded. 
In the present example, the transparent base body may have an amount of 
exposure, which can provide an appropriate contrast onto a light 
conductive layer on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, it is not 
necessary that a light transparency factor of a transparent base body of 
the photoreceptor drum be 100%, but may have a characteristic in which 
some amount of light is absorbed at the time of transmission of the 
exposure beam. As light transmissive base body materials, acrylic resin, 
especially, polymer of methacrylate methyl ester monomer is excellent in 
transparency, strength, accuracy, and surface property, and is preferably 
used. Further, any type of light transmissive resins such as acrylic 
resin, fluorine, polyester, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephtalate, 
etc., can be used. As a light transmission conductive layer, indium tin 
oxide (ITO), lead oxide, indium oxide, copper iodide, or a metallic film, 
in which light permeability is maintained, and which is formed of Au, Ag, 
Ni, Al, etc., can be used. As film forming methods, a vacuum deposition 
method, an activated reaction deposition method, any type of spattering 
method, any type of CVD method, a dip coating method, a spray coating 
method, etc., can be used. As light conductive layers, an amorphous 
silicon (a-Si) alloy photoreceptor layer, an amorphous selenium alloy 
photoreceptor layer, or any type of organic photoreceptor layer (OPC), can 
be used. 
Scorotron chargers 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K which are charging means, are 
used for each respective color image formation process of yellow (Y), 
magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K), and uniformly charge the 
photoreceptor drum 10 by corona discharge using a control grid, which has 
a predetermined potential voltage with respect to the organic 
photoreceptor layer on the photoreceptor drum 10, and a discharge wire. 
Numerals 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K are a linear image exposure means (image 
exposure device) composed of light emitting elements linearly arranged in 
the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 10, and a light collective 
fiber lens array (Selfoc lens) which is a life-sized image forming 
element. Each color image signal read by an image reading device, which is 
separately provided, is successively read from a memory, and respectively 
inputted into the exposure optical devices 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K, as 
electric signals. 
Developing devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K, which are developing means for 
each color, respectively accommodate one-component or two-component 
developers for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K), and are 
respectively provided with developing sleeves 131, which respectively have 
a predetermined gap with respect to the peripheral surface of the 
photoreceptor drum 10, and are rotated in the same direction as the 
photoreceptor drum 10 at that development point. 
Each developing device 13(Y, M, C, K) non-contact reversal-develops an 
electrostatic latent image, formed through charging by the chargers 11(Y, 
M, C, K) and by image exposure by the exposure optical devices 12(Y, M, C, 
K) on the photoreceptor drum 10, by applying a developing bias voltage. 
Document images are read by an image reading apparatus, provided separately 
from this apparatus, and images read by an image pick-up element or edited 
by a computer, are temporarily stored in a memory as separate color image 
signals for Y, M, C and K. 
A photoreceptor drive motor, not shown in the drawing, is rotated by the 
start of image recording, the photoreceptor drum 10 is rotated clockwise 
in FIG. 10, and simultaneously, a potential voltage is applied onto the 
photoreceptor drum 10 by the charging action of the scorotron charger 11Y, 
arranged at the left of the photoreceptor drum 10. 
After the photoreceptor drum 10 has been provided with a potential voltage, 
exposure, due to electrical signals corresponding to an image signal of 
the first color signal, that is, yellow (Y), is started in the exposure 
optical device 12Y, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an 
image of yellow (Y) of the document image, is formed on the photoreceptor 
layer on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 by its rotational 
scanning. 
The latent image is reversal-developed by the developing device 13Y under 
the condition that developing agent on the developing sleeve is in 
non-contact with the photoreceptor layer, and a yellow (Y) toner image is 
formed corresponding to the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 10. 
Next, the photoreceptor drum 10 is further provided with a potential 
voltage on the yellow (Y) toner image by the charging action of the 
scorotron charger 11M, arranged at the left of the photoreceptor drum 10 
and an upper portion of 11Y; exposure is carried out due to electrical 
signals corresponding to the image signal of the second color signal of 
the exposure optical system 12(M), that is, the magenta (M) image signal, 
and a magenta (M) toner image is formed by successively being superimposed 
on the yellow (Y) toner image by non-contact reversal-development by the 
developing device 13M. 
By the same process, a cyan (C) toner image corresponding to the third 
color signal is further formed by being superimposed on the above toner 
images, by the scorotron charger 11C, provided above the photoreceptor 
drum 10, exposure optical system 12C and developing device 13C; a black 
(K) toner image is successively formed by being superimposed on the above 
three toner images, by the scorotron charger 11K, arranged at the right of 
the photoreceptor drum 10 and a lower portion of the C image forming 
means, exposure optical system 12K, and developing device 13K; and a color 
toner image is formed on the periphery of the photoreceptor drum 10 during 
its one rotation. 
Exposure onto the organic photoreceptor layer of the photoreceptor drum 10 
by these exposure optical devices 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K is carried out 
through the transparent base body from the inside of the photoreceptor 
drum 10. Accordingly, exposure of the image corresponding to the second, 
the third, and the fourth color signals is carried out, barely influenced 
by the previously formed toner images, and electrostatic latent images 
approximately equal in quality to the image corresponding to the first 
color signal, can be formed. 
Each replenishing color toner is supplied from toner replenishment tanks 
14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K to corresponding developing devices 13(Y, M, C, K). 
Developing devices 13(Y, M, C, K) are maintained in non-contact with the 
photoreceptor drum 10, at a predetermined interval of 100 .mu.m-1000 
.mu.m, for example, through a stopper roller, not shown in the drawing. 
When developing is carried out by each developing device 13(Y, M, C, K), a 
developing bias voltage of DC voltage or AC voltage superimposed on DC 
voltage, is applied on each developing sleeve 131; jumping development by 
one- or two-component developer accommodated in the developing device, is 
carried out; and non-contact reversal development, in which DC bias 
voltage having the same polarity as the toner, is applied onto the 
photoreceptor drum 10 so that toner is adhered onto the exposed portions, 
is carried out with respect to the photoreceptor drum 10 in which a 
transparent conductive layer is electrically grounded. 
A transfer sheet P, which is a transfer material, is sent from a sheet feed 
cassette 21, which is a transfer sheet accommodating means, and conveyed 
to a timing roller 22. A color toner image formed on the peripheral 
surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 is transferred onto the transfer 
sheet P which is fed in timed relationship with the toner image on the 
photoreceptor drum 10 by a drive of the timing roller 22, in the transfer 
device 15. 
The transfer sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred, is 
discharged by the discharger 16, and separated from the peripheral surface 
of the photoreceptor drum. After that, the transfer sheet P is conveyed to 
a fixing device 24 by a conveyance belt 23, which is a conveyance means. 
The transfer sheet P is heated and pressure-contacted by the fixing device 
24, and toner is fused and fixed onto the transfer sheet P, and then, is 
delivered from the fixing device 24. After that, the transfer sheet P is 
conveyed by the paired delivery sheet conveyance roller 25, and is 
delivered through delivery roller 26 onto a tray 27 in the upper portion 
of the apparatus, while the toner image surface is facing downward. 
On the other hand, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10, from which the 
transfer sheet P has been separated, is scraped by a cleaning blade 17a in 
a cleaning device 17, and residual toner is removed and cleaned. Then, the 
photoreceptor drum 10 continues the toner image formation of the document 
image, or temporarily stops and starts the toner image formation of a new 
document image. The waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 17a and 
a cleaning roller 17b, is delivered to a waste toner container 17d through 
a toner conveyance screw 17c and a toner conveyance pipe. After cleaning, 
the cleaning blade 17a and the cleaning roller 17b are kept to be 
separated from the photoreceptor drum 10 so as not to damage the 
photoreceptor drum 10. 
FIG. 2(A) is a sectional view of a main portion of the image exposure 
device, and FIG. 2(B) is a perspective view of FIG. 2(A). Each of image 
exposure devices 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K have the same structure, and 
therefore, these devices are called the image exposure device 12 
hereinafter, and will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), 
the exposure device 12 which is an image exposure means for each color, 
comprises: a light emitting element 12a, which emits exposure light and 
composed of; a linear exposure element in which light emitting elements, 
such as FLs (fluorescent substance emitting element), ELs 
(electro-luminescence element), PLs (plasma discharging element), or LEDs 
(light emitting diode), are arranged in the shape of an array in the 
direction of an axis of the photoreceptor drum 10; or linear exposure 
elements in which elements having optical shutter functions, such as LISA 
(photoelectro-magnetic effect optical shutter array), PLZT (transparent 
piezoelectric shutter array), LCS (liquid crystal shutter), etc. are 
linearly arranged; and further comprises a light collective fiber lens 
array (a Selfoc lens) 12b as a life-sized image formation element. The 
exposure optical systems are formed into a unit, in which the light 
emitting element 12a and the Selfoc lens as a life-sized image formation 
element are mounted on a holding member 12c. This unit is mounted on an 
optical system supporting body 120, on which the exposure device provided 
inside the photoreceptor drum 10 is fixed, by a method which will be 
described later. Each color image signal stored in a memory is 
successively read from the memory and is inputted into the exposure device 
12 for each color as an electric signal. The wavelength of light beams 
from the light emitting elements 12a used in this example is within 600 to 
900 nm. 
The light emitting element 12a is an array in which, for example, LEDs are 
linearly arranged, and which is formed on a base plate 12d, for example, 
made of ceramic or Pyrex glass. Further, the Selfoc lens 12b is fixed on 
the holding member 12c with an adhesive agent, shown by black dots in the 
drawing, the base plate 12d of the light emitting element 12a is also 
fixed onto the holding member 12c with the adhesive agent, shown by 
slanting lines in the drawing, and thus the image exposure device 12 is 
structured. The exposure device 12 for each color is held at a 
predetermined position by an assembling jig, which will be described 
later, and fixed onto the optical system supporting body 120 with an 
adhesive agent, or the like. 
FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are views showing an assembled condition of the image 
exposure devices 12(Y, M, C, K) onto the optical system supporting body 
120, before the image forming body is assembled. FIG. 3(A) is a side view 
of the image exposure devices, and FIG. 3(B) is a front view of FIG. 3(A). 
In the drawings, the direction of x (the primary scanning direction) is 
perpendicular to the movement direction of the photoreceptor drum 10, and 
shows the direction of positioning the linear light emitting element 12a, 
which is provided on the image exposure device 12, in parallel with the 
axis of the photoreceptor drum 10. The y-direction (the subsidiary 
scanning direction) shows the movement direction of the photoreceptor drum 
10. The z-direction (the focus positioning direction) shows the movement 
of the image exposure device 12 in the direction of the diameter of the 
photoreceptor drum 10, and shows the adjustment direction of the focusing 
position of the Selfoc lens 12b. 
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a condition in which the image forming 
body 10 including the image exposure devices 12(Y, M, C, K), is assembled 
between fixed side plates 1A and 1B of the apparatus main body of the 
image forming apparatus. FIG. 5(A) is a sectional view showing a condition 
before the image forming body 10 including the image exposure devices 12 
(Y, M, C, K), is assembled between the fixed side plates 1A and 1B. FIG. 
5(B) is a sectional view taken on line 5(B)--5(B) in FIG. 5(A), FIG. 5(C) 
is a sectional view taken on line 5(C)--5(C), and FIG. 5(D) is a sectional 
view taken on line 5(D)--5(D) in FIG. 5(A). FIG. 6(A) is a sectional view 
showing a condition in which the image exposure devices 12(Y, M, C, K) are 
adjusted for positioning, and FIG. 6(B) is a sectional view taken on line 
6(B)--6(B) in FIG. 6(A). 
The optical system supporting body 120 is divided into two optical system 
supporting bodies (left and right supporting bodies) 120A and 120B, by 
which both ends of each of image exposure devices 12(Y, M, C, K) are 
supported, and which are respectively fitted on and supported by a central 
shaft 121. Both ends of the image exposure device 12(Y, M, C, K) are 
assembled on the outer peripheral surfaces of the optical system 
supporting bodies 120A and 120B, and fixed thereon. Two pins 121a and 121b 
are respectively studded at predetermined positions on the shaft 121. 
After the image exposure devices 12(Y, M, C, K) have been fitted on the 
shaft 121, positioning is carried out in the axial direction such that a 
V-slot on the right side surface of the right optical system supporting 
body 120B shown in the drawing, comes into contact with the right pin 
121b, and the right side surface of the left optical system supporting 
body 120A in the drawing, comes into contact with the left pin 121a. 
In this connection, in the optical system supporting body 120, when the 
optical system supporting bodies 120A and 120B, and the shaft 121 are 
initially integrally formed into one body, the above operations are not 
necessary. 
Supporting portions 120a and 120b of the optical system supporting bodies 
120A and 120B, on which both ends of the image exposure devices 12(Y, M, 
C, K) are assembled and by which they are supported, have regular 
hexagonal prism-like side surfaces. The supporting portions 120a and 120b 
are previously positioned on the surface plate so as to have an equally 
leveled surface. The above image exposure devices 12 (Y, M, C, K) are 
adjusted for positioning, and after that, fixed with an adhesive agent 
with a wedge-shaped spacer 122. 
In another end portion (the left end portion in the drawing) of the optical 
system supporting body 120A, a cylindrical surface portion 120d is formed 
concentrically with the shaft 121, and an inner ring portion of a ball 
bearing member (the position regulation member) 123 is pressure-fitted on 
the cylindrical surface portion 120d. The outer ring portion of the ball 
bearing member 123 is pressure-fitted into the inner diameter portion of 
the left end, in the drawing, of the image forming body 10. 
The other end portion (the right end portion in the drawing) of the optical 
system supporting body 120B has a cylindrical surface portion 120c 
concentrically formed with the shaft 121, and the inner ring portion of 
the ball bearing member (position regulation member) 124 is 
pressure-fitted on the cylindrical surface portion 120c. The outer ring 
portion of the ball bearing member 124 is pressure-fitted into the inner 
diameter portion of a driving member 125 of the image forming body. The 
image forming body driving member 125 is engaged with the inner diameter 
portion of the image forming body 10, and fixed. 
The inner diameter portion of a left side plate assembling member 126 is 
engaged with the left-most end portion, in FIG. 4, of the shaft 121, and a 
flange portion of the left side assembling member 126 is positioned and 
fixed onto a left side plate 1A of the image forming apparatus. The inner 
diameter portion of a right side plate assembling member 127 is engaged 
with the right-most end portion, in the drawing, of the shaft 121, a 
flange portion of the right side plate assembling member 127 comes into 
contact with the right side plate 1B of the image forming apparatus, and 
is positioned and fixed onto the right side plate 1B by a screw which is 
screwed into the right-most end portion of the shaft 121. In this 
connection, a pin 121c which is near the right end of the shaft 121, is 
engaged with a mounting reference groove, not shown in the drawing, 
provided in the inner diameter portion of the right side plate assembling 
member 127, and the rotational direction of the shaft 121 is positioned. 
Due to the above structure, after the position of the image exposure means 
12(Y, M, C, K) has been adjusted, the assembled position of the image 
exposure means 12(Y, M, C, K) and outer diameter portions of ball bearing 
portions 123 and 124 are integrally fixed, and coaxial with each other, so 
that no relative positional error occurs. Accordingly, when the image 
forming body 10 is mounted and assembled in this condition as shown in 
FIGS. 5(A) through 5(D), and then mounted into the image forming 
apparatus, which is an actual apparatus, as shown in FIG. 4, accuracy at 
the time of position adjustment can be maintained, and also the accurate 
mounting can be attained. Thus, when the system is structured such that 
ball bearings 123 and 124, which are position regulation members, are 
directly assembled onto the optical supporting body 120; the focus is 
adjusted using the position regulation members 123 and 124 as a reference; 
and the optical supporting body 120 is mounted into a mounting reference 
portion of the image forming apparatus main body using the position 
regulation members 123 and 124 as a reference, then, the accuracy of the 
focused position is greatly enhanced. 
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the exposure optical system assembling jig 200 to 
adjust the position of the image exposure means 12(Y, M, C, K). FIG. 8 is 
a front view of the exposure optical system assembling jig 200. 
End portions of the optical system supporting bodies 120A and 120B to 
support the image exposure means 12(Y, M, C, K) are respectively engaged 
with supporting members 128A and 128B through ball bearings 123 and 124, 
and are rotatably supported. A rotary encoder 206 is provided on one end 
of the shaft 121 penetrating the optical supporting bodies 120A and 120B, 
and accurately determines the position of the image exposure means 12Y, 
12M, 12C and 12K in the rotational direction (the subsidiary direction y). 
Both near-end portions of one image exposure means (for example, 12Y in the 
drawing) in the image exposure means 12, are held by holding portions 202A 
and 202B of two left and right minute movement stages 201A and 201B. The 
minute movement stages 201A and 201B are located on a fixed block 203 
having a predetermined positional relationship with the supporting members 
128A and 128B, and minutely move the holding portions 202A and 202B in the 
three dimensional directions (x, y, z directions). In this way, the minute 
movement stages 201A and 201B always maintain a predetermined positional 
relationship with the bearing members 123 and 124 through the fixed block 
203, supporting members 128A and 128B. Herein, the x-direction shows the 
primary scanning direction, the y-direction shows the subsidiary scanning 
direction, and the z-direction shows the focus adjustment direction. 
Light detection means (the light detection sensor ) 205A and 205B are 
arranged respectively facing both ends of the linear Selfoc lens 12b of 
the image exposure means 12Y on the upper end of a support 204 fixed on 
the fixed block 203. The light detection means 205A and 205B are composed 
of, for example, 2-dimensional CCD sensors, and are set at an image 
forming position by the exposure optical system 12, using the reference 
image forming body 10, that is, a position corresponding to an image 
formation reference position on the outer peripheral surface of the 
reference image forming body 10 (because the LED light beams pass the 
transparent base body of acrylic resin, the refractive index of which 
differs from that of air. The light detection means 205A and 205B also 
respectively always have a predetermined positional relationship with the 
bearing members 123 and 124 through the fixed block 203, supporting 
members 128A and 128B. Then, x, y positions and the focus position z of 
the image exposure means 12Y are adjusted by being detected by the light 
detection means 205A and 205B under the condition that the linear light 
emitting element 12a corresponding to specific pixels on both ends of the 
image exposure means 12 is activated. The light detection means 205A and 
205B are connected to a detection circuit and a display means shown in 
FIG. 9, and the output is displayed on CRT monitors. After the adjustment 
of the x, y and z positions has been completed, a spacer 122 is inserted 
between the image exposure means 12Y and the optical system supporting 
bodies 120A and 120B, the position is fixed, and the image exposure means 
are fixed with an adhesive agent. As described above, the light detection 
means 205A and 205B are assembled using the bearing member as a reference, 
thereby, the light detection means 205A and 205B always have a 
predetermined distance with respect to the bearing member, that is, the 
rotating photoreceptor surface, and the LED can be moved for adjustment at 
the position on the photoreceptor surface on which an image is 
appropriately formed. 
Initially, after the adjustment of the image exposure means 12Y has been 
completed, the rotary encoder 206 is turned for a predetermined angle, and 
the adjustment of the image exposure means 12M is carried out in the same 
manner. The adjustment of the image exposure means 12M and 12K are also, 
subsequently, carried out in the same manner. 
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an adjustment control means of the image 
exposure means 12. Under the condition that the linear light emitting 
element (LED array) 12a corresponding to specific pixels on both ends of 
the image exposure means 12 is activated, the position and brightness 
(focus) of the activated LEDS are measured by the light detection means 
(2-dimensional CCD sensor) 205A and 205B. The light detection means 205A 
and 205B are 2-dimensional CCD sensors composed of, for example, 
500.times.500 pixels, for which the size of one pixel is 5-10 .mu.m. The 
image exposure means 12 is minutely moved in X, Y, and Z directions by the 
minute movement stages 201A and 201B; and a control means 207 detects that 
the image formation position of the activated specific LEDs conforms to 
specific pixels in an area of the 2-dimensional CCD sensors 205A and 205B, 
and displays the same on the display means (CRT monitor) 208. 
Next, an adjustment process of the image exposure means, using the exposure 
optical system assembling jig 200, will be described. 
(1) The optical system supporting bodies 120A and 120B are fitted onto the 
central shaft 121, and supporting portions 120a and 120b, having regular 
hexagonal prism-like side surface, of the optical system supporting bodies 
120A and 120B, are positioned so as to form an equal level surface on the 
fixed block. 
(2) The V-shaped groove of the right side surface of the right optical 
system supporting body 120B in the drawing, comes into contact with the 
right pin 121b of the shaft 121, and the optical system supporting body 
120B is then fixed onto the shaft 121 by screws. The right side surface of 
the left optical system supporting body 120A in the drawing, comes into 
contact with the left pin 121a of the shaft 121, and that optical system 
supporting body 120A is also fixed onto the shaft 121 by screws. 
(3) A ball bearing member 123, which is a position regulating member, is 
fitted on the left end cylindrical surface portion 120d of the optical 
system supporting body 120A, and a ball bearing member 124, which is a 
position regulating member, is fitted onto the right end cylindrical 
surface portion 120c of the optical system supporting body 120B (refer to 
FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)). 
(4) The left side ball bearing member 123 is assembled into the supporting 
member 128A, the right side ball bearing member 124 is assembled into the 
supporting member 128B, and the ball bearing members 123 and 124, and the 
shaft 121 are horizontally mounted. 
(5) A rotary encoder 206 is assembled on the end of the shaft 121. 
(6) The rotational position of the optical system supporting member 120 is 
set so that the bottom portion of the image exposure means 12Y accurately 
faces the supporting portion 120a of the optical system supporting body 
120. 
(7) Both end portions of the image exposure means 12Y are held by holding 
portions 202A and 202B of the minute movement stages 201A and 201B of the 
exposure optical system assembling jig 200 (refer to FIGS. 7 and 8). 
(8) The minute movement stages 201A and 201B are operated so that the image 
exposure means 12Y is minutely moved in x- and z-directions, and the image 
exposure means 12Y is positioned and adjusted for focusing by a means 
shown in FIG. 9. 
(9) A spacer 122 is inserted between the image exposure means 12Y and the 
supporting portion 120a of the optical system supporting body 120, these 
assemblies are fixed with an adhesive agent, and thus, mounting of the 
image exposure means 12Y is completed. 
(10) Positioning adjustment for the image exposure means 12M, 12C and 12K 
are also carried out in the same manner as items (7) through (10). 
(11) After adjustment of all image exposure means 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12k 
have been completed, the image forming body 10 and the image forming body 
driving member 125 are mounted in the stated order into ball bearing 
members 123 and 124 (refer to FIGS. 5(A) through 5(D)). 
(12) The image forming body 10, including the image exposure means 12(Y, M, 
C, K), is inserted between fixed side plates 1A and 1B of the actual image 
forming apparatus 1; the left side plate mounting member 126 and the right 
side plate mounting member 127 are respectively fitted onto the shaft 121, 
and are fixed onto the fixed side plates 1A and 1B of the apparatus main 
body by screws or the like; and thus, assembling is completed. 
The image forming body used in the present invention is not limited to the 
photoreceptor drum, which has been described in the above example, but 
also a belt type photoreceptor may be used for the image forming body. 
Further, in the above example, an image exposure device has been described 
which is included in the image forming body, however, the present 
invention is not limited to this example, but the image exposure device 
may also be arranged outside the image forming body. 
According to the above-described first structure, when the position 
regulation member to regulate mounting position into the image forming 
body, is integrally provided on the optical system supporting body to 
support the image exposure means, the reference for position adjustment of 
the image exposure means can be equal to the reference for mounting into 
the image forming apparatus, and the image exposure means can be mounted 
into the image forming apparatus while keeping the positioning accuracy 
and the focusing accuracy at the adjustment. Due to this, highly accurate 
assembly can be easily carried out, and thereby, the assembly time period 
can be shortened. 
According to the above-described second structure, the position regulation 
member to regulate mounting position into the image forming body, is 
integrally provided on end portions of the optical system supporting body 
to support the image exposure means; and after the image exposure means 
has been assembled onto the optical system supporting body, its position 
has been adjusted, and it has been fixed, by the light detection means 
fixed and arranged outside the image exposure means, and the exposure 
optical system assembling jig having a movement means to hold the image 
exposure means and move it, the image exposure means, the optical 
supporting body, and the position regulation member are inserted inside 
the image forming body and fixed with the position regulation member. 
Thereby, the image exposure apparatus is positioned in the primary 
scanning direction, subsidiary scanning direction, and focus positioning 
direction with respect to the image forming body. Further, the relative 
positions among exposure devices in the primary scanning direction, 
subsidiary scanning direction and focus positioning direction are 
determined, and highly accurate assembly can easily be carried out, 
resulting in an excellent image. 
FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a condition in which the image forming 
body 10 including the image exposure device 12(Y, M, C, K) is mounted 
between the apparatus main body fixed side plates 1A and 1B of the image 
forming apparatus. FIG. 11(A) is a sectional view showing a condition 
before the image forming body 10 including the image exposure device 12(Y, 
M, C, K) is mounted between the fixed side plates 1A and 1B. FIG. 11(B) is 
a sectional view taken on line 11(B)--11(B) in FIG. 11(A), FIG. 11(C) is a 
sectional view taken on line 11(C)--11(C), and FIG. 11(D) is a sectional 
view taken on line 11(D)--11(D) in FIG. 11(A). Numerals in FIGS. 10 and 
11(A) through 11(D) which have the same functions as those in FIGS. 4 and 
5(A) through 5(D), are denoted by the same numerals. Points different in 
FIGS. 4 and 5(A) through 5(D) will be described below. 
For the ball bearing members 123 and 124, an angular ball bearing or a deep 
groove type ball bearing, which has a strong holding power also in the 
direction of thrust, is used. 
A portion of the outer diameter portion of the ball bearing member 123 is 
press-fitted into a ring-like pressure holding member 226, and as shown in 
the drawing, comes into contact with the left end surface of the image 
forming body 10 and fixed. As shown in the drawing, a pressing member 227 
is fixed on the left side of the pressure holding member 226 by a screw 
227S. The end surface of the pressing member 227 presses the outer ring 
portion of the ball bearing member 123. Pressing force F.sub.1 on the 
outer ring portion of the ball bearing member 123 is adjusted by the 
adjustment of the fastening force of the screw 227S. 
A pressing member 228 having almost the same shape as the pressing member 
227 is fixed also onto an image forming body driving member 225, fixed on 
the right side of the image forming body 10 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11(A) 
through 11(D), by a screw 228S. The end surface of the pressing member 228 
presses the outer ring portion of the ball bearing member 124. The 
pressing force F.sub.2 onto the outer ring portion of the ball bearing 
member 124 is adjusted by the adjustment of the fastening force of the 
screw 228S. 
The pressing forces F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 are adjusted within 10-500N 
(Newton). When the pressing force is less then 10N, the pressing force 
onto the outer ring portion of the ball bearing member 123 is 
insufficient, and backlash is caused in the direction of the thrust. When 
the pressing force is more than 500N, excessive force is applied onto the 
ball bearing member 123, and rotation in the radial direction is not 
smooth. When the heavier load is further applied, the image forming body 
10 or the ball bearing member 123 is deformed. Relating to the pressing 
forces F.sub.1 and F.sub.2, when the screws 227S and 228S are fastened by 
using a torque driver set to a predetermined torque, the ball bearing 
members 123 and 124 are always pressed by a predetermined pressing force 
through the pressing members 227 and 228. 
As shown in FIG. 10, an inner diameter portion of the left side plate 
fixing member 101 is engaged with the leftmost end portion of the shaft 
121, and a flange portion of the left side plate fixing member 101 is 
positioned and fixed onto the left side plate 1A of the image forming 
apparatus. The inner portion of the right side plate fixing member 102 is 
engaged with the right-most end portion, in the drawing, of the shaft 121, 
a flange portion of the right side plate fixing member 102 comes into 
contact with the right side plate 1B of the image forming apparatus, and 
is positioned and fixed onto the right side plate 1B by a screw, which is 
screwed into the right-most end portion of the shaft 121. Incidentally, a 
pin 121c near the right end of the shaft 121, is engaged with a mounting 
reference groove, not shown in the drawing, provided in the inner diameter 
portion of the right side plate fixing member 102, and the shaft 121 is 
positioned in the rotational direction. 
Due to the above structure, the outer ring portions of the ball bearing 
members 123 and 124, the image forming body 10, the image forming body 
driving member 225, the pressure holding member 226, the pressing members 
227 and 228 are integrally formed, and can all be rotated. On the other 
hand, the image exposure means 12(Y, M, C, K), the optical system 
supporting members 120A and 120B, the shaft 121, the inner ring portions 
of the ball bearing members 123 and 124, the left side plate fixing member 
101, and the right side plate fixing member 102 are integrally formed, 
mounted and fixed at a predetermined position on the apparatus main body's 
fixed side plates 1A and 1B. 
Due to this structure, when the ball bearings 123 and 124 are pressed from 
the left or right sides in the primary scanning direction of the image 
forming body 10 by pressing members 227 and 228 after the relative 
positions of the image exposure means 12(Y, M, C, K) have been adjusted, 
and the image forming body 10 has been mounted, play in the primary 
scanning direction of the image forming body 10 is eliminated. 
Accordingly, when all sub-assemblies are assembled as shown in FIGS. 11(A) 
through 11(D), and further mounted into the actual image forming apparatus 
main body, as shown in FIG. 10, the image exposure means can be accurately 
mounted while maintaining the accuracy at the position adjustment. As 
described above, in the image forming apparatus, provided with the angular 
ball bearing members 123 and 124, onto which pressure is previously 
applied by the pressing members 227 and 228, no play occurs in the primary 
scanning direction even over an extended time period, and thereby, the 
doubling in the primary scanning direction can be minimized. 
When a member, shaped such as the image forming body driving member 225 in 
FIG. 12, is used instead of the image forming body driving member 225 and 
the pressing member 228, shown in FIG. 10 and FIGS. 11(A) through 11(D), 
the right side ball bearing member 124 is also pressed by the left side 
pressing member 227, and therefore, even when the pressing member is not 
specifically provided on the right side, the same effects are obtained. 
FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view showing still another example of the 
holding means of the image forming body of the image forming apparatus 
according to the present invention. In the drawing, portions having the 
same function as those in the foregoing examples are denoted by the same 
numerals. Points differing from the foregoing examples, will be described 
below. 
The pressing member 227, which comes into contact with the outer ring 
portion of the ball bearing portion 123, fixed onto one shaft end portion 
of the image forming body 10, is pressed by a plurality of springs 229 
housed in the pressure holding member 226, at a pressing force F.sub.1. 
The pressing member 228 fixed on the other shaft end of the image forming 
body 10, also has the same structure, and the outer ring portion of the 
ball bearing member 124 is also pressed by the pressing force of a 
plurality of springs. 
The bearing means of the image forming body used in the present invention, 
is not always limited to the use for a photoreceptor drum described in the 
above examples, but can also be used for a driving roller to rotatably 
support a belt type photoreceptor. Further, it can be applied to an 
intermediate transfer body. Still further, in the above examples, an image 
forming body in which the image exposure devices are arranged, has been 
described. However, the present invention is not always limited to this, 
but may also be applied to an image forming body, outside of which the 
image exposure devices are arranged. 
According to an image forming apparatus of the present invention, play in 
the thrust direction of the bearing member which rotatably supports an 
image forming body, is negated. Due to this, the doubling in the 
superimposed images caused by conventional bearing members, is minimized, 
and an image forming apparatus which is excellent in image quality and 
resolution, can be provided.