Process kit and positioning mechanism for the process kit

Claim 2

A process kit removably mountable with respect to the body of an image forming apparatus that includes optical means for applying a light pattern to the process kit, said optical means having a positioning element for positioning said optical means at least in a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis of said optical means, said kit comprising: a photosensitive member having a surface to be exposed to a light pattern by the optical means; process means for acting on said photosensitive member for image formation using the light pattern; and a support structure for integrally supporting said photosensitive member and said process means, said photosensitive member and process means being mounted in said support structure at predetermined locations therein to form a unit, wherein said unit is movable for mounting in the image forming apparatus, and wherein said support structure includes engagement means provided at an end portion of the support structure with respect to a moving direction adapted to engage the positioning element of the optical means, wherein said optical means is mounted by said positioning element, and wherein said engagement means of the support structure and said positioning element of said optical means mutually engage so as to locate the optical means and the photosensitive means accurately with respect to each other.

Claim 3

A process kit according to claim 1, wherein said engagement means of the support structure and said positioning element of said optical means have complementary shapes to regulate movement in the direction of the optical axis.

Claim 4

A process kit removably mounted onto an image forming apparatus having an optical system, said process kit comprising: a rotatable photosensitive member to which the optical information from said optical system is applied; process means for acting on said photosensitive member; a supporting member on which said photosensitive member and said process means are supported, said supporting member having a first positioning portion; said first positioning portion being brought into direct engagement with a second positioning portion which supports said optical system and positions said optical system relative to said image forming apparatus as said process kit is mounted into a predetermined position in said image forming apparatus along an axial direction of said photosensitive member; and said first positioning portion of said process kit and said second positioning portion of said optical system cooperating so as to position said optical system at a predetermined position relative to said photosensitive member of said process kit.

Claim 5

A process kit removably mounted onto an image forming apparatus having an optical system, said process kit comprising: a rotatable photosensitive member to which the optical information from said optical system is applied; process means for acting on said photosensitive member; a supporting member on which said photosensitive member and said process means are supported, said supporting member having a first positioning portion; said first positioning portion being brought into direct engagement with a second positioning portion which supports said optical system and positions said optical system relative to said image forming apparatus as said process kit is mounted into a predetermined position in said image forming apparatus along an axial direction of said photosensitive member; and said first positioning portion of said process kit and said second positioning portion of said optical system cooperating so as to position said optical system at a predetermined position relative to said photosensitive member of said process kit.

Claim 6

A process kit according to claim 3 wherein said positioning portions comprise a recess and a projection which enters said recess in the direction in which the process kit is guided into said image forming apparatus.

Claim 7

A process kit according to claim 4 wherein said recess is an aperture formed on the support member for receiving a pin constituting the projection which supports the optical system.

Claim 8

A process kit according to claim 3 wherein said process means comprises a corona discharger for electrostatically charging the surface of said photosensitive member.

Claim 9

A process kit according to claim 3 wherein said process means comprises a developing device for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive member.

Claim 10

A process kit according to claim 3 wherein said process means comprises a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of said photosensitive member.

Claim 11

A process kit according to claim 3, wherein said first and second positioning portions have complementary shapes to regulate movement of said process kit in a direction of an optical axis of said optical system.

Claim 12

A process kit according to claim 3, wherein said first and second positioning portions, which are mutually associated upon the mounting of said process kit, are provided at a first portion of said support member and a second portion of said optical system, respectively.

Claim 13

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit, wherein said kit has a rotatable photosensitive member and process means acting on said photosensitive member for image formation, and wherein said process kit is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus which includes a receiving portion for receiving and mounting the process kit, drive force transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the process kit when the process kit is mounted in said apparatus, and optical system means for transmitting optical information onto a surface of the photosensitive member, wherein said optical system means includes first positioning means coupled to said optical system means for positioning said optical system means in at least a direction substantially parallel with an optical axis of said optical system means, said mounting-dismounting mechanism comprising: a process kit housing for integrally supporting said photosensitive member and said process means at predetermined positions therein; drive force receiving means at least at a side end of said photosensitive member for receiving a drive force from the apparatus when the process kit is mounted to the image forming apparatus; and second positioning means fixed to said housing for engaging the positioning means of said optical system means when said process kit is moved for mounting in the image forming apparatus, wherein the first positioning means and the second positioning means cooperate so as to position said optical system means at a predetermined spacing relative to the photosensitive member of the process kit when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 14

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit, wherein said kit has a rotatable photosensitive member and process means acting on said photosensitive member for image formation, and wherein said process kit is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus which includes a receiving portion for receiving and mounting the process kit, drive force transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the process kit when the process kit is mounted in said apparatus, and optical system means for transmitting optical information onto a surface of the photosensitive member, wherein said optical system means includes first positioning means coupled to said optical system means for positioning said optical system means in at least a direction substantially parallel with an optical axis of said optical system means, said mounting-dismounting mechanism comprising: a process kit housing for integrally supporting said photosensitive member and said process means at predetermined positions therein; drive force receiving means at least at a side end of said photosensitive member for receiving a drive force from the apparatus when the process kit is mounted to the image forming apparatus; and second positioning means fixed to said housing for engaging the positioning means of said optical system means when said process kit is moved for mounting in the image forming apparatus, wherein the first positioning means and the second positioning means cooperate so as to position said optical system means at a predetermined spacing relative to the photosensitive member of the process kit when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 15

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 11, wherein said optical system means has a short-focus element array and a support arrangement therefor.

Claim 16

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 11, wherein said optical system means has a movable mirror, a condenser lens, and a support for holding the mirror and lens.

Claim 17

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 11, wherein said optical system means extends across a surface of said photosensitive member, said image forming apparatus including support means for supporting said drive force transmitting means and one end of said optical system means with a predetermined spacing therebetween, wherein when said process kit is moved for mounting in said image forming apparatus, said drive force receiving means and said drive force transmitting means cooperate so as to position said photosensitive member at the predetermined spacing relative to the optical system means when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 18

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 11, wherein said first and second positioning means have complementary shapes to regulate movement in the direction of the optical axis.

Claim 19

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit, wherein said kit has a photosensitive member and process means acting on said photosensitive member for image formation, and wherein said process kit is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus which includes a receiving portion for receiving and mounting the process kit, drive force transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the process kit when the process kit is mounted in said apparatus, and optical system means for transmitting optical information onto a surface of the photosensitive member which is fixed to the structure of the main body of said apparatus, wherein said optical system means includes first and second positioning members coupled to said optical system means for positioning said optical system means in at least a direction substantially parallel with an optical axis of said optical system means and a side structure for maintaining a space between the drive force transmitting means and the first positioning member of said optical means at a constant distance, said mounting-dismounting mechanism comprising: a process kit housing for integrally supporting said photosensitive member and said process means at predetermined positions therein; drive force receiving means at a side end of said photosensitive member for receiving a drive force from the apparatus when the kit is mounted to the image forming apparatus, wherein said drive force receiving means on said photosensitive member engages said drive force transmitting means when said process kit is mounted in said apparatus; and a third positioning member fixed to said housing for engaging the second positioning member of said optical means when said process kit is mounted in the image forming apparatus, wherein the third positioning member and the second positioning member cooperate so as to establish a predetermined distance between the optical system means of the apparatus and the photosensitive member of the process kit when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 20

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit, wherein said kit has a photosensitive member and process means acting on said photosensitive member for image formation, and wherein said process kit is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus which includes a receiving portion for receiving and mounting the process kit, drive force transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the process kit when the process kit is mounted in said apparatus, and optical system means for transmitting optical information onto a surface of the photosensitive member which is fixed to the structure of the main body of said apparatus, wherein said optical system means includes first and second positioning members coupled to said optical system means for positioning said optical system means in at least a direction substantially parallel with an optical axis of said optical system means and a side structure for maintaining a space between the drive force transmitting means and the first positioning member of said optical means at a constant distance, said mounting-dismounting mechanism comprising: a process kit housing for integrally supporting said photosensitive member and said process means at predetermined positions therein; drive force receiving means at a side end of said photosensitive member for receiving a drive force from the apparatus when the kit is mounted to the image forming apparatus, wherein said drive force receiving means on said photosensitive member engages said drive force transmitting means when said process kit is mounted in said apparatus; and a third positioning member fixed to said housing for engaging the second positioning member of said optical means when said process kit is mounted in the image forming apparatus, wherein the third positioning member and the second positioning member cooperate so as to establish a predetermined distance between the optical system means of the apparatus and the photosensitive member of the process kit when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 21

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 16, wherein said optical system means has a short-focus element array and a support arrangement therefor.

Claim 22

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 16, wherein said optical system means has a movable mirror, a condenser lens and a support for holding the mirror and lens.

Claim 23

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 16, wherein said optical system means extends across the surface of said photosensitive member, said image forming apparatus including support means for supporting said drive force transmitting means and one end of said optical system with a predetermined spacing therebetween, wherein when said process kit is moved for mounting in said image forming apparatus, said drive force receiving means and said drive force transmitting means cooperate so as to position said photosensitive member at the predetermined spacing relative to the optical system when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 24

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 16, wherein said second and third positioning members have complementary shapes to regulate movement in the direction of the optical axis.

Claim 25

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit, wherein said kit has a rotatable photosensitive drum and process means acting on said photosensitive drum for image formation, and wherein said process kit is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus which includes a receiving portion for receiving and mounting the process kit, drive force transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the process kit when the process kit is mounted in said apparatus, an original carriage for carrying an original to be exposed, a short focus element array for projecting the exposed image of the original onto a surface of the photosensitive drum, wherein said short focus element array includes first positioning means coupled to said short focus element array for positioning said short focus element array in at least a direction substantially parallel with an optical axis of said short focus element array, said mounting-dismounting mechanism comprising: a process kit housing for integrally supporting said photosensitive drum and said process means at predetermined positions therein; drive force receiving means at a side end of said photosensitive drum for receiving a drive force from the apparatus when the kit is mounted to the image forming apparatus; and second positioning means fixed to said housing for engaging the first positioning means when said process kit is moved for mounting in the image forming apparatus, wherein the first positioning means and the second positioning means cooperate so as to position said short focus element array at a predetermined spacing relative to the photosensitive drum of the process kit when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 26

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit, wherein said kit has a rotatable photosensitive drum and process means acting on said photosensitive drum for image formation, and wherein said process kit is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus which includes a receiving portion for receiving and mounting the process kit, drive force transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the process kit when the process kit is mounted in said apparatus, an original carriage for carrying an original to be exposed, a short focus element array for projecting the exposed image of the original onto a surface of the photosensitive drum, wherein said short focus element array includes first positioning means coupled to said short focus element array for positioning said short focus element array in at least a direction substantially parallel with an optical axis of said short focus element array, said mounting-dismounting mechanism comprising: a process kit housing for integrally supporting said photosensitive drum and said process means at predetermined positions therein; drive force receiving means at a side end of said photosensitive drum for receiving a drive force from the apparatus when the kit is mounted to the image forming apparatus; and second positioning means fixed to said housing for engaging the first positioning means when said process kit is moved for mounting in the image forming apparatus, wherein the first positioning means and the second positioning means cooperate so as to position said short focus element array at a predetermined spacing relative to the photosensitive drum of the process kit when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 27

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 21, wherein said short focus element array extends across a surface of said photosensitive drum, said image forming apparatus including support means for supporting said drive force transmitting means and one end of said short focus element array with a predetermined spacing therebetween, wherein when said process kit is moved for mounting in said image forming apparatus, said drive force receiving means and said drive force transmitting means cooperate so as to position said photosensitive member at the predetermined spacing relative to the short focus element array when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 28

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 21, wherein said first and second positioning means have complementary shapes to regulate movement in the direction of the optical axis.

Claim 29

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit, wherein said kit has a rotatable photosensitive member and process means acting on said photosensitive member for image formation, and wherein said process kit is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus which includes a receiving portion for receiving and mounting the process kit, guide means for guiding movement of the process kit when the process kit is mounted to the receiving portion, drive force transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the process kit when the process kit is mounted in said receiving portion, an optical system for transmitting optical information onto a surface of the photosensitive member and including a first positioning portion coupled to said optical system for positioning said optical system in at least a direction substantially parallel with an optical axis of said optical system, said mounting-dismounting mechanism comprising: a process kit housing for integrally supporting said photosensitive member and said process means at predetermined positions therein; and a second positioning portion fixed to said housing for engaging the first positioning portion of said optical system, said second positioning portion on said housing being brought by guide mounting movement of said kit into engagement with said first positioning portion of said optical system so as to locate the optical system and the photosensitive member accurately with respect to each other in said receiving portion when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 30

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit, wherein said kit has a rotatable photosensitive member and process means acting on said photosensitive member for image formation, and wherein said process kit is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus which includes a receiving portion for receiving and mounting the process kit, guide means for guiding movement of the process kit when the process kit is mounted to the receiving portion, drive force transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the process kit when the process kit is mounted in said receiving portion, an optical system for transmitting optical information onto a surface of the photosensitive member and including a first positioning portion coupled to said optical system for positioning said optical system in at least a direction substantially parallel with an optical axis of said optical system, said mounting-dismounting mechanism comprising: a process kit housing for integrally supporting said photosensitive member and said process means at predetermined positions therein; and a second positioning portion fixed to said housing for engaging the first positioning portion of said optical system, said second positioning portion on said housing being brought by guide mounting movement of said kit into engagement with said first positioning portion of said optical system so as to locate the optical system and the photosensitive member accurately with respect to each other in said receiving portion when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 31

A mechanism according to claim 24 wherein said positioning portions comprise a recess and a projection which enters said recess in the direction in which the kit is guided into said receiving portion.

Claim 32

A mechanism according to claim 25 wherein said recess is an aperture formed on the housing of the kit for receiving a pin constituting the projection.

Claim 33

A mechanism according to claim 24 wherein said process means comprises a corona discharger for electrostatically charging the surface of said photosensitive member.

Claim 34

A mechanism according to claim 24 wherein said process means comprises a developing device for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive member.

Claim 35

A mechanism according to claim 24 wherein said process means comprises a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of said photosensitive member.

Claim 36

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 24, wherein said optical system extends across a surface of said photosensitive member, said image forming apparatus including support means for supporting said drive force transmitting means and one end of said optical system with a predetermined spacing therebetween, wherein when said process kit is moved for mounting in said image forming apparatus, said drive force receiving means and said drive force transmitting means cooperate so as to position said photosensitive member at the predetermined spacing relative to the optical system when said process kit is mounted in said image forming apparatus.

Claim 37

A mounting-dismounting mechanism according to claim 24, wherein said first and second positioning portions have complementary shapes to regulate movement in the direction of the optical axis.

Claim 38

A mounting-dismounting mechanism for a process kit according to any of claims 1, 11, 16, 21 or 24, wherein said process kit is mounted onto or dismounted from said image forming apparatus along a rotational axis of said photosensitive member.