Electrophotography – Having particular structure – Modular or displaceable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-22
2001-10-09
Grimley, Arthur T. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Having particular structure
Modular or displaceable
C399S113000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301456
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and, more particularly, to a side loading cartridge that is removably mounted within the image forming apparatus and includes support arms mounted on an upper end of the cartridge for support while loading.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Image forming devices including copiers, laser printers, facsimile machines, and the like, often include removable cartridges that can be easily removed and replaced. Each cartridge usually includes a photoconductive drum, a developer housing, and a cleaner housing. The photoconductive drum has a rigid cylindrical surface that is charged to a uniform electrical potential and then selectively exposed to light from a laser imaging device in a pattern corresponding to an original image. Those areas on the photoconductive surface exposed to light are discharged thus forming a latent electrostatic image on the photoconductive surface. The developer housing contains toner that is brought in to contact with the photoconductive drum. The toner is selectively attracted to the latent electrostatic image on the photoconductive surface and transferred to an intermediate transfer medium or a final output sheet. The residual toner not transferred to the output sheet is removed from the photoconductive drum into the cleaner housing.
The life of a cartridge is often dictated by the amount of toner stored within the developer housing. Once all the toner has been distributed to the photoconductive drum, the user simply removes the cartridge from the body of the image forming apparatus and inserts a new replacement cartridge. Removal should enable a user to simply grab an exposed edge and pull the cartridge from the image-forming apparatus. Likewise, replacement should be straightforward and preferably provide for an indication that the cartridge is properly seated within the body of the image forming apparatus. Additionally, for color devices having multiple cartridges, each cartridge should be able to be removed and replaced without affecting the remaining cartridges.
A drawback of previous image-forming apparatus designs is that the laser-imaging device often must be moved during the installation and removal of a cartridge. Movement and repositioning of the laser may affect the reference positions of the laser resulting in printing errors when the laser is not properly reoriented. It is preferable that the laser-imaging device remain stationary and that the cartridges be installed and removed without affecting their positioning.
Another disadvantage of previous image-forming apparatus is their large overall size. Many users desire a device having the smallest possible dimensions because they are easier to manipulate and move, and occupy a minimal amount of desk space in a workstation where available space is often at a premium. Several previous designs have provided support means for the cartridge on areas that result in a larger cartridge size. This in turn results in a larger overall printer size. This problem is multiplied in device designs that have more than one cartridge.
Thus, there remains a need for accurately positioning a cartridge within an image-forming apparatus without requiring a large amount of space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for an image forming apparatus with removable cartridge. The cartridge is installed and removed from the body of the apparatus by support arms positioned along an upper section of the cartridge that slide along guide rails positioned within the apparatus. Once the cartridge is completely installed within the apparatus, the guide rails and support arms decouple, and the cartridge is supported by placing a photoconductive drum positioned along a lower section of the cartridge on support arms mounted within the apparatus.
The cartridge includes a photoconductive drum, and a developer housing positioned adjacent to the photoconductive drum for supplying toner. Support arms extend from the developer housing for supporting the cartridge during installation and removal from the image forming apparatus. The support arms are positioned on the cartridge vertically above the photoconductive drum when mounted in the image forming apparatus.
Another embodiment includes an image forming apparatus having an image forming body with at least one laser imaging device positioned at an upper section. An opening extends along at least one side of the body below the laser imaging device. The body also includes guide rails mounted adjacent to the opening and support members positioned adjacent to the opening opposite the guide rails. At least one cartridge is removably mounted within the body. The cartridge includes a developer housing with support arms for removably mounting on the guide rails, and a photoconductive drum adjacent to the developer housing for receiving toner. When completely inserted, the cartridge is supported within the image forming body by the photoconductive drum positioned against the support members.
Another embodiment includes a body having support members positioned along a lower section of the body and guide rails positioned along an upper section. A cartridge includes a support arm configured to slide along the guide rails during insertion of the cartridge into the body to elevate the cartridge above the support members and lower the cartridge onto the support members when the cartridge is completely inserted into the body. When the cartridge is completely inserted, the support arms decouple from said guide rails.
Preferably, the support arm is angled downward on a leading edge and the guide rails are raised at a back edge. During insertion of the cartridge into the body, the support arm leading edge slides along a front end of the guide rail to lower cartridge front end and cartridge trailing edge travels over the raised back edge to lower cartridge back end.
The invention also provides for a method of removably mounting a cartridge within an image forming apparatus. The first step is aligning the cartridge support arms within guide rails mounted to the image forming apparatus. The next step is pushing the cartridge into the image forming apparatus by sliding the support arms along the guide rails and decoupling the support arms from the guide rails. Finally, supporting the cartridge within the image forming apparatus by positioning the cartridge on a support member within the image forming apparatus.
Another method includes sliding the cartridge into the image forming apparatus by pushing the support arms along the guide rails. The next step is lowering a first cartridge end into the image forming apparatus by sliding a ramping surface on the support arms over an inner end of the guide rails. The final step is lowering a second cartridge end into the image forming apparatus by sliding the support arms over an upper edge of the guide rails.
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Horrall Paul Douglas
Palumbo Franklin Joseph
Ream Gregory Lawrence
Grimley Arthur T.
Kalish David D.
Lexmark International Inc.
Ngo Hoang
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