IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

• Main Authors: TANAKA HIDEAKI, OKAMOTO MASAYA
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 15.09.2011
• Subjects: CINEMATOGRAPHY; ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY; PHOTOGRAPHY; PHYSICS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an image forming apparatus which performs development by using developer. SOLUTION: Since the columns of four image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C and 2K are arranged in an inclined state to a horizontal direction (X-axis direction), a distance in a width direction (X-axis direction) of the image forming apparatus 1 becomes shorter than in a case where the respective image forming units are arranged horizontally, thereby the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus 1 in the width direction can be achieved. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, since a toner conveyance path 35Y connecting a developing device 5Y at the highest position (Z(+)) and a toner storage part 30Y is constituted of a horizontal pipe line 351Y without using a vertical pipe line, a distance in a height direction (Z-axis direction) of the image forming apparatus 1 becomes shorter than in a case where all toner conveyance paths are formed with horizontal pipe lines and vertical pipe lines, thereby the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus 1 in the height direction can be achieved. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT