JP2001034141A - Electrophotographic image forming device having image reading part - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form an image reading part and an image forming part in an integral structure and to improve the operability not to make an image forming device higher as a whole to exchange a cartridge. SOLUTION: A sliding mechanism 27 is arranged under the image reading part 2 and connected to the upper part of the image forming part 1. When the reading part 2 is pushed in the direction A in order to exchange the cartridge, it is moved and space for opening a cartridge cover 25 is formed so that the cartridge can be exchanged. Besides, the reading part 2 is set so that it can be slid in a horizontal direction to the image forming part 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which an image reading section and a process cartridge are detachably attachable and an image forming section for forming an image on a recording medium is unitized and connected.

Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. And, as an example of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, and the like), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like are included.

A process cartridge is a unit in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming apparatus) having an image reading section. In FIG. 24, an image forming unit 1 is provided at the lower part of the apparatus.
Are arranged, and the image reading unit 2 is arranged above the image reading unit. An automatic document feeder 3 is provided on the image reader 2.

The configuration and function of each device in FIG. 24 are described in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a view showing a state in which the cartridge cover 25 is opened when the toner runs out, and the process cartridge 5 is attached and detached. FIG. 26 is a front view of an image forming apparatus having the image reading unit 2 of the conventional example. Reference numeral 26 denotes an operation panel unit for performing the above operations. The above is the description of the configuration of the conventional example.

Here, if the toner runs out during use, it is necessary to open the cartridge cover 25, take out the process cartridge 5, and mount a new process cartridge 5. In the case of conventional equipment,
The structure is such that the cartridge cover 25 is opened using the paper discharge space 19. Therefore, in order to securely attach and detach the process cartridge, the cartridge cover 25 is
It must be fully opened as shown in FIG. For that purpose, it is necessary to secure the above-mentioned paper discharge unit space 19 sufficiently.

[0008]

However, as a result, it is necessary to increase the space of the paper discharge unit in order to completely open the cartridge cover, and the document surface of the image reading unit becomes high. When the device is used on a desk, it does not improve user operability.

[0009] In addition, it is necessary to pay special attention to the increase in the cost of distribution due to the increase in the cost of the apparatus as well as to the vibration and impact during transportation.

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned conventional technology. An object of the invention according to the present application is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image reading unit in which the operability for a user is improved by setting the height of a document surface in use to a low position. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image reading unit in which distribution costs are reduced and reliability during distribution is improved.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading section for an original, and an image forming section for detachably attaching a process cartridge and forming an image read by the image reading section on a recording medium. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the image forming unit, the image reading units are installed integrally on the image forming unit, and the image reading unit is movable so that the process cartridge mounting unit can be opened to the image forming unit. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image reading unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic apparatus having an image reading section according to the first aspect, wherein the image reading section is slidable in a horizontal direction with respect to the image forming section. An image forming apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic apparatus having the image reading section according to the first aspect, wherein the image reading section is movable in a direction perpendicular to the image forming section. An image forming apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the image reading section according to the first aspect, wherein the image reading section is rotatable with respect to the image forming section. Device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the image reading section according to the first aspect, wherein an automatic document feeder is disposed above the image reading section.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus having an image reading section according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, an image forming unit 1 is disposed at a lower part of the apparatus, and an image reading unit 2 is disposed at an upper part thereof. Also, the image reading unit 2
An automatic document feeder 3 is disposed above the document.

Next, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration and function of each device will be described. First, when used as a general printer, an image transmitted from a computer is exposed on the photosensitive drum 4 using the optical system 51. The photosensitive drum 4 is formed integrally with the process cartridge 5. At the same time, a recording medium 7 such as paper is conveyed from a paper feed cassette 6 which is a paper feed device. The recording medium 7 rides on the middle plate 8 and is sandwiched and fixed between the middle plate 8 and the separation claw 10 by the force of the middle plate spring 9. Next, the half-moon-shaped paper feed roller 11
The paper feeding operation is started by rotating.
The recording medium 7 picked up by the paper feed roller 11 is pre-separated by the separation claw 10 and sent to the feed roller 12 and the retard roller 13. At this time, if the separation cannot be performed by the separation claw 10, the separation is performed by the retard roller 13 and the sheet is fed to the next conveyance roller 14 portion. Further, the recording medium 7 is sent to the registration roller 15 to correct the skew and is sent to the photosensitive drum 4. Here, as described above, the image is exposed on the photosensitive drum 4 and is converted into a toner image by the process means. The toner image is transferred to the recording medium 7 by the transfer roller 54. Next, the recording medium 7
Is an image sent to the fixing device 16 and transferred to the recording medium 7.
Is established. Then, the transport roller 17 and the discharge roller 1
By 8, the paper is discharged and stacked in the discharge section space 19. The above is the description of the function of the image forming unit 1.

Next, the image reading unit 2 installed on the upper part of the apparatus will be described. The image reading unit 2 reads an image placed on the plantain glass 20 by moving the carriage 21 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and with the carriage 21 fixed at the home position. There are two methods in which an image (original) is fed from the paper feed tray 22 in FIG. 6 and read. The read image is returned by a mirror (not shown) provided in the carriage 21, condensed on a lens 23, and converted into an electric signal by a CCD (not shown) and a CCD substrate 24. The converted electric signal is converted into an image by the image forming unit 1 and is exposed on the photosensitive drum 4. Further, this image is printed on the recording medium 7 and discharged, but the image forming process is the same as that in the case where the printer is used as described above.

By installing a fax board (not shown), an image read by the image reading section 2 can be transmitted, and an image received by fax can be printed.

[Process Cartridge] On the other hand, the process cartridge 5 includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning means for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member Etc. As shown in FIG. 7, the process cartridge 5 of this embodiment
The photosensitive drum 4, which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, is rotated, and a voltage is applied to a charging roller 58, which is a charging unit, to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, and the charged photosensitive drum 4 is charged. A latent image is formed by exposing the light image from the optical system 51 to the optical image through the exposure opening 59, and the latent image is developed by the developing means 60.

The developing means 60 includes a toner storage frame 60.
The toner is fed to the opening 60f of the toner storage frame 60a by the rotatable toner feeding member 60b2, which is the toner feeding means in the area a, and is sent into the toner developing frame 62b through the opening 60h of the toner developing frame 62b. The toner is stirred by the toner stirring member 60b1 to rotate the developing roller 60d, which is a developing rotator incorporating the fixed magnet 60c, and to form a toner layer provided with a triboelectric charge by the developing blade 60e on the surface of the developing roller 60d. The toner image is formed by transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum 4 in accordance with the latent image to visualize the toner image.

After applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 54 to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium 7, the cleaning blade 61a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 4, and simultaneously removes Rake and remove toner storage section 61c
Cleaning means 61 for collecting the photosensitive drum 4
It is configured to remove the upper residual toner.

Each member such as the photosensitive drum 4 includes a toner storage frame 60a for rotatably driving the toner feeding member 60b2, a toner stirring member 60b1, a developing roller 60d, and a developing blade 60e. A developing unit D in which a toner developing frame body 62b containing a member and a lid member 62c are welded and integrated, and a removed toner storage section 61c
And the photosensitive drum 4, the cleaning blade 61
a, the cleaning frame 63 having the squeeze sheet 61b and the charging roller 58 is connected by a pin 73, and a compression coil spring 76 is provided between the cleaning frame 63 and the developing unit D.
The cartridge is housed in a cartridge frame formed by contracting and is made into a cartridge, and is detachably attached to a cartridge attaching means provided in the image forming unit 1. A transfer opening 63 n for bringing the photosensitive drum 4 into contact with the transfer roller 54 is opened and closed by a drum shutter member 78. 8 and 12
The drum shutter member 78 is supported on the cartridge frame by an arm 77 and a link 79 as shown in FIG. The drum shutter member 78, the arm 77, the link 79, and the cartridge frame form a four-bar linkage.

[Attachment / Removal Structure of Process Cartridge] Next, a structure for attaching / detaching the process cartridge 5 to / from the image forming section 1 will be described.

The mounting and dismounting of the process cartridge 5 is performed by opening the cartridge cover 25 as shown in FIG. When the cartridge cover 25 is opened centering on the hinge 25a, the cartridge mounting means is bent forward and downward on both left and right sides of the cartridge mounting space as shown in FIGS. A guide rail 66 formed in a substantially arc shape in the embodiment is provided substantially symmetrically, and a guide member 67 is mounted above the guide rail 66. Further, at the entrance side of the guide rail 66, a first inclined surface 66a is formed as a hooking portion with which a contact portion 79b (see FIG. 8) of a link 79 supporting a shutter member 78 provided in the process cartridge 5 engages. Thus, a second inclined surface 66b having a larger inclination than the first inclined surface 66a is formed.

On the other hand, guide portions guided along the guide rails 66 are formed on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 5 corresponding to the guide rails 66. This guide portion is configured to protrude from substantially symmetrical positions on both longitudinal outer surfaces of the cartridge frame, and as shown in FIG. 8, a boss 68a serving as a first guide portion is provided.
And a rib 68b serving as a second guide portion are integrally formed. The boss 68a is connected to the rotating shaft 6 of the photosensitive drum 4.
8f (see FIG. 7), the rib 68b is continuously curved from the boss 68a to the rear in the insertion direction of the process cartridge 5 and bulges downward in accordance with the shape of the guide rail 66 (this embodiment). In the embodiment, the shape extends in a substantially arc shape.

In the above configuration, when the process cartridge 5 is mounted, the boss 68a and the rib 68b are arranged along the guide rail 66 and the leading end of the process cartridge 5 is attached to the image forming section 1 as shown in FIGS. Is inserted under the optical system 51. The guide rail 66 is formed in a substantially circular arc shape, and the guide member 67 above the guide rail 66 has a shape following the guide rail 66.
Further, since the rib 68b is also substantially arc-shaped, the process cartridge 5 becomes substantially horizontal as it is inserted.

When the process cartridge 5 is further pushed in, as shown in FIG. 16, the abutting members 69 (not shown) provided in the image forming section 1 are brought into contact with the abutting surfaces provided near the both ends of the leading end of the cleaning frame 63. 70, and then the boss 68a of the process cartridge 5 falls into the receiving recess 66c formed at the end of the id rail 66. As a result, a drum flange (not shown) which is fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 4 and whose outer periphery forms a drum gear is connected to the drive gear 72 on the image forming unit main body side.
(See FIG. 11), and the driving force can be transmitted to the process cartridge 5.

(Coupling Relationship between Image Forming Unit and Image Reading Unit) In FIG. 1, the image reading unit 2 is in contact with the image forming unit 1 so as to be slidable in the direction A. Next, how the image reading unit 1 is slidable will be described. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, two rollers 28 are attached to a slide sheet metal 27, which is a U-shaped sheet metal, with a shaft 30 passing through the center. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, two stop arms 29 are attached to the slide sheet metal 27 on the upper portion of the roller 28. On the other hand, a stop lever 31 on the image forming unit 1 side is vertically movably attached to the position shown in the figure, and is urged upward by the force of a stop lever spring 32. The stop lever spring 32 is a compression coil spring. In this state, the two sets of slide sheet metal 27 units are fixed to the image reading unit 2 in parallel with the front and rear by screws (not shown). FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slide mechanism.

FIG. 1 shows a state of use of the image forming apparatus. The roller 28 and the stop arm 29 at this time
FIG. 3 shows the details of the positional relationship with the stop lever 31. In FIG. 3, when the image reading unit 2 attempts to move in the direction A, the projection 29a of the stop arm 29 is engaged with the stop lever 31 and cannot move while the urging force of the stop lever spring 32 is winning.
If you try to move in direction B, stop lever 3
1 cannot be moved because it serves as a stopper. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the cartridge cover 25 has been opened to replace the process cartridge 5 due to running out of toner in this state. As shown in FIG. 4, since the cartridge cover 25 is not completely opened, there is no space and the process cartridge 5 cannot be taken out. Next, when the image reading unit 2 is pushed in the direction A with a certain force or more, the stop lever 31 is lowered in the direction D against the spring force of the stop lever spring 32, and the image reading unit 2 can move in the direction A. When the stop arm 29 moves by a certain distance, the other stop arm 29 pushes down the stop lever 31 against the spring force of the stop lever spring 32 to get over the stop lever 31. Thereafter, the roller 28 comes into contact with the stop lever 31 and stops. FIG. 5 shows this state. In this state, since the image reading unit 2 has retreated in the direction A, the cartridge cover 25 can be completely opened. As a result, even if the toner runs out, the process cartridge 5 can be replaced with a new process cartridge 5 without any problem.

If the image reading unit 2 is moved in the direction B after the replacement with the new process cartridge 5, the original state shown in FIG. 1 can be returned. As shown in FIG. 6, the slide mechanism of the present invention has the same mechanism at the left end and the right end in the front view.

According to the first embodiment, even if the height H1 of the platen glass 20 is reduced, the process cartridge 5
Can be exchanged.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The internal configurations of the image forming unit 1, the document reading unit 2, and the document feeding unit 3 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description of the first embodiment is cited. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration in which the document reading unit 2 is movable with respect to the image forming unit 1.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 shows a use state. On the upper surface of the image forming unit 1, four round holes 44 are provided at four corners of a square when viewed in a plane. Round hole 4 on the lower surface of image reading unit 2
4 is fitted with a hollow cylinder 45 movably fitted therein.
In the hollow cylinder 45, the hollow cylinder 45 at the bottom of the round hole 44
A lifter spring 33 of a compression coil spring is contracted between the top plate and the top plate.

The entire image reading section 2 is constantly pushed upward with respect to the image forming section 1 by a lifter spring 33. However, in FIG. 17, although the image reading section 2 is going to go upward, the latch 34 is engaged with the latch pin 35 fixed to the image forming section 1 to prevent the image reading section 2 from going upward. The latch 34 is provided with a latch shaft 37 caulked to a mounting plate 36 screwed to the image reading unit 2.
, And is prevented from coming off by an E-ring 38, which is one type of a shaft retaining ring fitted into the latch shaft 37. Further, a latch spring 39 of a tension coil spring is hung between the cut-and-raised portion of the mounting plate 36 and the cut-and-raised portion of the latch 34, and the latch 34 is pressed by a force stronger than the two lifter springs 33 described above. It is about to rotate clockwise about the latch shaft 37. A release button 40 is attached to the tip of the latch 34. The release button 40 exposes a face from the side of the image forming unit main body (not shown).

With the above configuration, the image reading unit 2 is held at the position shown in the figure, although it is going to go upward. In this state, the release button 40
18, the latch 34 and the latch pin 35 are disengaged from each other, and the image reading unit 2 starts to move upward with respect to the image forming unit 1 by the urging force of the lifter spring 33. Then, the urging force of the lifter spring 33 and the weight of the image reading unit 2 rise to a position where the weight is balanced and stop. This state is shown in FIG. By raising the image reading unit 2 to this position, a sufficient space for opening the cartridge cover 25 is obtained, and the cartridge can be replaced.

Next, after replacing the process cartridge 5 with a new process cartridge 5, the image reading section 2 is moved downward by the lifter spring 33.
17, the latch 34 is engaged with the latch pin 35 by the spring force of the latch spring 39, as shown in FIG.
The height of the automatic document feeder 3 and the platen glass 20 can be lowered to a predetermined position.

The same latch mechanism and lifter spring are provided at the left and right ends of the main body.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The internal configurations of the image forming unit 1, the document reading unit 2, and the document feeding unit 3 of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description of the first embodiment is cited. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration in which the original reading unit 2 is movable with respect to the image forming unit 1.

FIG. 20 shows a cross section of the third embodiment. 20 and 21, reference numeral 41 denotes a U-shaped sheet metal hinge plate L, which is attached to the image forming unit 1 side. A U-shaped sheet metal hinge plate U is also attached to the image reading unit 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the two member hinge plates L41 and the hinge plate U42 are connected via the hinge pin 43.

Therefore, with this configuration, the image reading section 2 can be rotated in the direction F in FIG. FIG. 22 shows the positional relationship between the hinge plate L41 and the hinge plate U42 when rotated in the F direction. As a result, a space for completely opening the cartridge cover 25 can be secured as shown in FIG. 23, and the process cartridge 5 can be replaced when the toner runs out.

The hinge mechanism is the same at the left rear end and the right rear end of the main body.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the height of the platen surface can be kept low, the operability of the user can be improved. Further, since the height of the image forming apparatus main body can be kept low, distribution costs can be reduced and reliability during distribution can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slide mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stopper in the slide mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a state in which the cartridge cover is not completely opened and the process cartridge cannot be replaced in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image reading unit that slides (retreats) rearward, whereby the cartridge cover can be completely opened;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing that a process cartridge can be replaced.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an installation location of the slide mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a left outer side surface of the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus illustrating a state where a process cartridge is attached and detached.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a right-side guide configuration of the image forming apparatus for guiding the mounting and dismounting of the process cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a left-side guide configuration of the image forming apparatus that guides the attachment and detachment of a process cartridge.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the lock of the latch is released in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing that an image reading unit has been moved upward (evacuated) in the second embodiment and cartridge replacement is possible.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a hinge part according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view when the hinge part according to the third embodiment is rotated.

FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view showing that a process cartridge can be exchanged by rotating (evacuating) an image reading unit in the third embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional example in which a cartridge cover is opened and a cartridge is replaced.

FIG. 26 is a front view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

D: Developing unit 1: Image forming unit 2: Image reading unit 3: Automatic document feeding unit 4: Photoconductor drum 5: Process cartridge 6: Cassette 7: Recording medium 8: Middle plate 9: Middle plate spring 10: Separating claw 11 ... Supply roller 12 ... Feed roller 13 ... Retard roller 14 ... Convey roller 15 ... Regist roller 16 ... Fixer 17 ... Convey roller 2 18 ... Discharge roller 19 ... Discharge stacking space 20 ... Platen glass 21 ... Carriage 22 ... Supply Paper tray 23 ... Lens 24 ... CCD board 25 ... Cartridge cover 26 ... Operation panel 27 ... Slide plate 28 ... Roller 29 ... Stop arm 29a ... Protrusion 30 ... Shaft 31 ... Stop lever 32 ... Stop lever spring 33 ... Lifter spring 34 ... Latch 35 ... Latch pin 36 ... Mounting plate 37 ... Latch shaft 38 ... E Group 39 Latch spring 40 Release button 41 Hinge plate L 42 Hinge plate U 43 Hinge pin 44 Round hole 45 Hollow cylinder 51 Optical system 54 Transfer roller 58 Charging roller 59 Exposure opening 60 Development Means 60a ... Toner storage frame body 60b1 ...
Toner stirring member 60b2 ... Toner feeding member 60e ...
Fixed magnet 60d developing roller 60e developing blade 60f opening 60h opening 61 cleaning means 61a cleaning means
61b Squeeze sheet 61c Removed toner storage section 62b Toner developing frame 62c Lid 63 Cleaning frame 63n Transfer opening 66 Guide rail 66a First inclined surface 66b Second inclined surface 66c Concave portion 67 Guide member 68a Boss 68b Rib 68f Rotating shaft 69 Contact member 70 Contact surface 72 Drive gear 73 Pin 76 Compression coil spring 77 Arm 78 Drum shutter member 79 Link 79b Contact portion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Namiki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuzo Isoda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon F term in reference (reference) 2H071 AA27 BA04 BA13 BA14 DA01 DA02 DA05 EA04 5C062 AA05 AB00 AB17 AB22 AB32 AD02 AD05 AD06 BA01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading section for a document; and an image forming section for detachably attaching a process cartridge and forming an image read by the image reading section on a recording medium. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image reading section, wherein the image reading sections are installed in an integral structure, and the image reading section is movable so that the process cartridge mounting section can be opened to the image forming section. 2. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image reading section according to claim 1, wherein the image reading section is slidable in a horizontal direction with respect to the image forming section. 3. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image reading unit according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit is movable in a direction perpendicular to the image forming unit. 4. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image reading unit according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit is rotatable with respect to the image forming unit. 5. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image reading section according to claim 1, wherein an automatic document feeder is arranged above the image reading section.