JP2001350307A - Electrophographic image forming device and processing cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a recording medium from being bent, jammed or soiled at an end part, in an image forming device where the image forming part is arranged in parallel, and the recording medium is carried through the respective image forming part. SOLUTION: In this electrophotographic image forming device, respective lib 58 and 59 is arranged on a plane opposite to a transfer belt 16 of a cartridge frame body of respective processing cartridge 51c and 51BK arranged adjacent to each other. The image is prevented from being disturbed even if the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording medium P1 bounces up.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which conveys a recording medium by a conveyance belt and passes through a transfer section.

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 A plurality of image forming units are juxtaposed in an apparatus.
Laser and LED on the drum-shaped photoreceptor surface of each image forming unit
A latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor by forming an optical image such as light, the latent image is visualized using toner by a developing unit, and then the toner is sequentially transferred to a recording medium. 2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming apparatus) for fixing and fixing a color image has been put to practical use in recent years.

Further, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is mounted on a main body of the image forming apparatus. A detachable process cartridge system is employed. According to this process cartridge system, maintenance of the apparatus can be performed with one touch without using tools, so that operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

As an image forming apparatus for forming a color image, there are proposed an image forming apparatus in which an image forming section is fixed in the apparatus main body and a process cartridge in which an optical means of the image forming section is removed.

In such a color image forming apparatus, an endless transfer belt is provided so as to run in a common tangential direction of the photosensitive drum, and conveys the recording medium adsorbed to the transfer belt to transfer the recording medium to the photosensitive drum. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum at the opposite portion of the belt is transferred to a recording medium.

In the above, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is located at a position close to the transfer belt, and a cleaner for cleaning toner remaining on the photosensitive drum after transfer. They are evenly arranged.

[0009]

However, in recent years, along with the demand for downsizing of the device, it is required to make the space in the device as small as possible and to mount components and units with high density. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the distance between the transfer belt and the lower surface of each unit near the photoconductor drum, such as the lower surface of each unit such as a developing unit and a cleaner.

[0010] On the other hand, the types of recording media that can be used in the apparatus are increasing. There are various types of recording media, such as thick paper having a larger basis weight than before, recycled paper in consideration of the environment, postcards and envelopes. In addition, demands for functions such as an automatic double-sided mode and an image synthesizing mode using these recording media are also increasing.

When such various recording media are passed in various modes, when adsorbed on the transfer belt and conveyed as described above, depending on the conditions, the entire surface does not adhere to the transfer belt, and the photosensitive drums of the respective colors are removed. In between, the ends and corners may rise. In such a state and when the distance between the transfer belt and each unit is reduced as described above, the lower surface of each unit and the floating portion of the recording medium come into contact with each other to disturb the image, Part) Staining may occur, and in some cases, the recording medium may be broken or jammed (paper jam).

Further, in the transfer section of the recording medium from the transfer belt to the fixing section, when the rear end of the recording medium passes through the nip portion between the transfer belt and the photosensitive drum, especially in the case of a strong recording medium such as thick paper, The trailing edge of the recording medium may be separated from the transfer belt. Then, the rear end of the recording medium may jump upward and come into contact with the lower surface of the cleaner to disturb the image.

According to the present invention, when a recording medium is conveyed by a transfer belt to a transfer portion of a plurality of parallel electrophotographic photosensitive drums, transferred, and sent out, the distance between the transfer belt and each unit facing the transfer belt is reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process cartridge which can cope with various types of recording media even if the size is reduced, and which does not cause breakage of the recording medium, paper jam, separation from a transfer belt, and the like.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems The following is a description of typical embodiments of the present invention by attaching the numbers corresponding to the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image forming units each having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a recording medium facing the image forming unit are provided. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an endless belt for sucking and conveying, and forming an image on the recording medium, surfaces of the plurality of image forming units facing the endless belt are coupled to guide conveyance of the recording medium. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by having a guide shape.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge which is detachable in parallel with a plurality of image forming apparatus main bodies having an endless belt for conveying a recording medium through a plurality of transfer portions. A process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cartridge frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process unit, the cartridge frame being adjacent to the process cartridge adjacent when the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. And a cartridge frame provided on the side facing the endless belt that conveys the recording medium, with a coupled guide shape for guiding the conveyance of the recording medium.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a plurality of process cartridges in parallel and forms an image on a recording medium. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cartridge frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process unit, which are mounted adjacent to the image forming apparatus main body. And a cartridge frame provided on the side facing the endless belt that conveys the recording medium with a coupled guide shape that guides the conveyance of the recording medium together with the adjacent process cartridge. Mounting means for mounting,
b. An endless belt for conveying the recording medium through a plurality of process cartridges.

[0018]

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

[First Embodiment] (Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 5 shows an image forming section arranged in parallel, and a recording medium is conveyed by a conveying belt to sequentially form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. 1 illustrates an image forming apparatus in which a toner image is superimposed on a recording medium, transferred, and fixed to obtain a full-color image.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, referred to as an apparatus main body). Reference numeral 2 denotes a reader unit for reading a document to be copied, and a light source 2 for irradiating the document.
b, CC that receives reflected light from an original and converts it into an electric signal
D2f, mirror 2 for guiding the reflected light from the document to CCD 2f
c, 2d, a unit and a lens unit 2e, a document table 2a on which a document is set, and the like.

The paper feeding section has the following members.

Reference numerals 11a and 11b denote a cassette 11c for accommodating a sheet material P, which is a recording medium, and a manual feed section for manually feeding the sheet material, and reference numeral 15 sends the sheet material from the cassettes 11a and 11b to a transfer section described later. It is a sheet material transport unit. Reference numeral 14 denotes a registration roller for setting a paper feed timing.

The image forming section using the electrophotographic method has the following members.

Reference numerals 5y, 5m, 5c, and 5Bk denote photosensitive drums, and the subscripts y, m, c, and Bk correspond to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images, respectively. 10 is
A mirror unit that includes a polygon mirror that scans a laser beam from a laser light emitting device (not shown), and guides the laser beam from the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum;
m, 7c, 7Bk are photosensitive drums 5y, 5m, 5c, 5
9y, 9 a developing device for visualizing a latent image on Bk with toner
m, 9c and 9Bk are the photosensitive drums 5y and 5
This is a cleaner for cleaning the toner remaining on m, 5c, and 5Bk.

The transfer section is as follows.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a transfer belt for sucking and conveying the sheet P. This transfer belt is endless. Transfer belt 1
Roller 16a, driven roller 16b, 1
6c. 63 is a charger for charging the transfer belt 16, and 8y, 8m, 8c, 8Bk are transfer chargers for transferring toner images on the photosensitive drums 5y, 5m, 5c, 5Bk to sheet materials.

The fixing / discharging section for discharging the toner image after fixing the toner image on the sheet material P is as follows.

A fixing / pressing roller pair 17 performs a fixing operation at a nip portion where both pressurized contacts are made. Reference numeral 19 denotes a paper discharge roller pair, and reference numeral 18 denotes a flapper, which switches the destination of the sheet material P between the paper discharge direction and the direction of a reversing portion described later.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a reversing path, reference numeral 20 denotes a pair of conveying rollers, and reference numeral 22 denotes a reversing roller whose rotation direction rotates forward and backward.
Reference numeral 23 denotes an intermediate tray for temporarily storing the sheet material P on which only the front surface has been formed during double-sided image formation.

A typical copy image forming operation in this apparatus will be described below.

When a document is placed on the document table 2a and a start key (not shown) is pressed, the light source 2b and the mirrors 2c and 2d move along the document surface. Light reflected from the original is guided to the CCD 2f by mirrors 2c and 2d units and a lens unit 2e, and is sequentially converted into an electric signal.

The image signal converted into an electric signal is sent to a laser / light emitting device (not shown) to control light emission. The laser beam corresponding to the image signal is transmitted to the polygon mirror 10a.
, And the chargers 3y, 3m, 3c, 3
Photoconductor drums 5y, 5m, 5 uniformly charged with Bk
The mirror units 10 irradiate the photosensitive drums 5y, 5m, 5c, and 5Bk on the image forming units with the mirror units 10 and 5Bk.
It becomes a latent image.

The photosensitive drums 5y, 5m, 5c, 5Bk rotate clockwise in the figure, and develop latent images into developing units 7y, 7m, 7c,
It is visualized as a toner image by 7Bk.

On the other hand, the sheet material P is registered through one of the cassettes 11a, 11b and the manual feed portion 11c through the sheet material transporting portion 15 or set in advance or automatically selected by prescanning the original. Roller 1
4

After being timed with the above-mentioned image signal, the image signal is sent to the transfer belt 16. The transfer belt 16 is moved by the driving roller 16a to the registration roller 14
The sheet material P is attracted by the electric charge on the belt surface given by the charger 63.

The adsorbed sheet material P is applied to the photosensitive drum 5
It is conveyed in synchronization with the image signals on y, 5m, 5c, and 5Bk. First, in the image forming section, the sheet material P on the transfer belt 16 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 5y. And
The toner image on the photosensitive drum 5y is transferred to the sheet material P by the transfer charger 8y. Hereinafter, the photosensitive drums 5m and 5m
c, 5Bk, the toner images are similarly transferred in a superimposed manner,
A full-color image is formed with black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toners.

Then, the sheet material P is sent to the fixing section, and the toner image is fixed by heat and pressure at the nip of the fixing / pressure roller 17.

Here, the sequence is divided into two-sided output for forming an image on both sides of the sheet material P, one-sided output for forming an image on one side, and the other.

In the case of double-sided output, the sheet is sent to the reversing / double-sided conveying section by the flapper 18 and sent to the reversing roller 22 by the conveying roller pair 20. The reversing roller 22 is a sheet material P
Then, the sheet material P is rotated in the reverse direction after sandwiching the vicinity of the rear end, and the sheet material P is sent out toward the transport roller 24. The sheet material P sent out is
It is stored in the intermediate tray 23.

The sheet material P stored in the intermediate tray 23
After the restart, an image of the remaining surface is formed according to the above-described process, and is discharged.

In the case of single-side output or double-sided second side, the sheet is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 25 or a post-processing device by a sheet discharge roller pair 19 of a sheet discharge section.

(Process Cartridge) In this embodiment, the photosensitive drums 5y, 5m, 5c, 5Bk, the developing device 7
y, 7m, 7c, 7Bk, cleaning units 9y, 9m,
9c, 9Bk and the chargers 3y, 3m, 3c, 3Bk are formed into cartridges for each color, and the process cartridge 51 is formed.
y, 51m, 51c, and 51Bk.

Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish each color, the suffixes y, m, c, and Bk are added, and the suffix may be omitted.

On the other hand, the process cartridge 51
It has 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 an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning for cleaning toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member There are means. As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 51 of the present embodiment rotates a photosensitive drum 5, which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, and applies a voltage to a charger 3, which is a charging unit, to apply a voltage to the photosensitive drum. The surface of the drum 5 is uniformly charged, and an information light (optical image) based on image information from the reader unit 2 is applied to the charged photosensitive drum 5.
Is exposed through an exposure opening 4 to form an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 7.

The developing device 7 sends out the toner in the toner container 7a by a rotatable first feed member 7b1 and a second feed member 7b2 which are feed means. Here, the first and second feed members 7b2 and 7b1 are, for example, rotating screws housed in grooves parallel to the developing roller 7d. The partition wall 7b3 between the grooves is notched at both ends in the longitudinal direction and passes through the grooves. Therefore, the two screws feed and circulate the toner in opposite directions. Then, a developing roller 7d, which is a developing rotary body (developer carrying body) incorporating a fixed magnet,
Is rotated, and a toner layer whose layer thickness is regulated by the developing blade 7e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 7d, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 5 according to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. To make a visible image.

After applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer charger 8 to transfer the toner image to the sheet material P as a recording medium, the cleaning blade 9a removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 5 by the cleaning blade 9a. Along with the scraping,
The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 5 is removed by a cleaning device 9 that is scooped by a squeeze sheet 9b and collected in a removed toner storage unit 9c.

The process cartridge 51 shown in the present embodiment rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 5, and includes the cleaning frame 5 in which the cleaning device 9 and the charging device 3 are incorporated.
3 and a toner developing frame 54 in which the developing device 7 is incorporated and which forms a toner storage section 7a. The toner developing frame 54 is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 53 so that the developing roller 7d of the developing device 7 can face the photosensitive drum 5 in parallel with a predetermined interval. A spacing spacer (not shown) is arranged between the photosensitive drum 5 and the photosensitive drum 5, and a predetermined pressure is applied to maintain the spacing.

That is, each member such as the photosensitive drum 5, the charger 3, the developing roller 7d, and the cleaning blade 9a is composed of a cartridge frame CF formed by combining a toner developing frame 54 and a cleaning frame 53. The image forming apparatus is housed in a cartridge, and is removably mounted to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus main body”) 1 in the same direction as the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 5.

The process cartridges 51 are attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 1 by individually engaging the process cartridges 51 with guide rails (not shown) provided on the mounting main body 1 in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, each of the process cartridges is mounted on a support member such as a drawer so as to be arranged in parallel, and each drawer is taken in and out of the apparatus main body 1.

When the process cartridge 51 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1, the coupling 56 (see FIG. 1) provided on the process cartridge 51 is connected to a drive coupling (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 1. Power supply connector 5
Reference numeral 7 denotes a main body side connector (not shown) provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 1.

The rib 5 is provided on the lower surface of the cleaning frame 53.
8. A rib 59 is provided on the lower surface of the toner developing frame 54. The ribs 58 and 59 are ridges that extend in the transport direction of the sheet material P. Thus, the entire lower surface of the cartridge frame CF has a shape of a transport guide.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a state in which the process cartridge 51 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1. The process cartridges 51y, 51m, 51 as shown in FIG.
c, 51Bk are mounted so as to face the transfer belt 16. Process cartridges 51y, 51m, 51
Drives c and 51Bk are transmitted from the apparatus main body 1 via the coupling 56, respectively, and the drive is distributed to the photosensitive drum 52, the cleaning device 9, and the developing device 7 by an internal gear train (not shown). Power is supplied to the charger 3 through a power supply connector 57. The image forming process is performed with the above configuration.

This will be further described with reference to FIG. The cleaning frame 53 and the toner developing frame 54 are provided with ribs 58 and 59 facing the transfer belt 16. This rib 5
Reference numerals 8 and 59 are parallel to the transport direction and are arranged in parallel. Due to the high-density mounting in the apparatus main body 1, the distance H between the lower surface of the process cartridge and the surface of the transfer belt 16 is set very small. Therefore, as shown in the figure, when the end of the sheet material P1 is not completely in close contact with the transfer belt 16, it may come into contact with the lower surface of the process cartridge.

However, according to the present embodiment, since the ribs 58 and 59 are provided on the lower surface of the process cartridge to form a conveyance guide, contact with the sheet material P on the surface is avoided. The ribs 58 and 59 referred to here are the same as those of the process cartridge 51 when the ribs 58 are viewed in the conveying direction of the sheet material P.
Rib 58 of process cartridge 51c on the upstream side of Bk
And the process cartridge 5 adjacent to the process cartridge 51c on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet material P.
1Bk rib 59. These ribs 58, 59 are opposed to each other. Then, the opposed ribs 58, 59
Indicates the end of the sheet material P with respect to the sheet material P.
Is configured to be continuously regulated by the adjacent process cartridges 51 as the cartridge moves. The same relationship exists between the other process cartridges 59. Thus, there is no risk of disturbing the image, and the sheet material can be conveyed while maintaining the image quality.

Also, in the case where the rear end of the sheet material P2 jumps upward and comes into contact with the lower surface of the cleaning frame 53Bk, the rib 58 is provided, so that contact on a surface having an image can be avoided. Thus, the sheet material can be conveyed to the fixing unit without disturbing the image.

The rib 59 of the process cartridge 51y can smoothly guide the front end of the sheet material P in the forward direction between the toner developing frame 54 and the transfer belt 16.

As described above, since the ribs of the adjacent process cartridges are linked and used as a guide member, the front and rear ends of the sheet material in the transport direction do not jump up and come into surface contact with the cartridge frame. There is no fear of disturbing.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Parts having the same functions as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the first embodiment is cited.

In the case where the periphery of the photosensitive drum is formed into a process cartridge for each color as in this embodiment, it is inevitable that a gap is formed at the boundary between the process cartridges. Even when the respective lower surfaces are formed in the conveyance guide shape as in the first embodiment, when the sheet material P whose front end is considerably large is conveyed from the transfer belt 16, the front end of the sheet material P enters the gap. However, there is no possibility of corner breaks or jams.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the process cartridge 51 of this embodiment has the sheet guide members 55 and 60 in addition to the ribs 58 and 59 described in the first embodiment.
Is provided. The guide member 55 is a squeeze sheet 9
This is an extension of the downstream side of b. The guide member 60 is formed by attaching a sheet-like elastic member to the slope of the toner developing frame 54 of the developing device 7. Here, the guide member 60 is positioned so that the leading end thereof is at a high position.
Are inclined toward the upstream side in the moving direction of the transfer surface.
Further, the guide member 55 has a leading end extending in a direction following the transport direction of the sheet material P and a leading end inclined in a direction approaching the transfer belt 16. Guide member 55y and 60m, 55
m and 60c, and 55c and 60Bk, respectively, have their tops almost vertically overlapped. By providing the guide members 55 and 60, it is possible to smoothly transfer the sheet material P between the process cartridges. Therefore, the leading end is floating as in the sheet material P shown in FIG. Even in such a case, it is possible to prevent the aforementioned transport failure.

The guide effect is higher when the guide members 55 and 60 are projected toward the adjacent process cartridges as much as possible. However, in general, the process cartridge 51 is often removed upward or forward for replacement work or the like. Therefore, if the projecting transport guides 55 and 60 are rigid, they may come into contact with the adjacent process cartridge 51 and be damaged or damaged. Therefore,
As in this example, it is preferable to provide a sheet-like member that is an elastic body so as to protrude as much as possible. In this example, the sheet material 5
As the materials 5 and 60, a PET sheet having a thickness of about 75 μm to 300 μm is used with a double-sided tape.

Further, as described in the first embodiment,
The rib 58 of the process cartridge 51Bk is effective for preventing an image defect due to a jump of the rear end of the sheet material. However, if the guide member 55 shown in this example is applied to the process cartridge 51Bk, the effect is lost. Therefore, it is preferable that the guide member 55 on the downstream side of the process cartridge 51Bk located at the most downstream is not provided and the squeeze sheet 9b is left as it is. That is, in this example, it is effective to provide the guide members 55 and 60 at the boundary between the adjacent process cartridges. A guide member 60 is provided on the side of the process cartridge 51y on which the sheet material enters.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made of the process cartridge system using the photosensitive drum as a component. However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to this, and other types may be used. It is possible to obtain a similar effect. That is, the present invention includes an apparatus in which the entire image forming unit is attached to the apparatus main body. Further, the effect of the present invention is also exerted when at least one of the developing unit, the cleaning unit, and the charging unit is detachable from the apparatus main body. When the color order of image formation is viewed in the sheet material conveyance direction, y,
Although described as m, c, and Bk, the effects of the present invention are not limited to this, and similar effects can be obtained even in other orders.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the entire recording medium is not completely adhered to the transfer belt, the image is not disturbed, and there is no possibility of corner breaking or jamming. Stable transport of the recording medium is possible.

Thus, recording media of various materials can be used,
Various image forming modes such as automatic double-sided printing using this recording medium can be supported. Further, since high-density mounting of components and units in the apparatus main body is enabled, the entire apparatus is also reduced in size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining sheet material conveyance according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining sheet material conveyance according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

P, P1, P2: Sheet material CF: Cartridge frame H: Distance 1: Device body 2: Leader unit 2a: Document table 2b: Light source 2c: Mirror 2d: Mirror 2e: Lens unit 2f: CCD 3: Charger 3y, 3m, 3c, 3Bk Charger 4 Exposure opening 5 Photosensitive drum 5y, 5m, 5c, 5Bk Photosensitive drum 7 Developing device 7a Toner storage portion 7b1 First feed member 7b2 Second feed member 7b3 Partition wall 7d Developing roller 7e Developing blade 8 Transfer charger 8y, 8m, 8c, 8Bk Transfer charger 9 Cleaning device 9a Cleaning blade 9
b: Squeeze sheet 9c: Removed toner 9y, 9m, 9
c, 9Bk cleaning unit 10 mirror unit 10a polygon mirror 11a, 11b cassette unit 11c manual feeding unit 14 registration roller 15 sheet conveying unit 16 transfer belt 16a driving roller 16b, 16
c: driven roller 17: fixing / pressure roller pair 18: flapper 19: discharge roller pair 20: transport roller pair 21: reversing path 22: reversing roller 23: intermediate tray 24: transport roller 25: discharge tray 51: process Cartridges 51y, 51m, 51
c, 51Bk Process cartridge 53 Cleaning frame 53Bk Cleaning frame 54 Toner developing frame 55 Paper guide member 56 Coupling 57 Power supply connector 58 Rib 59 Rib 60 Paper guide member 63 Charger

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H030 AA07 AB02 AD05 BB02 BB21 BB41 2H071 BA04 BA13 BA19 BA20 BA22 BA29 DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15 DA23 EA18 2H072 CA05 CB07 JA03 JA04 3F101 FB04 FC05 FD02 FD05 LA02 LB03

Claims (10)

[Claims] A plurality of image forming units each having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and an endless belt that faces the image forming unit and sucks and conveys a recording medium. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on the recording medium, the surfaces of the plurality of image forming units facing the endless belt form an coupled guide shape for guiding the conveyance of the recording medium. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: 2. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of image forming units is a process cartridge that can be independently attached to and detached from an apparatus main body. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of parallel rib-shaped projections parallel to a recording medium conveying direction on a surface of the image forming unit facing the endless belt. Photographic image forming device. 4. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide member formed of a flexible member for guiding conveyance of the recording medium is provided at each boundary of the image forming section. . 5. The guide member according to claim 4, wherein the guide member has elasticity.
2. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to 1. 6. A process cartridge which is detachable in parallel with a plurality of image forming apparatus main bodies having an endless belt which conveys a recording medium through a plurality of transfer units, wherein the process cartridge acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And a cartridge frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means, and guides the conveyance of the recording medium together with the adjacent process cartridge when the cartridge frame is mounted adjacent to the image forming apparatus main body. A cartridge frame provided on the side facing the endless belt for conveying the recording medium. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of ribs are provided on the cartridge frame in parallel with the moving direction of the endless belt. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a guide member made of a flexible member for guiding the conveyance of the recording medium is provided on the cartridge frame at each boundary of the process cartridge. 9. The guide member according to claim 8, wherein the guide member has elasticity.
The process cartridge according to 1. 10. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of process cartridges are detachably mounted in parallel to form an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cartridge frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process unit, the cartridge frame being adjacently mounted to the image forming apparatus main body. A cartridge frame provided on the side facing the endless belt that conveys the recording medium, with a coupled guide shape that guides the conveyance of the recording medium together with the adjacent process cartridge. Mounting means for mounting; b. An endless belt for conveying the recording medium through a plurality of process cartridges.