JP2004252254A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily attach/detach a processing unit without damaging the processing unit in an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A developing unit 14 is pressed toward a drum unit 15 so that a gap between a developing roller and a photoreceptor drum may be previously specified space. When such pressing is released, the drum unit is allowed to be detached from an apparatus body 11. Furthermore, the developing unit is inhibited from being detached until the drum unit is detached from the apparatus body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile using an electrophotographic process, and more particularly, to a mechanism for attaching and detaching various process units (for example, a photosensitive drum unit, a developing unit, etc.) to an apparatus main body. Things.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Some image forming apparatuses using an electrophotographic process are assembled for each of various process units in consideration of ease of maintenance, and some of these process units can be removed as necessary (separation). Type unit). For example, in an image forming apparatus, a photosensitive drum unit (hereinafter, simply referred to as a drum unit) including an image carrier (photosensitive drum) on which a toner image is formed, and an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is used as a developer (toner). And a toner cartridge (toner container) for supplying toner to the developing unit, a recovery tank for collecting residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum as waste toner, and the like. Have been.
[0003]
When each of these units (including the toner container and the collection tank) is mounted on the apparatus main body, generally, the order of mounting and removing each unit is specified in advance. A service person or the like) removes the unit from the apparatus main body in accordance with the order of removing each unit, performs maintenance, and then mounts each unit on the apparatus main body in accordance with the order of mounting each unit.
[0004]
Also, the user may remove the toner container and the collection tank and perform toner replenishment (replacement of the toner cartridge) and disposal of waste toner (replacement of the collection tank). It is necessary to remove and mount each unit according to the mounting order.
[0005]
When each unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, if the mounting order is wrong, an unexpected failure may occur in the process unit or the like (that is, the process unit may be damaged).
[0006]
This is true even when the process unit is removed. For maintenance or the like, it is necessary for the operator not to mistake the order of removing and mounting the process unit and the like.
[0007]
However, when the process unit and the like are removed and mounted, the order is often incorrect, and as a result, the process unit may be unexpectedly damaged.
[0008]
In order to prevent such a problem, in an image forming apparatus including two image forming process units (for example, a drum unit and a developing unit) in which the order of attachment and detachment is determined, the first unit to be mounted first is mounted later. Some units are fixed by a second unit to be mounted, and some units to be mounted later cannot be mounted when a unit to be mounted first is not mounted.
[0009]
Here, cylindrical portions are protruded from both ends of the first unit, and a swing lever and a second unit insertion preventing lever are provided near the notch portion into which the cylindrical portions are fitted. When the unit is inserted, the swing lever is pushed and moves to a position where the escape of the cylindrical portion fitted into the cutout portion is restricted. On the other hand, by the fitting of the cylindrical portion, the blocking lever at the position for blocking the insertion of the second unit moves to the position for releasing the blocking (see Patent Document 1).
[0010]
Further, in order to facilitate the work of replacing the developing unit (developing cartridge) with the drum unit (photosensitive cartridge), the left and right side walls of the photoreceptor cartridge are arranged so as to approach the shaft of the photoreceptor drum from the upper open storage portions. An arc-shaped guide groove is formed so that the developing roller approaches the photosensitive drum while the bearing at the end of the developing roller shaft of the developing roller protruding from the left and right sides of the case of the developing cartridge is arranged along the guide groove. , The developing cartridge is fitted and set in the storage section exactly (see Patent Document 2).
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-4-35606 (Page 4, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3)
[0012]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2000-250310 (paragraphs (0037) to (0044), FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in Patent Document 1, a first unit to be mounted first is fixed by a second unit to be mounted later, and a unit to be mounted later is used when the unit to be mounted first is not mounted. Although it is not possible to mount the first unit and the second unit, only the order in which the first unit and the second unit are mounted is specified. Unless the gap between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller in the developing unit is precisely defined, an image defect or the like occurs.
[0014]
Considering this, there is a problem that positioning cannot be performed accurately when the drum unit and the developing unit are removed from the main body and mounted again simply by specifying the mounting order.
[0015]
Furthermore, simply specifying the order of mounting the drum unit and the developing unit may damage the developing unit and the like when attaching and detaching other components, for example, the toner container and the collection tank.
[0016]
On the other hand, Patent Literature 2 only describes a configuration for facilitating the operation of replacing a developing cartridge with a photoreceptor cartridge. As described above, the positioning between the drum unit and the developing unit is simply and accurately performed. Not only is it impossible, but also the developing unit and the like may be damaged when the toner container and the collection tank are attached and detached.
[0017]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a process unit can be easily attached and detached without damaging the process unit and the like.
[0018]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily and accurately positioning a drum unit and a developing unit.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, an image forming unit including an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing unit including a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier with toner to form a toner image And an image forming apparatus having an apparatus main body on which the developing unit and the image forming unit are mounted, wherein the developing unit is pressed in a direction of the image forming unit to reduce a gap between the developing unit and the image carrier. A pressing unit having a predetermined interval; an image forming unit operating unit for allowing the image forming unit to be removed from the apparatus main body when the pressing by the pressing unit is released; and An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit operating unit for prohibiting removal of the developing unit until the developing unit is removed.
[0020]
As described above, when the developing unit is pressed in the direction of the image forming unit and the gap between the developing roller and the image carrier (photosensitive drum) is set at a predetermined interval, the image is formed from the apparatus main body when the pressing is released. By allowing the removal of the unit and prohibiting the removal of the developing unit until the image forming unit is removed from the apparatus main body, the process unit such as the image forming unit can be easily attached and detached without damaging it. In addition, the positioning between the image forming unit and the developing unit can be easily and accurately performed.
[0021]
For example, when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the image forming unit operating means performs the image forming in a state where the developing unit is arranged in the apparatus main body and the pressing by the pressing means is released. The mounting of the unit on the apparatus main body is permitted. Further, when the developing unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the developing unit operating means prohibits the developing unit from being mounted on the apparatus main body when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body. Further, the pressing unit presses the developing unit in the direction of the image forming unit when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body after the developing unit is mounted on the apparatus main body.
[0022]
In this way, when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the image forming unit can be mounted on the apparatus main body with the developing unit arranged in the apparatus main body and with the pressing released. When the image forming unit is mounted on the main body of the apparatus when the unit is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the mounting of the developing unit on the main body of the apparatus is prohibited. If the developing unit is pressed in the direction of the image forming unit when mounted on the apparatus main body, the positioning of the developing unit can be easily performed without damaging the image forming unit.
[0023]
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit including an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier with toner to form a toner image. A developing unit; a toner container for replenishing the developing unit with toner; a waste toner collecting tank for collecting and storing residual toner remaining on the image carrier as waste toner; In an image forming apparatus having an image unit, the toner container, and an apparatus main body on which the waste toner collecting tank is mounted, the image forming apparatus includes the developing unit, the image forming unit, the toner container, and the waste toner collecting tank. A first restricting means for restricting the removal order to a predetermined removal order when removing the developing unit; Image unit, the toner container, and an image forming apparatus is obtained and having a second regulating means for regulating a predetermined placement sequencing the mounting sequence when attaching the waste toner tank.
[0024]
In this manner, when removing the developing unit, the image forming unit, the toner container, and the waste toner collecting tank from the apparatus main body, the order of the removal is regulated to a predetermined removing order, and the developing unit, the image forming When the unit, toner container, and waste toner collection tank are mounted, if the mounting order is regulated to a predetermined mounting order, the wrong order is improperly applied to various process units when attaching and detaching. Never give.
[0025]
When removing the toner collection tank, the toner container, the image forming unit, and the developing unit, the predetermined removal order is defined as an order from high maintenance to low maintenance. The predetermined removal order is the order of the waste toner collection tank, the toner container, the image forming unit, and the developing unit, and the predetermined mounting order is the developing unit, the image forming Unit, the toner container, and the waste toner collection tank in this order, and when the front opening / closing cover of the apparatus main body is opened, the waste toner collection tank is located in front of the front ends of the image forming unit and the developing unit. And a storage space in which the toner container is stored is defined in the apparatus main body. When the waste toner collecting tank is mounted on the apparatus main body, at least a part of the receiving space is covered at its front side.
[0026]
Further, in the present invention, the first and second regulating means have a lever member for releasing the mounting of the developing unit, and the lever member mounts and holds the developing unit on the apparatus main body. When the lever member moves from the first lever position to the second lever position by moving between a first lever position and a second lever position at which the developing unit can be detached from the apparatus main body. The first restricting means enables the image forming unit to be taken out.
[0027]
Then, when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, if the lever member is at the first lever position, the first regulating means prevents the mounting of the image forming unit, and the lever member is When in the second lever position, the lever member is at a position occupying a part of the storage space. Further, when the lever member is at the second lever position, the mounting of the toner container to the apparatus main body is prevented by the lever member.
[0028]
As described above, when the front opening / closing cover of the apparatus main body is opened, the waste toner collecting tank is located in front of the front ends of the image forming unit and the developing unit. When the waste toner collection tank is mounted on the apparatus main body, if at least a part of the storage space is covered on the front side, the order of attachment and detachment can be regulated with a simple configuration.
[0029]
Further, when the lever member is at the second lever position, the image forming unit can be taken out. When the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, if the lever member is at the first lever position, the image forming unit can be removed. When the attachment to the apparatus main body is prevented and the lever member is in the second lever position, the lever member is in a position occupying a part of the storage space, and when the lever member is in the second lever position, If the mounting of the toner container to the apparatus main body is prevented by the lever member, the mounting of each process unit can be easily regulated based on the lever member.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto, unless otherwise specified. It is only an example.
[0031]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a process unit body used in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view of the process unit body as viewed from the front (front) side. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustrated example, a toner container (toner cartridge) 12, a laser scanner unit (LSU) 13 as an exposure unit, , A developing unit 14, a drum unit (image forming unit) 15, and a waste toner collecting tank 16 (in FIG. 1, the developing unit 14 and the drum unit 15 are hidden by the waste toner collecting tank 16 and cannot be seen). It is in).
[0032]
The main body base 11 has a lower base 11a and an upper base 11b, and the lower base 11a and the upper base 11b are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. That is, a space (hereinafter referred to as a storage space) is defined by the lower base 11a and the upper base 11b.
[0033]
The lower base 11a is provided with a mounting base 21 on which the toner cartridge 12 is mounted (loaded). When the toner cartridge 12 is pushed along the mounting base 21 from the near side in the figure, the toner The cartridge 12 is mounted on the mounting base 21, and the toner cartridge 12 is stored in the storage space.
[0034]
An LSU 13 is arranged above the toner cartridge 12. An LSU mounting portion 22 is defined on the upper base 11b, and the LSU 13 is mounted on the LSU mounting portion 22 by the LSU mounting base 13a, and the front side (the left side in the figure) of a predetermined angle faces downward. Is tilted.
[0035]
A developing unit 14 is housed in a part (front part) of the above-described housing space, and a drum unit 15 is mounted on the main body base in opposition to a developing roller (not shown in FIG. 1) provided in the developing unit 14. In this case, the drum unit 15 faces the LSU 13.
[0036]
That is, the drum unit 15 is positioned at a position where the laser light from the LSU 13 is irradiated. As shown in FIG. 2, a part of a developing unit operation lever (hereinafter simply referred to as an operation lever) 31 having a function to be described later is in a state visible from the front side of the process unit body.
[0037]
Referring also to FIG. 3, the drum unit 15 includes an image carrier (photosensitive drum) 15a, a charger 15b, and a cleaning unit 15c. When the drum unit 15 and the developing unit 14 are mounted on the main body base 11, The developing roller 14a faces the surface of the photosensitive drum 15a with a predetermined gap. Then, the laser beam from the LSU 13 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 15a downstream of the charger 15b and upstream of the developing roller 14a in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 15a.
[0038]
The developing unit 14 is provided with a plurality of spiral screw bodies 14b and a toner supply roller 14c. The spiral screw body 14b and the toner supply roller 14c are housed in a developing unit housing 14d and supplied from the toner cartridge 12. The toner supplied to the developing roller 14a is transported in the direction of the developing roller 14a. Then, toner is supplied from the toner container 12 to the developing unit 14.
[0039]
In the above-described process unit body, for example, when performing maintenance, first, when a front cover (not shown) is opened, as shown in FIGS. The collection tank 16 is in a state where it can be visually observed.
[0040]
In this state, in order to pull out the toner container 12, the waste toner collecting tank 16 hinders the toner container 12 from being pulled out. In other words, in order to pull out the toner container 12 to the near side, a space for an operator to insert his / her hand is required, but the waste toner collection tank 16 hinders the hand from being inserted. Therefore, after removing the waste toner collection tank 16, the worker pulls out the toner container 12 along the mounting base 21 toward the front side.
[0041]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the waste toner collecting tank 16 is removed, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a state where the waste toner collecting tank 16 is removed from the front side. When detached from the developing unit 11, the developing unit 14 and the drum unit 15 can be viewed from the front side.
[0042]
4 and 5, when the waste toner collecting tank 16 is removed, the operation lever 31 is exposed, but a part of the operation lever 31 is covered by the front wall of the toner container 12 and cannot be operated. . Therefore, in order to operate the operation lever 31, after removing the waste toner tank 16, the toner container 12 is pulled out toward the user along the mounting base 21, and the operation lever 31 is completely exposed.
[0043]
Referring to FIG. 6, on the right side of the mounting table 21 on which the toner container 12 is mounted, a rail 32 on which the developing unit 14 is mounted extends in the vertical direction in the drawing (that is, in the depth direction). The operation lever 31 is linked to the rail body 32. Then, the developing unit 14 (not shown in FIG. 6) is mounted along the rail body 32.
[0044]
The rail body 32 is disposed on the main body base 11 (that is, the lower base 11a) so as to be movable in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 6, and is pressed leftward in the figure by the spring member 33, It is located at a developing unit mounting position (hereinafter, referred to as a reference position). When the rail body 32 is at the reference position, the developing roller 14a in the developing unit 14 faces the photosensitive drum 15a in the drum unit 15 with a predetermined gap.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the rail body 32 is located at the reference position, a protruding body (protruding portion) 34 protrudes from the right side surface of the rail body 32. It is connected to a shaft (not shown) extending in the depth direction. The shaft is slidably disposed in the body base 11 in the depth direction, and the operation lever 31 is connected to one end (front side) of the shaft. Then, as described later, the protruding body 34 is stored in the rail body 32 according to the operation of the operation lever 31.
[0046]
That is, an opening (a notch: not shown) is formed on the right side surface of the rail body 32, and when the rail body 32 is at the reference position, the protruding body 34 extends from the above-described opening. , So as not to prevent the spring member 33 from pressing the rail 32 in the left direction in the figure.
[0047]
As will be described later, when the operation lever 31 is pulled toward the front side, the shaft body slides toward the front side, and the protruding body 34 is gradually stored in the rail body 32 along the slope 34a. You. Since the shaft body can slide only in the depth direction, as the protruding body 34 is stored in the rail body 32, the protruding body 34 causes the rail body 32 to move in the right direction in FIG. (In the direction perpendicular to the direction) against the pressing force of the spring member 33.
[0048]
In general, the life of the developing unit is longer than the life of the drum unit, and is substantially the same as the life of the image forming apparatus itself. Therefore, there is no need to periodically replace the developing unit unless a failure occurs. On the other hand, in order to prevent an image defect, it is necessary to periodically replace the photosensitive drum 15a. That is, the rate of replacement of the developing unit 14 is extremely small as compared with the drum unit 15. As a result, when a unit with a high maintenance frequency is removed, it is not necessary to remove a unit with a low maintenance frequency, and as a result, the maintenance time can be reduced. Furthermore, since there is no need to remove a unit with low maintenance frequency every time maintenance is performed, the probability of accidentally damaging a unit with low maintenance frequency is reduced. Very little toner contamination or the like is caused.
[0049]
7A to 7C, when the operation lever 31 is at the position shown in FIG. 7A, the rail body 32 is located at the above-described reference position (hereinafter, FIG. The position of the operation lever 31 shown in a) will be referred to as a first lever position). Now, when removing the drum unit 15 from the main body base 11, the above-described operation lever 31 is operated from the first lever position in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 7A (that is, the near side). At this time, the aforementioned protruding body 34 (FIG. 6) is gradually housed in the opening, and the rail body 32 is moved rightward by the protruding body 34 against the pressing force of the spring member 33 in FIG. .
[0050]
That is, the rail body 32 moves from the reference position in the direction shown by the broken line in FIG. Further, when the operation lever 31 is pulled to the near side to move the operation lever 31 to the position shown in FIG. 7C (hereinafter, the position of the operation lever 31 shown in FIG. 7C is referred to as a second lever position). ), The aforementioned protruding body 34 is housed in the rail body 32, whereby the rail body 32 reaches the release position (retreat position). At this time, the holding of the drum unit 15 by the claw portion 35 formed at the front end of the rail body 32 is gradually released (see FIG. 7B), and when the operation lever 31 is completely pulled to the front side (that is, When the operation lever 31 is at the second lever position), the holding of the drum unit 14 by the claw portion 35 is completely released (see FIG. 7C).
[0051]
In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the rail body 32 is moved from the left side to the right side in the figure, that is, moved from the reference position to the release position, and the spring member 33 is in a compressed state. The rail body 32 is not pressed. In this case, the above-mentioned protruding body 34 is housed in the rail body 32.
[0052]
When the operation lever 31 is operated as described above, the developing unit 14 mounted in the main body base 11 moves in the direction away from the drum unit 15 along the rail body 32, and the drum unit 15 is The holding will be released. The drum unit 15 can be removed from the main body base 11.
[0053]
When the operation lever 31 is at the first lever position, the drum unit 15 cannot be removed from the main body base 11. That is, when the operation lever 31 is at the first lever position, the claw portion 35 acts as a lock mechanism (lock member), and the drum unit 15 is mounted on the drum unit mounting position of the main body base 11, and the drum unit 15 cannot be removed from the main body base 11.
[0054]
After the operation lever 31 is positioned at the second lever position as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the drum unit 15 is pulled out to the near side, and maintenance of the drum unit is performed. Then, after the drum unit 15 is pulled out, the developing unit 14 is drawn out to the near side (see FIG. 10). Note that even if the user attempts to pull out the developing unit 14 first, for example, the front end of the drum unit 15 hinders the developing unit 14 from being pulled out.
[0055]
After the maintenance is completed, the developing unit 14 and the drum unit 15 are mounted on the main body base 11. At this time, if the drum unit 15 is mounted on the main body base 11 before the developing unit 14 is mounted, the drum unit The front end of 15 prevents the developing unit 14 from being mounted on the main body base 11.
[0056]
In other words, after the developing unit 14 is mounted on the rail body 32 and the operation lever 31 is pushed to return the operation lever from the second lever position to the first lever position, the above-described claw 35 (lock mechanism) Works, that is, the claw portion 35 is in the way, and the drum unit 15 cannot be mounted on the main body base.
[0057]
In any case, when the developing unit 14 (that is, the rail body 31) is located at the reference position, the drum unit 15 cannot be mounted. Therefore, when the developing unit 14 is mounted, the photosensitive drum 15a and the developing roller 14a are not connected. Are not rubbed against each other to damage the photosensitive drum 15a and the like.
[0058]
In a state where the operation lever 31 is pulled out from the main body base 11 (that is, in a state where the operation lever 31 is located at the second lever position), first, the developing unit 14 is mounted on the main body base 11 along the rail body 32. When the drum unit 15 is mounted on the main body base 11, the developing unit 14 is located at the release position, that is, the photosensitive drum 15a and the developing roller 14a face each other at a wider interval than the above-described predetermined gap. Thus, when the drum unit 15 is mounted, the photosensitive drum 15a and the developing roller 14a do not rub against each other, and the photosensitive drum 15a and the like are not damaged.
[0059]
In this way, after the developing unit 14 and the drum unit 15 are mounted on the main body base 11 in this order, the operating lever 31 is pushed in to move the operating lever 31 from the second lever position to the first lever position. The body 34 protrudes from the opening, and the pressing force of the spring member 33 acts, whereby the rail body 32 is pressed in the reference position direction, and the rail body 32, that is, the developing unit 14 returns to the reference position. At this time, the above-mentioned claw portion 35 acts in the closing direction, and the drum unit 15 is held on the rail body 32 by the claw portion 35. When the developing unit 14 returns to the reference position, a predetermined gap is defined between the photosensitive drum 15a and the developing roller 14a.
[0060]
Even if the toner container 12 is to be mounted on the base body 11 before the operation lever 31 is returned to the first lever position, the operation lever 31 itself becomes an obstacle, and the toner container 12 is mounted on the main body base 11. It is not possible.
[0061]
Thereafter, the waste toner collecting tank 16 is disposed on the front side of the developing unit 14. However, until the operation lever 31 is returned to the first lever position, the operation lever is in the way, and the waste toner collecting tank 16 Cannot be installed. Further, until the operation lever 31 is returned to the first lever position, the operation lever 31 is in the way and the front cover cannot be closed.
[0062]
As described above, the operation of the operation lever 31 moves the developing unit 14 from the reference position to the release position or from the release position to the reference position, and furthermore, depending on the position of the operation lever 31, the drum unit 15, the toner container 12, Also, the attachment / detachment of the waste toner collecting tank 16 is regulated, so that the order of attaching / detaching the developing unit 14, the drum unit 15, the toner container 12, and the waste toner collecting tank 16 is not erroneous.
[0063]
That is, the order of attachment and detachment of the developing unit 14, the drum unit 15, the toner container 12, and the waste toner collecting tank 16 is determined based on the operation of the operation lever 31, so that the order of attachment and detachment of these units is not mistaken. The attachment and detachment can be performed by an extremely simple operation, and the gap between the photosensitive drum 15a and the developing roller 14a can be regulated to a predetermined gap only by operating the operation lever 31.
[0064]
As described above, when removing, the waste toner collecting tank 16, the toner container 12, the drum unit 15, and the developing unit 14 are removed in this order, and when mounting, the developing unit 14, the drum unit 15, the toner container 12, and the waste toner collecting tank 16 are mounted in this order. In other words, the components with the highest frequency of removal are removed, and the components with the lowest frequency of removal are the last. This means that the frequency of removing the developing unit 14 is extremely low, and the above-described removal order corresponds to the frequency of maintenance (including replacement) of each unit or tank. For example, the developing unit 14 does not need to perform maintenance for printing up to 300,000 sheets, which is the life of the image forming apparatus itself. Is about 10,000 sheets, and the toner collecting container 16 is 8,000 to 10,000 sheets (the collecting amount of the toner collecting container 16 slightly increases in a high humidity environment or a high image print density).
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the pressing is released by pressing the developing unit in the direction of the image forming unit and setting the gap between the developing roller and the image carrier (photosensitive drum) to a predetermined interval. In this case, the image forming unit is allowed to be removed from the apparatus main body, and the removal of the developing unit is prohibited until the image forming unit is removed from the apparatus main body, so that the process unit such as the image forming unit may be damaged. Therefore, the process unit can be easily attached and detached, and the positioning between the image forming unit and the developing unit can be easily and accurately performed.
[0066]
Further, according to the present invention, when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, it is possible to mount the image forming unit on the apparatus main body while the developing unit is arranged in the apparatus main body and the pressing is released. When the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body when the developing unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the mounting of the developing unit on the apparatus main body is prohibited, and after the developing unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the image forming unit is mounted. Since the developing unit is pressed in the direction of the image forming unit when is mounted on the apparatus main body, there is an effect that the developing unit can be easily positioned without damaging the image forming unit.
[0067]
Further, according to the present invention, when removing the developing unit, the image forming unit, the toner container, and the waste toner collecting tank from the apparatus main body, the order of the removal is regulated to a predetermined removing order, and the developing unit is attached to the apparatus main body. When mounting the image forming unit, toner container, and waste toner collection tank, the mounting order is regulated to a predetermined mounting order. This has the effect of not causing unexpected adverse effects.
[0068]
Further, according to the present invention, when the front opening / closing cover of the apparatus main body is opened, the waste toner collecting tank is located in front of the front ends of the image forming unit and the developing unit. Since the space is defined and at least a part of the storage space is covered on the front side when the waste toner collecting tank is mounted on the apparatus main body, there is an effect that the attachment / detachment order can be regulated with a simple configuration.
[0069]
Furthermore, in the present invention, when the lever member is at the second lever position, the image forming unit can be taken out, and when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, when the lever member is at the first lever position, When the mounting of the image forming unit is prevented and the lever member is in the second lever position, the lever member occupies a part of the storage space, and when the lever member is in the second lever position, Since the mounting of the toner container to the apparatus main body is prevented by the lever member, the mounting of each process unit can be easily regulated based on the lever member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a toner container, a laser scanner unit, a developing unit, a drum unit, and a waste toner collecting tank are mounted on an apparatus main body in an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the front with a front cover opened.
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a developing unit and a drum unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a waste toner collecting tank is removed in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 from the front with a front cover opened.
FIG. 6 is a top view showing a state in which a rail on which the developing unit is mounted is urged toward a drum unit.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views for explaining an operation when the drum unit is taken out of the apparatus main body, wherein FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state when the operation lever is at a first lever position, and FIG. FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the operation lever is slightly pulled toward the user from the lever position, and FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the operation lever is completely pulled toward the user and positioned at the second lever position.
FIG. 8 is a top view showing a state in which the urging of the rail body on which the developing unit is mounted is released.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing removal of the drum unit.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing removal of a developing unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Unit housing (main unit base)
12 Toner container (toner cartridge)
13 Laser Scanner Unit (LSU)
14 Developing unit
14a Development roller
14b spiral screw body
14c toner supply roller
14d developing unit housing
15 Drum unit (imaging unit)
15a Image carrier (photoconductor drum)
15b charger
15c Cleaning unit
16 Waste toner collection tank
31 Operation lever
32 rail body
33 spring member
34 Projection
35 Claw

Claims (12)

An image forming unit including an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing unit including a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier with toner to form a toner image; An image forming apparatus having an apparatus main body on which the image forming unit is mounted,
Pressing means for pressing the developing unit in the direction of the image forming unit to set a gap between the developing means and the image carrier to a predetermined interval;
Image forming unit operating means for allowing removal of the image forming unit from the apparatus main body when the pressing by the pressing means is released,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit operating unit for prohibiting removal of the developing unit until the image forming unit is removed from the apparatus main body. When the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the image forming unit operating means operates the image forming unit in a state where the developing unit is disposed in the apparatus main body and the pressing by the pressing means is released. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is allowed to be mounted on the apparatus main body. When the developing unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the developing unit operating means prohibits the mounting of the developing unit on the apparatus main body when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The pressing unit presses the developing unit toward the image forming unit when the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body after the developing unit is mounted on the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. An image forming unit including an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing unit including a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier with toner to form a toner image; A toner container for replenishing toner, a waste toner collection tank in which residual toner remaining on the image carrier is collected and stored as waste toner, the developing unit, the image forming unit, the toner container, and An image forming apparatus having an apparatus main body on which the waste toner collecting tank is mounted,
First restricting means for restricting the order of removing the developing unit, the image forming unit, the toner container, and the waste toner collecting tank from the apparatus main body to a predetermined removing order;
When the developing unit, the image forming unit, the toner container, and the waste toner collecting tank are mounted on the apparatus main body, a second restricting unit that restricts a mounting order to a predetermined mounting order is provided. Characteristic image forming apparatus. When removing the toner collection tank, the toner container, the image forming unit, and the developing unit, the predetermined removal order is defined as an order from high maintenance to low maintenance. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The predetermined removal order is the order of the waste toner collection tank, the toner container, the image forming unit, and the developing unit,
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined mounting order is the order of the developing unit, the image forming unit, the toner container, and the waste toner collecting tank. When the front-side open / close cover of the apparatus main body is opened, the waste toner collecting tank is located in front of the front ends of the image forming unit and the developing unit,
Further, a storage space for storing the toner container is defined in the apparatus main body,
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the waste toner collecting tank is mounted on the apparatus main body, at least a part of the storage space is covered on a front side thereof. The first and second regulating means have a lever member for releasing the mounting of the developing unit,
The lever member moves between a first lever position for mounting and holding the developing unit to the apparatus main body and a second lever position for allowing the developing unit to be detachable from the apparatus main body,
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the lever member moves from the first lever position to the second lever position, the first restricting means enables the image forming unit to be taken out. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the image forming unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, when the lever member is moved from the second lever position to the first lever position, the first restricting unit is configured to perform the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein mounting of the image forming apparatus is prevented. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the lever member is at the second lever position, the lever member is located at a position occupying a part of the storage space. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the lever member is at the second lever position, the mounting of the toner container to the apparatus main body is prevented by the lever member.

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