JP2008286969A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for efficiently cooling an exposure unit and an image forming part by effectively utilizing space even when a distance between the exposure unit and a photoreceptor is short like a line head. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with: a main body 10a; a latent image carrier 20 carrying a latent image; a developer carrier 52 supplying developer to the latent image carrier 20; the image forming part 15 having the latent image carrier 20; an image forming cartridge 16 supporting the image forming part 15 and attached to/detached from the main body 10a; the exposure unit 40 having the line head 40a for exposing the latent image carrier 20; a cartridge guide member 11 provided in the main body 10a and guiding the image forming cartridge 16; and a cooling channel 11c for flowing air for cooling the image forming part 15 and the exposure unit 40 in the cartridge guide member 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In particular, the present invention relates to a cooling structure of an image forming apparatus in which an image forming unit and an exposure unit are arranged close to each other.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus that forms a passage between an image forming unit and an optical writing unit therebelow and cools each unit by supplying an air flow to the passage (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-72030 A

  However, an image forming apparatus using a laser scanning device as an optical writing unit as in the invention described in Patent Document 1 has a long focal distance to the surface of the photosensitive member and forms a duct-shaped air flow passage. However, an image forming apparatus having a short distance between the exposure unit and the photoconductor, such as a line head, cannot form a passage.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and even when the distance between the exposure unit and the photosensitive member is short, such as a line head, the image forming apparatus efficiently cools the exposure unit and the image forming unit by effectively using the space. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that solves the above-described problems, a main body, a latent image carrier that carries a latent image, a developer carrier that supplies a developer to the latent image carrier, and the latent image. An image forming unit having a carrier, an image forming cartridge that supports the image forming unit and is detachable from the main body, an exposure unit having a line head that exposes the latent image carrier, and a main body And a cooling guide channel for guiding the image forming cartridge, and a cooling channel for flowing air for cooling the image forming unit and the exposure unit to the cartridge guide member. Can be cooled accurately.

  Further, since the image forming cartridge has a gap through which cooling air for cooling passes between the image forming cartridge and the exposure unit, the inside of the image forming cartridge can be efficiently and accurately cooled.

  In addition, since the exposure unit is supported by the cartridge guide member, the exposure unit can be stably supported.

  Further, since the cartridge guide member has an opening through which cooling air to be cooled passes in the vicinity of the exposure unit, the exposure unit can be efficiently and accurately cooled.

  In addition, a cleaning member for cleaning the line head is provided, the cleaning member has a line head cleaning portion and a rod-like portion, the rod-like portion has a hole, and the hole is arranged to face the opening. Therefore, even if it is the structure provided with the cleaning member, it can cool efficiently and accurately.

  Moreover, since the opening can be opened and closed, the strength of cooling can be adjusted.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main components constituting an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a yellow diagram of the image forming apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows this image formation part. In FIG. 1, for each color composed of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the same component is given Y, M, C, and K representing each color. The same number is used. Of these, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of yellow (Y). The image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, a printer 10 is taken as an example of the image forming apparatus. The printer 10 includes image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K, an intermediate transfer belt 70 as an example of an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer unit 60, backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K, a secondary transfer unit 80, and a fixing unit. 90, a display unit 95 comprising a liquid crystal panel serving as a notification means to the user, and a control unit 100 for controlling these units and controlling the operation as a printer.

  The image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K have a function of forming a latent image and a toner image on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K as an example of a latent image carrier. These four image forming portions 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction. Here, the photoconductor 20Y of the image forming unit 15Y is farthest from the secondary transfer unit C1 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 70 among the four photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. The photoconductor 20K of the forming unit 15K is closest to the secondary transfer unit C1 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 70 among the four photoconductors.

  Since the image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K have the same configuration, the image forming unit 15Y out of the four image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K will be described below as an example. . As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming unit 15Y includes a charging unit 30Y, an exposure unit 40Y, a developing unit 50Y, and a photoreceptor cleaning unit 75Y along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 20Y.

  The photoreceptor 20Y has a cylindrical base material (specifically, an aluminum material) and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and carries a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive layer. Both ends in the axial direction of the photoconductor 20Y are rotatably supported by the printer main body. In this embodiment, the photoconductor 20Y rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow in FIG.

  The charging unit 30Y is a device for charging the photoconductor 20Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the charging unit 30Y opposes the photosensitive member 20Y and charges the photosensitive member 20Y. The charging unit 30Y contacts the charging roller 31Y and cleans the surface of the charging roller 31Y. And a cleaning roller 35Y. When a charging bias in which a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superimposed is supplied from the charging bias supply unit 121 (FIG. 2) to the charging roller 31Y, a discharge occurs between the charging roller 31Y and the photoconductor 20Y. As a result, the photoconductor 20Y is charged.

  The charging roller 31Y has a configuration in which a conductive paint is applied to the surface of a metal shaft. Further, the charging roller 31Y is attached with tape (not shown) that contacts the photoconductor 20Y at both ends in the axial direction. Since the outer diameter of the tape is larger than the outer diameter of the central portion of the charging roller 31Y, a gap is formed between the central portion and the photoconductor 20Y. Therefore, the charging roller 31Y charges the photoreceptor 20Y by a so-called non-contact charging method.

  The exposure unit 40Y is a device that forms a latent image on the photosensitive member 20Y charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40Y includes, for example, a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and is modulated based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. Is irradiated onto the charged photoconductor 20Y.

  The yellow developing unit 50Y is a device for visualizing a latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y as a yellow toner image using yellow (Y) toner, which is an example of a developer, in the developing unit A1. As shown in FIG. 3, the yellow developing unit 50Y includes a toner containing portion 51Y for containing yellow toner, and a developer carrying member for carrying the yellow toner and developing a latent image on the photoreceptor 20Y. As an example, the developing roller 52Y, the supply roller 53Y for supplying the toner in the toner container 51Y to the developing roller 52Y, and the yellow toner carried on the developing roller 52Y are charged (in this embodiment, the toner is And a regulating blade (not shown) for negative charging).

  The developing roller 52Y faces the photoconductor 20Y through a gap, and when a developing bias in which a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superimposed is supplied from the developing bias supply unit 122 (FIG. 2) to the developing roller 52Y, An electric field is formed between the developing roller 52Y and the photoreceptor 20Y, and the latent image on the photoreceptor 20Y is developed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 70 transfers toner images (toners) of different colors carried on the four photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K to a medium (paper, film, cloth, etc.) and forms an image on the medium. In this state, the toner image is moved by rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 70 is in contact with the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K provided along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 70, and the intermediate transfer belt 70 and the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, and 20C. , 20K are formed with primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, B4 to which the toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70.

  The primary transfer unit 60 cooperates with the backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K to transfer the toner images formed on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K to the intermediate transfer belt 70 (hereinafter also referred to as primary transfer). ). The primary transfer unit 60 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 70 and supplies a primary transfer bias, which is a transfer voltage, to the intermediate transfer belt 70 via the primary transfer unit 60 of the voltage supply unit 123.

  Here, the primary transfer bias is a voltage for directing the toner on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K to the intermediate transfer belt 70 at the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4. The primary transfer bias is a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charged polarity (negative polarity) of the toner on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. When the primary transfer bias is supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 70, an electric field is formed between the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K and the intermediate transfer belt 70 in the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4. The

  The backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K are in contact with the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K of the four image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K via the intermediate transfer belt 70, respectively. Then, the backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K come into contact with the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K through the intermediate transfer belt 70, and as described above, in the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4. When an electric field is formed between the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K and the intermediate transfer belt 70, the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4 are arranged on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. The toner images are sequentially primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 70. As a result, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70.

  The photoreceptor cleaning unit 75Y is a device for removing and collecting the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 20Y after the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. The photoreceptor cleaning unit 75Y has a photoreceptor cleaning blade 76Y. The front end of the photoreceptor cleaning blade 76Y contacts the surface of the photoreceptor 20Y, and removes the toner image (toner) left on the photoreceptor 20Y without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70.

  The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70 to a medium (hereinafter also referred to as secondary transfer). The secondary transfer unit 80 includes a secondary transfer roller 82 as an example of a secondary transfer member that can be brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer belt 70. A toner that has moved to the secondary transfer portion C1 as the intermediate transfer belt 70 rotates. This is for transferring an image (toner) to a medium. Specifically, when the secondary transfer bias is supplied to the secondary transfer roller 82 from the secondary transfer bias supply unit 124 (FIG. 2), the intermediate transfer belt 70 and the secondary transfer roller 82 are transferred to the secondary transfer unit C1. Between the toner image and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 70 is secondarily transferred to the medium.

  The fixing unit 90 is a device that heats and presses a single-color toner image or a full-color toner image transferred onto a medium and fuses it to the medium to form a permanent image. The fixing unit 90 includes a fixing roller 90a and a pressure roller 90b. The fixing roller 90a is for heating the toner image on the medium and fusing the toner image to the medium. The pressure roller 90b is for pressing the toner image on the medium in cooperation with the fixing roller 90a.

  A medium transport path 13 for transporting the medium in the paper feed tray 92 to the paper discharge tray 98 is formed from the lower part to the upper part of the printer 10. The medium transport path 13 is composed of a large number of guide members. Each medium has a function of conveying a medium on the medium conveyance path 13. A plurality of rollers such as a paper feed roller 94a, a registration roller 94b, and a paper discharge roller 94c are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal and a control signal are input to the main controller 101, and in response to a command based on the image signal and the control signal. A unit controller 102 controls each of the units and forms an image.

  Next, the color image forming operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.

  First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. Under the control, the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, the developing rollers 52Y, 52M, 52C, and 52K provided in the developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, the intermediate transfer belt 70, and the like rotate.

  The photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are sequentially charged at the charging position by the charging units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (specifically, the charging rollers 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K to which a charging bias is supplied) while rotating. Is done. The charged regions of the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the exposure position as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and yellow Y and magenta are obtained by the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. A latent image corresponding to the image information of M, cyan C, and black K is formed in the area.

  The latent images formed on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the developing units A1, A2, A3, and A4 as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and develop units 50Y, 50M, and It is developed as a toner image by 50C and 50K (specifically, developing rollers 52Y, 52M, 52C and 52K). As a result, monochromatic toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. In developing, a developing bias is supplied to the developing rollers 52Y, 52M, 52C, and 52K.

  The monochromatic toner images formed on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the primary transfer units B1, B2, B3, and B4 as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and the primary transfer unit. 60 and the backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, 65K are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70. At this time, a primary transfer bias is supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 70. As a result, the four color toner images formed on the respective photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are primarily transferred so as to sequentially overlap the intermediate transfer belt 70, and a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70. It is formed.

  The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70 reaches the secondary transfer portion C1 as the intermediate transfer belt 70 rotates, and is secondarily transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer roller 82 of the secondary transfer unit 80. The The medium sandwiches the medium conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer portion C1 via the paper feed roller 94a and the registration roller 94b, and a secondary transfer bias is supplied to the secondary transfer roller 82. Is done.

  When the medium on which the full-color toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed into the fixing unit 90, the medium passes between the fixing roller 90a and the pressure roller 90b while being sandwiched between the fixing roller 90a and the pressure roller 90b. To do. At this time, the fixing roller 90a and the pressure roller 90b heat and press the full color toner image on the medium, so that the full color toner image is fused to the medium. The medium on which the full-color toner image is fused is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 98 via the paper discharge roller 94c.

  On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K without being primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70 at the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4 is the photoconductor cleaning blades 76Y, 76M, and 76C. Removed by 76K.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the host computer.

  The unit controller 102 includes units (photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, charging units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K). The primary transfer unit 60, the intermediate transfer belt 70, the photoreceptor cleaning units 75Y, 75M, 75C, and 75K, the secondary transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, and the display unit 95). By receiving the signal, each unit is controlled based on the signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit.

Next, the cooling structure of this embodiment will be described.
4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the four image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K, FIG. 5 is a perspective view when the cartridge is attached to the printer, and FIG. 6 is a guide member for the magenta image forming cartridge 16M. The perspective view set to 11 is shown. The four image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K are set in the image forming cartridges 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K, respectively, and the image forming cartridges 16Y, 16M, and 16C in which the image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K are set , 16K are set on the cartridge guide member 11 in the printer 10, respectively.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating attachment / detachment of the image forming cartridge 16. In this embodiment, a tandem printer 10 to which the image forming cartridge 16 can be attached and detached is applied. The printer 10 has a door 10b that opens and closes when the image forming cartridge 16 is replaced in the apparatus main body 10a, and the image forming cartridge 16 can be inserted into and removed from the cartridge guide member 11 by opening the door 10b. State. The image forming cartridge 16 has at least the photosensitive member 20 mounted on the cartridge housing 21, and the charging unit 30, the exposure unit 40, the developing unit 50, and the like may be selected and combined and mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge guide member 11 has a cooling passage 11c through which cooling air W flows between the lower upper plate 11a and the lower plate 11b, and protrudes upward from the upper plate 11a to expose the exposure unit 40Y. , 40M, 40C, 40K are formed as exposure unit support portions 11dY, 11dM, 11dC, 11dK and line head cleaning member support portions 11eY, 11eM, 11eC, 11eK that support the line head cleaning members 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K. Has been. The exposure unit support portions 11dY, 11dM, 11dC, and 11dK are formed with openings 12 through which the first cooling air W1 of the cooling air W passes, and the line head cleaning member support portions 11eY, 11eM, 11eC, and 11eK are cooled. An opening 13 through which the second cooling air W2 of the wind W passes is formed. The openings 12 and 13 may be configured to be able to control opening and closing, or may be configured to be able to control the opening area. Further, it is preferable to arrange the control unit 100 in the cooling flow path 11c because the electronic circuit components can be cooled.

  The line head cleaning members 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K are members that clean the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, and are rod-shaped portions 41aY, 41aM, and 41aC along the longitudinal direction of the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. , 41aK, handle portions 41bY, 41bM, 41bC, 41bK formed on one end side of the rod-shaped portions 41aY, 41aM, 41aC, 41aK, and the other end of the rod-shaped portions 41aY, 41aM, 41aC, 41aK, and the exposure unit 40Y. , 40M, 40C, 40K, and cleaning parts 41cY, 41cM, 41cC, 41cK extending in the form of leaf springs so as to abut on the line heads 40aY, 40aM, 40aC, 40aK. , 41aC, 41aK, the second cooling air W2 flows. With 41dY, 41dM, 41dC, the 41dK. The holes 41dY, 41dM, 41dC, and 41dK may be configured to be able to control opening and closing, and may be configured to be able to control the opening area.

  In the image forming cartridges 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K, gaps 16aY, 16aM, 16aC, and 16aK are formed in the lower portion. When the image forming cartridges 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are set on the cartridge guide member 11, the line heads 40aY, 40aM, 40aC, and 40aK are placed in the photosensitive members 20Y, 20M, and 20C in the gaps 16aY, 16aM, 16aC, and 16aK. , 20K, exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K are arranged. At this time, the first gap S1 and the second gap through which the cooling air for cooling the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K passes through the image forming cartridges 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K and the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. S2 is formed.

  Next, the flow of the cooling air W will be described. The cooling air W is guided to the cooling flow path 11 c by the fan 14. Then, the first cooling air W1 passes through the opening 12 of the exposure unit support portions 11dY, 11dM, 11dC, and 11dK, and then the first cooling air W1 is formed between the image forming cartridges 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K and the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. It passes through one gap S1 and is guided to the image forming portions 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K. The second cooling air W2 passes through the openings 13 of the line head cleaning member support portions 11eY, 11eM, 11eC, and 11eK and the holes 41dY, 41dM, 41dC, and 41dK of the line head cleaning members 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K, and then the image. It passes through the second gap S2 between the forming cartridges 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K and the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, and is guided to the image forming portions 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the printer main body 10a, the photosensitive member 20 that holds the latent image, the developing roller 52 that supplies the developer to the photosensitive member 20, and the image forming unit including the photosensitive member 20. 15, an image forming cartridge 16 that supports the image forming unit 15 and is detachable from the printer main body 10 a, an exposure unit 40 having a line head 40 a that exposes the photoreceptor 20, and the printer main body 10 a. Since the cartridge guide member 11 for guiding the forming cartridge 16 and the cooling flow path 11c for flowing the air for cooling the image forming unit 15 and the exposure unit 40 to the cartridge guide member 11 are provided, the space is small. It can be cooled accurately.

  Further, since the image forming cartridge 16 has gaps S1 and S2 through which the cooling air W to be cooled passes between the image forming cartridge 16 and the exposure unit 40, the inside of the image forming cartridge 16 can be efficiently and accurately cooled. it can.

  In addition, since the exposure unit 40 is supported by the cartridge guide member 11, the exposure unit 40 can be stably supported.

  Further, since the cartridge guide member 11 has the openings 12 and 13 through which the cooling air W to be cooled passes in the vicinity of the exposure unit 40, the exposure unit 40 can be efficiently and accurately cooled.

  Moreover, the cleaning member 41 which cleans the line head 40a is provided, the cleaning member 41 has the line head cleaning part 41c and the rod-shaped part 41a, the rod-shaped part 41a has the hole 41d, and the hole 41d is opposed to the opening 13. Therefore, even if it is the structure provided with the cleaning member 41, it can cool efficiently and accurately.

  Further, since the openings 12 and 13 can be opened and closed, the strength of cooling can be adjusted.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structure of the control unit of this embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of four image forming units of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view when a cartridge is attached to the printer of the present embodiment. It is a perspective view of the guide member for cartridges of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 11 ... Guide member for cartridge, 12, 13 ... Opening, 15Y, 15M, 15C, 15K ... Image forming part, 16Y, 16M, 16C, 16K ... Image forming cartridge, 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K ... Photosensitive Body (latent image carrier), 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K ... charging unit, 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K ... exposure unit, 40aY, 40aM, 40aC, 40aK ... line head, 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K ... line Head cleaning member, 41dY, 41dM, 41dC, 41dK ... hole, 50Y, 50M, 50C, 50K ... developing unit, 52Y, 52M, 52C, 52K ... developing roller (developer carrier), 60 ... primary transfer unit, 70 ... Intermediate transfer belt 80 ... secondary transfer unit 90 ... fixing unit 100 ... control Knit

Claims (6)

  A main body, a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developer carrier for supplying a developer to the latent image carrier, an image forming unit having the latent image carrier, and supporting the image forming unit. An image forming cartridge removable from the main body, an exposure unit having a line head for exposing the latent image carrier, a cartridge guide member provided in the main body for guiding the image forming cartridge, An image forming apparatus, comprising a cartridge guide member provided with a cooling flow path for flowing air for cooling the image forming unit and the exposure unit.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming cartridge has a gap through which cooling air to be cooled passes between the image forming cartridge and the exposure unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure unit is supported by the cartridge guide member.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cartridge guide member has an opening through which cooling air for cooling passes in the vicinity of the exposure unit.   A cleaning member for cleaning the line head is provided, the cleaning member has a line head cleaning portion and a rod-like portion, the rod-like portion has a hole, and the hole is arranged to face the opening. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the opening is openable and closable.

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