JP2009265345A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus by reducing force required when closing an opening/closing member, thereby improving operability of the opening/closing member. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with: a plurality of process cartridges constituted to be freely attached to/detached from an apparatus body; and the opening/closing member constituted to open/close attaching parts for the plurality of process cartridges and journaled freely rotatably. The plurality of process cartridges have a plurality of parts to be energized provided in the process cartridges and a plurality of energizing parts provided in the opening/closing member according to the parts to be energized in the image forming apparatus constituted so that the process cartridge is attached to/detached from the apparatus body from the side surface side. When closing the opening/closing member, the plurality of energizing parts and the parts to be energized are electrically connected at different timings. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a color image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus in which an image carrier on which a toner image is formed and a developing unit that develops the toner image on the image carrier are integrally stored as a process cartridge and includes a plurality of such process cartridges.

  According to this configuration, the image carrier and the development unit are integrated as a process cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, so that maintenance work such as repair, inspection, and replacement of the image carrier and the development unit can be performed. There is an advantage that it becomes easy to do.

  For example, when performing a maintenance operation, first, an opening / closing member covering the process cartridge is opened, and the operation is started by exposing the process cartridge. When the maintenance work is finished, the process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body again, and then the opening / closing member is closed to finish the work.

  In addition, in such an image forming apparatus having a plurality of process cartridges, there has been proposed an apparatus in which a plurality of process cartridges are arranged obliquely with respect to the image forming apparatus main body as shown in FIG. Patent Document 1).

According to this configuration, the size of the image forming apparatus main body in the horizontal direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the process cartridges are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction, so that the image forming apparatus main body can be downsized. become.
However, in the image forming apparatus according to the conventional example, for example, when the maintenance operation of the process cartridge is performed and the process cartridge is remounted on the apparatus main body and the opening / closing member is closed, the following problems occur.

  When an operator attaches the process cartridge to the apparatus main body, the process cartridge is inserted into the apparatus main body, and then the opening / closing member is closed to securely push the process cartridge. Thus, the mounting of the process cartridge and the electrical connection between the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge are completed.

  However, in the image forming apparatus according to the conventional example shown in FIG. 24, when the opening / closing member 51 is closed, reaction force acts simultaneously on the opening / closing member 51 from the plurality of process cartridges and the plurality of electrical contact portions. In order to close the opening / closing member 51 against this, a large force is required. That is, in the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the conventional example, since the opening / closing member 51 is difficult to close, the operability is low, which may impair the usability of the apparatus main body.

  In addition, after mounting the process cartridge, the reaction force that pushes out the process cartridge from the mounting part due to the force of the internal contact spring and the force in the rotational axis direction that occurs when driving the helical gear that has a coupling to drive the process cartridge. Acts as Due to this reaction force, when the process cartridge is pressed in the longitudinal direction from the mounting position, the process cartridge moves from the predetermined mounting position to the cartridge insertion opening side.

The moving distance is the amount that the opening / closing member is pushed and deformed in addition to the gap between the process cartridge and the opening / closing member. In such a state, there arises a problem that the cartridge cannot be driven or the coupling is scraped due to insufficient coupling.

  In order to prevent such a problem from occurring, it is common to provide means for pressing the process cartridge in the insertion direction. However, when the process cartridge is subjected to external vibration or impact and the cartridge moves to the insertion port side, there is friction at the contact portion between the cartridge and the image forming apparatus, so that the position of the cartridge is returned to the original position by the pressing means. It is difficult to push back.

  On the other hand, in the configuration in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the longitudinal direction of the image carrier, a mounting state detecting means is provided, and means for stopping the apparatus and notifying the user when the process cartridge is moved to the insertion port side. Providing it is also proposed (see Patent Document 2). However, in order to detect an incomplete mounting state before the engagement amount of the coupling for driving the process cartridge decreases and becomes insufficient, the contact stroke is set so that the contact of the mounting state detecting means does not leave. It must be long. If this happens, the stability of the contact posture is lacking, and contact failure tends to occur. In addition, the contact portion is increased in size, and as a result, the apparatus is increased in size.

Further, in the case of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, even if the process cartridge is mounted, the pop-up force of the process cartridge due to the internal contact or the cartridge driving force is only supported by the opening / closing member. For this reason, the pop-up force of the cartridge cannot be resisted due to insufficient component accuracy or deformation of the opening / closing member, and as a result, the cartridge mounting may be incomplete.
JP 2004-221986 A JP 2000-066498

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described present situation, and the first invention is an image forming apparatus that is easy to use by reducing the necessary force when closing the opening and closing member and improving the operability of the opening and closing member. The purpose is to provide.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of detecting incomplete mounting of a process cartridge when the process cartridge comes out of an allowable range from the mounted state.

  A third aspect of the present invention has an object to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus capable of reliably pushing a process cartridge into a predetermined position when closing the opening / closing member even when the process cartridge is incompletely mounted. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of process cartridges each configured to be detachable with respect to the apparatus main body, a mounting portion for the plurality of process cartridges being configured to be openable and closable, and rotatable. An open / close member pivotally supported on the image forming apparatus, wherein the plurality of process cartridges are configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body from a side surface thereof.
A plurality of conductive parts provided in each of the process cartridges, and a plurality of conductive parts provided in the opening / closing member corresponding to the conductive parts,
When the opening / closing member is closed, the plurality of conducting parts and the part to be conducted are configured to be electrically connected at different timings.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of process cartridges each configured to be detachable with respect to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing unit configured to be able to open and close the mounting portions of the plurality of process cartridges and rotatably supported by the shaft. A member, a plurality of pushed members provided in the apparatus main body corresponding to the process cartridge, for fixing each process cartridge, and a pushing portion provided on the opening / closing member corresponding to the plurality of pushed members. Have
The pushing portion engages each pushing portion with the pushed member when closing the opening / closing member, and biases the process cartridge toward the inside of the apparatus main body via the pushed member, thereby the process cartridge. An image forming apparatus having a function of pushing the image into the mounting portion,
A pressing member that urges the pressed member in a direction in which the process cartridge is pressed is provided in at least a part of the pressing portion, and the mounting position of the process cartridge is detected by the amount of displacement of the pressing member. To do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of process cartridges each configured to be detachable with respect to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing unit configured to be capable of opening and closing a mounting portion of the plurality of process cartridges and rotatably supported by the shaft. A member, a plurality of pushed members provided in the apparatus main body corresponding to the process cartridge, for fixing each process cartridge, and a pushing portion provided on the opening / closing member corresponding to the plurality of pushed members. Have
The pushing portion engages each pushing portion with the pushed member when closing the opening / closing member, and biases the process cartridge toward the inside of the apparatus main body via the pushed member, thereby the process cartridge. An image forming apparatus having a function of pushing the image into the mounting portion,
The pushing portion is configured such that an amount of pushing the pushed member during opening and closing is larger than a pushing amount of the pushed member in a closed state.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus that reduces the force required to close the opening and closing member and improves the operability of the opening and closing member.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the process cartridge comes out of the allowable range from the mounting state due to the force acting on the process cartridge, the pressing member can detect incomplete mounting of the process cartridge. It is. The force acting on the process cartridge is the thrust force of external contact or thrust of the process cartridge driven helical gear when external vibration or impact is applied, and the process cartridge is moved in the longitudinal direction from the mounting position. .

  According to the third invention, even when the process cartridge is in an incompletely mounted state, the process cartridge can be pushed into a predetermined position when the opening / closing member is closed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail below based on the embodiments 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 only to those unless otherwise specified. .

(First embodiment)
The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus Main Body]
The configuration of the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram in a cross section of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing how the process cartridge 7 is attached to the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 has mounting portions 22 (22a to 22d) for the process cartridges 7 corresponding to the four process cartridges 7 (7a to 7d) arranged side by side in the oblique direction.

  Each of the process cartridges 7 (7a to 7d) includes a photosensitive unit 26 (26a to 26d) having the photosensitive drum 1 (1a to 1d) and a developing unit 4 (4a to 4d).

  The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven clockwise (Q direction) in FIG. 1 by a driving member (not shown). Further, around the photosensitive drum 1, a cleaning member 6 (6a to 6d), a charging roller 2 (2a to 2d), and a developing unit 4 (4a to 4d) are arranged in the order of the rotation direction.

  The cleaning member 6 (6 a to 6 d) removes the toner agent remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 onto the intermediate transfer belt 5. The toner agent removed by the cleaning member 6 is collected in a removed toner chamber in the photoreceptor unit 26 (26a to 26d).

  The charging roller 2 (2a to 2d) uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and after the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the charging roller 2, laser light is emitted from the scanner unit 3. Irradiation forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  The developing units 4 (4a to 4d) are for supplying a toner agent to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 and developing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. The developing unit 4 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to supply a toner agent to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and a developing roller 25 (25a to 25d) that supplies the toner agent to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the developing roller 25 is in contact with the developing roller 25 Supply rollers 34 (34a to 34d) are provided.

  Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the cleaning member 6, the charging roller 2, and the developing unit 4 are integrated as a process cartridge 7 (7 a to 7 d), and are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body from the side surface side.

  When an image is formed on a sheet material, an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the scanner unit 3 is first developed as a toner image by the process cartridge 7 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5.

  The intermediate transfer belt 5 is stretched around a driving roller 10 and a tension roller 11 and is driven in the direction of arrow R in FIG. Further, a primary transfer roller 12 (12a to 12d) is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 5 so as to face each of the photosensitive drums 1 (1a to 1d), and a transfer bias is applied by a bias applying unit (not shown). The structure is applied.

For example, in the case of using a negatively charged toner agent, a toner image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 sequentially by applying a positive bias to the primary transfer roller 12. Then, the four-color toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 15 in a state where the intermediate transfer belt 5 is overlaid.

  At this time, the toner agent remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 after the secondary transfer to the sheet material S is removed by the transfer belt cleaning device 23, and the removed toner agent passes through a waste toner conveyance path (not shown). The toner is collected in a waste toner collecting container (not shown).

  On the other hand, in synchronization with the image forming operation described above, the sheet material S is fed toward the secondary transfer unit 15 by the conveyance mechanism including the feeding device 13 and the registration roller pair 17.

  The feeding device 13 includes a feeding cassette 24 that stores a plurality of sheet materials S, a feeding roller 8 that feeds the sheet materials S, and a transport roller pair 16 that transports the fed sheet materials S. is doing.

  The feeding cassette 24 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body. After the user pulls out the feeding cassette 24 and removes it from the apparatus main body, the sheet material S is set and inserted into the apparatus main body, whereby the replenishment of the sheet material S is completed.

  Among the sheet materials S stored in the feeding cassette 24, the sheet material positioned at the top is in contact with the feeding roller 8 and separated one by one by the separation pad 9 as the feeding roller 8 rotates ( (Friction piece separation method) Sheet material S is conveyed.

  Then, the sheet material S conveyed from the feeding device 13 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 15 by the registration roller pair 17. In the secondary transfer unit 15, a four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 can be secondarily transferred onto the conveyed sheet material S by applying a positive bias to the secondary transfer roller 18. Is possible.

  The fixing unit 14 serving as a fixing unit applies heat and pressure to the image transferred to the sheet material S to fix the image on the sheet material S.

  The fixing belt 14a has a cylindrical shape and is guided by a belt guide member (not shown) to which heat generating means such as a heater is bonded. The fixing belt 14a and the pressure roller 14b form a fixing nip with a predetermined pressing force.

  Then, the sheet material S having unfixed toner conveyed to the fixing unit 14 is heated and pressed in the fixing nip between the fixing belt 14a and the pressure roller 14b, and the unfixed image on the sheet material S is fixed. Is done. Thereafter, the sheet material S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 20 by the discharge roller pair 19.

[Installation of process cartridge to the main unit]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, 8, and 9, a mounting operation when the process cartridge 7 according to the first embodiment is mounted on the apparatus main body will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the positioning of the process cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the process cartridge 7 according to the first embodiment is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body. With such a configuration, for example, maintenance work such as repair, inspection, and replacement of the photosensitive drum 1 or the developing unit 4 can be performed with a simple operation, so that the usability of the apparatus main body can be improved. it can.

Further, in order to reduce the size of the apparatus main body in the horizontal direction and to reduce the size of the apparatus main body, the process cartridge 7 is arranged in an oblique direction (FIG. 2).

  The attaching / detaching direction of the process cartridge 7 with respect to the apparatus main body is an arrow F direction shown in FIG. 2, the front side of the apparatus main body (side into which the process cartridge 7 is inserted) is the front side in the mounting direction, the opposite side is the back side in the mounting direction, and the front side surface of the apparatus main body is the front side surface 92, The following description will be made with the back side surface as the back side surface 82.

The apparatus main body is provided with a plurality of mounting portions 22 (22a to 22d) to which each of the plurality of process cartridges 7 (7a to 7d) is detachable. The apparatus main body is provided with an opening / closing member 21 that can open and close the mounting portion 22 (22a to 22d) and is rotatably supported by the shaft. The mounting portion 22 (22a to 22d) is opened on the side surface of the apparatus main body, and the process cartridge 7 (7a to 7d) is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body from the side surface side.
When the process cartridge 7 is mounted on the apparatus main body, first, the opening / closing member 21 configured to be opened and closed from the mounting portion 22 of the process cartridge 7 is opened from the apparatus main body. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the opening / closing member 21 forms a part of the external surface of the apparatus main body. The opening / closing direction of the opening / closing member 21 can be opened and closed in the vertical direction in the first embodiment, but may be configured to be openable and closable in the horizontal direction. Further, the opening / closing member 21 is pivotally supported on the rotation shaft T and is configured to open and close freely.

  When the opening / closing member 21 is opened from the apparatus main body, the mounting portions 22 (22a to 22d) of the four process cartridges 7 (7a to 7d) arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the apparatus main body are exposed (see FIG. 2). Although the number of process cartridges 7 is four in the first embodiment, the number of process cartridges 7 is not limited to this.

  An upper mounting guide 80 (80a to 80d) and a lower mounting guide 81 (81a to 81d) extending from the front side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 to the back side are provided on the upper side and the lower side of each mounting portion 22, respectively (FIG. 2).

  Then, the guided cartridges 29 (29a to 29d) and 30 (30a to 30d) provided on the outer wall of the process cartridge 7 on the photoreceptor unit 26 side are guided by the mounting upper guide 80 and the mounting lower guide 81, respectively, while being processed. 7 is inserted in the direction of arrow F.

  After the process cartridge 7 is inserted to a predetermined insertion position inside the apparatus main body, the opening / closing member 21 is closed, and the process cartridge 7 is pushed into the mounting position by the inner surface of the opening / closing member 21, thereby completing the mounting operation of the process cartridge 7. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the opening / closing member 21 is provided with a plurality of pushing portions 31 (31 a to 31 d), and the process cartridge 7 is pushed by contacting the process cartridge 7 with the pushing portions 31. It is.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of conductive portions 71 (71a1, a2-71d1, d2) provided in the process cartridge 7 (7a-7d). Moreover, it has the some conduction | electrical_connection part 32 (32a1, a2-32d1, d2) provided in the opening-and-closing member 21 corresponding to the to-be-conducted part 71 (71a1, a2-71d1, d2). And when closing the opening-and-closing member 21, the some conduction | electrical_connection part 32 (32a1, a2-32d1, d2) and the to-be-conducted part 71 (71a1, a2-71d1, d2) are shifted | deviated, and it is electrically connected. It is configured.

The conduction part 32 (32a1, a2-32d1, d2) is provided at the tip of the pushing part 31. The conducting portion 32 is electrically connected to, for example, detection means (not shown) for detecting the state of the process cartridge 7 typified by cartridge memory tag means and cartridge presence / absence detection means. When the opening / closing member 21 is closed, the conducting portion 32 comes into contact with the conducting portion 71 (71a1, a2 to 71d1, d2) of the process cartridge 7 with a contact pressure of about 2N, so that the detection means and the process cartridge 7 are electrically connected. Connected.

  At the position where the process cartridge 7 is completely pushed in and mounted, the bearings 40 (40a to 40d) and 50 (50a to 50d) on the rear side and the front side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 are fixed, and the process cartridge 7 is mounted. The operation is complete.

  Further, when the driving force is transmitted to the process cartridge 7, in order to prevent the process cartridge 7 from moving and being displaced, the shaft 27b is attached to the rear side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7, and the hole 27c is attached to the front side in the mounting direction (see FIG. 4).

  According to this configuration, since the shaft 27b and the hole 27c provided in the process cartridge 7 are fitted into the long hole 82b and the shaft 92c provided in the side surface of the apparatus main body (FIG. 4), the process cartridge 7 is securely attached to the apparatus main body. Can be fixed to. Therefore, even when a driving force is input to the process cartridge 7, the possibility that the process cartridge 7 moves and shifts becomes low.

[Process cartridge positioning configuration]
With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the configuration of the process cartridge 7 described above with respect to the positioning of the apparatus main body will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the process cartridge positioning portion on the back side surface of the apparatus main body.

  As shown in FIG. 3, bearings 40 and 50 are provided at both ends of the photosensitive drum 1 of the process cartridge 7, and the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably held by the bearings 40 and 50.

  Arc-shaped positioned portions 40a (40a1, 40a2) are formed on the upper surface of the bearing 40 provided on the back side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 (FIG. 3). The positioned portions 40a1 and 40a2 are formed on opposite sides with respect to the axis of the photosensitive drum 1. Further, the positioned parts 40a1 and 40a2 abut against the abutting parts 82a1 and 82a2 provided in the apparatus main body (FIG. 5).

  A contact surface 40h is formed between the positioned portions 40a1 and 40a2 (FIG. 3). The contact surface 40h comes into contact with a regulating portion 86 (FIG. 4) provided in the apparatus main body when the process cartridge 7 is pressed upward by a pressing member 83 described later.

  A pressed portion 40b to which a pressing force is applied from the pressing member 83 is provided below the positioned portion 40a. The pressed portion 40b is formed on the opposite side of the contact surface 40h (FIG. 5).

  According to this configuration, when the pressing member 83 described later presses the pressed portion 40b upward, the positioned portion 40a and the contact surface 40h are reliably brought into contact with the abutting portion 82a and the regulating portion 86. (Fig. 4). The process cartridge 7 can be positioned in the vertical direction by reliably bringing the positioned portion 40a and the contact surface 40h into contact with the abutting portion 82a and the restricting portion 86.

  A recess 40g having a height lower than that of the contact surface 40h is formed on the front side of the contact surface 40h in the mounting direction. Further, in the vicinity of the recess 40g, a surface portion 40i is formed in which the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 is a normal direction (FIG. 3).

  Then, the process cartridge 7 is inserted to the back side in the mounting direction, and the surface portion 40i comes into contact with the back side surface 82 of the apparatus main body, whereby the process cartridge 7 can be positioned in the mounting direction.

  Further, the process cartridge 7 is formed with a push-out portion 40c for retracting the pressing member 83 to the retracted position. As shown in FIG. 3, the push-out portion 40 c is formed on the outer wall surface of the photosensitive unit 26 on the back side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7.

  The push-away portion 40c is provided so as to protrude to the back side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7, and further has a convex portion 40d protruding downward, with the convex portion 40d as apexes on both sides of the convex portion 40d. Inclined inclined surfaces 40e and 40f are formed.

  Next, the positioning configuration on the front side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 will be described below.

  A bearing 50 is formed on the front side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 (FIG. 3). An arcuate positioned portion 50a (50a1, 50a2) is formed on the upper surface of the bearing 50. A contact surface 50h is formed between the positioned portions 50a1 and 50a2.

  The positioned portions 50 a 1 and 50 a 2 are formed on opposite sides with respect to the axis of the photosensitive drum 1. Further, the positioned portions 50a1 and 50a2 abut against the abutting portions 92 (92a1 and 92a2) provided in the apparatus main body (FIG. 4).

  A lifting force receiving portion 50b to which a biasing force is applied in a direction of pulling the process cartridge 7 upward from the lifting member 93 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the front side in the mounting direction of the positioned portion 50a. The lifting force receiving portion 50b is provided so as to be positioned between the positioned portions 50a1 and 50a2.

  According to this structure, the to-be-positioned part 50a (50a1, 50a2) can be reliably made to contact | abut the abutting part 92a (92a1, 92a2) because the raising member 93 raises the raising force receiving part 50b. Then, the process cartridge 7 can be positioned in the vertical direction by bringing it into contact with the positioned portion 50a butting portion 92a.

  A push-out portion 50c for retracting the lifting member 93 to the retracted position is formed on the front side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7. As shown in FIG. 3, the push-out portion 50c protrudes to the back side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7, and a convex portion 50d protruding downward is formed at the tip portion.

  Furthermore, inclined surfaces 50e and 50f that are gently inclined with respect to the convex portion 50d are formed on both sides of the convex portion 50d.

[Configuration of pressing member]
A pressing member that presses the pressed portion 40b formed on the back side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 and causes the positioned portion 40a and the contact surface 40h to reliably contact the abutting portion 82a and the regulating portion 86. The configuration of 83 will be described.

The pressing member 83 is for pressing the process cartridge 7 in the direction of the abutting portion 82a by the urging force of the pressing spring 85 (FIG. 5). As described above, the process cartridge 7 can be positioned in the vertical direction by pressing the process cartridge 7 toward the abutting portion 82a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing member 83 is provided below the abutting portion 82a, and a hole portion 83a formed in the pressing member 83 is fitted to a shaft 84 formed on the back side surface 82 of the apparatus main body. The shaft oscillates around the shaft 84 as the center of rotation. With this configuration, the pressing member 83 swings between a pressing position where the process cartridge 7 is pressed against the abutting portion 82a and a retracted position where the pressing force is released.

  The pressing member 83 has a pressing portion 83 b at a position facing the pressed portion 40 b formed on the process cartridge 7. Further, a pushed-out part 83c for moving the pressing member 83 to the retracted position is formed at a position facing the pushing-out part 40c of the process cartridge 7 (FIG. 5).

  The pushed-out part 83c is arranged at a position outside the pressing part 83b with respect to the hole part 83a in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7. That is, along the longitudinal direction of the pressing member 83, the hole 83a, the pressing portion 83b, and the pushed-away portion 83c are arranged in this order (FIG. 5).

  Further, between the abutting portions 82a1 and 82a2, there is a resin restricting portion 86 for restricting the process cartridge 7 from moving upward due to a reaction force generated when the pressing member 83 is pushed back to the retracted position. Provided (FIG. 5).

  A convex portion 83d protruding upward is formed on the pushed-away portion 83c, and inclined surfaces 83e and 83f that are gently inclined on both sides with the convex portion 83d as a vertex are formed.

  That is, when the process cartridge 7 is mounted, first, the process cartridge 7 is inserted in the mounting direction, and the inclined surface 40e of the push-out portion 40c formed in the process cartridge 7 contacts the inclined surface 83e formed in the pushed-out portion 83c. Make contact.

  Then, the process cartridge 7 is further pushed inward by the push-in portion 31 in the mounting direction. The operation of inserting the process cartridge 7 into the mounting position is performed by closing the opening / closing member 21 and the pressing portion 31 formed on the opening / closing member 21 pressing the side surface of the process cartridge 7 in the mounting direction. Is possible.

  When the process cartridge 7 is further pushed in, the inclined surface 40e formed in the push-out portion 40c of the process cartridge 7 acts on the inclined surface 83e formed in the pushed-out portion 83c, and pushes the pushed-out portion 83c downward. At this time, a reaction force (hereinafter referred to as a pushing load) is generated on the opening / closing member 21 via the process cartridge 7 by pushing the retracted portion 83c.

  When the pushed-out portion 83c is pushed down, the pressing member 83 moves to the retracted position with the shaft 84 as the rotation center. Then, while the pressing member 83 is in the retracted position, the process cartridge 7 is pushed further into the mounting direction, and the surface portion 40i formed on the process cartridge 7 contacts the back side surface of the apparatus main body.

  At this time, after the convex portion 83d of the pushed-away portion 83c and the convex portion 40d of the pushed-away portion 40c contact each other, the inclined surface 83f of the pushed-away portion 83c and the inclined surface 40f of the pushed-away portion 40c come into contact with each other. The pushed-away part 83c that has been pushed away gradually moves upward.

Along with that, the pressing member 83 moves to the pressing position, presses the pressed portion 40b upward,
The positioned portion 40a and the contact surface 40h are reliably brought into contact with the abutting portion 82a and the regulating portion 86. Thereby, the mounting of the process cartridge 7 is completed.

  As described above, the operation until the mounting is completed after the process cartridge 7 is inserted from the mounting portion 22 can be performed in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing member 21. Further, in that case, the reaction force starts to act on the opening / closing member 21 when the inclined surface 40e of the pushing-out portion 40c comes into contact with the inclined surface 83e formed in the pushed-out portion 83c, and as the pushed-out portion 83c is pushed down downward. The magnitude of the indentation load also changes.

  That is, in the process where the process cartridge 7 is pushed to the fully mounted position, the pushing load with respect to the insertion position of the process cartridge 7 is changed.

  On the other hand, after inserting each process cartridge 7 from the mounting portion 22, the worker closes the opening / closing member 21 to electrically connect the detection means for detecting the state of the process cartridge 7 and the process cartridge 7. To do. The side of the process cartridge 7 on the front side in the mounting direction is pushed into the opening / closing member 21, and the mounting on the apparatus main body can be completed through the mounting process.

  Further, by closing the opening / closing member 21, the detection means and the process cartridge 7 are electrically connected. By detecting the state of the process cartridge 7, the detection unit detects an abnormality such as forgetting to insert the process cartridge 7 or an insertion state of the process cartridge 7 at a position different from a desired position. In addition, it is possible to notify the operator of an abnormal state and a coping method by displaying on the display panel.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to mount a plurality of process cartridges 7 only by performing an operation of closing the opening / closing member 21, and the state of the process cartridges 7 is detected by the detecting means. Based on this detection information, it becomes possible to notify the abnormality information in the event of an abnormality, so that the usability of the apparatus main body is improved.

[Interlocking mechanism of process cartridge mounting operation and closing member closing operation]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, the interlocking mechanism of the mounting operation of the process cartridge 7 and the closing operation of the opening / closing member 21 in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of connection between the process cartridge 7 and the electrical contacts 103a and 103b in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows the closing operation of the opening / closing member 21 in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, push-in portions 31 (31 a to 31 d) for pushing the process cartridge 7 to the back side in the mounting direction are formed on the inner side surface of the opening / closing member 21 in the first embodiment. Each of the pushing portions 31a to 31d corresponds to the process cartridge 7a to 7d. As shown in FIG. 9, a conduction portion 32 (32 a 1, a 2 to 32 d 1, d 2) for electrically connecting to the process cartridge 7 is provided at the tip of each pushing portion 31 (31 a to 31 d) 31. Each conduction part 32 corresponds to a conduction part 71 (71a1, a2 to 71d1, d2) provided in the process cartridge 7. In addition, a rotation axis T is provided as an axis when the opening / closing member 21 rotates to open and close (FIG. 8).

When the process cartridge 7 is pushed into the apparatus main body, the pushing portion 31 formed on the inner side surface of the opening / closing member 21 is brought into contact with the process cartridge 7 to close the opening / closing member 21. By doing so, a plurality of process cartridges 7 can be mounted on the apparatus main body. Further, when the opening / closing member 21 is closed, the conduction portion 32 provided at the tip of the pushing portion 31 contacts the conduction portion 71 provided in the process cartridge 7. As a result, the detecting means (not shown) for detecting the state of the process cartridge 7 and the plurality of process cartridges 7 are electrically connected, and the state of the process cartridge 7 can be detected. Note that the size of the push-in portion 31 is such that the opening / closing member 21 can be reliably closed in consideration of the dimensions of the apparatus main body, the size of the process cartridge 7 and the like, and the process cartridge 7 can be reliably attached. The size should be as large as possible.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the rotation axis T of the opening / closing member 21 and the arrangement direction of the process cartridge 7 are not parallel. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the angle formed by the rotation axis T of the opening / closing member 21 and the arrangement direction of the process cartridge 7 is β (β ≠ 0).

  According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, the pushing portions 31 a to 31 d abut against each process cartridge 7 in order from the pushing portion disposed at a position close to the rotation axis T, and push each process cartridge into the apparatus main body. . FIG. 8 shows a state in which the pushing portions 31d, 31c, 31b, and 31a are in contact with the corresponding process cartridges 7 in that order. Similarly, the conducting portion 32 provided at the tip of the push-in portion 31 contacts the conducting portion 71 of the process cartridge 7 corresponding to each of the conducting portions 32d, 32c, 32b, and 32a in this order.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the closer to the rotation axis T, the shorter the distance between the tip of the pushing portion 31 and the conduction portion 32 provided at the tip of the pushing portion and the process cartridge 7 (Ld <Lc <Lb <). La). Therefore, when the open / close member 21 is closed, the respective pushing portions 31 do not simultaneously abut against the respective process cartridges 7, but sequentially abut against the process cartridges 7 with a time difference.
Similarly, the conduction portion 32 provided at the tip of the pushing portion 31 does not contact the conduction portion 71 provided in the process cartridge 7 at the same time, but contacts the conduction portion 71 provided in the process cartridge 7 in order through a time difference. To do. That is, the push load with respect to each process cartridge 7 and the timing at which the peak of the contact load at the conductive portion 71 comes are shifted.

  According to this configuration, the plurality of push-in portions 31 simultaneously abut on the plurality of process cartridges 7, and the opening / closing member 21 is closed in a state in which the conduction portion 32 and the portion to be conducted 71 provided in the process cartridge 7 are simultaneously in contact. There is nothing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the pushing load generated in the opening / closing member 21 by pushing the process cartridge 7 into the apparatus main body.

  Therefore, the user can easily close the opening / closing member 21 and attach the plurality of process cartridges 7 to the apparatus main body. In addition, since the detection means and the process cartridge 7 can be electrically connected to detect the state of the process cartridge 7, the usability of the apparatus main body is improved.

  Further, since the pushing load exerted by the process cartridge 7 on the opening / closing member 21 and the contact load from the conductive portion 71 can be reduced, it is not necessary to increase the strength of the opening / closing member 21 more than necessary. Therefore, since the opening / closing member 21 can be thinned, the usability of the apparatus main body can be further improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus main body is provided with electrical contacts 103 a and 103 b on the back side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7. Electrical contacts 97a and 97b formed on the side surfaces of the process cartridge 7 come into contact with the electrical contacts 103a and 103b to ensure electrical continuity (FIG. 3). The electrical contact 103 is disposed on the back side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 in order to suppress wear due to sliding with the electrical conductive portion 97, and is opposite to the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7 by a pushing member (not shown). It is the structure urged by.

  In this configuration, when the open / close member 21 is closed, the process cartridge 7 is urged from the electrical contact 103 (fa and fb in the figure), and therefore the pushing load exerted on the open / close member 21 by the process cartridge 7 is further increased. Therefore, if the rotation axis T of the opening / closing member 21 is parallel to the arrangement direction of the process cartridges 7, the peak load of the pressing force from the plurality of process cartridges 7 on the opening / closing member 21 becomes simultaneous. Usability is reduced.

  Further, since a large pushing load is applied to the opening / closing member 21, the user mistakenly recognizes that the mounting of the process cartridge 7 is completed, and the process cartridge 7 is not completely mounted on the apparatus main body as shown in FIG. May occur.

  However, according to the first embodiment, it is configured so that the timing at which the pushing load on each process cartridge 7 and the peak of the contact load from the conductive portion 71 come is shifted, so that the user can easily open and close the opening / closing member 21. Can be closed.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus that reduces the force required to close the opening and closing member and improves the operability of the opening and closing member.

(Second Embodiment)
An image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. FIG.
10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating an operation in which the push-in portion 31 pushes the fixing member 106 as a pushed-in member for fixing the process cartridge 7 in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the opening / closing member 21 and the fixing member 106 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration relating to electrical connection between the process cartridge 7 and detection means (not shown). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an electrical connection relationship between the process cartridge 7 and a detecting means (not shown) for detecting the state of the process cartridge 7 when the opening / closing member 21 is closed.

  The basic configuration of the image forming apparatus is as described in the first embodiment in FIGS. In this embodiment, the fixing member 106 as a member to be pushed is operated in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing member 21 and the process cartridge 7 is pushed to a predetermined insertion position via the fixing member 106.

  That is, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of fixing members 106 (106a to 106d) that are pushed into the apparatus main body, as shown in FIG. The opening / closing member 21 is pivotally supported so as to be able to open and close a portion of the apparatus main body into which the fixing member 106 (106a to 106d) is pushed and to be rotatable with respect to the apparatus main body. The opening / closing member 21 is provided with a plurality of pushing portions 31 (31a to 31d) for completely pushing the fixing member 106 that has not been pushed in, corresponding to each fixing member 106 (106a to 106d).

Each process cartridge 7 is provided with a plurality of conductive parts 71 (71a1, a2-71d1, d2). Each fixing member 106 is provided with spring members 107 (107a1, a2 to 107d1, d2) as a plurality of electrical connection portions corresponding to the conductive parts 71 (71a1, a2 to 71d1, d2). Each push-in portion 31 is provided with a torsion coil spring 33 (33a1, a2-33d1, d2) as a conducting portion.

  When the opening / closing member 21 is closed, the spring member 107 as an electrical connection portion corresponding to each process cartridge 7 and the torsion coil spring 33 as a conduction portion, and the spring member 107 and the conduction portion 71 are out of timing. Connected to each other.

  When the opening / closing member 21 is closed, the spring member 107 (107a1, a2-107d1, d2) as an electrical connection portion and the portion to be conducted 71 (71a1, a2-71d1, d2) provided in the process cartridge 7 come into contact ( D part). Further, the spring member 107 (107a1, a2 to 107d1, d2) and the torsion coil spring 33 (33a1, a2 to 33d1, 33d2) as the conducting portion come into contact (C portion). Thus, the detection means (not shown) and the process cartridge 7 are electrically connected.

  Since the operation at the time of image formation, the mounting of the process cartridge 7, the positioning operation, the configuration of the pressing member and the like are not different from those of the first embodiment, the description is omitted here, and the mounting operation and fixing of the process cartridge 7 are performed. Only the interlocking mechanism of the operation of the members will be described.

[Interlocking mechanism of mounting operation of fixing member and closing operation of opening / closing member]
The fixing member 106 (106a to 106d) used in the second embodiment presses and pushes the process cartridge 7 to the mounting position in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing member 21, and fixes the process cartridge 7 at the mounting position. It is for making it happen.
First, the fixing mechanism for the process cartridge 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The fixing member 106 has an L-shaped lever shape, is pivotally supported in the vicinity of the mounting opening of each mounting portion 22, and swings about the support shaft 1061.
In this example, due to this swaying movement, the hook portion 1062 provided at the tip covers the mounting portion 22 and engages the process cartridge (see FIG. 11), and the fixing release position away from the process cartridge 7 (FIG. 10). To see). The fixing member 106 is attached to a support plate 108 provided in the apparatus main body, and the fixing release position is restricted by a restriction wall 1081 rising from the support plate 108.

When the opening / closing member 21 is open and the process cartridge 7 is not fully inserted into the mounting portion 22, as shown in FIG. 10, the hook portion 1062 is in the fixed release position.
When pushing the process cartridge 7 to the mounting position, the opening / closing member 21 is closed, and the tip of the pushing portion 31 formed on the opening / closing member 21 is brought into contact with the sliding surface 110 of the fixing member 106 (FIG. 10).

When the pressing member 31 of the opening / closing member 21 is in contact with the sliding surface 110 and the opening / closing member 21 is further closed in the Z direction, the fixing member 106 and the pressing portion 31 slide on the sliding surface 110, Rotates in the X direction in FIG. 11 and moves to a predetermined position.
At this time, as the fixing member 106 rotates in the X direction, the hook portion 1062 at the tip of the fixing member 106 comes into contact with the process cartridge 7, pushes the process cartridge 7 in the arrow Y direction, and moves the process cartridge 7 to the mounting position. Complete the installation.

  With this action, even when the operator does not completely insert the process cartridge 7, the process cartridge 7 can be moved to a predetermined mounting position.

  Next, means for preventing the opening / closing member 21 from being opened by the lever 106 when a force such as vibration or impact is applied from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described (see FIG. 12).

  In the image forming apparatus 100, a pressing wall 31 (31 a to 31 d) provided on the opening / closing member 21 and a regulation wall 1081 of the support plate 108 are provided at positions facing the side surface 107 of the fixing member 106 (106 a to 106 d). Yes. The convex pushing portions 31 (31a to 31d) provided on the opening / closing member 21 enter between the fixing member 106 (106a to 106d) and the regulating wall 1081 when the opening / closing member 31 (31a to 31d) is closed.

  When a force such as vibration or impact is applied from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100, a force acts on the fixing member 106 in the direction of arrow A when the process cartridge 7 tries to shift from a predetermined mounting position. When the fixing member 106 is pushed in the direction of the arrow A, the fixing member 106 rotates and tries to push the pushing portions 31 (31a to 31d) provided in the opening / closing member 21 in the direction of the arrow B. At that time, the rotation of the lever 106 can be regulated by sandwiching the pushing portion 31a between the lever 106 and the side surface of the regulating wall 1081. At the same time, the force that causes the process cartridge 7 to deviate from the predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier is not applied in the opening direction of the opening / closing member 21, and the opening / closing member 21 opens when force such as vibration or impact is applied. Is prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, spring members 107 (107 a 1, a 2 to 107 d 1, d 2) as electrical connection portions provided on the fixing member 106 are a detection unit that detects the state of the process cartridge 7 and the process cartridge 7. Are electrically connected.
In other words, when the opening / closing member 21 is closed, the spring member 107 is electrically connected to a detection means (not shown) via the torsion coil springs 33 (33a1, a2 to 33d1, d2) as the conducting portions. The configuration of the fixing member 106, the spring member 107, and the torsion coil spring 33 will be described later.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, when the angle formed by the rotation axis T of the opening / closing member 21 and the direction in which the fixing members 106 are arranged is β (β ≠ 0), when the opening / closing member 21 is closed, the rotation axis T It comes in contact with the opening / closing member 21 in order from the fixing member 106 close to the position. Further, the conductive portion 71 and the spring member 107, and the spring member 107 and the torsion coil spring 33 are also in contact with each other in order from the side close to the rotation axis T.

  In other words, the pressing load on each fixing member 106 and the contact pressure at the conducting part 71 and the contact pressure peak due to the torsion coil spring or the start timing of pressing are shifted.

  According to this configuration, the plurality of pushing portions 31 are in contact with the plurality of fixing members 106 at the same time, and the plurality of spring members 107 are in contact with the plurality of torsion coil springs 33 and the plurality of conductive portions 71 at the same time. The member 21 is not closed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the pushing load generated in the opening / closing member 21 by moving the fixing member 106. At the same time, the plurality of process cartridges 7 and detection means for detecting the state of the process cartridges 7 can be electrically connected.

  Therefore, the user can easily close the opening / closing member 21 and attach the plurality of process cartridges 7 to the apparatus main body, and can detect the state of the plurality of process cartridges 7, thereby improving the usability of the apparatus main body. To do.

  Further, since the pushing load and the contact load can be reduced on the opening / closing member 21, it is not necessary to increase the strength of the opening / closing member 21 more than necessary. Therefore, since the opening / closing member 21 can be thinned, the usability of the apparatus main body can be further improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Configuration of fixing member, spring member, and torsion coil spring]
Next, the configuration of the fixing member 106 as the pushed member, the spring member 107 as the electrical connecting portion, and the torsion coil spring 33 as the conducting portion in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the fixing member 106 (106a to 106d) is provided with a spring member 107 (107a1, a2 to 107d1, d2), and rotates in the X direction in FIG. . The pushing portion 31 of the opening / closing member 21 is provided with a torsion coil spring 33 (33a1, a2-33d1, d2). The torsion coil spring 33 is electrically connected to detection means (not shown) for detecting the state of the process cartridge 7 represented by, for example, cartridge memory tag means and cartridge presence / absence detection means.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the opening / closing member 21 is closed, the torsion coil spring 33 and the spring member 107 are in contact with each other with a contact pressure of about 2N at the C portion. The conductive member 71 provided on the spring member 107 and the process cartridge 7 comes into contact with the contact portion D at a contact pressure of about 2N, so that the process cartridge 7 and the detection means are electrically connected.

  According to this configuration, even after the process cartridge 7 is once mounted, even when vibration, impact, or the like is applied to the apparatus main body from the outside, the possibility that the process cartridge 7 is shifted from the mounting position is low. The contact pressure in the D part is also stable.

  That is, when the process cartridge 7 is to be displaced from the mounting position, a force acts on the tip of the fixing member 106 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Along with this, the fixing member 106 rotates and tries to push the pushing portion 31 in the direction of arrow B. However, the movement of the pushing portion 31 is restricted by the restricting surface 108, so the fixing member 106 also does not rotate. Furthermore, since the movement of the pushing portion 31 is restricted and the fixing member 106 does not rotate, the contact pressure between the conductive portion 71 and the spring member 107 and the contact pressure between the spring member 107 and the torsion coil spring 33 do not change.

  Therefore, since the fixing member 106 can continue to hold the process cartridge 7 in the mounting position, the possibility that the process cartridge 7 is displaced is low even when vibration or impact is applied from the outside. Furthermore, in the above-described C part and D part, even when vibration or impact is applied from the outside, a stable contact pressure can be secured, so that the state of the process cartridge 7 can be reliably detected.

  Further, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing member 21 from being opened by the force that the process cartridge 7 tends to shift from the mounting position directly acting on the opening / closing member 21. Therefore, the opening / closing member 21 can be prevented from opening due to external vibration and impact.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus by reducing the force required when closing the opening / closing member 21 and improving the operability of the opening / closing member 21.

Next, further embodiments of the present invention will be described.
In the following description, only different points from the above embodiment will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Third embodiment)
FIGS. 15 to 17 show the configuration of a fixing member and a pushing portion as a pushed member in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described in FIGS. The basic configuration of the fixing member and the push-in portion is the same as in the second embodiment described in FIGS. 10 to 12.

The basic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment is roughly as follows.
That is, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 and FIGS. 10 to 12, a plurality of process cartridges 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body are provided. In addition, an opening / closing member 21 that is configured to be able to open and close the mounting portions of the plurality of process cartridges 7 and is rotatably supported is provided.

  The apparatus main body is provided with a plurality of fixing members 106 as pushing members for fixing each process cartridge 7 corresponding to the process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d). On the other hand, the opening / closing member 21 has pushing portions 31 (31 a to 31 d) provided on the opening / closing member 21 corresponding to the plurality of fixing members 106.

  The pushing portions 31 (31a to 31d) engage the pushing portions 31 (31a to 31d) with the fixing members 106 (106a to 106d) when closing the opening / closing member 21. Then, the process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is urged toward the inside of the apparatus main body via the fixing member 106. Thus, the process cartridge 7 has a function of pushing into the mounting portion 22.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the process cartridge 7 is driven by coupling a coupling concave shaft 111 integrally formed with the drum drive gear 110 of the apparatus main body to a coupling convex shaft 109 provided coaxially with the photosensitive drum 1. Gain power.

  In the present embodiment, the leaf spring 112 as a pressing member that urges the fixing member 106 in at least a part of the pressing portion 31 (31a to 31d) in the direction in which the process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is pressed. Is provided. Further, the mounting position of the process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is detected by the amount of displacement of the leaf spring 112.

  The fixing member 106 has an L-shaped lever shape. When the opening / closing member 21 is closed, the convex pushing portions 31 (31a to 31d) provided on the opening / closing member 21 enter the arrow Z direction, thereby Rotate to a predetermined position. At that time, the hook portion 1062 of the fixing member 106 (106a to 106d) comes into contact with the process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and pushes the process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) in the arrow Y direction. , And push it to the predetermined mounting position.

  With this action, even when the operator does not completely insert the process cartridge 7, the process cartridge 7 can be moved to a predetermined mounting position.

  The operations at the time of image formation, the mounting of the process cartridge 7, the positioning operation, the configuration of the pressing member, and the like are not different from those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, a mechanism for preventing the opening / closing member 21 from being opened by the fixing member 106 when a force such as vibration or impact is applied from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described again (see FIG. 12).

In the image forming apparatus 100, a regulating wall 1081 is provided at a position facing the side surface 107 where the pressing portions 31 (31 a to 31 d) provided on the opening / closing member 21 are in contact with the fixing members 106 (106 a to 106 d). Yes. Push-in portions 31 (31a to 31a) provided in the opening / closing member 21
31d) enters between the side surface 107 of the fixing member 106 (106a to 106d) and the regulating wall 1081 when closing the opening and closing member 31 (31a to 31d).

When a force such as vibration or impact is applied from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100, when the process cartridge 7 is about to be displaced from a predetermined mounting position, a force acts on the fixing member 106 in the direction of arrow A. The fixing member 106 rotates when pressed in the direction of the arrow A, and tries to push the pushing portions 31 (31a to 31d) provided in the opening / closing member 21 in the direction of the arrow B.
At this time, the rotation of the fixing member 106 can be restricted by sandwiching the pushing portion 31 a between the fixing member 106 and the side surface of the regulating wall 1081. At the same time, the force that causes the process cartridge 7 to deviate from the predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier is not applied in the opening direction of the opening / closing member 21, and the opening / closing member 21 opens when force such as vibration or impact is applied. Is prevented.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, a leaf spring 112 as an electrical connection portion is disposed in the push-in portion 31 (31 a to 31 d).
The leaf spring 112 is substantially U-shaped, and a fixed side piece opposite to the fixed member is fixed to the inner wall of the pushing portion 31, and the movable side piece on the other side is fixed to the inner wall of the pushing portion 31 on the fixed member side. It is the structure which extended along, and the one end of the both-sides piece was connected. The movable side piece is provided with a pressing portion 112a that is bent in a U shape toward the fixed member. The pressing portion 112a protrudes to the side of the pressing portion 31 through an opening provided in the pressing portion 31. In contact with the fixing member 106. The fixing member 106 is pressed in the direction of the arrow W (clockwise direction in the figure) by applying the elastic force of the leaf spring 112 via the pushing portion 31. With this pressing force, the hook portion 1062 of the fixing member 106 pushes the process cartridge 7 in the back direction of the apparatus main body (the direction of arrow Y in the figure).

  The leaf spring 112 also serves as an electrical contact, and is connected to the controller 300 of the image forming apparatus at the fixed end 112b. The electrode 113 is also connected to the controller 300. The end of the movable side piece of the leaf spring 112 is disposed opposite to the electrode 113, and the movable side piece of the leaf spring 112 is brought into contact with and separated from the electrode 113 by the displacement of the leaf spring 112. .

Next, the operation of the electrical contacts of the leaf spring 112 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 17, the process cartridge 7 may come out in front of the image forming apparatus (arrow A) due to an external impact or the like. In this case, the hook portion 1062 is pushed, and the fixing member 106 rotates in the arrow B direction around the support shaft 1061. By this rotation, the pressing portion 112a of the leaf spring 112 is pushed in, the leaf spring 112 is bent, and when the leaf spring 112 is displaced by a certain amount or more, the movable side piece 1122 of the leaf spring 112 comes into contact with the electrode 113 and becomes electrically conductive. It becomes like this.
Thus, in this embodiment, the position where each process cartridge 7 is mounted can be detected by the amount of displacement of the pressing portion 112a of the leaf spring 112.
When continuity is detected by the controller 300 of the image forming apparatus, it is recognized that the position of the process cartridge 7 has moved from a predetermined position beyond an allowable range, and the printing operation is stopped. Then, the user is warned with a PC screen, a display panel of the image forming apparatus, voice, and the like.

  The amount of movement of the process cartridge 7 when continuity is detected is set to be smaller than the required engagement allowance between the coupling convex shaft 110 and the coupling concave shaft 111 shown in FIG. As a result, the driving force cannot be transmitted to the process cartridge 7.

(Fourth embodiment)
18 and 19 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment, and in the following description, only differences from the third embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the leaf spring 112 is connected to a variable resistor 114 whose resistance value changes according to the amount of displacement of the pressing member 112a.
That is, the movable side piece of the leaf spring 112 is connected to the movable contact 114a of the variable resistor 114 whose electrical resistance value changes. The resistance value of the variable resistor 114 changes as the movable contact 114a moves.

When the leaf spring 112 is deformed by the process cartridge 7 coming out in front of the image forming apparatus due to an external impact or the like, the position of the movable contact 114a of the variable resistor 114 connected to the leaf spring 112 is indicated by an arrow C. Slide in the direction of. As a result, the resistance value of the variable resistor 114 changes, and when the controller 300 detects the resistance value, the position of the process cartridge 7 is detected linearly.
This makes it possible to more accurately detect the amount of positional deviation of the process cartridge 7 and improve the detection accuracy.

FIG. 19 shows the state of the leaf spring 112 according to the mounting state of the process cartridge 7 and the variable resistor 114 that moves by deformation of the leaf spring 112.
FIG. 19A shows the mounting state of the process cartridge 7, FIG. 19B shows the incomplete mounting state of the process cartridge 7, and FIG. 19C shows the state without the process cartridge. In each state of FIGS. 19A to 19C, an output corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor 114 can be detected, so that accurate information on the process cartridge mounting state can be provided by the user.
As described above, it is possible to detect three states of the process cartridge 7 that are completely attached, incompletely attached, and not attached by the resistance value of the variable resistance 114.

(Fifth embodiment)
20 to 22 show configurations of a fixing member and a pushing portion as a pushed member in an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is also the same as that of the first embodiment described in FIGS.
The basic configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of process cartridges 7 (7 a, 7 b, 7 c, 7 d) that are detachable from the apparatus main body. Yes. In addition, an opening / closing member 21 that is configured to be able to open and close the mounting portions of the plurality of process cartridges 7 and is rotatably supported is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the apparatus main body is provided with a fixing member 206 as a plurality of pushed members for fixing each process cartridge 7 corresponding to the process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d). ing. On the other hand, the opening / closing member 21 has push portions 231 (231a to 231d) provided on the opening / closing member 21 corresponding to the plurality of fixing members 206.

The push-in portions 231 (231a to 231d) engage the push-in portions 231 (231a to 231d) with the fixing members 206 (206a to 206d) when closing the opening / closing member 21. Then, the process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is urged toward the inside of the apparatus main body via the fixing member 206. Thus, the process cartridge 7 has a function of pushing into the mounting portion 22.
In the present embodiment, the pushing portion 231 is configured such that the amount of pushing the fixing member 206 during opening and closing is larger than the amount of pushing the fixing member 206 in the closed state.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a state in which the opening / closing member 21 is closed.
The fixing member 206 is rotatably provided in the vicinity of the mounting portion 22 of the process cartridge 7. The fixing member 206 is for interlocking with the closing operation of the opening / closing member 21 and pressing the process cartridge 7 to the mounting position to fix the cartridge 7 at the mounting position.

  The pushing portion 231 is attached to the opening / closing member 21. The pushing portion 231 urges the fixing member 206 with the urging surface 233. Further, the tip portion has a convex portion 232 on the fixing member 206 side of the biasing surface 233.

When the process cartridge 7 is about to deviate from the mounting position, a force acts in the direction of arrow A on the tip of the fixing member 206. Accordingly, the fixing member 206 rotates and pushes the urging surface 233 to try to push the pushing portion 231 in the direction of arrow B. However, the movement of the pushing portion 231 is restricted by the restriction surface 281, so the fixing member 206 is pushed. Also does not rotate.
Therefore, since the fixing member 206 can continue to hold the process cartridge 7 in the mounting position, the process cartridge 7 can be prevented from being displaced even when a vibration or impact is applied from the outside.

  Further, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing member 21 from being opened by the force that the process cartridge 7 tends to shift from the mounting position directly acting on the opening / closing member 21. Therefore, the opening / closing member 21 can be prevented from opening due to external vibration and impact.

The fixing member 206 has an L-shaped lever shape, is pivotally supported in the vicinity of the mounting opening of each mounting portion 22, and swings about the support shaft 261.
In this example, it is possible to switch between a fixed position where the hook portion 262 provided at the tip covers the mounting portion 22 and engages the process cartridge, and a fixed release position where the hook portion 262 provided at the tip is separated from the process cartridge 7. . The fixing member 206 is attached to a support plate 208 provided in the apparatus main body, and the fixing release position is restricted by a restriction wall 281 rising from the support plate 208.
Next, the operation of the push-in portion 231 and the like will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the opening / closing member 21 is gradually closed from the open state, the distal end of the pushing portion 231 comes into contact with the sliding surface 263 of the fixing member 206 (see FIG. 21).
When the opening / closing member 21 is further closed in the Z direction in FIG. 4 with the pushing portion 231 of the opening / closing member 21 in contact with the sliding surface 263, the fixing member 206 and the pushing portion 231 slide on the sliding surface 263, The fixing member 206 rotates in the X direction in FIG.

  Then, as the fixing member 206 rotates in the X direction, the front end of the fixing member 206 pushes the side surface of the process cartridge 7 on the front side in the mounting direction in the Y direction in the figure. Furthermore, since the tip of the push-in portion 231 has the convex portion 232, the process cartridge 7 is pushed into the image forming apparatus by a difference from the biasing surface 233 (see FIG. 22). By this operation, an overstroke sufficient to absorb the component tolerance of the push-in portion 231 and the like is generated, and the push-in operation with respect to the process cartridge 7 is performed reliably.

  According to the above configuration, even when the process cartridge is incompletely mounted, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus by pushing the process cartridge into a predetermined position when closing the opening / closing member. .

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 23 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
The basic configuration of the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and the push-in portion 231 is flexible at least in part, and is possible when the opening / closing member is closed. The flexible portion is configured to urge the process cartridge toward the inside of the apparatus main body.
FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing a state in which the opening / closing member 21 is closed.
The fixing member 206 is rotatably provided in the vicinity of the mounting portion 22 of the process cartridge 7. The fixing member 206 is for interlocking with the closing operation of the opening / closing member 21 and pressing the process cartridge 7 to the mounting position to fix the process cartridge 7 at the mounting position.

  The pushing portion 231 is attached to the opening / closing member 21. The pushing portion 231 urges the fixing member 206 with the urging surface 233. The urging surface 233 is connected to the pushing portion 231 via an elastic member 234.

  In the fifth embodiment, the accuracy of the mounting position of the process cartridge 7 depends on the dimensional accuracy of the constituent members. Therefore, in addition to the fifth embodiment, by adding the elastic member 234, the elastic member 234 absorbs the gap generated by the dimensional accuracy of the constituent members. As a result, the process cartridge 7 can be accurately mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  Further, by adjusting the elastic force of the elastic member 234 to prevent the process cartridge 7 from shifting, it is not necessary to apply a large pressing force to the process cartridge 7 unnecessarily.

  With the above configuration, even when the process cartridge is incompletely mounted, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus by pushing the cartridge into a predetermined position when closing the opening / closing member.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a perspective view of the process cartridge in a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positioning with respect to the apparatus main body of the process cartridge in 1st Embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the positioning part of the process cartridge in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the connection of the process cartridge and electrical contact in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state in which a process cartridge is not mounted | worn in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the closing operation | movement of the opening-and-closing member in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which detects the state of the process cartridge in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement in which the opening-and-closing member in 2nd Embodiment pushes a fixing member. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement in which the opening-and-closing member in 2nd Embodiment pushes a fixing member. It is a schematic block diagram of the opening-closing member and fixing member in 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which detects the state of the process cartridge in 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which detects the state of the process cartridge in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating meshing of a process cartridge and a drive coupling in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view in which a claw leaf spring of an opening / closing member acts as an electrical contact in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view in which a claw leaf spring of an opening / closing member acts as an electrical contact in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram in which a claw leaf spring of an opening / closing member is connected to a variable resistor in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of a leaf spring corresponding to a state of a process cartridge in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of the fixing member and pushing member of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the fixing member and pushing member of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the fixing member and pushing member of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the fixing member and pushing member of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the image forming apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) Process cartridge 21 Opening / closing member 22 Mounting portion 31 (31a-31d) Pushing portion 32 (32a1, a2-32d1, d2) Conducting portion 33 (33a1, a2-33d1, d2) Torsion coil spring (Conduction part)
71 (71a1, a2-71d1, d2) Conducted part 100 Image forming apparatus 106 (106a-106d) Fixing member (pressed member)
107 (107a1, a2-107d1, d2) Spring member (electrical connection part)
T Rotating shaft 231 (231a to 231d) Push-in portion 232 Convex-shaped portion, 233 Energizing surface 206 (206a to 206d) Fixed member 261 Support shaft, 262 Hook portion, 263 Sliding surface 208 Support plate, 281 Restriction wall 1 Photosensitive drum 2 charging roller 3 scanner unit 4 developing unit 5 intermediate transfer belt 6 cleaning member 8 feeding roller 9 separation pad 10 driving roller 11 tension roller 12 primary transfer roller 13 feeding device 14 fixing unit 14a fixing belt 14b pressure roller 15 secondary Transfer unit 16 Conveying roller pair 17 Registration roller pair 18 Secondary transfer roller 19 Discharge roller pair 20 Discharge tray 23 Transfer belt cleaning device 24 Feed cassette 25 Developing roller 26 Photosensitive unit 27b Shaft 27c Hole 29 Guided part 34 Supply roller 40 Bearings 40a, 40 1,40a2 the positioning portion 40b pressed portion, 40c pushing portion, 40d projecting portion, 40e inclined surface,
40f inclined surface, 40g concave portion, 40h contact surface, 40i surface portion 50 bearing 50a (50a1, 50a2) positioned portion, 50b lifting force receiving portion,
50c push-out part, 50d convex part, 50e, 50f inclined surface, 50h contact surface 80 mounting upper guide, 81 mounting lower guide, 82 back side,
82a (82a1, 82a2) butting portion, 82b oblong hole, 83 pressing member,
83a hole part, 83b pressing part, 83c pushing away part, 83d convex part,
83e inclined surface, 83f inclined surface, 84 axis, 86 regulating portion,
92 Front side surface 92a (92a1, 92a2) butting portion, 92c shaft 93 lifting member,
97 (97a, 97b) Electric conduction part 108 Regulating surface, 110 Sliding surface S Sheet material

Claims (9)

A plurality of process cartridges configured to be detachable with respect to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member configured to be able to open and close the mounting portions of the plurality of process cartridges and rotatably supported by the plurality of process cartridges. In the image forming apparatus configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body from the side surface thereof,
A plurality of conductive parts provided in each of the process cartridges, and a plurality of conductive parts provided in the opening / closing member corresponding to the conductive parts,
An image forming apparatus configured to electrically connect the plurality of conductive portions and the conductive portions at different timings when closing the opening / closing member.   2. The state of the plurality of process cartridges can be electrically detected by connecting the conductive portion and the conductive portion when the opening / closing member is closed. The image forming apparatus described.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of process cartridges are arranged in a line and a direction in which the plurality of process cartridges are arranged is not parallel to a rotation axis of the opening / closing member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of process cartridges are arranged in a diagonal direction with respect to the apparatus main body. A plurality of pushed members to be pushed into the apparatus body;
An opening and closing member that is capable of opening and closing a portion into which the pushed member in the apparatus body is pushed, and is pivotally supported with respect to the apparatus body;
A plurality of process cartridges configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body,
The opening / closing member is an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of pushing portions for completely pushing the pushed member that is not pushed in are provided corresponding to each pushed member,
A plurality of conductive parts provided in each of the process cartridges, a plurality of conductive parts provided in a pressing part of the opening / closing member corresponding to the conductive parts, and an electrical connection part provided in each of the pressed members Have
When the opening / closing member is closed, the conduction portion corresponding to each process cartridge, the electrical connection portion, and the electrical connection portion and the conduction portion are configured to be electrically connected at a shifted timing. An image forming apparatus.   When the opening / closing member is closed, the state of the plurality of process cartridges is electrically detected by connecting the conducting portion and the electrical connecting portion and the electrical connecting portion and the conducting portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the pushed members is a fixing member for pressing and fixing a plurality of process cartridges provided with the apparatus main body. Corresponding to a plurality of process cartridges configured to be detachable with respect to the apparatus main body, an opening / closing member configured to be able to open and close a mounting portion of the plurality of process cartridges, and rotatably supported by the shaft. And a plurality of pushed members for fixing each process cartridge, and a pushing portion provided on the opening / closing member corresponding to the plurality of pushed members,
The pushing portion engages each pushing portion with the pushed member when closing the opening / closing member, and biases the process cartridge toward the inside of the apparatus main body via the pushed member, thereby the process cartridge. An image forming apparatus having a function of pushing the image into the mounting portion,
A pressing member that urges the pressed member in a direction in which the process cartridge is pressed is provided in at least a part of the pressing portion, and the mounting position of the process cartridge is detected by the amount of displacement of the pressing member. Image forming apparatus. Corresponding to a plurality of process cartridges configured to be detachable with respect to the apparatus main body, an opening / closing member configured to be able to open and close a mounting portion of the plurality of process cartridges, and rotatably supported by the shaft. And a plurality of pushed members for fixing each process cartridge, and a pushing portion provided on the opening / closing member corresponding to the plurality of pushed members,
The pushing portion engages each pushing portion with the pushed member when closing the opening / closing member, and biases the process cartridge toward the inside of the apparatus main body via the pushed member, thereby the process cartridge. An image forming apparatus having a function of pushing the image into the mounting portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pushing portion is configured such that an amount of pushing the pushed member during opening and closing is larger than a pushing amount of the pushed member in a closed state.

Images