JP2010101990A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the maintenance of waste toner receivers by devising the arrangement of the waste toner receivers. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a conveying belt 37 disposed in an apparatus body 4; a plurality of photoreceptor drums 20 disposed opposite the conveying belt 37; a plurality of developing cartridges 21 disposed opposite the corresponding photoreceptor drums 20 and having corresponding developing rollers 24; developing hold members 28 each of which holds the corresponding developing cartridge 21 so that the cartridge 21 is detachable, and each of which is movable between the developing position where the corresponding developing roller 24 is brought into contact with or close to the corresponding photoreceptor drum and the withdrawing position where it is withdrawn from the apparatus body 4; drum holding members 26 holding the corresponding photoreceptor drums 20; and a waste toner receiverss 32 for storing waste toner recovered from the conveyance belt 37 by the cleaning member 33. Each developing hold member 28 is disposed parallel to the developing cartridge 21 in the conveying direction of the conveying belt 37 and holds the waste toner storage unit 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, and improves the maintainability of a waste toner storage unit that stores collected waste toner.

In a tandem type image forming apparatus in which a plurality of photosensitive drums are arranged substantially horizontally, as in Patent Document 1, a photosensitive drum and a developing cartridge are arranged above an endless belt, and the waste adhered to the endless belt is disposed below. A configuration is known in which a cleaning member for collecting toner and a waste toner storage unit for storing recovered waste toner are arranged.
JP 2007-79445 A

  By the way, in an image forming apparatus having a waste toner container, it is necessary to remove the waste toner container from the apparatus body in order to discard the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner container. However, in the configuration in which the waste toner container is disposed below the endless belt, it is necessary to first remove the developing cartridge and the photosensitive drum and then remove the endless belt in order to remove the waste toner container. There was a problem.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to devise the arrangement of the waste toner container and improve the maintainability of the waste toner container.

In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 includes an endless belt disposed in the apparatus main body,
A plurality of photosensitive drums arranged to face the endless belt;
A plurality of developing cartridges arranged to face the photosensitive drum and having developing rollers;
The developing cartridge is detachably held, and is configured to be movable between a developing position where the developing roller is brought into contact with or close to the photosensitive drum and a drawing position where the developing roller is drawn out from the apparatus main body. Members,
A drum holding member for holding the photosensitive drum;
A waste toner storage unit for storing waste toner collected by the cleaning member from the endless belt,
The development holding member is provided side by side with the development cartridge in the transport direction of the endless belt and holds the waste toner container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the development holding member includes the development position, a separation position that separates the development roller from the photosensitive drum, and the development roller shaft from the separation position. It is configured to be able to move the drawing position drawn in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction,
The development holding member is slidably attached to the first holding member and a first holding member configured to be movable between the development position and the separation position, and the development cartridge to be detachable. And a second holding member configured to be movable between the separation position and the drawing position,
The second holding member holds the waste toner container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the first and second side walls of the developing cartridge and the waste toner container that face the second holding member are protruded in the axial direction of the developing roller. A protrusion and a second protrusion that is disposed downstream of the first protrusion in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge and the waste toner container and protrudes in the axial direction of the developing roller;
The second holding member is formed with a first guide portion that guides and supports the first protrusion when the developing cartridge or the waste toner storage portion is mounted on the second holding member. In addition, the drum holding member is formed with a second guide portion that guides and supports the second projecting portion.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the upstream end portion in the mounting direction of the first guide portion formed on the second holding member has the shape of an opening guide portion, and the width of the opening end is set. It is characterized by having a guide oblique side that is widest and becomes narrower toward the downstream side in the mounting direction.

  The image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the second projecting portion is located on the second guide portion when the first holding member is disposed at the developing position. It is guided, and when the second holding member is arranged at the separated position, it is disengaged from the second guide portion.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the developing cartridge and the waste toner storage portion include the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. A third projecting portion disposed between and projecting in the axial direction of the developing roller;
The second holding member extends from the first guide portion, and a third projecting portion of the developing cartridge or the waste toner container when the developing cartridge or the waste toner container is attached to or detached from the second holding member. A third guide portion for guiding is formed.

An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the third guide portion is a guide groove formed on an inner surface of the second holding member facing the developing cartridge.
The downstream end portion in the mounting direction of the guide groove has a shape of a guide portion, and the width of the downstream end in the mounting direction is widened.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, wherein one of the first protrusions provided on both side walls of the developing cartridge and the waste toner container is provided. And a coupling for transmitting a driving force from a driving unit on the apparatus main body side to the developing cartridge or the waste toner container.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to eighth aspects, wherein the first holding member accommodates the second holding member in the first holding member. In addition, a guide portion that urges the developing roller in a direction in which the developing roller is pressed against the photosensitive drum or a direction in which the cleaning member is pressed against the endless belt is formed.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 is the cover according to any one of claims 2 to 9, which is provided on a front surface of the apparatus main body and opens and closes an opening through which the second holding member can be pulled out. When,
Rod-shaped protrusions provided on left and right side walls facing the inner surface of the apparatus main body on the front side and the rear side of the first holding member, and protruding in the axial direction of the developing roller;
A guide groove formed on the front side and the rear side of the inner surface of the apparatus main body, the rod-shaped protrusion slidingly moving when the first holding member moves between the development position and the separation position;
And a pair of connecting pieces that are connected to the cover and move the rod-shaped protrusion on the front side along the guide groove,
As the connecting piece moves by opening and closing the cover, the rod-shaped protrusions provided on the front side and the rear side move in sliding contact with the guide groove of the apparatus main body, so that the first holding member is It is characterized by being configured to move from the development position to the separation position.

An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to tenth aspects, wherein the waste toner container includes a collection roller that collects the waste toner attached to the cleaning member,
The endless belt is disposed below the drum holding member, and the first holding member and the second holding member are disposed above the drum holding member,
The second holding member has an opening in the vertical direction, and the developer cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to and detached from the upper opening, while the developer roller and the waste toner container in the developer cartridge are disposed on the lower opening side. A roller is arranged.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the cleaning member is held by the drum holding member.

  An image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the cleaning member is movable between a contact position where the cleaning member contacts the endless belt and a separation position where the cleaning member is separated from the endless belt. It is characterized by being composed.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the drum holding member is slidably attached to the apparatus main body.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the waste toner storage portion that stores the waste toner is held by the development holding member and is pulled out from the apparatus main body together with the development cartridge. Further, it is not necessary to remove the developing cartridge and the photosensitive drum and further to remove the endless belt at the time of maintenance of the waste toner container, so that maintainability can be improved.

  In addition, since the drum holding member that holds the photosensitive drum is provided separately from the development holding member, it is not necessary to pull out the photosensitive drum during maintenance of the waste toner container. In comparison, the drawing workability can be improved.

  According to the image forming apparatus of claim 2, the first holding member configured to be movable between the developing position and the separation position, and the second holding member configured to be movable between the separation position and the pull-out position. By providing the two holding members, the movement from the developing position to the drawing position can be realized with a simple mechanism.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when the developing cartridge or the waste toner container is mounted on the second holding member, the first protrusion or the second protrusion is guided to the first guide or the second guide. Therefore, it is easy to attach the developing cartridge or the waste toner container to the second holding member or the support.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, since the first protruding portion of the developing cartridge is guided by the guide oblique side, the developing cartridge can be easily attached to the second holding member.

  According to the image forming apparatus of claim 5, when the development holding member is arranged at the separated position, the second holding member on which the developing cartridge is mounted is pulled out from the first holding member arranged at the separated position. When the development holding member is disposed at the development position, the development cartridge can be positioned with respect to the drum holding member.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, by providing the third protrusion in the developing cartridge or the waste toner storage portion, the first holding member moves from the developing position to the separated position, and the developing cartridge or the waste toner storage portion is Even if the second projecting portion is disengaged from the second guide portion, the developing cartridge or the waste toner container is held by the second holding member by the first projecting portion and the third projecting portion, so that the developing cartridge can be stably provided. Alternatively, the waste toner container can be held by the second holding member.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, when the developing cartridge is taken out from the second holding member, the third projecting portion is easily guided by the third guide portion, and the developing cartridge is easily taken out.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the coupling of the developing cartridge or the waste toner container is the first projecting portion supported by the second holding member, so that the member is newly supported by the second holding member. The cost can be reduced.

  According to the image forming apparatus of claim 9, the developing roller can be easily pressed against the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member is pressed against the endless belt only by the operation of accommodating the second holding member in the first holding member. can do.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, the first holding member can move between the development position and the separation position in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover of the apparatus main body.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect, since the developing cartridge and the waste toner container can be detached from the upper opening of the second holding member, the development can be easily performed when the developing cartridge is replaced or when the waste toner container is maintained. The cartridge and the waste toner container can be attached and detached, and the workability is good.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the twelfth aspect, since it is not necessary to pull out the cleaning roller during maintenance of the waste toner container, it is possible to improve the drawing workability as compared with the case where the cleaning roller is pulled out.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, the cleaning member can be brought into contact with the endless belt to clean the endless belt, while the cleaning member can be separated from the endless belt during image formation.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fourteenth aspect, since it is easy to replace the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member supported by the drum holding member, it is possible to improve maintainability.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment in which a multifunction machine as an image forming apparatus is embodied.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of a multifunction machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus.

  The multifunction machine 1 includes a laser printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 2 as an image forming unit, and a scanner 3 that is placed above the printer 2 and reads an image formed on a document. A detailed description of the scanner 3 is omitted here.

  In the following description, in FIG. 1, the right side toward the paper surface is referred to as “front side”, the left side toward the paper surface as “rear side”, the back side toward the paper surface as “right side”, and the near side toward the paper surface as “front side”. "Left side". In addition, the vertical direction toward the page is defined as the “vertical direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 2 includes, in the apparatus main body 4, a paper feeding unit 5 that supplies paper (not shown) as a recording sheet, and an image forming unit 6 that forms an image on the fed paper. And a discharge unit 39 for discharging the sheet on which the image is formed.

  A front cover 12 that can be freely opened and closed is provided at the front portion of the apparatus main body 4 so as to be rotatable forward and backward with a hinge 73 provided on the lower side as a fulcrum. A second holding member 30 described later is pulled out from the opening formed by opening the front cover 12. Between the printer 2 and the scanner 3, a paper discharge tray 13 for accumulating paper discharged from the discharge unit 39 is provided.

  The paper feeding unit 5 is provided in the lower part of the apparatus main body 4, a paper feeding tray 14 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 4, and a paper supply mechanism that conveys paper from the paper feeding tray 14 to the image forming unit 6. 15 is mainly provided. The paper supply mechanism 15 is provided in front of the paper feed tray 14 and includes a paper feed roller 16, a separation roller 80, a separation pad 17, and registration rollers 18 and 19. The uppermost sheet on the sheet feed tray 14 is sent out one by one by the sheet feed roller 16, the separation roller 80 and the separation pad 17, passes through the registration rollers 18 and 19, and is then conveyed to the image forming unit 6. The

  The image forming unit 6 includes a scanner unit 7, four process units 8, a cleaning unit 9, a transfer unit 10, and a fixing unit 11.

  The scanner unit 7 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus main body 4, and a laser beam corresponding to each color based on image data emitted from the laser light emitting unit is applied on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 of the process unit 8 corresponding to each color. Irradiated at high speed.

  Four process units 8 are arranged in the front-rear direction between the scanner unit 7 and the transfer unit 10, and each process unit 8 mainly includes a developing cartridge 21 and a photosensitive drum 20 corresponding to the developing cartridge 21. ing.

  The developing cartridge 21 includes a developing frame 23, a developing roller 24 that is rotatably supported by the developing frame 23, and a supply roller 25. The developing cartridges 21 in FIG. 1 have the same configuration except for the color of toner as an example of a developer.

  The developing cartridge 21 is held by a developing holding member 28 configured to be movable with respect to the apparatus main body 4. Further, the photosensitive drum 20 is disposed below the development holding member 28 and is rotatably attached to a drum holding member 26 configured to be drawable with respect to the apparatus main body 4.

  The cleaning unit 9 is arranged in parallel with the process unit 8 on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. The cleaning unit 9 includes a cleaning unit 31 that collects toner adhering to the conveyance belt 37 described later, and a waste toner storage unit 32 that stores the collected toner. The cleaning unit 31 includes a cleaning roller 33 as a cleaning member and a collection roller 34 disposed in the waste toner storage unit 32. The waste toner container 32 is detachably held by the development holding member 28 as in the developing cartridge 21, and the cleaning roller 33 is attached to the drum holding member 26 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. Yes.

  The transfer unit 10 is provided between the paper feeding unit 5 and each process unit 8, and mainly includes a drive roller 35, a driven roller 36, a conveyance belt 37, and a transfer roller 38.

  The driving roller 35 and the driven roller 36 are spaced apart in parallel in the front-rear direction, and a conveyance belt 37 as an endless belt is stretched between them. The conveyor belt 37 is disposed below the drum holding member 26, and the outer surface thereof is in contact with each photosensitive drum 20 and the cleaning roller 33. In addition, four transfer rollers 38 that sandwich the conveyance belt 37 between the photosensitive drums 20 are arranged inside the conveyance belt 37 so as to face the photosensitive drums 20.

  The fixing unit 11 is disposed on the rear side of each process unit 8 and the transfer unit 10, and includes a heating roller 22 and a pressure roller 27 that is disposed to face the heating roller 22 and presses the heating roller 22.

  Next, the development holding member 28 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the multifunction machine 1 with the front cover 12 closed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the multifunction machine 1 with the front cover 12 open. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the multifunction machine 1 in which a second holding member 30 described later is pulled out from the apparatus main body 4 with the front cover 12 opened.

  The development holding member 28 includes a first holding member 29 and a second holding member 30 that is slidably attached to the first holding member 29 and holds the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner storage portion 32.

  The first holding member 29 includes a developing position where the developing roller 24 of the developing cartridge 21 held by the second holding member 30 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 20 (the position in FIG. 2), the developing roller 24 and the photosensitive drum. It is configured to be movable between a separation position (position in FIG. 3) at which it is separated from 20. In addition, the second holding member 30 is pulled out from the first holding member 29 in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the conveying belt 37 in a state where the first holding member 29 is arranged at the separating position. (Position in FIG. 4).

  The mechanism by which the first holding member 29 moves between the development position and the separation position and the mechanism by which the second holding member 30 moves from the separation position to the drawing position will be described later.

  In the second holding member 30, four developing cartridges 21 and a waste toner storage portion 32 are arranged in parallel in the transport direction of the transport belt 37, and the waste toner storage portion 32 is the most in the transport direction of the parallel development cartridges 21. Arranged upstream. The second holding member 30 has upper and lower openings 88 and 89, and the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32 are attached to and detached from the second holding member 30 through the upper opening 88. In a state where the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32 are mounted on the second holding member 30, a later-described developing frame 23 that holds the developing roller 24 and a collection roller 34 are held from the lower opening 89 of the second holding member 30. A frame 48 to be described later is exposed.

  A gripping member 42 that pulls out the second holding member 30 from the first holding member 29 is provided on the front surface of the second holding member 30.

  FIG. 5 is a side view of the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32.

  FIG. 5 shows an attaching / detaching direction D when the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner containing portion 32 are attached / detached to / from the second holding member 30, and substantially coincides with the up-down direction shown in FIG.

  The developing cartridge 21 is provided with a first protrusion 84 that extends in the axial direction of the developing roller 24 from the upper part of the left and right side walls of the developing frame 23. The left first protrusion shown in FIG. 5 of the pair of first protrusions 84 is a coupling member 44 that transmits rotation from the developing drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus body 4 to the developing cartridge 21. As a function. Further, on the left and right side walls of the developing frame 23, a rotation shaft 45 of the developing roller 24 as a second projecting portion disposed below the coupling member 44 with a space in the attaching / detaching direction D is provided on the shaft of the developing roller 24. Extending in the direction. The rotating shaft 45 of the developing roller 24 is set to have a protruding height smaller than that of the coupling member 44.

  The coupling member 44 to which the driving force of the developing drive motor is transmitted from the apparatus main body 4 transmits the rotation to the rotating shaft 45 of the developing roller 24 through an intermediate gear (not shown).

  Further, on both side walls of the developing frame 23, shaft portions 46 as third projecting portions disposed between the coupling member 44 and the rotating shaft 45 of the developing roller 24 are provided. The shaft portion 46 has the same protruding height as the rotation shaft 45 of the developing roller 24.

  Further, the developing cartridge 21 is rotated on the upper surface of the developing frame 23 between a storage position along the upper surface of the developing frame 23 (see FIG. 1) and a gripping position inclined with respect to the upper surface of the developing frame 23 (see FIG. 4). A gripping portion 47 is provided which is detachably attached. The grip portion 47 is disposed at the storage position when the developing cartridge 21 is stored in the first holding member 29. When the developing cartridge 21 is pulled out from the first holding member 29 together with the second holding member 30, as shown in FIG. 4, the user raises the gripping portion 47 to the gripping position, grips the gripping portion 47, and moves the developing cartridge 21 to the first position. 2 Take out from the upper opening 88 of the holding member 30.

  The waste toner container 32 includes a frame 48 that rotatably holds the collection roller 34, and a first protrusion 85 that extends in the axial direction of the collection roller 34 from the upper portions of the left and right side walls of the frame 48 is provided. ing. Of the pair of first protrusions 85, the first protrusion on the left side shown in FIG. 5 is a coupling that transmits the rotation from the cleaning drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus body 4 to the waste toner storage part 32. It has a function as the member 49.

  The waste toner container 32 has the same mounting / demounting direction with respect to the second holding member 30 as the mounting / demounting direction D of the developing cartridge 21.

  On the left and right side walls of the frame 48, a rotation shaft 50 of the collection roller 34 as a second projecting portion disposed below the coupling member 49 at a distance in the attaching / detaching direction D extends in the axial direction of the collection roller 34. Is provided. The rotation axis 50 of the collection roller 34 is set to have a protruding height smaller than that of the coupling member 49. The coupling member 49 receives the driving force of the cleaning drive motor from the apparatus main body 4 and transmits the rotation to the rotation shaft 50 of the collection roller 34 via an intermediate gear (not shown).

  Further, the both side walls of the frame 48 are provided with a coupling member 49 and a shaft portion 51 as a third protruding portion disposed between the rotation shaft 50 of the collection roller 34. The shaft portion 51 has the same protruding height as that of the rotation shaft 50 of the collection roller 34.

  The waste toner storage portion 32 is provided with a grip portion 70 having the same configuration as the grip portion 47 of the developing cartridge 21.

  Next, the mounting of the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32 to the second holding member 30 and the drum holding member 26 will be described.

  6 is a cross-sectional view of the second holding member 30, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of guide support grooves 52 and 53 and guide grooves 56 and 57, which will be described later, and FIG. 4 is a side view of a state in which the toner storage portion 32 is attached to the second holding member 30. FIG.

  The second holding member 30 is formed with a notch-shaped guide support groove 52 that guides the coupling member 44 of the developing cartridge 21 at a position corresponding to each developing cartridge 21. The guide support groove 52 extends downward in the attaching / detaching direction D, and the coupling member 44 is supported by the guide support groove 52 when the developing cartridge 21 is attached to the second holding member 30 as shown in FIG. .

  Further, a guide support groove 53 similar to the guide support groove 52 that supports the coupling member 44 of the developing cartridge 21 is formed in the second holding member 30 at a position corresponding to the waste toner storage portion 32. When the waste toner container 32 is attached to the second holding member 30, the coupling member 49 is supported by the guide support groove 53 as shown in FIG. The guide support grooves 52 and 53 are formed in the shape of an opening guide portion, and have guide oblique sides 54 and 55 that have the widest opening end width and become narrower downward in the attaching / detaching direction D.

  A guide groove 56 extending in parallel from a guide support groove 52 that supports the developing cartridge 21 is formed on the inner surface of the second holding member 30. When the developing cartridge 21 is attached to and detached from the second holding member 30, the cup The shaft portion 46 and the rotating shaft 45 of the developing cartridge 21, which have a lower projection height than the ring member 44, are slidably contacted and guided.

  Further, a guide groove 57 similar to the guide groove 56 is formed on the inner surface of the second holding member 30 so that the shaft portion 46 and the rotation shaft 45 of the developing cartridge 21 are slidably in contact with each other. Also, the shaft 51 and the rotating shaft 50 of the waste toner container 32 having a low protruding height are slidably guided.

  The lower ends of the guide grooves 56 and 57 have the shape of a guide portion, and the width of the lower end is widened to form guide portions 82 and 83. The guide portions 82 and 83 guide the rotation shafts 45 and 50 when the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner storage portion 32 are taken out from the second holding member 30 and moved upward in the attaching / detaching direction D.

  9 is a side sectional view of the drum holding member 26, FIG. 10 is a side view of the drum holding member 26 showing the state of the cleaning mode, and FIG. 11 is a side view of the drum holding member 26 showing the state of the printing mode.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drum holding member 26 is disposed between the second holding member 30 and the conveyance belt 37, and rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 20 at a position corresponding to each developing cartridge 21. ing. In addition, the drum holding member 26 rotatably supports the cleaning roller 33 at a position corresponding to the waste toner storage portion 32, and the photosensitive drum 20 and the cleaning roller 33 are arranged in parallel in the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 37. ing.

  The drum holding member 26 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 4 by a known configuration provided with a slide member (not shown). On the front surface of the drum holding member 26, a gripping member 43 that is gripped by the user when the drum holding member 26 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 4 is provided.

A guide groove 58 for guiding the rotation shaft 45 of the developing roller 24 is formed on the inner surface of the drum holding member 26 at a position corresponding to each developing cartridge 21. The guide groove 58 extends in the attaching / detaching direction D. When the first holding member 29 is moved from the separated position to the developing position, the guide groove 58 guides the rotating shaft 45 and the developing roller 24 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 20. It becomes a state.
When the developing cartridge 21 is disposed at the separation position, the developing roller 24 is separated from the photosensitive drum 20 and the rotation shaft 45 is detached from the guide groove 58.

  The drum holding member 26 is provided with support plates 59 fixed to the left and right ends of the cleaning roller 33. A guide groove 65 extending in the attaching / detaching direction D is formed on the inner surface of the support plate 59 at a position corresponding to the waste toner storage portion 32, and guides the rotation shaft 50 of the recovery roller 34 of the waste toner storage portion 32.

  When the second holding member 30 in which the waste toner storage portion 32 is stored is moved from the separation position to the development position, the rotation shaft 50 of the recovery roller 34 is guided in the guide groove 65 of the support plate 59, and the recovery roller 34 becomes the cleaning roller. 33 is brought into contact. When the waste toner container 32 is disposed at the separation position, the collection roller 34 is separated from the cleaning roller 33 and the rotating shaft 50 is detached from the guide groove 65.

  The drum holding member 26 is formed with a first through hole 61 extending in the attaching / detaching direction D, and the rotation shaft 60 of the cleaning roller 33 is inserted into the first through hole 61. The drum holding member 26 is formed with second through holes 63 extending in the attaching / detaching direction D on the left and right walls at positions corresponding to the support plate 59. The support plate 59 is provided with a protrusion 62 that is inserted into the second through hole 63 and supported by a cam member 64 provided in the apparatus main body 4. The cam member 64 is driven by a support plate drive motor (not shown) provided on the apparatus body 4 side.

  As a result, the cleaning roller 33 can move with respect to the drum holding member 26 between a contact position where the cleaning roller 33 is in contact with the conveyance belt 37 and a separation position where the cleaning roller 33 is separated from the conveyance belt 37.

  In the printing mode for printing on the paper conveyed to the conveying belt 37 (see FIG. 10), the support plate driving motor for driving the cam member 64 is activated to rotate the cam member 64, and the cam member 64 is rotated. Accordingly, the protrusion 62 moves upward along the second through hole 63, lifts the support plate 59 together with the cleaning roller 33 and the waste toner container 32, and separates the cleaning roller 33 from the conveyance belt 37. On the other hand, in the cleaning mode (see FIG. 11), the cam member 64 is further rotated by the support plate drive motor, and the cam member 64 moves the protrusion 62 downward along the second through-hole 63, thereby cleaning the roller 33. Contacts the conveyor belt 37.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an urging means 71 is provided on the upper surface of the developing frame 23 of the developing cartridge 21. The biasing means 71 includes a coil spring 66 having one end fixed to the upper surface of the developing frame 23 and a contact member 67 connected to the other end of the coil spring 66. The contact member 67 contacts the inner surface 86 of the upper wall as a guide portion of the second holding member 30 in a state where the second holding member 30 is accommodated in the first holding member 29.

  Further, on the upper surface of the frame 48 of the waste toner container 32, an urging unit 72 including a coil spring 68 and a contact member 69 similar to the urging unit 71 of the developing cartridge 21 is provided.

  The front end of the upper wall inner surface 86 of the first holding member 30 is formed with an inclined side 87 that is inclined downward toward the rear side, and the developing cartridge 21 held by the second holding member 30 is connected to the first holding member 29. When the first holding member 29 is moved from the separated position to the developing position, the contact rollers 67 and 69 are pressed along the inclined side 87, and the developing roller 24 is biased by the biasing force of the coil springs 66 and 68. The recovery roller 34 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 20 and the cleaning roller 33.

  Bar-like projections 76 extending in the axial direction of the developing roller 24 are provided on the left and right side walls on the front side and the rear side of the first holding member 29. A guide groove 77 is formed at a position corresponding to the rod-shaped protrusion 76 on the inner surface of the apparatus main body 4 so that the end of the rod-shaped protrusion 76 is slidably contacted.

  The guide groove 77 on the inner surface of the apparatus main body 4 includes a moving groove 78 extending in the vertical direction and inclined to the front side, and a fixed groove 79 extending from the upper end of the moving groove 78 to the front side. . In a state where the rod-shaped protrusion 76 is disposed at the lower end of the moving groove 78, the first holding member 29 is disposed at the developing position. On the other hand, in a state where the rod-shaped protrusion 76 is disposed in the fixing groove 79, the first holding member 29 is disposed in the separated position.

  At both the left and right side portions of the front cover 12 of the apparatus main body 4, front side ends are connected to the inner surface of the front cover 12, and a connecting piece disposed between the inner surface of the apparatus main body 4 and the first holding member 29. 74 is provided. A guide groove 75 for supporting the rod-shaped protrusion 76 of the first holding member 29 is formed in the connecting piece 74. The connecting piece 74 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 4 when the front cover 12 is opened, and is accommodated in the apparatus main body 4 when closed. As the front cover 12 is opened and closed, the connecting piece 74 moves the rod-like protrusion 76 supported by the guide groove 75 between the development position and the separation position. Specifically, the rod-shaped protrusion 76 is located at the lower end of the movement groove 78 in a state where the front cover 12 is closed, and the movement of the connecting piece 74 accompanying the opening of the front cover 12 causes the inner surface of the apparatus main body 4 to move. It moves to the upper end along the moving groove 78 and is further supported by the fixed groove 79.

  As shown in FIG. 8, slide rails 40 extending in the transport direction of the transport belt 37 are attached to the second holding member 30 on both side walls in the axial direction of the developing roller 24. A rail groove (not shown) through which the slide rail 40 of the second holding member 30 slides is formed on the inner surface of the first holding member 29 facing the second holding member 30.

  A step portion (not shown) is formed at the front end portion of the rail groove, and a stopper portion 41 protruding downward is provided at the rear end portion of the slide rail 40. In a state where the second holding member 30 is pulled out of the main body 4 from the first holding member 29, the stopper portion 41 abuts on the stepped portion so that the second holding member 30 does not come out of the first holding member 29. It has a configuration.

  Next, a series of operations when the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32 are replaced in the printer 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the front cover 12 is closed, the first holding member 29 is disposed at the developing position, and the developing roller 24 of the developing cartridge 21 and the collecting roller 34 of the waste toner containing portion 32 are The urging force of the coil springs 66 and 68 receiving the pressing force from the upper wall inner surface 86 of the first holding member 29 is pressed against and contacts the photosensitive drum 20 and the cleaning roller 33.

  When the user replaces the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32, the front cover 12 is opened. At this time, the connecting piece 74 is pulled out as the front cover 12 is opened. When the connecting piece 74 is pulled out, the rod-shaped protrusion 76 provided on the first holding member 29 disposed at the lower end of the movement groove 78 of the apparatus main body 4 is moved to the upper end along the movement groove 78 on the inner surface of the apparatus main body 4. The When the front cover 12 is fully opened, as shown in FIG. 3, the rod-like protrusion 76 is pushed forward by the rear side end of the guide groove 75 of the connecting piece 74 and moved to the fixing groove 79 to be supported. 29 is arranged at a separated position. At this time, the developing roller 24 of the developing cartridge 21 and the collecting roller 34 of the waste toner container 32 are separated from the photosensitive drum 20 and the cleaning roller 33, and the rotation shaft 45 provided in the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32. , 50 are removed from the guide grooves 58, 65 of the drum holding member 26. At this time, the coil springs 66 and 68 provided in the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32 are still receiving a pressing force from the upper wall inner surface 86 of the first holding member 29.

  Next, the user pulls the gripping member 42 of the second holding member 30 forward, and as shown in FIG. 4, pulls out the second holding member 30 from the first holding member 29 and puts the second holding member 30 into the drawing position. Deploy. At this time, the coil springs 66 and 68 provided in the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32 are released from the pressing force from the upper wall inner surface 86 of the first holding member 29.

  Then, the user raises the gripping portion 47 of the developing cartridge 21 that needs to be replaced from the first holding member 29 pulled out from the storage position to the gripping position, and grips the gripping portion 47 to bring the developing cartridge 21 into the second holding member 30. Take out from.

  Next, when the user mounts the new developing cartridge 21 on the second holding member 30, the user rotates the rotating shaft 45 and the shaft portion 46 provided in the developing cartridge 21 in sliding contact with the guide groove 56 extending from the guide support groove 52. Then, the developing cartridge 21 is attached to the second holding member 30 downward in the attaching / detaching direction D. When the developing cartridge 21 is further moved downward in the attaching / detaching direction D, the coupling member 44 disposed above the rotation shaft 45 and the shaft portion 46 is guided by the guide oblique side 54 formed in the guide support groove 52 to guide support. The developing cartridge 21 is attached to the second holding member 30 by being fitted into the groove 52. The waste toner container 32 is also replaced in the same manner as the developing cartridge 21.

  When the developing cartridge 21 needs to be replaced, the above operation is performed to check whether or not the waste toner storage unit 32 needs to be replaced. When the replacement time comes, only the waste toner container 32 may be replaced.

  Next, the user holds the second holding member 30 in the first holding member 29 by grasping the holding member 42 of the second holding member 30 arranged at the drawing position and pushing the second holding member 30 to the rear side. To do. At this time, the contact members 67 and 69 provided in the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner container 32 are accommodated in the first holding member 29 along the inclined side 87. In a state where the second holding member 30 is accommodated in the first holding member 29, the developing cartridge 21 and the waste toner accommodating portion 32 are pressed downward by the coil springs 66 and 68 that receive a pressing force from the upper wall inner surface 86. It becomes a state.

  When the front cover 12 is closed, the first holding member 29 is moved from the separation position to the development position in the reverse process of opening. At this time, the rotation shaft 45 of the developing roller 24 provided in the developing cartridge 21 mounted on the second holding member 30 is guided by a guide groove 58 formed in the drum holding member 26, and the developing roller 24 is moved to the photosensitive drum. 20 is contacted. Similarly, the rotation shaft 50 provided in the waste toner container 32 is also inserted into the guide groove 65, and the collection roller 34 is brought into contact with the cleaning roller 33. The developing roller 24 and the collection roller 34 are pressed against the photosensitive drum 20 and the cleaning roller 33 by the coil springs 66 and 68.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.

  With this configuration, the waste toner container 32 is held by the second holding member 30 and pulled out from the apparatus main body 4 together with the developing cartridge 21, so that the developer cartridge 21 and the photosensitive drum 20 are removed during maintenance of the waste toner container 32. In addition, it is not necessary to remove the transport belt 37, and the maintainability of the waste toner container 32 can be improved.

  Further, since the drum holding member 26 is provided separately from the development holding member 28 and the drum holding member 26 can be pulled out from the apparatus main body 4, the photosensitive drum 20 can be removed during maintenance of the waste toner container 32. Since the drawing workability is not required, the drawing workability can be improved, the replacement of the photosensitive drum 20 and the cleaning roller 33 can be facilitated, and the maintenance property can be improved.

  In addition, the first holding member 29 configured to be movable between the development position and the separation position, the second holding member 30 configured to be movable between the separation position and the drawing position, and two holding members are provided. Thus, the movement from the developing position to the drawing position can be realized with a simple mechanism.

  In the present embodiment, the second holding member 30 is pulled out in the transport direction of the transport belt 37, but the pull-out direction is not limited and may be obliquely upward with respect to the apparatus main body 4.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of a multifunction machine. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the multifunction machine when the first holding member is disposed at the development position. It is the figure which makes a section of a compound machine a section when the 1st holding member is arranged in a separation position. It is the figure which makes a cross section a part of multifunctional machine when the 2nd holding member is arrange | positioned in the extraction position. FIG. 4 is a side view of a developing cartridge and a waste toner storage unit. It is sectional drawing of a 2nd holding member. It is the figure which expanded the guide support groove | channel of FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view of a state in which a developing cartridge and a waste toner container are attached to a second holding member. It is sectional drawing of a drum holding member. FIG. 6 is a side view of the drum holding member in which the cleaning roller is in a printing mode. It is a side view of the drum holding member in which the cleaning roller is in a cleaning mode.

Explanation of symbols

4 Device body 12 Front cover (cover)
20 Photosensitive drum 21 Developing cartridge 24 Developing roller 26 Drum holding member 28 Development holding member 29 First holding member 30 Second holding member 32 Waste toner container 33 Cleaning roller (cleaning member)
37 Conveyor belt (endless belt)
44, 49 Coupling member (first protrusion)
45, 50 Rotating shaft (second protrusion)
46, 51 Shaft (third protrusion)
52, 53 Guide support groove (first guide)
54, 55 Guide hypotenuse 56, 57 Guide groove (third guide)
58, 65 Guide groove (second guide part)
74 Connecting piece 76 Bar-shaped protrusion 77 Guide groove 82, 83 Guide part 88 Upper opening 89 Lower opening

Claims (14)

An endless belt disposed in the apparatus body;
A plurality of photosensitive drums arranged to face the endless belt;
A plurality of developing cartridges arranged to face the photosensitive drum and having developing rollers;
The developing cartridge is configured to be detachably held, and is configured to be movable between a developing position where the developing roller comes into contact with or approaches the photosensitive drum and a drawing position where the developing roller is pulled out from the apparatus main body. Members,
A drum holding member for holding the photosensitive drum;
A waste toner storage unit for storing waste toner collected by the cleaning member from the endless belt,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the development holding member is arranged in parallel with the development cartridge in the conveying direction of the endless belt and holds the waste toner storage unit. The development holding member is movable between the development position, a separation position that separates the development roller from the photosensitive drum, and a drawing position that is drawn from the separation position in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the development roller. Is composed of
The development holding member is slidably attached to the first holding member and a first holding member configured to be movable between the development position and the separation position, and the development cartridge to be detachable. And a second holding member configured to be movable between the separation position and the drawing position,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second holding member detachably holds the waste toner container. A first projecting portion projecting in the axial direction of the developing roller is formed on both side walls of the developing cartridge and the waste toner containing portion facing the second holding member, and the developing cartridge and the waste product are projected from the first projecting portion. A second protrusion that is disposed downstream of the toner container in the mounting direction and protrudes in the axial direction of the developing roller;
The second holding member is formed with a first guide portion that guides and supports the first protrusion when the developing cartridge or the waste toner storage portion is mounted on the second holding member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a second guide portion that guides and supports the second protrusion is formed on the drum holding member.   The upstream end portion in the mounting direction of the first guide portion formed on the second holding member has the shape of an opening guide portion, the guide oblique side having the widest opening end and the width narrowing toward the downstream side in the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:   The second protrusion is guided by the second guide when the first holding member is disposed at the developing position, and when the first holding member is disposed at the separated position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is disengaged from the second guide portion. The developing cartridge and the waste toner container have a third protruding portion that is disposed between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion and protrudes in the axial direction of the developing roller,
The second holding member extends from the first guide portion, and a third projecting portion of the developing cartridge or the waste toner container when the developing cartridge or the waste toner container is attached to or detached from the second holding member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a third guide portion that guides the image is formed. The third guide portion is a guide groove formed on an inner surface of the second holding member facing the developing cartridge;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a downstream end portion in the mounting direction of the guide groove has a shape of a guide portion, and a width of the downstream end in the mounting direction is widened.   One of the first protrusions provided on both side walls of the developing cartridge and the waste toner container transmits the driving force from the driving unit on the apparatus main body side to the developer cartridge or the waste toner container. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a coupling.   The first holding member presses the developing roller against the photosensitive drum or the cleaning member against the endless belt as the second holding member is accommodated in the first holding member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a guide portion that is urged in a direction is formed. A cover provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body, for opening and closing an opening from which the second holding member can be pulled out;
Rod-shaped protrusions provided on left and right side walls facing the inner surface of the apparatus main body on the front side and the rear side of the first holding member, and protruding in the axial direction of the developing roller;
A guide groove formed on the front side and the rear side of the inner surface of the apparatus main body, the rod-shaped protrusion slidingly moving when the first holding member moves between the development position and the separation position;
And a pair of connecting pieces that are connected to the cover and move the rod-shaped protrusion on the front side along the guide groove,
As the connecting piece moves by opening and closing the cover, the rod-shaped protrusions provided on the front side and the rear side move in sliding contact with the guide groove of the apparatus main body, so that the first holding member is The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to move from a development position to the separation position. The waste toner container includes a collection roller that collects waste toner attached to the cleaning member,
The endless belt is disposed below the drum holding member, and the first holding member and the second holding member are disposed above the drum holding member,
The second holding member has an opening in the vertical direction, and the developer cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to and detached from the upper opening, while the developer roller and the waste toner container in the developer cartridge are disposed on the lower opening side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a roller.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is held by the drum holding member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the cleaning member is configured to be movable between a contact position where the cleaning member is in contact with the endless belt and a separation position where the cleaning member is separated from the endless belt. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum holding member is slidably attached to the apparatus main body.