JP2011065030A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of imaging processing components related to a process of forming an image are mounted onto a mounting section where it is to be mounted in the state where it is positioned correctly at a necessary interval. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus has: a mounting section 5 for mounting the plurality of imaging process components 2 having two holding object parts 27 held at facing positions during mounting at the necessary interval (L1-L3); and a pair of holding members 62 and 64 that are arranged in the state facing the mounting section and have a plurality of holding sections 61 and 63 for holding respective holding object parts in the plurality of imaging process components. The pair of holding members have the plurality of holding sections 61 and 63 formed to have the same shape, respectively, and have an interval equal to the necessary interval (L1-L3). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, for example, the following is known as an image forming apparatus that employs a support structure in consideration of maintaining image quality.

  An image carrier, a writing unit for forming an image on the image carrier, a toner image forming unit for converting the written image into a toner image, and a sheet transferred to transfer the toner image formed on the image carrier onto the sheet. There is known an image forming apparatus that employs the following connecting structure as a frame connecting structure of an image forming apparatus that includes at least a sheet transporting means for transporting to a position and has a skeleton of the apparatus main body connected to a plurality of frame means. (Patent Document 1). That is, when the image forming apparatus is installed at a predetermined position among the plurality of frame means, the main body lower frame provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body that contacts the installation surface, the image carrier, the writing means, and the paper A sub-frame that supports the conveying means for positioning is provided separately, and joined to connect two opposite sides of the sub-frame to two opposite sides of the main body lower frame along the paper conveyance direction. Of these, one side is connected at one point so that the joint point is one point, and the other one side is connected at two points so that the joint point is two points, and the main body lower frame and the sub frame are joined. A three-point connection with only three points, and the sub-frame and the main body lower frame can be moved relative to each other with the one-point connection part as a fulcrum. The distortion of the installation surface which is an image forming apparatus employing the frame connection structure was difficult structure transmitted to the sub-frame via the lower body frame.

  An image forming apparatus employing the following support structure is known as a support structure for a housing of an image forming apparatus in which components are spanned between a first side plate and a second side plate that rise from a rectangular bottom plate and face each other. (Patent Document 2). That is, the bottom plate is supported on the installation surface by the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg, and the first leg and the second leg are disposed on the lower side of the first side plate, The third leg is disposed on the lower side of the second side plate, and the part is stored inside a triangle connecting the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg. An image forming apparatus adopting a support structure in which a center of gravity is located.

  Further, as an image forming apparatus that forms an image using an image forming member that is supported at two points and supported by a longitudinal member to which a load acts, the longitudinal member is supported at two points and acts on the longitudinal member. Two support members that receive a load to be applied, and are located in a longitudinal position away from the load point of the longitudinal member and further away from the support point of the longitudinal member. An image forming apparatus provided with three support points is known (Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent No. 3692926 Japanese Patent No. 3744157 JP 2004-109486 A

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of image forming process components involved in an image forming process in a state where the components are accurately positioned at a required interval with respect to a mounting portion to which the image forming process component is to be mounted. To do.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (A1) includes a mounting unit that mounts a plurality of image forming process parts having two held parts held at opposite positions when mounted, and the mounting unit. And a pair of holding members formed with a plurality of holding portions for holding each held portion in the plurality of image forming process parts,
In the pair of holding members, the plurality of holding portions in the holding members are formed in the same shape as each other and are formed at an interval equal to the required interval.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (A2) is the image forming apparatus according to the above-described invention A1, wherein the holding member is a member that is attached and fixed to a main body member constituting the main body of the image forming apparatus including the mounting portion. is there.

  The image forming apparatus according to the invention (A3) is the image forming apparatus according to the invention A1 or A2, wherein the holding member is formed of a metal plate formed by punching the holding portion with the same mold.

  The image forming apparatus according to the invention (A4) is the image forming apparatus according to the invention A1, in which the holding member is used with a processing burr remaining on one edge of the holding portion.

  The image forming apparatus according to the invention (A5) is the image forming apparatus according to the invention A4, wherein at least one of the holding members includes a bent portion obtained by bending a part of an end of the holding member. It is bent in a direction opposite to the projecting direction of the processing burr across a main body portion other than the bent portion.

  The image forming apparatus according to the invention (A6) is the image forming apparatus according to the invention A5, wherein the holding member having the bent portion is welded with the front end portion of the bent portion being in contact with the main body member. It is fixed.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention (A7), in the image forming apparatus of the invention A6, the holding member fixed in the welded state is in a state where the three portions of the distal end portions of the bent portions are welded. It is fixed.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention (A8), in the image forming apparatus of the invention A2, the holding member is a member thicker than the main body member to which the holding member is attached.

  The image forming apparatus according to the invention (A9) is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the inventions A1 to A8, wherein the imaging process component includes a rotating body having a rotating shaft, and the held portion is a shaft of the rotating body. It is a bearing member which supports rotatively.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (A10) is the image forming apparatus according to the above-described invention A9, wherein the image forming process component is a detachable structure that is detachably mounted on a mounting portion provided in the image forming apparatus body. is there.

  The image forming apparatus of the invention (A11) is the image forming apparatus of the invention A9 or A10, wherein the rotating body of the image forming process component is a photosensitive drum.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (A12) is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the inventions A9 to A10, wherein the image forming process component includes a plurality of image forming process components including a photosensitive drum as the rotating body; At the secondary transfer position, an intermediate transfer belt is transported to the secondary transfer position where the unfixed images respectively formed by the photoconductors in the plurality of image forming process parts as a rotating body are primary transferred and transferred to the recording medium. The image forming process component includes a support roll supported from the inner peripheral surface of the belt.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention A1, a plurality of image forming process parts are accurately positioned at a required interval with respect to a mounting portion where the image forming process parts are to be mounted, as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided. Can be installed.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention A2, the effect of the invention A1 can be obtained by reducing the influence of the distortion or the like of the main body member as compared with the case of not having the configuration of the invention.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention A3, the dimensional accuracy of the holding portion is increased and the interval between the plurality of image forming process parts can be more accurately maintained as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention A4, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the dimensional accuracy of the holding portion due to the removal of the processing burr as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the invention A5, as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided, the strength is increased due to the presence of the bent portion, thereby reducing the influence of distortion or the like due to the attachment of the holding member to the main body member. Thus, the effect of the invention A1 can be obtained.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention A6, the effect of the invention A1 can be obtained by reducing the influence of distortion or the like due to the attachment of the holding member to the main body member as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided. it can.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the invention A7, as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided, the influence of the distortion or the like on the main body member is reduced, and the holding member can be fixed to the main body member with high accuracy.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the invention A8, the effect of the invention A1 can be obtained by further reducing the influence of distortion or the like on the main body member as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the invention A9, the interval between the rotating bodies (distance between the axes) in each image forming process component when mounted is accurately maintained as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention A10, the effect of the invention A1 can be obtained even when the image forming process component is detachably attached to the attachment portion of the image forming apparatus main body, as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided. it can.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the invention A11, the interval between the photosensitive drums in each image forming process component when mounted is accurately maintained as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the invention A12, compared to the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided, the interval between the photosensitive drums in the respective image forming process parts when mounted is maintained accurately, and the photoconductor The distance between the drum and the supporting roll in one image forming process part is also accurately maintained.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part inside the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 (a part inside an inner door). FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of mounting portions in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a configuration of a mounting portion in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a configuration of a mounting portion provided on an inner door in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the external appearance of an image formation unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the edge part which becomes the attachment direction downstream of an image forming unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a pair of holding plate. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the state which attached and fixed the holding | maintenance board of the apparatus back side. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the state which attached and fixed the holding plate of the front side of an apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the holding | maintenance board of FIG. 11, and the inner side door which attaches it. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the image forming unit is mounted and held on a holding plate on the back side of the apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state with which the several image forming unit was mounted | worn and hold | maintained at the holding | maintenance board of the apparatus back | inner side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state with which the several image formation unit was mounted | worn and it is hold | maintained at the holding plate at the front side of an apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically a state, its space | interval, etc. when a some image forming unit (photosensitive drum) is mounted | worn. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the image forming unit is held by holding devices on the back side and the front side of the device. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically a structure at the time of applying a pair of holding plate provided by adding the holding hole of a backup roll. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a state when an image forming unit (photosensitive drum), a backup roll, and the like in the configuration of FIG.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus has a casing 1 as an apparatus main body, and four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are located at almost the center position inside the casing 1. Four image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K that respectively form developer (toner) images are arranged in series at a required interval (for example, the same interval).

  The housing 1 is composed of a plurality of structural members such as a skeleton member, a plate material, and an exterior material, and the appearance is formed in a shape (box shape) similar to a box shape. The housing 1 is formed with a discharge portion 11 for accommodating a recording medium on which an image is formed on the upper surface portion, and an openable / closable outer door 12 is provided on one side surface portion thereof.

  Each of the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging device 22, a developing device 23, a drum cleaning device 24, and the like. Each of the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) is configured as an attachment / detachment unit in which the photosensitive drum 21, the charging device 22, the developing device 23, and the drum cleaning device 24 are integrated. Thus, it is configured so that it can be detachably mounted on the housing 1 (mounting portion thereof).

  At a position below the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) inside the housing 1, light L (LY, LM) corresponding to the image signal of each color component on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 21. , LC, LK) is arranged to form an electrostatic latent image. For example, the exposure device 25 scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 through a light source such as a semiconductor laser and light emitted from the light source according to an image signal inside the housing through optical components such as a polygon mirror and a lens. And an optical scanning device for exposure. The casing of the exposure device 25 is provided with a light exit window that emits the light L toward the respective photosensitive drums 21. Further, an image signal is transmitted to the exposure device 25 from an image processing device (including an image input device) (not shown).

  In each of the image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K), when a request for image formation is received, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 that is rotated by transmission of power from a driving device (not shown) is charged by the charging roller 22. After being charged to a potential, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 21 is irradiated with light L (LY, LM, LC, LK) corresponding to the image signal of each color component from the exposure device 25, and the electrostatic latent of each color component is irradiated. Form an image. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image of each color component formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 21 is converted into the four colors (Y, M, C, K) in the corresponding developing device 23 (Y, M, C, K). The four color toner images are formed by developing with the developer of any one of the above.

  The developing device 23 agitates and charges the developer (for example, two-component developer) of the color to be accommodated by the agitating / conveying member and then holds the developer on the developing roll 26, and the developing roll 26 holds the developer on the photosensitive drum 21. It is conveyed so as to pass through the developing area facing it. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roll 26 from a power supply device (not shown). Further, in the developing device 23 (Y, M, C, K), a cartridge type developer storage container 48 (Y, M, C, K) that is detachably mounted at an upper position inside the housing 10 is mounted. The four color developers respectively accommodated are individually replenished through a replenishment transport device (not shown).

  Further, a recording sheet as a recording medium after the toner image formed by each image forming unit 20 is primarily transferred to a position above the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) inside the housing 1. An intermediate transfer device 3 that conveys to a secondary transfer position for secondary transfer to P is arranged. The intermediate transfer device 3 is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 31 and an endless intermediate transfer belt 31 that can hold a toner image by electrostatic action, and each image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K). A primary transfer roll 32 for primary transfer of the toner images to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31, and a secondary transfer roll 33 for secondary transfer of the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 to the recording paper P. ing. As will be described later, the intermediate transfer device 3 is detachably attached to the housing 1 (attachment portion thereof).

  The intermediate transfer belt 31 is disposed to face the secondary transfer roll 33 with the intermediate transfer belt 31 interposed between the driving roll 34 that transmits the rotational force to the intermediate transfer belt 31, the tension applying roll 35 that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 31, and the intermediate transfer belt 31. It is wound around a support roll such as the backup roll 36 to be rotated, and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow. The primary transfer roll 32 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 21 (Y, M, C, K) of each image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) with the intermediate transfer belt 31 interposed therebetween. A required primary transfer voltage is applied from a power supply device (not shown). A required secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roll 33 from a power supply device (not shown). Reference numeral 37 in FIG. 2 denotes a belt cleaning device that removes deposits such as toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 31.

  In the intermediate transfer device 3, each color toner image formed by the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) is aligned with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the primary transfer roll 32 during image formation. In this state, the primary transfer is performed sequentially. The intermediate transfer belt 31 conveys the primary transferred toner image to the secondary transfer position where the secondary transfer roll 33 faces. At this time, in the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K), the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the primary transfer is cleaned by the drum cleaning device 24.

  Further, a paper feeding device 40 in which the recording paper P is accommodated is disposed at a position below the exposure device 25 inside the housing 1. The paper feeding device 40 is attached to the housing 10 so that it can be pulled out, and stores a recording paper P having a desired size, type, and the like, and a recording paper P from the paper storage body 41. A delivery device 42 for feeding out one sheet at a time is provided. In the paper feeding device 40, when it is time to form an image, the required recording paper P is sent out one by one from the paper container 41 by the sending device 42.

  The recording paper P sent out from the paper feeding device 40 is transported and sent at a required timing toward a secondary transfer position in the intermediate transfer device 3 through a transport path Rt1 constituted by a pair of paper transport rolls 43, a transport guide, and the like. It is. At the secondary transfer position, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 is secondarily transferred to the recording paper P. At this time, in the intermediate transfer device 3, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 after the secondary transfer is cleaned by the belt cleaning device 37.

  Further, a fixing device 45 is disposed at a position above the secondary transfer roll 33 inside the housing 1. The fixing device 45 is driven to rotate inside a casing in a required direction and the surface temperature of the fixing device 45 is heated to a required temperature by a heating unit and held in a roll form, a belt form, etc. A pressurizing rotary body 47 such as a roll form or a belt form that contacts and rotates with a required pressure so as to substantially follow the rotation axis direction of the rotary body 46 is installed.

  The recording paper P on which the toner image is transferred at the secondary transfer position is sent between the heating rotator 46 and the pressure rotator 47 of the fixing device 45 and is heated and pressurized, whereby the toner image is transferred. It is fixed on the recording paper P. After fixing, the recording paper P is carried out of the casing 1 through a conveyance path Rt2 constituted by a pair of paper conveyance rolls 44, a conveyance guide, and the like, and finally discharged to the discharge unit 11 and stored.

  In this image forming apparatus, all or a part of the four color developers Y, M, C, and K are selected by operating all or part of the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K). A color image formed by combining these can be formed. In addition to this, it is also possible to form a monochromatic image composed of one color developer such as black.

  Next, in this image forming apparatus, the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) and the intermediate transfer device 3 are detachably attached to the housing 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the body 1 is mounted with four mounting units 5 (Y, M, C) for detachably mounting the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) and the intermediate transfer device 3, respectively. , K) and a mounting portion 50 are provided.

  Since the image forming apparatus employs a mounting structure in which some components such as the image forming unit 2 and the intermediate transfer device 3 as well as the developer storage container 48 are detachable, as shown in FIG. When the outer door 12 is opened, one end of the developer container 48 (Y, M, C, K) is exposed to the outside, and the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) and the intermediate transfer are exposed. An inner door 14 that opens and closes an opening 13 through which the apparatus 3 is attached and detached is formed so as to be exposed to the outside. By operating the opening / closing operation lever 14a, the inner door 14 swings around a hinge 14b disposed below the inner door 14 to open and close.

  FIG. 3 shows a state where the image forming unit 2 and the intermediate transfer device 3 are mounted on the mounting portions 5 and 50 when the inner door 14 is opened. FIG. 4 shows the state (mounting space) of the mounting portions 5 and 50 when the image forming unit 2 and the intermediate transfer device 3 are removed in a state where the inner door 14 is opened. Reference numeral 15 in FIGS. 1, 3, etc. denotes a partition plate constituting a part of the housing 1, in which the opening 13 is formed and an inner door 14 is attached.

  The mounting portion 5 (Y, M, C, K) for the image forming unit 2 includes a support plate 51 that supports each image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) as shown in FIG. Yes. The support plate 51 in this embodiment includes four support plates 51 (Y, M, C, and K) that support the image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, and K), respectively. Corresponding to the arrangement state of the unit 2, it is arranged in a state where the height in the vertical direction (direction along the arrow Y) is sequentially arranged in different steps. The image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K are attached to the support plates 51M, 51C, and 51K at lower positions gradually from the support plate 51Y at the higher position in this order. Since FIG. 5 shows a state where the image forming unit 2Y is mounted, the support plate 51Y that supports the image forming unit 2Y is hidden behind the image forming unit 2Y and does not appear in the drawing. 5 shows a state in which only the developing device 23M of the image forming unit 2M mounted at the position adjacent to the image forming unit 2Y is detached and mounted for convenience.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the mounting unit 5 is provided on the housing 1 installed in a state along the vertical direction (arrow Y direction) on the back side of the apparatus, which is the downstream side in the mounting direction A1 of the image forming unit 2. V-shaped holding each bearing (bearing member) as a held portion, which will be described later, disposed on the end of the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) on the back side of the apparatus. A holding plate 62 in which holding grooves 61 (Y, M, C, K) are formed is attached. The holding grooves 61 are formed so as to be arranged at an interval equal to the interval between the image forming units 2 when they are mounted. Further, the holding groove 61 is set at a position that maintains the height at which the held portion of the image forming unit 2 is to be held when the holding groove 61 is mounted on the support plate 51 of the mounting portion 5. Further, the partition plate 16 is configured by a plate spring or the like that presses a bearing (27) as a held portion of each image forming unit 2 fitted into each holding groove 62 of the holding plate 61 toward the holding groove 62. Four pressing members 53 to be used are attached.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the mounting portion 5 is upstream of the main body plate portion 17 of the inner door 14 that also functions as a part of the housing 1 in the closed state in the mounting direction A1 of the image forming unit 2. V-shaped holding grooves 63 (Y, M, C, respectively) for holding bearings (bearing members) as held parts, which will be described later, disposed at the end on the front side of the apparatus that is (downstream in the removal direction A2). A holding plate 64 formed with K) is attached. The holding grooves 63 are formed so as to be arranged at an interval equal to the interval between the image forming units 2 when mounted. The attachment of the holding plate 64 to the main body plate portion 17 will be described later. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 59 denotes a holding hole into which one end portion (bearing portion) of the backup roll 36 in the intermediate transfer device 3 is fitted when the inner door 14 is closed.

  Furthermore, each support plate 51 (Y, M, C, K) of the mounting portion 5 is provided with a guide pin 54 that protrudes upward from its upper surface, as shown in FIG. The guide pins 54 are composed of a plurality of (for example, three) pins, and are arranged in a line along the direction of movement when the image forming unit 2 is attached or detached (the direction indicated by the double arrow A). Is done. The moving direction A when the image forming unit 2 is attached / detached is substantially along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 21. In this embodiment, the distance between the first guide pin 54a and the second guide pin 54B from the front side (side closer to the opening 13) of the three image forming units 2 (A1) is fixed. It arrange | positions on the conditions narrower than the space | interval of the 2nd guide pin 54b and the 3rd guide pin 54c.

  On the other hand, the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) to be mounted on the mounting portion 5 (Y, M, C, K) has a shaft 21a of the photosensitive drum 21 as shown in FIGS. An annular bearing (bearing member) 27 that rotatably supports the end 20a on the downstream side (the rear side of the apparatus) in the mounting direction A1 of the image forming unit and the downstream side (the front side of the apparatus) in the drawing direction A2 It attaches in the state which protruded outside from the edge part 20b used. The bearing 27 has an outer circumferential surface (outermost circumferential surface) portion 27a formed as a cylindrical outer circumferential surface. Further, the outer end portion (corner portion) 27b of the outer peripheral surface portion 27a is inclined so that the outer peripheral surface portion 27a is guided and held in the holding grooves 61 and 63 of the holding plates 62 and 64. It is formed as.

  In addition, a guide groove 55 that extends linearly along the moving direction A of the image forming unit 2 is formed in the bottom surface material 20 c constituting the bottom of each image forming unit 2. The guide groove 55 is formed as a space surrounded by a pair of plate materials (plate materials facing each other with a required interval) formed in a state of projecting downward from the bottom surface material 20c. The width of the groove 55 is set to a dimension that is, for example, approximately 1 to 2 mm wider than the external dimension of the guide pin 54 (the dimension of the portion corresponding to the groove width). When the image forming unit 2 is attached to or detached from the guide groove 55, the guide pin 54 in the support plate 51 of the mounting portion 5 enters and is guided to the guide pin 54. In addition, the guide groove 55 is provided with an introduction portion 55a having a shape in which the width of the groove is widened so that the guide pin 54 is guided. In FIG. 6 and the like, reference numeral 20 d denotes a handle portion that is held by the operator when the image forming unit 2 is attached or detached.

  In the guide groove 55, the image forming unit 2 moves in the mounting direction A1 and is supported by the support plate 51 of the mounting portion 5, and the bearing 27 is held by the holding grooves 61 and 63 of the holding plates 62 and 64, respectively. At this stage, the guide groove 55 is released from the restriction of the three guide pins 54, and the wall surface of the groove is cut away so as to be displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction A of the image forming unit 2 to secure a moving space portion. A plurality of (for example, three) cutout portions 56 are provided. The notches 56 are formed in a positional relationship with the same spacing as the three guide pins 54.

  Further, in each image forming unit 2, as shown in FIG. 8, the shaft 28 (one end portion) of the developing roll 26 in the developing device 23 is from the end portion on the downstream side in the mounting direction A1 of the image forming unit. It is attached in a state of protruding outward. The shaft 28 is formed in a tapered shape in which a tip end portion of a cylindrical main body portion formed with a required outer diameter is rounded. In FIG. 8 and the like, reference numeral 29 denotes a driven gear fixed to the shaft 28 of the developing roll 26, and this driven gear 29 is also in a state in which a part protrudes from the downstream end portion. In FIG. 8 and the like, reference numeral 201 denotes a coupling tool for coupling the shaft 21a of the photosensitive drum 21 with a coupling tool (coupling) attached to a drive shaft of a rotary drive device (not shown). Reference numeral 23d is a receiving opening for receiving the developer replenished from the developer container 48, and reference numeral 23e is an opening / closing lid for moving the opening / closing operation of the image forming unit 2 to open and close the receiving opening 23d. is there.

  In this image forming apparatus, a plurality of bearings 27 that respectively support the bearings 27 that protrude from the end portions 20a and 20b on the rear side and the front side of each image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, and K) are supported. As shown in FIG. 9, the holding grooves 61, 63 are formed as two holding plates 62, 64 in which holding grooves 61 (Y, M, C, K) and 63 (Y, M, C, K) are formed. A pair of holding plates formed in the same shape is used. With respect to the holding groove 63, a V-shaped portion existing in the lower part of the whole like the opening is the groove. In FIG. 9, for convenience, the holding plate 64 is illustrated with a size that is reduced to the same size as the holding plate 62.

  The holding plates 62 and 64, which are a pair of holding plates, are made of a long plate-shaped metal material made of a metal material such as an electrogalvanized steel plate, and the same processing parts such as the holding grooves 61 and 63 are required. It is punched with a mold and sheared. As a result, the holding plates 62 and 64 are obtained as metal plates with good processing accuracy formed in the same shape (in this example, V-shaped shape) by shearing in which the holding grooves 61 and 63 are punched with the same mold. It is done.

  The holding grooves 61 and 63 are formed so as to be arranged at intervals L1, L2, and L3 that are equal to the intervals between the image forming units 2 that are required when mounted (L1, L2, and L3 shown in FIG. 16). However, since it is formed by shearing punching with the same mold, the distances L1 are aligned with each other with high accuracy. Furthermore, the holding grooves 61 and 63 in this embodiment are formed with each other under the same conditions. However, since these dimensions are also formed by shearing with the same mold, they substantially coincide with each other. It will be a thing. For this reason, the holding plates 62 and 64 in the present embodiment are manufactured with a configuration in which the holding grooves 61 and 63 are common to each other. In FIG. 9, the reason why the distances L1, L2, and L3 of the holding grooves in the holding plates 62 and 64 are not actually drawn with the same dimensions is due to the above-described reduced illustration.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 65 denotes a notch groove having a contact side portion 65a in which the shaft 28 (the peripheral surface) of the developing roll 26 in the unit is contacted and positioned when the image forming unit 2 is mounted. . Reference numeral 66 denotes an opening, and reference numerals 67a, 67b, and 67c denote opening holes. Each notch groove 65, opening 66, and opening holes 67a, 67b, 67c in the holding plates 62, 64 can also be formed in the same shape by machining by punching with the same mold.

  Of the holding plates 62 and 64, the holding plate 62 includes upper and lower bent portions 62b and 62c obtained by bending the upper end portion 62b and the lower end portion 62c of the main body portion 62a in the same direction in a sheared plate-shaped metal material. Forming. The bending directions of the bent portions 62b and 62c are opposite to the punching direction in the shearing process. The punching direction is the direction in which the mold passes during processing. By bending in such a direction, the strength of the entire holding plate is increased due to the presence of each bent portion, and the strength of the holding groove 61 is secured accordingly. The other holding plate 64 is a flat plate not formed with such bent portions 62b and 62c, but may be formed with bent portions in the same bending direction as required.

  Further, the holding plates 62 and 64 are used in a state where the processing burrs (71) existing in the processing portions such as the holding grooves 61 and 63 sheared by the shearing process remain (see FIG. 17). The processing burr exists in a state of protruding to the downstream side in the mold passing direction (punching direction) at the end of the processing portion. Of the holding plates 62 and 64, the surface side where the processing burr protrudes corresponds to the downstream side in the mold passing direction. The holding plates 62 and 64 in which the processed burrs in such processed portions remain are compared with those in the processed portions such as the holding grooves 61 and 63 as compared with the case where the processed burrs are removed by means such as polishing. The dimensional accuracy is not lowered by the removal process, and the dimensional accuracy when processed is maintained as it is. Incidentally, the presence of such a processing burr can be confirmed by, for example, visual observation or palpation.

  In addition, the holding plates 62 and 64 are members (D1> D2, D1> D3) whose thickness D1 is thicker than the thicknesses D2 and D3 of the partition plate 16 to which they are attached and the main body plate portion 17 of the inner door 14. It is configured (see FIG. 17). In the present embodiment, when the holding plates 62 and 64 and the partition plate 16 and the main body portion 17 are made of the same metal material, for example, the thicknesses D2 and D3 of the partition plate 16 and the main body portion 17 are both “1. The thickness D1 of the holding plates 62 and 64 is “1.2 mm”, whereas “0 mm”. As a result, the holding plates 62 and 64 have higher rigidity than that of the partition plate 16 and the main body plate portion 17, and are not easily affected by, for example, distortion of the partition plate 16 and the main body plate portion 17.

  Such holding plates 62 and 64 are shown in the figure with respect to the required positions of the partition plate 16 constituting a part of the housing 1 and the main body plate portion 17 of the inner door 14 used as a part thereof. 10 and 11 are attached and fixed in the state shown in FIG.

  The holding plate 62 is used by being arranged on the back side of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG. 10, the end portions of the bent parts 62 b and 62 c are partition plates arranged on the back side of the apparatus of the mounting part 5. It attaches in the state pressed against the attachment position of 16 inner wall surfaces. In addition, the holding plate 64 is arranged and used on the front side of the apparatus, and is pressed against the mounting position of the wall surface on the front side of the apparatus of the main body plate portion 17 of the inner door 14 as shown in FIG. It is attached. The state of the holding plate 64 is displaced by the opening / closing operation of the inner door 14. However, when the inner door 14 is closed, the holding plate 64 is disposed in a state of facing the holding plate 62 on the back side of the apparatus and exhibits a holding function and the like. Will do.

  In FIG. 10, reference numeral 18 denotes an opening hole through which the bearing 27 and the coupling tool 201 of the photosensitive drum 21 are formed on the partition plate 16, and reference numeral 19 is a connection with various components formed on the partition plate 16. It is an opening process part for. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 18 denotes an opening hole through which the bearing 27 passes at the end of the photosensitive drum 21 on the front side of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 12, the holding plate 64 has a holding groove 61 inside the opening hole 18 as illustrated by a dotted line in the figure with respect to the main body plate portion 17 in which a plurality of opening holes 18 and the like are formed. It is attached in a state that is in a positional relationship.

  Further, the holding plate 62 disposed on the back side of the apparatus among the holding plates 62 and 64 is welded by laser welding or the like by bringing the respective distal end portions of the bent portions 62b and 62c into contact with the corresponding positions of the partition plate 16. It is fixed in the state. During the welding, welding is performed while maintaining the state in which the holding plate 62 is pressed against the partition plate 16 with a required pressure by a jig (not shown). Incidentally, the other holding plate 64 is fixed to the main body plate portion 17 of the inner door 14 by a fixing means such as a screw.

  The location to be welded can be arbitrarily selected as long as it can satisfy the requirement of fixing the holding plate 62 in a normal state without being distorted, but is affected by the distortion or the like in the partition plate 16 on the other side to be attached. From the viewpoint of making it difficult to maintain the original shape of the holding plate 62 itself, the smallest possible number of locations is preferable. In the present embodiment, the places to be welded are three of the bent portions of the holding plate 62. Further, as to three places to be welded, as illustrated by dotted circles in FIG. 10, one place (WP1) which is a substantially central position in the upper bent portion 62b of the holding plate 62 and the lower bent portion of the holding plate 62. There are two locations (WP2, WP3) that are substantially the positions of both ends of the portion 62c.

  Hereinafter, the operation when the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) is mounted on the mounting portion 5 and the state when the image forming unit 2 is mounted will be described.

  First, when the image forming unit 2 is mounted on the mounting portion 5, the inner door 14 of the housing 1 is opened as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, and the mounting portion 5 (Y, M, C, K) of the image forming unit 2 is opened. ) Is exposed to the outside through the opening 13. Next, the image forming unit 2 is held with the end portion 20a on the downstream side in the mounting direction A1 at the top, and the predetermined support plate 51 (Y, M, C, and K) are pushed so as to move in the direction of arrow A1 (attachment direction).

  At this time, in the image forming unit 2, the three guide pins 54 a to 54 c on the support plate 51 enter in this order into the guide groove 59 in the bottom surface member 20 c (see FIG. 7). Is guided by the three guide pins 54a to 54c arranged in a line along the moving direction A, so that the entire image forming unit 2 is on the support plate 52 along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 21. Moving. At this time, the image forming unit 2 is in a state in which the bottom plate 20c is in contact with the support plate 51, and the guide groove 58 is in a state in which the traveling direction is restricted by the three guide pins 54, and as a result, moves. The posture (physical posture) is kept almost constant.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the image forming unit 2 moved on the support plate 51 in the mounting direction A1 finally has an annular bearing 27 of the photosensitive drum 21 inclined. After getting on the holding groove 61 of the holding plate 62 using the surface 27b as a trigger, the outer peripheral surface portion 27a enters between the opposing inclined sides of the V-shaped holding groove 61, thereby two points ( It is held in contact with each other at each of the two inclined sides.

  Further, the bearing 27 when held in the holding groove 61 is pressed with a required pressure toward the lower direction (the direction of gravity) by the pressing member 53 at the upper end portion thereof. Further, the driven gear 29 of the developing roll 26 meshes with a driving gear (not shown) attached to the bearing hole 59a of the bearing plate 59. In addition, the connection tool 201 of the photosensitive drum 21 is connected to the rotation drive device side connection tool through the opening 18 in the partition plate 16.

  At this time, the image forming unit 2 is stopped from moving in the mounting direction A <b> 1 when the end 20 a on the back side of the unit abuts against the holding plate 64. The stopped position is the mounting position of the image forming unit 2 in the mounting unit 5. Further, the image forming unit 2 at this time is lifted slightly upward (in the direction of the arrow Y) by being held in a state where the bearing 27 rides on the holding groove 61 of the holding plate 62, and as a result, the bottom surface thereof. The material 20c is separated from the support plate 51 (FIG. 14).

  At this time, the peripheral surface (shaft main body portion) of the shaft 28 of the developing roll 26 is placed away from the contact side portion 65 a of the notch groove 65 in the holding plate 62. When the image forming unit 2 is in this state, normal positioning with respect to the mounting portion 5 is not completed. Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 7, in the image forming unit 2, the three guide pins 54 a to 54 c are opposed to the three notches 56 in the guide groove 55. As a result, the image forming unit 2 can rotate in a direction (indicated by arrows B1 and B2) substantially orthogonal to the moving direction A around the bearing 27 held in the holding groove 61 of the holding plate 62. Become.

  On the other hand, after the image forming unit 2 is pushed to the mounting position of the mounting portion 5 and stops in the above-described states, the inner door 14 is closed.

  As a result, the holding groove 63 of the holding plate 64 fixed to the main body plate portion 17 of the inner door 14 approaches the bearing 27 at the end portion 20b on the downstream side in the drawing direction A2 of the image forming unit 2, and finally, FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the bearing 27 is inserted into the holding groove 63 of the holding plate 64 and held in the V-shaped holding groove 63. At this time, the inner door 14 is in a closed state, but the holding plate 64 on the inner surface side of the inner door 14 faces the holding body 62 attached to the partition plate 16 (see FIG. 17).

  As a result of the above operation, the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) are mounted on the mounting unit 5. The outer door 12 is closed after the inner door 14 is closed. Thereby, the image forming apparatus can shift to an operable state.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) mounted on the mounting unit 5 have their respective photosensitive drums 21 (Y, M, C, K). The two bearings 27 positioned on the rear side and the front side of the device in the pair of holding grooves 61 (Y, M, C, K), 63 (Y, M, C, and K) hold the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, and K) at required intervals (L1, L2, and L3).

  Here, the intervals (L1, L2, L3) of the image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) are the intervals (L1, L2) of the holding grooves 61 (Y, M, C, K) in the holding plate 62. , L3) and intervals (L1, L2, L3) of the holding grooves 63 (Y, M, C, K) in the holding plate 64. The intervals (L1, L2, L3) of the image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) at this time are the intervals (L1F, L2F, L3F) on the front side of the apparatus and the intervals (L1R) on the back side of the apparatus. , L2R, L3R) are substantially the same and are obtained in a state that is not different.

  As a result, the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) and the respective photosensitive drums 21 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged in a state of maintaining high parallelism. . As a result, the toner images of the respective color components (four colors) formed on the respective photosensitive drums 21 in the respective image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) are intermediate transfer belts 31 at the respective primary transfer positions. First, the toner images of the respective color components are not displaced in position on the intermediate transfer belt 31 with the desired intervals (L1, L2, L3) being provided at both the front side and the back side of the apparatus. Are transcribed in multiple. Therefore, particularly the color image finally obtained is formed with a high quality image without color misregistration.

  The image forming unit 2 is driven when an operation for image formation by the image forming apparatus is started and a driving gear or the like that meshes with the driven gear 29 of the developing roll 26 and transmits power rotates. The peripheral surface of the shaft 28 of the driven gear 29 that meshes with the gear comes into contact with the contact side portion 65 a of the notch groove 65 of the holding plate 62.

  That is, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a force generated when the drive gear is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow C is applied to the driven gear 28, so that the driven gear 28 is pushed in the direction in which the force is directed. As a result, the image forming unit 2 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 around the bearing 27 held in the holding groove 61 of the holding plate 62. In this state, the image forming unit 2 is officially positioned with respect to the mounting portion 5.

  Further, the holding plates 62 and 64 are left with the processing burr 71 remaining. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, in the holding plates 62 and 64, the processing burr 71 remaining on each holding plate is protruded to the front side of the apparatus (upstream side in the mounting movement direction A1 of the image forming unit 2). It is attached with. However, since the holding plate 62 is attached to the partition plate 16 arranged on the back side of the apparatus, there is no possibility that the apparatus operator touches the processing burr 71 on the holding plate 62. In addition, since the holding plate 64 exists inside the inner door 14, there is no possibility that the operator of the device touches the processing burr 71 on the holding plate 64.

[Other embodiments]
In the image forming apparatus described above, for example, as schematically shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the holding plates 62 and 64 serve as the photosensitive drums 21 in the image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, and K). In addition to forming the holding grooves 61 and 63 for holding the two bearings 27, respectively, a type in which a holding hole 69 for holding the bearing of the backup roll 36 at the secondary transfer position in the intermediate transfer device 3 is formed is used. You can also

  Each holding hole 69 formed in the holding plates 62 and 64 is formed by shearing using the same mold as the holding grooves 61 and 63. For this reason, the holding holes 69 are formed in the same shape and at the position closest to the secondary transfer position with respect to the holding grooves 61K and 63K (one of the contact points 61b and 63b with which the bearing 27 contacts). It is formed at an interval equal to the interval L4 between the image forming unit 2K and the backup roll 36. The holding hole 69 may have any shape that allows the bearing of the backup roll 36 to be fitted and fixed.

  The four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) mounted on the mounting portion 5 on which the holding plates 62 and 64 having the holding holes 69 are disposed are the same as in the case of the above-described embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18 and the like, a pair of bearings 27 positioned on the back side and the front side of the apparatus in each of the photosensitive drums 21 (Y, M, C, K) are configured as described above. By being held in the holding grooves 61 (Y, M, C, K) and 63 (Y, M, C, K) in the holding plates 62, 64, the image forming unit 2 (Y, M, C, K) will be positioned at the required intervals (L1, L2, L3). Further, the backup roll 36 at the secondary transfer position in the intermediate transfer device 3 mounted on the mounting portion 50 has two bearings 36a and 36b positioned on the back side and the front side of the device in the pair of holding plates 62 and 64. The black image forming unit 2K and the backup roll 36 are positioned at a required interval (L4) by being held so as to be fitted in the holding holes 69.

  Here, the intervals (L1, L2, L3) of the image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) are the intervals (L1, L2, L3) of the holding grooves 61 in the holding plate 62, as described above. It is determined by the distance (L1, L2, L3) between the holding grooves 63 in the holding plate 64. The intervals (L1, L2, L3) of the image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) at this time are the intervals (L1F, L2F, L3F) on the front side of the apparatus and the intervals (L1R) on the back side of the apparatus. , L2R, L3R) are substantially the same and are obtained in a state that is not different. Further, the distance (L4) between the black image forming unit 2K and the backup roll 36 is the distance between the holding groove 61K (contact 61c) and the holding hole 69 in the holding plate 62 and the holding groove 63K in the holding plate 64. It is determined by the distance (L4) between the (contact 63c) and the holding hole 69. The distance (L4) between the image forming unit 2K and the backup roll 36 at this time is obtained in a state where the distance (L4F) on the front side of the apparatus and the distance (L4R) on the back side of the apparatus are substantially the same and not different. .

  As a result, the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) and the respective photosensitive drums 21 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged in a state of maintaining high parallelism. In addition, the backup roll 36 at the secondary transfer position is also arranged with high parallelism. As a result, the toner images of the respective color components (four colors) formed on the respective photosensitive drums 21 in the respective image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) are intermediate transfer belts 31 at the respective primary transfer positions. First, the toner images of the respective color components are not displaced in position on the intermediate transfer belt 31 with the desired intervals (L1, L2, L3) being provided at both the front side and the back side of the apparatus. Are transcribed in multiple. Further, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 is secondarily transferred to the recording paper P through a desired distance (L4) from the secondary transfer position where the backup roll 36 is installed, and the toner image The image is transferred to the recording paper P without being displaced. Therefore, the color image that is finally obtained is formed with a good image quality without color misregistration and is also formed at an accurate position with respect to the recording paper P.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus described above, as a held portion of the image forming unit 2 or the like held in the holding grooves 61 and 63 or the holding holes 69 in the holding plates 62 and 64, a bearing that is a bearing member of the photosensitive drum 21 or the like. Instead of the bearing of the backup roll 36, for example, a columnar positioning protrusion formed on the side surfaces of both end portions of the unit 2 can be applied. In other words, the held portion of the image forming unit 2 is held in the holding grooves 61, 63 or the holding hole 69 and serves as a reference position for positioning, and is not particularly limited as long as it is located at an opposed position. Absent. The holding grooves 61, 63, etc. may not be V-shaped.

  The components mounted on the image forming unit 2 in the image forming apparatus described above are not limited to the combination of the photosensitive drum 21, the charging device 22, the developing device 23, and the drum cleaning device 24, but may be other combinations or single items. It does not matter. If it is required to be arranged at a required interval when mounted, only a non-rotating part (for example, a corona discharge charging device, an exposure device, etc.) is required even if it is not a rotating body such as the photosensitive drum 21. It may be. The number of image forming process parts such as the image forming unit 2 is not limited to four, but may be a plurality of other parts. Further, the image forming process parts such as the image forming unit 2 held in the holding portions such as the holding grooves 61 and 63 of the holding plates 62 and 64 are moved along the axial direction of the rotating body such as the photosensitive drum 21. It is not limited to those that are detachably mounted, and may be those that are detachably mounted by moving along the direction intersecting the axial direction. Further, the image forming process parts such as the image forming unit 2 may be of a type that is not detachably mounted.

  Furthermore, even if the holding plates 62 and 64 are not attached and fixed to the partition plate or the support plate of the housing 1, if the dimensional accuracy at the time of processing can be maintained and distortion or the like is hardly generated, The partition plate or the support plate itself may be used.

  In addition, when the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is an image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image, a method that does not use the intermediate transfer device 3 (so-called recording paper P in each image forming unit 2). A direct transfer format in which the toner image is directly transferred onto a recording sheet by being conveyed so as to pass through each primary transfer position may be employed. The image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is represented by, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile, a print function, a copy function, a facsimile function (image input / output transmission / reception function), and the like. An image forming apparatus in which each function is combined is exemplified.

1 ... Housing (device main body)
2 ... Image forming unit (image forming process parts, removable structure)
5 ... Mounting part 16 ... Partition plate (part of body member)
17 ... Main body plate (part of main body member)
21 ... Photosensitive drum (rotating body)
27 ... Bearing (held part)
31 ... Intermediate transfer belt 36 ... Backup roll (support roll)
36a, 36b ... Bearings (held parts)
61, 63 ... Holding groove (holding part)
62, 64 ... holding plate (holding member)
62b, 62c, 64b, 64c ... bent portion 69 ... holding hole (held portion)
71 ... Processing burrs L1-L3 ... Lap between image forming units when mounted L4 ... Interval between image forming unit and backup roll when mounted D1 ... Thickness D2 of holding plate ... Thickness D3 of partition plate ... Support plate Thickness P ... Recording paper (recording medium)

Claims (12)

A mounting portion for mounting a plurality of image forming process parts having two held portions held at opposite positions when mounted at a required interval;
A pair of holding members arranged in a state facing the mounting portion and formed with a plurality of holding portions for holding the held portions of the plurality of image forming process parts,
The pair of holding members is an image forming apparatus characterized in that the plurality of holding portions of the holding members are formed in the same shape as each other and at the same interval as the required interval.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is a member that is attached to and fixed to a main body member that forms the main body of the image forming apparatus including the mounting portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is a metal plate formed by punching the holding portion with the same mold.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the holding member is used with a processing burr remaining on one edge of the holding portion.   At least one of the holding members includes a bent portion obtained by bending a part of the end portion, and the bent portion is a direction in which the processing burr protrudes across a main body portion other than the bent portion of the holding member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is bent in the opposite direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the holding member including the bent portion is fixed in a state in which a distal end portion of the bent portion is in contact with the main body member and is welded.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the holding member fixed in the welded state is fixed in the welded state at three positions among the tip end portions of the bent portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holding member is a member that is thicker than the main body member to which the holding member is attached.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging process component includes a rotating body having a rotating shaft, and the held portion is a bearing member that rotatably supports the shaft of the rotating body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming process component is a detachable structure that is detachably mounted on a mounting portion provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotating body of the image forming process component is a photosensitive drum.   The image forming process component primarily transfers a plurality of image forming process components including a photosensitive drum as the rotating body and an unfixed image formed by the photoconductor in the plurality of image forming process components as the rotating body. 12. An image forming process component comprising a support roll for supporting an intermediate transfer belt transported to a secondary transfer position for secondary transfer onto a recording medium from the inner peripheral surface of the belt at the secondary transfer position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

Images