JP2012173326A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-operate image forming device that solves the problems of a conventional image forming device which transports a process cartridge packaged therein.SOLUTION: The image forming device includes a locking member having a locking part that locks a drum protection member in a contact manner, and a biasing member that biases the locking member so as to be locked to the drum protection member. When a process cartridge is inserted into the image forming device in a transport state, the process cartridge is inserted while retracting the locking member, and the drum protection member comes in contact with a transfer support member in a protection position to separate an electrophotographic photosensitive drum from transfer means. When the process cartridge is removed from the image forming device, the drum protection member comes in contact with the locking member to move the locking member to a retracted position, thereby enabling removal of the process cartridge.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine provided with a detachable process cartridge.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method is a process in which a photosensitive drum as an image carrier and a process unit acting on the photosensitive drum are integrated into a cartridge, and the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. A cartridge system is adopted. This method is widely used in image forming apparatuses because the user can replace the process cartridge and has good operability. An example of such an image forming apparatus is shown in FIG.

  As shown in this example, the process cartridge 110 is provided with a drum protection member 110b for protecting the photosensitive drum 110d.

  When the process cartridge 110 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the drum protection member 110b moves to a position where the photosensitive drum 110d is protected by an urging means such as a spring.

  When the process cartridge 110 is inserted into the image forming apparatus 100, the drum protection member 110b is in the position shown in FIG. 17 where the photosensitive drum 110d is not protected. That is, when the process cartridge 110 is inserted, the protrusion of the drum protection member 109 is being inserted by the drum protection member guide 109a provided at a part of the drum protection member guide 109 that guides the photosensitive drum 110d to a position where it abuts against the transfer roller 113. It is locked with. The drum protection member 110b is located at the position shown in FIG. 17 where the photosensitive drum 110d is not protected. At this time, the photosensitive drum 110d and the transfer roller 113 are in contact with each other.

  When a driving force is applied to the image forming apparatus 100 in this state, a drum drive gear (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100 is engaged with the photosensitive drum 110d and the photosensitive drum 110d rotates. On the other hand, the paper feed roller 106, the transport roller 108, the fixing pressure roller 115, and the paper discharge roller 116 also rotate, and the recording material P is transported in the direction of arrow D1, and the image forming apparatus 100 performs a series of image formation.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-184351

  When the image forming apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration is transported, a form of cartridge-enclosed transport in which the process cartridge 110 is transported in a state of being packaged in the image forming apparatus 100 for the purpose of improving transport efficiency has been increasing recently.

  In this embodiment, since the photosensitive drum 110d and the transfer roller 113 are transported in a state where they are always in contact with each other, image defects may occur due to friction between the rollers due to vibrations or creep of the transfer roller 113 due to long-term storage. It was.

  As a countermeasure against this, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a configuration in which the photosensitive drum 110d and the transfer roller 113 are separated during transportation.

  In the first embodiment of the invention described in Patent Document 1, the process cartridge is provided with a switching unit that determines the position of the drum protection member, and is switched between the transport mode and the usage mode. Therefore, when the user uses the image forming apparatus for the first time, it is necessary to switch the switching portion of the process cartridge from the transport form to the use form. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the image forming apparatus is used for the first time, an additional operation is requested from the user. Further, there is a possibility that the user forgets to switch the switching unit to the position of the use form and erroneously inserts the process cartridge in the transport state.

  In the second embodiment of the invention described in Patent Document 1, the switching unit is eliminated. Instead, a drum protection member that can be moved to a position where the drum protection member provided in the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus side is locked and a position where the drum protection member is not locked and the transfer unit is moved in the separation direction. A guide is provided.

  Thus, in the second embodiment, the movable drum protection member guide is provided so as to be accessible. Therefore, when the user mounts the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus, the user may accidentally mount the process cartridge in a state where a part of the process cartridge urges the drum protection member guide and the drum protection member is closed. was there.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of an image forming apparatus that transports a conventional process cartridge in a state of being bundled with the image forming apparatus, and to provide an image forming apparatus that has more excellent operability. is there.

The above object is achieved by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention
An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge frame provided with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means; and protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided on the cartridge frame. A drum protection member that is movable between a protection position to be exposed and an opening position to be exposed;
A transfer unit that contacts the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and transfers a toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by the process unit to a recording material;
A transfer support member for supporting the transfer means;
A cartridge guide for determining an insertion locus of the process cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus;
In the image forming apparatus provided with
A locking member provided with a locking portion that contacts and locks the drum protection member, and a biasing member that biases the locking member to lock the drum protection member;
When the process cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus in a transported state, the process cartridge is inserted while the locking member is retracted, and the drum protection member contacts the transfer support member at the protection position. , Separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the transfer means,
When removing the process cartridge from the image forming apparatus, the drum protection member abuts on the locking member, and the locking member is moved to a retracted position to enable the process cartridge to be removed.
When the process cartridge is reinserted into the image forming apparatus, the drum protection member is locked by the locking portion of the locking member to be in the opening position, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the transfer unit are in contact with each other. Touching,
An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

  According to the present invention, the locking member for changing the position of the drum protection member is provided on a part of the drum protection member guide provided in the image forming apparatus so as to be difficult to touch from the inside of the image forming apparatus. Further, when the transporting state is set, the process cartridge can be mounted in the transfer separated state while temporarily retracting the locking member from the outside of the apparatus in a state where the exterior member is not attached. With this configuration, the process cartridge can be removed and remounted for use without requiring any special operation during use. Therefore, according to the present invention, the operability is superior to an image forming apparatus that transports a process cartridge in a state of being bundled with the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention in a transfer state in a transport state. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in a state where a process cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus from a transported state. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in which a photosensitive drum and a transfer roller are in contact with each other during use. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cartridge guide and its peripheral configuration in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a locking member and its periphery in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the locking member and its peripheral top view in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of a process cartridge in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in a state where there is no process cartridge and no release tool in the middle of the process of setting the transport state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8 in a state where there is no process cartridge and no release tool in the middle of the process of setting the transport state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8 in a state where a release tool is mounted in the middle of the process of setting the transportation state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8 in a state where a process cartridge and a release tool are mounted in the middle of the process of setting the transportation state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a locking member and its peripheral configuration in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the locking member and its peripheral upper surface in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a process cartridge is not mounted in another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14 in a transport state. FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14 in use. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view during sheet passing in an example of a conventional image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
An embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge according to the present invention can be attached and detached will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment in a state where the transfer roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10d in a transported state. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 in a state where the process cartridge 10 is taken out from the image forming apparatus from the transport state, and FIG. 3 is a view in which the photosensitive drum 10d and the transfer roller 13 are in contact with each other. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the cartridge guide 9 and its peripheral configuration in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the locking member 24 and its peripheral configuration, and FIG. It is sectional drawing seen from the upper surface of the member 24 and its periphery. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the process cartridge 10.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 irradiates a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier, that is, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter simply referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 10 d with a laser beam 19. This is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that scans and records the laser beam 19. The recording material P is fed in the direction of arrow A3, a toner image is formed on the recording material P, and after the toner image is fixed on the recording material P, it is discharged out of the apparatus.

  In FIG. 3, the right side is the front side of the main body and the left side is the back side of the main body.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment will be described.

  The recording material P to which the toner is transferred is placed on the main paper feed tray unit 1. The main paper feed tray unit 1 includes a paper feed tray 2a, a width regulating unit 3 that guides in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction A3 and prevents skewing during feeding, and after preventing paper retraction during feeding. An end regulating plate 2b and a sheet feeding pressure plate 4 are included.

  The image forming apparatus 100 receives the print start signal, and the motor 20 drives the conveyance roller 8, the photosensitive drum 10d, the pressure roller 15a of the fixing device 15, and the paper discharge roller 16 in the recording material conveyance direction indicated by an arrow A3. The paper feed roller 6 rotates once after receiving a paper feed start signal by a single rotation control means (not shown) and feeds the recording material P in the direction of arrow A3. At this time, the sheet feeding pressure plate 4 interlocked with a sheet feeding cam (not shown) provided coaxially with the sheet feeding roller 6 rotates in the upward direction of the apparatus to urge the recording material P toward the sheet feeding roller 6. Then, the recording material P is fed by the paper feed roller 6.

  On the other hand, at the same time as the paper feed roller 6 rotates, a bundle of recording materials P is separated one by one by a separation pad 7 provided on a rotatable separation pad arm 5, and one recording material P is fed. . Immediately before the end of one rotation operation of the paper feed roller 6, the paper feed cam again pushes down the paper feed pressure plate 4 to the paper feed standby position and returns to the paper feed standby position.

  Next, the operation after feeding will be described. The recording material P fed by the paper feeding operation is further transported by the transport roller 8.

  On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 10d is uniformly charged while being rotated by a charging roller 10e supplied with power from a high voltage power source (not shown). Then, after a predetermined time from the detection of the leading edge, the laser beam 19 irradiated from the laser exposure device 21 is irradiated to the photosensitive drum 10d, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10d. The toner container 10g is filled with toner. As the developing roller 10f rotates, an appropriate amount of toner is appropriately charged and then supplied onto the photosensitive drum 10d. The toner on the developing roller 10f adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10d, and the latent image is developed and visualized as a toner image. The visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 d is transferred onto the recording material P by the transfer roller 13. The transfer roller 13 is rotatably supported at both ends by a transfer roller bearing 14 that is a transfer support member, and is urged to the photosensitive drum 10 d by a transfer roller urging spring 12.

  The untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 10d without being transferred is collected in the waste toner container 10a by the cleaning blade 10c. The photosensitive drum 10d whose surface has been cleaned repeatedly enters the next image forming process.

  The recording material P on which the toner image is formed is heated and pressed by a fixing device 15 including a fixing pressure roller 15a and a heating unit 15b, and the toner image is permanently fixed on the recording material P. Then, the paper is discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller 16 and stacked on a paper discharge stacking surface formed by the cartridge cover 17 and the paper discharge tray 18. The above is the outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus.

  In this embodiment, the cleaning blade 10c, the charging roller 10e, the developing roller 10f, and the like that act on the photosensitive drum 10d as the process means are configured integrally with the photosensitive drum 10d by a cartridge frame, and are formed as a process cartridge. 10. In this embodiment, the frames constituting the waste toner container 10a, the toner container 10g, etc. constitute a cartridge frame. Further, the drum protection member 10b, the drum protection member support plate 10m, and the like are also integrally formed as the process cartridge 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the process cartridge 10, the drum protection member 10b is pivotally supported on a drum protection member support plate 10m provided on the waste toner container 10a so as to be rotatable about a pivot 10p. Yes. An urging member (not shown) is provided between the drum protection member support plate 10m and the waste toner container 10a, and the drum protection member 10b is always urged with a light force in a direction to protect the photosensitive drum 10d. As will be described in detail later, the drum protection member 10b includes a protection position for protecting the photosensitive drum 10d (position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and an opening position for exposing the photosensitive drum 10d (position shown in FIG. 3). It is configured to be movable.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the process cartridge 10 has waste toner container protrusions 10j and 10k integrally provided on both side surfaces of the waste toner container 10a. The process cartridge 10 is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 while the waste toner container protrusions 10J and 10k are guided by the drum guide 9b provided in the cartridge guide 9 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 100, but the left side surface has the same configuration in the target arrangement.

  Next, a production process in which the image forming apparatus 100 is transported will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the locking member 24 is rotatably provided on a part of the drum protection member guide 9 a provided inside the image forming apparatus and is difficult to touch from the inside of the image forming apparatus. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the locking member 24 is provided in a state where the exterior member 11 (see FIG. 4) is not mounted during production and is exposed to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow A4.

  On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a locking member biasing spring 25 is provided between the locking member 24 and the locking member biasing plate support plate 26 attached to the frame 22 of the image forming apparatus. Provided, the locking member 24 is urged in the A5 direction shown in FIGS.

  When the process cartridge 10 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 as a transport mode, the locking member 24 is urged in the direction of the arrow A4 with a production tool (release tool) or the like without the exterior member 11 being mounted. Thereby, the locking member 24 will be in the state rotated to the position shown to the dashed-two dotted line of FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the process cartridge 10 is inserted into the image forming apparatus 100 in a state where the locking portion 24b provided on the locking member 24 is retracted from the guide groove portion of the drum protection member guide 9a. At this time, the drum protection member protrusion 10 n (see also FIG. 7) provided on the drum protection member 10 b is not locked to the locking portion 24 b of the locking member 24. Accordingly, the process cartridge 10 is inserted into the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 with the drum protection member 10b protecting the photosensitive drum 10d. Thereafter, by removing the production tool, the locking member 24 returns to the position of the solid line state in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a transfer bearing pressing portion 10h is formed on the drum protection member 10b. The transfer bearing pressing portion 10h urges the transfer bearing 14 that is a transfer support member to retract the transfer roller 13, whereby the transfer roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10d. Finally, the exterior member 11 is attached to the image forming apparatus to form a transport mode.

  Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a cartridge urging unit such as an elastic pressing member that presses the cartridge 10 to a predetermined position by closing the cartridge cover 17. The cartridge urging means applies a larger urging force to the process cartridge 10 than the transfer roller urging spring 12 in the transport state. As a result, the process cartridge 10 is held in a transported state in which the process cartridge 10 is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and further, the process cartridge 10 is held at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus even when the reinserted process cartridge 10 is in use. Is provided.

  Next, an operation when the user uses the image forming apparatus for the first time will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge cover 17 is opened. Then, the process cartridge 10 is taken out of the image forming apparatus, that is, in the direction of the arrow A2. At this time, the drum protection member 10b remains in a position for protecting the photosensitive drum 10d. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 10n of the drum protection member 10b guided by the drum protection member guide 9a is moved from the state indicated by the alternate long and short dash line to the state indicated by the solid line, and the engagement member engagement portion 24b By energizing the inclined surface portion 24a, the process cartridge 10 is taken out from the image forming apparatus 100 while the locking member 24 is retracted to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. In this state, the locking member 24 is provided in a narrow concave portion that does not allow the finger of the drum protection member guide 9a to enter, so that it is difficult to touch and the user can easily retract the locking member 24. It is difficult.

  Then, after removing a toner seal (not shown) provided in the process cartridge 10, the process cartridge 10 is reinserted into the image forming apparatus 100 in the direction of the arrow A <b> 1 again. When the process cartridge is reinserted, as shown in FIG. 6, the drum protection member protrusion 10n provided on the drum protection member 10b is locked to the locking portion 24b provided on the locking member 24 during the insertion. Accordingly, the drum protection member 10b moves from the photosensitive drum protection position shown in FIG. 2 to the retracted position (opening position) shown in FIG. 3, and the process cartridge 10 forms an image while the photosensitive drum 10d is in contact with the transfer roller 13. The apparatus is mounted on the apparatus 100 and is ready for image formation. Thereafter, as described above, the process cartridge 10 is held at a predetermined position by cartridge urging means (not shown).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the locking member 24 that changes the position of the drum protection member 10b is difficult to touch a part of the groove shape of the drum protection member guide 9a provided in the image forming apparatus 100. Provided. In the transport state, the process cartridge 10 can be mounted in the transfer separated state while temporarily retracting the locking member 24 with a production tool or the like. Take out and then use it again.

  Therefore, no special operation is required at the time of use compared to the conventional form, and in addition, it is possible to prevent the erroneous insertion of the process cartridge 10 at the time of use by providing a locking member 24 for switching between transport and use. It is. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with excellent operability.

Example 2
A second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 shows a process of bringing the image forming apparatus 100 into a transport state, and is a cross-sectional view in a state where the process cartridge 10 and the production tool (release tool) 28 are not present in the image forming apparatus 100. 9 is a perspective view showing the process cartridge attaching / detaching opening of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9, but with the release tool 28 attached. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the image forming apparatus is transported and the process cartridge 10 and the release tool 28 are attached to the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the locking member 27 of the image forming apparatus 100 and its peripheral configuration when the exterior member 11 is removed.

  In this embodiment, since the overall configuration and image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100 are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used and the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the urging hole 22a is provided in a part of the image forming apparatus frame 22 at a location other than the insertion locus 23 of the process cartridge 10 inside the image forming apparatus. Features. The urging hole 22a urges the locking member 27 when the process cartridge is inserted so that the locking member 27 can be retracted from the drum protection member guide 10b. This hole 22 is a hole having a sufficiently small outer diameter to prevent the user from accidentally retracting the locking member 27 with a finger or the like.

  Next, a description will be given of a production process in which the image forming apparatus 100 is transported in the form of the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the locking member 27 is provided in a part of the cartridge guide 9 provided in the image forming apparatus as in the first embodiment. In particular, the locking member 27 is rotated to a part of the drum protection member guide 9a. It is possible and difficult to touch from the inside of the image forming apparatus. At the time of production, unlike the first embodiment, the exterior member 11 shown in FIG. Next, before attaching the process cartridge 10 to the image forming apparatus 100, the release tool 28 is attached to a place other than the process cartridge insertion locus shown in FIG.

  More specifically, referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the locking member 27 of the present embodiment performs the same operation as the locking member 24 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  That is, in this embodiment, the locking member 27 includes a locking portion 27a having the same configuration as the locking portion 24b of the locking member 24 of the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the locking portion 27 a is different from the first embodiment in that the locking portion 27 a is configured to be supported and operated by a support portion 27 b installed outside the image forming apparatus frame 22.

  The support portion 27b includes an arm 27b1 arranged in a substantially vertical direction, and the arm 27b1 is swingably supported on a pivot support shaft 27d installed on the frame 22 via a support plate 27c. The locking portion 27 a is attached to the upper end portion 27 b 2 of the arm 27 b 1, and the lower end portion 27 b 3 of the arm 27 b 1 is located at a position facing the urging hole 22 a provided in the frame 22.

  On the other hand, the locking portion 27a is provided with a locking member biasing spring 25 between the locking member biasing plate support plate 26 attached to the image forming apparatus frame 22 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The stopper 27a is urged in the A5 direction shown in FIG.

  Here, when the process cartridge 10 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 as a transportation form, as shown in FIG. 10, the release tool guide 29 (see FIG. 9) provided on the frame 22 is used as a reference for release. The tool 28 is inserted in the direction of arrow B1 shown in FIG. Next, the release tool 28 is thrust moved in the direction of arrow B2. By this step, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the sharp shaft body 28 a provided on the release tool 28 and having a tapered tip is locked through the hole 22 a of the image forming apparatus frame 22. The arm end portion 27b3 of the member 27 is urged in the arrow B2 direction. As a result, the locking portion 27a of the locking member 27 is retracted from the drum protection member guide 9a as indicated by a two-dot chain line. The movement of the locking portion 27a of the locking member 27 is the same as that of the locking portion 24b of the engagement member 24 of the first embodiment.

  In this state, the process cartridge 10 is mounted on the image forming apparatus. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the drum protection member 10b is not locked to the locking portion 27a of the locking member 27, that is, the drum protection member 10b protects the photosensitive drum 10d and remains in the image forming apparatus 100. Inserted to be in a transfer separated state. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the release tool 28 installed at a location outside the process cartridge insertion locus 23 with the process cartridge 10 attached is first thrust moved in the direction of the arrow B3, and then the arrow B4. Remove in the direction. Finally, the cartridge cover 17 is closed and brought into the transport state. Subsequent operations and operations for the user to use the image forming apparatus for the first time are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the form of the second embodiment is the same as the form of the first embodiment. Further, in order to urge and retract the locking member 27 from the inside of the image forming apparatus at a place other than the insertion locus of the process cartridge 10, a small-diameter biasing hole 22a that is difficult to touch the locking member 27 is provided. It was. Then, when the image forming apparatus is in a completed state, the process cartridge 10 is inserted while penetrating the hole 22a by the release tool 28 and urging the locking member 27 to be in the retracted state. It was set as the structure to do.

  Therefore, after confirming the operation of the completed product, it is possible to mount the process cartridge 10 without removing the exterior member 11 and to make a transportation form. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is superior in productivity as compared to the first embodiment.

Example 3
A third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  14 to 16 are sectional views in the vicinity of the left side surface of the process cartridge 10 in order to show the cartridge sensor detection configuration. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 when the process cartridge is not mounted, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 in a transported state, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 in use. The figure is shown.

  In the present embodiment, the overall configuration and image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100 are the same as those of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, and the mounting / demounting configuration of the process cartridge 10 is the same as that of the second embodiment. The description of Example 1 and Example 2 is incorporated, and the description here is omitted.

  The third embodiment is characterized in that, in addition to the form of the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a configuration for detecting whether or not the process cartridge 10 is inserted in a usable state capable of forming an image.

A feature part configuration of the third embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 100 includes
(1) The process cartridge 10 is not mounted,
(2) A transport state in which the process cartridge 10 is mounted and separated from the transfer,
(3) a use state in which the photosensitive drum 10b and the transfer roller 13 are in contact with each other to form an image;
A cartridge detection flag 31 that can be rotated at different angles between the three states and a cartridge detection sensor 30 that detects the cartridge detection flag 31 are provided. The cartridge detection flag 31 is urged in the direction C1 shown in FIG. 14 by an urging member (not shown).

  In the production process, first, when the process cartridge 10 is not attached, the cartridge detection flag 31 is locked to a part of the image forming apparatus 100 at the position shown in FIG. 14, and the cartridge detection sensor 30 is in a light-transmitting state. Detect (first detection state). When the process cartridge 10 is inserted into the image forming apparatus 100 and brought into the transport state, the transfer bearing pressing portion 10h provided in a part of the drum protection member 10b shown in FIG. Energize to position. As a result, the cartridge detection flag 31 rotates, and the process cartridge 10 detects the light transmission state (first detection state). At this time, if the process cartridge 10 is erroneously inserted in the use state rather than in the transport state due to work leakage in the production process, as shown in FIG. 16, the cartridge detection sensor 30 detects the light shielding state (first) Second detection state). Therefore, it can be surely brought into the transport state by checking whether or not the process cartridge 10 has been correctly inserted in the transport state in the production process with the confirmation tool connected to the image forming apparatus 100.

  Next, when the user uses the process cartridge when the process cartridge is normally inserted, the cartridge detection flag 31 is applied to a part of the waste toner container 10a of the inserted process cartridge 10 at the position shown in FIG. Then, the process cartridge detection sensor is in a light shielding state (second detection state).

  The state in which the process cartridge 10 is not mounted is a light-transmitting state as described above, and in the present embodiment, the user is prevented from entering the transporting state. Further, during use, it is possible to detect whether or not the process cartridge 10 is mounted, and the situation is communicated to the user by a display unit provided in the image forming apparatus.

  As described above, in the embodiment 3, the cartridge detection flag 31 and the cartridge detection sensor 30 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 are used, and the process cartridge 10 is correctly mounted in the transport form instead of being used at the time of production. Detect whether or not. And it was set as the structure which detects whether the process cartridge was mounted | worn at the time of use.

  Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the process cartridge 10 is correctly mounted in the transported state at the time of production using the process cartridge presence / absence detection mechanism at the time of use. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is superior in productivity as compared with the first and second embodiments.

9 Cartridge guide 9a Drum protection member guide 9b Drum guide 10 Process cartridge 10a Waste toner container (cartridge frame)
10b Drum protection member 10d Electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10e Charging roller 10f Development roller 10g Toner container (cartridge frame)
10h Transfer bearing pressing portion 10j, 10k Waste toner container protrusion 10m Drum protection member support plate 10n Drum protection member protrusion 11 Exterior member 12 Transfer roller biasing spring 13 Transfer roller 14 Transfer roller bearing (transfer support member)
15 Fixing device 17 Cartridge cover 22 Image forming apparatus frame 22a Energizing hole (right side plate)
23 Cartridge insertion locus 24 Locking member 24a Slope portion 24b Locking portion 25 Locking member biasing spring 26 Locking member biasing spring support plate 27 Locking member 27a Locking portion 27b Slope portion 28 Release tool 28a Sharp shaft 29 Release tool guide 30 Cartridge detection sensor 31 Cartridge detection flag

Claims (4)

An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge frame provided with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means; and protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided on the cartridge frame. A drum protection member that is movable between a protection position to be exposed and an opening position to be exposed;
A transfer unit that contacts the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and transfers a toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by the process unit to a recording material;
A transfer support member for supporting the transfer means;
A cartridge guide for determining an insertion locus of the process cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus;
In the image forming apparatus provided with
A locking member provided with a locking portion that contacts and locks the drum protection member, and a biasing member that biases the locking member to lock the drum protection member;
When the process cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus in a transported state, the process cartridge is inserted while the locking member is retracted, and the drum protection member contacts the transfer support member at the protection position. , Separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the transfer means,
When removing the process cartridge from the image forming apparatus, the drum protection member abuts on the locking member, and the locking member is moved to a retracted position to enable the process cartridge to be removed.
When the process cartridge is reinserted into the image forming apparatus, the drum protection member is locked by the locking portion of the locking member to be in the opening position, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the transfer unit are in contact with each other. Touching,
An image forming apparatus.   When the process cartridge is inserted, an urging hole for urging the locking member to a position where the drum protection member does not come into contact with the locking member and moving it to the retracted position is an insertion locus of the process cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided in a place other than   A cartridge detection flag that contacts the process cartridge and is movable, and a detection sensor that detects the position of the cartridge detection flag are provided, and a first detection is made of a state in which no process cartridge is present in the image forming apparatus and the transport state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is detected as a state, and a state in which the transfer unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are in contact with each other is detected as a second detection state.   The locking portion of the locking member is located in a part of a drum protection member guide that guides the drum protection member provided in the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be difficult to touch. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3.

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