JP2012215597A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of replacing a waste toner storage part more efficiently.SOLUTION: A collection mechanism 19 is provided for removing and collecting waste toner from an intermediate transfer belt 11. The waste toner which is collected by the collection mechanism 19 is conveyed from the collection mechanism 19 to a waste toner storage part 25 by a conveying mechanism 26. A photoreceptor drum 6 is held in a first drawer frame 31 which is provided so as to be pulled out from a body casing 2. A developing unit 9, the waste toner storage part 25, and the conveying mechanism 26 are held onto a second drawer frame 71 which is provided so as to be pulled out from the body casing 2. The waste toner storage part 25 is integrated with the developing unit 9.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color printer.

  In an example of a color printer, photosensitive drums corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are arranged in parallel. A developing cartridge is provided in association with each photosensitive drum. The developing cartridge is provided with a developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum.

  When forming a color image, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by supplying toner from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum. Then, the toner image is transferred directly to the sheet conveyed by the conveying belt or transferred to the sheet via the intermediate transfer belt, so that the monochrome image composed of the black toner image or the color image composed of the superimposed toner images of the respective colors is obtained. An image is formed on the paper.

  Toner is transferred and adhered from the photosensitive drum to the transport belt. Therefore, a cleaning unit is provided for removing toner from the transport belt. The cleaning unit includes a waste toner storage unit, and the toner (waste toner) removed from the conveyance belt is stored in the waste toner storage unit.

  When the waste toner container is full of toner, the waste toner container must be replaced with a new one. In the configuration in which the cleaning unit (waste toner storage unit) is disposed below the conveyance belt, the belt must be moved when the waste toner storage unit is replaced, which requires much labor for the replacement operation.

  Therefore, the photosensitive drum and the developing cartridge are held by the drum holding member and the developing holding member which are independent from each other, the developing holding member is provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the apparatus main body, and the waste toner container is held by the developing holding member A configuration is proposed.

JP 2010-101990 A

  However, there is room for further improvement regarding the replacement of the waste toner container, and the improvement is desired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can more efficiently replace a waste toner container.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus, a main body casing, an endless belt disposed in the main body casing, and a photosensitive member disposed to face the belt from below. A developer unit that has a drum, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer, and rotatably holds a developing roller that supplies the developer to the photosensitive drum; Connected to the waste developer storage unit for storing the waste developer to be performed, a recovery mechanism for removing and recovering the waste developer from the belt, the waste developer storage unit and the recovery mechanism, A transport mechanism that transports the waste developer from the recovery mechanism to the waste developer container, a first holding member that is provided so as to be able to be drawn out into the main body casing and holds the photosensitive drum, and in the main body casing. Withdrawable so provided, the developing device is characterized in that it comprises a second holding member that holds the waste developer container and the transport mechanism.

  According to the present invention, the developer is provided with a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer. Further, the developing roller is rotatably held in the developing device. Developer is supplied to the photosensitive drum from the developing roller. An endless belt is disposed above the photosensitive drum so as to face the photosensitive drum. For this reason, the developer may be transferred and adhered to the belt from the photosensitive drum even when an image is not formed. Thus, the developer adhered to the belt is a waste developer to be discarded.

  In order to remove and collect the waste developer from the belt, a collection mechanism is provided. The waste developer recovered by the recovery mechanism is transported from the recovery mechanism to the waste developer container by the transport mechanism.

  The photosensitive drum is held by a first holding member provided so as to be able to be drawn out from the main body casing.

  The developing device, the waste developer container, and the transport mechanism are held by a second holding member that is provided so as to be able to be drawn out from the main body casing. The waste developer container is integrated with the developing device.

  As a result, the second holding member can be pulled out of the main body casing while the first holding member remains in the main body casing, and the waste developer container can be easily replaced together with the developing device. The developing device is forced to be replaced when the developer in the developer container is exhausted. Therefore, since the waste developer accommodating portion can be exchanged together with the developing device having a relatively high exchange frequency, the waste developer accommodating portion can be exchanged efficiently and easily.

  Further, since the waste developer accommodating portion can be replaced with a relatively high frequency, it is not necessary to secure a large capacity of the waste developer accommodating portion. Therefore, the size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced by reducing the capacity of the waste developer container.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where a developing device is located at a close position. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the color printer, showing a state where the developing device is located at the retracted position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the color printer, showing a state in which the first drawer unit is located at a drawing position outside the main body casing and the second drawer unit is located at an accommodation position inside the main body casing. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the color printer, showing a state in which the first drawer unit is located at the housing position in the main body casing and the second drawer unit is located at the drawing position outside the main body casing. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the color printer, in which the first drawer unit is located at the housing position in the main body casing, the second drawer unit is located at the drawing position outside the main body casing, and the black developer is the second drawer. The state removed from the frame is shown. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first drawer unit and the second drawer unit along the cutting line AA shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a right side view of the first drawer unit. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first drawer unit. FIG. 9 is a right side view of the second drawer unit, showing a state in which the developing device is located at the close position. FIG. 10 is a right side view of the second drawer unit, showing a state where the developing device is located at the retracted position. FIG. 11 is a right side view of the black developer. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the black developing device, showing a cross section when the developing device is cut at the center in the left-right direction. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a black developing device, showing a cross section when the developing device is cut at a position to the right of the center in the left-right direction. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the color printer, showing a state in which each developing device is located at a close position. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the color printer, showing a state in which each developing device is located at a separation position. FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a color printer according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention (a configuration in which the primary cleaning roller and the secondary cleaning roller are omitted).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1. Overall Configuration of Color Printer A color printer 1 as an example of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is a tandem type color printer. The color printer 1 includes a main body casing 2. A first drawer unit 3 and a second drawer unit 4 are mounted in the main body casing 2. A front cover 5 is provided on the front surface of the main casing 2 so as to be openable and closable.

  The front side of the color printer 1 (the side on which the front cover 5 is provided) is the front side in the front-rear direction. Further, in a state where the color printer 1 is placed on a plane, the direction perpendicular to the plane is the up-down direction. Then, the left and right sides of the color printer 1 are defined when the color printer 1 placed on a plane is viewed from the front side.

  The first drawer unit 3 is in a state where the front cover 5 is opened, the accommodation position in the main casing 2 (the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) and the drawing position outside the main casing 2 (FIGS. 3, 4). Can be moved in the horizontal direction. A part of the first drawer unit 3 remains in the main casing 2 at the drawing position. Further, the first drawer unit 3 can be detached from the main body casing 2 after being moved to the drawing position as indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  The first drawer unit 3 is provided with four photosensitive drums 6. The four photosensitive drums 6 are for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, respectively, and are arranged in the order of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan from the front side at equal intervals in the front-rear direction. Each photosensitive drum 6 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction.

  Further, the first drawer unit 3 is provided with a charger 7 and a drum cleaner 8 in association with each photosensitive drum 6.

  When the front cover 5 is opened, the second drawer unit 4 has an accommodation position (position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4) in the main casing 2 and a drawing position outside the main casing 2 (shown in FIG. 5). Can be moved in the horizontal direction. A part of the second drawer unit 4 remains in the main casing 2 at the drawing position.

  The second drawer unit 4 is provided with four developing devices 9. The four developing devices 9 are for black, yellow, magenta and cyan, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the developing devices 9 for the respective colors are arranged below the photosensitive drum 6 for the same color in a state where the second drawer unit 4 is located at the storage position.

  In the main casing 2, an exposure unit 10 that emits four laser beams corresponding to the respective colors is disposed below the accommodation position of the second drawer unit 4.

  At the time of image formation, the photosensitive drum 6 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the right side. As the photosensitive drum 6 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 is uniformly charged by the action of the charger 7 and then selectively exposed by the laser beam from the exposure device 10. By this exposure, electric charges are selectively removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 6, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 6. Then, toner is supplied from the developing device 9 to the electrostatic latent image, whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image.

  An intermediate transfer belt 11 as an example of a belt is provided in the main body casing 2 above the accommodation position of the first drawer unit 3. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is an endless belt wound around two rollers 12 and 13. The two rollers 12 and 13 are disposed at the same position in the vertical direction, and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the intermediate transfer belt 11 has a planar portion extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction between the lower ends of the two rollers 12, 13. This planar portion is in contact with the four photosensitive drums 6.

  A primary transfer roller 14 is disposed at a position facing each photosensitive drum 6 across the planar portion of the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  During image formation, the intermediate transfer belt 11 travels counterclockwise as viewed from the right side. The toner images formed on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 6 are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 11 by superimposing each other in order from the black toner image by the operation of each primary transfer roller 14. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 by superimposing the toner images of the respective colors.

  A secondary transfer roller 15 is disposed at a position facing the rear roller 13 with the intermediate transfer belt 11 in between. The secondary transfer roller 15 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  A paper feed cassette 16 that accommodates paper is disposed at the bottom of the main casing 2. The paper stored in the paper feed cassette 16 is conveyed toward the contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the secondary transfer roller 15 by various rollers. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is transferred to a sheet passing between the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the secondary transfer roller 15 by the action of the secondary transfer roller 15.

  A fixing unit 17 is provided above the roller 13 and the secondary transfer roller 15. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 17. In the fixing device 17, the toner image is fixed on the paper by heating and pressing. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray 18 on the upper surface of the main casing 2 by various rollers.

  The color printer 1 includes a collection mechanism 19 that collects toner (waste toner) attached to the intermediate transfer belt 11. The recovery mechanism 19 includes a primary cleaning roller 20 as an example of a removing member, a secondary cleaning roller 21 as an example of a recovery member, a scraper 22, a cleaner casing 23, and a backup roller 24.

  The black developing unit 9 includes a waste toner storage unit 25 that stores waste toner, and a transport mechanism 26 that transports the waste toner collected from the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the recovery mechanism 19 to the waste toner storage unit 25. Are provided integrally.

A scanner 27 for reading document image data is provided above the main casing 2. The color printer 1 has a copy function for reproducing the document image on the sheet based on the document image data read by the scanner 27. In addition, the color printer 1 has a scanner function for transmitting data of an original image read by the scanner 27 to a personal computer connected to the color printer 1. Further, the color printer 1 may have a facsimile function for transmitting data of a document image read by the scanner 27 to a facsimile apparatus via a public telephone line.
2. First drawer unit 2-1. First Drawer Frame As shown in FIG. 6, the first drawer unit 3 includes a first drawer frame 31 as an example of a first holding member. The first drawer frame 31 has a rectangular frame shape opened up and down. Specifically, the first drawer frame 31 includes a left side plate 32 and a right side plate 33. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33 each have a plate shape elongated in the front-rear direction along the vertical direction, and are spaced apart in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. Opposite. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first drawer frame 31 includes a front plate 34 constructed between the front end portions of the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33, and rear end portions of the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33. And a rear plate 35 laid between them.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a guided roller 36 is provided at the front lower end portion of the outer side surface of the right side plate 33 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. Although not shown, the guided roller 36 is also provided on the outer surface of the left side plate 32 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction at a position facing the guided roller 36 in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, guided plates 37 are formed at the upper end portions of the outer side surfaces of the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33. The guided plate 37 projects outwardly orthogonal to the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33 and extends long in the front-rear direction.

  On the outer surface of the right side plate 33, as shown in FIG. 7, two guided rollers 38 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction behind the guided plate 37, and each axis of rotation extends in the left-right direction. It is provided to be rotatable around the center. Although not shown, the guided roller 38 is also provided on the outer surface of the left side plate 32 at a position facing each guided roller 38 in the left-right direction so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a guide rail 39 and a guide groove 40 are formed in the main body casing 2 corresponding to the guided rollers 36 and 38, respectively.

  The left and right guide rails 39 oppose each other in the left-right direction with an interval equal to the interval between the left and right guided rollers 36. As shown in FIG. 4, each guide rail 39 has a width in the left-right direction, extends rearward from the vicinity of the front end portion in the main body casing 2, and further extends by bending rearward and upward. In addition, although not shown, a bending member of each guide rail 39 is provided with a pressing member made up of a leaf spring or a wire spring for pressing the guided roller 36 upward.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the guide groove 40 is formed as a groove having a quadrangular cross section that is recessed outward in the left-right direction at a position spaced above each guide rail 39. The guide groove 40 extends long in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the guide groove 40 has substantially the same length in the front-rear direction as the length of the first drawer unit 3 (first drawer frame 31) in the front-rear direction. The rear end portion of the guide groove 40 has a larger width in the vertical direction than the other portions. As a result, a step is formed on the upper surface of the guide groove 40 so that the rear end is one step higher than the other portions. A pressing member 41 made of a leaf spring or a wire spring for pressing the guided roller 38 upward is provided at the rear end of each guide groove 40.

  In a state where the first drawer unit 3 is located at the storage position, the guided rollers 36 and 38 are fitted in the guide rail 39 and the guide groove 40, respectively. A guided plate 37 is fitted in the guide groove 40. On the other hand, in a state where the first drawer unit 3 is located at the drawing position, the guided roller 36 is detached from the guide rail 39 and the guided roller 38 is fitted in the guide groove 40. And when the 1st drawer unit 3 is moved between an accommodation position and a drawer position, the to-be-guided roller 38 rolls in the guide groove 40 over the whole period. The guided roller 36 rolls in the guide rail 39 when the first drawer unit 3 is moved in the vicinity including the accommodation position.

  When the first drawer unit 3 is moved from the vicinity of the storage position to the storage position, the guided rollers 36 and 38 are pressed upward from the pressing member on the guide rail 39 and the pressing member 41 in the guide groove 40, respectively. Receive. As a result, the guided rollers 36 and 38 move rearward and upward, and the first drawer unit 3 moves upward while moving backward. As a result, in a state where the first drawer unit 3 is located at the storage position, each photosensitive drum 6 and the primary cleaning roller 20 held by the first drawer frame 31 come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  The holding of the photosensitive drum 6 and the primary cleaning roller 20 by the first drawer frame 31 will be described in detail later.

  Conversely, when the first drawer unit 3 is slightly moved from the storage position to the drawing position side, the guided rollers 36 and 38 move forward and downward, and the first drawer unit 3 moves forward and downward. As a result, each photosensitive drum 6 and the primary cleaning roller 20 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 11. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum 6 from rubbing against the intermediate transfer belt 11 when the first drawer unit 3 is moved.

The front plate 34 is provided with a handle 42 that is used when the first drawer unit 3 is moved.
2-2. Photosensitive Drum The photosensitive drum 6 includes a cylindrical drum body 51 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, a drum gear 52 to which a driving force from a motor (not shown) is input is attached to the left end portion of the drum main body 51 so as not to be relatively rotatable. A part of the drum body 51 protrudes upward from the first drawer frame 31 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the drum body 51 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft 53 that extends on the central axis of the drum body 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the drum shaft 53 is inserted into the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33, and the left end portion and the right end portion protrude outside the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33, respectively. The drum shaft 53 is fixed to the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33 so as not to rotate.

The drum body 51 may be supported by the drum shaft 53 so as not to rotate, the drum shaft 53 may be rotatably supported by the left side plate 52 and the right side plate 53, and the drum gear 52 may be fixed to the drum shaft 53.
2-3. As shown in FIG. 8, a charger holder 54 is installed between the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33 below the photosensitive drum 6. The charger holding portion 54 has a substantially U-shaped cross section (an angular C shape) that is open to the photosensitive drum 6 side below the photosensitive drum 6. The charger 7 has a discharge wire 55 extending in the left-right direction in the charger holder 54 and a substantially U-shaped cross section (an angular C-shape that is squared) opened to the opposite side to the photosensitive drum 6 side. And a shield case 56 disposed so as to cover the open surface of the charger holder 54. When a high voltage is applied to the discharge wire 55, corona discharge is generated from the discharge wire 55. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 is charged by the electric charge discharged from the discharge wire 55. A grid electrode 57 for controlling the amount of charge reaching the photosensitive drum 6 is formed on the surface of the shield case 56 facing the photosensitive drum 6.
2-4. As shown in FIG. 8, the drum cleaner 8 protrudes in the left-right direction from the columnar roller body 58 centering on the axis extending in the left-right direction, the left end portion and the right end portion of the roller body 58, and the left side plate 32. And a roller shaft 59 that is rotatably supported by the right side plate 33. The roller body 58 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 6.
2-5. Primary Cleaning Roller The first drawer frame 31 holds the primary cleaning roller 20 of the recovery mechanism 19. The primary cleaning roller 20 has a cylindrical roller body 60 centering on an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a roller shaft 61 inserted through the roller body 60 along the center axis. The primary cleaning roller 20 is disposed in front of the foremost photosensitive drum 6 (black photosensitive drum 6) so that the upper end of the roller body 60 is positioned at the same height as the upper end of the photosensitive drum 6, and the roller shaft 61 is rotatably supported by the left side plate 32 and the right side plate 33 so as to be rotatable about the roller shaft 61.

As shown in FIG. 1, the primary cleaning roller 20 faces the backup roller 24 across the planar portion while being in contact with the planar portion of the intermediate transfer belt 11.
3. Second drawer unit 3-1. Second Drawer Frame As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the second drawer unit 4 includes a second drawer frame 71 as an example of a second holding member. The second drawer frame 71 is formed in a square box shape with the top opened. Specifically, the second drawer frame 71 includes a left side plate 72 and a right side plate 73 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 each have a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction along the vertical direction, and as shown in FIG. 6, are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Opposite. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the second drawer frame 71 includes a front plate 74 constructed between the front end portions of the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73, and rear end portions of the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73. A rear plate 75 laid between them, and a bottom plate 76 provided to close a space surrounded by the left side plate 72, the right side plate 73, the front plate 74 and the rear plate 75 from below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a guided plate 77 is formed along the upper edge of each outer side surface of the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the guided plate 77 protrudes outward in a direction orthogonal to the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 and extends long in the front-rear direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a roller support portion 78 is integrally formed on each rear upper end portion of the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73. The roller support portion 78 extends rearward from the left side plate 13 and the right side plate 32. Two guided rollers 79 are provided on the outer surface of each roller support portion 78 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction with a space in the front-rear direction.

  In the main casing 2, as shown in FIG. 4, left and right guide grooves 80 corresponding to the left and right guided plates 77 and the guided rollers 79 are provided in the left and right directions of the second drawer frame 71. Are formed at substantially the same interval as the width of. Each guide groove 80 is formed as a groove having a quadrangular cross section that is recessed outward in the left-right direction. The guide groove 80 has substantially the same length in the front-rear direction as the length in the front-rear direction of the second drawer unit 4 (second drawer frame 71).

  In a state where the second drawer unit 4 is located at the storage position, the guided plate 77 and the guided roller 79 are fitted in the guide groove 80. On the other hand, in a state where the second drawer unit 4 is located at the drawing position, the guided plate 77 is detached from the guide groove 80 and the guided roller 79 is fitted in the guide groove 80. And when the 2nd drawer unit 4 is moved between an accommodation position and a drawer position, the to-be-guided roller 79 rolls in the guide groove 80 over the whole period.

The front plate 74 is provided with a handle 81 used when the second drawer unit 4 is moved.
3-2. Developing Device As shown in FIG. 1, the black developing device 9 and the yellow, magenta, and cyan developing devices 9 share a part of the configuration and are partially different.

  11, 12, and 13 show a black developing device 9. With reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, first, common parts of the configuration of the black developing device 9 and the configuration of the yellow, magenta, and cyan developing devices 9 will be described.

  The developing device 9 includes a developing casing 91. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the developing casing 91 is formed with a developing chamber 92 and a toner storage chamber 93 as an example of a developer storage portion.

  The developing chamber 92 is formed in the upper part of the developing casing 91. An opening 94 that is long in the left-right direction is formed in a portion of the developing casing 91 that faces the photosensitive drum 6, and the developing chamber 92 communicates with the outside through the opening 94.

  A developing roller 95 is provided above the developing chamber 92. The developing roller 95 has a cylindrical developing roller main body 96 centering on an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a developing roller shaft 97 inserted through the developing roller main body 96 along the central axis. The developing roller 95 is disposed such that a part of the developing roller main body 96 is exposed to the outside of the developing casing 91 through the opening 94. The developing roller 95 is rotatably held in the developing casing 91 by inserting the left end portion and the right end portion of the developing roller shaft 97 into the developing casing 91 rotatably.

  A supply roller 98 is provided below the developing chamber 92. The supply roller 98 has a cylindrical supply roller main body 99 centering on an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a supply roller shaft 90 inserted through the supply roller main body 99 along the central axis. The supply roller 98 is disposed such that the supply roller main body 99 contacts the developing roller main body 96 from the front lower side. The supply roller 98 is rotatably held in the developing casing 91 by inserting the left end portion and the right end portion of the supply roller shaft 90 into the developing casing 91 in a rotatable manner.

  The developing casing 91 has a portion 101 having a substantially V-shaped cross section that protrudes between the developing roller 95 and the supply roller 98. A sealing material 102 is provided so as to block between the portion 101 and the developing roller main body 96.

  In addition, a layer thickness regulating blade 103 made of insulating rubber is provided on the opposite side of the seal material 102 across the developing roller main body 96 so as to close the space between the developing casing 91 and the developing roller main body 96. . The layer thickness regulating blade 103 extends in the left-right direction, and elastically abuts from below the developing roller body 96 over almost the entire width of the developing roller body 96 in the left-right direction.

  Further, although not shown, a sealing material is provided so as to close the space between the developing casing 91 and the left end portion and the right end portion of the developing roller main body 96.

  As described above, the space between the developing casing 91 and the developing roller main body 96 is closed by the sealing material 102, the layer thickness regulating blade 103, and the sealing material (not shown) provided so as to surround the developing roller main body 96. This prevents the toner in the developing chamber 92 from leaking between the developing casing 91 and the developing roller main body 96.

  The toner storage chamber 93 is a space having a substantially circular cross section.

  The developing casing 91 has a storage chamber partition wall 104 having a substantially C-shaped cross section that partitions the toner storage chamber 93. Further, the developing casing 91 has a partition wall portion 105 between the developing chamber 92 and the toner storage chamber 93. The partition wall portion 105 extends rearward from the front end portion of the storage chamber partition wall portion 104. And the rear-end part of the partition wall part 105 is facing the rear-end part of the storage chamber partition wall part 104 at intervals from the downward direction. Thus, a communication port 106 is formed between the rear end portion of the storage chamber partition wall portion 104 and the rear end portion of the partition wall portion 105 to communicate the developing chamber 92 and the toner storage chamber 93.

  An agitator 107 is provided in the toner storage chamber 93. The agitator 107 is made of a film and attached to an agitator shaft 108 extending in the left-right direction. The agitator shaft 108 is rotatably supported by the developing casing 91.

  The black developing device 9 includes a part of the recovery mechanism 19, a waste toner storage unit 25, and a transport mechanism 26 in addition to the above configuration of the developing device 9.

  The waste toner container 25 as an example of the waste developer container is formed integrally with the developing casing 91. The waste toner storage unit 25 includes a curved portion 109 that protrudes forward and extends upward from a lower position of the portion facing the front of the storage chamber partition wall portion 104, and a rear side from the upper end of the curved portion 109. And an upper plate part 110 connected to the developing casing 91.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a circular hole 111 is formed in the central portion of the upper plate portion 110 in the left-right direction. The waste toner container 25 is formed with a flat, substantially cylindrical connecting portion 112 that protrudes downward from the peripheral edge of the circular hole 111. The connecting portion 112 is flat and difficult to visually recognize in the drawing, but is curved in an arc shape around a swing shaft 145 described later.

  A part of the recovery mechanism 19 includes a secondary cleaning roller 21, a scraper 22, and a cleaner casing 23.

  In the cleaner casing 23, a roller storage chamber 121 and a waste toner transfer chamber 122 are defined.

  The roller accommodating chamber 121 is opened upward. The secondary cleaning roller 21 is disposed in the roller storage chamber 121. The secondary cleaning roller 21 has a cylindrical roller body 123 centering on an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a roller shaft 124 inserted through the roller body 123 along the center axis. The roller shaft 124 is rotatably supported by the cleaner casing 23.

  The waste toner transfer chamber 122 is formed adjacent to the front side of the roller storage chamber 121. The cleaner casing 23 has a partition wall portion 125 having a substantially U-shaped cross-section opened rearward and upward, and the waste toner transport chamber 122 is partitioned by the partition wall portion 125.

  The scraper 22 has a plate shape. The scraper 22 extends vertically between the roller storage chamber 121 and the waste toner transfer chamber 122 so as to partition the roller storage chamber 121 and the waste toner transfer chamber 122. And the lower end part of the scraper 22 is contact | abutting from the front with respect to the surrounding surface of the secondary cleaning roller 21 (roller main body 123).

  The transport mechanism 26 includes an auger 131 provided in the waste toner transport chamber 122 and a connected portion 132 that extends downward from the partition wall portion 125 of the cleaner casing 23.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the auger 131 as an example of the transport mechanism has a configuration in which a helical auger screw 134 is formed around an auger shaft 133 extending in the left-right direction.

  The auger shaft 133 is rotatably supported by the cleaner casing 23. The left end portion and the right end portion of the auger shaft 133 penetrate the cleaner casing 23. 6 and 11, on the left and right side walls of the developing casing 91, in a position facing the auger 131 in the left-right direction, substantially along the vertical direction, specifically, with respect to the lower end portion. A long hole 135 extending at a length about twice the diameter of the auger shaft 133 is formed so that the upper end portion is positioned slightly rearward. Portions (left end portion and right end portion) protruding from the cleaner casing 23 in the auger shaft 133 are inserted into the long holes 135 on the left and right side walls of the developing casing 91.

  In the auger screw 134, the spiral winding direction is reversed between the left half and the right half with respect to the center in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the connected portion 132 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction while being curved in an arc shape centering on a swing shaft 145 described later. The outer diameter of the connected portion 132 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the connecting portion 112 of the waste toner container 25, and the connected portion 132 is inserted through the connecting portion 112. A cylindrical sealing member 136 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the connected portion 132, and the space between the inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion 112 and the outer peripheral surface of the connected portion 132 is sealed by the sealing member 136. Yes. In addition, a flange 137 is formed on the rear lower end portion (tip portion) of the connected portion 132 so as to project in the radial direction of the connected portion 132.

An internal communication port 138 is formed in a portion of the partition wall portion 125 of the cleaner casing 23 that faces the inside of the connected portion 132. Thereby, the waste toner conveyance chamber 122 and the inside of the connected portion 132 are communicated with each other through the internal communication port 138.
3-3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the second drawer unit 4 is provided with four swing holding members 141 that hold each developing device 9 so as to be swingable.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the swing holding member 141 includes a left side wall 142 and a right side wall 143. The left side wall 142 and the right side wall 143 are opposed to each other in the left-right direction at an interval inside the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 of the second drawer frame 71. The swing holding member 141 includes a support portion 144 that is provided between the lower end edges of the left side wall 142 and the right side wall 143 and supports the developing device 9 from below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rear end portions of the left side wall 142 and the right side wall 143 are formed in a substantially triangular shape in a side view that is tapered rearward. A swing shaft 145 is formed at the rear end portion of the left and right walls 142 and 143 so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction. The left and right swing shafts 145 are rotatably supported by the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 of the second drawer frame 71, respectively. Thus, the swing holding member 141 is swingably provided with the swing shaft 145 as a fulcrum.

  Then, the developing device 9 is arranged on the support portion 144 and the developing device 9 is held by the swing holding member 141, and the swing holding member 141 is swung, so that the developing device 9 A proximity position where the roller 95 is closest to the photosensitive drum 6 (position shown in FIGS. 1 and 14), a separation position where the developing roller 95 is slightly separated from the photosensitive drum 6 (position shown in FIG. 15), and a development roller 9 can swing between retracted positions (positions shown in FIG. 2) that are largely separated from the photosensitive drum 6.

  In the color laser 1, the developing roller 95 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 6 as shown in FIG. 1 with the developing device 9 positioned at the close position. However, the developing roller 95 is not necessarily in contact with the photosensitive drum 6 in a state in which the developing device 9 is located at the close position. The close position is such that the developing roller 95 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 6 by a very small distance. May be at opposite positions.

  In a state where the black developing device 9 is located at the close position and the separated position, the secondary cleaning roller 21 contacts the primary cleaning roller 20. In the state where the black developing device 9 is located at the retracted position, the secondary cleaning roller 21 is separated from the primary cleaning roller 20.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 14, and 15, an operated boss 146 is provided on the left side wall 142 and the right side wall 143 of the swing holding member 141 so as to protrude outward. As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 14, and 15, the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 of the second drawer frame 71 center on the swing shaft 145 at a position facing the operated boss 146 in the left-right direction. An insertion hole 147 that is curved in a circular arc shape is formed. The tip of the operated boss 146 is inserted through the insertion hole 147.
3-4. Drawer linear motion member The second drawer unit 4 includes a pair of drawer linear motion members 151 as shown in FIG. The drawer linearly moving member 151 is provided on the outside of the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 of the second drawer frame 71 so as to be linearly movable in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 14, and 15, the drawer linearly moving member 151 includes a rod-shaped main body 152 that extends long in the front-rear direction below the operated boss 146 protruding from each insertion hole 147, and the main body 152. And four cam portions 153 formed at equal intervals in the front-rear direction.

  Each cam portion 153 has a trapezoidal shape that projects upward from the main body portion 152. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cam portion 153 includes an inclined surface 154 extending rearward and upward from the upper surface of the main body portion 152, an upper surface 155 extending rearward from the upper end edge of the inclined surface 154, and an upper surface A rear surface 156 extending downward between the rear end edge of 155 and the upper surface of the main body 152 is provided.

  A leaf spring 157 is provided on the upper surface 155 of each cam portion 153.

  A holder 158 is fixed to the outer side surfaces of the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 behind each cam portion 153. Each holder 158 holds the rear portion of the cam portion 153 in the main body portion 152 of the drawer linearly moving member 151 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

  A rack gear 159 is formed on the lower surface of the front end portion of the main body 152.

  A gear 160 is provided on each outer side surface of the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 of the second drawer frame 71 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The gear 160 meshes with the rack gear 159.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, an interlocking gear 161 is formed on the front cover 5. Specifically, the front cover 5 is provided so that it can be opened and closed with a cover shaft 162 provided at the lower end thereof as a fulcrum. A pair of fan-shaped plates 163 are formed at the lower end portion of the inner surface of the front cover 5 at intervals in the left-right direction. The sector plate 163 has an arc surface centered on the cover shaft 162, and an interlocking gear 161 is formed on the arc surface.
4). Main Body Direct Moving Member A pair of main body linear moving members 171 are provided in the main body casing 2 as shown in FIGS. The main body linearly moving member 171 has a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is disposed above the operated boss 146 protruding from each insertion hole 147 formed in the left side plate 72 and the right side plate 73 of the second drawer frame 71. Yes. Each main body linearly moving member 171 is held by a holder (not shown) in the main body casing 2 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

  On the lower surface of the main body linearly moving member 171, one concave portion 172 is formed corresponding to each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan developing devices 9. Further, two concave portions 173 and 174 are formed on the lower surface of the main body linearly moving member 171 side by side corresponding to the black developing unit 9. The same interval is provided between two recesses 172 adjacent in the front-rear direction and between the foremost recess 172 and the recess 173.

A rack gear 175 is formed on the lower surface of the rear end portion of the main body linear motion member 171. The rack gear 175 is engaged with a gear 176 to which driving force from a motor (not shown) is input.
5. Movement of Developer When the front cover 5 is closed, the front end portion of the interlocking gear 161 is engaged with the gear 160 as shown in FIGS. Further, the gear 160 meshes with the rear end portion of the rack gear 159. The upper surface 155 of each cam portion 153 faces the operated boss 146 from below, and each operated boss 146 is urged upward by a leaf spring 157.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the operated boss 146 is fitted in the recesses 172, 173 of the main body linearly moving member 171, each developing device 9 is located at a close position, and the developing of each developing device 9 is performed. The roller 95 contacts the photosensitive drum 6, and the secondary cleaning roller 21 contacts the primary cleaning roller 20.

  From this state, the gear 176 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the right side, the rotational force is transmitted to the rack gear 175, the main body linearly moving member 171 moves rearward, and as shown in FIG. When the operated boss 146 is detached from the 173, the operated boss 146 is pressed downward by the main body linear motion member 171. Accordingly, the swing holding member 141 is slightly rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right side with the swing shaft 145 as a fulcrum. As a result, each developing device 9 moves to the separation position, and the developing roller 95 of each developing device 9 is slightly separated from the photosensitive drum 6. At this time, since the auger shaft 133 is inserted into the elongated hole 135 of the developing casing 91, the position of the cleaner casing 23 does not change and the state where the secondary cleaning roller 21 is in contact with the primary cleaning roller 20 is maintained.

  Further, from the state shown in FIG. 14, the gear 176 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side, and the rotational force is transmitted to the rack gear 175, so that the main body linearly moving member 171 moves slightly forward. The operated boss 146 is detached from the 173, and the operated boss 146 corresponding to the black developing device 9 is fitted into the recess 174. In this state, the operated boss 146 corresponding to the yellow, magenta, and cyan developing devices 9 is pressed downward by the main body linearly moving member 171. As a result, the swing holding member 141 that holds the yellow, magenta, and cyan developing devices 9 is slightly rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right side with the swing shaft 145 serving as a fulcrum. As a result, the yellow, magenta, and cyan developing devices 9 move to the separated positions, and the developing roller 95 of the black developing device 9 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 6, and the developing rollers of the yellow, magenta, and cyan developing devices 9. 95 is slightly separated from the photosensitive drum 6.

  When the front cover 5 is opened, the fan-shaped plate 163 moves counterclockwise as viewed from the right side with the cover shaft 162 as the center in accordance with the opening operation. Since the interlocking gear 161 meshes with the gear 160, the gear 160 rotates clockwise as viewed from the right side as the sector plate 163 moves. Since the gear 160 meshes with the rack gear 159, when the gear 160 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted from the gear 160 to the rack gear 159, and the drawer linearly moving member 151 moves rearward.

When the drawer linearly moving member 151 moves rearward, as shown in FIG. 10, each operated boss 146 moves from the upper surface 155 of the cam portion 153 to the upper surface of the main body portion 152 via the inclined surface 154. . As a result, the swing holding member 141 that holds each developing device 9 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the right side with the swing shaft 145 as a fulcrum, and as shown in FIGS. Move to the retreat position.
6). Supply of toner Toner can be supplied from the developing unit 9 to the photosensitive drum 6 in a state where the developing unit 9 is located in the proximity position.

Referring to FIG. 12, agitator shaft 108 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right side. As the agitator shaft 108 rotates, the agitator 107 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the right side while rubbing against the inner surface of the storage chamber partition wall 104. The rotating agitator 107 pushes the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 93 toward the communication port 106, and the toner is supplied from the communication port 106 to the developing chamber 92. The toner in the developing chamber 92 is supplied from the supply roller 98 onto the development roller 95 as the supply roller 98 rotates. As the developing roller 95 rotates, the toner on the developing roller 95 enters between the free end portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 103 and the thickness thereof is regulated, whereby a thin layer is formed on the developing roller 95. To be carried. Then, as the photosensitive drum 6 and the developing roller 95 rotate, the toner on the developing roller 95 is supplied to the photosensitive drum 6 so that the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 is developed into a toner image. Is done.
7). Collection of Waste Toner The toner may remain on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 without being transferred to the paper.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the drum cleaner 8 is supplied with a cleaning bias during image formation. Due to the action of the cleaning bias, the toner (waste toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 is transferred to the roller body 58 (see FIG. 8) of the drum cleaner 8 and temporarily held by the roller body 58.

  After completion of the image forming operation, each developing device 9 is moved to the separated position during non-image forming before the next image forming operation is performed.

  Then, the waste toner held by the roller body 58 of the drum cleaner 8 is returned to the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 by supplying a bias opposite to the cleaning bias to the drum cleaner 8. Then, by supplying a bias to each primary transfer roller 14, the waste toner returned to the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 is transferred from the photosensitive drum 6 to the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  In addition, toner may transfer from the photosensitive drum 6 to the intermediate transfer belt 11 during image formation.

  Waste toner on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is collected by the collection mechanism 19. Referring to FIG. 1, specifically, the primary cleaning roller 20 and the secondary cleaning roller 21 are respectively supplied with a primary cleaning bias and a secondary cleaning bias. The waste toner on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is transferred to the primary cleaning roller 20 when facing the primary cleaning roller 20. The waste toner transferred onto the primary cleaning roller 20 is further transferred onto the secondary cleaning roller 21. The waste toner on the secondary cleaning roller 21 is scraped off from the secondary cleaning roller 21 by the scraper 22 when facing the scraper 22. The scraped waste toner is received by the waste toner transfer chamber 122.

Referring to FIG. 6, the auger 131 is rotating in the waste toner transfer chamber 122. The waste toner received in the waste toner transport chamber 122 is transported by the auger 131 toward the central portion of the waste toner transport chamber 122 in the left-right direction, more specifically, the portion where the winding direction of the auger screw 134 is switched. The The waste toner conveyed by the auger 131 naturally falls in the connected portion 132 and is stored in the waste toner storage portion 25 of the black developing device 9.
8). Effect 8-1. Effect 1
As described above, the developing unit 9 is formed with the toner storage chamber 93 for storing the toner. Further, a developing roller 95 is rotatably held by the developing device 9. Toner is supplied from the developing roller 95 to the photosensitive drum 6. An endless intermediate transfer belt 11 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 6 so as to face the photosensitive drum 6. Therefore, the toner is transferred from the photosensitive drum 6 and attached to the intermediate transfer belt 11. The toner adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 11 for purposes other than image formation is waste toner that should be discarded.

  In order to remove and collect the waste toner from the intermediate transfer belt 11, a collection mechanism 19 is provided. The waste toner collected by the collection mechanism 19 is conveyed from the collection mechanism 19 to the waste toner storage unit 25 by the conveyance mechanism 26.

  The photosensitive drum 6 is held by a first drawer frame 31 provided so as to be able to be drawn out from the main casing 2.

  The developing device 9, the waste toner container 25, and the transport mechanism 26 are held by a second drawer frame 71 that is provided so as to be able to be drawn out with respect to the main body casing 2. The waste toner container 25 is integrated with the developing device 9.

  Thereby, the second drawer frame 71 can be pulled out from the main body casing while the first drawer frame 31 remains in the main body casing, and the waste toner container 25 can be easily replaced together with the developing device 9. The developing device 9 must be replaced when the toner in the toner storage chamber 93 runs out. Therefore, since the waste toner container 25 can be exchanged together with the developing device 9 having a relatively high exchange frequency, the waste toner container 25 can be exchanged efficiently and easily.

Further, since the waste toner storage unit 25 can be replaced with a relatively high frequency, it is not necessary to secure a large capacity of the waste toner storage unit 25. Therefore, the size of the color printer 1 can be reduced by reducing the capacity of the waste toner container 25.
8-2. Effect 2
The collection mechanism 19 includes a primary cleaning roller 20. The primary cleaning roller 20 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 11 and removes waste toner from the intermediate transfer belt 11.
8-3. Effect 3
The primary cleaning roller 20 is held by the first drawer frame 31. The photosensitive drum 6 is replaced less frequently than the developing unit 9. The primary cleaning roller 20 is replaced less frequently than the waste toner container 25. The first drawer frame 31 can be pulled out of the main body casing, and the primary cleaning roller 20 with a relatively low replacement frequency can be replaced with the photosensitive drum 6 with a relatively low replacement frequency.
8-4. Effect 4
The collection mechanism 19 includes a secondary cleaning roller 21 held by the second drawer frame 71. The waste toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 11 can be collected via the primary cleaning roller 20 by the secondary cleaning roller 21.
8-5. Effect 5
The waste toner container 25 is provided so as to be movable relative to the transport mechanism 26. As a result, in the configuration in which the waste toner container 25 is integrated with the developing device 9, the integrated developer 9 and waste toner are not obstructed by the connection between the waste toner container 25 and the transport mechanism 26. The accommodating part 25 can be moved integrally.

Therefore, the developing device 9 can be moved and the developing roller 95 can be disposed at a suitable position with respect to the photosensitive drum 6. Further, since the developing roller 95 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 6 when no toner is supplied from the developing roller 95 to the photosensitive drum 6, deterioration of the photosensitive drum 6 and the developing roller 95 can be suppressed.
8-6. Effect 6
A cylindrical connecting portion 112 is formed in the waste toner storage portion 25. The transport mechanism 26 includes a cylindrical connected portion 132. The connected portion 132 is inserted through the connecting portion 112 and connected to the connecting portion 112 so as to be relatively movable. Therefore, when the waste toner container 25 is moved relative to the transport mechanism 26, the connection can be ensured at the overlapping portion between the connecting portion 112 and the connected portion 132.
8-7. Effect 7
The transport mechanism 26 includes an auger 131. The auger 131 conveys the waste toner collected by the collection mechanism 19 in the axial direction toward the central portion in the axial direction in which the rotation axis of the developing roller 95 extends. Thus, by providing the connection portion 112, the left / right balance is not lost when the waste toner storage portion 25 moves relative to the transport mechanism 26.
8-8. Effect 8
The developing device 9 has a developing roller 95 relatively spaced from the photosensitive drum 6 and a proximity position where the developing roller 95 is relatively close to the photosensitive drum 6 with a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 95 as the center. It is provided so as to be pivotable to the separation position.
8-9. Effect 9
The rotating shaft of the developing device 9 is disposed on the opposite side of the collecting mechanism 19 with respect to the developing device 9. Thereby, the collection mechanism 19 can be rotated more largely than the developing device 9 with the rotation of the developing device 9. As a result, the recovery mechanism 19 can be largely separated from the intermediate transfer belt 11.
9. Modifications Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be implemented in other forms.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the collecting mechanism 19 is configured such that the primary cleaning roller 20 and the secondary cleaning roller 21 are omitted, and the tip of the scraper 22 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 11. May be. In the configuration according to this modification, the scraper 22 is an example of a removal member, and the scraper 22 is held by a second drawer frame 71 that is an example of a second holding member.

  In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of matters described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 6 Photosensitive drum 9 Developing device 11 Intermediate transfer belt 19 Collecting mechanism 20 Primary cleaning roller 21 Secondary cleaning roller 25 Waste toner storage unit 26 Conveying mechanism 31 First drawer frame 71 Second drawer frame 93 Toner storage chamber 95 Development Roller 112 connecting part 131 auger 132 connected part

Claims (10)

A body casing;
An endless belt disposed within the body casing;
A photosensitive drum disposed facing the belt from below;
A developing device having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer, and rotatably holding a developing roller for supplying the developer to the photosensitive drum;
A waste developer storage unit that is provided integrally with the developing unit and stores waste developer to be discarded;
A collection mechanism for removing and collecting the waste developer from the belt;
A transport mechanism connected to the waste developer container and the recovery mechanism, and transporting the waste developer from the recovery mechanism to the waste developer container;
A first holding member which is provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the main body casing and holds the photosensitive drum;
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a second holding member that is provided so as to be able to be drawn out from the main body casing and holds the developer, the waste developer container, and the transport mechanism.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collecting mechanism includes a removing member that contacts the belt and removes the waste developer from the belt.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the removal member is held by the first holding member. The recovery mechanism includes a recovery member that recovers waste developer from the removal member,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the collection member is held by the second holding member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the removing member is held by the second holding member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste developer container is provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the transport mechanism. The waste developer accommodating portion is formed with a cylindrical connecting portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transport mechanism has a cylindrical shape and includes a connected portion that is inserted into the connecting portion and connected to the connecting portion so as to be relatively movable. The developing device is disposed below the belt;
The image according to claim 7, wherein the transport mechanism includes a transport member that transports the waste developer collected by the collecting mechanism in the axial direction toward a central portion in an axial direction in which a rotation axis of the developing roller extends. Forming equipment.   The developing unit has a rotation position parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller and a proximity position where the developing roller is relatively close to the photosensitive drum, and the developing roller is relatively separated from the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided so as to be rotatable at a separation position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotation shaft is disposed on a side opposite to the collecting mechanism with respect to the developing device.

Images