JP2013003237A - Image forming device and exterior member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of suppressing a problem that a developer is scattered in a separating direction of an image forming member by opening of an exterior member and makes the inside of the exterior member dirty; and an exterior member provided on the image forming device.SOLUTION: An image forming device 100 equipped with image forming members 30, ... and an exterior member 105, attaches/detaches the image forming members 30, ... to/from an image forming device body 101; opens/closes the exterior member 105 to the image forming device body 101; and is positioned under an image forming member 50 attached/detached when the exterior member 105 is opened. The exterior member 105 includes an exterior member body 105a and a receiving member 53 provided on the exterior member body 105a. The receiving member 53 has a receiving port 531 opening upward and receiving a developer T, and makes the receiving port 531 keep a posture turning upward regardless of an opening/closing posture of the exterior member 105.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine that forms an image using a developer. For example, the image formed on an image carrier using the developer is transferred to an image on a recording sheet. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image forming apparatus and an exterior member provided therein.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a developer, the image carrier is normally charged uniformly, and the charged image carrier is irradiated with image light to form an electrostatic latent image. The latent image is visualized (developed) into a toner image by a developer, and the visualized toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet such as paper or an intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt. When transferring the visualized toner image onto the intermediate transfer member, the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer member is further transferred onto a recording sheet.

  As such an image forming apparatus, a single color image forming apparatus that includes a single image carrier and forms only a single color image, a multicolor image forming apparatus that includes a single image carrier and forms a multicolor image, In addition, a multicolor image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of image carriers and forms a multicolor image is conventionally known.

  In recent years, with the development of image forming apparatuses, many multicolor image forming apparatuses capable of forming a multicolor image at a high speed are widely used.

  As a multicolor image forming apparatus, in order to realize a high speed, an image forming station for a plurality of colors (for example, for four colors) is arranged in parallel along the conveyance direction of the recording sheet. Tandem-type multicolor image forming apparatuses that can form a multicolor image on a recording sheet with only a few passes have become mainstream.

  In the tandem-type multicolor image forming apparatus, electrostatic latent images for each color corresponding to images of different colors (for example, C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black) in each color image forming station. Are formed on the image carrier for each color, and the formed electrostatic latent image for each color is visualized (developed) into a toner image of each color by a developer for each color, and each color toner image is visualized. Is transferred onto a recording sheet or an intermediate transfer member to obtain a color toner image. In the case where the visualized toner images of respective colors are transferred onto the intermediate transfer member, the color image toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer member are transferred onto a recording sheet.

  In general, the multicolor image forming apparatus can form not only a multicolor image but also a monochromatic image, particularly a black and white image using only a black developer. For this reason, the amount of developer used in the multicolor image forming apparatus is larger than that of a single color image forming apparatus that forms only a single color image.

  In both monochromatic and multicolor image forming apparatuses, generally, an image forming member that forms an image using a developer (for example, a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, development including a developer). And an exterior member that covers the image forming member, the image forming member is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and the exterior member is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. It is configured to open and close. In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, when the maintenance (specifically, replacement or cleaning) of the image forming member is reached, the exterior member is opened by the operator such as a user or a service person. The image forming member is detached and then the exterior member is closed. Note that the maintenance time is reached, for example, when the developing device or the photosensitive drum has reached the end of its life, when the toner in the toner cartridge is exhausted, or when the cleaner is full of toner, etc. Can be mentioned.

  In general, when the image forming member is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus and the image forming member is replaced, a new (unused) image forming member is mounted. Or when the image forming member is cleaned, by mounting the image forming member after cleaning.

  Incidentally, in the inside of the image forming apparatus main body, the developer may be scattered during the image formation. Then, for example, when the image forming member is attached or detached, the developer attached to the image forming member or the guide member provided for attaching or detaching the image forming member to the image forming apparatus main body is attached. Alternatively, there is a problem in that the accumulated developer falls downward when the image forming member is attached / detached and the floor is covered. In particular, this is because the number of image forming members increases in a tandem type multicolor image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of image forming stations and forms an image using a developer for each of the plurality of image forming stations. , Become prominent.

  For this reason, the conventional image forming apparatus normally employs a configuration in which the exterior member is opened in the direction of detachment of the image forming member and the developer is received by the exterior member with the lower portion of the image forming apparatus main body as a rotation fulcrum. However, the image forming apparatus having such a configuration has the following disadvantages.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration in which the developer 201 is received by the exterior member 203 in the conventional image forming apparatus 200. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining inconveniences in the configuration in which the developer 201 is received by the exterior member 203 in the conventional image forming apparatus 200.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the image forming apparatus 200, when the image forming member 202 (for example, the developing unit) is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 200a, the exterior member 203 rotates around the lower portion of the image forming apparatus main body 200a. As a fulcrum, the exterior member 203 receives the developer 201 that is opened in the detaching direction X1 (opening direction W1) of the image forming member 202 and falls from above. Then, when the developer 201 is received by the exterior member 203, as shown in FIG. 12, the operator completes the installation of the new image forming member 202 or the cleaned image forming member 202, and the exterior member 203. Before the image forming member 202 is closed in the mounting direction X2 (closing direction W2), the developer 201 that has fallen on the exterior member 203 must be removed. If the operator neglects such work, there is a disadvantage that the developer 201 falls from the gap g between the exterior member 203 and the image forming apparatus main body 200a.

  Further, below the image forming apparatus 200, a paper feed desk device 220 (specifically, a drawer type paper feed tray 220a) for supplying a recording sheet (specifically, paper) to the image forming apparatus 200 is provided. A paper feed desk device) may be provided. In this case, the developer 201 that falls from the gap g falls to the upper part of the entrance of the paper feed tray 220a, and may further enter the paper feed tray 220a by the drawing operation of the paper feed tray 220a (see FIG. 12). As a result, there arises a problem that the developer 201 entering the sheet feeding desk device 220 stains the recording sheet accommodated therein. Further, the developer 201 falling from the gap g also soils the floor.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which an exterior member is provided with a receiving portion for holding a developer at a position below the image forming member in the main body of the image forming apparatus. .

JP 2004-101609 A

  However, the image forming apparatus configured as described in Patent Document 1 has the following disadvantages.

  FIG. 13 shows the developer at a position below the image forming member 302 (for example, the developing unit) in the image forming apparatus main body 300a in the exterior member 303 of the image forming apparatus 300 having the configuration described in Patent Document 1. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration in which receiving portions 304 and 305 for holding 301 are provided. FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 13, the developer 301 that has fallen inside the exterior member 303 can be received by the receiving portions 304 and 305 provided in the exterior member 303, but the developer received by the receiving portions 304 and 305. When the exterior member 303 is opened, 301 may spill out from the receiving portions 304 and 305 to the near side. Specifically, the receiving portions 304 and 305 in which the receiving openings 304a and 305a face upward when the exterior member 303 is closed are the receiving openings 304a and 305a when the exterior member 303 is opened. (Specifically, the developing unit) is directed in the separation direction X1. For this reason, the developer 301 accumulated in the receiving portions 304 and 305 is scattered in the separation direction X1 of the image forming member 302 due to the opening of the exterior member 303 and stains the inside of the exterior member 303. There is a problem that the clothes of the worker are soiled by the developer 301 having the inside stained.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing inconvenience that the developer is scattered in the direction of separation of the image forming member due to the opening of the exterior member and stains the inside of the exterior member, and the exterior member provided therein. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following image forming apparatus and exterior member.

(1) Image Forming Apparatus In an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming member that forms an image using a developer and an exterior member that covers the image forming member, the image forming member is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The exterior member is configured to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and is opened and closed with a first rotation axis along a horizontal direction intersecting a direction in which the image forming member is detached from the image forming apparatus main body as a rotation fulcrum. In addition, the image forming apparatus is configured such that the exterior member is positioned below the image forming member that is attached or detached when the exterior member is opened. The exterior member is an exterior member. A main body and a receiving member provided on the outer member main body, the receiving member having a receiving port that opens upward and receives the developer, and the opening and closing posture of the outer member The receiver is on An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the posture is maintained so as to face the direction.

(2) Exterior member In an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming member that forms an image using a developer and an exterior member that covers the image forming member, the image forming member is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. And opening and closing the exterior member with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus as a rotation fulcrum with a first rotation axis along the horizontal direction intersecting the direction of detachment of the image forming member, In addition, the exterior member in the image forming apparatus is configured such that the exterior member is positioned below the image forming member that is attached or detached when the exterior member is opened. A receiving member provided on the exterior member main body, the receiving member having a receiving port that opens upward to receive the developer, and the receiving port is open regardless of the opening / closing posture of the exterior member. Up An exterior member characterized by being configured to maintain a posture facing the direction.

  The developer referred to in the present invention is a concept including a one-component developer containing toner as a main component and a two-component developer containing toner and carrier as main components. That is, the developer means mainly toner in the case of the one-component developer, and mainly means toner or toner and carrier in the case of the two-component developer.

  The image forming member in the present invention includes, for example, a charging device for charging a photosensitive drum, a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing device including a developer, and a toner image on a recording sheet. Examples thereof include a transfer device for transferring, a toner cartridge for containing toner, and a cleaner device for collecting toner. The image forming member may be a charging device, a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer device, a toner cartridge, or a unit composed of any one of a cleaner device, or a charging device, a photosensitive drum, a developing device, It may be a transfer device, a toner cartridge, a cleaner device, and a unit configured by combining at least two of these units. Here, the unit refers to a unit that is detachably held with respect to the image forming apparatus main body without using a fixing member such as a screw that is attached using a tool such as a screwdriver.

  According to the present invention, the receiving member has the receiving port that opens upward to receive the developer, and maintains the posture in which the receiving port faces upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the exterior member. Since it is configured, when the exterior member is opened, it is possible to effectively avoid the receiving port from being directed in the direction of detachment of the image forming member, and thereby the reservoir accumulated in the receiving member. It is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the developer is scattered in the release direction of the image forming member due to the opening of the exterior member and the inside of the exterior member is soiled.

  In the present invention, it is possible to exemplify a mode in which the receiving member is rotatable with respect to the exterior member main body with a second rotation axis along the first rotation axis as a rotation fulcrum.

  In this specific matter, the receiving member is configured to be rotatable with respect to the exterior member main body with the second rotation axis as a rotation fulcrum, so that the reception member can be smoothly moved with respect to the exterior member main body. Accordingly, regardless of the opening / closing posture of the exterior member, the posture of the receiving member with the receiving port facing upward can be stably maintained.

  In this invention, the said receiving member can illustrate the aspect in which the said 2nd rotation axis is located in the said receptacle side rather than a gravity center.

  In this specific matter, the second rotation axis serving as the pivot point of the receiving member is located closer to the receiving port than the center of gravity of the receiving member, so that the receiving member is based on the center of gravity of the receiving member. The weight of the receiving member can be made heavier on the side opposite to the receiving port side than the receiving port side, thereby maintaining the posture of the receiving member with the receiving port facing upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the exterior member. It can be easily realized.

  In this invention, the said receiving member can illustrate the aspect made detachable with respect to the said exterior member main body.

  In this specific matter, since the receiving member is detachable from the exterior member main body, the receiving member can be easily attached to and detached from the exterior member main body. It is possible to facilitate maintenance work such as the work of discarding the developer accumulated on the member and the work of cleaning the receiving part.

  In the present invention, the image forming apparatus main body includes a restricting member that restricts the posture of the receiving member, and the receiving member has a thickness direction of the exterior member main body on the inner side surface of the exterior member main body and the first member. The second rotation axis is provided at an end portion on the first rotation axis side in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis, and in a part of the circumferential direction with the second rotation axis as the rotation center. The regulating member has a regulated portion whose distance from the rotation center to the outer circumferential surface is larger or smaller than a preset outer radius, and the regulating member is in contact with or close to the regulated portion in the receiving member Examples of the configuration are as follows.

  In this specific matter, the receiving member is configured such that the receiving member is directed upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the exterior member, because the restricting member is configured to contact or be close to the restricted portion of the receiving member. It becomes possible to reliably maintain the posture of the member.

  In the present invention, the regulated portion includes a first convex portion provided on a side opposite to the receiving port in the circumferential direction around the second rotational axis of the receiving member, and the first convex portion. A second convex portion provided between the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and the restricting member includes the first convex portion and the second convex portion between the first convex portion and the second convex portion of the receiving member. A mode in which the second convex portion is in contact with or close to the second convex portion can be exemplified.

  In this specific matter, the restricted portion includes the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and the restricting member is between the first convex portion and the second convex portion in the receiving member. The configuration in which the restriction member is in contact with or close to the restricted portion of the receiving member is configured to be in contact with or close to the first convex portion and the second convex portion. This can be realized with a simple structure of the receiving member.

  In this invention, the said receiving member can illustrate the aspect by which the said 2nd rotation axis line is set as the structure located coaxially with a said 1st rotation axis line.

  In this specific matter, the exterior member main body rotates the first rotation axis by configuring the second rotation axis of the receiving member to be coaxial with the first rotation axis. When the opening and closing as a fulcrum, the receiving member does not move around the first rotation axis as a rotation fulcrum, so that the restriction member is provided in the image forming apparatus main body and restricts the posture of the receiving member It becomes possible to facilitate the structure.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the receiving member has the receiving opening that opens upward to receive the developer, and the receiving opening faces upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the exterior member. Therefore, when the exterior member is opened, it is possible to effectively avoid the receiving port from being directed in the direction of detachment of the image forming member. It is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the developer accumulated on the member scatters in the direction of detachment of the image forming member due to the opening of the exterior member and stains the inside of the exterior member.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming system provided with an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from diagonally upward on the front right. It is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the image forming system shown in Drawing 1 from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a front cover is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the inner side of the front cover which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a schematic plan view which shows the inner side of the front cover which concerns on this Embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the front cover which concerns on this Embodiment from the left-right direction, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the state which the front cover closed, (b) is the state which the front cover opened fully. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which toner falling from above is received by a receiving member in the front cover in a state where the front cover is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which toner falling from above is received by a receiving member in the front cover in a state where the front cover is closed in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is an expanded sectional view expanding and showing a receiving member in the state where a front cover concerning this embodiment was closed, and its peripheral part. It is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the receiving member part in the state where the front cover concerning this embodiment was opened from the back side in the depth direction. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration in which a developer is received by an exterior member in a conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining inconveniences in a configuration in which a developer is received by an exterior member in a conventional image forming apparatus. In the exterior member of the image forming apparatus configured as described in Patent Document 1, a configuration in which a receiving portion for holding the developer is provided at a position below the image forming member in the main body of the image forming apparatus will be described. It is a schematic sectional drawing for doing.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming system provided with an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from diagonally upward on the front right.

  The image forming system illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 100 and a paper feeding desk device 20.

(Description of paper feed desk device)
The sheet feeding desk device 20 is configured to store a recording sheet (specifically, a sheet) and supply the sheet to the image forming apparatus 100 according to an instruction signal from the image forming apparatus 100. Also works.

  The sheet feeding desk device 20 is disposed below the image forming apparatus 100. The paper feed desk device 20 is retrofitted to the image forming apparatus 100. The paper supply desk device 20 includes paper supply trays 20a, 20b, and 20c having a plurality of stages (here, three stages), and can store a plurality of types of paper.

  The sheet conveyance path in the sheet feeding desk device 20 is communicated with a sheet conveyance path S (see FIG. 2 described later) of the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the paper feed desk device 20 can transport the paper from the paper feed trays 20a to 20c to the paper transport path S.

  Each of the sheet feeding trays 20a to 20c has a drawer type configuration. In the paper feed desk device 20, when a paper is stored in the paper feed trays 20a to 20c, or when a paper jam occurs in the paper feed desk device 20 due to some trouble, a user, a serviceman, or the like An operator can perform an operation of pulling out a corresponding one of the paper feed trays 20a to 20c to store paper, and an operation of handling a jam.

  Note that the paper feed trays 20a to 20c of the paper feed desk device 20 have a three-stage configuration here, but are not limited to a three-stage configuration. For example, the paper feed desk device 20 includes a single-stage paper feed tray that has a low height, or a tandem tray that has two trays arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, or You can list things that simply function as a desk. The paper feed desk device 20 is selected from the plurality of types of paper feed desk devices according to the user's request and is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100.

(Description of image forming apparatus)
The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a copier function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, and includes a front cover 105. When used as a copying machine, a printer, or the like, the image forming apparatus 100 forms a multicolor or single color image on a sheet in accordance with image information transmitted from the outside. A document image is read by a document reading unit having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) (not shown), subjected to image processing by an image processing unit (not shown), and then image forming units 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d (described later). 2).

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the front cover 105 is opened in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes image forming units 19a to 19d, a transfer belt unit 8, a fixing unit 12, a paper feed tray 10, and paper discharge trays 15 and 33, and is a tandem type multicolor image forming apparatus. . The transfer belt unit 8 includes a transfer belt 7, a driving roller 71, a tension roller 72, a driven roller 73, and a support roller 74.

  The image forming units 19a to 19d have the same configuration, and based on image information input from an image processing unit (not shown), the paper feed trays 20a to 20c or the paper feed tray of the paper feed desk device 20 are used. A black (K) image, a cyan (C) image, a magenta (M) image, and a yellow (Y) image toner image) are transferred to the paper sent from the printer 10.

  The image forming units 19a to 19d include exposure units 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d (specifically, LSU (laser scanner unit)), developing units 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and a photosensitive drum 3a that functions as an image carrier. , 3b, 3c, 3d, cleaner units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, charging devices 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and transfer rollers 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. In the present embodiment, the process units 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d (see FIG. 3) include photosensitive drums 3a to 3d and cleaner units 4a to 4d, respectively. The developing units 2a to 2d, the process units 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d and the like function as the image forming member 30 (see FIG. 3). In FIG. 3, the process unit 80c and the developing unit 2d are not shown.

  Specifically, the image forming unit 19a is for forming a black (K) image, and includes an exposure unit 1a, a developing unit 2a, a photosensitive drum 3a, a cleaner unit 4a, and a charging device 5a. A station and a transfer roller 6a are provided. The image forming unit 19b is for forming a cyan (C) image. The image forming unit 19b includes an exposure unit 1b, a developing unit 2b, a photosensitive drum 3b, a cleaner unit 4b, and a charging device 5b. And a transfer roller 6b. The image forming unit 19c is for magenta image formation for forming a magenta (M) image, and includes an image forming station including an exposure unit 1c, a developing unit 2c, a photosensitive drum 3c, a cleaner unit 4c, and a charging device 5c. And a transfer roller 6c. The image forming unit 19d is for yellow image formation for forming a yellow (Y) image, and includes an image forming station including an exposure unit 1d, a developing unit 2d, a photosensitive drum 3d, a cleaner unit 4d, and a charging device 5d. And a transfer roller 6d.

  In each of the image forming units 19a to 19d, charging devices 5a to 5d, developing units 2a to 2d, transfer rollers 6a to 6d, and cleaner units 4a to 4d are arranged in this order around the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d. The image light (specifically, modulated laser light) from the exposure units 1a to 1d is irradiated on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d from between the charging devices 5a to 5d and the developing units 2a to 2d. It has come to be.

  Each of the photoconductor drums 3a to 3d is a cylindrical drum having a photoconductor material on the surface thereof, and is substantially at the center of the image forming apparatus main body 101 in the vertical direction (the arrow Z direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). It is attached to. Each of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d is driven in a predetermined rotation direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2) by a rotation driving unit (not shown).

  The charging devices 5a to 5d are charging members for uniformly charging the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d to a predetermined potential set in advance. The charging devices 5a to 5d are not limited to the charger type as shown in FIG. 2 as long as the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d are charged. For example, the belt contact type roller type or brush type charging is possible. It may be a device.

  The exposure units 1a to 1d are exposure devices that irradiate the surface of the charged photosensitive drums 3a to 3d with image light, respectively, and image data corresponding to the black component, cyan component, magenta component, and yellow component in the image information. (Pixel signal) is input from an image processing unit (not shown). The exposure units 1a to 1d include a polygon scanner including a laser irradiation unit and a polygon mirror, and a reflection mirror. The exposure units 1a to 1d correspond to input pixel signals with respect to the surfaces of the charged photosensitive drums 3a to 3d. And exposing the image to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the pixel signal (image information).

  The exposure units 1a to 1d are LSUs here, but may be, for example, an EL (electroluminescence) in which light emitting elements are arranged in an array, an LED writing head, or the like.

  The developing units 2a to 2d develop the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d as toner images with toners of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, and visualize them. Each of the developing units 2a to 2d is of a developing type using a one-component developer, and accommodates toners (one-component developer) of each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. The developing units 2a to 2d may be of a developing system using a two-component developer.

  The transfer rollers 6a to 6d function as corona dischargers for transferring the toner images on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d onto a sheet conveyed by a transfer belt 7 described later. The transfer rollers 6a to 6d are in contact with the back side of the transfer belt 7, and are disposed to face the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d with the transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween.

  When transferring the toner image to the paper, a high voltage having a polarity (for example, a positive electrode) opposite to the charging polarity (for example, a negative electrode) of the toner is applied to the transfer rollers 6a to 6d. Specifically, each of the transfer rollers 6a to 6d includes a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm, and an elastic material (for example, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber)) whose surface is based on the metal shaft. , Urethane foam, etc.). The transfer rollers 6a to 6d can uniformly apply a high voltage to the paper by a conductive elastic material covered on the surface. Further, the transfer rollers 6 a to 6 d are rotatably supported, and the transfer belt 7 is stretched together with the drive roller 71, the driven roller 73, the tension roller 72 and the support roller 74. As a result, the transfer rollers 6a to 6d can transfer the toner images on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d onto the sheet that is adsorbed onto the transfer belt 7 and conveyed. The transfer rollers 6a to 6d are not limited to roller-type transfer electrodes. For example, instead of the transfer rollers 6a to 6d, brush-type transfer members may be used.

  The transfer belt 7 is an endless belt, and is driven to rotate in the sheet conveyance direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2). The transfer belt 7 is in contact with the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d arranged in order from the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction B. Specifically, the transfer belt 7 is formed using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm.

  The cleaner units 4a to 4d function as cleaning devices that remove and collect toner and paper dust remaining on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d without being transferred onto the paper by the transfer rollers 6a to 6d, respectively. The cleaner units 4a to 4d respectively remove the toner and paper dust remaining on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d after the toner images are transferred onto the paper by sliding the cleaning blades on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d. It comes to collect. The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a transfer belt cleaning unit 9. The transfer belt cleaning unit 9 is configured to remove and collect toner that adheres to the transfer belt 7 from the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d and causes the back surface of the conveyed paper to become dirty.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 having such a configuration, the toner images (color images) of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d are sequentially transferred onto the sheet conveyed by the transfer belt 7 by the transfer rollers 6a to 6d. The paper on which the color image toner image (multicolor toner image) is formed by superimposing and transferring the color image on the paper is further conveyed to the fixing unit 12 by the transfer belt 7.

  The fixing unit 12 includes a heat roller 31 and a pressure roller 32, and heat-fixes an unfixed toner image transferred onto a sheet by melting, mixing, and pressing. The heat roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 are configured to convey while rotating with the paper interposed therebetween. The heat roller 31 is controlled by the control unit 40 so as to have a predetermined fixing temperature set in advance based on a temperature detection value by a temperature detection unit (not shown) when fixing the unfixed toner image on the sheet. .

  The paper feed tray 10 stores paper used for printing, and is provided below the image forming units 19 a to 19 d of the image forming apparatus 100. The paper feed tray 10 has the same configuration as the paper feed trays 20a to 20c. The paper discharge tray 15 is provided in the upper part of the image forming apparatus 100 and is used for placing printed paper face down. The paper discharge tray 33 is provided on a side portion of the image forming apparatus 100, and is used to place printed paper face up.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an S-shaped sheet conveyance path S. The sheet conveyance path S includes a first reversal conveyance path S1 that guides the sheet conveyed in the substantially horizontal direction from the sheet feeding trays 20a to 20c or the sheet feeding tray 10 so as to be reversed to approximately 180 ° upward, and fixing. And a second reversing conveyance path S2 for guiding the sheet conveyed in the substantially horizontal direction from the unit 12 so as to be reversed upward by approximately 180 °.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a transport unit that feeds the paper stored in the paper feed trays 20 a to 20 c or the paper feed tray 10 to the paper discharge tray 15 or the paper discharge tray 33 via the transfer belt 7 or the fixing unit 12. Yes. Specifically, the transport means includes a pickup roller 16, a registration roller 14, a heat roller 31 and a pressure roller 32 in the fixing unit 12, a transport direction switching gate 34, and a plurality of transport rollers 25,. The pickup roller 16 and the registration roller 14 are disposed in the vicinity of the first reverse conveyance path S1. The heat roller 31 and the pressure roller 32, the conveyance direction switching gate 34, and the plurality of conveyance rollers 25,... In the fixing unit 12 are disposed in the vicinity of the second reverse conveyance path S2. The conveyance roller 25 is a small roller for promoting and assisting the conveyance of the paper.

  The pickup roller 16 is provided at the end of the paper supply trays 20a to 20c or the paper supply tray 10 on the paper supply side, and a pickup roller that supplies the uppermost paper of the paper supply tray 10 to the first reverse conveyance path S1. Has been.

  The conveyance direction switching gate 34 is rotated along the depth direction of the sheet (arrow X direction in FIG. 3) perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction B on the side cover acting as a side surface exterior member in the image forming apparatus main body 101. A first switching state (refer to the solid line in FIG. 2) in which the sheet on the sheet transport path S sent from the fixing unit 12 is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 15 is rotatable. 12 is configured to take a second switching state (see the broken line in FIG. 2) in which the paper on the paper transport path S sent from 12 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 33.

  Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 sets the transport direction switching gate 34 to the first switching state (see the solid line in FIG. 2), thereby allowing the sheet sent from the fixing unit 12 to the second reverse transport path S2. The sheet is conveyed and discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 15 in an inverted state (with the multicolor toner image facing downward) by the conveyance rollers 25. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 100 sets the transport direction switching gate 34 to the second switching state (see the broken line in FIG. 2) so that the paper on the paper transport path S sent from the fixing unit 12 is fed to the paper transport path S. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 33 from the middle of the process.

  The registration roller 14 temporarily holds the sheets conveyed from the sheet feeding trays 20a to 20c or the sheet feeding tray 10, and aligns the leading ends of the sheets by abutting. The registration roller 14 is driven to rotate in accordance with the conveyance timing, and the transfer rollers 6a to 6d transfer the paper at the timing of matching the position of the toner image on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d with the corresponding position of the paper. Transport to. Specifically, the registration roller 14 prints the tip of the toner image on each of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d on a sheet based on a detection signal obtained from a pre-registration detection switch (not shown) under the instruction of the control unit 40. The conveyance timing is controlled so as to match the tip of the range.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the paper taken out from the paper feed tray 10 by the pickup roller 16 is conveyed to the registration roller 14 while being reversed on the first reverse conveyance path S1. The sheet conveyed to the registration roller 14 is temporarily held by the registration roller 14 and sent to the transfer belt 7 at a predetermined timing set in advance. The sheet fed to the transfer belt 7 is conveyed by the transfer belt 7 that circulates in the sheet conveyance direction B, and sequentially passes through four transfer portions where the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d and the transfer rollers 6a to 6d face each other. pass. Here, the transfer portion refers to a region where the toner images on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d are transferred onto the transfer belt 7 by the transfer rollers 6a to 6d. Specifically, the paper once held by the registration roller 14 is at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drums 3 a to 3 d reaches the transfer portion between the photosensitive drums 3 a to 3 d and the transfer belt 7. Be transported. The transfer rollers 6 a to 6 d apply a charge (transfer bias) supplied from a high voltage power supply (not shown) to the paper on the transfer belt 7. Then, the toner images on the photosensitive drums 3 a to 3 d are sequentially transferred and transferred to the fixing unit 12 by the potential difference from the transfer bias by the transfer rollers 6 a to 6 d. The sheet conveyed to the fixing unit 12 passes through the heat roller 31 and the pressure roller 32, and is heated and pressed to fix the color image toner image, and then the sheet discharge tray 15 or the sheet discharge tray. It is discharged to 33.

(Description of exterior member)
The image forming apparatus 100 is a front cover 105 (FIGS. 1 and 3) that covers the image forming members 30 attached to the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body 101 as an exterior member that opens and closes with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 101. See).

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the front cover 105 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 101 with respect to the image forming members 30,... Such as the developing units 2a to 2d and the process units 80a to 80d (in the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 3). It is set as the structure opened and closed by using the 1st rotation axis Q1 along the horizontal direction orthogonal to as a rotation fulcrum. A rotation center Qa (see FIG. 10 described later) of the first rotation axis Q1 is a first rotation axis. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured to be positioned below the position of the image forming members 30, which are attached or detached when the front cover 105 is opened. Here, the detaching direction X1 is a front-side direction in the depth direction (the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d). The “opening of the front cover 105” refers to a state other than the closed state, and is a concept including a state in the middle of opening to the fully opened state in addition to the fully opened state.

  Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a support portion 103 that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 101 and extends from the image forming apparatus main body 101 in the separation direction X1. The front cover 105 is rotatable with respect to the support portion 103 about the first rotation axis Q1 along the left-right direction (the arrow Y direction in FIG. 3) perpendicular to the depth direction X and the vertical direction Z. Is provided.

  Specifically, the support portion 103 is a pair of portions provided on both sides (specifically, both end portions) of the image forming apparatus main body 101 in the left-right direction Y. Further, the inner surface of the front cover 105 (specifically, a front cover main body 105a described later) is rotated with respect to the pair of support portions 103 and 103 on both sides (specifically, both end portions) in the left-right direction Y. A pair of hinge portions 106, 106 that are movably supported are provided. In addition, the structure of the support parts 103 and 103 provided on both sides in the left-right direction Y and the structure of the hinge parts 106 and 106 are the same. Therefore, in FIG. 3, only one support part 103 and the hinge part 106 are shown.

  The pair of support portions 103 and 103 are formed with insertion holes H1 through which the first rotation shaft Q1 is inserted, and the pair of hinge portions 106 and 106 are formed with insertion holes H2 through which the first rotation shaft Q1 is inserted. Has been. The front cover 105 is inserted into the insertion hole H1 provided in the pair of support portions 103, 103 and the insertion hole H2 provided in the pair of hinge portions 106, 106, thereby inserting the first rotation shaft Q1. The pair of support portions 103 and 103 are rotatably supported with the first rotation axis Q1 as a fulcrum. Examples of the first rotation axis Q1 include a shaft made of a metal such as stainless steel or iron.

  Further, the front cover 105 is supported on the image forming apparatus main body 101 by a suspension belt 66 (see FIG. 3) so as not to open more than necessary.

  The suspension belt 66 has one end in the longitudinal direction on the side of the image forming apparatus main body 101 (specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 101 so that the front cover 105 opens to the operation unit side (front side) about 90 degrees when the front cover 105 is fully opened. The other end portion in the longitudinal direction is connected to the inner side surface of the front cover 105. Accordingly, the suspension belt 66 can restrict the opening of the front cover 105 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 101. For example, the suspension belt 66 is provided with holes at both ends in the longitudinal direction, one hole is hooked to a hook (not shown) provided on the frame or the inner cover 68, or is screwed, and the other hole is a front cover. It can be hooked on a hooking portion (not shown) provided at 105 or screwed. The example shown in FIG. 3 shows an example using screwing. The suspension belt 66 can be attached to at least one side of the left and right direction Y (specifically, at least one of the left and right sides toward the front cover 105) with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 101. . As the suspension belt 66, a belt made of a resin sheet member such as PP (polypropylene) can be exemplified.

  The front cover 105 is used to prevent the toner (an example of a developer) from dropping below the image forming apparatus main body 101 (for example, to prevent the toner from dropping onto the sheet feeding desk device 20 provided below). In addition, the toner is held. The configuration for holding the toner of the front cover 105 will be described in detail later.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is configured such that the image forming members 30,... Such as the developing units 2a to 2d and the process units 80a to 80d are attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 101. The image forming members 30 are placed on the pedestal portion 102 of the image forming apparatus main body 101 when mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 101.

  In the present embodiment, maintenance (specifically replacement or cleaning) of the image forming member 30 (specifically, the developing units 2a to 2d and / or the process units 80a to 80d) is performed by the image forming apparatus main body 101. On the other hand, the front cover 105 is opened, and the image forming member 30 to be maintained from the image forming apparatus main body 101 is pulled out and taken out in the detaching direction X1, and in the case of replacement, a new (unused) image forming member. In the case of cleaning, the image forming member 30 after cleaning is inserted.

  Specifically, on the pedestal portion 102, guide members 62,... Are provided corresponding to the image forming members 30,.

  The guide members 62 have a function as guide rails for slidably guiding the image forming members 30 along the depth direction X, and the image forming members 30,. Are provided with rail members (not shown) that engage with engaging portions (not shown) provided in the developing units 2a to 2d and the process units 80a to 80d).

(About the operation of taking out the image forming member)
Next, an operation of taking out the developing units 2a to 2d and the process units 80a to 80d out of the image forming members 30, ... will be described below.

  Each of the developing units 2a to 2d includes lock levers 61,... Held by the image forming apparatus main body 101 when mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 101. The developing units 2a to 2d are pulled out (removed) from the image forming apparatus main body 101 by the lock levers 61,. It has become. The process units 80 a to 80 d are configured to be held with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 101 when the developing units 2 a to 2 d are locked with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 101. The process units 80a to 80d are pulled out (removed) from the image forming apparatus main body 101 by releasing the release levers 67,... After the developing units 2a to 2d are taken out by the operator. It has become.

  Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100, when the developing units 2a to 2d are respectively taken out by the operator, the operator's fingers are inserted into the later-described recesses 64,. The release levers 67,... Can be pushed in by fingers. That is, the operator can release the lock by pulling out the release levers 67,..., Thereby pulling out the process units 80a to 80d from the image forming apparatus 100, respectively.

(About toner fall)
Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus 100, when an image is formed using toner, the toner may be scattered inside the image forming apparatus main body 101. Then, the toner scattered inside the image forming apparatus main body 101 is likely to adhere to the guide members 62.

  Therefore, when the image forming members 30,... Such as the developing units 2a to 2d and the process units 80a to 80d are detached, the toner attached to the image forming member 30 and the image forming apparatus for the image forming member 30 are used. The toner adhering or accumulating on the guide members 62 provided for attachment to and detachment from the main body 101 is scraped out by the image forming member 30 and below the inner cover 68, the front cover 105, and thus the image forming apparatus 100. This causes inconvenience such as falling to the paper feed desk device 20 and the floor provided.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the front cover 105 includes a front cover main body 105a and a receiving member 53 provided on the front cover main body 105a. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an inner cover 68 that is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 101 and causes the toner to fall on the receiving member 53 in the front cover 105.

(About the inner cover)
The inner cover 68 is attached to an end portion on the downstream side in the detachment direction X1 of the pedestal portion 102. Specifically, the pedestal portion 102 forms a protruding portion that protrudes toward the front cover 105 at the downstream end portion in the separation direction X <b> 1 by the inner cover 68.

  The inner cover 68 is provided with recesses 64,... In the areas through which the process units 80a to 80d pass when the process units 80a to 80d are pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 101, and the developing units 2a to 2d Groove portions (groove-shaped notches) 65,... And slopes 63,... Are provided in regions where the developing units 2a to 2d pass above when pulled out from the forming apparatus main body 101, respectively.

  Specifically, the concave portions 64,... And the groove portions 65,... Have a structure for holding the toner falling from the image forming member 30, and for dropping the dropped toner to a lower region. Specifically, the recesses 64 are formed in a step shape along the depth direction X, with the upper step substantially corresponding to the slopes 63, and the lower step substantially corresponding to the groove portions 65,. Is formed. The slopes 63,... Have inclined surfaces that incline toward the concave portions 64,. Therefore, the slopes 63,... Are easy to drop the dropped toner into the recesses 64,. The groove portions 65,... Extend along the left-right direction Y below the developing units 2 a to 2 d at the upper end portion of the inner cover 68. In addition, the shape of the recessed part 64, the groove part 65, and the slope 63 is not specifically limited. Further, in this embodiment, the inner cover 68 and the pedestal portion 102 are configured to be attached as separate components, but may be configured to be integrally formed.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100, the toner T (see FIG. 7 to be described later) dropped from the image forming members 30,... And deposited on the guide members 62,. , And the groove 65 may fall from the slope 63 provided in the inner cover 68, and further, the recess 64,. Further, the toner T from the image forming member 30 may fall from the image forming member 30 to the inside of the front cover main body 105a due to vibration during attachment / detachment. Further, the toner T accumulated in the groove 65 may fall downward from the groove 65 due to vibration or the like when the front cover 105 is closed (see FIG. 8 described later).

  In this regard, the image forming apparatus 100 can receive the toner falling from the image forming member 30 and the groove 65 and the toner falling inside the front cover main body 105a by the receiving member 53 provided inside the front cover main body 105a. it can.

(About receiving member)
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the inside of the front cover 105 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the inside of the front cover 105 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the front cover 105 is closed. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front cover 105 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the left-right direction Y. FIG. 6A shows a state where the front cover 105 is closed, and FIG. 6B shows a state where the front cover 105 is fully opened. 7 and 8 respectively show toner T falling from above by the receiving member 53 in the front cover 105 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment in a state where the front cover 105 is opened and closed. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state received.

  The receiving member 53 has a toner T (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that opens upward and falls from above, and a receiving port 531 that receives the toner T that falls from above and adheres to the inside of the front cover body 105a. . The receiving member 53 is configured to maintain a posture in which the receiving port 531 faces upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the front cover 105. The front cover main body 105a, the receiving member 53, and the inner cover 68 can be formed of a resin material such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).

  According to the present embodiment, the receiving member 53 has the receiving port 531 that opens upward and receives the toner T, and maintains the posture in which the receiving port 531 faces upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the front cover 105. Therefore, when the front cover 105 is opened (see FIG. 7), the receiving port 531 faces the separation direction X1 of the image forming members 30,... Such as the developing units 2a to 2d and the process units 80a to 80d. Therefore, the toner T collected in the receiving member 53 is scattered in the direction X1 of the image forming member 30... It is possible to suppress the disadvantage that the inside of the cover main body 105a) is stained.

  In this example, the inner cover 68 has an end E1 on the downstream side in the detaching direction X1 projecting outward from an end E2 on the upstream side in the detaching direction X1 at the receiving port 531 of the receiving member 53 (FIGS. 7 and 8). reference). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 can reliably receive the toner T falling along the outside of the inner cover 68 in the member 53.

(Details of receiving member)
Next, details of the receiving member 53 will be described below. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the receiving member 53 and its peripheral portion in a state where the front cover 105 according to the present embodiment is closed. Note that the configurations of both sides of the receiving member 53 in the left-right direction Y are the same. Therefore, in FIG. 9, only one structure of the receiving member 53 is shown. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the receiving member 53 portion viewed from the back side in the depth direction X with the front cover 105 according to the present embodiment opened.

  The receiving member 53 has a storage tank 532 that stores the toner T from the receiving port 531. The receiving member 53 has a shape in which the receiving port 531 and the storage tank 532 extend along the left-right direction Y, and has a cup shape when viewed from the left-right direction Y (FIGS. 6 to 9). reference). Note that the length L in the left-right direction Y (see FIG. 10) inside the receiving port 531 and the storage tank 532 is the length in the left-right direction Y of the entire area where the image forming member 30 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 101. Degree or more. The number and shape of the receiving members 53 are not particularly limited as long as the toner T can be reliably received in the receiving port 531 and the toner T can be stably stored in the storage tank 532.

  In the present embodiment, the receiving member 53 is rotatable with respect to the front cover body 105a with a second rotation axis Q2 (see FIG. 10) parallel to the first rotation axis Q1 as a rotation fulcrum. . By doing so, the receiving member 53 can be smoothly rotated with respect to the front cover main body 105a, whereby the posture of the receiving member 53 with the receiving port 531 facing upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the front cover 105. Can be stably maintained. The rotation center Qb (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the second rotation axis Q2 is the second rotation axis.

  Specifically, second rotation shafts Q2 and Q2 are provided at both ends of the receiving member 53 in the left-right direction Y, respectively. Here, the second rotation shafts Q <b> 2 and Q <b> 2 project outward from both ends in the left-right direction Y of the receiving member 53. Support portions 105b and 105b (for example, ribs) for supporting the second rotation shafts Q2 and Q2 are provided upright on the inner side surface of the front cover body 105a. Here, a part (inner end portion in the left-right direction Y) of the hinge portions 106, 106 provided on the inner side surface of the front cover main body 105a constitutes the support portions 105b, 105b.

  Through holes H3 and H3 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) are formed in the support portions 105b and 105b along the left-right direction Y, respectively. In the receiving member 53, the second rotation shafts Q2 and Q2 provided at both ends in the left-right direction Y are rotatably inserted into the through holes H3 and H3 in the support portions 105b and 105b, respectively. The diameter φ1 (see FIG. 9) of the second rotating shafts Q2 and Q2 provided in the receiving member 53 is 4.0 mm here, and the diameter φ2 (see FIG. 9) of the through holes H3 and H3 is In order to make the second rotation axes Q2 and Q2 (φ1 = 4.0 mm) of the receiving member 53 rotatable, here, it is set to 4.1 mm.

  In the present embodiment, the receiving member 53 is such that the rotation center Qb of the second rotation shaft Q2 is located closer to the receiving port 531 than the center of gravity P of the receiving member 53 (see FIG. 9). By doing so, the receiving member 53 can be made heavier on the side opposite to the receiving port 531 side than the receiving port 531 side of the receiving member 53 on the basis of the rotation center Qb of the second rotating shaft Q2. Regardless of the opening / closing posture of the cover 105, the configuration in which the posture of the receiving member 53 with the receiving port 531 facing upward can be easily realized.

  Specifically, the receiving member 53 has a line-symmetric shape with a vertical line α (see FIG. 9) passing through the rotation center Qb of the second rotation axis Q2 as an axis of symmetry. The rotation center Qb of the second rotation axis Q2 is on the vertical line α passing through the center of gravity P of the receiving member 53 and is located above the center of gravity P. From the viewpoint of reliably weighting the receiving member 53 on the side opposite to the receiving port 531 side rather than the receiving port 531 side of the receiving member 53 with reference to the rotation center Qb of the second rotating shaft Q2, the bottom surface of the receiving member 53. A weight may be provided. The weight may be formed integrally with the receiving member 53.

  In the present embodiment, the receiving member 53 is detachable from the front cover body 105a. By doing so, the receiving member 53 can be easily attached to and detached from the front cover main body 105a, and thereby, maintenance work such as a disposal operation of the toner T accumulated in the receiving member 53 and a cleaning operation of the receiving member 53. Can be made easier.

  Specifically, the support portions 105b and 105b provided in the front cover main body 105a are provided with detachable openings H4 and H4 (see FIGS. 4 and 9) that connect the through holes H3 and H3 and the external space, respectively. The second rotation shafts Q2 and Q2 provided on the receiving member 53 are fitted into the through holes H3 and H3 through the detachable openings H4 and H4. Specifically, the detachable openings H4 and H4 provided in the support portions 105b and 105b extend along the vertical direction Z. Further, the upper end corners in the vertical direction Z of the detachable openings H4 and H4 form a so-called "R" from the viewpoint of smoothly guiding the second rotation shafts Q2 and Q2 to the detachable openings H4 and H4. It has a curved shape. The dimension F in the depth direction X of the attachment / detachment openings H4 and H4 (see FIG. 9) is such that the second rotation shafts Q2 and Q2 in the receiving member 53 are easily made with respect to the through holes H3 and H3 in the support portions 105b and 105b. On the other hand, the diameter of the second rotation shafts Q2 and Q2 in the receiving member 53 (φ1 =) so that the second rotation shafts Q2 and Q2 can be easily inserted into the through holes H3 and H3. The dimension is smaller than 4.0 mm (specifically, 3.6 mm).

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a regulating member 107 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 101. The regulating member 107 holds the posture of the receiving member 53 with the receiving port 531 facing upward. The receiving member 53 is provided on the inner surface of the front cover main body 105a at the end portion on the first rotation axis Q1 side (in the vicinity of the first rotation axis Q1) in the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the front cover main body 105a and the left-right direction Y. It has been. The direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the front cover body 105a and the left-right direction Y is the vertical direction Z when the front cover 105 is closed, and the depth direction X when the front cover 105 is fully opened.

  The receiving member 53 has distances D1, D2 from the rotation center Qb of the second rotation shaft Q2 to the outer peripheral surface in a part in the circumferential direction with the second rotation shaft Q2 as the rotation center Qb (see FIG. 9). ) Has a restricted portion 533 (here, a first protrusion 533a and a second protrusion 533b described later) that is larger or smaller (larger here) than a preset outer radius R (see FIG. 9). ing. The restricting member 107 is configured to abut or approach (here, close) to the regulated portion 533 of the receiving member 53. As a result, the opening / closing posture of the front cover 105 is changed, and accordingly, even if the posture of the receiving member 53 with the receiving port 531 facing upward is changed, the regulating member 107 is covered. Regardless of the opening / closing posture of the front cover 105, the posture of the receiving member 53 with the receiving port 531 facing upward is surely maintained in order to contact the regulating portion 533 or immediately contact (here, immediately contact). Can do.

  Specifically, the regulated portion 533 includes a first convex portion 533a provided on the opposite side of the receiving port 531 in the circumferential direction with the second rotational axis Q2 of the receiving member 53 as the rotational center Qb, and a first convex portion. It has the 2nd convex part 533b provided between the part 533a and the receiving port 531. FIG. The restricting member 107 is configured to abut or approach (here, close) the first convex portion 533a and the second convex portion 533b between the first convex portion 533a and the second convex portion 533b in the receiving member 53. Yes. By doing so, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the regulating member 107 is in contact with or close to (being close to) the regulated portion 533 of the receiving member 53 with a simple structure of the regulating member 107 and the receiving member 53. .

  Specifically, the first convex portion 533a and the second convex portion 533b extend along the left-right direction Y. Here, the length in the left-right direction Y of the first protrusion 533a and the second protrusion 533b is equal to the length in the left-right direction Y of the storage tank 532 here. The receiving member 53 has a third convex portion 533c on the opposite side of the second convex portion 533b with the vertical line α as a boundary, and the second convex portion 533b and the third convex portion 533c form a receiving port 531. is doing. The receiving member 53 has a fourth convex portion 533d on the opposite side of the first convex portion 533a with the vertical line α as a boundary, and the first convex portion 533a and the fourth convex portion 533d form a pedestal. It is composed. The pedestal is for placing the receiving member 53 on the horizontal surface with the receiving port 531 facing upward when the receiving member 53 is removed from the front cover main body 105a. In addition, when providing a weight in the bottom face of the receiving member 53, the 1st convex part 533a and the 4th convex part 533d may serve as this weight.

  The abutting portions 107a and 107b (tips on both sides in the vertical direction Z) that abut against the regulated portion 533 (specifically, the first convex portion 533a and the second convex portion 533b) of the regulating member 107 are regulated. The outermost end (specifically, the first convex portion) in the radial direction around the rotation center Qb of the second rotational axis Q2 of the portion 533 (specifically, the first convex portion 533a and the second convex portion 533b) It is located on the second rotation axis Q2 side relative to virtual arcs β1 and β2 passing through the outer end 533e of 533a and the outer end 533f of the second convex portion 533b. Further, the contact portions 107a and 107b (tip portions on both sides in the vertical direction Z) are positioned outside a position of a virtual arc (not shown) having a preset outer peripheral radius R or the position of the virtual arc. .

  Note that the restriction member 107 may extend in the left-right direction Y, or a plurality of restriction members 107 may be provided in the left-right direction Y. Further, even if there is no regulated portion, the configuration may be such that the regulating member 107 is brought into contact with the receiving member 53 so that the posture of the receiving member 53 can be maintained by the frictional resistance between the regulating member 107 and the receiving member 53. The receiving member 53 has an outer peripheral radius R in which a distance from the rotation center Qb of the second rotation shaft Q2 to the outer peripheral surface is set in a part of the circumferential direction with the second rotation shaft Q2 as the rotation center Qb. In the case of having a regulated portion (specifically, a concave portion) that is smaller than that, the regulating member 107 is configured so that the tip portion enters the regulated portion (specifically, the concave portion). Can do. Further, when the regulated portion 533 is a single convex portion, a concave portion may be provided in the regulating member 107 so that the convex portion of the regulated portion 533 enters the concave portion of the regulating member 107.

  In the present embodiment, the receiving member 53 is configured such that the second rotation shaft Q2 is positioned coaxially with the first rotation shaft Q1 (see FIG. 10). Thus, when the front cover main body 105a opens and closes with the first rotation axis Q1 as the rotation fulcrum, the receiving member 53 does not go around with the first rotation axis Q1 as the rotation fulcrum. The structure of the regulating member 107 that is provided in the forming apparatus main body 101 and regulates the posture of the receiving member 53 can be facilitated. Note that the first rotation axis Q1 and the second rotation axis Q2 are separate members in the present embodiment, but may be integrally formed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the inner cover 68 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) is located on the downstream side in the separation direction X1 of the image forming member 30 in a state of being placed on the pedestal 102. The receiving member 53 is disposed below and below the receiving member 53. Further, the receiving member 53 is configured such that the receiving port 531 is located below the edge of the inner cover 68 on the downstream side of the recesses 64,. . Accordingly, for example, the image forming apparatus 100 can reliably receive the toner T dropped from the concave portions 64,... In the receiving port 531 facing the upper side of the member 53, and the storage tank for receiving the toner 53 as much as possible. 532 can be stored.

  In the present embodiment, the front cover 105 has a receiving portion 54 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that receives the toner T that has been lost by the receiving member 53. The receiving portion 54 includes a first side plate 54a erected on the receiving member 53 side from a receiving member 53 side end in a thickness direction of the front cover main body 105a and a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction Y, and a receiving end from the front end of the first side plate 54a. And a second side plate 54b erected on the member 53 side. The length of the first side plate 54 a and the second side plate 54 b in the left-right direction Y is about the same as the length of the receiving port 531 in the left-right direction Y of the receiving port 531 or slightly shorter than the length of the receiving port 531 in the left-right direction Y. Has been. The shape of the front end portion of the second side plate 54b is an arc shape here.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 having such a configuration, it is advantageous when the toner T that cannot be received by the receiving member 53 falls below the receiving member 53. That is, the toner T that could not be received by the receiving member 53 can be received by the receiving portion 54, thereby making it difficult to drop the toner from the front cover 105 to the outside. In this case, even if the toner T falls on the receiving portion 54, the amount of toner T collected in the receiving portion 54 is very small. Therefore, the toner T collected in the receiving portion 54 by opening the front cover 105 is removed in the separation direction X1. It is possible to reduce the inconvenience that the inside of the front cover 105 is scattered as much as possible. In the present embodiment, since the receiving member 53 can be removed from the front cover main body 105a, the toner T collected in the receiving portion 54 is sucked by a worker with a vacuum cleaner or the like, or a brush, cloth, paper, etc. It can be easily removed by sweeping or wiping with a sheet.

  The front cover 105 is provided on the inner side surface of the front cover main body 105a in the vicinity of the front end side with respect to the receiving member 53 in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the front cover main body 105a and the left-right direction Y, and is located inside the front cover main body 105a. A guide portion 55 (not shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, refer to an imaginary line in FIGS. 7 to 9) that guides the accumulated toner T to the receiving port 531 of the member 53 may be provided. In this way, the toner T collected inside the front cover body 105 a gathers in the guide portion 55 in the process of closing the opened front cover 105, and the toner T collected in the guide portion 55 is transferred to the receiving member 53 by the guide portion 55. It can be guided to the receiving port 531. Specifically, the guide portion 55 has a surface that guides the toner T as an inclined surface that inclines toward the second rotation axis Q2 toward the receiving member 53, and a virtual extension line γ (see FIG. 9) of the inclined surface. ) May be configured to face the receiving port 531 of the receiving member 53. The length of the guide portion 55 in the left-right direction Y can be substantially the same as the length of the receiving port 531 in the left-right direction Y of the receiving member 53. As the guide part 55, what was formed with the film member formed with resin etc. can be illustrated. Further, the guide portion 55 may be formed integrally with the front cover main body 105a.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem multicolor image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a single color image forming apparatus that includes a single image carrier and forms only a single color image, or a single image. A multicolor image forming apparatus that includes a carrier and forms a multicolor image may be used.

Image forming member 53 Receiving member 54 Receiving portion 54a First side plate 54b Second side plate 55 Guide portions 80a to 80d Process unit 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Image forming apparatus main body 105 Front cover (exterior member) One case)
105a Front cover body (an example of exterior member body)
107 restricting member 531 receiving port 532 accommodating tank 533 restricted portion 533a first convex portion 533b second convex portion D1, D2 distance P center of gravity Q1 first rotation axis Q2 second rotation axis Qa rotation center of the first rotation axis (First rotation axis)
Qb Center of rotation of second rotation axis (second rotation axis)
R outer radius T toner (example of developer)
X Depth direction X1 Removal direction Y Left-right direction Z Vertical direction

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming member that forms an image using a developer; and an exterior member that covers the image forming member. The image forming member is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. And opening and closing the exterior member with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus with a first rotation axis along a horizontal direction intersecting the direction of detachment of the image forming member as a rotation fulcrum, and the exterior member An image forming apparatus configured such that the exterior member is positioned below the image forming member that is attached or detached when the is opened.
The exterior member includes an exterior member body and a receiving member provided on the exterior member body,
The receiving member has a receiving opening that opens upward and receives the developer, and is configured to maintain a posture in which the receiving port faces upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the exterior member. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member is rotatable with respect to the exterior member main body with a second rotation axis along the first rotation axis as a rotation fulcrum. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member has the second rotation axis located closer to the receiving port than the center of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the receiving member is detachable from the exterior member main body. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein
A regulating member provided in the image forming apparatus main body for regulating the posture of the receiving member;
The receiving member is provided on an inner surface of the exterior member body at an end portion on the first rotation axis side in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the exterior member body and the direction of the first rotation axis; and The restricted portion in which the distance from the rotation center of the second rotation axis to the outer peripheral surface is larger or smaller than a preset outer radius in a part of the circumferential direction with the second rotation axis as the rotation center Have
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is configured to contact or be close to the regulated portion of the receiving member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The regulated portion includes a first convex portion provided on a side opposite to the receiving port in the circumferential direction around the second rotation axis of the receiving member, the first convex portion, and the receiving port. A second convex portion provided between and
The restricting member is configured to contact or approach the first convex portion and the second convex portion between the first convex portion and the second convex portion in the receiving member. Image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member is configured such that the second rotation axis is located coaxially with the first rotation axis. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming member that forms an image using a developer; and an exterior member that covers the image forming member. The image forming member is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. And opening and closing the exterior member with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus with a first rotation axis along a horizontal direction intersecting the direction of detachment of the image forming member as a rotation fulcrum, and the exterior member The exterior member in the image forming apparatus is configured such that the exterior member is positioned below the image forming member that is attached or detached when the is opened.
An exterior member body, and a receiving member provided on the exterior member body,
The receiving member has a receiving opening that opens upward and receives the developer, and is configured to maintain a posture in which the receiving port faces upward regardless of the opening / closing posture of the exterior member. A characteristic exterior member.

Images