JP2016136219A - Cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses a protective member from being deformed on its contour and coming off from a cartridge before completion of attachment of the cartridge to an apparatus body.SOLUTION: A cartridge 1000 comprises: a cartridge body 100; a protective member 200; a guide 202 that guides; a lock member 210 that can move on a surface of the protective member 200 and can move between a regulation position to regulate the cartridge body 100 from moving relative to the guide 202 and a release position to release the regulation; a cartridge lock part 211 that engages with the cartridge body 100 when the lock member 210 is at the regulation position; and a concave part 100X that engages with the cartridge lock part 211 when the lock member 210 is at the regulation position to regulate the lock member 210 from moving in a second direction intersecting with a first direction, and releases the engagement with the cartridge lock part 211 when the lock member 210 is at the release position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body, and an image forming apparatus to which the cartridge is attached.

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, an opening for mounting a cartridge is formed in the apparatus main body, and a locking hole is formed in a frame portion around the opening. The protective member that is detachably attached to the cartridge is formed with a locking piece that engages with the locking hole.

  Then, the protection member is positioned with respect to the apparatus main body by engaging the engagement piece of the protection member containing the cartridge with the engagement hole around the opening of the apparatus main body. Further, the protection member cannot be pulled out from the apparatus main body while the cartridge is mounted, and the engagement of the locking piece is released by a mechanism that spreads the locking piece attached to the protection member after the completion of the cartridge mounting. It becomes removable. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the protective member from being detached while the cartridge is inserted into the apparatus main body.

JP 2007-240661 A

  However, even if the invention described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a U-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 2 of the present application, which is made from the viewpoint of miniaturization and space reduction of the cartridge, the rigidity of the protection member The protection member may be deformed depending on how the user holds the cartridge. And the deformation | transformation of a protection member changes the space | interval of two locking pieces, and there exists a possibility that engagement with a locking piece and a locking hole may become loose.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge in which the outer shape of the protective member is deformed and the protective member is prevented from being detached from the cartridge before the mounting of the cartridge to the apparatus main body is completed.

  In order to achieve the above object, a cartridge according to the present invention is detachably provided in an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, and is provided in an attachable / detachable manner with respect to a cartridge main body provided with image forming means. One of the cross-sections perpendicular to the direction is open, a protective member that covers a part of the periphery of the cartridge main body, a guide portion that is provided on the protective member and guides the cartridge main body, and a first member that extends along the protective member. A restriction position that is movably provided in one direction and restricts movement of the cartridge main body along the guide portion; and a release position that permits movement of the cartridge main body along the guide portion. A first locking means that can be moved; and a first locking means provided on the first locking means, wherein the first locking means An engaging portion that engages with the cartridge main body; and provided in the cartridge main body, and the first locking means engages with the engaging portion when the first locking means is in the restricting position, whereby the first locking means is An engaged portion that restricts movement in a second direction intersecting the first direction and is disengaged from the engaging portion when the first locking means is in the release position; It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the protective member from being detached from the cartridge due to the outer shape of the protective member being deformed before the completion of the mounting of the cartridge to the apparatus main body.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view of the cartridge seen from the rib side. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the cartridge as viewed from the guide side. (C) is a sectional view of the cartridge. It is a perspective view of a protection member. It is a perspective view of a protection member. (A) is a perspective view of a state in which the cartridge is protected by a protective member. (B) is sectional drawing of the state in which the cartridge was protected by the protection member seen from the arrow J2 direction of (a). (C) is sectional drawing of the state in which the cartridge was protected by the protection member seen from the arrow J3 direction of (a). (A) is sectional drawing of the vicinity of a locking member seen from the arrow E direction of FIG.5 (b). FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the lock member when the protective member main body and the cartridge are separated from each other, as viewed from the direction of arrow E in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the process in which a cartridge is attached or detached with respect to an apparatus main body. It is a perspective view which shows the process in which a cartridge is attached or detached with respect to an apparatus main body. It is a perspective view which shows the process in which a cartridge is attached or detached with respect to an apparatus main body. It is a perspective view of a cartridge and a cartridge rail. (A) is a partially expanded perspective view of the apparatus main body in the vicinity of the portion to be inserted. FIG. 2B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the cartridge. It is an operation | movement figure of a locking member. It is an operation | movement figure of a locking member. It is an operation | movement figure of a locking member. It is a perspective view of the modification 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the modification 2.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, since the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions, there is no specific description. As long as the scope of the invention is not limited to these, it is not intended.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1A. Inside the apparatus main body 1A, an image forming unit 10 is arranged as an “image forming unit” for each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The image forming unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11. Around the photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12, a laser scanner 13, a developing device 14, a cleaning blade 15, and a primary transfer roller 17 are provided. An intermediate transfer belt 61 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 11. The intermediate transfer belt 61 is suspended from a driving roller 62 and rollers 63 and 64.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 12, an electrostatic image is formed by the laser scanner 13, and developed with toner by the developing device 14 to form a toner image. The primary transfer roller 17 transfers the toner images on the surfaces of the four photosensitive drums 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 61. A slight amount of residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is removed and collected by the cleaning blade 15 to prepare for the next image formation again. The toner cartridge 19 is disposed above the intermediate transfer belt 61 and replenishes the developer 14 with toner.

  On the other hand, the sheets P are fed one by one from the cassette 20 and conveyed to the registration roller pair 23. The skew of the sheet P is corrected by forming a loop with the leading edge following the nip portion of the registration roller pair 23. Thereafter, the registration roller pair 23 conveys the sheet P between the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the secondary transfer outer roller 35 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61 is applied with a predetermined pressure and an electrostatic load bias at the nip portion between the driving roller 62 and the secondary transfer outer roller 35 arranged to face each other. And transferred to the sheet P.

  The slight residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 is removed and collected by the cleaning cartridge 70 having the blade 77, and is again prepared for the next image formation. The toner image transferred onto the sheet P is fixed by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 40 and discharged onto the discharge tray 50 by the discharge roller pair 41. The cartridge main bodies 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K correspond to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black cartridges.

(Drum cartridge)
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the cartridge main body 100 viewed from the rib 102 side. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the cartridge main body 100 viewed from the guide 103 side. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge main body 100. The cartridge main body 100 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12, and a cleaning blade 15 as “image forming means” that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 1 </ b> A.

  The cartridge body 100 has a housing 101. The housing 101 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12, and a cleaning blade 15 inside, and integrally supports them. The photosensitive drum 11 and the charging roller 12 are supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing 101. The charging roller 12 and the cleaning blade 15 are supported while being pressed against the photosensitive drum 11.

  The photosensitive drum 11 is connected to a drive source (not shown) of the apparatus main body 1A and rotates. Since the charging roller 12 is pressed by the photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12 rotates following the photosensitive drum 11. Since the photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12, and the cleaning blade 15 are deteriorated when an image is formed, the cartridge body 100 needs to be replaced according to the print amount.

  Therefore, the cartridge main body 100 can be inserted in the back direction of the apparatus main body 1A and can be taken out in the front direction. The cartridge body 100 is provided with a rib 102 that is guided by the guide 202 of the protection member 200 during insertion, and a guide 103 that guides the rib 203 of the protection member 200.

  A guide 104 serving as a “guide unit” is a part that is provided in the cartridge main body 100 and through which a cartridge lock part 211 of a lock member 210 (described later) provided in the protection member 200 can pass and guides (guides). A guide 103 as a “rib guide” of the cartridge main body 100 guides passage of the rib 203 (see FIG. 4). The rib 102, the guide 103, and the guide 104 extend in a direction along the attachment / detachment direction M of the cartridge main body 100. Note that the guide 103 and the guide 104 may be combined. The detailed operation related to the lock will be described in the replacement procedure of the cartridge main body 100.

(Drum cartridge protection member)
FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIG. 4A are perspective views of the protective member 200. FIG. The protection member 200 is detachable from the cartridge main body 100 and is detachable from the apparatus main body 1A. The protection member 200 guides the cartridge main body 100 when the cartridge main body 100 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1 </ b> A and protects the photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12, and the cleaning blade 15 of the cartridge main body 100. It is a letter-shaped (substantially U-shaped) member. The substantially U-shaped opening in the cross-sectional view is directed downward. That is, the protective member 200 is formed such that one (here, the lower side) is vacant in a cross section orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction.

  The protection member 200 has an insertion portion 201 that is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A. The protection member 200 includes a guide 202 and a rib 203 for holding the cartridge main body 100 and guiding the cartridge main body 100 when the cartridge main body 100 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A.

  The protection member 200 is provided with a lock member 210. The lock member 210 as the “first lock means” locks the cartridge main body 100 against the protection member 200 so that the cartridge main body 100 does not slide in the insertion direction into the apparatus main body 1A. The position at this time is a restriction position.

  More specifically, the lock member 210 is a cartridge lock portion for locking (regulating) the sliding of the protective member 200 with respect to the cartridge main body 100 before the protective member 200 is set at the insertion position of the apparatus main body 1A. 211. Further, after the protective member 200 is set at the insertion position of the apparatus main body 1A, a cover lock portion 212 is provided for locking (regulating) the protective member 200 so as not to be detached from the apparatus main body 1A.

  The lock member 210 is provided so as to be movable in a first direction along the surface of the protection member 200. Here, the first direction is a direction along the surface of the protection member 200. The lock member 210 includes a restriction position (see FIG. 6A) that restricts movement of the cartridge main body 100 as the “cartridge main body” along the guide 202 as the “guide portion”, and the cartridge main body 100 guides the guide 202. Can be moved to a release position (see FIG. 14) that permits movement along

  The cartridge lock portion 211 as the “engagement portion” is a lower side (end portion) of the substantially U-shape in which the opening side is downward as seen from the cross section orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction of the protective member 200 rather than the rib 203 of the cartridge body 100. 200X side). The cartridge lock portion 211 is provided on the lock member 210 and engages with the cartridge body 100 when the lock member 210 is in the restriction position.

  The cartridge lock portion 211 is provided at a position that enters the recess 100X. At this position, outward movement (movement in the direction C in FIG. 6A) is restricted by the opening prevention rib 105 as the “engaged portion”. The opening prevention rib 105 is provided in the cartridge main body 100 and receives the cartridge lock portion 211 from the outside.

  The opening prevention rib 105 is provided in the cartridge main body 100 and engages with the cartridge lock portion 21 when the lock member 210 is in the restricting position, whereby the lock member 210 intersects the first direction (see FIG. 6 (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 6) (see FIG. 6A), and when the lock member 210 is in the release position, the engagement with the cartridge lock portion 211 is released (FIG. 14). (See (a)). The second direction can also be said to be a direction in which the protection member 200 is separated from the cartridge main body 100.

  FIG. 4B is a side view of the protection member 200. As shown in FIG. 4B, the lock member 210 is held so as to be rotatable with respect to the protective member 200 in the direction of arrow A1. The cartridge lock portion 211 is rotatably supported with respect to the protection member main body 200Y of the protection member 200, and is rotated to a locked state in which the protection member 200 locks the cartridge main body 100 and an unlocked state in which the lock state is released. .

(Drum cartridge protection status)
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a state in which the cartridge main body 100 is protected by the protective member 200. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the cartridge main body 100 is protected by the protective member 200 as viewed from the direction of the arrow J2 in FIG. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the cartridge main body 100 is protected by the protective member 200 as viewed from the direction of the arrow J3 in FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the lock member 210 as viewed from the direction of arrow E in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the cartridge 1000 is configured with the protection member 200 attached to the cartridge body 100.

  Since the protection member 200 covers and protects the cartridge body 100, the protection member 200 protects the photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12, and the cleaning blade 15 of the image forming unit 10. The guide 202 of the protection member 200 and the rib 102 of the cartridge main body 100 are engaged. The rib 203 of the protection member 200 and the guide 103 of the cartridge main body 100 are engaged.

  When the cartridge main body 100 is protected by the protection member 200, the cartridge lock portion 211 of the lock member 210 is in the position shown in FIGS. 5B and 6A. The cartridge lock portion 211 of the lock member 210 is engaged with the recess 100X of the cartridge body 100. For this purpose, the cartridge main body 100 is locked so as not to slide in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

  At the same time, the cartridge lock portion 211 of the lock member 210 engages with the opening prevention rib 105 of the cartridge body 100. Therefore, the protection member 200 is prevented from opening in the direction of arrow C in FIG.

  6B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the lock member 210 when the protective member main body 200Y and the cartridge main body 100 are separated from each other, as viewed from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 5B. Assume that the protection member 200 can be deformed in the direction of arrow C as shown in FIG. At this time, the lock member 210 attached to the protection member 200 also moves in the direction of arrow C following the deformation of the protection member 200.

  In the position where the lock member 210 shown in FIG. 6B is moved by a certain amount in the direction of arrow C, the cartridge lock portion 211 of the lock member 210 cannot be restricted from moving in the direction of arrow B of the cartridge body 100. As a result, the cartridge main body 100 can move in the direction of arrow B (the direction from which the protection member 200 is removed), and the cartridge main body 100 falls off from the protection member 200.

(Drum cartridge replacement procedure)
Next, a procedure for replacing the drum cartridge (cyan cartridge main body 100C) using the protection member 200 of the present invention will be described. The procedure for replacing the cartridge main body 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. A sign for replacement of the cyan cartridge body 100C is issued from the apparatus body 1A. The user opens the front cover 400 (FIG. 7A). The front cover 400 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 1A, and opens and closes by rotating. When the user opens the front cover 400, the cartridge main body 100 of the apparatus main body 1A can be accessed.

  The lock of the cartridge body 100C is released, and the cartridge body 100C is pulled out (FIG. 7B). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge main body 100 </ b> C is locked by a hooking claw 411 provided on the cartridge rail 410 so as not to come out forward (in the direction of arrow F) of the apparatus main body 1 </ b> A.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the unlocking member 16 provided in the cartridge main body 100C is pushed down in the direction of arrow D, and the hooking claw 411 of the cartridge rail 410 is pushed down. Then, when the lock of the cartridge main body 100C is released, the cartridge main body 100C can be pulled out from the apparatus main body 1A in the direction of arrow F. Since the cartridge main body 100C is already used after the cartridge main body 100C is pulled out, there is no problem even if the exposed portion is scratched. Therefore, the protection after pulling out may be rough as compared with the insertion. A serviceman or the like collects the cartridge body 100C after being pulled out.

  With the cartridge body 100C still protected by the protection member 200, the insertion portion 201 of the protection member 200 is inserted into the insertion portion 301 of the apparatus body 1A (FIGS. 8A and 11A).

  FIG. 12A is a diagram of the protection member 200 and the inserted portion 301. As shown in FIG. 12A, the insertion portion 201 of the protection member 200 and the inserted portion 301 of the apparatus main body 1A have little play in the engagement width X. For this reason, when the insertion amount Y increases to some extent, the protection member 200 does not fall off even if the user's hand is separated from the protection member 200.

  When the insertion part 201 of the protection member 200 is inserted into the insertion target part 301 of the apparatus main body 1A and pushed in, the cover lock part 212 of the lock member 210 of the protection member 200 comes into contact with the release lock rib 302 of the apparatus main body 1A. 210 rotates in the direction of arrow A1. When the protective member 200 is further pushed in, the cover lock portion 212 enters the back side of the apparatus main body 1A from the release lock rib 302 (FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 13A).

  At the same time, as shown in FIG. 12 (a) → FIG. 12 (b) → FIG. 13 (a), the lock member 210 rotates in the direction of the arrow A1, and FIG. 14 (a) → FIG. 14 (b) → FIG. Transition to the state of (c). If it does so, the lock | rock by the cartridge locking part 211 engaging with the recessed part 100X of the cartridge main body 100C will be cancelled | released between the protection member 200 and the cartridge main body 100C. The cartridge body 100C can slide in the direction of arrow B. The position at this time is the release position.

  When only the cartridge main body 100 is pushed from the protective member 200 in the direction of arrow B, the protective member 200 remains in place and only the cartridge main body 100C is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14B, the cartridge lock portion 211 of the lock member 210 is guided by the guide 104 of the cartridge main body 100 and rotates in the arrow A2 direction (the direction opposite to the arrow A1 direction).

  As shown in FIG. 13B, when the lock member 210 rotates in the direction of the arrow A2, the cover lock portion 212 turns around the back surface of the release lock rib 302 of the apparatus main body 1A. If the protective member 200 is to be pulled out from the apparatus main body 1A in this state, the cartridge locking portion 211 is guided by the guide 103 of the cartridge main body 100C. Therefore, it cannot rotate, the cover lock part 212 is caught by the release lock rib 302 of the apparatus main body 1A, and the protection member 200 cannot be pulled out.

  As described above, when the cartridge main body 100 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A by the first predetermined amount a (the distance between the position K1 and the position K2 in FIG. 14), the cover lock portion 212 as “second locking means”. The release lock rib 302 locks the protection member 200 with respect to the apparatus main body 1A.

  The cartridge lock part 211 and the cover lock part 212 are formed at different parts of the lock member 210. In the apparatus main body 1A, a release lock rib 302 is formed as a “regulator” that regulates the return of the cover lock 212. In the state where the cartridge main body 100 is inserted with the first predetermined amount a, the cover lock portion 212 is positioned in the insertion direction of the cartridge main body 100 with respect to the release lock rib 302. Even when the cartridge main body 100 is pulled out, the cover lock portion 212 comes into contact with the release lock rib 302 and is caught.

  If the cartridge main body 100C is slightly pushed out, the protective member 200 can be pulled out. If the cartridge main body 100C is pulled out, the cartridge main body 100C is unstable with respect to the protective member 200 and the apparatus main body 1A. It will fall because it is in a bad state. This can be avoided by providing a lock mechanism for the protective member 200.

  Further, the lock between the apparatus main body 1A and the protection member 200 is performed in conjunction with the normal operation of pushing out the cartridge main body 100C, so that it is not necessary to increase the number of operations for locking the apparatus main body 1A and the protection member 200.

  When the cartridge main body 100C is pushed in as shown in FIG. 8B, the lock member 210 rotates again in the direction of the arrow A1 as the cartridge lock portion 211 is guided by the guide 104 as shown in FIG. 14C. Since the cover lock portion 212 does not overlap the release lock rib 302 in the pulling direction, the protection member 200 is in a removable state (FIG. 13C). Since the unlocking of the apparatus main body 1A and the protective member 200 is also linked to the normal operation in the same manner as when locked, there is no need to increase the number of operations.

  Thus, the protection member 200 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1A, and the cartridge main body 100 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A by the second predetermined amount. Then, the cartridge lock portion 211 rotates in a direction away from the opening prevention rib 105 (in the direction of arrow A1 which is a counterclockwise direction). Then, the cartridge lock unit 211 releases the lock of the cartridge body 100 with respect to the protection member 200.

  Even if the lock is released at this time, the apparatus main body 1A and the protection member 200 are engaged with each other with a small amount of engagement play, so that the apparatus main body 1A is independent. For this reason, the protective member 200 does not fall after the cartridge main body 100C is completely inserted.

  After the protection member 200 in FIG. 13C is removable, the protection member 200 is removed (FIG. 9A). As shown in FIG. 13C, the cartridge lock portion 211 is released when the cartridge main body 100 is inserted by the second predetermined amount b (distance between the position K2 and the position K3). It is located below the lock rib 302. Even when the cartridge main body 100 is pulled out, the cartridge lock portion 211 is removed without being caught by the release lock rib 302. Therefore, the protection member 200 can be removed from the apparatus main body 1A. Thus, the cover lock part 212 and the release lock rib 302 release the lock of the protection member 200 with respect to the apparatus main body 1A.

  At the same time, the cartridge lock portion 211 passes through the guide 104 when the cartridge lock portion 211 is released from the locked state where the cartridge lock portion 211 is caught in the recess 100X of the cartridge main body 100 and the cartridge main body 100 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A. Thus, the protection member 200 can be taken out from the apparatus main body 1A. The front cover 400 is closed (FIG. 9B) (completed).

  In this embodiment, an example in which the cartridge is replaced with a cyan cartridge has been described. However, other cartridge main bodies 100 are replaced in the same manner. In this embodiment, the example of the cartridge main body 100 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any device having image forming means such as a charging cartridge having only a charging function, a cleaner cartridge having only a cleaner function, a transfer cartridge having a transfer function, and a fixing cartridge having a fixing function may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the cartridge main body 100 is pushed all the way into the apparatus main body 1A is shown as a condition for unlocking the protection member 200 from the apparatus main body 1A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the lock may be released at a position where the center of gravity of the cartridge body 100 is in the apparatus body 1A. Even if the protective member 200 is removed in this state, the cartridge main body 100 does not fall.

  Further, in this embodiment, the lock member 210 is the same component that locks and releases the protection member 200 and the cartridge main body 100 and locks and releases the protection member 200 and the apparatus main body 1A by rotation, but is not limited thereto. May be. That is, the lock between the protection member 200 and the cartridge main body 100 and the lock between the protection member 200 and the apparatus main body 1A may be separate components, or may be performed by another method instead of rotation.

  As described above, the cartridge main body 100 is positioned on the apparatus main body 1A while being protected by the protective member 200, and then the cartridge main body 100 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A. By doing so, the photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12, and the cleaning blade 15 as the image forming unit can be inserted into the apparatus main body 1A without being damaged.

  According to the configuration of the embodiment, the cartridge lock portion 211 is hooked on the opening prevention rib 105 and locked before the completion of the mounting of the cartridge main body 100 to the apparatus main body 1A. As a result, the outer shape of the protective member 200 is deformed and the protective member 200 is prevented from being detached from the cartridge body 100. That is, it is as follows.

  Originally, the lock is released when the protection member 200 is completely inserted into the apparatus main body 1A. However, depending on how the operator holds the protection member 200, the protection member 200 may be deformed before being inserted into the apparatus main body 1A, and the lock may be released. was there. However, the rib 203 has an opening preventing portion that prevents the rib 203 from being detached due to deformation of the protection member 200. Thus, the protective member 200 and the cartridge main body 100 can be provided with an opening preventing function that prevents the protective member 200 from being deformed and unlocking the cartridge main body 100 and the protective member 200 without increasing the outer shape of the protective member 200 and the cartridge main body 100.

  In addition, the cartridge lock portion 211 is released from being caught by the recess 100X and the opening prevention rib 105, and the lock is released. Then, while the cartridge main body 100 is inserted into the apparatus main body 1A, the cartridge lock portion 211 unlocked by the rotation changes its direction and becomes substantially horizontal and passes through the guide 104. Therefore, the insertion of the cartridge main body 100 is not hindered, and it is not necessary to increase the outer shape of the cartridge main body 100, so that the cartridge main body 100 can be reduced in size and saved in space.

  A configuration as shown in FIG. 15 is also possible. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cartridge 500 of the first modification. In the configuration of the cartridge 500 in FIG. 15, the engaging portion 200 </ b> J of the protection member 200 is configured to engage with the guide 100 </ b> J of the cartridge main body 100. Also with this configuration, opening of the U-shaped opening of the protective member is suppressed. However, in this configuration, since the engaging portion 200J and the guide 100J protrude to the outside (particularly because the guide 100J is formed as a convex portion), the cartridge 500 is increased in size by that amount. However, the configuration is good.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to the second modification. Also in the configuration of the cartridge 600 in FIG. 16, the engaging portion 200 </ b> J of the protection member 200 is configured to engage with the guide 100 </ b> J of the cartridge main body 100. Also with this configuration, opening of the U-shaped opening of the protective member is suppressed.

  Further, since the engaging portion 200J and the guide 100J do not protrude to the outside (particularly because the guide 100J is formed as a recess), the cartridge body 100 does not increase in size. . However, in this configuration, the engaged portion 100K of the cartridge 100 that is engaged with the engaging portion 200J of the protective member 200 is required, and if this engaged portion 100K is present, the covered portion is removed when being removed from the mold during molding. For reasons such as inconvenience when the engaging portion 100K is caught and pulled out, the configuration shown in FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1A Apparatus main body 10 Image forming part (image forming means)
11 Photosensitive drum (image forming means)
12 Charging roller (image forming means)
15 Cleaning blade (image forming means)
100 Cartridge 100X Concavity (opening prevention part)
104 Guide (guide section)
105 Opening prevention rib (engaged part)
200 Protection member 211 Cartridge lock part (engagement part)

Claims (11)

A cartridge main body which is detachably provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and includes image forming means;
A protective member that is detachably attached to the cartridge main body, one of which is open in a cross section perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction, and covering a part of the periphery of the cartridge main body;
A guide portion provided on the protection member for guiding the cartridge body;
A restriction position that is provided so as to be movable in a first direction along the surface of the protection member, and that restricts movement of the cartridge body along the guide portion; and the cartridge body moves along the guide portion. A first locking means movable respectively to a release position that allows
An engaging portion that is provided in the first locking means and engages with the cartridge body when the first locking means is in the restriction position;
When the first locking means is provided in the cartridge body and is in the restricting position, the first locking means moves in a second direction intersecting the first direction by engaging with the engaging portion. Engaging portion that is disengaged from the engaging portion when the first locking means is in the releasing position;
A cartridge characterized by comprising:   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the protection member includes a rib that holds the cartridge body, and the cartridge body includes a rib guide that guides passage of the rib. A guide portion provided in the cartridge body, through which the first locking means can pass;
The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion and the rib guide are used together, and the engaging portion passes through the guide.   3. The engagement portion is disposed on a lower side of a U-shape in which an opening side is downward when the protection member is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction than the rib of the cartridge body. Cartridge.   The engagement portion is rotatably supported with respect to the protection member main body of the protection member, and is brought into a lock state in which the protection member locks the cartridge main body and a lock release state in which the lock state is released by rotation. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:   The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the protective member is attached to the apparatus main body, the locked state of the first locking means is released. A second locking means for locking the protective member with respect to the apparatus main body;
When the cartridge main body is inserted into the apparatus main body by a first predetermined amount, the second locking means locks the protection member with respect to the apparatus main body,
When the cartridge main body is inserted into the apparatus main body by a second predetermined amount, the second locking means unlocks the protective member with respect to the apparatus main body, and the protective member can be taken out from the apparatus main body. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a cartridge. The engaging portion and the second locking means are formed at different parts of the first locking means,
The device main body is formed with a restricting portion for restricting the return of the second locking means,
In the state where the cartridge main body is inserted in the first predetermined amount, the second lock means is positioned upstream of the restricting portion in the insertion direction of the cartridge main body, and the cartridge main body is The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the second lock means is brought into contact with the restricting portion even when the cartridge is pulled out.   In the state where the cartridge main body is inserted in the second predetermined amount, the second lock means is located even if the second lock means is positioned below the restricting portion and the cartridge main body is pulled out. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the two-lock means is not caught on the restricting portion.   The cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the guide portion is formed by a concave portion that is recessed with respect to a surface of the cartridge main body. An image forming apparatus main body;
A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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