JP2016189033A - Cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge and an image forming apparatus with which the size of a package can be reduced and a developer carrier and a photoreceptor can be separated from each other during transportation of the image forming apparatus, and a cost of the transportation can be reduced.SOLUTION: A process cartridge 15 comprises a drum cartridge 18 including a photoreceptor drum 20, a developing cartridge 19 including a developing roller 34, and a roller cover 110 attached to the developing cartridge 19. The developing cartridge 19 having the roller cover 110 attached thereto is accommodated in a cartridge attachment part 68 of the drum cartridge 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge accommodated in an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system, and an image forming apparatus accommodating the cartridge.

  As an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a main body casing, a drum unit that includes a photosensitive drum and is mounted on the main body casing, a developing roller that includes a developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, and is detachably mounted on the drum unit; There is known a printer comprising: In such a printer, when the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum unit, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are in contact with each other.

  When such a printer is transported, for example, for shipping, the printer is transported in a state where the drum unit with the developing cartridge is accommodated in the main body casing in order to reduce the packaging size at the time of transport. Various studies have been conducted.

  However, if the printer is transported while the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are in contact with each other, the developing roller may be permanently deformed due to the contact between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller.

  In view of this, a printer has been proposed in which a separation member for disposing the developing roller away from the photosensitive drum is attached to the drum unit in which the developing cartridge is mounted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Such a printer is installed at a predetermined installation location after the drum unit to which the developing cartridge is mounted and the separation member is attached is conveyed in a state of being accommodated in the main body casing. Then, the separation member is removed from the drum unit before the use of the printer is started.

JP 2011-197407 A

  However, in the printer described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to prepare a separation member that is necessary only when the printer is transported, and there is a limit to reducing the transport cost.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to allow the developer carrying member and the photosensitive member to be separated during transportation of the image forming apparatus while reducing the packaging size during transportation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge capable of reducing the above and an image forming apparatus that accommodates the cartridge.

(1) In order to achieve the above-described object, the cartridge of the present invention is configured to have a first cartridge having a photosensitive member configured to rotate, and to be attached to the first cartridge, and to be developed on the photosensitive member. A second cartridge having a developer carrier configured to rotate to supply the developer, and configured to be attached to the second cartridge, facing the developer carrier, and protecting the developer carrier And a protective cover.

  The first cartridge includes a photosensitive member storage portion that stores the photosensitive member, and a cartridge mounting portion configured to mount the second cartridge with the protective cover removed.

  The second cartridge is configured to be disposed at a storage position where the second cartridge is stored in the cartridge mounting portion in a state where the protective cover is mounted.

  However, the life of the first cartridge having the photoconductor and the life of the second cartridge having the developer carrier are usually different. Therefore, each of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is distributed alone in the market, and when one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge reaches the end of its life, generally from the viewpoint of reducing the running cost. Only one that has reached the end of its life will be replaced.

  However, a protective cover for protecting the developer carrying member is usually attached to the second cartridge that is distributed alone.

  According to said structure, the 2nd cartridge in the state by which the protective cover was mounted | worn can be arrange | positioned in the accommodation position which accommodates in a cartridge mounting part. Therefore, in the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position, the developer carrier and the photosensitive member can be separated while the developer carrier can be protected by the protective cover.

  That is, when the second cartridge is transported alone, the protective cover attached to the second cartridge is separated from the developer carrying member and the photosensitive member in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position. It can be used as a member.

  For this reason, it is possible to reduce the packing size when the image forming apparatus is transported by housing the cartridge in the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the housing position in the apparatus main body and shipping and transporting the image forming apparatus. However, permanent deformation of the developer carrier can be suppressed.

In addition, a protective cover attached to the second cartridge that is transported alone is used as a member for separating the developer carrying member and the photosensitive member during transportation of the image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is accommodated in the apparatus main body. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of transporting the cartridge, and hence the cost of transporting the image forming apparatus, as compared with the case where a member that is used only when transporting the image forming apparatus is prepared separately.
(2) Further, the second cartridge may be elastically supported by the first cartridge in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position.

  However, when the cartridge transports the image forming apparatus accommodated in the apparatus main body, vibration is applied to the image forming apparatus, and further, the vibration is transmitted to each of the first cartridge and the second cartridge. May interfere with a member provided in the apparatus main body. Thereby, each of the first cartridge and the second cartridge may be damaged.

  On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the second cartridge is elastically supported by the first cartridge in the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position. Even if the cartridge interferes with a member provided in the apparatus main body, an impact caused by the interference between the second cartridge and the member provided in the apparatus main body can be absorbed.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first cartridge and the second cartridge from being damaged when the image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is housed in the apparatus main body is transported.
(3) Further, the first cartridge may have an extending portion disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive member housing portion with respect to the second cartridge disposed at the housing position. In this case, the second cartridge disposed at the accommodation position is elastically supported by the first cartridge by being sandwiched between the photosensitive member accommodation portion and the extending portion.

According to such a configuration, the second cartridge disposed in the accommodation position can be reliably supported by the first cartridge with a simple configuration.
(4) The first cartridge is opposed to the second cartridge arranged at the accommodation position in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photoreceptor, and the photoreceptor accommodation portion and the extension portion You may have the connection part which connects. In this case, an opening is formed in the connecting portion at a portion connected to the extending portion.

  According to such a configuration, since the opening is formed in a portion of the connecting portion that is connected to the extended portion, the extended portion can be reliably configured to be elastically deformable.

For this reason, the second cartridge, which is sandwiched between the photosensitive member housing portion and the extending portion and disposed at the housing position, can be elastically supported by the first cartridge.
(5) Further, the extending portion may be inclined so as to be separated from the photoconductor as it goes from the base end portion connected to the coupling portion to the free end portion formed on the opposite side of the base end portion. .

  According to such a configuration, the extending portion is inclined so as to be separated from the photoconductor as it goes from the base end portion toward the free end portion. A relatively large space can be secured between them.

That is, a space for arranging the second cartridge at the storage position can be reliably ensured in the cartridge mounting portion of the first cartridge.
(6) Further, the length from the base end portion to the free end portion in the extending portion may be longer than the length in the orthogonal direction in the photoconductor housing portion.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to increase the space between the extending portion and the photosensitive member housing portion while being a simple configuration.

Therefore, the space for arranging the second cartridge at the storage position can be more reliably secured in the cartridge mounting portion of the first cartridge.
(7) The first cartridge may have a cartridge guide portion configured to guide the mounting of the second cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting portion. In this case, the cartridge guide portion is provided on the connecting portion side with respect to the rotation axis of the photosensitive member.

  According to such a configuration, since the first cartridge has the cartridge guide portion, it is possible to ensure a smooth attachment / detachment operation with respect to the cartridge mounting portion of the second cartridge in a state where the protective cover is detached.

  In addition, since the cartridge guide portion is provided on the connecting portion side with respect to the rotation axis of the photosensitive member, compared with the case where the cartridge guide portion is provided on the opposite side of the connecting portion with respect to the rotation axis, A relatively large space can be secured in the orthogonal direction in the cartridge mounting portion.

Therefore, while the smooth mounting / dismounting operation of the second cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting portion can be ensured, the space for arranging the second cartridge at the storage position can be increased in the cartridge mounting portion.
(8) The second cartridge may have a handle that is gripped when being attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion. In this case, the handle is provided on both sides in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photosensitive member with respect to the extended portion so as to sandwich the extended portion in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position.

  According to such a configuration, since the second cartridge has the handle, the handle can be gripped when the second cartridge is attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion, and the second cartridge can be attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion. Smoothing can be achieved.

  Further, since the handle is disposed on both sides in the axial direction with respect to the extending portion so as to sandwich the extending portion in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the housing position, the second cartridge is disposed at the housing position. When this is done, it is possible to prevent the handle from interfering with the extending portion, and it is possible to restrict relative movement of the second cartridge arranged at the storage position in the axial direction with respect to the first cartridge. (9) Further, the photoconductor housing portion may have a rib that protrudes toward the cartridge mounting portion and extends in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photoconductor. In this case, the protective cover has a protrusion configured to come into contact with the rib in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position.

  According to such a configuration, in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position, the rib of the photosensitive member storage portion and the protrusion of the protective cover come into contact with each other, so that the photosensitive member stored in the photosensitive member storage portion and the protection are protected. The cover can be separated.

Therefore, even if vibration is applied during conveyance of the image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is accommodated in the apparatus main body, the photoconductor and the protective cover can be prevented from being rubbed, and the photoconductor can be prevented from being damaged.
(10) Further, the protective cover is provided at both ends of the protective cover in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive member, and in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position, the relief portion is disposed to face the rib with a space therebetween. You may have.

  According to such a configuration, in the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position, the relief portions provided at both end portions in the axial direction of the protective cover are disposed to face the rib with a gap therebetween, so that the second The cartridge can be reliably placed in the storage position.

For this reason, the second cartridge can be reliably disposed at the storage position while the photosensitive member and the protective cover can be separated from each other.
(11) An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a cartridge and an apparatus main body having a cartridge housing portion configured to house the cartridge.

  The cartridge includes a first cartridge having a photoreceptor configured to rotate, and a developer configured to be mounted on the first cartridge and configured to rotate to supply developer to the photoreceptor. A second cartridge having a carrier, and a protective cover configured to be attached to the second cartridge, facing the developer carrier and protecting the developer carrier are provided.

  The first cartridge includes a photosensitive member storage portion that stores the photosensitive member, and a cartridge mounting portion configured to mount the second cartridge in a state where the protective cover is detached.

  The second cartridge is configured to be disposed at a storage position where the second cartridge is stored in the cartridge mounting portion in a state where the protective cover is mounted.

  The cartridge is configured to be accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the accommodating position.

  According to such a configuration, the second cartridge in a state in which the protective cover is mounted can be disposed at the storage position in which the second cartridge is stored in the cartridge mounting portion. Therefore, in the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position, the developer carrier and the photosensitive member can be separated while the developer carrier can be protected by the protective cover.

  That is, when the second cartridge is transported alone, the protective cover attached to the second cartridge is separated from the developer carrying member and the photosensitive member in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position. It can be used as a member. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the cost of transporting the cartridge, and hence the cost of transporting the image forming apparatus.

Then, by storing the cartridge in a state in which the second cartridge is placed in the storage position in the cartridge storage portion, and shipping and transporting the image forming apparatus, it is possible to reduce the packaging size when transporting the image forming apparatus. However, it is possible to suppress the developer carrying member from being permanently deformed.
(12) Moreover, the extending part may be provided with a gripping part.

  In this case, the second cartridge is provided with a projecting portion so as to face the grip portion in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photosensitive member in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position.

  According to such a configuration, since the grip portion is provided in the extending portion, the grip portion can be gripped when the cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge housing portion, for example, and the operability of the cartridge is improved. be able to.

Further, in the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position, the protruding portion of the second cartridge faces the grip portion in the axial direction, so that the second cartridge disposed at the storage position with respect to the first cartridge The relative movement in the axial direction can be restricted.
(13) In addition, an opening for attaching and detaching the cartridge is formed in the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body moves to an open position for opening the opening and a closed position for closing the opening. An opening / closing member configured as described above may be provided. In this case, the opening / closing member is configured to be disposed in the closed position in a state where the cartridge in which the second cartridge is in the storage position is stored in the cartridge storage portion.

According to such a configuration, since the opening / closing member can be arranged at the closed position in a state where the cartridge in which the second cartridge is in the accommodation position is accommodated in the cartridge accommodation portion, the packaging size when the image forming apparatus is conveyed can be further reduced. Can be achieved. In addition, since the opening / closing member can be disposed at the closed position, undesired detachment of the cartridge from the apparatus main body during conveyance of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.
(14) Further, the opening / closing member may have a pressing portion configured to press the extended portion of the cartridge that is being housed in the cartridge housing portion when moving from the open position toward the closed position. Good. In this case, the pressing portion is configured to press both end portions in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photosensitive member at the extending portion.

According to such a configuration, since the opening / closing member includes the pressing portion, when the cartridge is being housed in the cartridge housing portion, that is, when the cartridge is not sufficiently housed in the cartridge housing portion, the opening / closing member is opened / closed. When the member is moved, the pressing portion presses the extended portion of the cartridge. If it does so, a cartridge will be moved from the position in the middle of accommodation to the position accommodated in a cartridge accommodating part.

  That is, by moving the opening / closing member, the cartridge can be securely mounted in the cartridge housing portion.

Moreover, since the pressing portion presses both end portions in the axial direction of the extending portion, it is possible to suppress contact with the second cartridge disposed at the storage position.
(15) The apparatus main body may have an exposure apparatus configured to emit laser light toward the photosensitive member. In this case, an exposure space allowing passage of laser light is formed between the exposure apparatus and the photosensitive member.

  The cartridge may be configured such that at least a part of the second cartridge is disposed in the exposure space when the cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion in a state where the second cartridge is disposed in the accommodating position. .

  According to such a configuration, when the cartridge in which the second cartridge is in the storage position is stored in the cartridge storage portion, at least a part of the second cartridge is disposed in the exposure space.

  That is, the exposure space is used as a part of the space for storing the cartridge in which the second cartridge is in the storage position. That is, in the apparatus main body, it is ensured that the exposure space and the space for accommodating the cartridge in which the second cartridge is in the accommodating position are used together.

  For this reason, it is not necessary to separately secure an exposure space and a space for accommodating the cartridge in which the second cartridge is in the accommodating position in the apparatus main body, thereby reducing the size of the apparatus main body, and hence the size of the image forming apparatus. Can be achieved.

As a result, it is possible to further reduce the packing size when the image forming apparatus is conveyed.
(16) Moreover, the apparatus main body may have a detection member.

  In this case, the second cartridge has a detection object configured to be detected by the detection member in a state where the protective cover is detached and attached to the first cartridge, and the protective cover is attached to the storage position. In such a state that the object to be detected is not detected by the detection member.

  According to such a configuration, since the apparatus main body includes the detection member and the second cartridge includes the detection target, the second cartridge from which the protective cover is detached is mounted on the first cartridge. , The detected object is detected by the detection member. Thereby, the detection member can detect the information regarding a cartridge, for example.

  On the other hand, the detection target is not detected by the detection member in a state where the second cartridge to which the protective cover is attached is disposed at the storage position.

Therefore, it is possible to detect that the second cartridge from which the protective cover is detached is not attached to the first cartridge, although the configuration is simple.
(17) The apparatus main body may include a drive transmission member configured to transmit a driving force for driving the developer carrier.

  In this case, the second cartridge has a drive input portion configured to be engaged with the drive transmission member and to receive a driving force when the protective cover is detached and attached to the first cartridge. The drive transmission member is configured not to engage with the drive input portion in a state where the protective cover is mounted and disposed at the storage position.

  According to such a configuration, since the apparatus main body has the drive transmission member and the second cartridge has the drive input unit, the second cartridge from which the protective cover has been detached is attached to the first cartridge. In the state, the drive input unit and the drive transmission member are engaged, and the driving force is transmitted from the drive transmission member to the drive input unit. As a result, the developer carrier can be driven.

  On the other hand, the drive transmission member and the drive input portion do not engage with each other in a state where the second cartridge with the protective cover is disposed at the storage position.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer carrier from being driven in a state where the second cartridge from which the protective cover has been removed is not attached to the first cartridge, and thus to prevent the image forming operation from being started.

  According to the cartridge and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the developer carrying member and the photosensitive member can be separated while the image forming apparatus is being transported, while reducing the packing size when the image forming apparatus is being transported. In addition, the conveyance cost can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of a printer as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper right side. 3A and 3B are side views of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a right side view of the process cartridge, and FIG. 3B is a left side view of the process cartridge. FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view of the drive unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the upper right side with the roller cover attached. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a process cartridge including a roller cover as a first embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention as viewed from the upper right side. 7A and 7B are side views of the process cartridge including the roller cover shown in FIG. 6, where FIG. 7A is a right side view of the process cartridge, and FIG. 7B is a left side view of the process cartridge. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the process cartridge including the roller cover shown in FIG. 6 as viewed from the lower left side. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a process cartridge including the roller cover shown in FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front upper side. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the printer shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a central sectional view of the printer in a state where the process cartridge including the roller cover shown in FIG. 6 is accommodated in the main body casing. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pressing of the process cartridge by the pressing portion of the top cover shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a central sectional view of the printer in a state where a process cartridge including a roller cover as a second embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention is accommodated in a main body casing.

1. Overall Configuration of Printer As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a main body casing 2 as an example of an apparatus main body.

  The main casing 2 is formed in a substantially box shape, and forms an image on the fed paper P and a paper feeding unit 3 configured to feed the paper P as an example of a recording medium in the internal space thereof. The image forming unit 4 configured to do so is accommodated.

  In the following description, when referring to the direction, the right side of the paper in FIG. 1 is the rear side and the left side of the paper in FIG. 1 is the front side, based on the state where the printer 1 is placed horizontally. Further, when the printer 1 is viewed from the front side, it is assumed that the left and right sides are the reference, the front side in FIG. 1 is the right side, and the back side is the left side. Further, the upper side of the drawing in FIG. 1 is the upper side and the lower side of the drawing is the lower side.

The left-right direction is an example of the axial direction, the right side is one side, and the left side is the other side. Moreover, the up-down direction is an example of the orthogonal direction, the upper side is one side, and the lower side is the other side. The front-rear direction is a direction orthogonal to both the axial direction and the orthogonal direction, with the front side being one side and the rear side being the other side.
(1) Main Body Casing The main body casing 2 is formed with a cartridge opening 5 as an example of an opening and a paper opening 6.

  The cartridge opening 5 is formed for attaching and detaching a process cartridge 15 to be described later, and is formed through the upper end of the main casing 2 in the vertical direction. The paper opening 6 is formed to introduce the paper P, and is formed through the front end of the main casing 2 in the front-rear direction.

  Further, the main casing 2 is provided with a top cover 7 as an example of an opening / closing member at an upper end portion thereof, and a paper feed cover 8 is provided at a front end portion thereof.

  The top cover 7 is formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and a pressing portion 10 is provided at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction on the lower surface thereof.

  A plurality of pressing portions 10 are provided corresponding to the pressed portion 65 described later, specifically, two as shown in FIG. 10, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The pressing portion 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view protruding downward from the lower surface of the top cover 7 and extends in the left-right direction.

  Then, the top cover 7 has a rear end portion as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. 1 and a closed position for closing the cartridge opening 5 and an open position for opening the cartridge opening 5 as shown in FIG. It is provided so as to be able to swing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed cover 8 swings between a closed position for closing the paper opening 6 and a open position for opening the paper opening 6 as shown in FIG. It is provided to be movable. In FIG. 1, each of the top cover 7 and the paper feed cover 8 arranged at the closed position is indicated by a solid line, and each of the top cover 7 and the paper feed cover 8 arranged between the closed position and the open position is shown. Is indicated by a virtual line.
(2) Paper Feed Unit The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper placement unit 9 provided at the bottom of the main casing 2 as shown in FIG. The paper placing portion 9 is communicated with the outside of the main body casing 2 through the paper opening 6.

The front side portion of the paper P is stacked on the upper surface of the paper feed cover 8 and the rear side portion of the paper P is placed through the paper opening 6 in a state where the paper feed cover 8 is disposed at the open position. Stacked in the unit 9.
(3) Image Forming Unit The image forming unit 4 includes a process cartridge 15, a scanner unit 16 as an example of an exposure device, and a fixing unit 17.

  The process cartridge 15 is configured to be detachable with respect to the main body casing 2, and is attached to the main body casing 2 above the rear portion of the paper feeding unit 3. The process cartridge 15 includes a drum cartridge 18 as an example of a first cartridge and a developing cartridge 19 as an example of a second cartridge.

  The drum cartridge 18 is configured to be detachable from the main casing 2, and includes a photosensitive drum 20 as an example of a photosensitive member, a transfer roller 21, and a scorotron charger 22.

  The photosensitive drum 20 is rotatably provided at the rear portion of the drum cartridge 18.

  The transfer roller 21 is disposed on the rear side of the photosensitive drum 20 so as to be in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 20 from the rear side, and is rotatably provided on the drum cartridge 18.

  The scorotron charger 22 is disposed to face the front upper side of the photosensitive drum 20 with a space therebetween.

  The developing cartridge 19 is detachably mounted on the drum cartridge 18 and is disposed on the front lower side of the photosensitive drum 20. Further, the developing cartridge 19 includes a developing frame 25.

  The development frame 25 is formed in a substantially box shape extending in the left-right direction, and an opening 30 is formed in the rear end portion along the left-right direction. In the developing frame 25, a toner storage chamber 26 and a developing chamber 27 are partitioned in parallel in the front-rear direction. The toner storage chamber 26 and the developing chamber 27 are communicated with each other through a communication port 28.

  The toner storage chamber 26 stores toner as an example of a developer, and an agitator 29 is provided at a substantially central portion in the front-rear vertical direction.

  The agitator 29 includes an agitator shaft 42 extending in the left-right direction, and a stirring blade 43 extending from the agitator shaft 42 to the radially outer side of the agitator shaft 42. The agitator 29 is supported on the developing frame 25 by rotatably supporting both end portions of the agitator shaft 42 on both side walls 31 of the developing frame 25. Both ends of the agitator shaft 42 protrude from the both side walls 31 of the developing frame 25 outward in the left-right direction.

  The developing chamber 27 is provided with a developing roller 34 as an example of a developer carrier, a supply roller 33, and a layer thickness regulating blade 35.

The developing roller 34 includes a developing roller shaft 44 that extends in the left-right direction, and a rubber roller 45 that covers the developing roller shaft 44 so that both ends thereof are exposed. The developing roller 34 is disposed so that the rubber roller 45 is exposed from the rear side through the opening 30 and is in contact with the photosensitive drum 20 from the front lower side. The developing roller 34 is supported by the developing frame 25 by rotatably supporting both end portions of the developing roller shaft 44 on both side walls 31 of the developing frame 25. Both end portions of the developing roller shaft 44 protrude from the both side walls 31 of the developing frame 25 outward in the left-right direction.

  The supply roller 33 includes a supply roller shaft 46 extending in the left-right direction, and a sponge roller 47 that covers the supply roller shaft 46 so that both ends thereof are exposed.

  The supply roller 33 is disposed such that the sponge roller 47 is pressed against the rubber roller 45 from the front lower side, and both ends of the supply roller shaft 46 are rotatably supported on both side walls 31 of the developing frame 25. The development frame 25 is supported. Both end portions of the supply roller shaft 46 protrude from the both side walls 31 of the developing frame 25 outward in the left-right direction.

  The layer thickness regulating blade 35 is supported by the developing frame 25 so as to contact the developing roller 34 from the front side.

  The scanner unit 16 is disposed in front of the process cartridge 15 in the main body casing 2. The scanner unit 16 emits a laser beam L as an example of laser light toward the photosensitive drum 20 based on the image data. Then, the laser beam L passes through the exposure space S1 defined above the developing cartridge 19 and between the scanner unit 16 and the photosensitive drum 20 in the main body casing 2 to expose the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20. To do.

The fixing unit 17 is disposed above the rear portion of the drum cartridge 18 in the main body casing 2. The fixing unit 17 includes a heating roller 38 and a pressure roller 39 that presses against the heating roller 38 from the upper rear side.
(4) Image Forming Operation The toner in the toner storage chamber 26 of the developing cartridge 19 is supplied to the supply roller 33 through the communication port 28 by the rotation of the agitator 29, and further supplied to the developing roller 34. Between 33 and the developing roller 34, it is triboelectrically charged to the positive polarity.

  The toner supplied to the developing roller 34 is regulated in thickness by the layer thickness regulating blade 35 as the developing roller 34 rotates and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 34 as a thin layer having a constant thickness.

  On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is uniformly charged by the scorotron charger 22 and then exposed by the scanner unit 16. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20. The toner carried on the developing roller 34 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 20, whereby the toner image is carried on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 20.

  The paper P stacked on the paper placement unit 9 is sent between the paper feed roller 12 and the paper feed pad 13 by the rotation of the pickup roller 11, and is fed one by one by the rotation of the paper feed roller 12. Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed to the sheet feeding path 14 extending in the vertical direction by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 12, and is fed between the photosensitive drum 20 and the transfer roller 21 one by one at a predetermined timing. Paper. Then, when passing between the photosensitive drum 20 and the transfer roller 21, the toner image is transferred to the paper P to form an image.

Subsequently, the sheet P is heated and pressed when it passes between the heating roller 38 and the pressure roller 39. At this time, the image is thermally fixed on the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P is conveyed toward the pair of paper discharge rollers 40 and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 41 formed on the upper surface of the top cover 7 by the paper discharge rollers 40.

In this way, the paper P is fed from the paper placement unit 9, passes between the photosensitive drum 20 and the transfer roller 21, then passes between the heating roller 38 and the pressure roller 39, and then discharged. The paper is transported through a substantially C-shaped transport path in a side view so that the paper is discharged onto the paper tray 41.
2. Details of Process Cartridge The process cartridge 15 includes the drum cartridge 18 and the developing cartridge 19 as described above and as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

In the following description of the process cartridge 15, when referring to the direction, the side on which the photosensitive drum 20 is disposed is the rear side of the process cartridge 15, and the side on which the scorotron charger 22 is disposed is the upper side. . That is, the up / down / front / rear direction with respect to the process cartridge 15 is different from the up / down / front / rear direction with respect to the printer 1, and the process cartridge 15 is arranged on the printer 1 so that the front side is the front lower side of the printer 1. It is installed.
(1) Drum Cartridge The drum cartridge 18 includes a drum frame 50 as shown in FIG.
(1-1) Drum Frame The drum frame 50 is made of a resin frame such as a polymer alloy of polycarbonate and polystyrene or a polymer alloy of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin. It is formed into a shape. Specifically, the drum frame 50 includes a pair of left and right drum side walls 51, a drum bottom wall 53 as an example of a connecting portion, a drum front wall 52, a drum rear wall 57, and a drum upper wall 54. .

  The pair of drum side walls 51 are disposed to face each other at an interval in the left-right direction. The drum side wall 51 integrally includes a housing part side wall 55 that is a rear side part thereof and a mounting part side wall 56 that is a front side part thereof.

  The accommodating portion side wall 55 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that is substantially rectangular in a side view. The mounting portion side wall 56 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in side view, extending from the lower front portion of the front end edge of the accommodating portion side wall 55 toward the front upper side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a color receiving groove 59 as an example of a cartridge guide portion is formed in the drum side wall 51. The collar receiving groove 59 is formed above the connecting portion with the mounting portion side wall 56 at the front end portion of the accommodating portion side wall 55, and has a substantially U shape in a side view that is recessed forward from the front end edge of the accommodating portion side wall 55. Is formed. Further, the lower surface of the collar receiving groove 59 is continuous with the upper surface of the mounting portion side wall 56.

  A guide boss 60 is integrally provided on the drum side wall 51. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide boss 60 is provided at the front end portion of the mounting portion side wall 56 on the outer side surface in the left-right direction, and protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the left-right direction outer surface of the mounting portion side wall 56. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the drum bottom wall 53 is provided between the lower ends of the pair of drum side walls 51 and has a substantially flat plate shape in bottom view extending in the left-right direction.

An opening 66 is formed in the drum bottom wall 53. The opening 66 is formed in a substantially central portion in the left-right direction at the front end portion of the drum bottom wall 53, and is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape in bottom view extending in the left-right direction.

  The drum front wall 52 is provided between the front end portions of the mounting portion side walls 56 of the pair of drum side walls 51, and a base end portion 48 as a lower end portion thereof is connected to the front end portion of the drum bottom wall 53. . In other words, the opening 66 is formed at the substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the continuous portion 36 between the drum front wall 52 and the drum bottom wall 53. Thereby, the drum front wall 52 can be elastically deformed so as to bend in the front-rear direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the drum front wall 52 is formed so as to incline forward as it goes upward, continuously from the front end portion of the drum bottom wall 53.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an extending portion 63 is integrally provided on the drum front wall 52. The drum front wall 52 and the extending portion 63 are configured as an example of the extending portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the extending portion 63 is continuous from the substantially central portion in the left-right direction at the upper end portion of the drum front wall 52 so that the inclination is substantially the same as that of the drum front wall 52. It is formed to be inclined forward as it goes upward.

  That is, the drum front wall 52 and the extending portion 63 are inclined so as to be separated from the photosensitive drum 20 from the base end portion 48 of the drum front wall 52 toward the free end portion 49 of the extending portion 63. Further, a length L1 from the base end portion 48 of the drum front wall 52 to the free end portion 49 of the extending portion 63 is formed to be longer than a length L2 in the vertical direction of a drum housing portion 67 described later.

  Further, the extending part 63 is integrally provided with a gripping part 64 and a pressed part 65.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the grip portion 64 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape that protrudes rearward from a substantially central portion in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the extension portion 63.

  The pressed parts 65 are provided at both the left and right ends of the rear surface of the extending part 63, and are disposed opposite to the left and right ends of the grip part 64 at an outer side in the left-right direction with a space therebetween. The pressed portion 65 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that is substantially rectangular in a side view and protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the extending portion 63.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the drum rear wall 57 is provided between the rear end portions of the accommodating portion side walls 55 of the pair of drum side walls 51. As shown in FIG. 1, the drum rear wall 57 is formed in a flat plate shape having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional view that opens toward the front. The transfer roller 21 described above is rotatably accommodated inside the drum rear wall 57.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drum upper wall 54 is provided between the upper end portions of the accommodating portion side walls 55 of the pair of drum side walls 51, and integrally includes a charger holding portion 61 and a rib 62. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the charger holder 61 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens downward, and extends in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the left and right end portions of the charger holder 61 is connected to the inner side surface of the housing portion side wall 55 in the left-right direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the scorotron charger 22 is supported inside the charger holder 61.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rib 62 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that protrudes forward from a substantially central portion in the vertical direction on the front surface of the charger holder 61 and extends in the horizontal direction. Each of the left and right end portions of the rib 62 is connected to the inner side surface of the accommodating portion side wall 55 in the left-right direction. Further, the rib 62 and the extending portion 63 of the drum front wall 52 are opposed to each other with a space therebetween in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rear portion of the drum frame 50 is partitioned as a drum housing portion 67 as an example of a photoreceptor housing portion, and the front portion thereof is partitioned as a cartridge mounting portion 68.

  The drum accommodating portion 67 is partitioned by a pair of accommodating portion side walls 55, a rear portion of the drum bottom wall 53, a drum rear wall 57, and a drum upper wall 54 into a substantially box shape that is opened forward. That is, the rib 62 of the drum upper wall 54 protrudes toward the cartridge mounting portion 68.

  Further, the photosensitive drum 20 described above is accommodated in the drum accommodating portion 67.

  The photosensitive drum 20 includes a drum body 23 and a drum shaft 24. The drum body 23 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and a photosensitive layer made of a resin is formed on the circumferential surface thereof so as to cover the circumferential surface. The drum shaft 24 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is inserted into the drum main body 23 so as to be relatively rotatable so that the center axis thereof coincides with the center axis of the drum main body 23.

  The left and right ends of the drum shaft 24 are supported by the drum accommodating portion 67 by the photosensitive drum 20 being supported by the substantially central portion of the corresponding accommodating portion side wall 55 so as not to be relatively rotatable. Further, the left and right end portions of the drum shaft 24 protrude from the corresponding accommodating portion side wall 55 outward in the left-right direction.

  As a result, the photosensitive drum 20 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the drum frame 50 about the rotation axis A that coincides with the center axis of the drum main body 23. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the collar receiving groove 59 is disposed on the drum bottom wall 53 side, more specifically on the lower side with respect to the rotation axis A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge mounting portion 68 has a substantially box shape opened upward by a pair of mounting portion side walls 56, a front portion of the drum bottom wall 53, the drum front wall 52 and the drum housing portion 67. It is divided into. That is, the drum bottom wall 53 connects the cartridge mounting portion 68 and the drum front wall 52.

  Further, the cartridge mounting portion 68 has a developing attachment / detachment space S2 for attaching / detaching the developing cartridge 19 between the extending portion 63 and the drum housing portion 67 in the front-rear direction.

In addition, a detected gear exposure opening 69 is formed in the cartridge mounting portion 68. The detected gear exposure opening 69 is formed at the front lower end portion of the left end portion of the drum frame 50 as shown in FIG. The detected gear exposure opening 69 is formed through the front end portion of the drum bottom wall 53 and the lower end portion of the drum front wall 52 in a substantially rectangular shape in bottom view extending in the front-rear direction. (2) Developing Cartridge As shown in FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 19 includes the developing frame 25, a power supply unit 75 disposed on the right side of the developing frame 25, and a drive unit 76 disposed on the left side of the developing frame 25. And.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the developing frame 25 includes a pair of side walls 31 that face each other with a space therebetween in the left-right direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a development gripping portion 77 and a protruding portion 71 are integrally provided at the front end portion of the developing frame 25.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the development gripping portion 77 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that is substantially rectangular when viewed from the back, and is provided at each of the left and right end portions of the front wall of the development frame 25. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the development gripping portion 77 is formed so as to incline obliquely upward toward the front continuously from the upper end portion of the front wall of the development frame 25. Has been.

As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of, specifically two, protrusions 71 are provided between the two developing gripping portions 77. The protrusions 71 are formed in a substantially flat plate shape that protrudes forward from the front wall of the developing frame 25, and are opposed to each other with an interval in the left-right direction.
(2-1) Power Supply Unit The power supply unit 75 includes a supply electrode 78, a bearing member 79, and a developing electrode 80, as shown in FIG.

  The supply electrode 78 is formed of a conductive resin material, and is supported with play on the right side of the right side wall 31. The supply electrode 78 includes a supply side contact portion 81 that is electrically connected to a main body side supply electrode (not shown) provided in the main body casing 2. Although not shown, the supply electrode 78 is electrically connected to the supply roller shaft 46. The supply-side contact portion 81 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape extending in the left-right direction and having a substantially rectangular shape in a side view with the right end closed.

  The bearing member 79 is made of an insulating resin material, and is fixed to the right side wall 31 on the right side of the supply electrode 78. The bearing member 79 includes an insulating portion 82 that is disposed opposite to the rear side of the supply side contact portion 81. Although not shown, the bearing member 79 rotatably supports the right end portions of the supply roller shaft 46 and the developing roller shaft 44. The insulating part 82 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape extending in the left-right direction and having a substantially L shape in side view with the right end closed.

  The developing electrode 80 is formed of a conductive resin material, and is supported by the bearing member 79 with play on the right side of the bearing member 79. The developing electrode 80 includes a developing side contact portion 83 that is electrically connected to a main body side developing electrode (not shown) provided in the main body casing 2 and a developing shaft collar that covers the right end portion of the developing roller shaft 44 from the radially outer side. Part 84.

  The development side contact portion 83 is disposed on the lower rear side of the insulating portion 82 of the bearing member 79. Thereby, the supply side contact portion 81 and the development side contact portion 83 are electrically insulated by the insulating portion 82. The development-side contact portion 83 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape extending in the left-right direction and having a substantially rectangular shape in a side view with the right end portion closed.

The developing shaft collar portion 84 is disposed on the lower rear side of the developing side contact portion 83 and has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. A right end portion of the developing roller shaft 44 is rotatably inserted into the developing shaft collar portion 84.
(2-3) Drive Unit The drive unit 76 includes a collar member 86, a gear train 87, and a gear cover 88, as shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the collar member 86 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction and closed at the left end. The collar member 86 is fixed to the rear end portion of the left side wall 31. In the color member 86, the left end portion of the developing roller shaft 44 is rotatably inserted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the gear train 87 includes a developing coupling 89 as an example of a drive input unit, a developing gear 90, a supply gear 100, an idle gear 91, and a detected gear as an example of a detected object. 92. The gear train 87 further includes an agitator gear (not shown). An agitator gear (not shown) is supported at the left end portion of the agitator shaft 42 so as not to be relatively rotatable, and meshes with the small diameter portion 95 of the idle gear 91 from the lower rear side.

  The development coupling 89 is disposed on the front upper side of the collar member 86 as shown in FIG. The development coupling 89 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported on the left surface of the left side wall 31. As shown in FIG. 4, a gear portion 93 having gear teeth over the entire circumference is provided at the right end portion of the development coupling 89.

  Further, a coupling recess 94 is formed on the left surface of the development coupling 89 as shown in FIG. The coupling recess 94 is formed so as to be recessed from the left surface of the developing coupling 89 to the right.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the developing gear 90 is supported at the left end portion of the developing roller shaft 44 so as not to be relatively rotatable, and meshes with the gear portion 93 of the developing coupling 89 from the lower rear side.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the supply gear 100 is supported at the left end portion of the supply roller shaft 46 so as not to be relatively rotatable, and meshes with the gear portion 93 of the developing coupling 89 from below.

  The idle gear 91 is rotatably supported on the left side wall 31 on the front side of the development coupling 89. The idle gear 91 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and integrally includes a large diameter portion 105 and a small diameter portion 95.

  The large-diameter portion 105 is provided at the left end portion of the idle gear 91 and has a substantially disc shape. Gear teeth are formed on the circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 105 over the entire circumference. The large diameter portion 105 meshes with the gear portion 93 of the developing coupling 89 from the front side.

  The small-diameter portion 95 extends from the right surface of the large-diameter portion 105 toward the right, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape whose outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 105. Further, the small diameter portion 95 shares the central axis with the large diameter portion 105. Gear teeth are formed on the circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 95 over the entire circumference.

  The detected gear 92 is disposed on the lower front side of the developing coupling 89 as shown in FIG. The detected gear 92 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that is substantially semicircular when viewed from the side, and is rotatably supported by the left side wall 31 at the center of its diameter. Gear teeth are formed on the circumferential surface of the detected gear 92. The detected gear 92 meshes with the small-diameter portion 95 of the idle gear 91 from the front lower side at the peripheral end portion on the downstream side in the clockwise direction when viewed from the left side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the gear cover 88 is formed in substantially the same shape and size as the left side wall 31 in a side view, and is a flat cover plate that covers the gear train 87 from the left side. 96 and a peripheral side wall 97 projecting rightward from the peripheral edge of the cover plate 96 are integrally provided. That is, the gear cover 88 is formed in a concave shape having a U-shaped cross-section when cut in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, with the right side being open.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the cover plate 96 has a collar insertion hole 98 through which the collar member 86 is inserted at the rear end portion thereof, and a development coupling 89 that is inserted slightly rearward of the substantially center. Coupling insertion holes 99 are formed so as to penetrate the cover plate 96 in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an exposure hole 107 that exposes the detected gear 92 from the front lower side passes through the peripheral side wall 97 in a direction connecting the rear upper side and the front lower side. It is formed to do.

The gear cover 88 is attached to the left side wall 31 from the left side so as to cover the gear train 87. As a result, the collar member 86 is inserted into the collar insertion hole 98 of the cover plate 96 and protrudes outward from the cover plate 96 in the left-right direction, as shown in FIG. Further, the coupling concave portion 94 of the developing coupling 89 is exposed in the left-right direction through the coupling insertion hole 99.
(3) Configuration of Roller Cover Such a developing cartridge 19 is replaced by the user when it reaches the end of its life, for example, when the toner in the toner storage chamber 26 becomes less than a predetermined amount.

  Therefore, only the developing cartridge 19 may be shipped and transported alone.

  In such a case, a roller cover 110 as an example of a protective cover is attached to the developing cartridge 19 at the rear end portion of the developing frame 25 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the developing roller 34 exposed from the opening 30 is protected by the roller cover 110.

  The roller cover 110 is formed of a polymer material such as a resin material, specifically, a polypropylene material, and is formed in a substantially box shape that is opened forward. That is, the roller cover 110 has a substantially U-shaped cross section when cut in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the roller cover 110 integrally includes a pair of left and right cover side walls 111, a cover upper wall 113, a cover lower wall 114, and a cover main body 112.

  The pair of cover side walls 111 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view extending in the up-down direction, and are opposed to each other with an interval in the left-right direction.

  A collar insertion groove 115 is formed in the cover side wall 111. The collar insertion groove 115 is formed in a substantially U shape in side view that is recessed forward from a substantially central portion in the vertical direction at the front end edge of the cover side wall 111.

  In a state where the roller cover 110 is attached to the developing cartridge 19, the developing shaft collar portion 84 is received in the collar insertion groove 115 of the right cover side wall 111, and the color insertion groove 115 of the left cover side wall 111 is received. As shown in FIG. 8, a collar member 86 is received.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cover upper wall 113 is constructed between the upper ends of the pair of cover side walls 111, and the cover lower wall 114 is constructed between the lower ends of the pair of cover side walls 111.

  The cover main body 112 is constructed between the front end portions of the pair of cover side walls 111. The cover main body 112 integrally includes an upper flat plate portion 118, a lower flat plate portion 119, a pair of cover side portions 117 as an example of a relief portion, and a roller facing portion 116.

  The upper flat plate portion 118 is the upper end portion of the cover main body portion 112 and is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that protrudes downward continuously from the rear end portion of the cover upper wall 113 and extends in the left-right direction.

The lower flat plate portion 119 is a lower end portion of the cover main body portion 112 and is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that protrudes upward continuously from the rear end portion of the cover upper wall 113 and extends in the left-right direction.

  Each of the pair of cover side portions 117 is provided to connect the left and right end portions of the upper flat plate portion 118 and the lower flat plate portion 119 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the cover side portion 117 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that inclines forward as it goes upwards continuously from the left and right end portions at the upper end edge of the lower flat plate portion 119. Further, the outer side end in the left-right direction of the cover side portion 117 is connected to the rear end portion of the cover side wall 111.

  The roller facing portion 116 is constructed between the left and right inner ends of the pair of cover side portions 117. The roller facing portion 116 is formed in a substantially arc shape in side view that bulges rearward along the peripheral surface of the rubber roller 45.

  Then, in a state where the roller cover 110 is attached to the developing cartridge 19, the roller facing portion 116 faces the peripheral surface of the rubber roller 45 with a gap as shown in FIG. 12.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the roller cover 110 is integrally provided with a cover gripping portion 120 and a rib contact portion 121 as an example of a protrusion.

  The cover gripping portion 120 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape that is substantially rectangular in plan view and protrudes rearward and upward from a substantially central portion in the left-right direction at a continuous portion of the upper flat plate portion 118 and the cover upper wall 113.

One rib contact portion 121 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the cover gripping portion 120 with a gap therebetween. The rib contact portion 121 is formed so as to protrude rearward and upward across the roller facing portion 116, the upper flat plate portion 118, and the cover upper wall 113. The rib contact portion 121 has an upper surface formed in parallel with the upper surface of the cover upper wall 113, and a rear surface formed in parallel with the rear surface of the lower flat plate portion 119.
3. Details of Main Body Casing (1) Process Mounting Unit As shown in FIG. 10, the main body casing 2 includes a pair of main body side walls 32 arranged to face each other with a gap in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 1, a process mounting portion 125 and the scanner unit 16 described above are provided.

  As will be described in detail later, the process mounting portion 125 is configured to support the process cartridge 15 disposed at the mounting position, and in the rear portion in the main body casing 2, the rear portion of the sheet feeding portion 3 in the vertical direction. And the fixing unit 17.

  The process mounting portion 125 is formed in a substantially L shape in a side view extending in the left-right direction, and includes a first mounting portion 126 that is a front portion and a second mounting portion 127 that is a rear portion.

  The first mounting portion 126 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view extending in the front-rear direction, and rotatably supports the pickup roller 11 and the paper feed roller 12 at a lower end portion thereof. Further, the upper surface of the first mounting portion 126 is formed along the lower end portion of the process cartridge 15, specifically, the lower surface of the drum bottom wall 53 corresponding to the cartridge mounting portion 68.

  The second mounting portion 127 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in side view extending in the vertical direction, and an engagement groove 128 is formed in a substantially central portion in the vertical direction on the front surface.

The engagement groove 128 is formed in a substantially curved shape in side view that is recessed rearward from the front surface of the second mounting portion 127, and extends along the rear end portion of the process cartridge 15, specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the drum rear wall 57. Is formed.

The second mounting portion 127 includes a first lower portion of the first mounting portion 126 such that a portion of the front surface below the engagement groove 128 faces the rear surface of the first mounting portion 126 with a space in the front-rear direction. Located on the back side. Further, the rear surface of the first mounting portion 126 and the portion below the engaging groove 128 on the front surface of the second mounting portion 127 form the above-described paper feed path 14.
(2) Scanner Unit The scanner unit 16 is disposed in the front portion in the main body casing 2 so as to face the front of the second mounting portion 127 with a space therebetween.

In the main casing 2, a cartridge housing 150 is defined by the process mounting portion 125, the scanner unit 16, and a corresponding pair of main body side walls 32. Note that the laser beam L from the scanner unit 16 passes through the cartridge housing portion 150. That is, the exposure space S1 is included in the cartridge housing portion 150.
(3) Guide part Moreover, as shown in FIG.1, FIG.3 and FIG.11, the main body casing 2 has the guide part 37, the actuator 101 as an example of a detection member, and the main body cup as an example of a drive transmission member. A ring 133 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the guide portion 37 is provided to face each of the inner side surfaces of the main body side wall 32 corresponding to the cartridge housing portion 150.

  The guide part 37 includes a drum shaft guide part 129 and a boss guide part 130.

  The drum shaft guide portion 129 is provided so as to incline downward from the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction at the upper end portion of the main body side wall 32 toward the rear, and outward from the left-right inner side surface of the main body side wall 32 in the left-right direction. It is formed to be recessed.

The boss guide portion 130 is provided on the front side of the drum shaft guide portion 129 with a space therebetween, and is formed to be recessed from the inner side surface of the main body side wall 32 in the left and right direction. Further, the boss guide part 130 is provided so as to incline backward as it goes downward from the upper end part of the main body side wall 32, and is provided so that the downward inclination becomes larger than the drum shaft guide part 129. That is, each of the drum shaft guide portion 129 and the boss guide portion 130 is provided such that the distance between the drum shaft guide portion 129 and the boss guide portion 130 increases in the front-rear direction as it goes rearward and downward.
(4) Actuator and Main Body Coupling As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the actuator 101 is provided at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction at the left end in the main body casing 2 and is disposed at a mounting position described later. It is provided so as to face the detected gear exposure opening 69 in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the actuator 101 includes a rotation shaft 102, a detection unit 103, and an action unit 104. The following description of the actuator 101 is based on a state in which the actuator 101 is disposed at a non-detection position described later.

The rotation shaft 102 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The detection unit 103 is formed in a substantially bowl shape that extends from the rear upper end of the rotating shaft 102 toward the rear upper side. The action part 104 is formed in a substantially bowl shape that extends downward from the lower end part of the rotation shaft 102.

  The actuator 101 is rotatably supported in the main body casing 2 about the rotation shaft 102 as the rotation shaft 102 is rotatably supported by the main body side wall 32. As a result, the actuator 101 can rotate between a non-detection position where the detection unit 103 stands rearward and upward and a detection position where the detection unit 103 tilts rearward as shown in FIG. . The actuator 101 is always biased toward the non-detection position by a biasing member (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the actuator 101 is disposed at the non-detection position, the action unit 104 is not detected by a sensor (not shown) in the main body casing 2, specifically, an optical sensor or the like. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the actuator 101 is disposed at the detection position, the action unit 104 is detected by a sensor (not shown) in the main body casing 2.

The main body coupling 133 is provided on the left main body side wall 32 as shown in FIG. The main body coupling 133 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is provided so as to advance and retreat in the left-right direction in conjunction with the movement of the top cover 7. Further, the right end portion of the main body coupling 133 is configured to fit in the coupling concave portion 94 of the developing coupling 89 so as not to be relatively movable when the main body coupling 133 advances toward the right.
4). For example, when the printer 1 is shipped and transported, the process cartridge 15 and the main body casing 2 are not separately packed, but a process including a roller cover 110 as shown in FIG. The cartridge 15 packs the printer 1 accommodated in the main body casing 2.
(1) Housing Development Cartridge in Drum Cartridge More specifically, in order to pack the printer 1, first, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, first, the development cartridge 19 to which the roller cover 110 is attached is attached to the drum cartridge 18. The cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 68.

  In order to store the developing cartridge 19 with the roller cover 110 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 68, the developing cartridge 19 with the roller cover 110 mounted is partitioned between the drum storage portion 67 and the extending portion 63. The developing attachment / detachment space S2 is entered from above.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the rib contact portion 121 of the roller cover 110 contacts the rib 62 of the drum housing portion 67, and the front end portion of the developing frame 25 contacts the grip portion 64 of the extension portion 63. To do.

  The extension cartridge 63 and the drum front wall 52 are elastically deformed rearward by moving the developing cartridge 19 to which the roller cover 110 is attached further downward. Thus, the developing cartridge 19 with the roller cover 110 attached is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the rib 62 of the drum accommodating portion 67 and the grip portion 64 of the extending portion 63 and is elastically supported by the cartridge attaching portion 68. Is done.

  As described above, the developing cartridge 19 to which the roller cover 110 is mounted is disposed at the storage position in which the developing cartridge 19 is stored in the developing attachment / detachment space S2 of the cartridge mounting portion 68. Thereby, the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 as an example of the cartridge is formed.

  At this time, the extending portion 63 is disposed on the opposite side of the drum housing portion 67 with respect to the developing cartridge 19 disposed at the housing position, and the drum bottom wall 53 corresponding to the cartridge mounting portion 68 is disposed at the housing position. The developing cartridge 19 is disposed to face the lower side with a space therebetween.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the cover side portion 117 of the roller cover 110 is disposed to face the lower side of the rib 62 of the drum upper wall 54 with a space therebetween. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the cover main body 112 and the lower flat plate portion 119 of the roller cover 110 are disposed to face the photosensitive drum 20 with a space therebetween. That is, the roller cover 110 and the photosensitive drum 20 are separated from each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, each developing gripping portion 77 of the developing cartridge 19 is spaced apart from the pressed portion 65 of the extending portion 63 outward in the left-right direction so as to sandwich the extending portion 63. Opposed. Each of the protrusions 71 of the developing cartridge 19 is disposed between the grip portion 64 and the pressed portion 65 in the left-right direction, and is opposed to the grip portion 64 with an interval on the outer side in the left-right direction. It is arranged to face the pressed part 65 with an interval inward in the left-right direction.
(2) Accommodation of process cartridge provided with protective cover in main body casing Next, the process cartridge 15 provided with the roller cover 110 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150 of the main body casing 2.

  In order to accommodate the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 in the cartridge accommodating portion 150 of the main body casing 2, first, the top cover 7 of the main body casing 2 is disposed in the open position as shown in FIG. Open the opening 5.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the grip portion 64 of the drum cartridge 18 is gripped, and the left and right end portions of the drum shaft 24 are fitted to the drum shaft guide portion 129 from the front upper side, and the guide boss The process cartridge 15 is inserted into the main body casing 2 through the cartridge opening 5 so that 60 is fitted to the boss guide 130 from the front upper side. Then, the process cartridge 15 is pushed rearward and downward.

  Then, the left and right end portions of the drum shaft 24 are guided by the drum shaft guide portion 129, the guide boss 60 is guided by the boss guide portion 130, and the process cartridge 15 is viewed from the right side with the drum shaft 24 as a fulcrum. While rotating clockwise, it is moved rearward and downward.

  When the left and right end portions of the drum shaft 24 reach the lower end portion of the drum shaft guide portion 129 and the guide boss 60 reaches the lower end portion of the boss guide portion 130, the drum rear wall 57 of the drum frame 50 is 2, the drum bottom wall 53 of the drum frame 50 is disposed on the upper side of the first mounting portion 126.

  As described above, the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 is disposed at the mounting position where the process mounting unit 125 is mounted on the process mounting unit 125 and is stored in the cartridge storage unit 150. That is, the process cartridge 15 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150 in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the accommodating position.

At this time, the developing cartridge 19 disposed at the accommodation position is disposed so as to overlap the emission locus of the laser beam L from the scanner unit 16. That is, at least a part of the developing cartridge 19 disposed at the housing position is disposed in the exposure space S1 that allows the laser beam L to pass in a state where the process cartridge 15 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 150.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the detected gear 92 is arranged on the upper side with respect to the actuator 101 so as not to contact the actuator 101. That is, the actuator 101 continues to be disposed at the non-detection position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the development coupling 89 is not opposed to the main body coupling 133 in the left-right direction, and is disposed on the front upper side with respect to the main body coupling 133. That is, even if the top cover 7 is disposed at the closed position and the main body coupling 133 is advanced, the coupling recess 94 of the developing coupling 89 and the main body coupling 133 are not engaged.

  Next, the top cover 7 of the main casing 2 is moved from the open position to the closed position.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, when the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 is not sufficiently mounted on the process mounting portion 125, the top cover 7 of the main body casing 2 is directed from the open position to the closed position. When moved, the pressing portion 10 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the pressed portion 65 of the extending portion 63 from above.

  As the top cover 7 moves, the drum cartridge 18 is pressed downward by the pressing portion 10 via the pressed portion 65. As a result, the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 is arranged at an appropriate mounting position in the main casing 2 as shown in FIG.

As described above, the top cover 7 is disposed in the closed position in a state where the process cartridge 15 in which the developing cartridge 19 is in the accommodated position is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150.
(3) Packaging of printer As described above, the printer 1 in which the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150 is not illustrated. For example, the printer 1 is packaged in a box-shaped packaging member and shipped.・ Conveyed.
5. Installation of Printer In order to use the packed printer 1, first, the printer 1 is taken out from a packing member (not shown), and the printer 1 is installed on a horizontal installation surface.
(1) Removal of process cartridge including protective cover from main body casing Next, the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 is released from the main body casing 2.

  In order to detach the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 from the main body casing 2, the process cartridge 15 including the protective cover is operated in the reverse procedure to the housing operation for the main body casing.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the top cover 7 of the main body casing 2 is disposed at the open position, the grip portion 64 of the drum cartridge 18 is gripped, and the grip portion 64 is pulled upward and upward.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, both the left and right end portions of the drum shaft 24 are guided by the drum shaft guide portion 129, and the guide boss 60 is guided by the boss guide portion 130, whereby the process cartridge 15 is moved to the photosensitive drum. With the 20 drum shafts 24 as fulcrums, the drum shafts 24 are moved upward and forward while being rotated clockwise in a right side view.

  Then, the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 is further lifted toward the front upper side, and is detached from the main body casing 2 through the cartridge opening 5.

Thus, the separation of the process cartridge 15 including the roller cover 110 from the main casing 2 is completed.
(2) Removal of the protective cover from the developing cartridge and attachment of the developing cartridge to the drum cartridge Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing cartridge 19 disposed at the accommodation position is removed from the cartridge attaching portion 68 of the drum cartridge 18. Let go.

  In order to detach the developing cartridge 19 disposed in the storage position from the cartridge mounting portion 68 of the drum cartridge 18, the developing gripping portion 77 of the developing cartridge 19 is gripped and the developing gripping portion 77 is pulled upward. Then, the developing cartridge 19 is detached upward from between the extending portion 63 and the drum housing portion 67.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 19 with the roller cover 110 attached is detached from the drum cartridge 18.

  Next, the roller grip 110 is detached from the developing cartridge 19 by gripping the cover grip 120 of the roller cover 110 and pulling the cover grip 120 up rearward and upward.

  Next, the developing gripping portion 77 of the developing cartridge 19 from which the roller cover 110 has been removed is gripped, and the developing cartridge 19 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 68 of the drum cartridge 18 from above as shown in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the developing shaft collar portion 84 and the color member 86 of the developing cartridge 19 are guided by the upper end edge of the corresponding mounting portion side wall 56 and rearwardly downward. Move towards. As a result, the rear end portion of the developing cartridge 19 moves rearward and downward.

  Then, each of the developing shaft collar portion 84 and the color member 86 reaches the corresponding color receiving groove 59, is guided by the corresponding color receiving groove 59, and is moved rearward. Thereby, each of the developing shaft collar portion 84 and the color member 86 is fitted into the corresponding color receiving groove 59, and the developing cartridge 19 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 68 of the drum cartridge 18. That is, the color receiving groove 59 guides attachment / detachment of the developing cartridge 19 with the roller cover 110 detached from the cartridge mounting portion 68.

  Thus, the mounting of the developing cartridge 19 to the cartridge mounting portion 68 is completed.

At this time, the developing roller 34 of the developing cartridge 19 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 20 as shown in FIG.
(3) Mounting of Process Cartridge on Main Body Casing Next, the process cartridge 15 to which the developing cartridge 19 is mounted is mounted on the process mounting portion 125 of the main body casing 2.

  In order to mount the process cartridge 15 to which the developing cartridge 19 is mounted on the process mounting portion 125 of the main casing 2, the same procedure as the housing operation of the process cartridge including the protective cover with respect to the main casing is performed.

  Then, the process cartridge 15 is disposed at a mounting position where the process cartridge 15 is mounted on the process mounting unit 125 and is stored in the cartridge storage unit 150.

  At this time, the developing cartridge 19 is disposed below the emission locus of the laser beam L from the scanner unit 16 with a gap.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the detected gear 92 is in contact with the actuator 101 from the lower front side through the detected gear exposure opening 69 and the exposure hole 107. As a result, the actuator 101 is disposed at the detection position against the biasing force of a biasing member (not shown). Thereby, a control unit (not shown) provided in the main body casing 2 determines that the developing cartridge 19 is mounted when a sensor (not shown) detects that the actuator 101 is disposed at the detection position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the development coupling 89 faces the main body coupling 133 with a gap in the left-right direction.

Next, the top cover 7 of the main casing 2 is moved from the open position toward the closed position, and is disposed at the closed position, whereby the process cartridge 15 to which the developing cartridge 19 is mounted is mounted on the process mounting portion 125 of the main casing 2. Is completed.
(4) Developing roller driving operation and new article detection operation When the top cover 7 of the main casing 2 is arranged at the closed position, the main body cup indicated by the phantom line in FIG. The ring 133 advances toward the right and is fitted to the developing coupling 89 of the developing cartridge 19 so as not to be relatively rotatable.

  Thereafter, a driving force in the clockwise direction in the left side view is input to the developing coupling 89 from a driving source (not shown) provided in the main body casing 2 via the main body coupling 133.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, a driving force from a driving source (not shown) is transmitted to the developing gear 90 via the gear portion 93 of the developing coupling 89 and input to the developing roller shaft 44. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the developing roller 34 is rotationally driven clockwise in a right side view.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a driving force is transmitted to the detected gear 92 via a gear train 87, and the detected gear 92 is rotated clockwise in a left side view.

  Then, the contact between the peripheral end portion of the detected gear 92 in the clockwise direction on the left side in the clockwise direction and the detection unit 103 of the actuator 101 is released, and the actuator 101 is viewed on the left side by a biasing force of a biasing member (not shown). It is rotated clockwise and placed at the non-detection position.

  Then, when the detected gear 92 is further rotated clockwise in the left side view, the peripheral end portion of the detected gear 92 on the downstream side in the clockwise direction in the left side view contacts the detecting unit 103 of the actuator 101 from above. In contact therewith, the actuator 101 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the left side against an urging force of an urging member (not shown), and is arranged at the detection position.

When the detected gear 92 is further rotated clockwise in the left side view, the meshing with the small-diameter portion 95 of the idle gear 91 is released at the peripheral end of the detected gear 92 in the clockwise direction in the left side view. Is done. At this time, the peripheral end portion of the detected gear 92 on the downstream side in the clockwise direction on the left side remains in contact with the detection portion 103 of the actuator 101 from above.

  A control unit (not shown) determines that the developing cartridge 19 is unused when a sensor (not shown) detects that the actuator 101 has been moved in the order of the detection position, the non-detection position, and the detection position.

Further, when the developing cartridge 19 in use is mounted on the main casing 2, the detected gear 92 and the idle gear 91 are disengaged, so that the detected gear 92 is not rotated and the detected gear 92 is not rotated. The peripheral end on the downstream side in the clockwise direction when viewed from the left side is kept in contact with the detection unit 103 of the actuator 101 from above. As a result, the actuator 101 continues to be disposed at the detection position. Then, a control unit (not shown) determines that the developing cartridge 19 is in use when a sensor (not shown) detects that the actuator 101 has been placed at the detection position for a predetermined time.
6). Operation and Effect (1) In the process cartridge 15, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing cartridge 19 with the roller cover 110 mounted can be disposed at a storage position in which the cartridge mounting portion 68 is stored. Therefore, the developing roller 34 and the photosensitive drum 20 can be separated from each other while the developing roller 34 can be protected by the roller cover 110 in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the storage position.

  That is, when the developing cartridge 19 is conveyed alone, the developing roller 34 and the photosensitive drum 20 are separated from each other with the roller cover 110 attached to the developing cartridge 19 in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the storage position. It can be used as a member for

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the process cartridge 15 in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the storage position is stored in the cartridge storage portion 150 of the main casing 2, and the printer 1 is shipped and transported, whereby the printer 1. It is possible to prevent the developing roller 34 from being permanently deformed while being able to reduce the size of the packaging during the conveyance.

Further, the roller cover 110 can be used as a member for separating the developing roller 34 and the photosensitive drum 20 when the printer 1 in which the process cartridge 15 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150 is conveyed. Compared to a case where a member that is used only occasionally is prepared separately, the transport cost of the process cartridge 15 can be reduced, and hence the transport cost of the printer 1 can be reduced.
(2) Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing cartridge 19 is elastically supported by the drum cartridge 18 in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the accommodation position.

  Therefore, even when the developing cartridge 19 interferes with a member provided in the main body casing 2, for example, the pressing portion 10 of the top cover 7, when the printer 1 is transported, an impact due to the interference can be absorbed.

As a result, each of the drum cartridge 18 and the developing cartridge 19 can be prevented from being damaged when the printer 1 in which the process cartridge 15 is accommodated in the main casing 2 is transported.
(3) Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing cartridge 19 disposed at the housing position is elastically supported by the drum cartridge 18 by being sandwiched between the drum housing portion 67 and the extending portion 63. .

Therefore, the developing cartridge 19 arranged at the accommodation position can be reliably supported by the drum cartridge 18 with a simple configuration.
(4) Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an opening 66 is formed in the continuous portion 36 connected to the drum front wall 52 in the drum bottom wall 53.

  Therefore, the drum front wall 52 and the extending part 63 can be reliably configured to be elastically deformable.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing cartridge 19 disposed between the drum accommodating portion 67 and the extending portion 63 and disposed at the accommodating position can be more elastically supported by the drum cartridge 18. it can.
(5) Further, the drum front wall 52 and the extension part 63 are connected to the extension part 63 from the base end part 48 of the drum front wall 52 connected to the drum bottom wall 53 as shown in FIG. As it goes to the free end portion 49, it inclines away from the photosensitive drum 20. Therefore, a relatively large space can be secured between the extension part 63 and the drum housing part 67.

That is, it is possible to reliably secure a space for arranging the developing cartridge 19 at the storage position in the cartridge mounting portion 68 of the drum cartridge 18.
(6) Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the length L1 from the base end portion 48 of the drum front wall 52 to the free end portion 49 of the extending portion 63 is the length of the drum housing portion 67 in the vertical direction. It is formed longer than the length L2.

Therefore, the space between the extending portion 63 and the drum accommodating portion 67 can be increased while having a simple configuration. As a result, in the cartridge mounting portion 68 of the drum cartridge 18, a space for arranging the developing cartridge 19 at the storage position can be secured more reliably.
(7) The drum frame 50 has a collar receiving groove 59 as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

  Therefore, it is possible to ensure a smooth attaching / detaching operation of the developing cartridge 19 with the roller cover 110 detached from the cartridge mounting portion 68.

  Further, since the color receiving groove 59 is provided on the drum bottom wall 53 side, that is, on the lower side with respect to the rotational axis A of the photosensitive drum 20, the color receiving groove 59 is provided on the upper side with respect to the rotational axis A. Compared with the case where it is, the cartridge mounting part 68 can ensure a relatively large space in the vertical direction.

Therefore, while the smooth attachment / detachment operation of the developing cartridge 19 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 68 can be ensured, the space for arranging the developing cartridge 19 in the cartridge mounting portion 68 can be increased.
(8) Further, the developing cartridge 19 has a developing gripping portion 77 as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when the developing cartridge 19 is attached to or detached from the cartridge mounting portion 68, the developing gripping portion 77 can be held, and the attaching / detaching operation of the developing cartridge 19 to the cartridge mounting portion 68 can be facilitated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing gripping portion 77 is located on the outer side in the left-right direction with respect to the pressed portions 65 on both the left and right sides so as to sandwich the extending portion 63 in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the storage position. Placed in. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the storage position, the development gripping portion 77 can be prevented from interfering with the extending portion 63, and the developing cartridge 19 disposed at the storage position in the left-right direction with respect to the drum cartridge 18 can be suppressed. Relative movement can be restricted. (9) Moreover, the drum accommodating part 67 has the rib 62 and the roller cover 110 has the rib contact part 121 as shown in FIG.

  Then, the rib 62 and the rib contact portion 121 are in contact with each other in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the storage position. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 20 accommodated in the drum accommodating portion 67 and the roller cover 110 can be separated.

As a result, the photosensitive drum 20 and the roller cover 110 can be prevented from being rubbed against each other even when vibration is applied when the process cartridge 15 is transported in the printer 1 accommodated in the main body casing 2, and the photosensitive drum 20 can be damaged. Can be suppressed.
(10) Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the roller cover 110 has cover side portions 117 at both left and right end portions thereof.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cover side portion 117 is disposed to face the lower side of the rib 62 with an interval in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the storage position. The

Therefore, the developing cartridge 19 can be reliably arranged at the storage position. As a result, while the photosensitive drum 20 and the roller cover 110 can be separated from each other, the developing cartridge 19 can be reliably disposed at the storage position.
(11) As shown in FIG. 12, the cartridge storage unit 150 of the printer 1 is configured to store the process cartridge 15 including the developing cartridge 19 disposed at the storage position.

For this reason, the process cartridge 15 in a state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the storage position is stored in the cartridge storage unit 150, and the printer 1 is shipped and transported to reduce the packaging size when the printer 1 is transported. However, the development roller 34 can be prevented from being permanently deformed.
(12) Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the extending portion 63 is provided with a grip portion 64, and the developing cartridge 19 is provided with a protruding portion 71.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the process cartridge 15 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150, the grasping portion 64 can be grasped, and the operability of the process cartridge 15 can be improved.

Further, in the state where the developing cartridge 19 is disposed at the housing position, the protruding portion 71 of the developing cartridge 19 faces the grip portion 64 in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. The relative movement of the developing cartridge 19 with respect to the drum cartridge 18 in the left-right direction can be restricted.
(13) In the printer 1, as shown in FIG. 12, the top cover 7 can be disposed in the closed position in a state where the process cartridge 15 in which the developing cartridge 19 is in the accommodated position is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150.

Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the packing size when the printer 1 is transported. Further, since the top cover 7 can be disposed at the closed position, undesired separation of the process cartridge 15 from the main body casing 2 can be suppressed when the printer 1 is transported.
(14) Moreover, the top cover 7 is provided with the press part 10, as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when the process cartridge 15 is being accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150, that is, when the process cartridge 15 is not sufficiently accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150, when the top cover 7 is moved, the pressing portion 10 is moved. The extension part 63 of the process cartridge 15 is pressed. Then, the process cartridge 15 is moved from the midway position to a position where it is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150.

That is, by moving the top cover 7, the process cartridge 15 can be securely attached to the cartridge housing portion 150. Moreover, since the press part 10 presses the both right and left ends of the extension part 63, it can suppress contacting with the developing cartridge 19 arrange | positioned in an accommodation position.
(15) Further, as shown in FIG. 12, when the process cartridge 15 in which the developing cartridge 19 is in the storing position is stored in the cartridge storing portion 150, at least a part of the developing cartridge 19 is disposed in the exposure space S1. The

  That is, the exposure space S1 is used as a part of a space for housing the process cartridge 15 in which the developing cartridge 19 is in the housing position. That is, in the main body casing 2, it is ensured that the exposure space S <b> 1 and the space for housing the process cartridge 15 in which the developing cartridge 19 is in the housing position are also used.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to separately secure the exposure space S1 and the space for housing the process cartridge 15 in which the developing cartridge 19 is in the housing position in the main body casing 2, and the main body casing 2 can be reduced in size, and thus the printer. 1 can be miniaturized.

As a result, it is possible to further reduce the packing size when the printer 1 is conveyed.
(16) Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the main casing 2 has an actuator 101, and the developing cartridge 19 has a detected gear 92.

  Then, in a state where the developing cartridge 19 from which the roller cover 110 has been detached is mounted on the drum cartridge 18, the detected gear 92 is detected by the actuator 101 as shown in FIG.

  Thereby, the actuator 101 can detect, for example, information about the process cartridge 15, specifically, whether or not the developing cartridge 19 is mounted, and whether or not the developing cartridge 19 is a new product or an old product.

  On the other hand, the detected gear 92 is not detected by the actuator 101 in a state where the developing cartridge 19 to which the roller cover 110 is attached is disposed at the storage position as shown in FIG.

Therefore, it is possible to detect that the developing cartridge 19 from which the roller cover 110 has been detached is not attached to the drum cartridge 18 with a simple configuration.
(17) Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the main body casing 2 has a main body coupling 133, and the developing cartridge 19 has a developing coupling 89.

  Therefore, in a state where the developing cartridge 19 from which the roller cover 110 has been detached is mounted on the drum cartridge 18, the main body coupling 133 is fitted into the coupling recess 94 of the developing coupling 89 so as not to be relatively rotatable, and the developing coupling 89 A driving force is transmitted to the main body coupling 133. As a result, the developing roller 34 is driven.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the main body coupling 133 and the developing coupling 89 are not engaged with each other when the developing cartridge 19 to which the roller cover 110 is attached is disposed at the storage position.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developing roller 34 from being driven in a state where the developing cartridge 19 from which the roller cover 110 has been detached is not attached to the drum cartridge 18, and thus to prevent the image forming operation from being started.
7. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a central sectional view of the printer in a state where a process cartridge including a roller cover as a second embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention is accommodated in a main body casing.

  In FIG. 14, parts corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 are given the same reference numerals as those, and their explanation is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the developing cartridge 19 disposed in the accommodation position has the roller cover 110 disposed on the rear side and the developing gripping portion 77 on the front side. In order to be arranged, it is sandwiched between the cartridge mounting portion 68 and the extending portion 63 and accommodated in the developing attachment / detachment space S2.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, in the developing cartridge 19 disposed in the accommodation position, the roller cover 110 is disposed on the lower side and the developing gripping portion 77 is disposed on the upper side. Further, it is accommodated in the development attaching / detaching space S2.

  Also in the second embodiment, the process cartridge 15 can be accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 150 of the main casing 2 and the top cover 7 can be disposed in the closed position with the developing cartridge 19 disposed in the accommodating position. .

  Therefore, also in such 2nd Embodiment, there can exist an effect similar to above-described 1st Embodiment.

  Further, since the development gripping portion 77 of the developing cartridge 19 disposed at the storage position is disposed on the upper side, the development gripping portion 77 can be easily gripped by placing the top cover 7 at the open position.

Therefore, only the developing cartridge 19 to which the roller cover 110 is attached can be easily detached from the main body casing 2, and the attaching / detaching operation of the developing cartridge 19 can be facilitated.
8). Modification The printer 1 described above is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can be configured as a color printer in addition to the above-described monochrome printer.

When the image forming apparatus is configured as a color printer, the image forming apparatus includes a direct tandem type color printer including a plurality of photosensitive drums and a recording medium conveying member, a plurality of photosensitive drums, an intermediate transfer member, and a transfer member. It can be configured as an intermediate transfer type tandem color printer.

  Further, instead of the developing roller 34 described above, for example, a developer carrier such as a developing sleeve, a developing belt, or a brush-like roller can be applied.

  Also by these, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above can be obtained.

  The first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the modifications described above can be combined as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Main body casing 5 Cartridge opening part 7 Top cover 15 Process cartridge 16 Scanner unit 18 Drum cartridge 19 Developing cartridge 20 Photosensitive drum 34 Developing roller 48 Base end part 49 of drum front wall Free end part 52 of extension part Drum front wall 53 Drum bottom wall 59 Color receiving groove 62 Rib 63 Extension part 64 Grasping part 66 Opening part 67 Drum housing part 68 Cartridge mounting part 71 Projection part 89 Development coupling 92 Detected gear 101 Actuator 110 Roller cover 117 Cover side part 121 Rib contact Part 150 Cartridge housing part A Rotation axis L Laser beam L1 Length L2 from the base end part of the drum front wall to the free end part of the extension part Vertical length S1 of the cartridge mounting part Exposure space

Claims (26)

A first cartridge having a photoreceptor configured to rotate;
A second cartridge having a developer carrier configured to be mounted on the first cartridge and configured to rotate to supply developer to the photoreceptor;
A protective cover configured to be mounted on the second cartridge, facing the developer carrier and protecting the developer carrier;
The first cartridge is
A photoreceptor housing portion for housing the photoreceptor;
A cartridge mounting portion configured to mount the second cartridge in a state where the protective cover is detached,
The second cartridge is
A cartridge configured to be disposed at an accommodation position in which the cartridge cover is accommodated in a state in which the protective cover is attached. The second cartridge is
2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is elastically supported by the first cartridge in a state of being disposed at the storage position. The first cartridge is
An extending portion disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive member accommodating portion with respect to the second cartridge disposed at the accommodating position,
The second cartridge disposed in the storage position is
The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge is elastically supported by the first cartridge by being sandwiched between the photosensitive member housing portion and the extending portion. The first cartridge is
A connecting portion that opposes the second cartridge disposed at the receiving position in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photoconductor and connects the photoconductor containing portion and the extending portion. Have
In the connecting part,
The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein an opening is formed in a portion connected to the extending portion. The extending portion is
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the base member is inclined so as to move away from the photoconductor as it goes from a base end portion connected to the coupling portion to a free end portion formed on the opposite side of the base end portion. Cartridge.   The length from the base end portion to the free end portion in the extending portion is formed longer than the length in the orthogonal direction in the photoconductor housing portion. cartridge. The first cartridge is
A cartridge guide portion configured to guide mounting of the second cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting portion;
The cartridge guide portion is
The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge is provided on the side of the connecting portion with respect to a rotation axis of the photoconductor. The second cartridge is
A handle that is gripped when being attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion;
The handle is
In the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position, the second cartridge is provided on both sides in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photosensitive member so as to sandwich the extended portion. 8. A cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that The photoreceptor accommodating portion is
A rib projecting toward the cartridge mounting portion and extending in the axial direction along the rotational axis of the photoreceptor;
The protective cover is
9. The projection according to claim 1, further comprising a protrusion configured to come into contact with the rib in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position. 10. cartridge. The protective cover is
Relief portions provided at both end portions of the protective cover in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photoconductor, and disposed opposite to the ribs with a gap in the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the housing position. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the cartridge is provided. A cartridge,
An apparatus main body having a cartridge accommodating portion configured to accommodate the cartridge,
The cartridge is
A first cartridge having a photoreceptor configured to rotate;
A second cartridge having a developer carrier configured to be mounted on the first cartridge and configured to rotate to supply developer to the photoreceptor;
A protective cover configured to be mounted on the second cartridge, facing the developer carrier and protecting the developer carrier;
The first cartridge is
A photoreceptor housing portion for housing the photoreceptor;
A cartridge mounting portion configured to mount the second cartridge in a state where the protective cover is detached,
The second cartridge is
In a state where the protective cover is mounted, the protective cover is configured to be disposed at a storage position that is stored in the cartridge mounting portion.
The cartridge is
An image forming apparatus configured to be accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the accommodating position. The second cartridge is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatus is elastically supported by the first cartridge in the state of being arranged at the storage position. The first cartridge is
An extending portion disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive member accommodating portion with respect to the second cartridge disposed at the accommodating position,
The second cartridge disposed in the storage position is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image forming apparatus is elastically supported by the first cartridge by being sandwiched between the photosensitive member housing portion and the extending portion. The first cartridge is
A connecting portion that opposes the second cartridge disposed at the receiving position in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photoconductor and connects the photoconductor containing portion and the extending portion. Have
In the connecting part,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein an opening is formed in a portion connected to the extending portion. The extending portion is
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the base member is inclined so as to move away from the photoconductor as it goes from a base end portion connected to the coupling portion to a free end portion formed on the opposite side of the base end portion. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The length from the base end part to the free end part in the extension part is formed longer than the length in the orthogonal direction in the photoconductor housing part. Image forming apparatus. The first cartridge is
A cartridge guide portion configured to guide mounting of the second cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting portion;
The cartridge guide portion is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided on a side of the connecting portion with respect to a rotation axis of the photoconductor. The second cartridge is
A handle that is gripped when being attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion;
The handle is
In the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position, the second cartridge is provided on both sides in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photosensitive member so as to sandwich the extended portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized. The extending part is provided with a gripping part,
The second cartridge includes
14. A projecting portion is provided so as to face the grip portion in the axial direction along the rotational axis of the photoconductor in the state of being arranged at the storage position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18. In the device body,
An opening for attaching and detaching the cartridge is formed; and
An opening / closing member configured to move to an opening position for opening the opening and a closing position for closing the opening is provided for the apparatus main body,
The opening / closing member is
The cartridge according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the cartridge in which the second cartridge is in the storage position is arranged in the closed position in a state of being stored in the cartridge storage portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The opening / closing member is
A pressing portion configured to press the extended portion of the cartridge in the middle of accommodation in the cartridge accommodation portion when moving from the open position toward the closed position;
The pressing portion is
21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the extending portion is configured to press both end portions in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photoconductor. The apparatus main body is
An exposure apparatus configured to emit laser light toward the photosensitive member;
Between the exposure apparatus and the photoconductor,
An exposure space that allows passage of the laser beam is formed,
The cartridge is
In a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the housing position, at least a part of the second cartridge is disposed in the exposure space when it is housed in the cartridge housing portion. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 21, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized. The photoreceptor accommodating portion is
A rib projecting toward the cartridge mounting portion and extending in the axial direction along the rotational axis of the photoreceptor;
The protective cover is
The projection according to any one of claims 11 to 22, further comprising a protrusion configured to come into contact with the rib in a state where the second cartridge is disposed at the storage position. Image forming apparatus. The protective cover is
Relief portions provided at both end portions of the protective cover in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the photoconductor, and disposed opposite to the ribs with a gap in the state where the second cartridge is disposed at the housing position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided. The apparatus main body has a detection member,
The second cartridge is
A detection object configured to be detected by the detection member in a state in which the protective cover is detached and attached to the first cartridge;
The structure according to any one of claims 11 to 24, wherein the detection object is not detected by the detection member in a state where the protective cover is mounted and disposed at the storage position. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The apparatus main body is
A drive transmission member configured to transmit a driving force for driving the developer carrier;
The second cartridge is
A drive input unit configured to be engaged with the drive transmission member and to receive a drive force when the protective cover is detached and attached to the first cartridge;
26. The structure according to any one of claims 11 to 25, wherein the drive transmission member is configured not to engage with the drive input portion in a state in which the protective cover is mounted and disposed at the storage position. The image forming apparatus according to one item.

Images