JP2017049575A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that, when a cartridge is attached to the inside of a support member including an image exposure member, can avoid collision of the image exposure member with the cartridge.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprising: guide parts 13h-13k; regulation target parts 4j, 4k, 8j, 8k; and a regulation part 13r that can regulate the positions of the regulation target parts 4j, 4k, 8j, 8k when a process cartridge P is at a position not engaging with the guide parts 13h-13k. A drawing member 13 is opened on the upstream of a light emitting surface 3a1 with respect to a direction of attachment of the process cartridge P to an attachment part 13f, and when the regulation target parts 4j, 4k, 8j, 8k are in contact with the regulation part 13r and the positions of the regulation target parts 4j, 4k, 8j, 8k are regulated, a gap G is formed between frame bodies 4a, 8a and the light emitting surface 3a1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which a cartridge can be attached and detached.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a cartridge in which a photosensitive drum and a developing roller that acts on the photosensitive drum and a developing unit that contains a developer (toner) used for image formation are integrated. The method is known.

  There is also known a developing cartridge system that is separate from the photosensitive drum and includes only a developing unit. According to these cartridge systems, maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person. For this reason, these cartridge systems are widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

  There is also known a technique in which a support member for detachably supporting the cartridge is provided and the support member is pulled out from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to a predetermined position so that each cartridge can be replaced. Yes. According to this technique, the user can easily change the developer.

  In Patent Document 1, an image exposure member that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the surface of a photosensitive drum to a support member that removably supports a cartridge is provided. As a result, a technique has been proposed in which the retreat space for the image exposure member is reduced and the user can simultaneously replace the cartridge.

JP 2009-157135 A

  However, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-260260, when the user mounts the cartridge into the support member, if the user erroneously tries to mount the cartridge at a position different from the normal mounting position, the image exposure member and the frame constituting the cartridge are There is a risk of a collision. As a result, the image exposure member may be damaged, thereby hindering image formation.

  Also, in Patent Document 1, in order for a user to mount a cartridge into a support member, the rotation shaft of the cartridge is mounted along a guide groove in the support member. If the user performs an operation of rotating the cartridge about the rotation axis during the mounting, the cartridge and the image exposure member may collide.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding a collision between an image exposure member and a cartridge when the cartridge is mounted in a support member having an image exposure member. It is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes at least a cartridge having an image carrier, and an inner position positioned inside a main body of the image forming apparatus in a state where the cartridge is supported. A support member movable between an outer position located outside the main body of the image forming apparatus and the support member, and the cartridge can be mounted from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the image carrier. A mounting portion; an image exposure member that is provided in the mounting portion and emits light from a light emitting surface toward the image carrier to form a latent image on the image carrier; and the cartridge is provided in the support member. A guide portion that engages with the cartridge and guides the cartridge so as to move toward the mounting portion, a regulated portion provided on the frame, and a support member, A restricting portion capable of restricting a position of the restricted portion when the cartridge is not in engagement with the guide portion, and the support member is configured to emit the light emitting surface with respect to the mounting direction of the cartridge to the attaching portion. When the regulated portion is in contact with the regulating portion and regulates the position of the regulated portion, a gap is formed between the frame body and the light emitting surface. It is characterized by.

  Another exemplary configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the object includes a cartridge, an inner position positioned inside a main body of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge supported, and the image forming A support member movable between an outer position located outside the main body of the apparatus, a mounting portion provided on the support member and capable of mounting the cartridge from a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction, and provided on the mounting portion An image exposure member for forming a latent image on the image bearing member, a rotation restricted portion provided on the frame, and a mounting portion provided in contact with the rotation restricted portion to change the rotation posture of the cartridge. A rotation restricting portion for positioning, and the frame body and the image exposure member after the rotation restricted portion is restricted by the rotation restricting portion when the cartridge is attached to the attachment portion. Wherein the start overlap in the mounting direction.

  According to the present invention, when the cartridge is mounted in the support member having the image exposure member, the collision between the image exposure member and the cartridge can be avoided.

1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which a support member is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus and a cartridge is mounted. It is a perspective explanatory view showing a configuration of a mounting portion for mounting a support member of the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is a perspective explanatory view showing a configuration of a mounting portion for mounting a support member of the main body of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a support member of the image forming apparatus. It is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of the support member. FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view of the configuration of the cartridge as viewed from the drive side. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the support member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a cartridge. FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view of the cartridge mounted on the mounting portion of the support member as viewed from the non-driving side. It is perspective explanatory drawing which looked at a mode that the cartridge was mounted in the mounting part of the support member from the non-driving side. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the support member is mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus. (A) is sectional explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a cartridge is mounted | worn to the mounting part of a supporting member. (B) is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state where the mounting of the cartridge to the mounting portion of the support member is completed. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state where the cartridge is erroneously attached to the attachment portion of the support member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the cartridge of the image forming apparatus is erroneously mounted on the mounting portion of the support member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the cartridge of the image forming apparatus is erroneously mounted on the mounting portion of the support member. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view illustrating a state in which the cartridge of the image forming apparatus is mounted on the mounting portion of the support member. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view illustrating a state in which the cartridge of the image forming apparatus is mounted on the mounting portion of the support member. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the support member. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the cartridge is completely mounted on the mounting portion of the support member.

  An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the drawer member 13 serving as a support member in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The main body of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K process cartridges (cartridges) PY, PM, and PC arranged side by side in the horizontal direction shown in FIG. , PK are provided. The process cartridges P for the respective colors are detachably provided in the vertical direction (arrow a direction) in FIG.

  For convenience of explanation, the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK may be described using the process cartridge P as a representative. The same applies to other image forming process means.

  Each process cartridge P is rotatably provided with a photosensitive drum 1 serving as an image carrier made of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. Each photosensitive drum 1 is configured to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving unit such as a motor (not shown).

  The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a charging roller 2 as a charging unit in addition to the photosensitive drum 1 as an electrophotographic image forming process unit. Further, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) unit 3 serving as an image exposure member is provided. Further, a developing unit 4 serving as a developing unit, an intermediate transfer belt 5 serving as a transfer body, a primary transfer roller 12 serving as a primary transfer unit, and the like are provided. The charging roller 2 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the LED unit 3 serving as an image exposure member includes an LED head 3a and a support member 3b that fixes and supports the LED head 3a. Further, the LED head 3 a and the support member 3 b are configured to include a biasing member 3 c made of a coil spring that biases the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 toward the surface.

  The LED head 3 a is disposed below the photosensitive drum 1 shown in FIG. 8 so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. In the LED head 3a, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) as light emitting elements facing each other over the entire photosensitive surface in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 are arranged. The plurality of LEDs (light emitting elements) can emit light independently of each other and are arranged side by side in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier). That is, the LED unit 3 (image exposure member) includes a plurality of LEDs (light emitting elements) arranged in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier).

  The light emitted from the LED passes through a lens (not shown) provided in the LED head 3a, and is emitted outside the LED head 3a through the light emitting surface 3a1. The light emitting surface 3a1 is provided on the uppermost part of the LED head 3a, and the normal vector L1 of the light emitting surface 3a1 includes a vertical upward component. The vector L1 in the normal direction of the light emitting surface 3a1 coincides with the emission direction of light emitted from the light emitting surface 3a1 toward the photosensitive drum 1. Each LED emits light by a signal transmitted from a control unit serving as a control unit mounted on the control board 50 shown in FIG. 1 and is uniformly charged on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 charged by each charging roller 2. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed.

  In this embodiment, the case where the LED unit 3 is used as an example of the image exposure member has been described. However, an EL (Electro-Luminescence) element or the like may be used in addition to the light emitting element. Note that EL (electroluminescence) is a phenomenon in which, when electric energy is applied to a substance, light is emitted when electrons return from the ground state to the excited state and then return to the ground state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the control board 50 and the LED head 3 a are electrically connected by a cable 51. The cable 51 is pulled out of the pull-out member 13 from below the pull-out member 13 to which each process cartridge P is detachably mounted, and is folded back by a turn-back portion 51a and connected to the control board 50.

  The developing unit 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 supplies toner 7 as a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and develops it. Opposite the surface of each photosensitive drum 1, an intermediate transfer belt 5 is provided that is rotatably stretched by a driving roller 5a, a secondary transfer opposing roller 5b, and a tension roller 5c. A primary transfer roller 12 serving as a primary transfer unit is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5 so as to face the surface of each photosensitive drum 1.

  The toner image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 is sequentially rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 by applying a primary transfer bias voltage to a primary transfer roller 12 serving as a primary transfer unit. Is primarily transferred and superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate.

  On the other hand, the recording material S accommodated in the feeding cassette 17 is fed out by the feeding roller 18. Further, the sheets are separated and fed one by one in cooperation with a separating means (not shown). Then, the recording material S comes into contact with the nip portion of the registration roller 19 that has been stopped. After the skew correction is performed by the stiffness of the recording material S, the secondary transfer nip formed between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 29 serving as a secondary transfer unit at a predetermined timing. It is conveyed to the part.

  The toner image primarily transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 is applied with a secondary transfer bias voltage to the secondary transfer roller 29 at the secondary transfer nip portion, and the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 29 are applied. Are secondarily transferred onto the surface of the recording material S that is nipped and conveyed.

  As a specific example of the recording material S, an OHT (Over Head Transparency) sheet or cloth made of a transparent sheet used for paper or OHP (Over Head Projector) can be applied.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a cleaning device 6 serving as a cleaning unit that removes the toner 7 remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the toner image is transferred.

  For example, the photosensitive drum 1 is formed by applying an organic photoconductive layer (OPC photoconductor) made of OPC (Organic Photo Conductor) to the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder. Both ends of the photosensitive drum 1 are rotatably supported by support members (not shown). At one end, a coupled member 47 shown in FIG. 7 that receives a rotational driving force from a motor (not shown) serving as a driving source is provided. As a result, the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 1 via the coupled member 47, and rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG.

  The charging roller 2 of this embodiment employs a contact charging type. More specifically, the charging roller 2 is composed of a conductive roller formed in a roller shape, and the charging roller 2 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by applying a charging bias voltage from a charging bias power source (not shown) to the charging roller 2.

<Cartridge>
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the process cartridge P of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, each developing unit 4 has a toner container 41 serving as a developer container for storing toner 7 serving as a developer for each color of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K. .

  In each toner container 41, a rotatable conveying member that agitates the toner 7 accommodated in the toner container 41 and conveys the toner 7 toward a supply roller 43 provided on the upper portion of the toner container 41. 48 is provided. The supply roller 43 supplies the toner 7 to the developing roller 40 that is a developing member disposed to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The process cartridge P (cartridge) of the present embodiment includes a developing roller 40 (developing member) that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier).

  The toner 7 in the toner container 41 is transported by the transport member 48 and sent to the supply roller 43. The toner 7 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40 by the supply roller 43 and the developing blade 44 pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40, and electric charge is applied to the toner 7.

  Then, by applying a developing bias voltage from a developing bias power source (not shown) to the developing roller 40, the toner 7 adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to form a toner image.

  The developing roller 40 is disposed so as to face and contact the photosensitive drum 1. The developing unit 4 provided with the toner container 41 for storing the toner 7 and the photosensitive unit 8 that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 1 are provided to be rotatable around a hole 8b (see FIG. 7). Thus, the process cartridge P is integrally formed. The developing unit 4 and the photosensitive unit 8 are urged by the urging member 9 including a coil spring, and the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 are pressed against each other.

  The process cartridge P can be replaced by the user from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 when the toner 7 in the toner container 41 is consumed due to image formation and the service life is reached.

<Image forming operation>
Next, an image forming operation for forming a full color image on the recording material S by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9. In FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum 1 of each process cartridge P is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. The charging roller 2 rotates following the photosensitive drum 1.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 5 is also rotationally driven at a peripheral speed corresponding to the peripheral speed of the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in the clockwise direction of FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is a dielectric endless belt having flexibility. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is rotatably stretched by a driving roller 5a that is rotated by transmission of a rotational driving force of a motor (not shown), a secondary transfer counter roller 5b, and a tension roller 5c.

  The endless belt forming the intermediate transfer belt 5 is stretched in the same direction as the moving direction of the drawer member 13 shown in FIG. 2 (the left-right direction in FIG. 2). The width in the axial direction of the intermediate transfer belt 5 is set corresponding to the width in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the photosensitive drum 1.

  The developing roller 40 and the supply roller 43 shown in FIG. 9 are each driven to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed. In synchronism with this drive, a predetermined charging bias voltage is applied from a charging bias power source (not shown) to the charging roller 2 shown in FIG. 1 in each process cartridge P at a predetermined timing.

  As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging roller 2. Each LED unit 3 exposes information light on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 of each process cartridge P according to image signals of each color of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal of the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 of each process cartridge P.

  In each process cartridge P, a predetermined developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller 40 from a developing bias power source (not shown) at a predetermined timing. As a result, the toner 7 of each color carried on the surface of each developing roller 40 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 and is developed as a toner image.

  By such an electrophotographic image forming process operation, a yellow Y color toner image corresponding to the yellow Y color component of the full color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 of the process cartridge PY.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the primary transfer roller 12 is in pressure contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 5 interposed therebetween. Thereby, a primary transfer nip portion is formed. A primary transfer bias voltage is applied from a primary transfer bias power source (not shown) to the primary transfer roller 12 shown in FIG. Thus, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 in the primary transfer nip portion where the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 are in contact with each other. The primary transfer.

  Similarly, in the process cartridge PM, a magenta M color toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred while being superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5. In the process cartridge PC, the cyan C color toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is further superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and primarily transferred. In the process cartridge PK, a black K color toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is further superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and primarily transferred.

  As a result, four full-color unfixed toner images of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K are superimposed and formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5. It should be noted that the order of the colors of the toner images that are sequentially superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 need not be limited to the order described above, and can be superimposed in an appropriate color order.

  In each process cartridge P, the toner image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5. Thereafter, the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 is scraped and removed by a cleaning blade 6a provided in the cleaning device 6 shown in FIG. Is done.

  On the other hand, the feeding roller 18 shown in FIG. 1 is rotationally driven at a predetermined timing. As a result, the sheet-like recording material S stacked and stored in the feeding cassette 17 is fed. The recording material S is introduced by a registration roller 19 into a secondary transfer nip portion that is a contact portion between the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 29 at a predetermined timing.

  A secondary transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner 7 and having a predetermined potential is applied to the secondary transfer roller 29 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the toner image on which the four color toner images on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 are superimposed is secondarily transferred onto the recording material S in a process where the recording material S is nipped and conveyed through the secondary transfer nip portion. The

  The recording material S that has passed through the secondary transfer nip portion is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and introduced into a fixing device 20 serving as a fixing unit. Then, the toner image is thermally fixed to the recording material S by being heated and pressed at a fixing nip portion formed by a fixing roller and a pressure roller provided in the fixing device 20.

  As a result, color mixing of the toner images of the respective colors and thermal fixing to the recording material S are performed. Then, the recording material S on which the full-color toner image is thermally fixed is discharged from the fixing device 20, and is nipped and conveyed by the discharge roller 23 and is discharged onto the discharge tray 24.

  The secondary transfer roller 29 according to the present embodiment is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the first position where the secondary transfer roller 29 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 by a moving unit (not shown) to form the secondary transfer nip portion. It is possible to move to the second position retracted. The secondary transfer roller 29 is moved to the first position during the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100, and is moved to the second position during non-image formation. Note that the secondary transfer roller 29 may always be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5.

  In this embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 5 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 1, and the LED unit 3 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 1. Unfixed toner images of yellow Y color, magenta M color, cyan C color, and black K color are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 so as to overlap each other. As a result, the full-color toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 via the secondary transfer roller 29 can be transferred onto the recording material S all at once. Therefore, there is an advantage that the time until the first printed matter is output is fast.

<Supporting member>
In the present embodiment, among the various members (components) constituting the image forming apparatus 100, those excluding at least the drawer member 13 serving as a support member and the members (components) configured to be fixed to or removable from the drawer member 13 are excluded. The image forming apparatus 100 is called a main body.

  Next, the configuration of the pull-out member 13 serving as a support member will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Each process cartridge P is mounted and supported in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 serving as a support member. The mounting portion 13f is provided on the drawer member 13 (support member), and is configured so that each process cartridge P (cartridge) can be mounted from the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 2 orthogonal to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier). Is done. In this state, the drawer member 13 is configured to be movable between an inner position located inside the image forming apparatus 100 main body (image forming apparatus main body) and an outer position located outside the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drawer member 13 is provided so as to be linearly movable (push / pull out) in the directions of arrows D1 and D2 (substantially horizontal) in FIG. ing. The drawer member 13 can be moved to the inner position shown in FIG. 1 located inside the image forming apparatus 100 main body or the outer position shown in FIG. 2 drawn out of the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the state in which the drawer member 13 is at the outer position of the image forming apparatus 100 main body is considered. In this state, each process cartridge P is mounted on the mounting portion 13f provided on the drawer member 13 by the user in the mounting direction which is the direction of arrow a (substantially the direction of gravity) in FIG. The drawer member 13 is open on the upstream side of the light emitting surface 3a1 in the direction of arrow a, which is the mounting direction of the process cartridge P to the mounting portion 13f. The vertical component vector of the vector L1 in the normal direction of the light emitting surface 3a1 is opposite to the vertical component vector in the direction of the arrow a that is the mounting direction.

  FIGS. 13A and 13B show how the process cartridge P is mounted at the regular mounting position of the mounting portion 13f. The mounting direction indicated by the arrow a in FIG. 2 for mounting each process cartridge P on the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13 is a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of each photosensitive drum 1 provided in each process cartridge P.

  Each process cartridge P mounted on the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 has a direction in which the longitudinal direction (axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1) is orthogonal to the moving direction of the drawer member 13 (arrow D1, D2 direction in FIG. 2). It is arranged to become. The four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK are arranged side by side in the moving direction of the drawer member 13 (the left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2).

  Each process cartridge P is moved to the inner position of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 together with the drawer member 13 in a state where the process cartridge P is mounted in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the drawer member 13 is moved into the image forming apparatus 100 main body. In this state, the door 10 that can rotate about a rotation shaft (not shown) with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is closed. Then, all the process cartridges P are positioned at predetermined positions in the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the four process cartridges P can be collectively mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by the drawer member 13. Further, the four process cartridges P can be pulled out to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which each process cartridge P is individually mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the workability at the time of replacement of the process cartridge P is excellent.

<Mounting part of support member>
Next, the configuration of the mounting portion 11 of the drawer member 13 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 and 4 are perspective explanatory views showing the configuration of the mounting portion 11 of the drawer member 13 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  3 and 4, the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the like among the members (parts) constituting the image forming apparatus 100 main body are shown so that the configuration of the mounting portion 11 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 can be easily understood. Omitted. 3 and 4 are perspective explanatory views of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 as seen from different directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, guide portions 14 </ b> R and 14 </ b> L serving as a pair of rotation restricting portions for guiding the moving direction of the drawer member 13 are opposed to the inner wall surface of the apparatus frame of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Is provided. These guide portions 14R and 14L slidably support guided portions 13a to 13d of the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide portions 14 </ b> R and 14 </ b> L have a U-shaped cross section.

  The guide portions 14R and 14L shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can guide from the position where the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is pulled out to the outside of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to the position where the main body is stored inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. . The guide portions 14R and 14L extend in a substantially horizontal direction from the vicinity of the entrance of the image forming apparatus 100 main body (near the door 10) to the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a drum coupling member 25 for transmitting a rotational driving force to each photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported above the guide portion 14R. On the other hand, a developing coupling member 26 for transmitting a rotational driving force to each developing roller 40 is rotatably supported below the guide portion 14R. The drum coupling member 25 and the developing coupling member 26 are arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction along the guide portion 14R.

  A rotational driving force from a motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 via the drum coupling member 25 and the developing coupling member 26 shown in FIG. Each is transmitted to the roller 40.

  When the door 10 is opened, the drum coupling member 25 and the development coupling member 26 are retracted into the side wall of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. In conjunction with the operation of closing the door 10, the drum coupling member 25 and the developing coupling member 26 protrude from the inner wall surface of the image forming apparatus 100 main body and enter the process cartridge P side.

  Coupled members 47 and 45 shown in FIG. 7 are provided on the respective rotation shafts of the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40. On the other hand, a rotational driving force from a motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is transmitted to the drum coupling member 25 and the developing coupling member 26 shown in FIG.

  The drum coupling member 25 and the developing coupling member 26 shown in FIG. 3 engage with the coupled members 47 and 45 shown in FIG. As a result, a rotational driving force from a motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 of each process cartridge P.

  Next, the configuration of the drawer member 13 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of the drawer member 13 in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view of the drawer member 13 shown in FIG. 5 viewed from the opposite side.

  At the four corners of the drawer member 13, guided portions 13a to 13d that are slidably engaged and guided by guide portions 14R and 14L provided on the inner wall surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. Is provided protruding. The guided portions 13a and 13c shown in FIG. 5 are slidably engaged with and guided by the guide portion 14R shown in FIG. 3, and the guided portions 13b and 13d shown in FIG. 6 are guided by the guide portion 14L shown in FIG. Are slidably engaged and guided.

  The guided portions 13a and 13b shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are each formed in a U-shape that protrudes outward from the side surface of the drawer member 13. As shown in FIG. 12, the guided portions 13a and 13b are arranged in the pulling-out direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 12) so that the pulling-out member 13 does not tilt when the pulling-out member 13 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus 100 main body. It is configured to stretch.

  The guided portions 13c and 13d shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are formed in a columnar shape that protrudes outward from the side surface of the drawer member 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a handle portion 28 for the user to operate the drawer member 13 is provided on the end surface of the drawer member 13 on the downstream side in the drawer direction (right side in FIG. 12). Below the handle portion 28, there is provided a concave portion 15 into which a contact portion 10a1 provided at the other end of the pressing member 10a made of a coil spring whose one end is locked to the door 10 shown in FIG. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the door 10 is closed with the drawer member 13 inserted in a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, an abutting portion 10 a 1 provided at the other end of the pressing member 10 a whose one end is locked to the inner surface of the door 10 is inserted into the concave portion 15 of the drawer member 13 and abuts against the wall surface of the concave portion 15. Then, the pulling member 13 is urged to the left in FIG. 1 by the urging force of the pressing member 10a. Accordingly, the drawer member 13 can be positioned in the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drawer member 13 is provided with a mounting portion 13f for mounting the process cartridges P of each color in a line.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the LED unit 3 is erected on each mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. In the present embodiment, the drawer member 13 and the LED unit 3 are configured as a drawer unit U1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the LED head 3a provided at the tip of the LED unit 3 is fixedly supported by a support member 3b. The support member 3b is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction of FIG. 8 along the holder member 13s in the holder member 13s provided in the drawer member 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the first frame body 8a of the photosensitive unit 8 and the second frame body 4a of the developing unit 4 are respectively provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridges P of the respective colors. Column-shaped regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k are provided so as to protrude.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, guide portions 13h, 13i, 13j, and 13k each including a groove portion serving as a rotation restricting portion are provided on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of each mounting portion 13f. ing. The guide portions 13h to 13k are in contact with the restricted portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, and are rotated in the circumferential direction of each color process cartridge P (the arrow X direction in FIG. 13A). Positioning.

  Each mounting portion 13f is provided with guide portions 13h to 13k including groove portions provided along the mounting direction of the process cartridge P indicated by the arrow a direction in FIG. Each groove width of the guide portions 13h to 13k is formed to have a groove width corresponding to the outer diameter diameter of the columnar regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k.

  Each guide part 13h-13k is extended in the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the drawer member 13. As shown in FIG. The column-shaped regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k provided in the process cartridges P are inserted into the guide portions 13h to 13k that are groove portions provided in the mounting portions 13f of the drawer member 13, respectively. Thereby, the process cartridges P of the respective colors can be mounted and positioned in the mounting portions 13f.

  A positioning portion 13p formed of a groove for positioning the process cartridge P with respect to each mounting portion 13f, between the guide portions 13h and 13i shown in FIG. 6 and between the guide portions 13j and 13k shown in FIG. , 13q are provided. Each positioning portion 13p, 13q has a V-shaped slope.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the drawer member 13 is provided with an opening 13 m that is a through hole through which the developing coupling member 26 protruding from the inner wall surface of the image forming apparatus 100 main body shown in FIG. 3 enters. . The developing coupling member 26 enters the opening 13m provided in the drawer member 13 in conjunction with the operation of closing the door 10 with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

<Cartridge>
Next, the configuration of the process cartridge P mounted on each mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 9, and 10. FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of the process cartridge P of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the process cartridge P of the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state in which the process cartridge P of the present embodiment is mounted on the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the process cartridge P includes a photoconductor unit 8 and a developing unit 4. As shown in FIG. 9, the photosensitive unit 8 includes a photosensitive drum 1 serving as an image carrier, a first frame 8a that supports the photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 2 serving as a charging unit, and a cleaning unit. And a cleaning device 6.

  The cleaning blade 6 a provided in the cleaning device 6 scrapes and removes the toner 7 remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer. The toner 7 removed by the cleaning blade 6a is accommodated in the waste toner container 30 and collected.

  On the other hand, the developing unit 4 includes a developing roller 40 serving as a developing member, and a second frame 4a that rotatably supports the developing roller 40. Further, a toner container 41 serving as a developer container for storing the toner 7 is provided in a part of the second frame 4a. In addition, a conveyance member 48 that agitates and conveys the toner 7 accommodated in the toner container 41 is provided.

  The transport member 48 transports the toner 7 accommodated in the toner container 41 into the developing chamber 16 by rotating in the clockwise direction of FIG. 9 about the rotation shaft 48a.

  Further, the developing unit 4 includes a supply roller 43 that supplies the toner 7 conveyed into the developing chamber 16 to the developing roller 40, and a developing blade 44 that regulates the layer thickness of the toner 7 carried on the surface of the developing roller 40. And is configured.

  The toner 7 in the toner container 41 is sent into the developing chamber 16 in which the supply roller 43 is provided by a conveying member 48 that rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 about the rotation shaft 48a. Then, the toner 7 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40 by the supply roller 43 and the developing blade 44 pressed against the outer periphery of the developing roller 40, and an electric charge is applied to the toner 7.

  A developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller 40 from a developing bias power source provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the toner 7 carried on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40 adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to form a toner image.

  The toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the action of the primary transfer roller 12 and then further transferred to the recording material S by the action of the secondary transfer roller 29. Is done.

  After the primary transfer, the toner 7 remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is scraped off and removed by a cleaning blade 6 a provided in the cleaning device 6, and is collected in a waste toner container 30.

  When the toner 7 in the toner container 41 is consumed by image formation, the user can perform printing again by replacing the process cartridge P.

  As shown in FIG. 7, one end of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction is engaged with a drum coupling member 25 provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. A coupled member 47 is rotatably supported.

  Further, a member to be coupled 45 for receiving a rotational driving force by engaging with the developing coupling member 26 provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 is also rotatably supported.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the coupled member 47 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The rotational driving force of a motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is transmitted to the drum coupling member 25, and the rotational driving received by the coupled member 47 engaged with the drum coupling member 25. The photosensitive drum 1 is rotated by the force.

  Similarly, the rotational driving force of a motor (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is transmitted to the developing coupling member 26. The rotational driving force received by the coupled member 45 engaged with the developing coupling member 26 is transmitted to the developing roller 40, the supply roller 43, and the conveying member 48 shown in FIG. Is done. These rotate together.

  The outer periphery of the member to be coupled 45 is covered with a cylindrical rib 45a and forms an engaging portion 71a. The engaging portion 71 a is provided on the side cover 71 fixed to the outside of the toner container 41. The coupled member 45 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the engaging portion 71a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, an engaging portion 70a is also provided at an end portion on the opposite side of the engaging portion 71a in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P. The engaging portion 70a is also provided on the side cover 70 in the same manner. These engaging portions 71 a and 70 a are both provided in the developing unit 4.

  The first frame body 8a is provided with hole portions 8b and 8c formed of through holes that support the engaging portions 71a and 70a. The holes 8b and 8c provided in the first frame 8a engage with the engaging portions 71a and 70a provided in the developing unit 4. As a result, the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 are configured to be coupled to each other so as to be rotatable. Thus, the first frame 8a of the photosensitive unit 8 and the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4 are configured to be movable with respect to each other.

  Each engaging part 71a, 70a becomes a structure which can be rotated with respect to each hole part 8b, 8c. For this reason, the developing unit 4 can move with respect to the photoreceptor unit 8. That is, the developing roller 40 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the photosensitive drum 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, an urging member 9 made of a coil spring is provided between the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4. The developing roller 40 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressure by the biasing force of the biasing member 9.

  The main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a pressing member (not shown) that presses the developing unit 4 against the urging force of the urging member 9 in order to separate the developing roller 40 from the photosensitive drum 1. In FIG. 19, in a state where the process cartridge P is positioned on the drawer member 13 and the drawer member 13 is positioned in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the pressing member presses the developing unit 4, and the developing roller 40 is photosensitive. A state of being separated from the drum 1 is shown. When toner is not supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (during non-image formation), the developing roller 40 is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 in this way, so that the toner is more than necessary. The adhesion to the photosensitive drum 1 can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the outer periphery of the member to be coupled 47 is covered with a cylindrical rib 47a to form a positioned portion 8d. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a positioned portion 8e formed of a cylindrical protrusion is provided at the end of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction on the opposite side of the positioned portion 8d.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a rotation restricted portion 8f is provided below the positioned portion 8d, and as shown in FIG. 10, a rotation restricted portion 8g is provided below the positioned portion 8e. It has been. The rotation restricted portions 8 f and 8 g have a substantially rectangular column shape extending in the same direction as the mounting direction of the process cartridge P with respect to the drawer member 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the positioned portions 8 d and 8 e and the rotation restricted portions 8 f and 8 g have a function for positioning the process cartridge P in the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13.

  In addition, columnar restricted portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k are provided below the rotation restricted portions 8f and 8g shown in FIGS. The regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 so as to sandwich the photosensitive drum 1 therebetween. In the present embodiment, the regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k are divided into the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4, but may be arranged in either one.

  The positions of the regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, 4k are located at substantially the same position in the mounting direction of the process cartridge P with respect to the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 shown in FIG. 10 (the direction of arrow a in FIG. 10).

<Process cartridge mounting operation>
Next, the mounting operation of each process cartridge P to the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state in which the process cartridge P of the present embodiment is mounted on the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view showing a state where all the process cartridges P are mounted in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, each process cartridge PY, PM, PC, PK is mounted in each of four mounting portions 13f provided on the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. The user mounts the process cartridge P in the direction of arrow a in FIG.

  The process of mounting the process cartridge P on the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 is as follows. The user inserts the column-shaped regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 that protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the user inserts the restricted portions 8j, 4j, 8k, 4k of the process cartridge P as follows. 5 and 6 are inserted and mounted so as to be along the guide portions 13h to 13k, each of which is a groove portion serving as a rotation restricting portion provided in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS.

  As a result, the process cartridge P is guided by the guide portions 13h to 13k and mounted at the regular mounting position in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 shown in FIG. 13B.

  The process cartridge P is mounted in the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the positioned portions 8d and 8e provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P come into contact with the positioning portions 13p and 13q provided in the drawer member 13, respectively.

  The positioning portions 13p and 13q are V-shaped. Cylindrical positioned portions 8d and 8e provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P are in contact with the V-shaped positioning portions 13p and 13q. As a result, the process cartridge P can be positioned in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a in FIG. 10).

  Further, the rotation restricted portions 8f and 8g having an oval cross section provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 are as follows. The flat portions 8f1, 8f2, 8g1, 8g2 of the rotation restricted portions 8f, 8g are in contact with the side surfaces of the guide portions 13i, 13j provided on the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. As a result, the rotational orientation of the process cartridge P in the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow X direction in FIG. The rotation restricted portion 8f is not shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B because it is provided on the opposite side of the rotation restricted portion 8g.

  The process cartridge in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 by the positioned portions 8d and 8e and the rotation restricted portions 8f and 8g respectively provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. The position of P is determined.

  The regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 are as follows. 5 and 6 is retracted into the retracting portions 13h1, 13i1, 13j1, and 13k1 provided at the lower ends of the guide portions 13h to 13k serving as rotation restricting portions provided in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. .

  The regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 are retracted into the retracting portions 13h1 to 13k1, respectively. In the retracted position, the regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, 4k abut against the side surfaces of the guide portions 13h to 13k provided on the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, as shown in FIG. Not. Accordingly, the regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k do not interfere with the positioning of the process cartridge P with respect to the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13.

  FIG. 20 shows a state in which the developing roller 40 is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 when the process cartridge P is positioned on the drawer member 13 and the drawer member 13 is positioned in the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Yes. When the developing unit 4 moves relative to the drawer member 13 because the developing roller 40 is separated from the photosensitive drum 1, the regulated portions 4 j and 4 k also move relative to the drawer member 13. At this time, the retracting portions 13h1 and 13k1 are configured not to contact the restricted portions 4j and 4k so as not to disturb the movement of the restricted portions 4j and 4k.

<Installation operation of support member>
Next, an operation of mounting the drawer unit U1 provided with the drawer member 13 and the LED unit 3 in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the drawer unit U1 of the present embodiment is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the guided unit 13a-13d provided in the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is mounted on the drawer unit U1 as follows. 12 is mounted in the direction of the arrow D1 in FIG. 12 along the guide portions 14R and 14L provided on the inner wall surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the intermediate transfer belt 5 is retracted from the image forming position shown in FIG. 1 by opening the door 10 with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Therefore, when the drawer unit U1 is moved in the directions of arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. 12, there is no possibility that the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 are rubbed.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the door 10 is closed with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. By the operation of closing the door 10, the drum coupling member 25 and the developing coupling member 26 shown in FIG. 3 protrude from the inner wall surface of the image forming apparatus 100 main body and enter the drawer unit U1 side.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 5 descends in conjunction with the operation of closing the door 10. As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and receives pressure. Accordingly, the positioned portions 8d and 8e provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 are replaced with the positioning portions 13p and 13q provided in the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. Pressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the abutting portion 10 a 1 of the pressing member 10 a provided integrally with the door 10 is inserted into the concave portion 15 provided in the drawer member 13 and abuts against the wall surface of the concave portion 15. The drawer unit U1 is pressed in the left direction in FIG.

  As a result, the leading end portions 13a1 and 13b1 of the guided portions 13a and 13b of the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are the rear end portions 14R1 and 14L1 of the guide portions 14R and 14L that serve as the rotation restricting portions shown in FIGS. Abut.

  These operations determine the position of the drawer unit U1 in the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Further, the position of each process cartridge P accommodated in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is also determined.

<Rotation restriction when cartridge is installed>
Next, the configuration of the rotation restricting portion when the process cartridge P is mounted will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the LED unit 3 is erected on the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. The LED unit 3 is located below the process cartridge P mounted in the mounting portion 13f.

  The LED unit 3 serving as an image exposure member is as follows in the mounting direction of the process cartridge P indicated by the arrow a direction in FIG. The process cartridge P is erected on the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13 so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at a position where it overlaps (overlaps) the first and second frames 8 a and 4 a of the process cartridge P.

  When the process cartridge P is mounted on the mounting portion 13f of the drawer unit U1, it is necessary that the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P do not interfere with the LED unit 3.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, columnar regulated portions 8 j, 4 j, 8 k, and 4 k are projected from both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 has a guide as a rotation restricting portion comprising a groove portion where the outer peripheral surface of the restricted portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k abut on the wall surface. Parts 13h to 13k are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 13 (a), when the process cartridge P is to be mounted in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, a regulated object that protrudes from one end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIG. The parts 8k and 4k are as follows. The guide members 13j and 13k serving as rotation restricting portions provided in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 shown in FIG.

  At this time, the column-shaped regulated portions 8k and 4k provided to project from one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIG. 10 are rotation regulating portions provided on the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 shown in FIG. It penetrates into the groove portions of the guide portions 13j and 13k. The posture of the process cartridge P in the rotational direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 13 (a) when the outer peripheral surfaces of the columnar regulated portions 8k and 4k are slidably brought into contact with the wall surfaces of the groove portions of the guide portions 13j and 13k. Is positioned.

  Thereafter, the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 begin to overlap in the direction of arrow a in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the process cartridge P is mounted on the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. At that time, the regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 are regulated as follows.

  It is regulated by guide portions 13h to 13k as rotation regulating portions provided in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 shown in FIGS. Thereafter, the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 serving as an image exposure member start to overlap in the mounting direction of the process cartridge P indicated by the direction of arrow a in FIG. .

  FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the moment when the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P overlap with the LED unit 3 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. At this time, the regulated portions 8k and 4k provided to protrude from one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIG. 10 are already groove portions of the guide portions 13j and 13k provided in the drawer member 13 shown in FIG. The position is regulated by abutting against the wall surface.

  Therefore, even if the user applies a force to move the process cartridge P in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 13A while holding the process cartridge P, the process cartridge P is not shown in FIG. It does not rotate in the direction of arrow X. Thereby, there is no possibility that the first and second frame bodies 8a, 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 come into contact with each other.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13B, the LED unit 3 erected in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 is as follows. It is possible to approach the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 without coming into contact with the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P mounted in the mounting portion 13f.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the rotation restricted portions 8 f and 8 g of the present embodiment are configured to have an oval cross section projecting from both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P. The plane portions of the rotation restricted portions 8f and 8g are slidably brought into contact with the wall surfaces of the groove portions of the guide portions 13i and 13j as rotation restricting portions. This also serves as positioning of the rotational posture of the process cartridge P during image formation in the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

  Finally, the LED unit 3 is positioned between the LED unit 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 by bringing a spacing member such as a spacer into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 or a part of the first frame 8a. Can be performed with high accuracy.

  On the opposite side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P, the regulated portions 8j and 4j shown in FIG. 7 abut against the wall surfaces of the groove portions of the guide portions 13h and 13i shown in FIG. The LED unit 3 erected in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 is as follows. It is possible to approach the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 without coming into contact with the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P mounted in the mounting portion 13f.

  According to this embodiment, when the process cartridge P is mounted in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, the rotational posture of the process cartridge P with respect to the mounting portion 13f is positioned. Thereafter, the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 erected in the mounting portion 13f are mounted in the mounting direction of the process cartridge P (in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 13A). ). Thus, the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 do not collide when the user mounts the process cartridge P in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13.

  The present embodiment is an example in which the LED unit 3 is erected in the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. In addition, the image exposure member may be disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and the process cartridge P may be mounted from the upper side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by retracting the intermediate transfer belt 5 upward.

  In the present embodiment, an example of the process cartridge P configured to include the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 has been described. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 can be separately replaced.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the intermediate transfer belt 5 is provided as an example of the transfer target has been described. In addition, the recording material S to be transferred is conveyed to a position facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the conveying means, and the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is directly transferred to the recording material S. The present invention can also be applied in the configuration.

<Position restriction when cartridge is installed incorrectly>
Next, the configuration of the position restricting portion when the process cartridge P is erroneously mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. As shown in FIGS. 13A, 13 </ b> B, and 14, the LED unit 3 is erected on the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. The LED unit 3 is located below the process cartridge P mounted in the mounting portion 13f.

  The LED unit 3 serving as an image exposure member is as follows in the mounting direction of the process cartridge P indicated by the arrow a direction in FIG. The process cartridge P is erected on the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13 so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at a position where it overlaps (overlaps) the first and second frames 8 a and 4 a of the process cartridge P. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the upstream side of the light emitting surface 3a1 is opened with respect to the direction of the arrow a which is the mounting direction of the drawer member 13 to the mounting portion 13f of the process cartridge P.

  For this reason, when the process cartridge P is mounted on the mounting portion 13f of the drawer unit U1, the following must be considered. It is necessary that the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P do not interfere with the LED unit 3 even if the user misplaces the process cartridge P.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, columnar regulated portions 8 j, 4 j, 8 k, and 4 k are projected from both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 is provided with a restricting portion 13r that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the restricted portions 8j, 4j, 8k, 4k.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the restricting portion 13r provided in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 is provided on the upstream side of the mounting direction of the process cartridge P indicated by the arrow a in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the process cartridge P is to be mounted at the normal mounting position of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, the process is as follows. The column-shaped regulated portions 8k and 4k provided so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P are as follows. The guide member 13j is inserted (engaged) into the guide portions 13j and 13k made of a groove without contacting the restricting portion 13r made of the top end surface of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, and contacts the wall surface of the groove of the guide portions 13j and 13k. Can be guided and mounted while sliding.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13B, the LED unit 3 can be brought close to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 without coming into contact with the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P.

  However, as shown in FIG. 14, it is assumed that the user temporarily tries to mount the process cartridge P at a position (a shifted position) different from the normal mounting position of the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. That is, it is assumed that the regulated portions 8k and 4k are to be mounted at positions where they are not inserted (engaged) into the guide portions 13j and 13k.

  In that case, as shown in FIG. 14, the restriction parts 8 k, 4 k that are provided in a projecting manner at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P are the restriction parts formed by the top end face of the attachment part 13 f of the drawer member 13. It abuts on 13r and regulates its position. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the restricting portion 13r is provided on the drawer member 13 (support member), and when the process cartridge P (cartridge) is in a position where it does not engage with the guide portions 13j, 13k, the restricted portions 8k, It is configured to be able to regulate the position of 4k. The regulated portions 8k and 4k are provided on the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P. As described above, the regulated portions 8k and 4k may be arranged in either the photoreceptor unit 8 or the developing unit 4.

  This prevents the process cartridge P from entering the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13.

  As a result, the user can recognize that the process cartridge P cannot be mounted in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, and can remount the process cartridge P in the regular mounting position of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13.

  Although not shown in FIG. 14, the following is also performed on the opposite side of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction. Column-shaped regulated portions 8j and 4j provided protruding from the longitudinal end portion of the process cartridge P are in contact with the regulating portion 13r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13. This restricts further intrusion. The regulated portions 8j and 4j are provided on the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the restriction portions 8 j, 4 j, 8 k, and 4 k that are provided to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P are restriction portions that are formed from the top end surface of the attachment portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. 13r abuts. At this time, a gap G is set between the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 serving as an image exposure member.

  Therefore, if the user attempts to mount the process cartridge P at the wrong mounting position of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, the following is performed. The first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P do not come into contact with the LED unit 3, and damage to the LED unit 3 can be prevented.

  According to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the process cartridge P is mounted in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 having the LED unit 3 serving as an image exposure member. At this time, the LED unit 3 and the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P can be prevented from colliding with each other.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the regulated portion 8j and the regulated portion 4j are provided so as to sandwich the photosensitive drum 1 therebetween. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the regulated portion 8k and the regulated portion 4k are provided so as to sandwich the photosensitive drum 1 therebetween.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, in a state where the process cartridge P is mounted at the regular mounting position in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, the regulated portion 8j and the regulated portion 4j Are provided on both sides of the LED unit 3 serving as an image exposure member. Similarly, both the regulated portion 8k and the regulated portion 4k are provided on both sides of the LED unit 3 serving as an image exposure member.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the user tries to mount the process cartridge P at an incorrect position in the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. At that time, the regulated portion 8j and the regulated portion 4j shown in FIG. 7 abut against the regulating portion 13r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13. Then, the regulated portion 8k and the regulated portion 4k shown in FIG. 10 come into contact with the regulating portion 13r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13. Thereby, the rotation posture of the process cartridge P in the circumferential direction shown by the arrow X direction in FIG. 14 can also be regulated.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, a gap G can be reliably provided between the first and second frame bodies 8 a and 4 a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3.

  In addition, the structure which provided any one may be sufficient as the controlled part 8j and the controlled part 4j shown in FIG. Moreover, the structure which provided either one may be sufficient as the controlled part 8k and the controlled part 4k which are shown in FIG.

  That is, the user tries to mount the process cartridge P at an incorrect position in the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. At this time, if the operation of rotating the process cartridge P in the circumferential direction is not performed, a gap G is provided between the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, an example of the image forming apparatus 100 in which the LED unit 3 is erected in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 has been described. In addition, the image exposure member may be disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and the process cartridge P may be mounted by retracting the intermediate transfer belt 5 upward.

  In the present embodiment, an example of the process cartridge P including the photoconductor unit 8 and the developing unit 4 has been described. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 can be separately replaced as a cartridge. In this case, it is necessary to provide a restricting portion 13r that restricts the position of the cartridge of both the photosensitive unit 8 and the developing unit 4 or only the photosensitive unit 8.

  In the present embodiment, an example of the intermediate transfer belt 5 has been described as an example of the transfer body. In addition, a recording material S such as a sheet material serving as a transfer member is transported to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and a toner image (developer image) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is directly transferred to the recording material S. Even if it exists, it is applicable.

  Next, the configuration of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, what was comprised similarly to the said 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same member name even if the same code | symbol or a code | symbol differs, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In the first embodiment, the columnar regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k provided so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 are used. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the user tries to mount the process cartridge P at an incorrect position in the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. At that time, the outer peripheral surfaces of the regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k are brought into contact with the regulating portion 13r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13, and the position is regulated. Thus, an example in which the gap G is generated between the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 has been described.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the user tries to mount the process cartridge Q at an incorrect position in the mounting portion 113 f of the drawer member 113. At that time, only the regulated portions 108j and 108k having a substantially rectangular cross section provided so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q abut on the regulating portion 113r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113. Thus, the gap G is generated between the LED unit 3 and the first and second frames 108a and 104a of the process cartridge Q by preventing the process cartridge Q from being mounted. The regulated portion 108j is not shown in FIG. 15 because it is provided on the opposite side of the regulated portion 108k.

  The downstream ends of the regulated portions 108j and 108k in the mounting direction of the process cartridge Q indicated by the direction of arrow a in FIG. 15 are constituted by flat portions 108j1 and 108k1. On the other hand, the restricting portion 113r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113 is also constituted by the flat portion 113r1.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the user tries to mount the process cartridge Q at an incorrect position in the mounting portion 113 f of the drawer member 113. In this case, the flat portions 108j1 and 108k1 of the restricted portions 108j and 108k provided so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q are the flat portions of the restricting portion 113r formed from the top end surface of the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113. It abuts on 113r1. Then, the mounting of the process cartridge Q is blocked.

  In the present embodiment, the regulated portions 108j and 108k and the regulating portion 113r are in contact with each other of the planar portions 108j1 and 108k1 and the planar portion 113r1.

  The guide portions 113i and 113j, which are groove portions provided in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113 shown in FIG. 15, are as follows in the state where the process cartridge Q is mounted at the regular mounting position of the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113. It is. The process cartridge Q is configured as a rotation restricting portion that restricts the circumferential rotation posture of the process cartridge Q. The guide part 113i is not shown in FIG. 15 because it is provided on the opposite side of the guide part 113j.

  Then, regulated portions 108j and 108k are provided on the first frame 108a of the process cartridge Q so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q. The planar portions 108j2, 108j3, 108k2, and 108k3 of the regulated portions 108j and 108k are as follows. It is regulated by slidably coming into contact with the wall surfaces of the guide portions 113i and 113j formed of grooves serving as rotation restricting portions. As a result, the rotational orientation of the process cartridge Q in the circumferential direction is restricted.

  In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the gap G is set between the first and second frames 108a and 104a of the process cartridge Q and the LED unit 3.

  In the present embodiment, the downstream end in the mounting direction of the process cartridge Q (the direction of arrow a in FIG. 15) of the regulated portions 108j and 108k provided to protrude at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q is a flat portion. 108j1 and 108k1. Further, the restricting portion 113r formed from the top end surface of the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113 is defined as a flat portion 113r1.

  In the present embodiment, the regulated portions 108j and 108k may be provided one at a time on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q. The flat portions 108j1 and 108k1 of the restricted portions 108j and 108k provided to protrude at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q face the flat portion 113r1 of the restricting portion 113r formed from the top end surface of the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113. Abut.

  As a result, the rotational orientation of the process cartridge Q in the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow X direction in FIG. 15 is restricted. As a result, the process cartridge Q does not rotate in the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 15 with the plane portions 108j1 and 108k1 as the center of rotation, and the first and second frames 108a and 104a of the process cartridge Q are LED units. There is no fear of coming into contact with 3.

  According to the present embodiment, the regulated portions 108j and 108k may be provided one at each of the longitudinal ends of the process cartridge Q. Therefore, as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, guide portions 13 h and 13 k including groove portions for receiving the regulated portions 4 j and 4 k shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 are provided in the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. There is no need to provide it. Therefore, the rigidity of the drawer member 113 is improved, and vibrations and the like during image formation can be suppressed.

  In FIG. 15, 104 is a developing unit, 108 is a photosensitive unit, 108e is a positioned portion, 108g is a rotation restricted portion, 113q is a positioning portion, 113j is a guide portion, and 113j1 is a retracting portion. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.

  Next, the configuration of the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, what was comprised similarly to each said embodiment attaches | subjects the same member name even if the same code | symbol or a code | symbol differs, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In the first embodiment, the columnar regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k provided so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 are used. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the user tries to mount the process cartridge P at an incorrect position in the mounting portion 13 f of the drawer member 13. At that time, the outer peripheral surfaces of the regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k come into contact with the regulating portion 13r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13. This restricts the position. Thus, an example in which the gap G is generated between the first and second frame bodies 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 has been described.

  In the present embodiment, the rotational orientation of the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 16 of the process cartridge R mounted in the mounting portion 213f of the drawer member 213 is positioned. For this purpose, the rotation restricted portion 208g having an oval cross section provided so as to protrude from both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge R is brought into contact with the restriction portion 213r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 213f of the drawer member 213. This prevents the process cartridge R from being mounted. Thus, an example in which the gap G is generated between the first and second frames 208a and 4a of the process cartridge R and the LED unit 3 will be described. Since other configurations and operations are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the process cartridge R of this embodiment, the same developing unit 4 as that of the first embodiment is used. On the other hand, the photoconductor unit 208 is as follows in place of the columnar regulated portions 8j and 8k of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f having an oval cross section provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first frame 208a of the photosensitive unit 208 of the process cartridge R are used. The rotation restricted portion 208f is not shown in FIG. 16 because it is provided on the opposite side of the rotation restricted portion 208g.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the user temporarily mounts the process cartridge R at a position (a shifted position) different from the normal mounting position of the mounting portion 213 f of the drawer member 213. In this case, the rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f having an oval cross section provided to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge R abut on the restriction portion 213r formed of the top end surface of the mounting portion 213f of the drawer member 213. This prevents the process cartridge R from being mounted. Accordingly, the gap G is set to be generated between the LED unit 3 and the first and second frames 208a and 4a of the process cartridge R as in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the process cartridge R is as follows in a state where the process cartridge R is mounted at the regular mounting position of the mounting portion 213f of the drawer member 213. The rotation restricted portions 208f and 208g serving as restricted portions provided on the first and second frames 208a and 4a of the process cartridge R and the restricted portions 4j and 4k are respectively LEDs serving as image exposure members. It is provided on both sides of the unit 3. The rotation restricted portion 208f and the restricted portion 4j are not shown in FIG. 16 because they are provided on opposite sides of the rotation restricted portion 208f and the restricted portion 4k.

  The guide portions 213i and 213j formed of grooves provided in the mounting portion 213f of the drawer member 213 shown in FIG. 16 are as follows in a state where the process cartridge R is mounted at the regular mounting position of the mounting portion 213f of the drawer member 213. It is. The process cartridge R is configured as a rotation restricting portion for restricting the circumferential rotation posture indicated by the arrow X direction in FIG. The guide portion 213i is not shown in FIG. 16 because it is provided on the opposite side of the guide portion 213j.

  Then, the first frame body 208a of the process cartridge R is provided with rotation regulated portions 208f and 208g that serve as regulated portions projecting from both longitudinal ends of the process cartridge R. The flat portions 208f1, 208f2, 208g1, and 208g2 of the rotation restricted portions 208f and 208g are slidably brought into contact with the wall surfaces of the guide portions 213i and 213j that are groove portions serving as rotation restricting portions. As a result, the rotational orientation of the process cartridge R in the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow X direction in FIG. 16 is restricted. Note that the rotation restricted portion 208f serving as the restricted portion is not shown in FIG. 16 because it is provided on the opposite side of the rotation restricted portion 208g.

  In the present embodiment, the rotationally restricted portions 208g and 208f having an oval cross section provided so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor unit 208 are the cylindrical restricted portions of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Functions similar to 8j and 8k can be provided.

  Accordingly, the retracting portions 13j1 and 13i1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for preventing the mounting portion 213f of the drawer member 213 from coming into contact with the columnar restricted portions 8j and 8k of the first embodiment shown in FIG. There is no need to provide it. Thereby, the rigidity of the drawer member 213 is improved, and vibrations and the like during image formation can be suppressed.

  Note that, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the downstream end portions of the rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f can be flat portions. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide the regulated portions 4k and 4j for regulating the circumferential rotation posture of the process cartridge R indicated by the arrow X in FIG.

  In addition, the guide portions 213k and 213h including groove portions may not be provided in the mounting portion 213f of the drawer member 213. For this reason, the rigidity of the drawer member 213 is improved, and vibrations and the like during image formation can be suppressed. In FIG. 16, 208e is a rotation restricted portion, 213q is a positioning portion, 213j is a guide portion, and 213j1 is a retracting portion. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiments, and the same effects can be obtained.

  Next, the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, what was comprised similarly to the said 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same member name even if the same code | symbol or a code | symbol differs, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In the first embodiment, positioning is performed as follows using the column-shaped regulated portions 8j, 4j, 8k, and 4k provided to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS. . The rotational posture between the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 in the mounting portion 13f of the drawer member 13 is positioned.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, only the rotation restricted portions 108g and 108f having an elliptical cross section provided so as to protrude from both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive unit 108 of the process cartridge Q1 are positioned as follows. To do. The rotational posture between the process cartridge Q1 and the LED unit 3 in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113 is positioned.

  The rotation restricted portion 108f is provided at the end opposite to the rotation restricted portion 108g shown in FIG. 17 in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1, and is not shown in FIG. Since other configurations and operations are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, redundant description is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, when the process cartridge Q1 is to be mounted at the mounting position in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113, the process is as follows. A rotation restricted portion 108g having an oval cross section provided so as to protrude from one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1 is guided and mounted in a groove portion of a guide portion 113j (rotation restricting portion) provided in the drawer member 113. The

  At this time, the rotation restricted portion 108g enters the groove portion of the guide portion 113j (rotation restricting portion), and the posture in the rotation direction of the process cartridge Q1 indicated by the arrow X direction in FIG. 17 is positioned.

  The guide portion 113j (rotation restricting portion) provided in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113 of the present embodiment is configured by a groove portion provided along the mounting direction of the process cartridge Q1 indicated by the arrow a direction in FIG. . On the other hand, the rotation restricted portion 108g having an oval cross section provided so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1 is a plane portion having a width corresponding to the width of the groove portion of the guide portion 113j (rotation restricting portion). 108g1 and 108g2 are provided.

  Then, the rotation restricted portion 108g is inserted into the groove portion of the guide portion 113j (rotation restricting portion). The wall surface of the groove portion of the guide portion 113j (rotation restricting portion) and the flat portions 108g1 and 108g2 of the rotation restricted portion 108g are slidably contacted. As a result, the posture of the process cartridge Q1 in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow X direction in FIG. 17 is positioned.

  Thereafter, the first and second frames 108a and 4a of the process cartridge Q1 and the LED unit 3 start to overlap in the mounting direction of the process cartridge Q1 indicated by the arrow a in FIG.

  Note that, in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1, a rotation restricted portion 108f (not shown) on the side opposite to the rotation restricted portion 108g shown in FIG. 17 is a rotation restricting portion composed of a groove provided in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113. The same action is taken.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the rotationally restricted portion 108g having an elliptical cross section according to the present embodiment has flat portions 108g1 and 108g2. The planar portions 108g1 and 108g2 slidably contact the wall surface of the groove portion of the guide portion 113j (rotation restricting portion) to restrict the rotational position of the process cartridge Q1 in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG.

  FIG. 17 considers the first and second frames 108a and 4a of the process cartridge Q1. Further, consider the LED unit 3 erected in the mounting portion 113 f of the drawer member 113. 18 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the moment when the first and second frame bodies 108a, 4a and the LED unit 3 overlap each other in the mounting direction of the process cartridge Q1 indicated by the arrow a in FIG.

  At this time, the rotation restricted portion 108g having an oval cross section provided protruding from one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1 is a guide portion 113j (rotation restriction) formed of a groove provided in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113. Have already been regulated. Therefore, there is no possibility that the first and second frames 108a and 4a of the process cartridge Q1 and the LED unit 3 come into contact with each other as in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, the rotation restricted portion 108g having an oval cross section provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1 is as follows. 10 has the same operation as that of the rotation restricted portion 8g of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and also serves to position the rotational posture of the process cartridge Q1 during image formation in the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation restricted portions 108g and 108f having an oval cross section provided so as to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1 may be provided one by one. Thus, unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the guide members 13h and 13k including the groove portions shown in FIGS. The guide portions 13h and 13k receive columnar regulated portions 4j and 4k provided to protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P shown in FIGS.

  Thereby, the rigidity of the drawer member 113 is improved, and vibrations and the like during image formation can be suppressed. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.

  Next, the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, what was comprised similarly to each said embodiment attaches | subjects the same member name even if the same code | symbol or a code | symbol differs, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the positioning is performed by using the rotation regulated portions 108g and 108f having an oval cross section protruding at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1. The rotation restricted portions 108g and 108f position the rotational posture between the process cartridge Q1 and the LED unit 3 in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113.

  In the present embodiment, the first frame body 208a of the photoconductor unit 208 is provided with a gripping portion 77 for the user to grip the process cartridge R1 and mount it on the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113. The first frame 208a has rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f having an oval cross section projecting from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge R1. Since other configurations and operations are configured in the same manner as in each of the above-described embodiments, a duplicate description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the process cartridge R1 of the present embodiment, the same developing unit 4 as that of the first embodiment is used. On the other hand, the photoconductor unit 208 is provided with rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f configured similarly to the rotation restricted portions 108g and 108f of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

  The rotation restricted portion 208f is provided at the end opposite to the rotation restricted portion 208g shown in FIG. 18 in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge R1, and is not shown in FIG. Further, a gripping portion 77 is provided so as to protrude from an upper corner portion of the first frame 208a of the photoconductor unit 208 of the present embodiment.

  When the user mounts the process cartridge R1 in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113, the user grips and mounts the grip portion 77. The gripping portion 77 is provided integrally with the first frame body 208a, or a gripping portion 77 separate from the first frame body 208a is fixed to the first frame body 208a. I can do it. As a result, the distance between the rotation restricted portions 208g, 208f provided on the first frame 208a and the grip portion 77 does not change.

  Assume that the gripping portion 77 is provided on the second frame 4 a of the developing unit 4, and the rotation restricted portions 208 g and 208 f are provided on the first frame 208 a of the photosensitive unit 208. In that case, the user mounts the process cartridge R1 in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113.

  At that time, a gripping portion 77 provided on the second frame 4 a of the developing unit 4 is gripped and a force is applied to the gripping portion 77. At that time, the position between the rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f provided on the first frame 208a of the photosensitive unit 208 and the gripping portion 77 provided on the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4 Changes. As a result, the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4 of the process cartridge R1 and the LED unit 3 may come into contact with each other.

  However, as in the present embodiment, the gripping portion 77 and the rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f are provided on the same first frame 208a. As a result, the user mounts the process cartridge R1 in the mounting portion 113f of the drawer member 113. At that time, a gripping portion 77 provided on the first frame 208 a of the photoconductor unit 208 is gripped and a force is applied to the gripping portion 77.

  At that time, the position between the rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f provided on the first frame 208a of the photosensitive unit 208 and the gripping portion 77 does not change. As a result, there is no possibility that the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4 of the process cartridge R1 and the LED unit 3 come into contact with each other.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, an example in which the gripping portion 77 is provided on the first frame 208a of the photoconductor unit 208 and the rotation restricted portions 208g and 208f are provided on the first frame 208a will be described. did. In addition, the gripping portion 77 and the rotation restricted portion may be provided on the second frame 4 a of the developing unit 4. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiments, and the same effects can be obtained.

  The process cartridges P, Q, and R described in the first to fifth embodiments are all cartridges including the photosensitive drum 1, the developing roller 40, and the toner container 41. However, the configuration of the cartridge is not limited thereto. I can't. The cartridge according to the first to fifth embodiments may include any one of the photosensitive drum 1 or the developing roller 40 or the toner container 41 as a rotating body. In the case where the cartridge does not include the photosensitive drum 1, the drawer members 13, 113, and 213 may include the photosensitive drum 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the process cartridges R1, P (cartridge) are mounted on the mounting portions 13f, 113F of the drawer members 13, 113 (support member). In this state, the developing roller 40 (developing member) is configured to be movable between a position where it abuts on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier) and a position separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier). Is done.

G: Gap P, PY, PM, PC, PK, Q, Q1, R, R1 ... Process cartridge (cartridge)
1 ... Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
3 ... LED unit (image exposure member)
3a1 ... light emitting surface 4a ... second frame bodies 4j, 4k ... regulated portion (rotation regulated portion)
8a ... 1st frame 8j, 8k ... Restricted part (rotation restricted part)
13 ... Drawer member (support member)
13f ... Mounting portion 13r ... Restricting portions 13h-13k ... Guide portion (rotation restricting portion)

Claims (12)

A cartridge having at least an image carrier;
A support member movable between an inner position located inside the main body of the image forming apparatus and an outer position located outside the main body of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge supported;
A mounting portion provided on the support member and capable of mounting the cartridge from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the image carrier;
An image exposure member that is provided in the mounting portion and emits light from the light emitting surface toward the image carrier to form a latent image on the image carrier;
A guide portion that is provided on the support member and engages the cartridge to guide the cartridge so that the cartridge moves toward the mounting portion;
A regulated portion provided on the frame,
A restricting portion provided on the support member and capable of restricting a position of the restricted portion when the cartridge is in a position not engaged with the guide portion;
Have
The support member is open on the upstream side of the light emitting surface with respect to the mounting direction of the cartridge to the mounting portion, and the regulated portion contacts the regulating portion to regulate the position of the regulated portion. In this case, a gap is formed between the frame and the light emitting surface.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulated portion and the regulating portion are in contact with each other on a plane portion.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restricted portion is provided on both sides of the image exposure member in a state where the cartridge is attached to the attachment portion. . In a state where the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, a rotation restricting portion for restricting the rotational posture of the cartridge in the circumferential direction is provided.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restricted portion is restricted by the rotation restricting portion to restrict a rotational posture of the cartridge in a circumferential direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a developing member that supplies toner to the image carrier.   6. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the developing member is movable to a position in contact with the image carrier and a position separated from the image carrier in a state where the cartridge is attached to the mounting portion. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image exposure member includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a rotation axis direction of the image carrier. A cartridge,
A support member movable between an inner position located inside the main body of the image forming apparatus and an outer position located outside the main body of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge supported;
A mounting portion provided on the support member and capable of mounting the cartridge from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
An image exposure member provided in the mounting portion and forming a latent image on the image carrier;
A rotation restricted portion provided in the frame,
A rotation restricting portion that is provided in the mounting portion and positions the rotation posture of the cartridge in contact with the rotation restricted portion;
Have
The frame body and the image exposure member start to overlap in the mounting direction of the cartridge after the rotation restricted portion is restricted by the rotation restricting portion when the cartridge is attached to the attachment portion. Image forming apparatus. The rotation restricting portion is configured by a groove provided along the mounting direction of the cartridge.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rotation restricted portion includes a flat portion having a width corresponding to a width of the groove portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotation restricted portion also serves as positioning of a rotation posture of the cartridge during image formation. The cartridge has a developing member provided to face the image carrier,
The cartridge is configured such that a first frame that supports the image carrier and a second frame that supports the developing member are movable relative to each other.
The rotation restricted portion is provided on either the first frame or the second frame, and the frame provided with the rotation restricted portion grips the cartridge and holds the cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a grip portion for mounting on the mounting portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cartridge includes a developing member that supplies toner to the image carrier.

Images