JP2019049761A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To cause an apparatus body to support a cartridge in association with an operation to move a moving member having the cartridge attached thereto to the inside of the apparatus body.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body; a cartridge that includes a supported part; a moving member that can move with respect to the apparatus body while having the cartridge attached thereto to take an external position and an internal position; a body-side positioning part that is provided in the apparatus body to support the supported part when the moving member is at the internal position; and an upward inclined part that is provided on the apparatus body and inclined upward toward a movement direction in which the moving member moves from the external position to the internal position. The upward inclination part moves the cartridge upward with respect to the moving member in the course of the movement of the moving member from the external position to the internal position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.

  In the image forming apparatus, there is known an image forming apparatus in which a photosensitive drum, a process unit acting on the photosensitive drum, and the like are formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body.

  Among them, for example, there is one in which the tray is provided movably with respect to the apparatus main body in order to facilitate the insertion of the cartridge into the apparatus main body. In the state where the cartridge is supported by the tray, the insertion and removal of the tray from the apparatus main body is realized by inserting or pulling out the tray from the apparatus main body (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body is required to have high positional accuracy to improve the image quality. According to the prior art described above, in order to improve the positional accuracy of the cartridge, the tray is separated from the process cartridge after the main body is inserted, and the cartridge is supported by the support portion provided on the apparatus main body. At this time, it is known that a link mechanism interlocked with the opening and closing of the door is provided to separate the tray from the cartridge, and the tray is retracted vertically downward.

JP 2007-213018 A

  However, according to the prior art described above, in order to support the process cartridge on the support portion of the apparatus main body, it is necessary to dispose a link mechanism in the image forming apparatus which retracts the tray in conjunction with the closing operation of the door. . The configuration of the image forming apparatus may be complicated, which may require cost, or the size of the apparatus may be increased.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to simplify an image forming apparatus. That is, an object of the present invention is to support the cartridge on the apparatus body in accordance with an operation of moving the moving member mounted with the cartridge into the inside of the apparatus body.

  In a typical configuration of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, provided in an apparatus main body, a cartridge including a supported part, and the apparatus main body, the supported part is supported. And the main body side positioning portion for positioning the cartridge at a position where image formation is possible, and the cartridge mounted and moved relative to the apparatus main body in a state where the cartridge is mounted, the cartridge being external to the apparatus main body A moving member capable of taking an external position and an internal position inside the device main body and positioning the cartridge by the main body side positioning portion, provided on the device main body, the moving member from the external position An upper inclined portion inclined upward toward the moving direction to move to the inner position, the upper inclined portion being the moving member being the outer side It placed al in contact with the cartridge in the process of moving toward the inner position, and moving upward relative to the moving member to said cartridge.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the cartridge can be supported by the apparatus main body along with the operation of moving the moving member mounted with the cartridge into the inside of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge applicable to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the mounting operation of the process cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the mounting operation of the process cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the main body guide shape based on 1st embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the process cartridge attaching operation to the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the process cartridge mounting operation to the image forming apparatus main body according to the third embodiment.

First Embodiment
Next, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a process cartridge is detachably mounted on an apparatus main body and an image is formed on a recording medium will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Here, the image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic forming process. Examples of the image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, a facsimile machine, and a word processor. Further, a recording medium is one on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, and includes, for example, paper, an OHT sheet, and the like.

<Overall configuration of device>
The outline of the image forming apparatus will be described. First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus main body will be described using FIG. 1 and the outline of the process cartridge will be described using FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge at the time of image formation.

  An outline of the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a process cartridge 20 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 10. A scanner unit 30 is disposed on the top of the process cartridge 20 mounted on the apparatus main body 10.

  The recording medium 60 stored in the feeding unit is fed in the feeding direction P by the sheet feeding roller 70 that rotates counterclockwise. Then, the recording medium 60 is sent from the conveyance roller 80 to the photosensitive drum 40 and the transfer roller 90. Here, the developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 is transferred to the recording medium 60 by applying a bias to the transfer roller 90. Subsequently, the recording medium 60 to which the developer image has been transferred is sent to the fixing unit 160 and is heated and pressurized. Thus, the developer image is fixed to the recording medium 60. The recording medium 60 on which the developer image is fixed is discharged onto the upper portion of the discharge tray 120 by the discharge roller 110.

  Next, the outline of the operation inside the process cartridge 20 will be described with reference to FIG. Inside the process cartridge 20, the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 is charged by the charging roller 240 at the time of image formation. At this time, the laser beam L of the scanner unit 30 is reflected by the mirror 180, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 is scanned and exposed according to the image information. As a result, electrostatic latent images are sequentially formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 50 in the developing unit 220, and a visible image (developer image) by the developer 100 is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. The photosensitive drum 40 is an image carrier that carries a developer. The developing roller 50 is a developer carrying member that carries a developer and develops a latent image (electrostatic latent image) formed on the photosensitive drum 40 to form a developer image.

  The visible image by the developer 100 formed on the photosensitive drum 40 is transferred to the recording medium 60. On the other hand, the developer 10 left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 without being transferred at the transfer position is scraped off by the cleaning blade 210 and stored in the cleaning unit 230.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body 10, and the outline of the mounting operation of the process cartridge 20 will be described with reference to FIG. In order to improve operability when the user replaces the process cartridge 20, the process cartridge 20 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 10 while being supported by the tray 130 which can slide relative to the apparatus main body 10. As the process cartridge 20 is imaged, the developer 100 contained in the developing unit 220 in the process cartridge 20 is consumed. When the developer 100 is consumed, the process cartridge 20 needs to be replaced. The method of replacing the process cartridge 20 in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is a method in which the process cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the tray 130 in the direction of arrow F. The tray 130 is a moving member (cartridge support member) which moves relative to the apparatus main body 10 in a state where the process cartridge 20 is mounted.

  When the user mounts the process cartridge 20 in the apparatus main body 10, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, the user opens the door 140 of the apparatus main body 10 and withdraws the tray 130, the process cartridge 20 from diagonally above. On the tray 130. The door 140 is an opening and closing member that opens and closes the opening of the apparatus main body 10 into which the tray 130 is inserted.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3B, the tray 130 on which the process cartridge 20 is mounted is inserted in the direction of the arrow G. When the insertion of the tray 130 into the apparatus main body 10 is completed as shown in FIG. 3C, the mounting of the process cartridge 20 into the apparatus main body 10 is simultaneously completed. Finally, by closing the door 140 as shown in FIG. 3D, the mounting operation of the process cartridge 20 to the apparatus main body 10 is completed. The user can withdraw the process cartridge 20 from the apparatus body 10 in the reverse operation.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B show the state where the tray 130 is at the external position (first position) outside the apparatus main body 10. When the tray 130 is in the external position, the process cartridge 20 can be attached to and detached from the tray 130.

  FIGS. 3C and 3D show the state where the tray 130 is at the internal position (second position) inside the apparatus main body 10. When the tray 130 is in the internal position, the process cartridge 20 is positioned by the apparatus main body 10 to make the process cartridge 20 ready for image formation. That is, the tray 130 arranges the process cartridge 20 at a position where image formation is possible at the internal position.

  Next, the operation of inserting the tray 130 on which the process cartridge 20 is loaded and the process cartridge 20 into the apparatus main body 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (f).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the process cartridge 20, a pair of first positioned portions 22 for positioning the process cartridge 20 with respect to the tray 130 is provided on the side wall of the process cartridge 20.

  In the process cartridge 20, a second positioned portion 21 and a third positioned portion 23 for positioning the main body guides 150 and 200 provided in the apparatus main body 10 are provided on the side wall of the process cartridge 20. Each one is provided one by one.

  The second positioned portion 21 and the third positioned portion 23 are supported by the apparatus main body when the process cartridge 20 is mounted to the apparatus main body (when the tray 130 is moved to the internal position). It is the supported part comprised.

  The main body guides 150 and 200 are main body side cartridge guides for guiding the cartridge 20 to be mounted on the apparatus main body 10 by supporting the second positioned portion 21 and the third positioned portion 23.

  Main body guides 150 and 200 are fixedly provided to the apparatus main body 10 and support the process cartridge 20 at the time of image formation. In order to smoothly support the process cartridge 20 inserted into the apparatus main body 10 on the main body guides 150 and 200, the main body guide is provided with a first slope 151 and a third slope 201, respectively.

  On the other hand, the tray 13 is a second position (internal position) inserted into the apparatus main body 10 of FIG. 4 (f) from a first position (external position) pulled out of the apparatus main body 10 of FIG. It is movable up to. Further, the door 140 is provided on the apparatus body 10 so as to be openable and closable by the user, and when the tray 130 is pulled out to the outside of the apparatus body 10 by opening, the door 140 serves as a support member for supporting the tray 130.

<Installation Process of Process Cartridge>
Next, the mounting operation of the process cartridge 20 inside the apparatus main body 10 will be described. When mounting the process cartridge 20 to the apparatus main body 10, first, as shown in FIG. 4A, the process cartridge 20 is placed on the tray 130 drawn to the first position above the door 140.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the process cartridge 20 and the tray 130 are engaged with the first positioning portion 22 and the slit 135 of the tray 130. However, since the width of the slit 135 is wider than the width of the first positioned portion 22, the process cartridge 20 can move in the tray 130 in the front-rear direction of the insertion of the tray 20 into the apparatus main body 10.

  Next, when the tray 130 on which the process cartridge 20 is loaded is inserted into the apparatus main body 10, the second positioning portion (protrusion) 21 of the process cartridge 20 is attached to the apparatus main body 10 as shown in FIG. It contacts with the first slope 151 of the provided body guide 150. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4C, there is a gap between the first contact surface 131 of the tray 130 and the second portion 22 of the process cartridge 20. If there is a gap, the process cartridge 20 resists the first slope 151 and does not follow the movement of the tray 130.

  However, as shown in FIG. 4D, with the first abutment surface 131 of the tray 130 and the first positioning portion (projection) 22 of the process cartridge 20 in contact with each other, the tray 130 is at the back of the apparatus main body 10. Push down. Then, the process cartridge 20 is pushed by the first contact surface 131. At this time, a gap is formed between the second abutment surface 132 and the first positioned portion 22 (the second abutment surface 132 and the first positioned portion 22 are not in contact with each other).

  The first abutment surface 131 of the tray 130 applies a force to the first positioned portion 22 of the process cartridge 20 to move the process cartridge 20 toward the inside of the apparatus main body 10. It is. The first positioned portion 22 is a force receiving portion that receives a force from the tray 130 (first abutment surface 131).

  When the process cartridge 20 is pushed by the first abutment surface 131, the second positioned portion 21 provided on the process cartridge 20 starts to move on the first slope 151. At the same time, the third positioned portion 23 of the process cartridge 20 also moves on the third inclined surface 201 of the main assembly guide 200. Here, the first slope 151 and the third slope 201 are inclined upward toward the moving direction (see arrow G in FIG. 3B) in which the first support member moves from the external position toward the internal position. It is an upward slope.

  Therefore, the process cartridge 20 moves upward along the first slope 151 and the third 201 in the process of moving the tray 130 from the outside position to the inside position. The process cartridge 20 is lifted relative to the tray 130 (the process cartridge 20 moves upward relative to the tray 130). As a result, a member supporting the process cartridge 20 (a member mainly receiving the weight of the process cartridge 20) is switched from the tray 130 to the main body guide 150 and the main body guide 200.

  A plurality of upper inclined portions may be provided in the apparatus main body 10 so as to correspond to the plurality of supported portions (the second positioned portion 21 and the third positioned portion 23) provided in the process cartridge 20. The first slope 151 is provided downstream of the third slope 201 (right side in FIG. 4D) in the moving direction (arrow G in FIG. 3B) in which the moving member moves to the inner position. It is a side upper inclined part (first upper inclined part). On the other hand, the third slope 201 is an upstream upper sloping portion (second upper sloping portion) provided on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 4D) than the first slope 151 in the moving direction. is there. When the tray 130 is further pushed to the rear side of the apparatus main body 10, the second positioning portion (protrusion) 21 of the process cartridge 20 reaches the second slope 152 as shown in FIG. 4 (f). Then, the second positioning portion 21 of the process cartridge 20 slides down on the second slope 152 due to the weight of the process cartridge 2. The position of the process cartridge 20 in the apparatus main body 10 is determined when the second positioned portion 21 contacts the abutting surface 153 of the main body guide 150 provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 10. That is, the second inclined surface 152 and the abutting surface 153 are the main body side positioning portions for positioning the second positioning portion 21. That is, the V-shaped groove formed by the abutting surface 153 and the second inclined surface 152 supports the supported portion (second positioned portion 21) of the process cartridge 20. As a result, the process cartridge 20 is placed at a position where image formation is possible (the process cartridge 20 is positioned).

  The abutment surface 153 and the second inclined surface 152 are the main body side positioning portion (first main body side positioning portion) by supporting the supported portion. When the positioning of the process cartridge 20 is performed by the main body side positioning portion (the abutment surface 153, the second inclined portion 152), the positioning of the photosensitive drum 40 provided on the process cartridge 20 is also performed. That is, the photosensitive drum 40 is also disposed at a position where image formation is possible. That is, the photosensitive drum 40 is at a position where the latent image is formed by receiving the laser beam from the scanner unit 30 (see FIG. 1).

  Note that the process cartridge 20 (the second positioned portion 21) moves downward (is lowered) by the second inclined surface 152. However, the lowering amount thereof is smaller than the raising amount by which the process cartridge 20 (the second positioned portion 21) is raised by the first slope 151. Therefore, in the state where the process cartridge 20 is positioned in the apparatus main body 10, at least a part thereof is held in a state of being lifted with respect to the tray 130 (see FIG. 4F).

  Further, the tray 130 comes in contact with the abutment portion 11 provided at the back side of the apparatus main body 10 with the tip end portion 133, and the position in the apparatus main body 10 is determined. The tray 130 is in the internal position (second position). At this time, since the process cartridge 20 slides down the second slope by its own weight as described above, the force receiving portion (first positioned portion 22) of the process cartridge 20 and the pressing portion (first abutting surface) of the tray 130 131) are spaced apart.

  Therefore, the process cartridge 20 is supported only by the main body guides 150 and 200, and there is no contact or interference with other members, and image formation can be performed in a stable position.

  The main assembly guide 200 supports the third portion 23 to be positioned, thereby suppressing rotation of the process cartridge 20 about the second portion 21 to be positioned. That is, by supporting the supported portion (third positioned portion 23) of the process cartridge 20, the main body guide 200 also positions the process cartridge in a state (position) in which an image can be formed. At the same time as the main body side cartridge guide for guiding the mounting of the process cartridge 20, the main body guide 200 doubles as a main body side positioning portion (second main body side positioning portion) for positioning the process cartridge.

  In the present embodiment, when the user inserts the tray 130 into the inside of the apparatus main body 10, the process cartridge 20 can be supported and positioned by the apparatus main body 10 (main body guides 150 and 200).

  That is, it is not necessary to retract (release) the tray 130 from the process cartridge 20 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 10 as in the prior art. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the opening and closing of the door 10 and the tray 130 in the apparatus main body 10, and the size of the apparatus main body 10 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the tray 130 is inserted into the apparatus main body 10, the cartridge 20 is supported by the apparatus main body 10 (main body guides 150 and 200) even when the door 10 is open (FIG. 3C). , Is positioned.

  Of the second to-be-positioned portion 21 and the third to-be-positioned portion 23 which are the supported portions of the process cartridge, the second to-be-positioned portion 21 is downstream in the moving direction in which the tray 130 moves toward the internal position. Located on the side (right side of FIG. 4 (f)). That is, the second portion to be positioned 21 is the downstream supported portion (first supported portion). On the other hand, the third positioned portion 23 is an upstream supported portion (second supported portion) positioned upstream (left side) of the second positioned portion 21 in the movement direction.

<Drawing operation of process cartridge>
Next, an operation of pulling out the process cartridge 20 from the inside of the apparatus main body 10 will be described.

  Since the basic operation is the reverse operation at the time of mounting, it will be described using FIG. 4 as at the time of mounting. Since the process cartridge 20 in the mounted state as shown in FIG. 4F is separated from the tray 130, the process cartridge 20 does not move at the beginning of the pulling of the tray 130. However, when the tray 130 is pulled out in a state where the second abutment portion 132 of the tray 130 abuts on the first positioned portion 22 of the process cartridge 20, the process cartridge 20 follows the movement of the tray 130. At this time, a gap is provided between the first contact portion 131 and the first positioned portion 22 (the first contact portion 131 and the first positioned portion 22 are separated).

  The second contact portion 132 applies the force of the force receiving portion (first positioned portion 22) of the process cartridge when the tray 130 moves toward the external position (first position). The second force application unit moves the cartridge to the outside of the apparatus main body 10.

  As the process cartridge 20 is pushed from the second contact portion 132, the second positioned portion 21 starts to climb the second slope 152 of the main body guide 150. At this time, the process cartridge 20 is supported by the body guides 150 and 200. When the tray 130 is further pulled out, as shown in FIG. 4D, the first positioned portion 22 and the third positioned portion 23 of the process cartridge 20 are the first slope 151 of the main body guide 150, and the main body Each slides down the third slope 201 of the guide 200. The support portion for supporting the process cartridge 20 is switched from the apparatus main body 10 (main body guides 150 and 200) to the tray 130.

  The process cartridge 20 supported by the tray 130 is pulled out together with the tray 130 to the first position (external position) which can be attached and detached from the apparatus main body 10 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the insertion and removal path of the tray 20 is substantially horizontal.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the description of the first slope 151 and the second slope 152 of the main body guide 150 will be supplemented.

  The first inclined surface 151 is an upper inclined portion inclined upward toward the moving direction (see arrow G in FIG. 3) in which the tray 130 moves from the first position (external position) to the second position (internal position) It is. When mounting the process cartridge 20 to the apparatus main body 10, the user inserts the tray 130 as described above, and the first contact portion 131 pushes the first positioned portion 22 of the process cartridge 2, thereby the process cartridge 20 climbs the first slope 151. Therefore, the smaller the angle α between the first slope 151 and the horizontal surface, the smaller the resistance when inserting the process cartridge 20 and the smaller the user's operation force.

  On the other hand, when the second positioned portion 21 of the process cartridge 20 reaches the second slope 152, the process cartridge 20 slides down the second slope 152. That is, the larger the angle β between the second inclined surface 152 and the horizontal surface, the more stably the process cartridge 20 is positioned on the apparatus body 10 when the tray 130 is in the second position.

Therefore,
α (the angle between the first slope and the horizontal plane) <β (the angle between the second slope and the horizontal plane)
And By establishing such a relationship, the process cartridge 20 can be easily inserted into the apparatus main body 10 at the time of insertion, and the position with respect to the apparatus main body 10 can be stabilized at the time of image formation.

  The second inclined surface 152 is a downward inclined portion which inclines downward in the moving direction in which the tray 130 moves from the first position (external position) to the second position (internal position). In the second slope 152, after the second portion to be positioned 21 (supported portion) passes through the first slope 151 (upper inclined portion), before being supported by the abutment surface 153 (main body side positioning portion) The second positioned portion 21 is guided toward the abutting surface 131.

  Although an example using a so-called integral type process cartridge in which the developing unit 220 and the cleaning unit 230 are integrated has been described, the present invention is not limited to the case where an integral type process cartridge is used. For example, the developing unit 220 and the cleaning unit 230 may be separately cartridge-formed and mounted on the apparatus main body. Further, although an example in which one process cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body has been described, the present invention is not limited to the case where one process cartridge is used for the apparatus main body.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

  The basic configuration of the apparatus in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted, and here, the configuration that is the feature of this embodiment will be described. Further, members having the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second inclined surface 152 as shown in FIG. 5B is not provided in the main body guide 150. That is, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the second positioned portion (protrusion) 21 of the process cartridge 20 is brought into contact with the abutting surface 153 of the main body guide 150 using the spring 170 from the top of the process cartridge 20. It is urged to touch. The spring 170 is a biasing portion that biases the supported portion (second positioned portion 21) provided in the process cartridge 20 toward the main body side positioning portion (abutment surface 153).

  By biasing the second portion 21 by the spring 170, the position of the process cartridge 20 is stabilized relative to the apparatus main body 10 regardless of the weight of the process cartridge 20 in the first embodiment. It is possible to Also in the first embodiment, it is possible to more reliably fix the position by adding the same biasing portion (spring 170) as in the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the spring 170 is disposed at the top of the process cartridge 20. However, the spring 170 may be disposed at the bottom of the process cartridge 20.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The basic configuration of the apparatus in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted, and here, the configuration that is the feature of this embodiment will be described. Further, members having the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, the process cartridge 20 is guided by the slope portion when moving inside the apparatus main body 10 and moves substantially horizontally without moving in the vertically upward direction. . On the other hand, when the tray 130 moves in the apparatus main body 10, it vertically moves in the vertical direction to support or separate the process cartridge 20 and the tray 130 from each other.

  The specific configuration will be described below. As shown in FIG. 7A, a convex portion 134 is provided at the bottom of the tray 13, and a concave portion 12 is provided in the apparatus main body 10 so as to correspond to the convex portion 134.

  In FIG. 7A, the process cartridge 20 is supported by the tray 130 and follows the movement of the tray 130. When the tray 130 is inserted into the apparatus main body 10 as shown in FIG. 7B, the convex part 134 of the tray 130 moves along the concave part 12 of the apparatus main body, and the tray 130 moves downward. When the convex portion 134 is fitted in the concave portion 12, the tray 130 is separated downward with respect to the process cartridge 20, so that the support portion for supporting the process cartridge 20 is switched from the tray 130 to the body guides 150 and 200.

  In the present embodiment, the recess 12 is a part of a guide (main body side moving member guide) for guiding the cartridge tray 130 to move toward the internal position (second position). The recess 12 (main body side moving member guide) lowers the tray 130 while the tray 130 moves toward the internal position. Thereby, the recess 12 (main body side moving member guide) functions to transfer the process cartridge 20 from the state supported by the tray 130 to the state supported by the apparatus main body 10 (main body guides 150 and 200).

  Further, when the tray 130 is pressed, the tip end portion 133 of the tray 130 and the abutting portion 11 of the apparatus main body 10 contact with each other, and the mounting of the tray 130 to the apparatus main body 10 is completed. At this time, the process cartridge 20 is urged by the spring 170 to abut on the main assembly guide 150, and the process cartridge 20 and the tray 130 are separated. In the third embodiment, since the process cartridge 20 does not have to climb the slope of the support member provided on the main body in the insertion and removal trajectory, when the weight of the process cartridge 20 is heavy, compared to the first embodiment. It is possible to reduce the user's operation power.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 apparatus main body 20 process cartridge 21 2nd to-be-positioned part 23 3rd to-be-positioned part 130 tray 150 main body guide 151 1st slope 152 2nd slope 153 abutment surface 200 main body guide 201 main body guide 201 3rd slope F Tray insertion direction G Tray withdrawal direction

In a typical configuration of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, a supported portion, a photosensitive drum carrying a developer image, or a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with a developer and can accommodate apparatus main cartridge including a developing roller therein for developing, said cartridge having a supported portion, provided in the apparatus main body, an image forming the cartridge by supporting the supported portion A device-side positioning unit for positioning at a position where the device can be positioned, an external position outside the device body to move the cartridge by moving the device relative to the device body with the cartridge mounted, and the device A moving member capable of taking an internal position inside the main body and positioning the cartridge by the main body side positioning portion;
A first force application unit provided on the moving member to apply a force to a force receiving portion of the cartridge to move the cartridge into the inside of the apparatus main body; and the moving member moves from the outer position to the inner side In the process of moving toward the position, while the cartridge remains in contact with the first force applying portion, the moving member moves in the moving direction of moving from the external position to the internal position,
The first force application portion and the force receiving portion are separated when the moving member is at the inner position, and the force receiving portion is the force receiving portion when the moving member is at the inner position. Are disposed downstream of the first force application unit with respect to the moving direction as compared with when receiving a force from the first force application unit .

Claims (17)

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
The device body,
A cartridge having a supported portion,
A main body side positioning portion provided in the apparatus main body to position the cartridge at a position where an image can be formed by supporting the supported portion;
The cartridge is moved with respect to the apparatus main body in a state where the cartridge is mounted, whereby the external position where the cartridge is attached and detached and the internal position of the apparatus main body where the cartridge is positioned on the main body side A movable member capable of taking an internal position to be positioned by the unit;
An upper inclined portion provided in the device body and inclined upward in a moving direction in which the moving member moves from the external position to the internal position;
Have
The upper inclined portion contacts the cartridge in the process of moving the moving member from the outside position to the inside position, thereby moving the cartridge upward with respect to the moving member. Forming device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper inclined portion contacts the supported portion to move the cartridge upward. The apparatus main body includes a main body side cartridge guide for guiding the supported portion to the main body side positioning portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the upper inclined portion is provided in the main body side cartridge guide. The device body has a downward inclined portion inclined downward toward the movement direction,
The lower inclined portion contacts the supported portion before the supported portion passes through the upper inclined portion and before the position is determined by the main body side positioning portion, thereby positioning the supported portion on the main body side The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is guided toward the unit.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount by which the supported portion moves upward by the upper inclined portion is larger than the amount by which the supported portion moves downward by the lower inclined portion. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an angle formed by the upper inclined portion and the horizontal plane is α, and an angle formed by the lower inclined portion and the horizontal plane is β. . The device body includes an opening and closing member that opens and closes an opening into which the moving member is inserted,
7. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cartridge is positioned at the main body side positioning portion while the opening and closing member is opened by moving the moving member from the external position to the internal position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The cartridge includes a first supported portion as the supported portion, and a second supported portion positioned upstream of the first supported portion in the movement direction relative to the first supported portion.
8. The apparatus body according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of the upper inclined portion and the main body side positioning portion are provided corresponding to the first supported portion and the second supported portion. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
The device body,
A cartridge having a supported portion,
A main body side positioning portion provided in the apparatus main body to position the cartridge at a position where an image can be formed by supporting the supported portion;
The cartridge is moved with respect to the apparatus main body in a state where the cartridge is mounted, whereby the external position where the cartridge is attached and detached and the internal position of the apparatus main body where the cartridge is positioned on the main body side A movable member capable of taking an internal position to be positioned by the unit;
An opening / closing member provided in the device body for opening / closing an opening into which the moving member is inserted;
Have
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body side positioning portion positions the cartridge while the opening and closing member is opened by moving the moving member from the external position to the internal position. The apparatus main body has a main body side cartridge guide for guiding the cartridge toward the main body side positioning portion,
10. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the cartridge is moved from being supported by the moving member to being supported by the main assembly side cartridge guide in the process of moving the moving member from the external position to the internal position. Image forming apparatus as described.   11. The image according to claim 9, wherein the main body side cartridge guide moves the cartridge upward with respect to the moving member in the process of moving the moving member from the external position to the internal position. Forming device. It has a body side moving member guide for guiding the moving member to move from the outside position to the inside position,
12. The main assembly side moving member guide according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the moving member is moved downward with respect to the cartridge in the process of moving the moving member from the external position to the internal position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: a biasing portion configured to bias the supported portion toward the main body side positioning portion when the moving member is in the internal position. Forming device. The moving member is
A first force application unit that applies a force to the cartridge to move the cartridge into the apparatus main body when the moving member moves toward the internal position;
A second force application unit that applies a force to the cartridge to move the cartridge to the outside of the apparatus main body when the moving member moves to the external position;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: The first force application unit applies a force to a force receiving unit provided in the cartridge,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first force applying unit and the force receiving unit are separated when the moving member is at the internal position.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the cartridge comprises an image carrier for carrying a developer image.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the cartridge includes a developer carrier that carries a developer and develops a latent image.

Images