JP2021113858A - Drawer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a drawer capable of moving a developing cartridge with a driving force from one side of the drawer and capable of accurately moving the developing cartridge by suppressing the bending of a side frame.SOLUTION: A drawer 2 includes a first guide roller 24. When a part of the developing cartridge is moved in one direction, the developing cartridge is moved in a separation direction by the first guide roller 24. Thus, it is unnecessary that the driving force is applied to both sides of a frame in a first direction, so that the developing cartridge can be moved in the separation direction by the driving force from one side. A first side frame 201 is fixed to a drum frame 203 by a second screw 27 near the first guide roller 24. Thus, the bending of the first side frame 201 can be suppressed. As a result, the developing cartridge can be accurately moved with respect to the drawer 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present disclosure relates to drawers.

Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming devices such as laser printers and LED printers are known. A developing cartridge is used as the image forming apparatus. The developing cartridge has a developing roller for supplying toner. Conventional image forming apparatus is described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2.

The image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a drawer unit. The drawer unit has a photoconductor drum. The developing cartridge is attached to the drawer unit. When the developing cartridge is mounted on the drawer unit, the photoconductor drum and the developing roller come into contact with each other.

Further, the developing cartridge of Patent Document 2 is attached to the drum cartridge. The drum cartridge has a photoconductor drum. When the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the photoconductor drum and the developing roller come into contact with each other. Then, the drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge is mounted is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-59510 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-54058

In the image forming apparatus of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the state in which the developing roller and the photoconductor drum are in contact with each other and the state in which the developing roller and the photoconductor drum are separated from each other are switched. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, parts for moving the developing cartridge in order to separate the developing roller and the photoconductor drum are provided on both sides of the drawer unit or the drum cartridge, and the parts on both sides are respectively provided from the image forming apparatus. It is necessary to receive the driving force of.

Further, the drawer has two side frames, a drum frame connecting the two side frames, a charging device, and a charging electrode electrically connected to the charging device. In the conventional drawer, the side frame is fixed to the drum frame by screws arranged between the charging electrode and the photoconductor drum.

However, in the conventional structure, when the developing cartridge mounted on the drawer is moved, the side frame may be bent due to the driving force received from the image forming apparatus. In order to move the developing cartridge with respect to the drawer with high accuracy, it is necessary to suppress the bending of the side frame.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a drawer capable of moving a developing cartridge by a driving force from one side of the drawer and suppressing bending of a side frame to move the developing cartridge with high accuracy. Is.

In order to solve the above problems, in the first disclosure of the present application, a developing cartridge having a photoconductor drum that is rotatable about a drum shaft extending in the first direction and a developing roller that is rotatable about the developing shaft extending in the first direction is mounted. The first side frame, the second side frame located apart from the first side frame in the first direction, the first side frame, and the second side frame are the first possible frames. A frame having a drum frame connected in a direction, a charging device for charging the surface of the photoconductor drum, a charging device supported by the drum frame, and a charging electrode electrically connectable to the charging device. With the charging electrode located on the outer surface of the first side frame and the developing cartridge mounted on the frame, a part of the developing cartridge moves in the first direction with respect to the frame. This is a first guide roller that moves the developing cartridge in the separating direction so that the outer surface of the developing roller is separated from the outer surface of the photoconductor drum, and is a second direction intersecting the first direction. It is a first guide roller that is rotatable about a first axis extending to, and is a first guide roller located on the inner surface of the first side frame. In the mounting direction of the developing cartridge, the photosensitivity is higher than that of the charged electrode. A first guide roller located away from the body drum and a first screw for fixing the first side frame to the drum frame. In the mounting direction of the developing cartridge, the photoconductor drum and the charging electrode A first screw located between the first screw and a second screw for fixing the first side frame to the drum frame, which are located closer to the first guide roller than the charging electrode in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge. It is characterized by having a second screw to be processed.

The second disclosure of the present application is the drawer of the first disclosure, wherein the second screw is located between the charging electrode and the first guide roller in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge. ..

The third disclosure of the present application is the drawer of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, wherein the first screw extends in the first direction and the second screw extends in the second direction. ..

The fourth disclosure of the present application is a drawer of any one of the first to third disclosures, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

The fifth disclosure of the present application is a drawer according to any one of the first to fourth disclosures, wherein the charging device is a scorotron type.

The sixth disclosure of the present application is a drawer of any one of the first to fifth disclosures, wherein the separation direction intersects with the first direction.

The seventh disclosure of the present application is a drawer according to any one of the first to sixth disclosures, wherein the first guide roller is one of the developing cartridges in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame. When the unit moves from the second side frame to the first side frame, the developing cartridge is moved in the distance direction with respect to the frame.

The eighth disclosure of the present application is the drawer of any one of the first to the seventh disclosures, and the first guide roller rotates while being in contact with a part of the developing cartridge, thereby causing the developing cartridge. Is guided in the distance direction with respect to the frame.

The ninth disclosure of the present application is a drawer according to any one of the first to eighth disclosures, wherein the first guide roller is made of metal.

The tenth disclosure of the present application is a drawer according to any one of the first to ninth disclosures, wherein the first screw is a second side frame rather than the first guide roller in the first direction. The second screw is located closer to the second side frame than the first guide roller in the first direction.

The eleventh disclosure of the present application is a drawer of any one of the first to tenth disclosures, wherein the first screw fixes the first side frame to the drum frame in the first direction. However, the second screw is characterized in that the first side frame is fixed to the drum frame in the second direction.

The twelfth disclosure of the present application is a drawer according to any one of the first to eleventh disclosures, and a part of the developing cartridge is attached to the frame with the developing cartridge mounted on the frame. A second guide roller that moves the developing cartridge in the separation direction when moved in the first direction, and is a second guide roller that is rotatable about a second axis extending in the second direction. It is characterized by further having a second guide roller located in the second side frame.

The thirteenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer of the twelfth disclosure, in which the second guide roller rotates while contacting a part of the developing cartridge to separate the developing cartridge from the frame. It is characterized by guiding in a direction.

The fourteenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer of the twelfth disclosure or the thirteenth disclosure, wherein the second guide roller is made of metal.

The fifteenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer of any one of the twelfth to the fourteenth disclosures, further comprising a third screw for fixing the second side frame to the drum frame, wherein the drum frame is: It is characterized by having a wall portion that can come into contact with the surface of the second side frame facing the first side frame at a position closer to the second guide roller than the third screw in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge. do.

The 16th disclosure of the present application is a drawer according to any one of the 1st to 15th disclosures, wherein the developing cartridge is mounted between the 1st side frame and the 2nd side frame, and the development cartridge is mounted. The two side frames are holes penetrating in the first direction, and have holes for exposing a part of the developing cartridge to the outside of the frame while the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame. The part of the developing cartridge receives the pressing force in the first direction through the hole, and when the developing cartridge receives the pressing force, the developing cartridge moves in the separating direction with respect to the frame. It is a feature.

The 17th disclosure of the present application is a drawer according to any one of the first to 16th disclosures, wherein the drawer includes a plurality of the photoconductor drums, and the frame is attached to each of the plurality of photoconductor drums. On the other hand, the development cartridge can be mounted.

The 18th disclosure of the present application is the drawer of any one of the 1st to 17th disclosures, and the development is performed on the frame in a state where the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photoconductor drum are in contact with each other. It is characterized in that a cartridge is mounted.

The 19th disclosure of the present application is the drawer of the 18th disclosure, in which the frame is in a state where the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photoconductor drum are in contact with each other, and the part of the developing cartridge is said to be the first. When it moves in one direction, the developing roller is moved in the separating direction.

According to the first disclosure to the nineteenth disclosure of the present application, when a part of the developing cartridge is moved in one direction, the developing cartridge is moved in the separating direction by the first guide roller. As a result, it is not necessary to apply a driving force to both sides of the frame in the first direction, and the developing cartridge can be moved in the separating direction by the driving force from one side. Further, not only the first screw but also the first screw and the second screw located near the first guide roller fix the first side frame to the drum frame. Thereby, the bending of the first side frame can be suppressed. As a result, the developing cartridge can be moved with high accuracy with respect to the drawer.

Further, according to the fifteenth disclosure of the present application, the bending of the second side frame can be suppressed by the wall portion located near the second guide roller. As a result, the developing cartridge can be moved more accurately with respect to the drawer.

It is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view of a developing cartridge. It is a perspective view of a developing cartridge. It is a top view of the development cartridge seen from the 1st direction. It is a top view of the development cartridge seen from the 1st direction. It is a perspective view of a drawer. It is a perspective view of a drawer. It is a perspective view of the state which the development cartridge is attached to one slot of a drawer. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line A in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line B in FIG. 7.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the direction in which the drum axis of the photoconductor drum extends is referred to as the "first direction". Further, the direction in which the rotation axis of the first guide roller extends is defined as the "second direction". The first direction and the second direction intersect each other (preferably orthogonally).

<1. Configuration of image forming device>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic printer. Examples of the image forming apparatus 100 include a laser printer or an LED printer.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes four developing cartridges 1, a drawer 2, a main body frame 101, and a control unit 102.

The developing cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2. The drawer 2 is a drum cartridge into which the developing cartridge 1 is mounted, and includes four slots 2A. Each of the plurality of developing cartridges 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2. Then, the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the main body frame 101 in a state of being mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2. The four developing cartridges 1 contain developing agents (eg, toner) of different colors (eg, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). However, the plurality of developing cartridges 1 may contain developing agents of the same color. Further, the number of developing cartridges 1 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more.

The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on printing paper with the developing agents supplied from the four developing cartridges 1.

Each of the four developing cartridges 1 has an IC chip 51. The IC chip 51 is a storage medium capable of reading and writing information. Examples of the storage medium include flash ROM and EPPROM. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the main frame 101 with the developing cartridge 1 mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the IC chip 51 of each developing cartridge 1 and the control unit 102 are electrically connected to each other. The control unit 102 is composed of, for example, a circuit board. The control unit 102 includes a processor such as a CPU and various types of memory. The processor of the control unit 102 executes various processes in the image forming apparatus 100 by operating according to the program.

<2. About developing cartridges>
2 and 3 are perspective views of the developing cartridge 1. 4 and 5 are plan views of the developing cartridge 1 as viewed from the first direction. However, in FIG. 5, the gear cover 46 is not shown.

The developing cartridge 1 has a housing 10. The housing 10 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12 that are separated from each other in the first direction. The first outer surface 11 is located at one end of the housing 10 in the first direction. The second outer surface 12 is located at the other end of the housing 10 in the first direction.

Further, the housing 10 has a container 10A and a lid 10B. Container 10A contains the developer. The lid 10B covers the container 10A. The container 10A and the lid 10B are arranged between the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 in the first direction.

Further, the housing 10 extends in the second direction. The housing 10 has an opening 10C. The opening 10C is located at one end of the housing 10 in the second direction. The container 10A and the outside communicate with each other through the opening 10C.

The developing cartridge 1 has an agitator 20. The agitator 20 is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The agitator 20 is a member that agitates the toner in the container 10A. The agitator 20 has a shaft extending in the first direction and a stirring blade extending radially outward from the shaft. When the agitator 20 rotates about its shaft, the developer in the container 10A is agitated by the stirring blades.

The developing cartridge 1 has a developing roller 30. The developing roller 30 is located at the opening 10C at one end of the housing 10 in the second direction. The developing roller 30 is a roller that is rotatably supported by the housing 10 with respect to the developing shaft extending in the first direction.

The developing roller 30 has a developing roller main body 31 and a developing roller shaft 32. The developing roller body 31 is a cylindrical member extending in the first direction. As the material of the developing roller main body 31, for example, elastic rubber is used. The developing roller shaft 32 is a columnar member that penetrates the developing roller main body 31 in the first direction. As the material of the developing roller shaft 32, a metal or a resin having conductivity is used. The developing roller body 31 is fixed to the developing roller shaft 32 so as not to rotate. That is, the developing roller body 31 can rotate together with the developing roller shaft 32.

A part of the peripheral surface of the developing roller main body 31 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through the opening 10C. Further, the other portion of the peripheral surface of the developing roller main body 31 is located inside the housing 10. Hereinafter, the direction in which the portion of the developing roller 30 exposed to the outside of the housing 10 and the portion located inside the housing 10 are aligned is referred to as a "third direction". The third direction is also a direction that intersects the portion of the peripheral surface of the developing roller main body 31 that is exposed to the outside of the housing 10. The third direction is also a "separation direction" in which the developing roller 30 is separated from the photoconductor drum 21, which will be described later. The third direction is a direction that intersects with the first direction.

The developing cartridge 1 further has a developing electrode 33. The developing electrode 33 is located at one end of the developing roller shaft 32 in the first direction. The developing roller shaft 32 is rotatably mounted on a bearing (not shown) of the housing 10 via a developing electrode 33. The bearing may be integrated with the housing 10 or may be a separate body. The developing electrode 33 is located on the first outer surface 11. The developing electrode 33 is electrically connected to the developing roller shaft 32. The developing electrode 33 is an electrode for applying a developing bias to the developing roller 30. The developing electrode 33 is arranged in the second direction at a position closer to the developing roller 30 than the shaft 61 and the first cam 62 of the separating member 60 described later. In the present embodiment, the developing electrode 33 is provided at the end of the developing roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a developing roller gear 42 is mounted on the other end of the developing roller shaft 32 in the first direction. The developing roller gear 42 is located on the second outer surface 12. The developing roller shaft 32 is fixed to the developing roller gear 42 so as not to rotate. When the developing roller gear 42 rotates, the developing roller shaft 32 also rotates, and the developing roller main body 31 also rotates together with the developing roller shaft 32.

The developing roller shaft 32 does not have to penetrate the developing roller main body 31 in the first direction. For example, the developing roller shaft 32 may extend in the first direction from both ends of the developing roller main body 31 in the first direction.

Further, the developing cartridge 1 has a supply roller (not shown). The supply roller is located in the container 10A and is located between the developing roller 30 and the agitator 20. Further, the supply roller is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 1 receives the driving force, the developing agent is supplied from the container 10A in the housing 10 to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 30 via the supply roller. At that time, the developer is triboelectrically charged between the supply roller and the developing roller 30. On the other hand, the developing roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30 is subjected to a development bias. Therefore, the developer is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller main body 31 by the electrostatic force between the developing roller shaft 32 and the developing agent.

Further, the developing cartridge 1 has a layer thickness regulating blade (not shown). The layer thickness regulating blade forms the developer supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller main body 31 to a constant thickness. After that, the developer on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller main body 31 is supplied to the photoconductor drum 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) of the drawer 2 which will be described later. At this time, the developer moves from the developing roller main body 31 to the photoconductor drum 21 according to the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 21. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is visualized on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 21.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the developing cartridge 1 has a gear portion 40 and a gear cover 46. The gear portion 40 and the gear cover 46 are located on the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10. The gear portion 40 includes a coupling 41, a developing roller gear 42, an idle gear 43, and an agitator gear 44. The gear cover 46 is attached to the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10. At least a part of the gear portion 40 is located between the second outer surface 12 and the gear cover 46.

The coupling 41 is a gear that receives a driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus 100. The coupling 41 can rotate about a rotation axis extending in the first direction. The coupling 41 is arranged in the second direction at a position closer to the developing roller 30 than the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 of the separating member 60 described later. The coupling 41 has a fastening hole 411 that is recessed in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 1 mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 100, the drive shaft of the image forming apparatus 100 is inserted into the fastening hole 411. As a result, the drive shaft and the coupling 41 are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other. Therefore, when the drive shaft rotates, the coupling 41 rotates. When the coupling 41 rotates, the supply roller gear connected to the supply roller (not shown) and the developing roller gear 42 rotate. Then, the supply roller rotates together with the supply roller gear, and the developing roller 30 also rotates together with the developing roller gear 42. Further, when the coupling 41 rotates, the idle gear 43 and the agitator gear 44 also rotate. Then, the agitator 20 also rotates together with the agitator gear 44.

The developing cartridge 1 has a separating member 60. The image forming apparatus 100 has a contact state and a separated state. The contact state is a state in which the developing roller 30 and the photoconductor drum 21 of the drawer 2 are in contact with each other when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2. Further, the separated state is a state in which the developing roller 30 and the photoconductor drum 21 of the drawer 2 are separated from each other. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the image forming apparatus 100 is in a contact state. The separation member 60 is a member for switching the image forming apparatus 100 into a contact state or a separation state. In the present embodiment, the developing roller 30 is separated from the photoconductor drum 21 in the third direction, which is the separation direction, when the contact state is changed to the separation state.

The separating member 60 is provided on the lid 10B. The separating member 60 is movable with respect to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in the first direction. Further, the separating member 60 can move together with the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in the third direction.

The separating member 60 has a shaft 61 along a shaft axis extending in the first direction. The shaft 61 has a columnar shape. However, the shaft 61 may be prismatic. The lid 10B has a hole 10B1 that penetrates in the first direction. The diameter of the hole 10B1 is larger than the diameter of the shaft 61. The shaft 61 is inserted into the hole 10B1. The shaft 61 inserted into the hole 10B1 is movable in the first direction between the first position and the second position with respect to the lid 10B of the housing 10. The second position is a position closer to the first outer surface 11 than the first position in the first direction.

The shaft 61 is preferably made of a rigid member. For example, the shaft 61 is made of iron. Further, the shaft 61 may be made of resin.

In this embodiment, the lid 10B has a ring 10B2 and a ring 10B3. The ring 10B2 is arranged at one end of the lid 10B in the first direction. The ring 10B3 is arranged at the other end of the lid 10B in the first direction. Further, the hole 10B1 along the first direction is exposed between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3. That is, the shaft 61 inserted into the hole 10B1 is exposed from the lid 10B between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3. Since the shaft 61 has rigidity, the exposed portion does not bend in the second direction or the third direction.

However, an additional ring may be further provided between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3. Further, in the present embodiment, the shaft 61 is exposed between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3 in the first direction, but it does not have to be exposed. That is, the shaft 61 may be housed inside the lid 10B.

By holding the shaft 61 movably in the first direction with the lid 10B, the shaft 61 can be easily provided with respect to the housing 10 of the developing cartridge 1.

A first cam 62 is provided at one end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. The first cam 62 is made of rubber, resin, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the first cam 62 is provided with a hole 62A penetrating in the first direction. One end of the shaft 61 has a smaller diameter than the other and is inserted into the hole 62A. When one end of the shaft 61 is inserted into the hole 62A, the tip of one end is exposed from the first cam 62 in the first direction. The first cam 62 is fixed to one end of the shaft 61 by fitting the retaining ring 61B to the tip of the exposed one end. However, the first cam 62 may be fixed to the shaft 61 by adhesion.

The first cam 62 has a first inclined surface 621. In the present embodiment, the first inclined surface 621 is provided on a part of the peripheral surface of the shaft 61. The first cam 62 has a contact surface (not shown) facing the lid 10B. The contact surface is provided on a peripheral surface different from a part of the peripheral surface of the shaft 61 on which the first inclined surface 621 is provided. In other words, the contact surface faces the housing 10, that is, the outer surface of the housing 10. Since the contact surface and the lid 10B face each other, even if the first cam 62 tries to rotate about the shaft 61, the contact surface and the lid 10B come into contact with each other, and the first cam 62 cannot rotate. In the present embodiment, the first inclined surface 621 is provided on a part of the peripheral surface of the shaft 61, but the first inclined surface 621 may be provided on the entire circumference of the shaft 61.

The first inclined surface 621 is inclined with respect to the shaft 61 extending in the first direction. The angle of the first inclined surface 621 with respect to the first direction is 43 degrees or more and 47 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle of the first inclined surface 621 with respect to the first direction is about 45 degrees. The first cam 62, that is, the first inclined surface 621 is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The first inclined surface 621 separates from the shaft 61 in the third direction as it goes away from the first outer surface 11 in the first direction. In other words, the distance of the first inclined surface 621 from the shaft 61 toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft 61 increases from one end to the other end in the first direction. Further, the first inclined surface 621 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the shaft 61. The first cam 62 has a shape obtained by dividing a conical shape having a shaft axis as a central axis into two. In other words, the first cam 62 has a first inclined surface 621 that is part of a conical surface.

The first cam 62 may have a polygonal pyramid shape instead of a conical shape. In this case, the first inclined surface 621 is a part of the polygonal pyramid surface. Further, although the first inclined surface 621 is a surface that is gently inclined, unevenness such as a step may be provided in the middle of the inclination. Further, the first inclined surface 621 may have a curved surface shape.

A second cam 63 is provided at the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. The second cam 63 is made of rubber, resin, or the like. Like the first cam 62, the second cam 63 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction.

The second cam 63 has a second inclined surface 631. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the second inclined surface 631 is provided on a part of the peripheral surface of the shaft 61. In the present embodiment, the second inclined surface 631 is provided on a part of the peripheral surface of the shaft 61, but the second inclined surface 631 may be provided on the entire peripheral surface of the peripheral surface of the shaft 61. ..

The second inclined surface 631 is inclined with respect to the shaft 61 extending in the first direction. The angle of the second inclined surface 631 with respect to the first direction is 43 degrees or more and 47 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle of the second inclined surface 631 with respect to the first direction is about 45 degrees. The distance of the second inclined surface 631 from the shaft 61 toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft 61 increases from one end to the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. Further, the second inclined surface 631 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the shaft 61. That is, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 and the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 are inclined in the same direction with respect to the first direction. The second cam 63 includes a part of a conical shape centered on the shaft axis. In other words, the second cam 63 has a second inclined surface 631 that is a part of the conical surface.

The second cam 63 may have a polygonal pyramid shape instead of a conical shape. In this case, the second inclined surface 631 is a part of the polygonal pyramid surface. Further, although the second inclined surface 631 is a surface that is gently inclined, unevenness such as a step may be provided in the middle of the inclination. Further, the second inclined surface 631 may have a curved surface shape.

The first cam 62 and the second cam 63 can move in the first direction together with the shaft 61. When the shaft 61 moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction, the second cam 63 approaches the lid 10B, and the first cam 62 moves away from the lid 10B. When the shaft 61 moves from the second position to the first position in the first direction, the second cam 63 moves away from the lid 10B, and the first cam 62 approaches the lid 10B. In other words, when the shaft 61 moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction, the second cam 63 approaches the housing 10 and the first cam 62 moves away from the housing 10. Further, when the shaft 61 moves from the second position to the first position in the first direction, the second cam 63 moves away from the housing 10 and the first cam 62 approaches the housing 10.

Further, the shaft 61 inserted into the pair of holes 10B1 cannot rotate with respect to the lid 10B of the housing 10 with respect to the shaft shaft extending in the first direction. However, the shaft 61 may be rotatable with respect to the lid 10B with respect to the shaft shaft. In this case, the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 are provided on the shaft 61 so as not to rotate about the shaft shaft with respect to the housing 10. That is, only the shaft 61 rotates about the shaft shaft, and the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 do not rotate.

The separating member 60 has a coil spring 64. The coil spring 64 is provided at the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. Specifically, the shaft 61 is inserted into the coil spring 64. The coil spring 64 is located between the second cam 63 and the lid 10B in the first direction. One end of the coil spring 64 in the first direction comes into contact with the lid 10B, for example, via a washer. Further, the other end of the coil spring 64 in the first direction comes into contact with the second cam 63.

The coil spring 64 is an elastic member (elastic member) that can expand and contract in the first direction between the first length and the second length shorter than the first length. As will be described in detail later, the second cam 63 is pushed by a pressing force from the other end of the shaft 61 toward one end in the first direction. Then, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the first position to the second position. When moving from the first position to the second position, the coil spring 64 contracts from the first length to the second length. When the pressing force on the second cam 63 disappears, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the second position to the second position due to the restoring force of the coil spring 64 that returns from the second length to the first length. It is pushed back to one position. In this way, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 due to the pressing force in the first direction and the elastic force of the coil spring 64.

When the developing cartridge 1 having the above configuration is mounted on the drawer 2, the developing roller 30 of the developing cartridge 1 comes into contact with the photoconductor drum 21. In this state, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 does not come into contact with the first guide roller 24 (see FIG. 9) of the drawer 2 described later. Further, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 does not come into contact with the second guide roller 25 (see FIG. 10). Specifically, when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 are not in contact with each other, and the second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 are not in contact with each other. Is. When the separating member 60 of the developing cartridge 1 moves in the first direction by a certain amount, the first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 come into contact with each other, and the second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 Come in contact with. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 may come into contact with the first guide roller 24. Further, when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer 2, the second inclined surface 631 may come into contact with the second guide roller 25.

When the developing roller 30 is separated from the photoconductor drum 21, the separating member 60 is pressed in the direction from the second cam 63 to the first cam 62 in the first direction. As a result, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30.

At this time, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves in the first direction while being in contact with the first guide roller 24. As described above, the first inclined surface 621 expands outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 toward the second cam 63. Therefore, when the first cam 62 moves in the first direction, the position of the first inclined surface 621 that the first guide roller 24 contacts is far from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 face each other in the third direction. That is, when the first inclined surface 621 moves in the first direction, it also moves in the direction away from the first guide roller 24 in the third direction.

Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the first direction while being in contact with the second guide roller 25. As described above, the second inclined surface 631 extends outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 toward the second cam 63. Therefore, when the second cam 63 moves in the first direction, the position of the second inclined surface 631 with which the second guide roller 25 comes into contact becomes far from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 face each other in the third direction. That is, when the second inclined surface 631 moves in the first direction, it also moves in the direction away from the second guide roller 25 in the third direction.

As the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 move in the third direction while moving in the first direction, the shaft 61 also moves in the same manner. When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the third direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the third direction accordingly. As a result, the developing roller 30 is separated from the photoconductor drum 21 in the third direction.

The coil spring 64 expands and contracts as the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction. The coil spring 64 has a first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in the first position. Further, the coil spring 64 has a second length shorter than the first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in the second position. The coil spring 64 contracted from the first length to the second length extends from the second length to the first length when the pressing force on the separating member 60 is removed.

When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the second position to the first position, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 becomes the first in the third direction due to the reverse action of the above. It moves in the direction approaching the guide roller 24. Further, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the direction approaching the second guide roller 25 in the third direction. Along with this, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 move in the third direction, and the developing roller 30 approaches the photoconductor drum 21 in the third direction. Then, the surface of the developing roller 30 comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 21.

<3. About the drawer>
6 and 7 are perspective views of the drawer 2. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in one slot 2A of the drawer 2. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line A in FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line B in FIG. 7.

The drawer 2 has a frame 200. The frame 200 has four slots 2A. A developing cartridge 1 is mounted in each of the four slots 2A. The drawer 2 has four photoconductor drums 21. The photoconductor drum 21 is arranged for each of the four slots 2A. The photoconductor drum 21 is rotatable about a rotation shaft (drum shaft) extending in the first direction. The developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2 with the surface of the developing roller 30 facing the surface of the photoconductor drum 21. That is, the frame 200 can mount the developing cartridge 1 on each of the four photoconductor drums 21. The drawer 2 is mounted on the main body frame 101 (see FIG. 1) with the developing cartridge 1 mounted in the slot 2A.

The frame 200 of the drawer 2 has a first side frame 201 and a second side frame 202. The second side frame 202 is located away from the first side frame 201 on the other side in the first direction. A photoconductor drum 21 is provided between the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the developing cartridge 1 is mounted between the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the first direction. Then, in the first direction, the first outer surface 11 of the developing cartridge 1 and the first side frame 201 face each other. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the second outer surface 12 of the developing cartridge 1 and the second side frame 202 face each other in the first direction.

The first side frame 201 is provided with a first recess 201A that penetrates in the first direction and is recessed in the second direction. The first recess 201A is provided for each of the four slots 2A. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the IC chip 51 covered with the IC chip cover 45 of the developing cartridge 1 is located in the first recess 201A.

The second side frame 202 is a hole that penetrates in the first direction and exposes a part of the developing cartridge 1 to the outside, and is opened in the second direction toward the direction away from the photoconductor drum 21. The recess 202A is provided. The second recess 202A is also provided for each of the four slots 2A, similarly to the first recess 201A. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the second cam 63 of the developing cartridge 1 is located in the second recess 202A. As a result, the second cam 63 is exposed to the outside of the frame 200. The second cam 63 receives concave pressure in the first direction from the pressing member of the image forming apparatus 100 via the second recess 202A.

Further, the second side frame 202 has a through hole 202B penetrating in the first direction. Through holes 202B are provided for each of the four slots 2A. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, as shown in FIG. 8, the fastening hole 411 of the coupling 41 of the developing cartridge 1 is exposed from the through hole 202B. The drive shaft of the image forming apparatus 100 is inserted into the fastening hole 411 via the through hole 202B. Then, the drive shaft and the coupling 41 are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other.

Further, the frame 200 of the drawer 2 has four drum frames 203. The drum frame 203 extends in the first direction. Further, the drum frame 203 connects the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the first direction. In the third direction, the drum frame 203 and the slots 2A are arranged alternately. With the developing cartridge 1 mounted on the drawer 2, the drum frame 203 and the developing cartridge 1 are adjacent to each other in the third direction. The photoconductor drum 21 is located on one side of the drum frame 203 in the second direction. Further, the other end of the drum frame 203 in the second direction is located on one side of the second direction with respect to the other end of the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the second direction. ..

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the drawer 2 has four charging devices 22. The charging device 22 charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 21. The charging device 22 is supported by the drum frame 203. The charging device 22 is, for example, a scorotron type charging device having a charging wire extending in the first direction and a grid. However, the charging device 22 may be a charging device of another type.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the drawer 2 has a charged electrode 23. The charging electrode 23 is located on the outer surface of the first side frame 201. The charging electrode 23 is electrically connected to the charging device 22.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the drawer 2 has a first guide roller 24. The first guide roller 24 is located on the inner surface of the first side frame 201. That is, the first guide roller 24 is located at one end of the frame 200 in the first direction. More specifically, the first guide roller 24 has a third direction with the first cam 62 of the developing cartridge 1 mounted in the slot 2A among the surfaces of the first side frame 201 facing the second side frame 202. It is placed in a position facing each other.

The first guide roller 24 is located on the opposite side of the charging electrode 23 in the second direction. That is, the first guide roller 24 is located farther from the photoconductor drum 21 than the charging electrode 23 in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 1 with respect to the frame 200.

The first guide roller 24 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 240 extending in the second direction. The outer peripheral surface 240 of the first guide roller 24 serves as a receiving surface that comes into contact with the first cam 62 during the separation operation described later. Further, both ends of the first guide roller 24 in the second direction are rotatably held by bearings provided on the first side frame 201. Therefore, the first guide roller 24 is rotatable about the first axis extending in the second direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the drawer 2 has a second guide roller 25. The second guide roller 25 is located on the outer surface of the second side frame 202. That is, the second guide roller 25 is located at the other end of the frame 200 in the first direction. More specifically, the second guide roller 25 is arranged on the surface of the second side frame 202 at a position facing the second cam 63 of the developing cartridge 1 mounted in the slot 2A in the third direction.

The second guide roller 25 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 250 extending in the second direction. The outer peripheral surface 250 of the second guide roller 25 serves as a receiving surface that comes into contact with the second cam 63 during the separation operation described later. Further, both ends of the second guide roller 25 in the second direction are rotatably held by bearing portions provided on the second side frame 202. Therefore, the second guide roller 25 is rotatable about a second axis extending in the second direction.

The first guide roller 24 and the second guide roller 25 are preferably made of metal. If the first guide roller 24 and the second guide roller 25 are made of metal, wear due to friction between the first guide roller 24 and the second guide roller 25 can be reduced as compared with the case of being made of resin. Therefore, the separating member 60 can be guided more accurately by the first guide roller 24 and the second guide roller 25.

<4. About the separation operation by the separation member>
Next, the movement of the image forming apparatus 100 when switching between the contact state and the separated state will be described.

When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the developing roller 30 of the developing cartridge 1 and the photoconductor drum 21 come into contact with each other. In this contact state, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 does not come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 240 of the first guide roller 24. Further, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 does not come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 250 of the second guide roller 25. Specifically, when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 are not in contact with each other, and the second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 are not in contact with each other. Is. When the separating member 60, which is a part of the developing cartridge 1, moves in the first direction by a certain amount, the first inclined surface 621 and the outer peripheral surface 240 of the first guide roller 24 come into contact with each other, and the second inclined surface comes into contact with each other. 631 and the outer peripheral surface 250 of the second guide roller 25 come into contact with each other. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 may come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 240 of the first guide roller 24. Further, when the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer 2, the second inclined surface 631 may come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 250 of the second guide roller 25.

More specifically, the first inclined surface 621 expands outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63 in the first direction. Then, the first guide roller 24 comes into contact with the position of the first inclined surface 621, which has a short distance from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 expands outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63 in the first direction. Then, the second guide roller 25 comes into contact with the position of the second inclined surface 631 which is a short distance from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61.

The image forming apparatus 100 has a driving unit and a pressing member 104 (not shown). The drive unit is, for example, a motor that moves the pressing member 104 along the first direction. The pressing member 104 is a cylinder or prism extending along the first direction. The pressing member 104 moves in the first direction between a contact position in contact with the second cam 63 of the developing cartridge 1 mounted in the slot 2A of the drawer 2 and a non-contact position in contact with the second cam 63. ..

When the developing roller 30 is separated from the photoconductor drum 21, the driving unit moves the pressing member 104 in the direction from the second cam 63 to the first cam 62 in the first direction. As a result, the second cam 63 is pressed in the first direction by the pressing member 104. When the second cam 63 is pressed, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move to one side in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30.

At this time, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves to one side in the first direction while being in contact with the first guide roller 24. The first guide roller 24 guides the first inclined surface 621 while being in contact with the first inclined surface 621 and rotating about the first axis extending in the second direction. As a result, the frictional resistance between the separating member 60 and the frame 200 is reduced. As a result, the separating member 60 can be smoothly moved with respect to the frame 200.

As described above, the first inclined surface 621 expands outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 toward the second cam 63. Therefore, when the first cam 62 moves to one side in the first direction, the position of the first inclined surface 621 that the first guide roller 24 contacts is far from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The first inclined surface 621 and the outer peripheral surface 240 of the first guide roller 24 face each other in the third direction. That is, when the first inclined surface 621 moves to one side in the first direction, it also moves in the direction away from the first guide roller 24 (separation direction) in the third direction.

Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves to one side in the first direction while being in contact with the second guide roller 25. The second guide roller 25 guides the second inclined surface 631 while being in contact with the second inclined surface 631 and rotating about the second axis extending in the second direction. As a result, the frictional resistance between the separating member 60 and the frame 200 is reduced. As a result, the separating member 60 can be smoothly moved with respect to the frame 200.

As described above, the second inclined surface 631 extends outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 toward the second cam 63. Therefore, when the second cam 63 moves to one side in the first direction, the position of the second inclined surface 631 with which the second guide roller 25 comes into contact becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The second inclined surface 631 and the outer peripheral surface 250 of the second guide roller 25 face each other in the third direction. That is, when the second inclined surface 631 moves to one side in the first direction, it also moves in the direction away from the second guide roller 25 (separation direction) in the third direction.

As the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 move in the third direction while moving to one side in the first direction with respect to the frame 200, the shaft 61 also moves in the same manner. When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the third direction with respect to the frame 200, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the third direction with respect to the frame 200. .. As a result, the developing roller 30 is separated from the photoconductor drum 21 in the third direction. Then, the image forming apparatus 100 is in a separated state.

The coil spring 64 expands and contracts as the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction. The coil spring 64 has a first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in the first position. Further, the coil spring 64 has a second length shorter than the first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in the second position. The coil spring 64 contracted from the first length to the second length extends from the second length to the first length when the pressing force by the pressing member 104 is removed.

When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the second position to the first position, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 becomes the first in the third direction due to the reverse action of the above. It moves in the direction approaching the guide roller 24. Further, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the direction approaching the second guide roller 25 in the third direction. Along with this, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 move to one side in the third direction, and the developing roller 30 approaches the photoconductor drum 21 in the third direction. Then, the image forming apparatus 100 is in a contact state.

By providing the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 at both ends of the shaft 61 in the first direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 are provided when the image forming apparatus 100 shifts between the separated state and the contact state. It is possible to prevent both ends of the above in the first direction from tilting.

As described above, the shaft 61 moves in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 according to the driving force in the first direction. When the first inclined surface 621 comes into contact with the first guide roller 24 as the shaft 61 moves in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 moves in the third direction along the first guide roller 24. Move to. As the first inclined surface 621 moves in the third direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the third direction. As a result, the driving force on both sides is not required, and the developing cartridge 1 can be moved in the third direction by the driving force from one side in the first direction. Further, since the developing cartridge 1 includes the first inclined surface 621 and the shaft 61, the shaft 61 is attached to and detached from the drum cartridge as compared with the case where the drum cartridge is provided with the shaft. , It is possible to prevent the development cartridge 1 from being attached and detached.

Further, when moving the shaft 61 in the first direction, it is not necessary to apply a driving force to both sides of the shaft 61 in the first direction, and if the driving force is applied from one side of the shaft 61 in the first direction, the developing cartridge 1 Can be moved.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 has a driving source for rotationally driving the developing roller 30, the photoconductor drum 21, and the like on the other side of the developing cartridge 1 and the drawer 2 in the first direction. A drive unit, which is a drive source for moving the pressing member 104 in the first direction, can be arranged in the vicinity of the drive source. That is, since the drive source included in the image forming apparatus 100 can be integrated on the other side of the developing cartridge 1 and the drawer 2 in the first direction, the image forming apparatus 100 can be miniaturized. Further, it is not necessary to provide parts for moving the developing cartridge 1 on both sides of the drawer 2 in the first direction, and the drawer 2 can be simplified or downsized.

<5. About fixed part ＞
The drawer 2 has four first screws 26, four second screws 27, and four third screws 28. The four first screws 26 and the four second screws 27 are located at one end of the frame 200 in the first direction. The first side frame 201 is fixed to the drum frame 203 by four first screws 26 and four second screws 27. The four third screws 28 are located at the other ends of the frame 200 in the first direction. The second side frame 202 is fixed to the drum frame 203 by four third screws 28.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first screw 26 is located between the photoconductor drum 21 and the charging electrode 23 in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 1 with respect to the drawer 2. Further, the first screw 26 is located farther from the second side frame 202 than the first guide roller 24 in the first direction. The first screw 26 extends in the first direction.

The first screw 26 is inserted from one side of the first side frame 201 in the first direction into a through hole provided in the first side frame 201. Then, the tip of the first screw 26 is fastened to a screw hole provided at one end of the drum frame 203 in the first direction. As a result, the first side frame 201 is fixed in the first direction with respect to the drum frame 203 at a position on one side of the charging electrode 23 in the second direction.

The second screw 27 is located closer to the first guide roller 24 than the charging electrode 23 in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 1 with respect to the drawer 2. More specifically, the second screw 27 is located between the charging electrode 23 and the first guide roller 24 in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 1 with respect to the drawer 2. Further, the second screw 27 is located closer to the second side frame 202 than the first guide roller 24 in the first direction. The second screw 27 extends in the second direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first side frame 201 has a screw receiving plate 204 extending toward the second side frame 202. The second screw 27 is inserted into the through hole provided in the screw receiving plate 204 from the other side of the screw receiving plate 204 in the second direction. Then, the tip of the second screw 27 is fastened to the screw hole provided in the drum frame 203. As a result, the first side frame 201 is fixed in the second direction with respect to the drum frame 203 at a position on the opposite side of the charging electrode 23 in the second direction.

When the separating member 60 of the developing cartridge 1 moves to one side in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 comes into contact with the first guide roller 24. As a result, pressure is applied to the first side frame 201 via the first guide roller 24 toward one side in the first direction. However, the first side frame 201 is fixed to the drum frame 203 not only by the first screw 26 but also by both the first screw 26 and the second screw 27. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first side frame 201 from bending to one side in the first direction.

If the bending of the first side frame 201 is suppressed, the position of the first guide roller 24 in the first direction is stabilized. Therefore, the above-mentioned separation operation by the separation member 60 can be performed with high accuracy. In particular, the second screw 27 fixes the first side frame 201 to the drum frame 203 closer to the first guide roller 24 than the first screw 26. As a result, the bending of the first side frame 201 in the vicinity of the first guide roller 24 is suppressed. As a result, the position of the first guide roller 24 can be made more stable.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the third screw 28 is inserted from the other side of the second side frame 202 in the first direction into the through hole provided in the second side frame 202. Then, the tip of the second screw 27 is fastened to the screw hole provided at the other end of the drum frame 203 in the first direction. As a result, the second side frame 202 is fixed in the first direction with respect to the drum frame 203.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the drum frame 203 has a wall portion 205. The wall portion 205 projects from the other end of the drum frame 203 in the first direction toward the other side in the second direction. That is, the wall portion 205 projects in the second direction away from the photoconductor drum 21. Further, the wall portion 205 extends along a surface of the second side frame 202 facing the first side frame 201. The wall portion 205 is located closer to the second guide roller 25 than the third screw 28 in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 1 with respect to the drawer 2.

When the separating member 60 of the developing cartridge 1 moves to one side in the first direction, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 comes into contact with the second guide roller 25. As a result, pressure is applied to the second side frame 202 via the second guide roller 25 toward one side in the first direction. However, the surface of the second side frame 202 facing the first side frame 201 contacts the wall portion 205. As a result, the bending of the second side frame 202 to one side in the first direction is suppressed.

If the bending of the second side frame 202 is suppressed, the position of the second guide roller 25 in the first direction is stabilized. Therefore, the above-mentioned separation operation by the separation member 60 can be performed more accurately. In particular, the wall portion 205 comes into contact with the second side frame 202 closer to the second guide roller 25 than to the third screw 28. As a result, the bending of the second side frame 202 in the vicinity of the second guide roller 25 is suppressed. As a result, the position of the second guide roller 25 can be made more stable.

<6. Modification example>
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

In the above embodiment, the drawer 2 has four first screws 26, four second screws 27, and four third screws 28. However, the number of the first screws 26 included in the drawer 2 may be 1 to 3 or 5 or more. Further, the number of the second screws 27 included in the drawer 2 may be 1 to 3 or 5 or more. Further, the number of the third screws 28 included in the drawer 2 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more.

In the above embodiment, the separating member 60 has a first cam 62 and a second cam 63. However, the separating member 60 may have at least one of the first cam 62 and the second cam 63. Further, the separating member 60 may have at least one of the first inclined surface 621 and the second inclined surface 631. Further, for example, the shaft 61 is machined without providing the first cam 62 and the second cam 63, and the peripheral surface of the end portion of the shaft 61 is inclined in the first direction to form the first inclined surface 621 and the second. The inclined surface 631 may be formed.

In the above embodiment, the coil spring 64 has been described as an example of the elastic member, but the present invention is not limited to this. The elastic member may be a member having an elastic force such as a leaf spring, a torsion spring, rubber, or a sponge.

Further, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined as long as there is no contradiction.

1 Development cartridge 2 Drawer 10 Housing 20 Agitator 21 Photoreceptor drum 22 Charging device 23 Charging electrode 24 1st guide roller 25 2nd guide roller 26 1st screw 27 2nd screw 28 3rd screw 30 Development roller 40 Gear part 60 Separation Members 61 Shaft 62 1st cam 63 2nd cam 100 Image forming device 200 frame 201 1st side frame 202 2nd side frame 203 Drum frame 204 Screw receiving plate 205 Wall part

Claims (19)

A photoconductor drum that is rotatable about a drum axis extending in the first direction,
A frame to which a developing cartridge having a developing roller that can rotate about a developing shaft extending in the first direction can be mounted.
1st side frame and
A second side frame located away from the first side frame in the first direction, and
A drum frame that connects the first side frame and the second side frame in the first direction, and
With a frame and
A charging device that charges the surface of the photoconductor drum, and a charging device supported by the drum frame.
A charging electrode that is electrically connectable to the charging device and is located on the outer surface of the first side frame.
When a part of the developing cartridge moves in the first direction with respect to the frame while the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame, the outer surface of the developing roller comes from the outer surface of the photoconductor drum. A first guide roller that moves the developing cartridge in the separating direction so as to be separated, and is a first guide roller that is rotatable about a first axis extending in a second direction that intersects the first direction. A first guide roller located on the inner surface of one side frame, and a first guide roller located farther from the photoconductor drum than the charged electrode in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge.
A first screw for fixing the first side frame to the drum frame, the first screw located between the photoconductor drum and the charging electrode in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge.
A second screw for fixing the first side frame to the drum frame, the second screw located closer to the first guide roller than the charging electrode in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge.
A drawer characterized by having. The drawer according to claim 1.
The drawer is characterized in that the second screw is located between the charging electrode and the first guide roller in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2.
The first screw extends in the first direction and
The drawer, wherein the second screw extends in the second direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The drawer, characterized in that the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The drawer, wherein the charging device is of a scorotron type. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The drawer, characterized in that the separation direction intersects the first direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The first guide roller is a development cartridge when a part of the development cartridge moves from the second side frame toward the first side frame while the development cartridge is mounted on the frame. Drawer, characterized in that, is moved in the distance direction with respect to the frame. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The drawer is characterized in that the first guide roller rotates while contacting a part of the developing cartridge to guide the developing cartridge in the separating direction with respect to the frame. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The drawer, wherein the first guide roller is made of metal. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The first screw is located farther from the second side frame than the first guide roller in the first direction.
The drawer, characterized in that the second screw is located closer to the second side frame than the first guide roller in the first direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The first screw fixes the first side frame to the drum frame in the first direction.
The second screw is a drawer characterized in that the first side frame is fixed to the drum frame in the second direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
With the development cartridge mounted on the frame, when a part of the development cartridge moves in the first direction with respect to the frame, the second guide roller that moves the development cartridge in the separation direction. A drawer, which is a second guide roller that is rotatable about a second axis extending in the second direction, and further has a second guide roller located in the second side frame. The drawer according to claim 12.
The drawer is characterized in that the second guide roller rotates while contacting a part of the developing cartridge to guide the developing cartridge in the separating direction with respect to the frame. The drawer according to claim 12 or 13.
The drawer, wherein the second guide roller is made of metal. The drawer according to any one of claims 12 to 14.
Further having a third screw for fixing the second side frame to the drum frame,
The drum frame is
It is characterized by having a wall portion that can come into contact with the surface of the second side frame facing the first side frame at a position closer to the second guide roller than the third screw in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge. Drawer. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 15.
The developing cartridge is mounted between the first side frame and the second side frame.
The second side frame is
A hole penetrating in the first direction, which has a hole for exposing a part of the developing cartridge to the outside of the frame while the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame.
The part of the developing cartridge receives the pressing force in the first direction through the hole.
The developing cartridge is a drawer characterized in that when it receives the pressing force, it moves in the separating direction with respect to the frame. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 16.
The drawer comprises a plurality of the photoconductor drums.
The frame is a drawer, wherein the developing cartridge can be attached to each of the plurality of photoconductor drums. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 17.
A drawer characterized in that the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame in a state where the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photoconductor drum are in contact with each other. The drawer according to claim 18.
The frame is
When the part of the developing cartridge moves in the first direction while the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photoconductor drum are in contact with each other, the developing roller is moved in the separating direction. Drawer.

Images