JP2022026273A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that has a lead-in member for holding an opening and closing door in a closed state, and prevent the opening and closing door from being closed in a state in which a replacement unit is not mounted on an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of the present invention has: an opening and closing door; a replacement unit that is removably mounted on an apparatus main body in a state in which the opening and closing door is opened and delivers developer to the apparatus main body in a state in which it is mounted on the apparatus main body; and a lead-in member the posture of which is changed to a holding posture for holding the state of the opening and closing door in a closed state according to an operation to close the opening and closing door. The image forming apparatus has a regulation member that, in a state in which the replacement unit is not mounted on the apparatus main body, takes a first posture for regulating the change in the posture of the lead-in member according to the operation to close the opening and closing door, and in a state in which the replacement unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, takes a second posture for not regulating the change in posture, the second posture different from the first posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

In the electrophotographic image formation process, the developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, which is the image carrier of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, is transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The primary transfer is sequentially performed, and the four-color developer images are superimposed. The color developer image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt is secondarily transferred from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt to the surface of the recording material at the secondary transfer nip portion, and the unfixed developer image is the recording material. Formed on the surface of. The residual developer remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt after the secondary transfer is removed from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt by the belt cleaner unit, and then the collection container is detachably provided to the image forming apparatus main body. It is housed inside. When a predetermined amount of the residual developer is contained in the collection container, information prompting the user to replace the collection container is displayed on a display unit such as an operation panel, and the user exchanges the residual developer with another collection container.

When exchanging a collection container containing a predetermined amount of residual developer with another collection container, open the opening / closing door for exchanging the collection container, take out the collection container from the image forming apparatus main body, and then collect another collection. It is known that the container is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus and the opening / closing door is closed. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a blocking member for preventing the opening / closing door from being closed when the collection container is not stored in the container storage portion of the main body of the apparatus is provided. The blocking member of Patent Document 1 is in a phase of preventing the opening / closing door from closing when the collection container is not stored in the container storage portion, and opens / closes in conjunction with the operation when the collection container is stored in the container storage portion. Displace to a phase that does not prevent the door from closing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-54097

In recent years, an image forming apparatus provided with a holding mechanism for holding an opening / closing door in a closed state and a retracting mechanism has been known. When the blocking member of Patent Document 1 is provided in an image forming apparatus having such a retracting mechanism, for example, depending on the rigidity of the opening / closing door and the positional relationship between the blocking member and the retracting mechanism, the opening / closing door may be closed by the blocking member. Insufficient blocking may occur. Specifically, even though the blocking member is in contact with the opening / closing door, the opening / closing door may be forcibly closed by the retracting mechanism. In this case, there is a risk of deforming parts such as the opening / closing door.

An object of the present invention is to prevent the opening / closing door from closing in an image forming apparatus having a retracting member for holding the opening / closing door in a closed state when the replacement unit is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. And.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention can be attached to and detached from the opening / closing door and the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the opening / closing door is open, and is attached to the image forming apparatus main body between the opening / closing door and the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus having an exchange unit for delivering and delivering a developing agent, and a retracting member whose posture changes to a holding posture for holding the state of the opening / closing door in a closed state in response to an operation of closing the opening / closing door. In a state where the exchange unit is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the exchange unit takes a first posture that regulates a posture change of the retracting member in response to an operation of closing the opening / closing door, and the exchange unit takes the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by having a regulating member that does not regulate the change in posture and takes a second posture different from the first posture when mounted on the main body.

According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a retracting member for holding an opening / closing door in a closed state, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing door from closing when the replacement unit is not attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. Can be done.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the exchange procedure of the collection container which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the appearance of the pull-in mechanism which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the pull-in mechanism which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the posture of the pull-in mechanism which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of pressing the interlock switch which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship between the regulation member and the pull-in mechanism which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure and posture of the regulation member which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the posture of the regulation member which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation by the regulation member which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the process cartridge replacement procedure which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship between the regulation member and the pull-in mechanism which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure and posture of the regulation member which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the regulation by the regulation member which concerns on Example 2. FIG.

<Example 1>
Hereinafter, Example 1 of the present invention will be described.

(Image forming device)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is a so-called tandem type electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and is an image forming station including a photosensitive drum 1 which is an image carrier and a developing container 25 (frame body) containing toner (developer). It is provided with four image forming units). The four image forming stations have the same configuration except that the color of the toner image (developer image) that forms the image, that is, the color of the toner contained in the developing container 25 is different. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a four-color image forming station of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B). In the drawings, a, b, c, and d are added to the codes of the components of the image forming station in order to show the difference between the image forming stations, but the following description does not require any particular distinction. Therefore, the subscript is omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a normal installation state of the image forming apparatus 100, specifically, a state in which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed on a substantially horizontal installation surface. The vertical direction in FIG. 1 is a substantially gravitational direction, and the rotation axis of a rotating body such as the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 23 extends in a substantially horizontal direction (a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction).

The photosensitive drum 1 is provided in the process cartridge 7. The process cartridge 7 integrally includes the photosensitive drum 1 and a member that causes at least one of a plurality of processes such as charging, developing, and cleaning to act on the photosensitive drum 1, and in the first embodiment, the process cartridge 7 is combined with the developing unit 4. It has a drum cleaner unit 5. The developing unit 4 has a developing roller 23, a coating roller 24, a developing blade 6, and a developing container 25, and the drum cleaner unit 5 has a photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 2, and a drum cleaning blade 8. The process cartridge 7 is configured to be removable from the image forming apparatus 100.

The photosensitive drum 1 is obtained by applying an organic photoconductor (OPC) on the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder. Flange is provided at both ends of the photosensitive drum 1 in the axial direction, and the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported by the flange. A driving force is transmitted from a driving motor (not shown) to one end of the photosensitive drum 1 in the axial direction. As a result, the photosensitive drum 1 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1.

The charging roller 2 is composed of a conductive roller formed in a roller shape. The charging roller 2 is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and a charging bias is applied to the charging roller 2 from a charging bias power supply (not shown). As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged with a predetermined negative electrode potential.

An exposure apparatus 3 is arranged below the process cartridge 7, and the exposure apparatus 3 irradiates the surface of the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 1 with light based on an image signal. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

The developing container 25 is composed of a frame body for accommodating toner. The coating roller 24 applies the toner contained in the developing container 25 to the surface of the developing roller 23. The developing blade 6 regulates the layer thickness of the toner supported on the surface of the developing roller 23.

The developing roller 23 is provided so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). A development bias is applied to the development roller 23 from a development bias power supply (not shown). As a result, the toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 23 is negatively charged and is supplied to and adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image. It is made manifest.

An intermediate transfer unit is provided on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt 13A (intermediate transfer body), a drive roller 13B, and a tension roller 13C. Tension is applied to the tension roller 13C in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 1 by an urging portion (not shown), and the intermediate transfer belt 13A is stretched by the drive roller 13B and the tension roller 13C. The drive roller 13B is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). As a result, the intermediate transfer belt 13A rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, that is, in the direction of arrow b in FIG.

A primary transfer roller 12 is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 13A so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 12 from a primary transfer bias power supply (not shown).

When a positive primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 12 from a primary transfer bias power supply (not shown), the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is primary transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13A. The four-color toner images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are sequentially primary-transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13A so as to overlap each other. The toner image carried on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13A is conveyed to the secondary transfer nip portion 15 on which the secondary transfer roller 16 faces.

The drum cleaning blade 8 scrapes off the residual toner (residual developer) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer.

The feeding cassette 11 stores the recording material S, and is provided so as to be removable from the image forming apparatus 100 main body. The user pulls out the feeding cassette 11 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, sets the recording material S, and then inserts the feeding cassette 11 into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 again. This completes the replenishment of the recording material S.

The transport device 10 includes a feed roller 9, a separation pad 22, and a transport roller 10A. The feeding roller 9 feeds the recording material S from the feeding cassette 11 (presses and feeds the recording material S). The separation pad 22 separates the recording material S fed by the feeding roller 9. The transport roller 10A sandwiches and transports the recording material S separated and fed one by one by the cooperation of the feeding roller 9 and the separating pad 22. When the recording material S is sandwiched and conveyed by the transport roller 10A, the tip of the recording material S is abutted against the nip portion of the resist roller 17, and the recording material S is handled by the waist strength of the recording material S. The skew is corrected, and the recording material S is conveyed to the secondary transfer nip portion 15.

A positive secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 16 from a secondary transfer bias power supply (not shown). As a result, in the secondary transfer nip portion 15, the toner image supported on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13A is secondarily transferred to the recording material S conveyed by the secondary transfer nip portion 15. At this point, the image formed on the recording material S is an unfixed image on which toner is placed. The recording material S after the secondary transfer is conveyed to the fixing device 14 for fixing the toner image formed on the recording material S.

The residual toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13A after the secondary transfer is scraped off by the belt cleaning blade 19 included in the belt cleaner unit 18. After that, the residual toner is transferred from the belt cleaner unit 18 to the toner transfer device 26, transferred to the collection container 27 by the toner transfer device 26, and then stored in the collection container 27. The collection container 27 is detachably provided with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and is replaced by the user when a predetermined amount of residual toner is contained in the collection container 27.

The fixing device 14 applies heat and pressure to the unfixed toner image secondarily transferred to the recording material S to fix the toner image to the recording material S. The fixing device 14 has an endless fixing belt 14A, an elastic pressure roller 14B, and a guide member 14C to which a heat generating member such as a heater is adhered. The pressure roller 14B sandwiches the fixing belt 14A with the guide member 14C. The pressure roller 14B is pressed against the guide member 14C with a predetermined pressure contact force to form a fixing nip portion N having a predetermined width. The pressurizing roller 14B is rotationally driven clockwise in FIG. 1 by a drive motor (not shown). The fixing belt 14A is driven by the pressure roller 14B due to the frictional force with the pressure roller 14B and rotates counterclockwise in FIG. At this time, the fixing belt 14A is heated by the heater provided on the guide member 14C.

In the recording material S on which the unfixed toner image is formed, the temperature of the fixing nip portion N is raised to a predetermined temperature and the temperature is adjusted, and then the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt 14A and the pressure roller in the fixing nip portion N are formed. Introduced between 14B. The recording material S is introduced into the fixing nip portion N so that the image surface (the surface on which the toner image is formed) of the recording material S faces the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt 14A. When the recording material S is introduced into the fixing nip portion N, the recording material S is sandwiched and conveyed in the fixing nip portion N while the image surface of the recording material S is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt 14A. At this time, the unfixed toner image formed on the recording material S is heated and melted by the heat of the heater provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the fixing belt 14A, and is fixed to the recording material S. The recording material S on which the toner image is fixed (heat-fixed) is sandwiched and conveyed by the discharge roller 20 and discharged to the discharge tray 21.

(Open / close detection of open / close door)
As described above, when the residual toner is contained in the collection container 27 in a predetermined amount, the collection container 27 is replaced with another collection container 27 by the user. FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c) show a procedure for replacing the collection container 27. As shown in FIG. 2A, an opening / closing door 29 is provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2A shows a closed state in which the opening / closing door 29 is closed. The opening / closing door 29 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member. The opening / closing door 29 is rotatably assembled to the frame (housing) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 about a rotation axis provided substantially horizontally along the lower end side of the image forming apparatus 100. .. Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the user rotates the opening / closing door 29 so as to open from the upper side to the lower side, so that the opening / closing door 29 is in an open state (open state), and the image forming apparatus 100 main body is opened. The inner cover 32 provided on the side of is open to the outside. The opening / closing door 29 is closed by the reverse operation. The opening / closing direction of the opening / closing door 29 is not particularly limited, and for example, the direction of the rotation axis of the opening / closing door 29 may be not the horizontal direction but the vertical direction.

The inner cover 32 faces the open / close door 29 in the closed state, and opens the accommodating portion (accommodating portion for accommodating the collection container 27) in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, when the opening / closing door 29 is opened, the accommodating portion of the collection container 27 is also opened to the outside, and as shown in FIG. 2C, the collection container 27 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100. .. As shown in FIG. 2C, the collection container 27 can be inserted and removed in a substantially horizontal direction along the rotation axis with respect to the accommodating portion of the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

As shown in FIG. 2B, a retracting mechanism 30 is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. The retractable mechanism 30 keeps the open / close door 29 in the closed state shown in FIG. 2 (a). FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the retracting mechanism 30, and FIG. 3B is a front view of the retracting mechanism 30. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the retracting mechanism 30, and FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the retracting mechanism 30. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are cross-sectional views of the retracting mechanism 30 as viewed from the side (direction substantially parallel to the surface of the open / close door 29 in the closed state).

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the retracting mechanism 30 has a retracting member 31 and a retracting spring 33. The retracting member 31 is rotatably assembled to the inner cover 32 which is a part of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Specifically, by engaging the rotary shaft 31C of the retractable member 31 with the shaft support portion 32A of the inner cover 32, the retractable member 31 is rotatably assembled to the inner cover 32 around the rotary shaft 31C. Has been done. The rotation shaft 31C is a shaft substantially parallel to the open / close door 29 in the closed state, and is a shaft substantially perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction of the collection container 27. The pull-in spring 33 is assembled as an urging member between the pull-in member 31 and the inner cover 32. Specifically, hook portions are formed at both ends of the retractable spring 33, and the first hook portion 33A at one end of the retractable spring 33 is connected (hanged) to the first spring support portion 31D of the retractable member 31. ing. The second hook portion 33B at the other end of the pull-in spring 33 is connected to the second spring support portion 32B of the inner cover 32.

The retracting member 31 takes the holding posture (retracting posture) shown in FIG. 5A when the opening / closing door 29 is closed, and takes the standby posture shown in FIG. 5B when the opening / closing door 29 is open. The holding posture is a posture in which the opening / closing door 29 is held in the closed state, and the standby posture is a posture in which the opening / closing door 29 is made to stand by in the open state. The pull-in mechanism 30 is a toggle mechanism, and when the rotation phase (angle) of the pull-in member 31 exceeds a predetermined angle (turning point), the urging force of the pull-in spring 33 acting between the pull-in member 31 and the inner cover 32. The way of action changes. In other words, the direction in which the retracting member 31 tries to rotate with respect to the inner cover 32 is reversed by receiving the urging force of the retracting spring 33. In this way, the pull-in spring 33 is assembled so that the way the urging force acts changes at the turning point.

One of the ways in which the urging force acts is a way in which the urging force acts so as to cause the retracting member 31 to take a holding posture (first urging state, first rotation phase). The other method of action of the urging force is a method of action of the urging force (second urging state, second rotation phase) that causes the retracting member 31 to take a standby posture. In other words, one of the urging states of the pull-in spring 33 is a first state in which the pull-in member 31 tries to rotate in the first rotation direction so as to cause the pull-in member 31 to take a holding posture. Another urging state of the pull-in spring 33 is a second method of rotating the pull-in member 31 in a second rotation direction (opposite to the first rotation direction) that causes the pull-in member 31 to take a standby posture. It is in a state. The first rotation direction is the clockwise direction of FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), and the second rotation direction is the counterclockwise direction of FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b).

As described above, the urging state of the retractable spring 33 changes depending on the posture of the retractable member 31. The posture of the retracting member 31 changes according to the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing door 29 by the user.

When the user opens the opening / closing door 29, the retracting member 31 is counterclockwise of FIG. 5A because the first contact portion 31A of the retracting member 31 is pushed by the first contact portion 29A of the opening / closing door 29. Rotate clockwise. At this time, the first contact portion 29A of the opening / closing door 29 rotates the retracting member 31 from the first rotation phase to an angle that exceeds the conversion point (conversion phase) and becomes the second rotation phase. As a result, the urging state of the retracting spring 33 changes from the first urging state to the second urging state, and the posture of the retracting member 31 changes from the holding posture of FIG. 5 (a) to the standby of FIG. 5 (b). Change to posture. When the posture is changed to the standby posture, the retracting member 31 is pressed against the contact portion 32C of the inner cover 32 by the urging force in the first urging state, and the standby state is maintained.

When the user closes the opening / closing door 29, the retracting member 31 is pushed by the second contacting portion 31B of the retracting member 31 to the second contacting portion 29B of the opening / closing door 29, so that the clock of FIG. Rotate, that is, rotate in the opposite direction to the opening operation. At this time, the second contact portion 29B of the opening / closing door rotates the retracting member 31 from the second rotation phase to an angle that becomes the first rotation phase beyond the turning point. As a result, the urging state of the retracting spring 33 changes from the second urging state to the first urging state, and the posture of the retracting member 31 changes from the standby posture of FIG. 5 (b) to the holding of FIG. 5 (a). Change to posture. In the holding posture, the first contact portion 29A of the opening / closing door 29 is pressed against the first contact portion 31A of the retracting member 31 by the urging force in the first urging state, so that the opening / closing door 29 is held in the closed state. ..

As shown in FIG. 2B, an interlock switch 34 for detecting the open / closed state of the open / close door 29 is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user closes the opening / closing door 29, the interlock switch 34 is pressed by the switch pressing portion 29C of the opening / closing door 29. Then, when the user opens the opening / closing door 29, the pressing of the interlock switch 34 by the switch pressing portion 29C is released. When the interlock switch 34 is pressed, the closed state of the open / close door 29 is detected, and the image forming apparatus 100 is in an operable state. On the other hand, when the pressing of the interlock switch 34 is released, the open state of the open / close door 29 is detected, the operation of the rotating portion of the image forming apparatus 100 is stopped, the energization to the contact portion is cut off, and the image forming apparatus is used. The operation of 100 is stopped. In this way, safety can be ensured even when the opening / closing door 29 is opened to expose the rotating portion and the contact portion.

(Detection of presence / absence of collection container)
The image forming apparatus 100 detects the attachment / detachment state of the collecting container 27, specifically, a regulating member 28 that regulates that the opening / closing door 29 is closed when the collecting container 27 is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Have. As shown in FIG. 7A, the regulating member 28 is arranged between the accommodating portion of the collection container 27 and the retracting mechanism 30. FIG. 7A is an external view of the image forming apparatus 100, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view showing the appearance of a portion provided with the regulating member 28 and the retracting mechanism 30. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are cross-sectional views of the restricting member 28 and the retracting member 31 as viewed from the front (the side of the open / close door 29 in the closed state), and FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are views. , Is a cross-sectional view of the regulating member 28 and the retracting member 31 viewed from the side (direction substantially parallel to the surface of the opening / closing door 29 in the closed state). 10 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the regulating member 28 and the retracting member 31 as viewed from the side, and FIG. 10 (b) is a cross-sectional perspective view of the regulating member 28 and the retracting member 31 as viewed diagonally from the side.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the regulation member 28 is rotatably assembled to the inner cover 32 about the rotation shaft 28C. The rotary shaft 28C is a shaft substantially perpendicular to the open / close door 29 in the closed state, and is a shaft substantially parallel to the insertion / removal direction of the collection container 27. That is, the rotating shaft 28C of the regulating member 28 is a shaft that is non-parallel (specifically, substantially perpendicular) to the rotating shaft 31C of the retracting member 31.

When the collection container 27 is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the regulating member 28 takes a regulating posture (first posture) as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A. The regulated posture is a posture that regulates the posture change (posture change from the standby posture to the holding posture) of the retracting member 31 when the opening / closing door 29 is closed. Specifically, in the regulated posture, the regulated portion 28B of the regulated member 28 is located at a position overlapping with the movement locus of the retracted member 31 when the posture of the retracted member 31 changes to the holding posture. Therefore, when the user closes the opening / closing door 29, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the restricting unit 28B regulates (prevents) the posture change to the holding posture of the retracting member 31. Contact the contact portion 31E of the (regulatory portion 28B is sandwiched between the frame 35 and the contact portion 31E). As a result, the user cannot close the opening / closing door 29 even if he / she tries to close it. Since the opening / closing door 29 is not closed, it is possible to suppress the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 in a state where the collection container 27 is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and it is possible to suppress contamination due to toner scattering.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, since the regulation unit 28B is hidden behind the inner cover 32, the appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 is not impaired by the regulation unit 28B. The regulating member 28 is configured such that the contact portion 28A of the regulating member 28 advances and retreats with respect to the accommodating portion of the collection container 27. In the restricted posture, the contact portion 28A of the regulating member 28 projects toward the accommodating portion side of the collection container 27, but does not project toward the opening / closing door 29 side. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with the contact portion 28A. The appearance of the door is not spoiled. Therefore, the appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 is not spoiled by the regulating member 28.

When the user attaches the collection container 27 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the collection container 27 comes into contact with the contact portion 28A of the regulation member 28. As shown in FIG. 7B, the portion (plane) of the contact portion 28A protruding from the accommodating portion of the collection container 27 that abuts on the collection container 27 is oriented with respect to the direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction of the collection container 27. The inclined surface is inclined toward the back side in the insertion / removal direction (the insertion direction of the collection container 27). As a result, the force in the insertion / removal direction (the force by which the collection container 27 pushes the contact portion 28A) applied to the contact portion 28A of the regulation member 28 is converted into a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction. Then, the contact portion 28A protruding from the accommodating portion of the collection container 27 is pushed down by the collection container 27, and the regulation member 28 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8A about the rotation shaft 28C. As a result, the posture of the regulating member 28 changes from the regulated posture of FIGS. 8 (a) and 9 (a) to the non-regulated posture (second posture) of FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b).

The non-regulated posture is a posture that does not regulate the posture change (posture change from the standby posture to the holding posture) of the retracting member 31 when the opening / closing door 29 is closed, and is rotated from the regulated posture with the rotation shaft 28C as the center of rotation. Posture. Specifically, in the non-regulated posture, the regulating portion 28B of the regulating member 28 is located at a position that does not overlap with the movement locus of the retracting member 31 when the posture of the retracting member 31 changes to the holding posture. Therefore, the user can open and close the opening / closing door 29 without the posture change of the retracting member 31 from the standby posture to the holding posture being regulated by the regulating member 28.

The regulating member 28 has a weight portion 28D on the opposite side of the abutting portion 28A with the rotating shaft 28C interposed therebetween. When the user removes the collection container 27 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the collection container 27 does not come into contact with the contact portion 28A of the regulation member 28. When the collection container 27 no longer comes into contact with the contact portion 28A, the regulating member 28 rotates clockwise around the rotation shaft 28C due to its own weight (specifically, the weight of the weight portion 28D). do. As a result, the posture of the regulating member 28 changes from the non-regulated posture shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b) to the regulated posture shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 9 (a). In addition, instead of the weight portion 28D, a torsion coil spring or the like may be used to cause the above-mentioned posture change.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a simple configuration is adopted in which the posture change of the retracting member 31 can be regulated by the regulating member 28. With such a simple configuration, even when the retractable member 31 for holding the open / close door 29 in the closed state is provided, the open / close door 29 can be provided in a state where the collection container 27 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 100 main body. It is possible to suppress closing.

Further, by making the rotating shaft 28C of the regulating member 28 non-parallel to the rotating shaft 31C of the retracting member 31, it is possible to improve the fit of the regulating member 28 in the inner cover 32. For example, the space required for changing the posture of the regulating member 28 on the back side of the inner cover 32 can be a space having a narrow width in the insertion / removal direction of the collection container 27, and the image forming apparatus 100 can be miniaturized.

<Example 2>
Hereinafter, Example 2 of the present invention will be described. The same configuration as in Example 1 will be omitted as appropriate. In this embodiment, in order to detect the attachment / detachment state of the process cartridge 7, specifically, the configuration for restricting the closing of the opening / closing door 29 when the process cartridge 7 is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. explain. When the toner in the developing container 25 runs out, the process cartridge 7 is replaced with a new process cartridge 7.

11 (a) to 11 (c) show the procedure for replacing the process cartridge 7. FIG. 11A shows a closed state in which the opening / closing door 29 is closed. As shown in FIG. 11 (b), when the user opens the open / close door 29, the accommodating portion of the process cartridge 7 is opened to the outside, and as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the process cartridge 7 is an image. It can be attached to and detached from the forming device 100. As shown in FIG. 11C, the process cartridge 7 can be inserted and removed from the accommodating portion of the image forming apparatus 100 main body in a substantially horizontal direction along the rotation axis of the opening / closing door 29.

As shown in FIG. 11B, a pull-in mechanism 30 corresponding to the process cartridges 7a and 7b and a pull-in mechanism 30 corresponding to the process cartridges 7c and 7d are provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. .. In the drawings, in order to show the difference between the retracting mechanism 30, subscripts a and b are added to the reference numerals between the retracting mechanism 30 and its constituent members, but the subscripts are added because no particular distinction is required in the following description. It is omitted.

The image forming apparatus 100 detects a detached state of the process cartridge 7, specifically, a regulating member 28 that regulates that the opening / closing door 29 is closed when the process cartridge 7 is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Have. The process cartridge 7 and the regulating member 28 are provided on a one-to-one basis. As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the regulating member 28 is arranged between the accommodating portion of the process cartridge 7 and the retracting mechanism 30. 12 (a) is an external view of the image forming apparatus 100, and FIG. 12 (b) is an enlarged view showing the external appearance of a portion provided with the regulating member 28 and the retracting mechanism 30. 13 (a) to 13 (c) are cross-sectional views of the restricting member 28 and the retracting member 31 as viewed from the front (the side of the open / close door 29 in the closed state), and FIG. 14 shows the restricting member 28 and the retracting member 31. Is a cross-sectional view seen from the side (direction substantially parallel to the surface of the open / close door 29 in the closed state).

As shown in FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (c), the regulating member 28 is rotatably assembled to the inner cover 32 about the rotation shaft 28C. The rotary shaft 28C is a shaft substantially perpendicular to the open / close door 29 in the closed state, and is a shaft substantially parallel to the insertion / removal direction of the process cartridge 7. That is, the rotating shaft 28C of the regulating member 28 is a shaft that is non-parallel (specifically, substantially perpendicular) to the rotating shaft 31C of the retracting member 31.

When the process cartridge 7 is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the regulating member 28 takes a regulating posture (first posture) as shown in FIG. 13A. The regulated posture is a posture that regulates the posture change (posture change from the standby posture to the holding posture) of the retracting member 31 when the opening / closing door 29 is closed. Specifically, in the regulated posture, the regulated portion 28B of the regulated member 28 is located at a position overlapping with the movement locus of the retracted member 31 when the posture of the retracted member 31 changes to the holding posture. Therefore, when the user closes the opening / closing door 29, as shown in FIG. 14, the regulating portion 28B contacts the contact portion 31E of the retracting member 31 so as to regulate (prevent) the posture change to the holding posture. (The regulation portion 28B is sandwiched between the frame 35 and the contact portion 31E). As a result, the user cannot close the opening / closing door 29 even if he / she tries to close it. Since the opening / closing door 29 is not closed, it is possible to suppress the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 in a state where the process cartridge 7 is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and it is possible to suppress contamination due to toner scattering.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, since the regulation unit 28B is hidden behind the inner cover 32, the appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 is not impaired by the regulation unit 28B. The regulating member 28 is configured such that the contact portion 28A of the regulating member 28 advances and retreats with respect to the accommodating portion of the process cartridge 7. In the restricted posture, the abutting portion 28A of the restricting member 28 projects toward the accommodating portion of the process cartridge 7, but does not project toward the opening / closing door 29, so that the abutting portion 28A impairs the appearance of the image forming apparatus 100. There is no such thing. Therefore, the appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 is not spoiled by the regulating member 28.

When the user mounts the process cartridge 7 on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the process cartridge 7 comes into contact with the abutting portion 28A of the regulating member 28. As shown in FIG. 12 (b), the portion (surface) of the contact portion 28A protruding from the accommodating portion of the process cartridge 7 that abuts on the process cartridge 7 is directed with respect to the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the process cartridge 7. It is an inclined surface inclined in the insertion direction. As a result, the force in the insertion / removal direction (the force by which the process cartridge 7 pushes the contact portion 28A) applied to the contact portion 28A of the regulation member 28 is converted into a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction. Then, the contact portion 28A protruding from the accommodating portion of the process cartridge 7 is pushed up by the process cartridge 7, and the regulating member 28 rotates about the rotation shaft 28C. As a result, the posture of the regulating member 28 changes from the regulated posture of FIG. 13 (a) to the non-regulated posture (second posture) of FIG. 13 (c).

The non-regulated posture is a posture that does not regulate the posture change (posture change from the standby posture to the holding posture) of the retracting member 31 when the opening / closing door 29 is closed, and is rotated from the regulated posture with the rotation shaft 28C as the center of rotation. Posture. Specifically, in the non-regulated posture, the regulating portion 28B of the regulating member 28 is located at a position that does not overlap with the movement locus of the retracting member 31 when the posture of the retracting member 31 changes to the holding posture.

As described above, in this embodiment, one lead-in member 31 is provided for the two process cartridges 7, and the process cartridge 7 and the regulation member 28 are provided on a one-to-one basis. As shown in FIG. 13B, when one process cartridge 7 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the regulating member 28 corresponding to the one process cartridge 7 takes an unregulated posture. However, if the other process cartridge 7 is not mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the regulating member 28 corresponding to the other process cartridge 7 does not take a non-regulated posture but takes a regulated posture. In this case, since the regulating member 28 corresponding to the other process cartridge 7 regulates the posture change of the retracting member 31 from the standby posture to the holding posture, the user cannot close the opening / closing door 29 even if he / she tries to close it. By mounting both process cartridges 7 on the image forming apparatus 100, both regulating members 28 take an unregulated posture, and the posture change of the retracting member 31 from the standby posture to the holding posture is regulated by the regulating member 28. The user can open and close the opening / closing door 29 without any problem.

When the user removes the process cartridge 7 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the process cartridge 7 does not come into contact with the contact portion 28A of the regulating member 28. When the process cartridge 7 does not come into contact with the abutting portion 28A, the regulating member 28 rotates about the rotation shaft 28C due to its own weight (specifically, the weight of the abutting portion 28A). As a result, the posture of the regulating member 28 changes from the non-regulated posture shown in FIG. 13 (c) to the regulated posture shown in FIG. 13 (a). The above-mentioned posture change may be caused by using a torsion coil spring or the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a simple configuration is adopted in which the posture change of the retracting member 31 can be regulated by the regulating member 28. With such a simple configuration, even when the retractable member 31 for holding the open / close door 29 in the closed state is provided, the open / close door 29 is not mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 main body. It is possible to suppress closing.

Further, by making the rotating shaft 28C of the regulating member 28 non-parallel to the rotating shaft 31C of the retracting member 31, it is possible to improve the fit of the regulating member 28 in the inner cover 32. For example, the space required for changing the posture of the regulating member 28 on the back side of the inner cover 32 can be a space having a narrow width in the insertion / removal direction of the process cartridge 7, and the image forming apparatus 100 can be miniaturized.

Although two examples of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various forms that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. For example, the exchange unit that transfers toner to and from the image forming apparatus 100 main body in a state of being attached to the image forming apparatus 100 main body is not limited to the collection container 27 and the process cartridge 7. The exchange unit may be an intermediate transfer unit having an intermediate transfer belt 13A and a primary transfer roller 12. Although an example in which the image forming apparatus 100 is a secondary transfer type image forming apparatus has been described, when the exchange unit is a process cartridge 7, the image forming apparatus 100 may be a direct transfer type image forming apparatus. .. In the direct transfer type image forming apparatus, the toner image is directly transferred from the process cartridge 7 to the recording material S without using the intermediate transfer unit. Further, the retracting mechanism 30 of the opening / closing door 29 is not limited to the toggle mechanism, but may be a latch mechanism or the like. An important point in carrying out the present invention is to regulate the posture change of the retracting member 31 for keeping the open / close door 29 in the closed state when the exchange unit is not attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. be.

100: Image forming device 7: Process cartridge 27: Collection container 28: Regulatory member 29: Opening / closing door 31: Retracting member

Claims (14)

Opening and closing doors and
An exchange unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the opening / closing door is open, and transfers a developer to and from the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being attached to the image forming apparatus main body.
An image forming apparatus comprising a retracting member whose posture changes to a holding posture for holding the state of the opening / closing door in a closed state in response to an operation of closing the opening / closing door.
In a state where the exchange unit is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the exchange unit takes a first posture that regulates a posture change of the retracting member in response to the operation of closing the opening / closing door, and the exchange unit takes the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus comprising a restricting member that does not regulate the change in posture and takes a second posture different from the first posture when mounted on the image forming apparatus. The regulating member has a regulating portion that comes into contact with the retracting member so as to restrict the posture of the retracting member from changing to the holding posture.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the first posture, the restricting portion is located at a position overlapping with a movement locus of the retracting member when the retracting member changes to the holding posture. The restricting member has a contact portion that abuts on the exchange unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the posture of the regulating member changes from the first posture to the second posture when the contact portion is pushed by the exchange unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the regulating member takes the first posture by its own weight when the contact portion does not abut on the exchange unit. Further having an inner cover facing the open / close door in a closed state and opening the accommodating portion of the exchange unit in the image forming apparatus main body.
3. The regulation member is characterized in that the contact portion is configured to advance and retreat with respect to the accommodating portion, and the regulation portion is arranged at a position hidden behind the inner cover. Or the image forming apparatus according to 4. The posture of the restricting member changes from the first posture to the second posture by pushing down the contact portion protruding from the accommodating portion by the exchange unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The posture of the restricting member changes from the first posture to the second posture by pushing up the contact portion protruding from the accommodating portion to the exchange unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The regulation member rotates about a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening / closing door in a closed state, so that the posture of the regulation member changes between the first posture and the second posture. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7. The claim is characterized in that the portion of the abutting portion protruding from the accommodating portion and abutting on the exchange unit is an inclined surface inclined in the insertion direction with respect to a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the exchange unit. 8. The image forming apparatus according to 8. With the intermediate transcript,
A process cartridge with an image carrier and
A primary transfer means for transferring a developer image from the image carrier to the intermediate transfer body,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a secondary transfer means for transferring the developer image transferred to the intermediate transfer body to a recording material. A process cartridge with an image carrier and
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a transfer means for transferring a developer image from the image carrier to a recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the exchange unit is a recovery container for recovering the developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the exchange unit is the process cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the exchange unit is an intermediate transfer unit having the intermediate transfer body and the primary transfer means.

Images