JP2022133180A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent a reduction in the accuracy of positioning of photoconductor drums in a main body housing.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises a drum cartridge 5Y, a toner cartridge 6Y, and a drawer 4. The drawer 4 includes a lock member 43Y. In a state in which the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the lock member 43Y is movable between a locking position and a lock release position. In a state in which the lock member 43Y is located at the locking position, the lock member 43Y locks a photoconductor drum 11Y to the drawer 4. In a state in which the lock member 43Y is located at the lock release position, the lock member 43Y releases the lock of the photoconductor drum 11Y to the drawer 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present disclosure relates to image forming apparatuses.

Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus in which a toner cartridge can be attached to and detached from a drawer having a photosensitive drum (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2011-075887 A

In an image forming apparatus such as that described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200311, there are cases where it is desired to configure a drum unit having a photosensitive drum to be detachably attached to a drawer and a toner cartridge to be detachably attached to the drum unit. In this case, when the operator attaches or detaches the toner cartridge to or from the drum unit attached to the drawer, the drum unit may move relative to the drawer. If the drum unit moves with respect to the drawer, there is a possibility that the positioning accuracy of the photosensitive drums within the main body housing will deteriorate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration in positioning accuracy of a photosensitive drum within a main body housing.

(1) An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a main housing, a drum cartridge, a toner cartridge, and a drawer. A drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The toner cartridge is detachable from the drum cartridge. The drawer is movable between an inner position and an outer position. With the drawer positioned in the inner position, the drawer is positioned within the main housing. With the drawer positioned at the outer position, the drawer is positioned outside the main housing. The drum cartridge is removable from the drawer.

The drawer has a locking member. With the drum cartridge attached to the drawer, the locking member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lock member locks the photosensitive drum to the drawer in a state where the lock member is positioned at the lock position. With the lock member positioned at the unlocked position, the lock member unlocks the photosensitive drum from the drawer.

According to such a configuration, when the toner cartridge is replaced while the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the toner cartridge can be replaced with respect to the drum cartridge while the photosensitive drum is locked to the drawer by the locking member. .

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum from moving with respect to the drawer during the toner cartridge replacement operation.

As a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the positioning accuracy of the photosensitive drum within the main housing.

(2) The photosensitive drum is rotatable about the drum shaft. The drum shaft extends axially. The locking member may be rotatable about the first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The first axis may extend axially.

According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to move the locking member in the axial direction when moving the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Therefore, space saving in the axial direction can be achieved.

(3) The locking member may be rotatable about the drum shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position.

With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the range of movement of the lock member relative to the photosensitive drum.

Therefore, it is possible to suppress the size of the drawer from increasing due to the provision of the locking member.

(4) The lock member may have a disk shape. The lock member may have a lock guide and a through hole. The lock guide extends radially of the lock member. The through hole is located in the center of the locking member. The through holes are circular. The through hole is located within the lock guide.

(5) The drawer may have a drawer guide. When the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the drawer guide guides one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The locking member may have a locking guide. With the drum cartridge attached to the drawer, one end of the photosensitive drum fits into the lock guide. With the lock member positioned at the lock position, the lock guide extends in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the drawer guide extends. With the lock member positioned at the unlocked position, the lock guide extends in the direction in which the drawer guide extends and is connected to the drawer guide.

According to this configuration, one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction is guided by the drawer guide and the lock guide when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer with the lock member positioned at the unlocked position. , can be smoothly fitted to the lock member.

Further, in a state in which the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock member is positioned at the lock position, one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction can be locked to the drawer by the lock guide.

(6) The lock member may have a lock portion. With the lock member positioned at the lock position, the lock portion locks the photosensitive drum to the drawer. When the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock member is positioned at the lock position, the lock portion is positioned between one end of the photosensitive drum and the drawer guide. With the drum cartridge attached to the drawer and the lock member positioned at the unlocked position, the lock portion is retracted from between the one end of the photosensitive drum and the drawer guide.

According to such a configuration, in a state in which the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock member is positioned at the lock position, the one end portion of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction can be locked to the drawer by the lock portion.

(7) The drawer may have a positioning plate. With the drum cartridge attached to the drawer, the positioning plate contacts one end of the photosensitive drum to determine the position of the photosensitive drum. The locking member may have a pressing member. With the drum cartridge attached to the drawer, the pressing member presses one end of the photosensitive drum toward the positioning plate.

According to such a configuration, the lock member can be used to press one end of the photosensitive drum toward the positioning plate.

(8) The locking member may have a spring. With the drum cartridge attached to the drawer, the spring presses the pressing member toward one end of the photosensitive drum.

(9) The positioning plate may have a recess. One end of the photosensitive drum fits into the recess when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer. With the drum cartridge attached to the drawer, the pressing member may press one end of the photosensitive drum toward the concave portion of the positioning plate.

(10) The body housing has a positioning member. With the drawer positioned at the inner position, the positioning member positions the positioning plate to the main housing. The positioning plate has a positioned portion. The portion to be positioned contacts the positioning member while the drawer is positioned at the inner position.

(11) The positioning member may have a cylindrical shape. The positioned portion may be a notch. With the drawer in the inner position, the positioning member fits into the notch.

(12) The drawer may further have a lever. A lever moves the locking member between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lever is movable together with the locking member.

(13) The drawer may have side plates. The side plate may have an inner surface, an outer surface and a through hole. The inner surface faces the drum cartridge when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer. With the drum cartridge installed in the drawer, the outer surface is located on the opposite side of the drum cartridge from the inner surface. The through hole penetrates from the inner surface to the outer surface. The locking member may be located within the through hole of the side plate. The lever may be positioned outside the outer surface of the side plate.

With such a configuration, the operator can operate the lock member from the outside of the side plate.

Therefore, the operator can smoothly move the locking member.

(14) The lever may be movable between the first position and the second position with the lock member positioned at the lock position. With the lever in the first position, the lever extends along the outer surface of the side plate. The lever protrudes from the outer surface of the side plate when the lever is positioned at the second position. With the lock member positioned at the lock position and the lever positioned at the first position, the lever is locked with respect to the side plate. With the lock member at the lock position and the lever at the second position, the lever is unlocked from the side plate.

According to such a configuration, the lock member can be locked at the lock position using the lever.

(15) The lever may have a protrusion. The side plates may have holes. With the lock member at the lock position and the lever at the first position, the projection of the lever fits into the hole in the side plate, whereby the lever is locked with respect to the side plate. With the lock member at the lock position and the lever at the second position, the projection of the lever is disengaged from the hole in the side plate, thereby unlocking the lever from the side plate.

(16) The body housing may have a contact portion. With the drawer positioned at the outer position and the lever positioned at the second position, when the drawer moves from the outer position to the inner position, the lever contacts the contact portion.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the drawer from being positioned at the inner position while the lever is positioned at the second position.

Therefore, when the operator moves the drawer from the outer position to the inner position, the operator can be urged to position the lock member at the lock position and position the lever at the first position.

(17) The photosensitive drum may have a coupling. A coupling is located at one end of the photosensitive drum. The locking member may have a through hole. The coupling is exposed through the through hole when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer. The lever may cover at least a portion of the coupling in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lever is positioned at the second position.

According to such a configuration, when the drawer is positioned at the inner position while the lever is positioned at the second position, the lever can prevent the body coupling from being fitted into the coupling.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the start of image formation when the photosensitive drum is not locked to the drawer.

(18) The lever may extend in a radial direction of the photosensitive drum in a state where the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lever is positioned at the second position. The lever has a first end and a second end in the direction in which the lever extends. The second end may be located on the opposite side of the through hole from the first end.

(19) With the toner cartridge attached to the drum cartridge, the toner cartridge may be rotatable about the second axis between the cartridge first position and the cartridge second position. With the toner cartridge positioned at the cartridge first position, the toner cartridge is locked to the drum cartridge. With the toner cartridge positioned at the cartridge second position, the lock of the toner cartridge with respect to the drum cartridge is released. The second axis may extend in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the positioning accuracy of the photosensitive drum within the main housing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining movement of the drawer shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the cover is positioned at the cover open position and the drawer is positioned at the outer position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge, showing a state where the toner shutter of the drum cartridge is positioned at the closed position. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 3, showing a state where the toner shutter of the drum cartridge is positioned at the open position. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 3, taken through the toner receiving port; FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer and drum cartridge shown in FIG. 2 along line AA. 7 is a side view of the drawer shown in FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer at the center in the axial direction. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer shown in FIG. 6 through the drawer guide and lock guide; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer shown in FIG. 9, showing a state in which the lock member is positioned at the unlocked position; FIG. 11 is a side view of the drawer shown in FIG. 7, showing a state in which the lock member is positioned at the unlocked position; FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge, showing a state in which the toner shutter of the toner cartridge is positioned at the closed position. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge is positioned at the cartridge first position. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge is positioned at the cartridge second position. 15 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 12, showing a state in which the toner shutter of the toner cartridge is positioned at the open position; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 12, taken through the toner outlet.

1. Image forming apparatus 1
An outline of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main housing 2, a sheet cassette 3, a drawer 4, a plurality of drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K, and a plurality of toner cartridges 6Y, 6M and 6C. , 6K, an exposure device 7, a belt unit 8, a transfer roller 9, and a fixing device .

1.1 Main housing 2
The body housing 2 includes a sheet cassette 3, a drawer 4, drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, toner cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, an exposure device 7, a belt unit 8, and a transfer roller 9. , and the fixing device 10 . The body housing 2 has an opening 21 , a cover 22 and a positioning member 23 .

The opening 21 is located on one side wall of the main housing 2 in the first direction.

The cover 22 is movable between a cover closed position (see FIG. 1) and a cover open position (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 22 closes the opening 21 while the cover 22 is positioned at the cover closed position. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 21 is opened when the cover 22 is positioned at the cover open position.

The positioning member 23 extends axially. The axial direction will be explained later. The positioning member 23 has a cylindrical shape. The positioning member 23 is made of metal such as stainless steel or iron.

1.2 Sheet cassette 3
As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet cassette 3 can accommodate sheets S. As shown in FIG. A sheet S in the sheet cassette 3 is conveyed toward the transfer roller 9 .

1.3 Drawer 4
As shown in FIG. 2, with the cover 22 positioned at the cover open position, the drawer 4 moves between the inner position (see FIG. 1) and the outer position (see FIG. 2) through the opening 21 and the second drawer. Can move in one direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the entire drawer 4 is positioned inside the main housing 2 with the drawer 4 positioned at the inner position. As shown in FIG. 2, at least part of the drawer 4 is positioned outside the main housing 2 when the drawer 4 is positioned at the outer position.

1.4 Drum Cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K
Each of the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K is attachable/detachable to/from the drawer 4. As shown in FIG. Specifically, each of the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K can be attached to and detached from the drawer 4 while the drawer 4 is positioned at the outer position.

The description of each of the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K is the same as the description of the drum cartridge 5Y. Therefore, the description of the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K will be omitted in the following description.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drum cartridge 5Y has a photosensitive drum 11Y, a charging device 12Y, and a developing device 13Y.

1.4.1 Photosensitive drum 11Y
The photosensitive drum 11Y extends in the axial direction. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the axial direction intersects the first direction. Preferably, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the axial direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The photosensitive drum 11Y is rotatable about a drum axis A1. The drum shaft A1 extends axially. As shown in FIG. 3, the photosensitive drum 11Y has a coupling 111Y.

The coupling 111Y is positioned at one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction. The coupling 111Y rotates together with the photosensitive drum 11Y. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 is positioned at the inner side, the body coupling (not shown) is fitted to the coupling 111Y. The coupling 111Y rotates by receiving power from a body coupling (not shown).

1.4.2 Charging device 12Y
As shown in FIG. 1, the charging device 12Y charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. In this embodiment, the charging device 12Y is a charging roller. The charging device 12Y may be a scorotron charger.

1.4.3 Developing device 13Y
The developing device 13Y can supply toner to the photosensitive drum 11Y. Specifically, the developing device 13Y includes a developing housing 131Y and a developing roller 132Y.

1.4.3.1 Development housing 131Y
The development housing 131Y can accommodate toner from the toner cartridge 6Y. The development housing 131Y has a development opening 133. As shown in FIG. Toner from the toner cartridge 6Y passes through the developing opening 133 and enters the developing housing 131Y. The development housing 131Y supports the development roller 132Y.

1.4.3.2 Development roller 132Y
The developing roller 132Y can supply the toner in the developing housing 131Y to the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y contacts the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y may be separated from the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y extends in the axial direction. The development roller 132Y is rotatable about the development axis A2. The development axis A2 extends in the axial direction.

1.6 Multiple Toner Cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K
The toner cartridge 6Y contains toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 11Y. The toner cartridge 6Y is detachable from the drum cartridge 5Y. With the toner cartridge 6Y attached to the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner cartridge 6Y can supply toner to the developing device 13Y.

The toner cartridge 6M contains toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 11M. The toner cartridge 6M is detachable from the drum cartridge 5M. With the toner cartridge 6M attached to the drum cartridge 5M, the toner cartridge 6M can supply toner to the developing device 13M.

The toner cartridge 6C accommodates toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 11C. The toner cartridge 6C is detachable from the drum cartridge 5C. With the toner cartridge 6C attached to the drum cartridge 5C, the toner cartridge 6C can supply toner to the developing device 13C.

The toner cartridge 6K contains toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 11K. The toner cartridge 6K is detachable from the drum cartridge 5K. With the toner cartridge 6K attached to the drum cartridge 5K, the toner cartridge 6K can supply toner to the developing device 13K.

1.7 Exposure device 7
With the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K attached to the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 positioned at the inner position, the exposure device 7 can expose the peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. be. In this embodiment, the exposure device 7 is a laser scanning unit.

1.8 Belt unit 8
The belt unit 8 is positioned below the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K with the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K attached to the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 positioned at the inner position. The belt unit 8 includes an intermediate transfer belt 81 and a plurality of transfer rollers 82Y, 82M, 82C and 82K.

The intermediate transfer belt 81 contacts the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C and 11K when the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K are attached to the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 is positioned at the inner position.

The transfer roller 82Y transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 11Y to the intermediate transfer belt 81. As shown in FIG. The transfer roller 82M transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 11M to the intermediate transfer belt 81. As shown in FIG. The transfer roller 82</b>C transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 11</b>C to the intermediate transfer belt 81 . The transfer roller 82K transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 11K to the intermediate transfer belt 81. As shown in FIG.

1.9 Transfer roller 9
The transfer roller 9 transfers the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 81 onto the sheet S. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the sheet S conveyed from the sheet cassette 3 toward the transfer roller 9 passes between the transfer roller 9 and the intermediate transfer belt 81 and is conveyed to the fixing device 10 . At this time, the transfer roller 9 transfers the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 81 to the sheet S. As shown in FIG.

1.10 Fixing device 10
The fixing device 10 heats and presses the sheet S onto which the toner has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner onto the sheet S. As shown in FIG. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 10 is ejected onto the upper surface of the main housing 2 .

2. Details of Drum Cartridge 5Y Next, details of the drum cartridge 5Y will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG.

The "first direction" in the following description of the drum cartridge 5Y is the "first direction" when "the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4".

As shown in FIG. 3, the drum cartridge 5Y has a drum frame 51 in addition to the photosensitive drum 11Y, charging device 12Y and developing device 13Y described above.

The drum frame 51 supports the photosensitive drum 11Y, the charging device 12Y, the developing device 13Y, and the drum cleaner 52. As shown in FIG. The drum frame 51 has drum side plates 511A and 511B, toner guides 512A and 512B, a receiving portion 513, a toner shutter 514, a seal member 515, and cylindrical portions 516A and 516B (see FIG. 6).

2.1 Drum side plates 511A and 511B
The drum side plate 511A is positioned at one end of the drum cartridge 5Y in the axial direction. The drum side plate 511A has an outer surface S1 and an inner surface S2. The inner surface S2 is axially positioned between the outer surface S1 and the drum side plate 511B.

The drum side plate 511B is positioned at the other end of the drum cartridge 5Y in the axial direction. The drum side plate 511B is located apart from the drum side plate 511A in the axial direction. The drum side plate 511B has an outer surface S11 and an inner surface S12. The inner surface S12 is axially positioned between the outer surface S11 and the drum side plate 511A.

2.2 Toner guides 512A and 512B
The toner guide 512A is positioned on the inner surface S2 of the drum side plate 511A. The toner guide 512A is located on the opposite side of the receiving portion 513 from the developing device 13Y. The toner guide 512A is a concave groove. The toner guide 512A has a guide portion 5121A and a lock portion 5122A.

The guide portion 5121A extends in the second direction. The second direction intersects the first direction and the axial direction. Specifically, the second direction crosses the first direction and is perpendicular to the axial direction. When the toner cartridge 6Y is attached to the drum cartridge 5Y, the guide portion 5121A guides the protrusion 62A (see FIG. 12) of the toner cartridge 6Y. 62 A of protrusions are demonstrated later. The guide portion 5121A has one end in the second direction and the other end in the second direction. The other end of the guide portion 5121A is positioned between the one end of the guide portion 5121A and the receiving portion 513 in the second direction.

The lock portion 5122A is positioned at the other end of the guide portion 5121A. Lock portion 5122A extends in a direction intersecting the second direction. The lock portion 5122A extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the axial direction.

The toner guide 512B is positioned on the inner surface S12 of the drum side plate 511B. The toner guide 512B has a guide portion 5121B and a lock portion 5122B. The guide portion 5121B has the same shape as the guide portion 5121A. Lock portion 5122B has the same shape as lock portion 5122A. When the toner cartridge 6Y is attached to the drum cartridge 5Y, the guide portion 5121B guides the protrusion 62B (see FIG. 12) of the toner cartridge 6Y. The projection 62B will be explained later.

2.3 Receiving portion 513
The receiving portion 513 receives the second containing portion 612 (see FIG. 12) of the toner cartridge 6Y while the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y. The receiving portion 513 extends axially. One end of the receiving portion 513 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 511A. The other end of the receiving portion 513 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 511B. The receiving portion 513 has a semi-cylindrical shape. The receiving portion 513 has a toner receiving port 5131 and a plurality of holes 5132A and 5132B.

The toner receiving port 5131 is located in the central portion of the receiving portion 513 in the axial direction. The toner receiving port 5131 communicates with the developing opening 133 (see FIG. 5) of the developing housing 131Y.

The hole 5132A is axially positioned between the toner receiving port 5131 and the drum side plate 511A. The hole 5132A is located apart from the toner receiving port 5131 in the axial direction.

The hole 5132B is axially positioned between the toner receiving port 5131 and the drum side plate 511B. The hole 5132B is located on the opposite side of the toner receiving port 5131 from the hole 5132A in the axial direction. The hole 5132B is located apart from the toner receiving port 5131 in the axial direction.

2.4 Toner shutter 514
The toner shutter 514 is attached to the receiving portion 513 . The toner shutter 514 is movable between a closed position (see FIG. 3) and an open position (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3, the toner shutter 514 closes the toner receiving opening 5131 while the toner shutter 514 is at the closed position. As shown in FIG. 4, the toner receiving port 5131 is opened when the toner shutter 514 is positioned at the open position. The toner shutter 514 has a toner shutter opening 5141, a plurality of through holes 5142A and 5142B, and a plurality of through holes 5143A and 5143B.

The toner shutter opening 5141 extends axially. At least a portion of the toner shutter opening 5141 communicates with the toner receiving port 5131 when the toner shutter 514 is at the open position. As a result, the toner receiving port 5131 is opened while the toner shutter 514 is at the open position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner shutter opening 5141 is positioned away from the toner receiving port 5131 when the toner shutter 514 is positioned at the closed position.

The through hole 5142A is located between the toner shutter opening 5141 and the drum side plate 511A in the axial direction. The through hole 5142A is located apart from the toner shutter opening 5141 in the axial direction. The through hole 5142A extends in the direction in which the toner shutter 514 moves. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, through hole 5142A communicates with hole 5132A both when toner shutter 514 is at the closed position and when toner shutter 514 is at the open position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the through hole 5142B is axially positioned between the toner shutter opening 5141 and the drum side plate 511B. The through hole 5142B is located on the opposite side of the toner shutter opening 5141 from the through hole 5142A in the axial direction. The through hole 5142B is located apart from the toner shutter opening 5141 in the axial direction. The through hole 5142B extends in the direction in which the toner shutter 514 moves. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, through hole 5142B communicates with hole 5132B both when toner shutter 514 is at the closed position and when toner shutter 514 is at the open position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the through hole 5143A is axially positioned between the through hole 5142A and the drum side plate 511A. The through hole 5143A is located on the opposite side of the toner shutter opening 5141 with respect to the through hole 5142A in the axial direction.

The through hole 5143B is axially positioned between the through hole 5142B and the drum side plate 511B. The through hole 5143B is located on the opposite side of the toner shutter opening 5141 with respect to the through hole 5142B in the axial direction.

2.5 Seal member 515
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the seal member 515 is positioned between the receiving portion 513 and the developing housing 131Y. The seal member 515 seals between the receiving portion 513 and the developing housing 131Y. Sealing member 515 surrounds toner receiving port 5131 and developing opening 133 . The sealing member 515 is made of sponge, for example.

2.6 Cylindrical portions 516A and 516B
As shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical portion 516A is located on the opposite side of the drum side plate 511B from the drum side plate 511A in the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 516A extends from the outer surface S1 of the drum side plate 511A. The cylindrical portion 516A may be attached to the drum side plate 511A. The cylindrical portion 516A extends axially. The cylindrical portion 516A receives one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical portion 516B is located on the opposite side of the drum side plate 511A from the drum side plate 511B in the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 516B extends from the outer surface S11 of the drum side plate 511B. The cylindrical portion 516B may be attached to the drum side plate 511B. Cylindrical portion 516B extends in the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 516B receives the other end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction.

3. Details of Drawer 4 Details of the drawer 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11 .

The "axial direction" in the following description of the drawer 4 is the "axial direction" when "the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4".

The drawer 4 includes two side plates 41A and 41B (see FIG. 6), two positioning plates 42A and 42B (see FIG. 6), a plurality of lock members 43Y, 43M, 43C and 43K (see FIG. 7), and a plurality of levers 44Y, 44M, 44C and 44K (see FIG. 7), a plurality of locking members 45Y (see FIG. 6), 45M, 45C and 45K, and a plurality of levers 46Y (see FIG. 6), 46M, 46C and 46K. have Lock members 45M, 45C, 45K and levers 46M, 46C, 46K are not shown.

3.1 Side plate 41A
As shown in FIG. 6, the side plate 41A is positioned at one end of the drawer 4 in the axial direction. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the side plate 41A faces the drum side plate 511A in the axial direction. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the side plate 41A is located on the opposite side of the drum side plate 511B from the drum side plate 511A in the axial direction. The side plate 41A has an outer surface S21 and an inner surface S22. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the outer surface S21 is located on the opposite side of the drum cartridge 5Y from the inner surface S22 in the axial direction. The inner surface S22 is axially positioned between the outer surface S21 and the side plate 41B. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the inner surface S22 faces the drum cartridge 5Y.

As shown in FIG. 8, the side plate 41A includes a plurality of drawer guides 411Y, 411M, 411C and 411K, a plurality of through holes 412Y, 412M, 412C and 412K, a plurality of holes 413Y (see FIG. 7), and a plurality of It has a hole 413M (see FIG. 7), a plurality of holes 413C (see FIG. 7), and a plurality of holes 413K (see FIG. 7). In other words, the drawer 4 includes a plurality of drawer guides 411Y, 411M, 411C and 411K, a plurality of through holes 412Y, 412M, 412C and 412K, a plurality of holes 413Y, a plurality of holes 413M and a plurality of holes 413C. , and a plurality of holes 413K.

3.1.1 Drawer guides 411Y, 411M, 411C, 411K
The drawer guides 411Y, 411M, 411C, and 411K are arranged in the first direction at intervals.

The drawer guide 411Y guides the attachment of the drum cartridge 5Y to the drawer 4. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the drawer guide 411Y guides one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4. As shown in FIG. The drawer guide 411Y is positioned on the inner surface S22 of the side plate 41A. The drawer guide 411Y extends in the guide direction. The guide direction intersects the first direction and the axial direction. Specifically, the guide direction intersects the first direction and is perpendicular to the axial direction. The drawer guide 411Y has one end E1 and the other end E2 in the guide direction. The other end E2 is positioned between the one end E1 and the lock member 43Y in the guide direction. The drawer guide 411Y is a recess. The drawer guide 411Y may be a rib. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the cylindrical portion 516A (see FIG. 6) of the drum cartridge 5Y fits into the drawer guide 411Y.

The description of each of the drawer guides 411M, 411C, and 411K is the same as the description of the drawer guide 411Y. Therefore, description of the drawer guides 411M, 411C, and 411K is omitted.

3.1.2 Through holes 412Y, 412M, 412C, 412K
The through hole 412Y is positioned on the other side of the drawer guide 411Y in the guide direction. In other words, the through hole 412Y is located on the opposite side of the one end E1 of the drawer guide 411Y from the other end E2 of the drawer guide 411Y in the guide direction. The through hole 412Y has a circular shape. As shown in FIG. 6, the through hole 412Y penetrates from the inner surface S22 of the side plate 41A to the outer surface S21 of the side plate 41A.

The description of each of the through holes 412M, 412C, and 412K is the same as the description of the through hole 412Y. Therefore, description of each of the through holes 412M, 412C, and 412K is omitted.

3.1.3 Holes 413Y, 413M, 413C, 413K
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hole 413Y is located on the outer surface S21 of the side plate 41A. The hole 413Y is positioned at the edge of the through hole 412M. The hole 413Y is recessed from the outer surface S21 toward the inner surface S22 in the axial direction. Hole 413Y may be a through hole.

The explanation for each of the holes 413M, 413C, and 413K is the same as the explanation for the hole 413Y. Therefore, description of the holes 413M, 413C, and 413K is omitted.

3.2 Side plate 41B
As shown in FIG. 6, the side plate 41B is positioned at the other end of the drawer 4 in the axial direction. The side plate 41B is located apart from the side plate 41A in the axial direction. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the side plate 41B faces the drum side plate 511B in the axial direction. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the side plate 41B is located on the opposite side of the drum side plate 511A from the drum side plate 511B in the axial direction. The side plate 41B has an outer surface S31 and an inner surface S32. The inner surface S32 is positioned between the outer surface S31 and the side plate 41A in the axial direction.

The side plate 41B includes a plurality of drawer guides 414Y, 414M, 414C and 414K, a plurality of through holes 415Y, 415M, 415C and 415K, a plurality of holes 416Y, a plurality of holes 416M, a plurality of holes 416C and a plurality of and a hole 416K. Drawer guides 414M, 414C, 414K, through holes 415M, 415C, 415K and holes 416M, 416C, 416K are not shown.

3.2.1 Drawer guides 414Y, 414M, 414C, 414K
The drawer guides 414Y, 414M, 414C, and 414K are arranged in the first direction at intervals.

The drawer guide 414Y guides the attachment of the drum cartridge 5Y to the drawer 4 together with the drawer guide 411Y. The drawer guide 414Y is positioned on the inner surface S32 of the side plate 41B. The drawer guide 414Y extends in the guide direction. The drawer guide 414Y is a recess. The drawer guide 414Y may be a rib. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the cylindrical portion 516B of the drum cartridge 5Y fits into the drawer guide 414Y.

The description of each of the drawer guides 414M, 414C, and 414K is the same as the description of the drawer guide 414Y. Therefore, description of the drawer guides 414M, 414C, and 414K is omitted.

3.2.2 Through holes 415Y, 415M, 415C, 415K
The through hole 415Y is positioned on the other side of the drawer guide 414Y in the guide direction. Through hole 415Y has a circular shape. The through hole 415Y penetrates from the inner surface S32 of the side plate 41B to the outer surface S31 of the side plate 41B.

The description of each of the through holes 415M, 415C, and 415K is the same as the description of the through hole 415Y. Therefore, description of each of the through holes 415M, 415C, and 415K is omitted.

3.2.3 Holes 416Y, 416M, 416C, 416K
As shown in FIG. 6, the hole 416Y is located on the outer surface S31 of the side plate 41B. Hole 416Y is positioned at the edge of through hole 415M, similar to hole 413Y (see FIG. 7). The hole 416Y is recessed from the outer surface S31 toward the inner surface S32 in the axial direction. Hole 416Y may be a through hole.

The explanation for each of the holes 416M, 416C, 416K is the same as the explanation for the hole 416Y. Therefore, description of the holes 416M, 416C, and 416K is omitted.

3.3 Positioning plates 42A and 42B
As shown in FIG. 6, the positioning plate 42A is positioned at one end of the drawer 4 in the axial direction. The positioning plate 42A is located inside the inner surface S22 of the side plate 41A in the axial direction. In other words, the positioning plate 42A is positioned between the side plates 41A and 41B in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the positioning plate 42A extends in the first direction. The positioning plate 42A is made of metal such as stainless steel or iron.

As shown in FIG. 6, with the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K attached to the drawer 4, the positioning plate 42A comes into contact with one end of each of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. The positions of the drums 11Y, 11M, 11C and 11K are determined. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the positioning plate 42A has a plurality of concave portions 421Y, 421M, 421C, and 421K and a positioned portion 422. As shown in FIG.

3.3.1 Recesses 421Y, 421M, 421C, 421K
With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y fits into the recess 421Y. The recess 421Y overlaps the lock member 43Y in the axial direction. Specifically, when the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position, the concave portion 421Y axially overlaps the lock guide 431 of the lock member 43Y. The lock position and lock guide 431 will be described later.

The concave portions 421Y, 421M, 421C, and 421K are arranged in the first direction at intervals. The description of the recesses 421M, 421C, and 421K is the same as the description of the recess 421Y. Therefore, description of the recesses 421M, 421C, and 421K is omitted.

3.3.2 Positioned portion 422
The positioned portion 422 is positioned by the positioning member 23 of the main housing 2 while the drawer 4 is positioned at the inner position. In other words, the positioning member 23 of the main housing 2 positions the positioning plate 42A in the main housing 2 while the drawer 4 is positioned at the inner position.

The positioned portion 422 is located at one end of the positioning plate 42A in the first direction. The positioned portion 422 comes into contact with the positioning member 23 while the drawer 4 is positioned at the inner position. In this embodiment, the positioned portion 422 is a notch. With the drawer 4 positioned at the inner position, the positioning member 23 of the main housing 2 is fitted into the notch that is the positioned portion 422 .

3.4 Lock members 43Y, 43M, 43C, 43K
As shown in FIG. 7, the lock member 43Y is positioned inside the through hole 412Y of the side plate 41A. The lock member 43Y has a disc shape. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the lock member 43Y can move between a locked position (see FIG. 9) and an unlocked position (see FIG. 10). The locking member 43Y is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position about a first axis A11 (see FIG. 6). The first axis A11 extends in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the first axis A11 coincides with the drum axis A1 (see FIG. 6). That is, the locking member 43Y can rotate between the locked position and the unlocked position about the drum shaft A1. The first axis A11 may be offset from the drum axis A1.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position, the lock member 43Y locks the photosensitive drum 11Y to the drawer 4. FIG. “Lock the photosensitive drum 11Y to the drawer 4” means to prevent the photosensitive drum 11Y from moving in the direction in which the drum cartridge 5Y is separated from the drawer 4. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the unlocked position, the lock of the photosensitive drum 11Y with respect to the drawer 4 is released.

As shown in FIG. 6, the locking member 43Y has an outer surface S41 and an inner surface S42. The inner surface S42 is positioned between the outer surface S41 and the side plate 41B of the drawer 4 in the axial direction. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the inner surface S42 faces the outer surface S1 of the drum side plate 511A. As shown in FIG. 8, the lock member 43Y has a lock guide 431, a lock portion 432, a through hole 433, a pressing member 434, and a spring 435. As shown in FIG.

Note that each of the lock members 43M, 43C, and 43K will be described in the same manner as the lock member 43Y. Therefore, description of the lock members 43M, 43C, and 43K is omitted.

3.3.1 Lock guide 431
The lock guide 431 extends radially of the lock member 43Y. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the cylindrical portion 516A (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 5Y fits into the lock guide 431. As shown in FIG. As a result, one end (see FIG. 6) of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction fits into the lock guide 431 when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 .

As shown in FIG. 9, the lock guide 431 extends in a direction intersecting the guide direction when the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position. In other words, the lock guide 431 extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the drawer guide 411Y when the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position. With the lock member 43Y at the lock position, the lock guide 431 is not connected to the drawer guide 411Y.

Therefore, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the drum cartridge 5Y moves in the guide direction with the lock member 43Y positioned at the lock position, the cylindrical portion 516A does not come off the lock guide 431. FIG. As a result, the drum cartridge 5Y cannot be removed from the drawer 4 when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the lock guide 431 extends in the guide direction when the lock member 43Y is at the unlocked position. In other words, the lock guide 431 extends in the direction in which the drawer guide 411Y extends when the lock member 43Y is at the unlocked position. The lock guide 431 is connected to the drawer guide 411Y when the lock member 43Y is at the unlocked position.

Therefore, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the unlocked position and the drum cartridge 5Y moves in the guide direction, the cylindrical portion 516A is removed from the lock guide 431. FIG. As a result, the drum cartridge 5Y can be removed from the drawer 4 while the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the unlocked position.

3.3.2 Lock portion 432
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the locking portion 432 is part of the locking member 43Y. In this embodiment, the lock portion 432 is a wall that defines the lock guide 431 .

As shown in FIG. 9, the lock portion 432 extends in a direction crossing the guide direction when the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position. In other words, the lock guide 431 extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the drawer guide 411Y when the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position, the lock portion 432 is positioned between one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y and the drawer guide 411Y. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the drum cartridge 5Y moves in the guide direction with the lock member 43Y positioned at the lock position, the cylindrical portion 516A does not come off the lock guide 431. FIG. As a result, the lock portion 432 locks the photosensitive drum 11Y to the drawer 4 in a state where the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the lock portion 432 extends in the guide direction when the lock member 43Y is located at the unlocked position. In other words, the lock guide 431 extends in the direction in which the drawer guide 411Y extends when the lock member 43Y is at the unlocked position. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y positioned at the unlocked position, the lock portion 432 is retracted from between the one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y and the drawer guide 411Y. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the unlocked position and the drum cartridge 5Y moves in the guide direction, the cylindrical portion 516A is removed from the lock guide 431. FIG.

3.3.3 Through hole 433
As shown in FIG. 8, the through hole 433 is positioned in the center of the lock member 43Y. The through hole 433 is located inside the lock guide 431 . Through hole 433 has a circular shape. As shown in FIG. 7, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the coupling 111Y of the photosensitive drum 11Y is exposed through the through hole 433. As shown in FIG. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 is positioned at the inner position, the main body coupling (not shown) passes through the through hole 433 and fits into the coupling 111Y.

3.3.4 Pressing member 434
As shown in FIG. 9, the pressing member 434 is attached to the lock portion 432 . When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position, the pressing member 434 is positioned between one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y and the drawer guide 411Y. When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position, the pressing member 434 is positioned on the side opposite to the positioning plate 42A with respect to one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y positioned at the lock position, the pressing member 434 presses the cylindrical portion 516A of the drum cartridge 5Y toward the positioning plate 42A. As a result, the pressing member 434 presses one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y toward the positioning plate 42A in a state where the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the locking member 43Y is positioned at the locking position. Specifically, with the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y positioned at the lock position, the pressing member 434 presses one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y toward the recess 421Y of the positioning plate 42A. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the unlocked position, the pressing member 434 is pushed between one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y and the drawer guide 411Y. escape from between As a result, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the unlocked position, the pressing member 434 is released from pressing one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y toward the positioning plate 42A. be done.

3.3.5 Spring 435
As shown in FIG. 9, the spring 435 presses the pressing member 434 . With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the spring 435 presses the pressing member 434 toward one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y.

With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y positioned at the lock position, the spring 435 presses the pressing member 434 toward the positioning plate 42A.

3.5 Lever 44Y, 44M, 44C, 44K
The description of each of the levers 44M, 44C, and 44K is the same as the description of the lever 44Y. Therefore, description of the levers 44M, 44C, and 44K will be omitted in the following description.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lever 44Y is attached to the outer surface S41 of the locking member 43Y. Thereby, the lever 44Y can move together with the lock member 43Y. The lever 44Y is located outside the outer surface S21 of the side plate 41A in the axial direction. In other words, the lever 44Y is located on the side opposite to the side plate 41B with respect to the side plate 41A in the axial direction. The lever 44Y is operated by an operator to move the locking member 43Y. Specifically, the lever 44Y is operated by the operator to move the lock member 43Y between the lock position (see FIG. 9) and the unlock position (see FIG. 10).

Here, the lever 44Y has a function of locking the lock member 43Y at the lock position. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the lever 44Y is movable between the first position and the second position when the lock member 43Y is at the lock position. The lever 44Y located in the first position is depicted in solid lines in FIG. The lever 44Y located in the second position is depicted in phantom lines in FIG.

With the lock member 43Y at the lock position and the lever 44Y at the first position, the lever 44Y is locked with respect to the side plate 41A. Thereby, the lever 44Y locks the lock member 43Y at the lock position. When the lever 44Y is located at the first position, the lever 44Y extends along the outer surface S21 of the side plate 41A.

On the other hand, with the lock member 43Y at the lock position and the lever 44Y at the second position, the lock of the lever 44Y with respect to the side plate 41A is released. As a result, the lever 44Y unlocks the lock member 43Y at the lock position. With the lever 44Y at the second position, the lock member 43Y can move between the lock position and the unlock position. When the lever 44Y is positioned at the second position, the lever 44Y protrudes from the outer surface S21 of the side plate 41A.

Note that when the lever 44Y is positioned at the second position and the lock member 43Y is moved from the lock position, the lever 44Y cannot be moved from the second position to the first position. Therefore, when the drawer 4 is positioned at the outer position (see FIG. 2) and the lever 44Y is positioned at the second position, the lever 44Y moves from the outer position to the inner position (see FIG. 1). , abuts on the abutting portion of the main housing 2 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the drawer 4 from being positioned at the inner position when the lock member 43Y is not positioned at the locked position. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the operator to position the lock member 43Y at the lock position. In this embodiment, the contact portion is the edge of the opening 21 of the main housing 2 . That is, the body housing 2 has a contact portion.

6 and 11, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lever 44Y is positioned at the second position, the lever 44Y moves at least a portion of the coupling 111Y in the axial direction. cover. As a result, even if the drawer 4 is positioned at the inner position while the lock member 43Y is not positioned at the locked position, it is possible to prevent the body coupling (not shown) from fitting into the coupling 111Y. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the start of image formation when the photosensitive drum 11Y is not locked to the drawer 4 .

The lever 44Y has a lever body 441 and two protrusions 442A and 442B.

3.5.1 Lever body 441
When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lever 44Y is positioned at the second position, the lever main body 441 extends in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 11Y. In other words, with the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4 and the lever 44Y positioned at the second position, the lever 44Y extends in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 11Y. The lever body 441 has a first end 441A, a second end 441B, and an arc portion 441C.

The first end 441A is one end of the lever body 441 in the direction in which the lever 44Y extends. The second end 441B is the other end of the lever body 441 in the direction in which the lever 44Y extends. That is, the lever 44Y has a first end 441A and a second end 441B in the direction in which the lever 44Y extends. The second end portion 441B is located on the opposite side of the through hole 433 of the lock member 43Y with respect to the first end portion 441A.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the lever 44Y is at the first position, the arc portion 441C runs along the edge of the through hole 433 of the lock member 43Y. As a result, the lever 44Y does not cover the through hole 433 of the lock member 43Y when the lever 44Y is positioned at the first position.

3.5.2 Protrusions 442A, 442B
As shown in FIG. 11, projection 442A extends from first end 441A of lever body 441. As shown in FIG. The protrusion 442A may be attached to the first end 441A of the lever body 441 .

A protrusion 442B extends from the second end 441B of the lever body 441 . The protrusion 442B may be attached to the second end 441B of the lever body 441 .

As shown in FIG. 6, with the lock member 43Y at the lock position and the lever 44Y at the first position, the protrusion 442A of the lever 44Y fits into one of the two holes 413Y of the side plate 41A, The projection 442B of the lever 44Y fits into the other of the two holes 413Y of the side plate 41A. Thereby, the lever 44Y is locked with respect to the side plate 41A.

With the lock member 43Y at the lock position and the lever 44Y at the second position, the projection 442A of the lever 44Y is disengaged from one of the two holes 413Y of the side plate 41A, and the projection 442B of the lever 44Y is pulled out of the side plate 41A. from the other of the two holes 413Y. This unlocks the lever 44Y from the side plate 41A.

3.6 Lock members 45Y, 45M, 45C, 45K
The lock member 45Y is positioned inside the through hole 415Y of the side plate 41B. The description of the lock member 45Y is the same as the description of the lock member 43Y. Therefore, description of the lock member 45Y is omitted.

Further, the description of each of the lock members 45M, 45C, and 45K is the same as the description of the lock member 43Y. Therefore, description of each of the lock members 45M, 45C, and 45K is also omitted.

3.7 Lever 46Y, 46M, 46C, 46K
The lever 46Y is attached to the outer surface S51 of the lock member 45Y. The description of the lever 46Y is the same as the description of the lever 44Y. Therefore, description of the lever 46Y is omitted.

Also, the description of each of the levers 46M, 46C, and 46K is the same as the description of the lever 46Y. Therefore, description of each of the levers 46M, 46C, and 46K is also omitted.

4. Details of Toner Cartridge 6Y Details of the toner cartridge 6Y will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16. FIG.

The description of each of the toner cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K is the same as the description of the toner cartridge 6Y. Therefore, description of the toner cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K is omitted.

Further, the "axial direction" in the following description of the toner cartridge 6Y is the "axial direction" when "the toner cartridge 6Y is attached to the drum cartridge 5Y".

As shown in FIG. 12, the toner cartridge 6Y extends axially. The toner cartridge 6Y includes a toner housing 61, a plurality of protrusions 62A and 62B, a plurality of protrusions 63A and 63B, a toner shutter 64, a plurality of protrusions 65A and 65B, and a toner conveying member 66 (see FIG. 16). have

4.1 Toner housing 61
With the toner cartridge 6Y attached to the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner housing 61 moves between the cartridge first position (see FIG. 13) and the cartridge second position (see FIG. 14) about the second axis A12. It is rotatable. In other words, with the toner cartridge 6Y attached to the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner cartridge 6Y can rotate about the second axis A12 between the cartridge first position and the cartridge second position. The second axis A12 extends axially.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the toner housing 61 is positioned at the cartridge first position, the projection 62A (see FIG. 12) is fitted into the locking portion 5122A (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 5Y, and the projection 62B (see FIG. 12) fits into the lock portion 5122B (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 5Y. As a result, the toner cartridge 6Y is locked with respect to the drum cartridge 5Y with the toner housing 61 positioned at the cartridge first position. "The toner cartridge 6Y is locked to the drum cartridge 5Y" means that the toner cartridge 6Y cannot be removed from the drum cartridge 5Y. As shown in FIG. 14, when the toner housing 61 is positioned at the cartridge second position, the protrusion 62A (see FIG. 12) is disengaged from the locking portion 5122A (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 5Y, and the protrusion 62B (see FIG. 12) is released from the lock portion 5122B (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 5Y. As a result, the toner cartridge 6Y is unlocked from the drum cartridge 5Y while the toner housing 61 is positioned at the cartridge second position.

As shown in FIG. 12, the toner housing 61 extends axially. The toner housing 61 has a first containing portion 611, a second containing portion 612, and a plurality of connecting portions 613A and 613B.

4.1.1 First accommodation section 611
The first accommodation portion 611 extends in the axial direction. The first housing portion 611 has a cylindrical shape. The first container 611 can contain toner. In other words, the toner housing 61 can contain toner.

4.1.2 Second storage section 612
The second accommodation portion 612 is positioned apart from the first accommodation portion 611 in the third direction. The third direction intersects the axial direction. Preferably, the third direction is orthogonal to the axial direction. The second accommodation portion 612 extends in the axial direction. The second housing portion 612 has a cylindrical shape. The volume of the second accommodation portion 612 is smaller than the volume of the first accommodation portion 611 . The second container 612 has a toner outlet 614 . In other words, the toner housing 61 has a toner outlet 614 .

The toner discharge port 614 is located between the projections 63A and 63B in the axial direction. The toner discharge port 614 is located in the center of the second containing portion 612 in the axial direction. The toner outlet 614 extends axially. The toner discharge port 614 can discharge the toner inside the toner housing 61 .

4.1.3 Connections 613A, 613B
The connecting portion 613A is positioned between one end of the first accommodating portion 611 in the axial direction and one end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction. The connecting portion 613A connects one end of the first housing portion 611 in the axial direction and one end of the second housing portion 612 in the axial direction.

The connecting portion 613B is positioned between the other end of the first accommodation portion 611 in the axial direction and the other end of the second accommodation portion 612 in the axial direction. The connecting portion 613B is positioned with a gap from the connecting portion 613A in the axial direction. The connecting portion 613B connects the other end of the first accommodation portion 611 in the axial direction and the other end of the second accommodation portion 612 in the axial direction.

The second accommodation portion 612 communicates with the first accommodation portion 611 via a connection portion 613A and a connection portion 613B. The toner in the first containing portion 611 enters the second containing portion 612 through the connecting portion 613A and the connecting portion 613B.

4.2 Protrusions 62A, 62B
The protrusion 62A is positioned at one end of the toner cartridge 6Y in the axial direction. The protrusion 62A is positioned at one end of the second housing portion 612 in the axial direction. 62 A of protrusions protrude in an axial direction from one end part of the 2nd accommodating part 612 in an axial direction. The projection 62A extends in the radial direction of the second housing portion 612. As shown in FIG. The protrusion 62A extends in the third direction.

The protrusion 62B is positioned at the other end of the toner cartridge 6Y in the axial direction. The protrusion 62B is positioned at the other end of the second accommodation portion 612 in the axial direction. The protrusion 62B axially protrudes from the other axial end of the second accommodating portion 612 . The protrusion 62B extends in the radial direction of the second accommodation portion 612 . The protrusion 62B extends in the third direction.

4.3 Protrusions 63A, 63B
The projection 63A is positioned between the toner outlet 614 and the projection 62A in the axial direction. The protrusion 63A is positioned between the toner shutter 64 and the protrusion 62A in the axial direction. The protrusion 63A is located on the side opposite to the first accommodation portion 611 with respect to the second accommodation portion 612 in the third direction. 63 A of protrusions are extended in a 3rd direction from the surrounding surface of the 2nd accommodating part 612. As shown in FIG.

The protrusion 63B is located apart from the protrusion 63A in the axial direction. The protrusion 63B is located on the opposite side of the toner outlet 614 from the protrusion 63A in the axial direction. The protrusion 63B is positioned between the toner outlet 614 and the protrusion 62B in the axial direction. The protrusion 63B is located on the opposite side of the toner shutter 64 from the protrusion 63A in the axial direction. The projection 63B is positioned between the toner shutter 64 and the projection 62B in the axial direction. The projection 63B is located on the opposite side of the first accommodation portion 611 with respect to the second accommodation portion 612 in the third direction. The projection 63B extends in the third direction from the peripheral surface of the second housing portion 612. As shown in FIG.

4.4 Toner shutter 64
The toner shutter 64 is positioned between the connecting portion 613A and the connecting portion 613B in the axial direction. The toner shutter 64 is positioned on the peripheral surface of the second containing portion 612 . The toner shutter 64 is movable with respect to the toner outlet 614 between a toner closed position (see FIG. 12) and a toner open position (see FIG. 15). As shown in FIG. 12, the toner shutter 64 closes the toner outlet 614 while the toner shutter 64 is at the closed position. As shown in FIG. 14, when the toner cartridge 6Y is attached to the drum cartridge 5Y and the toner housing 61 is positioned at the cartridge second position, the toner shutter 64 is positioned at the toner closing position. As shown in FIG. 15, the toner discharge port 614 is opened when the toner shutter 64 is positioned at the open position. As shown in FIG. 13, when the toner cartridge 6Y is attached to the drum cartridge 5Y and the toner housing 61 is positioned at the cartridge first position, the toner shutter 64 is positioned at the toner open position.

As shown in FIG. 12, the toner shutter 64 extends axially. The toner shutter 64 has a cylindrical shape. The toner shutter 64 has an opening 641 . Opening 641 extends axially. The opening 641 is positioned away from the toner outlet 614 when the toner shutter 64 is positioned at the closed position. As shown in FIG. 15, at least a portion of the opening 641 communicates with the toner discharge port 614 when the toner shutter 64 is at the open position.

4.5 Protrusions 65A, 65B
As shown in FIG. 12, the projection 65A is located on the peripheral surface of the toner shutter 64. As shown in FIG. The projection 65A extends from the peripheral surface of the toner shutter 64. As shown in FIG. The projection 65A is positioned between the opening 641 and the projection 63A in the axial direction.

The protrusion 65B is located apart from the protrusion 65A in the axial direction. The projection 65B is located on the opposite side of the opening 641 from the projection 65A in the axial direction. The projection 65B is located on the peripheral surface of the toner shutter 64. As shown in FIG. The projection 65B extends from the peripheral surface of the toner shutter 64. As shown in FIG. The protrusion 65B is axially positioned between the opening 641 and the protrusion 63B.

4.6 Toner Conveying Member 66
As shown in FIG. 16, the toner conveying member 66 is positioned inside the second containing portion 612 . The toner conveying member 66 is rotatable about an axis A21. Axis A21 extends in the axial direction. The toner transport member 66 extends along the axis A21. The toner conveying member 66 conveys the toner that has entered the second accommodation portion 612 through the connection portion 613A and the toner that has entered the second accommodation portion 612 through the connection portion 613B toward the toner outlet 614. .

5. Replacement Work of Toner Cartridge 6Y Next, replacement work of the toner cartridge 6Y will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 6, 7 and 12 to 14. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to replace the toner cartridge 6Y, the operator first moves the drawer 4 from the inner position (see FIG. 1) to the outer position (see FIG. 2).

With the drawer 4 positioned at the outer position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position and the lever 44Y is positioned at the first position. The lock member 43Y is locked at the lock position by the lever 44Y being positioned at the first position. The photosensitive drum 11Y is locked to the drawer 4 by positioning the lock member 43Y at the lock position.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the operator moves the toner housing 61 from the cartridge first position (see FIG. 13) to the cartridge second position (see FIG. 14).

Then, as shown in FIG. 14, with the toner housing 61 positioned at the cartridge second position, the toner shutter 64 of the toner cartridge 6Y is positioned at the closed position, and the toner shutter 514 of the drum cartridge 5Y is positioned at the closed position. To position.

Next, the operator pulls out the toner cartridge 6Y from the drum cartridge 5Y in the third direction. Then, the toner cartridge 6Y is separated from the drum cartridge 5Y.

At this time, since the photosensitive drum 11Y is locked to the drawer 4, movement of the photosensitive drum 11Y with respect to the drawer 4 can be suppressed.

Next, when the drawer 4 is positioned at the outer position and the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, in order to attach the toner cartridge 6Y to the drum cartridge 5Y, the operator must first move the projection 62A (Fig. 12) is fitted into the toner guide 512A (see FIG. 3), and the projection 62B (see FIG. 12) is fitted into the toner guide 512B (see FIG. 3).

As a result, the second containing portion 612 of the toner cartridge 6Y is guided toward the receiving portion 513 by the toner guides 512A and 512B. The second housing portion 612 fits into the receiving portion 513 as shown in FIG.

Then, the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y. At this time, the toner housing 61 is positioned at the cartridge second position.

With the toner cartridge 6Y supported by the drum cartridge 5Y and the toner housing 61 positioned at the cartridge second position, the projection 65A (see FIG. 12) passes through the through hole 5142A (see FIG. 3) of the toner shutter 514. , the projection 65B (see FIG. 12) passes through the through-hole 5142B (see FIG. 3) of the toner shutter 514 and passes through the hole 5132B (see FIG. 3) of the receiving portion 513. see). The toner shutter 64 is fixed to the receiving portion 513 by fitting the projection 65A into the hole 5132A of the receiving portion 513 and fitting the projection 65B into the hole 5132B of the receiving portion 513 .

The projection 63A (see FIG. 12) fits into the through hole 5143A (see FIG. 3) of the toner shutter 514, and the projection 63B (see FIG. 12) fits into the through hole 5143B (see FIG. 3) of the toner shutter 514. circle. The projection 63A fits into the through hole 5143A of the toner shutter 514, and the projection 63B fits into the through hole 5143B of the toner shutter 514, so that the toner shutter 514 can move together with the toner housing 61. FIG.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the operator moves the toner housing 61 from the cartridge second position (see FIG. 14) to the cartridge first position (see FIG. 13). At this time, the toner housing 61 pivots about the second containing portion 612 .

Then, the toner shutter 64 moves from the closed position to the open position with respect to the toner housing 61 due to the movement of the toner housing 61 from the cartridge second position to the cartridge first position. Further, the toner shutter 514 moves from the closed position to the open position as the toner housing 61 moves from the cartridge second position to the cartridge first position.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the toner housing 61 is positioned at the cartridge first position, the toner shutter 64 is positioned at the open position, and the toner shutter 514 is positioned at the open position. Then, the toner discharge port 614 communicates with the toner reception port 5131 . As a result, the toner receiving port 5131 can receive the toner discharged from the toner discharging port 614 .

Next, the operator moves the drawer 4 from the outer position to the inner position. Thus, the replacement work of the toner cartridge 6Y is completed.

6. Replacement Work of Drum Cartridge 5Y Next, replacement work of the drum cartridge 5Y will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 11. FIG.

The drum cartridge 5Y may be replaced while the toner cartridge 6Y is attached to the drum cartridge 5Y, or may be replaced while the toner cartridge 6Y is removed from the drum cartridge 5Y and attached.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to replace the drum cartridge 5Y, the operator first moves the drawer 4 from the inner position (see FIG. 1) to the outer position (see FIG. 2).

With the drawer 4 positioned at the outer position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position and the lever 44Y is positioned at the first position. The lock member 45Y (see FIG. 6) is located at the lock position, and the lever 46Y (see FIG. 6) is located at the first position.

The lock member 43Y is locked at the lock position by the lever 44Y being positioned at the first position. Further, the lock member 45Y is locked at the lock position by the lever 46Y being positioned at the first position.

The photosensitive drum 11Y is locked to the drawer 4 because the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position and the lock member 45Y is positioned at the lock position.

Next, the operator moves the lever 44Y from the first position to the second position. Then, the lock of the lock member 43Y is released with the lever 44Y positioned at the second position. Also, the operator moves the lever 46Y from the first position to the second position. Then, the lock of the lock member 45Y is released with the lever 46Y positioned at the second position.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the operator rotates the lock member 43Y from the lock position to the unlock position. Also, the operator rotates the lock member 45Y (see FIG. 6) from the lock position to the unlock position. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the photosensitive drum 11Y is unlocked from the drawer 4 with the lock member 43Y at the unlocked position and the lock member 45Y (see FIG. 6) at the unlocked position. .

Next, the operator pulls out the drum cartridge 5Y from the drawer 4. FIG. Then, the cylindrical portion 516A (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 5Y is disengaged from the lock guide 431 of the lock member 43Y, and the cylindrical portion 516B (see FIG. 6) of the drum cartridge 5Y is disengaged from the lock guide 451 (see FIG. 6) of the lock member 45Y. , the drum cartridge 5Y is separated from the drawer 4.

Next, in order to attach the drum cartridge 5Y to the drawer 4 with the drawer 4 positioned at the outer position, the operator first inserts the cylindrical portion 516A into the drawer guide 411Y of the drawer 4 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the cylindrical portion 516B is fitted into the drawer guide 414Y of the drawer 4. As shown in FIG. As a result, the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 while being guided by the drawer guides 411Y and 414Y.

When the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4, the cylindrical portion 516A of the drum cartridge 5Y fits into the lock guide 431 of the lock member 43Y, and the cylindrical portion 516B of the drum cartridge 5Y fits into the lock guide 451 of the lock member 45Y. circle.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the operator grips the lever 44Y positioned at the second position and rotates the lock member 43Y from the unlocked position to the locked position. Also, the operator grips the lever 46Y (see FIG. 6) positioned at the second position and rotates the lock member 45Y (see FIG. 6) from the unlocked position to the locked position.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the photosensitive drum 11Y is locked to the drawer 4 with the lock member 43Y at the lock position and the lock member 45Y (see FIG. 6) at the lock position.

Next, the operator moves the lever 44Y from the second position to the first position. Also, the operator moves the lever 46Y (see FIG. 6) from the second position to the first position. Next, the operator moves the drawer 4 from the outer position to the inner position. Thus, the replacement work of the drum cartridge 5Y is completed.

7. (1) According to the image forming apparatus 1, when replacing the toner cartridge 6Y with the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4 as shown in FIG. With the photosensitive drum 11Y locked to the drawer 4 by 43Y, the toner cartridge 6Y can be replaced with respect to the drum cartridge 5Y.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum 11Y from moving with respect to the drawer 4 during the replacement work of the toner cartridge 6Y.

As a result, deterioration in positioning accuracy of the photosensitive drum 11Y within the main housing 2 can be suppressed.

(2) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the locking member 43Y is positioned at the locked position (see FIG. 9) and the unlocked position (FIG. 10) with respect to the axially extending first axis A11. ) can be rotated between

Therefore, it is not necessary to move the locking member 43Y in the axial direction when moving the locking member 43Y between the locked position and the unlocked position.

As a result, space saving in the axial direction can be achieved.

(3) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lock member 43Y is positioned between the lock position (see FIG. 9) and the unlock position (see FIG. 10) with respect to the drum shaft A1. can be rotated.

Therefore, the moving range of the locking member 43Y with respect to the photosensitive drum 11Y can be reduced.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the drawer 4 from increasing in size by providing the lock member 43Y.

(4) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 9, the lock guide 431 extends in the direction in which the drawer guide 411Y extends when the lock member 43Y is positioned at the unlocked position, connected with

Therefore, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 with the lock member 43Y at the unlocked position, one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction is guided by the drawer guide 411Y and the lock guide 431. , can be smoothly fitted to the lock member 43Y.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the lock guide 431 extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the drawer guide 411Y when the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position.

Therefore, one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction can be locked to the drawer 4 by the lock guide 431 when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position.

(5) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 9, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position, the lock portion 432 locks the photosensitive drum 11Y. and the drawer guide 411Y.

As a result, one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction can be locked to the drawer 4 by the lock portion 432 in a state where the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position.

(6) According to the image forming apparatus 1, the locking member 43Y has the pressing member 434 as shown in FIG. With the drum cartridge 5Y attached to the drawer 4, the pressing member 434 presses one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y toward the positioning plate 42A.

As a result, one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y can be pressed toward the positioning plate 42A using the locking member 43Y.

(7) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the lever 44Y is positioned outside the outer surface S21 of the side plate 41A.

Therefore, the operator can operate the lock member 43Y from the outside of the side plate 41A.

As a result, the operator can smoothly move the lock member 43Y.

(8) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the lock member 43Y is positioned at the lock position and the lever 44Y is positioned at the first position, the lever 44Y is positioned on the side plate. 41A.

Therefore, the lock member 43Y can be locked at the lock position using the lever 44Y.

(9) According to the image forming apparatus 1, with the drawer 4 positioned at the outer position and the lever 44Y positioned at the second position, the drawer 4 is moved from the outer position to the inner position, as indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. , the lever 44Y abuts on the abutting portion of the main housing 2. As shown in FIG.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the drawer 4 from being positioned at the inner position when the lever 44Y is positioned at the second position.

Therefore, when the operator moves the drawer 4 from the outer position to the inner position, the operator can be prompted to position the lock member 43Y at the lock position and position the lever 44Y at the first position. .

(10) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 11, when the drum cartridge 5Y is attached to the drawer 4 and the lever 44Y is positioned at the second position, the lever 44Y is moved in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11Y. covers at least part of the coupling 111Y.

Therefore, when the drawer 4 is positioned at the inner position while the lever 44Y is positioned at the second position, the lever 44Y can prevent the body coupling from being fitted into the coupling 111Y.

As a result, it is possible to prevent image formation from being started when the photosensitive drum 11Y is not locked to the drawer 4 .

8. Modifications (1) The image forming apparatus 1 does not have to include the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, and 5C. The image forming apparatus 1 may be dedicated to printing monochrome images.

(2) The locking member 43Y may be linearly movable.

1 image forming apparatus 4 drawer 5Y drum cartridge 6Y toner cartridge 11Y photosensitive drum 23 positioning member 41A side plate 42A positioning plate 43Y lock member 44Y lever 111Y coupling 411Y drawer guide 412Y through hole 413Y hole 421Y recess 422 portion to be positioned 431 lock guide 432 lock Part 433 Through Hole 434 Pressing Member 435 Spring 441A First End 441B Second End 442A Protrusion A1 Drum Shaft A11 First Shaft A12 Second Shaft S21 Outer Surface S22 Inner Surface

Claims (19)

main housing,
a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum;
a toner cartridge detachable from the drum cartridge;
A drawer movable between an inner position located inside the main housing and an outer position located outside the main housing, wherein the drum cartridge is detachable, and the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer. a drawer having a lock member movable between a locked position where the photosensitive drum is locked to the drawer and an unlocked position where the photosensitive drum is unlocked from the drawer;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum shaft extending in the axial direction,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lock member is rotatable between said lock position and said unlock position about a first shaft extending in said axial direction. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum shaft extending in the axial direction,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said locking member is rotatable about said drum shaft between said locking position and said unlocking position. the lock member has a disc shape,
a lock guide extending radially of the lock member;
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a circular through-hole located in the center of said lock member and located within said lock guide. The drawer is
a drawer guide that guides one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer;
The lock member is
a lock guide into which the one end of the photosensitive drum is fitted when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer;
When the lock member is positioned at the lock position, the lock guide extends in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the drawer guide extends,
5. The lock guide extends in a direction in which the drawer guide extends and is connected to the drawer guide when the lock member is positioned at the unlocked position. The image forming apparatus according to . The drawer has a drawer guide that guides one end of the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer,
The lock member is
A lock portion that locks the photosensitive drum to the drawer with the lock member positioned at the lock position, wherein the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock member is positioned at the lock position. the photosensitive drum is located between one end of the photosensitive drum and the drawer guide, the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, and the lock member is positioned at the unlocked position, 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a locking portion retracted from between the one end portion and the drawer guide. The drawer is
a positioning plate that contacts one end of the photosensitive drum to determine the position of the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge is mounted in the drawer;
The lock member is
7. The image forming method according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member that presses the one end of the photosensitive drum against the positioning plate while the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer. Device. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said locking member has a spring that presses said pressing member toward said one end of said photosensitive drum when said drum cartridge is attached to said drawer. The positioning plate is
having a recess into which the one end of the photosensitive drum is fitted when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer;
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressing member presses the one end portion of the photosensitive drum toward the concave portion of the positioning plate in a state in which the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer. . The main body housing is
a positioning member for positioning the positioning plate to the main housing when the drawer is positioned at the inner position;
The positioning plate is
10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the drawer has a positioned portion that contacts the positioning member when the drawer is positioned at the inner position. The positioning member has a cylindrical shape,
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said portion to be positioned is a notch into which said positioning member is fitted when said drawer is positioned at said inner position. 12. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a lever for moving the lock member between the lock position and the unlock position, the lever being movable together with the lock member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the items. The drawer is
an inner surface facing the drum cartridge when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer; an outer surface located opposite to the inner surface of the drum cartridge when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer; a side plate having a through hole penetrating from the inner surface to the outer surface;
The lock member is positioned within the through hole of the side plate,
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said lever is positioned outside said outer surface of said side plate. The lever is movable between a first position extending along the outer surface of the side plate and a second position protruding from the outer surface of the side plate with the lock member positioned at the lock position. ,
The lever is locked with respect to the side plate in a state in which the lock member is positioned at the lock position and the lever is positioned at the first position,
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lock of the lever with respect to the side plate is released in a state in which the lock member is positioned at the lock position and the lever is positioned at the second position. the lever has a protrusion,
The side plate has a hole,
With the lock member positioned at the locked position and the lever positioned at the first position, the projection of the lever fits into the hole of the side plate, whereby the lever is attached to the side plate. locked against
With the lock member positioned at the lock position and the lever positioned at the second position, the projection of the lever is disengaged from the hole of the side plate, thereby unlocking the lever with respect to the side plate. 15. The image forming apparatus of claim 14, which is released. The main body housing is
a contact portion with which the lever abuts when the drawer moves from the outer position to the inner position in a state in which the drawer is positioned at the outer position and the lever is positioned at the second position; The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 or 15. The photosensitive drum is
a coupling located at one end of the photosensitive drum;
The lock member is
a through hole through which the coupling is exposed when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer;
14. The lever covers at least a portion of the coupling in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lever is positioned at the second position. Item 17. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Item 16. With the drum cartridge mounted in the drawer and the lever positioned at the second position, the lever extends in a radial direction of the photosensitive drum,
18. The image formation according to claim 17, wherein the lever has a first end and a second end located on the opposite side of the through-hole with respect to the first end in the direction in which the lever extends. Device. With the toner cartridge attached to the drum cartridge, the toner cartridge moves between a cartridge first position where the drum cartridge is locked and a cartridge second position where the drum cartridge is unlocked. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photosensitive drum is rotatable about a second shaft extending in an axial direction thereof.

Images