JP4012188B2 - Electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium (for example, paper, an OHP sheet) using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile apparatus, and a multifunction machine (multifunction printer) thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, when a process cartridge is attached or detached, a slit provided in the cartridge passes through a fixing pin provided protruding from the apparatus main body. In addition, there is known one configured to open a shutter by acting on a shutter mechanism of a toner supply port of a cartridge (Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-072653 A

  Conventionally, the cartridge and the shutter mechanism, which were desired at that time, were sufficiently satisfied. However, in order to improve the cartridge detachment operability that has been required in recent years, it has been necessary to improve the linkage between the cartridge and the shutter mechanism.

An object of the present invention, in mounting the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus main body is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of switching means having a process cartridge securely operated.

Another object of the present invention, in mounting the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus main body, even as a process cartridge deviates from the predetermined mounting path, electrophotography capable of switching means having a process cartridge securely operate An image forming apparatus is provided.

Structure of order to achieve the above object, the profile processes cartridge mounted detachably an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
(i) Switching for performing an operation to switch between an electrophotographic photosensitive member, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an operating state in which the process means is applied to the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a non-operating state in which the process means is not applied. A process cartridge having means;
(ii) an action member that moves in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the process cartridge, and is moved from a position in contact with the process cartridge in conjunction with the mounting operation of the process cartridge and engaged with the switching means ; said switching deactivates the switching means from the operating state to the process cartridge and the contact is switched to the operating state from the non-operating state in conjunction with the removal operation of the switching means and engaging said switching means of said process cartridge An action member that moves to a position;
It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, in mounting the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus main body, a switching means having a process cartridge can be securely operate.

Further, according to the present invention, in mounting the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus main body, even as a process cartridge deviates from the predetermined mounting path, a switching means having a process cartridge can be securely operate.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 15 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the following description, the insertion direction is referred to as the back side and the extraction direction is referred to as the near side with reference to the direction in which the process cartridge is inserted into the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, “upper” and “lower” mean “upper” and “lower” in the mounted state of the cartridge.

[Description of entire electrophotographic image forming apparatus]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which an embodiment of the present invention is embodied.

  The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is a color laser beam printer that forms a color image on a recording medium such as recording paper, an OHP sheet, and cloth by an electrophotographic image forming process.

  The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in this example includes four image forming stations S (Sy, Sm, Sc, Sk) in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 100. Sy is an image forming station for yellow, Sm is for magenta, Sc is for cyan, and Sk is for black. The process cartridges 10 (10y, 10m, 10c, and 10k) for four colors and the toner supply containers 15 (15y, 15m, 15c, and 15k) respectively correspond to the corresponding image forming stations S (Sy, Sm, Sc, and Sk). Removably attached. Further, the apparatus main body 100 includes an optical device 20 (20y, 20m, 20c, 20k) that can irradiate laser light, an intermediate transfer body unit 30, a recording medium transport unit 40, a fixing unit 50, and the like.

  In the above configuration, first, the photosensitive drum 12 as the electrophotographic photosensitive member formed as a first color, for example, a yellow process cartridge 10y is uniformly charged by the charging unit 13. Next, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12 by the laser light 22 irradiated from the optical unit 20y. The latent image is developed by the developing means 14 to form a toner image. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 31 as an image carrier by the action of the primary transfer roller 35.

  A similar image forming process is performed in each of the process cartridges 10m, 10c, and 10k for magenta m, cyan c, and black k. Then, toner images of the respective colors are formed on the photosensitive drum 12, and are sequentially transferred onto the previously formed toner image.

  On the other hand, the recording medium P is transported from the paper feed cassette 41 or the paper feed tray 42 to the secondary transfer region by the recording medium transport unit 40. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred to the recording medium P by the action of the secondary transfer roller 36. At this time, the waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 31 without being completely transferred is removed by the cleaning blade 71 provided in the cleaning device 70. Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 31 is used for the next image formation. The removed waste toner is collected in a waste toner container unit 75.

  The recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 50, and the toner image is fixed at the nip portion between the fixing roller 51 and the pressure roller 52. The recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 56 by a discharge roller 55.

  Here, the toner supply containers 15 have the same structure. Each toner replenishing container 15 encloses toner as a developer or a mixture of toner and a magnetic carrier, and a stirring means 16 and a screw 17 are integrally formed.

  The intermediate transfer unit 30 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31 that is an endless belt, three rollers 32, 33, and 34 that rotatably support the intermediate transfer belt 31, and toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 12. A primary transfer roller 35 for transferring to the transfer belt 31 and a secondary transfer roller 36 for further transferring the toner image transferred on the transfer belt 31 to the recording medium P are provided. Of the three rollers, 32 is a driving roller, 33 is a tension roller, and 34 is a secondary transfer counter roller.

  The recording medium transport unit 40 includes a pickup roller 43, a paper feed roller 44, a transport roller 45, a registration roller 46, and the like that transport the recording medium P from each paper feed cassette 41 or paper feed tray 42 to the secondary transfer region. Yes.

[Process cartridge]
In the process cartridge 10, the photosensitive drum 12 and at least one process means acting on the photosensitive drum 12 are integrally formed as a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100. As process means, a corona charger 13 as charging means for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 12 and a developing device 14 as developing means for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum with toner are provided. . The photosensitive drum 12, the corona charger 13 and the developing device 14 are supported by the cartridge frame 1a.

  In each cartridge 10 shown in this example, as shown in FIG. 15, the photosensitive drum 12 rotates and the surface thereof is uniformly charged by the charger 13. Next, the photosensitive drum 12 is irradiated with laser light 22 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 14 using toner.

  The developing device 14 has toner in the toner storage portion 14a. Then, the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 12 by the developing roller 14b provided in the toner storage portion 14a. As a result, a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed and visualized.

  The amount of toner in the toner storage portion 14a is always detected by a sensor (not shown). When the toner amount decreases from the predetermined amount, the screw 17 of the toner replenishing container 15 disposed above the cartridge 10 rotates to replenish the toner into the toner storage portion 14a.

  FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the cartridge 10 as viewed from the upper surface side. On the upper surface of the frame 1a, an exposure opening 1c is formed as an exposure window through which the laser beam 22 passes. A laser shutter 1k for preventing the photosensitive drum 12 from being exposed to external light when the cartridge 10 is detached from the apparatus main body 100 is rotatably attached to the frame 1a. The laser shutter 1k opens and closes in conjunction with the movement of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. Here, the laser shutter 1k is attached to the frame 1a so as to be rotatable by a rotation center 1k3 (FIG. 8) in the longitudinal direction.

[Install process cartridge]
The mounting of the cartridge 10 will be described.

  The cartridge 10 can be easily removed from the apparatus main body 100 by a user and is replaced when the photosensitive drum 12 reaches the end of its life. In the present embodiment, for example, the number of rotations and the charging time of the photosensitive drum 12 are counted, and when the predetermined count number is exceeded, notification is made that the cartridge 10 has reached the end of its life.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement configuration of the optical device 20 and the process cartridge 10.
Reference numeral 20 denotes an optical device, 80 denotes an optical stay, 60 denotes a front side plate, 65 denotes a rear side plate, 90 denotes a P drive unit, and 200 denotes an opening / closing lid unit.

  In the optical stay 80 for installing the optical devices 20 (20y, 20m, 20c, 20k) side by side in the recording medium conveying direction, S openings 82 (82y, 82m, 82c) for installing the optical devices 20 are provided. 82k). In this optical stay 80, the position of the recording medium conveyance direction and the height direction of the apparatus is determined by inserting the stay insertion portion 84 into the stay insertion holes 64 of the front side plate 60 and the rear side plate 65. Accordingly, the optical stay 80 is fixed to the front side plate 60 and the rear side plate 65.

  The front plate 60 is provided with a P opening 61 that allows the cartridges 10 to be arranged and detached in the recording medium conveyance direction. When these cartridges 10 are attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100, mounting means (guide members) for detachably mounting the cartridge 10 on the apparatus main body 100 is necessary. Therefore, guide rails 300 (300a, 300b, 300c, 300d, 300e) shown in FIG. 10 are provided as mounting means so as to correspond to the respective cartridges 10 above the P openings 61. The mounting direction of the cartridge 10 is a direction parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 12. Each guide rail 300 is arranged in the cartridge mounting direction. Accordingly, the cartridge 10 is inserted by being slid along the guide rail 300 from the near side in the apparatus main body 100 to the far side. The guide rail 300 will be described in detail later.

  When the cartridge 10 is inserted to the innermost part, the P drive shaft 92 of the P drive unit 90 is inserted into the center hole (not shown) of the drum flange 12b of the photosensitive drum 12. As a result, the rotational center position on the back side of the photosensitive drum 12 is determined with respect to the apparatus main body 100. At the same time, the drive transmission portion 12g formed on the drum flange 12b and the drive coupling 91 of the P drive unit 90 are connected. As a result, the photosensitive drum 12 can be rotationally driven.

  The drive transmission unit 12g used in the present embodiment has a twisted triangular prism shape. As a result, the driving force from the apparatus main body 100 is applied to the drive transmission portion 12g, whereby the driving force is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 12 and a force for pulling the photosensitive drum 12 to the back side is generated.

  Further, a support pin 93 for positioning the cartridge 10 is disposed in the vicinity of the P drive unit 90 of the rear side plate 65. The support pins 93 are inserted into pin fitting holes (not shown) provided on the back side of the frame of the cartridge 10. Thereby, the position of the back side of the frame of the cartridge 10 is fixed.

  In the vicinity of the P opening 61 of the front side plate 60, an opening / closing lid unit 200 for holding the cartridge 10 inserted from the P opening 61 is provided so as to be openable and closable. By closing the open / close lid unit 200, the bearing case 12c of the cartridge 10 is fitted into the open / close lid unit. Thereby, the frame front side of the cartridge 10 is supported and fixed.

  With these series of insertion operations, the photosensitive drum 12 and the cartridge 10 are positioned with respect to the apparatus main body 100.

[About the shutter of the process cartridge]
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a joint portion of the cartridge 10 with the toner supply container 15. FIG. 4 shows a state in which a member attached to the upper portion of the frame 1a on the toner supply container side is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a toner supply opening 1 b for connecting to a toner discharge opening (not shown) of the toner supply container 15 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 1 a of the cartridge 10. A toner supply port 1b1 which is a through hole for supplying toner from the supply container 15 is disposed in the supply opening 1b. In the present embodiment, the supply opening 1b is disposed on the drive transmission side of the photosensitive drum 12, that is, on the back side in the insertion direction of the cartridge 10.

  A seal member 1j is bonded and fixed to the upper surface of the frame 1a around the supply port 1b1. An opening having substantially the same shape as the hole shape of the toner supply port 1b1 is formed in the seal member 1j. The seal member 1j is preferably elastic and has a low surface sliding resistance. In this embodiment, a urethane foam having a sliding sheet attached to the upper surface is used.

  Two guide grooves 1a1 are formed on the same straight line on the upper surface of the frame 1a. The guide groove 1a1 has a linear shape parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[Process cartridge shutter mechanism (switching means)]
The shutter mechanism as the switching means in the cartridge 10 includes a toner supply port shutter 1d, a shutter opening / closing cam 1h, and a laser shutter 1k.

  First, the replenishing port shutter 1d mounted on the seal member 1j will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5A is a view of the supply port shutter 1d as viewed from above, and FIG. 5B is a view of the supply port shutter 1d as viewed from below.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), a rack 1d4 is formed on the upper left of the replenishing port shutter 1d to mesh with a circumferentially formed gear and convert rotational motion into linear motion. The supply port shutter 1d is formed with an opening 1d1 having the same shape as the hole of the supply port 1b1. The left side of the opening 1d1 forms a shielding wall 1d2.

As shown in FIG. 5B, two guide ribs 1d3 are formed on the lower surface of the supply port shutter 1d. When placing the replenishing port shutter 1d on the sealing member 1j shown in FIG. 4, the guide ribs 1d 3 is fitted slidably in the guide grooves 1a1, replenishing port shutter 1d is guided by the guide groove 1a1 longitudinal It becomes possible to move linearly in the direction. The rack 1d4 and the straight line connecting the two guide ribs 1d3 are parallel to each other.

  Next, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h as seen from the upper surface side.

  The shutter opening / closing cam 1h is formed with a gear portion 1h1 in an approximately ¼ arc shape. A contact end face 1h7 is formed at one end of the gear portion 1h1. Further, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h is formed with a pin 1h2 protruding substantially vertically upward. A rotation center pin 1h3 is provided on the back surface. The rotation center pin 1h3 is rotatably supported in a hole (not shown) formed in the frame 1a. The shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates around the rotation center pin 1h3. A cam portion 1h4 is formed on the substantially opposite side of the gear portion 1h1 with respect to the rotation center pin 1h3. The cam portion 1h4 is a slit formed from the outer peripheral direction toward the rotation center pin 1h3. The cam portion 1h4 is a portion to which an action pin 400 (FIG. 11) as an action member described later provided in the apparatus main body 100 is engaged. An engaging portion 1h5 is provided beside the cam portion 1h4. The laser shutter 1k is opened and closed by the engaging portion 1h5 and the abutting end surface 1h7.

  The operation relationship between the shutter opening / closing cam 1h, the supply port shutter 1d, and the laser shutter 1k will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 7A to 7C are state transition diagrams showing how the supply port shutter 1d and the laser shutter 1k are opened in order.

  In FIG. 7A, the supply shutter 1d is located on the right side. In this position, the replenishing port 1b1 and the opening 1d1 are shifted from each other. For this reason, the supply port 1b1 is shielded by the shielding wall 1d2. Further, the abutting end 1h7 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h contacts the opening / closing portion 1k1 of the laser shutter 1k, and the laser shutter 1k is in a closed state. The gear portion 1h1 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h and the rack 1d4 of the replenishment shutter 1d are engaged with each other.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates clockwise around the rotation center pin 1h3, the rotation operation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h is caused by the meshing of the gear portion 1h1 and the rack 1d4. Is converted into a linear motion of the supply shutter 1d, and the supply shutter 1d moves to the left in the figure. At this time, the guide rib 1d3 provided on the back surface of the replenishing shutter 1d is fitted into the guide groove 1a1 and slides. For this reason, the replenishment shutter 1d is guided by the guide groove 1a1 and moves linearly in the longitudinal direction.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h further rotates clockwise. Then, the supply shutter 1d moves to the left and stops at a position where the opening 1d1 overlaps the supply port 1b1. At this time, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h is in a state (operating state) in which the replenishing port 1b1 is opened. Therefore, the toner can be supplied. Further, the engaging portion 1h5 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h contacts the opening / closing portion 1k1 to push up the opening / closing portion 1k1, and the laser shutter 1k is opened. At this time, the laser shutter 1k is in a state where the exposure opening 1c is opened (operating state).

  In the state shown in FIG. 7C, conversely, when the shutter opening / closing cam 1h is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation center pin 1h3, the supply port shutter 1d moves to the right side, and the supply port 1b1 is moved to the shielding wall 1d2. It stops at the position shielded by (FIG. 7A). At this time, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h is in a state (non-operating state) where the supply port 1b1 is shielded. Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the abutting end surface 1h7 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h hits the opening / closing portion 1k1 of the laser shutter 1k. As a result, the laser shutter 1k is brought down. At this time, the laser shutter 1k is in a state of closing the exposure opening 1c (non-operating state).

Here, the opening / closing operation of the laser shutter 1k by the shutter opening / closing cam 1h will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8A shows a state where the laser shutter 1k is closed, and FIG. 8B shows a state where the laser shutter 1k is opened.
In the state of FIG. 8 (a), the upper end of the opening / closing portion 1k1 provided at approximately 45 ° with respect to the shutter surface 1k2 of the laser shutter 1k is viewed from the right in the drawing by the abutting end surface 1h7 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. Power is added. The laser shutter 1k is brought down by the force of the abutting end face 1h7, and the exposure opening 1c is closed (blocked state) (FIG. 7A).

  Then, when the shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates clockwise, the engaging portion 1h5 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h comes into contact with the lower surface of the opening / closing portion 1k1 as shown in FIG. Power is added from. The opening / closing part 1k1 is pushed up by the engaging part 1h5. As a result, the laser shutter 1k rotates clockwise around the rotation center 1k3. As a result, the shutter surface 1k2 rises, and the laser shutter 1k is in a state where the exposure opening 1c is opened (open state) (FIG. 7C).

  On the other hand, when closing the laser shutter 1k, if the shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates counterclockwise, the force is exerted by the abutting end surface 1h7 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h from the right side in FIG. 8B (open state). Will be added. The opening / closing part 1k1 is pushed down by the engaging end face 1h7 by the engaging part 1h5. As a result, the laser shutter 1k rotates counterclockwise around the rotation center 1k3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8A, the shutter surface 1k2 is tilted, and the laser shutter 1k is in a state (shielded state) in which the exposure opening 1c is closed.

  As described above, the supply opening shutter 1d and the laser shutter 1k are opened and closed by the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the shutter opening / closing cam 1 h and the supply port shutter 1 d are disposed on the cartridge 10. These parts are covered with a cover 19 attached to the frame 1a as shown by hatching in FIG. 9 (b) for the purpose such as toner leakage from falling prevention or supply port 1 b 1 is fixed. A linear shutter groove 19a through which the action pin 400 passes is formed in the cover 19 in the cartridge longitudinal direction. The action pin 400 comes into contact with the cam portion 1h4 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h while passing through the shutter groove 19a.

[ Relationship between shutter mechanism and action pin of process cartridge]
Next, a characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an insertion guide configuration of the cartridge 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration for inserting the cartridge 10 into the apparatus main body 100.

  Reference numeral 300 (300a, 300b, 300c, 300d, 300e) is a guide rail. Each guide rail 300 is fixed to a guide frame 310 provided in each of the image forming stations S (Sy, Sm, Sc, Sk). Each guide rail 300 is provided in substantially the entire region along the longitudinal direction of the image forming station S. Each guide rail 300 has a first rail surface 301 (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, 301e) and a second rail surface 302 (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e) as mounting paths for the cartridge 10, respectively. have.

  On the other hand, each cartridge 10 is also provided with a right rail 17a and a left rail 17b in substantially the entire region along the cartridge longitudinal direction. Each of the right rails 17a is formed in a convex shape on the right side surface of the frame in the cartridge lateral direction. Each of the left rails 17b is formed in a convex shape on the left side of the frame in the cartridge lateral direction.

  The first rail surface 301 corresponds to the right rail 17 a of the cartridge 10, and the second rail surface 302 corresponds to the left rail 17 b of the cartridge 10. Therefore, the cartridge 10y is slid and inserted into the second rail surface 302a of the guide rail 300a and the first rail surface 301b of the guide rail 300b. Similarly, the cartridge 10m is slid and inserted into the second rail surface 302b of the guide rail 300b and the first rail surface 301c of the guide rail 300c. The cartridge 10c is slidably inserted into the second rail surface 302c of the guide rail 300c and the first rail surface 301d of the guide rail 300d. The cartridge 10k is slidably inserted into the second rail surface 302d of the guide rail 300d and the first rail surface 301e of the guide rail 300e.

  A certain amount of clearance is provided between the cartridge 10 and the guide rail 300. Further, in the configuration in which the cartridges 10 are arranged side by side as in this example, the cartridges 10 are arranged close to each other in order to reduce the size of the apparatus main body 100. Accordingly, a guide frame 310 and a guide rail 300 for supporting the guide frame 310 are arranged between the cartridges 10.

  Next, the configuration of the action pin 400 will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the action pin 400. FIG. 12A shows an assembled and unfolded state in which the action pin 400 is viewed from the left side of the apparatus main body 100. FIG. 12B shows a state in which the action pin 400 is viewed from the upper side of the apparatus main body 100.

In FIG. 12A, reference numeral 340 denotes a cut-and-raised portion of the guide frame 310. The cut-and-raised portions 340 are provided symmetrically at two places on the guide frame 310 around the axis 400c on which the action pin 400 moves. 420 is a bracket rail that is attached to the cut-and-raised portion 340. The bracket rail 420 is formed with two grooves (see FIG. 12B), which are a bracket slide portion 421 and a fixed portion 422. A convex portion 341 is formed at the tip of the cut and raised portion 340. The bracket rail 420 is fixed to the cut and raised portion 340 of the guide frame 310 by press-fitting the convex portion 341 into the hole 423 formed in the bottom surface of the groove of the fixing portion 422. The bracket rail 420 is made of a material having good sliding properties such as polyacetal (POM).

  The action pin 400 is formed on the bracket 401 so that the axial direction of the action pin 400 is the same as the movement direction of the action pin 400. The bracket 401 has a bracket base 405 fitted to the bracket slide portion 421. Thus, the bracket 401 is configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the action pin 400 along the bracket rail 420. The end surface of the fitting portion of the bracket 401 to the bracket rail 420 is subjected to smooth processing. For example, when the bracket 401 is formed of a sheet metal, a process such as faceting is performed.

  Positioning convex portions 403a and 403b as positioning portions are formed at least at two locations below the moving direction of the bracket 401. The positioning protrusions 403a and 403b have a smooth arc shape as shown in FIG. The positioning protrusions 403a and 403b are configured so that the positions in the height direction in FIG. When the cartridge 10 is mounted, the bracket 401 is configured such that only the positioning projections 403a and 403b abut on the cartridge upper surface 19b (FIG. 10). At this time, the pin end portion 400 a of the working pin 400 is positioned above the bottom surface 19 c of the shutter groove 19 a of the cartridge 10.

  In addition, a bracket guide portion 402 that is a guide portion extends obliquely upward in FIG. 12A from a positioning convex portion 403a located on the front side of the apparatus main body 100. The bracket guide part 402 is formed continuously with the positioning convex part 403a. And it inclines toward diagonally upward which cross | intersects the mounting direction (insertion direction) of the cartridge 10. FIG.

  In the bracket 401, a bracket spring 410 as an elastic member is bridged between a first spring hook 404 formed on the bracket 401 and a second spring hook 320 formed on the guide frame 310. The bracket 401 is always urged downward by the spring force of the bracket spring 410.

  Further, the guide frame 310 is formed with a locking portion 330 cut and raised from the guide frame 310 on the movement trajectory of the bracket 401. The bracket 401 urged downward is configured to be locked when the abutting portion 406 provided on the bracket base 405 contacts the locking portion 330. At this time, the pin end portion 400a of the working pin 400 is positioned below the bottom surface 19c of the shutter groove 19a of the cartridge 10 being inserted. Note that the locking portion 330 may be formed by bending.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the cartridge 10 is not attached, the action pin 400, the bracket guide portion 402, and the positioning convex portions 403a and 403b are on the insertion locus (mounting locus) of the cartridge 10 in each image forming station S. Configured to be located. In addition, the action pin 400 is urged downward together with the bracket 401 by the bracket spring 410 before the cartridge 10 contacts the bracket guide portion 402. As a result, the abutting portion 406 of the bracket base 405 is brought into contact with and locked with the locking portion 330 (see FIG. 12) of the guide frame 310. At this time, the pin end portion 400a of the working pin 400 is positioned below the bottom surface 19c of the shutter groove 19a of the cartridge 10 being inserted. Therefore, the action pin 400 is configured to engage with the shutter opening / closing cam 1h even when the cartridge 10 is detached from the guide rail 300. In addition, when the cartridge 10 is mounted, the action pin 400 is in a positional relationship to enter the shutter groove 19a.

[Removal of process cartridge]
Next, the operation of the action pin 400 in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the cartridge 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the cartridge 10 is inserted as seen from the left side of the apparatus main body 100. FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the relationship between the action pin 400 and the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the relationship between the action pin 400 and the cartridge 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the cartridge 10 is inserted along the guide rail 300 from the P opening 61 on the front surface of the apparatus main body 100. When the insertion of the cartridge 10 proceeds, first, the rear side end portion 18 of the cartridge 10 abuts on the bracket guide portion 402 as shown in FIG. Then, the bracket 401 starts to move upward along the bracket rail 420. At this time, the bracket guide portion 402 guides the positioning convex portions 403a and 403b to the cartridge upper surface 19b.

  When the insertion of the cartridge 10 further proceeds, as shown in FIG. 14B, the rear side end portion 18 of the cartridge 10 comes into contact with the positioning convex portion 403a. As the cartridge 10 is further inserted, the positioning convex portion 403a comes into contact with the cartridge upper surface 19b as shown in FIG. At this time, the pin end portion 400a of the action pin 400 is located above the bottom surface 19c of the shutter groove 19a. Therefore, the action pin 400 passes through the shutter groove 19a without contacting the bottom surface 19c.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the action pin 400 passes through the shutter groove 19a, the action pin 400 engages with a cam portion 1h4 formed on the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. As insertion of the cartridge 10 proceeds, the action pin 400 pushes the cam portion 1h4. As a result, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h starts to rotate clockwise around the rotation center 1h3. When the cartridge 10 is completely inserted to the mounting position, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates to the position shown in FIG. The replenishing port shutter 1d described above moves in the longitudinal direction (to the left as shown in FIG. 13C) in conjunction with the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. The toner supply to the cartridge 10 can be performed by exposing the supply port 1b1.

  As for the laser shutter 1k, the laser shutter 1k rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 8A in conjunction with the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. As a result, the exposure opening 1c is opened.

  Conversely, when the cartridge 10 is extracted from the apparatus main body 100, the action pin 400 provided in the apparatus main body 100 moves to the left relative to the cartridge 10 as shown in FIG. Then, the action pin 400 engages with the cam portion 1h4 provided on the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. When the extraction of the cartridge 10 proceeds, the action pin 400 pushes the cam portion 1h4. As a result, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates counterclockwise around the rotation center 1h3.

As shown in FIG. 13B, the replenishing port shutter 1d moves in the longitudinal direction (to the right as shown in FIG. 13B) in conjunction with the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h.
Then, as shown in FIG. 13A, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates to a position where the engagement between the action pin 400 and the cam portion 1h4 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h is released. Then, the supply port shutter 1d is in a state of shielding the supply port 1b1.

  Further, in conjunction with the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h, the laser shutter 1k rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 8B. Then, the laser shutter 1k is closed. As a result, the exposure opening 1c is closed by the laser shutter 1k.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 1A, the contact between the positioning convex portion 403a and the cartridge upper surface 19b is eliminated, and the back end 18 and the bracket guide portion 402 are brought into contact. As the cartridge 10 is pulled out, the bracket 401 moves downward. Finally, there is no contact between the rear end 18 and the bracket guide portion 402, and the bracket 401 is locked by the locking portion 320.

  In the case where the cartridge 10 is not mounted on both of the two adjacent image forming stations S in FIG. 10, the two guide rails are applied while applying a force to the cartridge 10 in either one of the short sides of the cartridge (right direction or left direction). Suppose that it is inserted along 300. Then, the guide rail 300 corresponding to the rails 17a and 17b on the side to which the force of the cartridge 10 is applied is pushed in the short side direction of the cartridge. At this time, one of the guide rails 300 bends together with the guide stay 310, and the back side of the cartridge 10 may drop off from the other guide rail 300.

  As described above, the pin end portion 400a of the working pin 400 is positioned below the bottom surface 19c of the shutter groove 19a of the cartridge 10 being inserted. Therefore, even when the cartridge 10 is detached from the guide rail 300, the action pin 400 is configured to be in a position to engage with the shutter opening / closing cam 1h.

  Therefore, when the cartridge 10 is dropped from the guide rail 300 during the insertion, the back end 18 does not come into contact with the bracket guide portion 402. When the insertion of the cartridge 10 further proceeds, the action pin 400 engages with a cam portion 1h4 formed on the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. The action pin 400 rotates the shutter opening / closing cam 1h clockwise. As a result, the supply port shutter 1d and the laser shutter 1k are opened.

  The guide rail 300 and the guide stay 310 are bent most greatly near the center in the longitudinal direction. Further, the deflection of the guide rail 300 and the guide stay 310 is small on the far side in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the dropped cartridge 10 is inserted to the back side, the drop is eliminated and the cartridge 10 is again guided to the guide 300 rail.

  Further, when the toner supply container 15 mounted above the cartridge 10 is not mounted, a part of the restriction on the cartridge 10 is eliminated. When mounting the cartridge 10 in this state, if a downward external force is applied to the front side of the cartridge 10, the back side of the cartridge 10 may float from the guide rail 300.

  The rear end 18 of the cartridge 10 that has been lifted contacts the bracket guide 402. At this time, the bracket 401 moves upward along the bracket rail 420. When the insertion of the cartridge 10 further proceeds, the action pin 400 engages with a cam portion 1h4 formed on the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. The action pin 400 rotates the shutter opening / closing cam 1h clockwise. As a result, the replenishment shutter 1d and the laser shutter 1k are opened.

  According to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the action pin 400 that engages with the shutter opening / closing cam 1h intersects (orthogonally) the direction in which the cartridge 10 is attached / detached (the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1) (in FIG. It is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow Z). Thus, when the cartridge 10 is inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 100, even if the cartridge 10 deviates from a predetermined mounting path of the guide rail 300, the action pin 400 operates following the cartridge 10. That is, the action pin 400 engages with the shutter opening / closing cam 1h to rotate the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. The supply opening shutter 1d is rotated in a predetermined direction by the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h, so that the supply opening 1b1 is opened or blocked. Further, the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h causes the laser shutter 1k to stand up and fall, thereby bringing the exposure opening 1c into an open state or a shielding state.

  Therefore, when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the switching means of the cartridge can be operated reliably. Further, when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, even if the cartridge deviates from a predetermined mounting path, the switching means included in the cartridge can be reliably operated.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, an example of a working pin and a holder that holds the working pin movably is shown. The same members and parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  16A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the working pin 500 and the holder 520, and FIG. 16B is a plan view before the working pin 500 and the holder 520 are assembled.

  The action pin 500 is formed with an engaging portion 501 for the shutter opening / closing cam 1h, a first flange 502, and a second flange 503. 510 is a guide. The guide 510 is press-fitted into the engaging portion 501 and is abutted against the first flange 502 and fixed. The guide 510 is formed with a positioning portion 511 that comes into contact with the cartridge upper surface 19 b of the cartridge 10 and a guide portion 512 that comes into contact with the rear end 18. The guide part 512 is formed continuously with the positioning part 511. And it inclines toward the diagonal upper direction which cross | intersects the mounting direction of the cartridge 10. FIG. The action pin 500 is fitted in the cylindrical portion 522 of the holder 520. The action pin 500 is mounted in the cylindrical portion 522 so as to be smoothly moved up and down. The second flange 503 is locked in the holder 520 by abutting against a third flange 521 as a locking portion provided in the holder 520.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, a convex portion 523 is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 522. A concave portion 505 is formed in the second flange 503 of the working pin 500 corresponding to the convex portion 523. Thereby, the action pin 500 is configured not to rotate in the holder 520.

  The holder 520 is fixed to the guide frame 310, and a spring 530 as an elastic member is installed in the cylindrical portion 522. The spring 530 is engaged with the second flange 503 and urges the action pin 500 downward as shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the action pin 500 in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the cartridge 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 is a view showing a state where the holder 520 having the action pin 500 is arranged above the guide rail 300. FIG. 18 is a view for explaining the relationship between the action pin 400 and the cartridge 10.

  The holder 520 having the action pin 500 is disposed above the guide rail 300 as shown in FIG. In a state where the cartridge 10 is not mounted, the action pin 500 is urged downward, and the second flange 503 contacts and is locked against the third flange 521 of the holder 520. At this time, the pin end portion 504 of the action pin 500 is positioned below the bottom surface 19c of the shutter groove 19a of the cartridge 10 to be mounted.

When the cartridge 10 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 18A, first, the rear side end portion 18 comes into contact with the guide portion 512. As a result, an upward force is applied to the guide 511 together with the action pin B500. As a result, the guide 511 and the action pin 500 move upward. At this time, the guide part 512 guides the positioning part 511 to the cartridge upper surface 19b.
When the insertion of the cartridge 10 further proceeds, the cartridge upper surface 19b of the cartridge 10 comes into contact with the positioning portion 511 as shown in FIG. Then, the pin end portion 504 of the action pin 500 is positioned above the bottom surface 19c of the shutter groove 19a.

  When the cartridge 10 is further inserted, as shown in FIG. 18C, the action pin 500 passes through the shutter groove 19a without contacting the bottom surface 19c. When the action pin 400 passes through the shutter groove 19a, the engaging portion 501 engages with the cam portion 1h4 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h.

  The shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates clockwise around the rotation center 1h3 as the cam portion 1h4 is pushed by the engaging portion 501. The shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. As a result, the replenishing port shutter 1d moves to open the replenishing port 1b1. As a result, toner can be supplied to the cartridge 10.

  When the cartridge 10 is extracted from the apparatus main body 100, the engaging portion 501 of the action pin 500 passes through the shutter groove 19a of the cartridge 10 from the back side to the front side as the cartridge 10 is extracted. In the middle of the passage, the engaging portion 501 of the action pin 500 engages with the cam portion 1h4 of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h.

  The shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates counterclockwise around the rotation center 1h3 as the cam portion 1h4 is pushed by the engaging portion 501. The shutter opening / closing cam 1h rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shutter opening / closing cam 1h. As a result, the replenishing port shutter 1d moves to put the replenishing port 1b1 in a shielded state.

  Then, as the cartridge 10 is further extracted, if the contact between the cartridge upper surface 19b and the positioning portion 511 disappears from the state shown in FIG. 18B, the rear end portion 18 and the guide portion 512 as shown in FIG. Abut.

Further the process cartridge 10 is Ru withdrawn, descends action pin B500, there is no contact of the guide portion 512 and the back end portion 18, the second flange 503 is engaged with the third flange 521.

  Therefore, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with the working pin and the holder in this embodiment can obtain the same operations and effects as those of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the first embodiment.

[Other]
(1) The action pins 400 and 500 are engaged with a shutter opening / closing cam 1h disposed above the cartridge 10. However, the action pins 400 and 500 are not limited thereto, and when the shutter opening / closing cam 1h is arranged on the side or the lower side of the cartridge 10, the action pins 400 may be arranged at positions corresponding to the shutter opening / closing cam 1h.

  As described above, a certain amount of clearance is provided in the lateral direction of the cartridge 10 and the guide rail 300 in FIG. In the configuration in which the process cartridges 10 are arranged side by side as shown in FIG. 10, the cartridges 10 are arranged close to each other in order to reduce the size of the apparatus main body 100. Accordingly, only the guide frame 310 and the guide rail 300 are disposed between the cartridges 10. When the cartridge 10 is not attached to both of the adjacent image forming stations S, the guide rail 310 is bent when the cartridge 10 is attached while applying a force in one of the short sides of the cartridge.

  That is, the position of the cartridge 10 is freely displaced in the direction in which the image forming stations S are arranged (the recording medium conveyance direction) by the amount of clearance from the guide rail 300 and the amount of deflection of the guide frame 310. Therefore, when the shutter opening / closing cam 1h is installed on the side of the cartridge 10, the action pin 400 shown in the first embodiment or the action pin 500 shown in the second embodiment is disposed at a position corresponding to this. By disposing, the working pin 400 or the working pin B500 can reliably engage the shutter opening / closing cam 1h, and the supply port shutter 1d and the laser shutter 1k can be opened and closed.

  (2) The action pins 400 and 500 are configured to move in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the process cartridge 10. However, the action pins 400 and 500 are not limited to this, and the movement direction is not limited as long as the action pins 400 and 500 intersect with the mounting direction of the cartridge 10 and interlock with the mounting and removal of the cartridge 10.

  (3) Further, the action pins 400 and 500 engage with the shutter opening / closing cam 1 h installed in the cover 19 when passing through the shutter groove 19 a provided in the cover 19. However, the working pins 400 and 500 are not limited to the configuration passing through the groove. For example, the shutter opening / closing cam 1h may be exposed on the cartridge 10, and the action pins 400 and 500 may be directly engaged with the shutter opening / closing cam 1h without being guided by the groove.

  (4) Further, the shape of the action pins 400 and 500 is not limited as long as the action pins 400 and 500 are engaged with the shutter opening / closing cam 1h.

  (5) In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the shutter mechanism of the toner supply port and the laser exposure port arranged in the cartridge 10 has been described. However, the shutter mechanism is not limited to this. For example, when the cartridge 10 is not attached to the apparatus main body 100, the photosensitive drum 12 and the developing means 14 are separated by a mechanism (not shown) as shown in FIG. When the cartridge 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100, as shown in FIG. 19A, it may be a switching mechanism in which the photosensitive drum 12 and the developing means 14 are brought into contact with each other by an unillustrated mechanism (operation state). .

  (6) The shutter mechanism may be applied to the cleaning device 70 shown in FIG. The cleaning device 70 is configured as a unit that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100. In the cleaning device 70, a blade 71 that removes toner on the photosensitive drum is disposed inside the cleaner container 72. The tip of the blade 71 protrudes from the opening 72 a of the cleaner container 72. A cleaning shutter 73 as a shutter mechanism configured to be rotatable about a hinge 73a is disposed on the protruding blade 71. A seal 73 a is provided on the rotating inner surface side of the cleaning shutter 73. FIG. 20A shows a state where the cleaning shutter 73 is closed (non-operating state). The opening 72 a is covered with a cleaning shutter 73. The opening 72a is sealed by a seal 73b. As a result, it is possible to protect the blade 71 during user replacement and to prevent the waste toner accumulated in the cleaner container 72 from leaking. When attached to the apparatus main body 100, as shown in FIG. 20B, the cleaning shutter 73 is opened by a mechanism (not shown) so that the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be removed by the blade 71 (operating state). It is configured.

  (7) The shutter mechanism may be applied to the transfer roller device 600 shown in FIG. The transfer roller device 600 is configured as a unit that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100. In the transfer roller device 600, a secondary transfer roller 36 is supported on a roller holder 601 so as to be rotatable about a roller shaft 36a. Roller shutters 620a and 620b as shutter mechanisms are disposed on the roller shaft 36a so as to be rotatable about the roller shaft 36a. FIG. 21A shows a state where the roller shutter 620 is closed (non-operating state). The roller shutters 620a and 620b partially overlap. As a result, the secondary transfer roller 36 is covered with a roller shutter 620 to prevent breakage or contamination during user replacement. When the transfer roller device 600 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, the roller shutter 620 is opened (operated) by a mechanism (not shown) as shown in FIG. As a result, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 can be transferred to the recording medium by the secondary transfer roller 36.

  According to the foregoing embodiment, even if the process cartridge deviates from the predetermined mounting path of the guide means, the action member can be operated more reliably following the process cartridge. Thereby, the action member can be engaged with the switching mechanism. Therefore, the switching means can be more reliably switched between the operating state and the non-operating state.

It is a figure which shows the insertion state of a process cartridge. It is a figure which shows the structure of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the arrangement configuration of an optical apparatus and a process cartridge. It is a top view which shows the state which removed the supply port of the process cartridge. It is a figure which shows a supply port shutter. It is a perspective view of a shutter opening / closing cam. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that a supply port shutter and a laser shutter open. It is a figure which shows the opening / closing operation | movement of a laser shutter. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the upper surface side. It is a schematic diagram explaining the insertion structure to the apparatus main body of a process cartridge. It is a figure explaining the arrangement configuration of an action pin. It is a figure explaining the arrangement configuration of an action pin. It is a figure explaining the relationship between an action pin and a shutter opening / closing cam. It is a figure explaining the relationship between an action pin and a cartridge. It is a model figure which shows the structure of a process cartridge. It is a figure which shows an example of an action pin and a holder. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning aspect of an action pin and a holder. It is a figure explaining the relationship between an action pin and a process cartridge. It is a figure which shows the other example of the shutter mechanism in a process cartridge. It is a figure which shows an example of the cleaning apparatus which has a shutter mechanism. It is a figure which shows an example of the transfer roller apparatus which has a shutter mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a ... Frame guide groove, 1b ... Supply opening part, 1b1 ... Supply opening, 1c ... Exposure opening,
1d ... replenishment port shutter, 1d1 ... opening, 1d2 ... shielding wall, 1d3 ... guide rib,
1d4 ... rack, 1h ... shutter opening / closing cam, 1h1 ... gear part, 1h2 ... pin,
1h3 ... rotation center pin, 1h4 ... cam part, 1h5 ... engagement part, 1h6 ... engagement part,
1h7: end face, 1k ... laser shutter, 1k1 ... opening / closing part,
1k2 ... shutter surface, 1k3 ... rotation center, 10 ... process cartridge,
12 ... photosensitive drum, 18 ... back end, 19 ... cover, 19a ... shutter groove,
19b ... cartridge top surface, 19c ... bottom surface, 100 ... device main body,
310 ... Guide frame, 320 ... Second spring hooking portion, 330 ... Locking portion,
340 ... cut and raised part, 341 ... convex part, 400 ... working pin, 400a ... pin end part,
401 ... Bracket, 402 ... Bracket guide part, 403 ... Positioning convex part,
404 ... first spring hooking portion, 405 ... bracket base, 406 ... butting portion,
420 ... Bracket rail, 421 ... Bracket slide part, 422 ... Fixed part,
500 ... Working pin, 501 ... Engagement part, 504 ... Pin end part, 510 ... Guide part 511 ... Positioning part, 520 ... Holder, 530 ... Spring

Claims (7)

The profile processes cartridge mounted detachably an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
(i) Switching for performing an operation to switch between an electrophotographic photosensitive member, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an operating state in which the process means is applied to the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a non-operating state in which the process means is not applied. A process cartridge having means;
(ii) an action member that moves in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the process cartridge, and is moved from a position in contact with the process cartridge in conjunction with the mounting operation of the process cartridge and engaged with the switching means ; A position where the switching means is switched from the operating state to the non-operating state, and is engaged with the switching means in conjunction with the removal operation of the process cartridge, and the switching means is switched from the non-operating state to the operating state to contact the process cartridge. An action member that moves to
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: The action member is provided on a bracket that moves in a direction crossing the attaching / detaching direction of the process cartridge, and the bracket abuts the process cartridge when the process cartridge is installed and removed , thereby causing the action member to move. A positioning portion for positioning so as to be engaged with the switching means; and in contact with the process cartridge in conjunction with the mounting operation of the process cartridge, and guiding the positioning portion to a position in contact with the process cartridge; and the process cartridge electrophotographic image according to claim 1, in conjunction with the removal operation, characterized in that organic and a guide portion for guiding the previous position of the process cartridge and the positioning portion abut abut said process cartridge Forming equipment. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising an elastic member that urges the bracket in a direction crossing a mounting direction of the process cartridge.   The action member is held by a holder so as to be movable in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the process cartridge. A positioning portion for positioning to be engaged, and a contact with the process cartridge in conjunction with the mounting operation of the process cartridge to guide the positioning portion to a position to be in contact with the process cartridge, and a removal operation of the process cartridge The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide portion that interlocks with the process cartridge and guides the positioning portion to a position before the contact with the process cartridge.   The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an elastic member that urges the action member in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the process cartridge. The guide unit, before Symbol electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 4, characterized in that it is inclined in a direction intersecting the mounting direction when mounting the process cartridge. Said switching means, said Ri shutter mechanism der for opening and closing an opening for applying the process means relative to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the shutter mechanism performs the operation of opening the aperture as the operating conditions, the non 2. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation of closing the opening as an operating state is performed .