JP4275132B2 - Image carrier unit, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention has an image carrier on which a toner image is formed, and a support that supports the image carrier, and an image carrier unit that can be inserted into and removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the image carrier. The present invention relates to a process cartridge having a body unit and an image forming apparatus having the image carrier unit or process cartridge.

  An image forming apparatus having an image carrier unit of the above type is conventionally known, and is configured as, for example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having at least two of these functions. In this type of image forming apparatus, when the image carrier unit is taken out of the main body of the image forming apparatus, if the image carrier is directly exposed to light, the image carrier is deteriorated, and the image carrier is handled by hand. If the object is touched, the surface of the image carrier may be soiled or scratched.

  Therefore, conventionally, a shutter is provided in the image carrier unit, and when the image carrier unit is moved out of the image forming apparatus main body, the shutter is brought to the closed position to cover the image carrier, and the image carrier unit is again mounted. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus configured to be able to open an image carrier by moving a shutter to an open position when set in an image forming apparatus main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the conventional image forming apparatus of this type, the shutter is rotatably supported on the support of the image carrier unit, and the shutter is opened or moved in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the image carrier unit with respect to the image forming apparatus body. It is configured to rotate to the closed position. However, if the shutter is configured to be opened and closed, a large space must be secured in the image forming apparatus main body so that the shutter can be rotated without hindrance. I can't escape the shortcomings.

JP 2001-337580 A (page 5-6, FIGS. 1 to 4)

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-described novel recognition, and the object of the present invention is to eliminate the need to secure a large space in the image forming apparatus main body for the operation of the shutter. An object is to provide an image carrier unit, a process cartridge having the image carrier unit, and an image forming apparatus having the image carrier unit or process cartridge.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an image carrier on which a toner image is formed and a support that supports the image carrier, and the image carrier can be taken in and out of the image forming apparatus main body. A body unit that occupies a closed position covering the image carrier when the image carrier unit is moved out of the image forming apparatus main body, and an image when the image carrier unit is set at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body. A shutter assembled to the support and one end side are fixed to the support so as to be movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of taking in and out the image carrier unit so as to occupy an open position for opening the support. At least one wire spring in which the other end is in contact with the support so as to be slidable in a direction substantially parallel to the loading / unloading direction of the image carrier unit, the wire spring being slidably held, and the support Against the body A slider assembled so as to be slidable in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of taking in and out of the image carrier unit, and the wire spring has an intermediate portion between one end side and the other end side fixed to the shutter, An intermediate portion of the wire spring fixed to the shutter protrudes from the one end side and the other end side of the wire spring in a direction when the shutter moves to the closed position, and the slider is connected to the wire spring. The slider so that the shutter moves to its closed or open position by sliding the wire spring in a direction substantially parallel to the loading and unloading direction relative to the spring; An image carrier unit is proposed in which the relative positions of the wire spring and the shutter are set (claim 1).

  At this time, it is advantageous that a guide portion for guiding the shutter is provided on the support so that the shutter moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the image carrier unit is put in and out. .

  The image carrier unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shutter moves to the closed position and the open position in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation of the image carrier unit with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. It is advantageous if constituted (claim 3).

  The image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the image carrier unit is taken in and out of the image forming apparatus main body, the slider is located in the image forming apparatus main body. The slider is stopped with respect to the image forming apparatus main body by the cooperative action with the locking portion, and the support, the image carrier, the shutter, and the wire spring are stopped. It is advantageous that the shutter is moved to the closed position or the open position by deforming the wire spring by moving it in the loading / unloading direction (Claim 4).

  Further, in the image carrier unit according to claim 4, it is advantageous that the slider is constrained with respect to the mating locking portion by a magnetic force to stop the slider with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. (Claim 5).

  Furthermore, in the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, between one end side of a wire spring locked to the support and an intermediate portion of the wire spring fixed to the shutter. It is advantageous that the slider is slidably assembled to the wire spring portion.

  Further, in the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the wire spring portion on which the slider is slidably assembled projects in a direction in which the shutter moves to its open position. It is advantageous to be curved like this (claim 7).

  Furthermore, in the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, it is advantageous that the linear spring guide portion of the slider holding the linear spring extends substantially parallel to the sliding direction of the slider. (Claim 8).

  The image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a shutter portion facing the image carrier when the shutter occupies the closed position is on an image forming region surface of the image carrier. It is advantageous to have a restricting means for restricting the position of the shutter portion so as not to abut (claim 9).

  Further, in the image carrier unit according to claim 9, it is advantageous that the restricting means is constituted by a flange of the image carrier projecting outward from the image forming area surface of the image carrier (claim). Item 10).

  Further, in the image carrier unit according to the ninth aspect, it is advantageous that the restricting means is constituted by a restricting protrusion formed on the support (claim 11).

  Further, in the image carrier unit according to claim 9, it is advantageous that the restricting means is constituted by a restricting protrusion formed on a shutter itself that abuts a portion outside the image forming area surface of the image carrier. (Claim 12).

  13. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein when the shutter occupies the closed position, the shutter portion that faces the image forming area surface of the image carrier is the image forming area. It is advantageous to form a curved surface substantially along the surface.

  The image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the shutter portion facing the image forming region surface of the image carrier when the shutter occupies the closed position is an axis of the image carrier. It is advantageous if it is formed so as to be bent at a bent portion along the line (claim 14).

  The image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein when the shutter occupies a closed position, a gap is formed between a front end portion of the shutter and an edge of the opening of the support. In order to prevent this from occurring, it is advantageous to provide the support with a receiving portion into which the tip of the shutter is fitted (claim 15).

  Furthermore, in the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 15, when the shutter occupies the closed position, burrs formed on the edge of the shutter at the time of molding of the shutter are the surface of the image carrier. It is advantageous if the shutter is arranged so as to be located on the side remote from (claim 16).

  17. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein when the shutter occupies the closed position, the front end of the shutter facing the surface of the image carrier is formed in a rounded shape. It is advantageous if this is done (claim 17).

  Furthermore, in the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17, it is advantageous that at least a surface of the shutter facing the image carrier has conductivity.

  In the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18, it is advantageous that the shutter and the support are made of the same material (claim 19).

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and at least one process device for forming a toner image on the image carrier. A process cartridge is proposed (claim 20).

  Further, in the process cartridge according to the twentieth aspect, it is advantageous that the image carrier unit is detachable from other process cartridge portions (claim 21).

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes an image forming apparatus comprising the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 19 (claim 22).

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes an image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 20 or 21 (claim 23).

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, when the image carrier unit is set at a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the shutter remains in the closed position. It is advantageous to provide a detecting means for detecting (claim 24).

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to secure a large space in the image forming apparatus main body in order to operate the shutter in order to bring the shutter to the closed position and the open position.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus configured as a copying machine. The image forming apparatus shown here has an image reading unit 1A positioned at the top, an image forming unit 1B positioned below it, and a paper feeding unit 1C positioned below it. The image reading unit 1A is provided with a contact glass 5, a first traveling body 12, a second traveling body 13, an imaging lens 14, and a CCD 15 disposed below the contact glass 5, and the first traveling body. 12 includes a light source 16 and a first mirror 24, and the second traveling body 13 includes second and third mirrors 25 and 26. With the document D placed on the contact glass 5, the first and second traveling bodies 12 and 13 move in the directions of arrows E and F, respectively. At this time, the document D is illuminated by the light from the light source 16. The reflected light is reflected by the first, second and third mirrors 24, 25 and 26 and reaches the CCD 15 through the imaging lens 14. In this way, the original image is formed on the CCD 15, and the image is read as an image signal. The read image signal is digitized and subjected to image processing.

  On the other hand, the image forming unit 1B is provided with four image carriers 3 configured as drum-shaped photoconductors, and each image carrier is placed on each image carrier by a process device arranged around each image carrier 3. A yellow toner image, a magenta toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image are formed. Here, the image carrier 3 is configured as a drum-shaped photoconductor, but an image carrier made of an endless belt can also be used. In addition, when it is necessary to identify these image carriers, the symbols 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3BK are attached to them, and these are designated as the first, second, third, and fourth image carriers as required. When there is no need to identify them, the image carrier is denoted by reference numeral 3.

  In the image forming apparatus of this example, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, process units arranged around each image carrier 3 are integrally assembled to form a process unit 6, and each image carrier An integral image carrier unit 28 is constituted by the body 3 and a support 27 described later, and a process cartridge 100 is constituted by the process unit 6 and the image carrier unit 28. These points will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate transfer member 4 as an example of a transfer material is arranged to face the first to fourth image carriers 3Y to 3BK, and the intermediate transfer member 4 shown here has a plurality of support members. It is composed of an endless belt that is wound around rollers 12A, 12B, and 12C and is driven to run in the direction of arrow A.

  Since the operation of forming the toner image on each of the first to fourth image carriers 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK is substantially the same, the toner image is applied to the first image carrier 3Y. Only the structure to be formed will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the image carrier 3Y and process devices arranged around the image carrier 3Y. The image carrier 3Y is driven to rotate clockwise in FIGS. At this time, the surface of the image carrier is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 7. The charging roller 7 is rotatably supported by the case 22 of the process unit 6 and is pressed against the surface of the image carrier 3Y by a pressure spring 38.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an exposure device 8 is disposed below the image carrier 3, and the exposure device 8 emits a laser beam L that is light-modulated based on the image-processed signal as described above. Then, the laser beam L is applied to the charging surface of the image carrier 3Y charged by the charging roller 7 as shown in FIG. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the image carrier 3Y, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a yellow toner image by the developing device 9. The developing device 9 shown here includes a developing case 17 constituted by a part of the case 22 of the process unit 6, a developing roller 18 supported by the developing case 17 and driven to rotate, and a stirring screw 39. The electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the dry developer whose amount is regulated by the regulating blade 40 while being carried and conveyed by the developing roller 18.

  A first transfer device 10 constituted by a transfer roller is disposed at a position substantially opposite to the image carrier 3Y with the intermediate transfer member 4 formed of an endless belt interposed therebetween. The yellow toner image on the body 3Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 4. The residual transfer toner that is not transferred to the intermediate transfer member 4 and remains on the first image carrier 3Y is removed by the cleaning device 11. The cleaning device includes a cleaning case 19 constituted by a part of the case 22 and a part of the support 27, and a cleaning brush 20 and a cleaning blade 21 supported by the cleaning case 19. The transfer residual toner on the image carrier 3Y is removed by the cooperative action of the blade 21 and the blade 21, and the surface of the image carrier 3Y is cleaned.

  In exactly the same manner, a magenta toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image are formed on the second to fourth image carriers 3M, 3C, and 3BK shown in FIG. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 4 on which the image has been transferred in a superimposed manner. In this manner, the four color toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer body 4 in a superimposed state.

  On the other hand, the paper feeding unit 1C shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a paper feeding cassette 29 containing a recording material P as a final transfer material made of, for example, transfer paper or a resin film, and a paper feeding roller 30. The uppermost recording material P loaded in the cassette 29 is sent out in the direction of arrow B by the rotation of the paper feed roller 30 and conveyed to the pair of registration rollers 31. Further, a second transfer device 23 composed of a transfer roller is disposed opposite to the support roller 12C with the intermediate transfer body 4 interposed therebetween, and the recording material P sent out at a predetermined timing by the rotation of the registration roller 31 is Then, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 4 by the action of the second transfer device 23 passes on the recording material P through the transfer region between the second transfer device 23 and the intermediate transfer member 4. Transcribed. The recording material P carrying the toner image thus transferred passes through the fixing device 2, and at this time, the toner image is fixed on the recording material P by the action of heat and pressure, and a full color image is formed on the recording material P. Is formed. The recording material that has passed through the fixing device 2 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 6A as indicated by the arrow C direction. Further, the transfer residual toner adhering to the intermediate transfer member after the toner image is transferred is removed by the cleaning device 41.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each toner image formed on each image carrier 3 is transferred to a transfer material composed of an intermediate transfer body 4, and then the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 4 is finally transferred. However, the intermediate transfer member 4 is omitted, and the toner image on each image carrier 3 is directly transferred onto the transfer material made of the recording material. The full toner image can be fixed by a fixing device to obtain a full color image.

  As shown in FIG. 2, process devices such as a charging roller 7, a developing device 9, and a cleaning device 11 are arranged around the image carrier 3 </ b> Y. As described above, the process devices are integrated with each other. A simple process unit 6 is configured. The same applies to the process equipment provided around the other image carriers 3M, 3C, 3BK. In the illustrated example, four process units 6 are provided. In the illustrated example, the process unit 6 is constituted by a plurality of process devices. However, the number of the process devices can be selected as appropriate. In short, at least one process device that forms a toner image on the image carrier is used. What is necessary is just to comprise a process unit.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each image carrier 3 is rotatably supported by a support 27, and an image carrier unit 28 is constituted by these. The support 27 of the image carrier unit 28 shown here has a support body 32 and a cover 33 detachably fixed to the support body 32, and this cover 33 is opposed to the cover 33. A storage space S (FIG. 2) in which a shutter 35 to be described later is stored is partitioned by the support body portion 34 that has been performed. Further, the shaft portions at the respective ends in the longitudinal direction of the drum-shaped image carrier 3 are rotatably supported by the pair of bearing portions 36 of the support body 32. An opening 37 is formed in the support 27, and as shown in FIG. 2, the image carrier 3 protrudes through the opening 37 and comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body 4.

  FIG. 5 shows only the case 22 of the process unit 6 in a simplified manner with a chain line, but the process unit 6 and the image carrier unit 28 are detachably assembled to each other. For example, the image carrier unit 28 can be separated from the process unit 6 by sliding the image carrier unit 28 in the axial direction G of the image carrier 3. A process cartridge 100 is constituted by the process unit 6 and the image carrier unit 28.

  FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 4, the symbol T indicates the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the symbol U indicates the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 1. As shown in this figure, each image carrier unit 28 and each process unit 6 can be pulled out in the forward direction indicated by an arrow X with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1 while being guided by a guide rail (not shown). In this example, the image carrier unit 28 and the process unit 6 are pulled out in the axial direction of the image carrier 3. At that time, the process cartridge 100 in which the process unit 6 and the image carrier unit 28 are assembled is pulled out in the front direction X, or is pushed in the back direction indicated by the arrow Y, so that a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body is obtained. Can be set. Alternatively, only the image carrier unit 28 can be pulled out in the front direction X while the process unit 6 is left in the image forming apparatus main body 1 or can be set by pushing it in the back direction Y. Further, it is possible to leave the image carrier unit 28 in the image forming apparatus main body 1 and only the process unit 6 can be taken in and out of the image forming apparatus main body 1. As described above, since the image carrier unit 28 and the process unit 6 can be separately attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1, it is possible to easily repair or inspect them, or to replace them.

  When the image carrier unit 28 and the process unit 6 set in the image forming apparatus main body 1 are pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body, the image carrier unit 28 and the process unit 6 are prior to the pulling-out operation. The image carrier 3 and the intermediate transfer member 4 are separated slightly by being lowered downward, and the process unit 6 is slightly lowered relative to the image carrier unit 28. For this reason, when the image carrier unit 28 or the process unit 6 or the process cartridge 100 assembled with them is pulled out in the front direction X, the image carrier 3 and the intermediate transfer member 4 rub against each other or the process unit 6 is developed. The roller 18, the charging roller 7, the cleaning blade 21, etc. do not slide on the image carrier 3, and the shutter 35 that operates as described later does not come into contact with the intermediate transfer body 4, and these are damaged. Can be prevented. When the process unit 6 and the image carrier unit 28 are inserted and set in the main body of the image forming apparatus, they are inserted in a state of being separated from each other in the vertical direction, and then the process unit 6, the image carrier unit 28, and the intermediate transfer The unit 32 approaches in the vertical direction, and the image carrier 3 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer member 4 as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the following description, when the image carrier unit 28 is set in the image forming apparatus main body 1, the side of each part of the image carrier unit 28 that becomes the back side T portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is the back side. The side of each part of the image carrier unit 28 that is the front side U of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is referred to as the front side.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this example, the image carrier unit 28 is detachably assembled to the process unit 6 having at least one process device that forms a toner image on the image carrier 3. The image carrier unit 28 and the process unit 6 constitute the process cartridge 100, but these can be modified as appropriate. For example, the support body 27 and the case 22 can be integrally formed so that the image carrier unit 28 and the process unit 6 shown in FIG. As described above, the image carrier unit and the process cartridge can be configured in various forms. In either case, the image carrier unit supports the image carrier on which the toner image is formed and the image carrier. And a support body that is configured to be able to be taken in and out of the image forming apparatus main body. In this example, the image carrier unit 28 is taken in and out in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the image carrier 3. The process cartridge includes the image carrier unit and at least one process device for forming a toner image on the image carrier, and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. . At this time, it is advantageous that the process cartridge is configured such that the image carrier unit can be attached to and detached from other process cartridge parts (process unit 6 in the illustrated example) like the process cartridge of this example. It is. The image forming apparatus has such an image carrier unit or process cartridge.

  2 and 5 show a state where the image carrier unit 28 and the process unit 6 are set at predetermined positions in the main body of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 shows the image carrier unit 28 and the process unit 6. Although the state when it is taken out of the image forming apparatus main body is shown, when the image carrier unit 28 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body, the opening 37 formed in the support 27 remains open. There is a possibility that the image carrier 3 is directly exposed to the light incident from the opening 37. Further, when the operator touches the image carrier 3 through the opening 37, the image carrier deteriorates. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this example, the image carrier unit 28 is provided with the shutter 35 described above. The shutter 35 is made of a thin plate material made of resin or metal such as polycarbonate.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 5, when the image carrier unit 28 is loaded at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body 1, the shutter 35 occupies the open position accommodated in the storage space S described above. At this time, the upper part of the image carrier 3 is opened. As a result, a toner image can be formed on the image carrier 3 without any trouble, and the toner image can be transferred to the intermediate transfer member 4. On the other hand, when the image carrier unit 28 is taken out of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the shutter 35 is pulled out from the storage space S in the direction of arrow H as shown in FIGS. Occupies a closed position covering the top of the. Thereby, the opening 37 of the support 27 is blocked, and external light can be prevented from being directly applied to the image carrier 3 from here, and the operator's hand can be prevented from touching the image carrier. The image carrier 3 of the image carrier unit 28 drawn out from the apparatus main body can be effectively protected. After the image carrier unit 28 is repaired or inspected, and the image carrier unit 28 is set again at a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the shutter 35 moves in the direction of arrow I to move to the storage space S. The upper portion of the image carrier 3 is opened.

  When the shutter 35 operates between the closed position and the open position as described above, the shutter 35 operates in directions H and I that are substantially orthogonal to the loading and unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28. The shutter 35 does not rotate but substantially translates to move to the open position and the closed position. In this way, the shutter 35 occupies a closed position that covers the image carrier 3 when the image carrier unit 28 is moved out of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the image carrier unit 28 is placed in a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body 1. The image carrier unit 28 can be moved in the directions H and I substantially perpendicular to the loading and unloading directions X and Y so as to occupy the open position where the image carrier 3 is opened. It is assembled.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the support 27 is provided with a guide portion 42 formed in a step shape, and by these guide portions 42, the shutter 35 is moved in and out the image carrier unit 28. Are guided so as to move in directions H and I which are substantially orthogonal to each other. In the illustrated example, the directions H and I in which the shutter 35 operates are also directions that are substantially orthogonal to the axial direction G of the drum-shaped image carrier 3, so that the shutter 35 covers the upper part of the image carrier 3. Alternatively, the operation stroke of the shutter 35 required for opening can be reduced.

  Further, as will be described later with a specific configuration example, the shutter 35 is configured to move to its closed position and open position in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the image carrier unit 28 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1. Has been.

  As described above, the shutter 35 is configured to substantially translate in the directions H and I substantially perpendicular to the loading and unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28 to be brought into the closed position or the open position. Therefore, the operating space of the shutter 35 can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where the shutter is rotated. In addition, even if another element is located close to the image carrier unit, the shutter 35 can be operated between the open position and the closed position without interfering with the element. In the image forming apparatus of this example, the intermediate transfer body 4 is positioned immediately above the image carrier unit 28, but the shutter 35 can operate without interfering with the intermediate transfer body 4.

  In the illustrated example, when the shutter 35 occupies the closed position, the shutter 35 covers the upper peripheral surface of the image carrier 3, and when the shutter 35 occupies the open position, the shutter 35 The shutter 35 occupying the closed position is configured so as to open the upper part of the peripheral surface, but the other part of the image carrier 3, for example, the peripheral side or lower part of the image carrier, or the peripheral surface thereof. A plurality of portions of the upper portion, the peripheral surface side portion, and the lower portion of the peripheral surface, and further the entire peripheral surface of the image carrier can be covered. The shutter with the closed position closed can be configured to cover at least a part of the peripheral surface of the image carrier.

  The configuration described above is a configuration common to more specific configuration examples of the image forming apparatus described later.

  Next, specific configuration examples of the interlocking means for moving the shutter 35 to the closed position or the open position in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the image carrier unit 28 will be described.

  First, in the specific example shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, as clearly shown in FIG. 6, a guide member 43 made of a thin plate material is disposed between the shutter 35 and the plate-like portion 34 of the support 27. The guide protrusions 44 formed on the guide member 43 and the base portions of the locking portions 48 described later are slidably fitted in the guide holes 45 formed on the cover 33, respectively. These guide holes 45 extend in a direction substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. Accordingly, the guide member 43 is assembled to the support 27 so as to be movable in a direction substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28. A guide hole may be formed on the guide member 43, and a guide protrusion that fits in the guide hole may be formed on the support body 27 side.

  The guide member 43 is formed with two guide holes 46 extending in directions inclined with respect to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28, and guide protrusions projecting from the shutter 35 in the respective guide holes 46. Each part 47 is slidably fitted. An angle α formed by each guide hole 46 and the loading / unloading directions X and Y is 0 <α <90 °. Further, two guide grooves 75 extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28 are formed in the portion 34 of the support 27, and the guide holes 46 are formed in the respective guide grooves 75. The guide protrusions 47 penetrating through are respectively slidably fitted.

  FIG. 5 shows the image carrier unit 28 when the image carrier unit 28 is set at a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 8 shows the guide member 43 and the shutter 35 at this time. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship of the image carrier 3. FIG. Similarly, FIG. 9 shows an arrangement relationship of the same elements when the image carrier unit 28 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body to the near side U. In the state shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the guide protrusion 44 and the locking portion 48 are positioned at the front end of each guide hole 45, and each guide protrusion 47 is the end on the back side of each guide hole 46. Located in the department.

  Further, the above-described locking portion 48 is provided on the front side portion of the guide member 43. In this example, a locking groove 49 (FIG. 6) is formed in the locking portion 48. When an operator such as a user or a service man begins to pull out the image carrier unit 28 in the front direction X from the state shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the entire image carrier unit 28 including the guide member 43 is moved in this direction. Start moving to X. When the image carrier unit 28 moves a certain distance, the locking groove 49 of the locking portion 48 provided in the guide member 43 engages with the mating locking portion 50 provided in the image forming apparatus main body. The mating locking portion 50 is formed in an arm shape that can be elastically deformed in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8, and when the locking portion 48 hits the tip pin 51 of the mating locking portion 50, the mating locking portion 50 is elastically deformed and then elastically restored, and the tip pin 51 engages with the locking groove 49. Accordingly, the guide member 43 is stopped with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1. On the other hand, since the other part of the image carrier unit 28 is continuously pulled in the front direction X, the stopped guide member 43 moves in the back direction Y relative to the support 27 and the shutter 35. Therefore, the guide protrusion 47 projecting from the shutter 35 slides in the guide hole 46 while being guided by the guide hole 46, and finally the guide protrusion 47 is as shown in FIGS. The guide protrusion 44 comes into contact with the back end of the guide hole 45, reaching the portion on the near side of the guide hole 46. As a result, the guide member 43 is pulled in the front direction X by the support body 27, so that the guide groove 49 is disengaged from the tip pin 51 of the mating locking portion 50, and the guide member 43 moves again in the front direction X together with the support body 27. Then, the entire image carrier unit 28 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body. 7 and 9 show the state of the image carrier unit 28 at this time. The mating engagement portion 50 may be provided directly on the image forming apparatus main body 1 or may be provided on a frame (not shown) that supports the intermediate transfer body 4.

  As described above, the guide member 43 moves in the rearward direction relative to the support 27, and the guide projection 47 slides in the guide hole 46 extending in an inclined state. As shown in FIG. 2, the image carrier 3 moves toward a position above the image carrier 3 and stops at a closed position covering the upper portion thereof. When the image carrier unit 28 is pushed in the depth direction Y, the operation reverse to that described above is performed, and the shutter 35 moves in the direction of the arrow I to reach the open position shown in FIGS. The upper part of the body 3 is opened. As described above, the guide member 43 moves relative to the support 27 in a direction substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier 28, so that the shutter 35 moves to its closed position or open position. As described above, a guide protrusion 47 protruding from the shutter 35 is slidably fitted in a guide hole 46 formed in the guide member 43. Accordingly, the shutter 35 can be automatically operated between the open position and the closed position in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the image carrier unit 28.

  In addition, in the image forming apparatus of this example, when the image carrier unit 28 is taken in and out of the image forming apparatus main body 1, the guide member cooperates with the mating locking portion 50 located in the image forming apparatus main body. The guide member 43 is provided with an engaging portion 48 that stops the image forming apparatus 43 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the guide member 43 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body by the cooperative action of the engaging portion 48 and the counterpart engaging portion 50. 1, and the support body 27, the image carrier 3, and the shutter 35 are moved in the loading / unloading directions X and Y, thereby moving the shutter 35 to its closed position or open position. Therefore, the shutter 35 can be more reliably operated between the closed position and the open position.

  In the illustrated example, two guide holes 46 are provided, but the number may be one. However, if a plurality of guide holes 46 are formed in the guide member 43 and the guide protrusions 47 are slidably fitted in the respective guide holes 46, the shutter 35 can be operated in a more stable state.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a guide hole portion into which the guide protrusion 47 is fitted when the shutter 35 occupies the open position and the closed position, and a guide hole portion in the vicinity thereof (these portions are illustrated in FIG. 8, indicated by 46 </ b> A in FIG. 9) extends substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28. As a result, the frictional force applied to the shutter 35 when the shutter 35 starts to operate can be reduced, and the shutter 35 can be moved smoothly.

  In the above-described example, the locking portion 48 having the locking groove 49 and the mating locking portion 50 having the tip pin 51 engaged with the locking groove 49 are used. Instead of mechanically engaging 48 and the mating locking part 50, one of the locking part 48 and the mating locking part 50 is constituted by a magnet and the other is constituted by a magnetic material, or both of them are magnets. The locking portion 48 is restrained with respect to the mating locking portion 50 by magnetic force to stop the guide member 43 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the shutter 35 is moved in exactly the same manner as described above. It can also be actuated to an open position and a closed position.

  Further, instead of providing the locking portion 48 and the counterpart locking portion 50 as described above, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a compression spring 52 which is an example of an urging member is provided, and one end of the compression spring 52 is attached to the guide member 43. The other end is pressed against a spring receiver 53 projecting from the support 27, and the spring 52 biases the guide member 43 in a direction substantially parallel to the pushing direction Y of the image carrier unit 28 against the image forming apparatus main body. It can also be configured to. As shown in FIG. 11, when the image carrier unit 28 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body, the guide member 43 is pressed against the support to the innermost position in the pressing direction Y by the compression spring 52. As a result, the shutter 35 is held in a closed position covering the upper portion of the image carrier 3 in the same manner as in the case shown in FIG.

  Further, a stopper 54 is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the image carrier unit 28 is moved in the back direction Y, the guide member 43 comes into contact with the stopper 54 as shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus main body 1 is stopped. When the image carrier unit 28 is further pushed in the back direction Y, the stopped guide member 43 moves in the front direction X relative to the shutter 35, so that the shutter 35 moves toward the open position. As shown in FIG. 10, when the image carrier unit 28 is set at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body, as in the case shown in FIG. The upper part of the carrier 3 is opened. Other configurations of the image carrier unit 28 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are the same as the image carrier unit described above.

  As described above, the urging member that urges the guide member 43 in a direction substantially parallel to the pushing direction of the image carrier unit 28 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is provided, and the image carrier unit 28 is disposed outside the image forming apparatus main body 1. , The guide member 43 is pressed to the innermost position in the pressing direction Y with respect to the support 27 by the action of the urging member to hold the shutter 35 in the closed position, and the image carrier unit 28. Is pushed into the image forming apparatus main body 1, the stopper 54 on the image forming apparatus main body 1 side stops the guide member 43 against the image forming apparatus main body 1 against the action of the urging member, and the shutter 35 is moved. It is moved to the open position. Also with this configuration, the shutter 35 can be reliably operated to the closed position and the open position in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the image carrier unit 28. The stopper 54 may also be provided directly on the image forming apparatus main body, or may be provided on a frame or the like that supports the intermediate transfer body 4.

  The shutter 35 and the guide member 43 having a thickness of 0.4 mm are made of polycarbonate, and the shutter is provided by the image carrier unit 28 configured so that these can be stored in the storage space S having a vertical width of 1.5 mm. Experiments have confirmed that 35 can be operated in the closed and open positions without any problems.

  In the specific example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a wire spring 55 is provided, and its one end side 56 is supported by engaging one end 56 with a locking hole 57 formed in the support body 27. It is fixed to the body 27. The support 27 is formed with a guide surface 59 extending substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28, and the other end 58 of the wire spring 55 is slidable on the guide surface 59. It is in contact. As described above, the other end 58 of the wire spring 55 is in contact with the support 27 so as to be slidable in a direction substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28. In addition, the wire spring 55 has an intermediate portion 60 between one end side 56 and the other end side 58 fixed to the shutter 35 by locking, welding, adhesive, or the like. Thus, the intermediate portion 60 of the wire spring 55 fixed to the shutter 35 is in the direction when the shutter 35 moves to the closed position, that is, in the direction of arrow H, relative to the one end side 56 and the other end side 58 of the wire spring 55. Protrusively toward.

  Further, sliders 62 are slidably fitted to the support body 27 at edge portions 61 of holes 66 extending substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 14, the slider 62 has a U-shaped portion 63 and a curled portion 64 formed integrally with the U-shaped portion 63, and the U-shaped portion 63 can slide on the edge portion 61. The wire spring 55 is fitted to and held by the curled portion 64 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. As described above, the slider 62 is slidably held in the direction in which the wire spring 55 is slidable and is slidable in a direction substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y of the image carrier unit 28. It has been.

  15 and 16 show wire springs when the image carrier unit 28 is set at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body and when the image carrier unit 28 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body. 55 shows a relative positional relationship between the slider 62, the slider 62, the shutter 35, and the image carrier 3. In these drawings, the above-described protruding height of the wire spring 55 is indicated by H1.

  Also in this example, the mating locking part 50 is arranged in the image forming apparatus main body, and the mating locking part 50 and the slider 62 can be engaged with each other. As the mating locking portion 50, similarly to the mating locking portion shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an arm having a tip pin 51 is used, and a locking groove (not shown) formed in the tip pin 51 and the slider 62 is used. In the example shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, one of the slider 62 and the mating locking portion 50 is made of a magnet, and the other is made of a magnetic material. Or both are comprised with the magnet.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the image carrier unit 28 is set in the image forming apparatus main body, the slider 62 is engaged with the wire spring portion in the vicinity of the intermediate portion 60 of the wire spring 55. For this reason, the wire spring 55 is elastically deformed by an external force applied by the slider 62, and its protruding height H1 is lowered. The shutter 35 fixed to the wire spring 55 is moved from a position above the image carrier 3. Occupies the retracted open position. When the image carrier unit 28 starts to be pulled in the front direction X, the entire image carrier unit 28 including the slider 62 moves to the front side U. Next, when the slider 62 moves to a position facing the mating locking part 50, the slider 62 and the mating locking part 50 are connected to each other by magnetic force, and the movement of the slider 62 is stopped. Subsequently, since the image carrier unit 28 excluding the slider 62 moves in the front direction X, the slider 62 relatively moves toward the one end side 56 of the wire spring 55. The slider 62 slides in the back direction Y relative to the wire spring 55. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 16, the wire spring 55 is deformed while being elastically restored, its protruding height H1 gradually increases, and the shutter 35 moves in the direction of arrow H toward the position above the image carrier 3. To do. Next, when the slider 62 comes into contact with a portion of one end side 56 of the wire spring 55 fixed to the support 27, an external force in the front direction X is applied to the slider 62 via the wire spring 55. 62 moves away from the mating engagement portion 50 against the action of magnetic force, and the entire image carrier unit 28 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body. 12 and 16 show the state at this time. At this time, the shutter 35 occupies a closed position covering the upper part of the image carrier 3.

  When the image carrier unit 28 is pushed into the main body of the image forming apparatus from the state shown in FIG. 16 and moved in the back direction Y, the reverse operation to that described above is performed. That is, the slider 62 is connected to the mating locking portion 50 by magnetic force and stopped. When the image carrier unit 28 excluding the slider 62 is further pushed further in the back direction Y, the slider 62 slides in the front direction X relative to the wire spring 55, so that the wire spring 55 has its protruding height. The elastic deformation is performed so that the height H1 becomes low, and the shutter 35 starts to move in the direction of arrow I toward the open position. When the slider 62 reaches a portion in the vicinity of the intermediate portion 60 of the wire spring 55, the slider 62 comes into contact with the front end portion 67 of the hole 66 shown in FIG. The entire image carrier unit 28 including the slider 62 is set at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body shown in FIG. At this time, the shutter 35 closes the open position, and the upper part of the image carrier 3 is opened.

  As described above, the slider 62 slides in a direction substantially parallel to the loading / unloading directions X and Y relative to the wire spring 55 to deform the wire spring 55, whereby the shutter 35 is closed. The relative positions of the slider 62, the wire spring 55, and the shutter 35 are set so as to move to the position or the open position.

  Further, in the illustrated example, when the image carrier unit 28 is taken in and out of the image forming apparatus main body 1, the slider 62 cooperates with the mating locking portion 50 located in the image forming apparatus main body to form an image. The slider 62 is stopped with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the support body 27, the image carrier 3, the shutter 35, and the wire spring 55 are moved in and out of the above-described direction X. , Y to move the shutter 35 to its closed position or open position by deforming the wire spring 55, and the slider 62 is restrained with respect to the counterpart locking portion 50 by magnetic force. Since the slider 62 is configured to be stopped with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1, the shutter 35 is brought into the closed position and the open position with a simple configuration. It is possible.

  Further, in the illustrated example, a line between one end side 56 of the wire spring 55 locked to the support 27 of the image carrier unit 28 and an intermediate portion 60 of the wire spring 55 fixed to the shutter 35. Since the slider 62 is slidably assembled to the spring portion, when the slider 62 slides relative to the wire spring 55, the shutter 35 swings in the direction indicated by the arrow J in FIG. The shutter 35 can be moved between the open position and the closed position in a stable state.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the wire spring portion in which the slider 62 is slidably assembled is curved so as to protrude in the direction I in which the shutter 35 moves to its open position. When the wire spring 55 is relatively moved toward the intermediate portion 60 of the wire spring 55, the wire spring 55 is always deformed in a fixed direction, and this can also prevent a problem that the shutter 35 swings in the arrow J direction.

  Further, since the linear spring guide portion of the slider 62 that holds the linear spring 55, that is, the curl portion 64 shown in FIG. 14, extends almost in parallel to the sliding direction of the slider 62, the slider 62 becomes linear spring. When the relative movement is made toward the intermediate portion 60 of 55, the portions on both sides of the wire spring 55 centering on the intermediate portion 60 can be deformed symmetrically, and this also causes the shutter 35 to swing in the direction of arrow J. Can be prevented.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 16, one wire spring 55 and one slider 62 engaged with the wire spring 55 are provided. However, the number may be plural. At least one wire spring is provided. 17 and 18 show an example in which, in addition to the wire spring 55, another wire spring 55A is provided, and another slider 62A is assembled to the wire spring 55A so as to be capable of relative sliding. In the example shown here, the two sliders 62 and 62 </ b> A are integrally connected to each other by the connecting member 65. The behavior of the wire spring 55A and the slider 62A is not substantially different from the behavior of the wire spring 55 and the slider 62 described above. When the movement of the shutter 35 is regulated by the plurality of wire springs in this way, the shutter 35 can be operated in a more stable state. In FIG. 18, the wire spring 55 </ b> A and the portions corresponding to the wire spring 55 in the portion related to the wire spring 55 </ b> A are given the reference numerals added to the wire spring 55 and the portions related to the wire spring 55. .

  By the way, in the image carrier unit of each embodiment described above, when the shutter 35 occupies the closed position, if the shutter 35 contacts the surface of the image carrier, the surface may be damaged. In order to prevent such a problem, the position of the shutter portion is regulated so that the shutter portion facing the image carrier does not come into contact with the image forming area surface of the image carrier when the shutter occupies the closed position. It is preferable to provide a regulating means.

  Specific examples thereof are shown in FIGS. In these drawings, symbol K indicates an image forming area surface on which a toner image is formed on the image carrier 3.

  In the example shown in FIG. 19, the drum-shaped image carrier 3 has flanges 68 positioned at respective ends in the longitudinal direction, and the flanges 68 are located outward of the image carrier region K in the radial direction of the image carrier. Protruding. When the shutter 35 occupies the closed position, the shutter 35 is placed on both flanges 68, thereby preventing the shutter 35 from contacting the image forming area surface K. Thus, in this example, the above-mentioned regulating means is constituted by the flange 68 of the image carrier 3 protruding outward from the image forming area surface K of the image carrier 3.

  In the example shown in FIG. 20, a portion in the vicinity of the opening 37 of the support body 27 is formed as a restriction protrusion 69 protruding upward, and the shutter 35 occupying the closed position is placed on these restriction protrusions 69. This prevents the shutter 35 from coming into contact with the image forming area surface K of the image carrier 3. Thus, in this example, the restricting means is configured by the restricting protrusion 69 formed on the support body 27.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21, when the restriction projections 70 are provided on the shutter 35 itself and the shutter 35 occupies the closed position, both restriction projections 70 are formed on the image forming area surface of the image carrier 3. A portion other than K, in the illustrated example, is configured to abut against the flange 68. Thus, in this example, the restricting means is configured by the restricting protrusion 70 formed on the shutter itself that contacts the portion outside the image forming area surface of the image carrier 3.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the shutter 35 occupies the closed position, the shutter portion facing the image forming area surface K (see FIGS. 19 to 21) of the image carrier 3 is the image forming area. If it is formed in a curved shape substantially along the surface, the shutter 35 can protect the image carrier 3 more reliably.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, when the shutter 35 occupies the closed position, the shutter portion facing the image forming region surface of the image carrier 3 is a bent portion 71 along the axis of the image carrier 3. When bent, the image carrier 3 can be reliably protected by the shutter 35, as in the case where the shutter 35 is curved as shown in FIG. FIG. 23 illustrates a state where the shutter 35 illustrated in FIG. 22 occupies the open position and is stored in the storage space S. Thus, the shutter 35 of this example can also be stored in the storage space S whose vertical width is narrow.

  The configuration in which the shutter 35 is formed in a curved shape and the configuration in which the shutter 35 can be bent can be applied to the image carrier unit in any of the above-described embodiments. These configurations are shown in FIGS. 19 to 21. It is particularly preferable to employ it together with a configuration provided with such a regulating means.

  In the configuration of each image carrier unit described above, as shown in FIG. 22, when the shutter 35 occupies the closed position, the edge portion 72 of the shutter 35 and the edge of the opening 37 of the support 27 are provided. In order to prevent a gap from being formed between the image carrier 3 and the support 27, a receiving portion 73 into which the tip 72 of the shutter 35 is fitted is provided to prevent the light from entering the image carrier 3 more reliably. And the deterioration of the image carrier 3 can be effectively suppressed.

  Incidentally, the shutter 35 can be formed by a molding method such as injection molding or press molding. At the time of molding, a burr 74 is formed as shown exaggeratedly in FIG. If the burr 74 comes into contact with the surface of the image carrier 3, the surface is damaged.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, when the shutter 35 occupies its closed position, the burr 74 formed at the edge of the shutter 35 when the shutter 35 is formed is on the side away from the surface of the image carrier 3. When the shutter 35 is disposed so as to be positioned, the burr 74 can be prevented from contacting the surface of the image carrier.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 24, when the front end portion 72 of the shutter 35 facing the surface of the image carrier 3 when the shutter 35 occupies the closed position is formed in a rounded shape, The possibility of scratching the surface of the carrier 3 can be further reliably eliminated. At this time, it is preferable to round the end portion 72 of the shutter 35 by finishing it. The burr 74 can also be removed during the finishing process.

  Further, if at least the surface of the shutter 35 facing the image carrier 3 is conductive, the shutter 35 is charged and the image carrier deteriorates due to the influence by grounding the conductive portion. Can be prevented. For example, after a molded product of the shutter 35 is obtained, a conductive paint is applied to the surface facing the image carrier 3 to form the shutter 35, or the entire shutter 35 is made of a conductive material.

  Further, when the shutter 35 and the support 27 are made of the same material, when the image carrier unit 28 is recycled, the shutter 35 and the support 27 are melted without being disassembled, and the reproduction process is performed. Can reduce man-hours required for recycling.

  In the image forming apparatus having the image carrier unit 28 described above, when the shutter 35 remains in the closed position even when the image carrier unit 28 is set at a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus, If detecting means (not shown) including, for example, a photosensor for detecting this is provided, and it is detected that the shutter 35 is not open, the fact is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus main body. Trouble can be prevented beforehand.

  In the embodiment described above, one shutter 35 is configured to cover the top of the image carrier 3 when the image carrier unit 28 is moved out of the main body of the image forming apparatus. It can also be configured to cover the image carrier. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, when the image carrier unit 28 is moved out of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the two shutters 35 and 35 cover the upper side of the image carrier 3, and the image carrier unit 28 is moved to the image forming apparatus. When set in the main body, the shutters 35 and 35 can be retracted in the direction of the arrow I to open the top of the image carrier 3. In order to operate these shutters 35 and 35, each structure mentioned above is employable.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a copying machine but also to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these, and an image carrier unit or a process cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus. Further, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus in which only one image carrier unit is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus instead of a plurality of image carrier units.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a process cartridge having an image carrier unit and a process unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of an image carrier body unit and a process unit when a shutter occupies the closed position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state when an image carrier unit and a process unit are pulled out or pushed in from an image forming apparatus main body. It is a perspective view of the image carrier unit in a state where the shutter occupies the open position. It is a disassembled perspective view of an image carrier unit. It is a perspective view of an image carrier unit in a state where a shutter occupies a closed position. It is a figure explaining the relative positional relationship of a guide member, a shutter, and an image carrier in the state where the shutter occupied the open position. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 8 in the state in which the shutter occupied the closed position. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 8 which shows the example of another image carrier body unit. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 9 relating to the image carrier unit shown in FIG. 10. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of an image carrier body unit, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which removed the cover from the support body. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the image carrier unit shown in FIG. 12. It is an expansion perspective view of a slider. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 8 relating to the image carrier unit shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 9 relating to the image carrier unit shown in FIG. 12. It is a perspective view of an image carrier unit provided with two wire springs. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the image carrier unit shown in FIG. 17. It is a figure which shows the state in which the shutter which occupied the closed position is mounted in the flange of an image carrier. It is a figure which shows the state in which the shutter which occupied the closed position is mounted in the control protrusion of a support body. It is a figure which shows a mode that the control protrusion of the shutter which occupied the closed position is mounted in the flange of an image carrier. It is the schematic which shows a mode that the shutter which occupied the closed position bends in the bending part. It is the schematic when the shutter shown in FIG. 22 occupied the open position. It is a figure explaining the burr | flash of a shutter. It is a schematic plan view showing a state when the upper part of the image carrier is covered with two shutters.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus main body 3 Image carrier 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3BK Image carrier 27 Support body 28 Image carrier unit 35 Shutter 37 Opening 42 Guide part 50 Opposite locking part 54 Stopper 55, 55A Wire spring 56, 56A One end Side 58, 58A The other end side 60, 60A Intermediate part 62, 62A Slider 68 Flange 69 Restriction protrusion 70 Restriction protrusion 71 Bent part 72 Tip part 73 Receiving part 74 Burr 100 Process cartridge

Claims (24)

An image carrier unit that has an image carrier on which a toner image is formed and a support member that supports the image carrier and can be inserted into and removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Occupied to occupy a closed position covering the image carrier when it is moved out of the forming apparatus main body, and to occupy an open position to open the image carrier when the image carrier unit is set at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body. The shutter assembled to the support so that the image carrier unit can move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the loading / unloading direction of the image carrier unit, and one end side is fixed to the support body, and the other end side is in the loading / unloading direction of the image carrier unit. At least one wire spring that is in contact with the support so as to be slidable in a direction substantially parallel to the support, and slidably holds the wire spring, and the image carrier unit is inserted into and removed from the support. Direction and A slider that is slidably assembled in a substantially parallel direction, and the wire spring has an intermediate portion between one end side and the other end side fixed to the shutter, and the wire spring fixed to the shutter. The intermediate portion protrudes in a direction when the shutter moves to the closed position from the one end side and the other end side of the wire spring, and the slider is relatively positioned with respect to the wire spring. The slider, the wire spring, and the shutter are moved relative to each other so that the shutter is moved to its closed or open position by sliding the wire spring in a direction substantially parallel to the loading / unloading direction. An image carrier unit having a set position. 2. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein a guide portion that guides the shutter is provided on the support so that the shutter moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the image carrier unit is put in and out. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the shutter moves to the closed position and the open position in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation of the image carrier unit with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. When the image carrier unit is taken in and out of the image forming apparatus main body, the slider stops with respect to the image forming apparatus main body by a cooperative action with a mating locking portion located in the image forming apparatus main body. The slider is stopped with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, and the wire spring is deformed by moving the support, the image carrier, the shutter, and the wire spring in the loading / unloading direction. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is moved to a closed position or an open position. The image carrier unit according to claim 4, wherein the slider is restrained with respect to the mating locking portion by a magnetic force to stop the slider with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. 2. The slider is slidably assembled to a wire spring portion between one end side of a wire spring locked to the support and an intermediate portion of the wire spring fixed to the shutter. The image carrier unit according to any one of Items 1 to 5. The image carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a wire spring portion in which the slider is slidably assembled is curved so as to protrude in a direction in which the shutter moves to its open position. unit. The image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a wire spring guide portion of a slider holding the wire spring extends substantially parallel to a sliding direction of the slider. And a restricting means for restricting a position of the shutter portion so that a shutter portion facing the image carrier does not contact an image forming area surface of the image carrier when the shutter occupies the closed position. The image carrier unit according to any one of 1 to 8. The image carrier unit according to claim 9, wherein the restricting unit includes a flange of the image carrier that protrudes outward from the image forming area surface of the image carrier. The image carrier unit according to claim 9, wherein the restricting unit includes a restricting protrusion formed on the support. The image carrier unit according to claim 9, wherein the restricting unit includes a restricting protrusion formed on a shutter itself that abuts a portion outside the image forming area of the image carrier. 13. The shutter portion that faces the image forming area surface of the image carrier when the shutter occupies the closed position is formed in a curved surface substantially along the image forming area surface. The image carrier unit according to 1. 13. The shutter portion facing the image forming area surface of the image carrier when the shutter occupies the closed position bends at a bent portion along the axis of the image carrier. Image carrier unit. When the shutter occupies its closed position, a receiving portion to which the front end of the shutter is fitted is provided to prevent a gap from being formed between the front end of the shutter and the edge of the opening of the support. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, which is provided on a support. 2. The shutter is arranged such that when the shutter occupies the closed position, a burr formed on an edge of the shutter at the time of molding the shutter is positioned on a side away from the surface of the image carrier. The image carrier unit according to any one of items 15 to 15. The image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a tip of the shutter facing the surface of the image carrier when the shutter occupies the closed position is formed in a rounded shape. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a surface of the shutter facing the image carrier has conductivity. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the shutter and the support are made of the same material. A process cartridge comprising: the image carrier unit according to any one of claims 1 to 19; and at least one process device for forming a toner image on the image carrier. 21. The process cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the image carrier unit is detachable from other process cartridge portions. An image forming apparatus comprising the image carrier unit according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 20 or 21. 24. The detection unit according to claim 22, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect when the image carrier unit is set at a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus and the shutter remains in the closed position. Image forming apparatus.

Images