JP4543775B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  As an image forming method of the image forming apparatus, a method using a known electrophotographic process is known. In a known electrophotographic process, an image is formed on a recording medium such as a recording paper by the following process.

  While rotating the photoconductor, the photoconductor is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by a charger. The charged photosensitive drum is exposed to form a latent image. This latent image is developed with a developing device to form a toner image on the photoreceptor. This toner image is transferred to the recording paper, and the toner image is fixed on the recording paper by a fixing device. Further, residual toner after transfer is removed by a cleaning means and collected in a collection case.

In a color printer that forms a full-color toner image composed of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black with one photosensitive member and an intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer belt is rotated four times and the intermediate transfer belt makes one rotation. Then, the toner images are superimposed one by one on the intermediate transfer belt. Further, the untransferred residual toner on the intermediate transfer is cleaned by bringing the cleaning member into contact with the intermediate transfer belt and scraping off the untransferred residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt to the collection box. In order to prevent the cleaning member from scraping off the toner image from the primary transfer from the photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer belt until the secondary transfer from the intermediate transfer belt to the recording paper, the cleaning member is attached to the intermediate transfer belt. In such color printers, in order to facilitate maintenance, various functional parts are made into units that can be attached to and detached from the color printer body and replaced in units. Yes. For example, the cleaning member, the intermediate transfer belt, and the recovery box described above are unitized as a cleaner unit so that they can be replaced together.

  As described above, the cleaner unit can contact and separate the cleaning member with respect to the intermediate transfer belt. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  For this reason, a lever for attaching / detaching the cleaning member to / from the intermediate transfer belt is attached to the cleaner unit, and the cleaning member is brought into contact / separated from the intermediate transfer belt by moving the lever.

Then, a movable member such as a cam of the color printer body moves the lever at the functional position to bring the cleaning member into contact with and away from the intermediate transfer belt. Further, when the movable member is set to the mounting position, the cleaner unit and the operating member do not interfere with each other, and the cleaner unit can be mounted at a normal position of the color printer main body.
JP 2001-356558 A

  For safety, such a color printer with a detachable cleaner unit can be opened if the opening / closing cover for detaching the cleaner unit is opened or the cleaner unit is not installed in the proper position. It has a safety mechanism that does not work.

  Now, for some reason, even if the cleaner unit is taken out, there is a situation where the movable member of the color printer main body remains in a position other than the mounting position.

  For example, when the cleaning member of the cleaner unit is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt, that is, when the movable member of the color printer body is in a state other than the mounting position (in this case, the functional position), (1) the opening / closing cover This is a case where the cleaner unit is taken out after opening the door and stopping the operation, or (2) turning off the power.

  As described above, when the cleaner unit is taken out with the movable member of the color printer main body other than the mounting position, the movable member of the color printer main body remains in the position other than the mounting position.

  In this state, even if you try to install the cleaner unit after that, the movable member of the color printer body is not in the installation position, so the lever of the cleaner unit interferes with the movable member of the color printer body, and the cleaner unit is installed in the correct position. Not. If the cleaner unit is not installed in the proper position, the safety mechanism will work and the color printer will not operate. For this reason, the movable member of the color printer main body does not move except for the mounting position. That is, there is no method for operating the color printer again, and there is no method for mounting the replacement part in the proper position.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and eliminates the situation where the movable member of the image forming apparatus main body does not move to the mounting position in a state other than the mounting position where the replacement part can be mounted, or The purpose is to prevent this situation.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, a replacement part that is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, a functional position that is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus and that allows the replacement part to function, and the replacement part is in a normal position. A movable member movable between the mounting position and the mounting position, and the replacement part can be removed from the image forming apparatus main body at both the mounting position and the position other than the mounting position. The replacement part can be mounted at a normal position of the image forming apparatus main body only when the movable member is in the mounting position, and the movable member is not mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. was moving to the mounting position, Ru comprises recovery means for enabling mounting the replacement part to the normal position of the image forming apparatus main body, is characterized by.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the replacement part can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. A movable member is provided in the image forming apparatus main body. The movable member is movable between a functional position and a mounting position. And the replacement part is made to function by becoming a functional position. Further, the replacement part can be mounted at a regular position by being in the mounting position.

  Now, when the movable member is in a state other than the mounting position, for example, the power is turned off, and in this state, the replacement part is taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus. After that, even if the power is turned on and the replacement part is to be mounted, the movable member is located at a position other than the mounting position, so that the replacement part cannot be mounted at the proper position.

  However, even in such a situation, the replacement part can be mounted at the regular position by moving the movable member to the mounting position by the recovery means. Therefore, it is not possible to prevent the replacement part from being mounted at the normal position while the movable member is not located at the mounting position.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the first detection unit that detects whether or not the replacement part is mounted at a regular position, and the first detection unit include: And a first permission unit that permits operation of the image forming apparatus main body when it is detected that the replacement part is mounted at a regular position.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, if the first detection unit does not detect that the replacement part is mounted at a proper position, the first permission unit does not permit the operation of the image forming apparatus main body. It is safe because it will not work unless the parts are installed in their proper positions.

  When the replacement part is taken out with the movable member other than the mounting position, the first detection unit detects that the replacement part is not mounted at the regular regular position, and the first permission unit operates the image forming apparatus main body. The operation stops without permission. After that, even if it is attempted to mount the replacement part, the movable member is located at a position other than the mounting position, and therefore cannot be mounted at the regular position. Moreover, since it is not mounted | worn in a regular position, a 1st permission means does not permit operation | movement. That is, no operation is performed, and the replacement part cannot be mounted at the proper position.

  However, by moving the movable member to the mounting position by the recovery means, the replacement part can be mounted at the regular position. Therefore, the movable member remains at a position other than the mounting position, and the replacement part cannot be mounted at the proper position.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the second aspect, when the first detection unit detects that the replacement part is not mounted at a proper position, the recovery unit causes the movable member to move the movable member. It is characterized by comprising first control means for moving to the mounting position.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, when the first detection unit detects that the replacement part is not mounted at the proper position, the first control unit moves the movable member to the mounting position by the recovery unit, and the replacement is performed. The component can be mounted at a regular position.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the opening / closing cover for attaching / detaching the replacement part, the second detection means for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing cover, and the second detection means are such that the opening / closing cover is closed. A second permission unit that permits the operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, if the second detection unit does not detect that the opening / closing cover is closed, the second permission unit does not permit the operation of the image forming apparatus body, that is, the opening / closing cover is opened. It is safe because it does not work in the state.

  Now, when the movable member opens the opening / closing cover in a state other than the mounting position, the operation stops. When the replacement part is taken out in this state, the movable member remains in a state other than the mounting position. After that, even if it is attempted to mount the replacement part, the movable member is located at a position other than the mounting position, and therefore cannot be mounted at the regular position.

  However, by moving the movable member to the mounting position by the recovery means, the replacement part can be mounted at the regular position. Therefore, the movable member remains at a position other than the mounting position, and the replacement part cannot be mounted at the proper position.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the fourth aspect, when the second detection unit detects that the opening / closing cover is closed, the recovery unit moves the movable member to the mounting position. It is characterized by comprising second control means that can be moved to the right.

In the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, when the second detection unit detects that the opening / closing cover is closed, the second control unit moves the movable member to the mounting position by the recovery unit, and the replacement part is in the normal position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus detects whether the movable member is at the mounting position in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 3 detection means, and the third detection means include third permission means for permitting the operation of the recovery means when the movable member detects that the movable member is located outside the mounting position.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, if the movable member is not in the mounting position, the third permission unit does not permit the operation of the recovery unit. Therefore, the movable member is in the mounting position for some reason. Regardless, the recovery means prevents the movable member from moving to the mounting position.

  As an example of the above, in the configuration according to claim 5, the movable member is in the mounting position when the opening / closing cover is opened and the replacement part is taken out, and then the operation of the recovery means is permitted even when the opening / closing cover is closed. There are cases where it does not.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first, second, fourth, and sixth aspects, the image forming apparatus includes an instruction unit that instructs an operation start of the recovery unit. It is characterized by that.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, the operator can instruct the start of the operation of the recovery unit arbitrarily by using the instruction unit, the movable member can be moved to the mounting position, and the replacement part can be mounted at the regular position. can do.

An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the configuration according to the seventh aspect, in which the operator detects the detection result of the first detection means, the detection result of the second detection means, and the detection result of the third detection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit includes a detection result of the first detection unit, a detection result of the second detection unit, and One or more of the detection results of the third detection means are notified. By viewing this notification, the operator can use the instruction means to start the operation of the recovery means, move the movable member to the attachment position, and allow the replacement part to be attached to the regular position. Therefore, an operator's erroneous operation is prevented.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the main body of the image forming apparatus includes a power supply unit that applies a bias voltage necessary for image formation. The power supply unit does not apply a bias voltage while the recovery means is moving the movable member to the mounting position.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, since the power supply unit does not apply a bias voltage while the recovery unit is moving the movable member to the mounting position, the bias voltage is not applied when the replacement part is mounted at the proper position. It is possible to prevent a failure of the power supply unit due to a problem caused by the application, for example, discharge. In addition, operator safety is ensured.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 is a replacement part that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, a functional position that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body and that allows the replacement part to function, and the replacement part is in a normal position. And a movable member that is movable to the mounting position, and a prohibiting unit that prohibits attachment / detachment of the replacement part when the movable member is not in the mounting position.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the replacement part is provided with a lever that is rotatably provided, and a rotation stop rib that contacts the lever and stops the rotation of the lever. When not attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the lever rotated by the urging force is in contact with the rotation stopping rib, and the movable member is located between the functional position and the mounting position. The eccentric cam at the functional position is in contact with the rotation stopping rib by an urging force in accordance with the operation of mounting the replacement part on the image forming apparatus main body. The replacement part cannot be mounted in a normal position of the image forming apparatus main body without interfering with the lever and rotating the lever, and the eccentric cam in the mounting position causes the replacement part to be placed in the image. Mounted on the forming device body In accordance with the operation, the lever that is in contact with the rotation stopping rib is rotated by an urging force, so that the replacement part can be attached to a normal position of the image forming apparatus main body. It is said.

  Since the eccentric cam at the functional position interferes with the lever in contact with the rotation stopping rib by the urging force, the replacement part is not mounted at the normal position of the image forming apparatus main body.

  However, when the eccentric cam is rotated to the mounting position by the recovery means, the replacement part can be mounted at the normal position of the image forming apparatus main body.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect is the configuration according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the movable member is movable at different positions during image formation and during non-image formation. The mounting position is a position at the time of the non-image formation.

  In the image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect, the mounting position of the movable member to which the replacement part can be attached and detached is a position at the time of non-image formation. That is, it is preferable that the replacement part is always detachable except during image formation.

As described above, according to the present invention, the movable member of the image forming apparatus main body remains in a position other than the mounting position where the replacement part can be mounted, and the situation where the movable member is not movable to the mounting position is solved. Alternatively, such a situation is prevented.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus to which a known electrophotographic process is applied will be described with reference to the drawings as an example to which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied. In the following description, detailed descriptions of those not directly related to the essence of the present invention are omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12, and an opening / closing cover 16 that is rotatable about a rotation fulcrum 14 is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 12. For example, a one-stage sheet feeding unit 18 is disposed at a lower portion of the sheet 12.

  The paper feed unit 18 includes a paper feed unit main body 20 and a paper feed cassette 22 in which paper P is stored. A feed roll 24 that supplies the paper P from the paper cassette 22 and a retard roll 26 that sprinkles the supplied paper P one by one are arranged in the upper part near the rear end of the paper cassette 22.

  The conveyance path 28 is a sheet path from the feed roll 24 to the discharge port 30, and this conveyance path 28 is in the vicinity of the back side (right side in FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus main body 12 and is described later from the sheet feeding unit 18. The fixing device 90 is formed substantially vertically. A secondary transfer roll 80 and a secondary transfer backup roll 72, which will be described later, are arranged on the upstream side of the fixing device 90 in the conveyance path 28, and the registration roll 32 is located upstream of the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72. Is arranged. In addition, a discharge roll 34 is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port 30 of the conveyance path 28.

  That is, the paper P sent out from the paper feed cassette 22 of the paper feed unit 18 by the feed roll 24 is turned by the retard roll 26 and only the uppermost paper P is guided to the transport path 28, and the paper roll P is fed by the registration roll 32. The toner image is transferred while passing between a secondary transfer roll 80 and a secondary transfer backup roll 72, which will be described later. Then, the transferred toner image is fixed on the sheet P by the fixing device 90, and is discharged from the discharge port 30 to the discharge unit 36 provided at the upper part of the opening / closing cover 16 by the discharge roll 34. The discharge portion 36 has a low discharge port portion and is inclined so as to gradually increase toward the front direction (left direction in FIG. 1).

  In the image forming apparatus main body 12, for example, a rotary developing device 38 is disposed at a substantially central portion. The rotary developing device 38 includes developing units 42a to 42d that respectively form toner images of four colors of yellow, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in the developing unit main body 40. It rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) about the rotary developing device center 44. Each of the developing units 42a to 42d has developing rolls 46a to 46d, and is pressed in the normal direction of the developing unit main body 40 by elastic bodies 48a to 48d such as coil springs.

  The rotary developing device 38 is arranged so as to rotate, for example, around the rotation support shaft 49 so that the photosensitive member 50 comes into contact therewith, and the developing rolls 46a to 46d are not in contact with the photosensitive member 50, respectively. A part of the outer periphery of the developing device protrudes from the outer periphery of the developing device main body 40 in the radial direction, for example, 2 mm. Further, a tracking roll (not shown) having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the developing rolls 46a to 46d is provided at both ends of each of the developing rolls 46a to 46d so as to rotate coaxially with the developing rolls 46a to 46d. Yes. That is, the developing rows 46a to 46d of the developing devices 42a to 42d are arranged on the outer periphery of the developing device main body 40 at intervals of 90 ° with the rotary developing device center 44 as the center, and the tracking rolls of the developing rollers 46a to 46d are photosensitive. The latent images on the photoconductor 50 are in contact with flanges (not shown) provided at both ends of the photoconductor 50, and a predetermined gap is formed between the developing rolls 46a to 46d and the photoconductor 50. Develop with toner.

  Below the photoconductor 50, a charging device 52 composed of, for example, a charging roll for uniformly charging the photoconductor 50 is provided. Further, the image bearing member cleaner 54 is held on the photosensitive member 50 so as to be suspended from the rotation support shaft 49, and the photosensitive member 50 and the image carrier cleaner 54 are integrated. The image carrier cleaner 54 includes, for example, a cleaning blade 56 that scrapes waste toner remaining on the photoreceptor 50 after primary transfer, and a toner recovery bottle 58 that recovers waste toner scraped by the cleaning blade 56.

  For example, a rib or the like is formed on the back side (right side in FIG. 1) of the toner collection bottle 58 and is curved to form a part of the conveyance path 28 so that the paper P is smoothly conveyed.

  On the lower back side of the rotary developing device 38, an exposure device 60 for writing a latent image on the photosensitive member 50 charged by the charging device 52 with a light beam such as a laser beam is disposed. Further, an intermediate transfer device 62 is provided above the rotary developing device 38. The toner image visualized by the rotary developing device 38 is primarily transferred at the primary transfer position and conveyed to a secondary transfer position described later.

  The intermediate transfer device 62 includes an intermediate transfer member 64 such as an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer roll 66, a wrap-in roll 68, a wrap-out roll 70, a secondary transfer backup roll 72, a scraper backup roll 74, and a brush backup roll 76. .

  The intermediate transfer body 64 has elasticity, for example, and is stretched substantially flat so as to have a long side and a short side above the rotary developing device 38. The long side on the upper surface side of the intermediate transfer body 64 is stretched so as to be substantially parallel to, for example, the discharge unit 36 provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  The intermediate transfer member 64 includes a wrap-in roll 68 disposed upstream of the primary transfer roll 66 below the long side of the intermediate transfer member 64, and a wrap-out roll 70 disposed downstream of the primary transfer roll 66. A primary transfer portion (image carrier wrap region) that comes into contact with the photoconductor 50 in a lap shape is interposed between the photoconductor 50 and the photoconductor 50, which is wound around a predetermined range and is driven by the rotation of the photoconductor 50.

  In this way, the intermediate transfer body 64 is primarily transferred by the primary transfer roll 66 while superimposing the toner images on the photoreceptor 50 in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, for example. It is conveyed toward the next transfer roll 80. Note that the wrap-in roll 68 and the wrap-out roll 70 are separated from the photoconductor 50.

  Thus, the intermediate transfer body 64 is stretched by five rolls of the wrap-in roll 68, the wrap-out roll 70, the secondary transfer backup roll 72, the scraper backup roll 74, and the brush backup roll 76, and the primary transfer roll 66, the toner image on the photoconductor 50 is transferred.

  Further, a flat surface portion (short side) is formed by a wrap-out roll 70 and a secondary transfer backup roll 72 on the back side (right side surface in FIG. 1) of the intermediate transfer body 64, and this flat surface portion is a secondary surface. It becomes a transfer part and faces the conveyance path 28.

  In the secondary transfer portion, the wrap-out roll 70 is arranged so that the intermediate transfer body 64 and the conveyance path 28 are at an angle of 12 °, for example.

  The scraper backup roll 74 assists the scraper 84 described later to scrape waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 64 after the secondary transfer, and the brush backup roll 76 wastes remaining on the intermediate transfer body 64 after the secondary transfer. A brush roll 86 described later assists in scraping off the toner.

  A secondary transfer roll 80 is opposed to the secondary transfer backup roll 72 of the intermediate transfer device 62 with the conveyance path 28 interposed therebetween. That is, the secondary transfer position in the secondary transfer portion is between the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72, and the secondary transfer roll 80 is intermediate with the assistance of the secondary transfer backup roll 72. The toner image primarily transferred to the transfer body 64 is secondarily transferred onto the paper at the secondary transfer position.

  Here, the secondary transfer roll 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer body 64 while the intermediate transfer body 64 rotates three times, that is, while the toner images of three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan are transported. When the image is transferred, it comes into contact with the intermediate transfer member 64.

  In addition, a predetermined potential difference is generated between the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72. For example, when the secondary transfer roll 80 is set to a high voltage, the secondary transfer backup 80 The roll 72 is connected to a ground (GND) or the like.

  An intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 is provided at the end of the intermediate transfer member 64 on the side opposite to the image carrier. The intermediate transfer body cleaner 82 includes a scraper 84, a brush roll 86, a toner collection box 88, and a swing support shaft 89, and swings about the swing support shaft 89. For example, the scraper 84 scrapes off and cleans waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member 64 after the secondary transfer. The brush roll 86 further scrapes off the waste toner remaining after cleaning by the scraper 84. The toner collection box 88 collects the toner scraped by the scraper 84 and the brush roll 86. The scraper 84 is made of, for example, a thin plate made of stainless steel, and is applied with a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner.

  The brush roll 86 is made of, for example, an acrylic brush that has been subjected to a conductive treatment. While the intermediate transfer member 64 conveys the toner image, the scraper 84 and the brush roll 86 are separated from the intermediate transfer member 64 and come into contact with the intermediate transfer member 64 at a predetermined timing. Has been.

  The intermediate transfer device 62, the photoconductor 50, the charging device 52, the image carrier cleaner 54, and the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 are integrated to form a part of an image forming unit 96 described later.

  A fixing device 90 is disposed above the secondary transfer position. The fixing device 90 includes a heating roll 92 and a pressure roll 94, fixes the toner image secondarily transferred to the sheet by the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72, and fixes the toner image to the discharge roll 34. Transport toward.

  On the front side of the rotary developing device 38 (left side in FIG. 1), a control unit 39 that controls each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10 is provided.

  An operation panel 107 is provided at the upper part of the back side (right side in FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus main body 12. The operation panel 107 displays various notifications from the control unit 39 to the operator. When the operator operates the operation panel 107, the control unit 39 performs control according to the operation content.

  Further, a power supply unit 37 for applying a bias voltage to the developing rolls 46 a to 46 d, the charging device 52, the primary transfer roll 66, and the secondary transfer roll 80 is provided above the paper supply unit 18. The power supply unit 37 is controlled by the control unit 39.

  The details of the image forming unit 96 are shown in FIGS.

  The image forming unit 96 includes a pair of side frames 100a and 100b provided on the left and right (left and right in FIG. 4), and a pair of protective covers 102a and 102b provided on the top and bottom (up and down in FIG. 3). 99, an intermediate transfer device 62, a photosensitive member 50, a charging device 52, an image carrier cleaner 54, and an intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 are integrated. The side frames 100a and 100b, the protective covers 102a and 102b, the intermediate transfer device 62, and the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 are integrated to form an intermediate transfer member assembly 97. The photoconductor 50, the charging device 52 and the image carrier cleaner 54 are integrated to form a photoconductor unit 98. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the image forming unit 96 is formed by assembling the photoconductor unit 98 to the intermediate transfer body assembly 97 via a bearing 111 and a bearing 132 described later. The photoreceptor unit 98 is detachably attached to the intermediate transfer body assembly 97. The intermediate transfer body assembly 97 has a predetermined tension applied to the intermediate transfer body 64 when the photoreceptor unit 98 is attached. The primary transfer portion is formed between the photosensitive member 50 and the photosensitive member 50.

  The intermediate transfer body 64 is supported so as to be rotated by five rolls of a secondary transfer backup roll 72, a wrap-in roll 68, a wrap-out roll 70, a scraper backup roll 74, and a brush backup roll 76, and is photosensitive by the primary transfer roll 66. The toner image carried on the body 50 is transferred. Each of the primary transfer roll 66, the wrap-in roll 68, the wrap-out roll 70, the scraper backup roll 74, and the brush backup roll 76 is provided with bearings 104 (see FIG. 5) at both ends. , 100b. The secondary transfer backup roll 72 includes a shaft portion 106 and a rotating portion 108 that rotates around the shaft portion 106, and both ends of the shaft portion 106 are fixed to side frames 100 a, 110 by fixing members 110, 110 such as screws. It is being fixed to 100b, respectively.

  The side frame 100a has a hole 112 that supports one end of the rotation support shaft 49 through a bearing 111 and a swing support shaft 89 of the intermediate transfer body cleaner 82 through the rotation support shaft 49 of the photoreceptor 50. The rotation support shaft 49 and the swing support shaft 89 protrude sideways. A recess 116 (see FIG. 7) for engaging a later-described protrusion 140 of the protective cover 102a is provided on the upper side of the side frame 100a on the photosensitive member 50, and an upper portion of the protective cover 102a on the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 side is provided. A hole 120 is provided in which a fixing portion 142 to be described later is fixed by the fixing member 110. A concave portion 122 that engages a projection 144 described later of the protective cover 102b is provided at the lower portion of the side frame 100a on the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 side, and a fixing portion 146 of the protective cover 102b described later is provided at the lower portion on the photosensitive member 50 side. Is provided with a hole 126 that is fixed by the fixing member 110.

  Further, the side frame 100 a is provided with a fixing portion 128 that fixes one end of the shaft portion 106 of the secondary transfer backup roll 72 with the fixing member 110. Further, inside the side frame 100a, a receiving portion 130 (in FIG. 5) that supports one end of a wrap-in roll 68, a wrap-out roll 70, a scraper backup roll 74, and a brush backup roll 76 from the side via a bearing 104. Side frames 100b) are provided. Note that one end of the primary transfer roll 66 is supported by the side frame 100a via a bearing 104 and a holder (not shown).

  The side frame 100b passes through the rotation support shaft 49 of the photosensitive member 50 and includes a notch 134 that supports one end of the rotation support shaft 49 via a bearing 132, and a swing support shaft 89 of the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82. The rotation support shaft 49 and the swing support shaft 89 protrude sideways. The notch 134 has a narrower portion through which the rotation support shaft 49 passes than a portion to which the bearing 132 is attached. The bearing 132 is fixed to the side frame 100b by a fixing member such as a screw (not shown). A recess 116 (see FIG. 7) for engaging a later-described protrusion 140 of the protective cover 102a is provided on the upper side of the side frame 100b on the photoreceptor 50 side, and an intermediate transfer body cleaner 82 side upper part of the protective cover 102a is provided on the upper side. A hole 120 is provided in which a fixing portion 142 to be described later is fixed by the fixing member 110. A concave portion 122 that engages a projection 144 described later of the protective cover 102b is provided at the lower portion of the side frame 100b on the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82, and a fixing portion 146 described later of the protective cover 102b is provided at the lower portion of the photosensitive member 50 side. Is provided with a hole 126 that is fixed by the fixing member 110.

  The side frame 100 b is provided with a fixing portion 128 that fixes one end of the shaft portion 106 of the secondary transfer backup roll 72 with the fixing member 110. Further, inside the side frame 100b, a receiving portion 130 that supports one end of a wrap-in roll 68, a wrap-out roll 70, a scraper backup roll 74, and a brush backup roll 76 from the side via a bearing 104 (see FIG. 5). ) Are provided. Note that one end of the primary transfer roll 66 is supported by the side frame 100b via a bearing 104 and a holder (not shown).

  Further, on the side frames 100a and 100b, a support piece 69 is erected so as to face the upper part of the side surface of the toner collection box 88, and a boss 77 projects from the support piece 69 toward the intermediate transfer body 64. . Further, the boss 73 protrudes from both longitudinal ends of the toner collection box 88 toward the boss 77. Then, the compression coil spring 71 is fitted into the bosses 73 and 77. As a result, the toner recovery box 88 is urged toward the intermediate transfer member 64, and the scraper 84 and the brush roll 86 are pressed against the intermediate transfer member 64 (see FIGS. 10, 12 to 14).

  Further, a boss 81 is erected on the side frames 100 a and 100 b so as to face the lower side of the toner collection box 88, and a torsion coil spring 83 is inserted into the boss 81, and the lever 85 can be rotated from above. Mounted on. Further, on the side surface of the toner collection box 88, there are formed a rotation stopping rib 87 and a contacting / leaving rib 91 with which the lever 85 abuts. The details of the contact / separation / movement stopping means 79 (see FIGS. 12 to 14) configured by the compression coil spring 71, the lever 85, the torsion coil spring 83, and the like will be described later.

  The protective cover 102a includes a cover main body 135a, a gripping portion 136, a convex portion 138, protrusions 140 and 140, and fixing portions 142 and 142. The cover main body 135a is made of, for example, ABS resin and has elasticity, and covers the intermediate transfer member 64 and the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82. The gripper 136 is made of, for example, a flexible member, and is provided on the upper surface of the cover main body 135a so that an operator can grip the image forming unit 96. The convex portion 138 is formed integrally with, for example, the cover main body 135a, protrudes so as to face the fixing device 90 (see FIG. 1), and foreign matter placed on the upper surface of the cover main body 135a is mixed into the image forming apparatus main body 12. To prevent. The protrusions 140 and 140 engage with the recesses 116 and 116 of the side frames 100a and 100b, respectively. The fixing portions 142 and 142 are fixed to the holes 120 and 120 of the side frames 100a and 100b by the fixing members 110 and 110, respectively. Is done.

  The protective cover 102b includes a cover main body 135b, protrusions 144 and 144, and fixing portions 146 and 146. The cover main body 135b is made of, for example, ABS resin and has elasticity, and is curved so as to cover the intermediate transfer member 64 and the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82. The protrusions 144 and 144 engage with the recesses 122 and 122 of the side frames 100a and 100b, respectively. The fixing portions 146 and 146 are fixed to the holes 126 and 126 of the side frames 100a and 100b by the fixing members 110 and 110, respectively. The

  That is, the side frames 100a and 100b are disposed substantially parallel to the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 50 and the intermediate transfer member 64, and the protective covers 102a and 102b and the secondary transfer backup cover the upper and lower portions of the intermediate transfer member 64, respectively. The shafts 106 of the roll 72 are connected to each other at three positions to determine the relative positions of the respective parts constituting the image forming unit 96 and to the sides of the photosensitive member 50, the intermediate transfer device 62, and the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82. Cover. Further, since both ends of the shaft portion 106 of the secondary transfer backup roll 72 are fixed to the side frames 100a and 100b, the image forming unit 96 is exposed in a stable state near the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer body 64. Yes.

  On the other hand, the protective covers 102a and 102b have elasticity as described above, and one ends thereof are alternately fixed to the side frames 100a and 100b. The primary transfer roll 66, the wrap-in roll 68, the wrap-out roll 70, the scraper backup roll 74, and the brush backup roll 76 are supported by the side frames 100a and 100b via bearings 104, respectively, and the side frames 100a and 100b. Have play against. As described above, the primary transfer roll 66, the wrap-in roll 68, the wrap-out roll 70, the scraper backup roll 74, and the brush backup roll 76 have a play that turns with respect to the side frames 100a and 100b around one end thereof. However, the range of this play is limited by the protective covers 102a and 102b.

  That is, the image forming unit 96 has a degree of freedom in which twisting occurs while the vicinity of the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer body 64 is exposed in a stable state.

  Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  When the image forming signal is sent, the photosensitive member 50 is uniformly charged by the charging device 52, and light is emitted from the exposure device 60 to the charged photosensitive member 50 based on the image signal. The light beam from the exposure device 60 exposes the surface of the photoconductor 50 to form a latent image. The latent image of the photoreceptor 50 formed by the exposure device 60 is developed with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images by the rotary developing device 38 and is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 64. In the primary transfer, waste toner remaining on the photoreceptor 50 is scraped off and collected by the image carrier cleaner 54.

  On the other hand, the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 22 by a paper feed signal or the like is sent out by the feed roll 24, is turned by the retard roll 26, is guided to the transport path 28, and is temporarily stopped by the registration roll 32. And is guided between the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72. When the paper P is guided between the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer body 64 is transferred by the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72. Secondary transfer is performed on the paper P. After the secondary transfer, the waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member 64 is scraped off and collected by the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82. The intermediate transfer body cleaner 82 is separated from the intermediate transfer body 64 by the contact / separation / movement stop means 79 while the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images are primarily transferred from the photoreceptor 50 to the intermediate transfer body 64. In addition, the first transfer of black of the fourth color starts to contact the intermediate transfer member 64.

  The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is guided to the fixing device 90, and the toner image is fixed by the thermal pressure by the pressure roll 94 by the heating roll 92. The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the discharge port 30 to the discharge unit 36 by the discharge roll 34.

  Next, a method for attaching and detaching the image forming unit 96 of the above embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the image forming unit 96 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 12. When the image forming unit 96 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 12, the image forming apparatus 10 is configured such that the opening / closing cover 16 of the image forming apparatus main body 12 is rotated about the rotation fulcrum 14, thereby Open the top. The image forming unit 96 is disposed such that the intermediate transfer device 62 and the photosensitive member 50 are positioned between the fixing device 90 and the rotary developing device 38, and passes through the space between the fixing device 90 and the rotary developing device 38. Then, it is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 12 diagonally forward (in the diagonally upper left in FIG. 8). In this way, the image forming unit 96 is removed without opening the transport path 28.

  The image forming unit 96 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 12, and is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 by opening the opening / closing cover 16.

  The image forming apparatus main body 12 is provided with an open / close detection switch 102 for detecting opening / closing of the open / close cover 16. Then, the detection result of the open / close detection switch 102 is sent to the control unit 39.

  The photosensitive unit 98 is detachably attached to the intermediate transfer body assembly 97 with the image forming unit 96 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  In FIG. 9, the direction in which the image forming unit 96 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 12 is schematically shown. The image forming unit 96 is guided by the main positioning unit 148 and the auxiliary positioning unit 150 by being gripped by the gripping part 136 and is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12 in a predetermined direction. For example, when the gripper 136 is held from above, the image forming unit 96 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 12 (posture shown in FIG. 9). That is, when the image forming unit 96 is lifted upward by gripping the gripping portion 136, the image forming unit 96 is tilted and held so that the image carrier cleaner 54 is positioned below. ing.

  The main positioning unit 148 includes, for example, a guide groove 152 provided on the image forming apparatus main body 12 side, and a rotation support shaft 49 of the photoreceptor 50 protruding to the side of the image forming unit 96. The rotation support shaft 49 is formed in a columnar shape that engages with the guide groove 152, and moves along the guide groove 152. The auxiliary positioning unit 150 includes, for example, an auxiliary groove 154 provided on the image forming apparatus main body 12 side and a swing support shaft 89 of the intermediate transfer body cleaner 82 protruding to the side of the image forming unit 96. The swing support shaft 89 is formed in, for example, a columnar shape that engages with the auxiliary groove 154 and moves along the auxiliary groove 154.

  In the guide groove 152, the contact guide groove 156 is formed at the lower portion at an angle A with respect to the horizontal line, and the movement guide groove 158 is formed at the upper portion at an angle B with respect to the horizontal line. In addition, the auxiliary groove 154 has a contact guide separation groove 160 formed at a lower portion at an angle A with respect to a horizontal line, and a movement auxiliary guide groove 162 formed at an angle B with respect to the horizontal line. The angle A is, for example, 70 °, and the angle B is, for example, 55 °. Therefore, when the rotation support shaft 49 and the swing support shaft 89 are moved along the contact / separation guide groove 156 and the contact / separation auxiliary guide full 160, respectively, the image forming unit 96 is contacted and separated from the substantially tangential direction of the rotary developing device 38. Move in the direction you want.

  Further, when the rotation support shaft 49 and the swing support shaft 89 are moved along the movement guide groove 158 and the movement auxiliary guide groove 162, respectively, the image forming unit 96 moves in a substantially tangential direction passing through the development position of the rotary developing device 38. Moving.

  As described above, the image forming unit 96 has a degree of freedom in which the relative positions of the respective parts constituting the image forming unit 96 are determined by the side frames 100a and 100b. Therefore, the rotation support shaft 49 and the swing support shaft 89 move along the guide groove 152 and the auxiliary groove 154, respectively, so that each part constituting the image forming unit 96 has a predetermined amount with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 12. Positioned in position. In other words, the image forming unit 96 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 12 without adjusting the positioning of the intermediate transfer member 64 and the photoconductor 50 with the image forming unit 96 alone. The position of the photoconductor 50 with respect to the next transfer backup roll 72 and the rotary developing device 38 can be determined, and meandering of the intermediate transfer body 64 can be prevented.

  Further, as described above, the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 swings about the swing support shaft 89, and the photosensitive member 50 rotates about the rotation support shaft 49 to drive the intermediate transfer member 64. That is, since the shaft driven from the image forming apparatus main body 12 side is directly positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 12, the image forming unit 96 is prevented from being deformed by the driving force for driving the image forming unit 96. be able to.

  In addition, the image forming unit 96 is guided in any combination of parts of the image forming unit 96 such as part of the side frames 100a and 100b and part of a plurality of rolls that support the intermediate transfer member 64. The groove 152 and the auxiliary groove 154 may be guided.

  Note that a unit detection switch 105 that detects whether or not the image forming unit 96 is mounted at a regular position is provided below the rear side end of the contact / separation guide groove 156. The detection result of the unit detection switch 105 is sent to the control unit 39.

  Next, the contact / separation / movement stop means 79 for bringing the intermediate transfer body cleaner 82 into and out of contact with the intermediate transfer body 64 will be described. The structure of the contact / separation / movement stop means 79 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 is symmetrical, and will be described by taking one side as an example.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, four ribs 81a are formed at the base of the circumferential surface of the boss 81 at intervals of about 90 degrees. A torsion coil spring 83 is set between the rib 81 a and the lever 85. Here, the end 83a on the rib 81a side of the torsion coil spring 83 is bent toward the rib 81a, and the end 83b on the lever 85 side is bent toward the lever 85.

  Further, the lever 85 is an elongated plate material, and a circular hole 85a into which the boss 81 is inserted is formed at the center. Further, on both surfaces of the lever 85, a fan-shaped rotation stopping rib 85b extending from the circular hole 85a to one end in the longitudinal direction, and a rectangular rib 85c extending from the circular hole 85a to the other end in the longitudinal direction. Is formed. A long hole 85d is formed inside the rib 85c of the lever 85. The end 83b of the torsion coil spring 83 on the lever 85 side is inserted into the elongated hole 85d. Further, the end portion 83 a on the rib 81 a side of the torsion coil spring 83 is set between two ribs 81 a provided on the upper side of the boss 81. Thus, when the lever 85 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the end 83a of the torsion coil spring 83 abuts on the upper right rib 81a in the figure, and the torsion coil spring 83 is elastically contracted.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 12, a rotation stop rib 87 for stopping the rotation of the lever 85 is formed on the side surface of the toner recovery box 88. The rotation stopping rib 87 is disposed above the boss 81 and has an arcuate surface shape of the rotation stopping rib 85b of the lever 85 rotated in the direction of arrow B in the figure by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 83. Abutting on the side surface, the rotation of the lever 85 in the direction of arrow B in the figure is stopped.

  Here, the abutment surface 87a of the rotation stop rib 87 with which the rotation stop rib 85b of the lever 85 abuts is inclined toward the swing support shaft 89 located obliquely below the abutment surface 87a. The normal direction of the contact surface 87a and the radial direction of the rotation stopping rib 85b substantially coincide with each other.

  For this reason, even if a rotational force in the direction of the arrow C in the drawing around the swing support shaft 89 (rotational force away from the intermediate transfer body 64) is applied to the toner collection box 88, the rotation of the lever 85 is stopped. Only the radial force acts on the rib 85b, and the lever 85 does not rotate. For this reason, the lever 85 functions as a stopper that stops the toner collection box 88 from swinging in the direction of arrow C in the figure, so that when the image forming unit 96 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 12, the scraper 84, the brush roll. 86 is not separated from the intermediate transfer member 64, and the toner in the toner recovery box 88 is not spilled out.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus main body 12 supports an elliptical eccentric cam 93 that contacts the lever 85 in a rotatable manner.

  The eccentric cam 93 is rotated by a pulse motor (not shown), and the rotation angle is controlled by a pulse sent from the control unit 39. Therefore, the control unit 39 controls the rotation angle of the eccentric cam 93 and detects the rotation angle.

  When the image forming unit 96 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12, the eccentric cam 93 and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the lever 85 come into contact with each other. Rotate in direction A. As a result, the rotation stop rib 85b of the lever 85 and the rotation stop rib 87 are not in contact with each other, and the toner recovery box 88 can swing in the direction of arrow C in the figure. The position of the eccentric cam 93 in FIG. 13 is defined as the second position. Further, the image forming unit 96 can be attached to the regular position of the image forming apparatus main body 12 only at the second position.

  Further, a contact / separation rib 91 is formed on the side surface of the toner collection box 88 so that one end in the longitudinal direction of the lever 85 rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The contact surface 91a with which the lever 85 of the contact / separation rib 91 contacts is substantially horizontal, and as shown in FIG. 14, the contact surface 91a rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure. The toner recovery box 88 swings in the direction of arrow C in the figure against the urging force of the compression coil spring 71. As a result, the scraper 84 and the brush roll 86 are separated from the intermediate transfer member 64. The position of the eccentric cam 93 in FIG. 14 is defined as a first position.

  When the cleaning operation by the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 is completed, as shown in FIG. 13, the eccentric cam 93 has the second smallest diameter portion 93 a with the smallest distance from the center to the outer peripheral surface. In this state, one end in the longitudinal direction of the lever 85 is separated from the contacting / separating rib 91, and the toner recovery box 88 is urged toward the intermediate transfer member 64 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 71. A scraper 84 and a brush roll 86 are pressed against the intermediate transfer member 64.

  That is, when the image forming unit 96 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 12, the minimum diameter portion 93a of the eccentric cam 93 abuts on the lever 85, and the lever 85 rotates toward the contacting / separating rib 91. The remaining amount of rotation of the lever 85 necessary for separating the box 88 from the intermediate transfer body 64 can be reduced. Thus, the eccentric cam 93 can be reduced, and the time required for separating the toner collection box 88 from the intermediate transfer body 64 can be shortened.

  The lever 85 is disposed between the side frames 102a and 102b and the toner collection box 88, that is, inside the image forming unit 96, so that the user cannot handle the lever 85. That is, the user is prevented from unlocking the toner collection box 88 by the lever 85 while holding the image forming unit 96.

  Further, the swing support shaft 89 is disposed so that the center of gravity of the toner collection box 88 is positioned on the lever 85 side of the swing support shaft 89, and the weight of the toner recovery box 88 is separated from the intermediate transfer body 64. Acting in the direction. For this reason, the torque of the lever 85 required to swing the toner collection box 88 in the direction away from the intermediate transfer member 64 is reduced, and the torque of the eccentric cam 93 can be reduced. The cost of the rotating pulse motor can be reduced.

  Further, the contact / separation / movement stop means 79 is configured so that the lever 85 has both the function of swinging the toner collection box 88 and the function of locking the toner collection box 88, thereby reducing the number of parts. Cost can be reduced.

  Further, the swing support shaft 89 inserted through the toner collection box 88 and the side frames 102 a and 102 b is arranged side by side with the lever 85 on the side frames 102 a and 102 b that are part of the support frame 99. Yes. Therefore, it is easy to position the swing center of the toner recovery box 88 and the lever 85, and the positioning accuracy can be improved.

  Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

The image forming apparatus 10, in order to improve safety, the detection cover 16 is opened and close detection switch 102 Then, the control unit 39 stops the image forming apparatus 10 operates, operates the opening and closing cover 16 is closed Is allowed.

  Further, when the unit detection switch 105 detects that the image forming unit 96 is not mounted at the regular position, the control unit 39 also stops the operation, and when the image forming unit 96 is mounted at the regular position, the operation is permitted. ing.

  The control unit 39 moves the eccentric cam 93 from the second position to the first position, and the lever 85 causes the toner collection box 88 to swing in the direction of arrow C in the figure against the urging force of the compression coil spring 71. The scraper 84 and the brush roll 86 are separated from the intermediate transfer body 64 (see FIG. 14), that is, the user opens the open / close cover 16 and takes out the image forming unit 96 even during image formation. (See FIG. 8). As described above, when the opening / closing cover 16 is opened, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is stopped, so that the eccentric cam 93 remains in the first position.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15, even if an attempt is made to mount the image forming unit 96 with the eccentric cam 93 in the first position, the lever 85 and the eccentric cam 93 interfere with each other, and the image forming unit 96 is mounted at the normal position. Not. If it is not attached at the proper position, it will not be detected that the unit detection switch 105 is attached at the proper position, so that the control unit 39 does not permit the operation. Therefore, the eccentric cam 93 remains in the first position, and the image forming unit 96 cannot be mounted.

  Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 10 satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit 39 displays on the operation panel 107 that the eccentric cam 93 needs to be moved to the second position, and the operator looks at the display, By operating the operation panel 107, the control unit 39 moves the eccentric cam 93 to the second position.

  Therefore, the image forming unit 96 cannot be attached to the normal position while the eccentric cam 93 remains in the first position.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the predetermined condition described above is set when the following three conditions are satisfied.

  (1) The unit detection switch 105 detects that the image forming unit 96 is not mounted at the proper position.

  (2) The open / close detection switch 102 detects that the open / close cover 16 is closed.

  (3) The control unit 39 detects that the eccentric cam 93 is at a position other than the second position.

  Note that while the eccentric cam 93 is movable to the second position, the control unit 39 performs control so that various bias voltages are not applied from the power supply unit 37. Therefore, a bias voltage is applied in a state where the image forming unit 96 is not mounted at the regular position, and thus the failure of the power supply unit 37 due to discharge or the like is prevented. In addition, operator safety is ensured.

  Even if the operation panel 107 does not indicate that the eccentric cam 93 needs to be moved to the second position, the operator can operate the operation panel 107 to move the eccentric cam 93 to the second position. Is possible. However, if the control unit 39 detects that the eccentric cam 93 is at the second position, the control unit 39 does not move to the second position even if the operator operates the operation panel 107. (That is, it does not make one rotation from the second position to the second position).

Next, a second embodiment as a reference example will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 16 shows a main part of the image forming apparatus 200 of the second embodiment. In the auxiliary groove 154 provided on the image forming apparatus main body 202 side, there is a lock pin 109 movable between a position for closing the auxiliary groove 154 (see FIG. 17B) and a retracted position (see FIG. 17A). Is provided.

  At the position where the auxiliary groove 154 is closed (see FIG. 17B), the swing support shaft 89 is caught by the auxiliary groove 154, and the image forming unit 96 cannot be attached or detached.

  The lock pin 109 is in a retracted position (see FIG. 17A) only when the eccentric cam 93 is in the second position (see FIG. 13). Therefore, the image forming unit 96 can be attached and detached only when the eccentric cam 93 is in the second position (see FIG. 13).

  Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  As in the first embodiment, in order to improve safety, the image forming apparatus 200 stops the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the open / close detection switch detects that the open / close cover 16 has been opened. When the opening / closing cover 16 is closed, the operation is permitted. Further, when the unit detection switch 105 detects that the image forming unit 96 is not mounted at the regular position, the control unit 39 also stops the operation, and when the image forming unit 96 is mounted at the regular position, the operation is permitted. is doing.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 39 moves the eccentric cam 93 from the second position to the first position, and the lever 85 causes the toner collection box 88 to resist the urging force of the compression coil spring 71. The scraper 84 and the brush roll 86 are separated from the intermediate transfer member 64. The lock pin 109 is at a position (see FIG. 17B) that closes the auxiliary groove 154.

  When the opening / closing cover 16 is opened in this state, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is stopped. However, as described above, since the eccentric cam 93 is not in the second position (see FIG. 13), the lock pin 109 is in a position for closing the auxiliary groove 154 (see FIG. 17B). Therefore, the image forming unit 96 cannot be removed.

  Therefore, the image forming unit 96 is taken out while the eccentric cam 93 is not in the second position, and the image forming unit 96 cannot be mounted at the normal position thereafter.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the first embodiment, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a display indicating that the eccentric cam 93 needs to be moved to the second position is displayed on the operation panel 107, and the operator views the display and checks the operation panel 107. Although the control part 39 moved the eccentric cam 93 to the 2nd position by operating, it is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 39 may automatically move the eccentric cam 93 to the second position when a predetermined condition is met. Also, the predetermined conditions may be determined according to the configuration of the apparatus. The display on the operation panel 107 may also display one or more detection results of the detection result of the unit detection switch 105, the detection result of the open / close detection switch 102, and the detection result of the eccentric cam 93.

  Further, for example, in the second embodiment, the lock pin 109 is movable between the position where the auxiliary groove 154 is closed and the position where the lock pin 109 is retracted, thereby preventing the image forming unit 96 from being attached and detached. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening / closing cover 16 may be provided with a lock mechanism, or other means for prohibiting the attachment / detachment of the other image forming unit 96.

  Further, for example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the eccentric cam 93 moves between the first position (see FIG. 14) and the second position (see FIG. 13) to move the image forming unit 96. Further, the second position (see FIG. 13) is a position where the image forming unit 96 can be attached to the regular position. In other words, the functional positions for functioning the image forming unit 96 in claim 1 are the first position and the second position, and the second position also serves as the mounting position in claim 1. However, the mounting position may be another position different from the functional position (first position and second position). For example, during non-image formation, the standby position may be different from the first position and the second position, and the standby position may be the mounting position. Further, the position of the movable member that functions as the replacement part is not limited to the first position and the second position, but may be configured to function at more positions, or may be configured to function only at one position. Good. In addition, the mounting position may be all positions other than the functional position.

Further, for example, in the first and second embodiments described above, although the image forming unit 96 to the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 is attached swingably described by way of example, but not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to other units that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.

1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled into an intermediate transfer member assembly and an image carrier unit. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from below except for a protective cover. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection between a lower protective cover and a side frame of the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing engagement between a protective cover on the upper side of the image forming unit shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the image forming unit is detached from the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing a direction in which the image forming unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an intermediate transfer member cleaner of the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2. (A), (B) is a perspective view which shows the attachment structure of the lever and torsion coil spring of the cleaner for intermediate transfer bodies shown in FIG. FIG. 10A is a side view and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a state where the intermediate transfer member cleaner shown in FIG. 10A shows a state in which the eccentric cam is in the second position , and the intermediate transfer member cleaner shown in FIG. 10 can swing at a position where it comes into contact with the intermediate transfer member. FIG. FIG. 10A is a side view and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a state where the eccentric cam is in the first position and the intermediate transfer member cleaner shown in FIG. 10 is separated from the intermediate transfer member. It is a figure which shows a mode that an eccentric cam exists in the state of a 1st position , and the eccentric cam and the lever of an image formation unit interfere and cannot be mounted | worn. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of a reference example . (A) shows a state where the lock pin is in a position retracted from the auxiliary groove, and (B) is a diagram showing a state where the lock pin is in a position closing the auxiliary groove.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus main body 16 Opening / closing cover 37 Power supply part 39 Control part (Recovery means, 1st permission means, 2nd permission means, 3rd permission means, 1st control means, 2nd control means, 3rd detection means)
93 Eccentric cam (movable member)
96 Image forming unit 96 (replacement part)
102 Open / close detection switch (second detection means)
105 Unit detection switch (first detection means)
107 Operation panel (instruction means, notification means)
109 Lock pin (prohibited means)
200 Image forming apparatus 202 Image forming apparatus main body

Claims (11)

Replacement parts that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus provided on the main body has a functional position to function the replacement part, the mounting position attachable to a position of the replacement part is normal, a movable member movable between,
The replacement part can be removed from the image forming apparatus main body at both the mounting position and a position other than the mounting position, and the replacement part can be removed only when the movable member is at the mounting position. It can be attached to the regular position of the image forming device body,
A recovery unit configured to move the movable member to the mounting position in a state where the replacement part is not mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and to allow the replacement part to be mounted at a normal position of the image forming apparatus main body; The
An image forming apparatus. First detecting means for detecting whether or not the replacement part is mounted at a regular position;
First permission means for permitting the operation of the image forming apparatus main body when the first detection means detects that the replacement part is mounted in a proper position;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The first control unit includes a first control unit configured to move the movable member to the mounting position by the recovery unit when detecting that the replacement part is not mounted at a proper position. The image forming apparatus according to 2. An opening and closing cover for attaching and detaching the replacement part;
Second detection means for detecting opening and closing of the opening and closing cover;
A second permission means for permitting the operation of the image forming apparatus main body when the second detection means detects that the opening / closing cover is closed;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The said 2nd detection means is equipped with the 2nd control means which moves the said movable member to the said mounting position by the said recovery means, if it detects that the said opening-and-closing cover is closed. Image forming apparatus Third detection means for detecting whether or not the movable member is in the mounting position;
A third permission means for permitting the operation of the recovery means when the third detection means detects that the movable member is in a position other than the mounting position;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an instruction unit that instructs an operation start of the recovery unit.   The operator comprises a notification means for notifying one or more of a detection result of the first detection means, a detection result of the second detection means, and a detection result of the third detection means to the operator. 8. The image forming apparatus according to 7. The image forming apparatus main body includes a power supply unit that applies a bias voltage necessary for image formation,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit does not apply a bias voltage while the recovery unit is moving the movable member to the mounting position.   The replacement part is provided with a pivotable lever and a rotation stopping rib that comes into contact with the lever and stops the rotation of the lever, and is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Then, the lever rotated by the urging force is brought into contact with the rotation stopping rib,
  The movable member is an eccentric cam that rotates between the functional position and the mounting position.
  The eccentric cam at the functional position interferes with the lever that is in contact with the rotation stopping rib by an urging force and rotates the lever with an operation of mounting the replacement part on the image forming apparatus main body. Do not move, disabling mounting of the replacement part to the regular position of the image forming apparatus body,
  The eccentric cam at the mounting position rotates the lever in contact with the rotation stop rib by an urging force in accordance with an operation of mounting the replacement part on the image forming apparatus main body, and replaces the replacement cam. Enabling mounting of a part to a regular position of the image forming apparatus main body;
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 11. The movable member according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is moved to a different position between image formation and non-image formation, and the attachment position is a position at the time of non-image formation. The image forming apparatus described in the item.

Images