JP4598434B2 - Support guide device, image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a support guide device that detachably supports and guides a unit mounted on a main body, and an image forming apparatus including the support guide device.

  Conventionally, there is an example in which a guide rail is used as means for detachably sliding a photosensitive cartridge used in an image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there is an example in which the image forming unit holding member can be slid by the rail mechanism to the outside of the main body (see, for example, Patent Document 2). However, there is no mention of a safety measure for preventing a fall when a unit such as the photosensitive cartridge, the image forming unit holding member, and the like that are slidably mounted is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, the structure of the guide rail is mechanically complicated.

  The unit is detachably supported with respect to the main body, and as a measure for preventing the drop when the unit is pulled out, a part of the unit is locked to the main body at the end position of the drawing process, and this locked state is connected to the drawing side of the unit. There are things that can be released by lifting only the end of the.

However, when releasing the operation of lifting one end side of the unit, if not careful, etc. how to hold and tilt the way, we are beyond the locking range, there is a danger of not drop the unit.

JP 2001-255804 A JP 2003-316105 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the background of the above-described prior art, and uses a support guide device that can more reliably prevent falling when the unit is pulled out, enhance safety, and can be easily configured. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus.

The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the above object.
(1). In the first aspect of the present invention, guide means for guiding the support means and the unit for supporting the load of the unit having a substantially rectangular shape that is incorporated in the unit accommodating chamber of the image forming apparatus main body in the detachable direction in the unit accommodating chamber of the body And a pull-out preventing means for blocking further pull-out at a position in the middle of pulling out the unit, wherein the pull-out preventing means includes a unit side regulating portion provided in the unit, the guide means, It is constituted by a main body side restricting portion provided at an end in the pulling direction and at a position facing the outlet upper edge of the unit accommodating chamber, and the unit side restricting portion is in the middle of pulling out the unit from the main body. The unit is prevented from being pulled out by coming into contact with the body-side regulating portion, and all the units are A supporting guiding device and the body-side restricting portion by lifting upward the release to said unit overlap state between the unit side regulating portion made it possible to draw from the main body,
In the support guide device, when the unit is pulled out from the main body, the end of the unit in the pulling direction may be pulled up by the operator's force.
By pulling up the end of the unit in the pull-out direction, the lower end of the end of the unit in the mounting direction is configured to be rotatable about a position where it is in contact with the support surface that supports and guides the load of the unit. And
When the unit is pulled out from the main body, the lower end portion of the unit in the mounting direction is in contact with the support surface portion that supports and guides the load of the unit by pulling up the end portion in the pulling direction of the unit. position as a fulcrum, the unit is pivotable position upper that the substantially rectangular parallelepiped hits the outlet on the edges of the unit accommodating chamber within the limit, the distance C to the unit side regulating portion from the fulcrum , said smaller than the height B of the main-side restricting portion, and the main-side restricting portion has a Rukoto such a convex body which projects from the high position near Ri said guide means than said support surface.
(2). In the invention according to claim 2, in the support guide device according to claim 1,
When the unit is pulled out from the main body, the lower end portion of the unit in the mounting direction is in contact with the support surface portion that supports and guides the load of the unit by pulling up the end portion in the pulling direction of the unit. During the period of rotation with the position as a fulcrum, the maximum height difference A from the fulcrum to the lower end of the unit side restricting portion is made smaller than the height B of the main body restricting portion.
(3). In the invention according to claim 3, in the support guide device according to claim 1 or 2,
When the unit is pulled out from the main body, the position of the center of gravity of the unit in the state where the unit is pulled out to the restriction position where the pull-out is restricted by the pull-out preventing unit is the outlet of the storage chamber in which the unit is stored. Positioned on the side of the drawing direction a from the lower edge of the unit, the unit supports the unit to rotate downward with its own weight with the lower edge of the outlet as a fulcrum,
When the distance from the lower edge of the outlet portion of the storage chamber containing the unit to the surface on the mounting direction b side of the main body side restricting portion is E, and the height of the main body side restricting portion is B,
When the unit is rotated at the restriction position and the operator supports the rotation, the relationship between E and B cannot be obtained. The unit-side restriction portion cannot get over the body-side restriction portion. E <B It was set to be the relationship.
(4). 4. The support and guide device according to claim 1, wherein the support means and the guide means have a length in the attaching / detaching direction at two positions facing each other with the center of gravity of the unit in between. The unit side restricting portion and the main body side restricting portion are also provided at two positions facing each other with the center of gravity of the unit in between (claim 4).
(5). 5. The support guide device according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the unit in the pulling direction is swung up and down with a back portion opposite to the pulling side of the unit as a fulcrum. The state where the restricting portions overlap with each other is maintained (Claim 5).
(6). The support guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a difference in height from a fulcrum to the unit side regulating portion guide when the end of the unit in the pulling-out direction is tilted maximum in the upward direction is regulated on the main body side. Within the range of the height of the part (claim 6).
(7). The support guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unit is provided with a handle on an end side in a pulling direction of the unit and on a back side in a direction opposite to the pulling direction. Thus, the handle provided on the back side appears outside the main body by pulling out the unit (claim 7).
(8). A plurality of process cartridges in which an image carrier on which a toner image is formed and at least one image forming device for forming a toner image on the image carrier are integrally assembled, each formed on each image carrier In the image forming apparatus for obtaining a recorded image by transferring the toner images of different colors to a transfer material, the unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is a process cartridge of the image forming apparatus. As a means for supporting and guiding the process cartridge, the supporting and guiding means according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided (claim 8).

According to the present invention, the operator cannot remove the unit from the main body simply by pulling out the unit, but has to take a step of performing an operation other than the normal pulling operation of lifting the entire unit. Aroused to increase safety. Moreover, since a convex body main-side restricting portion protrudes from the guide means, Ru can provide configuration simple supporting guiding device.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  As an embodiment of the present invention, a support guide device for a unit incorporated in an image forming apparatus main body will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a state in the middle of pulling out the unit 41 when the unit 41 is pulled out with a mounting position mounted in the image forming apparatus main body (not shown) as a starting position, and a state just before pulling out from the main body by a two-dot chain line. Show. An arrow a indicates the pulling direction (direction), and an arrow b indicates the mounting direction (direction).

  The attaching / detaching direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the direction penetrating the paper surface in FIG. The unit 41 is representative of various units used in the image forming apparatus, and actually has various shapes. However, for convenience of explanation, the unit 41 is illustrated as a simple rectangular parallelepiped. ing.

  The unit 41 is L-shaped when viewed from the attaching / detaching direction, and is configured to be guided and supported by two guide rails 1 and 2 that are long in the attaching / detaching direction and to be slid in the attaching / detaching direction. These guide rails 1 and 2 have support surface portions 1h and 2h and vertical surface portions 1v and 2v, respectively. The support surface portions 1h and 2h are an example of support means for supporting the load of the unit 41, and the unit 41 moves in the attaching / detaching direction while riding on the support surface portions 1h and 2h. The vertical surface portions 1v and 2v are an example of guide means for guiding the unit 41 in the attaching / detaching direction within the main body, and the unit 1 is guided by these vertical surface portions 1v and 2v and moves within the main body.

  The guide rails 1 and 2 integrally including these support means and guide means are provided in parallel in the attachment / detachment direction in the unit housing chamber formed of a gap having an opening formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. Yes.

  In FIG. 1, the right end portions of the guide rails 1 and 2 are positioned at the outlet end portion 40 of the unit storage chamber in the image forming apparatus main body. In the outlet end portion 40, the vertical surface portions 1v and 2v of the guide rails 1 and 2 form main body side restricting portions 45a and 45b that protrude in a shape that is folded inward.

  The unit 41 forms unit side restricting portions 46a and 46b that protrude from the side wall portions of the unit at positions corresponding to the left and right side walls in FIG. The unit side regulating portions 46a and 46b have a prismatic shape with the same size, and are arranged at the same phase position in the left-right direction.

The maximum lateral width W1 of the unit side restricting portions 46a and 46b and the width W2 between the vertical surface portions 1v and 2v have a dimensional relationship in which the unit side restricting portions 46a and 46 are slidably fitted. Here, if the sliding portions of the unit side regulating portions 46a and 46b with respect to the vertical surface portions 1v and 2v are configured to have a certain flat surface, the entire unit 41 can be moved in the attaching / detaching direction in a stable state. obtain.

  In FIG. 2 as viewed from the attaching / detaching direction, the main body side restricting portions 45a, 45b protrude inward in the left-right direction to a position overlapping the unit side restricting portions 46a, 46b, and are configured to block the path of the unit side restricting portions 46a, 46b. Thus, when the unit 41 is pulled out, further drawing out of the unit 41 is prevented at the position where the unit side regulating portions 46a, 46b abut on the main body side regulating portions 45a, 45b. Therefore, the main body side regulating portions 45a and 45b and the unit side regulating portions 46a and 46b constitute a drawer preventing means.

  When the unit 41 is mounted in the unit housing chamber of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the end portion 39 in the pull-out direction is positioned in the vicinity of the outlet end portion 40. Under this mounted state, the handle 41 It can be pulled out by grasping 71 and pulling in the pulling direction a.

  In the middle of pulling out the unit 41 from the main body, the main body side restricting portions 45a and 45b prevented the movement of the unit side restricting portions 46a and 46b to prevent the movement, thereby preventing the fall and ensuring safety. In other words, the unit restricting portions 46a and 46b are brought into contact with the main body restricting portions 45a and 45b so that the unit 41 is prevented from being pulled out. When the drawer is thus prevented, the unit 41 cannot be pulled out of the unit housing chamber from the position even if the handle 71 is simply pulled or lifted. This prevents the unit 41 from dropping when the unit 41 is pulled out.

  In order to pull out the unit 41 from the main body under this pull-out preventing state, the entire unit 41 is lifted to a height at which the lower end portions of the unit side regulating portions 46a and 46b exceed the shape end portions of the main body side regulating portions 45a and 45b. Above, it is further moved in parallel in the pulling-out direction a. Thus, the unit 41 can be pulled out from the main body by performing an operation of lifting and moving the entire unit 41. By making such an operation performed by the operator, the unit 41 can be more reliably prevented from falling and the safety can be enhanced. Further, as shown in this example, both the unit-side regulating portions 46a and 46b and the main body-side regulating portions 45a and 45b can be configured by a simple-shaped convex body, thereby providing a support guide device with a simple configuration. it can.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a guide rail 1 in which support surface portions 1h and 2h as support means for supporting the load of the unit 41 and vertical surface portions 1v and 2v as guide means in the attaching / detaching direction are integrated. 2 is described as a configuration in which the unit housing chamber of the image forming apparatus main body is provided. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and has the same functions as the support surface portions 1h and 2h as support means and the vertical surface portions 1v and 2v as guide means. The member may be provided directly in the unit accommodating chamber of the image forming apparatus main body.

  1 and 2, the guide rails 1 and 2 are arranged to face each other with the center of gravity G of the unit 46 therebetween. The support surface portions 1h and 2h as the support means, the vertical surface portions 1v and 2v as the guide means, and the main body side restriction portions 45a and 45b as the blocking means are also located at positions where the center of gravity G is in between, preferably in pairs. It is preferable that the center of gravity G is at the midpoint position of the guide rails 1 and 2. With this configuration, the unit 41 can be stably supported and guided, and the function of preventing the unit from being pulled out by the pulling-out preventing unit can be further ensured. For example, even if the position of the center of gravity of the unit 41 is between the guide rails 1 and 2, if it is deviated from the midpoint position, a twisting force is easily applied when it is pulled out.

  As for the unit 41, as shown in FIG. 3, only the main body side restricting portion 45a and the unit side restricting portion 46a are provided, and the opposite main body side restricting portion 45b and the unit side restricting portion 46b are not provided. When the unit 41 is pulled out with a force (moment shown by an arrow) twisted when the unit 41 is pulled out, for example, because the position of G is shifted from the intermediate position between the guide rails 1 and 2, the unit side regulating portion 46a When there is no restriction member on the opposite side when it floats above the restriction portion 45a, it is easily pulled out from the guide rails 1 and 2 and there is a risk of dropping.

  The support means and the guide means are configured to have a length in the attaching / detaching direction at two positions facing each other with the center of gravity of the unit in between, and the unit side regulation part and the body side regulation part also face each other with the unit center of gravity in between. By providing at each of the two positions, it becomes possible to prevent the unit from being pulled out by the blocking means, and to more effectively prevent the unit from dropping when the unit is pulled out.

  In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as the unit 41 is pulled out, the end side of the unit 41 in the pull-out direction comes out, so that it cantilevered, and the degree of freedom that the end direction of the unit 41 can swing up and down is supported. It becomes possible to swing up and down.

  In the ergonomic configuration, when the unit 41 is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the entire unit is lifted, so that the position of the handle 71 is also applied to the tendency of the handle 71 to be lifted when the operator pulls the handle 71. Configured to pull out the unit.

  In such a configuration, when the unit 41 is pulled out, the portion of the handle 71 may be pulled up by the operator's force. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower end portion of the end b in the mounting direction of the unit 41 is in contact with the support surface portion 2h (1h), and the contacted position is turned around the fulcrum as a fulcrum 62. The height difference A of the lower end portion of the unit side regulating portion 46b (46a) from 62 may be larger than the height B of the main body side regulating portion 45b (45a). In such a relation of A> B, if the unit 41 is pulled out while maintaining this state, the unit side regulating portion 46b (46a) passes over the main body side regulating portion 45b (45a). Is dangerous without functioning.

  Therefore, for example, the height B is made larger than the height difference A so that the relationship of A <B is established. Alternatively, the distance C from the fulcrum 62 to the unit side regulating portion 46b (46a) is made smaller than the height B. For example, the position of the unit side restricting portion 46b (46a) is moved closer to the lower end portion closer to the mounting direction b than the position shown in FIG. Ultimately, a unit side restricting portion 46b (46a) is provided at the lower end (position indicated by the fulcrum 62 in FIG. 4).

  In FIG. 4, the code | symbol 61 shows a unit storage chamber. The height difference A is shown at the position where the unit 41 hits the upper edge 61 u at the outlet of the unit accommodating chamber 61. The magnitude of the height difference A varies depending on the drawing position of the unit 41. The end of the unit in the pull-out direction can be tilted up to the maximum when the amount of pull-out of the unit 41 in the pull-out direction a is the largest. Even at that time, the height difference A should not exceed the height B. Thereby, the unit 41 is prevented from falling when the end portion in the pulling direction of the unit 41 is lifted up.

  There may be a case in which the upper edge 61u is positioned significantly above the position shown in FIG. In that case, the maximum inclination that the unit 41 can take is set as appropriate (for example, it is not normally possible to incline the unit 41 to 90 °), and accordingly, the unit side restricting portion 46b (46a ) Determines the dimensions and positional relationship of the main body side restricting portion 45b (45a).

  On the other hand, when the unit 41d is pulled out to the restriction position where the withdrawal is restricted by the withdrawal prevention means, that is, in FIG. 4, the unit side regulation part 46b (46a) is positioned immediately before the main body side regulation part 45b (45a). Assuming that the unit 41 is pulled out until it is positioned, the center of gravity of the unit 41 is positioned in the pulling direction a with respect to the outlet end 40, so that the unit 41 by the guide support means is supported by the guide rail support surface 1h. It becomes a cantilever shape supported by 2h, and when the unit 41 is in the restricting position, the end portion in the pull-out direction a tries to rotate downward under its own weight.

  Although the operator supports the handle 71 with his hand, the weight of the unit 41 acts, so if the force is inadvertently removed, the lower edge 61d of the unit accommodating chamber 61 corresponding to the outlet end 40 shown in FIG. There is a possibility that the unit 41 rotates downward as a fulcrum. When the distance E from the lower edge 61d to the surface on the mounting direction b side of the main body side restricting portion 45b (45a) is larger than the height B of the main body side restricting portion, when the lower edge 61d is rotated as a fulcrum, the unit 41 The unit-side regulating portion 46b (46a) exceeds the body-side regulating portion 45b (45a), which is dangerous. Therefore, if E <B, even if the unit 41 rotates around the fulcrum 61d, the unit side regulating portion 46b (46a) does not exceed the main body side regulating portion 45b (45a) and is safe.

  In this way, even if the drawer direction end portion of the unit 41 is swung up and down with the back portion (end portion in the mounting direction b) opposite to the drawer side of the unit 41 as a fulcrum, the unit side regulating portion The state where the restricting portions such as 46b (46a) and the main body side restricting portion 45b (45a) overlap with each other is maintained, and the unit 41 is prevented from dropping when being pulled out.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a regulated state in which the withdrawal is prevented by the functions of the unit side regulating portions 46a and 46b) and the body side regulating portions 45a and 45b, which are the drawer blocking means, in the process of pulling out the unit 41 from the position mounted in the body. 1, a handle 71 is provided on the end side in the drawing direction a of the unit 41, and a handle 72 is provided on the back (end) side in the direction opposite to the drawing direction (mounting direction b). Is made to appear outside the main body (accommodating chamber 61) by pulling out the unit 41.

  In this way, when the unit 41 is pulled out and is in a restricted state, if the rear handle 72 appears, the intention of the designer to lift the entire unit 41 to release the restriction is given to the operator. It is communicated more clearly. As a result, as indicated by the arrow Q, the operator has the grip 72 on the near side in addition to the grip on the near side 71 so far, and the regulated state of the entire unit 41 is released in a stable state. It can be lifted to a possible height and then pulled in the pulling direction a.

  In this way, by adopting a configuration that prompts the user to grasp the two handles, the unit can be supported in a stable state and the restricted state can be released, so that safety and operability are improved.

  In the examples so far, the lower surface of the unit 41 is supported by the support surface portions 1h and 2h of the guide rails 1 and 2, respectively. For this reason, since the unit 41 rotates about the outlet side end portions of the guide rails 1 and 2 at the restriction position, as described in the third embodiment, the unit side restriction portion 46b (46a) is the main body side restriction portion 45b. It was necessary to eliminate the possibility of exceeding (45a).

  On the other hand, in the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the width W3 of the unit 41 is made smaller than the minimum width W4 between the support surface portions 1h and 2h of the guide rails 1 and 2 so that it can pass through. The restricting portions 46A and 46B are accommodated in the main body side restricting portions 45A and 45B. In this way, the unit side restricting portions 46A and 46B can rotate within the main body side restricting portions 45A and 45B under the pull out preventing state, and the pull out preventing function becomes more reliable. However, in this case, when the unit 41 is in the mounted state, it is necessary to receive the end portion of the unit 41 in the pull-out direction a in the vertical direction to maintain the unit 41 in a predetermined stable position.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, a hook 44 that can swing around the shaft 3 is provided at the end of the unit 41 on the side in the drawing direction a and at the lower part of each of the left and right side surfaces. The hook portion located on the side of the mounting direction b with respect to the shaft 3 serving as a fulcrum of the hook 44 was defined as a unit side restricting portion 44a. In FIG. 6, the hook 44 is provided in the same manner on the opposite side of the left side hook 44 shown in the drawing, but the unit side restricting portion 44b is provided.

  The guide rails 1 and 2 have the same basic shape as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the like, and the support surface portion 1h supports the load of the unit 41, and the vertical surface portion 1v slides on the left and right side portions of the unit 41 to attach the unit 41. Guide in the detaching direction. The upper edge portions 1a and 2a located at the upper ends of the vertical surface portions 1v of the guide rails 1 and 2 have a constant height from the support surface portion 1h and have a length in the attaching / detaching direction. And ends at the exit end 40. The raised portions are referred to as main body side restricting portions 47A and 47B. The right main body side restricting portion 47B is not shown.

  When the unit 41 is attached to the main body, the hook 44 is rotated by its own weight about the shaft 3, and the lower end portion of the unit side regulating portion 44a is in contact with the upper edge portion 1a. When the unit 41 is pulled out, the lower end portion of the unit side restricting portion 44a is in sliding contact with the upper edge portion 1a, and when the unit side restricting portion 44a comes into contact with the main body side restricting portion 47A, the drawing operation of the unit 41 is blocked.

  In such a state that the drawer is blocked, the unit main body 41 can be moved up and down by placing a hand on the handle 71 so that the overlapping state between the unit side restricting portion 44a and the main body side restricting portion 47A is not released. The size positions of the side regulating portion 44a and the main body side regulating portion 47A are determined. By lifting the entire unit 41, the unit side restricting portion 44a and the main body side restricting portion 47A do not overlap each other. Therefore, if the unit 41 is moved in the drawing direction a from that state, it can be extracted from the main body.

  Here, in order to prevent the hook 44 from rotating by its own weight when the unit 41 is lifted and the overlapping state between the unit side regulating portion 44a and the body side regulating portion 47A is not released, the rotation of the hook 44 is performed. A stopper 48 for regulating the range is implanted on the side wall of the unit 41.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, the guide rail 4 has a shape that fits the bottom of the unit 41 and both the left and right sides, has a length in the attaching / detaching direction, and corresponds to the outlet end 40, and the left and right directions. A rectangular parallelepiped convex portion 50 is formed at the center. A surface on the mounting direction side of the convex portion 50 is a main body side regulating portion 50a.

  The unit 41 is formed with a concave portion 49 having a size capable of accommodating the convex portion 50a at the bottom thereof. The concave portion 49 is opened to the outside at the outlet end portion 49, has a length in the attaching / detaching direction b, and reaches the vicinity of the end portion in the mounting direction b. An end wall surface of the recess 50a is a main body side restricting portion 49a.

  When the guide rail 4 is mounted in the unit 41, the convex portion 50 is in the concave portion 49. When the handle 71 is put in hand and pulled out in the pulling-out direction a from the mounted state, the bottom portion of the unit 41 and the left and right side portions are in sliding contact with the guide rail 4, and the unit side regulating portion 49a is in contact with the main body side regulating portion 50a. Sometimes the drawer operation of the unit 41 is blocked.

  In such a state that the drawer is blocked, the unit side restricting portion 49a and the main body side restricting portion 50a are not released from the overlapping state even if the unit main body 41 is moved up and down by placing a hand on the handle 71. The dimensions and positions of the side restricting portion 49a and the main body side restricting portion 50a are determined.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS. This example is similar to the example shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the width W30 of the unit 41 is made smaller than the minimum width W40 between the support surface portions 1h and 2h of the guide rails 1 and 2, and the unit side regulating portions 51A and 51B are allowed to pass. In the main body side restricting portions 52A and 52B. In this way, as shown in FIG. 11, the unit side restricting portions 51A and 51B can be rotated in the main body side restricting portions 52A and 52B together with the unit 41, and the pull-out preventing function becomes more reliable. However, in this case, when the unit 41 is in the mounted state, it is necessary to receive the end portion of the unit 41 in the pull-out direction a in the vertical direction to maintain the unit 41 in a predetermined stable position.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, the main body has a plurality of process cartridges in which an image carrier on which a toner image is formed and at least one image forming device for forming a toner image on the image carrier are integrally assembled. This is an example in which the invention described in each of the embodiments described so far is applied to an image forming apparatus that obtains a recorded image by transferring toner images of different colors respectively formed on an image carrier to a transfer material.

  The main body of the image forming apparatus corresponds to the main body in the embodiments described above, and the process cartridge corresponds to the unit.

  A main configuration and a process for obtaining a color image will be described for a color image forming apparatus as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 12, a color image forming apparatus is provided with a transfer belt device 10 having an intermediate transfer belt 11 and four process cartridges 90Y, 90C, 90M, and 90BK. These process cartridges 90Y, 90C, 90M, and 90BK are units and are configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  That is, it is configured as a consumable that can be used by exchanging the whole with a new one when a predetermined usage amount has elapsed. Therefore, it is configured to be easily and safely detachable and to be positioned. Here, a configuration in consideration of safety at the time of attachment / detachment will be described.

  Each process cartridge 90Y, 90C, 90M, 90BK is a unit in which, for example, for the cyan process cartridge 90C, the developing device 60C, the cleaning device 83C, the photosensitive drum 80C, and the charging device 85C are integrated. The other color process cartridges 90Y, 90M, and 90BK have the same configuration.

  More specifically, for example, for the cyan process cartridge 90C, the developing device 60C is housed in a developing case, and the developing case and the cleaning device 83C are integrated to form a unit case. A photosensitive drum 80C is supported rotatably. A dedicated charging device 85C is integrally assembled with the cleaning device 83C. Each process cartridge 90Y, 90C, 90M, 90BK has the same size and configuration as shown in FIG.

  In the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 100, toner bottles 9Y, 9C, 9M, and 9Bk for replenishing toner are arranged from the left in the drawing, and these toner bottles are sequentially yellow (Y), cyan (C), Magenta (M) and black (Bk) toners are filled, and toner of each color is replenished to the developing devices 60Y, 60C, 60M, and 60Bk by a predetermined replenishment amount through a conveyance path (not shown).

  Regarding the operation, the transfer paper is fed from the paper supply unit 20 by the paper supply roller 30, and when the leading edge of the transfer paper reaches the registration roller pair 34, it is detected by a sensor (not shown). The transfer sheet is conveyed to the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 35 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the registration roller pair 34 while taking a timing with this detection signal.

  The photosensitive drums 80Y, 80C, 80M, and 80Bk, which are uniformly charged in advance by the charging devices 85Y, 85C, 85M, and 85Bk, are exposed and scanned with laser light by the optical writing device 80, and the photosensitive drums 20Y, 20C, and 20M are scanned. , An electrostatic latent image is formed on 20 Bk.

  The electrostatic latent images are developed by the developing devices 50Y, 50C, 50M, and 50Bk for the respective colors, and yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 20Y, 20C, 20M, and 20Bk.

  Next, a voltage is applied to the primary transfer rollers 12Y, 12C, 12M, and 12Bk, and the toner on the photosensitive drums 80Y, 80C, 80M, and 80Bk is sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11. At this time, the image forming operation of each color is performed by shifting the timing from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11 so that the toner image is transferred to the same position on the intermediate transfer belt 11. Executed.

  The superimposed toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer roller 35 and secondarily transferred onto the transfer paper. The transfer paper on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 6 and thermally fixed, discharged by the paper discharge roller 7, and stacked on the paper discharge tray 32.

  The residual toner on the photoconductive drums 80Y, 80C, 80M, and 80Bk is cleaned by the respective cleaning devices 83Y, 83C, 83M, and 83Bk, and then a charging voltage in which an AC component bias is superimposed and applied to the DC is applied. The electrification devices 85Y, 85C, 85M, and 85Bk to be applied are charged simultaneously with static elimination to prepare for the next image formation. Further, the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is cleaned by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 130 and prepared for the next image forming process.

  As described above, for the process cartridge, for example, for cyan, instead of integrating the developing device 60C, the cleaning device 83C, the photosensitive drum 80C, and the charging device 85C to form the process cartridge 90C, the photosensitive drum 60C and the developing device The process cartridge may be configured by any one or some of 60C, the cleaning device 83C, and the charging device 85C.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the intermediate transfer belt 11 is disposed in an inclined state in which the right end side is low and the left end side is high, and the process cartridges 90 </ b> Y, 90 </ b> C, 90 </ b> M, and 90BK are also disposed along the running side of the intermediate transfer belt 11. Has been.

  In FIG. 12, there is a main body side plate of the image forming apparatus main body 100 configured in a casing shape in a direction penetrating the paper surface, and each process cartridge 90Y, 90C, 90M, 90BK is placed in the front direction on the main body side plate on the front side. An opening 300 having a size that can be taken out in the (drawing direction a) is formed. In this example, the transfer belt device 10 is also sized to be taken out.

  FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the opening 300 in FIG. 12 centering on the portion where the process cartridge 90C is mounted. In FIG. 14, the part for storing the process cartridge 90 </ b> C is a space having a depth in the mounting direction b, and the guide plates 120 and 121 rise in the vertical direction in the left-right direction. The inner width W50 of the guide plates 120 and 121 is adjusted to the width W51 of the guided portion 90C1 so that the guided portion 90C1 of the process cartridge 90C shown in FIG. It is determined. Therefore, the guide plates 120 and 121 constitute guide means for guiding the process cartridge 90C as a unit in the attaching / detaching direction (drawing direction a, mounting direction b).

  A support plate 123 of the process cartridge 90C is located in the lower part of the space between the guide plates 120 and 121, and constitutes support means for supporting the load of the process cartridge 90C as a unit. The support plate 123 is formed with an opening 123a for allowing exposure light from the optical writing device 80 to pass therethrough.

  On the upper surface of the support plate 123 corresponding to the outlet end portion 40, rectangular parallelepiped main body side regulating members 450A and 450B that protrude upward from the upper surface of the support plate 123 are provided at positions where the width W51 is full. The surface on the mounting direction b side of these main body side regulating members 450A and 450B constitutes the main body side regulating portion.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the process cartridge 90 </ b> C has an edge shape on the side in the drawing direction “a” and is shaped like a kanji convex, and the lower portions on both the left and right sides are missing. A region corresponding to the missing portion is formed at the end of the process cartridge 90C on the mounting direction b side. And this area | region comprises the unit side control part 95a, 95b. The portion corresponding to the missing portion has a length in the attaching / detaching direction, and the width W52 of the portion corresponding to the remaining portion is smaller than the inner dimension W53 of the main body side regulating members 450A and 450B in FIG. These dimensions and positional relationships are arranged as shown in FIG.

  In this example, when the process cartridge 90C is mounted in the main body, when the handle 71 is put in a hand and pulled in the pulling-out direction a, the load of the process cartridge 90C is supported by the support plate 123 and is covered. The guide portion 90C1 is slidably contacted with the guide plates 120 and 121 and guided in the attaching / detaching direction. Eventually, the unit-side regulating portions 95a and 95b come into contact with the body-side regulating members 450A and 450B at a position in the middle of withdrawal, in this example, the position where the process cartridge 90C is pulled out just before the position where the process cartridge 90C is detached from the body. Withdrawal is prevented.

  The unit side restricting portions 95a and 95b and the main body side restricting portions are maintained so that the contact state between the unit side restricting portions 95a and 95b and the main body side restricting members 450A and 450B is maintained even if the process cartridge 90C is moved up and down together with the handle 71. The positions and sizes of the members 450A and 450B are set in advance.

  In order to detach the process cartridge 90C from the main body, the entire process cartridge 90C is lifted to remove the unit side regulating portions 95a and 95b from the main body side regulating members 450A and 450B, and then pulled out in the drawing direction b. In the present example, the unit side restricting portions 95a and 95b and the main body side restricting members 450A and 450B constitute a drawer preventing means. Here, the process cartridge 90C is illustrated, but the other process cartridges 90Y, 90M, and 90BK can be configured in the same manner. In addition to the examples described above, the configurations of the unit and the support guide device in each of the above embodiments can be applied to the process cartridge attaching / detaching unit of the image forming apparatus. The support guide device of the present invention is characterized by a simple structure for preventing withdrawal, and is applied to a toner bottle unit equipped with a toner bottle including a process cartridge that is configured as a consumable, so that the configuration is simple and low cost. A simple unit and an image forming apparatus.

It is a perspective view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a front view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a front view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a partial cross section side view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a perspective view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a top view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a front view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a perspective view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a unit and a support guide apparatus. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a unit. 1 is a front view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view of the process cartridge as a unit. It is a fragmentary perspective view of the support guide apparatus comprised by the image forming apparatus. It is a fragmentary perspective view of a process cartridge. FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of a support guide device configured in the image forming apparatus and a process cartridge guided by the support guide device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Guide rail 1v Vertical surface part 1h Support surface part 2 Guide rail 2v Vertical surface part 2h Support surface part 41 Unit 45a, 45b Main body side control part 46a, 46b Unit side control part 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90BK Process cartridge 100 Image forming apparatus main body

Claims (8)

And guide means for guiding the support means and the unit for supporting the load of the unit having a substantially rectangular shape that is incorporated in the unit accommodating chamber of the image forming apparatus main body in the detachable direction in the unit accommodating chamber of the body, in the middle of pulling out the unit A pull-out blocking means for blocking further pull-out at the position, wherein the pull-out blocking means is a unit-side regulating portion provided in the unit , an end of the unit in the pull-out direction on the guide means, and It is comprised by the main body side control part provided in the position facing the exit upper edge of the said unit storage chamber , and the said unit side control part contacts the said main body side control part in the middle of pulling out the said unit from the said main body. To prevent the unit from being pulled out, and to lift the entire unit upward in the state where the drawer is blocked. Wherein a support guide device the release to said unit overlap state made it possible to draw from the main body of the unit side regulating portion and the main-side restricting portion,
In the support guide device, when the unit is pulled out from the main body, the end of the unit in the pulling direction may be pulled up by the operator's force.
By pulling up the end of the unit in the pull-out direction, the lower end of the end of the unit in the mounting direction is configured to be rotatable about a position where it is in contact with the support surface that supports and guides the load of the unit. And
When the unit is pulled out from the main body, the lower end portion of the unit in the mounting direction is in contact with the support surface portion that supports and guides the load of the unit by pulling up the end portion in the pulling direction of the unit. position as a fulcrum, the unit is pivotable position upper that the substantially rectangular parallelepiped hits the outlet on the edges of the unit accommodating chamber within the limit, the distance C to the unit side regulating portion from the fulcrum the smaller than the height B of the main-side restricting portion, and wherein the benzalkonium such a convex body which projects the main-side restricting portion from a high position near Ri said guide means than said support surface Support guide device. The support guide device according to claim 1,
When the unit is pulled out from the main body, the lower end portion of the unit in the mounting direction is in contact with the support surface portion that supports and guides the load of the unit by pulling up the end portion in the pulling direction of the unit. A support in which the maximum height difference A from the fulcrum to the lower end of the unit side restricting portion is smaller than the height B of the main body side restricting portion during the period of rotation about the position. Guide device. The support guide device according to claim 1 or 2,
When the unit is pulled out from the main body, the position of the center of gravity of the unit in the state where the unit is pulled out to the restriction position where the pull-out is restricted by the pull-out preventing unit is the outlet of the storage chamber in which the unit is stored. Positioned on the side of the drawing direction a from the lower edge of the unit, the unit supports the unit to rotate downward with its own weight with the lower edge of the outlet as a fulcrum,
When the distance from the lower edge of the outlet of the storage chamber containing the unit to the surface on the mounting direction b side of the main body side restricting portion is E, and the height of the main body side restricting portion is B,
When the unit is rotated at the restriction position and the operator supports the rotation, the relationship between E and B cannot be obtained. The unit-side restriction portion cannot get over the body-side restriction portion. E <B A support guide device, characterized in that it is set so as to satisfy the following relationship. The support guide apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The support means and the guide means are configured to have a length in the attaching / detaching direction at two positions facing each other with the center of gravity of the unit in between, and the unit side restricting portion and the main body side restricting portion also have the center of gravity of the unit. A support guide device provided at two positions facing each other in between. The support guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The support is characterized in that the restricting portions are maintained in an overlapping state even if the end portion in the pull-out direction of the unit is swung up and down with a back portion opposite to the pull-out side of the unit as a fulcrum. Guide device. The support guide apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A support guide device characterized in that a difference in height from a fulcrum when the end portion of the unit in the pulling direction is tilted up to the maximum to a unit side regulating portion guide is within a height range of the body side regulating portion. In the support guide apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
The unit is provided with a handle on each end side in the pull-out direction of the unit and on the back side in the direction opposite to the pull-out direction, and the handle provided on the back side pulls out the unit. The support guide device appears outside the main body. A plurality of process cartridges in which an image carrier on which a toner image is formed and at least one image forming device for forming a toner image on the image carrier are integrally assembled, each formed on each image carrier In an image forming apparatus that obtains a recorded image by transferring toner images of different colors to a transfer material,
The unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is a process cartridge of the image forming apparatus, and the support guide according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as means for supporting and guiding the process cartridge. An image forming apparatus comprising: means.

Images