JP4916557B2 - Color electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms a color image on a recording medium with a cartridge detachably mounted.

  Here, the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms a color image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process. Examples of the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a color electrophotographic copying machine, a color electrophotographic printer (for example, a color laser beam printer, a color LED printer, etc.), a color facsimile apparatus, a color word processor, and the like. The recording medium is an image on which an image is formed by an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and includes, for example, paper, an OHP sheet, and the like.

  The cartridge is, for example, a process cartridge or a developing cartridge, which is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and contributes to an image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium. Here, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as a process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed, and is removable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It is to be attached to. Accordingly, the process cartridge includes one in which the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge and detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, the process cartridge includes a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit as a process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed and detachably mounted on the main body. A process cartridge integrally including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and developing means is referred to as a so-called integrated type. A process cartridge that integrally includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and process means other than the developing means is referred to as a so-called separation type.

  Here, the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus by the user himself. Therefore, maintenance of the apparatus main body can be easily performed. The process means acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

  The developing cartridge has a developing roller, and contains a developer (toner) used to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by the developing roller. It is detachably attached to the main body. In the case of the developing cartridge, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is attached to the apparatus main body or a cartridge support member described later. Alternatively, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is provided in the so-called separation type process cartridge (in this case, the process cartridge does not have developing means). The developing cartridge can also be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body by the user himself / herself. Therefore, maintenance of the apparatus main body can be easily performed.

  Therefore, the cartridge includes the so-called integral type or the so-called separation type process cartridge. The cartridge includes a case where a so-called separation type process cartridge and the developing cartridge are used as a pair. Further, as the cartridge, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is fixedly attached to the apparatus main body or a cartridge support member described later, and the developing cartridge is detachably used so as to be able to act on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. Includes cases.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a plurality of process cartridges are detachably supported on a cartridge support member that is movable with respect to the main body of the apparatus (see Patent Document 1). According to this configuration, a plurality of process cartridges can be simultaneously inserted into the main body. Further, a plurality of cartridges can be taken out of the main body at the same time.

JP 2007-213081 A (FIGS. 1 to 6)

  The above-described conventional printer can improve the detachability of the cartridge with respect to the main body.

  However, when the paper is jammed, it is conceivable that the user performs an operation of removing the paper from the back of the printer (the conveyance path on the back side of the main body).

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus with improved workability for taking out a recording medium jammed (jammed) in a conveyance path from the apparatus main body.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus having improved workability for taking out a recording medium jammed in a conveyance path from the apparatus main body despite the use of a cartridge support member. It is.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a recording medium jammed in a conveyance path can be taken out from the apparatus main body from the side where the cartridge support member is pulled out. is there.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a recording medium jammed in a conveyance path can be taken out from the apparatus main body from the cartridge replacement side.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges are detachably attached to an apparatus main body and an image is formed on a recording medium. A cartridge support member that moves between an inner position that is located inside and an outer position that is located outside the apparatus main body, wherein the cartridge is attached to and detached from the cartridge support member at the outer position. A cartridge support member, an opening provided in the apparatus main body, the opening through which the cartridge support member moves between the inner position and the outer position, and the cartridge support member while located inside position, current to the recording medium from the electrophotographic photosensitive member provided in said cartridge supporting member To effect transfer of the agent image, a transfer member provided corresponding to the respective electrophotographic photosensitive member, the recording medium conveyed from the stacking section for stacking the recording medium passes, provided in said cartridge supporting member And a holding means for holding the jammed recording medium stopped in the transfer path, the holding means provided on the upstream side in the pulling direction of moving from the inner position to the outer position of the cartridge support member And the cartridge support member is in a direction that intersects the transport path and moves in the pull-out direction, and the jammed recording medium is nipped by the nipping means when the jammed recording medium is nipped. The recording medium is configured to be pulled out toward the opening .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the workability of taking out a recording medium jammed (jammed) in the conveyance path from the apparatus main body.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the workability of taking out the recording medium jammed in the conveyance path from the apparatus main body even though the cartridge support member is used.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize that the recording medium jammed in the conveyance path is taken out from the apparatus main body from the side where the cartridge supporting member is pulled out from the main body.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize that the recording medium jammed in the conveyance path is taken out from the apparatus main body from the side where the cartridge is exchanged.

Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st reference example . Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st reference example . Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st reference example . FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first reference example . The perspective view explaining the cartridge which concerns on a 1st reference example . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first reference example . FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first reference example . Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st reference example . The principal part enlarged view explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st reference example . Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st reference example . The principal part enlarged view explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st reference example . Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 2nd reference example . Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 2nd reference example . (A) Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 3rd reference example . (B) The front view. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. Sectional drawing explaining the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended that the scope of the present invention be limited to the following embodiments.

[First Reference Example ]
A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) according to a first reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a full color laser beam printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. The overall configuration and function of this laser beam printer will be described below.

[Overview of color electrophotographic image forming apparatus]
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first reference example . In the following description, the front side of the main body A (front side of the main body) is the side on which the door 28 provided so as to be openable / closable with respect to the main body A (left side in FIG. 1). The side (rear side of the main body) is the side (the right side in FIG. 1) where the recording medium conveyance path 76 is provided on the side opposite to the door 28 side. In the following reference examples and embodiments, an example in which a process cartridge is used as a cartridge will be described. However, as described above, the cartridge is not limited to the process cartridge.

  In the main body A of the image forming apparatus 100, a feeding tray (stacking unit) 13 for storing paper (recording medium) 14, a feeding roller 15, an intermediate transfer belt (transferred member) 18, a fixing device (fixing unit, A fixing roller (fixing member) 20, a pressure roller (fixing member) 21, a laser scanner 25, and the like constituting the fixing member are provided. A fixing roller 20 and a pressure roller 21 as fixing members fix the developer image transferred onto the paper 14 by the transfer roller 17. The feeding tray 13 is for stacking sheets 14.

  The main body A is provided with a cartridge tray (cartridge support member) 26 supported so as to be movable with respect to the main body A. The tray 26 detachably supports a plurality of process cartridges (hereinafter referred to as cartridges) 9, 10, 11, and 12. The cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12 are drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive members (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drums or drums) 1, 2, 3, and 4, and process means that act on the drums. Have. The process means include charging rollers (charging means) 31, 32, 33, 34, developing rollers (developing means) 5, 6, 7, 8 and cleaning blades (cleaning means) 35, 36, 37, 38. is there. Therefore, for example, the cartridge 9 includes the drum 1, the charging roller 31, the developing roller 5, and the cleaning blade 35. The charging roller 31 charges the drum 1. The developing roller 5 forms an electrostatic latent image on the drum 1 by irradiating the drum 1 charged by the charging roller 31 with a laser beam described later. The electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 1 is developed by the developing roller 5 using toner. The developed toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18 by a first transfer roller (transfer member) 40 (41, 42, 43) described later. The toner remaining on the drum 1 after the transfer is removed by the cleaning blade 35. The cartridge 9 has yellow toner (developer), and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 1 with yellow toner. The cartridge 10 has magenta toner (developer), and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 2 with magenta toner. The cartridge 11 has cyan toner (developer), and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 3 with cyan toner. The cartridge 12 has magenta toner (developer), and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 4 with black toner. Each cartridge has the same configuration except that the color of the toner contained therein is different. Each cartridge 9, 10, 11, 12 is detachably supported by the tray 26 and is mounted at a predetermined position (mounting portion) in the main body A. Here, the main body A is obtained by removing the cartridge configuration and the tray 26 from the image forming apparatus 100.

  The paper (recording medium) 14 stored in the feeding tray 13 is sent out by the rotating feeding roller 15 and conveyed by the conveying roller 81. Then, the paper 14 is sent to the nip portion (transfer portion) between the belt driving roller 16 and the transfer roller (transfer member) 17. The transfer roller 17 is for transferring the developer image transferred to the transfer belt 18 to the paper 14 at the transfer position 17a (FIGS. 1 and 2).

  Laser light from the laser scanner 25 is irradiated on the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1, 2, 3, and 4 in accordance with image information. Thereby, electrostatic latent images are sequentially formed on the drums 1, 2, 3, and 4. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing rollers 5, 6, 7, and 8 to form a toner image.

  The toner images formed on the drums 1, 2, 3, and 4 are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the first transfer roller 40 (41, 42, and 43). In the case of forming a color image, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors are developed on the drums 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the toner images of the respective colors are primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 18 in order. The transfer belt 18 is an endless belt that rotates at a position facing the drums 1, 2, 3, 4 supported by the tray 26. The transfer belt 18 is stretched by a belt driving roller 16 and a tension roller 19 and rotates.

  The toner image formed on the transfer belt 18 is secondarily transferred to the paper 14 sent to the nip portion between the belt driving roller 16 and the second transfer roller 17.

  The toner remaining on the transfer belt 18 after the secondary transfer is given a reverse charge by the cleaning roller 39 and is collected in the cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12. The cleaning roller 39 is a belt cleaning member for cleaning the transfer belt 18. The cleaning roller 39 is provided in the tray 26 and rotates following the transfer belt 18. A bias for applying a charge to the remaining toner is supplied from the main body A via the tray 26.

  The sheet 14 on which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the nip portion between the fixing film 20 and the pressure roller 21, where it is heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the sheet 14. That is, a color image is formed on the paper 14. The heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 are fixing members (fixing means).

  The sheet 14 on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to a discharge tray (extraction position) 24 by a discharge roller 22 and a discharge roller 23. From the discharge tray 24, the user takes out the paper 14 on which the image has been formed.

  As described above, the transfer belt (member to be transferred) 18 is formed from the photosensitive drums (electrophotographic photosensitive members) 1, 2, 3, 4 provided on the tray 26 in a state where the tray 26 is located at the inner position I. The developer image is transferred. The transfer belt 18 rotates along the lower side of the photosensitive drums 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[Description of process cartridge replacement method]
2 to 4 are cross-sectional views illustrating a cartridge replacement method. Hereinafter, the cartridge replacement method will be described.

  The cartridge tray (cartridge support member) 26 is supported by the main body guide 27 with respect to the main body A. The tray 26 is provided by a main body guide 27 so as to be slidable in the lateral direction (FIG. 2). The tray 26 detachably supports (mounts) the cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12.

  The door (opening / closing member) 28 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body A. The door 28 opens or covers the opening 200 provided in the main body A in order to perform operations such as jam handling and cartridge replacement. The door 28 closes the opening 200 so that it can be opened. The opening 200 is provided in the main body A and passes when the tray 26 moves between the inner position I and the outer position O. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the door 28 is opened. The conveyance guide unit (guide member) 80 constitutes a part of a conveyance path 76 that guides the paper 14. The guide unit 80 is provided integrally with the door 28 inside the door 28. The guide unit 80 guides the paper 14 that has passed between the driving roller 16 and the transfer roller 17 and guides the paper 14 between the heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21. The guide portion 80 has an arcuate shape (curved shape) that protrudes to the outside of the main body A with the door 28 closed. The guide portion 80 is provided on the downstream side in the pulling direction (FIG. 14) 500 in which the tray 26 moves from the inner position I to the outer position O. Further, the guide unit 80 guides the sheet conveyed through the conveyance path 76 in the direction of the fixing member (20, 21).

The tray 26 is provided with a handle portion (handle member) 26a. The user can access the handle portion 26 a by opening the door 28. The door 28 is rotatably provided to the main body guide 27 via a door link 29. The door link 29 pulls out the main body guide 27 to the near side with the door 28 opened. Then, the door link 29 moves the main body guide 27 from the home position HP (FIG. 1) to the retracted position TP (FIG. 2), which is a diagonally upper left position. The home position HP is a position where each cartridge is positioned at an image forming position that contributes to image formation. Here, the image forming position is a position where the drum 1 (2, 3, 4) of the cartridge is in contact with the transfer belt 18. The retreat position TP is a position where the drum 1 (2, 3, 4) of the cartridge is away from the transfer belt 18. If the cartridge 9 (10, 11, 12) is located at the image forming position, the tray 26 may not support the cartridge.

  This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. When the user opens the door 28, the guide 27 is pulled out to the left (toward the outside of the main body) via the door link 29. The guide 27 is provided with a boss 120. On the main body A side, a groove 121 for guiding the boss 120 is provided. When the guide 27 is pulled out, the boss 120 moves along the groove 121. Then, the guide 27 is lifted from the HP position to the TH position. As the guide 27 moves, the tray 26 supported by the guide 27 also moves upward. Then, the drum 1 (2, 3, 4) of the cartridge 9 (10, 11, 12) supported by the tray 26 is separated from the transfer belt 18. As a result, the tray 26 can be pulled out from the main body A.

As described above, the tray 26 moves in the horizontal direction with respect to the installation surface (not shown) of the main body A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tray 26 may move linearly, for example, obliquely upward or obliquely downward with respect to the installation surface (not shown) of the main body A. The tray 26 moves linearly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge to be supported (accommodated and mounted). The longitudinal direction of the cartridge is the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1 or the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 5.

  The transfer roller 17 is pressed against the drive roller 16 via the transfer belt 18. The transfer roller 17 is disposed below the cartridge located at the image forming position. The fixing unit (the fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 21) is disposed above the moving range (drawing and pushing) of the tray 26. This is also advantageous in that the cartridge is not affected by the heat of the fixing unit. Thus, the transfer roller 17 and the fixing unit do not get in the way when the tray 26 moves.

  As described above, the opening 200 is opened by opening the door 28. As a result, the direction in which the tray 26 is pulled out is opened, and the tray 26 can be pulled out from the main body A. The user can pull out the tray 26 to the outside of the main body by pulling the handle portion 26a.

  3 shows a state in which the tray 26 is pulled out from an inner position (mounting position) I (position in FIG. 1) in the main body A to an outer position (detachment position) O (position in FIG. 3) outside the main body A. In this state, the upper surfaces of the cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12 are opened. Therefore, the user can remove the cartridge 9 (10, 11, 12) from the tray 26 upward (FIG. 4).

  The operation of mounting the cartridges 9, 10, 11, 12 on the main body A is performed in the reverse procedure to the operation of removing the cartridge 9. That is, the cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12 are supported on the tray 26 in a state where the tray 26 is pulled out to the outside position (position in FIG. 3). Thereafter, the user pushes the tray 26 into the main body A. Then, the door 28 is closed. Thereby, the guide 27 is pushed down in the lower left direction in FIG. Accordingly, the tray 26 also moves downward. As a result, the cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12 supported by the tray 26 are mounted at the inner position (mounting position, mounting portion) in the main body. Then, the photosensitive drums 1, 2, 3, and 4 come into contact with the transfer belt 18.

  FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the cartridge 9. FIG. 5A is a perspective view seen from the driving side, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view seen from the non-driving side. Although the cartridge 9 will be described as an example here, the cartridges 10, 11, and 12 have the same configuration as the cartridge 9, and are filled with toners of different colors.

  The cartridge 9 is a horizontally long box type assembly in which the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is the left-right direction, and the left-right direction is the longitudinal direction. The drum 1 is rotatably supported between a bearing portion 51 disposed on the right side surface of the cartridge frame 50 and a bearing portion 52 disposed on the left side surface. The bearing portion 51 is provided with a coupling fitting portion (drum drive input portion) 53. A cartridge electrical contact 55 is provided on the left side surface portion. At one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the frame body 50, flange portions 56a and 56b are provided so as to extend from the ceiling plate portion. The flange portions 56a and 56b serve to prevent the fall when the cartridge 9 is inserted into the tray 26. That is, the flange portions 56 a and b are supported on the upper surface of the side end of the tray 26. As a result, the cartridge 9 is supported on the tray 26.

  The coupling fitting part 53 and the drive coupling (not shown) of the main body A are fitted. Thereby, the rotational force is transmitted from the main body A to the drum 1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the tray 26 has intermediate electrical contacts 61 that are electrically connected to electrical contacts 55 of the cartridge 9. When the cartridge 9 is supported (inserted) on the tray 26, both are electrically connected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the electrical contact 61 is electrically connected to a main body side electrical contact 62 provided in the main body A in a state where the tray 26 is pushed down.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the tray 26 is lifted by the guide 27, the electrical contact 61 and the electrical contact 62 are separated from each other. Therefore, the electrical contact does not hinder the movement of the tray 26 that slides along the guide 27.

[Cartridge tray locking mechanism]
A configuration in which the tray 26 is automatically locked to the main body when the tray 26 is pushed to a predetermined position in the main body A, and the tray 26 pops out of the main body when the lock is released will be described. According to this configuration, cartridge operability can be improved.

  Here, the tray locking mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 10, the tray 26 is biased from the inside of the apparatus main body to the outside of the apparatus main body by the elastic force of the push spring (biasing member, elastic member) 130. As shown in FIG. 11, the main body A is provided with a lock groove 125. The tray 26 is provided with a lock shaft 124 that can be engaged with the lock groove 125. The lock shaft 124 is biased downward by the elastic force of a compression spring (biasing member, elastic member) 126.

  Accordingly, by pushing the tray 26 to a predetermined position, the lock shaft (locking means, engaged portion) 124 urged by the elastic force of the spring 126 is automatically locked as shown in FIG. Engages with a groove (locking means, engaging portion) 125. The tray 26 is locked at a predetermined position in the main body A by engaging the lock shaft 124 with the lock groove 125. That is, the lock means has a lock shaft 124 and a lock groove 125. Then, the protrusion of the tray 26 to the outside of the main body A by the urging force (elastic force) of the spring 130 is restricted.

  On the other hand, when pulling out the tray, the user presses the button 123 as shown in FIG. As a result, the lock shaft 124 is lifted against the force of the spring 126. As a result, the lock shaft 124 is disengaged from the lock groove 125. By releasing the engagement of the lock shaft 124 with respect to the lock groove 125, the tray 26 is pushed out of the main body A by the elastic force of the spring 130. Therefore, since the user can reduce the pulling force of the tray 26, the cartridge can be easily replaced. As described above, the spring 126 that urges the tray 26 from the inside of the main body A toward the outside of the main body A, and the tray 26 that is pushed to the inner position I against the elastic force (biasing force) of the spring 126 are inside the main body A. Locking means (locking shaft 124, locking groove 125) for locking to. By releasing the lock of the locking means, the tray 26 is pushed out of the main body by the elastic force (biasing force) of the spring 126.

[Paper replenishment method]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of replenishing paper in the main body A. The feeding tray (stacking member) 13 is provided so that the sheets 14 can be stacked, pulled out from the main body A, and stored in the main body A. The feeding tray 13 is provided in front of the main body A so as to be able to be pulled out. That is, the feeding tray 13 is provided so as to be movable in the same direction as the tray 26.

  When the user pulls out the feeding tray (stacking unit) 13 to the outside of the main body A, the paper 14 can be stored in the feeding tray 13. The feeding tray 13 includes regulating members 91, 92, and 93 that regulate the position of the paper 14. The restricting members 91, 92, 93 are configured to be movable in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, respectively. In accordance with the size of the paper 14, the restricting members 91, 92, and 93 are fixed. As a result, the paper can be set at a predetermined position in the tray 13.

  By inserting the feeding tray 13 into the main body, the paper 14 can be set at a predetermined position in the main body. The paper 14 in the feed tray 13 is sent out by the feed roller 15 and conveyed to the image forming unit.

[Residual paper removal method]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for removing paper remaining in the main body A (jam processing method). The tray 26 is located on the inside position (mounting position) I (position in FIG. 1) located in the main body where the cartridge 9 is mounted on the main body A, and outside the main body where the cartridge is attached to and detached from (replaced) the tray 26. It is supported by the main body A so as to be movable between an outer position (attachment / detachment position) O (position in FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 8, the tray 26 is mounted at an inner position I inside the conveyance path 76 in the main body A. The tray 26 is supported by the main body A (guide 27) so as to cross the conveyance path 76 and move from the inner position I to the outer position O. The conveyance path 76 discharges the paper 14 from the feeding tray 13 via the transfer position 17a, the inside of the opening 200, and the fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 (fixing member). Transport to. The tray 26 is configured to be movable between the inner position I and the outer position O across the conveyance path 76.

  The user opens the door 28 outward. Therefore, the door 28 is exposed to the outside of the main body A with the guide portion 80 facing upward (the state shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 10). As a result, the conveyance guide unit 80 extending from the transfer unit (nip portion between the belt driving roller 16 and the transfer roller 17) to the fixing device (fixing roller 20 and pressure roller 21) is also opened. That is, the guide part 80 is exposed. Therefore, the conveyance path 76 in the main body is opened. That is, the conveyance path 76 is exposed. Therefore, the user can access the paper 99 (residual paper 99) jammed in the main body A. Therefore, the user can take out the paper 99 from the exposed conveyance path 76. By removing the paper 99, the jam processing is completed. The transport roller 81 is provided with a one-way clutch. Accordingly, the transport roller 81 can freely rotate in the transport direction of the paper 14. The transfer roller 17 is supported so as to press against the belt driving roller 16. However, the transfer roller 17 is configured to release the pressure in conjunction with the opening operation of the door 28. The transfer roller 17 may be supported by the door 28, and the transfer roller 17 may be separated from the transfer belt 18 by opening the door 28. As described above, the residual paper 99 in the main body can be easily removed from the opening 200.

According to the apparatus 100 of this reference example , the cartridge can be replaced by pulling out the tray 26 from the opening 200 to the front of the main body. Moreover, the operation | work which removes the paper 14 discharged | emitted by the discharge tray 24 from the main body front can also be performed. Further, the replenishment of the paper 14 to the feeding tray 13 can also be performed from the front of the main body A.

  In this manner, the user performs operations such as replacement of the cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12, replenishment of paper in the tray 13, removal of the discharged paper 14, and removal of the remaining paper 99 jammed in the main body A. All can be done from the front side of the main body, which is the same side of the main body A. The front side of the main body is the side where the opening 200 is provided. Therefore, it is not necessary to move the device 100, install the device 100 away from the wall, or work around the back of the device in order to perform the above operations. Therefore, user workability can be improved.

[Second Reference Example ]
An image forming apparatus according to a second reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second reference example . The schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus is substantially the same as that of the reference example described above, and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the characteristic part of this reference example is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the tray 26 is integrally provided with a conveyance guide portion (guide member) 80 that constitutes a part of the conveyance path 76. That is, the tray 26 is integrally provided with a conveyance path 79 that is a part of the conveyance path 76 therein. The conveyance guide unit 80 is provided on the downstream side of the tray 26 in the pulling direction. The sheet 14 onto which the image has been transferred by the transfer unit 71 passes through a conveyance path 79 provided in the tray 26 and is conveyed to the fixing device (the fixing film 20 and the pressure roller 21).

  The tray 26 is positioned on the transfer belt 18. Since the tray 26 includes the conveyance guide unit 80, the guide unit 80 can be positioned with respect to the transfer belt 18 with high accuracy. Therefore, the transportability of the paper 14 can be stabilized.

Next, a method for removing the residual paper 99 stopped in the transport path 79 of the tray 26 will be described. As in the reference example described above, the user opens the door 28. As a result, the door link (not shown) and the guide 27 move in conjunction with the door 28. As a result, the tray 26 is lifted to a position where it can be pulled out. Thereafter, the tray 26 is pulled out to the position shown in FIG. Thereby, the residual paper 99 in the main body can also be pulled out of the main body. Accordingly, the residual paper 99 can be removed. It should be noted that a configuration is provided in which paper remaining on the conveyance path 79 of the tray 26 is positively clamped. Then, the jammed paper may be more actively pulled out from the main body.

  The user can access the tray 26 by opening the door 28. The handle portion 26a is provided on the outer side of the main body A with respect to the conveyance path 79, and is easily accessible.

[Third reference example ]
An image forming apparatus according to a third reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 3rd reference example . (B) is the front view. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus is substantially the same as that of the reference example described above, and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the characteristic part of this reference example is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the guide portion 80 provided integrally with the tray 26 is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the tray 26 so as to open the transport path 79. Further, not only a handle portion (handle member, support member side handle portion) 26 a is provided on the tray 26, but also a handle portion (handle member, guide portion side handle portion) 26 b is provided on the conveyance guide portion 80. The handle portions 26a are provided on both sides of the tray 26 on both sides of the drum in the axial direction.

  The user opens the door 28. Thereafter, the handle portion (support member side handle portion) 26a is grasped, and the tray 26 is pulled out to the outside position O outside the main body, whereby the cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12 can be exchanged.

  Further, the user opens the door 28 and pulls the handle portion (guide member side handle portion) 26b to open the transport guide portion 80. Thereby, the residual paper 99 in the conveyance path 79 that the tray 26 integrally has can be removed.

  By rotating the conveyance guide unit 80, a large opening can be taken. Therefore, the removal operation of the residual paper 99 can be easily performed.

  The configuration described above is as follows. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 111 denotes a tray lock, which is provided on the tray 26. The lock (supporting member side engaging portion) 111 is provided on one end side in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the tray 26, and is rotatable about a shaft 111a provided on the upstream side in the pulling direction (FIG. 14). Arrow direction). The lock 111 is attached to a position where the lock 111 is also gripped when the user grips the handle portion 26a. The lock 111 is urged counterclockwise by the elastic force of a spring (not shown), and is stopped by coming into contact with a stopper (not shown). This stop position is a position where the lock 111 can come into contact with the main body lock 112. The lock (main body side joint) 112 is fixed to the main body A. When the tray 26 is pushed from the outer position O to the inner position I, the slope 111b of the lock 111 hits the lock 112. The inclined surface 111b is inclined downward from the upstream side to the downstream side in the drawing direction 500 of the tray 26. Then, the lock 111 rotates clockwise against the elastic force of the spring and passes through the lock 112. When the lock 111 passes through the lock 112, the lock 111 rotates counterclockwise by the elastic force of the spring and comes into contact (contact) with the end 112a of the lock 112. Alternatively, when the tray 26 is pushed from the outer position O to the inner position I, the lock 111 is also gripped when the user grips the handle portion 26a. As a result, the lock 111 rotates upward in the clockwise direction against the elastic force of the spring. Therefore, the tray 26 is pushed into the main body without the lock 111 hitting the lock 112. When the user releases his / her hand from the lock 111, the lock 111 is positioned to engage with the lock 112. As a result, the tray 26 is restricted from moving in the pull-out direction. When the user pulls out the tray 26, the lock 111 is also gripped when the user grips the handle portion 26a, as described above. As a result, the lock 111 rotates clockwise against the elastic force of the spring. Then, the lock 111 is retracted upward to a position where it does not contact the lock 112. Thus, the tray 26 can be pulled out without being obstructed by the lock 112.

  Next, the guide part (guide member) 80 will be described with reference to FIG. The guide portion 80 is provided on the downstream end in the pulling direction 500 of the tray 26 and on the tray 26. The guide portion 80 is provided so as to cover the conveyance path 76 over the width direction of the tray 26 (a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction 500). In the width direction of the tray 26, a handle portion 26a is provided at one end and the other end of the tray 26 that are not covered by the guide portion 80. When the user pulls out the tray 26, the user grasps the handle portion 26a and pulls out the tray 26 from the main body A. When the user takes out the paper 99 jammed in the conveyance path 76, the user pulls the handle portion 26b to open the guide portion 80. The guide portion 80 rotates outward about the shaft 80a. The shaft 80 a is provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the guide portion 80, on the lower side, and on the tray 26. An engaged portion 80b is provided above the guide portion 80 and at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction. The engaged portion 80b is detachably engaged with an engaging portion 26e provided on the tray 26. For example, the engaged portion 80b is an elastic claw and the engaging portion 26e is a recess. And if a user pulls the handle part 26b, the said elastic nail | claw will remove | deviate from the said recessed part, and the guide part 80 can be opened. Then, the sheet 99 jammed in the conveyance path 76 can be taken out. Further, when the user closes the guide portion 80, when the user grasps the handle portion 26b and pushes in the guide portion 80, the elastic claw elastically engages with the concave portion. Thereby, the guide part 80 can maintain the closed state. When the guide portion 80 is opened, the movement of the tray 26 in the pull-out direction is restricted by the locks 111 and 112. Therefore, the guide part 80 can be opened smoothly. The guide part (guide member) 80 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the tray 26 so as to open the conveyance path 76. The guide portion 80 has a handle portion (support member side handle portion) 26a that is gripped by the user when moving the tray 26 at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the guide part 80 has a handle part (guide member side handle part) 26b that is gripped by the user when the guide part 80 is opened and closed. The main body A is provided with a lock (main body side engaging portion) 112, and the tray 26 is provided with a lock (supporting member side engaging portion) 111. In a state where the tray 26 is located at the inner position I, the lock 111 is brought into contact with the lock 112 so that the tray 26 is restricted from moving from the inner position I to the outer position O. When the user grips the handle portion 26a, the lock 111 is also gripped, and the lock 111 is released from the lock 112 against the elastic force. As a result, the tray 26 can move from the inner position I to the outer position O.

First Embodiment
The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. 15 to 17 are cross-sectional views illustrating the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

In the reference example described above, the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member) 18 as an endless belt. Then, the image forming apparatus that transfers the toner images carried on the transfer belt 18 to the paper 14 at once is illustrated. In the present exemplary embodiment, an image forming apparatus that uses an electrostatic conveyance belt (recording medium carrier) as an endless belt and sequentially superimposes and transfers toner images of respective colors onto a sheet carried on the electrostatic conveyance belt will be described. To do.

In the following description, members having the same functions as those of the reference example described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[Overview of image forming apparatus]
The paper 14 stored in the feeding tray 13 is fed by the feeding roller 15, conveyed by the conveying roller 81, and sent to the electrostatic conveying belt 78 along the pre-transfer guide 67 provided on the tray 26. . The belt 78 conveys the paper 14 while the paper 14 is attracted to the belt 78 by static electricity. The paper 14 sent to the transport belt 78 is electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 78 and is transported by the rotational movement of the transport belt 78. The conveyor belt 78 is an endless belt that rotates and moves at positions opposed to the photosensitive drums 1, 2, 3, and 4 supported by the tray 26. The belt 78 is stretched by the belt driving roller 16 and the tension roller 19.

  The toner images of the respective colors formed on the drums 1, 2, 3, and 4 are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the paper 14 that is conveyed while adsorbed to the conveyance belt 78. Then, a color image is formed on the paper 14. The transport belt 78 transports the paper 14 while the paper 14 is attracted by electrostatic force. The toner image is transferred onto the paper 14 by transfer rollers (transfer members) 40, 41, 42, 43. That is, the yellow toner image formed on the drum 1 is transferred to the paper 14 by the transfer roller 40. The magenta toner image formed on the drum 2 is transferred to the paper 14 by the transfer roller 41. The cyan toner image formed on the drum 3 is transferred to the paper 14 by the transfer roller 42. The black toner image formed on the drum 4 is transferred to the paper 14 by the transfer roller 43. The toner images of the respective colors are superimposed on the paper 14. Thus, a color image is formed on the paper 14. As described above, the transfer rollers (transfer members) 40, 41, 42, 43 have the drums (electrophotographic photosensitive members) 1, 2, 3 provided on the tray 26 in a state where the tray 26 is located at the inner position I. 4, the developer image is transferred to the paper 14. Therefore, transfer rollers (transfer members) 40, 41, 42, and 43 are provided corresponding to the respective drums (FIGS. 15 and 16). That is, the transfer rollers 40, 41, 42, and 43 transfer the developer images formed on the drums 1, 2, 3, and 4 to the paper 14 at the transfer position.

  The sheet 14 that has passed over the belt driving roller 16 that stretches the conveying belt 78 is peeled off from the conveying belt 78 by its curvature. The peeled sheet 14 is sent to a nip portion between the fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 along a post-transfer guide 68, a conveyance guide portion 80 included in the tray 26 described later, and a pre-fixing guide 69. Then, the toner image is fixed on the paper 14 by being heated and pressed at the nip portion.

  The sheet 14 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray 73 by a discharge roller 22 and a discharge roller 23.

  In the main body, the tray 26 according to the present embodiment is mounted at an inner position (mounting position) positioned on the inner side of the conveyance path 76 that guides the paper 14. The tray 26 is supported by the main body A (guide 27) so as to cross the transport path 76 and move from the inner position I to the outer position.

  Further, the tray 26 is integrally provided with a conveyance guide portion (guide member) 80 that constitutes a part of the conveyance path 76. The conveyance guide unit 80 is provided on the upstream side of the tray 26 in the pulling direction. Further, the conveyance guide unit 80 includes a clamping member (clamping means) 66 that clamps the paper 14 in the conveyance path 79 in the conveyance guide unit 80. The clamping member 66 is operated by a lever 65 provided on the handle portion 26 a of the tray 26. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the tray 26 is pulled out, the jammed paper 99 can be taken out to the opening side while being sandwiched by the sandwiching member 66. Therefore, the sheet 99 can be taken out more reliably. As described above, the clamping member 66 is provided on the upstream side in the pulling direction in which the tray 26 moves from the inner position I to the outer position O. The clamping member 66 includes the drum 1 and the transfer roller 40, the drum 2 and the transfer roller 41, the drum 3 and the transfer roller 42, the drum 4 and the transfer roller 43, and a fixing member (the fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 21). The jammed paper 99 is sandwiched between them. In the present embodiment, when the tray 26 moves in the direction intersecting the conveyance path 76 and in the pulling direction, the jammed paper 99 is opened while the jammed paper 99 is nipped by the clamping member 66. It is configured to be pulled out toward the portion 200 (FIGS. 15 to 17). According to this configuration, the paper jammed in the back side of the main body can be taken out by holding it on the opening 200 side.

  Here, the post-transfer guide 68 and the pre-fixing guide 69 are fixed to the main body A. However, the conveyance guide portion 80 of the tray 26, the post-transfer guide 68 and the pre-fixing guide 69 provided in the main body A are each configured in a comb shape. Therefore, these members do not hinder the operation of pulling out the tray 26.

Note that the method for replenishing paper to the main body A is the same as in the above-described reference example, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[Residual paper removal method]
Here, a method of removing the paper remaining in the main body will be described.

  First, when the residual paper 99 in the main body stops in a state where it protrudes from the nip portion between the discharge roller 22 and the discharge roller 23, it can be removed by grasping and pulling the protruding residual paper 99. The fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 are configured to automatically release the nip when an abnormality is detected by a discharge sensor (not shown) or the like. Therefore, the user can easily pull out the residual paper 99.

  Next, a case where the residual paper 99 in the main body stops at the conveyance guide unit 80 of the tray 26 will be described. By opening the door 28, a door link (not shown) and a guide 27 are moved in conjunction with the door 28, and the tray 26 is lifted to a position where it can be pulled out. As a result, the cartridges 9, 10, 11, and 12 are also lifted. Accordingly, the drums 1, 2, 3, and 4 are separated from the conveyance belt 78. When the above-described abnormality is detected, the nip between the fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 is automatically released. Therefore, there is no thing that restrains the residual paper 99. The user pulls the lever 65 provided with the handle portion 26a. As a result, the pinching member 66 protrudes into the conveyance path 79 and pinches the remaining paper 99 (see FIG. 16). The tray 26 is pulled out of the main body as it is. Thereby, the residual paper 99 can be taken out of the main body. When the user releases the lever 65, the clamping member 66 is stored in the tray 26, and the residual paper 99 is released.

  Further, when the residual paper 99 stops on the conveying belt 78, the tray 26 is removed from the main body. Thereby, the residual paper 99 can be removed from the opening 200.

  As described above, even when the paper 14 remains on the back side of the main body A, the residual paper can be easily removed from the front of the main body by pulling the tray 26 forward. Further, since the paper on which the image is formed is discharged toward the front of the main body, it can be easily removed.

Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the reference example described above can be obtained.

[ Second Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. Note that the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus is substantially the same as that of the reference example and the embodiment described above, and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Hereafter, the characteristic part of this embodiment is demonstrated.

In the first reference example described above, the image forming apparatus including the feeding roller 15, the transfer roller 17, the fixing film 20, and the like in front of the main body is illustrated. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes a feeding roller 15, a transfer roller 17, a fixing roller 20, and the like behind the main body. The paper on which the image is formed is discharged from the back of the main body toward the front of the main body. Therefore, the user can easily remove the paper on which the image is formed.

The tray 26 of the present embodiment is configured similarly to the tray of the first embodiment. That is, the tray 26 is mounted at an inner position (mounting position) I inside the conveyance path 76 for guiding the paper 14 in the main body, and intersects the conveyance path 76 from the inner position I to an outer position (detachment position). It is supported by the main body A (guide 27) so as to move to O.

  Further, the tray 26 is integrally provided with a conveyance guide portion (guide member) 80 that constitutes a part of the conveyance path 76. The conveyance guide unit 80 is provided on the upstream side in the movement direction (drawing direction) from the inner position I to the outer position of the tray 26. Further, the conveyance guide unit 80 includes a clamping member (clamping means) 66 that clamps the paper 14 in the conveyance path 79 provided in the conveyance guide unit 80. The clamping member 66 is operated by a lever 65 provided on the handle portion 26 a of the tray 26.

Therefore, when there is residual paper in the main body, the user opens the door 28 and pulls out the cartridge tray 26 as in the first embodiment. Thereby, the residual paper 99 can be removed. Further, when the residual paper 99 stops on the front side of the holding member 66 in the transport direction, the residual paper 99 can be removed by pulling out the feeding tray 13.

Thus, this embodiment can also obtain the same effects as those of the reference examples and embodiments described above.

[Other Embodiments]
In the embodiment described above, four process cartridges are used. However, the number used is not limited, and may be set as needed.

  In addition, the process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and any one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as a processing unit that acts on the photosensitive unit. Any process cartridge may be used. Further, although the process cartridge has been described as an example of the cartridge, the present invention is not limited to this. The cartridge includes a configuration as described above.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the mounting / demounting operation of the cartridge with respect to the cartridge tray and the removal operation of the recording medium remaining on the conveyance path can be performed from the same side of the main body. Therefore, user workability can be improved. Further, the workability of taking out (jammed) paper jammed in the conveyance path from the main body could be improved. Moreover, despite the use of the tray, the workability of taking out the paper jammed in the conveyance path from the main body can be improved. In addition, it was possible to take out the paper jammed in the conveyance path from the side of pulling out the tray to the outside of the main body. Further, it has been possible to take out the paper jammed in the conveyance path from the side where the cartridge is replaced.

A ... Main body, 1, 2, 3, 4 ... Photosensitive drum, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... Developing roller, 9, 10, 11, 12 ... Process cartridge, 26 ... Cartridge tray (cartridge support member), 14 ... Paper , 66 ... clamping member, 76, 79 ... transport path

Claims (7)

In a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges are detachably attached to an apparatus main body and an image is formed on a recording medium.
A cartridge support member that supports the cartridge and moves between an inner position located inside the apparatus main body and an outer position located outside the apparatus main body, wherein the cartridge is moved at the outer position. The cartridge support member for attaching and detaching the cartridge to and from the support member;
An opening provided in the apparatus main body, the opening through which the cartridge support member passes between the inner position and the outer position;
Corresponding to each electrophotographic photosensitive member for transferring a developer image from each electrophotographic photosensitive member provided on the cartridge supporting member to the recording medium in a state where the cartridge supporting member is located at the inner position. A transfer member provided as
A conveyance path provided in the cartridge support member through which a recording medium conveyed from a stacking unit on which the recording medium is loaded;
Clamping means for clamping the jammed recording medium stopped in the conveyance path, the clamping means provided on the upstream side in the pulling direction moving from the inner position to the outer position of the cartridge support member;
Have
When the cartridge support member moves in the direction intersecting the conveyance path and in the pull-out direction, the jammed recording medium is clamped by the clamping means, and the jammed recording medium is removed from the opening. A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to be pulled out to the side . 2. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping unit clamps the jammed recording medium by protruding into the conveyance path. The cartridge support member has a grip portion that grips when the cartridge support member is moved, and the grip portion is provided with a lever that projects the gripping means into the transport path in conjunction with the gripping means. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the grip portion is provided on the downstream side of the cartridge support member in the drawing direction. The conveyance path is provided between the transfer member and a fixing member that fixes the developer image transferred to the recording medium by the transfer member on the recording medium in a conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided. 6. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer member is an intermediate transfer belt to which a developer image is transferred from each of the electrophotographic photosensitive members. 6. The transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the transfer member is a transfer belt that carries and conveys the recording medium, and transfers a developer image from each electrophotographic photosensitive member to the recording medium. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus described in the item.

Images