JP4930474B2 - Image forming apparatus and process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge.

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic laser printer is known in which a process cartridge integrally including a photosensitive drum and a developing cartridge is configured to be detachable from an apparatus main body.
As such a laser printer, there has been proposed a configuration in which a drum cover for opening and closing an opening from which the photosensitive drum is exposed is provided in the housing of the process cartridge in order to protect the photosensitive drum (for example, Patent Document 1).

In the configuration according to this proposal, the drum cover is formed in a plate shape having a circular arc cross section extending along the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and covers the entire area of the portion exposed from the opening in the photosensitive drum. One end of the drum cover in the circumferential direction is rotatably supported by a shaft provided in the housing. When the process cartridge is detached from the main body of the laser printer, the opening is closed by the drum cover. When the process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the drum cover is rotated about the shaft in conjunction with this, and the opening is opened. As a result, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is exposed from the opening, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum can be transferred to the transfer paper.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-267661

  However, in the configuration according to the above proposal, when the opening is opened as the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, the free end of the drum cover (one end supported rotatably on the shaft) The other end of the opposite side moves while drawing a large arc-shaped locus with respect to the housing. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a large space for opening and closing the drum cover in a direction facing the photosensitive drum in the apparatus main body.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge capable of reducing the space required in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus in order to open and close the protection member, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge. .

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus comprising a process cartridge and a mounted member to which the process cartridge is mounted, and the process cartridge has an opening. A frame having a portion, a photosensitive drum that is held by the frame and a part of a peripheral surface of the frame is disposed to face the opening, and is slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame A protective member for protecting the photosensitive drum in a state where the photosensitive drum is disposed at a protective position facing an image forming area on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the axial direction The attached member is attached to the attached member by movement in a direction orthogonal to the attached member, and the attached member attaches the protective member with the attachment of the process cartridge to the attached member. From serial protective position, it is characterized in that it comprises a first operation member for the sliding movement to the retracted position not opposed to the image forming region.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the protective member is slid from the retracted position to the protective position when the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member. A second operation member is provided.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the second operating member is provided in the process cartridge and biases the protective member from the retracted position toward the protected position. It is characterized by being an urging member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, at least one pair of the protective members is provided side by side in the axial direction, and each retracted position of the pair of protective members is the image forming region. The biasing member is constructed between a pair of the protective members, and is set separately on both sides in the axial direction.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the process cartridge moves in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member. Is provided with a stopper portion for restricting at the protection position.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the process cartridge includes a guide portion for guiding the sliding movement of the protection member. It is said.
The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the frame is formed with a plurality of rack gears extending in parallel with the axial direction, and the protection member is And a pinion gear meshing with each of the rack gears.

The invention according to an eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a plurality of the protective members are provided side by side in the axial direction.
The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 8, a space is formed between the protection members in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection position.
The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 8, characterized in that the entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state in which the protection members are arranged at the protection position. .

The invention according to claim 11 is the plate according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first operating member has a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and a plane along the axial direction. It is characterized by having an inclined surface formed in a shape and inclined with respect to the axial direction.
A twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the process cartridge has a receiving portion for receiving the first operation member.

The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first operation member has both side surfaces orthogonal to the plane and along the mounting direction, and the protection member The process cartridge is in contact with both side surfaces in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, the width in the axial direction between the both side surfaces of the first operating member is the width in the axial direction of the image forming region in the photosensitive drum. It is characterized by being larger than.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, wherein the apparatus main body is provided, and the mounted member is a drawer frame provided so as to be able to be pulled out with respect to the main body of the apparatus. It is characterized by being.
The invention of claim 16 is a process cartridge detachably mounted to the mounting member provided in the image forming apparatus, a frame having an opening, is held in the frame, a part of the peripheral surface Is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and the photosensitive drum is attached as the process cartridge is attached to the attachment member. A protective member slidably moved from a protective position facing an image forming area on the peripheral surface of the drum to which an electrostatic latent image is formed to a retracted position not facing the image forming area; and the process cartridge for the mounted member with the withdrawal, that said protective member from said retracted position and a second operating member for sliding movement to said protecting position It is a symptom.

The invention according to claim 17 is the biasing member for biasing the protection member from the retracted position toward the protection position in the invention according to claim 16. It is characterized by.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventeenth aspect , at least one pair of the protection members is provided side by side in the axial direction, and each retracted position of the pair of protection members is the image forming area. The biasing member is constructed between a pair of the protective members, and is set separately on both sides in the axial direction.
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, the protection member is moved at the protection position in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member. It is characterized by having a stopper portion for regulating.

A twentieth aspect of the invention is characterized in that in the invention of any one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, a guide portion is provided for guiding the sliding movement of the protection member.
The invention according to claim 21 is the invention according to any one of claims 16 to 20 , wherein the frame is formed with a plurality of rack gears extending in parallel with the axial direction, And a pinion gear meshing with each of the rack gears.

The invention of claim 22 is the invention according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the protective member is characterized in that provided in plural side by side in the axial direction.
The invention described in claim 23 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 22 , an interval is formed between the protection members in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection position.

The invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 22, the entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where each protection member is arranged at the protection position. .
According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus, and includes a frame having an opening, a part of the peripheral surface held by the frame. Is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and the photosensitive drum is attached as the process cartridge is attached to the attachment member. A protective member slidably moved from a protective position facing an image forming area where an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the drum to a retracted position not facing the image forming area; and the process cartridge is mounted member And a stopper portion for restricting movement of the protection member at the protection position in a state where the protection member is detached from the protection position.
According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the invention, in the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, a guide portion for guiding the sliding movement of the protection member is provided.
According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth aspect, the frame is formed with a plurality of rack gears extending in parallel with the axial direction, and the protection member is provided on each of the rack gears. It is characterized by having a meshing pinion gear.
The invention described in Item 28 is the invention described in any one of Items 25-27, wherein a plurality of the protection members are provided side by side in the axial direction.
A twenty-ninth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, an interval is formed between the protective members in a state where the protective members are arranged at the protective positions.
A thirty-third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, the entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection position. .
According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge which is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus, and includes a frame having an opening, a part of the peripheral surface held by the frame. Is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame and is moved relative to the frame in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction . Protection that slides from a protection position facing the image forming area on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, which is formed with an electrostatic latent image, to a retracting position not facing the image forming area, as the process cartridge is mounted. It is characterized by comprising a member.
A thirty-second aspect of the invention is characterized in that in the thirty-first aspect of the invention, a guide portion for guiding the sliding movement of the protection member is provided.
According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the thirty-first or thirty-second aspect , the frame includes a plurality of rack gears extending in parallel with the axial direction, and the protection member is provided on each of the rack gears. It is characterized by having a meshing pinion gear.
The invention described in Item 34 is the invention described in any one of Items 31-33 , wherein a plurality of the protection members are provided side by side in the axial direction.
A thirty-fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the thirty-fourth aspect of the invention, a space is formed between the protective members in a state where the protective members are arranged at the protective position.
A thirty- sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the thirty-fourth aspect of the invention, the entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where each of the protection members is disposed at the protection position. .
According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus, the frame having an opening, and a part of the peripheral surface held by the frame. Is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and the photosensitive drum is attached as the process cartridge is attached to the attachment member. A protective member that is slidably moved from a protective position facing an image forming area where an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the drum to a retracted position not facing the image forming area; A plurality of rack gears extending in parallel in the axial direction are formed, and the protection member includes pinion gears that mesh with the rack gears, respectively. It is.
A thirty- eighth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the thirty-seventh aspect of the invention, a plurality of the protective members are provided side by side in the axial direction.
The invention of claim 39 is the invention according to claim 38, in a state where each of the protective member is disposed in the protecting position, and wherein the interval between each said protective member is formed.
The invention of claim 40 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 38 , the entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection position. .
According to a forty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus, and includes a frame having an opening, a part of the peripheral surface held by the frame. Is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and the photosensitive drum is attached as the process cartridge is attached to the attachment member. A protection member slidably moved from a protection position facing an image forming area where an electrostatic latent image is formed on a peripheral surface of the drum to a retracted position not facing the image forming area, It is characterized in that a plurality are provided side by side in the axial direction.
The invention according to claim 42 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 41 , an interval is formed between the protection members in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection position.
The invention of claim 43 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 41 , the entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state in which the protection members are arranged at the protection position. .

  According to the first and sixteenth aspects of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge and a mounted member on which the process cartridge is mounted. The process cartridge includes a frame, a photosensitive drum, and a protection member. The frame has an opening. The photosensitive drum is held by the frame so that a part of the peripheral surface thereof is arranged to face the opening. The protection member is provided to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame between a protection position facing the image forming area of the photosensitive drum and a retracted position not facing the image forming area. In a state where the protection member is disposed at the protection position, a portion of the photosensitive drum facing the opening is protected by the protection member. The mounted member includes a first operation member. The first operation member slides the protection member from the protection position to the retracted position as the process cartridge is attached to the attached member from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

  Since the protection member is slid along the axial direction from the protection position to the retracted position as the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member, the protection member is protected by being rotated with respect to the process cartridge. Compared to the configuration displaced from the position to the retracted position, a large space for opening and closing the protection member (sliding movement between the protection position and the retracted position) in the direction facing the photosensitive drum in the mounted member is provided. There is no need to secure. As a result, it is possible to reduce the space required for the mounted member in order to open and close the protection member.

According to the second and sixteenth aspects of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes the second operation member. The second operation member slides the protection member from the retracted position to the protected position with the removal of the process cartridge from the mounted member.
Since the protection member is slid from the retracted position to the protection position when the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member, the photosensitive drum can be reliably secured by the protective member in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member. Can be protected.

According to the third and seventeenth aspects of the present invention, the second operating member is a biasing member that is provided in the process cartridge and biases the protective member from the retracted position toward the protective position.
As a result, the protection member receives the urging force applied from the urging member and is slid from the retracted position to the protected position, so that the protection member can be moved from the retracted position to the protected position with a simple configuration. be able to.

According to invention of Claim 4 and 18 , at least 1 pair of protection members are provided along with the axial direction. The retracted positions of the pair of protective members are set separately on both sides in the axial direction with respect to the image forming region. As a result, a space that is not an image forming area on both sides in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum can be effectively used as the retracted position, and therefore the space for opening and closing the protective member can be further reduced.

The urging member is installed between the pair of protective members. Therefore, the number of urging members can be reduced to half while the same effect as the configuration in which one urging member is provided corresponding to one protective member can be obtained.
According to invention of Claim 5 and 19 , the process cartridge is provided with the stopper part. The stopper portion holds the protection member at the protection position in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member. Thereby, the protection member can be accurately arranged at the protection position in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member.

According to invention of Claim 6 and 20 , the process cartridge is provided with the guide part for guiding the sliding movement of a protection member. Thereby, the sliding movement between the protection position and the retracted position of the protection member can be favorably guided.
According to the invention described in claims 7 and 21 , the frame is formed with a plurality of rack gears extending in parallel in the axial direction. The protection member includes a pinion gear that meshes with each of the plurality of rack gears. Thereby, the squareness of the protective member with respect to the rack gear can be maintained, and good sliding movement of the protective member in the axial direction can be achieved.

According to invention of Claim 8 and 22 , the protective member is provided with two or more along with the axial direction. Thereby, since the photosensitive drum can be protected at a plurality of positions in the axial direction, the photosensitive drum can be better protected.
According to the invention described in claims 9 and 23 , in the state where the protection member is disposed at the protection position, the interval is formed between the protection members. Accordingly, by inserting the first operation member into this interval, the protection member can be easily slid from the protection position to the retracted position.

According to invention of Claim 10 and 24 , in the state which has arrange | positioned the protection member in the protection position, the whole region of an opening part is covered by each protection member. Thereby, the entire image forming area of the photosensitive drum can be protected by the protective member.
According to the invention described in claim 11, the first operating member is formed in a plate shape having a plane along the mounting direction and the axial direction. The first operating member has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction. As a result, when the protection member comes into contact with the inclined surface of the first operation member as the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member, the force in the mounting direction is converted to a force including a force component in the axial direction by the inclined surface. The Since the protection member is moved from the protection position to the retracted position by the force component in the axial direction, the protection member can be slid from the protection position to the retracted position with a simple configuration.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the process cartridge has a receiving portion that receives the first operation member. Thereby, when the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member, the process cartridge is guided to the mounted member by receiving the first operation member in the receiving portion.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the first operating member has both side surfaces that are orthogonal to the plane along the mounting direction and the axial direction, and that extend along the mounting direction. The protection member contacts both side surfaces of the first operation member in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member. Thereby, the protection member can be held at the retracted position in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the axial width between both side surfaces of the first operating member is larger than the axial width of the image forming area of the photosensitive drum. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the protective member from facing the image forming area and hindering image formation in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member.
According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes the apparatus main body. Further, the mounted member is a drawer frame provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the apparatus main body. Therefore, the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the drawer frame while the drawer frame is pulled out from the inside of the apparatus main body.

1. 1 is a side sectional view of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A color printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus is a tandem color printer. A drum unit 3 is mounted in a main body casing 2 as an example of the apparatus main body. The drum unit 3 is provided so that it can be pulled out with respect to the main body casing 2 by opening a front cover 4 provided on one side surface of the main body casing 2.

  In the following description, the side where the front cover 4 is provided (left side in FIG. 1) is the front side (front side), and the opposite side (right side in FIG. 1) is the rear side (back side). In addition, when the color printer 1 is viewed from the front side, the left and right reference is used. Hereinafter, the left-right direction is referred to as the width direction. The drum unit 3 will be described with reference to the direction in the mounted state with respect to the main casing 2 unless otherwise specified.

In the drum unit 3, four process cartridges 5 are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction. The process cartridges 5 (5K, 5Y, 5M, and 5C) are provided corresponding to the respective colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, and are arranged at equal intervals in the order of the colors from the front side.
Above the drum unit 3, an exposure unit 6 that emits four laser beams corresponding to each color is arranged. Instead of the exposure device 6, four LED arrays may be provided corresponding to each process cartridge 5.

Each process cartridge 5 holds a photosensitive drum 7, a supply roller 8, a developing roller 9, and the like. The process cartridge 5 contains toner of each color.
As the photosensitive drum 7 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 23 and then selectively exposed by the laser beam from the exposure unit 6. By this exposure, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. Then, when the electrostatic latent image faces the developing roller 9 with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7, toner is supplied from the developing roller 9 to the electrostatic latent image via the supply roller 8, and is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. A toner image is formed.

  A paper feed cassette 10 that accommodates the paper P is disposed at the bottom of the main casing 2. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 10 is transported onto the transport belt 11 by various rollers. The conveyor belt 11 is disposed facing the four photosensitive drums 7 from below. A transfer roller 12 is disposed at each position facing each photosensitive drum 7 across the upper portion of the transport belt 11. The paper P transported on the transport belt 11 sequentially passes between the transport belt 11 and each photosensitive drum 7 as the transport belt 11 travels. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the paper P by the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 12 when facing the paper P.

A fixing device 13 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the conveyance belt 11. The sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 13. In the fixing device 13, the toner image is fixed on the paper P by heating and pressing. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 14 on the upper surface of the main body casing 2 by various rollers.
2. Process Cartridge FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the right rear side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the lower left rear side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a state in which a part of the process cartridge is disassembled. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a part of the drawer frame together with the process cartridge in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer frame. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a state in which a part of the process cartridge is disassembled in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer frame.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the process cartridge 5 includes a frame 20 that extends in the width direction and has an L shape in side view. More specifically, the frame 20 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped developing portion 21 extending in the width direction and the vertical direction, and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped process portion 22 extending rearward from the lower end portion of the developing portion.
In the developing unit 21, a supply roller 8, a developing roller 9, and the like are disposed, and toners corresponding to the respective colors are accommodated. Further, the rear lower end portion of the developing unit 21 is opened toward the process unit 22, and a part of the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9 is exposed in the process unit 22 from the opened part.

  In the process section 22, a photosensitive drum 7, a charging roller 23, and a cleaning roller 24 are arranged. The charging roller 23 and the cleaning roller 24 are disposed so as to face the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7. The process unit 22 includes an upper wall 25 that extends in the front-rear direction and the width direction, and a rear wall 26 that extends downward from the rear end of the upper wall 25. The front end portion of the upper wall 25 is bent downward, and a laser beam from the exposure device 6 (see FIG. 1) is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 between the bent portion and the developing portion 21. An interval is provided for guidance. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, two rack gears 28 extending in the width direction are formed at the upper end and the lower end of the rear wall 26.

A space is provided between the lower end of the developing unit 21 and the rear wall 26 of the process unit 22. As a result, an opening 27 that opens downward is formed at the lower end of the frame 20. The photosensitive drum 7 is arranged so that a part of its peripheral surface is exposed downward through the opening 27.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the process cartridge 5 includes a drum cover 30 as an example of two pairs of left and right protective members, and a guide member 31 for guiding the sliding movement of each drum cover 30 in the width direction. And a spring member 32 as an example of two urging members for urging each drum cover 30.
(1) Drum Covers Four drum covers 30 are arranged on the rear side of the process section 22 of the process cartridge 5 at substantially equal intervals in the width direction. More specifically, each of the four drum covers 30 includes a pair of first drum covers 30a and a pair of second drums arranged at right positions with respect to each first drum cover 30a. And a cover 30b. As shown in FIG. 2, the drum covers 30 are spaced apart from each other at a protection position where the cover 34 faces the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7 in a state where the process cartridge 5 is detached from the drum unit 3. Be placed.

The drum cover 30 includes a slide portion 33 that extends in the vertical direction and a cover portion 34 that extends forward from the lower end of the slide portion 33.
As shown in FIG. 4, the slide portion 33 is formed in a rod shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. Pinion gears 35 are respectively attached to the upper and lower ends of the slide portion 33 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction. The two pinion gears 35 mesh with two rack gears 28 formed on the rear wall 26. Accordingly, each drum cover 30 is provided so as to be slidable in the width direction in a state in which the slide portion 33 maintains a square angle with respect to the rack gear 28.

Further, on the rear surface of the slide portion 33 of each drum cover 30, a locking portion 36 that locks the end portion of the spring member 32 protrudes from the rear side. The locking portion 36 of the first drum cover 30 a is disposed in the vicinity of the upper pinion gear 35. Further, the locking portion 36 of the second drum cover 30b is disposed in the vicinity of the lower pinion gear 35.
In addition, an inclined surface 37 is formed at the lower ends of the two inner sliding portions 33 so as to incline from the lower end edge toward the upper side in the width direction.

The cover portion 34 is formed in a substantially arc shape in a side view that bulges downward, and the upper surface thereof faces the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 with a predetermined interval. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front end portion of the cover portion 34 is in contact with the lower end portion of the developing portion 21 of the frame 20 from below.
(2) Guide Member As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the guide member 31 is formed in a rectangular plate shape having substantially the same size as the rear wall 26 of the frame 20 in rear view. Further, the guide member 31 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section when the middle part in the vertical direction is cut in a plane, and the guide member 31 is attached to the frame 20 as shown in FIG. A gap 38 as an example of a receiving portion is formed between the rear wall 26 of the 20 and the middle portion in the width direction of the guide member 31.

  Further, at both ends in the width direction of the guide member 31, a claw portion 41 having a substantially arc shape in a side view and extending downward from its lower end portion and bulging downward is formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the front end portion of the claw portion 41 is in contact with the lower end portion of the developing portion 21 of the frame 20 from below. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the middle portion of the claw portion 41 in the front-rear direction faces the both end portions of the photosensitive drum 7 from below in a state where the guide member 31 is attached to the frame 20.

Further, a notch portion 39 is formed at the lower end portion of the guide member 31 by cutting the middle portion in the width direction into a rectangular shape from the lower end edge.
Further, guide holes 40 as an example of four guide parts extending in the width direction are formed in the guide part 31 as long holes penetrating the guide part 31 in the front-rear direction. Each guide hole 40 is provided corresponding to a locking portion 36 provided in the slide portion 33 of each drum cover 30, and is formed at a position facing each locking portion 36 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each guide hole 40 has an inner end 42 in the width direction as an example of the stopper portion, and the locking portion 36 contacts with the corresponding drum cover 30 in the protected position. It is formed at the position.
(3) Spring member The spring member 32 is constructed between the engaging portions 36 of the pair of first drum covers 30a and between the engaging portions 36 of the pair of second drum covers 30b. Each spring member 32 has a biasing force that biases each locking portion 36 inward in the width direction.
3. Drum Unit FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drum unit as viewed from the lower right rear side, and shows a state where the process cartridge is detached from the drawer frame.

The drum unit 3 includes a drawer frame 45 as an example of a mounted member that collectively supports the four process cartridges 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the drawer frame 45 is formed in a square shape in plan view.
On the upper surface of the drawer frame 45, four rib members 46 as an example of the first operation member are provided in the front-rear direction and are arranged at substantially equal intervals. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the rib member 46 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the drawer frame 45, and has a plate-like main body portion 46a having a plane along the vertical direction and the width direction, and the main body portion 46a. A base portion 46 b that protrudes rearward from the lower end portion and is fixed to the drawer frame 45.

  The main body 46a has a lattice structure formed in a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the back, and is substantially the same as the gap 38 formed between the rear wall 26 of the frame 20 and the middle portion in the width direction of the guide member 31. It has a width (thickness) in the direction. Moreover, the main-body part 46a has the inclined surface 47 which inclines toward the width direction center part from the width direction both side lower end part. The inclined surface 47 is formed at substantially the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 37 formed on the two inner slide portions 33.

The base portion 46 b has both side surfaces 48 along the vertical direction, and has a width in the same width direction as the cutout portion 39 of the guide member 31. The width in the width direction between both side surfaces 48 is formed to be larger than the width in the width direction of the image forming region on the photosensitive drum 7.
4). Process Cartridge Attachment / Removal Operation The process cartridge 5 is detachably attached to the drawer frame 45.

  In the state in which the process cartridge 5 is detached from the drawer frame 45, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each drum cover 30 faces the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7 and is in a protected position at almost equal intervals. Is arranged. Further, the engaging portions 36 of the respective drum covers 30 are urged inward in the width direction by receiving the urging force from the spring members 32 in contact with the widthwise inner end portions 42 of the corresponding guide holes 40. ing.

  When the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45, the process cartridge 5 is moved from the upper side to the lower side of the drawer frame 45 so that the rib member 46 is inserted into the gap 38 formed in the process cartridge 5. On the way, the inclined surfaces 37 provided on the two inner drum covers 30 a and 30 b come into contact with the inclined surfaces 47 of the rib members 46.

  When the process cartridge 5 is further moved downward from this state, a force including a force component on the outer side in the width direction is applied to the inner two drum covers 30a and 30b by the inclined surface 47 of the rib member 46. Accordingly, the two inner drum covers 30a and 30b are slid and moved to both sides outward in the width direction against the urging force from the spring member 32. At this time, each spring member 32 expands as the locking portion 36 moves outward in the width direction along the guide hole 40.

  When the process cartridge 5 is further moved downward, the inner two drum covers 30a, 30b are moved in accordance with the inclined surfaces 37 of the inner two drum covers 30a, 30b being slid on the inclined surfaces 47 of the rib members 46. 30b is further moved outward in the width direction, and the inner two drum covers 30a and 30b abut against the outer two drum covers 30a and 30b, respectively. Specifically, the right first drum cover 30a contacts the right second drum cover 30b from the left side, and the left second drum cover 30b contacts the left first drum cover 30a from the right side.

Then, the outer two drum covers 30a and 30b are urged toward the outer side in the width direction by the inner two drum covers 30a and 30b, so that the outer two drum covers 30a and 30b become the inner two drum covers 30a and 30b. Along with 30b, it is slid and moved to the outside in the width direction against the urging force from the spring member 32.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the mounting of the process cartridge 5 to the drawer frame 45 is completed, all the drum covers 30 are moved to the retracted position not facing the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7, and the two inner drums are moved. The width direction inner side surfaces of the covers 30 a and 30 b are in contact with both side surfaces 48 of the base portion 46 b of the rib member 46. As a result, the drum cover 30 can be held in the retracted position with the process cartridge 5 mounted on the drawer frame 45.

  The process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45 while the plate-like rib member 46 is received in the gap 38. Therefore, since the front-rear direction interval of the process cartridge 5 is determined by the front-rear direction interval of the rib members 46, the front-rear direction positioning of the process cartridge 5 is achieved as the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45. The

Further, the base 46 b enters the notch 39 of the guide member 31 of the process cartridge 5 in a state where the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45. Thereby, further downward movement of the process cartridge 5 is restricted, and the vertical positioning of the process cartridge 5 with respect to the drawer frame 45 is achieved.
5. Drum Unit Attachment / Removal Operation FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the drum unit attachment / detachment operation with respect to the main body casing.

The drum unit 3 can be attached to and detached from the main casing 2 by sliding in the front-rear direction while the front cover 4 is opened. That is, the drum unit 3 can be detached from the main casing 2 by opening the front cover 4 and pulling the drum unit 3 forward from the main casing 2. With the drum unit 3 detached from the main body casing 2, the process cartridge 5 can be attached to and detached from the drawer frame 45 (drum unit 3). Also, the drum unit 3 can be mounted in the main casing 2 by opening the front cover 4 and pushing the drum unit 3 backward toward the main casing 2.
6). As described above, the color printer 1 includes the process cartridge 5 and the drawer frame 45 to which the process cartridge 5 is mounted. The process cartridge 5 includes a frame 20, a photosensitive drum 7, and a drum cover 30. The frame 20 has an opening 27. The photosensitive drum 7 is held by the frame 20 so that a part of the peripheral surface thereof is arranged to face the opening 27. The drum cover 30 is slidably moved in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7 with respect to the frame 20 between a protection position facing the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7 and a retracted position not facing the image forming area. Yes. In a state where the drum cover 30 is disposed at the protection position, a portion of the photosensitive drum 7 facing the opening 27 is protected by the drum cover 30. The drawer frame 45 includes a rib member 46. The rib member 46 slides the drum cover 30 from the protected position to the retracted position as the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45 from above.

  The drum cover 30 is slid along the axial direction from the protection position to the retracted position as the process cartridge 5 is attached to the drawer frame 45, so that the drum cover 30 is rotated with respect to the process cartridge 5. Compared to the configuration in which the drum cover 30 is displaced from the protected position to the retracted position, the drum cover 30 is opened and closed in the direction facing the photosensitive drum 7 in the drawer frame 45 (sliding movement between the protected position and the retracted position). It is not necessary to secure a large space for making it happen. As a result, the space required for the drawer frame 45 to open and close the drum cover 30 can be reduced.

The color printer 1 includes a spring member 32. The spring member 32 slides the drum cover 30 from the retracted position to the protected position as the process cartridge 5 is detached from the drawer frame 45.
Since the drum cover 30 is slid from the retracted position to the protected position when the process cartridge 5 is detached from the drawer frame 45, the photosensitive drum 7 is drummed with the process cartridge 5 detached from the drawer frame 45. The cover 30 can be surely protected.

Further, since the drum cover 30 is slid from the retracted position to the protected position in response to the urging force applied from the spring member 32, the drum cover 30 can be moved from the retracted position to the protected position with a simple configuration. can do.
Two pairs of drum covers 30 are provided side by side in the width direction. The retracted position of each drum cover 30 is set separately on both sides in the width direction with respect to the image forming area. As a result, a space that is not the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7 can be effectively used as the retracted position, and therefore the space for opening and closing the drum cover 30 can be further reduced.

Further, the spring member 32 is installed between the pair of drum covers 30a and the pair of drum covers 30b. Therefore, the number of spring members 32 can be reduced to half while the same effect as the configuration in which one spring member 32 is provided corresponding to one drum cover 30 can be achieved.
A guide hole 40 is formed in the guide portion 31 of the process cartridge 5. The inner end 42 in the width direction of the guide hole 40 holds the drum cover 30 in the protected position in a state where the process cartridge 5 is detached from the drawer frame 45. Accordingly, the drum cover 30 can be accurately placed at the protection position in a state where the process cartridge 5 is detached from the drawer frame 45.

Further, the guide hole 40 can favorably guide the sliding movement between the protection position and the retracted position of the drum cover 30.
Two rack gears 28 extending in parallel in the width direction are formed on the frame 20. The drum cover 30 includes a pinion gear 35 that meshes with the two rack gears 28. Thereby, the squareness of the drum cover 30 with respect to the rack gear 28 can be maintained, and a favorable sliding movement of the drum cover 30 in the width direction can be achieved.

Four drum covers 30 are provided side by side in the width direction. As a result, the photosensitive drum 7 can be protected at the four positions in the width direction, so that the photosensitive drum 7 can be better protected.
In a state where the drum cover 30 is disposed at the protection position, a gap is formed between the two inner drum covers 30a and 30b. Thereby, by inserting the rib member 46 into this space | interval, the drum cover 30 can be easily slid from the protection position to the retracted position.

  The rib member 46 is formed in a plate shape having a plane along the mounting direction and the axial direction. The rib member 46 has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction. Accordingly, when the drum cover 30 comes into contact with the inclined surface of the rib member 46 as the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45, the force in the mounting direction is converted into a force including an axial force component by the inclined surface. Is done. Because the axial force component causes the drum cover 30 to move from the protected position to the retracted position, the drum cover 30 can be slid from the protected position to the retracted position with a simple configuration.

The process cartridge 5 has a receiving portion that receives the rib member 46. Thereby, when the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45, the process cartridge 5 is guided to the drawer frame 45 by receiving the rib member 46 in the receiving portion.
The rib member 46 has both side surfaces 48 along the vertical direction. The drum cover 30 abuts on both side surfaces 48 of the rib member 46 in a state where the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45. As a result, the drum cover 30 can be held in the retracted position with the process cartridge 5 mounted on the drawer frame 45.

The width in the width direction between both side surfaces 48 of the rib member 46 is larger than the width in the width direction of the image forming region on the photosensitive drum 7. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the drum cover 30 from facing the image forming area and hindering image formation in a state where the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45.
7). Second Embodiment FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear right side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the lower left rear side. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a state in which a part of the process cartridge is disassembled. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a part of the drawer frame together with the process cartridge in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer frame. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a state in which a part of the process cartridge is disassembled in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer frame. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the drum unit as viewed from the lower right rear side, and shows a state where the process cartridge is detached from the drawer frame.

In the following, the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 to 14 will be described with a focus on the differences from the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, and parts corresponding to those shown in FIGS. The same reference numerals as those of the respective parts are attached, and the description of the parts is omitted.
In the process cartridge 5 shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the cover portion 52 of each drum cover 51 is formed to extend outward in the width direction as compared with the cover portion 34 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7.

Specifically, the cover portion 52 has a width in the width direction that is about a quarter of the opening portion 27, and is formed in an arc shape in a side view that extends forward and bulges downward. . As a result, the entire area of the seven image forming areas of the photosensitive drum is covered with the respective cover portions 52 in a state where the respective drum covers 51 are in the protected position.
Further, the two inner cover parts 52 are arranged at positions farther from the axis of the photosensitive drum 7 than the two outer cover parts 52 so as not to overlap the two outer cover parts 52 in the width direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, each cover portion 52 is formed with an abutting portion 60 that protrudes forward from a position outside in the width direction at the front end portion thereof. The contact portion 60 is in contact with the lower end portion of the developing portion 21 of the frame 20 from below.

In addition, an operated member 65 having a triangular shape in rear view is formed at the lower ends of the two inner drum covers 51a and 51b. The operated member 65 has two inclined surfaces 66 whose two inner surfaces in the width direction are inclined from the lower outer side in the width direction toward the upper inner side in the width direction. The inclined surface 66 is formed at substantially the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 47 of the rib member 46 shown in FIG.
Further, in the process cartridge 5 shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the claw portion 56 of the guide member 55 is located on the inner side in the width direction as compared with the claw portion 41 of the guide member 31 of the process cartridge 5 shown in FIGS. It is extended and formed.

Specifically, the claw portion 56 has substantially the same width in the width direction as the cover portion 52, extends forward from the lower end of both widthwise ends of the guide member 55, and bulges downward in a side view. It is formed in an arc shape. The claw portions 56 are arranged at positions closer to the axis of the photosensitive drum 7 than the cover portions 52 so as not to overlap the cover portions 52 in the width direction at positions not facing the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7. Yes. As shown in FIG. 10, each claw portion 56 is formed with a contact portion 61 that protrudes forward from a position on the outer side in the width direction at the front end portion thereof. The contact portion 61 is in contact with the lower end portion of the developing portion 21 of the frame 20 from below.
(1) Process cartridge attaching / detaching operation When the process cartridge 5 is detached from the drawer frame 45, each drum cover 51 covers the entire image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7 as shown in FIGS. Further, it is disposed at a protective position facing the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7. Further, the locking portions 36 of the respective drum covers 51 are urged inward in the width direction by receiving the urging force from the spring members 32 in contact with the corresponding widthwise inner ends 42 of the guide holes 40. ing.

  When the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45, the process cartridge is arranged such that the tip (upper end) of the rib member 46 is inserted into the gap 38 between the operated members 65 formed on the two inner drum covers 51. 5 is moved downward from above the drawer frame 45. In the middle of this movement, the inclined surface 66 formed on the operated member 65 contacts the inclined surface 47 of the rib member 46.

  When the process cartridge 5 is further moved downward from this state, a force including a force component on the outer side in the width direction is applied to the inner two drum covers 51a and 51b by the inclined surface 47 of the rib member 46. Thus, the inner two drum covers 51a and 51b are slid and moved to both sides outward in the width direction against the urging force from the spring member 32, and the cover portions 52 of the inner two drum covers 51a and 51b. Overlaps the cover portions 52 of the two outer drum covers 51a and 51b. At this time, each spring member 32 expands as the locking portion 36 moves outward in the width direction along the guide hole 40.

  When the process cartridge 5 is further moved downward, the inner surface 2 moves as the inclined surface 66 of the operated member 65 of the inner two drum covers 51 a and 51 b slides on the inclined surface 47 of the rib member 46. The two drum covers 51a and 51b are further moved outward in the width direction, and the slide portions 33 of the two inner drum covers 51a and 51b abut against the slide portions 33 of the two outer drum covers 51a and 51b. Then, the outer two drum covers 51a and 51b are urged toward the outer side in the width direction by the inner two drum covers 51a and 51b, so that the outer two drum covers 51a and 51b In a state of being overlapped with 51b, it is slid and moved to both sides outward in the width direction against the urging force from the spring member 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the mounting of the process cartridge 5 to the drawer frame 45 is completed, all the drum covers 51 are moved to the retracted position that does not face the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7, and each drum cover 51 is moved. The cover portion 52 is arranged so as to overlap the claw portion 56 of the guide member 55, and the inner side surfaces in the width direction of the slide portion 33 of the two inner drum covers 51 a and 51 b are on both side surfaces 48 of the base portion 46 b of the rib member 46. Abutted. Accordingly, the drum cover 51 can be held at the comparison position in a state where the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45.

  The process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45 while the plate-like rib member 46 is received in the gap 38. Therefore, since the front-rear direction interval of the process cartridge 5 is determined by the front-rear direction interval of the rib members 46, the front-rear direction positioning of the process cartridge 5 is achieved as the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45. The

Further, the base 46 b enters the notch 39 of the guide member 31 of the process cartridge 5 in a state where the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the drawer frame 45. Thereby, further downward movement of the process cartridge 5 is restricted, and the vertical positioning of the process cartridge 5 with respect to the drawer frame 45 is achieved.
The structure of the process cartridge 5 shown in FIGS. 9 to 14 can also provide the same effects as those of the process cartridge 5 shown in FIGS.

  Further, in the state where the drum cover 51 is disposed at the protection position, the entire area of the opening 27 is covered by the cover portion 52 of each drum cover 51. Thereby, the entire image forming area of the photosensitive drum 7 can be protected by the drum cover 51.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the rear right side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the lower left rear side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear right side, showing a state in which a part of the process cartridge is disassembled. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a part of the drawer frame together with the process cartridge in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer frame. 6 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a state in which a part of the process cartridge is disassembled in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer frame. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drum unit as viewed from the lower right rear side, and shows a state in which the process cartridge is detached from the drawer frame. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the attaching / detaching operation of the drum unit 3 with respect to the main casing 2. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention viewed from the right rear side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the lower left rear side. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a state in which a part of the process cartridge is disassembled. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a part of the drawer frame together with the process cartridge in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer frame. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the rear right side, and shows a state in which a part of the process cartridge is disassembled in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer frame. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the drum unit as viewed from the lower right rear side, and shows a state where the process cartridge is detached from the drawer frame.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 2 Main body casing 3 Drum unit 5 Process cartridge 7 Photosensitive drum 20 Frame 27 Opening part 28 Rack gear 30 Drum cover 32 Spring member 35 Pinion gear 38 Gap 40 Guide hole 42 Width direction inner side edge 46 Rib member 47 Inclined surface 48 Both sides

Claims (43)

A process cartridge;
A mounting member to which the process cartridge is mounted;
The process cartridge is
A frame having an opening;
A photosensitive drum that is held by the frame and a part of a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is disposed to face the opening;
In a state where the frame is slidably movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and is disposed at a protection position facing an image forming region on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum where an electrostatic latent image is formed. A protective member for protecting the photosensitive drum,
It is mounted on the mounted member by movement in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction,
The mounting member includes a first operation member for sliding the protection member from the protection position to a retracted position that does not face the image forming area as the process cartridge is mounted on the mounting member. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second operation member that slides the protection member from the retracted position to the protection position when the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second operation member is provided in the process cartridge and is an urging member for urging the protection member from the retracted position toward the protection position. The protective members are provided in at least one pair side by side in the axial direction,
Each retracted position of the pair of protective members is set separately on both sides in the axial direction with respect to the image forming region,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the biasing member is provided between the pair of protection members.   5. The process cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising a stopper portion for restricting movement of the protection member at the protection position in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member. The image forming apparatus described in the item.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge includes a guide portion for guiding sliding movement of the protection member. A plurality of rack gears extending in parallel to the axial direction are formed on the frame,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection member includes a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the protection members are provided side by side in the axial direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an interval is formed between the protection members in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection positions.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where each of the protection members is disposed at the protection position. The first operating member is formed in a plate shape having a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and a plane along the axial direction, and has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the process cartridge includes a receiving portion that receives the first operation member. The first operating member has both side surfaces orthogonal to the plane and along the mounting direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the protection member is in contact with the both side surfaces in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a width in the axial direction between the both side surfaces of the first operation member is larger than a width in the axial direction of the image forming region in the photosensitive drum. It has a device body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounted member is a drawer frame provided so as to be capable of being pulled out from the apparatus main body. A process cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus,
A frame having an opening;
A photosensitive drum that is held by the frame and a part of a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is disposed to face the opening;
Image formation provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and forming an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum as the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member. A protective member slidably moved from a protective position facing the region to a retracted position not facing the image forming region;
A process cartridge, comprising: a second operation member for sliding the protection member from the retracted position to the protection position when the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member.   The process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the second operation member is a biasing member for biasing the protection member from the retracted position toward the protection position. The protective members are provided in at least one pair side by side in the axial direction,
Each retracted position of the pair of protective members is set separately on both sides in the axial direction with respect to the image forming region,
The process cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the biasing member is provided between the pair of protection members.   The process according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising a stopper portion for restricting movement of the protection member at the protection position in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member. cartridge.   The process cartridge according to any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising a guide portion for guiding sliding movement of the protection member. A plurality of rack gears extending in parallel to the axial direction are formed on the frame,
The process cartridge according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the protection member includes a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear.   The process cartridge according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein a plurality of the protection members are provided side by side in the axial direction.   23. The process cartridge according to claim 22, wherein a space is formed between the protection members in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection position.   23. The process cartridge according to claim 22, wherein an entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where each of the protection members is disposed at the protection position. A process cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus,
A frame having an opening;
A photosensitive drum that is held by the frame and a part of a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is disposed to face the opening;
Image formation provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and forming an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum as the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member. A protective member slidably moved from a protective position facing the region to a retracted position not facing the image forming region;
A process cartridge comprising: a stopper portion for restricting movement of the protection member at the protection position in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the mounted member.   26. The process cartridge according to claim 25, further comprising a guide portion for guiding sliding movement of the protection member. A plurality of rack gears extending in parallel to the axial direction are formed on the frame,
27. The process cartridge according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the protection member includes a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear.   The process cartridge according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein a plurality of the protection members are provided side by side in the axial direction.   29. The process cartridge according to claim 28, wherein a space is formed between the protection members in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection positions.   29. The process cartridge according to claim 28, wherein an entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where each of the protection members is disposed at the protection position. A process cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus,
A frame having an opening;
A photosensitive drum that is held by the frame and a part of a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is disposed to face the opening;
The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and is attached to the mounting member by the movement in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. from the image forming region and facing the protecting position where the electrostatic latent image is formed, and a protective member to be slid to the retracted position not opposed to the image forming region, the process cartridge.   32. The process cartridge according to claim 31, further comprising a guide portion for guiding sliding movement of the protection member. A plurality of rack gears extending in parallel to the axial direction are formed on the frame,
The process cartridge according to claim 31 or 32 , wherein the protection member includes a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 31 to 33 , wherein a plurality of the protection members are provided side by side in the axial direction. 35. The process cartridge according to claim 34 , wherein an interval is formed between each of the protection members in a state where each of the protection members is disposed at the protection position. 35. The process cartridge according to claim 34 , wherein an entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where each of the protection members is disposed at the protection position. A process cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus,
A frame having an opening;
A photosensitive drum that is held by the frame and a part of a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is disposed to face the opening;
Image formation provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and forming an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum as the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member. A protection member that is slid from a protection position facing the region to a retracted position not facing the image forming region,
A plurality of rack gears extending in parallel to the axial direction are formed on the frame,
The process cartridge includes a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear. 38. The process cartridge according to claim 37 , wherein a plurality of the protective members are provided side by side in the axial direction. 39. The process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein a space is formed between the protection members in a state where the protection members are arranged at the protection position. 39. The process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein an entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where each of the protection members is disposed at the protection position. A process cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounted member provided in the image forming apparatus,
A frame having an opening;
A photosensitive drum that is held by the frame and a part of a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is disposed to face the opening;
Image formation provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to the frame, and forming an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum as the process cartridge is mounted on the mounted member. A protection member that is slid from a protection position facing the region to a retracted position not facing the image forming region,
A process cartridge, wherein a plurality of the protection members are provided side by side in the axial direction. 42. The process cartridge according to claim 41 , wherein an interval is formed between the protective members in a state where the protective members are arranged at the protective positions. 42. The process cartridge according to claim 41 , wherein an entire area of the opening is covered by the protection member in a state where each of the protection members is disposed at the protection position.

Images