JP5013174B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus comprising: a belt constructed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction; and a plurality of units that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body and perform a part of an electrophotographic image forming process. The unit is arranged to face the belt and incline in the same direction as the inclination of the belt, and on the opposite side of the plurality of units to the side opposite to the inclination of the belt, the same as the inclination to the horizontal direction. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus is known that has an inclined surface that inclines in a direction and is positioned such that a part of adjacent units overlap vertically when the plurality of units are mounted on an apparatus main body (Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2006-30241 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily attaching and detaching an image forming structure to and from an image forming apparatus main body.

The present invention according to claim 1 has at least an image forming apparatus main body provided with an opening / closing member and an image holding body for holding a developer image, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body by opening the opening / closing member. A plurality of image forming structures and the plurality of image forming structures adjacent to one of the plurality of image forming structures when the image forming structure is to be attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus main body. By relatively changing the posture of the plurality of image forming structures from a first position that interferes with another one of the plurality of image forming structures, the one adjacent to one of the plurality of image forming structures is a moving mechanism for moving to a second position not another one interference of a plurality of image forming structure, an image forming apparatus having a.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the first position to the second position in response to the opening / closing member being opened. The image forming apparatus described.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the second position to the first position in response to the opening / closing member being closed. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus according to 2.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intermediate transfer member to which a developer image formed on the image carrier is primarily transferred, and a secondary transfer for transferring the developer image transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium. And a guide mechanism for guiding the intermediate transfer member so as to move between a mounting position mounted in the image forming apparatus main body and an open position for opening the image forming apparatus main body. And the moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the first position to the second position in accordance with the movement of the intermediate transfer body from the mounting position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the second position to the first position in response to the intermediate transfer member moving from the open position to the mounting position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is moved to position 1.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveying member that conveys a recording medium, a transfer member that transfers a developer image held by the image holding member to the recording medium that is conveyed by the conveying member, and the image forming apparatus main body. A guide mechanism for guiding the transport member so as to move between a mounting position mounted in the image forming apparatus and an open position for opening the image forming apparatus main body, the moving mechanism including the transport member 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image forming structures are moved from the first position to the second position in response to the movement of the image forming apparatus from the mounting position to the open position. 5. It is.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the second position to the first position in response to the transfer member moving from the open position to the mounting position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is moved to the position.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving source provided on the image forming apparatus main body side, a connecting mechanism that connects the driving source and the image holding body, and the moving mechanism that connects the image forming structure to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a release mechanism that releases the connection between the drive source and the image holding body by the connection mechanism before the movement from the first position to the second position. is there.

  The present invention according to claim 9 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the release mechanism releases the connection between the drive source and the rotation member in response to the opening / closing member being opened.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the connecting mechanism connects the driving source and the rotating member in response to the opening / closing member being closed.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intermediate transfer member to which a developer image formed on the image carrier is primarily transferred, and a secondary transfer for transferring the developer image transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium. And a guide mechanism for guiding the intermediate transfer member so as to move between a mounting position mounted in the image forming apparatus main body and an open position for opening the image forming apparatus main body. 11. The release mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the release mechanism releases and connects the drive source and the image holding body when the intermediate transfer body moves from the mounting position to the open position. This is an image forming apparatus.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the connecting mechanism connects the driving source and the rotating member in accordance with the movement of the intermediate transfer member from the open position to the mounting position. An image forming apparatus.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveying member that conveys a recording medium, a transfer member that transfers a developer image held by the image holding member to the recording medium conveyed by the conveying member, and the image forming apparatus main body. A guide mechanism for guiding the transport member so as to move between a mounting position mounted inside and an open position for opening the image forming apparatus main body, and the release mechanism includes the transport member 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the connection between the drive source and the image holding body is released and released in response to the movement of the drive source to the open position.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the connection mechanism connects the driving source and the image holding body in response to the transport member moving from the open position to the mounting position. An image forming apparatus.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the image forming structure is arranged such that the rotation center of the image forming structure is substantially the same as that of the image-shaped holding body and rotates. It is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily attaching and detaching the image forming structure to and from the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of image forming structures are moved from the first position to the second position in response to the opening / closing member being opened. As compared with an image forming apparatus that does not have a moving mechanism for moving to an image forming position, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can take out the image forming structure from the main body of the image forming apparatus with fewer operation steps.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the first or second aspect, the plurality of image forming structures are moved from the second position in response to the closing of the opening / closing member. To provide an image forming apparatus capable of mounting an image forming structure in an image forming apparatus main body with fewer operation steps compared to an image forming apparatus and an apparatus that does not have a moving mechanism for moving to a first position. it can.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, a plurality of image forming structures are provided in accordance with the movement of the intermediate transfer member from the mounting position to the open position. Compared with an image forming apparatus that does not have a moving mechanism for moving the body from the first position to the second position, an image forming apparatus that can take out the image forming structure from the image forming apparatus main body with fewer operation steps. Can be provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the fourth aspect, the plurality of image forming structures are moved in response to the movement of the intermediate transfer member from the open position to the mounting position. Provided is an image forming apparatus in which an image forming structure can be mounted in an image forming apparatus main body with fewer operation steps compared to an image forming apparatus that does not have a moving mechanism for moving from a second position to a first position. be able to.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, a plurality of image forming structures are provided in response to the transport member moving from the mounting position to the open position. Compared with an image forming apparatus that does not have a moving mechanism for moving the image from the first position to the second position, an image forming apparatus that can take out the image forming structure from the image forming apparatus main body with fewer operation steps is provided. can do.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the sixth aspect, the plurality of image forming structures are provided in accordance with the movement of the conveying member from the open position to the mounting position. To provide an image forming apparatus capable of mounting an image forming structure in an image forming apparatus main body with fewer operation steps compared to an image forming apparatus having no moving mechanism for moving from a position to a first position. it can.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, before the moving mechanism moves the image forming structure from the first position to the second position, The image forming structure can be easily taken out from the image forming apparatus main body as compared with an image forming apparatus that does not have a release mechanism that releases the connection between the driving source and the image holding body. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the eighth aspect, there is no release mechanism for releasing the connection between the drive source and the rotating member in response to the opening / closing member being opened. As compared with the image forming apparatus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can take out the image forming structure from the main body of the image forming apparatus with fewer operation steps.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the eighth or ninth aspect, there is provided a rolling mechanism for connecting the drive source and the rotating member in response to the closing of the opening / closing member. As compared with the image forming apparatus that does not, the image forming structure can be mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus with fewer operation steps, but the image forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the drive source and the image holding body according to the movement of the intermediate transfer body from the mounting position to the open position. As compared with an image forming apparatus that does not have a release mechanism for connecting and releasing the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus that can take out the image forming structure from the main body of the image forming apparatus can be provided with fewer operation steps.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the eleventh aspect, the drive source and the rotating member are coupled in accordance with the movement of the intermediate transfer member from the open position to the mounting position. As compared with an image forming apparatus that does not have a coupling mechanism, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can mount the image forming structure on the main body of the image forming apparatus with fewer operation steps.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the drive source, the image holding body, As compared with an image forming apparatus that does not have a release mechanism for connecting and releasing the image forming apparatus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can take out the image forming structure from the main body of the image forming apparatus with fewer operation steps.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the thirteenth aspect, the connection that connects the driving source and the rotating member in response to the transfer member moving from the open position to the mounting position. As compared with an image forming apparatus having no mechanism, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of mounting the image forming structure on the main body of the image forming apparatus with fewer operation steps.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the rotation center of the image forming structure is arranged at a position where the rotation center is substantially the same as the rotation center of the image forming body. As compared with an image forming apparatus that is not provided, an image forming apparatus that can easily maintain the positional accuracy of the image carrier can be provided.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12, and the left side in FIG. 1 is the front side of the image forming apparatus 10, the operator is located on the operation side where the operator operates the image forming apparatus 10. It has become. Although the image forming apparatus 10 is designed on the assumption that the operation is performed from the operation side and the maintenance work is performed, the operator may be located and operated at a position other than the operation side to perform the maintenance work. it can.

  The image forming apparatus main body 12 has an opening 13 formed from the top to the front, and an upper opening / closing cover 14 used as an opening / closing member so as to open / close the opening 13 and a front opening / closing used as an opening / closing member. A cover 15 is attached. The upper opening / closing cover 14 can be opened / closed in the direction indicated by the arrow a in the figure, and the upper part of the upper opening / closing cover 14 is used as a recording medium, and is used as a discharge unit 16 from which a sheet on which an image is formed is discharged. ing. The front opening / closing cover 15 can be opened and closed in the direction indicated by the arrow b in the figure. The front opening / closing cover 15 can be opened with the upper opening / closing cover 14 open, and cannot be opened when the upper opening / closing cover 14 is closed.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 12, a latent image is formed on the four photoconductors 20 and the four image forming structures 22 each including a transfer unit 18 and a photoconductor 20 used as an image holding member. An optical writing device 24 used as a latent image forming unit, a fixing device 26, and a paper feeding device 28 are mounted.

  The transfer unit 18 includes an intermediate transfer belt 30 used as an intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer belt 30 primarily transfers the developer images respectively formed by the image forming structures 22 and conveys the transferred developer images. The intermediate transfer belt 30 is stretched so as to be rotated by, for example, five support rolls 32. At least one of the five support rolls is used as a drive roll, and the support roll 32 used as the drive roll transmits drive to the intermediate transfer belt 30, and the intermediate transfer belt 30 is indicated by an arrow c in FIG. It is rotationally driven in the direction shown. Of the support rolls 32, those that are not used as drive rolls are used as follower rolls, and rotate following the intermediate transfer belt 30.

  The transfer unit 18 includes four transfer rolls 34, and a transfer bias is applied to the transfer roll 34, so that the developer image formed on the photoconductor 20 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30. Is done. Details of the transfer unit 18 will be described later.

  Each of the image forming structures 22 can be taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 12 through the opening 13 and has the photoconductor 20 as described above. Form an image. The image forming structure 22 is, for example, for yellow developer image formation, magenta developer image formation, cyan developer image formation, and black developer image formation in order from the left side in FIG. Details of the image forming structure 22 will be described later.

  In addition, the length between the image forming structure 22 arranged at a position closest to the conveyance path 46 described later and the end of the intermediate transfer belt 30 on the conveyance path 46 side among the four image forming structures 22. L1, the length between the image forming structure 22 arranged at the farthest position from the conveyance path 46 among the four image forming structures 22 and the end of the intermediate transfer belt 30 opposite to the conveyance path 46. When L2 is L2, L1 is longer than L2 (L1> L2).

  The optical writing device 24 uses a scanning laser exposure device, and forms a latent image on the photoconductor 20 by irradiating the photoconductor 20 with a laser. As the optical writing device 24, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be used instead of using a laser exposure device.

  The fixing device 26 is used for image formation, is used for transporting paper, and is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 12. The fixing device 26 is often heavier than other members used for image formation and paper conveyance. For example, if the fixing device 26 moves as the opening / closing member such as the upper opening / closing cover 14 moves, A large load may be applied to the opening / closing member and the support portion that supports the opening / closing member, and the device may be easily damaged, or a force may be required to open and close the opening / closing member. Since the fixing device 26 has a heat source as will be described later, it is safer not to move the fixing device 26. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the fixing device 26 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  The fixing device 26 includes a heating roll 36 and a pressure roll 38 that is pressed against the heating roll 36, and heats the unfixed developer held on the sheet by the heating roll 36 and the pressure roll 38. The sheet is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction while being fixed to the sheet by pressing.

  The paper feeder 28 includes a storage container 40 in which sheets are stacked and stored. The storage container 40 can be pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 12 to the front side (left side in FIG. 1) as indicated by an arrow d in FIG. Since the storage container 40 is pulled out to the front side, the operator replenishes the sheet from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 12 to the storage container 40 pulled out to the front side. In addition to enabling the storage container 40 to be pulled out to the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 12, the storage container 40 may be pulled out to the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  The paper feeding device 28 has a pickup roll 42 and a separating roll 44, and prevents the paper from being double-fed by being rolled up by the separating roll 44, while the uppermost sheet stored in the storage container 40 by the pickup roll 42. Is picked up, and the picked up paper is fed downstream in the conveying direction.

  A conveyance path 46 is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 12 starting from the paper feeding device 28. The conveyance path 46 is used for conveying a sheet onto which the developer image conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred. For example, the conveyance path 46 includes two guide plates (not shown) for guiding the sheet. The sheet passes between the plates and is conveyed.

In the image forming apparatus main body 12 along the conveyance path 46, the pickup roll 42, the separating roll 44, the registration rolls 48 and 50, and the secondary transfer roll 52 are sequentially arranged from the lower side in the gravity direction upstream of the sheet conveyance direction. A fixing device 26 and a discharge roll 54 are provided. The resist rolls 48 and 50 are in contact with each other and convey the sheet at the contact portion. The registration rolls 48 and 50 temporarily stop the leading edge of the conveyed paper, and supply the stopped leading edge of the paper to the contact portion between the secondary transfer roll 52 and the intermediate transfer belt 30 at a predetermined timing. The secondary transfer roll 52 is used as a transfer member, is applied with a secondary transfer bias, and secondarily transfers the developer image held on the intermediate transfer belt 30 onto a sheet. The discharge roller 54 discharges the sheet on which the developer image has been fixed by the fixing device 26 to the discharge unit 16.

  2 and 3, details of the imaging structure 22 are shown. The four image forming structures 22 have the same structure although the color of the developer used and the color of the developer image to be formed are different. The image forming structure 22 includes an image forming structure main body 60, and a charging device 62, a developing device 64, and a cleaning device 66 are provided in the image forming structure main body 60 together with the above-described photoreceptor 20. ing. The charging device 62 includes, for example, a charging roll, and uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 20. The developing device 64 has a developing roll 65 used as a developer holding member, and supplies the developer to the photosensitive member 20 using the developing roll 65, so that the optical writing device 24 (see FIG. 1) causes the photosensitive member to move. The latent image formed on 20 is developed to form a developer image on the surface of the photoreceptor 20. The cleaning device 66 has a cleaning member 68 made of, for example, a blade, and remains on the surface of the photoconductor 20 after the primary transfer of the developer image from the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the transfer roll 34 described above. The developer to be removed is removed using a cleaning member 68, and the photosensitive member 20 is cleaned.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an outer surface of the image forming structure main body 60 is used as a connected unit, and, for example, a connected part 63 including a recess is provided. Further, a connected portion (not shown) is also formed at a position on the back side of the image forming structure main body 60 in FIGS. The connected portion 63 is provided in a moving mechanism 74 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 12 and can be connected to a connecting portion 75 used as connecting means. The image forming structure 22 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 12 such that the connected portion 63 is connected to the connecting portion 75. On the other hand, when the image forming structure 22 is taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 12, the connection between the connected portion 63 and the connecting portion 75 is released.

The moving mechanism 74 is used to rotate the image forming structure 22 from the position shown in FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing, and the image forming structure 22 rotated in the direction of the arrow in the direction opposite to the arrow. It is used to rotate and move to the position shown in FIG. Details of the moving mechanism 74 will be described later.

  The image forming structure 22 is connected to the image forming apparatus main body 12 via a connecting mechanism 76, and is connected to a drive source 77 made of, for example, a motor. The drive source 77 is connected to the photoconductor 20 included in the image forming structure 22 via the connection mechanism 76, and transmits the drive to the photoconductor 20 to rotate the photoconductor 20 when image formation is performed. The developing roll 65 may be driven by the driving source 77. The connection mechanism 76 is provided with a release mechanism 78. The release mechanism 78 is used to release the connection of the photoconductor 20 and the drive source 77 by the connection mechanism 76. Details of the coupling mechanism 76 and the release mechanism 78 will be described later.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, the latent image is written on the surface of the photoconductor 20 uniformly charged by the charging device 62 by the optical writing device 24, and the latent image written on the photoconductor 20 is written. The developer image developed by the developing device 64 and formed on the surface of the photoconductor 20 by the development is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the transfer roll 34. The developer images are transferred from the four photoconductors 20, so that a yellow developer image, a magenta developer image, a cyan developer image, and a black developer image are formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 30. A superimposed multi-color developer image is formed, and this multi-color developer image is supplied from the paper feeding device 28 and is transferred between the secondary transfer roll 52 and the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the registration roll 50 at a predetermined timing. Secondary transfer is performed on the paper supplied to the contact portion. The developer image transferred to the sheet is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 26, and the sheet on which the developer image is fixed is discharged to the discharge unit 16 by the discharge roll 54.

  4 and 5 show details of the transfer unit 18 and a guide mechanism 79. FIG. The guide mechanism 79 opens and closes between the image forming structure 22 and the intermediate transfer belt 30 and between the intermediate transfer belt 30 and the secondary transfer roll 52 in accordance with the opening and closing of the upper opening / closing cover 14 described above. And a mechanism for guiding the intermediate transfer belt 30 to rotate. By the guide mechanism 79, the intermediate transfer belt 30 is closed between the image forming structure 22 and the secondary transfer roll 52 and the intermediate transfer belt 30, and between the image forming structure 22 and the secondary transfer roll 52 and the intermediate transfer belt 52. The transfer belt 30 is guided so as to move between open positions where the transfer belt 30 is opened. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the intermediate transfer belt 30 is arranged at the closing position, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the intermediate transfer belt 30 is arranged in the open position.

  The transfer unit 18 is connected to the upper opening / closing cover 14 so as to move integrally with the upper opening / closing cover 14 relative to the image forming apparatus main body 12. The transfer unit 18 has a pair of transfer side plates 80 arranged so as to face each other, so that the five support rolls 32 described above can rotate in a space formed between the two transfer side plates. The intermediate transfer belt 30 is supported by these support rolls 32 so that the intermediate transfer belt 30 can rotate. In FIG. 4, only the transfer side plate 80 of the two transfer side plates 80 positioned on the near side is shown, but the transfer side plate having the same shape as the transfer side plate 80 arranged on the near side is shown in FIG. 4. On the back side, these two transfer side plates 80 are connected.

  The guide mechanism 79 is an outer surface of the transfer side plate 80 and is on the right end side in FIGS. 4 and 5, that is, on the side opposite to the operation side of the image forming apparatus 10, and the secondary transfer roll 52 is provided. For example, two protrusions 82 and 84 are provided so as to protrude from the outer surface of the transfer side plate 80. Each of the protrusions 82 and 84 is used as a supported portion used for supporting the transfer unit 18 by another member, and has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.

  The guide mechanism 79 has a main body side plate, which will be described later, and the main body side plate includes a guide groove 86 and a guide groove 88 that are used as a plurality of arcuate support portions that rotatably support the intermediate transfer belt 30. , And the tip end side of the projection 82 is inserted into the guide groove 86, and the tip end side of the projection 84 is inserted into the guide groove 88. The guide groove 86 is a groove that is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the protrusion 82, and the protrusion 82 can move along the guide groove 86 in the guide groove 86. The guide groove 88 is a groove that is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the protrusion 84, and the protrusion 84 can move along the guide groove 86 in the guide groove 88.

  Both the guide groove 86 and the guide groove 88 have a substantially arc shape, and are both arranged on a concentric circle having the center as O. The center O is located on the right side of the image forming apparatus main body 12, that is, on the side surface on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 12, and above the space occupied by the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  Further, the guide mechanism 79 includes a support member 90. The support member 90 is an outer surface of the transfer side plate 80 and is a front side of the protrusions 82 and 84, and is mounted so that one end side can rotate at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the transfer unit 18. . Further, a protrusion 92 is formed on the other end side of the support member 90 in a direction protruding to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10. The protrusion 92 has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, and the tip end side is inserted into the guide groove 94.

The guide groove 94 is formed on a main body side plate, which will be described later, in the same manner as the guide grooves 86 and 88 used as a plurality of arcuate support portions that rotatably support the intermediate transfer belt 30. The guide groove 94 is a groove that is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the protrusion 92, and the protrusion 92 can move along the guide groove 94 in the guide groove 94. The guide groove 94 has a substantially arc shape, and is arranged on a concentric circle having the center as O together with the guide grooves 86 and 88 described above. That is, the guide groove 86, the guide groove 88, and the guide groove 94 are all arranged on a concentric circle with the center being O.

  Further, the guide mechanism 79 has an elastic body 96. The elastic body 96 is used as an urging means, and is attached to a portion of the support member 90 where, for example, the protrusion 92 is formed, and is made of, for example, a coil spring. The other end of the elastic body 96 is attached to a projection 98 fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 12 so as to protrude toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 12. The elastic body 96 urges the end of the support member 90 on the side where the protrusion 92 is provided toward the upper left in FIG. 4 and substantially upward in FIG.

  As described above, the transfer unit 18 is supported by the guide mechanism 79 at the three points of the guide groove 86, the guide groove 88, and the guide groove 94 via the protrusion 82, the protrusion 84, and the support member 90. The guide groove 86, the guide groove 88, and the guide groove 94 are provided on a substantially arc whose center is common to the center O. Therefore, when the front side of the upper opening / closing cover 14 in the closed position shown in FIG. 4 is lifted, the upper opening / closing cover 14, the transfer unit 18, and the intermediate transfer belt 30 have the protrusions 82, 84, and 92 respectively provided as guide grooves. 86, 88, and 94, and rotates clockwise about the center O as the center of rotation. As shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate transfer belt 30 includes the image forming structure 22 and the secondary transfer roll. It moves to the open position which opens between 52.

  When the transfer unit 18 moves, the transfer unit 18 receives a force in the clockwise direction from the elastic body 96 via the support member 90. For this reason, in order to move the transfer unit 18 and the like, it is necessary to rotate the transfer unit 18 and the like in the upward direction, but the operator moves the transfer unit 18 and the like in a state where the load of gravity is reduced. Can be made. In the position where the intermediate transfer belt 30 is opened between the image forming structure 22 and the secondary transfer roll 52 and the intermediate transfer belt 30 shown in FIG. Receives a clockwise force. For this reason, the transfer unit 18 stops in a stable state at a position where the opening portion 13 is opened. In some cases, a lock mechanism may be provided and locked at a position where the opening 13 is opened.

  FIG. 6 shows the main body side plate 100 attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12. The aforementioned guide groove 86, guide groove 88, and guide groove 94 are formed on the inner surface of the main body side plate 100.

  The protrusion 82, protrusion 84, guide groove 86, guide groove 88, support member 90, protrusion 92, guide groove 94, elastic body 96, and main body side plate 100 described above are on the front side in FIGS. Although only those that are positioned are shown, like the transfer side plate 80, two are provided on each of the front side and the back side in FIGS.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus main body 12 enters the image forming apparatus main body 12 through the opening portion 13 of the image forming apparatus main body 12 that is opened when the transfer unit 18 moves to the open position. The image forming structure 22 is attached and detached. In addition, for example, a sheet having a conveyance failure is removed from the conveyance path 46 (see FIG. 1) through the opening portion 13. That is, when the transfer unit 18 and the intermediate transfer belt 30 are moved to the open position, a space is formed in front of the transport path 46 where the secondary transfer roll 52 is disposed, and the transport path 46 passes through this space. The paper is removed, and the removed paper is taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  7 to 9 show the front opening / closing cover 15 and the moving mechanism 74. The front opening / closing cover 15 is movable between a mounting position where the front opening / closing cover 15 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 12 and an open position where the opening portion 13 formed on the image forming apparatus main body 12 is opened. 8 and 9 show a state in which the front opening / closing cover 15 is arranged at the mounting position, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state in which the front opening / closing cover 15 is arranged in the opening position.

The moving mechanism 74 has the connecting portion 75 (see FIG. 3) as described above, and the image forming structure 22 is connected to the connecting portion 75. Each of the connecting portions 75 is formed as a protrusion on one end side of the connecting member 110 provided with the same number of four image forming structures 22 mounted on the image forming apparatus 10. The other end side of the connecting member 110 is rotatably attached to the first link member 112, respectively. The first link member 112 is rotatably connected to one end side of the second link member 114, and the other end side of the second link member 114 is rotatably connected to the front opening / closing cover 15.

  The moving mechanism 74 is a mechanism for moving the image forming structure 22 as described above, and the image forming structure 22 is moved to the first position shown in FIG. 7 and the second position shown in FIGS. Move between. In the first position, the image forming structures 22 are adjacent to each other at the position indicated by E in FIG. 7 in the attaching / detaching direction of the image forming structure 22 indicated by arrows in FIG. It arrange | positions so that it may overlap with the formation structure 22. FIG. Therefore, when the image forming structure 22 is to be taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 12 in the state of being arranged at the first position, it interferes with the image forming structure 22 arranged next to the front side (left side in FIG. 7). To do. Further, the image forming structure 22 is used for image formation in a state of being arranged at the first position.

  In a state where the image forming structure 22 is disposed at the second position, as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming structure 22 is arranged in the attaching / detaching direction of the image forming structure 22 indicated by an arrow in FIG. Arranged without overlapping. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the image forming structure 22 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12 without interfering with the adjacent image forming structure 22.

  In the moving mechanism 74, the front opening / closing cover 15 is moved from the state where the front opening / closing cover 15 is in the mounting position and the image forming structure 22 is in the first position, as shown by the arrows in FIG. When the front opening / closing cover 15 is moved to the open position, the moving operation is performed via the second link member 114, the first link member 112, and the four connecting members 110. Each of the image forming structures 22 is transmitted. Then, the four image forming structures 22 rotate and move in accordance with the moving operation of the front opening / closing cover 15, and move to the second position as shown in FIG. Then, in the state of being arranged at the second position, the image forming structure 22 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 12 by being lifted substantially upward in the direction of gravity as indicated by an arrow in FIG.

  When the image forming structure 22 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 12, the operations described above are performed in the reverse order. That is, in the state where the front opening / closing cover 15 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is disposed at the open position, the image forming structure 22 is connected to the moving mechanism 74 so that the connected portion 63 is connected to the connecting portion 75. Connected. Then, when the front opening / closing cover 15 is closed and the front opening / closing cover 15 is moved from the open position to the mounting position, the image forming structure 22 responds to the second movement shown in FIGS. Move from the position to the second position shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the image forming structure 22 moves between the first and second positions by opening and closing the front opening / closing cover 15, but interlocked with opening / closing of the upper opening / closing cover 14. Then, the image forming structure 22 may move between the first and second positions.

  In the first embodiment, the image forming structure 22 is moved between the first and second positions by opening and closing the front opening / closing cover 15. The image forming structure 22 may move between the first and second positions in conjunction with the movement of the unit 18. That is, the image forming structure 22 is shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 30 and the transfer unit 18 from the mounting position shown in FIG. 4 to the open position shown in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 30 and the transfer unit 18 are moved from the open position shown in FIG. 5 to the mounting position shown in FIG. 4 while being moved from the first position to the second position shown in FIGS. Accordingly, the image forming structure 22 may be configured to move from the second position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to the first position shown in FIG.

  10 and 11 show the configuration and operation of the coupling mechanism 76 and the release mechanism 78. FIG. The connection mechanism 76 is a mechanism that connects the drive source 77 and the photoconductor 20 included in the image forming structure 22 as described above, and transmits the drive from the drive source 77 to the photoconductor 20. The coupling mechanism 76 includes a first gear 120 coupled to the drive source 77 and a second gear 122 that meshes with the gear 120. A shaft 124 is fixed to the second gear 122 so as to pass through the rotation center of the second gear 122. An engaging portion 126 that can be engaged with the engaged portion 21 provided on the photosensitive member 20 is provided at the distal end portion of the shaft 124. Further, the second gear 122 is used as an urging means, and is in contact with one end side of an elastic body 128 made of, for example, a coil spring. The other end of the elastic body 128 is in contact with the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  As described above, the release mechanism 78 is a mechanism for releasing the connection between the drive source 77 and the photoconductor 20 by the connection mechanism 76, and the pressed member 130 whose one end contacts the second gear 122, and the pressed member A pressing member 132 that presses 130 is provided. The pressing member 132 is formed with a cam surface 134 so as to contact the pressed member 130, and has an arm portion 136 that is used to rotate the pressing member 132.

  The number of coupling mechanisms 76 and release mechanisms 78 is the same as the number of image forming structures 22, and four are provided, the same as the number of photoconductors 20. Four drive sources 77, which are the same as the number of photoconductors 20, may be provided, and a dedicated drive source 77 may be used for each photoconductor 20, or four photoconductors may be driven from one drive source 77. 20 may be transmitted.

  The four arm portions 136 are connected to the link member 140 so that the cam surface 134 side and the opposite side can rotate. The link member 140 is formed with a first pressed portion 142 on the rear side (right side in FIG. 11) and a second pressed portion 144 on the front side (left side in FIG. 11) so as to protrude upward. ing. The first pressed portion 142 and the second pressed portion 144 are pressed by a pressing portion 150 formed of a protrusion formed so as to protrude from the transfer side plate 80 (see FIG. 4).

  Since the pressing portion 150 is formed on the transfer side plate 80, it moves as the transfer side plate 80 moves, that is, moves as the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 move. . A chain double-dashed line in FIGS. 11A to 11D indicates a locus of movement of the pressing unit 150. When the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the transfer unit 18 are in the mounting position where the image forming apparatus main body 12 is mounted (see FIG. 4), the pressing portion 150 is disposed at the position shown in FIG. Then, the first pressed portion 142 is pressed toward the rear side (right side in FIG. 11) at the position shown in FIG.

  When the intermediate transfer belt 30 and the transfer unit 18 are moved from the mounting position mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 12 to the open position where the opening portion 13 formed on the image forming apparatus main body 12 is opened, this is accompanied. The pressing portion 150 moves from the position shown in FIG. 11 (a) to the position shown in FIG. 11 (d) through the positions shown in FIG. 11 (b) and FIG. 11 (c). Then, while the pressing portion 150 moves from the position shown in FIG. 11 (a) to the position shown in FIG. 11 (d), the second pressed portion 144 moves forward (left side in FIG. 11). The link member 140 is moved forward by pressing.

  On the other hand, when the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the transfer unit 18 are moved from the position where the opening portion 13 is opened to the mounting position where the image forming apparatus main body 12 is mounted, the pressing unit 150 is shown in FIG. It moves from the position shown in d) to the position shown in FIG. 11 (a) through the position shown in FIG. 11 (c) and the position shown in FIG. 11 (b). And in the process of movement, the pressing part 150 presses the 1st to-be-pressed part 142 back (right side in FIG. 11), and moves the link member 140 back.

  In the coupling mechanism 76 and the release mechanism 78 configured as described above, when the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 12, the arm unit 136 is As described above, it is at the position shown in FIG. FIG. 10B shows a cross section of the coupling mechanism 76 and the release mechanism 78 in a state where the arm portion 136 is in the position shown in FIG. 11A, as shown in FIG. 10B. When the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 are attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12, the drive source 77 and the photoconductor 20 are connected by the connection mechanism 76. That is, the second gear 122, the shaft 124, and the pressed member 130 are integrally pressed to the left in FIG. 10 by the elastic body 128, whereby the second gear 122, the shaft 124, and the pressed member 130 are pressed. The member 130 integrally moves to the left in the figure, and the engaging portion 126 provided on the shaft 124 engages with the engaged portion 21 of the photoreceptor 20, and the engaging portion 126 provided on the shaft 124 engages with the engaging portion 126. Engagement with the engaged portion 21 provided on the photoconductor 20 causes rotational drive of the drive source 77 to be applied to the photoconductor 20 via the first gear 120, the second gear 122, and the shaft 124. It is in a state to be transmitted.

  When the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 are moved from a state where they are attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 to a position where the opening 13 formed in the image forming apparatus main body 12 is opened. As described above, the second pressed portion 144 is pressed by the pressing portion 150, and the link member 140 moves forward. Then, as the link member 140 moves forward, the arm portion 136 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. When the arm portion 136 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 11, the pressing member 132 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 10 (b) to the position shown in FIG. 10 (a). Then, as the pressing member 132 rotates, the cam surface 134 of the pressing member 132 resists the urging force of the elastic body 128 so that the pressed member 130, the second gear 122, and the shaft 124 are moved in FIG. The member to be pressed 130, the second gear 122, and the shaft 124 are moved to the right in FIG. Then, when the shaft 124 moves to the right side in FIG. 10, the engaging portion 126 of the shaft 124 and the engaged portion 21 of the photoconductor 20 are separated from each other, and the link between the drive source 77 and the photoconductor 20 is released. The That is, the release mechanism 78 releases the connection between the drive source 77 and the photoconductor 20 in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 from the mounting position to the open position.

  Further, when the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 are in the open position for opening the open portion 13, the arm portion 136 is in the position shown in FIG. 11D as described above. . FIG. 10A is a view showing a cross section of the coupling mechanism 76 and the release mechanism 78 in a state where the arm portion 136 is in the position shown in FIG. 11D. FIG. As described above, when the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 are in the open position, the connection between the drive source 77 and the photoconductor 20 is released.

  When the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 are moved from the open position at which the opening 13 is opened to the mounting position at which the image forming apparatus main body 12 is mounted, as described above, The pressed portion 142 is pressed by the pressing portion 150, and the link member 140 moves rearward (right side in FIG. 11). As the link member 140 moves rearward, the arm member 136 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. When the arm portion 136 rotates clockwise in FIG. 11, the pressing member 132 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 10 (a) to the position shown in FIG. 10 (b). Then, when the pressing member 132 rotates, the cam surface 134 of the pressing member 132 moves, and when the cam surface 134 moves, the elastic body 128 urges the pressed member 130 and the second gear. 122 and the shaft 124 move to the left in FIG. Then, when the shaft 124 moves to the left in FIG. 10, the engaging portion 126 of the shaft 124 and the engaged portion 21 of the photoconductor 20 are engaged, and the drive source 77 and the photoconductor 20 are linked. . That is, the connecting mechanism 76 connects the drive source 77 and the photoconductor 20 in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 30, the transfer unit 18, and the upper opening / closing cover 14 from the open position to the mounting position.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the upper opening / closing cover 14, the intermediate transfer belt 30, and the transfer unit 18 are moved from the mounting position to the opening position, so that the front opening / closing cover 15 is moved from the mounting position to the opening position. You can move to. That is, when an attempt is made to move the upper opening / closing cover 14 and the front opening / closing cover 15 to the opening position from the state where image formation is performed in which the upper opening / closing cover 14 and the front opening / closing cover 15 are both mounted, It is necessary to move the front opening / closing cover 15 to the open position after the upper opening / closing cover 14, the intermediate transfer belt 30, and the transfer unit 18 are moved together to the open position. Therefore, before the front opening / closing cover 15 is moved to the open position, the upper opening / closing cover 14 is moved before the image forming structure 22 is moved to the second position where it does not overlap in the attaching / detaching direction (see FIG. 8). And the like, the release mechanism 78 releases the connection between the drive source 77 and the photosensitive member 20.

  In the first embodiment described above, the image forming structure 22 moves so as to rotate around the position where the coupled portion 63 is provided, but the image forming structure 22 rotates and moves. The image forming structure 22 may be rotated so that the rotation center at the time of rotation and the rotation center of the photoconductor 20 substantially coincide with each other.

12 to 14 show an image forming apparatus 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the transfer unit 18 has the intermediate transfer belt 30 that carries the developer image. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the transfer unit 18 includes a conveyance belt 158 that conveys a sheet. The conveyance belt 158 is used as a conveyance member, and conveys the paper supplied from the paper supply device 28 via the registration rolls 48 and 50 to the fixing device 26. While being transported by the transport belt 158, the developer image is transferred onto the paper by the transfer roller 34 from the photoreceptor 20 included in the image forming structure 22, and these developer images are transferred to the paper by the fixing device 26. Is established.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the transfer unit 18 is connected to the upper opening / closing cover 14, and together with the upper opening / closing cover 14, an opening position for opening the opening portion 13 and the mounting position attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12. It was supposed to be able to move between positions. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the transfer unit 18 is connected to the front opening / closing cover 15, and according to the opening / closing operation of the front opening / closing cover 15, the mounting position shown in FIG. It can move between the open positions shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment described above, the image forming structure 22 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12 substantially upward in the direction of gravity (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the image forming structure 22 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12 in a substantially horizontal direction. .

  In the first embodiment described above, the first link member 112 of the moving mechanism 74 is connected to each image forming structure 22 via the connecting member 110. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the first link member 112 is connected to the projection 116 formed on the image forming structure 22 so as to be rotatable. In addition, an elastic body 162 that is used as an urging member, for example, a coil spring, is connected to the lower end side of the first link member 112 and is urged downward by the elastic body 162.

  In the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus main body 12 is provided with a positioning member 166 used as positioning means for positioning the image forming structure 22 and the photoconductor 20 included in the image forming structure 22. . The positioning member 166 positions the image forming structure 22 and the photoconductor 20 from the rear side (the right side in FIG. 12), for example, in contact with a bearing provided on the photoconductor 20.

  In the second embodiment, the image forming structure 22 is moved in accordance with the movement of the upper opening / closing cover 14 from the mounting position shown in FIG. 13 to the open position shown in FIG. FIG. 13 moves from the first position that overlaps in the attaching / detaching direction to the second position that does not overlap in the attaching / detaching direction shown in FIG. 14. Further, when the upper opening / closing cover 14 moves from the open position to the mounting position, the image forming structure 22 moves from the second position to the first position.

  In the second embodiment, the image forming structure 22 rotates around the photosensitive member 20 when moving between the first and second positions. That is, the rotation center of the photoconductor 20 and the rotation center of the image forming structure 22 are substantially coincident. For this reason, the image forming structure 22 moves between the first and second positions while the photosensitive member 20 is positioned by the positioning member 166 and maintained.

  In the second embodiment, the image forming structure 22 is configured to move between the first position and the second position in accordance with the opening / closing of the upper opening / closing cover 14. The image forming structure 22 moves between the first position and the second position in response to the opening / closing cover 15, the conveyance belt 158, and the transfer unit 18 being opened and closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 12. You may do it. The second embodiment also has a connection mechanism (not shown) for connecting the photoconductor 20 and a drive source (not shown), as in the first embodiment, and the image forming structure 22 is provided. Before moving from the first position to the second position, a release mechanism (not shown) for releasing the connection between the photoconductor 20 and the drive source is provided.

  As described above, the present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming structures attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the image forming structure used for the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming structure used in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the transfer unit used in the first embodiment of the present invention is disposed at a mounting position mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the transfer unit used in the first embodiment of the present invention is disposed at an open position that opens an open portion formed in the image forming apparatus main body. It is a side view which shows the main body side board used for the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 shows an image forming structure rotating device used in a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the image forming structure is arranged at a first position where at least a part of the image forming structure is arranged overlapping in the attaching / detaching direction. It is a side view which shows the state. The side view which shows the image formation structure rotation apparatus used for the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state arrange | positioned in the 2nd position where an image formation structure is arrange | positioned in the attachment / detachment direction without overlapping. It is. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image forming structure rotating device used in the first embodiment of the present invention and explaining how the image forming structure is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the connection between the drive source and the photoconductor is released, and FIG. 10B shows the connection mechanism and the release mechanism used in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a drive source and a photoconductor are connected. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating operations of a coupling mechanism and a release mechanism used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 shows an image forming structure rotating device used in the second embodiment of the present invention, and the image forming structure is arranged at a first position where at least a part of the image forming structure is arranged overlapping in the attaching / detaching direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state. The side view which shows the image formation structure rotating apparatus used for the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state arrange | positioned in the 2nd position where an image formation structure is arrange | positioned without overlapping in an attachment / detachment direction. It is.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus main body 13 Opening part 14 Upper opening / closing cover 15 Front opening / closing cover 18 Transfer unit 20 Photoreceptor 21 Engaged part 22 Image forming structure 30 Intermediate transfer belt 63 Connected part 74 Moving mechanism 75 Connection Portion 76 Connection mechanism 77 Drive source 78 Release mechanism 79 Guide mechanism 110 Connection member 112 First link member 114 Second link member 120 First gear 122 Second gear 124 Shaft 126 Engaging portion 128 Elastic body 130 Pressed Member 132 Pressing member 134 Cam surface 136 Arm part 140 Link member 142 First pressed part 144 Second pressed part 150 Pressing part 158 Conveying belt 166 Positioning member

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus main body provided with an opening and closing member;
A plurality of image forming structures that have at least an image holding body for holding a developer image, and are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body by opening the opening and closing member;
When trying to attach / detach the image forming structure to / from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the plurality of image forming structures are connected to one of the plurality of image forming structures. By changing the posture of the plurality of image forming structures relative to each other from a first position that interferes with one of the other, the other of the plurality of image forming structures adjacent to one of the plurality of image forming structures a moving mechanism for moving to a second position not one interference,
An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the first position to the second position in response to the opening / closing member being opened.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the second position to the first position in response to the opening / closing member being closed. An intermediate transfer member to which a developer image formed on the image carrier is primarily transferred;
A transfer member for secondary transfer for transferring the developer image transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
A guide mechanism for guiding the intermediate transfer member so as to move between a mounting position mounted in the image forming apparatus main body and an open position for opening the image forming apparatus main body;
Further comprising
The moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the first position to the second position in response to the intermediate transfer member moving from the mounting position to the open position. 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 3 to 3.   5. The moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the second position to the first position in response to the intermediate transfer member moving from the open position to the mounting position. The image forming apparatus described. A conveying member for conveying a recording medium;
A transfer member that transfers a developer image held by the image carrier to a recording medium that is conveyed by the conveyance member;
A guide mechanism for guiding the conveying member so as to move between a mounting position mounted in the image forming apparatus main body and an open position for opening the image forming apparatus main body;
Further comprising
The moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the first position to the second position in response to the transfer member moving from the mounting position to the open position. 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 3.   The moving mechanism moves the plurality of image forming structures from the second position to the first position in response to the transfer member moving from the open position to the mounting position. Image forming apparatus. A drive source provided on the image forming apparatus main body side;
A coupling mechanism coupling the drive source and the image carrier;
A release mechanism for releasing the connection between the drive source and the image carrier by the connection mechanism before the moving mechanism moves the image forming structure from the first position to the second position;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the release mechanism releases the connection between the drive source and the rotation member in response to the opening / closing member being opened.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the connection mechanism connects the drive source and the rotation member in response to the opening / closing member being closed. An intermediate transfer member to which a developer image formed on the image carrier is primarily transferred;
A transfer member for secondary transfer for transferring the developer image transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
A guide mechanism for guiding the intermediate transfer member so as to move between a mounting position mounted in the image forming apparatus main body and an open position for opening the image forming apparatus main body;
Further comprising
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the release mechanism releases and releases the connection between the drive source and the image holding body in response to the intermediate transfer body moving from the mounting position to the open position. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the coupling mechanism couples the driving source and the rotating member in response to the intermediate transfer member moving from the open position to the mounting position. A conveying member for conveying a recording medium;
A transfer member that transfers a developer image held by the image carrier to a recording medium that is conveyed by the conveyance member;
A guide mechanism for guiding the conveying member so as to move between a mounting position mounted in the image forming apparatus main body and an open position for opening the image forming apparatus main body;
Further comprising
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the release mechanism releases the connection between the drive source and the image holding body in response to the transport member moving from the mounting position to the open position. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the connection mechanism connects the drive source and the image holding body in response to the conveyance member moving from the open position to the mounting position.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the image forming structure is arranged such that a rotation center thereof is disposed at substantially the same position as the image shape holder and rotates.

Images