JP5040593B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface of an image carrier by a latent image forming device, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device, whereby the surface of the image carrier can be formed. A visual image is formed. The developing device has a developer holder that holds the developer. The interval (gap) between the developer holding member and the image holding member affects the developability, and therefore needs to be set with high accuracy.

  For this reason, as one of the prior arts, for example, the developing device is rotatably supported in a direction in which the developer holding member comes in contact with and separates (approaches and separates) from the image holding member, and the developer is supported on the image holding member. A method is known in which the developing device is urged by a biasing member in a direction in which the holding body approaches, and the abutting member provided on the developing device side is abutted against the image holding body side using the biasing force of the biasing member. It has been. By adopting this method, it is possible to set the interval between the developer holding member and the image holding member with high accuracy while minimizing the cumulative tolerance of components.

  Here, the developing device needs to receive a driving force from a driving system on the image forming apparatus main body side. For this reason, when the developing device is rotatably supported as described above and the degree of freedom of the position of the developing device with respect to the image forming apparatus main body is given, for example, when a gear is used for transmission of driving force, Occurrence of density unevenness (banding) corresponding to the rotation period of the gear may occur. In order to avoid such density unevenness, a method (pivot method) is adopted in which the developer is rotated about the rotation center of a driving force transmission member (gear, etc.) that receives the driving force directly from the image forming apparatus main body. It is the simplest and most reasonable to do. With this configuration, the distance between the shafts of the gears is maintained with high accuracy regardless of the attitude of the developing device.

  However, if the fulcrum for rotating the developing device is configured with a fitting shaft that is substantially free of play at both ends in the direction of the rotation axis, the image is held due to misalignment of the shaft center due to the dimensional tolerance of both fulcrums. The developer holding body is inclined with respect to the body, and the relative position between the two cannot be set with high accuracy. Therefore, among the two fulcrums of the developing device, the fulcrum on the non-driving unit side is fitted, for example, with a long hole having play in dimension with respect to a support shaft provided in the image forming apparatus main body. It is desirable to have a degree of freedom of position.

  On the other hand, the image carrier is required to be easily exchangeable by the user of the image forming apparatus. A large number of functional units such as a developing unit, a transfer member, and an exposure member are in contact with the periphery of the image carrier, and a plurality of functional units are separated from the image carrier by a simple operation. It is desirable to mount a mechanism for interlocking the separation operation of the functional units (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-264791 A

  By the way, when the rotation support part on one end side (non-drive part side) of the developing device has a fitting structure having play such as a long hole as described above, a support shaft fitted in the long hole is attached. When the biasing force of the biasing member is received, the developer is loosely moved, and the effective rotation center of the developing device is shifted in the long axis direction of the long hole. For this reason, for example, in the case where the developing device is pushed up and rotated at two locations on the driving portion side and the non-driving portion side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device (axial direction of the developer holder), the non-driving portion side and the driving device are driven. Even if the developing device is pushed up by the same amount on the part side, the separation distance between the image holding member and the developer holding member is different between the non-driving part side and the driving part side. Therefore, for example, if the push-up amount of the developing device is set so that the separation amount on one end side becomes an appropriate amount, the separation amount on the other end side becomes inappropriate (redundant or insufficient).

  The object of the present invention is to make the distance between the developer holder and the image carrier uniform in the axial direction of the developer holder when the developer is rotated in a direction away from the image carrier. It is to provide a mechanism that can do this.

The invention described in claim 1
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface;
A developer that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier, and has a developer carrier that holds the developer;
A developing device for rotating the developing device between a developing device proximity position in which the developer holding member is brought close to the image holding member and a developing device separation position in which the developer holding member is separated from the image holding member. Contact and separation mechanism;
A housing for housing the image carrier, the developer, and the developer contact / separation mechanism;
The developing device contacting / separating mechanism is
Located on one end side in the axial direction of the developer holder, and a fulcrum fixed to the casing, and supported by the casing, in a direction in which the developer holder is in contact with and separated from the image holder. A rotation support unit that supports the developer unit in a rotationally movable manner with a fulcrum on the other end side in the axial direction of the developer holding body to be moved;
A developer urging member that urges the developer in a direction in which the developer holder approaches the image carrier;
The developer holding member is operated to rotate the developer holding member in a direction away from the image holding member against the urging force of the developer urging member, and the developer holding member is moved during the rotation. Operating means for contacting the developing device at different positions in the axial direction of
Have
The actuating means includes a first actuating portion that contacts the developing device on one side in the axial direction of the developer holding member, and a second member that contacts the developing device on the other side in the axial direction of the developer holding member. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the second operating portion is larger than the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the first operating portion.

The invention described in claim 2
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a separation amount of the first operation unit with respect to the developing device is different from a separation amount of the second operation unit with respect to the development device in a state before the operation.

The invention according to claim 3
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operating radius of the first operating unit and the operating radius of the second operating unit are different.

The invention according to claim 4
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shape of a contact portion of the developing device that is in contact with the first operating portion is different from a shape of a contact portion of the developing device that is in contact with the second operating portion.

The invention described in claim 5
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The developing unit includes a driving force transmission member that rotates by receiving a driving force from a driving system outside the developing unit, and a rotation center of the rotation support portion on the one end side is a rotation center of the driving force transmission member. And image forming apparatus characterized by being coaxial

The invention described in claim 6
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
It said actuating means is an image forming apparatus characterized by being configured to operate in conjunction with other functional units, except the developing device to a mechanism for spacing from said image hold member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, by increasing the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the second operating portion to be larger than the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the first operating portion, the axial direction of the developer holding body. Thus, the distance between the developer holding member and the image holding member can be made uniform.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first operating unit and the second operating unit are operated by the same amount, so that the second operating unit is operated in accordance with the difference in the distance of each operating unit from the developing device. The rotational movement amount of the developing device by the operating portion can be made larger than the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the first operating portion.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, by operating the first operating portion and the second operating portion by the same amount, according to the difference in operating radius of each operating portion, by the second operating portion. The rotational movement amount of the developing device can be made larger than the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the first operating unit.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the second operating unit can be developed by the first operating unit only by changing the shape of the contact portion of the developing device with which each operating unit contacts. More than the amount of rotational movement of the vessel.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of density unevenness that occurs in accordance with the rotation cycle of the driving force transmission member.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of functional units including the developing device can be separated from the image holding member by operating the operating means.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications and improvements have been made within the scope of deriving specific effects obtained by the constituent requirements of the invention and combinations thereof. Also includes form.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in FIG. 1, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y , Z, -Z are the front, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower sides, respectively. In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.

In FIG. 1, visible image forming apparatuses Uy, Um, Uc, and Uk are apparatuses that form toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), respectively.
The Y, M, C, and K latent image writing lights (laser beams) emitted from the laser diodes of the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are incident on the rotating image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, respectively. . The Y visible image forming device Uy includes a rotating image carrier PRy, a charger CRy, a latent image forming device LHy, a developing device Gy, a transfer device T1y, and an image carrier cleaner CLy. The visible image forming apparatuses Um, Uc, Uk of other colors (M, C, K) are all configured in the same manner as the visible image forming apparatus Uy of Y.

  The image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are each constituted by a drum-shaped photoconductor. Each image carrier PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk is charged by the corresponding chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, CRk, and then latent image writing light at the image writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, Q1k. As a result of scanning irradiation, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk is held in the developing rolls GRy, GRm, GRc, GRk of the developing units Gy, Gm, Gc, Gk in the developing regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, Q2k. The developed developer is developed into a toner image. As the developer, for example, a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier and a toner provided with an external additive is used.

  The developed toner image is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt B. In the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k, the primary transfer devices T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B have primary transfer voltages that are opposite in polarity to the toner charging polarity at a predetermined timing. Is applied.

  The toner images on the image carriers PRy to PRk are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residual toner on the surface of the image carrier PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk after the primary transfer is cleaned (removed) by the image carrier cleaner CLy, CLm, CLc, CLk. The surfaces of the cleaned holders PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are recharged by the chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk.

  A belt module BM is disposed above the image carriers PRy to PRk. The belt module BM includes a belt support roll group including an intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll Rd, a tension roll Rt, a walking roll Rw for preventing meandering, an idler roll (free roll) Rf, a backup roll T2a, and a primary transfer device T1y. , T1m, T1c, and T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B is supported by a belt support roll group (Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) so as to be able to run.

  The secondary transfer roll T2b is disposed to face the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B in contact with the backup roll T2a, and a secondary transfer device T2 is configured by these rolls T2a and T2b. A region where the secondary transfer device T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B face each other is a secondary transfer region Q4 for transferring an image onto a sheet. The single-color or multi-color toner images sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B by the transfer devices T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k in the primary transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. The

  The registration roll Rr conveys the paper to the secondary transfer area Q4 in time with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B being conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. When the sheet passes through the secondary transfer region Q4, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and a secondary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity is applied to the secondary transfer roll T2b at a predetermined timing. At this time, the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred onto the sheet by the secondary transfer unit T2. The surface of the intermediate transfer belt B that has passed through the secondary transfer region Q4 is cleaned by the belt cleaner CLb after passing the belt driving roll Rd. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device (not shown), where the toner image is fixed on the sheet by being heated and pressurized.

(Description of each member of the visible image forming apparatus)
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the relationship among the image holding member, the latent image forming device, and the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B, and the latent image forming apparatus is moved to a position close to the image carrier (hereinafter referred to as “latent image forming apparatus proximity position”). Is moved to a position where the developing device is separated from the image holding member (hereinafter referred to as “developing device separating position”) and the latent image forming apparatus is separated from the image holding member (hereinafter referred to as “latent image forming device separating position”). It is explanatory drawing of the state moved to.

  Hereinafter, the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, Gk and the latent image forming devices LHy, LHm, LHc, LHk constituting the visible image forming devices Uy, Um, Uc, Uk will be described. Therefore, only the Y color will be described, and a detailed description of the other colors will be omitted.

(Explanation of developer)
In FIG. 2, the developing device Gy has a developing container 1 in which a developer is accommodated. In the developing container 1, a pair of agitation transport members 2 and 3 that transport the developer inside while being agitated are rotatably supported. Further, in the developing container 1, a developer holding body 4 that holds the developer stirred by the stirring and conveying members 2 and 3 on the surface and transports the developer to the developing area Q2y that is an area facing the image holding body PRy is rotatable. It is supported by. The developer holding body 4 corresponds to the developing roll GRy shown in FIG. In the state where the developing device Gy is moved to the position close to the developing device, the developer holding body 4 is disposed in the state close to the image holding body PRy, and the electrostatic latent image is developed in this state. Further, when the developing device Gy is moved to the developing device separation position, the developer holding body 4 is arranged in a state of being separated from the image holding body PRy, and in this state, the image holding body PRy is exchanged (inserted / removed).

  The developing container 1 is supported by a rotation support portion 6 provided at both ends of the developing device Gy so as to be rotatable with respect to an image forming apparatus main body (not shown). The rotation support portions 6 are provided at both ends in the axial direction of the developer holder 4. A developing device urging member 7 is provided on the outer wall of the developing container 1 on the side opposite to the image carrier PRy. The developing device urging member 7 is configured using a compression coil spring. The developing device urging member 7 constantly urges the developing device Gy in the direction in which the developer holding body 4 approaches the image holding body PRy in the rotational movement direction of the developing device Gy around the rotation support portion 6. is there. One end of the developing device urging member 7 is attached to the back surface portion of the developing container 1, and the other end of the developing device urging member 7 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body side. The developing device urging member 7 may be constituted by, for example, a tension coil spring or an elastic rubber instead of the compression coil spring.

  In a state where the developer holding body 4 is close to the image holding body PRy, the distance between them is held at a predetermined distance suitable for developability. That is, normally, the developing device Gy is held at a developing device proximity position in which the developer holding body 4 is brought close to the image holding body 1. When an external force that rotates the developing device Gy in a direction in which the developer holding member 4 is separated from the image holding member PRy is applied, the developer holding member 4 resists the force of the developing device biasing member 7. Separated from the holding body PRy. The developing device contact / separation mechanism includes the rotation support portion 6 and the developing device biasing member 7 described above.

  On the outer wall of the developing container 1 on the latent image forming apparatus LHy side, an interlocking contacted member 8 extending to the latent image forming apparatus Lhy side is provided. The interlocking contacted member 8 is arranged in parallel with the axial direction of the developer holding body 4 over almost the entire width of the developing device Gy. When the interlocked contacted member 8 is pushed up against the urging force of the developing device urging member 7, the developing device Gy rotates around the rotation support portion 6. Further, a leakage prevention member 9 that contacts the surface of the image carrier PRy and prevents the developer from leaking downward is supported below the developer carrier 4 of the developing container 1.

(Description of latent image forming apparatus)
FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 3A is an explanatory view of a state in which the latent image forming apparatus is moved to a position close to the latent image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3B is a separated position of the latent image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the state which moved to. 4 is an explanatory view of the outer frame of the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 4A is a plan view, and FIG. 4B is a side view.

  In FIG. 3, the latent image forming apparatus LHy includes an outer frame body 11 fixedly supported by screws on an image forming apparatus body (not shown). In FIG. 4, the outer frame 11 has a bottom wall 11a extending in the front-rear direction which is the axial direction of the image carrier PRy, and a left side wall 11b and a right side wall 11c extending upward from both left and right ends of the bottom wall 11a. A pair of hole-shaped biasing member one end support portions 11d are formed at both front and rear ends of the bottom wall 11a.

  A fixed portion 11e extending downward is formed on the lower surfaces of the front end portions of the left and right side walls 11b and 11c. The outer frame 11 is screwed to the image forming apparatus main body through a hole 11e1 formed in the fixed portion 11e. A pair of front and rear interlocking contact member outer through portions 11f is formed in the right wall 11c. The interlocking contact member outer through-hole 11f is formed by an arc-shaped long hole. A pair of front and rear rotating shaft support portions 11g is formed on the upper portion of the interlocking contact member outer through-hole 11f. A pair of left and right operation member rotation support portions 11h is formed at the front end portions of the left and right side walls 11b and 11c. The operation member rotation support portion 11h is configured by a through hole.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the latent image forming apparatus and the image carrier. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the latent image forming apparatus has moved to a position close to the latent image forming apparatus, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which the apparatus moved to the latent image formation apparatus separation position. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the contact / separation mechanism of the latent image forming apparatus in a state where a part of the outer frame body is omitted, and FIG. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the latent image forming apparatus has moved to the latent image forming apparatus separation position.

  5 and 6, the operation member 12 is supported by the operation member rotation support portion 11h of the outer frame body 11 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft member 12a. The operation member 12 includes a grip portion 12b that is gripped and operated by a user of the image forming apparatus. By operating the grip portion 12b, the operation member 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 5A, and 6A. As shown, it is supported so as to be movable between a normal position rotated so as to be raised upward and an insertable / removable position rotated so as to be pulled forward as shown in FIGS. 3B, 5B, and 6B. The normal position described here refers to the position of the operation member 12 in a state where the image forming apparatus can perform an image forming operation as usual, and the insertable / removable position refers to the image carrier PRy with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. Refers to the position of the operation member 12 in a state where can be inserted and removed. As shown in FIG. 5A, the operation member 12 (gripping part 12b) is disposed in front of the image carrier PRy in the axial direction at the normal position. In this state, movement of the image carrier PRy in the axial direction, that is, insertion / removal of the image carrier PRy with respect to the image forming apparatus main body is restricted by the presence of the operation member 12.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the operation connecting member of the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 7A is a perspective view, and FIG. 7B is a side view. 5 and 6, an operation connecting member 13 that contacts the rotating shaft member 12 a is disposed between the right side wall 11 c of the outer frame body 11 and the operation member 12. The operation connecting member 13 is constituted by a connecting arm extending in the front-rear direction, and a rotation support portion 13 a that is rotatably supported by the operation member 12 is formed at the front end portion. A concave shaft coupling recess 13 b is formed at the rear end portion of the operation coupling member 13. In addition, the dead center 13c is set on the extension of the virtual line which connects the center of the arc of the arc-shaped part of the axial connection recessed part 13b, and the center of the to-be-rotated support part 13a, and as shown in FIG. In the middle of moving between the normal position and the insertable / removable position, the rotary shaft member 12a of the operating member 12 is dead center 13c, that is, the arc center of the arc-shaped portion of the shaft coupling recess 13b and the center of the rotated support portion 13a. The center of the rotary shaft member 12a is set so as to pass through a position aligned on a straight line.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a moving member of the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 8A is a perspective view, and FIG. 8B is a side view. 5 and 6, a moving member 14 is disposed on the rear end side of the operation connecting member 13. The moving member 14 is accommodated inside the outer frame body 11 and supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. A shaft support portion 14 a is formed at the front end portion of the moving member 14 so as to correspond to the shaft connection recess 13 c of the operation connection member 13. A connecting shaft 16 shown in FIG. 6 is supported on the shaft support portion 14a, and the connecting shaft 16 is connected by being fitted into the shaft connecting recess 13b.

  The moving member 14 is formed with a pair of front and rear interlocking contact member through-holes 14b each formed of a square hole corresponding to the interlocking contact member outer through-hole 11f of the outer frame body 11. Above the interlocking contact member inner through-hole 14b, a pair of front-rear rotating shaft through-holes 14c for changing direction constituted by long holes extending in the front-rear direction is formed corresponding to the rotary shaft support 11g.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part of the interlocking contact member of the latent image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a moving direction conversion member of the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 10A is a perspective view, and FIG. 10B is a side view. A pair of front and rear moving direction conversion members 17 are arranged inside the moving member 14 so as to correspond to the rotating shaft penetrating portion 14c for direction conversion. At the rear upper part of the moving direction changing member 17, a rotating shaft supporting portion 17a for changing the direction is formed. The moving direction changing member 17 passes through the direction changing rotary shaft penetrating portion 14 c formed by a long hole and rotates to change the direction to the direction changing rotary shaft 18 supported by the rotary shaft supporting portion 11 g of the outer frame body 11. By fitting the shaft support portion 17a, the shaft support portion 17a is rotatably supported. That is, the moving direction conversion member 17 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame body 11 about the direction conversion rotating shaft 18 as a rotation center. When the moving member 14 moves relative to the outer frame 11 in the front-rear direction, the direction changing rotary shaft 18 passes through the direction changing rotary shaft penetrating portion (long hole) 14c. The moving range of the moving member 14 is restricted by the rotating shaft 18 for rotation and the rotating shaft through portion 14c for direction change.

  A contact / separation member connecting portion 17b formed by a long hole extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the front upper portion of the movement direction conversion member 17, and an interlocking contact member support portion is provided in the rear lower portion of the movement direction conversion member 17. 17c is formed. A biasing member other end support portion 17d is formed diagonally forward and downward of the interlocking contact member support portion 17c. A biasing spring 19 configured by a tension coil spring is mounted between the biasing member one end support portion 11d of the outer frame body 11 and the biasing member other end support portion 17d. The biasing spring 19 applies a force that always pulls the biasing member other end support portion 17d toward the biasing member one end support portion 11d. That is, the moving direction conversion member 17 is urged by the urging spring 19 in the direction in which the contact / separation member connecting portion 17b rotates upward about the direction conversion rotating shaft 18.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of an interlocking contact member provided in the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 11A is a perspective view, and FIG. 11B is a side view. In FIG. 9, the interlocking contact member 21 is fitted to the interlocking contact member support portion 17 c of the moving direction conversion member 17. The interlocking contact member 21 includes a trapezoidal contact member body 21a, a supported portion 21b extending rearward from the rear surface of the contact member body 21a, and an interlocking contact portion 21c integrally formed on the upper portion of the contact member body 21a. Have The supported portion 21b passes through the interlocking contact member outer through portion 11f of the outer frame body 11 and the interlocking contact member inner through portion 14b of the moving member 14, and cannot rotate to the interlocking contact member support portion 17c ( It is mounted in a fixed state. Therefore, the interlocking contact member 21 is configured to be rotatable integrally with the moving direction converting member 17 around the rotating shaft 18 for direction conversion. Further, the supported portion 21b has a rotating shaft shape, and is formed with a smaller diameter than the interlocking contact member outer through-hole 11f and the interlocking contact member inner through-hole 14b and has a play. ing.

  Therefore, when the moving member 14 moves, the interlocking contact member inner through-hole 14b and the supported portion 21b come into contact with each other, and when the moving member 14 further moves, the moving direction conversion member 17 is attached to the biasing spring 19. The contact / separation member connecting portion 17b rotates downward against the force. Further, in a normal state, the supported portion 21b that rotates integrally with the moving direction conversion member 17 pushes the interlocking contact member inner through portion 14b forward by the urging force of the urging spring 19, so that the connecting shaft 16 Moves toward the shaft coupling recess 13c, and the coupling between the operation coupling member 13 and the moving member 14 is maintained.

  In FIG. 2A, the contact member main body 21a and the interlocking contact portion 21c of the interlocking contact member 21 are arranged on the developing device Gy side outside the outer frame body 11, and the interlocking contacted member 8 extending from the developing device Gy. An interlocking contact portion 21c is disposed below. The interlocking contact member 21 and the interlocked contacted member 8 constitute an interlocking mechanism (8 + 21).

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a contact / separation member of the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 12A is a perspective view, FIG. 12B is a side view, and FIG. 12C is a plan view. In FIG. 9, the contact / separation member 22 is disposed on the left side of the movement direction conversion member 17. The contact / separation member 22 has a contact / separation member main body 22a extending in the front-rear direction. At both front and rear end portions of the contact / separation member main body 22a, connection members 22b protruding toward the movement direction conversion member 17 are supported at positions corresponding to the contact / separation member connection portions 17b of the movement direction conversion member 17. The connecting member 22b is connected to the contacting / separating member connecting portion 17b configured by a long hole in a state of being fitted with play. Accordingly, when the surface of the contacting / separating member connecting portion 17b comes into contact with the connecting member 22b as the moving direction converting member 17 rotates, it is pushed in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction approaching or separating from the image carrier PRy. Moving. In addition, light irradiation unit support portions 22 c are formed on the upper surfaces of the front and rear end portions of the contact / separation member 22. On the right side of the light irradiation unit support portion 22c, an escape hole 22d formed by a long hole extending in the vertical direction is formed. The escape hole 22d escapes the inner end of the direction conversion rotating shaft 18.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an image writing light irradiation unit of the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 13A is a perspective view, and FIG. 13B is a side view. In FIG. 9, the image writing light irradiation unit 23 is supported on the light irradiation unit support portion 22 c of the contact / separation member 22. The image writing light irradiation unit 23 includes an irradiation unit main body 23a extending in the front-rear direction, and a light irradiation unit 23b that is supported by the irradiation unit main body 23a and is disposed to face the image holding body PRy and emits latent image writing light. And have. In the light irradiator 23b, light sources that form a latent image on the surface of the image carrier PRy are arranged side by side in the axial direction (main scanning direction) of the image carrier PRy. An LED array is used.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the positional relationship between the image carrier and the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 14A is a top view, and FIG. 14B is a side view. 6, 13, and 14, an abutting portion 23 c that protrudes upward is formed at both front and rear end portions of the irradiation unit main body 23 a. The abutting portion 23c is abutted against the bearing members 24 arranged at both ends of the image holding member PRy at the position close to the latent image forming apparatus, and is positioned in the vertical direction. When the latent image forming device LHy moves from the latent image forming device separation position to the latent image forming device proximity position, the positioning groove formed in the front positioned portion 26a supported by the front end portion of the image carrier supporting frame body 26. The front positioning portion 23d passes through 26b, and the rear positioning portion 23d is inserted into the positioning elongated hole 26d formed in the rear positioning portion 26c supported by the rear end portion of the image carrier support frame 26. The latent image forming device LHy is positioned in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with respect to the image carrier PRy.

  Thereby, in the proximity position of the latent image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6A, the positional relationship between the light irradiation unit 23b and the surface of the image holding member PRy is held in a predetermined positional relationship, and latent image writing irradiated from the light irradiation unit 23b is performed. The focal point of the light is accurately held so as to be on the surface of the image carrier PRy. In the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2A, on the extension line of the virtual line 27 with respect to the virtual line 27 connecting the light irradiation unit 23b and the center of the image carrier PRy at the position close to the latent image forming apparatus. The image carrier PRy and the intermediate transfer belt B are in contact with each other, and the primary transfer unit T1y is disposed at a position shifted downstream in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt B. A latent image is formed by the outer frame 11, the operation member 12, the operation connecting member 13, the moving member 14, the shafts 16 and 18, the moving direction changing member 17, the biasing spring 19, the supported portion 21 b, the contacting / separating member 22, etc. The apparatus contact / separation mechanism (11-22) is comprised.

  In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, when the operation member 12 is moved to the upper normal position, the moving member 14 is held forward via the moving direction conversion member 17 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 19. As a result, the contact / separation member 22 is held upward, and the light irradiation part 23b of the image writing light irradiation unit 23 is held in a state of being arranged at a predetermined interval on the image carrier PRy. That is, the latent image forming apparatus LHy having the respective members 12 to 23 is held in the proximity position of the latent image forming apparatus, and a latent image can be formed. Further, the developer holding body 4 of the developing unit Gy is held by the developing unit urging member 7 at a position adjacent to and facing the developing unit with a predetermined distance from the image holding unit PRy. At this time, the interlocking contact member 21c and the interlocked contacted member 8 are held apart from each other, and vibrations generated by the rotation of the developer holding body 4 of the developing device Gy during the image forming operation cause latent vibration. Transmission to the image forming apparatus LHy is prevented, and accurate latent image formation is executed by the latent image forming apparatus LHy.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation state when the latent image forming apparatus and the developing device are separated from the image holding member, and FIG. 15A is a diagram immediately after the operation member starts moving from the normal position to the insertable / removable position. FIGS. 15B and 15B are explanatory views of the state further moved from the state shown in FIG. 15A to the insertable / removable position side, and FIG. 15C is an explanatory view of the operation member moved to the insertable / removable position.

  When the image carrier PRy is replaced due to wear, deterioration, failure, or the like, since the movement of the image carrier PRy is restricted by the operation member 12, the operation member 12 is first rotated. In FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, the operation connecting member 13 connected by the rotation support portion 13a moves so as to be pushed backward by the rotation of the operation member 12 around the rotation shaft member 12a. Due to the movement of the operation connecting member 13, the moving member 14 moves backward via the connecting shaft 16. As the moving member 14 moves rearward, the interlocking contact member inner through portion 14b of the moving member 14 contacts the supported portion 21b of the interlocking contact member 21, and the supported portion 21b moves rearward. As a result, the moving direction changing member 17 to which the supported portion 21 b is connected rotates about the direction changing rotary shaft 18 against the urging force of the urging spring 19.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, the contact / separation member connecting portion 17b of the moving direction changing member 17 and the connection member 22b of the contact / separation member 22 are fitted with play so The member 22 hardly moves. On the other hand, the interlocking contact member 21 that rotates integrally with the rotation of the moving direction conversion member 17 rotates and comes into contact with the interlocked contacted member 8 that has been separated until then. Then, as shown in FIG. 15C, when the operation member 12 further rotates and the movement direction conversion member 17 rotates, the interlocking contact member 21 pushes the interlocking contacted member 8 upward. When the interlocking contact member 21 pushes up the interlocked contacted member 8, the developing device Gy moves away from the image carrier PRy around the rotation support portion 6 against the urging force of the developing device urging member 7. Moving. As a result, the developing device Gy is moved to a developing device separation position separated from the image carrier PRy.

  Further, when the operation member 12 further rotates and the movement direction conversion member 17 rotates, there is no play between the contact / separation member connection portion 17b and the connection member 22b, and the contact / separation member connection portion 17b pushes the connection member 22b downward. As the connecting member 22b moves downward, the contact / separation member 22 descends. For this reason, the image writing light irradiation unit 23 moves in a direction away from the image carrier PRy. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15C, when the operation member 12 is rotationally moved to the insertable / removable position, the developing device Gy moves to the developing device separation position separated from the image carrier PRy as described above, and the latent image The forming apparatus LHy is moved to the latent image forming apparatus separation position separated from the image carrier PRy.

  In this state, the image carrier PRy can be extracted and inserted without the surface contacting the latent image forming device LHy or the developing device Gy. At this time, since the rotating shaft member 12a of the operating member 12 exceeds the dead point 13c, the operating connecting member 13 receives a force that pushes the operating connecting member 13 forward by the biasing force of the biasing spring 19, and the operating member 12 is operated. A force that moves downward of the connecting member 13 is naturally received. As a result, the operation member 12 is automatically held at the insertable / removable position unless the user applies a force and moves it to the normal position side.

(Description of the approaching operation of the latent image forming apparatus and the developing device)
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an operation state when the latent image forming apparatus and the developing device are brought close to the image holding member. FIG. 16A is a diagram for explaining a state in which the operation member has been moved to the insertable / removable position, and FIG. FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state where the operating member has further moved to the normal position side from the state shown in FIG. 16B.

  In FIG. 16, when the replacement of the image carrier PRy is completed, the operation member 12 is returned from the insertable / removable position to the normal position. At this time, when the movement of the operation member 12 is started, the shaft connection recess 13c of the operation connection member 13 moves away from the connection shaft 16, but the movement member 14 is moved forward by the urging force of the urging spring 19. It moves and the connection of the operation connecting member 13 and the moving member 14 is maintained. As the moving member 14 moves forward, the interlocking contact member inner through portion 14b comes into contact with the supported portion 21b of the interlocking contact member 21, and the supported portion 21b moves forward. As a result, the moving direction changing member 17 to which the supported portion 21b is connected also rotates around the rotating shaft 18 for direction changing.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 16B, since the contact / separation member connecting portion 17b and the connection member 22b are fitted with play, the contact / separation member 22 hardly moves until play is eliminated. On the other hand, the interlocking contact member 21 that rotates integrally with the rotation of the moving direction converting member 17 rotates and starts moving in a direction away from the interlocked contacted member 8. When the interlocking contact member 21 moves away from the interlocking contacted member 8, the developing device Gy approaches the image carrier PRy around the rotation support portion 6 according to the biasing force of the developer biasing member 7. Move in the direction. As a result, the developing device Gy is moved to a developing device proximity position close to the image carrier PRy.

  Further, when the operation member 12 further rotates and the movement direction conversion member 17 rotates, there is no play between the contact / separation member connecting portion 17b and the connection member 22b, and the contact / separation member connecting portion 17b pushes the connection member 22b upward. As the connection member 22b moves upward, the contact / separation member 22 rises. For this reason, the image writing light irradiation unit 23 moves in a direction approaching the image carrier PRy. As a result, when the operation member 12 is rotated to the normal position, the developing device Gy moves to the developing device proximity position close to the image holding member PRy as described above, and the latent image forming device LHy moves to the image holding member PRy. The latent image forming apparatus is moved to a position close to the latent image forming apparatus.

  As described above, with the movement of the operation member 12 to the normal position, both the developing device Gy and the latent image forming apparatus LHy approach the image carrier PRy. When the developing device Gy is abutted against the image carrier PRy by the developing device urging member 7, the developing container 1 does not rotate any more, and the interlocking contact member 21 of the interlocking contacted member 8 by the developing device urging member 7. Pushing to is released. That is, the developing device Gy is held in a state of being moved to the developing device proximity position. When the interlocking contact member 21 and the interlocked contacted member 8 start to separate, the abutting portion 23c of the latent image forming apparatus LHy is in a state before being abutted against the bearing member 24.

  In FIG. 16C, after the developing device Gy moves to the developing device proximity position, when the operation member 12 further rotates and moves to the normal position, the moving member 14 moves forward by the urging force of the urging spring 19 and moves. The direction changing member 17 further rotates. Accordingly, the interlocking contact member 21 and the interlocking contacted member 8 are separated from each other. At this time, the abutting portion 23c of the latent image forming apparatus LHy is abutted against the bearing member 24, the latent image forming apparatus LHy moves to the position near the latent image forming apparatus, and the pair of front and rear positioning portions 23d are respectively positioned grooves. 26b and the positioning elongated hole 26d are positioned. Therefore, in the approaching operation of the latent image forming device LHy and the developing device Gy, after the developing device Gy is positioned at the developing device proximity position, the latent image forming device LHy is positioned at the latent image forming device proximity position. Become.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the developing device and the interlocking contact member. 18 is an explanatory view showing a state where the developing member and the latent image forming apparatus are brought close to the image holding member by raising the operation member, FIG. 18A is an explanatory view seen from the front side of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the back side of the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the developing member and the latent image forming apparatus are separated from the image holding member by pulling down the operation member, and FIG. 19A is an explanatory view as seen from the front side of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the back side of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, rotation support provided at one end of a pair of rotation support portions 6 provided at both ends in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the developer holder 4. The unit 6 is on the side of the driving unit that receives a driving force directly from a driving system (for example, a driving system for rotating the image carrier PRy) on the image forming apparatus main body side. A gear 31 is provided on the driving unit side of the developing device Gy as a driving force transmission member. The rotation center of the gear 31 is arranged coaxially with the rotation center of the rotation support unit 6 on the drive unit side. Specifically, a rotation drive shaft 32 is provided on the drive unit side of the developing device Gy, and a gear 31 is coaxially fitted and fixed to the rotation drive shaft 32 to rotate the rotation support unit 6 on the drive unit side. The center and the rotation center of the gear 31 are arranged coaxially. The rotation driving shaft 32 of the developing device Gy is fitted to a bearing portion (not shown) provided on the image forming apparatus main body side without giving any dimensional play, so that the rotation support portion 6 on the driving portion side. The structure has no backlash. For this reason, in the rotation support unit 6 on the drive unit side of the developing device Gy, the developing device Gy always rotates about the axis of the rotation drive shaft 32 as the rotation center. Therefore, the rotation support portion 6 on the drive unit side is a rotation support portion of a method (fixed fulcrum type) in which the rotation fulcrum is fixed when the developing device Gy is rotated.

On the other hand, in the axial direction of the developer holding body 4, the rotation support portion 6 provided at the other end (end opposite to the drive portion side) does not receive direct drive force from the drive system on the image forming apparatus main body side. It is the non-driving part side. An elongated hole 33 is provided on the non-driving part side of the developing device Gy. The long hole 33 is formed, for example, in the housing portion of the developing device Gy. The long axis of the slot 3 3, developer holding member 4 is turned substantially parallel to a direction approaching or separating with respect to the image carrier PRy. On the image forming apparatus main body side, as shown in FIG. 20A, a round pin-shaped support shaft 34 is provided corresponding to the long hole 33 of the developing device Gy, and this support shaft 34 is fitted into the long hole 33. By doing so, the rotation support part 6 on the non-drive part side has a structure with play. In the design of the machine of the image forming apparatus, the initial position of the rotation center on the non-driving unit side is set at the center of the long hole 33 in the long axis direction with respect to the rotation center on the driving unit side. In addition, in the rotation support portion 6 on the non-driving portion side of the developing device Gy, the developing device Gy rotates about the axis of the support shaft 34 fitted in the elongated hole 33 as a rotation center. The support shaft 34 is in a state where it can move in the long axis direction of the long hole 33. Therefore, the rotation support portion 6 on the non-drive portion side is a rotation support portion of a system (movable fulcrum type) in which the rotation fulcrum is movable when the developing device Gy is rotated. That is, in the long axis direction of the long hole 33, as shown in FIG. 20B, the rotation fulcrum of the developing device Gy relatively moves to the other side when the support shaft 34 is loosely moved to one side of the long hole 33. As shown in FIG. 20C, when the support shaft 34 is loosely moved to the other side of the elongated hole 33, the rotation fulcrum of the developing device Gy is relatively moved to one side. In this case, the range in which the rotation fulcrum is movable (movable amount) is a backlash dimension between the long hole 33 of the developing device Gy and the support shaft 34 of the image forming apparatus main body. This corresponds to the difference in diameter dimension.

Abutting members 35 are provided at both ends of the developer holding body 4 in the axial direction. Each abutting member 35 is abutted against a part of the image carrier PRy by the urging force of the developing device urging member 7 at a portion outside the effective area of the image carrier PRy. In this case, both end portions of the developing device Gy are rotatably supported by a fixed fulcrum-type rotation support portion 6 and a movable fulcrum-type rotation support portion 6 so that the rotation fulcrum on one side can move by the above-described backlash size. It has become. For this reason, when the biasing force of the developing unit biasing member 7 is applied from the back side of the developing unit Gy, the play absorbs the axial misalignment of both rotation fulcrums due to the dimensional tolerance, and the developer holding body 4 is the image holding body. The abutting members 35 at both ends approach the position where they abut against the image carrier PRy side without causing an inclination with respect to PRy. Therefore, when the developing device Gy is moved to the position close to the developing device by the urging force of the developing device urging member 7, the developer holding body 4 is arranged in parallel with the image holding body PRy. In the case where the image holding bearing member PRy is not inserted, or if the abutting member 35 by the attitude change with the spacing rotation of the developing unit is no longer impinge on the image carrier PRy, the rotation of the movable fulcrum type As shown in FIG. 20B, the support portion 6 immediately receives the urging force of the developing device urging member 7 and is in a state in which the support shaft 34 is fitted in a state of being loosely moved to one side of the elongated hole 33.

  When the operation member 12 is rotated from the normal position to the insertable / removable position in such a state, and the interlocking contact member 21 is rotated about the direction changing rotation shaft 18 in accordance with this rotation operation, the driving unit of the developing device Gy The interlocking contact member 21 disposed on the side and the interlocking contact member 21 disposed on the non-driving part side rotate by the same angle. When the interlocking contact member 21 rotates, the interlocking contact portion 21c of the interlocking contact member 21 contacts the interlocked contacted member 8 of the developing device Gy during the rotation, and the biasing force of the developing device biasing member 7 is maintained as it is. Against this, the interlocking contact member 21 pushes up the developing device Gy. At this time, in the rotation support portion 6 on the non-driving portion side of the developing device Gy, as shown in FIG. 20B, if the support shaft 34 is loosely moved to one side of the long hole 33, Even if the distance between the contact member 8 and the effective rotation fulcrum increases and the two interlocking contact members 21 rotate (actuate) at the same angle, the developer Gy is moved to the developer separation position. The distance between the image carrier PRy and the developer carrier 4 is smaller on the non-driving unit side than on the driving unit side.

  Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17, the interlocking contact member 21-1 and the interlocking contact member 21-2 are provided as an example of the operating means, and the drive unit side of the developing device Gy is provided. The interlocking contact member 21-1 disposed in the first operation member is used as the first operation member constituting the first operation unit, and the interlocking contact member 21-2 disposed on the non-driving unit side of the developing device Gy is It is set as the 2nd operation member which constitutes 2 operation parts. And the shape of the contact part of the developing device Gy which the contact member 21-1 for interlocking used as the 1st operation member (1st operation part) contacts, and it becomes the 2nd operation member (2nd operation part). The shape of the contact part of the developing device Gy with which the interlocking contact member 21-2 contacts is different.

  That is, in the lower surface portion of the interlocking contacted member 8 of the developing device Gy, the portion where the interlocking contact member 21-1 arranged on the drive unit side comes into contact has a straight shape without unevenness. Thus, the portion that contacts the interlocking contact member 21 arranged on the non-driving part side has a shape in which a convex portion 36 that protrudes toward the interlocking contact member 21 is provided.

  FIG. 21 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member before the interlocking contact member operates in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side before operation. FIG. 22 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member after the interlocking contact member is actuated in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side after operation. 21 and 22, the shape of the interlocking contact member 21 (21-1, 21-2) that rotates around the direction conversion rotary shaft 18 is simplified.

  First, when comparing the positional relationship between the non-driving part side and the driving part side in the state before the operation shown in FIG. 21, on the non-driving part side, the convex part 36 provided at the site where the interlocking contact member 21-2 contacts. The distance G2 between the interlocking contact member 21-2 and the interlocked contacted member 8 in the Z-axis direction is equal to the distance between the interlocking contact member 21-1 and the interlocking contacted member 8 on the drive unit side. Less than G1. For this reason, when each of the interlocking contact members 21-1, 21-2 is operated at the same rotation angle in the counterclockwise direction (rotating about the direction converting rotary shaft 18), the interlocking contact is made on the non-driving part side. When the member 21-2 comes into contact with the convex portion 36 and then each of the interlocking contact members 21-1 and 22 is further operated, the interlocking contact member 21-1 becomes the interlocked contacted member 8 on the drive unit side. Contact.

  Therefore, when the positional relationship between the non-driving part side and the driving part side is compared in the state after the operation shown in FIG. 22, the interlocked contacted member 8 is increased on the non-driving part side by the operation of the interlocking contact member 21-2. In contrast to being pushed up to the height H2, on the drive unit side, the interlocked contact member 8 is pushed up to the height H1 (<H2) by the operation of the interlocking contact member 21-1. That is, the interlocked contacted member 8 is pushed up higher on the non-driving part side than on the driving part side. Therefore, the rotational movement amount of the developing device Gy by the interlocking contact member 21-2 is larger than the rotational movement amount of the developing device Gy by the interlocking contact member 21-1. As a result, when the developing device Gy is moved to the developing device separation position, the distance between the image carrier PRy and the developer carrier 4 is made uniform in the axial direction of the developer carrier 4.

  Here, the convex portion 36 is provided on the non-driving portion side with respect to the interlocked contacted member 8 of the developing device Gy. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the convex portion 36 is replaced with a concave portion on the driving portion side. May be provided.

  FIG. 23 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member before the interlocking contact member operates in another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 23B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side before operation. FIG. 24 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member after the interlocking contact member is actuated in another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 24B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side after operation, and FIG. 24B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side after operation. 23 and 24, the shape of the interlocking contact member 21 (21-1, 21-2) that rotates around the direction converting rotary shaft 18 is simplified.

  First, when the positional relationship between the non-driving unit side and the driving unit side is compared before the operation shown in FIG. 23, the interlocking contact member 21-2 on the non-driving unit side is the interlocking contact member 21- on the driving unit side. Compared to 1, the member dimension in the X-axis direction is set larger. For this reason, on the non-driving portion side, the contact portion (for interlocking) of the interlocking contact member 21-2 is determined from the axial center position of the direction changing rotary shaft 18 that is the operation center (rotation center) of the interlocking contact member 21-2. The working radius defined by the distance to the contacted member 8) is R2, whereas on the drive side, it becomes the working center (rotation center) of the interlocking contact member 21-1. The working radius R1 defined by the distance from the axial center position of the rotating shaft 18 for direction conversion to the contact part of the interlocking contact member 21-1 (the part that contacts the contacted member 8 for interlocking) is the non-driving part side. It is shorter than the working radius R2. The distance between the interlocking contact member 21-2 and the interlocked contacted member 8 in the Z-axis direction is equal to the distance between the interlocking contact member 21-1 and the interlocking contacted member 8 on the drive unit side. ing.

  Accordingly, each of the interlocking contact members 21-1, 21-2 is operated at the same rotation angle in the counterclockwise direction (rotating about the direction conversion rotating shaft 18), and in the post-operation state shown in FIG. Comparing the positional relationship between the non-driving part side and the driving part side, on the non-driving part side, the interlocking contact member 21-2 is pushed up to the height H4 by the operation of the interlocking contact member 21-2. On the part side, the interlocked contact member 8 is pushed up to the height H3 (<H4) by the operation of the interlocking contact member 21-1. That is, the interlocked contacted member 8 is pushed up higher on the non-driving part side than on the driving part side. Therefore, the rotational movement amount of the developing device Gy by the interlocking contact member 21-2 is larger than the rotational movement amount of the developing device Gy by the interlocking contact member 21-1. As a result, when the developing device Gy is moved to the developing device separation position, the distance between the image carrier PRy and the developer carrier 4 is made uniform in the axial direction of the developer carrier 4.

  FIG. 25 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member before the interlocking contact member operates in still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 25B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side before operation. FIG. 26 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member after the interlocking contact member is actuated in still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 26B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the non-driving unit side, and FIG. 26B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the driving unit side after operation. In FIGS. 25 and 26, the shape of the interlocking contact member 21 (21-1, 21-2) that rotates around the rotating shaft 18 for direction conversion is simplified.

  First, when the positional relationship between the non-driving part side and the driving part side is compared before the operation shown in FIG. 25, the interlocking contact member 21-2 on the non-driving part side is the interlocking contact member 21- on the driving part side. Compared with 1, the position of the rotating shaft 18 for direction conversion is arranged further upward (Z direction). Therefore, on the non-driving part side, the distance G4 between the interlocking contact member 21-2 and the interlocking contacted member 8 in the Z-axis direction is equal to the interlocking contact member 21-1 on the driving part side. This is smaller than the separation amount G3 of the member 8. Therefore, when the interlocking contact members 21-1, 21-2 are operated at the same rotation angle in the counterclockwise direction (rotating around the rotating shaft 18 for direction conversion), the interlocking contact members on the non-driving part side. 21-2 contacts the contacted member 8 for interlocking, and then each of the contact members 21-1 and 22 for interlocking further operates, so that the contact member 21-1 for interlocking becomes the contacted member for interlocking on the drive unit side. 8 is contacted.

  Therefore, when the positional relationship between the non-driving unit side and the driving unit side is compared in the state after the operation shown in FIG. 26, on the non-driving unit side, the interlocked contacted member 8 is increased by the operation of the interlocking contact member 21-2. On the drive unit side, the interlocked contacted member 8 is pushed up to the height H5 (<H6) by the operation of the interlocking contact member 21-1. That is, the interlocked contacted member 8 is pushed up higher on the non-driving part side than on the driving part side. Therefore, the rotational movement amount of the developing device Gy by the interlocking contact member 21-2 is larger than the rotational movement amount of the developing device Gy by the interlocking contact member 21-1. As a result, when the developing device Gy is moved to the developing device separation position, the distance between the image carrier PRy and the developer carrier 4 is made uniform in the axial direction of the developer carrier 4.

  In the above embodiment, a description has been given by taking as an example a case where two interlocking contact members 21 serving as operating members are provided, one on the drive unit side and one on the non-drive unit side. Not limited to this, three or more interlocking contact members 21 may be provided, or a single member integrally formed while performing the above-described function may be used.

  Further, in order to make the separation amount of the interlocking contact member 21 with respect to the developing device Gy different between the driving unit side and the non-driving unit side before the operation, the development with which the interlocking contacted member 8 contacts as described above. In addition to changing the shape of the contact portion of the container Gy or changing the position of the direction conversion rotating shaft 18, for example, the interlocking contact member support 17 c of the moving direction conversion member 17 is covered with the contact member 21 for interlocking. The attachment angle (orientation) of the interlocking contact member 21 around the interlocking contact member support portion 17c in the state where the support portion 21b is fitted may be changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a printer apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, or a multifunction apparatus having at least two functions thereof. . In addition, the image forming apparatus including the image holding bodies PRy to PRk for four colors, the developing units Gy to Gk, and the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk is illustrated. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited thereto, and a single color image forming apparatus or an image holding apparatus is used. The present invention can also be applied to a rotary image forming apparatus in which one body and a latent image forming apparatus are provided and four developing devices are rotated to sequentially face an image holding body.

1 is a front view showing a main part of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2A is a view for explaining the relationship among an image carrier, a latent image forming apparatus, and a developing device in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2A shows that the developing device moves to a position close to the current developing device and forms a latent image; FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the apparatus has moved to the latent image forming device proximity position, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the developing device has moved to the developing device separation position and the latent image forming device has moved to the latent image formation device separation position. . FIG. 3A is a perspective explanatory view of the latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 3A is an explanatory view of a state in which the latent image forming apparatus has moved to a position near the latent image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3B has been moved to a position away from the latent image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of a state. 4A and 4B are explanatory views of an outer frame body of the latent image forming apparatus, in which FIG. 4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is a side view. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the latent image forming apparatus and the image carrier. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining a state in which the latent image forming apparatus has moved to a position near the latent image forming apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the image forming apparatus is moved to a separation position. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the contact / separation mechanism of the latent image forming apparatus in a state where a part of the outer frame body is omitted, FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which the latent image formation apparatus moved to the latent image formation apparatus separation position. FIG. 7A is a perspective view and FIG. 7B is a side view of a connection member for operation of the latent image forming apparatus. FIG. 8A is a perspective view and FIG. 8B is a side view of a moving member of the latent image forming apparatus. It is a principal part enlarged view of the contact member for interlocking of a latent image forming apparatus. FIG. 10A is a perspective view, and FIG. 10B is a side view of a moving direction conversion member of the latent image forming apparatus. FIG. 11A is a perspective view and FIG. 11B is a side view of an interlocking contact member provided in the latent image forming apparatus. FIG. 12A is a perspective view, FIG. 12B is a side view, and FIG. 12C is a plan view. It is explanatory drawing of the image writing light irradiation unit of a latent image forming apparatus, FIG. 13A is a perspective view, FIG. 13B is a side view. FIG. 14A is a top view and FIG. 14B is a side view of the positional relationship between the image carrier and the latent image forming apparatus. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating an operation state when the latent image forming apparatus and the developing device are separated from the image holding member, and FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram of a state immediately after the operation member starts moving from the normal position to the insertable / removable position. 15B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which it has further moved from the state shown in FIG. 15A to the insertable / removable position side, and FIG. FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram of an operation state when the latent image forming apparatus and the developing device are brought close to the image holding member, FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the operation member has moved to the insertable / removable position, and FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state immediately after the operating member starts moving to the normal position side, and FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state where the operating member has further moved to the normal position side from the state shown in FIG. 16B. It is a figure explaining the positional relationship of a developing device and a contact member for interlocking. FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the developing member and the latent image forming apparatus are brought close to the image holding member by raising the operation member, FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing seen from the side. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a state where the developing member and the latent image forming apparatus are separated from the image holding member by pulling down the operation member, FIG. 19A is an explanatory view seen from the front side of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing seen from the back side of the forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining the structure of the rotation support part by the side of a non-drive part. FIG. 21A is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member before the interlocking contact member operates in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21A is the positional relationship on the non-driving part side before the operation FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side before operation. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member after the interlocking contact member is actuated in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22A is the position on the non-driving part side after the actuation FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side after operation. FIG. 23A is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member before the interlocking contact member operates in another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 23B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side before operation. FIG. 24A is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member after the interlocking contact member is actuated in another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 24B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side after operation. FIG. 25A is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member before the interlocking contact member is actuated in still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 25B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side before operation. FIG. 26A is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the interlocking contact member and the interlocked contacted member after the interlocking contact member is actuated in still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 26B is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship on the drive unit side after operation.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Developer holding body, 6 ... Rotation support part, 7 ... Developer urging member, 8 ... Contact member for interlocking, 18 ... Rotating shaft for direction change, 21 (21-1, 21-2) ... For interlocking Contact member, 31 ... gear, 32 ... rotary drive shaft, 33 ... elongated hole, 34 ... support shaft, 35 ... abutting member, 36 ... convex portion, Gy ... developing device, PRy ... image carrier

Claims (6)

An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface;
A developer that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier, and has a developer carrier that holds the developer;
A developing device for rotating the developing device between a developing device proximity position in which the developer holding member is brought close to the image holding member and a developing device separation position in which the developer holding member is separated from the image holding member. Contact and separation mechanism;
A housing for housing the image carrier, the developer, and the developer contact / separation mechanism;
The developing device contacting / separating mechanism is
Located on one end side in the axial direction of the developer holder, and a fulcrum fixed to the casing, and supported by the casing, in a direction in which the developer holder is in contact with and separated from the image holder. A rotation support unit that supports the developer unit in a rotationally movable manner with a fulcrum on the other end side in the axial direction of the developer holding body to be moved;
A developer urging member that urges the developer in a direction in which the developer holder approaches the image carrier;
The developer holding member is operated to rotate the developer holding member in a direction away from the image holding member against the urging force of the developer urging member, and the developer holding member is moved during the rotation. Operating means for contacting the developing device at different positions in the axial direction of
Have
The actuating means includes a first actuating portion that contacts the developing device on one side in the axial direction of the developer holding member, and a second member that contacts the developing device on the other side in the axial direction of the developer holding member. An image forming apparatus, wherein the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the second working portion is larger than the rotational movement amount of the developing device by the first working portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a separation amount of the first operation unit with respect to the developing device is different from a separation amount of the second operation unit with respect to the development device in a state before the operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein an operating radius of the first operating unit and an operating radius of the second operating unit are different. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a shape of a contact portion of the developing device that is in contact with the first operating portion is different from a shape of a contact portion of the developing device that is in contact with the second operating portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The developing unit includes a driving force transmission member that rotates by receiving a driving force from a driving system outside the developing unit, and a rotation center of the rotation support portion on the one end side is a rotation center of the driving force transmission member. An image forming apparatus characterized by being coaxial. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the operating unit is configured to operate in conjunction with a mechanism for separating other functional units excluding the developing unit from the image carrier.

Images