JP5665470B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

   The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

   Conventionally, there is an inline type image forming apparatus in which a plurality of process cartridges are arranged in a line. A plurality of process cartridges used in this type of image forming apparatus must be mounted at predetermined positions on the main body of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, the process cartridge has a structure that cannot be mounted at positions other than designated mounting positions. Further, even in a single color image forming apparatus using one process cartridge, only a process cartridge corresponding to the specification or model of the apparatus main body can be mounted, and a process cartridge having a different function cannot be mounted.

   Thus, many configurations have been proposed in the past that prevent erroneous mounting of the process cartridge at an incorrect position. For example, there is a method in which an uneven shape such as a mounting key is provided at the mounting position of the process cartridge to the image forming apparatus, and the position of the mounting key is changed for each color of developer to be accommodated (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-084534 A

   However, in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for the user to recognize that the mounting is wrong, and if the process cartridge is forcibly inserted without recognizing that the mounting is incorrect, the apparatus main body or the process cartridge may be deformed. . On the other hand, the range of interference in the case of incorrect mounting can be increased to suppress deformation of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge, but there is a problem that the apparatus is increased in size.

   SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can easily recognize an erroneous mounting and can suppress deformation of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge while suppressing an increase in size of the apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges each having a cartridge-side identification unit having a unique identification shape can be attached and detached. A plurality of mounting portions for detachably mounting the cartridge, and identification urging means provided in each of the plurality of mounting portions, and an appropriate cartridge is attached to the mounting portion according to the correspondence with the cartridge side identification portion. When mounting, the appropriate cartridge is allowed to be mounted at the mounting position of the mounting portion, and when an inappropriate cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, the inappropriate cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. the mounting direction and the identification biasing means for biasing in the opposite direction, respectively provided in the plurality of mounting portions, the cartridge the mounting position Positioning urging means for urging to the position, and the identification urging means is not suitable until a mounting position at which the appropriate cartridge completes mounting even when the inappropriate cartridge is mounted. The cartridge is allowed to enter, and the positioning biasing means biases the cartridge to the mounting position only when the appropriate cartridge is mounted .

   According to the present invention, it is easy to recognize that the mounting is wrong, and deformation of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge can be suppressed while suppressing an increase in size of the apparatus.

It is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st reference example . It is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a process cartridge according to a first reference example . It is a perspective explanatory view of process cartridge mounting according to a first reference example . It is a perspective explanatory view of process cartridge mounting according to a first reference example . It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the process cartridge mounting | wearing which concerns on a 1st reference example . It is a perspective explanatory view of mismounting prevention concerning the 1st reference example . It is a perspective explanatory view of mismounting prevention concerning the 1st reference example . It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of incorrect attachment which concerns on a 2nd reference example . It is a perspective view for explanation of composition of a process cartridge and an image forming device concerning the 2nd reference example . It is a perspective explanatory view of incorrect attachment prevention concerning the 2nd reference example . 1 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a perspective explanatory view of process cartridge mounting concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram when the process cartridge according to the first embodiment is properly mounted. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram when the process cartridge according to the first embodiment is inappropriately mounted.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the configuration of the image forming apparatus related to the present invention will be described as a first reference example and a second reference example, and then the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[First Reference Example ]
A first reference example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to this reference example . As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 of this reference example includes a photosensitive drum 1 (1a to 1d) that is an image carrier arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The photosensitive drum 1 (1a to 1d) is rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown). An electrostatic transfer belt 11 that circulates and moves so as to face and contact all the photosensitive drums 1 is provided.

   As shown in FIG. 2, a charging roller 2, a scanner unit 3 (3a to 3d), a developing unit 4, an electrostatic transfer device 5, and a cleaning device 6 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1 in order according to the rotation direction. Established. The photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the developing unit 4, and the cleaning device 6 are integrally formed as a cartridge to form a process cartridge 7 (7a to 7d).

   As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the process cartridge 7 is sequentially driven in accordance with the timing of image formation, and the photosensitive drum 1 (1a to 1d) is driven to rotate counterclockwise in accordance with the drive. Then, the scanner units 3 (3a to 3d) corresponding to the respective process cartridges are sequentially driven. By this driving, the charging roller 2 applies a uniform charge to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the scanner unit 3 irradiates the laser beam 30 (30 a to 30 d) to form a latent image. The developing roller 40 forms (develops) a toner image.

   On the other hand, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 9 set in the feeding cassette 8 is transported to the electrostatic transfer device 5 and a voltage is applied to the transfer rollers 12 (12a to 12d), whereby the photoconductor. The toner images on the drum 1 (1a to 1d) are sequentially transferred to the recording medium 9. The recording medium 9 that has received the transfer of the four color toner images is conveyed to the fixing device 10, and heat and pressure are applied by the fixing device 10, and the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording medium 9. Thereafter, the recording medium 9 is discharged to a discharge tray 13 provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 100.

[Removal of process cartridge 7 to / from apparatus main body]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a mounting unit 101 (101 a to 101 d) on which a plurality of detachable process cartridges 7 are mounted. The process cartridge 7 forms a predetermined amount of image in consideration of the life of the members (photosensitive drum 1, toner T, charging roller 2, developing roller 40, etc.) related to each image process, the amount of toner T used, and the like. After that, it is exchanged for a new one. When the process cartridge 7 is replaced, the front cover 14 of the image forming apparatus 100 is opened. Then, with respect to the mounting portion 101 (101a to 101d) of the image forming apparatus 100, the photosensitive drum 1 is pulled out in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (arrow E direction) and mounted (arrow D direction). )

   The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a loading port 102 for the process cartridge 7 (7a to 7d). A left guide 110 (110a to 110d) and a right guide 120 (120a to 120d) for guiding the process cartridge 7 to a normal position are provided on both side surfaces of the loading port 102 for each process cartridge 7 (7a to 7d). It has been.

   As shown in FIG. 4, a positioning protrusion 71 and a boss 72 are provided on the side surface of the process cartridge 7. The protrusion 71 is provided coaxially with the photosensitive drum 1 and performs positioning with the image forming apparatus 100. The boss 72 is provided on the leading end side in the loading direction of the process cartridge 7 and determines the posture with respect to the image forming apparatus 100. When mounting the process cartridge 7 on the mounting portion 101, the boss 72 is inserted into the groove portion 111 of the left guide 110 and then the projection 71 is placed on the abutment surface 112 provided on the left guide 110. Install. Finally, the mounting position of the process cartridge 7 is completed by abutting the protrusion 71 against the abutting surfaces 112 and 113 provided on the left guide 110 by a torsion coil spring (positioning biasing means) 15 provided on the apparatus main body. Is decided.

   As shown in FIG. 5 (e), the fixed end 156 of the torsion coil spring 15 is inserted into the hole 117 of the left guide 110 and fixed. The torsion part 158 at the center of the spring 15 is supported with the boss 114 provided on the left guide 110 as the center of rotation. The spring 15 is provided so that a biasing force acts on the abutting surfaces 112 and 113 (so that a moment is applied in the direction of arrow P). The support end 157 of the spring 15 is supported by a groove 103 provided in the loading port 102, and the rotation in the arrow P direction is restricted. The spring 15 is bent in a dogleg shape between the torsion part 158 and the support end 157, has a positioning biasing part 151 on the torsion part 158 side from the bending point, and on the support end 157 side from the bending point. A push-up unit 152 is provided.

   When the process cartridge 7 is mounted, first, as shown in FIG. 5A, the protrusion 71 comes into contact with the push-up portion 152. When the process cartridge 7 is further inserted, the protrusion 71 pushes up the spring 15 in the arrow R direction against the urging force of the spring 15 as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the protruding portion 71 contacts the positioning urging portion 151 beyond the bending point, and is mounted to the mounting completion position. At the mounting completion position, as shown in FIG. 5D, the projection 71 is urged by the positioning urging portion 151 in the direction in which it abuts against the abutting surfaces 112, 113 (arrow P direction), whereby the process cartridge 7 is positioned and fixed with respect to the mounting portion 101. The shapes of the support end 157 and the groove portion 103 are set so that the support end 157 is lifted from the groove portion 103 in a state where the projection 71 is in the mounting completion position as shown in FIG. As a result, the positioning urging portion 151 can maintain the state in which the projection 71 is abutted against the abutting surfaces 112 and 113, and the process cartridge 7 is positioned and fixed with respect to the mounting portion 101.

[Incorrect mounting means for process cartridge 7]
As shown in FIG. 6, the process cartridge 7 (7a to 7d) has an identification notch (cartridge side identification part) 73 (73a to 73d). The identification notch 73 is provided on the surface on the tip side in the mounting direction (arrow D direction), and has an identification shape unique to each toner color. In this reference example , the positions of the identification notches 73 (73a to 73d) are different positions in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (positions specific to each toner color), so that the identification shape specific to each toner color is obtained.

   On the other hand, the mounting unit 101 (101a to 101d) has an identification unit (identification biasing means, mounting unit side identification unit) 16 (16a to 16d) at a position unique to each color corresponding to each identification notch 73 (73a to 73d). )have. The identification unit 16 is attached to the support unit 18 (18a to 18d) of the image forming apparatus 100 via a compression spring (identification biasing unit) 17 (17a to 17d). The compression spring 17 biases the process cartridge 7 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (the direction of arrow E).

   As shown in FIG. 6A, when the process cartridge 7b is attached to the appropriate attachment portion 101b, the identification portion 16b fits into the identification cutout 73b, and the compression spring 17b is not compressed. At the same time, the torsion coil spring 15b biases the positioning projection 71b against the abutting surfaces 112b and 113b, and the mounting of the cartridge is completed.

   On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the process cartridge 7b is attached to the inappropriate attachment portion 101a, the identification portion 16a does not coincide with the identification cutout 73b of the process cartridge 7b, and the front end surface 74b of the process cartridge 7b. Abut. When further inserted, the torsion coil spring 15a urges the positioning projection 71b against the abutting surfaces 112a and 113a while the distal end surface 74b pushes the identification portion 16a against the urging force of the compression spring 17a, and reaches the mounting completion position. Installed. At this time, the compression spring is set so that the urging force of the compression spring 17a toward the mounting inlet side (arrow E direction) exceeds the urging force of the spring 15a toward the mounting portion back side (arrow D direction). When the user's mounting force is released in this state, the process cartridge 7b is pushed back in the mounting inlet direction (arrow E direction) against the biasing force of the spring 15a by the biasing force of the compression spring 17a.

According to this reference example , even when the process cartridges 7a to 7d as shown in FIG. 6B are mounted incorrectly in different mounting portions 101a to 101d, the process cartridge 7 is completely mounted once. Allow to be mounted to the position. For this reason, it is hard to invite a user's forcible wearing. Further, since the process cartridges 7a to 7d are pushed back toward the mounting inlet side by the urging force of the compression springs 17a to 17d, it is easy to recognize that the process cartridge is erroneously mounted. Furthermore, since the member that prevents erroneous mounting is an elastic member, even if the user forcibly mounts, the apparatus main body and the process cartridge are unlikely to be damaged.

In this reference example , an identification notch 73 is provided on the tip side in the mounting direction (arrow D direction) as an identification shape. However, as shown in FIG. 7, an identification protrusion (cartridge side identification portion) 731 is provided as the identification shape. May be. In this case, an identification protrusion is formed on a plate-shaped identification unit (identification urging unit, mounting unit side identification unit) 161 (161a to 161d) attached to the image forming apparatus 100 via a compression spring (identification urging unit) 171. Through holes (mounting part side identification parts) 162 (162a to 162d) are provided at positions corresponding to 731 (731a to 731d). Thereby, when an appropriate process cartridge 7 is mounted, the identification protrusion 731 is inserted into the through hole 162, and the compression spring 171 is not compressed. At the same time, the torsion coil spring 15 urges the positioning projection 71 against the abutting surfaces 112 and 113 to complete the mounting of the cartridge. On the other hand, when the inappropriate process cartridge 7 is mounted, the identification protrusion 731 and the identification unit 161 come into contact with each other, and the compression spring 171 is compressed. When the user's mounting force is released, the process cartridge 7 is pushed back in the mounting inlet direction (arrow E direction) by the biasing force of the compression spring 171 against the biasing force of the spring 15.

In addition to this in-line type color image forming apparatus shown in this reference example , such as a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a rotary type color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, this erroneous mounting prevention means is a process with different models and specifications. It can also be used to identify the cartridge. In the in-line type color electrophotographic image forming apparatus as in the present reference example , the following unique effects appear. That is, in a configuration in which a plurality of process cartridges are arranged adjacent to each other, the erroneously mounted cartridge protrudes one step compared to other appropriate process cartridges. Can be easily recognized.

In this reference example , the erroneous mounting prevention means is used to prevent erroneous mounting of the process cartridge having the photosensitive drum. However, the user can attach or detach the developing cartridge or the developer supply container to the apparatus main body. If there is, it is not limited to the one including the photosensitive drum.

[Second Reference Example ]
Next, a second reference example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the first reference example are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the process cartridge 7 according to this reference example . FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the left guide 110 according to this reference example .

As shown in FIG. 9A, in this reference example , an identification protrusion (cartridge side identification portion) 75 is provided instead of the identification notch 73 of the first reference example , and the torsion coil spring 19 is replaced with the torsion coil spring 15. It is provided.

   Each identification protrusion 75 has a different position (a position unique to each toner color) in an arrow F direction substantially orthogonal to both the mounting direction (arrow D direction) of the process cartridge 7 and the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1. Each toner color has a unique identification shape.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the torsion coil spring 19 has a positioning biasing portion 191, a push-up portion 192, a fixed end 196, and a support end 197, like the torsion coil spring 15 of the first reference example . . In the present reference example , the torsion coil spring 19 further includes an identification portion (identification biasing means, mounting portion side identification portion) 193 unique to each toner color. The identification unit 193 is formed between the push-up unit 192 and the support end 197 and prevents erroneous mounting of the process cartridge 7. The identification unit 193 includes a contact part 194 and a bending part (passing part) 195. The bent portion 195 is bent so as not to interfere with the identification protrusion 75 at a position unique to each toner color in order to pass only the identification protrusion 75 of an appropriate cartridge. The contact portion 194 contacts the identification protrusion 75 of the unsuitable process cartridge 7 and prevents the unsuitable process cartridge 7 from being attached.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the process cartridge 7a is mounted on the appropriate mounting portion 101a, the identification protrusion 75a passes through the bent portion 195a without being caught by the contact portion 194a. Next, as in the first reference example , the positioning projection 71a pushes up the push-up portion 192a of the torsion coil spring 19a and is mounted to the mounting completion position.

   On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10 (b) and 8 (a), if the process cartridge 7a is to be mounted on the inappropriate mounting portion 101b, the identification projection 75a is not moved before the positioning projection 71a contacts the push-up portion 192b. Comes into contact with the contact portion 194b. Further, when the process cartridge 7a is inserted, as shown in FIG. 8B, the rotation of the torsion coil spring 19b does not eliminate the interference between the contact portion 194b and the identification protrusion 75a. For this reason, the torsion coil spring 19b is elastically bent in the direction of the arrow Q so that the support end 197b is pushed about the connecting portion 198b of the contact portion 194b and the push-up portion 192b. As the battery is further inserted, the amount of bending in the arrow Q direction increases, and at the same time, the contact portion 194b is pushed in the arrow S direction by the contact between the identification protrusion 75a and the contact portion 194b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8C, the torsion coil spring 19b rotates in a direction (arrow P direction) in which the push-up portion 192b urges the protruding portion 71a against the abutting surface 112b. Then, the positioning projection 71a comes into contact with the push-up portion 192b. At this point, the torsion coil spring 19b can no longer be deformed and rotated, and the mounting of the process cartridge 7a is prevented. When the mounting force is released at this time, a force is generated by which the contact portion 194b pushes the identification protrusion 75a back in the mounting direction entrance direction (arrow E direction) by elastic bending deformation of the torsion coil spring 19b in the arrow Q direction. The process cartridge 7a moves in the mounting inlet direction (arrow E direction).

   In addition, by making the shape and position of the identification unit 193 and the protrusion 71 unique to each toner color, the process cartridges 7a to 7d can be mounted only on the appropriate mounting units 101a to 101d, respectively, and all erroneous mounting is performed. The same operation as described above can be obtained in the pattern.

In this reference example , the torsion coil spring 19 serves as a positioning urging means for positioning an appropriate process cartridge 7 and as an identification urging means for urging an inappropriate process cartridge 7 toward the mounting inlet. .

According to this reference example , the process cartridge 7 can be mounted once to the vicinity of the mounting completion position even in the case of erroneous mounting, so that it is difficult to cause forcible mounting by the user. Further, in the first reference example, it is necessary to mount against the identification biasing means (compression spring 17) having a stronger biasing force than the positioning biasing means (torsion coil spring 15) at the time of erroneous mounting. On the other hand, in this reference example , when the process cartridge 7 is pushed back at the time of erroneous mounting, the identification urging unit does not have to resist the positioning urging unit. Therefore, since the biasing force of the identification biasing unit can be set lower than that of the first reference example , it is possible to reduce the mounting force worn by the user at the time of incorrect mounting and the load on the peripheral components of the identification biasing unit. Can do. Furthermore, since the positioning urging means and the identification urging means are the same part, the number of parts can be reduced.

In this reference example , the torsion coil spring 15 is provided on the left side surface of the mounting opening, but may be provided on both side surfaces. In this case, the process cartridge 7 can be pushed back in parallel with the apparatus. Further, the torsion coil springs 15 on both side surfaces may have different shapes. In this case, the identification types of the process cartridge 7 can be further increased.

First Embodiment
Next, a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the first reference example are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the process cartridge 7 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the left guide 110 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, in the present embodiment, an identification protrusion (cartridge side identification portion) 76 is provided instead of the identification notch 73 of the first reference example , and the torsion coil spring 15 is provided. Instead, a lock member 20 and a tension spring (identification biasing means) 21 are provided.

   The identification protrusion 76 is provided downstream of the positioning protrusion 71 on the side surface of the process cartridge 7 in the mounting direction (arrow D direction). The identification protrusions 76 of each process cartridge 7 are different positions (positions unique to each toner color) in an arrow F direction substantially orthogonal to both the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1 and the mounting direction (arrow D direction) of the process cartridge 7. The identification shape is formed.

   On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, the lock member 20 is supported by the left guide 110 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 116. The tension spring 21 is provided between the spring hooking portion 104 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 and one end of the lock member 20. On the other end side of the lock member 20, a positioning urging portion 201 and a push-up portion 202 are provided. One end of the lock member 20 is pulled by the tension spring 21, and the positioning biasing portion 201 of the lock member 20 biases the projection 71 to the abutting surfaces 112 and 113 (in the direction of arrow P) at the mounting completion position. It is like that. The push-up portion 202 abuts on the positioning projection 71 at the time of mounting and rotates in the arrow R direction against the urging force of the tension spring 21.

   An identification unit 203 is provided between one end of the lock member 20 and the support shaft 116. The identification unit 203 includes a contact part 204 and a notch part (passing part) 205. The notch 205 is provided at a position unique to each toner color in order to allow only the appropriate cartridge identification protrusion 76 to pass therethrough. The abutting portion 204 abuts on the identification protrusion 76 of the inappropriate process cartridge 7 and prevents the inappropriate process cartridge 7 from being attached.

   As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13A, when the process cartridge 7a is mounted on the appropriate mounting portion 101a, the positioning projection 71a contacts the push-up portion 202a of the lock member 20a. Next, the locking member 20a is rotated in the direction of the arrow R against the urging force of the tension spring 21a, and reaches the boundary point 210a that gets over the locking member 20a as shown in FIG. 13 (b). At this time, since the positions of the identification protrusion 76a and the notch 205a coincide with each other, as shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D, the identification protrusion 76a passes through the identification portion 203a, and the lock member 20a is moved to the arrow. While rotating in the P direction, the positioning protrusion 71a is mounted to the mounting completion position.

   On the other hand, if the process cartridge 7a is to be mounted on the inappropriate mounting portion 101b, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the positioning projection 71a reaches the boundary point 210b over the lock member 20b. At this time, since the identification protrusion 76a does not coincide with the notch 205b of the identification portion 203b, when the process cartridge 7a is further mounted, the identification protrusion 76a further moves the lock member 20b in the direction of the arrow R as shown in FIG. Rotate. Then, as shown in FIG. 14D, the positioning projection 71a finally comes into contact with the abutting surface 113b, and the process cartridge 7a is once mounted to the mounting completion position. When the mounting force is released here, the locking member 20b is rotated in the direction of arrow P by the urging force of the tension spring 21, and the process cartridge 7a is pushed back in the mounting inlet direction (arrow E direction) via the identification protrusion 76a. At this time, the identification protrusion 76a and the contact portion 204b are kept in contact until the boundary point 210b where the positioning protrusion 71a gets over the lock member 20b. Does not impede movement to Therefore, if the process cartridge 7 is erroneously mounted, the process cartridge 7a can be pushed back to at least the state shown in FIG.

   In addition, by making the shape and position of the identification unit 203 and the identification projection 76 unique to each toner color, the process cartridges 7a to 7d can be mounted only on the appropriate mounting units 101a to 101d, respectively, and all erroneous mounting is performed. The same operation as described above can be obtained in the pattern.

   In the present embodiment, the tension spring 21 serves as a positioning biasing means for positioning an appropriate process cartridge and a role of an identification biasing means for biasing an inappropriate process cartridge toward the mounting inlet.

According to the present embodiment, as in the first reference example , mounting to a complete mounting position at the time of erroneous mounting and reduction of the biasing force of the identification biasing means are achieved at the same time as in the second reference example. . Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is provided with an erroneous mounting prevention unit that is less likely to cause forcible mounting and has a small user load.

T ... Toner 1 ... Photoconductor drum 7 ... Process cartridge 15 ... Torsion coil spring 16 ... Identification part (identification biasing means, mounting part side identification part)
17 ... Compression spring (identification biasing means)
18 ... support portion 19 ... torsion coil spring (identification biasing means, positioning biasing means)
20: Lock member (identification biasing means, mounting portion side identification portion, positioning biasing means)
21 ... tension spring (identification biasing means, positioning biasing means)
71 ... Projections 72 and 114 ... Boss 73 ... Identification notch (cartridge side identification part)
731, 75, 76... Identification protrusion (cartridge side identification part)
74 ... tip surface 100 ... image forming apparatus 101 ... mounting portion 102 ... loading port 103, 111 ... groove portion 110 ... left guide 112, 113 ... abutment surface 120 ... right guide 156 ... fixed end 116 ... support shaft 117 ... hole 151 ... Positioning biasing portions 157, 197 ... support end 158 ... torsion portion 161 ... identification portion (identification biasing means, mounting portion side identification portion)
162 ... through hole (mounting part side identification part)
171 ... Compression spring (identification biasing means)
192, 202 ... push-up part 193 ... identification part (identification biasing means, mounting part side identification part)
194, 204 ... abutting part 195 ... bent part 205 ... notch part 210 ... boundary point

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges each equipped with a cartridge-side identification portion having a unique identification shape can be attached and detached,
A plurality of mounting portions for removably mounting the plurality of cartridges;
An identification urging unit provided in each of the plurality of mounting units, and when the appropriate cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit due to the correspondence with the cartridge side identification unit, the appropriate cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit. The discriminating bias that allows the cartridge to be mounted at the mounting position and biases the unsuitable cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction in which the non-appropriate cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. Means,
Positioning biasing means for biasing the cartridge to the mounting position, each provided in the plurality of mounting parts;
The identification biasing means allows the inappropriate cartridge to enter the mounting position where the appropriate cartridge completes mounting even when the inappropriate cartridge is mounted;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the positioning biasing unit biases the cartridge to the mounting position only when the appropriate cartridge is mounted . The identification biasing means has a unique mounting portion side identification portion corresponding to the cartridge side identification portion,
When the appropriate cartridge is mounted, the mounting unit side identification unit does not interfere with the cartridge side identification unit, and when the inappropriate cartridge is mounted, the mounting unit side identification unit performs the cartridge side identification. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is urged in a direction opposite to a mounting direction in which the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. Wherein said identification biasing means and positioning the biasing means image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it is integrally formed.   The mounting portion side identification portion includes a passage portion that allows only the cartridge side identification portion provided in the appropriate cartridge to pass therethrough, and a contact portion that contacts the cartridge side identification portion provided in the inappropriate cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

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