JP5787490B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is, in a state where the detachable cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus main body provided with a photosensitive member, it relates to images forming apparatus that to form an image on a recording medium.

  Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process. Examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer), a facsimile apparatus, and a word processor. The image forming apparatus includes both monochrome and color. The recording medium is an image on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, and includes, for example, paper, an OHP sheet, and the like. An intermediate transfer member is also included.

  In general, the cartridge is, for example, a process cartridge or a developing cartridge, which is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and contributes to an image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of charging means, developing means, and cleaning means as a process means acting on the drum and the drum are integrated into a cartridge, and is detachably attached to the apparatus body. Accordingly, the cartridge includes a cartridge in which the developing means as the process means and the drum are integrated into a cartridge and detachably attached to the apparatus main body. The process cartridge includes a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit as a process unit, and a drum are integrated into a cartridge and detachably attached to the apparatus main body. A process cartridge having a drum and a developing unit integrally is referred to as a so-called integrated type. A process cartridge integrally including a drum and process means other than the developing means is referred to as a so-called separation type. The process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by the user himself. Therefore, maintenance of the apparatus main body can be easily performed. The developing cartridge has a developing roller, and stores the developer (toner) used to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum by the developing roller, and can be removed from the apparatus main body. It is to be attached. In the case of the developing cartridge, the drum is attached to the apparatus main body or the cartridge support member. Alternatively, the drum is provided in the so-called separation type process cartridge (in this case, the process cartridge does not have developing means). The developer cartridge can also be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body by the user himself / herself. Therefore, maintenance of the apparatus main body can be easily performed. Therefore, the cartridge includes the so-called integral type or the so-called separation type process cartridge. The cartridge includes a case where a so-called separation type process cartridge and the developing cartridge are used as a pair. As the cartridge, a drum is fixedly attached to the apparatus main body or the cartridge support member. The case where the developing cartridge is detachably mounted on the cartridge support member so as to be able to act on the drum is included. In the present invention, the cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a drum) and process means acting on the drum, and is used by being detachably mounted on the apparatus main body.

  Light emission having a plurality of light-emitting elements that are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction) of the drum as a drum exposure unit in order to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus and emit light according to image information in order to expose the drum A member may be used. For example, in an image forming apparatus in which an LED is used as a light source of an exposure unit, a condensing lens for condensing the light emitted from the LED on a drum is provided. Patent Document 1 discloses a process cartridge in which a drum, a developing unit, and the like are integrated with an LED as a light source of an exposure unit, and a condensing lens is provided in the apparatus main body.

JP 2002-91268 A

  The present invention is a further development of the above prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus with improved usability when a process cartridge is inserted and removed without impairing the positional accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the light emitting member, and the lens.

In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms an image on a recording medium in a state in which a cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body and includes a photosensitive member is mounted on the apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus, the exposure position includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor, and is positioned with respect to the photoconductor in the longitudinal direction and emits the light emitting elements to expose the photoconductor A light emitting unit that can move from the exposure position to a retracted position retracted in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and a light emitting unit moving member that moves the light emitting unit to the exposure position and the retracted position by moving a is has a light emitting unit moving member moves relative to the light emitting unit, before Symbol emitting unit moving member, said cartridge There when said cartridge is moved in the longitudinal direction is removed from the mounting or the apparatus body to the apparatus main body, a guide portion for guiding the cartridge, to the retracted position from the exposure position of the light-emitting unit In conjunction with the movement, the cartridge is supported by the guide unit and moved from an image forming position for forming an image on the recording medium to a detachable position where the cartridge can be removed from the apparatus main body. The guide portion guides the cartridge in a state where the cartridge is located at the retracted position.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus with improved usability when inserting and removing a process cartridge without impairing the positional accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the light emitting member, and the lens. That is, it is possible to improve both the positioning accuracy of the process cartridge and the apparatus main body, the process cartridge and the light emitting member unit, and the usability for inserting and removing the process cartridge.

(A) is an external perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a state in which a door is opened and one of the process cartridges is being pulled out from a mounting portion in the apparatus main body or is being inserted. It is an external appearance perspective view of the apparatus of a state. (A) is a longitudinal front view of the apparatus, and (b) is a partially enlarged view of (a). (A) is an external perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the non-driving side, and (b) is an external perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the driving side. (A) is an external perspective view of an LED unit, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the unit, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of an LED unit holder. (A) is explanatory drawing of the moving member in the state in which the door is closed, (b) is a perspective view of the toggle lever in a state in which the process cartridge is positioned, and (c) is in a state in which the positioning is released It is a perspective view of a toggle lever. It is explanatory drawing of the moving member at the time of the state in which the door is closed. It is explanatory drawing of the moving member at the time of the state in which the door is opened. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the principal part of the apparatus. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the principal part of the apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the LED unit in Example 4. FIG.

Example 1
[Schematic configuration of electrophotographic image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a view in which the front door 71 is opened and one of the process cartridges is being pulled out from the mounting portion in the apparatus main body 100A. It is an external appearance perspective view of the apparatus 100 of a state or the state in the middle of insertion. 2A is a longitudinal front view of the apparatus 100, and FIG. 2B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3A and 3B are external perspective views of the process cartridge P. FIG. 3A is a diagram viewed from the non-driving side, and FIG. 3B is a diagram viewed from the driving side. The apparatus 100 forms an image on the recording medium S in a state where four process cartridges P having the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1 are detachably mounted on the mounting portion in the apparatus main body 100A. This is a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the type. An LED unit (LED exposure device) is used as an exposure device (light emitting member) for exposing the drum 1. More specifically, the apparatus 100 is a four-color full-color LED printer using an electrophotographic process, and records based on an electrical image signal input to the control circuit unit 101 from a host apparatus 200 such as a personal computer or an image reader. A color image is formed on the medium S. The recording medium S (hereinafter referred to as a recording material) is, for example, paper, an OHP sheet, a label, or the like.

  In the following description, with respect to the device 100, the front side (front side) is the side on which a device opening / closing door (front door) 71 is disposed. The rear side (back side) is the opposite side. The front-rear direction is a direction from the rear side to the front side (front direction) and the opposite direction (rear direction). Left and right are left or right when the device is viewed from the front. The left-right direction is a direction from left to right (left direction) and the opposite direction (right direction). Up and down are up or down in the direction of gravity. The apparatus main body 100A is a component of the apparatus 100 excluding the cartridge P.

  Within the main body 100A, first to fourth process cartridge mounting portions 102 (102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K) are arranged substantially horizontally from left to right. The first to fourth four carriages P (PY, PM, PC, PK) are detachably mounted on the mounting portions 102, respectively. Each mounting portion 102 has the same configuration. The configuration of the mounting portion 102 will be described later.

  Each cartridge P has the same electrophotographic process mechanism as each other except that the color of the developer contained therein is different. The cartridge P of this embodiment includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1, a charger 2 as a process unit that acts on the drum 1, a developing device 3, and a cleaning device 4. These devices 1 to 4 are integrally combined into a cartridge between the rear side cover 38 and the front side cover 39 with a predetermined mutual arrangement relationship. The drum 1 is rotatably supported between the covers 38 and 39 via a bearing member (not shown). The cartridge P is an assembly in which the rotation axis direction of the drum 1 is a longitudinal direction, and one end side (cover 38 side) of the drum 1 in the rotation axis direction is a driving side, and the other end side (cover 39 side) is a non-driving side. . Each cartridge P is mounted on the corresponding mounting portion 102 in the main body 100A with the driving side at the back and the non-driving side at the front. A drive input unit 5 is disposed on the cover 38 of the cartridge P concentrically with the rotational axis of the drum 1. The charger 2 is means for uniformly charging the peripheral surface of the drum 1 to a predetermined polarity and potential, and uses a charging roller as a contact charging member. The developing device 3 is a means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 1 as a developer image (toner image) with a powder developer (toner), and as a developing member for supplying the developer to the drum 1. The developing roller 3a and a developer containing portion 3b containing the developer. The cleaning device 4 is means for removing the transfer residual developer from the drum surface after the primary transfer of the developer image on the intermediate transfer belt 9 which is an intermediate recording medium. The cleaning device 4 includes a cleaning blade 4a as a cleaning member and a waste developer container 4b.

  In the first cartridge PY, a yellow (Y) developer is accommodated in the accommodating portion 3b, and a Y developer image is formed on the surface of the drum 1. The second cartridge PM stores a magenta (M) developer in the storage portion 3b, and forms an M developer image on the surface of the drum 1. In the third cartridge PC, a cyan (C) developer is accommodated in the accommodating portion 3b, and a C developer image is formed on the surface of the drum 1. The fourth cartridge PK contains a black (K) developer in the containing portion 3b, and forms a K developer image on the surface of the drum 1.

In a state where each cartridge P is mounted on the corresponding mounting unit 102 in a predetermined manner and positioned at the image forming position A (latent image forming position), a drive output unit (not shown) on the main body 100A side with respect to the drive input unit 5 ) Are combined. The image forming position A of the cartridge P is a position that contributes to forming an image on a belt 9 that is an intermediate recording medium to be described later. Further, a bias output section (not shown) on the main body 100A side is coupled to a bias input section (not shown) on the cartridge P side. Further, an LED unit (light emitting member unit : light emitting unit ) 6 as an exposure device on the main body 100A side exposes the drum 1 to the drum 1 of each cartridge P located at the image forming position A. It is located at a predetermined exposure position M. The unit 6 is provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the drum 1, and a light emitting member having LEDs (light emitting diodes) as a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light according to image information in order to expose the drum 1, and light emission from the LEDs. A lens for converging the emitted light beam and exposing it to the drum 1. The unit 6 performs main scanning exposure on the surface of the rotating drum 1, which has been subjected to light emission control of a plurality of LEDs in response to an image signal input from the control circuit unit 101 and charged by the charging roller 2. Exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal.

  An intermediate transfer belt unit 8 as a transfer member is disposed below the mounting portion 102. The unit 8 includes a flexible endless belt (intermediate transfer belt) 9 as an intermediate recording medium (intermediate transfer member), a driving roller 10 that suspends the belt 9 and circulates it, a turn roller 11, It has an auxiliary roller 11a and a tension roller 12. The rollers 10 and 12 are disposed on the left side in the main body 100A. The rollers 11 and 11a are arranged on the right side in the main body 100A. The primary transfer roller 7 is in contact with the lower surface of the drum 1 of each cartridge P located at the image forming position A via the ascending belt portion of the belt 9. A contact portion between the drum 1 and the belt 9 of each cartridge P is a primary transfer portion T1. Further, the secondary transfer roller 13 is in contact with the roller 10 via the belt 9. A contact portion between the roller 13 and the belt 9 is a secondary transfer portion T2.

  Below the unit 8, a feeding unit 14 is disposed. The unit 14 includes a feeding tray 15, a feeding roller 16, a separation pad 17, and the like. Sheet-shaped recording materials S are stacked on the tray 15. The tray 15 can be freely inserted and removed from the front side of the apparatus 100 (front loading). A handle 15 a is provided on the front plate of the tray 15. A recording material conveyance path Z extending from the roller 16 to the upper left portion in the main body 100A is disposed on the left side in the main body 100A. The conveyance path Z is composed of a conveyance guide plate 18 and the like. A registration roller pair 19, a transfer roller 13, a fixing device (fixing heating device) 20, and a discharge roller pair 21 are disposed along the conveyance path Z from bottom to top. The fixing device 20 has a fixing film unit and a pressure roller. A discharge tray 22 for receiving an image-formed recording material is disposed on the upper surface of the main body 100A.

  The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows. Based on the image formation start signal, a driving force is transmitted from the drive output unit (not shown) on the main body 100A side to the drive input unit 5 on the cartridge P side. Thereby, the drum 1 is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow. The charging roller 2 rotates following the rotation of the drum 1. Further, the developing roller 3a is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed in the clockwise direction of the arrow. The belt 9 is also rotationally driven at a speed corresponding to the speed of the drum 1 in the clockwise direction of the arrow (forward direction with respect to the drum rotation). In synchronism with this drive, a predetermined charging bias is applied to the charging roller 2 in each cartridge P at a predetermined control timing, so that the surface of the drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential. In the unit 6, the surface of the drum 1 charged by the charging roller 2 is subjected to main scanning exposure by selectively controlling light emission of a plurality of LEDs as light emitting elements corresponding to the image signal input from the control circuit unit 101. To do. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal of the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each drum 1 at a predetermined control timing. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed as a developer image by the developing roller 3a. A predetermined developing bias is applied to the developing roller 3a at a predetermined control timing.

  By the electrophotographic image forming process operation as described above, a Y developer image corresponding to the Y color component of the full color image is formed on the drum 1 of the first cartridge PY. The developer image is transferred (intermediate transfer) to the belt 9 at the transfer portion T1. An M color developer image corresponding to the M color component of the full color image is formed on the drum 1 of the second cartridge PM. The developer image is superimposed on the Y-color developer image already transferred onto the belt 9 and transferred at the transfer portion T1. A C developer image corresponding to the C color component of the full color image is formed on the drum 1 of the third cartridge PC. The developer image is superimposed on the Y color + M color developer image already transferred onto the belt 9 and transferred at the transfer portion T1. A K color developer image corresponding to the K color component of the full color image is formed on the drum 1 of the fourth cartridge PK. The developer image is superposed on the developer image of Y color + M color + C color already transferred to the belt 9 and transferred at the transfer portion T1. In this way, a four-color full-color unfixed developer image of Y color + M color + C color + K color is formed on the belt 9. A primary transfer bias having a predetermined potential and a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developer is applied to each primary transfer roller 7 from a power source (not shown) at a predetermined control timing. In each cartridge P, the developer remaining on the surface of the drum 1 after the primary transfer of the developer image to the belt 9 is removed by the cleaning device 4.

  On the other hand, when the lifter plate 15 b of the tray 15 is moved upward at a predetermined control timing, the upper surface on the left side of the recording material S loaded on the tray 15 comes into contact with the lower surface of the roller 16. Further, the roller 16 is driven to rotate in a direction in which the recording material S is fed leftward. As a result, the uppermost recording material in the tray 15 is fed out to the left, separated by the separation pad 17 and sent to the transport path Z. The sent recording material S is synchronized with the image formation on the belt 9 by the roller pair 19 and is introduced into the secondary transfer portion T2 at a predetermined control timing. A secondary transfer bias having a predetermined potential and a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developer is applied to the roller 13 from a power source (not shown). As a result, in the process in which the recording material S is conveyed through the transfer portion T2, the four-color superimposed developer images on the belt 9 are sequentially and collectively transferred onto the surface of the recording material S. The recording material S exits the transfer portion T2, is separated from the surface of the belt 9, is introduced into the fixing device 20, and is heated and pressurized at the fixing nip portion. As a result, the developer image is fixed to the recording material S. The recording material S exits the fixing device 20 and is discharged onto the tray 22 by the roller pair 21 as a full-color image formed product. In the present embodiment, the secondary transfer residual developer on the surface of the belt 9 after separation of the recording material adheres electrostatically to the surface of the drum 1 at the primary transfer portion T1 of the first cartridge PY, and is cleaned. Removed by vessel 4.

[Cartridge replacement method]
As each cartridge P is used for image formation, the developer stored in the storage portion 3b is consumed. Therefore, for example, the cartridge P is provided with detection means (not shown) for detecting the remaining amount of developer in each cartridge. In the control circuit unit 101 of the main body 100A, the remaining amount value detected by the detecting means is compared with a preset threshold value for cartridge life warning or life warning. For a cartridge in which the developer has decreased to a remaining amount value that is less than the threshold value, a life warning or a life warning about the cartridge is displayed on the display unit of the printer operation unit 105 or the display unit of the host device 200. Display. As a result, the user is urged to prepare a replacement cartridge or to replace the cartridge, thereby maintaining the quality of the output image.

  In the apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the cartridge P is replaced as follows. A door (opening / closing member) 71 is provided on the front side of the main body 100A. When the door 71 is opened, the opening 104 on the front surface side of the main body 100A is opened, and the non-driving side of each cartridge P mounted on each mounting portion 102 is exposed. Thus, the user can access the cartridge P and exchange the cartridge P by front access. The cartridge P is attached to and detached from the mounting portion 102 of the main body 100A in a side-oriented configuration in which the cartridge P can be attached and detached in the rotational axis direction of the drum 1 and on the front side of the apparatus main body. FIG. 1B shows a state in which the first cartridge PY is being pulled out from or inserted into the mounting portion 102Y in the main body 100A. X is an insertion direction of the cartridge P with respect to the main body 100A, and Y is a drawing direction.

  The door 71 is provided on the front side of the main body 100 </ b> A as an opening / closing member that can move between a closed position (closed position) E that closes the opening 104 and an open position F that opens the opening 104. In the present embodiment, the door 71 is provided on the lower side of the door, and the main body is centered on a shaft (hinge shaft) 72 (FIGS. 5 to 7) that is supported by a bearing member (not shown) on the main body 100A side. It can be opened and closed with respect to the front surface of 100A. The user can move the door 71 to the closed position E in which the opening 104 is closed by the user being raised about the shaft 72 and rotating in the direction. Further, the door 71 in the closed position E can be rotated by the user placing the finger on the handle portion 71a and tilting almost horizontally toward the front side of the main body 100A around the shaft 72. Thereby, the opening part 104 can be moved to the open position F which opened largely. The opening 104 is an opening for allowing each cartridge P to pass through the cartridge P for insertion into and removal from the corresponding mounting portion 102 in the main body 100A.

[Cartridge P]
As described above, the cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) have the same electrophotographic process configuration except that the color of the developer contained therein is different. In the cartridge P of this embodiment, the drum 1, the charger 2, the developing device 3, and the cleaning device 4 have a predetermined mutual arrangement relationship between the rear side cover 38 and the front side cover 39. The cartridges are integrally joined together. A notch groove 40 is provided between the drive side cover 38 and between the developing device 3 and the cleaning device 4. The groove portion 40 extends from the cover 38 to the cover 39 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge P. A guide rail portion 47 on the unit 6 side (the light emitting member unit side is an id portion) is inserted into the groove portion 40. As will be described later, the rail portion 47 serves as a guide when the cartridge P is inserted into and removed from the mounting portion 102. The covers 38 and 39 are each provided with a positioning hole 43 and a round slot (not shown) for positioning the longitudinal direction of the unit 6. The cover 38 has an abutting surface 41 with the rear main body frame 106 (FIG. 5). A notch hole 42 is provided on the upper surface side of the developing device 3 on the cover 38 side. This hole 42 is provided with a toggle lever 81 (FIG. 5), which will be described later, on the main body 100A side so that the above-described abutting surface 41 abuts against the inner surface of the frame 106 when the cartridge P is inserted into the mounting portion 102. belongs to.

[Mounting part 102]
The configuration of the mounting portion 102 (102Y, 102M, 102C, 102K) of each cartridge P is the same. Hereinafter, for convenience, the fourth mounting portion 102K will be described as a representative. FIGS. 5A and 7A are perspective views of the apparatus frame in which other cartridges and peripheral parts thereof are omitted in order to pay attention to the fourth cartridge PK. The mounting portion 102 includes an LED unit 6 as a light emitting member unit, a light emitting member unit support member (light emitting unit moving member) that supports the unit 6, and a moving member 107 that moves the holder 30. In this embodiment, a guide rail portion 47 is disposed as a light emitting member unit side guide portion for guiding the insertion and removal of the cartridge P in the unit 6.

  4A is an external perspective view of the unit 6, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view. The unit 6 is provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the drum 1, and an LED array (light emitting element array) as a light emitting member having a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light according to image information in order to expose the drum according to image information. 49. In addition, it includes an LED substrate 50, a Cellpho (registered trademark) lens 51, and a housing 52. The lens 51 is a lens for converging the light emitted from the light emitting element (LED) and exposing it to the drum 1. The casing 52 has a front and rear downward positioning bosses 46 for positioning the unit 6 and the cartridge P, a guide rail portion 47 that serves as a guide for the cartridge P when the cartridge P is inserted and removed, and a holder for holding the unit 6. Part 48. The rear and front bosses 46 correspond to the positioning holes 43 and round holes provided in the covers 38 and 39 of the cartridge P, respectively.

  FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the holder 30. The holder 6 supports the exposure position M (FIG. 2B, FIG. 6A) and the retreat position N (FIG. 7C) for retreating from the exposure position M. It is a member that supports the unit 6 in a movable state so that it can be taken. The exposure position M is a position at which the drum 1 is exposed through the lens 51 when the light emitting element of the unit 6 emits light. In the present embodiment, the holder 30 is a substantially C-shaped groove-shaped member having a transverse cross-section that extends in the longitudinal direction. In the unit 6, the holding portion 48 is fitted into the groove portion 30 a of the holder 30 and is supported by the holder 30 in a movable state in the vertical direction. The groove 30 a of the holder 30 has a spring (elastic member) 56 that urges the supported unit 6 downward, and a cap 57 that covers the spring 56. The cap 57 is provided so that the unit 6 can move (slid) in the front-rear direction of the main body 100 </ b> A with respect to the holder 30 as the holder 30 supporting the unit 6 moves up and down. Bosses 58 are disposed on the left and right portions near the front end and the left and right portions near the rear end of the holder 30, respectively. Two parallel rotating shafts 62 extending in the left-right direction are disposed on the front side and the rear side in the main body 100A. The shaft 62 is a common shaft to the first to fourth four cartridge mounting portions 102 (102Y, 102M, 102C, 102K), and a bearing member (not shown) is interposed between the left and right body frames (not shown). And is rotatably supported. The holder 30 is held on the front shaft 62 via the arm 61 on the front end side. The base of the arm 61 is fixed to the shaft 62. The left and right bosses 58 near the front end of the holder 30 are fitted and pivotally supported in a hole 61a provided on the distal end side of the arm 61. The rear end side of the holder 30 is also held by the rear shaft 62 via the arm 61. The base of the arm 61 is fixed to the shaft 62. The left and right bosses 58 near the rear end of the holder 30 are fitted to and supported by a hole 61a formed on the front end side of the arm 61. The front side arm 61 and the rear side arm 61 each have a protrusion 63 and play a role of abutting against the main body frame 109 (FIG. 7B). The front and rear arms 61 have the same shape and the same rotational phase.

  In this embodiment, the moving member 107 uses the door 71 as an operation member, and the unit 6 moves to the exposure position M (FIG. 2 (b), FIG. 6 (a)) in conjunction with the operation of opening and closing the door 71. This is a mechanism for moving the holder 30 so as to be able to take the retreat position N ((c) of FIG. 7). A toggle lever 64 is fixed to the right end portion of the front shaft 62. The lever 64 can take two conversion positions, a first position G (FIG. 6B) and a second position H (FIG. 7B) by a toggle spring 65. The position G is a position for positioning the cartridge P at the image forming position A. The position H is a position where the cartridge P is positioned at the take-out position B (FIG. 7). A first gear 68 and a second gear 69 meshing with each other are pivotally supported on the main body frame (not shown). A lever 67 is fixedly disposed on the gear 68 concentrically. The lever 67 and the lever 64 are connected by a link 66. A lever 70 is fixedly disposed on the gear 69 concentrically. A boss 70 a is disposed on the distal end side of the lever 70. A long hole 71 c is provided in the right side plate 71 b provided on the inner surface side of the door 71. The boss 70a of the lever 70 is engaged with the long hole 71c. In addition, a long hole 71c is also formed in the left side plate 71b disposed on the inner surface side of the door 71 symmetrically with the right side plate 71b side. A boss 70a disposed on the distal end side of the lever 70 concentrically integrated with the left lateral axis (hinge axis) 72 is engaged with the long hole 71c.

  With the above configuration, the unit 6 supported by the holder 30 moves from the retracted position N to the exposure position M in conjunction with the door 71 moving from the open position F to the closed position E. Further, in conjunction with the movement of the door 71 from the closed position E to the open position F, the unit 6 supported by the holder 30 moves from the exposure position M to the retracted position N. The gear 68 and the gear 69 play a role of reducing the operation force of the door 71 by matching the rotation direction of the door 71 and the rotation direction of the shaft, and the gear ratio. The arm 70 plays a role of reducing the operation force of the door 71 by the lever ratio. The holder 30 moves the cartridge P together with the unit 6 in the vertical direction in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the door 71. That is, the holder 30 moves the cartridge P in the main body 100A by the operation of the moving member 107. And play a role to move.

  1) The mutual relationship of the respective elements when the cartridge P is mounted on the mounting portion 102 and the door 71 is located at the closed position E where the opening portion 104 is closed will be described with reference to FIGS. A toggle lever 81 on the main body 100A side is fitted in the cutout hole 42 on the cover 38 side ((b) of FIG. 5). In this state, the lever 81 applies a force for moving the cartridge P toward the rear main body frame 106 by the biasing force of the toggle spring (elastic member) 82. As a result, the abutting surface 41 on the cover 38 side is pressed against the inner surface of the frame 106 to position the cartridge P in the front-rear direction within the main body 100A. The lever 81 is attached to a holder 83 fixed to the frame 106 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 84. The spring 82 is stretched between the holder 83 and the lever 81. The lever 81 rotates downward as shown in FIG. 5B and fits into the hole 42, and the lever 81 rotates forward from the hole 42 as shown in FIG. 5C. It has two conversion positions with position K when the cartridge is missing.

  Downward convex portions 36 are provided as positioned portions (cartridge side positioning portions) on the lower side of the cover 38 (one end side) and the lower side of the cover 39 (other end side), respectively. The convex portion 36 is provided coaxially (concentrically) with the drum 1. On the other hand, the rear and front stay members (inner plates) 108 in the main body 100a are provided with recesses (notches) 37 as main body side positioning portions. The convex portion 36 is pressed against the concave portion 37. Thereby, the positioning of the cartridge P in the left-right direction in the main body 100A is performed.

  Further, when the door 71 is closed, the lever 70 is rotated in an upward posture by the long hole 71c and the boss 70a as shown in FIG. 6B. Therefore, the link 66 is lifted upward via the gear 69, the gear 68, and the lever 67, and the lever 64 is changed to the first position G. Since the lever 64 is changed to the position G, the arm 61 is in the downward rotation angle posture, and the holder 30 is held at the predetermined lowered position C. In this state, the unit 6 is positioned with respect to the cartridge P positioned on the main body 100A. In the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the unit 6, the positioning boss 46 on the unit 6 side, the positioning holes 43 on the covers 38 and 39 side of the cartridge P, and the round oblong holes are fitted. The vertical direction of the main body of the unit 6 is positioned when the boss 46, the hole 43, and the seat surface of the round long hole abut against each other. The cartridge P and the unit 6 are biased downward by the elastic force of the spring 56 of the holder 30 so that the cartridge P and the unit 6 do not float upward. The cartridge P is held at the image forming position A via the arm 61 by the elastic force of the holder 30, the lever 64 and the spring (elastic member) 65. The door 71 is held at the closed position E through the link 66, lever 67, gear 68, gear 69, and arm 70 connected to the lever 64.

  2) The mutual relationship of each element when the door 71 is moved to the open position F that opens the opening 104 from the state shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described with reference to FIG. In conjunction with the opening and turning of the door 71, the lever 70 is rotated from the upward position to the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 7B by the long hole 71c and the boss 70a. Therefore, the link 66 is pulled downward via the gear 69, the gear 68, and the lever 67, and the lever 64 is changed from the first position G to the second position H. The position H of the lever 64 is held so that the protrusion 63 abuts against the frame 109. When the lever 64 is converted to the position H, the arm 61 is rotated approximately 45 ° toward the front side from the downward rotation angle posture. In this state, the holder 30 is held at the cartridge removal position D that has moved a predetermined amount upward and downward from the lowered position C (FIG. 6). When the holder 30 moves to the cartridge take-out position D, the holding portion 48 of the unit 6 and the holder 30 are caught, and the unit 6 is moved upward in the main body. When the unit 6 moves upward, the rail portion 47 of the unit 6 and the cutout portion 40 of the cartridge P are caught, and the cartridge P is moved upward. In this case, the cartridge P is held in a state of being pressed against the frame 106 by the toggle lever 81 at the cartridge positioning position J. Therefore, the cartridge P moves upward along the inner surface of the frame 106, but does not move forward. The holder 30 moves from the lowered position C to the cartridge take-out position D while sliding with respect to the holding portion 48 of the unit 6. Then, the unit 6 is moved from the exposure position M (FIG. 2B, FIG. 6A) with respect to the cartridge P to the retracted position N (FIG. 7C). In a state where the unit 6 has moved to the retracted position N, the positioning boss 46 on the unit 6 side is removed from the positioning holes 43 and the round oblong holes on the covers 38 and 39 side. Further, the cartridge P is lifted by the unit 6 and moves upward. Thereby, the cartridge side positioning part 36 is separated from the main body side positioning part 37 and becomes non-contact. Further, the drum 1 of the cartridge P is separated from the belt 9 and is not in contact. The position of the cartridge P in the lifted state is the cartridge B removal position B.

  The cartridge P moved to the take-out position B can be pulled out from the opening 104 to the front side of the main body along the rail portion 47 of the unit 6 by grasping the cover 39 side by hand and pulling it toward the front side. When the cartridge P is pulled and moved in the forward direction of the main body, the toggle lever 81 moves upward in the main body against the pulling force of the toggle spring (elastic force) 82 by moving the cutout hole 42 in the forward direction. Rotate. When the dead center is exceeded, as shown in FIG. 5C, the cartridge is held in a state where it is turned to the position K when the cartridge is inserted and removed from the hole 42 by rotating forward. The cartridge P is further pulled out from the opening 104 along the rail portion 47 of the unit 6 and is placed on the rib 73 in the front-rear direction inside the door 71 held in a substantially horizontal open state. It is pulled out smoothly.

  3) When inserting the cartridge P into the main body 100A, the cartridge P is placed on the rib 73 on the inner side of the door 71 held in a substantially horizontal open state with the cover 38 first. When the cartridge P is pushed into the main body 100A from the opening 104, the rail portion 47 of the unit 6 held by the holder 30 positioned at the cartridge take-out position D is formed in the cutout portion 40 of the cover 38. Enter in response. When the cartridge P is further pushed in, the cartridge P is guided by the rail portion 47 and inserted into the main body 100A. At the end of the insertion, the cover 38 is pressed against the sub-lever portion 85 of the toggle lever 81 that is changed and held at the position K when the cartridge is inserted and removed ((c) in FIG. 5). As a result, the lever 81 is turned downward against the pulling force of the toggle spring 82. Then, when the dead point is exceeded, the cartridge is turned downward as shown in FIG. That is, the cartridge P is in a state where the abutting surface 41 on the cover 38 side is pressed against the inner surface of the frame 106 by the lever 81 converted to the position J, and the cartridge P is positioned in the front-rear direction in the main body 100A.

  Then, the door 71 is rotated from the open position F to the closed position E where the opening 104 is closed. In conjunction with the closing and turning of the door 71, the lever 70 is turned to the upward posture as shown in FIG. 6B from the turning posture in which the lever 70 is tilted forward by the long hole 71c and the boss 70a. Therefore, the link 66 is lifted upward via the gear 69, the gear 68, and the lever 67, and the lever 64 moves from the second position H in FIG. 7B to the first position G in FIG. 6B. Converted to When the lever 64 is converted to the position G, the arm 61 is in the downward rotation angle posture, and the holder 30 is held at the predetermined lowered position C. In this state, the unit 6 and the cartridge P are lowered. The cartridge P moves from the take-out position B to the image forming position A, and the cartridge side positioning portion 36 is engaged with the main body side positioning portion 37. Further, the unit 6 moves from the retracted position N to the exposure position M with respect to the cartridge P, and the positioning boss 46 on the unit 6 side, the positioning hole 43 on the side of the cartridge P and the positioning hole 43 on the 39 side, and the round elongated hole are fitted. Is positioned. The unit 6 is positioned in the vertical direction by the positioning boss 46 and the seating surface of the hole 43 abutting each other. The cartridge P and the unit 6 are urged downward by the spring 56 of the holder 30 so that the cartridge P and the unit 6 do not float upward. The cartridge P is held at the image forming position A via the arm 61 by the holder 30, the toggle lever 64 and the toggle spring 65. That is, the cartridge P is positioned at the image forming position A in conjunction with the movement of the holder 30 by the moving member 107 so that the unit 6 is positioned at the exposure position M. The door 71 is held at the closed position E via the link 66, lever 67, gear 68, gear 69, and arm 70 connected to the toggle lever 64. That is, in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described in 1), the cartridge P is mounted on the mounting portion 102, and the mutual relationship between the elements when the door 71 is positioned at the closed position E where the opening portion 104 is closed. Return to.

  The operations of the other cartridges PY / PM / PC and the corresponding mounting portions 102Y / 102M / 102C are the same as described above.

  As described above, the cartridge P is inserted into and removed from the main body 100A along the unit 6 located at the retracted position N from the longitudinal direction of the drum 1. The cartridge P is positioned at the image forming position A that contributes to forming an image on the belt 9 in conjunction with the movement of the holder 30 by the moving member 107 so that the unit 6 is positioned at the exposure position M. The holder 30 has a spring 65, and the unit 6 is positioned at the exposure position M and the cartridge P is positioned at the image forming position A by the elastic force of the spring 65. In this embodiment, the cartridge P has a cartridge side positioning portion 36 provided coaxially (coaxially) with the drum 1 and on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the drum 1. The main body 100 </ b> A has a main body side positioning portion 37 for positioning the cartridge side positioning portion 36, and the unit 6 is positioned at the exposure position M by pressing the unit 6 against the cartridge P by the elastic force of the spring 56. Further, the cartridge P is positioned at the image forming position A by pressing the cartridge side positioning portion 36 against the main body side positioning portion 37 by the elastic force of the spring 56.

  By guiding the cartridge P with the unit 6, usability at the time of cartridge insertion / extraction can be improved. Further, by raising and lowering the cartridge P and the unit 6, the cartridge P and the unit 6 can be accurately positioned with respect to the main body 100A.

Example 2
The present embodiment is characterized in that a rail portion 59 for guiding the cartridge P is attached to the holder 30. That is, the light emitting member unit support member holder 30 has a light emitting member unit support member side guide portion 59 that guides the cartridge P when the cartridge P is inserted into and removed from the main body 100A. The holder 30 is characterized in that it guides the cartridge P in a state where the unit 6 is located at the retracted position N.

The same components and portions as those in the apparatus of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the cartridge P has two left and right guide bosses (engagement portions) 44 on the rear side cover 38 and the front side cover 39 as shown in FIG. . The boss 44 functions as a cartridge side guide portion when the cartridge P is inserted and removed. As shown in FIG. 8B, the holder 30 has a guide rail portion 59 as a light emitting member unit support member side guide portion with which the guide boss 44 on the cartridge P side is engaged. The rail portion 59 serves as a guide for the cartridge P when the cartridge is inserted and removed.

  FIG. 8C is a diagram showing the interrelationships of the respective elements when the cartridge P is mounted on the mounting portion 102 and the door 71 is positioned at the closed position E where the opening portion 104 is closed. . 6A in the apparatus of the first embodiment, the holder 30 is positioned at the lowered position C, the cartridge P is positioned at the image forming position A, and the unit 6 is positioned at the exposure position M. It is held in the state. In this state, the apparatus 100 can perform an image forming operation.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing the mutual relationship of the respective elements when the door 71 is moved to the open position F where the opening 104 is opened. In the apparatus of the first embodiment, FIG. Similar to the state of FIG. 6A, it corresponds to FIGS. 7A and 7C. Similarly to the apparatus of the first embodiment, the apparatus of the present embodiment is also held at the cartridge take-out position D in which the holder 30 has moved a predetermined amount from the lowered position C) in the forward and upward directions in conjunction with the opening rotation of the door 71. The Accordingly, the unit 6 is lifted and moved from the exposure position M to the cartridge P to the retracted position N. When the unit 6 moves upward in the main body, in this embodiment, the guide rail portion 59 on the holder 30 side and the guide boss 44 on the cartridge P side are hooked, and the cartridge P is moved upward. That is, the cartridge P moves from the image forming position A to the cartridge removal position B. The cartridge P moved to the take-out position B is gripped by the front side cover 39 side by hand and pulled toward the front side, so that the opening 104 is formed along the rail portion 47 of the holder 30 as in the case of the apparatus of the first embodiment. Can be pulled out from the front side of the main body.

  When the cartridge P is inserted into the main body 100A, as in the case of the apparatus of the first embodiment, the cartridge P is held in a substantially horizontal open state with the rear side cover 38 side of the cartridge P first. It is placed on the rib 73 inside the door 71. Then, when the cartridge P is pushed into the main body 100A from the opening 104, the guide boss 44 on the rear side of the cartridge P engages with the rail portion 59 of the holder 30 located at the cartridge removal position D. Furthermore, by inserting the cartridge P, the rail portion 47 of the unit 6 held by the holder 30 is correspondingly inserted into the cutout portion 40 of the cover 38. By further pushing in the cartridge P, the cartridge P is guided by the rail portion 59 and inserted into the main body 100A. At the end of insertion, the guide boss 44 on the front side of the cartridge P engages with the rail portion 59 of the holder 30. Further, as in the case of the apparatus of the first embodiment, the cartridge P is pressed against the inner surface of the frame 106 by the toggle lever 81 and is positioned in the front-rear direction within the main body 100A. Then, the door 71 is rotated from the open position F to the closed position E where the opening 104 is closed. In conjunction with the closing and turning of the door 71, the holder 30 is positioned from the cartridge take-out position D to the lowered position C by the moving member 107. As a result, the cartridge P is returned to the state shown in FIG. 8C in which the cartridge P is held at the image forming position A and the unit 6 is positioned at the exposure position M.

  By guiding the cartridge P with the holder 30 as in this embodiment, usability when inserting and removing the cartridge can be improved. Further, by raising and lowering the cartridge P and the unit 6, the cartridge P and the unit 6 can be accurately positioned with respect to the main body 100A.

Example 3
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10A, the apparatus 100 is configured such that the intermediate transfer belt unit 8 is located above the cartridge mounting portion 102. Further, the apparatus of this embodiment is an apparatus characterized in that a rail portion for guiding the cartridge P is attached to the holder 30 as in the apparatus of the second embodiment. The same components and parts as those of the apparatus of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. The image forming operation of the apparatus 100 in this embodiment is the same as that of the apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. The configurations of the cartridge P and the unit 6 are basically the same as those in the second embodiment.

  The holder 30 that holds the unit 6 shown in FIG. 10B has an upper cap 60 that urges the cartridge P upward and a lower cap 57 that urges the unit 6 upward. Although not shown in the drawing, the caps 60 and 57 have springs (elastic members) 56 as in the second embodiment. The upper cap 60 is used to push up the cartridge P so that the cartridge P does not interfere with the unit 6 when the cartridge P is inserted and removed. The guide rail portion 59 serves as an upward regulating guide for the cartridge. In the holder 30, four bosses 58 are held by the arm 61 at two places before and after the main body 100A.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (a), the arm 61 is held with respect to the main body 100A by shafts 62 supported by the main body frame at two positions before and after the main body 100A. The arm 61 has a protrusion 63 and plays a role of abutting against the main body frame. A toggle arm 64 is fixed to the end surface of the shaft 62, and has a first position for positioning the cartridge P at the image forming position A and a second position for positioning the cartridge P at the take-out position B by the toggle spring 65. The holder 30 serves to move the cartridge P together with the unit 6 in the vertical direction (image forming position A and take-out position B). The holder 30 moves in the vertical direction by the moving member 107 in conjunction with the door 71. Since the moving member 107 is basically the same as the first and second embodiments, the description thereof is omitted.

  (A) of FIG. 11 shows the mutual relationship of the respective elements when the cartridge P is mounted on the mounting portion 102 and the door 71 is located at the closed position for closing the opening. In this state, the holder 30 is moved upward by the moving member 107. Thus, the cartridge P is held in a state where the cartridge side positioning portion 36 is pressed by the main body side positioning portion 37 by the elastic force of a spring (not shown) inside the cap 60 and positioned at the image forming position A. . Further, the unit 6 is held in a state where it is pressed to the cartridge P by the elastic force of a spring (not shown) inside the cap 57 and positioned at the exposure position M.

  FIG. 11B shows the interrelation between the elements when the door 71 is in the open position where the opening is opened. The holder 30 is moved downward by the moving member 107. When the holder 30 is moved downward by the moving member 107 in conjunction with the opening of the door, the cartridge P is moved upward by the spring inside the cap 60 until the guide boss 44 hits the upper restriction guide 59. Move to. As a result, the positioning boss 46 of the unit 6 is separated from the positioning hole 43 of the cartridge P to the retracted position N, and the cartridge P can be taken out. Further, the cartridge P moves to the take-out position B. In this state, the cartridge P can be taken out by being guided by the guide portion 59 of the holder 30 and pulled forward in the main body.

When inserting the cartridge P into the main body 100A, the cartridge P is placed on the rib 73 on the opened door 71, and the cartridge P is pushed backward in the main body. First, the cartridge P is slightly lifted up by the spring inside the cap 60 arranged in front of the rail portion 59 of the holder 30. The entrance of the rail portion 59 of the holder 30 is provided with a taper shape for calling the boss 44. When the cartridge P is pushed into the main body 100A, the boss 44 is called into the rail portion 59, and the cartridge P is inserted with the boss 44 and a guide rib (not shown) abutting each other. Finally, the end surface of the cartridge comes into contact with the toggle lever 81 on the rear side of the main body, and the lever 81 is tilted and pulled by the pulling force of the spring 82. As a result, the abutment surface 41 of the cartridge P comes into contact with the main body frame 106 and positioning in the front-rear direction of the main body is performed. Then, the door 71 is rotated from the open position to the closed position where the opening is closed. In conjunction with the closing rotation of the door 71, the holder 30 is positioned at the upper position C from the cartridge removal position by the moving member 107. Thus, the cartridge P is returned to the state shown in FIG. 11A in which the cartridge P is held at the image forming position A and the unit 6 is positioned at the exposure position M.
As described above, by guiding the cartridge P with the holder 30, usability at the time of inserting and removing the cartridge can be improved. Further, by raising and lowering the cartridge P and the unit 6, the cartridge P and the unit 6 can be accurately positioned with respect to the main body 100A.

Example 4
This embodiment is another configuration of the unit 6 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B in the apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the unit 6. The unit 6 of this embodiment is configured as a unit 6 by separating the casing 52 into first and second casings 52A and 52B and connecting the casings 52A and 52B. The first housing 52A is provided with the front and rear downward positioning bosses 46 for positioning the LED substrate 50, the cell hook lens 51, and the cartridge P. The first housing 52A includes a guide rail portion 47 that functions as a guide for the cartridge P when the cartridge P is inserted and removed, and a holding portion 48 that holds the unit 6. The first casing 52A is provided with a convex edge portion 52a along the longitudinal direction. The second casing 52A is provided with a concave groove 52b with which the convex edge 52a engages along the longitudinal direction. The rear end side of the convex edge portion 52a of the first casing 52A is engaged with the front end side of the concave groove portion 52b of the second casing 52B. Then, the first and second casings 52A and 52B are slid relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. The sliding movement is performed until the first casing 52A hits the stopper 52c on the rear end side of the second casing 52B. As a result, the first and second housings 52A and 52B are joined to form the unit 6. The convex edge portion 52a can be provided on the second housing 52B side, and the concave groove portion 52b can be provided on the first housing 52A side.

《Other matters》
1) Although the operation member of the moving member 107 is the door 71 in the apparatuses of the first to third embodiments, the operation member may be another member that is operated independently of the door 71. For example, the lever 70 can be used as an operating member so that the user can directly operate the lever 70. When the lever 70 has an independent configuration that does not interlock with the door 71, the cartridge P is held at the take-out position by opening the door 71 and rotating the lever 70 in the same manner as in the operation of the embodiment.

  2) As a light emitting element of the light emitting member 6, for example, an electroluminescent element such as a liquid crystal element, a semiconductor light emitting diode, or an organic electroluminescent element (organic EL element) is used. A semiconductor light emitting diode is a semiconductor element that emits light when a voltage is applied. An organic EL element is an electronic material made of an organic compound that glows when a voltage is applied, and emits light by itself. In the organic EL element, for example, an organic molecular light emitting layer is sandwiched between two electrodes and a voltage is applied. As a result, electrons and holes injected from the electrodes are recombined to excite organic molecules, and light is emitted when the excited organic molecules return to the ground state.

  3) The embodiment is an example of an in-line color printer, but the same effect can be obtained even with a mono-color printer configuration.

  1 .... Electrophotographic photosensitive drum, 2-4..Processing means, P..Process cartridge, 100A..Main body, S..Recording medium, 100..Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, 49..Light emitting member, 51 .. Lens, 6 .. Light emitting member, M .. Exposure position, N .. Retraction position, 30 .. Light emitting member unit support member, 107.

Claims (32)

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium in a state in which a cartridge including a photosensitive member that is detachable from the apparatus body is mounted on the apparatus body.
An exposure position that includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor, is positioned with respect to the photoconductor in the longitudinal direction, and emits the light emitting elements to expose the photoconductor; and the exposure position A light emitting unit that is movable from a retracted position retracted in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction from
A light emitting unit moving member that moves the light emitting unit to the exposure position and the retracted position by moving, the light emitting unit moving member moving relative to the light emitting unit ;
Have
Before SL emitting unit moving member, when said cartridge said cartridge is moved in the longitudinal direction is removed from the mounting or the apparatus body to the apparatus main body, a guide portion for guiding the cartridge,
In conjunction with the movement of the light emitting unit from the exposure position to the retracted position, the cartridge moves from an image forming position for forming an image on the recording medium to a removal position where the cartridge can be removed from the apparatus main body. Moved supported by the guide part,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the guide unit guides the cartridge in a state where the light emitting unit is located at the retracted position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is supported by the guide portion and moves upward to move to the removal position.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal direction when the cartridge is at the image forming position and the longitudinal direction when the cartridge is at the removal position are parallel to each other.   The cartridge includes an engaging portion that engages with the guide portion, and when the cartridge is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, the engaging portion engages with the guide portion, whereby the cartridge The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is guided by the guide portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there are a plurality of the engaging portions, and the plurality of engaging portions are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction.   The plurality of engaging portions are present, and the plurality of engaging portions are in the horizontal direction when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatuses are arranged side by side so as to sandwich the image.   A plurality of the guide portions exist, and the plurality of guide portions are arranged side by side so as to sandwich the plurality of light emitting elements in the horizontal direction when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge. Item 7. The image forming apparatus according to Item 6.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is a rail portion extending in the longitudinal direction.   The elastic member is provided between the light emitting unit and the light emitting unit moving member, and the light emitting unit is positioned at the exposure position by the elastic force of the elastic member. The image forming apparatus according to one item.   And a positioning portion provided in the apparatus main body for positioning the cartridge, wherein the cartridge is positioned at an image forming position for forming an image on the recording medium by an elastic force of the elastic member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.   2. An operation member provided on the apparatus main body and operated by being moved, wherein the light emitting unit is moved to the exposure position and the retracted position by operation of the operation member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The operation member is an opening / closing member that is movable to an open position that opens an opening through which the cartridge that is inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body passes and a closed position that closes the opening. The light emitting unit moves from the retracted position to the exposure position in conjunction with the opening / closing member moving from the open position to the closed position, and the open / close member is moved from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the light emitting unit moves from the exposure position to the retracted position in conjunction with the movement.   The image according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit moving member moves the light emitting unit to the exposure position and the retracted position by supporting and moving the light emitting unit. Forming equipment.   A plurality of the cartridges can be mounted in the apparatus main body side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of the light emitting units and the light emitting unit moving members are provided corresponding to the plurality of cartridges. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   An operation member is provided in the apparatus main body and operated by being moved, and the plurality of light emitting units are moved to the exposure position and the retracted position by operation of the operation member, respectively. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14.   The operation member is an opening / closing member that is movable to an open position that opens an opening through which the plurality of cartridges that are attached to or detached from the apparatus main body pass and a closed position that closes the opening. In conjunction with the opening / closing member moving from the open position to the closed position, the plurality of light emitting units move from the retracted position to the exposure position, and the opening / closing member moves from the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of light emitting units are moved from the exposure position to the retracted position in conjunction with the movement to the open position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal direction is a rotation axis direction of the photoconductor. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium in a state in which a cartridge including a photosensitive member that is detachable from the apparatus body is mounted on the apparatus body.
An exposure position that includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor, is positioned with respect to the photoconductor in the longitudinal direction, and emits the light emitting elements to expose the photoconductor; and the exposure position A light emitting unit that can move from a retracted position retracted in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction from
In conjunction with the movement of the light emitting unit from the exposure position to the retracted position, the cartridge moves from an image forming position for forming an image on the recording medium to a position where the cartridge can be extracted from the apparatus main body. ,
The light emitting unit includes a guide portion that guides the cartridge when the cartridge is moved in the longitudinal direction and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, and the cartridge includes the guide An image forming apparatus, wherein the guide unit guides the cartridge in a state in which the light emitting unit that moves to a position where it can be extracted by being supported by the unit is located at the retracted position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the cartridge is supported by the guide portion and moves upward to move to the position where the cartridge can be extracted. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the longitudinal direction when the cartridge is at the image forming position is parallel to the longitudinal direction where the cartridge is at the position where the cartridge can be extracted. The cartridge includes an engaging portion that engages with the guide portion, and when the cartridge is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, the engaging portion engages with the guide portion, whereby the cartridge The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image forming apparatus is guided by the guide unit. The plurality of engaging portions are present, and the plurality of engaging portions are in the horizontal direction when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the image forming apparatuses are arranged side by side so as to sandwich the two. Wherein the guide portion there are a plurality, the plurality of guide portions, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge, the horizontal direction, characterized in that it is arranged side by side so as to sandwich the plurality of light emitting elements Item 22. The image forming apparatus according to Item 22 . 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the guide portion is a rail portion extending in the longitudinal direction. A light emitting unit moving member that moves the light emitting unit to the exposure position and the retracted position by moving, and an elastic member provided between the light emitting unit and the light emitting unit moving member, 25. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the light emitting unit is positioned at the exposure position by an elastic force of an elastic member. And a positioning portion provided in the apparatus main body for positioning the cartridge, wherein the cartridge is positioned at an image forming position for forming an image on the recording medium by an elastic force of the elastic member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 25 . The device provided in the main body has an operating member operated by being moved, according to claim 18, wherein the light-emitting unit by the operation of the operating member thus being moved to said retracted position and said exposure position 27. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 26 . The operation member is an opening / closing member that is movable to an open position that opens an opening through which the cartridge that is attached to or removed from the apparatus main body passes and a closed position that closes the opening. The light emitting unit moves from the retracted position to the exposure position in conjunction with the opening / closing member moving from the open position to the closed position, and the open / close member is moved from the closed position to the open position. 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27 , wherein the light emitting unit moves from the exposure position to the retracted position in conjunction with the movement. Claim the apparatus main body is mountable alongside in a direction intersecting the plurality of the cartridges in the longitudinal direction, the light emitting unit is characterized by being provided with a plurality corresponding to the plurality of cartridges The image forming apparatus according to any one of 18 to 26 . An operation member is provided in the apparatus main body and operated by being moved, and the plurality of light emitting units are moved to the exposure position and the retracted position by operation of the operation member, respectively. 30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29 . The operation member is an opening / closing member that is movable to an open position that opens an opening through which the plurality of cartridges that are attached to or detached from the apparatus main body pass and a closed position that closes the opening. In conjunction with the opening / closing member moving from the open position to the closed position, the plurality of light emitting units move from the retracted position to the exposure position, and the opening / closing member moves from the closed position. 31. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein the plurality of light emitting units move from the exposure position to the retracted position in conjunction with the movement to the open position. 32. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the longitudinal direction is a rotation axis direction of the photoconductor.