JP6112839B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.

  Here, the image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using various known image forming principles and methods such as an electrophotographic process, an electrostatic recording process, and a magnetic recording process. For example, a copying machine, a printer (for example, a laser printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, an image display device (an electronic blackboard or an electronic white board), and the like are included. The recording medium is an image on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, and includes, for example, paper, an OHT sheet, an image display body, and the like.

  The cartridge is a cartridge in which a part or all of the image forming unit having an image carrier on which an image is formed and an image forming process means acting on the image carrier is integrally formed. The image forming apparatus is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus and contributes to an image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium. The apparatus main body is a part of the image forming apparatus excluding the cartridge in the cartridge type image forming apparatus.

  As an image carrier, an image can be formed by an electrophotographic photosensitive member in an electrophotographic process, an electrostatic recording dielectric in an electrostatic recording process, a magnetic recording magnetic material in a magnetic recording process, and various other image forming principles and methods. The member is mentioned. The image forming process means is a device that acts on the image carrier to form an image.

  Hereinafter, for convenience, a cartridge-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described as an example. Examples of the cartridge include a process cartridge and a developing cartridge.

  The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as an electrophotographic process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and is detachably mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Is.

  Accordingly, the process cartridge includes one in which the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed 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 and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as process units are integrated into a cartridge and detachably mounted on the apparatus main body.

  A process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member and developing means integrally is called a so-called integral type. A process cartridge integrally including an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means other than the developing means is referred to as a so-called separation type. That is, a process cartridge in which the developing means is provided in a developing unit separate from the process cartridge and forms an image in a pair with the developing unit 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 (user). Therefore, maintenance of the apparatus main body can be easily performed.

  The developing cartridge includes a developer carrying member (hereinafter referred to as a developing roller) that applies a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Further, it contains a powder developer (toner) used for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member by a developing roller, and is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body.

  In the case of a developing cartridge, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is attached to the apparatus main body or a cartridge support member. Alternatively, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided in the so-called separation type process cartridge (in this case, the process cartridge does not have a developing unit). The developing cartridge can also 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.

  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 a developing cartridge are used as a pair. The cartridge includes a case where the electrophotographic photosensitive member is fixedly attached to the apparatus main body or the cartridge support member, and the developing cartridge is detachably used so as to act on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The cartridge includes a unit that is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body and contributes to an image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, a plurality of process cartridges are arranged in a horizontal direction on a movable tray (moving member: cartridge support member), and when the tray is pulled out of the apparatus main body, the process cartridge is arranged. There is something that can be removed.

  Such an image forming apparatus includes an openable / closable cover that covers an opening for pulling out the tray from the apparatus main body, and the cartridge interface member is applied to each cartridge in conjunction with opening / closing of the cover. There is something to contact and separate. The interface member is, for example, a cartridge pressing member, a drive connecting member, a power feeding member, or the like. In addition, when a cartridge is mounted, there is a technique in which a biasing force is applied in the longitudinal direction of a drum in the cartridge and abuts against a component member of the tray to perform positioning in the longitudinal direction (Patent Document 1).

  In the conventional example disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tray holding member moves rearward and downward of the apparatus main body by the operation of closing the door, and the power supply member on the apparatus main body abuts on the contact member of the cartridge. Further, a member that presses the cartridge from above comes into contact. The drive coupling member is connected to the drive input portion of the cartridge.

  When opening the door, each interface member is separated from the cartridge, and the tray holding member moves upward. As a result, the tray can be moved to a position where the cartridge can be attached and detached.

  Further, when the cartridge is mounted on the tray, it is positioned accurately by receiving the biasing force in the drum axial direction from the electrical contact provided in the tray and abutting against the side plate of the tray. It is said that.

Japanese Patent No. 4095649

  The present invention is a further development of the above prior art. That is, an object of the present invention is to improve the cartridge mounting position accuracy in this type of image forming apparatus, thereby reducing the user operation force when opening and closing the door, reducing the size of the apparatus, and reducing the cost. Is to present.

(1) A typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
An image forming apparatus in which an image is formed on a recording medium and a cartridge is removable.
An opening provided in an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus;
A body door capable of taking a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening;
An image forming position for placing the cartridge at a position where an image forming operation can be performed inside the apparatus main body when the main body door is positioned at the closed position; A movable tray capable of taking an attachment / detachment position for making the cartridge attachable / detachable outside the apparatus main body when the main body door is positioned at the open position;
A drive transmission member for transmitting a driving force to the cartridge;
A biasing member that biases the drive transmission member so that the cartridge placed on the tray is pressed and biased from one end side to the other end side via the drive transmission member in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge;
A fixed side plate facing the other end side of the cartridge placed on the tray;
Have
The tray moves between the image forming position and the attachment / detachment position by moving with respect to the side plate,
The cartridge includes a positioning portion to the other end, by the said tray and placing the cartridge through the drive transmission member by the biasing member when in the image forming position cartridge is pressed The positioning portion contacts the side plate to position the cartridge in the longitudinal direction.
(2) Another typical configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
An image forming apparatus in which an image is formed on a recording medium and a cartridge is removable.
An opening provided in an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus;
A body door capable of taking a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening;
An image forming position for placing the cartridge at a position where an image forming operation can be performed inside the apparatus main body when the main body door is positioned at the closed position; A movable tray capable of taking an attachment / detachment position for making the cartridge attachable / detachable outside the apparatus main body when the main body door is positioned at the open position;
An urging member that presses and urges the cartridge placed on the tray from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge;
A fixed side plate facing the other end side of the cartridge placed on the tray;
Have
The tray moves between the image forming position and the attachment / detachment position by moving with respect to the side plate,
The side plate includes an electrical contact unit that is electrically connected to the cartridge and is positioned in the longitudinal direction by the side plate.
The cartridge includes a positioning portion on the other end side, and the positioning portion is moved to the side plate by pressing the cartridge by the biasing member when the tray on which the cartridge is placed is at the image forming position. The cartridge is abutted to position the cartridge in the longitudinal direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to present a configuration that achieves a reduction in user operation force at the time of opening and closing the door, a reduction in size of the device, and a reduction in cost by improving the mounting position accuracy of the cartridge.

1 is an external perspective view of an example of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a vertical right side view of the image forming apparatus. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus with a door opened. FIG. 4 is a vertical right side view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus in a state where the tray is pulled out. FIG. 6 is a vertical right side view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 5. The perspective view which looked at the cartridge from the non-driving side. The perspective view which looked at the cartridge from the drive side. The perspective view of a tray. The perspective view of the interlocking mechanism part of a door and a tray holding member. The figure explaining the movement of the tray holding member interlocked with the opening rotation of a door. The enlarged view of the guide hole part of a tray holding member. The perspective view explaining a tray position control means (the 1). The perspective view explaining a tray position control means (the 2). Sectional drawing explaining a tray position control means (the 3). The perspective view explaining a tray position control means (the 4). FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a means for supplying power to a cartridge (part 1); FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a means for supplying power to the cartridge (part 2); The perspective view explaining the means to press a cartridge (the 1). The perspective view explaining the means to press a cartridge (the 2). The enlarged view of the guide hole part of the means to press a cartridge. The figure explaining the means to press a cartridge (the 1). The figure explaining the means to press a cartridge (the 2). FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a means for transmitting a driving force to a cartridge (part 1); FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a means for transmitting a driving force to a cartridge (part 2). The figure which shows the form of a pop-out prevention nail | claw and a main body side engaging means.

[Example 1]
<< Overall schematic configuration of image forming apparatus example >>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical right side view. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a first to fourth four cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) as a plurality of cartridges, and a four-color full-color laser printer (electrophotographic image forming) using an electrophotographic process. Device).

  That is, the image forming apparatus 100 outputs a four-color full-color image or a monocolor on the sheet-like recording medium S based on an electrical image signal output from the external host device 400 and input to the control unit 200 via the interface unit 300. An image can be formed. The external host device 400 is a personal computer, an image reader, a counterpart facsimile machine, or the like.

  The control unit 200 is a control unit that controls the electrophotographic image forming process of the image forming apparatus 100, and exchanges various electrical information with the external host device 400. It also controls electrical information input from various process devices and sensors, processing of command signals to various process devices, predetermined initial sequence control, sequence control of predetermined electrophotographic image forming processes, and the like.

  In the following description, regarding the image forming apparatus 100, the front side (front side) is the side on which the apparatus opening / closing door (main body door) 31 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 of the image forming apparatus 100 (front direction) and the opposite direction (rear direction). Left and right are left or right when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side. The left-right direction is a direction from left to right (left direction) and the opposite direction (right direction). Up and down are up and down in the direction of gravity. The upward direction is a direction from bottom to top, and the downward direction is a direction from top to bottom.

  The longitudinal direction is a direction parallel to the rotational axis direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member which is an image carrier on which a latent image is formed. The short direction is a direction (orthogonal direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. One end side in the longitudinal direction is a driving side, and the other end side is a non-driving side. In this embodiment, the right end side in the longitudinal direction is the driving side, and the left end side is the non-driving side.

  A cartridge housing portion 100B is provided inside an apparatus main body (main body frame) 100A of the image forming apparatus 100. From the rear side to the front side of the apparatus main body 100A, the first to fourth cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are horizontally arranged in the cartridge housing portion 100B and are mounted at predetermined mounting positions. (Inline configuration, tandem type). The mounting position of the cartridge P is a position where the cartridge P can perform an image forming operation in the cartridge housing portion 100B.

  The cartridge P contributes to an image forming process for forming an image on the recording material S, and is used by being detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 100A of the image forming apparatus 100. Each cartridge P in this embodiment has a drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a drum) 1 as an image carrier on which a latent image is formed. The electrophotographic image forming process means acting on the drum 1 is a so-called integrated process cartridge having a charging means 2, a developing means 3 and a cleaning means 4.

  In this embodiment, the charging means 2 is a contact charging roller. The developing means 3 is a contact having a developing roller 3a as a developer carrying member for supplying a developer to the drum 1 and developing a latent image as a developer image, a developer accommodating portion 3b for accommodating the developer, and the like. Or a non-contact type developing device. The cleaning means 4 is a blade cleaner having a cleaning blade 4a as a cleaning member and a waste toner storage portion 4b. Each cartridge P has a similar electrophotographic process mechanism equipped with the image forming process equipment as described above, and the color of the stored developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) is different.

  That is, the first cartridge PY contains yellow (Y) toner in the developing device 3 and forms a Y color toner image on the surface of the drum 1. The second cartridge PM contains magenta (M) toner in the developing device 3 and forms an M toner image on the surface of the drum 1. In the third cartridge PC, cyan (C) toner is accommodated in the developing device 3, and a C toner image is formed on the surface of the drum 1. The fourth cartridge PK contains black (K) toner in the developing device 3 and forms a K toner image on the surface of the drum 1.

  Above the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK, a laser scanner unit 11 is disposed as an exposure device unit (exposure means) for exposing the drum 1 of each cartridge P to form a latent image. . The scanner unit 11 outputs laser light L modulated in accordance with image information of each color input from the external host device 400 to the control unit 200, and passes through an exposure window 6 provided on the upper surface of the cartridge frame 5. The drum 1 surface of each cartridge P is scanned and exposed.

  As a transfer unit (transfer member), a toner image is primarily transferred to the lower part of each of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK so as to face the drum 1 of each cartridge P, and the toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording medium S. The intermediate transfer unit 12 is disposed.

  This unit 12 is made of a dielectric as an intermediate transfer member (second image carrier: intermediate recording medium), and has a flexible endless belt 13 and circulates by suspending and stretching the belt 13. A drive roller 14 to be moved, a turn roller 15, and a tension roller 16 are included. The drive roller 14 and the turn roller 15 are disposed on the rear side in the apparatus main body 100A. The tension roller 16 is disposed on the front side in the apparatus main body 100A.

  In a state where each cartridge P is mounted in a predetermined mounting position, the lower surface of each drum 1 is in contact with the upper surface of the upper belt portion of the belt 13. Four primary transfer rollers 17 are arranged inside the belt 13 so as to face the drum 1 of each cartridge P via an upper belt portion.

  In each cartridge P, the nip portion between the drum 1 and the belt 13 is a primary transfer nip portion T1. A secondary transfer roller 22 is in contact with the driving roller 14 via the belt 13. A nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the belt 13 is a secondary transfer nip portion T2.

  A sheet-like recording medium (sheet material: hereinafter referred to as a recording material) S to which a toner image is transferred is stocked at a lower portion of the intermediate transfer unit 12, and the recording material S one by one with respect to the intermediate transfer unit 12. A paper feeding unit 18 for conveying the paper is disposed.

  The sheet feeding unit 18 includes a sheet feeding tray 19 in which a sheet-like recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a recording material) S is stacked and stored, a sheet feeding roller 20, a separation pad 21, a registration roller pair 20a, and the like. The paper feed tray 19 can be taken in and out (inserted / removed) from the front side of the apparatus main body 100A (front loading). A handle 19 a is provided on the front plate of the paper feed tray 19.

  In the upper part of the rear side of the apparatus main body 100A, a fixing device 23 and a discharge roller pair 24, which are fixing units (fixing means) for fixing and discharging the recording material S on which the toner image is transferred by applying heat and pressure. Is arranged. The upper surface of the apparatus main body 100 </ b> A is formed as a paper discharge tray 25. The fixing device 23 has a fixing film assembly 23a and a pressure roller 23b. The paper discharge roller pair 24 is a paper discharge roller 24a and a paper discharge roller 24b.

  In the cartridge housing portion 100B, each cartridge P is located at a mounting position where an image forming operation can be performed. As will be described later, the cartridge P is pressed by a pressing member 42 (FIG. 22) to a predetermined positioning portion 41 on the apparatus main body 100A side. It is held in a fixed state. Further, as will be described later, the drive output portions (drive transmission members) 39, 40 (FIGS. 24, 25) on the apparatus main body 100A side with respect to the drive input portions (drive connection portions) 53, 54 (FIG. 8) of the cartridge P. ) Are combined. Further, as will be described later, the power supply system (power supply member) 75 (FIG. 18) on the apparatus main body 100A side becomes conductive with respect to the electrical contact (power supply contact portion) 55 (FIG. 7) of the cartridge P.

<Image forming operation>
The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows. The drums 1 of the first to fourth cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are rotationally driven at a predetermined control speed in the counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. The belt 13 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 rotation of the drum 1). The scanner unit 11 is also driven.

  In synchronization with this drive, the charging roller 2 uniformly charges the surface of the drum 1 to a predetermined polarity and potential in each cartridge P at a predetermined control timing. The scanner unit 11 scans and exposes the surface of each drum 1 with a laser beam L modulated in accordance with an image signal of each color. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal of the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each drum 1. The formed latent image is developed as a toner image (developer image) by the developing device 3.

  By the electrophotographic image forming process operation as described above, a Y color toner image corresponding to the Y color component of the full color image is formed on the drum 1 of the first cartridge PY. The toner image is primarily transferred onto the belt 13 at the primary transfer nip T1 of the cartridge PY.

  An M color toner image corresponding to the M color component of the full color image is formed on the drum 1 of the second cartridge PM. The toner image is primary-transferred superimposed on the Y-color toner image already transferred onto the belt 13 at the primary transfer nip T1 of the cartridge PM.

  A C-color toner image corresponding to the C-color component of the full-color image is formed on the drum 1 of the third cartridge PC. The toner image is primary-transferred superimposed on the Y + M color toner image already transferred onto the belt 13 at the primary transfer nip T1 of the cartridge PM.

  A K toner image corresponding to the K color component of the full color image is formed on the drum 1 of the fourth cartridge PK. The toner image is primary-transferred superposedly on the Y color + M color + C color toner image already transferred onto the belt 13 in the primary transfer nip T1 of the cartridge PM.

  Thus, an unfixed toner image of four colors of Y color + M color + C color + K color is superimposed and formed on the belt 13. In each cartridge P, transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the drum 1 after the primary transfer of the toner image to the belt 13 is removed by the cleaning device 4.

  On the other hand, the paper feed roller 20 is driven at a predetermined control timing. As a result, the recording material S stacked on the paper feed tray 19 is separated and fed by the cooperation of the paper feed roller 20 and the separation pad 21, and the secondary transfer nip is moved at a predetermined control timing by the registration roller 20b. Part T2 is introduced. As a result, the four-color superimposed toner images on the belt 13 are sequentially transferred onto the surface of the recording material S in sequence while the recording material S is nipped and conveyed through the secondary transfer nip T2.

  The recording material S is separated from the surface of the belt 13, introduced into the fixing device 23 through the conveyance path 20 b, and heated and pressurized at the fixing nip portion N. As a result, the color toner images are mixed and fixed to the recording material S. Then, the recording material S exits the fixing device 23 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 25 by the paper discharge roller pair 24 as a full-color image formed product. The secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the belt 13 after separation of the recording material is removed by the cleaning means 26.

<Cartridge replacement method>
As each of the first to fourth cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK is used for image formation, the developer stored in the developing device 3 is consumed. When the developer is consumed to such an extent that an image with satisfactory quality cannot be formed for the user who purchased the cartridge, the commercial value of the cartridge is lost.

  Therefore, for example, a means (not shown) for detecting the developer remaining amount of each cartridge is provided, and the control unit 200 sets the detected remaining amount value to a preset threshold value for cartridge life warning or life warning. Let them compare. Then, for a cartridge whose detected remaining amount value is smaller than the threshold value, the display unit (not shown) displays a life warning or a life warning for the cartridge. This prompts the user to prepare a cartridge for replacement, or prompts the user to replace the cartridge to maintain the quality of the output image.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the replacement of the cartridge P is a method (drawer method) in which the cartridge P is placed on the drawer tray (moving member) 35 and replaced by front access in order to improve usability.

  That is, on the front side of the apparatus main body 100A, an opening 30 through which the cartridge P passes is provided to insert the cartridge P into the cartridge housing portion 100B inside the apparatus main body 100A.

  1 and 2, a main body door (movable between a closed position (closed position) A for closing the opening 30 and an open position B for opening the opening 30 as shown in FIGS. An opening / closing member 31 is provided. Reference numeral 31 a denotes an opening / closing finger hook provided on the door 31. That is, the main body door 31 can take a closed position A for closing the opening 30 and an open position B for opening.

  In this embodiment, the door 31 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100A about a horizontal axis (hinge axis) 32 on the door lower side. That is, the door 31 can be turned up around the hinge shaft 32 in the upright direction so as to be closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100A as shown in FIGS. By closing the door 31, the opening 30 is closed.

  Further, the door 31 can be tilted almost horizontally toward the front side of the apparatus main body 100A around the hinge shaft 32 and rotated to be in an open state from the apparatus main body 100A as shown in FIGS. As a result, the opening 30 on the front surface of the apparatus main body is largely opened. Reference numeral 31 a denotes an opening / closing finger hook provided on the door 31.

  The apparatus main body 100A has a main frame (main body frame) serving as a skeleton. Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, 17, 19, 23, etc., the left and right side plates of the frame are opposed to the inner sides of the left frame 80L and the right frame 80R. Tray holding members (moving means) 34L and 34R are provided.

  On the tray holding members 34L and 34R, a cartridge tray (moving member) 35, which is a frame member, is horizontally between the left and right frames 80L and 80R in the front-rear direction (horizontal with respect to the installation surface of the apparatus main body 100A). Direction) and is slidable linearly. The cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are placed on and supported by the tray 35. That is, the tray 35 as a moving member supports and moves the cartridge P, and is movable between the two side plates 80L and 80R that face each other and form the skeleton of the apparatus main body 100A.

  When the door 31 is positioned at the closed position A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tray 35 is positioned at an image forming position (storage position) C where each cartridge P is positioned at a mounting position where an image forming operation can be performed. doing. In this embodiment, the image forming position C of the tray 35 is a position where the drum 1 of each cartridge P and the belt 13 of the intermediate transfer unit 12 are in contact (FIG. 2).

  Then, in conjunction with the opening and turning of the door 31, the tray holding members 34L and 34R move by a predetermined amount in the forward direction and upward, as will be described later. As a result, the tray 35 supporting the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK is moved from the image forming position C to the movable position D by moving forward and upward as shown in FIG. As the tray 35 moves, the drum 1 of each cartridge P supported by the tray 35 is separated from the belt 13 as shown in FIG. The interlocking mechanism between the door 31 and the tray holding members 34L and 34R will be described later.

  As will be described later, in conjunction with the opening rotation of the door 31, the conduction of the power supply system 75 on the apparatus main body 100A side with respect to the electrical contact 55 of each cartridge P is released (power supply release). In addition, the coupling of the drive output units 39 and 40 on the apparatus main body side to the drive input units 53 and 54 of each cartridge P is released (drive release). Further, the pressing of the pressing member 42 that positions and fixes each cartridge P is released (press release).

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the handle portion (movement restriction releasing means) 35 a provided in the portion of the tray front frame piece 35 b exposed from the opened opening 30 is gripped. By gripping the handle portion 35a in a predetermined manner, as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15B, the pop-out prevention claw (movement restricting means) 101 of the tray 35 becomes the main body side claw hook portion (main body side engaging portion) 102. Deviate from.

Then, the tray 35 can be pulled out from the movable position D inside the apparatus main body 100A to the outside of the apparatus main body 100A, and can slide on the tray holding members 34L and 34R and slide horizontally in the forward direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tray 35 protrudes from the opening 30 to a predetermined drawing position outside the apparatus main body 100 </ b> A, that is, an attachment / detachment position E where the cartridge P can be attached / detached from the tray 35. As a result, the first to fourth cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK held on the tray 35 pass through the opening 30 and are exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 100A. The upper surfaces of all the cartridges P are opened. When the tray 35 is pulled out from the movable position D by a predetermined amount, the tray 35 is prevented from being further pulled out by a stopper portion (not shown). In addition, the state in which the tray 35 is pulled out horizontally to a predetermined attachment / detachment position E is maintained by tray holding members 34L and 34R and connection arms 37L and 37R described later.

  The tray 35 supports the individual cartridges P at the attachment / detachment position E so that they can be taken out directly (upward). The tray 35 supports the individual cartridges by moving them downward (downward). Therefore, the used cartridge to be replaced is lifted and removed from the tray 35 as indicated by the broken line in FIG. Then, a new cartridge is inserted into the tray 35 from above and placed. That is, when the tray 35 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 100A, the cartridge P can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the tray 35 supports the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of movement from the movable position D to the attachment / detachment position E. doing. That is, the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK that store the developer of Y color, M color, C color, and K color are supported in this order. That is, the cartridge PK containing the developer of K color among the plurality of cartridges P having different developer colors is located on the most downstream side in the movement direction of the tray 35 from the movable position D to the attachment / detachment position E. It is supported by.

  The cartridge PK is a cartridge that consumes more developer than other cartridges, that is, has a high replacement frequency. The cartridge PK is supported by the tray 35 on the front side of the apparatus main body 100A. Therefore, when replacing the cartridge PK, the cartridge PK can be exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 100A by slightly pulling out the tray 35 to the outside of the apparatus main body 100A. That is, when replacing the cartridge PK, it is not necessary to sufficiently pull out the tray 35 until the pulling position is restricted by the stopper. Therefore, the exchange operability of the cartridge PK is improved.

  That is, when the cartridge PK located on the most downstream side in the drawing direction of the tray 35 is attached to and detached from the tray 35, the tray 35 may not be sufficiently located at the attachment / detachment position E. That is, the plurality of cartridges P can be sequentially removed from the cartridges on the downstream side in the movement direction while the tray 35 is moved from the movable position D to the attachment / detachment position E, and all cartridges can be removed at the attachment / detachment position E. .

  In the above, the tray 35 is provided so as to be movable in a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to (crossing) the axial direction (longitudinal direction of the cartridge P) of the drum 1 of the cartridge P mounted on the tray 35. It is a member. That is, the moving direction between the movable position D and the attaching / detaching position E of the tray 35 is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge P. The tray 35 can mount a plurality of cartridges P side by side in the movement direction between the movable position D and the attachment / detachment position E.

  The tray 35 on which the cartridge P is placed can take the image forming position (storage position) C, the movable position D, and the attachment / detachment position E as described above.

  The image forming position (accommodating position) C of the tray 35 is a position that is located inside the apparatus main body 100A and is positioned at a mounting position where the image forming operation can be performed (FIG. 2).

  The attachment / detachment position E of the tray 35 is a position protruding from the opening 30 to the outside of the apparatus main body 100A so that the cartridge P can be attached / detached (FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The movable position D of the tray 35 is located in the middle of the movement path from the attachment / detachment position E to the image forming position C, and is interlocked with the movement of the main body door 31 from the open position B to the closed position A. The position is movable to C (FIG. 4).

  The left and right tray holding members 34L and 34R move the tray 35 upward from the image forming position C toward the movable position D before moving the tray 35 to an attaching / detaching position (drawing position) E where the cartridge P can be attached and detached. It is a moving means to move. Conversely, it is a moving means for moving the tray 35 downward from the movable position D toward the image forming position C.

  In other words, the tray holding members 34L and 34R are support members that support the tray 35, and a first position for moving the tray 35 between the attachment / detachment position E and the movable position D. The second position for positioning the tray 35 at the image forming position C can be taken. Then, in conjunction with the door 31 being closed from the open position B to the closed position A, the tray holding members 34L and 34R move from the first position to the second position. Further, in conjunction with opening of the door 31 from the closed position A to the open position B, the tray holding members 34L and 34R move from the second position to the first position.

"cartridge"
7 and 8 are external perspective views of the cartridge P, respectively. 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge P viewed from the non-driving side, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge P viewed from the driving side.

  The cartridge P is a horizontally long box-shaped assembly in which the axial direction of the drum 1 is the left-right direction and the left-right direction is the longitudinal direction. The drum 1 is rotatably supported between the bearing portions 51 and 52 disposed on the right side portion and the left side portion of the cartridge frame 5. The right bearing portion 51 is provided with a coupling fitting portion 53 as a drum drive input portion (drive connection portion). Further, a coupling fitting portion 54 as a developing drive input portion (drive connecting portion) for driving the developing roller 3a is provided on the right side surface portion.

On the left side surface, a lateral positioning protrusion 57 (positioning portion) 57 and a cartridge electrical contact (power feeding contact portion) 55 of the cartridge P are disposed. A part of the cartridge frame 5 is extended in the left-right direction on the left side surface portion and the right side surface portion, and is provided with a flange portion 56. An exposure window 6 is disposed on the upper surface of the cartridge frame 5 along the longitudinal direction.

In the cartridge P described above, the right side surface provided with the coupling fitting portions 53 and 54 is the driving side, and the left side surface on which the electrical contact 55 on the opposite side is disposed is the non-driving side. That is, in the state where the cartridge P is placed on the tray 35, one end of the tray moving surface orthogonal to the moving direction between the attaching / detaching position E and the movable position D of the tray 35 (the longitudinal direction of the cartridge) . Drive coupling portions 53 and 54 are provided on the side (right side). And it has the electric power feeding contact part 55 in the other end side (left side).

"tray"
FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the tray 35. The tray 35 has a rectangular large frame portion, and the inside of the large frame portion is divided into four substantially equally in the front-rear direction by three partition plates 35f, and sequentially from the rear frame 35c side to the front frame 35b side. 1st-4th horizontally long small frame part 35 (1)-35 (4) is formed. The small frame portions 35 (1) to 35 (4) are portions for holding the first to fourth cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK, respectively.

  Each cartridge P is inserted into the corresponding small frame portion of the tray 35 from above, and the lower surfaces of the left and right flange portions 56 are received by the upper surfaces of the left and right frames 35d and 35e of the tray 35 so that they are supported on the tray 35. Is done. That is, the tray 35 supports each cartridge P so that it can be taken out directly (upward). Further, the cartridges P are supported on the tray 35 by moving the cartridges P directly downward (downward). The tray 35 holds each cartridge P roughly. With this configuration, the cartridge can be easily replaced.

  The lower surfaces of the left and right frames 35d and 35e of the tray 35 are mounted on and supported by the upper surfaces of the left and right tray holding members 34L and 34R, respectively. As a result, the tray 35 is supported between the insides of the left and right frames 80L and 80R, and slides horizontally in the front-rear direction with respect to the tray holding members 34L and 34R by sliding on the upper surfaces of the tray holding members 34L and 34R. Is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tray 35 is pulled out to the attachment / detachment position E, and the cartridge to be replaced is replaced among the cartridges P held on the tray 35. After the replacement, the tray 35 is sufficiently pushed in reverse to be moved and housed inside the apparatus main body, and returned to the state before the drawing shown in FIGS. At this time, by urging the tray 35 from the rear side to the front side by the spring (pressing means) 103 (FIG. 15), it is possible to reliably guide the user to fully push back the tray 35 to a predetermined position. It is. This will be described later.

  When the tray 35 is fully pushed back to a predetermined position, the pop-out prevention claw (movement restricting means) 101 of the tray 35 engages with the main body side claw hooking portion (main body side engaging portion) 102 ((b) in FIG. 15). → (a)). As a result, the tray 35 is pushed back from the attachment / detachment position E to the movable position D inside the apparatus main body, and the position is regulated at that position.

  Then, by closing the opened door 31 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 100 becomes ready for image formation. That is, the tray 35 is moved from the movable position D to the image by moving the tray holding members 34L and 34R by a predetermined amount in the backward and downward directions in conjunction with the closing rotation of the door 31 from the opening position B to the closing position A. Move to the formation position C. Thereby, each cartridge P supported by the tray 35 is positioned at each corresponding mounting position in the cartridge housing portion 100B inside the apparatus main body.

  In conjunction with the closing and turning of the door 31, the drive output units 39 and 40 on the apparatus main body side are coupled to the drive input units 53 and 54 of each cartridge P. At this time, each cartridge P receives a pressing force from the drive output portions 39 and 40 and is shifted to the driven side (left side), and the left and right positioning protrusions 57 of each cartridge P abut against the left frame 80L and move left and right. Is positioned.

  Next, each cartridge P is pressed by the pressing member 42 and held in a state where it is fixed to a predetermined positioning portion 41. Further, the power supply system 75 on the apparatus main body side comes into contact with the electrical contact 55 of each cartridge P and becomes conductive. A series of operations linked to the closing and turning of the door 31 will be described later.

<< Interlocking mechanism of door and tray holding member >>
The interlocking mechanism between the door 31 and the tray holding members 34L and 34R will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the interlocking mechanism portion of the door 31 and the tray holding members 34L and 34R. For convenience of explanation, the left and right frames 80L and 80R of the apparatus main body 100A are not shown. The hinge portions 32L and 32R of the door 31 are arranged on a coaxial line horizontally in the left-right direction with respect to the apparatus main body 100A, and both left and right ends thereof are between bearing members (not shown) provided on the left and right of the apparatus main body 100A. It is rotatably supported and held. The bearing members may be left and right frames 80L and 80R (FIG. 17).

  Further, connection arms 37L and 37R are disposed near the left and right ends of the door 31, respectively. The hinge portions 38L and 38R of the connecting arms 37L and 37R are arranged on the same axis in the horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus main body 100A, and can be rotated with respect to bearing members (not shown) provided on the left and right of the apparatus main body. Is held in. The bearing members may be left and right frames 80L and 80R.

  In addition, a pair of left and right connecting rods 201L and 201R having a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction are disposed outside the left frame 80L (FIG. 17) and the right frame 80R (FIG. 19). The connecting rods 201L and 201R are supported by guide members (not shown) provided on the left and right of the apparatus main body so as to be movable only in the front-rear direction.

  The connecting arms 37L and 37R are provided with lateral shafts 37a and 37b, respectively. The lateral shaft 37a of the left connecting arm 37L is fitted into and engaged with a vertically long hole 201A provided on the front side of the left connecting rod 201L. The lateral shaft 37b is fitted into and engaged with a groove 31B provided on the left side surface portion of the door 31. Further, the lateral shaft 37a of the right connecting arm 37R is fitted into and engaged with a vertically long hole 201A provided on the front side of the right connecting rod 201R. The lateral shaft 37b is fitted into and engaged with a groove 31B provided on the right side surface of the door 31.

  Further, the left and right tray holding members 34L and 34R are respectively provided with guide holes 36 provided with two pin shafts 34c and 34d planted at intervals in the front and rear directions in the left and right frames 80L and 80R of the apparatus main body 100A. (FIG. 11). Due to the engagement between the pin shafts 34c and 34d and the guide hole 36, the tray holding members 34L and 34R are supported by the left and right frames 80L and 80R, respectively.

  The pin shaft 34c of the left tray holding member 34L passes through the guide hole 36, and is fitted into and engaged with the vertically long hole 201B provided in the left connecting rod 201L. Although the right tray holding member 34R is not shown, the pin shaft 34c of the right tray holding member 34R passes through the guide hole 36 and fits into the vertically long hole 201B provided in the right connecting rod 201R. Are engaged.

  Thus, the door 31 and the tray holding members 34L and 34R are connected via the connecting arms 37L and 37R and the connecting rods 201L and 201R. Thereby, when the door 31 is opened and closed, a moving force in the front-rear direction acts on the left and right tray holding members 34L and 34R. At this time, the hinge portions 38L and 38R of the connecting arms 37L and 37R may be coaxial with the hinge portions 32L and 32R of the door 31. Furthermore, the door 31 and the connecting rods 201L and 201R may be directly connected without providing the connecting arms 37L and 37R.

  FIG. 11 shows two pin shafts 34c and 34d and a guide hole 36 for the left tray holding member 34L. Although the right side tray holding member 34R is not shown, it is the same as the left side tray holding member 34L, and its pin shafts 34c, 34d and guide holes 36 are configured symmetrically with the left side tray holding member 34L.

  Accordingly, the left and right tray holding members 34L and 34R have a degree of freedom to move relative to the left frame 80L and the right frame 80R within the guide range of the guide hole 36, respectively.

  FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the guide hole 36 portion. Each of the guide holes 36 includes a first guide region 36a that is horizontal in the front-rear direction, and a second guide region 36b that is continuously inclined in the pin shaft advance direction of the first guide region 36a. Moreover, it has the 3rd guide area | region 36c which received the pin shafts 34c and 34d continuously provided in the top part of the 2nd guide area | region 36b, and hold | maintains stably.

  The pin shafts 34c, 34d, that is, the left and right tray holding members 34L, 34R move in the following manner in conjunction with the opening rotation of the door 31. That is, after moving the distance a1 in the horizontal direction by the first guide area 36a, it moves obliquely upward (distance a2 in the horizontal direction and distance b1 in the vertical direction) by the second guide area 36b. Finally, the distance a3 is moved in the horizontal direction by the third guide region 36c.

  FIG. 11A shows a state in which the door 31 is in the closed position A and is sufficiently closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100A (opening 30). In this state, the left and right tray holding members 34L and 34R are moved rearward in the apparatus main body via the connecting arms 37L and 37R and the connecting rods 201L and 201R. The pin shafts 34 c and 34 d are located at the rear end portion of the first guide region 36 a of the guide hole 36.

  Therefore, the left and right tray holding members 34L and 34R are held at predetermined lowered positions (second positions) with respect to the left frame 80L and the right frame 80R, respectively. Accordingly, the tray 35 held by the tray holding members 34L and 34R is also held at a predetermined lowered position, that is, the image forming position C (FIG. 2).

  Since the tray 35 is held at the image forming position C, the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK held on the tray 35 are positioned at the mounting positions where the image forming operation can be performed in the cartridge housing portion 100B. Yes. The upper surface portions of the left and right sides of each cartridge P are pressed by the pressing member 42. Accordingly, the lower surface portions of the driving-side bearing portion 51 and the non-driving-side bearing portion 52 are pressed against the positioning portions 41 (FIGS. 13 and 17) provided on the left and right positioning members 81L and 81R on the apparatus main body 100A side. To be fixed. That is, each cartridge P is held in a predetermined positioning state with respect to the apparatus main body 100A.

  In this state, the drum lower surface of each cartridge P is in stable contact with the upper surface of the upper belt portion of the belt 13 of the belt unit 12.

  At this time, the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 on the apparatus main body 100A side are fitted in the coupling fitting portions 53 and 54 of each cartridge P, respectively. The electric contacts 55 of each cartridge P are in a state where power can be supplied from the apparatus main body side.

  The right side of the tray 35 is urged from the rear side to the front side by a spring 103 (FIG. 15), and the pop-out prevention claw 101 enters a main body side claw hook 102 provided on the right frame 80R of the apparatus main body 100A. Is positioned.

  FIG. 11B shows a state where the door 31 is partially opened. When the door 31 is opened from the door closed state of FIG. 11A, the left and right tray holding members 34L and 34R are pulled forward in the apparatus main body 100A in conjunction with this. Thereby, the pin shafts 34c and 34d of the tray holding members 34L and 34R are guided in the first guide region 36a of the guide hole 36, and first move forward in the horizontal direction by the distance a1. FIG. 11B shows this state.

  In the movement process of the tray holding members 34L and 34R at the distance a1, first, the electrical connection between the electrical contact 55 of each cartridge P and the apparatus main body 100A side is released. Next, the pressing positioning of each cartridge P by the pressing member 42 is also released. Further, the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 for each cartridge P are released. At this time, the pop-out prevention claw 101 is positioned in the main body side claw hook 102 so that the tray 35 does not follow the movement of the tray holding members 34L and 34R.

  In conjunction with the subsequent opening rotation of the door 31, the tray holding members 34L and 34R are further pulled forward in the apparatus main body 100A. Accordingly, the tray holding members 34L and 34R move obliquely upward as the pin shafts 34c and 34d are guided by the second guide region 36b of the guide hole 36. At this time, since the pop-out preventing claw 101 of the tray 35 is in the main body side claw hook 102, the tray 35 does not move in the horizontal direction, and the tray 35 moves in the vertical direction of the tray holding members 34L and 34R. Follow only. As a result, the drum 1 of the cartridge P and the belt 13 on the apparatus main body 100A side are separated.

  FIG. 11C shows a state in which the door 31 is fully opened. In this state, the tray holding members 34L and 34R finish the oblique upward movement by the second guide region 36b, and the pin shafts 34c and 34d are positioned in the horizontal third guide region 36c. That is, the tray holding members 34L and 34R move in the horizontal direction after moving obliquely upward.

  This is to stabilize the position of the cartridge P and the tray holding members 34L, 34R in the height direction when the tray 35 is subsequently pulled out from the tray holding members 34L, 34R and the cartridge P is replaced. Further, this is to prevent the tray holding members 34L and 34R from moving back.

  As described above, the tray holding members 34L and 34R move in the oblique direction and then move in the horizontal direction to hold the left frame 80L and the right frame 80R at predetermined predetermined positions (first positions), respectively. Is done. Accordingly, the tray 35 held by the tray holding members 34L and 34R is also shifted and held from the predetermined raised position, that is, the image forming position C (FIG. 2) to the movable position D (FIG. 4).

  In this state, the tray 35 can be slid horizontally in the front-rear direction with respect to the tray holding members 34L and 34R by releasing the position restriction. That is, the tray 35 can be slid between a removable position E where the cartridge P can be replaced and a movable position D where the cartridge P is mounted inside the apparatus main body.

  When the tray 35 is pulled out from the inside of the apparatus main body, the left and right positioning protrusions 57 of the cartridges P placed on the tray 35 move horizontally inside the left frame 80L. Therefore, it is desirable that the locus region through which the positioning projection 57 on the left frame 80L passes is a flat surface without holes or uneven shapes. That is, by not arranging the necessary holes on the left frame 80L in the locus region through which the positioning projections 57 pass, the positioning projections 57 can be prevented from being scratched or scraped, and the tray 35 can be pulled out smoothly. The hole is, for example, a hole through which the main body electrical contact spring 75 passes, a guide hole 36 of the tray holding member 34, or the like.

  17 and 19 are perspective views showing a state in which the tray 35 is pulled out to the attachment / detachment position E where the cartridge P can be replaced. At this time, the tray 35 at a position that greatly protrudes from the apparatus main body 100A is supported by the support portions 121L and 121R of the connection arms 37L and 37R. As a result, the front side of the apparatus main body of the tray 35 is greatly bent downward due to the weight of the tray 35 and the cartridge P, and the surface of the drum 1 is damaged, or the weight balance of the apparatus main body 100A is broken by pulling out the tray 35 and falls forward. Can be prevented.

  The connecting arms 37L and 37R rotate in conjunction with the door 31. Therefore, the support portions 121L and 121R of the connecting arms 37L and 37R can be provided so as to be located inside the apparatus main body 100A when the door 31 is closed and to be located outside the apparatus main body 100A when the door 31 is opened. . As a result, the tray 35 can be stably held at the attachment / detachment position E without increasing the size of the apparatus body, and usability at the time of cartridge replacement can be improved.

  At this time, the shapes of the support portions 121L and 121R that support the tray 35 at the attachment / detachment position E and the number of fulcrums may not be as shown in FIGS. The door 31 may be integrally provided with a support portion of the tray 35 (a portion that supports the pulled-out tray 35).

<< Tray position regulating means >>
The tray position regulating means will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the tray 35 is sufficiently stored from the attaching / detaching position E outside the apparatus main body 100 to the movable position D (FIG. 4) inside the apparatus main body 100. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state where the tray 35 is not sufficiently stored up to the movable position D. FIG. FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory view of the movement restricting means for guiding the tray 35 to be sufficiently stored up to the movable position D.

  In the state of FIG. 14 in which the tray 35 is not fully pushed, when the connecting arms 37L and 37R rotate in conjunction with the closing and turning of the door 31, the connecting arm 37L as shown in FIG. , 37R support portions 121L, 121R abut against the lower surface of the tray 35. Therefore, it is impossible to close the door 31 and push down the tray holding members 34L and 34R to the lower rear side of the apparatus main body.

  On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 13 in which the tray 35 is fully pushed, when the connecting arms 37L and 37R rotate in conjunction with the closing and turning of the door 31, the connecting arm 37L as shown in FIG. , 37R support portions 121L and 121R do not interfere with the tray 35. Therefore, the door 31 can be closed and the tray holding members 34R and 34L and the tray 35 can be pushed down.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the tray 35 is biased by a spring 103 via a pressing member 104 from the rear. For this reason, when the user does not sufficiently push the tray 35, a state in which the tray 35 protrudes by a certain amount or more as shown in FIG. At this time, the position of the tray 35 is in the state shown in FIGS.

  Therefore, when the user does not fully store the tray 35 to the movable position D and tries to close the door 31 by mistake, the support portions 121L and 121R of the connecting arms 37L and 37R surely interfere with the tray 35. Thus, it is possible to prompt correction of mistakes. On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 13 and FIG. 16B where the tray 35 is fully pushed to the movable position D, the pop-out preventing claw 101 engages with the main body side engaging means 102. Therefore, it is possible to determine the position of the tray 35 sufficiently pushed to the movable position D with respect to the apparatus main body 100A as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 26 shows a form of the pop-out preventing claw 101 and the main body side engaging means 102 in this embodiment. The pop-out prevention claw 101 is a claw member that appears and disappears in conjunction with the operation of the movable handle portion 35a from a hole portion 35bH provided in the right side surface 35bR of the front frame 35b of the tray 35. The pop-out prevention claw 101 maintains a state of protruding from the hole 35bH by a biasing means (not shown), and when the handle portion 35a is pulled forward, it is retracted into the hole 35bH.

  The main body side engaging means 102 is a vertically long hole provided in the right frame 80R of the apparatus main body 100A. The claw 101 on the tray 35 side protrudes from the hole 35bH and engages with the elongated hole 102 as the main body side engaging means, whereby the tray 35 is positioned at the movable position D. When the claw 101 is retracted into the hole 35bH, the engagement with the elongated hole 102 is released.

  The main body side engaging means 102 is a vertically long hole. Accordingly, the tray 35 is moved from the movable position D to the image forming position C and moved from the image forming position C in a state where the pop-out preventing claw 101 and the main body side engaging means 102 are engaged. A position change to the possible position D is possible.

  When the tray 35 is located at the movable position D, the pop-out prevention claw 101 is engaged with the main body side engaging means 102. As a result, the tray 35 is locked at the movable position D and restricted in movement.

  In this state, when the handle portion 35a is pulled forward, the pop-out prevention claw 101 is retracted into the hole portion 35bH, so that the engagement with the main body side engaging means 102 is released. Thereby, the movement restriction of the tray 35 is released, and the tray 35 is slightly pushed forward by the biasing force of the spring 103 via the pressing member 104. Subsequently, the user can slide the tray 35 to the attachment / detachment position E by pulling the handle portion 35a.

  Conversely, the tray 35 is pushed and moved from the attachment / detachment position E into the apparatus main body 100A. At a moment when the tray 35 reaches the movable position D, the rear frame 35 c of the tray 35 comes into contact with the pressing member 104. When the tray 35 is continuously pushed in and moved against the biasing force of the spring 103 of the pressing member 104, the pop-out preventing claw 101 engages with the body side engaging means 102 when the tray 35 reaches the movable position D. As a result, the tray 35 is locked at the movable position D and restricted in movement.

  The numbers and shapes of the pop-out preventing claws 101 and the main body side engaging means 102 of the tray 35 may not be as shown in FIGS. Further, the number and shape of the pressing means 103 and 104 of the tray 35 may not be as shown in FIG.

<Interface section>
The configuration of the interface portion of each process cartridge and the image forming apparatus, that is, the power supply configuration, the configuration of the pressing member, and the configuration of the drive coupling member will be described.

(Power supply configuration)
17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining a method of supplying power to each cartridge P from the apparatus main body 100A. On the left side (non-driving side) in the apparatus main body, in order to supply electric power to the electric contact (power supply contact portion) 55 of each cartridge P, main body electric contact springs 75 (75a, 75b, 75a, 75b, which are power supply members (electric contact units)) 75c and 75d) are provided.

  FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the state in which the door 31 is opened and the tray 35 is pulled out to the attachment / detachment position E, as viewed from the left side. Each cartridge P is supported on the tray 35 along the horizontal direction of the apparatus main body. On the left side surface of each cartridge P, an electrical contact 55 of the cartridge P is provided at the same position in the vertical direction.

  A plurality of main body electrical contact springs 75a to 75d electrically connected to a main body-side power feeding portion 74 provided outside the left frame 80L of the main body 100A of the apparatus main body are arranged at the same position along the horizontal direction of the main body of the apparatus. It is provided side by side. FIG. 17B is an enlarged view of the vicinity of one main body electrical contact spring 75, and FIG. 17C is a perspective view of the main body electrical contact spring 75 viewed from the inside of the left frame 80L.

  One end of each of the main body electrical contact springs 75 a to 75 d is electrically connected to the main body side power feeding section 74. The other end is held by the main body electric contact spring holder 76, and the cartridge electric contact abutting portion 77 protrudes to the cartridge side through a hole 76 d opened in the main body electric contact spring holder 76.

  The left and right ends 76a and 76b of the body electrical contact spring holder 76 are rotatably supported and held between bearing members (not shown) provided in the apparatus body 100A. The main body electric contact spring holder 76 is rotated by the biasing force of the main body electric contact spring 75 to the side where the cartridge electric contact abutting portion 77 comes into contact with the cartridge. At this time, the rotation of the shaft portion 76c of the main body electrical contact spring holder 76 is restricted by the cam surface 201D of the connecting rod 201L.

  18A and 18B show the state of electrical connection and disconnection between the electrical contact 55 of the cartridge P and the main body electrical contact spring 75. FIG. In other words, each of the electrical contacts 55, the main body electric contact spring 75, the main body electric contact spring holder 76, the main body side power supply portion 74, and the connecting rod 201L of the cartridge P is a part of a cross-sectional view seen from the upper surface of the apparatus main body.

  FIG. 18A shows a state in which each cartridge P is lowered to the mounting position where the image forming operation can be performed by the downward movement of the tray 35 to the image forming position C with the door 31 closed. Yes. At this time, the cartridge electrical contact abutment portion 77 of the main body electrical contact spring 75 protrudes to the cartridge P side through a hole formed in the left frame 80L and is in contact with the electrical contact 55 of the cartridge P.

  That is, the main body electrical contact spring 75 is located at the power feeding position J where the power can be fed to the electrical contact 55 of the cartridge P when the door 31 is located at the closed position A. The electrical contact 55 is electrically connected.

  FIG. 18B shows that each cartridge P is lifted from the mounting position where the image forming operation can be performed by the upward movement of the tray 35 from the image forming position C to the movable position D with the door 31 opened. It shows the state in position. When the connecting rod 201L moves in front of the main body in conjunction with the opening rotation of the door 31, the main body electric contact spring holder 76 moves the main body electric contact spring 75 away from the electric contact 55 of the cartridge P by the cam surface 201D. Rotate.

  That is, the main body electrical contact spring 75 is located at a separation position K that is separated from the electrical contact 55 of the cartridge P when the door 31 is located at the open position B, and the main body electrical contact spring 75 and the electrical contact 55 of the cartridge P are located. Is electrically disconnected.

  At this time, the cartridge electrical contact abutment portion 77 is retracted to the outside of the apparatus main body from the hole formed in the left frame 80L. Thus, the tray 35 can be pulled out without contacting the main body electrical contact spring 75.

  The cam surface 201D of the connecting rod 201L is formed of straight portions 201e and 201g and a slope portion 201f. As a result, the main body electrical contact spring 75 is in a state of contacting the electrical contact 55 of the cartridge P (power feeding position J) when the door 31 is sufficiently closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100A (closed position A). maintain. Further, in a state where the door 31 is sufficiently opened (open position B), the state where the door 31 is separated from the electrical contact 55 of the cartridge P (separated position K) is maintained.

  At this time, the stroke amount of the main body electrical contact spring 75 generated by the rotation of the electrical contact spring holder 76, that is, the stroke amount from the power feeding position J contacting the cartridge electrical contact 55 when the door is closed to the separating position K when the door is opened. Can say the following.

  That is, this stroke does not contact the cartridge electrical contact 55 when the tray 35 is pulled out even under the limit conditions of the dimensional variation range, and is sufficient to electrically connect the cartridge electrical contact 55 when the door is closed. It must be a correct value. Increasing this stroke amount increases the margin for dimensional variation, but at the same time increases the amount of compression of the main body electrical contact spring 75 when the door 31 is opened, leading to an increase in user operation force for opening the door 31. Therefore, it is important to reduce the stroke amount of the main body electrical contact spring 75 as much as possible, that is, to ensure the positional accuracy between related parts.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the left and right positioning projections 57 of each cartridge P are abutted against the left frame 80L to determine the position of each cartridge P in the left and right direction. Therefore, the dimensional variation from the cartridge electrical contact 55 to the body electrical contact spring 75 can be reduced by positioning the shaft portion of the body electrical contact spring holder 76 and the connecting rod 201L in the left-right direction by abutting against the left frame 80L. Can do. That is, the stroke amount of the main body electrical contact spring 75 can be reduced, and the user operation force when opening and closing the door 31 can be reduced.

  17 and 18 described above show a method of supplying power to one electrical contact 55 that is a power-supplied portion of each cartridge P using one main body electrical contact spring 75. However, the same configuration can be made when each cartridge P has a plurality of power supplied portions. In that case, even if one main body electric contact spring holder 76 has a plurality of main body electric contact springs 75, a plurality of main body electric contact spring holders 76 are provided for one cartridge P. There may be.

  17 and 18 described above, the left and right ends 76a and 76b of the main body electrical contact spring holder 76 are rotatably supported and held between the bearing members. The main body electric contact spring 75 is brought into contact with or separated from the electric contact 55 of the cartridge P by the rotational movement of the main body electric contact spring holder 76. However, the main body electric contact spring holder 76 moves horizontally in the left-right direction of the main body and contacts or separates the main body electric contact spring 75 with respect to the electric contact 55 of the cartridge P, similarly to the configuration of the drive coupling member described later. The structure to be made may be sufficient.

(Configuration of pressing member)
As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 17, and 19, left and right positioning members 81 </ b> L and 81 </ b> R are provided on both the right and left sides in the apparatus main body 100 </ b> A, respectively. The left and right positioning members 81L and 81R are provided with positioning portions 41 for receiving the lower surface portions of the driving side bearing portion 51 and the non-driving side bearing portion 52 of each cartridge P, respectively. And on both sides of the right side and the left side in the apparatus main body 100A, in order to fit and fix the driving side bearing portion 51 and the non-driving side bearing portion 52 of each cartridge P to the corresponding positioning portions 41, A pressing member 42 for pressing the left and right upper surfaces of each cartridge P is provided.

  FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the door 31 as viewed from the left side. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the state of FIG. 17 in which the door 31 is opened and the tray 35 is pulled out, as viewed from the right side. FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of the pressing mechanism.

  As shown in FIGS. 17, 19, and 23, pressing member rods 46L and 46R are provided on both outer sides of the left and right frames 80L and 80R, respectively. Further, rod link members 202L and 202R are provided for interlocking the connecting rods 201L and 201R and the pressing member rods 46L and 46R, respectively.

  The left and right pressing member rods 46L and 46R are respectively engaged with pin shafts 47 provided in the left and right frames 80L and 80R of the apparatus main body 100A with two horizontally elongated holes 46A planted at intervals in the front-rear direction. is there. By the engagement of the pin shaft 47 and the horizontally long hole 46A, the pressing member rods 46L and 46R are supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the left and right frames 80L and 80R, respectively.

  The left and right rod link members 202L and 202R are rotatably held with respect to link rotation shafts 83 provided on the left and right frames 80L and 80R of the apparatus main body 100A. The rod link members 202L and 202R are respectively provided with lateral shafts 202a and 202b.

  Then, the horizontal shaft 202a of the left rod link member 202L is fitted into and engaged with a vertical hole 201B provided in the left connecting rod 201L, and the horizontal shaft 202b is vertically long provided on the left pressing member rod 46L. The hole 46B is fitted and engaged.

  Similarly, the lateral shaft 202a of the right rod link member 202R is fitted into and engaged with the longitudinal hole 201B provided in the left connecting rod 201R, and the lateral shaft 202b is provided on the left pressing member rod 46R. It is inserted into and engaged with the vertically long hole 46B.

  Accordingly, the pressing member rods 46L and 46R move in the front-rear direction via the rod link members 202L and 202R in conjunction with the movement in the front-rear direction of the connecting rods 201L and 201R. In other words, the pressing member rods 46L and 46R move in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the opening / closing rotation of the door 31.

  When the door 31 is opened (FIG. 17) from the state where the door 31 is closed (FIG. 23), the connecting rods 201L and 201R move to the front side of the apparatus main body 100A as described above. At this time, the pressing member rods 46L and 46R move to the rear side of the apparatus main body 100A via the rod link members 202L and 202R. Conversely, when the door 31 is closed (FIG. 23) from the opened state (FIG. 17), the connecting rods 201L and 201R move to the rear side of the apparatus main body 100A. Then, the pressing member rods 46L and 46R move to the front side of the apparatus main body 100A via the rod link members 202L and 202R.

  Further, the respective pressing members 42 are provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction of the apparatus main body 100A with respect to the pressing member holders 44L and 44R respectively provided inside both the left and right frames 80L and 80R. The pressing spring 43 biases the left and right upper surfaces of the cartridges P in the direction of pressing.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the left and right pressing member holders 44L and 44R are respectively provided with pin shafts 44a provided at the center in the front-rear direction and vertically elongated holes 45 provided in the left and right frames 80L and 80R of the apparatus main body 100A. Is engaged.

  Further, the left and right pressing member holders 44L and 44R respectively have two pin shafts 44b planted at intervals in the front and rear direction through the vertically elongated holes 82 provided in the left and right frames 80L and 80R, respectively. And it is made to engage with the guide hole 48 provided in each of the right and left pressing member rods 46L and 46R.

  As a result, the left and right pressing member holders 44L and 44R are restricted in the vertical position of the main body by the left and right pressing member rods 46L and 46R, respectively, and the longitudinal elongated holes 45 of the left and right frames 80L and 80R The position is restricted. That is, the left and right pressing member holders 44L and 44R move only in the vertical direction as the left and right pressing member rods 46L and 46R move in the front-rear direction.

  FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the guide hole 48 of the pressing member rod 46L as viewed from the left side of the main body. Each of the guide holes 48 includes a first guide region 48a that is horizontal in the front-rear direction and a second guide region 48b that is inclined upward and is provided continuously in the pin shaft forward direction of the first guide region 48a. Moreover, it has the 3rd guide area | region 48c which received the pin shaft 44b continuously provided in the top part of the 2nd guide area | region 48b, and hold | maintains stably.

  FIG. 21A shows a state where the door 31 is sufficiently closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100A. In this state, the pressing member rod 46L is located on the front side of the apparatus main body 100A. Therefore, the position of the pin shaft 44b, that is, the pressing member holder 44L, in the vertical direction is regulated by the first guide region 48a. At this time, each pressing member 42 presses the left upper surface of the cartridge.

  FIGS. 21B and 21C show a state in which the door 31 is opened halfway. When the door 31 is opened from the door closed state of FIG. 21A, the pressing member rod 46L moves to the rear side of the apparatus main body 100A in conjunction with this. As a result, the pressing member holder 44L moves upward as the pin shaft 44b is guided by the second guide region 48b of the guide hole 48.

  At this time, since the pin shaft 44a of the pressing member holder 44L is in the vertically long hole 45 provided in the left frame 80L, the pressing member holder 44L does not move in the horizontal direction, and the pressing member holder 44L is only in the vertical direction. Moving. Thereby, the pressing member 42 and the upper left surface of the cartridge are separated from each other.

  FIG. 21D shows a state in which the door 31 is fully opened. In this state, the pressing member rod 46L is located on the rear side of the apparatus main body. Therefore, the position of the pin shaft 44b, that is, the pressing member holder 44L, in the vertical direction is regulated by the third guide region 48c. That is, the pressing member 42 and the left upper surface of the cartridge are maintained apart.

  FIG. 21 describes the contact and separation of the pressing mechanism on the left side of the main body, but the pressing mechanism on the right side of the main body also contacts and separates with the same configuration.

  As a result, the pin shaft 44b, that is, the left and right pressing member holders 44L and 44R, moves in the first guide while the left and right pressing member rods 46L and 46R move in the horizontal direction by a distance a4 in conjunction with the opening rotation of the door 31. The vertical position is regulated by the region 48a. Thereafter, while the left and right pressing member rods 46L and 46R move the distance a5 in the horizontal direction, the second guide region 48b moves the distance b2 in the vertical direction.

  Finally, while the left and right pressing member rods 46L and 46R move the distance a6 in the horizontal direction, the position in the vertical direction is restricted by the third guide region 48c. At this time, the vertical elongated holes 82 provided in the left and right frames 80L and 80R are sufficiently large with respect to the vertical movement area of the pin shaft 44b, and the movement thereof is not limited.

  FIGS. 22A and 22B show how the left and right upper surfaces of the cartridge P and the pressing member 42 are in contact with and separated from each other. That is, each of the cartridge P, the pressing member 42, the pressing spring 43, and the pressing member holder 44 is a part of a cross-sectional view as viewed from the left side of the apparatus main body.

  FIG. 22A shows a state where the doors 31 are closed (closed position A), and each cartridge P is pressed and held at a mounting position where an image forming operation can be performed. In this state, as described above, the pressing member holder 44 and the pressing member 42 are pushed down by the first guide region 48 a provided in the pressing member rod 46. At this time, the pressing member 42 stops at a position where it abuts against the upper surface on the left and right sides of each cartridge P, and does not move below it, so that the locking portion 44c provided on the pressing member holder 44 and the covering of the pressing member 42 A gap of a distance b3 is generated between the locking portions 42a.

  That is, when the door 31 is located at the closed position A, the pressing member 42 is positioned at the contact position H that contacts the cartridge P and fixes the position of the cartridge P. As a result, the pressing member 42 presses the left and right upper surfaces of each cartridge P by the force received from the pressing spring 43, so that the driving-side bearing portion 51 and the non-driving-side bearing portion 52 are fitted to the positioning portion 41. Fixed.

  Here, the direction in which the pressing member 42 contacts the cartridge P is as follows. That is, a direction (connection direction) in which the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40, which are drive transmission members described later, are connected to the cartridge P, and a direction in which the power supply member 75 is in contact with the cartridge P (contact direction) ) And orthogonal directions (vertical directions).

  FIG. 22B shows a state in which the pressing of each cartridge P is released and each cartridge P is in a position raised from the mounting position with the door 31 opened (open position B). When the pressing member rod 46 moves to the rear side of the main body in conjunction with the opening rotation of the door 31, the pressing member holder 44 is kept pushed up by the third guide region 48 c provided on the pressing member rod 46. . When the pressing member holder 44 moves upward by a distance b3 from the pressing state of FIG. 22A, the locking portion 44c provided on the pressing member holder 44 and the locked portion 42a of the pressing member 42 come into contact with each other.

  Therefore, before that, the pressing member holder 44 and the pressing member 42 are pushed up integrally. Here, the upward movement amount (b2-b3) of the pressing member 42 is set larger than the upward movement amount (b1) of each cartridge P described above. Thereby, the pressure on each cartridge P is released, and the pressing member 42 is retracted to a position where the horizontal movement of the tray 35 is not restricted.

  That is, the pressing member 42 is located at the separation position I that is separated from the cartridge P when the door 31 is located at the open position B. As a result, the left and right pressing on each cartridge P is released in conjunction with the opening rotation of the door 31.

(Configuration of drive coupling member)
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 25, a drum drive coupling 39 and a development drive coupling 40 are provided on the right side in the apparatus main body 100A. The drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 are connected to drive input portions (drive connection portions) 53 and 54 (FIG. 8) on the cartridge P side in order to rotationally drive the drum 1 and the development roller 3a of each cartridge P. It is the drive output part (drive transmission member) to connect.

  FIG. 24 is a partially enlarged view showing a state where the drum drive coupling 39 contacts and separates from the drive input portion 53 on each cartridge P side, and the right frame 80R and the cartridge P) are illustrated for explanation. Not shown. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the configuration of the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 as viewed from the right side of the main body in a state where the door 31 is opened (open position B).

  The drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 are supported so as to be rotatable with respect to a drive unit shaft (not shown) provided outside the right frame 80R and movable in the direction of the rotation axis. The coupling portions 39a and 40a are urged by a coupling pressing spring (biasing means: urging member) 211 in a direction in which the coupling portions 39a and 40a come into contact with the drive input portions 53 and 54 on the cartridge side.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the right frame 80R is provided with a round hole 84 at the center of each drum drive coupling 39, the drum drive coupling release lever 213 engages with the round hole 84, and It is provided so that rotation is possible (FIG. 24).

  As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, one end of the drum drive coupling release lever 213 is provided with a pin shaft 213a. The pin shaft 213a of each drum drive coupling release lever 213 is fitted into and engaged with a vertically long hole 201C provided in the right connecting rod 201R. Further, a drum drive coupling release cam 212 is provided so as to engage with the drum drive coupling release lever 213 and be movable in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum drive coupling 39.

  By holding a rib 212e provided on the drum drive coupling release cam 212 by a holder member (not shown), the drum drive coupling release cam 212 restricts the movement of the drum drive coupling release lever 213 in the rotational direction. Has been.

  FIG. 24A is an enlarged view of the drum drive coupling 39, and shows a state where the door 31 is sufficiently closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100A (closed position A). In this state, the drum drive coupling 39 protrudes to the inside of the apparatus main body by the coupling pressing spring 211 to a position where the coupling portion 39a contacts the drive input portion 53 on each cartridge side. That is, the drum drive coupling 39 is located at the connection position F where the drive force can be transmitted to the drive input portion 53 of the cartridge P when the door 31 is located at the closed position A.

  FIG. 24B shows a state where the door 31 is fully opened (open position B). When the door 31 is opened from the door closed state of FIG. 24A, the right connecting rod 201R is pulled forward in the apparatus main body 100A in conjunction with this. As a result, the drum drive coupling release lever 213 rotates with respect to the drum drive coupling release cam 212. At this time, due to the cam surface 212A of the drum drive coupling release cam 212, the drum drive coupling release cam 212 moves to the right side of the main body along the rotation axis.

  Thereby, the end surface 212f of the drum drive coupling release cam 212 abuts on the drum drive coupling 39, and the drum drive coupling 39 is moved against the biasing force of the coupling pressing spring 211 to drive the cartridge side drive input portion 53. Move away from the direction. That is, the drum drive coupling 39 is located at the separation position G that is separated from the cartridge P when the door 31 is located at the open position B.

  Similarly, the right frame 80R is provided with a round hole 85 at the center of each development drive coupling 40, and a development drive coupling release lever 215 is provided to engage with the round hole 85 and be rotatable. (FIGS. 17 and 25).

  One end of the development drive coupling release lever 215 is provided with a pin shaft 215a. The pin shaft 215a of each developing drive coupling release lever 215 is fitted into and engaged with a longitudinal hole 46C provided in the right pressing member rod 46R.

  Further, a development drive coupling release cam 214 is provided to engage with the development drive coupling release lever 215 and to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis of the development drive coupling 40. Since the rib 214e provided on the development drive coupling release cam 214 is held by a holder member (not shown), the development drive coupling release cam 214 restricts movement of the development drive coupling release lever 215 in the rotational direction. Has been.

  When the door 31 is opened from the door closed state, the right connecting rod 201R moves forward in the apparatus main body 100A in conjunction with this. Then, at the same time as the right connecting rod 201R moves forward in the apparatus main body, the pressing member rod 46R moves rearward in the apparatus main body via the rod link member 202R. As a result, the development drive coupling release lever 215 rotates relative to the development drive coupling release cam 214.

  At this time, due to the cam surface 214A of the development drive coupling release cam 214, the development drive coupling release cam 214 moves to the right side of the main body along the rotation axis. As a result, the end face of the development drive coupling release cam 214 comes into contact with the development drive coupling 40, and the development drive coupling 40 is moved from the drive input portion 54 on the cartridge side against the biasing force of the coupling pressing spring 211. Move in the direction of separation.

  In this state, the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 are retracted to a position where the movement of the tray 35 in the vertical direction and the movement of the tray 35 and each cartridge in the horizontal direction are not restricted.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the cam surface 212A of the drum drive coupling release cam 212 is formed by straight portions 212b and 212d and a slope portion 212c. Thereby, the drum drive coupling 39 maintains the state (connection position F) engaged with each cartridge P when the door 31 is sufficiently closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100A (closed position A). Further, in a state where the door 31 is sufficiently opened (open position B), a state where the door 31 is separated from each cartridge P (a separated position G) is maintained.

  The cam surface 214A of the development drive coupling release cam 214 is similarly configured. Accordingly, the development drive coupling 40 also maintains the state (connection position F) engaged with each cartridge P when the door 31 is sufficiently closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100A (closed position A). Further, in a state where the door 31 is sufficiently opened (open position B), a state where the door 31 is separated from each cartridge P (a separated position G) is maintained.

(Operation timing of each interface part)
With the above mechanism, each interface unit for each cartridge P is released in conjunction with the movement of the door 31 from the closed position A to the open position B. That is, the main body electrical contact spring 75, the pressing member 42, the drum drive coupling 39, and the development drive coupling 40 are released. When the tray 35 is lifted from the image forming position C to the movable position D by the tray holding member 34, the tray 35 can freely slide between the movable position D and the attachment / detachment position D. .

  Therefore, the tray 35 is loaded with the cartridge P and pulled out from the apparatus main body 100A. On the contrary, the tray 35 can be stored in the apparatus main body 100A.

  As described above, the main body electrical contact spring 75, the pressing member 42, the drum drive coupling 39, the development drive coupling 40, and the tray 35 operate in conjunction with the movement of the door 31. Here, the operation timing of each operation can be adjusted by the shape of the cam surface in the above-described operation control mechanism.

  For example, the timing at which the tray 35 moves in the vertical direction can be adjusted by changing the horizontal position of the guide region 36b in the guide hole 36 shown in FIG. If the guide area 36a is set long and the guide area 36c is set short, the tray 35 is moved downward on the side close to the start (that is, the start of the closing action) of the movement from the start to the end of the closing action of the door 31. Can do.

  Similarly, the operation timing of the main body electrical contact spring 75 can be adjusted by the cam surface 201D (FIG. 18) of the connecting rod 201L.

  The operation timing of the pressing member 42 can be adjusted by the guide hole 48 (FIG. 21) of the pressing member rod 46.

  The operation timing of the drum drive coupling 39 can be adjusted by the cam surface 212A (FIG. 24) of the drum drive coupling release cam 212.

  The operation timing of the development drive coupling 40 can be adjusted by the cam surface 214A (FIG. 25) of the development drive coupling release cam 214.

  In the present embodiment, the operation timing of each operation is set so that each operation described above is performed in the following order along the closing operation of the door 31.

  The left and right tray holding members 34 finish the oblique downward movement of the guide portion 36 by the second guide region 36b, and the pin shafts 34c and 34d are positioned in the horizontal first guide region 36a. That is, the tray 35 moves downward, and the lower surface portions of the drive-side bearing portion 51 and the non-drive-side bearing portion 52 of each cartridge are located on the positioning portions 41 provided on the left and right positioning members 81L and 81R of the apparatus main body. It is accepted.

  Due to the rotation of the drum drive coupling release lever 213, the drum drive coupling release cam 212 finishes moving to the inside of the main body by the inclined surface portion 212c. That is, the drum drive coupling 39 receives the biasing force of the coupling pressing spring 211 and is connected to the drive input portion 53 on the cartridge side. Similarly, the rotation of the developing drive coupling release lever 215 ends the movement of the developing drive coupling release cam 214 toward the inside of the main body by the inclined surface portion 214c. That is, the developing drive coupling 40 receives the biasing force of the coupling pressing spring 211 and is connected to the drive input portion 54 on the cartridge side.

  At this time, each cartridge P receives a biasing force of the coupling pressing spring 211 via the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 and is biased to the left side of the apparatus main body. That is, the left and right positioning protrusions 57 of the cartridges abut against the left frame 80L, and the left and right positions are determined.

  The left and right pressing member rods 44 finish the downward movement of the guide holes 48 provided in the pressing member rod 46 by the second guide region 48b. That is, the left and right pressing members 42 move downward and press the left and right upper surfaces of each cartridge. Thus, the driving-side bearing portion 51 and the non-driving-side bearing portion 52 are fitted and fixed to the positioning portion 41.

  The main body electrical contact spring holder 76 finishes moving to the inside of the main body by the inclined surface 201f of the connecting rod 201L. That is, the cartridge electrical contact abutment portion 77 of the main body electrical contact spring 75 is brought into contact with the cartridge electrical contact 55 to be electrically connected.

  The operation timings of the above operations are summarized as follows. The following operations (1) to (4) are performed in the order of (1) to (4) in conjunction with the movement of the door 31 from the open position B (FIG. 3) to the closed position A (FIG. 2). It is characterized by.

(1) Operation for moving the tray 35 from the movable position D to the image forming position C (FIG. 4 → FIG. 2)
(2) Operation in which the drive transmission members 39 and 40 move from the separation position G to the connection position F ((b) → (a) in FIG. 24)
(3) Operation in which the pressing member 42 moves from the separation position I to the contact position H ((b) → (a) in FIG. 22)
(4) Operation in which the power supply member 75 moves from the separation position K to the power supply position J ((b) → (a) in FIG. 18)
Further, when the door 31 is opened, the operation is performed in the reverse order ((4) → (3) → (2) → (1)). That is, along the opening operation of the door 31, the power feeding mechanism 75 is first separated, the left and right pressing members 42 are then separated, the drive coupling members 39 and 40 are further separated, and finally the tray 35 is moved upward ( Move from the image forming position C to the movable position D).

  The merit of setting the operation order of each operation as described above will be described. When the door 31 is closed, first, the drive input portions 53 and 54 of each cartridge P are moved to positions opposite to the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 by the operation (1), respectively.

  Thereafter, the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 are brought into contact with the drive input portions 53 and 54 of the cartridge by the operation (2). Thereby, each drum drive coupling 39 and the drive input part 53, and the development drive coupling 40 and the drive input part 54 can be reliably connected.

  When the door 31 is opened, the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 are moved away from the drive input portions 53 and 54 of the cartridge, and then each cartridge is moved upward together with the tray 35. If the drive coupling is connected to the drive input portion of the cartridge and the cartridge moves upward together with the tray 35, only the side of the drive coupling connected to the cartridge is lifted upward. And there exists a possibility that a twist may generate | occur | produce between the other end parts supported by the apparatus main body side, and a drive coupling may be damaged.

  Further, when the tray 35 moves upward with the drive coupling protruding from the right frame 80R to the inside of the main body, the drive coupling may come into contact with the right frame 35e of the tray 35 and be damaged.

  That is, the operation (2) is performed after the operation (1). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 from being damaged due to the twist of the main body side support portion and the cartridge connecting portion or the contact between the right frame 35e of the tray 35.

  Further, by the operation (2), each cartridge P is shifted to the left side of the main body, and the positioning protrusion 57 in the left-right direction of each cartridge P hits the left frame 80L.

  That is, as described above, the apparatus main body 100A includes the coupling pressing spring (biasing means) that biases the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 against the drive input portions 53 and 54 of the cartridge P. 211. The cartridge P is moved by the spring 211 from the side where the drive input portions 53 and 54 are provided to the side where the power supply contact portion 55 is provided. As a result, each cartridge P is shifted to the left side of the main body, and the left and right positioning projections 57 of each cartridge P abut against the left frame 80L.

  Thereafter, in operation (3), the left and right upper surfaces of each cartridge P are pressed, and the driving-side bearing portion 51 and the non-driving-side bearing portion 52 are fitted and fixed to the positioning portion 41. Thereby, the position of each cartridge in the left-right direction of the main body is accurately guaranteed with respect to the main frame.

  Here, in the state of the operation (2), the bearing portions 51 and 52 and the positioning portion 41 of each cartridge P are in contact with each other, but since the vertical drag generated between them is small, each cartridge P is shifted to the left side of the main body. The frictional force generated at the time is small. Further, the bearing portions 51 and 52 are not scraped by the rubbing with the positioning portion 41. Further, since the main body electrical contact spring 75 provided on the non-driving side is in a state of being separated from the cartridge electrical contact 55, when the cartridges are shifted to the left side of the main body, a force that impedes it may be received from the non-driving side. Absent.

  That is, since it is not hindered by the pressing mechanism or the power feeding mechanism, the force of the coupling pressing spring 211 that acts to shift each cartridge P to the left side of the main body can be minimized. As described above, when the door 31 is opened, the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 are moved horizontally against the urging force of the coupling pressing spring 211. Therefore, the operation force during the opening operation of the door 31 can be reduced by suppressing the force of the coupling pressing spring 211 to a small value.

  Further, by the operation (3), the left and right upper surfaces of each cartridge P are pressed, and the driving-side bearing portion 51 and the non-driving-side bearing portion 52 are fitted and fixed to the positioning portion 41. Thereafter, the main body electrical contact spring 75 and the cartridge electrical contact 55 are electrically connected by the operation (4). Thereby, the contact force of the main body electric contact spring 75 with respect to the cartridge electric contact 55 does not push each cartridge back to the drive side (right side of the main body).

  Further, each cartridge P is positioned at a position where the left and right positioning projections 57 abut against the left frame 80L by the operation (2), and the position is fixed by the operation (3). Thereby, the positional relationship of the main body electrical contact spring 75 and the cartridge electrical contact 55 in the left-right direction of the main body is ensured with high accuracy. Therefore, as described above, the stroke amount of the main body electrical contact spring 75 can be reduced, and the user operation force when opening and closing the door 31 can be reduced.

  For the above reasons, each operation timing is performed in the order of (1) to (4) in accordance with the closing operation of the door 31, so that the opening / closing force of the door 31 is relaxed and each cartridge P is reliably positioned. Can do.

  Note that the operations (1) to (4) do not need to be performed sufficiently independently. For example, even if the operation (2) is started in the middle of the operation (1), before the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40 begin to contact the drive input portions 53 and 54 of the cartridge, What is necessary is just to finish the operation of (1). That is, it is only necessary that the drive input portions 53 and 54 of each cartridge P have been moved to positions facing the drum drive coupling 39 and the development drive coupling 40.

  Further, in order to reduce the opening / closing force of the door 31, the operation timing may be slightly different for each cartridge in the operations (2) to (4). For example, in the operation (2), the load applied to the door 31 may be distributed by slightly changing the timing at which the drum drive coupling 39 contacts the drive input unit 53 of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK.

  In the operation (2), the timing at which the drum drive coupling 39 abuts on the cartridge drive input unit 53 and the timing at which the development drive coupling 40 abuts on the cartridge drive input unit 54 are slightly different. Thereby, it is preferable to distribute the load applied to the door 31. Thereby, the peak of the force applied to the door 31 can be reduced, and the operation force when the user operates the door 31 can be reduced.

(Advantages of positioning the cartridge with respect to the side plate)
In the present embodiment, as described above, the left and right positioning protrusions 57 of the cartridges abut against the left frame 80L by the spring force of the coupling pressing spring (biasing member) 211, and the horizontal direction of each cartridge P is I have decided the position.

  That is, the apparatus main body 100A moves the cartridge P placed on the tray 35 from one end side to the other end side in the direction orthogonal to the movement direction between the inside and the outside of the apparatus main body 100A of the tray 35 on the tray moving surface. It has a biasing member 211 that presses and biases. In this embodiment, the biasing member 211 is included in the drive transmission members 39 and 40 to the cartridge P.

  Then, when the tray 35 on which the cartridge P is placed is at the storage position C, the cartridge P is pressed and urged by the urging member 211, so that the positioning projection 57 contacts and is received by the left frame 80L. Positioning in the orthogonal direction is performed. The operation of pressing and releasing the pressing force of the cartridge P by the biasing member 211 is performed in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the door 31.

  In the present embodiment, the orthogonal direction is the longitudinal direction (drum axis direction) of the cartridge P, and is the left-right direction. The left frame 80L is a fixed side plate that faces the other end side of the cartridge P placed on the tray 35 in the orthogonal direction.

  Thereby, the positional accuracy of the main body electrical contact spring 75 and the cartridge electrical contact 55 can be improved. That is, the stroke amount of the main body electrical contact spring 75 can be reduced, and the operation force for opening and closing the door 31 by the user can be reduced.

  In addition to this, positioning of other units in the left-right direction is also provided in the left frame 80L, so that the position accuracy of each unit with respect to the cartridge P is improved.

  In the present embodiment, a main body electrical contact spring 75 which is an electrical contact unit electrically connected to the cartridge P is provided on the side of the left frame 80L where the cartridge P is positioned. The positioning in the drum axis direction is performed by the left frame 80L. That is, an electrical contact unit 75 that is electrically connected to the cartridge P is provided on the left frame 80L side. The electrical contact unit 75 is positioned in the orthogonal direction by the left frame 80L.

  The laser scanner unit (exposure unit) 11 abuts and positions the positioning unit in the longitudinal direction (main body lateral direction) of an exposure apparatus holding member (not shown) that holds the unit (exposure apparatus) 11 against the left frame 80L. Is fixed. That is, the exposure apparatus holding member is positioned in the orthogonal direction by the left frame 80L. Thereby, the laser irradiation position accuracy with respect to the drum 1 can be improved.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 12 is fixed by abutting and positioning a positioning portion (not shown) in the longitudinal direction (main body left-right direction) against the left frame 80L. That is, the developer image is primarily transferred facing the drum 1, and the intermediate transfer unit 12 for secondary transfer of the developer image to the recording material S is positioned by the left frame 80L.

  Thereby, the positional accuracy of the belt 13, the driving roller 14, the turn roller 15, the tension roller 16, and the primary transfer roller 17 with respect to the drum 1 can be improved. As a result, the dimensions of the drum 1, the belt 13, the drive roller 14, the turn roller 15, the tension roller 16, and the primary transfer roller 17 in the left-right direction of the main body can be reduced. That is, downsizing and cost reduction in the left-right direction of the main body can be realized.

  Further, the fixing device (fixing unit) 23 is fixed by abutting and positioning a positioning part (not shown) in the longitudinal direction (main body left-right direction) against the left frame 80L. That is, the left frame 80L positions the fixing unit 23 for fixing the image by applying heat and pressure to the recording material S) onto which the developer image is transferred, and discharging the image.

  Thereby, the positional accuracy of the fixing device 23 can be improved. That is, by positioning the fixing unit 23 with the left frame 80L, the deviation in the left-right direction between the fixing members 23a and 23b and the developer image on the belt 13 can be suppressed to be small. Thereby, the dimensions of the fixing members 23a and 23b in the left-right direction of the main body can be reduced. That is, downsizing and cost reduction in the left-right direction of the main body can be realized.

  In addition, the left frame 80L positions the sheet feeding unit 18 that stocks the sheet-like recording medium S to which the developer image is transferred and conveys the sheet one by one. Thereby, the deviation in the left-right direction between the developer image on the belt 13 and the recording medium S conveyed from the paper feeding unit 18 can be suppressed small, and the deviation in the left-right direction of the print image with respect to the recording medium S can be reduced.

《Other matters》
(A) In the present invention, the cartridge P is an integrated process including the image carrier 1 on which the latent image of the embodiment is formed and the developing means 3 for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer. Not limited to cartridges.

  The cartridge P is a separation type process cartridge having an image carrier 1 on which a latent image is formed and an image forming process means other than a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer. Also good.

  The cartridge P contains a developer for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier 1 on which a latent image is formed with a developer and a developer containing a developer used for developing the latent image. And a developing cartridge having a portion.

  The cartridge supported on the tray 35 is a pair (combination) of a separation type process cartridge and a developing cartridge. Further, at least one of the process cartridge and the developing cartridge can be detachably supported with respect to the tray 35.

  The cartridge includes a unit that contributes to an image forming process that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body and forms an image on a recording medium.

  (B) In the embodiment, as the image forming apparatus, a full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which four cartridges containing different color developers are detachable is illustrated. However, the number of cartridges attached to the apparatus is not limited to this, and the number is appropriately set. The number of cartridges P can be one, two, three, five or more. The present invention is also applicable to a monochrome image forming apparatus having one cartridge.

  (C) In the embodiment, the tray 35 that moves linearly in the horizontal direction with respect to the installation surface of the apparatus main body 100A has been described. However, the tray (cartridge support member) 35 in the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tray 35 may be linearly movable in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the drum 1 in the horizontal direction, diagonally upward, or diagonally downward with respect to the installation surface of the apparatus main body 100A. The tray 35 may be removed from the apparatus main body 100A by releasing the stopper.

  (D) In the image forming apparatus 100 of the embodiment, the intermediate transfer unit 12 may be a recording medium conveyance transfer belt apparatus that conveys the recording material S while holding it. That is, the intermediate transfer unit 12 has a recording medium conveyance transfer belt device (recording medium conveyance belt) having a recording medium conveyance member for conveying the recording medium S in order to directly transfer the developer image formed on the drum 1 to the recording medium S. Transfer means).

  (E) The image forming apparatus is not limited to the printer as in the embodiment. For example, the image forming apparatus may be another image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine, or another image forming apparatus such as a multi-function machine combining these functions.

  (F) The image forming process of the image forming apparatus is not limited to the electrophotographic process. An electrostatic recording process using an electrostatic recording dielectric as an image carrier, a magnetic recording process using a magnetic recording magnetic body, or the like may be used.

  100..Image forming apparatus, 100A..Main body, P (PY, PM, PC, PK) .. Cartridge, S..Recording medium, 30..Opening, 31..Main body door, A..Closed position, B ... Open position, 35 ... Tray, C ... Image forming position (storage position), D ... Moveable position, E ... Removable position, 53.54 ... Drive connection on cartridge side, 39.40 ..Drive transmission member on the apparatus main body side, F..Connection position, G..Separation position, 42..Pressing member, H..Contact position, I..Separation position, 55..Power supply contact on cartridge side 75 .... Power supply member on the device body side, J ... Power supply position, K ... Separation position

Claims (20)

An image forming apparatus in which an image is formed on a recording medium and a cartridge is removable.
An opening provided in an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus;
A body door capable of taking a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening;
An image forming position for placing the cartridge at a position where an image forming operation can be performed inside the apparatus main body when the main body door is positioned at the closed position; A movable tray capable of taking an attachment / detachment position for making the cartridge attachable / detachable outside the apparatus main body when the main body door is positioned at the open position;
A drive transmission member for transmitting a driving force to the cartridge;
A biasing member that biases the drive transmission member so that the cartridge placed on the tray is pressed and biased from one end side to the other end side via the drive transmission member in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge;
A fixed side plate facing the other end side of the cartridge placed on the tray;
Have
The tray moves between the image forming position and the attachment / detachment position by moving with respect to the side plate,
The cartridge includes a positioning portion to the other end, by the said tray and placing the cartridge through the drive transmission member by the biasing member when in the image forming position cartridge is pressed The image forming apparatus, wherein the positioning portion contacts the side plate to position the cartridge in the longitudinal direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side plate includes an electrical contact unit electrically connected to the cartridge, and the electrical contact unit is positioned in the longitudinal direction by the side plate. An image forming apparatus in which an image is formed on a recording medium and a cartridge is removable.
An opening provided in an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus;
A body door capable of taking a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening;
An image forming position for placing the cartridge at a position where an image forming operation can be performed inside the apparatus main body when the main body door is positioned at the closed position; A movable tray capable of taking an attachment / detachment position for making the cartridge attachable / detachable outside the apparatus main body when the main body door is positioned at the open position;
An urging member that presses and urges the cartridge placed on the tray from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge;
A fixed side plate facing the other end side of the cartridge placed on the tray;
Have
The tray moves between the image forming position and the attachment / detachment position by moving with respect to the side plate,
The side plate includes an electrical contact unit that is electrically connected to the cartridge and is positioned in the longitudinal direction by the side plate.
The cartridge includes a positioning portion on the other end side, and the positioning portion is moved to the side plate by pressing the cartridge by the biasing member when the tray on which the cartridge is placed is at the image forming position. An image forming apparatus, wherein the longitudinal positioning of the cartridge is performed by contact. And pressing of the cartridge by the urging member, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 operation of releasing the pressing are characterized by being performed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the main body door .   The cartridge has an image carrier on which a latent image is formed by exposure, and the apparatus main body holds an exposure apparatus unit for exposing the image carrier to form a latent image and the exposure apparatus unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an exposure device holding member, wherein the positioning of the exposure device holding member in the longitudinal direction is performed by the side plate.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image bearing member is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the longitudinal direction is an axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.   The cartridge includes an image carrier on which a developer image is formed, and the apparatus main body is an intermediate in which the developer image is primarily transferred to face the image carrier, and the developer image is secondarily transferred to a recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit, wherein the intermediate transfer unit is positioned in the longitudinal direction by the side plate.   8. The sheet feeding unit according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet feeding unit that accommodates the recording medium and conveys the recording medium one by one, and the positioning of the sheet feeding unit in the longitudinal direction is performed by the side plate. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   A fixing unit that fixes and discharges an image by applying heat and pressure to a recording medium onto which a developer image is transferred, and the fixing unit is positioned in the longitudinal direction by the side plate. Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8.   The cartridge includes an image carrier on which a latent image is formed, and the apparatus main body includes a transfer unit that contacts the image carrier and transfers a developer image formed on the image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming position of the tray is a position where the image carrier and the transfer unit are in contact with each other. The transfer unit has an intermediate transfer body for transferring a developer image formed on the image carrier and transferring the transferred developer image to the recording medium. Image forming apparatus.   11. The recording unit according to claim 10, wherein the transfer unit includes a recording medium conveying member that conveys the recording medium in order to directly transfer the developer image formed on the image carrier to the recording medium. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray is capable of mounting a plurality of the cartridges side by side in a moving direction of the tray.   The tray is movable between the inside and the outside of the apparatus main body linearly in the horizontal direction, obliquely upward, or obliquely downward with respect to the installation surface of the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 13.   14. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the tray supports the cartridge so that the cartridge can be taken out upward and supports the tray by moving the cartridge downward. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   14. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes an image carrier on which a latent image is formed and a developing unit that develops the latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The cartridge is a separation type process cartridge having an image carrier on which a latent image is formed and an image forming process means other than a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The cartridge includes a developing unit that develops the latent image formed on the image carrier on which the latent image is formed with a developer, and a developer storage unit that stores and stores the developer used to develop the latent image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a developing cartridge including:   The cartridge includes a separation type process cartridge including an image carrier on which a latent image is formed and an image forming process unit other than a developing unit that develops the latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer, and It is a combination of a developing cartridge having a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer and a developer containing portion containing a developer used for developing the latent image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A tray holding member that holds the tray so as to be movable with respect to the side plate; and the tray holding member moves relative to the side plate as the main body door moves between the closed position and the open position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus moves.