JP6482347B2 - Cartridge support member, apparatus main body, and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge support member that can be mounted and moved in a replaceable manner. The cartridge support member can be installed at the correct position of the apparatus main body even if the rigidity is low, an apparatus main body, and an image using the same. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

  The ease of replacement of cartridges such as process cartridges is a very important factor that affects the usability of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, various means for improving the ease of replacement of the cartridge P have been proposed.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to facilitate the insertion of the cartridge P, a cartridge support member (tray) is used. With this configuration, even when the image forming apparatus can be operated only from the front side of the main body, a plurality of cartridges P can be exchanged.

JP2015-40885A

  In recent years, there has been a demand for a simplified tray configuration (downsizing and reduction of tray materials) in order to meet further demands for further downsizing of image forming apparatuses and price reduction of products.

  On the other hand, if the tray is to be simplified, the rigidity of the tray is lowered, and it may be difficult to ensure the correct posture and position of the cartridge when the tray is inserted into the apparatus main body.

  For example, when inserting the tray into the apparatus main body, if the tray is pushed and deformed by the user, the tray may not be mounted at a proper position with respect to the apparatus main body. If the position of the tray is not determined, there is a possibility that the cartridge supported by the tray cannot be placed in a normal posture or position inside the image forming apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to install a cartridge at a normal position of the apparatus main body by the cartridge support member even if the configuration of the cartridge support member is simplified.

  To achieve the above object, a cartridge support member according to the present invention is a cartridge support member that supports a cartridge and is movable between an inner position and an outer position of the apparatus main body, and the moving direction of the cartridge support member And a first locking member that is provided on one end side of the cartridge support member in a direction orthogonal to the first engaging portion of the apparatus main body at a first protruding position, and is opposite to the one end side. A second locking member that is provided on the other end side of the cartridge support member that is on the side and that locks at a second protruding position on the second engagement portion of the apparatus main body, and the first and second An interlocking mechanism for interlocking the first and second locking members between a projecting position and a position retracted from the first and second projecting positions, and provided on the other end side; 3 locked at the 3rd projecting position A third locking member for retracting the second locking member from the second protruding position to a position retracted from the second protruding position when the second locking member is at a position retracted from the third protruding position; The cartridge support member is mounted on the apparatus main body in a state of being skewed so that the other end side precedes the one end side toward the inner position, and the third locking member is the third engagement member. A release mechanism that moves the third locking member to a release position where the third locking member is not locked to the third engaging portion when a force is further applied in the mounting direction when locking to the portion. And

  An apparatus main body according to the present invention is an apparatus main body to which the cartridge support member is mounted, wherein the first engagement portion, the second engagement portion, and the third engagement portion. And a guide member that guides the cartridge support member between the inner position and the outer position, and a biasing member that biases the cartridge support member to the outer position.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a cartridge including an image carrier and a developer image forming unit that forms a developer image on the image carrier, and a transfer that transfers the developer image to a recording medium. Means, the cartridge support member for supporting the cartridge, and the apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, even if the configuration of the cartridge support member is simplified, the cartridge can be installed at the normal position of the apparatus main body by the cartridge support member.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cartridge tray is pulled out from the apparatus main body and the cartridge can be attached and detached, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation of attaching and detaching the cartridge to the cartridge tray. (A), (b) is the schematic which compares the structure of the cartridge support member which supports a cartridge The perspective view which shows the structure of the cartridge support member as a comparative example Regarding insertion of a low-rigidity cartridge tray into the apparatus main body, (a) is an explanatory view when the driving side precedes, and (b) is an explanatory view when the non-driving side precedes (A), (b) is an illustration of latches on both sides and one-sided closure (A), (b) is explanatory drawing of the latch engagement amount of both sides (A), (b) is the schematic of the cartridge tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention provided with the latch on both sides and the sub latch on one side (A), (b) is schematic which shows the interlocking mechanism which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Schematic which shows the state of each latch before inserting the cartridge tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention into an apparatus main body. (A) thru | or (d) are schematic which shows operation | movement of the latch and sublatch which concern on embodiment of this invention Schematic diagram showing a case where the cartridge tray is inserted into the apparatus main body without deformation. Schematic showing a case where the cartridge tray is deformed so that the drive side precedes and is inserted into the apparatus main body. Schematic showing a case where the cartridge tray is deformed so that the non-driving side precedes and is inserted into the apparatus main body. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment.

<< First Embodiment >>
(Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus)
First, an external perspective view and a cross-sectional schematic view of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The image forming apparatus 1 is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording medium S. The image forming apparatus 1 is a process cartridge type, and a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge P) is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2 to form a color image on the recording medium S.

  Here, regarding the image forming apparatus 1, the side on which the apparatus opening / closing door 3 is provided is defined as a front surface (front surface), and the surface opposite to the front surface is defined as a back surface (rear surface). Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front, the right side is referred to as a driving side, and the left side is referred to as a non-driving side.

  In the apparatus main body 2, four cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) of a first cartridge PY, a second cartridge PM, a third cartridge PC, and a fourth cartridge PK are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. Yes.

  Each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) provided corresponding to different colors has the same electrophotographic process mechanism, and a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner). Are different in color. A rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) from a drive output unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2. The cartridge P is configured to receive driving from the driving side of the apparatus main body 2 (right side of the apparatus main body 2 when viewed from the front).

  A bias voltage (charging bias, developing bias, etc.) is supplied from the apparatus main body 2 to each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) (not shown).

  The first cartridge PY contains yellow (Y) toner, and a yellow toner image (developer image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 as an image carrier by a developer image forming means described later. Form. The second cartridge PM contains magenta (M) toner and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. The third cartridge PC contains cyan (C) toner, and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. The fourth cartridge PK contains black (K) toner and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40.

  Above the first to fourth cartridges P (PY / PM / PC / PK), a laser scanner unit LS as exposure means is provided. The laser scanner unit LS outputs a laser beam Z corresponding to the image information. The laser beam Z passes through the exposure window of each cartridge P and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 40.

  Below the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), an intermediate transfer belt unit 11 as a transfer member is provided. The intermediate transfer belt unit 11 includes a driving roller 13, a turn roller 14, and a tension roller 15, and a transfer belt 12 having flexibility is stretched over the intermediate transfer belt unit 11.

  The lower surfaces of the photosensitive drums 40 of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, and PK) are in contact with the upper surface of the transfer belt 12. The contact portion is a primary transfer portion. A primary transfer roller 16 is provided inside the transfer belt 12 so as to face the photosensitive drum 40. A secondary transfer roller 17 is brought into contact with the turn roller 14 via the transfer belt 12. A contact portion between the transfer belt 12 and the secondary transfer roller 17 is a secondary transfer portion.

  A feeding unit 18 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt unit 11. The feeding unit 18 includes a paper feeding tray 19 and a paper feeding roller 20 in which the recording media S are stacked and stored.

  A fixing unit 21 and a discharge unit 22 are provided at the upper left in the apparatus main body 2 in FIG. The upper surface of the apparatus body 2 is a discharge tray 23. The recording medium S is fixed with a toner image by a fixing unit provided in the fixing unit 21 and is discharged to a discharge tray 23.

(Image forming operation)
The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows. The photosensitive drum 40 of each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, counterclockwise). The transfer belt 12 is also rotationally driven at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drum 40 in the forward direction (direction of arrow C in FIG. 2) with respect to the rotation of the photosensitive drum.

  The laser scanner unit LS scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 40 with a laser beam Z according to the 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 photosensitive drum 40. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing roller (not shown) that is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed.

  By the electrophotographic image forming process operation using the developer image forming means as described above, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 40 of the first cartridge PY. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 12. Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 40 of the second cartridge PM. Then, the toner image is primary-transferred superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred onto the transfer belt 12.

  Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 40 of the third cartridge PC. Then, the toner image is primary-transferred superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 12. Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 40 of the fourth cartridge PK. Then, the toner image is primary-transferred superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 12.

  In this manner, a full-color unfixed toner image of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the transfer belt 12.

  On the other hand, the recording medium S is separated and fed one by one at a predetermined control timing. The recording medium S is introduced into a secondary transfer portion that is a contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the transfer belt 12 at a predetermined control timing.

  As a result, the four color superimposed toner images on the transfer belt 12 are sequentially transferred onto the surface of the recording medium S in sequence while the recording medium S is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit.

(Cartridge attachment / detachment configuration)
Next, the attaching / detaching operation of the cartridge P (PY / PM / PC / PK) to the apparatus main body 2 will be described. FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cartridge tray as a cartridge supporting member is pulled out from the inner position of the apparatus main body 2 to the outer position of the apparatus main body by the guide member, and the cartridge P is detachable. FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of attaching / detaching the cartridge P to / from the cartridge tray.

  A cartridge tray 50 in which the cartridge P can be mounted is provided in the apparatus main body 2 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3A, the cartridge tray 50 is configured to be linearly movable (drawn / mounted (pressed)) in the G1 and G2 directions which are substantially horizontal to the apparatus main body 2. The cartridge tray 50 can adopt the mounting position inside the apparatus main body 2 and the drawing position pulled out from the apparatus main body 2.

1) Mounting of cartridge P to apparatus main body First, the mounting operation of the cartridge P (PY / PM / PC / PK) to the apparatus main body 2 will be described. The apparatus opening / closing door 3 is opened and the cartridge tray 50 is moved in the direction of arrow G1 in FIG. In this state, the cartridge P is mounted and held on the cartridge tray 50 in the direction of the arrow H1 in FIG.

  Then, the cartridge tray 50 holding the cartridge P is moved in the G2 direction (moving direction is the mounting direction) in FIG. 3A, and the cartridge tray 50 is moved to the mounting position in the apparatus main body 2. Then, by closing the device opening / closing door 3, the mounting operation of the cartridge P to the device body 2 is completed.

2) Removing the cartridge P from the apparatus body The removal of the cartridge P from the apparatus body 2 will be described. The cartridge tray 50 is moved to the drawer position in the same manner as the mounting operation of the cartridge P to the apparatus main body 2 described above. In this state, the cartridge P is removed in the direction H2 in FIG. 3B, and the operation for removing the cartridge P from the apparatus main body 2 is completed. With the above operation, the cartridge P can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2.

(Device main body and cartridge support member)
Here, the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a spring M (FIG. 6) for urging the cartridge tray 50 as a cartridge support member in the direction of the arrow G1 shown in FIG. As will be described in detail later, as shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge tray 50 is provided with a first latch 52 as a locking member for holding the cartridge tray 50 in the mounting position on the first side surface. . In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, a second latch 53 and a sub-latch 56 as a third latch are provided on the second side opposite to the first side. The latches 52 and 53 and the sub-latch 56 are engaging portions for engaging with the apparatus main body 2 and engaging the cartridge tray 50 with the apparatus main body.

  The first side surface is a surface on one end side of the tray (that is, the non-driving side of the tray and the left side) in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the tray (that is, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P). The second side surface is a surface on the other end side of the tray (that is, the drive side and the right side of the tray). That is, the first latch is disposed on the non-driving side (left side) of the tray 50. The second latch 53 and the third latch (sub-latch 56) are arranged on the drive side (right side) of the tray 50.

  Further, a handle 54 (FIG. 9) for releasing the first and second latches 52 and 53 is provided.

  The first and second latches 52 and 53 are movable from the cartridge tray 50 toward the main body frame 4 in a direction crossing the mounting direction of the cartridge tray 50, and the protrusion amount is operated by the handle 54. be able to. When the user pulls out the cartridge tray 50, the cartridge tray 50 is operated by operating the handle 54 to retract the first and second latches 52 and 53 engaged with the main body frame 4 to release the engagement. 50 can be moved in the pull-out direction. At that time, the cartridge tray 50 is urged by the above-described urging spring M in the direction of the arrow G1 shown in FIG.

(Anti-closure mechanism for cartridge tray)
1) Cartridge installation problem when mounting a low-rigidity cartridge tray in the apparatus main body The cartridge tray 50 is a member for inserting and removing the cartridge P, and is not involved in image formation at all. Therefore, in a state where the cartridge P is set inside the apparatus main body (FIG. 2), it is sufficient that the main body frame 4 has a marginal space that does not interfere with the cartridge P as shown in FIG.

  However, in the conventional configuration, since the cartridge P is housed in the cartridge tray 50, the body frame 4 must be widened by the space of the cartridge tray 50 as shown in FIG.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when considering a configuration that supports only the lower side of the cartridge P, the cartridge tray 50 is not disposed between the cartridge P and the main body frame 4, so that the main body frame 4 needs to be larger than necessary. Disappears. That is, the configuration of the cartridge tray 50 is simplified, and the main body frame 4 and the cartridge tray 50 can be downsized.

  On the other hand, in the case of the cartridge tray 50 having such a configuration, the cartridge tray 50 must be configured in a small space left between the main body frame 4 and the cartridge P. Therefore, it is difficult to take a large shape as compared with the conventional case, and it becomes difficult to give the cartridge tray 50 itself sufficient rigidity.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the drive side (right side) of the low-rigidity cartridge tray 50 is pushed and inserted into the apparatus main body, the drive side is deformed to precede the insertion direction. This is because the above-described spring M (FIG. 6) for urging the cartridge tray 50 in the G1 direction, the frictional force between the cartridge tray 50 and the main body frame 4 and the like are received. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the non-driving side (left side) of the cartridge tray 50 is pushed and inserted into the apparatus main body, the non-driving side is transformed into a leading form.

  On the other hand, since the cartridge P needs to be correctly connected to the drive coupling and the electrical contacts inside the apparatus main body, it needs to be positioned with high accuracy inside the apparatus main body. Therefore, mounting the cartridge tray 50 in a deformed state inside the apparatus main body as shown in FIG. 6 may lead to the cartridge P not being able to be inserted into the correct position in the apparatus main body. Alternatively, the posture of the cartridge P may be different from the normal one.

2) The cartridge tray in the comparative example is closed once In the conventional cartridge tray configuration, the cartridge tray has only one latch for locking the cartridge tray to the engaging portion (main body engaging portion) of the main body frame in the width direction. . FIG. 5 shows a simplified example of the configuration of the cartridge tray 50 as in this embodiment as a comparative example with respect to this embodiment on the premise of such a configuration having only one latch. In the comparative example shown in FIG. 5, the latch 51 is provided on the non-driving side of the cartridge tray 50, and the rigidity is low.

  In this case, the cartridge tray 50 can be locked in the main body even when the cartridge tray 50 is deformed in the form as shown in FIG. If image formation is performed in this state, there is a possibility of image failure or damage to the apparatus.

  If the left and right positions cannot be determined due to such low rigidity, place the second latch on the opposite side of the first latch as shown in FIG. 7A, and place the latch on both sides of the cartridge tray. Measures to establish can be considered. That is, if the latches on both sides are engaged with the main body frame 4, the positions of the driving side and the non-driving side are regulated to the correct position by each latch even if the cartridge tray has low rigidity, and the cartridge P is guided to the correct position. Will be.

  However, even when the latches are provided on both sides, a user's conscious operation of engaging both latches is necessary, and the cartridge tray 50 is unconsciously closed, as shown in FIG. 7B. Incorrect mounting may occur. Here, the term “single-closed” refers to a state in which only one of the driving side and the non-driving side of the cartridge tray is locked by the apparatus main body 2 and the other is not locked by the apparatus main body 2.

  That is, when the rigidity of the cartridge tray 50 is low, the cartridge tray 50 may be deformed when the user tries to insert the cartridge tray 50 into the apparatus main body 2. When the cartridge tray 50 is deformed, only the side pushed by the user in the width direction may be engaged with the apparatus main body, and the other side may not be engaged.

  This phenomenon is the same when the latches on both sides are linked by links or gears. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, consider a case in which there are latches on both sides and they are linked by links and gears (not shown). When the amount of engagement between the first latch 52 and the main body engaging portion is a, and the amount of engagement between the second latch 53 and the main body engaging portion is a + b due to the influence of dimensional tolerances, backlash, etc. Is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8B, the tray is inserted to a position where the second latch 53 can engage with the main body engaging portion of the main body frame 4, and the latch 52 is engaged with the engaging portion of the main body frame 4 by deformation of the cartridge tray 50. The state which is a position which cannot engage is shown. At this time, the latch 53 is engaged only with the main body frame 4 and b. This is because the first latch 52 hits the main body frame 4 and becomes the retracted position, so that the second latch 53 interlocked with the first latch 52 cannot protrude by a. In this state, the second latch 53 is locked to the main body engaging portion, while the first latch 52 is not locked to the main body engaging portion, so that the second latch 53 is closed.

3) Mechanism for preventing single closing of cartridge tray according to the present embodiment In order to solve the problem of the comparative example described above (defective mounting of the cartridge tray), in the present embodiment, a configuration of a latch (first latch, second latch, sub-latch) There is a feature. Details will be described below.

  9A and 9B are perspective views of the cartridge tray 50 in the present embodiment. 10A is a front view showing only the latch mechanism in the cartridge tray 50, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing only the vicinity of the handle of the latch mechanism in the cartridge tray 50.

  In FIG. 10A, a first latch 52 and a second latch 53 are arranged in the latch portion of the cartridge tray 50. Further, as an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the first latch 52 and the second latch 53, a connecting member 57 that connects the first latch 52 and the second latch 53 and is rotatable around a predetermined fulcrum E1, A spring 55 is disposed as a biasing member that biases the latch 52 in the protruding direction. Further, as a part of the interlocking mechanism, an engagement release member that rotates the predetermined fulcrum E1 and disengages the first latch 52 and the second latch 53 from the first and second engagement portions A and B. A handle 54 operated by a user is arranged.

  Further, the cartridge tray 50 is provided with a sub-latch 56 as a third latch. The second latch 53 and the sub-latch 56 are disposed on the driving side plate surface (second side surface) of the cartridge tray 50, and the first latch 52 is the non-driving side plate surface (first side surface) of the cartridge tray 50. Is arranged. The first side surface is a surface extending along the moving direction of the tray 50.

  The first latch 52 and the second latch 53 are guided so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge tray 50 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge P. Further, the connecting member 57 is rotatably attached to the cartridge tray 50, and the first latch 52 and the second latch are formed by engaging the Ca portion with the first latch 52 and the Cb portion with the second latch 53. 53 is linked.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10B, the handle 54 is pivotally supported by the cartridge tray 50 so as to be rotatable about the axis e, and is rotated in the direction of the axis e by a user operation. Then, in order to push the Ce portion of the connecting member 57, the connecting member 57 rotates in the direction c, and as a result, the first latch 52 and the second latch 53 retract together.

  FIG. 11 shows a state of each latch before the cartridge tray 50 is inserted into the apparatus main body.

(The protruding position, retracted position, and releasing position of the sub-latch 56, and the protruding position and retracted position of the second latch 53)
Hereinafter, the case where the cartridge tray 50 is inserted into the apparatus main body will be described. In this embodiment, the protrusion amount of the sub latch 56 is d1, the protrusion amount of the first latch 52 is d2, and the protrusion amount of the second latch 53 is the protrusion amount. When d3, the following inequality is satisfied.

d3 <d2 <d1
That is, the protrusion amount of the second latch 53 is the smallest, the protrusion amount d2 of the first latch 52 is the next smallest, and the protrusion amount d1 of the sub-latch 56 is the largest.

  And the 1st latch 52 and the 2nd latch 53 can take two positions, a protrusion position and a retracted position. On the other hand, the sub-latch 56 can take three positions: a protruding position, a retracted position, and a releasing position.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the drive side of the cartridge tray 50. The cartridge tray 50 is configured to be inserted upward in FIG.

  First, when the second latch 53 shown in FIG. 12A is in the protruding position (the first latch 52 is also the protruding position), the sub-latch 56 does not hinder the operation of the second latch 53. However, when the sub-latch 56 hits the main body frame 4, the sub-latch 56 moves to the retracted position shown in FIG. 12B (the left side in the drawing with respect to the contact position in FIG. 12A).

  Here, when the sub latch 56 is in the retracted position shown in FIG. 12B, the Ea portion of the sub latch 56 presses the Ae portion of the second latch 53, and therefore the second latch 53 retracts the second latch 53. Move to position (left side of figure). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the first latch 52 interlocked with the second latch 53 is also in the retracted position, and all of them cannot be engaged with the engaging portion of the apparatus main body.

  The protrusion amount d1 of the sub-latch 56 is set to be larger than the protrusion amount d2 of the first latch 52. When the sub-latch 56 is retracted to the retracted position, the second latch 53 has a protrusion amount smaller than that of the first latch 52. Is retracted to a position where it does not contact the main body frame 4. That is, in a state where the sub-latch 56 is retracted to the retracted position, the first latch 52 and the second latch 53 engage with the main body engaging portion of the main body frame 4 regardless of the position of the cartridge tray 50 in the apparatus main body. It will never be done.

  In this state, the cartridge tray 50 is pushed into the apparatus main body to a position where the sub-latch 56 as the third latch can be engaged with the third engaging portion C (FIG. 13). Then, the sub latch 56 as the third latch moves to the protruding position (third protruding position) by the second latch 53 that receives the force of the spring 55 (FIG. 10) via the connecting member 57. That is, when the Ea portion shown in FIG. 12B is pressed, the sub-latch 56 moves to the third protruding position and engages with the third engagement portion C.

  At this time, since the second latch 53 is no longer restricted by the sub-latch 56, it tries to move to the protruding position (second protruding position). Further, the first latch 52 interlocked with the second latch 53 also tries to move to the protruding position (first protruding position). However, since the cartridge tray 50 is skewed due to the deformation of the cartridge tray 50, the first latch 52 is not in a position to be engaged with the first engagement portion A (FIG. 13) of the apparatus main body. Therefore, it hits the main body frame 4. Therefore, the second latch 53 interlocked with the first latch 52 also stops at the position of FIG. 12B, and neither engages with the engaging portions A and B of the apparatus main body.

  In FIG. 12C, when the sub-latch 56 receives a force in the G2 direction (tray insertion direction) at the tip, the sub-latch 56 moves to the release position where it is not locked to the third engagement part C of the apparatus main body. Is done. Here, the release mechanism is a configuration (the rib c and the slope portion f shown below) that allows the sub-latch 56 itself to rotate around a predetermined position while being regulated by the guide member by a user's force in the tray insertion direction. Point to.

  Specifically, the sub-latch 56 itself is centered on the fulcrum h of the sub-latch 56 in the G3 direction while the inclined surface f of the sub-latch 56 is regulated by the rib c of the cartridge tray 50 as a guide member by the user's force in the tray insertion direction. Is rotated to. That is, when the fulcrum h of the sub latch 56 abuts against the cartridge tray 50, the sub latch 56 rotates. As a result, the sub-latch 56 moves to the release position shown in FIG.

  In the release position shown in FIG. 12D, the sub-latch 56 has a small protrusion amount from the cartridge tray 50 and does not engage with the main body engaging portion of the main body frame 4, so the sub-latch 56 engages with the cartridge tray 50. I will not stop. When the sub latch 56 is in the release position, the restriction of the Ae portion (FIG. 12B) is released, so that the first latch 52 and the second latch 53 can move in conjunction with each other. become.

(Operation of the single-closing prevention mechanism when the cartridge tray is inserted into the main unit)
Next, the operation of the cartridge tray one-side closing prevention mechanism when the cartridge tray is inserted into the apparatus main body will be described first when the cartridge tray is inserted into the apparatus main body without deformation. Next, a case where the drive side is inserted into the apparatus main body in a form preceded by the drive side in the width direction and a case where the non-drive side is inserted into the apparatus main body in a form preceded by the width direction will be described in order.

1) When the cartridge tray is inserted into the apparatus main body without being deformed, as shown in FIG. 13, when the user pushes the cartridge tray 50 so as not to deform, the sub latch 56 is engaged with the engaging portion C which is the main body engaging portion. Engage. Therefore, as described above with reference to FIG. 12, both the first latch 52 and the second latch 53 are not restricted by the sub-latch 56 as the third latch. Therefore, the first latch 52, the second latch 53, and the sub-latch 56 as the third latch are respectively the first engagement portion A, the second engagement portion B, and the third engagement portion of the apparatus main body. C can be engaged. For this reason, one-sided closure does not occur.

  Note that the second engagement portion B is not shown in FIG. 13 because it is in the same position as the third engagement portion C (however, above the third engagement portion C) in the mounting direction.

2) When the cartridge tray is inserted into the apparatus main body with the drive side leading in the width direction. FIG. 14 shows that the user pushes the drive side (the other end side) of the cartridge tray 50 in the width direction of the cartridge tray. The case where the cartridge tray 50 is inserted into the apparatus main body 4 in the form (in a skewed state) is shown. The drive side is the side where the second latch 53 and the sub-latch 56 are provided on the cartridge tray 50. In FIG. 14A, when the sub latch 56 provided on the driving side hits the main body frame 4, the sub latch 56 moves to the retracted position. At this time, as described above with reference to FIG. 12, the second latch 53 is moved to the retracted position by the sublatch 56 by the sublatch 56, and the first latch 52 interlocked with the second latch 53 is similarly moved to the retracted position.

  In this state, since the sub-latch 56 is in the retracted position, both the first latch 52 and the second latch 53 are also in the retracted position, and they cannot be engaged with the engaging portion of the apparatus main body. Then, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the cartridge tray 50 is pushed into the apparatus main body to a position where the sub latch 56 can engage with the third engaging portion C, the sub latch 56 moves to the protruding position. . That is, the sub-latch 56 is shown in FIG. 12B by the second latch 53 that receives the urging force of the spring 55 (FIG. 10A) as the urging member provided in the cartridge tray 50 via the connecting member 57. When the Ea portion is pressed, it moves to the protruding position and engages with the third engaging portion C.

  Since the second latch 53 is no longer restricted by the sub-latch 56, the second latch 53 tries to move to the protruding position (second protruding position). At this time, the first latch 52 interlocked with the second latch 53 also tries to move to the projecting position (first projecting position). However, due to the deformation of the cartridge tray, the first latch 52 performs the first engagement. Since it is not in a position to engage with the part A, it abuts against the main body frame 4. Therefore, the second latch 53 interlocked with the first latch 52 also stops at the position of FIG. 14B, and neither engages with the engaging portion (the second latch related to the second latch 53). The engaging part B is not shown).

  When the user stops the operation of pushing the cartridge tray 50 in this state, the cartridge tray 50 is pushed out of the apparatus main body 2 by the above-described spring M (FIG. 6) that urges the cartridge tray 50 in the pulling direction. At this time, the sub-latch 56 is engaged with the third engagement portion C (FIG. 14) of the apparatus main body, but the sub-latch 56 moves to the release position as described for the operation of the sub-latch 56 in FIG. That is, the engagement between the sub latch 56 and the engaging portion C is released, and the cartridge tray 50 is not locked to the apparatus main body 2.

  Even if the drive side of the cartridge tray 50 is pushed by the above-described series of operations and the cartridge tray 50 is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 in a form preceded by the drive side, the cartridge tray 50 is pushed out from the apparatus main body. Is prevented from being closed. Therefore, the cartridge P can be installed at the correct position.

3) When the cartridge tray is inserted into the apparatus main body with the non-driving side leading in the width direction Next, FIG. 15 shows that the user pushes the non-driving side (one end side) of the cartridge tray 50 in the width direction of the cartridge tray. The case where the cartridge tray 50 is inserted into the apparatus main body 4 in a deformed form (slanted state) preceded by the driving side is shown. Here, the non-driving side of the cartridge tray 50 is the side where the first clutch 50 is provided.

  Also in this case, when the sub latch 56 hits the main body frame 4 (FIG. 12A), the sub latch 56 moves to the retracted position (FIG. 12B). At this time, the second latch 53 is moved to the retracted position by the sub-latch 56 (FIG. 12B), and the first latch 52 interlocked with the second latch 53 is similarly retracted by the connecting member 57 (FIG. 10). Move to position.

  In this state, as shown in the enlarged view in the lower left of FIG. 15, when the cartridge tray 50 is pushed into the apparatus main body to a position where the first latch 52 can engage with the main body engaging portion A, the first latch 52 and the main body engaging part A cannot engage. This is because the sub latch 56 is in contact with the main body frame 4 and remains in the retracted position, and the first latch 52 interlocked with the second latch 53 located at the retracted position by the sub latch 56 is also in the retracted position. This is because the latch 52 and the first engaging portion A of the apparatus main body cannot be engaged.

  In this state, when the user stops the operation of pushing the cartridge tray 50, the cartridge tray 50 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 2 by the above-described spring M (FIG. 6) that urges the cartridge tray 50 toward the drawing position. . Even if the non-driving side of the cartridge tray 50 is pushed by the above-described series of operations and the cartridge tray 50 is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 in a form preceded by the non-driving side, the cartridge tray 50 is pushed out of the apparatus main body, The tray 50 is prevented from being closed once. Therefore, the cartridge P can be installed at the correct position.

<< Second Embodiment >>
In the first embodiment, the third engagement portion C is provided at the same position as the second engagement portion B in the direction in which the cartridge tray 50 is attached to the inner position of the apparatus main body. The difference is that the third engagement portion C is provided on the back side of the second engagement portion B. The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In this embodiment, when the drive side precedes and inserts the cartridge tray 50 into the apparatus main body 2, the sub latch 56 is engaged with the engaging portion C (FIG. 14). After that, when the user stops the operation of pushing the cartridge tray 50, the first latch 52 has advanced in the mounting direction as compared with the case of the first embodiment, so the first engagement portion A (see FIG. 14) The probability of being able to engage with increases.

  Further, after the first latch 52 and the first engaging portion A (FIG. 14) are engaged, the second latch 53 abuts against the main body frame 4, but the cartridge tray 50 is attached as shown in FIG. A force is applied in a direction in which the deformation returns by a spring M as a biasing member. For this reason, the second latch 53 eventually comes into a position where it can engage with the second engagement portion B of the apparatus main body, and therefore engages. Therefore, the first latch 52 and the second latch 53 can be engaged with the first engaging portion A and the second engaging portion B, respectively, so that the single closing does not occur.

  In the present embodiment, if the amount by which the sub-latch 56 is moved to the back side is larger than the deformation amount of the cartridge tray 50, the first latch 52 and the first engagement portion A can be reliably engaged. it can. For this reason, it is possible to prevent one side closing when the drive side precedes and inserts the cartridge tray 50 into the apparatus main body 2. Therefore, the cartridge P can be installed at the correct position.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made centering on the fact that the cartridge that is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus that forms an image on the recording medium is the process cartridge. There may be. The cartridge may be a developer cartridge. Further, the process cartridge is not limited to a so-called integral type, and may be a separated type.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment described above, the electrophotographic image forming type image forming apparatus has been described, but the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. For example, an apparatus of an electrostatic recording image forming system using an electrostatic recording dielectric as an image carrier or a magnetic recording image forming system using a magnetic recording magnetic body as an image carrier may be used. The present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus, and may be an image forming apparatus of a type that directly transfers the developer image formed on the image carrier to the recording medium S. Further, it may be a monocolor image forming apparatus.

(Modification 3)
In the above-described embodiment, the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, and PK) are used. However, the number of cartridges is not limited to this. It is appropriately set as necessary. For example, in the case of an image forming apparatus that forms a monochrome image, the number of cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus is one.

(Modification 4)
In the embodiment described above, the printer is exemplified as one aspect of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a facsimile machine, or other image forming apparatuses such as a multi-function machine combining these functions.

50 ·· Cartridge tray, 52 ·· First latch, 53 ·· Second latch, 54 ·· Handle, 55 ·· Spring, 56 ·· Sub-latch, 57 ·· Interlocking member, A ·· First engagement Joint part, B ... second engagement part, C ... third engagement part, e ... shaft, f ... slope part, M ... spring

Claims (9)

A cartridge support member that supports the cartridge and is movable between an inner position and an outer position of the apparatus main body,
A first locking member provided on one end side of the cartridge support member in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the cartridge support member and locked to a first engagement portion of the apparatus main body at a first protruding position; ,
A second locking member provided on the other end side of the cartridge support member opposite to the one end side, and locked to a second engagement portion of the apparatus main body at a second protruding position;
An interlocking mechanism for interlocking the first and second locking members between the first and second protruding positions and a position retracted from the first and second protruding positions;
Provided at the other end side and locked to the third engaging portion of the apparatus main body at a third protruding position, and when the second locking position is located at a position retracted from the third protruding position A third locking member for retracting the member from the second protruding position to a retracted position;
The cartridge support member is attached to the apparatus main body in a state where the other end side precedes the one end side toward the inner position of the apparatus main body, and the third locking member is the first locking member. A release mechanism that moves the third locking member to a release position where the third engagement member is not locked to the third engagement portion when a force is further applied in the mounting direction.
A cartridge support member comprising: The interlocking mechanism is
A biasing member that biases one of the first and second locking members;
A connecting member that connects the first and second locking members and is rotatable about a predetermined fulcrum;
An engagement release member that rotates the predetermined fulcrum and disengages the first and second locking members from the first and second engaging portions;
The cartridge support member according to claim 1, comprising:   3. The protruding amount of the third locking member at the third protruding position is larger than the protruding amount of the second locking member at the second protruding position. Cartridge support member.   The amount of protrusion of the first locking member at the first protruding position is larger than the amount of protrusion of the second locking member at the second protruding position. Cartridge support member.   The cartridge support member according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the cartridges are provided corresponding to different colors. An apparatus main body to which the cartridge support member according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is mounted,
The first engagement portion;
The second engagement portion;
The third engaging portion;
A guide member for guiding the cartridge support member between the inner position and the outer position;
A biasing member that biases the cartridge support member toward the outer position;
An apparatus main body characterized by comprising:   The apparatus main body according to claim 6, wherein the third engagement portion is provided at the same position as the second engagement portion in a direction in which the cartridge support member is attached to the inner position.   The apparatus main body according to claim 6, wherein the third engagement portion is provided on a deeper side than the second engagement portion in a direction in which the cartridge support member is attached to the inner position. A cartridge comprising an image carrier and developer image forming means for forming a developer image on the image carrier;
Transfer means for transferring the developer image to a recording medium;
The cartridge support member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which supports the cartridge;
The apparatus main body according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
An image forming apparatus comprising: