JP7392484B2 - drawer - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to drawers.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as laser printers and LED printers are known. A developer cartridge is used in an image forming apparatus. The developer cartridge has a developer roller for supplying toner. Conventional image forming apparatuses are described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2.

The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a drawer unit. The drawer unit has a photoreceptor drum. The developer cartridge is attached to the drawer unit. When the developer cartridge is installed in the drawer unit, the photosensitive drum and the developer roller come into contact with each other.

Further, the developer cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 2 is attached to a drum cartridge. The drum cartridge has a photoreceptor drum. When the developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the photosensitive drum and the developer roller come into contact with each other. Then, the drum cartridge with the developer cartridge installed is installed in the image forming apparatus.

JP2011-59510A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-54058

The image forming apparatuses disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 switch between a state where the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are in contact with each other and a state where the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, parts for moving the developing cartridge to separate the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are provided on both sides of the drawer unit or the drum cartridge, and each of the parts on both sides is connected to the image forming apparatus. It is necessary to receive the driving force of

Further, the drawer includes two side frames, a drum frame connecting the two side frames, a charging device, and a charging electrode electrically connected to the charging device. In conventional drawers, the side frame is fixed to the drum frame by screws placed between the charging electrode and the photoreceptor drum.

However, in the conventional structure, when moving the developer cartridge installed in the drawer, the side frame may bend due to the driving force received from the image forming apparatus. In order to accurately move the developer cartridge with respect to the drawer, it is necessary to suppress the deflection of the side frame.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a drawer in which a developer cartridge can be moved by driving force from one side of the drawer, and in which deflection of a side frame can be suppressed to move the developer cartridge with high precision. It is.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first disclosure of the present application is provided with a developing cartridge equipped with a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum shaft extending in a first direction and a developing roller rotatable about a developing shaft extending in the first direction. a first side frame, a second side frame located apart from the first side frame in the first direction, and a first side frame and a second side frame arranged in the first direction. a charging device for charging the surface of the photoreceptor drum, the charging device being supported by the drum frame, and a charging electrode electrically connectable to the charging device. A charging electrode located on an outer surface of the first side frame and a part of the developer cartridge are moved in the first direction with respect to the frame with the developer cartridge attached to the frame. a first guide roller that moves the developer cartridge in a separating direction so that the outer surface of the developing roller is separated from the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum, the second direction intersecting the first direction; a first guide roller that is rotatable about a first axis extending in the direction of the photosensitive electrode, and is located on the inner surface of the first side frame, and the first guide roller is located on the inner surface of the first side frame, and that a first guide roller located away from the body drum; and a first screw for fixing the first side frame to the drum frame, the first screw being located between the photoreceptor drum and the charging electrode in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge. a first screw located therebetween, and a second screw for fixing the first side frame to the drum frame, the second screw being located closer to the first guide roller than the charging electrode in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge. and a second screw.

A second disclosure of the present application is the drawer of the first disclosure, wherein the second screw is located between the charging electrode and the first guide roller in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge. .

A third disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to the first disclosure or the second disclosure, wherein the first screw extends in the first direction, and the second screw extends in the second direction. .

A fourth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first to third disclosures, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

A fifth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first to fourth disclosures, wherein the charging device is of a scorotron type.

A sixth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first to fifth disclosures, wherein the separation direction intersects the first direction.

A seventh disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first disclosure to the sixth disclosure, in which the first guide roller is attached to the developer cartridge when the developer cartridge is attached to the frame. The development cartridge is characterized in that when the developer cartridge moves from the second side frame toward the first side frame, the developer cartridge is moved in the separating direction with respect to the frame.

An eighth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first disclosure to the seventh disclosure, in which the first guide roller rotates while contacting a part of the developer cartridge, whereby the developer cartridge is guided in the separating direction with respect to the frame.

A ninth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first to eighth disclosures, characterized in that the first guide roller is made of metal.

A tenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first disclosure to the ninth disclosure, wherein the first screw is arranged in the second side frame more than the first guide roller in the first direction. The second screw is located closer to the second side frame than the first guide roller in the first direction.

An eleventh disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first disclosure to the tenth disclosure, wherein the first screw fixes the first side frame to the drum frame in the first direction. However, the second screw fixes the first side frame to the drum frame in the second direction.

A twelfth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first to eleventh disclosures, wherein a part of the developer cartridge is attached to the frame in a state where the developer cartridge is attached to the frame. a second guide roller that moves the developer cartridge in the separating direction when moved in the first direction, the second guide roller being rotatable about a second axis extending in the second direction; It is characterized in that it further includes a second guide roller located on the second side frame.

A thirteenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to the twelfth disclosure, wherein the second guide roller rotates while contacting a part of the developer cartridge to move the developer cartridge away from the frame. It is characterized by guiding in the direction.

A fourteenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to the twelfth disclosure or the thirteenth disclosure, wherein the second guide roller is made of metal.

A fifteenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth disclosures, further comprising a third screw for fixing the second side frame to the drum frame, the drum frame comprising: The developer cartridge may include a wall portion capable of contacting a surface of the second side frame facing the first side frame at a position closer to the second guide roller than the third screw in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge. do.

A sixteenth disclosure of the present application provides the drawer according to any one of the first to fifteenth disclosures, wherein the developer cartridge is installed between the first side frame and the second side frame, and the developer cartridge is mounted between the first side frame and the second side frame. 2, the side frame has a hole that penetrates in the first direction and exposes the part of the developer cartridge to the outside of the frame when the developer cartridge is attached to the frame; The part of the developer cartridge receives a pressing force in the first direction through the hole, and when the developer cartridge receives the pressing force, the developer cartridge moves in the separating direction with respect to the frame. Features.

A seventeenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to any one of the first disclosure to the sixteenth disclosure, wherein the drawer includes a plurality of the photoreceptor drums, and the frame is attached to each of the plurality of photoreceptor drums. On the other hand, it is characterized in that the developer cartridge can be attached thereto.

An 18th disclosure of the present application provides the drawer according to any one of the 1st disclosure to the 17th disclosure, wherein the developing roller is placed on the frame in a state where the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photoreceptor drum are in contact with each other. It is characterized by being equipped with a cartridge.

A nineteenth disclosure of the present application is the drawer according to the eighteenth disclosure, wherein the frame is configured such that the part of the developer cartridge is in contact with the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photosensitive drum. When the developing roller is moved in one direction, the developing roller is moved in the separating direction.

According to the first to nineteenth disclosures of the present application, when a part of the developer cartridge is moved in one direction, the developer cartridge is moved in the separating direction by the first guide roller. Thereby, there is no need to apply a driving force to both sides of the frame in the first direction, and the developer cartridge can be moved in the separating direction by a driving force from one side. Further, the first side frame is fixed to the drum frame not only by the first screw but also by the first screw and a second screw located near the first guide roller. Thereby, deflection of the first side frame can be suppressed. As a result, the developer cartridge can be moved with high accuracy with respect to the drawer.

Further, according to the fifteenth disclosure of the present application, the wall portion located near the second guide roller can suppress the deflection of the second side frame. As a result, the developer cartridge can be moved with higher accuracy with respect to the drawer.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developer cartridge. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developer cartridge. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the developer cartridge viewed from a first direction. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the developer cartridge viewed from a first direction. It is a perspective view of a drawer. It is a perspective view of a drawer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developer cartridge installed in one slot of the drawer. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line A in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line B in FIG. 7. FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the direction in which the drum shaft of the photoreceptor drum extends will be referred to as a "first direction." Further, the direction in which the rotation shaft of the first guide roller extends is referred to as a "second direction." The first direction and the second direction intersect (preferably orthogonally) each other.

<1. Configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus 100. This image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic printer. An example of the image forming apparatus 100 is a laser printer or an LED printer.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes four developer cartridges 1, a drawer 2, a main body frame 101, and a control section 102.

The developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2. The drawer 2 is a drum cartridge into which the developer cartridge 1 is mounted, and includes four slots 2A. The plurality of developer cartridges 1 are respectively installed in slots 2A of the drawer 2. The developer cartridge 1 is installed in the main body frame 101 while being installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2. The four developer cartridges 1 contain developers (eg, toner) of mutually different colors (eg, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). However, the plurality of developer cartridges 1 may contain developer of the same color. Further, the number of developing cartridges 1 may be 1 to 3, or may be 5 or more.

The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on printing paper using developer supplied from four developer cartridges 1.

Each of the four developer cartridges 1 has an IC chip 51. The IC chip 51 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written. Examples of the storage medium include flash ROM and EPPROM. When the developer cartridges 1 are installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2 and mounted on the main body frame 101, the IC chip 51 of each developer cartridge 1 and the control unit 102 are electrically connected. The control unit 102 is composed of, for example, a circuit board. The control unit 102 includes a processor such as a CPU and various types of memory. The processor of the control unit 102 executes various processes in the image forming apparatus 100 by operating according to a program.

<2. About the developer cartridge>
2 and 3 are perspective views of the developer cartridge 1. FIG. 4 and 5 are plan views of the developer cartridge 1 viewed from the first direction. However, in FIG. 5, illustration of the gear cover 46 is omitted.

The developer cartridge 1 has a housing 10 . The housing 10 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12 that are spaced apart in a first direction. The first outer surface 11 is located at one end of the housing 10 in the first direction. The second outer surface 12 is located at the other end of the housing 10 in the first direction.

Furthermore, the housing 10 includes a container 10A and a lid 10B. Container 10A contains developer. Lid 10B covers container 10A. Container 10A and lid 10B are arranged between first outer surface 11 and second outer surface 12 in the first direction.

Moreover, the housing 10 extends in the second direction. The housing 10 has an opening 10C. The opening 10C is located at one end of the housing 10 in the second direction. The container 10A communicates with the outside through an opening 10C.

The developer cartridge 1 has an agitator 20. Agitator 20 is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The agitator 20 is a member that stirs the toner in the container 10A. The agitator 20 has a shaft extending in the first direction and stirring blades extending radially outward from the shaft. When the agitator 20 rotates about its shaft, the developer in the container 10A is stirred by the stirring blade.

The developer cartridge 1 has a developer roller 30. The developing roller 30 is located in the opening 10C at one end of the housing 10 in the second direction. The developing roller 30 is a roller supported by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about a developing shaft extending in the first direction.

The developing roller 30 has a developing roller main body 31 and a developing roller shaft 32. The developing roller main body 31 is a cylindrical member extending in the first direction. The developing roller body 31 is made of, for example, elastic rubber. The developing roller shaft 32 is a cylindrical member that passes through the developing roller main body 31 in the first direction. The developing roller shaft 32 is made of metal or conductive resin. The developing roller main body 31 is fixed to the developing roller shaft 32 so as not to rotate. That is, the developing roller main body 31 is rotatable together with the developing roller shaft 32.

A portion of the circumferential surface of the developing roller body 31 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through the opening 10C. Further, the other portion of the circumferential surface of the developing roller main body 31 is located inside the housing 10. Hereinafter, the direction in which the portion of the developing roller 30 exposed to the outside of the housing 10 and the portion located inside the housing 10 are lined up will be referred to as a "third direction." The third direction is also a direction that intersects with a portion of the peripheral surface of the developing roller main body 31 that is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 . Further, the third direction is also a "separation direction" in which the developing roller 30 separates from the photoreceptor drum 21, which will be described later. The third direction is a direction that intersects the first direction.

The developer cartridge 1 further includes a developer electrode 33 . The developing electrode 33 is located at one end of the developing roller shaft 32 in the first direction. The developing roller shaft 32 is rotatably attached to a bearing (not shown) included in the housing 10 via the developing electrode 33. The bearing may be integrated with the housing 10 or may be separate. Development electrode 33 is located on first outer surface 11 . The developing electrode 33 is electrically connected to the developing roller shaft 32. The developing electrode 33 is an electrode for applying a developing bias to the developing roller 30. The developing electrode 33 is located closer to the developing roller 30 than a shaft 61 of a spacing member 60 and a first cam 62, which will be described later, in the second direction. In this embodiment, the developing electrode 33 is provided at the end of the developing roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a developing roller gear 42 is attached to the other end of the developing roller shaft 32 in the first direction. Developing roller gear 42 is located on second outer surface 12 . The developing roller shaft 32 is fixed to the developing roller gear 42 so as not to rotate. When the developing roller gear 42 rotates, the developing roller shaft 32 also rotates, and the developing roller main body 31 also rotates together with the developing roller shaft 32.

Note that the developing roller shaft 32 does not need to penetrate the developing roller main body 31 in the first direction. For example, the developing roller shaft 32 may extend in the first direction from both ends of the developing roller main body 31 in the first direction.

Further, the developer cartridge 1 includes a supply roller (not shown). The supply roller is located within the container 10A and between the developing roller 30 and the agitator 20. Furthermore, the supply roller is rotatable about a rotating shaft extending in the first direction. When the developer cartridge 1 receives a driving force, developer is supplied from the container 10A in the housing 10 to the outer circumferential surface of the developer roller 30 via the supply roller. At this time, the developer is frictionally charged between the supply roller and the developing roller 30. On the other hand, a developing bias is applied to the developing roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30. Therefore, the developer is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller body 31 due to the electrostatic force between the developing roller shaft 32 and the developer.

Further, the developer cartridge 1 has a layer thickness regulating blade (not shown). The layer thickness regulating blade shapes the developer supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller main body 31 to a constant thickness. Thereafter, the developer on the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller main body 31 is supplied to a photosensitive drum 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 7), which will be described later, and which the drawer 2 has. At this time, the developer moves from the developing roller main body 31 to the photoreceptor drum 21 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 . As a result, the electrostatic latent image is visualized on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 21.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the developer cartridge 1 includes a gear portion 40 and a gear cover 46. As shown in FIGS. Gear portion 40 and gear cover 46 are located on second outer surface 12 of housing 10 . The gear section 40 includes a coupling 41, a developing roller gear 42, an idle gear 43, and an agitator gear 44. Gear cover 46 is attached to second outer surface 12 of housing 10 . At least a portion of gear portion 40 is located between second outer surface 12 and gear cover 46.

The coupling 41 is a gear that receives driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus 100. The coupling 41 can rotate about a rotation axis extending in the first direction. The coupling 41 is arranged in a position closer to the developing roller 30 than a shaft 61, a first cam 62, and a second cam 63 of a spacing member 60, which will be described later, in the second direction. The coupling 41 has a fastening hole 411 recessed in the first direction. When the developer cartridge 1 installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the drive shaft of the image forming apparatus 100 is inserted into the fastening hole 411. Thereby, the drive shaft and the coupling 41 are connected in a manner that they cannot rotate relative to each other. Therefore, when the drive shaft rotates, the coupling 41 rotates. When the coupling 41 rotates, a supply roller gear connected to a supply roller (not shown) and the developing roller gear 42 rotate. The supply roller rotates together with the supply roller gear, and the development roller 30 also rotates together with the development roller gear 42. Further, when the coupling 41 rotates, the idle gear 43 and the agitator gear 44 also rotate. The agitator 20 also rotates together with the agitator gear 44.

The developer cartridge 1 has a spacing member 60. Image forming apparatus 100 has a contact state and a separated state. The contact state is a state in which the developing roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 21 of the drawer 2 are in contact with each other when the developing cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2. Further, the separated state is a state in which the developing roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 21 of the drawer 2 are separated from each other. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the image forming apparatus 100 enters the contact state. The separation member 60 is a member for switching the image forming apparatus 100 into a contact state or a separation state. In this embodiment, when changing from the contact state to the separation state, the developing roller 30 separates from the photoreceptor drum 21 in the third direction, which is the separation direction.

The spacing member 60 is provided on the lid 10B. The spacing member 60 is movable with respect to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in the first direction. Moreover, the spacing member 60 is movable together with the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in the third direction.

The spacing member 60 has a shaft 61 extending along a shaft axis extending in the first direction. The shaft 61 has a cylindrical shape. However, the shaft 61 may have a prismatic shape. The lid 10B has a hole 10B1 penetrating in the first direction. The diameter of the hole 10B1 is larger than the diameter of the shaft 61. The shaft 61 is inserted into this hole 10B1. The shaft 61 inserted into the hole 10B1 is movable with respect to the lid 10B of the housing 10 between the first position and the second position in the first direction. The second position is a position closer to the first outer surface 11 than the first position in the first direction.

Shaft 61 is preferably made of a rigid member. For example, the shaft 61 is made of iron. Further, the shaft 61 may be made of resin.

In this embodiment, the lid 10B includes a ring 10B2 and a ring 10B3. The ring 10B2 is arranged at one end of the lid 10B in the first direction. The ring 10B3 is arranged at the other end of the lid 10B in the first direction. Moreover, the hole 10B1 along the first direction is exposed between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3. That is, the shaft 61 inserted into the hole 10B1 is exposed from the lid 10B between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3. Since the shaft 61 has rigidity, the exposed portion will not bend in the second direction or the third direction.

However, an additional ring may be provided between ring 10B2 and ring 10B3. Further, in the present embodiment, the shaft 61 is exposed between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3 in the first direction, but it does not need to be exposed. That is, the shaft 61 may be housed inside the lid 10B.

By holding the shaft 61 movably in the first direction with the lid 10B, the shaft 61 can be easily provided in the housing 10 of the developer cartridge 1.

A first cam 62 is provided at one end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. The first cam 62 is made of rubber, resin, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the first cam 62 is provided with a hole 62A that penetrates in the first direction. One end of the shaft 61 has a smaller diameter than the other portion, and is inserted into the hole 62A. When one end of the shaft 61 is inserted into the hole 62A, the tip of the one end is exposed from the first cam 62 in the first direction. The first cam 62 is fixed to the one end of the shaft 61 by fitting the retaining ring 61B to the tip of the exposed one end. However, the first cam 62 may be fixed to the shaft 61 by adhesive.

The first cam 62 has a first inclined surface 621. In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 621 is provided on a part of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61. Note that the first cam 62 has a contact surface (not shown) that faces the lid 10B. The contact surface is provided on a different circumferential surface from a part of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61 on which the first inclined surface 621 is provided. In other words, the contact surface faces the housing 10, that is, the outer surface of the housing 10. Since the contact surface and the lid 10B face each other, even if the first cam 62 tries to rotate about the shaft 61, the contact surface and the lid 10B come into contact and the first cam 62 cannot rotate. Note that in this embodiment, the first inclined surface 621 is provided on a part of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61, but the first inclined surface 621 may be provided on the entire circumference of the shaft 61.

The first inclined surface 621 is inclined with respect to the shaft 61 extending in the first direction. The angle of the first inclined surface 621 with respect to the first direction is 43 degrees or more and 47 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle of the first inclined surface 621 with respect to the first direction is about 45 degrees. The first cam 62, that is, the first inclined surface 621, is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The first inclined surface 621 moves away from the shaft 61 in the third direction as it moves away from the first outer surface 11 in the first direction. In other words, the distance of the first inclined surface 621 from the shaft 61 toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft 61 increases as it goes from one end in the first direction to the other end. Further, the first inclined surface 621 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the shaft 61. Note that the first cam 62 has a shape obtained by dividing a conical shape whose central axis is the shaft axis into two. In other words, the first cam 62 has a first inclined surface 621 that is a part of a conical surface.

Note that the first cam 62 may have a polygonal pyramid shape instead of a conical shape. In this case, the first inclined surface 621 is a part of a polygonal pyramidal surface. Furthermore, although the first inclined surface 621 is a gently inclined surface, unevenness such as a step may be provided in the middle of the inclined surface. Furthermore, the first inclined surface 621 may be curved.

A second cam 63 is provided at the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. The second cam 63 is made of rubber, resin, or the like. The second cam 63, like the first cam 62, is fixed to the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction.

The second cam 63 has a second inclined surface 631. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the second inclined surface 631 is provided on a part of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61. Note that in this embodiment, the second inclined surface 631 is provided on a part of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61, but the second inclined surface 631 may be provided on the entire circumferential surface of the shaft 61. .

The second inclined surface 631 is inclined with respect to the shaft 61 extending in the first direction. The angle of the second inclined surface 631 with respect to the first direction is 43 degrees or more and 47 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle of the second inclined surface 631 with respect to the first direction is approximately 45 degrees. The distance of the second inclined surface 631 from the shaft 61 toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft 61 increases as it goes from one end of the shaft 61 in the first direction to the other end. Further, the second inclined surface 631 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the shaft 61. That is, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 and the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 are inclined in the same direction with respect to the first direction. Note that the second cam 63 includes a portion of a conical shape whose central axis is the shaft axis. In other words, the second cam 63 has a second inclined surface 631 that is a part of a conical surface.

Note that the second cam 63 may have a polygonal pyramid shape instead of a conical shape. In this case, the second inclined surface 631 is a part of a polygonal pyramidal surface. Furthermore, although the second inclined surface 631 is a gently inclined surface, unevenness such as a step may be provided in the middle of the inclined surface. Furthermore, the second inclined surface 631 may be curved.

The first cam 62 and the second cam 63 are movable in the first direction together with the shaft 61. When the shaft 61 moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction, the second cam 63 approaches the lid 10B, and the first cam 62 moves away from the lid 10B. When the shaft 61 moves from the second position to the first position in the first direction, the second cam 63 moves away from the lid 10B, and the first cam 62 approaches the lid 10B. In other words, when the shaft 61 moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction, the second cam 63 approaches the housing 10 and the first cam 62 moves away from the housing 10. Further, when the shaft 61 moves from the second position to the first position in the first direction, the second cam 63 moves away from the housing 10 and the first cam 62 approaches the housing 10.

Further, the shaft 61 inserted into the pair of holes 10B1 cannot rotate with respect to the lid 10B of the housing 10 about the shaft axis extending in the first direction. However, the shaft 61 may be rotatable with respect to the lid 10B about the shaft axis. In this case, the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 are provided on the shaft 61 such that they cannot rotate about the shaft axis with respect to the housing 10 . That is, only the shaft 61 rotates about the shaft axis, and the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 do not rotate.

The spacing member 60 has a coil spring 64. The coil spring 64 is provided at the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. Specifically, the shaft 61 is inserted into the coil spring 64. The coil spring 64 is located between the second cam 63 and the lid 10B in the first direction. One end of the coil spring 64 in the first direction contacts the lid 10B, for example via a washer. Further, the other end of the coil spring 64 in the first direction contacts the second cam 63.

The coil spring 64 is an elastic member (elastic member) that can be expanded and contracted in the first direction between a first length and a second length that is shorter than the first length. As will be described in detail later, the second cam 63 is pushed in the first direction by a pressing force from the other end of the shaft 61 toward the one end. Then, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the first position to the second position. When moving from the first position to the second position, the coil spring 64 contracts from the first length to the second length. When the pressing force on the second cam 63 is removed, the restoring force of the coil spring 64 returns from the second length to the first length, causing the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 to move from the second position to the first length. Pushed back to 1st position. In this way, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 due to the pressing force in the first direction and the elastic force of the coil spring 64.

When the developer cartridge 1 having the above configuration is installed in the drawer 2, the developer roller 30 of the developer cartridge 1 comes into contact with the photoreceptor drum 21. In this state, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 does not come into contact with the first guide roller 24 (see FIG. 9) of the drawer 2, which will be described later. Further, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 does not contact the second guide roller 25 (see FIG. 10). Specifically, when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 are not in contact with each other, and the second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 are not in contact with each other. It is. When the spacing member 60 of the developer cartridge 1 moves a certain amount in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 come into contact with each other, and the second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 contact each other. come into contact with. Note that when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 may be in contact with each other. Further, when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2, the second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 may be in contact with each other.

When separating the developing roller 30 from the photosensitive drum 21, the separating member 60 is pressed in the direction from the second cam 63 toward the first cam 62 in the first direction. As a result, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30.

At this time, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves in the first direction while contacting the first guide roller 24 . As described above, the first inclined surface 621 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 toward the second cam 63. Therefore, when the first cam 62 moves in the first direction, the position of the first inclined surface 621 that the first guide roller 24 contacts becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 face each other in the third direction. That is, when the first inclined surface 621 moves in the first direction, it also moves in the direction away from the first guide roller 24 in the third direction.

Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the first direction while contacting the second guide roller 25. As described above, the second inclined surface 631 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 toward the second cam 63. Therefore, when the second cam 63 moves in the first direction, the position of the second inclined surface 631 that the second guide roller 25 contacts becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 face each other in the third direction. That is, when the second inclined surface 631 moves in the first direction, it also moves in the direction away from the second guide roller 25 in the third direction.

When the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 move in the first direction and also move in the third direction, the shaft 61 also moves in the same way. When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the third direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the third direction. As a result, the developing roller 30 separates from the photoreceptor drum 21 in the third direction.

The coil spring 64 expands and contracts as the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction. The coil spring 64 has a first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in the first position. Further, the coil spring 64 has a second length shorter than the first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in the second position. The coil spring 64, which has contracted from the first length to the second length, expands from the second length to the first length when the pressing force on the spacing member 60 is removed.

When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the second position to the first position, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves to the first position in the third direction due to an action opposite to that described above. It moves in the direction approaching the guide roller 24. Further, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in a direction approaching the second guide roller 25 in the third direction. Accordingly, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 move in the third direction, and the developing roller 30 approaches the photoreceptor drum 21 in the third direction. Then, the surface of the developing roller 30 comes into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 21.

<3. About the drawer＞
6 and 7 are perspective views of the drawer 2. FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the developer cartridge 1 installed in one slot 2A of the drawer 2. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by a dashed line A in FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by a dashed line B in FIG.

The drawer 2 has a frame 200. Frame 200 has four slots 2A. The developer cartridge 1 is installed in each of the four slots 2A. The drawer 2 has four photoreceptor drums 21. The photosensitive drum 21 is arranged for each of the four slots 2A. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatable about a rotation shaft (drum shaft) extending in the first direction. The developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2 with the surface of the developer roller 30 facing the surface of the photoreceptor drum 21. That is, in the frame 200, the developer cartridge 1 can be attached to each of the four photoreceptor drums 21. The drawer 2 is attached to the main body frame 101 (see FIG. 1) with the developer cartridge 1 attached to the slot 2A.

The frame 200 of the drawer 2 includes a first side frame 201 and a second side frame 202. The second side frame 202 is located away from the first side frame 201 on the other side in the first direction. A photoreceptor drum 21 is provided between the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the first direction. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the developer cartridge 1 is installed between the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the first direction. The first outer surface 11 of the developer cartridge 1 and the first side frame 201 face each other in the first direction. Further, when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the second outer surface 12 of the developer cartridge 1 and the second side frame 202 face each other in the first direction.

The first side frame 201 is provided with a first recess 201A that penetrates in the first direction and is recessed in the second direction. The first recess 201A is provided for each of the four slots 2A. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the IC chip 51 covered by the IC chip cover 45 of the developer cartridge 1 is located in the first recess 201A.

The second side frame 202 has a second hole that penetrates in the first direction and exposes a part of the developer cartridge 1 to the outside, and that opens in the direction away from the photoreceptor drum 21 in the second direction. A recess 202A is provided. Similarly to the first recess 201A, the second recess 202A is also provided for each of the four slots 2A. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the second cam 63 of the developer cartridge 1 is located in the second recess 202A. As a result, the second cam 63 is exposed to the outside of the frame 200. The second cam 63 receives concave pressure in the first direction from the pressing member of the image forming apparatus 100 via the second concave portion 202A.

Further, the second side frame 202 has a through hole 202B penetrating in the first direction. A through hole 202B is provided for each of the four slots 2A. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the fastening hole 411 of the coupling 41 of the developer cartridge 1 is exposed from the through hole 202B, as shown in FIG. The drive shaft of the image forming apparatus 100 is inserted into the fastening hole 411 via the through hole 202B. Then, the drive shaft and the coupling 41 are connected so as to be non-rotatable relative to each other.

Further, the frame 200 of the drawer 2 has four drum frames 203. The drum frame 203 extends in the first direction. Further, the drum frame 203 connects the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the first direction. In the third direction, the drum frame 203 and the slots 2A are arranged alternately. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2, the drum frame 203 and the developer cartridge 1 are adjacent to each other in the third direction. The photosensitive drum 21 is located on one side of the drum frame 203 in the second direction. Further, the other end of the drum frame 203 in the second direction is located on one side in the second direction than the other end of the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the second direction. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the drawer 2 includes four charging devices 22. The charging device 22 charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 . The charging device 22 is supported by a drum frame 203. The charging device 22 is, for example, a scorotron-type charger having a charging wire and a grid extending in the first direction. However, the charging device 22 may be a charger of another type.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the drawer 2 has a charging electrode 23. The charging electrode 23 is located on the outer surface of the first side frame 201. Charging electrode 23 is electrically connected to charging device 22 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the drawer 2 includes a first guide roller 24. As shown in FIG. The first guide roller 24 is located on the inner surface of the first side frame 201. That is, the first guide roller 24 is located at one end of the frame 200 in the first direction. More specifically, the first guide roller 24 is located between the first cam 62 of the developer cartridge 1 installed in the slot 2A and the third direction of the surface of the first side frame 201 facing the second side frame 202. are placed opposite each other.

The first guide roller 24 is located on the other side of the charging electrode 23 in the second direction. That is, the first guide roller 24 is located further away from the photosensitive drum 21 than the charging electrode 23 in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 1 with respect to the frame 200.

The first guide roller 24 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 240 extending in the second direction. The outer circumferential surface 240 of the first guide roller 24 becomes a receiving surface that comes into contact with the first cam 62 during a separating operation, which will be described later. Further, both ends of the first guide roller 24 in the second direction are rotatably held by bearings provided on the first side frame 201. Therefore, the first guide roller 24 is rotatable about the first axis extending in the second direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the drawer 2 includes a second guide roller 25. The second guide roller 25 is located on the outer surface of the second side frame 202. That is, the second guide roller 25 is located at the other end of the frame 200 in the first direction. More specifically, the second guide roller 25 is arranged on the surface of the second side frame 202 at a position facing the second cam 63 of the developer cartridge 1 installed in the slot 2A in the third direction.

The second guide roller 25 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 250 extending in the second direction. The outer circumferential surface 250 of the second guide roller 25 becomes a receiving surface that comes into contact with the second cam 63 during a separating operation, which will be described later. Further, both ends of the second guide roller 25 in the second direction are rotatably held by bearings provided on the second side frame 202. Therefore, the second guide roller 25 is rotatable about the second axis extending in the second direction.

It is preferable that the first guide roller 24 and the second guide roller 25 are made of metal. When the first guide roller 24 and the second guide roller 25 are made of metal, wear due to friction of the first guide roller 24 and the second guide roller 25 can be reduced more than when they are made of resin. Therefore, the first guide roller 24 and the second guide roller 25 can guide the spacing member 60 with higher precision.

<4. Regarding the separation operation using the separation member>
Next, a description will be given of the movement of the image forming apparatus 100 when switching between the contact state and the separation state.

When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the developer roller 30 of the developer cartridge 1 and the photosensitive drum 21 come into contact. In this contact state, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 does not contact the outer peripheral surface 240 of the first guide roller 24 . Further, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 does not contact the outer circumferential surface 250 of the second guide roller 25 . Specifically, when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 and the first guide roller 24 are not in contact with each other, and the second inclined surface 631 and the second guide roller 25 are not in contact with each other. It is. When the spacing member 60, which is a part of the developer cartridge 1, moves a certain amount in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 and the outer circumferential surface 240 of the first guide roller 24 come into contact with each other, and the second inclined surface 631 and the outer peripheral surface 250 of the second guide roller 25 are in contact with each other. Note that when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 and the outer circumferential surface 240 of the first guide roller 24 may come into contact. Further, when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2, the second inclined surface 631 and the outer circumferential surface 250 of the second guide roller 25 may come into contact.

More specifically, the first inclined surface 621 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 as it goes from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63 in the first direction. The first guide roller 24 then comes into contact with the first inclined surface 621 at a position that is a short distance from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 as it goes from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63 in the first direction. Then, the second guide roller 25 comes into contact with the second inclined surface 631 at a position that is a short distance from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes a driving section and a pressing member 104, which are not shown. The drive unit is, for example, a motor that moves the pressing member 104 in the first direction. The pressing member 104 is a cylinder or a square pillar that extends along the first direction. The pressing member 104 moves in the first direction between a contact position where it contacts the second cam 63 of the developer cartridge 1 installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2 and a non-contact position where it does not come into contact with the second cam 63. .

When separating the developing roller 30 from the photosensitive drum 21, the driving section moves the pressing member 104 in the direction from the second cam 63 to the first cam 62 in the first direction. Thereby, the second cam 63 is pressed in the first direction by the pressing member 104. When the second cam 63 is pressed, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move toward one side in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30.

At this time, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves to one side in the first direction while contacting the first guide roller 24 . The first guide roller 24 guides the first inclined surface 621 while being in contact with the first inclined surface 621 and rotating about a first axis extending in the second direction. This reduces the frictional resistance between the spacing member 60 and the frame 200. As a result, the spacing member 60 can be smoothly moved with respect to the frame 200.

As described above, the first inclined surface 621 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 toward the second cam 63. Therefore, when the first cam 62 moves to one side in the first direction, the position of the first inclined surface 621 that the first guide roller 24 contacts becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The first inclined surface 621 and the outer peripheral surface 240 of the first guide roller 24 face each other in the third direction. That is, when the first inclined surface 621 moves to one side in the first direction, it also moves in the direction away from the first guide roller 24 (separation direction) in the third direction.

Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves to one side in the first direction while contacting the second guide roller 25 . The second guide roller 25 guides the second inclined surface 631 while being in contact with the second inclined surface 631 and rotating about a second axis extending in the second direction. This reduces the frictional resistance between the spacing member 60 and the frame 200. As a result, the spacing member 60 can be smoothly moved with respect to the frame 200.

As described above, the second inclined surface 631 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 from the first cam 62 toward the second cam 63. Therefore, when the second cam 63 moves to one side in the first direction, the position of the second inclined surface 631 that the second guide roller 25 contacts becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The second inclined surface 631 and the outer peripheral surface 250 of the second guide roller 25 face each other in the third direction. That is, when the second inclined surface 631 moves to one side in the first direction, it also moves in the direction away from the second guide roller 25 (separation direction) in the third direction.

When the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 move in the third direction while moving to one side in the first direction with respect to the frame 200, the shaft 61 also moves in the same manner. When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the third direction relative to the frame 200, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the third direction relative to the frame 200. . As a result, the developing roller 30 separates from the photoreceptor drum 21 in the third direction. Then, the image forming apparatus 100 enters the separated state.

The coil spring 64 expands and contracts as the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction. The coil spring 64 has a first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in the first position. Further, the coil spring 64 has a second length shorter than the first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in the second position. The coil spring 64, which has contracted from the first length to the second length, expands from the second length to the first length when the pressing force from the pressing member 104 is removed.

When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the second position to the first position, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves to the first position in the third direction due to an action opposite to that described above. It moves in the direction approaching the guide roller 24. Further, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in a direction approaching the second guide roller 25 in the third direction. Accordingly, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 move to one side in the third direction, and the developing roller 30 approaches the photosensitive drum 21 in the third direction. Then, the image forming apparatus 100 enters the contact state.

By providing the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 at both ends of the shaft 61 in the first direction, when the image forming apparatus 100 transitions between the separated state and the contact state, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 Both ends in the first direction can be prevented from tilting.

As described above, the shaft 61 moves in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in accordance with the driving force in the first direction. When the first inclined surface 621 comes into contact with the first guide roller 24 as the shaft 61 moves in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 moves along the first guide roller 24 in the third direction. Move to. As the first inclined surface 621 moves in the third direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the third direction. Thereby, the developer cartridge 1 can be moved in the third direction by the driving force from one side in the first direction without requiring driving force from both sides. Further, since the developer cartridge 1 includes the first inclined surface 621 and the shaft 61, the shaft 61 can be moved when the developer cartridge 1 is attached to or removed from the drum cartridge, compared to a case where the drum cartridge is provided with a shaft. , it is possible to prevent interference with attachment and detachment of the developer cartridge 1.

Further, when moving the shaft 61 in the first direction, there is no need to apply driving force to both sides of the shaft 61 in the first direction, and if driving force is applied from one side of the shaft 61 in the first direction, the developer cartridge 1 can be moved.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 has a drive source on the other side of the developer cartridge 1 and the drawer 2 in the first direction that rotationally drives the developer roller 30, the photoreceptor drum 21, and the like. A driving unit that is a driving source for moving the pressing member 104 in the first direction can be arranged near this driving source. In other words, the drive sources included in the image forming apparatus 100 can be concentrated on the other side of the developer cartridge 1 and the drawer 2 in the first direction, so that the image forming apparatus 100 can be downsized. Further, there is no need to provide parts for moving the developer cartridge 1 on both sides of the drawer 2 in the first direction, and the drawer 2 can be simplified or miniaturized.

<5. About the fixed part＞
The drawer 2 has four first screws 26, four second screws 27, and four third screws 28. The four first screws 26 and the four second screws 27 are located at one end of the frame 200 in the first direction. The first side frame 201 is fixed to the drum frame 203 by four first screws 26 and four second screws 27. The four third screws 28 are located at the other end of the frame 200 in the first direction. The second side frame 202 is fixed to the drum frame 203 with four third screws 28.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first screw 26 is located between the photosensitive drum 21 and the charging electrode 23 in the direction in which the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2. As shown in FIG. Further, the first screw 26 is located further away from the second side frame 202 than the first guide roller 24 in the first direction. The first screw 26 extends in the first direction.

The first screw 26 is inserted into a through hole provided in the first side frame 201 from one side of the first side frame 201 in the first direction. The tip of the first screw 26 is fastened to a screw hole provided at one end of the drum frame 203 in the first direction. As a result, the first side frame 201 is fixed to the drum frame 203 in the first direction at a position on one side of the charging electrode 23 in the second direction.

The second screw 27 is located closer to the first guide roller 24 than the charging electrode 23 in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 1 to the drawer 2 . More specifically, the second screw 27 is located between the charging electrode 23 and the first guide roller 24 in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 1 with respect to the drawer 2 . Further, the second screw 27 is located closer to the second side frame 202 than the first guide roller 24 in the first direction. The second screw 27 extends in the second direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first side frame 201 has a screw receiving plate 204 extending toward the second side frame 202. As shown in FIG. The second screw 27 is inserted into the through hole provided in the screw receiving plate 204 from the other side of the screw receiving plate 204 in the second direction. Then, the tip of the second screw 27 is fastened to a screw hole provided in the drum frame 203. As a result, the first side frame 201 is fixed to the drum frame 203 in the second direction at a position on the other side of the charging electrode 23 in the second direction.

When the spacing member 60 of the developer cartridge 1 moves to one side in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 comes into contact with the first guide roller 24 . As a result, pressure is applied to the first side frame 201 via the first guide roller 24 toward one side in the first direction. However, the first side frame 201 is fixed to the drum frame 203 not only by the first screw 26 but also by both the first screw 26 and the second screw 27. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the first side frame 201 from bending to one side in the first direction.

By suppressing the deflection of the first side frame 201, the position of the first guide roller 24 in the first direction is stabilized. Therefore, the above-described separating operation by the separating member 60 can be performed with high precision. In particular, the second screw 27 fixes the first side frame 201 to the drum frame 203 closer to the first guide roller 24 than the first screw 26 . As a result, deflection of the first side frame 201 in the vicinity of the first guide roller 24 is suppressed. As a result, the position of the first guide roller 24 can be made more stable.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the third screw 28 is inserted into the through hole provided in the second side frame 202 from the other side of the second side frame 202 in the first direction. The tip of the second screw 27 is fastened to a screw hole provided at the other end of the drum frame 203 in the first direction. Thereby, the second side frame 202 is fixed to the drum frame 203 in the first direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the drum frame 203 has a wall portion 205. The wall portion 205 protrudes from the other end of the drum frame 203 in the first direction toward the other side in the second direction. That is, the wall portion 205 protrudes in the direction away from the photoreceptor drum 21 in the second direction. Further, the wall portion 205 extends along the surface of the second side frame 202 facing the first side frame 201. The wall portion 205 is located closer to the second guide roller 25 than the third screw 28 in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 1 to the drawer 2 .

When the spacing member 60 of the developer cartridge 1 moves to one side in the first direction, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 comes into contact with the second guide roller 25 . As a result, pressure is applied to the second side frame 202 via the second guide roller 25 toward one side in the first direction. However, the surface of the second side frame 202 facing the first side frame 201 contacts the wall portion 205. Thereby, deflection of the second side frame 202 to one side in the first direction is suppressed.

By suppressing the deflection of the second side frame 202, the position of the second guide roller 25 in the first direction is stabilized. Therefore, the above-described separating operation by the separating member 60 can be performed with higher accuracy. In particular, the wall portion 205 contacts the second side frame 202 closer to the second guide roller 25 than the third screw 28 . Thereby, deflection of the second side frame 202 near the second guide roller 25 is suppressed. As a result, the position of the second guide roller 25 can be made more stable.

<6. Modified example>
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

In the above embodiment, the drawer 2 had four first screws 26, four second screws 27, and four third screws 28. However, the number of first screws 26 that the drawer 2 has may be one to three, or five or more. Further, the number of second screws 27 that the drawer 2 has may be one to three, or five or more. Furthermore, the number of third screws 28 that the drawer 2 has may be one to three, or five or more.

In the above embodiment, the spacing member 60 includes a first cam 62 and a second cam 63. However, the spacing member 60 only needs to have at least one of the first cam 62 and the second cam 63. Furthermore, the spacing member 60 only needs to have at least one of the first inclined surface 621 and the second inclined surface 631. Alternatively, for example, the shaft 61 may be processed without providing the first cam 62 and the second cam 63, and the circumferential surface of the end of the shaft 61 may be inclined in the first direction, so that the first inclined surface 621 and the second cam 63 are not provided. The inclined surface 631 may also be configured.

Although the above embodiment has been described using the coil spring 64 as an example of the elastic member, the present invention is not limited to this. The elastic member may be any member having elasticity, such as a plate spring, torsion spring, rubber, or sponge.

Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be combined as appropriate to the extent that no contradiction occurs.

1 Developing cartridge 2 Drawer 10 Housing 20 Agitator 21 Photosensitive drum 22 Charging device 23 Charging electrode 24 First guide roller 25 Second guide roller 26 First screw 27 Second screw 28 Third screw 30 Developing roller 40 Gear section 60 Separation Member 61 Shaft 62 First cam 63 Second cam 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Frame 201 First side frame 202 Second side frame 203 Drum frame 204 Screw receiving plate 205 Wall part

Claims (19)

a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum shaft extending in a first direction;
A frame onto which a developer cartridge having a developer roller rotatable about a developer shaft extending in the first direction can be attached,
a first side frame;
a second side frame located away from the first side frame in the first direction;
a drum frame connecting the first side frame and the second side frame in the first direction;
a frame having;
a charging device that charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum, the charging device being supported by the drum frame;
a charging electrode electrically connectable to the charging device and located on the outer surface of the first side frame;
When a part of the developer cartridge moves in the first direction with respect to the frame while the developer cartridge is attached to the frame, the outer surface of the developer roller moves away from the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum. a first guide roller that moves the developer cartridge in a separating direction so as to separate the developer cartridge, the first guide roller being rotatable about a first axis extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first guide roller located on the inner surface of the first side frame, the first guide roller being located farther from the photoreceptor drum than the charging electrode in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge;
a first screw for fixing the first side frame to the drum frame, the first screw being located between the photoreceptor drum and the charging electrode in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge;
a second screw for fixing the first side frame to the drum frame, the second screw being located closer to the first guide roller than the charging electrode in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge;
A drawer characterized by having. The drawer according to claim 1,
The drawer, wherein the second screw is located between the charging electrode and the first guide roller in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2,
the first screw extends in the first direction;
The drawer, wherein the second screw extends in the second direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The drawer, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The drawer, wherein the charging device is of a scorotron type. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The drawer, wherein the separation direction intersects the first direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The first guide roller is configured to move the developer cartridge when a portion of the developer cartridge moves from the second side frame toward the first side frame while the developer cartridge is attached to the frame. is moved in the separating direction with respect to the frame. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The drawer is characterized in that the first guide roller guides the developer cartridge in the separating direction with respect to the frame by rotating while contacting a part of the developer cartridge. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The drawer, wherein the first guide roller is made of metal. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The first screw is located further away from the second side frame than the first guide roller in the first direction,
The drawer, wherein the second screw is located closer to the second side frame than the first guide roller in the first direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
the first screw fixes the first side frame to the drum frame in the first direction;
The drawer, wherein the second screw fixes the first side frame to the drum frame in the second direction. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
a second guide roller that moves the developer cartridge in the separating direction when a part of the developer cartridge moves in the first direction with respect to the frame while the developer cartridge is attached to the frame; The drawer further comprises a second guide roller that is rotatable about a second axis extending in the second direction and is located on the second side frame. The drawer according to claim 12,
The drawer, wherein the second guide roller rotates while contacting a part of the developer cartridge, thereby guiding the developer cartridge in the separating direction with respect to the frame. The drawer according to claim 12 or 13,
The drawer, wherein the second guide roller is made of metal. The drawer according to any one of claims 12 to 14,
further comprising a third screw fixing the second side frame to the drum frame,
The drum frame is
The developer cartridge may include a wall portion capable of contacting a surface of the second side frame facing the first side frame at a position closer to the second guide roller than the third screw in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge. Yes, drawer. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The developer cartridge is installed between the first side frame and the second side frame,
The second side frame is
a hole that penetrates in the first direction and that exposes the part of the developer cartridge to the outside of the frame when the developer cartridge is attached to the frame;
The part of the developer cartridge receives a pressing force in the first direction through the hole,
The drawer, wherein the developing cartridge moves in the separating direction with respect to the frame when receiving the pressing force. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The drawer includes a plurality of the photoreceptor drums,
The drawer, wherein the frame is capable of attaching the developer cartridge to each of the plurality of photosensitive drums. The drawer according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The drawer characterized in that the developer cartridge is mounted on the frame with the surface of the developer roller and the surface of the photoreceptor drum in contact with each other. The drawer according to claim 18,
The frame is
When the part of the developing cartridge moves in the first direction while the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photoreceptor drum are in contact with each other, the developing roller is moved in the separating direction. Yes, drawer.

Images