JP7468597B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an image forming device equipped with a removable drum cartridge and a developing cartridge.

Conventionally, there is known an image forming device in which a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge can be attached to and detached from a main body housing in the axial direction, which is the direction along the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum (see Patent Document 1). In this technology, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are each individually attachable and detachable from the main body housing. A handle that can be grasped by the user is provided on the side of the axial end of each cartridge. The user can pull out each cartridge by holding the handle with their fingers.

JP 2018-72677 A

However, when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are axially detachable from the main body housing, the developing cartridge is replaced more frequently than the drum cartridge. Since the developing cartridge is replaced more frequently, it is required that it be easily and simply removed.

The present disclosure therefore aims to provide an image forming device that makes it easier to remove the developing cartridge from the main body housing before the drum cartridge when the drum cartridge and developing cartridge are axially detachable from the main body housing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a main housing. The drum cartridge has a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in the axial direction, a frame that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum, and a first handle located on the outer surface of the frame in the axial direction. The developing cartridge has a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction, a developing housing capable of containing toner, and a second handle located on the outer surface of the developing housing in the axial direction. The main housing has a first end face in the axial direction, a second end face facing the first end face in the axial direction, and a slot. The slot extends from the first end face toward the second end face, and allows the drum cartridge to be attached and detached in the axial direction, and allows the developing cartridge to be attached and detached in the axial direction. When the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing, the first handle and the second handle are exposed from the slot. When the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing, the second handle is located axially farther from the second end face than the first handle.

This configuration makes it easier to remove the developer cartridge from the main body housing before the drum cartridge. This makes it easier to install and remove the developer cartridge, which is replaced frequently.

In the image forming device described above, at least a portion of the first handle and at least a portion of the second handle may be configured to be aligned in the axial direction.

This will encourage the user to remove the developer cartridge before the drum cartridge.

In the image forming device described above, when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing and the second handle is pulled out in the axial direction from the main body housing, only the developing cartridge is removed from the main body housing, and when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing and the first handle is pulled out in the axial direction from the main body housing, the first handle may come into contact with the second handle.

This will encourage the user to remove the developer cartridge before the drum cartridge.

In the image forming device described above, when the first handle is pulled out in the axial direction from the main body housing, the first handle may come into contact with the second handle, and the drum cartridge may be pulled out in the axial direction from the main body housing, and the developing cartridge may also be pulled out in the axial direction from the main body housing.

This allows both the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge to be pulled out from the main body housing by pulling out the first handle.

In the image forming device described above, a portion of the first handle and a portion of the second handle may be arranged in the axial direction.

This will encourage the user to remove the developer cartridge before the drum cartridge.

In the image forming device described above, the first handle may have a first opening that allows a user's finger to be hooked, and the first opening may be configured to open at least on the first axis side in the direction in which the first axis and the second axis are aligned.

As a result, even when the drum cartridge and developer cartridge are attached to the main body housing, the developer cartridge does not get in the way and the user can easily hook their finger into the first opening.

In the image forming device described above, the entire first handle may be configured to be aligned in the axial direction with at least a portion of the second handle.

This will encourage the user to remove the developer cartridge before the drum cartridge.

In the image forming device, the first handle may have a first opening that allows a user's finger to be hooked, and the first opening may be configured to open toward the second axis in the direction in which the first axis and the second axis are aligned.

As a result, the first opening of the first handle opens toward the developing cartridge, making it easy for the user to insert their finger into the first opening after removing the developing cartridge.

The image forming device described above may further include an intermediate transfer belt that is located above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted in the main body housing, and that comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted in the main body housing.

The image forming device described above may be configured to include a discharge section located above the intermediate transfer belt and through which the sheet is discharged.

In the image forming device described above, the first handle may have a first opening that allows the user's finger to be hooked, and when the drum cartridge is attached to the main body housing, the first opening may be configured to open at least upward.

As a result, because the first opening opens upward, if a user's finger gets caught on the first handle, the drum cartridge can be prevented from being pushed upward. This prevents the photosensitive drum from coming into contact with the intermediate transfer belt.

In the image forming device described above, the first handle may have a first opening that allows the user's finger to be hooked, and when the drum cartridge is attached to the main body housing, the first opening may be configured not to open downward.

As a result, because the first opening does not open downward, it is possible to prevent the user from catching their fingers from below the first handle. This prevents the drum cartridge from being pulled out while being pushed upward. This prevents the photosensitive drum from coming into contact with the intermediate transfer belt when removing the drum cartridge.

According to the present disclosure, when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are axially detachable from the main body housing, it is easier to remove the developing cartridge from the main body housing before the drum cartridge.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main body housing with the cover open. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge mounted in a main body housing in the first embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to a main body housing in the first embodiment, as viewed from the cover side. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state in which a developing cartridge is being pulled out, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state in which a drum cartridge is being pulled out, in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a top view of a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge mounted in a main body housing in a second embodiment. 13 is a view showing a state in which a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge are attached to a main body housing in a second embodiment, as viewed from the cover side. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which the developing cartridge is pulled out in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a drum cartridge according to a third embodiment.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 2, a supply unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and discharge rollers 9. The supply unit 3 supplies a sheet S to the image forming unit 4. The image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S. The discharge rollers 9 discharge the sheet S.

The main body housing 2 has a discharge section 20 at the top. The sheet S is discharged to the discharge section 20. The discharge section 20 is located above the intermediate transfer belt 63, which will be described later.

The supply unit 3 is located at the bottom inside the main body housing 2. The supply unit 3 includes a supply tray 31 and a supply mechanism 32. The supply tray 31 is detachable from the main body housing 2. The supply mechanism 32 transports the sheet S from the supply tray 31 to the image forming unit 4.

The image forming unit 4 includes a drum cartridge 40, a developing cartridge 50, an exposure device SU, a transfer unit 60, and a fixing unit 70. A plurality of drum cartridges 40 and developing cartridges 50 are arranged corresponding to the number of toner colors. In this embodiment, four drum cartridges 40 and four developing cartridges 50 are arranged side by side.

Each drum cartridge 40 has a photosensitive drum 41, a frame 42, and a charger (not shown). The photosensitive drum 41 is rotatable about a first axis X1 extending in the axial direction. The four photosensitive drums 41 are arranged in an orthogonal direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "orthogonal direction") that is orthogonal to the axial direction and the up-down direction. The frame 42 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 41. Each drum cartridge 40 is independently attachable and detachable in the axial direction to the main body housing 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 42 has a slit 47. The slit 47 penetrates the frame 42. Laser light emitted from an exposure device SU (described later) passes through the slit 47 and is emitted to the surface of the photosensitive drum 41.

Returning to FIG. 1, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, the drum cartridge 40 is aligned with the developing cartridge 50 in the perpendicular direction.

Each of the developing cartridges 50 contains a different color of toner. Each of the developing cartridges 50 has a developing roller 51 and a developing housing 52. The developing roller 51 is rotatable about a second axis X2 that extends in the axial direction. The developing housing 52 contains toner. The four developing rollers 51 are arranged in an orthogonal direction. Each of the developing cartridges 50 can be independently attached to and detached from the main housing 2 in the axial direction.

The exposure unit SU is located below each drum cartridge 40. The exposure unit SU emits laser light (not shown) to each photosensitive drum 41.

The transfer unit 60 is located between the four photoconductor drums 41 and the discharge section 20. The transfer unit 60 includes a drive roller 61, a driven roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt 63, four primary transfer rollers 64, and a secondary transfer roller 65.

The intermediate transfer belt 63 is an endless belt. When the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, the intermediate transfer belt 63 is located above the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50. When the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, the intermediate transfer belt 63 comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The intermediate transfer belt 63 is stretched between the drive roller 61 and the driven roller 62.

The primary transfer roller 64 is located inside the intermediate transfer belt 63. The primary transfer roller 64 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 63 between itself and the photosensitive drum 41.

The secondary transfer roller 65 is located outside the intermediate transfer belt 63. The secondary transfer roller 65 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 63 between itself and the drive roller 61.

The fixing unit 70 is located above the intermediate transfer belt 63. The fixing unit 70 includes a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72. The pressure roller 72 is pressed against the heating roller 71.

In the image forming unit 4, first, the surface of the photoconductor drum 41 is charged by the charger. Then, the exposure device SU exposes the surface of the photoconductor drum 41 to light. This forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 41.

Next, the developing roller 51 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 41. This forms a toner image on the photoreceptor drum 41. The toner image on the photoreceptor drum 41 is then transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 63.

When the sheet S passes between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the secondary transfer roller 65, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 63 is transferred onto the sheet S. The toner image on the sheet S is then fixed by the fixing unit 70. The sheet S is then discharged to the discharge section 20 by the discharge roller 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body housing 2 has a first end surface 21, a second end surface 22, a slot 23, and a cover 24.

The first end face 21 is a surface located at one end of the main housing 2 in the axial direction. The second end face 22 is a surface located at the other end of the main housing 2 in the axial direction. The second end face 22 is a surface facing the first end face 21 in the axial direction.

The slot 23 extends from the first end surface 21 toward the second end surface 22. The slot 23 allows the drum cartridge 40 to be attached and detached in the axial direction, and allows the developer cartridge 50 to be attached and detached in the axial direction. The slot 23 has an opening 23A for attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 40 and the developer cartridge.

The cover 24 is a member for opening and closing the opening 23A of the slot 23.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drum cartridge 40 has a first handle 43A. The first handle 43A is located on the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The first handle 43A has a rectangular plate shape. The first handle 43A is located a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The drum cartridge 40 further has a first connecting portion 43B. The first connecting portion 43B connects the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction to one end of the first handle 43A.

The first handle 43A has a first opening 45. The first opening 45 is an opening located between the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction and the first handle 43A. The first opening 45 is open at least on the first axis X1 side in the direction D1 (see FIG. 5) in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned. In this embodiment, the first opening 45 is open in three directions. Specifically, the first opening 45 is open on the first axis X1 side (first opening 45A) and the second axis X2 side (first opening 45B) in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned, and in three directions downward (first opening 45C).

The first opening 45 allows the user's finger to be hooked. The user can insert his/her finger through the first opening 45 and pull the first handle 43A to pull out the drum cartridge 40 from the main body housing 2.

The developing cartridge 50 has a second handle 53A. The second handle 53A is located on the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction. The second handle 53A has a rectangular plate shape. The second handle 53A is located a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction. The developing cartridge 50 further has a second connecting portion 53B. The second connecting portion 53B connects the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction to one end of the second handle 53A.

The second handle 53A has a second opening 55. The second opening 55 is an opening located between the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction and the second handle 53A. In this embodiment, the second opening 55 is open in three directions. Specifically, the second opening 55 is open in three directions: the first axis X1 side (second opening 55A) and the second axis X2 side (second opening 55B) in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned, and downward (second opening 55C).

The second opening 55 allows the user's finger to be hooked. The user can insert his/her finger through the second opening 55 and pull the second handle 53A to pull out the developing cartridge 50 from the main body housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, the first handle 43A and the second handle 53A are exposed from the slot 23. Also, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, the second handle 53A is located farther from the second end face 22 in the axial direction than the first handle 43A. At least a part of the first handle 43A and at least a part of the second handle 53A are aligned in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the first handle 43A and a part of the second handle 53A overlap when viewed in the axial direction.

Next, we will explain how to install and remove the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2 and the cover 24 is opened, the first handle 43A and the second handle 53A are exposed from the slot 23.

6A, when removing the developing cartridge 50 from the main body housing 2, the user inserts his/her finger into the second opening 55 and pulls the second handle 53A of the developing cartridge 50. Then, only the developing cartridge 50 is removed from the main body housing 2 without removing the drum cartridge 40.
In this manner, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, when the second handle 53A is pulled out axially from the main body housing 2, only the developing cartridge 50 is removed from the main body housing 2.

When removing the drum cartridge 40 from the main body housing 2, the user inserts his/her finger into the first opening 45 and pulls the first handle 43A of the drum cartridge 40, as shown in Fig. 6(b). This causes the first handle 43A to come into contact with the second handle 53A. When the user further pulls the first handle 43A after the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A, the first handle 43A pushes the second handle 53A, and the developing cartridge 50 is pulled out of the main body housing 2 together with the drum cartridge 40.
In this manner, when the first handle 43A is pulled out in the axial direction from the main body housing 2 with the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 attached to the main body housing 2, the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A. When the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A, the drum cartridge 40 is pulled out in the axial direction from the main body housing 2, and the developing cartridge 50 is also pulled out in the axial direction from the main body housing 2.

When installing the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 in the main body housing 2, it is recommended that the drum cartridge 40 be inserted into the main body housing 2 first.

As described above, with the image forming device 1, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, the second handle 53A is located farther from the second end surface 22 in the axial direction than the first handle 43A. This makes it easier to remove the developing cartridge 50 from the main body housing 2 before the drum cartridge 40.

At least a part of the first handle 43A and at least a part of the second handle 53A are aligned in the axial direction. When the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2, if the second handle 53A is pulled out in the axial direction from the main housing 2, only the developing cartridge 50 is removed from the main housing 2. When the first handle 43A is pulled out in the axial direction from the main housing 2, the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A. This encourages the user to remove the developing cartridge 50 before the drum cartridge 40.

When the first handle 43A is pulled out in the axial direction from the main housing 2, the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A, and the drum cartridge 40 is pulled out in the axial direction from the main housing 2, and the developing cartridge 50 is also pulled out in the axial direction from the main housing 2. Therefore, by pulling out the first handle 43A, both the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 can be pulled out from the main housing 2.

The first handle 43A also has a first opening 45 that opens on the first axis X1 side in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned. Therefore, even when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, the developing cartridge 50 does not get in the way, and the user can easily hook their finger on the first opening 45.

Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components that have substantially the same structure as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the drum cartridge 140 in the second embodiment has a first handle 143A. The first handle 143A is located a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The drum cartridge 140 further has a first connecting portion 143B. The first connecting portion 143B connects the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction to the first handle 143A. The first connecting portion 143B connects one end of the first handle 143A to the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The first connecting portion 143B also connects the other end of the first handle 143A to the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction.

The developing cartridge 150 has a second handle 153A. The second handle 153A is located a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction. The developing cartridge 150 further has a second connecting portion 153B. The second connecting portion 153B connects one end of the second handle 153A to the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction.

All of the first handle 143A is aligned with at least a portion of the second handle 153A in the axial direction. When viewed from the cover 24 side (one end side in the axial direction), all of the first handle 143A overlaps with at least a portion of the second handle 153A.

The first handle 143A has a first opening 145. The first opening 145 allows the user's finger to be hooked. The first opening 145 is open in two directions. Specifically, the first opening 145 is open on the first axis X1 side (first opening 145A) and the second axis X2 side (first opening 145B) in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned.

When removing only the developing cartridge 150 from the main body housing 2, the user inserts his/her finger through the second opening 155 and pulls the second handle 153A of the developing cartridge 150, as shown in FIG. 9. This removes only the developing cartridge 150 from the main body housing 2, without removing the drum cartridge 140.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when attempting to remove the drum cartridge 140 from the main body housing 2, the user will remove the developing cartridge 150 before the drum cartridge 140 because the first handle 143A is not visible.

According to the second embodiment described above, the user can be prompted to remove the developer cartridge 150 before the drum cartridge 140.

The first handle 143A also has a first opening 145 that opens on the second axis X2 side in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned. In other words, since this first opening 145 opens on the developer cartridge 150 side, it is easy for the user to insert their finger after removing the developer cartridge 150.

Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components that have substantially the same structure as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the drum cartridge 240 in the third embodiment has a first handle 243A. The first handle 243A is located a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The drum cartridge 240 further has a first connecting portion 243B. The first connecting portion 243B connects one end of the first handle 243A to the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction.

The first handle 243A has a first opening 245. The first opening 245 is located between the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction and the first handle 243A. When the drum cartridge 240 is attached to the main body housing 2, the first opening 245 is open at least upward. And, when the drum cartridge 240 is attached to the main body housing 2, the first opening 245 is not open downward. Specifically, the first opening 245 is open in three directions. Specifically, the first opening 245 is open on the first axis X1 side (first opening 245A) and the second axis X2 side (first opening 245B) of the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned, and in three directions upward (first opening 245C).

The drum cartridge 240 has a first opening 245 that opens upward and does not open downward, so that when a user's finger is caught on the first handle 243A, the drum cartridge 40 is prevented from being pushed upward. This prevents the photosensitive drum 41 from coming into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 63.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the gripping parts and connecting parts constituting the first handle and the second handle have a rectangular plate shape, but each gripping part and each connecting part do not have to be rectangular or plate shaped.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming device 1 is a color printer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to other image forming devices, such as monochrome printers, copiers, and multifunction devices.

The elements described in the above embodiments and variations may be implemented in any combination.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body housing 20 Discharge section 21 First end surface 22 Second end surface 23 Slot 24 Cover 40 Drum cartridge 41 Photosensitive drum 42 Frame 43A First handle 45 First opening 50 Development cartridge 51 Development roller 52 Development housing 53A Second handle 55 Second opening 63 Intermediate transfer belt X1 First shaft X2 Second shaft

Claims (12)

A drum cartridge,
a photoconductor drum rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction;
a charger for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum;
a frame that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum;
a first handle located on an outer surface of the frame in the axial direction; and
A developing cartridge,
a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction;
a developing housing capable of accommodating toner;
a second handle located on an outer surface of the developing housing in the axial direction , the second handle being located alongside the first handle in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the up-down direction ;
A developing cartridge having
a main body housing having a first end face in the axial direction and a second end face facing the first end face in the axial direction, the main body housing having a slot extending in the axial direction between the first end face and the second end face, the slot allowing the drum cartridge to be attached and detached in the axial direction and allowing the developing cartridge to be attached and detached in the axial direction;
Equipped with
When the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing, the first handle and the second handle are exposed from the slot,
when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing, the second handle is located farther from the second end surface in the axial direction than the first handle,
the first handle has a first opening that opens at least downward when the drum cartridge is attached to the slot,
the second handle has a second opening that opens at least downward when the developing cartridge is attached to the slot,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the slot, the length of the second handle in the perpendicular direction is longer than the length of the first handle in the perpendicular direction, and the lower end of the second handle is positioned lower than the lower end of the first handle . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first opening does not open upward when the drum cartridge is installed in the slot. 3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the first opening opens toward the first axis in a direction in which the first axis and the second axis are aligned when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the slot . 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second opening does not open upward when the developing cartridge is attached to the slot. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an intermediate transfer belt located above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing, the intermediate transfer belt coming into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a discharge section, which is located above the intermediate transfer belt and through which the sheet is discharged. A plurality of drum cartridges,
a photoconductor drum rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction;
a frame that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum;
a first handle located on an outer surface of the frame in the axial direction; and
A plurality of developer cartridges,
a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction;
a developing housing capable of accommodating toner;
a second handle located on an outer surface of the developing housing in the axial direction , the second handle being located alongside the first handle in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the up-down direction ;
A plurality of developing cartridges each having
a main body housing having a first end surface in the axial direction and a second end surface facing the first end surface in the axial direction, the main body housing having a slot extending in the axial direction between the first end surface and the second end surface, the slot allowing the drum cartridge to be attached and detached in the axial direction and allowing the developing cartridge to be attached and detached in the axial direction;
Equipped with
the first handle and the second handle are exposed from the slot when the drum cartridges and the developing cartridges are attached to the main body housing;
when the drum cartridges and the developing cartridges are attached to the main body housing, the second handle is located farther from the second end surface in the axial direction than the first handle ,
the first handle has a first opening that opens at least downward when the drum cartridge is attached to the slot,
the second handle has a second opening that opens at least downward when the developing cartridge is attached to the slot,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the slot, the length of the second handle in the perpendicular direction is longer than the length of the first handle in the perpendicular direction, and the lower end of the second handle is positioned lower than the lower end of the first handle . 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the first opening does not open upward when a plurality of the drum cartridges are installed in the slot. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the first opening opens on the side of the first axis in the direction in which the adjacent first axis and the second axis are aligned when a plurality of the drum cartridges and a plurality of the developing cartridges are installed in the slot. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the second opening does not open upward when the plurality of developer cartridges are attached to the slot. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising an intermediate transfer belt located above the plurality of drum cartridges and the plurality of developing cartridges when the plurality of drum cartridges and the plurality of developing cartridges are mounted in the main housing, the intermediate transfer belt coming into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum when the plurality of drum cartridges and the plurality of developing cartridges are mounted in the main housing. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising a discharge section, which is located above the intermediate transfer belt and through which the sheet is discharged.

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