JPS6148152B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a process unit having an image carrier and a process means that acts on the image carrier, and an image forming apparatus using the unit.

Hereinafter, an electrophotographic copying machine will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in electrophotographic copying machines, the photosensitive drums are often removed or loaded using the drum shaft in the axial direction because it is easier to replace the photosensitive drums and to improve accuracy. . In addition, after the photosensitive drum is loaded into the copying machine main body, the drum is prevented from slipping out of the main body, the axial position of the photosensitive drum is regulated, and the center is used to accurately determine the position of the photosensitive drum with respect to the optical system. A deciding board is used. In addition, around the photosensitive drum, various components such as a developing device, a cleaner, a transfer paper conveyance guide, or a separation device for separating the transfer paper from the photosensitive drum may be installed near the drum or on the drum, depending on the process conditions. It is placed in contact with the Therefore, when the photosensitive drum is inserted or removed from the main body for attachment/detachment, it is necessary to release each of these members so as to move away from the photosensitive drum. If the photosensitive drum is attached or removed without releasing each of these members, there is a risk of scratching the surface of the photosensitive drum or, conversely, damaging each member.

Conventionally, therefore, an operation member for releasing each member is disposed in front of the above-mentioned centering plate to prevent the centering plate from coming off unless each member is released, thereby preventing malfunction. Although it is possible to prevent malfunctions in this case, the operation when replacing the photosensitive drum is very cumbersome as each member must be released and the centering plate removed before the drum can be attached or detached. . In addition, in order to prevent malfunctions, the operating members for releasing each member have been enlarged and placed on the centering plate removal path, but this has resulted in an increase in the number of parts.

By the way, recently, as shown in the specification of USP. 3985436, for example, a photosensitive drum, a developer, a cleaner, a charger, etc. are integrated as one process unit, and when the photosensitive drum is replaced, they are replaced at the same time. An image forming apparatus that can be stored away has been proposed. In the case of such an apparatus, there is no need to release the developing device or cleaner when replacing the photosensitive drum. However, it is difficult to integrate the transfer paper conveyance guide with the process unit from the viewpoint of jam removal, etc., and it is necessary to release it from the vicinity of the photosensitive drum when replacing the process unit, as in the past. Therefore, this image forming apparatus also has the above-mentioned problems.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to facilitate the operation when replacing an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with excellent operability without fear of erroneous operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can accurately position sheet guide means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the process unit is unlocked when the main body is split open.

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to Examples.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a main body of a copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a document mounting table made of a transparent member such as glass, which reciprocates on a rail R in the direction of arrow a. Reference numeral 2 denotes a short focus and small diameter imaging element array, in which an original image O placed on the original table 1 is irradiated by an illumination lamp L, and the reflected light image is projected onto the photosensitive drum 3 by this array 2. slit exposure. Note that this drum 3 has a circumferential surface covered with a photosensitive layer 3a, and rotates in the direction of arrow b around a shaft 3b. A charger 4 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 3 coated with, for example, a zinc oxide photosensitive layer 3a. Photosensitive drum 3 uniformly charged by this charger 4
Image exposure is performed by the element array 2,
An electrostatic image corresponding to the original image O is formed. Next, this electrostatic image is visualized by a developing device 5 consisting of a magnet roller 5a and a toner reservoir 5b.
Thereafter, this visible image is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer discharge device 6. Further, residual toner on the photosensitive drum 3 is cleaned by a cleaner 7. This cleaner 7 includes a rubber blade 7a and a toner reservoir 7b.

Note that the sheet P is fed by upper and lower paper feed rollers 8a,
8b and guide 34, and upper and lower registration rollers 9a and 9b that rotate in time to register with the image on the photosensitive drum 3, transfer the upper transfer guide 10 and lower transfer guide 11 in the direction of the drum 3.
They are sent there while being guided by. Then, the sheet P is fed into contact with the drum 3.
The toner image is transferred while being separated from the drum 3 by the separation belt 12 on one side line during transfer,
After the transfer, the belt 12 guides the image away from the photosensitive drum 3. Then, the sheet P guided in the direction away from the drum 3 is separated from the drum 3 by being held and conveyed by a rotating separation roller 12a and a roller 12b that rotates following the separation roller 12a. That is, the sheet P is separated by the separation belt 12, the separation roller 12a, and the separation roller 12.
It is separated from the circumferential surface of the drum 3 by a separating means S having a.

Further, the sheet P separated from the drum 3 is guided by a guide 13 to a fixing device 14, and after the toner image on the sheet P is fixed, the discharge roller 1
5 to the outside of the copying machine main body C. In addition,
T is a tray.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a housing of the process unit U, on which the photosensitive drum 3, charger 4, developer 5, cleaner 7, upper transfer guide 10, etc. are attached, and constitutes the process unit U. This process unit U has sliding parts l 3 , _{l 4 in} a housing 16 that can freely slide on rails l ₁ , l ₂ on the side of the upper main body C1 of the copying machine, and these sliding parts l ₃ , l ₄ slides on the rails _l1 and _l2 , and the unit U can be attached to and detached from the main body of the copying machine. When the unit U reaches a predetermined loading position in the main body of the copying machine, it is positioned and fixed by a locking means to be described later.

Here, the separation belt 12 applies a certain tension between a separation belt hanger 20 fixed at a side end of the lower transfer guide 11 at a position that does not interfere with conveyance of the sheet and a shaft 21 fixed to the lower main body C2. It is attached via a spring 22 for giving. Therefore, as will be described later, the separation belt 12 is moved from the drum 3 from the operating state in which it is in contact with the photosensitive drum 3 as shown in FIG. It is possible to be in a remote evacuation state.

Now, the lower transfer guide 11 guides the sheet P so that it comes into uniform contact with the drum 3, and also prevents the toner image from scattering when the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 is transferred onto the sheet P. In order to
They are provided on the C2 side of the lower body of the copying machine at intervals of 2 mm. Therefore, if an attempt is made to attach or detach the drum with the lower transfer guide 11 loaded in a predetermined position, the drum 3 will be damaged.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower transfer guide 11 is provided so as to be rotatable around the shaft 17 of the lower registration roller 9b, and the lower transfer guide 11 is clockwise controlled by a cam 19 via a plate spring 18 attached to the lower transfer guide 11. A force is applied to the lower transfer guide 11 to rotate in the direction. The position of the lower guide 11 relative to the photosensitive drum 3 is regulated by abutting the leading end 11a of the lower transfer guide 11 against both ends 16a of the housing 16 of the process unit U. The cam 19 is rotatable around the shaft 23, and by rotating the cam 19 clockwise as shown in FIG. 2, the lower transfer guide 11 is rotated counterclockwise around the shaft 17. It is configured so that it can be rotated in the direction, separated from the drum 3, and lowered to a position that does not affect the attachment and detachment of the drum.

Here, the supported state of the lower transfer guide 11 will be shown using FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the state in which the lower transfer guide 11 is supported.

In the figure, the shaft 17 of the lower registration roller 9b is
It is rotatably supported on the main body side plate 30 via a sliding bearing 31, and is driven by a gear 32 from a drive source (not shown). The lower transfer guide 11 is rotatably engaged with the outer periphery of the slide bearing 31, and is rotatable about the shaft 17 of the lower registration roller 9b. In addition, 12 is a separation belt, 20 is a separation belt hook, and 26 is a cut-and-raised part, all of which will be described later. Therefore, rotating the lower transfer guide 11 coaxially with the lower registration roller 9b by rotating the cam 19 can avoid interference with the registration roller when releasing the lower transfer guide, and can also reduce the size of the device. is also valid. Moreover, in the embodiment, the positioning of the lower guide 11 is performed by abutting the tip end 11a of the lower guide 11 against the contact portion integrated with the drum 3, that is, the both end portions 16a of the casing 16 of the unit U. Therefore, the distance between the lower guide 11 and the drum 3 can be precisely positioned. Further, simply by rotating the cam 19, the lower guide 11 and the separation belt 12 can be linked to be positioned at a predetermined position or released from this predetermined position.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in conjunction with the operation of the cam 19, the process unit U is locked to or unlocked from a predetermined loading position of the apparatus main body. That is, the setting or unsetting of the lower transfer guide 11 to the operating position and the locking or unlocking of the process unit U to the predetermined position of the apparatus main body are simultaneously performed in conjunction with each other.

This will be explained below using FIG. 4.

First, the loading operation of the process unit U into the main body will be explained.

In the figure, the process unit U is attached and detached in the direction of arrow A in the figure by opening the main body front cover 28 by rotating it around the hinge 28a. Also 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes an operating lever that is fixed integrally with a shaft 23, and a cam 19 is fixed to this shaft 23.
Furthermore, 29 is a handle of the process unit U.
Further, 25 is a groove provided in the casing 16 of the process unit U, and is provided so as to fit into the cut and raised portions 26 provided at both ends of the lower transfer guide 11.

Therefore, when the process unit U is first mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the cam 19 is rotated together with the shaft 23 by rotating the operating lever 24 clockwise and tilting it down. As a result, the leaf spring 18, which had been pushed up by the cam 19, descends. Therefore, the lower transfer guide 11 rotates downward due to its own weight along with this plate spring 18, and as it does so, the cut and raised portion 26
5 and retreats to the release position where the lock to the main body of the unit U is released.
At the same time, the separation belt 12 also lowers and retreats from the operating position, moving the process unit U to the sliding section on the main body side.
Slide on l ₁ and l ₂ to be able to insert it into the main body. After the process unit U is mounted by pushing the sliding parts l ₁ and l ₂ into the main body's predetermined loading position, the cam 19 pushes up the leaf spring 18 by rotating the operating lever 24 clockwise to raise it. The lower transfer guide 11 is set at the transfer paper guide position (that is, the operating position), and the separation belt 12 also comes into contact with the drum 3. At this time, the raised portion 26 provided on the lower transfer guide 11 is also raised together with the lower transfer guide 11, and is fitted into the groove 25 of the process unit U, thereby locking the process unit U so that it does not come off from the main body. The cut and raised portion 26 is located away from the paper path, and the cut and raised portion 26 may be located on the front side or only on either side. Further, the cut and raised portion 26 may be a protrusion such as a dowel.

Furthermore, when removing the unit U from the main body, by rotating the operating lever 24 clockwise, the lock of the unit U is released and the lower transfer guide 11 is retracted below the separation belt 12 as described above. Therefore, the unit U can be easily extracted from the main body.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, the transport guide can be released and the process unit fixed to the main body can be released at the same time, so if the process unit is attached or removed without accidentally releasing the transport section, Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with excellent operability without the risk of malfunction. Furthermore, the separating means is also attached to and detached from the photosensitive drum at the same time, and if the developing device and cleaner are installed in the process unit, there is no need to release these units, so just releasing the conveyance section is enough to complete the process in one operation. The process unit can be attached and detached. On the other hand, when the transport section is set, the process unit can be fixed at the same time, so the operation when replacing the process unit can be made extremely simple with a simple mechanism, making it possible to create an image forming apparatus with excellent operability. can be provided. In addition, by fixing the upper transfer guide to the process unit and positioning the lower transfer guide using a positioning member on the process unit side, it is possible to easily position these transport guides with respect to the photosensitive drum. I can do it.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the main body of the device is divided into an upper main body C1 and a lower main body C2 in order to facilitate maintenance, and can be opened into upper and lower main bodies around a shaft 27. It is. Note that 33 is a push-up spring that pushes up the main body C1 when opened. Then, the process unit U is attached to the upper main body C1, and the lower transfer guide 11 is attached to the upper body C1.
and the separation means S such as the separation belt 12 are connected to the lower main body C.
It is provided in 2. Note that the upper and lower paper feed rollers 8
a, 8b and upper and lower registration rollers 9a, 9b,
Both are divided into an upper main body C1 and a lower main body C2.
This facilitates jam processing by opening the main body vertically with the transfer paper transport path as a boundary. Although the drum 3 and the lower transfer guide 11 are thus separated into the upper main body C1 and the lower main body C2, by positioning the lower transfer guide 11 in relation to the process unit U as in this embodiment, Accuracy can be easily achieved compared to the case where the lower transfer guide 11 is positioned and fixed within the lower main body C2. Furthermore, by providing the upper transfer guide 10 integrally with the process unit U, it is possible to improve accuracy, and there is no need to release it when attaching or detaching the process unit, making it possible to easily remove jams. . Moreover, by opening the main bodies C1 and C2, the unit U rotates upward, so that the housing 16
The groove 25 provided in the lower guide 11 is disengaged from the cut-and-raised portion 26 of the lower guide 11, and the unit U is moved to the sliding portion l ₁ ,
l It can be removed by sliding on ₂ .

That is, when the upper main body C1 and the lower main body C2 are opened, the lock to the main body of the unit U is released.

Now, other embodiments are shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the main body C of the copying machine.
7 is a sectional view of the main body of the copying machine shown in FIG. 6 when opened, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the unit seen from below. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a document mounting table made of a transparent member such as glass, which reciprocates on a rail R in the direction of arrow a. Reference numeral 2 designates a short-focus, small-diameter imaging element array, in which an original image O placed on the original placing table 1 is irradiated by an illumination lamp L, and the reflected light image is projected onto the photosensitive drum 3 by this array 2. Slit exposure. Note that this photosensitive drum 3 rotates in the direction of arrow b around a shaft 3b. Further, 4 is a charger, for example, a zinc oxide photosensitive layer or an organic semiconductor photosensitive layer 3.
The photosensitive drum 3 coated with a and the like is uniformly charged. The drum 3, which is uniformly charged by the charger 4, is subjected to image exposure by the element array 2 to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is then visualized by a developing device 5 consisting of a magnet roller 5a and a toner reservoir 5b. On the other hand, cassette S
The sheet P stored in the feed roller 35
and upper and lower registration rollers 36a, which rotate in time to synchronize with the image on the photosensitive drum 3.
36b onto the drum 3. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer discharger 37. after that,
The sheet P separated from the drum 3 by the separating means S (for example, a separating belt B having both ends fixed to the lower body C1 side as shown in the figure or a separating corona discharger) is separated by a guide 38 and a pinch roller 38a. After the toner image on the sheet P is fixed thereon by the fixing device 14, the sheet P is discharged onto the tray 41 by the discharge roller 15. Note that after transferring the toner image,
The residual toner on the drum 3 is removed by a cleaner 7. This cleaner 7 consists of a blade 7a and a toner reservoir 7b. Further, 50a is a separation roller, and 50b is a driven roller. Furthermore, F is
It is a heat ray absorption filter. Further, 45 is a slit opening for guiding the original image to the surface of the drum 3.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 3, the charger 4, the developing device 5, the cleaner 7, and the filter 51 disposed around the photosensitive drum 3 are integrally surrounded by a frame 52a serving as a light-shielding wall. and constitutes a process unit 52. This process unit 52 is provided so that it can be inserted into and removed from the main body C in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 3 when the main body is split open as described later. Sliding parts l ₃ and l ₄ of the frame 52a of the process unit 52 are engaged with and guided by l ₁ and l ₂ . Although the frame 52a is made of black rigid plastic, it is not limited to this and may be made of metal or wood.

Now, as shown in FIG. 7, this copying machine C is divided into an upper main body C1 and a lower main body C2, which are coupled by a support shaft 53 so as to be separable. It is configured to rotate. In this upper main body C1, an array 2 and a lamp L as an illumination optical system, and process means such as a photosensitive drum 3, a developing device 5, and a cleaner 7 are arranged. Further, a feeding roller 3 is provided in the lower main body C2.
5. A transfer discharger 37, a separation means S, a guide 38, a fixing device 14, etc. are arranged on the sheet conveyance path. Then, by rotating the upper main body C1 upward, the sheet conveyance path is opened.

Here, in this embodiment, the registration rollers 36a,
An upper guide 54a and a lower guide 54b that guide the sheet P, which is sent out in synchronization with the image on the drum 3 by the drum 36b, toward the drum 3 are connected to the lower main body C.
It is provided in 2. This lower guide 54b is connected to the shaft 3 of the lower registration roller 36b, as in the previous embodiment.
It is also rotatably attached to 6c. This lower guide 54b is attached to a leaf spring 55 from the back side.
is applied with an upward rotational force. When the upper main body C1 and the lower main body C2 are in a closed state, that is, in a state where copying is possible, the lower guide 54b is supported by the spring 55.
Due to the elastic force, both corners 56a, 56b of the tip of the lower guide 54b are pressed against the lower side plates (contact parts) 57a, 57 on the back and front sides of the housing 52a of the unit 52.
It is positioned by hitting b (Fig. 8). In addition, in FIG. 8, 66 is a connector, which is provided on the side plate 57c on the back side. Further, the leaf spring 55 is attached to a base 67.

Here, from the axis of the drum shaft 3b, the lower guide 54
If R is the distance to the lower side plates 57a, 57b, that is, the abutting part, where b hits, then R = radius r of the drum 3 + gap g between the lower guide 54b and the drum 3, and the distance R is set so that the gap g is optimal. You can choose as appropriate.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper guide 54a is fixed to the lower guide 54b at both ends thereof. Therefore, by accurately positioning the gap between the lower guide 54b and the drum 3 by the abutting portions 57a and 57b that are integral with the drum 3, the upper guide 54a is also positioned accurately.

Next, a case will be described in which the main body C is opened for maintenance such as drum removal or jamming.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper main body C1 is rotated upward about the shaft 53. Then, unit 52
The contact parts 57a and 57b provided in the lower guide 5
4b, the lower guide 54b rotates upward within the elastic range of the leaf spring 55 and remains at a fixed position (FIG. 7). As a result, the main body C is opened across the transport path of the sheet P, making maintenance and the like easier.

Moreover, when closing the main body C, when the upper main body C1 is pushed down, the contact portions 57a and 57b of the upper main body C1 are pressed down.
comes into contact with both corners 56a, 56b of the lower guide and pushes it down against the elastic force of the leaf spring 55, and the upper body C1 and the lower body C2 are locked in a predetermined position by the locking means 65. , the gap between the circumferential surface of the drum 3 and the tip of the lower guide 54b can be maintained with high precision.

Note that 60 is a cover that shields and protects the exposed surface of the drum 3 from light, and is provided integrally with and below the process unit 52. This cover 6
0 is made of the same black rigid plastic as the frame 52a, for example, ABS resin, and has a curved shape to shield the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 from light and prevent damage such as scratches.

In addition, in the first embodiment described, a fixing member provided integrally with the lower transfer guide was used as a method of fixing the process unit, but in addition to this, it is also possible to fix the process unit using an operating lever for releasing the transfer guide. It is possible. Further, in the first embodiment described, the separation belt is also released, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second embodiment may be used, for example.

Further, in this example, an example was shown in which an organic semiconductor photosensitive layer or a zinc oxide photosensitive layer was provided as an image carrier, but it is clear that the present invention is not limited to this, and other photosensitive layers can also be used. It is. Further, the shape is not limited to a drum shape, and may be, for example, an endless belt suspended on pulleys.

Further, the present invention is not limited to magnetic brush development, and for example, development methods such as cascade development, fur brush development, and powder cloud development can be applied.

Further, the cleaning method is not limited to blade cleaning, and fur brush cleaning, roller cleaning, web cleaning, etc. can be applied.

Further, the imaging element is not limited to a short focus and small diameter imaging element array, and may be, for example, a normal lens or a bar lens.

Furthermore, the process for forming an image is not limited in any way; for example, the Carlson method, NP
Method (USP.3666363) or PLP method can also be applied.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the photosensitive drum, a developing device, a cleaner, a charger, etc. are integrated into the process unit as process means.
The invention is not limited thereto either. for example,
As schematically shown in FIGS. 10A to 10F, the array 2 as a process means, the charger 4, the developer 5, and the cleaner 7 may be integrated with the photosensitive drum 3 (10 Figure A). Furthermore, the separating means B may be integrated (FIG. 10B), the developing device 5 and the photosensitive drum 3 (FIG. 10E), the cleaner 7 and the photosensitive drum 3 (FIG. 10D),
The charging device 4, the developing device 5, and the photosensitive drum 3 (FIG. 10E), or the charging device 4, the cleaner 7, and the photosensitive drum 3 (FIG. 10F) may be integrated. As described above, the image carrier is the photosensitive drum 3.
It is not limited to. That is, the process unit 52 only needs to integrally include part or all of the image carrier and the process means. In this embodiment, the process means that act on the image carrier include an array 2, a charger 4, a developer 5, and a transfer discharger 3.
7, separation means S, cleaner 7, etc.
Although FIGS. 10A to 10F show an example in which a cover 60 is illustrated, the cover 60 is not essential as it may be provided as appropriate depending on the properties of the photosensitive layer.
Also, the process means held in the unit are
Each may be detachable from the unit.

As described above, the present invention improves the operability of a process unit having an image carrier and a process means that acts on the image carrier, and an image forming apparatus using the unit. Furthermore, the present invention
Since the contact part is provided on the support means that supports the image carrier and the process means so as to come into contact with the positioning part of the movable transfer material guide provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily position the transfer material guide on the image carrier. There is no need for the parts to come into contact with each other. Further, in the present invention, since the process unit has a transfer material guide section that guides the transfer material to the transfer section, once the process unit is positioned at the time of loading, the position of the transfer material guide section is determined and the transfer material is reliably delivered to the transfer section. It is something that can be guided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of a copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lower transfer guide, and FIG. 4 is a side view showing the loading state of the unit.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the main body of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 in an open state, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a copying machine to which another embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the unit seen from below, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the transfer guide, and FIGS. 10A to 10F are schematic views of the unit. In the figure, 10...transfer guide, 11...
Lower transfer guide, 12... Separation belt, 16... Process unit housing, 20... Separation belt hook, 17... Shaft, 18... Leaf spring, 19... Cam, 24... Operating lever, 26... ...Cut-and-raised part, 5
2... Process unit, 54a... Upper guide,
54b...lower guide, 55...spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transfer guide having a guide position for guiding the transfer material to the transfer section and a non-guidance position different from this guide position, and having a positioning section for positioning the transfer material at the guide position. A process unit detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus comprises: a photoconductor having an electrophotographic photoconductor layer; a process means acting on the photoconductor for performing at least one step of an electrophotographic process; the photoconductor and A process unit comprising: support means for supporting a process means; and an abutment part that abuts the positioning part. 2. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the process means includes a developing device. 3. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the process means includes a charger. 4. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein said process means includes a short focus, small diameter imaging element array. 5. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the process means includes a cleaner. 6. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the process means includes separation means. 7. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the process means includes a transfer discharger. 8. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the support means is a housing. 9 For an image forming apparatus main body having a transfer guide having a guide position for guiding a transfer material to a transfer section and a non-guidance position different from this guide position, and having a positioning section for positioning the transfer material at the above-mentioned guide position. A removable process unit includes a photoreceptor having an electrophotographic photoreceptor layer, a process means for acting on the photoreceptor for performing at least one step of an electrophotographic process, and a support for supporting the photoreceptor and the process means. A process unit comprising: means; an abutting portion that abuts the positioning portion; and a unit-side transfer guide portion that guides the transfer material to the transfer portion. 10 An image forming apparatus having a transfer guide having a guide position for guiding a transfer material to a transfer section and a non-guidance position different from this guide position, and having a positioning section for positioning the transfer material at the guide position, A photoreceptor having an electrophotographic photoreceptor layer, a process means that acts on the photoreceptor for performing at least one step of an electrophotographic process, a support means that supports the photoreceptor and the process means, and a positioning section. The image forming apparatus has a process unit loading section provided at a predetermined position within the main body of the image forming apparatus that removably holds a process unit having an abutting part that makes contact with the process unit, and the abutting part provided on the process unit contacts the positioning part. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the transfer guide is positioned in contact with the predetermined guide position. 11. An image forming apparatus having a transfer guide having a guide position for guiding a transfer material to a transfer section and a non-guidance position different from this guide position, and having a positioning section for positioning the transfer material at the guide position, A photoreceptor having an electrophotographic photoreceptor layer, a process means acting on the photoreceptor for performing at least one step of an electrophotographic process, a support means for supporting the photoreceptor and the process means, and a support means provided on the support means. a process unit loading section provided at a predetermined position within the main body of the image forming apparatus that removably holds a process unit having a transfer guide section and a contact section that contacts the positioning section; When the part comes into contact with the positioning part, the transfer guide part provided on the support means of the process unit cooperates with the transfer guide provided in the main unit to guide the transfer material to the transfer part of the process unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by: 12. An image forming apparatus having a transfer guide having a guide position for guiding a transfer material to a transfer section and a non-guidance position different from this guide position, and having a positioning section for positioning the transfer material at the guide position, a housing for supporting the entire apparatus; a photoreceptor having an electrophotographic photoreceptor layer; a process means acting on the photoreceptor for performing at least one step of an electrophotographic process; and supporting the photoreceptor and the process means. A process unit loading section provided at a predetermined position in an image forming apparatus main body, which removably holds a process unit having a support means and an abutting section that abuts the positioning section; a casing that can be opened and closed with respect to a casing that is installed and supports the entire device; and when both casings are closed, a contact portion provided on the process unit abuts against a positioning portion, so that the transfer guide of the device main body is An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is positioned at a predetermined transfer material guide position. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the process means includes a developing device. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the process means includes a charger. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the process means includes a short focus, small diameter imaging element array. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the process means includes a cleaner. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processing means includes separation means. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the process means includes a transfer discharger. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the support means is a housing. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the transfer material guide is urged by an elastic member so as to be pressed from a non-guiding position toward a guiding position.