Patent Application
20170060081
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a detachable cartridge.
Description of the Related Art
There has conventionally been known a cartridge system image forming apparatus that uses electrophotographic image forming process, in which a photosensitive drum and a developing unit accommodating a developing roller that acts on the photosensitive drum and a developing agent (toner) are integrally formed.
There is also known a developing cartridge type system, that is configured just of a developing unit, separately from the photosensitive drum. According to these cartridge systems, maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be performed by the user him/herself, without having to depend on a field engineer for service.
Accordingly, these cartridge systems are in widespread use in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.
There also is known a technology configured where a supporting member detachably supporting a cartridge is provided, and exchanging work of cartridges can be performed by extracting the supporting member from within the main unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to a predetermined position. According to this technology, the user can easily perform replacement of developing agent.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-157135 describes providing an image exposing member, that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum and forms an electrostatic latent image, on a supporting member detachably supporting a cartridge. This proposes a technology to realize both reduction in retracting space of the image exposing member and ease of work of cartridge replacement by the user.
However, in the technology in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-157135, if the user erroneously attempts to mount a cartridge in a supporting member at a position different from the correct mounting position, there is a risk of the image exposing member and a frame making up the cartridge colliding. This can damage the image exposing member, and obstruct image forming.
Also, in the technology in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-157135, the user mounts the cartridge into the supporting member by sliding a rotating shaft of the cartridge along a guide groove within the supporting member. In a case where the user performs an action of rotating the cartridge on the rotating shaft, there is a risk of the cartridge and image exposing member colliding.
It has been found to be advantageous to avoid collision between an image exposing member and cartridge when mounting the cartridge within a supporting member having the image exposing member.
An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a cartridge having at least an image bearing member and a frame; a supporting member configured to move between an inside position situated inside a main unit of the image forming apparatus in a state of supporting the cartridge, and an outside position situated outside of the main unit of the image forming apparatus; a mounting portion provided to the supporting member, to which the cartridge is mountable from a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the image bearing member; an image exposing member provided to the mounting portion, configured to form a latent image on the image bearing member by emitting light from a light emitting surface toward the image bearing member; a guide portion provided to the supporting member, configured to engage the cartridge and guide the cartridge, to move the cartridge toward the mounting portion; and a regulating portion provided to the supporting member, configured to regulate the position of the regulated portion when the cartridge is at a position not engaged with the guide portion. The supporting member is configured with an upstream side of the light emitting surface being opened with regard to mounting the cartridge to the mounting portion in the mounting direction, and a gap is formed between the frame and the light emitting surface when the regulated portion is in contact with the regulating portion and the position of the regulated portion is being regulated.
An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a cartridge having a frame; a supporting member configured to move between an inside position situated inside a main unit of the image forming apparatus in a state of supporting the cartridge, and an outside position situated outside of the main unit of the image forming apparatus; a mounting portion provided to the supporting member, to which the cartridge is mountable from a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction; an image exposing member provided to the mounting portion, configured to form a latent image on the image bearing member; a rotation-regulated portion provided to the frame; and a rotation regulating portion provided to the mounting portion, configured to abut the rotation-regulated portion and position the rotational posture of the cartridge. After the rotation-regulated portion is regulated by the rotation regulating portion at the time of mounting the cartridge to the mounting portion, the frame and the image exposing member begin to overlap in the mounting direction of the cartridge.
Further embodiments, features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Various embodiments, features and aspects of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
A first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to
The image forming apparatus 100 main unit according to the present embodiment has process cartridges (hereinafter may be referred to simply as “cartridges”) of the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), as PY, PM, PC, and PK, respectively, arrayed in the horizontal direction which is the left-right direction in
The process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK may be described simply as process cartridge P, for the sake of brevity of description. This is true for other image forming process units as well.
Each process cartridge P has a photosensitive drum 1 serving as an image bearing member made up of an electrophotographic photosensitive member that is rotatably provided. Each photosensitive drum 1 is configured to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction in
The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a charging roller 2 serving as a charging unit besides the photosensitive drum 1, as an electrophotographic image forming process unit. Further provided is an LED (light emitting diode) unit 3 serving as an image exposing member.
Moreover, there are provided a developing unit 4, an intermediate transfer belt 5 serving as a transfer member, a primary transfer roller 12 serving as a primary transfer unit, and so forth. The charging roller 2 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.
The LED unit 3 serving as the image exposing member is configured having an LED head 3a and a supporting member 3b that fixes and supports the LED head 3a, as illustrated in
The LED head 3a is disposed below the photosensitive drum 1, so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, as illustrated in
Although description is made in the present embodiment regarding a case of using the LED unit 3 as an example of an image exposing member, other light emitting elements may be used, such as electro-luminescence (EL) elements, for example. EL is a phenomenon where light is emitted when electric energy is applied to matter and electrons go from the ground state to an excited state, and thereafter return to the ground state.
The control board 50 and LED head 3a are electrically connected by a cable 51, as illustrated in
The developing unit 4 illustrated in
Toner images formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 1 in the respective process cartridges are sequentially transferred onto the outer peripheral face of the intermediate transfer belt 5 rotating in the clockwise direction in
On the other hand, a recording medium S accommodated within a sheet cassette 17 is fed out by a sheet feed roller 18, and further are separated by cooperation of an unshown separating unit and fed one sheet at a time. The recording medium S then abuts against a nip portion of temporarily-stopped registration rollers 19. Skew is corrected by the stiffness strength of the recording medium S, and thereafter the recording medium S is conveyed to a secondary transfer nip portion formed between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and a secondary transfer roller 29 serving as a secondary transfer unit, at a predetermined timing.
The toner image that has been transferred onto the outer peripheral face of the intermediate transfer belt 5 by primary transfer is then subjected to secondary transfer onto the surface of the recording medium S being pinched and conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 5 and secondary transfer roller 29. This transfer is performed by secondary transfer bias voltage being applied to the secondary transfer roller 29 at the secondary transfer nip portion. Specific examples of the recording medium S include paper, overhead transparency (OHT) sheets used with overhead projectors (OHP), cloth, and so forth.
The image forming apparatus 100 further is provided with a cleaning device 6, serving as a cleaning unit that cleans toner 7 left remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after having transferred the toner image.
The photosensitive drum 1 is formed by an organic photoconductive (OPC) layer of an organic photoconductor coated on the outer peripheral face of an aluminum cylinder, for example. The photosensitive drum 1 has both ends thereof in the axial direction rotate supported by a bearing member omitted from illustration. A coupled member 47 illustrated in
The charging roller 2 according to the present embodiment is of a contact charging type. More specifically, the charging roller 2 is made up of an electroconductive material formed into a roller shape. The charging roller 2 comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Charging bias voltage is applied to the charging roller 2 from a charging bias power source omitted from illustration, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.
Cartridge
A rotatable conveyance member 48 is provided to each toner container 41. The conveyance member 48 stirs the toner 7 accommodated within the toner container 41, and also conveys the toner 7 toward a supply roller 43 provided at the upper portion of the toner container 41. The supply roller 43 supplies the toner 7 to a developing roller 40 serving as a developing agent bearing member, disposed facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.
The toner 7 within the toner container 41 is conveyed by the conveyance member 48 and fed to the supply roller 43. The toner 7 is applied onto the outer peripheral face of the developing roller 40 by the supply roller 43 and a developing blade 44 in pressure contact with the outer peripheral face of the developing roller 40. Further, the toner 7 is charged with a charge. Applying a developing bias voltage to the developing roller 40 from a developing bias power source omitted from illustration causes the toner 7 to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, thereby forming a toner image.
The developing roller 40 is disposed so as to oppose and come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1. The developing unit 4 provided with the toner container 41 accommodating the toner 7, and a photosensitive member unit 8 that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 1 are provided so as to pivot on a hole 8b (see
Next, the image forming operation of forming a full-color image on the recording medium S by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described by way of
The intermediate transfer belt 5 also rotationally driven at a circumferential velocity corresponding to the circumferential velocity of the photosensitive drum 1, in the clockwise direction in
The endless belt forming the intermediate transfer belt 5 is tensioned in the same direction as the movement direction of the extracting member 13 illustrated in
The developing roller 40 and supply roller 43 illustrated in
Thus, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1 are uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging rollers 2. The LED units 3 expose the surface of the respective photosensitive drums 1 of the process cartridges P by information light corresponding to image signals of the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Accordingly, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1 of the respective process cartridges P, in accordance with the image signals of the respective colors.
Predetermined developing bias voltage from the unshown developing bias power source is applied at a predetermined timing to the developing rollers 40 in each process cartridge P. Thus, the toner 7 of each color borne on the surfaces of the developing rollers 40 is supplied to the electrostatic latent images formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1, and thereby developed as respective toner images. For example, a toner image of the yellow (Y) color, corresponding to the yellow (Y) color component of the full-color image, is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 of the process cartridge PY by the above-described electrophotographic image forming process.
The primary transfer roller 12 is in pressure contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 across the intermediate transfer belt 5, as illustrated in
At the process cartridge PM, the magenta (M) color toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is similarly transferred by primary transfer onto the outer peripheral face of the intermediate transfer belt 5, so as to be superimposed on the yellow (Y) color toner image. At the process cartridge PC, the cyan (C) color toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is similarly transferred by primary transfer onto the outer peripheral face of the intermediate transfer belt 5 so as to be further superimposed. At the process cartridge PK, the black (K) color toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is similarly transferred by primary transfer onto the outer peripheral face of the intermediate transfer belt 5 so as to be further superimposed.
This yields a composited formation of superimposed unfixed toner images of a full-color image of the four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5. Note that the order of the colors of superimposing the toner images transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 is not restricted to the above-described order, and that any suitable order of superimposing may be used.
After primary transfer of the toner images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1 into the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 at each process cartridge P, untransferred residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 1 is scraped off and removed by a cleaning blade 6a provided to the cleaning device 6 illustrated in
On the other hand, the sheet feed roller 18 illustrated in
A secondary transfer bias of a predetermined potential and the opposite polarity to the charging polarity of the toner 7 is applied to the secondary transfer roller 29 at a predetermined timing. Thus, the superimposed toner image of the toner images of the four colors, on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5, is transferred all at once by secondary transfer onto the recording medium S, as the recording medium S is pinched and conveyed through the secondary transfer nip portion.
The recording medium S that has passed through the secondary transfer nip portion is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and guided to a fixing device 20 serving as a fixing unit. The toner image is then thermally fixed on the recording medium S by heating and pressuring at a fixing nip portion by a fixing roller and pressing roller provided to the fixing device 20.
Thus, the toner images of each color are mixed and thermally fixed to the recording medium S. The recording medium S on which the full-color toner image has been thermally fixed is then discharged from the fixing device 20, pinched and conveyed by discharge rollers 23, and discharged onto a discharge tray 24.
The secondary transfer roller 29 according to the present embodiment is movable by a moving unit, omitted from illustration, between a first position of coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and forming the secondary transfer nip portion, and a retreated second position of departing from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5. At the time of the image forming apparatus 100 forming images, the secondary transfer roller 29 is moved to the first position, and when not forming images, to the second position. Note that a configuration may be made where the secondary transfer roller 29 is left in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 at all times.
In the present embodiment, a configuration is employed where the intermediate transfer belt 5 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 1, and the LED unit 3 is disposed beneath the photosensitive drum 1. The unfixed toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), are formed superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5. The full-color toner image formed by superimposing the toner images on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 can then be promptly transferred into the recording medium S by way of the secondary transfer roller 29. This is advantageous in that the time period until the first printed article is output is short.
Of the various members (parts) making up the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, those excluding at least the extracting member 13 serving as the supporting member and members (parts) configured to be fixed or detachably mounted to the extracting member 13 will be referred to as “image forming apparatus 100 main unit”.
The configuration of the extracting member 13 serving as the supporting member will be described with reference to
The extracting member 13 is provided so as to be linearly movable (by pressing in and pulling out) in the direction of arrows D1 and D2 in
In a state where the extracting member 13 is situated at a position outside of the image forming apparatus 100 main unit as illustrated in
The process cartridges P mounted to the mounting portions 13f of the extracting member 13 are disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof (axial direction of the photosensitive drums 1) is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the extracting member 13 (direction of arrows D1 and D2 in
The process cartridges P are moved to the inside position of the image forming apparatus 100 main unit along with the extracting member 13, in a state of being mounted to the mounting portions 13f of the extracting member 13. The extracting member 13 is thus moved into the image forming apparatus 100 main unit as illustrated in
In this way, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment enables the four process cartridges P to be mounted into the image forming apparatus 100 main unit at once by the extracting member 13. The four process cartridges P can also be extracted to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 main unit at once. Accordingly, this configuration is advantageous over a configuration where the process cartridges P are individually mounted into the image forming apparatus 100 main unit, from the perspective of ease of work when replacing the process cartridges P.
The configuration of a mounting portion 11 for the extracting member 13, that is provided in the image forming apparatus 100 main unit, will be described with reference to
Some of the members (parts) making up the image forming apparatus 100 main unit, such as the intermediate transfer belt 5 and so forth, have been omitted from illustration in
A pair of guide portions 14R and 14L, serving as regulating portions to guide the movement direction of the extracting member 13, are provided on the inner wall faces of an apparatus frame of the image forming apparatus 100 main unit so as to face one another, as illustrated in
The guide portions 14R and 14L illustrated in
Drum coupling members 25 are rotatably supported above the guide portion 14R to transmit rotational driving force to each of the photosensitive drums 1, as illustrated in
The drum coupling members 25 and developing coupling members 26 illustrated in
The coupled members 47 and 45 illustrated in
Rotational driving force from the motor, serving as a drive source, provided to the image forming apparatus 100 main unit but is omitted from illustration, is transmitted to the drum coupling members 25 and developing coupling members 26. The drum coupling members 25 and developing coupling members 26 illustrated in
Next, the configuration of the extracting member 13 will be described in further detail with reference to
The guided portions 13a through 13d are provided protruding on the four corners of the extracting member 13, so as to be able to slidably engage the guide portions 14R and 14L provided on the inner side walls of the image forming apparatus 100 main unit as illustrated in
The guided portions 13a and 13b illustrated in
A handle 28 for the user to operate the extracting member 13 is provided to the edge face at the downstream side in the extracting direction of the extracting member 13 (to the right side in
The door 10 is closed in a state where the extracting member 13 is inserted to a predetermined position within the image forming apparatus 100 main unit, as illustrated in
The extracting member 13 has a row of mounting portions 13f arrayed, for mounting the process cartridges P of each color, as illustrated in
An LED head 3a provided to the leading edge of the LED unit 3 is fixedly supported by a supporting member 3b, as illustrated in
At both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridges P of each color, regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k, which are each formed as posts, are provided protruding at a first frame 8a of the photosensitive member unit 8 and a second frame 4a of the developing unit 4, as illustrated in
At one end and the other end of each mounting portion 13f in the longitudinal direction are provided guide portions 13h, 13i, 13j, and 13k, formed as grooves to serve as rotation regulating portions, as illustrated in
The guide portions 13h through 13k extend in the vertical direction of the extracting member 13. The post-shaped regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k formed on the process cartridges P are inserted into the guide portions 13h through 13k provided to each mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13. Thus, the process cartridges P of each color can be mounted and positioned within their respective mounting portions 13f.
Positioning portions 13p and 13q are provided between the guide portions 13h and 13i illustrated in
The extracting member 13 is provided with openings 13m that are through holes as illustrated in
Next, the configuration of the process cartridge P mounted to the mounting portions 13f of the extracting member 13 will be described by way of
The process cartridge P has the photosensitive member unit 8 and developing unit 4, as illustrated in
On the other hand, the developing unit 4 has the developing roller 40 serving as a developing agent bearing member, and the second frame 4a rotate supporting the developing roller 40. Further, the toner container 41 serving as a developing agent container that accommodates the toner 7, is provided to a part of the second frame 4a. Moreover, the conveyance member 48 that stirs and conveys the toner 7 accommodated within the toner container 41 is provided to the developing unit 4. The conveyance member 48 conveys the toner 7 accommodated within the toner container 41 to a developing chamber 16, by rotating in the clockwise direction in
The toner 7 within the toner container 41 is fed into the developing chamber 16 where the supply roller 43 is provided, by the conveyance member 48 that rotates in the clockwise direction in
A developing bias voltage is applied from the developing bias power source provided to the image forming apparatus 100 main unit to the developing roller 40. Thus, toner 7 that had been borne on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40 adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, thereby forming a toner image.
The toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to primary transfer into the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the action of the primary transfer roller 12, and thereafter is further transferred onto the recording medium S by action of the secondary transfer roller 29. After the primary transfer, the toner 7 remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is scraped off and removed by the cleaning blade 6a provided to the cleaning device 6, and is collected within the residual toner container 30 and recovered. In a case where the toner 7 within the toner container 41 has been consumed, the user can replace the process cartridge P and print again.
The coupled member 47 illustrated in
The coupled member 47 is provided at one end side of the photosensitive drum 1 in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in
In the same way, the rotational driving force from the unshown motor serving as a drive source, provided to the image forming apparatus 100 main unit, is transmitted to the developing coupling member 26. The rotational driving force that the coupled member 45 engaged with the developing coupling member 26 has received is transmitted to the developing roller 40, supply roller 43, and conveyance member 48, illustrated in
The outer perimeter of the coupled member 45 is covered by a cylinder rib 45a, forming an engaging portion 71a. The engaging portion 71a is provided to a side cover 71 fixed to the outside of the toner container 41. The coupled member 45 is configured to be rotatable as to the engaging portion 71a.
An engaging portion 70a is provided on the opposite side from the engaging portion 71a, in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P, as illustrated in
The first frame 8a also is provided with holes 8b and 8c which are through holes that support the engaging portions 71a and 70a. The holes 8b and 8c provided to the first frame 8a engage the engaging portions 71a and 70a provided to the developing unit 4. This enables the photosensitive member unit 8 and developing unit 4 to be rotate joined to each other. Thus, the first frame 8a of the photosensitive member unit 8 and the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4 are configured so as to be movable as to each other.
The engaging portions 71a and 70a are configured so as to be capable of pivoting as to the holes 8b and 8c. Accordingly, the developing unit 4 can move in relation to the photosensitive member unit 8. That is to say, the developing roller 40 is configured so as to be separable from and in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 1.
The biasing member 9 made up of a coil spring is provided between the photosensitive member unit 8 and the developing unit 4, as illustrated in
A pressuring member that is omitted from illustration, that pressures the developing unit 4 against the urging force of the biasing member 9, is provided to the image forming apparatus 100 main unit so as to separate the developing roller 40 from the photosensitive drum 1.
The outer perimeter of the coupled member 47 is covered by the rib 47a as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The positioned portions 8d and 8e, and the rotation-regulated portion 8f and 8g, function to position the process cartridge P within the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13, as illustrated in
The operation of mounting the process cartridges P to the mounting portions 13f of the extracting member 13 will be described next with reference to
The process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are each mounted in a respective one of four mounting portions 13f provided in the extracting member 13 illustrated in
Process cartridges P are mounted to the mounting portions 13f of the extracting member 13 as follows. The user inserts the cylinder regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k illustrated in
AS the process cartridge P is mounted into the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13, the positioned portions 8d and 8e provided to both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction come into contact with the positioning portions 13p and 13q provided to the extracting member 13. The positioning portions 13p and 13q are formed as V-shapes, as illustrated in
The rotation-regulated portions 8f and 8g, that have cross-sectional elliptic shapes and are provided to both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in
The positioning of the process cartridge P within the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 is determined by the positioned portions 8d and 8e, and rotation-regulated portions 8f and 8g, provided to both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in
The regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k provided to both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in
Accordingly, the regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k do not obstruct positioning of the process cartridge P as to the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13.
Next, the operation of mounting the extracting unit U1 provided with the extracting member 13 and LED unit 3 into the image forming apparatus 100 main unit will be described with reference to
The extracting unit U1 has guided portions 13a through 13d provided to the extracting member 13 illustrated in
As illustrated in
Further, synchronously with the closing of the door 10, the intermediate transfer belt 5 descends. This, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 and is pressured. The positioned portions 8d and 8e provided to both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction, illustrated in
Further, the abutting portion 10a1 of the pressing member 10a integrally disposed with the door 10 is inserted into the recess 15 of the extracting member 13 and abuts against the wall face of the recess 15, thereby pressing the extracting unit U1 to the left direction in
Rotational Regulation when Mounting Cartridge
The configuration that serves as a rotation regulating unit when mounting the process cartridge P will be described next with reference to
The LED unit 3 serving as the image exposing member is erected at the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 toward the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at a position overlapping the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P, in relation to the mounting direction of the process cartridge P indicated by the arrow a in
In the present embodiment, the cylindrical regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k protrude at both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in
In a case where the process cartridge P is to be mounted in the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 as illustrated in
At this time, the cylindrical regulated portions 8k and 4k provided protruding from one end of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction as illustrated in
The process cartridge P is mounted to the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 in the present embodiment. The regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k provided to both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction as illustrated in
Accordingly, even in a case where the user happens to be grasping the process cartridge P and applies force to move the process cartridge P in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow X in
As illustrated in
On the opposite side of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction as well, the regulated portions 8j and 4j illustrated in
According to the present embodiment, when mounting the process cartridge P in the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13, the rotational posture of the process cartridge P as to the mounting portion 13f is positioned. Thereafter, the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P and the LED unit 3 erected in the mounting portion 13f overlap in the mounting direction of the process cartridge P (the direction of the arrow a in
The present embodiment is an example of the LED unit 3 having been erected within the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13. Alternatively, an arrangement may be made where the image exposing member is disposed within the image forming apparatus 100 main unit, and mounting of the process cartridge P is performed by retracting the intermediate transfer belt 5 upwards, and performing mounting of the process cartridge P from above the image forming apparatus 100 main unit.
Description has been made in the present embodiment regarding an example of a process cartridge P configured having the photosensitive member unit 8 and the developing unit 4. Alternatively, the present embodiment is also applicable to a configuration where the developing unit 4 and photosensitive member unit 8 are separately exchangeable.
Description has been made in the present embodiment regarding an example of a case of having the intermediate transfer belt 5 as an example of a transfer-receiving member. Alternatively, the present embodiment is also applicable to a configuration where the recording medium S serving as a transfer-receiving member is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1 by the conveying unit, and the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is directly transferred onto the recording medium S.
Positional Regulation for when Erroneously Mounting Cartridge
Description will be made regarding the configuration of position regulating portions for when erroneously mounting the process cartridge P, with reference to
The LED unit 3 serving as an image exposing member is erected at the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 toward the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at a position overlapping the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P, in relation to the mounting direction of the process cartridge P indicated by the arrow a in
Cylindrical regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k are provided protruding at both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction in the present embodiment, as illustrated in
Mounting the process cartridge P to the correct mounting position in the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 is performed as follows, as illustrated in
However, it is conceivable that there will be cases where the user erroneously attempts to mount the process cartridge P at a position different from the correct mounting position of the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 (a deviated position), as illustrated in
In this case, the cylindrical regulated portions 8k and 4k provided protruding at one end of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction come into contact with the regulating portion 13r which is the top end face of the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13, thereby regulating the position thereof, as illustrated in
Thus, the user can realize that the process cartridge P cannot be mounted to the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 in that way. The user will then attempt to mount the process cartridge P to the correct mounting position in the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13.
Although not illustrated in
As illustrated in
Accordingly, even when the user attempts to mount the process cartridge P at an incorrect mounting position in the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13, the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P do not come into contact with the LED unit 3, and thus damage to the LED unit can be avoided.
According to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the process cartridge P is mounted in the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 having the LED unit 3 serving as an image exposing member. At this time, collision of the LED unit 3 and the first and second frames 8a and 4a of the process cartridge P can be avoided.
Note that the regulated portion 8j and regulated portion 4j are provided so as to surround the photosensitive drum 1 in the present embodiment, as illustrated in
Further, the regulated portion 8j and regulated portion 4j are on both sides of the LED unit 3 serving as the image exposing member in a state where the process cartridge P has been mounted to the correct mounting position within the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13, as illustrated in
In a case where the user attempts to mount the process cartridge P at an incorrect position in the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13, as illustrated in
Note that a configuration may be made where just one of the regulated portion 8j and regulated portion 4j illustrated in
Description has been made in the present embodiment regarding an example of the image forming apparatus 100 where the LED unit 3 is erected within the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13. Alternatively, an arrangement may be made where the image exposing member is disposed within the image forming apparatus 100 main unit, and mounting of the process cartridge P is performed by retracting the intermediate transfer belt 5 upwards.
Description has been made in the present embodiment regarding an example of a process cartridge P configured having the photosensitive member unit 8 and the developing unit 4. Alternatively, the present embodiment is also applicable to a configuration where the developing unit 4 and photosensitive member unit 8 are separately exchangeable as cartridges. In this case, the regulating portion 13r needs to be provided on both cartridges of the photosensitive member unit 8 and developing unit 4, or just the cartridge of the photosensitive member unit 8.
Description has been made in the present embodiment regarding an example of a case of having the intermediate transfer belt 5 as an example of a transfer-receiving member. Alternatively, the present embodiment is also applicable to a configuration where the recording medium S that is a sheet material or the like serving as a transfer member is conveyed to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the toner image (developed image) formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is directly transferred onto the recording medium S.
Next, description will be made regarding the configuration of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, with reference to
Description has been made in the first embodiment that cylinder regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k protruding at both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction, illustrated in
In the present embodiment, in a case where the user attempts to mount a process cartridge Q at an erroneous position within a mounting portion 113f of an extracting member 113, just regulated portions 108j and 108k that have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and are provided protruding at both ends of the process cartridge Q in the longitudinal direction, come into contact with the regulating portion 113r which is the top end face of the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113, as illustrated in
The downstream end portions of the regulated portions 108j and 108k in the mounting direction of the process cartridge Q, indicated by the arrow a in
As illustrated in
Guide portions 113i and 113j formed of grooves provided on the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113 are configured as rotation regulating portions regulating the rotational posture of the process cartridge Q in the circumferential direction, in a state where the process cartridge Q has been mounted in the correct mounting position in the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113, as illustrated in
The regulated portions 108j and 108k are provided protruding at both ends of the process cartridge Q, on the first frame 108a of the process cartridge Q in the longitudinal direction. Planar portions 108j2, 108j3, 108k2, and 108k3 of the regulated portions 108j and 108k are in sliding contact with the wall faces of the guide portions 113i and 113j formed of grooves to serve as rotation regulating portions, and thus are regulated. This regulates the rotational posture of the process cartridge Q in the circumferential direction. Thus, in the same way as in the first embodiment, a gap G is set to be formed between the first and second frames 108a and 104a of the process cartridge Q and the LED unit 3 in the present embodiment as well.
In the present embodiment, the downstream end portions of the regulated portions 108j and 108k, protruding at both ends of the process cartridge Q in the longitude direction, in the mounting direction of the process cartridge Q (direction of the arrow a in
In the present embodiment, providing one of the regulated portions 108j and 108k each at both ends of the process cartridge Q in the longitudinal direction is sufficient. The planar portions 108j1 and 108k1 of the regulated portions 108j and 108k protruding at both ends of the process cartridge Q in the longitudinal direction are in planar contact with the planar portion 113r1 of the regulating portion 113r which is the top end face of the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113.
Accordingly, the rotational posture of the process cartridge Q in the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow X in
According to the present embodiment, it is sufficient for one each of the regulated portions 108j and 108k to be provided at both ends of the process cartridge Q in the longitudinal direction, as in the first embodiment illustrated in
Note that in
Next, description will be made regarding the configuration of a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, with reference to
Description has been made in the first embodiment that cylinder regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k protruding at both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction, illustrated in
In the present embodiment, an example will be described where the rotational posture of a process cartridge R mounted within a mounting portion 213f of an extracting member 213 in the circumferential direction indicated by arrow X in
As illustrated in
If the user erroneously attempts to mount the process cartridge R at a position different from the correct mounting position of the mounting portion 213f of the extracting member 213 (a deviated position), as illustrated in
In the present embodiment, in a state where the process cartridge R is mounted to the correct mounting position of the mounting portion 213f of the extracting member 213, the rotation-regulated portions 208f and 208g serving as regulated portions, and regulated portions 4j and 4k, provided to the first and second frames 208a and 4a of the process cartridge R, are each provided on both sides across the LED unit 3 serving as the image exposing member. Note that the rotation-regulated portion 208f and regulated portion 4j are provided on the opposite side from the rotation-regulated portion 208g and regulated portion 4k, and accordingly are not illustrated in
In a state where the process cartridge R is mounted at the correct mounting position in the mounting portion 213f of the extracting member 213 in
The rotation-regulated portions 208f and 208g serving as regulated portions are provided protruding at both ends of the first frame 208a of the process cartridge R in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge R. planar portions 208f1, 208f2, 208g1, and 208g2, of the rotation-regulated portions 208f and 208g are in sliding contact with the wall faces of the guide portions 213i and 213j that are grooves serving as rotation regulating portions. This regulates the rotational posture of the process cartridge R in the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow X in
In the present embodiment, the rotation-regulated portions 208f and 208g that have cross-sectional elliptic shapes and are provided protruding at both ends of the photosensitive member unit 208 in the longitudinal direction and have the same function as the regulated portions 8j and 8k in the first embodiment, illustrated in
The downstream end portions of the rotation-regulated portions 208f and 208g may be planar portions, as in the second embodiment illustrated in
Guide portions 213h and 213k formed of grooves in the mounting portion 213f of the extracting member 213 do not have to be formed. Accordingly, the rigidity of the extracting member 213 is improved, and vibration and the like when forming images can be suppressed. Note that in
Next, description will be made regarding the configuration of a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, with reference to
In the first embodiment, the rotational posture of the process cartridge P within the mounting portion 13f of the extracting member 13 as to the LED unit 3 is positioned using the cylindrical regulated portions 4j, 4k, 8j, and 8k provided protruding at both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in
The rotation-regulated portion 108f is provided to the opposite side of the process cartridge Q1 from the rotation-regulated portion 108g in the longitudinal direction in
When mounting the process cartridge Q1 to the mounting position in the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113 in the present embodiment, the rotation-regulated portion 108g that has a cross-sectional elliptic shape and is provided protruding at one end of the process cartridge Q1 in the longitudinal direction is guided into the groove of the rotation regulating portion 113j provided to the extracting member 113, and thus the process cartridge Q1 is mounted, as illustrated in
The rotation regulating portion 113j provided to the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113 according to the present embodiment is configured of a groove provided along the mounting direction of the process cartridge Q1 indicated by the arrow a in
Thereafter, the rotation-regulated portion 108g is inserted in the groove of the rotation regulating portion 113j. The wall faces of the rotation regulating portion 113j and the planar portions 108g1 and 108g2 of the rotation-regulated portion 108g are in sliding contact. This positions the posture of the process cartridge Q1 in the rotational direction indicated by the arrow X in
Note that the rotation-regulated portion 108f that is on the opposite side from the rotation-regulated portion 108g in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge Q1 in
The rotation-regulated portion 108g that has a cross-sectional elliptic shape is configured having the planar portions 108g1 and 108g2 in the present embodiment, as illustrated in
At this time, the rotation-regulated portion 108g that has a cross-sectional elliptic shape and is provided protruding at one end of the process cartridge Q1 in the longitudinal direction is already regulated by the rotation regulating portion 113j made up of a groove provided in the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113. Accordingly, there is no concern of the first and second frames 108a and 4a of the process cartridge Q1 coming into contact with the LED unit 3, in the same way as in the first embodiment.
According to the present embodiment, the rotation-regulated portion 108g that has a cross-sectional elliptic shape and is provided protruding at one end of the process cartridge Q1 in the longitudinal direction has the same operations as the rotation-regulated portion 8g according to the first embodiment illustrated in
In the present embodiment, only one each of the rotation-regulated portions 108g and 108f that have cross-sectional elliptic shapes and protrude at both ends of the process cartridge Q1 in the longitudinal direction needs to be formed. There is no need to provide the guide portions 13h and 13k in
Next, description will be made regarding the configuration of a fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, with reference to
In the above fourth embodiment, positioning is performed using the rotation-regulated portions 108g and 108f that have cross-sectional elliptic shapes and protrude at both ends of the process cartridge Q1 in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in
In the present embodiment, a gripping portion 77 is provided on the first frame 208a of the photosensitive member unit 208 for the user to grasp the process cartridge R1 and mount to the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113. The first frame 208a has the rotation-regulated portions 208g and 208f that have cross-sectional elliptic shapes and protrude at both ends of the process cartridge R1 in the longitudinal direction. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the above-described embodiments, so redundant description will be omitted.
As illustrated in
Note that the rotation-regulated portion 208f is provided on the opposite side of the process cartridge R1 from the rotation-regulated portion 208g in the longitudinal direction in
The user grasps the gripping portion 77 to mount the process cartridge R1 in the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113. The gripping portion 77 is either integrally formed with the first frame 208a, or the gripping portion 77 is provided separately from and fixed to the first frame 208a. Accordingly, the distance between the rotation-regulated portions 208g and 208f provided to the first frame 208a, and the gripping portion 77, does not change.
In an arrangement where the gripping portion 77 is provided to the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4, and the rotation-regulated portions 208g and 208f are provided on the first frame 208a of the photosensitive member unit 208, the user grasps the gripping portion 77 and applies force to the gripping portion 77 provided to the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4 when mounting the process cartridge R1 to the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113. At this time, the distance between the rotation-regulated portions 208g and 208f provided to the first frame 208a of the photosensitive member unit 208, and the handle provided to the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4, 77 changes. As a result, the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4 of the process cartridge R1 may come into contact with the LED unit 3.
Accordingly, the gripping portion 77 and the rotation-regulated portions 208g and 208f are provided on the same first frame 208a in the present embodiment. The user grasps the gripping portion 77 and applies force to the gripping portion 77 provided to the first frame 208a of the photosensitive member unit 208 when mounting the process cartridge R1 to the mounting portion 113f of the extracting member 113. At this time, the distance between the rotation-regulated portions 208g and 208f provided to the first frame 208a of the photosensitive member unit 208 and the gripping portion 77 does not change. Consequently, there is no concern of the second frame 4a of the developing unit 4 of the process cartridge R1 coming into contact with the LED unit 3.
An example has been described in the present embodiment where the gripping portion 77 is provided to the first frame 208a of the photosensitive member unit 208, and the rotation-regulated portions 208g and 208f are provided to the first frame 208a, as illustrated in
Although the process cartridges described in the above first through fifth embodiments are cartridges having the photosensitive drum 1, developing roller 40, and toner container 41, the cartridge configuration is not restricted to these. It is sufficient for the cartridges in the above first through fifth embodiments to have any one of the photosensitive drum 1 serving as a rotation member, the developing roller 40, and the toner container 41. In a configuration where the cartridge is not provided with the photosensitive drum 1, the extracting member 13 may be provided with the photosensitive drum 1.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2015-169954 and 2015-169955, filed Aug. 31, 2015, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-127170, filed Jun. 28, 2016, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-169954 | Aug 2015 | JP | national |
| 2015-169955 | Aug 2015 | JP | national |
| 2016-127170 | Jun 2016 | JP | national |
