IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

An operation lever is configured to swing about a rotation axis. Regulating members that regulate the movement of the operation lever along the rotation axis thereof are integrally formed with a cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross section of a photosensitive drum and a configuration to support the photosensitive drum according to a first comparative example;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a frame of an image forming apparatus, process cartridges, and a positioning holding member according to the first comparative example;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the positioning holding member that is in a closed position and a sliding member placed in a first position according to the first comparative example;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the positioning holding member that is in the closed position and the sliding member placed in a second position according to the first comparative example;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the sliding member, the positioning holding member, and the process cartridges according to the first comparative example;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the positioning holding member and the sliding member viewed from the inside of the image forming apparatus according to the first comparative example;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a frame of an image forming apparatus, process cartridges, and a positioning holding member according to a second comparative example;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the surroundings of an attachment hole in the positioning holding member of a positioning unit according to the second comparative example;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the positioning holding member that is in a closed position and a sliding member placed in a first position according to the second comparative example;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the positioning holding member that is in the closed position and the sliding member placed in a second position according to the second comparative example;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view for explaining how a pressing member is attached to the positioning holding member according to the second comparative example;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view for explaining how a spring is attached to the positioning holding member with the pressing member according to the second comparative example;

FIG. 14 is a plan cross section of a relevant part for explaining the relationship between a bending angle of cut-and-bent members on the sliding member and the attachment of the spring;

FIG. 15 is a schematic for explaining the shape of the spring in detail;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a relevant part after the spring is attached to the positioning holding member with the pressing member according to the second comparative example;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the surroundings of the positioning holding member, the sliding member, and a cover of the positioning unit according to the second comparative example;

FIG. 18 is a schematic for explaining a movement of an operation lever;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a relevant part of an image forming apparatus with a front cover open to expose the positioning unit and pressing position indicators according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a relevant part for explaining the positional relationship between the operation lever and positioning holes and positioning pins on the positioning holding member, and also explaining a pressing position indicating portion according to a modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a relevant part for explaining the positional relationship between an operation lever and the positioning holes and the positioning pins on the positioning holding member, and also explaining the pressing position indicating portion, according to another modification than the one shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view for explaining an open state obtained by using operation levers and the positional relationship of the positioning holes in the positioning holding member, according to yet another modification than the ones shown in FIGS. 20 and 21;

FIG. 23 is a front view for explaining a fixed state obtained by using the operation levers shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view for explaining how the operation lever and regulating members are arranged on the cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view for explaining how the operation lever and regulating members are arranged on the cover according to a modification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view for explaining how the operation lever and regulating members are arranged on the cover according to another modification than the one shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view in which the operation lever in the modification shown in FIG. 26 is not shown;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view for explaining how the operation lever and a regulating member are arranged on the cover according to yet another modification than the ones shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 in which the operation lever is not shown;

FIG. 29A is a perspective view for explaining how the operation lever and regulating members are arranged on the cover according to yet another modification than the ones shown in FIGS. 25 to 28 in which the operation lever is not shown;

FIG. 29B is a perspective view for explaining the width of the operation lever;

FIG. 30 is a schematic for explaining a movement of the operation lever that is more similar to the one according to the embodiment than the one shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view for explaining how the operation lever that is more similar to the one according to the embodiment than that shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is arranged on the cover;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view for explaining how the operation lever that is more similar to the one according to the embodiment than that shown in FIG. 25 is arranged on the cover;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a relevant part of a fixing unit for an operation lever according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a relevant part of an independent fixing unit for the operation lever according to a modification of the third embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a relevant part of an independent fixing unit for the operation lever according to another modification than the one shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a relevant part including the operation lever, the fixing unit, and a detecting unit according to yet another modification than the ones shown in FIGS. 34 and 35; and

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a modification in which the entire positioning unit is restrained.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier unit that includes an image carrier and a carrier supporting member that supports the image carrier;a positioning unit that is configured to open and close and to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, and positions the image carrier unit via the carrier supporting member;a positioning member that positions the positioning unit when the positioning unit is closed; anda positioned member that is located on the positioning unit and engages with the positioning member, whereinthe positioning unit includes a holding member that includes an opening having a holding portion to hold the carrier supporting member when the positioning unit is closed and positioned in a predetermined position;a pressing unit that presses and positions the carrier supporting member at the holding portion;a cover that opposes the holding member via the pressing unit; andan operating unit that is used for operating the pressing unit and located on the cover at a position corresponding to near middle of the holding member in a longitudinal direction, andan image formed on the image carrier is transferred onto a recording medium directly or indirectly.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is located on the cover at a position corresponding to near the positioned member.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a pressing position indicator at a position corresponding to near the positioning member, the pressing position indicator being configured to assist engagement between the positioned member and the positioning member.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a preventing unit that prevents movement of the operating unit.

5. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier unit that includes an image carrier and a carrier supporting member that supports the image carrier;a positioning unit that is configured to open and close and to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, and positions the image carrier unit via the carrier supporting member, whereinthe positioning unit includes a holding member that includes an opening having a holding portion to hold the carrier supporting member when the positioning unit is closed and positioned in a predetermined position;a pressing unit that presses and positions the carrier supporting member at the holding portion;a cover that opposes the holding member via the pressing unit; andan operating unit that is used for operating the pressing unit and configured to be swingable about a rotation axis, andan image formed on the image carrier is transferred onto a recording medium directly or indirectly, andthe cover includes a regulating member that regulates movement of the operating unit in a direction along the rotation axis.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the regulating member is located in vicinity of an end of the operating unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operating unit includes a notch at the end, andthe regulating member engages with the notch.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the regulating member has a shape that defines a swing range within which the operating unit swings.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the regulating member extends over the entire swing range.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the regulating member includes a plurality of regulating members that are located at a spacing less than a width of the operating unit in the swing range.

11. An image forming apparatus comprising: image carrier means including an image carrier and a carrier supporting member for supporting the image carrier;first positioning means for positioning the image carrier unit via the carrier supporting member, the first positioning means being configured to open and close and to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus;second positioning means for positioning the first positioning unit when the first positioning unit is closed; andpositioned means that is located on the first positioning means and engages with the second positioning means, whereinthe first positioning means includes holding means including an opening having a holding portion for holding the carrier supporting member when the first positioning means is closed and positioned in a predetermined position;pressing means for pressing and positioning the carrier supporting member at the holding portion;cover means that opposes the holding means via the pressing means; andoperating means for operating the pressing means, the operating means being located on the cover at a position corresponding to near middle of the holding means in a longitudinal direction, andan image formed on the image carrier is transferred onto a recording medium directly or indirectly.