JP6281379B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a photoconductor cartridge that has a photoconductor and is detachable from an apparatus main body, and a waste developer container that stores a developer collected from the photoconductor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a photoconductor cartridge provided with a photoconductor, a waste developer container for containing a developer collected from the photoconductor, and an exposure device that is disposed on the front side of the photoconductor cartridge and exposes the photoconductor. An image forming apparatus is known (see Patent Document 1). In this image forming apparatus, the photoreceptor cartridge is configured to be detachable from above the apparatus main body, and the waste developer container is integrally formed with the photoreceptor cartridge and is disposed above the photoreceptor.

JP-A-2005-70261

  By the way, in the configuration in which the photosensitive cartridge is attached and detached through the lower part of the exposure apparatus, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the waste developer container is disposed above the photosensitive member. The waste developer container may interfere with the exposure apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus in which a photosensitive cartridge can be easily attached and detached in a configuration in which a waste developer container is provided.

In order to achieve the above-described object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body, a sheet feeding unit configured to supply a recording sheet, and a photoreceptor configured to rotate around a first axis. And a waste developer storage container configured to store the developer recovered from the photoreceptor, and is detachable from the apparatus main body in a direction perpendicular to the first axis. A photoconductor cartridge; an exposure apparatus configured to expose the photoconductor; and a developer carrier configured to supply a developer to the photoconductor, in a direction orthogonal to the first axis. And a developing cartridge detachable from the apparatus main body.
The apparatus main body includes a photoconductor guide configured such that the photoconductor cartridge passes between the paper feeding unit and the exposure apparatus, and the waste developer storage container is disposed on the apparatus main body. The first developer is configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis between the first position and the second position. The first position is an optical path from the exposure apparatus to the waste developer container. The second position is a position where the waste developer storage container intersects the optical path.

  When the photosensitive cartridge is attached / detached from between the paper feed unit and the exposure apparatus while maintaining the posture when the waste developer storage container is at the first position, the waste developer storage container easily interferes with the exposure apparatus. However, according to the configuration described above, the waste developer container is tilted toward the paper feed unit when the waste developer container is moved to the second position, so that when the photosensitive cartridge is attached or detached, the waste developer container is accommodated. It is possible to suppress the container from interfering with the exposure apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body, a paper feeding unit configured to supply a recording sheet, a photoconductor configured to rotate about a first axis, and the photoconductor. A photosensitive cartridge having a frame for supporting a waste developer container configured to store the collected developer, and detachable in a direction perpendicular to the first axis with respect to the apparatus main body; An exposure device configured to expose the photosensitive member; and a developer carrier configured to supply a developer to the photosensitive member, and is directed to the device main body in a direction perpendicular to the first axis. And a detachable developing cartridge.
The apparatus main body includes a photoreceptor guide configured such that the photoreceptor cartridge passes between the paper feeding unit and the exposure apparatus, and the developer carrying body and the photoreceptor are opposed to each other. An accommodating space configured to accommodate the developing cartridge; and a developing guide configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the accommodating space.
The waste developer container is configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position with respect to the apparatus main body, and the waste developer container holds the developer cartridge between the first position and the first position. In the second position, the waste developer storage container is disposed in the storage space in a state where the developer cartridge is detached from the storage space. Position.

  According to such a configuration, since the waste developer storage container in the second position enters the development cartridge storage space, the waste developer storage container interferes with the exposure apparatus when the photosensitive cartridge is attached or detached. Can be suppressed.

  In the above-described configuration, the photoconductor cartridge may be configured to be rotatable integrally with the waste developer container with respect to the apparatus main body. In this configuration, the photoconductor cartridge may include a cleaning blade configured to come into contact with the photoconductor and collect the developer on the photoconductor.

  When the waste developer container has a cleaning blade, the cleaning blade is liable to damage the photoreceptor when the waste developer container is rotated with respect to the photoreceptor cartridge. However, according to the configuration described above, the positional relationship between the cleaning blade and the photoconductor does not change, and the cleaning blade can be prevented from being damaged by the rotation of the photoconductor cartridge.

  In the configuration described above, the waste developer container may be configured to rotate from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the detachment operation of the developer cartridge.

  According to such a configuration, the waste developer container is moved to the second position by the detaching operation of the developing cartridge, so that the operability of the image forming apparatus is improved.

  In the configuration described above, the waste developer container may be configured to rotate from the second position to the first position in conjunction with the mounting operation of the developer cartridge.

  According to such a configuration, the waste developer container is moved to the first position by the mounting operation of the developing cartridge, so that the operability of the image forming apparatus is improved.

  In the above-described configuration, the waste developer container may be configured to have a handle for a user to hold. The handle may extend downward from the waste developer storage container outside the optical axis from the exposure apparatus in the first axial direction when the waste developer storage container is in the first position. A pair may be provided across the optical path. Further, the pair of handles may be connected at each lower end.

  According to such a configuration, the operability of the waste developer container is improved by grasping the handle and handling the waste developer container.

  In the above-described configuration, the photoconductor guide includes a guide portion that guides the photoconductor cartridge when the waste toner container moves between the first position and the second position. Can be configured to extend so as to intersect the optical path from the exposure apparatus when viewed from the first axial direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily attach and detach the photosensitive cartridge in the configuration in which the waste developer container is provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a side view of the photoconductor cartridge, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the developing cartridge (a) and a view of the developing cartridge as viewed from above (b). It is the figure which looked at the 2nd side frame from the outside, and is a figure (a) which shows the interlocking mechanism in the state where the cover part was closed, and the figure (b) which shows the interlocking mechanism in the state where the cover part was opened. It is the figure which looked at the 2nd side frame from the inside, Comprising: It is a figure which shows a rotation mechanism. It is a figure which shows the state which opened the 2nd front cover of the laser printer, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the 1st arm part in the closed position. It is a figure which shows the state which opened the 2nd front cover of the laser printer, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the 1st arm part in the open position. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge is guided by a developing guide, and illustrates a state in which the photosensitive cartridge rotates toward a waste toner rotation position. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge is guided by a developing guide, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which the photosensitive cartridge is rotated to a waste toner rotating position. It is a figure which shows a mode that the photosensitive body cartridge was taken out from the opening.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, first, the overall configuration of the laser printer 1 as an example of the image forming apparatus will be described, and then the features of the present invention will be described in detail.

  In the following description, the direction will be described with reference to the user who uses the laser printer 1. That is, in FIG. 1, the right side toward the paper surface is “front side”, the left side toward the paper surface is “rear side”, the back side toward the paper surface is “right side”, and the front side toward the paper surface is “left side”. To do. In addition, the vertical direction toward the page is defined as the “vertical direction”.

<Schematic configuration of laser printer>
As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 includes a paper feed unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and a discharge unit 9 in the apparatus main body 2.

  A first front cover 21 and a second front cover 121 are provided at the front portion of the apparatus main body 2. The first front cover 21 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 21 </ b> A provided at the lower portion of the apparatus body 2. The first front cover 21 is configured to cover the front side of the paper feed tray 31. The first front cover 21 moves to the position shown in FIG. 6 to open the front side of the paper feed tray 31 so that the paper P can be placed inside the paper feed tray 31.

  The second front cover 121 is configured to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 121 </ b> A inside the first front cover 21. The second front cover 121 is provided so as to cover an opening 2A (see FIG. 4B) formed below the exposure apparatus 5, and is configured to open and close the opening 2A.

  The apparatus main body 2 includes a pair of side frames 22 provided on the left and right sides. The side frame 22 guides a photoconductor cartridge 6 to be described later to a photoconductor mounting position that is a mounted state, and a developer cartridge 7 to be described later to a developing mounting position that is a mounted state. And a developing guide 110 to be used.

  The paper feed unit 3 is configured to supply paper P as an example of a recording sheet to the image forming unit 4, and is provided in the lower part in the apparatus main body 2. The sheet feeding unit 3 is mainly composed of a sheet feeding tray 31, a sheet pressing plate 32, a pickup roller 33 and a separation roller 34 supported by the sheet feeding frame 31A, a separation pad 35, and a supply path 36. ing.

  The supply path 36 is a path for transporting the paper P supplied from the paper feed tray 31 between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63. The supply path 36 extends from the vicinity of the pickup roller 33 and then the vicinity of the separation roller 34. From the photosensitive drum 61 as an example of the photosensitive member and the transfer roller 63.

  The paper P placed on the paper feed tray 31 is brought to the pickup roller 33 by the paper pressing plate 32 and supplied by the pickup roller 33. The supplied paper P is separated one by one by the separation roller 34 and the separation pad 35, curved upward on the rear side of the apparatus main body 2, and then conveyed toward the image forming unit 4 (photosensitive drum 61).

  The image forming unit 4 is configured to form an image on the fed paper P, and is provided above the paper feed tray 31. The image forming unit 4 includes an exposure device 5, a photosensitive cartridge 6, a developing cartridge 7, a transfer roller 63, and a fixing device 8.

  The exposure apparatus 5 is provided in the upper part on the front side in the apparatus main body 2 and includes a laser light emitting unit, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like (not shown). In this exposure apparatus 5, the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is irradiated with a laser beam by high-speed scanning.

  The photoconductor cartridge 6 is disposed in the vicinity of the central portion of the rear side of the apparatus main body 2 in the vertical direction, specifically, in the vertical direction substantially at the same position as the exposure apparatus 5. (Refer to (b)). The photoconductor cartridge 6 mainly includes a photoconductor frame 69, a photoconductive drum 61 and a charging roller 62 provided on the photoconductor frame 69.

  The developing cartridge 7 is disposed below the photosensitive member cartridge 6 and is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 2 through the opening 2A. The developing cartridge 7 includes a developing frame 79, a developing roller 71 as an example of a developer carrier provided on the developing frame 79, a supply roller 72, a layer thickness regulating blade 73, and a toner containing portion 74. The developing cartridge 7 is disposed in the accommodation space S shown in FIG. 1 at the developing mounting position. The accommodation space S is a space formed by the photosensitive cartridge 6 and the paper feed frame 31A located below the developing cartridge 7. The developing roller 71 is configured to be rotatable about the developing axis X1 of the developing roller shaft 71A.

  The layer thickness regulating blade 73 is configured to regulate the toner layer thickness on the developing roller 71 in contact with the developing roller 71, and includes a blade body 73A and a reinforcing plate 73B that reinforces the blade body 73A. Have. The reinforcing plate 73B is fixed to the upper surface of the developing frame 79.

  The transfer roller 63 is provided in the apparatus main body 2 and is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 61 from the rear.

  The fixing device 8 is disposed above the photosensitive cartridge 6 and mainly includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82.

  In the image forming unit 4, the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 62 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the exposure device 5, so that the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 61. An image is formed. Further, the toner in the toner container 74 is supplied to the developing roller 71 by the supply roller 72 and is carried on the developing roller 71.

  The toner carried on the developing roller 71 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61, whereby the electrostatic latent image is visualized and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 61. The

  Thereafter, the paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 3 is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63, whereby the toner image on the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the paper P. Next, the paper P that has passed through the photosensitive drum 61 is conveyed between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82, so that the toner image transferred onto the paper P is thermally fixed.

  The discharge unit 9 is configured to convey the paper P on which the toner image has been thermally fixed to form an image toward the outside of the apparatus main body 2, and includes a discharge roller 91 and a discharge path 92. The discharge path 92 is a path for conveying the paper P carried out from the fixing device 8 to the paper discharge tray 23 while curving forward.

  In the discharge unit 9, the paper P that has passed through the image forming unit 4 (photosensitive drum 61) is conveyed toward the discharge roller 91 while curving toward the front side of the apparatus main body 2, and discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 2 to be discharged. It is placed on the tray 23.

<Photoreceptor cartridge>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the photoconductor frame 69 of the photoconductor cartridge 6 includes a cleaning blade 64 and an example of a waste developer storage container in addition to the above-described photoconductive drum 61 and charging roller 62. A waste toner container 65, an elastic member 66, and a handle 67.

  The photoconductor frame 69 is configured to rotate around the photoconductor axis X2 as an example of the first axis and the second axis at the photoconductor mounting position. Here, the photosensitive member axis X2 is an axis of the photosensitive drum shaft 61A that is the rotation center of the photosensitive drum 61. Specifically, the photoconductor frame 69 rotates between the photoconductor mounting position and a rotation position (see FIG. 9) rotated clockwise from the photoconductor mounting position around the photoconductor axis X2. Is configured to do.

  The cleaning blade 64 is configured to collect toner on the photosensitive drum 61 by contacting the upper peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

  The waste toner storage container 65 is a container for storing toner collected from the photosensitive drum 61 by the cleaning blade 64. The waste toner container 65 is provided so as to extend forward from above the photosensitive drum 61 when the photosensitive cartridge 6 is positioned at the photosensitive member mounting position, and the optical path L of the laser light emitted from the exposure device 5 and development. The cartridge 7 is disposed on the opposite side of the paper feed tray 31 with the cartridge 7 interposed therebetween.

  The waste toner container 65 is configured integrally with the photoconductor frame 69, and when the photoconductor cartridge 6 is positioned at the photoconductor mounting position around the photoconductor axis X2 as the photoconductor frame 69 rotates. An example of a waste toner mounting position as an example of a first position that is a position of the waste toner storage container 65 and an example of a second position that is a position of the waste toner storage container 65 when the photosensitive cartridge 6 is positioned at the rotation position. It is configured to rotate between the waste toner rotation position. When the waste toner storage container 65 is disposed at the waste toner rotation position, the waste toner storage container 65 intersects the optical path L described above and is disposed in the storage space S of the developing cartridge 7.

  The elastic member 66 is made of urethane sponge or the like, and is provided on the lower surface of the photoconductor frame 69 at a position corresponding to the lower side of the waste toner container 65. The elastic member 66 is configured to be in contact with the reinforcing plate 73B on the upper surface of the developing frame 79 described above. When the elastic member 66 contacts the reinforcing plate 73B, the rotation of the waste toner container 65 at the waste toner mounting position to the waste toner rotation position is restricted.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the handle 67 is for a user to hold when the photosensitive cartridge 6 is attached or detached. The handle 67 is provided at the front end of the photoconductor frame 69. In other words, in this embodiment, the front end portion of the photoconductor frame 69 is a part of the waste toner container 65, and the waste toner container 65 has a handle 67.

  The handle 67 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the photoreceptor frame 69 around a rotation shaft 67A supported at the front end portion of the waste toner container 65, and is illustrated in a counterclockwise direction illustrated by a spring (not illustrated). Is being energized. The handle 67 is restricted from rotating at the position shown in FIG.

  The handle 67 includes a pair of arm portions 67B extending obliquely downward from the left and right ends of the rotation shaft 67A, and a gripping portion 67C connecting the lower ends of the pair of arm portions 67B. The grip portion 67C extends forward from the lower end portion of the arm portion 67B, and is positioned below the exposure device 5 when the photosensitive cartridge 6 is mounted (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the arm portion 67B is arranged in the left-right direction of the optical path L of the laser beam emitted from the exposure device 5 (in the direction of the photosensitive member axis X2) when the photosensitive member cartridge 6 and the developing cartridge 7 are mounted. It is provided outside and sandwiches the optical path L from both the left and right sides. By providing the handle 67 in this manner, the handle 67 can be disposed so as not to interfere with the optical path L, and the photosensitive member cartridge 6 (waste toner container 65 when the photosensitive member cartridge 6 is taken out from the front is provided. ) Can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the rotation shaft 67A and the photosensitive drum shaft 61A of the handle 67 protrude from the side surface 69A of the photosensitive member frame 69 to the left and right, and are guided by the photosensitive member guide 100 described above. It is comprised so that.

<Development cartridge>
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the developing cartridge 7 has a handle 75 for the user to hold. The handle 75 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the developing frame 79 about a rotating shaft 75 </ b> A supported at the front end of the developing frame 79.

  The handle 75 extends from the left and right ends of the pivot shaft 75A in the forward direction in the figure, and then has a pair of arm portions 75B extending in the front obliquely upward direction, and a grip portion 75C that connects the front end portions of the pair of arm portions 75B. I have.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the rotation shaft 75A protrudes from the side surface 79A of the developing frame 79 to the left and right outside. In addition to the pivot shaft 75A, a first projecting shaft 71B and a second projecting shaft 76 are provided on the side surface 79A of the developing frame 79 so as to project outward from the side surface 79A.

  The first protruding shaft 71B is connected to the developing roller shaft 71A and has a smaller diameter than the developing roller shaft 71A. The second protruding shaft 76 is disposed between the rotating shaft 75A and the first protruding shaft 71B. The first projecting shaft 71B and the second projecting shaft 76 are configured to be guided by the developing guide 110.

<Side frame>
As shown in FIG. 4A, the side frame 22 has a first side frame 22A and a second side frame 22B (see also FIG. 3B). The first side frame 22A has the above-described photoreceptor guide 100.

  The photoconductor guide 100 is a guide that guides attachment / detachment of the photoconductor cartridge 6, and includes a first photoconductor guide 101, a second photoconductor guide 102, and a third photoconductor guide 103.

  The first photoconductor guide 101 is a groove configured to pass between the paper feed tray 31 and the exposure device 5. The first photoconductor guide 101 extends rearward from the front end 2B of the apparatus main body 2, and is connected to the second photoconductor guide 102 and a third photoconductor guide 103 as an example of a guide portion at the rear end 101A.

  The second photoconductor guide 102 is a groove in which the photoconductive drum shaft 61A can be engaged, and extends rearward and obliquely upward from the rear end 101A of the first photoconductor guide 101.

  The third photosensitive member guide 103 is a groove in which the rotation shaft 67A of the handle 67 can be engaged, and the rear end 101A of the first photosensitive member guide 101 is inclined rearward and upward from the upper side of the second photosensitive member guide 102. After extending, it extends upward. The third photosensitive member guide 103 extends upward so as to intersect the optical path L of the exposure device 5 when viewed from the left-right direction (see also FIG. 1).

  The second side frame 22B is provided outside the first side frame 22A (see FIG. 3B), and is provided with the development guide 110 described above.

  The development guide 110 is a guide that guides attachment / detachment of the development cartridge 7, and includes a first development guide 111 and a second development guide 112.

  The first developing guide 111 is a groove with which the first projecting shaft 71B can be engaged, and has a first portion 111A and a second portion 111B. The second portion 111B is located in front of the first portion 111A (upstream in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 7) and passes between the paper feed tray 31 and the exposure device 5 (see FIG. 1), so that the apparatus main body 2 After extending rearward from the front end 2B, it extends rearward and obliquely upward and extends rearward. The second portion 111B is disposed between a compression spring 128 (described later) and the exposure device 5 when viewed from the left-right direction.

  111 A of 1st parts are extended in the back diagonal direction which is a direction which cross | intersects the 2nd part 111B from the rear end of the 2nd part 111B. The developing roller 71 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 61 by moving the first protruding shaft 71B near the upper end of the first portion 111A.

  The second development guide 112 is configured to be shallower than the first development guide 111 and is a groove with which the second protruding shaft 76 can be engaged. The second developing guide 112 is configured to pass between the paper feed tray 31 and the exposure device 5 and to define the posture of the developing cartridge 7 together with the first developing guide 111. The second developing guide 112 has a first guide portion 112A, a second guide portion 112B, a third guide portion 112C, and a fourth guide portion 112D.

  The first guide portion 112 </ b> A extends rearward from a position below the first developing guide 111 at the front end 2 </ b> B of the apparatus main body 2, and is configured to pass between the paper feed tray 31 and the exposure device 5. . The second guide portion 112B extends rearward and obliquely upward from the rear end of the first guide portion 112A.

  The third guide portion 112C extends obliquely downward from the rear end of the second guide portion 112B. When the second protruding shaft 76 is disposed at a position near the upper end of the third guide portion 112C, the developing cartridge 7 faces the photosensitive drum 61 with the developing roller 71, and the second protruding shaft 76 of the developing cartridge 7 is moved. It is arranged at a position where it cannot be pressed by a compression spring 128 described later (see FIG. 7).

  When the second projecting shaft 76 is disposed at a position near the lower end of the third guide portion 112C, the developing cartridge 7 is separated from the photosensitive drum 61 with the developing roller 71 facing the developing cartridge 7, and the compression spring 128 causes the developing cartridge 7 to The second protruding shaft 76 is arranged at a pressable position where the second protruding shaft 76 can be pressed toward the photosensitive cartridge 6 (see FIG. 6).

  The fourth guide part 112D extends from the lower end of the third guide part 112C in a rearward and upward direction that is a direction intersecting the third guide part 112C. In other words, the fourth guide portion 112D is a direction in which the developing roller 71 and the photosensitive drum 61 at the development mounting position face each other and is substantially the same as the first portion 111A described above. It extends along the pressing direction.

  By guiding the second projecting shaft 76 to a position near the upper end portion of the fourth guide portion 112D along the fourth guide portion 112D, the first projecting shaft 71B moves along the first portion 111A. It is guided to a position near the upper end of 111A.

  When the second protruding shaft 76 is disposed at a position near the upper end of the fourth guide portion 112D, the developing cartridge 7 is disposed at a pressing position where the compression spring 128 presses the second protruding shaft 76. (See FIG. 1).

  The second side frame 22B is provided with an interlocking mechanism 120 and a rotation mechanism 130 (see FIG. 5).

  The interlocking mechanism 120 is a mechanism for moving the second projecting shaft 76 of the developing cartridge 7 in order to press the developing cartridge 7 toward the photosensitive drum 61, and includes a first link 122, a second link 123, A third link 124 and a pressing mechanism 125 are provided.

  The second front cover 121 has a support portion 121 </ b> B that protrudes rearward from the vicinity of the lower end portion serving as a rotation center and is connected to the first link 122.

  The first link 122 is rotatably provided at the front end of the support part 121B and the front end of the second link 123. By opening the second front cover 121, the first link 122 is pulled by the support part 121B and moves forward. By closing the 2nd front cover 121, it is comprised by the support part 121B and moving back.

  The second link 123 is configured to be long in the front-rear direction and is supported by the second side frame 22B so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The second link 123 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the first link 122 and the front end of the third link 124. Accordingly, the second link 123 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction along with the movement of the first link 122.

  The front end of the third link 124 is rotatably provided at the rear end of the second link 123, and extends rearward and obliquely upward from the rear end of the second link 123. The third link 124 is provided with a long hole-shaped support hole 124 </ b> A for connecting to the pressing mechanism 125 at the rear end. The third link 124 is configured such that the front end moves in the front-rear direction as the first link 122 and the second link 123 move.

  The pressing mechanism 125 is a mechanism for pressing the developing cartridge 7 disposed at the pressing position toward the photosensitive cartridge 6 while moving the developing cartridge 7 between the pressable position and the pressing position. The pressing mechanism 125 is disposed below the third guide portion 112C and the fourth guide portion 112D and above the second link 123, and includes a support member 126, a pressing member 127, and a compression spring 128. ing.

  The support member 126 supports the compression spring 128 and is fixed to the second side frame 22B.

  The pressing member 127 is a member for pressing the second projecting shaft 76 along the fourth guide portion 112D, and with respect to the apparatus main body 2 around the rotating shaft 127A supported by the second side frame 22B. It is configured to be rotatable.

  The pressing member 127 includes a first pressing portion 127B extending from the rotating shaft 127A and a second pressing portion 127C extending from the rotating shaft 127A in a direction different from the first pressing portion 127B.

  The first pressing portion 127B is configured to press the second protruding shaft 76 of the developing cartridge 7 toward the upper end of the fourth guide portion 112D, and a pin 127D that engages with the support hole 124A is provided at the upper end. Have. The first pressing portion 127 </ b> B is configured to be able to contact the second projecting shaft 76 of the developing cartridge 7 from the obliquely lower front side.

  The first pressing portion 127B has an upper position that overlaps with the vicinity of the upper end of the fourth guide portion 112D (see FIG. 4A) and a lower position that is retracted downward from the upper position (see FIG. and b) are rotated. The first pressing portion 127B presses the second protruding shaft 76 at the upper position. In the lower position, the first pressing portion 127B is arranged to be lowered to a position where the second protruding shaft 76 can be arranged at the lower end of the fourth guide portion 112D and the lower end of the third guide portion 112C. ing.

  The second pressing portion 127C is disposed at a distance from the first pressing portion 127B so that the second protruding shaft 76 of the developing cartridge 7 can enter between the second pressing portion 127B and the first pressing portion 127B. It is comprised so that the 2 protrusion shaft 76 can be contacted from the rear side.

  When the first pressing portion 127B is in the upper position, the second pressing portion 127C is disposed at a position that does not overlap the fourth guide portion 112D on the rear side of the fourth guide portion 112D when viewed from the left-right direction. When the portion 127B is in the lower position, the portion 127B is arranged at a position overlapping the fourth guide portion 112D.

  When the first pressing portion 127B is in the lower position, the second pressing portion 127C has a fourth guide portion 112D as viewed from the left and right directions so that the second protruding shaft 76 can move in the third guide portion 112C. It is arranged at a position that does not overlap the lower end of the.

  The compression spring 128 is provided between the support member 126 and the first pressing portion 127B, and the first pressing portion 127B is attached to the rear obliquely upward direction so that the first pressing portion 127B is at the upper position. It is fast. The compression spring 128 is configured to bias the developing cartridge 7 via the first pressing portion 127B.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation mechanism 130 is a mechanism for rotating the developing cartridge 7 around the first protruding shaft 71 </ b> B, and includes a first rotation member 131, a second rotation member 132, and the like. The coil spring 133 is provided.

  The first rotation member 131 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 131A provided at the front portion of the apparatus main body 2 and above the first developing guide 111. In the state where the second front cover 121 is closed, the first rotation member 131 has a first arm portion 131B extending obliquely upward and forward from the rotation shaft 131A, and a second arm portion extending obliquely downward and rearward from the rotation shaft 131A. 131C.

  The first rotation member 131 is configured to rotate between a closed position (solid line position) and an open position (two-dot chain line position) rotated downward (clockwise in the drawing) from the closed position. Yes. The front end of the first arm portion 131B can be engaged with the upper portion of the opening 2A and the front end of the second front cover 121, and the first arm 131B is engaged by the closed second front cover 121. The closed state of the part 131B can be maintained.

  The second arm portion 131C is formed with a long hole 131D at the tip for supporting the second rotating member 132 (a pin 132D described later) so that the second rotating member 132 can be moved.

  The second rotation member 132 is configured to rotate about a rotation shaft 132A provided on the upper side of the rear end portion of the first developing guide 111. The second rotation member 132 includes a support arm 132B that extends obliquely downward and forward from the rotation shaft 132A. The support arm 132B has a shaft support part 132C and a pin 132D at the tip part.

  The shaft support portion 132C is a groove that can be engaged with the rotation shaft 75A of the developing cartridge 7 and can hold the rotation shaft 75A. The pin 132D is engaged with the long hole 131D of the second arm portion 131C.

  The coil spring 133 is configured to urge the support arm 132B upward. Above the support arm 132B, the upper end 133A is locked to the second side frame 22B, and the lower end 133B is locked to the support arm 132B. ing.

<Developer cartridge attachment / detachment operation>
The attaching / detaching operation of the developing cartridge 7 will be described.
When the first front cover 21 and the second front cover 121 are opened from the mounted state shown in FIG. 4B as shown in FIG. 4B, the first link 122 is pulled forward by the support portion 121B. The second link 123 also moves forward. When the second link 123 moves forward, the third link 124 rotates counterclockwise in the figure around the front end, and the pin 127D of the first pressing portion 127B that engages with the support hole 124A moves to the support hole 124A. Pushed by the edge, the pressing member 127 rotates from the upper position to the lower position against the biasing force of the compression spring 128.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the second protrusion shaft 76 is moved from the position near the upper end of the fourth guide portion 112D by the weight of the developing cartridge 7 and the pressure from the second pressing portion 127C. Move to the lower end of 112C. That is, the developing cartridge 7 moves from the pressing position to the pressable position. With this movement, the first protruding shaft 71B moves from a position near the upper end of the first portion 111A to a position at the lower end of the first portion 111A.

  As a result, the developing cartridge 7 can be moved from the pressing position to the pressable position in conjunction with the opening operation of the second front cover 121, and the developing roller 71 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 61.

  After the developing cartridge 7 is arranged at the pressable position, the support arm 132B is pulled by the coil spring 133 and rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. When the support arm 132B rotates and the tip is lifted, the pin 132D moves from the rear edge of the long hole 131D to the front edge, and lifts the upper edge of the long hole 131D, whereby the rear end of the second arm portion 131C. Is lifted upward. At this time, since the second front cover 121 is in the open position, the rotation of the first rotating member 131 (first arm portion 131B) is not hindered.

  When the tip of the support arm 132B is lifted, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotation shaft 75A of the developing cartridge 7 is lifted by the shaft support portion 132C. At this time, the developing cartridge 7 rotates around the first protruding shaft 71B located at the lower end portion of the first portion 111A, and the second protruding shaft 76 moves from the lower end to the upper end of the third guide portion 112C. Then, the position moves from the pressable position to the non-pressable position. Then, when the user grasps the handle 75 and pulls out the developing cartridge 7 diagonally forward, the rotating shaft 75A is detached from the shaft support portion 132C, and the developing cartridge 7 is taken out from the opening 2A (see FIGS. 8 and 9). ).

  On the other hand, when the developing cartridge 7 is mounted, the first projecting shaft 71B is inserted into the first developing guide 111, the second projecting shaft 76 is inserted into the second developing guide 112, and then the rotating shaft 75A is engaged with the shaft support portion 132C. The developing cartridge 7 is arranged at a position where pressing is impossible. As shown in FIG. 5, the first turning member 131 is turned from the open position to the closed position, and the rear end of the second arm portion 131C is lowered downward. When the second arm portion 131C is lowered, the pin 132D of the support arm 132B is pushed down at the upper edge of the long hole 131D while moving the long hole 131D from the front edge to the rear edge, whereby the support arm 132B is rotated. It rotates around 132A and the front end of the support arm 132B is lowered.

  When the front end of the support arm 132B is lowered, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotation shaft 75A of the developing cartridge 7 is pushed down by the shaft support portion 132C. At this time, the developing cartridge 7 rotates around the first protruding shaft 71B located at the lower end portion of the first portion 111A, and the second protruding shaft 76 moves from the upper end to the lower end of the third guide portion 112C. Then, it moves from the position where pressing is not possible to the position where pressing is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the developing cartridge 7 is disposed at the pressable position and the second front cover 121 is closed, the first link 122 is pushed rearward by the support portion 121B, and accordingly, the second link The link 123 also moves backward. When the second link 123 moves rearward, the third link 124 rotates clockwise around the front end, and the pin 127D of the first pressing portion 127B engaged with the support hole 124A is lifted by the edge, The first pressing portion 127B rotates from the lower position to the upper position.

  When the second protruding shaft 76 is pressed upward by the first pressing portion 127B, the second protruding shaft 76 moves to the vicinity of the upper end of the fourth guide portion 112D, and the first protruding shaft 71B is moved to the upper end of the first portion 111A. The developer cartridge 7 moves to a nearby position, and the developing cartridge 7 moves from the pressable position to the pressed position (see FIG. 1). The first pressing portion 127B is biased by the compression spring 128, whereby the developing roller 71 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 61, and the developing cartridge 7 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2.

  Accordingly, the developing cartridge 7 can be moved from the pressable position to the pressing position in conjunction with the operation of closing the second front cover 121, and the developing roller 71 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum 61.

<Removal operation of photoconductor cartridge>
The attaching / detaching operation of the photosensitive member cartridge 6 will be described.
When the developing cartridge 7 is detached from the mounted state shown in FIG. 1, the contact between the elastic member 66 and the reinforcing plate 73B is released as shown in FIG. As a result, the photosensitive cartridge 6 rotates about the photosensitive drum shaft 61A by its own weight or a biasing force of a spring (not shown) (a spring that biases the handle 67), and the rotating shaft 67A of the handle 67 is rotated by the third photosensitive member. It goes down along the guide 103. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the photoconductor cartridge 6 rotates from the photoconductor mounting position to a rotation position where the waste toner storage container 65 is disposed in the storage space S of the developing cartridge 7. In other words, the waste toner container 65 rotates from the waste toner mounting position to the waste toner rotation position.

  As a result, the waste toner container 65 moves to the waste toner rotation position by the detachment operation of the developing cartridge 7, so that the operability of the laser printer 1 can be improved.

  When the waste toner container 65 rotates to the waste toner rotation position, as shown in FIG. 10, the handle 67 is grasped and the photosensitive cartridge 6 is taken out along the photosensitive member guide 100 from the opening 2A.

  On the other hand, when the photosensitive member cartridge 6 is mounted, if the photosensitive drum shaft 61A and the rotating shaft 67A are aligned with the guides 102 and 103 and are inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the opening 2A, the waste toner container of the photosensitive member cartridge 6 is placed. As shown in FIG. 9, 65 is in a state where it is disposed at the waste toner rotation position on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the photosensitive cartridge 6 in the apparatus main body 2. After that, when the developing cartridge 7 is arranged at the developing attachment position as described above, the elastic member 66 is pushed up by the reinforcing plate 73B as shown in FIG. Then, the photosensitive member cartridge 6 is disposed at the photosensitive member mounting position.

  Thereby, the waste toner container 65 is moved to the waste toner mounting position by the mounting operation of the developing cartridge 7, so that the operability of the laser printer 1 can be improved.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
For example, when the photosensitive cartridge 6 is attached / detached from between the paper feed tray 31 and the exposure device 5 with the waste toner storage container 65 in the posture when the waste toner is mounted, the waste toner storage container 65 is attached to the exposure device 5. It becomes easy to interfere. However, in this embodiment, since the waste toner container 65 moves to the waste toner rotation position, the waste toner container 65 tilts downward and faces between the exposure device 5 and the paper feed unit 3. It is possible to suppress the waste toner container 65 from interfering with the exposure device 5 when the body cartridge 6 is attached or detached.

  Here, when the waste toner container 65 has the cleaning blade 64, when the waste toner container 65 is rotated with respect to the photoconductor frame 69, the contact position of the cleaning blade 64 and the photosensitive drum 61 moves, and the cleaning blade is moved. 64 easily damages the photosensitive drum 61.

  However, in the present embodiment, since the waste toner container 65 rotates integrally with the photoconductor frame 69, the positional relationship between the cleaning blade 64 and the photoconductive drum 61 does not change, and the cleaning blade is rotated by the rotation of the photoconductor cartridge 6. 64 can prevent the photosensitive drum 61 from being damaged.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. About a concrete structure, it can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  In the embodiment, the waste toner container 65 is rotated integrally with the photoconductor frame 69, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the waste toner container 65 may be configured to rotate with respect to the photoconductor frame 69. Good. Further, the waste toner container 65 may be configured to rotate around a second axis different from the photoconductor axis X2 parallel to the photoconductor axis X2.

  In the embodiment, the photosensitive cartridge 6 has the cleaning blade 64, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may have a cleaning roller, for example.

  In the above-described embodiment, the photosensitive cartridge 6 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the developing cartridge 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening / closing operation of the second front cover 121 is performed. You may be comprised so that it may link with.

  In the above-described embodiment, the developing roller 71 is illustrated as an example of the developer carrier, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a developing sleeve in which a magnet roller is disposed or a brush-like roller is adopted. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the contact development type laser printer 1 in which toner is supplied to the photosensitive drum 61 from the developing roller 71 in contact with the photosensitive drum 61 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are not limited thereto. A non-contact development type image forming apparatus that performs development with a predetermined interval between the two may be employed.

  In the embodiment, the waste toner container 65 is configured integrally with the photoconductor frame 69, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured separately from the photoconductor frame 69.

  In the embodiment, the housing space S of the developing cartridge 7 is formed between the photosensitive cartridge 6 and the paper feed frame 31A. However, the separation roller 34 supported by the apparatus main body 2 and the paper feed frame 31A are not provided. The developing cartridge 7 may be mounted between the pickup roller 33 and the photosensitive cartridge 6.

  In each of the embodiments, the monochrome laser printer 1 is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be another image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer 2 Apparatus main body 2A Opening 3 Paper feed part 5 Exposure apparatus 6 Photosensitive cartridge 7 Developing cartridge 61 Photosensitive drum 65 Waste toner storage container 71 Developing roller 100 Photosensitive guide 110 Developing guide

Claims (11)

The device body;
A paper feeder configured to supply recording sheets;
A main body having a frame for supporting a photoconductor configured to rotate around a first axis and a waste developer container configured to store a developer recovered from the photoconductor; A photosensitive cartridge removable in a direction perpendicular to the first axis,
An exposure apparatus configured to expose the photoreceptor;
A developer carrying member configured to supply developer to the photoconductor, and a development cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body in a direction perpendicular to the first axis,
The apparatus main body has a photoconductor guide configured such that the photoconductor cartridge passes between the paper feeding unit and the exposure device,
The waste developer container is configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis between the first position and the second position with respect to the apparatus main body,
The first position is a position where the waste developer container is disposed on the opposite side of the paper feeding unit across the optical path from the exposure apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second position is a position where the waste developer container intersects the optical path. The device body;
A paper feeder configured to supply recording sheets;
A main body having a frame for supporting a photoconductor configured to rotate around a first axis and a waste developer container configured to store a developer recovered from the photoconductor; A photosensitive cartridge removable in a direction perpendicular to the first axis,
An exposure apparatus configured to expose the photoreceptor;
A developer carrying member configured to supply developer to the photoconductor, and a development cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body in a direction perpendicular to the first axis,
The apparatus main body is
A photoconductor guide configured such that the photoconductor cartridge passes between the paper feeding unit and the exposure device;
An accommodating space configured to accommodate the developer cartridge in a state where the developer carrying member and the photosensitive member face each other;
A developing guide configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the accommodation space;
The waste developer container is configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position with respect to the apparatus main body,
The first position is a position where the waste developer storage container is disposed on the side opposite to the paper feeding unit with the developer cartridge interposed therebetween.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second position is a position where the waste developer storage container is disposed in the storage space in a state where the developer cartridge is detached from the storage space.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive cartridge is configured to be rotatable integrally with the waste developer container with respect to the apparatus main body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photoconductor cartridge has a cleaning blade configured to come into contact with the photoconductor and collect the developer on the photoconductor.   5. The waste developer container is configured to rotate from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the detachment operation of the developer cartridge. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   6. The waste developer container is configured to rotate from the second position to the first position in conjunction with the mounting operation of the developer cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste developer container has a handle for a user to hold.   The handle extends downward from the waste developer container on the outer side in the first axial direction of the optical path from the exposure apparatus when the waste developer container is in the first position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a pair of the handles are provided across the optical path.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pair of handles are connected to each lower end portion. The photoreceptor guide includes a guide portion that guides the photoreceptor cartridge when the waste toner container moves between the first position and the second position.
11. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion extends so as to intersect an optical path from the exposure apparatus when viewed from the first axial direction. apparatus.

Images