JP2001343880A - Electrophotographic image forming equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to maintain frame rigidity and improve maintenance of a color image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units. A slide (1) is provided on an upper surface of an image forming apparatus main body (4).
3 is provided and the slide is moved to form the opening 2 or 3. The image forming units P _Y , P
_M, P _C, the maintenance of P _K do.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally forms a visible image (toner image) on an image carrier by an electrophotographic recording system or an electrostatic recording system, and transfers the toner image to a transfer material to obtain an image. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a full-color electrophotographic recording type copier or printer having a plurality of image forming units.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a high-speed full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming apparatus), a photosensitive drum serving as an image carrier as an image forming body, and an exposure section for forming a latent image on the photosensitive drum using light. And a plurality of image forming units each including a developing unit that visualizes a latent image by using magnetism and electric charge to obtain a visible image (toner image). The toner image finally obtained by the plurality of image forming units is transferred to a transfer material by a transfer unit, and becomes a full-color fixed image on the transfer material by a fixing device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a high-speed full-color image forming apparatus having four image forming units.

Generally, in the case of high-speed full color, yellow,
Magenta, cyan and black developing devices (1
5Y, 15M, 15C and 15K), respectively, dedicated photosensitive drums (14Y, 14M, 14C and 14K).
K). Note that the arrangement order of the four colors is not limited to this. In order to realize a high-speed full-color image forming apparatus, the use of a plurality of image forming units is an extremely effective means.
Use of 4 is effective. Here, the photosensitive drums 14Y, 1
Although there is one exposure unit for forming a latent image on each of 4M, 14C, and 14K in each image forming unit, the light source is only one in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, a latent image is formed on each of the photosensitive drums 14Y, 14M, 14C and 14K by using a plurality of diffraction means 22 from one image exposure device 21.

[0005] From the above, on the upper part of the four image forming units,
Storage of one image exposure device 21 and plural diffraction means 22
Therefore, there is a space for increasing the optical path length to each of the photosensitive drums 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K. Furthermore, when the upper spaces of the four image forming units are closed, four toner hoppers (not shown) that supply the toners of the respective colors to the developing devices (15Y to 15K) of the respective colors are arranged in front of the respective image forming units. .

[0006]

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a high-speed full-color image forming apparatus having four image exposure devices for forming a latent image. In FIG. 6, the subscripts Y,
M, C and K indicate yellow, magenta, cyan and black, respectively, and the photosensitive drum (14
Y to 14K), a developing device (15Y to 15K), a photosensitive drum cleaner (17Y to 17K), a primary charging device (18Y)
18K), a toner hopper (31Y to 31K), a toner cartridge (32Y to 32K), and an LED array (33Y to 33K). Reference numeral 34 denotes a transfer material transport belt.

As shown in FIG. 6, one LED array (33Y to 33K) is provided for each photosensitive drum 14Y to 14K as an image exposure device for forming a latent image, and is provided at a position near the photosensitive drums 14Y to 14K. By arranging them, it is possible to effectively utilize the upper space of a plurality of image forming bodies which conventionally house the writing optical system on the photosensitive drums 14Y to 14K.
In FIG. 6, the toner hoppers (31Y to 31K) and the toner cartridges (32Y to 32K) of the respective colors, which are conventionally arranged in front of the respective image forming units, are housed in the upper portions of the respective image forming units. This saves space in front of each image forming section, and as a result, the image forming apparatus can be made compact.

However, at the same time, these means lead to an increase in the number of units and consumable parts in the image forming apparatus.
The maintenance target of the image forming apparatus is increased. Increasing the number of maintenance targets not only complicates the work, but also leads to the distribution of the failure location to the entire apparatus.
Further, when a maintenance operation is performed from the front side of the image forming apparatus as in the related art, it is necessary to secure a new work space, and a reduction in the strength of the frame of the image forming apparatus is also a problem.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of simplifying a wide range of maintenance work without lowering the strength of the frame of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units in an image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus main body having a maintainable opening on an upper surface thereof; and a slide capable of opening and closing the opening of the image forming apparatus main body and capable of bidirectionally moving horizontally. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized in that a unit inside the image forming apparatus main body can be detached, replaced, or maintained through an opening formed on an upper surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a movable member is provided in addition to the slide, and a movable range of the slide is out of a movable range of the movable member. An image forming apparatus.

A third invention according to the present application is the electrophotographic image according to the first or second invention, wherein the slide is movable within a range in which the center of gravity of the slide exists on the image forming apparatus main body. It is a forming device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus main body has a stopper mechanism for regulating a moving range of the slide. It is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a slide and an image forming apparatus main body can be connected by cables, wherein the image forming apparatus main body and the cable connection port of the slide are provided as described above. In a state where the slide is closed within a vertical plane parallel to the slide movement direction and the opening of the image forming apparatus main body is substantially co-linear with the slide movement direction, An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

A sixth invention according to the present application has a sliding portion between the slide and the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body, and at least one of the sliding portion of the slide and the sliding portion of the image forming apparatus main body. Is made of a material that relatively reduces frictional resistance.
(1) An electrophotographic image forming apparatus described in (1).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a sliding portion of the slide or a sliding portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus is provided with an engaging portion having a slope shape having a slope on both sides and a step formed between the slope shapes. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein one of the moving parts has a plurality, and the other has the same number of protrusion shapes that engage with the engaging parts.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the engaging portion includes:
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein a groove is provided between the slope shape and the step shape.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the center distance of the engaging portion and the center distance of the protruding shape are different from each other with respect to a plurality of sets which are engaged with each other. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein each projection shape and each engaging portion are not engaged at the same time, but all are engaged with a time lag.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the sliding portion of the slide and the sliding portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus are engaged with each other in the engaging portion and the projecting shape provided with each other, The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects of the present invention, further comprising a mechanism for establishing mutual electrical continuity between the image forming apparatus main bodies.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the sliding portion of the slide and the sliding portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus are engaged with each other in the engaging portion and the projection provided to each other, The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the provided reference target substantially matches a reference target provided in the image forming apparatus main body.

A twelfth invention according to the present application is the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, wherein the slide has the sliding portion.

A thirteenth invention according to the present application is the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the twelfth invention, wherein the slide has a document reading device for reading a document.

A fourteenth invention according to the present application is the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth invention, wherein the slide has the document reading device and the automatic document feeding device.

[0024]

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in a full-color image forming apparatus having four image forming units. Each P _Y, is P _M, P _C and P _K show yellow, magenta, an image forming unit for cyan and black. In the present embodiment, the arrangement order of the image forming units of each color is yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from the right with respect to the front of the image forming apparatus. However, the arrangement order may be different.

Normally, the document processing apparatus 11, the reader unit 12, and the upper surface 13 of the image forming apparatus are set in the state shown in FIG. Here, the document processing device 11 automatically feeds the document to the reader unit 12. Then, the original is collected after the reader unit 12 reads the original. Reader unit 12 is a document reading device for feeding the document on the reader unit 12 reads an image forming unit _{P Y, P M, P C} , as image information P _K. However, the document processing device 11 and the reader unit 12 are not essential.

Here, the document processing apparatus 11, the reader unit 12, and the upper surface 13 are supported substantially integrally by fixing means. Hereinafter, what is substantially integrally supported is referred to as a slide body 1. The upper surface portion 13 is a slide having a sliding portion that slides on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 4. Here, the slide body 1 has an upper surface portion 13 and is horizontally movable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 4. And an upper surface portion 13 and a reader unit 12 for reading an original. And upper surface section 13, document processing apparatus 1
1. It has a reader unit 12 and can automatically feed and read a document.

When maintenance of the image forming units P _Y , P _M , P _C , and P _K is required, the slide body 1 is horizontally moved in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG. Thereby, the opening 2 is formed on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 4,
Yellow image forming unit P _Y and magenta image forming unit P _M
Can be attached and detached and replaced.
Further, the horizontal movement limit position of the slide body 1 in the direction of arrow B is securely and safely determined by the stopper 42B provided on the main body frame 41B. Here, the main body frame 41B is a frame on the left side of the housing that forms the frame of the image forming apparatus main body 4 with its entire upper part opened. The mounting position of the stopper 42B is a position where the center of gravity G of the slide body 1 exists within the range on the image forming apparatus. A fixed member (not shown) provided on the upper surface portion 13 contacts the stopper 42B. Therefore, there is no danger that the image forming apparatus loses its balance and rolls over even if the slide body 1 is horizontally moved fully in the direction of arrow B.

[0029] Conversely, by horizontally moving in the arrow C direction slide body 1 as shown in FIG. 1 (c), the component units and components of the cyan image forming unit P _C, and a black image forming unit P _K similar Can be detached and replaced from the opening 3 formed on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 4. The horizontal movement limit position of the slide body 1 in the direction of the arrow C is more reliable because the fixed member (not shown) provided on the upper surface portion 13 contacts the stopper 42C provided on the main body frame 41C as in the case of the direction of the arrow B. Also, the center of gravity G of the slide body 1 is always determined within a range on the image forming apparatus. Here, the main body frame 41C is a right side frame of a housing that forms a frame of the image forming apparatus main body 4 having an entire upper part opened.

The horizontal movement range of the slide body 1 in the directions of arrows B and C is set outside the movable range of other movable parts (for example, a paper supply unit and a paper discharge unit) of the image forming apparatus. Consideration is given not to impair the operation and functions of other movable parts. This is because, for example, a paper discharge tray 5 (not shown in FIG. 1) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is pivotally attached to the apparatus main body 4 by a hinge 5c, and is rotatable upward. Then, the extension tray 5a is expanded and contracted along the root tray 5b. When the discharge tray 5 rotates upward with the extension tray 5a contracted, the movable range of the slide body 1 is limited so that the slide body 1 does not hit.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the slide 1. When the document processing apparatus 11 and the reader unit 12 are connected to the image forming apparatus main body 4, the connection ports of the cables 43 (for example, communication cables) for connecting each other are connected to the object to be placed (in this example, the document processing apparatus 11 and the reader unit 12 are connected). Port 44 and image forming apparatus body side connection port 4
Divided into five. As shown in FIG.
In the position where the opening portions 2 and 3 are closed, these two connection ports (44 and 45) are moved in the moving direction B of the upper surface portion 13.
It is arranged on a straight line n perpendicular to the movement direction BC on a vertical plane along the back surface of the image forming apparatus positioned parallel to C.
Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the amount of movement of the slide body 1 in both the B direction and the C direction has the same degree of dependence on the length of the cables 43.

In the present embodiment, the horizontal movement direction of the slide body 1 is bidirectional left and right, but other bidirectional horizontal movements may be used.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a sliding portion of the horizontal moving mechanism for moving the slide body in the left and right directions described in the first embodiment.

The upper surface 13 made of a metal material has a total of four projections 55 diagonally integrated with the upper surface 13 formed by drawing or the like. This projection shape 5
Reference numeral 5 denotes a triangle which protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper surface portion 13 and has a chevron shape having a width in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The tip of the projection 55 is rounded in an arc shape. These four protrusion shapes 55 are fulcrums of the upper surface portion 13 or the slide body 1 and serve as sliding portions on the upper surface portion side 13. On the other hand, a resin material 51 having excellent slidability is formed over the entire upper surface of the front and rear walls of the image forming apparatus main body 4 which is the other sliding portion, and the protrusion 55 is supported by the resin material 51. By sliding, the sliding performance in the movement of the upper surface portion 13 is improved. That is, it is possible to reduce the friction in the sliding portion and to prevent the generation of metal powder and the like due to the scraping, and to prevent the occurrence of secondary problems such as defective images and operation failure. Here, the frictional resistance of the sliding portion depends on the combination of the sliding members. It is preferable that at least one of the materials has a relatively small friction coefficient.

Further, the resin material 51 is provided with four engaging portions formed of slope shapes 52a and 52b having slopes which become higher toward both sides in a direction approaching each other, and a stepped shape 54 which is sandwiched between these slope shapes and falls. I have. Here, the slope shapes 52a and 52b protrude upward from the sliding surface 51a of the resin material 51 which is a flat surface over the entire length. The step 54 is located at a position lower than the sliding surface 51 a of the resin material 51. These four engaging portions are arranged diagonally to each other, and the four protrusions 55
And engage with each other. Thereby, the click shape is given when the protrusion shape 55 gets over the slope shape 52a or 52b and then fits into the step shape 54. In addition, even if shaving occurs in the sliding portion, the protrusion 55
When the vehicle gets over the slope shape 52a or 52b and moves to the step shape 54, the powder attached to the projection shape 55 can be wiped off. In the above description, the side surfaces 54a and 54b of the groove formed by the stepped shape 54 are substantially vertical surfaces, and together with the slope shapes 52a and 52b, the sliding surface 51a
The projection is higher than the projection. Therefore, before the protrusion 55 is fitted into the step 54, the protrusion 5
In FIG. 5, since the slopes 52a and 52b have a gentle inclination, the projection 55 is easily dropped into the step 54, but when the projection 55 comes off from the step 54, the side surfaces 54a and 5
4b and the slopes 52a and 52b must be passed over, so that the resistance of the slide body 1 is large.
There is no need to inadvertently push and move by hand. Further, the slope shapes 52a and 52b and the step shape 54
By providing the groove 53 between the protrusions 55, the above-mentioned powder removed from the protrusion 55 can be collected in the groove 53.

Here, FIG. 4 shows details when the engaging portion and the projection 55 are engaged with each other. FIG. 4 is a diagram viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, there are two sets of the engaging portions and the projections 55 that engage with each other, that is, two sets of left and right sides of the front side of the illustrated image forming apparatus and two sets of left and right sides of the unillustrated image forming section. As shown in FIG. 4C, the distance L1 between the centers of the left and right protrusions 55 is made longer than the distance L2 between the centers of the left and right steps 54 in the engaged state. It is assumed that the slide body 1 is moved from the state horizontally moved leftward to the engagement state position. First, FIG.
When the slide body 1 moves rightward as shown in FIG.
Only one protrusion shape 55 rides on the slope shape 52a first. Then, as shown in FIG.
The two protrusion shapes 55 ride on the slope shape 52a.
Then, the right projection 55 falls into the step 54.
Accordingly, the force applied to the slide body 1 can be dispersed so that the total weight of the slide body 1 is lifted in two steps, and the labor required for the operator to move can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the timing at which the projection shape 55 rides on the slope shape is dispersed into two times. Further, when the slide body is horizontally moved rightward from the state where the slide body is moved to the engagement state position, the dispersing can be similarly performed.

The description will be continued with reference to FIG. When the electrical conductivity between the upper surface portion 13 and the image forming apparatus main body 4 is lost due to the use of the resin material 51, a conductive member having electrical conductivity in the stepped shape 54 is used. 56 are provided. Thereby, the engagement portion and the projection 55
Can be electrically connected to each other when they are engaged with each other.

Further, when the engaging portion and the projection 55 are engaged with each other, the left and right side surfaces of the upper surface portion 13 or the slide body 1 coincide with the left and right side surfaces of the image forming apparatus main body 4 (the surface D and the surface E). ) Dimensional relationship. Thereby, the worker can adjust the force based on the prediction of the engagement state, with the coincidence of the left and right side surfaces as the reference target. Embodiment 2 has a projection 55
Is provided on the upper surface portion 13, and the resin material 5
However, the protrusion 55 may be provided on the image forming apparatus main body 4 and the resin material 51 may be provided on the upper surface 13.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are summarized and supplemented as follows. (1) In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units, the upper surface unit 13 slid in the embodiment can be horizontally moved bidirectionally, so that the upper surface unit 13 can be moved horizontally. The openings 2 and 3 can be secured over the entire upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 4 without removing the main body 4 from the main body 4. As a result, maintenance work for more units and components can be performed in one opening, and the work area can be widened, so that maintenance work can be easily performed. Further, it is unlikely that a plurality of units and components all fail at the same time. Therefore,
From the viewpoint of the necessity of maintenance according to the failure location in the image forming apparatus, a flexible response is possible by selecting the horizontal movement direction of the upper surface portion 13.
From the above, for the maintenance work of units and parts that are diversified and pluralized over the entire area of the image forming apparatus,
The number of openings can be easily reduced, and the strength of the frame of the image forming apparatus can be prevented from lowering. (2) The movable range of the upper surface 13 is made smaller than the movable ranges of the other movable parts of the image forming apparatus. Thus, maintenance work can be performed without impairing the operation and functions of the other movable parts. (3) When a mounted object such as the document processing apparatus 11 or the reader unit 12 is installed on the upper surface 13, the mounted object is substantially integrally supported by the upper surface 13, and thus can move together. Thus, maintenance work can be easily performed without removing the mounted object. Further, the center of gravity of the object can be moved within a range existing on the image forming apparatus main body 4. Thereby, safety of the maintenance work can be secured. (4) The stoppers 42B and 42C for regulating the moving range of the upper surface portion 13 are provided on the housing constituting the image forming apparatus main body 4. Thereby, the movement of the upper surface portion 13 can be stopped reliably and safely, withstanding the inertia of the mounted object. (5) When the image forming apparatus and the object can be connected to each other by cables (for example, a communication cable) 43, the image forming apparatus and the object have connection ports 44 and 45 of the cables 43, respectively. These connection ports 44 and 45 are arranged on a side surface parallel to the moving direction of the upper surface portion 13 and on substantially the same straight line perpendicular to the moving direction of the upper surface portion 13. Thereby, the influence of the length of the cables 43 on the movement range of the upper surface portion 13 can be made substantially the same in both directions. (6) In a sliding portion between the upper surface portion 13 and the image forming apparatus main body 4, at least one of the sliding portion of the upper surface portion 13 and the sliding portion of the image forming apparatus main body 4 has a relatively low frictional resistance. By using a material such as a resin material 51,
The slidability in the movement of the upper surface can be improved. Further, since it is possible to prevent abrasion in the sliding portion, it is possible to prevent a secondary problem (for example, a defective image, a malfunction, or the like) caused by the powder generated by the abrasion entering the image forming portion. (7) One of the sliding portion of the upper surface portion 13 and the sliding portion of the image forming apparatus main body 4 has slope shapes 52a and 52b with both side inclinations rising in a direction approaching each other, and is sandwiched between these slope shapes. A plurality of engaging portions each having the stepped shape 54 that is dropped are arranged. Further, on the other side, the same number of protrusions 55 that engage with these engagement portions are arranged. This allows
The operator can recognize the setting state of the slide on the image forming apparatus main body through the feeling of getting over the slope shape and the feeling of fitting in the step shape. In addition, even if powder is generated due to shaving in the sliding portion, the powder that has adhered when moving over the slope shape and shifting to the step shape can be removed. (8) By providing the groove 53 between the slope shape and the step shape in the engaging portion, even if the generated powder is wiped off in the step shape, it can be collected in the groove portion. (9) The distance L2 between the centers of the engaging portions and the distance L1 between the centers of the projections 55 are different from each other for any plurality of sets in which all of them are engaged with each other in the moving direction of the upper surface portion 13.
Each of the projections 55 and each of the engagement portions are not engaged at the same time, and all are engaged with a time lag. Thereby, the timing at which the protrusion shape crosses the slope shape is divided into a plurality of times, and even when there is an object on the slide, the load at the time when the slope shape crosses the slope shape can be dispersed into a plurality of times, thereby reducing the burden on the operator. Can be reduced. (10) In the case where the engaging portion or the shape of the protrusion is a slidable member such as a resin material and has no electrical conductivity, a conductive member 56 made of an electrically conductive material is provided. Thus, at least mutual conduction can be achieved in a state where the upper surface portion and the image forming apparatus main body are engaged with each other in the engaging portion and the projecting shape provided to each other. (11) A reference target (not shown) is provided on the upper surface portion 13,
A reference target (not shown) for this is set to the image forming apparatus main body 4.
To be provided. Further, when the sliding portion of the upper surface portion 13 and the sliding portion of the image forming apparatus main body 4 are engaged with each other at the engaging portion and the projection 55 provided to each other, the surfaces D and E which are reference targets thereof are provided. Approximately match each other. Accordingly, when the operator sets the image forming apparatus main body from the state in which the upper surface portion is moved, the force can be adjusted based on the prediction of the engagement state.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, a wide range of maintenance work can be simplified without lowering the strength of the frame of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are longitudinal sectional views schematically illustrating an embodiment of the present invention in a full-color image forming apparatus having four image forming apparatuses.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are rear views of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 3 is a front view for explaining in detail a sliding portion of a horizontal moving mechanism for moving a slide body bidirectionally left and right.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are front views illustrating details when an engaging portion and a projection shape engage with each other;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating a high-speed full-color image forming apparatus having four image forming units.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating a high-speed full-color image forming apparatus having four image exposure apparatuses.

[Explanation of symbols]

P _Y , P _M , P _C , P _K ... Image forming unit G ... Center of gravity of slide n ... Straight line D, E ... Side surface (reference target) 1 ... Slide 2 ... Opening 3 ... Opening 4 ... Image forming apparatus Main body 11 Document processing device 12 Reader unit 13 Image forming device upper surface portion 14Y, 14M, 14C, 14K Photosensitive drum 15Y, 15M, 15C, 15K Developing device 17Y, 17M, 17C, 17K Photosensitive drum cleaner 18Y, 18M, 18C, 18K primary charging device 21 exposure device 22 diffraction means 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31K toner hopper 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner cartridge 33Y, 33M, 33C, 33K LED array 34 transport Belt 41B: Main frame 41C: Main frame 42B: Stopper 42C: Stopper 43: Cables 44: Mounted object side connection port 45: Image forming apparatus main body side connection port 51: Resin material 51a: Sliding surface 52a, 52b: Slope shape 53: Groove 54: Stepped shape 54a, 54b: Side surface 55: Projection shape 56: Conductive Sex material

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Taro Ikeda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2H030 AA06 AA07 AB02 BB02 BB21 BB41 2H071 AA05 AA13 AA15 AA26 AA34 BA13 BA20 DA01 DA05 DA34 EA18 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB22 AB30 AB35 AB40 AD02 AD06

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units in an image forming apparatus main body, wherein an image forming apparatus main body has an opening on an upper surface on which a unit in the image forming apparatus main body can be detached, replaced, or maintained. And a slide that can open and close the opening of the image forming apparatus main body and can move in two directions horizontally. The image forming apparatus main body is opened from the opening formed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body by the horizontal movement of the slide. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein an internal unit can be detached, replaced, or maintained. 2. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a movable member other than the slide, wherein a movable range of the slide is out of a movable range of the movable member. 3. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide is movable within a range where the center of gravity of the slide exists on the image forming apparatus main body. 4. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the image forming apparatus has a stopper mechanism for regulating a moving range of the slide. 5. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a slide and an image forming apparatus main body can be connected by cables, and a cable connection port of the image forming apparatus main body and the slide is parallel to a moving direction of the slide. In a vertical plane,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the slide is closed at the opening of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the slide is positioned on substantially the same straight line perpendicular to the moving direction of the slide. Electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 6. A sliding part between the slide and the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body, wherein at least one of the sliding part of the slide and the sliding part of the image forming apparatus main body relatively has a frictional resistance. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is configured by a material to be reduced. 7. A sliding portion of the slide or a sliding portion having a slope shape having a slope that becomes higher toward both sides in a direction approaching each other and a stepped shape provided between the slope shapes and falling downward. 7. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one of the sliding portions of the image forming apparatus main body has a plurality of portions, and the other has the same number of protrusion shapes that engage with these engaging portions. . 8. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said engaging portion has a groove between a slope shape and a stepped shape. 9. The center distance of the engaging portion and the center distance of the projection shape are different from each other with respect to a plurality of sets in which all of them engage with each other in the slide movement direction. 9. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein all the parts are engaged at a time lag without being engaged at the same time. 10. When the sliding portion of the slide and the sliding portion of the image forming apparatus main body are engaged with each other in the engaging portion and the projection, the mutual movement between the slide and the image forming apparatus main body is performed. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a mechanism for establishing electrical continuity. 11. A reference target and an image provided on a slide when the sliding portion of the slide and the sliding portion of the image forming apparatus main body are engaged with each other in the engaging portion and the projection shape provided on each other. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein reference targets provided on the forming apparatus main body substantially coincide with each other.
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. 12. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide has the sliding portion. 13. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said slide has a document reading device for reading a document. 14. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the slide includes the document reading device and the automatic document feeding device.