JP2002049289A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image forming apparatus for a color image in which each unit can be easily replaced without causing a scratch or the like on a photoreceptor or the like, and with less occurrence of failure. SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 includes units 2, 3, and 4, each unit 2.
31, 41, housings 22, 32, and 45 for rotatably supporting the toner transfer bodies 21, and protective covers 23, 33, 47, and 48 for covering the toner transfer bodies 21 are provided. Release means for releasing the lock between each protective cover 23 and each housing 22 in a state where each unit 2 is mounted on the main device, and allowing each protective cover 23 to be detachable; Fixing means for fixing each unit 2 to the main body device with the protective cover 23 removed from the housing 22 is provided, and the mounting and dismounting direction of each unit 2 and each protective cover 23 is determined by each toner transfer member. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it coincides with the rotation axis direction of 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus capable of facilitating maintenance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG.
01 and a charger 102 for charging the photosensitive member 101
And a developing roller 103 for developing a latent image formed on a charged portion of the photoreceptor 101 are assembled in a case 104, and there is an image forming unit 100 for a monochrome image which is detachable from a main body device. The photoreceptor 101 is configured so that a part thereof is exposed from the opening 104a of the case 104, and the exposed portion contacts the printing surface of the recording paper to transfer the toner.

The photoreceptor 101 is liable to be deteriorated when exposed to external light, and is easily damaged when it comes into contact with other members. Therefore, the conventional image forming unit 100 includes a displaceable protective cover 105 for protecting the photosensitive member 101,
A drive mechanism (not shown) for displacing the protection cover 105 from the protection position X to the retracted position Y is provided. The drive mechanism arranges the protection cover 105 at the protection position X that covers the opening 104a of the case 104 in a state where the image forming unit 100 is not mounted on the main body device, and mounts the image forming unit 100 on the main body device. The protective cover 105 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9) is retracted to the retracted position Y so that 101 is exposed. By adopting such a configuration, the user himself can easily form the image forming unit 10.
The maintenance cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

Recently, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus for a color image in which a plurality of developing rollers and an intermediate transfer member are arranged on an outer peripheral surface of a photosensitive member. This image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor unit, a plurality of developing units, and an intermediate transfer unit, and each unit is independently detachable from a main unit. Each unit includes a photosensitive member, a developing roller, and an intermediate transfer member. In addition, since these photoconductors, developing rollers, and intermediate transfer bodies are easily deteriorated when exposed in the same manner as the photoconductors of the above-described monochrome image forming apparatus, each unit is provided with a protective cover, a driving mechanism, and the like. Provided.

[0005]

However, in the above-described photoreceptor unit of the image forming apparatus for a color image, a plurality of developing rollers and the like are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor.
It is necessary to secure the exposed portion of the photoreceptor wider than in the case of an image forming unit dedicated to monochrome, and accordingly, the size of the protective cover itself increases. For this reason, when the configuration of the protective cover and the drive mechanism of the image forming unit exclusively for monochrome is adopted as it is in the photoreceptor unit for color images, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure a space for evacuating the protective cover.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem that it is difficult to secure the evacuation space, it is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which the protective cover is removed in advance and each unit is mounted on the main unit. When the photoreceptor is mounted, the photoreceptor may be inadvertently brought into contact with other members to form scratches, etc., which makes it practically difficult for the user to replace the photoreceptor unit, etc., and requires maintenance by a specialist engineer. Thus, there is a problem that maintenance costs increase.

Further, if a drive mechanism for the protective cover is provided in each unit of the image forming apparatus for forming a color image, the structure becomes complicated, the number of parts increases, and there is a possibility that a failure or the like is likely to occur. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can easily replace each unit without causing any damage to a photoreceptor or the like, and can provide an image forming apparatus for a color image with few failures. The purpose is to provide.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following constitution. The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a toner transfer member on the outer peripheral surface of which toner can be freely attached, and at least two or more units that can be independently attached to and detached from the main body device. An image forming apparatus in which a toner transfer body of another unit is arranged adjacent to an outer peripheral surface of the toner transfer body, wherein each unit includes the toner transfer body and a part of an outer peripheral surface of the toner transfer body. A housing that rotatably supports the toner transfer body in an exposed state, and a protective cover that covers an exposed outer peripheral surface of the toner transfer body are provided. Release means for releasing the lock between each of the protective covers and each of the housings in a state where the protective covers are detachably attached to the main unit, and removing the protective covers from the housings. Each uni Provided with a fixing means for fixing the door to the main device, the detachable direction of each unit and each protective cover, characterized in that it coincides with the rotation axis direction of the toner transfer member of the.

[0010] According to the image forming apparatus, the release unit for releasing the engagement between each of the protective covers and each of the housings while the respective units are mounted on the main body device is provided. Before attaching the unit to the main unit, the protective cover does not come off, and the toner transfer
There is no deterioration due to external light. Further, since the fixing means for fixing each unit to the main body device is provided, each unit does not come off from the main body device in a state where the protective cover is detached, so that the toner transfer body is damaged, and No deterioration due to Further, since the attaching and detaching directions of the respective units and the respective protective covers coincide with the rotation axis directions of the respective toner transfer members, the mounting operation of the respective units and the detaching operation of the respective protective covers are performed in one continuous operation. Becomes possible. In addition, operation can be performed from the front of the main unit, and operability can be improved.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus as described above, wherein each of the housings is provided with a retracting portion for each of the protective covers, and each of the protective covers is provided with each of the retracting portions. The toner transfer members are detachable in the rotation axis direction.

According to the image forming apparatus, since the housing for the protection cover is provided in each housing, the protection cover can be manually attached to the housing after the protection cover is removed. Space can be minimized, and there is no need to provide a complicated drive mechanism, and the occurrence of failures can be reduced.
Further, since each of the protective covers is detachable in the rotation axis direction of each of the toner transfer members, the operation of removing each protective cover from the housing and the operation of attaching the protective cover to the shunting unit are performed in one continuous operation. It is possible to do.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the above, wherein the release means is movable on an engaged portion provided on each of the protective covers and on each of the housings. In the state where each unit is not attached to the main body device,
An urging member for urging the engaging portion of the engaging member toward the engaged portion; and an urging member provided on the main body device, wherein the engaging unit is attached to the main unit while the units are mounted on the main body device. And a main body convex portion for urging in a direction away from the engaged portion.

According to this image forming apparatus, by simply mounting each of the units on the main unit, the engagement portion is urged in a direction away from the engaged portion to release the engagement of the protective cover. Therefore, the operation of attaching and detaching the protective cover can be simplified.

Still further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus described above, wherein the fixing means is provided on a main body claw provided on the main body device and on each of the housings,
And an engaging claw that engages with the main body claw when the protective cover is removed.

According to this image forming apparatus, each unit can be fixed by engaging the main body pawl with the engaging pawl only by removing the protective cover from the housing, and the operation of attaching and detaching the protective cover is simplified. Will be possible.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus described above, with the protective covers removed from the housings, an outer peripheral surface of the first toner transfer member is provided. Unit biasing means for biasing each of the toner transfer bodies of the other units is provided.

In such an image forming apparatus, when each unit is mounted on the main unit and each protective cover is removed,
Since one toner transfer member and another toner transfer member are separated from each other by an installation space of the protective cover, each unit is urged to one toner transfer member by the unit urging means, so that one toner transfer member is transferred. It becomes possible to make another toner transfer body adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the body.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus described above, wherein the one unit is a photoconductor unit, and the one toner supported by a housing of the photoconductor unit. Preferably, the transfer member is a photoreceptor.

Still further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus described above, a plurality of the other units are developing units, and the toner supported by a housing of each of the developing units. It is preferable that the transfer member is a developing roller adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is the image forming apparatus described above, wherein one of the other units is an intermediate transfer unit, and the toner supported by a housing of the intermediate transfer unit. The transfer member is an intermediate transfer member that is exposed from the housing to the outer peripheral surface side of the photoconductor and the printing surface side of the recording paper, and the two protective covers that respectively cover exposed portions of the intermediate transfer member are provided. Is preferred.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a photoreceptor unit 2, four developing units 3,..., An intermediate transfer unit 4, a unit urging unit 60, a releasing unit and a fixing unit. The photoconductor unit 2 is provided with a photoconductor 21 (1 toner transfer body), and the developing unit 3
Are provided with developing rollers 31 (other toner transfer bodies), respectively, and the intermediate transfer unit 4 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt (other toner transfer body (intermediate transfer body)) 41. Further, the intermediate transfer unit 4 is provided with a transfer section 42 for transferring an image to the recording paper p. The developing units 3 contain yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (B) toners, respectively. The developing roller 31 and the intermediate transfer belt 41 are arranged adjacent to the outer peripheral surface 21 a of the photoconductor 21.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the photosensitive member 2
After charging, the developing unit 3 applies yellow, cyan, magenta,
The black toner images are sequentially developed, and these toner images are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 to form a full-color image. Further, the full-color image is transferred to the printing surface of the recording paper p by the transfer unit 42. The recording paper p is sent to a fixing unit (not shown), and the toner is fixed on the recording paper by the fixing unit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photosensitive unit 2. FIG. 2 shows a state where the photoconductor unit 2 is not mounted on the main body device. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the photoconductor unit 2 rotatably rotates the photoconductor 21 around a rotation shaft 21 b in a state where the photoconductor 21 and a part of the outer peripheral surface 21 a of the photoconductor 21 are exposed. Photoconductor housing (housing) 2 to be supported
2 and a protective cover 23 that engages with the photoconductor housing 22 and covers the exposed outer peripheral surface 21 a of the photoconductor 21. The photoconductor 21 is supported by the photoconductor housing 22 such that when the protective cover 23 is removed, at least half of the outer peripheral surface 21a is exposed. Also, this photoconductor unit 2
Can be attached to and detached from the main unit in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 21b.

A charger 24 for applying a charge to the photosensitive member 21 to charge the outer peripheral surface 21a is provided inside the photosensitive member housing 22,
A scraper 25 for scraping off toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface 21a after image formation and a toner collecting chamber 26 for collecting scraped toner are provided.

A first rail 22a and a second rail 22b are provided at an end of the photosensitive body casing 22 adjacent to the photosensitive body 21. Each of the first and second rails 22a and 22b is formed to extend in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 21b.
The protective cover 23 includes first and second photoconductor housings 22.
Cover rails 23a and 23b are provided to engage with the rails 22a and 22b, respectively. The protection cover 23
When the photoconductor unit 2 is not mounted on the main body device, the cover rails 23a and 23b and the first and second rails 22a and 22
b is engaged with the photoreceptor body 22 to cover the outer peripheral surface 21a.
Is removable in the axial direction.

A protective cover 23 is provided on the photosensitive body housing 22.
Is provided. The retraction unit 27 is configured by a part of the photoconductor housing 22 that partitions the toner collection chamber 26. Further, the photosensitive body housing 22 is provided with third and fourth rails 22c and 22d adjacent to the first and second rails 22a and 22b, respectively. Third and fourth rails 2
2c and 22d are also formed to extend in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 21b. The protective cover 23 is manually attached to the retracting section 27 when the photoreceptor unit 2 is attached to the main device, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. The protective cover 23 is attached to the retracting portion 27 by engaging one cover rail 23b with the third rail 22c and engaging the other cover rail 23a with the fourth rail 22d, and rotates with respect to the retracting portion 27. It is detachable in the axial direction of the shaft 21b.

Therefore, the mounting direction of the photoconductor unit 2 and the detaching operation of the protection cover 23 are continued because the mounting / removing direction of the photoconductor unit 2 and the protection cover 23 coincides with the axial direction of the rotating shaft 21b of the photoconductor 21. 1 can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the developing unit 3. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the developing unit 3 is not mounted on the main unit. The developing unit 3 includes a developing roller 31
A developing housing (housing) 32 that rotatably supports the developing roller 31 about a rotation shaft 31b with a part of the outer peripheral surface 31a of the developing roller 31 exposed; And a protective cover 33 that covers the exposed outer peripheral surface 31a of the developing roller 31. Further, the developing case 3
2, a toner storage chamber 34 for storing toner is provided. Further, the developing unit 3 is detachable in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 31b with respect to the main body device.

Further, the developing housing 3 adjacent to the developing roller 31
The second rail is provided with a fifth rail 32a and a sixth rail 32b at the end. The fifth and sixth rails 32a and 32b are formed so as to extend in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 31b. Further, the protective cover 33 has a fifth,
Cover rails 33a and 33b are provided to engage with the sixth rails 32a and 32b, respectively. Protective cover 33
Indicates that the cover rails 33a and 33b and the fifth and sixth rails 3
2a and 32b are engaged with each other so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 31a of the developing roller 31, and are detachable from the developing case 32 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 31b.

Further, a protective cover 33 is provided on the developing housing 32.
Is provided. The retraction unit 35 is formed by a part of the developing case 32 that partitions the toner storage chamber 34, and is located on the opposite side of the toner storage chamber 34 from the developing roller 31. Further, the developing case 32 is provided with seventh and eighth rails 32c and 32d adjacent to the retraction unit 35. The seventh and eighth rails 32c and 32d are also formed to extend in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 31b. The protective cover 33 is manually attached to the retraction unit 35 when the developing unit 3 is attached to the main unit, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. The protection cover 33 is mounted on the retracting portion 35 by engaging one cover rail 33a with the seventh rail 32c and engaging the other cover rail 33b with the eighth rail 32d, and rotates with respect to the retracting portion 35. It is detachable in the axial direction of the shaft 31b.

Therefore, the developing unit 3 and the protective cover 3
Since the attaching / detaching direction of the developing unit 3 coincides with the axial direction of the rotating shaft 31b of the developing roller 31, the mounting operation of the developing unit 3 and the detaching operation of the protective cover 33 can be performed in one continuous operation.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the intermediate transfer unit 4. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the intermediate transfer unit 4 is not mounted on the main body device. The intermediate transfer unit 4 includes an intermediate transfer belt 41, drive rollers 43 for driving the intermediate transfer belt 41, a first transfer roller 44, and an intermediate transfer housing 45. Intermediate transfer belt 41
Are mounted on the drive rollers 43, 43 and the first transfer roller 44, and the drive rollers 43, 43 and the transfer roller 44 are supported by an intermediate transfer case 45. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt 42 is rotatably supported by the intermediate transfer housing 45 via the driving rollers 43, 43 and the first transfer roller 44. As shown in FIG. 1, the first transfer roller 44 and the second transfer roller 46 constitute a transfer unit 42. The intermediate transfer unit 4 can be attached to and detached from the main assembly in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41 (rotation axis direction).

The intermediate transfer housing 45 is provided with a photoreceptor side opening 45a and a transfer unit side opening 45b. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface 41a of the intermediate transfer belt 41 is exposed from the openings 45a and 45b. As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer belt 41 is adjacent to the photosensitive member 21 at the photosensitive member side opening 45a, and the transfer unit side opening At 45b, the intermediate transfer belt 41 is adjacent to the second transfer roller 46.

Further, the intermediate transfer unit 4 is provided with a first protective cover 47 and a second protective cover 48. The first protective cover 47 is attached to the photoreceptor-side opening 45a when the intermediate transfer unit 4 is not attached to the main body device.
The protective cover 48 is mounted on the transfer section side opening 45b.
Further, the intermediate transfer housing 4 for partitioning the photosensitive member side opening 45a.
The ninth rail 45c and the tenth rail 45
The eleventh rail 45e and the twelfth rail 45f are provided at the end of the intermediate transfer housing 45 that defines the transfer unit side opening 45b. The ninth to twelfth rails 45c to 45f are formed to extend in the rotation axis direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, respectively. The ends of the first protective cover 47 are the ninth and tenth rails 45c, 45c.
d, the second protective cover 48 is attached to the photosensitive member side opening 45a, and the second protective cover 48 has its eleventh and twelfth ends.
By being engaged with the rails 45e and 45f, it is mounted on the transfer unit side opening 45b. In this manner, the first and second protective covers 47 and 48 can be attached to and detached from the intermediate transfer housing 45 in the rotation axis direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

Further, the first and second intermediate transfer housings 45 are provided in the intermediate transfer housing 45.
Evacuation portions of the protection covers 47 and 48 (the first evacuation portion 49, the second
A retraction unit 50) is provided. First and second shelters 4
Reference numerals 9 and 50 are provided on the intermediate transfer housing 45 between the openings 45a and 45b. Further, the 13th and 14th rails 45g, 45h and the first
Fifth, sixteenth rails 45i, 45j are provided. These thirteenth to sixteenth rails 45g to 45j are also formed to extend in the rotation axis direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, respectively. When the intermediate transfer unit 4 is attached to the main body device, the first and second protection covers 47 and 48 respectively, as shown by two-dot chain lines in FIGS. , 50 are manually mounted. The first protective cover 47 attached to the first retracting portion 49 is the thirteenth and fourteenth rails 4.
5g and 45h, and the second protective cover 48 attached to the second retracting portion 50 is connected to the 15th and 16th rails 45i and 45j.
Engages. Further, the first and second protective covers 47 and 48 are provided on the intermediate transfer belt 4 with respect to the first and second retracting portions 49 and 50.
It is detachable in the direction of one rotation axis.

Therefore, the mounting and dismounting direction of the intermediate transfer unit 4 and the first and second protective covers 47 and 48 is
Since they coincide with one rotation axis direction, the mounting operation of the intermediate transfer unit 4 and the detachment operation of the first and second protective covers 47 and 48 can be performed in one continuous operation.

In the image forming apparatus 1 described above, the housings 22, 32, and 45 have the evacuating portions 27, 3 of the protective cover.
5, 49, 50 are provided so that the protective cover 2
After removal of 3, 33, 47, 48, the shelters 27, 3
5, 49, and 50 can be manually attached, the space required for evacuating the protective covers 23, 33, 47, and 48 can be minimized, and there is no need to provide a complicated drive mechanism. Can be reduced.

The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a release unit. This releasing means is provided when each of the units 2, 3,..., 4 is mounted on the main body device.
The lock between the casings 7, 48 and the respective casings 22, 32, 45 is released, and the protective covers 23, 33, 47, 48 are made detachable. FIG. 5 shows a release unit provided in the developing unit 3 as an example of the release unit. This releasing means includes an engaged portion 33 a provided on the protective cover 33,
Engaging member 36 movably attached to developing case 32
And a coil spring 37 as an urging member, and a main body projection 71 provided in the main body device.

The engaging member 36 is substantially L-shaped in plan view.
The developing housing 32 is connected via a shaft 36a provided at the bent portion.
Is rotatably mounted in a recess 32e provided on the main unit side. Both ends of the engaging member 36 are
b and the engaging portion 36c. The coil spring 37
It is provided between the wall surface of the recess 32e and the receiving portion 36b of the engaging member 36, and urges the receiving portion 36b toward the main device. When the coil spring biases the receiving portion 36b,
The engaging portion 36c of the engaging member 36 is urged toward the engaged portion 33a, whereby the protective cover 33 is locked to the developing case 32.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the developing unit 3 is mounted on the main unit, the receiving portion 36b of the engaging member 36 is pushed by the main body convex portion 71 and urged toward the wall surface side of the recess 32e. This urges the engaging portion 36c of the engaging member 36 in a direction away from the engaged portion 33a. In this way, the locking of the protective cover 33 to the developing case 32 is released,
The protective cover 33 is detachable in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 31b of the developing roller 31.

Therefore, according to the releasing means, the protective cover 33 does not come off before the developing unit 3 is mounted on the main body device, and the developing roller 31 is not damaged or deteriorated by external light. Further, only by attaching the developing unit 3 to the main body device, the engaging portion 36c can be urged in a direction away from the engaged portion 33a to release the locking of the protective cover 33, and the attaching / detaching operation of the protective cover 33 can be simplified. it can.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with fixing means. This fixing means is provided for each of the protective covers 23, 3
When the units 3, 47, 48 are removed from the housings 22, 32, 45, the units 2, 3,..., 4 are fixed to the main unit.

FIG. 5 shows a fixing means provided in the developing unit 3 as an example of the fixing means. The fixing means includes a main body claw 72 provided on the main body device and a developing housing 32.
Is formed of an engagement claw 38 provided on the front side. Further, a tapered portion 72a is provided at the tip of the main body claw 72. The engaging claw 38 is provided at a position hidden below the protective cover 33, and the protective cover 33 is disposed between the main body claw 72 and the engaging claw 38 in a state where the protective cover 33 is attached to the developing case 32. It is configured to be. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the protective cover 33 is attached, the protective cover 33 abuts on the tapered portion 72a of the main body claw 72, whereby the main body claw 72 rides on the protective cover 33 and The engagement with the engagement claws 38 is hindered, and the developing unit 3 is not fixed to the main assembly.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the protective cover 33 is removed from the developing case 32, the main body claws 72 and the engaging claws 38 are removed.
Are engaged, whereby the developing unit 3 is fixed to the main unit. When the protective cover 33 is attached again, the protective cover 33 collides with the tapered portion 72a of the main body pawl 72, and the main body pawl 72 rides on the protective cover 33 to disengage the main body pawl 72 and the engaging pawl 38. , Developing unit 3
Is not fixed to the main unit.

Therefore, according to this fixing means, the developing unit 3 does not come off from the main unit with the protective cover 33 detached, so that the developing roller 31 is not damaged. Further, only by removing the protective cover 33 from the developing case 32, the main body pawl 72 and the engaging pawl 38 can be engaged and the developing unit 3 can be fixed, so that the attaching / detaching operation of the protective cover 33 can be simplified.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with unit urging means 60. The unit urging means 60 includes the protective covers 23, 33, 47, and 48.
Are removed from the casings 22, 32, and 45,
When the developing rollers 31 are attached to the developing rollers 31,.
And biases the intermediate transfer belt 41 toward the outer peripheral surface 21a of the photoconductor 21. This unit forming means 6
0 indicates a plurality of cams 61..., 62 as shown in FIG.
...

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the units 2, 3,..., 4 are mounted on the main unit. In this state, the protective covers 23, 33, 47, and 48 cover the photoconductor 21 and the developing roller 31.
And a position covering the exposed portion of the intermediate transfer belt 41. The cams 61, 62,... Are respectively at the retracted position. Each of the protective covers 23, 33, 47, 48
The locking between the housings 22, 32, and 45 has been released by the release means described above.

Next, the protective covers 23, 33, 47, 48
Is removed from each of the housings 22, 32, and 45,
When attached to 35, 49, and 50, respectively, the photoconductor 21,
A space corresponding to the installation space for the protective covers 23, 33, 47, 48 is formed between the developing roller 31 and the intermediate transfer belt 41. The developing units 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 4 are urged in the direction of the photoreceptor 21 as shown in FIG. At this time, the units 2, 3,..., 4 are fixed to the main unit by fixing means. Thus, on the outer peripheral surface 21a of the photoconductor 21,
The developing roller 31 and the intermediate transfer belt 41 can be adjacent to each other.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, although an example using a plurality of cams has been described as a specific example of the unit urging means, the present invention is not limited to this.
A link mechanism combining an operating lever and the like may be employed.

[0051]

As described above in detail, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when each of the units is mounted on the main unit, the engagement between each of the protective covers and each of the housings is achieved. Is provided, the protective cover does not come off before each unit is mounted on the main body device, and the toner transfer body is not damaged or deteriorated by external light. Further, since the fixing means for fixing each unit to the main body device is provided, each unit does not come off from the main body device in a state where the protective cover is detached, so that the toner transfer body is damaged, and No deterioration due to Further, since the attaching and detaching directions of the respective units and the respective protective covers coincide with the rotation axis directions of the respective toner transfer members, the mounting operation of the respective units and the detaching operation of the respective protective covers are performed in one continuous operation. Can be. In addition, operation can be performed from the front of the main unit, and operability can be improved.

Further, since the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a retracting portion for the protective cover, the protective cover can be manually attached to the retracting portion after the protective cover has been removed. The required space can be minimized, and there is no need to provide a complicated drive mechanism, and the occurrence of failures can be reduced. Further, since each of the protective covers is detachable in the rotation axis direction of each of the toner transfer members, the operation of removing each protective cover from the housing and the operation of attaching the protective cover to the shunting unit are performed in one continuous operation. It can be carried out.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, simply by mounting each unit to the main body device, the engaging portion is urged in a direction away from the engaged portion to engage the protective cover. Can be released, so that the attaching / detaching operation of the protective cover can be simplified.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, each unit can be fixed by engaging the main body pawl and the engaging pawl only by removing the protective cover from the housing. Can be simplified.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
A unit urging means for urging each toner transfer body of the other unit is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner transfer body, and each unit is attached to the main body device and each protective cover is removed. Each unit separated by the installation space of the protective cover formed by the above is urged to one toner transfer body by unit urging means, so that another toner transfer body is placed on the outer peripheral surface of one toner transfer body. Can be adjacent.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a photoconductor unit of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a developing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing an intermediate transfer unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a release unit and a fixing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing a state before the developing unit is mounted on the main body device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a release unit and a fixing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a developing unit is mounted on a main body device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a release unit and a fixing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a protective cover of the developing unit is removed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state immediately after a photoconductor unit, a developing unit, and an intermediate transfer unit are respectively mounted on the main body device.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Photoconductor unit (1 unit) 3 Developing unit (other unit) 4 Intermediate transfer unit (other unit) 21 Photoconductor (1 toner transfer body) 21a Outer peripheral surface 22 Photoconductor housing (housing) 23) Protective cover 27 Storing portion 31 Developing roller (other toner transfer member) 31a Outer peripheral surface 32 Developing case (housing) 33 Protective cover 33a Engaged portion (release means) 35 Refuge portion 36 Engaging member (release) Means) 36c Engagement part (release means) 37 Coil spring (biasing member (release means)) 38 Engagement claw (fixing means) 41 Intermediate transfer belt (other toner transfer body (intermediate transfer body)) 41a Outer peripheral surface 45 Intermediate transfer housing (housing) 47 First protective cover (protective cover) 48 Second protective cover (protective cover) 49 First shunting unit (shunting unit) 50 Second shunting unit (shunting unit) 60 Uni DOO biasing means 61 and 62 the cam 71 main protrusion (releasing means) 72 main pawl (fixing means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 350 G03G 15/00 554 F-term (Reference) 2H030 AA07 BB23 BB33 BB42 BB53 BB71 2H032 BA01 BA03 BA09 BA23 2H035 CA07 CB01 CD05 CD15 CE06 CG03 2H071 BA03 BA13 BA14 BA23 DA08 DA09 DA15 EA18 2H077 AD06 BA08 BA09 BA10 GA04 GA12

Claims (8)

[Claims] An outer peripheral surface is provided with a toner transfer member to which toner can be attached, and at least two or more units that can be independently attached to and detached from a main body device. An image forming apparatus in which a toner transfer body of another unit is arranged adjacent to the toner transfer body, wherein each unit exposes the toner transfer body and a part of an outer peripheral surface of the toner transfer body. A housing that rotatably supports the toner transfer body in a state, and a protective cover that covers an exposed outer peripheral surface of the toner transfer body, wherein each of the units and the main body device includes the main body device. Release means for unlocking the protection covers and the housings in a state where the protection covers are detachably mounted in a state where the protection covers are detachably mounted, and the units in a state where the protection covers are removed from the housings. The above It provided with a fixing means for fixing to the body apparatus, the detachable direction of each unit and each protective cover, the image forming apparatus characterized in that it coincides with the rotation axis direction of the toner transfer member of the. 2. Each of the housings is provided with a retracting portion for each of the protective covers, and each of the protective covers is detachable from each of the retracting portions in a rotation axis direction of each of the toner transfer bodies. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The release means includes: an engaged portion provided on each of the protective covers; an engaging member movably attached to each of the housings; A biasing member for biasing the engaging portion of the engaging member toward the engaged portion in a state where the unit is not mounted on the main body device; and a biasing member provided on the main body device, wherein each unit is mounted on the main body device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a main body protruding portion for urging the engaging portion in a direction away from the engaged portion in a state in which the engaging portion is engaged. 4. The fixing means includes a main body claw provided on the main body device, and an engaging claw provided on each of the housings and engaging with the main body claw with the protective cover removed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus performs an image forming process. 5. Unit urging means for urging each toner transfer body of said another unit to the outer peripheral surface of said one toner transfer body with said protective covers being removed from said respective housings. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4. 6. The photoconductor unit according to claim 1, wherein the one unit is a photoconductor unit, and the first toner transfer body supported by a housing of the photoconductor unit is a photoconductor. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 7. A plurality of the other units are developing units, and a toner transfer body supported by a housing of each of the developing units is a developing roller adjacent to an outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 8. One of the other units is an intermediate transfer unit, and the toner transfer body supported by a housing of the intermediate transfer unit is configured such that an outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor and a recording paper from the housing. 8. The intermediate transfer body exposed on the printing surface side, wherein two protective covers respectively covering exposed portions of the intermediate transfer body are provided. Image forming apparatus.