JP2010217658A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The space between an optical scanning device and a process cartridge can be used to guide cooling air uniformly and efficiently to a plurality of process cartridges, and incompatibilities for a plurality of process cartridges can be ensured at low cost. Realized with excellent workability.
An adjustment plate for adjusting an air introduction rate from an opening is screwed to a lower surface of a unit bottom plate. The screwing position is the same for each adjustment plate 17. The incompatible protrusions 18 are provided so that the distance from the screwing position is different for each adjustment plate 17. Each color process cartridge 10 is provided with a recess 26 at a position corresponding to each incompatible protrusion 18. By using the adjustment plate 17 that is a member for satisfying different conditions (cooling air introduction rate) for each color process cartridge, the effect on cost and workability can be minimized. To do.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and more particularly to cooling of a process cartridge and ensuring incompatibility.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses have been required to increase the printing speed and reduce the size of the apparatus. However, as speed increases and miniaturization progresses, temperature rise due to an increase in the amount of heat generated by the machine and heat storage inside the machine become problems.

As a countermeasure against the temperature rise, a method of blowing air to a portion that needs to be cooled using a blower fan and a duct is generally widely used.
However, if the air volume supplied by the blower fan is not sufficient, the required cooling effect cannot be obtained. Moreover, when installing a duct in order to obtain sufficient air volume, it becomes a problem that an apparatus will enlarge.

  A tandem type apparatus widely adopted in recent color image forming apparatuses has a structure in which three or four process cartridges are detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Countermeasures are important. That is, since the process cartridge is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, it is provided as a unit and has a structure in which heat is likely to be trapped. The developing device mounted on the process cartridge has a problem that heat is generated by friction in order to stir and charge the toner inside, and heat is stored in the cartridge.

  In particular, in the case of an apparatus configuration (tandem type) in which a plurality of process cartridges are arranged side by side on an optical scanning device (optical writing device), the space between the optical scanning device and each process cartridge is narrow, and a sufficient ventilation space is provided. It is difficult to secure. In a configuration in which cooling is performed by a fan from one side in the arrangement direction of a plurality of process cartridges as in an apparatus described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-79015 (Patent Document 1), cooling performance is provided on the side near the fan. There is a problem that the cooling performance decreases as the distance from the fan increases and the plurality of process cartridges are not uniformly cooled.

  Japanese Patent No. 3888022 (Patent Document 2) describes that the cooling air is uniformly guided to each process cartridge (image forming unit) by changing the shape and size of the current plate provided in the air duct. (Paragraph 0168, FIG. 33).

  However, the air duct described in Patent Document 2 is disposed on the front side of a tandem image forming unit in which a plurality of process cartridges are arranged side by side, and there is a problem that the space on the front surface of the apparatus is unnecessarily enlarged. is there. Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 31 and 32, this air duct has a cooling air blown in the lateral direction by the fan deflected upward, and is further changed in the horizontal direction (the back of the apparatus) to each process cartridge. Therefore, there is a problem that resistance is large and cooling efficiency is low.

  As described above, in the device configuration in which the tandem image forming unit is disposed on the optical scanning device, the air duct as in Patent Document 2 is simply disposed in the space between the optical scanning device and each process cartridge. There is no room.

  By the way, in a color image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of process cartridges, there is a problem that a desired color image cannot be formed if the positions for mounting the respective color process cartridges are wrong. Therefore, a configuration for preventing process cartridge mounting errors (a configuration for ensuring incompatibility) is provided in the process cartridge and the apparatus main body. However, attachment locations for members and the like for ensuring incompatibility are When the process cartridge and the cartridge mounting location of the apparatus main body are different, there is a problem that the cost increases and the workability decreases. Further, in a tandem image forming unit in a recent downsized color image forming apparatus, it is becoming difficult to secure a place for providing a member for ensuring incompatibility.

  The present invention solves the above-described problem in the conventional image forming apparatus in which the tandem image forming unit is arranged on the optical scanning apparatus, and uses the space between the optical scanning apparatus and the process cartridge to deal with a plurality of process cartridges. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of guiding cooling air uniformly and efficiently and ensuring incompatibility for a plurality of process cartridges at low cost with excellent workability. To do.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of process cartridges arranged in parallel, the same unit member common to each process cartridge is used as a unit member constituting a space for setting each process cartridge. The problem is solved by mounting an adjustment member for adjusting a condition required for each process cartridge on the unit member, and ensuring incompatibility of the plurality of process cartridges using the adjustment member.

  A blower fan for supplying air to a space formed between the plurality of process cartridges and the optical scanning device; the unit member is provided with an opening for introducing air from the blower fan; The condition required for each process cartridge is preferably an air introduction rate from the opening of the unit member.

The adjusting member preferably adjusts the area of the opening.
Further, it is preferable that the adjustment member adjusts the opening area by a width covering the opening in the sub-scanning direction.

Further, it is preferable that the width of the opening covering the adjustment member is narrow on the front side of the apparatus and wide on the back side of the apparatus.
Moreover, it is preferable that the adjustment member has a rectifying convex portion protruding into the opening.
Further, it is preferable that the adjustment member corresponding to the process cartridge located at a position farthest from the blower fan among the plurality of process cartridges is provided so as to close the space by the rectifying convex portion.

  In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a plurality of process cartridges arranged side by side and a blower fan that supplies air to a space formed between the plurality of process cartridges and the optical scanning device. The apparatus has a single unit bottom plate that constitutes a space for setting the plurality of process cartridges, and the unit bottom plate introduces a plurality of air for introducing air from the blower fan to the process cartridges. An opening is provided, and the plurality of openings are provided in the same shape, and an adjustment member for adjusting the opening area is attached to the opening, and air is required for each process cartridge by the adjustment member. Adjusting the rate and ensuring incompatibility of the plurality of process cartridges using the adjustment member; It is more resolved.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the set space for the process cartridge is configured by using the same unit member, and the adjustment member for adjusting the condition required for each process cartridge is attached to the unit member. Since the adjustment member is used to ensure the incompatibility of a plurality of process cartridges, adjustment of the conditions required for each process cartridge and incompatibility are suppressed while minimizing the impact on cost and workability. Can be ensured.

According to the configuration of the second aspect, the air introduction rate from the opening of the unit member can be adjusted by the adjusting member, and each color process cartridge can be appropriately cooled.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the air introduction rate required for each color process cartridge can be satisfied by adjusting the area of the opening with the adjusting member.

With the configuration of the fourth aspect, the air introduction rate according to the distance from the blower fan can be effectively adjusted with a simple configuration.
According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, a large amount of air can be introduced on the back side of the apparatus where heat is easily accumulated.

With the configuration of the sixth aspect, the air introduction rate can be adjusted effectively.
With the configuration of the seventh aspect, a large amount of air can be introduced into the process cartridge farthest from the blower fan.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, even in the configuration using one unit bottom plate, the air introduction rate required for each process cartridge is adjusted by the adjustment member that adjusts the opening area mounted on the unit bottom plate. In addition, since the incompatibility of the plurality of process cartridges is ensured, each process cartridge can be appropriately cooled and incompatibility can be ensured while minimizing the influence on cost and workability.

1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a color printer which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing a setting space for a process cartridge in the printer main body. It is sectional drawing from the apparatus front direction which shows the positional relationship of the said set space and an optical writing apparatus. It is a top view which shows typically the adjustment board which adjusts introduction | transduction of cooling air. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment to the unit baseplate of the adjustment board. It is a top view which shows typically the set space of the process cartridge in the printer main body of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing from the apparatus front direction which shows the positional relationship of the said set space and an optical writing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing an outline of a color printer which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in this figure is a color printer that can form a full-color image by adopting a tandem method. It is arranged. The image forming units 10 (Y, C, M, K) are arranged side by side along the lower traveling side of the intermediate transfer belt 56. The intermediate transfer belt 56 wound around the support rollers 52 to 55 is driven to run counterclockwise in the drawing. Inside the intermediate transfer belt 56, a transfer roller 5 as a primary transfer unit is provided so as to face the photosensitive drum 1 (Y, C, M, K) included in each image forming unit 10. A belt cleaning unit 57 for cleaning the intermediate transfer belt 56 is disposed outside the left support roller 55.

  Each image forming unit 10 has the same configuration except for the color of the toner to be handled, and includes a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier. Around the photosensitive drum 1, a charging unit, a developing device, a lubricant applying device, a cleaning device, and the like are arranged. Each image forming unit 10 is detachably attached to the printer body as a process cartridge.

  In the developing device, a developing sleeve is disposed at a position facing the photoreceptor 1. Two screws are provided below the developing sleeve. The developer composed of toner and magnetic carrier is regulated to a predetermined developer layer thickness by a doctor blade and is carried on the developing sleeve. Although the two-component development method has been described here, the present invention is not limited to this, and a one-component development method developing device can also be used.

  An optical writing device 9 is provided below a tandem image forming unit in which four image forming units 10 (process cartridges) are arranged. The optical writing device 9 has a polygon mirror, a group of mirrors, etc., and irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 of each color image forming unit with light-modulated laser light.

  A cooling fan 30 is arranged on the left in the figure of the tandem imaging unit and the optical writing device 9, and the air sucked from outside the apparatus is placed in a space formed between the tandem imaging unit and the optical writing device 9. The air is blown through the duct 31. Thereby, the optical writing device 9 and each image forming unit 10 (process cartridge) are cooled.

  A paper feed tray 20 for stacking paper is disposed at the lowermost part of the apparatus main body. On the right side of the paper feed tray 20, there is a paper feed roller 21 that feeds the paper stacked on the paper feed tray, and a separating means (not shown) is also provided. A registration roller 22 is provided above the paper feed roller 21 (downstream in the paper conveyance direction). Above the registration roller 22, a transfer roller 61 as a secondary transfer unit is provided to face the transfer counter roller 52 to form a secondary transfer portion.

  A fixing device 70 is provided above the secondary transfer unit. The fixing device 70 of this example includes a fixing roller 73 stretched between a heating roller 72 and a fixing roller 73, and a pressure roller 74 is pressed against the fixing belt 73. The fixing device 70 fixes the sheet on which the unfixed toner image is transferred at the secondary transfer unit by heating and pressing. A paper discharge roller 91 is provided obliquely above the fixing device 70 and discharges the fixed paper onto a paper discharge tray formed on the upper surface of the device.

An image forming operation in the color printer configured as described above will be briefly described.
The photosensitive drum 1 of the image forming unit 10 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure by a driving means (not shown), and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging means. The charged photoconductor surface is irradiated with laser light from the optical writing device 9, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 1 surface. At this time, the image information exposed on each photosensitive drum 1 is single-color image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into color information of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Each color toner is applied from the developing device to the electrostatic latent image formed in this way, and visualized as a toner image.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 56 is driven to run counterclockwise in the figure, and the respective color toner images are sequentially transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 56 by the action of the primary transfer roller 5 in each image forming unit 10. In this way, the intermediate transfer belt 56 carries a full-color toner image on the surface thereof.

  Note that any one of the image forming units 10 can be used to form a single-color image or a two-color or three-color image. In the case of monochrome printing, image formation is performed using the rightmost K unit in the figure among the four image forming units.

The residual toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum after the toner image is transferred is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum by the cleaning means, and then the surface is subjected to the action of the static eliminator to initialize the surface potential. Ready for image formation.
On the other hand, the paper is fed from the paper feed tray 20 and is sent out toward the secondary transfer position by the registration roller pair 22 in timing with the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 56. In this example, a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity of the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is applied to the secondary transfer roller 61, whereby the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is collectively transferred onto the sheet. . When the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred passes through the fixing device 70, the toner image is fused and fixed to the sheet by heat and pressure. The fixed paper is discharged by a paper discharge roller 91 to a paper discharge tray formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body.

  The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 is cleaned by a cleaning unit, and the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 56 is cleaned by a belt cleaning unit 57.

FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing a process cartridge setting space in the printer main body. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view from the front of the apparatus showing the positional relationship between the set space and the optical writing apparatus.
In these drawings, four unit bottom plates 13 are arranged between a front side plate 11 and a rear side plate 12 constituting the apparatus casing. The unit bottom plate 13 has a space for setting the process cartridge 10 as an image forming unit. In FIG. 3, a set space is indicated by reference numeral 16, and here, subscripts Y, M, C, and K are added to indicate that the process cartridge 10 for each color of Y, M, C, and K is set. It is shown. 2 and 3, the process cartridge 10 is indicated by a virtual line in the rightmost set space (16K). Each set space 16 is partitioned by a partition plate 14. An opening 11a is formed in the front plate 11 so that the process cartridge 10 can be attached and detached. The unit bottom plate 13 is provided with an opening 15 for introducing scanning light from the optical writing device 9 located below.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, between the optical writing device 9 and the tandem image forming unit (unit bottom plate 13 thereof), a front and rear plate 11 and a rear plate 12 (not shown in FIG. 3) are separated in front and back. A space 23 is provided. A duct 31 of a cooling fan 30 is connected to the left end of the space 23 in the figure, and the air from the cooling fan 30 flows into the space 23 so that the optical writing device 9 and the tandem image forming unit are connected. Each process cartridge 10 is cooled. As shown in FIG. 2, a total of two cooling fans 30 are arranged on the front side and the back side of the apparatus.

  The optical writing device 9 includes a rotating polygon mirror (not shown), and heat generated from the rotating polygon mirror and its driving means is transmitted to the upper cover 9a through the casing of the writing device. Therefore, the optical writing device 9 is cooled by cooling the upper cover 9 a with the air flowing through the space 23. The air sent into the space 23 is guided into the process cartridges 10 through the openings 15 provided in the unit bottom plate 13 to cool the process cartridges that generate heat by a developing device or the like.

  Now, an adjustment plate 17 for adjusting the area of the opening 15 of the unit bottom plate 13 is attached to the lower surface of the unit bottom plate 13. Since the size (shape) of the adjustment plate 17 is different for each set space 16 of each color process cartridge, it is distinguished by attaching subscripts Y, M, C, K corresponding to the color of the process cartridge.

  Of the adjusting plates 17, the adjusting plate 17Y for Y color is the largest. Accordingly, the area of the opening 15 is adjusted to be narrowest (so as to have a small area) in the set space 16Y closest to the cooling fan 30. The size (shape) of the adjusting plate is set so that the adjusting plate 17M for M color and the adjusting plate 17K for K color have the second largest opening area. However, the adjustment plate 17M for M color is positioned upstream of the opening 15 (the direction in which the cooling air flows) to adjust the opening area, whereas the adjustment plate 17K for K color is downstream of the opening 15. Is provided for adjusting the opening area. The adjustment plate 17C for C color is the smallest and is provided so as to open the entire surface of the opening 15. A method of fixing each adjusting plate 17 to the unit bottom plate 13 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each opening 15 whose opening area is adjusted by each adjusting plate 17Y, M, C, K has the narrowest opening area in the set space 16Y that is the closest to the cooling fan 30, and left (From the cooling fan 30), the opening area of the second set space 16M is larger than 16Y, and the opening area of the third set space 16C is the largest. The opening area of the most downstream set space 16K farthest from the cooling fan 30 is smaller than the adjacent (upstream) 16C. The downstream end of the space 23 in FIG. This is because air that does not flow downstream from this flows into the set space 16K for K color from the opening 15.

  In the color printer of the present embodiment, the unit bottom plate 13 which is a unit member constituting the set space 16 in which the process cartridge is set uses the same member having the opening 15 having the same size and the same shape. Further, the same members are used for the partition plates 14 that partition the set spaces 16. Accordingly, the member cost is reduced, and in the operation of attaching the unit bottom plate 13 and the partition plate 14 to the apparatus main body, the attachment position and the error in the order do not occur, so that the workability is excellent.

  And even if it is the structure using the unit baseplate 13 which is the same member as mentioned above, according to the distance from the cooling fan 30 by using the adjustment board 17, or other conditions (set space for K color) It is possible to adjust the area of the opening 15 of the unit bottom plate 13 in accordance with the above-mentioned special condition at 16K), and it is possible to reduce both the member cost and the workability.

Next, ensuring the incompatibility of each color process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS.
As described above, in the color printer of this embodiment, each unit bottom plate 13 and each partition plate 14 use the same member. Here, in a color image forming apparatus including a plurality of process cartridges, there is a problem that a desired color image cannot be formed if the positions for mounting the respective color process cartridges are wrong. If the unit bottom plate and the partition plate have different sizes and different positions so that each color process cartridge can be distinguished and mounted in a predetermined set space, instead of using the same members as the unit bottom plate 13 and the partition plate 14, respectively. If there are protrusions or the like for ensuring incompatibility, they are not the same members, but use unit bottom plates and partition plates that are provided exclusively for each color. Cost increases. Moreover, since it is necessary to attach a dedicated member to an appropriate position, workability | operativity falls.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as explained above, the unit bottom plate 13 which is a unit member constituting the set space 16 in which the process cartridge is set uses the same member. Further, the same members are used for the partition plates 14 that partition the set spaces 16. In this configuration, in order to ensure incompatibility among the color process cartridges, the incompatibility is ensured by using an adjustment plate 17 mounted on the lower surface of the unit bottom plate 13. The adjustment plates 17Y, M, C, and K are originally not the same member for adjusting the area of the opening 15. Therefore, even if incompatibility is ensured by using the adjustment plate 17, cost increases and workability are increased. The impact on the decline is very small and can be ignored.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the adjustment plate 17 for each color Y, C, and K. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing attachment of the adjustment plate 17 to the unit bottom plate 13.
In these drawings, the adjustment plate 17 is fixed to the lower surface of the unit bottom plate 13 using screws 19. In this example, the adjustment plate 17 is moldable and is made of a material having sufficient rigidity, and is screwed to the lower surface of the unit bottom plate 13 at two ends in the sub-scanning direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4). The The screw holes in the unit bottom plate 13 are formed at the same place in each color unit bottom plate 13, and in this example, are located near the outside of the opening 15 (both ends in the sub-scanning direction).

  As can be seen from FIG. 4, the Y color adjusting plate 17 </ b> Y is provided so as to cover approximately half of the upstream side of the opening 15 (side closer to the cooling fan 30). Although the adjustment plate 17M for M color is omitted in FIG. 4, as can be seen from FIG. The adjustment plate 17C for C color is provided so as not to protrude from the opening so as to open the front surface of the opening 15.

  The adjustment plate 17K for K color is provided so as to cover about ３ on the downstream side of the opening 15. However, since the position where the unit bottom plate 13 is screwed is the same as that of the other color adjusting plates 17Y, 17M, 17C, it extends from the upstream side (side closer to the cooling fan 30) to the downstream side outside the opening 15. Using the formed portion, the portion downstream of the opening is supported.

  Each adjustment plate 17Y, M, C, K is formed with a convex portion protruding leftward in the illustration of the adjustment plate, and the convex portion rises upward from the plate surface of the adjustment plate (see FIG. 5), an incompatible protrusion 18 is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the incompatible protrusion 18 is different for each color adjusting plate (the distance from the screwing position to the incompatible protrusion 18 is different for each color adjusting plate in the sub-scanning direction. ), The incompatibility in the set space of each color process cartridge is ensured by the difference in the position of the incompatibility protrusion 18.

  On the other hand, the unit bottom plate 13 is provided with a second opening 25 adjacent to the opening (first opening) 15 through which the incompatible protrusion 18 provided on the adjustment plate 17 is passed. The size, shape, and position of the first opening 15 are the same for each adjustment plate 17Y, M, C, and K, and the size, shape, and position of the second opening 25 are also the same for each adjustment plate 17Y, M, C, K is the same. That is, the unit bottom plate 13 which is a unit member constituting the set space 16 in which each color process cartridge is set uses the same member.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the tip end portion of the incompatible protrusion 18 of the adjustment plate 17 screwed to the lower surface of the unit bottom plate 13 protrudes from the upper surface of the unit bottom plate 13 through the second opening 25. At this time, the screwing position to the unit bottom plate 13 in each adjustment plate 17 is the same. The position of the incompatible protrusion 18 provided on each adjustment plate 17 (the distance from the screwing position) is different for each color adjustment plate. Therefore, in each set space 16 in which each color process cartridge is set, the position of the incompatible protrusion 18 in the sub-scanning direction is different for each color. Correspondingly, the process cartridge 10 set in each set space 16 is provided with a recess 26 for receiving the incompatible protrusion 18 at a different position in the sub-scanning direction. In FIG. 5, the process cartridge 10Y for Y color and the process cartridge 10M for M color are shown, but the recess 26Y in the process cartridge 10Y is provided at a position L1 from the end of the cartridge. The recess 26M in the process cartridge 10M is provided at a position of a distance L2 from the cartridge end. Similarly, in the C-color and K-color process cartridges 10C and 10K, which are not shown in the drawing, concave portions 26C and 26K are provided at distances L3 and L4 from the cartridge end portions, respectively. At this time, L1 ≠ L2 ≠ L3 ≠ L4. Accordingly, even if an attempt is made to set a process cartridge for another color in the set space 16, the position of the incompatible protrusion 18 on the apparatus main body side does not match the position of the recessed portion 26 of the cartridge. It cannot be set in the set space 16. Thereby, the incompatibility of each color process cartridge set space is ensured.

  Here, since the unit bottom plate 13 uses exactly the same member as described above, the member cost does not increase, and the unit bottom plate 13 can be attached to the apparatus main body by the same operation. Also, workability is excellent. In the fixing method of the adjustment plate 17 to the unit bottom plate 13, the screwing position by the screw 19 is the same, and the workability is excellent.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by using the same member as the unit member that constitutes the set space 16 in which each color process cartridge of the apparatus main body is set, cost reduction and workability can be improved. Moreover, since the method for attaching the member (adjustment plate 17) for ensuring incompatibility to the apparatus main body (unit bottom plate 13) is the same for each color unit, the function in this respect is also excellent. In addition, by using the adjustment plate 17 that is a member for satisfying different conditions for each color process cartridge (here, the introduction rate of cooling air), incompatibility is ensured. It became possible to suppress the impact to the minimum.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is the first described above except that the configuration of the adjusting plate for adjusting the introduction rate of the cooling air into each color process cartridge 10 (the set space 16 in which it is set) is different. Since it is the same structure as embodiment, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted and a different part is demonstrated.

  The color printer of the present embodiment has the same overall configuration as that described with reference to FIG. 1 and has a configuration in which driving means and a driving system are arranged on the back side of the apparatus. The back of the device is more likely to accumulate heat. For this reason, it is preferable that a larger amount of cooling air from the cooling fan 30 can be introduced into the process cartridge 10 (the set space 16 in which it is set) on the back side of the apparatus than on the front side of the apparatus.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, each opening 15 is obliquely covered by the adjustment plates 27Y, M, K (so that the opening is narrow on the front side of the apparatus and wide on the back side). The opening area is adjusted. However, in the third process cartridge 10 (the set space 16 in which the cooling fan 30 is set), the entire surface of the opening 15 is opened so that a large amount of air can be introduced.

  At the same time, the opening area is the narrowest in the set space 16Y, which is the closest to the cooling fan 30, so that more air is introduced as it moves away from the cooling fan 30, and from the left (from the cooling fan 30 ) The opening area of the second set space 16M is larger than 16Y, and the opening area of the third set space 16C is the largest. The opening area in the most downstream set space 16K farthest from the cooling fan 30 is smaller than the adjacent (upstream) 16C, as explained in FIG. 7, depending on the configuration of the adjustment plate 27K. This is because air can be introduced.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the adjustment plate 27Y closest to the cooling fan 30 is formed in a flat plate shape. The adjacent adjustment plate 27M is provided so that the downstream end protrudes into the space 23 between the optical writing device 9. The air introduction rate can be adjusted by rectifying the air flow by the convex portion provided at the tip. The third adjustment plate 17C is formed in a flat plate shape and is provided so as to open the entire surface of the opening 15. The most downstream adjustment plate 17K is provided so that the upstream tip of the portion covering the opening is brought into contact with the upper cover of the optical writing device 9 to partition (close) the space 23.

  By configuring the adjustment plate 27 for each color set space in this way, a larger amount of air is introduced into the process cartridge 10 as the distance from the cooling fan 30 increases. Air is introduced into the process cartridge 10. With the configuration of the second embodiment, air corresponding to a necessary flow rate can be introduced into the process cartridge, and efficient cooling can be realized.

  The method of fixing the adjustment plate 27 to the unit bottom plate 13 is the same as that in the first embodiment. Further, the incompatibility protrusions 18 are provided on the adjustment plates 27Y, 27M, 27C, 27K, as in the first embodiment.

  In the first and second embodiments, the unit bottom plate 13 which is a member constituting the space for setting the process cartridge is used for each color unit. However, the unit bottom plate for four colors is formed by one member. It is also possible to configure. Also in the case of this configuration, the opening 15 and the second opening 25 need only be provided at the same position (at the same position in the front-rear direction of the apparatus) for each location corresponding to each color process cartridge. In addition, it is excellent in workability.

  Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number and location of cooling fans can be changed as appropriate. The size and shape of the opening for introducing air into the process cartridge (set space) can be set as appropriate. The shape and size of the adjusting plate can also be configured according to the present invention. The shape, size, position, etc. of the incompatible protrusions can be changed as appropriate. You may provide the rectification | straightening convex part with which the adjustment board of 2nd Embodiment is provided in the adjustment board of 1st Embodiment.

Devices mounted on the process cartridge are also arbitrary. The photosensitive member as the image carrier is not limited to a drum shape, and may be a belt-like photosensitive member.
The image forming apparatus is not limited to the intermediate transfer system but may be a direct transfer system. The order of colors in the tandem type is also arbitrary. In addition, the present invention can be applied not only to a full-color machine of four colors but also to a multicolor machine using a plurality of colors, for example, two or three color toners. The configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus is also arbitrary. Of course, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a printer, and may be a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions.

9 Optical writing device 10 Image forming unit (process cartridge)
11 Front plate 12 Rear plate 13 Unit bottom plate 14 Partition plate 15 Opening (first opening)
16 Set space 17, 27 Adjustment plate 18 Incompatible protrusion 19 Screw 25 Second opening 26 Recessed portion (Incompatible protrusion receiving portion)
30 Cooling fan 31 Duct

JP 2006-79015 A Japanese Patent No. 3888022

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of process cartridges arranged side by side,
Using the same unit member common to each process cartridge as a unit member constituting a space for setting each process cartridge,
An image forming apparatus, wherein an adjustment member for adjusting a condition required for each process cartridge is attached to the unit member, and the incompatibility of the plurality of process cartridges is secured by using the adjustment member. apparatus. A blower fan for supplying air to a space formed between the plurality of process cartridges and the optical scanning device;
The unit member is provided with an opening for introducing air from the blower fan,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condition required for each process cartridge is an air introduction rate from the opening of the unit member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment member adjusts an area of the opening.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adjustment member adjusts the opening area according to a width that covers the opening in a sub-scanning direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a width of covering the opening by the adjusting member is narrow on the front side of the apparatus and wide on the back side of the apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adjustment member has a rectifying convex portion protruding into the opening.   The adjustment member corresponding to a process cartridge positioned farthest from the blower fan among the plurality of process cartridges is provided so as to close the space by the rectifying convex portion. The image forming apparatus described in 1. In an image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of process cartridges arranged in parallel and having a blower fan for supplying air to a space formed between the plurality of process cartridges and the optical scanning device.
A single unit bottom plate constituting a space for setting the plurality of process cartridges;
The unit bottom plate is provided with a plurality of openings for introducing air from the blower fan and guiding it to the process cartridges, and the plurality of openings are provided in the same shape,
An adjustment member for adjusting the opening area is attached to the opening, and the air introduction rate required for each process cartridge is adjusted by the adjustment member.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the adjustment member is used to ensure incompatibility of the plurality of process cartridges.

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