JP2015194569A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus capable of suppressing contamination of a light source and an emission part is provided.
A printer includes an apparatus main body including a light source, and a drum cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body. A photosensitive drum 14 having a surface configured to carry an electrostatic latent image on the drum cartridge 11, and a light guide 18 for guiding light for neutralizing the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 from the light source 90 to the photosensitive drum 14. , And a pair of ribs 38 arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Then, when the drum cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, the light source 90 is disposed between the pair of ribs 38.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system.

  As a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an apparatus main body, a photosensitive drum, and a charger are provided. A drum unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, a developing roller that is detachable from the drum unit, and a photosensitive drum are exposed. There is known a printer provided with an exposure device for performing the above operation.

  In such a printer, after the charger charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, the exposure unit selectively removes the charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and develops it. The roller supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Then, the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred to the sheet, whereby an image is formed on the sheet.

  However, after the toner image is transferred to the paper, the charge remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum may affect the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum next, resulting in poor image formation. May occur. Therefore, it has been studied to remove charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  For example, a printer has been proposed that includes a rod-shaped light guide that is supported by a drum unit so as to face the photosensitive drum and extends in the left-right direction, and a light source disposed on the right side of the light guide in the apparatus body (for example, a patent). Reference 1).

  In such a printer, after the light from the light source is incident from the right end surface of the light guide, it is guided to the light guide and irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum. As a result, residual charges are removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum.

JP 2011-227425 A

  However, in the printer main body described in Patent Document 1, paper dust and toner may be scattered in the image forming operation, and the light source may be contaminated by such scattered toner and paper dust. is there.

  If the light source is contaminated with toner or paper dust, the light traveling from the light source to the light guide is hindered, and the photosensitive drum cannot be sufficiently discharged.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing contamination of the light source and the emission part.

(1) An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus main body including a light source, and a photosensitive cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. A photoconductor cartridge includes a photoconductor having a surface configured to carry an electrostatic latent image, and a light guide member configured to guide light for neutralizing the surface of the photoconductor from a light source to the photoconductor. And a pair of walls that are spaced apart from each other in a first direction that intersects the mounting direction of the photosensitive cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body. The light source is disposed between the pair of wall portions when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body.

  According to such a configuration, since the light source is disposed between the pair of wall portions when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, each of the pair of wall portions is provided with the light source. Covering from the outside in the first direction.

  Therefore, even if the developer or paper dust is scattered in the apparatus main body, it is possible to suppress the developer or paper dust from being directed to the light source from the outside in the first direction, and to reduce the contamination of the light source.

In addition, since each of the pair of wall portions covers the light source from the outside in the first direction, the light from the light source can be suppressed from traveling toward the outside in the first direction. Can be reliably guided to the light guide member.
(2) At least a part of the light source may be arranged downstream in the mounting direction with respect to the photoreceptor cartridge. In this case, the pair of wall portions are arranged in the downstream portion in the mounting direction of the photosensitive cartridge, and the upstream end portion in the mounting direction of the light source is paired when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body. Between the walls.

According to such a configuration, at least a part of the light source is disposed downstream in the mounting direction with respect to the photosensitive cartridge, and the pair of wall portions are disposed in the downstream portion in the mounting direction of the photosensitive cartridge. Therefore, the upstream end portion in the mounting direction of the light source can be reliably disposed between the pair of wall portions by mounting the photosensitive cartridge in the apparatus main body. Therefore, it can reduce reliably that a light source becomes dirty.
(3) The light guide member may include a light receiving unit configured to receive light from the light source. In this case, the light receiving portion is disposed between the pair of wall portions.

According to such a configuration, since the light receiving portion is disposed between the pair of wall portions, the photosensitive cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, and the light source is disposed between the pair of wall portions. In addition, the relative positional accuracy between the light receiving unit and the light source can be improved. Therefore, the light receiving part of the light guide member can reliably receive the light from the light source.
(4) The light source may include an emission part configured to emit light in a direction intersecting the first direction and a support part that supports the emission part. In this case, the emitting portion is disposed between the pair of wall portions.

According to such a configuration, since the emission part that emits light is disposed between the pair of wall parts, the light emitted from the emission part can be reliably reduced while the emission part can be reliably reduced. It can suppress that it progresses toward the outward of a 1st direction, and can guide the light from an output part to a light guide member reliably.
(5) The photoconductor cartridge may include a cartridge frame that supports the photoconductor. In this case, the pair of wall portions are provided integrally with the cartridge frame.

According to such a configuration, since the pair of wall portions are integrated with the cartridge frame, the number of parts can be reduced.
(6) The cartridge frame is disposed between the light guide member and the light source, is disposed so as to close an opening configured to transmit light from the light source, and is configured to transmit light. And a member.

  According to such a configuration, the transmissive member is disposed between the light guide member and the light source, and is disposed so as to close the opening through which the light from the light source passes. It is possible to suppress the passage from the cartridge frame toward the light source through the opening.

  On the other hand, since the transmissive member transmits light, the light from the light source passes through the opening and the transmissive member and reaches the light guide member.

Therefore, the light from the light source can reach the light guide member while further reliably reducing the contamination of the light source.
(7) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body having a light source, a photoconductor cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body, and a covering member that is configured separately from the apparatus main body and the photoconductor cartridge. You may have. The light source includes an emission part configured to emit light and a support part that supports the emission part. The photoconductor cartridge includes a photoconductor, a light guide member configured to guide light for neutralizing the surface of the photoconductor from the emitting unit to the photoconductor, and a cartridge frame that supports the photoconductor. . The covering member is disposed so as to surround the light emitting portion when viewed from the light emitting direction of the light emitting portion, and is in contact with each of the support portion and the photosensitive cartridge so as to block between the support portion and the photosensitive cartridge. It is configured.

  According to such a configuration, the covering member is disposed so as to surround the emission part when viewed from the light emission direction of the emission part, and is in contact with each of the support part and the photosensitive cartridge, and the support part. And the photosensitive cartridge.

  That is, the emission part that emits light is surrounded by the covering member, the support part, and the photosensitive member cartridge. Therefore, even if the developer or paper dust is scattered in the apparatus main body, the developer or paper powder can be prevented from coming into contact with the light source, and the contamination of the light source can be reduced.

Moreover, since the coating | coated member surrounds the output part, it can suppress that the light from an output part leaks out of a coating | coated member, and can guide the light from an output part to a light guide member reliably.
(8) The covering member may protrude further downstream in the emission direction than the emission part.

According to such a configuration, since the covering member protrudes downstream in the emitting direction from the emitting portion, the emitting portion is surely secured when the covering member comes into contact with each of the support portion and the photosensitive cartridge. Can be enclosed in.
(9) The covering member may be supported by the light source.

According to such a configuration, since the covering member is supported by the light source, it is possible to improve the relative positional accuracy between the covering member and the light emitting portion of the light source. Therefore, the covering member can reliably surround the light source when viewed from the light emitting direction of the light emitting portion.
(10) The covering member may be supported by the photoreceptor cartridge.

According to such a configuration, since the covering member is supported by the photosensitive member cartridge, it is possible to improve the relative positional accuracy between the covering member and the photosensitive member cartridge. Therefore, the covering member can reliably block the space between the photosensitive member cartridge and the support portion.
(11) The covering member may be made of an elastic member.

According to such a configuration, since the covering member is an elastic member, the covering member is elastically deformed when coming into contact with each of the support portion and the photoreceptor cartridge. Therefore, the space between the support portion and the photosensitive cartridge can be more reliably closed.
(12) The light source may be arranged so as to be aligned in the mounting direction of the photosensitive cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body with respect to the photosensitive cartridge mounted in the apparatus main body.

According to such a configuration, since the light source is arranged in the mounting direction with respect to the photosensitive cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body, the light source is disposed on the photosensitive cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. Thus, as compared with the case where the image forming apparatus is arranged in a direction intersecting with the mounting direction, the image forming apparatus can be downsized in the direction intersecting with the mounting direction.
(13) The emitting unit may be configured to emit light upward.

  According to such a configuration, since the emitting part emits light upward, when developer or paper dust is scattered in the apparatus main body, the developer or paper powder is caused by gravity on the emitting part. May accumulate. In this case, the progress of the light emitted from the emission part is hindered.

However, according to the above-described configuration, the covering member is disposed so as to surround the emission part as viewed from the light emission direction of the emission part, and closes the space between the support part and the photosensitive cartridge. Even when the emission part emits light upward, it is possible to suppress the deposition of developer or paper powder on the emission part.
(14) The cartridge frame is disposed between the light guide member and the emitting portion, is disposed so as to close an opening configured to allow light to pass therethrough, and is configured to transmit light. And a member.

  According to such a configuration, the transmissive member is disposed between the light guide member and the emitting portion and is disposed so as to close the opening that allows light from the light source to pass therethrough. However, it can suppress that it goes to an output part from a cartridge frame via an opening part.

  On the other hand, since the transmission member transmits light, the light from the emission part passes through the opening and the transmission member and reaches the light guide member.

  Therefore, the light from the light source can surely reach the light guide member while further reliably reducing the contamination of the emitting portion.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the light source and the emission part from becoming dirty.

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of a printer as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper right. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 4 is a central sectional view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a rear view of the light guide shown in FIG. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the light guide shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the light source shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the upper left. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the lower right. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the drum cartridge and the light source shown in FIG. 7A as viewed from the lower right. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. 3, and is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge and the light source shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the drum cartridge according to the first modified example of the present invention viewed from the rear lower side. FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the light source according to the second modified example of the present invention as viewed from the front upper side.

1. Outline of Printer A printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic monochrome printer. The printer 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a process cartridge 3, a scanner unit 4, and a fixing unit 5.

  The apparatus main body 2 has a substantially box shape. The apparatus main body 2 includes a main body opening 6, a front cover 7, a paper feed tray 8, and a paper discharge tray 9.

  The main body opening 6 is disposed at one end of the apparatus main body 2. The main body opening 6 communicates the inside and outside of the apparatus main body 2 so as to allow the process cartridge 3 to pass therethrough.

  The front cover 7 is disposed at one end of the apparatus body 2. The front cover 7 has a substantially flat plate shape. The front cover 7 extends in the vertical direction, and is swingably supported at one end portion of the apparatus main body 2 with the lower end portion serving as a fulcrum. The front cover 7 can open and close the main body opening 6.

  In the following description, the direction where the front cover 7 is disposed is the front of the printer 1, and the opposite is the rear of the printer 1. Also, the left and right are defined with reference to the printer 1 as viewed from the front. Specifically, the direction arrow shown in each figure is used as a reference.

  Further, with respect to the drum cartridge 11 to be described later, the front, rear, left, right, top and bottom are defined based on the mounting state with respect to the apparatus main body 2.

  The left-right direction is an example of the first direction, the right side is an example of one of the axial directions, and the left side is an example of the other of the axial directions.

  The paper feed tray 8 is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 2. The paper feed tray 8 has a substantially box shape opened upward and can accommodate the paper P.

  The paper discharge tray 9 is disposed at the approximate center in the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. The paper discharge tray 9 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 so that the paper P is placed thereon.

  The process cartridge 3 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 through the main body opening 6, and is disposed substantially in the center in the side view of the apparatus main body 2 when mounted on the apparatus main body 2. The process cartridge 3 includes a drum cartridge 11 as an example of a photoreceptor cartridge and a developing cartridge 12. That is, the drum cartridge 11 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 because the process cartridge 3 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2.

  The drum cartridge 11 includes a photosensitive drum 14 as an example of a photosensitive member, a transfer roller 15, and a scorotron charger 16.

  The photosensitive drum 14 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported at the rear end portion of the drum cartridge 11. The transfer roller 15 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is disposed below the photosensitive drum 14. The upper end portion of the transfer roller 15 is in contact with the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 14. The scorotron charger 16 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 14 with a space therebetween.

  The developing cartridge 12 is detachable from the drum cartridge 11 and is disposed in front of the photosensitive drum 14 in a state in which the developing cartridge 12 is mounted on the drum cartridge 11. The developing cartridge 12 includes a developing roller 19, a supply roller 20, a layer thickness regulating blade 21, and a toner container 22.

  The developing roller 19 is rotatably supported at the rear end portion of the developing cartridge 12. The developing roller 19 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The rear end portion of the developing roller 19 is in contact with the front end portion of the photosensitive drum 14.

  The supply roller 20 is disposed on the front lower side of the developing roller 19. The supply roller 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported by the developing cartridge 12. The rear upper end portion of the supply roller 20 is in contact with the front lower end portion of the developing roller 19.

  The layer thickness regulating blade 21 is disposed on the front upper side of the developing roller 19. The layer thickness regulating blade 21 is in contact with the front end portion of the developing roller 19.

  The toner container 22 is disposed in front of the supply roller 20 and the layer thickness regulating blade 21. The toner storage unit 22 is configured to store toner.

  The scanner unit 4 is disposed above the process cartridge 3. The scanner unit 4 is configured to emit a laser beam based on image data toward the photosensitive drum 14.

  The fixing unit 5 is disposed behind the process cartridge 3. The fixing unit 5 includes a heating roller 26 and a pressure roller 27. The pressure roller 27 is disposed below the heating roller 26, and the upper end portion of the pressure roller 27 is in pressure contact with the lower end portion of the heating roller 26.

  The printer 1 starts an image forming operation under the control of a control unit (not shown). When the printer 1 starts an image forming operation, the scorotron charger 16 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 14. The scanner unit 4 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 14. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed and carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14.

  The supply roller 20 supplies the toner in the toner storage unit 22 to the developing roller 19. At this time, the toner is frictionally charged positively between the developing roller 19 and the supply roller 20 and is carried on the developing roller 19. The layer thickness regulating blade 21 regulates the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 19 to a constant thickness.

  The toner carried on the developing roller 19 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14. As a result, the toner image is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14.

  The paper P is fed from the paper feed tray 8 between the photosensitive drum 14 and the transfer roller 15 after passing through a supply port 44 described later at a predetermined timing by rotation of various rollers.

  The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 is transferred to the paper P when the paper P passes between the photosensitive drum 14 and the transfer roller 15.

  Next, after passing through a discharge port 45 described later, the sheet P is guided by a conveyance guide unit 89 described later and reaches between the heating roller 26 and the pressure roller 27. The paper P is heated and pressurized when passing between the heating roller 26 and the pressure roller 27. As a result, the toner image on the paper P is thermally fixed to the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9.

3. Details of Drum Cartridge As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 8, the drum cartridge 11 includes a drum frame 13 as an example of a cartridge frame, in addition to the photosensitive drum 14, the transfer roller 15, and the scorotron charger 16. , A cleaning unit 50, a light guide 18 as an example of a light guide member, and a film member 49 as an example of a transmission member.
(1) Drum Frame As shown in FIG. 2, the drum frame 13 has a bottomed frame shape that is substantially rectangular in plan view, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 3, a pair of drum side walls 30; The drum front wall 31, the drum bottom wall 32, the charging container 34, the cleaner container 35, a pair of ribs 38 as an example of a pair of walls, a transfer container 33, and a pair of connections. Part 40 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of drum side walls 30 are both left and right end portions of the drum frame 13 and face each other with a space therebetween in the left-right direction. Each of the pair of drum side walls 30 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view extending in the front-rear direction.

  The drum front wall 31 is a front end portion of the drum frame 13 and extends between the front end portions of the pair of drum side walls 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the drum bottom wall 32 is a lower end portion of the drum frame 13, and extends between the lower end portions of the front portions of the pair of drum side walls 30. The front end portion of the drum bottom wall 32 is connected to the lower end portion of the drum front wall 31.

  The charging container 34 is disposed at a rearward interval with respect to the drum front wall 31, and is disposed at a rear upper portion with respect to the drum bottom wall 32. The charging container 34 has a substantially U shape in a side view opened downward and extends in the left-right direction. The left and right end portions of the charging accommodating portion 34 are connected to the upper end portions of the rear portions of the pair of drum side walls 30.

  The cleaner accommodating portion 35 is disposed at the rear end portion of the drum frame 13 and adjacent to the rear lower portion of the charging accommodating portion 34. The cleaner accommodating portion 35 has a substantially U-shape in a side view opened toward the front, and extends in the left-right direction. The left and right end portions of the cleaner accommodating portion 35 are connected to the rear end portions of the pair of drum side walls 30.

  Moreover, the cleaner accommodating part 35 has the accommodating part bottom wall 36, as shown in FIG.3 and FIG.4. The housing bottom wall 36 is a lower end portion of the cleaner housing 35 and has a substantially plate shape extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, the accommodating portion bottom wall 36 integrally includes a flat plate portion 36A and an inclined portion 36B.

  The flat plate portion 36A is a portion other than the right end portion of the accommodating portion bottom wall 36 and extends in the front-rear direction.

  The inclined portion 36B is a right end portion of the accommodating portion bottom wall 36 and extends in a direction connecting the front lower portion and the rear upper portion as shown in FIG.

  The inclined portion 36 </ b> B has an opening 37.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the opening 37 is disposed substantially at the center of the inclined portion 36 </ b> B. The opening portion 37 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the rear lower side, and penetrates the inclined portion 36B in a direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of ribs 38 is disposed at the right end portion of the rear lower end portion of the drum frame 13. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of ribs 38 is disposed in the downstream portion of the drum cartridge 11 in the mounting direction Y, as will be described in detail later.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the pair of ribs 38 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction so as to sandwich the opening 37. As shown in FIG. 7B, each of the pair of ribs 38 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a side view. Of the pair of ribs 38, the right rib 38 is integral with the right drum side wall 30, and continuously protrudes from the rear lower end portion of the right drum side wall 30 and protrudes rearward and downward. . Of the pair of ribs 38, the left rib 38 is disposed with a space leftward with respect to the right rib 38. The left rib 38 is integral with the inclined portion 36B and protrudes rearward and downward from the left end portion of the lower surface of the inclined portion 36B.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer accommodating portion 33 is disposed at a front and lower interval with respect to the cleaner accommodating portion 35, and is disposed at a rearward interval with respect to the drum bottom wall 32. The transfer accommodating portion 33 extends in the left-right direction, and both left and right end portions of the transfer accommodating portion 33 are connected to the rear lower end portion of the rear portion of the pair of drum side walls 30. The transfer accommodating portion 33 has an accommodating portion main body 33A and a lip portion 33B.

  The accommodating portion main body 33A has a substantially U-shape in a side view opened upward, and extends in the left-right direction.

  The lip portion 33B is continuously inclined from the upper end portion of the front wall of the accommodating portion main body 33A and is inclined downward as it goes forward. The front end portion of the lip portion 33 </ b> B is disposed rearward and downward with respect to the rear end portion of the drum bottom wall 32. A region between the front end portion of the lip portion 33 </ b> B and the rear end portion of the drum bottom wall 32 is defined as a supply port 44. The supply port 44 has a shape and a size that allow the paper P to pass therethrough.

  As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 7A and FIG. 8, the pair of connecting portions 40 connects the left and right end portions of the transfer accommodating portion 33 and the left and right end portions of the accommodating portion bottom wall 36. They are spaced apart from each other. Specifically, among the pair of connecting portions 40, the left connecting portion 40 includes a left end portion at the rear end edge of the housing portion main body 33A and a left end portion at the front end edge of the flat plate portion 36A, as shown in FIG. Are connected. Further, of the pair of connecting portions 40, the right connecting portion 40 connects the right end portion of the rear end edge of the accommodating portion main body 33A and the front end portion of the inclined portion 36B, as shown in FIG. Yes.

And the area | region between the left-right direction inner end edge of a pair of connection part 40, the rear-end edge of accommodating part main body 33A, and the front-end edge of flat plate part 36A is shown in FIG. It is divided as. That is, the pair of ribs 38 is disposed outward in the left-right direction from the discharge port 45. The discharge port 45 has a shape and a size that allow the paper P to pass therethrough.
(2) Photosensitive drum, transfer roller, and scorotron charger The drum frame 13 includes a photosensitive drum 14, a transfer roller 15, and a scorotron charger 16 between a pair of drum side walls 30, as shown in FIG. The cleaning unit 50 is supported.

  The photosensitive drum 14 is disposed between the transfer container 33 and the charging container 34 in front of the cleaner container 35. The photosensitive drum 14 has a base tube made of a substantially cylindrical metal extending in the left-right direction, and a photosensitive layer covering the peripheral surface of the base tube.

  The transfer roller 15 is accommodated in the accommodating portion main body 33A. The left and right ends of the transfer roller 15 are supported by the drum frame 13 by being rotatably supported by a pair of drum side walls 30.

The scorotron charger 16 is supported by the charging container 34 in the charging container 34.
(3) Cleaning Unit The cleaning unit 50 is housed in the cleaner housing portion 35 and is disposed behind the photosensitive drum 14.

  The cleaning unit 50 includes a cleaning frame 51, a cleaning roller 17, a collection roller 52, and a sponge scraper 54.

  The cleaning frame 51 is made of an opaque resin having a color that reflects light, specifically, a white resin. The cleaning frame 51 integrally includes a frame body 55 and a light guide support portion 56.

  The frame main body 55 has a substantially box shape that opens forward.

  The light guide support portion 56 is disposed adjacent to the front side of the bottom wall 55 </ b> A of the frame body 55. The light guide support portion 56 has a substantially U shape that is opened toward the photosensitive drum 14 in a side view. The substantially central portion of the rear wall of the light guide support portion 56 in the vertical direction is connected to the front end portion of the bottom wall 55 </ b> A of the frame body 55. Although not shown, the left end portion of the light guide support portion 56 is closed, and the right end portion of the light guide support portion 56 is open.

  The cleaning roller 17 is configured to remove deposits adhering to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 14. The rear portion of the cleaning roller 17 faces the frame main body 55 above the light guide support portion 56, and the front portion thereof is the frame main body. It is arranged so as to be exposed from 55. Accordingly, the cleaning roller 17 is disposed behind the photosensitive drum 14.

  The cleaning roller 17 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The left and right ends of the cleaning roller 17 are supported by the cleaning frame 51 by being rotatably supported by the left and right side walls of the frame body 55. The front lower end portion of the cleaning roller 17 is in contact with the rear upper end portion of the photosensitive drum 14.

  The collection roller 52 is disposed in the frame main body 55 on the rear upper side of the cleaning roller 17. The collection roller 52 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The collection roller 52 is supported by the cleaning frame 51 by having both left and right ends thereof rotatably supported by the left and right side walls of the frame body 55. The front lower end portion of the collection roller 52 is in contact with the rear upper end portion of the cleaning roller 17.

  The sponge scraper 54 is sandwiched between the upper wall of the frame body 55 and the collection roller 52 in the frame body 55. The sponge scraper 54 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper wall of the frame main body 55, and the lower surface of the sponge scraper 54 is in contact with the upper portion of the collection roller 52.

  In the above image forming operation, such a cleaning unit 50 removes and collects deposits such as paper dust adhering to the photosensitive drum 14 after a charge eliminating operation described later. Therefore, the cleaning operation of the cleaning unit 50 will be described.

  In the cleaning operation of the cleaning unit 50, the cleaning roller 17 is charged with a positive polarity higher than the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 14 by applying a bias from a body electrode (not shown) provided in the apparatus body 2. Further, the collection roller 52 is charged with a positive polarity higher than that of the cleaning roller 17 by applying a bias from a body electrode (not shown).

The cleaning roller 17 collects the paper dust adhering to the photosensitive drum 14 from the photosensitive drum 14. Thereafter, the collection roller 52 collects the paper dust collected by the cleaning roller 17 from the cleaning roller 17. Next, the sponge scraper 54 scrapes off the paper dust on the collection roller 52. As a result, the paper dust is stored in the frame main body 55.
(4) Light Guide The light guide 18 is configured to guide light for neutralizing the photosensitive drum 14 from a light source 90 described later to the surface of the photosensitive drum 14. The light guide 18 is supported by the light guide support portion 56.

  The light guide 18 is made of, for example, a colorless and transparent acrylic resin. As shown in FIG. 5B, the light guide 18 has a substantially L-shaped bar shape, and includes a first portion 70, a second portion 71, and an optical path conversion surface 72 as an example of a light receiving unit. Yes.

  The first portion 70 is a right end portion of the light guide 18 and has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in a direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side, as shown in FIG. The first portion 70 has an incident surface 70A.

  The incident surface 70A is a rear lower end surface of the first portion 70, and is a flat surface orthogonal to the direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side, as shown in FIG. 5B.

  The second portion 71 has a substantially bar shape extending in the left-right direction. The horizontal dimension of the second portion 71 is larger than the horizontal dimension of the light guide support portion 56, and the vertical dimension of the second portion 71 is substantially the same as the vertical dimension of the light guide support portion 56. It is. The right end portion of the second portion 71 is connected to the front upper end portion that is the end portion opposite to the incident surface 70 </ b> A of the first portion 70.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second portion 71 has a substantially rectangular shape in side view, and specifically includes an arc surface 75, an upper surface 76, a lower surface 77, and a back surface 78. .

  The circular arc surface 75 is a front surface of the second portion 71 and is a curved surface having a substantially semicircular arc shape in side view that bulges forward. The upper surface 76 is an upper surface of the second portion 71 and is a flat surface that extends from the upper end of the arcuate surface 75 and extends rearward. The lower surface 77 is a lower surface of the second portion 71 and is a flat surface that extends from the lower end of the arcuate surface 75 and extends rearward.

  The back surface 78 is a rear surface of the second portion 71 and is a flat surface connecting the rear end portions of the upper surface 76 and the lower surface 77 along the vertical direction. The back surface 78 has a rough surface portion 79 as shown in FIG. 5A.

  The rough surface portion 79 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the back surface 78 in the vertical direction. The rough surface portion 79 is recessed forward from the back surface 78, and is configured as a rough surface (pear surface) having minute irregularities in the recessed portion. Such a rough surface portion 79 is formed by, for example, embossing (etching). In FIG. 5A, the rough surface portion 79 is hatched to distinguish the rough surface portion 79 from the surrounding back surface 78.

  The rough surface portion 79 extends in the left-right direction, and the dimension in the left-right direction is, for example, approximately 9/10 with respect to the dimension in the left-right direction of the back surface 78. Specifically, the rough surface portion 79 has a minimum width portion 83, a gradually increasing portion 84, a maximum width portion 85, and a gradually decreasing portion 86.

  The minimum width portion 83 is a right portion of the rough surface portion 79 and extends from the right end edge of the rough surface portion 79 to the left to a substantially central portion of the rough surface portion 79 in the left-right direction. That is, the dimension in the left-right direction of the minimum width portion 83 is approximately ½ of the dimension in the left-right direction of the rough surface portion 79. The vertical dimension of the minimum width portion 83 is, for example, approximately 1/3 of the vertical dimension of the back surface 78, and is constant over the entire left and right direction of the minimum width portion 83. Note that the right end edge of the minimum width portion 83, that is, the right end edge of the rough surface portion 79, is arranged with a space leftward from the right end portion of the second portion 71.

  The gradually increasing portion 84 continuously extends toward the left from the left end portion of the minimum width portion 83, and expands so that the dimension in the vertical direction increases toward the left. The dimension in the left-right direction of the gradually increasing portion 84 is approximately 1/7 with respect to the dimension in the left-right direction of the back surface 78.

  The maximum width portion 85 continuously extends from the left end of the gradually increasing portion 84 toward the left. The dimension in the left-right direction of the maximum width portion 85 is approximately 1/4 with respect to the dimension in the left-right direction of the back surface 78. The vertical dimension of the maximum width portion 85 is, for example, approximately 9/10 with respect to the vertical dimension of the back surface 78, and is constant over the entire left and right direction of the maximum width portion 85.

  The gradually decreasing portion 86 is the left end portion of the rough surface portion 79 and extends continuously to the left from the left end portion of the maximum width portion 85. The gradually decreasing portion 86 is narrowed so that the dimension in the vertical direction becomes smaller toward the left. The dimension in the left-right direction of the gradually decreasing portion 86 is approximately 1/10 of the dimension in the left-right direction of the rough surface portion 79. Note that the left end edge of the gradually decreasing portion 86, that is, the left end edge of the rough surface portion 79 is arranged with a space to the right of the left end surface of the second portion 71.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the optical path conversion surface 72 is disposed at a connection portion between the first portion 70 and the second portion 71. The optical path conversion surface 72 is cut out so that the right end portion of the connection portion between the first portion 70 and the second portion 71 is inclined by approximately 45 ° with respect to the left-right direction. That is, the optical path conversion surface 72 is an inclined surface inclined by approximately 45 ° with respect to the left-right direction.

  The optical path conversion surface 72 is disposed so as to coincide with the first portion 70 when viewed from the direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side, and is disposed so as to coincide with the second portion 71 when viewed from the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light guide 18 is supported by the cleaning frame 51 below the cleaning roller 17 by accommodating the second portion 71 in the light guide support portion 56.

  Accordingly, the second portion 71 faces the back of the photosensitive drum 14 with a space therebetween, and the arc surface 75 of the second portion 71 protrudes toward the photosensitive drum 14.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first portion 70 and the optical path conversion surface 72 are located to the right of the right end portion of the light guide support portion 56. The first portion 70 and the optical path conversion surface 72 are disposed in the cleaner accommodating portion 35 with an interval in front of the inclined portion 36 </ b> B of the accommodating portion bottom wall 36. The incident surface 70A of the first portion 70 faces the direction connecting the opening 37 of the inclined portion 36B with the front upper side and the rear lower side. Therefore, the incident surface 70A is disposed between the pair of ribs 38 when viewed from the rear lower side.
(5) Film member The film member 49 is arrange | positioned at the upper surface of the inclination part 36B. The film member 49 is configured to transmit light, and is made of, for example, a transparent resin film. The film member 49 is disposed so as to close the opening 37, and is fixed to the inclined portion 36B.

4). Details of Device Body As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the device body 2 includes a conveyance guide portion 89 and a light source 90.

  The conveyance guide unit 89 is disposed in front of the pressure roller 27 in the apparatus main body 2. The conveyance guide portion 89 has a plate shape extending in the left-right direction, and a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction is curved downward.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the light source 90 is arranged on the right side with respect to the conveyance guide portion 89 in the apparatus main body 2. The light source 90 includes a support frame 91 as an example of a support part, a light emitting unit 92 as an example of an emission part, and a covering member 88.

  The support frame 91 includes a pedestal portion 93 and an insertion portion 94.

  The pedestal portion 93 is a rear lower portion of the support frame 91 and has a substantially triangular prism shape extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, the lower surface of the pedestal portion 93 extends along the front-rear direction, and the front upper surface of the pedestal portion 93 is bent from the front end portion of the lower surface of the pedestal portion 93 and extends rearward and upward. The upper surface is bent from the upper end portion of the front upper surface of the pedestal portion 93, extends rearward and downward, and is connected to the rear end portion of the lower surface of the pedestal portion 93.

  Further, the dimension of the pedestal portion 93 in the left-right direction is larger than the distance between the pair of ribs 38 in the left-right direction.

  The insertion portion 94 is an upper front portion of the support frame 91 and is disposed on the front upper surface of the pedestal portion 93. The insertion portion 94 has a substantially box shape that opens toward the rear lower side, and has a substantially rectangular shape that extends in a direction connecting the front lower side and the rear upper side in a side view. The horizontal dimension of the insertion portion 94 is smaller than the horizontal dimension of the pedestal portion 93.

  The insertion portion 94 has a support wall 94A. The support wall 94A is a front upper end portion of the insertion portion 94 and has a substantially plate shape extending in a direction connecting the front lower portion and the rear upper portion. In addition, the support wall 94 </ b> A has an insertion hole 95.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the insertion hole 95 has a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front upper side, and penetrates the support wall 94A in a direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side.

  The light emitting unit 92 is accommodated in the insertion portion 94 and includes a substrate portion 96, a tube portion 97, a light emitting portion 98, and a lens portion 99.

  The substrate portion 96 has a substantially plate shape extending in a direction connecting the front lower portion and the rear upper portion, and is electrically connected to a main body substrate (not shown). The cylinder part 97 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in a direction connecting the front upper part and the rear lower part, and is disposed on the front upper surface of the substrate part 96.

  The light emitting unit 98 is fixed to the substrate unit 96 in the tube unit 97, and is, for example, an LED light including an LED. The light emitting unit 98 is electrically connected to the substrate unit 96 and is configured to emit light in an emission direction X that is a direction from the lower rear to the front upper. That is, the light emitting unit 98 is configured to emit light in a direction intersecting with the left-right direction.

  The lens part 99 is disposed in front of the light emitting part 98 in the cylindrical part 97 and is supported on the inner peripheral surface of the front upper end part of the cylindrical part 97. The lens unit 99 is, for example, a convex lens that bulges toward the front upper side.

  The light emitting unit 92 is accommodated in the insertion portion 94 such that the front upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 97 is inserted into the insertion hole 95. That is, the insertion portion 94 and the light emitting unit 92 are arranged upstream of the mounting direction Y, which will be described later, with respect to the pedestal portion 93. In addition, the front upper end part of the cylinder part 97 protrudes slightly downstream in the emission direction X from the support wall 94A as shown in FIG.

  The covering member 88 is disposed on the front upper surface of the support wall 94A. The covering member 88 is made of an elastic member such as a sponge, for example, and is configured as a separate body from the apparatus main body 2 and the drum cartridge 11. The covering member 88 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in a direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side. The inner diameter of the covering member 88 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 97.

  The covering member 88 is disposed so as to surround the cylindrical portion 97 when viewed from the downstream in the emission direction X, and the inner peripheral surface of the covering member 88 and the outer peripheral surface of the front upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 97 are covered with each other. The member 88 is spaced in the radial direction. Further, the covering member 88 protrudes downstream in the emission direction X from the front upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 97.

  The covering member 88 is attached to the support wall 94A with a known double-sided tape or the like. That is, the covering member 88 is supported by the light source 90.

5. Next, the operation of detaching and attaching the drum cartridge 11 to the apparatus main body 2 will be described.

  In order to mount the drum cartridge 11 to the apparatus main body 2, as shown in FIG. 1, first, the user mounts the developing cartridge 12 on the drum cartridge 11 and configures the process cartridge 3.

  Then, the process cartridge 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 through the main body opening 6 along the mounting direction Y from the front to the rear.

  At this time, the pair of ribs 38 receives the insertion portion 94 of the light source 90 therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

  As a result, the inclined portion 36B of the accommodating portion bottom wall 36 faces the support wall 94A of the insertion portion 94 with an interval in the emission direction X as shown in FIG. 8, and the opening 37 of the inclined portion 36B The lens unit 99 of the light emitting unit 92 is disposed so as to overlap with the emission direction X.

  Therefore, the incident surface 70 </ b> A of the first portion 70 faces the light emitting portion 98 with a space downstream from the light emitting portion 98 with the opening 37 and the lens portion 99 interposed therebetween. That is, the opening 37 is disposed between the first portion 70 and the light emitting unit 98.

  At this time, the covering member 88 is sandwiched between the inclined portion 36B and the support wall 94A and is elastically deformed. That is, the covering member 88 is in contact with each of the inclined portion 36B and the support wall 94A and closes the gap between the inclined portion 36B and the support wall 94A.

  Thus, the mounting operation of the process cartridge 3 to the apparatus main body 2, that is, the mounting operation of the drum cartridge 11 to the apparatus main body 2 is completed.

  In a state where the drum cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, the light source 90 is mounted in the mounting direction Y so as to be arranged rearward and downward, that is, in the mounting direction Y with respect to the inclined portion 36 </ b> B and the pair of ribs 38 of the drum cartridge 11. It is arranged downstream.

  The insertion portion 94 of the light source 90, that is, the upstream end portion in the mounting direction Y of the light source 90 is disposed between the left and right directions of the pair of ribs 38 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the lens portion 99 of the light emitting unit 92 housed in the insertion portion 94 is disposed between the pair of ribs 38 in the left-right direction.

  In addition, the accommodating portion main body 33 </ b> A of the drum frame 13 is disposed in front of the conveyance guide portion 89. As a result, the discharge port 45 is disposed in front of and above the conveyance guide portion 89.

  On the other hand, in order to remove the drum cartridge 11 from the apparatus main body 2, the procedure is reversed to the above-described mounting operation. Specifically, the user pulls the process cartridge 3 forward through the main body opening 6. As a result, the drum cartridge 11 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 through the main body opening 6 as the process cartridge 3. Thus, the detachment of the drum cartridge 11 from the apparatus main body 2 is completed.

6). In the image forming operation described above, charges may remain on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 14 after the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 14 to the paper P. Accordingly, a description will be given of a charge eliminating operation for removing charges remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 14.

  In the charge removal operation of the photosensitive drum 14, the light emitting unit 98 of the light source 90 supplies light for discharging the photosensitive drum 14 in the emission direction X when electric power is supplied from a substrate (not shown) as shown in FIG. 8. Emanate along. Then, the light from the light emitting part 98 passes through the lens part 99, passes through the opening 37 of the inclined part 36 </ b> B and the film member 49, and enters the first part 70 from the incident surface 70 </ b> A of the first part 70. . That is, the first portion 70 receives light from the light source 90.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the light incident in the first portion 70 travels forward and upward in the first portion 70 along the emission direction X and reaches the optical path conversion surface 72.

  Then, the optical path conversion surface 72 reflects the light that has passed through the first portion 70 by approximately 90 ° so that the traveling direction of the light is changed from the front upper side to the left side. Thereby, the light that has passed through the first portion 70 is guided toward the second portion 71. Thereafter, the light traveling in the second portion 71 travels leftward in the second portion 71.

  At this time, the rough surface portion 79 of the back surface 78 reflects light traveling in the second portion 71 forward toward the arc surface 75 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the light reflected by the rough surface portion 79 travels forward, passes through the circular arc surface 75, and then irradiates the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 14.

  As a result, the charge remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 14 is removed.

7). Action Effect (1) The light source 90 is disposed between the pair of ribs 38 when the drum cartridge 11 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 as shown in FIG. Therefore, each of the pair of ribs 38 covers the light source 90 from the outside in the left-right direction.

  As a result, even if toner or paper dust or the like is scattered in the apparatus main body 2, it is possible to suppress the toner or paper dust or the like from moving from the outside in the left-right direction to the light source 90, and to reduce the contamination of the light source 90.

Further, since each of the pair of ribs 38 covers the light source 90 from the outside in the left-right direction, it is possible to suppress the light from the light source 90 from traveling outward in the left-right direction. The light can be reliably guided to the light guide 18.
(2) As shown in FIG. 8, the light source 90 is disposed downstream in the mounting direction Y with respect to the inclined portion 36 </ b> B of the drum cartridge 11, and the pair of ribs 38 is formed on the drum frame 13 of the drum cartridge 11. In the downstream portion in the mounting direction Y. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 11 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the insertion portion 94 of the light source 90 can be reliably disposed between the pair of ribs 38. Therefore, it is possible to reliably reduce the contamination of the light source 90.
(3) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the first portion 70 is disposed between the pair of ribs 38 as viewed from the rear lower side. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2 and the light source 90 is disposed between the pair of ribs 38, the relative positional accuracy between the first portion 70 and the light source 90 is improved. Can do. As a result, the light from the light source 90 can be reliably received by the first portion 70 of the light guide 18.
(4) The lens portion 99 of the light emitting unit 92 that emits light is disposed between the pair of ribs 38 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the contamination of the lens unit 99 can be reliably reduced, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit 92 can be prevented from traveling outward in the left-right direction, so that the light from the light emitting unit 92 is transmitted to the light guide 18. Can lead to sure.
(5) Since the pair of ribs 38 are integral with the drum frame 13 as shown in FIG. 7A, the number of parts can be reduced.
(6) As shown in FIG. 8, the film member 49 is disposed between the first portion 70 of the light guide 18 and the light emitting portion 98 of the light source 90, and has an opening 37 through which light from the light source 90 passes. It is arranged to close. Therefore, it is possible to suppress toner, paper dust, and the like from falling from the drum frame 13 toward the light source 90 through the opening 37.

  On the other hand, since the film member 49 transmits light, the light from the light source 90 passes through the opening 37 and the film member 49 and reaches the light guide 18.

Therefore, the light from the light source 90 can reach the light guide 18 while the contamination of the light source 90 can be further reliably reduced.
(7) The covering member 88 is disposed so as to surround the lens portion 99 of the light emitting unit 92 when viewed from the light emitting direction X of the light emitting unit 92, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the support frame 91 and the drum cartridge 11 are brought into contact with each other to block the space between the support frame 91 and the drum cartridge 11.

  That is, the lens portion 99 of the light emitting unit 92 that emits light is surrounded by the covering member 88, the support frame 91, and the drum cartridge 11. Therefore, even if toner or paper dust is scattered in the apparatus main body 2, it is possible to suppress the toner or paper dust from coming into contact with the light source 90, and to reduce the contamination of the light source 90 and hence the lens unit 99.

Further, since the covering member 88 surrounds the light emitting unit 92, light from the light emitting unit 92 can be suppressed from leaking outside the covering member 88, and the light from the light emitting unit 92 can be reliably guided to the light guide 18. it can.
(8) The covering member 88 protrudes downstream in the emission direction X from the cylindrical portion 97 of the light emitting unit 92, as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the covering member 88 comes into contact with each of the support frame 91 and the drum cartridge 11, the light emitting unit 92 can be reliably surrounded.
(9) The covering member 88 is supported by the light source 90 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the relative positional accuracy between the covering member 88 and the light emitting unit 92 can be improved. As a result, the covering member 88 can reliably surround the lens unit 99 when viewed from the emission direction X.
(10) As shown in FIG. 8, the covering member 88 is an elastic member, and is elastically deformed when contacting the support frame 91 and the drum frame 13. Therefore, the space between the support frame 91 and the drum cartridge 11 can be more reliably closed.
(11) The light source 90 is arranged so as to be aligned in the mounting direction Y with respect to the drum cartridge 11 mounted on the apparatus main body 2 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the size of the printer 1 in the left-right direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the light source 90 is arranged in the left-right direction with respect to the drum cartridge 11 mounted on the apparatus main body 2.
(12) The light emitting unit 92 emits light toward the front upper side as shown in FIG. For this reason, when toner, paper powder, or the like is scattered in the apparatus main body 2, the toner, paper powder, or the like may be deposited on the lens unit 99 of the light emitting unit 92 due to gravity. In this case, the progress of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 92 is hindered.

  However, according to the above configuration, the covering member 88 is disposed so as to surround the lens portion 99 of the light emitting unit 92 when viewed from the light emitting direction X of the light emitting unit 92, and the support frame 91 and the drum frame 13 are disposed. Therefore, even when the light emitting unit 92 emits light upward, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of toner, paper powder, and the like on the lens unit 99.

8). Modification (1) In the above embodiment, the light source 90 supports the covering member 88 as shown in FIG. 6, but is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 9A, the drum cartridge 11 has the covering member. 88 may be supported.

  For example, the covering member 88 is supported by the inclined portion 36 </ b> B of the accommodating portion bottom wall 36. Specifically, the covering member 88 is disposed between the pair of ribs 38 on the lower surface of the inclined portion 36B, and is attached to the inclined portion 36B with a known double-sided tape or the like.

  In this case, the covering member 88 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the rear lower side, and has a through hole 100. The through hole 100 is disposed at the approximate center of the covering member 88. The through-hole 100 has a circular shape when viewed from the rear lower side, and penetrates the covering member 88 in a direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side. As a result, the through hole 100 exposes the opening 37 when viewed from the rear lower side.

  Also in such a modification, the covering member 88 is sandwiched between the inclined portion 36B and the support wall 94A in a state where the drum cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, and closes the gap between them. Therefore, the same effect as the above embodiment can be achieved.

Further, since the covering member 88 is supported by the drum cartridge 11, it is possible to improve the relative positional accuracy between the covering member 88 and the drum cartridge 11. Therefore, the covering member 88 can reliably block the space between the drum cartridge 11 and the support frame 91.
(2) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the drum frame 13 includes a pair of ribs 38, and the light source 90 includes a covering member 88 as illustrated in FIG. Alternatively, the printer 1 may include only one of the pair of ribs 38 and the covering member 88.

  For example, if the drum frame 13 includes a pair of ribs 38, the light source 90 may not include the covering member 88 as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

  Even in this case, the insertion portion 94 of the light source 90 is disposed between the pair of ribs 38 in a state where the drum cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress toner, paper dust, and the like from going outward in the left-right direction toward the light emitting unit 92 accommodated in the insertion portion 94, and to reduce the contamination of the light emitting unit 92.

Although not shown, the drum frame 13 may not include the pair of ribs 38, and the light source 90 may include the covering member 88.
(3) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the covering member 88 is inclined with respect to the support wall 94 </ b> A of the insertion portion 94 and the storage portion bottom wall 36 in a state where the drum cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2. Although it contacts each of the parts 36B, the covering member 88 is not particularly limited as long as the space between the support frame 91 and the drum cartridge 11 is closed.

  For example, the covering member 88 can contact the light guide 18 and the support wall 94A of the insertion portion 94 in a state where the drum cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2.

In this case, the first portion 70 of the light guide 18 is provided with a flange portion that is not shown in the drawing and extends outward from the first portion 70 in the radial direction. Then, the covering member 88 is sandwiched between a flange portion (not shown) of the first portion 70 and the support wall 94A of the insertion portion 94 in a state in which the drum cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, and comes into contact therewith. To do. Also by this, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
(4) In the above embodiment, the process cartridge 3 includes the drum cartridge 11 and the developing cartridge 12 that can be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge 11. However, the process cartridge 3 includes the drum cartridge 11 and the developing cartridge 12. You may have it integrally. In this case, the process cartridge 3 corresponds to an example of the photosensitive member cartridge.

  Further, in place of the above-described photosensitive drum 14, for example, a photosensitive member such as a photosensitive belt can be applied.

  Also according to these modified examples, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. In addition, said embodiment and a modification can be combined suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Apparatus main body 11 Drum cartridge 13 Drum frame 14 Photosensitive drum 18 Light guide 37 Opening part 38 Pair of ribs 49 Film member 70 1st part 88 Cover member 90 Light source 91 Support frame 92 Light emission unit X Output direction Y Installation direction

Claims (14)

An apparatus body including a light source;
A photosensitive cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body,
The photosensitive cartridge is
A photoreceptor having a surface configured to carry an electrostatic latent image;
A light guide member configured to guide light for neutralizing the surface of the photoconductor from the light source to the photoconductor;
A pair of wall portions spaced apart from each other in a first direction intersecting a mounting direction of the photosensitive cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the light source is disposed between the pair of wall portions when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. At least a part of the light source is disposed downstream of the mounting direction with respect to the photosensitive cartridge,
The pair of wall portions are disposed in a downstream portion of the photosensitive cartridge in the mounting direction,
The upstream end portion in the mounting direction of the light source is disposed between the pair of wall portions when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The light guide member includes a light receiving portion configured to receive light from the light source,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving portion is disposed between the pair of wall portions. The light source is
An emitting portion configured to emit light in a direction intersecting the first direction;
A support part for supporting the emission part,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the emission unit is disposed between the pair of wall portions. The photoconductor cartridge includes a cartridge frame that supports the photoconductor,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pair of wall portions are provided integrally with the cartridge frame. The cartridge frame is
A transmissive member disposed between the light guide member and the light source, disposed so as to close an opening configured to transmit light from the light source, and configured to transmit light; The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An apparatus body having a light source;
A photoreceptor cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body;
A coating member configured as a separate body from each of the apparatus main body and the photosensitive cartridge,
The light source is
An emission portion configured to emit light;
A support part for supporting the emission part,
The photosensitive cartridge is
A photoreceptor,
A light guide member configured to guide light for neutralizing the surface of the photoconductor from the emitting portion to the photoconductor;
A cartridge frame for supporting the photoconductor,
The covering member is
As seen from the light emitting direction of the light emitting portion, it is arranged so as to surround the light emitting portion,
An image forming apparatus configured to be in contact with each of the support portion and the photoconductor cartridge to close a space between the support portion and the photoconductor cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the covering member protrudes further downstream in the emission direction than the emission portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the covering member is supported by the light source.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the covering member is supported by the photosensitive cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the covering member is made of an elastic member.   The light source is arranged so as to be arranged in the mounting direction of the photoconductor cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body with respect to the photoconductor cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the emission unit is configured to emit light upward. The cartridge frame is
A transmissive member disposed between the light guide member and the emitting portion, disposed to close an opening configured to allow light to pass therethrough, and configured to transmit light; The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

Images