Process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of contacting and separating an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and a developing roller acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a process cartridge method in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and a developing roller acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum are integrated and attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body has been adopted. It has been adopted. According to this process cartridge method, the maintenance of the device can be performed by the user himself / herself without relying on a service person. Therefore, this process cartridge method is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

When the image is formed, the developing roller is urged toward the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum at a predetermined pressure. In the contact development method in which the developing roller is in contact with the photoconductor drum for development, the elastic layer of the developing roller is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum at a predetermined pressure.

Therefore, if the process cartridge is not used for a long time while being attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the elastic layer of the developing roller may be deformed. As a result, unevenness of the image may occur during development. Further, since the developing roller is in contact with the photoconductor drum, an unnecessary developer may adhere to the photoconductor drum from the developing roller. Further, since the photoconductor drum and the developing roller are in contact with each other and rotate even when not during development, deterioration of the photoconductor drum, the developing roller and the developing agent is accelerated due to rubbing between the photoconductor drum and the developing roller. May be done.

As a configuration for solving the above problem, an image forming apparatus provided with a mechanism that acts on a process cartridge to separate an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and a developing roller when image forming is not performed has been proposed. (Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, four process cartridges are detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Each process cartridge has a photoconductor unit having a photoconductor drum and a developing unit oscillatingly provided on the photoconductor unit to support a developing roller. Then, the separating plate provided in the image forming apparatus main body moves, so that the force receiving portion provided in the developing unit receives the force from the separating plate. Then, when the developing unit moves with respect to the photoconductor unit, the developing roller moves from the state of being in contact with the photoconductor drum to the state of being separated from the photoconductor drum.

<p><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-167499</text></patcit></p>

<p> In the conventional example, the force receiving portion for separating the developing roller and the photoconductor drum protrudes from the outer shape of the developing unit. Therefore, when the user handles the process cartridge or transports the process cartridge as a single unit, the force receiving portion is easily damaged. Further, in considering the miniaturization of the process cartridge in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the developing roller can be contacted and separated, and the image forming apparatus main body in which the process cartridge can be attached and detached, the presence of the force receiving portion is reduced. It could be a factor that hinders.</p><p> An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the developing roller can be contacted and separated, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge can be attached and detached, which can realize miniaturization.</p><p> Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge having a structure in which the force receiving portion is not easily damaged when the process cartridge is transported by itself.</p>

<p> A typical configuration for achieving the above objectives is<u style="single">It has a separating force applying member and a retracting force applying member.</u>A process cartridge that can be mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and can be removed in the direction opposite to the mounting direction. A photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and A developing roller that can move between a contact position that contacts the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image and a distance position away from the photosensitive drum. A cartridge frame that supports the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, and A protruding member capable of having a protruding position protruding outward of the cartridge frame and a retracted position retracted from the protruding position toward the inside of the cartridge frame, with the process cartridge mounted and the protruding position. A separation force for moving the developing roller from the contact position to the separation position while the member is located at the protrusion position.<u style="single">From the separation force applying member</u>With the removal of the process cartridge in a state where the separating force receiving portion and the projecting member are located at the projecting position, the process cartridge moves toward the retracted position.<u style="single">Evacuation</u>Power<u style="single">From the evacuation force applying member</u>A protruding member having a retracting force receiving portion, It is characterized by having.</p>

<p> According to the present invention The process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of contacting and separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing roller can be miniaturized. Further, when the process cartridge is transported as a single unit, the force receiving member for separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing roller can be less likely to be damaged.</p>

<figref num="1">It is an overall block diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is an overall block diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is a figure explaining the process cartridge exchange which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="5">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 1st Example of this invention, seen from the axial direction of a photoconductor drum.</figref><figref num="6">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 1st Example of this invention, seen from the axial direction of a photoconductor drum.</figref><figref num="7">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 1st Example of this invention, seen from the axial direction of a photoconductor drum.</figref><figref num="8">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 1st Example of this invention, seen from the axial direction of a photoconductor drum.</figref><figref num="9">It is a perspective view of the process cartridge seen from the drive side which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="10">(a) and (b) are perspective views of the process cartridge seen from the drive side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="11">It is a perspective view of the process cartridge seen from the non-driving side which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="12">It is a perspective view of the process cartridge seen from the non-driving side which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="13">It is a detailed perspective view which shows the mechanical detail of the force receiving member and the releasing member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="14">It is a detailed perspective view which shows the mechanical detail of the force receiving member and the releasing member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="15">(a) and (b) are detailed views showing the mechanical details of the force receiving member and the releasing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="16">(a) and (b) are detailed views showing the mechanical details of the force receiving member and the releasing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="17">It is a detailed figure which shows the mechanical detail of the force receiving member and the releasing member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="18">It is a detailed figure which shows the mechanical detail of the force receiving member and the releasing member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="19">It is a detailed figure which shows the mechanical detail of the force receiving member and the releasing member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="20">It is a detailed figure which shows the mechanical detail of the force receiving member and the releasing member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="21">It is a figure which shows the mechanism detail of the force receiving part which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="22">It is a figure which shows the mechanism detail of the force receiving part which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="23">It is an overall block diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="24">It is an overall block diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="25">It is an overall block diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="26">It is a guide groove which concerns on 1st Example and 2nd Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="27">It is 1st Example of this invention, 1st force applying member operation explanatory drawing.</figref><figref num="28">It is 1st Example of this invention, 1st force applying member operation explanatory drawing.</figref><figref num="29">It is a perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="30">It is a perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="31">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention, seen from the axial direction of the photoconductor drum.</figref><figref num="32">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention, seen from the axial direction of the photoconductor drum.</figref><figref num="33">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention, seen from the axial direction of the photoconductor drum.</figref><figref num="34">It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention, seen from the axial direction of the photoconductor drum.</figref><figref num="35">It is a figure explaining the operation of the 2nd force applying member and the operation of the force receiving member of the process cartridge which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="36">It is a figure explaining the operation of the 2nd force applying member and the operation of the force receiving member of the process cartridge which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="37">It is an overall block diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="38">It is an overall block diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="39">It is an overall block diagram of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="40">It is a figure explaining the process cartridge exchange which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="41">It is the operation explanatory drawing of the 2nd force applying member which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="42">It is a perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="43">It is the operation explanatory drawing of the 1st force applying member which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="44">It is the operation explanatory drawing of the 1st force applying member which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.</figref>

(First Example) The process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 shows an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body) 100 in which a plurality of process cartridges (hereinafter referred to as cartridges) 50y, 50m, 50c and 50k are detachably attached. Here, the plurality of cartridges 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k each contain yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners (developer). Further, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the cartridge alone, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory views when the cartridges 50y, 50m, 50c, and 50k are taken out from the apparatus main body 100.

{Overall configuration of electrophotographic image forming apparatus} As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 100 uses a laser scanner 10 to generate laser light 11 based on an image signal on each electrophotographic photosensitive member drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) 30 (30y, 30m, 30cy, 30k). The surface is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed by each developing roller 42, and a toner image (developed image) is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 30. Then, by applying a voltage to the transfer rollers 18y, 18m, 18cy, and 18k, the toner images of each color formed on each photosensitive drum 30 are sequentially transferred to the transfer belt 19. After that, the toner image formed on the transfer belt 19 is transferred by the transfer roller 3 to the recording medium P conveyed by the feeding roller 1 which is a conveying means. After that, the recording medium P is conveyed to the fixing unit 6 including the fixing roller including the driving roller and the heater. Here, by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium P, the toner image transferred to the recording medium P is fixed. After that, the recording medium on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge unit 9 by the discharge roller pair 7.

{Overall configuration of process cartridge} Next, the cartridge 50 (50y, 50m, 50cy, 50k) of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 5 to 8, 29, and 30.

Here, since each cartridge 50 has the same configuration except that the toner T having a different color is stored, the cartridge 50y will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge 50y includes a photoconductor drum 30 and process means acting on the photoconductor drum 30. Here, the process means remains on the surface of the charging roller 32 as a charging means for charging the photoconductor drum 30, the developing roller 42 as a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 30, and the photoconductor drum 30. There is a blade 33 or the like as a cleaning means for removing residual toner. The cartridge 50y is divided into a drum unit 31 and a developing unit 41.

{Drum unit configuration} As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 9 to 12, and 30, the drum unit 31 includes a photoconductor drum 30, a charging roller 32, a blade 33, a waste toner storage portion 35, a drum frame 34, and cover members 36, 37. Consists of. One end side of the photoconductor drum 30 in the longitudinal direction is rotatably supported by the support portion 36b of the cover member 36 as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 (a), and 10 (b). The other end of the photoconductor drum 30 in the longitudinal direction is rotatably supported by the support portion 37b of the cover member 37 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The cover members 36 and 37 are fixed to the drum frame 34 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 34. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 (a) and 10 (b), a coupling member 30a for transmitting a driving force to the photoconductor drum 30 is provided on one end side of the photoconductor drum 30 in the longitudinal direction. Is provided. The coupling member 30a engages with the first main body coupling member 105 shown in FIGS. 4 and 30 when the cartridge 50y is mounted on the apparatus main body 100. Then, the photoconductor drum 30 rotates in the direction of the arrow u as shown in FIG. 2 by transmitting the driving force from the drive motor (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100 to the coupling member 30a. .. Further, the charging roller 32 is supported by the drum frame 34 so that it can come into contact with the photoconductor drum 30 and rotate in a driven manner. Further, the blade 33 is supported by the drum frame 34 so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 30 at a predetermined pressure. Further, the cover members 36 and 37 are provided with support hole portions 36a and 37a for swinging (moving) the developing unit 41.

{Development unit configuration} As shown in FIGS. 2, 10 (a) and 10 (b), the developing unit 41 includes a developing roller 42, a developing blade 43, a developing frame 48, a bearing unit 45, and a cover member 46. The developing frame 48 has a toner storage unit 49 for storing toner to be supplied to the developing roller 42, and a developing blade 43 for regulating the layer thickness of toner on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 42. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the bearing unit 45 is fixed to one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 48, and the developing roller 42 having the developing roller gear 69 at the end can be rotated. I support it. Further, the bearing unit 45 is provided with an idler gear 68 that transmits a driving force from the coupling member 67 to the developing roller gear 69. The cover member 46 is fixed to the outside of the bearing unit 45 in the longitudinal direction so as to cover the coupling member 67 and the idler gear 68. Further, the cover member 46 is provided with a cylindrical portion 46b protruding from the surface of the cover member 46. The coupling member 67 is exposed from the opening inside the cylindrical portion 46b. Here, the coupling member 67 is provided on the device main body 100 by engaging the coupling portion 67a with the second main body coupling member 106 shown in FIG. 30 when the cartridge 50y is mounted on the device main body 100. The driving force from the drive motor (not shown) is transmitted.

{Assembly of drum unit and developing unit} As shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), when the developing unit 41 and the drum unit 31 are assembled, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 46b is fitted to the support hole portion 36a on one end side. Then, on the other end side, the protruding portion 48b provided so as to protrude from the developing frame 48 is fitted into the support hole portion 37a. By doing so, the developing unit 41 is rotatably supported with respect to the drum unit 31. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the developing unit 41 is an elastic member so that the developing roller 42 comes into contact with the photoconductor drum 30 with the cylindrical portion 46b and the protruding portion 48b as the center of rotation. It is urged by a spring 95. That is, the urging force of the pressure spring 95 presses the developing unit 41 in the direction of arrow G as shown in FIG. 2, and the developing unit 41 acts on the moment H with the cylindrical portion 46b and the protruding portion 48b as the center of rotation. Therefore, the developing roller 42 can be brought into contact with the photoconductor drum 30 at a predetermined pressure. The position of the developing unit 41 at this time is set as the contact position.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the pressure spring 95 of this embodiment is on the side opposite to one end side in the longitudinal direction in which the coupling member 30a of the photoconductor drum 30 and the developing coupling member 67 are provided. It is provided on the end side. This is because the development coupling 67 receives the driving force from the coupling 106 of the main body, and as shown in FIG. 2, the moment H acts on the development unit 41 with the cylindrical portion 46b as the center of rotation. That is, on one end side in the longitudinal direction, the moment H acts to press the developing roller 42 against the photoconductor drum 30 with a predetermined pressure. On the other end side, the developing roller 42 is pressed against the photoconductor drum 30 with a predetermined pressure by the pressure spring 95.

{Force receiving member} As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the cartridge 50y is provided with a force receiving member 70 for abutting and separating the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 in the apparatus main body 100. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b), 13 and 14, the force receiving member 70 has a hook portion 70a provided on the force receiving member 70. Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the hook portion 70a is connected at one end to the urging spring 21 which is the urging portion for urging the force receiving member 70, and the urging spring 21 has the other end of the developing frame 48. It is connected to the hook part 48a of.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the force receiving member 70 is attached to the bearing unit 45 by engaging the rotating shaft 70g, which is a part of the force receiving member 70, with the guide portion of the bearing unit 45. After that, the cover member 46 is fixed so as to cover the bearing unit 45 from the outside in the axial direction of the developing roller 42 of the bearing unit 45. The detailed operation of the force receiving member 70 will be described later.

{Drawer member of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming device} Next, the cartridge tray 13 which is a drawer member will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge tray 13 is provided so as to be linearly movable (pushed / pulled out) in the D1 and D2 directions, which are substantially horizontal to the apparatus main body 100. Then, the cartridge tray 13 can take a mounting position in the apparatus main body 100 shown in FIG. 1 and a pulling position pulled out from the mounting position shown in FIG. Then, with the cartridge tray 13 located at the drawer position, as shown in FIG. 4, each cartridge 50 is mounted on the cartridge tray 13 by the operator from the direction of arrow C, which is substantially the direction of gravity. The cartridges 50 are arranged side by side in the moving direction so that the longitudinal direction thereof (the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 30 and the developing roller 42) is orthogonal to the moving direction of the cartridge tray 13. Then, each cartridge 50 enters the apparatus main body 100 together with the cartridge tray 13 while being held by the cartridge tray 13. At this time, each cartridge 50 moves while maintaining a distance between the intermediate transfer belt 19 provided below, the photoconductor drum 30, and the gap f2 (FIG. 5). Then, when the cartridge tray 13 is positioned at the mounting position, each cartridge 50 is positioned on the positioning portion 101a (see FIGS. 5 and 30) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The details of the positioning operation will be described later. Therefore, the user can securely attach each cartridge 50 to the apparatus main body 100 by inserting the cartridge tray 13 and closing the door 12. Therefore, the operability is improved with respect to the configuration in which each cartridge 50 is individually mounted in the apparatus main body 100 by the user.

Next, the operation of the cartridge tray 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 26.

Here, the cartridge will be omitted in order to make the operation of the cartridge tray 13 easy to understand.

The cartridge tray 13 is drawably supported by the tray holding member 14. The tray holding member 14 moves in conjunction with the movement of the door 12, which is an opening / closing member. Further, the door 12 is rotatably provided in the apparatus main body 100 around the rotation center 12a, and has a closing position for closing the opening 80 as shown in FIG. 23 and an opening for opening the opening 80 as shown in FIG. 24. It is possible to move between the position and.

When taking out the cartridge 50 mounted on the apparatus main body 100, the door 12 is moved from the closed position to the open position. As the door 12 moves, the engaged portion 15 provided on the door 12 moves clockwise around the rotation center 12a. Then, as shown in FIG. 24, the engaged portion 15 moves in the elongated hole 14c provided in the tray holding member 14 in the direction from the lower end 14c2 to the upper end 14c1. Along with this, the engaged portion 15 moves the tray holding member 14 in the z1 direction. At that time, as shown in FIG. 25, the protrusions 14d1 and 14d2 protruding from the tray holding member 14 are guided by the guide groove 107 provided in the apparatus main body 100. As shown in FIG. 26, the guide groove is composed of a horizontal portion 107a1, an inclined portion 107a2 connected to the horizontal portion 107a1 and inclined upward, and a horizontal portion 107a3 connected to the inclined portion 107a2. Therefore, when the door 12 is moved to the open position as shown in FIG. 24, the protrusions 14d1 and 14d2 are guided in the order of the horizontal portion 107a1, the inclined portion 107a2, and the horizontal portion 107a3. Therefore, the tray holding member 14 moves in the arrow z1 direction (FIG. 24), and further moves in the arrow y1 direction (FIG. 24), which is a direction away from the transfer belt 19. In this state, the cartridge tray 13 can pass through the opening 80 and move in the direction of arrow D2 as shown in FIG. 25 and be pulled out to the outside of the apparatus main body 100. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of this state.

On the contrary, a case where the cartridge 50 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 25, with the door 12 in the open position, the cartridge tray 13 is passed through the opening 80 and entered into the apparatus main body 100 in the direction of arrow D1. Then, as shown in FIG. 23, the door 12 is moved to the closed position. As the door 12 moves, the engaged portion 15 provided on the door 12 moves counterclockwise around the rotation center 12a. Then, as shown in FIG. 23, the engaged portion 15 moves in the elongated hole 14c provided in the tray holding member 14 in the direction of the lower end 14c2 of the elongated hole 14c. Along with this, the engaged portion 15 moves the tray holding member 14 in the z2 direction (FIG. 23). Therefore, when the door 12 is moved to the closed position as shown in FIG. 23, the protrusions 14d1 and 14d2 are guided in the order of the horizontal portion 107a3, the inclined portion 107a2, and the horizontal portion 107a1. Therefore, the tray holding member 14 moves in the arrow z2 direction (FIG. 23), and further moves in the arrow y2 direction (FIG. 23), which is a direction approaching the transfer belt 19.

{Positioning of process cartridge to electrophotographic image forming device body} Next, the positioning of each cartridge 50 with respect to the device main body 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, 23 to 25, and 30.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 30, the apparatus main body 100 is provided with a positioning portion 101a for positioning each cartridge 50. Two positioning portions 101a are provided for each cartridge 50 with the transfer belt 19 interposed therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 50. Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 23, as the door 12 moves from the open position to the closed position, the cartridge 50 moves in the y2 direction (see FIG. 23) at the same time as the cartridge tray 13. As shown in FIG. 6, the positioned portion 31b provided on the drum unit 31y comes into contact with the positioning portion 101a provided on the apparatus main body 100, and the cartridge 50 is positioned.

Here, it moves in conjunction with the movement of the door 12.<u style="single">cartridge</u>The release member 75 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the tray holding member 14 moves in the direction of arrow y2 (FIG. 23) as the door 12 moves from the open position to the closed position. By this movement, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 31b provided on the drum frame 34 is positioned on the positioning portion 101a of the apparatus main body 100.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tray holding member 14 and the cartridge move in the y2 direction, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the release member pushing member fixed to the main body 100 is used.<u style="single">(Main body release member)</u>102 pushes up the release member 75 provided on the cartridge 50. Details of the release mechanism of the release member will be described later.

{Separation mechanism of electrophotographic image forming device body} Next, the mechanism for operating the force receiving member 70 provided on the cartridge 50y will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, 10, 13, and 14. 5 to 8 are cross-sectional views of the cartridge as viewed from the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 30, and FIG. 10A is a detailed perspective view of the cartridge 50y as viewed from the drive side. 13 and 14 are partial detailed perspective views of the developing unit 41.

As described above, as the door 12 moves from the open position to the closed position, the drum frame protrusion 31a of the cartridge 50y moves in the y2 direction (FIG. 6) and is positioned on the main body frame 101a. At that time, the contact portion 75d of the release member 75 comes into contact with the release member push member 102 fixed to the main body frame, and the release member 75 is pushed up in the opposite direction of y2. That is, the release member 75 receives an external force (second external force) from the release member pushing member 102. Here, the release member 75 is movably provided on the developing frame 48. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, the release member 75 is initially engaged with the force receiving portion 70, but when the release member 75 is pushed up, the engagement with the force receiving portion 70 is disengaged. Then, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 14, the protruding member 70 has a rotation shaft 70 g (FIG. 13) provided on the protruding member as the center of rotation, and the standby position shown in FIG.<u style="single">(Retract position)</u>To the outside of the developing unit 41 shown in FIG. 6, that is, in the direction away from the rotation center 46b of the developing unit 41.

Next, the first force applying member<u style="single">(Separation force applying member)</u>I will explain the operation of 60.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first force applying member 60 is provided above each cartridge 50 in the vertical direction of the apparatus main body 100. Further, in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 30, the photoconductor drum 30 is provided at a position where it can be engaged with the force receiving portion 70 provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 50.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the power is transmitted to the gear 112 via the gear 111 by the driving force of the motor 110 which is a drive source provided in the apparatus main body 100. The gear 112 to which the driving force is transmitted rotates in the direction of arrow L, and the cam portion 112a provided integrally with the gear 112 also rotates in the direction of arrow L. The cam portion 112a is engaged with the moving force receiving portion 60b provided on the force applying member 60. Therefore, the first force applying member 60 moves in the E direction or the B direction as the cam portion 112a rotates.

FIG. 27 shows the case where the first force applying member 60 moves in the direction of arrow E, and the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 are still in contact with each other (see FIG. 7). Then, in FIG. 28, when the first force applying member 60 moves in the direction of arrow B, the force receiving member 70 comes into contact with the engaging rib 60y and receives a force. As a result, the developing unit 41 is rotated (moved) about the axis which is the rotation center 46b, and the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 are separated from each other (see FIG. 8). The position of the developing unit 41 at this time is set as the separated position.

Further, at the stage where each cartridge 50 enters the apparatus main body 100, the force receiving member 70 is mounted in a state of being positioned in the standby position (FIG. 5). Therefore, the first force applying member 60 can be brought close to the point where it does not interfere with the mounting of each cartridge 50, and wasteful space can be eliminated. Therefore, the apparatus main body 100 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction.

{Mounting the process cartridge on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming device and explanation of the force receiving member} Next, a series of operations from mounting each cartridge 50 to the apparatus main body 100 to separating the photoconductor drum 30 and the developing roller 42 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, each cartridge 50 is mounted on the cartridge tray 13 pulled out to the drawer position in the direction of arrow C from the upper surface of the cartridge tray 13.

Next, by moving the cartridge tray 13 in the direction of arrow D1, each cartridge 50 is passed through the opening 80 and entered into the apparatus main body 100. That is, in this embodiment, each cartridge 50 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100 from the horizontal direction and from the direction intersecting (substantially orthogonal to) the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 30.

Here, the cartridge 50y is mounted on the most downstream side of the cartridge tray 13 in the approach direction (mounting direction). Then, the cartridge 50y passes below the engaging ribs 60k, 60cy, and 60m of the first force applying member 60 acting on the other cartridges 50m, 50cy, and 50k from the upstream side to the downstream side.

Further, the cartridge 50 m is mounted on the cartridge tray 13 in the approach direction second from the downstream side. Then, the cartridge 50m passes below the engaging rib ribs 60k and 60cy of the first force applying member 60 acting on the cartridges 50cy and 50k from the upstream side to the downstream side.

Further, the cartridge 50cy is mounted on the cartridge tray 13 in the approach direction third from the downstream side. Then, the cartridge 50cy passes below the engaging rib 60k of the first force applying member 60 acting on the cartridge 50k from the upstream side to the downstream side.

Further, in the cartridge 50k mounted on the cartridge tray 13 on the most upstream side in the approach direction, the force receiving member 70 moves below the first force applying member 60k acting on the cartridge 50k from the upstream side to the downstream side. You will enter to the position where you passed.

That is, if the force receiving member 70 enters in a protruding state, it is necessary to arrange the first force applying member 60 upward so that the force receiving member 70 does not interfere with the first force applying member 60. Become. However, if the force receiving member 70 is in the standby position, the first force applying member 60 can be brought closer to each cartridge 50 without considering the amount of protrusion of the force receiving member 70. Therefore, the device body 100 can be downsized in the vertical direction.

Then, when the cartridge tray 13 is brought into the apparatus main body 100, as shown in FIG. 5, a gap f1 is secured between the first force applying member 60 and the force receiving member 70. Further, a gap f2 is also secured between the photoconductor drum 30 and the transfer belt 19. Therefore, each cartridge 50 can enter without interfering with the apparatus main body 100.

After that, by moving the door 12 to the closed position as shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the tray holding member 14 moves in the direction approaching the transfer belt 19 (arrow y2 direction). Let f2 be the vertical component of the amount of movement in the direction of the arrow y2. As a result, each cartridge 50 also moves as shown in FIG. 6, and the surface of the photoconductor drum 30 comes into contact with the surface of the transfer belt 19. In this state, the gap f1 between the force receiving member 70 and the first force applying member 60 expands to the gap f1 + f2.

Further, by moving the door 12 to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 6, the positioning portion 31b of each cartridge 50 comes into contact with the positioning portion 101a provided in the apparatus main body 100. Then, each cartridge 50 is positioned on the apparatus main body 100.

As described above, the movement restriction of the force receiving member 70 by the release member 75 is released by the action of the release member pushing member 102 provided on the apparatus main body 100. Then, the force receiving member 70 rotates and moves (protrudes) from the standby position toward the outside of the developing unit 41 of the cartridge 50y, that is, in the direction away from the rotation center 46b of the developing unit 41.

However, at that time, the upper surface of the force receiving member 70 interferes with the lower surface of the engaging rib 60y of the first force applying member 60 in the home position, so that the second force receiving member 70 moves to the engaging rib 60y. Is regulated (state in Figure 6). The position of the force receiving member 70 at this time is defined as the regulated position.

Here, the reason why the regulated position of the first force applying member 60 is set to the home position is as follows. When each cartridge 50 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100 and no image formation is performed, the state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. That is, the first force applying member 60 moves in the direction of arrow B, and the force receiving member 70 is pressed by the engaging rib 60y. In this state, the photosensitive drum 30 and the developing roller 42 are separated from each other. Then, in the state of FIG. 8, the cartridge 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 100. After that, when the cartridge 50 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100 again, the first force applying member 60 is in the position shown in FIG. 8, so that when the force receiving member 70 moves from the standby position, it engages as shown in FIG. It will come into contact with the lower surface of the joint rib 60y.

The surface on which the force receiving member 70 receives an external force (first external force) from the first force applying member 60 faces the direction in which each cartridge 50 enters the apparatus main body 100. By setting the direction of the force received in this way, when the force receiving member 70 receives the force from the first force applying member 60, the developing unit 41 can be efficiently and surely moved with respect to the drum unit 31. it can. Further, the photosensitive drum 30 and the developing roller 42 can be stably maintained in a separated state.

Then, when the first force applying member 60 moves from the state of FIG. 6 in the direction of arrow E as shown in FIG. 7, the force receiving member 70 further moves to the outside of the cartridge 50y, and the engaging rib 60y You will enter the movement path. The position of the force receiving member 70 at this time is defined as a protruding position (operating position). That is, the force receiving member 70 naturally protrudes higher than the above-mentioned standby position and regulated position at the protruding position. Further, the protruding amount of the force receiving member 70 at the protruding position needs to be at least larger than the gap f1 + f2 in order to engage with the first force applying member 60. Then, the operation of the first force applying member 60 is performed at a timing after each cartridge 50 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100 and before the image formation is started.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the first force applying member 60 moves in the direction of arrow B, the pressed portion of the protruding member 70 that has entered the movement path.<u style="single">(Separation force receiving part)</u>The side surface 70e receives an external force (first external force) from the engaging rib 60y which is a force applying member. As a result, the developing unit 41 rotates (moves) about the axis which is the rotation center 46b, and the developing roller 42 is separated from the photoconductor drum 30 by a gap α.

Next, when forming an image, the first force applying member 60 is moved in the direction of arrow E in order to bring the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 into contact with each other. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the force receiving member 70 is in a state of not receiving the force from the engaging rib 60y. Therefore, the urging force of the spring 95 provided between the developing unit 41 and the drum unit 31 causes the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 to come into contact with each other so that the cartridge 50y can form an image. At this time, the photoconductor drum 30 rotates before the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 come into contact with each other, and the developing roller 42 also receives the driving force from the apparatus main body 100 and rotates by the coupling portion 67a. .. As shown in FIG. 10A, the coupling portion 67a is provided coaxially with the cylindrical portion 46b, and even when the developing unit 41 moves around the cylindrical portion 46b, the position of the coupling portion 67a It was possible because the configuration did not change. In this way, the photoconductor drum 30 and the developing roller 42 are rotated before the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 come into contact with each other. Therefore, when the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 come into contact with each other, the speed difference between the peripheral surfaces of the photoconductor drum 30 and the developing roller 42 can be reduced, so that the photoconductor drum 30 and the developing roller 42 are consumed. You can do less. Then, when the image formation is completed, the first force applying member 60 moves in the direction of the arrow B as described above, so that the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 are separated from each other. Then, after being separated, the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 stop rotating. Therefore, similarly, the speed difference between the peripheral surfaces of the photoconductor drum 30 and the developing roller 42 can be reduced, so that the photoconductor drum 30 and the developing roller 42 can be reduced from being consumed. Therefore, as a result, the image quality can be further improved.

{Relationship between force receiving member and releasing member} Next, the relationship between the force receiving member 70 and the releasing member will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 6 and 13 to 15 (b). 15 (a) and 15 (b) are block diagrams of parts related to the force receiving member and the releasing mechanism of the releasing member.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge 50y is provided with a force receiving member 70 for abutting and separating the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 in the apparatus main body 100. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 (a), an urging spring 21 as an urging member is connected to the hook portion 70a provided on the force receiving member 70. The urging spring 21 is attached to the hook portion 48a of the developing frame 48. As a result, the force receiving member 70 is always urged in the direction from the standby position to the protruding position. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 (a), the force receiving member 70 engages with the force receiving portion 70e (see FIGS. 7 and 8) for receiving an external force from the first force applying member 60 and the releasing member 75. Has an engaged portion 70b of. It is restricted that the engaged portion 70b moves from the standby position to the protruding position by engaging with the engaging portion 75b provided on the release member 75.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 (a), the release member 75 has a hook portion 75c for connecting to the second urging spring 22, and the second urging spring 22 has a developing frame 48. The release member is urged in the y3 direction (Fig. 13) by connecting with the hook portion 48c provided in the above. Further, in order to regulate the release member 75 urged in the y3 direction, the developing frame 48 is provided with a regulating portion 48b.

Next, the process of moving the force receiving member 70 from the standby position to the protruding position will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 13 to 15 (b), when the cartridge 50 is positioned on the main body frame positioning portion 101a, the release member pushing member 102 fixed to the main body frame and the release member 75 The contact portion 75d of the above comes into contact. As a result, the release member 75 moves in the y4 direction (FIG. 14). As a result, the engaged portion 70b of the force receiving portion and the engaging portion 75b of the disengaging member are disengaged, and the urging force of the urging spring 21 causes the force receiving member 70 to move from the standby position to the protruding position. Move to.

Here, the urging force of the urging spring 21 is f3, the urging force of the urging spring 22 is f4, the force in the direction in which the cartridge 50 is positioned from the image forming apparatus main body 100 to the positioning 101a of the main body frame is f5, and the cartridge 50. Let g be its own weight. In this case, the relationship between each load is set as follows. F3&gt; f4 was set so that the release member 75 would not be released when the cartridge 50 was not attached to the device body 100. When the release member 75 receives a pressing force from the release member pushing member 102 fixed to the main body frame, the force received by the cartridge 50 in the upward direction is f4, and the force received by the cartridge in the downward direction is f3 + f5 +. It becomes g. Then, each load was set so that the relational expression f4 &lt;f3 + f5 + g. As a result, the release member 75 is not released when the cartridge 50 is not attached to the apparatus main body 100, and the cartridge 50 is not lifted from the main body positioning 101a when the cartridge 50 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

As an example of the disengaging mechanism of the engaged portion 70b of the force receiving member 70, the engaging portion is provided on the disengaging member 75 in this embodiment, but as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the engaging portion 775b is used as a drum unit. 31 or the developing unit 41 may be provided with an engaging portion. The illustrated example is an example in which the engaging portion 775b is provided on the drum frame 34, which is a component of the drum unit, or the developing frame 48, which is a component of the developing unit 41. In that case, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the engaging portion 775b is pushed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18 by the release member pushing member 102 fixed to the main body by the cartridge mounting operation described above. That is, the engaging portion 775 receives an external force (second external force) from the release member pushing member 102. As a result, the engaging portion 775b moves in the H direction (FIG. 18), and the engaged portion 70b of the force receiving member 70 can be disengaged from the engaging portion 775b provided on the drum unit 31 or the developing unit 41. it can. That is, a connecting portion 775e that elastically deforms when pressed by the release member pushing member 102 is provided on a part of the drum frame 34 or the developing frame 48. Therefore, the engaging portion 775b can be moved as described above by receiving a force on the pressed portion 775d due to the pressing by the release member pushing member 102 and deforming the connecting portion 775e by the force. In this example, the drum frame 34 or the developing frame 48 is provided with the engaging portion, but the drum unit 31 or the developing unit 41 may be provided with other components. Further, in this embodiment, the position of the release member pushing member 102 is provided in the device main body 100 below the cartridge 50, but any place where the cartridge 50 can come into contact with the release member in the device main body 100 may be used. Further, the shape of the release member pushing member 102 may be a concave shape or the like as well as a convex shape as in this embodiment as long as the release member 775 can be moved by contacting the release member 775.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16 (FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b)), the force receiving member 70, the urging spring 21 connecting the force receiving member hook portion 70a and the developing frame hook portion 48a are integrated. , The force receiving member 70 itself may have an elastic shape and may be directly attached to the developing frame.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the release member 875 may be released by a driving force. This is for the purpose of utilizing the driving force received from the main body of the coupling member 67 of the development unit 41 described above, and the gear 123 of FIG. 19 is arranged, and the release member 875 is pushed up in the y4 direction on the gear 123. A protrusion 123a is provided. Further, the release member 875 is provided with a contact portion 875e for contacting the protrusion 123a. The gear 123 rotates in the G direction due to the above-mentioned driving force, and the protrusion 123a lifts the contact portion 875e of the release member, so that the engaged portion 875b of the release member 875 and the force receiving member 70 are engaged. The engagement with the joint 70b can be disengaged. By this release, the force receiving portion 70 moves to the protruding position, and the release member 875 is lowered by the urging force of the urging spring 22 by disengaging the engagement between the contact portion 875e and the protruding portion 123a of the gear 123. It moves in the direction of arrow y5 and is pushed down. After that, the gear 123 constantly rotates during driving, but the gear protrusion 123a and the contact portion 875e of the release member 875 do not operate.

{Extracting the process cartridge from the electrophotographic image forming device body} Next, the operation when the cartridge 50 is taken out from the attachment to the apparatus main body 100 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 24, as the door 12 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the tray holding member 14 is raised in the direction away from the transfer belt 19 as shown in FIG. 23 (direction of arrow y1 in the figure). As a result, each cartridge 50 is lifted, and the photoconductor drum 30 is separated from the transfer belt 19.

Further, as the cartridge tray 13 is moved in the pull-out direction (Z1 direction in FIG. 24), the state shown in FIG. 8 changes to the state shown in FIG. That is, the protruding member 70 is not urged by the first force applying member 60. In this state, the projecting member 70 is in the projecting position due to the urging force of the urging spring 21, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14. However, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the projecting member 70 has an inclined portion (abutting portion) provided with an inclined portion on the side opposite to the side surface 70e (FIG. 8) that receives a force from the first force applying member 60.<u style="single">Evacuation force receiving part</u>) 70c is provided.

When the tray holding member 14 is pulled out in the Z1 direction (FIG. 24), the contact portion 70c is provided on the first force applying member 60, and the force receiving member returning portion formed of a slope is provided.<u style="single">(Evacuation force imparting member)</u>It abuts at 60zm and passes through the engaging rib 60m by pushing down the force receiving member 70 at the protruding position in the K direction (FIG. 22). After that, the cartridge 50 is ejected from the opening 80 through the engaging ribs 60cy and 60k in the same manner.

When the cartridge 50 taken out from the image forming apparatus main body is reattached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the force receiving member 70 in the protruding position is pushed down to return to the original standby position retracted from the protruding position. Can be done. This operation can be easily performed by the user because the release member 75 and the second urging spring 22 connected to the release member have elasticity.

In the embodiment in which the release member 75 is released by using the driving force described above, the gear 123 needs to be returned to a predetermined position before the operation. This can be returned to a predetermined position by manually turning the gear connected to the gear 123, or may be returned using a tool (driver or the like).

As described above, the force receiving member 70 for moving the developing unit 41 protrudes outward from the developing unit 41 when the cartridge 50 is mounted in the apparatus main body 100 and the door 12 is moved to the closed position. It was configured to let.

Therefore, each cartridge 50 can be configured small. Further, since the force receiving member 70 is mounted in the standby position, the device main body 100 requires a small vertical distance for moving each cartridge 50. That is, the size of the opening 80 can be reduced, and the first force applying member 60 can be brought closer to each cartridge 50. Therefore, the apparatus main body 100 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction.

Further, when the cartridge 50 is handled by the user or transported as a single unit, the second force receiving member 70 is in the standby position, so that the second force receiving member 70 is less likely to be damaged and can be prevented from being damaged. it can.

(Second Example) In the first embodiment, when the cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the release member 75 is released by the protrusion (release member pushing member) 102 fixed to the main body frame. Here, as another embodiment, a configuration in which the release member moves by receiving a force from a second force applying member movably provided on the main body of the device will be described.

Also in the description of the present embodiment, the cartridge 950y for storing the yellow color developer will be described. Further, in this embodiment, the description of the configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

{Drawer member of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming device} The operation of the cartridge tray 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 to 39.

Here, the cartridge will be omitted in order to make the operation of the cartridge tray 13 easy to understand.

The cartridge tray 13 is drawably supported by the tray holding member 14. The tray holding member 14 moves in conjunction with the movement of the door 12, which is an opening / closing member. Further, the door 12 is rotatably provided in the apparatus main body 900 about the rotation center 12a, and has a closing position for closing the opening 80 as shown in FIG. 37 and an opening for opening the opening 80 as shown in FIG. 38. It is possible to move between the position and.

When taking out the cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body 900, the door 12 is moved from the closed position to the open position. As the door 12 moves, the engaged portion 15 provided on the door 12 moves clockwise around the rotation center 12a. Then, as shown in FIG. 38, the engaged portion 15 moves in the elongated hole 14c provided in the tray holding member 14 in the direction from the lower end 14c2 to the upper end 14c1. Along with this, the engaged portion 15 moves the tray holding member 14 in the z1 direction. At that time, as shown in FIG. 39, the protrusions 14d1 and 14d2 protruding from the tray holding member 14 are guided by the guide groove 107 provided in the apparatus main body 900. As shown in FIG. 26, the guide groove is composed of a horizontal portion 107a1, an inclined portion 107a2 connected to the horizontal portion 107a1 and inclined upward, and a horizontal portion 107a3 connected to the inclined portion 107a2. Therefore, when the door 12 is moved to the open position as shown in FIG. 38, the protrusions 14d1 and 14d2 are guided in the order of the horizontal portion 107a1, the inclined portion 107a2, and the horizontal portion 107a3 shown in FIG. Therefore, the tray holding member 14 moves in the z1 direction, and further moves in the arrow y1 direction, which is a direction away from the transfer belt 19. In this state, the cartridge tray 13 can pass through the opening 80 as shown in FIG. 39, move in the direction of arrow D2, and be pulled out to the outside of the apparatus main body 900. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of this state.

On the contrary, a case where the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body 900 will be described. As shown in FIG. 39, with the door 12 in the open position, the cartridge tray 13 is passed through the opening 80 and entered into the apparatus main body 900 in the direction of arrow D1. After that, the door 12 is moved to the closed position as shown in FIG. 37. As the door 12 moves, the engaged portion 15 provided on the door 12 moves counterclockwise around the rotation center 12a. Then, as shown in FIG. 37, the engaged portion 15 moves in the elongated hole 14c provided in the tray holding member 14 in the direction of the lower end 14c2 of the elongated hole 14c. Along with this, the engaged portion 15 moves the tray holding member 14 in the z2 direction. Therefore, when the door 12 is moved to the closed position as shown in FIG. 37, the protrusions 14d1 and 14d2 are guided in the order of the horizontal portion 107a3, the inclined portion 107a2, and the horizontal portion 107a1. Therefore, the tray holding member 14 moves in the z2 direction, and further moves in the arrow y2 direction, which is a direction approaching the transfer belt 19.

{Positioning of process cartridge to electrophotographic image forming device body} Next, the positioning of the cartridge 950 (950y, 950m, 950cy, 950k) with respect to the apparatus main body 900 will be described with reference to FIGS. 31, 35 to 36, and 41 to 42. As shown in FIG. 42, the apparatus main body 900 is provided with a positioning portion 901a for positioning the cartridge 950. Two positioning portions 901a are provided for each cartridge 950 with the transfer belt 19 interposed therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge. Further, as shown in FIGS. 41 (a) and 41 (b), the second force applying member<u style="single">(Main body release member)</u>The 61 is rotatably supported above the tray holding member 14 by fitting the support hole 61d into the support shaft 55 provided in the apparatus main body 900.

Here, a mechanism in which the second force applying member 61 moves in conjunction with the movement of the door 12 will be described. A connecting member 62 for interlocking with the movement of the door 12 is engaged with the second force applying member 61. The connecting member 62 has a support hole that fits the support shaft 55 and a support pin 62b that engages with the elongated hole 14b (FIG. 41 (b)) provided in the tray holding member 14. As shown in FIG. 41, as the door 12 moves from the open position to the closed position, the tray holding member 14 moves in the direction of arrow y2 (FIG. 41). As a result, the support pin 62b engaged with the elongated hole 14b also receives a force in the direction of arrow y2. Therefore, the connecting member 62 rotates about the support hole 62c in the direction of arrow Z (FIG. 41).

Further, by this operation, the pressing portion 62e provided on the connecting member 62 connected to the second force applying member 61 presses the pressing receiving surface 31a provided on the upper surface portion of the drum frame 34. As a result, the cartridge 950y is urged in the y2 direction (downward) in FIG. 41 (b), and the positioned portion 931b (see FIG. 7) provided in the drum unit 931y is transferred to the positioning portion 901a provided in the apparatus main body 900. The cartridge 950y is positioned by abutting. (See Figure 6).

Positioning is performed in the same way for other cartridges 950m, 950cy, and 950k.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, a spring 66 is provided between the second force applying member 61 and the connecting member 62. The spring 66 is supported by the support shaft 55 and is in contact with the pressing portion 62e provided on the connecting member 62 and the protruding portion 61e provided on the second force applying member 61. The spring 66 may be configured to directly press the pressing receiving surface of the drum frame.

{Operation of force applying member} Next, the operation of the first force applying member 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 43 and 44.

Similar to the first embodiment, the driving force of the motor 110, which is the driving source provided in the apparatus main body 900, transmits the power to the gear 112 via the gear 111. The gear 112 to which the driving force is transmitted rotates in the direction of arrow L, and the cam portion 112a provided integrally with the gear 112 also rotates in the direction of arrow L. The cam portion 112a is engaged with the moving force receiving portion 60b provided on the first force applying member 60. Therefore, the first force applying member 60 moves in the E direction or the B direction as the cam portion 112a rotates.

FIG. 43 shows the case where the first force applying member 60 moves in the direction of arrow E, and the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 are still in contact with each other (see FIG. 33). Then, FIG. 44 shows a case where the first force applying member 60 moves in the direction of arrow B, and the force receiving member 70 receives a force from the engaging rib 60y. As a result, the developing unit 941 is rotated (moved) about the axis which is the rotation center 946b, and the developing roller 42 and the photoconductor drum 30 are separated from each other (see FIG. 34). The position of the developing unit 41 at this time is set as the separated position.

Further, at the stage where the cartridge 950 enters the apparatus main body 900, the force receiving member 970 is mounted in the standby position (FIG. 31). Therefore, the first force applying member 60 and the second force applying member 61 can be brought close to each other so as not to interfere with each other when the cartridge 950 is mounted, and wasteful space can be eliminated. Therefore, the apparatus main body 900 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction.

{Installation of the process cartridge on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming device and explanation of the operation of the force receiving device} Next, a series of operations from mounting each cartridge 950 to the apparatus main body 900 to separating the photoconductor drum 30 and the developing roller 42 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 40, each cartridge 950 can be mounted on the cartridge tray 13 pulled out to the drawer position in the direction of arrow C from the upper surface of the cartridge tray 13.

Next, by moving the cartridge tray 13 in the direction of arrow D1, each cartridge 950 is passed through the opening 80 and entered into the apparatus main body 900. That is, in this embodiment, each cartridge 950 is inserted into the apparatus main body 900 from a horizontal direction and a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 30.

Here, as shown in FIG. 40, the cartridge 950y is mounted on the cartridge tray 13 on the most downstream side in the approach direction. The cartridge 950y is of the engaging ribs 60k, 60cy, 60m of the second force applying members 61k, 61c, 61m (Fig. 39) and the first force applying member 60 acting on the other cartridges 950m, 950cy, 950k. It passes below from the upstream side to the downstream side.

Further, the cartridge 950 m is mounted on the cartridge tray 13 in the approach direction second from the downstream side. Then, the cartridge 950m is from the upstream side to the downstream side below the engaging rib ribs 60k and 60cy of the second force applying members 61k and 61c (Fig. 39) and the first force applying members 60 acting on the cartridges 950cy and 950k. It will pass toward you.

Further, the cartridge 950cy is mounted on the cartridge tray 13 in the approach direction third from the downstream side. Then, the cartridge 950cy passes below the second force applying member 61k (FIG. 39) acting on the cartridge 950k and the engaging rib 60k of the first force applying member 60 from the upstream side to the downstream side.

Further, in the cartridge 950k mounted on the cartridge tray 13 on the most upstream side in the approach direction, the force receiving member 970 moves below the second force applying member 61k acting on the cartridge 950k from the upstream side to the downstream side. Enter to the passed position.

The operation of the force receiving member 970 passing below the second force applying member 61 from the upstream side to the downstream side is the same for the other cartridges 950y, 950m, and 950cy.

That is, if the force receiving member 970 enters in a protruding state, the second force applying member 61, the second force applying member 61, so that the force receiving member 970 does not interfere with the second force applying member 61 and the first force applying member 60. 1 It is necessary to arrange the force applying member 60 above. However, if the force receiving member 970 is in the standby position, the second force applying member 61 and the first force applying member 60 can be brought closer to each cartridge 950 without considering the amount of protrusion of the force receiving member 970. Therefore, the device body 900 can be downsized in the vertical direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, since the force receiving member 970, the second force applying member 61, and the first force applying member 60 are provided at overlapping positions in the drum axis direction, the cartridge is provided in the longitudinal direction. It becomes possible to miniaturize.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 31 to 32 and 35 to 36, the pressing portion 61e of the second force applying member 61 is an engaging portion 975b (FIG. 31, 35) located at the first position (FIGS. 31 and 35). 32, see Fig. 36) and press it. That is, the engaging portion 975b receives an external force (second external force) from the pressing portion 61e. By this operation, the release member 975 and the force receiving member 970 are disengaged, and the release member 975 is located at the second position (FIGS. 32 and 36). Here, the release member 975 is movably provided on the developing frame 48. In this embodiment, the second force applying member 61 corresponds to the releasing member pushing member.

As a result, the force receiving member 970 rotates about the support shaft, and the force receiving member 970 moves (projects) from the standby position to the outside of the developing unit 941, that is, away from the rotation center 946b of the developing unit 941. (Operating position). Subsequent image formation operations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment and will be omitted.

Next, the operation when each cartridge 950 is taken out from the mounting on the device main 100 will be described.

As the door 12 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the second force applying member 61 rotates from the state of FIGS. 32 and 36 to the state of FIGS. 31 and 35. As a result, the pressing force on the release member 975 by the second force applying member 61 is released, but the force receiving member 970 is in the protruding position due to the urging force of the urging spring 921 as shown in FIG. 33. However, as shown in FIG. 36, the force receiving member 970 is provided with an inclined contact portion 970c on the side opposite to the side surface that receives the force from the first force applying member 60. Then, when the cartridge tray 13 is pulled out in the D2 direction of FIG. 39, the force receiving member 970 at the protruding position is provided in the first force applying member 60, and the force receiving member returning portions 60zm, 60zcy, It pushes down by contacting with 60zk. Then, the force receiving member 70 can pass through the engaging ribs 60m, 60cy, and 60k, and the cartridge 950 can be taken out from the opening 80.

As described above, when each cartridge 950 is mounted in the apparatus main body 900 and the door 12 moves to the closed position, the force receiving member 970 for moving the developing unit 941 protrudes outward from the developing unit 941. It was configured to let. Therefore, each cartridge 950 can be configured small. Further, since the force receiving member 70 is mounted in the standby position, the device main body 900 requires a small vertical distance for moving each cartridge 950. That is, the size of the opening 80 can be reduced, and the first force applying member 60 can be brought closer to each cartridge 950. Therefore, the device body 900 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction.

Further, since the force receiving member 970 is in the standby position when each cartridge 950 is handled by the user or transported as a single unit, the second force receiving member 970 is less likely to be damaged and can be prevented from being damaged. ..

14 Tray holding member 15 Engagement part 21 Bounce spring 22 Second urging spring 30 Electrophotographic Photoreceptor Drum 30a Coupling member 31 Drum unit 31a top surface 31b Positioned part 34 drum frame 36 Cover member 37 Cover member 41 Development unit 41a Locking part 42 Develop roller 44 Center of rotation 46 Cover member 47 Mobile support 48 Development frame 48b Overhang 49 Toner compartment 50 process cartridge 55 Support shaft 60 Force applying member 60y, 60m, 60cy, 60k engaging ribs 61 Second force applying member 62 Connection 67 Coupling member 70 Second force receiving member 75 Release member 80 openings 100 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 101a Positioning part 105 1st coupling member 106 Second coupling member 107 Guide groove 110 motor 112a Cam part 775 Release member 875 Release member 900 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 901a Positioning part 921 Bounce spring 922 Second urging spring 941a Press receiving surface 970 Second force receiving member 975 Release member