JP4935780B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color laser printer, and a process cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus.

As an electrophotographic color laser printer, a tandem type color laser printer having four photosensitive drums corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners is known.
As such a tandem color laser printer, for example, a color image forming apparatus is proposed in which a plurality of image carriers are positioned and attached to an image carrier cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, when an image carrier cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body is provided as in Patent Document 1, the image carrier is exposed when the image carrier cartridge is removed. It is desirable to protect.
In view of this, for example, an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum is provided with a drum cover for protecting the photosensitive drum has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-15378 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-267662

However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, after the process cartridge is loaded in the apparatus main body, the drum cover is largely rotated and opened.
Therefore, when the image carrier cartridge described in Patent Document 1 is provided with the drum cover described in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that a large space for opening and closing the drum cover is required in the main body of the image forming apparatus. .

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of protecting a photoconductor with a compact configuration, and a process cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus, and includes an image forming apparatus main body, a photoconductor, and a casing that supports the photoconductor, and the image forming apparatus main body. A plurality of process cartridges that are detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, an endless belt that is in contact with the photosensitive member of each of the process cartridges, and is provided in the image forming apparatus main body. A plurality of process cartridges, wherein the plurality of process cartridges are relatively movable with respect to the casing along a biasing direction of the biasing means, and the protection member. An elastic body that is disposed between the housing and urges the protection member so as to be separated from the photoconductor in the urging direction. , The biasing direction Oite, comprising a downstream end and a regulating portion for abutting the protective member, the protective member by being abutted to the restricting portion, movement to the biasing direction downstream side is regulated, with the When the urging means urges the casing , the casing moves against the urging direction downstream of the urging direction, so that the protection member resists the urging force of the elastic body. the Rutotomoni disposed retracted position retracted to the biasing direction upstream side relative to the photosensitive member, the photosensitive member is contacted to the endless belt, it said urging means releases the biasing to said housing Te The casing moves to the upstream side in the biasing direction with respect to the protection member, so that the protection member is downstream in the biasing direction with respect to the photosensitive member by the biasing force of the elastic body. It is disposed at the advanced position to advance the Rutoto On the photosensitive member, and characterized in that it is separated from the endless belt.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus main body includes a process frame that is detachably mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the process cartridge is mounted. When the process cartridge is mounted on the process frame, first, the process cartridge is arranged at the advanced position.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the restricting portion is provided in the process frame .

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the process frame is formed with a positioning groove that opens toward the upstream side in the biasing direction of the biasing means, When the urging means urges the casing, the outer peripheral surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor are in contact with the positioning grooves, whereby the casing is urged by the urging means. In the above, the positioning is performed.
The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , wherein a plurality of the process cartridges are provided and are mounted on the process frame so as to be arranged in parallel. The urging means includes an advancing / retreating member that advances / retreats along the parallel direction of the process cartridges, and a press that presses / releases the housing along the urging direction in response to the advance / retreat of the advance / retreat member. And a member.

  Further, the invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the advancement / retraction member is configured such that the pressing member presses all the casings and all the protective members are arranged at the retracted position. The retracted position and the pressing member presses at least one of the plurality of casings, and the corresponding protective member is disposed at the retracted position, and the remaining casings are released from the pressure, corresponding to them. The partial retraction position where the protective member is arranged at the advanced position, and the full position where the pressing member releases all the casings and the protective member is arranged at the advanced position. Yes.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the protective member extends along a longitudinal direction of the photoconductor, and is arranged in parallel with the photoconductor interposed therebetween. At least two are provided so as to be arranged.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the seventh aspect, the process cartridge includes a developing unit that is adjacent to one side with respect to the photoconductor and supported by the housing. The protective member disposed on one side of the photoconductor is opposed to the developing unit in the moving direction of the protective member, and the protective member disposed on the other side of the photoconductor is the protective member. A first wall extending along the moving direction; and a second wall continuous from the first wall and extending toward the protection member on one side in the parallel direction of the protection member, and one side from the photoconductor The length of the protective member arranged on the side in the parallel direction is longer than the length of the protective member arranged on the other side of the photoconductor in the parallel direction.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the process cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus main body, the urging force applied to the housing by the urging means is released, so that the protection member is against the photosensitive member. It arrange | positions in the advance position of the energizing direction downstream of the energizing means.
Therefore, the protection member can protect the photosensitive member from the urging direction downstream side of the urging means.

Further, when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and the urging unit urges the housing, the protective member is disposed at the retracted position upstream of the urging direction of the urging unit with respect to the photosensitive member. Has been.
Therefore, the protection member can expose the photoconductor from the urging direction downstream side of the urging means.

As a result, in the biasing direction of the biasing means, the photosensitive member is protected or exposed only by moving the protective member forward and backward with respect to the photosensitive member, so that it is not necessary to provide a large space in the image forming apparatus main body. The photoreceptor can be protected with a compact configuration.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the process cartridge is mounted on the process frame, the protective member is first arranged at the advanced position.

Therefore, the photosensitive member can be reliably protected at the initial stage when the process cartridge is mounted on the process frame.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the process frame includes the restricting portion that comes into contact with the downstream end portion of the protection member in the biasing direction of the biasing means.
For this reason, when the urging means urges the housing, the protective member of the process cartridge comes into contact with the restricting portion of the process frame, so that the movement of the protective member toward the downstream side in the urging direction is restricted by the restricting portion. Is done.

As a result, by energizing the housing with the energizing means, the protective member can be reliably retracted upstream from the photoreceptor in the energizing direction of the energizing means.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the urging means is urging the casing, the outer peripheral surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member are in contact with the positioning grooves.
Therefore, the housing can be surely positioned when the housing is urged by the urging means.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the urging means urges the housing of each process cartridge in accordance with the advance / retreat member that advances / retreats along the parallel direction of the plurality of process cartridges and the advance / retreat member. And a pressing member for pressing or releasing the pressing along the direction.

Therefore, the pressing member can press or release the housing of each process cartridge in accordance with the advance / retreat of the advance / retreat member.
As a result, the biasing means, Ru can be moved forward and backward in conjunction protection member of each process cartridge.

According to the invention described in claim 6, when the reciprocating member is moved to the full retracted position, the pressing member presses all of the housing, thereby placing all of the protective member to the retracted position.
Further, when the advance / retreat member moves to the partial retracted position, the pressing member presses at least one of the plurality of housings, and the corresponding protective member is disposed at the retracted position, and the remaining housings are released from being pressed. The protective members corresponding to them are arranged at the advanced position.

Further, when the advance / retreat member moves to the fully advanced position, the pressing member releases the press of all the casings and arranges all the protective members at the advanced position.
Accordingly, the movement of the advance / retreat member to the full retracted position, the partial retracted position, and the fully advanced position causes the respective protective members to advance and retract in an interlocked manner, so that the image forming apparatus retracts all the protective members, and at least one housing. It is possible to switch to a mode in which the protective member corresponding to the body is retracted and the remaining protective members are advanced, and a mode in which all the protective members are advanced.

As a result, the mode of the image forming apparatus can be switched using the urging means for urging the casing and the protection member, and the apparatus configuration of the image forming apparatus can be simplified.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the protection members extend along the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor and are arranged in parallel with the photoconductor interposed therebetween.
Therefore, the protection member can reliably protect the photoconductor from both sides of the photoconductor.

Further, the protection member is movable relative to the photoreceptor in the biasing direction of the biasing means .
Therefore, when the protective member moves so that the photoconductor is arranged outside the housing, the photoconductor can be exposed from between the two protective members, and the photoconductor is arranged inside the housing. When the protective member moves, the photosensitive member can be protected by the two protective members.

As a result, the photoreceptor can be reliably protected with a simple configuration.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the protective member disposed on the other side of the photoconductor is continuous with the first wall extending along the moving direction of the protective member and the first wall, and the protective members are arranged in parallel. And a second wall extending toward the protective member on one side.
Therefore, the protective member arranged on the other side of the photoconductor can protect the photoconductor on the other side in the parallel direction of the protective member by the first wall, and in the moving direction of the protective member by the second wall. The photoconductor can be protected.

The protective member arranged on one side of the photoconductor is opposed to the developing unit in the moving direction of the protective member, and the length in the parallel direction of the protective member arranged on the other side of the photoconductor is It is formed longer than the length in the parallel direction.
For this reason, the protective member arranged on one side of the photoconductor uses a space facing the developing unit on one side in the parallel direction of the protective member, rather than the protective member arranged on the other side of the photoconductor. The photoconductor can be protected with a long length in the parallel direction.

As a result, the parallel direction of the protective member, and, in either direction of the movement direction of the protection member, reliably, Ru can protect photoreceptor.

1. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a color laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
The color laser printer 1 is a horizontal tandem color laser printer, and includes a paper feed unit 3 for feeding paper P in a main body casing 2 as an example of an image forming apparatus main body, and a paper feed. And an image forming unit 4 for forming an image on the sheet P.
(1) Main Body Casing The main body casing 2 is formed in a box shape having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side for accommodating the image forming unit 4, and a front cover 5 for attaching / detaching a process frame 12 described later on one side wall thereof. Is provided.

In the following description, the side where the front cover 5 is provided (the right side in FIG. 1) is the front side, and the opposite side (the left side in FIG. 1) is the rear side. In addition, when the color laser printer 1 is viewed from the front side, the left and right reference is used. That is, the front side in FIG. 1 is the left side, and the back side is the right side.
(2) Paper Feed Unit The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 6 that accommodates the paper P. The paper feed tray 6 is detachably attached to the bottom of the main casing 2. Above the front end of the paper feed tray 6, a paper feed roller 7 and a paper feed path (not shown) including a U-turn path are arranged.

The paper P stored in the paper feed tray 6 is fed one by one toward the paper feed path (not shown) by the rotation of the paper feed roller 7. Thereafter, the paper P is transported from a paper feed path (not shown) toward the image forming unit 4 (between a photosensitive drum 19 (described later) and a transport belt 24 (described later)).
(3) Image Forming Unit The image forming unit 4 includes a scanner unit 8, a process unit 9, a transfer unit 10, and a fixing unit 11.
(3-1) Scanner Unit The scanner unit 8 is disposed on the upper part of the main body casing 2. As indicated by the chain line, the scanner unit 8 emits laser beams based on image data toward four photosensitive drums 19 (described later) to expose the photosensitive drums 19 (described later).
(3-2) Process Unit The process unit 9 is disposed below the scanner unit 8 and above the paper feed unit 3, and includes one process frame 12 and four process cartridges 13 corresponding to each color. It has.

The process frame 12 is attached to the main casing 2 so as to be inserted or pulled out along the front-rear direction.
The process cartridge 13 is detachably attached to the process frame 12 so as to be arranged in parallel along the front-rear direction. Specifically, a black process cartridge 13K, a yellow process cartridge 13Y, a magenta process cartridge 13M, and a cyan process cartridge 13C are sequentially arranged from the front side to the rear side.
(3-2-1) Process Unit Each process cartridge 13 includes a process casing 14 as an example of a casing.

Each process casing 14 includes a pair of left and right unit side walls 15, and a drum unit 16 and a developing unit 17 supported between the unit side walls 15.
Both unit side walls 15 are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the side, and are opposed to each other with a space in the left-right direction (see FIG. 2).
The drum unit 16 is partitioned by a drum partition wall 18 on the rear side between the unit side walls 15 and includes a photosensitive drum 19 as an example of a photosensitive member and a scorotron charger (not shown).

The drum partition wall 18 is constructed between the unit side walls 15 and has a closed cross-sectional rectangular shape with the front lower side opened.
Further, the rear wall 39 of the drum partition wall 18 has an upper portion disposed along the rear end edges of both unit side walls 15, and a lower portion of each of the unit side walls 15 via a step from the upper portion. It is arranged slightly ahead of the rear edge. Further, the lower end portion of the rear wall 39 of the drum partition wall 18 is disposed above the lower end portions of both unit side walls 15.

  The photosensitive drum 19 is disposed along the left-right direction and is rotatably supported at the lower end portions of both unit side walls 15 so as to be exposed downward. More specifically, the rear side of the upper half portion of the photosensitive drum 19 is disposed in the drum partition wall 18, and the front side and the lower half portion of the upper half portion are exposed from the open portion of the drum partition wall 18. Are arranged as follows. Further, the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 19 is disposed above the lower end portions of both unit side walls 15.

Further, both ends of the photosensitive drum 19 protrude outward from the unit side walls 15 on both sides, and are covered by cylindrical covers 61 provided on the unit side walls 15 on both sides (see FIG. 2).
A scorotron charger (not shown) is disposed on the upper rear side of the photosensitive drum 19 so as to face the photosensitive drum 19 with a space therebetween, and is supported by the drum partition wall 18.

The developing unit 17 is partitioned by a developing partition wall 20 on the front side between the unit side walls 15 and includes a developing roller 21, a supply roller (not shown), and a layer thickness regulating blade (not shown).
The developing partition wall 20 is formed between the unit side walls 15 and has a rectangular shape with a closed cross section that is open on the lower rear side facing the photosensitive drum 19.

Further, the front wall of the developing partition wall 20 is disposed so as to extend in the vertical direction along the front end edges of both unit side walls 15.
Further, the lower wall 40 of the developing partition wall 20 has a substantially V shape in a sectional view including a central portion extending in the front-rear direction and an inclined portion that is inclined upward toward the front from the central portion toward the front wall. Is formed. The lower wall 40 of the developing partition wall 20 is disposed above the lower ends of the unit side walls 15 and the lower end of the drum partition wall 18.

  The developing roller 21 is disposed along the left-right direction and is rotatably supported on both unit side walls 15. Specifically, the developing roller 21 is disposed such that a front half portion thereof is disposed in the developing partition wall 20 and a rear half portion thereof is exposed from an open portion of the developing partition wall 20. The exposed portion of the developing roller 21 is in contact with the front side of the upper half portion of the photosensitive drum 19.

A supply roller (not shown) is disposed in front of the developing roller 21 in the developing partition wall 20 and is rotatably supported by both unit side walls 15.
The layer thickness regulating blade (not shown) is disposed on the upper side of the developing roller 21 and is supported on the rear side of the developing partition wall 20.
Further, toner corresponding to each color is stored in the space in the developing partition wall 20.
(3-2-2) Development Operation in Process Unit The toner in the development partition wall 20 is supplied to a supply roller (not shown), and further supplied to the development roller 21, and the supply roller (not shown) The toner is frictionally charged to the positive polarity with the developing roller 21.

The toner supplied to the developing roller 21 is regulated in thickness by a layer thickness regulating blade (not shown) as the developing roller 21 rotates, and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 21 as a thin layer having a constant thickness. The
On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 19 is uniformly positively charged by a scorotron charger (not shown) along with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 19, and then between the drum partition wall 18 and the developing partition wall 20. Exposure is performed by high-speed scanning of a laser beam (see the broken line in FIG. 1) from the scanner unit 8 that passes. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image to be formed on the paper P is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 19.

When the photosensitive drum 19 further rotates, the toner that is carried on the surface of the developing roller 21 and is positively charged is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 19. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 19 is visualized, and a toner image by reversal development is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 19.
(3-3) Transfer Unit The transfer unit 10 is disposed along the front-rear direction in the main body casing 2 above the paper feed unit 3 and below the process unit 9. The transfer unit 10 includes a driving roller 22, a driven roller 23, a conveyance belt 24 as an example of an endless belt, and a transfer roller 25.

The driving roller 22 and the driven roller 23 are opposed to each other with an interval in the front-rear direction, and a conveyor belt 24 is wound around them.
The transfer roller 25 is provided so as to face each photosensitive drum 19 with the conveyance belt 24 interposed therebetween.
The sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 3 is transported by the transport belt 24 from the front side to the rear side so as to sequentially pass through the transfer positions where the photosensitive drums 19 and the transfer rollers 25 face each other. Is done. During the conveyance, the toner images of the respective colors carried on the respective photosensitive drums 19 are sequentially transferred onto the paper P to form a color image.
(3-4) Fixing Unit The fixing unit 11 includes a heating roller 26 and a pressure roller 27 that faces the heating roller 26 and is disposed behind the transfer unit 10. In the transfer unit 10, the color image transferred to the paper P is thermally fixed to the paper P by being heated and pressed while the paper P passes between the heating roller 26 and the pressure roller 27. .
(4) Paper discharge The paper P on which the toner image has been fixed passes through a paper discharge path (not shown) consisting of a U-turn path and is conveyed toward the paper discharge roller 28, and the main body casing 2 is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 28. The paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 29 formed on the top surface.
2. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the protective member is disposed at the advanced position, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the protective member is in the retracted position. Shows the state of being arranged.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the process frame.
4A and 4B are explanatory views for explaining a state in which the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 is mounted on the process frame. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4B is a left side view.
(1) Details of Process Cartridge In the process cartridge 13, as described above, the drum partition wall 18 is installed on the rear side between the unit side walls 15 of the process casing, and the development partition wall 20 is installed on the front side. Yes. Both unit side walls 15 are formed longer than the rear wall 39 of the drum partition wall 18 and the front wall of the developing partition wall 20. Accordingly, the process cartridge 13 is formed in a substantially reverse concave shape when viewed from the front. A cartridge gripping portion 70 is provided on the upper wall of the developing partition wall 20 for the user to grip when the process cartridge 13 is attached to and detached from the process frame 12.

Further, a protective member 31 is provided at the lower end between the unit side walls 15 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2B, a rectangular-shaped guide groove 32 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the lower end portion of each unit side wall 15 in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich the photosensitive drum 19 therebetween. Two are formed at intervals (hereinafter, when referring to the longitudinal relationship of the guide groove 32, the front guide groove is referred to as a front guide groove 32F, and the rear guide groove is referred to as a rear guide groove 32R).

The front guide groove 32 </ b> F is provided in the range from the vicinity of the lower end edge of the unit side wall 15 to the vicinity of the lower wall 40 of the developing partition wall 20 on the front side of the unit side wall 15.
The rear guide groove 32 </ b> R is provided in the range from the vicinity of the lower end edge of the unit side wall 15 to the vicinity of the rear wall 39 of the drum partition wall 18 on the rear side of the unit side wall 15.
The front guide groove 32F is formed wider than the rear guide groove 32R.

Two protective members 31 are provided so as to sandwich the photosensitive drum 19 and are arranged in parallel at intervals in the front-rear direction (hereinafter, when referring to the front-rear relationship of the protective member 31, the front-side protective member is referred to as “protective member 31”). The front protective member 31F and the rear protective member are referred to as a rear protective member 31R.)
As shown in FIG. 4A, the front protection member 31F extends from the hard resin along the left-right direction, and is formed in a V-shaped cross-sectional view corresponding to the lower wall 40 of the development partition wall 20. It faces the lower wall 40 of the developing partition wall 20 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the front protection member 31F includes a first front protection plate 34 extending along the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, and a second front side extending upward from the front edge of the first front protection plate 34 toward the front. A protective plate 35 is provided integrally.

  The rear side protection member 31 </ b> R is formed from a hard resin in an L shape in cross section extending in the left-right direction, and faces the rear wall 39 of the drum partition wall 18. Specifically, the rear protection member 31R is continuous from the first rear protection plate 36 as an example of the first wall extending in the left-right direction and the vertical direction, and the lower end edge of the first rear protection plate 36, A second rear protection plate 37 as an example of a second wall extending forward is integrally provided.

The first rear protection plate 36 is disposed along the rear surface of the lower portion of the rear wall 39 of the drum partition wall 18 and opposes the upper portion thereof in the vertical direction.
The front-rear direction length L1 of the front protection member 31F is longer than the front-rear direction length L2 of the rear protection member 31R.
In addition, the first front protection plate 34 and the second rear protection plate 37 are integrally provided with support portions 33 that project from the left and right edges to the outside in the left and right directions (hereinafter referred to as support). When referring to the front-rear relationship of the portion 33, the front support portion is referred to as a front support portion 33F, and the rear support portion is referred to as a rear support portion 33R.)

Each support portion 33 is formed in a prismatic shape having a length in the front-rear direction that is slightly shorter than the length in the front-rear direction of each corresponding guide groove 32.
Then, the front side support member 33F of the front side protection member 31F is slidably fitted into the front side guide groove 32F of the unit side wall 15, so that the front side protection member 31F is in the vertical direction so that the process housing 14 and the photosensitive drum 19 are in contact with each other. Is provided in the process cartridge 13 so as to be relatively movable.

Specifically, the front protection member 31F is positioned close to the lower wall 40 (close to the photosensitive drum 19) while facing the lower wall 40 of the development partition wall 20 in the vertical direction along the front guide groove 32F. The retreat position (see FIG. 7) and the position close to the lower end edge of the unit side wall 15 (the advance position away from the photosensitive drum 19) (see FIG. 4).
Further, the rear side support member 33R is slidably fitted into the rear side guide groove 32R of the unit side wall 15 so that the rear side protection member 31R can move in the vertical direction. The process cartridge 13 is provided so as to be movable relative to the photosensitive drum 19.

  Specifically, the rear protection member 31R is configured such that the second rear protection plate 37 is formed on the rear wall 39 in a state where the rear protection member 31R faces the rear wall 39 of the drum partition wall 18 in the vertical direction along the rear guide groove 32R. A position close to the lower surface (a retracted position close to the photosensitive drum 19) (see FIG. 7) and a position where the second rear protection plate 37 is close to the lower end edge of the unit side wall 15 (an advanced position away from the photosensitive drum 19). (See FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 4A, a front compression spring 38F as an example of an elastic body is provided between the upper surface of the first front protection plate 34 and the lower surface of the lower wall 40 of the developing partition wall 20. It has been.
A rear compression spring 38 </ b> R as an example of an elastic body is provided between the upper surface of the second rear protection plate 37 and the lower end surface of the rear wall 39 of the drum partition wall 18.
Thus, the protection member 31 is always urged downward so as to be relatively separated from the photosensitive drum 19.

The protective member 31 is always disposed at the advanced position (see FIG. 2A) that advances downward relative to the photosensitive drum 19 by the urging force of the compression spring 38. Further, it moves from the advanced position to the retreat position (see FIG. 2B) for retreating upward with respect to the photosensitive drum 19 against the urging force of the compression spring 38.
The protection member 31 is disposed below the lower end edge of the photosensitive drum 19 at the advanced position (see FIG. 4A). That is, the photosensitive drum 19 is disposed inside the protection member 31 and is protected by the protection member 31. Further, the protection member 31 is disposed above the lower end edge of the photosensitive drum 19 in the retracted position (see FIG. 7A). That is, the photosensitive drum 19 is exposed from between the protective members 31.
(2) Details of Process Frame As shown in FIG. 3, the process frame 12 is formed in a frame shape that accommodates four process cartridges 13, and includes a pair of left and right frame side walls 41, a front beam 42, a rear beam 43, and a plurality of A guide plate 44 is provided.

The pair of frame side walls 41 are arranged to face each other with the four process cartridges 13 sandwiched in the left-right direction. Each frame side wall 41 has four notches 45 that are notched downward from the upper end at positions facing each process cartridge 13, and 4 that is notched downward from the lower end of the notch 45. Two positioning grooves 46 are formed.
The cutout 45 is sized to expose both ends of the photosensitive drum 19 and the cover 61 and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in side view.

The positioning groove 46 is formed in a substantially U shape in a side view that opens upward so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the cover 61.
The front beam 42 is formed in a substantially U shape in sectional view extending in the left-right direction, and is laid between the front end portions of the frame side walls 41. A frame grip 47 for a user to grip when the process frame 12 is attached to and detached from the main casing 2 is integrally formed on the front surface of the front beam 42.

The rear beam 43 is formed in a substantially U shape in sectional view extending in the left-right direction, and is laid between rear end portions of the frame side walls 41.
Three guide plates 44 are provided between the frame side walls 41 so as to be arranged in parallel at equal intervals between the front beam 42 and the rear beam 43. The guide plate 44 extends in the left-right direction and the up-down direction, and both end portions in the left-right direction are continuous with both frame side walls 41 between the notch portions 45 adjacent to each other.

Thus, the space surrounded by the front beam 42, the rear beam 43, and the pair of left and right frame side walls 41 is divided into four equal parts in the front-rear direction by the three guide plates 44.
In addition, a regulating plate 48 as an example of a regulating portion with which the lower end surface of the protection member 31 of the process cartridge 13 abuts is provided at the lower end of each guide plate 44, front beam 42, and rear beam 43 along the left-right direction. (Hereinafter, when referring to the longitudinal relationship of the restriction plate 48, the front restriction plate is referred to as the front restriction plate 48F, and the rear restriction plate is referred to as the rear restriction plate 48R).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the guide plate 44 protrudes relatively long from the lower end portion toward the rear, and the front regulation plate 48 </ b> F with which the lower surface of the front protection member 31 </ b> F contacts, and the front end from the lower end portion. A rear side restricting plate 48R that protrudes relatively short toward the rear side and abuts the lower surface of the rear side protective member 31R is provided.
Further, the front beam 42 is provided with a front regulation plate 48F that protrudes relatively long rearward from the lower end portion thereof and that a lower surface of the front protection member 31F contacts.

In addition, the rear beam 43 is provided with a rear regulating plate 48R that protrudes relatively short from the lower end portion toward the front and with which the lower surface of the rear protective member 31R abuts.
The restriction plate 48 is separated from the pair of frame side walls 41 by a space through which both unit side walls 15 can be inserted. A space through which the lower portion of the photosensitive drum 19 can be inserted is separated between the front regulating plate 48F and the rear regulating plate 48R.

A first guide shaft 49 is passed through the rear end of the process frame 12, and a second guide shaft 50 is passed through the front end of the process frame 12 in the left-right direction. Both end portions of the two guide shafts 50 protrude outward in the left-right direction from both frame side walls 41.
3. Details of Main Body Casing FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining a state where the process frame shown in FIG. 4 is mounted on the main body casing, wherein (a) is a sectional view and (b) is a left side view. is there.

FIG. 6 is a front view corresponding to FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a linear cam mechanism 51 as an example of an urging unit is provided inside the main casing 2.
The linear cam mechanism 51 includes a pair of left and right linear cams 52 as an example of an advance / retreat member, and four pairs of left and right swing cams 53 as an example of a pressing member corresponding to the process cartridge 13 of each color. .

The pair of linear cams 52 are formed in a rectangular bar shape extending in the front-rear direction, and are arranged to face each other with a gap in the left-right direction. The linear cam 52 is disposed inside the left and right main body side walls 62 of the main body casing 2, and is disposed along the main body side wall 62.
The linear cam 52 is formed with four recesses 54 corresponding to the swing cams 53. Further, the linear cam 52 includes a rack gear portion 55.

The recesses 54 are formed so as to be cut upward from the lower end edge of the linear cam 52, and are arranged in parallel at intervals in the front-rear direction. Further, the foremost recess 54 is formed longer in the front-rear direction than the three recesses 54 on the rear side. The lengths in the front-rear direction of the three rear recesses 54 are formed to be equal to each other.
The rack gear portion 55 is formed at the upper end edge of the linear motion cam 52 at the rear end portion of the linear motion cam 52.

Four swing cams 53 are provided corresponding to one linear cam 52. The four swing cams 53 are arranged in parallel so as to correspond to the black process cartridge 13K, the yellow process cartridge 13Y, the magenta process cartridge 13M, and the cyan process cartridge 13C sequentially from the front with a space in the front-rear direction. Yes.
Further, the swing cam 53 has a swing fulcrum at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction, a flange 56 that fits into the concave portion 54 of the linear cam 52 on the front side, and a unit of the process cartridge 13 on the rear side. An abutment arm portion 57 that abuts on the upper surface of the side wall 15 is integrally provided.

The flange portion 56 is formed in a side view flange shape in which the front end portion is bent upward.
The contact arm portion 57 is formed in an elongated flat plate shape that extends continuously rearward and downward from the rear end portion of the flange portion 56.
The swing cam 53 is formed with a support shaft insertion hole 58 between the flange portion 56 and the contact arm portion 57.

Then, the support shaft 59 protruding inward from the main body side wall 62 of the main body casing 2 is inserted and fixed in the support shaft insertion hole 58, so that the swing cam 53 is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the support shaft 59. The
Further, the swing cam 53 is locked at one end by the swing cam 53, the other end is locked by the main body side wall 62, and is always applied by a biasing spring (not shown) wound around the support shaft 59. In the left side view, it is biased counterclockwise.

When a driving force from a motor (not shown) provided in the main body casing 2 is input to the rack gear portion 55 of the linear cam 52 via a gear train (not shown), the linear cam 52 is moved in the front-rear direction. Move back and forth.
As a result, the linear cam 52 has the most forward all advanced position (see FIG. 5), the most rearward all retracted position (see FIG. 7), and the partial retracted position between the fully advanced position and the fully retracted position (see FIG. 7). (See FIG. 8).

First, when the linear motion cams 52 are disposed at all the advanced positions, in all the swing cams 53, the flanges 56 are disengaged from the recesses 54 and are in contact with the lower edge of the linear motion cam 52. The arm portion 57 is retracted upward against the biasing force of a biasing spring (not shown) (see FIG. 5).
When the linear cam 52 is disposed at the partial retracted position, the rear end portion of the foremost concave portion 54 faces the flange portion 56 of the swing cam 53 corresponding to the black process cartridge 13K in the vertical direction. Then, the swing cam 53 swings counterclockwise by a biasing force of a biasing spring (not shown), and the flange portion 56 is fitted to the rear end portion of the recess 54, and at the same time, the contact arm The part 57 advances downward (see FIG. 8).

  When the linear cam 52 is disposed at the all retracted position, the flange portion 56 of the swing cam 53 corresponding to the black process cartridge 13K is disposed at the front end portion of the foremost concave portion 54, and the remaining three swing cams are disposed. The flange portion 56 of the moving cam 53 and the concave portion 54 corresponding to the remaining three swing cams 53 face each other in the vertical direction. Then, the remaining three swing cams 53 swing counterclockwise by the biasing force of a biasing spring (not shown). As a result, in the three swing cams 53, the flange portion 56 is fitted into the recess 54, and at the same time, the contact arm portion 57 advances downward (see FIG. 7).

In the main body casing 2, a first guide groove 63 and a second guide groove 64 are formed on the main body side wall 62 so as to extend along the front-rear direction.
4). Mounting operation of process cartridge to main body casing In order to mount the process cartridge 13 to the main body casing 2, first, the process frame 12 is pulled out and the process cartridge 13 is mounted to the process frame 12.

To attach the process cartridge 13 to the process frame 12, as shown in FIG. 3, the front end and the rear end of the process cartridge 13 are along the guide plate 44, and the cover 61 is fitted in the positioning groove 46. As described above, the process cartridge 13 is inserted into the process frame 12 from above by aligning the positions.
Then, the lower surface of the protection member 31 of the process unit 13 comes into contact with the regulation plate 48 and the process unit 13 is mounted on the process frame 12.

Next, in order to attach the process frame 12 to the main body casing 2, the process frame 12 is pushed rearwardly into the main body casing 2.
Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the first guide shaft 49 of the process frame 12 is fitted in the first guide groove 63 of the main body casing 2, and the second guide shaft 50 of the process frame 12 is connected to the first guide shaft 63 of the main body casing 2. The process frame 12 is mounted on the main casing 2 by being fitted in the two guide grooves 64 and guided rearward.
5. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining a state in which the linear cam shown in FIG. 5 is disposed at the fully retracted position, wherein (a) is a sectional view, (b) ) Is a left side view.

8A and 8B are explanatory views for explaining a state in which the linear cam shown in FIG. 5 is disposed at the partial retracted position. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 8B is a left side view.
When the process frame 12 is attached to the main casing 2, the contact arm portion 57 of the swing cam 53 contacts the corresponding unit side walls 15 of the process cartridge 13 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  At this time, the protection member 31 of the process cartridge 13 is in contact with the restriction plate 48 of the process frame 12 and is fixed in position in the vertical direction. Further, the linear cams 52 are disposed at all advanced positions, and as described above, the contact arm portions 57 of all the swing cams 53 are retracted upward. That is, all the swing cams 53 release the process cartridge 13 from being pressed.

Therefore, the process housings 14 of all the process cartridges 13 are retracted upward with respect to the protection member 31 by the urging force of the compression springs 38. In other words, all the protection members 31 are arranged at the advance position that advances downward with respect to the photosensitive drum 19.
As a result, the color laser printer 1 is in a full separation mode in which all the photosensitive drums 19 are separated from the transport belt 24.

Next, when the linear motion cam 52 moves rearward and is disposed at the partial retracted position, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact arm portion 57 of the swing cam 53 corresponding to the black process cartridge 13K moves downward. To advance to.
Then, the process housing 14 of the black process cartridge 13K is pressed downward from above by the corresponding swing cam 53 and faces downward against the protective member 31 against the urging force of the compression spring 38. To advance. The process casing 14 is positioned when the covers 61 that cover both ends of the photosensitive drum 19 come into contact with the positioning grooves 46.

Then, the protection member 31 of the black process cartridge 13 </ b> K is disposed at a retreat position that retreats upward with respect to the photosensitive drum 19.
The swing cam 53 corresponding to the process cartridge 13 other than the black process cartridge 13K releases the press of the process cartridge 13 other than the black process cartridge 13K. Therefore, the process housings 14 of the process cartridges 13 other than the black process cartridge 13 </ b> K are retracted upward with respect to the protection member 31, and these protection members 31 are in the advanced positions where they advance downward with respect to the photosensitive drum 19. Has been placed.

As a result, the color laser printer 1 shifts from the all separation mode to the black contact mode in which only the photosensitive drum 19 of the black process cartridge 13K comes into contact with the transport belt 24. Therefore, a monochrome image is formed in the black contact mode.
Next, when the linear cam 52 moves most rearward and is disposed at the all retracted position, as shown in FIG. 7 and described above, the contact arm portions 57 of all the swing cams 53 advance downward.

Then, all the process housings 14 are pressed downward from above by the corresponding swing cams 53 and advance downward with respect to the protection member 31 against the urging force of the compression spring 38. . All the process casings 14 are positioned when the covers 61 that cover both ends of the photosensitive drum 19 come into contact with the positioning grooves 46.
Then, all the protection members 31 are disposed at the retreat positions where the protection members 31 retreat upward with respect to the photosensitive drum 19.

As a result, the color laser printer 1 shifts from the black contact mode to the all-color contact mode in which all the photosensitive drums 19 are in contact with the transport belt 24. Therefore, a color image is formed in the all-color contact mode.
6). Operation and Effect (1) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the process cartridge 13 is removed from the main casing 2, the process by the swing cam 53 of the linear cam mechanism 51 is performed. Since the urging | biasing with respect to the housing | casing 14 is cancelled | released, the protection member 31 is arrange | positioned with respect to the photosensitive drum 19 in the downward advance position.

Therefore, the protection member 31 can protect the photosensitive drum 19 from below.
When the process cartridge 13 is mounted on the main casing 2 and the swing cam 53 of the linear cam mechanism 51 is urging the process housing 14, as shown in FIG. The photosensitive drum 19 is disposed at the upper retracted position.
Therefore, the protection member 31 can expose the photosensitive drum 19 from below.

As a result, in the vertical direction, the photosensitive drum 19 is protected or exposed only by advancing and retracting the protective member 31 relative to the photosensitive drum 19, so that it is not necessary to provide a large space in the main body casing 2, and a compact size is achieved. With the configuration, the photosensitive drum 19 can be protected.
(2) According to the color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the process cartridge 13 is mounted on the process frame 12, the protective member 31 is first arranged at the advanced position.

Therefore, the photosensitive drum 19 can be reliably protected at the initial stage when the process cartridge 13 is mounted on the process frame 12.
(3) According to the color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the process frame 12 includes the restriction plate 48 that contacts the lower surface of the protection member 31 in the vertical direction.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the swing cam 53 of the linear cam mechanism 51 is urging the process housing 14, the protective member 31 of the process cartridge 13 is attached to the restriction plate of the process frame 12. 48, the downward movement of the protection member 31 is restricted by the restriction plate 48.

As a result, by energizing the process casing 14 by the swing cam 53 of the linear cam mechanism 51, the protection member 31 can be reliably retracted upward with respect to the photosensitive drum 19 in the vertical direction. .
(4) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 5A, the linear cam mechanism 51 includes a linear cam 52 that advances and retreats along the front-rear direction in which a plurality of process cartridges 13 are arranged in parallel. Corresponding to the advance and retreat of the linear cam 52, a swing cam 53 that presses or releases the process casing 14 of each process cartridge 13 along the vertical direction is provided.

Therefore, the swing cam 53 can press or release the process housing 14 of each process cartridge 13 in accordance with the advance / retreat of the linear motion cam 52.
As a result, the protection member 31 of each process cartridge 13 can be moved forward and backward by the linear cam mechanism 51.
(5) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the swing cam 53 of the linear cam mechanism 51 urges the process housing 14, both ends of the photosensitive drum 19 are provided. The cover 61 that covers the surface contacts the positioning groove 46.

Therefore, when the process casing 14 is urged by the swing cam 53 of the linear cam mechanism 51, the process casing 14 can be reliably positioned.
(6) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the linear cam 52 moves to the full retracted position, the swing cam 53 presses all the process casings 14, All the protective members 31 are arranged at the retracted position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the linear motion cam 52 moves to the partial retracted position, the swing cam 53 presses the process housing 14 of the black process cartridge 13K, and the protection member 31 corresponding thereto is moved. While arrange | positioning in a retracted position, the remaining three process housing | casings 14 are cancelled | released, and the protection member 31 corresponding to them is arrange | positioned in an advance position.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the linear motion cam 52 moves to the fully advanced position, the swing cam 53 releases the press of all the process housings 14 and brings all the protective members 31 to the advanced position. Arrange.

Thereby, each protection member 31 can be moved back and forth in conjunction with movement of the linear cam 52 to the fully retracted position, partially retracted position, and fully advanced position.
Therefore, in the color laser printer 1, all the protective members 31 are retracted, all color contact mode in which all the photosensitive drums 19 and the transport belt 24 are brought into contact, and the protective members 31 of the black process cartridge 13K are retracted, and the remaining three One protective member 31 is advanced to make the black contact mode in which only the photosensitive drum 19 of the black process cartridge 13K is brought into contact with the transport belt 24, and all the protective members 31 are advanced to move all the photosensitive drums 19 from the transport belt 24. It is possible to switch to the full separation mode for separation.

As a result, the mode of the color laser printer 1 can be switched using the linear motion cam mechanism 51 that urges the process casing 14 and the protection member 31, and the apparatus configuration of the color laser printer 1 is simplified. be able to.
(7) According to this process cartridge 13, as shown in FIG. 2, the protection member 31 extends along the axial direction (left-right direction) of the photosensitive drum 19 and is arranged in parallel with the photosensitive drum 19 in between.

Therefore, the protection member 31 can reliably protect the photosensitive drum 19 from both sides of the photosensitive drum 19.
Further, the protection member 31 is movable relative to the photosensitive drum 19 in the vertical direction.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the protective member 31 is moved upward so that the photosensitive drum 19 is disposed outside the process casing 14, the photosensitive drum is interposed between the two protective members 31. When the protective member 31 moves downward so that the photosensitive drum 19 is disposed inside the process housing 14 as shown in FIG. 2A, two protective members can be exposed. The photosensitive drum 19 can be protected by 31.

As a result, the photosensitive drum 19 can be reliably protected with a simple configuration.
(8) According to the process cartridge 13, as shown in FIG. 2A, the rear side protection member 31R disposed on the rear side of the photosensitive drum 19 has the first rear side protection extending along the vertical direction. A plate 36 and a second rear side protective plate 37 extending from the first rear side protective plate 36 and extending forward are provided.

Therefore, the rear side protection member 31R can protect the photosensitive drum 19 from the rear side by the first rear side protection plate 36, and can protect the photosensitive drum 19 from the lower side by the second rear side protection plate 37. Can do.
Further, the front protective member 31F disposed on the front side of the photosensitive drum 19 faces the developing unit 17 in the vertical direction, and the length L1 in the front-rear direction is greater than the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the rear protective member 31R. Is also formed long.

Therefore, the front side protection member 31F can protect the photosensitive drum 19 with a length in the front-rear direction longer than that of the rear side protection member 31R using the space facing the developing unit 17 on the front side.
As a result, the photosensitive drum 19 can be reliably protected both in the front-rear direction and in the lower direction.
(9) According to this process cartridge 13, as shown in FIG. 4A, the protection member 31 includes the compression spring 38 on the upper surface thereof.

Therefore, in order to bring the protective member 31 relatively close to the photosensitive drum 19, it is necessary to press the protective member 31 against the urging force of the compression spring 38. That is, the protective member 31 continues to be separated from the photosensitive drum 19 by the urging force of the compression spring 38 unless an external force is applied from below to above.
As a result, since the photosensitive drum 19 is disposed inside the process housing 14, the photosensitive drum 19 can be reliably protected.

1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a color laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the process cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A illustrates a state in which the protective member is disposed at the advanced position, and FIG. 2B illustrates a state in which the protective member is disposed at the retracted position. . FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 is mounted on a process frame. FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a state where the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 is mounted on the process frame, wherein FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views for explaining a state where the process frame shown in FIG. 4 is attached to the main casing, wherein FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 5. FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views for explaining a state where the linear cam shown in FIG. 5 is disposed at a fully retracted position, wherein FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views for explaining a state in which the linear cam shown in FIG. 5 is arranged at a partial retracted position, where FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color laser printer 2 Main body casing 12 Process frame 13 Process cartridge 14 Process housing 31 Protection member 36 1st back side protection plate 37 2nd back side protection plate 38 Compression spring 46 Positioning groove 48 Restriction plate 51 Linear motion cam mechanism 52 Direct Dynamic cam 53 Oscillating cam

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus main body;
A plurality of process cartridges having a photoconductor and a housing supporting the photoconductor, and detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body ;
An endless belt provided in the image forming apparatus main body and capable of contacting the photoconductor of each of the process cartridges;
An urging unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body and urging the housing;
A plurality of the process cartridges are
A protective member relatively movable along the biasing direction of the biasing means with respect to the housing;
An elastic body that is disposed between the protective member and the housing and biases the protective member so as to be relatively separated from the photoconductor in the biasing direction;
The image forming apparatus main body includes a restricting portion that comes into contact with a downstream end portion of the protection member in the biasing direction,
The protection member is restricted from moving toward the downstream side in the urging direction by being brought into contact with the restriction portion,
When the urging means is urging the housing , the housing moves to the downstream side in the urging direction with respect to the protection member, so that the protection member is applied to the urging force of the elastic body. anti above is disposed at the retracted position retracted to the biasing direction upstream side of the photoreceptor Rutotomoni, the photosensitive member is contacted to the endless belt,
When the urging means releases the urging of the casing , the casing moves to the upstream side in the urging direction with respect to the protection member, so that the protection member is urged by the elastic body. Rutotomoni disposed advanced position to advance to the biasing direction downstream side with respect to the photosensitive member by force, the photosensitive member is characterized in that it is spaced from the endless belt, the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus main body is detachably mounted and includes a process frame for mounting the process cartridge.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the process cartridge is mounted on the process frame, the protection member is first disposed at the advanced position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the restricting portion is provided in the process frame . The process frame is formed with a positioning groove that opens toward the upstream side in the biasing direction of the biasing means,
When the urging means urges the casing, the outer peripheral surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor are in contact with the positioning grooves, whereby the casing is urged by the urging means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is positioned. A plurality of the process cartridges are provided and attached to the process frame so as to be arranged in parallel.
The biasing means is
A reciprocating member that reciprocates along the parallel direction of each of the process cartridges;
In response to reciprocating of the reciprocating member, said characterized in that a housing and a pressing member for releasing the pressing or pushing along the biasing direction, in any one of claims 2 to 4 The image forming apparatus described. The advance / retreat member is:
A total retraction position in which the pressing member presses all the housings and all protective members are arranged at the retraction position;
The pressing member presses at least one of the plurality of casings, and the corresponding protective member is disposed at the retracted position, the remaining casings are released from pressure, and the corresponding protective members are A partial retreat position to be placed at the advance position;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pressing member releases all the casings and moves to all the advanced positions where all the protective members are arranged at the advanced position. The protective member, the extending in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member, so as to be arranged in parallel across the photoreceptor, characterized in that provided at least two, one of claims 1 to 6 The image forming apparatus according to one item . The process cartridge includes a developing unit that is adjacent to the photosensitive member on one side and supported by the housing,
The protective member disposed on one side of the photoconductor is opposed to the developing unit in the moving direction of the protective member,
The protective member disposed on the other side of the photoreceptor is
A first wall extending along a moving direction of the protection member;
A second wall extending from the first wall and extending toward the protection member on one side in the parallel direction of the protection member;
The length of the protective member arranged on one side of the photoconductor in the parallel direction is longer than the length of the protective member arranged on the other side of the photoconductor in the parallel direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

Images