JP7230796B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus that includes a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a main housing.

Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus in which a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge can be separately attached to and detached from a main body housing (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200013). In this technology, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are detachable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

JP 2018-77459 A

In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the drum cartridge is attached to the body housing of the image forming apparatus, the photosensitive drum contacts the intermediate transfer belt, and the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt are damaged. In order to suppress this, the photosensitive drum is separated from the intermediate transfer belt when the drum cartridge is attached to the main body housing. When the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position with the drum cartridge attached to the main housing, the drum cartridge moves relative to the intermediate transfer belt, and the photosensitive drum contacts the intermediate transfer belt.
In addition, when the developing cartridge is installed in the main housing, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum come into contact with each other and damage the developing roller and the photosensitive drum. At that time, the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. After the user moves the cover from the open position to the closed position while the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the body housing, the motor and cam in the body housing move the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge. so that the developing roller comes into contact with the photosensitive drum.

Therefore, before the image forming apparatus starts the image forming operation, the user moves the cover from the open position to the closed position, moves the drum cartridge with respect to the intermediate transfer belt, and brings the photosensitive drum into contact with the intermediate transfer belt. Two actions were required: a first action and a second action in which the motor and cam move the developer cartridge relative to the photosensitive drum after the user moves the cover from the open position to the closed position.

The present disclosure moves the drum cartridge relative to the intermediate transfer belt and brings the photosensitive drum into contact with the intermediate transfer belt by one action of the user positioning the cover from the open position to the closed position without using a motor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a developing cartridge can be moved with respect to a drum cartridge later.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a main housing having an opening, a cover movable between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening, and a drum cartridge. , a developer cartridge, an intermediate transfer belt, and a moving cam.
The drum cartridge has a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and is attachable to and detachable from the main housing in the first direction.
The developing cartridge has a developing roller rotatable about a second shaft extending in the first direction, and is attachable to and detachable from the main housing in the first direction.
The intermediate transfer belt is positioned above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing.
The moving cam is positioned below the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing. The cover is positioned at the first position when positioned at the open position, positioned at the second position while the cover is moving from the open position to the closed position, and the cover is positioned at the closed position. When located in the third position.
When the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the photosensitive drum is separated from the intermediate transfer belt, and the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum.
When the moving cam is positioned at the second position, the photosensitive drum contacts the intermediate transfer belt, and the distance between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum becomes the first distance.
When the moving cam is positioned at the third position, the photosensitive drum contacts the intermediate transfer belt, and the distance between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum is shorter than the first distance. 2 distances.

According to this configuration, the contact between the intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive drum caused by the movement of the drum cartridge relative to the intermediate transfer belt and the movement of the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge can be controlled by the user from the open position without using a motor. It can be achieved by one motion of placing in position.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the drum cartridge is configured to be aligned with the developing cartridge in a second direction crossing the first direction in a state in which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted in the main housing. You may
Further, in the image forming apparatus described above, the moving cam may be configured to be movable in the first direction as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the main body housing includes a first lift and a second lift, and the first lift engages with the moving cam to move the drum cartridge upward, thereby moving the drum cartridge upward. A lift may be configured to engage the moving cam to move the developer cartridge upward.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the first lift may be configured to have a first drum contact portion that contacts the moving cam.
The moving cam may have a first drum separation surface extending in the first direction, a first drum inclined surface, and a first drum contact surface.
The first drum inclined surface extends from the first drum separation surface toward the intermediate transfer belt and is inclined with respect to the first direction.
The first drum contact surface extends in the first direction from the first drum inclined surface and is closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the first drum separation surface in the vertical direction.
The first drum inclined surface is located between the first drum separation surface and the first drum contact surface in the first direction.
When the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the first drum contact portion contacts the first drum separation surface.
Further, the first drum contact portion contacts the first drum inclined surface while the moving cam moves from the first position to the second position.
Furthermore, when the moving cam is positioned at the second position and the third position, the first drum contact portion contacts the first drum contact surface.

According to this, when the moving cam moves in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover, the first drum contact portion of the first lift comes into contact with the first drum spacing surface, the first drum inclined surface, or the first drum contact surface. , the height position of the first lift is changed, and the drum cartridge can be positioned at a predetermined position.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the second lift may be configured to have a first development contact portion that contacts the moving cam.
Further, the moving cam may be configured to have a first developing separation surface extending in the first direction, a first developing inclined surface, and a first developing contact surface.
The first development inclined surface extends from the first development separation surface toward the intermediate transfer belt and is inclined with respect to the first direction.
The first development contact surface extends in the first direction from the first development inclined surface and is closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the first development separation surface in the vertical direction.
The first developer inclined surface is positioned between the first developer separation surface and the first developer contact surface in the first direction.
When the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the first development contact portion contacts the first development separation surface.
Also, while the moving cam moves from the first position to the third position, the first development contact portion contacts the first development inclined surface.
Furthermore, when the moving cam is positioned at the third position, the first development contact portion contacts the first development contact surface.

According to this, when the moving cam moves in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover, the first developer contact portion of the second lift comes into contact with the first developer separating surface, the first developer inclined surface, or the first developer contact surface. , the height position of the second lift is changed, and the developing cartridge can be positioned at a predetermined position.

In the image forming apparatus described above, in the moving direction in which the moving cam moves from the first position toward the third position, the downstream end of the first drum contact surface is positioned further downstream than the downstream end of the first developer contact surface. may also be positioned downstream.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the moving cam may be configured to have a second drum separation surface, a second drum inclined surface, and a second drum contact surface.
The second drum spacing surface is positioned apart from the first drum spacing surface in the first direction.
A second drum inclined surface extends from the second drum separation surface toward the intermediate transfer belt. Further, the second drum inclined surface is inclined with respect to the first direction and is positioned apart from the first drum inclined surface in the first direction.
A second drum contact surface extends in the first direction from the second drum inclined surface. In addition, the second drum contact surface is located closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the second drum separation surface in the vertical direction and away from the first drum contact surface in the first direction.
The second drum inclined surface is positioned between the second drum separation surface and the second drum contact surface in the first direction.
The first lift may be configured to have a second drum contact portion that contacts the moving cam. The second drum contact portion is positioned apart from the first drum contact portion in the first direction.
When the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the second drum contact portion contacts the second drum separation surface.
Also, while the moving cam moves from the first position to the second position, the second drum contact portion contacts the second drum inclined surface.
Furthermore, when the moving cam is positioned at the second position and the third position, the second drum contact portion contacts the second drum contact surface.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the moving cam may be configured to have a second developing separation surface, a second developing inclined surface, and a second developing inclined surface.
The second development spacing surface is positioned apart from the first development spacing surface in the first direction.
A second development inclined surface extends from the second development separation surface toward the intermediate transfer belt. Further, the second inclined surface for development is inclined with respect to the first direction and is positioned apart from the first inclined surface for development in the first direction.
A second development contact surface extends in the first direction from the second development inclined surface. Further, the second development contact surface is positioned closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the second development separation surface in the vertical direction and away from the first development contact surface in the first direction.
The second developer inclined surface is positioned between the second developer separation surface and the second developer contact surface in the first direction.
The second lift may be configured to have a second developer contact portion that contacts the moving cam. The second developer contact portion is positioned apart from the first developer contact portion in the first direction.
When the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the second development contact portion contacts the second development separation surface.
Also, while the moving cam moves from the first position to the third position, the second developer contact portion contacts the second developer inclined surface.
Furthermore, when the moving cam is positioned at the third position, the second development contact portion contacts the second development contact surface.

According to these configurations, the first lift has two drum contact portions, the second lift has two development contact portions, and the moving cam presses the two drum contact portions and the two development contact portions. Therefore, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge can be stably positioned.

Further, in the image forming apparatus described above, in the moving direction in which the moving cam moves from the first position toward the third position, the downstream end of the second drum contact surface is located downstream of the second developer contact surface. It may be configured to be located downstream of the end.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the first lift may be configured to have a drum guide projection and a development guide projection.
The drum guide protrusion extends in the first direction and is for guiding the drum cartridge.
The development guide protrusion extends in the first direction and is for guiding the development cartridge.
The drum cartridge may have a drum groove guided by the drum guide projection.
Further, the developing cartridge may be configured to have a developing groove guided by the developing guide protrusion.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the development guide projection may have a guide hole, and the second lift may be configured to be movable within the guide hole.

According to this, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are moved with respect to the intermediate transfer belt by the first lift, and after the positioning of the photosensitive drum with respect to the intermediate transfer belt is completed, the developing cartridge is moved with respect to the drum cartridge by the second lift. It can be moved to position the developing roller with respect to the photosensitive drum.

The image forming apparatus described above may be configured to include a paper discharge section for discharging paper, which is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt.

Further, the image forming apparatus described above may be configured to include a paper feeding section for feeding paper, which is positioned below the moving cam.

According to the present disclosure, the contact between the intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive drum due to the movement of the drum cartridge relative to the intermediate transfer belt and the movement of the developer cartridge relative to the drum cartridge can be controlled by the user from the open position without using a motor. It can be achieved by one motion of placing in position.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. It is a perspective view explaining a cover, a moving cam, and a 1st lift. It is a perspective view (a) of a moving cam, and sectional drawing (b) of a moving cam. It is the perspective view (a) of a 1st lift and a 2nd lift, and sectional drawing (b) of a 1st lift. It is explanatory drawing when a moving cam is in a 1st position, It is sectional drawing (a) cut|disconnected in the plane orthogonal to a 2nd direction, and enlarged drawing (b) cut|disconnected in the surface orthogonal to a 1st direction. It is explanatory drawing when a moving cam is in a 2nd position, It is sectional drawing (a) cut|disconnected in the plane orthogonal to a 2nd direction, and enlarged drawing (b) cut|disconnected in the surface orthogonal to a 1st direction. It is explanatory drawing when a moving cam is in a 3rd position, It is sectional drawing (a) cut|disconnected in the plane orthogonal to a 2nd direction, and enlarged view (b) cut|disconnected in the surface orthogonal to a 1st direction.

Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, first, the overall configuration of a color printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the color printer 1 includes a main housing 2 , a paper feed section 3 , an image forming section 4 and a paper discharge section 5 . The paper feeding section 3 supplies the paper P to the image forming section 4 . The image forming section 4 forms an image on the paper P. As shown in FIG. The paper discharge unit 5 discharges the paper P.

The paper feeding unit 3 is positioned at the bottom inside the main body housing 2 . The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 31 and a paper feed mechanism 32 . The paper feed tray 31 is detachable from the main housing 2 . The paper feed mechanism 32 conveys the paper P from the paper feed tray 31 to the image forming section 4 .
The paper feeding unit 3 is positioned below a moving cam 110 which will be described later.

The image forming section 4 includes four drum cartridges 40 , four developing cartridges 50 , an exposure device SU, a transfer unit 60 and a fixing unit 70 .

Each drum cartridge 40 has a photosensitive drum 41, a charger (not shown), and a drum frame F1. The photosensitive drum 41 is rotatable about a first axis X1 extending in the first direction. The four drum cartridges 40 are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being mounted in the main housing 2 .
The first direction is a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the second direction is a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the vertical direction. The vertical direction is the vertical direction.

Each developing cartridge 50 has a developing roller 51 and a developing frame F2. The developer frame F2 accommodates the developer. The developing roller 51 is rotatable about a second axis X2 extending in the first direction.

The drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are arranged side by side in the second direction when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2 . As shown in FIG. 2, the drum cartridge 40 can be attached to and detached from the main housing 2 in the first direction. Similarly, the developer cartridge 50 can be attached to and detached from the main housing 2 in the first direction. Each drum cartridge 40 has the same structure. Each developer cartridge 50 has the same structure.

An exposure unit SU is positioned below each drum cartridge 40 . The exposure unit SU emits laser light to each photosensitive drum 41 .

The transfer unit 60 is positioned between the four photosensitive drums 41 and a paper discharge tray 21, which will be described later. The transfer unit 60 includes a drive roller 61 , a driven roller 62 , an intermediate transfer belt 63 , four primary transfer rollers 64 and secondary transfer rollers 65 .

The intermediate transfer belt 63 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 63 is positioned above the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2 .

The primary transfer roller 64 is positioned inside the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The intermediate transfer belt 63 is sandwiched between the primary transfer roller 64 and the photosensitive drum 41 .

The secondary transfer roller 65 is positioned outside the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The secondary transfer roller 65 and the driving roller 61 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 63 .

The fixing unit 70 is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The fixing unit 70 has a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 . The pressure roller 72 is pressed against the heating roller 71 .

The paper discharge section 5 is positioned above the main housing 2 . The paper discharge section 5 is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The paper discharge section 5 includes a paper discharge roller 9 and a paper discharge tray 21 . The discharge roller 9 conveys the paper P toward the paper discharge tray 21 .

In the color printer 1 , the charger first charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 . After that, the exposure unit SU exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 . Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 41 .

A developing roller 51 then supplies developer to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 41 . Thereby, a developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum 41 . Then, the developer image on the photosensitive drum 41 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 63 .

The developer image on the intermediate transfer belt 63 is transferred onto the paper P when the paper P passes between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the secondary transfer roller 65 . After that, the developer image on the paper P is fixed by the fixing unit 70 . The paper P is then discharged to the paper discharge tray 21 by the discharge rollers 9 .

The body housing 2 has an opening 22A. The opening 22A allows each drum cartridge 40 and each developer cartridge 50 to pass when the drum cartridge 40 and each developer cartridge 50 are attached and detached in the first direction.

The color printer 1 has a cover C as shown in FIG. The cover C is a member for opening and closing the opening 22A. The cover C rotates about rotation axes C1 on both sides of the lower end of the cover C. As shown in FIG. The rotating shaft C1 is inserted into a bearing (not shown) of the main housing 2 . The cover C is movable between an open position (position shown in FIG. 2) that opens the opening 22A and a closed position (not shown) that closes the opening 22A.
The cover C has an arm holding portion C2 on one side. The arm holding portion C2 has an elongated hole C3 into which a cylindrical projection 156 of the arm 152, which will be described later, is inserted.

In the drum cartridge 40, the photosensitive drum 41 is rotatably supported by the drum frame F1. Further, the drum cartridge 40 has a drum groove 42 extending in the first direction at the bottom of the drum frame F1. The drum groove 42 is guided by a drum guide projection 133, which will be described later.

In the developing cartridge 50, the developing roller 51 is rotatably supported by the developing frame F2. The developer cartridge 50 also has a developer groove 52 extending in the first direction at the bottom of the developer frame F2. The development groove 52 is guided by a development guide protrusion 134, which will be described later.
The size of the developing cartridge 50 in the vertical direction is smaller than the size of the drum cartridge 40 in the vertical direction. More specifically, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2, the developing cartridge 50 has a size such that the developing roller 51 is positioned lower than the photosensitive drum 41. ing.

The body housing 2 includes a moving cam 110, a first lift 130, and a second lift 140 (see FIG. 4).
The moving cam 110 is positioned below the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2 .
The moving cam 110 is a plate-like member. The moving cam 110 is movable in the first direction as the cover C moves from the open position to the closed position. Specifically, the moving cam 110 is movable in the first direction via the arm 152 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover C. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 , the moving cam 110 has an upper surface 111 and cylindrical projections 112 located on the sides of the moving cam 110 . The moving cam 110 slides on the upper surface of the guide portion 22B (see FIG. 5) of the main housing 2. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, arm 152 has one end 152A and the other end 152B.
One end 152A of the arm 152 has a through hole 154 that rotatably supports the cylindrical projection 112 of the moving cam 110. As shown in FIG. The other end 152B of the arm 152 has a cylindrical projection 156. As shown in FIG. The cylindrical projection 156 is inserted into the elongated hole C3 of the arm holder C2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the moving cam 110 includes a set of drum spacing surfaces 114, a set of drum inclined surfaces 116, and a set of drum contact surfaces 118 spaced apart in a first direction. A set of drum spacing surfaces 114 , a set of drum inclined surfaces 116 and a set of drum contact surfaces 118 are located on the upper surface 111 of the moving cam 110 .
The set of drum spacing surfaces 114 includes a first drum spacing surface 114A closer to the opening 22A and a second drum spacing surface 114B positioned further from the opening 22A than the first drum spacing surface 114A. The first drum spacing surface 114A and the second drum spacing surface 114B extend in the first direction. The second drum spacing surface 114B is positioned apart from the first drum spacing surface 114A in the first direction.
The set of drum ramps 116 includes a first drum ramp 116A closer to the opening 22A and a second drum ramp 116B located further from the opening 22A than the first drum ramp 116A. The first drum inclined surface 116A extends toward the intermediate transfer belt 63 from the first drum separation surface 114A. The first drum inclined surface 116A is inclined with respect to the first direction. The second drum inclined surface 116B is located apart from the first drum inclined surface 116A in the first direction. The second drum inclined surface 116B extends toward the intermediate transfer belt 63 from the second drum separation surface 114B. Also, the second drum inclined surface 116B is inclined with respect to the first direction.
The first drum inclined surface 116A is positioned between the first drum separation surface 114A and a first drum contact surface 118A, which will be described later, in the first direction. Similarly, the second drum inclined surface 116B is positioned between the second drum separation surface 114B and a second drum contact surface 118B described later in the first direction.
A connection portion 115A between the first drum separation surface 114A and the first drum inclined surface 116A is formed into a curved surface, and a first drum contact portion 135A, which will be described later, is formed between the first drum separation surface 114A and the first drum inclined surface 116A. can be moved smoothly. Similarly, a connection portion 115B between the second drum spacing surface 114B and the second drum inclined surface 116B is formed into a curved surface, and a second drum contact portion 135B, which will be described later, is formed between the second drum spacing surface 114B and the second drum inclined surface 116B. You can easily move between them.
The set of drum contacting surfaces 118 includes a first drum contacting surface 118A closer to the opening 22A and a second drum contacting surface 118B located further from the opening 22A than the first drum contacting surface 118A. The first drum contact surface 118A extends in the first direction from the first drum inclined surface 116A. The first drum contact surface 118A is closer to the intermediate transfer belt 63 than the first drum separation surface 114A in the vertical direction. The second drum contact surface 118B is positioned apart from the first drum contact surface 118A in the first direction. The second drum contact surface 118B extends in the first direction from the second drum inclined surface 116B. Also, the second drum contact surface 118B is closer to the intermediate transfer belt 63 than the second drum separation surface 114B in the vertical direction.
A connection portion 117A between the first drum inclined surface 116A and the first drum contact surface 118A is formed in a curved surface, and a first drum contact portion 135A, which will be described later, is formed between the first drum inclined surface 116A and the first drum contact surface 118A. can be moved smoothly. Similarly, a connection portion 117B between the second drum inclined surface 116B and the second drum contact surface 118B is formed into a curved surface, and a second drum contact portion 135B, which will be described later, is formed between the second drum inclined surface 116B and the second drum contact surface 118B. You can easily move between them.

Further, the moving cam 110 includes a set of developing separation surfaces 124 , a set of developing inclined surfaces 126 , and a set of developing contact surfaces 128 that are separated in the first direction. A set of development separation surfaces 124 , a set of development inclined surfaces 126 , and a set of development contact surfaces 128 are located on the upper surface 111 of the moving cam 110 .
The set of development spacing surfaces 124 corresponds to the set of drum spacing surfaces 114 . The pair of development spacing surfaces 124 is formed at a position lower than the pair of drum spacing surfaces 114 .
A set of developer ramps 126 correspond to a set of drum ramps 116 . The set of development inclined surfaces 126 is formed at a position lower than the set of drum inclined surfaces 116 .
A set of developer contact surfaces 128 correspond to a set of drum contact surfaces 118 .
The set of development separation surfaces 124, the set of development inclined surfaces 126, and the set of development contact surfaces 128 are separated in the second direction at four locations.

The set of developer spacing surfaces 124 includes a first developer spacing surface 124A closer to the opening 22A and a second developer spacing surface 124B located farther from the opening 22A than the first developer spacing surface 124A. The first developer spacing surface 124A and the second developer spacing surface 124B extend in the first direction. The second development spacing surface 124B is positioned apart from the first development spacing surface 124A in the first direction.
The set of development ramps 126 includes a first development ramp 126A closer to the opening 22A and a second development ramp 126B located farther from the opening 22A than the first development ramp 126A. The first developing inclined surface 126A extends from the first developing separation surface 124A toward the intermediate transfer belt 63. As shown in FIG. The first development inclined surface 126A is inclined with respect to the first direction. The second development inclined surface 126B is located apart from the first development inclined surface 126A in the first direction. The second developing inclined surface 126B extends from the second developing separation surface 124B toward the intermediate transfer belt 63. As shown in FIG. Also, the second development inclined surface 126B is inclined with respect to the first direction.
The first developer inclined surface 126A is positioned between the first developer separation surface 124A and a first developer contact surface 128A, which will be described later, in the first direction. Similarly, the second developer inclined surface 126B is positioned between the second developer separation surface 124B and a second developer contact surface 128B, which will be described later, in the first direction.
The set of developer contact surfaces 128 includes a first developer contact surface 128A closer to opening 22A and a second developer contact surface 128B located further from opening 22A than first developer contact surface 128A. The first development contact surface 128A extends in the first direction from the first development inclined surface 126A. The first development contact surface 128A is closer to the intermediate transfer belt 63 than the first development separation surface 124A in the vertical direction. The second developer contact surface 128B is positioned apart from the first developer contact surface 128A in the first direction. The second developer contact surface 128B extends in the first direction from the second developer inclined surface 126B. Further, the second development contact surface 128B is closer to the intermediate transfer belt 63 than the second development separation surface 124B in the vertical direction.
The first developer contact surface 128A is flush with the first drum contact surface 118A, and the second developer contact surface 128B is flush with the second drum contact surface 118B.
The connecting portion between the developing separation surface 124 and the developing inclined surface 126 and the connecting portion between the developing inclined surface 126 and the developing contact surface 128 may be formed into curved surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first lift 130 is a member that engages with the moving cam 110 to move the drum cartridge 40 upward. First lift 130 has an upper surface 131 and a lower surface 132 . Four drum guide protrusions 133 and four development guide protrusions 134 are positioned on the upper surface 131 of the first lift 130 . The first lift 130 also has a first drum contact portion 135A and a second drum contact portion 135B that contact the upper surface 111 of the moving cam 110 . The second drum contact portion 135B is positioned apart from the first drum contact portion 135A in the first direction. More specifically, the distance between the first drum contact portion 135A and the second drum contact portion 135B in the first direction is, for example, the distance between the first drum inclined surface 116A and the second drum inclined surface 116B in the first direction. Same as distance.
Each drum guide projection 133 extends in the first direction and serves to guide the drum cartridge 40 .
Each development guide projection 134 extends in the first direction and serves to guide the development cartridge 50 . The vertical height of each development guide projection 134 is lower than the vertical height of each drum guide projection 133 .
Each development guide protrusion 134 has a guide hole 136 . The guide hole 136 is a through hole extending in the first direction and through which the second lift 140 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the guide hole 136 includes a first portion 136A and a second portion 136B. The first portion 136A is an opening vertically penetrating the development guide projection 134 . The second portion 136B is an opening that communicates with the first portion 136A and vertically penetrates the first drum contact portion 135A and the second drum contact portion 135B. The first lift 130 has a support surface 137 inside the guide hole 136 . The support surface 137 functions as a retainer for the second lift 140 inserted into the guide hole 136.
Note that, as shown in FIG. 5B, the first lift 130, the moving cam 110, and the guide portion 22B have openings through which the laser light from the exposure unit SU passes.

The second lift 140 is a member that engages with the moving cam 110 to move the developer cartridge 50 upward. A second lift 140 is inserted into the guide hole 136 . The second lift 140 includes a body portion 141 extending in the first direction, and a first developer contact portion 142 and a second developer contact portion 144 extending downward from the body portion 141 . The body portion 141 is supported by the support surface 137 during assembly. The first development contact portion 142 and the second development contact portion 144 pass through the second portion 136B of the guide hole 136 and come into contact with the upper surface 111 of the moving cam 110 . The second developer contact portion 144 is positioned apart from the first developer contact portion 142 in the first direction. The second lift 140 can move up and down within the guide hole 136 .
In the second lift 140, the lower ends of the first developer contact portion 142 and the second developer contact portion 144 protrude downward from the lower ends of the first drum contact portion 135A and the second drum contact portion 135B (see FIG. 5). .

A method of mounting the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 and positioning the developing roller 51 and the photosensitive drum 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 to 7 .
As shown in FIG. 2, the drum cartridge 40 and the developer cartridge 50 are mounted in the main housing 2 with the cover C positioned at the open position to expose the opening 22A. The drum cartridge 40 is inserted in the first direction along the upper surface 131 of the first lift 130 with the drum groove 42 fitted in the drum guide projection 133 of the first lift 130 . Similarly, the developer cartridge 50 is inserted in the first direction along the upper surface 131 of the first lift 130 with the developer groove 52 fitted in the developer guide protrusion 134 of the first lift 130 .

As shown in FIG. 5, when the cover C is positioned at the open position, the moving cam 110 is positioned at the first position.
More specifically, when the moving cam 110 is positioned at the first position, the first drum contact portion 135A contacts the first drum separation surface 114A, and the second drum contact portion 135B contacts the second drum separation surface 114B. Contact. At this time, the first lift 130 is at the lowered position, and the photosensitive drum 41 of the drum cartridge 40 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 63 . Further, when the moving cam 110 is positioned at the first position, the first development contact portion 142 contacts the first development separation surface 124A, and the second development contact portion 144 contacts the second development separation surface 124B. At this time, since the second lift 140 does not protrude from the top surface of the first lift 130 , the developing roller 51 of the developing cartridge 50 is separated from the photosensitive drum 41 .
That is, when the cover C is at the open position, the moving cam 110 is at the first position, the photosensitive drum 41 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 63 , and the developing roller 51 is separated from the photosensitive drum 41 .

As shown in FIG. 6, the moving cam 110 is positioned at the second position while the cover C is moving from the open position to the closed position.
More specifically, when the cover C moves from the open position toward the closed position, the arm 152 moves the moving cam 110 away from the opening 22A along the first direction. While the moving cam 110 moves from the first position to the second position, the first drum contact portion 135A contacts the first drum inclined surface 116A, and the second drum contact portion 135B contacts the second drum inclined surface. 116B. As a result, the first lift 130 rises toward the intermediate transfer belt 63 . Also, while the moving cam 110 is moving from the first position to the second position, the first developer contact portion 142 contacts the first developer inclined surface 126A, and the second developer contact portion 144 contacts the second developer inclined surface 126B. come into contact with As a result, the second lift 140 moves up toward the intermediate transfer belt 63 together with the first lift 130 .

As the cover C moves further toward the closed position, the moving cam 110 moves further in the first direction to the second position.
When the moving cam 110 is positioned at the second position, the first drum contact portion 135A contacts the first drum contact surface 118A, and the second drum contact portion 135B contacts the second drum contact surface 118B. At this time, the first lift 130 is in the raised position, and the photosensitive drum 41 of the drum cartridge 40 supported by the first lift 130 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 63 .
Further, when the moving cam 110 is positioned at the second position, the first developer contact portion 142 remains in contact with the first developer inclined surface 126A, and the second developer contact portion 144 is in contact with the second developer inclined surface 126B. remain. In other words, while the moving cam 110 moves from the first position to the third position, the first development contact portion 142 contacts the first development slope 126A, and the second development contact portion 144 contacts the second development slope. Contact surface 126B. At this time, since the second lift 140 does not protrude from the top surface of the first lift 130 , the developing roller 51 of the developing cartridge 50 remains separated from the photosensitive drum 41 .
That is, when the moving cam 110 is positioned at the second position, the photosensitive drum 41 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the developing roller 51 is separated from the photosensitive drum 41 .

As shown in FIG. 7, when the cover C is positioned at the closed position, the moving cam 110 is positioned at the third position.
More specifically, when the moving cam 110 is at the third position, the first drum contact portion 135A contacts the first drum contact surface 118A, and the second drum contact portion 135B contacts the second drum contact surface 118B. Contact. At this time, the first lift 130 is in the raised position, and the photosensitive drum 41 of the drum cartridge 40 supported by the first lift 130 remains in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 63 . Further, when the moving cam 110 is positioned at the third position, the first developer contact portion 142 contacts the first developer contact surface 128A, and the second developer contact portion 144 contacts the second developer contact surface 128B. At this time, the second lift 140 protrudes upward from the guide hole 136 , and the developing cartridge 50 is pushed by the second lift 140 to rise relative to the drum cartridge 40 . Then, the developing roller 51 contacts the photosensitive drum 41 .
That is, when the moving cam 110 is positioned at the third position, the photosensitive drum 41 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the developing roller 51 contacts the photosensitive drum 41 .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the moving direction in which the moving cam 110 moves from the first position toward the third position, the downstream end of the first drum contact surface 118A is located near the first developer contact surface 128A. It is located downstream of the downstream end. Similarly, in the moving direction in which the moving cam 110 moves from the first position toward the third position, the downstream end of the second drum contact surface 118B is located downstream of the downstream end of the second developer contact surface 128B. .

According to such a configuration, the first drum contact portion 135A and the second drum contact portion 135B first ride on the first drum contact surface 118A and the second drum contact surface 118B, and then the first developer contact portion 142 and the second drum contact portion 142 and the second drum contact surface 118B. Since the developing contact portion 144 rides on the first developing contact surface 128A and the second developing contact surface 128B, the developing roller 51 contacts the photosensitive drum 41 after the photosensitive drum 41 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 63. become.
The distance between the downstream end of the first drum contact surface 118A and the downstream end of the first developer contact surface 128A and the distance between the downstream end of the second drum contact surface 118B and the downstream end of the second developer contact surface 128B are changed. By doing so, the timing at which the developing roller 51 and the photosensitive drum 41 contact after the photosensitive drum 41 and the intermediate transfer belt 63 contact can be changed.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment.
The contact between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the photosensitive drum 41 due to the movement of the drum cartridge 40 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the movement of the developing cartridge 50 with respect to the drum cartridge 40 can be controlled by the user from the open position without using a motor. It can be achieved by a single action of placing it in the closed position.

When the moving cam 110 moves in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover C, the first drum contact portion 135A of the first lift 130 comes into contact with the first drum separation surface 114A, the first drum inclined surface 116A, or the first drum contact surface 118A. By doing so, the height position of the first lift 130 is changed, and the drum cartridge 40 can be positioned at a predetermined position.

When the moving cam 110 moves in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover C, the first developer contact portion 142 of the second lift 140 comes into contact with the first developer separation surface 124A, the first developer inclined surface 126A, or the first developer contact surface 128A. By doing so, the height position of the second lift 140 is changed, and the developer cartridge 50 can be positioned at a predetermined position.

The first lift 130 has two drum contact portions 135A, 135B, the second lift has two developer contact portions 142, 144, and the moving cam 110 has two drum contact portions 135A, 135B and two developer contact portions 142. , 144, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge can be stably positioned.

Since the development guide protrusion 134 has a guide hole 136 and the second lift 140 can move in the guide hole 136, the drum cartridge 40 and the development cartridge 50 are moved with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 63 by the first lift 130. After the positioning of the photosensitive drum 41 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 63 is completed, the developing cartridge 50 is moved with respect to the drum cartridge 40 by the second lift 140, and the positioning of the developing roller 51 with respect to the photosensitive drum 41 can be performed. .

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific configuration can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

In the above-described embodiment, the first lift 130 raises the drum cartridge 40 and the developer cartridge 50 toward the intermediate transfer belt 63 in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover, and the second lift 140 further raises the developer cartridge 50. Although configured, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.
For example, a drum lift that engages with the upper surface 111 of the moving cam 110 to move the drum cartridge 40 upward and a development lift that engages with the upper surface 111 of the moving cam 110 to move the developing cartridge 50 upward are independent. It is good also as a structure which can move separately.
In such a configuration, the drum guide protrusion may be positioned on the upper surface of the drum lift, and the development guide protrusion may be positioned on the upper surface of the development lift.

In the above-described embodiment, the first lift 130 has the drum guide projection 133 and the development guide projection 134, the drum cartridge 40 has the drum groove 42, and the development cartridge 50 has the development groove 52. The disclosure is not limited to such configurations. For example, a drum guide groove may be used instead of the drum guide protrusion 133, and a drum protrusion may be used instead of the drum groove 42. Similarly, a development guide groove may be used instead of the development guide protrusion 134, and a development protrusion may be used instead of the development groove 52. Moreover, you may combine these arbitrarily.

In the above-described embodiment, the moving cam 110 includes one set (two) each of the drum separation surface 114, the drum inclined surface 116, the drum contact surface 118, the development separation surface 124, the development inclination surface 126, and the development contact surface 128. The first lift 130 has a first drum contact portion 135A and a second drum contact portion 135B, and the second lift 140 has a first developer contact portion 142 and a second developer contact portion 144, The present disclosure is not limited to such configurations, and any number may be used.
For example, the moving cam 110 has a drum spacing surface 114, a drum inclined surface 116, a drum contact surface 118, a developer spacing surface 124, a developer inclined surface 126, and a developer contact surface 128, respectively, and the first lift 130 has a , and the second lift 140 may have only one developer contact portion.
Further, the moving cam 110 may be configured without the developing separation surface.

In the above-described embodiment, the present disclosure is applied to the color printer 1, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the present disclosure can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as monochrome printers, copiers, multifunction machines, and the like. good too.

Each element described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be combined arbitrarily and implemented.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 color printer 2 main housing 22A opening C cover 40 drum cartridge 41 photosensitive drum 50 development cartridge 51 development roller 63 intermediate transfer belt 110 moving cam

Claims (14)

a body housing having an opening;
a cover movable between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening;
a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, the drum cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the main housing in the first direction;
a developing cartridge having a developing roller rotatable about a second shaft extending in the first direction, the developing cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the main housing in the first direction;
an intermediate transfer belt positioned above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing;
A moving cam positioned below the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state in which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted in the main housing, and is positioned at a first position when the cover is positioned at the open position. a moving cam positioned at a second position while the cover moves from the open position to the closed position and at a third position when the cover is at the closed position;
When the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the photosensitive drum is separated from the intermediate transfer belt, the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, and
when the moving cam is positioned at the second position, the photosensitive drum is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt, and the distance between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum is the first distance;
When the moving cam is positioned at the third position, the photosensitive drum is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt, and the distance between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum is a second distance shorter than the first distance. An image forming apparatus characterized by: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge are arranged side by side with the developer cartridge in a second direction intersecting the first direction in a state in which the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge are mounted in the main housing. image forming device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving cam is movable in the first direction as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position. The body housing includes a first lift and a second lift,
the first lift engages with the moving cam to move the drum cartridge upward;
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second lift engages with the moving cam to move the developer cartridge upward. The first lift includes a first drum contact portion that contacts the moving cam,
The moving cam is
a first drum spacing surface extending in the first direction;
a first drum inclined surface extending from the first drum separation surface toward the intermediate transfer belt, the first drum inclined surface being inclined with respect to the first direction;
a first drum contact surface extending in the first direction from the first drum inclined surface, the first drum contact surface being closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the first drum separation surface in the vertical direction;
the first drum inclined surface is positioned between the first drum separation surface and the first drum contact surface in the first direction;
when the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the first drum contact portion contacts the first drum separation surface;
the first drum contact portion contacts the first drum inclined surface while the moving cam moves from the first position to the second position;
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first drum contact portion contacts the first drum contact surface when the moving cam is positioned at the second position and the third position. The second lift includes a first development contact portion that contacts the moving cam,
The moving cam is
a first developing separation surface extending in the first direction;
a first development inclined surface extending from the first development separation surface toward the intermediate transfer belt, the first development inclination surface being inclined with respect to the first direction;
a first development contact surface extending in the first direction from the first development inclined surface, the first development contact surface being closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the first development separation surface in the vertical direction; ,
the first development inclined surface located between the first development separation surface and the first development contact surface in the first direction;
when the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the first development contact portion contacts the first development separation surface;
while the moving cam moves from the first position to the third position, the first development contact portion contacts the first development inclined surface;
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first development contact portion contacts the first development contact surface when the moving cam is positioned at the third position. A downstream end of the first drum contact surface is located downstream of a downstream end of the first developer contact surface in a moving direction in which the moving cam moves from the first position toward the third position. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by: The moving cam is
a second drum spacing surface positioned apart from the first drum spacing surface in the first direction;
a second drum inclined surface extending from the second drum spacing surface toward the intermediate transfer belt, the second drum inclined surface being inclined with respect to the first direction and positioned apart from the first drum inclined surface in the first direction; a second drum inclined surface to
a second drum contact surface extending in the first direction from the second drum inclined surface, the second drum contact surface being closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the second drum separation surface in the vertical direction; a second drum contact surface spaced from the first drum contact surface in one direction;
the second drum inclined surface is positioned between the second drum separation surface and the second drum contact surface in the first direction;
the first lift includes a second drum contact portion that contacts the moving cam, the second drum contact portion being positioned apart from the first drum contact portion in the first direction;
when the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the second drum contact portion contacts the second drum separation surface;
the second drum contact portion contacts the second drum inclined surface while the moving cam moves from the first position to the second position;
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second drum contact portion contacts the second drum contact surface when the moving cam is positioned at the second position and the third position. The moving cam is
a second development separation surface positioned apart from the first development separation surface in the first direction;
a second developing inclined surface extending from the second developing separation surface toward the intermediate transfer belt, the second inclined developing surface being inclined with respect to the first direction and positioned apart from the first inclined developing surface in the first direction; a second development inclined surface to
a second development contact surface extending in the first direction from the second development inclined surface, the second development contact surface being closer to the intermediate transfer belt than the second development separation surface in the vertical direction; a second developer contact surface spaced from the first developer contact surface in one direction;
the second developer inclined surface is positioned between the second developer separation surface and the second developer contact surface in the first direction;
the second lift includes a second development contact portion that contacts the moving cam and is located apart from the first development contact portion in the first direction;
when the moving cam is positioned at the first position, the second development contact portion contacts the second development separation surface;
while the moving cam moves from the first position to the third position, the second development contact portion contacts the second development inclined surface;
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second developer contact portion contacts the second developer contact surface when the moving cam is positioned at the third position. A downstream end of the second drum contact surface is located downstream of a downstream end of the second developer contact surface in a moving direction in which the moving cam moves from the first position toward the third position. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by: The first lift is
a drum guide protrusion extending in the first direction for guiding the drum cartridge;
a development guide protrusion extending in the first direction for guiding the development cartridge;
The drum cartridge has a drum groove guided by the drum guide projection,
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the developing cartridge has a developing groove guided by the developing guide projection. The development guide protrusion has a guide hole,
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second lift is movable within said guide hole. 13. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a paper discharge unit for discharging paper, the paper discharge unit being positioned above the intermediate transfer belt. forming device. 14. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a paper feeding unit for feeding paper, the paper feeding unit positioned below the moving cam. Device.

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