JP7516937B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an image forming device equipped with a lock lever that locks a cartridge in a drawer.

Conventionally, there is known an image forming device that includes a drawer that can be moved from inside the main body housing to outside the main body housing, a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the drawer, and a lock lever that locks the cartridge to the drawer (see Patent Document 1). In this technology, the lock lever is rotatable around a rotation axis that extends in the direction in which the drawer moves between a lock position that locks the cartridge and an unlock position that unlocks the cartridge.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0142348

However, there are cases where a user mistakenly moves the drawer into the main body housing when the lock lever is in the unlocked position. In this case, there is a risk that the drawer will be installed into the main body housing without the cartridge being locked to the drawer. In other words, there is a risk that a printing operation will be performed without the cartridge being positioned relative to the drawer. As a result, image quality may be affected.

The present disclosure therefore aims to provide an image forming device that can lock the cartridge in the drawer with the lock lever even if the user moves the drawer into the main body housing while the lock lever is in the unlocked position.

In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a main body housing, a drawer movable in a first direction between a first position within the main body housing and a second position outside the main body housing, and a cartridge that is detachable from the drawer.
The drawer has a lock lever that is rotatable about a lever shaft that extends in the first direction between a lock position where the cartridge is locked to the drawer and an unlock position where the cartridge is unlocked from the drawer.
When the cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock lever is in the unlocked position, when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position, the lock lever comes into contact with a part of the main body housing and rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position.

According to this configuration, when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position while the lock lever is in the unlocked position, the lock lever comes into contact with a part of the main body housing and rotates to the locked position, so that the cartridge can be locked to the drawer by the lock lever.

The cartridge may also have a photosensitive drum that is rotatable about a drum axis that extends in a second direction that intersects with the first direction.

The lock lever may be rotatable between the lock position, the unlock position, and an open position that is farther from the lock position than the unlock position, and the drawer may include a first spring that biases the lock lever from the open position to the unlock position.

With this configuration, the lock lever can be rotated to the open position, making it easier to remove the cartridge. In addition, when the lock lever is released after being rotated to the open position, the first spring returns the lock lever to the unlocked position, so that the lock lever can be reliably rotated to the locked position when the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position.

The drawer may also be capable of detachably mounting a plurality of the cartridges, and may have the lock lever for each of the plurality of cartridges.

Furthermore, the plurality of cartridges and the plurality of lock levers may be aligned in the first direction.

The main body housing may have an opening through which the drawer can pass, the opening being located at one end of the main body housing in the first direction, and an inclined surface located at the one end of the main body housing in the first direction, the inclined surface inclining toward the drawer in a second direction intersecting the first direction as it moves from the second position toward the first position, and when the cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock lever is located at the unlocked position, the lock lever may come into contact with the inclined surface when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position.

The main body housing may also have a restricting surface that restricts the lock lever from rotating from the locked position to the unlocked position, the restricting surface extending from the inclined surface toward the other end of the main body housing in the first direction.

The main body housing may have an inner surface of the housing that faces the drawer located at the first position in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing, and the protrusion may have at least a portion of the inclined surface and the regulating surface.

The lock lever may also include a pressing member that presses the cartridge against the drawer.

The pressing member may also have a contact member that contacts the cartridge and a second spring that biases the contact member toward the cartridge.

The lock lever may have a side wall that faces the cartridge in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the lock lever is in the locked position, and a protrusion that protrudes from the side wall in the second direction to the opposite side to the cartridge when the lock lever is in the locked position, and when the cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock lever is in the unlocked position, the protrusion may come into contact with the portion of the main body housing when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position.

According to the present disclosure, even if the user moves the drawer into the main body housing while the lock lever is in the unlocked position, the cartridge can be locked in the drawer by the lock lever.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the drawer is pulled out to the outside of the main body housing. 13A and 13B are perspective views showing a state of the drawer when the lock lever is in a locked position. 13A and 13B are perspective views showing a state of the drawer when the lock lever is in an unlocked position. 1A is a perspective view showing one end of the cartridge in the second direction, FIG. 1B is a side view showing the structure of one end of the drawer in the second direction, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing a first lock lever. 1A is a perspective view showing the other end of the cartridge in the second direction, FIG. 1B is a side view showing the structure of the other end of the drawer in the second direction, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing a second lock lever. 1A is a diagram showing the locked position, unlocked position, and open position of a first lock lever, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the locked position, unlocked position, and open position of a second lock lever. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the drawer is pulled out to the outside of the main body housing. FIG. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between a lock lever and a main body housing. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing the action of each part of the main body housing when the drawer is attached to the main body housing.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
1, a color printer 1, which is an example of an image forming apparatus, includes a main body housing 2, a sheet supply unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and a discharge unit 5. The sheet supply unit 3 supplies a sheet S to the image forming unit 4. The image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S. The discharge unit 5 discharges the sheet S to the main body housing 2.

The main body housing 2 has an opening 2A and a front cover 21. The front cover 21 is rotatable between an open position (see FIG. 2) in which the opening 10A is open, and a closed position in which the opening 10A is closed.

The sheet supply unit 3 is located at the bottom inside the main body housing 2. The sheet supply unit 3 includes a supply tray 31 and a supply mechanism 32. The supply tray 31 is detachable from the main body housing 2. The supply mechanism 32 transports the sheet S from the supply tray 31 to the image forming unit 4.

The image forming unit 4 includes a drum unit DU, a scanner unit SU, a belt unit BU, and a fixing unit FU.

The drum unit DU includes a drawer 40 and four cartridges 50. The drawer 40 can accommodate the four cartridges 50. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the drawer 40 is movable in a first direction relative to the main body housing 2. More specifically, the drawer 40 can pass through an opening 2A of the main body housing 2 and move between a first position inside the main body housing 2 and a second position outside the main body housing 2.

Here, the opening 2A is an opening through which the drawer 40 can pass. The opening 2A is located at one end E1 of the main body housing 2 in the first direction.

The first position is the position of the drawer 40 when an image is formed on the sheet S. The second position is the position of the drawer 40 when the cartridge 50 is attached to or detached from the drawer 40. In this embodiment, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, which will be described later, and the third direction, which is the up-down direction.

The four cartridges 50 each contain a different color toner. The four cartridges 50 are lined up in a first direction. Each cartridge 50 is detachable from the drawer 40. Each cartridge 50 includes a photosensitive drum 51 and a developing roller 52. Although not shown, each cartridge 50 also includes a charging roller that charges the photosensitive drum 51.

The photosensitive drum 51 is rotatable about a drum axis X1 that extends in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. In this embodiment, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction.

The developing roller 52 is a roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 51. The developing roller 52 is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the drum axis X1.

The scanner unit SU is located above the drum unit DU. The scanner unit SU emits laser light to each photosensitive drum 51.

The belt unit BU is located below the drum unit DU. The belt unit BU includes a drive roller 61, a driven roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt 63, four primary transfer rollers 64, and a secondary transfer roller 65.

The intermediate transfer belt 63 is an endless belt. The drive roller 61 and the driven roller 62 are rollers that rotate the intermediate transfer belt 63.

The drive roller 61, the driven roller 62, and the primary transfer roller 64 are located inside the intermediate transfer belt 63. The primary transfer roller 64 and the photosensitive drum 51 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 63.

The secondary transfer roller 65 is located outside the intermediate transfer belt 63. The secondary transfer roller 65 and the drive roller 61 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 63.

The fixing unit FU is located above the intermediate transfer belt 63. The fixing unit FU includes a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72. The pressure roller 72 is pressed against the heating roller 71.

The discharge section 5 is located at the top of the main body housing 2. The discharge section 5 includes a discharge roller 9 and a discharge tray 22. The discharge roller 9 transports the sheet S toward the discharge tray 22.

In the color printer 1, the charging roller first charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 51. Then, the scanner unit SU exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to light. This forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51.

Next, the developing roller 52 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51. This forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 51. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 51 is then transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 63.

When the sheet S passes between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the secondary transfer roller 65, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 63 is transferred onto the sheet S. The toner image on the sheet S is then fixed by the fixing unit FU. The sheet S is then discharged onto the discharge tray 22 by the discharge roller 9.

As shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), the drawer 40 includes a frame F, four first lock levers R1, and four second lock levers R2. The frame F is a frame for mounting the cartridge 50. The frame F has a first side frame F1, a second side frame F2, a third side frame F3, and a fourth side frame F4.

The first side frame F1 and the second side frame F2 are arranged with a gap between them in the second direction. When the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40, the first side frame F1 comes into contact with one end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. When the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40, the second side frame F2 comes into contact with the other end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction.

The third side frame F3 and the fourth side frame F4 are arranged at a distance in the first direction. The third side frame F3 and the fourth side frame F4 connect the first side frame F1 and the second side frame F2. More specifically, the third side frame F3 connects one end of the first side frame F1 in the first direction to one end of the second side frame F2 in the first direction. The fourth side frame F4 connects the other end of the first side frame F1 in the first direction to the other end of the second side frame F2 in the first direction.

The first lock lever R1 and the second lock lever R2 are levers for locking the cartridge 50 to the drawer 40. More specifically, the first lock lever R1 and the second lock lever R2 lock the cartridge 50 to the frame F.

The four first lock levers R1 are located at one end of the drawer 40 in the second direction. More specifically, the four first lock levers R1 are located on the first side frame F1. The four first lock levers R1 are lined up in the first direction. The four first lock levers R1 are provided for each of the four cartridges 50. More specifically, each first lock lever R1 is located at one end side of the corresponding cartridge 50 in the second direction.

The four second lock levers R2 are located at the other end of the drawer 40 in the second direction. More specifically, the four second lock levers R2 are located on the second side frame F2. The four second lock levers R2 are lined up in the first direction. The four second lock levers R2 are provided for each of the four cartridges 50. More specifically, each second lock lever R2 is located at the other end side of the corresponding cartridge 50 in the second direction.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), the first lock lever R1 is rotatable about a first lever axis X2 extending in a first direction. The first lock lever R1 is rotatably attached to the first side frame F1.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), the second lock lever R2 is rotatable about a second lever axis X3 extending in the first direction. The second lock lever R2 is rotatably attached to the second side frame F2.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), the cartridge 50 has a first side 511, a cover 512, a first boss 513, a first protrusion 514, a developing electrode 515, a drum earth terminal 516, a charging electrode 517, a supply electrode 518, and a memory M. The first side 511 is located at one end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. The cover 512, the first boss 513, the first protrusion 514, the developing electrode 515, the drum earth terminal 516, the charging electrode 517, and the supply electrode 518 protrude from the first side 511. The developing electrode 515, the drum earth terminal 516, the charging electrode 517, and the supply electrode 518 are arranged in this order in the first direction.

The cover 512 extends in the second direction from the first side 511. The memory M is attached to the underside of the cover 512. In other words, the cover 512 covers the memory M from above.

The memory M stores cartridge information related to the cartridge 50. The memory M is, for example, an IC chip. Note that the memory M is not limited to an IC chip as long as it is a medium that stores cartridge information. The cartridge information is at least one of identification information such as a serial number and life information related to the life of the cartridge.

The memory M has a memory element and electrical contacts (not shown). The electrical contacts are located at one end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. The electrical contacts are located on the underside of the memory M. The electrical contacts face downward. When the drawer 40 with the cartridge 50 installed is installed in the main body housing 2, the electrical contacts come into contact with the main body contacts of the main body housing 2. Note that the memory element of the memory M may be in contact with the electrical contacts or may be located separately.

The first boss 513 is a cylinder centered on the drum axis X1. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the first protrusion 514 is located between the developing electrode 515 and the drum axis X1 in the third direction. The first side frame F1 of the drawer 40 has a recess F11. The first boss 513 fits into the recess F11 when the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40.

The developing electrode 515 is electrically connected to the developing roller 52. The developing electrode 515 is an electrode for supplying voltage to the developing roller 52.

The drum earth terminal 516 is electrically connected to the photosensitive drum 51. The drum earth terminal 516 is a terminal for earthing the shaft of the photosensitive drum 51.

The charging electrode 517 is electrically connected to a charging roller (not shown) that charges the photosensitive drum 51. The charging electrode 517 is an electrode for supplying a voltage to the charging roller.

The supply electrode 518 is electrically connected to a supply roller (not shown) that supplies toner to the developing roller 52. The supply electrode 518 is an electrode for supplying a voltage to the supply roller.

As shown in Figures 5(c) and (d), the first lock lever R1 has a side wall R11 and a protrusion R12. The side wall R11 faces the cartridge 50 in the second direction when the first lock lever R1 is located at a lock position P1 (described later) (see Figure 7(a)). The lower end of the side wall R11 is rotatably attached to the first side frame F1 (see Figure 5(b)).

When the first lock lever R1 is located at a lock position P1 described below, the protrusion R12 protrudes from the side wall R11 to the side opposite the cartridge 50 (see FIG. 7A). When the first lock lever R1 is located at the lock position, the protrusion R12 is located between the memory M and the developing electrode 515, the drum earth terminal 516, the charging electrode 517, and the supply electrode 518 in the third direction. In the following description, the "developing electrode 515, the drum earth terminal 516, the charging electrode 517, and the supply electrode 518" are also referred to as the "developing electrode 515, etc."

The protrusion R12 has a curved surface R121. The curved surface R121 is located at the downstream end in the mounting direction of the drawer 40. Here, the mounting direction of the drawer 40 is the direction from the second position toward the first position. The curved surface R121 is an arc-shaped curved surface centered on an axis parallel to the third direction when the first lock lever R1 is located at a lock position P1 described below.

The first lock lever R1 further includes a pressing member 80. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the pressing member 80 is a member that presses the cartridge 50 against the drawer 40. More specifically, the pressing member 80 presses the cartridge 50 against the first side frame F1. The pressing member 80 includes a contact member 81 and a second spring 82.

The contact member 81 is a member that comes into contact with the first protrusion 514 of the cartridge 50. The contact member 81 is movably attached to the side wall R11.

The second spring 82 is a spring that biases the contact member 81 toward the first protrusion 514 of the cartridge 50. The second spring 82 is located between the side wall R11 and the contact member 81.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the cartridge 50 has a second side surface 521, a second boss 522, a third boss 523, and a second convex portion 524. The second side surface 521 is located at the other end of the cartridge 50 in the second direction. The second boss 522, the third boss 523, and the second convex portion 524 protrude from the second side surface 521.

The second boss 522 is a cylinder. The development coupling C1 for supplying a driving force to the development roller 52 and the like is located within the second boss 522 and can rotate relative to the second boss 522. The third boss 523 is a cylinder centered on the drum axis X1. The drum coupling C2 for supplying a driving force to the photosensitive drum 51 is located within the third boss 523 and can rotate relative to the third boss 523.

As shown in FIG. 6(b), the second protrusion 524 is located between the center 522A of the second boss 522 and the drum axis X1 in the third direction. The second side frame F2 of the drawer 40 has a recess F21. The third boss 523 fits into the recess F21 when the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40.

As shown in Figures 6(c) and (d), the second lock lever R2 has a side wall R21 and a protrusion R22. The side wall R21 faces the cartridge 50 in the second direction when the second lock lever R2 is located at a lock position P4 (described later) (see Figure 7(b)). The lower end of the side wall R21 is rotatably attached to the second side frame F2 (see Figure 6(b)). The side wall R21 has a hole R211 into which the second boss 522 fits.

When the second lock lever R2 is located at a lock position P4 described later, the protrusion R22 protrudes from the side wall R21 toward the opposite side to the cartridge 50 (see FIG. 7(b)). The protrusion R22 has a curved surface R221. The curved surface R221 is located at the downstream end of the protrusion R22 in the mounting direction of the drawer 40. The curved surface R221 is an arc-shaped curved surface centered on an axis parallel to the third direction when the second lock lever R2 is located at a lock position P4 described later.

The second lock lever R2 further includes a pressing member 90. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the pressing member 90 is a member that presses the cartridge 50 against the drawer 40. More specifically, the pressing member 90 presses the cartridge 50 against the second side frame F2. The pressing member 90 includes a contact member 91 and a second spring 92.

The contact member 91 is a member that comes into contact with the second protrusion 524 of the cartridge 50. The contact member 91 is movably attached to the side wall R21.

The second spring 92 is a spring that biases the contact member 91 toward the second protrusion 524 of the cartridge 50. The second spring 82 is located between the side wall R21 and the contact member 91.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), the first lock lever R1 can be rotated between a locked position P1, an unlocked position P2, and an open position P3. In other words, the first lock lever R1 can be rotated from the locked position P1, through the unlocked position P2, to the open position P3.

The lock position P1 is a position where the first lock lever R1 locks the cartridge 50 to the drawer 40. When the first lock lever R1 is in the lock position P1, the pressing member 80 comes into contact with the first protrusion 514 and presses the cartridge 50 with a predetermined pressing force.

When the first lock lever R1 is in the lock position P1, if the cartridge 50 is projected upward (upstream in the direction in which the cartridge 50 is inserted into the drawer 40), the cartridge 50 overlaps with the side wall R11 of the first lock lever R1. Here, "projected upward" means that light is applied from below.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the first lock lever R1 is in the lock position P1, a portion of the side wall R11 is located above the developing electrode 515, etc. Also, when the first lock lever R1 is in the lock position P1, a portion of the side wall R11 is located below the memory M.

The unlocked position P2 is a position where the cartridge 50 is released from the drawer 40 by the first lock lever R1. When the first lock lever R1 is in the unlocked position P2, the pressing member 80 is disengaged from the first convex portion 514. As a result, the biasing force of the pressing member 80 when the first lock lever R1 is in the unlocked position P2 is smaller than the biasing force of the pressing member 80 when the first lock lever R1 is in the locked position P1.

When the first lock lever R1 is in the unlocked position P2, the cartridge 50 does not overlap with the first lock lever R1 even when projected upward. In other words, a part of the side wall R11 that was located above the developing electrode 515, etc. when the first lock lever R1 is in the locked position P1 is located in a different position in the second direction from the developing electrode 515, etc. at the unlocked position P2. This makes it possible to remove the cartridge 50 from the drawer 40 when the first lock lever R1 is in the unlocked position P2 without the developing electrode 515, etc. interfering with the first lock lever R1. Also, when the first lock lever R1 is in the unlocked position P2, a part of the side wall R11 is located in a different position in the second direction from the memory M.

The open position P3 is a position farther from the locked position P1 than the unlocked position P2. The biasing force of the pressing member 80 when the first lock lever R1 is in the open position P3 is smaller than the biasing force of the pressing member 80 when the first lock lever R1 is in the locked position P1. In the open position P3, the position of the upper part of the first lock lever R1 can be further away from the cartridge 50 than in the unlocked position P2.

As shown in FIG. 7(b), the second lock lever R2 can rotate between a locked position P4, an unlocked position P5, and an open position P6. The positional relationship between the second lock lever R2 and the cartridge 50 at the locked position P4, the unlocked position P5, and the open position P6 is substantially the same as the positional relationship between the first lock lever R1 and the cartridge 50 at the locked position P1, the unlocked position P2, and the open position P3 described above, so only the differences will be described below.

When the second lock lever R2 is in the locked position P4, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the second boss 522 is in the hole R211 of the second lock lever R2. When the second lock lever R2 is in the unlocked position P5, the hole R211 of the second lock lever R2 is located at a different position from the second boss 522 in the second direction. In other words, the second boss 522 is located outside the hole R211.

As shown in Fig. 5(d) and Fig. 6(d), the drawer 40 further includes a first spring 41. The first spring 41 is a spring for holding the lock levers R1 and R2 in the unlocked positions P2 and P4. Note that the first spring 41 on the first lock lever R1 side and the first spring 41 on the second lock lever R2 side have substantially the same structure and function, so below only the first spring 41 on the first lock lever R1 side will be described as a representative.

When the first lock lever R1 is located at the open position P3, the first spring 41 biases the first lock lever R1 from the open position P3 to the unlocked position P2. When the first lock lever R1 is located at the locked position P1, the first spring 41 biases the first lock lever R1 from the locked position P1 to the unlocked position P2.

Here, the biasing force of the second spring 82 is greater than the biasing force of the first spring 41. More specifically, the force of the second spring 82 to hold the first lock lever R1 in the locked position P1 is greater than the force of the first spring 41 to press the first lock lever R1 toward the unlocked position P2. As a result, in the locked position P1, the biasing force of the first spring 41 does not cause the first lock lever R1 to move from the locked position P1. When the first lock lever R1 is located between the locked position P1 and the unlocked position P2, more specifically, when the pressing member 80 is disengaged from the first convex portion 514, the biasing force of the first spring 41 causes the first lock lever R1 to rotate toward the unlocked position P2.

The first spring 41 is a torsion spring. One end of the first spring 41 contacts the first lock lever R1. The other end of the first spring 41 contacts the frame F.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main body housing 2 has a first wall 210 and a second wall 220. The first wall 210 is located at one end of the main body housing 2 in the second direction. The second wall 220 is located at the other end of the main body housing 2 in the second direction.

The second wall 220 has an inner surface 221, a protrusion 222, and an inclined surface 223. The inner surface 221 faces the drawer 40 in the first position in the second direction (see FIG. 10(c)). The protrusion 222 protrudes from the inner surface 221. The protrusion 222 extends along the first direction.

When the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40 and the second lock lever R2 is in the unlocked position P5, the inclined surface 223 comes into contact with the second lock lever R2 and rotates the second lock lever R2 from the unlocked position P5 to the locked position P4 when the drawer 40 moves from the second position to the first position. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 9, the inclined surface 223 is capable of coming into contact with the curved surface R221 of the protruding portion R22 of the second lock lever R2 that is in the unlocked position P5.

The inclined surface 223 is located at one end E1 of the main body housing 2 in the first direction. The inclined surface 223 is inclined with respect to the first direction. More specifically, the inclined surface 223 is inclined so as to approach the drawer 40 in the second direction as it moves downstream in the attachment direction of the drawer 40. When the drawer 40 is in the second position and the second lock lever R2 is in the unlocked position P5, the inclined surface 223 faces the protrusion R22 of the second lock lever R2 in the first direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 222 has a portion of the inclined surface 223. More specifically, the portion of the inclined surface 223 is located at the upstream end of the protrusion 222 in the mounting direction of the drawer 40.

The protrusion 222 further has a restricting surface 224. The restricting surface 224 is a surface that restricts the second lock lever R2 from rotating from the locked position P4 to the unlocked position P5. The restricting surface 224 extends from the inclined surface 223 toward the other end E2 of the main body housing 2 in the first direction (see FIG. 10(a)). When the drawer 40 is located in the first position, the restricting surface 224 faces the protruding portion R22 of the second lock lever R2 (see FIG. 10(c)).

9, the first wall 210 has a housing inner surface 211, a protrusion 212, an inclined surface 213, and a restricting surface 214. The housing inner surface 211, the protrusion 212, the inclined surface 213, and the restricting surface 214 have substantially the same configurations and functions as the housing inner surface 221, the protrusion 222, the inclined surface 223, and the restricting surface 224 of the second wall 220, and therefore detailed explanations are omitted. Below, only the inclined surface 213 will be briefly explained.

When the cartridge 50 is attached to the drawer 40 and the first lock lever R1 is in the unlocked position P2, the inclined surface 213 comes into contact with the first lock lever R1 and rotates the first lock lever R1 from the unlocked position P2 to the locked position P1 when the drawer 40 moves from the second position to the first position. More specifically, the inclined surface 213 is capable of coming into contact with the curved surface R121 of the protruding portion R12 of the first lock lever R1 that is in the unlocked position P2.

Next, the function and effect of each part of the main body 2 when replacing the cartridge 50 will be described.
When removing the cartridge 50 from the main body housing 2, the user first moves the drawer 40 from a first position inside the main body housing 2 to a second position outside the main body housing 2, as shown in Fig. 2. Then, the user rotates the lock levers R1 and R2 from their respective lock positions P1 and P4 to their unlocked positions P2 and P5, as shown in Fig. 7. This releases the lock of the cartridge 50 to the drawer 40 by the first lock lever R1 and the second lock lever R2.

Note that at this time, if the user releases the first lock lever R1 before the first lock lever R1 reaches the unlocked position P2, the first lock lever R1 will rotate to the unlocked position P2 due to the biasing force of the first spring 41. As a result, compared to a structure that does not have the first spring 41, the first lock lever R1 stops between the locked position P1 and the unlocked position P2, making it possible to prevent the developing electrode 515 and the like from interfering with the first lock lever R1 when the cartridge 50 is removed.

In addition, even if the user rotates the first lock lever R1 to the open position P3, when the user releases the first lock lever R1, the first lock lever R1 rotates to the unlocked position P2 due to the biasing force of the first spring 41. In other words, after the user releases the lock set by the first lock lever R1, no matter at what position the user releases the first lock lever R1, the first lock lever R1 rotates to the unlocked position P2 and is held at the unlocked position P2. The same applies to the second lock lever R2.

The user then removes the cartridge 50 from the drawer 40. After that, the user installs a new cartridge 50 into the drawer 40.

Then, when the user moves the drawer 40 from the second position to the first position while keeping the lock levers R1 and R2 in their respective unlocked positions P2 and P5, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the lock levers R1 and R2 located in the unlocked positions P2 and P5 come into contact with a part of the main body housing 2, more specifically, with the inclined surfaces 213 and 223.

When the user then moves the drawer 40 further toward the first position, the inclined surfaces 213, 223 push the lock levers R1, R2, causing them to rotate from their respective unlocked positions P2, P5 to their respective locked positions P1, P4, as shown in Figures 10(b) and 10(c). This causes the cartridge 50 to be locked to the drawer 40 by the lock levers R1, R2.

After each of the lock levers R1 and R2 reaches its respective lock position P1 or P4, the lock levers R1 and R2 face the respective regulating surfaces 214 and 224 of the main body housing 2 in the second direction. This restricts the rotation of each of the lock levers R1 and R2 from its respective lock position P1 or P4 to its respective unlock position P2 or P5 by the respective regulating surfaces 214 and 224.

As described above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment.
When the drawer 40 is moved from the second position to the first position while the lock levers R1, R2 are in the unlocked positions P2, P5, the lock levers R1, R2 come into contact with the inclined surfaces 213, 223 of the main housing 2 and rotate to the lock positions P1, P4, so that the cartridge 50 can be locked to the drawer 40 by the lock levers R1, R2 even if the user forgets to lock it.

The lock levers R1 and R2 can be rotated to the open positions P3 and P6, making it easier to remove the cartridge 50. Furthermore, when the lock levers R1 and R2 are released after being rotated to the open positions P3 and P6, the first springs 41 return the lock levers R1 and R2 to the unlocked positions P2 and P5. This ensures that the lock levers R1 and R2 come into contact with the inclined surfaces 213 and 223 of the main body housing 2 when the drawer 40 is moved from the second position to the first position, allowing the lock levers R1 and R2 to be rotated to the locked positions P1 and P4.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below. In the following description, components having substantially the same structure as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the part of the main body housing 2 that comes into contact with the lock levers R1, R2 is the inclined surface 213, 223 that is inclined with respect to the first direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the part of the main body housing 2 that comes into contact with the lock levers R1, R2 may be a surface that is perpendicular to the first direction. Even in this case, for example, by making the curved surfaces R121, R221 of the lock levers R1, R2 a surface that is inclined with respect to the first direction, the lock levers R1, R2 can be rotated from the unlocked position P2, P5 to the locked position P1, P4 by a part of the main body housing 2.

In the above embodiment, the protrusions 212, 222 are configured to have a portion of the inclined surface 213, 223, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, the protrusions may have the entire inclined surface.

In the above embodiment, the main body housing 2 has a structure including the protrusions 212, 222, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the protrusions may be omitted. In this case, the inner surface of the housing may function as a regulating surface.

In the above embodiment, the main body housing 2 is configured to have the regulating surfaces 214, 224, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the regulating surfaces may be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the lock levers R1 and R2 are configured to have protrusions R12 and R22, but the protrusions R12 and R22 do not have to be present. For example, an inclined surface may contact the side wall of the lock lever.

In the above embodiment, when the first lock lever R1 is located at the unlocked position P2, the cartridge 50 is configured not to overlap with the first lock lever R1 even when projected upstream in the mounting direction of the cartridge 50 to the drawer 40, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the first lock lever R1 is located at the unlocked position P2, the cartridge 50 may be configured to overlap with the first lock lever R1 when projected upstream in the mounting direction of the cartridge 50 to the drawer 40. In this case, when removing the cartridge 50 from the drawer 40, it is sufficient to rotate the first lock lever R1 to the open position P3.

In the above embodiment, the lock levers R1 and R2 are rotatable from the lock positions P1 and P4 to the release positions P3 and P6, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the lock levers may be rotatable from the lock position to the unlocked position. In this case, the first spring may not be necessary, and the lock levers may be held in the unlocked position by contacting the frame.

In the above embodiment, a color printer 1 is exemplified as an image forming device, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the image forming device may be, for example, a monochrome printer, copier, multifunction device, etc.

The first spring 41 and the second spring 82 are not limited to the springs in the above embodiment, but may be other springs, such as leaf springs or wire springs.

The elements described in the above embodiments and variations may be implemented in any combination.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 color printer 2 main body housing 40 drawer 50 cartridge 213 inclined surface 223 inclined surface P1 locked position P2 unlocked position P4 locked position P5 unlocked position R1 first lock lever R2 second lock lever X2 first lever shaft X3 second lever shaft

Claims (11)

A main body housing;
a drawer movable in a first direction between a first position inside the main body housing and a second position outside the main body housing;
a cartridge that is detachably attached to the drawer,
The drawer includes:
a lock lever that is rotatable about a lever shaft that extends in the first direction between a lock position at which the cartridge is locked to the drawer and an unlock position at which the cartridge is unlocked from the drawer,
an image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock lever is positioned at the unlocked position, when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position, the lock lever comes into contact with a part of the main body housing and rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position. The image forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cartridge has a photosensitive drum that can rotate about a drum axis that extends in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. the lock lever is rotatable between the lock position, the unlock position, and an open position that is farther from the lock position than the unlock position,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawer includes a first spring that biases the lock lever from the open position to the unlocked position. The drawer includes:
The cartridges are removable,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lock lever is provided for each of the plurality of cartridges. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cartridges and the lock levers are aligned in the first direction. The main body housing includes:
an opening through which the drawer can pass, the opening being located at one end of the main body housing in the first direction;
an inclined surface located at the one end of the main body housing in the first direction, the inclined surface inclining toward the drawer in a second direction intersecting the first direction as the inclined surface moves in a direction from the second position toward the first position;
6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock lever is in the unlocked position, the lock lever comes into contact with the inclined surface when the drawer moves from the second position to the first position. The main body housing includes:
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a regulating surface that regulates the rotation of the lock lever from the lock position to the unlock position, the regulating surface extending from the inclined surface toward the other end of the main body housing in the first direction. The main body housing includes:
an inner surface of the housing facing the drawer located at the first position in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
a protrusion protruding from an inner surface of the housing;
The protrusion is
At least a portion of the inclined surface;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising: the regulating surface. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lock lever is provided with a pressing member that presses the cartridge against the drawer. The pressing member is
a contact member that contacts the cartridge;
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a second spring for urging the contact member toward the cartridge. The lock lever is
a side wall that faces the cartridge in a second direction intersecting with the first direction when the lock lever is located at the lock position;
a protrusion that protrudes from the side wall in the second direction to a side opposite to the cartridge when the lock lever is located at the lock position,
11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the drawer is moved from the second position to the first position while the cartridge is attached to the drawer and the lock lever is in the unlocked position, the protrusion comes into contact with the portion of the main body housing.

Images