JPH01177045A - Attaching and detaching mechanism for process cartridge of image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To widen an attaching and detaching work space and to improve the operability by constituting the title mechanism in such a manner that a first device opening state for opening only a device opening member, and a second device opening state for following up the opening of the device opening member and opening a process cartridge, as well, as one body therewith can be selected arbitrarily. CONSTITUTION:By opening and turning a sheet material carrying unit B against holding-back force of a first engaging means 40, 41 and 31 centering around a supporting shaft D from a device body A, in a state that a PC cartridge C remains behind in the device body A, only the sheet material carrying unit B is inclined greatly until it is received by a stopper member to this side of the device centering around the supporting shaft D and can be set to the first device opening state. On the other hand, by inclining and opening the sheet material carrying unit B in a state that a second operating arm 45 has been drawn in the X direction of this side, the second device opening state that the PC cartridge C is also exposed to the outside of the device body A as one body with the unit B is set. In such a way, an attaching and detaching work space can be widened.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] Undiscovered 1 is an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic device, an electrostatic recording device, a laser beam printer (LBP), and more specifically, an image forming method using a process cartridge attachment/detachment method. Regarding equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism of the image forming apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

An image forming apparatus with a removable process cartridge is a device that uses a specific device 1, such as an image carrier (electrophotographic photoreceptor, electrostatic recording dielectric, etc.) among all process devices for image formation.
A device in which electrical appliances, a developing device table cleaning device, etc. are assembled into a common housing (frame) as a unit that can be freely attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus in a predetermined mutual positional relationship. It is.

Regarding the image bearing member, developing device, etc. contained in the process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as PC cartridge), if the image bearing member reaches the end of its durability (repetitive use life), or if the developer stored in a predetermined amount in the developing device When (toner) is used up or malfunction occurs due to malfunction, etc., the user should remove the PC cartridge that has reached the end of its useful life or has malfunctioned from the image forming apparatus, and install a new PC cartridge. Since cartridges are installed and used interchangeably, there is no need to rely on service personnel with specialized knowledge, improving the maintainability and serviceability of the image forming apparatus. Or multiple PC cartridges with different functions such as developing colors? F. By preparing a PC cartridge for a desired device and using it in the main body of the image forming apparatus, there is an advantage that one image forming apparatus can be used for multiple functions. This type of compact and lightweight image forming bag 2 has already been put into practical use as one of the construction methods.

In an image forming apparatus that uses a removable PC cartridge, the front cover of the image forming apparatus is folded open toward the front of the image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body) centering on the hinge part on the lower side, and the inside of the apparatus main body is wide open. There are many configurations in which the front cover is folded open and the PC cartridge installed inside the device body is taken out, or conversely, the PC cartridge is installed inside the device body.

Maintenance and inspection inside the device, jammed sheet materials (transfer paper, etc.)
Removal of recording paper, etc.) is also carried out by folding down and opening the front cover to open the inside of the apparatus, and if necessary, temporarily removing the PC cartridge.

The front cover is used as a sheet material conveyance unit, and a sheet material guide plate, conveyance sheet material registration means, image transfer means, image-transferred sheet material conveyance means, etc. are assembled on the inner side of the front cover.
There is also a device in which maintenance and inspection of the sheet material transport system, removal of jammed sheet material, etc. can be carried out more quickly in the cylinder by opening the front cover as a sheet material transporting unit from the main body of the apparatus.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The following are the problems with configurations in which the opening/closing cover of the apparatus main body or the opening/closing cover as a sheet material transport unit is tilted open to the front and the PC cartridge is inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body, as shown in item L. can be mentioned.

■ When installing or removing a PC cartridge from the main body of the device, the cover that is folded open will protrude from the front side of the main body of the device. The operator has to grasp and hold the PC cartridge inside the device to remove it and then install it, which forces the operator to lean forward in an unstable or unreasonable posture to install or remove the PC cartridge. Bad sex. Furthermore, removing the PC cartridge 77 in an unstable or unreasonable posture may lead to erroneous operation.

■ When installing or removing the PC cartridge from the main body of the device,
Since the C cartridge passes through the inside of the device body, the operator's work space for installing and removing the PC cartridge is limited, and as a result, in the process of installing and removing the PC cartridge from the device body, there is a risk of inadvertent interference between the device main body side and the PC cartridge side. Do not cause damage to the main body of the device 21 or/and the PC cartridge due to collision, or inadvertently pinch the hand or fingers holding the PC cartridge between the main body of the device and the PC cartridge. There was also the possibility of injury.

An object of the present invention is to provide a PC cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism for an image forming apparatus in which a PC cartridge is detachable, without the above-mentioned problems.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention is.

In an image forming apparatus with a removable process cartridge.

An apparatus opening member that can be opened and closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, a first engaging means that holds the process cartridge on the apparatus opening member side, and a second engaging means that positions and holds the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body side. It has an engaging means.

In the apparatus closed state in which the process cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus main body and the apparatus opening member is closed in the image forming apparatus main body, the first engaging means is in the released state and the second engaging means is in the released state. By positioning and holding the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body side by the coupling means, the first apparatus opening is performed in which the apparatus opening member is released from the image forming apparatus main body while the process cartridge is held on the EIm'' forming apparatus main body side. state, and the second engaging means is brought into a released state,
By holding the process cartridge on the apparatus opening member side by the first engaging means, it is possible to hold the process cartridge and bring the apparatus into a second apparatus opening state in which the apparatus opening member is released from the image forming apparatus main body. A process cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism for an image forming apparatus is characterized in that both the first and second engaging means are linked together.

[For production]

The present invention makes it possible to arbitrarily select a first device opening state in which only the device opening member is opened, and a second device opening state in which the process cartridge is also opened integrally with the opening of the device opening member. By configuring it, you can put it on and take it off! It has a larger space and is designed to improve the operability of theory 77, including maintenance and inspection of the inside of the device, removal of jammed paper, and process cartridges.

That is, when the device opening member is a sheet material conveying unit having a sheet material conveying means, the sheet material within the device can be conveyed only by opening only the device opening member serving as the sheet material conveying member. The system is largely exposed and open for maintenance, inspection, jammed paper removal, etc. of the sheet material conveyance system.
This can be easily done without taking out the cartridge C.

In addition, when attaching and detaching the process cartridge, the process cartridge is held integrally with the opening member of the apparatus and exposed outside the apparatus body, and the new and old process cartridges are exchanged between the apparatus and the opening member. After holding the device 7, the opening member of the device 7 is closed again to the device body, so that the process cartridge can be attached and detached in a stable and comfortable posture. In this case, there is a large space for attaching and detaching the process cartridge, and there is less risk of damage to the process cartridge or fingers during attachment and detachment.

With the apparatus main body in the second apparatus open state, the process cartridge is replaced with a new one against the apparatus opening member, and the process cartridge is held against the apparatus opening member by the first engaging means.
Next, when the device opening member is rotated to close it against the device main body, the process cartridge is affected by the inertia caused by the displacement of the centering position due to the rotation of the device opening member and the sudden rotational movement. Even if the device is exposed to damage, it is stably held in a predetermined position on the device opening member side in a predetermined posture without falling off or shifting, and can be held smoothly in a predetermined position on the device main body side without interfering with the device main body. The lotus is exposed.

When the apparatus opening member is sufficiently closed to the apparatus main body, the process cartridge carried to the apparatus main body is positioned and held at a predetermined position on the apparatus main body by the second engagement means, The first engaging means is released and the process cartridge is free with respect to the device opening member. As a result, the process cartridge is accurately positioned and held at a predetermined position on the apparatus main body side defined by the second engagement means, and the mutual positional relationship with process equipment such as the exposure optical system on the apparatus main body side is maintained with high precision. guaranteed.

Further, when the apparatus main body is placed in the second apparatus open state, the process cartridge is held on the apparatus opening member side by the first engaging means, while the second engagement means is in the released state and the process cartridge is in a free state with respect to the apparatus main body side.As a result, the process cartridge is integrally and stably held by the first engaging means without falling off or shifting toward the apparatus opening member side. It can be carried smoothly without any interference with the outside of the device.

〔Example〕

(1), °Embodiment 1 (Figs. 1 to 5) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an example of a PC cartridge detachable type laser beam printer (LBP) constructed according to the present invention. This figure 1 shows an enclosed state of the apparatus in which a PC cartridge C is installed inside the apparatus main body A (inside the printer main body), and the apparatus front cover B serving as a sheet material conveying unit is properly closed against the apparatus main body A. This shows the state, and image output is possible in this state.

Figure 2 shows the machine body A with the PC cartridge C installed inside the machine body A, and only the front cover B of the machine serving as a sheet material conveying unit being moved around the lower support axis.
The first device opening shape 71 is shown folded open toward the front side.

FIG. 3 shows a second open state of the apparatus, in which the PC cartridge C is also opened from inside the apparatus main body A to the front side of the apparatus main body as the front cover B of the apparatus as a sheet material transport unit is folded open. ing.

(1) Image forming operation In the closed state of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum l is driven to rotate at a predetermined circumferential speed in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in response to a print start signal, and a charger 2 is placed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum l. The scanning exposure of the laser beam L corresponding to the image information signal output from the laser scanner 7 is then performed by the mirror 8.
9. Receive through the if three-way window hole 11 provided in the cartridge housing 10. As a result, a static 1ttWI image corresponding to the scanning exposure pattern of the laser beam L is formed on the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum, and the latent image is transferred to the developing device 3.
The toner is developed by the developing sleeve 3A.

- One sheet of transfer paper P is fed from the inside of the paper feed cassette 15 by the paper feed roller 16 and fed to the pair of registration rollers 19 via the guide plate 17φ18. By being synchronized with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 and being fed to the opposing portion (image transfer section) between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer charging window 20, an image is formed on the surface of the fed transfer paper on the photosensitive drum 1 side. toner images are transferred sequentially.

The transfer paper that has passed through the image transfer section 20 is then charged by a charger 20A.
The sheet is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and introduced into a fixing device 22 by a conveying device 21, where the transferred toner image is fixed, and then the sheet is discharged via a pair of intermediate rollers 23 and a guide plate 24.

The printer of this example can select between a vertical paper discharge mode and a horizontal paper discharge mode. In the vertical paper ejection mode, the flapper (deflection plate) 25 provided at the leading end of the guide plate 24 is switched and held in the position shown by the solid line, and the transfer paper introduced into the guide plate 24 is placed on the L side of the flapper 25. The paper is conveyed upward in a U-turn to the outer surface of the front cover B of the apparatus, and vertically ejected into the tray by the first ejection roller pair 26 using the outer surface of the front cover B of the apparatus as a vertical ejection tray. It is papered. In the horizontal paper ejection mode, the flapper 25 is switched and held in the position shown by the two-dot chain line, and the transfer paper introduced into the guide plate 24 passes through the lower surface side of the flapper 25 and reaches the second paper ejection roller pair 2.
7, the paper is horizontally ejected out of the apparatus. Reference numeral 28 denotes a paper ejection cover for the front cover B of the apparatus serving as a vertical paper ejection tray, and the cover 28 can be freely raised and lowered around a hinge part (not shown) on the lower side, and when in the horizontal paper ejection mode, there are two points. It can be used as a paper ejection tray for receiving transfer paper horizontally ejected to the outside of the apparatus by the second paper ejection roller pair 27 when it is laid down as shown by the chain line.

After the image has been transferred, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is cleaned of residual toner and other contaminants by a cleaning blade 4A of the cleaning device 4, resulting in a clean Plh surface, which is repeatedly used for image formation.

Reference numeral 29 indicates a manual paper feeding port for the transfer paper, and 29A indicates a pair of pull-in rollers for the manual transfer paper.

In this example, the PC cartridge C is constructed by assembling four process devices, a photosensitive drum 1φ charging unit 2, a developing device 3, and a cleaning device 4, in a predetermined mutual positional relationship within a cartridge housing IO.

IA indicates a protective cover for the photosensitive drum L. This cover is attached to the PC cartridge C side, and when installed in the sheet material conveying unit B, the cover shown in FIG. The photosensitive drum is retracted to the open position.

Note that the configuration of the PC cartridge C is not limited to the embodiment, and the charger, cleaning device, etc. may be placed on the cartridge side if necessary, or placed on the cartridge side if necessary. It can be configured by providing

(2) Apparatus front cover B In the printer of this example, the right end side in Figure 1 is the front of the apparatus.
The front cover B of the device on that side can be freely rotated to open and close around the support shaft on the lower side relative to the device main body, and is raised and closed relative to the device main body A as shown in Figure 1, with a locking mechanism described later. From the closed state where the device is firmly locked in the device body A, release the lock mechanism and press P as shown in Figure 2.
The C cartridge C can be left in the apparatus main body A and only the front cover B of the apparatus can be opened toward the front of the apparatus main body until it is received and held by a stopper member (not shown).
(a second device open state), or the PC cartridge C can be held inside the front cover B of the device by a lock a mechanism (to be described later) and then folded open as shown in FIG. 3 (a second device open state).

Further, the printer of this example uses the above device front cover B as a sheet material conveying unit, and has a sheet material guide plate 18 inside thereof.
Registration roller pair 19, transfer charger 20, separation charger 2
0A, transport device 21. Fixing device 22, relay roller pair 2
As shown in FIG. When the apparatus is in the open state, the sheet material conveyance system disposed inside the front cover B of the apparatus faces upward and is largely exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body A as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the front cover B of the apparatus will be referred to as a sheet material conveyance unit.

(3) First section] l2 means (Fig. 4 (A) Φ (B)) Fig. 4 (^) and (B) are sheet materials that are folded open from the device main body A around the support axis. A state in which the PC cartridge C is held (temporarily positioned and held) at the second position of the transport unit B by the first locking means is shown.

That is, each of the left and right side plate surfaces 30, 30 of the PC cartridge is provided with a pair of hemispherical four parts 31, 31 at the front and rear, respectively. Further, the sheet material conveyance unit B side is provided with a pair of front and rear leaf spring lugs 40 (made of a material capable of elastic displacement n1) near the left and right side plates, respectively, and a hemispherical protrusion 41 is provided on the inner surface of each lug 40. This is provided.

Therefore, each of the four parts 31 for the above four reasons on the PC cartridge side
(Sheet material conveyance unit) The above four protrusions 41 on the B side
By fitting, the PC cartridge is held with respect to the sheet material conveyance unit B. In this holding state, hold the PC cartridge by the handles 32 (the hand hooks are in the recesses) provided on the outer surfaces 30-30 of the left and right side plates, respectively, and hold the PC cartridge.
When the cartridge C is lifted upward, the leaf spring 41 naturally bends outward against the bending force as shown by the two-dot chain line, and the engagement between the protrusion 41 and the recess 31 is disengaged, and the PC cartridge C is attached to the sheet material. It can be removed from the transport unit B.

To reinstall the PC cartridge C, place the PC cartridge C on the sheet material transport unit B by aligning the four concave portions 31 on the PC cartridge C side with the positions of the four protrusions 31 on the sheet material transport unit B side. , the PC cartridge C is connected to each leaf spring 41 with respect to the sheet material conveying unit B.
Press down against the elasticity of the Then, each leaf spring 41 naturally bends outward against its elasticity as shown by the two points jO, and the protrusion '41 on each leaf spring 41 faces each recess 31 on the PC cartridge C side. Then, each leaf spring 41 is restored, the protrusion 41 and the four parts 31 are engaged, and the PC cartridge C is held on the sheet material conveyance unit B.

In this state, when the sheet material conveying unit B is next rotated to close it in the apparatus main body A, or conversely, the sheet material conveying unit) B is When the PC cartridge is opened and rotated from the main body, the PC cartridge remains on the sheet material transport unit B side even if it receives inertia force due to displacement of the t center position due to rotation of sheet material transport unit B or sudden rotational movement. It is stably held in a predetermined position and in a predetermined posture without falling off or shifting, and is smoothly carried to a predetermined position on the device main body A side without interfering with the device main body side. Or, conversely, it is stably carried out from the apparatus main body A side to the outside integrally with the sheet material conveyance unit 1-B.

33-34 are the left and right side plates 30 of the PC cartridge C.
A pair of front and rear shafts are provided on the outer surface of the PC cartridge 30, and constitute a second engagement means to be described later. The axis 33 of t51 is a cylindrical axis, and the second axis is a cylindrical axis with two sides.

(4) Second Engagement Means (FIG. 5) FIG. 5 shows a state in which the PC cartridge C is positioned and held with respect to the apparatus main body A by the second engagement means. Note that mechanisms similar to those shown in FIG. 5 are symmetrically present on the inner surfaces of the left and right side plates 50 of the apparatus main body A, and FIG. 5 only shows the mechanism on the left side.

In the figure, 44 and 45 are first and second operating arms (operating knobs) disposed on the sheet material conveying unit B side so as to be freely rotatable about a horizontal axis 46, and 44A is integrated with the first operating arm 44. The hook arm 44B is the first operating arm 44
・A spring that always biases the hook arm 44A to rotate counterclockwise around the shaft 46; 45A is a fork arm integrated with the second operating arm 45; 45B is the second operating arm 4;
5 This is a spring that constantly urges the fork arm 45A to rotate counterclockwise about the shaft 46. Second operating arm 45
is molded into the immovable surface 43 (shaded area) on the B side of the sheet material conveying unit). The first operating arm 44 is received by the second operating arm 45. Therefore, the first operating arm 44 can freely rotate clockwise (in the X direction) about the shaft 46 against the spring 44B, but the second operating arm 45 45B, the first operating arm 44 also pushes against the spring 44B, causing both the second and first operating arms 45-44 to rotate clockwise (X direction) about the shaft 46. The relationship is such that they rotate together.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a second lever provided on the B side of the turntable (sheet material conveyance eco) so as to be freely rotatable about a shaft 48;
The bottle shaft 47C provided in 7B is connected to the second operating arm 45.
It engages with a fork portion 45C of a fork arm 45A that is integrated with the fork arm 45A. Therefore, when the second operating arm 45 is rotated clockwise about the shaft 46, the second lever 47 is rotated counterclockwise about the shaft 48 in conjunction with it. Reference numeral 49 denotes a stopper pin that restricts the rotation angle of the second lever 47 in the counterclockwise direction to a predetermined value, and is provided on the side of the sheet material conveying unit (B).

51 is the side plate 50 of the main body A of the apparatus (the left side plate in FIG. 5)
51A is a spring that always urges the second lever to rotate counterclockwise about the shaft 52, and 51B is a front extension of the lever. Arm portion 51G is a cam slope at the tip end of the extended arm portion 51B, 51
D is a bearing recess provided on the upper base side of the extension arm 51B;
51F is an arcuate gear portion provided on the lower base side of the extended arm portion 51B.

53 is the device main body A below the second lever 51 described in 1H.
is provided on the inner surface of the side plate 50 to be freely rotatable about a shaft 54,
The gear member includes a small diameter arc gear part 53A and a large diameter arc gear part 53B, and the small diameter arc gear part 53A is the second gear part 53B.
It meshes with the arcuate gear portion 51F on the lever 51 side.

Reference numeral 55 denotes a substantially C-shaped bearing member provided below the gear member 53 on the inner surface of the side plate 50 of the apparatus main body A so as to be freely rotatable about a point O. 55A is an arcuate gear portion provided on the bearing member, which is a large diameter arcuate gear portion 53B of the gear member 53.
It meshes with.

The gear member 53 is such that the second lever 51 is connected to the shaft 5 by the spring 51A.
2, the bearing member 55 is constantly urged to rotate in the counterclockwise direction around the shaft 54.
is always urged to rotate counterclockwise via the gear FiB materials 53B and 55A.

Reference numeral 56 denotes a stopper pin that restricts the rotation angle of the bearing member 55 in the counterclockwise direction to a predetermined value, and is provided on the side plate 50 of the main body A of the apparatus. By receiving the bearing member 55 on the stopper pin 56, the clockwise rotation angle of the gear member 53 is also regulated to a predetermined value.

■ As explained in the above item (4), the sheet material conveyance in the second apparatus in the open state in FIG. When the unit B is closed and rotated around the support shaft relative to the apparatus main body A, and thereby the PC cartridge C enters the position just before a predetermined position in the apparatus main body A, the first The shaft 33 is connected to the cam slope 5 at the tip of the front extension arm 51B of the second lever 51 on the device main body A side.
1C, a clockwise rotational moment acts on the arm portion 51B, and the front extension arm portion 51B is pushed down below the shaft 33 as shown by the two-dot chain line. 51 is rotated clockwise about the shaft 52 against the spring 51A. Note that 33A to 34A indicate the movement loci of the first shaft 33 and the second shaft 34 on the PC cartridge C side as the sheet material conveyance unit B rotates to open and close with respect to the apparatus main body A.
,are doing.

In conjunction with the clockwise rotation of the second lever 51, the substantially C-shaped bearing member 55 rotates clockwise via the gear member 53 as shown by the two-dot chain line, and the bearing member 55 has a bearing receiving opening. The portion 55B assumes a rotation angle attitude opposite to the movement locus 34A of the second shaft 34 on the PC cartridge C side.

When the front extension arm 51B of the second lever 51 is pushed down by the shaft 33 as shown by the two-dot chain line, the upper surface of the arm 51B is the movement path of the second shaft 34 on the PC cartridge C side. 34A, the sheet material conveying unit) B is sufficiently enclosed in the main body A of the apparatus, and the first shaft 33 on the PC cartridge C side is aligned with the second shaft 34A.
The front extension arm 5LB of the lever 51 until just before it falls into the bearing recess 51D on the upper surface of the base side of the front extension arm 51B.
The bearing member 55 is maintained in the state shown by the two-dot chain line.

At this point, the second cartridge on the PC cartridge C side is
The shaft 34 is inserted into the C-shaped bearing recess of the bearing member 55 through the opening O portion 55B.

Next, the second carton 33 on the PC cartridge C side presses the bearing recess 51 on the upper surface of the base side of the front extension arm 51B of the second lever 51.
When corresponding to position D, the downward pushing force exerted by the shaft 33 of the front extension arm 51B is released, and the second lever 51 is rotated counterclockwise around the shaft 52 by the spring 51A, and returns to the position shown by the solid line. After returning, the first shaft 33 on the PC cartridge C side is positioned and held by engagement with the bearing recess 51D. Further, in conjunction with the return of the rotation of the second lever 51 in the counterclockwise direction, the bearing member 55 rotates counterclockwise, returns to the rotation angle position shown by the solid line, and wraps around the second shaft 34 on the cartridge C side. to hold the position.

Thus, the PC cartridge C has the above-mentioned engagement between the first shaft 33 and the bearing recess 51D as the second engagement means, and the second engagement means.
Due to the engagement between the sleeve 34 and the bearing member 55, the device body A is accurately positioned and held in a predetermined position and attitude.

On the other hand, when the sheet material conveying unit B is fully enclosed in the apparatus main body A, the tip cam slope 44C of the hook member 44A integrated with the first operating arm 44 is attached to the locking shaft 57 provided on the apparatus main body A side. A moment is applied to the hook member 44A to rotate clockwise about the shaft 46 against the spring 44B, causing the hook member 44A to engage with the locking shaft 57 from above, and to attach to the main body On the other hand, the sheet material conveyance unit B is firmly opened and IL is shown.

Or, based on the biasing force of the spring 51A, <tJS2's engagement means 3
According to 3.510, 34.55. The positioning and holding force of the PC cartridge C with respect to the apparatus main body A side is stronger than that of the sheet material conveying unit B due to the first engaging means 40, 41, and 31.
The holding force of the PC cartridge C is set to be greater than the holding force of the PC cartridge C against the side. Therefore, the sheet material conveyance unit>
When the body B is sufficiently closed to the main body A of the device, the
As shown in the figure, the PC cartridge C is connected to the two engaging means 33.
51D, 34 and 55 are positioned and held on the device main body A,
In addition, the sheet material conveyance unit) B is attached to the apparatus main body A side by means of engagement means 4.
In the state f and I where the opening is stopped and locked with 4A-57,
The PC cartridge positioning and holding force on the second engaging means 33/51D, 34/55 side is greater than that on the first engaging means 40/4.
This overcomes that on the 1st and 31st sides, and the first engaging means becomes disengaged. That is, the PC cartridge C is slightly floated away from the sheet material conveyance unit B and the spring plate 4
The recess 31 on the PC cartridge C side is slightly removed from the protrusion 41 of 0. However, this relationship is dimensionally set so that each of the protrusion 41 and the four parts 31 does not completely separate from the other, so the positioning of the PC cartridge toward the main body A of the apparatus is performed by the second engagement means. When released, the first engagement means immediately returns to the original fitting relationship.

In this way, the PC cartridge C is not affected by the first engagement means and is accurately positioned and held at a predetermined position on the apparatus main body A side defined by the second engagement means, and the PC cartridge C is accurately positioned and held at a predetermined position on the apparatus main body A side. The mutual positional relationship with process equipment such as No. 7 is guaranteed with high precision.

(From the closed state of the device shown in Figures 1 and 5, the first device is opened by folding down only the sheet material conveying unit B with the PC cartridge C still attached to the main body A side as shown in Figure 2.) To set the state, pull the first operating arm 44 in the X direction toward the front against the spring 44B in FIG. 5, and then the hook member 44A integrated with the arm 44
escapes upward from the shaft 57 and rotates to disengage the engagement. As a result, the locking of the sheet material conveying unit B to the main body A of the apparatus is released.

Therefore, by opening and rotating the sheet material conveying unit (B) from the apparatus main body A about the support axis against the retaining force of the first engaging means 40, 41, 31, the PC cartridge C
Since it is held in position on the device main body A side by the second engaging means 33, 51D and 34-55,
The PC cartridge C remains in the main body A of the device,
As shown in Fig. 2, only the sheet material conveying unit B can be brought into the first device open state in which the sheet material conveying unit B is fully tilted open until it is received by the stopper member on the front side of the device around the support shaft, and therefore the sheet material Maintenance and inspection of the transport system, removal of jammed paper, etc. can be easily performed without taking out the PC cartridge C.

Sheet material conveying unit B in the first device open state in Fig. 2
When it is fully closed against the main body A of the device by raising it up and rotating around the support shaft, the hook member 44A engages with the shaft 57 again and the device is in the locked state as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5. to return to.

■ From the closed state of the device in Figure 1 to the PC as shown in Figure 3.
When folding down the sheet material conveying unit B together with the cartridge C to bring it into the second device open state, the second operating arm 45 is moved in the X direction, which is the front side, against the spring 45B in FIG. Pull to.

Then, the first operating arm 44 is also pushed and rotates together with the second operating arm 45 in the same direction against the spring 44B. As a result, the hook member 44A is disengaged from the shaft 57, and the sheet material conveyance unit B can be opened and rotated from the apparatus main body A around the support shaft.

On the other hand, by rotating the second operating arm 45 in the X direction, the fork arm 45A, which is integrated with the arm 45,
The arm 47D of the second lever 47 rotates clockwise around the shaft 48, and in conjunction therewith, the second lever 47 rotates counterclockwise around the shaft 48 until it is received by the stopper bin 49.
Then, the front extension arm 51B of the second 8-51 is pushed downward as shown by the two-dot chain line, and the second lever 51 is rotated clockwise about the shaft 52 against the spring 51A.

As a result, the shaft 33 and the Ll portion 5 as the second engagement means.
10 is released. Accordingly, the protrusion 41 serving as the first engagement means and the recess 31 return to the engaged state.

Further, in conjunction with the clockwise rotation of the second lever 51 as shown in E, the bearing member 55 rotates clockwise via the gear member 53, and the bearing receiving opening 55B of the bearing member 55 is inserted into the PC cartridge C. 2 facing the movement locus 34A of the second shaft 34 on the side.
The rotational angle posture is shown by the dotted chain line.

That is, the PC cartridge C is connected to the second engaging means 33/510.
．． The positioning held by 34-55 on the apparatus main body A side is released. On the other hand, the first engagement means 40-41, 31
This causes the sheet to be held against the sheet material conveying unit.

Therefore, by pulling the second operating arm 45 toward the front side in the
exposed outside. That is, the second device is in an open state.

II. Embodiment 2 (Fig. 6) This example shows another example of the first and second engaging means, and Fig. 6 shows an example in which the PC cartridge C is held by the first engaging means. This figure shows a state in which the PC cartridge is positioned and held by the second engaging means in a closed state of the apparatus in which the sheet material conveying unit B is closed and rotated relative to the main body of the apparatus.

Note that a mechanism similar to that shown in FIG.
Figure 1 shows only the mechanism on the left side. Components common to those in the example in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals and repeated explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which both the PC cartridge C and the sheet material transport unit B are positioned and fixed to the main body A of the apparatus. First, we will discuss the holding (temporary positioning) of the PC cartridge C with respect to the sheet material transport unit A. . P
The first cartridge C is connected to the first one by a link 60.
and second hooks 61 and 62 are respectively rotatably mounted around support shafts 63-64. Since a spring 65 is applied to the second hook 62, the first and twenty-seventh hooks 6
1 and 62 are both rotated in the direction of the arrow and are engaged with the bins 81 and 82 on the sheet material conveying unit B side, respectively.

Note that the shaft 66 is a stopper provided on the PC cartridge C side, and prevents the hook 62 and the like from rotating more than necessary. In addition to this, shafts 35 and 36 for positioning the main body are attached to the PC cartridge C.

On the other hand, these shafts 35 are installed on the sheet material conveying unit) B side.
Lever 83-84 and spring 85-86 acting on the main body positioning force are installed at φ36. Lever 83/84
are rotatable about shafts 87 and 88, respectively.

The shafts 89 and 90 each have a lever 83φ84 with a predetermined 111
This is a stopper to prevent further rotation.

In the temporary positioning state, as described above, the first and second hooks 61 and 62 are engaged with the pins 81 and 82, but on the other hand, the levers 83 and 84 are applying force to the shafts 35 and 36. However, compared to these forces, the engagement force by the spring 65 is set to be sufficiently strong, so there is no problem in placing the PC cartridge C on the sheet material conveying unit B and transporting it into the apparatus main body A. There isn't.

Next, positioning and fixing of the PC cartridge C to the apparatus main body A will be explained. Accurately positioned receivers 67 and 68 are installed on the inner wall of the side plate 50 of the main body A of the apparatus. When the PC cartridge C is rotated about the support shaft and transported together with the sheet material conveyance unit) B, the hook 6
One end 61A of 1 is a lever 69 installed on the device main body A side.
The lever 69 that abuts against the lower end 69A of the lever 69 is rotatable about a shaft 70, and a spring 71 is applied to the other end, and a stopper 72 is installed nearby to prevent the lever from rotating beyond a predetermined amount. It is fixed to the side plate 50 of the main body A.

Here, the force exerted by the lever 69 on the lever 61 by the spring 71 is set to be larger than the engagement force for temporary positioning by the levers 61 and 62, so the engagement between the levers 61-62 and the pins 81 and 82 is released. Then, the PC cartridge C is mounted a21 on the receivers 67 and 68 on the apparatus main body A side. At this point, the levers 83 and 84 are also connected to the shaft 3.
5 and 36, so as a result, pC
Cartridge C is positioned and fixed on the apparatus main body A side.

Of course, at this point, the hook 44A on the sheet material conveying unit)B side is engaged with the pin 57. Here, the outer diameter of the shaft 36 and the inner diameter of the receiving portion 68 have a dimensional relationship that allows them to fit accurately.

The inner diameter of the receiver portion 67 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 35 in order to absorb dimensional errors and the like.

In order to open only the sheet material conveying unit B, it is sufficient to rotate the first operating arm 44 as in the first embodiment. At this time, the levers 83 and 84 are used to release the PC cartridge C.
Although the pressing force on the PC cartridge C is removed, there is no problem since the PC cartridge C is supported by the receiving parts 67 and 68.

Next, a method for restoring the temporary positioning relationship and taking out the PC cartridge C out of the apparatus main body A will be explained. In this case as well, the second operating arm 45 is rotated in the direction of the arrow X as in the previous embodiment. This allows hook 44A and pin 5 to
7 is disengaged, and at the same time the lever 47 is moved to the lever 61.
It acts in the direction of engaging the lever 62 with the pins 81 and 82, overcoming the force of the lever 69 on the device main body A side. Then, when the sheet material conveyance unit B and the PC cartridge C are rotated while the lever 45 is rotated, the lever 69 is activated.
is disengaged, a temporary positioning force is applied by the spring 65, and the PC cartridge C is firmly engaged and held on the side of the sheet material conveying unit B and is taken out of the apparatus main body A.

〔Effect of the invention〕

1 - As described above, the sheet material transport unit released from the apparatus main body, the PC cartridge, the temporary positioning mechanism for these, the final fixing mechanism of the process cartridge to the apparatus main body, and the temporary positioning mechanism are operated. According to the unreleased 1jI, which is provided with an opening means for opening the image forming apparatus, operations on the image forming apparatus, including the operation of attaching and detaching the process cartridge to the main body of the apparatus, can be performed very easily. Moreover, since the implementation method is simple, the effect is very large.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of one embodiment of the device GL (LBP) in the stirrup closed state, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration in the first device open state, and Fig. 3 is the configuration diagram in the second device open state. Configuration diagram, 4th
FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view of the first engaging means, FIG. 4(B) is a vertical sectional view thereof, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the second engaging means, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of other engaging means. Example configuration diagram. A is the mounting; d is the main body, B is the front cover of the device that also serves as a sheet material transport unit, and C is the process cartridge. Figure 4 (A) Figure 4 (B) Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus with a removable process cartridge, comprising: an apparatus opening member that can be freely opened and closed relative to the image forming apparatus main body; and a first engagement that holds the process cartridge on the side of the apparatus opening member. and a second engaging means for positioning and holding the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body side, the process cartridge being installed in the image forming apparatus main body and the apparatus opening member being closed in the image forming apparatus main body. When the apparatus is in a closed state, the first engagement means is in the released state, and the second engagement means positions and holds the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body side, so that the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus. It is possible to bring the device opening member into the first device open state in which the device release member is released from the image forming device main body while being held on the main body side, and the second engagement means is brought into the released state and the first device release member is released from the image forming device main body. By holding the process cartridge on the apparatus opening member side by the engaging means, it is possible to hold the process cartridge and bring the apparatus into a second apparatus opening state in which the apparatus opening member is released from the image forming apparatus main body. . A process cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that both the first and second engaging means are linked. 2. The attachment/detachment mechanism for a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device opening member is a sheet material conveying unit having a sheet material conveying means. 3. The second engaging means for positioning and holding the process cartridge on the side of the image forming apparatus main body is configured to operate in a plane parallel to the process cartridge attachment/detachment direction as a pair facing an inner wall of the image forming apparatus main body. A process cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The second engaging means for positioning and holding the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body side includes a fixing surface provided as a pair of opposing fixing surfaces on the inner wall of the image forming apparatus main body, and a pressing force provided on the apparatus opening member side. It consists of means,
A process cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 5. A release means for operating the engagement relationship of the first engagement means is provided on the device release member side, and by operating the release means, the process cartridge is released together with the device release member from the image forming apparatus. The attachment/detachment mechanism for a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is taken out to the outside of a main body. 6. The process cartridge is provided with an engagement portion with the positioning and fixing means for positioning the second engagement means for the image forming apparatus main body at an operation start position. A process cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism of the image forming apparatus described in 2.