JPH08254862A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Regarding an image forming apparatus that raises / lowers a process unit by turning a lever or opening / closing a cover, improving operability when attaching / detaching the process unit and forgetting to attach / remove a protective cover of a photosensitive drum. An image forming apparatus capable of preventing loss is provided. [Constitution] A casing 7 having a first cover 9 whose one end is supported by a support shaft 11 so as to be openable and closable, an exposure means 52 which is housed in the casing 7 and radiates scanning light, a charging means 55, and a charging means 55. In addition, the image forming body 50 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the scanning light from the exposing means 52 and the developing means 53 for developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer are included, and are detachably attached to the housing 7. An image forming apparatus that includes a process unit (10) and transfers a toner image of an image forming body (50) onto a medium. A lever (12), one end of which is rotatably supported by a housing (7), or a first operation. The process unit 10 is provided with a raising mechanism for raising the process unit 10 in the removing direction by opening the cover 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mechanism for attaching and detaching a process unit of a printer such as an electrophotographic printer, and more particularly to an image capable of raising and lowering the process unit by rotating a lever or opening and closing a cover. The present invention relates to a forming device.

With the recent development of office automation, electrophotographic printing apparatuses such as laser printers are widely used in output terminals of computers, facsimile machines, copying machines and the like.

In these devices, a photosensitive drum and a charger, a developing device, a cleaner and the like arranged around the photosensitive drum are integrated as a process unit, and the process unit is replaced for the life of the photosensitive drum or for toner replenishment. Need to be removed from the device body. Further, as a recent tendency of printers, a demand for a server such as a network or a LAN makes it necessary to equip a plurality of hoppers and a double-sided printing mechanism for resource saving.

However, while the equipment becomes large due to the enhanced equipment, the process unit is required to be small in size for handling, so that the process unit is mounted at the back of the main body of the apparatus and the process unit is detachable. It's very troublesome.

Further, the process unit removed from the apparatus main body suffers from photodegradation when the photosensitive drum is exposed to sunlight or indoor light for a long time, and oil and fat adhere to the photosensitive drum by directly touching the photosensitive drum. The exposed part of is protected by a cover, but there are cases where you forget to attach the cover or forget to remove it.

Therefore, a method for facilitating attachment / detachment of the process unit and a method for preventing forgetting to attach or remove the protective cover of the photosensitive drum are desired.

[0007]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 illustrates an internal side view of a laser printer to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, 1 is a hopper that stores printing papers (hereinafter referred to as papers) 2 in a stack, and has a feeding roller 3, 4 is a transport path, 5 is a printer unit,
6 is a stacker and 7a is a housing.

The printer unit 5 includes a charger 51a and an optical unit 52 arranged around a photosensitive drum 50a which is an image forming body.
a, a developing device 53a, a transfer device 54, a static eliminator 55, a cleaner 56, and a fixing device 57.

As shown by a double-dotted line in the figure, the photosensitive drum 50a, the charger 51a, the developing device 53a, the static eliminator 55 and the cleaner 56 are integrated as a process unit 10a,
It is located almost in the center of the device, and a cover (not shown) on the upper surface of the housing 7a can be opened to attach / detach each unit.

Due to this structure, the charger 51a
The surface of the photosensitive drum 50a is charged by the
Laser scanning light obtained by optically modulating print information from a is applied to the photosensitive drum 50a, and the electric charge is reduced only at the applied location to form an electrostatic latent image.

The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 50a is developed with the toner 8 in the developing device 53a (which is composed of a toner accommodating portion, a developing roller, a collecting roller and the like). On the other hand, the paper 2 is delivered from the hopper 1 by the rotation of the delivery roller 3, and is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in the figure by the feed rollers R1 and R2. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 50a is transferred onto the paper 2 by the transfer device 54.
Adsorbed on and transferred. The toner image transferred onto the sheet 2 is, for example, heated / pressurized and fixed by the fixing device 57, and is discharged to the stacker 6 by discharge rollers R3 and R4.

After transfer, the photosensitive drum is neutralized by the static eliminator 55.
The toner 8 remaining on 50a is cleaned by the cleaner 56 to prepare for the next printing operation. The process unit 10a is removed for toner replenishment or unit replacement due to consumption of the toner 8 and life of the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 50a when the number of sheets reaches a certain number due to repeated printing. Is reattached.

In the process unit 10a removed from the apparatus, the photosensitive drum 50a is prevented from being photo-deteriorated by being exposed to sunlight or indoor light for a long time, and oil and fat are prevented from directly touching the photosensitive drum 50a. Therefore, a protective cover (not shown) is covered to protect the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 50a.

[0014]

According to the above-mentioned conventional method, recent printers are in great demand as servers for networks, LANs, etc., and are adapted to output from a plurality of host computers. Equipment such as a corrugated hopper and a double-sided printing mechanism that saves resources is essential.

As the equipment is increased, the size of the apparatus becomes large. On the other hand, the process unit is required to be small in size. Therefore, the process unit is mounted at the back of the main body of the apparatus. Putting on and taking off is troublesome.

In particular, the hopper is located below the printer unit, and as shown in FIG. 9, when the user uses various sizes of paper, the additional hoppers can be stacked in a plurality of stages as an option, so that the height of the entire apparatus is increased. And the process unit becomes difficult to attach and detach due to the height of the operator.

Further, if the cover of the photosensitive drum is forgotten when the process unit is removed from the main body of the apparatus, forgetting to remove it when the process unit is attached to the main body of the apparatus again, or the cover is lost, the photosensitive drum of the photosensitive drum is lost. The protection of the photosensitive surface cannot be fully achieved. There is a problem.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving operability when attaching and detaching a process unit and preventing forgetting to attach or remove a cover for protecting a photosensitive surface of an image forming body, or loss. Is intended.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention (claim 1). In the figure, 11 is a support shaft, 7 is a housing having a first cover 9, 9 is provided in the housing 7,
A first cover, one end of which is rotatably supported by a spindle 11, 52 is housed in the housing 7, exposure means for irradiating scanning light, 51 is provided in the process unit 10, and charges the image forming body 50. Charging means, 50 is provided in the process unit 10, an image forming body that is charged by the charging means 51 and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the scanning light from the exposing means 52, and 58 is provided in the process unit 10 and forms an image. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the body 50 with a developer, 10 has an image forming body 50, a charging means 51, an exposing means 52 and a developing means 53,
A process unit removably attached to the housing 7, 12 is a lever provided on the housing 7 and one end of which is rotatably supported, and 13 is a rotation operation of the lever 12 or a door opening operation of the first cover 9. An ascending mechanism that interlocks and elevates the process unit 10 in the removal direction.

The image forming body 50 is charged by the charging means 51, an electrostatic latent image is formed by the irradiation of the scanning light from the exposing means 52, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developer by the developing means 53 to obtain a toner image. An image forming apparatus for transferring a sheet onto a medium, the lever 12
By rotating the door or opening the first cover 9
The raising mechanism 13 is configured to raise the process unit 10 in the removal direction.

Next, the means of claims 2 to 6 will be described. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the lowering mechanism according to the first aspect is provided with a lowering mechanism that is interlocked with the turning operation of the lever 12 or the closing operation of the first cover 9 to support the process unit 10 and lower it in the mounting direction. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, one end of the lever 12 also serves as a support shaft 11 of the first cover 9 and is supported thereby. According to claim 4, in the process unit 10 according to claim 2 or 3, a reference point provided at a lower end portion, which serves as a reference of a mounting position when the process unit 10 is mounted on the housing 7, and both side surfaces of the process unit 10. A reference shaft provided at a predetermined position is provided, and a rail for guiding the reference shaft when the process unit 10 descends into the housing 7 and a reference shaft are supported to rotate the lever 12 or the first cover 9 And a support member that slides on the rail in conjunction with the closing of the process unit, and the support member is configured to be separated from the reference shaft when the process unit 10 is mounted on the housing 7.

In claim 5, in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, the process unit 10 is
A second cover, which is rotatably supported at one end and covers at least an exposed portion of the image forming body 50 when the other end is closed, is provided so that the second cover is rotated in association with the rise and fall of the process unit 10. , Closed and open.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects, the process unit 10 includes a handle whose one end is rotatably attached to the upper surface, The handle is configured to rotate a predetermined angle in association with the rise and fall of the unit 10.

[0025]

As shown in FIG. 1, when the lever 12 is rotated or the first cover 9 is opened, the raising mechanism 13 interlocks and raises the process unit 10 in the removing direction. Even if it is mounted in the back of the device, the removal operation can be performed very easily.

Next, the operation of claims 2 to 5 will be described. In claim 2, when the lever 12 is rotated or the first cover 9 is closed, the lowering mechanism interlocks to support the process unit 10 and lowers it in the mounting direction. Even when it is mounted on, the mounting operation can be performed very easily.

In the third aspect, the support at one end of the lever 12 is
Since it also serves as the support shaft 11 of the first cover 9, the lever 12
The process unit 10 can be raised and lowered by both the turning operation and the opening / closing operation of the first cover, and the mechanism can be simplified without the need to provide a dedicated shaft for supporting the lever 12.

According to the present invention, the support member slides on the rail while supporting the reference shaft, and when the process unit 10 is mounted on the housing 7, the support member separates from the reference shaft. Positioning is accurately performed by the reference point and the reference axis without applying an external force.

In the fifth aspect, the second cover provided on the process unit 10 closes and opens in association with the rising and lowering of the process unit 10, so that the second cover for protecting the exposed portion of the image forming body 50. It is possible to prevent forgetting to attach the cover, forgetting to remove it, and losing it.

In the sixth aspect, the handle provided on the upper surface of the process unit 10 is rotated by a predetermined angle in association with the ascent and descent of the process unit 10, for example, the handle is rotated to a rising position and a position tilted to the upper surface. Therefore, the attachment / detachment operation becomes easier.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the laser printer described in the conventional example will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are configuration diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS.
[FIG. 3] is an explanatory diagram of an example. The same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout the drawings.

The front cover 9a and the photosensitive drum 50 shown in FIG.
a, the charger 51a, the optical unit 52a, and the developing device 53a are
The slider 19 of FIG. 4 corresponds to the first cover 9, the image forming body 50, the charging means 51, the exposing means 52 and the developing means 53 of FIG. 1, respectively.
Reference numerals a and 19b correspond to the support member 19 of FIG. Further, the arms 13a and 13b, the links 18a and 18b and the sliders 19a and
19b corresponds to the raising mechanism 13 of FIG. 1 and the lowering mechanism of claim 2. Furthermore, the reference planes Sa and Sb and the reference pin 17 of FIG.
a and 17b correspond to the reference point and the reference axis of claim 3, respectively,
The protective cover 25 of FIG. 7 corresponds to the second cover of claim 4.

FIG. 2 (a) is a side view, and FIG. 2 (b) is a front view showing the outline when the cover is opened. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the housing 7
b is divided into a front cover 9a and a housing 7c, and a round hole 90a (90b) at the lower end of the front cover 9a is formed into a support shaft 11 at the lower end of the housing 7c.
It is rotatably supported by a (formed of a drawn steel material having a square cross section).

Also, the square hole 120a (1) at the lower end of the lever 12a (12b) is
20b) are fitted to both ends of the support shaft 11a having a square cross section. Therefore, the cover 9a is independent of the turning operation of the lever 12a (12b).
Can be opened and closed. Also, the left and right levers 12a, 12b
Are formed in the same shape, the operation of one of them can also be operated in the same phase of the other.

On the front cover 9a, the discharge roller R is provided from the rear stage of the feed rollers R1 and R2 of the conveying path 4a (shown by the one-dot chain line).
One side to the front of 3, R4 (left side in the figure) and fuser 5
7 is attached.

The lever 12a (12b) is provided with an arm 13a (13b) and a stopper 14a (14b) which are branched in a L-shape. The stopper 14a (14b) is a stud 140a (140b) provided on the housing 7c.
One end is rotatably supported by b), and is slidably fitted in the long hole 15a (15b) in the stud 121a (121b) provided in the lever 12a (12b). The long hole 15a (15b) has an engaging groove 150a (1
50b).

Therefore, when the front cover 9a is opened forward, the front surface of the process unit 10b is opened as shown in FIG. 2 (b), so that the levers 12a (12b) are rotated in the same direction in FIG. 2 (a). Then, the tip of the arm 13a (13b) rotates in the same direction (the structure related to this will be described later), and the rotation of the lever 12a (12b) causes the long hole 15a of the stopper 14a (14b) to rotate. Stop at the end of (15b), the stud 120a (120b) is engaged groove 150a (150b)
To hold its position.

A mechanism for determining the mounting position and the attaching / detaching direction of the process unit 10b will be described with reference to FIG. 3, a lifting mechanism for the process unit 10b according to FIGS. 4 to 6, and a mechanism for a handle of the process unit 10b and a protective cover for the photosensitive drum according to FIG. I will explain separately.

1) Mechanism for Positioning Process Unit and Determining Attachment / Detachment Direction As shown in FIG. 3, when the front cover 9a is opened in the arrow direction (for example, an angle of 80 degrees), the front surface of the process unit 10b indicated by the chain double-dashed line It will be released.

On both side surfaces of the process unit 10b, a guide portion 16a (16b) having a predetermined length and a reference pin 17a (17b) for positioning are provided obliquely (for example, at an angle of 40 degrees). A positioning reference surface Sa (Sb) is provided on the rear end of the process unit 10b, that is, on both sides of the lower left end in the figure.

The housing 7c includes process units 10b on both sides.
Guide part 16a (16b) is slidably inserted into the groove 700a (700
a rail 70a (70b) having a b) and a reference pin 17a (17b) supported by a slider described later, and a rail 71 having a stepped groove 710a (710b) on which the reference pin 17a (17b) and the slider slide respectively.
a (71b) is provided.

The process unit 10b is provided in the housing 7c.
Positioning pins 72a (72b) for positioning the reference surface Sa (Sb) when the is mounted are provided. Guide part 16a (16b)
When the reference surface Sa (Sb) rides on the positioning pin 72a (72b), the lower end of the rail is located slightly away from the lower end of the groove 700a (700b) of the rail 70a (70b) (gap G described later). It is set.

Therefore, the process unit 10b includes a rail.
Guide portion 16a (16b) in the groove 700a (700b) of 70a (70b),
By fitting the reference pin 17a (17b) and the slider into the stepped groove 710a (710b) of the rail 71a (71b), the reference surface Sa, Sb at the rear end of the process unit 10b rides on the positioning pin 72a (72b). Positioned.

2) Elevating mechanism of process unit FIG. 4 is a side view showing the elevating mechanism, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an essential part of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a reference pin 17a (17b) sliding on a rail 71a (71b).
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a link 18a (18b). 4 and 5,
The process unit 10b shown by the solid line is in a mounted (positioned) state.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the arm 13a (13
One end of a link 18a (18b) is rotatably attached to the outside of the tip of b), and the V groove 20a (20b) is attached to the other end of the link 18a (18b).
A slider 19a (19b) in which is formed is swingably attached.

The slider 19a (19b) moves the rail 71a (71b) by turning the tip of the arm 13a (13b) by turning the lever 12a (12b).
When sliding on b), the process unit 10 is set in the V groove 20a (20b).
The reference pin 17a (17b) and the link 18a (for the different groove width of the stepped groove 710a (710b) of the rail 71a (71b) are supported as shown in FIG. 18b) fits into a narrow groove width, and sliders 19a (19b) fit into a wide groove width and slide.

The amount of rotation of the lever 12a (12b) is set so that when the lever 12a (12b) returns to the normal position, the V groove 20a (20b) comes to a position (a gap g described later) slightly apart from the reference pin 17a (17b). There is.

Therefore, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIGS. 4 and 5, by rotating the lever 12a (12b) in the direction of the arrow, the slider 19a (19b) moves in the V groove 20a (20b) and the reference pin 17a. (17
While supporting b), the rails 71a (71b) are slid and pushed up to raise the process unit 10b.

When the process unit 10b is mounted, the guide portion 16a (16b) is fitted into the rail 70a (70b) to guide it, and the reference pin 17a (17b) is placed on the upper end of the rail 71a (71b). It is supported by 19a (19b).

Then, after removing the stopper 14a (14b),
When the lever 12a (12b) is rotated in the opposite direction, the guide portion 16a
(16b) and slider 19a (19b) slide on rail 70a (70b) and rail 71a (71b), and process unit 10b descends,
The reference surface Sa (Sb) rides on the positioning pins 72a (72b) and is positioned.

At this time, the process unit 10b is pushed up by the positioning pins 72a (72b), so that the guide portion 16
A gap G is secured between a (16b) and the groove 700a (700b) of the rail 70a (70b), and the reference pin 17a (17b) and V groove 20a (20
A gap g is secured during b). That is, the reference surface Sa (Sb)
Positioning is performed by the reference pin 17a (17b) and the other parts are in a non-contact state, and no external force is applied to the process unit 10b, so that the positioning can be performed accurately.

3) Mechanism of the handle of the process unit and the protective cover of the photosensitive drum In FIG. 7, a rack is provided on one side surface of the housing 7c (not shown) in parallel with the attaching / detaching direction of the process unit 10b.
21 are provided. A rotary shaft 22 is provided on the upper surface of the process unit 10b, one end of a handle 23 is fixed to the rotary shaft 22, and when the process unit 10b is mounted on the housing 7c,
As shown by the solid line, it is in the position where it fell to the top. Further, a gear G1 is provided coaxially with the rotating shaft 22.

A rotary shaft is provided on the upper front side of the process unit 10b.
24 is provided, one end of a protective cover 25 that covers the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 50a is attached to the rotary shaft 24, and when the process unit 10b is attached to the housing 7c, it is open as shown by the solid line. Further, a gear G5 is provided coaxially with the rotating shaft 24.

Gears G2 to G4, which are sequentially connected to the gears G1 and G5, are provided, and a gear G6 is provided coaxially with the gear G3.
The gears G2 to G4, G6 are arranged so that the gear G6 meshes with the rack 21.

Therefore, when removing the process unit 10b, as described above, the cover 9a is opened, and then the lever 12 is removed.
When the process unit 10b is lifted by rotating a and 12b, the gear G6 meshed with the rack 21 rotates counterclockwise in the figure.

Along with this (gear G3 rotates to the left, gears G2 and G4 rotate to the right, respectively), gears G1 and G5 rotate to the left, and as shown by the chain double-dashed line, handle 23 rises. The protective cover 25 is closed to cover the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 50a. Then, the process unit 10b can be detached and carried by holding the handle 23.

When mounting the process unit 10b, the process unit 10b is hung by the handle 23, and the guide portion
16a, 16b on rails 70a, 70b and reference pins 17a, 17b
Rails 71a, 71b, the reference pins 17a, 17b are supported by the V grooves 20a, 20b of the sliders 19a, 19b, and then the lever 12
When a and 12b are returned vertically, the gear G6 meshed with the rack 21
Rotates to the right, the gears G1 and G5 respectively rotate to the right accordingly, the handle 23 falls on the upper surface of the process unit 10b, and the protective cover 25 opens upward.

In this way, the process unit 10b can be moved up and down in an oblique direction by rotating the levers 12a and 12b, and the handle 23 is rotated so that the attaching / detaching operation becomes extremely easy. Protective cover 25 for photosensitive drum 50a
Since the opening / closing of the protective cover is performed, forgetting to attach or remove the protective cover, or loss of the protective cover is prevented, and protection can be surely performed.

Further, positioning is performed by the reference surfaces Sa, Sb and the reference pins 17a, 17b of the process unit 10b at the time of mounting, and when the mounting is completed, the guide portions 16a, 16b are separated from the end portions of the rails 70a, 70b. The gap G is secured,
Since the sliders 19a and 19b are disengaged from the reference pins 17a and 17b to secure the gap g, external force is applied to the process unit 10b.
The accuracy of positioning can be improved without adding to the.

In the above example, the process unit 10b is moved up and down by the turning operation of the levers 12a and 12b, but it may be moved up and down by opening and closing the cover 9a.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
According to the first aspect, even if the process unit is mounted at the back of the apparatus, the removal operation can be performed very easily.

According to the second aspect, even when the process unit is mounted in the back of the apparatus, the mounting operation can be performed very easily. According to the third aspect, the mechanism can be simplified without providing a shaft for supporting the lever.

According to the fourth aspect, the positioning is reliably performed by the reference point and the reference axis without applying an external force to the process unit. According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to prevent the second cover that protects the exposed portion of the image forming body from being forgotten, forgotten, and lost.

According to the sixth aspect, the attaching / detaching operation can be performed more easily. There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an internal side view showing the mounting positioning and the mounting / dismounting direction of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an internal side view showing the lifting mechanism of the embodiment.

[Fig. 5] Enlarged view of the lifting mechanism

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing reference pins and links.

FIG. 7 is an internal side view showing a turning mechanism of a handle and an opening / closing mechanism of a protective cover.

FIG. 8 is an internal side view of a laser printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a laser printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

7, 7a to 7c are housings, 9 is the first cover, 9a
Is a front cover, 10, 10a, 10b are process units,
11,11a is a support shaft, 12,12a, 12b is a lever,
13 is a lifting mechanism, 13a, 13b are arms, 17a,
17b is a reference pin, 18a, 18b are links, 19a, 19
b is a slider, 20a and 20b are V grooves, 21 is a rack,
23 is a handle, 25 is a protective cover, 50 is an image forming body, 50a is a photosensitive drum, 51 is a charging unit, 51a is a charger, 52 is an exposing unit, 52a is an optical unit, 53 is a developing unit,
53a is a developing device, 70a, 70b, 71a, 71b are rails,
G1 to G6 are gears, Sa and Sb are reference planes

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a first cover, one end of which is supported by a support shaft so as to be openable and closable, an exposure means which is housed in the housing and irradiates scanning light, a charging means, and a charging means which is charged by the charging means. It has an image forming body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by scanning light from the exposing means, and a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image forming body with a developer, and is detachably attached to a housing. An image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image of the image forming body onto a medium, comprising: a rotation operation of a lever, one end of which is rotatably supported by the housing; Interlocked with the opening operation of the cover of 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising a raising mechanism for raising the process unit in a detaching direction. 2. The rotating operation of the lever or the first
An image forming apparatus comprising a lowering mechanism that supports the process unit and lowers it in the mounting direction in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end of the lever is configured so as to be supported also as a support shaft of the first cover. 4. The process unit includes a reference point provided at a lower end portion, which serves as a reference for a mounting position when the process unit is mounted on the housing, and a reference shaft provided at predetermined positions on both side surfaces of the process unit. A rail for guiding a reference shaft and a reference shaft when the process unit descends in the housing, and slides on the rail in association with the rotation of the lever or the closing of the first cover. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a support member, wherein the support member is separated from the reference axis when the process unit is mounted on the housing. 5. The process unit includes a second cover that rotatably supports at one end and covers at least an exposed portion of the image forming body when closed at the other end, and is interlocked with ascent and descent of the process unit. The second cover is configured to rotate so as to close and open, and the first cover, the second cover, the third cover, or the fourth cover.
Image forming device. 6. The process unit is provided with a handle having one end rotatably attached to an upper surface thereof, and the handle is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle in association with ascent and descent of the process unit. Claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5.