Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides one form of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. [Solution] The image forming apparatus comprises an apparatus body having a first opening, a first cartridge, a second cartridge, a first cover, and a second cover. When the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the second open position, a first region of the first opening is open when viewed in the first direction. When the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, a second region, narrower than the first region of the first opening, is open through the second opening when viewed in the first direction. The entire first cartridge mounted on the apparatus body is located within the first region when viewed in the first direction. The entire second cartridge mounted on the first cartridge is located within the second region when viewed in the first direction. A portion of the first cartridge mounted on the apparatus body is located outside the second region when viewed in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been proposed that includes a housing having an opening, a process cartridge that is removable from inside the housing through the opening, and a first cover and a second cover that are supported by the housing so as to be openable and closable (see Patent Document 1). The process cartridge has a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge, which are configured to be separable from each other. The first cover and the second cover are front covers that cover the opening of the housing when closed with respect to the housing.

[0003] The process cartridge is removed from inside the housing through the opening with the first cover and the second cover open. When the first cover is open and the second cover is closed, if an attempt is made to remove the drum cartridge of the process cartridge from the housing, the drum cartridge contacts a protrusion of the second cover. As a result, removal of the drum cartridge from the housing is restricted. On the other hand, when the first cover is open and the second cover is closed, the toner cartridge can be removed from the drum cartridge without interfering with the protrusion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a form of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a photosensitive drum rotatable about a rotation axis; a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum; a toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing roller; and a mounting section, wherein the first cartridge is detachable from the apparatus body in a first direction intersecting the direction of the rotation axis; a second cartridge located inside the apparatus body, detachable from the mounting section of the first cartridge in the first direction, and storing toner for replenishing the toner storage section; a first cover having a first supported portion supported by the apparatus body, configured to be rotatable about the first supported portion between a first closed position closed to the apparatus body so as to cover a part of the first cartridge when viewed in the first direction, and a first open position open to the apparatus body; and a second supported portion supported by the first cover, configured so as to cover the second cartridge when viewed in the first direction when the first cover is in the first closed position. The device comprises a second cover configured to rotate around the second supported portion between a second closed position, which is closed relative to the main body of the device, and a second open position, which is open relative to the main body of the device, wherein when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, the second cartridge can be detached from the mounting portion and removed from the main body of the device, and the detachment of the first cartridge from the main body of the device is restricted, wherein when the first cover is rotated around the first supported portion from the first closed position to the first open position, the second supported portion of the second cover moves with the second cover relative to the main body of the device, and the second cover moves to a third open position, which is open relative to the main body of the device, wherein when the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the third open position, the detachment of the first cartridge from the main body of the device is permitted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, one form of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] (a) is an overall schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment with the second cover open, and (b) is an overall schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus with both the first and second covers open. [Figure 2] A bottom view showing the process cartridge. [Figure 3] (a) is a front view showing the image forming apparatus with the second cover open, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the second cover open. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view showing the drum cartridge installed in the main unit of the device. [Figure 5] (a) is a front view showing the image forming apparatus with the first cover and the second cover in the open position, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the first cover and the second cover in the open position. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] (a) is a front view showing the image forming apparatus in the open position according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a front view showing the image forming apparatus 1B in the open position with the first cover and the second cover. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <First Embodiment> [Overall structure] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus 1, as an image forming apparatus, is an electrophotographic laser beam printer that forms a monochrome toner image. Figure 1(a) is an overall schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the second cover 20 open, and Figure 1(b) is an overall schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the first cover 21 and the second cover 20 open.

[0010] In the following, each direction will be defined as shown by the arrows indicating direction in Figure 1(a). Specifically, the direction at the top of the page in Figure 1(a) will be referred to as the up direction, the direction at the bottom of the page will be referred to as the down direction, the direction to the right of the page will be referred to as the front direction or front view direction, and the direction to the left of the page will be referred to as the back direction or rear view direction.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1(a), the image forming apparatus 1 includes a feeder unit 3 for feeding the loaded sheets and an image forming unit 4 for forming images on the fed sheets. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a fixing unit 5 for fixing the images transferred to the sheets, a discharge unit 6 for discharging the sheets outside the machine, a loading unit 7, and a document reading unit 8.

[0012] Furthermore, an image forming apparatus includes printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and multifunction devices, and refers to a device that forms images on a sheet used as a recording medium based on image information input from an external PC or image information read from an original document. In addition to the main unit with image forming capabilities, an image forming apparatus may also include auxiliary equipment such as optional feeders, image readers, and sheet processing devices, and the entire system with such auxiliary equipment connected is also a type of image forming apparatus. Furthermore, sheets and original documents include paper such as paper and envelopes, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets, and cloth.

[0013] The feeder unit 3 includes a cassette 30 on which sheets S are loaded, a pickup roller 31 for feeding the sheets S loaded in the cassette 30, a transport guide 32, and a transport roller pair 33. The transport guide 32 guides the sheets S fed by the pickup roller 31 to the transport roller pair 33, and the transport roller pair 33 transports the sheets S toward the transfer nip N1, which will be described later. The transport roller pair 33 may also be composed of a registration roller pair that corrects the skewness of the sheets S.

[0014] The image forming unit 4 includes a laser scanner 40, a process cartridge 41, and a transfer roller 44. The process cartridge 41 is positioned between the laser scanner 40 and the feeder unit 3. The process cartridge 41 also includes a drum cartridge 42 and a toner cartridge 43 that is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 42.

[0015] The drum cartridge 42, as the first cartridge, comprises a drum frame 429, a photosensitive drum 420 rotatably supported by the drum frame 429, a charging roller 421, and a developing roller 422. The photosensitive drum 420, as the image carrier, contacts the transfer roller 44 and together with the transfer roller 44 forms a transfer nip N1. The drum frame 429 has a first gripping portion 423 that can grip the drum cartridge 42 when attaching or detaching it from the device body 2, a mounting portion 424 into which the toner cartridge 43 is mounted, and a toner storage portion 429a that can contain a developer containing toner. The first gripping portion 423 is located on the upper part of the drum frame 429. The developing roller 422 is configured to carry the toner in the toner storage portion 429a, and the photosensitive drum 420 is configured to receive toner from the developing roller 422. The drum cartridge 42 can be attached to and detached from the device body 2 either as the drum cartridge 42 alone, or with the toner cartridge 43 installed, i.e., as the process cartridge 41.

[0016] The main body of the apparatus 2 refers to the part of the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the document reading unit 8, process cartridge 41, first cover 21, and second cover 20. In other words, the main body of the apparatus 2 includes the feeder unit 3, laser scanner 40, transfer roller 44, fixing unit 5, discharge unit 6, and stacking unit 7.

[0017] The toner cartridge 43, which serves as the second cartridge, has a housing section 431 capable of housing a developer containing toner, and a second gripping section 430 that protrudes forward from the housing section 431 and can be gripped when attaching or detaching the toner cartridge 43 from the drum cartridge 42.

[0018] The fixing unit 5 includes a fixing roller 50 incorporating a heater not shown, and a pressure roller 51 that forms a fixing nip N2 together with the fixing roller 50. The pressure roller 51 is pressed toward the fixing roller 50 by a pressure spring not shown, and either the fixing roller 50 or the pressure roller 51 is driven by a drive source not shown.

[0019] The discharging unit 6 includes a discharge guide 60 and a pair of discharge rollers 61. The discharge guide 60 guides the sheet S conveyed from the fixing nip N2 to the pair of discharge rollers 61, and the pair of discharge rollers 61 discharges the sheet S outside the machine through a discharge opening 70. At this time, the pair of discharge rollers 61 discharges the sheet S in the discharge direction DD. The stacking unit 7 includes a discharge opening 70 and a discharge tray 71 on which the sheet S discharged outside the machine by the pair of discharge rollers 61 is stacked. The document reading unit 8 can read an image of a document placed on a document table glass within the document reading unit 8.

[0020] When a command for image formation is output to the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming process by the image forming unit 4 is started based on image information input from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 or the document reading unit 8 or the like. The laser scanner 40 irradiates laser light toward the photosensitive drum 420 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 420 is pre-charged by a charging roller 421, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 420 when irradiated with the laser light. Thereafter, this electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing roller 422, and a monochrome toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 420.

[0021] In parallel with the image forming process described above, a sheet S is fed from the feeder unit 3. At the transfer nip N1, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 420 is transferred to the sheet S fed from the feeder unit 3 by an electrostatic load bias applied to the transfer roller 44. The sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred is subjected to predetermined heat and pressure at the fixing nip N2 by the fixing roller 50 and pressure roller 51 of the fixing unit 5, causing the toner to melt and solidify (fix) to the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 5 is guided by the discharge guide 60 to the discharge roller pair 61 and discharged to the discharge tray 71 by the discharge roller pair 61.

[0022] [Structure of Cover 1 and Cover 2] Next, the configuration of the first cover 21 and the second cover 20 will be described. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 has a first cover 21 that is openably supported on the apparatus body 2 and a second cover 20 that is openably supported on the first cover 21. These first cover 21 and second cover 20 are provided on the front side of the apparatus body 2. In other words, the first cover 21 and the second cover 20 are located on the downstream side of the apparatus body 2 in the discharge direction DD. In this embodiment, the discharge direction DD is the direction along the removal direction D2.

[0023] The first cover 21 is configured to rotate around axis X2 and is movable between a closed position, which is the first closed position shown in Figure 1(a), and an open position, which is the first open position, which is the first open position, which is the first open position, which is the first open position, which is the first open position, which is the first open position, which is the second open position, which is the second open position, which is the second open position, which is the first

[0024] Furthermore, in the closed position, the second cover 20 faces the first cover 21, which is in the closed position, in the mounting direction D1, and is positioned downstream of the first cover 21 in the removal direction D2. In addition, in the closed position, the second cover 20 constitutes the front surface of the device body 2. The device body 2 is provided with an opening 23 as a first opening for attaching and detaching the process cartridge 41 to and from the device body 2. In the closed position, the first cover 21 covers a portion of the opening 23, and in the open position, it opens the aforementioned portion of the opening 23. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the first cover 21 is provided with an opening 22 for attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 43 to and from the drum cartridge 42, and the opening 22 as a second opening is formed (defined) by a rectangular hole 22a. In the closed position, the second cover 20 covers the opening 22 of the first cover 21, and in the open position, it opens the opening 22 of the first cover 21.

[0025] As described later, the toner cartridge 43 is configured to be mountable to the drum cartridge 42 in a first mounting direction D1 and removable in a second removal direction D2 opposite to the mounting direction D1. The drum cartridge 42 is configured to be mountable to the device body 2 along the mounting direction D1 and removable along the removal direction D2. In this embodiment, the mounting direction D1 and the removal direction D2 are directions along the horizontal direction.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1(b), the first cover 21 is provided with a flange portion 22b that is formed to be continuous with the hole portion 22a, and the flange portion 22b extends rearward toward the interior of the device body 2 when the first cover 21 is in the closed position.

[0027] [Removing and installing toner cartridges] Next, the attachment and detachment of the toner cartridge 43 will be described using FIGS. 1(a) to 3. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the process cartridge 41. FIG. 3(a) is a front view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the second cover 20 open, and FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the second cover 20 open. In FIG. 2, a part of the drum frame 429 of the drum cartridge 42 is shown with a notch cut out. FIG. 3(a) is also a view of the image forming apparatus 1 seen in the mounting direction D1.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the developing roller 422 has a developing shaft portion 427 that extends in the axial direction AD and is rotatably supported by the drum frame 429, and a developing roller portion 428 that is fixed to the developing shaft portion 427 and serves as a roller portion for carrying toner. At this time, in the axial direction AD, the length L2 of the toner cartridge 43 is shorter than the length L1 of the developing roller portion 428 (L2 < L1). Similarly, in the axial direction AD, the length L2 of the toner cartridge 43 is shorter than the length of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 420 and the length L3 of the drum cartridge 42. The lengths L1, L2, and L3 are the maximum outer dimensions in the axial direction AD of the developing roller portion 428, the toner cartridge 43, and the drum cartridge 42, respectively.

[0029] Inside the accommodating portion 431 of the toner cartridge 43, a conveying paddle (not shown) is provided, and the conveying paddle conveys the toner accommodated in the accommodating portion 431 toward the developing roller 422 of the drum cartridge 42. As a result, the toner accommodated in the accommodating portion 431 of the toner cartridge 43 is replenished to the toner accommodating portion 429a of the drum cartridge 42. The conveying paddle is driven by the transmission of a driving force from the drum cartridge 42.

[0030] Also, the toner cartridge 43 attached to the drum cartridge 42 is accommodated in the apparatus main body 2 in a state where the drum cartridge 42 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 and the first cover 21 and the second cover 20 are in the closed positions.

[0031] When removing the toner cartridge 43 from the drum cartridge 42 mounted on the main unit 2 of the device, the user first moves the second cover 20 from the closed position to the open position. Note that for the image forming apparatus 1 to perform the image forming process described above, the first cover 21 and the second cover 20 must be in the closed position. For this reason, the main unit 2 is provided with a switch 47, as shown in Figure 1(a). The switch 47 turns from off to on when the second cover 20 moves from the closed position to the open position. Based on the fact that the switch 47 is turned on, the image forming apparatus 1 stops or restricts the image forming process and the transport operation of the sheet S. Therefore, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the toner cartridge 43 and drum cartridge 42, or damage to the toner cartridge 43 and drum cartridge 42, when the toner cartridge 43 is removed from the drum cartridge 42 during the image forming process.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 3(a), when the second cover 20 moves to the open position, the opening 22 of the first cover 21, which is in the closed position, is opened. In other words, as shown in Figure 3(a), when the first cover 21 is in the closed position and the second cover 20 is in the open position, the second region AR2 of the opening 23 of the device body 2 is opened through the opening 22 when viewed in the mounting direction D1. The second region AR2 is the area that is hatched in Figure 3(a). The entire toner cartridge 43 mounted on the drum cartridge 42 is located within the second region AR2 when viewed in the mounting direction D1. In other words, the projected area when the toner cartridge 43 is projected in the mounting direction D1 is smaller than the second region AR2.

[0033] Therefore, the user can see the toner cartridge 43 through the opening 22 of the first cover 21. Also, the second gripping portion 430 of the toner cartridge 43 is located on the front side of the toner cartridge 43 and is therefore exposed to the outside of the device body 2. Thus, the user can also see the second gripping portion 430. As shown in Figures 2 and 3(b), the user can grasp the second gripping portion 430 and pull the toner cartridge 43 out of the drum cartridge 42 in the removal direction D2. In other words, the toner cartridge 43 is removable from the drum cartridge 42 through the opening 22 in the removal direction D2.

[0034] As described above, a flange portion 22b is formed on the inner surface of the first cover 21, as shown in Figure 1(a). The flange portion 22b is positioned close to the toner cartridge 43 mounted on the drum cartridge 42. Furthermore, the second region AR2 is slightly larger than the projected area of ​​the toner cartridge 43. Therefore, when pulling out the toner cartridge 43 in the removal direction D2, the toner cartridge 43 is guided in the removal direction D2 by the flange portion 22b and can smoothly pass through the opening 22 of the first cover 21. In addition, it is possible to prevent the toner cartridge 43 from hitting the flange portion 22b or the inner surface of the first cover 21, which would hinder the removal of the toner cartridge 43.

[0035] Furthermore, to allow passage through the opening 22, there is a slight gap between the attachment / detachment trajectory of the toner cartridge 43 and the hole 22a and flange 22b that form the opening 22. However, the flange 22b extends in the mounting direction D1, and the drum cartridge 42 is positioned downstream of the toner cartridge 43 in the mounting direction D1. In other words, the drum cartridge 42 is positioned in a recessed position within the device body 2 relative to the opening 22. Therefore, from the user's perspective, the drum cartridge 42 is not visible through the slight gap, and the drum cartridge 42 is not exposed to the outside of the device body 2.

[0036] In other words, the drum cartridge 42 mounted in the device body 2 is not exposed to the outside of the device body 2 when the toner cartridge 43 is mounted on the drum cartridge 42, the first cover 21 is in the closed position, and the second cover 20 is in the open position. Therefore, even when the user opens the second cover 20, it is difficult for foreign matter or light to enter the inside of the device body 2 from the outside through the gap. As a result, the environment inside the device body 2 can be kept in good condition, and image defects can be suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, when the first cover 21 is in the closed position and the second cover 20 is in the open position, the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42 is not exposed to the outside of the device body 2 through the opening 22. Therefore, the user cannot see the first gripping portion 423 and can only access the second gripping portion 430 of the toner cartridge 43. Thus, the user does not get confused about whether to pull out the second gripping portion 430 of the toner cartridge 43 or the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42. In addition, since the opening 22 is a hole provided in the first cover 21 by the hole portion 22a, the insertion and removal position of the toner cartridge 43 becomes clear, improving usability.

[0038] Furthermore, the opening 22 of the first cover 21 is of a size that is necessary and sufficient for the toner cartridge 43 to pass through, and the drum cartridge 42 cannot pass through the opening 22. In other words, the drum cartridge 42 is prevented from being removed from the device body 2 by the first cover 21 when it is in the closed position. That is, as shown in Figure 3(a), a portion of the drum cartridge 42 mounted on the device body 2 is located outside the second area AR2 when viewed in the mounting direction D1. Therefore, regardless of whether the toner cartridge 43 is mounted on the drum cartridge 42 or not, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pulling out the drum cartridge 42 when the first cover 21 is in the closed position. Thus, it is possible to prevent the accidentally pulled-out drum cartridge 42 from colliding with the first cover 21, and damage to the drum cartridge 42 and the first cover 21 can be reduced.

[0039] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 43 is provided with a shutter (not shown). When the user starts pulling out the toner cartridge 43, the shutter is configured to close to prevent toner from spilling and scattering. For example, a locking member may be provided on the front side (opening 22 side) of the toner cartridge 43 to lock the toner cartridge 43 against the drum cartridge 42, and the shutter may be configured to close when the locking member is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. Alternatively, the shutter may be configured to close when the second cover 20 is moved to the open position and the switch 47 is turned on.

[0040] Then, as shown in Figure 3(b), the toner cartridge 43 is pulled out of the drum cartridge 42 in the removal direction D2 and removed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 through the opening 22. To install the toner cartridge 43 into the drum cartridge 42 in the installation direction D1, the reverse operation of the pulling-out operation described above is performed.

[0041] [Attaching and detaching the drum cartridge] Next, the attachment and detachment of the drum cartridge 42 will be explained using Figures 4 to 5(b). Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the drum cartridge 42 mounted on the main body 2 of the device. Figure 5(a) is a front view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the first cover 21 and the second cover 20 in the open position, and Figure 5(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the first cover 21 and the second cover 20 in the open position. Note that Figure 5(a) is also a view of the image forming apparatus 1 in the mounting direction D1.

[0042] Furthermore, the following instructions for attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 42 are the same whether the toner cartridge 43 is attached to the drum cartridge 42 or removed, as shown in Figure 5(b). In other words, the process for attaching and detaching the process cartridge 41 is the same as the following instructions for attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 42.

[0043] As shown in Figures 4 and 5(a)(b), the main body of the device 2 is provided with groove-shaped guide sections 24L and 24R. The left side of the drum cartridge 42 is provided with a positioning shaft 425L and a rotation-stopping shaft 426L that can engage with the guide section 24L. The right side of the drum cartridge 42 is provided with a positioning shaft 425R and a rotation-stopping shaft 426R that can engage with the guide section 24R. When the drum cartridge 42 is mounted on the main body of the device 2, the positioning shaft 425L and the rotation-stopping shaft 426L engage with the guide section 24L, and the positioning shaft 425R and the rotation-stopping shaft 426R engage with the guide section 24R.

[0044] Since the positioning shaft 425L, rotation-stopping shaft 426L, and guide section 24L have the same configuration as the positioning shaft 425R, rotation-stopping shaft 426R, and guide section 24R, the positioning shaft 425R, rotation-stopping shaft 426R, and guide section 24R will be described primarily.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the positioning shaft 425R and the rotation stopper shaft 426R are boss-shaped. When the drum cartridge 42 is mounted on the device body 2, the positioning shaft 425R abuts against the abutment portion 25R of the guide portion 24R. The abutment portion 25R is composed of a first surface 25a extending in the vertical direction and a second surface 25b extending in the removal direction D2 perpendicular to the vertical direction VD, and the positioning shaft 425R abuts against these first surface 25a and second surface 25b.

[0046] Furthermore, the device body 2 is provided with a compression spring 26R that can rotate around a pivot axis 26c. The compression spring 26R has a first linear portion 26a and a second linear portion 26b that is bent from the first linear portion 26a. The first linear portion 26a extends downward in the vertical direction VD as it approaches the mounting direction D1, and the second linear portion 26b extends upward in the vertical direction VD as it approaches the mounting direction D1.

[0047] The second linear portion 26b of the compression spring 26R presses the positioning shaft 425R downward and rearward. As a result, the positioning shaft 425R is pressed against the first surface 25a and the second surface 25b of the abutment portion 25R by the biasing force of the compression spring 26R, and the drum cartridge 42 is positioned relative to the device body 2. In addition, the rotation-stopping shaft 426R is in contact with the lower surface 24a of the guide portion 24R by its own weight. As a result, the rotation of the drum cartridge 42 around the positioning shaft 425R is restricted by the rotation-stopping shaft 426R in contact with the lower surface 24a, and a stable posture can be maintained.

[0048] When removing the drum cartridge 42 from the main body 2 of the device, the user moves the second cover 20 and the first cover 21 to the open position, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). This turns on the switch 47 described above, stopping or restricting the image forming process and sheet S transport operation of the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the switch 47 is turned on when the second cover 20 is moved to the open position, but this is not limited to this. For example, the switch 47 may also be turned on when the first cover 21 is moved to the open position. Also, the switching of the switch 47 from off to on described above may also be from on to off, and in any case, it is sufficient that the opening and closing of the first cover 21 or the second cover 20 can be detected by the switch 47.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second cover 20 is rotatably supported by the first cover 21. Therefore, the user can move the first cover 21 to the open position and thereby move the second cover 20 to the open position without having to operate the second cover 20. Thus, operability can be improved. Of course, after moving the second cover 20 to the open position, the first cover 21 may also be moved to the open position so as to overlap the second cover 20, which is already in the open position.

[0050] When the second cover 20 and the first cover 21 are moved to the open position, the opening 23 of the device body 2 is opened. In other words, as shown in Figure 5(a), when the first cover 21 and the first cover 21 are in the open position, the first region AR1 of the opening 23 of the device body 2 is opened when viewed in the mounting direction D1. The first region AR1 is the area that is hatched in Figure 5(a). The entire drum cartridge 42 mounted on the device body 2 is located within the first region AR1 when viewed in the mounting direction D1. In other words, the projected area when the drum cartridge 42 is projected in the mounting direction D1 is smaller than the first region AR1. The second region AR2 mentioned above is narrower than the first region AR1 and is included within the first region AR1.

[0051] Here, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 5(b), the first cover 21 of this embodiment has a first part 21a and a second part 21b that form an opening 22 and cover the portion of the first region AR1 excluding the second region AR2 when the first cover 21 is in the closed position. The first part 21a and the second part 21b are each formed in a flat plate shape. When the first cover 21 is in the closed position, the second part 21b extends from the first part 21a in the mounting direction D1 and constitutes a part of the top surface 2a of the device body 2. At this time, the second part 21b is positioned so as to overlap the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42 when viewed in the vertical direction. That is, the first cover 21 is formed in an L-shape in cross-section by the first part 21a and the second part 21b, and the second cover 20 is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0052] Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, when the second cover 20 and the first cover 21 are in the open position, the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42 is exposed to the outside of the device body 2 through the opening 23 in the mounting direction D1 and the vertical direction VD. Thus, the user can see the first gripping portion 423 from both the mounting direction D1 and the vertical direction VD, improving visibility and allowing easy access to the first gripping portion 423. The user can then grasp the first gripping portion 423 and pull the drum cartridge 42 out of the device body 2 along the removal direction D2. In other words, the drum cartridge 42 is removable from the device body 2 along the removal direction D2 through the opening 23.

[0053] When the user starts the drum cartridge 42 pulling operation, the positioning shaft 425R presses the compression spring 26R in the removal direction D2, as shown in Figure 4. At this time, the second linear portion 26b of the compression spring 26R that abuts the positioning shaft 425R is inclined downward as it moves toward the removal direction D2, so the positioning shaft 425R pushes the compression spring 26R upward to the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 4. Then, when the positioning shaft 425R passes the bent portion of the compression spring 26R, the positioning shaft 425R and the rotation stopper shaft 426R are guided along the removal direction D2 by the guide portion 24R.

[0054] Furthermore, when the user moves the drum cartridge 42 in the removal direction D2 and the positioning shaft 425R and rotation stop shaft 426R pass through the guide section 24R, the drum cartridge 42 is removed from the device body 2, as shown in Figure 5(b). For the installation operation of mounting the drum cartridge 42 onto the toner cartridge 43 along the mounting direction D1, the reverse operation of the above-described pulling-out operation is performed.

[0055] As explained above, when the second cover 20 is in the open position and the first cover 21 is in the closed position, the toner cartridge 43 is exposed to the outside of the device body 2 through the opening 22 of the first cover 21, but the drum cartridge 42 is not exposed to the outside of the device body 2. Also, the second gripping portion 430 of the toner cartridge 43 is exposed to the outside of the device body 2 through the opening 22 of the first cover 21, but the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42 is not exposed to the outside of the device body 2.

[0056] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly removing the drum cartridge 42 from the device body 2 while the second cover 20 is in the open position and the first cover 21 is in the closed position. Furthermore, the user will not be confused about whether to pull out the toner cartridge 43 or the drum cartridge 42, improving usability.

[0057] Furthermore, when the first cover 21 and the second cover 20 are in the open position, the drum cartridge 42 is exposed to the outside of the device body 2 through the opening 23 of the device body 2. In particular, the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42 is exposed to the outside of the device body 2 through the opening 23 in the mounting direction D1 and the vertical direction VD. As a result, the user can easily access the first gripping portion 423 and easily remove the drum cartridge 42 from the device body 2, thereby improving usability.

[0058] Furthermore, since both the drum cartridge 42 and the toner cartridge 43 can be accessed from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, accessibility is improved. Moreover, since both the drum cartridge 42 and the toner cartridge 43 are installed in the installation direction D1 or removed in the removal direction D2, the movement trajectories of the drum cartridge 42 and the toner cartridge 43 overlap. As a result, the space inside the apparatus body 2 can be used effectively, and the space on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 necessary for attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 42 and the toner cartridge 43 can be used efficiently. Thus, the workspace required for maintenance of the drum cartridge 42 and the toner cartridge 43 can be reduced.

[0059] <Modified form of the first embodiment> In this embodiment, the first cover 21 had a first portion 21a and a second portion 21b that covered a part of the top surface 2a of the device body 2, but is not limited to this. For example, the modified first cover 121 shown in Figure 6 may omit the above-mentioned second portion 21b. That is, the first cover 121 is formed in a flat plate shape, similar to the second cover 20. In the modified example shown in Figure 6, the first cover 121 forms an opening 23 and, when in the closed position, covers the portion of the above-mentioned first region AR1 excluding the second region AR2. The first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42 mounted on the device body 2 is covered above by the top surface 2a of the device body 2, regardless of the position of the first cover 121.

[0060] By configuring the first cover 121 as shown in this modified example, the first cover 121 can be made simple and lightweight, reducing the force required by the user to open and close the first cover 121, and improving usability.

[0061] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is constructed by changing the shape of the first cover 21 of the first embodiment. For this reason, components similar to those of the first embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0062] Figure 7(a) is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1B in the open position according to the second embodiment, and Figure 7(b) is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1B in the open position with the first cover 210 and the second cover 200 in the open position. Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are also views of the image forming apparatus 1B in the mounting direction D1.

[0063] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the first cover 210 and the second cover 200 are configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction AD, similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the closed position, the second cover 200 overlaps with the first cover 210, which is in the closed position when viewed in the mounting direction D1, and is positioned downstream of the first cover 210 in the removal direction D2.

[0064] The first cover 210 covers a portion of the opening 23 of the device body 2 in the closed position and opens the opening 23 in the open position. As shown in Figure 7(a), the first cover 210 is provided with an opening 220 for attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 43 to and from the drum cartridge 42, and the opening 220 is formed (defined) by a notch 220a. The notch 220a is located at the bottom of the first cover 210 and in the center in the axial direction AD, and is open at the bottom. The second cover 200 covers the opening 220 of the first cover 210 in the closed position and opens the opening 220 of the first cover 210 in the open position.

[0065] [Removing and installing toner cartridges] When removing the toner cartridge 43 from the drum cartridge 42 mounted on the main unit 2 of the device, the user first moves the second cover 200 from the closed position to the open position, as shown in Figure 7(a). When the second cover 20 moves from the closed position to the open position, the switch 47 (see Figure 1(a)) turns from off to on. Based on the fact that the switch 47 has turned on, the image forming apparatus 1B stops or restricts the image forming process and the transport operation of the sheet S, etc.

[0066] When the second cover 200 moves to the open position, the opening 220 of the first cover 210, which is in the closed position, is opened. In other words, as shown in Figure 7(a), when the first cover 210 is in the closed position and the second cover 200 is in the open position, the second region AR12 of the opening 23 of the device body 2 is opened through the opening 220 when viewed in the mounting direction D1. The second region AR12 is the area that is hatched in Figure 7(a). The entire toner cartridge 43 mounted on the drum cartridge 42 is located within the second region AR12 when viewed in the mounting direction D1. In other words, the projected area when the toner cartridge 43 is projected in the mounting direction D1 is smaller than the second region AR12.

[0067] Therefore, the user can see the toner cartridge 43 through the opening 220 of the first cover 210. Also, the second gripping portion 430 of the toner cartridge 43 is located on the front side of the toner cartridge 43 and is exposed to the outside of the device body 2. Therefore, the user can also see the second gripping portion 430 and grasp the second gripping portion 430 to pull the toner cartridge 43 out of the drum cartridge 42 in the removal direction D2. In other words, the toner cartridge 43 is removable from the drum cartridge 42 through the opening 220 in the removal direction D2.

[0068] Furthermore, when the first cover 210 is in the closed position and the second cover 200 is in the open position, the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42 is not exposed to the outside of the device body 2 through the opening 220. Therefore, the user cannot see the first gripping portion 423 and can only access the second gripping portion 430 of the toner cartridge 43. Thus, the user does not get confused about whether to pull out the second gripping portion 430 of the toner cartridge 43 or the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42. In addition, since the opening 220 is an opening provided in the first cover 210 by a U-shaped notch 220a, the insertion and removal position of the toner cartridge 43 becomes clear, improving usability.

[0069] Furthermore, the opening 220 of the first cover 210 is of a size that is necessary and sufficient for the toner cartridge 43 to pass through, and the drum cartridge 42 cannot pass through the opening 220. In other words, the drum cartridge 42 is prevented from being removed from the device body 2 by the first cover 210 when it is in the closed position. That is, as shown in Figure 7(a), a portion of the drum cartridge 42 mounted on the device body 2 is located outside the second area AR12 when viewed in the mounting direction D1. Therefore, regardless of whether the toner cartridge 43 is mounted on the drum cartridge 42 or not, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pulling out the drum cartridge 42 when the first cover 210 is in the closed position. Thus, it is possible to prevent the accidentally pulled-out drum cartridge 42 from colliding with the first cover 210, and damage to the drum cartridge 42 and the first cover 210 can be reduced.

[0070] The toner cartridge 43 is then pulled out of the drum cartridge 42 in the removal direction D2 and removed from the image forming apparatus 1 through the opening 220. To install the toner cartridge 43 into the drum cartridge 42 in the installation direction D1, the reverse operation of the pulling-out operation described above is performed.

[0071] [Attaching and detaching the drum cartridge] When removing the drum cartridge 42 from the device body 2, the user moves the second cover 200 and the first cover 210 to the open position, as shown in Figure 7(b). When the second cover 200 and the first cover 210 are moved to the open position, the opening 23 of the device body 2 is opened. In other words, when the first cover 210 and the first cover 210 are in the open position, the first region AR11 of the opening 23 of the device body 2 is opened when viewed in the mounting direction D1. The first region AR11 is the area that is hatched in Figure 7(b). The entire drum cartridge 42 mounted on the device body 2 is located within the first region AR11 when viewed in the mounting direction D1. In other words, the projected area when the drum cartridge 42 is projected in the mounting direction D1 is smaller than the first region AR11. The second region AR12 mentioned above is narrower than the first region AR11 and is included in the first region AR11.

[0072] With the second cover 200 and the first cover 210 in the open position, the first gripping portion 423 of the drum cartridge 42 is exposed to the outside of the device body 2 through the opening 23. Therefore, the user can easily access the first gripping portion 423 and grasp the first gripping portion 423 to pull the drum cartridge 42 out of the device body 2 along the removal direction D2. In other words, the drum cartridge 42 is removable from the device body 2 along the removal direction D2 through the opening 23.

[0073] The movement of the pressure spring 26R (see Figure 4) when the user starts pulling out the drum cartridge 42 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description is omitted. When the drum cartridge 42 is moved by the user in the removal direction D2 and passes through the guide parts 24L and 24R, the drum cartridge 42 is removed from the device body 2. For the installation operation of installing the drum cartridge 42 into the toner cartridge 43 along the installation direction D1, the reverse operation of the pulling-out operation described above should be performed.

[0074] As described above, even when the opening 220 of the first cover 210 is formed by a notch 220a, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved. In this embodiment, the first cover 210 was bent into an L shape and formed part of the top surface 2a, similar to the first embodiment, but it is not limited to this. For example, the second part 21b (see Figure 1(a)) may be omitted, similar to the modified example described in Figure 6.

[0075] <Other Embodiments> In all of the embodiments described above, the first covers 21, 210 and the second covers 20, 200 were configured to be rotatable, but are not limited to this. For example, the first covers 21, 210 and the second covers 20, 200 may be configured to slide between an open position and a closed position. Also, although the first covers 21, 210 and the second covers 20, 200 were configured to be rotatable around axes X1 and X2 extending parallel to the axial direction AD, axes X1 and X2 do not necessarily have to be parallel to the axial direction AD. For example, axes X1 and X2 may be inclined within a range of ±15° with respect to the axial direction AD. In other words, the first covers 21, 210 may be provided to be rotatable around an axis extending in a third direction intersecting the mounting direction D1, and the second covers 20, 200 may be provided to be rotatable around an axis extending in a fourth direction intersecting the mounting direction D1. These third and fourth directions are preferably perpendicular to the mounting direction D1 and parallel to each other, for example, the axial direction AD of the developing roller 422.

[0076] Furthermore, in all of the configurations described above, the second covers 20,200 were supported relative to the first covers 21,210, but are not limited to this. For example, the second covers 20,200 may be movably supported by the device body 2. This configuration prevents the first covers 21,210 from opening together when the second covers 20,200 are opened to replace the toner cartridge 43, thereby improving usability.

[0077] Furthermore, although the image forming apparatus 1,1B having a document reading unit 8 has been described as an example in all of the above-described forms, the invention is not limited to this, and the document reading unit 8 may be omitted.

[0078] Furthermore, in all of the above-described configurations, the first covers 21, 210 and the second covers 20, 200 are provided on the front side of the device body 2, and the toner cartridge 43 and drum cartridge 42 are pulled out from the front of the device body, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the first covers 21, 210 and the second covers 20, 200 may be provided on either the left or right side, or the rear side, of the device body 2. In this case, the toner cartridge 43 and drum cartridge 42 are pulled out to the left or right, or to the rear. In all of these configurations, it is preferable that the toner cartridge 43 and drum cartridge 42 are attached and detached in the same direction.

[0079] Furthermore, although the image forming apparatus 1,1B, which is a monochrome laser printer, has been described as an example in all of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus that is a full-color laser printer. In this case, the image forming apparatus has a plurality of process cartridges (for example, four colors: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black), and each process cartridge has a drum cartridge 42 and a toner cartridge 43. The first covers 21,210 may be configured to have openings 22,220 that are necessary and sufficient for inserting and removing each toner cartridge 43.

[0080] Furthermore, in any of the embodiments described above, the toner cartridge 43 is configured to be detachable from the drum cartridge 42, but is not limited thereto. For example, the toner cartridge 43 may be configured to be detachable from a developing cartridge having a developing roller 422. In this case, the developing cartridge as the first cartridge does not include a photosensitive drum 420 and is configured to be detachable from the device body 2 via the opening 23.

[0081] Furthermore, the disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration examples and method examples. (Composition 1) In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, A device body having a first opening, A first cartridge having a developing roller configured to hold toner, and configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the device via the first opening, A second cartridge having a storage section capable of accommodating toner, configured to be attachable in a first direction to the first cartridge mounted on the main body of the device and removable in a second direction opposite to the first direction, A first cover is supported on the main body of the device so as to be openable and closable, and is movable between a first closed position that covers a part of the first opening and a first open position that opens a part of the first opening, and the first cover has a second opening. A second cover is provided to be movable between a second closed position, which covers the second opening of the first cover located in the first closed position, and a second open position, which opens the second opening, wherein in the second closed position, the second cover overlaps with the first cover located in the first closed position when viewed in the first direction, and is positioned downstream of the first cover in the second direction. When the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the second open position, the first region of the first opening is open when viewed in the first direction. When the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, when viewed in the first direction, a second region narrower than the first region of the first opening is open through the second opening. The second region is included in the first region, The entirety of the first cartridge mounted on the main body of the device is positioned within the first region when viewed in the first direction. The entirety of the second cartridge mounted on the first cartridge is positioned within the second region when viewed in the first direction. A portion of the first cartridge mounted on the main body of the device is positioned outside the second region when viewed in the first direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. (Configuration 2) When the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the second open position, the first cartridge is removable from the device body along the second direction through the first opening. When the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, the second cartridge is removable in the second direction from the first cartridge mounted on the device body through the second opening of the first cover, and the removal of the first cartridge from the device body is restricted by the first cover. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a picture forming apparatus. (Composition 3) The first cartridge has a first gripping portion that can be gripped when attaching or detaching the first cartridge from the main body of the device, The second cartridge has a second gripping portion that can be gripped when attaching or detaching the second cartridge from the first cartridge. When the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the second open position, the first gripping portion is exposed to the outside of the device body through the first opening. When the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, the second gripping portion is exposed to the outside of the device body through the second opening of the first cover, and the first gripping portion is not exposed to the outside of the device body through the second opening. An image forming apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized by the above. (Composition 4) The first cover has a first portion that forms the second opening and covers the portion of the first region excluding the second region when the first cover is in the first closed position, and a second portion that extends from the first portion in the first direction when the first cover is in the first closed position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized by the above. (Composition 5) The first cover is formed in an L-shape in cross-section by the first part and the second part, The second cover is formed in a flat plate shape, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that... (Composition 6) The second portion constitutes a part of the top surface of the device body when the first cover is in the first closed position. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4 or 5, characterized by the above. (Composition 7) The first cartridge has a first gripping portion that can be gripped when attaching or detaching the first cartridge from the main body of the device, The first gripping portion is positioned such that, when the first cover is in the first closed position, it overlaps the second portion of the first cover when viewed vertically, and is exposed to the outside of the device body in the vertical direction when the first cover is in the first open position. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 6, characterized by the features described therein. (Composition 8) The first cover is formed in a flat shape and covers the portion of the first region excluding the second region when the first cover is in the first closed position. The first cartridge has a first gripping portion that can be gripped when attaching or detaching the first cartridge from the main body of the device, Regardless of the position of the first cover, the first gripping portion of the first cartridge mounted on the device body is covered above by the top surface of the device body. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized by the above. (Composition 9) The second cartridge, mounted on the first cartridge, is housed in the device body when the first cartridge is mounted on the device body, the first cover is in the first closed position, and the second cover is in the second closed position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized by the above. (Composition 10) The first cartridge mounted on the device body is not exposed to the outside of the device body when the second cartridge is mounted on the first cartridge, the first cover is in the first closed position, and the second cover is in the second open position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized by the above. (Composition 11) The first cover has a hole that forms the second opening. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized by the above. (Composition 12) The first cover is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a third direction intersecting the first direction, The second cover is rotatably mounted around an axis extending in a fourth direction intersecting the first direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 13) The third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the fourth direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 12, characterized in that... (Composition 14) The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a direction parallel to the third and fourth directions. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 13, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 15) The developing roller has a shaft extending in the fifth direction and a roller portion supported by the shaft and carrying toner, In the fifth direction, the length of the second cartridge is shorter than the length of the roller portion. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 16) It further includes a discharge section that discharges the sheet in the discharge direction, The first cover and the second cover are positioned downstream of the device body in the discharge direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 17) The aforementioned discharge direction is the direction along the second direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 16, characterized in that... (Composition 18) The second cover, in the second closed position, constitutes the front surface of the device body. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 17, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 19) The first and second directions are directions along the horizontal direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 18, characterized by the above. (Composition 20) The first cartridge is configured to receive toner from the developing roller and has an image carrier that holds a toner image. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 19, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 21) In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, A device body having a first opening, A first cartridge having a developing roller configured to hold toner, and configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the device via the first opening, A second cartridge having a storage section capable of accommodating toner, configured to be attachable in a first direction to the first cartridge mounted on the main body of the device and removable in a second direction opposite to the first direction, A first cover is supported on the main body of the device so as to be openable and closable, and is movable between a first closed position that covers a part of the first opening and a first open position that opens a part of the first opening, and the first cover has a second opening. A second cover is provided to be movable between a second closed position, which covers the second opening of the first cover located in the first closed position, and a second open position, which opens the second opening, wherein in the second closed position, the second cover overlaps with the first cover located in the first closed position when viewed in the first direction, and is positioned downstream of the first cover in the second direction. When the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the second open position, the first cartridge is removable from the device body along the second direction through the first opening. When the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, the second cartridge is removable in the second direction from the first cartridge mounted on the device body through the second opening of the first cover, and the removal of the first cartridge from the device body is restricted by the first cover. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. (Composition 22) The first cartridge has a first gripping portion that can be gripped when attaching or detaching the first cartridge from the main body of the device, The second cartridge has a second gripping portion that can be gripped when attaching or detaching the second cartridge from the first cartridge. When the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the second open position, the first gripping portion is exposed to the outside of the device body through the first opening. When the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, the second gripping portion is exposed to the outside of the device body through the second opening of the first cover, and the first gripping portion is not exposed to the outside of the device body through the second opening. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 21, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 23) The first cover has a first portion that forms the second opening and is formed in a flat shape, and a second portion that extends from the first portion in the first direction when the first cover is in the first closed position. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 21 or 22, characterized by the above. (Composition 24) The first cover is formed in an L-shape in cross-section by the first part and the second part, The second cover is formed in a flat plate shape, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 23, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 25) The second portion constitutes a part of the top surface of the device body when the first cover is in the first closed position. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 23 or 24, characterized by the above. (Composition 26) The first cartridge has a first gripping portion that can be gripped when attaching or detaching the first cartridge from the main body of the device, The first gripping portion is positioned such that, when the first cover is in the first closed position, it overlaps the second portion of the first cover when viewed vertically, and is exposed to the outside of the device body in the vertical direction when the first cover is in the first open position. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 25, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 27) The first cover is formed in a flat plate shape, The first cartridge has a first gripping portion that can be gripped when attaching or detaching the first cartridge from the main body of the device, Regardless of the position of the first cover, the first gripping portion of the first cartridge mounted on the device body is covered above by the top surface of the device body. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 21 or 22, characterized by the above. (Composition 28) The second cartridge, mounted on the first cartridge, is housed in the device body when the first cartridge is mounted on the device body, the first cover is in the first closed position, and the second cover is in the second closed position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 21 to 27, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 29) The first cartridge mounted on the device body is not exposed to the outside of the device body when the second cartridge is mounted on the first cartridge, the first cover is in the first closed position, and the second cover is in the second open position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 21 to 28, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 30) The first cover has a hole that forms the second opening. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 21 to 29, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 31) The first cover is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a third direction intersecting the first direction, The second cover is rotatably mounted around an axis extending in a fourth direction intersecting the first direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of the configurations 21 to 30, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 32) The third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the fourth direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 31, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 33) The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a direction parallel to the third and fourth directions. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 32, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 34) The developing roller has a shaft extending in the fifth direction and a roller portion supported by the shaft and carrying toner, In the fifth direction, the length of the second cartridge is shorter than the length of the roller portion. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 21 to 33, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 35) It further includes a discharge section that discharges the sheet in the discharge direction, The first cover and the second cover are positioned downstream of the device body in the discharge direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 21 to 34, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 36) The aforementioned discharge direction is the direction along the second direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 35, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 37) The second cover, in the second closed position, constitutes the front surface of the device body. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 21 to 36, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 38) The first and second directions are directions along the horizontal direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 21 to 37, characterized by the above. (Composition 39) The first cartridge is configured to receive toner from the developing roller and has an image carrier that holds a toner image. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 21 to 38, characterized by the features described herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1B: Image forming apparatus / 2: Apparatus body / 2a: Top surface / 6: Discharge section / 20, 200: Second cover / 21, 210: First cover / 21a: First part / 21b: Second part / 22, 220: Second opening (opening) / 22a: Hole / 23: First opening (opening) / 42: First cartridge (drum cartridge) / 43: Second cartridge (toner cartridge) / 420: Image carrier (photosensitive drum) / 422: Developing roller / 423: First gripping part / 427: Shaft (developing shaft part) / 428: Roller part (developing roller part) / 430: Second gripping part / 431: Storage part / AD: Third direction, fourth direction / AR1, AR11: First area / AR2, AR12: Second area / D1: First direction (mounting direction) / D2: Second direction (removal direction) / DD: Discharge direction / L1, L2: Length / S: Sheet / VD: Vertical direction

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, A first cartridge comprising a photosensitive drum rotatable about a rotation axis, a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum, a toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing roller, and a mounting section, wherein the first cartridge is detachable from the main body of the device in a first direction intersecting the direction of the rotation axis, Inside the main body of the device, a second cartridge is detachably attached to the mounting portion of the first cartridge in a first direction, and contains toner for replenishing the toner storage portion. A first cover has a first supported portion supported by the main body of the device, and is configured to be rotatable around the first supported portion between a first closed position, which is closed to the main body of the device so as to cover a part of the first cartridge when viewed in the first direction, and a first open position, which is open to the main body of the device. The second cover has a second supported portion supported by the first cover, and is configured to be rotatable around the second supported portion between a second closed position, which is closed to the main body of the device so as to cover the second cartridge when viewed in the first direction, and a second open position, which is open to the main body of the device, when the first cover is in the first closed position. When the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, The device is configured such that the second cartridge can be detached from the mounting portion and removed from the main body of the device, while the detachment of the first cartridge from the main body of the device is restricted. The first cover is rotated around the first supported portion from the first closed position to the first open position, causing the second supported portion of the second cover to move together with the second cover relative to the device body, and the second cover is configured to move to a third open position that is open relative to the device body. The device is configured such that the first cartridge can be detached from the main body of the device when the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the third open position. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

2. When the first cover is in the first closed position, the direction of rotation of the second cover from the second closed position to the second open position is the same as the direction of rotation of the first cover from the first closed position to the first open position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The first cover has a wall portion extending in the first direction when in the first closed position, which is provided to restrict access to the first cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The second cartridge is equipped with a locking member that is movable between a locked position that restricts the detachment of the second cartridge from the first cartridge and an unlocked position that allows the detachment of the second cartridge from the first cartridge. With the first cover in the first closed position and the second cover in the second open position, the locking member of the second cartridge is accessible. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

5. The main body of the apparatus has an discharge roller that transports the recording material on which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum in the discharge direction so as to discharge it to the outside of the image forming apparatus. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis with the first cover in the first open position and the second cover in the third open position, the first supported portion is located downstream of the second supported portion in the discharge direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

6. When the first cover is in the first closed position, it constitutes a part of the outer surface of the image forming apparatus facing upward. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

7. The apparatus body comprises a transfer roller that, together with the photosensitive drum, constitutes a transfer nip section; a fixing section that transports the recording material on which the toner image has been transferred in the transfer nip section and fixes the toner image onto the recording material; and a discharge roller that transports the recording material on which the toner image has been fixed in the fixing section in the discharge direction so as to discharge it to the outside of the image forming apparatus. The direction in which the recording material is transported from the transfer nip section to the fixing section is opposite to the discharge direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

8. When the first cover is in the first open position and the second cover is in the third open position and the locking member is in the locked position, the second cartridge is configured to be able to detach the first cartridge, which is mounted on the mounting portion, from the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

Images