Image forming apparatus and cartridge

Abstract

An image forming apparatus and a cartridge are disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including a positioned portion and an apparatus main body on which the cartridge is attached in an attachment direction. The apparatus main body includes a positioned portion and a regulated portion. The positioned portion positions the cartridge by engaging with the positioned portion. The regulated portion is provided on an upstream side of the positioned portion in the attachment direction. The cartridge includes a regulated portion, and the regulated portion is provided on an upstream side of the positioned portion in the attachment direction. The positioned portion engages with the regulated portion before engaging with the positioned portion to regulate movement of the cartridge in a direction orthogonal to the attachment direction. The regulated portion engages with the regulated portion before the positioned portion engages with the positioned portion to regulate movement of the cartridge in the direction orthogonal to the attachment direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a cartridge. Examples of the image forming apparatus include electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (e.g., light-emitting diode (LED) printers and laser beam printers), facsimile apparatuses, and word processors. BACKGROUND

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and other units are collected within a frame is actually used as a process cartridge that is attachable to / detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-223952 discusses a configuration in which, at the time of attachment of a process cartridge to an apparatus main body, a recess (positioned portion) of the process cartridge engages with a protrusion (positioning portion) of the apparatus main body to fix the position of the cartridge in a direction orthogonal to an attachment direction with respect to the apparatus main body. SUMMARY

[0004] According to one aspect of the present application, an image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including a positioned portion, and an apparatus main body on which the cartridge is attached in an attachment direction, the apparatus main body including a positioning portion configured to position the cartridge in a direction orthogonal to the attachment direction by engagement with the positioned portion of the cartridge when attachment of the cartridge to the apparatus main body is completed, and a regulation portion provided on an upstream side of the positioning portion in the attachment direction, wherein the cartridge includes a regulated portion provided on an upstream side of the positioned portion in the attachment direction, wherein the positioned portion of the cartridge engages with the regulation portion of the apparatus main body before engaging with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body to regulate movement of the cartridge in the direction orthogonal to the attachment direction, and wherein the regulated portion of the cartridge engages with the regulation portion before the positioned portion engages with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body to regulate movement of the cartridge in the direction orthogonal to the attachment direction.

[0005] Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the apparatus main body in an open / closed door open state, Figure 2B is a perspective view of the apparatus main body seen from a different perspective than Figure 2A is a perspective view of the apparatus main body seen from a different perspective than

[0008] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the device main body in the open / close door open state.

[0009] Figure 4A is a partial perspective view of the end portion of the cartridge on the drive side, Figure 4B is a partial perspective view of the end portion of the cartridge on the non-drive side.

[0010] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the end portion of the device main body on the drive side.

[0011] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus in the open / close door closed state.

[0012] Figure 7A is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the drive gear and the driven gear of the device main body when the drive gear is in the non-engagement position, Figure 7B is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the drive gear and the driven gear when the drive gear is in the engagement position.

[0013] Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the regulating portion on the drive side of the device main body.

[0014] Figure 9 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the moving member and the guide portion during installation of the cartridge on the device main body.

[0015] Figure 10A is a perspective view of the main body interlock mechanism when the regulating member is in the regulating position, Figure 10B is a perspective view of the main body interlock mechanism from a different perspective from Figure 10A .

[0016] Figure 11A is a perspective view of the main body interlock mechanism when the regulating member is in the permitting position, Figure 11B is a perspective view of the main body interlock mechanism from a different perspective from Figure 11A .

[0017] Figure 12A is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the rod and the second guide member when the rod is guided by the second guide member, Figure 12B is a diagram showing the position of the regulating portion when the rod is guided by the second guide member.

[0018] Figure 13A is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the regulating portion and the first guide member when the rod is guided by the first guide member, Figure 13B is a diagram showing the position of the regulating portion when the rod is guided by the first guide member.

[0019] Figure 14A is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the regulating portion and the interlocking member when the boss of the cartridge abuts the interlocking member, Figure 14B is a view showing the position of the regulating portion when the boss of the cartridge abuts the interlocking member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The overall configuration and image forming process of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment are described. Figure 1 is a sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body A and a process cartridge B (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B). The apparatus main body A is a part of the image forming apparatus other than the cartridge B. The rotational axis direction of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum is defined as a longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the side at which the electrophotographic photosensitive drum receives a driving force from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is defined as a driving side, and the side opposite thereto is defined as a non-driving side.

[0021] <IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS>

[0022] Figure 1 The illustrated image forming apparatus is a laser printer using an electrophotographic technique, and the cartridge B is mountable on and detachable from the apparatus main body A.

[0023] The cartridge B includes a photosensitive drum 62 as an image bearer, a charging roller 66, and a developing roller 32. The apparatus main body A includes a sheet tray 4 for storing a sheet PA, a pickup roller 5a, a feed roller pair 5b, a conveyance roller pair 5c, a transfer roller 7, a fixing device 9, a discharge roller pair 10, and a discharge tray 11, which are arranged in this order along a conveyance direction D of the sheet PA. The apparatus main body A further includes an opening / closing door 13 and a laser scanner as an exposure device. The opening / closing door 13 includes the discharge tray 11 as an upper surface, and can be opened / closed for mounting / detaching of the cartridge B.

[0024] <IMAGE FORMING PROCESS>

[0025] An outline of the image forming process is described. In response to a print start signal, the photosensitive drum 62 (hereinafter referred to as drum 62) is rotationally driven at a predetermined circumferential speed (process speed) in the arrow R direction. A charging roller (charging member 66) to which a voltage is applied is brought into contact with and charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

[0026] The laser scanner 3 emits a laser beam L corresponding to image information. The outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 is scanned and exposed to the laser beam L. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

[0027] The developing roller 32, which carries toner inside the cartridge B, supplies toner to the drum 62 based on the electrostatic latent image, and develops the latent image. Thus, the latent image is visualized as a toner image.

[0028] Further, as Figure 1 indicated, the sheet PA is fed from the sheet tray 4 in synchronization with the output timing of the laser beam L by the pickup roller 5a, the feed roller pair 5b, and the conveyance roller pair 5c. Further, the sheet PA is conveyed to a transfer portion formed by the contact of the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7. The toner image is transferred from the drum 62 to the sheet PA by the transfer portion.

[0029] The sheet PA, on which the toner image has been transferred, is separated from the drum 62 and conveyed to the fixing device 9. Thereafter, the sheet PA is subjected to pressure and heat fusion treatment by the nip constituting the fixing device 9, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet PA. The sheet PA, which has been subjected to the fixing treatment of the toner image, is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10, and discharged to the discharge tray 11.

[0030] <Installation of Cartridge on Device Main Body>

[0031] Referring to Figure 2A and Figure 2B , Figure 3 and Figure 6 The configuration in which the cartridge B is installed on the device main body A is described in detail. Figure 2A is a perspective view of the device main body A in a state in which the opening / closing door 13 is opened. Figure 2B is a perspective view of the device main body A from a different perspective from Figure 2A . Figure 3 is a sectional view of the device main body A in a state in which the opening / closing door 13 is opened. Figure 6 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the opening / closing door 13 is closed. The direction in which the cartridge B is installed on the device main body A (hereinafter referred to as the installation direction) is a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the drum 62.

[0032] The opening / closing structure of the opening / closing door 13 of the device main body A is described. As Figure 2A and 2B and Figure 3 indicated, the device main body A includes the opening 17 through which the cartridge B passes when the cartridge B is installed, the opening / closing door 13, and the upper cover 14. The opening / closing door 13 is movable between a shielding position in which the opening / closing door 13 shields the opening 17 and an opening position in which the opening / closing door 13 opens the opening 17.

[0033] The opening / closing door 13 is pivotably mounted to the upper cover 14, and includes the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 and the cartridge pressing springs 19 and 21. The cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are provided at respective end portions of the opening / closing door 13 in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction. The cartridge pressing springs 19 and 21 are mounted to the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2, respectively.

[0034] To mount the cartridge B on the device main body A, as shown in Figure 2A and 2B and Figure 3 shown, after the opening / closing door 13 is moved from the shielding position to the open position by being pivoted in the vertically upward direction, the cartridge B is inserted into the device main body A from the opening 17.

[0035] In a state where the opening / closing door 13 is in the shielding position, as shown in Figure 6 , the mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A is completed. In this state, the positions of the cartridge B are held by the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 pressing the pressed portions 73e and 71o provided on the drive side and the non-drive side of the cartridge B, respectively, in the mounting direction by the urging forces of the cartridge pressing springs 19 and 21.

[0036] <Position of cartridge in mounting direction>

[0037] As shown in Figure 6 , in a state where the opening / closing door 13 is in the shielding position, the position of the cartridge B in the mounting direction with respect to the device main body A is determined. The position of the cartridge B in the mounting direction with respect to the device main body A is described with reference to Figure 4A and Figure 4B . Figure 4A is a partial perspective view of an end portion of the drive side of the cartridge B. Figure 4B is a partial perspective view of an end portion of the non-drive side of the cartridge B. Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of an end portion of the drive side of the device main body A.

[0038] The device main body A includes a drive side plate 15 which is a side plate on the drive side, a non-drive side plate 16 which is a side plate on the non-drive side, and a conveyance guide 91 having the transfer roller 7, the conveyance roller pair 5c, and a conveyance guide (not shown).

[0039] The drive side plate 15 is provided with a guide rail 15g which guides an end portion of the drive side of the cartridge B and a rotation stop portion 15c. The non-drive side plate 16 is provided with a guide rail 16d and a guide rail 16e which guide an end portion of the non-drive side of the cartridge B, and a rotation stop portion 16c.

[0040] A first positioning portion 91a and a second positioning portion 91b are provided on the drive side of the conveyance guide 91 as the positioning portions of the cartridge B in the mounting direction. A third positioning portion 91c is provided on the non-drive side of the conveyance guide 91.

[0041] The cartridge B includes a rotation stop portion 73c, an upper positioned portion 73d, and a lower positioned portion 73f on the driving side, and includes a positioned portion 71d and a rotation stop portion 71g on the non-driving side.

[0042] When the cartridge B is moved in the mounting direction and mounted on the apparatus body A, the rotation stopper 73 c of the cartridge B is guided by the guide rail 15 g of the apparatus body A. On the non-driving side of the cartridge B, the positioned portion 71 d and the rotation stopper 71 g of the cartridge B are guided by the guide rail 16 d and the guide rail 16 e of the apparatus body A, respectively.

[0043] On the driving side, the upper positioned portion 73d, the lower positioned portion 73f and the rotation stop 73c of box B are adjacent to the first positioning portion 91a, the second positioning portion 91b and the rotation stop 15c of the device body A respectively. In addition, on the non-driving side, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation stop 71g of box B are adjacent to the 3rd positioning portion 91c and the rotation stop 16c of the device body A respectively. Therefore, under the state that the installation of box B on the device body A is completed, the position of box B relative to the device body A in the installation direction is determined on the driving side and the non-driving side.

[0044] <Position of the Cartridge in a Direction Orthogonal to the Mounting Direction>

[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, when the opening / closing door 13 is located at the shielding position, the position of the cartridge B relative to the apparatus body A in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction is determined. Figure 5 The positioning of the box B relative to the device body A in the direction orthogonal to the installation direction is described. Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the fitting portion 101 on the driving side of the device body A in an enlarged manner.

[0046] The conveying guide 91 of the device body A includes a fitting portion 101 as a positioning portion in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction. The fitting portion 101 according to this exemplary embodiment is a rib (convex portion) that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction in a direction close to the box B and extends in the installation direction.

[0047] On the other hand, Figure 4A As shown, the cartridge B includes an engaged portion 121 as a positioned portion on the driving side. The engaged portion 121 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a groove between two ribs protruding from the outer surface of the cartridge B.

[0048] When the engaging portion 101 of the apparatus body A and the engaged portion 121 of the box B are engaged with each other in a state where the installation of the box B on the apparatus body A is completed, the position of the box B relative to the apparatus body A in a direction orthogonal to the installation direction is determined.

[0049] Regulation of movement of the cartridge by the regulation portion

[0050] Referring to Figure 4A and Figure 4B , Figure 6 and Figure 8 The regulation of movement of the cartridge by the regulation portion in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction is described as a characteristic configuration of the present exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the regulation portion 100 on the drive side of the device main body A.

[0051] The image forming apparatus is configured to regulate movement of the cartridge B in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction before completion of mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A and before the fitting portion 101 and the fitted portion 121 are fitted to each other.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the device main body A includes a regulation portion 100 on the upstream side of the fitting portion 101 in the mounting direction. The regulation portion 100 includes a rib that protrudes in a direction close to the cartridge B in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction and extends in the mounting direction. The regulation portion 100 is arranged so as to overlap the positioning portion 101 in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction when viewed in the mounting direction.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4A and Figure 8 , the cartridge B includes a fitted regulation portion 120 on the upstream side of the fitted portion 121 in the mounting direction. The fitted regulation portion 120 includes a groove that is recessed in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction and extends in the mounting direction. The fitted regulation portion 120 is arranged so as to overlap the fitted portion 121 in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction when viewed in the mounting direction.

[0054] The regulation portion 100 and the fitted regulation portion 120 engage with each other before completion of mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A and before the fitting portion 101 and the fitted portion 121 are fitted to each other. This regulates movement of the cartridge B relative to the device main body A in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the posture of the cartridge B before completion of mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A and before the positioning portion of the cartridge B and the positioning portion of the device main body A engage with each other.

[0055] Further, as shown in Figure 6The regulated portion 120 of the cartridge B does not engage with the regulating portion 100 of the device main body A in a state shown in FIG. 1 in which the installation of the cartridge B to the device main body A is completed. The state in which the regulated portion 120 does not engage with the regulating portion 100 indicates a state in which the regulated portion 120 and the regulating portion 100 do not overlap with each other when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the installation direction. Therefore, in a state in which the installation of the cartridge B to the device main body A is completed, the position of the cartridge B in the direction orthogonal to the installation direction is determined by the fitting of the fitting portion 101 of the device main body A and the fitted portion 121 of the cartridge B. Further, in a state in which the installation of the cartridge B to the device main body A is completed, the regulating portion 100 and the regulated portion 120 do not affect the positioning of the cartridge B.

[0056] <cartridge interlocking mechanism>

[0057] Referring to Figure 4A and 4B , Figure 5 , Figure 7A and 7B , Figure 8 and Figure 9 The cartridge interlocking mechanism is described which interlocks the operation of installing / detaching the cartridge B to / from the device main body A. Figure 7A is a view showing the positional relationship between the drive gear 81 and the driven gear when the drive gear 81 of the device main body A is in the non-engagement position. Figure 7B is a view showing the positional relationship between the drive gear 81 and the driven gear when the drive gear 81 of the device main body A is in the engagement position. Figure 9 is a view showing the positional relationship between the moving member and the first guide member 110 during the installation of the cartridge B to the device main body A. Figure 12A is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the rod 130 and the second guide member 103 when the rod 130 is guided by the second guide member 103.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5 , the device main body A includes the drive gear 81 as a drive force transmission member which transmits a drive force to the cartridge B on the drive side. In contrast, as shown in Figure 4A , the cartridge B includes the driven gear 30 which rotates by receiving a drive force from the drive gear 81 of the device main body A on the drive side.

[0059] The drive gear 81 of the device main body A is configured to oscillate (move) between a non-engagement position ( Figure 7A ) in which the drive gear 81 does not engage with the driven gear 30 of the cartridge B and an engagement position ( Figure 7B ) in which the drive gear 81 engages with the driven gear 30 of the cartridge B and is able to transmit a drive force to the driven gear 30.

[0060] In a state where the cartridge B is not mounted, the drive gear 81 of the device main body A is in a non-engagement position, and in a state where the mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A is completed, the drive gear 81 is in an engagement position.

[0061] A configuration that moves the drive gear 81 between the engagement position and the non-engagement position is described.

[0062] As Figure 4A shown, the cartridge B includes a lever 130 (a moving member) on the drive side. The lever 130 is moved by interlocking with the mounting / dismounting of the cartridge B on / from the device main body A. As Figure 7B shown, the lever 130 is configured to be pivoted about a pivot fulcrum 130a, and includes a pressing portion 130b that presses the drive gear 81. The lever 130 is configured to be pivoted (moved) between a pressing position (P1) at which the pressing portion 130b presses the drive gear 81 and a retracted position (P2) at which the pressing portion 130b is retracted from the pressing position. Figure 7B Figure 7A The pivot of the lever 130 extends in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction. Further, the lever 130 is pushed by a pushing member 700 (a torsion coil spring) in the arrow direction (a direction in which the lever 130 moves from the retracted position to the pressing position) in Figure 7B .

[0063] Next, a configuration of the device main body A that pivots the lever 130 is described. As Figure 8 shown, a first guide member 110 and a second guide member 103 for guiding the lever 130 to pivot the lever 130 are provided on a drive side plate 15 on the drive side of the device main body A. The first guide member 110 includes a first guide portion 110b and a second guide portion 110a that is provided on a downstream side of the first guide portion 110b in the mounting direction. As Figure 9 shown, the lever 130 includes a guided portion 130c that abuts and is guided by the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 103 when the cartridge B is moved in the mounting direction with respect to the device main body A. As Figure 12A shown, the guided portion 130c is a protrusion that protrudes from a side surface of the lever 130 in a direction of the pivot axis of the lever 130.

[0064] The lever 130 abuts the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 103 and is pivoted while being guided by the guide rails 15g, 16d, and 16e of the device main body A, and is moved in the mounting direction. The lever 130 is moved in the arrow direction (the direction in which the lever 130 moves from the retracted position to the pressing position) in Figure 9 ​the arrow direction in the drawing. Thus, the lever 130 moves from the pressing position to the retracted position against the pushing force of the pushing member 700. Thus, the cartridge B moves without interference of the lever 130 to the drive gear 81, and the mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A is completed. When the mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A is completed, the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 has passed the second guide member 103. Thus, the lever 130 moves from the retracted position to the pressing position under the pushing force of the pushing member 700, and the pressing portion 130b presses the drive gear 81 to position the drive gear 81 at the meshing position.

[0065] <Main body interlock mechanism>

[0066] Next, the main body interlock mechanism interlocking with the mounting / dismounting of the cartridge B on / from the device main body A is described with reference to Figure 4A and Figure 4B , Figure 8 , Figure 10A and Figure 10B and Figure 11A and Figure 11B The main body interlock mechanism of the device main body A is provided on the drive side plate 15 of the device main body A, and includes the regulating portion 112, the interlock member 114, the first guide member 110, the torsion coil spring 113, and the compression coil spring 115.

[0067] Figure 10A is a perspective view of the main body interlock mechanism when the regulating member 112 is at the regulating position.

[0068] Figure 10B is a perspective view of the main body interlock mechanism seen from a different angle than Figure 10A .

[0069] Figure 11A is a perspective view of the main body interlock mechanism when the regulating member 112 is at the permitting position. Figure 11B is a perspective view of the main body interlock mechanism seen from a different angle than Figure 11A . The regulating member 112 is configured to be rotatable between a regulating position at which the regulating member 112 regulates the mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A (see Figure 10A and Figure 10B ), and a permitting position at which the regulating member 112 permits the mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A (see Figure 11A and Figure 11B ). The regulating member 112 includes a first abutted portion 112a. The regulating member 112 is pushed by the torsion coil spring 113 (first pushing member) in a direction in which the regulating member 112 moves from the regulating position to the permitting position.

[0070] The interlocking member 114 is configured to move between a first position (a position shown by an arrow of Figure 10A and 10B ) and a second position (a position shown by an arrow of Figure 11A and 11B ) above the first position, by interlocking with the regulating member 112. The interlocking member 114 has a first abutment portion 114a which abuts a first abutted portion 112a of the regulating member 112. The interlocking member 114 is urged by a compression spring 115 (a second urging member) in a direction (an arrow direction of Figure 10A ) from the second position to the first position along the interlocking member 114.

[0071] The cartridge B includes a boss 124 (a second abutment portion) on a drive side of the device main body A having the main interlocking mechanism, and abuts an inclined surface portion 114b (a second abutted portion) of the interlocking member 114 of the device main body A. The boss 124 extends in a direction orthogonal to a mounting direction of the cartridge B.

[0072] Next, movement of the main interlocking mechanism will be described. In a state before the cartridge B is mounted on the device main body A, the interlocking member 114 is urged by an urging force of the compression spring 115 in an arrow direction of Figure 10A (from the second position toward the first position), and is in the first position. At this time, a boss passage portion 110c provided on the first guide member 110 as a passage of the boss 124 of the cartridge B is blocked by the interlocking member 114. Further, an urging force of the torsion spring 113 is set to be weaker than the urging force of the compression spring 115. Therefore, the first abutted portion 112a of the regulating member 112 is urged downward by the first abutment portion 114a of the interlocking member 114. Thus, the regulating member 112 is arranged in the regulating position by being forced in an arrow direction of Figure 10B (from the permitting position to the regulating position) from the interlocking member 114 against the urging force of the torsion spring 113.

[0073] During mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A, as shown in Figure 11A , the boss 124 of the cartridge B enters the boss passage portion 110c of the first guide member 110, and abuts the inclined surface portion 114b of the interlocking member 114. Thus, the interlocking member 114 is moved in an arrow direction of Figure 11A (from the first position to the second position) against the urging force of the compression spring 115. Upon moving the interlocking member 114, the urging force of the first abutted portion 112a of the regulating member 112 is weakened. Therefore, the regulating member 112 is moved in the arrow direction of Figure 11Bin the arrow direction. Thereby, the regulation member 112 moves to the permitted position, and the cartridge B becomes capable of being mounted on the device main body A.

[0074] In the present exemplary embodiment, the regulation member 112 and the interlocking member 114 are configured as different members that interlock with each other; however, the regulation member 112 and the interlocking member 114 are not limited thereto. A member obtained by integrating the regulation member 112 and the interlocking member 114 can be moved from the regulation position to the permitted position by abutting against the boss 124 of the cartridge B, thereby permitting the mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A.

[0075] <Regulation portion and cartridge interlocking mechanism>

[0076] The relationship between the regulation portion 100 and the cartridge interlocking mechanism is described. Figure 12B is a view showing the position of the regulation portion 100 when the lever 130 is guided by the second guide member 103. Figure 13A is an enlarged perspective view showing the regulation portion 100 and the vicinity of the first guide member 110 when the lever 130 is guided by the first guide member 110. Figure 13B is a view showing the position of the regulation portion 100 when the lever 130 is guided by the first guide member 110.

[0077] As shown in Figure 12B , the following state is described: before the fitting portion 121 of the cartridge B is fitted to the mounting portion 101 of the device main body A, the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 of the cartridge B abuts against and is guided by the second guide member 103 of the device main body A.

[0078] The regulation portion 100 of the device main body A regulates the movement of the cartridge B with respect to the device main body A in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, by engagement with the regulated portion 120 of the cartridge B. Therefore, even when the cartridge B is shifted or tilted to the driven side, the amount of engagement of the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 and the second guide member 103 in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction can be stably ensured. Thereby, in view of the fact that the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 does not engage with the second guide member 103 to prevent the lever 130 from moving to the retracted position, the lever 130 can be prevented from coming into contact with the drive gear 81, and the occurrence of a mounting failure of the cartridge B can be prevented.

[0079] Next, the following states are described: Figure 13A and 13BThe guided portion 130c of the lever 130 abuts the first guiding portion 110b of the first guiding member 110 of the device main body A and is guided thereby before the engaged portion 121 of the cartridge B engages with the engaging portion 101 of the device main body A. At this time, the regulating portion 100 of the device main body A regulates movement of the cartridge B relative to the device main body A in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction by engaging with the engaged portion 121 of the cartridge B. Therefore, even if the cartridge B is moved or tilted to the driven side at this time, the amount of engagement of the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 and the first guiding portion 110b in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction can be stably ensured. Thus, it is possible to prevent disengagement of the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 from the second guiding portion 110b and the second guiding member 103 after disengagement of the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 from the first guiding portion 110b.

[0080] As shown in Figure 12B , in the present exemplary embodiment, the width X of the engaged portion 121 is equal to the width Y of the regulated portion 120 in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, and the width Z of the engaging portion 101 is greater than the width W of the regulating portion 100. However, the widths are not limited thereto, and the width X of the engaged portion 121 can be greater than the width Y of the regulated portion 120, and the width Z of the engaging portion 101 can be equal to the width W of the regulating portion 100.

[0081] <Regulating portion and main body interlocking mechanism>

[0082] The relationship between the regulating portion 100 and the main body interlocking mechanism will be described. Figure 14A is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the regulating portion 100 and the interlocking member 114 when the boss 124 of the cartridge B abuts the interlocking member 114. Figure 14B is a view showing the position of the regulating portion 100 when the boss 124 of the cartridge B abuts the interlocking member 114.

[0083] When the boss 124 of the cartridge B abuts the inclined surface portion 114b of the interlocking member 114 (see Figure 11A ), the regulating portion 100 of the device main body A engages with the regulated portion 120 of the cartridge B. This regulates movement of the cartridge B relative to the device main body A in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction. Therefore, even if the cartridge B is offset or tilted to the driven side at this time, the amount of engagement of the boss 124 and the inclined surface portion 114b in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction can be stably ensured. Thus, it is possible to prevent occurrence of an installation failure in which the interlocking member 114 does not move due to non-engagement of the boss 124 and the interlocking member 114 and installation of the cartridge B is prevented by the regulating member 112 at the regulating position.

[0084] As shown in Figure 12B , Figure 13B , and Figure 14BAs shown, the regulation portion 100 is arranged to overlap with the fitting portion 101 in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction when viewed from the mounting direction. The regulated portion 120 is arranged to overlap with the regulated fitting portion 121 in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction when viewed from the mounting direction. Thus, during mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A, the regulation portion 100 can engage with at least one of the regulated portion 120 and the regulated fitting portion 121 of the cartridge B during operation of each of the cartridge interlocking mechanism and the main body interlocking mechanism. Therefore, even if the cartridge B is shifted toward the driven side or tilted during mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A, it is possible to avoid operational failure due to insufficient engagement with the cartridge interlocking mechanism or the main body interlocking mechanism.

[0085] While the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the application is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the claims shall be construed in the widest sense and shall encompass all such variations and equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a cartridge including a roller configured to rotate about a rotation axis and carry toner, and a positioned portion; as well as A device body, on which the cartridge is mounted in an installation direction intersecting the direction of the rotation axis, the device body including a positioning portion and a regulating portion, the positioning portion being configured to position the cartridge in first and second directions opposite to each other and parallel to the direction of the rotation axis by engaging with the positioned portion of the cartridge when installation of the cartridge on the device body is completed, the regulating portion being provided on an upstream side of the positioning portion in the installation direction, wherein the cartridge includes a regulated portion disposed upstream of the positioned portion in the mounting direction; wherein the positioned portion of the cartridge engages with the regulating portion of the device body before engaging with the positioning portion of the device body to regulate movement of the cartridge in the first and second directions, wherein the regulated portion of the cartridge engages with the regulating portion before the positioned portion engages with the positioning portion of the device body to regulate movement of the cartridge in the first and second directions, The device body includes a moving member configured to be movable between a regulating position and a allowing position, wherein the moving member regulates the installation of the cartridge on the device body at the regulating position and allows the installation of the cartridge on the device body at the allowing position, the moving member including an abutment portion, wherein the cartridge includes an abutting portion configured to abut the abutted portion when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body to move the moving member from the regulating position to the allowing position, and wherein, when the abutting portion of the cartridge abuts the abutted portion of the moving member, the regulated portion of the cartridge engages with the regulating portion of the apparatus main body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein When the cartridge is completely mounted on the apparatus main body, neither the positioned portion nor the regulated portion of the cartridge is engaged with the regulating portion.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, in, The moving member and the regulating portion are provided at an end portion of the device body in the direction of the rotation axis, and The regulated portion of the cartridge is provided at an end portion of the cartridge on one side of an end portion of the apparatus main body in the direction of the rotation axis.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, in, The cartridge includes a driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for rotating the roller, wherein the device body includes a driving force transmitting member configured to transmit the driving force to the driving force receiving member of the cartridge by engaging with the driving force receiving member, the driving force transmitting member being movable between an engaged position and a non-engaged position, wherein the driving force transmitting member engages with the driving force receiving member at the engaged position and does not engage with the driving force receiving member at the non-engaged position, wherein the cartridge includes a frame, a pressing member, and an urging member, the pressing member being configured to be movable relative to the frame between a first position and a second position different from the first position, wherein at the first position, the pressing member presses the driving force transmitting member to move the driving force transmitting member of the device body from the non-engaged position to the engaged position, and the urging member being configured to urge the pressing member in a direction in which the pressing member moves from the second position to the first position, wherein the device body includes a guide member configured to guide the pressing member by contacting the pressing member, the guide member configured to guide the pressing member to move the pressing member from the first position to the second position before the cartridge is installed on the device body, and the guide member configured not to contact the pressing member when the cartridge is installed on the device body; and When the pressing member is guided by the guide member, the regulated portion of the cartridge engages with the regulating portion of the device body.

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