Imaging device

Abstract

Image generation device (100) designed to perform an image generation operation using a cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), wherein the image generation device (100) comprises the following: a main device body (100A); and a storage unit (40) on which the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) is detachably mounted and which is designed to be able to move relative to the main body of the device (100A) between an internal position located inside the main body of the device (100A) and an external position located outside the main body of the device (100A), wherein the storage unit (40) has the following features: a first side plate (41R) designed to support the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), wherein the first side plate (41R) is made of metal and has a first support section (41R1) and a first outer surface section (41R2), wherein the first support section (41R1) has a first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR) and the first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR) is designed to make contact with the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) in order to position the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) in an image generation position in which the image generation operation is performed, a second side plate (41L) designed to support the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), wherein the second side plate (41L) is made of metal and has a second support section (41L1) and a second outer surface section (41L2), wherein the second support section (41L1) has a second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL) and the second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL) is designed to make contact with the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) in order to position the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) in the image generation position, and a mounting section (40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK) on which the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) is mounted in a mounting direction, wherein the mounting section (40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK) is formed between the first side plate (41R) and the second side plate (41L), and in one case, from the perspective of the mounting direction, the first support section (41R1) and the second support section (41L1) are arranged between the first outer side section (41R2) and the second outer side section (41L2) in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) that is mounted on the mounting section (40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK), the main body of the device (100A) has the following features: a first pressure component (34) that is able to move between a first pressure position in which the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) is pressed and a first separate position that is separate from the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), and a second pressure component (33) that is able to move between a second pressure position in which the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) is pressed and a second separate position that is separate from the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), wherein the first printing component (34) is arranged intersecting with a first imaginary plane (IFR) which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersects the first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR), wherein the second printing component (33) is arranged intersecting with a second imaginary plane (IFL) which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersects the second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL), wherein the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) has a memory component (7) that stores information, and wherein the second pressure component (33) is designed to press the storage component (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an image generation device that generates images on a recording material. Description of the state of the art

[0002] There are imaging devices, such as printers, photocopiers, multifunction devices, and so on, in which a cartridge is detachably mounted on a moving component (moving component) that moves between the interior and exterior of a device body. JP 2016-114620A discloses an imaging device in which a cartridge is detachably mounted on a moving component (moving component) that moves between the interior and exterior of a device body. The moving component in JP 2016-114620A is provided with a metal reinforcement component.

[0003] US 2010 / 0111562A1 discloses an image-generating device designed to perform an image-generating operation using a cartridge, wherein the image-generating device comprises: a device body;and a storage unit to which the cartridge is detachably mounted and which is designed to move between an internal position located within the main body of the device and an external position located outside the main body of the device. The storage unit comprises: a first side plate designed to support the cartridge, the first side plate being made of metal and having a first support section and a first outer section, the first support section having a first positioning section, and the first positioning section being designed to make contact with the cartridge in order to position the cartridge in an image-generating position in which the image-generating operation is performed;a second side plate designed to support the cartridge, wherein the second side plate is made of metal and has a second support section and a second outer surface section, the second support section having a second positioning section, and the second positioning section being designed to make contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge in the image-generating position; and a mounting section on which the cartridge is mounted in a mounting direction, the mounting section being formed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and in one case, from the perspective of the mounting direction, the first support section and the second support section being arranged between the first outer surface section and the second outer surface section in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge mounted on the mounting section.

[0004] US 2012 / 0070186A1 discloses a further imaging device according to the prior art, in which a device main body is provided comprising: a first printing component capable of moving between a first printing position in which the cartridge is pressed and a first separate position that is separate from the cartridge; and a second printing component capable of moving between a second printing position in which the cartridge is pressed and a second separate position that is separate from the cartridge. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an image generation device that is able to improve the mountability of a cartridge to a main body of the image generation device and the space utilization (size) of the device.

[0006] The object of the present invention is solved by an image generation device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the present invention, the mountability of the cartridge to the main body of the device and the space utilization (size) of the device design can be improved.

[0009] The foregoing and further features, effects and advantages of the present invention are evident from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an overall perspective diagram depicting a printer according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic overview diagram that represents an internal design of the printer; Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B are a front perspective view and a back perspective view depicting a process cartridge; Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view depicting a cartridge tray; Fig. 5A and Fig. Figure 5B shows a front perspective view and a rear perspective view depicting a cartridge tray in a state where process cartridges are mounted; Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B are side views showing one drive side of the cartridge tray; Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are side views showing a non-drive side of the cartridge tray; Fig. 8 is a top view of the cartridge tray; Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a frame structure of a printer main body; Fig. Figure 10 is a ground-level perspective view showing a positioning wave of the cartridge tray; Fig. 11A is a sectional view showing a state in which a positioning shaft on a device main body side is engaged with a positioning groove; Fig. Figure 11B is a sectional view showing the positioning shaft and positioning groove in a state where the cartridge tray is slightly (minorly) pulled out from the mounted state; Fig. 11C is a sectional view showing the positioning shaft and positioning groove in a state where the cartridge tray is further advanced from the state in Fig. 11B has been removed; Fig. 11D is a sectional view showing a state in which the positioning shaft of the cartridge tray side is engaged with the positioning groove; Fig. Figure 11E is a sectional view showing the positioning shaft and positioning groove in a state where the cartridge tray is slightly (minorly) pulled out from the mounted state; Fig. 11F is a sectional view showing the positioning shaft and positioning groove in a state where the cartridge tray is further from the state in Fig. 11E has been pulled out; Fig. Figure 12 is a front view showing a rib provided on the cartridge tray; Fig. 13 is a view along arrows A in Fig. 12; Fig. Figure 14A is a front perspective view of the process cartridges and cartridge tray in a state where a front door is closed; Fig. 14B is a front perspective view of the process cartridges and cartridge tray in a state where the front door is open; Fig. Figure 15A is a rear perspective view of the process cartridges and cartridge tray in a state where the front door is closed; Fig. Figure 15B is a rear perspective view of the process cartridges and cartridge tray in a state where the front door is open; Fig. 16A is a side view of the process cartridges and cartridge tray in a state where the front door is closed; Fig. 16B is a side view of the process cartridges and cartridge tray in a state where the front door is open; Fig. 16C is a side view of the process cartridges and cartridge tray in a state where the front door is open; Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B are diagrams depicting a state in which the cartridge tray is pulled out; Fig. 18A to 18C are diagrams that depict a pressure state on a left side of the process cartridges and a contact state of contacts; Fig. Figures 19A to 19C are diagrams depicting a pressure state on a right-hand side of the process cartridges; and Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B are diagrams that show a positional relationship between a contact section for power supply (energy supply) to a charging roller and a photosensitive drum, and so on. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0010] The following are exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of the components as described in the exemplary embodiments can be suitably modified according to the designs, different conditions, or the like of the devices in which the invention is applied. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of protection of the invention is limited to the following exemplary embodiments with regard to the dimensions, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of the components described in the exemplary embodiments.Each of the embodiments of the present invention described below can be applied (implemented) alone or as a combination of a plurality of the embodiments or their features where necessary or where the combination of elements or features of individual embodiments in a single embodiment is helpful. First example of implementation: Overall design

[0011] First, a printer 100, which serves as an image-generating device according to a first embodiment, is a full-color laser beam printer according to an electrophotographic system. The printer 100 has a main body 100A and a front door 31, which is supported to allow the main body 100A to be opened and closed, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 is shown. It should be noted that directions are defined in the description of printer 100 as follows. That is, the side of printer 100 on which the front door 31 is provided is a front (or a front surface side) and the opposite side is a back (or a rear surface side), and the direction from the back to the front and the direction from the front to the back is a front-back direction.

[0012] Furthermore, a left side (or non-drive side) and a right side (or drive side), as well as a top side and a bottom side, are defined in a state where the printer 100 is viewed from the front as a reference. The direction from the right side to the left side and the direction from the left side to the right side is a right-left direction, and the direction from the bottom side to the top side and the direction from the top side to the bottom side is a top-bottom direction.

[0013] The printer 100 has an image generation unit 10 that produces images on sheets S, a sheet feed section 18, a fixing device 23, a delivery roller pair 24 and a control section 200, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates this. The printer 100 can produce full-color or monochrome images on sheet-like recording media (hereinafter referred to as a "sheet S") based on electrical image signals input to the control section 200 and output by an external host device 400 via an interface section 300. Examples of the external host device 400 include a personal computer, an image reader, a fax machine, and so on.

[0014] The control section 200 is a control unit for controlling an electrophotographic image generation process of the printer 100 and exchanges various types of electrical information with the external host device 400. The control section 200 further performs a process (processing) of electrical information input from various types of process devices and a sensor, processes (processing) of instruction signals to various types of process devices, a predetermined initial sequence control, a sequence control of predetermined image generation processes, and so on.

[0015] The sheet feed section 18 is located on the lower section of the printer 100 and comprises a cassette 19 that receives the sheets S, a sheet plate 21 that supports the sheets S so that they can be raised and lowered, a receiving roller 20a, and a pair of separating rollers 20b. The cassette 19 is designed to be pulled out from the front of the main body of the device 100A and to be installed from that side. The sheets S, loaded onto the sheet plate 21, are conveyed by the receiving roller 20a and separated (divided) into individual sheets by the pair of separating rollers 20b. It should be noted that a torque limiting system or a brake roller system can be applied to the separating roller pair 20b, and a separating cushion (-pad) can be used instead of a roller of the separating roller pair 20b.

[0016] The fixing device 23 has a fixing film 23a, which is heated by a heater (a heating device), and a pressure roller 23b, which presses against the fixing film 23a, forming a fixing gap Q through the fixing film 23a and the pressure roller 23b. The dispensing roller pair 24 has a dispensing drive roller 24a and a dispensing output roller 24b, which rotates according to the drive of the dispensing drive roller 24a.

[0017] The image generation unit 10 has a cartridge tray 40, four process cartridges (cartridges) PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK, a scanning unit 11, a transfer unit 12, and a cleaning unit 26. The transfer unit 12 has a drive roller 14, an auxiliary roller 15, a traction roller 16, and an intermediate transfer belt 13. The intermediate transfer belt 13 is stretched over the drive roller 14, the auxiliary roller 15, and the traction roller 16 and is made of a flexible dielectric material. The printer 100 is designed to perform image generation operations using the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK, which are detachably mounted on the main unit 100A.

[0018] Primary transfer rollers 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K, facing the respective photosensitive drums of the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK, are located on the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 13. A secondary transfer roller 27 is located on the opposite side of the drive roller 14 from the intermediate transfer belt 13. The intermediate transfer belt 13 and the secondary transfer roller 27 together form a secondary transfer gap T2.

[0019] The four process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK produce toner images using the four colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). It should be noted that the four process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK each have the same basic design, but they differ in the color of the images they produce (the color of the toner they contain). Therefore, the design and image-producing process for each of the four process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK is described below, while the descriptions of the other cartridges are omitted. Furthermore, if it is not necessary to distinguish between the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK, they can be referred to simply as "PP process cartridges."

[0020] The PPY process cartridge has a drum unit OP and a development unit DP integrated into one unit, as shown in Fig. Figures 2 to 3B are shown. The drum unit OP has a photosensitive drum 1, which serves as an image carrier component, and the developer unit DP has a developer roller 3, which develops a latent image generated on the photosensitive drum 1 into a toner image, and a receiving section 3b, which receives a developer. A drum coupling (a drive transmission component, a first drive transmission component) 1c and a developer coupling (a drive transmission component, a second drive transmission component) 3c are each provided on the drive side (right side) in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and the developer roller 3. A driving force from a drive force source (not shown) of the main body 100A is transmitted to the drum coupling 1c and the developer coupling 3c, thus causing the photosensitive drum 1 and the developer roller 3 to rotate.

[0021] Furthermore, a cartridge development contact 2 is provided on a non-drive side (left side) in the longitudinal direction of the development side 3. A development voltage is applied to the cartridge development contact 2 to a state in which it is in contact with a main body development contact 38 described below (see Fig. 20B), which is provided on the main body of the device 100A, is in contact. An earthing component (a cartridge contact, a cartridge electrode) 1b for connecting the light-sensitive drum 1 to an earth potential is provided on the non-drive side in the longitudinal direction of the light-sensitive drum 1.

[0022] A drum bearing (a drive-side support component, a first end-section support component) 1aR is provided on a drive-side end section (a first end section) of the process cartridge PPY in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY, as shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows a drum bearing (a non-drive-side support component, a second end-section support component) 1aL is provided on a non-drive-side end section (a second end section) of the process cartridge PPY on the opposite side from the drive-side end section. The drum bearing 1aR and the drum bearing 1aL support the photosensitive drum 1.

[0023] It should be noted that the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY is the same as the axis of rotation (longitudinal direction) of the photosensitive drum 1 and the axis of rotation (longitudinal direction) of the developing roller 3. When the main body of the device 100A and the cartridge tray 40 are described below, the term "longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY" means the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY in a state in which it is mounted on a mounting section 40a described below. In this case, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY is the direction of movement (direction of motion) of the cartridge tray 40 and is orthogonal to the direction of assembly of the process cartridges PP in the present embodiment.

[0024] The process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK, which constitute the plurality of cartridges, are detachably mounted on the cartridge tray (tray unit, motion component, motion unit) 40. The cartridge tray 40 is designed to be movable relative to the main body of the device 100A between an internal position located within the main body of the device 100A and an external position located outside the main body of the device 100A, in a state in which the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are supported, as described below. In the present embodiment, when the cartridge tray 40 is located in the internal position, the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are located in image-generating positions and perform image-generating drives.When the cartridge tray 40 is located in the external position, the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK are located in assembly / removal positions and can be mounted on or removed from the cartridge tray 40.

[0025] The printer 100 is equipped with a front door (an opening / closing component) 31, which is attached to the main body of the device 100A. The front door 31 is capable of moving between a closed position to cover the cartridge tray 40 in the internal position and an open position to expose the cartridge tray 40 in the internal position. When the user opens the front door 31, the cartridge tray 40 is exposed, and the user has access to it. The user can then move the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK into the mounting / removal position by pulling the cartridge tray 40 outward and can then replace (swap, exchange) the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK. Image production companies

[0026] The image generation operations of printer 100, designed in this manner, are described below. While the control section 200 of printer 100 receives operating signals from the interface section 300, a development separation mechanism (not shown), provided on the main body of the device 100A, moves in a front-to-back direction. The development separation mechanism and the development roller 3 bring the photosensitive drum 1 into contact.

[0027] It should be noted that in a process to produce a monochrome image, only the light-sensitive drum of the PPK process cartridge comes into contact with the developing roller, whereas in a process to produce a full-color image, the light-sensitive drums in the PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK process cartridges come into contact with their respective developing rollers. The light-sensitive drums, the developing rollers, and the intermediate transfer tape 13 are then driven by the power source (not shown).

[0028] A scanning unit 11 directs (distributes) a laser beam corresponding to image signals onto the photosensitive drum 1 of the process cartridge PPY. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged beforehand to a predetermined polarity and potential by a charging component (a charging roller) 5, and an electrostatically latent image is generated on the surface by the laser emitted by the scanning unit 1. The electrostatically latent image generated on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed by the developing roller 3 to create a yellow (Y) toner image on the photosensitive drum 1.

[0029] It should be noted that the cartridge tray 40 with light guides 57 (see Fig. 5B) is provided as a pre-exposure unit. The light guides 57 are each made of transparent acrylic or the like, for example. Light from a light source (not shown) is emitted onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 before charging with the charging roller 5, and this light is distributed evenly along the longitudinal direction by the light guide 57 onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Accordingly, the potential on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is stabilized, and good toner images can be produced.

[0030] In the same way, a laser beam is emitted (guided, distributed) from the scanning unit 11 onto the photosensitive drum in each of the process cartridges PPM, PPC, and PPK, and toner images in magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are produced on the respective photosensitive drums. The toner images of the respective colors produced on the respective photosensitive drums are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 by a primary transfer voltage applied to the primary transfer rollers 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K. The full-color toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 is fed to the secondary transfer gap T2 by the intermediate transfer belt 13, which is rotated by the drive roller 14.It should be noted that the image generation processes of each of the colors are carried out at times to superimpose onto the toner image, which is transferred upstream to the intermediate transfer tape 13 by a primary transfer.

[0031] Parallel to this image generation process, a sheet S, which is sent through the sheet feed section 18, undergoes skew correction by a registration roller belt 22. The registration roller belt 22 then guides the sheet S to the secondary transfer roller 27 in accordance with the toner image supplied by the intermediate transfer belt 13. The full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 13 is transferred to the sheet S at / in the secondary transfer gap T2 by the secondary transfer voltage applied to the secondary transfer roller 27. Furthermore, after the toner image has been transferred, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 is removed by the cleaning unit 26 and returned to a waste toner recovery container, which is omitted from this illustration.

[0032] The sheet S, onto which the toner image is transferred, is subjected to a predetermined temperature and pressure at / in the fixing gap Q of the fixing device 23. This causes the toner to melt and then harden, thereby fixing the image to the sheet S. The image S, having passed through the fixing device 23, is then transferred to a delivery tray 25 by the delivery roller pair 24. Cartridge tray

[0033] The design of the cartridge tray 40 is described below. The cartridge tray 40 has tray side plates 41L and 41R, which are arranged with a gap between them in the right-left direction, connecting components 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46, which connect the tray side plates 41L and 41R to each other, and guide components 47L and 47R, as shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B is shown. It should be noted that in the following description, components intended as a right and left pair are distinguished with respect to the right and left sides by adding "R" or "L" after the respective reference numerals.

[0034] The process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are supported by the storage side plates 41L and 41R. The mounting sections 40a, on which the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are mounted, are formed between the storage side plate (drive-side side plate, first side plate) 41R and the storage side plate (non-drive-side side plate, second side plate) 41L. The process cartridge PPY is mounted on a mounting section 40aY, the process cartridge PPM is mounted on a mounting section 40aM, the process cartridge PPC is mounted on a mounting section 40aC, and the process cartridge PPK is mounted on a mounting section 40aK. The process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK are mounted on the assembly sections 40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK, according to the mounting direction (the direction of an arrow In).

[0035] The connecting components 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 are made of a resin material and are arranged in this order from the front to the back. The light guide 57 described above is provided on each of the connecting components 42, 43, 44, and 45. The storage side plates 41L and 41R are made of a metallic material. The guide component (drive-side cover component, first cover component) 47R is supported by the storage side component 41R, and the guide component (non-drive-side cover component, second cover component) 47L is supported by the storage side plate 41L. The guide component 47R is provided with a guide groove (first guide groove or guided groove) 47aR, and the guide component 47L is provided with a guide groove (second guide groove or guided groove) 47aL.The guide grooves 47aL and 47aR extend in the direction in which the plurality of cartridges are arranged and guide the cartridge tray 40 in the direction for pulling it out of and in the direction for inserting it into the main body of the device 100A. The guide grooves 47aL and 47aR also engage with stops (not shown) provided on the main body of the device 100A in order to limit or prevent the cartridge tray 40 from being pulled out beyond a predetermined position.

[0036] The connecting component 42 has retaining sections (receiving sections) 42b and a handle section 42d. The user can remove the cartridge 40 from the main body of the device 100A by grasping and pulling the handle section 42d. If the printer 100 is subjected to a frontal impact while the front door 31 is closed, the retaining sections 42b prevent damage to internal parts of the printer 100 that could be caused by the front door 31 striking it. Similarly, the connecting component 46 has retaining sections (receiving sections) 46a. If the printer 100 is subjected to a rearal impact, the retaining sections 46a prevent damage to internal parts of the printer 100 that could be caused by a fixing strut 35 striking it (see Fig. 9).

[0037] The tray side plates 41L and 41R have shapes in which the upper sections are extended outwards compared to the lower sections, with the distance between the tray side plates 41L and 41R being greater at the upper section and smaller at the lower section in the right-left direction. This allows the right-left width of the cartridge tray 40 to be reduced without restricting the easy insertion / removal of the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK, thus supporting (ensuring) a reduction in the size (build size) of the printer 100.

[0038] Furthermore, the lower sides of the shelf side plates 41L and 41R are bent in an L-shape to ensure strength. Although the shelf side plates 41L and 41R and the connecting components 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 are each fastened by screws, this is not considered a limitation, and thermal crimping or similar methods can be used. Alternatively, an arrangement can be made in which the connecting components 42 and 46 are attached only to the shelf side plates 41L and 41R, and the connecting components 43, 44, and 45 are not attached to the shelf side plates 41L and 41R.

[0039] The storage side plate 41R is provided with cartridge engagement sections (a first positioning section) 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR, wherein the cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR are each formed with a substantially V-shaped form, as shown in Fig. Figures 4A to 5B are shown. In particular, the cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR are designed such that their front inclined (sloping) surfaces are arranged at an angle of 65° to the direction of withdrawal and their rear inclined (sloping) surfaces are arranged at an angle of 45°.

[0040] The storage side plate 41L is provided with cartridge engagement sections (a second positioning section) 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL, wherein the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL are formed in substantially V-shaped forms, as shown in Fig. 4A is shown. In particular, the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL are designed such that their front inclined (sloping) surfaces are arranged at a 65° angle to the extraction direction and their rear inclined (sloping) surfaces are arranged at a 45° angle.

[0041] The process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are positioned by the cartridge tray 40 into image generation positions to perform image generation operations. While the image generation operations are being performed, the drum bearing 1aR (see Fig. 3A) the process cartridge PPY comes into contact with the cartridge engagement section 41gR and the drum bearing 1aL (see Fig. 3B) of the process cartridge PPY comes into contact with the cartridge engagement section 41gL. In the same way, the drum bearings 1aR of the process cartridges PPM, PPC, and PPK come into contact with the cartridge engagement sections 41hR, 41iR, and 41jR. Furthermore, the drum bearings 1aL of the process cartridges PPM, PPC, and PPK come into contact with the cartridge engagement sections 41hL, 41iL, and 41jL. That is, the cartridge engagement section 41gR and the cartridge engagement section 41gL come into contact with and support the drum bearing 1aR and the drum bearing 1aL of the process cartridge PPY, so that the process cartridge PPY is positioned in / at the image generation position. In the same way, the cartridge engagement sections 41hR, 41iR and 41jR and the cartridge engagement sections 41hL, 41iL and 41jL come into contact with and support the drum bearing 1aR and the drum bearing 1aL of the process cartridges PPM, PPC and PPK.

[0042] The process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK are thus positioned on the cartridge tray 40, either according to their own weight or by being pressed downwards by pressure units 33 and 34 (a first pressure component 34, a second pressure component 33) Fig. 14A to 20B). The print units 33 and 34 position the process cartridges and the cartridge tray 40, which is integral with the process cartridges, on the main body of the device 100A by pressing the process cartridges downwards at the time of image generation. The print units 33 and 34 are mounted (assembled) on the main body of the device 100A to be able to move between a printing position for pressing the process cartridges and a separate position, detached from the process cartridges, in conjunction with an opening and closing operation of the front door 31 of the printer 100, which is described in detail below.

[0043] Furthermore, hub sections 42aL, 43aL, 44aL, and 45aL are formed at the left end sections of the connecting components 42, 43, 44, and 45, respectively, and hub sections 42aR, 43aR, 44aR, and 45aR are formed at the right end sections thereof. It should be noted that groove sections 1dR and 1dL are formed at the right and left end sections of the process cartridges for the respective colors, as shown in the Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B illustrates this. The groove sections 1dR and 1dL of the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK engage with the hub sections 42aL, 43aL, 44aL, and 45aL at the left end and with the hub sections 42aR, 43aR, 44aR, and 45aR at the right end. This prevents the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK from rotating relative to the cartridge tray 40.

[0044] Thus, the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK are mounted on the cartridge tray 40 and each process cartridge is grounded by a wire component or cable component (a drum grounding) 48, which is provided on a guide component 47L. Details of the cartridge tray

[0045] Details of the cartridge tray 40 are below with reference to Fig. 6A to 8 described. Fig. 6A and Fig. Figure 6B shows side views of the drive side of the cartridge tray 40. Fig. 6A and Fig. Figure 6B shows the cartridge tray 40 along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY, with the guide component 47R in Fig. 6B is not shown. Fig. 7A and Fig. Figure 7B shows side views of the non-drive side of cartridge tray 40. Fig. 7A and Fig. Figure 7B shows the cartridge tray 40 along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY, with the guide component 47L in Fig. 7B is not shown. Fig. Figure 8 is a top view of cartridge tray 40. Fig. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the cartridge tray 40 along the assembly direction in the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK.

[0046] The storage side plate 41R is provided with a first support section 41R1, which has the cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR, a first outer side section 41R2 and a first connecting section 41R3, which connects the first support section 41R1 and the first outer side section 41R2, as shown in Fig. Figure 6B shows the side plate 41R, which is made of metal. In this embodiment, the side plate 41R is a metal plate and is integrally formed with the first support section 41R1, the first outer section 41R2, and the first connecting section 41R3. The first support section 41R1 and the first outer section 41R2 extend in the direction of movement of the cartridge tray 40 relative to the main body 100A.

[0047] The storage side plate 41R is formed by drawing a metal plate. As a result, the first connecting section 41R3 has a section arranged horizontally between the first support section 41R1 and the first outer section 41R2, and a section arranged vertically between the first support section 40R1 and the first outer section 41R2, viewed along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY. Furthermore, the storage side plate 41R is provided with first openings 41R5. The cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR, and 41jR are formed in the first openings 41R5. The upper end of the first openings 41R5 is positioned higher than the lower end of the first outer section 41R2, and the lower end of the first openings 41R5 is positioned lower than the upper end of the first support section 41R1 and the first connecting section 41R3 in the vertical direction.The process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK are exposed to the outside of the assembly sections 40a through the first openings 41R5. In particular, the drum couplings 1c of the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK are externally exposed to the cartridge tray 40 through (over) the first openings 41R5.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6A, the cartridge tray 40 has the guide element (a first cover element) 47R, which is attached to the tray side plate 41R on the outside of the mounting sections 40a. The guide element 47R covers the first support section 41R1. In particular, the guide element 47R covers the first support section 41R1 such that the cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR, and 41jR are exposed from the perspective of the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY.

[0049] As described above, the guide component 47R is further provided with the guide groove (the first guided groove or guide groove) 47aR. The guide groove 47aR is located on the web-down side of the cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR, and 41jR in the assembly direction for the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK. The guide groove 47aR extends in the direction in which the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are arranged or lined up. Accordingly, the cartridge tray 40 is enabled to move relative to the main body of the device 100A in the direction in which the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are arranged or lined up.

[0050] The storage side plate 41L is provided with a second support section 41L1, which has the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL, a second outer section 41L2 and a second connecting section 41L3, which connects the second support section 41L1 and the second outer section 41L2, as shown in Fig. Figure 7B shows the side plate 41L, which is made of metal. In this embodiment, the side plate 41L is a metal plate and is integrally formed with the second support section 41L1, the second outer section 41L2, and the second connecting section 41L3. The second support section 41L1 and the second outer section 41L2 extend along the direction of movement in which the cartridge tray 40 moves toward the main body of the device 100A.

[0051] The storage side plate 41L is formed by drawing a metal plate. As a result, the second connecting section 41L3 has a section arranged horizontally between the second support section 41L1 and the second outer section 41L2, and a section arranged vertically between the second support section 41L1 and the second outer section 41L2, viewed along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY. Furthermore, the storage side plate 41L is provided with second openings (contact openings) 41L5. The cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL, and 41jL are formed in the second openings 41L5.The upper end of the second openings 41L5 is positioned higher than the lower end of the second outer section 41L2, and the lower end of the second openings 41L5 is positioned lower than the upper end of the second support section 41L1 and the second connecting section 41L3 with respect to the vertical direction. The process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are exposed to the outside of the mounting sections 40a through (above) the second openings 41L5. In particular, the grounding components 1b of the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are externally exposed from the mounting sections 40a through the second openings 41L5.

[0052] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7A, the cartridge tray 40 has the guide element (the second cover element) 47L, which is attached to the tray side plate 41L on the outside of the mounting sections 40a. The guide element 47L covers the side support section 41L1. In particular, the guide element 47L covers the second support section 41L1 such that at least part of the second openings 41L5 are covered when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY. The guide element 47L is further provided with the wire elements 48. The wire elements 48 are arranged in positions that overlap the second openings 41L5 when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge PPY.

[0053] Furthermore, the guide component 47L is provided with the guide groove (the second guided groove or guide groove) 47aL, as described above. The guide groove 47aL is located on the web-down side of the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 4ahL, 41iL, and 41jL in the assembly direction In of the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK. The guide groove 47aL extends in the direction in which the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are arranged or lined up. Accordingly, the cartridge tray 40 is able to move towards the main device body 100A in the direction in which the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are arranged.

[0054] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, from the perspective in the assembly direction, the first support sections 41R1 and the second support sections 41L1 are arranged between the first outer side sections 41R2 and the second outer side sections 41L2 in the longitudinal direction (arrow LD) of the process cartridges PP, which are mounted on a mounting section 40a. Furthermore, from the perspective in the assembly direction, the cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR are exposed on the web-upward side (on the near side in the plane of the figure) in the assembly direction above (through) the first openings 41R5. In the same way, the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL are exposed on the upstream side (the near side in the plane of the figure) in the assembly direction In via the second openings 41L5. Positioning design of the cartridge tray

[0055] The following describes a positioning design for the cartridge tray 40. The main unit 100A (see Fig. 1) has a main body frame 40 with a pair of left and right main body side plates 36L and 36R, the fixing strut 35 which connects the main body side plates 36L and 36R and further comprises a process region and a fixing region, as shown in Fig. Figure 9 is shown. The process region is a region in which the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK are accommodated, and the fixation region is a region in which the fixation device 23 is accommodated. The main body side plates 36L and 36R and the fixation strut 35 are made of a metal material.

[0056] The main body side plates 36L and 36R each have shaft support sections 50aL and 50aR on the deep side of the device, with a positioning shaft 50 being supported on the shaft support sections 50aL and 50aR. It should be noted that the positioning shaft 50 is immovably attached (fixed) to the shaft support sections 50aL and 50aR, but is rotatably supported as long as it is unable to move in the front-back and up-down directions.

[0057] The main body side plates 36L and 36R also have positioning grooves 36aL and 36aR, respectively, on their respective front faces. Shaft support sections 41dL and 41dR are each formed on the front face of the storage side plates 41L and 41R of the cartridge storage tray 40, as shown in Fig. Figure 10 shows a positioning shaft 49 supported by shaft support sections 41dL and 41dR. The positioning shaft 49 extends through the shelf side plates 41L and 41R, with a left end section 49a and a right end section (omitted from the illustration) of the positioning shaft 49 projecting to the outside of the shelf side plates 41L and 41R. It should be noted that the positioning shaft 49 is immovably attached (fixed) to the shaft support sections 41dL and 41dR; however, it may be rotatably supported as long as it is not able to move in the front-back or up-down directions. Furthermore, the positioning shafts 49 and 50 are formed from round rod-shaped shafts that extend in the right-left direction and have a circular cross-sectional shape, but their shapes are not limited to this.

[0058] A shaft contact section 42c, which supports the substantially central section of the positioning shaft 49 in the axial direction from below, is formed on the connecting component 42. The shaft contact section 42c limits downward deflection (deflection) of the positioning shaft 49. It should be noted that the shaft contact section 42c is not limited to its arrangement on the substantially central section in the axial direction of the positioning shaft 49 and that it can support the positioning shaft 49 from below at a different position. However, limiting downward deflection of the positioning shaft 49 at a central position of the positioning shaft 49 is suitable. Furthermore, the shaft contact section 42c can be long in the axial direction.

[0059] The positioning groove 36aR of the main body side plate 36R is designed according to the insertion direction Y1 of the cartridge tray 40 and has a fitting groove 37aR formed on the deep side and a guide groove 37bR formed on the near side, as shown in Fig. 11D is shown.

[0060] The locating groove 37aR has a width equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the positioning shaft 49 and fits the end section 49a of the positioning shaft 49 when the cartridge tray 40 is in a mounted position. The guide groove 37bR has a width larger than the outer diameter of the positioning shaft 49 and guides the end section 49a of the positioning shaft 49 to the locating groove 37aR when the cartridge tray 40 is mounted on the main body 100A. It should be noted that a guide groove and a locating groove are formed in the same way for the main body side plate 36L and guide and fit the left end section of the positioning shaft 49.

[0061] Positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR are each formed on the deep sides of the shelf side plates 41L and 41R, as shown in Fig. 5B is shown. The positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR position the cartridge tray 40 by engaging with the positioning shaft 49. Fig. Figures 11A to 11C are enlarged views showing the positioning groove 41bR. It should be noted that, since the positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR have the same design, only the positioning groove 41bR is described below, and the description of the positioning groove 41bL is omitted.

[0062] The positioning groove 41bR has an inclined (sloping) surface 41f and a positioning surface 41e, which extends from the inclined surface 41f, as shown in Fig. Figures 11A to 11C are shown. The positioning surface 41e extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction Y1 of the cartridge tray 40 and positions the cartridge tray 40 in the insertion direction by bearing against the positioning shaft 50. The inclined surface 41f is inclined downwards to the insertion direction Y1. Furthermore, a sliding surface 46d is shown (see Figure 11A to 11C). Fig. 5B) formed on the connecting component 46 of the cartridge tray 40, wherein the sliding surface 46d is formed to extend from the inclined surface 41f to the near side.

[0063] When the cartridge tray 40 is mounted, the inclined surface 41f is subjected to a reaction force F1 from the positioning shaft 50 due to a downward force exerted by the weight of the cartridge tray 40 and the pressure units 33 and 34 (see Fig. 14A) is applied as in Fig. Figure 11A shows that the reaction force F1 has a component force in the insertion direction Y1, and accordingly, the cartridge holder 40 is pulled inwards in the insertion direction Y1 and moves in a direction F2. This presses the positioning surface 41e against the positioning shaft 50, allowing the cartridge holder 40 to be positioned more precisely on / in the main body of the device 100A. The inclined surface 41f is designed to generate this component force.

[0064] The positioning shaft 50 is supported by the shaft support sections 50aL and 50aR of the main body side plates 36L and 36R, as shown in Fig. Figure 12 shows that in this state, where the cartridge tray 40 is mounted on the main body of the device 100A, the positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR are arranged axially on the inner side of the shaft support sections 50aL and 50aR. Accordingly, the central section of the positioning shaft 50 can exert a downward bending (deflection) in accordance with a downward force due to the weight of the cartridge tray 40 and the pressure units 33 and 34 (see direction of an outline arrow in Figure 12). Fig. 12 and Fig. 14A).

[0065] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, a rib 46b is formed on the substantially central section of the connecting component 46 in the axial direction (right-left direction). The rib 46b limits a downward deflection of the positioning shaft 50 by contacting the substantially central section of the positioning shaft 50 in the axial direction and by providing support from below. It should be noted that the rib 46b is not limited to the substantially central section of the positioning shaft 50 in the axial direction and that the positioning shaft 50 can be supported from below at another position. However, preventing a downward deflection of the positioning shaft 50 at the central section of the positioning shaft 50 is suitable.Furthermore, the rib 46b can be long in the axial direction, or a plurality of ribs 46b can be formed along the axial direction. Furthermore, although a downward deflection is limited in the following embodiments, the positioning shaft 50 is subjected to a force in the direction of gravity. However, it is not necessary for the arrangement to come into contact with the lower section of the positioning shaft 50, as long as a force is applied in one direction of deflection of the positioning shaft 50 and the deflection of the positioning shaft 50 is limited.

[0066] Furthermore, retaining sections 46c, which are arranged to hold the fixing strut 35, are formed on the connecting component 46, as shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. Figure 13 illustrates this. The retaining sections 46c can limit downward deflection of the cartridge tray 40, including the connecting component 46, by holding the fixing strut 35. Preventing downward orientation of the cartridge tray 40 also prevents deformation of the cartridge tray 40 at the positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR, and the cartridge tray 40 can be precisely positioned on the positioning shaft 50. It should be noted that only one retaining section 46c or three or more retaining sections 46c can be provided without restricting the assembly operations of the cartridge tray 40. Furthermore, a retaining section 46c can be long in the axial direction (right-left direction). Companies for pulling out and mounting the cartridge tray

[0067] The following describes the process for removing and mounting the cartridge tray 40. When the developer in the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK is consumed to a certain extent, resulting in images of a quality that no longer satisfies the user, the product's value as a process cartridge is lost.

[0068] Accordingly, an arrangement can be made in which a unit (omitted from the illustration) is provided that detects the residual developer level of each of the process cartridges, and the control section 200 compares the detected residual levels with predefined limits for cartridge life indications and life warnings. In this arrangement, an indication relating to a life warning regarding the process cartridges is displayed on an indicator section (omitted from the illustration) regarding the process cartridges where the detected residual level is below the limit, prompting the user to replace the process cartridge. The user then opens the front door 31 of the printer 100, pulls the cartridge tray 40 out to the outside of the device, and replaces the process cartridges PPY, PPM, PPC, and PPK.The processes for removing and mounting the cartridge tray 40 are described in detail below.

[0069] The front door 31 is supported to be opened and closed on the main unit body 100A, as shown in Fig. Figures 14A to 15B are shown. The open state can be maintained by door connecting elements 32L and 32R, which connect the front door 31 and the main body of the device 100A.

[0070] When the user opens the front door 31, the transmission unit 12, whose center of rotation lies on the drive roller 14, rotates by approximately 1° through a multitude of connecting link components (omitted in the illustration) that move together via the door connecting links 32L and 32R. Accordingly, the photosensitive drums 1 of the process cartridges are separated from the intermediate transmission belt 13, as shown in Fig. 16C is shown.

[0071] Then the main body development contacts 38, which are provided on the left side (non-drive side) of the main body of the device 100A, are withdrawn from the cartridge development contacts 2, which are electrically connected to the development rollers 3 (see Fig. 3B), and pressure is released from the printing units 33 and 34, as shown in FIG. 20B. More precisely, printing unit 33, which serves as a second printing component, moves from a second printing position to a second separate position, and furthermore, printing unit 34, which serves as a first printing component, moves from a first printing position to a first separate position. Then, the drum couplings 1c on a drive side of the process cartridges and the development couplings 3c ( Fig. 3A) is resolved and pressing of the cartridge tray 40 by the tray pressure units 51 is also released, as in Fig. 14B and Fig. 16B is shown. As a result, the cartridge tray 40 is in a state where it can be removed to the outside of the main body of the device 100A.

[0072] The tray pressure units 51 are provided on each of the brackets 52L and 52R, which are supported by the main body side plates 36L and 36R, and push the cartridge tray 40 towards the front from the rear when images are produced. The tray pressure units 51, each comprising a tray pressure lever 53, a tray pressure connecting element 54, and a preload spring (not shown), are arranged in Fig. 16A and Fig. 16B shown.

[0073] The release pressure lever 53 is actuated by the release pressure connecting element 54, which is pre-tensioned by the pre-tension spring into a state in which the front door 31 is closed, as shown in Fig. As shown in 16A, the release pressure lever 53 is pressed. Thus, the release pressure lever 53 presses back on a section 41c to be pressed, which is formed on the release side plate 41R of the cartridge release 40.

[0074] When the front door 31 is opened, the storage pressure lever 53 is retracted downwards by the door connecting elements 32L and 32R and by a connecting component that is omitted in the illustration, as shown in Fig. Figure 16B is shown. Accordingly, pressure on the release lever 53 is released towards the rear of the cartridge tray 40, and the cartridge tray 40 can be removed towards the outside of the main body of the device 100A.

[0075] The movements of the components near the positioning shafts 49 and 50 are shown below in relation to Fig. 11A to 11F are described. It should be noted that the positioning designs of the cartridge tray 40 with respect to the positioning shafts 49 and 50 are the same on the right and left sides; accordingly, only the right side of the device is described below, and the description of the left side of the device is omitted. When the cartridge tray 40 is pulled out, the inclined surface 41f slides with respect to the positioning shaft 50, and accordingly, the deep side of the cartridge tray 40 is slightly raised, as shown in Fig. Figures 11A to 11F are shown. The cartridge tray 40 then moves in an extraction direction Y2 with the sliding surface 46d, which is provided on the connecting element component 46 of the cartridge tray 40, sliding in relation to the positioning shaft 50.

[0076] At the same time, the end section 49a of the positioning shaft 49 of the cartridge tray 40 leaves the fitting groove 37aR of the positioning groove 36aR and is transferred to the guide groove 36bR. The cartridge tray 40 is pulled out in the withdrawal direction Y2, whereby the end section 49a of the positioning shaft 49 is guided through the guide groove 37bR. Fig. 11A and Fig. Figure 11D represents a state in which the cartridge tray 40 is positioned in the mounted position. Fig. 11B and Fig. 11E represents a condition in which the cartridge tray 40 is pulled out by approximately 3 mm from the mounted position. Fig. 11C and Fig. 11F represents a condition in which the cartridge tray 40 is pulled out from the mounted position by approximately 10 mm.

[0077] When the cartridge tray 40 is pulled out to a certain extent, it slides and is guided by rollers 56L and 56R (first rotating component and second rotating component), as shown in Fig. 14B and Fig. Figure 15B shows the cartridge tray 40 being pulled out towards the outside of the main body of the device 100A. It should be noted that when images are being produced, the cartridge tray 40 and the rollers 56L and 56R are not in contact with each other and that a gap of approximately 0.5 mm is maintained between them.

[0078] Fig. 17A and Fig. Figure 17B shows the process of pulling out the cartridge tray. The guide groove 47aL of the cartridge tray 40 is guided by a guide section 32aL provided on the door connecting element 32L. The designs of the guide groove 47aR and the guide section 32aR are identical to those of the guide groove 47aL and the guide section 32aL. Therefore, even when the cartridge tray 40 is pulled out a large distance, it can be pulled out smoothly with reduced tilt. Furthermore, the cartridge tray 40 can be stabilized in its extended position, thus facilitating the replacement of the process cartridges.

[0079] The guide grooves 47aL and 47aR are designed as open box shapes, open to the outside, and are provided on the outside of the first support section 41R1 and the second support section 41L2 of the shelf side plates 41L and 41R, which are made of a metal material. Projecting sections 41L4 and 41R4 (a first projecting section and a second projecting section), extending to the outside of the first support section 41R1 and the second support section 41L1, are arranged below the guide grooves 47aL and 47aR. The guide grooves 47aL and 47aR are located between the outer surface sections 41L2 and 41R2 and the projecting sections 41L4 and 41R4.In the assembly direction of the process cartridges towards the cartridge tray 40, the guide groove 47aL is located on the web-down side of the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL, and the guide groove 47aR is located on the web-down side of the cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR. This allows for energy supply (current supply) configuration. When the cartridge tray 40 is pulled out, the projecting sections 41L4 and 41R4 are slidably supported on the rollers 56L and 56R.

[0080] Furthermore, guide grooves 47aL and 47aR are provided on the inner sides of the first outer side section 41R2 and the second outer side section 41L2 in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and at least a portion of them is arranged longitudinally between the first support section 41R1 and the first outer side section 41R2 and between the second support section 41L1 and the second outer side section 41L2. This design is thus achieved without increasing the size of the cartridge tray 40 and the image generation device. The process cartridges can be mounted on the cartridge tray 40 by inserting them into the opening that is exposed on the upper side of the cartridge tray 40.The tray side plates 41L and 41R are provided with the first connecting section 41R3 and the second connecting section 41L3, which connect the first support section 41R1 and the second support section 41L1, and the first outer section 41R2 and the second outer section 41L2. The first connecting section 41R3 and the second connecting section 41L3 have inclined (sloping) surfaces that are inclined from the outside of the mounting section 40a to the inside with respect to the longitudinal direction LD. In particular, the inclined surfaces of the first connecting section 41R3 and the second connecting section 41L3 are inclined from the web-upward side to the web-downward side in the mounting direction of the process cartridges PP, from the outside of the mounting section 40a to the inside. These inclined surfaces enable the process cartridges PP to be mounted uniformly on the cartridge tray 40.

[0081] The assembled PP process cartridges are positioned by the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL, 41jL, 41gR, 41hR, 41iR, and 41jR of the tray side plates 41L and 41R. At this time, the grounding components 1b, which are the cartridge contacts provided at the end sections of the photosensitive drum 1, come into contact with the wire components 48, which are contact components provided at the cartridge tray 40 for each PP process cartridge. The wire components 48 serve as intermediate contacts, electrically connecting the photosensitive drums 1 and the main body frame 30 of the device main body 100A, acting as tray contacts. The wire components 48 come into contact with a conductive line 59 below the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL and are connected to the main body side plate 36L of the main body frame 30 via the conductive line 59.More precisely, when the cartridge tray 40 is in the internal position of the main body of the device 100A, the earthing components 1b are electrically connected to the main body of the device 100A via the wire components 48 and the side plate 41L.

[0082] The wire components 48 each have an arm section 48b, which acts as a spring section with spring properties, and a wound section 48a, which is wound at a contact section with the grounding component 1b in the process cartridge PP according to the insertion direction. The wound section 48a is pre-tensioned towards the side of the grounding component 1b by the spring properties of the arm section 48b. The grounding component 1b and the wound section 48a come into contact at a position on the web-upward side of the cartridge insertion sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL and at a position on the web-downward side of the second outer side section 41L2 in the assembly direction of the process cartridges on the cartridge tray 40. Meanwhile, the wound section 48a is / is approximately positioned by a contact limiting section 47eL, which is provided on the guide component 47L, in which it is inserted through the wound section 48a and passes through it.Due to this contact limiting section 47eL, the contact position of the grounding component 1b and the wound section 48a is limited to a predetermined position, even when no process cartridge is mounted on the assembly section 40a. Furthermore, the wire components 48, which are arranged below the second connection section 41L3, prevent damage to the wire components 48 when the process cartridges PP are inserted into the cartridge holder 40, and ensure uniform insertion of the process cartridges PP. Moreover, by arranging the wire components 48 on the inside of the second outer section 41L2 in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drums 1, a design is achieved without increasing the size of the cartridge holder 40 and the image generation device.

[0083] The wire components 48 are arranged adjacent to the outer surface of the second support section 41L1 of the storage side plate 41L in the longitudinal direction of the light-sensitive drums 1. Furthermore, the guide component 47L with the guide groove 47aL is provided on its outer surface to hold the wire components 48. The wire components 48 are also electrically connected to the storage side plate 41L, which is made of a metal material. As described below, the storage side plate 41L and the positioning shafts 49 and 50 are connected, and the positioning shafts 49 and 50 are connected to the main body frame 30. Thus, a reliable grounding contact path is formed.

[0084] When the cartridge tray 40 is pulled out and process cartridges are replaced, the cartridge tray 40 is mounted on the main body of the device 100A. The assembly operation during the mounting of the cartridge tray 40 on the main body of the device 100A is the reverse of the operation during the removal. At this time, the sliding surface 46d begins to slide relative to the positioning shaft 50, and then the positioning shaft 50 moves over the sliding surface 46d, and the end section 49a of the positioning shaft 40 is transferred from the guide groove 37bR to / into the locating groove 37aR, as shown in Fig. 11B and Fig. 11E is shown.

[0085] The boundary section between the guide groove 37bR and the locating groove 37aR is an upwardly directed chamfer, and furthermore, the end section 49a of the positioning shaft 49 is fitted into the locating groove 37aR. Consequently, the operating force applied by the user during the assembly of the cartridge tray 40 is high. However, the positioning shaft 49 enters the locating groove 37aR after the sliding surface 46d has been moved over the positioning shaft 50. Therefore, the operating force is not concentrated at the time when a high operating force is applied by the user, and the operating force can be reduced. It should be noted that in this design, when the cartridge tray 40 is inserted as far as possible at a predetermined distance from the assembly position, the cartridge tray 40 is automatically lifted (received) to the assembly position by a lifting device (receiving device) described below.

[0086] When the cartridge tray 40 is inserted into the mounting position and the front door 31 (the opening / closing component) is closed, the tray pressure units 51 push the cartridge tray 40 to the deep side, as shown in Fig. 14A, Fig. 15A and Fig. 16A is shown. The drum couplings 1c on the drive side of the PP process cartridges and the development couplings 3C (see Fig. 3A) are engaged and the pressure units 33 and 34 push the PP process cartridges from above.

[0087] Fig. Figures 18A to 19C are diagrams that show the pressure state of the pressure units 33 and 34, which press on the process cartridges. Fig. 18A is a schematic perspective view partially cut along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drums 1 with respect to a contact between the main body development contact 38 and the cartridge development contact 2 connected to the development roller 3, and a contact between a printing section 33a and a storage component 7 on the left side of the process cartridge PPK. Fig. 18B is a schematic diagram from the perspective of the section plane of Fig. 18A in the direction of movement of the cartridge tray 40. Fig. Figure 18C is a schematic diagram from the perspective of a section plane of the process cartridges and the cartridge tray 40 along a second imaginary plane IFL, which is in Fig. 18B shows the longitudinal direction of the light-sensitive drums 1. Fig. Figure 19A is a schematic perspective view partially cut along the longitudinal direction of the light-sensitive drums 1 with reference to the center of the drum coupling 1c on the right side of the process cartridge PPK. Fig. 19B is a schematic diagram from the perspective of the section plane of Fig. 19A in the direction of movement of the cartridge tray 40. Fig. Figure 19C is a schematic diagram from the perspective of a section plane of the process cartridges in the cartridge tray 40 along the first imaginary plane IFR, which is in Fig. 19B shows the longitudinal direction of the light-sensitive drums 1.

[0088] Pressure units 33 and 34 press the drum bearings 1aL and 1aR towards the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL, 41jL, 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR. Pressure unit 34 (the first pressure component) is arranged to intersect the first imaginary plane IFR, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drums 1 and intersects the cartridge engagement sections 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR (the first positioning components). The pressure unit 33 (the second pressure component) is arranged to intersect the second imaginary plane IFL, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersects the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL (the second positioning components).

[0089] Furthermore, from the perspective of the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drums 1, a portion of the contact sections (pressure sections) 39, which are the sections in which the pressure units 33 and 34 come into contact with the cartridges, are arranged to overlap with the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL, 41jL, 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR with respect to the pressure direction of the pressure units 33 and 34. More precisely, the force of the pressure units 33 and 34, which press the process cartridges, is provided by the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL, 41jL, 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR, which lie on a straight line to it. Accordingly, the process cartridges can be reliably held and positioned in a stable manner.

[0090] Furthermore, the shaft support sections 41dL and 41dR and the positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR of the storage side plates 41L and 41R are provided on the same plane as the cartridge engagement sections 41gL, 41hL, 41iL, 41jL, 41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR and are supported by the positioning shafts 49 and 50 (see Fig. 6A to 7B). Furthermore, the pressure sections 33a, which form part of the contact sections 39 of the pressure unit 33, are also provided with contacts for the memory components 7, which are provided on the process cartridges PP, for storing various types of information, such as an operating history of the relevant process cartridge, performance ratio information unique to the process cartridge, and so on. By enabling the process cartridge to be held firmly and positioned stably, as described above, a stable application of electricity (current, voltage) and a connection can be maintained.

[0091] Furthermore, the printing unit 33 is provided with main body charging contacts 37 for supplying electrical energy (current supply) to the charging rollers 5, as shown in Fig. 20A and Fig. Figure 20B shows the PP process cartridges having charging contacts 6 that are electrically connected to the charging rollers 5. The main body charging contacts 37 are made of wire components that have the same design as the wire components 48 described above and are designed to be biased against the charging contacts 6 by their spring properties and to come into contact with the charging contacts 6. Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B are diagrams that show the positional relationship between the energy supply contact to the electrical energy to the charging roller 5 and the light-sensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 5 and so on. Fig. Figure 20A shows schematic perspective views showing the contact of the main body charging contact 37 and the charging contact 6 partially cut along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1 on the left side of the process cartridge PPK. Fig. Figure 20B is a schematic diagram from the perspective of section plane 24A in the direction of movement of the storage cartridge 40. The printing unit 33 presses the PP process cartridges from above at the sections where the main body charging contacts 37 are provided. The main body charging contacts 37 are positioned at the charging contacts 6 of the process cartridges, thereby connecting them. The main body charging contacts 37 are arranged in positions overlapping the photosensitive drums 1 and the charging rollers 5 in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drums 1. More precisely, the contact positions of the main body charging contacts 37 and the charging contacts 6 are arranged in positions overlapping with the photosensitive drums 1 and the charging rollers 5 in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drums 1.Accordingly, the contact sections, the photosensitive drums 1, and the charging rollers 5 can each be precisely positioned relative to one another by pressing the pressure unit 33 in the vicinity of the main body charging contacts 37 and the charging contacts 6. More precisely, the process cartridges can be reliably held and positioned in a stable manner, thereby maintaining a stable application of voltage (electricity, current). Furthermore, a reliable and stable contact path can be formed near (in each) the end sections of the photosensitive drums 1 and the charging rollers 5, and accordingly, the contact paths within the process cartridges can be shortened, allowing the process cartridges to be manufactured cost-effectively.It should be noted that the main body charging contacts 37 and the charging contacts 6 are arranged between the first support section 41R1 and the second support section 41L1 in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drums 1.

[0092] As described above, the main body development contacts 38 come into contact with the cartridge development contacts 2 (see Fig. 3B), which are connected to the developing rollers 3, and rotate the transfer units 12 upwards, their center of rotation being at the drive rollers 14, after a state has been reached in which the printing units 33 and 34 of the process cartridges press downwards. Thus, the photosensitive drum 1 of each process cartridge comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 13.

[0093] As described above, when the front door 31 is closed and the printer 100 is capable of producing images, the positioning shaft 50 and the positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR on the front of the cartridge tray 40 are engaged. The inclined surfaces 41f are provided on the positioning grooves 4bL and 41bR, and accordingly, at this time, the cartridge tray 40 is pulled inwards in the insertion direction Y1 based on the weight of the cartridge 40 and the downward force from the printing units 33 and 34. Consequently, the positioning surfaces 41e are pressed against the positioning shaft 50, and the cartridge tray 40 can be precisely positioned in the insertion direction Y1.

[0094] Furthermore, the positioning shaft 49 and the positioning grooves 36aL and 36aR are engaged with each other on the rear side of the cartridge tray 40. At this time, the end sections 49a of the positioning shaft 49 fit into the locating grooves of the positioning grooves 36aL and 36aR, and accordingly, rotation of the cartridge tray 40 in a direction orthogonal to the assembly direction Y1 can be prevented, i.e., its center of rotation lies on the positioning shaft 50.

[0095] The positioning shaft 50 and the positioning grooves 36aL and 36aR, which are provided on the main body of the device 100A, and the positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR and the positioning shaft 49, which are provided on the cartridge tray 40, form a positioning mechanism 60 (see Fig. 11A and Fig. 11D). The positioning mechanism 60 positions the cartridge tray 40 on the main body of the device 100A.

[0096] Furthermore, the positioning shaft 50 is supported from below by the rib 46b, which is provided on the connecting element 46 of the cartridge holder 40, thereby limiting (preventing, restricting) downward deflection (bending) of the positioning shaft 50. Additionally, deformation of the cartridge holder 40 is prevented by the retaining sections 46c, which are provided on the connecting element 46. The positioning shaft 49 on the rear side (back) of the cartridge holder 40 is also supported from below by the shaft contact section 42c to prevent downward deflection of the positioning shaft 49. According to this design, the positioning shafts 49 and 50 can be designed with a smaller shaft diameter or can be made of a cost-effective resin material, thus reducing costs and size.

[0097] Accordingly, the cartridge tray 40 can be precisely positioned on the main body of the device 100A at the mounting position. Specifically, the process cartridges held in the cartridge tray 40 are pressed from above by the printing units 33 and 34 during image generation, but this does not affect the positioning accuracy of the cartridge tray 40. Therefore, the positioning accuracy of the process cartridges held in the cartridge tray 40, particularly the positional accuracy between the photosensitive drums 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 13, is improved, and high-quality images can be produced.

[0098] Furthermore, due to the operation of the inclined surfaces 41f on the front of the cartridge tray 40 and the pressure exerted by the tray pressure units 51 on the rear side, the cartridge tray 40 is pre-tensioned towards the front in the mounting position. Accordingly, positional deviation of the cartridge tray 40 due to vibrations, etc., during image generation can be reduced. Moreover, by generating a pressing force on the front and rear sides of the cartridge tray 40, the inward pressing force is distributed, and the elastic force (spring force) of the pre-tension spring of the tray pressure units 51 can be kept low. Consequently, the size and cost of the tray pressure units 51 can be reduced.

[0099] According to the present invention, cartridges can be positioned stably on side plates of the storage unit by the above design.

[0100] Furthermore, according to the present invention, storage contacts of the storage unit, which are to be electrically connected to cartridge contacts of the cartridges, can be arranged, while saving / reducing space.

[0101] Furthermore, according to the present invention, guide grooves of the storage unit, which are guided through the main body of the device, can be arranged while saving / reducing space.

[0102] It should be noted that the arrangement of the positioning shaft 50 and the positioning grooves 41bL and 41bR, which are included in the positioning mechanism 60, can be changed on the main body of the device 100A and the cartridge tray 40 if necessary, provided that one element is located in one of the body and the tray and the other in the other. Furthermore, the arrangement of the positioning shaft 49 and the positioning grooves 36aL and 36aR, which are included in the positioning mechanism 60, can be changed on the main body of the device 100A and the cartridge tray 40 if necessary, provided that one element is located in one of the body and the tray and the other in the other.

[0103] Furthermore, the positioning shaft 49 is not limited to a through shaft extending the entire length of the cartridge tray 40 in the right-left direction. It is sufficient that two projections are provided, which are designed to project outwards on both sides of the cartridge tray 40.

[0104] Although the drum units (OP) and the development units (DP) are formed as a single piece in the process cartridges, they can be designed separately. For example, the cartridge tray 40 can hold only the drum units (OP) or only the development units (DP).

[0105] While the present invention has been described above with regard to the exemplary embodiments, it is self-evident that the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Image generating device (100) designed to perform an image generating operation using a cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), wherein the image generating device (100) comprises: a main device body (100A); and a storage unit (40) on which the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) is detachably mounted and which is designed to be able to move relative to the main body of the device (100A) between an internal position located inside the main body of the device (100A) and an external position located outside the main body of the device (100A), wherein the storage unit (40) has the following features: a first side plate (41R) designed to support the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), wherein the first side plate (41R) is made of metal and has a first support section (41R1) and a first outer surface section (41R2), wherein the first support section (41R1) has a first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR) and the first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR) is designed to make contact with the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) in order to position the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) in an image generation position in which the image generation operation is performed, a second side plate (41L) designed to support the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), wherein the second side plate (41L) is made of metal and has a second support section (41L1) and a second outer surface section (41L2), wherein the second support section (41L1) has a second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL) and the second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL) is designed to make contact with the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) in order to position the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) in the image generation position, and a mounting section (40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK) on which the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) is mounted in a mounting direction, wherein the mounting section (40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK) is formed between the first side plate (41R) and the second side plate (41L), and in one case, from the perspective of the mounting direction, the first support section (41R1) and the second support section (41L1) are arranged between the first outer side section (41R2) and the second outer side section (41L2) in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) that is mounted on the mounting section (40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK), the main body of the device (100A) has the following features: a first pressure component (34) that is able to move between a first pressure position in which the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) is pressed and a first separate position that is separate from the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), and a second pressure component (33) that is able to move between a second pressure position in which the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) is pressed and a second separate position that is separate from the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK), wherein the first printing component (34) is arranged intersecting with a first imaginary plane (IFR) which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersects the first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR), wherein the second printing component (33) is arranged intersecting with a second imaginary plane (IFL) which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersects the second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL), wherein the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) has a memory component (7) that stores information, and wherein the second pressure component (33) is designed to press the storage component (7). [2] Image generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the image generating device (100) has an opening / closing component (31) attached to the main body of the device (100A) and which is able to move between a closed position in which the storage unit (40) arranged in the internal position is covered and an open position in which the storage unit (40) arranged in the internal position is exposed, wherein the first pressure component (34) moves from the first separated position to the first pressure position in conjunction with the movement of the opening / closing component (31) from the open position to the closed position, and wherein the second pressure component (33) moves from the second separate position to the second pressure position in conjunction with the movement of the opening / closing component (31) from the open position to the closed position. [3] Image generating device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) has the following features: a light-sensitive drum (1), a first end section support element (1aR) that is provided at a first end section in the longitudinal direction, and a second end section support element (1aL) provided at a second end section located on the opposite side of the first end section in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first end section support component (1aR) supports the photosensitive drum (1) and is designed to come into contact with the first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR) by being pressed through the first pressure component (34), and wherein the second end section support part (1aL) supports the photosensitive drum (1) and is designed to come into contact with the second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL) by being pressed through the second pressure component (33). [4] Image generating device (100) according to claim 3, the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) has the following features: a charging component (5) designed to charge the light-sensitive drum (1), and a charging contact (6) which is electrically connected to the charging component (5), wherein the second pressure component (33) has a main body charging contact (37) designed to come into contact with the charging contact (6) and to press the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) at a section where the main body charging contact (37) is provided, and wherein the position in which the charging contact (6) and the main body charging contact (37) come into contact overlaps with a position of the photosensitive drum (1) with respect to the longitudinal direction. [5] Image generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first side plate (41R) has a first opening (41R5) that exposes the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) to the outside of the assembly section (40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK), and wherein the second side plate (41L) has a second opening (41L5) which exposes the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) to the outside of the assembly section (40aY, 40aM, 40aC and 40aK). [6] Image generating device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR) is arranged in the first opening (41R5), and wherein the second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL) is arranged in the second opening (41L5). [7] Image generating device (100) according to claim 6, in one case from the perspective in the assembly direction the first positioning section (41gR, 41hR, 41iR and 41jR) is exposed in the direction of the track-upward side in the assembly direction, and the second positioning section (41gL, 41hL, 41iL and 41jL) is exposed in the direction of the upstream side in the assembly direction. [8] Image generating device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the cartridge (PPY, PPM, PPC and PPK) has a drive transmission component (1c and 3c) that transmits a drive force from the main body of the device (100A), and wherein the first opening (41R5) exposes the drive transmission component (1c and 3c) to the outside of the storage unit (40). [9] Image generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first side plate (41R) comprises in one piece the first support section (41R1), the first outer side section (41R2) and a first connecting section (41R3) that connects the first support section (41R1) and the first outer side section (41R2), and wherein the second side plate (41L) comprises in one piece the second support section (41L1), the second outer side section (41L2) and a second connecting section (41L3) that connects the second support section (41L1) and the second outer side section (41L2). [10] Image generating device (100) according to claim 9, in one case from a longitudinal perspective the first connecting section (41R3) has a section that is arranged between the first support section (41R1) and the first outer section (41R2) with respect to the horizontal direction, and has a section that is arranged between the first support section (41R1) and the first outer section (41R2) with respect to the vertical direction, and the second connecting section (41L3) has a section that is arranged between the second support section (41L1) and the second outer section (41L2) with respect to the horizontal direction, and a section that is arranged between the second support section (41L1) and the second outer section (41L2) with respect to the vertical direction. [11] Image generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first support section (41R1) and the second support section (41L1) extend in the direction of movement in which the storage unit (40) moves towards the device main body (100A).

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