Image holding unit and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To achieve space saving compared to a case where a grip part is formed of a separate member.SOLUTION: An image holding unit comprises: an image holding body 11 that holds an image on a surface; a removal member 16A that removes an attachment attached to a surface of the image carrier 11; a conveying unit 42 that rotates around an axis to discharge and convey the attachment removed by the removal member 16A in an axial direction; and a grip part 51 that is used when a user inserts and withdraws the image holding unit into and from an image forming apparatus 100 forming the image on the image carrier 11 as an image in a record medium. The grip part 51 includes a recessed part 43 that is recessed in a direction of the conveying unit 42 to form a part of an outer surface on a cross section intersecting the axial direction of the conveying unit 42, wherein a wall 43 partitioning the conveying unit 42 and the recessed part from each other is a curved surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image carrier unit and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus has a recovery means that wraps up and recovers a removable unit containing toner and / or carrier when the unit is replaced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-93099 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, when inserting or removing the image carrier unit into or from the image forming apparatus, if the user holds the grip of the image carrier unit, it is required to provide a grip for the image carrier unit so that the user's hands do not get dirty. On the other hand, if the grip is made of a separate member, the external shape of the image carrier unit becomes large, making it difficult to narrow the storage space when storing it in the image forming apparatus, and making it difficult to achieve space saving. An object of the present invention is to reduce space compared to when the gripping portion is formed as a separate member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is an image carrier unit comprising: an image carrier that carries an image on its surface; a removal member that removes adhesions adhering to the surface of the image carrier; a transport section that discharges and transports the adhesions removed by the removal member in the axial direction by axial rotation; and a gripping section that is used by a user to grip when inserting or removing the image carrier from an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium of the image, wherein the gripping section includes a recessed portion that is recessed toward the transport section in a cross section that intersects the axial direction of the transport section and constitutes part of the outer surface, and the wall that separates the gripping section from the transport section is a curved surface. The invention described in claim 2 is the image carrier unit described in claim 1, characterized in that the recessed portion is formed so that the thickness of the curved wall in the cross section does not change. The invention described in claim 3 is the image carrier unit described in claim 1, characterized in that the recessed portion has a bottom surface portion located on the back side relative to a position of a rotation shaft of the transport portion. The invention described in claim 4 is the image carrier unit described in claim 1, characterized in that the grip portion has a reinforcing portion formed so as to be connected to the curved wall. The invention described in claim 5 is the image carrier unit described in claim 4, characterized in that the recessed portion includes a first region having a long length in the axial direction and a second region having a short length, and the reinforcing portion is formed at the boundary position between the first region and the second region. The invention described in claim 6 is the image carrier unit described in claim 1, characterized in that a rib extending in the recess direction of the recess portion in the cross section is formed on the opposing wall that faces the curved wall in the cross section. A seventh aspect of the present invention is the image carrier unit according to the sixth aspect, wherein the rib extends in a direction intersecting with a direction of the recess. The invention described in claim 8 is the image carrier unit described in claim 1, characterized in that when pulled out to a predetermined position in a direction from the image forming device, it tilts due to its own weight relative to the image forming device. The invention described in claim 9 is an image forming device comprising: an image forming section that forms an image; and an image carrier unit that constitutes part of the image forming section and can be inserted into and removed from a device main body having the image forming section, wherein the image carrier unit comprises an image carrier that holds an image on its surface, a removal member that removes adhesions adhered to the surface of the image carrier, a transport section that discharges and transports the adhesions removed by the removal member in the axial direction by rotating on an axis, and a gripping portion that is used by a user to grip when inserting and removing the image carrier unit from the device main body, wherein the gripping portion includes a recessed portion that is recessed toward the transporting portion in a cross section that intersects the axial direction of the transporting portion and constitutes part of the outer surface, and the wall that separates the gripping portion from the transporting portion is a curved surface. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to save space compared to a case in which the gripping portion is formed from a separate member. According to the invention of claim 2, the recessed portion can have improved strength compared to a case where the recessed portion does not have a configuration in which the thickness of the curved wall in cross section does not change. According to the invention of claim 3, the recessed portion has a bottom surface portion located on the back side relative to the position of the rotation axis of the conveying portion, thereby improving operability compared to a case where the recessed portion does not have a configuration having such a bottom surface portion. According to the invention of claim 4, the grip portion can have improved strength compared to a case where the grip portion does not have a configuration having a reinforcing portion formed so as to be connected to the curved wall. According to the invention of claim 5, the recessed portion includes a first region having a long length in the axial direction and a second region having a short length, and the reinforcement portion can have improved strength compared to a case in which the reinforcement portion does not have a configuration formed at the boundary position between the first region and the second region. According to the invention of claim 6, the insertion and removal operation can be performed more easily than in the case where the configuration in which a rib extending in the recess direction of the recess portion in the cross section is formed on the opposing wall facing the curved wall in the cross section is not provided. According to the invention of claim 7, the rib can facilitate insertion and removal operations compared to a case where the rib does not have a configuration extending in a direction intersecting the recess direction. According to the invention of claim 8, it is easier to determine the timing to grasp the gripping portion compared to a case in which the device is not provided with a configuration in which the device tilts under its own weight relative to the image forming device when pulled out to a predetermined position in the direction of pulling out from the image forming device. According to the invention of claim 9, it is possible to save space compared to a case in which the gripping portion is formed as a separate member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a photoconductor unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a photoconductor unit. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of how a user holds a photoconductor unit when inserting or removing the photoconductor unit from an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 5] 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the photosensitive unit for explaining a first operation portion. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective view of the housing as viewed from the first operating unit side. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view illustrating a first operating section according to a modified example. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the posture of the photoconductor unit when the photoconductor unit is pulled out from the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the posture of the photoconductor unit when the photoconductor unit is pulled out from the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the size, thickness, and other dimensions of each part in the drawings referred to in the following description may differ from the actual dimensions. <Image forming apparatus 100> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 to which the present embodiment is applied. 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes document reading device 1 that reads information on document G, image forming section 2 that forms an image on recording paper S based on information on the document (read image) read by document reading device 1, and paper feeding section 3 that feeds recording paper S to be supplied to image forming section 2. In this image forming apparatus 100, image forming section 2 and paper feeding section 3 are housed inside main body 101, while document reading device 1 is disposed above main body 101. Main body 101 has, on its upper surface, discharge and storage section 102 that discharges and stores recording paper S on which an image has been formed.

[0009] The document reading device 1 has a housing 103. The document reading device 1 also has, on the upper surface of the housing 103, a light-transmitting document table 105 on which a document G is placed, and a document cover 106 that covers the document table 105 and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 103. The document cover 106 is provided with an automatic document feeder 107 that transports the document G to a reading position and discharges the document G after reading, a document tray 108 that holds the document G sent by the automatic document feeder 107, and a storage unit 109 that stores the document G discharged from the automatic document feeder 107.

[0010] The image forming section 2 includes an image forming unit 20 that forms toner images of each color, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), for example, using an electrophotographic method, an intermediate transfer unit 26 that transports the toner image formed by the image forming unit 20 until it is transferred to the recording paper S, and a fixing unit 27 that fixes the toner image transferred from the intermediate transfer unit 26 to the recording paper S. The image forming unit 20 includes photoconductor units 4, each of which corresponds to a different color and is shown by a broken line. Each of the photoconductor units 4 is detachable from the main body 101, and the user can perform the attachment and detachment of the photoconductor units 4.

[0011] The paper feed unit 3 has a drawer-type container 31 capable of holding a plurality of sheets of recording paper S of a predetermined size, type, etc., and a delivery device 32 that delivers the recording paper S contained in the container 31 to a delivery path one sheet at a time. Between the paper feed unit 3 and the image forming unit 2, a supply delivery path 28 is disposed to deliver the recording paper S delivered from the paper feed unit 3 to a secondary transfer position.

[0012] Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. First, in the document reading device 1, the user places the document G on either the document table 105 or the document tray 108. Then, when the user operates an operation button (not shown) or the like to accept an instruction to read the document, the operation of reading the document G is started. That is, the document reading device 1 acquires read information of the document G. Then, the image forming unit 2 executes an image forming operation based on the read information of the document G received from the document reading device 1. At this time, the recording paper S is sent from the paper feed unit 3 in accordance with the operation of the image forming unit 2. Then, after the toner image is fixed on the recording paper S by the image forming unit 2, it is discharged to the discharge storage unit 102. The above image forming operation is repeated in the same manner as many times as depending on the number of documents G and the number of images formed.

[0013] Next, an image forming unit 20 to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 2. More specifically, a photoconductor unit 4 constituting a part of the image forming unit 20 will be described. The photoconductor unit 4 is an example of an image carrier unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the photoconductor unit 4, as viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the photoconductor unit 4 is provided with a photoconductor drum 11 that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow. The photoconductor unit 4 also includes, as members disposed around the photoconductor drum 11, a charging roll 12, an exposure device 13, a developing device 14, a transfer roll 15, and a cleaning device 16. The photoconductor unit 4 may be configured to include all of these members, or may be configured to include only some of them.

[0014] The photoconductor drum 11 is made of a cylindrical body, and a photosensitive layer (not shown) is formed on the surface of the cylindrical body. The charging roll 12 is made of a conductive rubber roll or the like, and charges the photoconductor drum 11 . The exposure device 13 irradiates the photoconductor drum 11 charged by the charging roll 12 with light from a light source such as a laser light source or an LED (Light Emitting Diode), thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 11.

[0015] The developing device 14 deposits toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum 11, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 11 with toner of a predetermined color. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 in this embodiment. A developer is contained in the developing device 14. The developer in this embodiment is made up of a magnetic carrier and a colored toner, and is a so-called two-component developer. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a developer storage container 19 is provided in which developer to be supplied to the developing device 14 is stored. In this embodiment, new developer is supplied from the developer storage container 19 to the developing device 14 through a developer transport path (not shown).

[0016] The transfer roll 15 is made of a conductive rubber roll or the like. In this embodiment, the location where the transfer roll 15 and the photoconductor drum 11 face each other is the transfer portion T. A transfer bias is applied to the transfer roll 15. The toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 11, i.e., the toner image held by the photoconductor drum 11, is transferred to the belt of the intermediate transfer unit 26 at the transfer portion T. The cleaning device 16 is provided with a contact member 16A that is arranged in contact with the photoconductor drum 11, and the cleaning device 16 removes deposits such as toner on the photoconductor drum 11.

[0017] Next, a specific configuration of the photoconductor unit 4 will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the photoconductor unit 4. As shown in FIG. The photoconductor unit 4 shown in FIG. 3 includes a housing 41 and a transport auger 42 in addition to the photoconductor drum 11 and the cleaning device 16 described above.

[0018] The housing 41 is a member forming the main body of the photosensitive unit 4, and rotatably supports each of the photosensitive drum 11 and the transport auger 42. More specifically, the housing 41 supports the photosensitive drum 11 and the transport auger 42 such that the rotation shaft of the photosensitive drum 11 and the rotation shaft of the transport auger 42 extend in the same direction. The rotation shafts of the photosensitive drum 11 and the transport auger 42 extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0019] The housing 41 has a wall portion 43 located below the transport auger 42 to form a space for accommodating the transport auger 42. The wall portion 43 is located on the opposite side of the transport auger 42 from the photosensitive drum 11. The wall portion 43 is an example of a curved wall.

[0020] The transport auger 42 is disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 11, and is configured by attaching a spiral blade around the rotation shaft. Therefore, when the transport auger 42 rotates, it transports the toner and other deposits from the cleaning device 16 in one direction. The storage space for the transport auger 42, which is formed by the wall portion 43, constitutes a recovery path. The transport auger 42 is an example of a transport unit.

[0021] 3 is a device that cleans the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 by removing toner and other adhering matter adhering to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11. The toner and other adhering matter removed by the contact member 16A of the cleaning device 16 is collected in the collection path described above, but some of it scatters in the toner scattering direction 40. The contact member 16A of the cleaning device 16 is an example of a removing member.

[0022] To further explain the housing 41, the housing 41 includes a first operation portion 51 and a second operation portion 52 that are used by the user when inserting or removing the photoconductor unit 4 from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0023] The first operating unit 51 is provided at a middle position in the up-down direction V of the housing 41, and the second operating unit 52 is provided at a lower part of the housing 41. More specifically, the first operating unit 51 is formed in a space 53 partitioned from the transport auger 42 by a wall portion 43. The space 53 of the first operating unit 51 is formed recessed from the outer surface in a recess direction D, which is the direction of the transport auger 42. The cross section shown in Figure 3 is a cross section intersecting the axial direction of the conveying auger 42, and the wall portion 43 forming the space 53 of the first operating section 51 and the bottom surface portion 44 described below are examples of recessed portions that are recessed in the direction of the conveying auger 42 and form part of the outer surface.

[0024] The housing 41 is provided with a limiting portion 54 located above the first operation portion 51, which limits the toner scattered in the toner scattering direction 40 from moving toward the space 53. The limiting portion 54 is shaped to extend upward in the up-down direction V and in the toner scattering direction 40, and is formed in the axial direction of the transport auger 42 (perpendicular to the paper surface).

[0025] The second operating portion 52 is located at the bottom of the housing 41 and has a flat surface 52a. The second operating portion 52 also has a protruding portion 52b that protrudes in the opposite direction to the first operating portion 51 in order to widen the surface 52a.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of how a user holds the photoconductor unit 4 when inserting or removing it from the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the user holds the photoconductor unit 4 with, for example, the left hand LH, the thumb LH1 can be placed on the first operation portion 51 and the remaining four fingers LH2 can support the second operation portion 52 from below.

[0027] More specifically, the space 53 is not in the toner scattering direction 40 (see FIG. 3), and the amount of toner that adheres is suppressed by the presence of a limiting portion 54 (see FIG. 3) that corresponds to the toner scattering direction 40. Therefore, even if a user touches the first operation portion 51 when replacing the photoconductor unit 4, toner will not get on the user's hands.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the photoconductor unit 4 for explaining the first operation portion 51. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 5, the first operation section 51 is formed by utilizing the wall section 43. More specifically, the first operation section 51 is configured by the wall section 43 and a bottom surface section 44. As shown in Fig. 5, the wall section 43 and the bottom surface section 44 are at different positions in the up-down direction, and the wall section 43 is located above the bottom surface section 44 in the up-down direction V. The bottom surface section 44 is a surface facing the wall section 43 and is an example of an opposing wall.

[0029] The wall portion 43 is a wall that separates the conveying auger 42, and has a curved shape that is convex toward the space 53. The wall portion 43 is also formed so that the thickness does not change in cross section. This improves the strength of the wall portion 43.

[0030] The bottom surface portion 44 of the wall portion 43 has a portion 53a located on the rear side of a straight line 42b that includes the rotation shaft 42a of the conveying auger 42 and extends in the vertical direction V. The portion 53a is a part of the bottom surface portion 44, but may be the entirety of the bottom surface portion 44. The bottom surface portion 44 according to the present embodiment is located on the rear side relative to the position of the rotation shaft 42a, which improves operability when the user uses the first operating unit 51.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the housing 41 as viewed from the first operating portion 51 side. 6, the first operation portion 51 includes a first region 55 having a long length in the axial direction J of the transport auger 42 (see, for example, FIG. 3), and a second region 56 having a short length. A reinforcing portion 57 is formed at the boundary between the first region 55 and the second region 56 so as to connect to the wall portion 43. Compared to a case in which the reinforcing portion 57 is not provided at the boundary between the first region 55 and the second region 56, the strength of the photoconductor unit 4 is improved. By providing reinforcing portions 57 not only at the boundary between the first region 55 and the second region 56 but also between the first region 55 and the second region 56, the strength can be further improved.

[0032] 6, in the first operation portion 51, a rib 58 is formed on the bottom surface portion 44 facing the wall portion 43. The rib 58 is formed so as to extend in the recess direction D. The rib 58 increases the contact area with the user's finger. Therefore, the photoconductor unit 4 can be easily inserted and removed from the image forming apparatus 100 compared to a case where the rib 58 is not provided.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view for explaining a first operating portion 51 according to a modified example, and shows the housing 41 as viewed from the first operating portion 51 side, similar to FIG. 7, a first operating unit 51 according to a modified example includes, on the bottom surface portion 44, a rib 59 extending in a direction intersecting at an angle θ with the recess direction D, instead of the rib 58 (see FIG. 6) formed to extend in the recess direction D. The rib 59 extends in a diagonal direction with respect to the recess direction D, which increases the contact area with the user's finger and makes it less likely for the finger to slip.

[0034] Next, the posture of the photoconductor unit 4 when the photoconductor unit 4 is pulled out from the main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The case where such pulling out is performed with, for example, the right hand of the user and the first operation part 51 is held with the left hand will be described. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the posture of the photoconductor unit 4 when the photoconductor unit 4 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. When the photoconductor unit 4 is pulled out from the main body 101 in the pulling direction H, if the center of gravity 60 of the photoconductor unit 4 is within the main body 101 as shown in FIG. 8, the photoconductor unit 4 maintains the same orientation relative to the main body 101 as it was before being pulled out.

[0035] On the other hand, when the photosensitive unit 4 is further pulled out and the center of gravity 60 is not within the main body 101 as shown in FIG. 9, unlike the case of FIG. 8, the front side of the photosensitive unit 4 in the pulling-out direction H moves downward due to its own weight, causing a tilt angle α.

[0036] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the posture of the photoconductor unit 4 changes depending on the position of the center of gravity 60 relative to the main body 101 as the photoconductor unit 4 is pulled out in the pulling direction H. In other words, the photoconductor unit 4 tilts with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 due to its own weight when pulled out to a predetermined position in the pulling direction H from the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, a visual warning is given to a user performing the pulling operation that the rear side in the pulling direction H may come off the main body 101 if the operation is continued. This allows the user to know the timing to grip the photoconductor unit 4 by the first operation portion 51 and the second operation portion 52 (see FIG. 3). The pull-out direction H is an example of a pull-out direction, and the position where the center of gravity 60 of the photoconductor unit 4 is not inside the main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 is an example of a predetermined position.

[0037] <Additional Notes> (((1))) an image carrier that carries an image on its surface; a removing member for removing deposits attached to the surface of the image carrier; a conveying section that conveys and discharges the deposit removed by the removing member in the axial direction by axial rotation; a gripping portion that is used by a user to be gripped when inserting or removing the image carrier from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; Equipped with The gripping portion includes a recessed portion that is recessed toward the conveying portion in a cross section intersecting the axial direction of the conveying portion and constitutes a part of the outer surface, and the wall that separates the gripping portion from the conveying portion is a curved surface. Image carrier unit. (((2))) The recessed portion is formed so that the thickness of the curved wall in the cross section does not change. The image carrier unit according to (((1))) above. (((3))) The recessed portion has a bottom surface portion located on the inner side relative to a position of a rotation shaft of the conveying portion. 3. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is a liquid crystal display. (((4))) The gripping portion has a reinforcing portion formed to connect with the curved wall. 3. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is an image carrier having a thickness of 100 nm or less. (((5))) The recessed portion includes a first region having a long length in the axial direction and a second region having a short length, The reinforcing portion is formed at a boundary between the first region and the second region. The image carrier unit according to (((4))) above. (((6))) A rib extending in a recess direction of the recess portion in the cross section is formed on an opposing wall opposing the curved wall in the cross section. 3. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is an image carrier having a thickness of 100 nm or less. (((7))) The rib extends in a direction intersecting the recess direction. The image carrier unit according to (((6))) above. (((8))) When the portable terminal is pulled out from the image forming apparatus to a predetermined position in a direction in which the portable terminal is pulled out, the portable terminal tilts with respect to the image forming apparatus due to its own weight. 3. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is an image carrier having a thickness of 100 nm or less. (((9))) an image forming unit that forms an image; an image carrier unit that constitutes a part of the image forming unit and is insertable into and removable from an apparatus main body having the image forming unit; Equipped with The image carrier unit is an image carrier that carries an image on its surface; a removing member for removing deposits attached to the surface of the image carrier; a conveying section that conveys and discharges the deposit removed by the removing member in the axial direction by axial rotation; a gripping portion that is used by a user to grip when inserting or removing the device from the device body; Equipped with The gripping portion includes a recessed portion that is recessed toward the conveying portion in a cross section intersecting the axial direction of the conveying portion and constitutes a part of the outer surface, and the wall that separates the gripping portion from the conveying portion is a curved surface. Image forming device.

[0038] According to the invention (((1))), it is possible to save space compared to a case in which the gripping portion is made of a separate member. According to the invention (((2))), the recessed portion can have improved strength compared to a case in which the recessed portion does not have a configuration in which the thickness of the curved wall in cross section does not change. According to the invention (((3))), the recessed portion can improve operability compared to a case in which the recessed portion does not have a configuration having a bottom surface portion located further back than the position of the rotation axis of the conveying portion. According to the invention (((4))), the grip portion can have improved strength compared to a case in which the grip portion does not have a configuration having a reinforcing portion formed so as to connect to the curved wall. According to the invention (((5))), the recessed portion includes a first region that is long in the axial direction and a second region that is short in length, and the reinforcing portion has improved strength compared to a case in which the reinforcing portion does not have a configuration formed at the boundary between the first region and the second region. According to the invention (((6))), the insertion and removal operation can be performed more easily than in a case where a rib extending in the recess direction of the recess portion in the cross section is formed on the opposing wall facing the curved wall in the cross section. According to the invention (((7))), the rib makes insertion and removal easier than in a case where the rib does not have a configuration extending in a direction intersecting the recess direction. According to the invention (((8))), it is easier to determine the timing to grasp the gripping portion compared to a case in which the device is not configured to tilt under its own weight relative to the image forming device when pulled out to a predetermined position in the direction of pulling out from the image forming device. According to the invention (((9))), it is possible to save space compared to a case in which the gripping portion is made of a separate member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 4...photoconductor unit, 11...photoconductor drum, 16...cleaning device, 16A...contact member, 42...transport auger, 43...wall portion, 44...bottom surface portion, 51...first operation portion, 53...space, 53a...portion, 55...first region, 56...second region, 57...reinforcement portion, 58, 59...rib, 60...center of gravity, 100...image forming device

Claims

1. an image carrier that carries an image on its surface; a removing member for removing deposits attached to the surface of the image carrier; a conveying section that conveys and discharges the deposit removed by the removing member in the axial direction by rotating the shaft; a gripping portion that is used by a user to be gripped when inserting or removing the image carrier from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium; Equipped with The gripping portion includes a recessed portion that is recessed toward the conveying portion in a cross section intersecting the axial direction of the conveying portion and constitutes a part of the outer surface, and the wall that separates the gripping portion from the conveying portion is a curved surface. Image carrier unit.

2. The recessed portion is formed so that the thickness of the curved wall in the cross section does not change.

2. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is a conductive member.

3. The recessed portion has a bottom surface portion located on the inner side relative to a position of a rotation shaft of the conveying portion.

2. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is a conductive member.

4. The gripping portion has a reinforcing portion formed to connect with the curved wall.

2. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is a conductive member.

5. The recessed portion includes a first region having a long length in the axial direction and a second region having a short length, The reinforcing portion is formed at a boundary between the first region and the second region.

5. The image carrier unit according to claim 4.

6. A rib extending in a recess direction of the recess portion in the cross section is formed on an opposing wall opposing the curved wall in the cross section.

2. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is a conductive member.

7. The rib extends in a direction intersecting the recess direction.

7. The image carrier unit according to claim 6,

8. When the portable terminal is pulled out from the image forming apparatus to a predetermined position in a direction in which the portable terminal is pulled out, the portable terminal tilts with respect to the image forming apparatus due to its own weight.

2. The image carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit is a conductive member.

9. an image forming unit that forms an image; an image carrier unit that constitutes a part of the image forming unit and is insertable into and removable from an apparatus main body having the image forming unit; Equipped with The image carrier unit is an image carrier that carries an image on its surface; a removing member for removing deposits attached to the surface of the image carrier; a conveying section that conveys and discharges the deposit removed by the removing member in the axial direction by rotating the shaft; a gripping portion that is used by a user to grip when inserting or removing the device from the device body; Equipped with The gripping portion includes a recessed portion that is recessed toward the conveying portion in a cross section intersecting the axial direction of the conveying portion and constitutes a part of the outer surface, and the wall that separates the gripping portion from the conveying portion is a curved surface. Image forming device.

Images