Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: it is demanded to stabilize the position of a cartridge in the course of mounting of the cartridge to an apparatus main body and before a part to be positioned of the cartridge is engaged with a positioning part of the apparatus main body.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has a cartridge that has a part to be positioned and an apparatus main body that allows mounting of the cartridge and has a positioning part. The apparatus main body has a regulation part on the upstream side of the positioning part in a mounting direction of the cartridge. The cartridge has a part to be regulated on the upstream side of the part to be positioned in the mounting direction. The part to be positioned is engaged with the regulation part of the apparatus main body before being engaged with the positioning part, and thereby a movement of the cartridge in an orthogonal direction is regulated. The part to be regulated is engaged with the regulation part before the part to be positioned is engaged with the positioning part of the apparatus main body, and thereby the movement of the cartridge in the orthogonal direction is regulated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, examples of which include electrophotographic copying machines, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), facsimile machines, and word processors. [Background technology]

[0002] In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, a photosensitive drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc. are assembled together within a frame to form a cartridge, which is a process cartridge that can be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which, when the process cartridge is attached to the device main body, a recess (positioned portion) of the process cartridge engages with a protrusion (positioning portion) of the device main body so that the position of the cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the attachment direction is determined relative to the device main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2017-223952 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is required to stabilize the position of the cartridge when the cartridge is in the process of being mounted to the apparatus main body and before the positioned portion of the cartridge engages with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a cartridge having a positioned portion, and an apparatus main body configured to allow the cartridge to be mounted in an mounting direction, the apparatus main body having a positioning portion that engages with the positioned portion of the cartridge when mounting of the cartridge is completed, the positioning portion being configured to determine the position of the cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction, the apparatus main body having a regulating portion provided upstream of the positioning portion, the cartridge having a regulated portion provided upstream of the positioned portion in the mounting direction, the positioned portion of the cartridge engages with the regulating portion of the apparatus main body before engaging with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body, thereby regulating movement of the cartridge in the perpendicular direction, and the regulated portion of the cartridge engages with the regulating portion before the positioned portion engages with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body, thereby regulating movement of the cartridge in the perpendicular direction.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a cartridge detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the apparatus main body having a positioning portion and a regulating portion, comprises a photosensitive drum configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis, a positioned portion engageable with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body so as to determine the position of the cartridge relative to the apparatus main body in the direction of the rotation axis, and a regulated portion provided at a position farther from the photosensitive drum than the positioned portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, the regulated portion being engageable with the regulating portion so as to regulate movement of the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, the regulated portion being provided at a position overlapping the positioned portion when viewed from the perpendicular direction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to stabilize the position of the cartridge when the cartridge is in the process of being mounted in the main assembly of the apparatus and before the positioned portion of the cartridge engages with the positioning portion of the main assembly of the apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2(a) is a perspective view of the device main body with the door open, and (b) is a perspective view of the device main body from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device body with the door open. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are partial perspective views of a drive side end and a non-drive side end of the cartridge, respectively. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the drive side end portion of the device main body. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the door closed. FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the drive gear and the driven gear when the drive gear of the device body is in a disengaged position, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the drive gear and the driven gear when the drive gear of the device body is in an engaged position. [Figure 8] 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a restricting portion on the drive side of the main body of the apparatus; FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the movable member and the guide portion when the cartridge B is in the middle of being mounted in the main assembly of the apparatus. FIG. [Figure 10] 10(a) is a perspective view of the main body interlocking mechanism when the restricting member is in the restricting position, and (b) is a perspective view of the main body interlocking mechanism as viewed from a different viewpoint than that in FIG. [Figure 11] 11(a) is a perspective view of the main body interlocking mechanism when the regulating member is in the permitted position, and (b) is a perspective view of the main body interlocking mechanism as viewed from a different viewpoint than that in FIG. [Figure 12] 1A is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the lever and the second guide member when the lever is guided by the second guide member, and FIG. 1B is a view showing the position of the regulating portion when the lever is guided by the second guide member. [Figure 13]1A is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the restricting portion and the first guide member when the lever 130 is guided by the first guide member, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the position of the restricting portion when the lever is guided by the first guide member. [Figure 14] 1A is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the regulating portion and the interlocking member when the boss of the cartridge is in contact with the interlocking member, and FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Example 1 The overall configuration and image forming process of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus has an apparatus main body A and a process cartridge B (hereinafter, referred to as cartridge B). Here, the apparatus main body A refers to the portion of the image forming apparatus excluding the cartridge B. The direction of the rotation axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is defined as the longitudinal direction. In addition, in the longitudinal direction, the side where the electrophotographic photosensitive drum receives a driving force from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is defined as the driving side, and the opposite side is defined as the non-driving side.

[0011] <Image forming device> The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a laser beam printer using electrophotographic technology, in which a cartridge B is detachably attached to a main body A of the apparatus.

[0012] The cartridge B has a photosensitive drum 62 as an image carrier, a charging roller 66, and a developing roller 32. In the apparatus main body A, a sheet tray 4 for storing the sheet material PA, a pickup roller 5a, a pair of feeding rollers 5b, a pair of conveying rollers 5c, a transfer roller 7, a fixing device 9, a pair of discharge rollers 10, and a discharge tray 11 are arranged in this order along the conveying direction D of the sheet material PA. The apparatus main body A further has an opening / closing door 13, the upper surface of which is the discharge tray 11, which opens and closes to attach and detach the cartridge B, and a laser scanner 3 as an exposure device.

[0013] <Image formation process> The image forming process will be outlined below. Based on a print start signal, a photosensitive drum 62 (hereinafter, referred to as drum 62) is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the direction of arrow R. A charging roller (charging member) 66 to which a voltage is applied comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

[0014] The laser scanner 3 outputs a laser beam L corresponding to image information. The laser beam L scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

[0015] The developing roller 32 carrying the toner in the cartridge B supplies the toner to the drum 62 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, thereby developing the latent image, so that the latent image is visualized as a toner image.

[0016] 1, the sheet material PA is sent out from the sheet tray 4 by the pickup roller 5a, the feeding roller pair 5b, and the transport roller pair 5c in synchronization with the output timing of the laser light L. Then, the sheet material PA is transported to a transfer section formed by contact between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7. In this transfer section, the toner image is transferred from the drum 62 to the sheet material PA.

[0017] The sheet material PA onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum 62 and transported to the fixing device 9. The sheet material PA is then subjected to a pressure and heat fixing process in a nip portion constituting the fixing device 9, and the toner image is fixed onto the sheet material PA. The sheet material PA which has undergone the toner image fixing process is transported to a pair of discharge rollers 10 and is discharged onto a discharge tray 11.

[0018] <Installing the cartridge into the device> The configuration for mounting the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 6. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A with the opening and closing door 13 open. Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A from a different viewpoint than that of Fig. 2(a). Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body A with the opening and closing door 13 open. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the opening and closing door 13 closed. The mounting direction of the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A (hereinafter referred to as the mounting direction) is a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62.

[0019] The following describes the opening / closing structure of the opening / closing door 13 of the apparatus main body A. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the apparatus main body A has an opening 17 through which the cartridge B passes when the cartridge B is mounted, the opening / closing door 13 configured to be movable between a blocking position for blocking the opening 17 and an opening position for opening the opening 17, and an upper cover 14.

[0020] The opening / closing door 13 is rotatably attached to the upper cover 14, and has cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 and cartridge pressing springs 19 and 21. The cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are provided at both ends of the opening / closing door 13 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. The cartridge pressing springs 19 and 21 are attached to the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2.

[0021] When installing cartridge B in the apparatus main body A, the opening / closing door 13 is rotated vertically upward to move it from the closed position to the open position as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and then cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body A through the opening 17.

[0022] When the opening / closing door 13 is in the blocking position, the mounting of the cartridge B into the apparatus main body A is completed as shown in Fig. 6. In this state, the pressed portions 73e and 71o provided on the driving side and the driven side of the cartridge B, respectively, are pressed in the mounting direction by the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 due to the urging forces of the cartridge pressing springs 19 and 21, and the position of the cartridge B is maintained.

[0023] <Cartridge positioning in the installation direction> As shown in Fig. 6, when the opening / closing door 13 is in the blocking position, the position of the cartridge B in the mounting direction relative to the main body A of the apparatus is fixed. Using Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), the positioning of the cartridge relative to the main body A of the apparatus in the mounting direction will be described. Fig. 4(a) is a partial perspective view of the drive side end of the cartridge B. Fig. 4(b) is a partial perspective view of the non-drive side end of the cartridge B. Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the drive side end of the main body A of the apparatus.

[0024] The device main body A has a driving side plate 15 which is a side plate on the driving side, a non-driving side plate 16 which is a side plate on the non-driving side, and a conveying guide 91 in which a transfer roller 7, a conveying roller pair 5c, and a conveying guide (not shown) are provided.

[0025] The driving side plate 15 is provided with a guide rail 15g for guiding the driving side end of the cartridge B, and a rotation stopper 15c. The non-driving side plate 16 is provided with a guide rail upper portion 16d and a guide rail 16e for guiding the non-driving side end of the cartridge B, and a rotation stopper 16c.

[0026] A first positioning portion 91a and a second positioning portion 91c are provided on the driving side of the conveying guide 91 as positioning portions in the mounting direction of the cartridge B, and a third positioning portion 91c is provided on the non-driving side.

[0027] The cartridge B has a rotation stopped portion 73c, an upper positioned portion 73d, and a lower positioned portion 73f on the driving side, and has a positioned portion 71d and a rotation stopped portion 71g on the non-driving side.

[0028] When the cartridge B is moved in the mounting direction and mounted in the apparatus main body A, the rotation-stopped portion 73c of the cartridge B is guided by the guide rail 15g of the apparatus main body A. On the non-driven side of the cartridge B, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation-stopped portion 71g of the cartridge B are guided by the guide rail 16d and the guide rail 16e of the apparatus main body A, respectively.

[0029] On the driving side, the positioned upper portion 73d, the positioned lower portion 73f, and the rotation stop portion 73c of the cartridge B respectively abut against the positioning upper portion 91a, the positioning lower portion 91b, and the rotation stop portion 15c of the apparatus main body A. On the non-driving side, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation stop portion 71g of the cartridge B respectively abut against the positioning portion 91c and the rotation stop portion 16c of the apparatus main body A. As a result, when the mounting of the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A is completed, the positions of the cartridge B in the mounting direction relative to the apparatus main body A are determined on the driving side and the non-driving side.

[0030] <Cartridge positioning in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction> As shown in Fig. 6, when the opening / closing door 13 is in the blocking position, the position of the cartridge B relative to the main assembly A of the apparatus in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction is fixed. The positioning of the cartridge B relative to the main assembly A of the apparatus in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the engagement portion 101 on the drive side of the main assembly A of the apparatus.

[0031] The conveying guide 91 of the apparatus main body A has a fitting portion 101 as a positioning portion in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. The fitting portion 101 in this embodiment is a rib (convex portion) that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction toward the cartridge B and extends in the mounting direction.

[0032] 4A, the cartridge B has a mating portion 121 as a positioned portion on the driving side. The mating portion 121 in this embodiment is a groove between two ribs protruding from the outer surface of the cartridge B.

[0033] When the mounting of cartridge B into apparatus main body A is completed, the mating portion 101 of apparatus main body A and the mated portion 121 of cartridge B are mated with each other, so that the position of cartridge B in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction with respect to apparatus main body A is determined.

[0034] <Regulation section that regulates cartridge movement> A restricting portion for restricting the movement of the cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction, which is a characteristic configuration of this embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 4, 6, and 8. Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the restricting portion 100 on the drive side of the main assembly A of the apparatus.

[0035] The image forming apparatus is configured to restrict movement of the cartridge B in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction before the mounting of the cartridge B into the apparatus main body A is completed and before the mating portion 101 and the mating portion 121 are mated.

[0036] 6 and 8, the apparatus main body A has a regulating portion 100 upstream of the engagement portion 101 in the mounting direction. The regulating portion 100 is composed of a rib that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction toward the cartridge B and extends in the mounting direction. When viewed in the mounting direction, the regulating portion 100 is disposed so as to overlap with the positioning portion 101 in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction.

[0037] 4(a) and 8, the cartridge B has a regulated portion 120 upstream of the mated portion 121 in the mounting direction. The regulated portion 120 is configured as a groove that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction and extends in the mounting direction. When viewed in the mounting direction, the regulated portion 120 is disposed so as to overlap the mated portion 121 in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction.

[0038] The regulating portion 100 and the regulated portion 120 engage with each other before the mounting of the cartridge B into the apparatus main body A is completed and before the mating portion 101 and the mated portion 121 are engaged with each other. This regulates the movement of the cartridge B relative to the apparatus main body A in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. This makes it possible to stabilize the attitude of the cartridge before the mounting of the cartridge into the apparatus main body is completed and before the positioned portion of the cartridge engages with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body.

[0039] 6, when the mounting of the cartridge B to the main body A of the apparatus is completed, the regulated portion 120 of the cartridge is not engaged with the regulating portion 100 of the main body of the apparatus. The regulated portion 120 is not engaged with the regulating portion 100 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction, meaning that the regulated portion 120 and the regulating portion 100 do not overlap. As a result, when the mounting of the cartridge B to the main body A of the apparatus is completed, the position of the cartridge B in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction is determined by the engagement of the mating portion 101 of the cartridge B with the mated portion 121 of the main body of the apparatus. When the mounting of the cartridge B to the main body A of the apparatus is completed, the regulating portion 100 and the regulated portion 120 do not affect the positioning of the cartridge B.

[0040] <Cartridge interlocking mechanism> The cartridge interlocking mechanism interlocked with the mounting and demounting operation of the cartridge B to and from the main assembly A of the apparatus will be described with reference to Figs. 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. Fig. 7(a) is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the drive gear and the driven gear when the drive gear 81 of the main assembly A of the apparatus is in the disengaged position. Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the drive gear and the driven gear when the drive gear 81 of the main assembly A of the apparatus is in the engaged position. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the moving member in the middle of mounting the cartridge B to the main assembly A of the apparatus and the guide portion 110. Fig. 12(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the lever 130 and the second guide member 103 when the lever 130 is guided by the second guide member 103.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 5, the main assembly A of the apparatus has a driving gear 81 on the driving side as a driving force transmitting member for transmitting a driving force to the cartridge B. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the cartridge B has a driven gear 30 on the driving side which is rotated by the driving force input from the driving gear 81 of the main assembly A of the apparatus.

[0042] The drive gear 81 of the apparatus main body A is configured to swing (move) between a non-engaged position (Figure 7(a)) in which it does not engage with the driven gear 30 of the cartridge B and an engaged position (Figure 7(b)) in which it engages with the driven gear 30 of the cartridge B and can transmit a driving force to the driven gear 30.

[0043] The drive gear 81 of the apparatus main assembly A is in a non-engaged position when the cartridge B is not mounted, and is in an engaged position when the mounting of the cartridge B to the apparatus main assembly A is complete.

[0044] A configuration for moving the drive gear 81 between the engaged position and the disengaged position in this manner will now be described.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the cartridge B has a lever 130 (moving member) on the driving side. The lever 130 is configured to move in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the cartridge B to and from the main assembly A of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the lever 130 is configured to rotate about a pivot 130a, and has a pressing portion 130b for pressing the drive gear 81. The lever 130 is configured to be able to rotate (move) between a pressing position (FIG. 7(b)) for pressing the drive gear 81 and a retracted position (FIG. 7(a)) retracted from the pressing position. The rotation axis of the lever 130 extends in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. The lever 130 is also urged in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7(b) (a direction of moving from the retracted position to the pressing position) by a urging member 700 (torsion coil spring).

[0046] Next, the configuration of the main assembly A of the apparatus for rotating the lever 130 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the side plate 15 on the driving side of the main assembly A of the apparatus is provided with a first guide member 110 and a second guide member 103 for guiding the lever 130 so that the lever 130 rotates. The first guide member 110 has a first guide portion 110b and a second guide portion 110a located downstream of the first guide portion in the mounting direction. The lever 130 has a guided portion 130c for being guided by contacting the first guide member 110 and the second guide portion 103 when the cartridge B is moved in the mounting direction relative to the main assembly A of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 9. The guided portion 130c is a protruding portion protruding from a side surface of the lever 130 in the direction of the rotation axis of the lever 130 as shown in FIG. 12(a).

[0047] While the cartridge B is moved in the mounting direction while being guided by the guide rails 15g, 16d, and 16e of the main assembly A of the apparatus, the lever 130 is rotated in contact with the first guide member 110 and the second guide member 103. The rotation direction of the lever is the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9. As a result, the lever 130 is moved from the pressing position to the retracted position against the urging force of the urging member 700. As a result, the cartridge B is moved in the mounting direction without the lever 130 interfering with the drive gear 81, and the mounting of the cartridge B to the main assembly A of the apparatus is completed. At the time when the mounting of the cartridge B to the main assembly A of the apparatus is completed, the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 has passed the second guide member 103. Therefore, the lever 130 is moved from the retracted position to the pressing position by the urging force of the urging member, and the pressing portion 130b presses the drive gear 81 so that the drive gear 81 is located at the engagement position.

[0048] <Main body interlocking mechanism> Next, the main body interlocking mechanism which interlocks with the mounting and removal of the cartridge B to and from the main body A of the apparatus will be described with reference to Figures 4, 8, 10 and 11. The mounting and removal interlocking mechanism of the main body A of the apparatus is provided on the side plate 15 on the drive side of the main body A of the apparatus, and includes a regulating member 112, an interlocking member 114, a guide member 110, a torsion coil spring 113 and a compression coil spring 115.

[0049] FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of the main body interlocking mechanism when the regulating member 112 is in the regulating position. FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of the main body interlocking mechanism seen from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 10(a). FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view of the main body interlocking mechanism when the regulating member 112 is in the allowable position. FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of the main body interlocking mechanism seen from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 11(a). The regulating member 112 is configured to be rotatable between a regulating position (FIG. 10) for regulating the mounting of the cartridge B to the main body A of the apparatus and an allowable position (FIG. 11) for regulating the mounting of the cartridge B to the main body A of the apparatus, and has a first contacted portion 112a. The regulating member 112 is biased in a direction moving from the regulating position to the allowable position by a torsion recoil spring 113 (first biasing member).

[0050] The interlocking member 114 is configured to be movable in conjunction with the regulating member 112 between a first position (FIG. 10) and a second position (FIG. 11) that is higher than the first position, and has a first contact portion 114a that contacts a first contacted portion 112a of the regulating member 112. The interlocking member 114 is biased by a compression coil spring 115 (second biasing member) in a direction moving from the second position to the first position (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10(a)).

[0051] The cartridge B is provided with a boss 124 (second abutment portion) that abuts against the inclined surface portion 114b (second abutment portion) of the interlocking member 114 of the apparatus main body A on the driving side of the apparatus main body A where the main body interlocking mechanism is located. The boss 124 extends in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction of the cartridge B.

[0052] Next, the operation of the main body interlocking mechanism will be described. Before the cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A, the interlocking member 114 is biased in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10(a) (direction from the second position to the first position) by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 115 and is in the first position. At this time, the boss passing portion 110c provided in the guide member 110 through which the boss 124 of the cartridge B passes is blocked by the interlocking member 114. In addition, since the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 113 is set to be weaker than that of the compression coil spring 115, the first abutted portion 112a of the regulating member 112 is pressed down by the first abutting portion 114a of the interlocking member 114. As a result, the regulating member 112 receives a force from the interlocking member 114 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10(b) (direction from the permitted position to the regulated position) against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 113, and is placed in the regulated position.

[0053] In the process of mounting the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the boss 124 of the cartridge B enters the boss passing portion 110c of the guide member 110 and abuts against the inclined surface portion 114b of the interlocking member 114. As a result, the interlocking member 114 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 11(a) (direction from the first position to the second position) against the urging force of the compression coil spring 115. As the interlocking member 114 moves, the urging force of the regulating member 112 against the first abutted portion 112a is weakened, so that the regulating member 112 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11(b) by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 113. As a result, the regulating member 112 is moved to the cartridge allowable position, and the cartridge B becomes mountable to the mounting main body A.

[0054] In this embodiment, the regulating member 112 and the interlocking member 114 are configured to be interlocked by separate members, but the present invention is not limited to this. A member in which the regulating member 112 and the interlocking member 114 are integrally configured may be moved from the regulating position to the allowing position by abutting against the boss 124 of the cartridge B, thereby enabling the cartridge B to be mounted in the main body A of the apparatus.

[0055] <Regulation unit and cartridge interlocking mechanism> The relationship between the regulating part 100 and the cartridge interlocking mechanism will be described. Fig. 12(b) is a diagram showing the position of the regulating part 100 when the lever 130 is guided by the second guide member 103. Fig. 13(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the regulating part 100 and the first guide member 110 and their vicinity when the lever 130 is guided by the first guide member 110. Fig. 13(b) is a diagram showing the position of the regulating part 100 when the lever 130 is guided by the first guide member 110.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 12(b), a state will be described where the mating portion 121 of the cartridge B is not yet mated with the mating portion 101 of the main body A of the apparatus and the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 of the cartridge B is in contact with and guided by the second guide member 103 of the main body A of the apparatus.

[0057] The regulating portion 100 of the apparatus main body A engages with the regulated portion 120 of the cartridge B, whereby the regulating portion 100 regulates the movement of the cartridge B relative to the apparatus main body A in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. This ensures a stable engagement amount between the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 and the second guide member 103 in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction even if the cartridge B is moved toward the driven side or tilted. As a result, the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 does not engage with the second guide member 103 and the lever 130 cannot move to the retracted position, which causes the lever 130 to come into contact with the drive gear 81, thereby preventing improper mounting of the cartridge B.

[0058] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, a state will be described in which the fitted portion 121 of the cartridge B is in contact with the fitting portion 101 of the main assembly A of the apparatus and the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 is guided by contacting the first guide portion 110b of the guide member 110 of the main assembly A of the apparatus. At this time, the regulating portion 100 of the main assembly A of the apparatus regulates the movement of the cartridge B relative to the main assembly A of the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction by engaging with the fitted portion 121 of the cartridge B. As a result, even if the cartridge B is moved toward the driven side or tilted at this time, the engagement amount between the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 and the first guide portion 110b in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction is stably secured. As a result, the guided portion 130c of the lever 130 cannot be engaged with the first guide portion 110b, and therefore it is possible to suppress the subsequent inability to engage with the second guide portion 110a and the second guide member 103.

[0059] 12(b), in this embodiment, in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction, the width X of the engaged portion 121 is equal to the width Y of the regulated portion 120, and the width Z of the engaged portion 101 is greater than the width W of the regulating portion. However, this is not limiting, and a configuration in which the width X of the engaged portion 121 is greater than the width Y of the regulated portion 120 and the width Z of the engaged portion 101 is equal to the width W of the regulating portion may also be used.

[0060] <Regulation section and main body interlocking member> The relationship between the regulating portion 100 and the main body interlocking mechanism will be described. Fig. 14(a) is a perspective view of the regulating portion 100 and the interlocking member 114 when the boss 124 of the cartridge B is in contact with the interlocking member 114. Fig. 14(b) is a diagram showing the position of the regulating portion 100 when the boss 124 of the cartridge B is in contact with the interlocking member 114.

[0061] When the boss 124 of the cartridge B abuts against the inclined surface 114b of the interlocking member 114 (see FIG. 11(a)), the regulating portion 100 of the main assembly A of the apparatus engages with the regulated portion 120 of the cartridge B. This regulates the movement of the cartridge B relative to the main assembly A of the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. Therefore, even if the cartridge B is moved toward the driven side or tilted at this time, the engagement amount between the boss 124 and the inclined surface 114b in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction is stably ensured. As a result, the boss 124 and the interlocking member 114 do not engage with each other, so that the interlocking member 114 does not move, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of improper mounting in which the cartridge B cannot be mounted due to the regulating member 112 being in the regulated position.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 12(b), Fig. 13(b), and Fig. 14(b), the regulating portion 100 is arranged so as to overlap with the engaging portion 101 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction when viewed in the mounting direction. The regulated portion 120 is arranged so as to overlap with the engaged portion 121 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction when viewed in the mounting direction. This allows the regulating portion 100 to engage with at least one of the regulated portion 120 and the engaged portion 121 of the cartridge B during each operation of the cartridge interlocking mechanism and the main body interlocking mechanism in the process of mounting the cartridge B to the main body A of the apparatus. This makes it possible to avoid malfunctions due to insufficient engagement with the cartridge interlocking mechanism and the main body interlocking mechanism, even if the cartridge B is moved toward the driven side or tilted in the process of mounting the cartridge B to the main body A of the apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] A Device body B Cartridge 30 Driven Gear 32 Developing roller 62 Photosensitive drum 71d Positioned part 73d Above the part to be positioned 73f Positioned subordinate 73h Mated part 81 Drive Gear 91a Positioning part (drive side) 91b Positioning section (drive side) 91c Positioning part (non-drive side) 100 Regulatory member 101 Fitting part 103 Second guide member 110 First guide member 110a Second guide part 110b First guide part 110c boss passage 112 Regulatory components 112a 1st abutted part 113 Torsion coil spring 114 Interlocking parts 114a 1st contact part 114b Slope section 115 Compression coil spring 120 Regulated part 121 Engaged part 124 Boss 130 Lever 130b Pressing part 130c Guided part

Claims

1. a cartridge having a positioned portion; an apparatus main body configured so that the cartridge can be mounted in a mounting direction, the apparatus main body having a positioning portion that engages with the positioned portion of the cartridge when the mounting of the cartridge is completed, the positioning portion being configured to determine the position of the cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction; In an image forming apparatus having the device body has a restricting portion provided upstream of the positioning portion in the mounting direction, the cartridge has a regulated portion provided upstream of the positioned portion in the mounting direction, the positioned portion of the cartridge engages with the regulating portion of the apparatus main body before engaging with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body, thereby regulating movement of the cartridge in the orthogonal direction; an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the regulated portion of the cartridge engages with the regulating portion before the positioned portion engages with the positioning portion of the apparatus main body, thereby regulating movement of the cartridge in the perpendicular direction;

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the mounting of the cartridge to the main body of the apparatus is completed, neither the positioned portion nor the regulated portion of the cartridge is engaged with the regulating portion.

3. the apparatus main body is configured to be movable between a restricting position that restricts mounting of the cartridge to the apparatus main body and an allowing position that allows mounting of the cartridge to the apparatus main body, and includes a movable member having a contact portion; the cartridge has an abutting portion configured to move the movable member from the restricted position to the permitted position by abutting on the abutted portion when the cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulated portion of the cartridge engages with the regulated portion of the main body of the apparatus when the abutment portion of the cartridge abuts against the abutment portion of the movable member.

4. the movable member and the regulating portion are provided at an end of the device body in the perpendicular direction, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the regulated portion of the cartridge is provided at an end of the cartridge on the same side as the end of the apparatus main body in the perpendicular direction.

5. the cartridge includes a roller that carries toner, and a driving force receiving member that receives a driving force for rotating the roller, the apparatus main body has a driving force transmission member configured to be engaged with the driving force receiving member of the cartridge in order to transmit a driving force to the driving force receiving member, the driving force transmission member being configured to be movable between an engagement position at which it engages with the driving force receiving member and a non-engagement position at which it does not engage with the driving force receiving member, The cartridge comprises: A frame body, a pressing member configured to be movable with respect to the frame between a first position for pressing the driving force transmission member so that the driving force transmission member of the device main body moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and a second position different from the first position; a biasing member that biases the pressing member in a direction in which the pressing member moves from the second position to the first position; having the apparatus main body has a guide member that comes into contact with the pressing member to guide the pressing member, the guide member being configured to guide the pressing member so that the pressing member moves from the first position to the second position before the mounting of the cartridge into the apparatus main body is completed, and not to come into contact with the pressing member when the mounting of the cartridge into the apparatus main body is completed, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulated portion of the cartridge is engaged with the regulating portion of the main body of the apparatus when the pressing member is guided by the guide member.

6. A cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus having a positioning portion and a regulating portion, A photosensitive drum configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis; a positioned portion engageable with the positioning portion of the main body of the apparatus so as to determine a position of the cartridge with respect to the main body of the apparatus in the direction of the rotation axis; a regulated portion provided at a position farther from the photosensitive drum than the positioned portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, the regulated portion being engageable with the regulated portion so that movement of the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis is regulated; having The cartridge is characterized in that the regulated portion is provided at a position overlapping the positioned portion when viewed from the orthogonal direction.

7. A frame body, a developing roller configured to carry toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum; a driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force for rotating the developing roller from the main body of the apparatus; a pressing member configured to be movable with respect to the frame body so as to move a driving force transmission member of the apparatus main body to an engagement position where the driving force transmission member engages with the driving force receiving member; a biasing member that biases the pressing member in a direction in which the pressing member moves toward the engagement position; 7. The cartridge of claim 6, further comprising:

8. The frame body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in a direction of the rotation axis, The pressing member is provided at the first end of the frame, the positioned portion and the regulated portion are provided at an end of the cartridge on a side where the first end is located in a direction of the rotation axis, The cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that the regulated portion is configured to be engageable with the regulating portion so as to regulate movement of the cartridge at least in a direction from the first end toward the second end in the direction of the rotation axis.

Images