Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To allow easy removal of a photoreceptor from an apparatus body in a configuration in which the photoreceptor is rotatably supported on the apparatus body with holding members and a mounting target member, compared with a configuration in which the photoreceptor is removed together with the mounting target member when the photoreceptor is replaced.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a photoreceptor; holding member that each have a knob and rotatably hold a shaft of the photoreceptor; and a mounting target member that is provided in an apparatus body and on which the holding members are removably mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a color image forming device that forms a color image from image information obtained by color-separating a document into multiple pieces using an image forming unit including multiple optical systems and photosensitive drums, and that the multiple optical systems and image forming units are removable either simultaneously or individually as a single module, and the drum shafts of each photosensitive drum are fixed and attached to the main body of the device so that they can be freely rotated, making the modules removable except for the drum shafts.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an electrophotographic device having a photosensitive member support drum that is provided so as to be freely drawn out from a printing mechanism unit, and a photosensitive member that is detachably attached to the photosensitive member support surface of the drum, the electrophotographic device comprising: a front frame and a rear frame that form part of the printing mechanism unit; an opening provided in the front frame and having a dimension larger than the outer diameter of the drum; a front support member that rotatably holds a front rotating shaft that protrudes from the front side of the drum and is detachably provided in the opening; a positioning portion that rotatably holds a rear rotating shaft that protrudes from the rear side of the drum and is fitted into a holder portion provided in the rear frame so as to be freely inserted and removed; a guide member that is supported between the front frame and the rear frame; and a drum rear support member that supports the positioning portion and is held so as to be movable along the guide portion of the guide member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-254159 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-214015 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure aims to make it possible to easily remove a photosensitive body from an apparatus body in a configuration in which a photosensitive body is rotatably supported on the apparatus body via a holding member and an attached member, compared to a configuration in which the photosensitive body is removed from the apparatus body together with the attached member when replacing the photosensitive body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a photosensitive body, a holding member having a handle and rotatably holding the axis of the photosensitive body, and a mounting member provided in the apparatus body and to which the holding member is removably attached.

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the holding member is detachably attached to the attachment member in one direction intersecting with the axis of the photoconductor.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the holding member is attached to the attachment member from above.

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein both ends of the shaft of the photoconductor are held by a pair of the holding members, respectively.

[0010] An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the holding member is removable from the shaft of the photoconductor.

[0011] An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the attached member and the holding member each have a contact surface that contacts with each other.

[0012] An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the mounting member supports the holding member via their contact surfaces.

[0013] An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the attached member and the holding member are fastened by a fastening member at their contact portions.

[0014] An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein a fastening direction of the fastening member is a direction along a mounting and detaching direction of the holding member with respect to the mounted member.

[0015] An image forming apparatus of a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, wherein the attached member has a convex portion or a concave portion, and the holding member has a concave portion into which the convex portion of the attached member fits or a convex portion that fits into the concave portion of the attached member.

[0016] An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, wherein a fitting direction of the convex portion and the concave portion is a direction along a mounting and detaching direction of the holding member with respect to the mounted member.

[0017] An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the handle is curved in an arc shape.

[0018] An image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein, when viewed from the axial direction of the photoreceptor, the outer periphery of the handle is curved along the outer periphery of the photoreceptor. Effect of the Invention

[0019] In the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus, in a configuration in which the photosensitive body is rotatably supported on the device body via a holding member and an attached member, the photosensitive body can be easily removed from the device body when replacing the photosensitive body, compared to a configuration in which the photosensitive body is removed from the device body together with the attached member.

[0020] In the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the mechanism for attaching and detaching the holding member to and from the mounted member can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the holding member is detachably attached in multiple directions intersecting the axis of the photoconductor.

[0021] In the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the operation of attaching the holding member to the receiving member is made easier than in a configuration in which the holding member is attached to the receiving member from below.

[0022] In the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the photoconductor can be held in a well-balanced manner when replacing the photoconductor, compared to a configuration in which only one end side of the shaft of the photoconductor is held by a holding member.

[0023] In the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the holding member can be repeatedly used when replacing the photoconductor, as compared with a configuration in which the holding member cannot be detached from the shaft of the photoconductor.

[0024] In the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, by bringing the contact surfaces into contact with each other, the holding member can be disposed at a predetermined position relative to the attached member in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface.

[0025] In the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, the contact surface of the holding member is supported by the contact surface of the mounted member, so that the holding member can be disposed at a predetermined position in the vertical direction relative to the mounted member.

[0026] In the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, the positioning accuracy of the holding member with respect to the attached member is improved compared to a configuration in which the attached member and the holding member are fastened at non-contact portions.

[0027] In the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, the load acting on the fastening member can be reduced, compared to a configuration in which the fastening direction of the fastening member is inclined with respect to the attachment / detachment direction of the holding member.

[0028] In the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, the projections are fitted into the recesses, so that the holding member can be positioned relative to the mounting member in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the projections.

[0029] In the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect, the convex portion can be fitted into the concave portion by the action of attaching the holding member to the receiving member, compared to a configuration in which the fitting direction of the convex portion and the concave portion is inclined with respect to the attachment / detachment direction of the holding member.

[0030] In the image forming apparatus of the twelfth embodiment, the handle is easier to grip than in a configuration in which the handle is angular.

[0031] In the image forming apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, the appearance of the area around the photoreceptor is improved, compared to a configuration in which the outer periphery of the handle extends linearly and protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the photoreceptor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an image forming unit is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a holder at the rear side in the depth direction of the device in FIG. 2, cut along the width direction of the device. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion indicated by arrow 4X in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion indicated by arrow 5X in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a photosensitive drum is removed from the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 4 is a front view of the holder as viewed from the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] An example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0034] A fixing device and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In each figure, arrow H indicates the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the device, arrow W indicates the width direction (horizontal direction) of the device, and arrow D indicates the depth direction (horizontal direction) of the device.

[0035] In addition, components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. Note that duplicated explanations and reference numerals in the embodiments described below may be omitted. In addition, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationships of each element, the ratios of each element, etc. shown in the drawings do not necessarily match the actual ones. In addition, the dimensional relationships of each element, the ratios of each element, etc. between multiple drawings do not necessarily match.

[0036] [Image forming apparatus 10] The configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image in multiple colors, and is, for example, a full-color printer for commercial printing that requires high image quality.

[0037] Also, as an example, the image forming apparatus 10 is a wide-width image forming apparatus that supports a width exceeding the width of the recording medium P in B3 portrait feed (i.e., a width exceeding 364 mm). The image forming apparatus 10 may support recording media P with a size of 420 mm or more for A2 portrait feed and 1456 mm or less for B0 landscape feed.

[0038] 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms a toner image (an example of an image) on a recording medium P. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming section 14 and a fixing device 16. Each section of the image forming apparatus 10 (the image forming section 14 and the fixing device 16) will be described below.

[0039] (Image forming unit 14) The image forming section 14 has a function of forming a toner image on the recording medium P. Specifically, the image forming section 14 has a plurality of image forming units 22 and a transfer device 17.

[0040] A plurality of image forming units 22 shown in Fig. 1 are provided so as to form toner images for each color. In this embodiment, image forming units 22 for a total of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), are provided. (Y), (M), (C), and (K) shown in Fig. 1 indicate components corresponding to the above-mentioned respective colors.

[0041] Since the image forming units 22 for each color are configured similarly except for the toner used, reference numerals are given to the components of the image forming unit 22(K) in FIG. 1 as a representative of the image forming units 22 for each color.

[0042] Specifically, each image forming unit 22 for each color has a photoconductor drum 32 that rotates in one direction (for example, the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1). Here, the photoconductor drum 32 is an example of an image carrier. Furthermore, each image forming unit 22 for each color has a charger 23, an exposure device 40, and a developing device 38.

[0043] In the image forming units 22 for each color, the chargers 23 charge the photoconductor drums 32. Furthermore, the exposure devices 40 expose the photoconductor drums 32 charged by the chargers 23 to light, thereby forming electrostatic latent images on the photoconductor drums 32. Furthermore, the development devices 38 develop the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoconductor drums 32 by the exposure devices 40, thereby forming toner images.

[0044] The photoconductor drum 32 rotates while holding the electrostatic latent image formed as described above on its outer periphery, and the electrostatic latent image is transported to the developing device .

[0045] 1 is a device that transfers a toner image formed by an image forming unit 22 onto a recording medium P. Specifically, the transfer device 17 performs primary transfer of the toner images of the photoconductor drums 32 of each color onto a transfer belt 24 serving as an intermediate transfer body, and performs secondary transfer of the superimposed toner images onto the recording medium P. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 17 includes the transfer belt 24, a primary transfer roll 26, and a secondary transfer roll 28.

[0046] The primary transfer roll 26 is a roll that transfers the toner image of each color on the photoconductor drum 32 to the transfer belt 24 at a primary transfer position T1 between the photoconductor drum 32 and the primary transfer roll 26. In this embodiment, a primary transfer electric field is applied between the primary transfer roll 26 and the photoconductor drum 32, so that the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 32 is transferred to the transfer belt 24 at the primary transfer position T1.

[0047] A toner image is transferred from each color photoconductor drum 32 onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 24. As shown in Fig. 1, the transfer belt 24 is circular and is wound around a plurality of rolls 39 to determine its position.

[0048] The transfer belt 24 rotates in the direction of the arrow A, for example, when a driving roll 39D among the multiple rolls 39 is rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown). Among the multiple rolls 39, a roll 39B shown in FIG. 1 is an opposing roll 39B that faces the secondary transfer roll 28.

[0049] The secondary transfer roll 28 is a roll that transfers the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 24 to the recording medium P at a secondary transfer position T2 between the opposing roll 39B and the secondary transfer roll 28. In this embodiment, a secondary transfer electric field is applied between the opposing roll 39B and the secondary transfer roll 28, so that the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 24 is transferred to the recording medium P at the secondary transfer position T2.

[0050] A transfer belt 24 as an example of a transfer member of the present embodiment has, as shown in FIG. 1, a horizontal portion 24A extending in the horizontal direction and an inclined portion 24B extending obliquely with respect to the vertical direction.

[0051] 1, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, image forming units 22Y and 22M are disposed above the transfer belt 24. Specifically, the image forming units 22Y and 22M are disposed along the horizontal portion 24A of the transfer belt 24 at an interval from each other.

[0052] 1, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, image forming units 22C and 22K are disposed below the transfer belt 24. Specifically, the image forming units 22C and 22K are disposed along the inclined portion 24B of the transfer belt 24 at an interval from each other.

[0053] (Fixing device 16) The fixing device 16 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that fixes a toner image transferred to a recording medium P by a secondary transfer roll 28 to the recording medium P. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the fixing device 16 has a heating roll 16A as a heating member and a pressure roll 16B as a pressure member. In the fixing device 16, the recording medium P is heated and pressurized by the heating roll 16A and the pressure roll 16B, thereby fixing the toner image formed on the recording medium P to the recording medium P.

[0054] Next, a detailed description will be given of the image forming unit 22, which is a main part of this disclosure. Note that, in the following description, the image forming unit 22K will be taken as an example, and the reference symbol K will be omitted as appropriate.

[0055] The image forming unit 22 includes a frame 50 as an example of a mounting member. As shown in Fig. 2, the frame 50 is provided on the device body 11 so as to be able to be pulled out from the device body 11 in the device depth direction. Specifically, a slide mechanism (not shown) is provided between the frame 50 and the device body 11, and the slide mechanism allows the frame 50 to be pulled out and pushed in relative to the device body 11 in the device depth direction.

[0056] On the frame 50, a photoconductor drum 32 as an example of a photoconductor, a charger 23, an exposure device 40, and a developing device 38 are attached.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the photoconductor drum 32 is attached to a frame 50 via a holder 60, which is an example of a holding member.

[0058] The holder 60 has a function of rotatably holding the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the holder 60 includes a bearing 62, and the holder 60 holds the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 via the bearing 62. The shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 is rotatably held by the holder 60 by the bearing 62. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, both ends of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 are held by a pair of holders 60. Hereinafter, one end of the shaft 33 is indicated by 33A, and the other end is indicated by 33B. Similarly, the holder that holds the one end 33A side of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 is indicated by the symbol 60A, and the holder that holds the other end 33B side of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 is indicated by the symbol 60B. Note that the configuration common to the holder 60A and the holder 60B will be described as the holder 60.

[0059] 6, the holder 60 is removable from the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32. Specifically, the holder 60 is removed from the photosensitive drum 32 by pulling the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 out of the bearing 62 of the holder 60.

[0060] The holder 60 also has an attachment portion 63 to which the bearing 62 is attached, a pair of flanges 64 that protrude laterally from the upper portion of the attachment portion 63, and a handle 65 that extends from an end of one flange 64 to an end of the other flange 64. The handle 65 curves in an arc from an end of one flange 64 to an end of the other flange 64, leaving a gap between the handle 65 and the attachment portion 63. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer periphery of the handle 65 is curved along the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 32 when the photosensitive drum 32 is viewed from the axial direction. Specifically, an outer periphery surface 67 of the handle 65 is curved along the outer periphery surface 34 of the photosensitive drum 32 when the photosensitive drum 32 is viewed from the axial direction.

[0061] The holder 60 is detachably attached to the frame 50. Specifically, the holder 60 is detachably attached to a support portion 52 provided on the frame 50 in one direction intersecting with the axis 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 as shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, the holder 60 is attached to the support portion 52 from above, and is detached from the support portion 52 by lifting it from the support portion 52. That is, in this embodiment, the attachment and detachment direction of the holder 60 to and from the frame 50 is the vertical direction of the device. In this embodiment, the holder 60 is supported by the support portion 52 of the frame 50. Specifically, the holder 60A is supported by the support portion 52A, and the holder 60B is supported by the support portion 52B.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 3, the holder 60 and the support portion 52 each have a contact surface that contacts with each other. The support portion 52 supports the holder 60 via the contact surface. Specifically, the upper surface 53 of the support portion 52 and the lower surface 66 of the flange 64 of the holder 60 are in contact with each other at the contact surface, and the lower surface 66 of the holder 60 is supported by the upper surface 53 of the support portion 52. By supporting the lower surface 66 of the holder 60 by the upper surface 53 of the support portion 52 in this manner, the position of the holder 60 in the vertical direction of the device is determined. In other words, the position of the photosensitive drum 32 in the vertical direction of the device is determined via the holder 60.

[0063] 4 and 5, the support portion 52 has a protruding portion 54, and the holder 60 has a through hole 68 as an example of a recess into which the protruding portion 54 fits. Specifically, the protruding portion 54 is provided on the upper surface 53 of the support portion 52 and protrudes upward from the upper surface 53. The through hole 68 is provided on the flange 64 of the holder 60 and penetrates the flange 64 in the thickness direction to open on the lower surface 66. The protruding portion 54 fits into the through hole 68, so that the positions of the holder 60 in the device width direction and the device depth direction are determined. That is, the positions of the photosensitive drum 32 in the device width direction and the device depth direction are determined via the holder 60. In this embodiment, the fitting direction of the protruding portion 54 and the through hole 68 is along the attachment / detachment direction of the holder 60 to the frame 50.

[0064] 4 and 5, the frame 50 and the holder 60 are fastened to each other by fastening members 70 at their contacting portions. Specifically, the flange 64 of the holder 60 is fastened to the support portion 52 by a screw member which is the fastening member 70. More specifically, the screw member is screwed into a female thread formed on the upper surface 53 of the support portion 52 through a hole formed in the flange 64 of the holder 60, thereby fastening and fixing the holder 60 to the support portion 52. The fastening direction by the fastening member 70 is along the attachment / detachment direction of the holder 60 to the frame 50.

[0065] Next, the replacement of the photosensitive drum 32 will be described. First, the image forming unit 22 is pulled out from the apparatus body 11. Next, the fastening members 70 that fasten the holders 60A, 60B to the support portions 52A, 52B, respectively, are removed. Then, the handles 65 of the holders 60A, 60B that hold both ends 33A, 33B of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 are grasped and the photosensitive drum 32 is lifted upward. This causes the photosensitive drum 32 to be detached from the frame 50. Here, in the image forming unit 22 of this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 32 can be removed from the frame 50 together with the holder 60 without removing the charger 23, the exposure device 40, and the developing device 38 from the frame 50.

[0066] Next, the holders 60A, 60B are removed from both ends 33A, 33B of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 to be replaced (see FIG. 6), and the removed holders 60A, 60B are attached to both ends 33A, 33B of the shaft 33 of a new photosensitive drum 32, respectively.

[0067] Next, the handles 65 of the holders 60A and 60B are grasped to lift up the photosensitive drum 32, and the holders 60A and 60B are supported by the support portions 52A and 52B, respectively, from above the frame 50. Then, the holders 60A and 60B are fastened and fixed to the support portions 52A and 52B, respectively, using the fastening members 70.

[0068] Then, the image forming unit 22 is pushed into the apparatus main body 11, whereby the replacement work of the photosensitive drum 32 is completed.

[0069] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10, the photosensitive drum 32 can be replaced by grasping the handle 65 and attaching and detaching the holder 60 to and from the frame 50. That is, in the image forming apparatus 10, the photosensitive drum 32 can be easily removed from the apparatus body 11 compared to a configuration in which the frame 50 is removed from the apparatus body 11 when replacing the photosensitive drum 32.

[0070] In the image forming device 10, the holder 60 is removably attached to the frame in one direction, and therefore the mechanism for attaching and detaching the holder 60 from the support portion 52 of the frame 50 can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the holder 60 is removably attached in multiple directions.

[0071] In the image forming apparatus 10, the holder 60 is attached to the frame 50 from above, which makes the task of attaching the holder 60 to the frame 50 easier than in a configuration in which the holder 60 is attached to the frame 50 from below.

[0072] In the image forming device 10, both ends 33A, 33B of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 are held by a pair of holders 60A, 60B, respectively, so that the photosensitive drum 32 can be held in a balanced manner when replacing the photosensitive drum 32, compared to a configuration in which only one end side of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32 is held by the holder 60.

[0073] In the image forming device 10, the holder 60 is removable from the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32, so that the holder 60 can be used repeatedly when replacing the photosensitive drum 32, compared to a configuration in which the holder 60 cannot be removed from the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32.

[0074] In the image forming apparatus 10, the frame 50 and the holder 60 each have a contact surface that contacts with each other, and the holder 60 can be disposed at a predetermined position relative to the frame 50 in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface by a simple operation of bringing the contact surfaces into contact with each other. In particular, the holder 60 can be disposed at a predetermined position in the vertical direction of the apparatus relative to the frame 50 by a simple operation of supporting the lower surface 66 including the contact surface of the holder 60 with the upper surface 53 including the contact surface of the frame 50. By determining the position of the holder 60 in the vertical direction of the apparatus in this manner, the position of the photosensitive drum 32 in the vertical direction of the apparatus is determined. In other words, the position of the photosensitive drum 32 in the vertical direction of the apparatus can be determined by a simple operation.

[0075] In the image forming device 10, the frame 50 and the holder 60 are fastened by the fastening members 70 at the contacting portions thereof, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the holder 60 relative to the frame 50 compared to a configuration in which the frame 50 and the holder 60 are fastened at non-contacting portions thereof.

[0076] In the image forming device 10, the fastening direction of the fastening member 70 is along the attachment / detachment direction of the holder 60 relative to the frame 50, and therefore the burden acting on the fastening member 70 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the fastening direction of the fastening member 70 is inclined relative to the attachment / detachment direction of the holder 60.

[0077] In the image forming apparatus 10, the frame 50 is fitted with the protrusion 54 of the holder 60 in the through hole 68, thereby allowing the holder 60 to be positioned relative to the frame 50 in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the protrusion 54 of the holder 60. In this manner, the holder 60 can be positioned relative to the frame 50 by the simple task of adjusting the position of the holder 60 so that the protrusion 54 of the frame 50 passes through the through hole 68 of the holder 60.

[0078] In the image forming device 10, the fitting direction of the convex portion 54 of the frame 50 and the through hole 68 of the holder 60 is along the direction in which the holder 60 is attached to and detached from the frame 50. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the fitting direction of the convex portion 54 and the through hole 68 is inclined relative to the direction in which the holder 60 is attached and detached, the action of attaching the holder 60 to the frame 50 allows the convex portion 54 to fit into the through hole 68.

[0079] In the image forming apparatus 10, the handle 65 is curved in an arc shape, so that the handle 65 is easier to grip than a handle 65 having an angular shape. This makes it easier to grip the handle 65 of the holder 60 and remove the photoconductor drum 32 from the frame 50.

[0080] In image forming apparatus 10, when photosensitive drum 32 is viewed in the axial direction, the outer periphery of handle 65 is curved along the outer periphery of photosensitive drum 32, improving the appearance around photosensitive drum 32 compared to a configuration in which the outer periphery of handle 65 extends in a straight line and protrudes beyond the outer periphery of photosensitive drum 32. Also, when frame 50 is pulled out of device body 11, handle 65 of holder 60 is included within the movement trajectory of photosensitive drum 32, making it easier to avoid interference between holder 60 and other parts of device body 11.

[0081] (Other embodiments)

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the support portion 52 of the frame 50 is provided with the protrusion 54, and the holder 60 is provided with the through hole 68, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, a recess into which the protrusion 54 fits may be provided on the lower surface 66 of the holder 60. In this case, too, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment. Also, a recess may be provided on the upper surface 53 of the support portion 52 of the frame 50, and a protrusion into which the protrusion fits may be provided on the lower surface 66 of the holder 60. In this case, too, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the holder 60 is configured to be attached to the frame 50 from above, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The holder 60 may be configured to be attached to the frame 50 from the side. For example, the image forming units 22K and 22C are arranged along the inclined portion 24B of the transfer belt 24, so that the holder 60 is configured to be attached to the frame 50 from above, which makes it easy to attach and detach the holder 60 from the frame 50. On the other hand, the image forming units 22Y and 22M are arranged along the horizontal portion 24A of the transfer belt 24, so that it is difficult to configure the holder 60 to be attached to the frame 50 from above. In this case, the holder 60 is configured to be attached to the frame 50 from the side, which makes it easy to attach and detach the holder 60 from the frame 50. When the holder 60 is attached to the frame 50 from the side, the holder 60 may be configured to be attached to the frame 50 in a 90 degree horizontal orientation. Further, when the holder 60 is mounted on the frame 50 from the side, any one of the charger 23, the exposure device 40, and the developing device 38 may be removed from the frame 50.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, holders 60A and 60B are attached to both ends 33A and 33B of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32, respectively, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and holder 60 may be attached to only one end side of the shaft 33 of the photosensitive drum 32.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the holders 60A and 60B are configured to be removable from both ends 33A and 33B of the shaft 33 of the photoconductor drum 32, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, one of the holders 60A and 60B may be configured to be inseparable, or both of the holders 60A and 60B may be configured to be inseparable.

[0086] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the above-described modified examples may be appropriately combined to form a configuration.

[0087] (((1))) A photoconductor; a holding member having a handle and rotatably holding a shaft of the photoconductor; a mounting member provided on an apparatus body and to which the holding member is detachably mounted; An image forming apparatus comprising: (((2))) The image forming apparatus according to (((1))), wherein the holding member is detachably attached to the attachment member in one direction intersecting with the axis of the photoconductor. (((3))) The image forming apparatus according to (((2))), wherein the holding member is attached to the receiving member from above. (((4))) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein both ends of the shaft of the photoconductor are held by a pair of the holding members, respectively. (((5))) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), wherein the holding member is removable from the shaft of the photoconductor. (((6))) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein the attached member and the holding member each have a contact surface that contacts with each other. (((7))) The image forming apparatus according to (((6))), wherein the attachment member supports the holding member via their respective contact surfaces. (((8))) The image forming apparatus according to (((6))) or (((7))), wherein the attached member and the holding member are fastened by a fastening member at their contacting portions. (((9))) The image forming apparatus according to (((8))), wherein a fastening direction by the fastening member is a direction along a mounting and detaching direction of the holding member with respect to the mounted member. (((10))) The mounting member has a convex portion or a concave portion, The holding member has a recess into which a protrusion of the attachment member fits, or a protrusion into which the recess of the attachment member fits. The image forming apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((9))). (((11))) A fitting direction of the protrusion and the recess is a direction along a mounting and detaching direction of the holding member with respect to the mounting member. The image forming apparatus according to (((10))). (((12))) The handle is curved in an arc. The image forming apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((11))). (((13))) The image forming apparatus according to (((12))), wherein, when viewed from the axial direction of the photoconductor, the outer periphery of the handle is curved along the outer periphery of the photoconductor.

[0088] In the image forming apparatus of (((1))), in a configuration in which the photosensitive member is rotatably supported in the apparatus body via a holding member and an attached member, the photosensitive member can be easily removed from the apparatus body when replacing the photosensitive member, compared to a configuration in which the photosensitive member is removed from the apparatus body together with the attached member. In the image forming apparatus (((2))), the mechanism for attaching and detaching the holding member to the mounted member can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the holding member is detachably attached in multiple directions intersecting the axis of the photosensitive body. In the image forming apparatus of (((3))), the operation of attaching the holding member to the receiving member is made easier compared to a configuration in which the holding member is attached to the receiving member from below. In the image forming apparatus of (((4))), the photoconductor can be held in a well-balanced manner when replacing the photoconductor, compared to a configuration in which only one end of the photoconductor shaft is held by a holding member. In the image forming apparatus of (((5))), the holding member can be repeatedly used when replacing the photoconductor, as compared with a configuration in which the holding member cannot be removed from the shaft of the photoconductor. In the image forming apparatus of (((6))), by bringing the contact surfaces into contact with each other, the holding member can be disposed at a predetermined position relative to the attached member in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface. In the image forming apparatus of (((7))), the contact surface of the holding member is supported by the contact surface of the workpiece, so that the holding member can be disposed at a predetermined position in the vertical direction relative to the workpiece. In the image forming apparatus of (((8))), the positioning accuracy of the holding member relative to the attached member is improved compared to a configuration in which the attached member and the holding member are fastened at non-contacting portions. In the image forming apparatus of (((9))), the load acting on the fastening member can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the fastening direction of the fastening member is inclined with respect to the attachment / detachment direction of the holding member. In the image forming apparatus of (((10))), the projections can be fitted into the recesses to determine the position of the holding member relative to the mounted member in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the projections. In the image forming apparatus (((11))), compared to a configuration in which the fitting direction of the convex portion and the concave portion is inclined relative to the attachment / detachment direction of the holding member, the convex portion can be fitted into the concave portion by the action of attaching the holding member to the support member. In the image forming device of (((12))), the handle is easier to grip than a handle having an angular shape. In the image forming device of (((13))), the appearance around the photoconductor is improved compared to a configuration in which the outer periphery of the handle extends linearly and protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the photoconductor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10 Image forming device 11. Device body 32 Photoconductor drum (an example of a photoconductor) 33 Axis 33A One end 33B Other end 50 Frame (an example of a mounting member) 53 Top surface (example of contact surface) 54 Convex 60 Holder (an example of a holding member) 60A Holder (an example of a holding member) 60B Holder (an example of a holding member) 65 Toride 66 Underside (Example of contact surface) 68 Through hole (an example of a recess) 70 Fastening members

Claims

1. A photoconductor; a holding member having a handle and rotatably holding a shaft of the photoconductor; a mounting member provided on an apparatus body and to which the holding member is detachably mounted; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the holding member is detachably attached to the support member in one direction intersecting with an axis of the photoconductor.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the holding member is attached to the receiving member from above.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the shaft of the photoconductor are held by a pair of the holding members.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is removable from the shaft of the photoconductor.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member and the holding member each have a contact surface that contacts with each other.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the mounting member supports the holding member via their respective contact surfaces.

8. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the attachment member and the holding member are fastened by a fastening member at a portion where they contact each other.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a fastening direction of the fastening member is a direction along a mounting and detaching direction of the holding member with respect to the mounted member.

10. The mounting member has a convex portion or a concave portion, The holding member has a recess into which a protrusion of the mounting member fits, or a protrusion into which the recess of the mounting member fits. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. A fitting direction of the protrusion and the recess is a direction along a mounting and detaching direction of the holding member with respect to the mounting member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The handle is curved in an arc. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein an outer periphery of the handle is curved along an outer periphery of the photoconductor when viewed from the axial direction of the photoconductor.

Images