Image formation device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device which can miniaturize the size.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes a housing capable of storing an image formation unit for forming an image in a recording material, discharge means for discharging the recording material to the outside the housing, and a motor which is arranged in the housing and drives the image formation unit. The housing includes a loading part where the recording material discharged by the discharge means is loaded, and a wall surface which is provided on the end of the loading part in a width direction perpendicular to both a vertical direction and a discharge direction of the discharge means, and extends upward with respect to the loading part. The motor is arranged at a position overlapping the wall surface when viewed in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus including a motor attached to a side plate of the image forming apparatus and a gear train that transmits the driving force of the motor to a photosensitive drum. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-45375 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There has been a demand for a motor arrangement that allows the image forming apparatus to be further reduced in size.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be made compact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: a housing capable of accommodating an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material; an ejection means for ejecting the recording material outside the housing; and a motor disposed within the housing and driving the image forming unit, wherein the housing includes a loading section on which the recording material ejected by the ejection means is loaded; and a wall surface provided at an end of the loading section in a width direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the ejection direction of the ejection means, the wall surface extending above the loading section, and the motor disposed in a position overlapping with the wall surface when viewed in the width direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be made compact. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a housing frame according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a cartridge according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of a motor according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a motor and a drive transmission mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of a motor according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In the following description and drawings, the vertical direction (direction of gravity) when the image forming apparatus is installed on a horizontal surface is defined as the Z-axis direction. The direction of the rotation axis of a photosensitive drum (image carrier) included in the image forming apparatus is defined as the Y-axis direction. The direction intersecting both the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is defined as the X-axis direction. The X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are preferably perpendicular to each other.

[0011] The positive and negative directions along each coordinate axis are indicated by adding a + (plus) or - (minus) sign as necessary. For example, the positive direction of the X-axis (the direction indicated by the arrow X in the drawing) is the +X side, and the negative direction of the X-axis (the opposite side of the arrow X) is the -X side.

[0012] Example 1 Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a cross section of the image forming apparatus 100 cut along an XZ plane. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet S, which is a recording material (recording medium), based on image information received from, for example, an external information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic monochrome image forming apparatus, and is a laser beam printer. As the sheet S, various sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, including paper such as plain paper and thick paper, sheet materials with surface treatments such as coated paper, sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, plastic films, cloth, etc.

[0014] (Image forming device) 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 which is the main body of the image forming apparatus, a process cartridge 10 which is detachable from the apparatus main body 101, and a feed tray 21. The apparatus main body 101 includes a housing 102 and components attached to the housing 102. The housing 102 includes one or more frame members which form a frame of the image forming apparatus 100 (frame of the apparatus main body 101), and one or more cover members (exterior members) which form an exterior surface of the image forming apparatus 100 (exterior surface of the apparatus main body 101).

[0015] The process cartridge 10 is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material. The process cartridge 10 is a process unit for forming an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic process. The process cartridge 10 of this embodiment is detachable from a housing 102. In other words, the housing 102 can accommodate the process cartridge 10 as an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material.

[0016] The housing 102 includes an opening, and an opening / closing cover 102C as an opening / closing member capable of opening and closing the opening. The process cartridge 10 is attachable to and detachable from the housing 102 through the opening when the opening / closing cover 102C is open.

[0017] 1, the device body 101 includes a feeding unit 22, a pair of transport rollers 23 and 24, a transfer roller 25, a fixing device 26, and a pair of discharge rollers 29. These components are attached to a housing 102. In addition, a discharge tray 30 and a side wall 30a (see also FIG. 2) are provided on the upper part of the device body 101 (the upper part of the housing 102). The discharge tray 30 and the side wall 30a are part of the housing 102.

[0018] The discharge roller pair 29 is an example of a discharge means or discharge unit that discharges the sheet S from inside the apparatus main body 101 to the outside (from inside the housing 102 to the outside). The discharge roller pair 29 of this embodiment discharges the sheet S in a discharge direction D1 that intersects with both the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The housing 102 is provided with a discharge port that is an opening through which the sheet S discharged by the discharge roller pair 29 passes.

[0019] In the following description, in the X-axis direction, the downstream side (+X side) of the discharge direction D1 is defined as the “front side” of image forming apparatus 100, and the opposite side (-X side) is defined as the back side of image forming apparatus 100. In the Y-axis direction, the right hand side (+Y side) when image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side (+X side) is defined as the “right side” of image forming apparatus 100, and the opposite side (-Y side) is defined as the “left side” of image forming apparatus 100.

[0020] The process cartridge 10 is a unit that includes a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier and at least one process means for implementing steps of an electrophotographic process (charging, exposure, development, transfer, cleaning, pre-exposure) by acting on the photosensitive drum 1. The process cartridge 10 of this embodiment includes a charging roller 43 as the process means (charging means), a developing unit 40 as the process means (developing means), and a cleaning member as the process means (cleaning means).

[0021] The photosensitive drum 1 is an electrophotographic photosensitive member molded into a cylindrical shape (drum shape). The developing unit 40 has a developing roller 41 that carries toner as a developer and supplies it to the photosensitive drum 1, and a developing frame 46 (developing container) that supports the developing roller 41. Inside the developing frame 46, a toner storage section (toner storage chamber) that stores toner is provided. The process cartridge 10 also has a cleaning frame 42 that supports the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and a cleaning member.

[0022] The process cartridge 10 can be roughly divided into a photosensitive unit including the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, a cleaning member, and a cleaning frame 42, and a developing unit 40. The cleaning frame 42 is a frame of the photosensitive unit. Between the cleaning frame 42 and the developing frame 46, a space (exposure opening) through which the laser light L from the laser scanner 11 passes is formed. In addition, the cleaning frame 42 and the developing frame 46 are connected via side covers 10a, 10b (FIG. 4(a)) provided on both ends of the process cartridge 10.

[0023] The feed tray 21 has a loading area on which the sheets S are loaded, and is a storage section (storage unit, feed cassette) that stores the sheets S. The feed tray 21 is disposed at the bottom of the device body 101, and is configured to be insertable into and removable from the device body 101 (insertable into and removable from the housing 102). The feed tray 21 of this embodiment is movable in the X-axis direction relative to the device body 101, and is pulled out from the device body 101 toward the front side (+X side) of the image forming device 100, and is inserted into the device body 101 toward the rear side (-X side) of the image forming device 100.

[0024] The feeding unit 22 is an example of a feeding means or a feeding unit that feeds the sheets S one by one. The feeding unit 22 includes, for example, a feeding roller (pickup roller) that picks up the sheets S from the feeding tray 21, and a pair of separation rollers that separate and transport the sheets S one by one when multiple sheets S are picked up by the feeding roller.

[0025] The conveying roller pairs 23 and 24 are both conveying members that convey the sheet S. The conveying roller pairs 23 and 24 are disposed on a sheet conveying path from the feeding unit 22 to a transfer portion Nt, which will be described later.

[0026] The laser scanner 11 is an example of a process means (exposure means, exposure device). The laser scanner 11 is disposed above the process cartridge 10 in a state where the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101, so as to overlap with the process cartridge 10 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The laser scanner 11 includes an oscillator that emits laser light L, and an optical system (polygon mirror, etc.) that guides the laser light L to the photosensitive drum 1 and scans the photosensitive drum 1 in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction). Note that instead of the laser scanner 11, an LED exposure device including light-emitting elements (LEDs) arranged in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) may also be used.

[0027] In this disclosure, two elements "overlap" when viewed in a specific direction means that when each element is vertically projected onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the specific direction, the projection area of ​​one element at least partially overlaps with the projection area of ​​the other element. Unless otherwise specified, this also includes the case where another element exists between the two elements in the specific direction and the two elements overlap perspectively.

[0028] The transfer roller 25 is an example of a process means (transfer means). The transfer roller 25 is disposed so as to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 when the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101. A transfer portion Nt where a toner image is transferred to the sheet S is formed as a nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 25. The transfer roller 25 is an example of a transfer member, and a corona discharge type transfer member may be used, for example.

[0029] The fixing device 26 is a fixing unit that fixes the toner image to the sheet S. The fixing device 26 is a thermal fixing type device (image heating device) that fixes the toner image to the sheet S by heating the toner image while transporting the sheet S in the fixing section Nf.

[0030] The fixing device 26 of this embodiment is a film heating type that uses a cylindrical film (fixing film 28) as a heating member (fixing member) that heats a toner image. The fixing device 26 includes the fixing film 28, a heater as a heating means for heating the fixing film 28, and a pressure roller 27 as a pressure member that forms a fixing section Nf together with the fixing film 28. The heater is, for example, a ceramic heater in which a pattern of a heating resistor is printed on a ceramic substrate, and is arranged in the internal space of the fixing film 28 while being held by a heater holder. The pressure roller 27 is arranged so as to sandwich the fixing film 28 together with the heater and heater holder. At least one of the heater and heater holder and the pressure roller 27 is biased toward the other, thereby generating pressure (nip pressure) in the fixing section.

[0031] In this embodiment, the pressure roller 27 is a driven member that rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor 61 described later. During image formation, the fixing film 28 receives a force from the pressure roller 27 and rotates following the pressure roller 27.

[0032] The above fixing device 26 is an example of a fixing means, and fixing means having other configurations may be used. For example, a roller member (fixing roller) with high rigidity may be used as the heating member (fixing member). The heating member (fixing member) or the pressure member may be a belt stretched over multiple rollers. The driven member that rotates by receiving a driving force from the motor 61 may be a fixing roller or a roller that drives the belt. The heating means that heats the heating member (fixing member) may be a halogen lamp that emits radiant heat, or a coil unit that heats a conductive layer in the heating member (fixing member) using the principle of induction heating.

[0033] (Image formation operation) The image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The image forming operation is a series of operations in which the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on the sheet S based on image information while conveying the sheet S one by one based on an execution instruction from a user, and discharges the sheet S onto the discharge tray 30.

[0034] In the image forming operation, the sheets S stored in the feed tray 21 are fed one by one by the feed unit 22, and are further fed to the transfer section Nt by the conveying roller pairs 23 and 24. The conveying roller pair 24 immediately before the transfer section Nt functions as a registration means for adjusting the conveying timing of the sheet S in accordance with the timing at which the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 reaches the transfer section Nt.

[0035] On the other hand, in the process unit (process cartridge 10), the photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure. The charging roller 43 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanner 11 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with a laser beam L to perform exposure, and forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 41 supplies toner as a developer to the photosensitive drum 1, and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is carried by the photosensitive drum 1 and reaches the transfer portion Nt. Then, at the transfer portion Nt, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the sheet S. Foreign matter such as transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred to the sheet S at the transfer portion Nt is collected by a cleaning member and stored in a waste toner storage portion in the cleaning frame 42.

[0036] The sheet S that has passed through the transfer section Nt is sent to the fixing device 26. The fixing device 26, while nipping and transporting the sheet S in the fixing section Nf, heats the toner image on the sheet S with a fixing film 28 heated by heat from a heater. The toner on the sheet S is heated and pressurized to obtain an image fixed on the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 26 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 101 (outside of the housing 102) in the discharge direction D1 by a pair of discharge rollers 29, and is written on the back of the sheet S on a discharge tray 30.

[0037] (Configuration of the upper surface of the housing) The discharge tray 30 and side walls 30a, 30b provided on the upper surface of the housing 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the discharge tray 30 and side walls 30a, 30b are provided on the upper surface of the device main body 101 of the housing 102 according to this embodiment.

[0038] The discharge tray 30 is a loading section on which sheets S (products) on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus 100 are loaded. At least a part of the discharge tray 30 is inclined upward toward the downstream side in the discharge direction D1 when viewed in the width direction (Y axis direction) perpendicular to both the vertical direction (Z axis direction) and the discharge direction D1 of the discharge roller pair 29. In other words, the discharge tray 30 of this embodiment includes a slope that slopes downward with respect to the upper surface 102u (end surface on the +Z side) of the housing 102 so as to approach the discharge roller pair 29.

[0039] The side wall 30a is provided on one end (+Y side, right side) of the discharge tray 30 in the width direction (Y axis direction) and is a wall surface extending upward beyond the discharge tray 30. The side wall 30b is provided on the other end (-Y side, left side) of the discharge tray 30 in the width direction (Y axis direction) and is a wall surface extending upward beyond the discharge tray 30. When viewed from above, the side walls 30a, 30b extend in the discharge direction D1. In addition, the upper ends of the side walls 30a, 30b are connected to the upper surface 102u of the housing 102.

[0040] The side walls 30a, 30b reduce the disturbance of alignment caused by movement in the width direction (Y axis direction) of the sheet S discharged onto the discharge tray 30. The distance between the side walls 30a, 30b in the width direction (Y axis direction) is set to be slightly wider than the sheet S with the largest size in the width direction (Y axis direction) among the sheets S on which the image forming apparatus 100 can form an image.

[0041] (Frame configuration of the housing 102) The frame configuration of the housing 102 will be described. Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing a part of the device body 101. Specifically, Fig. 3 shows frame members (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57) of the housing 102 of the device body 101, the motor 61, the laser scanner 11, and a guide member 59. Each frame member is formed of sheet metal such as a stainless steel plate.

[0042] The housing 102 of this embodiment includes a front scanner stay 51, a rear scanner stay 52, a transfer transport frame 53, side plates 54, 55, and a rear stay 57. These frame members (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57) form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame. The frame and an exterior member (cover member) that covers the frame form the housing 102. A mounting space (mounting portion) in which the process cartridge 10 is mounted is formed inside the frame.

[0043] The side plates 54, 55 are a pair of frame members facing each other in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the image forming apparatus 100, and are plate-shaped frame members intersecting the width direction (Y-axis direction). The front scanner stay 51, the rear scanner stay 52, the transfer transport frame 53, and the rear stay 57 each extend in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and are connected to the pair of side plates 54, 55. The side plate 54 is an example of a first side plate, and the side plate 55 is an example of a second side plate. The front scanner stay 51 is an example of a first frame, and the rear scanner stay 52 is an example of a second frame.

[0044] The front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52 hold the laser scanner 11. At least one of the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52 may be disposed in a position above the process cartridge 10 (FIG. 1) when the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101.

[0045] The front scanner stay 51 is located closer to the front (+X side) than the rear scanner stay 52. ​​The front scanner stay 51 holds the front part of the laser scanner 11, and the rear scanner stay 52 holds the rear part of the laser scanner 11. Note that instead of the configuration in which the laser scanner 11 is held by two frame members, the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52, the laser scanner 11 can also be held by a single plate-shaped frame member.

[0046] The transfer transport frame 53 holds the transfer roller 25 and includes one or more guide portions for forming a sheet transport path in the apparatus main body 101. The transfer transport frame 53 is disposed above the feed tray 21 in the Z-axis direction and below the process cartridge 10 when the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101.

[0047] The rear stay 57 is disposed at the end of the rear side (-X side) of the apparatus main body 101. The rear stay 57 is connected to the end faces of the rear side (-X side) of each of the side plates 54, 55. As shown in Fig. 5, the rear stay 57 is disposed below the fixing device 26 and above the feeding tray 21 in the Z-axis direction.

[0048] In this embodiment, as described below, the frame member that holds the laser scanner 11 is divided into two parts, a front scanner stay 51 and a rear scanner stay 52. ​​By providing a rear stay 57 that connects a pair of side plates 54, 55 on the rear side (-X side) of the device body 101, it is possible to increase the strength of the rear side (-X side) of the device body 101 in a configuration in which the frame member that holds the laser scanner 11 is divided into two parts. Note that, depending on the specific configuration of the image forming device 100, if it is considered that there is sufficient strength, a configuration without providing the rear stay 57 may be adopted.

[0049] Here, in this embodiment, the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52 that hold the laser scanner 11 are arranged to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction. That is, in this embodiment, the laser scanner 11 (exposure device) is arranged between two frame members (51, 52) that are arranged to be spaced apart in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the image forming apparatus 100. A protrusion 11b (FIG. 1) is provided on the bottom surface of the laser scanner 11, protruding downward from the upper surfaces (support surfaces that support the laser scanner 11) of the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52 through a space between the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52.

[0050] The relationship between the protruding portion 11b of the laser scanner 11 and the process cartridge 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4(a) and (b). Figure 4(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 10. Figure 4(b) is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the process cartridge 10, the laser scanner 11, and a motor 61 (described later) in a state in which the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101.

[0051] 4(a), a recess 44 recessed downward is provided on the upper surface of the process cartridge 10 at a position facing the protruding portion 11b of the laser scanner 11. In this embodiment, the recess 44 is provided on the upper surface of the cleaning frame 42. The recess 44 has a predetermined width in the Y-axis direction and is in the form of a shallow groove extending along the mounting direction D2 of the process cartridge 10 relative to the apparatus main body 101.

[0052] The above-mentioned predetermined width is wider than the width of the protrusion 11b (FIG. 4(b)) of the laser scanner 11 in the Y-axis direction. When the process cartridge 10 is attached to the apparatus main body 101, the recess 44 directly faces the protrusion 11b of the laser scanner 11 without any other member being sandwiched therebetween. By providing the recess 44 in the process cartridge 10, contact between the process cartridge 10 and the laser scanner 11 can be avoided even if the clearance between them is reduced, and the image forming apparatus 100 can be made more compact.

[0053] The protruding portion 11b of the laser scanner 11 may enter the recessed portion 44 of the process cartridge 10. In other words, when viewed in the Y-axis direction (FIG. 1), at least a part of the protruding portion 11b of the laser scanner 11 may be located below the upper surface 42u of the cleaning frame 42. However, even if the protruding portion 11b is in a positional relationship where it does not enter the recessed portion 44, the advantage of miniaturization due to the small clearance can be obtained.

[0054] The mounting direction D2 of the process cartridge 10 is the moving direction of the process cartridge 10 when the process cartridge 10 is inserted toward a predetermined mounting position (a position when performing an image forming operation) in the apparatus main body 101. The apparatus main body 101 is provided with a guide member 59 (FIG. 3) for guiding the movement of the process cartridge 10. The guide member 59 is provided on the inside of the side plate 54. The projections 10a1 and 10a2 (FIG. 4(a)) provided on the side cover 10a of the process cartridge 10 slide against the upper surface of the guide member 59, so that the moving direction of the process cartridge 10 when mounted is restricted to the mounting direction D2. The projections 10a1 and 10a2 slide against the upper surface of the guide member 59, so that the moving direction of the process cartridge 10 when removed is restricted to the opposite direction to the mounting direction D2.

[0055] (Motor) The motor 61 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the motor 61 serving as a drive source is disposed in a housing 102 of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the motor 61. The motor 61 can rotate the photosensitive drum 1 of the process cartridge 10 mounted in the apparatus main body 101.

[0056] The motor 61 can drive a plurality of drive objects including the photosensitive drum 1. The motor 61 may be the only motor provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The motor 61 in this embodiment can drive the photosensitive drum 1, the pressure roller 27 of the fixing device 26, the feeding unit 22, the conveying roller pairs 23 and 24, and the discharge roller pair 29. Depending on the specific configuration of the image forming apparatus 100, the motor 61 may further drive other drive objects. For example, in the case where there is a reversing roller pair that reverses the sheet S for double-sided printing, and a conveying path and a conveying roller pair (re-feed roller pair) for conveying the reversed sheet S again toward the transfer portion Nt, the motor 61 may drive these roller pairs.

[0057] The motor 61 includes a motor body 610 and a mounting base 611 (FIG. 3). The motor body 610 includes a stator that does not rotate relative to the mounting base 611, a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator, and a cover member that covers the stator and rotor and forms an accommodation space for the stator and rotor together with the mounting base 611. The rotation axis of the rotor is set as a central axis A61 of the motor 61. The mounting base 611 is a plate-like member for mounting the motor 61 to the housing 102. The mounting base 611 includes a circuit and a connector 612 (FIG. 6) that transmits power and commands for driving the motor body 610.

[0058] 3, the motor 61 in this embodiment is attached to the side plate 54. The motor 61 is attached to an inner surface 541 of the side plate 54 in the width direction (Y axis direction). That is, the motor 61 is disposed inside the side plate 54 in the width direction (Y axis direction). In other words, in this embodiment, the motor 61 is disposed in an area between the pair of side plates 54, 55 in the width direction (Y axis direction) similarly to the process cartridge 10, the laser scanner 11, and the sheet transport path in the apparatus main body 101.

[0059] Note that "the motor 61 is disposed inside the side plate 54 in the width direction (Y axis direction)" means that at least the motor body 610 is located on the same side as the other side plate 55 in the width direction (Y axis direction) with respect to the mounting surface of the side plate 54 on which the motor 61 is attached. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the pinion gear 61a (FIG. 8) which is the output gear of the motor 61 may protrude outward in the width direction (Y axis direction) with respect to the side plate 54.

[0060] The motor 61 is disposed below the upper surface 102u of the housing 102 and above the feed tray 21 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (FIG. 7). The motor 61 is also disposed above the transfer transport frame 53 (FIG. 3).

[0061] The motor 61 is disposed between two frame members (the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52) that support the laser scanner 11. More specifically, in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the image forming apparatus 100, the motor 61 is disposed between the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52. ​​When viewed in the X-axis direction, the motor 61 overlaps with at least one (preferably both) of the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52. ​​Also, in the mounting direction D2 of the process cartridge 10, the motor 61 is disposed between the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52. ​​When viewed in the mounting direction D2, the motor 61 is disposed so as to overlap with at least one (preferably both) of the front scanner stay 51 (first frame) and the rear scanner stay 52 (second frame).

[0062] By arranging the motor 61 at a position overlapping with the front scanner stay 51 or the rear scanner stay 52 when viewed in the X-axis direction or the mounting direction D2, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming device 100. In other words, by arranging the motor 61 by utilizing the space between the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52 inside the side plate 54 in the width direction (Y-axis direction), it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming device 100.

[0063] For example, consider a case where the motor 61 is to be disposed inside the side plate 54 in a configuration in which the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52 are integrated into a single plate-like stay. In this case, by disposing the motor 61 above or below the plate-like stays, the vertical size of the device body 101 may become large in order to secure a space for disposing the motor 61. In this embodiment, the position of the motor 61 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) can be disposed so as to overlap with the positions of the front scanner stay 51 and the rear scanner stay 52 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and the image forming device 100 can be made smaller in size in the vertical direction.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the motor 61 of this embodiment is disposed in a position adjacent to the process cartridge 10 in a state where it is mounted in the main body 101 of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the process cartridge 10 is provided with a retracted shape 45 that matches the outer shape of the motor 61. When the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the main body 101 of the apparatus, the retracted shape 45 can receive a part of the motor 61. The retracted shape 45 is a shape in which an end face of the process cartridge 10 in the width direction (Y axis direction) at a first position in the mounting direction D2 is retracted toward the center side (-Y side) of the process cartridge 10 from an end face at a second position upstream of the first position in the mounting direction D2. In this embodiment, an end face 45a of a part of the cleaning frame 42 that protrudes beyond the side cover 10a in the mounting direction D2 is positioned toward the center side (-Y side) of the process cartridge 10 compared to an end face of the side cover 10a, thereby forming the retracted shape 45. The second position is, for example, a position where the length of the process cartridge 10 in the width direction (Y axis direction) is maximum. The first position is a position downstream of the second position in the mounting direction D2, and is a position within the area where the process cartridge 10 overlaps with the motor 61 when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction) when the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101.

[0065] By providing such a retracted shape 45, contact between the process cartridge 10 and the motor 61 can be avoided even if the clearance between them is made small, and the image forming apparatus 100 can be made compact.

[0066] It is preferable that, when the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101, the motor 61 overlaps a part of the process cartridge 10 when viewed in the width direction (Y axis direction), and that the motor 61 overlaps another part of the process cartridge 10 when viewed in the mounting direction D2. In this embodiment, when the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101, the motor 61 overlaps the cleaning frame 42 of the process cartridge 10 when viewed in the width direction (Y axis direction). Also, in this embodiment, when the process cartridge 10 is mounted in the apparatus main body 101, the motor 61 overlaps the side cover 10a of the process cartridge 10 when viewed in the mounting direction D2. In this way, by arranging the motor 61 and the process cartridge 10 so that they overlap each other, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0067] 6, the motor 61 is disposed so as not to overlap with the developing frame 46 of the process cartridge 10 when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction). Therefore, in a configuration in which the motor 61 is present in the vicinity of the process cartridge 10, the width of the developing frame 46 can be shortened to avoid the motor 61, and as a result, it is possible to avoid a reduction in the volume of the space (toner storage section) in which the toner is stored within the developing frame 46. In other words, it is possible to achieve both a compact image forming apparatus 100 and a large toner capacity of the process cartridge 10, which affects image quality and the number of pages that can be printed by the process cartridge 10.

[0068] 6 and 7, the positional relationship between the motor 61 and the side wall 30a of the housing 102 will be described. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 cut along the XZ plane. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 cut along the YZ plane.

[0069] The motor 61 is disposed so as to overlap the side wall 30a of the housing 102 when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction) (FIG. 6). That is, the motor 61 is disposed inside the housing at a position where it overlaps with the side wall 30a when viewed in the width direction. This arrangement allows the motor 61 to be disposed in the space behind the side wall 30a inside the housing 102, thereby enabling the image forming apparatus 100 to be made more compact.

[0070] That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be made compact.

[0071] As described above, the motor 61 is disposed inside the side plate 54 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) (FIG. 7). More specifically, the motor 61 is disposed between the side wall 30a and the side plate 54 in the width direction (Y-axis direction). With this configuration, the motor 61 can be disposed by utilizing the space between the side wall 30a and the side plate 54, and the image forming apparatus 100 can be made compact. In this embodiment, at least a part of the upper edge of the side plate 54 extends above the discharge tray 30 when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction). A part of the motor 61 is located between the side wall 30a and the part of the side plate 54 that extends above the discharge tray 30 of the side plate 54.

[0072] The motor 61 is disposed above the feed tray 21 (storage section) so as to overlap with the feed tray 21 (storage section) when viewed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to be made smaller than when the motor 61 is disposed to avoid the feed tray 21 (storage section) in the X-axis or Y-axis direction, for example.

[0073] A method for mounting the motor 61 to the side plate 54 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The motor 61 is fixed to the side plate 54 with one or more fasteners (screws 62). Each screw 62 passes through a hole provided in the side plate 54 from the outside to the inside in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and is screwed into a screw hole provided in the mounting base 611.

[0074] The side plate 54 is provided with a through hole 54a through which a pinion gear 61a (output gear) of the motor 61 passes. When the motor 61 is attached to the side plate 54, the motor body 610 is located inside the side plate 54, and the pinion gear 61a is located outside the side plate 54.

[0075] 9 is a diagram showing the drive transmission mechanism DT in the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment. The drive transmission mechanism DT transmits the drive force of the motor 61, which is the drive source, to a driven object provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The drive transmission mechanism DT of this embodiment is mainly composed of a gear train consisting of multiple gears that mesh with each other.

[0076] The drive transmission mechanism DT of this embodiment includes a first gear train 66 serving as a drive transmission section (first drive transmission section) that transmits the drive force received from the motor 61 to the photosensitive drum 1 and the pressure roller 27. The drive transmission mechanism DT also includes a second gear train 68 serving as a second drive transmission section that transmits the drive force of the motor 61 received via the first gear train 66 to the feeding unit 22, etc.

[0077] The first gear train 66 includes a gear that meshes with the pinion gear 61a, a coupling gear 64 that outputs a driving force toward the process cartridge 10, and a pressure roller gear 65 that outputs a driving force to the fixing device .

[0078] The coupling gear 64 has an output coupling 64a that engages with an input coupling 1a (FIG. 4(a)) of the process cartridge 10 when the process cartridge 10 is attached to the apparatus main body 101. The output coupling 64a protrudes to the inside of the side plate 54 through a through hole 54b (FIG. 8) provided in the side plate 54. The output coupling 64a rotates together with the photosensitive drum 1 around the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1. When the process cartridge 10 is attached, the coupling gear 64 rotates together with the photosensitive drum 1.

[0079] The pressure roller gear 65 meshes with, for example, an input gear provided at the end of the roller shaft of the pressure roller 27. This input gear protrudes to the outside of the side plate 54 through a through hole 54c (FIG. 8) provided in the side plate 54, and is disposed so as to mesh with the pressure roller gear 65 on the outside of the side plate 54.

[0080] Providing the above-mentioned through holes 54b and 54c enables drive transmission from the first gear train 66 located on the outer side of the side plate 54 to the photosensitive drum 1 and pressure roller 27 located on the inner side of the side plate 54. The through hole 54a through which the pinion gear 61a is inserted is preferably disposed in a position in the X-axis direction between the through holes 54b and 54c corresponding to the photosensitive drum 1 and pressure roller 27. This makes it possible to reduce fluctuations in the rotation speeds of the photosensitive drum 1 and pressure roller 27, as will be described later, and suppress deterioration in image quality.

[0081] 7 and 9, the first gear train 66 is disposed in a space outside the side plate 54 in the width direction (Y axis direction) and inside the right cover 102R, which is an exterior member on the right side (+Y side) of the housing 102. The drive transmission mechanism DT is disposed in a space outside the side plate 54 in the width direction (Y axis direction) and inside the right cover 102R, which is an exterior member on the right side (+Y side) of the housing 102. By accommodating the first gear train 66 or the drive transmission mechanism DT in such a space, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

[0082] In this embodiment, a sheet transport path is formed so that the sheet S is transported in a substantially horizontal direction (X-axis direction) between the transfer unit Nt and the fixing unit Nf. In other words, the image forming apparatus 200 has a so-called S-path type layout. The S-path type layout is a layout in which, when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction), the sheet S is fed toward one side in the horizontal direction (+X side), and then an image is formed on the sheet S while the sheet S is transported toward the other side in the horizontal direction (-X side), and the sheet S is further discharged toward one side in the horizontal direction (+X side).

[0083] In the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) along the sheet transport direction from the transfer unit Nt to the fixing unit Nf, the central axis A61 of the motor 61 is located between the rotation axis A1 of the photosensitive drum 1 and the rotation axis A2 of the pressure roller 27. With this arrangement, it is possible to shorten the distance between the motor 61, which is the drive source, and the photosensitive drum 1 and pressure roller 27, which are the driven members.

[0084] If the distance is short, it is possible to reduce fluctuations in the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 1 or the pressure roller 27 that occur in the drive transmission unit (first gear train 66) that transmits the drive force from the motor 61 to the photosensitive drum 1 and the pressure roller 27. In other words, the fewer the number of gears that constitute the first gear train 66, the more it is possible to reduce fluctuations in the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 1 or the pressure roller 27, which are the driven members, that occur due to fluctuations in the rotation speed at the meshing portion between the gears. This makes it possible to reduce degradation of image quality (uneven density and magnification fluctuation in the sub-scanning direction) that is caused by fluctuations in the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 1 or the pressure roller 27.

[0085] The drive transmission unit is not limited to a gear train, and may include, for example, a belt transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force using a belt. Even in this case, if the distance between the motor 61 and the photosensitive drum 1 and the pressure roller 27 is short, the fluctuation in the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 1 or the pressure roller 27 due to the expansion and contraction of the belt can be reduced, and the same advantage as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0086] Example 2 An image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a drive unit in which a motor and a gear train are previously assembled as a unit is attached to a side plate. In the following, elements with the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment have basically the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0087] 10(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining a method of mounting the motor 61 and the first gear train 66 in this embodiment. Fig. 10(a) shows a state in which the drive unit 60 has been removed from the side plate 54. Fig. 10(b) shows a state in which the drive unit 60 has been mounted on the side plate 54.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the drive unit 60 includes a motor 61, a gear train 67, and a support 69 that supports the motor 61 and the gear train 67. The components of the gear train 67 correspond to the components of the first gear train 66 in the first embodiment. The support 69 includes two metal plates that sandwich the gear train 67 from one side and the other side in the width direction (Y-axis direction). The motor 61 is attached to the support 69 so that the pinion gear 61a (FIG. 8) faces outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction). The drive unit 60 is pre-assembled so that the motor 61 is attached to the support 69 and the gear train 67 is held by the support 69.

[0089] 10(a) and 10(b), the drive unit 60 is attached to the side plate 54 from the outside to the inside in the width direction (Y-axis direction) (arrow A), and fixed to the side plate 54 using screws or the like. The drive unit 60 is attached such that the motor body 610 and the output coupling 64a protrude to the inside of the side plate 54 through the opening 54d and the through hole 54b of the side plate 54.

[0090] With the drive unit 60 attached to the side plate 54, the positional relationship between the motor 61 and the side wall 30a, the laser scanner 11, the feed tray 21, the process cartridge 10, etc. is the same as in the first embodiment. For example, the motor 61 is disposed so as to overlap with the side wall 30a of the housing 102 when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction) (FIG. 6).

[0091] Even with this configuration, the same advantages as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be made compact. In addition, in this embodiment, the motor 61 and the gear train 67 are unitized in advance, which can improve the workability of assembly.

[0092] The drive unit 60 may include a gear corresponding to a part or the whole of the second gear train 68 of the first embodiment, in addition to the gear train 67 corresponding to the first gear train 66 of the first embodiment. The drive unit 60 may also include a gear for transmitting a driving force to the pair of discharge rollers 29, and an actuator other than the motor 61.

[0093] Example 3 An image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the layout of the sheet transport path inside the image forming apparatus is different from that of the first embodiment. In the following, elements with the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment have basically the same configurations and functions as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and the following mainly describes the parts that are different from the first embodiment.

[0094] 11 is a schematic diagram showing an XZ cross section of an image forming apparatus 200 according to Example 3. The image forming apparatus 100 has an apparatus main body 101, a process cartridge (not shown) including a photosensitive drum 1, and a feed tray 21. The apparatus main body 101 includes a housing 102, and a feed unit 22 held in the housing 102, a laser scanner 11, a conveying roller pair 24, a transfer roller 25, a fixing device 26, a discharge roller pair 29, and a motor 61. A discharge tray 30 and a side wall 30a are provided on the upper surface of the housing 102.

[0095] In this embodiment, the sheet transport path is formed so that the sheet S is transported from the transfer unit Nt to the fixing unit Nf in a substantially vertical direction (Z-axis direction). In other words, the image forming apparatus 200 has a so-called C-path type layout. The C-path type layout is a layout in which, when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction), the sheet S is fed toward one side in the horizontal direction (-X side), an image is formed while the sheet S is transported upward, and the sheet S is discharged toward the other side in the horizontal direction (+X side). Also, when viewed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the discharge tray 30 and the feed tray 21 overlap.

[0096] The motor 61 drives the photosensitive drum 1 and the pressure roller 27. In this embodiment as well, the motor 61 is arranged so as to overlap with the side wall 30a of the housing 102 when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction) (FIG. 6). Similarly to the first embodiment, the motor 61 is arranged outside the side wall 30a and inside the side plate of the housing 102. A drive transmission unit (corresponding to the first gear train 66 in the first embodiment) that transmits a drive force from the motor 61 to the photosensitive drum 1 and the pressure roller 27 is arranged outside the side plate 54.

[0097] Therefore, the arrangement of this embodiment can provide the same advantages as those of embodiment 1. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be made compact.

[0098] In this embodiment, in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) along the sheet conveying direction from the transfer unit Nt to the fixing unit Nf, the central axis A61 of the motor 61 is located between the rotation axis A1 of the photosensitive drum 1 and the rotation axis A2 of the pressure roller 27. With this arrangement, it is possible to shorten the distance between the motor 61, which is the drive source, and the photosensitive drum 1 and the pressure roller 27, which are the driven members. This makes it possible to reduce degradation of image quality (uneven density and magnification fluctuation in the sub-scanning direction) caused by fluctuations in the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 1 or the pressure roller 27.

[0099] Other Examples In each of the above-described embodiments, an image forming apparatus having only one process cartridge 10 has been exemplified, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus may have a plurality of cartridges each detachably attached to the apparatus main body 101. The plurality of cartridges are not limited to process cartridges, and may be developing cartridges corresponding to the developing unit 40, or toner cartridges containing replenishment developer (toner).

[0100] The configuration of the process cartridge 10 is not limited to that exemplified in the embodiment 1. The process cartridge 10 may have the photosensitive drum 1 and any one of a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means that act on the photosensitive drum 1.

[0101] The image forming apparatus may be provided with an image forming unit that is built into the apparatus main body 101 so as not to be detachable by the user, instead of the process cartridge 10 that is detachable by the user from the apparatus main body 101.

[0102] The image forming apparatus may include a plurality of image forming units and may form a color image using toners of a plurality of colors. The image forming apparatus may include a plurality of motors provided corresponding to the plurality of image forming units. In this case, it is preferable that at least one of the motors is arranged so as to overlap with the side wall 30a when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction).

[0103] The image forming apparatus is not limited to a single-function printer having only an image forming function (printing function), but may be a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine.

[0104] Summary of the Disclosure The present disclosure includes at least the following configurations or methods.

[0105] (Configuration 1) a housing capable of accommodating an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material; a discharge means for discharging the recording material to the outside of the housing; a motor disposed within the housing and configured to drive the image forming unit; Equipped with the housing includes a loading section on which the recording material discharged by the discharge means is loaded, and a wall surface that is provided at an end of the loading section in a width direction perpendicular to both a vertical direction and a discharge direction of the discharge means and extends upward beyond the loading section, The motor is disposed at a position overlapping with the wall surface when viewed in the width direction. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0106] (Configuration 2) The housing has a first side plate intersecting the width direction, The motor is supported by the first side plate and is disposed on the inside of the first side plate in the width direction. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

[0107] (Configuration 3) a drive transmission unit that transmits a drive force from the motor to the image forming unit, The drive transmission portion is disposed on the outer side of the first side plate in the width direction. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

[0108] (Configuration 4) The image forming unit is detachable from the housing. The housing has a second side plate intersecting the width direction, a space in which the image forming unit is mounted is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate in the width direction; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

[0109] (Configuration 5) When the image forming unit is attached to the housing, the motor and the image forming unit overlap each other when viewed in the width direction, and the motor and the image forming unit overlap each other when viewed in a mounting direction of the image forming unit relative to the housing. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,

[0110] (Configuration 6) the image forming unit has a developing frame that contains a developer, when the image forming unit is attached to the housing, the motor and the developing frame do not overlap each other when viewed in the width direction; 6. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5.

[0111] (Configuration 7) the image forming unit has a shape in which an end face of the image forming unit in the width direction at a first position in the mounting direction is retreated toward a center of the image forming unit in the width direction relative to an end face of the image forming unit at a second position upstream of the first position in the mounting direction. 7. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5 or 6.

[0112] (Configuration 8) The image forming apparatus further includes an exposure device that irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit with light, the housing includes a first frame and a second frame each connected to the first side plate and the second side plate, each supporting the exposure device, and disposed apart from each other in a mounting direction of the image forming unit; The motor is disposed between the first frame and the second frame in the mounting direction. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 4 to 7.

[0113] (Configuration 9) The motor overlaps with at least one of the first frame and the second frame when viewed in the mounting direction. 9. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8,

[0114] (Configuration 10) a protruding portion is provided on a bottom surface of the exposure device, the protruding portion protruding below an upper surface of the first frame and an upper surface of the second frame through a space between the first frame and the second frame, a recessed portion that is recessed downward and faces the protruding portion is provided on an upper surface of the image forming unit; 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9,

[0115] (Configuration 11) The image forming apparatus further includes an exposure device that irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit with light, the housing includes a first side plate intersecting the width direction, a second side plate intersecting the width direction and facing the first side plate in the width direction, and a first frame and a second frame connected to the first side plate and the second side plate, respectively; the first frame and the second frame each support the exposure device and are disposed apart from each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the width direction; The motor is disposed between the first frame and the second frame in the horizontal direction. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10.

[0116] (Configuration 12) The recording medium is further provided with a storage section in which the recording material is stored, The motor is disposed at a position overlapping the storage section when viewed in the vertical direction. 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11.

[0117] (Configuration 13) a transfer member which, together with the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit, forms a transfer portion where a toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to the recording material; a fixing device including a heating member, a heating unit for heating the heating member, and a pressure member forming a fixing section together with the heating member, the fixing section conveying the recording material while heating the toner image with the heating member; Further comprising: the motor drives and rotates the photosensitive drum and either the heating member or the pressure member; 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12.

[0118] (Configuration 14) a central shaft of the motor is located between a rotation axis of the photosensitive drum and one of the rotation axes of the heating member and the pressure member in a horizontal direction along a transport direction of the recording material from the transfer unit to the fixing unit; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13,

[0119] (Configuration 15) a central shaft of the motor is located between a rotation axis of the photosensitive drum and one of the rotation axes of the heating member and the pressure member in a horizontal direction along a transport direction of the recording material from the transfer unit to the fixing unit; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 29... discharge means (pair of discharge rollers) / 30... loading section (discharge tray) / 30a... wall surface (side wall) / 54... first side plate (side plate) / 55... second side plate (side plate) / 61... motor / 102... housing

Claims

1. a housing capable of accommodating an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material; a discharge means for discharging the recording material to the outside of the housing; a motor disposed within the housing and configured to drive the image forming unit; Equipped with the housing includes a loading section on which the recording material discharged by the discharge means is loaded, and a wall surface that is provided at an end of the loading section in a width direction perpendicular to both a vertical direction and a discharge direction of the discharge means and extends upward beyond the loading section, The motor is disposed at a position overlapping with the wall surface when viewed in the width direction.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The housing has a first side plate intersecting the width direction, The motor is supported by the first side plate and is disposed on an inner side of the first side plate in the width direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. a drive transmission unit that transmits a drive force from the motor to the image forming unit, The drive transmission portion is disposed on an outer side of the first side plate in the width direction.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

4. The image forming unit is detachable from the housing. The housing has a second side plate intersecting the width direction, a space in which the image forming unit is mounted is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate in the width direction; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

5. When the image forming unit is attached to the housing, the motor and the image forming unit overlap each other when viewed in the width direction, and the motor and the image forming unit overlap each other when viewed in a mounting direction of the image forming unit relative to the housing.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the image forming unit has a developing frame that contains a developer, when the image forming unit is attached to the housing, the motor and the developing frame do not overlap each other when viewed in the width direction; 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

7. the image forming unit has a shape in which an end face of the image forming unit in the width direction at a first position in the mounting direction is retreated toward a center of the image forming unit in the width direction relative to an end face of the image forming unit at a second position upstream of the first position in the mounting direction, 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

8. The image forming apparatus further includes an exposure device that irradiates light onto the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit to expose the photosensitive drum, the housing includes a first frame and a second frame connected to the first side plate and the second side plate, each supporting the exposure device, and disposed apart from each other in a mounting direction of the image forming unit; The motor is disposed between the first frame and the second frame in the mounting direction.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

9. The motor overlaps with at least one of the first frame and the second frame when viewed in the mounting direction.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

10. a protruding portion is provided on a bottom surface of the exposure device, the protruding portion protruding below an upper surface of the first frame and an upper surface of the second frame through a space between the first frame and the second frame, a recessed portion that is recessed downward and faces the protruding portion is provided on an upper surface of the image forming unit; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

11. The image forming apparatus further includes an exposure device that irradiates light onto the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit to expose the photosensitive drum, the housing includes a first side plate intersecting the width direction, a second side plate intersecting the width direction and facing the first side plate in the width direction, and a first frame and a second frame connected to the first side plate and the second side plate, respectively; the first frame and the second frame each support the exposure device and are disposed apart from each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the width direction; the motor is disposed between the first frame and the second frame in the horizontal direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

12. The recording medium is further provided with a storage section in which the recording material is stored, The motor is disposed at a position overlapping the storage section when viewed in the vertical direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

13. a transfer member which, together with the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit, forms a transfer portion where a toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to the recording material; a fixing device including a heating member, a heating unit for heating the heating member, and a pressure member forming a fixing section together with the heating member, the fixing section conveying the recording material while heating the toner image with the heating member; Further comprising: the motor drives and rotates the photosensitive drum and either the heating member or the pressure member; 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a multi-layered image forming apparatus.

14. a central shaft of the motor is located between a rotation axis of the photosensitive drum and one of the rotation axes of the heating member and the pressure member in a horizontal direction along a transport direction of the recording material from the transfer unit to the fixing unit; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

15. a central shaft of the motor is located between a rotation axis of the photosensitive drum and one of the rotation axes of the heating member and the pressure member in a horizontal direction along a transport direction of the recording material from the transfer unit to the fixing unit; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

Images