Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve operability in attaching / detaching a cartridge in an opening / closing cover provided at an opening to attach / detach the cartridge to / from an image forming apparatus main body.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes a device main body which can mount a cartridge in a mounting direction and has a body having an opening through which the cartridge is allowed to pass when mounted and an opening / closing member movable with respect to the body between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening. The opening / closing member has a first cover section facing an end face on an upstream side of the cartridge in the mounting direction and a second cover section facing a top face on the upstream side of the cartridge when the opening / closed member is at the closed position. The opening / closing member rotates downward with a rotation axis line at a lower end of the first cover section as a center when the opening / closing member is at the closed position so as to move from the closed position to the open position. The second cover section is configured to be slidable with respect to the first cover section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In conventional image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers using an electrophotographic or electrostatic recording system, there are some in which a process cartridge, which integrates a photosensitive drum as an image carrier and a developing unit, etc., is configured to be detachable from within the main body of the apparatus.

[0003] For example, some image forming apparatuses are provided with a large opening extending from the side to the top when the apparatus is installed in order to ensure visibility and access to the inside of the apparatus for the purpose of facilitating the installation and removal of a process cartridge, etc. In such image forming apparatuses, it is necessary to cover two surfaces, the side and the top, with an openable / closable cover that corresponds to the opening.

[0004] Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication 2005-195704A) discloses an example of such an opening / closing cover. Such an opening / closing cover is generally rotatable around one rotation axis, and has surfaces covering the front side and the top side formed as an integral part. Patent Document 1 also discloses a configuration in which the member covering the front side and the member covering the top side of the opening / closing cover are each formed as separate parts, and the two parts are arranged to be able to swing relative to each other. In this opening / closing cover, the top side cover is spring-biased toward the inside of the product, so that the angle between the front side cover and the top side cover when the opening / closing cover is in the open state is smaller than when the opening / closing cover is in the closed state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-195704 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in a configuration in which the front and top covering surfaces are integrated, when opening the cover to install or remove a cartridge such as a process cartridge, toner cartridge, or developing cartridge, the top cover is located close to the installation / removal operation area, narrowing the operation space, which can make it difficult for the operator to hold the grip of the cartridge.

[0007] In addition, in a cover structure in which the surfaces covering the front side and the top side can swing relative to each other, the top cover, which has been biased to swing toward the inside of the device, must be pushed back to the correct position during the process of closing the cover. This makes it difficult to set a large swing amount when the cover is open. This makes it difficult to sufficiently move the top cover away from the mounting and dismounting path of the process cartridge, and as with the former integral cover structure, reduces the ease of mounting and dismounting the cartridge.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to improve the ease of attachment and detachment in an opening cover provided at an opening for attaching and detaching a cartridge to and from an image forming apparatus main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus, A cartridge; an apparatus main body into which the cartridge can be mounted in a mounting direction, the apparatus main body including a housing having an opening through which the cartridge passes when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member movable with respect to the housing between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; Equipped with The opening and closing member is a first cover portion that faces an upstream end face of the cartridge in the mounting direction when the cartridge is in the closed position, and a second cover portion that faces an upstream top face of the cartridge in the mounting direction, the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position by rotating downward about a rotation axis at a lower end of the first cover part when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, The second cover portion is configured to be slidable relative to the first cover portion. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus, comprising: A cartridge; an apparatus main body into which the cartridge can be mounted in a mounting direction, the apparatus main body including a housing having an opening through which the cartridge passes when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member movable with respect to the housing between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; Equipped with The opening and closing member is a first cover portion that faces an upstream end face of the cartridge in the mounting direction when the cartridge is in the closed position, and a second cover portion that faces an upstream top face of the cartridge in the mounting direction, the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position by rotating in a first rotation direction downward around a first rotation axis at a lower end of the first cover part when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, When the second cover part has a first posture relative to the first cover part when the opening / closing member is in the closed position and faces the top surface of the cartridge, the second cover part is configured to be able to take a second posture rotated in the first rotation direction relative to the first cover part about a second rotation axis extending in the direction of the first rotation axis. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, in the opening / closing cover provided at the opening for mounting and removing the cartridge to and from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the operability of mounting and removing the cartridge can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a printer according to a first embodiment with an opening / closing cover closed; FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a printer with an opening / closing cover open according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view showing a state in which an upper surface slide part of the first embodiment is slid; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a state in which a cartridge is being removed according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a printer according to a second embodiment with the opening / closing cover closed; [Figure 6] 11 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a printer according to a second embodiment with the opening / closing cover open; [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the upper surface rotating part of the second embodiment rotated to a rotation position; [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are a sectional view and a perspective view of a state in which a cartridge of a second embodiment is being removed; [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view showing a state in which a cartridge and an upper rotating portion of a second embodiment are in contact with each other; [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a printer according to a third embodiment with the opening / closing cover closed; [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a printer according to a third embodiment with the opening / closing cover open; [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are a sectional view and a perspective view of a state in which a cartridge of a third embodiment is being removed; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, and the like of the members once described in the following description are the same as those described initially unless otherwise specified. Well-known or publicly known technologies in the relevant technical field can be applied to configurations and processes that are not particularly illustrated or described. Furthermore, duplicated descriptions may be omitted.

[0013] [Image forming device] First, a printer P will be described as an image forming apparatus to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. A schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] FIG. 1(a) shows a monochrome electrophotographic printer equipped with an image forming unit for forming a toner image. 1(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a laser beam printer (hereinafter, referred to as a "printer P").

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the printer P is equipped with a cassette 1 (second sheet stacking section) that is detachably attached to the front side of the device, which is the right side in the figure, relative to the device main body 100. Sheet materials S stored in the cassette 1 as recording materials on which images are to be formed are separated and fed one by one by a feed roller 2 and a separation pad 3 that is in pressure contact with the feed roller 2. The separated sheet materials S are supplied to a nip portion between a photosensitive drum 5a and a transfer roller 6 provided in the conveying path by a conveying roller pair 4, and a toner image corresponding to image information formed on the photosensitive drum 5a is transferred to the sheet material S by the transfer roller 6, after which the sheet material S is conveyed to a fixing roller pair 7.

[0016] When the sheet material S is conveyed to a pair of fixing rollers 7, which is a toner fixing means, the toner image transferred onto the surface of the sheet material S is heated and pressurized and fixed onto the sheet material S as it passes through the nip portion of the pair of fixing rollers 7. Thereafter, the sheet material S is discharged, with the toner image surface facing downward, via a pair of discharge rollers 8 to a sheet material stacking portion 9, which is a stacking portion for stacking sheet materials, on the upper surface of the printer P, and the image forming operation is completed.

[0017] The process cartridge 5 is integrally assembled together with the photosensitive drum 5a, the charging roller 5b, the developing roller 5c, etc., and is configured to be detachably attached to the main body 100 of the apparatus.

[0018] In the image forming process, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5a, which serves as an image carrier having a photosensitive layer on its surface, is uniformly charged by the charging roller 5b. Next, a laser beam corresponding to image information is emitted from the laser scanner 10, passes through the laser beam path 10a, is reflected by the reflecting mirror 10b, and is irradiated and exposed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5a to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is then developed into a visible image by the toner by the developing roller 5c.

[0019] First Embodiment [1-(1) Opening and closing cover] Next, the opening / closing cover 11 as an opening / closing member to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Figures 1(a)(b) and 2(a)(b). Figures 1(a)(b) show the opening / closing cover 11 of the printer P in a closed state (closed state). In the closed state, the opening / closing cover 11 closes the opening 12. Figures 2(a)(b) show the opening / closing cover 11 in an open state (open state). In the open state, the opening / closing cover 11 opens the opening 12, thereby allowing the process cartridge 5 to be inserted into the apparatus main body 100. The opening 12 allows the process cartridge 5 to pass through when the process cartridge 5 is attached to the printer P. In this manner, the opening / closing cover 11 is a member that can move between an open position and a closed position. FIG. 2(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer P, and FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view. Hereinafter, FIG. 2(a) will be referred to as a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer P, and FIG. 2(b) will be referred to as a perspective view of the printer P.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1(a)(b) and 2(a)(b), the printer P is provided with a sheet material stacking section 9 (sheet stacking section) on the upper surface of the device main body 100, on which sheet material S discharged from a pair of discharge rollers 8 (discharge rollers) is stacked, and an opening / closing cover 11 is provided on the front side of the printer P.

[0021] The sheet material stacking section 9 is provided with a notch 9a at the leading end side in the sheet material S discharge direction, which forms a part of an opening 12 for accessing the inside of the printer P. The opening / closing cover 11 is provided with a front cover section 11a that covers the front side of the printer P and an upper surface slide section 11b that covers the notch 9a, and the upper surface slide section 11b is arranged to be slidable with respect to the front cover section 11a. The opening / closing cover 11 can rotate around the rotation axis of a rotation shaft 11c provided at the lower end of the front cover section 11a. When in a closed state, the opening / closing cover 11 can move to an open position by rotating downward around the rotation axis (direction R in FIG. 2(a)). It is configured to open and close the opening 12. The opening 12 is an opening provided in a housing 101 of the apparatus main body 100 as an access path through which the process cartridge 5 passes when it is attached or detached, and is formed across a side portion and an upper portion of the housing 101. By opening and closing the opening cover 11 as described below, the state of the opening 12 is switched between an open state in which the process cartridge 5 is allowed to pass through and a closed state in which the opening cover 11 covers the opening 12 .

[0022] In the closed state of the opening / closing cover 11 in Figs. 1(a) and (b), the upper surface slide portion 11b is in a closed position where it protrudes from the front cover portion 11a by the biasing force of the biasing means 11f and blocks the notch portion 9a, and is configured to block the front side of the printer P and the notch portion 9a. At this time, the upper surface slide portion 11b as the second cover portion covers an area corresponding to the upper surface portion of the housing 101 in the opening 12. Here, as shown in Fig. 2(a), the mounting direction of the process cartridge 5 is D. Then, when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the closed position as shown in Fig. 1(a), the upper surface slide portion 11b faces the upper surface 5k on the upstream side of the process cartridge 5 in the mounting direction D. Also, the front cover portion 11a as the first cover portion covers an area corresponding to the side portion of the housing 101 in the opening 12. That is, when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1(a), the front cover portion 11a faces an upstream end face 5m of the process cartridge 5 in the mounting direction D.

[0023] When the opening / closing cover 11 is closed, the movement of the top slide part 11b is restricted by the action of a locking means (not shown) so that the top slide part 11b cannot slide relative to the opening / closing cover 11. The positional relationship between the top slide part 11b and the front cover part 11a in FIG. 1(a) is also referred to as the reference positional relationship. The reference positional relationship is the positional relationship between the top slide part 11b and the front cover part 11a when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the closed position (the position where the opening 12 is in the closed state). In this embodiment, the reference positional relationship is not necessarily only when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the closed position, but can also be when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the open position (the position where the opening 12 is in the open state) as shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0024] In this embodiment, the upper surface slide portion 11b is configured as part of the sheet material stacking section 9 and also has the function of supporting the stacking of sheet material S discharged from the pair of discharge rollers 8, but whether or not to stack sheet material S on the upper surface slide portion 11b can be selected arbitrarily depending on the device configuration of the printer P.

[0025] 2(a) and 2(b) in the open state, the opening / closing cover 11 rotates about a rotation shaft 11c as a fulcrum, thereby exposing an opening 12 formed by the front side of the printer P and the cutout portion 9a. A user can then insert and remove (attach / detach) the above-mentioned process cartridge 5 into / from the inside of the printer P through the opening 12. In this embodiment, the image forming unit detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100 may be not only an integrated process cartridge, but also a replaceable unit such as a toner cartridge, a drum cartridge, or a developing toner cartridge.

[0026] When the opening / closing cover 11 is open, the above-mentioned restriction on the movement of the upper surface slide portion 11b is released, and the upper surface slide portion 11b is in a state in which it can slide relative to the front cover portion 11a. The upper surface slide portion 11b is biased in the sliding protruding direction by the biasing means 11f, and is held in the protruding position in the natural state, and slides away in the direction approaching the front cover portion 11a only when a force of a predetermined value or more is applied. The positional relationship between the upper surface slide portion 11b and the front cover portion 11a in FIG. 3(a) is also called the retracted positional relationship. The retracted positional relationship is a positional relationship that can be taken only when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the open position, and is a positional relationship in which the upper surface slide portion 11b is retracted from the trajectory that the process cartridge 5 passes through when it is attached or detached.

[0027] [1-(2) Installing and Removing the Process Cartridge] The installation and removal of the process cartridge 5 of the printer P will be described with reference to Figures 3(a)(b) and 4(a)(b). Figures 3(a)(b) are explanatory diagrams showing a state in which the openable cover 11 is open and the upper slide portion 11b has been slid to a storage position where it is stored on the front cover portion 11a side by an external force (direction Q) applied by the hand H of the operator of the printer P. Figures 4(a)(b) are explanatory diagrams showing a state in which the process cartridge 5 is removed from the state shown in Figures 3(a)(b).

[0028] 3(a) and 3(b), in this embodiment, a grip portion 5d is provided in the center in the width direction of the process cartridge 5. The process cartridge 5 mounted inside the printer P is exposed at the opening 12, and the grip portion 5d can be seen from above the cutout portion 9a.

[0029] The process cartridge 5 is configured with a trajectory that allows it to be pulled out in an upward, frontward direction relative to the printer P, and is detached and attached as required by the operator of the device.

[0030] 3(a)(b) and 4(a)(b) in the open state of the opening / closing cover 11, the upper surface slide portion 11b is moved from the protruding position to a retracted position approaching the front cover portion 11a by the operator's hand H. As a result, the upper surface slide portion 11b is retracted from the vicinity of the insertion / removal trajectory of the process cartridge 5, making it possible to increase the operation space on the front side of the process cartridge 5. As a result, when the process cartridge 5 is pulled out of the printer P in the upper right direction in the figure (direction E in FIG. 4(a)), a sufficient clearance can be secured between the operator's hand H gripping the grip portion 5d and the upper surface slide portion 11b.

[0031] Thus, according to this embodiment, when the opening / closing cover that opens and closes the opening for accessing the process cartridge within the image forming apparatus main body is opened, the opening is widely exposed while at the same time ensuring visibility of the process cartridge within the opening and improving the operability of attaching and removing it.

[0032] In addition, when the upper slide portion 11b is moved to the storage position, it engages with the front cover portion 11a to prevent sliding movement, and when the opening / closing cover 11 is closed from the open state, the engagement with the front cover portion 11a is released, allowing it to move in the sliding protrusion direction.

[0033] Also, when the opening-closing cover 11 is open, the gravity acting on the top surface slide portion 11b exceeds the biasing force of the biasing means 11f, and the top surface slide portion 11b can be configured to automatically slide back. Alternatively, when the opening-closing cover 11 is open and the user moves the top surface slide portion 11b to the storage position, the top surface slide portion 11b can be fixed to the storage position against the biasing force of the biasing means 11f by the operation of a locking mechanism (not shown). In that case, when the user closes the opening-closing cover 11, the user can release the locking mechanism to slide the top surface slide portion 11b.

[0034] <Second embodiment> Next, the configuration of the opening / closing cover 11 of the image forming apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 5(a) to 8(b). Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) show the opening / closing cover 11 of the printer P in a closed state. In the closed state, the opening / closing cover 11 closes the opening 12. Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) show the opening / closing cover 11 of the printer P in an open state. In the open state, the opening / closing cover 11 opens the opening 12, so that the process cartridge 5 can pass through the opening 12 when the process cartridge 5 is mounted in the apparatus main body 100. In this way, the opening / closing cover 11 is a member that can move between an open position and a closed position. Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) are explanatory diagrams of the opening / closing cover 11 in an open state, with the upper surface rotation part 11d rotated to a rotation position from the state of Figs. 6(a) and 7(b). Figs. 8(a) and 8(b) are explanatory diagrams of the state in which the process cartridge 5 is removed from the state of Figs. 7(a) and 7(b). 9(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the state in which the process cartridge 5 and the upper surface rotating portion 11d are in contact with each other when being removed. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and will not be described. Each figure (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer P, and each figure (b) is a perspective view of the printer P.

[0035] [2-(1) Opening and closing cover] As shown in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b), an opening / closing cover 11 is disposed on the front side of the printer P, as in the first embodiment. The opening / closing cover 11 includes a front cover portion 11a as a first cover portion that covers the front side of the printer P, and an upper surface rotating portion 11d as a second cover portion that covers the notch portion 9a. The opening / closing cover 11 can rotate around a first rotation axis, which is the axis of a rotating shaft 11c provided at the lower end of the front cover portion 11a. When the opening / closing cover 11 is in a closed state, it can move to an open position by rotating downward around the first rotation axis (first rotation direction R in Fig. 6(a)). Moreover, the upper surface rotating portion 11d in Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) has a second rotating shaft 11e, and the second rotation axis, which is the axis of the second rotating shaft 11e, extends in the same direction as the first rotation axis, which is the axis of the rotating shaft 11c. Therefore, the upper surface rotating portion 11d is rotatable in the same direction as the first rotation direction around the second axis of the second rotating shaft 11e relative to the front cover portion 11a.

[0036] In the closed state of the opening / closing cover 11 in FIG. 5(a)(b), the upper surface rotating part 11d is in a closing position where the opening 12 is closed at an angle of approximately right angles to the front cover part 11a by a biasing member (not shown), and is configured to close the front side of the printer P and the notch part 9a. At this time, the upper surface rotating part 11d as the second cover part covers an area corresponding to the upper surface part of the housing 101 in the opening 12. Here, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the mounting direction of the process cartridge 5 is D. Then, when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 5(a), the upper surface rotating part 11d faces the upper surface 5k on the upstream side of the process cartridge 5 in the mounting direction D. Also, the front cover part 11a as the first cover part covers an area corresponding to the side part of the housing 101 in the opening 12. That is, when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 5(a), the front cover part 11a faces the end surface 5m on the upstream side of the process cartridge 5 in the mounting direction D.

[0037] When the opening / closing cover 11 is closed, the upper surface rotating portion 11d is in contact with the printer P (not shown). The upper surface rotation part 11d is restricted from rotating relative to the opening / closing cover 11 due to an engagement relationship with another cover. When the upper surface rotation part 11d is in a positional relationship with the front cover part 11a as shown in FIG. 5(a), the upper surface rotation part 11d is in a first position with respect to the front cover part 11. When the opening / closing cover 11 is in a closed state as shown in FIG. 5(a), the upper surface rotation part 11d is in the first position and faces the upper surface 5k of the process cartridge 5. However, as shown in FIG. 6(a), even when the opening / closing cover 11 is in an open position (a position where the opening 12 is in an open state), the upper surface rotation part 11d can be in the first position.

[0038] 6(a)(b) in the open state of the opening-closing cover 11, the opening-closing cover 11 rotates about the rotation shaft 11c as a fulcrum to expose the opening 12. In this state, the top surface rotation part 11d is no longer engaged with another cover (not shown) and is not subject to rotation restrictions, so it is in a state in which it can freely rotate in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in FIG. 6(a)(b) relative to the front cover part 11a. In addition, it is configured so that it automatically returns to an angular state approximately at a right angle with the front cover part 11a by a biasing member (not shown).

[0039] [2-(2) Installing and Removing the Process Cartridge] The installation and removal of the process cartridge 5 in the printer P will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), 8(a) and 8(b), and 9(a) and 9(b).

[0040] 7(a) and 7(b), when the opening / closing cover 11 is open, the process cartridge 5 installed inside the printer P is exposed at the opening 12, and a user can see the grip portion 5d from above the printer P. In addition, the process cartridge 5 is provided with ribs 5e protruding from the photosensitive drum 5a on both ends in the width direction near the lower side of the photosensitive drum 5a.

[0041] 7(a)(b) and 8(a)(b) show a state in which the upper surface rotating part 11d is pushed down by the operator's hand H after the opening cover 11 is opened (direction T). The upper surface rotating part 11d can freely rotate and follow the operation area through which the operator's hand H can pass during the installation and removal operation of the process cartridge 5. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface rotating part 11d does not interfere with the installation and removal operation of the operator. The posture in which the upper surface rotating part 11d rotates around the second rotation axis with respect to the front cover part 11a as in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 8(a) is called the second posture. The second posture is a positional relationship in which the upper surface rotating part 11d is retracted from the trajectory through which the process cartridge 5 passes during installation and removal.

[0042] 9(a) and 9(b), in the process of removing or attaching the process cartridge 5, the rib portion 5e provided on the bottom surface of the process cartridge 5 comes into contact with and pushes down the upper surface rotation portion 11d. This causes the upper surface rotation portion 11d to move out of the path of the process cartridge 5 being pulled out, and prevents the photosensitive drum 5a and the upper surface rotation portion 11d from interfering with each other.

[0043] As described above, throughout all steps of the installation and removal operation of the process cartridge 5, the upper surface rotation portion 11d can be rotated to a position retracted from the installation and removal operation area.

[0044] In this embodiment, the rib portion 5e is provided on the process cartridge 5, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the housing of the printer P or the opening and closing cover 11 may be provided with a shape having the same function as the rib portion 5e.

[0045] <Third embodiment> Next, the configuration of the opening / closing cover 11 of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10(a) to 12(b). In the closed state, the opening / closing cover 11 closes the opening 12. In Fig. 11(a) and (b), the opening / closing cover 11 of the printer P is in an open state. In the open state, the opening / closing cover 11 opens the opening 12, so that the process cartridge 5 can pass through the opening 12 when the process cartridge 5 is attached to the apparatus main body 100. In this way, the opening / closing cover 11 is a member that can move between an open position and a closed position. The opening / closing cover 11 can rotate about a first rotation axis provided on a rotation shaft 11c provided at the lower end of the front cover part 11a. Fig. 12(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of a state in which the opening / closing cover 11 is in an open state and the process cartridge 5 is removed from the state shown in Fig. 11(a) and (b). Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted. In each figure, (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer P, and (b) is a perspective view of the printer P.

[0046] [3-(1) Opening and closing cover] 10(a) and 10(b), the printer P is provided with an opening / closing cover 11 consisting of a front cover portion 11a and an upper surface rotating portion 11d. The printer P also has an opening / closing link portion 13 having a first link shaft 13a and a second link shaft 13b. The housing 101 of the printer P is connected to the first link shaft 13a, and the upper surface rotating portion 11d is connected to the second link shaft 13b, so that the rotation state of the upper surface rotating portion 11d can be switched via the opening / closing link portion 13.

[0047] When the opening / closing cover 11 is closed as shown in Figs. 10(a) and 10(b), the opening / closing link portion 13 restricts the upper surface rotation portion 11d to a closing position where the upper surface rotation portion 11d closes the notch portion 9a that is approximately perpendicular to the front cover portion 11a. At this time, the upper surface rotation portion 11d as the second cover portion covers an area corresponding to the upper surface portion of the housing 101 in the opening 12. That is, the upper surface rotation portion 11d faces the upper surface 5k on the upstream side of the process cartridge 5 in the mounting direction D. The front cover portion 11a as the first cover portion covers an area corresponding to the side surface portion of the housing 101 in the opening 12. That is, the front cover portion 11a faces the end surface 5m on the upstream side of the process cartridge 5 in the mounting direction D. When the upper surface rotation portion 11d is in a positional relationship with the front cover portion 11a as shown in Fig. 10(a), the upper surface rotation portion 11d is said to be in a first position with respect to the front cover portion 11. That is, when the opening / closing cover 11 is in the closed state, the top surface rotation portion 11d is in the first position.

[0048] 11(a) and 11(b) in the open state of the opening / closing cover 11, the opening / closing link portion 13 restricts the upper surface rotation portion 11d to move to a position where it is folded at an acute angle toward the front cover portion 11a. The position of the upper surface rotation portion 11d relative to the front cover portion 11a in FIG. 11(a) is called the second position. The second position is a positional relationship in which the upper surface rotation portion 11d is retracted from the path that the process cartridge 5 passes through when it is attached or detached.

[0049] [3-(2) Installing and Removing the Process Cartridge] 11(a)(b) and 12(a)(b) will be used to explain the installation and removal of the process cartridge 5 in the printer P. As shown in Figs. 11(a)(b), when the opening and closing cover 11 is open, the process cartridge 5 installed inside the printer P is exposed to the opening 12, and the grip portion 5d can be seen from above the printer P.

[0050] 11(a) and 11(b) is in the open position due to the opening / closing link portion 13. In this state, the upper surface rotation portion 11d is retracted from the vicinity of the path along which the process cartridge 5 is pulled out, so that the operational space on the front side of the process cartridge 5 can be increased.

[0051] Next, in FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b), an operator grasps the gripping portion 5d of the process cartridge 5 and The cartridge is being pulled out from the printer P in the upper right direction in the figure. In this state, the upper surface rotating portion 11d is retracted from the front side of the process cartridge 5, so that the operator's hand H gripping the grip portion 5d does not interfere with the upper surface rotating portion 11d.

[0052] As described above, in conjunction with the opening operation of the opening / closing cover 11, the top surface rotation portion 11d can be rotated to a position retracted from the attachment / detachment operation area.

[0053] In this embodiment, the top surface rotation portion 11d rotates in conjunction with the opening action of the opening / closing cover 11 by the opening / closing link portion 13, but the top surface rotation portion 11d may also be configured to slide in conjunction with the opening and closing action of the opening / closing cover 11.

[0054] [Configuration 1] An image forming apparatus, A cartridge; an apparatus main body into which the cartridge can be mounted in a mounting direction, the apparatus main body including a housing having an opening through which the cartridge passes when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member movable with respect to the housing between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; Equipped with The opening and closing member is a first cover portion that faces an upstream end face of the cartridge in the mounting direction when the cartridge is in the closed position, and a second cover portion that faces an upstream top face of the cartridge in the mounting direction, the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position by rotating downward about a rotation axis at a lower end of the first cover part when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, The second cover portion is configured to be slidable relative to the first cover portion. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: [Configuration 2] The second cover portion is biased by a biasing means in a direction in which the second cover portion protrudes relative to the first cover portion, and when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the biasing force of the biasing means causes the second cover portion to be disposed in a position facing the top surface of the cartridge. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, [Configuration 3] When the opening / closing member is in the open position, the second cover portion slides by gravity in a direction approaching the first cover portion against the biasing force. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, [Configuration 4] An image forming apparatus, A cartridge; an apparatus main body into which the cartridge can be mounted in a mounting direction, the apparatus main body including a housing having an opening through which the cartridge passes when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member movable with respect to the housing between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; Equipped with The opening and closing member is a first cover portion that faces an upstream end face of the cartridge in the mounting direction when the cartridge is in the closed position, and a second cover portion that faces an upstream top face of the cartridge in the mounting direction, When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the opening / closing member rotates in a first rotation direction downward about a first rotation axis at the lower end of the first cover portion, thereby moving from the closed position to the open position. Go to When the second cover part has a first posture relative to the first cover part when the opening / closing member is in the closed position and faces the top surface of the cartridge, the second cover part is configured to be able to take a second posture rotated in the first rotation direction relative to the first cover part about a second rotation axis extending in the direction of the first rotation axis. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: [Configuration 5] When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the second cover portion is engaged with the housing, thereby restricting the position of the second cover portion to take the first attitude relative to the first cover portion. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, [Configuration 6] When the opening / closing member is in the open position, an external force is applied to the second cover portion, causing the second cover portion to take the second position relative to the first cover portion. 6. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5. [Configuration 7] When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the second cover portion rotates relative to the first cover portion in conjunction with an operation of the first cover portion rotating in a first rotation direction, whereby the second cover portion takes the second posture relative to the first cover portion. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, [Configuration 8] The second cover portion is linked to the housing. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, [Configuration 9] a sheet stacking section exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus; and a discharge roller that conveys the sheet on which the image is formed in a discharge direction and discharges the sheet onto the sheet stacking section, When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, an upper surface of the first cover portion is a part of the sheet stacking portion. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. [Configuration 10] a sheet stacking section exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus; and a discharge roller that conveys the sheet on which the image is formed in a discharge direction and discharges the sheet onto the sheet stacking section, When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the first cover portion forms a part of an end surface of the image forming apparatus on a downstream side in the ejection direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. [Configuration 11] The sheet conveying device further includes a second sheet stacking section for stacking sheets, and a feed roller for feeding the sheets from the second sheet stacking section in a feeding direction, The feeding direction is opposite to the ejection direction. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 5: process cartridge, 11: opening and closing cover, 11a: front cover portion, 11b: upper surface slide portion, 11c: rotation shaft, 12: opening, P: printer

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, A cartridge; an apparatus main body into which the cartridge can be mounted in a mounting direction, the apparatus main body including a housing having an opening through which the cartridge passes when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member movable with respect to the housing between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; Equipped with The opening and closing member is a first cover portion that faces an end face of the cartridge on an upstream side in the mounting direction when the cartridge is in the closed position, and a second cover portion that faces an upper surface of the cartridge on the upstream side, the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position by rotating downward about a rotation axis at a lower end of the first cover portion when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, The second cover portion is configured to be slidable relative to the first cover portion.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The second cover portion is biased by a biasing means in a direction in which the second cover portion protrudes relative to the first cover portion, and when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the biasing force of the biasing means causes the second cover portion to be disposed in a position facing the top surface of the cartridge.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. When the opening / closing member is in the open position, the second cover portion slides by gravity in a direction approaching the first cover portion against the biasing force.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

4. An image forming apparatus, A cartridge; an apparatus main body into which the cartridge can be mounted in a mounting direction, the apparatus main body including a housing having an opening through which the cartridge passes when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member movable with respect to the housing between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; Equipped with The opening and closing member is a first cover portion that faces an end face of the cartridge on an upstream side in the mounting direction when the cartridge is in the closed position, and a second cover portion that faces an upper surface of the cartridge on the upstream side, the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position by rotating in a first rotation direction downward around a first rotation axis at a lower end of the first cover portion when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, When the opening / closing member is in the closed position and faces the top surface of the cartridge, the second cover portion is configured to be able to take a second posture in which the second cover portion is rotated in the first rotation direction relative to the first cover portion about a second rotation axis extending in the direction of the first rotation axis, in a first posture relative to the first cover portion.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

5. When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the second cover portion is engaged with the housing, whereby the position of the second cover portion is restricted so as to take the first attitude with respect to the first cover portion.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. When the opening / closing member is in the open position, an external force is applied to the second cover portion, causing the second cover portion to take the second position relative to the first cover portion.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

7. When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the second cover portion rotates relative to the first cover portion in conjunction with an operation of the first cover portion rotating in a first rotation direction, whereby the second cover portion takes the second posture relative to the first cover portion.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

8. The second cover portion is linked to the housing.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

9. a sheet stacking section exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus; and a discharge roller that conveys the sheet on which the image is formed in a discharge direction and discharges the sheet onto the sheet stacking section, When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the upper surface of the first cover portion is a part of the sheet stacking portion.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a multi-color image forming apparatus.

10. a sheet stacking section exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus; and a discharge roller that conveys the sheet on which the image is formed in a discharge direction and discharges the sheet onto the sheet stacking section, When the opening / closing member is in the closed position, the first cover portion forms a part of an end surface of the image forming apparatus on a downstream side in the ejection direction.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a multi-color image forming apparatus.

11. a second sheet stacking section for stacking sheets, and a feed roller for feeding the sheets from the second sheet stacking section in a feeding direction, The feeding direction is opposite to the ejection direction.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

Images