Image forming apparatus and cartridge

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can improve the degree of freedom in the arrangement of a link and an electric contact.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 has: an apparatus body 2; a process cartridge 50 that is removably mounted in the apparatus body 2, and has a toner memory 57 having an electric contact surface 57a; a fuser 6 that has a heating unit 61 and fixes a toner image to a sheet S; a shutter 64 that is movable to a closed position where it covers an upstream in the sheet conveyance direction of the heating unit 61 and to an open position where it opens the upstream in the sheet conveyance direction of the heating unit 61; a link 8 that is connected to the shutter 64 and is in contact with the process cartridge 50 to move the shutter 64 to the closed position and the open position; and an electric contact 26 that is in contact with the electric contact surface 57a of the toner memory 57. In the apparatus body 2, in the left-and-right direction, the link 8 is located on the right side of the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus body 2, and the electric contact 26 is located on the left side of the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus having a removable cartridge, a shutter is provided in front of the fixing unit having a heating portion to prevent a user's hand from touching the fixing unit.

[0003] For example, the image forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a link that is connected to the shutter and can abut against the cartridge. When the cartridge is installed, the link abuts against the cartridge and moves, and the shutter opens in accordance with the movement of the link. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6961471 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, in an image forming apparatus in which the shutter is opened and closed by a link that abuts against the cartridge, the link must be located outside the sheet passage area in the apparatus body so as not to impede the passage of the sheet. The cartridge is provided with a link abutment portion that abuts against the link and a memory that stores information about the cartridge, and the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus is provided with an electrical contact that contacts the memory.

[0006] In this way, in the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to provide a link and an electrical contact that contact the cartridge, but since there are limitations on where these parts can be arranged, it is necessary to devise an arrangement position for them. The same applies to the link abutment portion and memory provided on the cartridge.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that allows greater freedom in the layout of links and electrical contacts, and a cartridge that allows greater freedom in the layout of link contact portions and memories. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image forming apparatus that solves the above problem has the following features.

[0009] That is, the image forming apparatus has an apparatus main body, a cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body, the cartridge having an electrical contact surface and a memory capable of storing information about the cartridge, a fixer having a heating unit and fixing a toner image to a sheet, a shutter that is movable between a closed position that covers the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet transport direction and an open position that opens the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet transport direction, a link connected to the shutter that abuts against the cartridge to move the shutter between the closed position and the open position, and an electrical contact that contacts the electrical contact surface of the memory, and in a direction perpendicular to the attachment and detachment direction of the cartridge, the link is located on a first side with respect to the center of the cartridge attached to the apparatus main body, and the electrical contact is located on a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the center of the cartridge attached to the apparatus main body.

[0010] In this way, by arranging the link and the electrical contacts on opposite sides of the cartridge, the degree of freedom in arrangement is improved, and the link and the electrical contacts can be easily arranged.

[0011] In addition, the cartridge has a holder that holds the memory and a holder spring that urges the holder in a direction in which the electrical contact surface contacts the electrical contact, the device main body has a guide that presses the holder toward the side in which the electrical contact surface contacts the electrical contact when the cartridge is attached, the link has an abutment portion that abuts against the cartridge, and the abutment portion is positioned at a position where the abutment portion and the cartridge abut at a timing different from the timing at which the guide presses the holder during the process of attaching the cartridge.

[0012] When the link and cartridge come into contact with each other and when the guide presses the holder, operational resistance is generated in the cartridge during installation. However, the timing at which the link and cartridge come into contact with each other is different from the timing at which the guide presses the holder. Therefore, when the cartridge is installed, it is possible to prevent the operational resistance when the link and cartridge come into contact with each other and the operational resistance when the guide presses the holder from overlapping to produce a large operational resistance.

[0013] In addition, in a detached state in which the cartridge has been detached from the device main body, the shutter is in a closed position, and in the process of attaching the cartridge to the device main body, the link abuts against the cartridge and moves, and then separates from the cartridge before the cartridge is in an attached state, and after the link and the cartridge have separated, the link moves further independently of the cartridge, thereby moving the shutter from the closed position to the open position, and after the link and the cartridge have separated, the guide presses the holder against the biasing force of the holder spring, and when the cartridge is in an attached state, the electrical contact surface and the electrical contact come into contact.

[0014] In this way, after the link and cartridge are separated, movement of the link moves the shutter to the open position, and movement of the cartridge brings the electrical contact surface into contact with the electrical contacts, thereby preventing the movement of the cartridge from affecting the movement of the shutter to the open position and preventing the movement of the link from affecting the contact between the electrical contact surface and the electrical contacts.

[0015] The cartridge further includes a biasing member for biasing the link, the biasing member having a biasing spring and a pressing portion that is pressed by the biasing spring and abuts against the link, the link having a protrusion that protrudes toward the biasing member and has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the movement direction of the link, and after the link and the cartridge are separated, the pressing portion that is pressed by the biasing spring abuts against the inclined surface of the protrusion, thereby biasing the link in the movement direction and moving the shutter to the open position.

[0016] This allows the link to be moved by the biasing member after the link and the cartridge are separated from each other.

[0017] In addition, the cartridge has a holder that holds the memory and a holder spring that biases the electrical contact surface in a direction that contacts the electrical contact, and the device main body has a guide that presses the holder toward the side where the electrical contact surface contacts the electrical contact when the cartridge is attached, and the link has an abutment portion that abuts against the cartridge, and the abutment portion is positioned at a position where the abutment portion and the cartridge abut at a timing different from the timing at which the guide presses the holder during the process of removing the cartridge.

[0018] When the link and cartridge come into contact with each other and when the guide presses the holder, an operational resistance is generated in the cartridge being removed. However, the timing at which the link and cartridge come into contact with each other is different from the timing at which the guide presses the holder. Therefore, when removing the cartridge, it is possible to prevent the operational resistance when the link and cartridge come into contact with each other and the operational resistance when the guide presses the holder from overlapping to produce a large operational resistance.

[0019] The cartridge also has a photosensitive drum that rotates around a drum shaft, and the link abuts against the drum shaft.

[0020] As a result, the movement of the drum shaft abutting against the link is transmitted to the shutter via the link, so that even if the distance between the mounting position of the cartridge in the device body and the shutter is large, the driving force can be transmitted efficiently to the shutter.

[0021] The cartridge is a cartridge that is detachable from an image forming device and has a device main body, a fixer having a heating unit and fixing a toner image to a sheet, a shutter that is movable between a closed position that covers the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet transport direction and an open position that opens the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet transport direction, a link connected to the shutter, and electrical contacts, and has a memory that has an electrical contact surface that contacts the electrical contacts and is capable of storing information about the cartridge, and a link abutment portion that abuts against the link to move the shutter, and the link abutment portion is located on a first side relative to the center in a direction perpendicular to the attachment and removal direction of the cartridge, and the memory is located on a second side opposite the center from the first side.

[0022] In this way, by arranging the link abutment portion on a first side of the cartridge and the memory on a second side opposite the first side of the cartridge, the freedom of arrangement is improved and the link abutment portion and the memory can be easily arranged.

[0023] The image forming apparatus further comprises a cartridge having an electrical contact surface and a memory capable of storing information about the cartridge, the image forming apparatus being attachable and detachable in an attachment / detachment direction, the image forming apparatus having a device main body, a fixer having a heating unit and fixing a toner image to a sheet, a shutter movable between a closed position covering the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet transport direction and an open position opening the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet transport direction, a link connected to the shutter, the link abutting the cartridge to move the shutter between the closed position and the open position, and an electrical contact contacting the electrical contact surface of the memory, the device main body comprising a first frame having the link, and a second frame facing the first frame in a direction perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction, the second frame having the electrical contact.

[0024] In this way, by arranging the link and the electrical contacts on opposite sides of the cartridge, the degree of freedom in arrangement is improved, and the link and the electrical contacts can be easily arranged. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, the degree of freedom in arranging the links and the electrical contacts is improved, and the links and the electrical contacts can be easily arranged. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic central cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the front cover in an open position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a left-front perspective view showing a first device main body frame and a second device main body frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a right-front perspective view showing a first device main body frame and a second device main body frame. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a heating unit and a pressure roller of the fixing unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the fixing unit when the shutter is in a closed position, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the fixing unit when the shutter is in an open position. [Figure 8] FIG. 2A is a side view showing the fixing unit when the shutter is in a closed position, and FIG. 2B is a side view showing the fixing unit when the shutter is in an open position. [Figure 9] FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view showing the fixing unit when the shutter is in a closed position, and FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view showing the fixing unit when the shutter is in an open position. [Figure 10] FIG. 2A is a front view showing the right end portion of the fixing unit when the shutter is in a closed position, and FIG. 2B is a front view showing the right end portion of the fixing unit when the shutter is in an open position. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a right front perspective view showing the process cartridge. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the process cartridge. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a left rear perspective view showing the process cartridge. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the process cartridge. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the process cartridge. [Figure 16] 11 is a side view showing a memory holder that holds a toner memory and a holder cover that holds the memory holder. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 1(a) is a side view showing the memory holder in a state where the second holder is extended from the first holder, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view showing the memory holder in a state where the second holder is retracted into the first holder. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the left side surface of the first main body frame. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the right side surface of the first main body frame. [Figure 20] 13 is a side view showing the link in a state in which the first boss of the abutment piece is located in the middle of the abutment piece rail and the second boss is located in the front of the abutment piece rail. FIG. [Figure 21]A side view showing the first main body frame in a state where the process cartridge is located at the installation start position, the first boss of the abutment piece is located at the middle of the abutment piece rail, and the second boss is located at the front of the abutment piece rail. [Figure 22] FIG. [Diagram 23] 13 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which the drum shaft that has entered the center of the cartridge rail abuts against a first boss of the abutment piece. FIG. [Figure 24] 13 is a side view showing the link in a state in which the drum shaft is in contact with the contact piece, a rear portion of the first boss of the contact piece is located at the rear of the contact piece rail, and the second boss is located at the center of the contact piece rail. [Diagram 25] This is a side view showing the first main body frame in a state in which the drum shaft is in contact with the abutment piece, a rear portion of the first boss of the abutment piece is located at the rear of the abutment piece rail, and the second boss is located at the center of the abutment piece rail. [Figure 26] 1 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which the drum shaft is in contact with the contact piece, a rear portion of the first boss of the contact piece is located at the rear of the contact piece rail, and the second boss is located at the center of the contact piece rail. [Figure 27] 10 is a side view showing the link in a state in which the drum shaft is in contact with the contact piece, the first boss of the contact piece is located at the rear part of the contact piece rail, and the second boss is located at the center part of the contact piece rail. FIG. [Figure 28] 1 is a side view showing the first main body frame in a state in which the drum shaft is in contact with the abutment piece, the first boss of the abutment piece is located at the rear of the abutment piece rail, and the second boss is located at the middle of the abutment piece rail. [Figure 29] 13 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which the drum shaft has moved from the center to the rear of the cartridge rail and the abutment piece and the drum shaft are separated from each other. FIG. [Diagram 30] 20 is a side view showing a state in which the linear motion link has moved rearward from the position shown in FIG. 19 due to a pressing force from the pressing arm. FIG. [Diagram 31] 22 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which a first boss of the abutment piece has moved rearward from the position shown in FIG. 21. FIG. [Diagram 32]13 is a side view showing the first main body frame in a state where the process cartridge has reached the mounting position after the drum shaft has been separated from the contact piece. FIG. [Diagram 33] 13 is a side view showing the electrical contacts and the guide of the second main body frame. FIG. [Diagram 34] 13 is a side view showing the memory holder in a state in which the base is in contact with the first upper guide and the second holder is in contact with the second lower guide. FIG. [Diagram 35] 13 is a side view showing the memory holder in a state in which the base is in contact with the second upper guide and the second holder is in contact with the third lower guide. FIG. [Diagram 36] 13 is a side view showing the memory holder in a state in which the base is in contact with the opposing surface of the electrical contact and the second holder is in contact with the fourth lower guide. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] [Image forming equipment] An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is one embodiment of an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet conveying device according to the present invention, and is a laser printer that forms an image on a sheet S by electrophotography.

[0029] In the following description, the right side in Fig. 1 is defined as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, the left side in Fig. 1 is defined as the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the upper and lower sides in Fig. 1 are defined as the upper and lower sides of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

[0030] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a paper feed section 3, an image forming section 5, a fixing unit 6, and a paper discharge section 29.

[0031] The device body 2 houses the paper feed section 3, the image forming section 5, the fixing unit 6, and the paper discharge section 29. An opening 2A is open at the front of the device body 2, and the device body 2 has a front cover 21 that can open and close the opening 2A. The front cover 21 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 21a at the bottom end, and by rotating about the rotation shaft 21a, it is possible to move between a closed position where the opening 2A is closed and an open position where the opening 2A is opened.

[0032] The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 10 that supports the sheet S, a sheet transport unit 30, a transport roller pair 34, and a registration roller 35a. The paper feed unit 3 is disposed at the bottom of the device body 2, and transports the sheet S supported by the paper feed tray 10 to the image forming unit 5. The image forming device 1 has a transport path P for the sheet S that runs from the paper feed unit 3 to the paper discharge unit 29 via the image forming unit 5.

[0033] The paper feed tray 10 has a pressure plate 12 and a pressing plate 13. The pressure plate 12 is a plate-shaped member that supports the sheets S from below. The pressure plate 12 is rotatable about a rotation fulcrum 12a at the rear end, and can be raised and lowered between a lowered position and an upper position by rotating about the rotation fulcrum 12a. The pressing plate 13 is located below the pressure plate 12, and can raise and lower the pressure plate 12 between the lowered position and the upper position.

[0034] The sheet conveying section 30 is a conveying mechanism that separates and takes out the sheets S supported by the paper feed tray 10 one by one, and conveys the sheets S toward the image forming section 5, and includes a paper feed roller 31, a separation roller 32, and a separation pad 33.

[0035] The paper feed roller 31 is a roller for sending the sheet S supported by the paper feed tray 10 toward the separation roller 32. The separation roller 32 is disposed downstream of the paper feed roller 31 in the sheet conveying direction, and the separation pad 33 is disposed opposite to the separation roller 32 and is biased toward the separation roller 32.

[0036] The sheets S sent by the paper feed roller 31 toward the separation roller 32 are separated one by one between the separation roller 32 and the separation pad 33. The separated sheets S are sent to a conveying path P.

[0037] The sheet S sent to the conveying path P is conveyed toward the image forming unit 5 by the conveying roller pair 34, the registration roller 35a, and the pinch roller 35b arranged opposite the registration roller 35a. The registration roller 35a regulates the movement of the leading edge of the conveyed sheet S, temporarily stops the sheet S, and then conveys the sheet S toward the image forming unit 5 at a predetermined timing.

[0038] The image forming unit 5 is disposed downstream of the paper feed unit 3 in the sheet transport direction, and forms an image on the sheet S transported from the paper feed unit 3. The image forming unit 5 includes a process cartridge 50 that transfers an image onto the surface of the sheet S transported from the paper feed unit 3, a transfer roller 55 disposed opposite a photosensitive drum 54 of the process cartridge 50, and an exposure unit 56 that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 54. The process cartridge 50 is detachable from the image forming device 1 in the attachment / detachment direction. The process cartridge 50 is an example of a cartridge that is detachable from the device main body.

[0039] The process cartridge 50 is disposed above the paper feed unit 3 in the apparatus body 2, and includes a developer storage chamber 51, a supply roller 52, a developing roller 53, a photosensitive drum 54, a toner memory 57, etc. The process cartridge 50 supports the pinch roller 35b.

[0040] The toner memory 57 is a storage medium capable of reading and writing information, and is configured to be capable of storing information related to the process cartridge 50. The toner memory 57 is an example of a memory capable of storing information related to the cartridge. The information related to the process cartridge 50 is, for example, the part number, serial number, remaining amount of toner, and replacement information such as whether the currently installed process cartridge 50 is new or not, etc. The toner memory 57 has an electrical contact surface 57a. Note that, although the toner memory 57 is used in this embodiment, it is not limited to a toner memory as long as it is a memory that stores information related to the process cartridge 50.

[0041] The process cartridge 50 includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum 54, and a developer cartridge that is attached to the drum cartridge and has a developing roller 53, and is detachably attached to the device main body 2. In this case, the process cartridge 50 is attached to the device main body 2 by inserting the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge attached to the drum cartridge together into the device main body 2, and is detached from the device main body 2 by removing the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge attached to the drum cartridge together from the device main body 2.

[0042] The process cartridge 50 is an example of a cartridge and can include at least one of a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a toner container. The process cartridge 50 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 when the front cover 21 is in the open position.

[0043] When the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the photosensitive drum 54 is disposed in a position in which the axis X is aligned along the left-right direction. The photosensitive drum 54 has a metallic drum shaft 54A that extends along the axis X. The photosensitive drum 54 rotates around the drum shaft 54A.

[0044] In this embodiment, the process cartridge 50 comprises a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum 54, and a developing cartridge attached to the drum cartridge and having a developing roller 53, but it can also be configured to comprise a cartridge having the photosensitive drum 54 and the developing roller 53, and a toner box attached to the cartridge for containing toner.

[0045] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus can be configured so that a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum 54 and a developer cartridge having a developer roller 53 are separately mounted in the apparatus main body 2. That is, the process cartridge 50 includes at least one of a photosensitive drum, a developer roller, and a toner container, and can be configured so as to be detachably mounted in the apparatus main body.

[0046] The exposure unit 56 is equipped with a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, etc., and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 54 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 54 with laser light based on image data input to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0047] Toner that becomes the developer is accommodated in the developer accommodating chamber 51. The toner accommodated in the developer accommodating chamber 51 is sent to the supply roller 52 while being stirred by a stirring member (not shown). The supply roller 52 further supplies the toner sent from the developer accommodating chamber 51 to the developing roller 53.

[0048] The developing roller 53 is disposed in close contact with the supply roller 52, and carries the toner supplied from the supply roller 52 and positively charged by a sliding contact member (not shown). A developing bias is applied to the developing roller 53 by a bias application means (not shown).

[0049] The photosensitive drum 54 is disposed adjacent to the developing roller 53. The surface of the photosensitive drum 54 is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown) and then exposed by the exposure unit 56. The exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 54 has a lower potential than other portions, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 54. Then, positively charged toner is supplied from the developing roller 53 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 54 on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed, thereby visualizing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

[0050] The transfer roller 55 is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 54, and a transfer bias is applied to it by a bias application means (not shown). With the transfer bias applied to the surface of the transfer roller 55, the sheet S is conveyed while being sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 54 on which the toner image is formed and the transfer roller 55, whereby the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 54 is transferred to the surface of the sheet S. The sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 6.

[0051] The fixing device 6 includes a heating unit 61 and a pressure roller 62, and fixes the image transferred onto the sheet S by the process cartridge 50. The heating unit 61 is heated by supplying power from a power source (not shown). The heating unit 61 is an example of a heating section, and the pressure roller 62 is an example of a pressure section. The pressure roller 62 is disposed opposite the heating unit 61. One of the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62 is biased toward the other by a biasing mechanism (not shown), and the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62 are in close contact with each other.

[0052] When the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 6, the sheet S is conveyed while being sandwiched between a heating unit 61 and a pressure roller 62, whereby the sheet S is heated and the toner image transferred onto the conveyed sheet S is fixed. In this manner, the fixing device 6 fixes the toner image onto the sheet S.

[0053] The paper discharge section 29 is located downstream of the image forming section 5 in the sheet transport direction, and discharges the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming section 5 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper discharge section 29 includes a pair of paper discharge rollers 291 and a paper discharge tray 292. The pair of paper discharge rollers 291 is configured to be able to discharge the sheet S, which has been transported from the fixing unit 6 along the transport path P, to the outside of the device body 2. The paper discharge tray 292 is formed on the upper surface of the device body 2, and supports the sheet S discharged to the outside of the device body 2 by the pair of paper discharge rollers 291.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the device body 2 includes a first body frame 24 and a second body frame 25 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The first body frame 24 is an example of a first frame, and the second body frame 25 is an example of a second frame. The first body frame 24 is located at the right end of the device body 2, and the second body frame 25 is located at the left end of the device body 2. In other words, the first body frame 24 and the second body frame 25 face each other in the left-right direction. The first body frame 24 extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and is disposed with its plate surface facing the left-right direction. The second body frame 25 extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and is disposed with its plate surface facing the left-right direction.

[0055] The second main body frame 25 has an electrical contact 26 capable of coming into contact with an electrical contact surface 57a of a toner memory 57 of the process cartridge 50. The electrical contact 26 comes into contact with the electrical contact surface 57a of the toner memory 57 when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. The electrical contact 26 is located at the upper front part of the second main body frame 25.

[0056] The process cartridge 50 and the fixing unit 6 are disposed between the first body frame 24 and the second body frame 25. The first body frame 24 is disposed to the right of the process cartridge 50 and the fixing unit 6, and the second body frame 25 is disposed to the left of the process cartridge 50 and the fixing unit 6. The first body frame 24 and the second body frame 25 face each other with the process cartridge 50 in between. The process cartridge 50 is detachably supported by the first body frame 24 and the second body frame 25. The electrical contact 26 of the second body frame 25 is located on the left side of the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50 attached to the apparatus main body 2.

[0057] [Fuser] 5 and 6, the heating unit 61 of the fixing device 6 includes a heater 611, a holder 612, a stay 613, and a belt 614. The heater 611 is a flat plate-shaped heater extending in the left-right direction. The heater 611 has a first surface 611A and a second surface 611B opposite to the first surface 611A, and the first surface 611A is supported by the holder 612.

[0058] The holder 612 is made of, for example, a resin member, and has a guide surface 612a and a support wall 612b. The guide surface 612a contacts an inner circumferential surface 614a of the belt 614 to guide the belt 614. The support wall 612b has a support surface 612A that supports the heater 611. The support surface 612A of the support wall 612b abuts against a first surface 611A of the heater 611. The stay 613 is a member that supports the holder 612, and is formed by bending a plate material having greater rigidity than the holder 612, such as a steel plate, into a generally U-shaped cross section.

[0059] The belt 614 is an endless belt having heat resistance and flexibility, and includes a metal tube made of a metal such as stainless steel and a fluororesin layer covering the metal tube. The heater 611, the holder 612, and the stay 613 are disposed inside the belt 614. The belt 614 is configured to rotate around the heater 611, the holder 612, and the stay 613. An inner peripheral surface 614a of the belt 614 contacts the heater 611.

[0060] The pressure roller 62 has a metal shaft 62A and an elastic layer 62B that covers the shaft 62A. The pressure roller 62 is pressed against the heater 611 via a belt 614. The pressure roller 62 sandwiches the belt 614 between itself and the heater 611 to form a nip NP for heating and pressurizing the sheet S. In other words, the pressure roller 62 forms a nip NP with the pressure roller 62, and in the nip NP, the sheet S is heated and pressurized together with the heater 611.

[0061] The pressure roller 62 is configured to be rotationally driven by a driving force transmitted from a motor included in the image forming apparatus 1. The pressure roller 62 is rotationally driven to rotate the belt 614 by frictional force with the belt 614 or the sheet S sandwiched in the nip NP. As a result, the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported between the pressure roller 62 and the heated belt 614, whereby the toner image is thermally fixed.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the fixing device 6 has a fixing frame 63 that covers the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62, and a shutter 64 supported by the fixing frame 63. The fixing frame 63 holds the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62. The fixing frame 63 covers the periphery of the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62, and has a first opening 63a formed on the upstream side of the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62 in the sheet conveying direction, and a second opening 63b formed on the downstream side of the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62 in the sheet conveying direction. The fixing frame 63 covers the heating unit 61 from above.

[0063] The shutter 64 is located upstream of the first opening 63a in the fixing frame 63 in the sheet conveying direction, and has a rotation shaft 641 extending along the left-right direction, and a connecting shaft 642 protruding in a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 641. The rotation shaft 641 is rotatably supported by the fixing frame 63. The rotation shaft 641 is provided at both left and right ends of the shutter 64, and the connecting shaft 642 protrudes rightward from the right end of the shutter 64.

[0064] The shutter 64 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 641, and by rotating about the rotation shaft 641, the shutter 64 can move between a closed position (position shown in Figs. 7(a), 8(a), and 9(a)) where the first opening 63a is closed and an open position (position shown in Figs. 7(b), 8(b), and 9(b)) where the first opening 63a is opened. When the shutter 64 is in the closed position, the nip NP between the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62 is covered by the shutter 64, and when the shutter 64 is in the open position, the nip NP between the heating unit 61 and the pressure roller 62 is exposed to the outside of the fixing frame 63 through the first opening 63a.

[0065] Furthermore, the shutter 64 covers the upstream side of the heating unit 61 in the sheet transport direction when in the closed position, and opens the upstream side of the heating unit 61 in the sheet transport direction when in the open position. That is, the shutter 64 is movable between a closed position that covers the upstream side of the heating unit 61 in the sheet transport direction and an open position that opens the upstream side of the heating unit 61 in the sheet transport direction.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, the shutter 64 has a contact end 64a located at the upper end when the shutter 64 is in the closed position. The fixing frame 63 has a contact surface 631 against which the shutter 64 in the open position comes into contact. The contact surface 631 faces the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and the contact end 64a of the shutter 64 comes into contact with the contact surface 631 when the shutter 64 is in the open position. When the contact end 64a of the shutter 64 comes into contact with the contact surface 631, the shutter 64 is restricted from moving further in the opening direction. In other words, the contact surface 631 is a restricting surface on the open position side that restricts the position of the shutter 64 by contacting the shutter 64 in the open position.

[0067] 7, 8 and 10, the shutter 64 has a contact portion 64b that contacts the fixing frame 63 when the shutter 64 is in the closed position. The contact portion 64b is located at the right end portion of the shutter 64. The fixing frame 63 has a contact surface 632 that contacts the shutter 64 in the closed position.

[0068] The abutment surface 632 faces the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and is abutted by the abutment portion 64b of the shutter 64 when the shutter 64 is in the closed position. The abutment portion 64b of the shutter 64 abuts against the abutment surface 632, thereby restricting the shutter 64 from moving further in the closing direction. In other words, the abutment surface 632 is a restricting surface on the closed position side that abuts against the shutter 64 in the closed position and restricts the position of the shutter 64.

[0069] In this embodiment, the fixing device 6 includes a heating unit 61 having a heater 611 and a belt 614, and a pressure roller 62, but the fixing device 6 can also include a heating roller with a built-in heater and a pressure roller pressed against the heating roller. The fixing device 6 can also include a heating roller with a built-in heater and a pressure belt pressed against the heating roller by an elastic member.

[0070] [Process cartridge] As shown in Figs. 11 to 15, the drum shaft 54A of the photosensitive drum 54 protrudes rightward from the right end of the process cartridge 50 and protrudes leftward from the left end of the process cartridge 50 along the axis X. That is, the drum shaft 54A protrudes toward the first body frame 24 and the second body frame 25 along the axis X. The drum shaft 54A protruding toward the first body frame 24 is defined as the drum shaft 54AR, and the drum shaft 54A protruding toward the second body frame is defined as the drum shaft 54AL. In the left-right direction, the drum shaft 54AR is located on the right side of the center CL of the process cartridge 50, and the drum shaft 54AL is located on the left side of the center CL of the process cartridge 50.

[0071] The toner memory 57 is located on the left side of the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50. The toner memory 57 is held in a memory holder 70, and the memory holder 70 is held on the left side surface of the process cartridge 50 by a holder cover 75. The memory holder 70 is an example of a holder that holds a memory.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 16, the memory holder 70 has a first holder 71, a second holder 72, and a holder spring 73. The first holder 71 has a cylindrical portion 711 formed in a square cylindrical shape, and a base 712 located at the upper end side, which is one side in the cylindrical axis direction, of the cylindrical portion 711. The base 712 holds the toner memory 57. The toner memory 57 is held by the base 712 with the electrical contact surface 57a facing upward. The electrical contact surface 57a is exposed to the upper side from the base 712. A boss 713 protrudes leftward from the cylindrical portion 711.

[0073] The second holder 72 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 711 of the first holder 71 from the lower side, which is the other side in the cylindrical axis direction. The second holder 72 is configured to be slidable relative to the cylindrical portion 711 in the cylindrical axis direction.

[0074] The holder spring 73 is a coil spring extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 711, and is located between the first holder 71 and the second holder 72. The holder spring 73 biases the first holder 71 and the second holder 72 in a direction in which the first holder 71 and the second holder 72 move away from each other along the sliding direction of the second holder 72.

[0075] 17(a), in a state where no external force is applied to the first holder 71 and the second holder 72, the second holder 72 extends from the first holder 71. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17(b), in a state where a force is applied to the first holder 71 and the second holder 72 in a direction that causes the first holder 71 and the second holder 72 to approach each other, the second holder 72 is sunk into the first holder 71 against the biasing force of the holder spring 73.

[0076] The holder cover 75 is a member that holds the memory holder 70. The memory holder 70 is held by the holder cover 75 so as to be movable relative to the process cartridge 50.

[0077] The holder cover 75 has a holding portion 76 that covers and holds the memory holder 70 from the left, a first fixing portion 77 located in front of the holding portion 76, and a second fixing portion 78 located behind the holding portion 76. The holder cover 75 is fixed to the process cartridge 50 by the first fixing portion 77 and the second fixing portion 78.

[0078] The holding portion 76 has a through hole 761 penetrating in the left-right direction. A boss 713 of the first holder 71 in the memory holder 70 is inserted from the right into the through hole 761. The boss 713 is configured to be movable within the range of the through hole 761, and the memory holder 70 is movable relative to the process cartridge 50 within the range in which the boss 713 is movable.

[0079] For example, the memory holder 70 shown in Figure 17(a) has been moved to a position where the boss 713 is located at the top of the through hole 761, and the memory holder 70 shown in Figure 17(b) has been moved to a position where the boss 713 is located at the bottom of the through hole 761.

[0080] [First main body frame] 18 and 19, the first main body frame 24 has a front frame 24A located in the front and a rear frame 24B located behind the front frame 24A. The front frame 24A and the rear frame 24B are integrally formed and continuous in the front-rear direction. The front frame 24A of the first main body frame 24 is an example of a frame.

[0081] The front frame 24A of the first main body frame 24 has a cartridge rail 241 and a contact piece rail 242. The cartridge rail 241 is formed in a groove shape that is open on the left side. The cartridge rail 241 extends in the front-rear direction and is inclined downward as it goes from the front to the rear.

[0082] The drum shaft 54AR protruding to the right side of the photosensitive drum 54 can enter the cartridge rail 241. The cartridge rail 241 guides the drum shaft 54AR when the process cartridge 50 is mounted to the apparatus main body 2 and when the process cartridge 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 2. The drum shaft 54AR guided by the cartridge rail 241 enters the cartridge rail 241 from the left side. The process cartridge 50 is mounted to the apparatus main body 2 from the front to the rear, and is removed from the apparatus main body 2 from the rear to the front.

[0083] In this manner, the cartridge rail 241 of the front frame 24A guides the drum shaft 54AR when the process cartridge 50 is mounted to the apparatus main body 2 and when it is removed from the apparatus main body 2.

[0084] The contact piece rail 242 is formed in a groove shape that is open on the right side. The contact piece rail 242 extends in the front-rear direction and is inclined downward as it goes from the front to the rear. The contact piece rail 242 is located to the right of the cartridge rail 241 in the left-right direction. In other words, the contact piece rail 242 is located outside the cartridge rail 241 in the left-right direction.

[0085] The cartridge rail 241 has a front portion 241a located in the front, a rear portion 241c located in the rear, and a middle portion 241b located between the front portion 241a and the rear portion 241c. The contact piece rail 242 has a front portion 242a located in the front, a rear portion 242c located in the rear, and a middle portion 242b located between the front portion 242a and the rear portion 242c.

[0086] The middle portion 241b of the cartridge rail 241 and the middle portion 242b of the abutment piece rail 242 overlap and communicate with each other. The middle portions 241b and 242b form a through hole 24C that passes through the front frame 24A in the left-right direction.

[0087] That is, a middle portion 241b that is a part of the cartridge rail 241 and a middle portion 242b that is a part of the abutment piece rail 242 overlap with each other, and the overlapping portion between the cartridge rail 241 and the abutment piece rail 242 is the through hole 24C. Since the cartridge rail 241 and the abutment piece rail 242 partially overlap in this manner, it is possible to use the same material for forming the cartridge rail 241 and the abutment piece rail 242.

[0088] When the process cartridge 50 is mounted to the apparatus main body 2 and when the process cartridge 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 2, the drum shaft 54AR enters the cartridge rail 241 through the through hole 24C.

[0089] A front portion 242 a of the contact piece rail 242 is positioned higher than a front portion 241 a of the cartridge rail 241 , and a rear portion 242 c of the contact piece rail 242 is positioned higher than a rear portion 241 c of the cartridge rail 241 .

[0090] [link] As shown in Figures 8, 20 and 21, the first main body frame 24 of the apparatus main body 2 is capable of abutting against the process cartridge 50 and is provided with a link 8 which abuts against the process cartridge 50 to move the shutter 64 between an open position and a closed position. The link 8 is connected to the shutter 64. When the process cartridge 50 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2, the link 8 abuts against the process cartridge 50 to move the shutter 64 from the closed position to the open position, and when the process cartridge 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 2, the link 8 abuts against the process cartridge 50 to move the shutter 64 from the open position to the closed position. In this way, the link 8 moves the shutter 64 to the closed position and the open position in response to the operation of the process cartridge 50.

[0091] In other words, the link 8 is configured so that the shutter 64 opens and closes in response to the attachment and detachment of the process cartridge 50 to and from the apparatus main body 2. Specifically, when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the shutter 64 moves to an open position, and when the process cartridge 50 is detached from the image forming apparatus 1, the shutter 64 moves to a closed position. The link 8 is located on the opposite side of the process cartridge 50 attached to the apparatus main body 2 with respect to the front frame 24A of the first main body frame 24 in the left-right direction.

[0092] The link 8 is located on the right side of the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus main body 2. The left-right direction is an example of a direction perpendicular to the mounting and removal direction of the process cartridge 50, the right side is an example of a first side in the direction perpendicular to the mounting and removal direction of the process cartridge 50, and the left side is an example of a second side in the direction perpendicular to the mounting and removal direction of the process cartridge 50. The first side with respect to the center CL of the process cartridge 50 means the right side with respect to the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50. That is, the link 8 may be located to the right of the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50, and may be disposed such that a part of the link 8 overlaps with a part to the right of the center CL of the process cartridge 50 in the left-right direction, or may be positioned to the right of the right end of the process cartridge 50 in the left-right direction. Similarly, the second side with respect to the center CL of the process cartridge 50 means the left side with respect to the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50. In other words, the electrical contact 26 needs to be located to the left of the center CL of the process cartridge 50 in the left-right direction, and may be arranged so that a portion of the electrical contact 26 overlaps with the portion to the left of the center CL of the process cartridge 50 in the left-right direction, or may be positioned to the left of the left end of the process cartridge 50 in the left-right direction.

[0093] The link 8 is movable to a first position before the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. When the link 8 is in the first position, the shutter 64 is moved to a closed position. The link 8 is movable to a second position after the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. When the link 8 is in the second position, the shutter 64 is moved to an open position.

[0094] That is, the link 8 is displaceable between a first position for moving the shutter 64 to the closed position and a second position for moving the shutter 64 to the open position. The link 8 displaces from the first position toward the second position when the shutter 64 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Also, the link 8 displaces from the second position toward the first position when the shutter 64 is moved from the open position to the closed position.

[0095] The link 8 has a contact piece 80 , a first rotating link 81 , a linear link 82 , a second rotating link 83 , a third rotating link 84 , a shutter link 85 , and a coil spring 86 .

[0096] The abutment piece 80 moves in contact with the drum shaft 54AR of the photosensitive drum 54. In other words, the link 8 is an abutment portion that abuts with the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50. The drum shaft 54AR that abuts with the abutment piece 80 is an example of a link abutment portion that abuts with the link to move the shutter. The drum shaft 54AR that abuts with the abutment piece 80 is located on the right side of the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50. The abutment piece 80 is slidably fitted into the abutment piece rail 242, and the abutment piece rail 242 guides the abutment piece 80 that moves in contact with the drum shaft 54AR.

[0097] 22, the abutment piece 80 has a main body 801, a connecting portion 802, a first boss 803, and a second boss 804. The main body 801 is formed of a plate-like member whose plate surface faces in the left-right direction. The connecting portion 802 is a protrusion that protrudes rightward from the right surface of the main body 801.

[0098] The first boss 803 and the second boss 804 are protrusions that protrude leftward from the left surface of the main body portion 801. The first boss 803 and the second boss 804 enter the contact piece rail 242 of the first main body frame 24 from the right side, and are guided by the contact piece rail 242.

[0099] In a state where the first boss 803 and the second boss 804 have entered the contact piece rail 242, the second boss 804 is located upstream of the first boss 803 in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 50 into the apparatus body 2. The mounting direction is the direction in which the process cartridge 50 inserted into the apparatus body 2 moves toward the mounting position when the process cartridge 50 is mounted into the apparatus body 2. The mounting direction is the direction from the front to the rear, and is inclined downward as it moves toward the rear.

[0100] The contact piece 80 is located on the opposite side of the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus main body 2 with respect to the front frame 24A of the first main body frame 24. The first boss 803 and the second boss 804 are located at positions not protruding toward the process cartridge 50 side beyond the front frame 24A of the first main body frame 24 when inserted into the contact piece rail 242.

[0101] The first boss 803 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, and the second boss 804 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR when the process cartridge 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 2. In other words, the first boss 803 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 attached to the apparatus main body 2, and the second boss 804 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 removed from the apparatus main body 2.

[0102] In this case, when the first boss 803 is located at the middle portion 242b (through hole 24C) of the contact piece rail 242, it abuts through the through hole 24C against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus main body 2. When the second boss 804 is located at the middle portion 242b (through hole 24C) of the contact piece rail 242, it abuts through the through hole 24C against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 detached from the apparatus main body 2.

[0103] The drum shaft 54AR, which abuts against the first boss 803 and the second boss 804 through the through hole 24C, may abut against the first boss 803 and the second boss 804 inside the through hole 24C, or may abut against the first boss 803 and the second boss 804 at a position extending to the right of the through hole 24C in the left-right direction.

[0104] In this embodiment, the abutment piece 80 is configured to move in contact with the drum shaft 54AR, but the process cartridge 50 may also be formed with a cartridge protrusion that protrudes toward the first main body frame 24 side separately from the drum shaft 54AR, and the abutment piece 80 may move in contact with this cartridge protrusion.

[0105] The first rotating link 81 is a substantially linear member that is rotatably connected to the abutment piece 80. The first rotating link 81 is located to the right of the front frame 24A of the first main body frame 24 in the left-right direction. The first rotating link 81 has a fitting portion 811 that is located at the front end and into which the connecting portion 802 of the abutment piece 80 is rotatably fitted, and a boss 812 that is located at the rear end and protrudes to the left. The first rotating link 81 is disposed in an inclined position in which the fitting portion 811 is located above and forward of the boss 812. The first rotating link 81 is connected to the abutment piece 80 by fitting the connecting portion 802 into the fitting portion 811, and rotates along with the movement of the abutment piece 80.

[0106] The linear link 82 is a substantially linear member that is rotatably connected to the first rotating link 81 and extends in the front-rear direction. The linear link 82 is supported by the first main body frame 24 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The linear link 82 is located to the right of the front frame 24A of the first main body frame 24 in the left-right direction. The linear link 82 is located at the front end and has a fitting portion 821 into which the boss 812 of the first rotating link 81 is rotatably fitted, and a connecting hole 822 located at the rear end. The linear link 82 is connected to the first rotating link 81 by fitting the boss 812 into the fitting portion 821, and moves linearly in the front-rear direction along with the rotation of the first rotating link 81. The linear link 82 is a linear link that can move in the second direction.

[0107] The linear link 82 moves from front to rear when the link 8 moves the shutter 64 from the closed position to the open position, and moves from rear to front when the link 8 moves the shutter 64 from the open position to the closed position. The position of the linear link 82 that moves the shutter 64 to the closed position is the first position, and the position of the linear link 82 that moves the shutter 64 to the open position is the second position.

[0108] The second rotating link 83 is connected to the linear link 82 and supported by the first main body frame 24. The second rotating link 83 has a support part 831 that is rotatably supported by the first main body frame 24, a first arm 832 that extends substantially downward from the support part 831, and a second arm 833 that extends substantially upward from the support part 831. An engagement pin 832a that protrudes leftward is formed at the tip of the first arm 832, and a connecting hole 833a is formed at the tip of the second arm 833.

[0109] The engagement pin 832a of the first arm 832 enters the connecting hole 822 of the linear link 82 from the right, and engages with the connecting hole 822 as the linear link 82 moves in the front-rear direction. The second rotating link 83 is connected to the linear link 82 by the engagement of the engagement pin 832a with the connecting hole 822, and rotates about the support part 831 as the linear link 82 moves.

[0110] The third rotating link 84 is connected to the second rotating link 83, and is rotatably supported by the support shaft 65 of the fixing unit 6. The third rotating link 84 has a support portion 841 rotatably supported by the support shaft 65, an engagement pin 842 protruding rightward from the support portion 841, an operation cam 843 formed in a different phase from the engagement pin 842 in the circumferential direction of the support portion 841, and a connecting hole 844 formed in the operation cam 843. The connecting hole 844 penetrates the operation cam 843 in the left-right direction.

[0111] The engagement pin 842 of the third rotating link 84 enters the connecting hole 833a of the second rotating link 83 from the left, and engages with the connecting hole 833a as the second rotating link 83 rotates. The third rotating link 84 is connected to the second rotating link 83 by the engagement of the engagement pin 842 with the connecting hole 833a, and rotates about the support shaft 65 as the second rotating link 83 rotates.

[0112] 7 and 8, the shutter link 85 is connected to the third rotating link 84 and is rotatably supported on the support shaft 65 of the fixing unit 6. The shutter link 85 moves along with the movement of the third rotating link 84 to move the shutter 64 of the fixing unit 6 between a closed position and an open position. The shutter link 85 is located at the right end of the fixing unit 6 and has a support portion 851, an arm portion 852, an engagement portion 853, and an engagement pin 854.

[0113] The support portion 851 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 65 that protrudes rightward from the right end of the fixing frame 63. The arm portion 852 is an arm member that extends forward from the support portion 851. The engagement portion 853 is located at the front end of the arm portion 852, and has an oval engagement hole 853a that is long in the front-rear direction. A connecting shaft 642 that protrudes rightward from the right end of the shutter 64 engages with the engagement hole 853a. The engagement hole 853a engages with the connecting shaft 642, connecting the shutter link 85 to the shutter 64.

[0114] The shutter link 85 can rotate around the support portion 851 in a direction in which the engaging portion 853 moves up and down, and when the shutter link 85 rotates and the engaging portion 853 moves downward, the shutter 64 moves to the closed position (see Figs. 7(a) and 8(a)), and when the shutter link 85 rotates and the engaging portion 853 moves upward, the shutter 64 moves to the open position (see Figs. 7(b) and 8(b)). In other words, the shutter link 85 moves the shutter 64 to the closed position by rotating downward, and moves the shutter 64 to the open position by rotating upward.

[0115] The engagement pin 854 protrudes rightward from the end of the arm portion 852 on the support portion 851 side. The engagement pin 854 of the shutter link 85 enters the connection hole 844 of the third rotating link 84 from the left.

[0116] The coil spring 86 is supported by a support portion 841 of the third rotating link 84. The coil spring 86 moves along with the movement of the third rotating link 84. The coil spring 86 has an arm portion 861. The arm portion 861 extends from the inner diameter side of the connecting hole 844 toward the outer diameter side, and enters the connecting hole 844.

[0117] The arm 861 is located above the engagement pin 854 in the connecting hole 844. The coil spring 86 is rotatable along with the rotation of the third rotating link 84. The edge of the lower end of the connecting hole 844 in the operation cam 843 of the third rotating link 84 forms an engagement surface 844a. The engagement surface 844a is located below the engagement pin 854. The connecting hole 844 has an inner circumferential surface 844b on the edge opposite to the edge on the side where the engagement surface 844a is formed in the circumferential direction. The inner circumferential surface 844b is located above the arm 861, and a gap exists between the inner circumferential surface 844b and the arm 861.

[0118] The engagement surface 844a of the connecting hole 844 engages with the engagement pin 854 as the third rotating link 84 rotates in the side in which the operation cam 843 moves upward. The arm portion 861 of the coil spring 86 engages with the engagement pin 854 as the third rotating link 84 rotates in the side in which the operation cam 843 moves downward.

[0119] The shutter link 85 is connected to the third rotating link 84 by the engagement pin 854 engaging with the arm portion 861 or the engagement surface 843a, and moves in accordance with the rotation of the third rotating link 84, moving the shutter 64 between the closed position and the open position.

[0120] Specifically, along with the rotation of the third rotating link 84 toward the side where the operation cam 843 moves downward, the shutter link 85 is pressed by the coil spring 86 to rotate downward, and the shutter 64 moves to the closed position. The position of the third rotating link 84 when the shutter 64 moves to the closed position due to the rotation of the third rotating link 84 is the first position.

[0121] In addition, along with the rotation of the third rotating link 84 toward the side where the operation cam 843 moves upward, the shutter link 85 is pressed by the engagement surface 844a of the connecting hole 844 and rotates upward, and the shutter 64 moves to the open position. The position of the third rotating link 84 when the shutter 64 moves to the open position by the rotation of the third rotating link 84 is the second position.

[0122] In the image forming apparatus 1, when the process cartridge 50 is attached to or detached from the device main body 2, the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR and moves along the abutment piece rail 242, whereby a driving force is transmitted to the shutter 64 via the link 8, and the shutter 64 moves between the closed position and the open position.

[0123] In this embodiment, the link 8 has a configuration including the abutment piece 80, the first rotating link 81, the linear link 82, the second rotating link 83, the third rotating link 84, the shutter link 85, and the coil spring 86, but is not limited to this and may be configured as one link that is connected to the shutter 64 and abuts against the process cartridge 50 to open and close the shutter 64. Furthermore, the movement of the link 8 is not limited to rotation or sliding, and it may be any movement that opens and closes the shutter 64 in an appropriate manner in response to the insertion and removal of the process cartridge 50.

[0124] [Forced member] As shown in Fig. 20, the device body 2 includes a biasing member 9. In the process in which the link 8 moves the shutter 64 from the closed position to the open position, before the shutter 64 moves to the open position, the biasing member 9 presses the link 8 in a direction in which the shutter 64 moves to the open position. When the shutter 64 is in the open position, the biasing member 9 biases the link 8 in a first direction in which the link 8 moves from the first position to the second position.

[0125] Furthermore, in the process in which the link 8 moves the shutter 64 from the open position to the closed position, before the shutter 64 moves to the closed position, the biasing member 9 presses the link 8 in a direction in which the shutter 64 moves to the closed position. When the shutter 64 is in the closed position, the biasing member 9 biases the link 8 in a second direction in which the link 8 moves from the second position to the first position.

[0126] Furthermore, the biasing member 9 restricts the movement of the link 8 that has moved the shutter 64 to the open position or the closed position by pressing the link 8. That is, when the shutter 64 is in the closed position, the biasing member 9 biases the shutter 64 so as to be held in the closed position, and when the shutter 64 is in the open position, the biasing member 9 biases the shutter 64 so as to be held in the open position.

[0127] In this way, when the shutter 64 is in the closed position, the biasing member 9 biases the shutter 64 to be held in the closed position, and when the shutter 64 is in the open position, the biasing member 9 biases the shutter 64 to be held in the open position, so that the single biasing member 9 can stably hold the shutter 64 in the open position in an open state, and can stably hold the shutter 64 in the closed position in a closed state.

[0128] The biasing member 9 has a pressing spring 92 and a pressing arm 91 that is pressed by the pressing spring 92 and comes into contact with the upper surface 82A of the linear link 82. The pressing spring 92 is an example of a pressing spring, and the pressing arm 91 is an example of a pressing portion that is pressed by the pressing spring and comes into contact with the link. The pressing spring 92 presses the tip of the pressing arm 91 toward the upper surface 82A of the linear link 82. The upper surface 82A of the linear link 82 is an example of a pressed surface that is pressed by the pressing arm. The biasing member 9 can stably press the linear link 82 by the pressing arm 91 connected to the pressing spring 92.

[0129] The pressing arm 91 has a support portion 911 located at the base end of the pressing arm 91 and rotatably supported on the first main body frame 24, a contact portion 912 located at the tip of the pressing arm 91 and contacting the upper surface 82A of the linear link 82, and a fitting portion 913 into which the pressing spring 92 fits. The pressing arm 91 extends in the front-rear direction, with the support portion 911 located at the front end and the contact portion 912 located at the rear end. The fitting portion 913 is located above the contact portion 912. The contact portion 912 is rotatable in the up-down direction around the support portion 911.

[0130] The support portion 911 is a rotation center of the pressing arm 91. The base end of the pressing arm 91 is an example of one end of a pressing portion of a biasing member, and the tip of the pressing arm 91 is an example of the other end of a pressing portion of a biasing member. The pressing arm 91 has an abutment portion 912 at its tip, which enables the pressing arm 91 to smoothly press the linear link 82.

[0131] The pressing spring 92 is supported by the first main body frame 24, and its lower end is fitted into a fitting portion 913 of the pressing arm 91. The pressing spring 92 biases the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 downward toward the upper surface 82A of the linear motion link 82, and the abutting portion 912 is pressed against the upper surface 82A from above.

[0132] The upper surface 82A of the linear link 82 has a link protrusion 823 between the fitting portion 821 and the connecting hole 822, protruding upward toward the biasing member 9 side. The link protrusion 823 is an example of a protrusion protruding toward the biasing member side. The link protrusion 823 is formed in a mountain shape having a first pressed surface 823a, a second pressed surface 823b, and a third pressed surface 823c.

[0133] The second pressed surface 823b and the third pressed surface 823c are inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the front-rear direction which is the movement direction of the linear link 82. The inclination direction of the third pressed surface 823c with respect to the movement direction of the linear link 82 is different from the inclination direction of the second pressed surface 823b with respect to the movement direction of the linear link 82.

[0134] The first pressed surface 823a is located at the apex of the mountain shape and extends horizontally. The second pressed surface 823b is located in front of the first pressed surface 823a and is formed as an inclined surface that rises toward the rear. In other words, the second pressed surface 823b is inclined from the bottom to the top along the rear direction. In this way, the second pressed surface 823b, which is the second inclined surface, has an inclined shape that rises along the moving direction of the linear link 82 from the first position to the second position. The rear end of the second pressed surface 823b is connected to the front end of the first pressed surface 823a.

[0135] The third pressed surface 823c is located behind the first pressed surface 823a, and is formed as an inclined surface that descends toward the rear. That is, the third pressed surface 823c is inclined from top to bottom along the rear direction. In this way, the third pressed surface 823c, which is the first inclined surface, has an inclined shape that ascends along the moving direction of the linear link 82 from the second position to the first position. The front end of the third pressed surface 823c is connected to the rear end of the first pressed surface 823a. The third pressed surface 823c is located on the opposite side to the second pressed surface 823b across the first pressed surface 823a in the front-rear direction.

[0136] By moving in the front-rear direction, the linear link 82 can be located at a position where the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 presses the first pressed surface 823a, a position where the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 presses the second pressed surface 823b, and a position where the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 presses the third pressed surface 823c. The pressing arm 91 pressed by the pressing spring 92 abuts against the second pressed surface 823b and the third pressed surface 823c. Specifically, the third pressed surface 823c abuts against the pressing arm 91 when the linear link 82 is in the first position, and the second pressed surface 823b abuts against the pressing arm 91 when the linear link 82 is in the second position.

[0137] Since the first pressed surface 823a is a surface extending horizontally, when the pressing arm 91 presses the first pressed surface 823a from above, the pressing force of the pressing arm 91 does not act in either the backward direction in which the linear link 82 moves toward the second position, or the forward direction in which the linear link 82 moves toward the first position.

[0138] Since the second pressed surface 823b is a surface that inclines from the bottom to the top along the rearward direction, when the pressing arm 91 presses the second pressed surface 823b from above, the pressing force of the pressing arm 91 acts in the rearward direction, which is the direction in which the linear motion link 82 moves toward the second position. In a state in which the pressing arm 91 abuts against the second pressed surface 823b, the biasing direction of the pressing spring 92, which is downward, is converted by the second pressed surface 823b into the direction in which the linear motion link 82 moves from the first position to the second position. In addition, in a state in which the pressing arm 91 presses the second pressed surface 823b from above, the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 and the second pressed surface 823b are engaged with each other, and the forward movement of the linear motion link 82 is restricted.

[0139] Since the third pressed surface 823c is a surface that inclines from above to below along the rearward direction, when the pressing arm 91 presses the third pressed surface 823c from above, the pressing force of the pressing arm 91 acts in a forward direction in which the linear motion link 82 moves toward the first position. When the pressing arm 91 is in contact with the third pressed surface 823c, the downward biasing direction of the pressing spring 92 is converted by the third pressed surface 823c to a direction in which the linear motion link 82 moves from the second position to the first position. Also, when the pressing arm 91 is pressing the third pressed surface 823c from above, the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 and the third pressed surface 823c are engaged with each other, and the rearward movement of the linear motion link 82 is restricted.

[0140] In this way, since the linear link 82 has the link protrusion 823 having the second pressed surface 823b and the third pressed surface 823c, the pressing arm 91 pressed by the pressing spring 92 abuts against the second pressed surface 823b or the third pressed surface 823c, thereby biasing the linear link 82 in the front-rear direction. This makes it possible to stably hold the shutter 64 in the closed position in a closed state by the biasing force of the pressing spring 92, and to stably hold the shutter 64 in the open position in an open state.

[0141] Link Behavior Next, the operation of the link 8 will be described.

[0142] (Operation when installing a process cartridge) First, the operation of the link 8 when the process cartridge 50 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2 will be described.

[0143] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, when the process cartridge 50 is in a state before being removed from the apparatus main body 2 and is to be mounted in the apparatus main body 2, and when the leading end 50A of the process cartridge 50 in the insertion direction is in the mounting start position inserted into the apparatus main body 2 (the position shown in Figure 21), the drum shaft 54AR is spaced forward from the abutment piece 80, and the abutment piece 80 is located across the front part 242a and the middle part 241b of the abutment piece rail 242.

[0144] Specifically, the abutment piece 80 is fitted to the abutment piece rail 242 with the first boss 803 located in the middle portion 242b (through hole 24C) of the abutment piece rail 242 and the second boss 804 located in the front portion 242a of the abutment piece rail 242. The insertion direction of the process cartridge 50 is the same as the mounting direction.

[0145] 21, the shutter 64 is moved to the closed position by the link 8 as shown in Fig. 8(a). As a result, when the process cartridge 50 is in a state where it is detached from the apparatus main body 2, even if the user inserts his / her hand into the apparatus main body 2 through the opening 2A, the shutter 64 can prevent the user's hand from touching the heating unit 61 of the fixing device 6.

[0146] 20, when the abutment piece 80 is in the position shown in Fig. 21, the abutment portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 abuts against the third pressed surface 823c of the linear link 82, restricting the backward movement of the linear link 82. As a result, the linear link 82 is fixed by the biasing member 9 in a state in which the shutter 64 is moved to the closed position by the link 8, and the shutter 64 does not move inadvertently from the closed position to the open position, so that the closed position of the shutter 64 can be stably maintained.

[0147] Furthermore, the abutment piece rail 242 of the front frame 24A that guides the abutment piece 80 is located outside the cartridge rail 241 in the left-right direction, and the first boss 803 and the second boss 804 of the abutment piece 80 are located so as not to protrude further toward the process cartridge 50 than the front frame 24A. Therefore, when the process cartridge 50 is detached from the apparatus main body 2, it is possible to prevent the user from coming into contact with the abutment piece 80, and it is possible to prevent the link 8 from moving and the shutter 64 from opening inadvertently.

[0148] When the process cartridge 50, which is in the installation start position, is further inserted toward the installation position, the drum shaft 54AR enters the front portion 241a of the cartridge rail 241 and moves inside the cartridge rail 241. As shown in FIG 23, when the drum shaft 54AR moving inside the cartridge rail 241 enters the middle portion 241b (through hole 24C), the drum shaft 54AR abuts against the first boss 803 of the abutment piece 80.

[0149] As shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the contact piece 80 that comes into contact with the drum shaft 54AR moving within the middle portion 241b (through hole 24C) of the cartridge rail 241 is pressed by the drum shaft 54AR and moves downstream in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 50.

[0150] The first boss 803 of the contact piece 80, which moves in contact with the drum shaft 54AR moving in the middle portion 241b (through hole 24C), has a rear part located in the rear portion 242c of the contact piece rail 242, and the other part located in the middle portion 242b (through hole 24C) of the contact piece rail 242. In addition, the second boss 804 is located in the middle portion 242b (through hole 24C) of the contact piece rail 242.

[0151] When the abutment piece 80 moves, the first rotating link 81 connected to the abutment piece 80 moves rearward while rotating in a direction in which the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction becomes smaller. When the first rotating link 81 rotates and moves, the linear link 82 connected to the first rotating link 81 moves rearward linearly.

[0152] When the linear link 82 moves rearward, the connecting hole 822 of the linear link 82 engages with the engaging pin 832a of the second rotating link 83, and the second rotating link 83 rotates in a direction in which the engaging pin 832a moves rearward. When the second rotating link 83 rotates, the connecting hole 833a of the second rotating link 83 engages with the engaging pin 842 of the third rotating link 84, and the third rotating link 84 rotates in a direction in which the engaging pin 842 moves forward.

[0153] In this case, as the linear link 82 moves backward, the abutment portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 of the urging member 9 moves up the third pressed surface 823c of the linear link 82 against the pressing force of the pressing spring 92, and then rides from the third pressed surface 823c onto the first pressed surface 823a. That is, when the process cartridge 50 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2, the pressing arm 91 abuts against the third pressed surface 823c and then the first pressed surface 823a. In a state in which the pressing arm 91 abuts against the first pressed surface 823a, which is a surface extending in the horizontal direction, the restriction by the pressing member 9 of the shutter 64 moving from the closed position to the open position is released.

[0154] In this way, when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the linear link 82 moves backward in the first direction against the pressing force from the pressing arm 91, thereby making it possible to switch the shutter 64 from a state in which it is held in the closed position to a state in which it can be moved to the open position.

[0155] 27 and 28, when the process cartridge 50 is further inserted from the position shown in Fig. 25 toward the mounting position, the abutment piece 80 is further moved downstream in the mounting direction by the drum shaft 54AR moving within the middle portion 241b (through hole 24C) of the cartridge rail 241. In Fig. 28, the first boss 803 of the abutment piece 80 is located at the rear portion 242c of the abutment piece rail 242, and the second boss 804 is located at the middle portion 242b (through hole 24C) of the abutment piece rail 242.

[0156] As shown in Figure 29, the drum shaft 54AR moves the abutment piece 80 until the first boss 803 is positioned at the rear 242c of the abutment piece rail 242, and then moves from the middle 241b to the rear 241c of the cartridge rail 241, and the abutment piece 80 and the drum shaft 54AR become separated.

[0157] When the abutment piece 80 moves, the first rotating link 81 moves rearward while rotating in a direction in which the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction becomes smaller. When the first rotating link 81 rotates and moves, the linear motion link 82 moves further rearward in a straight line. When the linear motion link 82 moves, the second rotating link 83 rotates further in the direction in which the engagement pin 832a moves rearward. When the second rotating link 83 rotates, the third rotating link 84 rotates further in the direction in which the engagement pin 842 moves forward.

[0158] When the third rotating link 84 rotates, an engagement surface 844a of the connecting hole 844 in the operation cam 843 engages with an engagement pin 854 of the shutter link 85 from below. When the engagement surface 844a of the connecting hole 844 engages with the engagement pin 854, the shutter link 85 rotates in a direction in which the engagement portion 853 moves upward, and the shutter 64 moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0159] In this case, the movement of the drum shaft 54AR abutting against the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 is transmitted to the shutter 64 via the link 8, so that even if the distance between the mounting position of the process cartridge 50 in the device main body 2 and the shutter 64 is large, it is possible to efficiently transmit driving force to the shutter 64.

[0160] When the drum shaft 54AR moves the abutment piece 80 until the first boss 803 is positioned at the rear 242c of the abutment piece rail 242, the linear link 82 moves rearward, and the abutment portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 in the biasing member 9 transfers from the first pressed surface 823a to the second pressed surface 823b of the linear link 82 due to the pressing force of the pressing spring 92.

[0161] When the abutment piece 80 moves by the drum shaft 54AR until the first boss 803 is positioned at the rear 242c of the abutment piece rail 242, the abutment position of the abutment portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 against the second pressed surface 823b changes depending on the dimensional tolerances of each component that constitutes the link 8 and the tolerances of the connecting positions of each component, etc.

[0162] In this case, the positional relationship between the pressing arm 91 and the link 8 is set so that when the drum shaft 54AR moves the abutting piece 80 until the first boss 803 is positioned at the rear part 242c of the abutting piece rail 242, the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 always abuts against the second pressed surface 823b. Furthermore, even if the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 abuts against the lowermost side of the second pressed surface 823b within the tolerance range of each member constituting the link 8, the abutting portion 912 is set not to come into contact with the upper surface 82A located forward of the second pressed surface 823b.

[0163] After the abutment piece 80 moves until the first boss 803 is positioned at the rear part 242c of the abutment piece rail 242 and the abutment portion 912 abuts against the second pressed surface 823b, the first boss 803 and the drum shaft 54AR are separated from each other, so the drum shaft 54AR does not move the abutment piece 80. However, as shown in Fig. 30, because the abutment portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 abuts against the second pressed surface 823b, a pressing force is applied from the pressing arm 91 to the linear link 82 in a direction toward the second position, and the linear link 82 moves backward.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 8(b), when the linear link 82 moves rearward due to the pressing force from the pressing arm 91, the shutter link 85 rotates in a direction in which the engaging portion 853 moves upward, and the shutter 64 moves to the open position.

[0165] In this case, even if the linear link 82 moves backward by the pressing force from the pressing arm 91 until the shutter 64 moves to the open position, the abutting portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 is set not to come into contact with the upper surface 82A located forward of the second pressed surface 823b (see FIG. 30). This makes it possible to hold the shutter 64 in the open position by the pressing force from the pressing arm 91.

[0166] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 31, when the linear link 82 moves rearward due to the pressing force from the pressing arm 91, the abutment piece 80 is pulled rearward by the first pivot link 81, and the first boss 803 of the abutment piece 80 moves rearward from the position shown in FIG. 29 along the rear portion 241c of the abutment piece rail 242.

[0167] When the shutter 64 moves to the open position, the contact end 64a comes into contact with the contact surface 631 of the fixing frame 63, restricting further movement and also stopping the movement of the link 8. Since the shutter 64 is restricted from moving further by coming into contact with the contact surface 631, it is possible to hold the shutter 64 in the open position. Furthermore, since the movement of the link 8 is also stopped, the movement range of the link 8 can be kept small.

[0168] Furthermore, in a state where the pressing arm 91 is in contact with the second pressed surface 823b, the contact portion 912 of the pressing arm 91 and the second pressed surface 823b are engaged to restrict the forward movement of the linear motion link 82. As a result, when the shutter 64 is moved to the open position, the position of the linear motion link 82 is fixed by the biasing member 9, and it is possible to prevent the shutter 64 from moving inadvertently from the open position to the closed position.

[0169] In this manner, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus main body 2 abuts against the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 and the drum shaft 54AR moves the abutment piece 80, the shutter 64 moves from the closed position toward the open position, and before the shutter 64 moves to the open position, the abutment piece 80 and the drum shaft 54AR separate, and the abutment piece 80, now separated from the drum shaft 54AR, moves further in the direction in which the shutter 64 moves to the open position.

[0170] In this configuration, when the shutter 64 moves to the open position, the link 8 having the abutment piece 80 and the process cartridge 50 having the drum shaft 54AR are separated from each other, so that the user's operation on the process cartridge 50 does not affect the open / closed state of the shutter 64. In addition, after the shutter 64 moves to the open position, there is no need to further move the link 8, and the movement range of the link 8 can be kept small.

[0171] In addition, when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the main body 2 of the apparatus, when the process cartridge 50 and the link 8 come into contact with each other and then the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 separate from each other, the pressing arm 91 of the urging member 9 presses the linear link 82 toward the second position.

[0172] As a result, even after the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 are separated, the link 8 is pressed toward the second position by the biasing member 9, so that the pressed link 8 can move the shutter 64 to the open position.

[0173] In particular, by pressing the second pressed surface 823b of the linear motion link 82 with the pressing arm 91, the link 8 can be moved toward the second position, and the shutter 64 can be moved to the open position.

[0174] In addition, when the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus main body 2 comes into contact with the abutment piece 80 of the link 8, the pressing arm 91 comes into contact with the first pressed surface 823a of the link 8, and the link 8 is configured to move toward the second position so that the second pressed surface 823b of the link 8 comes into contact with the pressing arm 91 before the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 separate.

[0175] As a result, when the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 are separated, the pressing arm 91 and the second pressed surface 823b are in contact with each other, so that even after the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 are separated from each other, the shutter 64 can be moved to the open position by the link 8. In other words, after the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 are separated from each other, the pressing arm 91 pressed by the pressing spring 92 comes into contact with the second pressed surface 823b of the link protrusion 823, so that the link 8 is biased in the moving direction to move the shutter 64 to the open position. In this way, the link 8 can be moved by the biasing member 9 after the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 are separated from each other.

[0176] 28 toward the mounting position, the drum shaft 54AR moves from the middle portion 241b to the rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241, and then moves in the rear portion 241c in the mounting direction. Thereafter, the process cartridge 50 reaches the mounting position as shown in FIG. 32, and is mounted in the apparatus main body 2.

[0177] (Operation when removing the process cartridge) Next, there will be described the operation of the link 8 when the process cartridge 50 in the mounting position is removed from the apparatus main body 2. When removing the process cartridge 50, the link 8 operates in the opposite manner to the operation when the process cartridge 50 is mounted.

[0178] When the process cartridge 50 in the mounting position shown in Fig. 32 is removed forward from the apparatus main body 2, the drum shaft 54AR moves downstream in the removal direction within the rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241. The removal direction is the direction in which the process cartridge 50, which is extracted from the mounting main body 2, moves toward the outside of the mounting main body 2 when the process cartridge 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 2. As shown in Fig. 28, when the drum shaft 54AR moving within the cartridge rail 241 reaches the middle portion 241b (through hole 24C), the drum shaft 54AR abuts against the second boss 804 of the abutment piece 80.

[0179] 25, the contact piece 80 in contact with the drum shaft 54AR is pressed by the drum shaft 54AR and moves downstream in the removal direction of the process cartridge 50. That is, the contact piece 80 moves from a position where the first boss 803 is at the rear part 242c of the contact piece rail 242 to a position where the first boss 803 is at the middle part 242b (through hole 24C).

[0180] When the abutment piece 80 moves, the first rotating link 81 moves forward while rotating in a direction in which the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction increases, and the linear link 82 moves forward linearly. When the linear link 82 moves forward, the connecting hole 822 of the linear link 82 engages with the engaging pin 832a of the second rotating link 83, and the second rotating link 83 rotates in a direction in which the engaging pin 832a moves forward. When the second rotating link 83 rotates, the connecting hole 833a of the second rotating link 83 engages with the engaging pin 842 of the third rotating link 84, and the third rotating link 84 rotates in a direction in which the engaging pin 842 moves backward.

[0181] When the process cartridge 50 is further removed from the apparatus main body 2, the contact piece 80 is moved further downstream in the removal direction by the drum shaft 54AR moving within the middle portion 241b (through hole 24C) of the cartridge rail 241.

[0182] This movement of the abutment piece 80 causes the third rotating link 84 to further rotate in the direction in which the engagement pin 842 moves rearward. When the third rotating link 84 rotates, the coil spring 86 rotates along with the rotation of the third rotating link 84, and the arm portion 861 of the coil spring 86 engages with the engagement pin 854 of the shutter link 85 from above. As the arm portion 861 engages with the engagement pin 854, the shutter link 85 rotates in the direction in which the engagement portion 853 moves downward. This causes the shutter 64 to move from the open position toward the closed position.

[0183] In this way, when the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus main body 2 is removed from the apparatus main body 2, the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 comes into contact with the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50, and the link 8 moves in a direction in which the shutter 64, which is in the open position, moves to the closed position. Therefore, accompanying the operation of removing the process cartridge 50 from the apparatus main body 2, it is possible to move the shutter 64 to the closed position.

[0184] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the drum shaft 54AR comes into contact with the first boss 803 of the abutment piece 80, causing the link 8 to move in the direction in which the shutter 64 moves from the closed position to the open position, and when the process cartridge 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 2, the drum shaft 54AR comes into contact with the second boss 804 of the abutment piece 80, causing the link 8 to move in the direction in which the shutter 64 moves from the open position to the closed position. With this simple configuration, it is possible to operate the link 8 both when the process cartridge 50 is attached and when it is removed.

[0185] [Second body frame] 33, the electrical contact 26 of the second main body frame 25 has an opposing surface 26a and a contact 26b. The opposing surface 26a faces downward. The opposing surface 26a faces the electrical contact surface 57a of the toner memory 57 when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2.

[0186] The contact 26b protrudes from the facing surface 26a and is in contact with the electrical contact surface 57a of the toner memory 57 to electrically connect the electrical contact 26 and the electrical contact surface 57a. The contact 26b is configured to be movable forward and backward relative to the facing surface 26a and is biased by a biasing member in the direction protruding from the facing surface 26a. When the process cartridge 50 is in the mounting position mounted in the apparatus main body 2, the electrical contact 26 comes into contact with the electrical contact surface 57a of the toner memory 57 from above.

[0187] The second main body frame 25 has a guide 27 that guides the memory holder 70 when the process cartridge 50 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 2. The guide 27 has a lower guide 271 that guides the second holder 72 located at the lower end of the memory holder 70, and an upper guide 272 that guides the base 712 of the first holder 71 located at the upper end of the memory holder 70.

[0188] The lower guide 271 has a first lower guide 271a, a second lower guide 271b, a third lower guide 271c, and a fourth guide 271d.

[0189] The first lower guide 271a extends parallel to the mounting direction of the process cartridge 50, and is inclined downward toward the rear. The facing surface 26a of the electrical contact 26 and the extending direction of the first lower guide 271a are parallel to each other.

[0190] The second lower guide 271b extends rearward from the rear end of the first lower guide 271a and is inclined upward as it extends rearward. The second lower guide 271b approaches a surface parallel to the opposing surface 26a as it extends rearward. In other words, the distance between the second lower guide 271b and the surface parallel to the opposing surface 26a in the vertical orthogonal direction perpendicular to the mounting direction of the process cartridge 50 on the top and bottom sides becomes smaller as it extends downstream in the mounting direction.

[0191] The third lower guide 271c extends rearward from the rear end of the second lower guide 271b, and is inclined downward as it extends rearward. The inclination angle of the third lower guide 271c with respect to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the opposing surface 26a with respect to the horizontal direction, and the third lower guide 271c moves away from the plane parallel to the opposing surface 26a as it extends rearward. In other words, the distance between the third lower guide 271c and the plane parallel to the opposing surface 26a in the vertical orthogonal direction increases toward the downstream side in the mounting direction.

[0192] The fourth guide 271d extends rearward from the rear end of the third lower guide 271c and is inclined downward as it extends rearward. The fourth guide 271d extends parallel to the mounting direction, and the facing surface 26a of the electrical contact 26 and the extension direction of the fourth guide 271d are parallel. In the vertical orthogonal direction, the fourth guide 271d and the facing surface 26a of the electrical contact 26 face each other.

[0193] The upper guide 272 has a first upper guide 272a and a second upper guide 272b. The first upper guide 272a extends parallel to the mounting direction of the process cartridge 50 and is inclined downward toward the rear. The facing surface 26a of the electrical contact 26 and the extending direction of the first upper guide 272a are parallel to each other.

[0194] The first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b face each other in a vertical orthogonal direction perpendicular to the mounting direction of the process cartridge 50. The distance between the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b in the vertical orthogonal direction becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 50.

[0195] The second upper guide 272b extends rearward from the rear end of the first upper guide 272a and is inclined upward as it extends rearward. The second upper guide 272b approaches a surface parallel to the opposing surface 26a as it extends rearward. In other words, the distance between the second upper guide 272b and the surface parallel to the opposing surface 26a in the vertical orthogonal direction becomes smaller as it extends downstream in the mounting direction.

[0196] The second main body frame 25 has a cartridge rail 251 that guides the drum shaft 54AL that protrudes to the left of the photosensitive drum 54 when the process cartridge 50 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 2. The cartridge rail 251 extends in the front-rear direction and is inclined downward as it goes from the front to the rear. The drum shaft 54AL that is guided by the cartridge rail 251 enters the cartridge rail 251 from the right side.

[0197] The cartridge rail 251 is formed at a position corresponding in the front-rear and up-down directions to a rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241 formed on the first main body frame 24. The cartridge rail 251 is formed in the same shape as the rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241, and the inclination angle of the cartridge rail 251 with respect to the horizontal direction is the same as the inclination angle of the rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241 with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0198] The cartridge rail 251 and the rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241 overlap when viewed from the left-right direction. Therefore, when the process cartridge 50 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 2, while the drum shaft 54AR of the photosensitive drum 54 is guided by the rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241, the drum shaft 54AL of the photosensitive drum 54 is guided by the cartridge rail 251.

[0199] [Location of links and electrical contacts] The link 8 is disposed on the first body frame 24 and is located on the right side of the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus main body 2. The electrical contact 26 is disposed on the second body frame 25 and is located on the left side of the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50 mounted in the apparatus main body 2. In other words, the apparatus main body 2 has the first body frame 24 and the second body frame 25 that face each other in the left-right direction (width direction) perpendicular to the mounting direction, and the first body frame 24 has the link 8. In addition, the second body frame 25 that faces the first body frame 24 in the width direction has the electrical contact 26 and a guide 72 that guides the memory holder 70. In this way, by disposing the link 8 and the electrical contact 26 on opposite sides of the process cartridge 50 in the left-right direction, respectively, the degree of freedom of arrangement is improved, and it is possible to easily arrange the link 8 and the electrical contact 26.

[0200] [Location of drum shaft 54AR and toner memory] The drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50, which abuts against the abutment piece 80 of the link 8, is located at the right end of the process cartridge 50, and the toner memory 57, which has an electrical contact surface 57a that contacts the electrical contact 26, is located at the left end of the process cartridge 50. In this way, by arranging the drum shaft 54AR on the right side of the center CL in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 50 and arranging the toner memory 57 on the left side opposite the right side of the process cartridge 50 with respect to the center CL in the left-right direction, the degree of freedom of arrangement is improved, and it is possible to easily arrange the drum shaft 54AR and the toner memory 57.

[0201] [Memory holder operation] Next, the operation of the memory holder 70 for holding the toner memory 57 will be described.

[0202] (Operation when installing a process cartridge) First, the operation of the memory holder 70 when the process cartridge 50 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2 will be described.

[0203] In the image forming apparatus 1, when the process cartridge 50 is in a detached state from the apparatus main body 2, the shutter 64 is in a state moved to the closed position by the link 8. Also, when the process cartridge 50 is in a detached state and in the mounting start position (the position shown in FIG. 21), the memory holder 70 is not guided by the guide 27.

[0204] When the process cartridge 50, which is in the installation start position, is inserted toward the installation position and the drum shaft 54AR enters the middle part 241b (through hole 24C) of the cartridge rail 241 and abuts against the first boss 803 of the abutment piece 80, the second holder 72 of the memory holder 70 abuts against the first lower guide 271a of the lower guide 271 and is guided therein (see the memory holder 70 shown by the dotted line in Figure 34).

[0205] In this state, the base 712 of the first holder 71 in the memory holder 70 is not in contact with the upper guide 272, and the memory holder 70 is not pressed by the guide 27. In addition, the drum shaft 54AL of the photosensitive drum 54 is not guided by the cartridge rail 251.

[0206] When the memory holder 70 is in contact with the first lower guide 271a but is not in contact with the upper guide 272, the drum shaft 54AR, which moves rearward in the middle part 241b (through hole 24C) of the cartridge rail 241 while moving the contact piece 80 rearward, moves onto the rear part 241c of the cartridge rail 241. The drum shaft 54AR, which has moved onto the rear part 241c, moves away from the contact piece 80.

[0207] As shown in Figure 34, when the process cartridge 50 is then further inserted toward the mounting position, the base 712 of the memory holder 70 abuts against the first upper guide 272a of the upper guide 272, and then the second holder 72 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the first lower guide 271a to the second lower guide 271b and abuts against it.

[0208] When the second holder 72 is transferred to the second lower guide 271b, the memory holder 70 moves toward the mounting position while being in contact with the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b. In this case, since the distance between the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the memory holder 70 is pressed in the vertical orthogonal direction against the biasing force of the holder spring 73 by the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b.

[0209] In a state in which the memory holder 70 is pressed in the vertically orthogonal direction by the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b, the second holder 72 is inserted into the first holder 71, and the holder spring 73 is compressed.

[0210] Furthermore, when the process cartridge 50 is in a position where the memory holder 70 abuts against the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b, the drum shaft 54AL of the photosensitive drum 54 enters the cartridge rail 251 and is guided by the cartridge rail 251.

[0211] When the process cartridge 50 is further inserted toward the mounting position from the state shown in Figure 34, the second holder 72 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the second lower guide 271b to the third lower guide 271c, and the base 712 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the first upper guide 272a to the second upper guide 272b, as shown in Figure 35.

[0212] When the second holder 72 is transferred onto the third lower guide 271c and the base 712 is transferred onto the second upper guide 272b, the memory holder 70 moves towards the mounting position while in contact with the third lower guide 271c and the second upper guide 272b.

[0213] In this case, the second upper guide 272b approaches a surface parallel to the opposing surface 26a as it moves rearward, and the third lower guide 271c moves away from the surface parallel to the opposing surface 26a as it moves rearward, so that the distance between the second upper guide 272b and the third lower guide 271c in the vertical orthogonal direction increases toward the downstream side in the mounting direction. Therefore, when the memory holder 70 moves toward the mounting position, the second holder 72 extends from the first holder 71, and the compression degree of the holder spring 73 is relaxed. Also, the drum shaft 54AL of the photosensitive drum 54 moves within the cartridge rail 251 toward the mounting position.

[0214] When the process cartridge 50 is further inserted from the state shown in Figure 35 towards the mounting position and reaches the mounting position, as shown in Figure 36, the second holder 72 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the third lower guide 271c to the fourth lower guide 271d, and the base 712 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the second upper guide 272b to the opposing surface 26a of the electrical contact 26.

[0215] When the base 712 is placed on the facing surface 26a, the electrical contact 26 is in contact with the electrical contact surface 57a of the toner memory 57, and the contact 26b of the electrical contact 26 is electrically connected to the electrical contact surface 57a.

[0216] In addition, when the memory holder 70 is in contact with the fourth lower guide 271d and the electrical contact 26, the holder spring 73 is compressed, and the memory holder 70 is pressed in the vertical orthogonal direction by the fourth lower guide 271d and the electrical contact 26 against the biasing force of the holder spring 73.

[0217] In other words, the memory holder 70 is biased by the biasing force of the holder spring 73 in a direction in which the electrical contact surface 57a comes into contact with the electrical contact 26. In addition, the fourth lower guide 271d of the guide 27 presses the memory holder 70 in a direction in which the electrical contact surface 57a comes into contact with the electrical contact 26 when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2.

[0218] When the process cartridge 50 is in the installed state, the memory holder 70, guided by the fourth lower guide 271d, is pressed toward the side where the electrical contact surface 57a contacts the electrical contact 26, thereby enabling a stable electrical connection between the contactor 26b of the electrical contact 26 and the electrical contact surface 57a.

[0219] In addition, before the electrical contact surface 57a comes into contact with the electrical contact 26, the memory holder 70 is pressed by the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b, compressing the holder spring 73 and increasing the biasing force of the memory holder 70 by the holder spring 73. As a result, when the memory holder 70 moves from the position where it abuts against the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b toward the mounting position, it is possible to use the biasing force of the holder spring 73 to satisfactorily press the electrical contact surface 57a toward the electrical contact 26 in the vertical orthogonal direction.

[0220] In addition, the distance between the second upper guide 272b and the third lower guide 271c becomes smaller toward the upstream side in the mounting direction, and in order to move the memory holder 70 from the state in which the electrical contact surface 57a and the electrical contact 26 are in contact with each other toward the upstream side in the mounting direction, it is necessary to apply a force to the memory holder 70 that causes the holder spring 73 to contract against the biasing force. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the memory holder 70 in the state in which the electrical contact surface 57a and the electrical contact 26 are in contact with each other from suddenly moving toward the upstream side in the mounting direction, and it is possible to stabilize the contact state between the electrical contact surface 57a and the electrical contact 26.

[0221] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, the shutter 64 is in the closed position when the process cartridge 50 is in a detached state after being detached from the apparatus main body 2. Also, during the process cartridge 50 being attached to the apparatus main body 2, the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 and moves, and then moves away from the process cartridge 50 before the process cartridge 50 is attached.

[0222] Furthermore, after the contact piece 80 of the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 are separated from each other, the link 8 moves further independently of the process cartridge 50, thereby moving the shutter 64 from the closed position to the open position.

[0223] On the other hand, after the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 separate, the fourth lower guide 271d of the guide 27 presses the memory holder 70 against the biasing force of the holder spring 73, and when the process cartridge 50 is in the attached state, the electrical contact surface 57a comes into contact with the electrical contact 26.

[0224] In this way, after the link 8 and the process cartridge 50 separate, the movement of the link 8 moves the shutter 64 to the open position, and the movement of the process cartridge 50 brings the electrical contact surface 57a into contact with the electrical contact 26. This makes it possible to prevent the movement of the process cartridge 50 from affecting the movement of the shutter 64 to the open position, and to prevent the movement of the link 8 from affecting the contact between the electrical contact surface 57a and the electrical contact 26.

[0225] In addition, when the process cartridge 50 is being mounted in the apparatus main body 2, and the memory holder 70 is in a position pressed by the first upper guide 272a and the second lower guide 271b, the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 is positioned at the rear 241c of the cartridge rail 241 and is spaced apart from the abutment piece 80 of the link 8.

[0226] On the other hand, when the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 is positioned in the middle 241b (through hole 24C) of the cartridge rail 241 and abuts against the abutment piece 80 of the link 8, the memory holder 70 abuts only against the first lower guide 271a of the guide 27 and is not pressed against the guide 27.

[0227] In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1, during the process of mounting the process cartridge 50, the abutment piece 80 is positioned at a position where the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 at a timing different from the timing at which the guide 27 presses the memory holder 70.

[0228] When the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 and when the guide 27 presses against the memory holder 70, an operational resistance is generated in the process cartridge 50 during the installation operation. However, the timing at which the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the process cartridge 50 is different from the timing at which the guide 27 presses against the memory holder 70. Therefore, when the process cartridge 50 is installed, it is possible to prevent the operational resistance generated when the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the process cartridge 50 and the operational resistance generated when the guide 27 presses against the memory holder 70 from overlapping to produce a large operational resistance.

[0229] (Operation when removing the process cartridge) Next, there will be described the operation of the memory holder 70 when the process cartridge 50 in the mounting position is removed from the apparatus main body 2. When removing the process cartridge 50, the memory holder 70 operates in the opposite manner to the operation when the process cartridge 50 is mounted.

[0230] As shown in Figure 36, when the process cartridge 50 is in the installed state, the memory holder 70 abuts against the fourth lower guide 271d and the electrical contact 26, and the electrical contact 26 is in contact with the electrical contact surface 57a of the toner memory 57.

[0231] When the process cartridge 50 in the mounting position is removed forward from the main body 2 of the apparatus, the drum shaft 54AR in the mounting position (the drum shaft 54AR in the position shown in Figure 32) moves downstream in the removal direction within the rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241.

[0232] When the process cartridge 50 moves downstream in the removal direction, the second holder 72 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the fourth lower guide 271d to the third lower guide 271c, and the base 712 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the opposing surface 26a of the electrical contact 26 to the second upper guide 272b.

[0233] 35, when the memory holder 70 moves downstream in the removal direction while in contact with the third lower guide 271c and the second upper guide 272b, the memory holder 70 is pressed in the vertically perpendicular direction by the third lower guide 271c and the second upper guide 272b against the urging force of the holder spring 73, compressing the holder spring 73. In this case, the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 moves downstream in the removal direction within the rear part 241c of the cartridge rail 241.

[0234] When the process cartridge 50 moves further downstream in the removal direction, the second holder 72 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the third lower guide 271c to the second lower guide 271b, and the base 712 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the second upper guide 272b to the first upper guide 272a.

[0235] 34, when the memory holder 70 moves downstream in the removal direction while in contact with the second lower guide 271b and the first upper guide 272a, the compression of the holder spring 73 is relaxed. In this case, the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 moves downstream in the removal direction within the rear portion 241c of the cartridge rail 241.

[0236] As the process cartridge 50 moves further downstream in the removal direction, the second holder 72 of the memory holder 70 transfers from the second lower guide 271b to the first lower guide 271a, the base 712 of the memory holder 70 moves away from the first upper guide 272a, and the memory holder 70 is guided only by the first lower guide 271a.

[0237] After the memory holder 70 is guided only by the first lower guide 271a, the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 transfers from the rear portion 241c to the middle portion 241b (through hole 24C) of the cartridge rail 241 and comes into contact with the contact piece 80 of the link 8.

[0238] Thereafter, the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 moves the abutment piece 80 of the link 8, and the shutter 64 moves from the closed position toward the open position by the link 8. After the shutter 64 moves from the closed position toward the open position, the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 moves away from the abutment piece 80 of the link 8, the memory holder 70 moves away from the first lower guide 271a, and the process cartridge 50 is detached from the apparatus main body 2.

[0239] In this manner, when the process cartridge 50 is being removed from the apparatus main body 2 and the memory holder 70 is in a position pressed by the third lower guide 271c and the second upper guide 272b, the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 is positioned at the rear 241c of the cartridge rail 241 and is spaced apart from the abutment piece 80 of the link 8.

[0240] On the other hand, when the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 is positioned in the middle 241b (through hole 24C) of the cartridge rail 241 and abuts against the abutment piece 80 of the link 8, the memory holder 70 abuts only against the first lower guide 271a of the guide 27 and is not pressed against the guide 27.

[0241] In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1, during the process of removing the process cartridge 50, the abutment piece 80 is positioned at a position where the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 at a timing different from the timing at which the guide 27 presses the memory holder 70.

[0242] When the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the drum shaft 54AR of the process cartridge 50 and when the guide 27 presses against the memory holder 70, an operational resistance is generated in the process cartridge 50 during removal. However, the timing at which the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the process cartridge 50 is different from the timing at which the guide 27 presses against the memory holder 70. Therefore, when removing the process cartridge 50, it is possible to prevent the operational resistance generated when the abutment piece 80 of the link 8 abuts against the process cartridge 50 and the operational resistance generated when the guide 27 presses against the memory holder 70 from overlapping to produce a large operational resistance.

[0243] In this embodiment, the link 8 has the abutment piece 80, the first rotating link 81, the linear link 82, the second rotating link 83, the third rotating link 84, the shutter link 85, and the coil spring 86, but is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which one link connected to the shutter 64 abuts against the process cartridge 50 is also possible. Furthermore, the movement of each link of the link 8 is not limited to the movement in this embodiment, and may be a movement other than rotation or linear movement.

[0244] In this embodiment, the shutter 64 is opened and closed by the drum shaft 54A of the process cartridge 50 abutting against the abutment piece 80 of the link 8, but this is not limited to this and another part of the process cartridge 50 may abut against the link 8.

[0245] In this embodiment, the memory holder 70 has a first holder 71 and a second holder 72 each having a toner memory 57, and the holder spring 73 biases the first holder 71 and the second holder 72 in a direction in which the first holder 71 and the second holder 72 move away from each other along the sliding direction of the second holder 72, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a toner memory may be fixed to the process cartridge 50, and the memory and the electrical contacts may be in contact with each other when the toner memory is fixed to the process cartridge 50 and the electrical contacts are in a spring-biased state or when the electrical contacts are fixed to the apparatus body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0246] 1. Image forming device 2. Device body 6 Fixing unit 8 Links 9. Pressing member 24 First body frame 25 Second body frame 26 Electrical Contacts 27 Guide 50 Process Cartridge 54 Photosensitive drum 54A Drum shaft 54AL (Protruding from the second body frame) Drum shaft 54AR (protruding from the first body frame) drum shaft 57 Toner Memory 57a Electrical contact surface 61 Heating unit 64 Shutter 70 Memory Holder 73 Holder spring 80 Contact piece 91 Pressing arm 92 Compression spring 271 Lower guide 271b 2nd Lower Guide 271c 3rd Lower Guide 271d 4th Lower Guide 272 Upper guide 272a 1st Upper Guide 272b 2nd upper guide 823 Link protrusion 823b 2nd pressed surface 823c 3rd pressed surface CL (Process cartridge left-right center) S Seat

Claims

1. A device body, a cartridge that is detachably attached to the main body of the apparatus, the cartridge having an electrical contact surface and a memory that is capable of storing information about the cartridge; a fixing device having a heating section and fixing the toner image onto a sheet; a shutter that is movable between a closed position that covers the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet conveying direction and an open position that opens the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet conveying direction; a link connected to the shutter, the link abutting against the cartridge to move the shutter between the closed position and the open position; an electrical contact contacting the electrical contact surface of the memory; having An image forming apparatus in which, in a direction perpendicular to the mounting and removing direction of the cartridge, the link is located on a first side with respect to the center of the cartridge mounted in the device body, and the electrical contact is located on a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the center of the cartridge mounted in the device body.

2. the cartridge includes a holder that holds the memory, and a holder spring that biases the holder in a direction in which the electrical contact surface contacts the electrical contact; the apparatus main body has a guide that presses the holder toward a side where the electrical contact surface contacts the electrical contact when the cartridge is attached, the link has an abutment portion that abuts against the cartridge, 2 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the contact portion is disposed at a position where the contact portion and the cartridge come into contact with each other at a timing different from a timing at which the guide presses the holder during the process of mounting the cartridge.

3. In a detached state in which the cartridge is detached from the main body of the apparatus, the shutter is in a closed position, In the process of mounting the cartridge to the device body, the link moves in contact with the cartridge and then separates from the cartridge before the cartridge is in an attached state; after the link and the cartridge are separated, the link further moves independently of the cartridge to move the shutter from the closed position to the open position; 3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein after the link and the cartridge are separated, the guide presses the holder against the spring force of the holder spring, and when the cartridge is in an installed state, the electrical contact surface and the electrical contact come into contact with each other.

4. a biasing member for biasing the link, the biasing member having a biasing spring and a pressing portion that is pressed by the biasing spring and comes into contact with the link; the link has a protrusion that protrudes toward the biasing member and has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to a moving direction of the link, 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein after the link and the cartridge are separated, the pressing portion pressed by the spring abuts against the inclined surface of the protrusion, thereby pressing the link in the movement direction to move the shutter to the open position.

5. the cartridge includes a holder that holds the memory and a holder spring that biases the electrical contact surface in a direction in which the electrical contact contacts the electrical contact; the apparatus main body has a guide that presses the holder toward a side where the electrical contact surface contacts the electrical contact when the cartridge is attached, the link has an abutment portion that abuts against the cartridge, 2 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the contact portion is disposed at a position where the contact portion and the cartridge come into contact with each other at a timing different from a timing at which the guide presses the holder during the process of removing the cartridge.

6. The cartridge has a photosensitive drum that rotates around a drum axis, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the link abuts against the drum shaft.

7. A device body, a fixing device having a heating section and fixing the toner image onto a sheet; a shutter that is movable between a closed position that covers the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet conveying direction and an open position that opens the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet conveying direction; a link coupled to the shutter; An electrical contact; A cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus having a memory having an electrical contact surface that contacts the electrical contact and capable of storing information about the cartridge; and a link abutment portion that abuts against the link to move the shutter, a cartridge in which the link abutment portion is located on a first side with respect to a center in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the cartridge is attached and detached, and the memory is located on a second side opposite the first side with respect to the center.

8. An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having an electrical contact surface and a memory capable of storing information about the cartridge can be attached and detached in an attachment / detachment direction, A device body, a fixing device having a heating section and fixing the toner image onto a sheet; a shutter that is movable between a closed position that covers the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet conveying direction and an open position that opens the upstream of the heating unit in the sheet conveying direction; a link connected to the shutter, the link abutting against the cartridge to move the shutter between the closed position and the open position; an electrical contact contacting the electrical contact surface of the memory; having The image forming apparatus includes a first frame, the first frame having the link, and a second frame facing the first frame in a direction perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction, the second frame having the electrical contacts.

Images