Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique for further advancing an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of units can be drawn out from an apparatus main body.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus main body; a first unit to be attached to the apparatus main body; a second unit to be attached to the apparatus main body, the second unit (1) to be drawn out from the apparatus main body together with the first unit and (2) to be drawn out from the apparatus main body while the first unit is accommodated in the apparatus main body; and a restriction structure that restricts the first unit from being drawn out from the apparatus main body in a case where the second unit is drawn out from the apparatus main body while the first unit is accommodated in the apparatus main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Some image forming apparatuses, such as printers, copiers, and multifunction peripherals, have a tray that can be pulled out from inside the apparatus body to the outside, and a cartridge can be attached to and detached from the tray.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that includes a tray to which a cartridge can be detachably attached and a fixing device, and that allows the tray to be pulled out from inside to outside the main body of the image forming apparatus through a plurality of openings.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes an image forming apparatus including a tray to which a cartridge can be detachably attached, a transfer unit, and a fixing device, in which the tray and the transfer unit can each be pulled out from inside to outside the image forming apparatus. In Patent Document 2, the fixing device is disposed at one end of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and when the transfer unit is pulled out from inside to outside the main body, the transfer unit moves in a direction from the other end of the main body to the one end. On the other hand, when the tray is pulled out from inside to outside the main body, the tray moves in a direction from one end of the main body to the other end. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-244018 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-206897 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for further developing an image forming apparatus that allows a plurality of units to be pulled out from the main body of the apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention includes a device main body and a first unit attached to the device body; a second unit attached to the device body, the second unit being capable of (1) being pulled out from the device body together with the first unit, and (2) being pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body; a restriction structure that restricts the first unit from being pulled out from the device body when the second unit is pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body; The image forming apparatus is characterized by having: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to further develop an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of units can be pulled out from the main body of the apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment with the door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus in a state where the fixing device of the first embodiment has been moved. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a transfer unit and a tray unit of the first embodiment are pulled out. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the transfer unit of the first embodiment is pulled out alone. [Figure 6] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating the movement of a transfer unit and a tray unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating the movement of a transfer unit and a tray unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a connecting mechanism between a tray unit and a transfer unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a connecting mechanism between a tray unit and a transfer unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a connecting mechanism between a tray unit and a transfer unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a tray unit according to a modified example. [Figure 12] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a restricting member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13(a)] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a regulation structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13(b)] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a regulation structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13(c)] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a regulation structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a regulating member and a transfer unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the transfer unit of the second embodiment is pulled out alone. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a tray guide and a tray unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a tray unit and a transfer unit according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] Example 1 (Overall composition) An image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic color laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S as a recording material.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 has an apparatus main body (housing) 1A, a scanner (exposure device) 2, a control unit 3, and a door (opening / closing member) 20 that can be opened and closed relative to the apparatus main body 1A. The image forming apparatus 1 further has a sheet feeding unit 30, a transfer unit (transfer device) 40, a tray unit (moving unit, support unit) 50, and a fixing device 80. The portion including the apparatus main body 1A and the door 20 can also be called a main frame 100. The main frame 100 includes an exterior portion of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0013] The apparatus main body 1A accommodates a scanner 2, a control unit 3, a sheet feeding unit 30, a transfer unit 40, a tray unit 50, and a fixing device 80.

[0014] The sheet feeding unit 30 is a paper feeding unit that supplies recording materials and has a stacking tray 31 on which sheets S as recording materials are stacked, and a supply roller 32. The stacking tray 31 can be pulled out toward the door 20 to replenish the sheets S.

[0015] The tray unit 50 has a tray (support member, drawer) 51 and the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. The tray 51 has a tray handle 52. The cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are removably attached to the tray 51.

[0016] Each of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK is detachably mounted to the tray 51 independently of the others. Each of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK has a toner storage section 72 that stores toner (developer) of the respective colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK have the same configuration except for the toner colors they store. Therefore, the configuration and operation of only one of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK will be described, and a description of the others will be omitted. Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK, the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK may be simply referred to as cartridges P. The tray unit 50 can be said to have multiple cartridges P and a tray 51 to which the multiple cartridges P are detachably mounted.

[0017] In the first embodiment, the tray unit 50 has a plurality of photosensitive drums (image carriers) 61, a plurality of charging rollers 62 (charging members), and a plurality of developing rollers (developer carriers) 71. Specifically, the tray unit 50 has four photosensitive drums 61, four charging rollers 62, and four developing rollers 71. The rotational axis directions of the photosensitive drums 61, the developing rollers 71, and the charging rollers 62 are parallel to each other. The developing rollers 71 are developing units that form toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 61.

[0018] The portion where a black (K) image is formed is called the black station (first station), the photosensitive drum 61 of the first station is called the first photosensitive drum, the developing roller 71 is called the first developing roller, and the charging roller 62 is called the first charging roller.

[0019] The portion where a cyan (C) image is formed is called a cyan station (second station), the photosensitive drum 61 of the second station is called a second photosensitive drum, the developing roller 71 is called a second developing roller, and the charging roller 62 is called a second charging roller.

[0020] The portion where a magenta (M) image is formed is called the magenta station (third station), the photosensitive drum 61 of the third station is called the third photosensitive drum, the developing roller 71 is called the third developing roller, and the charging roller 62 is called the third charging roller.

[0021] The portion where a yellow (Y) image is formed is called the yellow station (fourth station), the photosensitive drum 61 of the fourth station is called the fourth photosensitive drum, the developing roller 71 is called the fourth developing roller, and the charging roller 62 is called the fourth charging roller.

[0022] The cartridge PK is detachably mounted to the black station, the cartridge PC to the cyan station, the cartridge PM to the magenta station, and the cartridge PY to the yellow station. In the first embodiment, the cartridge PK is referred to as the first cartridge, the cartridge PC is referred to as the second cartridge, the cartridge PM is referred to as the third cartridge, and the cartridge PY is referred to as the fourth cartridge.

[0023] It should be noted that numbers such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th are used for convenience in the explanation.

[0024] The photosensitive drum 61, the charging roller 62, and the developing roller 71 may be provided in either the cartridge P or the tray 51. In the first embodiment, the cartridge P has the photosensitive drum 61, the charging roller 62, and the developing roller 71.

[0025] The transfer unit 40 includes a belt 41, a primary transfer roller 42, a cleaning unit 43, a drive roller 46 that drives the belt 41, and a tension roller (driven roller) 47. Reference numeral 40 denotes a belt unit having a belt capable of contacting the photosensitive drum 61. The image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment is provided with an optical sensor 44 that detects a toner image transferred to the belt 41. In the first embodiment, the belt 41 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 61 and is capable of contacting the photosensitive drum 61 so as to form a primary transfer portion between the belt 41 and the photosensitive drum 61. The image forming apparatus 1 also has a secondary transfer roller 45 that contacts the belt 41 so as to form a secondary transfer portion. The secondary transfer portion is formed between the belt 41 and the secondary transfer roller 45. The rotational axis direction of the primary transfer roller 42, the rotational axis direction of the drive roller 46, the rotational axis direction of the tension roller 47, and the rotational axis direction of the secondary transfer roller 45 are parallel to each other. A pair of registration rollers 4 is disposed in front of the secondary transfer portion.

[0026] The fixing device 80 has a fixing section 81 and a flapper 5. When an image forming operation is performed on the sheet S, the fixing device 80 is in a use position Cs (see FIG. 7) where a fixing operation for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording material can be performed. The fixing device 80 is stored inside (inside) the apparatus main body 1A when in the use position Cs. The fixing device 80 is also configured to heat the sheet S when in the use position Cs. In the first embodiment, the fixing section 81 includes a heating section (heating roller) including a heater, and a pressure section (pressure roller).

[0027] The movement of the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 will be described using Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the door 20 open. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the fixing device 80 moved. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 pulled out. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the transfer unit 40 pulled out alone.

[0028] The transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 are movable from the inside to the outside of the device main body 1A. In the horizontal direction H, the device main body 1A has a first end 1b1 provided with an opening 1A1 and a second end 1b2 opposite the first end 1b1. The tray unit 50 is movable through the opening 1A1 to a first inner position Ci1 inside the device main body 1A and a first outer position Co1 outside the device main body 1A. The transfer unit 40 is movable through the opening 1A1 to a second inner position Ci2 inside the device main body 1A and a second outer position Co2 outside the device main body 1A. The opening 1A1 may include an opening through which the tray unit 50 passes and an opening through which the transfer unit 40 passes. Note that when the transfer unit 40 moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2, at least the belt 41 is moved, and at least a portion of the belt 41 protrudes from the device main body 1A toward the outside of the device main body 1A.

[0029] The direction in which the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1 is called the tray removal direction Dd1, and the direction opposite to the tray removal direction Dd1 is called the tray attachment direction Da1. The tray removal direction Dd1 can be said to be the direction from the second end 1b2 toward the first end 1b1.

[0030] The direction in which the transfer unit 40 moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2 is called the transfer take-out direction Dd2, and the opposite direction to the transfer take-out direction Dd2 is called the transfer attachment direction Da2. In the transfer take-out direction Dd2, the drive roller 46 is positioned downstream of the tension roller 47. The transfer take-out direction Dd2 can be said to be the direction from the second end 1b2 toward the first end 1b1.

[0031] The tray removal direction Dd1 and the tray attachment direction Da1 are directions that intersect (preferably perpendicular to) the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 61. The transfer removal direction Dd2 and the transfer attachment direction Da2 are directions that intersect (preferably perpendicular to) the rotation axis direction of the drive roller 46. The rotation axis direction of the drive roller 46 is parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0032] In the horizontal direction H, the fixing device 80 is disposed on one end side of the apparatus main body 1A (the side where the first end 1b1 is disposed).

[0033] Door 20 attached to apparatus main body 1A is movable between a closed position and an open position. As shown in Fig. 1, when door 20 is in the closed position (door 20 closed state), door 20 covers opening 1A1. As shown in Fig. 2, when door 20 is in the open position (door 20 open state), opening 1A1 is exposed.

[0034] 1, when the door 20 is in the closed position, the door 20 covers the fixing device 80 attached to the apparatus main body 1A. More specifically, when the door 20 is in the closed position, the upper cover portion 20b of the door 20 is located above the fixing device 80. The upper cover portion 20b of the door 20 functions as a part of the exterior.

[0035] The door 20 can move between an open position and a closed position while the fixing device 80 is supported by the apparatus main body 1A. In other words, the door 20 moves from the closed position to the open position so as to move away from the fixing device 80 supported by the apparatus main body 1A. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the door 20 is in the open position, the door 20 is away from the fixing device 80 supported by the apparatus main body 1A.

[0036] As will be described later, the fixing device 80 can be moved from the state shown in Fig. 2 to the state shown in Fig. 3 so that the opening 1A1 is widely exposed. With the door 20 and the fixing device 80 moved (Fig. 3), the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 can be moved from the inside to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A through the opening 1A1, and after the movement, the state shown in Fig. 4 is obtained.

[0037] With the tray unit 50 moved to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A (FIG. 4), it is possible to remove the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK from the tray 51 and to attach the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK to the tray 51. This allows the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK to be replaced with new cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. In the first embodiment, the cartridge P is detachable from the tray 51 in a direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0038] The cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are removed from the tray 51 by moving in a direction away from the transfer unit 40 relative to the tray 51. In other words, the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are removed from the tray 51 by moving toward the opposite side of the transfer unit 40 relative to the tray 51. In the first embodiment, the transfer unit 40 is disposed below the tray unit 50. Therefore, the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are removed from the tray 51 by moving upward relative to the tray 51.

[0039] Furthermore, the transfer unit 40 can be removed from the apparatus main body 1A independently of the tray unit 50, and can be replaced with a new transfer unit 40.

[0040] (Image formation operation) 1, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The control unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 starts the image forming operation on the sheet S based on an image signal received from an external host device 400. The external host device 400 is, for example, a personal computer, an image reader, or a facsimile machine.

[0041] When an image is formed on the sheet S, the fixing device 80 is located at the use position Cs, the tray unit 50 is located at the first inside position Ci1, and the transfer unit 40 is located at the second inside position Ci2. The transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2, and the door 20 is in the closed position. With the transfer unit 40 in the second inner position Ci2, the belt 41 can come into contact with the photosensitive drum 61. At this time, the tray unit 50 is located above the transfer unit 40.

[0042] A charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 62, causing the photosensitive drum 61 to rotate. A laser corresponding to image information is irradiated from the scanner 2 onto the photosensitive drum 61, exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 charged by the charging roller 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0043] The developing roller 71 carries toner. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 71, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 is developed with the toner supplied from the developing roller 71, forming a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. In the first embodiment, the developing roller 71 develops the electrostatic latent image while in contact with the photosensitive drum 61, but the developing roller 71 may also develop the electrostatic latent image while there is a gap between the developing roller 71 and the photosensitive drum 61.

[0044] When a full-color image is formed, a toner image of each of the colors Y, M, C, and K is formed on each photosensitive drum 61 .

[0045] In the first embodiment, when the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1, the developing roller 71 is movable between a contact position where it contacts the photosensitive drum 61 and a spaced position where it is spaced from the photosensitive drum 61. Specifically, a switching device provided in the apparatus main body 1A switches between a state where the developing roller 71 is in the contact position and a state where the developing roller 71 is in the spaced position. This allows the developing roller 71 to be spaced from the photosensitive drum 61 when no image forming operation is being performed.

[0046] The image forming apparatus 1 can perform monochrome printing when the developing roller 71 corresponding to the cartridge PK is in contact with the photosensitive drum 61 and the developing rollers 71 corresponding to the cartridges PY, PM, and PC are spaced apart from each other. The image forming apparatus 1 can also perform full-color printing when the photosensitive drums 61 corresponding to the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are in contact with the belt 41.

[0047] The toner images formed on each photosensitive drum 61 are transferred onto the belt 41 by the primary transfer roller 42 at the primary transfer section, and then transported toward the secondary transfer section formed by the belt 41 and the secondary transfer roller 45.

[0048] Meanwhile, the apparatus main body 1A is formed with a conveying path (first route, first conveying path) 1c through which the sheet S passes toward the fixing device 80. The door 20 is also formed with a double-sided conveying path (second route, second conveying path) 20a through which the sheet S passes after passing through the fixing device 80. The door 20 covers the conveying path 1c in the closed state. When the door 20 is opened, the conveying path 1c and the double-sided conveying path 20a are exposed (FIG. 2).

[0049] The secondary transfer roller 45, the registration roller pair 4, the conveying path 1c, the duplex conveying path 20a, etc. constitute a conveying section that conveys the recording material. The conveying path 1c, one of the registration roller pair 4, and the duplex conveying path 20a, which are part of the conveying section, can move to a first position shown in FIG. 1 and a second position shown in FIG. 2 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 20. As the door 20 closes, the conveying section moves to the first position, and as the door 20 opens, the conveying section moves to the second position. As shown in FIG. 6, the space through which the tray unit 50 passes when it is drawn out of the apparatus main body 1A is defined as a first space K1, and the space through which the transfer unit 40 passes when it is drawn out of the apparatus main body 1A is defined as a second space K2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, at the first position, at least a part of the conveying section is inside at least one of the first space K1 and the second space K2. As shown in FIG. 3, in the second position, the transport section is located outside the first space K1 and the second space K2.

[0050] In the sheet feeding section 30, one sheet S is separated and fed from the sheets S stacked on the stacking tray 31 by the supply roller 32 at a predetermined timing, and is transported through the transport path 1c toward the secondary transfer section and the fixing device 80.

[0051] In the secondary transfer portion, the toner image is transferred from the belt 41 to the sheet S. The toner that has not been transferred to the sheet S is removed from the belt 41 by a cleaning blade (cleaning member) 43A provided in the cleaning portion 43.

[0052] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred in the secondary transfer unit is transported towards a fixing device 80. In the fixing device 80, the sheet S is heated and pressurized in a fixing unit 81, and the toner image is fixed onto the sheet S. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been fixed is transported towards a flapper 5 serving as a path switching unit.

[0053] The flapper 5 is movable between a paper discharge position where the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 80 is guided toward a paper discharge path 1d and a reversing position where the sheet S is guided toward a reversing path 1e.

[0054] When single-sided printing is performed, in which an image is formed on one side of the sheet S, the sheet S is guided to the paper discharge path 1d by the flapper 5 and discharged onto a discharge tray 1f formed on the top of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0055] On the other hand, when double-sided printing is performed, in which images are printed on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S is guided to the reversing path 1e by the flapper 5. After the sheet S is guided to the reversing path 1e, the conveying direction of the sheet S is reversed, and the sheet S is conveyed toward the secondary transfer unit through the double-sided conveying path 20a formed in the door 20. After the toner image is transferred to the back side of the sheet S in the secondary transfer unit, the sheet S passes through the fixing device 80, is guided by the flapper 5 to the paper discharge path 1d, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 1f of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0056] (Removing the tray unit and transfer unit and arranging the fixing unit) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the removal of the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 from the apparatus main body 1A and the arrangement of the fixing device 80 will be described.

[0057] As described above, the fixing device 80 of the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed at one end of the apparatus main body 1A in the horizontal direction H. The transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 move from one end of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A through the opening 1A1.

[0058] In other words, fixing device 80 is closer to first end 1b1 than to second end 1b2 in the horizontal direction H. That is, the distance between fixing device 80 and first end 1b1 is shorter than the distance between fixing device 80 and second end 1b2 in the horizontal direction H. Fixing device 80 is disposed at a position closer to first end 1b1 than to the center of device body 1A in the horizontal direction H, and it can be said that the distance between first end 1b1 and fixing device 80 in the horizontal direction H is shorter than the distance between first end 1b1 and the center of device body 1A.

[0059] Furthermore, as described above, when the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, the movement direction of the tray unit 50 is a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 61. At this time, the tray unit 50 moves away from the second end 1b2.

[0060] As described above, when the transfer unit 40 moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2, the movement direction of the transfer unit 40 is a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the drive roller 46. At this time, the transfer unit 40 moves away from the second end 1b2.

[0061] As described above, the door 20 of the first embodiment covers the opening 1A1 in the closed state and also covers at least a portion of the conveying path 1c for the sheet S. The door 20 also includes a duplex conveying path 20a. If a jam occurs with the sheet S, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can remove the sheet S from one end of the apparatus main body 1A and resolve the jam. Specifically, the user can move the door 20 to the open position to access the inside of the apparatus main body 1A and remove the sheet S. Furthermore, if a portion of the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 80 is exposed outside the apparatus main body 1A, the user can remove the sheet S by pulling it from outside the apparatus main body 1A without opening the door 20.

[0062] Furthermore, a user of the image forming apparatus 1 can move the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 from one end of the apparatus main body 1A to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A to check the status of the transfer unit 40 and the cartridge P, perform maintenance, replacement, etc.

[0063] That is, in the image forming apparatus 1, the fixing device 80 is disposed at one end of the device main body 1A, and the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 can be moved in and out of the device main body 1A through that end. As a result, the user can clear jams, access the fixing device 80, and operate the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 from one direction.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the door 20 side is the front of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, it is sufficient that there is space around the image forming apparatus 1 for clearing jams and operating the transfer unit 40 and tray unit 50 from the front of the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, there is no need to secure space for performing these operations from the left, right, back, or top of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can be installed in a space-saving manner.

[0065] If the transfer unit 40 or the tray unit 50 is pulled out from the other end of the device main body 1A, the user will need to access both ends of the device main body 1A to clear the jam and pull out the transfer unit 40 or the tray unit 50. Also, if one of the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 is pulled out from one end of the device main body 1A and the other of the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 is pulled out from the other end, the user will need to access both ends of the device main body 1A. This requires space to work from not only the front but also the back of the device main body 1A, which increases the area required to install the image forming apparatus 1.

[0066] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the sheets S can be replenished from one end side of the apparatus main body 1A. Therefore, it is only necessary to secure a space for replenishing the sheets S from the front of the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be installed in a space-saving manner.

[0067] (Moving mechanism of fixing device) The relationship between the tray unit 50 and the fixing device 80 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7. Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the movement of the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50.

[0068] The tray unit 50 passes through a predetermined space when moving between the first inner position Ci1 where an image forming operation is performed on the sheet S and the first outer position Co1 where replacement of the cartridge P is permitted. In this way, the space through which the tray unit 50 passes when moving from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1 is referred to as the first space K1 (movement space of the tray unit 50). The first space K1 can also be called a path or a locus (first movement path, first movement locus) along which the tray unit 50 passes when moving from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1.

[0069] The transfer unit 40 passes through a predetermined space when moving between the second inner position Ci2, where an image forming operation is performed on the sheet S, and the second outer position Co2. The space through which the transfer unit 40 passes when moving from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2 is called the second space K2 (movement space of the transfer unit 40). The second space K2 can also be called the path or trajectory (second movement path, second movement trajectory) through which the transfer unit 40 passes when moving from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2.

[0070] The position of the fixing device 80 when an image forming operation is performed on the sheet S (use position Cs), the first space K1, and the second space K2 have the following relationship.

[0071] 6 and 7, at least a portion of the fixing device 80 in the use position Cs overlaps with the first space K1. In other words, when the fixing device 80 is in the use position Cs, at least a portion of the fixing device 80 is inside the first space K1.

[0072] In Example 1, at least a portion of the fixing device 80 overlaps with the space through which the cartridge P passes when the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, but it may also be arranged so as to overlap with the space through which the tray 51 passes.

[0073] This allows the apparatus main body 1A to be made smaller in size than in a configuration in which the fixing device 80 in the use position Cs is located outside the first space K1.

[0074] 6, in the first embodiment, when the door 20 is in the closed state, at least a portion of the double-sided conveying path 20a overlaps with the first space K1. That is, when the door 20 is in the closed state, at least a portion of the double-sided conveying path 20a is inside the first space K1.

[0075] As described above, at least a portion of the fixing device 80 in the use position Cs is located inside the first space K1. Therefore, when the fixing device 80 is in the use position Cs, the tray unit 50 is restricted from moving from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1. Meanwhile, the fixing device 80 is movable between the use position Cs and the retracted position Ct, where the fixing device 80 is retracted from the use position Cs. When the fixing device 80 moves from the use position Cs to the retracted position Ct, the tray unit 50 is permitted to move from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1. When the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, the tray unit 50 passes below the fixing device 80. Note that the fixing device 80 is located outside the second space K2 in the use position Cs and the retracted position Ct. Therefore, in both a state where the fixing device 80 is in the use position Cs and a state where the fixing device 80 is in the retracted position Ct, the transfer unit 40 can move from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2. When the transfer unit 40 moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2, the transfer unit 40 passes below the fixing device 80.

[0076] The fixing device 80 has a fixing frame 80a that supports a fixing section 81. When the fixing device 80 retreats from the use position Cs, the fixing frame 80a displaces relative to the apparatus main body 1A while supporting the fixing section 81.

[0077] When the tray unit 50 is to be drawn out of the apparatus main body 1A, the door 20 is first moved to the open position as shown in FIG. 2. In the first embodiment, when the fixing device 80 is located at the use position Cs, In this state, the door 20 can be moved to an open position and a closed position. With the door 20 in the open position, the fixing device 80 is moved from the use position Cs to the retracted position Ct so as to move to the outside of the first space K1, as shown in FIG.

[0078] In the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the fixing device 80, while attached to the apparatus main body 1A, is movable between a use position Cs and a retracted position Ct retracted from the use position Cs. In the first embodiment, when the fixing device 80 is in the retracted position Ct, the entire fixing device 80 is located outside the first space K1.

[0079] In addition, at the use position Cs, at least a part of the fixing device 80 may be inside the second space K2, or a part of the fixing device 80 may be in the first space K1 and another part may be inside the second space K2.

[0080] The fixing device 80 can be lifted from the use position Cs and moved to a retracted position Ct above the use position Cs. In other words, the retracted position Ct is higher than the use position Cs. As shown in FIG. 7 , when the fixing device 80 is in the retracted position Ct, at least a portion of the fixing device 80 protrudes from the device main body 1A toward the outside of the device main body 1A. Furthermore, when the fixing device 80 is in the retracted position Ct, the position of at least a portion of the fixing device 80 is higher than the position of the upper cover portion 20b of the door 20 in the closed position. This allows the fixing device 80 to move to the retracted position Ct, ensuring space for the tray unit 50 to move while maintaining a small size of the image forming apparatus 1 when the fixing device 80 is in the use position Cs. Note that when the fixing device 80 is in the retracted position Ct, the door 20 is restricted from taking the closed position.

[0081] Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 has a connecting member (fixing connecting member, fixing link, arm) 85 movably connected to the apparatus main body 1A. The fixing device 80 is connected to the apparatus main body 1A via the connecting member 85.

[0082] The connecting member 85 is rotatable around a rotation center 85A, and when the tray unit 50 is pulled out to the outside of the device main body 1A, the connecting member 85 is moved out of the first space K1. The fixing device 80 is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting member 85, and the other end of the connecting member 85 is connected to the device main body 1A so as to be rotatable around the rotation center 85A. The fixing device 80, while supported by the connecting member 85 (connected to the device main body 1A via the connecting member 85), is movable from the use position Cs to the retracted position Ct and from the retracted position Ct to the use position Cs. The connecting member 85 is configured to be movable (swingable) relative to the device main body 1A and the fixing device 80. In other words, the fixing device 80 is connected to the device main body 1A via the connecting member 85. As a result, the movement distance of the fixing device 80 when moving between the retracted position Ct and the use position Cs can be increased compared to a configuration in which the fixing device 80 is directly connected to the device main body 1A.

[0083] 7, when the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, the angle between the movement direction Dd1 of the tray unit 50 and the horizontal direction H is smaller than the angle between the movement direction Dd1 of the tray unit 50 and the vertical direction V. Furthermore, when the fixing device 80 moves from the use position Cs to the retracted position Ct, the movement amount of the fixing device 80 in the vertical direction V is larger than the movement amount of the fixing device 80 in the horizontal direction H. In other words, when the fixing device 80 moves from the use position Cs to the retracted position Ct, the movement amount of the fixing device 80 in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction Dd1 of the tray unit 50 is larger than the movement amount of the fixing device 80 in the direction parallel to the movement direction Dd1 of the tray unit 50.

[0084] Furthermore, the fixing device 80 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A via a guide fixed to the apparatus main body 1A. The guide may be configured to move between the use position Cs and the retracted position Ct while attached to the guide. In this case, the shape of the guide is arbitrary.

[0085] However, the method for moving the fixing device 80 to the outside of the first space K1 is not limited to this. For example, the fixing device 80 may be detachable from the apparatus main body 1A so as to retreat from the use position Cs, and the fixing device 80 may be moved to the outside of the first space K1. That is, the fixing device 80 may be positioned outside the first space K1 by separating it from the apparatus main body 1A and the door 20 (separating it from the main frame 100). Alternatively, the fixing device 80 may be connected to the door 20, and the fixing device 80 may be moved to the outside of the first space K1 by opening the door 20.

[0086] (Relationship between the tray unit and the transfer unit) The relationship between the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. FIG.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 3, with the fixing device 80 positioned outside the first space K1, the user grasps the tray handle 52 and moves the tray unit 50 toward the outside of the apparatus main body 1A.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the position of the transfer unit 40 when an image forming operation is performed on the sheet S and the first space K1 have the following relationship.

[0089] That is, when an image forming operation is performed on the sheet S, the transfer unit 40 is at the second inside position Ci2. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, at least a portion of the transfer unit 40 at the second inside position Ci2 overlaps with the first space K1. In other words, when the transfer unit 40 is at the second inside position Ci2, at least a portion of the transfer unit 40 is inside the first space K1.

[0090] In Example 1, at least a portion of the transfer unit 40 overlaps with the space through which the tray 51 passes when the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, but it may also be positioned so as to overlap with the space through which the cartridge P passes.

[0091] This allows the apparatus main body 1A to be made smaller in size than in a configuration in which the transfer unit 40 at the second inner position Ci2 is positioned outside the first space K1.

[0092] In the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the part of the transfer unit 40 that overlaps with the first space K1 is the cleaning section 43 that houses the cleaning member 43A. However, other parts of the transfer unit 40 may overlap with the first space K1. In addition, in the first embodiment, the cleaning member 43A of the transfer unit 40 that is in the second inner position Ci2 overlaps with the first space K1.

[0093] It can be said that the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 satisfy the following relationship. Consider a state in which the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1 and the transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2. In this state, in the movement direction in which the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, a part of the transfer unit 40 (the cleaning unit 43) is downstream of the tray unit 50. Furthermore, in the vertical direction V, the area (range) in which the part of the transfer unit 40 (the cleaning unit 43) downstream of the tray unit 50 is located at least partially overlaps with the area (range) in which the tray unit 50 is located.

[0094] In the first embodiment, when the door 20 is in the closed state, at least a part of the duplex conveying path 20a is closed when the transfer unit 40 moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2. That is, when the door 20 is in the closed state, at least a part of the double-sided conveying path 20a is inside the second space K2.

[0095] As described above, when the transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2, at least a portion of the transfer unit 40 is located inside the first space K1. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the user moves the tray unit 50 from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1 relative to the apparatus main body 1A, the transfer unit 40 also moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2 relative to the apparatus main body 1A. In other words, when the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 are integrated, the tray unit moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, and the transfer unit 40 moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2.

[0096] By moving the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 together, the exposure of the photosensitive drum 61 is prevented when the tray unit 50 moves to the first outer position Co1, and scratches and dirt on the photosensitive drum 61 can be prevented.

[0097] 7, when the door 20 is open, the tray unit 50 is in the first outer position Co1, and the transfer unit 40 is in the second outer position Co2, the transfer unit 40 supports the tray unit 50 from below. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the door 20 supports the transfer unit 40. In other words, the transfer unit 40 supported by the door 20 supports the tray unit 50. In this state, it can also be said that the door 20 supports the tray unit 50 via the transfer unit 40.

[0098] (Connecting mechanism between tray unit and transfer unit) The configuration for the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 to move together will be described with reference to Figures 8, 9, and 10. Figures 8, 9, and 10 are diagrams for explaining a locking member (lever, stopper, connecting member) 53 that connects the tray 51 of the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40.

[0099] The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment has a locking member 53. In the first embodiment, the locking member 53 is provided on the tray 51 of the tray unit 50. The locking member 53 has a transfer locking portion 53A and is rotatable around a rotation center 53B.

[0100] The tray 51 has a transfer connection portion 51A. The transfer unit 40 has a transfer frame 48 that supports a drive roller 46, a tension roller 47, and a primary transfer roller 42. The transfer frame 48 has a tray connection groove 48A and a lock connection portion 48B.

[0101] The locking member 53 rotates around the rotation center 53B, whereby the transfer locking portion 53A engages with the lock connecting portion 48B, and the locking member 53 can move to a connecting position where the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 are connected, and to a release position where the transfer unit 40 is retracted from the connecting position.

[0102] By engaging the transfer connecting portion 51A with the tray connecting groove 48A, the tray unit 50 is restricted from moving in the tray removal direction Dd1 and in a direction perpendicular to the tray removal direction Dd1 relative to the transfer unit 40. On the other hand, the transfer unit 40 is restricted from moving in the transfer attachment direction Da2 and in a direction perpendicular to the transfer attachment direction Da2 relative to the tray unit 50.

[0103] Such a configuration is provided at a total of four locations: near both ends of the tension roller 47 in the direction of its rotation axis, and near both ends of the drive roller 46 in the direction of its rotation axis.

[0104] When the transfer lock portion 53A of the lock member 53 in the coupled position engages with the lock coupling portion 48B, the tray unit 50 is restricted from moving in the tray attachment direction Da1 relative to the transfer unit 40. On the other hand, the transfer unit 40 is restricted from moving in the transfer removal direction Dd2 relative to the tray unit 50.

[0105] The locking member 53 and the locking connecting portion 48B may also be provided at both ends of the transfer unit 40 in the direction of the rotation axis of the tension roller 47.

[0106] In other words, when the transfer connecting portion 51A engages with the tray connecting groove 48A and the locking member 53 in the connecting position engages with the lock connecting portion 48B, the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 are restricted from moving relative to each other. Note that in this state, there may be play between the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50.

[0107] In other words, the transfer connecting portion 51A and the locking member 53 function as a tray-side connecting device, and the tray connecting groove 48A and the lock connecting portion 48B function as a transfer-side connecting device. By connecting the tray-side connecting device and the transfer-side connecting device, the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 are connected, and the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 move integrally.

[0108] 10, the apparatus main body 1A has an unlocking part 1B. When the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1 and the transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2, the locking member 53 is in contact with the unlocking part 1B and is in the unlocked position. In this state, the transfer locking part 53A is separated from the lock connecting part 48B.

[0109] When the tray unit 50 is moved in the tray removal direction Dd1 with the locking member 53 in the release position, the transfer unit 40 is pushed in the transfer removal direction Dd2 by the transfer connecting portion 51A provided on the tray 51. As a result, the transfer unit 40 is also moved integrally with the tray unit 50 in the transfer removal direction Dd2. When the tray unit 50 moves a predetermined distance in the tray removal direction Dd1, the locking member 53 separates from the lock releasing portion 1B, moves to the connecting position, and engages with the lock connecting portion 48B. With the locking member 53 in the connecting position and engaged with the lock connecting portion 48B, the tray unit 50 is moved to the first outer position Co1, and the transfer unit 40 is moved to the second outer position Co2.

[0110] When the tray unit 50 is moved in the tray attachment direction Da1 with the locking member 53 engaged with the lock connecting portion 48B, the transfer unit 40 is pushed in the transfer attachment direction Da2 by the locking member 53. As a result, the transfer unit 40 is also moved integrally with the tray unit 50 in the transfer attachment direction Da2.

[0111] When the transfer unit 40 is moved in the transfer attachment direction Da2 with the lock member 53 engaged with the lock connecting portion 48B, the transfer unit 40 pushes the transfer connecting portion 51A, and the tray unit 50 is pushed in the tray attachment direction Da1. As a result, the tray unit 50 is also moved integrally with the transfer unit 40 in the tray attachment direction Da1.

[0112] When the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 are moved integrally toward the inside of the apparatus main body 1A, the lock member 53 is moved to the release position by the lock release section 1B. In this state, even if the tray unit 50 is moved in the tray attachment direction Da1, the transfer unit 40 does not move. Therefore, in the process of closing the door 20, the force of the secondary transfer roller 45 coming into contact with the transfer unit 40 pushes the transfer unit 40 in the transfer attachment direction Da2, and pushes it all the way into the apparatus main body 1A (to the second inside position Ci2). In other words, the door 20 cannot push the transfer unit 40 so that the transfer unit 40 moves to the second inside position Ci2. The door 20 may also push the tray unit 50 so that the tray unit 50 moves to the first inner position Ci1.

[0113] On the other hand, consider a state in which the locking member 53 is in the release position and the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1. In this state, when the transfer unit 40 is moved in the transfer removal direction Dd2, the transfer unit 40 can move from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2 independently of the tray unit 50. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, with the tray unit 50 positioned inside the device main body 1A (first inner position Ci1), the transfer unit 40 can be moved outside the device main body 1A (second outer position Co2). The transfer unit 40 is removable from the device main body 1A and can be replaced with a new transfer unit 40.

[0114] In the first embodiment, when the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1, the tray unit 50 is positioned relative to the device main body 1A independently of the transfer unit 40. Furthermore, when the transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2, the transfer unit 40 is positioned relative to the device main body 1A independently of the tray unit 50. This is because priority is given to accurately positioning each of the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 relative to the device main body 1A. Therefore, when the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1 and the transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2, a slight clearance is provided between the tray connecting groove 48A and the transfer connecting portion 51A.

[0115] The clearance between the tray connecting groove 48A and the transfer connecting portion 51A may be eliminated so that the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 can be positioned relative to each other when the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1 and the transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2. In this case, the transfer unit 40 and the tray unit 50 can be positioned relative to each other with high precision.

[0116] (Moving the tray unit and transfer unit) As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H when they are attached to the apparatus main body 1A.

[0117] More specifically, when the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1, the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 61 closer to the first end 1b1 is positioned higher in the vertical direction V than the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 61 farther from the first end 1b1.

[0118] That is, when the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1, the second photosensitive drum (the photosensitive drum 61 of the cartridge PC) is closer to the first end 1b1 than the first photosensitive drum (the photosensitive drum 61 of the cartridge PK). Also, the rotation axis of the second photosensitive drum is located higher in the vertical direction V than the rotation axis of the first photosensitive drum. Similarly, the third photosensitive drum (the photosensitive drum 61 of the cartridge PM) is closer to the first end 1b1 than the second photosensitive drum, and the rotation axis of the third photosensitive drum is located higher in the vertical direction V than the rotation axis of the second photosensitive drum. The fourth photosensitive drum (the photosensitive drum 61 of the cartridge PY) is closer to the first end 1b1 than the third photosensitive drum, and the rotation axis of the fourth photosensitive drum is located higher in the vertical direction V than the rotation axis of the third photosensitive drum.

[0119] Here, a straight line LD is defined as a line connecting the centers of the photosensitive drums 61. In the first embodiment, when the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1, the straight line LD is inclined upward with respect to the horizontal direction H from the side farther from the first end 1b1 to the side closer to the first end 1b1.

[0120] Furthermore, the contact surfaces of the belt 41 that contact the first, second, third, and fourth photosensitive drums are inclined upward from the side farther from the first end 1b1 to the side closer to the first end 1b1.

[0121] When the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, the tray unit 50 moves in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H (in the first embodiment, a direction inclined upward with respect to the horizontal direction H). In other words, when the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, the tray unit 50 moves diagonally upward.

[0122] When the tray unit 50 moves from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, the movement direction of the tray unit 50 changes from diagonally upward to diagonally downward. The movement direction of the tray unit 50 may include a direction parallel to the horizontal direction H or a diagonally downward direction relative to the horizontal direction H.

[0123] The angle between the straight line LD and the horizontal direction H is smaller when the tray unit 50 is in the first outer position Co1 than when the tray unit 50 is in the first inner position Ci1. In the first embodiment, when the tray unit 50 is in the first outer position Co1, the straight line LD and the horizontal direction H are parallel, but the straight line LD may be inclined downward or upward with respect to the horizontal direction H.

[0124] Similarly, when the transfer unit 40 moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2, the movement direction of the transfer unit 40 changes from obliquely upward to downward. The movement direction of the transfer unit 40 may include a direction parallel to the horizontal direction H or a direction obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction H.

[0125] The angle between the contact surface of the belt 41 and the horizontal direction H is smaller when the transfer unit 40 is at the second outer position Co2 than when the transfer unit 40 is at the second inner position Ci2. In the first embodiment, when the transfer unit 40 is at the second outer position Co2, the contact surface of the belt 41 is parallel to the horizontal direction H, but the contact surface of the belt 41 may be inclined upward or downward with respect to the horizontal direction H.

[0126] When the tray unit 50 is moved from the first outer position Co1 to the first inner position Ci1, the tray unit 50 moves in the horizontal direction H, and then moves diagonally downward from a certain point. When the transfer unit 40 is moved from the second outer position Co2 to the second inner position Ci2, the transfer unit 40 moves in the horizontal direction H, and then moves diagonally downward from a certain point. With this configuration, the weights of the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 can be used when inserting the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 into the apparatus main body 1A.

[0127] (Tray unit regulation structure) The restricting structure 90 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13(a) to 13(c), and 14. The restricting structure 90 restricts the tray unit 50 from being pulled out of the apparatus main body 1A when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 1A while the tray unit 50 is housed therein. As described above, the tray unit 50 is supported by the door 20 via the transfer unit 40. Therefore, if the tray unit 50 is pulled out alone to the first outer position Co1, it will not be supported, resulting in a malfunction. In other words, it is desirable that the tray unit 50 cannot move to the first outer position Co1 when the transfer unit 40 is at the second outer position Co2 or is on its way to the second outer position Co2. The restricting structure 90, which restricts the movement of the tray unit 50 under desired conditions, is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 5. FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 are diagrams showing the details of the restricting structure 90. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the regulation structure 90, and FIG. 13(c) is a side view of the regulation structure 90 (in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 61). 13(a) and 13(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG. 13(c), and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 13(c).

[0128] As described above, the tray unit 50 is the first unit that is attached to the device main body 1A. The transfer unit 40 is the second unit that is attached to the device main body 1A, and can be pulled out from the device main body 1A together with the tray unit 50, or can be pulled out from the device main body 1A with the tray unit 50 housed in the device main body 1A.

[0129] During at least part of the process in which the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 are pulled out together from the apparatus main body 1A, the tray unit 50 is supported by the transfer unit 40. Because the transfer unit 40 is located below the tray unit 50, the tray unit 50 is supported by the transfer unit 40 from below. The apparatus main body 1A has an opening 1A1 through which the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 pass when they are pulled out, and a door 20 that opens and closes the opening 1A1. During at least part of the process in which the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 are pulled out together from the apparatus main body 1A, the transfer unit 40 is supported by the door 20, and the tray unit 50 is supported by the transfer unit 40. In other words, the tray unit 50 is supported by the transfer unit 40, which is supported by the door 20.

[0130] Thus, in the first embodiment, in an image forming apparatus in which multiple units can be pulled out from the main body, one unit supports the other unit during at least part of the process of pulling the multiple units out together. This simplifies the configuration of the support members of the main body compared to a configuration in which each of the multiple units is supported by a support member provided in the main body. However, as described above, with this configuration, when one unit is pulled out from the main body and the other unit is pulled out from the main body, there is a situation in which there is nothing to support the other unit. In the first embodiment, when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the main body 1A and the tray unit 50 is pulled out from the main body 1A, there is a time when the tray unit 50 is not supported by anything. This can cause problems such as a burden on the user pulling out the tray unit 50 or the tray unit 50 being dropped.

[0131] Therefore, in Example 1, a regulating structure 90 is provided to prevent the tray unit 50 from being pulled out from the device main body 1A when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A while the tray unit 50 is housed in the device main body 1A.

[0132] The restricting structure 90 has an engaging portion and an engaged portion that can be engaged with the engaging portion.

[0133] When the transfer unit 40 is in the mounting position (second inner position Ci2) mounted to the device main body 1A, the engagement portion and the engaged portion are disengaged, allowing the tray unit 50 to be pulled out from the device main body 1A. At this time, the tray unit 50 is allowed to be pulled out together with the transfer unit 40 from the device main body 1A.

[0134] When the transfer unit 40 is moved a predetermined distance or more away from the mounting position (second inner position Ci2), the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other, and the tray unit 50 is restricted from being drawn out from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0135] In the first embodiment, the regulating structure 90 is configured so that a tray locking portion 50a, which is an engaging portion provided on the tray unit 50, engages with a tray regulating portion 91c, which is an engaged portion provided on the apparatus main body 1A.

[0136] The main frame 100 has a regulating member 91. More specifically, the regulating member 91 is The tray restricting member 91 is provided on the device main body 1A. A tray restricting portion 91c, which is an engaged portion, is provided on the restricting member 91. The restricting member 91 has a shaft 91j and an arm 91b provided on the shaft 91j. A holding member 92 attached to the device main body 1A of the main frame 100 has a bearing 92a that rotatably supports the shaft 91j and a positioning portion 92b that positions the arm 91b in the up-down direction. The restricting member 91 is a movable portion that can be rotated between an allowable position where the tray restricting portion 91c is separated from the tray locking portion 50a as shown in FIG. 13(a) and a restricting position where the tray restricting portion 91c is engaged with the tray locking portion 50a as shown in FIG. 13(b).

[0137] The restriction structure 90 has a spring 93, which is an acting portion (biasing portion) that applies a force to the restriction member 91 in a direction (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 12, and the clockwise direction in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b)) to move the restriction member 91 to the restriction position. The tray restriction portion 91c is provided on the upper portion of the restriction member 91, and restricts movement of the tray unit 50 by abutting against the tray lock portion 50a of the tray unit 50.

[0138] The regulating structure 90 also has a transfer side surface 40a which is an abutting portion provided on the transfer unit 40, and a transfer protrusion 91d which is an abutted portion provided on the regulating member 91 and can abut against the transfer side surface 40a. The transfer protrusion 91d is provided on the lower part of the regulating member 91. The device body 1A of the main frame 100 is provided with a hole 100a through which the tray regulating portion 91c and the transfer protrusion 91d pass.

[0139] As shown in Figure 13(a), when the transfer unit 40 is not pulled out from the apparatus main body 1A (when it is in the second inside position Ci2), the transfer side surface 40a of the transfer unit 40 abuts against the transfer protrusion 91d of the regulating member 91. This is because, as shown in Figure 13(b), when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out, the transfer protrusion 91d is configured to be located inside the second space K2, which is the space through which the transfer unit 40 passes when it is pulled out from the apparatus main body 1A. Note that the transfer unit 40 is pulled out when it is away from the second inside position Ci2 by a predetermined distance or more.

[0140] As a result, the regulating member 91 is pressed by the transfer unit 40 in a direction against the force of the spring 93, and is positioned at the allowable position. When the regulating member 91 is at the allowable position, the tray regulating portion 91c is positioned outside the first space K1 (shown by the dashed line in FIG. 13(a)) through which the tray unit 50 passes when pulled out from the apparatus main body 1A. Therefore, the tray unit 50 can move between the first inner position Ci1 and the first outer position Co1 without being restricted from moving from the attached position.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 13B, when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A while the tray unit 50 is housed therein, the transfer side surface 40a of the transfer unit 40 moves and does not abut against the transfer protrusion 91d of the regulating member 91. As a result, the regulating member 91 rotates clockwise in FIG. 13B due to the force of the spring 93, and the frame abutment portion 91h moves to a position where it abuts against the main frame 100. At this time, the transfer protrusion 91d is located inside the second space K2, which is the space through which the transfer unit 40 passes when pulled out from the device main body 1A. The tray regulating portion 91c is located inside the first space K1. More specifically, the tray regulating portion 91c is located downstream of the tray locking portion 50a in the pull-out direction (tray removal direction) Dd1 of the tray unit 50. When the tray unit 50 moves in the tray removal direction Dd1 in this state, the tray locking portion 50a and the tray regulating portion 91c abut against each other. Therefore, the tray unit 50 cannot move in the tray removal direction Dd1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13(b), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the regulating member 91, the tray regulating portion 91c is closer to the tray unit 50 than the rotation axis of the regulating member 91. Therefore, when the tray regulating portion 91c receives a force from the tray lock portion 50a, In addition, the tray regulating portion 91c is prevented from coming off the tray locking portion 50a.

[0142] In this way, the regulating member 91 is located at the allowable position when the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 are attached to the apparatus main body 1A, and is located at the regulated position when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 1A. When the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 1A with the tray unit 50 stored in the apparatus main body 1A, the regulating member 91 moves from the allowable position to the regulated position. In this embodiment, the regulating member 91 moves from the allowable position to the regulated position by the force of the spring 93, but the regulating member 91 may also be arranged so that it moves from the allowable position to the regulated position by its own weight.

[0143] When the regulating member 91 is in the regulating position, a user may attempt to pull out the tray unit 50, and the tray regulating portion 91c may be subjected to a force in the tray removal direction Dd1 from the tray lock portion 50a. If this force is received only by the regulating member 91 or the holding member 92, a load is applied to the regulating member 91 or the holding member 92.

[0144] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the surface 91i of the tray regulating portion 91c that abuts against the tray lock portion 50a and the opposite surface 91e on the opposite side in the tray removal direction Dd1 abut against the end 100b of the hole portion 100a in the tray removal direction Dd1.

[0145] 13(c), the abutment surface 50c of the tray locking portion 50a that abuts against the surface 91i of the tray regulating portion 91c is configured as an inclined surface. This inclined surface is configured so that when a force in the tray removal direction Dd1 acts on the tray unit 50 with the surface 91i and the abutment surface 50c abutting against each other, a force acts to press the tray unit 50 downward (in the direction indicated by arrow F).

[0146] With the above configuration, when a force acts on the tray unit 50 in the tray removal direction Dd1, the upper surface 91f of the tray regulating portion 91c abuts against the end 100c of the hole 100a of the main frame 100. The end 100c is the upper end in a direction perpendicular to the tray removal direction Dd1 and the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 61. Therefore, the force attempting to pull out the tray unit 50 can be received by the main frame 100, which reduces the load on the regulating member 91 and the holding member 92 and prevents deformation or damage. This more reliably regulates the movement of the tray unit 50.

[0147] 14, when the tray unit 50 moves from the first outer position Co1 to the first inner position Ci1, the tip of the transfer side surface 40a abuts against the inclined surface 91g connected to the transfer protrusion 91d, and the regulating member 91 rotates counterclockwise to retract. Therefore, the regulating member 91 does not obstruct movement of the tray unit 50 in the installation direction. Similarly, when the transfer unit 40 moves from the second outer position Co2 to the second inner position Ci2, the tip of the transfer side surface 40a abuts against the inclined surface 91g, and the regulating member 91 rotates to retract. Therefore, the regulating member 91 does not obstruct movement of the transfer unit 40 in the installation direction.

[0148] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A while the tray unit 50 is housed in the device main body 1A, the tray unit 50 is restricted from being pulled out from the device main body 1A. That is, when the transfer unit 40 is at the second outer position Co2 or is on its way to the second outer position Co2 (when it is away from the second inner position Ci2 by a predetermined distance or more), the tray unit 50 cannot move to the first outer position Co1. In an image forming apparatus in which the tray unit 50 is supported by the transfer unit 40 during at least part of the process in which the tray unit 50 and the transfer unit 40 are pulled out together from the device main body 1A, problems caused by the tray unit 50 being pulled out independently can be avoided.

[0149] In the first embodiment, the restricting member 91 is movable between the restricting position and the permitting position by rotation. However, the restricting member 91 may be movable between the restricting position and the permitting position by linear movement. For example, in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b), the holding member 92 is configured to support the restricting member 91 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the main frame 100. The main frame 100 may be provided with a spring that applies a force to the restricting member 91 in a direction perpendicular to the main frame 100 and toward the transfer unit 40. When the transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2, the restricting member 91 is pushed in by the transfer unit 40 against the force of the spring, and the tray restricting portion 91c moves to a position where it does not engage with the tray lock portion 50a outside the first space K1. This allows the tray unit 50 to be pulled out. Furthermore, when the transfer unit 40 is moved a predetermined distance or more away from the second inside position Ci2, the force of the spring moves the regulating member 91 to the inside of the second space K2, and the tray regulating portion 91c moves to a position where it engages with the tray lock portion 50a inside the first space K1. This restricts the tray unit 50 from being drawn out.

[0150] (Variation) As described above, the photosensitive drum 61, the charging roller 62, and the developing roller 71 may be provided in either the cartridge P or the tray 51. This will be explained with reference to Figure 11. Figures 11(a) to 11(d) are diagrams showing a tray unit 50 according to a modified example.

[0151] For example, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the tray 51 may have the photosensitive drum 61 and the charging roller 62, and the cartridge P may have the developing roller 71.

[0152] 11(b), the cartridge P may include a drum cartridge P1 having a photosensitive drum 61 and a charging roller 62, and a developer cartridge P2 having a developing roller 71. In other words, the cartridge P may be separable into the drum cartridge P1 and the developer cartridge P2. In this case, it is preferable that the drum cartridge P1 and the developer cartridge P2 be attachable to and detachable from the tray 51 independently of each other.

[0153] 11(c), the cartridge P may include a process cartridge PR having a photosensitive drum 61, a charging roller 62, and a developing roller 71, and a toner cartridge PT having toner for replenishing the process cartridge PR. In other words, the cartridge P may be separable into the process cartridge PR and the toner cartridge PT.

[0154] 11(d), the cartridge P may include a drum cartridge P1, a developer cartridge P2, and a toner cartridge PT. The drum cartridge P1 has a photosensitive drum 61 and a charging roller 62. The developer cartridge P2 has a developer roller 71. The toner cartridge PT contains toner for replenishing the developer cartridge P2. In other words, the cartridge P may be separable into the drum cartridge P1, the developer cartridge P2, and the toner cartridge PT.

[0155] In the first embodiment, the tray unit 50 is an image forming unit that detachably includes a cartridge P having a photosensitive drum 61, a charging roller 62, and a developing roller 71, but the configuration of the tray unit 50 is not limited to this. For example, the tray unit 50 may detachably include a toner cartridge having a toner storage portion that stores toner.

[0156] Example 2 A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 15, 16, and 17. When the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A while the tray unit 50 is housed in the device main body 1A, the restriction structure that restricts the tray unit 50 from being pulled out from the device main body 1A differs from that in Example 1. The restriction structure 900 in Example 2 is provided in the portion indicated by the dashed line in Figure 15, and Figures 16 and 17 show the details thereof.

[0157] In the second embodiment, when the tray unit 50 is housed in the apparatus main body 1A, it is movable between a first housing position shown in FIG. 16(a) and a second housing position shown in FIG. 16(b).

[0158] When the transfer unit 40 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the tray unit 50 is supported by the transfer unit 40 and is located at the first storage position. At this time, the transfer unit 40 is supported by a tray guide 94 provided in the apparatus main body 1A. Therefore, it can be said that the tray unit 50 is supported by the apparatus main body 1A via the transfer unit 40.

[0159] When the transfer unit 40 is attached to the apparatus main body 1A, the tray unit 50 is positioned above the transfer unit 40 in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the tray unit 50 is supported by the transfer unit 40, as shown in Fig. 17, the transfer connector 51A rests on the lower arm 48A1 of the lower arm 48A1 and upper arm 48A2 that constitute the tray connector groove 48A. Therefore, the lower surface 51A1 of the transfer connector 51A and the upper surface 48A3 of the lower arm 48A1 come into contact with each other.

[0160] When the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A, the tray unit 50 is supported by a tray guide 94 provided in the device main body 1A and is positioned at the second storage position. Therefore, it can be said that the tray unit 50 is supported by the device main body 1A. The transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A when the transfer unit 40 is at the second outer position Co2 or when it is on its way to the second outer position Co2. When it is on its way to the second outer position Co2, it is when it is at least a predetermined distance away from the second inner position Ci2, which is the mounting position.

[0161] When the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A while the tray unit 50 is housed in the device main body 1A, the tray unit 50 moves from the first housing position to the second housing position. In the second embodiment, the second housing position is lower than the first housing position in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A while the tray unit 50 is housed in the device main body 1A, the tray unit 50 moves down by its own weight from the first housing position to the second housing position.

[0162] When the transfer unit 40 moves from the second inner position Ci2 to the second outer position Co2, or moves in the opposite direction, while the tray unit 50 is housed in the apparatus main body 1A, the lower surface of the transfer unit 40 moves while being supported by the tray guide 94. Similarly, when the tray unit 50 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 1A together with the transfer unit 40, the lower surface of the transfer unit 40 moves while being supported by the tray guide 94. In this case, the tray unit 50 moves together with the transfer unit 40 from the first inner position Ci1 to the first outer position Co1, or in the opposite direction, while being supported by the transfer unit 40.

[0163] A protrusion 50b serving as an engaging portion is provided on the underside of the tray unit 50 on the side closer to the second end 1b2. A recess 94a serving as an engaged portion is provided in the tray guide 94 at a position facing the protrusion 50b of the tray unit 50 when the tray unit 50 is in the first storage position.

[0164] When the tray unit 50 is in the first storage position, as shown in FIG. 16(a), The protrusion 50b separates from the recess 94a, which is the engaged portion, and the engagement between the protrusion 50b and the recess 94a is released. In the state in which the engagement between the protrusion 50b and the recess 94a is released, the tray unit 50 is allowed to be drawn out from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0165] When the tray unit 50 is in the second storage position, the convex portion 50b engages with the concave portion 94a, as shown in Fig. 16(b). When the convex portion 50b and the concave portion 94a are engaged, the tray unit 50 is restricted from being drawn out from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0166] When the transfer unit 40 is in the second inner position Ci2, which is the mounting position when the transfer unit 40 is mounted in the device main body 1A, the tray unit 50 is in the first storage position, and the engagement between the convex portion 50b and the concave portion 94a is released. With the engagement between the convex portion 50b and the concave portion 94a released, the tray unit 50 can be pulled out together with the transfer unit 40 from the device main body 1A.

[0167] When the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A, the tray unit 50 moves to the second storage position, and the convex portion 50b engages with the concave portion 94a. As a result, when the transfer unit 40 is pulled out from the device main body 1A while the tray unit 50 is stored in the device main body 1A, the tray unit 50 is restricted from being pulled out from the device main body 1A.

[0168] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A device body, a first unit attached to the device body; a second unit attached to the device body, the second unit being capable of (1) being pulled out from the device body together with the first unit, and (2) being pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body; a restriction structure that restricts the first unit from being pulled out from the device body when the second unit is pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body; An image forming apparatus comprising: (Configuration 2) 2. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the first unit is supported by the second unit during at least a part of the process in which the first unit and the second unit are pulled out together from the apparatus main body. (Configuration 3) 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second unit is located below the first unit. (Configuration 4) The device body includes: an opening through which the first unit and the second unit pass when the first unit and the second unit are pulled out; a door for opening and closing the opening; and The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the second unit is supported by the door, and the first unit is supported by the second unit supported by the door, during at least part of the process in which the first unit and the second unit are pulled out together from the apparatus main body. (Configuration 5) the apparatus main body has a conveying section that conveys a recording material and is movable between a first position and a second position; a space through which the first unit passes when being pulled out from the device body; a space through which the second unit passes when being pulled out from the device main body is defined as a second space; At the first position, at least a portion of the transport section is located inside at least one of the first space and the second space; 5. The image forming apparatus of claim 4, wherein, in the second position, the transport unit is located outside the first space and the second space. (Configuration 6) the conveying unit is movable in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door, moving to the first position as the door closes; 6. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5, wherein the image forming apparatus moves to the second position as the door opens. (Configuration 7) The regulatory structure is: An engagement portion; an engaged portion engageable with the engaging portion; and When the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released, the first unit is allowed to be pulled out from the device main body, 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein, in a state in which the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other, the first unit is restricted from being pulled out from the apparatus main body. (Configuration 8) When the second unit is in an attached position attached to the device body, the engagement portion and the engaged portion are disengaged, 8. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 7, wherein the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other when the second unit is spaced apart from the mounting position by a predetermined distance or more. (Configuration 9) 9. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the first unit is allowed to be pulled out from the apparatus body together with the second unit in a state where the engagement portion and the engaged portion are disengaged. (Configuration 10) The regulatory structure is: a moving section provided in the device body and having the engaged section, the moving section being movable between an allowable position where the engaged section is separated from the engaging section and a restricted position where the engaged section is engaged with the engaging section; The moving unit is When the first unit and the second unit are attached to the device body, they are located at the permitted position, When the second unit is pulled out from the device body, the second unit is located at the restricted position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 7 to 9, wherein when the second unit is pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body, the moving part moves from the allowed position to the regulated position. (Configuration 11) The regulatory structure is: a contact portion provided on the second unit; a contacted portion provided on the moving portion and capable of contacting the contact portion; an action portion that applies a force to the moving portion in a direction that moves the moving portion to the restricted position; and when the second unit is not pulled out from the device main body, the abutting portion of the second unit abuts against the abutted portion of the moving unit, and the moving unit is pressed by the second unit in a direction resisting the force of the action portion and is positioned at the allowed position; When the first unit is housed in the device body, the second unit is 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the moving portion is pulled out from the restraining portion, the moving portion is moved to the restraining position by the force of the acting portion. (Configuration 12) The regulatory structure is: a contact portion provided on the second unit; a contacted portion provided on the moving portion and capable of contacting the contact portion; an action portion that applies a force to the moving portion in a direction that moves the moving portion to the restricted position; and When the moving part is in the permitted position, the engaged portion is located outside a first space that is a space through which the first unit passes when being pulled out from the device body, the abutted portion abuts against the abutting portion of the second unit, When the moving part is in the restricted position, the engaged portion is in contact with the engaging portion at a position inside the first space and in a direction in which the first unit is pulled out from the engaging portion, 11. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 10, wherein the contact portion is located inside a second space that is a space through which the second unit passes when being pulled out from the apparatus main body. (Configuration 13) When the first unit is housed in the device body, When the second unit is attached to the apparatus body, the engaging portion provided on the first unit is located at a first accommodation position away from the engaged portion, When the second unit is pulled out from the device body, the second unit is positioned at a second accommodation position where the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion; The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 7 to 9, wherein when the second unit is pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body, the first unit moves from the first housing position to the second housing position. (Configuration 14) The second storage position is located lower than the first storage position in the vertical direction, When the first unit is housed in the device body, When the second unit is attached to the device body, the second unit is supported by the second unit and is in the first storage position; When the second unit is pulled out from the device body, the second unit is supported by the device body and is in the second storage position; An image forming apparatus according to configuration 13, wherein when the second unit is pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body, the first unit descends under its own weight and moves from the first housing position to the second housing position. (Configuration 15) The device body includes: a paper feed unit that supplies recording materials; a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording material; and 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the conveying unit includes a conveying path that conveys the recording material from the paper feeding unit to the fixing unit. (Configuration 16) the apparatus main body has a fixing unit that fixes a toner image transferred onto a recording material, the fixing unit being movable between a use position where a fixing operation can be performed and a retracted position where the fixing unit is retracted from the use position; a space through which the first unit passes when being pulled out from the device body; a space through which the second unit passes when being pulled out from the device main body is defined as a second space; In the use position, at least a part of the fixing portion is located inside at least one of the first space and the second space, 16. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, wherein, in the retracted position, the fixing unit is located outside the first space and the second space. (Configuration 17) 17. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 16, wherein at least a portion of the fixing unit is located outside the apparatus body in the retracted position. (Configuration 18) the first unit is an image forming unit having a photosensitive drum and a developing unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, 18. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 17, wherein the second unit is a belt unit having a belt that can come into contact with the photosensitive drum. (Configuration 19) the first unit has a cartridge that is detachable from the first unit, 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the developing unit is included in the cartridge. (Configuration 20) 20. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 19, wherein the first unit has a toner cartridge that has a toner storage section that stores toner and is detachable from the first unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0169] 1: image forming apparatus, 1A: apparatus main body, 40: transfer unit, 50: tray unit, 50a: tray lock section, 90: regulation structure, 91c: tray regulation section

Claims

1. A device body, a first unit attached to the device body; a second unit attached to the device body, the second unit being capable of (1) being pulled out from the device body together with the first unit, and (2) being pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body; a restriction structure that restricts the first unit from being pulled out from the device body when the second unit is pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first unit is supported by the second unit during at least a part of the process in which the first unit and the second unit are pulled out together from the apparatus main body.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second unit is located below the first unit.

4. The device body includes: an opening through which the first unit and the second unit pass when the first unit and the second unit are pulled out; a door for opening and closing the opening; and 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second unit is supported by the door, and the first unit is supported by the second unit supported by the door, during at least part of the process in which the first unit and the second unit are pulled out together from the main body of the apparatus.

5. the apparatus main body has a conveying section that conveys a recording material and is movable between a first position and a second position; a first space, which is a space through which the first unit passes when being pulled out from the apparatus body; a space through which the second unit passes when being pulled out from the device main body is defined as a second space; At the first position, at least a portion of the transport section is located inside at least one of the first space and the second space; The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein, at the second position, the transport section is located outside the first space and the second space.

6. the conveying unit is movable in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door, moving to the first position as the door closes; 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the door moves to the second position as the door opens.

7. The regulatory structure is: An engagement portion; an engaged portion engageable with the engaging portion; and When the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released, the first unit is allowed to be pulled out from the device body, In a state in which the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other, the first unit is removed from the device main body.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing out of the image forming apparatus is restricted.

8. When the second unit is in an attached position attached to the device body, the engagement portion and the engaged portion are disengaged from each other, 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other when the second unit is spaced apart from the mounting position by a predetermined distance or more.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first unit is allowed to be pulled out from the apparatus body together with the second unit in a state where the engagement portion and the engaged portion are disengaged.

10. The regulatory structure is: a moving section provided in the device body and having the engaged section, the moving section being movable between an allowable position where the engaged section is separated from the engaging section and a restricted position where the engaged section is engaged with the engaging section; The moving unit is When the first unit and the second unit are attached to the device body, they are located at the permitted position, When the second unit is pulled out from the device body, the second unit is located at the restricted position.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the second unit is pulled out from the apparatus body while the first unit is housed in the apparatus body, the moving portion moves from the permitted position to the restricted position.

11. The regulatory structure is: a contact portion provided on the second unit; a contacted portion provided on the moving portion and capable of contacting the contact portion; an action portion that applies a force to the moving portion in a direction that moves the moving portion to the restricted position; and when the second unit is not pulled out from the device body, the abutting portion of the second unit abuts against the abutted portion of the moving unit, and the moving unit is pressed by the second unit in a direction resisting the force of the action portion, and is positioned at the allowed position; 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the second unit is pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body, the moving portion moves to the regulated position by the force of the acting portion.

12. The regulatory structure is: a contact portion provided on the second unit; a contacted portion provided on the moving portion and capable of contacting the contact portion; an action portion that applies a force to the moving portion in a direction that moves the moving portion to the restricted position; and When the moving part is in the permitted position, the engaged portion is located outside a first space that is a space through which the first unit passes when being pulled out from the device body, the abutted portion abuts against the abutting portion of the second unit, When the moving part is in the restricted position, the engaged portion is in contact with the engaging portion at a position inside the first space and in a direction in which the first unit is pulled out from the engaging portion; The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the contact portion is located inside a second space that is a space through which the second unit passes when being pulled out from the apparatus main body.

13. When the first unit is housed in the device body, When the second unit is attached to the apparatus body, the engaging portion provided on the first unit is located at a first accommodation position away from the engaged portion, When the second unit is pulled out from the apparatus body, the second unit is positioned at a second accommodation position where the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the second unit is pulled out from the apparatus body while the first unit is housed in the apparatus body, the first unit moves from the first housing position to the second housing position.

14. the second storage position is located lower than the first storage position in the vertical direction, When the first unit is housed in the device body, When the second unit is attached to the apparatus body, the second unit is supported by the second unit and is in the first storage position; When the second unit is pulled out from the apparatus body, the second unit is supported by the apparatus body and is in the second storage position; 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when the second unit is pulled out from the device body while the first unit is housed in the device body, the first unit descends under its own weight and moves from the first housing position to the second housing position.

15. The device body includes: a paper feed unit that supplies recording materials; a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording material; and The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the transport section includes a transport path for transporting the recording material from the paper feed section to the fixing section.

16. the apparatus main body has a fixing unit that fixes a toner image transferred onto a recording material, the fixing unit being movable between a use position where a fixing operation can be performed and a retracted position where the fixing unit is retracted from the use position; a first space, which is a space through which the first unit passes when being pulled out from the apparatus body; a space through which the second unit passes when being pulled out from the device main body is defined as a second space; In the use position, at least a portion of the fixing portion is located inside at least one of the first space and the second space, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing unit is located outside the first space and the second space in the retracted position.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein at least a part of the fixing unit is located outside the main body of the apparatus when in the retracted position.

18. the first unit is an image forming unit having a photosensitive drum and a developing unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second unit is a belt unit having a belt that can come into contact with the photosensitive drum.

19. the first unit has a cartridge that is detachable from the first unit, 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the developing unit is included in the cartridge.

20. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first unit has a toner cartridge that has a toner storage section that stores toner and is detachable from the first unit.

Images