Image forming device

Abstract

To prevent a user from unintentionally operating a rotation lever without impairing the workability of a service engineer. [Solution] The device comprises a front door that covers the front side of the device main body, a movable member that is movable relative to the device main body, an operating lever that is provided on the front side of the device main body and rotates around an axis between a locked position that locks the movable member and an unlocked position that releases the lock, the operating lever being covered by the front door and becoming accessible when the front door is opened, and a restricting member that is displaced between a restricting position that restricts the rotation of the operating lever and an allowing position that allows the rotation of the operating lever.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In image forming devices such as printers and copiers that use electrophotography, it is sometimes necessary to replace the process unit, including the photosensitive drum, to prevent deterioration in image quality due to changes in characteristics such as wear.When installing or removing the process unit, it is effective to first separate the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt to prevent scratches on the photosensitive drum, and then access the front of the device body and insert or remove the process unit in the front-to-rear direction, from the perspective of securing space for the replacement work and workability.

[0003] In a configuration in which the process unit is inserted and removed from the front of the device body, a process unit cover that positions the front of the process unit relative to the device body must be attached and detached from the device body. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for easily fixing the process unit cover to the device body by operating a rotating lever. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-189297 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a conventional image forming apparatus in which a service engineer replaces a process unit, a user may need to open a front door on the front side of the apparatus body to access the transport unit in order to clear a paper jam.

[0006] However, when a user opens the front door, the user has access to the rotating lever for detaching the process unit cover, which can lead to the user accidentally bumping into the rotating lever and operating it unintentionally. In this case, the process unit cover becomes detached from the device body, causing problems such as the process unit not being positioned properly relative to the device body and producing abnormal images.

[0007] Another possible solution to the above problem is to fix the rotating lever with a screw or the like, but this would increase the workload of the service engineer.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent the user from operating the rotary lever unintentionally without impairing the workability of the service engineer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A typical configuration of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a front door that covers the front side of the device main body; a movable member that is movable relative to the device main body; an operating lever that is provided on the front side of the device main body and rotates around an axis between a lock position that locks the movable member and an unlock position that releases the lock, the operating lever being covered by the front door and becoming accessible when the front door is opened; and a restricting member that is displaced between a restricting position that restricts rotation of the operating lever and an allowing position that allows rotation of the operating lever. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the user from operating the operating lever unintentionally without impairing the workability of the service engineer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus; [Figure 2] (a) and (b) are perspective views of an image forming apparatus with a front door open. [Figure 3] (a) (b) (c) Perspective views of the detachment lever and lever lock member of the intermediate transfer belt unit [Figure 4] (a) (b) (c) Perspective views of the process unit cover release lever and lever lock member [Figure 5] (a)(b) Top view of the process unit cover release lever and lever lock member [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are perspective views of an image forming apparatus with a front door open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone.

[0013] [Image forming device] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a tandem intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus in which image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged in series on the horizontal portion of an intermediate transfer belt 31 serving as an intermediate transfer body. The image forming apparatus 100 forms a full-color image on a sheet material S by electrophotography in response to an image signal transmitted from an external device.

[0014] The image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images on the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K as photosensitive members, and primarily transfer the images to the intermediate transfer belt 31 at the same image positions.

[0015] The intermediate transfer belt 31 rotates while being stretched by a drive roller 33, a tension roller 34, and an opposing roller 32 for performing secondary transfer. Primary transfer rollers 35Y, 35M, 35C, and 35K for performing primary transfer are arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 at positions facing the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K.

[0016] Around the photosensitive drum 11Y on which the yellow toner image is formed, there are provided a charger 12Y that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y, an exposure device 13Y that irradiates the photosensitive drum 11Y with image light to form a latent image on the surface, a developing device 14Y that transfers toner to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 11Y to form a toner image, and a cleaning device 15Y that removes toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11Y after the primary transfer of the toner image. The configurations for forming magenta, cyan, and black toner images can be understood by replacing the suffix Y in the above description with M, C, and K.

[0017] Meanwhile, sheet material S stored in paper feed cassettes 61, 62, and 63 is conveyed to registration rollers 21 through paper feed conveying path 67 by rotation of one of paper feed rollers 64, 65, and 66. The sheet material S is fed by registration rollers 21 to a secondary transfer section formed by nipping secondary transfer roller 41 and opposing roller 32 in synchronization with the toner image on intermediate transfer belt 31, and a toner image is formed by the secondary transfer section. Residual toner remaining on intermediate transfer belt 31 after secondary transfer is removed by cleaning device 36.

[0018] Next, the sheet material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported by a transport belt 71 to a thermal fixing device 5, where the toner image is fixed to the surface of the sheet material S by heating and pressing it therein, thereby fixing a full-color image. The sheet material S onto which the toner image has been fixed is sent to a paper output tray 69 via a paper output transport path 68.

[0019] In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the fed sheet material S is transported from right to left, but the direction is not limited to this and it may be transported from left to right.

[0020] In the following description, the upward direction U, downward direction D, rightward direction R, leftward direction L, rearward direction B, and forward direction F shown in Figures 1, 2, etc. are defined as follows. The direction from the back to the front of the paper in Figure 1 is defined as the forward direction F, and the direction from the front to the back of the paper in Figure 1 is defined as the rearward direction B. In Figure 1, when the image forming unit 1K that forms a black K image is used as a reference, the side where the image forming unit 1Y that forms a yellow Y image is located is defined as the left side, and the direction toward the left side is defined as the leftward direction L. When the image forming unit 1Y that forms a yellow Y image is used as a reference, the side where the image forming unit 1K that forms a black K image is located is defined as the right side, and the direction toward the right side is defined as the rightward direction R. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions defined here and pointing vertically upward is defined as the upward direction U, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions defined here and pointing vertically downward is defined as the downward direction D.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the front door 101 and the transport unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 100 has a front door 101 that covers the front side of the apparatus main body. The front door 101 is provided so as to be able to open and close relative to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). The front side of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is covered by the front door 101 when it is in the closed position (not shown). That is, the transport unit lever 81, the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38, and the process unit cover detachment lever 92, which are operation levers provided on the front side of the apparatus main body, are covered by the front door 101 when it is in the closed position. By opening the front door 101 as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the user can access the transport unit lever 81, the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38, and the process unit cover detachment lever 92, which are operation levers provided on the front side of the apparatus main body.

[0023] A paper jam may occur while the image forming apparatus 100 is in operation. When this occurs, the user opens the front door 101 as shown in Figure 2(a) and rotates the transport unit lever 81 from the locked position shown in Figure 2(a) to the unlocked position shown in Figure 2(b). This detaches the transport unit 8 from the main body of the apparatus, and by pulling the transport unit 8 out to the front, the user can remove any paper remaining in the paper transport path.

[0024] The transport unit 8 is a unit having transport members such as a transport belt 71 located between the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the paper feed cassette 61 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. The transport unit 8 is a movable member provided so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. A transport unit lever 81, which is an operating lever, is disposed on the front surface of the transport unit 8. The transport unit lever 81 rotates around its axis between a locked position shown in FIG. 2(a) that locks the transport unit 8 from moving in the front-to-rear direction, and an unlocked position shown in FIG. 2(b) that unlocks the lock.

[0025] The color of the transport unit lever 81, which is the operating lever operated by the user, is a different color from the transport unit 8 so that it is easy for the user to recognize. In other words, the transport unit lever 81 is a different color from the front surface of the transport unit 8 on which the transport unit lever 81 is arranged.

[0026] A service engineer also opens the front door 101 to replace the process unit, etc. By opening the front door 101 as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the service engineer can also access the operation levers provided on the front side of the apparatus main body, namely the transport unit lever 81, the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38, and the process unit cover detachment lever 92.

[0027] Of the aforementioned operating levers, the transport unit lever 81 is an operating lever operated by the user, while the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 and the process unit cover detachment lever 92 are levers operated by a service engineer, in other words, levers that are not operated by the user.

[0028] The intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38, which is an operation lever that is not operated by the user, is colored the same color as the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt frame 37. In addition, the process unit cover detachment lever 92, which is also an operation lever that is not operated by the user, is colored the same color as the front surface of the process unit cover 91. This makes it difficult for the user to notice these levers.

[0029] [Moving the Intermediate Transfer Belt Unit] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment.

[0030] The intermediate transfer belt unit is a unit including an intermediate transfer belt 31 located between the photosensitive drums 11 and the conveying unit 8 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 . The intermediate transfer belt unit is a unit including the intermediate transfer belt 31, which is an internal component of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The intermediate transfer belt unit is movably supported by an intermediate transfer belt frame 37, which is supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the intermediate transfer belt unit is movably supported by the intermediate transfer belt frame 37, which serves as a movable member, between a contact position where the intermediate transfer belt 31 contacts the photosensitive drums 11, which are internal components of the main body, and a separation position where the intermediate transfer belt 31 is separated from the photosensitive drums 11. In this example, the intermediate transfer belt frame 37, which movably supports the intermediate transfer belt unit and is supported by the main body, is a movable member that is movable relative to the main body.

[0031] The intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38, which is an operating lever, is disposed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt frame 37, and rotates around a shaft 38a that extends in the axial direction along the front-to-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100. More specifically, the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 rotates around the shaft 38a between a contact position shown in FIG. 3(a) where the intermediate transfer belt 31 contacts the photosensitive drum 11, and a separation position shown in FIG. 3(c) where the intermediate transfer belt 31 is separated from the photosensitive drum 11.

[0032] The intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 can rotate around the axis 38a, but to prevent the user from rotating it unintentionally, the wall portion 38b of the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 comes into contact with the lever lock member 39, as shown in Figure 3(a), so that it cannot rotate.

[0033] The lever lock member 39 is a restricting member that is displaced between a restricting position shown in Fig. 3(a) where it restricts the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 and an allowing position shown in Fig. 3(b) where it allows the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the lever lock member 39 comes into contact with the wall portion 38b of the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 that is in the contact position, and restricts the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 at the restricting position.

[0034] When a service engineer operates the lever lock member 39, the lever lock member 39 is slid to the permitted position shown in Fig. 3(b), thereby releasing the contact between the lever lock member 39 and the wall portion 38b. As a result, the restriction by the lever lock member 39 on the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 is released, and the lever 38 can be rotated as shown in Fig. 3(c).

[0035] Rotating the intermediate transfer belt release lever 38 lowers the position of the intermediate transfer belt unit, and the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the photosensitive drum 11 change from a contacting state to a separated state. Therefore, when a service engineer pulls out the process unit to the front of the image forming apparatus 100 for maintenance work, the surfaces of the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the photosensitive drum 11 will not be damaged.

[0036] The lever lock member 39 is colored the same as the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt frame 37 and the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 so that it is difficult for the user to notice.

[0037] Although the intermediate transfer belt unit is movably supported on the intermediate transfer belt frame 37 as an example, the present invention is not limited to this and may be movably supported on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the intermediate transfer belt unit may be a movable member that is movable relative to the main body of the apparatus.

[0038] Furthermore, the intermediate transfer belt frame 37 may not only movably support the intermediate transfer belt unit, but may also be configured to be supported so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 also functions as an operating lever that locks or unlocks the intermediate transfer belt frame 37 as a movable member. Specifically, the intermediate transfer belt detachment lever 38 locks the intermediate transfer belt frame 37 from moving in the front-to-rear direction when in the locked position shown in FIG. 3(a), and allows the intermediate transfer belt frame 37 to move in the front-to-rear direction when in the unlocked position shown in FIG. 3(c).

[0039] [Opening and closing the process unit cover] 4 is a schematic diagram of the process unit cover detachment lever 92 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4(a) shows the lever in a locked state, and Figs. 4(b) and 4(c) show the lever in an unlocked state. Here, the process unit cover detachment lever 92 is exemplified by a lever located on the left side of the process unit cover 91.

[0040] The process unit cover 91 is a movable member that is movable relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The process unit cover 91 is provided on the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The process unit cover 91 is a cover that covers a process unit that includes a photosensitive drum 11, which is an internal component of the main body of the apparatus. The process unit cover 91 moves between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 6(a)) that covers the process unit that includes the photosensitive drum 11, and an open position (position shown in FIG. 6(b)) that exposes the process unit.

[0041] The process unit cover removal lever 92 is provided on the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and rotates around a shaft (not shown). The process unit cover removal lever 92 rotates between a lock position (position shown in FIG. 4(a)) where the process unit cover 91 is locked and an unlock position (position shown in FIG. 4(c)) where the lock is released. The process unit cover removal lever 92 is covered by the front door 101 in the closed position and can be accessed by opening the front door 101. The process unit cover removal lever 92 rotates between the lock position where the process unit cover 91 is locked in the closed position and the unlock position where the lock is released.

[0042] 4(b), the process unit cover detachment lever 92 has a shaft 92b extending in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100 and an operating part 92c extending in the radial direction of the shaft 92b. A lever lock member 93 is attached to the process unit cover detachment lever 92.

[0043] The lever lock member 93 is a restricting member that is displaced between a restricting position (position shown in FIG. 4(a)) that restricts rotation of the process unit cover detachment lever 92 and an allowing position (position shown in FIG. 4(b)) that allows rotation of the process unit cover detachment lever 92. The lever lock member 93 restricts rotation of the process unit cover detachment lever 92 in the restricting position when it is in the locked position.

[0044] The lever lock member 93 is provided so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100 along a shaft 92b relative to the process unit cover attachment / detachment lever 92. The lever lock member 93 is displaced to the restricted position (the position shown in FIG. 5(a)) by being moved in the rear direction B along the shaft 92b, and is displaced to the permitted position (the position shown in FIG. 5(b)) by being moved in the front direction F along the shaft 92b.

[0045] 4(a) , the process unit cover removal lever 92 comes into contact with the process unit cover 91, thereby entering a lever-locked state where it cannot be rotated, so that it cannot be rotated unintentionally by the user. More specifically, the process unit cover removal lever 92 comes into contact with a wall portion 91a provided on the process unit cover 91 and a rotation restriction portion 93a provided on the lever lock member 93, thereby entering a lever-locked state where it cannot be rotated.

[0046] When a service engineer operates the lever lock member 93, the lever lock member 93 is slid forward in the direction F as shown in Figure 4(b), so that the rotation restricting portion 93a and the wall portion 91a are no longer in contact with each other. This puts the process unit cover detachment lever 92 into the lever lock release state, and the lever 92 can be rotated to the permitted position as shown in Figure 4(c).

[0047] By rotating the process unit cover removal lever 92, the fixing mechanism (not shown) of the process unit cover 91 to the device body is released, allowing the process unit cover 91 to be pulled out to the front side of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0048] When releasing the fixing mechanism (not shown) of the process unit cover 91 to the device body, the operation can be performed with little force due to the action of a moment, so the operating portion (grip portion) 92b of the process unit cover removal lever 92 extends radially from the axis 92b of the process unit cover removal lever 92.

[0049] As described above, space is saved by configuring the lever lock member 93 to slide in the front-to-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, the lever lock member 93 is provided on the front side of the apparatus body, and the lever is locked when the lever lock member 93 is displaced in the rear direction B. This ensures that even if the user unintentionally touches the process unit cover removal lever 92, a force is applied in the rear direction B, preventing the process unit cover removal lever 92 from unintentionally entering the lever unlocked state.

[0050] The process unit cover removal lever 92, which is an operating lever that is not operated by the user, is colored the same color as the front surface of the process unit cover 91. The lever lock member 93 is also colored the same color as the front surface of the process unit cover 91. This makes each member difficult for the user to notice.

[0051] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of the process unit cover detachment lever 92 and the lever lock member 93, with FIG. 5A showing the lever locked state and FIG. 5B showing the lever unlocked state.

[0052] The process unit cover installation / removal lever 92 has a protrusion 92a with a protrusion width x1 in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the apparatus body. The lever lock member 93 has a groove 93b that engages with the protrusion 92a so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0053] Groove portion 93b has a groove width x4 that is wider than protrusion width x1 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. Groove portion 93b includes a first narrowed portion 93c that fits with protrusion 92a in the restricting position and a second narrowed portion 93d that fits with protrusion 92a in the allowing position. First narrowed portion 93c has a groove width x2 that is narrower than protrusion width x1. Second narrowed portion 93d has a groove width x3 that is narrower than protrusion width x1.

[0054] The protrusion 92a on the process unit cover detachment lever 92 fits into the groove 93b on the lever lock member 93, so that the lever lock member 93 is positioned on the process unit cover detachment lever 92 and can slide in the forward and backward directions.

[0055] In the lever-locked state (restricted position) shown in FIG. 5(a), the relationship between the protrusion width x1 of the protrusion 92a and the groove width x2 of the first narrowed portion 93c of the groove 93b is x1 > x2. Therefore, even if a user accidentally touches it, the lever-lock member 93 cannot be easily slid forward. When a service engineer pulls the lever-lock member 93 forward (F) with a certain amount of force or more, the first narrowed portion 93c elastically deforms and widens, allowing the lever-lock member 93 to slide with a clicking sensation.

[0056] Even in the lever unlocked state (allowable position) shown in Figure 5(b), the relationship between the protrusion width x1 of the protrusion 92a and the groove width x3 of the second narrowed portion 93d of the groove 93b is x1 > x3. This prevents the lever lock member 93 from sliding easily when touched by a service engineer when rotating the process unit cover removal lever 92, thereby preventing the process unit cover removal lever 92 from being impeded by its rotation. When the service engineer presses the lever lock member 93 in the rear direction B with a certain amount of force or more, the second narrowed portion 93d is elastically deformed and widened, allowing the lever to slide with a clicking sensation.

[0057] That is, when switching between the lever locked state and the lever unlocked state, the lever lock member 93 is slid back and forth while feeling two clicks. However, the number of clicks is not limited to two. That is, the number of narrowed portions in the groove is not limited to the number described above, and may be set as appropriate.

[0058] Furthermore, although the configuration in which the protrusion 92a is provided on the process unit cover detachment lever 92 and the groove 93b is provided on the lever lock member 93 has been exemplified, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to provide the protrusion 92a on the lever lock member 93 and the groove 93b on the process unit cover detachment lever 92. In other words, it is also possible to provide the protrusion 92a on one of the process unit cover detachment lever 92 or the lever lock member 93 and the groove 93b on the other of the process unit cover detachment lever 92 or the lever lock member 93.

[0059] [Removing and installing the process unit] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment with the process unit cover 91 removed.

[0060] The process unit cover 91 is a cover that covers the photosensitive drums, which are internal components. The process unit cover 91 has positioning holes 91b that engage with the drum shafts 16 of the photosensitive drums 11 when in the closed position shown in Fig. 6(a) and serve as positioning portions for positioning the photosensitive drums 11. The process unit cover 91 has photosensitive drum positioning holes 91b for each process unit.

[0061] Furthermore, when the process unit cover 91 is rotated to the open position shown in FIG. 6B, the positioning of the photosensitive drum 11 by the positioning hole 91b is released.

[0062] As shown in Figure 6(a), by rotating the process unit cover removal lever 92, the fixing mechanism (not shown) of the process unit cover 91 relative to the device main body (main body frame) is released, making it possible to pull the process unit cover 91 out in the forward direction F.

[0063] The process unit cover 91, which has been pulled out further forward in the direction F, is then rotated around a rotation shaft 91c extending horizontally as shown in Figure 6(b). The rotation shafts 91c are provided on both horizontal ends of the process unit cover 91. By rotating the process unit cover 91, the space in front of the process unit 1 is opened, making it possible to access the process units 1 of each color from the front of the device main body.

[0064] The process units 1 for each color are fitted onto drum shafts 16 that are arranged to extend in the front-to-rear direction of the device body. The process units 1 can be pulled out in the forward direction F along the drum shafts 16. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6(a), when the process unit cover 91 covers the front of the process units 1, the positioning holes 91b provided in the process unit cover 91 fit onto the drum shafts 16. This positions the process units 1 relative to the device body (main body frame).

[0065] The process unit 1 has a photosensitive drum 11, but by covering the front side with the process unit cover 91 described above, it is possible to simultaneously shield the photosensitive drum 11 from light and position the process unit 1 relative to the main body frame.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the user from operating the control lever unintentionally without impairing the workability of the service engineer.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt are exemplified as internal parts of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, four image forming units are used, but the number of units used is not limited to this and may be set appropriately as needed.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a laser scanner is used as the exposure device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an LED array or the like may also be used.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, a process cartridge that integrally includes a photosensitive drum and charging means, developing means, and cleaning means as process means acting on the photosensitive drum is exemplified as a process unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. However, the unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. For example, a unit that integrally includes a photosensitive drum and any one of charging means, developing means, and cleaning means may also be used.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, a printer is used as an example of an image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other image forming apparatuses such as a copier or facsimile machine, or other image forming apparatuses such as a multifunction peripheral that combines the functions of these, may also be used. Furthermore, an image forming apparatus that uses an intermediate transfer member, sequentially transfers toner images of each color onto the intermediate transfer member in a superimposed manner, and then transfers the toner images carried on the intermediate transfer member to a recording material all at once, is also exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image forming apparatus that uses a recording material carrier, sequentially transfers toner images of each color onto a recording material carried on the recording material carrier in a superimposed manner, may also be used. Similar effects can be obtained by applying the present invention to these image forming apparatuses.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the electrophotographic method is exemplified as the recording method, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other recording methods such as an inkjet method may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] x1…Protrusion width x,x2x3…Groove width 11, 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K ... Photosensitive drum (photosensitive body, internal parts) 16...Drum shaft 1Y,1M,1C,1K...Image forming section 31...Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer body, internal parts) 37...Intermediate transfer belt frame (moving member) 38...Intermediate transfer belt release lever (operation lever) 38a...axis 38b…Wall part 39... Lever lock member 91...Process unit cover (moving member) 91a...Wall part 91b ... Positioning hole (positioning part) 91c...rotation axis 92 ...Process unit cover release lever (operation lever) 92a...Protrusion 92b…axis 92c...Operation unit 93 ... Lever lock member (regulating member) 93a ...Rotation restriction part 93b…Groove 93c...First constriction 93d...Second narrowing 100...Image forming device 101...Front door

Claims

1. a front door that covers the front side of the device main body; a moving member that is movable relative to the device body; an operating lever provided on the front side of the device body and rotatable about an axis between a lock position for locking the moving member and an unlock position for unlocking the moving member, the operating lever being covered by the front door and being accessible by opening the front door; a restricting member that is displaced between a restricting position that restricts rotation of the operating lever and an allowing position that allows rotation of the operating lever, An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. the movable member is provided on the front side of the device body and is movable between a closed position that covers internal components of the device body and an open position that exposes the internal components, the operating lever rotates between the lock position where the movable member is locked at the closed position and the unlock position where the movable member is unlocked, The restricting member restricts the rotation of the operating lever in the lock position to the restricting position.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. the movable member is a cover that covers the photosensitive member, which is the internal part, and has a positioning portion that engages with the photosensitive member at the closed position and positions the photosensitive member.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. the restricting member is provided so as to be movable in a front-rear direction of the device body along an axis relative to the operation lever, and is displaced to the restricting position or the allowing position by being moved in the front-rear direction along the axis.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. a protrusion provided on one of the operating lever and the regulating member, the protrusion having a protrusion width in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the device body; a groove portion that is provided on the other of the operating lever or the regulating member and engages with the protrusion portion so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, the groove portion having a groove width wider than a protrusion width and extending in the front-rear direction, The groove portion includes a first narrowed portion having a groove width narrower than the protrusion width and adapted to fit with the protrusion portion at the restricting position, and a second narrowed portion having a groove width narrower than the protrusion width and adapted to fit with the protrusion portion at the allowing position.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The operating lever has a shaft extending in the front-rear direction of the device body and an operating portion extending in the radial direction of the shaft.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

7. the movable member is a unit including an intermediate transfer body that is an internal part of the apparatus main body, and is provided so as to be movable between a contact position where the intermediate transfer body is brought into contact with a photosensitive body that is an internal part of the apparatus main body, and a separation position where the intermediate transfer body is separated from the photosensitive body, the operating lever is disposed on a front surface of the unit and rotates between a contact position where the intermediate transfer body is brought into contact with the photosensitive body and a separation position where the intermediate transfer body is separated from the photosensitive body; The restricting member restricts the rotation of the operating lever in the contact position to the restricting position.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. The operating lever and the restricting member are the same color as a front surface of the moving member on which the operating lever is disposed.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images