Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can individually replace a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a housing 2; a drawer 12; drum cartridges 4 including photoconductor drums 41; developing cartridges 5 including developing rollers 51; and a transfer device 7. The drawer 12 is movable between an accommodated position at which it is accommodated in the housing 2 and a withdrawn position at which it is withdrawn from the inside of the housing 2. The drum cartridges 4 are removably attached to the drawer 12. In a state in which the drum cartridges 4 are removed from the drawer 12, the developing cartridges 5 are removably attached to the drum cartridges 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus includes a housing, a drawer, a process cartridge, and a transfer device. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. The drawer is movable between a storage position in which it is stored within the housing and a pull-out position in which it is pulled out from the housing. When the process cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is in the storage position, the transfer device is located above the process cartridge. When the drawer is in the pull-out position, the process cartridge is detachable from the drawer (see Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-139495 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the developing roller needs to be replaced, the entire process cartridge including the photosensitive drum needs to be replaced even if the photosensitive drum does not need to be replaced. In such an image forming apparatus, it is difficult to reduce the operating cost.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the first developing cartridge and the first drum cartridge can be replaced separately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a housing, a drawer, a first drum cartridge, a first developing cartridge, and a transfer device.

[0007] The housing has a body opening.

[0008] The drawer is movable between a storage position and an extended position through the main body opening. When the drawer is in the storage position, the drawer is stored in the housing. When the drawer is in the extended position, the drawer is extended from the housing.

[0009] The first drum cartridge is detachably attached to the drawer and has a first photosensitive drum.

[0010] The first developing cartridge is detachably attached to the first drum cartridge and has a first developing roller.

[0011] The transfer device transfers the toner on the first photosensitive drum onto a sheet. When the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is in the storage position, the transfer device is located above the first drum cartridge.

[0012] With the first drum cartridge removed from the drawer, the first developing cartridge is detachable from the first drum cartridge.

[0013] According to this configuration, the first drum cartridge is detachably attached to the drawer when the drawer is in the pulled-out position. When the first drum cartridge is removed from the drawer, the first developing cartridge is detachably attached to the first drum cartridge.

[0014] Therefore, the first developing cartridge including the first developing roller and the first drum cartridge including the first photosensitive drum can be replaced separately.

[0015] (2) When the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the first developing cartridge may be unable to be detached from the first drum cartridge.

[0016] (3) The first drum cartridge may include a drum frame. The drum frame supports the first photosensitive drum. The drum frame has a developer guide. The developer guide guides the first developer cartridge when it is attached to or detached from the first drum cartridge.

[0017] (4) The image forming device may further include a second drum cartridge and a second developing cartridge. The second drum cartridge is detachably attached to the drawer. The second drum cartridge has a second photosensitive drum. The second developing cartridge is detachably attached to the second drum cartridge. The second developing cartridge has a second developing roller. With the first drum cartridge and the second drum cartridge attached to the drawer, the developing guide may extend toward the second drum cartridge.

[0018] (5) The drum frame may have an opening. When the first developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the first drum cartridge, the first developing cartridge passes through the opening. The developing guide may extend toward the opening.

[0019] (6) The drawer may have a drum guide. The drum guide guides the first drum cartridge when it is attached to the drawer. When the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the direction in which the developing guide extends and the direction in which the drum guide extends may intersect.

[0020] (7) The developing guide may extend upward when the first drum cartridge is removed from the drawer and placed in place.

[0021] (8) The first drum cartridge may include a wall. When the first developer cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the wall is located on the opposite side of the first photosensitive drum from the first developer roller. The developer guide may extend in a direction away from the wall.

[0022] (9) The first developing cartridge may include a developing housing and a handle. The developing housing supports a first developing roller. When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the handle may be located on the opposite side of the wall from the first photosensitive drum.

[0023] (10) The image forming device may further include a second drum cartridge and a second developing cartridge. The second drum cartridge is detachably attached to the drawer. The second drum cartridge has a second photosensitive drum. The second developing cartridge is detachably attached to the second drum cartridge. The second developing cartridge has a second developing roller. When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge and the second drum cartridge are attached to the drawer, the handle may be located between the developing housing and the second drum cartridge.

[0024] (11) The handle may be attached to the developing housing. The handle may be rotatable about an axis between a first position and a second position. When the handle is positioned at the first position, the handle extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the developing guide extends. When the handle is positioned at the second position, the handle extends in the direction in which the developing guide extends.

[0025] (12) The handle may have a grip. The grip is located away from the shaft. When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, and the handle is located at the first position, the grip may be located above the shaft.

[0026] (13) When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the grip may be located above the developing housing.

[0027] (14) When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge and the second drum cartridge are attached to the drawer, the grip may be positioned between the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum.

[0028] (15) The first drum cartridge may include a lock. When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the lock prevents the first developing cartridge from being removed from the first drum cartridge. When the first drum cartridge and the second drum cartridge are attached to the drawer, the lock may be located between the developing housing and the second drum cartridge.

[0029] (16) When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the lock may be located below the grip.

[0030] (17) When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the handle may be positioned downstream of the first photosensitive drum in the direction of movement when the drawer moves from the storage position to the pulled-out position.

[0031] (18) The first drum cartridge may include a pressing member. When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the pressing member presses the first developing roller toward the first photosensitive drum. The pressing member may be supported by a drum frame.

[0032] (19) The image forming apparatus may further include a cover and a drawer guide. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position. When the cover is in the closed position, the cover closes the main body opening. When the cover is in the open position, the main body opening opens. The drawer guide guides movement of the drawer relative to the housing. The drawer guide may move between a contact position and a separation position when the cover moves between the closed position and the open position with the first drum cartridge attached to the drawer and the drawer in the storage position. When the drawer guide is in the contact position, the drawer guide brings the first photosensitive drum into contact with the transfer device. When the drawer guide is in the separation position, the drawer guide separates the first photosensitive drum from the transfer device. The housing may have a groove. The groove guides movement of the drawer guide.

[0033] (20) A direction of movement of the drawer when it moves from the storage position to the pull-out position may intersect with the horizontal direction. The groove may extend in the horizontal direction.

[0034] (21) The first developing cartridge may have a waste toner storage unit that is capable of storing waste toner from the first photosensitive drum.

[0035] According to this configuration, in a configuration in which the first developing cartridge and the first drum cartridge can be replaced separately, the waste toner can be disposed of when the first developing cartridge is replaced.

[0036] (22) The first developing cartridge may have a developing housing and a waste toner housing. The developing housing is capable of storing toner to be supplied to the first photosensitive drum. The waste toner housing has a waste toner storage portion. The waste toner housing may be movable relative to the developing housing.

[0037] According to this configuration, in a state in which the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the developing housing can be moved relative to the first drum cartridge while the waste toner housing is fixed to the first drum cartridge.

[0038] (23) With the first developing cartridge attached to the first drum cartridge, the developing housing may be movable relative to the first drum cartridge between a contact position and a separation position. With the developing housing located at the contact position, the first developing roller comes into contact with the first photosensitive drum. With the developing housing located at the separation position, the first developing roller is separated from the first photosensitive drum.

[0039] With this configuration, with the first developing cartridge attached to the first drum cartridge, the developing housing can be moved relative to the first drum cartridge between a contact position and a separated position while the waste toner housing is fixed to the first drum cartridge.

[0040] (24) The first photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum shaft. The drum shaft extends in a first direction. With the first developing cartridge attached to the first drum cartridge, the developing housing may be rotatable about the first shaft between a contact position and a separated position. The first shaft extends in the first direction. The waste toner housing may be rotatable about the first shaft relative to the developing housing.

[0041] (25) The waste toner housing may have an inlet. The inlet is capable of receiving waste toner. The first developing cartridge may further have a first shutter. The first shutter is movable between a first closed position and a first open position relative to the waste toner housing. When the first shutter is located at the first closed position, the first shutter closes the inlet. When the first shutter is located at the first open position, the inlet is open. The developing housing may have a first protrusion. The first shutter may have a second protrusion. When the developing housing moves between the contact position and the separated position, the second protrusion comes into contact with the first protrusion. When the developing housing moves from the separated position to the contact position, the first protrusion comes into contact with the second protrusion, causing the first shutter to move from the first closed position to the first open position. When the developing housing moves from the contact position to the separated position, the first protrusion comes into contact with the second protrusion, causing the first shutter to move from the first open position to the first closed position.

[0042] According to this configuration, the first shutter can be moved in conjunction with the movement of the developing housing.

[0043] Therefore, when the worker mounts the first developing cartridge on the first drum cartridge, the worker can also move the first shutter by moving the developing housing.

[0044] As a result, the first developing cartridge can be attached to the first drum cartridge with a small amount of action.

[0045] (26) The developing housing may have a first gear. The first shutter may have a second gear. When the developing housing moves between the contact position and the separated position, the second gear meshes with the first gear. When the developing housing moves from the separated position to the contact position, the first gear meshes with the second gear, causing the first shutter to move from the first closed position to the first open position. When the developing housing moves from the contact position to the separated position, the first gear meshes with the second gear, causing the first shutter to move from the first open position to the first closed position.

[0046] According to this configuration, the developing housing and the first shutter can be interlocked with each other with a simple configuration in which the first gear is provided on the developing housing and the second gear is provided on the first shutter.

[0047] (27) The first drum cartridge may have a drum cleaner, a waste toner tube, and a second shutter. The drum cleaner cleans the surface of the first photosensitive drum. The waste toner tube allows the passage of waste toner from the drum cleaner toward the waste toner housing. The waste toner tube has an outlet. The outlet is capable of discharging waste toner in the waste toner tube. The second shutter is movable relative to the waste toner tube between a second closed position and a second open position. When the second shutter is located at the second closed position, the second shutter closes the outlet. When the second shutter is located at the second open position, the outlet is open. When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the second shutter may be movable together with the first shutter.

[0048] According to this configuration, the movement of the developing housing and the movement of the second shutter can be linked via the first shutter.

[0049] Therefore, when the worker mounts the first developing cartridge into the first drum cartridge, the worker can move not only the first shutter but also the second shutter by moving the developing housing.

[0050] As a result, the first developing cartridge can be attached to the first drum cartridge with a small amount of action.

[0051] (28) With the first developing cartridge attached to the first drum cartridge, a portion of the waste toner tube may be located between the developing housing and an end of the first drum cartridge in the first direction.

[0052] (29) With the first developing cartridge attached to the first drum cartridge, the waste toner housing may be located between the developing housing and an end of the first drum cartridge in the first direction.

[0053] (30) The developing housing may have a shaft extending along the first axis. The waste toner housing may have a main body and a connecting part. The connecting part connects the main body and the shaft.

[0054] (31) The main body may have a cylindrical shape. The main body may have an inlet. The first shutter may be movable along a circumferential surface of the main body between a first closed position and a first open position.

[0055] (32) The first shutter may have a cylindrical shape that covers the peripheral surface of the main body portion. The first shutter may have an opening. The connecting portion passes through the opening. When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first shutter is positioned in the first open position, the opening communicates with the receiving port. Effect of the Invention

[0056] According to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge can be replaced separately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0057] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus, showing a state in which the cover is in the closed position and the drawer is in the housed position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus, showing a state in which the cover is in the open position and the drawer is in the pulled-out position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the drum cartridge is attached to a drawer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 4 with the developing cartridge attached thereto. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 6 is placed on a placement surface. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 8 is mounted in the drum cartridge and the developing housing is located at the separated position, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line AA in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a state in which the developing housing shown in FIG. 9 is located at the contact position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the drum cartridge according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] 1. Image forming device 1 An image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 2, a cover 10, a sheet cassette 3, a first feed roller R1, a manual feed tray T, a second feed roller R2, a drawer 12, four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, four developing cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, an exposure device 6, a transfer device 7, and a fixing device 8.

[0060] 1.1 Case 2 The housing 2 accommodates a sheet cassette 3, a drawer 12, four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, four developing cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, an exposure device 6, a transfer device 7, and a fixing device 8. The housing 2 has a main body opening 21 (see FIG. 2).

[0061] The main body opening 21 is located on one outer surface of the housing 2 in the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction is a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity when the image forming apparatus 1 is placed in a normal use state. The direction of gravity when the image forming apparatus 1 is placed in a normal use state is defined as the up-down direction.

[0062] 1.2 Cover 10 1 and 2, the cover 10 is movable between a closed position (see FIG. 1) and an open position (see FIG. 2). When the cover 10 is in the closed position, the cover 10 closes the main body opening 21 (see FIG. 1). When the cover 10 is in the open position, the main body opening 21 is open (see FIG. 2).

[0063] 1.3 Sheet cassette 3 and first feed roller R1 1, the sheet cassette 3 is capable of housing a sheet S. The sheet S in the sheet cassette 3 is transported toward a secondary transfer roller 73. The secondary transfer roller 73 will be described later.

[0064] The first feed roller R1 conveys the sheet S in the sheet cassette 3 toward the secondary transfer roller 73.

[0065] 1.4 Manual feed tray T and second feed roller R2 The manual feed tray T is located between the sheet cassette 3 and the exposure device 6. The manual feed tray T is capable of supporting a sheet S.

[0066] The second feed roller R2 conveys the sheet S in the sheet cassette 3 toward the secondary transfer roller 73.

[0067] 1.5 Drawer 12 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the cover 10 is in the open position, the drawer 12 is movable between a storage position (see FIG. 1) and a pull-out position (see FIG. 2) through the main body opening 21. When the drawer 12 is in the storage position, the entirety of the drawer 12 is stored in the housing 2 (see FIG. 1). When the drawer 12 is in the storage position, the drawer 12 is located between the exposure device 6 and the transfer device 7 in the up-down direction. When the drawer 12 is in the pull-out position, at least a part of the drawer 12 is pulled out from within the housing 2 (see FIG. 2). In other words, when the drawer 12 is in the pull-out position, at least a part of the drawer 12 is located outside the housing 2.

[0068] 1.6 4 drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K The four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are detachably attached to the drawer 12. When the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are attached to the drawer 12, the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are lined up in order in the horizontal direction.

[0069] 1.6.1 Drum Cartridge 4K When the drawer 12 is in the pulled-out position, the drum cartridge 4K is detachable from the drawer 12 (see FIG. 2). When the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12 and the drawer 12 is in the pulled-out position, the drum cartridge 4K is located outside the housing 2.

[0070] When the drawer 12 is in the storage position, the drum cartridge 4K cannot be attached to or detached from the drawer 12 (see FIG. 1). When the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12 and the drawer 12 is in the storage position, the drum cartridge 4K is located inside the housing 2.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 3, the drum cartridge 4K includes a photosensitive drum 41K and a charging device 46K.

[0072] The photosensitive drum 41K extends in a first direction. The photosensitive drum 41K has a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 41K is rotatable about a drum shaft 411. The drum shaft 411 extends in the first direction.

[0073] The charging device 46K charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41K. Specifically, the charging device 46K is a charging roller. The charging device 46K may be a scorotron type charger.

[0074] 1.6.2 Drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C 1, the three drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, and 4C will be described in the same manner as the drum cartridge 4K, and therefore the description of the drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, and 4C will be omitted.

[0075] The drum cartridge 4Y is detachably attached to the drawer 12. The drum cartridge 4Y includes a photosensitive drum 41Y and a charging device 46Y. The drum cartridge 4M is detachably attached to the drawer 12. The drum cartridge 4M includes a photosensitive drum 41M and a charging device 46M. The drum cartridge 4C is detachably attached to the drawer 12. The drum cartridge 4C includes a photosensitive drum 41C and a charging device 46C.

[0076] 1.7 4 developing cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K 1.7.1 Developing Cartridge 5K When the drum cartridge 4K is removed from the drawer 12, the developing cartridge 5K is detachable from the drum cartridge 4K (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the developing cartridge 5K including the developing roller 51K and the drum cartridge 4K including the photosensitive drum 41K can be replaced separately. As shown in FIG. 3, when the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the developing cartridge 5K cannot be detached from the drum cartridge 4K.

[0077] The developing cartridge 5K includes a developing frame 52K and a developing roller 51K.

[0078] The developing frame 52K accommodates the toner and supports the developing roller 51K.

[0079] The developing roller 51K extends in a first direction. The developing roller 51K is rotatable about a shaft 511. The shaft 511 extends in the first direction.

[0080] When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the developing roller 51K comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 41K. When the developing roller 51K comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 41K, the developing roller 51K supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 41K.

[0081] 1.7.2 Developer cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C 1, the three developer cartridges 5Y, 5M, and 5C will be described in the same manner as the developer cartridge 5K, and therefore, the description of the developer cartridges 5Y, 5M, and 5C will be omitted.

[0082] The developing cartridge 5Y is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 4Y. The developing cartridge 5Y includes a developing frame 52Y and a developing roller 51Y. The developing cartridge 5M is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 4M. The developing cartridge 5M includes a developing frame 52M and a developing roller 51M. The developing cartridge 5C is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 4C. The developing cartridge 5C includes a developing frame 52C and a developing roller 51C.

[0083] 1.8 Exposure Equipment 6 The exposure device 6 can expose the surfaces of the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K. The exposure device 6 emits light that exposes the charged surfaces of the photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K. As a result, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K. Toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent images.

[0084] When the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are attached to the drawer 12 and the drawer 12 is in the storage position, the exposure device 6 is located below the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K.

[0085] Specifically, the exposure device 6 is a laser scanning unit. The exposure device 6 may be an LED array.

[0086] 1.9 Transfer device 7 The transfer device 7 transfers the toner on the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K onto the sheet S. When the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are attached to the drawer 12 and the drawer 12 is positioned in the storage position, the transfer device 7 is located above the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K.

[0087] The transfer device 7 includes an intermediate transfer belt 71, four primary transfer rollers 72Y, 72M, 72C, and 72K, and a secondary transfer roller 73.

[0088] When the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are attached to the drawer 12, the drawer 12 is located at the storage position, and the cover 10 is located at the closed position, the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 71. When the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are attached to the drawer 12, and the drawer 12 is located at the storage position, the intermediate transfer belt 71 passes between the photosensitive drum 41Y and the primary transfer roller 72Y, between the photosensitive drum 41M and the primary transfer roller 72M, between the photosensitive drum 41C and the primary transfer roller 72C, and between the photosensitive drum 41K and the primary transfer roller 72K.

[0089] The primary transfer roller 72Y transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 41Y to the intermediate transfer belt 71. The primary transfer roller 72M transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 41K to the intermediate transfer belt 71. The primary transfer roller 72C transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 41C to the intermediate transfer belt 71. The primary transfer roller 72K transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 41K to the intermediate transfer belt 71.

[0090] The secondary transfer roller 73 is aligned with the intermediate transfer belt 71 in the horizontal direction. The secondary transfer roller 73 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 71. The sheet S conveyed from the sheet cassette 3 passes between the intermediate transfer belt 71 and the secondary transfer roller 73. At this time, the secondary transfer roller 73 transfers the toner transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 71 onto the sheet S.

[0091] 1.10 Fixing device 8 The fixing device 8 applies heat and pressure to the sheet S onto which the toner has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner to the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 8 is discharged onto the upper surface of the housing 2.

[0092] 2. Details of Drawer 12 Next, the drawer 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0093] The drawer 12 includes a first drawer side plate 121 and a second drawer side plate (not shown).

[0094] The first drawer side panel 121 is located at one end of the drawer 12 in the first direction. The second drawer side panel (not shown) is located at the other end of the drawer 12 in the first direction. The second drawer side panel (not shown) will be described in the same manner as the first drawer side panel 121. Therefore, the first drawer side panel 121 will be described in detail, and a description of the second drawer side panel (not shown) will be omitted.

[0095] When the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are attached to the drawer 12, the first drawer side plate 121 is aligned with the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K in the first direction. The first drawer side plate 121 has four drum guides 1211Y, 1211M, 1211C, and 1211K. In other words, the drawer 12 has four drum guides 1211Y, 1211M, 1211C, and 1211K. The four drum guides 1211Y, 1211M, 1211C, and 1211K are aligned at intervals from one another in the movement direction when the drawer 12 moves from the storage position to the pull-out position.

[0096] The four drum guides 1211Y, 1211M, 1211C, and 1211K have the same structure, so only the drum guide 1211K will be described in detail, and descriptions of the three drum guides 1211Y, 1211M, and 1211C will be omitted.

[0097] 3, the drum guide 1211K guides the attachment and detachment of the drum cartridge 4K to and from the drawer 12. When the drum cartridge 4K is attached to and detached from the drawer 12, the drum guide 1211K guides the drum boss 427K. The drum boss 427K will be described later. The drum guide 1211K is specifically a groove. The drum guide 1211K extends in the up-down direction.

[0098] The drum guide 1211K has a first end 1211A and a second end 1211B. The first end 1211A is the lower end of the drum guide 1211K. When the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the drum boss 427K is located at the first end 1211A. The second end 1211B is away from the first end 1211A. The second end 1211B is the upper end of the drum guide 1211K. The second end 1211B is open upward.

[0099] 3. Details of the 4K Drum Cartridge Next, the drum cartridge 4K will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG.

[0100] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drum cartridge 4K includes, in addition to the photosensitive drum 41K and the charging device 46K, a drum frame 42K, a drum cleaner 47K, a first pressing member 43K, a second pressing member 44K, and a lock 45K.

[0101] 3.1 Drum Frame 42K The drum frame 42K supports the photosensitive drum 41K, the charging device 46K, the drum cleaner 47K, the first pressing member 43K, the second pressing member 44K, and the lock 45K. The drum frame 42K extends in a first direction. The drum frame 42K includes a first side plate 421K, a second side plate 422K, drum bosses 427K and 428K, a bottom plate 424K, and a light passing portion 425K.

[0102] 3.1.1 First side plate 421K As shown in FIG. 4, the first side plate 421K is located at one end of the drum frame 42K in the first direction.

[0103] The first side plate 421K has an outer surface S1 and an inner surface S2 in the first direction. The outer surface S1 is located on the opposite side of the second side plate 422K with respect to the inner surface S2 in the first direction.

[0104] The first side plate 421K extends in the second direction. The second direction intersects with the first direction. One end of the first side plate 421K in the second direction supports one end of the photosensitive drum 41K in the first direction.

[0105] The first side plate 421K has a first end 421A and a second end 421B in the third direction. The third direction intersects with the first direction and the second direction. The second end 421B is located away from the first end 421A in the third direction.

[0106] The first side plate 421K has a first developing guide 4211K, a second developing guide 4212K, a first groove 4213K, and a second groove 4214K.

[0107] The first developing guide 4211K guides the attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge 5K to and from the drum cartridge 4K. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to and detached from the drum cartridge 4K, the first developing guide 4211K guides the first boss 522K (see FIG. 3). The first boss 522K will be described later. The first developing guide 4211K is located on the inner surface S2 of the first side plate 421K. The first developing guide 4211K is specifically a groove. The first developing guide 4211K extends in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 41K (see FIG. 3). The first developing guide 4211K is located away from the photosensitive drum 41K in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 41K.

[0108] The first developing guide 4211K has a first end 4211A and a second end 4211B. The second end 4211B is located away from the first end 4211A in the third direction. The second end 4211B is located at the second end 421B of the first side plate 421. The second end 4211B is open.

[0109] 3, when the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the direction in which the first developing guide 4211K extends intersects with the direction in which the drum guide 1211K extends. When the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4C are attached to the drawer 12, in the movement direction when the drawer 12 moves from the storage position to the pull-out position, the first end 4211A of the first developing guide 4211K is located on the opposite side of the drum cartridge 4C with respect to the second end 4211B. In other words, when the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4C are attached to the drawer 12, the first developing guide 4211K extends from the first end 4211A to the second end 4211B toward the drum cartridge 4C.

[0110] As a result, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the drum cartridge 4K can be removed from the drawer 12, but the developing cartridge 5K cannot be removed from the drum cartridge 4K.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 4, the second developing guide 4212K guides the second boss 524K when the developing cartridge 5K rotates relative to the photosensitive drum 41K (see Fig. 7). The second boss 524K will be described later. The second developing guide 4212K is located inside the first developing guide 4211K. The second developing guide 4212K penetrates the first side plate 421K in the first direction.

[0112] The first pressing member 43K is disposed in the first groove 4213K. The first groove 4213K is located on the outer surface S1 of the first side plate 421K. The first groove 4213K is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41K with respect to the second developing guide 4212K. The first groove 4213K communicates with the second developing guide 4212K.

[0113] A lock 45K is disposed in the second groove 4214K. The second groove 4214K is located on the inner surface S2 of the first side plate 421K. The second groove 4214K is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41K with respect to the first developing guide 4211K. The second groove 4214K communicates with the first developing guide 4211K via an opening 4215.

[0114] 3.1.2 2nd side plate 422K The second side plate 422K is located at the other end of the drum frame 42K in the first direction. The second side plate 422K is located away from the first side plate 421K in the first direction.

[0115] The second side plate 422K has an outer surface S3 and an inner surface S4 in the first direction. The outer surface S3 is located on the opposite side of the first side plate 421K from the inner surface S4 in the first direction.

[0116] The second side plate 422K extends in the second direction. One end of the second side plate 422K in the second direction supports the other end of the photosensitive drum 41K in the first direction.

[0117] The second side plate 422K has a first end 422A and a second end 422B in the third direction. The second end 422B is located away from the first end 422A in the third direction.

[0118] The second side plate 422K has a first developing guide 4221K, a second developing guide 4222K, and a first groove 4223K.

[0119] The first developing guide 4221K, together with the first developing guide 4211K, guides the attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge 5K to and from the drum cartridge 4K. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to and detached from the drum cartridge 4K, the first developing guide 4221K guides the first boss 523K (see FIG. 5). The first boss 523K will be described later. The first developing guide 4221K is located on the inner surface S4 of the second side plate 422K. The first developing guide 4221K will be described in the same manner as the first developing guide 4211K. Therefore, a description of the first developing guide 4221K will be omitted.

[0120] The second developing guide 4222K guides the second boss 525K when the developing cartridge 5K rotates relative to the photosensitive drum 41K (see FIG. 5). The second boss 525K will be described later. The second developing guide 4222K is located inside the first developing guide 4221K. The second developing guide 4222K penetrates the second side plate 422K in the first direction.

[0121] The second pressing member 44K is disposed in the first groove 4223K. The first groove 4223K is located on the outer surface S3 of the second side plate 422K. The first groove 4223K is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41K with respect to the second developing guide 4222K. The first groove 4223K communicates with the second developing guide 4222K.

[0122] 3.1.3 Drum Boss 427K, 428K The drum boss 427K is located on the outer surface S1 of the first side plate 421K. As shown in Fig. 3, the drum boss 427K has a cylindrical shape. The drum boss 427K extends in a first direction. When the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the drum boss 427K fits into the first end 1211A of the drum guide 1211K.

[0123] 4, the drum boss 428K is located on the outer surface S3 of the second side plate 422K. The drum boss 428K will be described in the same manner as the drum boss 427K. Therefore, the description of the drum boss 428K will be omitted.

[0124] 3.1.4 Bottom plate 424K The bottom plate 424K extends in a first direction. One end of the bottom plate 424K in the first direction is connected to the first side plate 421K. The other end of the bottom plate 424K in the first direction is connected to the second side plate 422K. The bottom plate 424K is located away from the photosensitive drum 41K in the second direction.

[0125] The bottom plate 424K has an arc shape. The bottom plate 424K has a first end 424A and a second end 424B in the circumferential direction of the bottom plate 424K. The first end 424A is located between the first end 421A of the first side plate 421K and the first end 422A of the second side plate 422K in the first direction. The second end 424B is separated from the first end 424A in the third direction.

[0126] 3.1.5 Light passing section 425K During an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1, light emitted from the exposure device 6 passes through the light passing portion 425K toward the photosensitive drum 41K (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3, the light passing portion 425K faces the photosensitive drum 41K in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 41K. The light passing portion 425K extends in the first direction and also extends in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 41K. The light passing portion 425K is connected to a first end 424A of the bottom plate 424K.

[0127] 3.1.6 Aperture 426K As shown in FIG. 4, the drum frame 42K has an opening 426K. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to or detached from the drum cartridge 4K, the developing cartridge 5K passes through the opening 426K. The opening 426K is defined by the second end 421B of the first side plate 421K, the second end 422B of the second side plate 422K, the second end 424B of the bottom plate 424K, and the photosensitive drum 41K. The first developing guides 4211K and 4221K extend toward the opening 426K. As shown in FIG. 3, when the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4C are attached to the drawer 12, the opening 426K is opened toward the drum cartridge 4C.

[0128] 3.2 Drum Cleaner 47K 4, the drum cleaner 47K cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 41K. The drum cleaner 47K is located between the first end 421A of the first side plate 421K and the first end 422A of the second side plate 422K in the first direction. The drum cleaner 47K is located on the opposite side of the bottom plate 424K with respect to the light transmitting portion 425K in the second direction.

[0129] 3, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the drum cleaner 47K is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 51K with respect to the drum shaft 411 of the photosensitive drum 41K in the third direction. The drum cleaner 47K includes a cleaning blade 471 and a cleaner housing 472.

[0130] An edge of the cleaning blade 471 comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 41K. When the photosensitive drum 41K rotates, the cleaning blade 471 scrapes off the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41K as waste toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41K.

[0131] The cleaner housing 472 accommodates the waste toner. The cleaner housing 472 supports the cleaning blade 471. The cleaner housing 472 has an opening 4721. The opening 4721 receives the waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 471.

[0132] The cleaner housing 472 has a wall 423. In other words, the drum cartridge 4K has the wall 423. The wall 423 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41K to the developing roller 51K with respect to the photosensitive drum 41K in a state in which the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K. The wall 423 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41K to the cleaning blade 471. The first developing guide 4211 extends in a direction away from the wall 423 from the first end 4211A toward the second end 4211B.

[0133] 3.3 First pressing member 43K and second pressing member 44K As shown in FIG. 4, when the developing cartridge 5K is mounted in the drum cartridge 4K, the first pressing member 43K presses the developing roller 51K toward the photosensitive drum 41K (see FIG. 6). When the developing cartridge 5K is mounted in the drum cartridge 4K, the first pressing member 43K is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41K with respect to the second boss 524K and contacts the second boss 524K (see FIG. 6). This allows the developing roller 51K to stably contact the photosensitive drum 41K when the developing cartridge 5K is mounted in the drum cartridge 4K. The first pressing member 43K is supported by the drum frame 42K.

[0134] The first pressing member 43K is located in the first groove 4213K of the first side plate 421K. The first pressing member 43K is supported by the first side plate 421K. The first pressing member 43K is rotatable about a shaft. The shaft of the first pressing member 43K extends in a first direction.

[0135] When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the second pressing member 44K, together with the first pressing member 43K, presses the developing roller 51K toward the photosensitive drum 41K (see FIG. 6). When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the second pressing member 44K is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41K with respect to the second boss 525K and comes into contact with the second boss 525K (see FIG. 6). The second pressing member 44K is supported by the drum frame 42K.

[0136] The second pressing member 44K is located in the first groove 4223K of the second side plate 422K. The second pressing member 44K is supported by the second side plate 422K. The second pressing member 44K will be described in the same manner as the first pressing member 43K. Therefore, a description of the second pressing member 44K will be omitted.

[0137] 3.4 Rock 45K The lock 45K is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position (see FIG. 7). In FIG. 7, the lock 45K in the locked position is indicated by a solid line, and the lock 45K in the unlocked position is indicated by a two-dot chain line. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the lock 45K is in the locked position, the lock 45K restricts removal of the developing cartridge 5K from the drum cartridge 4K. This makes it possible to prevent the developing cartridge 5K from being unintentionally removed from the drum cartridge 4K. Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the lock 45K is in the unlocked position, the lock 45K releases the lock of the developing cartridge 5K from the drum cartridge 4K.

[0138] 4, the lock 45K is supported by the first side plate 421K. The lock 45K is biased toward the locked position. The lock 45K includes a spring 451 and an operating portion 452.

[0139] The spring 451 is located in the second groove 4214K of the first side plate 421K. The spring 451 has a linear shape. The spring 451 has one end and the other end. One end of the spring 451 is fixed to the first side plate 421K. The other end of the spring 451 is located away from the one end of the spring 451. The operating portion 452 is provided at the other end of the spring 451. The spring 451 includes a convex portion 4511. The convex portion 4511 is located between the one end and the other end of the spring 451. The convex portion 4511 has an apex facing the photosensitive drum 41K.

[0140] When the lock 45K is in the locked position, the protrusion 4511 passes through the opening 4215 and is positioned in the first developing guide 4211K. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the lock 45K is in the locked position, the protrusion 4511 prevents the first boss 522K from coming off the first end 4211A of the first developing guide 4211K (see FIG. 7). When the lock 45K is in the unlocked position, the protrusion 4511 is positioned in the second groove 4214K. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the lock 45K is in the unlocked position, the first boss 522K is movable from the first end 4211A to the second end 4211B of the first developing guide 4211K.

[0141] A user operates the operation unit 452. When the user operates the operation unit 452, the lock 45K moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0142] 4. Details of the 5K Developing Cartridge Next, the developing cartridge 5K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 3, the developing cartridge 5K includes a supply roller 54K, an agitator 55K, and a handle 53K in addition to the developing roller 51K and the developing frame 52K.

[0144] 4.1 Developing Frame 52K As shown in FIG. 5, the developing frame 52K includes a developing housing 521K, two first bosses 522K and 523K (see FIG. 7), and two second bosses 524K and 525K.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 3, the developing housing 521K has a developing unit 5211 and a toner storage unit 5212. The developing unit 5211 supports the developing roller 51K and the supply roller 54K. The toner storage unit 5212 stores toner. The internal space of the toner storage unit 5212 communicates with the internal space of the developing unit 5211. The toner storage unit 5212 supports the agitator 55K. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the toner storage unit 5212 is located below the developing unit 5211.

[0146] 5, the developing housing 521K extends in a first direction. The developing housing 521K has a first side surface S5 and a second side surface S6 in the first direction.

[0147] The first side surface S5 is located at one end in the first direction of the developing frame 521. The second side surface S6 is located at the other end in the first direction of the developing frame 521. The second side surface S6 is located away from the first side surface S5 in the first direction.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 6, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the developing housing 521K of the developing cartridge 5K is located between the first side plate 421K and the second side plate 422K in the first direction.

[0149] The first boss 522K is located on the first side surface S5 of the developing frame 521. The first boss 522K is aligned with the developing unit 5211 in the first direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the first boss 522K has a cylindrical shape. The first boss 522K extends in the first direction.

[0150] When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the first boss 522K fits into the first end 4211A of the first developing guide 4211K. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the developing cartridge 5K is rotatable about the shaft 5221 of the first boss 522K relative to the photosensitive drum 41K. This allows the developing roller 51K to move relative to the photosensitive drum 41K. The shaft 5221 of the first boss 522K overlaps with the tangent direction D of the portion of the photosensitive drum 41K that contacts the developing roller 51K.

[0151] 5, the first boss 523K is located on the second side surface S6 of the developing frame 521. The first boss 523K will be described in the same manner as the first boss 522K. Therefore, the description of the first boss 523K will be omitted.

[0152] The second boss 524K is located on the first side surface S5 of the developing housing 521K. The second boss 524K is aligned with the developing unit 5211 in the first direction. The second boss 524K is located away from the first boss 522K. The second boss 524K has a cylindrical shape. The second boss 524K extends along the shaft 511 (see FIG. 3) of the developing roller 51K. The second boss 524K extends in the first direction.

[0153] 7, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the second boss 524K fits into the second developing guide 4212K. The second boss 524K is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 41K by the first pressing member 43K.

[0154] 5, the second boss 525K is located on the second side surface S6 of the development housing 521K. The second boss 525K will be described in the same manner as the second boss 524K. Therefore, the description of the second boss 525K will be omitted.

[0155] 4.2 Supply Roller 54K As shown in FIG. 3, the supply roller 54K supplies toner to the developing roller 51K. The supply roller 54K is housed in the developing unit 5211. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the supply roller 54K is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 51K from the photosensitive drum 41K. The supply roller 54K extends in a first direction. The supply roller 54K is rotatable about an axis. The axis of the supply roller 54K extends in the first direction.

[0156] 4.3 Agitator 55K The agitator 55K can transport the toner in the toner storage unit 5212 toward the developing unit 5211. The agitator 55K is stored in the toner storage unit 5212. The agitator 55K is rotatable about a shaft. The shaft of the agitator 55K extends in a first direction.

[0157] 4.4 Handle 53K 5, the handle 53K is located at the center of the developing cartridge 5K in the first direction. The handle 53K is attached to the developing frame 52K. The handle 53K is attached to the center of the developing housing 521K in the first direction.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 6, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the handle 53K is separated from the lock 45K in the first direction.

[0159] 7, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the handle 53K is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41K to the wall 423. The handle 53K is rotatable about a shaft 531 between a first position and a second position.

[0160] When the handle 53K is located at the first position, the handle 53K crosses the direction in which the first developing guide 4211K extends. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the handle 53K is located at the second position, the handle 53K extends in the direction in which the first developing guide 4211K extends. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 4K is removed from the drawer 12 and placed on the drawer 12, and the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, if the user holds the handle 53K and pulls up the developing cartridge 5K in the direction in which the first developing guide 4211K extends, the handle 53K is located at the second position, and the first boss 522K smoothly comes out of the first developing guide 4211K. Therefore, the developing cartridge 5K can be smoothly removed from the drum cartridge 4K.

[0161] 3, the handle 53K has a grip 532. The grip 532 can be held by a user. The grip 532 is located away from the shaft 531.

[0162] When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, and the handle 53K is in the first position, the grip 532 is located above the shaft 511. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the grip 532 of the handle 53K is located above the developing frame 52K.

[0163] Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the lock 45K is located below the grip 532 of the handle 53K. When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4C are attached to the drawer 12, the operating portion 452 of the lock 45K is located between the developing frame 52K and the drum cartridge 4C.

[0164] As a result, the operating portion 452 of the lock 45K cannot be operated by the user when the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4C are attached to the drawer 12. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4C are attached to the drawer 12, the lock 45K can be positioned at the locked position to restrict removal of the developing cartridge 5K from the drum cartridge 4K.

[0165] In addition, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the handle 53K is located downstream of the photosensitive drum 41K in the movement direction when the drawer 12 moves from the storage position to the pull-out position.

[0166] Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, and the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4C are attached to the drawer 12, the handle 53K is located between the developing frame 52K and the drum cartridge 4C.

[0167] Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4C are attached to the drawer 12, the grip 532 of the handle 53K is located between the photosensitive drum 41K and the photosensitive drum 41C.

[0168] Therefore, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, and the drawer 12 is positioned in the pulled-out position, the user can easily access the handle 53K, which is positioned in the first position (see Figure 2).

[0169] When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, and the drawer 12 is in the pulled-out position, the user can grasp and lift the handle 53K, which is in the first position, to remove the developing cartridge 5K and the drum cartridge 4K together from the drawer 12. At this time, because the lock 45K is in the locked position, the drum cartridge 4K can be removed from the drawer 12 together without being removed from the developing cartridge 5K.

[0170] 5. Details of the image forming device Next, the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0171] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a positioning plate 17, a drawer guide 13, and a link member .

[0172] 5.1 Positioning plate 17 1, when the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are attached to the drawer 12, the drawer 12 is in the storage position, and the cover 10 is in the closed position, the positioning plate 17 positions the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K with respect to the housing 2. The positioning plate 17 is supported by the housing 2. The positioning plate 17 is aligned with the transfer device 7 in the first direction.

[0173] 5.2 Drawer Guide 13 1 and 2, the drawer guide 13 guides the movement of the drawer 12 relative to the housing 2. The direction in which the drawer 12 moves from the stored position to the pulled-out position intersects with the horizontal direction. The drawer guide 13 is aligned with the exposure device 6 in the first direction. The drawer guide 13 is spaced apart from the transfer device 7 in the up-down direction.

[0174] The drawer guide 13 has a guide body 131 and two bosses 132 and 133 .

[0175] The guide body 131 extends in a direction that intersects with the first direction and the up-down direction and also intersects with the horizontal direction. The guide body 131 has a first end 131A and a second end 131B. When the cover 10 is in the closed position, the second end 131B is located on the opposite side of the cover 10 from the first end 131A. The second end 131B is located lower than the first end 131A. The guide body 131 slopes downward from the first end 131A to the second end 131B.

[0176] The boss 132 is provided on a first end 131A of the guide body 131. The boss 132 extends in a first direction. The boss 132 fits into a groove 22 that the housing 2 has. In other words, the housing 2 has the groove 22. The groove 22 guides the movement of the drawer guide 13. The groove 22 extends in the horizontal direction.

[0177] The boss 133 is provided at the second end 131B of the guide body 131. The boss 133 extends in the first direction. The boss 133 fits into the groove 23 of the housing 2. In other words, the housing 2 has the groove 23. The groove 23, together with the groove 22, guides the movement of the drawer guide 13. The groove 22 extends in the horizontal direction.

[0178] The drawer guide 13 moves between a contact position and a separated position in conjunction with the cover 10. More specifically, the drawer guide 13 moves between the contact position and the separated position when the cover 10 moves between the closed position and the open position with the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K attached to the drawer 12 and the drawer 12 positioned at the storage position. When the drawer guide 13 moves from the contact position to the separated position, the drawer guide 13 moves horizontally toward the main body opening 21.

[0179] When the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the drawer 12 is located in the storage position, and the drawer guide 13 is located in the contact position, the drawer guide 13 brings the photosensitive drum 41K into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 71 of the transfer device 7. At this time, the first side plate 421K comes into contact with the positioning plate 17. As a result, the photosensitive drum 41K comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 71 and is positioned relative to the housing 2.

[0180] 2, when the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12 and the drawer guide 13 is located at the separated position, the drawer guide 13 separates the photosensitive drum 41K from the intermediate transfer belt 71 of the transfer device 7. At this time, the first side plate 421K separates from the positioning plate 17. As a result, the photosensitive drum 41K is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 71 and the positioning of the photosensitive drum 41K with respect to the housing 2 is released.

[0181] 5.3 Link member 14 1 and 2, the link member 14 connects the cover 10 and the drawer guide 13. The link member 14 links the movement of the cover 10 between the closed position and the open position with the movement of the drawer guide 13 between the contact position and the separated position. The link member 14 positions the drawer guide 13 in the contact position when the cover 10 is in the closed position, and positions the drawer guide 13 in the separated position when the cover 10 is in the open position.

[0182] The link member 14 has a first end 14A and a second end 14B. The second end 14B is located away from the first end 14A. The first end 14A of the link member 14 is pivotally connected to the cover 10. The second end 14B of the link member 14 is pivotally connected to a first end 131A of the guide body 131.

[0183] 6. Removing the 4K Drum Cartridge and 5K Developer Cartridge Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7, removal of the drum cartridge 4K from the drawer 12 and removal of the developing cartridge 5K from the drum cartridge 4K will be described.

[0184] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when removing the drum cartridge 4K from the drawer 12, the user moves the drawer 12 from the storage position to the pull-out position.

[0185] 3, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the drum guide 1211K extends in the vertical direction, and the extension direction of the first developing guide 4211K intersects with the extension direction of the drum guide 1211K. In addition, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K and the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, the lock 45K is located at the locked position, and removal of the developing cartridge 5K from the drum cartridge 4K is restricted.

[0186] Therefore, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, and the drawer 12 is positioned in the pulled-out position, when the user holds the grip 532 and pulls the handle 53K upward, the drum cartridge 4K is removed from the drawer 12 with the developing cartridge 5K attached to the drum cartridge 4K.

[0187] 7, the drum cartridge 4K can be placed on a placement surface X in a state where it is removed from the drawer 12. The placement surface X extends, for example, in the horizontal direction.

[0188] When the drum cartridge 4K is removed from the drawer 12 and placed thereon, the wall 423 and the light passing portion 425K come into contact with the placement surface X. When the drum cartridge 4K is removed from the drawer 12 and placed thereon, the first developing guide 4211K extends upward.

[0189] Then, the lock 45K is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by the user. Thereafter, when the user holds the grip 532 and pulls the handle 53K upward, the handle 53K moves from the first position to the second position.

[0190] When the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the drum cartridge 4K is removed from the drawer 12 and placed on a table, and the handle 53K is in the second position, the handle 53K extends upward from the developing housing 521K toward the opposite side of the wall 423.

[0191] Therefore, when the user pulls the handle 53K upward, the developing cartridge 5K is smoothly removed from the drum cartridge 4K.

[0192] 7. Effects (1) In the image forming apparatus 1, when the drawer 12 is in the pulled-out position, the drum cartridge 4K is detachable from the drawer 12. When the drum cartridge 4K is removed from the drawer 12, the developing cartridge 5K is detachable from the drum cartridge 4K.

[0193] 2, when the developing cartridge 5K is attached to the drum cartridge 4K, the drum cartridge 4K is attached to the drawer 12, and the drawer 12 is in the pulled-out position, the user can easily recognize the handle 53K. Then, the user can hold the handle 53K and remove the drum cartridge 4K from the drawer 12 with the developing cartridge 5K attached to the drum cartridge 4K.

[0194] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, with the drum cartridge 4K still placed, the user can remove the developing cartridge 5K from the drum cartridge 4K by holding the handle 53K and moving the lock 45K from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0195] Therefore, after removing the drum cartridge 4K from the drawer 12, the user can remove the developing cartridge 5K from the drum cartridge 4K with the drum cartridge 4K still in place.

[0196] Therefore, the developing cartridge 5K containing the toner and including the developing roller 51K and the drum cartridge 4K including the photosensitive drum 41K can be replaced separately and smoothly.

[0197] 8. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. In the second embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0198] 8.1 Developing Cartridge 20K As shown in FIG. 8, the developing cartridge 20K has a developing housing 201, a waste toner housing 202, and a first shutter 203, in addition to the developing roller 51K, the supply roller 54K, the agitator 55K, and the handle 53K described above.

[0199] 8.1.1 Developer box 201 The developing housing 201 can accommodate toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 41K (see FIG. 9).

[0200] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the developing housing 201 is movable between a contact position (see FIG. 10) and a separated position (see FIG. 9) relative to the drum cartridge 30K. The drum cartridge 30K will be described later. As shown in FIG. 10, when the developing housing 201 is located at the contact position, the developing roller 51K contacts the photosensitive drum 41K. As shown in FIG. 9, when the developing housing 201 is located at the separated position, the developing roller 51K is separated from the photosensitive drum 41K. More specifically, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the developing housing 201 is rotatable about a first axis A1 between the contact position and the separated position. The first axis A1 extends in a first direction.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 8, the developing case 201 has a first gear 2011 as an example of a first projection, and a shaft 2012, in addition to the configuration of the developing case 521K (see FIG. 5) of the first embodiment.

[0202] The first gear 2011 is located on the second side surface S6 of the developing housing 201. The first gear 2011 is located between the second side surface S6 of the developing housing 201 and the first shutter 203 in the first direction. The first gear 2011 protrudes from the second side surface S6. The first gear 2011 may be attached to the second side surface S6. The first gear 2011 extends along a circumference centered on the first axis A1.

[0203] The shaft 2012 extends in a first direction along the first axis A1. The shaft 2012 extends from the second side surface S6 of the developing housing 201. The shaft 2012 may be attached to the second side surface S6. The shaft 2012 has a cylindrical shape. When the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the shaft 2012 fits into a first developing guide 4221K (see FIG. 11) of the drum cartridge 30K.

[0204] 8.1.2 Waste toner container 202 The waste toner housing 202 is located at the other end of the developing cartridge 20K in the first direction. The waste toner housing 202 is located on the other side of the developing housing 201 in the first direction. The waste toner housing 202 is aligned with the developing housing 201 in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the waste toner housing 202 is located between the developing housing 201 and the other end of the drum cartridge 30K (see FIG. 12) in the first direction. In more detail, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the waste toner housing 202 is located between the developing housing 201 and the second side panel 422K of the drum cartridge 30K (see FIG. 12) in the first direction.

[0205] The waste toner housing 202 is movable relative to the developing housing 201. The waste toner housing 202 is rotatable about a first axis A1 relative to the developing housing 201. In detail, the waste toner housing 202 has a main body portion 2021 and a connecting portion 2022.

[0206] The main body 2021 has a cylindrical shape. The main body 2021 extends in a first direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the main body 2021 has a waste toner storage section 2021A and an inlet 2021B. In other words, the waste toner housing 202 has the waste toner storage section 2021A and an inlet 2021B. The developing cartridge 20K also has the waste toner storage section 2021A.

[0207] The waste toner storage unit 2021A is located inside the main body 2021. The waste toner storage unit 2021A is an internal space of the main body 2021. The waste toner storage unit 2021A is capable of storing waste toner from the photosensitive drum 41K.

[0208] The receiving port 2021B is capable of receiving waste toner from the waste toner pipe 301. The waste toner pipe 301 will be described later. The receiving port 2021B communicates with the waste toner storage unit 2021A. The waste toner received by the receiving port 2021B is stored in the waste toner storage unit 2021A.

[0209] The connecting portion 2022 connects the main body portion 2021 and the shaft 2012. The connecting portion 2022 extends from the main body portion 2021 toward the shaft 2012. The connecting portion 2022 may be attached to the main body portion 2021. The connecting portion 2022 is connected to the shaft 2012. More specifically, the connecting portion 2022 has one end portion 2022A and the other end portion 2022B. The one end portion 2022A is connected to the main body portion 2021. The other end portion 2022B is located away from the one end portion 2022A. The connecting portion 2022 has a through hole 2022C. The through hole 2022C is located at the other end portion 2022B. The shaft 2012 is inserted through the through hole 2022C.

[0210] 8.1.3 First Shutter 203 As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the first shutter 203 is movable relative to the waste toner housing 202 between a first closed position (see FIG. 9) and a first open position (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 9, when the first shutter 203 is located at the first closed position, the first shutter 203 closes the receiving port 2021B. As shown in FIG. 10, when the first shutter 203 is located at the first open position, the receiving port 2021B opens. The first shutter 203 is movable along the circumferential surface of the main body 2021 between the first closed position and the first open position. The first shutter 203 is rotatable about the axis A2 between the first closed position and the first open position.

[0211] 8, the first shutter 203 has a cylindrical shape. The first shutter 203 covers the peripheral surface of the main body 2021. The shape of the first shutter 203 is not limited to a cylindrical shape as long as it can cover the peripheral surface of the main body 2021. The first shutter 203 has a second gear 2031 as an example of a second protrusion, an opening 2032, and a protrusion 2033 (see FIG. 9).

[0212] The second gear 2031 is located on one side surface of the first shutter 203 in the first direction. The second gear 2031 is located between one side surface of the first shutter 203 and the second side surface S6 of the developing housing 201.

[0213] 9 and 10, when the developing housing 201 moves between the contact position and the separated position with the developing cartridge 20K attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the second gear 2031 meshes with the first gear 2011. In other words, when the developing housing 201 moves between the contact position and the separated position with the developing cartridge 20K attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the second gear 2031 comes into contact with the first gear 2011.

[0214] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K and the developing housing 201 is located at the separated position, the second gear 2031 meshes with the first gear 2011.

[0215] Then, when the developing housing 201 rotates from the separated position toward the contact position, the first gear 2011 moves together with the developing housing 201 in the rotation direction of the developing housing 201 from the separated position toward the contact position. Then, the second gear 2031 rotates together with the first gear 2011 in the rotation direction of the developing housing 201 from the separated position toward the contact position. Then, the first shutter 203 rotates together with the second gear 2031 from the first closed position (see FIG. 9) to the first open position (see FIG. 10). In other words, when the developing housing 201 moves from the separated position to the contact position, the first gear 2011 meshes with the second gear 2031, and the first shutter 203 moves from the first closed position to the first open position. In other words, when the developing housing 201 moves from the separated position to the contact position, the first gear 2011 comes into contact with the second gear 2031, and the first shutter 203 moves from the first closed position to the first open position.

[0216] 10, when the first shutter 203 is located at the first open position and the developing housing 201 is located at the contact position, the first gear 2011 moves away from the second gear 2031. By moving the first gear 2011 away from the second gear 2031, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K and the developing housing 201 is located at the contact position, the developing housing 201 becomes rotatable relative to the drum cartridge 30K independently of the first shutter 203.

[0217] On the other hand, when the developing housing 201 rotates from the contact position (see FIG. 10) to the separated position (see FIG. 9) in a state where the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the first gear 2011 moves toward the second gear 2031 together with the developing housing 201 and meshes with the second gear 2031. When the developing housing 201 further rotates toward the separated position, the second gear 2031 rotates together with the first gear 2011 in the rotation direction of the developing housing 201 from the contact position to the separated position. Then, the first shutter 203 moves from the first open position (see FIG. 10) to the first closed position (see FIG. 9) together with the second gear 2031. That is, when the developing housing 201 moves from the contact position to the separated position, the first gear 2011 meshes with the second gear 2031, and the first shutter 203 moves from the first open position to the first closed position. In other words, when the developing housing 201 moves from the contact position to the separate position, the first gear 2011 comes into contact with the second gear 2031, and the first shutter 203 moves from the first open position to the first closed position.

[0218] As shown in Fig. 8, the opening 2032 is located on the circumferential surface of the first shutter 203. The connecting portion 2022 of the waste toner housing 202 passes through the opening 2032. As shown in Fig. 10, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K and the first shutter 203 is located in the first open position, the opening 2032 communicates with the receiving port 2021B.

[0219] 9, the protrusion 2033 extends from the circumferential surface of the first shutter 203. When the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the protrusion 2033 fits into a hole 3021 (see FIG. 12) of the second shutter 302. The second shutter 302 will be described later.

[0220] 8.2 Drum Cartridge 30K As shown in FIG. 11, the drum cartridge 30K has, in addition to the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 41K, charging device 46K (see FIG. 9), drum frame 42K, first pressing member 43K, second pressing member 44K, lock 45K, and drum cleaner 47K, a waste toner tube 301 (see FIG. 9) and a second shutter 302.

[0221] 8.2.1 Waste Toner Tube 301 As shown in Fig. 12, the waste toner tube 301 is located at the other end of the drum cleaner 47K in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 20K (see Fig. 8) is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, a part of the waste toner tube 301 is located between the developing housing 201 (see Fig. 8) and the other end of the drum cartridge 30K in the first direction. In more detail, when the developing cartridge 20K (see Fig. 8) is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, a part of the waste toner tube 301 is located between the developing housing 201 (see Fig. 8) and the second side plate 422K of the drum cartridge 30K in the first direction.

[0222] As shown in FIG. 9, waste toner tube 301 allows the passage of waste toner from drum cleaner 47K toward waste toner housing 202. One end of waste toner tube 301 is connected to drum cleaner 47K. The internal space of waste toner tube 301 communicates with the internal space of cleaner housing 472 of drum cleaner 47K. Drum cleaner 47K further includes screw 473. Screw 473 is located inside cleaner housing 472. Screw 473 transports waste toner in cleaner housing 472 toward waste toner tube 301. Screw 473 extends in a first direction. An end of screw 473 in the first direction is located inside one end of waste toner tube 301. The other end of waste toner tube 301 is connected to bottom plate 424K. Waste toner tube 301 has discharge port 301A.

[0223] The discharge port 301A is capable of discharging the waste toner in the waste toner tube 301. The discharge port 301A is located at the other end of the waste toner tube 301. The discharge port 301A communicates with the internal space of the waste toner tube 301.

[0224] When the drum cartridge 30K is placed on the mounting surface X, the discharge outlet 301A is located above one end of the waste toner tube 301. When the drum cartridge 30K is placed on the mounting surface X, the discharge outlet 301A is located above the screw 473. This makes it possible to prevent the waste toner from spilling out of the discharge outlet 301A when the drum cartridge 30K is placed on the mounting surface X.

[0225] On the other hand, when the drum cartridge 30K is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the discharge port 301A is located below one end of the waste toner tube 301. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 30K is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the waste toner in the waste toner tube 301 can be discharged from the discharge port 301A by gravity.

[0226] 8.2.3 Second Shutter 302 As shown in FIG. 12, the second shutter 302 is located at the other end of the bottom plate 424K of the drum cartridge 30K in the first direction.

[0227] 9 and 10, the second shutter 302 is movable between a second closed position (see FIG. 9) and a second open position (see FIG. 10) relative to the waste toner pipe 301. In addition, the second shutter 302 is movable between the second closed position (see FIG. 9) and the second open position (see FIG. 10) relative to the bottom plate 424K.

[0228] As shown in Fig. 9, when the second shutter 302 is in the second closed position, the second shutter 302 closes the exhaust port 301A. As shown in Fig. 10, when the second shutter 302 is in the second open position, the exhaust port 301A opens.

[0229] When the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the second shutter 302 is movable together with the first shutter 203. In more detail, the second shutter 302 has a hole 3021, as shown in FIG.

[0230] As described above, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the protrusion 2033 (see FIG. 9) of the first shutter 203 fits into the hole 3021 of the second shutter 302. This allows the second shutter 302 to move together with the first shutter 203 when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K.

[0231] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K and the first shutter 203 moves from the first closed position (see Figure 9) to the first open position (see Figure 10), the second shutter 302 moves together with the first shutter 203 from the second closed position (see Figure 9) to the second open position (see Figure 10).

[0232] In addition, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K and the first shutter 203 moves from the first open position (see FIG. 10) to the first closed position (see FIG. 9), the second shutter 302 moves together with the first shutter 203 from the second open position (see FIG. 10) to the second closed position (see FIG. 9).

[0233] 8.3 Effects of the Second Embodiment (1) According to the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the developing cartridge 20K has a waste toner housing 202. The waste toner housing 202 has a waste toner storage section 2021A (see Fig. 9).

[0234] Therefore, in a configuration in which the developing cartridge 20K and the drum cartridge 30K (see FIG. 11) can be replaced separately, the waste toner can be disposed of when the developing cartridge 20K is replaced.

[0235] (2) According to the second embodiment, the waste toner container 202 is movable relative to the developing container 201, as shown in FIGS.

[0236] Therefore, in a state where the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the developing housing 201 can be moved relative to the drum cartridge 30K while the waste toner housing 202 is fixed to the drum cartridge 30K.

[0237] (3) According to the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the developing housing 201 is movable relative to the drum cartridge 30K between a contact position (see Figure 10) and a separated position (see Figure 9).

[0238] Therefore, with the developing cartridge 20K attached to the drum cartridge 30K, the developing housing 201 can be moved relative to the drum cartridge 30K between the contact position and the separated position while the waste toner housing 202 is fixed to the drum cartridge 30K.

[0239] (4) According to the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the developing housing 201 moves from the separated position (see Figure 9) to the contact position (see Figure 10), the first gear 2011 comes into contact with the second gear 2031, causing the first shutter 203 to move from the first closed position (see Figure 9) to the first open position (see Figure 10).

[0240] Furthermore, when the developing housing 201 moves from the contact position (see FIG. 10) to the separated position (see FIG. 9), the first gear 2011 comes into contact with the second gear 2031, causing the first shutter 203 to move from the first open position (see FIG. 10) to the first closed position (see FIG. 9).

[0241] This allows the first shutter 203 to move in conjunction with the movement of the developing housing 201.

[0242] Therefore, when the operator mounts the developing cartridge 20K in the drum cartridge 30K, the operator can move the first shutter 203 by moving the developing housing 201.

[0243] As a result, the developing cartridge 20K can be attached to the drum cartridge 30K with a small amount of action.

[0244] (5) According to the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the developing case 201 and the first shutter 203 can be linked with each other with a simple configuration in which a first gear 2011 is provided on the developing case 201 and a second gear 2031 is provided on the first shutter 203.

[0245] (6) According to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second shutter 302 may be movable together with the first shutter 203 in a state in which the developing cartridge 20K is attached to the drum cartridge 30K.

[0246] This allows the movement of the developing housing 201 and the movement of the second shutter 302 to be linked via the first shutter 203.

[0247] Therefore, when the operator mounts the developing cartridge 20K in the drum cartridge 30K, the operator can move not only the first shutter 203 but also the second shutter 302 by moving the developing housing 201.

[0248] As a result, the developing cartridge 20K can be attached to the drum cartridge 30K with a small amount of action.

[0249] (7) In the second embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0250] 9. Variations The transfer device 7 may include a conveyor belt instead of the intermediate transfer belt 71 and the secondary transfer roller 73. The conveyor belt conveys the sheet S supplied from the sheet cassette 3 toward the fixing device 8. The sheet S conveyed by the conveyor belt passes between the transfer device 7 and the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K. At this time, the transfer device 7 transfers the toner on the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K to the sheet S.

[0251] Even in this modified example, the same advantageous effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0252] 1. Image forming device 2. Chassis 21 Main unit opening 22 Groove 23 Groove 4 Drum Cartridge 41 Photosensitive drum 411 Drum shaft 42 Drum Frame 421 1st side plate 4211 First Development Guide 422 2nd side plate 423 Wall 43 First pressing member 45 Rock 5 Developing cartridge 51 Developing roller 52 Developing unit 53 Handle 20K developing cartridge 30K drum cartridge 201 Developing unit 2011 1st Gear 2012 Shaft 202 Waste toner case 2021 Main unit 2021A Waste toner storage unit 2021B Intake 2022 Connection section 203 1st Shutter 2031 2nd Gear 2032 Aperture 301 Waste toner tube 301A Outlet 302 Second Shutter A1 First axis

Claims

1. A housing having a main body opening; Between a storage position in which the device is stored in the housing and a pull-out position in which the device is pulled out from the housing, a drawer movable through the body opening; a first drum cartridge having a first photosensitive drum and detachably attachable to the drawer; a first developing cartridge having a first developing roller and detachably mountable to the first drum cartridge; a transfer device that transfers the toner on the first photosensitive drum to a sheet, the transfer device being located above the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is located at the storage position; the first developing cartridge is detachably attached to the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is removed from the drawer; an image forming apparatus, wherein the first developing cartridge is not detachable from the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer;

2. A housing having a main body opening; Between a storage position in which the device is stored in the housing and a pull-out position in which the device is pulled out from the housing, a drawer movable through the body opening; a first drum cartridge having a first photosensitive drum and detachably attachable to the drawer; a first developing cartridge having a first developing roller and detachably mountable to the first drum cartridge; a transfer device that transfers the toner on the first photosensitive drum to a sheet, the transfer device being located above the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is located at the storage position; the first developing cartridge is detachably attached to the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is removed from the drawer; the first drum cartridge includes a drum frame that supports the first photosensitive drum, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the drum frame has a developer guide for guiding the first developer cartridge when it is attached to or detached from the first drum cartridge.

3. a second drum cartridge having a second photosensitive drum and detachably attached to the drawer; a second developing cartridge having a second developing roller and detachably attached to the second drum cartridge; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the developing guide extends toward the second drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge and the second drum cartridge are attached to the drawer.

4. the drum frame has an opening through which the first developing cartridge passes when the first developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the first drum cartridge, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the developing guide extends toward the opening.

5. the drawer has a drum guide that guides the first drum cartridge to be attached to and detached from the drawer, 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, a direction in which the developing guide extends and a direction in which the drum guide extends intersect with each other.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the developing guide extends upward when the first drum cartridge is removed from the drawer and placed therein.

7. the first drum cartridge includes a wall located on an opposite side of the first developing roller with respect to the first photosensitive drum when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the developing guide extends in a direction away from the wall.

8. The first developing cartridge is a developing housing supporting the first developing roller; A handle; 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the handle is located on an opposite side of the wall with respect to the first photosensitive drum when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge.

9. a second drum cartridge having a second photosensitive drum and detachably attached to the drawer; a second developing cartridge having a second developing roller and detachably attached to the second drum cartridge; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge and the second drum cartridge are attached to the drawer, the handle is positioned between the developing housing and the second drum cartridge.

10. The image forming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handle is attached to the developing housing and is rotatable about an axis between a first position extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the developing guide extends and a second position extending in the direction in which the developing guide extends.

11. the handle has a grip located away from the shaft; a first developing cartridge mounted in the first drum cartridge, the first drum cartridge being mounted in the drawer, and the handle being positioned at the first position; 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the grip is located above the shaft.

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the grip is located above the developing housing when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer.

13. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge and the second drum cartridge are attached to the drawer, the grip is positioned between the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum.

14. the first drum cartridge includes a lock that restricts removal of the first developing cartridge from the first drum cartridge in a state in which the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lock is located between the developing housing and the second drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge and the second drum cartridge are attached to the drawer.

15. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the lock is located below the grip when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer.

16. 16. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the handle is located downstream of the first photosensitive drum in the movement direction when the drawer moves from the storage position to the pulled-out position.

17. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first drum cartridge includes a pressing member that presses the first developing roller toward the first photosensitive drum when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the pressing member being supported by the drum frame.

18. A housing having a main body opening; Between a storage position in which the device is stored in the housing and a pull-out position in which the device is pulled out from the housing, a drawer movable through the body opening; a first drum cartridge having a first photosensitive drum and detachably attachable to the drawer; a first developing cartridge having a first developing roller and detachably mountable to the first drum cartridge; a transfer device that transfers the toner on the first photosensitive drum to a sheet, the transfer device being located above the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is located at the storage position; the first developing cartridge is detachably attached to the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is removed from the drawer; a cover movable between a closed position that closes the main body opening and an open position that opens the main body opening; a drawer guide configured to guide movement of the drawer relative to the housing, The drawer guide is when the cover moves between the closed position and the open position with the first drum cartridge attached to the drawer and the drawer located at the storage position, the cover moves between a contact position where the first photosensitive drum is brought into contact with the transfer device and a separation position where the first photosensitive drum is separated from the transfer device; 4. An image forming apparatus, wherein the housing has a groove for guiding the movement of the drawer guide.

19. a direction of movement of the drawer when the drawer moves from the storage position to the pull-out position intersects with a horizontal direction; 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the groove extends in a horizontal direction.

20. A housing having a main body opening; Between a storage position in which the device is stored in the housing and a pull-out position in which the device is pulled out from the housing, a drawer movable through the body opening; a first drum cartridge having a first photosensitive drum and detachably attachable to the drawer; a first developing cartridge having a first developing roller and detachably mountable to the first drum cartridge; a transfer device that transfers the toner on the first photosensitive drum to a sheet, the transfer device being located above the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is located at the storage position; the first developing cartridge is detachably attached to the first drum cartridge when the first drum cartridge is removed from the drawer; The image forming apparatus, wherein the first developing cartridge has a waste toner storage portion capable of storing waste toner from the first photosensitive drum.

21. The first developing cartridge is a developing housing capable of accommodating toner to be supplied to the first photosensitive drum; a waste toner housing having the waste toner storage section; having 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the waste toner container is movable relative to the developing container.

22. 22. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 21, characterized in that, when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the developing housing is movable relative to the first drum cartridge between a contact position where the first developing roller contacts the first photosensitive drum and a separated position where the first developing roller is separated from the first photosensitive drum.

23. the first photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction; When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the developing housing is rotatable between the contact position and the separated position about a first axis extending in the first direction; 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the waste toner container is rotatable about the first axis relative to the developing container.

24. the waste toner container has an inlet capable of receiving the waste toner, The first developing cartridge is a first shutter that is movable relative to the waste toner housing between a first closed position that closes the receiving port and a first open position that opens the receiving port; the developing housing has a first projection, The first shutter is a second protrusion that comes into contact with the first protrusion when the developing housing moves between the contact position and the separated position; The first shutter is When the developing housing moves from the separated position to the contact position, the first protrusion comes into contact with the second protrusion, thereby moving the developing housing from the first closed position to the first open position, 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein when the developing housing moves from the contact position to the separated position, the first protrusion comes into contact with the second protrusion, thereby moving the developing housing from the first open position to the first closed position.

25. the waste toner container has an inlet capable of receiving the waste toner, The first developing cartridge is a first shutter that is movable relative to the waste toner housing between a first closed position that closes the receiving port and a first open position that opens the receiving port; The developing housing has a first gear, The first shutter is a second gear that meshes with the first gear when the developing housing moves between the contact position and the separated position; The first shutter is When the developing housing moves from the separated position to the contact position, the first gear meshes with the second gear, thereby moving from the first closed position to the first open position, 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein when the developing housing moves from the contact position to the separated position, the first gear meshes with the second gear, thereby moving from the first open position to the first closed position.

26. The first drum cartridge includes: a drum cleaner for cleaning the surface of the first photosensitive drum; a waste toner tube that allows the waste toner to pass from the drum cleaner toward the waste toner case, the waste toner tube having an outlet through which the waste toner in the waste toner tube can be discharged; a second shutter that is movable relative to the waste toner tube between a second closed position that closes the discharge port and a second open position that opens the discharge port, 26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the second shutter is movable together with the first shutter in a state in which the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge.

27. the first photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction; 27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that, when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, in the first direction, a portion of the waste toner tube is located between the developing housing and an end of the first drum cartridge.

28. 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that, when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, in the first direction, the waste toner housing is located between the developing housing and an end of the first drum cartridge.

29. the first photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction; When the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge, the developing housing is rotatable between the contact position and the separated position about a first axis extending in the first direction; The developing housing has a shaft extending along the first axis, The waste toner container is A main body portion, 29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the shaft.

30. the main body portion has a cylindrical shape and has an inlet capable of receiving the waste toner, The first developing cartridge is 30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising a first shutter movable along a circumferential surface of the main body between a first closed position that closes the receiving port and a first open position that opens the receiving port.

31. the first shutter has a cylindrical shape covering a peripheral surface of the main body portion, The first shutter is 31. The image forming apparatus of claim 30, further comprising an opening through which the connecting portion passes and which communicates with the receiving port when the first developing cartridge is attached to the first drum cartridge and the first shutter is positioned in the first open position.

32. An image forming device as described in any one of claims 2 to 31, characterized in that when the first drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the first developing cartridge cannot be attached or detached from the first drum cartridge.

Images