Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can individually and smoothly replace a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a housing 2; a drum cartridge 4 including a photoconductor drum 41; and a developing cartridge 5 including a developing roller 51. The drum cartridge 4 is movable to a first position located inside the housing 2 and a second position located outside the housing 2 in a first direction in which an axis A1 of the photoconductor drum 41 extends. The drum cartridge 4 has a first handle 43. The first handle 43 is located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge 4 in a movement direction when the drum cartridge 4 moves from the first position to the second position. The developing cartridge 5 has a second handle 53. The second handle 53 is located on the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the first handle 43 in a state in which the developing cartridge 5 is mounted on the drum cartridge 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus includes a housing and a process cartridge. The process cartridge contains toner. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The process cartridge is movable in the first direction between a first position located inside the housing and a second position located outside the housing (see Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-186346 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] In view of this, it has been considered to separate the process cartridge into a developing cartridge having a developing roller and a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum, and to replace the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge separately.

[0006] However, when the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge are separated, when replacing either the developing cartridge or the drum cartridge, the user must determine which cartridge to replace while the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge are both positioned inside the housing, and then pull the cartridge out of the housing, which can make the task of replacing the developing cartridge or the drum cartridge complicated.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge can be replaced separately and smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a drum cartridge, and a developing cartridge. The housing has an opening.

[0009] The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum that is rotatable about a shaft that extends in a first direction.

[0010] The drum cartridge is movable in a first direction between a first position and a second position through the opening. When the drum cartridge is in the first position, the drum cartridge is located inside the housing. When the drum cartridge is in the second position, the drum cartridge is located outside the housing.

[0011] The developing cartridge is detachably attached to the drum cartridge and includes a developing roller.

[0012] The drum cartridge has a first handle, the first handle being located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a moving direction when the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position.

[0013] The developing cartridge has a second handle. The second handle is located upstream of the first handle in the moving direction when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.

[0014] According to this configuration, the developing cartridge including the developing roller and the drum cartridge including the photosensitive drum can be replaced separately.

[0015] The first handle of the drum cartridge is located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in the moving direction, and the second handle of the developer cartridge is located upstream of the first handle in the moving direction when the developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.

[0016] Therefore, when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge and the drum cartridge is located at the first position, the user can easily recognize the first handle rather than the second handle. Then, the user can move the drum cartridge from the first position to the second position by holding the first handle. After that, when the drum cartridge is located outside the housing, the user can confirm the developing cartridge, and then remove the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge by holding the second handle.

[0017] Therefore, the user does not need to identify which cartridge to replace when the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge are positioned inside the housing. The user can move the drum cartridge from the first position to the second position by holding the easily recognizable first handle, and then remove the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge by holding the second handle.

[0018] Therefore, the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge can be replaced separately and smoothly.

[0019] (2) The second handle may be located at the center of the developing cartridge in the first direction.

[0020] (3) The drum cartridge may include a drum frame. The drum frame supports the photosensitive drum. The drum frame may include a first side plate and a second side plate. The second side plate is located away from the first side plate in the first direction. When the developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the developer cartridge is located between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction. The first handle may be attached to the first side plate.

[0021] (4) The first side plate may have a guide that guides the developer cartridge when it is attached to or detached from the drum cartridge.

[0022] (5) The drum cartridge may be removable from the housing. The guide may extend upward when the drum cartridge is removed from the housing and placed back in place.

[0023] (6) The drum cartridge may include a wall. The wall is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum from the developing roller when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. The guide may extend in a direction away from the wall.

[0024] (7) When the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the second handle may be located on the opposite side of the wall from the photosensitive drum.

[0025] (8) The developing cartridge may include a developing frame. The developing frame supports a developing roller. The second handle may be attached to the developing frame. The second handle is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the second handle is in the second position, the second handle may extend in the direction in which the guide extends.

[0026] (9) The image forming apparatus may further include a pressing member that presses the developing roller against the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. The pressing member may be supported by a drum frame.

[0027] (10) The drum cartridge may include a lock. When the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the lock prevents the developing cartridge from being removed from the drum cartridge. The lock may be located on the opposite side of the first handle with respect to the second handle in the first direction.

[0028] (11) The process cartridge includes a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge.

[0029] The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum that is rotatable about a shaft that extends in a first direction.

[0030] The drum cartridge has one end and another end in the first direction, The other end of the drum cartridge is located away from the one end of the drum cartridge.

[0031] The developing cartridge is detachably attached to the drum cartridge and includes a developing roller.

[0032] The drum cartridge has a first handle. The first handle is located at one end of the drum cartridge.

[0033] The developing cartridge has a second handle. The second handle is located between the one end and the other end when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.

[0034] (12) The second handle may be located at the center of the developing cartridge in the first direction.

[0035] (13) The drum cartridge may include a lock that prevents the developer cartridge from being removed from the drum cartridge when the developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. The lock is located at the other end of the drum cartridge. Effect of the Invention

[0036] According to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge can be replaced individually and smoothly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the cover is located at the closed position and the drum cartridge is located at the first position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the cover is in the open position and the drum cartridge is in the first position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the cover is in the open position and the drum cartridge is in the second position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating a state in which the process cartridge shown in FIG. 5 is placed on a placement surface. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] 1. Image forming device 1 The image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 2, a cover 10 (see FIG. 2), a sheet cassette 3, four process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, an exposure device 6, an intermediate transfer device 7, a secondary transfer roller 11, and a fixing device 8.

[0040] 1.1 Case 2 The housing 2 accommodates a sheet cassette 3, four process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, an exposure device 6, an intermediate transfer device 7, a secondary transfer roller 11, and a fixing device 8.

[0041] 2, the housing 2 has an opening 21. The opening 21 is located on one outer surface of the housing 2 in a first direction. The first direction is a direction in which an axis A1 of the photosensitive drum 41M extends. The photosensitive drum 41M will be described later.

[0042] 1.2 Cover 10 2 and 3, the cover 10 is movable between an open position (see FIG. 3) and a closed position (see FIG. 2). When the cover 10 is in the open position, the opening 21 is open. When the cover 10 is in the closed position, the cover 10 closes the opening 21.

[0043] 1.3 Sheet Cassette 3 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 11.

[0044] 1.4 Four process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K The four process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are arranged in order in the second direction. The second direction intersects with the first direction. The four process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K have the same configuration as each other. Therefore, the process cartridge 9M will be described in detail, and the description of the process cartridges 9Y, 9C, and 9K will be omitted.

[0045] 1.4.1 Process Cartridge 9M As shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge 9M includes a drum cartridge 4M and a developing cartridge 5M.

[0046] 1.4.1.1 Drum Cartridge 4M The drum cartridge 4M includes a photosensitive drum 41M and a charging device 46M.

[0047] The photosensitive drum 41M extends in a first direction. The photosensitive drum 41M has a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 41M is rotatable about an axis A1. The axis A1 extends in the first direction.

[0048] The charging device 46M charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41M. Specifically, the charging device 46M is a charging roller. The charging device 46M may be a scorotron type charger.

[0049] 3 and 4, the drum cartridge 4M is movable in a first direction between a first position (see FIG. 3) and a second position (see FIG. 4) through the opening 21. When the drum cartridge 4M is in the first position, the entire drum cartridge 4M is located inside the housing 2. When the drum cartridge 4M is in the second position, at least a part of the drum cartridge 4M is located outside the housing 2.

[0050] 1.4.1.2 Developer cartridge 5M As shown in Fig. 5, the developing cartridge 5M contains toner. The developing cartridge 5M includes a developing roller 51M. The developing roller 51M extends in a first direction. The developing roller 51M is rotatable about an axis A2. The axis A2 extends in the first direction.

[0051] The developing cartridge 5M is detachable from the drum cartridge 4M, so that the developing cartridge 5M containing toner and including the developing roller 51M and the drum cartridge 4M including the photosensitive drum 41M can be replaced separately.

[0052] When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the developing roller 51M comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 41M. In a state in which the developing roller 51M comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 41M, the developing roller 51M supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 41M.

[0053] 1.4.2 Process cartridges 9Y, 9C, 9K 1, the process cartridge 9Y includes a drum cartridge 4Y and a developing cartridge 5Y. The drum cartridge 4Y includes a photosensitive drum 41Y and a charging device 46Y. The developing cartridge 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y. The developing cartridge 5Y is detachable from the drum cartridge 4Y.

[0054] The process cartridge 9C includes a drum cartridge 4C and a developing cartridge 5C. The drum cartridge 4C includes a photosensitive drum 41C and a charging device 46C. The developing cartridge 5C includes a developing roller 51C. The developing cartridge 5C is detachable from the drum cartridge 4C.

[0055] The process cartridge 9K includes a drum cartridge 4K and a developing cartridge 5K. The drum cartridge 4K includes a photosensitive drum 41K and a charging device 46K. The developing cartridge 5K includes a developing roller 51K. The developing cartridge 5K is detachable from the drum cartridge 4K.

[0056] In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, and four developing cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K.

[0057] 1.5. Exposure Equipment 6 The exposure device 6 can expose the surfaces of the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K. When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the exposure device 6 is located below the drum cartridge 4M. The "below" refers to the below in the direction of gravity when the image forming apparatus 1 is placed in a normal use state.

[0058] The exposure device 6 has four exit ports 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K. The four exit ports 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K are positioned at intervals from one another in the second direction.

[0059] The exit port 61Y emits light that exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 41Y. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41Y. The exit port 61M emits light that exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 41M. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41M. The exit port 61C emits light that exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 41C. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41C. The exit port 61K emits light that exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 41K. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41K.

[0060] Specifically, the exposure device 6 is a laser scanning unit. The exposure device 6 may be an LED array.

[0061] 1.6 Intermediate transfer device 7 When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the intermediate transfer device 7 is located on the opposite side of the drum cartridge 4M from the exposure device 6. The intermediate transfer device 7 includes an intermediate transfer belt 71 and four primary transfer rollers 72Y, 72M, 72C, and 72K.

[0062] With the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K positioned at the first position, the intermediate transfer belt 71 comes into contact with the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K. With the four drum cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K positioned at the first 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.

[0063] 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 41M 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.

[0064] 1.7 Secondary transfer roller 11 The secondary transfer roller 11 is aligned with the intermediate transfer device 7 in the second direction. The secondary transfer roller 11 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 11. At this time, the secondary transfer roller 11 transfers the toner transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 71 onto the sheet S.

[0065] 1.8 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.

[0066] 2. Details of 4M drum cartridge Next, the drum cartridge 4M will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0067] 6, the drum cartridge 4M extends in a first direction. The drum cartridge 4M has one end E1 and another end E2 in the first direction. The other end E2 of the drum cartridge 4M is located away from the one end E1 of the drum cartridge 4M.

[0068] The drum cartridge 4M includes, in addition to the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 41M and the above-mentioned charging device 46M (see FIG. 1), a drum frame 42M, a drum cleaner 47M, a first pressing member 44M, a second pressing member 48M, a spring 49M, a lock 45M, and a first handle 43M. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the first pressing member 44M, the second pressing member 48M, and the lock 45M.

[0069] 2.1 Drum Frame 42M The drum frame 42M supports the photosensitive drum 41M, the charging device 46M, the drum cleaner 47M, the first pressing member 44M, the second pressing member 48M, the spring 49M, the lock 45M, and the first handle 43M. The drum frame 42M includes a first side plate 421, a second side plate 422, a bottom plate 424, and a slide portion 425.

[0070] 2.1.1 First side plate 421 The first side plate 421 is located at one end E1 of the drum cartridge 4M. The first side plate 421 supports one end of the photosensitive drum 41M in the first direction. The first side plate 421 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 422 with respect to the inner surface S2 in the first direction. The first side plate 421 has a first guide 4211, a second guide 4212, and a first groove 4213.

[0071] The first guide 4211 guides the attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge 5M to and from the drum cartridge 4M. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to and detached from the drum cartridge 4M, the first guide 4211 guides the first boss 522A. The first boss 522A will be described later. The first guide 4211 is located on the inner surface S2. Specifically, the first guide 4211 is a groove. The first guide 4211 extends in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 41M.

[0072] The first guide 4211 has a first end 4211A (see FIG. 7) and a second end 4211B (see FIG. 7). The first end 4211A is located away from the photosensitive drum 41M in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 41M (see FIG. 7). The second end 4211B is located away from the first end 4211A. The second end 4211B is located at the edge of the first side plate 421. The second end 4211B is open.

[0073] The second guide 4212 guides the second boss 523A when the developing cartridge 5M rotates relative to the photosensitive drum 41M. The second boss 523A will be described later. The second guide 4212 is located inside the first guide 4211 (see FIG. 7). The second guide 4212 penetrates the first side plate 421 in the first direction.

[0074] The first pressing member 44M and the spring 49M are disposed in the first groove 4213. The first groove 4213 is located on the outer surface S1. The first groove 4213 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41M with respect to the second guide 4212. The first groove 4213 communicates with the second guide 4212.

[0075] 2.1.2 Second side plate 422 The second side plate 422 is located at the other end E2 of the drum cartridge 4M. The second side plate 422 is located away from the first side plate 421 in the first direction. The second side plate 422 supports the other end of the photosensitive drum 41M in the first direction. The second side plate 422 will be described similarly to the first side plate 421, except that the second side plate 422 is provided with a second groove 4214. Therefore, a description of the second side plate 422 will be omitted.

[0076] The lock 45M is disposed in the second groove 4214. The second groove 4214 is located on the inner surface S2. The second groove 4214 is located on the opposite side of the first guide 4221 from the photosensitive drum 41M. The second groove 4214 communicates with the first guide 4221 via an opening 4215.

[0077] 2.1.3 Bottom plate 424 The bottom plate 424 is located between the first side plate 421 and the second side plate 422 in the first direction. The bottom plate 424 has an arc shape. The bottom plate 424 extends in the first direction. One end of the bottom plate 424 in the first direction is connected to the first side plate 421. The other end of the bottom plate 424 in the first direction is connected to the second side plate 422.

[0078] 2.1.4 Slide 425 When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the slide portion 425 fits into the rail 12M. When the drum cartridge 4M moves between the first position and the second position, the slide portion 425 slides along the rail 12M. The rail 12M will be described later.

[0079] 5, the slide portion 425 is located between the first side plate 421 and the second side plate 422 in the first direction. The slide portion 425 is located between the bottom plate 424 and the drum cleaner 47M in the second direction. The slide portion 425 extends in the first direction. The slide portion 425 includes two side walls 4251A, 4251B.

[0080] When the drum cartridge 4M is in the first position, the two side walls 4251A and 4251B extend in the up-down direction. The side wall 4251A is connected to the bottom plate 424. The side wall 4251B is located away from the side wall 4251A in the second direction. The side wall 4251B is located on the opposite side of the bottom plate 424 from the side wall 4251A.

[0081] 2.2 Drum Cleaner 47M The drum cleaner 47M cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 41M. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the drum cleaner 47M is located on the opposite side of the developing roller 51M with respect to the axis A1 of the photosensitive drum 41M in the second direction. The drum cleaner 47M includes a cleaning blade 471 and a cleaner housing 472.

[0082] When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the cleaning blade 471 extends in the vertical direction. The edge of the cleaning blade 471 comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 41M. When the photosensitive drum 41M rotates, the cleaning blade 471 scrapes off the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41M as waste toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41M.

[0083] The cleaner housing 472 accommodates the waste toner. The cleaner housing 472 supports the cleaning blade 471. The cleaner housing 472 has an opening 472A. The opening 472A receives the waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 471.

[0084] The cleaner housing 472 has a wall 423. In other words, the drum cartridge 4M has the wall 423. The wall 423 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41M to the developing roller 51M with respect to the photosensitive drum 41M when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M. The wall 423 is located on the opposite side of the cleaning blade 471 to the photosensitive drum 41M.

[0085] 7, the wall 423 is located on the opposite side of the second end 4211B of the first guide 4211 with respect to the first end 4211A of the first guide 4211. In other words, the first guide 4211 extends in a direction away from the wall 423 from the first end 4211A toward the second end 4211B.

[0086] 2.3 First pressing member 44M, spring 49M and second pressing member 48M 9, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the first pressing member 44M presses the developing roller 51M toward the photosensitive drum 41M. This allows the developing roller 51M to be stably contacted with the photosensitive drum 41M when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M. The first pressing member 44M is supported by the drum frame 42M.

[0087] The first pressing member 44M is located in the first groove 4213 of the first side plate 421. The first pressing member 44M is supported by the first side plate 421. The first pressing member 44M is rotatable about a shaft. The shaft of the first pressing member 44M extends in a first direction. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the first pressing member 44M is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41M with respect to the second boss 523A and comes into contact with the second boss 523A.

[0088] The spring 49M presses the first pressing member 44M toward the photosensitive drum 41M. The spring 49M is located in the first groove 4213. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the spring 49M is located on the opposite side of the first pressing member 44M to the second boss 523A.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 7, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the second pressing member 48M, together with the first pressing member 44M, presses the developing roller 51M toward the photosensitive drum 41M. The second pressing member 48M is supported by the drum frame 42M. The second pressing member 48M is located in the first groove 4213 of the second side plate 422. The second pressing member 48M is supported by the second side plate 422. The second pressing member 48M will be described in the same manner as the first pressing member 44M. Therefore, a description of the second pressing member 48M will be omitted.

[0090] 2.4 Lock 45M The lock 45M is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In FIG. 7, the lock 45M in the locked position is indicated by a solid line, and the lock 45M in the unlocked position is indicated by a two-dot chain line. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the lock 45M is in the locked position, the lock 45M restricts removal of the developing cartridge 5M from the drum cartridge 4M. This makes it possible to prevent the developing cartridge 5M from being unintentionally removed from the drum cartridge 4M. Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the lock 45M is in the unlocked position, the lock 45M releases the lock of the developing cartridge 5M from the drum cartridge 4M.

[0091] The lock 45M is located at the other end E2 of the drum cartridge 4M. The lock 45M is supported by the second side plate 422. The lock 45M is biased toward the locked position. The lock 45M includes a spring 451 and an operating portion 452.

[0092] The spring 451 is located in the second groove 4214 of the second side plate 422. The spring 451 is located on the opposite side of the second pressing member 48M with respect to the second side plate 422 in the first direction. 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 second side plate 422. The other end of the spring 451 is located away from the one end of the spring 451. The operation 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 41M.

[0093] When the lock 45M is in the locked position, the protrusion 4511 passes through the opening 4215 and is positioned in the first guide 4211. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the lock 45M is in the locked position, the protrusion 4511 prevents the first boss 522B from coming off the first end 4211A of the first guide 4211. When the lock 45M is in the unlocked position, the protrusion 4511 is positioned in the second groove 4214. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the lock 45M is in the unlocked position, the first boss 522B is movable from the first end 4211A to the second end 4211B of the first guide 4211.

[0094] A user operates the operation unit 452. When the user operates the operation unit 452, the lock 45M moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0095] 2.5 First handle 43M 3 and 4, the first handle 43M is located at the downstream end of the drum cartridge 4M in the moving direction when the drum cartridge 4M moves from the first position to the second position. The first handle 43M is located at one end E1 of the drum cartridge 4M. The first handle 43M is attached to the outer surface S1 of the first side plate 421. When the cover 10 is in the open position with the developing cartridge 5M attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the drum cartridge 4M in the first position, the first handle 43M is exposed through the opening 21 when viewed from the first direction.

[0096] The first handle 43M is rotatable between a folded position (see FIG. 3) and an unfolded position (see FIG. 4). When the first handle 43M is located at the folded position, the first handle 43M extends in the vertical direction along the outer surface S1 of the first side plate 421. When the first handle 43M is located at the unfolded position, the first handle 43M extends in a first direction from the outer surface S1.

[0097] 2.6 Drum Cartridge 4M Installation The drum cartridge 4M is removable from the housing 2. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, when the drum cartridge 4M is located at the second position, the drum cartridge 4M is removable from the housing 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the drum cartridge 4M can be placed on a mounting surface X in a state where it is removed from the housing 2. The mounting surface X extends, for example, in the horizontal direction.

[0098] When the drum cartridge 4M is removed from the housing 2 and placed on the mounting surface X, the wall 423 and the side wall 4251B come into contact with the mounting surface X. When the drum cartridge 4M is removed from the housing 2 and placed on the mounting surface X, the first guide 4211 extends upward. Therefore, the developing cartridge 5M can be smoothly attached from above to the drum cartridge 4M that has been removed from the housing 2 and placed on the mounting surface X. Note that the upward direction in FIG. 7 refers to the upward direction in the direction of gravity when the drum cartridge 4M is placed on the mounting surface X.

[0099] 3. Details of the 5M Developing Cartridge Next, the developing cartridge 5M will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 8, the developing cartridge 5M has, in addition to the developing roller 51M described above, a developing frame 52M and a second handle 53M.

[0101] 3.1 Developing Frame 52M The developing frame 52M supports the developing roller 51M. The developing frame 52M includes a developing housing 521, two first bosses 522A and 522B (see FIG. 7), and two second bosses 523A and 523B.

[0102] The developing housing 521 contains toner. The developing housing 521 supports the developing roller 51M. The developing housing 521 extends in a first direction. The developing housing 521 has a first side surface S3 and a second side surface S4 in the first direction.

[0103] The first side surface S3 is located at one end in the first direction of the developing housing 521. The second side surface S4 is located at the other end in the first direction of the developing housing 521. The second side surface S4 is located away from the first side surface S3 in the first direction.

[0104] The first boss 522A is located on a first side surface S3 of the developing housing 521. The first boss 522A has a cylindrical shape. The first boss 522A extends in a first direction. The first boss 522B is located on a second side surface S4 of the developing housing 521. The first boss 522B will be described in the same manner as the first boss 522A.

[0105] As shown in Fig. 7, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the first boss 522B fits into the first end 4211A of the first guide 4211. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the developing cartridge 5M can rotate about the axis A3 of the first boss 522B relative to the photosensitive drum 41M. This allows the developing roller 51M to move relative to the photosensitive drum 41M. The axis A3 of the first boss 522B overlaps with the tangent direction D of the portion of the photosensitive drum 41M that contacts the developing roller 51M.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 8, the second boss 523A is located on the first side surface S3 of the developing housing 521. The second boss 523A is located away from the first boss 522A. The second boss 523A has a cylindrical shape. The second boss 523A extends along the axis A2 (see FIG. 5) of the developing roller 51M. The second boss 523A extends in a first direction. The dimension of the second boss 523A in the first direction is larger than the dimension of the second boss 523A in the first direction. The second boss 523B is located on the second side surface S4 of the developing housing 521. The second boss 523B will be described in the same manner as the second boss 523A.

[0107] 7, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the second boss 523B fits into the second guide 4212. The second boss 523B is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 41M by the second pressing member 48M.

[0108] 3.2 Second handle 53M 8, the second handle 53M is located at the center of the developing cartridge 5M in the first direction. The second handle 53M is attached to the developing frame 52M. The second handle 53M is attached to the center of the developing housing 521 in the first direction. The color of the second handle 53M is different from the color of the first handle 43M.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 9, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the developing housing 521 of the developing cartridge 5M is located between the first side plate 421 and the second side plate 422 in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the second handle 53M is located between the one end E1 and the other end E2. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the second handle 53M is located upstream of the first handle 43M in the moving direction. The second handle 53M is located between the first handle 43M and the lock 45M in the first direction. In other words, the lock 45M is located on the opposite side of the first handle 43M to the second handle 53M in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position (see FIG. 3), even if the cover 10 is located at the open position, the second handle 53M is located inside the housing 2 and is not exposed when viewed from the first direction. When the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the drum cartridge 4M is located at the second position (see FIG. 4), the second handle 53M is located outside the housing 2 and is exposed.

[0110] 7, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M, the second handle 53M is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41M to the wall 423. The second handle 53M is rotatable between a first position and a second position.

[0111] When the second handle 53M is located at the first position, the second handle 53M intersects with the extension direction of the first guide 4211. When the second handle 53M is located at the first position, the second handle 53M is aligned with the surface of the developing housing 521.

[0112] When the second handle 53M is in the second position, the second handle 53M extends in the extension direction of the first guide 4211. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the second handle 53M is in the second position, if the user holds the second handle 53 and pulls up the developing cartridge 5M in the extension direction of the first guide 4211, the first boss 522B smoothly comes out of the first guide 4211. Therefore, the developing cartridge 5M can be smoothly removed from the drum cartridge 4M.

[0113] Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the second handle 53M is in the second position, the second handle 53M extends from the developing housing 521 toward the opposite side of the wall 423. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 4M is removed from the housing 2 and placed thereon, and the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the second handle 53M is in the second position, the second handle 53M extends upward.

[0114] 4. Details of the image forming device Next, the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0115] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, image forming apparatus 1 includes four drum guides 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K, four rails 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, two metal plates 18A and 18B, four drum pressing units 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K, four cams 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K, and four support members 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K.

[0116] 4.1 Four drum guides 17Y, 17M, 17C, 17K 1, the four drum guides 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K are located inside the housing 2. The four drum guides 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K are supported by the exposure device 6. The four drum guides 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K are disposed at intervals from one another in the second direction.

[0117] The four drum guides 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K have the same structure. Therefore, the drum guide 17M will be described in detail, and the description of the three drum guides 17Y, 17C, and 17K will be omitted. The drum guide 17M guides the movement of the drum cartridge 4M between the first position and the second position. The drum guide 17M extends in the first direction. The drum guide 17M is aligned with the bottom plate 424 of the drum frame 42M.

[0118] 4.2 Four rails 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K The four rails 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are located inside the housing 2. The four rails 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are supported by the exposure device 6. The rail 12Y is located between the drum guide 17Y and the drum guide 17M in the second direction. The rail 12M is located between the drum guide 17M and the drum guide 17C in the second direction. The rail 12C is located between the drum guide 17C and the drum guide 17K in the second direction. The rail 12K is located on the opposite side of the rail 12C with respect to the drum guide 17K in the second direction.

[0119] The four rails 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K have the same structure, so the rail 12M will be described in detail and descriptions of the three rails 12Y, 12C, and 12K will be omitted.

[0120] 4.2.1 Rail 12M The rail 12M guides the slide portion 425 when the drum cartridge 4M moves between the first position and the second position. The rail 12M has a first wall 121, a second wall 122, and a third wall 123.

[0121] The first wall 121 extends in the first direction. The first wall 121 is located between the outlet 61M and the drum guide 17M in the second direction. The second wall 122 extends in the first direction. The second wall 122 is located on the opposite side of the first wall 121 with respect to the outlet 61M in the second direction. The third wall 123 is located between the first wall 121 and the second wall 122 in the second direction. The third wall 123 connects the center of the first wall 121 in the up-down direction to the center of the first wall 121 in the up-down direction.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 2, the third wall 123 has an opening 1231 , a first hole 1232 and a second hole 1233 .

[0123] Light emitted from the exit port 61M of the exposure device 6 passes through the opening 1231. The light that has passed through the opening 1231 passes between the two side walls 4251A and 4251B, and then exposes the photosensitive drum 41M. The opening 1231 extends in the first direction.

[0124] The first hole 1232 is located away from the opening 1231 in the first direction. A first drum pressing member 131 is disposed in the first hole 1232. The first drum pressing member 131 will be described later.

[0125] The second hole 1233 is located on the opposite side of the opening 1231 to the first hole 1232 in the first direction. A second drum pressing member 132 is disposed in the second hole 1233. The second drum pressing member 132 will be described later.

[0126] 1, when the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the slide portion 425 is located between the first wall 121 and the second wall 122 and above the third wall 123. When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the slide portion 425 is located between the photosensitive drum 41M and the third wall 123.

[0127] 4.3 Two metal plates 18A and 18B As shown in FIG. 2, when the cover 10 is in the closed position and the drum cartridge 4M is in the first position, the two metal plates 18A and 18B position the four photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K relative to the housing 2. The two metal plates 18A and 18B are supported by the housing 2. Each of the two metal plates 18A and 18B has an L-shape. When the cover 10 is in the closed position, the metal plate 18A is located between the cover 10 and the intermediate transfer device 7 in the first direction. The metal plate 18A is aligned with the intermediate transfer device 7 in the first direction. The metal plate 18B is located on the opposite side of the metal plate 18B with respect to the intermediate transfer device 7.

[0128] 4.4 Four drum pressing units 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K 1, the four drum pressing units 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K have the same structure, so only the drum pressing unit 13M will be described in detail, and descriptions of the other three drum pressing units 13Y, 13C, and 13K will be omitted.

[0129] When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the drum pressing unit 13M can press the photosensitive drum 41M toward the intermediate transfer device .

[0130] 4.4.1 Drum pressing unit 13M 2, when the drum cartridge 4M is in the first position, the drum pressing unit 13M is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41M with respect to the drum frame 42M. The drum pressing unit 13M is located between the first wall 121 and the second wall 122 of the rail 12M. The drum pressing unit 13M includes a first drum pressing member 131 and a second drum pressing member 132.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first drum pressing member 131 is located in the first hole 1232. When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the first drum pressing member 131 is located on the opposite side of the metal plate 18A with respect to the first side plate 421. The first drum pressing member 131 is movable between a pressing position (see FIG. 2) and a release position (see FIG. 3). When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position and the first drum pressing member 131 is located at the pressing position, the first drum pressing member 131 presses the first side plate 421 toward the intermediate transfer device 7 (see FIG. 2). When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position and the first drum pressing member 131 is located at the release position, the first drum pressing member 131 releases the pressure on the first side plate 421 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 1, the first drum pressing member 131 includes a contact portion 1311, two bosses 1312A and 1312B, and a spring 1313.

[0132] 2, when the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the contact portion 1311 comes into contact with the first side plate 421. The contact portion 1311 extends in the up-down direction. The contact portion 1311 has a cylindrical shape. An upper end of the contact portion 1311 is closed. A lower end of the contact portion 1311 is open.

[0133] Each of the two bosses 1312A, 1312B fits into a first oblong hole 1411. The first oblong hole 1411 will be described later. The boss 1312A protrudes from the contact portion 1311. The boss 1312A extends in a second direction. The boss 1312B is located on the opposite side of the boss 1312A with respect to the contact portion 1311. The boss 1312B will be described in the same manner as the boss 1312A.

[0134] The spring 1313 presses the contact portion 1311 toward the photosensitive drum 41M. The spring 1313 is disposed within the contact portion 1311.

[0135] When the first drum pressing member 131 is in the pressing position, the contact portion 1311 protrudes upward from the third wall 123. When the first drum pressing member 131 is in the release position, the contact portion 1311 is located lower than the pressing position and is flush with the third wall 123.

[0136] The second drum pressing member 132 is located on the opposite side of the first drum pressing member 131 with respect to the outlet 61M in the first direction. The second drum pressing member 132 is located inside the second hole 1233. The second drum pressing member 132 is located on the opposite side of the metal plate 18B with respect to the second side plate 422. The second drum pressing member 132 will be described in the same manner as the first drum pressing member 131. Therefore, the description of the second drum pressing member 132 will be omitted. The second drum pressing member 132 includes a contact portion 1321, a boss 1322, and a spring 1323.

[0137] When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position and the second drum pressing member 132 is located at the pressing position, the second drum pressing member 132 presses the second side plate 422 toward the intermediate transfer device 7 (see FIG. 2).

[0138] Therefore, when the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position and the first drum pressing member 131 and the second drum pressing member 132 are located at the pressing positions, the second drum pressing member 132, together with the first drum pressing member 131, presses the photosensitive drum 41M toward the intermediate transfer device 7. At this time, the first side plate 421 contacts the metal plate 18A, and the second side plate 422 contacts the metal plate 18B. As a result, the photosensitive drum 41M contacts the intermediate transfer belt 71 and is positioned relative to the housing 2.

[0139] When the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position and the second drum pressing member 132 is located at the release position, the second drum pressing member 132 releases the pressure on the second side plate 422 (see FIG. 3).

[0140] Therefore, when the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position and the first drum pressing member 131 and the second drum pressing member 132 are located at the release position, the second drum pressing member 132, together with the first drum pressing member 131, releases the pressure of the photosensitive drum 41M toward the intermediate transfer device 7. As a result, the first side plate 421 is separated from the metal plate 18A, and the second side plate 422 is separated from the metal plate 18B. As a result, the photosensitive drum 41M is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 71, and the positioning of the photosensitive drum 41M with respect to the housing 2 is released.

[0141] 4.5 4 Cams 14Y, 14M, 14C, 14K 1, the four cams 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K have the same structure. Therefore, the cam 14M will be described in detail, and the description of the three cams 14Y, 14C, and 14K will be omitted. The three cams 14Y, 14C, and 14K are not shown in the figure.

[0142] 4.5.1 Cam 14M 2 and 3, when the cover 10 is in the closed position, the cam 14M positions the first drum pressing member 131 and the second drum pressing member 132 in the pressing position. When the cover 10 is in the open position, the cam 14M positions the first drum pressing member 131 and the second drum pressing member 132 in the release position.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cam 14M is located between the first wall 121 and the second wall 122 of the rail 12M, and below the third wall 123. The cam 14M extends in a first direction. The cam 14M is linked to the movement of the cover 10 and is movable in the first direction. The cam 14M is connected to the cover 10 by a connecting member 15M. The connecting member 15M connects the cam 14M and the cover 10. The cam 14M has a first plate 141 and a second plate 142.

[0144] The first plate 141 is located between the drum pressing unit 13M and the first wall 121 in the second direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the first plate 141 extends in the first direction. The first plate 141 has a first oblong hole 1411 and a second oblong hole 1412.

[0145] The boss 1312A of the first drum pressing member 131 fits into the first long hole 1411. The first long hole 1411 has one end and the other end in the first direction. The one end of the first long hole 1411 in the first direction is positioned higher than the other end of the first long hole 1411 in the first direction. The first long hole 1411 is inclined downward from the one end to the other end.

[0146] The boss 1322A of the second drum pressing member 132 fits into the second oblong hole 1412. The second oblong hole 1412 is located away from the first oblong hole 1411 in the first direction. The second oblong hole 1412 will be described in the same manner as the first oblong hole 1411. Therefore, a description of the second oblong hole 1412 will be omitted.

[0147] When the cover 10 is in the closed position and the first drum pressing member 131 and the second drum pressing member 132 are in the pressing position, the boss 1312A is located at one end of the first oblong hole 1411 and the boss 1322A is located at one end of the second oblong hole 1412. When the cover 10 is in the open position and the first drum pressing member 131 and the second drum pressing member 132 are in the release position, the boss 1312A is located at the other end of the first oblong hole 1411 and the boss 1322A is located at the other end of the second oblong hole 1412 (see FIG. 3).

[0148] 1, the second plate 142 is located between the drum pressing unit 13M and the second wall 122 in the second direction. The second plate 142 will be described in the same manner as the first plate 141. Therefore, the description of the second plate 142 will be omitted.

[0149] 4.6 Four support members 16Y, 16M, 16C, 16K The four support members 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K have the same structure. Therefore, the support member 16M will be described in detail, and the description of the three support members 16Y, 16C, and 16K will be omitted. Note that the three support members 16Y, 16C, and 16K are not shown in the drawings.

[0150] The support member 16M moves together with the cover 10. The support member 16M is rotatably connected to the rail 12M. The support member 16M is located inside the housing 2 when the cover 10 is in the closed position. When the drum cartridge 4M is in the first position and the cover 10 is in the closed position, the support member 16M extends in the vertical direction and is located between the cover 10 and the first side plate 421. As shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 10 is in the open position, at least a part of the support member 16M is located outside the housing 2. When the cover 10 is in the open position, the support member 16M extends in the first direction and is continuous with the rail 12M. When the cover 10 is in the open position and the drum cartridge 4M is in the second position, the support member 16M supports the drum cartridge 4M (see FIG. 4). The support member 16M has a main body 161, a hinge 162, and a boss 163.

[0151] When the cover 10 is in the open position, the main body 161 has a U-shape that is open upward. When the cover 10 is in the open position, the main body 161 extends in a first direction and is continuous with the rail 12M. When the cover 10 is in the open position and the drum cartridge 4M is in the second position, at least a part of the slide portion 425 fits into the main body 161. The main body 161 has one end and the other end. The other end of the main body 161 is located away from the one end.

[0152] The hinge 162 is located at one end of the main body 161. The hinge 162 connects the main body 161 and the first wall 121. This allows the main body 161 to rotate relative to the rail 12M.

[0153] The boss 163 is located at the other end of the main body 161. The boss 163 extends in the second direction. The boss 163 fits into the elongated hole 1011 of the connecting portion 101M. The connecting portion 101M is provided on the cover 10. As shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 10 is in the closed position and the drum cartridge 4M is in the first position, the connecting portion 101M is located between the cover 10 and the first side plate 421. When the cover 10 is in the closed position, the elongated hole 1011 extends in the up-down direction.

[0154] 5. Effects (1) In the image forming apparatus 1, the developing cartridge 5M containing toner and including the developing roller 51M and the drum cartridge 4M including the photosensitive drum 41M can be replaced separately.

[0155] Further, the first handle 43M of the drum cartridge 4M is located at the downstream end of the drum cartridge 4M in the movement direction. The second handle 53M of the developing cartridge 5M is located upstream of the first handle 43M in the movement direction when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M.

[0156] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, when the developing cartridge 5M is attached to the drum cartridge 4M and the drum cartridge 4M is located at the first position, the user can easily recognize the first handle 43M rather than the second handle 53M. Then, the user can move the drum cartridge 4M from the first position to the second position by holding the first handle 43M. After that, as shown in Fig. 4, when the drum cartridge 4M is located outside the housing 2, the user can confirm the developing cartridge 5M and then remove the developing cartridge 5M from the drum cartridge 4M by holding the second handle 53M.

[0157] Therefore, the user does not need to identify the cartridge to be replaced when the developing cartridge 5M and the drum cartridge 4M are positioned inside the housing 2. The user can move the drum cartridge 4M from the first position to the second position by holding the easily recognizable first handle 43M, and then remove the developing cartridge 5M from the drum cartridge 4M by holding the second handle 53M.

[0158] Therefore, the developing cartridge 5M and the drum cartridge 4M can be replaced individually and smoothly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0159] 1. Image forming device 2. Chassis 21 Aperture 4 Drum Cartridge 41 Photosensitive drum 42 Drum Frame 421 1st side plate 4211 First Guide 422 2nd side plate 423 Wall 43 First Handle 44 First pressing member 45 Rock 5 Developing cartridge 51 Developing roller 52 Developing Frame 53 Second Handle 9 Process cartridge

Claims

1. A housing having an opening; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the drum cartridge being movable in the first direction between a first position located inside the housing and a second position located outside the housing through the opening; a developing cartridge detachably attached to the drum cartridge and including a developing roller; a drum guide that guides movement of the drum cartridge between the first position and the second position; two metal plates for positioning the photosensitive drum with respect to the housing when the drum cartridge is located at the first position; a transfer device that is disposed between the two metal plates in the first direction and that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge is located at the first position; a drum pressing unit capable of pressing the photosensitive drum toward the transfer device when the drum cartridge is located at the first position; Equipped with the drum cartridge has a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a moving direction when the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position; the developing cartridge has a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the moving direction when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the second handle is located within the housing and not exposed when the drum cartridge is located at the first position, and is exposed when the drum cartridge is located at the second position.

2. A housing having an opening; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the drum cartridge being movable in the first direction between a first position located inside the housing and a second position located outside the housing through the opening; A rail extending in the first direction; a developing cartridge detachably attached to the drum cartridge and including a developing roller; a drum guide that guides movement of the drum cartridge between the first position and the second position; a transfer device that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge is located at the first position; a drum pressing unit capable of pressing the photosensitive drum toward the transfer device when the drum cartridge is located at the first position; Equipped with the drum cartridge has a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a moving direction when the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position, and a slide portion fitted into the rail; the developing cartridge has a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the moving direction when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the second handle is located within the housing and is not exposed when the drum cartridge is located at the first position, and is exposed when the drum cartridge is located at the second position; The drum pressing unit includes: a first drum pressing member movable between a first pressing position where the first drum pressing member presses one end of the drum cartridge in the first direction toward the transfer device and a first release position where the first drum pressing member releases the pressure on the one end of the drum cartridge; a second drum pressing member movable between a second pressing position where the second drum pressing member presses the other end of the drum cartridge in the first direction toward the transfer device and a second release position where the second drum pressing member releases the pressure against the other end of the drum cartridge; Equipped with The rail is a first hole in which the first drum pressing member is disposed; a second hole in which the second drum pressing member is disposed; An image forming apparatus comprising:

3. The image forming apparatus includes: a cover movable between a closed position at which the opening is closed and an open position at which the opening is opened; a cam that positions the first drum pressing member at the first pressing position and the second drum pressing member at the second pressing position when the cover is in the closed position, and that positions the first drum pressing member at the first release position and the second drum pressing member at the second release position when the cover is in the open position; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. The image forming apparatus includes: a cover movable between a closed position at which the opening is closed and an open position at which the opening is opened; a support member movable together with the cover; Further equipped with When the cover is in the closed position, the support member is located within the housing, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the support member is located outside the housing and continuous with the rail when the cover is in the open position.

5. A housing having an opening; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the drum cartridge being movable in the first direction between a first position located inside the housing and a second position located outside the housing through the opening; a developing cartridge detachably attached to the drum cartridge and including a developing roller; Equipped with the drum cartridge has a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a moving direction when the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position; the developing cartridge has a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the moving direction when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the drum cartridge is provided with a lock that restricts removal of the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the lock being located on the opposite side of the first handle relative to the second handle in the first direction.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lock is movable between a locked position that restricts removal of the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge and an unlocked position that unlocks the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge.

7. The developing cartridge has a boss, The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the lock has a protrusion that regulates the boss when the lock is in the locked position.

8. The drum cartridge includes a drum frame that supports the photosensitive drum, The lock further includes a linear spring having the protrusion and an operating portion, One end of the spring is fixed to the drum frame, The operating portion is provided at the other end of the spring, 8. The image forming apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lock is biased toward the locked position.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second handle is located at a center of the developing cartridge in the first direction.

10. The drum cartridge includes a drum frame that supports the photosensitive drum, The drum frame is A first side plate; a second side plate located away from the first side plate in the first direction, When the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge is located between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction, 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first handle is attached to the first side plate.

11. A drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the drum cartridge having one end and another end located away from the one end in the first direction; a developing cartridge that is detachably attached to the drum cartridge and includes a developing roller; the drum cartridge has a first handle located at the one end; the developing cartridge has a second handle located between the one end and the other end when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, The process cartridge is characterized in that the drum cartridge is provided with a lock located at the other end, which restricts removal of the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge when the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.

12. 12. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the second handle is located at a center of the developing cartridge in the first direction.

13. 13. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the lock is movable between a lock position that restricts removal of the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge and an unlock position that releases the lock of the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge.

14. The developing cartridge has a boss, 14. A process cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said lock has a convex portion that regulates said boss when said lock is located at said lock position.

15. The drum cartridge includes a drum frame that supports the photosensitive drum, The lock further includes a linear spring having the protrusion and an operating portion, One end of the spring is fixed to the drum frame, The operating portion is provided at the other end of the spring, 15. A process cartridge according to claim 14, wherein said lock is biased toward said locked position.

Images