Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image formation apparatus which can secure a movable region of a cam member by suppressing interference between a cam member and a peripheral member even when an apparatus body is miniaturized.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 1 comprises: a process cartridge 50 which has a cartridge side coupling 521 that transmits driving force to a development roller 52; and an apparatus body 2 to which the process cartridge 50 is attached, which has a motor 4, and includes a body side coupling 71 that is movable between a connection position that is connected to the cartridge side coupling 521 and a separation position that is apart from the cartridge side coupling 521, a joint cam 74 that is movable between a first position where the body side coupling 71 is arranged at the connection position and a second position where the body side coupling 71 is arranged at the separation position, and a fixation gear 63 to which the driving force is transmitted from the motor 4. The fixation gear 63 has a recess part 633 to which a rear end part of the joint cam 74 enters when the joint cam 74 is at the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachably mounted in an apparatus main body having a driving member, a cartridge-side coupling is provided on the process cartridge for transmitting driving force to members within the process cartridge, a main body-side coupling movable between a connected position where it is connected to the cartridge-side coupling and a retracted position spaced apart from the cartridge-side coupling, a cam member movable between a first position where the main body-side coupling is located at the connected position and a second position where the main body-side coupling is located at the retracted position, and a rotating member that transmits driving force to the driving member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The cam member is configured to move to a first position when the cover that opens and closes the device body is closed, thereby placing the body-side coupling in a connected position, and to move to a second position when the cover is opened, thereby placing the body-side coupling in a retracted position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-177840 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the image forming device described above, it is necessary to ensure a movable area for the cam member that moves between the first position and the second position. However, when the device body is made smaller, the cam member interferes with surrounding components such as rotating components when it moves, making it difficult to ensure a movable area for the cam member.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming device that can prevent the cam member from interfering with surrounding components and ensure a movable area for the cam member even when the device body is made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming apparatus that solves the above problem has the following features.

[0008] That is, the image forming apparatus comprises: a cartridge having a cartridge-side coupling that transmits a driving force to a member inside the cartridge; an apparatus main body to which the cartridge is detachably attached and which is equipped with a motor, the apparatus main body having: a main body-side coupling that is movable between a connection position where it connects to the cartridge-side coupling and a separation position spaced apart from the cartridge-side coupling; a joint cam that is movable between a first position where it positions the main body-side coupling at the connection position and a second position where it positions the main body-side coupling at the separation position; and a rotating member to which the driving force is transmitted from the motor, wherein the rotating member has a recess into which an end of the joint cam enters when the joint cam is positioned at the first position.

[0009] This makes it possible to prevent the joint cam from interfering with the rotating members that are peripheral members, and to ensure a movable range for the joint cam, even when the device main body is made smaller.

[0010] The rotating member is a two-stage gear having a first gear and a second gear, and the recess is located between the first gear and the second gear.

[0011] This makes it possible to prevent interference between the joint cam and the rotating member without impairing the function of the two-stage gear.

[0012] The rotary member also has a metallic rotary shaft extending along the rotary axis.

[0013] The portion of the rotating member where the recess is formed tends to be thinner and less rigid, but by making the rotating shaft out of metal, the rigidity of the portion of the rotating member where the recess is formed can be ensured.

[0014] The device body also includes a cover that covers the rotary member, and the cover has a restricting rib that engages with the rotary member and restricts movement of the rotary member in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0015] This allows for space savings in the direction of the rotation axis compared to, for example, a configuration in which a hook that engages with the rotation shaft extends from the rotating member in the direction of the rotation axis to restrict movement of the rotating member in the direction of the rotation axis. Also, by forming a restricting rib that engages with the rotating member on the cover of the rotating member, there is no need for additional processing to allow the hook to engage with the rotating shaft, which prevents costs from increasing.

[0016] The rotating member is a fixing gear that transmits a driving force to a fixing device that fixes a toner image on a sheet.

[0017] This makes it possible to prevent interference between the rotating member and the joint cam.

[0018] The rotating member also has a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material different from the first material, the first material being a heat-resistant resin, and the first part being located closer to the fixing device than the second part.

[0019] By forming the first portion located near the fixing unit from a heat-resistant resin, the influence of heat from the fixing unit on the rotating member can be reduced.

[0020] The device main body also has an action cam that is movable between an action position where it acts on the cartridge and a non-action position where it does not act on the cartridge, and a link that connects the action cam and the joint cam, and the joint cam slidably guides a boss on the link.

[0021] This makes it possible to prevent interference between the rail of the joint cam and the rotating member.

[0022] The upper end of the rail is located below the rotation axis of the rotating member.

[0023] This ensures a large gap between the joint cam and the rotating member when the rail enters the recess of the rotating member.

[0024] In addition, the boss of the link moves between a lower position when the joint cam is in the first position and an upper position that is higher than the lower position when the joint cam is in a third position between the first position and the second position, and the boss in the lower position does not interfere with the rotating member.

[0025] This makes it possible to prevent interference between the boss of the link and the rotating member when the joint cam moves to the first position.

[0026] The device also includes an opening / closing cover that is movable between a closed position that closes the device main body and an open position that opens the device main body, and a rotating piece that is rotatably arranged and drives the joint cam, the rotating piece being rotatable between a first rotating position that drives the joint cam to a first position and a second rotating position that drives the joint cam to a second position, and the rotating piece has a relief shape that prevents interference with the link during the process of rotating from the first rotating position to the second rotating position.

[0027] As a result, the relief shape prevents interference between the pivot piece and the link during the process of the pivot piece rotating from the first pivot position to the second pivot position, allowing the joint cam to be driven smoothly from the first position to the second position.

[0028] The device also includes a pressing member that moves in accordance with the movement of the open-close cover, comes into contact with the rotating piece when the open-close cover moves from the closed position to the open position, and presses the rotating piece in the direction of rotation from the first rotating position to the second rotating position, and a profile member that has a profile that defines a movement trajectory of the pressing member, wherein the rotating piece has a first contact position where the pressing member comes into contact when the open-close cover is at the closed position, a second contact position where the pressing member comes into contact when the open-close cover is at an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, and a third contact position where the pressing member comes into contact when the open-close cover is at the open position, and the pressing member is in contact with the first contact position, the pressing member is rotated to the first pivot position, and is rotated to the second pivot position when the pressing member is in contact with the second contact position and the third contact position, the pressing member moves along the profile while contacting a first region of the rotating piece from the first contact position to the second contact position in the process of the opening / closing cover moving from the closed position to the intermediate position, and the pressing member moves along the profile while contacting a second region of the rotating piece from the second contact position to the third contact position in the process of the opening / closing cover moving from the intermediate position to the open position, and the relief shape is formed in the second region of the rotating piece.

[0029] In this way, the relief shape of the rotating piece is formed in the second region, but since a large load from the pressing member does not act on the second region, there is no need to form the rotating piece and pressing member large, and the device body can be made smaller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to the present invention, even when the device body is made compact, it is possible to prevent the joint cam from interfering with surrounding members and ensure a movable range for the joint cam. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a central cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus when the top cover is in a closed position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus when the top cover is in the open position. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the left side of the device main body. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing a fixing gear supported by the second main body frame. [Figure 7] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the fixing gear, and FIG. 2B is a front view showing the fixing gear. [Figure 8] 1A is an exploded perspective view showing a fixing gear, FIG. 1B is a view showing a first part of the fixing gear, and FIG. 1C is a view showing a second part of the fixing gear. [Figure 9] 1A is a plan sectional view showing the main body side coupling in the separated position, and FIG. 1B is a plan sectional view showing the main body side coupling in the connected position. [Figure 10] FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view showing a joint cam, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view showing the joint cam. [Figure 11] 1A is a left side view showing the link, FIG. 1B is a right side view showing the link, and FIG. 1C is a front view showing the link. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the rear part on the left side of the apparatus main body when the top cover is in the closed position. [Figure 13] 10 is a side view showing the rear part of the left side of the device main body when the joint cam is in a third position between the first position and the second position. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the rear part on the left side of the apparatus main body when the top cover is in an intermediate position. FIG. [Figure 15] A side view showing the rear part of the left side of the device body when the top cover is in the open position. [Figure 16] 1A is a left side view showing the pressing member, FIG. 1B is a right side view showing the pressing member, and FIG. 1C is a front view showing the pressing member. [Figure 17]FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the rotating piece, and FIG. 1(b) is a rear view showing the rotating piece. [Figure 19] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] [Image forming device] The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is one embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a color laser printer that forms a multi-color image on a sheet S by electrophotography.

[0034] In the following description, the right side in Fig. 1 is defined as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, the left side in Fig. 1 is defined as the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the upper and lower sides in Fig. 1 are defined as the upper and lower sides of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

[0035] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a device main body 2, a paper feed section 3 having a paper feed tray 10 that supports sheets S and a sheet transport section 30 that transports sheets S, an image forming section 5 that forms a toner image on the sheets S transported by the paper feed section 3, and a fixing device 6 that fixes the toner image on the sheets S.

[0036] The device body 2 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses a paper feed unit 3, an image forming unit 5, and a fixing unit 6. An opening 2A is formed on the top surface of the device body 2. The image forming device 1 has a top cover 21 that can open and close the opening 2A of the device body 2. The top cover 21 is an example of an openable cover.

[0037] The top cover 21 is supported on the device body 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 21a at the rear end. By rotating about the rotation shaft 21a, the top cover 21 can move between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 2) in which the opening 2A is closed and an open position (position shown in FIG. 3) in which the opening 2A is open. The top cover 21 is formed with a paper output tray 21b that slopes downward from the front to the rear.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, a damper 22 is interposed between the top cover 21 and the apparatus main body 2. The dampers 22 are provided at the left and right ends of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively. The damper 22 has a cylinder 221 and a piston 222. The cylinder 221 is supported by the apparatus main body 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation fulcrum 221a. The piston 222 is configured to be extendable and retractable relative to the cylinder 221, and is supported by the top cover 21 so as to be rotatable about a rotation fulcrum 222a.

[0039] By interposing a damper 22 between the top cover 21 and the device main body 2, it is possible to reduce the force required to open and close the top cover 21 and to prevent the top cover 21 from closing suddenly due to its own weight.

[0040] The paper feed unit 3 is disposed at the bottom of the device body 2, and transports the sheets S supported on the paper feed tray 10 to the image forming unit 5 by the sheet transport unit 30. The paper feed tray 10 is configured to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction, and is configured to be movable between a storage position where it is stored in the device body 2, and a separation position where it is pulled out forward from the storage position.

[0041] The sheet conveying section 30 includes a paper feed roller 32, a separation roller 33, a separation pad 33a, a conveying roller pair 34, and a registration roller pair 35. Within the device main body 2, a conveying path P for the sheet S is configured, which runs from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper discharge tray 21b via the image forming section 5.

[0042] The sheets S supported on the paper feed tray 10 are separated one by one by the paper feed roller 32, separation roller 33, and separation pad 33a and sent out to the conveying path P. The paper feed roller 32 is a roller that conveys the sheets S from the paper feed tray 10 toward the image forming unit 5. The separation roller 33 and separation pad 33a constitute a separating means that separates the sheets S supported on the paper feed tray 10 one by one.

[0043] The sheet S sent to the conveying path P is conveyed toward the image forming unit 5 by a pair of conveying rollers 34 and a pair of registration rollers 35. The pair of registration rollers 35 regulates the movement of the leading edge of the sheet S being conveyed, stops the sheet S temporarily, and then conveys the sheet S toward the image forming unit 5 at a predetermined timing.

[0044] The image forming unit 5 is disposed above the paper feeding unit 3, and includes four process cartridges 50 arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The process cartridges 50 are an example of a cartridge. Each process cartridge 50 is provided corresponding to one of the colors: black, yellow, magenta, and cyan. The process cartridges 50 are detachably mounted in the apparatus main body 2. Each process cartridge 50 includes a photosensitive drum 51, a developing roller 52, a supply roller 53, and a charger 54. The process cartridge 50 consists of a drum cartridge including the photosensitive drum 51, and a developing cartridge including the developing roller 52.

[0045] The process cartridge 50 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2 with the rotation axis of the developing roller 52 aligned in the left-right direction. The developing roller 52 is configured to be movable between a contact position where it contacts the photosensitive drum 51 and a spaced position where it is spaced from the photosensitive drum 51. The supply roller 53 supplies the toner contained in the process cartridge 50 to the developing roller 52.

[0046] The device main body 2 has exposure heads 59 that expose the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51. The exposure heads 59 are supported by the top cover 21. Four exposure heads 59 are provided, one for each photosensitive drum 51, and the exposure heads 59 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The exposure heads 59 extend downward from the top cover 21 and have an exposure section 59a at their lower ends. The exposure section 59a is disposed close to and above the photosensitive drum 51 when the top cover 21 is closed. The exposure section 59a is configured as an LED array having a plurality of LED elements arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction.

[0047] A transfer belt 41 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 51, facing the photosensitive drum 51 across the transport path P. The transfer belt 41 is stretched between a drive roller 42 and a driven roller 43 disposed in front of the drive roller 42. The transfer belt 41, drive roller 42, and driven roller 43 constitute a belt device 40. A transfer roller 44 is disposed at a position facing each photosensitive drum 51 across the transfer belt 41.

[0048] In the image forming unit 5, the photosensitive drums 51, which have been uniformly charged by the chargers 54, are selectively exposed to light by the exposure heads 59. This exposure selectively removes charge from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51.

[0049] The toner contained in the process cartridge 50 is positively charged between the supply roller 53 and the developing roller 52 and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 52. A developing bias is applied to the developing roller 52, and when the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 51 faces the developing roller 52, the potential difference between the electrostatic latent image and the developing roller 52 causes toner to be supplied from the developing roller 52 to the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0050] When the sheet S transported toward the image forming unit 5 reaches the transfer belt 41, it is transported by the transfer belt 41 and passes sequentially between the transfer belt 41 and each photosensitive drum 51. Then, when the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 faces the sheet S, it is transferred onto the sheet S by a transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 44.

[0051] In this embodiment, the transfer belt 41 is configured as a conveying belt that conveys the sheet S onto which the toner image is transferred, but it can also be configured as an intermediate transfer belt in which the toner image is transferred to the belt itself and the toner image transferred to the belt is further transferred to the sheet S.

[0052] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fuser 6. The fuser 6 includes a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62 that is in pressure contact with the heating roller 61. The heating roller 61 is heated by a power source (not shown) that is provided in the device main body 2. The device main body 2 includes a motor 4, which is a driving member, and a fuser gear 63 (see FIG. 1), and the driving force from the motor 4 is transmitted to the heating roller 61 via the fuser gear 63. The fuser gear 63 is an example of a rotating member to which the driving force is transmitted from the driving member. The toner image on the sheet S transported to the fuser 6 is thermally fixed while passing between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62.

[0053] The sheet S on which the toner image has been thermally fixed is transported downstream in the transport direction from the fixing device 6, and further transported by the intermediate discharge roller pair 64 and the discharge roller pair 65 arranged downstream in the transport direction of the intermediate discharge roller pair 64, and then discharged onto the discharge tray 21b.

[0054] 4, the device body 2 includes a first body frame 24 and a second body frame 25 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The first body frame 24 is located at the right end of the device body 2 and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. The second body frame 25 is located at the left end of the device body 2 and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0055] The process cartridge 50 and the fixing unit 6 are disposed between the first body frame 24 and the second body frame 25. The first body frame 24 is disposed to the right of the process cartridge 50 and the fixing unit 6, and the second body frame 25 is disposed to the left of the process cartridge 50 and the fixing unit 6. The process cartridge 50 is detachably supported by the first body frame 24 and the second body frame 25.

[0056] [Fuser gear] 4 and 5, the fixing gear 63 is supported on the rear end of the second main body frame 25. The fixing gear 63 is a gear for transmitting a driving force to the fixing device 6 that fixes the toner image on the sheet S.

[0057] 6 to 8, the fixing gear 63 is rotatable about a rotation axis X, and is disposed in a position where the rotation axis X extends in the left-right direction. The fixing gear 63 has a first portion 63A, a second portion 63B, and a rotation shaft 63C.

[0058] The first portion 63A is formed from a resin member and has a first gear 631, a mating portion 632, a recess 633, and a flange portion 634. The first gear 631 is connected to the heating roller 61 of the fixing device 6 and is configured to be able to transmit driving force to the heating roller 61. The mating portion 632 is configured to be able to mate with the second portion 63B.

[0059] Recess 633 is formed to have a smaller diameter than first gear 631 and mating portion 632, and is formed in a shape that is recessed more inwardly than the outer diameter shapes of first gear 631 and mating portion 632. Flange portion 634 is formed in a brim shape that protrudes more outwardly than mating portion 632. In first gear 631, first gear 631, recess 633, flange portion 634, and mating portion 632 are arranged in this order from right to left.

[0060] The second part 63B is formed from a resin member and has a second gear 635 and a mated part 636. In the second part 63B, the mated part 636 and the second gear 635 are arranged in this order from right to left. The second gear 635 is connected to the motor 4, and receives driving force from the motor 4. The mated part 636 can be mated with the mating part 632 of the first part 63A, and the mating part 632 and the mated part 636 are mated together, so that the first part 63A and the second part 63B are connected so as to be able to rotate integrally.

[0061] Fixing gear 63 formed by connecting first portion 63A and second portion 63B is a two-stage gear having first gear 631 and second gear 635. In fixing gear 63, first gear 631, recessed portion 633, and second gear 635 are arranged in this order from right to left. In other words, recessed portion 633 is located between first gear 631 and second gear 635 in the left-right direction.

[0062] The rotating shaft 63C is formed by a metal shaft member extending along the rotation axis X, and is fitted over the first portion 63A and the second portion 63B. The first portion 63A and the second portion 63B are configured to be rotatable about the rotating shaft 63C. In the fixing gear 63, the first portion 63A has a recess 633 with a smaller diameter than other portions, and the portion where the recess 633 is formed tends to be thinner than other portions and therefore less rigid. However, by making the rotating shaft 63C out of metal, it is possible to ensure the rigidity of the portion of the fixing gear 63 where the recess 633 is formed.

[0063] The device main body 2 is disposed to the left of the second main body frame 25 and includes a sheet metal frame 26 supported by the second main body frame 25. The rotation shaft 63C is supported by the sheet metal frame 26, and as a result of the rotation shaft 63C being supported by the sheet metal frame 26, the fixing gear 63 is supported by the second main body frame 25 via the sheet metal frame 26.

[0064] The second main body frame 25 has a through hole 251 that penetrates in the left-right direction. The fixing gear 63 is inserted through the through hole 251 and is disposed across the second main body frame 25 from right to left.

[0065] The first portion 63A of the fixing gear 63 is located to the right of the second portion 63B, and the first gear 631 of the first portion 63A protrudes rightward from the second main body frame 25. The second gear 635 of the second portion 63B is located leftward from the second main body frame 25. In other words, in the left-right direction, the first portion 63A protrudes inward from the second main body frame 25 of the device main body 2 in which the fixing unit 6 is disposed, and the second portion 63B is located outward from the second main body frame 25 of the device main body 2, and the first portion 63A is located closer to the fixing unit 6 than the second portion 63B.

[0066] In the fixing gear 63, the first portion 63A is made of a first material, and the second portion 63B is made of a second material different from the first material. The first material is made of a heat-resistant resin, and the second portion 63B is made of a non-heat-resistant resin.

[0067] The first portion 63A made of the first material is located closer to the fuser 6, which is a heat source, than the second portion 63B made of the second material. However, by forming the first portion 63A, which is located closer to the fuser 6, from a heat-resistant resin, it is possible to reduce the effect of heat from the fuser 6 on the fuser gear 63. Furthermore, by forming the second portion 63B, which is located farther from the fuser 6 than the first portion 63A, from a non-heat-resistant resin that is cheaper than heat-resistant resin, it is possible to reduce the cost of the fuser gear 63. However, it is also possible to form the second portion 63B from the same heat-resistant resin as the first portion 63A.

[0068] The device main body 2 is provided with a cover 27 that covers the fixing gear 63. The cover 27 is disposed between the second main body frame 25 and the sheet metal frame 26 in the left-right direction, and is supported by the sheet metal frame 26. The cover 27 covers the second part 63B of the fixing gear 63 and the left end of the first part 63A.

[0069] The cover 27 has a restricting rib 271 that protrudes from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side of the fixing gear 63. The restricting rib 271 is located to the right of the flange portion 634 of the first part 63A of the fixing gear 63, and can be locked to the flange portion 634. By being locked to the flange portion 634, the restricting rib 271 can restrict movement of the fixing gear 63 in the direction of the rotation axis X.

[0070] By providing the restricting rib 271 on the cover 27, it is possible to reduce the space required in the direction of the rotation axis X, compared to when a hook that engages with the rotation axis 63C is formed by extending from the first portion 63A of the fixing gear 63 in the direction of the rotation axis X as a configuration for restricting movement of the fixing gear 63 in the direction of the rotation axis X. Furthermore, by forming the restricting rib 271 that engages with the fixing gear 63 on the cover 27 of the fixing gear 63, there is no need to perform additional processing to engage the hook with the rotation axis 63C, which can prevent costs from increasing.

[0071] [Cartridge side coupling] 9, the process cartridge 50 has a cartridge-side coupling 521 connected to the left end of the developing roller 52. The cartridge-side coupling 521 is a coupling member that transmits driving force to the developing roller 52, which is a component inside the process cartridge 50. The cartridge-side coupling 521 is located to the right of the second main body frame 25.

[0072] [Main body coupling] 9, the apparatus main body 2 has a main body side coupling 71, a drive gear 72, and a spring 73. The main body side coupling 71 is a coupling member for connecting to the cartridge side coupling 521 to transmit the driving force from the motor 4 to the developing roller 52. The main body side couplings 71 are provided corresponding to the four process cartridges 50 included in the image forming apparatus 1, and the four main body side couplings 71 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

[0073] The main body side coupling 71 is disposed to the left of the second main body frame 25 and is supported by the second main body frame 25 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The main body side coupling 71 is movable between a connected position on the right (position shown in FIG. 9(b)) where it is connected to the cartridge side coupling 521 and a separated position (position shown in FIG. 9(a)) to the left of the connected position where it is separated from the cartridge side coupling 521. The main body side coupling 71 is located at the connected position when the top cover 21 is in the closed position, and at the separated position when the top cover 21 is in the open position.

[0074] The main body side coupling 71 has a joint portion 711 connected to the cartridge side coupling 521 and a flange portion 712 having a larger diameter than the joint portion 711 .

[0075] The second main body frame 25 has a communication hole 252 penetrating in the left-right direction at a position facing the cartridge side coupling 521 and the main body side coupling 71. When the main body side coupling 71 is in the connected position, the joint portion 711 protrudes from the left of the second main body frame 25 to the right of the second main body frame 25 through the communication hole 252 (see FIG. 9(b)). When the main body side coupling 71 is in the separated position, the main body side coupling 71 as a whole retracts to the left of the second main body frame 25 (see FIG. 9(a)).

[0076] The drive gear 72 is connected to the motor 4 and is configured to be rotatable integrally with the main body side coupling 71. When the main body side coupling 71 is in the connected position, the drive gear 72 is driven by the drive force from the motor 4, and the drive force is transmitted to the developing roller 52 through the joint portion 711 and the cartridge side coupling 521, which are connected to each other. On the other hand, when the main body side coupling 71 is in the separated position, the joint portion 711 and the cartridge side coupling 521 are separated, so that even if the drive gear 72 is driven by the drive force from the motor 4, the drive force is not transmitted to the developing roller 52.

[0077] The spring 70 is interposed between the flange portion 712 of the main body side coupling 71 and the drive gear 72, and biases the main body side coupling 71 to the right. The biasing force of the spring 70 allows the main body side coupling 71 to move from the separated position to the connected position.

[0078] [Main body coupling drive mechanism] 5 and 9, the apparatus main body 2 has a joint cam 74 supported on the second main body frame 25 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The joint cam 74 is formed of a long plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction, and is located in front of the fixing gear 63. By moving rearward, the joint cam 74 can be located at a first position (position shown in FIG. 9(b)) where the main body side coupling 71 is located at the connected position, and by moving forward, the joint cam 74 can be located at a second position (position shown in FIG. 9(a)) where the main body side coupling 71 is located at the separated position.

[0079] 9 and 10, the joint cam 74 has an opening 741, an inclined cam 742, a rail 743, and a drive hole 744. The openings 741 and the inclined cams 742 are provided corresponding to the four main body side couplings 71, and are arranged side by side at four locations along the front-rear direction.

[0080] The opening 741 penetrates in the left-right direction and is formed in a generally oval shape that is long in the front-rear direction. The opening 741 has a first opening 741a located in the front and a second opening 741b formed continuously to the rear of the first opening 741a. The joint portion 711 of the main body side coupling 71 is inserted into the opening 741 from the left.

[0081] The inclined cam 742 is formed on the upper and lower edges of the second opening 741b in the opening 741. The inclined cam 742 has an inclined surface that protrudes leftward as it extends from the front to the rear. The flange portion 712 of the main body side coupling 71 can come into contact with the inclined cam 742.

[0082] When the joint cam 74 moves rearward and is at the first position, the joint portion 711 of the main body side coupling 71 is located at the first opening 741a in the opening 741. When the joint portion 711 is located at the first opening 741a, the flange portion 712 is not in contact with the inclined cam 742, and the main body side coupling 71 is biased rightward by the biasing force of the spring 73 and is located at the connected position.

[0083] When the joint cam 74, which is in the first position, moves forward, the flange portion 712 comes into contact with the inclined cam 742 and is pressed to the left by the inclined surface, causing the main body side coupling 71 to move leftward from the connected position. When the joint cam 74 moves forward and the joint portion 711 is positioned at the second opening 741b of the opening 741, the main body side coupling 71, which has moved leftward, is positioned at the separated position. In this way, the joint cam 74 moves in the front-to-rear direction between the first position and the second position, causing the main body side coupling 71 to be driven between the connected position and the separated position.

[0084] The rail 743 is formed at the rear end of the joint cam 74 and has a groove shape that extends in the vertical direction. The drive hole 744 is a hole that penetrates in the left-right direction and extends in the vertical direction. The drive hole 744 is located in front of the rail 743 at the rear end of the joint cam 74. The upper end of the rail 743 is located lower than the upper end of the drive hole 744.

[0085] [Positional relationship between joint cam and fixing gear] 5, the device main body 2 has an action cam 75 and a link 76. The action cam 75 is formed of a long plate-like member extending along the front-rear direction, and is supported on the second main body frame 25 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The action cam 75 has an abutment portion 751 at its rear end with which the link 76 can abut.

[0086] The action cam 75 is movable between an action position where it acts on the cartridge 50 and a non-action position where it does not act on the cartridge 50. The action cam 75 is disposed at the action position by moving forward, and at the non-action position by moving backward. When the action cam 75 is disposed at the action position, the action exerted on the cartridge 50 is, for example, a locking action that fixes the cartridge 50 to the apparatus main body 2, and a separating action that separates the developing roller 52 from the photosensitive drum 51.

[0087] 11, the link 76 extends substantially in the vertical direction and has a boss 761 located at the upper end, a pressing portion 762 located at the lower end, and a rotating shaft 763 located midway between the boss 761 and the pressing portion 762. The link 76 is supported by the second main body frame 25 so as to be rotatable about the rotating shaft 763.

[0088] 5, the boss 761 of the link 76 is slidably engaged with the rail 743 of the joint cam 74. The rail 743 guides the boss 761 of the link 76 so that the boss 761 can slide up and down. The boss 761 moves up and down as the joint cam 74 moves forward and backward. The pressing portion 762 can come into contact with the abutment portion 751 of the action cam 75.

[0089] When the joint cam 74 moves rearward, the link 76 rotates in a direction in which the boss 761 moves rearward, and the pressing portion 762 moves forward. When the joint cam 74 moves forward, the link 76 rotates in a direction in which the boss 761 moves forward, and the pressing portion 762 moves rearward.

[0090] When the pressing portion 762 of the link 76 moves rearward, it comes into contact with the abutment portion 751 of the action cam 75, which is in the action position, and presses it rearward, thereby moving the action cam 75 from the action position to the non-action position. When the pressing portion 762 of the link 76 comes into contact with the abutment portion 751 of the action cam 75, the joint cam 74 and the action cam 75 are connected by the link 76.

[0091] 5, 9(b), and 12, when the top cover 21 is in the closed position and the joint cam 74 has moved rearward to the first position, the rear end of the joint cam 74 overlaps with the fixing gear 63 in the front-to-rear direction. That is, in the image forming apparatus 1, the joint cam 74 and the fixing gear 63 in the first position are positioned so as to overlap with each other in the front-to-rear direction, thereby making the apparatus body 2 more compact.

[0092] On the other hand, when the joint cam 74 is located at the first position, the rear end of the joint cam 74 is inserted into the recess 633 of the fixing gear 63. Specifically, when the joint cam 74 is located at the first position, the upper end of the rail 743 located at the rear end of the joint cam 74 is located inside the recess 633 of the fixing gear 63 and is not in contact with the fixing gear 63.

[0093] In this way, by configuring the rear end of the joint cam 74 in the first position to enter the recess 633 of the fixing gear 63, even if the joint cam 74 in the first position and the fixing gear 63 are positioned so as to overlap in the front-to-rear direction, it is possible to prevent interference between the joint cam 74 and the fixing gear 63. As a result, even when the device main body 2 is made compact, the rail 743 of the joint cam 74 does not interfere with the fixing gear 63, and it is possible to ensure a movable range of the joint cam 74 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0094] In addition, the recess 633 of the fixing gear 63 into which the end of the joint cam 74 enters is located between the first gear 631 and the second gear 635 of the fixing gear 63, which is configured as a two-stage gear, so interference between the fixing gears 63 can be suppressed without impairing the function of the fixing gear 63.

[0095] 12, the upper end of the rail 743 of the joint cam 74 is positioned below the rotation axis X of the fixing gear 63. This makes it possible to ensure a large gap between the joint cam 74 and the fixing gear 63 when the upper end of the rail 743 enters the recess 633 of the fixing gear 63.

[0096] 12, when the joint cam 74 is in the first position, the link 76 is in a tilted position with the boss 761 located rearward of the rotation shaft 763, and the boss 761 of the link 76 is moved to the lower position. The lower position of the boss 761 is a position where the boss 761 is at the lower end of the rail 743. When the top cover 21 rotates from the closed position to the open position and the joint cam 74 moves forward from the first position, the boss 761 is guided by the rail 743 while moving forward, and moves upward from the lower position.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 13, when the joint cam 74 moves forward from the first position and reaches a third position between the first and second positions, the link 76 assumes an upright position with the boss 761 positioned substantially above the pivot shaft 763, and the boss 761 of the link 76 is positioned at an upper position higher than the lower position. The upper position of the boss 761 is a position where the boss 761 is at the upper end of the rail 743. As shown in Fig. 14, when the top cover 21 further rotates toward the open position and the joint cam 74 moves from the third position to the second position, the link 76 assumes an inclined position with the boss 761 positioned forward of the pivot shaft 763, and the boss 761 of the link 76 is positioned at the lower position.

[0098] In this way, the boss 761 of the link 76 moves between the lower position and the upper position while the joint cam 74 moves between the first position and the second position, and when the joint cam 74 is located at the first position or the second position, the boss 761 moves to the lower position. Furthermore, the lower position of the boss 761 is set to a position where the boss 761 and the fixing gear 63 do not interfere with each other. For example, the boss 761 in the lower position can be configured to be located below the fixing gear 63. Therefore, even when the joint cam 74 moves to the first position where it approaches the fixing gear 63, interference between the boss 761 and the fixing gear 63 can be suppressed.

[0099] When the top cover 21 rotates from the closed position to the open position, the position of the top cover 21 when the joint cam 74 moves forward from the first position and reaches the second position is an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position (the position shown in FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 15, even when the top cover 21 rotates further from the intermediate position and moves to the open position, the joint cam 74 is still in the second position.

[0100] [Joint cam drive mechanism] 4 and 12, the second main body frame 25 has a rotation support part 253 that supports the cylinder 221 of the damper 22 so that the cylinder 221 can rotate about a rotation fulcrum 221a. The rotation support part 253 is located at the rear end and upper end of the second main body frame 25. The cylinder 221 has a protrusion 223 that protrudes on the side opposite the cylinder 221 side of the rotation fulcrum 221a.

[0101] The device main body 2 has a pressing member 81, a rotating piece 82, and a profile member 83. The pressing member 81 is supported by the protruding portion 223 of the damper 22, and the rotating piece 82 and the profile member 83 are supported by the second main body frame 25. In the left-right direction, the rotating piece 82 is located to the left of the joint cam 74, the pressing member 81 is located to the left of the rotating piece 82, and the profile member 83 is located to the left of the pressing member 81.

[0102] The rotating piece 82 is a member for driving the joint cam 74 between a first position and a second position, and is rotatably supported on the second main body frame 25. The rotating piece 82 is rotatable between a first rotation position (position shown in FIG. 12) where the joint cam 74 is driven to the first position, and a second rotation position (position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) where the joint cam 74 is driven to the second position.

[0103] 16, the pressing member 81 has a main body 811, a support pin 812, a pressing pin 813, and a profile pin 814. The main body 811 is formed of a rectangular plate-like member that is long in the vertical direction. The plate surface of the main body 811 faces in the left-right direction.

[0104] The support pin 812 protrudes leftward from the left side surface at the upper end of the main body 811, and is rotatably supported by the protrusion 223 of the damper 22. The pressing pin 813 protrudes rightward from the right side surface at the lower end of the main body 811, and is capable of contacting the rotating piece 82. The profile pin 814 protrudes leftward from the left side surface at the lower end of the main body 811, and is configured to be able to engage with the profile member 83. The profile pin 814 and the pressing pin 813 are arranged coaxially.

[0105] The pressing member 81 moves in accordance with the movement of the top cover 21, and when the top cover 21 moves from the closed position to the open position, it comes into contact with the rotating piece 82 and presses the rotating piece 82 in the direction of rotation from the first rotation position to the second rotation position.

[0106] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the rotating piece 82 has a main body portion 821, a supported portion 822, and a fitting protrusion 823. The main body portion 821 is formed from a substantially trapezoidal plate-like member whose front-to-rear width at the lower end is smaller than that at the upper end. The plate surface of the main body portion 821 faces in the left-to-right direction. The supported portion 822 is formed at the front end and upper end of the main body portion 821. The supported portion 822 is rotatably supported by the second main body frame 25, and the rotating piece 82 can move between a first rotation position and a second rotation position by rotating around the supported portion 822.

[0107] The fitting protrusion 823 protrudes rightward from the right side surface of the main body 821 and is slidably fitted into the drive hole 744 of the joint cam 74. The fitting protrusion 823 moves up and down along the inside of the drive hole 744 as the rotating piece 82 moves between the first rotation position and the second rotation position. When the rotating piece 82 is in the first rotation position, the fitting protrusion 823 is located at a vertically intermediate portion of the drive hole 744 (the position shown in FIG. 12), and when the rotating piece 82 is in the second rotation position, the fitting protrusion 823 is located at an upper end portion above the vertically intermediate portion of the drive hole 744 (the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15).

[0108] The main body 821 has an upper end surface 821A and a rear end surface 821B, and the upper end surface 821A and the rear end surface 821B can come into contact with the pressing pin 813 of the pressing member 81. The main body 821 has a first contact position P1, a second contact position P2, and a third contact position P3 at which the pressing pin 813 comes into contact on the upper end surface 821A and the rear end surface 821B.

[0109] The first contact position P1 is located at the rear end of the upper end surface 821A of the main body 821 and is a position with which the pressing pin 813 comes into contact when the top cover 21 is in the closed position. The second contact position P2 is located at the upper end of the rear end surface 821B of the main body 821 and is a position with which the pressing pin 813 comes into contact when the top cover 21 is in the intermediate position. The third contact position P3 is located at the lower end of the rear end surface 821B of the main body 821 and is a position with which the pressing pin 813 comes into contact when the top cover 21 is in the open position.

[0110] In the main body 821, the region from the first contact position P1 to the second contact position P2 on the upper end face 821A and the rear end face 821B is the first region R1, and the region from the second contact position P2 to the third contact position P3 on the upper end face 821A and the rear end face 821B is the second region R2.

[0111] The main body 821 has a relief shape Fa that prevents interference with the upper end of the link 76 that rotates around the rotation shaft 763 during movement between the first rotation position and the second rotation position. The relief shape Fa is formed in the second region R2 on the rear end surface 821B of the main body 821.

[0112] The relief shape Fa has a shape that is recessed forward from a straight line L that connects an upper end Fa1 and a lower end Fa2 of the relief shape Fa. This makes it possible to increase the distance between the rear end surface 821B of the main body 821 and the upper end of the link 76 located behind the main body 821, thereby making it possible to prevent interference between the rotating piece 82 and the link 76.

[0113] 19, the profile member 83 is formed of a plate-like member whose plate surface faces in the left-right direction, and has a profile groove 831 that engages with the profile pin 814 of the pressing member 81. The profile groove 831 is formed on the right side surface of the profile member 83, and the profile pin 814 engages with it from the right.

[0114] The pressing member 81 moves in accordance with the rotational movement of the damper 22, and the profile groove 831 defines the movement trajectory of the pressing pin 813 when the pressing member 81 moves. In other words, when the pressing member 81 moves, the profile pin 814 moves along the profile groove 831, thereby defining the movement trajectory of the pressing pin 813. The profile groove 831 is an example of a profile that defines the movement trajectory of the pressing member.

[0115] The profile groove 831 has a first groove portion 831A, a second groove portion 831B, and a bent portion 831C. The first groove portion 831A is inclined obliquely downward toward the front from the upper end of the profile member 83. The second groove portion 831B is formed continuously with the lower end of the first groove portion 831A and is inclined obliquely downward toward the front at a smaller angle with respect to the horizontal direction than the first groove portion 831A. The bent portion 831C is located at the boundary between the first groove portion 831A and the second groove portion 831B, and the profile groove 831 is bent at the bent portion 831C.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 12, when the top cover 21 is in the closed position, the first contact position P1 of the rotating piece 82 is in contact with the pressing pin 813 of the pressing member 81, the rotating piece 82 is in the first rotation position, and the joint cam 74 is in the first position.

[0117] When the top cover 21 moves from the closed position to the open position, the damper 22 rotates in the direction in which the cylinder 221 moves upward, and the protrusion 223 of the damper 22 rotates downward. The pressing member 81 moves in conjunction with the rotation of the protrusion 223. In this case, the pressing member 81 moves diagonally downward and forward along the first groove portion 831A of the profile groove 831 with which the profile pin 814 engages.

[0118] As the pressing member 81 moves along the profile groove 831, the upper end surface 821A or the rear end surface 821B of the rotating piece 82 is pressed diagonally downward and forward by the pressing pin 813 of the pressing member 81, and the rotating piece 82 rotates forward from the first rotation position around the supported portion 822. When the rotating piece 82 rotates forward, the fitting protrusion 823 fitting into the drive hole 744 moves the joint cam 74 forward from the first position.

[0119] 14, when the top cover 21 moving toward the open position reaches an intermediate position, the profile pin 814 of the pressing member 81 is positioned at the bent portion 831C of the profile groove 831, and the rotating piece 82 pressed by the pressing member 81 has rotated to the second rotation position. In this case, the joint cam 74 moved forward by the rotating piece 82 is positioned at the second position, and the pressing pin 813 of the pressing member 81 is in contact with the second contact position P2 of the rotating piece 82.

[0120] In this way, in the process of the top cover 21 moving from the closed position to the intermediate position, the pressing member 81 moves along the profile groove 831 while contacting the first region R1 from the first contact position P1 to the second contact position P2 of the rotating piece 82. Furthermore, when the pressing member 81 is in contact with the second contact position P2 of the rotating piece 82, the rotating piece 82 rotates to the second rotation position.

[0121] During the process in which the rotating piece 82 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the rear end surface 821B of the rotating piece 82 has a relief shape Fa, which prevents interference between the rotating piece 82 and the link 76, making it possible to smoothly drive the joint cam 74 from the first position to the second position.

[0122] When the top cover 21 moves from the intermediate position toward the open position, the profile pin 814 of the pressing member 81 moves from the bent portion 831C of the profile groove 831 along the second groove portion 831B.

[0123] 15, when the top cover 21, having moved from the intermediate position, reaches the open position, the profile pin 814 of the pressing member 81 is located at the front end of the second groove portion 831B, and the rotating piece 82 has rotated to the second rotation position. In this case, the joint cam 74 is located at the second position, and the pressing pin 813 of the pressing member 81 is in contact with the third contact position P3 of the rotating piece 82.

[0124] The second groove 831B is formed with an inclination angle and shape that follows the rear end surface 821B of the rotating piece 82 in the second rotation position, and when the profile pin 814 moves from the bent portion 831C of the profile groove 831 to the front end portion of the second groove 831B, the rotating piece 82 is maintained in the second rotation position, and the joint cam 74 is maintained in the second position. Therefore, when the profile pin 814 moves from the bent portion 831C of the profile groove 831 to the front end portion of the second groove 831B, no large load is applied from the pressing member 81 to the rear end surface 821B of the rotating piece 82.

[0125] In this way, during the process of the top cover 21 moving from the intermediate position to the open position, the pressing member 81 moves along the profile groove 831 while contacting the second region R2 from the second contact position P2 to the third contact position P3 of the rotating piece 82. Furthermore, when the pressing member 81 is in contact with the third contact position P3 of the rotating piece 82, the rotating piece 82 rotates to the second rotation position.

[0126] The relief shape Fa of the rotating piece 82 is formed in a second region R2 from the second contact position P2 to the third contact position P3 on the rear end face 821B, where no large load is applied from the pressing member 81. Therefore, there is no need to form the rotating piece 82 and the pressing member 81 large, and the device body 2 can be made smaller. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1. Image forming device 2. Device body 2A opening 4 motors 6 Fixing unit 21 Top cover 27 Cover 50 Process cartridge 52 Developing roller 63 Fixing gear 63A Part 1 63B Part 2 63C Rotating shaft 71 Body side coupling 74 Joint Cam 75 Action Cam 76 Links 81 Pressing member 82 Rotating piece 83 Profile Member 271 Regulating Rib 521 Cartridge side coupling 631 1st Gear 633 Recess 635 2nd Gear 743 Rail 761 Boss 831 Profile Groove Fa Relief shape P1 1st contact position P2 2nd contact position P3 3rd contact position R1 1st area R2 2nd area S seat X Rotation axis

Claims

1. a cartridge having a cartridge-side coupling for transmitting a driving force to a member inside the cartridge; An apparatus main body to which the cartridge is detachably attached and which includes a motor, a main body side coupling that is movable between a connection position where it is connected to the cartridge side coupling and a separation position where it is separated from the cartridge side coupling; a joint cam movable between a first position at which the main body side coupling is disposed at the connected position and a second position at which the main body side coupling is disposed at the separated position; a device body having a rotating member to which a driving force is transmitted from the motor; Equipped with The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member has a recess into which an end of the joint cam enters when the joint cam is located at the first position.

2. the rotating member is a two-stage gear having a first gear and a second gear, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recess is located between the first gear and the second gear.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member has a metallic rotary shaft extending along a rotation axis.

4. the device body includes a cover that covers the rotary member, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a restricting rib that engages with the rotating member to restrict movement of the rotating member in the direction of the rotation axis.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a fixing gear that transmits a driving force to a fixing device that fixes a toner image on a sheet.

6. The rotating member has a first portion formed from a first material and a second portion formed from a second material different from the first material, the first material is a heat-resistant resin, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the first section is located closer to the fixing unit than the second section.

7. the device main body has an action cam that is movable between an action position where it acts on the cartridge and a non-action position where it does not act on the cartridge, and a link that connects the action cam and the joint cam; the joint cam has a rail that slidably guides a boss of the link, 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end of the rail is positioned within the recess of the rotating member when the joint cam is positioned at the first position.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an upper end of the rail is positioned below a rotation axis of the rotating member.

9. the boss of the link moves between a lower position when the joint cam is in the first position and an upper position higher than the lower position when the joint cam is in a third position between the first position and the second position, 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the boss at the lower position does not interfere with the rotating member.

10. an opening / closing cover that is movable between a closed position that closes the device body and an open position that opens the device body; a rotating piece that is rotatably provided and drives the joint cam, the rotating piece being rotatable between a first rotation position that drives the joint cam to a first position and a second rotation position that drives the joint cam to a second position; Equipped with An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the pivot piece has a relief shape that prevents interference with the link during the process of pivoting from the first pivot position to the second pivot position.

11. a pressing member that moves in accordance with the movement of the opening / closing cover, that comes into contact with the rotating piece when the opening / closing cover moves from the closed position to the open position, and that presses the rotating piece in a direction in which the rotating piece rotates from the first rotating position toward the second rotating position; a profile member having a profile formed thereon that defines a movement trajectory of the pressing member; Equipped with the rotating piece has a first contact position with which the pressing member comes into contact when the open-close cover is in the closed position, a second contact position with which the pressing member comes into contact when the open-close cover is in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, and a third contact position with which the pressing member comes into contact when the open-close cover is in the open position, the rotating piece rotates to the first rotating position when the pressing member is in contact with the first contact position, and rotates to the second rotating position when the pressing member is in contact with the second contact position and the third contact position, the pressing member moves along the profile while contacting a first region of the rotating piece from the first contact position to the second contact position during the process of the opening / closing cover moving from the closed position to the intermediate position, and the pressing member moves along the profile while contacting a second region of the rotating piece from the second contact position to the third contact position during the process of the opening / closing cover moving from the intermediate position to the open position, The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the recessed portion is formed in the second region of the rotating piece.

Images