Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To reduce attachment of floating matter such as cloud toner to a grip part of a detachable unit compared with a case where the grip part of the detachable unit is exposed to the inside of an apparatus body.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a detachable unit that is detachably attached to an apparatus body; a preceding moving unit that moves with respect to the apparatus body prior to the attachment and detachment of the detachable unit; and attachment reduction means that is provided on the preceding moving unit, and covers a grip part of the detachable unit to reduce attachment of floating matter inside the apparatus body to the grip part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , The adhesion suppression means prevents the floating material from adhering to the gripping portion of the detachable unit by tightly covering the gripping portion. , , 、 , , , ,

[0001] This invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a technology related to an image forming apparatus, for example, those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like have already been proposed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 is configured such that in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, when replacing a detachable unit containing toner and / or carrier, the apparatus has a recovery means for wrapping and recovering the unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of this invention is to suppress the attachment of floating substances such as cloud toner to the gripping portion of the detachable unit as compared with the case where the gripping portion of the detachable unit is exposed inside the apparatus main body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 includes a detachable unit detachable from the apparatus main body, a prior moving unit that moves with respect to the apparatus main body prior to the attachment and detachment of the detachable unit, attachment suppression means provided on the prior moving unit for covering the gripping portion of the detachable unit to suppress the attachment of floating substances in the apparatus main body to the gripping portion, and 、 The adhesion suppression means prevents the floating material from adhering to the gripping portion of the detachable unit by tightly covering the gripping portion. is an image forming apparatus.

[0008] Claim 2 The invention described herein provides that the adhesion suppression means comprises a highly sliding member that contacts the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit, and an elastic layer positioned on the opposite side of the sliding member from the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit, which elastically deforms when the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit and the sliding member come into contact. Claim 1 This is the image forming apparatus described in [reference].

[0009] Claim 3 The invention described herein is an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit is arranged to face the opening of the main body of the apparatus.

[0010] Claim 4 The invention described herein includes, in which the attachment / detachment unit has at least an image holder for holding a toner image, and the preceding moving unit has a recovery device for collecting waste toner discharged from the attachment / detachment unit. Claim 3 This is the image forming apparatus described in [reference]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the invention described in claim 1, compared to the case where the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit is exposed inside the main body of the device, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of floating matter such as cloud toner to the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit.

[0012] Also, claim 1 According to the invention described herein, compared to the case where the adhesion suppression means covers the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit at a distance, it is possible to reliably suppress the adhesion of floating matter to the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit.

[0013] Claim 2 According to the invention described herein, compared to the case in which the adhesion suppression means does not include an elastic layer, the risk of the adhesion suppression means interfering with the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit can be reduced.

[0014] Claim 3According to the invention described, the gripping part of the detachable unit is easier to grip than when it does not face the opening of the apparatus main body, and the operability is improved.

[0015] Claim 4 According to the invention described, the prior movement unit can suppress the adhesion of floating substances such as cloud toner to the gripping part of the detachable unit located on the side of the recovery device where floating substances are more likely to adhere, compared to the case where the recovery device for collecting waste toner discharged from the detachable unit is not provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. [Figure 2] This is a configuration diagram showing an image forming device of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective configuration diagram showing a photosensitive member unit. [Figure 4] This is a perspective configuration diagram showing a main part of the photosensitive member unit. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the attached and detached state of the photosensitive member unit. [Figure 6] This is a perspective configuration diagram showing a state where the front cover of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of this invention is opened. [Figure 7] This is a perspective configuration diagram showing a state where the front cover of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of this invention is opened. [Figure 8] This is a rear configuration diagram showing a recovery unit. [Figure 9] This is a perspective configuration diagram showing an adhesion prevention cover member. [Figure 10] This is a perspective configuration diagram showing the mounting state of the adhesion prevention cover member. [Figure 11] This is a perspective configuration diagram showing a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the attached and detached state of the photosensitive member unit. [Figure 13]This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the attachment and detachment state of the photoreceptor unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall overview of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[0019] <Overall configuration of the image forming apparatus> The image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 is configured as, for example, a color printer. As shown in Figure 1, this image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of image forming devices 10 that form toner images developed with toner constituting the developer, an intermediate transfer device 20 that holds the toner images formed by each image forming device 10 and transports them to a secondary transfer position where they are ultimately transferred to recording paper 5 as an example of a recording medium, a paper feed device 50 that receives and transports the required recording paper 5 to be supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 20, and a fixing device 40 that fixes the toner image on the recording paper 5 that has been secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device 20, etc. In the figure, 1a represents the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. This main body 1a is composed of support structural members and an outer cover, etc. The dashed line in the figure indicates the main transport path through which the recording paper 5 is transported within the main body 1a.

[0020] The imaging device 10 consists of four imaging devices 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, each dedicated to forming toner images of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). These four imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged in a single row within the internal space of the device body 1a, with the yellow (Y) imaging device 10Y positioned above along the vertical Z direction, and the black (K) imaging device 10K positioned below along the vertical Z direction.

[0021] The four imaging units 10 consist of a color imaging unit 10(Y,M,C) for yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and a black (K) imaging unit 10K. The black imaging unit 10K is located at the downstream end along the movement direction B of the intermediate transfer belt 21 of the intermediate transfer unit 20. The image forming apparatus 1 has two image forming modes: a full-color mode in which the color imaging units 10(Y,M,C) and the black (K) imaging unit 10K are operated to form a full-color image, and a black and white mode in which only the black (K) imaging unit 10K is operated to form a black and white (monochrome) image.

[0022] Each imaging apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K), as shown in Figure 2, is equipped with a rotating photosensitive drum 11 as an example of an image forming means (image holder). Surrounding the photoreceptor drum 11 are a charging device 12 that charges the image-forming surface (image-holding surface) of the photoreceptor drum 11 to a required potential, an exposure device 13 that irradiates the charged surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 with light based on image information (signals) to form electrostatic latent images (for each color) with potential differences, a developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) as an example of an image forming means (developing means) that develops the electrostatic latent images with toners of the corresponding colors (Y, M, C, K) to form toner images, a primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) that transfers each toner image to an intermediate transfer device 20, and a drum cleaning device 16 (Y, M, C, K) that removes and cleans any toner or other deposits remaining on the image-holding surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 after primary transfer.

[0023] The photoreceptor drum 11 has an image-holding surface formed on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical or columnar substrate that is grounded, and the photoreceptor drum 11 has a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of a photosensitive material. The photoreceptor drum 11 is supported so as to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A by a driving force transmitted from a drive device (not shown).

[0024] The charging device 12 consists of a contact-type charging roll 121 positioned in contact with the photoreceptor drum 11. A cleaning roll 122 is positioned on the back of the charging roll 121 to clean its surface. A charging voltage is supplied to the charging device 12. If the developing device 14 performs reverse development, the charging voltage supplied is a voltage or current with the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner supplied from the developing device 14. The charging roll 121 and the cleaning roll 122 rotate in a driven manner, with driving force transmitted from the photoreceptor drum 11.

[0025] The exposure device 13 consists of an LED print head that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photoreceptor drum 11 with light corresponding to image information using multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged along the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 11. Alternatively, the exposure device 13 may be one that deflects and scans a laser beam configured according to image information along the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 11.

[0026] Each developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) is configured with a housing 140 having an opening and a developer storage chamber, and includes a developing roll 141 that holds the developer and transports it to a developing area facing the photoreceptor drum 11, an agitation supply member 142 consisting of a screw auger or the like that supplies the developer while agitating it and passing it through the developing roll 141, an agitation transport member 143 consisting of a screw auger or the like that transports the developer to the agitation supply member 142 while agitating it, and a layer thickness regulating member 144 that regulates the amount (layer thickness) of developer held by the developing roll 141. In this developing device 14, a developing voltage is supplied between the developing roll 141 and the photoreceptor drum 11 from a power supply unit (not shown). The developing roll 141 rotates in the required direction by a driving force transmitted from a drive unit (not shown). The agitation supply member 142 and the agitation transport member 143 rotate by a driving force transmitted from the developing roll 141. Furthermore, a two-component developer containing non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier is used as the developer for the four colors.

[0027] The primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) is a contact-type transfer device equipped with a primary transfer roll that rotates in contact with the photoreceptor drum 11 via an intermediate transfer belt 21 and to which a primary transfer voltage is supplied. The primary transfer voltage is a DC voltage with polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner, supplied from a power supply device (not shown).

[0028] The drum cleaning device 16 consists of a container-shaped main body 160 with a partial opening, a cleaning plate 161 positioned to contact the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 after primary transfer with the required pressure to remove and clean residual toner and other deposits, and a delivery member 162 such as a screw auger that collects the toner and other deposits removed by the cleaning plate 161 and transports them to a collection system (not shown). The cleaning plate 161 is made of a plate-shaped member (for example, a blade) made of a material such as rubber. The delivery member 162 of the drum cleaning device 16 rotates in a driven manner when a driving force is transmitted from the photoreceptor drum 11.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the intermediate transfer device 20 is positioned above each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) along the Z direction. As shown in Figure 2, the intermediate transfer device 20 mainly consists of an intermediate transfer belt 21 that rotates in the direction indicated by arrow B while passing through a primary transfer position between the photoreceptor drum 11 and the primary transfer device 15 (primary transfer roll); a plurality of belt support rolls 22 to 25 that hold the intermediate transfer belt 21 in a desired state from its inner surface and support it so that it can rotate; a secondary transfer device 30 as an example of a secondary transfer means that is positioned on the outer peripheral surface (image holding surface) side of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by the belt support rolls 22 and transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5; and a belt cleaning device 26 that removes and cleans any toner, paper dust, and other deposits that remain and adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after it has passed through the secondary transfer device 30.

[0030] The intermediate transfer belt 21 is an endless belt made of a material in which a resistance modifier such as carbon black is dispersed in a synthetic resin such as polyimide resin or polyamide resin. The belt support roll 23 also serves as the opposing roll of the belt cleaning device 26 and is configured as a drive roll that is rotationally driven by a drive device (not shown). The belt support roll 24 is configured as a surface preparation roll that forms the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. The belt support roll 25 is configured as a tensioning roll that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 21. The belt support roll 22 is configured as an opposing roll that faces the secondary transfer device 30.

[0031] The intermediate transfer device 20 is configured such that the belt support roll 24 can move together with the primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) toward the inside and outside of the intermediate transfer belt 21. In full-color mode, as shown in Figure 1, the belt support roll 24 is positioned so that the primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) contacts the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 (Y, M, C, K) via the intermediate transfer belt 21. On the other hand, in black and white mode, only the black (K) primary transfer device 15K contacts the surface of the black (K) photoreceptor drum 11K via the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the belt support roll 24 moves to a position where the color primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C) is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 (Y, M, C) together with the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0032] Furthermore, during maintenance, the belt support roll 24 moves to a position where the primary color transfer unit 15(Y,M,C) and the primary black (K) transfer unit 15K are separated from the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11(Y,M,C,K) along with the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the secondary transfer device 30 is a contact-type transfer device equipped with a secondary transfer roll 31 that rotates in contact with the circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21, which is supported by the belt support roll 22 of the intermediate transfer device 20, at the secondary transfer position, which is the outer circumferential surface portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and to which a secondary transfer voltage is supplied. Furthermore, a DC voltage with the opposite or same polarity as the charge polarity of the toner is supplied to the secondary transfer roll 31 or the belt support roll 22 of the intermediate transfer device 20 as the secondary transfer voltage from a power supply device (not shown).

[0034] The fixing device 40 is constructed by arranging a heating rotating body 41 in the form of a roll or belt, which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow and is heated by a heating means so that its surface temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature, and a pressurizing rotating body 42 in the form of a belt or roll, which rotates in contact with the heating rotating body 41 at a predetermined pressure and is driven to rotate, substantially aligned with the axial direction of the heating rotating body 41. In this fixing device 40, the contact area where the heating rotating body 41 and the pressurizing rotating body 42 come into contact becomes the fixing processing area where the required fixing process (heating and pressurizing) is performed.

[0035] The paper feeder 50 is positioned below the image-making device 10 (Y, M, C, K). This paper feeder 50 mainly consists of one (or more) paper storage units 51 that hold recording paper 5 of a desired size and type, and feeding devices 52 and 53 that feed the recording paper 5 one sheet at a time from the paper storage units 51. The paper storage units 51 are mounted so that they can be pulled out, for example, from the front side (the side that the user faces when operating) of the device body 1a.

[0036] Examples of recording paper 5 include plain paper used in electrophotographic copiers and printers, thin paper such as tracing paper, or OHP sheets. To further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is preferable that the surface of the recording paper 5 be as smooth as possible. For example, coated paper, which is plain paper with the surface coated with resin, or so-called thick paper with a relatively large basis weight, such as art paper for printing, can also be suitably used.

[0037] Between the paper feed device 50 and the secondary transfer device 30, there is a paper feed transport path 56 consisting of one or more pairs of paper transport rolls 54, 55 and a transport guide (not shown) that transports the recording paper 5 fed from the paper feed device 50 to the secondary transfer position. The pair of paper transport rolls 55 positioned immediately before the secondary transfer position in the paper feed transport path 56 is configured, for example, as a roll (resist roll) that adjusts the transport timing of the recording paper 5. Furthermore, between the secondary transfer device 30 and the fuser device 40, there is a paper transport path 57 for transporting the recording paper 5 after secondary transfer fed from the secondary transfer device 30 to the fuser device 40. In addition, near the paper discharge port formed on the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, there is an discharge transport path 61 equipped with pairs of paper discharge rolls 59, 60 for discharging the fixed recording paper 5 fed from the fuser device 40 to the paper discharge section 58 at the top of the main body 1a.

[0038] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a duplex unit 62 for forming images on both sides of the recording paper 5. When the duplex unit 62 transports the recording paper 5, on which an image has been formed on one side, to the paper discharge section 58 by a pair of paper discharge rolls 59, it introduces the recording paper 5 through a switching gate 63 by rotating the pair of paper discharge rolls 60 in the opposite direction while the pair of paper discharge rolls 60 holds the rear end of the recording paper 5. The duplex unit 62 has a double-sided transport path 65 consisting of a plurality of transport rollers 64 and a transport guide (not shown) that transports the introduced recording paper 5 with its front and back sides reversed.

[0039] In Figure 1, reference numerals 145(Y, M, C, K) indicate toner cartridges, which are examples of developer containers containing at least toner, to be supplied to the corresponding developing device 14. In this embodiment, only toner is contained inside the toner cartridge 145(Y, M, C, K).

[0040] In Figure 1, reference numeral 100 indicates a control device that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a bus and communication interface connecting these CPUs, ROMs, etc. (not shown).

[0041] <Operation of the image forming apparatus> The following describes the basic image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0042] This section describes the operation in full-color mode, where a full-color image is formed by combining four toner images (Y, M, C, K) using the four imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C, K).

[0043] When the image forming apparatus 1 receives image information and command information requesting a full-color image forming operation (print) from a personal computer or image reading device (not shown), the control device 100 starts the four image forming devices 10 (Y, M, C, K), the intermediate transfer device 20, the secondary transfer device 30, the fixing device 40, etc.

[0044] Then, in each imaging apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K), as shown in Figures 1 and 2, first each photoreceptor drum 11 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A, and each charging apparatus 12 charges the surface of each photoreceptor drum 11 to the required polarity (negative polarity in Embodiment 1) and potential. Subsequently, the exposure apparatus 13 irradiates the surface of the charged photoreceptor drum 11 with light emitted based on the image signal obtained by converting it into each color component (Y, M, C, K), and forms electrostatic latent images of each color component, each composed of the required potential difference, on its surface.

[0045] Next, each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) supplies toner of the corresponding color (Y, M, C, K), charged with the required polarity (negative polarity), from the developing roll 141 to electrostatically deposit onto the electrostatic latent images of each color component formed on the photoreceptor drum 11, thereby performing development. Through this development, the electrostatic latent images of each color component formed on each photoreceptor drum 11 are revealed as four-color (Y, M, C, K) toner images developed with their corresponding color toners.

[0046] Next, when the toner images of each color formed on the photoreceptor drum 11 of each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) are transported to the primary transfer position, the primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) performs a primary transfer in which the toner images of each color are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 of the intermediate transfer device 20, which rotates in the direction indicated by arrow B.

[0047] Furthermore, in each imaging apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K) where the primary transfer has been completed, the drum cleaning device 16 cleans the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 by scraping off any attached material. This prepares each imaging apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K) for the next imaging operation.

[0048] Next, the intermediate transfer device 20 holds the toner image transferred in the first stage by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21 and transports it to the secondary transfer position. Meanwhile, the paper feed device 50 feeds the required recording paper 5 into the paper feed transport path 56 in accordance with the image formation operation. In the paper feed transport path 56, a pair of paper transport rolls 55 acting as registration rolls feed and supply the recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position in accordance with the transfer timing.

[0049] At the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer device 30 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the recording paper 5 in one go. After the secondary transfer is complete, the belt cleaning device 26 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 21 by removing any toner or other deposits remaining on its surface.

[0050] Next, the recording paper 5 on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is peeled off the intermediate transfer belt 21 and transported to the fuser 40 via the paper transport path 57. In the fuser 40, the recording paper 5 after the secondarily transferred image is introduced and passed through the contact area between the rotating heating body 41 and the pressing body 42, and the necessary fixing process (heating and pressurizing) is performed to fix the unfixed toner image to the recording paper 5. Finally, after fixing is complete, the recording paper 5 is discharged by the paper discharge roll pair 60 to, for example, the paper discharge section 58 installed on the top of the main body 1a of the device.

[0051] Through the above operations, a recording sheet 5 is output, on which a full-color image composed of four toner images is formed.

[0052] On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives image information and command information requesting a black and white (monochrome) image forming operation (print) from a personal computer or image reader (not shown), the control device 100 starts only the black (K) image forming apparatus 10K among the four image forming apparatuses 10 (Y, M, C, K), as well as the intermediate transfer apparatus 20, the secondary transfer apparatus 30, the fixing apparatus 40, etc.

[0053] In black and white mode, only the black (K) primary transfer device 15K contacts the surface of the black (K) photoreceptor drum 11K via the intermediate transfer belt 21, while the belt support roll 23 moves to a position where the color primary transfer device 15(Y,M,C) is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11(Y,M,C) along with the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0054] Then, a black (K) toner image is formed by the black (K) imaging device 10K, and a black and white (monochrome) image is formed on the recording paper 5.

[0055] <Configuration of characteristic parts of an image forming apparatus> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment 1 integrates a photoreceptor drum 11, a charging device 12, and a drum cleaning device 16 arranged around it, as a photoreceptor unit 70, which is an example of a detachable unit, in each of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color image forming apparatus 10. Each photoreceptor unit 70 is provided corresponding to each of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color image forming apparatus 10. Each photoreceptor unit 70 is configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0056] Each photoreceptor unit 70 (Y, M, C, K), corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), comprises a photoreceptor drum 11, a charging device 12, a drum cleaning device 16, and a photoreceptor unit body 71 on which the photoreceptor drum 11 is rotatably mounted, and which also houses the charging device 12 and the drum cleaning device 16. The photoreceptor unit body 71 has a gripping portion 72 at its upper end on the front side, along the direction of attachment and detachment, for use by a user or operator such as a service engineer when attaching or detaching the photoreceptor unit 70 to the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 is formed in the shape of a roughly trapezoidal handle with a suitable height (thickness) for gripping, with inclined surfaces 73a, 73a provided at both ends along the width direction of the upper end surface 73. The user or operator, such as a service engineer, is configured to grip the gripping portion 72 by pinching the upper end surface 73 and the lower end surface 74 with their fingers. The gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 protrudes toward the front side of the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 and is positioned exposed in the internal space of the main body 1a.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, when removing the photoreceptor unit 70 from the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, a stopper (not shown) provided on the photoreceptor unit 70 is released, and a separation operation lever 146 provided on the adjacent developing apparatus 14 is rotated clockwise in the figure. This releases the photoreceptor unit from the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 and separates it from the developing roll 141 of the adjacent developing apparatus 14.

[0059] The photoreceptor unit 70 is then pulled out from the device body 1a toward the front in the attachment / detachment direction by an operator such as a user or service engineer grasping the gripping portion 72. Alternatively, the photoreceptor unit 70 can be held by the operator and detached from the device body 1a by grasping the guide rail 75, which is provided on one side of its upper end (the left side in the illustrated example) in the attachment / detachment direction, with the other hand.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 has an opening 101 on its front side (the side where the operator is positioned during operation). This opening 101 of the main body 1a is opened by opening a front cover (not shown) so that the internal space of the main body 1a is exposed to the outside when the operator replaces the toner cartridge 145 or replaces the photoreceptor unit 70 (Y, M, C, K).

[0061] In the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, a recovery unit 80 is positioned in front of the photoreceptor unit 70 at the opening 101, as shown in Figure 7. This recovery unit 80 is an example of a pre-movement unit that moves to a retracted position relative to the main body 1a prior to the attachment or detachment of the photoreceptor unit 70. The recovery unit 80 collects recovered toner discharged from the photoreceptor unit 70 (Y, M, C, K), recovered developer discharged from the developing unit 14 (Y, M, C, K), or recovered toner and paper dust discharged from the belt cleaning unit 26, and collects them in a recovery container 81. The recovery unit 80 is detachably mounted in the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 in front of the photoreceptor unit 70 at the opening 101.

[0062] The recovery unit 80 is formed in a thin, box-like shape along the depth direction of a roughly elongated rectangle as shown in the front view of the figure. On the back surface of the housing 800 of the recovery unit 80, there are openings that can be opened and closed by attaching and detaching it to the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. These openings include a first opening 801 which is detachably connected to the front end of the drum cleaning device 16 of the photoreceptor unit 70 in the direction of attachment and detachment when mounted on the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, a second opening 802 which is detachably connected to the front end of the developing device 14, and a third opening 803 which is detachably connected to the front end of the belt cleaning device 26.

[0063] Incidentally, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, during image forming, the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, configured as described above, has floating particles such as cloud toner floating around the photoreceptor drum 11, the opening of the developing unit 14, or the intermediate transfer belt 21. In particular, when printing high-density images such as full-color solid images continuously in the image forming apparatus 1, a large amount of floating particles such as cloud toner may float inside the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Figure 4, these floating particles such as cloud toner floating inside the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 adhere to the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 and gradually accumulate.

[0064] As a result, when replacing the photoreceptor unit 70, as shown in Figure 5, if the operator grasps the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 with their fingers in order to pull the photoreceptor unit 70 out of the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, there was a technical problem in that floating matter such as cloud toner that had adhered to and accumulated on the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 would adhere to the operator's fingers and contaminate them.

[0065] Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment 1 is configured to include an adhesion suppression means provided on the pre-attachment / detachment unit, which covers the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit to suppress the adhesion of floating matter inside the apparatus body to the gripping portion.

[0066] In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 8, on the back surface of the housing 800 of the recovery unit 80, an adhesion prevention cover member 90 is provided at a position corresponding to the gripping portion 72 of each photoreceptor unit 70, as an example of adhesion suppression means that covers the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 to suppress the adhesion of floating matter inside the apparatus body 1a to the gripping portion 72.

[0067] As shown in Figure 8, the anti-adhesion cover member 90 is attached to the underside of the back surface of the recovery unit 80, corresponding to the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 of the air supply duct 810 that sends air to the front side of each of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) imaging devices 10.

[0068] As shown in Figure 9, the anti-adhesion cover member 90 is formed with a lower end surface 91 that corresponds to the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70, and consists of a cover member body 92 having the required thickness and a sheet-like covering member 93 with low sliding resistance that covers the surface of the cover member body 92. The cover member body 92 of the anti-adhesion cover member 90 is made of, for example, a material such as urethane that has elasticity and can be elastically deformed. The covering member 93 is made of, for example, a sheet-like material such as felt that has low sliding resistance and toner does not easily adhere to and accumulate on it. The covering member 93 has an upper end portion 93a that covers about 1 / 3 of the front end along the longitudinal direction of the upper end surface 94 of the cover member body 92, a front end portion 93b that covers the front end surface of the cover member body 92, and a lower end portion 93c that covers the entire length along the longitudinal direction of the lower end surface of the cover member body 92. The covering member 93 is provided to cover the surface of the cover member body 92 by means of adhesion using an adhesive or adhesive using double-sided tape, etc.

[0069] As shown in Figure 10, the anti-adhesion cover member 90 is provided on the back surface of the recovery unit 80, fixed to the lower surface corresponding to the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 of the air supply duct 810 that sends air to the front side of each of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) imaging devices 10, by means of adhesive such as adhesive or adhesive using double-sided tape.

[0070] <Function of characteristic parts of an image forming apparatus> In the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment 1, the adhesion of floating matter such as cloud toner to the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit is suppressed compared to the case where the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit is exposed inside the main body of the apparatus, as described below.

[0071] In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 1, during the image forming operation, the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming apparatuses 10 (Y, M, C, K) are exposed to image information by the exposure apparatus 13 on each photoreceptor drum 11 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on each photoreceptor drum 11 is then developed by the developing roll 141 of the developing apparatus 14 (Y, M, C, K) to form a toner image.

[0072] Incidentally, in the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, during image forming operation, floating particles such as cloud toner float around the photoreceptor drum 11, the opening of the developing device 14, and around the intermediate transfer belt 21. In particular, when printing high-density images such as full-color solid images continuously in the image forming apparatus 1, a large amount of floating particles such as cloud toner may float inside the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. These floating particles such as cloud toner floating inside the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 adhere to the upper end surface of the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 and gradually accumulate, as shown in the comparative example in Figure 11.

[0073] In conventional image forming apparatus 1, when replacing the photoreceptor unit 70, as shown in Figure 5, the operator grasps the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 with their fingers, and floating matter such as cloud toner that has accumulated on the upper end surface of the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 adheres to the operator's fingers, causing them to become contaminated.

[0074] In contrast, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment 1 is provided with an anti-adhesion cover member 90 that covers the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of each photoreceptor unit 70, as shown in Figure 10. Moreover, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, this anti-adhesion cover member 90 not only covers the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of each photoreceptor unit 70, but is also configured such that the cover member body 92 constituting the anti-adhesion cover member 90 elastically deforms to cover the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of each photoreceptor unit 70 in a state of close contact (pressure contact).

[0075] Therefore, the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of each photoreceptor unit 70 is not exposed to the inside of the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, and moreover, its upper end surface 73 is covered in a tightly sealed state by the anti-adhesion cover member 90. As a result, the adhesion of floating cloud toner and other deposits inside the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 to the upper end surface of the gripping portion 72 of each photoreceptor unit 70 is suppressed or prevented.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 and 12, the surface of the anti-adhesion cover member 90 is covered by a covering member 93 made of a low-sliding material. Therefore, even when the anti-adhesion cover member 90 is in close contact (pressure contact) with the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70, the peeling or damage of the covering member 93 is suppressed or prevented.

[0077] Therefore, when replacing the photoreceptor unit 70, if the operator grasps the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70 with their fingers in order to pull the photoreceptor unit 70 out of the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, floating matter such as cloud toner will not adhere to the upper end surface 73 of the gripping portion 72 of the photoreceptor unit 70, thereby preventing or suppressing contamination of the operator's fingers.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the case in which the anti-adhesion cover member 90 is provided to the recovery unit 80 afterwards was described, but of course, the anti-adhesion cover member 90 may also be provided integrally with the recovery unit 80.

[0079] In this case, the main body of the anti-adhesion cover member 90 can be made of the same synthetic resin material as the recovery unit 80, and an elastic body and a covering member can be provided on the surface of the main body of the anti-adhesion cover member 90 afterwards.

[0080] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a case in which the adhesion prevention cover member 90 is provided on the recovery unit 80, the adhesion prevention cover member 90 is not limited to being provided on the recovery unit 80. For example, if the recovery unit 80 is not located between the photoreceptor unit 70 and the front cover, the adhesion prevention cover member 90 may be configured to be directly provided on the front cover. In this case, the front cover becomes the preceding moving unit.

[0081] Furthermore, the member on which the anti-adhesion cover member 90 is provided is not limited to being attached to and detached from the main body of the device, but may move prior to the attachment and detachment of the attachment and detachment unit. If there is an internal cover or other member that acts as an openable and closable pre-movement unit that covers the front side of the attachment and detachment unit, the anti-adhesion cover member 90 may be provided on the internal cover or the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1…Image forming apparatus 1a...Main unit of the device 10…Image creation device 70... Photoconductor unit 72...Gripping part 80... Recovery Unit 90…Anti-adhesion cover component 92...Cover component body 93... Covering material

Claims

1. A detachable unit that can be attached to the main body of the device, A preceding moving unit that moves relative to the main body of the device prior to the attachment and detachment of the aforementioned attachment and detachment unit, The preceding moving unit is provided with an adhesion suppression means that covers the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit to suppress the adhesion of floating matter inside the device body to the gripping portion, Equipped with, The adhesion suppression means is an image forming apparatus that suppresses the adhesion of floating matter to the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit by tightly covering the gripping portion.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adhesion suppression means comprises a highly sliding member that contacts the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit, and an elastic layer that is positioned on the opposite side of the sliding member from the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit and elastically deforms when the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit and the sliding member come into contact.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion of the attachment / detachment unit is arranged to face the opening of the main body of the apparatus.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the attachment / detachment unit has at least an image holder for holding a toner image, and the preceding moving unit has a recovery device for collecting waste toner discharged from the attachment / detachment unit.

Images