Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To reduce the size of a housing compared with a case where a feeding route body, a substrate, and a detachable body are individually detachably provided in the housing.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 comprises: a housing 12; a photoreceptor unit 36 for image formation provided inside the housing 12; a guide member 60 detachably attached to the housing 12; a feeding route body 62 detachably attached to the guide member 60 to form a feeding route; and a substrate 64 supplying power to the photoreceptor unit 36, directly attached to the guide member 60, and separated from the guide member 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an image holding member that holds an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image of the image holding member, biasing means for biasing the developing means toward the image holding member, and a member that holds the biasing means. A holding member is arranged such that a portion facing the biasing direction of the biasing means is in contact with the main body of the image forming apparatus directly or through another member, and a guiding member that guides the image holding member and the developing means to be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The holding member is positioned with respect to the guiding member along a direction perpendicular to both the attachment / detachment direction of the image holding member and the developing means and the attachment / detachment direction and the biasing direction of the biasing means, and is attached in a state allowing movement along the biasing direction of the biasing means. The biasing means biases the developing means through an insertion hole provided in the guiding member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the size of a housing as compared with a case where a power supply path body, a substrate, and a detachable body are each detachably provided with respect to the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] It should be noted that there seems to be an error in the original text where has an unclear tag value . I have translated it as is, but it might need to be corrected in the original content for a more accurate translation.The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment comprises a housing, a powered object for image forming provided inside the housing, a detachable object that can be attached to and removed from the housing, a power supply path object that can be attached to and removed from the detachable object and forms a power supply path, and a substrate that supplies power to the powered object and is directly attached to the detachable object or the power supply path object, and is separated from the detachable object or the power supply path object.

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the second embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the detachable body is a guide member that guides the powered object to the placement position when the powered object is placed inside the housing.

[0007] The third embodiment of the image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus described in the first or second embodiment, wherein a front opening is formed on the front of the housing through which the detachable body and the power supply path body enter and exit.

[0008] The fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus described in the third embodiment, wherein the housing has a wall-shaped front frame having an upper edge that forms the lower edge of the front opening, the power supply path is positioned opposite the front frame at a height below the front opening, and the portion of the power supply path facing the front frame is provided with a tapered portion that slopes upward as it moves from the power supply path toward the front frame, or a curved portion that protrudes toward the front frame, when viewed along the wall surface of the front frame.

[0009] The fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus described in the fourth embodiment, wherein a projection is provided on the upper part of the inner wall surface of the front frame that protrudes from the front frame toward the inside of the housing.

[0010] The sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus described in the fifth embodiment, wherein the portion of the upper edge of the protruding part that faces the power supply path is curved.

[0011] The seventh embodiment of the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus according to any of the fourth to sixth embodiments, wherein the housing has a wall-shaped side frame provided on one end of the front frame in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and the power supply path is arranged inside the corner portion formed by the front frame and the side frame.

[0012] The image forming apparatus of the eighth embodiment is the image forming apparatus of the seventh embodiment, wherein the substrate is arranged on the rear side of the power supply path, and a side opening is formed on the side of the housing through which the substrate enters and exits. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the housing can be made smaller compared to the case in which the power supply path, the substrate, and the detachable body are each separately and detachably provided to the housing.

[0014] According to the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, the number of components can be reduced.

[0015] According to the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus, the power supply path is easier to attach and detach compared to the case where the power supply path is attached and detached from the side of the housing.

[0016] According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment, when attaching or detaching the power supply path, compared to the case where a stepped portion is formed on the part of the power supply path facing the front frame, the upper edge of the front frame is less likely to catch on the power supply path.

[0017] According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment, when attaching and detaching the power supply path to and from the housing, it is easier to attach and detach the power supply path compared to the case where the inner wall surface of the front frame is flat.

[0018] According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment, compared to the case where the portion of the upper edge of the protruding part facing the power supply path is pointed, damage to the power supply path during attachment and detachment is suppressed.

[0019] According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh embodiment, the housing can be made smaller compared to the case where the power supply path body protrudes outward from the corner.

[0020] According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, the substrate can be attached to and detached from the side surface of the housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a layout diagram showing the overall configuration inside the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 3] It is a side view of the inside of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from the right side. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the power receiving body, the detachable body, and the power supply path body of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from the right side. [Figure 5] It is a side view for explaining the detachment operation of the power receiving body of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment from the housing. [Figure 6] It is a side view for explaining the detachment operation of the detachable body of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment from the housing.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] [Overall Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus] Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a storage unit 14 that stores a sheet material P as a recording medium, and a conveyance unit 16 that conveys the sheet material P stored in the storage unit 14.

[0023] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 30 that forms an image on the sheet material P conveyed from the storage unit 14 by the conveyance unit 16, a motor that drives a developing device 40 in the image forming unit 30, and a control unit that controls the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 10. The illustration of the motor and the control unit is omitted.

[0024] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 may be provided with a display operation unit (not shown), such as a touch panel display, as an example. The display operation unit is an example of a notification means that notifies the user of information about the image forming apparatus 10 based on signals received from the control unit, and also functions as a reception means that accepts user operations.

[0025] (Detention area) The storage unit 14 has a storage member (not shown) that can be pulled out from the housing 12 of the image forming apparatus 10 toward the front in the depth direction of the apparatus (direction +D in Figure 1), and the sheet material P is loaded onto the storage member. The sheet material P loaded onto the storage member is sent to the image forming unit 30 by a transport unit 16 having a plurality of transport rolls (no reference numerals).

[0026] (Image forming unit) The image forming unit 30 is equipped with four image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, Y, M, C, and K may be omitted when it is not necessary to distinguish between them. Each color image forming unit 32 is detachable from the housing 12.

[0027] Furthermore, each color image forming unit 32 includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor unit 36 ​​that rotates in the direction of arrow B in Figure 1, and a charging member 38 that charges the surface of the photoreceptor unit 36.

[0028] Below the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​in Figure 1, a guide member 60 is provided to guide the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​to a predetermined position when it is placed inside the housing 12. To the rear of the guide member 60 in the depth direction of the device (direction -D in Figure 1), a power supply path 62 is provided, which forms the power supply path between the circuit board 64 and the photoreceptor unit 36. A power supply (not shown) is mounted on the circuit board 64.

[0029] Furthermore, the image forming unit 32 includes an exposure device (not shown) that irradiates the charged photoreceptor unit 36 ​​with exposure light, and a developing device 40 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the irradiation with exposure light and visualizes it as a toner image.

[0030] Furthermore, the image forming unit 30 includes an endless belt 21 that circulates in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1, a tensioning roll 24 around which the endless belt 21 is wound, and a drive roll 28. An auxiliary roll may be provided near the tensioning roll 24. In addition, the image forming unit 30 has a primary transfer roll 22 that transfers the toner images formed by each color image forming unit 32 onto the endless belt 21.

[0031] Furthermore, the image forming unit 30 has a secondary transfer roll 23 that transfers the toner image transferred to the endless belt 21 to the sheet material P. The transfer device 20 is configured including the endless belt 21, a tensioning roll 24, a drive roll 28, and a primary transfer roll 22. In addition, the image forming unit 30 has a fixing device 18 that heats and pressurizes the sheet material P to which the toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner image to the sheet material P.

[0032] (Image formation process) Next, the image formation operation using the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the charged members 38 of each color to which voltage is applied uniformly negatively charge the surface of each color photoreceptor unit 36 ​​at a predetermined potential. Subsequently, the exposure apparatus irradiates exposure light onto the charged surface of each color photoreceptor unit 36 ​​based on image data input from an external source to form an electrostatic latent image, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the data on the surface of each color photoreceptor unit 36. Furthermore, the developing apparatus 40 for each color develops this electrostatic latent image and visualizes it as a toner image.

[0033] Furthermore, the toner images formed on the surface of each color photoreceptor unit 36 ​​are sequentially transferred to the endless belt 21 that circulates via the primary transfer roll 22. Meanwhile, the sheet material P, which has been sent from the storage member 26 to the transport path via the delivery roll, is sent to the transfer position T where the endless belt 21 and the secondary transfer roll 23 come into contact.

[0034] At the transfer position T, the sheet material P is transported between the endless belt 21 and the secondary transfer roll 23, so that the toner image on the outer surface of the endless belt 21 is transferred to the sheet material P. The toner image transferred to the surface of the sheet material P is fixed to the sheet material P by the fixing device 18. The sheet material P with the toner image fixed is then discharged to the outside of the housing 12.

[0035] Next, the housing 12, photoreceptor unit 36, guide member 60, power supply path 62, and substrate 64 of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0036] [Cabinet] As shown in Figure 2, the housing 12 has a front frame 12A, a right frame 12B, a left frame 12C, and a rear frame 12D. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the housing 12 has a bottom plate 12E. In addition, although the reference numerals are omitted, as shown in Figure 1, the housing 12 is provided with a top plate. The front frame 12A, the right frame 12B, the left frame 12C, the rear frame 12D, the bottom plate 12E, and the top plate form the internal space of the housing 12.

[0037] Inside the housing 12, the power supply path 62 is positioned on the front frame 12A side. Also inside the housing 12, the support 70 is positioned on the rear frame 12D side. The support 70 is fixed to the rear frame 12D. The support 70 is, for example, a power supply path for transfer. Inside the housing 12, the substrate 64 is positioned between the power supply path 62 and the support 70 in the depth direction of the device (the +D and -D directions in Figure 2).

[0038] (Front frame) The front frame 12A is a rectangular frame and is located on the front side in the depth direction of the device (direction +D in Figure 2). The front frame 12A has an upper edge 12A1. The upper edge 12A1 of the front frame 12A forms the lower edge of the front opening FO.

[0039] The front opening FO is formed on the front of the housing 12. As shown in Figure 3, the power supply path 62 is positioned opposite the front frame 12A at a height lower than the front opening FO. The guide member 60 and the power supply path 62 enter and exit through the front opening FO.

[0040] (Protruding and curved parts) As shown in Figure 4, a projection 12A2 is provided on the upper part of the inner wall surface of the front frame 12A, projecting inward from the front frame 12A towards the inside of the housing 12. A curved portion 12A3 is provided on the upper edge of the projection 12A2 on the side facing the power supply path 62. The curved portion 12A3 is the part facing the power supply path 62. The surface of the curved portion 12A3 is formed to be curved, for example, by folding sheet metal.

[0041] (Right-hand frame) The right-side frame 12B is rectangular and, when viewed from the front, is located on the right end of the front frame 12A in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 2, the wall-shaped front frame 12A and the wall-shaped right-side frame 12B form the corner portion C of the housing 12. As shown in Figure 3, a side opening RO is formed on the side of the housing 12 between the right-side frame 12B and the rear frame 12D, through which the substrate 64 enters and exits.

[0042] [Photoconductor Unit] The photoreceptor unit 36 ​​is an example of a powered element for image formation. The photoreceptor unit 36 ​​is detachably mounted inside the housing 12. Specifically, for example, the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​is detachably mounted to a drive unit (not shown) attached to the housing 12 at the rear side in the depth direction of the device (direction -D in Figure 3). However, the configuration in which the photoreceptor unit is detachably mounted to the housing 12 is not limited to this and can be changed.

[0043] [Guidance component] The guide member 60 is rectangular in plan view. As shown in Figure 4, the guide member 60 has a central portion 60A, a hanging portion 60B, and a protruding portion 60C. The guide member 60 is an example of a detachable body.

[0044] The central section 60A is a plate-shaped member and is the main body of the guide member 60. The central section 60A extends along the width direction of the device (the +W and -W directions in Figure 4) and also along the depth direction of the device (the +D and -D directions in Figure 4). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the vertical height of the central section 60A is shorter than the length of the central section 60A in the depth direction of the device.

[0045] In this disclosure, the shape of the guide member is not limited thereto and can be changed as appropriate. As shown in Figure 1, the guide member 60 of this embodiment guides four color photoreceptor units 36 to the upper side, but in this disclosure, the number of colors of the guided photoreceptor units can be changed as appropriate.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the hanging portion 60B is provided at the front end of the central portion 60A in the depth direction of the device (direction +D in Figure 4). A step is formed between the upper surface of the central portion 60A and the upper surface of the hanging portion 60B in Figure 4. Part of the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​is positioned in the area above the step in the front opening FO. The inner wall surface of the hanging portion 60B is in contact with the outer wall surface of the front frame 12A. Note that the hanging portion 60B is not essential in this disclosure.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the protrusion 60C is provided at the rear end (direction -D in Figure 4) of the central portion 60A in the depth direction of the device. The protrusion 60C protrudes toward the rear frame 12D. A recess 12D1 into which the protrusion 60C can be fitted is provided in the portion of the rear frame 12D corresponding to the protrusion 60C. The guide member 60 is detachably attached to the housing 12 by the protrusion 60C and the recess 12D1.

[0048] In this disclosure, the detachable part is not limited to the guide member 60, but can also be considered as a powered unit such as the photoreceptor unit 36. Furthermore, a member that is integral with the powered unit and moves integrally with the powered unit when attached to or detached from the housing 12 may also be considered as a detachable part. In this disclosure, the detachable part is provided to be detachably attached to the housing 12 and integrated with the substrate 64 and the power supply path 62.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example was shown in which the photoreceptor unit 36, which is an example of a powered object, and the guide member 60, which is an example of a detachable object, are configured separately. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the powered object and the detachable object may be configured integrally. That is, the powered object and the detachable object may be inserted into and removed from the housing 12 together.

[0050] Furthermore, the guide member 60 in this embodiment is made of resin, for example. However, in this disclosure, the material of the guide member 60 is not limited to resin and can be changed to metal, for example. However, when fixing the power supply path 62 to the housing 12, the housing 12 may be required to have relatively high strength depending on the weight of the power supply path 62. For example, if it becomes necessary to use metal at the fixing point between the housing 12 and the power supply path 62, the weight of the housing 12 will increase and the cost will rise. In this embodiment, by providing a resin guide member 60, the weight of the housing 12 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

[0051] [Power supply path] As shown in Figure 2, the power supply path 62 is positioned inside the corner portion C formed by the front frame 12A and the right frame 12B. In this embodiment, "positioned inside the corner portion C" means that when viewed from the side opening RO side along the device width direction (the +W and -W directions in Figure 4), the right frame 12B and the power supply path 62 overlap. In this embodiment, the power supply path 62 is detachably attached to the guide member 60 by fitting, screwing, or the like.

[0052] In this embodiment, the power supply path 62 and the guide member 60 can be separated integrally from the housing 12. Alternatively, the power supply path 62 can be separated from the housing 12 by removing only the power supply path 62 from the guide member 60 while the guide member 60 remains installed inside the housing 12. Since only the power supply path 62 can be separated from the housing 12, costs can be reduced by standardizing the power supply path 62, even if the shape of the guide member 60 differs between different models.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the power supply path 62 has a contact terminal 62A provided on the substrate 64 side, a conductive wire 62B connected to the contact terminal 62A, and a contact terminal 62C provided on the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​side. The contact terminal 62A on the substrate 64 side is, for example, a thin metal spring. The contact terminal 62C on the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​side is, for example, a metal ring-shaped member.

[0054] With the power supply path 62 mounted on the guide member 60, an insertion portion (not shown) for passing the contact terminal 62C is formed in the portion of the guide member 60 corresponding to the contact terminal 62C of the conductive wire 62B, by means of a notch or through hole. The contact terminal 62C protrudes to the outside of the guide member 60 (left side in Figure 3) through the insertion portion.

[0055] Furthermore, with the photoreceptor unit 36, guide member 60, and power supply path 62 mounted in the housing 12, the contact terminal 62C of the conductive wire 62B on the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​side is connected to the conductive portion 36A of the photoreceptor unit 36. The conductive portion 36A of the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​is connected to the wiring member 36B located inside.

[0056] (Tapered section) As shown in Figure 4, a tapered portion 62D is provided in the portion of the power supply path 62 that faces the front frame 12A. When viewed along the wall surface of the front frame 12A, the tapered portion 62D slopes upward in Figure 4 as it moves from the power supply path 62 towards the front frame 12A.

[0057] In this disclosure, a curved portion protruding toward the front frame 12A may be provided in place of the tapered portion 62D in order to prevent the formation of a stepped portion in the portion of the power supply path 62 facing the front frame 12A. That is, it is sufficient to provide at least one of the tapered portion 62D or the curved portion. Alternatively, the tapered portion 62D and the curved portion may be provided in a partially combined state.

[0058] [substrate] The substrate 64 supplies power to the photoreceptor unit 36. A connection terminal 64A is provided on the lower surface of the substrate 64 in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the substrate 64 is detachably held by fitting into a substrate holding cover 66 that holds the substrate 64.

[0059] In Figure 3, the substrate holding cover 66 has a recess in the center into which the substrate 64 is housed, and flanges 66B are provided at both ends. The right flange 66B of the substrate holding cover 66 in Figure 3, which is on the side of the support 70, protrudes toward the support 70. In addition, the part of the support 70 corresponding to the right flange 66B in Figure 3 is provided with a recess 70A into which the flange 66B can be fitted.

[0060] Furthermore, the left flange portion of the substrate holding cover 66 in Figure 3 is supported by the lower part of the power supply path 62. Although not shown in the illustration, for example, at the contact point between the left flange portion of the substrate holding cover 66 in Figure 3 and the lower part of the power supply path 62, a convex portion is provided on the flange portion that protrudes downward, and a recess corresponding to the convex portion is provided on the power supply path 62, thereby enabling alignment.

[0061] As shown in Figure 2, the substrate 64 is positioned behind the power supply path 62. The substrate 64, together with the substrate holding cover 66, can be inserted into the housing 12 through the side opening RO. The substrate 64, together with the substrate holding cover 66, can also be separated from the guide member 60 or the power supply path 62 through the side opening RO.

[0062] A conductive path member 66A is provided on the substrate holding cover 66 so as to extend between the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate holding cover 66 in Figure 3. The conductive path member 66A is, for example, a thin sheet metal plate. The conductive path member 66A forms a conductive path from the substrate 64 on the lower side of the substrate holding cover 66 in Figure 3 to the upper surface of the substrate holding cover 66. When the substrate 64 is held by the substrate holding cover 66, the lower end of the conductive path member 66A contacts the terminal 64A on the lower surface of the substrate 64. Also, when the substrate holding cover 66 and the power supply path 62 are mounted on the housing 12, the upper end of the conductive path member 66A contacts the contact terminal 62A of the power supply path 62.

[0063] In this disclosure, the substrate holding cover 66 is not mandatory. The substrate may be directly attached to the guide member 60 or the power supply path 62. In this embodiment, the substrate 64 is attached to the power supply path 62 via the substrate holding cover 66, but in the vertical direction (+H direction and -H direction) in Figure 3, the thickness of the substrate holding cover 66 is smaller than the thickness of the power supply path 62. Also, the substrate holding cover 66 is supported almost horizontally at the center of the power supply path 62 in the vertical direction in Figure 3.

[0064] In other words, the substrate holding cover 66 does not extend the power supply path in the vertical direction (+H direction and -H direction) in Figure 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the substrate 64 is mounted to the power supply path 62 via the substrate holding cover 66, it can be considered as if it were directly mounted to the power supply path 62.

[0065] (Insertion and removal operation) Next, the insertion and removal operations of the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​and the insertion and removal operations of the guide member 60 and the power supply path 62 in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, the photoconductor unit 36 ​​can be removed outward through the front opening FO of the housing 12. Since the photoconductor unit 36 ​​is mounted in the housing 12 independently of the circuit board 64, the removal of the photoconductor unit 36 ​​does not affect the circuit board 64. Furthermore, the insertion of the photoconductor unit 36 ​​can be performed in the reverse order of the removal operation.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the guide member 60 and the power supply path 62 can be removed integrally from the front opening FO of the housing 12. During the separation operation of the guide member 60 and the power supply path 62, the tapered portion 62D of the power supply path 62 comes into contact with the curved portion 12A3, so that the power supply path 62 does not get caught on the front frame 12A, and the guide member 60 and the power supply path 62 can be removed to the upper left side in Figure 6. Also, the insertion operation of the guide member 60 and the power supply path 62 can be performed in the reverse order of the separation operation.

[0068] (Effects and Benefits) In the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the power supply path 62 is directly connected to the substrate 64 when mounted on the guide member 60. That is, the three components, the power supply path 62, the substrate 64, and the guide member 60, are integrated inside the housing 12. As a result, the housing 12 can be made smaller compared to the case where the power supply path 62, the substrate 64, and the guide member 60 are each separately and detachably provided to the housing 12.

[0069] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, since the guide member 60 can be attached to and detached from the housing 12, the power supply path 62 can also be attached to and detached from the housing 12 at the same time as the guide member 60 is attached to and detached from the housing 12. Therefore, during maintenance, there is no need to disassemble the housing 12 compared to the case where the guide member 60 cannot be attached to and detached from the housing 12. As a result, the maintainability of the power supply path 62 can be improved compared to the case where the guide member 60 cannot be attached to and detached from the housing 12.

[0070] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the removable part is a guide member 60 that guides the photoreceptor unit 36 ​​to its position when it is placed inside the housing 12. In other words, the guide member 60 also serves as the removable part. There is no need to provide a separate removable part other than the guide member 60. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, a front opening FO is formed on the front of the housing 12 through which the guide member 60 and the power supply path 62 enter and exit. Therefore, the power supply path 62 is easier to attach and detach compared to when the guide member 60 and the power supply path 62 are attached and detached from the side of the housing 12.

[0072] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the housing 12 has a wall-shaped front frame 12A having an upper edge 12A1 that forms the lower edge of the front opening FO. The power supply path 62 is positioned opposite the front frame 12A at a height below the front opening FO. The portion of the power supply path 62 that faces the front frame 12A is provided with a tapered portion 62D that, when viewed along the wall surface of the front frame 12A, slopes upward as it moves from the power supply path 62 towards the front frame 12A.

[0073] If a step is formed on the portion of the power supply path 62 facing the front frame 12A, the upper edge 12A1 of the front frame 12A is more likely to catch on the step of the power supply path 62 when attaching or detaching the power supply path 62 to the housing 12 via the front opening FO. Therefore, compared to the case where a step is formed on the portion of the power supply path 62 facing the front frame 12A, the upper edge 12A1 of the front frame 12A is less likely to catch on the power supply path 62 when attaching or detaching the power supply path 62.

[0074] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, a tapered portion 62D is provided in the portion of the power supply path 62 that faces the front frame 12A. When viewed along the wall surface of the front frame 12A, the tapered portion 62D slopes upward as it moves from the power supply path 62 toward the front frame 12A. Therefore, when attaching and detaching the power supply path 62 to the housing 12, it is easier to attach and detach the power supply path 62 compared to the case where the inner wall surface of the front frame 12A is flat.

[0075] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, a protrusion 12A2 is provided on the upper part of the inner wall surface of the front frame 12A, which protrudes from the front frame 12A toward the inside of the housing 12. Therefore, when attaching or detaching the power supply path 62 to and from the housing 12, the power supply path 62 can be moved using the contact point between the tapered portion 62D and the protrusion 12A2 as a pivot point, making it easier to attach and detach the power supply path 62 compared to the case where the protrusion 12A2 is not provided.

[0076] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the surface of the curved portion 12A3 facing the power supply path 62 of the protruding portion 12A2 is curved. Therefore, compared to the case where the portion of the upper edge 12A1 of the protruding portion 12A2 facing the power supply path 62 is pointed, damage to the power supply path 62 during attachment and detachment is suppressed.

[0077] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the housing 12 has a wall-shaped side frame provided on one end of the front frame 12A in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. Also, the power supply path 62 is positioned inside the corner portion C formed by the front frame 12A and the side frame. Therefore, the housing 12 can be made smaller compared to the case where the power supply path 62 protrudes to the outside of the corner portion C.

[0078] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the substrate 64 is positioned behind the power supply path 62, and a side opening RO is formed on the side of the housing 12 through which the substrate 64 enters and exits. Therefore, the substrate 64 can be attached to and detached from the side of the housing 12.

[0079] As described above with reference to the attached drawings, it is clear that any person with ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 10 Image forming apparatus 12 cabinets 12A Front frame 12A1 Upper edge 12A2 Protrusion 12A3 Curved section 12B Right-hand frame 36. Photoconductor unit (an example of a powered component) 60 Guide member (an example of a detachable part) 62 Power supply path 62D Tapered section 64 circuit boards C Corner Section FO Front opening RO side opening

Claims

1. The casing and A powered element for image formation is provided inside the aforementioned housing, A removable body that is attached to and detached from the aforementioned housing, A power supply path body that is attached to the aforementioned detachable body and forms a power supply path, A circuit board that supplies power to the powered object, is directly attached to the detachable body or the power supply path, and is detachable from the detachable body or the power supply path, wherein the detachable body to which the power supply path is attached is connected to the housing, and the circuit board is detachable from the power supply path. An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The detachable body is a guide member that guides the powered object to the placement position when the powered object is placed inside the housing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A front opening is formed on the front of the housing through which the detachable body and the power supply path body enter and exit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The housing has a wall-shaped front frame having an upper edge that forms the lower edge of the front opening, The power supply path is positioned opposite the front frame at a height below the front opening, The portion of the power supply path facing the front frame is provided with a tapered portion that slopes upward as it moves from the power supply path toward the front frame, or a curved portion that protrudes toward the front frame, when viewed along the wall surface of the front frame. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. A projection is provided on the upper part of the inner wall surface of the front frame, projecting outward from the front frame toward the inside of the housing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The portion of the upper edge of the protruding part that faces the power supply path is curved. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The housing has a wall-like side frame provided on one end of the front frame in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, The power supply path is positioned inside the corner portion formed by the front frame and the side frame. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. The substrate is positioned behind the power supply path, A side opening is formed on the side of the housing through which the substrate enters and exits. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

Images