JPH0687177B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer in which a cartridge having an image carrier such as a photoconductor is detachably mounted.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge including an image bearing member such as a photoconductor is detachably mounted, a Japanese Patent Publication No.
As in Japanese Patent No. 581, the shutter as a protective cover provided on the cartridge is
It is located so as to cover the photoconductor, protects the photoconductor from scratches, photodegradation, etc., and after the cartridge is mounted, the shutter is retracted and moved to a position where the photoconductor is exposed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-described conventional example, since the shutter is retracted above the sheet conveying portion, the sheet is likely to rub against the shutter, and there is a risk that the unfixed image on the sheet is disturbed.
On the other hand, in order to avoid this, if the distance between the shutter and the sheet conveying portion is increased, there is a problem that the device becomes large.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that eliminates the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention for solving the above problems is an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, in which a, a frame body, an image carrier, and the image are formed. Mounting means capable of mounting a process cartridge having a process means acting on a carrier and a protective cover which is detachable from the frame and covers an exposed area of the image carrier to protect the image carrier. , B, a detaching unit for detaching the protective cover from the frame according to the mounting operation of the process cartridge with respect to the mounting unit, and c, the presence of the protective cover prohibits the rise of the recording medium transport unit. An elevating means for elevating and lowering the recording medium transporting section in relation to the process cartridge mounted on the mounting means; and d, energization to the main body device is prohibited if left open. The recording medium capable of energizing the main body device by closing
It has a main body cover that cannot be closed when the transport section is lowered, and when the protective cover is still attached, the main body cover can be closed by prohibiting the rise of the recording medium transport section. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it is configured to prohibit the energization of the main body device by eliminating it.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the image forming apparatus of the embodiment described below, the protective cover covering the exposed portion of the image carrier can be detached from the cartridge in association with the operation of mounting the cartridge having the image carrier in the image forming apparatus. After the mounting, the protective cover is taken out from the image forming apparatus, and if the protective cover is not removed from the image forming apparatus, the image forming operation cannot be performed.

Accordingly, in the embodiment described below, the protective cover remains covering the exposed portion of the image carrier before the cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus, but after the cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. Since the protective cover does not remain in the image forming apparatus, the conventional problems can be solved.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, and around the photosensitive drum 1, process means such as a charging device 2, a developing device 3 and a cleaning device 4 are provided respectively, and these are integrally supported by a housing 5. As a result, the cartridge C is configured as one unit and is detachably attached to the main body device. At least one process means may be provided.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a protective cover (hereinafter referred to as a shutter) that covers the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 1, that is, the transfer portion in this embodiment, and is detachably attached to the cartridge C.

FIG. 2 is a view of the cartridge of this embodiment as seen from below,
In the shutter 6, the hook portion 60 is engaged with the rear side plate 50 of the housing 5 of the cartridge C so that it cannot be removed from the cartridge C. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 61 is a handle of the shutter 6, and 62 is a protrusion provided on the shutter 6.

Next, a case where the cartridge is mounted on the main body device will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, before the cartridge C is mounted on the main body device, the shutter 6 covers the transfer portion of the photosensitive drum 1, and the hook portion 60 is provided on the rear side plate 50 of the housing 5 of the cartridge. Engaged. And in this state,
Even if the handle 61 is pulled, the shutter 6 cannot be removed from the cartridge. When mounting the cartridge C on the main body device, as shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge C is placed on the rails 14 and 15 in the main body device and pushed in. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the hook portion 60 is pressed against the projection 11 provided on the rear side plate 12 of the main body device, and the engagement with the rear side plate 50 of the cartridge housing 5 is released. Therefore, when the handle 61 is pulled toward you, the shutter 6 is detached from the cartridge and can be taken out of the machine.

On the other hand, when the operator forgets to remove the shutter 6 from the main body apparatus, the main body apparatus is not energized and the image forming operation cannot be performed. This point will be described below.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cartridge is detached from the main body device, the lever 18 for raising and lowering the sheet conveying portion is rotated counterclockwise, so that the lever shaft 24 fixed thereto is rotated counterclockwise. Further, the cam 19 for raising and lowering the sheet conveying portion fixed to the lever shaft 24 is also rotated counterclockwise to move the sheet conveying portion.
Rotate 20 clockwise about axis 25. As a result, the sheet conveying unit 20, which has been pressed against the housing 5 of the cartridge and positioned, can be separated from this and the cartridge can be taken out from the main body device. After the mounting of the cartridge, contrary to the above series of movements, the sheet conveying unit elevating lever 18 is rotated clockwise to press the sheet conveying unit 20 against the housing 5 of the cartridge.

However, if the shutter 6 is not removed from the main body after mounting the cartridge, the sheet conveying portion 20 interferes with the protrusion 62 of the shutter 6 as shown in FIG. , Can not be rotated to the right. In this state, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the front cover 17 of the main body device is to be closed, the protrusion 22 provided on the front cover 17 interferes with the lever 18 to sufficiently close the front force bar 17. It will be impossible. Therefore, since the door switch protrusion 23 cannot be pressed against the door switch provided in the main body device (not shown), the main body device cannot be energized and the image forming operation cannot be performed. in this way,
It is possible to prevent the shutter 6 from being left in the device and operating the machine.

With the above-described configuration, the shutter 6 is removed when the main body device is in operation.
It is not necessary to provide a storage space for the above in the upper part of the sheet conveying portion, and it is possible to prevent the sheet on which the unfixed toner image is placed from touching the shutter 6 and disturbing the image. As a result, it is possible to easily realize a compact and stable image forming apparatus.

Further, another embodiment of the shutter releasing mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the iron plate 24 is attached to the tip of the hook portion 60 engaged with the rear side plate 50 of the cartridge housing 5.
, And the protrusion 11 provided on the rear plate 12 on the main body side.
When the magnet 25 is attached to the main body device and the iron plate 24 is attracted to the magnet 25 when the cartridge C is attached to the main body device, the hook portion 60 is disengaged from the rear side plate 50 of the cartridge housing 5, and the shutter 6 is released. Is designed to be detachable.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, by removing the protective cover from the outside, it is not necessary to retreat the protective cover in the space device, and the device can be downsized. Further, since the protective cover is removed after the cartridge is mounted in the apparatus, there is no need to damage the image carrier or to deteriorate it by light.

In addition, if the user forgets to remove the protective cover, the main body device cannot be energized, and it is not necessary to operate the device with the protective cover left inside the machine.

In particular, according to the present invention, since the operator is made to recognize that the protective cover is still attached by prohibiting the rise of the recording medium transport unit, the protective cover is still attached. Especially, the operator notices promptly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a cartridge of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower portion of the cartridge of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining the attaching / detaching operation of the protective cover of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining another embodiment of the attaching / detaching operation of the protective cover of the present invention. 1 is a photoconductor drum, 6 is a protective cover, 60 is a hook part, 61
Is a handle, 62 is a protrusion, 18 is a lever for raising and lowering the sheet conveying portion, 23
Is a protrusion for a door switch, and C is a cartridge.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and which forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a, a frame, an image carrier, a process unit acting on the image carrier, and the frame unit. Mounting means for mounting a process cartridge, which is detachable and has a protective cover for covering the exposed area of the image carrier to protect the image carrier; b, mounting operation of the process cartridge with respect to the mounting means A detaching means for detaching the protective cover from the frame body in accordance with the above; c, a process cartridge attached to the attaching means forbidden to raise the recording medium transporting portion due to the presence of the protective cover. Then, ascending / descending means for ascending / descending the recording medium conveying section, and d, energizing the main body device by prohibiting energization to the main body device when it is opened and closing it That, in the state in which the recording medium conveying unit is lowered, has a body cover which can not be closed, in the state that the protective cover is mounted,
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the main body cover is prevented from being closed by prohibiting the rise of the recording medium transporting section, thereby prohibiting energization of the main body apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process means is a charger. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process means is a developing device. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing means is a cleaning device. 5. The protection cover covers a transfer portion as an exposed area of the image carrier.
The image forming apparatus according to item. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a copying machine. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a laser beam printer.