JPH0778667B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine or a laser beam printer.

<Prior Art> Generally, an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine includes an image bearing unit such as a rotating drum having a photoconductor on its surface, and an electrostatic latent image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor surface. A developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, and a cleaning device that includes a toner removing unit that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor are provided. In such an image forming apparatus, from the viewpoint of ease of maintenance and the like, the cleaning device and the image carrying means (and the developing device) are mounted on a unit frame detachably mounted on the apparatus main body, and the image carrying means is a unit. There is a type that can be attached to and detached from the frame.

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus of this type, there is a problem to be solved such that it is not easy to attach and detach the image carrier to the unit frame.

Further, although not limited to the image forming apparatus of the above-mentioned form,
In the case where the rotary drum as the image bearing means is detachably mounted on the unit frame, it is not easy to mount the rotary drum on the unit frame, and the rotary drum is easily damaged during mounting in relation to the above. There is a problem to be solved.

<Objects of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and a first object of the present invention is that the image carrier can be easily attached to and detached from the unit frame. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an excellent image forming apparatus in which a rotary drum as an image bearing means can be easily mounted on a unit frame.

<Summary of the Invention> According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image bearing means having a photoconductor on its surface, an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor surface, and the photoconductor. A developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface into a toner image; and a cleaning device that includes a toner removing unit that acts on the surface of the photoconductor and removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor after transfer. An image forming apparatus comprising the image carrier and the cleaning device mounted on a unit frame detachably mounted on the apparatus body; the unit frame pivots between the first frame body and the first frame body. A second frame member freely attached is provided, and a receiving section for removably receiving the image carrying means is defined in the first frame body, and the image carrying means is rotatably supported by the receiving section. The second frame is provided with the toner removing means, The second frame body is swung in the closing direction in the first frame body and the second frame body, and the second frame body is located at a working position where the toner removing means acts on the surface of the image carrying means. Is provided with a working position locking means for releasably locking the first frame body and the second frame body, and further, the second frame body is moved in the opening direction from the working position to some extent. A non-acting position locking means for releasably locking the second frame is provided at a non-acting position where the toner removing means does not substantially act on the surface of the image carrying means. Is rotated from the operating position in the opening direction, the toner removing unit is separated from the surface of the image carrying unit.

Further, according to the present invention, an image bearing means having a photoreceptor on its surface, an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor surface, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor surface. A developing device for developing an image into a toner image, a toner removing unit that acts on the surface of the photoconductor to remove toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor after transfer, and a toner collection chamber that collects toner removed by the toner removal unit An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device including a cleaning device, the cleaning device including a cleaning device, and the image carrier and the cleaning device mounted on a unit frame detachably mounted on the apparatus body; And a second frame body rotatably mounted on the first frame body. The first frame body is defined with a receiving portion for removably receiving the image carrying means. The means is rotatably mounted on the receiving portion, The removing means is arranged on the second frame body, the toner collecting chamber is arranged on the first frame body, and the second frame body is swung in the closing direction to move to the operating position. When the toner removing means acts on the surface of the image bearing means, the toner removing means moves from the surface of the image bearing means when the second frame is swung in the opening direction from the acting position. There is provided an image forming apparatus characterized by being separated from each other.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in response to the second object, a rotary drum having a photoconductor on the peripheral surface thereof,
The rotating drum comprises an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor and a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor into a toner image. In an image forming apparatus detachably attached to a unit frame attached to a main body; the unit frame includes a first frame body in which a receiving portion for rotatably supporting a shaft portion of the rotary drum is defined, and the first frame body and the first frame body. The second frame body is rotatably mounted on the first frame body, and the first frame body is provided with the first guide portions corresponding to both ends of the cylindrical portion of the rotary drum. In addition, a second guide portion is provided corresponding to the shaft portion of the rotary drum, and when the shaft portion of the rotary drum is detachably attached to the receiving portion, the cylindrical portion is Characterized in that it is guided along the first guide portion, and thereafter the shaft portion is guided along the second guide portion. An image forming apparatus is provided.

<Preferred Specific Examples of the Invention> Hereinafter, further description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Outline of Laser Beam Printer In FIG. 1 showing a specific example of a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the illustrated laser beam printer includes a device body 2, and the device body 2
Has a lower housing 4 and an upper openable / closable housing 6 mounted to be openable / closable.

A process unit 8 is arranged at a substantially central portion of the apparatus main body 2. The illustrated process unit 8 includes a unit frame 10 which is detachably mounted in the apparatus main body 2, and a rotary drum 12 which constitutes an image carrying means is rotatably mounted on the unit frame 10. An electrostatic photoconductor is arranged on the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12. Around the rotating drum 12 which is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 14, there is a corona discharger for charging.
16, a developing device 18, a transfer corona discharger 20 and a cleaning device 22 are provided, and a charging corona discharger 16 and a developing device are provided.
18 and a cleaning device 22 are mounted on the unit frame 10. The process unit 8 will be described later in detail.

An optical unit 24 is arranged in the upper part of the apparatus main body 2, that is, above the process unit 8. The illustrated optical unit 24 includes a box-shaped unit housing 26,
In the housing 26, a laser light source (not shown), a rotary polygon mirror 28 which is rotated in a predetermined direction, and a first imaging lens 3 are provided.
0, a second imaging lens 32, a first reflecting mirror 34, a second reflecting mirror 36, and a cylindrical lens 38 are arranged. A laser light source (not shown) irradiates the rotary polygon mirror 28 with laser light based on image information output from a computer, for example. The laser light reflected from the rotary polygon mirror 28 reaches the first reflecting mirror 34 through the first image forming lens 30 and the second image forming lens 32, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. After being reflected by the first reflecting mirror 34 and the second reflecting mirror 36, it is further projected through the cylindrical lens 38 in the projection area 40 onto the surface of the rotary drum 12.

At the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, that is, below the process unit 8, a transport mechanism generally designated by the numeral 42 is arranged. The illustrated transport mechanism 42 includes a transport roller pair 44, a guide plate 46, and a guide plate 4.
8. A fixing roller pair 50, a guide claw 52, and a conveying roller pair 54 are provided to define the main part of the conveying path for conveying a sheet member such as recording paper. In the specific example, the upstream end of the transport path is branched into two, one of which extends linearly to the right, and the upstream feeding end is provided with the manual feeding means 56, and the other end. Is curved and extends downward, and an automatic supply means 58 is provided at the upstream end thereof (specifically, below the transport mechanism 42 and at the bottom of the apparatus main body 2). The illustrated manual feed means 56 is provided with a table 60 which is rotatable between the supply position shown in FIG. 1 and a storage position (not shown) which is swung upward, and the manual feed means 56 is used. When this is done, the table 60 is positioned at the supply position. When the sheet member is positioned on the table 60 and inserted through the opening 62 formed in the right surface of the apparatus main body 2, the sheet member is guided by the guide protrusions provided on the lower surface of the guide plate 64 and the inner surface of the wall 66 of the lower housing 4. It is guided to the conveying roller pair 44 through between the upper edges of the strip 68. Further, the illustrated automatic supply means 58 includes a cassette 70 in which the sheet members are loaded in a stacked state. The cassette 70 is detachably attached to a cassette receiving portion 74 defined on the bottom of the apparatus body 2 through an opening 72 formed on the left side of the apparatus body 2. Above the cassette receiving portion 74, the feeding roller 76
Is provided. Therefore, by rotating the feeding roller 76 in the direction shown by the arrow 78, the sheet members in the cassette 70 are fed one by one, and the thus fed sheet members are guided by the wall 80 of the lower housing 4. The ridge 82 and the guide ridge 68 of the wall 66 guide the guide roller pair 44.

Further, the downstream end portion of the transport path is also branched into two, and in connection with this, the opening / closing portion in the upper opening / closing housing 6
84 is selectively positioned at a first position indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 and a second position indicated by a solid line in FIG. When the opening / closing portion 84 is in the first position, the sheet member sent from the pair of conveying rollers 54 is directly in the apparatus main body 2.
It is discharged to the outside and received by the inner surface of the opening / closing portion 84 (upper surface in the state shown by the chain double-dashed line). On the other hand, when the opening / closing part 84 is in the second position, the sheet member sent from the pair of transport rollers 54 is the opening / closing part 84 in the upper opening / closing housing 6.
And the upright wall portion 86, and is conveyed upward, and the receiving portion defined on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 by the action of the discharge roller pair 88.
Discharged to 90. The receiving portion 90 is defined by an upper sloping wall 92 in the upper opening / closing housing 6, and an upper end portion of the upper sloping wall 92 is rotatably supported between a receiving position shown in FIG. 1 and a storage position (not shown). 94 is installed.

The operation of the above laser beam printer will be outlined below.

While the rotating drum 12 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 14, the charging corona discharger 16 charges the photosensitive member of the rotating drum 12, and then the laser light source (not shown) of the optical unit 24 in the projection area 40. The laser beam from is projected onto the photoconductor, and thus an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed on the surface of the photoconductor by the action of the electrostatic latent image forming means including the charging corona discharger 16 and the optical unit 24. It After that, toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor by the action of the developing device 18, and the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. Then, the sheet member supplied from the manual feeding means 56 or the automatic feeding means 58 to the conveyance path is brought into contact with the photoconductor, and the toner image on the photoconductor is transferred to the sheet member by the action of the transfer corona discharger 20. It The sheet member on which the toner image is transferred is peeled off from the rotary drum 12 and then conveyed to the fixing roller pair 50, and the toner image is fixed on the surface of the sheet member by the action of the fixing roller pair 50. The sheet member on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the conveying roller pair 54, and when the opening / closing unit 84 is at the first position, the sheet member is directly discharged onto the opening / closing unit 84. When the sheet member is discharged onto the opening / closing portion 84, as understood from FIG. 1, the sheet member is discharged with the surface on which the image is formed facing up. On the other hand, when the opening / closing part 84 is in the second position, the sheet member conveyed by the conveying roller pair 54 is further conveyed upward and then discharged by the discharging roller pair.
It is discharged to the receiving portion 90 by the action of 88. When the sheet member is discharged onto the receiving portion 90, as will be understood from FIG. 1, the sheet member is discharged with the surface on which the image is formed facing down. Therefore, the page alignment of the discharged sheet member is performed later. No need to do. On the other hand, the rotating drum 12 continues to rotate, and the cleaning device 22 acts to remove the residual toner from the surface of the photoconductor.

Process Unit Next, the process unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 and 3, mainly FIG. The unit frame 10 in the illustrated process unit 8 is the second
The first frame 102 is arranged on the right side in the figure, and the second frame 104 is arranged on the left side in FIG.
The first frame 102 is a pair of end walls 106 and 108 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3) which are arranged at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (vertical direction in FIG. 3). Of the end wall 106 of FIG. 1 and the other end wall 108 in FIGS.
And a top wall 110 is provided between the pair of end walls 106 and 108. In the first frame body 102,
As will be described later, the rotary drum 12 and the developing device 18 are mounted, and the toner recovery chamber 112 in the cleaning device 22 is installed.
Is provided. Also, the second frame 104 is a pair of end walls 114 and 116 (one end wall in FIG. 5) which are arranged at intervals in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 1 and 2.
114, and the other end wall 116 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and an upper wall between the pair of end walls 114 and 116.
118 are provided. Toner removing means 120 of the cleaning device 22 is mounted on the second frame 104 together with the charging corona discharger 16.

The first frame body 102 and the second frame body 104 have arrows 122 and 124 (fourth frame).
It is mounted so that it can rotate in the directions shown in the figure. That is, the end walls 114 and 116 of the second frame body 104 are located outside the end walls 106 and 108 of the first frame body 102, and
The left end portion of the end wall 106 of the second frame 104 and the lower protrusion 114a (FIG. 5) provided on the end wall 114 of the second frame 104 are rotatably connected via a connecting pin (not shown). End wall 1 of frame 102 of 1
The left end of 08 and the lower protrusion 116a provided on the end wall 116 of the second frame 104 are pivotally connected via a connecting pin 126. When the second frame body 104 is swung in the closing direction shown by the arrow 122 and is positioned at the operating position, the second frame body 104 and the first frame body 102 are held in the positional relationship shown in FIG. on the other hand,
When the process unit 8 is placed on the surface S of a table or the like and swung in the opening direction indicated by the arrow 124 from the operating position, the left end of the second frame 104 abuts on the surface S, thereby The frame body 104 and the first frame body 102 are held in the positional relationship shown in FIG.

In the specific example, an action position lock means 128 for releasably locking the frame body 104 of FIG. 2 in the above action position is provided. The action position locking means 128 shown in the drawing is a protrusion 130 provided on the left end of the upper wall 110 of the first frame 102 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and a first wall of the upper wall 118 of the second frame 104. In FIG. 2, it comprises a receiving portion 134 defined by an elastically deforming portion 132 provided at the right end portion.

Therefore, when the second frame body 104 is moved to the above-mentioned operating position, the projecting portion 130 of the upper wall 110 is removably received in the receiving portion 134 of the elastically deforming portion 132, and thus the second frame body 104 is in the operating position locking means. It is locked in the operating position by 128, and the above-mentioned locked state is held by the restoring force of the elastically deforming portion 132.

The rotary drum 12 is attached to the unit frame 10 as follows. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotary drum 12
Has a cylindrical portion 136 on the peripheral surface of which a photoconductor is disposed, and a shaft portion 138 provided on both end surfaces of the cylindrical portion 136.
A bearing member 140 is attached to each of the. On the other hand, the first
2 and 3, the pair of end walls 106 and 108 of the frame 102 are provided with receiving portions 142 and 144 at the substantially central portion in the left-right direction (one receiving portion 142 is shown in FIG. The other receiving portion 144 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Receiver 1
42 and 144 have a substantially circular shape with an open top, and the end wall 106
And the upper edge of 108. In order to facilitate mounting of the rotary drum 12 on the first frame 102,
A first guide portion 146 and a second guide portion 148 are provided. In the specific example, inner walls 150 and 152 (one inner wall 150 in FIG. 3 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 respectively) on the left inner side of the end walls 106 and 108 of the first frame 102, respectively. The other inner side wall 152 is provided), and these inner side walls 150 and 152 function as the first guide portion 146.
The inner walls 150 and 152 are arranged corresponding to both ends of the cylindrical portion 136 of the rotary drum 12 (a portion where the photoconductor is substantially absent or an image is not substantially formed even when the photoconductor is present). The upper surfaces thereof are relatively large and linearly inclined downward from the left end of the unit frame 10 toward the receiving portions 142 and 144. The left part of the pair of end walls 106 and 108 functions as the second guide part 148. The left portions of the end walls 106 and 108 are positioned corresponding to the shaft portion 138 of the rotary drum 12 (the bearing member 140 mounted to this in the specific example), and the upper surfaces thereof are received from the left end of the unit frame 10. Up to 142 and 144, there is a relatively gentle downward slope. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, when the rotary drum 12 is mounted, first, both ends of the cylindrical portion 136 of the rotary drum 12 are connected to the first guide portion 146 (inner side walls 150 and 152). It is positioned above and is moved downward along the guide surface of the first guide portion 146.
Then, the cylindrical portion 136 is moved to the lower end portion of the first guide portion 146, and then the rotary drum 12 is further dropped downward so that the shaft portion 138 (bearing member 140) is moved to the second guide portion.
Positioned on 148 (left of end walls 106 and 108) and moved somewhat downward along the guide surface of second guide 148, after which such shaft 138 was defined on end walls 106 and 108. Receiver 1
Drop to 42 and 144. Thus, the shaft portion 138 of the rotary drum 12 is removably received in the receiving portions 142 and 144 of the end walls 106 and 108. In order to disengage the rotary drum 12 from the unit frame 10, the rotary drum 12 may be lifted upward so that the shaft portion 138 is disengaged from the receiving portions 142 and 144.

With respect to the receiving portions 142 and 144, it is preferable to configure as shown in FIG. First, the upper portion of the receiving portions 142 and 144 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 for the receiving portion 144), specifically, the portion of the receiving portions 142 and 144 that contacts the shaft portion 138 (bearing member 140). It is preferable to provide the enlarged portion 156 by forming, for example, a recess in the upper portion of the. With this structure, the introduction portions of the receiving portions 142 and 144 are somewhat large, and therefore, the receiving portions 142 and 14 of the shaft portion 138 of the rotating drum 12 are formed.
It can be easily attached to and detached from the receiving portions 142 and 144. Secondly, it is preferable that the acting force acting on the rotary drum 12 is sufficiently supported by the receiving portions 142 and 144. More specifically, generally, in order to detachably mount the shaft portion 138 of the rotary drum 12 to the receiving portions 142 and 144, the contact portion between the shaft portion 138 and the receiving portions 142 and 144 is set to 1
It must be below 80 degrees. On the other hand, if the contact portion is made relatively small, it becomes difficult to support the shaft portion 138 with sufficient reliability. Therefore, in the concrete example, by configuring as shown in FIG. 5, the shaft portion 138 and the receiving portions 142 and 144 are formed.
It is possible to reliably support the shaft portion 138 even though the contact portion of is not more than 180 degrees. For example, the gear 158 provided on the rotary drum 12 and the drive gear 1 provided on the apparatus main body 2 side.
60 is meshed as shown in FIG. 5, and the drive gear 160 is indicated by the arrow 1
If it is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by 62, the acting direction of the acting force F applied to the rotary drum 12 is, as will be easily understood,
The rotation angle is 90 degrees clockwise from the axis P connecting the center of rotation of the drive gear 160 and the center of rotation of the rotary drum 12 plus the pressure angle α of the gear 158 (90 + α), and this pressure angle α is 20 degrees. In the case of, the direction is as shown in FIG. on the other hand,
The receiving portions 142 and 144 in the specific example are as shown in FIG.
From the lower right portion in the horizontal direction to the upper left portion in the horizontal direction in the clockwise direction, the portions extend in an arc shape, and these portions come into contact with and support the shaft portion 138 (bearing member 140). Therefore, since the arcuate portions of the receiving portions 142 and 144 extend further upward beyond the acting direction of the acting force F, the acting force F acting on the rotary drum 12 via the drive gear 160 and the gear 158 is Shaft 138 (bearing member 14
0) and the receiving portions 142 and 144 to the end walls 106 and 108, and the receiving portions 142 and 144 securely support the shaft portion 138.

The developing device 18 is attached to the unit frame 10 as follows. Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 3, the illustrated developing device 18 includes a developing device main body 166, and the developing device main body 166 includes a lower housing 168 and an upper housing 170. The left side of the developing device main body 166 (the rotary drum 12
An opening is defined in the lower part of the surface (opposite to the surface), and the magnetic brush mechanism 172 is disposed in the opening. The magnetic brush mechanism 172 is composed of a hollow sleeve 176 rotatably driven in a direction indicated by an arrow 174 and a stationary permanent magnet 178 arranged in the hollow sleeve 176, and magnetically holds a developer made of toner to rotate the rotating drum. Act on 12 photoconductor surfaces.
A doctor blade 180, which can be formed from a thin film made of synthetic resin, for example, is arranged in this opening. The doctor blade 180 extends downward from a mounting member 182 fixed to the upper housing 170, and its free end is pressed against the peripheral surface of the hollow sleeve 176. Doctor blade 180
Serves to remove excess developer retained by the magnetic brush mechanism 172. Lower housing 168, upper housing 1
Toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 184 defined by the 70 and the doctor blade 180, and the stirring and feeding roller 186 is disposed at the bottom of the toner storage chamber 184. Arrow 188
Agitating and feeding roller 186 that is rotationally driven in the direction shown by
The magnetic brush mechanism 172 agitates and mixes the toner in the toner storage chamber 184 and the reused toner that has been collected in the toner collection chamber 112 and then fed to the toner storage chamber 184 by the action of the toner transfer means (described later). To send to. At the upper left portion of the end walls 190 and 192 of the developing device main body 166, the support pin 194 (second
(Only one of which is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) is fixed, and the developing device 18 is mounted on the unit frame 10 by pivotally mounting the support pin 194 on the inner surfaces of the end walls 106 and 108 of the unit frame 10. . In addition, this developing device main body 166
Pins 196 are fixed to the lower outer surfaces of the end walls 190 and 192 of
Corresponding to the pin 196, the end wall 106 of the unit frame 10 and
The pin 198 is also fixed to the outer surface of 108, and the bias coil spring 200 is interposed between the pin 196 and the pin 198 (one of these is shown in FIG. 3, and these are shown in FIGS. 2 and 4). Of the other). As described above, in the state where the rotary drum 12 is detached from the unit frame 10, the biasing coil spring 200 contracts so that the developing device 18 is held at the angular position partially shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. To be done. On the other hand, when the rotary drum 12 is detachably attached to the unit frame 10, both ends of the cylindrical portion 136 are magnetic brush mechanism 172.
Roller 2 rotatably mounted on the shaft of hollow sleeve 176 of
02 (FIG. 5) to cause the biasing coil spring 200 to rotate somewhat counterclockwise against the biasing force of the biasing coil spring 200, thus developing device.
18 is held in the angular position shown in FIG. 2 and shown in solid line in FIG. In such a state, the developing device 18 is elastically biased in the direction of approaching the rotating drum 12 about the support pin 194, and therefore, the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 136 of the rotating drum 12 and the magnetic brush mechanism 172. Hollow sleeve 176
The distance from the peripheral surface of is maintained at a predetermined value set by the roller 202.

Further, the cleaning device 22 is attached to the unit frame 10 as follows. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4,
The elastic blade 204 constituting the toner removing means 120 is attached to the second frame 104. In the specific example, the connecting portions 208 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) provided at both ends of the swivel supporting member 206 are connected via the connecting pin 126 to the end walls 106 and 108 of the first frame 102. Is pivotally connected to. A blade mounting member 210 is fixed to the swivel support member 206, and an elastic blade 204 is fixed to a free end portion of the blade mounting member 210 with an adhesive or the like. The swivel support member 206 is also integrally provided with a pair of upper protrusions 212 (only one of which is shown in the drawings) spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 2 and 4. Connecting side wall 2 connected between the end walls 114 and 116 of the second frame 104
A bias coil spring 216 is interposed between the bias coil spring 216 and the coil 14. The biasing coil spring 216 biases the swivel support member 206, and thus the resilient blade 204, clockwise about the connecting pin 126 in FIGS. 2 and 4. Further, a hanging piece 218 capable of contacting the upper protrusion 212 is provided at a predetermined portion on the inner surface of the upper wall 118 of the second frame 104. Because it is configured like this,
2 and 4, the swivel support member 206 has an angular position where the left end of the swivel support member 206 abuts on the connecting side wall 214 and the upper protrusion 212 has an upper wall 118.
The angle at which the upper protrusion 212 abuts the hanging piece 218 by the action of the normally biased coil spring 216, and is rotatable relative to the second frame 104 between the angular position where the upper projection 212 abuts the hanging piece 218. Held in position. On the other hand, the toner recovery chamber 112 for recovering the toner removed from the rotary drum 12 is provided between the inner side walls 150 and 152 of the first frame 102. Third
Referring also to the drawing, a connecting wall 220 curved in a substantially arc shape is provided between the inner side walls 150 and 152, and the toner collecting chamber 112 is defined by the inner surface of the connecting wall 220. A film-shaped seal member 222 extending toward the rotary drum 12 is provided at one end (upper end) of the connecting wall 220, and the other end (lower end) thereof extends toward the rotary drum 12 and contacts the peripheral surface thereof. A film-like sealing member 224 is provided adjacent to the film. The sealing member 222 contacts the lower surface of the elastic blade 204 when the second frame body 104 is brought to the above-mentioned operating position, and seals between the connecting wall 220 and the elastic blade 204. Further, the seal member 224 prevents the toner from dropping between the rotary drum 12 and the connecting wall 220, and guides the toner removed from the rotary drum 12 to the toner collecting chamber 112. In the specific example, further, a spiral toner transfer member 226 extends from the toner recovery chamber 112 to the toner storage chamber 184 of the developing device 18, and the toner transfer member 2
Reference numeral 26 denotes a hollow cylindrical body 2 for collecting the toner collected in the toner collecting chamber 112.
The toner is supplied to the toner storage chamber 184 through 28 (see also FIG. 1). Since it is configured in this way, the second frame 104 is attached to the arrow 1
When the swivel support member 206 is swung in the opening direction shown in FIG. 24 (FIG. 4), the swivel support member 206 is also swung in the same manner with the upper projection 212 of the swivel support member 206 and the hanging piece 218 of the upper wall 118 abutting, and thus elastic. The blade 204 moves in a direction away from the rotary drum 12 and is relatively far from the surface of the photoconductor (see FIG. 4). On the other hand, when the second frame 104 is swung in the closing direction shown by the arrow 122 (FIG. 4) and positioned at the above-mentioned working position, the tip of the elastic blade 204 acts on the surface of the photoconductor of the rotary drum 12 and is biased. Due to the biasing force of the coil spring 216, the coil spring 216 is pressed against the surface thereof at a predetermined pressure (in such a state, the second
As shown in the figure, the biasing coil spring 216 contracts somewhat as the elastic blade 204 contacts the surface of the photoconductor, and the upper protrusion 212 of the swivel support member 206 is separated from the hanging piece 218 of the upper wall 118.

Next, the mounting and dismounting operation of the rotary drum 12 in the process unit 8 having the above configuration will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, in order to detach the rotary drum 12, first, the process unit 8 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 as required, and the detached unit 8 is placed on the surface of a table or the like. s (Fig. 4).

Next, the elastically deformable portion 132 of the second frame body 104 is elastically deformed to some extent so that the protruding portion 130 and the elastically deformable portion of the first frame body 102 are deformed.
The engagement with the receiving portion 134 defined by 132 is released, and then the second frame 104 is swung in the opening direction indicated by the arrow 124 to move the fourth frame 104 to the fourth position.
The position shown in the drawing is set (the left end of the second frame 104 is held in the above position by contacting the surface s). Thus, as can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 4, the swivel support member 206 swivels in the same manner, and the elastic blade 204
Moves in a direction away from the rotary drum 12, and the contact between the elastic blade 204 and the photoconductor of the rotary drum 12 is released.
Further, in this way, the second frame body 104 moves substantially to the left of the first frame body 102, and the upper side of the rotary drum 12 and the end walls 106 and 1 are rotated.
Above the left part (second guide part 148) of 08 and the inner wall 150
And 152 (first guide part 146) are opened, and the first guide part 146 and the second guide part 148 are exposed to the outside.

Then, the rotary drum 12 is lifted up and its shaft portion 138
The (bearing member 140) is a receiving portion 142 defined by the end walls 106 and 108.
And 144. When the rotary drum 12 is removed, the upper side thereof is opened relatively large, and the elastic blade 204 is located at a position separated from the rotary drum 12, so that the rotary drum 12 can be easily and photosensitive member present on the surface thereof. Can be removed without damage.

After detaching the rotating drum 12 as described above, the rotating drum 12 is attached (the detaching rotating drum 12 is attached again, or a new rotating drum 12 is attached in place of the detaching rotating drum 12). Positions both ends of the cylindrical portion 136 of the rotary drum 12 on the first guide portion 146 from above, and moves them along the first guide portion 146 as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 4, the shaft portion 138 (bearing member 140) is positioned at the second guide portion 148 and moved a little along it, and the rear shaft portion 13 is then moved.
8 is dropped onto the receiving portions 142 and 144. Thus, the shaft portion 138 of the rotary drum 12 is removably received in the receiving portions 142 and 144. Even during such mounting, the elastic blade 204
Since the roller is retracted, the rotary drum 12 can be easily mounted without damaging the photoconductor. In addition, during such mounting, the cylindrical portion 136 of the rotary drum 12 is first moved along the first guide portion 146, and then the shaft portion 138 thereof is moved to the second portion.
It suffices if the rotary drum 12 is moved along the guide portion 148, and even if this is the case, the rotary drum 12 can be easily mounted without damaging the photoconductor.

Then, the second frame body 104 is swung in the closing direction shown by the arrow 122 to be positioned at the working position shown in FIG. As a result, the projection portion 130 of the upper wall 110 is received by the receiving portion 134 of the elastically deformable portion 132, and thus the second frame body 104 is held in the above-mentioned operating position. In such a state, the elastic blade 204
The tip of the roller is pressed against the surface of the photoconductor of the rotary drum 12 by the action of the bias coil spring 216, and the toner on the photoconductor of the rotary drum 12 is removed by the action of the elastic blade 204. Further, in such a state, the receiving portions 142 and 144 restrain the movement of the shaft portion 138 (bearing member 140) of the rotary drum 12 in the downward and lateral directions (left and right directions in FIG. 2), and in addition, the above-mentioned operating position. End wall 114 of the second frame 104 at
And the lower edges of the shafts 166 of the rotary drum 12 (bearing member 14
By contacting the upper edge of (0), the upward movement of the shaft portion 138 is restrained, and thus the rotary drum 12 is reliably supported by the unit frame 10.

In addition, in the illustrated specific example, the second frame 104 is configured to be releasably locked in the operating position.
The frame body 104 can be releasably locked at the non-acting position, which is moved slightly from the acting position in the opening direction.

6 and 7 showing a modified example of the process unit 8, in the illustrated modified example, in addition to the operating position locking means 128, a non-operating position locking means 232 is provided. The action position locking means 128 is provided with the receiving portion 134 defined by the elastically deforming portion 132 of the second frame body 104 as in the specific example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and the second frame body is provided. By positioning 104 at the working position shown in FIG. 6, the projection 130 provided on the upper wall 110 of the first frame 102 is detachably received by the receiving portion 134. When it is pushed to the working position,
Similar to the above, the elastic blade 204 acts on the surface of the photoconductor of the rotary drum 12, and the tip of the elastic blade 204 is pressed against the surface of the photoconductor by the action of the bias coil spring 216.

In addition, the non-acting position locking means 232 is configured such that the elastic deformation portion 132 is
The second frame 1 is provided with the receiving portion 234 defined at the tip portion (the tip side further than the portion where the receiving portion 134 is defined).
By slightly turning 04 from the above-mentioned operating position in the opening direction indicated by the arrow 224, the above-mentioned protrusion 130 of the first frame 102 is rotated.
However, as shown in FIG.
34 can be detachably received. As a result, the non-acting position locking means 232 is locked, and the second frame 104 is held in the non-acting position shown in FIG. In such a state, since the second frame body 104 is slightly rotated in the opening direction, the elastic blade 204 moves in the direction away from the rotary drum 12, and the tip of the elastic blade 204 is substantially on the surface of the photoconductor. It is separated from the surface without any effect.

Other configurations in this modified example are substantially the same as the specific example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Even if the process unit 8 of this modified example is adopted, the same effect as described above can be achieved. In addition, the process unit 8
By holding the second frame 104 in the non-acting position during transport, storage, etc., the pressure contact between the photosensitive member of the rotary drum 12 and the elastic blade 204 can be released, and the deterioration of the photosensitive member is thereby caused. It is also possible to prevent the elastic blade 204 from being deformed.

Incidentally, instead of the above-mentioned configuration, for example, the action position locking means
The 128 and the non-actuated position locking means 232 may be provided as separate dedicated units.

The specific example of the laser beam printer as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific example, and various modifications or alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It can be modified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view showing a specific example of a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a process unit in the laser beam printer of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a first frame of the process unit shown in FIG. 2 and a part of various components attached thereto. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation when the rotary drum is mounted on the unit frame of the process unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway sectional view for explaining a supporting state of the rotary drum. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the process unit in a state in which the second frame body is in the working position. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the process unit of FIG. 6 with the second frame body in the non-operating position. 2 ... Device body 8 ... Process unit 10 ... Unit frame 12 ... Rotating drum 16 ... Charging corona discharger 18 ... Developing device 22 ... Cleaning device 24 ... Optical unit 102 ... First frame Body 104 ... Second frame 112 ... Toner collection chamber 120 ... Toner removing means 128 ... Working position locking means 136 ... Cylindrical portion 138 ... Shaft portions 142 and 144 ... Receiving portion 146 ... First Guide part 148 …… second guide part 204 …… elastic blade 232 …… non-acting position locking means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Katsushi Horihata 1-228 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture Mita Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroyuki Tanaka 1-228 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka, Osaka No. Sanda Kogyo Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-58-25682 (JP, A) Actually developed Shou 60-51554 (JP, U)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image bearing means having a photoconductor on its surface, an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor surface, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor surface as toner. The image bearing means and the cleaning device are provided with a developing device for developing an image, and a cleaning device provided with a toner removing means that acts on the surface of the photoconductor and removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor after transfer. In an image forming apparatus mounted on a unit frame that is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body; the unit frame includes a first frame body and a second frame body rotatably mounted on the first frame body. The first frame is provided with a receiving portion for removably receiving the image bearing means, and the image bearing means is rotatably mounted on the receiving portion, and the second frame body is provided. Is provided with the toner removing means, and the first frame body and the second frame body are provided with the toner removing means. Is provided with operating position lock means for releasably locking the second frame body at a working position where the toner removing means acts on the surface of the image carrying means by rotating the second frame body in the closing direction. Further, in the first frame body and the second frame body, the second frame body is further moved from the operating position in the opening direction, and the toner removing means is substantially on the surface of the image carrying means. A non-acting position locking means for releasably locking the second frame is provided at a non-acting position where the upper frame does not act. When the second frame is swung in the opening direction from the action position, the toner is released. An image forming apparatus, wherein the removing means is separated from the surface of the image carrying means. 2. An image bearing means having a photoconductor on its surface, an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor surface, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor surface as toner. A developing device for developing an image, a toner removing unit that acts on the surface of the photoconductor to remove the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor after transfer, and a toner collection chamber that collects the toner removed by the toner removal unit. And a cleaning device, wherein the image carrier and the cleaning device are attached to a unit frame detachably attached to the apparatus main body; the unit frame includes a first frame body and a first frame body. A first frame body is provided with a second frame body which is rotatably attached to the first frame body. The first frame body defines a receiving portion that detachably receives the image carrying means. It is rotatably mounted on the receiving part and Is disposed in the second frame body, the toner recovery chamber is disposed in the first frame body, and when the second frame body is swung in the closing direction to the operating position. , The toner removing means acts on the surface of the image bearing means, and when the second frame is swung in the opening direction from the acting position, the toner removing means is separated from the surface of the image bearing means. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. 3. A rotary drum having a photoconductor on its peripheral surface, an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor surface, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor surface. An image forming apparatus having a developing device for developing an image into a toner image, wherein the rotating drum is detachably mounted on a unit frame mounted on the apparatus main body; The first frame body is provided with a first frame body that defines a receiving portion that rotatably supports and a second frame body that is rotatably attached to the first frame body. A first guide portion is provided corresponding to both ends of the cylindrical portion of the drum, and a second guide portion is provided corresponding to the shaft portion of the rotary drum, and the shaft of the rotary drum is provided. When the portion is detachably attached to the receiving portion, the cylindrical portion is guided along the first guide portion, and then the shaft portion is attached. Guided along the guide portion of the second image forming apparatus characterized by. 4. The second frame body is rotatable in an opening direction from an operating position, and is pivoted in the opening direction to provide a first guide portion and a second guide portion provided on the first frame body. The guide part of the above is exposed to the outside, and is swung in the closing direction to the operating position to prevent the rotary drum from being detached and to cover the first guide part and the second guide part. The image forming apparatus according to item 3. 5. The first frame body and the second frame body are provided with working position locking means for releasably locking the second frame body in the working position. The image forming apparatus according to item 4.