Abstract:
In the image forming device, the main body has a loading port. The image bearing unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The toner unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The developer unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The toner unit, the developer unit, and the image bearing unit are located in this order from the loading port to an inside of the main body, when the toner unit, the developer unit, and the image bearing unit are attached in the main body. The toner unit is configured to be independently detached from the main body, when the image bearing unit and the developer unit are attached to the main body.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/666,604, filed Apr. 30, 2007, which is a national stage application based on PCT application No. PCT/JP2005/019313 filed Oct. 20, 2005, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2004-315768 filed Oct. 29, 2004. The entire contents of the above noted applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an image forming device of a so-called electrophotographic system which forms an image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member with toner and adhering the image on paper. The present invention also relates to a toner cartridge, a developer cartridge, and an image bearing member cartridge which can be used in the image forming device. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    There is known an image forming device including a photosensitive member cartridge, a toner cartridge, and a developing cartridge, in a removable manner. The photosensitive member cartridge contains a photosensitive member. The toner cartridge contains toner. The developing cartridge contains a developing unit which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member with the toner contained in the toner cartridge. In the image forming device of this kind, when an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit by using the toner contained in the toner cartridge. Then, the toner is adhered to paper, and thereby the image can be formed on the paper. 
         [0004]    Here, in a certain kind of image forming device, for example, life of each of the units is different among each other, i.e. life of the photosensitive member is for 50000 sheets, whereas life of the developing unit is for 20000 sheets and life of the toner cartridge is for 3000 sheets. When the photosensitive member cartridge, the developing cartridge, and the toner cartridge are integrated together and exchanged at the same time, cost effectiveness is lowered. Accordingly, each of the cartridges has suggested to be made separable from the other cartridges so that only the cartridge reaching to the end of life is exchanged at a time (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). 
         [0000]    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H04-322260 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    However, in the device disclosed in the Publication, a path of mounting and removing each of the cartridges, that is, a spatial path through which each of the cartridges passes at the time of being mounted and removed, is different from the passes of other cartridges. Therefore, a configuration of the device is complicated in order to mount and remove the cartridges. For example, a cover needs to be opened widely. As described above, the conventional devices cannot achieve the size reduction or simplified structure of the device, with each of the cartridges being separately exchangeable. In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming device which achieves size reduction with simplified structure while the image forming device includes the photosensitive member cartridge, the developing cartridge, and the toner cartridge can be exchanged separately depending on lifetime thereof. 
         [0006]    In addition, in the device disclosed in the Publication, after the photosensitive member cartridge, the developing cartridge, and the toner cartridge are integrated together and taken out at once, a cartridge to be exchanged is separated and exchanged with a new cartridge. For this reason, even in a case where only the toner cartridge is to be exchanged, each of the cartridges needs to be removed from the device once. Therefore, workability of exchanging cartridges is not sufficient. In addition, there is room for improvement for a guide for guiding each of the cartridges being mounted or removed. Therefore, the present invention is invented to provide the toner cartridge, the developing cartridge, or the photosensitive member cartridge which can easily be exchanged by separating the cartridges individually as described above. 
         [0007]    In order to attain the above and other objects, the invention provides an image forming device includes an image forming device. The image forming device includes a main body, an image bearing unit, a toner unit, and a developer unit. The main body has a loading port. The image bearing unit has a photosensitive drum configured to have an electrostatic latent image formed thereon. The image bearing unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The toner unit is configured to accommodate toner therein and has an agitator configured to agitate the toner. The toner unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The developer unit has a developing roller configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by the toner. 
         [0008]    The developer unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The toner unit, the developer unit, and the image bearing unit are located in this order from the loading port to an inside of the main body, when the toner unit, the developer unit, and the image bearing unit are attached in the main body. The toner unit is configured to be independently detached from the main body, when the image bearing unit and the developer unit are attached to the main body. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect, the present invention provides an image forming device. The image forming device includes a main body, an image bearing unit, a toner unit, and a developer unit. The main body has a loading port. The image bearing unit has a photosensitive drum configured to have an electrostatic latent image formed thereon. The image bearing unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The toner unit is configured to accommodate toner therein and having an agitator configured to agitate the toner. The toner unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The developer unit has a developing roller configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by the toner. The developer unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body thorough the loading port. The toner unit, the developer unit, and the image bearing unit are located in this order from the loading port to an inside of the main body, when the toner unit, the developer unit, and the image bearing unit are attached in the main body. The main body has a first driving portion, a second driving portion, and a third driving portion. The image bearing unit has a first driven portion configured to transmit a driving force from the first driving portion to the photosensitive drum. The developer unit has a second driven portion configured to transmit a driving force from the second driving portion to the developing roller. The toner unit has a third driven portion configured to transmit a driving force from the third driving portion to the agitator. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an external view of a laser printer to which the present invention is applied; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing operation of opening a lid portion of the laser printer; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing operation of pulling out a paper feeding cassette of the laser printer; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an inside configuration of the laser printer; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an operation of removing the cartridges of the printer in an integrated manner; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an operation of separating a toner cartridge and a developing cartridge of the laser printer; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an operation of removing only the toner cartridge of the laser printer; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an operation of removing the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge of the laser printer in an integrated manner; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9A  is an explanatory diagram showing a separated state explaining a mechanism of switching over a connection and a separation between the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9B  is a view of a supporting member of the developing cartridge from a side of the toner cartridge; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9C  is a view showing the toner cartridge from a side of the supporting member; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10A  is an explanatory diagram showing a connected state explaining a mechanism of switching over a connection and a separation between the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10B  is a view of a supporting member of the developing cartridge from a side of the toner cartridge; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10C  is a view showing the toner cartridge from a side of the supporting member; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11A  is a right side view showing configurations of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11B  is a front view showing configurations of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  C is a right side view showing configurations of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11D  is a front view showing configurations of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12A  is a right side view showing a configuration of a photosensitive member cartridge; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12B  is a right side view showing configurations of the developing cartridge and the photosensitive member cartridge; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12C  is a left side view showing configurations of the developing cartridge and the photosensitive member cartridge; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12D  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing configurations of the developing cartridge and the photosensitive member cartridge; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a state in which all the cartridges of the laser printer are removed; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a configuration of a laser printer according to a second embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an operation of removing each of the cartridges of the laser printer in an integrated manner; 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an operation of removing the developing cartridge and a toner cartridge of the laser printer in an integrated manner; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17A  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing operation of separating the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge of the laser printer; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17B  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing operation of rotating a handle directly to the above for separating the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge of the laser printer; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17C  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a state in which the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge of the laser printer are separated; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a configuration of a laser printer according to a third embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing operation of removing a developing cartridge and a toner cartridge of the laser printer in an integrated manner; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20A  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an operation of separating the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge of the laser printer; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20B  is a front view showing operation of separating the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge of the laser printer; 
           [0043]      FIG. 20C  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a state in which the handle is rotated directly to the above in order to separate the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge of the laser printer; 
           [0044]      FIG. 20D  is a front view showing a state in which the handle is rotated directly above in order to separate the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge of the laser printer; 
           [0045]      FIG. 20E  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a state in which the toner cartridge of the laser printer is pulled out from the developing cartridge; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 20F  is a front view showing a state in which the toner cartridge of the laser printer is pulled out from the developing cartridge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an external view of a laser printer  1  as an image forming device to which the present invention is applied. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a cover  2  covers a body of the laser printer  1  from an outer periphery. A paper feeding cassette  3  is mounted to a lower part of the cover  2 . A lid portion  4  of the cover  2  is provided on a front surface of the cover  2  (that is, a surface which is arranged in the front when the laser printer  1  is installed). 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lid portion  4  includes a finger hook part  4   a  on an  2   0  upper side of both left and right edges. The lid portion  4  can be open in a front direction around a hinge  4   b  on a bottom edge by pulling the finger hook part  4   a.  Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the paper feeding cassette  3  is capable of pulling out in a front direction. By being pulled out in this way, the paper feeding cassette  3  can removed from the laser printer  1 . 
         [0049]    Next,  FIG. 4  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing an internal configuration of the laser printer  1 .  FIG. 4  is a cross section cut along the A-A line in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a supporting plate  5  is provided in the paper feeding cassette  3 . The supporting plate  5  is urged upward by a spring  6 . A paper feeding roller  9  is provided on a front and upper side of the supporting plate  5 . The paper feeding roller  9  separates sheets of paper (not shown) retained on the supporting plate  5  in a laminated manner sheet by sheet, and supplies the separated sheet of paper in a direction of an image forming unit  7 . The laser printer  1  includes the paper feeding roller  9 , a conveying roller  11 , a guide  13 , and a pair of registration rollers  14  and  15 , in this order, in a conveying path of the paper to a image forming unit  7 . The conveying roller  11  conveys the paper in cooperation with the paper feeding roller  9 . The guide  13  turns the paper conveyed by the conveying roller  11  for about 180° along an outer periphery of the paper feeding roller  9 . The pair of the registration rollers  14  and  15  lock a front edge of the paper by stopping as appropriate to correct oblique conveyance of the paper. 
         [0050]    The image forming unit  7  includes a photosensitive drum  21  and a transfer roller  22 . The photosensitive drum  21  works as a photosensitive member provided in a photosensitive member cartridge  20 . The transfer roller  22  faces the photosensitive drum  21 . The paper passes between the photosensitive drum  21  and the transfer roller  22  to have an image formed thereon by toner as will be described later, and is supplied to a fixing unit  31 . In the fixing unit  31 , the toner image formed on the paper is heat fixed by being sandwiched by a heating roller  33  and a pressing roller  35 . The paper on which the image is fixed is further conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers  36  and  36 . 
         [0051]    The paper conveyed by the conveying rollers  36  and  36  is led to an upper direction of the cover  2  by a guide  37 . The paper is then discharged to a paper discharge tray  39  provided on an upper surface of the cover  2  by a pair of paper discharge rollers  38  and  38 . In addition, a scanner unit  90  is disposed between the paper discharge tray  39  and the photosensitive member cartridge  20 . The scanner unit  90  exposes the photosensitive drum  21  with laser light L. 
         [0052]    Configurations of the image forming unit  7  and the scanner unit  90  will be described more in detail. The photosensitive member cartridge  20  includes the photosensitive drum  21  having a photosensitive layer on a front surface in a rotatable manner. Further, the photosensitive member cartridge  20  includes a Scorotron charger  23  which uniformly charges front surfaces of the transfer roller  22  and the photosensitive drum  21 . On the front surface of the photosensitive drum  21  charged by the Scorotron charger  23 , an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser light L which enters from the scanner unit  90  through an exposure opening  20   a.  Subsequently, a developing roller  41  supplies the toner to the front surface of the photosensitive drum  21  to develop the electrostatic latent image. The developing roller  41  works as a developing unit provided in a developing cartridge  40  which will be described in the next paragraph. The toner adhered to the photosensitive drum  21  in the manner described above is transferred to the paper passing between the photosensitive drum  21  and the transfer roller  22 . Accordingly, the image is formed on the paper. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the developing roller  41  is rotatably supported by the developing cartridge  40 . The developing roller  41  contacts the photosensitive drum  21  and is rotatably driven by a mechanism which will be described later. The developing cartridge  40  includes a supporting unit  42  which supports a toner cartridge  60  in a removable manner. An opening  42   a  is pierced through the supporting unit  42  (see  FIG. 7 ). The toner is supplied through the opening  42   a  from the toner cartridge  60 . Further, the developing cartridge  40  includes a pair of augers  43  and  43 , a supplying roller  45 , and a developing blade  47 . The pair of the augers  43  and  43  conveys the toner from the opening  42   a  disposed on a center in an axial direction of the supplying roller  45  to both sides of the supplying roller  45  in the axial direction. The supplying roller  45  supplies the toner conveyed by the augers  43  and  43  toward the developing roller  41 . The developing blade  47  frictionally charges the toner adhered to a front surface of the developing roller  41  by the supplying roller  45  and forms a thin layer of the toner. An agitator  61  is provided inside the toner cartridge  60  in a rotatable manner. The agitator  61  agitates the toner contained in the toner cartridge  60  and supplies the toner to a side of the developing cartridge  40 . 
         [0054]    Subsequently, a configuration of the scanner unit  90  will be described. The scanner unit  90  includes a polygon mirror  91  and mirrors  92  and  93 . The polygon mirror  91  deflects and scans the laser light L generated by a laser generating unit (not shown). Mirrors  92  and  93  reflect the laser light L deflected by the polygon mirror  91  toward the photosensitive drum  21 . In addition, an fθ lens  95  is fixed in a light path of the laser light L from the polygon mirror  91  to the mirror  92 , and a cylindrical lens  97  is fixed in a light path of the laser light L from the mirror  92  to the mirror  93 . 
         [0055]    In the above configuration, the polygon mirror  91  and the photosensitive drum  21  are rotated to exit the laser light L in an appropriate timing. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image can be formed on a front surface of the photosensitive drum  21 . Then, as described above, the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the paper after being developed with the toner through the developing roller  41 . Thereby, images can be formed by electrophotography processes. 
         [0056]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the lid portion  4  is opened, and further, a handle  25  of the photosensitive member cartridge  20  is pulled in a front direction. In this manner, the photosensitive member cartridge  20  can be taken out with the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60  in an integrated manner from a mounting/removing opening  2   a  to outside a device body of the laser printer  1 . The mounting/removing opening  2  is an opening of the cover  2  closed by the lid portion  4 . 
         [0057]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when a handle  62  of the toner cartridge  60  is rotated to an upward direction, the toner cartridge  60  is separated from the developing cartridge  40  as described later. Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the handle  62  is pulled in a front direction, only the toner cartridge  60  can be removed from the mounting/removing opening  2   a  to outside the device body of the laser printer  1 . That is, the mounting/removing opening  2   a  corresponds to a toner cartridge mounting/removing opening. 
         [0058]    Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the handle  25  of the photosensitive member cartridge  20  is pressed down, the developing cartridge  40  is separated from the photosensitive member cartridge  20  as described later. Further, when the handle  62  of the toner cartridge  60  is pulled in a front direction without rotating to the upward direction, the toner cartridge  60  and the developing cartridge  40  can be removed from the mounting/removing opening  2   a  to outside the device body of the laser printer  1 . 
         [0059]    A configuration of switching over a connection and a separation between each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  will be described. First, a configuration of switching over a connection and a separation between the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60  will be described. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9B  and  FIG. 9C  show a state in which the handle  62  of the toner cartridge  60  is rotated to an upward direction (hereinafter, referred to as the separating position) as shown in  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 9B  is a view of the supporting unit  42  of the developing cartridge  40  when viewed from a side of the toner cartridge  60 .  FIG. 9C  is a view of the toner cartridge  60  viewed from a side of the supporting unit  42 . 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 9C , the toner cartridge  60  includes an inner cylinder  63  and an outer cylinder  64 . The inner cylinder  63  has an elongated cylindrical shape and contains the toner inside. The outer cylinder  64  is fitted over a central part of the inner cylinder  63 . A convex  64   a  protrudes to a side of the supporting unit  42  when the outer cylinder  64  is mounted in the supporting unit  42 . The outer cylinder  64  is mounted in the supporting unit  42  by engaging a convex  64   a  with a long groove  42   b  on an inner wall surface of the supporting unit  42 . Thus, the outer cylinder  64  is prevented from rotating to the supporting unit  42  by the engagement between the supporting unit  42  and the convex  64   a.  The inner cylinder  63  is integrally formed with the handle  62  and rotatably disposed on a inner side of the outer cylinder  64  corresponding to operation of the handle  62 . 
         [0062]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 9B , a shutter  48  made of a metal plate is provided inside the supporting unit  42 . Both edges of the shutter  48  are supported by a rail  42   c  formed on an inner wall surface of the supporting unit  42 . Thereby, the shutter  48  is arranged between a position at which the shutter  48  blocks the opening  42   a  of the supporting unit  42  as shown in  FIG. 9B  and a position above the opening  42   a  (see  FIG. 10B ), in a movable manner in a direction of the inner periphery of the supporting unit  42 . 
         [0063]    Four protrusions  63   a  are formed on a front surface of the inner cylinder  63 . Four protrusions  63   a  serve to hold the shutter  48  of four corners thereof, two corners being circumferentially disposed from the remaining two corners. For this reason, the shutter  48  moves corresponding to a rotation of the inner cylinder  63 . When the handle  62  is located at the separating position, the shutter  48  is located at the position at which the shutter  48  blocks the opening  42   a  as shown in  FIGS. 9B and 9C . The long groove  42   b  described above is formed in a lower position than the shutter  48  so that the long groove  42   b  does not overlap the shutter  48  that is located in the position at which the shutter  48  blocks the opening  42   a.  In addition, the opening  42   a  is configured to have a rectangular shape with a longer side being in a horizontal direction. A sponge  49  having a rectangular frame shape surrounding the opening  42   a  is affixed on an inner wall surface of the supporting unit  42  around the opening  42   a.    
         [0064]    An opening  64   b  having the same shape as the opening  42   a  is formed in a position facing the opening  42   a  when the convex  64   a  is engaged with the long groove  42   b.  A sponge  65  having the same shape as the sponge  49  is affixed around the opening  64   b.  In addition, an opening  63   b  having the same shape as the opening  64   b  is formed in the inner cylinder  63  as well. The opening  64   b  and the opening  63   b  do not overlap each other at all when the handle  62  is located at the separating position as shown in  FIG. 9C . For this reason, even when the toner cartridge  60  is taken out, the inside toner does not spill over. 
         [0065]    Then, when the handle  62  of the toner cartridge  60  is rotated to a downward direction as shown in  FIG. 10A  (hereinafter, the handle  62  located at this position is referred to as a connecting position) with the convex  64   a  engaged with the long groove  42   b,  the opening  64   b  and the opening  63   b  overlap each other as shown in  FIG. 10C . In addition, at this time, as shown in  FIG. 10B , the shutter  48  is moved to an upper direction of the opening  42   a  by the protrusion  63   a.  In this manner, the opening  64   ba  is communicated with the opening  42   a,  and the toner can be supplied to the developing cartridge  40  from the toner cartridge  60 . 
         [0066]    Further, at this time, the sponge  49  are in close contact with the sponge  65 . An engaging portion  63   c  is integrally formed on an outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder  63  and is engaged with the rail  42   c.  Therefore, peripheries of the openings  64   b  and  42   a  are sealed and the toner never spills over to the outside. In addition, by the engagement of the engaging portion  63   c  and the rail  42   c,  the developing cartridge  40  is connected to the toner cartridge  60 . Thereby, the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60  can be mounted and removed in an integrated manner as described above (see  FIG. 8 ). On contrary, the handle  62  is operated to rotate the inner cylinder  63 , and the engaging portion  63   c  and the rail  42   c  are disengaged one from the other. Thereby, the toner cartridge  60  can be separated from the developing cartridge  40 . Thus, only the toner cartridge  60  can be removed as described above (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0067]    In addition, a gear  901  is provided on an external side of one end of the inner cylinder  63 . The gear  901  rotates with the agitator  61  in an integrated manner. A gear  902  is exposed on the supporting unit  42  at a position facing the gear  901 . The gear  902  transmits a driving force to the gear  901 . For this reason, by mounting the toner cartridge  60  in the supporting unit  42  and engaging the engaging portion  63   c  with the rail  42   c  as described above, the agitator  61  can be driven via the gears  902  and  901 . 
         [0068]    Further, a rotational shaft  903  of the gear  901  protrudes to the left and right as shown in  FIG. 10C . A guide grooves  42   d  are formed on surfaces of left and right edges of the supporting unit  42 . The guide grooves  42   d  guide the rotational shaft  903 . When the toner cartridge  60  is mounted, the rotational shaft  903  can be guided by the guide grooves  42   d.  Therefore, the convex  64   a  can easily be engaged with the long groove  42   b.    
         [0069]    Next,  FIG. 11B  is a view of the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60  viewed from a front surface side when the handle  62  is located at the connecting position as shown in  FIG. 11A .  FIG. 11D  is a view of the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60  viewed from a front surface side when the handle  62  is located at the separating position as shown in  FIG. 11C . 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIGS. 11B and 11D , an opening  64   d  is formed on a front surface side of the outer cylinder  64 . The opening  64   d  penetrates the outer cylinder  64  such that the handle  62  is rotatable. In addition, a pair of spring receiving part  66  and  66  are formed both the left and right of a front surface of the inner cylinder  63  at little upper positions than both sides of the handle  62 . The pair of spring receiving units  66  and  66  have a depressed center part in a circumferential direction. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a pair of pressing members  71  and  71  is disposed on an inner surface of the lid portion  4 . The pair of pressing members  71  and  71  is urged by springs (not shown) in a protruding direction of the pressing member  71 . The spring receiving units  66  and  66  receive a pressing force from the pressing members  71  and  71  when the lid portion  4  is closed. Thus, each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  are securely fixed inside the laser printer  1  by the pressing force. In addition, an interfering member  72  protrudes between a position of the pressing members  71  and  71 . If the handle  62  is not located in the connecting position, the lid portion  4  is configured so as to be unable to close due to interferences between the handle  62  and the interring member  72 . 
         [0071]    Next,  FIG. 12A  is a right side view showing a configuration of the photosensitive member cartridge  20 ,  FIG. 12B  is a right side view showing configurations of the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60 ,  FIG. 12C  is a left side view showing configurations of the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60 , and  FIG. 12D  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing configurations of the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60 . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 12A , the handle  25  of the photosensitive member cartridge  20  is fixed to the photosensitive member cartridge  20  with a plate spring  26  therebetween. The plate spring  26  has a bending section  26   a  in the middle of the plate spring. The plate spring  26  is upwardly bent in a stepwise shape at the bending section  26 . When the developing cartridge  40  is mounted in the photosensitive member cartridge  20 , the bending section  26   a  engages with a lower side  42   e  (see  FIG. 12D ) of the supporting unit  42  to connect the developing cartridge  40  to the photosensitive member cartridge  20 . For this reason, when the handle  25  is pressed down (see  FIG. 8 ) as described above, the bending section  26   a  and the lower side  42   e  are disengaged one from the other. Thereby, the developing cartridge  40  can be mounted in and removed from the photosensitive member cartridge  20 . 
         [0073]    In addition, a rotational shaft  905  of the developing roller  41  protrudes in both the left and right direction from the developing cartridge  40 . Guide grooves  20   b  into which the rotational shaft  905  fits are formed on both the left and right surfaces of the photosensitive member cartridge  20 . For this reason, the developing cartridge  40  is mounted in and removed from the photosensitive member cartridge  20  while both ends of the rotational shaft  905  are fitted into the guide groove  20   b.  Thereby, the mounting and removing of the developing cartridge  40  is facilitated. 
         [0074]    A gear  907  is provided in the photosensitive member cartridge  20 . The gear  907  rotates with the photosensitive drum  21  in an integrated manner. When the developing cartridge  40  and the photosensitive member cartridge  20  are mounted in the device body, the gear  907  engages with a gear  999  provided in the device body (see  FIG. 13 ). In addition, a gear  908  is provided in the developing cartridge  40  and rotates with the developing roller  41  in an integrated manner. As shown in  FIG. 12B , the gear  908  engages with a gear  911 . A drive shaft  910  is provided on a right side surface of the developing cartridge  40 . The gear  911  is rotates with the drive shaft  910  in an integrated manner. Further, the gear  911  also engages with a gear  912  which rotates with the supplying roller  45  in an integrated manner. For this reason, a driving force transmitted to the gear  999  is transmitted to the photosensitive drum  21 , and a driving force transmitted to the drive shaft  910  is transmitted to the supplying roller  45  and the developing roller  41  as described later, respectively. 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIG. 12C , a drive shaft  920  is provided on a left side surface of the developing cartridge  40 . The drive shaft  920  rotates with the gear  902  in an integrated manner. In addition, the gear  902  also engages with a pair of gears  921  and  921  which rotate with the pair of the augers  43  and  43  in an integrated manner. For this reason, when a driving force is transmitted to the drive shaft  920  of the developing cartridge  40  to which the toner cartridge  60  is connected, such driving force can further be transmitted to the agitator  61  and the pair of the augers  43  and  43 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 13  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a state in which all the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  of the laser printer  1  are removed. As shown in  FIG. 13 , guide members  73  and  73  for guiding the photosensitive member cartridge  20  and the developing cartridge  40  are provided on left and right inner wall surfaces of the cover  2  (only left side one is illustrated in  FIG. 13 ). The guide members  73  and  73  are provided with guide grooves  73   a  and  73   a  having a substantially linear shape. The guide grooves  73   a  and  73   a  guide both ends of a rotational shaft  922  of the photosensitive drum  21  (see  FIG. 12A ) and the drive shaft  910  or  920  described above. The drive shafts  930  and  930  are disposed at positions on the guide grooves  73   a  and  73   a  where the guide grooves  73   a  and  73   a  face the drive shafts  910  and  920  when the developing cartridge  40  is mounted. The drive shafts  930  and  930  are rotatably provided. The drive shafts  930  and  930  transmit a driving force from a main motor (not shown) provided in the device body of the laser printer  1 . 
         [0077]    As shown in  FIGS. 12B and 12C , both the drive shafts  910  and  920  have a hollow cylinder shape. A pair of protrusions  910   a  and  910   a  is provided at position facing each other at 180° on an inner surface wall the drive shaft  910 . A pair of protrusions  920   a  and  920   a  is provided at position facing each other at 180° on the inner surface wall of the drive shaft  920 . The drive shaft  930  is configured so as to be able to fit in a hollow part of the drive shafts  910  and  920 . Further, grooves  930   a  are formed on the drive shafts  930 . The grooves are engaged with the protrusion  910   a  and  920   a.  For this reason, by protruding the drive shafts  930  and  930  and engaging the drive shafts  930  and  930  with the drive shafts  910  and  920  after all the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  are mounted, each unit can drive as described above. 
         [0078]    In the laser printer  1  according to the present embodiment as described above, the following can be carried out depending on what is required: removing and exchanging the photosensitive member cartridge  20 , the developing cartridge  40 , and the toner cartridge  60  in an integrated manner (see  FIG. 5 ); removing and exchanging only the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60  in an integrated manner (see  FIG. 8 ); and removing and exchanging only the toner cartridge  60  (see  FIG. 7 ). For this reason, exchanging work of each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  can be efficiently carried out. Further, since only the cartridges which need to be exchanged can be exchanged, the laser printer  1  according to the present embodiment provides excellent cost effectiveness. 
         [0079]    When printing is carried out in the proportion of 5% with respect to an entire area of A4-size paper, life of the photosensitive member cartridge  20  is for 50000 sheets of paper, while life of the developing cartridge  40  is for 20000 sheets of paper and life of the toner cartridge  60  is for 3000 sheets of paper. The lives of each of the cartridges are based on following matters. That is, in the photosensitive member cartridge  20 , the toner adhered to the developing roller  41  grinds a photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum  21  like an abrading agent. Further, charging characteristics is degraded with age. For the above reasons, the photosensitive drum  21  can no longer stand the use after printing for around 50000 sheets of the A4-size paper. As for the developing cartridge  40 , the developing roller  41  can no longer exert the performance after printing for around 20000 sheets of the A4-size paper due to friction with the supplying roller  45  and the developing blade  47 . The toner cartridge  60  contains the toner for an amount enough for printing around 3000 sheets of A4-size paper. 
         [0080]    As described above, the life of each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  is different from the other cartridges. For this reason, the cartridges are arranged, from the mounting/removing opening  2   a  side, in the order of shorter life, i.e. in the order of the toner cartridge  60 , the developing cartridge  40 , and the photosensitive member cartridge  20 , which is the order of higher frequency of exchange. In this manner, as described above, only a part of the cartridges in the front can be exchanged, while the other cartridges deeper inside than the part of the cartridges is mounted in the device body. Therefore, workability of the exchange is further improved. When resolving paper jam, it is convenient to remove the photosensitive member cartridge  20 , the developing cartridge  40 , and the toner cartridge  60  in an integrated manner. 
         [0081]    Further, each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  can be mounted and removed through the common mounting/removing opening  2   a  after passing through a common mounting and removing path. Therefore, the device does not become larger, and the mounting/removing opening  2   a  can be made comparatively small. Accordingly, a simplified configuration of the device is achieved. Therefore, in the laser printer  1  according to the present embodiment, a degree of freedom as to where to install the device is improved, and a manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the mounting/removing opening  2   a  is provided on a front surface side, and the front surface side is a side where the paper feeding cassette  3  is mounted in or removed from the device. Therefore, the mounting and removing of each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  is further facilitated. 
         [0082]    The mounting and removing path of each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  may be curved. However, in the laser printer  1 , each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  is mounted or removed along the guide groove  73   a  having a substantial linear shape. Therefore, the mounting and removing of each of the cartridges  20 ,  40 , and  60  is further facilitated. 
         [0083]    In addition, since the interfering member  72  is provided in the laser printer  1 , the lid portion  4  cannot be closed if the handle  62  of the toner cartridge  60  is not located at the connecting position. In this manner, wrong operation such as instructing driving while the developing cartridge  40  and the toner cartridge  60  are separated can be prevented. The handle  62  may be interfere with, instead of the interfering member  72 , a path of some member which works in association with the lid portion  4  such that the some member prevent the lid portion  4  from being closed. In this case as well, a similar effect can be obtained. 
         [0084]    Next,  FIG. 14  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a configuration of a laser printer  101  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In each of the embodiments, a part similar to the laser printer  1  according to the first embodiment is indicated by the same reference numeral as used in  FIGS. 1 to 13 , and detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0085]    The laser printer  101  according to the present embodiment is different from the laser printer  1  in a point that a supporting unit  142  provided in a developing cartridge  140 . The supporting unit  142  has an opening toward a substantial upper direction and supports the toner cartridge  160 . In accordance therewith, a hole  142   e  (see  FIG. 16 ) is provided in the supporting unit  142  in place of the lower side  42   e.  A plate spring  126  which connects the handle  25  to a photosensitive member cartridge  120  is provided with a protrusion  126   a  fitting in the hole  142   e  in place of the bending section  26   a.    
         [0086]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 14 , a handle  162  of the toner cartridge  160  is provided on an upper portion of the toner cartridge  160  even when the handle  162  is located at a connecting position. The lid portion  4  is provided with a pressing member  171  which presses the handle  162 . Further, the laser printer  101  is not provided with the spring receiving unit  66  or the interfering member  72 . 
         [0087]    In the laser printer  101  as well, as shown in  FIG. 15 , after the lid portion  4  is opened and the handle  25  of the photosensitive member cartridge  120  is pulled in a front direction, the photosensitive member cartridge  120 , the developing cartridge  140 , and the toner cartridge  160  can be removed in an integrated manner from the mounting/removing opening  2   a  to outside the device body of the laser printer  101 . 
         [0088]    In addition, when the handle  25  of the photosensitive member cartridge  120  is pressed down, the developing cartridge  140  is separated from the photosensitive member cartridge  120 . Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 16 , when the handle  162  of the toner cartridge  160  is pulled in a front direction as-is, the toner cartridge  160  and the developing cartridge  140  can be taken out from the mounting/removing opening  2   a  to outside the device body. 
         [0089]    However, in the laser printer  101 , the supporting unit  140  has the opening in a substantial upper direction as described above. Therefore, the toner cartridge  160  cannot be mounted or removed while the developing cartridge  140  is left inside the device body. For this reason, the mounting and removing of the toner cartridge  160  is carried out as described below. 
         [0090]      FIG. 17A  shows the developing cartridge  140  and the toner cartridge  160  taken out as shown in  FIG. 16 . A connection and separation between the developing cartridge  140  and the toner cartridge  160  are switched over by a mechanism similar to the laser printer  1 . The developing cartridge  140  and the toner cartridge  160  are separated when the handle  162  is rotated to a directly above direction as shown in  FIG. 17B . In this state, when the toner cartridge  160  is pulled upwardly by holding the handle  162 , the toner cartridge  160  is separated from the developing cartridge  140  as shown in  FIG. 17C . Thereby, exchange of the toner cartridge  160  can be carried out. 
         [0091]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 17B , when the developing cartridge  140  and the toner cartridge  160  are attempted to mount in the device body while the developing cartridge  140  and the toner cartridge  160  are separated, the handle  162  interferes with the scanner unit  90 . Therefore, in the present embodiment as well, the device is prevented from driving while the developing cartridge  140  and the toner cartridge  160  are separated. 
         [0092]      FIG. 18  is a vertical cross sectional diagram showing a configuration of a laser printer  201  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The laser printer  201  is different from the laser printer  1  in a point that a supporting unit  242  is provided in the developing cartridge  240 . The supporting unit  242  has a cylindrical shape surrounding an outer periphery of the toner cartridge  260  to support the toner cartridge  260 . In accordance therewith, a hole  242   e  (see  FIG. 19 ) is formed on the supporting unit  242  similar to the laser printer  101 . A plate spring  226  connecting the handle  25  to a photosensitive member cartridge  220  is provided with a protrusion  226   a  which fits into the hole  242   e.    
         [0093]    In addition, a handle  262  of the toner cartridge  260  is provided on an upper portion of the toner cartridge even when the handle  262  is provided at the connecting position shown in  FIG. 18 . Further, the handle  262  protrudes from a left end (right end as viewed from a front side) of the supporting unit  242  as shown in  FIGS. 20A  to  20 F described later. In addition, the lid portion  4  is provided with a pressing member  271  which directly presses a surface in the front portion of the supporting unit  242 . Similar to the laser printer  101 , the spring receiving unit  66  or the interfering member  72  are not provided. 
         [0094]    In the laser printer  201  as well, after the lid portion  4  is opened and the handle  25  of the photosensitive member cartridge  220  is pulled in a front direction, the photosensitive member cartridge  220 , the developing cartridge  240 , and the toner cartridge  260  can be removed in an integrated manner from the mounting/removing opening  2   a  to outside the device body of the laser printer  201 . 
         [0095]    In addition, when the handle  25  of the photosensitive member cartridge  220  is pressed down, the developing cartridge  240  is separated from the photosensitive member cartridge  220 . Further, when the handle  262  of the toner cartridge  260  is pulled in a front direction as-is, the toner cartridge  260  and the developing cartridge  240  can be removed from the mounting/removing opening  2   a  to outside the device body as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0096]      FIGS. 20A and 20B  show a vertical cross sectional diagram and a front view of the developing cartridge  240  and the toner cartridge  260  is removed as described above. A connection and separation between the developing cartridge  240  and the toner cartridge  260  are switched over by a mechanism similar to the laser printer  1 . The developing cartridge  240  is disengaged from the toner cartridge  260  when the handle  262  is rotated to a directly above direction as shown in  FIGS. 20C and 20D . In this state, when the toner cartridge  260  is pulled to a side direction by holding the handle  262 , exchange of the toner cartridge  260  can be carried out as shown in  FIGS. 20E and 20F . 
         [0097]    So far, embodiments of the present invention have been described. In the above embodiments, the handles  25 ,  62 ,  162 , and  262  correspond to an operation unit, and the guide grooves  20   b  and  42   d  correspond to a guide. The image forming device according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the inventions. For example, the photosensitive member cartridge, the developing cartridge, and the toner cartridge may be removed outside the device body in an integrated manner and then separated into individual cartridges. In addition, in the laser printer  1 , the rotational shafts  903  and  905  are guided by the guide grooves  42   b  and  20   b.  However, the toner cartridge  60  or the developing cartridge  40  may include protruding shaft members parallel to the rotational shafts  903  and  905 , and thereby the shaft members may be guided in a similar manner as the rotational shafts  903  and  905 .