JP2003015500A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which can be miniaturized by simplifying a path or a mechanism for moving and exchanging an interchangeable optical scanning unit. SOLUTION: In this image forming device, the optical scanning unit 10 incorporating a semiconductor laser, a collimator lens, a deflector such as a polygon mirror and a scanning lens has a mechanism to/from which they are attached/ detached. The device is equipped with a process cartridge 20 where a photoreceptor drum (photoreceptor) 21 and toner or the like are integrated proximately to the unit 10, and the unit 10 can be attached/detached by passing through the path 25 through which the cartridge 20 moves.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer or a laser FAX adopting an electrophotographic method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a conventional image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6 uses a laser beam to write on the photoconductor 21 for an electrostatic latent image. In recent years, the developing device, the photoconductor 21, toner, etc. have been integrated into a unit. In most cases, the process cartridge 20 is configured to be replaceable. Then, the process cartridge 20 is replaced on the main body 30 according to the consumption of the toner and the photoconductor (photosensitive drum) 21 corresponding to the printing frequency. The process cartridge 20 is inserted and removed through the cartridge movement path 25 inside the dotted line shown in the main body 30.

On the other hand, the optical scanning unit 10 in the main body 30 of the image forming apparatus includes, as is well known, a semiconductor laser (shown by a dotted line) 4, a collimator lens and a cylinder lens (both not shown). ) Alternatively, while the scanning lens 2 and the folding mirror 5 are provided, the laser beam 7 is deflected and scanned by a deflector such as a polygon mirror 12 to perform an optical writing operation on the photosensitive drum 21 inside the process cartridge 20.

The optical scanning unit 10 is entirely covered with a box-shaped optical box 3, and in order to ensure high printing quality, the optical scanning unit 10 has a frame in the apparatus 30 and an installation table 12 or the like. Using the reference adjustment pin 8, the positioning is performed with high accuracy and the device is attached with screws or the like. Here, although not shown as a configuration, some of the optical scanning units 10 that can be replaced for repair or the like have been proposed.

On the other hand, in the main body 30 of the image forming apparatus, there are a control circuit unit 31, a paper feed tray 31 containing print paper, a paper feed roller 35, a fixing unit 36, a paper discharge roller 37, etc. It is provided with a paper discharge tray 38 for loading.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, even if the optical scanning device unit is configured to be replaceable on the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is opened and closed in a large manner so as to be divided into upper and lower parts. It has been considered that a mechanism is provided to enable replacement, or a unique path or opening / closing mechanism dedicated to replacement of the optical scanning unit is newly added to allow replacement. Therefore, there is a drawback that the image forming apparatus eventually increases in size and increases in size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is an image in which a path and a mechanism for exchange movement of a replaceable optical scanning unit can be simplified to achieve miniaturization. To provide a forming apparatus.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a semiconductor laser, a collimator lens, and
In an image forming apparatus having a mechanism in which a deflector such as a polygon mirror and an optical scanning unit containing a scanning lens can be attached and detached, while a process cartridge in which a photoconductor and a toner are integrated is provided in proximity, The optical scanning unit is detachable by passing through a path along which the process cartridge moves.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a path diagram of an optical scanning unit, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the optical scanning unit. .

In FIG. 1, 10a and 10b are movement positions of the optical scanning unit 10 in the middle of movement, 40a and 40b are guide grooves, 42 is a guide pin, 43 is an adjustment reference pin, 4
Reference numeral 4 is an installation auxiliary plate, 45 is a screw guide integrated with the optical scanning unit 10, 46 is a screw hole, and 48 is a screw. Other numbers are the same as those of the conventional image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

Thus, the present embodiment is premised on that the optical scanning unit 10 is replaceable in the image forming apparatus main body 30. They are the optical scanning unit 10
It is intended to ensure long-term use of the main body 30 by making the parts replaceable due to wear of parts. Furthermore,
In the present embodiment, it is premised that the image forming apparatus main body 30 includes the detachable process cartridge 20.

Next, the features of this embodiment will be described in order.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge 20 is installed near the side end of the main body 30. Therefore, the stroke for attaching and detaching the process cartridge 20 is relatively shallow. . here,
The optical scanning unit 10 is arranged close to the process cartridge 20, but in the present embodiment, the optical scanning unit 10 displaces the optical scanning units 10a and 10b which are in the process of moving to the position indicated by the one-dot silver line. In the process of, there is a feature that is taken out. Further, they have a feature that they pass a position where the process cartridge 20 is installed, and further, they are characterized in that they are configured to move the optical scanning unit 10 after extracting the process cartridge 20 to the outside. Of course, they go through the same path and are installed in their original position.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical scanning unit 10 is provided with the adjustment reference pin 43 adjusted in advance by another jig so that the adjustment reference pin 43 is abutted in the main body 30. The position is set to a predetermined position including the laser irradiation direction. Similarly, the auxiliary installation plate 44 is also adjusted in advance by another jig and provided, and is also installed by being positioned in contact with the installation portion formed in the main body 30. Further, here, the screw holes 46 of a part of the screw guide 45 of the optical scanning unit 10 are utilized, and the fastening is performed by a screw 48 prepared separately. Among these, installation support plate 44 and screw guide 45
May be designed as one member, but basically, the optical scanning unit 10 is fixed by the above configuration while maintaining the installation accuracy.

Further, the movement of the optical scanning unit 10 includes guide pins 42 provided on both side surfaces of the optical scanning unit 10 and guides formed in a groove shape on the inner wall surface on both sides of the main body 30 and extending substantially in the lateral direction. This is performed by contacting the groove 40b. Here, the guide groove 40a extending in a slightly inclined direction is a groove for moving the process cartridge 20, but these two grooves 40a and 40b are not different from each other, and are formed to coexist. However, the numbers are distinguished for convenience of explanation.

A part of the guide groove 40b has a path as shown in FIG. 2, and when the optical scanning unit 10 is installed on the main body 30, it is preferable that the optical scanning unit 10 can be displaced in the vertical direction in the figure. When positioning the installation auxiliary plate 44, it is easy to install by avoiding interference with the members inside the main body 30. The groove depth of the guide grooves 40a and 40b is 5 to 20 m.
m is practical. The guide groove 40b may have a fairly wide width, or even if only the lower side is open and the upper side is open, there is no problem in the operation itself of the optical scanning unit 10 sliding and moving, and the guide groove 40b may be formed as such. .

Here, the optical scanning unit 10 is internally composed of a semiconductor laser, a collimator lens, a deflector such as a polygon mirror, and a scanning lens as described above.
Further, a so-called multi-beam scanning system in which the semiconductor laser has a plurality of light emitting points and a plurality of light emitting points are simultaneously written may be used.

Further, the mechanism of the main body 30 is not one in which the whole apparatus is largely divided into the upper and lower parts, and there is a difference in the mechanical complexity as compared with the structure in which only the process cartridge 20 is detached. It is characterized by almost nothing.

As described above, the space for installing and moving the process cartridge 20 is utilized to utilize the optical scanning unit 10
Since the vehicle is moved, it passes through the path with the fewest other obstacles, and the configuration is simple and the attachment / detachment is easy.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the optical scanning unit.

In FIG. 4, alternate long and short dash lines 10c and 10d show the optical scanning unit 10 on the way, and 50 is an energizing connector. The other numbers are the same as those in the conventional example.

The present embodiment is premised on the case where the process cartridge 20 is installed inside the main body 30 on the inner back side and the movement path within the main body 30 for attaching and detaching the process cartridge 20 is relatively long. Among them, the optical scanning unit 10 has a detachable form, but also the process cartridge 2
It is characterized in that it moves through a route in which 0 moves.

The process cartridge 20 is characterized in that it remains installed in the main body 30 even when the optical scanning unit 10 moves. It is assumed that the optical scanning units 10c and 10d in the middle of movement, which are indicated by the one-dot chain line, are moved by using the guide pin 42 and the guide groove 40b formed in the main body 30 as in the first embodiment.

Here, when the optical scanning unit 10 is fixedly installed at a prescribed position of the main body 30, it is electrically coupled to the power source portion of the main body 30 for supplying power to the semiconductor laser or the like. 50 and a main body side connector (not shown), which are electrically connected to each other when the optical scanning unit 10 moves from a fixed installation position.
It is characterized in that the circuit is opened and shut almost at the same time as the movement, and when it is fixedly installed at a prescribed position, it is connected so that it can be energized when the screw 48 is tightened.

On the other hand, these energizing connectors 50 may be provided near the adjustment reference pin 43 of the optical scanning unit 10. Further, these energizing mechanisms may be implemented in combination with the first embodiment.

Thus, the effect peculiar to this embodiment is that the optical scanning unit 10 is independent of the process cartridge 20.
The point is that it is easy to move and detach.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a semiconductor laser, a collimator lens, a deflector such as a polygon mirror, and an optical scanning unit having a scanning lens can be attached and detached. In the image forming apparatus having the mechanism, the optical scanning unit is detachable by passing through the path along which the process cartridge moves, while the process cartridge including the photoconductor and the toner is provided in proximity. The effect that the path and mechanism for the exchange movement of the exchangeable optical scanning unit can be simplified and the size can be reduced can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a path diagram of an optical scanning unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical scanning unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an optical scanning unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 polygon mirror 4 Semiconductor laser 10 Optical scanning unit 20 process cartridges 21 Photosensitive drum (photoreceptor) 25,26 Process cartridge movement path

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A semiconductor laser, a collimator lens,
In an image forming apparatus having a mechanism in which a deflector such as a polygon mirror and an optical scanning unit including a scanning lens can be attached and detached, while a process cartridge in which a photoconductor and toner are integrated is provided in proximity, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the optical scanning unit is attachable and detachable through a path along which the process cartridge moves. 2. The process cartridge moving space and the optical scanning unit moving space intersect each other, and a groove-shaped guide mechanism for holding and sliding them is the same in the main body. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is formed so as to coexist on the wall portion of the. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical scanning unit includes a mechanism that is attached and detached in a state where the process cartridge is removed to the outside. 4. When the optical scanning unit is moved from the installation position in the main body, electrical connection relating to power supply to the laser light source is performed by opening and shutting at substantially the same time. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 3 above. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light scanning unit includes a plurality of light emitting points, and multi-beam writing is performed.