FR2611393A1 - ELECTRO-PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS OPERATING ON BATTERY - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION CONCERNS AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT CAN OPERATE ON BATTERY AND CAN BE CARRIED. IT INCLUDES A PHOTOSENSITIVE ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC ELEMENT 2, MEANS 3-11 FOR FORMING PIGMENT POWDERED IMAGES ON A RECORDING SUPPORT P USING THE PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT, A DEVICE 19 FOR FIXING IMAGES BY PRESSURE, WORKING BY PASSING THE SUPPORT P, CARRYING THE DEVELOPED IMAGE, IN A TIGHTENING ZONE FORMED BETWEEN TWO PRESSURE ROLLERS 19A, AND A BATTERY B INTENDED TO CONTROL THE PHOTOSENSITIVE ELEMENT, THE IMAGE FORMATION MEANS AND THE FIXING DEVICE. FIELD OF APPLICATION: PORTABLE COPYING MACHINES, CAPABLE OF OPERATION ON BATTERY, ETC.

Description

The invention relates to a training apparatus

  images using an electronic recording process

  photographic or electrostatic, or the like.

  A conventional image forming apparatus, such as an electrophotography copying machine, is assumed to be installed in a predetermined position and utilize the electrical power of the sector as a source of motive power, and is therefore so large and heavy it can not be easily worn and can not be used in a location where the power source of the area is not available, eg outdoors

  from a house or in vehicles.

  With recent progress on the

  technique of image formation, on the technique of

  registration, the numerical control technique in the drive system, various parts and various elements, the dimensions and weight of the device can be lowered without degrading the imaging function, thereby to manufacture an individual-type (domestic use) and / or portable type imaging apparatus (United States of America patents

Nos. 4,465,359 and 4,705,384).

  It is therefore desired, in practice, to perform the image forming operation using a battery such as a dry battery, an accumulator cell and a rechargeable battery, as a source of control energy. If this is done in practice, the copying operation or other image forming operations may be performed outdoors or in a vehicle, where the

  sector power source is not available.

  The main object of the invention is therefore a battery-powered or battery-powered image forming apparatus which can be used during a

  long life without charging the battery.

  The invention also relates to a device

  image formation that can be used in a location

  where the electrical energy of the sector is not

  ponible. The invention also relates to an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic type, which can be used for a long period of time, without loading, and whose operation is not limited to a

special place.

  In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising a battery for controlling the apparatus and an apparatus

  for fixing images of the pressure-fixing type.

  An electrophotographic type image forming apparatus generally contains an image fixing device for fixing an unfixed image, provided by an image support member (a transfer material, electro-fax paper, electrostatic recording paper or the like) to form a permanent image. The most widely used image-fixing apparatus is a heat-setting type device (hot roll type, hot plate type, heating chamber type, or the like). However, the heat-setting type device consumes a large amount of electrical energy and plays a large part in the total energy consumption. This means fast consumption of

  the battery power if it is used.

  In view of the foregoing, a pressure-fixing type device is used in place of the thermal-fixing type device, in which two rotating pressure rollers are brought into contact under pressure to form a zone of contact between them.

  in which a material is passed through

  recording with an unsecured image so that

  the image is fixed by pressing on the support of

  tration. Since no heat is used, the energy consumption for the operation of the device is much lower than that of the thermal fixing device and, in addition, the quality of the fixing of

the image is not damaged.

  By using the press-type device, the power consumption is reduced, which allows the device to operate for a long time.

  duration without charging the battery.

  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings by way of non-limitative examples and in which: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a battery operated electrophotographic copying apparatus and of the portable type, according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus in the standing position and the battery cover is open; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus placed in a standing position; and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the invention, in which a handle is replaced by a strap, this view showing the apparatus in

standing position.

  FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the electrophotographic copying apparatus according to the invention, of the battery-operated and portable type. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus which is placed on a horizontal surface, for example a desk D. The apparatus is operated in this state. Figure 2 shows the state in which the apparatus is upright with a battery cover open. Referring to Figure 3, it shows in a perspective view the external appearance of the device when standing. When the device is not in use, it is placed in a smaller space. Alternatively, the apparatus may be worn by means of a

  handle 40, in the manner of a computer-suitcase.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 40 can be replaced by a strap 40a by means of which the device can be worn over the shoulder,

  length of the strap being adjustable.

  Referring again to Figure 1, the apparatus comprises an original holder plate 1 reciprocating, made of a transparent material and disposed above an upper surface of an outer casing 100. This plate is animated by 'reciprocating in the directions a and b. An original to be copied is placed face down on the tray 1 and is covered with an original press plate 21. The apparatus further comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 2 rotatably mounted on a shaft 2a by means of which he can

  be rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed

  mined, in a direction indicated by an arrow. There is arranged, around the photosensitive drum 2, a pulse charger 3, a development device 4, a discharge-discharge discharging device 5 and a cleaning device 6 which can be of widely used types and

  will not be described in detail for clarity.

  An original illumination lamp 7 illuminates the bottom image-bearing surface of an original 0 placed on the original door transparent tray 1 during a forward or backward travel of this tray through a slot 10 adjacent to the center of the top plate of the outer cabinet. The light of the lamp 7 is applied through a heat absorbing filter 8 and with the aid of a reflecting plate 9. The light reflected by the image-bearing surface of the original 0 forms an image on the drum photosensitive 2 through a short-focal lens array 11, so that the peripheral surface of the rotating photosensitive drum is exposed through a slit to an image of the original O. Before the exposure in one image, the photosensitive drum 2 has been uniformly loaded to the positive or negative polarity by the corona discharge device 3. Therefore, when exposed to the light of the image of the original, an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is made visible by the development device 4 which transforms it into an image formed of a pigment powder or "toner". This image is represented by the embossing discharge discharging device 5 on a transfer sheet P which has been advanced from a manual feed station 13 disposed at the right end of the apparatus and which has brought into the space between the discharge device 5 and the photosensitive drum 2, in synchronism with the image carried by the photosensitive drum 2, by a

  roller 14 ahead and a roll 15 framing.

  The report sheet P having received the image

  developed is separated from the surface of the photosen-

  2 by a separating element 16 and is guided by a guide plate 17. It is then transported by relay rollers 18 into a device 19 of

  fixing of the type working by pressure, more particularly

  in a clamping zone formed between two rollers 19a. During the passage through the clamping zone, the developed image is press-fitted, then the sheet is discharged by unloading rollers into an unloading outlet disposed at the end.

  right of the camera, so that we get a copy.

  Moreover, the surface of the photo drum

  2, after the developed image has been trans-

  On the transfer sheet P is cleaned by the device 6 so that the residual pigment powder is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 which is thus prepared for the next imaging operation. A photosensor 30 serves to detect the insertion of the transfer sheet P into the apparatus from the supply station 13, and an oscillating lever 31 is associated with the photosensor 30. This lever 31 is in the form of a The lever 31 normally takes the position shown in full lines, in which a lower end of a first arm 31a facing downward is disposed across the path of the transfer sheet. front of the feed roller 14, while a free end of a second arm 31b, which extends approximately horizontally, is disposed across the optical path of the photosensor to intercept this optical path. When the transfer sheet P is sufficiently inserted from the supply station 13 into the apparatus so that the leading edge is received by the clamping area of the feed rollers 14, the lower end of the first arm 31a of the lever 31 is then pushed by the front edge during the insertion movement, so that the lever 31 rotates clockwise on the axis 32 to take a

  position in which it is represented in dashed line.

  Under the effect of the rotation of the lever 31, the second arm 31b is retracted from the optical path of the photosensor 30, so that the optical path is cleared and the insertion of the paper P into the apparatus is detected. In this device, the detection signal is considered as a signal of

copy launch.

  The bottom surface of the apparatus, which is opposed to the original doorplate 1, has, at the four corners, feet 22 for supporting the apparatus in

his working position.

  The handle 40 is rotatably mounted on the surface of the right end of the apparatus where the sheet feeding station 13 is provided. In this

  embodiment, the handle 40 has the configuration

  stirrup. By pulling the handle 40 upwards, the entire apparatus can be placed in the upright position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or it can be easily carried in this standing orientation, in the manner of a computer. -suitcase. At this moment, a mechanism

  represented by locking occurs in order to

  rust the original tray 1 to prevent it from

  go down, and the press plate is also

  original 21 to open. The right side of the device, which is opposite the side o is provided the handle 40, has feet 23 for supporting the device

  when in the standing position.

  In addition, there is provided a recess 50 for housing the battery, at an extreme surface facing upwards when the device is in its upright position (FIGS. 2 to 4), more particularly at the right-hand end of the battery. device, where are the handle 40 and / or the strap 40a (Figure 4). An opening 51 for the introduction or removal of the battery is formed in this extreme surface of the apparatus. The battery is indicated by reference B and is housed in a housing. The battery is used to control the various parts of the device. The references S and M designate a control circuit and a

  drive motor, respectively.

  The motor M is controlled by the energy from the battery B to actuate and drive the

  various image forming means and the circuit S

  such as the original holder 1, the photosensitive member 2, the lamp 7, the discharge devices 3 and 5, the developing device 4, the press-fastening device 19, the rollers 14, 15, 16 , 18 and 20 for transporting the transfer material, the sensors 30, a discharge fan and the like. A battery cover 52 is provided to cover the opening 51 and can turn on a hinge 53. Introduction and removal of the battery B relative to the housing 50 are performed while the cover 52 is open, when the device is in the

standing position (Figures 2 to 4).

  The cover 52 has, at its end opposite to that comprising the hinge 53, an elastic arm 54 carrying an end pawl 55 (self-locking pawl). Correspondingly, the main assembly is provided with a pawl 56 located inside an upper face of the inlet 51. When the lid 52 is closed on the opening 51, the pawl 55 engages with the catch 56. When the cover 52 is more

  pushed in the direction of closing, despite the

  the pawl 55 of the cover 52 extends beyond the pawl 56 under the effect of the elasticity of the arm 54, so that

  the pawls 55 and 56 are placed in engagement.

  In other words, the cover 52 is latched so as to

  close the opening 51 for the battery.

  When the lid 52 is to be opened, the user pushes the outer surface of the elastic arm 54 with a finger in the direction indicated by an arrow F (FIG. 3) in order to bend the elastic arm 54 towards the inside of the battery case. against resilience, the engagement between the self-locking pawl 55 and the pawl 56 of the main assembly is then released to allow the cover 52 to be open about the hinge axis 53 as shown in FIGS. 4. Thus,

  the opening 51 for the battery is released.

  The lid 52 is not limited to the rotating opening type, but it can be of a type that can be disassembled. In all cases, it may be a simple embodiment such as a self-locking type using

  the flexibility or elasticity of a plastic material.

  When the apparatus of this form of

  In a suspended position or in a standing position, the battery case 50 is arranged so that its access opening 51 faces upwards. As a result, the weight of the battery B is applied to the bottom surface of the battery case, and the battery is held on four sides, namely the front, rear, right and left sides. Therefore, the battery is housed most stably in a recess. In addition, the battery case 50 is disposed in close proximity to the handle 40 or in the immediate vicinity of the position in which the suspension strap 40a is mounted. Such a position is advantageous because, when the apparatus is carried by means of the handle 40 or the strap 40a, the amplitude of the vibrations is minimal. Even if an impact, pivoting, vibration or other violent external shock is applied to the apparatus when the latter is carried by means of the handle 40 or the strap a, or when the apparatus is placed in a standing position, the

  Battery B is housed stably in its housing 50.

  It is almost impossible for the battery B in the housing 50 to push back and open the cover 52, or that the battery B is ejected from the housing and falls. As a result, the lid locking means 52 may be of a simple structure. If Battery B is housed in a lower position when the unit is in the upright position, the battery cover and locking mechanism must be tightened to prevent the battery from being ejected. and fall. This necessarily raises the cost. By arranging the battery housing part in an upper area of the apparatus, when the latter is placed upright as in this embodiment of the invention, it is easier to replace the battery B or to carry out an operation of charging the battery B using an external charger. During the replacement or charging operation, it is not possible to perform an image forming operation and, therefore, it is very advantageous if the operation of replacing or charging the battery is

  facilitated when the device is placed in a standing position.

  As can be understood by considering FIG. 2, the device 19 for fixing by pressure is placed in the immediate vicinity of the bottom of the apparatus. Since the pressure fixing device is very heavy compared with the other training elements

  images, the camera is stable when standing.

  As previously described, the battery B is very heavy and is disposed in an upper part but, because of the arrangement of the device 19 for fixing by pressure, the stability is not affected by the presence of the battery B. In addition, when the apparatus is placed in its working position, as shown in FIG. 1, heavy parts, for example the press-fixing device 19 and the battery B, are arranged on the right and left sides, which balances the weight distribution to stabilize the apparatus, with the advantage of good operability. In addition, when the device is worn horizontally, the balance of its masses is good, which makes the action easier.

to wear it.

  It is possible that the apparatus is provided with an input for accepting the power of the sector to allow the use thereof when it is available, so that the energy can be provided selectively by the battery or by the source constituted by the sector. As previously described, according to the invention, a battery-operated type of image forming apparatus can be produced conveniently and can

  operate for a long time.

  An image forming apparatus comprising an image fixing device may comprise a facsimile machine, a printer such as an output unit of a

  computer and a copy machine.

  The invention can be applied to such machines.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the apparatus described and shown

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

  1. Image forming apparatus, characterized   in that it comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive element   graph (2), means (3-11) for forming a pigment powder image or "toner" on a recording medium (P) using the photosensitive member, a fixing device (19) of the pressure-clamping type for fixing the image formed by the pigment powder on the recording medium by passing the latter carrying the image in a clamping zone formed between two rollers (19a ) pressure, and   a battery (B) for controlling the photosensitive element   the means of image formation and the device for image fixing.   2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized   characterized in that it further comprises a handle (40) to carry this device.   3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized   located in that the battery is arranged nearby immediate of the handle.   4. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized   in that the battery is accessible from one side o find the handle.   5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized   characterized in that the battery is disposed in a housing portion (50) which is closed by walls, except at a access opening (51).   6. An image forming apparatus, characterized   in that it comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive element   graph (2), image forming means (3-11) for forming a pigment powder image or "toner" on a recording medium (P) using the photosensitive member, a device (19) for fixing images of the type performing a pressure fixing, intended to fix   the pigmented image on the recording medium   by passing the latter, carrying the image, into a clamping zone formed between two pressure rollers (19a), a battery (B) for controlling the photosensitive element, the image forming means and the device image-fixing device, and a handle (40) allowing the apparatus to be worn, this apparatus being able to be placed flat or standing and the handle being at the   upper part of the apparatus when standing.   Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized   located in that the battery is arranged nearby immediate of the handle.   Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized   in that the battery is accessible from one side o find the handle.   Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized   characterized in that the battery is disposed in a housing portion (50) which is closed by walls, except for a access opening (51) .-   10. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixing device has an opening (25) for outputting recording media, which is adjacent to a bottom of the apparatus when the latter is in the standing position.   11. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises feet (23) for supporting when standing and feet (22) for supporting it when it is laid flat.   12. An image forming apparatus, characterized   in that it comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive element   graph (2), image forming means (3-11) for forming a pigment powder image or "toner" on a recording medium (P) using the photosensitive member, a device (19) image-fixing type fixing device for fixing the pigment-powder image on the recording medium by passing the latter carrying the image in a clamping zone formed between rollers (19a ), a battery (B) for controlling the photosensitive member, the image forming means and the image fixing device, a handle (40) for the apparatus to be worn, the a device which can be placed flat or upright and the handle at the top of the appliance when it is upright, and a portion (50) of the battery compartment, adjacent to the handle and intended to receive removably said battery.   13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the housing portion comprises a cover (52) provided on a side where is the handle, the housing portion being closed by walls, except for   the location of an access opening (51).   14. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the handle is formed of a strap flexible (40a).