JP2000019928A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an image forming unit (4) possible to be easily and quickly located on the operating position precisely, in the image forming device, and to make image forming means so as possible to be easily, quickly and precisely mounted on a specified position with respect to a frame of the image forming unit. SOLUTION: In this image forming device, the frame of the image forming unit is, provided with a front wall member (112) and the rear wall member (114) on which a pair of position controlling means (132b, 134b, 140 and 142), are arranged with a certain space in the horizontal direction. In a housing (2), a pair of front side stationary position controlling means (136 and 138) and the one pair of rear side stationary position controlling means (150b and 152b) are disposed. The respective image forming means are allowed to incorporate respective bearing member (214a), and bearing members are respectively supported by mounting notches (170a to (d), and 200a to (d)) respectively composed on the front wall member and the rear wall member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming machine provided with an image forming unit movably mounted between an operating position in a housing and a non-operating position drawn out of the operating position, and more particularly, to an image forming machine having the same. Although not limited thereto, the movable image forming unit is provided with a plurality of image forming means for forming toner images of different colors, respectively, and is capable of forming a color image. Related to a forming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known to those skilled in the art, image forming machines such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, and in particular, color image forming machines capable of selectively forming color images, are provided with an operating position within a housing and a There has been proposed a type including an image forming unit movably mounted between a non-operating position pulled out of an operating position. The image forming unit includes a frame, which includes four frames.
Image forming means, that is, a black toner image forming means,
A magenta toner image forming unit, a cyan toner image forming unit, and a yellow toner image forming unit are mounted in a tandem arrangement. Each of the image forming means has a rotating drum having an electrostatic photoreceptor disposed on a peripheral surface. Normally, a transfer belt means is provided below the image forming unit. In the case of forming a color image, a black toner image,
A magenta toner image, a cyan toner image, and a yellow toner image are formed, and the toner images are sequentially transferred to a sheet member conveyed by a transfer belt unit, thus forming a color image on the sheet member.

[0003]

In the above-described image forming apparatus, for example, when the sheet member is jammed in the conveying path, or when the toner is depleted in any of the image forming means, the image forming unit is Need to be withdrawn from the working position in the housing to the non-working position, the jammed sheet member removed or replenished with toner, and then returned to the working position in the housing. Further, for example, when the rotating drum in the image forming means of the image forming unit is deteriorated, the image forming unit is pulled out of the working position in the housing to the non-working position, and the image forming means is detached from the frame and repaired. Or replace it with a new one, then attach it to the frame,
Thereafter, it is necessary to return the imaging unit to its working position in the housing.

On the other hand, in order to stably form a good color image, it is important that the frame of the image forming unit is positioned with sufficient precision in the working position in the housing, and each of the image forming means is also required. It is important that the frame be mounted precisely in place on the frame.

Therefore, in the image forming machine of the above-described embodiment, the image forming unit can be easily and quickly moved to the operation position in the housing and the operation position without increasing the manufacturing cost without complicating the structure. It is desirable to be able to move between the non-operating position pulled out from the position and the image forming unit to the operating position with sufficient precision. Furthermore, the image forming means can be easily and quickly attached to and detached from the frame of the image forming unit without complicating the structure and increasing the manufacturing cost. It is desired to be able to attach the slab to a predetermined position with sufficient precision. However, conventional image forming machines have not been able to sufficiently satisfy such demands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its technical problem is to form images easily and quickly enough without generating other separate problems such as a large increase in manufacturing cost. A new and improved image in which the unit can be moved between an operative position in the housing and a non-operative position drawn from the operative position, and the image forming unit can be positioned in the operative position with sufficient precision. It is to provide a forming machine.

Another technical problem of the present invention is that the image forming means can be easily and quickly applied to the frame of the image forming unit without generating other separate problems such as a significant increase in manufacturing cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved image forming apparatus which can be attached and detached and can attach an image forming means to a predetermined position with sufficient precision.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus for achieving the above technical object of the present invention includes a housing, an operation position in the housing, and a front position extending from the operation position. An image forming unit that is mounted to be movable horizontally in a substantially horizontal manner between the inactive position and the inactive position, wherein the image forming unit includes a front wall member and a rear In an image forming machine including a frame having a wall member, a pair of position regulating means are disposed at a distance in a lateral direction on each of the front wall member and the rear wall member in the frame of the image forming unit. The housing is provided with a pair of front stationary position regulating means and a pair of rear stationary position regulating means, and when the image forming unit is moved to the operating position, the front wall member is moved. A pair of positioning rules Means cooperates with the pair of front stationary position restricting means, and a pair of position restricting means of the rear wall member cooperates with the pair of rear stationary position restricting means, so that the image forming unit is in the working position. An image forming apparatus characterized by being regulated is provided.

Preferably, one of the pair of position restricting means of the front wall member and the pair of front stationary position restricting means is constituted by a pair of receiving holes extending substantially horizontally, and the other is formed substantially horizontally. One of the pair of position restricting means of the rear wall member and the pair of rear stationary position restricting means is formed of a pair of pins extending substantially horizontally, and the other is formed of a pair of pins. It comprises a pair of receiving holes extending substantially horizontally. In a preferred embodiment, the pair of pins are round pins having a circular cross-sectional shape, one of the pair of receiving holes has a circular shape having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the round pin, and the other has a circular shape. It has an elongated shape extending with a width corresponding to the outer diameter of the round pin. An annular shoulder is formed on the pair of pins constituting the other of the pair of position restricting means and the pair of front stationary position restricting means of the front wall member, and the pair of pins of the front wall member has The front-rear position of the image forming unit is regulated by the tips of the pair of receiving holes forming one of the position regulating means and the pair of front stationary position regulating means abutting on the annular shoulder surface. Alternatively, an annular shoulder surface is formed on the pair of pins constituting one of the pair of position restricting means of the rear wall member and the pair of rear stationary position restricting means, and an annular shoulder surface is formed. The front end of the pair of receiving holes forming the other of the pair of position restricting means and the pair of rear stationary position restricting means abuts on the annular shoulder so that the front-rear position of the image forming unit is adjusted. Be regulated. It is preferable that a lock means for releasably locking the image forming unit at the operation position is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the image forming unit includes four image forming units mounted on the frame in a tandem arrangement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the image forming unit and in a direction substantially horizontal. The four image forming units are a black toner image forming unit, a magenta toner image forming unit, a cyan toner image forming unit, and a yellow toner image forming unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming machine which achieves the above-mentioned other technical objects of the present invention, a housing, an operating position in the housing, and a non-operating position drawn from the operating position. And a frame having a front wall member and a rear wall member arranged at an interval in the front-rear direction; and And at least one image forming unit detachably mounted on the rotating shaft, the image forming unit including a rotating shaft, a rotating drum mounted on the rotating shaft, and bearing members mounted on both ends of the rotating shaft. In the image forming machine, wherein the bearing member has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, each of the front wall member and the rear wall member of the frame includes:
A mounting plate formed with a mounting notch opened upward, wherein the mounting notch has a circumferential gap on an outer peripheral surface of the bearing member when the bearing member of the image forming means is inserted from above; An image forming machine is provided, wherein two support edges for supporting the bearing member are formed at two positions with the above.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the frame includes four tandem arrangements mounted in the frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the image forming unit and in a direction substantially horizontal to the frame. An image forming unit is mounted, and the four image forming units are a black toner image forming unit, a magenta toner image forming unit, a cyan toner image forming unit, and a yellow toner image forming unit. Each of the support edges preferably extends in a straight line. In a preferred embodiment, each of the mounting plates is formed with a mounting slit extending from the mounting notch between the two supporting edges, and the image forming means is provided with each of the bearing members. And a locking pin projecting substantially parallel to the rotation axis is disposed below the mounting slit, and the width of the mounting slit is made to correspond to the outer diameter of the locking pin. The bearing member is supported by the two support edges by inserting the locking pin. A lock member is mounted on the mounting plate so as to be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. After the locking pin is inserted into the mounting slit, the lock member is moved from the unlocked position to the lock position. When the lock member is moved to the position, the lock member engages with the locking pin from above to prevent the locking pin from moving upward in the mounting slit. The lock member is pivotally mounted between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lock member has a pair of arms defining a lock slit having a width corresponding to the outer diameter of the locking pin, and when the lock member is positioned at the unlocked position, one of the pair of arms is provided. Extend across the mounting slit and the other is retracted from the mounting slit, and when the locking pin is advanced into the mounting slit, the locking pin is advanced into the lock slit and A locking pin abuts the one of the pair of arms to move the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position, whereby one of the pair of arms is positioned below the locking pin and the other is It is located above the locking pin. Preferably, an elastic biasing means for elastically biasing the lock member to the unlocked position with a relatively small force is provided. Transfer belt means located below the image forming unit when the image forming unit is located in the operating position is disposed in the housing, and the transfer belt means is located at a raised position and a lowered position. And a lifting frame that is movable up and down between the lifting frame and the lifting frame. When the lifting frame is located at the lowered position, the lifting frame is separated from the lock member. Preferably, there is provided an elastic biasing means for abutting the lock member and elastically biasing the lock member to the lock position with a relatively large force when the lock member is positioned. Instead of the lock member, a restraining member that elastically restrains the locking pin inserted into the mounting slit can be provided in the mounting slit.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image forming apparatus constructed according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall structure of a color image forming machine constructed according to the present invention. The illustrated image forming machine includes a housing 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An image forming unit 4 is disposed substantially at the center of the housing 2. The image forming unit 4 includes four image forming units, that is, a black toner image forming unit 6.
a, magenta toner image forming means 6b, cyan toner image forming means 6c, and yellow toner image forming means 6d
Is installed. As will be described in detail later, the image forming unit 4 is mounted so as to be substantially horizontally movable between an operating position in the housing 2 and a non-operating position drawn forward from the operating position in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. The image forming means 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are mounted on the frame. Each of the image forming units 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d
a, 8b, 8c and 8d as well as charging means 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, developing means 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d and cleaning means 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d disposed therearound. . An electrostatic photoreceptor is disposed on the peripheral surface of each of the rotating drums 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 1, an optical unit 16 located above the image forming unit 4 is also provided in the housing 2. This optical unit 16
Are four optical units, namely, an optical unit 18a for forming a black toner image, an optical unit 18b for forming a magenta toner image, an optical unit 18c for forming a cyan toner image, and an optical unit for forming a yellow toner image. Means 18d are included. Optical means 18a, 18b, 18c
And 18d may be in any known form including a laser light source (not shown), as well as optical components such as a rotating polygon mirror, lens, and reflector for scanning the laser light. In the formation of a black toner image, the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 8a, which is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 20a, is uniformly charged by the charging means 10a and then the optical means 18a
As a result, the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 8a is selectively neutralized by the light irradiation, and thus an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 8a. Next, the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the developing unit 1.
2a develops into a black toner image. Then, the black toner image is transferred to the sheet member as described later. Rotary drum 8a after transfer
The black toner remaining on the upper surface is
Removed by The formation of the magenta toner image, the formation of the cyan toner image, and the formation of the yellow toner image on the rotating drums 8b, 8c and 8d rotated in the directions indicated by arrows 20b, 20c and 20d are performed in substantially the same manner. . Image forming means 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d and optical means 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d
Since the image forming apparatus itself may be in a well-known form and does not constitute a novel feature of the image forming apparatus improved according to the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this specification.

In the housing 2, a transfer belt means 22 is further provided. Such transfer belt means 22
Is mounted so as to be movable up and down between an operation position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a non-operation position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The illustrated transfer belt unit 22 includes a driven roller 24, a tension roller 26, a black toner image transfer roller 28a,
It includes a magenta toner image transfer roller 28b, a cyan toner image transfer roller 28c, a yellow toner image transfer roller 28d, an auxiliary roller 30, and an endless belt 32 wound around these. Transfer belt means 22
Is positioned at the above-described operation position, the transfer roller 28
a, 28b, 28c and 28d are image forming units 6 respectively.
a, 6b, 6c and 6d rotating drums 8a, 8b, 8c
And 8d, the endless belt 32 is brought into contact with (or close to) the rotating drums 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d. On the other hand, when the transfer belt means 22 is lowered from the above-mentioned working position to the above-mentioned non-working position, the endless belt 32 is rotated by the rotating drum 8 of the image forming means 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d.
a, 8b, 8c and 8d.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 1, a first sheet member supply unit 34 and a second sheet member supply unit 36 are provided in the illustrated image forming machine. The first sheet member supply means 34 includes a sheet member mounting table 38 on which a plurality of sheet members 40 are mounted, and a sheet member transmitting means 42 for transmitting the sheet members 40 one by one from the mounting table 38.
And The sheet member sending means 42 includes a sending roller 46 that is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow 44 and a separation roller 50 that is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow 48. The sheet member 40 supplied from the first sheet member supply unit 34 is supplied to the above-described transfer belt unit 22 through the transport path 52. The transport route 52 is
It is defined by guide plates 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 and 66. In the transport path 52, a pair of registration rollers 70 is disposed together with the transport roller 68. The second sheet member supply means 36 includes a sheet member mounting table 72 on which the plurality of sheet members 40 are mounted, and a mounting table 7.
A delivery roller 74 for delivering the sheet member 40 one by one from 2
And The sheet member 40 sent out from the second sheet member supply means 36 is supplied to the registration roller pair 70 through a space between the guide plate 62 and the guide plate 60. The registration roller pair 70 is driven by an arrow 78 in synchronization with the operation of the above-described image forming means 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d.
And the sheet member 40 supplied from the first sheet member supply unit 34 or the second sheet member supply unit 36 is moved to the transfer belt unit 22, more specifically, at the operation position indicated by the solid line. Endless belt 32 of transfer belt means 22 and image forming means 6a, 6b, 6c and 6
and d between the rotary drums 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d. Since the first sheet member supply means 34 and the second sheet member supply means 36 themselves may be in a known form, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this specification.

A fixing unit 80 is provided downstream of the transfer belt unit 22. The fixing unit 80 and the transfer belt unit 2
A guide plate 82 is provided between the guide plate 82 and the guide plate 82. The fixing means 80, which may be a known form per se, includes an endless belt 88 wound around a fixing roller 84 and a heating roller 86, and a pressing roller 90. Downstream of the fixing unit 80, a discharge path 100 is defined by guide plates 92, 94, 96, and 98.
A pair of unloading rollers 102 and 104 are provided therein. The discharge path 100 extends to a receiving portion formed on the upper surface of the housing 2. The illustrated image forming apparatus further includes a tray 106 that is selectively positioned between a non-operation position indicated by a solid line and an operation position indicated by a two-dot chain line. Between the fixing unit 80 and the discharge path 100,
Discharge direction switching means for selectively guiding the sheet member 40 sent from the fixing means 80 to either the discharge path 100 or the tray 106 positioned at the operation position (discharge direction switching for simplification of the drawing) (Illustration of the means is omitted).

In the image forming machine as described above,
When a color image is formed, the sheet member 40 sent from the first sheet member supply device 34 or the second sheet member supply unit 36 is conveyed between the image forming unit 4 and the transfer belt unit 22. At this time, the sheet member 4
0, the black toner image from the rotating drum 8a of the image forming unit 6a, the magenta toner image from the rotating drum 8b of the image forming unit 6b, and the rotating drum 8 of the image forming unit 6c.
The cyan toner image is sequentially transferred from c, and the yellow toner image is sequentially transferred from the rotating drum 8d of the image forming means 6d. Thus, a color image is formed on the sheet member 40. In the fixing unit 80, the color image is
The sheet member 40 is discharged onto the receiving portion formed on the upper surface of the housing 2 through the discharge path 100 or onto the receiving tray 106 located at the operation position shown by a two-dot chain line. When a black image is formed on the sheet member 40, the black toner image is transferred onto the sheet member 40 from the rotating drum 8a of the image forming unit 6a, but the other image forming units 6b, 6c, and 6d.
No toner image is transferred onto the sheet member 40 from the rotating drums 8b, 8c, and 8d (in this case, the transfer rollers 28b, 28c, and 28d of the transfer belt unit 22 are more than the positions indicated by solid lines). Evacuated a minute below).

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the front cover (not shown) of the housing 2 is opened and the above-described image forming unit 4 is pulled out to a non-operating position. As is clearly shown in FIG.
Has zero. The frame 110 has both side wall members 116 and 118 together with a front wall member 112 and a rear wall member 114. One ends of the front wall member 112 and the rear wall member 114 are connected by a side wall member 116, and the other ends of the front wall member 112 and the rear wall member 114 are connected by a side wall member 118. In such a frame 110, both side wall members 116 and 118 may be provided with appropriate mounting means 119 (for example, mounting means commercially available under the trade name "Acuraide", and only a part thereof is shown in FIG. 2). Through the housing 2, the housing 2 is mounted on the housing 2 so as to be movable substantially horizontally between an operating position in the housing 2 and a non-operating position (that is, the position shown in FIG. 2) drawn forward from the operating position. Image forming means 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d described above
Are tandemly arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the frame 110 and in a direction substantially horizontal, that is, in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, and are detachably mounted on the frame 110. Image forming means 6 for frame 110
The mounting modes of a, 6b, 6c and 6d will be described later in further detail.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the front wall member 112 of the frame 110
Are three plates integrally joined by appropriate means such as bolt connection or bonding, namely, an outer plate 120 made of steel, an intermediate plate 122 made of synthetic resin, and an inner mounting plate 124.
It is composed of Similarly, the rear wall member 114 of the frame 110 is also composed of three plates integrally joined by appropriate means such as bolt connection or bonding, namely, an outer plate 126 made of steel, an intermediate plate 128 made of synthetic resin, and an inner plate 128 It is composed of a mounting plate 130. Referring to FIG. 3 together with FIG. 2, in the front wall member 112 of the frame 110, the outer plate 120 has projecting portions on both sides, and the regulating members 132 and 134 are fixed to each of the projecting portions. . The regulating member 132 has a cylindrical main part 132a extending substantially horizontally, and a through receiving hole 132b having a circular cross section is formed in the main part 132a. The regulating member 134 is a flat circular main portion 13 extending substantially horizontally.
4a, the main portion 134a is formed with an elongated through-hole 134b having an elongated cross section extending in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, a pair of pins 136 and 138 are fixed to the front part of the housing 2 via an appropriate support bracket. Each of the pins 136 and 138 is disposed substantially horizontally and has a relatively large diameter cylindrical base 136a and 136.
8a, having cylindrical intermediate portions 136b and 138b and tapered tips 136c and 138c. Base portions 136a and 138a and intermediate portions 136b and 1
38b, annular shoulder surfaces 136d and 138d are formed. The inner diameter of the receiving hole 132b is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 136b of the pin 136, and the receiving hole 134b
Is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 138b of the pin 138. Referring to FIG. 4 together with FIG. 2, the rear wall member 114 of the frame 110 has a pair of protruding rear ends that penetrate the intermediate plate 128 and the outer plate 126 from the base end fixed to the inner mounting plate 130. Pins 140 and 142 are provided. These pins 140 and 142 are arranged substantially horizontally and have cylindrical main portions 140a and 142a.
And tapered tip portions 140b and 14
2b. On the other hand, an upright board 144 is provided at the rear of the housing 2, and a pair of regulating members 150 and 152 are fixed to the upright board 144. The regulating member 150 has a cylindrical main portion 150 extending substantially horizontally.
a, and a through receiving hole 150b having a circular cross section is formed in the main portion 150a. Regulation member 152
Has a flat circular main portion 152a extending substantially horizontally, and the main portion 152a is formed with an elongated through-hole 152b having an elongated cross section extending in the horizontal direction. The inner diameter of the receiving hole 150b is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the main portion 140a of the pin 140, and the width of the receiving hole 152b is
Is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the main portion 142a. As will be understood by referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 in conjunction with FIG.
When the frame 110 of the image forming unit 4 is moved backward from the non-operation position shown in FIG. 2 to the operation position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the frame 110 is disposed on the front side wall portion 112 of the frame 110. Receiving holes 132b and 134
b. Pins 136 and 1 located at the front of the housing 2
38 is inserted up to its intermediate parts 136b and 138b,
And the annular shoulder surfaces 136d and 136 of the pins 136 and 138
38d is brought into contact with the tips of the main parts 132a and 134a of the regulating members 132 and 134 (that is, the tips of the receiving holes 132b and 134b). The pins 140 and 142 provided on the rear wall member 114 of the frame 110 are inserted into receiving holes 150b and 152b provided on the rear part of the housing 2. Even if there is considerable so-called play in the mounting means 120, the pin 136 and the receiving hole 132b
And the pin 140 and the receiving hole 150b cooperate with each other so that the housing 2
The position of the frame 110 is adjusted with sufficient precision with respect to the pin 138 and the cooperation between the pin 138 and the receiving hole 134b and the pin 14
2 and the receiving hole 152b prevent the frame 110 from rotating about one side, more specifically, about the central axis of the pins 136 and 140. The receiving holes 132b and 134b provided in the front wall member 112 of the frame 110 constitute a pair of position restricting means, and the pair of position restricting means is disposed at the front of the housing 2. Cooperating with a pair of front stationary position regulating means constituted by the pin 136 and 138 which are provided.
The pins 140 and 142 provided on the rear wall member 114 of the frame 110 constitute a pair of position restricting means, and the pair of position restricting means are receiving holes 150b and 152b disposed on the rear portion of the housing 2. In cooperation with the rear stationary position regulating means constituted by Further, the annular shoulder surfaces 136d and 138d of the pins 136 and 138 are
By being brought into contact with the distal ends of the main portions 132a and 134a (that is, the distal ends of the receiving holes 132b and 134b) of the frames 32 and 134, the frame 11 with respect to the housing 2 is
The position in the front-rear direction of 0 is regulated. Thus, although the image forming unit 4 can be selectively positioned between the operating position and the non-operating position sufficiently easily, the position of the image forming unit 4 is precisely regulated at a predetermined position in the housing 2 in the operating position. . Then, as described below, when the frame 110 is moved to the operation position, the locking means automatically locks the frame 110 to the operation position.

The locking means will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
A pair of upright walls 154 projecting forward with a space therebetween in the lateral direction is formed on the outer side plate 120 of the, and a locking means 156 is mounted on the upright walls 154. The locking means 156 includes a rotating shaft 158 rotatably mounted between the upright walls 154, an operation lever 160 fixed to the center of the rotating shaft 158, and both ends of the rotating shaft 158 extending beyond the upright wall 154. Is fixed to each of the hooks 162. One end (right end in FIG. 5) of the rotating shaft 158 has one end on the upright wall 154 and the other end on the rotating shaft 15.
6, a coil spring 164 that elastically biases the rotating shaft 158 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 is provided. The rotating shaft 158, the operating lever 160, and the hook 162 are locked at solid positions shown in solid lines in FIGS. Elastically biased.
A stop piece (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the outer plate 120, and when the locking means 156 comes to a lock position shown by a solid line in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation lever 160 comes into contact with the stop piece and locks. Means 156 is prevented from rotating beyond the locked position in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. As clearly shown in FIG. 6, the rear edge of the hook 162 is inclined downward toward the rear (to the right in FIG. 6). A pair of upright walls 166 projecting forward on both sides of the upright wall 154 is also provided at the front of the housing 2, and each of the upright walls 166 has a lock pin 168.
Has been fixed. FIGS. 1, 3 to 6 show a state in which the frame 110 is pulled out of the housing 2 to the front.
When being moved to the operation position shown in FIG.
6, the locking means 156 is rotated somewhat clockwise in FIG. 6 against the elastic biasing action of the coil spring 164, and when the tip of the hook 162 passes through the lock pin 168, the coil The locking means 156 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 6 to the locked position by the elastic biasing action of the spring 164, and the hook 162
Is engaged with the lock pin 168. Thus, the frame 110 is releasably locked at the operation position, and thus the image forming unit 4 is releasably locked at the operation position. When pulling out the image forming unit 4 to the non-operating position, a finger is put on the operation lever 160 of the lock means 156 and rotated clockwise in FIG. 6 to disengage the hook 162 from the lock pin 168 and then pull it forward. Good.

Referring to FIG. 7 together with FIG. 2, the inner mounting plate 124 of the front wall member 112 of the image forming unit 110 has four mounting notches 170a at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction in FIG. 170b, 170c and 170d are formed. Mounting notches 170a, 170
Each of b, 170c and 170d is open upward. Mounting notch 170 in illustrated embodiment
a, 170b, 170c, and 170d each have a support edge 172a, 172b, 17 extending linearly near both ends.
2c and 172d. Supporting edges 172a, 172
edges 174a, 1b located between b, 172c and 172d
74b, 174c and 174d may be arc-shaped. At the center of the arc-shaped edges 174a, 174b, 174c, and 174d, mounting slits 176a, 176b, 176c, and 17 extend downward and leftward in FIG.
6d are formed. Intermediate plate 122 of front wall member 112
The mounting notches 170a, 170 of the inner mounting plate 124
b, 170c and 170d and mounting slit 176
Notches corresponding to a, 176b, 176c, and 176d are formed.

Continuing with FIG. 7, the outer surface of the inner mounting plate 124 has substantially horizontally projecting mounting pins 178a, 178b associated with each of the mounting slits 176a, 176b, 176c and 176d. The mounting pins 178c and 178d are fixed.
Lock members 180a, 180b, 180c, and 180d are rotatably mounted on each of a, 178b, 178c, and 178d. Lock members 180a, 180
b, 180c and 180d each have a lock slit 1
A pair of arms 184a, 184b, 184c and 184d defining 82a, 182b, 182c and 182d
And 186a, 186b, 186c and 186d. The widths of the lock slits 182a, 182b, 182c and 182d are the same as those of the mounting slits 176a and 176.
b, 176c and 176d may be substantially the same width. The mounting pins 178a, 178b, 178c and 178d
Elastic biasing means 1 comprising a helical spring
88a, 188b, 188c, and 188d are mounted, and such elastic biasing means 188a, 188b, 188 are provided.
c and one end of 188d are fixed to the inner mounting plate 124;
The other ends are locking members 180a, 180b, 180c and 1
80d. Elastic biasing means 188a, 18
8b, 188c and 188d are locking members 180a,
The elastic members 180b, 180c and 180d are elastically displaced clockwise in FIG.
Position a, 180b, 180c and 180d in the unlocked position shown in FIG. In the unlocked position, the locking members 180a, 180b, 180c and 18
The lower edge of Od is the contact edge 190a, 190 of the intermediate plate 122.
b, 190c and 190d, and the locking member 180
a, 180b, 180c and 180d are prevented from pivoting clockwise beyond the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the locking members 180a, 180
b, one arm 184a of 180c and 180d,
84b, 184c and 184d are the mounting slits 176
extending across a, 176b, 176c and 176d;
The other arm 186a, 186b, 186c and 186
d is the mounting slits 176a, 176b, 176c and 1
It has been retracted from 76d.

Lock members 180a, 180b, 180c
And 180d are input levers 192a, 192b,
192c and 192d, and the input lever 192
a, 192b, 192c, and 192d have columnar projections 194a, 194b, 194c, and 194d on their lower edges.
Are formed. As described further below with reference to FIG.
(The driven roller 24, the tension roller 26, the transfer rollers 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d, and the auxiliary roller 30 are mounted on the elevating frame 196). There are four elastic biasing means 198 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 9). When the transfer belt means 22 is lowered to the non-operating position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the elastic biasing means 198 is separated from the lock members 180a, 180b, 180c and 180d. Is raised to the operation position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the elastic biasing means 198 is fitted on the cylindrical projections 194a, 194b, 194c and 194d, and the lock members 180a and 180
b, 180c and 180d input levers 192a, 192
2b, 192c and 192d abut against the lower edge of the tip, and a relatively strong force (ie, elastic biasing means 188a, 188b, 1
Biasing force significantly greater than the biasing forces of 88c and 188d)
The locking members 180a, 180b, 180c and 180
d is elastically biased in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS.

The inner mounting plate 130 and the intermediate plate 128 of the rear wall member 114 of the frame 110 are also connected to the front wall member 112.
Are substantially the same as the inner mounting plate 124 and the intermediate plate 122. As shown in FIG. 2, the four mounting notches 200a, 200b, 20 are also provided on the inner mounting plate 130 of the rear wall member 114.
Four mounting slits 202a along with 0c and 220d,
202b, 202c and 202d are formed, and four lock members (not shown) are mounted on the outer surface of the inner mounting plate 130. And transfer belt means 2
The second lifting frame 196 is provided with elastic biasing means (not shown) acting on the four lock members mounted on the inner mounting plate 130. The rear wall member 114 further includes four mounting notches 200 on the inner mounting plate 130.
a, 200b, 200c and 200d,
Four relatively large circular openings 206a in the outer plate 126;
206b, 206c and 206d are formed.

FIG. 8 shows a black toner image forming means 6a.
Is illustrated. The image forming unit 6a includes a case 208a that can be molded from an appropriate synthetic resin. The case 208a has both end walls 210a, and the two end walls 210a are connected to the rotating shaft 2 via a bearing member 214a.
12a is rotatably mounted. Bearing member 212a
May be of a known form having an inner race having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and an outer race having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, the inner race being fixed to the rotating shaft 212a and the outer race being fixed to the side wall 210a. Have been. Bearing member 212
Each of a is protruded outward beyond the outer surface of both side walls 210a. The main portion of the rotating shaft 212a, that is, a portion located in the case 208a is provided with a rotating drum 8a (FIG. 1).
Is installed. The rear end of the rotating shaft 212a extends rearward beyond the bearing member 214a, and an input gear 216a is mounted on the extended end. A rotating shaft 212 is provided on each of both end walls 210a of the case 208a.
The locking pin 218a located below the position a is fixed. The locking pin 218a protrudes from the outer surfaces of both end walls 210a substantially parallel to the rotating shaft 212a. The other three image forming units, namely, the magenta toner image forming unit 6b, the cyan toner image forming unit 6c, and the yellow toner image forming unit 6d are also configured substantially the same as the black toner image locking unit 6a.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 7 to 9, the manner of mounting the image forming means 6a on the frame 110 will be described. The case 208a of the image forming means 6a comprises a front wall member 112 and a rear wall member 114 of the frame 110. And locking pins 218a fixed to the both end walls 210a of the case 208a are respectively located between the front wall members 11a and 11b.
2 mounting slit 1 formed in the inner mounting plate 124
The bearing member 21 is inserted into the mounting slit 202a formed in the inner mounting plate 130 of the rear wall member 114 and the inner wall 76a, and mounted on both ends of the rotating shaft 212a.
4a is inserted into a mounting notch 170a formed in the inner mounting plate 124 of the front wall member 112 and a mounting notch 200a formed in the inner mounting plate 130 of the rear wall member 114, respectively. As clearly shown in FIG. 9, when the bearing member 214a is inserted into the mounting notch 170a, the two support edges 172a of the mounting notch 170a
The bearing member 214a contacts the outer peripheral surface of the bearing member 4a and is supported at two positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Since the outer periphery of the bearing member 214a is cylindrical while the supporting edge 172a of the mounting notch 170a is linear, the contact between the supporting edge 172a and the bearing member 214a is a point contact in a front view, Considering the thickness of the inner mounting plate 124, it is a line contact along a line extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. Therefore, if the supporting edge 172a is formed with sufficient precision, the bearing member 214 can be positioned at a required position with sufficient precision. On the other hand, the locking pin 218a inserted into the mounting slit 176a is
0a, the lock member 18 interferes with one of the arms 184a.
9 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9 against the elastic biasing action of the elastic biasing means 188a, and the bearing member 214a
When the lock pin 218a is moved down to a position where the lock pin 218a contacts the support edge 172a of the mounting notch 170a, the lock member 180a is positioned at the lock position shown in FIG. When the lock member 180a is turned to the lock position, the locking pin 218a is housed in the lock slit 182a, and one arm 184 of the lock member 180a.
a is located below the locking pin 218a,
The other arm 186a of Oa is located above the locking pin 218a. Mounting notch 202a and mounting slit 202a formed in inner mounting plate 130 of rear wall member 114
Also, the bearing member 214a and the locking pin 218a disposed behind the case 208a are supported and accommodated in the same manner. The input gear 216a mounted on the rear end of the rotating shaft 212a is positioned rearward of the rear wall member 114 through a circular opening 206a formed in the outer plate 126 of the rear wall member 114. The other three image forming units, namely, a magenta toner image forming unit 6b, a cyan toner image forming unit 6b, and a yellow toner image forming unit 6d are also provided.
It is mounted on the frame 110 in substantially the same manner as the black toner image forming means 6a.

When the frame 110 on which the image forming means 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d is mounted is located at the operating position in the housing 2, the image forming means 6a, 6b, 6c
And 6d (FIG. 8 shows only the input gear 216a of the black toner image forming means 6a).
Is connected to a transmission gear (not shown) mounted in the housing 2, and is connected to a rotary drive source which may be an electric motor via the transmission gear. Further, when the lifting frame 196 of the transfer belt means 22 is raised to the operation position after the frame 110 of the image forming unit 4 is positioned at the operation position in the housing 2, as shown in FIG. The eight elastic biasing means 198 disposed on the lock members 180a, 18 are respectively provided.
Acting on 0b, 180c and 180d, etc., they are elastically biased to the locked position with a relatively strong force. Thus, the other arms 186a, 186b, 186c and 18 such as locking members 180a, 180b, 180c and 180d
6d and the like are locking pins (the locking pins 2 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9).
18a) from above, to prevent the locking pin from disengaging upward from the mounting slits 176a, 176b, 176c and 176d and 202a, 202b 202c and 202d. Therefore, the image forming means 6a, 6
Each of b, 6c and 6d is sufficiently securely held at the required mounting position of the frame 110 by the action of the locking members 180a, 180b, 180c and 180d etc. which are held in the locked position by the elastic biasing means 198 together with their own weights. You. Also, the locking pins (such as the locking pins 218a shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) are attached to the mounting slits 176a, 176.
b, 176c and 176d and 202a, 202b2
Since the image forming units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are restrained in the positions 02c and 202d, they are reliably prevented from swinging or rotating.

FIG. 10 shows a modification of the mounting slit formed in the inner mounting plate 124. In such a modification, the restraining members 222a are fixed to both side edges of the mounting slit 220a. The restraining member 222a formed of a spring steel plate has a concave portion at the center in the longitudinal direction. The locking pin 218a inserted into the mounting slit 222a elastically deforms the restraining member 222a and is positioned between the concave portions,
It is held elastically in this position.

[0030]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming unit can be easily and quickly moved to the working position in the housing without generating other separate problems such as a large increase in manufacturing cost. The image forming unit can be moved between the operation position and the non-operation position pulled out from the operation position, and the image forming unit can be positioned at the operation position with sufficient precision.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming unit can be easily and sufficiently mounted on the frame of the image forming unit without generating other separate problems such as a large increase in manufacturing cost. The image forming means can be quickly attached and detached, and the image forming means can be mounted at a predetermined position with sufficient precision.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing an entire preferred embodiment of an image forming apparatus configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the image forming unit in the image forming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the cooperation between a pair of position restricting means provided on a front wall member of the image forming unit and a pair of front stationary position restricting means provided on a housing in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. Sectional view.

FIG. 4 shows the cooperation of a pair of position restricting means provided on a rear wall member of the image forming unit and a pair of rear stationary position restricting means provided on a housing in the image forming machine shown in FIG. Partial sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a lock unit provided in the image forming unit in the image forming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing the locking means shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an inner mounting plate of a front wall member of the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one image forming unit in the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view showing a mounting style of an image forming unit to a frame in the image forming unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view similar to FIG. 9, showing a modification of the locking means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Housing 4: Image forming unit 6a: Black toner image forming means 6b: Magenta toner image forming means 6c: Cyan toner image forming means 6d: Yellow toner image forming means 16: Optical means 22: Transfer belt means 34: First Sheet member supply means 36: Second sheet member supply means 80: Fixing means 110: Frame of image forming unit 112: Front wall member 114: Rear wall member 120: Outside plate 122: Intermediate plate 124: Inside mounting plate 126: Outside Plate 128: Intermediate plate 130: Inner mounting plate 132: Restriction member 134: Restriction member 132b: Through receiving hole (position restricting means) 134b: Through receiving hole (Position restricting means) 136: Pin (front stationary position restricting means) 138: Pin (front side stationary position regulating means) 140: Pin (position regulating means) 142: Pin (position Control means) 150: regulating member 152: regulating member 150b: penetration receiving hole (rear stationary position regulating means) 152b: penetration receiving hole (rear stationary position regulating means) 156: locking means 170a: mounting notch 170b: mounting notch 170c : Mounting notch 170d: mounting notch 172a: supporting edge 172b: supporting edge 172c: supporting edge 172d: supporting edge 176a: mounting slit 176b: mounting slit 176c: mounting slit 176d: mounting slit 180a: locking member 180b: locking member 180c: locking Member 180d: Locking member 188a: Elastic biasing means 188b: Elastic biasing means 188c: Elastic biasing means 188d: Elastic biasing means 196: Elevating frame 198: Elastic biasing means 200a: Mounting notch 200b: Mounting notch 200c: Mounting notch 200d: Mounting Notch 202a: mounting slit 202b: mounting slit 202c: mounting slit 202d: mounting slit 214a: bearing member 218a: locking pin

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Noriaki Miyamoto 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Inside Mita Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuya Uehira 1-2-2 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City No. 28 Inside Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadakazu Ogiri 1-2-28 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hironobu Kono 1-2-28 Takuma-zo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi No. Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An image forming unit comprising: a housing; and an image forming unit mounted to be movable substantially horizontally between an operating position in the housing and a non-operating position extended forward from the operating position, The image forming unit includes a frame having a front wall member and a rear wall member disposed at an interval in the front-rear direction. In the image forming machine, the front wall member and the rear of the frame of the image forming unit are provided. Each of the wall members is provided with a pair of position restricting means spaced apart in the horizontal direction, and the housing is provided with a pair of front stationary position restricting means and a pair of rear stationary position restricting means. When the image forming unit is moved to the operating position, the pair of position restricting means of the front wall member cooperate with the pair of front stationary position restricting means, and the pair of position restricting means of the rear wall member. The means is a pair In cooperation with the side rest position regulating means, thus the image forming unit is regulated to said working position, the image forming apparatus, characterized in that. 2. One of the pair of position restricting means of the front wall member and the pair of front stationary position restricting means is constituted by a pair of receiving holes extending substantially horizontally, and the other is extended substantially horizontally. One of the pair of position regulating means and the pair of rear stationary position regulating means of the rear wall member is constituted by a pair of pins extending substantially horizontally, and the other is substantially constituted by a pair of pins. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises a pair of receiving holes extending horizontally horizontally. 3. The pair of pins is a round pin having a circular cross section, one of the pair of receiving holes is a circle having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the round pin, and the other is a round pin. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus has an elongated shape having a width corresponding to an outer diameter of the pin. 4. The pair of pins constituting the other of the pair of position restricting means and the pair of front stationary position restricting means of the front wall member has an annular shoulder surface formed therein. The front end of the pair of receiving holes forming one of the pair of position restricting means of the member and the pair of front stationary position restricting means abuts on the annular shoulder surface, thereby positioning the image forming unit in the front-rear direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 5. A pair of pins constituting one of the pair of position restricting means of the rear wall member and the pair of rear stationary position restricting means is formed with an annular shoulder surface. The front ends of the pair of receiving holes, which constitute the other of the pair of position restricting means of the wall member and the pair of rear stationary position restricting means, abut on the annular shoulder surface, so that the front and rear of the image forming unit can be adjusted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the direction position is regulated. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lock unit that releasably locks the image forming unit at the operation position. 7. The image forming unit includes four image forming units mounted in tandem in a direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the image forming unit and in a direction substantially horizontal to the frame. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the four image forming units are a black toner image forming unit, a magenta toner image forming unit, a cyan toner image forming unit, and a yellow toner image forming unit. 8. An image forming unit, comprising: a housing; and an image forming unit movably mounted between an operating position in the housing and a non-operating position pulled out of the operating position. A frame having a front wall member and a rear wall member arranged at an interval in the front-rear direction, and at least one image forming unit detachably attached to the frame, wherein the image forming unit is a rotating shaft; An image forming machine, comprising: a rotary drum mounted on the rotary shaft; and bearing members mounted on both ends of the rotary shaft, wherein the bearing member has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. Each of the member and the rear wall member includes a mounting plate in which a mounting notch opened upward is formed,
When the bearing member of the image forming means is inserted into the mounting notch from above, two bearings supporting the bearing member at two circumferentially spaced positions on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing member. An image forming machine, wherein a supporting edge is formed. 9. The frame includes four image forming means mounted in the tandem in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the image forming unit and in a direction substantially horizontal to the frame. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the four image forming units are mounted, and the four image forming units are a black toner image forming unit, a magenta toner image forming unit, a cyan toner image forming unit, and a yellow toner image forming unit. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of said support edges extends linearly. 11. Each of the mounting plates is formed with a mounting slit extending downward from the mounting notch between the two supporting edges, and the image forming means is provided in each of the bearing members. A locking pin located below and protruding substantially parallel to the rotation axis is provided, and a width of the mounting slit corresponds to an outer diameter of the locking pin. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said bearing member is supported by said two supporting edges by inserting a locking pin. 12. A lock member is mounted on the mounting plate so as to be movable between a lock position and a non-lock position, and the lock member is released after the locking pin is inserted into the mounting slit. The lock member is engaged with the lock pin from above when the lock member is moved from the lock position to the lock position, and prevents the lock pin from moving upward in the mounting slit. Image forming machine 13. The lock member according to claim 1, wherein the lock member is pivotally mounted between the locked position and the unlocked position.
2. The image forming apparatus according to 2. 14. The lock member has a pair of arms defining a lock slit having a width corresponding to the outer diameter of the locking pin, and when the lock member is located at the unlocked position, One of the pair of arms extends across the mounting slit, and the other is retracted from the mounting slit. When the locking pin enters the mounting slit, the locking pin enters the lock slit. The locking pin abuts against the one of the pair of arms to move the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position, whereby the one of the pair of arms is positioned below the locking pin. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the other is located above the locking pin. 15. An image forming apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an elastic biasing means for elastically biasing said lock member to said unlock position with a relatively small force. 16. A transfer belt means located below the image forming unit when the image forming unit is located at the operation position, is provided in the housing, and the transfer belt means is An elevating frame that can move up and down between an ascending position and a descending position, wherein the elevating frame is separated from the lock member when the elevating frame is located at the lowered position; 16. A resilient biasing means is provided which abuts the lock member and resiliently biases the lock member to the lock position with a relatively large force when the lift frame is positioned at the lift position. The image forming machine as described in the above. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a restraining member for elastically restraining the locking pin inserted into the mounting slit is provided in the mounting slit.