JP2000221847A - Image forming device and method for exchanging unit constituting the same device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the exchanging operability of constituting parts and the effective usability of parts and also to exchange the parts at an adequate time with respect to an image forming device provided with at least an image carrying means, a developing means visualizing a latent image, and an intermediate transfer means on which the visualized image is transferred and which transfers the visualized image on a paper. SOLUTION: The constituting parts are unitized into an image carrier unit 140, a developing unit 6, and an intermediate transfer unit 100, and assembled to a main body; the shape, the material, and the using conditions of two or more kinds of parts or the materials among the parts or the materials constituting at least one unit are decided so that the occasion when the specified performance of the two or more kinds of the parts or the materials can not be kept becomes nearly the same. The assembling can be independently released by setting the time when such occasion comes as reference.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a method of exchanging units constituting the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At least image bearing means, developing means for visualizing the latent image, and intermediate transfer means for receiving the visualized image and transferring the visible image to paper. There is an image forming apparatus that is operating. In such an image forming apparatus, various parts constituting the image carrying means, the developing means, and the intermediate transfer means as parts to be replaced on the user side. Collection of waste toner collected in the image carrying means and the intermediate transfer means. There are boxes,
Paper and toner are to be replenished. Of these exchange and replenishment operations, the most troublesome operation for the user is the exchange operation.

The image bearing means, the developing means, the intermediate transfer means and the like are each constituted as a set of parts having a fixed unit, and when these sets are exchanged as a unit, the set is constituted. There is a problem in that the life of the various components has a long or short life, and the entire assembly is replaced in accordance with the life of the shortest component, so that the long-life component is wasted.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the workability of replacing parts constituting the image forming apparatus and the effective use of the parts. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of replacing parts at an appropriate time.

[0005]

The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object.

(1). An image forming apparatus including at least image bearing means, developing means for visualizing a latent image, and intermediate transfer means for receiving the visualized image and transferring the visible image to paper. In the above, the image carrying means is an image carrier unit having an integral structure including the image carrying means and its accompanying members, the developing means is a developing unit having an integral structure including the developing means and its accompanying members, The intermediate transfer unit and the intermediate transfer unit having an integral member including the auxiliary member are unitized and assembled into the main body, and at least one of the units has two or more types of components or materials constituting the unit. The form, material, and use conditions are determined so that the time when the predetermined performance cannot be maintained for the parts or materials of the Independently of the criteria to be able to release the assembled said (claim 1).

(2). In the image forming apparatus described in (1), the period when the performance cannot be maintained refers to the period of the life of the component or the material, and when the component constitutes a container, the contents contained in the container. Is increased over time and becomes full (claim 2).

(3). (1) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the image carrier unit includes at least a photoconductor, a charging unit for uniformly charging the photoconductor, and a unit case provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning the photoconductor. A unit, which is attached to the unit case, and which detects a full state of the discharged toner in the discharged toner storage unit and a container-shaped discharged toner storage unit that stores the discharged toner cleaned from the photoconductor by the cleaning unit. And the life of the components and materials of the photoconductor unit is set such that the photoconductor unit is replaced when the toner is full by the discharged toner full detection device. Item 3).

(4). (3) In the image forming apparatus described in (3), the component that determines the replacement time of the photoconductor unit is a photoconductor, and the life of the photoconductor and the time when the waste toner is full are substantially the same time, or The capacity of the waste toner container is set so that the full time of the waste toner comes before the end of the life, and the cycle of discarding the waste toner and the replacement cycle of the photoconductor are matched.

(5). In the image forming apparatus described in (4), the photoconductor has a drum shape, and an unused photoconductor used for replacement has a peripheral surface covered with a protective film.

(6). (3) In the image forming apparatus described in (3), among the components of the photoreceptor unit, the life of the component having the shortest life and the time when the waste toner is full are substantially at the same time. The capacity is set, and the cycle of discarding the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage unit and the replacement cycle of the component having the shortest life are matched.

(7). (6) In the image forming apparatus described in (6), the component having the shortest life is a charging brush as the charging unit.

(8). (3) The image forming apparatus according to (4), (6) or (7), further comprising a plurality of the photoconductor units, all of the plurality of photoconductor units having the same shape and the same size. (In claim 8).

(9). (1) In the image forming apparatus described in (1), the developing unit has a unit case having at least a developing roller and a developing unit including a toner stirring and conveying unit, and a developer containing toner is contained in the developing unit. The replacement of the developer according to the life of the developer is performed for the entire developing unit together with the unit case.

(10). (9) In the image forming apparatus described in (9), the developing unit is configured as a plurality of developing units each filled with a developer of a different color. This is performed for the entire developing unit (claim 10).

(11). The image forming apparatus according to (9) or (10), wherein a plurality of the developing units are provided, all of the plurality of developing units have the same shape and the same size, and all of the plurality of developing units are compatible in attachment to the main body. (Claim 11).

(12). (1), (2), (3),
(4) In the image forming apparatus described in (6), (7), (8), (9), (10) or (11), the image carrier unit or the photoconductor unit and the developing unit may be combined. The image carrier unit or the photoreceptor unit and the developing unit are configured as a composite unit that is detachable from each other and are also detachably assembled to the main body as a composite unit. It is detachable from the main body or the composite unit (claim 10).

(13). (1) In the image forming apparatus described in (1), the intermediate transfer unit includes at least an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer unit that applies a transfer bias that transfers an image of the image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt, and a cleaning unit that cleans the intermediate transfer belt. A container case attached to the unit case and accommodating the unit case and containing the discharged toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt by the cleaning unit and containing the discharged toner; And a component of the intermediate transfer unit such that it is time to replace the intermediate transfer unit when the discharged toner full detector detects that the discharged toner is full. , The life of the material is set.
0).

(14). (13) In the image forming apparatus described in (13), the life of the intermediate transfer belt and the time when the waste toner is full are substantially at the same time, or the waste toner is stored so that the time when the waste toner is full comes before the life of the intermediate transfer belt. The capacity of the set is set, and the cycle of discarding the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage unit is matched with the cycle of replacing the intermediate transfer belt.

(15). (13) In the image forming apparatus described in (13), among the components of the intermediate transfer unit, the life of the component having the shortest life and the time when the discharged toner is full are substantially at the same time. The capacity was set, and the waste toner discarding cycle was matched with the replacement cycle of the component having the shortest life (claim 15).

(16). At least, there is provided a method of replacing a unit in an image forming apparatus in which a photoreceptor unit having a photoreceptor, a charging unit for charging the photoreceptor, and a unit case provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning the photoreceptor is detachably mounted on a main body. A discharge toner full detecting means for detecting when the discharge toner is full in a container-shaped discharge toner storage section which is attached to the unit case and stores the discharge toner cleaned from the photoconductor by the cleaning means. The photoconductor unit is replaced when it is detected that the toner is full.
6).

(17). An intermediate transfer unit having at least an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer unit for transferring a transfer bias for transferring an image of an image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt, and a unit case provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning the intermediate transfer belt is detachably attached to the main body. A method of exchanging units in the image forming apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus, wherein the discharged toner is discharged from a container-shaped discharged toner accommodating portion which accompanies the unit case and stores the discharged toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt by the cleaning means. The intermediate transfer unit is replaced when the discharged toner full detecting means detects when the toner is full.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [1] Description of entire image forming apparatus [1] -a. Hereinafter, an example of an image forming apparatus suitable for carrying out the present invention will be described together with an image forming process. This image forming apparatus uses a drum-shaped photoconductor (hereinafter, referred to as a photoconductor drum) as an image carrier, and a charger, a writing unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and the like are arranged around the photoconductor. And two such image stations are arranged at regular intervals along the same moving surface of the intermediate transfer belt.

When focusing on one image station, the image forming process conforms to a general electrostatic recording method, and a certain color is written by a writing unit on a photoreceptor uniformly charged by a charger in the dark. Is written, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized by a developing unit and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt.

Assuming that the developing means in each image station has a visualization function using two different color toners, respectively, four colors are obtained by adding black to the three primary colors. , A full-color image can be formed.

Therefore, while the same image forming area of the intermediate transfer belt sequentially passes through the two image stations, the toner images are superimposed and transferred one by one by each image station. While the color-superimposed-transferred image area sequentially passes through the two image stations once again, the same image forming area can be formed by superposing and transferring toner images of different colors by the respective image stations. At the point when the image passes through each image station twice, the full-color toner image is overlaid and transferred. If this full-color toner image is transferred to a transfer sheet, a full-color image can be obtained on the transfer sheet. The toner image on the transfer paper is fixed by a fixing unit, so that a full-color final image can be obtained on the transfer paper.

An example described below is an image forming apparatus using such an image process, which can obtain a high-speed print output in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt. The photoconductor drum as a body and the one using a combination of an LED and a converging light transmitting body as a writing means are illustrated, but as an application example of this modification, an endless belt-shaped one as an image carrier is used. Alternatively, a laser light source may be used as the writing unit. Further, the image carrier is not limited to the photoreceptor, but may be a medium capable of forming a latent image only by an action other than light, or an electro-magnetic change caused by an action other than light on such an image carrier. Writing means that can provide

[1] -b. Outline of Image Forming Process In this example, a toner image formed in at least three primary colors of A, B, and C on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer body. In the image forming method of transferring the color image on the intermediate transfer belt onto transfer paper by a transfer unit, as shown in FIG. 18, the intermediate transfer belt 1 running in the direction of arrow a 'is used.
0 are arranged at regular intervals along the same moving plane,
A first image station 14 and a second image station 24 each having a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, and a developing unit transfer a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 10 in the order shown in FIG. 19 or FIG. The color image obtained on the transfer belt 10 is transferred to a transfer paper P by a transfer unit 11.
Is transferred to

[1] -c. Specific Example of Image Forming Process (Part 1) Here, when the total length of the intermediate transfer belt 10 is L and the length corresponding to the length of the transfer paper P in the moving direction at the time of transfer is m, FIG. FIG. 20 shows a color image forming process when m + α, and FIG. 20 shows a color image forming process when L = 2 (m + α). However, FIGS. 19 and 20
In FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, α is the length of the non-image area on the intermediate transfer belt in the direction of movement of the intermediate transfer belt.
<M. The length of α changes depending on the length of the image area on the intermediate transfer belt or the length of the transfer paper used. Therefore, depending on the length of the transfer paper P, there is a case where α> m.

In FIG. 19, (1) First image station 1 having A-color developing means
4, the A color toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10.

(2) The A and B toner images are transferred by superimposing the B toner image on the A toner image by the second image station 24.
A color toner image is obtained, and a C color toner image is superimposed and transferred on the A and B color toner images by the first image station 14 to obtain A, B, and C color toner images. At this point, the intermediate transfer belt 10 makes approximately one rotation.

(3) A full color image obtained by superimposing and transferring a D color toner (black toner) image on the A, B, and C color toner images obtained in the step (2) by the second image station 24. Is transferred onto a transfer sheet P (first sheet) by a transfer roller 11 as a transfer unit. The transfer to the transfer paper P (first sheet) is performed during the second rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

(4) When a plurality of color prints are to be taken, the first image station 14 concurrently superimposes the D color toner image by the second image station 24 in the above step (3), Transfer the image,
The B image is superimposed and transferred by the second image station 24 to obtain the A and B color toner images.

(5) A toner image of C color is applied to the toner images of colors A and B obtained in the step (4) by the first image station 14, and then a toner image of D color is applied by the second image station 24.
The color toner images are obtained by superimposing and transferring, and this is transferred to a second transfer paper P (second paper). The transfer to the transfer paper P (second sheet) is performed during the fourth rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

(6) The third and subsequent prints are obtained at the sixth rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10 by repeating the steps from the step (3).

[1] -d. Specific Example of Image Forming Process (Part 2) In the case of (L / 2 = m + α) in FIG. 20, (1) First image station 1 having A-color developing means
4, the A color toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10.

(2) Further, the first image station 14
While transferring the subsequent A-color toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 10, the B-color toner image is superimposed on the preceding A-color toner image by the second image station 24 and transferred.
A B color toner image is obtained. At this point, the intermediate transfer belt 10
Makes approximately one revolution.

(3) Intermediate transfer belt 1 obtained in step (2)
A, B, and C toner images are superimposed and transferred by the first image station 14 on the A and B color toner images on
A color toner image is obtained, and the A, B, and C color toner images are
Then, the D color toner (black toner) image is superimposed and transferred by the image station 24, and the obtained full-color image is transferred to the transfer paper P (first sheet) by the transfer means 11. The transfer to the transfer paper P (first sheet) is started when the intermediate transfer belt 10 rotates approximately 1.5 times.

(4) When a plurality of color copies are to be made, the first image station 14 obtains the A, B, and C color toner images in step (3), and the first image station 14 obtains the A color toner images. A, B, C while transferring
The D color toner image is superimposed and transferred on the color toner image by the second image station 24, and the obtained full-color image is transferred onto the second transfer paper P (second sheet). Transfer paper P (2
The transfer to the (sheet) is started from about 2.5 rotations of the intermediate transfer belt.

(5) The second image station 24 superimposes and transfers the B color toner image on the A color toner image transferred by the first image station 14 in the step (4).

(6) While the subsequent A-color toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the first image station 14, the B-color image is obtained by the second image station 24 on the A-color toner image obtained in the step (4). The A and B color toner images are obtained by superimposing and transferring the color toner images. (7) The first image station 14 superimposes and transfers the C-color toner image onto the A- and B-color toner images obtained in the step (6), and transfers the A, B, and C toner images.
A color toner image is obtained, and the A, B, and C color toner images are
The D color toner image is superimposed and transferred by the image station 24, and the obtained color image is transferred to a third transfer sheet P (third sheet). The transfer to the transfer paper P (third sheet) is started from approximately 3.5 rotations of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

(8) While transferring the A-color toner image by the first image station 14, the second image station 24 transfers the A-, B-, and C-color toner images obtained in the step (7).
To transfer the D color toner image in a superimposed manner, and transfer the obtained color image to a fourth transfer paper P (fourth sheet). The transfer to the transfer paper P (fourth sheet) is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 substantially at 4.
It starts from 5 rotations.

As described above, when the intermediate transfer belt 10 has a length that is at least twice the length of the transfer paper P used, the first print is made by two rotations of the intermediate transfer belt 10, and the second print is made by three rotations. The third sheet is obtained by four rotations, and the fourth sheet is obtained by five rotations. That is, each print is started at the number of rotations of the intermediate transfer belt 10 obtained by adding about 0.5 to the number of prints, and the number of prints to be obtained is obtained by adding the number of prints to the number of rotations.

[1] -e. In FIG. 21, which shows an outline of the entire image forming apparatus, the intermediate transfer belt 10 is stretched between a driven roller 13 and a driving roller 12, and is driven by the driving roller 12 as indicated by an arrow a '. It is driven to run in the direction. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is given an optimal tension by a tension roller 60. On the lower traveling surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10,
A first image station 14 and a second image station 24 are arranged at regular intervals along the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 10. Intermediate transfer belt 10
Is longer by the non-image area than the length in the moving direction of the maximum size transfer paper used in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

The first image station 14 includes a brush-like charger 17 for uniformly charging the surface of a photosensitive drum 16 as an image carrier, and an image signal based on a document on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 16. It mainly comprises a writing unit 18 for writing with a modulated beam, an A-color developing unit 19, a C-color developing unit 20, and a cleaning unit 21, and the A-color developing unit 19 and the C-color developing unit 20 One developing device 6 is constituted.

The second image station 24 has the same configuration as the first image station 14, and includes a photosensitive drum 26, a charging device 27, a writing unit 28, a B color developing device 29, and a D color developing device 30. , A cleaning means 31, and the second developing device 8 is constituted by the B color developing device 29 and the D color developing device 30. Second image station 2
Reference numeral 4 is mounted on the apparatus main body in the same posture as the first image station 14.

Each of the image stations 14 and 24 is provided detachably with respect to the apparatus main body. Each photosensitive drum 1
The rotations of 6 and 26 are synchronized with the running of the intermediate transfer belt 10, and the peripheral speed thereof is determined so as to exactly match the running speed of the intermediate transfer belt 10. Chargers 17, 27
Alternatively, charging means using a corona discharger or a roller can be employed.

Each developing device uses a two-component developer.
A-color developing device 19 contains magenta toner and carrier, C-color developing device 20 contains cyan toner and carrier, B-color developing device 29 contains yellow toner and carrier, and D-color developing device 30
Respectively store the black toner and the carrier, and transfer the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 16 and 26 formed by the charger 17 and the writing unit 18 by a known method to the developing rollers 32 and 33, respectively. , 34 and 35. These developing rollers 32, 33, 34, 3
Reference numeral 5 denotes a developing means, which employs a magnetic brush developing method using a type in which a non-magnetic sleeve is rotated around a fixed magnet.

Each of the four developing units 19, 20, 29, and 30 has a similar configuration including a paddle as a developer agitator and a transport screw as a toner replenisher. And other well-known color developing devices.

The transport screws 4M, 4C, 4Y, and 4B have a configuration in which the blades are spirally wound. Paddle 2
Each of M, 2C, 2Y, and 2B has a spiral blade 1c and eight radial plates in order to have a function of stirring and transporting the developer. The paddle 2M and the transport screw 4M transport the developer in the axial direction opposite to each other by rotation, and distribute the developer evenly in the axial longitudinal direction of the developing roller 32. A first transfer brush 41 and a second transfer brush 42, to which a bias voltage for transfer is applied, are respectively attached to and separated from the photosensitive drums 16 and 26 with the intermediate transfer belt 10 interposed therebetween. A transfer roller 11 to which a bias voltage for transfer is applied is provided on the roller 13 so as to be able to freely contact and separate via an intermediate transfer belt 10. Note that a transfer roller or a corona discharger can be used instead of the transfer brushes 41 and 42.

Each of the photosensitive drums 16 and 26 is slightly separated downward from the plain transfer belt 10 and the first
The transfer brush 41 and the second transfer brush 42 are slightly separated upward from the intermediate transfer belt 10 and transfer the toner images on the photosensitive drums 16 and 26 to the intermediate transfer belt 10 in the first step. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is brought into contact with the photoconductor drum 16 and / or 26 by the transfer brush 41 and / or the second transfer brush 42 of FIG.

The driven roller 13 and the transfer roller 11 constitute a transfer section 45 for a color image. Transfer roller 1
Instead of 1, transfer means using a corona discharger or a transfer brush can be employed. The drive roller 12 is provided with a cleaning device 61 for removing toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 so as to be able to freely contact and separate. The cleaning device 61 is controlled by a contact / separation drive unit 104 of an intermediate transfer body cleaning device (not shown).

First and second image stations 14, 24
A sheet feeding device (not shown) that feeds the stacked transfer sheets P one by one to the right in FIGS. One transfer sheet P sent from the sheet feeding device is fed to a pair of feed rollers 43 and a pair of registration rollers 44.
Is supplied to the transfer unit 45 by the Above the transfer section 45, a heating roller 47 that is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow b is provided.
And the pressure roller 4 which rotates while being pressed against the heating roller 47
8 is provided. A roller 51 for applying an anti-offset liquid to the surface of the heating roller 47 is brought into contact with the heating roller 47 as needed, and a claw 52 for separating the transfer paper is brought into contact with the roller 51.

The fixing device 50 is located downstream of the fixing device 50.
A paper discharge roller pair 54 for transmitting the transfer paper fed from the printer to a paper discharge tray 53 is arranged. An exhaust fan 55 for exhausting heat is provided at the upper left of FIG. 21 to prevent electric components housed below the sheet ejection tray 53 from being heated by the influence of the heat of the fixing device 50. .

The photosensitive drum 16 in the first image station 14 and the photosensitive drum 26 in the second image station 24 have exactly the same shape, size and material. The photosensitive drum 16 and the photosensitive drum 26 need to be driven at the same linear velocity. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the gear 72, which is formed of a worm gear coaxially and integrally with the photosensitive drum 16, the photosensitive drum 2
A gear 72 'is formed of the same worm gear as the gear 72 integrally with the gear 6, and the gear 72 is engaged with a worm 16W, and the gear 72' is engaged with a worm 26W provided on a worm shaft 250 common to the worm 16W. In addition, the worm shaft 250 is driven by the motor M2 via the belt 36. With this configuration, the linear speed of the photosensitive drums 16 and 26 can be adjusted to the linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt 10 by controlling the rotation speed of the motor M2.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 22 shows an outline of the entire image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 21 as a specific configuration example. Therefore, the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 22 will be described in comparison with the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The first difference is that the configuration around the transfer brush is embodied in the image forming apparatus of FIG. The first transfer brush 41 in FIG. 21 is fixed to the rocking body 37 in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The oscillating body 37 is oscillated about a shaft 38 supported by an immobile member, and the first transfer brush 41 is located on the free end side of the oscillating body 37. A transfer roller 39 is provided on the free end side of the oscillating body 37. The first transfer brush 41 may be kept in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10 at all times. However, in this example, in order to avoid abrasion, the transfer of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 16 to the intermediate transfer belt 10 is performed. Since the swing angle of the swing body 37 is controlled so as to make contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10 only in the process, the first transfer brush 4
1 and the transfer roller 39 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 10.

The configuration around the second transfer brush 42 is also the first
The structure around the transfer belt is exactly the same as
7 ', the shaft 38', the transfer roller 39 ', etc., and the description is omitted. The first transfer brush 41 and the second transfer brush 42 differ in the timing of contact and separation with the intermediate transfer belt 10. In FIG. 22, the transfer brush 41 and the transfer roller 39 of the first transfer are
, And a state in which the second transfer brush 42 and the transfer roller 39 ′ are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10. In this manner, the intermediate transfer belt 10 is spaced apart from the second transfer brush 42 and the transfer roller 39 '.
The intermediate transfer belt 10 can be brought into contact with the photoconductor drum 26 with a predetermined nip width by contacting the photoconductor drum 26 through the photoconductor drum 26, and the transfer performance can be improved. Similarly, the first transfer brush 41 and the transfer roller 39 are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10 in the transfer process. Here, the transfer rollers 39, 39 ', the first transfer brush 41, the second transfer brush 42, and the like, including these auxiliary members, are set to the width of the intermediate transfer belt 10 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. Needless to say, it has a predetermined depth combined.

The second difference is that FIG. 22 shows the structure around the cleaning device 61 in a concrete manner. The cleaning device 61 includes the intermediate transfer belt 10
The blade 61a, which can freely contact and separate from the main body, an oscillator 61c supporting the blade 61a, a shaft 61d supporting the oscillator 61c, and the oscillator 61c in a direction in which the blade 61a is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 1-. Elastic means 61b composed of an extensible spring that is being urged, a guide 61i for guiding the toner and paper powder scraped off by the blade 61a downward, and a swirl-shaped rotator 61g provided below the guide 61i , A leaf spring 61e provided so that its free end is in contact with the rotating body 61g, and a storage box 61f provided on the opposite side of the rotating body 61g with the leaf spring 61e interposed therebetween.

Here, the rotating body 61g has its central axis 61h.
Is driven to rotate. The base end of the leaf spring 61e is supported by the frame 92. Further, the shaft 61d is connected to a driving unit (not shown), and by controlling this driving unit, the swinging body 61c is turned to a state where the blade 61a is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 10 against the urging force of the elastic unit 61b. Then, the blade 61 can be brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the urging force of the elastic means 61b by releasing the turning force as shown in FIG. ing.

Since the blade 61 must not disturb the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10, the intermediate transfer belt 1
0, and only at a predetermined timing when it is necessary to scrape off residual toner, paper dust, and the like adhering on the intermediate transfer belt 10 that has been transferred to the transfer paper P by the transfer roller 11 portion. 10 and scraped off. The mixed waste such as the scraped paper powder and the discharged toner is sent to the rotating body 61g by its own weight along the guide 61i. The rotator 61g intermittently deflects the leaf spring 61e in response to the rotation, and sends out the mixed waste to a storage box 61f as a discharged toner storage unit. Here, the blade 61a, the guide 61i, the rotator 61g, the storage box 61f, and the like have a predetermined depth in accordance with the width of the intermediate transfer belt 10 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. Of course you do. When a predetermined amount, for example, full, of the discharged toner collected in the storage box 61f is stored, the intermediate transfer unit 100 integrally formed with the storage box 61f is replaced.

The third difference is that the feed roller pair 43 shown in FIG. 21 is not provided in FIG. 22, and a feed roller 91 is shown at the top of the stacked transfer sheets P. That is. The paper feed roller 91 is supported by an immovable member and connected to a drive system, and is rotated when feeding paper. The stacked transfer papers P are aligned by a guide (not shown) and are stacked on a bottom plate (not shown), and the bottom plate is raised by an amount reduced by being sequentially sent out from the upper paper by the paper feed roller 91. The uppermost transfer sheet is controlled by a known means so that the transfer sheet always comes into contact with the sheet feeder 91 with an appropriate pressing force. In addition,
The feed roller pair 43 is not provided in the configuration shown in FIG. 22, but may be provided as needed.

The fourth difference is that in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 22, the structure of the cleaning means 21 and 31 is specifically shown. These cleaning means 21,
The configuration of 31 is as described later with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 15, and the like.
The cleaning means 21 removes the residual toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 21a having a length in the width direction facing the photoconductor drum 16 to a width substantially equal to that of the cleaning blade 21a. The photoreceptor unit 14 is collected in the shaft support portion 64-1 having a U-shaped cross section and rotated by the rotation of the auger 70.
1, a box-shaped take-out portion 74 provided at the end in the width direction of FIG.
(See Reference). The same configuration is employed for the cleaning means 31.

A fifth difference is that in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 22, each component is divided into a required number of groups of component units or unitized. For example, the portion where the transfer paper P is loaded and stored is located at the lowermost portion inside the image forming apparatus, and is partitioned by a partition plate 91 in the up-down direction. Above the partition plate 91, the first developing device 6
And the second developing device 8 are located. In these developing devices, there is a possibility that the toner may fall on the transfer paper P on which the toner is loaded due to the handling of the toner. However, since the partition plate 91 covers the transfer paper P on which the toner is loaded, Avoid contamination by

In the space surrounded by the partition plate 91 and the intermediate transfer belt 10, the writing means 18, 28, the first developing device 6, the second developing device 8, the photosensitive unit 140,
240 etc. are accommodated. Of these, as described above, the writing means 18 and the photoconductor unit 140 are connected to the main body side plate 30 through the common assembling members 900 and 1100.
0 and 400 are detachably attached. Further, as will be described later, the first developing device 6 and the second developing device 8 are also unitized, and the common assembling members 900 and 11 are formed.
00, it is detachably attached to the main body side plates 300, 400. In addition, A color developing device 19, C color developing device 20,
In the B color developing device 29 and the D color developing device 30,
Circles indicated by 0M, 120C, 120Y, and 120B are replenishing openings for replenishing toner in the respective developing devices, and toner is replenished in the respective developing devices from these replenishing openings.

The intermediate transfer belt 10 and its associated driving roller 12, driven roller 13, transfer roller 11, first transfer brush 41, second transfer brush 42, transfer rollers 39 and 39 ', cleaning device 61, etc. Are housed in a flat box-shaped casing 98 having a frame 92, a frame 93 also serving as a guide for transfer paper, a guide 61i, a guide 94, and the like, and constitute an intermediate transfer unit 100 (FIG. 24, 47 and 49). The intermediate transfer unit 100 is supported by a guide (not shown) below the partition plate 95, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus. Above the drive roller 12, the belt mark sensor 1
01S is provided. This belt mark sensor 10
1S is the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 100 (the driving roller 1
This is a sensor for detecting a mark provided at an end portion (in the second axial direction), and various timings in an image forming process are set based on information read by this sensor. Further, calculation of the number of rotations of the intermediate transfer belt 100 and the like are performed. The belt mark sensor 101S is directly connected to the electrical board 96 or attached via a socket.
An electric system for driving and controlling the image forming apparatus is mounted in a space 97 on the electric board 96. The internal air including the heat generated in the electrical system is exhausted through the exhaust fan 55.

The sixth difference is related to the description in FIG. 24, which will be described later. The outer case 104 is divided into a lower case 105 and an upper case 106, and a portion on the right side from the near side to the far side is the lower case. Shaft 105J provided on 105
That is, the cover 108 that can be opened and closed using the fulcrum as a fulcrum is shown. The unit case is formed integrally with the upper case 106. The transfer roller 1 is
1, a paper guide 99, one roller 44a constituting a pair of registration rollers 44, and the like are provided. When the cover 108 is opened in such a configuration, these transfer rows 1
1, the roller 44a, the guide 99, etc. are also opened together with the cover 108, and the paper transport path is opened. In this open state, the jammed paper can be removed, and the intermediate transfer unit 100 can be taken out of the housing 98 by opening the cover 108 as described with reference to FIG.

The point that the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 22 differs from the overall outline of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 21 is as described above.

FIG. 23 shows an example of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 22 in which the structure of the cleaning means 21 and 31 is changed. 1, 2, 3, 15, and 22
In the configurations shown in the figures, an auger 70 is provided, and a gear 71, a gear 77, and the like are required to drive the auger 70. On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 23, only the collection box 103 having the same length in the width direction as that of the cleaning blade 21a is provided.

The configuration shown in FIG. 23 does not require the auger 70, the gear 71, the gear 77, etc., as compared with the configuration shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 15, and 22, and so on. When a predetermined amount, for example, full, of the collected toner is stored in the box 103, the collection box 1 as shown in FIGS.
The entire photoreceptor unit including the photoreceptor drum 16 integrally formed with the photoreceptor unit 03 is replaced.

As shown in FIG. 24, all of the image forming apparatuses having the configurations shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 are housed in an outer case 104 as shown in FIG. 24 as a whole. The outer case 104 includes the first developing device 6, the second developing device 8, other members, and a lower case 105 that accommodates the transfer paper P in a stacked state, the intermediate transfer unit 100, the fixing device 50, and a discharge roller. A pair 54, an exhaust fan 55, and an upper case 106 that accommodates electrical components and other members and includes a paper discharge tray 53.

The upper case 106 has an end on the side where the first developing device 6 is disposed in the left-right direction in FIG.
07 pivotally attached to the lower case 105. In order to use for general maintenance of various members housed in the upper case 106 and the lower case 105, replacement of members, etc.
After opening the cover 108, the upper case 106
24, it can be opened like a crocodile mouth with the axis 107 as the center as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Open angle θ
The upper limit of 1 is 7 in this example in consideration of the operability of the opening / closing operation.
It is set to 0 °.

[1] -f. Operation of Entire Image Forming Apparatus The image forming operation according to the above-described configuration will be described by taking an example of L = m + α. (1) Photoconductor drum 16 of first image station 14
Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the A-color developing device 19 is formed by the charger 17 and the writing means 18, and this electrostatic latent image is
A magenta toner image (hereinafter, referred to as a magenta toner image)
M image). This M image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the first transfer brush 41.

(2) On the other hand, as the intermediate image approaches the second image forming station 24 as the intermediate transfer belt 10 travels in the direction of the arrow a ′, the charging device 2
7 and the writing means 28, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the B-color developing device 29 is formed.
And a yellow toner image (hereinafter, referred to as a Y image)
Is obtained. This Y image is the first image on the intermediate transfer belt 10
Is superimposed and transferred by the second transfer brush 42 onto the M image obtained by the image station 14.

(3) While the superimposed image of the M and Y images is approaching the first image station 14 as the intermediate transfer belt 10 travels, the photosensitive drum 16 is charged with the C color by the charger 17 and the writing means 18. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the developing device 20 is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the C developing device 20 to obtain a cyan toner image (hereinafter, referred to as a C image). This C
The image is superimposed and transferred by the first transfer brush 41 on the M and Y images obtained by the second image forming unit 24 on the intermediate transfer belt 10.

(4) The superimposed image of the M, Y, and C images is transferred to the second image station 24 as the intermediate transfer belt 10 travels.
, An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the D-color developing unit 35 is formed on the photosensitive drum 26 by the charger 27 and the writing unit 28, and this electrostatic latent image is visualized by the D-color developing unit 35. As a result, a black toner image (hereinafter, referred to as a BK image) is obtained. The BK image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10 on the M, Y, and C images obtained at the first image station 14 by the second transfer brush 42.

When a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the second transfer brush 42, the transfer paper sent from the paper feeding device is transferred to the transfer unit 45 by the registration roller pair 44.
, Where the full-color image is transferred to the transfer paper. The transferred full-color image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing device 50, and is sent out to the paper output tray 53 by the paper output roller 54. On the other hand, the residual toner is removed by the cleaning device 61 from the intermediate transfer belt 10 after the transfer of the color image. To obtain a plurality of prints, the superimposed images of the M and Y images are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 1 at the second image station 24.
When the image is transferred to 0, the M image is successively transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10 at the first image station 14, and the above steps (1) to (4) are repeated.

[2] Common assembly member (No. 1) [2] A. Common assembly member of a type to which photoreceptor unit is directly attached The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17 as an example of a case where the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 140 and 240 denote photosensitive member units constituting the first image station 14 and the second image station 24 in FIG. 21, respectively, and these photosensitive member units 140 and 240 are main body side plates as immovable members. The state at the time of attaching to 300 and 400 is shown. These main body side plates 300 and 400 are plate-shaped members provided in parallel and opposed to each other at a distance where the photoconductor units 140 and 240 can be attached. It is bent. Hereinafter, starting with FIG. 1, the side where the main body side plate 300 is located is referred to as the near side, and the side where the main body side plate 400 is located is referred to as the back side.

In FIG. 1 and FIG.
At the top, a mounting portion 9 having a U-shaped cutout portion is provided at a portion constituting the first image station 14.
0 is formed. On the main body side plate 400, a mounting portion 110 having substantially the same shape as the mounting portion 90 is formed at a portion facing the mounting portion 90. Similarly, on the main body side plate 300, a mounting portion 130 having a U-shaped cutout portion is formed at a portion constituting the second image station 24. Main body side plate 4
The mounting portion 1 having substantially the same shape as the mounting portion 130
50 are formed.

In the first image station 14, a common assembling member 900 is attached to the attaching portion 90 from the near side of the main body side plate 300, and a common assembling member 1100 is attached to the attaching portion 110 from the back side of the main body side plate 400.
For the second image station 24, the mounting unit 13
0 from the front side of the main body side plate 300 to the common assembly member 1300
However, the common assembling members 1100 'are attached to the attachment portions 150 from the back side of the main body side plate 400, respectively.

As a result, the common assembling member 900 and the common assembling member 1100 are arranged in a positional relationship facing the photosensitive drum 16 incorporated in the photosensitive unit 140 in the axial direction. The same applies to the positional relationship between the common assembling member 1300 and the common assembling member 1100 '. Here, shaft support portions 910 and 1110 for supporting the shaft portions (the shaft portions 62 and 63 in FIG. 3) that support the photosensitive drum 16 are formed on the common assembly members 900 and 1100, respectively. Similarly, common assembly members 1300, 110
A shaft support portion 13 for supporting a shaft portion (corresponding to the shaft portions 62 and 63 in FIG. 3) that supports the photosensitive drum 26 is provided at 0 ′.
10, 1110 'are formed respectively.

The lower portions of the common assembling members 900 and 1100 are each bent in an L-shape, and these bent portions are used to connect the writing means 18, specifically, the base 18f of the writing means. Writing means support portion 92 for attachment
0 and 1120 respectively. Similarly, the lower portions of the common assembling members 1300 and 1100 'are each bent into an L-shape, and the writing means 2 is provided with these bent portions.
8 support for writing means 1320, 1
120 'respectively.

Here, the common assembly member 1 provided on the main body side plate 400 on the back side of the first image station 14
100 and a common assembling member 1100 ′ provided on the back side main body side plate 400 of the second image station 24, as shown in FIG. 4, drive member support portions 1140 and 1540 for supporting the worm shaft 250. Is to support the outer sides of the worms 16W and 26W of the worm shaft 250 (each shaft end side of the worm shaft 250). . Therefore, the components of the common assembling member 1100 ′ common to the components of the common assembling member 1100 in FIG. 8 are denoted by the dashes “′” added to the reference numerals assigned to the respective components of the common assembling member 1100. The reference numerals are attached and shown, and the description is omitted.

These writing means support portions 920 and 112
0, 1320, and 1120 'are shaft supports 910, respectively.
1110, 1310, and 1110 '. Further, in the first image station 14, an image carrier (photoconductor drum 16) is attached to the back-side common assembly member 1100 of the common assembly member 900 and the common assembly member 1100 that are arranged to face each other. A drive member support portion 1140 having a support hole 1140a for supporting a drive member (worm shaft 250) for applying a rotational drive force to the drive member is formed. Similarly, in the second image station 24, the common assembling member 1300 and the common assembling member 1100 'disposed opposite to each other have a driving member for applying a rotational driving force to the image carrier (corresponding to the photosensitive drum 26). (Warm shaft 25
A drive member support portion 1540 having a support hole 1540a for supporting 0) is formed.

As described above, the first image station 14
The photoconductor unit 140 is attached to the shaft support portion 910 of the common assembly member 900 attached to the main body side plate 300 and the shaft support portion 1110 of the common assembly member 1100 attached to the main body side plate 400. Writing means support portion 920 of assembly member 900 and common assembly member 1
The writing means 18 is attached to the writing means support portion 1120 of 100.

Similarly, for the second image station 24, the common assembly member 1 attached to the main body side plate 300
The photoreceptor units 240 are attached to the shaft support portions 1110 'of the common assembly member 1100' attached to the shaft support portion 1310 of the main body 300 and the body side plate 400, respectively.
Writing means support portion 1320 of common assembly member 1300 and writing means support portion 112 of common assembly member 1100 '
The writing means 28 is attached to 0 '.
Further, the drive member support portion 114 of the common assembly member 1100
0 and the drive member support 1540 of the common assembly member 1100 '
The worm shaft 250 is attached to the.

In this example, the main body side plates 300, 40
0 directly to the common assembly members 900, 1100, 1300,
Although 1100 'and the like are attached, the invention is not limited to this. For example, another immovable member (hereinafter, referred to as an intermediate member) attached to the main body side plates 300 and 400 is used, and common assembling is performed on the intermediate member. Members 900, 1100, 130
It is also possible to attach the intermediate member to the main body side plates 300 and 400 after attaching 0, 1100 'and the like. The photoconductor is included in the image carrier, which is a general concept thereof. The content of the present example described using a photoconductor as an example is directly applicable to an image forming apparatus of a type using a latent image forming medium other than the photoconductor as an image carrier.

[2] Aa. Photoreceptor Unit The photoreceptor units 140 and 240, which are main members attached to the main body side plates 300 and 400, have the same configuration in the photoreceptor unit 140 and the photoreceptor unit 240. ing. Therefore,
The configuration of the photoreceptor unit 140 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The description of the photoreceptor unit 240 will be omitted. It is assumed that the sign is given the sign of a dash "'".

Note that the structure around the main body side plates 300 and 400 as the immovable member to which the photoreceptor units 140 and 240 are attached is also the same as the common assembly member formed on the side forming the first image station 14. And the second image station 24 side have the same configuration, so that the first image station 14
The first image station side will be denoted by a dash “′” if necessary, and a detailed description of the second image station side will be omitted.

2 and 3, the photosensitive drum 140
A shaft portion 62 protrudes from the side end surface on the front side of the photosensitive drum on the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum (the direction penetrating the paper of the rotation center O in FIG. 15) integrally with the drum. The large-diameter portion 62a and the small-diameter portion 62
b, and a stop groove 62c are formed in order. Similarly, a shaft portion 63 protrudes from the side end surface on the back side of the drum.
A large diameter portion 63a, a small diameter portion 63b, and a tapered portion 63c are sequentially formed on the shaft portion 63 toward the back side.

The photoconductor case 64 supporting the photoconductor unit 140 has a substantially U-shape as a whole, and includes a front shaft support portion 64-1 and a rear shaft support portion 64-2. When,
And a bridge portion 64-3 connecting these shaft support portions. The shaft support portion 64-1 and the shaft support portion 64-2 have at least plate-like portions opposed to each other with an interval capable of accommodating the photosensitive drum 16, and these plate-like portions have photoconductor drums. Keyhole-shaped openings 64-1a and 64-1b for supporting bearings for supporting the bearings 16 are formed respectively.

These keyhole-shaped openings 64-1a, 64-1
The openings forming b each have a circular hole and parallel grooves each having a width smaller than the diameter of the hole and opening the hole outwardly. These parallel grooves are large enough to pass through the large-diameter portion 62a of the shaft portion 62 and the large-diameter portion 63a of the shaft portion 63, respectively, and the diameter of the hole is the small-diameter portion 65a of the bearing 65, Small diameter portion 66a of bearing 66
Are formed in a size that can be press-fitted and fixed.

The procedure for attaching the photosensitive drum 16 to the photosensitive case 64 is as follows.
a, 64-1b, while maintaining the state of being located at the center of the hole through the respective grooves, the large-diameter portions 62 of these shafts 62.
The bearing 65 is inserted into the hole 65a, and the small diameter portion 65a of the bearing 65 is press-fitted into the hole of the opening 64-1a. Similarly, the shaft 6
The bearing 66 is inserted through the large-diameter portion 63a of No. 3 and the small-diameter portion 66a of the bearing 66 is press-fitted into the hole of the opening 64-1b.
Thus, the photosensitive drum 16 is rotatably supported by the photosensitive case 64. Thereafter, on the near side, a bearing 67 having a flange 67a is rotatably fitted to the small-diameter portion 62b, and the stopper 69 is attached to the stopper groove 62c to prevent the stopper from coming off.

On the back side, a gear 71 for driving an auger 70 to be described later is fitted and fixed to the large-diameter portion 63a, and a bearing 68 having a flange 68a from the outside is connected to the small-diameter portion 63a.
b, so that the position of the gear 71 is maintained, the gear 72 is fitted into the tapered portion 63c, and the set screw 73 is screwed into a screw hole formed at the shaft end of the tapered portion 63c. When the gear 72 is pressed against the tapered surface, the shaft 63
Fixed to. By fixing the gear 72 using the tapered portion as described above, the gear 72 is fixed in a state where the gear 72 exactly matches the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 16.

In FIG. 21, reference numeral 2 denotes a bridge portion.
A mounting surface for mounting the cleaning blade 21a constituting the cleaning means indicated by 1 is formed, and the cleaning blade 21a is provided on this mounting surface. Further, a mounting base 17a for mounting a brush-shaped charging device 17 made of a charging brush indicated by reference numeral 17 in FIG. 21 is formed, and the charging device 17 is fixed to the mounting base 17a.

Further, the shaft support portion 64-2 and the bridge portion 64
-3, an opening for mounting the auger 70 formed of a screw conveyor is formed in the shaft support portion 64-1. In the shaft support portion 64-1, the opening extends to the inside of the waste toner take-out portion 74 protruding toward the front side, and is a circular hole along the outer diameter of the auger 70. Are closed, and the lower side in FIG. 3 is opened to the outside with a rectangular communication path. In the shaft support portion 64-2, a shaft hole having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the auger 70 is formed. The bridge portion 64- in FIG.
The upper portion 3 is open to communicate with the outside so as not to prevent the transfer residual toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 21a from falling, and a cover 80 is attached thereto (see FIGS. 2 and 15).

The auger 70 is inserted into the photoreceptor case 64 from the shaft hole 75 side so as to be guided by the one-dot chain line shown in FIG.
In this state, the bearing 7 is attached to the shaft 70a at the other end of the auger 70.
6 and press-fit the outer diameter portion 76b of the bearing into the shaft hole 75 until the flange portion 76a hits. Further, the shaft 7
A driving gear 77 is fitted and fixed to the outer gear 0a, and is stopped by a stopper member 78. In addition, between the gear 71 and the gear 77,
The idle gear 79 is supported by a shaft (not shown) provided on the shaft support 64-2.

Accordingly, when a driving force is applied to the gear 72,
The photoreceptor drum 16 rotates, and the auger 70 rotates so as to send the waste toner toward the takeout unit 74 side. Auger 7
The waste toner sent by 0 is dropped below a communication path formed in the take-out section 74. The falling toner is supplied to a duct 81 connected to the take-out unit 74,
The waste toner is fed to a waste toner storage unit (not shown) via a reference numeral 81 '(see FIG. 1).

The photoreceptor unit 14 thus configured
0 is a large diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 and a large diameter portion 66 of the bearing 66.
b, the outer diameter portion 67b of the bearing 67, and the outer diameter portion 68 of the bearing 68
Each of b is configured so that there is no obstacle in the direction perpendicular to the axis because the photosensitive unit 140 functions as a part when the photosensitive unit 140 is attached to another member.

If necessary, the members around the photosensitive drum 16 are removed by a procedure reverse to the above-mentioned assembling procedure, and finally, the bearings 65 and 66 are connected to the shaft supporting portions 64-1 and 64-1.
By removing the photosensitive drum 16 from the photosensitive body case 64, the photosensitive drum 16 can be attached to and detached from the photosensitive body case 64.

[2] Ab. Attachment of common assembly member to main body side plate (front side) (FIGS. 5 to 7) The common assembly member 900 on the front side will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the common assembling member 900 has the shaft support portion 910 and the writing device support portion 920, but in addition, the positioning long hole 911, the positioning step portion 912, and the mounting hole 9.
13a, 913b and 913c. In addition, inclined surfaces 914 and 915 are formed on the upper portion of the shaft support portion 910 so that the bearing 67 can be easily guided. Shaft support 910
Has a U-shaped groove shape, the lower part of the U-shaped groove is a semicircle having the same diameter as the outer diameter part 67b of the bearing 67, and the upper part is open to the outside with the same diameter as the outer diameter part 67b. I have. Step 912
Is formed as a step having a U-shaped profile slightly larger than the shaft support 910.

The elongated hole 911 is located at a position in the rotational direction about the axis of the semicircular portion formed at the lower portion of the shaft support 910 (this axis coincides with the axis of the photosensitive drum 16). And is formed as a long hole extending in a direction toward the axis, and a positioning pin 31 described later is used.
8 is fitted. The main body side plate 300 on the near side will be described with reference to FIG. The upper part of the main body side plate 300, which is to constitute the first image station 14, is rectangularly cut out as indicated by reference numeral 310 with respect to an L-shaped part, and the vertical part is also denoted by reference numeral. 312, 3
13, a U-shaped groove 316 that fits into the step 912 described with reference to FIG. 5 is formed.

A positioning pin 318 is formed on the vertical wall of the main body side plate 300 so as to protrude forward.
At a position obliquely below the positioning pin 318, a hole 320 through which the writing means support portion 920 penetrates from the near side to the far side.
And a hole 322 allowing passage of the duct 81 are formed to communicate with each other. Attachment holes 324a, 324 around the U-shaped groove 316 for attaching the common assembly member 900
b, 324c are formed. At the boundary between the upper part of the U-shaped groove 316 and the parts 312 and 313 cut out in steps, inclined surfaces 314 and 315 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the common assembling member 900 engages the step 912 in the U-shaped groove 316 and engages the slot 911 with the positioning pin 318 with respect to the main body side plate 300 as shown in FIG. Combine. The fitting of the step portion 912 and the U-shaped groove 316 determines the position of the axis of the shaft support portion 910, and the engagement of the positioning pin 318 with the elongated hole 911 allows the writing device support portion 920 to be centered on the axis. Is determined in the rotational direction.

In this state, the mounting holes 913a, 913
b, 913c and mounting holes 324a, 324b, 324
Since c coincides, the common assembling member is fixed to the main body side plate 300 using these mounting holes. In this state, the writing means support portion 920 is in a state of being inserted through the hole portion 320 and protruding toward the rear side of the main body side plate 300. Further, the inclined surfaces 914, 915 and the inclined surfaces 314, 315 are continuous surfaces with no steps.

[2] Ac. Attachment of Common Assembly Member to Main Body Side Plate (Back Side) (FIGS. 8 to 11) The common assembly member 1100 on the back side will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the common assembling member 1100 has the shaft support portion 1110 and the writing device support portion 1120. In addition, the positioning elongated portion 1111, the positioning step portion 1112,
It has mounting holes 1113a, 1113b, and 1113c. In addition, inclined surfaces 1114 and 1115 are formed on the upper portion of the shaft support portion 1110 so that the bearing 68 can be easily guided. The shaft support 1110 has a U-shaped groove shape. The lower part of the U-shaped groove is a semicircle having the same diameter as the outer diameter part 68b of the bearing 68, and the upper part is the same diameter as the outer diameter part 68b and has the same outer shape. Open to the public.

The step portion 1112 is formed as a step portion having a U-shaped profile slightly larger than the shaft support portion 1110. The elongated hole 1111 determines the position in the rotation direction about the axis of the semicircular portion formed at the lower portion of the shaft support 1110 (this axis coincides with the axis of the photosensitive drum 16). And is formed as a long hole extending in the direction toward the axis.
18. Also, the common assembly member 1
A drive member supporting portion 1140 having a hole for a bearing is provided on a surface on the back side of 100.

Referring to FIG. 10, the rear side plate 400 will be described. The upper part of the main body side plate 400, where the first image station 14 is to be formed, is cut out in a rectangular shape as indicated by reference numeral 410 for an L-shaped bent part, and the vertical part is also denoted by reference numeral. As shown by reference numerals 412 and 413, the stepped portion 1112 is cut out in a step shape, and
A U-shaped groove 416 is formed so as to fit into the groove.

A positioning pin 418 is formed on the vertical wall of the main body side plate 400 so as to protrude to the rear side. At a position obliquely below the positioning pin 418, a hole 420 through which the writing unit support 1120 penetrates from the back side to the front side.
Are formed. Around the U-shaped groove 416, a mounting hole 424a for mounting the common mounting member 1100,
424b and 424c are formed. The boundary between the upper part of the U-shaped groove 416 and the parts 412 and 413 cut in steps is formed with inclined surfaces 414 and 415.

As shown in FIG. 8, the common assembling member 1100 is attached to the main body side plate 400 by fitting the step portion 1112 into the U-shaped groove 416. At this time, FIG.
1, the positioning pin 418 has a slot 11
11 are engaged. By fitting the step portion 1112 and the U-shaped groove 416, the center of the U-shaped portion of the shaft support portion 1110, that is, the axial center position is determined, and the positioning pin 418 and the elongated hole 11 are formed.
The position of the writing means support portion 1120 in the rotation direction about the axis is determined by engagement with the writing means 11.

In this state, the mounting holes 1113a, 1113a, 111
3b, 1113c and mounting holes 424a, 424b, 4
Since 24c matches, the common assembling member 1100 is fixed to the main body side plate 400 using these mounting holes. In this state, the writing means support portion 1120 is inserted into the hole 420 and protrudes toward the near side of the main body side plate 400. Further, the inclined surfaces 1114, 1115 and the inclined surfaces 414, 415 are continuous surfaces without any steps.

[2] Ad. Attachment of the worm shaft to the common assembling member In this way, the worm shaft 250 is attached to the common assembling members 1100 and 1100 'attached to the back side body plate 400 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the worm shaft 250 has a support hole 1540 of the drive member support portion 1540 with the worm 16W side first.
a, the support member 1140 is inserted in the order of the support hole 1140a. The tip side of the worm shaft 250 is the worm 16
A portion closer to the shaft end than W is supported by the driving member supporting portion 1140 via a bearing 253, a pulley 254 is mounted on the tapered portion 257, and fixed using a nut 256. On the rear end side of the worm shaft 250, a portion closer to the shaft end side than the worm 26W is
2 and is stopped at the end by a stopper member 255. Thus, each driving member support 1140
In the state where the worms 16W and 26W are supported by the drive member support 1540, the worms 16W and 26W
It is located directly below the axis 110 '.

[2] A-e. Attachment of Photoconductor Unit to Common Assembly Member As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 11, at the first station 14, the shaft support portion of the common assembly member 900 attached to the main body side plate 300 910, the outer diameter portion 67b of the bearing 67, and the shaft support portion 1110 of the common assembling member 1100 attached to the main body side plate 400 to the outer diameter portion 6 of the bearing 68.
8b are engaged with each other,
0, and the photoconductor drum 16 is mounted so that the rotation axis of the photoconductor drum 16 coincides with each axis position of the shaft support portions 910 and 1110.

In this state, the photosensitive unit 140 itself is entirely rotatable around the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 16, but the position in the rotating direction is set by the first developing means by means not shown. It is positioned by engaging with the device 6. Since the upper portions of the shaft support portions 910 and 1110 are open, wedge-shaped members (not shown) are provided between the outer diameter portion 67b and the main body side plate 300 and between the outer diameter portion 68b and the main body side plate 400, respectively. The floating of the bearings 67 and 68 is prevented by interposing.

These wedge-shaped members can be easily removed, and the shaft supports 910, 1110, 1310, 111
0 ′ is open in a U-shape, so that the photoconductor unit 1
40, 240 to each common assembly member 900, 1100, 13
It can be easily attached to and detached from 00, 1100 '. Further, by disassembling the bearings 65 and 66 from the photoconductor case 64, the photoconductor unit 140 can be easily moved from the photoconductor unit 140 using the openings 54-1a and 64-1b.
6 can be disassembled.

In the second image station 24,
According to the example in the first image station, the photoconductor unit 240 is attached to the common assembly member 1300, 1100 '. Thus, the photoconductor unit 140
Is attached to the common assembling members 900 and 1100, the gear 72 is engaged with the worm 16W.
Similarly, the photoconductor unit 240 has a common assembly member 1300,
When mounted on 1100 ', gear 72' is meshed with worm 26W.

In order to accurately and synchronously rotate the photosensitive drum 16 and the photosensitive drum 26 in the two image stations, it is advantageous to use a rotation drive member having such a worm shaft. In the drive system described above, the worm and the gear meshing with the worm are required to have a high degree of positional accuracy. Therefore, as in this example, the first image station 14 has the shaft supporting portion 1110 on the common assembly member 1100 as shown in FIG. And the driving member supporting portion 1140 are configured with a predetermined positional accuracy. Second image station 2
In the same manner as in No. 4, the shaft supporting portion 1110 'and the driving member supporting portion 1540 are also formed on the common assembling member 1100' with a predetermined positional accuracy.

[2] Af. Attachment of Writing Unit to Common Assembling Member As shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 11, at the first image station 14, the writing unit supporting portion 920 protruding from the main body side plate 300 to the back side, and the main body side plate 400 The writing means 18 is detachably attached to the writing means supporting portion 1120 protruding toward the near side. As a mode of attaching the writing means 18, a case where the writing means 18 is attached via an interval adjusting means for adjusting an interval between the writing means 18 and the photosensitive drum 16 is provided. Main scanning direction adjusting means for adjusting the position of the writing means 18 in the main scanning direction (axial direction of the photosensitive drum), or on the photosensitive member 16 by the writing means 18 with respect to the rotation axis (rotation center line) of the photosensitive drum 16 A line adjusting means for adjusting the inclination of the writing line in the step (a), and a distance adjusting means for adjusting the position of the writing means 18 in the main scanning direction (axial direction of the photosensitive drum) with respect to the photosensitive drum 16. Scanning direction adjusting means and photosensitive drum 16
Of the photosensitive member 16 by the writing means 18 with respect to the rotation axis of
There are cases in which there are three means of line adjustment means for adjusting the inclination of the write line described above.

In any case, the common assembling member 9
00, 1100, 1300, 1100 ', the writing means support portions 920, 1120, 1320, 1120'
The writing means 18 and 28 are attached by utilizing the common assembling members 900, 1100 and 130.
0, 1100 ′, shaft support portions 910, 1110, 1310, which are also position references of the photoconductor units 140, 240,
1110 ′, the photosensitive drum 16,
It is possible to easily process and assemble the relationship between the writing means 24 and the writing means 18 and 28 accurately. Further, each of the writing means 18 and 28 is provided with the common assembly members 900 and 11.
00, 1300, 1100 '
It can be disassembled for maintenance and replacement of parts is easy. In FIG. 13A, the large diameter portion 600a of the stepped screw 600 passes through the elongated hole 920a which is long in the left-right direction in the drawing, and the small diameter portion 600b is inserted into the writing means supporting portion 920. After fitting into the hole 18a of the base 18f of 18, the screw part 600c is screwed into the screw hole at the bottom of the hole 18a. In addition, an extensible spring 601 is interposed between the upper surface of the base 18f of the writing means 18 and the lower surface of the writing means supporting portion 920 to urge the writing means 18 downward. Exactly the same configuration as the interval adjusting unit 700 thus configured is provided between the writing unit support unit 1120 and the writing unit 18 on the opposite side. In this state, the writing light emitted from the writing means is set to be directed to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 16.

By rotating the screw 600, the position of the writing means 18 with respect to the writing means support portion 920 can be adjusted. This means that the focus of the light emitted from the writing means 18 is adjusted at the same time. Also, the slot 920 has an optical writing means of an LED.
As shown in FIG. 13A, thermal expansion occurs in the horizontal direction (main scanning direction) in FIG.
It functions as a relief part that absorbs displacement during thermal contraction.

The escape portion for such thermal displacement can be provided not on the writing means support section 920 but on the base 18f side of the writing means 18. In that case, FIG.
As shown in (b), a long hole 18b having a width dimension to be fitted to the small diameter portion 600b is formed in the base 18 as a relief portion for thermal displacement, and the small diameter portion 600b of the screw 600 is fitted to the long hole 18b. Then, the screw portion 600c may be tightened by the nut 18c to form the interval adjusting means 701. At the time of adjustment, the nut 18c is rotated in a direction to advance or return.

Case In the case where the position of the writing means 18 in the focal direction can be sufficiently achieved with the processing accuracy of the component, the main scanning direction of the writing means 18 with respect to the photosensitive drum 16 (instead of the above-described spacing adjustment means) Main scanning direction adjusting means for adjusting the position of the photosensitive drum 16 (axial direction of the photosensitive drum) or line adjusting means for adjusting the inclination of the writing line on the photosensitive member 16 by the writing means 18 with respect to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 16. Provide. In this manner, a configuration having both the main scanning direction adjustment function and the line adjustment function is simply referred to as an adjustment unit. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the front adjustment unit is denoted by reference numeral 800 ′, and the rear adjustment unit is denoted by reference numeral 800. Shown respectively.

In these figures, regarding the adjusting means 800, the eccentric pin 620 has a large diameter portion 620a and a small diameter portion 620a.
20b and a screw portion 620c. Large diameter section 620a
And the small diameter portion 620b are eccentric. Writing means 18
13A and 13B, the elongated holes 18b,
An elongated hole 18c is formed so as to have the same function as the escape portion as in 920a. The width of the elongated hole 18c is formed so as to fit with the diameter of the large diameter portion 620a. Also,
A hole 920a that fits into the small diameter portion 620b is formed in the writing means support portion 920.

The basic structure of the adjusting means 800 'on the back side is the same as that of the adjusting means 800 on the near side shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, but corresponds to the slot 18c in these figures. The part is the large diameter portion 620 of the eccentric pin 620
It is a round hole 18g that fits with the part corresponding to a.
The only difference is that the writing means 18 can be adjusted in the main scanning direction.
Since the configuration is completely the same as that in the above, the reference numerals of the corresponding members are denoted by a dash “′”, and detailed description is omitted.

In assembling, the upper surface of the base 18f of the writing means 18 is superimposed on the lower surface of the writing means support portion 920, and the pin 634 is passed through the large diameter portion 620a of the eccentric pin 620 through an extensible spring 632. 620 holes 62
0d to prevent the large diameter portion 620a from passing through the long hole 18c, fit the small diameter portion 620b into the hole 920a, and screw the nut 6 through the washer 630 through the washer 630.
Tighten with 31.

In adjusting the main scanning direction, the nut 63
1, 631 'is loosened and the pin 634' is turned by hand on the adjusting means 800 ', so that the large diameter part 620'a swings with the writing means 18 around the small diameter part 620'b. Since the means 18 moves in the main scanning direction, the position in the main scanning direction can be adjusted. Regarding the adjustment in the sub-scanning direction, the same scanning is performed for the adjustment unit 800 on the near side.

Thus, the writing means 18 is connected to the eccentric pin 620 'in the adjusting means 800' on the back side and the round hole 18g.
The tilt of the writing line by the writing means 18 with respect to the rotation axis of the photoconductor drum can be adjusted by swinging with the fitting portion of the writing member as a fulcrum. In this manner, both adjustment in the main scanning direction and adjustment of the line inclination can be performed, and furthermore, not only the line inclination but also the rotation axis can be matched.

In the second image station 24, the adjusting means 800, 8 described with reference to FIGS.
By providing the same adjusting means as 00 ′, it is possible to eliminate the shift of the writing line between the first image station 14 and the second image station 24, and to eliminate the image shift (color shift). First image station 1
In the case where the adjusting means is provided for the second image station 24, the eccentric pin 620 'and the round hole 18 are provided for the second image station 24 as in the adjusting means 800' on the back side, as in the above example.
g in the main scanning direction of the writing means 18 by fitting with g.
By adopting an electrical method of controlling the timing of applying an image signal to the writing light without performing mechanical position adjustment, the writing position in the first image station can be matched.

The error in the inclination of the writing line with respect to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 16 appears as a change in the image diameter of the writing light on the photosensitive drum in the main scanning direction.
As long as the change in diameter is within an allowable range, there is no need to make adjustments within the image station.
Parallel adjustment of the writing lines between the image stations is necessary and can be adjusted by such adjusting means.

For example, if the second image station 24 is provided with no adjusting means (corresponding to the adjusting means 800, 800 ') and only the first image station 14 is provided with the adjusting means 800, 800', The adjusting means 800 in the first image station 14 according to the writing result in the image station 24 of the second image station 14, that is, in parallel with the writing line on the photosensitive drum 26 in the second image station 14, Adjustment is made with 800 '. Conversely, the adjusting means 80
0, 800 'equivalent to the second image station 24
Side, and for the first image station side, the writing unit 18 is connected to the writing unit support 920,
1120. In the case where a writing unit that does not generate heat enough to cause thermal displacement is employed, it is not necessary to form an escape portion as a thermal displacement absorbing unit. In this example, the writing means 18 is an LED
(Not shown) and a converging light transmitting body 18 arranged in a row in the main scanning direction.
Is provided.

In this case, this example has three means: an interval adjusting means, a main scanning direction adjusting means, and a line adjusting means. Less than,
An example of these means is described as the writing means support section 920 on the near side.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B showing the side. 16 (a) and 16 (b), a round hole is fitted to the large diameter portion 625a instead of the long hole 18c. Except for this point, the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B is adopted. In this example, the writing means 18 is provided on an intermediate support member 1600 provided in a bridge between the writing means supporting part 920 on the near side and the writing means supporting part 1120 on the back side.

Here, between the writing means support portion 920 and the intermediate support member 1600, a distance adjusting means 702 according to the configuration shown in FIG.
14 and FIG.
An adjusting means 801 (having a function as a main scanning direction adjusting means and a function as a line adjusting means) according to the configuration shown in FIG. 5 is provided.

The interval adjusting means 702 includes a stepped screw 605
The large diameter portion 605a is fitted and inserted into the writing means support portion 920, and the small diameter portion 605b is fitted into the large diameter portion of the stepped hole of the intermediate support member 1600. An extensible spring 601 is provided between the writing means support portion 920 and the intermediate support member 1600. By rotating the stepped screw 605, the position of the intermediate support member 1600 can be displaced, and the distance between the writing means 18 and the photosensitive drum 16 is adjusted.
Dots can be formed on the photosensitive drum with a predetermined image forming diameter. Spring 601 ensures the adjustment operation.

The adjusting means 801 has a large-diameter portion 625a, a small-diameter portion 625b, and a screw portion 625c. The small-diameter portion 625b is fitted and inserted into the long hole 18c (a relief portion for thermal displacement), and
The screw portion is fitted with a nut 636 via a washer 635. Note that an extensible spring 637 is provided on the large-diameter portion 625a, and is stopped by a pin 639. At the time of adjustment, loosen nut 636 and
Grasp 39 and rotate the eccentric pin 625.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a mode of supporting the writing means in the first image station 14 and the second image station 24. In FIG. 17, in the first station 14, the intermediate support member 1600 and the writing unit support unit 920 and the writing unit support unit 1120 are all supported using the interval adjustment unit 702. Thus, the distance between the writing means 18 and the photosensitive drum 16 can be adjusted.

In the first station 14, between the writing means 18 and the intermediate support member 1600, on the front side, the writing means 18 is supported by pins 860 so as to be swingable with respect to the intermediate support member 1600. On the side, the adjusting means 801-1 having the same configuration as the adjusting means 801.
1 supports it through a long hole for absorbing thermal displacement. The eccentric amount of the eccentric pin used for the adjusting means 801-1 is set to a relatively large eccentric amount of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Adjustment is made so that the axis of rotation and the line of the converging light transmitting body 18d are parallel.

In the second station 24, the distance adjusting means 70 is provided between the intermediate supporting member 1600 'and the writing means supporting part 1320 and the writing means supporting part 1120'.
2 is supported by using a spacing adjusting means 702 'having the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. Also, the intermediate support member 1600 'and the writing means 2
8, the adjusting means 800 'on the front side
Is configured by fitting the eccentric pin and the round hole in accordance with the configuration of fitting the eccentric pin 620 'and the round hole 18g in the example. The rear side is an adjusting unit 801'-1 having the same configuration as the adjusting unit 801. The front side is the adjusting unit 800 '.
The adjusting means 801'-2 has a configuration in which the eccentric pin and the round hole are fitted in accordance with the configuration of the fitting between the eccentric pin 620 'and the round hole 18g in the example. Thus, the writing unit 28 can be adjusted in the main scanning direction, the sub-scanning direction, and the focal direction.

The eccentric pin used for the adjusting means 801'-1 has the same large eccentric amount of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm as the eccentric pin used for the adjusting means 801-1. The adjustment means 801'-1 adjusts the parallelism of the writing line 18 by the writing means 18 in the first image station 14. On the other hand, the adjusting means 80
According to 1'-2, the writing position of the writing means 18 in the main scanning direction is adjusted in relation to the writing position of the writing means 18 in the main scanning direction in the first image station. This adjustment amount need not be 量 or more of the distance (dot pitch) between adjacent pixels, and can be adjusted at the timing of application of the image signal after the phase between the pitches disappears. The amount of eccentricity of the eccentric pin may be small, and if the amount of eccentricity is increased, a tilt in the sub-scanning direction occurs. The eccentricity is as small as about 05 mm.

In this example, each of the writing means 18 and 28 and the photosensitive drum
In the case where the distance between the intermediate support members 1600 and 160 can be adjusted to a predetermined accuracy, the adjusting means 702 and 702 ′ and the intermediate support members 1600 and
0 'is not necessary, in which case the intermediate support member 16
00, 1600 ′ without writing means 18, 2
8 to each of the writing means support portions 920, 1120, 132
0, 1120 '.

[2] Ag. Other Example of Image Carrier and Another Example of Image Station In the above example, the writing means 18 is a light irradiating means. In the case of a drum-shaped medium which can be used, a means can be used to form such a latent image by giving such an electric and magnetic change. In the above description, the image carrier may be configured as an endless belt in addition to a drum.

In the above example, the case where the number of image stations is two has been described. However, even in the case where there is only one image station, or in an image forming apparatus having two or more image stations, the common assembly according to the above description is performed. It can be implemented using a member. In these cases, for all of the image stations, one of the pair of common support members (for example, the one on the back side) facing each other in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum is driven by the drive member support portion (drive member support portion 114).
0, 1150), and for all image stations, a driving member supporting portion (a driving member supporting portion (common to a pair of common supporting members facing each other in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum). Drive support 1140, 115
0). As described above, when the driving member supporting portion is not provided, the photosensitive drum is driven by an appropriate means.

In the above, the image station is 2
In the case of more than one, it is also possible to combine the configuration of the image station with the drive member support and the configuration of the image station without the drive member support.

In the case where there are two or more image stations, for all the image stations, or for all the image stations except any one of the image stations, the writing means for the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum is used on the photosensitive drum. Adjusting means for adjusting the inclination of the writing line, and adjusting means 800 and 800'8 described above.
01, 801-1, 801-1 ', and 801-2' can be appropriately selected and provided. in this case,
If provided on the opposite side and the front side, not only the inclination of the writing line with respect to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum but also the writing line with the rotation axis can be matched.

In the case where the positional deviation of the photosensitive drum with respect to the rotation axis is not required to be adjusted due to, for example, the accuracy of machining by a machine, if one image station selected as a reference should be used for the photosensitive drum, If the adjustment to match the position of the writing line with respect to the rotation axis is performed using the adjusting means on the back side and the adjusting means on the front side, respectively, for the other image stations, It is sufficient to adjust the inclination of the writing line so that the writing line is parallel to the writing line. It is sufficient to adjust only the adjusting means on the back side or the near side.

If it is attempted to extend the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum between the image stations to a parallel position, further means is required. No other measures are required. All the embodiments described above can be implemented in combination with each other as much as possible.

[2] Ah. Developing unit In the example described so far, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the photoconductor unit 140 is mounted on the common mounting members 900 and 1100 mounted on the main body side plates 300 and 400. Since the writing means 18 is attached to the writing means supporting portions 920 and 1120 provided on the 900 and 1100, the positional relationship between the photoconductor unit 140 and the writing means 18 is determined via the common assembling members 900 and 1100. Was something. In the following description, the common assembling member 130 will be described.
Regarding the manner of attaching the photoconductor unit 240 and the like to 0, 1100 ', the common assembling members 920, 112
This is the same as the mode of attachment of the photoconductor unit 140 and the like to 0, and therefore the description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive member unit and the developing device can be assembled, so that these photosensitive member units can be assembled through a common assembling member.
By assembling the developing device with the photoreceptor unit, highly accurate positioning between the developing device and the writing means is enabled. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the first developing device 6 for visualizing the latent image on the photosensitive drum 16 as an image carrier, which is assembled and integrated into a unit case, is referred to as a developing unit. At one end of the developing unit, receiving portion holding means for detachably positioning and holding an outer diameter portion 67b of a bearing 67 as a receiving portion for supporting the photosensitive drum 16 is provided, and at the other end of the developing unit. Has a configuration in which hooked portions to be hooked to the main body side plates 300 and 400 as immovable members are respectively provided.

More specifically, the first developing device 6 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is a unit case 6 as shown in FIG.
-1 and 6-2 to constitute the developing unit 6-3 as a whole. 2C-J in FIG.
2M-J are paddles 2 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, respectively.
C, 2M, and 4C in FIG.
-J and 4M-J indicate the shaft portions of the transport screws 4C and 4M shown in FIGS. The unit case 6-
2 is provided with a unit case having the same size and shape as the unit case, but is not shown. FIG. 25 shows a state in which the photosensitive unit 140 is assembled to the developing unit 6-3, and FIG. 26 shows a state in which the photosensitive unit 140 is removed from the developing unit 6-3. FIG. 25, FIG.
In 6, the unit case 6-2 provided at the left and right ends of the unit case 6-1 is formed with an open groove 6-2a that is opened obliquely upward in a substantially U-shape. This open groove 6
More specifically, -2a is formed in such a size that the bottom of the open groove 6-2a is fitted to the outer periphery of the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65. It has a shape with an open groove width.

If the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 of the photosensitive unit 140 is merely fitted to the bottom of the open groove 6-2a, the dimension between the axis of the photosensitive drum 16 and each axis of the developing rollers 32 and 33 becomes large. Even if it is determined, the positional relationship between the developing rollers 32 and 33, the cleaning blade 21a, the charger 17 and the like on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 16 is not determined. Therefore, in order to determine these relationships, as shown in FIG.
-1 is implanted with the pin 64-1c, and the open groove 6-
With the large diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 fitted into the bottom of the open groove 6-2a with the slope portion 2a as a guide, this pin 64-1c is used.
At the position where it fits with the recess 6-
2a1 is formed.

On the outer surface of the unit case 6-2, the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 fitted in the open groove 6-2a is pressed from above toward the bottom of the open groove 6-2a to suppress the floating. A lever 131 as a holding means fixedly held in the open groove 6-2a is pivotally attached to the unit case 6-2 by a shaft 132. Here, the relationship among the lever 131, the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65, and the open groove 6-2a will be described with reference to FIG. 27. The lever 131 has a half-moon-shaped concave portion 131a. The concave portion 131a is an engaged portion to be engaged with the large diameter portion 65b as an engaging portion. Open groove 6-2
27a, the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 is fitted, and the pin 64-1c is engaged with the concave portion 6-2a1 to perform positioning.
Is rotated from the open position shown by the two-dot chain line to the fixed position shown by the solid line. Thereby, the recess 131a is engaged with the large diameter portion 65b.

At this time, the concave portion 131a is at least
The upper left half of the line nn connecting the center O1 of the T. 32 and the center O2 of the large diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 is covered. More specifically, the lower corner portion of the concave portion 131a is located on the line nn, and the upper corner portion of the concave portion 131a is formed by the line nn by a small dimension as shown by the symbol Δ1. It elastically deforms to the part beyond and wraps around, bearing 65 firmly
Holding. In other words, when the lever 131 is tilted to the position indicated by the solid line, the lever 131 is slightly elastically deformed, and the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 is firmly clicked on the line nn.
Press in the direction to fix and hold the state. When releasing the bearing 65, the lever 131 is opened to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. As a result, the upper portion of the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 is opened.
-2a.

25 and 28, the main body side plate 30
A pin 136 is implanted on the other end of the unit case 6-2 in the left and right direction on the side where the receiving portion holding means 134 is provided, in a state where the unit case 6-2 is mounted on the unit case 0, 400. The pin 136 is provided in the notch 3 of the main body side plate 300 as an immovable member.
02 is a hooked portion to be hooked. Similarly, a pin 136 'is provided on the back side as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 28, receiving portion holding means 13
4 to the developing unit 6-3 and the photosensitive unit 140
The procedure for attaching the composite unit in which the components are integrally combined to the main body side plates 300 and 400 will be described. In this mounting, since the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 of the photoreceptor unit 140 protrudes to the near side of the unit case 6-2 on the near side, the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 is attached to the common assembling member 900. It is fitted into the shaft support 910. Similarly, the large-diameter portion 66b of the bearing 66 is attached to the rear side on the common assembly member 1.
100 is fitted into the shaft support portion 1110. On the left side of the composite unit in the left-right direction, the pin 136 is hooked on the notch 302 and the pin 136 ′ is hooked on the notch 402 by its own weight. Thus, the composite unit is attached to the main body side plates 300 and 400.

In the structure of the photosensitive member unit 140 shown in FIG.
Without using the photoconductor drum 16
The type using the collecting box 103 having a width corresponding to the axial direction of FIG. 23 has been described with reference to FIG. 23. A photoreceptor unit having a cleaning unit of the type shown in FIG. 23 is shown in FIGS. A combined unit is configured by combining with the developing unit 6-3 shown in FIG.
The attachment to the 400 common assembling members 900 and 1100 can be performed in exactly the same manner as in FIG.

When FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are compared, FIG.
Since there is no auger 70 in the configuration of the photoreceptor unit 140 'shown in FIG.
3 is provided. The other points are the same as those of the photoconductor unit 140 shown in FIG.

In each of the examples shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the large-diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65 is fitted into the open groove 6-2a on the right side in the left-right direction of the photoreceptor units 140 and 140 '. On the left side in the left-right direction, the pin 136 is engaged with the notch 302.

Outer diameter portion 67b fitted into shaft support portion 910
In order to stabilize the holding state, the outer diameter portion 67b is pressed from above. For example, a plate-shaped slide member that slides in the left-right direction is provided on the main body side plate 300, and the slide member is slid to cover the outer diameter portion 67b.
The same applies to the main body side plate 400. Also, slide to release the hold. This sliding member is shown in FIG.
4 can be configured according to a slide member described later.

On the other hand, at the position of the left pin 136 in the left-right direction, the gear 72 rotates by receiving the power from the worm 16W and the photosensitive member rotates clockwise in FIG. Pin 136 with side as fulcrum
Receives a moment in the direction of lifting from the notch 302, but this moment is a value that can be ignored compared to the own weight of the composite unit, and there is no problem of lifting.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 30, the shaft 4C of the conveying screw 4C is provided outside the developing unit 6-3.
A gear 4C-JG and a gear 4M-JG are provided coaxially with the shaft 4M-J of the conveying screw 4M, respectively. -J, drive gears 15G2 connected to the drive source are respectively moved from the retracted position when necessary as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. The meshing position of these drive gears 15G1 and gears 4C-JG is a diagonally lower left position, and the rotation direction is determined as shown in the figure.
The composite unit receives a moment in the direction in which the pin 136 presses the notch 302. Similarly, in the meshing relationship between the drive gear 15G2 and the gear 4M-JG,
Since the pin 36 receives a moment in the direction of pressing the notch 302, the pin 136 does not rise from the notch 302. Therefore, there is no need to provide means for holding down the slide member.

The writing means 18 is attached to the common assembling members 900 and 1100, and the same common assembling member 9 is provided.
Since the photoreceptor unit 140 to which the developing unit 6-3 is attached is attached to 00, 1100, the writing unit 18, the developing unit 6-3, and the photoreceptor unit 140 are connected through a common assembly member. The relationship will be decided.

Further, with the photosensitive unit 140 and the developing unit 6-3 integrated, the main body side plate 30
Common assembly members 900, 1100 mounted on 0, 400
The main body side plate 3 can be detached from the main body side plate 3 by releasing the pressing of the large diameter portion 65b by operating the lever 131.
While leaving the developing unit 6-3 on the 00, 400 side,
Only the photoreceptor unit 140 is used as a common assembly member
It is also possible to attach to and detach from 00.

Here, with the photosensitive unit 140 and the developing unit 6-3 being integrated, the main body side plate 30
Common assembly members 900, 1100 mounted on 0, 400
24, since the opening angle θ1 of the upper case 106 is set to approximately 70 ° as described with reference to FIG. It may interfere with the transfer unit 100. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is exposed on the lower surface of the intermediate transfer unit 100.

Therefore, in order to avoid interference with the intermediate transfer belt 10, the inclination of the open groove 6-2a is set to be substantially the same as that of the upper case 106, as shown in FIG. Thereby, the photosensitive drum 16 or the photosensitive unit 14
The direction of attachment / detachment to / from the developing unit 6-3 is restricted to a fixed direction that does not interfere with the intermediate transfer belt 10, so that an accident of damaging the intermediate transfer belt 10 can be avoided. When the open groove 6-2a is inclined as described above, the common assembling members 900 ″, 1110 ″ shown in FIG.
The shaft is not inclined vertically as in the case of the shaft support portions 910 ″ and 1110 ″, but is inclined at the same angle along the open groove 6-2a. In addition, these shaft support portions 9
Writing means support portion 92 according to 10 ", 1110"
0 "and 1120" are set.

In the case of a configuration in which the direction of the shaft supporting portion 910 is oriented in the vertical direction, as shown by a broken line in FIG.
-2a is formed so that one of the groove surfaces faces in the vertical direction under a state of being attached to the common assembling member,
In this case, since the photoconductor unit 140 is drawn upward in the vertical direction, care must be taken so as not to interfere with the intermediate transfer belt 10.

The photosensitive unit 140 is connected to the main body side plate 3.
When detached from the 00, 400 side, when placed on a flat surface carelessly, stability is not good, so that the whole is inclined and the bridge 6
4-3 and the toner may be spilled from the collection box 103. In order to prevent this, as shown in FIG. 31, a seal cover 137 made of a thin synthetic resin plate is provided at the tip of the cover 80 so as to be in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 16.

[0165] It is provided fixed to the opposing shaft support portions 64-1 and 64-2.

In FIGS. 25 to 29, the developing unit 6-
On the third side, a lever 131 is provided as a pressing means, but is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in FIG.
Of the configuration of the photoconductor unit 140, the photoconductor drum 16
A lever 152 that rotates integrally with the bearing 65 is provided, and a handle 152a and a handle 152 are provided on the free end side of the lever 152.
a concave portion 152b for latching is formed on the free end side opposite to the developing unit 6-3 (in this case, the lever 13).
It is not necessary to have one. ) May be provided with a shaft portion that engages with the concave portion 152b.

Further, the lever 15 as shown in FIG.
The photoreceptor unit 140 provided with the image forming apparatus 2 can be widely used not only as a means for attaching to the developing unit using a lever but also using a lever 152 to be attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus. In this case, since the photoconductor unit 140 can be easily attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, maintenance and replacement work of the photoconductor unit 140 is simplified. Also, the photoconductor unit 14
0, instead of a single photosensitive drum
A configuration may be adopted in which a lever equivalent to the lever 152 is attached to the bearing portion, and in that case, maintenance and replacement work of the photosensitive drum alone can be facilitated.

[3] Common assembly member (No. 2) [3] B. Common assembling member of a type to which the developing unit is directly attached In the examples described with reference to FIGS. Assembly member 90
There is no problem when attaching / detaching to / from 0, 900 ", 1100, 1100" or the like. However, the developing unit 6
-3 is a common assembly member 900, 900 ″, 1100, 11
Attempting to remove only the photoreceptor unit 140 while leaving it at 00 "may cause a problem. This problem will be described.

As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 34, the developing unit 6-3 and the photoreceptor unit 140 are mounted on the main body side plate and the common assembly member in an integrated state. In this state, on the right side in the left-right direction, the outer diameter portion 67b of the bearing 67 is fitted to the shaft support portion 910 of the common assembling member 900. ), A pin 136 is hooked on the notch 302 on the left side in the left-right direction. In this state, it is assumed that only the photoconductor unit 140 is removed. First, the lever 131 is operated to release the holding of the large diameter portion 65b of the bearing 65. At this time, the developing unit 6-3 tries to rotate by the moment due to its own weight with the pin 136 as a fulcrum. ing.

However, if the bearing 65 and the bearing 67 are disengaged from both the shaft supporting portion 910 and the open groove 6-2a by raising the photoreceptor unit 140, the developing unit 6-
3 has no support at the right portion in the left-right direction of FIG.
Pivots clockwise around the pin 136,
As shown by a solid line in FIG. 34, the image forming apparatus is stopped by hitting the bottom of the image forming apparatus. In this state, the developing unit 6-3 has to be pulled up when the photoconductor unit 140 is mounted again, and the operation is troublesome. Therefore, the photoconductor unit can be made detachable from the developing unit without giving any change to the state of attachment of the developing unit to the main body side plate and the common assembly member.

In this embodiment, a developing device (first developing device 6, second developing device 6) for visualizing a latent image on the image carrier (photosensitive drums 16 and 26) in FIGS. The developing device 8) includes a developing unit support portion for supporting the integrated developing unit assembled in the unit case, and a writing device support portion for supporting the writing devices 18, 28 and the like. The positional relationship between the developing unit and the writing unit is set via a common assembly member.

In FIG. 36, main body side plates 300 and 400
Assembly members 900A, 1100 attached to
A is basically the same as the common assembling members 900 and 1100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 and the like. Developing unit supporting portions 910A and 1110A are provided instead of 910 and 1110. In addition, these common assembly members 900A, 1100
A common assembling member 1300A (see FIG. 44) corresponding to the common assembling member 1300 described with reference to FIGS.
A common assembling member etc. equivalent to 0 'is provided,
Since the description is duplicated, illustration and description are omitted here.
Notch portions 302 and 402 identical to those described with reference to FIG. 29 are formed in main body side plates 300 and 400, respectively.

These common assembling members 900A, 1100
A developing unit 6-3A to be mounted on A corresponds to the developing unit 6-3 described with reference to FIG. 28, and includes the first developing device 6 in FIGS. Since the first developing device 6 includes the A-color developing device 19 and the B-color developing device 20, the developing unit 6-3 is provided with a plurality of developing devices capable of visualizing different colors. Will be.

[3] Ba-. Developing Unit The developing unit 6-3A includes a developing unit support portion 91.
An intermediate support member 200 that is fitted and positioned at 0A is provided. The developing unit 6-3A is provided with the same intermediate support member as the intermediate support member 200 on the back side, but is not shown clearly in FIG. 36 because it is hidden in FIG. In FIG. 37, the intermediate support member 20
Reference numeral 0 has a convex fitting portion 201 which is detachably fitted to the developing unit support portion 910A. FIG.
Receiving portion 6 included in the photoconductor unit 140A ′ shown in FIG.
5A2 and a concave fitting portion 202 that is detachably fitted, and the concave fitting portion 202 is open at the upper half-moon shape. The curvature of the fitted portion 201 of the intermediate support member 200 matches the curvature of the developing unit support portion 910A, and they are in a removably fitted relationship.

FIG. 35 shows the photoconductor unit 140A. When comparing FIG. 35 with FIG. 36, the photoconductor unit 140A shown in FIG. 35 is of a type that sends waste toner to the take-out unit 74 by the auger 70, and is similar to the photoconductor unit 140 shown in FIG. 36. The photoconductor unit 140A ′ shown in FIG. 36 is a collection box 103 provided to face the width of the photoconductor drum 16 in the axial direction.
36 is a type that stores the waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 21a, and is similar to the photoconductor unit 140 ′ shown in FIG. 29. In the configuration of the photoconductor unit 140A ′ shown in FIG. Since there is no gear 70, the gears 71 and 77 shown in FIG. 35 for driving the auger 70 are not provided, and a collection box 103 is provided instead. Except for these differences, the structure of the photoconductor unit 140A shown in FIG. 35 and the photoconductor unit 140A ′ shown in FIG.
There is no difference in the attachment / detachment means for 3A.

In FIG. 36, the developing unit 6-3A is provided with pins 136 and 136 'as in the developing unit 6-3 described with reference to FIG. These pins 136 and 136 ′ are located at positions different from the portion where the intermediate support member 200 is provided,
It has a function as a hooked portion to be hooked on 0 and 400. Therefore, on the near side, the intermediate support member 200 is fitted to the developing unit support portion 910A and the pin 13
6 is engaged with the notch 302, and the same is performed on the back side, so that the developing unit 6-3A is connected to the common assembly member 900A. 1100A through the main body side plate 30
0 and 400 can be detachably assembled. As described above, since the developing unit 6-3A is supported at two points in the left-right direction on each of the front side and the back side, a total of four points, the developing unit 6-3A is always kept in a stable state.

As described above, the developing unit 6-3A which is stably attached to the main body side plates 300 and 400 is provided.
On the other hand, in this example, the photoconductor unit 140A '(FIG. 30)
In the case of (1), the developing units 140A) are assembled in a stacked manner from above, whereby the developing units 6-3
The photoconductor unit 140A can be freely attached to and detached from the developing unit 6-3A without any influence on the assembly state of the photoconductor unit A with respect to the main body side plates 300 and 400. The means will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 39 in an enlarged manner, a unit case 6-2A on the front side constituting the exterior of the developing unit 6-3A has a circumference concentric with the curvature of the fitting portion 202 and having the same curvature. A surface composed of a part of the surface is defined as a bottom 203, and a U-shaped groove 206 is provided which includes surfaces 204 and 205 extending in parallel and facing upward from the bottom 203. On the other hand, in FIG. 38, the collection box 103 is provided integrally with the photoconductor case 64A, and a bearing 65A is integrally fixed to the outer surface of the photoconductor case 64A. The bearing 65A rotatably supports the shaft portion 62 of the photosensitive drum 16, and has an oval-shaped portion 65A1 having a substantially oval cross-section perpendicular to the axis as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. The receiving section 65A2 has an outer diameter section 65A3, an outer diameter section 65A4, and the like having a cylindrical cross section perpendicular to the axis.

As shown in FIG. 42 and FIG. 43, the oval-shaped portion 65A1 is equally divided into parallel plane portions 65A1a and 65A equally divided around the center O3 of the hole through which the shaft portion 62 passes.
1b and a curved surface portion 65A1c, 6 composed of a part of a circumference having the same diameter as the receiving portion 65A2 (see FIG. 38) centered on the center O3.
5A1d. The space between the parallel plane portion 65A1a and the parallel plane portion 65A1b, that is, the thickness, is large enough to slidably fit in the groove 206. The parallel plane portions 65A1a and 65A1b are set at a predetermined angle with respect to the charger 27 and the cleaning blade 21a when viewed from the axial direction. The predetermined angle is, for example, an angle at which the developing rollers 32 and 33 in the developing unit 6-3A can perform the predetermined image forming process shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 with respect to the photosensitive drum 16. . Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 42, the oval-shaped portion 65A1
Into the groove 206, the curved surface portion 65A1d is brought into close contact with the bottom portion 203 by its own weight, and the photosensitive member unit 14
0A 'can be attached to the developing unit 6-3A in a predetermined positional relationship. Further, the developing unit 6-3A can be easily pulled out obliquely upward in the direction of the groove 206.
Can be removed from As described above, the photoconductor unit 140A 'alone is used alone without any operation on the developing unit 6-3A.
A is detachable from A.

Here, as described with reference to FIG.
The photoconductor unit 140 is attached to the developing unit 6-3A that is attached to the main body side plates 300 and 400.
When A ′ is attached or detached, the opening angle θ1 of the upper case 106 is limited as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 42, the groove 206 is inclined at an angle θ3 corresponding to the opening angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal. Thus, the photoconductor unit 1
By restricting the direction in which 40A 'is detached from developing unit 6-3A, interference with intermediate transfer belt 10 or the like is prevented, damage is prevented, and attachment / detachment work is facilitated.

[3] Bb. Attachment of the developing unit to the common assembly member The concave fitting portion 202 and the receiving portion 65 of the intermediate support member 200
A2 and the photoconductor unit 14
It is unstable in the holding state in which 0 'is simply dropped by its own weight. Therefore, the receiving portion 65A2 for the fitting portion 202
In order to further ensure the fitting and the holding state of the receiving part, the receiving part 65A2 is pressed against the fitting part 202, and a receiving part fixing means capable of releasing the receiving part 65A2 is provided.

A first example of the receiving portion fixing means is a lever which is pivotally attached to a part of the photosensitive member unit 140A 'and has an engaged portion on a free end side, and a lever which is attached to a part of the developing unit 6-3A. And an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion of the lever. A first example of the receiving portion fixing means will be described. In FIG. 38, the outer diameter portion 65A2 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the receiving portion 65A2, and a step is provided for abutting the end of the lever 304 at the boundary with the receiving portion 65A2. Lever 30
Reference numeral 4 denotes an inner diameter portion 304b fitted to the outer diameter portion 65A2, a handle 304a provided on the free end side extending outwardly from the inner diameter portion 304b, and a non-engagement portion provided on the free end side facing the handle 304a. As a concave portion 304c. The inner diameter portion 304b of the lever 304 is mounted on the outer diameter portion 65A3, and the washer 305 is mounted on the outer diameter portion 65A4 having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter portion 65A3. By doing so, the lever 304 is pivotally attached to the outer diameter portion 65A3. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 39, the unit case 6-2A has a shaft
08 are planted.

For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, a concave portion 910A1 for accommodating the shaft 208 is formed in the developing unit support portion 910A. A recess 1110A1 is similarly formed in the developing unit support 1110A.

The receiving portion fixing means is constituted in this manner, and the handle is held in a state where the photosensitive member unit 140A 'is attached to the developing unit 6-3A, that is, in a state where the receiving portion 65A2 is fitted to the fitting portion 202. By operating 304, the concave portion 304 c is engaged with the shaft 208. As shown in FIG. 40, under this engaged state, the tip of the concave portion 304c is elastically deformed to a portion on the outer periphery of the shaft 208 beyond a line ee connecting the center O4 and the center O5 of the shaft portion 62. Turn around, firmly axis 2
08 is held, and the receiving portion 65A2 is pressed against the fitting portion 202. Thus, the developing unit 6-
FIG. 41 shows a state in which the photoconductor unit 140A ′ is integrally fixed and held on 3A.

The entire unit in which the developing unit 6-3A and the photosensitive unit 140A 'are integrated is referred to as a composite unit, and is denoted by reference numeral 2000. Developing unit 6-3A
When the photoconductor unit 140A ′ is disassembled from the above, the lever 304 is rotated in the opposite direction to the engagement, the engagement of the concave portion 304c with the shaft 208 is released, and the oval-shaped portion 65A1 is pulled out along the groove 206. The photoconductor unit 208 may be lifted. The handle 304a lifts the photoconductor unit 140A 'in this manner and raises the developing unit 6-3A.
Also functions as a handle when detaching from

A third example of the receiving portion fixing means will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, a concave portion is formed at the bottom of the U-shaped groove 206 so that the oval-shaped portion 65A1 can be hooked in accordance with the displacement of the oval-shaped portion 65A1. It is a part fixing means. In this example, a concave portion 206X for accommodating a corner where the parallel plane portion 65A1a and the curved surface portion 65A1d intersect. A recess 206Y for accommodating a corner where the parallel plane portion 65A1b and the curved surface portion 65A1c intersect.
These form a concave portion as receiving portion fixing means. The recess 206X and the recess 206Y are formed by the oval-shaped portion 6
When assuming that 5A1 is rotated about the center O3 in a state where it is positioned at the bottom of the groove 206, the parallel plane portion 6
A corner where 5A1a intersects with the curved surface portion 65A1d and a corner where the parallel flat portion 65A1b intersects with the curved surface portion 65A1c correspond to a concave space formed by cutting into each of the opposing surfaces 204 and 205 of the groove 206.

In this example, the oval-shaped portion 65A1 is
And then rotated clockwise, the oval-shaped portion 65A1 can be held in a predetermined position, and turned in the opposite direction to be parallel flat portions 65A1a, 65A.
When the groove 1b is parallel to the facing surfaces 204 and 205 of the groove 206, the holding state can be released and the groove 206 can be pulled out.

As described above, in the state of the composite unit 2000 (see FIG. 41) in which the developing unit 6-3A and the photoconductor unit 140A are integrated by the receiving portion fixing means, one end of the developing unit 6-3A is used. Common assembly member 9
And the developing unit 6-3A (the same applies to the common assembly member 1100A).
13 for the body side plates 300 and 400 at the other end of the
6 and 136 ′, and the release of the hook is performed, and the composite unit 2000 can be attached to and detached from the main body side plates 300 and 400.

Here, since the photosensitive unit 140A 'is fixed to the developing unit 6-3A by the receiving unit fixing means as described above, there is no problem.
As described with reference to FIG. 28, since the developing unit is not lifted by the action of its own weight or downward moment as described with reference to FIG. No pressing means is required, but the support of the intermediate supporting member 200 to the developing unit supporting portion 910A is unstable without pressing from above.

Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 44, a slide member 450 is provided which can move to a position facing the intermediate support member 200 with the receiving portion 65A2 therebetween and can retreat from the position. Receiving part 6 by slide member 450
5A2, the intermediate support member 200 is connected to the common assembling member 90.
0A, the composite unit 2000
(See FIG. 41) is held by the common assembly member 900A. Here, the slide member 450 is formed of a horizontally long plate-shaped member. The upper and lower edges of the slide member 450 are supported by an upper guide 450u and a lower guide 450d fixed to the main body side plate 300, and are movable in the left-right direction. The shapes of the upper guide 450u and the lower guide 450d are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the slide member 450 is formed in a concave shape, and the groove is formed therein.

By being guided by the upper guide 450u and the lower guide 450d, the sliding member 450
Can be moved to a holding position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 44 and a retracted position retracted from the holding position. In FIG. 44, a slide member 450 ′ is a slide member for holding down a composite unit including the photosensitive drum 26 and the second developing device 8 in FIG. 22, and has the same configuration as the slide member 450.

[0192] As shown in FIG.
0, 450 ', a long slide member is formed by integrally connecting these slide members without providing two on one main body side plate. The supporting members may be held in common and sandwiched by the common assembling members. In this case, the size of the long slide member is set to a size capable of holding and releasing each receiving portion in the left-right direction,
Upper guide 450u and lower guide 450d for guiding this
Are provided over a range that allows the stroke of the guide member.

[4] Procedure for assembling various members using common assembly member Assembling method of assembling the main body based on the latent image carrier unit In the example described with reference to FIG. 28 and the like, first, a support portion for supporting a receiving portion (outer diameter portion 67b) supporting the image carrier (photoconductor unit 140). (Shaft supporting portion 910) and a supporting portion (writing means supporting portion 920) for supporting the writing means 18 (see FIGS. 14 and 24) are formed so as to satisfy a predetermined relational position suitable for writing an image. The common assembling member 900 is assembled to the main body side plate 300 of the image forming apparatus. Next, the writing means 18 is mounted on the common mounting member 900. On the other hand, an image carrier (photoconductor unit 140 or photoconductor unit 140 ') is assembled and integrated with a developing unit 6-3 having a developing device for visualizing a latent image. Alternatively, a composite unit integrated in this way is prepared in the service department in advance. Next, the receiving section (outer diameter section 67b) of the photosensitive drum 16 constituting the composite unit is assembled to the common assembling member 900 by an assembling procedure. In this way, in the assembling method of assembling the main body based on the latent image carrier unit, in a place where it is easy to work in the state of the composite unit, disassemble the composite unit from the state of the composite unit into the photoconductor unit and the developing unit, and exchange or perform the required operation. Maintenance can be performed, and the unit can be assembled to the main body after being integrated into a composite unit.

[4] B Assembling Method for Assembling the Main Unit Based on the Developing Unit In the example described with reference to FIGS. 35 and 36, first, the supporting portion ( The developing unit supporting portion 910A of the common assembling member 900A) and the supporting portion (writing device supporting portion 920) for supporting the writing means 18 (see FIGS. 14 and 24) satisfy a predetermined relationship required for image formation. The common assembling member 900A thus formed is assembled to the main body side plate 300 of the image forming apparatus. Next, this common assembly member 3
00, the writing means 18 and the developing unit 6-3A are assembled respectively, and thus the intermediate support member 20 of the developing unit 6-3A assembled to the common assembling member 900A.
0, the photoreceptor unit 140A '(in FIG. 35, the photoreceptor unit 140A) is assembled.

As described above, in the assembling method of assembling the main assembly with the developing unit as a reference, the common assembling member 90 is installed from below.
0A, the intermediate support member 200, and the receiving portion 65A2 in this order.
The photoreceptor unit 140A '(140A) riding on the top via the receiving portion 65A2 alone does not affect the developing unit 6-3 located below and has no effect on the main body side plate 300.
(Common assembly member 900A). Also, the photoconductor units 140A, 140
The composite unit 2000 can be attached to and detached from the main body side plate 300 in the assembled state where A 'is placed, that is, in the state of the composite unit 2000 as shown in FIG.
In this case, the composite unit 2000 can be disassembled into a photoreceptor unit and a developing unit from the state of the composite unit 2000 in a place where it is easy to work, and required parts replacement and maintenance can be performed. 20
It is also possible to assemble the main assembly of the image forming apparatus with the assembly state integrated in the state of 00.

[5] Replacement timing and replacement method of each unit Based on the above description, the replacement timing and replacement method of each unit such as the image carrier unit, the development unit, and the intermediate transfer unit are described in the above-mentioned claims. Such an example will be described. Here, as the image carrier unit, the photoconductor units 140, 240, 140A ′ in the above description,
As the developing unit, the developing unit 6 in the above description is used.
-3, 6-3A, and the intermediate transfer unit correspond to the intermediate transfer unit 100 in the above description.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the developing units 6-3 in the first image station, such as the photosensitive units 140 and 140A 'in the first image station and the photosensitive units 240 in the second image station corresponding thereto, 6-3A and at least one of the developing unit, the intermediate transfer unit 100, and the like in the second image station according to these are detachably assembled to the main body, and two types of parts or materials constituting the unit are used. The form, material, and use conditions are determined so that the time when the predetermined performance cannot be maintained for the above parts or materials is substantially the same, and the assembly can be released independently on the basis of the time when the time comes. The content is that.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the time when the performance cannot be maintained is the life of the parts and the material. The content shall be a time when it becomes full with time. More specific examples of these will be described below.

[5] -a. Photoconductor unit In this section, examples according to claims 3 to 8 and 16 will be mainly described. The first image station 14 illustrated in FIG. 36 corresponds to the photoconductor unit according to claim 3.
The photoconductor unit 140A ′ includes a collection box 103 serving as a container-shaped waste toner storage unit, as shown in FIGS. 23, 39, and 41.

In FIG. 23, inside the collection box 103,
A sensor S1 is provided as a means for detecting fullness of discharged toner. The sensor S1 outputs a signal when the upper surface level of the discharged toner collected in the collection box 103 reaches the position of the sensor S1. This signal is input to the control unit 3A that controls the image forming apparatus. The control unit 3A receives a signal from the sensor S1, turns on a warning lamp of a display unit 3a provided at an easy-to-see portion of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, or notifies the user that the warning is full by emitting a warning sound. Inform Based on these warnings, the user replaces the photoconductor unit 140.

The life of the components and materials of the photoconductor unit 140A 'is set so that it is time to replace the photoconductor unit 140A' when the waste toner is full in the collection box 103 where these warnings are issued. Invention. In FIG. 23, the second image station 2 configured similarly to the collection box 103 in the first image station 14
4 is provided with a similar sensor S2 so that a signal is input to the control means 3A.
In the same manner, the photoconductor unit is replaced.

According to claims 4 and 16, the photosensitive member 16 is a component whose replacement time comes when the collection box 103 becomes full. That is, the life of the photoconductor 16 and the full time of the collection box 103 are set to be substantially the same time, and the discarding cycle of the waste toner collected in the collection box 103 and the exchange cycle of the photoconductor 16 are matched. Content. In this example, when there is a warning based on the sensor S1, the collection box 1
03 is full of discharged toner,
Since the photoconductor has reached the end of its life, the photoconductor unit 140
By replacing A ', the replacement time of both parts matches,
This eliminates the need for double work and maximizes the efficiency of component use.

The method of exchanging the photosensitive unit 140A 'has already been described. For example,
Developing unit 6 of the type provided with receiving portion holding means 134
-3, the photosensitive unit 140 or the photosensitive unit 140 is attached to the developing unit 6-3 by using the receiving portion holding means 134 as described with reference to FIGS. Are combined into a single unit, and the photoconductor unit 1 is
40 or the photoconductor unit 140 ′ is attached to the main body side plate 300,
Although it is possible to assemble the intermediate support members 900 and 1100 integrated with 400 and to cancel the assembling, [3]
As described in section B, since it is difficult to replace the developing unit 6-3 alone, in practice, a composite unit in which the developing unit 6-3 is combined with the photoconductor unit 140 as shown in FIG. Assemble to main body or cancel assembling. Then, the photoconductor unit 140 or the photoconductor unit 140 'is removed from the composite unit and replaced. On the other hand, as for the developing unit 6-3A of the type having the intermediate supporting member 200, as described with reference to FIG. 35 and FIG. Is the developing unit 6-3A
Independently from the state of the composite unit 2000, it can be removed from the developing unit 6-3A.

In this case, the photoconductor unit 140A and the photoconductor unit 140A 'can be entirely replaced with new ones, or only the short-life parts can be replaced.

As for the photoreceptor 16 as a replacement part product, an unused new photoreceptor having a configuration in which the peripheral surface is covered with the protective film 5 as shown in FIG. 46 is prepared in advance. If the cover covered with the protective film 5 is mounted on the photoreceptor unit, the photoreceptor surface of the photoreceptor is not damaged during the mounting operation, so that the photoreceptor surface is protected and the workability of replacement is improved.

In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the small-diameter portion 65a of the bearing 65 is formed into a keyhole-shaped opening 64-1.
a, 64-1b, and press-fit into the shaft portion 63 in the same manner.
The small-diameter portions 65a and 66a are disassembled into the hole portions without adopting a configuration in which the bearing 66 is inserted through the large-diameter portion 63a and the small-diameter portion 66a of the bearing 66 is pressed into the hole portion of the opening 64-1b. Means for fixing as much as possible, for example, means such as screwing are adopted. Thus, the photoconductor can be disassembled by the reverse procedure of the assembly, and the photoconductor can be replaced. When a new photosensitive member 16 is attached, the protective film 5 can be easily peeled off with rotation of the photosensitive member 16 by grasping and pulling the ear portion 5a of the protective film 5 shown in FIG.

According to the present invention, the capacity of the collection box 103 is set so that the life of the component having the shortest life among the components constituting the photoreceptor unit and the time when the discharged toner is full are substantially at the same time. The discard cycle of the waste toner stored in the collection box 103 is matched with the replacement cycle of the component having the shortest life. Keep the box 103 full. By doing so, the replacement can be performed based on the warning on the display unit 3B.

In the above case, the charging device 17 comprising a charging brush is the charging device 17 having the shortest life among the components constituting the photosensitive unit 140A '.
When the charger 17 is rubbed, it is limited in the selection of materials when it is restricted in relation to the cost, so that the life is shortened and the replacement cycle is the fastest in many cases. In this case, if the capacity of the collection box is determined in accordance with the life of the charger 17, the function and effect of claim 3 can be obtained.

In each of the above examples, the photosensitive unit 140A 'in the first image station 14 has been described. However, the photosensitive unit having the same shape and size is provided in the second image station 24. Are configured so as to be compatible with each other for attachment to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, increasing the degree of freedom of replacement reduces the amount of parts that the user needs to prepare, and as a manufacturer, reduces the number of types of parts and reduces manufacturing costs due to simplification of manufacturing equipment. There are advantages to

[5] -b. Developing Unit In this section, examples according to claims 9 to 12 will be mainly described. It can be assembled to the image forming apparatus main body,
The developing unit whose assembly can be released is a developing unit 6-3 of the type including the receiving portion holding means 134 as described in the above section [2] Ah with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37 in the section of [3] Ba.
And the intermediate support member 20 as described with reference to FIG.
There are two types of developing units 6-3A of the type provided with a zero. Among these, the developing unit 6-3 has a first developing device 6 provided in the unit cases 6-1 and 6-2, and the first developing device 6 has functions as the developing rollers 32 and 33 and toner stirring means. Developing means such as paddles 2C and 2M and conveying screws 4C and 4M are provided. The same applies to the developing unit 6-3A.

The developing unit 6-3 of the type having the receiving portion holding means 134 uses the receiving portion holding means 134 as described in the above section [2] Ah with reference to FIGS. To form a composite unit in which the photoconductor unit 140 or the photoconductor unit 140 ′ is integrally combined with the developing unit 6-3. , 400 and an intermediate support member 900, 1
100 can be assembled or unassembled.

The developing unit 6-3A having the intermediate supporting member 200 is the same as the developing unit 6-3A shown in FIG.
As described with reference to FIG. 36 and the like, the developing unit 6-3A
Parts of the intermediate support member 200 of the main body side plates 300 and 400
It can be assembled to the intermediate support portions 900 and 1100 integrated with the same, or the assembly can be released. In this type of developing unit 6-3A, the photosensitive unit 140 is previously attached to the developing unit 6-3A when assembling the main unit.
Alternatively, the photoreceptor unit 140A 'is assembled, and a composite unit 2000 is constructed as shown in FIG.

The developing units 6-3 and 6-
3A, the first developing device 6 includes the A-color developing device 19 and C
And a color developing unit 20. A paddle 2M as a developing means, a conveying screw 4M, and the like are disposed in the A color developing device 19, and a paddle 2C as a developing device is disposed in the C color developing device 20.
And a transport screw 4C and the like. Accordingly, in the case of this example, when the developing unit 6-3 or the developing unit 6-3A is replaced, the respective developers are also replaced for the A-color developing device 19 and the C-color developing device 20. It is to be noted that a single-color image forming apparatus having only one developing device as a content of the developing unit can be easily configured according to this embodiment. Is done.

In the image forming apparatus as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, since the developing units are provided in the first station 14 and the second station 24, there are two developing units. In the unit, the developer contained therein has a different toner color, but has the same shape and size, and has compatibility with attachment to the main body. Therefore, if the developer of the required color is filled just before the replacement,
The increased freedom of replacement means that the user has to prepare less parts, and as a manufacturer,
The reduction in the number of types of parts has the advantage of reducing manufacturing costs due to simplification of manufacturing equipment and the like.

[5] -c. Composite unit In this section, an example according to claim 12 will be mainly described. As for the developing unit 6-3 having the receiving portion holding means 134, it is difficult to replace the developing unit 6-3 alone as described in the section [3] B. As described above, the developing unit 6-3 is assembled to the main body in the state of a composite unit in which the developing unit 6-3 is combined with the photoconductor unit 140, or the assembly is released. Since the developing unit 6-3 and the photoreceptor unit 140 are removably assembled so that they can be assembled and released, the composite unit is formed after being removed from the main body in the state of a composite unit. Photoconductor unit 1
The assembly between the developing unit 40 and the developing unit 6-3 is released, and the unit having the shorter life of the two units is replaced with a new one, and assembled to form a composite unit, which is then assembled to the main body. In this case, it is also possible to replace only the component whose short life or replacement cycle is determined among the components of the unit having the shorter replacement cycle or shorter life.

The developing unit 6-3A of the type having the intermediate support member 200 is also provided with the photosensitive unit 140.
A and the developing unit 6-3A are detachably assembled so as to be able to assemble and release the assembling. Therefore, after being detached from the main body in the state of the composite unit 2000 as shown in FIG. And the developing unit 6-3A are assembled, one or both of the units are replaced, or the components of the unit are replaced.

[5] -d. Intermediate transfer unit In this section, examples according to claims 13 to 15 and 17 will be mainly described. The intermediate transfer unit 100 shown in FIGS. 24, 47, and 49 corresponds to the intermediate transfer belt 1 shown in FIG.
0, transfer rollers 39 and 39 'as transfer means for transferring a transfer bias for transferring the images of the photoconductors 16 and 27 to the intermediate transfer belt 10, the first transfer brush 41, the second transfer brush 42, and the intermediate transfer belt. A cleaning device 61 and the like as cleaning means for cleaning 10;
These members are provided in the unit case 100a.

Further, the unit case 100a is provided with a storage box 61f as a container-shaped discharge toner storage section for storing the discharge toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the cleaning device 61. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, a sensor S3 is provided as a discharged toner full detecting means for detecting when the discharged toner in the storage box 61f is full.

This sensor S3 outputs a signal when the upper surface level of the discharged toner collected in the storage box 61f reaches the position of the sensor S2. This signal is input to the control unit 3A that controls the image forming apparatus. The control unit 3A receives a signal from the sensor S3, turns on a warning lamp of a display unit 3a provided at an easy-to-see place of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, or notifies a user that the image forming apparatus is full by emitting a warning sound. Inform Based on these warnings, the user replaces the intermediate transfer belt unit 100. Storage box 61 in which these warnings are issued
f, when the discharged toner is full.
The invention of claim 13 sets the life of the components and materials of the intermediate transfer unit 100 such that the replacement time comes.

In the fourteenth aspect, the intermediate transfer belt 1
The capacity of the storage box 61f is set so that the life of the storage box 61f is substantially the same as the life of the intermediate transfer belt 10 at the same time as the life of the storage box 61f, or the full time of the discharge toner before the life of the intermediate transfer belt 10. The discarding cycle of the stored waste toner is matched with the replacement cycle of the intermediate transfer belt 10. By doing so, the intermediate transfer unit can be replaced based on the warning on the display unit 3B.

According to the fifteenth and sixteenth aspects of the present invention, of the components of the intermediate transfer unit 100, the capacity of the storage box 61f is set so that the life of the component having the shortest life and the time when the discharged toner is full are almost at the same time. Is set, and the sensor S3 is provided at a position where the toner is full, so that the waste toner discarding cycle matches the replacement cycle of the component having the shortest life. In this example, when there is a warning based on the sensor S3, the discharged toner in the storage box 61f is full, and at this time, the intermediate transfer belt 10 has reached the end of its life. Thus, the replacement time of both parts coincides with each other, avoiding the trouble of double work and maximizing the use efficiency of the parts.

The means for assembling the intermediate transfer unit 100 to the image forming apparatus main body and canceling the assembling will be described. As described with reference to FIG. 24, the upper case 106 includes the housing 9
8 are provided integrally. This housing 98 is shown in a substantially U-shape in FIG. 47, and the right end in the left-right direction is open and the left end is closed. The upper side is closed by a cover so as to be connected to the hatched portion. Each block-shaped holding member 120 is integrally provided inside the member 98 a on the back side that forms the housing 98. Similarly, a holding member 121 having a block shape is provided inside the member 98 on the near side. The holding members 120 and 121 have exactly the same shape and size.

As shown in FIG. 47, these holding members 12
Numerals 0 and 121 are grooves 120a1 long in the left-right direction on inner surfaces facing each other except for a worm 128 support member 129 described below.
Are formed. The right end of the groove 120a1 is open to the outside world, and the left side is closed.

A groove 122a is formed at the right end in the left-right direction of the back member 98a. The right end of the groove 122 is open to the outside. Similarly, the member 98b on the near side
A groove 122b is also formed at the right end in the left-right direction.
The right end of this groove 122b is also open to the outside. Member 9
A lever 125 that can swing about a shaft 124a is provided at a position on the left side of the groove 122a in the left-right direction with respect to the groove 122a. Similarly, on the front surface of the member 98b and at a position facing the lever 125,
A lever 126 that can swing around the fulcrum 4b is provided. The lever 125 and the lever 126 have the same size and shape.

[0225] A worm 128 is provided in the vertical direction at the left position of the holding member 120. The worm 128 is a part of a drive system for driving the intermediate transfer belt 10, and is connected to a motor (not shown) provided on a cover of the housing 98 and is driven to rotate. The lower end of the worm 128 is pivotally supported by a support member 129 provided integrally with the holding member 120.

In FIG. 47, the intermediate transfer unit 100
Is provided with a cleaning device 61 indicated by reference numeral 61 in FIG. 22, but it is difficult to show all the cleaning devices 61,
Only the storage box 61f is shown. Further, the transfer rollers 39 and 39 ′, the first transfer brush 41, and the second
Are also provided, but are not shown in FIG.

The intermediate transfer unit 100 has a driven roller 1
A bearing 56a and a bearing 56b that support a shaft integral with 3 project in the left-right direction. Further, a bearing 57a and a bearing 57b that support a shaft integrated with the drive roller 12 protrude in the left-right direction. The bearing 57a is provided in the groove 12 of the holding member 120.
0a1 and the bearing 57b is attached to the holding member 12
One groove (the same groove as the groove 120a1; not shown) can be engaged. Similarly, bearing 56a is engageable with groove 122a, and bearing 56b is engageable with groove 122b.

Gear 58G provided at bearing 57a
The gear 59G provided at the bearing 57a and the bearing 57a are both fixed to the shaft of the drive roller 12,
Rotate with. The gear 59G has an idle gear 80G,
The gear 82G is meshed via 81G. The gear 82G is fixed to the central shaft 61h shown in FIG. The idle gears 80G and 81G and the gear 8
The gear corresponding to 2G is not provided around the gear 58G. These idle gears 80G and 81G are
This is for adjusting the rotation direction of 1 g in relation to the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member.

In FIG. 47, the intermediate transfer unit 100
When assembling into the housing 98, the intermediate transfer unit 1
00 in the direction of the arrow to engage the bearings 57a and 57b with the grooves 120a1 of the holding members 120 and 121, and simultaneously engage the bearings 56a and 56b with the grooves 122a and 122b, respectively. Figure 2
2, the relative positions of the first developing device 6, the second developing device 8, the photoconductor units 140 and 240, etc. are set appropriately. At this time, the gear 58G and the worm 128 are engaged (see FIG. 48). In order to maintain such a position, the bearing 56b is held by the lever 126, and the bearing 56b is held by the lever 126. This is shown in FIG.

Since the relationship between the holding of the bearing 56a by the lever 125 and the holding of the bearing 56b by the lever 126 are the same, the manner of holding the bearing 56a by the lever 125 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 50, the center of the shaft 124b of the lever 126 and the center of the bearing 56b are on the same horizontal plane, and the claw 126a of the lever 126 applies an elastic force to the peripheral surface of the bearing 56b below the horizontal plane passing through the center of the bearing 56b. To hold the bearing 56b. The tip of the lever 126 also serves as a handle.
By turning 26 in the direction of the arrow, the holding of the bearing 56b is released.

To remove the intermediate transfer unit 100 from the main body, in FIG. 24, the cover 108 is opened, the upper case 106 is raised to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line,
The intermediate transfer unit 100 may be pulled out of the housing 98 after the bearings 56ba and 56b are released by operating the buttons 5 and 126. When assembling, the order is reversed.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, for example, when the discharged toner is full in the storage box 61f which stores the discharged toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the cleaning device 61, the sensor S3 as the discharged toner full detecting means is used. At the time of this detection, the intermediate transfer unit 100 is replaced by the method described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 47 to 50.

[6] Example of Replacement Cycle of Each Unit and Its Determining Factor FIG. 22 in the above example shows a trial calculation example in the image forming apparatus. [6] A. Life of components of each unit [6] Aa. Photoconductor unit The diameter of the photoconductor 16 is 30 mm, and the material is OPC.
(Organic photoconductor), the replacement cycle when the replacement is to be performed due to replacement factors such as electrostatic fatigue, light fatigue, scratches and abrasion by the developer or the blade, and the replacement cycle is a full-color image of paper 20.
This is for every K sheets of processing. However, as will be described later, when the charging brush is replaced every ten brushes, it is replaced independently. The breakdown is described below.

The charging brush 17 is made of conductive fiber (rayon + carbon, resistance of 10 ⁵ Ωcm).
When replacement is performed due to replacement factors such as adhesion of dust or toner, folding or bending, and deterioration of electrical characteristics, the replacement cycle is a full-color image for each processing of 10K to 20K sheets. The reason why the charging brush replacement cycle has a wide range is that an uncertain factor is involved, and a specific value is determined for the first time at an actual use site. Therefore, when the charging brush is particularly shorter than other components, only the charging brush is replaced alone.

The replacement cycle of the cleaning blade 21a made of polyurethane rubber (altitude 70Hs) and replacement due to replacement factors such as deterioration of the blade edge (wear, cracks, chipping, etc.), hardness reduction and the like is as follows. This is for each processing of 40K sheets of a full-color image.

In order to maintain a predetermined transfer performance, the surface condition of the photoreceptor 16 may be brought into sliding contact with a coating bar. The replacement cycle is performed every time processing of 20K sheets of full-color images is performed for the entire sliding contact unit of the coating bar.

Therefore, in this example, the exchange cycle of 20K is basically possible for the photoconductor unit. However, the charging brush may need to be replaced every 10K sheets.

[6] Ab. Developing Unit The developing unit forming the first developing device 6 and the developing unit forming the second developing device 8 use a two-component developer and replace two image stations at the same time. Degradation (resistance, dielectric constant,
The replacement cycle when the replacement is to be performed due to replacement factors such as deterioration of triboelectricity), scraping of the carrier coating film, and spent (fusing of toner and carrier) is 80K sheets / 400g of full color image, that is, 80K sheets when the developer is 400 g, and therefore 4 when the developer is 200 g.
For each of the processing of 0K sheets.

[6] Ac. Intermediate transfer unit The exchange cycle of the intermediate transfer unit 100 is every time processing of 40K sheets of full-color images. The details are described below.

The intermediate transfer belt 10 is made of a fluororesin sheet (volume resistance 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm, surface resistance 10 ¹² Ω / c).
m ² ), the replacement cycle when the replacement is to be performed due to replacement factors such as deterioration of electrical characteristics (deterioration of resistance value, dielectric constant, etc.), damage or abrasion, cracks, elongation, etc. due to the developer or blade. For each processing of 40K sheets.

The cleaning blade 61a is made of polyurethane rubber (hardness 70Hs), and when the replacement is performed due to replacement factors such as deterioration of the blade edge (wear, cracking, chipping), and hardness reduction, the replacement cycle is a full-color image and paper. For each processing of 40K sheets.

The transfer brushes 41 and 42 are made of conductive fiber (rayon + carbon, resistance of 10 ⁵ Ωcm), and need to be replaced due to replacement factors such as adhesion of dust and toner, bending and bending, and deterioration of electrical characteristics. The replacement cycle is performed for each process of 10K to 20K sheets of a full-color image. The reason why the transfer brush replacement cycle has a wide range is because an uncertain factor is involved and a specific value is determined for the first time in an actual use site. Therefore, if the length is particularly shorter than other parts, only the transfer brush is replaced alone.

In order to maintain a predetermined transfer performance, the surface state of the intermediate transfer belt 10 may be brought into sliding contact with a coating bar. In this case, when the material of the coating bar is zinc stearate and the consumption is taken as a replacement factor. The replacement cycle is for each processing of 40K sheets of full-color images for the entire sliding contact unit of the coating bar.

Therefore, in this example, an exchange cycle of 40K is basically possible for the intermediate transfer unit.
However, the transfer brush may need to be replaced every 10K sheets.

[6] B. Estimated amount of discharged toner [6] Ba-a. Estimated amount of discharged toner in the photosensitive unit When the full-color processing of 20K sheets is performed in the replacement cycle of the photosensitive unit, the estimated amount of discharged toner is calculated as follows. However, the transfer efficiency from the photoconductors 16 and 26 to the intermediate transfer belt 10 is 80%, the toner adhesion amount (for two colors) on each photoconductor 16 and 26 is 20 mg, and the untransferred (remaining adhesion) toner amount is 4 mg. Assuming. Since the amount of toner discharged from each unit = 4 mg × 20 K = 80 g, the collection box 10
The capacity of 3, 103 'or the position of the sensors S1, S2 is set to 80 g as a guide. However, the component life and the time when the waste toner is full are not always at the same time. In consideration of the case where the timing is shifted, the full toner discharge is detected by the sensor, and the early deterioration of the characteristics (including the damage) of the component is directly judged by the process control or the photoconductor. In this case, it is preferable to replace the unit even if one of them is not the time for replacement.

[6] Bb. Estimated Amount of Toner Discharge in Intermediate Transfer Unit Estimation of the amount of discharged toner in the case of performing the full-color processing of 40K sheets in the exchange cycle of the intermediate transfer unit is estimated as follows. However, the transfer efficiency from the intermediate transfer belt 10 to the paper is assumed to be 80%, the toner adhesion amount (for four colors) on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is 32 mg, and the untransferred (remaining adhesion) toner amount is 6.4 mg. if you did this. Since the amount of discharged toner = 6.4 mg × 40 K = 256 g, the accommodation box 61 f
The position of the sensor S3 or the position of the sensor S3 is determined using 256 g as a guide. However, the component life and the time when the waste toner is full are not always at the same time. In consideration of the case where the timing is shifted, the full toner discharge is detected by a sensor, and the early deterioration of characteristics (including flaws) of the component is directly judged by the process control and the intermediate transfer belt. In this case, it is preferable to replace the unit even if one of them is not the time for replacement.

[7] Relationship between Overall Shape of Image Forming Apparatus and Shape of Each Unit In the embodiment described above, the writing units 18 and 28, the photosensitive units 140A and 140A ', Developing unit 6-3, 6-3
A, the intermediate transfer unit 100 and the like are illustrated. They are,
The photosensitive unit and the developing unit are detachable from each other, and are integrated, for example, a composite unit 2.
000, 2000 'are the first image stations 14 as units of the same shape and size as shown in FIG.
And the second image station 24.

The configuration having such a shape and arrangement constitutes one unit as an image forming process means, and has a rectangular shape in which each configuration indicated by a solid line is included in the entire configuration indicated by a broken line, so that useless space is reduced. It is possible to obtain advantages such as a simple layout, a compact overall size, a simplified device configuration, and easy assembling work. Further, the intermediate transfer unit 10
0, a horizontally-long rectangular discharge tray can be arranged, and below both composite units, a horizontally-long rectangular recording paper storage unit can be formed. Even in this case, the overall shape becomes rectangular. In addition, waste of layout from the viewpoint of space is eliminated.

[0249]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the so-called service life of the parts constituting the unit is substantially the same, so that the work of replacing parts and the effective use of parts can be reduced by eliminating double work. Can be enhanced. According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid overflow of the stored contents due to being left when the components constituting the unit are containers.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform the processing of the discharged toner at the time of replacing the photosensitive member unit. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the discharged toner is full, the life of the photosensitive member has not reached the end of its life, so that the deterioration of the image quality due to the photosensitive member can be avoided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum from being damaged during storage or replacement. Claim 6
In the described invention, loss of the entire image forming function due to one component having the shortest life in the unit is avoided.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the entire function of the image forming apparatus is not lost due to malfunction of the charging brush.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and the amount of parts to be stored as spares on the user side. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the entire developer is replaced, the developer replacement operation, which is a complicated operation, is released. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the color developer replacement work is released. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the plurality of developing units and reduce the amount of parts to be stored as spares for replacement.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the combined unit is separated from the main body as a whole, and in this separated state, the combined unit is further disassembled for each constituent unit in an environment with good workability, and the constituent units can be individually replaced. The replacement work can be facilitated.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the life of the intermediate transfer unit can be known by detecting the discharged toner. According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to know the detected toner by detecting the discharged toner before the life of the intermediate transfer belt, and to cope with it. According to the fifteenth aspect, the timing of component replacement can be known by detecting the fullness of the discharged toner.

In the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the photoconductor unit is replaced when the full state of the discharged toner is detected.
It is possible to surely deal with both of these, and to save double work. Claim 1
In the invention described in Item 7, since the intermediate transfer unit is exchanged when the full state of the discharged toner is detected, it is possible to surely cope with both of them, and to save double work.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a manner of attaching a photoconductor unit to a main body side plate.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a photoconductor unit.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a photoconductor unit.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a manner of attaching a common assembly member to a main body side plate.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a common assembly member on the near side;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main body side plate on the near side;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a common assembling member to a main body side plate on a near side;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a common assembly member on the back side.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another common assembly member on the back side.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main body side plate on the back side.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a common assembling member to a back side body side plate.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a drive system of a photosensitive drum.

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the gap adjusting unit, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the gap adjusting unit.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an adjusting unit.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of various members around a photosensitive drum.

FIG. 16 (a) is a front view of a partial cross section illustrating another mode of the adjusting means, and FIG. 16 (b) is a plan view of the view shown in FIG. 16 (a).

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjustment by an adjustment unit between image stations.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an image forming process.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a color image forming process.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a color image forming process.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a cleaning unit and a discharged toner detection unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an external appearance of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a combined unit in which a developing unit and a photoreceptor unit are combined.

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of a combined unit in which a developing unit and a photoreceptor unit are combined.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a manner in which a lever holds a bearing.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a manner of attaching the composite unit to the main body side plate with reference to the photoconductor unit.

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a manner of attaching the composite unit to the main body side plate with reference to the photoconductor unit.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a drive system for a transport screw.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a seal structure for preventing toner from leaking at a portion of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which a fixing lever is provided on the image carrier side.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a case where grooves of a common assembly member are provided at an angle.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing unit is inclined when the photoconductor unit is disassembled in the state of the composite unit.

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a manner of attaching the composite unit to the main body side plate with reference to the developing unit.

FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a manner of attaching the composite unit to the main body side plate with reference to the developing unit.

FIG. 37 is a partial perspective view illustrating an intermediate support member.

FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a combination relationship between a photoconductor unit and a lever.

FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of the composite unit.

FIG. 40 is a view for explaining how the lever is engaged with the shaft and released.

FIG. 41 is an external perspective view of the composite unit.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a fitting relationship between an oval-shaped portion and a groove.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a fitting relationship between an oval-shaped portion and a groove.

FIG. 44 is a front view illustrating a slide member holding a receiving portion.

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional view of a slide member holding a receiving portion when viewed from the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a photoconductor covered with a protective film.

FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a combination of a housing and an intermediate transfer unit.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram of a drive mechanism of the intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 49 is a front view of a housing on which the intermediate transfer unit is mounted.

FIG. 50 is a front view illustrating a state where the lever holds the bearing.

FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating shapes and layouts of elements constituting the image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6-3, 6-3A Developing unit 16, 26 Photoconductor drum 18, 28 (as image carrier) Writing means 100 Intermediate transfer unit 140, 140A'240 Photoconductor unit 2000 Composite unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideaki Kifune 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H027 DD03 DE10 ED01 ED03 ED08 ED24 ED27 FA28 HB01 HB05 HB12 HB13 HB15 HB16 HB18 2H034 CA06 2H071 BA04 BA33 DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15 DA32

Claims (17)

[Claims] An image bearing means for developing a latent image into a visible image; and an intermediate transfer means for receiving a visible image and transferring the visible image to a sheet. An image carrier unit having an integral structure including the image bearing means and an accessory member thereof, and an integral structure including the developing means and the accessory member having the developing member. And an intermediate transfer unit having an integral structure including the intermediate transfer unit and the accompanying members, and assembled into a main body. At least one of the units has parts or materials constituting this unit Of the two or more types of parts or materials, the form, material, usage conditions are determined so that the time when the predetermined performance cannot be maintained is substantially the same,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the assembling can be canceled independently on the basis of the timing. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time when the performance cannot be maintained refers to a time when the parts and the material have a lifetime. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the time is such that the content of the container increases with time and becomes full. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier unit includes at least a photoconductor, a charging unit for uniformly charging the photoconductor, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the photoconductor. A photosensitive drum unit having a case, a container-shaped waste toner storage unit attached to the unit case and storing waste toner cleaned from the photosensitive member by the cleaning unit, and a waste toner in the waste toner storage unit A full toner expiration detecting means for detecting when the toner is full, the life of components and materials of the photoreceptor unit such that the photosensitive unit is replaced when the exhaust toner is full by the exhaust toner full detecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the component that determines the replacement time of the photoconductor unit is a photoconductor, and the life of the photoconductor is substantially the same as the time when the discharged toner is full. Alternatively, the capacity of the waste toner storage section is set so that the full time of the waste toner comes before the life of the photosensitive body, and the cycle of discarding the waste toner and the replacement cycle of the photosensitive body are matched. Image forming apparatus. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said photosensitive member has a drum shape, and an unused photosensitive member used for replacement has a peripheral surface covered with a protective film. Image forming apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the life of a component having the shortest life among the components of the photoreceptor unit and the time when the discharged toner is full are substantially at the same time. An image forming apparatus, wherein the capacity of the discharged toner storage unit is set, and a cycle for discarding the discharged toner stored in the discharged toner storage unit and a replacement cycle for the component having the shortest life are matched. 7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said component having the shortest life is a charging brush as said charging means. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of said photoreceptor units, wherein all of said plurality of photoreceptor units have the same shape and the same size. An image forming apparatus having mounting compatibility. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developing unit has a unit case provided with a developing means comprising at least a developing roller and a toner stirring and conveying means. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a developer containing the developer is filled, and the replacement based on the life of the developer is performed for the entire developing unit together with the unit case. 10. An image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said developing means is constituted as a plurality of developing means each of which is filled with a developer of a different color. At the same time, the image forming apparatus performs the entire developing unit for each unit case. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of said developing units, all of said plurality of developing units having the same shape and the same size, and all of said plurality of developing units being attached to said main body. An image forming apparatus characterized by having compatibility with the image forming apparatus. 12. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8,
The image forming apparatus according to 9, 10 or 11, wherein the image carrier unit or the photoconductor unit and the developing unit are configured as a detachable composite unit, and are also detachably assembled to the main body as a composite unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein, of the image carrier unit or the photosensitive unit and the developing unit, a unit having a shorter replacement cycle or a shorter life is detachably attached to the main body or the composite unit. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer unit is at least an intermediate transfer belt, transfer means for applying a transfer bias for transferring an image of the image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt, and the intermediate transfer. A container case attached to the unit case and having a cleaning unit for cleaning the belt, and a container-shaped discharge toner storage unit that stores the discharge toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt by the cleaning unit. An exhaust toner full detecting means for detecting when the exhaust toner in the exhaust toner storage section is full, wherein the intermediate transfer unit is replaced when the exhaust toner is full by the exhaust toner full detecting means. An image forming apparatus wherein the service life of components and materials of a transfer unit is set. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the life of the intermediate transfer belt and the time when the discharge toner is full are substantially at the same time, or the time when the discharge toner is full comes before the life of the intermediate transfer belt. An image forming apparatus, wherein a capacity of the discharged toner storage unit is set in the image forming apparatus, and a cycle of discarding the discharged toner stored in the discharged toner storage unit is matched with a replacement cycle of the intermediate transfer belt. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the life of a component having the shortest life among the components of the intermediate transfer unit and the time when the discharged toner is full are substantially at the same time. An image forming apparatus, wherein a capacity of a discharged toner storage unit is set, and a cycle of discarding the discharged toner is matched with the replacement cycle of the component having the shortest life. 16. A unit in an image forming apparatus in which a photoreceptor unit having at least a photoreceptor, a charging unit for charging the photoreceptor, and a unit case provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning the photoreceptor is detachably mounted on a main body. The toner discharged from the container case, which is attached to the unit case and stores the discharged toner cleaned from the photoreceptor by the cleaning unit, when the discharged toner is full. A unit replacement method, wherein the photoconductor unit is replaced when fullness of the discharged toner is detected by fullness detection means. 17. An intermediate transfer unit having at least an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer unit for applying a transfer bias for transferring an image on an image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt, and a unit case provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning the intermediate transfer belt. A method of exchanging units in an image forming apparatus in which a unit is detachably provided on a main body, wherein a container-shaped discharged toner accommodating the unit case and containing discharged toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt by the cleaning unit. A unit replacement method, wherein the intermediate transfer unit is replaced when the discharged toner full detection unit detects when the discharged toner is full in the storage unit.