JP2000238369A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress leakage of sound generated from an exposing unit to the outside of an imaging apparatus effectively through an economic means without causing any increase in weight. SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus is provided, in the body 11 thereof, with an exposing unit 18 for focusing a laser light emitted from a laser light source while deflecting through a scanner motor, a sound reflecting member (cover 11b) having a plurality reflection space parts 42 each comprising a chamber disposed on the outside of the exposing unit 18 while opening thereto and forming a rib 41 in order to receive a sound from the exposing unit 18 and diffuse reflecting the received sound, and a plate for reflecting the sound generated from the exposing unit 18 disposed at a part of the diffuse reflection space part 42 opening toward the exposing unit 18 while partially covering the opening part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an exposure device using a laser beam.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 9, an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system has a photosensitive drum 2, a charging device 3, and an exposure device 4 inside a device main body 1 for recording an image on a recording paper P as shown in FIG. , Developing device 5, transfer device 6, and fixing device 7
The main body 1 is constituted by combining a case 1a and a cover 1b formed of a synthetic resin for opening and closing the upper opening of the case 1b.

The exposure device 3 performs exposure based on an image signal on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and recently, a system using a laser beam is often used. This laser beam type exposure apparatus has a laser diode (laser light source), lenses, slits, a reflection mirror, a scanner motor, and a rotating mirror disposed inside a case which is a main body of the exposure apparatus. The laser beam modulated by the signal is emitted, the emitted laser beam is converged so as to form an image on the surface of the photosensitive drum through a slit, a lens, etc., and the laser beam is deflected by a rotating mirror rotated by a scanner motor. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum is scanned to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device.

[0004]

However, an image forming apparatus having such a laser type exposure apparatus has the following problems.

That is, as described above, the laser type exposure apparatus rotates the scanner motor to rotate the rotating mirror to deflect the laser beam and scan the surface of the photosensitive drum. A noise is generated in the apparatus when the scanner motor is driven to rotate and when the rotating mirror is rotated to cut off the wind. The sound generated from the exposure apparatus leaks from the inside of the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus equipped with the exposure apparatus to the outside and becomes noise. In particular, when the printing speed in the image forming apparatus is increased, the scanner motor rotates at a high speed, so that the noises of the scanner motor and the rotating mirror are further increased and the noise is increased.

Therefore, conventionally, the thickness of the case, which is the main body of the exposure apparatus, is increased, or the material of the case is changed to reduce the sound leaking from the exposure apparatus itself.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the thickness of the cover 1b in the image forming apparatus main body 1 is increased, or the material is changed to reduce the sound leaking to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 1. ing.

[0007] However, all of these measures increase the material cost and are not economical, and there is a limit in reducing the degree of the sound generated from the exposure apparatus leaking out of the image forming apparatus main body. There is a problem that the soundproofing effect cannot be obtained as expected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a sound insulating plate 7 independent of the apparatus body cover 1b is attached to the cover 1b or the case 1a above the exposure apparatus 4 to cut off the sound generated from the exposure apparatus 4. Attempts have been made to reduce the sound leaking out of the image forming apparatus main body 1. That is, the sound insulation plate 7 is formed of a metal material to have a sound insulation effect, and a sound absorbing material such as a urethane sponge is filled in a synthetic resin plate to enhance the sound absorption effect.

However, in the configuration using the sound insulating plate 7 as described above, when the former sound insulating material is used, the weight of the cover 1b and the case 1a increases, and in the latter case, the material cost increases and the economical efficiency increases. There is a problem in that the weight increases with deterioration.

Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus provided with a laser type exposure apparatus, the sound generated from the exposure apparatus leaks out of the main body of the image forming apparatus by economic means without increasing the weight. There is a need to effectively reduce the degree.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and effectively reduces the extent to which the sound generated from an exposure apparatus leaks out of the main body of an image forming apparatus by economic means without increasing the weight. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which solves a conventionally required problem.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, wherein laser light emitted from a laser light source is deflected by a scanner motor into an image inside a main body of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus provided with an exposure device, a sound reflection member having an irregular reflection space portion which is located outside of the exposure device, is opened toward the exposure device, and irregularly reflects a sound emitted from the exposure device. Is provided.

According to the configuration of the present invention, the sound emitted from the laser type exposure apparatus can be diffused and reflected by the irregular reflection space formed in the sound reflecting member, and can be effectively reduced without using a sound absorbing member or a metal plate. In addition, the sound reflection member having the irregular reflection space portion having the high sound insulation effect can be manufactured at low cost and light weight by using synthetic resin.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the irregular reflection space portion of the sound insulating material has a plurality of chambers formed by arranging the portions facing the exposure device open. It is characterized by being.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the irregular reflection spaces of the sound reflection member are the plurality of chambers formed alternately. .

According to the second and third aspects of the invention,
The diffuse reflection space can be provided in an effective concrete form.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a portion of the irregular reflection space portion of the sound reflection member opened toward the exposure device includes:
A reflecting plate is provided so as to cover a part of the opening, and to reflect a sound emitted from the exposure apparatus.

According to the structure of the present invention, by providing the reflector in addition to the irregular reflection space, the degree of irregular reflection of the sound emitted from the laser type exposure apparatus can be increased and more effectively reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which an exposing device for deflecting a laser beam emitted from a laser light source by a scanner motor to form an image on the surface of a photoreceptor is provided inside the image forming apparatus main body. According to the configuration of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes a sound reflection member that is located outside the exposure apparatus and has a reflection plate that reflects a sound emitted from the exposure apparatus. By providing the member with a reflection plate, it is possible to suppress the sound emitted from the exposure apparatus from leaking to the outside with a lightweight and economical configuration.

According to the structure of the invention of claim 6, according to claim 1,
6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 5 to 5, wherein the sound reflecting member is an openable and closable cover constituting the image apparatus main body.

According to the structure of the present invention, the sound reflecting member can be formed more economically by also using as the cover of the image forming apparatus main body.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

This embodiment is applied to a facsimile apparatus provided with a laser type exposure apparatus. FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus, FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing the configuration of an exposure apparatus provided in the facsimile apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a view showing the sound reflection member viewed from below. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line YY in FIG.

The overall configuration of the facsimile machine will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an apparatus main body, which is constituted by combining a case 11a and a cover 11b for opening and closing an upper opening of the case 11a. Components described below are provided inside the apparatus main body 11.
In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes a process unit, which is a photosensitive drum 1
3, a charging device 14, a developing device 15, and a static eliminator 1
6 and a cleaning device 17 are provided.
A laser type exposure device 18 for exposing the surface of the photoconductor drum 13 is provided at a position above the process unit 12, and a transfer device 19 is provided below the photoconductor drum 13. Further, a fixing device 20 is provided adjacent to the process unit 12, and a cassette 21 containing the recording paper P is provided below the process unit 12. In addition, a paper feed roller 22 and a plurality of transport rollers 2
3 and a discharge roller 24 are provided. 25 is cover 1
1b is a document conveying unit provided.

When the printing operation is performed, the photosensitive drum 13 is rotated, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is charged by the charging device 14. The charged surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is exposed to recording information by an exposure device 18 to form an electrostatic latent image. Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is developed by the developing device 15 to form a toner image. On the other hand, the rotating paper feed roller 22 and the conveying roller 2
3, the recording paper P stored in the cassette 21 is transported between the photosensitive drum 13 and the transfer device 19. here,
The transfer device 19 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 13 to the recording paper P. Thereafter, the recording paper P is conveyed to the fixing device 20, where the toner image is fixed, and discharged by the discharge roller 23 to the outside of the apparatus main body 11. The surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is neutralized by the neutralization device 16, the remaining toner is removed by the cleaning device 17, and the photosensitive drum 13 moves to the charging 14 again.

Next, the exposure device 18 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a case which is the main body of the exposure apparatus. The case 31 described below is provided inside the case 31. 32 is a laser diode (laser light source), 33 is a lens, 34 is a slit, 35 is a reflecting mirror, 36 is a scanner motor, 37 is a rotating mirror, 38 is a reflecting mirror,
9 is an f-θ lens. And the laser diode 3
2 emits a laser beam R modulated by an electric signal,
After passing through the lens 33 and the slit 34, the reflection mirror 35
To the rotating mirror 37. The rotating mirror 37 is rotated by the scanner motor 36 to deflect the laser light R to scan the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. After the laser beam R deflected by the rotating mirror 37 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 38, f-
An image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 through the θ lens 39. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 charged by the charging device 14.

The exposure device 18 is provided inside the case 11a of the apparatus main body 11 and directly below the cover 11b. That is, the cover 11b is
A sound reflection member which is located outside (upper side) with respect to 8 and serves to block the sound generated by the exposure device 18 and to prevent the exposure device 18 from leaking out of the apparatus main body 11 is also used.

Here, the structure of the cover 11b of the apparatus main body 11, which is an example of the sound reflecting member, will be described with reference to FIGS. The cover 11b is formed in a plate shape so as to cover an open portion of the upper surface of the case 11a.
The opening 1a is opened and closed. Cover 11
b is made of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin and polycarbonate in order to reduce material cost, reduce weight, and improve moldability. The cover 11b serves as a sound reflecting member, and the sound generated inside the case 11a is a cover 1b.
The thickness is set so that it does not easily leak out of 1b. On the inner surface of the cover 11b, a plurality of ribs 41 linearly extending in a direction perpendicular to the recording paper transport direction in the apparatus main body 11 are formed integrally at predetermined intervals in parallel along the recording paper transport direction. . These ribs 41 cover 1
1b projecting toward the exposure device 18 located at a predetermined height from the inner surface of the cover 1b, that is, below the cover 11b inside the apparatus main body 11, and orthogonal to the recording paper transport direction of the cover 11b. In the opposite direction. In this manner, a plurality of irregularly-reflected space portions 42, which are partitioned by ribs 41 and extend in a direction perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction and have an open lower surface, are formed on the inner surface (lower surface in the drawing) of the cover 11b. Are formed integrally at predetermined intervals in parallel along the recording paper transport direction. The plurality of diffusely reflecting spaces 42 receive the rotation driving sound of the scanning motor 36 and the wind noise of the rotating mirror 37 in the exposure device 18 and perform an irregular reflection inside to attenuate them. That is, in each of the irregular reflection spaces 42, the sound entering the space collides with the respective surfaces of the ribs 41 and the cover 11b forming the space and is reflected multiple times, causing a phase shift and canceling each other. It is designed to attenuate. For this reason, the height and interval of each rib 41 are different
The dimensions are set so as to perform the above operation.

A plurality of band-shaped sound reflection plates 43 extending along the recording paper transport direction are provided at the open portions of the respective space portions 42 formed on the inner surface of the cover 11b in the recording paper transport direction. The sound reflection plates 43 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval along the direction orthogonal to each other.
And affixed to the tip of each rib 41 formed on the inner surface thereof. Each of the reflection plates 43 has a predetermined width, and is formed over the edges of the cover 11b on both sides in the paper transport direction. The plurality of reflectors 43 first receive the sound generated by the above-described exposure device 18 directly on the outer surface thereof, and
Second, the function of reflecting the sound inside the irregular reflection space portion 42 is performed. The gap between the sound reflection plates 43 is a portion for introducing the sound generated from the exposure device 18 into each of the irregular reflection spaces 42.

That is, in this embodiment, the irregular reflection space portion 42 is a room formed by arranging the portions facing the exposure device 18 with the portion facing the exposure device 18 being opened, and combining the diffuse reflection space portion 42 with a reflection plate 43. It is.

The operation of the cover 11b will be described. When the exposure device 18 is driven as described above, the driving sound of the scanning motor 36 and the wind noise accompanying the rotation of the rotating mirror 37 are generated, and these sounds are generated in the case 31.
Spills outside. The various sounds generated by the exposure device 18 are transmitted to the cover 11 of the device body 11 located on the upper side.
b, as shown in FIG. 5, between the downward opening portions of the plurality of irregular reflection spaces 42 formed side by side on the inner surface of the cover 11b and the plurality of reflectors 43 arranged side by side at the openings of the irregular reflection space 42. Each diffused space part 4 through the gap of
The husband and wife are dispersed inside 2. Then, in each of the diffuse reflection spaces 42, the sound entering the space 42 hits each rib 41 and the cover 11b forming the space 42 and is reflected multiple times, causing a phase shift to occur and cancel each other, thereby attenuating each other. . That is, the plurality of diffuse reflection space portions 42
Receive various sounds generated in the exposure device 18 and attenuate them by irregular reflection inside.

The plurality of reflectors 43 provided at the open portion of the irregular reflection space 42 receive the sound generated by the exposure device 18 directly on the outer surface and reflect the sound into the cover 11b. In addition, the plurality of reflectors 43 reflect and reflect the sound that has entered the inside of each diffused space portion 42, and also perform the function of diffusely reflecting the sound inside each diffused space portion 42 together with each rib 41 and the cover 11 b.

In such a cover 11, the exposure apparatus 1
In combination with the plurality of irregular reflection spaces 42 formed facing the surface 8 and the reflection plate 43 provided in these irregular reflection spaces 42, the exposure apparatus irregularly reflects various sounds generated from the light source 18 to effectively and reliably. And the amount of sound leaking out of the cover 11b can be significantly reduced by sufficiently blocking the sound from the outside of the cover 11b. Accordingly, it is possible to greatly reduce noise generation in the apparatus main body 11 of the image forming apparatus and obtain good quietness.

The diffuse reflection space 42 is a chamber whose part facing the exposure device 18 is open, and a plurality of these chambers are formed side by side on the cover 11b. For this reason, the irregular reflection space in the cover 11b, which is a sound reflection member, is
8 can be formed in such a manner as to receive the sound emitted from 8 and effect diffuse reflection effectively.

The cover 11b and the ribs 41 can be integrally formed of a synthetic resin with a simple configuration in which a plurality of ribs 41 are formed on the cover 11b to form a plurality of irregular reflection spaces 42. In addition, the material and production costs are low and very economical.
The structure of 1b and the rib 41 is also very light.

Each of the ribs 41 also has a function of enhancing the mechanical strength of the cover 11b to reinforce it.

Further, by providing the reflection plate 43 in combination with the cover 11b and the rib 41, it is possible to obtain a greater sound insulation effect by synergistically combining the irregular reflection effects of the respective structures. The reflection plate 43 is made of a synthetic resin and can be bonded to each rib 41, so that it is lightweight, and the material cost and the production cost are low. Note that the reflection plate 43 is not limited to a synthetic resin, and a lightweight metal plate can be used.

Further, even if only the reflection plate 43 is provided without forming the irregular reflection space portion on the cover 11b as the sound reflection member, the light emitted from the exposure device 18 can be reflected with a light weight and economical configuration. Leakage to the outside of the main body 11 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the apparatus main body 1 in the image forming apparatus is used as a sound reflection member forming a diffuse reflection space.
Since the first cover 11b is also used, there is no need to provide a special sound reflecting member, so that the structure is simple and economical, and the sound reflecting member is very effective in insulating the exposure apparatus 18 from sound. It can be provided in a typical position.

Incidentally, In this embodiment, for example, the rib 4
1 is 1 mm, and the size of the irregular reflection space portion 42 divided by each rib 41 is 20 mm in length × 10 mm in width × 7 mm in height. The reflection plate 43 has a length of 10 mm × the width of the image forming apparatus × the thickness of 0.5 mm, and the arrangement interval is 5 mm.

In the above-described embodiment, the irregular reflection space formed in the cover 11b has a band shape extending over the entire cover in a direction perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction.
The irregular reflection space is not limited to this shape. For example, the same effect can be obtained even if the direction in which the irregular reflection space portion extends is the direction along the recording paper transport direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the cover 11b has a plurality of irregular reflection spaces 421 each formed of a small chamber.
Can be alternately formed along the recording paper transport direction or a direction perpendicular to the recording paper transport direction. That is, each rib 4 is formed on the inner surface of the cover 11b.
The ribs 4 are staggered with an interval of their length between
11 are formed to form the irregular reflection space portion 421. With this configuration, the operation and effect of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and furthermore, the sound generated by the exposure device 18 can be attenuated more finely by multiple diffuse reflection. 6 is a plan view of the cover 11b as viewed from below (inside), FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line WW of FIG. . In these figures, the same parts as those in FIGS. 3 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, it is also possible to provide the reflection plate 43.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications. For example, the sound reflecting member is not limited to being used also as the cover of the image forming apparatus, but may be provided exclusively or used also as another member. The image forming apparatus is not limited to the embodiment, and various apparatuses such as a facsimile apparatus having a laser type exposure apparatus can be applied.

[0045]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sound emitted from the exposure apparatus can be effectively reduced by being diffusely reflected in the diffuse reflection space formed in the sound reflection member, and the diffuse reflection having a high sound insulation effect can be achieved. The sound reflecting member having the space can be manufactured economically and lightweight.

According to the second and third aspects of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the sound emitted from the exposure apparatus can be diffused and reflected by a plurality of simple diffuse reflection spaces.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, as compared with the effects of the first to third aspects, the degree of irregular reflection of the sound emitted from the exposure apparatus can be increased and more effectively reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the sound emitted from the exposure apparatus from leaking out of the apparatus main body with a lightweight and economical configuration.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to fifth aspects, the sound reflecting member can be formed more economically by also serving as the cover of the image forming apparatus main body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an exposure apparatus provided in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a cover of the apparatus main body, which is a sound reflecting member in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a cover of the apparatus main body in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a cover of the apparatus main body in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a cover of an image forming apparatus main body according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary sectional view showing a cover of the apparatus main body according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a cover of the apparatus main body according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a conventional embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Image forming apparatus main body, 11a ... Case, 11b ... Cover (sound reflection member), 12 ... Process unit, 18 ... Exposure apparatus, 31 ... Case, 36 ... Motor, 37 ... Rotating mirror, 41 ... Rib, 42 ... Diffuse reflection Space part, 43 ... Reflection plate, 411 ... Rib, 421 ... Diffuse reflection space part.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an exposure device for deflecting a laser beam emitted from a laser light source by a scanner motor to form an image on a surface of a photoreceptor inside an image forming device main body. An image forming apparatus provided with a sound reflecting member which is located outside of the image forming apparatus and has a diffuse reflection space which is opened toward the exposure apparatus and irregularly reflects a sound emitted from the exposure apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irregular reflection space portion of the sound reflection member is a plurality of chambers formed by arranging a portion facing the exposure device and opening the portion. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irregular reflection space portion of the sound reflection member is formed by alternately forming a plurality of chambers. 4. A reflection plate for reflecting a sound emitted from the exposure device is provided on a part of the diffuse reflection space of the sound reflection member opened toward the exposure device so as to cover a part of the opening. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. An image forming apparatus provided with an exposure device for deflecting a laser beam emitted from a laser light source by a scanner motor and forming an image on a surface of a photoreceptor inside the image forming device main body. An image forming apparatus provided with a sound reflecting member which is located outside of the reflecting member and which has a reflecting plate for reflecting sound emitted from the exposure device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound reflecting member is a cover that can be opened and closed to form the image apparatus main body.