JP2001010160A - Unit type image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply realize the unit replacement and also simply realize the change of the performance of a device. SOLUTION: A unit type image forming device is provided with a plurality of units 3 fitted removably on a unit supporting section 2 formed on a device case 1, and also provided with a first unit 4 fitted removably on the unit supporting section 2 facing a fitting and removing opening 1c of the device 1 and a second unit 5 fitted removably on a deeper side unit supporting unit 2 communicated with the unit supporting section 2 of the first unit 4 fitted removably through a fitting removing mechanism 6 for fitting and removing by utilizing a space formed by removing the first unit 4. Also a new unit of different device performance is fitted in place of an existing unit fitted removably on the unit supporting section 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, and the like, and more particularly, to an improvement of a unit type image forming apparatus in which each component is mounted as a unit. About.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a unit type image forming apparatus of this type, an apparatus in which each component is unitized and each unit is mounted on a unit receiving portion provided in an apparatus case is already known. Here, as the unit, for example, a photosensitive drum cartridge in which a photosensitive drum and an electrophotographic device around the photosensitive drum are formed into a cartridge, an optical unit such as a ROS (Raster Output Scanner) including various optical components, and sheets such as paper are supplied. A sheet supply unit such as a paper handling unit, a transfer unit disposed opposite to a photosensitive drum cartridge to transfer an image on a photosensitive drum to a sheet such as paper, and a power supply unit for applying a predetermined voltage to the transfer unit and the like There are a fixing unit for fixing a transferred image on a sheet, a drive motor for applying a driving force to a photosensitive drum cartridge, and a drive unit in which a drive transmission gear train (gear assembly) is integrated. .

In such a unit type image forming apparatus, assembling work can be performed in units of a unit, which is an aggregate of each part, as compared with a case where each part is individually assembled at the time of assembling the apparatus. This is preferable because the number of assembling steps can be reduced and the assembling position accuracy of each component can be increased. In addition, by making units that are consumables such as the photosensitive drum cartridges replaceable, the user can also exchange consumables units.

[0004]

However, in this type of unit-type image forming apparatus, the assembling work is performed in units, so that the assembling work of the apparatus can be simplified. Regarding units other than the consumable unit such as (e.g., a transfer unit, an optical unit, a fixing unit, and a sheet supply unit), the point of unit replacement has not been considered at all. For this reason, for example, in a situation where a unit assembled on the back side of the apparatus case is replaced, an element that hinders replacement of the back side unit, such as a peripheral unit of the back side unit or a cover of the apparatus case, may be used. It takes a lot of man-hours to remove all the units and secure a space for replacing units on the back side.

Further, in this type of unit type image forming apparatus, no consideration is given to replacing the unit in order to upgrade the apparatus itself or change the specifications. For this reason, in the past, upgrading and specification changes of the equipment itself had to be dealt with only by purchasing new products, and it was easier for users to upgrade and change the specifications of the equipment itself. There is an increasing demand to reduce the number of waste parts after replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and a first technical problem to be solved is a unit type image forming apparatus capable of easily realizing unit replacement. I will provide a. Also, the present invention
As a second technical problem to be solved, there is provided a unit-type image forming apparatus capable of easily realizing a change in apparatus performance (such as upgrading the apparatus itself or a change in specifications).

[0007]

That is, in order to solve the first technical problem (simple realization of unit replacement),
As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a unit-type image forming apparatus in which a plurality of units 3 are removably mounted on a unit receiving portion 2 provided in an apparatus case 1. Facing unit receiver 2 (for example, 2
(1), a first unit 4 (for example, 4 (1), 4 (2)) detachably mounted on 2 (2), and a rear unit communicating with the unit receiving portion 2 of the first unit 4 Receiving part 2 (for example, 2
(3)), a second unit 5 which is detachably mounted via a detaching mechanism 6 which enables detaching operation using a space from which the first unit 4 has been removed. Is a unit type image forming apparatus.

In such technical means, as the device case 1, a frame 1a as a rigid frame is usually covered with a cover 1b.
It may be appropriately selected, for example, by using only one. Also,
The unit receiving portion 2 may be anything that receives and holds the corresponding unit 3 and is usually provided on the frame 1a or the cover 1b, and is separately attached to these members (for example, a guide piece for holding a photosensitive drum cartridge, a sheet for holding a sheet, and a sheet). Guide piece that holds the supply unit)
Or, another member such as a protective cover for covering the power supply unit or the like may be included. Further, the unit 3 broadly means a unit in which each part is unitized, but in the present invention, the unit 3 only has to be a unit that mainly needs to be replaced, and it is necessary to unitize all parts. It does not mean that.

The first unit 4 (for example, 4 (1), 4 (1),
(2)) is removably attached to the unit receiving portion 2 (for example, 2 (1), 2 (2)) facing the mounting / dismounting opening 1c of the device case 1. "In addition to the opening of the cover 1b of the device case 1, in the case of the crocodile type device, it also includes the opening when the device case 1 can be opened and closed. Further, the rear unit receiver 2 (for example, 2 (3)) of the second unit 5 only needs to be arranged to communicate with the unit receiver 2 of the first unit 4, and is located in the space from which the first unit 4 has been removed. Not only the mode in which the second unit 5 is directly exposed, but also a mode in which a removable protective cover or the like is provided between the space from which the first unit 4 is removed and the second unit 5 (for example, a Duplex Assembly and a high-voltage power supply unit). And a protective cover interposed therebetween. Furthermore, as for the attachment / detachment mechanism 6, any screw or clip may be appropriately selected as long as the attachment / detachment operation of the second unit 5 can be performed using the space from which the first unit 4 has been removed. Incidentally, in a mode in which another unit (not shown) is present on the inner side of the second unit 5, the detaching / attaching operation of another unit is performed using the space from which the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 have been removed. Preferably.

The rear unit 2 of the second unit 5 only needs to communicate with the unit receiving portion 2 of one first unit 4 in general. Is the rear unit receiving portion 2 of the second unit 5
(For example, 2 (3)) includes a plurality of first units 4 (for example, 4 (3)).
(1), 4 (2)) unit receiver 2 (eg, 2 (1), 2 (2))
It is preferable that they are arranged in communication with each other. According to this aspect, the plurality of first units 4 (for example, 4 (1), 4 (2))
Since the space corresponding to the plurality of unit receivers 2 (for example, 2 (1), 2 (2)), which is the space from which the space has been removed, is the space for attaching / detaching, the attaching / detaching direction of the attaching / detaching mechanism 6 is set from a plurality of directions. This is preferable in that the degree of freedom in layout, unit shape, mounting locations, and the like increases.

Further, in order to facilitate the replacement work,
It is preferable that the unit 3 to be replaced is the first unit 4 or the second unit 5.

Further, in order to solve the second technical problem (simply realizing the change of the performance of the apparatus), the present invention, as shown in FIG. A unit-type image forming apparatus to which the unit 3 is attached, wherein at least the unit 3 whose device performance is to be changed is detachably attached to the corresponding unit receiver 2, and is attached to the unit receiver 2. A unit type in which a new unit 8 (for example, 8 (1), 8 (2)) having a different device performance is detachably mounted in place of the existing unit 7 (for example, 7 (1), 7 (2)). An image forming apparatus.

In such technical means, the unit 3 in which the apparatus performance is changed includes a unit for changing the printing speed and a sheet supply unit for conveying a special sheet. 1 needed in
Or it refers to a plurality of units. Also, the unit 3 according to the present invention may not necessarily have the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 unlike the invention of FIG. 1, but from the viewpoint of improving the workability of replacing the unit 3. If so, it is preferable to have the first unit 4 and the second unit 5. Further, in the present invention, when a new unit 8 is mounted in place of the existing unit 7, an auxiliary piece may be mounted on the corresponding unit receiving portion 2 and the new unit 8 may be mounted. From the viewpoint of maintaining good replacement workability, it is preferable that the new unit 8 and the existing unit 7 have substantially the same unit shape, and the new unit 8 can be directly mounted on the unit receiving portion 2 of the existing unit 7. .

Further, as a mode for changing the apparatus performance,
Basically, a mode in which the new unit 8 is replaced in place of the existing unit 7 may be used. However, when the control specifications also need to be changed, under the condition that the new unit 8 is installed in place of the existing unit 7. It is necessary to provide a control specification changing means 9 capable of changing an existing control specification to a corresponding new control specification. Here, the control specification changing means 9 includes:
The control board itself can be changed, a communication mode of a personal computer or the like can be used, and a control program of the changed specification can be installed in the memory of the control board.

Next, the operation of the above technical means will be described. The invention for solving the first technical problem will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when exchanging the second unit 5, for example, first, the detachable opening 1 of the device case 1 is first placed.
c, remove the first unit 4 (eg, 4 (1), 4 (2)) from the unit receiving section 2 (eg, 2 (1), 2 (2)),
Next, using the space from which the first unit 4 has been removed, the mounted state of the second unit 5 by the attaching / detaching mechanism 6 is released,
The second unit 5 is removed through the attachment / detachment opening 1c. Thereafter, an operation reverse to the removal operation is performed, and the replaced second unit 5 is mounted on the rear unit receiving portion 2 (for example, 2 (3)) via the attaching / detaching mechanism 6, and then the unit receiving portion 2 (for example, 2 (1), 2 (2)) may be attached to the first unit 4.

The invention for solving the second technical problem will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, when the performance of an apparatus is to be changed, an existing unit related to the performance of the apparatus to be changed is used. After the 7 (for example, 7 (1), 7 (2)) is removed from the corresponding unit receiving section 2, a new unit 8 (for example, 8 (1), 8 (1), 8 (1), 8 (1), 8) whose apparatus performance has been changed in place of the existing unit 7 (2)) corresponding to the unit receiver 2
It may be attached to the. At this time, if a change in the control specifications is involved, the control specification changing means 9 may be used.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer is shown. In the figure, in the image forming apparatus, various units 31 to 42 and the like are removably mounted on each unit receiving portion 20 of the apparatus case 10, and the image is transferred onto a sheet P such as paper, and then discharged. Things. In the present embodiment, the device case 10 includes a frame 11 as a rigid frame.
And a cover 12 that covers the periphery of the frame 11.
The cover 12 has an openable and closable lid, and a cover 12 has a sheet handling opening 15 at a part of the front side surface. Then, the unit receiving section 20 includes the frame 11
Alternatively, the unit is configured to receive and hold the units 31 to 42 and the like by any one of the covers 12 or an appropriate combination thereof.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes a process cartridge provided near the upper portion of the apparatus case 10. In this embodiment, a charging device 311, a developing device 312, a cleaning device An electrophotographic mode in which an electrophotographic device such as the device 313 is provided is used. Reference numeral 32 denotes an optical unit that is also provided near the upper portion of the apparatus case 10 and includes, for example, a laser scanning unit.
In response to the image signal from the optical unit 32, the beam is charged to the charged photosensitive drum 3 of the process cartridge 31.
10 is exposed. Further, reference numerals 33,
Reference numeral 34 denotes a sheet supply unit which is disposed in the upper and lower stages near the lower portion of the apparatus case 10, and the upper side is a manual feed unit 33 which supplies a manual sheet, whereas the lower side automatically receives a previously stored sheet. This is a sheet supply cassette 34 to be supplied.

Further, reference numeral 35 designates a sheet supplied from the sheet supply unit 33 or 34 to the photosensitive drum 310 of the process cartridge 31, and
A transfer unit for transferring an image formed on the sheet 10 to a sheet, provided at a plate-shaped guide chute 351 and a portion of the guide chute 351 facing the photosensitive drum 310, and receiving a high-voltage transfer bias. And a pair of positioning rolls (registration rolls) 353 provided upstream of the transfer roll 352 and transporting the sheet in a positioned state. Reference numeral 36 denotes a fixing unit that fixes an image on a sheet by passing the sheet on which the transferred image is carried, and includes, for example, a heating roll 361 and a pressure roll 362. Reference numeral 37 denotes a sheet discharge unit that discharges the fixed sheet to the discharge tray 14, and includes, for example, a pair of discharge rollers 371. Reference numeral 38 denotes a double-sided conveyance unit for re-supplying the sheet fixed on one side to the image transfer portion of the process cartridge 31 in the double-sided mode. A sheet return conveyance path extending in the direction is formed, and an appropriate number (two in the vertical direction in this embodiment) of paired conveyance rolls 381 and 382 are provided.

Reference numerals 39 and 40 denote power supply units, and 39 denotes a transfer unit 35 and a charging device 3 mainly.
A high-voltage power supply unit for supplying power to a high-voltage power supply such as 11;
Reference numeral 40 denotes a low-voltage power supply unit that supplies power to a control board (controller) and a drive unit (not shown).
Although not shown in FIG. 3 as other units, a control board 41 (FIG. 17) for controlling the entire apparatus is provided.
And a drive unit 42 for driving the entire apparatus.
(See FIG. 18).

Next, an outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a single-sided mode for recording an image on one side of a sheet will now be described. In the process cartridge 31, the photosensitive drum 310 is charged in advance by the charging device 311 and the charged photosensitive drum is charged. After the electrostatic latent image is written on the drum 310 by the optical unit 32, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing device 312 and moves to the transfer site. On the other hand, the sheet supply unit (manual feed unit 33)
Or, from the sheet supply cassette 34) to the feed roll 33
The sheet sent out at 5 or 345 is conveyed to the transfer roll 352 site (transfer site) after being positioned by the registration roll 353 of the transfer unit 35 as shown by the dotted locus in FIG. Then, the image on the photosensitive drum 310 is transferred to the sheet at the timing when the sheet enters the transfer portion, and the sheet carrying the transferred image is subjected to fixing processing by the fixing unit 36 and then to the sheet discharging unit 3.
7, and is discharged to a discharge tray 14.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus can also execute a double-sided mode in which images are recorded on both sides of a sheet. Transport rollers 381, 38 of the duplex transport unit 38
The sheet is then conveyed downward at 2, and then merges into the sheet conveyance path from the sheet supply unit 33 or 34, and is conveyed again to the transfer site via the registration roll 353. During this time, in the process cartridge 31, the image forming process on the other side proceeds, and the image on the other side is transferred at the timing when the sheet reaches the transfer portion again, and the sheet carrying the transferred image is fixed by the fixing unit 36. After the fixing process, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 14 via the sheet discharge unit 37. At this stage, a double-sided recorded image sheet having both sides fixed is obtained.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the units 31 to 42 and the like are detachably mounted from the corresponding unit receiving portion 20.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the present embodiment, the manual feed unit 33 has a unit tray 331 on which a sheet P for manual feed is placed. In addition to the provision of an invertible open / close lid 332 also serving as a surface, a guide plate 334 for guiding to a feed roll 335 and a registration roll 353 is provided on the sheet P delivery side on the unit tray 331.
After the sheets P are sent out while being separated one by one by the feed roll 335, the registration roll 3 is fed by the guide plate 334.
It is designed to be guided to the 53 side. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 333 denotes a lock mechanism that locks the position of the manual feed unit 33 when the manual feed unit 33 is mounted at a predetermined position in the apparatus case 10. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sheet supply unit 3 is provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the outer frame frame 111 of the frame 11 of the apparatus case 10.
A sheet guide piece 51 for holding the 3 or 34 so as to be able to be pulled out is provided. The sheet guide piece 51 is provided with a slide groove 511 in which the guide projection 336 of the manual feed unit 33 is slidably engaged.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet supply cassette 34 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out along a guide rail (not shown).
It has a cassette main body 341 on which sheets are placed, and a driven roll 342 constituting a pair of transport rolls is provided on the sheet P delivery side of the cassette main body 341. In the present embodiment, a drive roll 343 that constitutes a pair of transport rolls of the sheet supply cassette 34 is provided on the bottom side wall of the unit tray 331 of the manual feed unit 33 in the sheet P sending direction. A half-moon-shaped feed roll 345 is provided on the bottom wall 331 in front of the drive roll 343.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The frame 11 has an outer frame 111 having a channel shape in cross section and having an upper opening and vertical wall portions on the right and left sides, and a lateral frame 112 extending over the upper front side of the outer frame frame 111 in the left-right direction. , The outer frame 1
The main component is a vertical frame 113 provided on the rear side of the power transmission unit 39 and 40 (see FIG. 3) so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction while leaving a space for installation. In the present embodiment, the unit receiving portion 20 of the process cartridge 31 has process guide pieces 52 provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the outer frame 111, and the process guide pieces 52 have positioning grooves for positioning and holding the process cartridge 31. 521 are formed, and a positioning boss 317 of the process cartridge 31 is engaged with the positioning groove 521. In FIG. 7, a symbol S indicates a fastener such as a screw.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transfer unit 3
5, the unit receiving portion 20 includes a process cartridge 31,
It is a space that is communicated with the unit receiving portion 20 of the manual feed unit 33 and is partitioned by the vertical frame 113.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the transfer unit 35 has the mounting holes 61 formed at substantially four corners of the guide chute 351, and at the same time, the corresponding portions of the vertical frame 113 are locked with screws or the like. A hole 62 is provided, and is attached to a predetermined position of the vertical frame 113 using a stopper 63 such as a detachable screw (indicated by S in FIG. 7). FIG.
The upper part of the middle and vertical frames 113 is
Inclined part 1 that is slightly inclined in the direction
13a, the insertion direction A of the upper stopper 63 is an oblique direction substantially corresponding to the direction in which the hand is inserted from the opening 14a when the discharge tray 14 is opened, and the lower stopper 6
The insertion direction B of 3 is a horizontal direction substantially corresponding to the direction in which the hand is inserted from the sheet handling opening 15 (see FIG. 9).

Therefore, when removing the transfer unit 35 in the present embodiment, the following procedure may be performed (see FIGS. 8 and 9). First, discharge tray 1
The process cartridge 31 is removed from the process guide piece 52 (see FIG. 7) through the opening 14a when the cartridge 4 is opened. Next, the opening / closing lid 332 of the manual feed unit 33
To open the manual feed unit 33 and the sheet guide piece 51
Remove from In this state, since the space from which the process cartridge 31 and the manual feed tray 33 are removed is secured, for example, holding a tool such as a screwdriver in a hand,
The upper stopper 63 of the transfer unit 35 is removed from the space SP (1) corresponding to the process cartridge 31, and the lower stopper 63 of the transfer unit 35 is removed from the space SP (2) corresponding to the manual feed unit 33. . Thereafter, the transfer unit 35 is separated from the vertical frame 113, for example, the opening 14a when the discharge tray 14 is opened.
Then, the transfer unit 35 may be pulled out through the process. In this manner, if the process cartridge 31 and the manual feed unit 33 which are units located on the front side of the transfer unit 35 are removed, the transfer unit 35 can be easily removed using the space from which those units have been removed. . The transfer unit 35

The simplicity of the operation of removing the transfer unit 35 in the present embodiment has been conventionally performed in the following comparative embodiment (an embodiment in which the transfer unit is not scheduled to be replaced). It is clear from the removal operation of the transfer unit. That is, the transfer unit removal operation in the comparative embodiment is performed through a number of steps as follows, for example. 1) Remove each side cover and top cover of the device case. 2) Remove the control board. 3) Remove the rear frame. 4) Remove the fixing unit. 5) Remove the low voltage power supply unit. 6) Remove the transfer roll assembly. 7) Remove the process guide piece. 8) Remove the multiple fasteners holding the transfer unit guide chute. 9) Remove the transfer unit by pulling it up while avoiding interference with the frame.

Further, the unit receiving portion 2 of the optical unit 32
Reference numeral 0 denotes a space defined by the horizontal frame 112 when the top cover 121 is removed from the cover 12 of the device case 10 as shown in FIGS.
The optical unit 32 is detachably secured to the lateral frame 112 with a stopper 63 such as a screw at the peripheral edge of the unit case 321. Reference numeral 322 denotes a protective cover that covers the optical unit 32 for measures against electromagnetic noise and safety against laser light, and is fixed with a stopper 63 such as a screw.

Further, the frame 11 of the device case 10
Among them, a bent portion 113b (see FIG. 7) extending in the horizontal direction is provided at an upper end portion of the vertical frame 113. As shown in FIG. Cover 372 can be opened and closed freely, and the opening degree regulating member 37
The sheet discharge unit 37 whose opening is regulated by 3 is provided. For example, by removing a connection portion 374 such as a screw by the opening regulation member 373, the L-shaped cover 372 of the sheet discharge unit 37 is removed. It has become. As shown in FIG. 12, a fixing unit 36 is incorporated inside the sheet discharging unit 37. The fixing unit 36 has, for example, a sheet corresponding to one side in the width direction of the sheet discharging unit 37. A positioning boss 365 that engages with a positioning hole 364 formed in the fixed-side unit case 370 of the discharge unit 37 protrudes, and a holding arm 366 that is swingably provided.
A portion corresponding to the other side in the width direction of the sheet discharge unit 37 is detachably held. Therefore, when removing the fixing unit 36, after the L-shaped cover 372 of the sheet discharge unit 37 is opened, the holding by the holding arm 366 is released, and the fixing unit 36 is released.
The fixing unit 36 may be removed upward after the positioning by the positioning portions (the positioning holes 364 and the positioning bosses 365) is released by shifting the fixing unit 36 toward the holding arm 364 side.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, the unit receiving section 20 of the double-sided conveying unit 38 is
When the upper rear cover 122 of the cover 12 is opened, the high-voltage power supply unit cover (high-voltage power supply unit 3
9 is a space defined by a cover 131. Then, the double-sided conveyance unit 38 engages the elastically deformable U-shaped engagement portion 383 protruding from the high-voltage power supply unit cover 131 with the engagement pin 384 provided on the guide chute 380 side. High voltage power supply unit cover 1
31. Therefore, when removing the duplex transport unit 38, the engagement state between the locking pin 384 and the U-shaped latch 383 is released, and then the duplex transport unit 38 is removed from the high-voltage power supply unit cover 131. I just need.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 14, the unit receiving section 20 of the high-voltage power supply unit 39 is arranged to communicate with the unit receiving section 20 of the double-sided conveying unit 38, and the double-sided conveying unit 38 is removed. The space defined by the vertical frame 113 is removed by removing the high-voltage power supply unit cover 131 fixed to the vertical frame 113 and the outer frame frame 111 via a fastener 63 such as a screw by using the space provided. Department. As shown in FIG. 15, the high-voltage power supply unit 39 is fixed to the upper frame cover 122 (see FIG. 13) of the vertical frame 113 with a fastener 67 such as a screw. Reference numeral 39
Reference numeral 1 denotes a connection connector portion (including a ground portion) with a harness 355 communicating with the transfer roll 352 of the transfer unit 35;
Reference numeral 92 denotes a support piece for preventing the stopper 67 of the high-voltage power supply unit 39 from dropping due to loosening. Therefore, when removing the high-voltage power supply unit 39, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, after opening the upper rear cover 122, remove the double-sided conveyance unit 38, and then remove the high-voltage power supply unit cover 131, The high-voltage power supply unit 39 may be removed.

The unit receiving portion 20 of the low-voltage power supply unit 40 is, as shown in FIGS.
0 is a space defined by the lower wall of the vertical frame 113 when the lower rear cover 123 of the cover 12 is opened. The low-voltage power supply unit 40 is fastened to the vertical frame 113 (see FIG. 3) via a fastener such as a screw (not shown).
After the lower rear cover 123 is opened by releasing the fixing state of the low-voltage power supply unit 40 to the vertical frame 113, the low-voltage power supply unit 4 is released.
0 can be removed.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the side cover (not shown) of the cover 12 of the device case 10 is opened as shown in FIG. Is a space defined by one side wall outer surface of the outer frame frame 111. The control board 41 is fixed to the outer surface of one side wall of the outer frame 111 with a fastener 63 such as a screw. Therefore, when removing the control board 41, the stopper 63 may be removed to separate the control board 41 from the outer frame 111.

The unit receiving portion 2 of the drive unit 42
0 is the cover 1 of the device case 10 as shown in FIG.
When the side cover (not shown) 2 is opened, the mounting hole 1 in one side wall of the outer frame 111 of the frame 11 is opened.
It is a space defined by 15 edges. The drive unit 42 includes a motor assembly 421 and a gear assembly 422. When the motor assembly 421 and the gear assembly 422 are fitted in the mounting hole 115, a stopper 63 such as a screw is attached to an edge of the mounting hole 115.
It is fixed at. Therefore, when removing the drive unit 42, the stopper 63 may be removed to separate the drive unit 42 from the outer frame 111.

As described above, in this embodiment, the units 31 to 42 are detachably mounted in the apparatus case 10 and can be removed by a simple operation. When each of the units 31 to 42 and the like is mounted, an operation reverse to the removal operation may be performed.
0 (for example, opening 1 when the discharge tray 14 is opened)
4a, sheet handling opening 15 or upper rear cover 1
Unit receiving portion 20 which leads to the opening when opening 22)
In a place where a plurality of units are provided before and after, a unit on the back side (for example, the transfer unit 35 or the high-voltage power supply unit 3
After mounting 9), a unit on the near side (for example, the process cartridge 31, the manual feed unit 33, the double-sided transport unit 38, etc.) may be mounted.

The drive transmission system according to this embodiment is shown in FIGS. FIG. 19 shows an outline of the drive transmission system. A drive force from a common drive unit 42 is transmitted to a process cartridge 31, a manual feed unit 33, a transfer unit 35, a fixing unit 36, and a sheet discharge unit 37 through a gear assembly 422. Each is transmitted. More specifically, the driving force from the driving unit 42 is transmitted by engaging the gear assembly 422 with a driving drum gear 81 for the photosensitive drum 310 of the process cartridge 31 as shown in FIG. Has become. The driving force transmitted to the photosensitive drum 310 is transmitted to the transfer roll 352 via the transmission gear 86. The driving force from the driving unit 42 is, as shown in FIG. 21, a feed roll 335 provided in the manual feed unit 33 and a feed roll 34 of the sheet feeding cassette 34.
The transmission gear assembly 82 is provided on the drive roll 343 of the pair 5 and the transport roll, and the transmission gear assembly 82 is engaged with the gear assembly 422 of the drive unit 42 to transmit the transmission gear. Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the driving force from the driving unit 42 is provided with a transmission gear 83 with a clutch on the driving roll side of the registration roll 353 of the transfer unit 35, and the transmission gear 83 is connected to the gear assembly of the driving unit 42. The transmission is performed by engaging the 422. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the driving force from the driving unit 42 is provided with the transmission gear assembly 84 on the heating roll 361 of the fixing unit 36 and the decurler 363 for correcting the curl of the sheet. Discharge roll 37
1 is also provided with a transmission gear assembly 85, and the transmission unit 4 is attached to the transmission gear assembly 84 of the fixing unit 36.
The second gear assembly 422 is meshed, and the transmission gear assemblies 84 and 85 are meshed between the fixing unit 36 and the sheet discharging unit 37 to transmit the gears to the fixing unit 36 and the sheet discharging unit 37.

Further, in this embodiment, a method for changing the apparatus performance will be described. Now, as an example of changing the apparatus performance, a case where the printing speed is increased will be described. As shown in FIG. 24A, the existing optical unit 32 and drive unit 42 are removed as a unit for increasing the printing speed. The new optical unit 32 '(high-speed compatible) and the drive unit 42' (high-speed compatible) are mounted on the corresponding unit receiving portions. Then, the memory of the existing control board 41 is stored in, for example, the personal computer 9.
If high-speed compatible software is installed in the communication mode of 0 (for example, using the recording medium 91 such as FD), a high-speed compatible control program can be executed, and some units are replaced. By simply doing so, a high-speed compatible image forming apparatus can be easily constructed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24B, the manual feed unit 33 can be changed to a special paper for applications that frequently use printing on special paper such as label paper and postcards. In this case, as the feed roll 335,
A method such as selecting a material 335 'of a material corresponding to the special paper is adopted. In addition, under a request that the special paper printing is frequently used for the sheet supply cassette 34, for example, the feed roll 345 of the sheet supply cassette 34 provided on the manual feed unit 33 side is made of a material 34 corresponding to the special paper.
What is necessary is just to change it to 5 '.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the mounting structure of each unit with respect to each unit receiving portion takes into consideration the replacement operation of the unit and utilizes the space from which the first unit has been removed. Since the replacement operation of two units can be performed, the replacement work of each unit can be easily realized. Further, according to the present invention, a new unit is installed in place of the existing unit for the unit related to the change of the device performance, and the control specification is also changed as necessary, so that the entire device is not replaced. Basically, it is possible to change the device performance by a minimum operation of replacing the corresponding unit, and it is possible to easily change the device performance. Further, since it is possible to change the device performance only by replacing the minimum unit related to the change in the device performance, the life of the device can be prolonged, and furthermore, wasteful waste parts due to replacement of the device can be obtained. Can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention for solving a first technical problem.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention for solving a second technical problem.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sheet conveyance path of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical example of a replaceable unit used in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view showing an outline of a mounting structure of a manual feed unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a frame structure and a mounting structure of a process cartridge, a transfer unit, and an optical unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a transfer unit mounting structure according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a detaching operation of the transfer unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing details of an optical unit mounting structure according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of a mounting structure of the sheet discharge unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a fixing unit mounting structure according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows a double-sided conveyance unit (Du) according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a mounting structure of a plex assembly.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a mounting structure of the high-voltage power supply unit cover according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a mounting structure of the high-voltage power supply unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a mounting structure of the low-voltage power supply unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a control board mounting structure according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a mounting structure of the drive unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a drive transmission system used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a drive transmission structure to a process cartridge in the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a drive transmission structure to a manual feed unit and a sheet supply cassette in the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a drive transmission structure to a transfer unit in the present embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a drive transmission structure to a fixing unit and a sheet discharge unit according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 24 (a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing how the performance of the apparatus is changed by replacing the unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device case, 1a ... Frame, 1b ... Cover, 1c
... Attachment / detachment opening, 2 (2 (1) ~ 2 (3)) ... Unit receiving part, 3
... Unit, 4 (4 (1), 4 (2)) ... First unit, 5 ...
Second unit, 6 ... detachment mechanism, 7 (7 (1), 7 (2)) ... existing unit, 8 (8 (1), 8 (2)) ... new unit, 9 ...
Control specification change means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A unit type image forming apparatus in which a plurality of units are detachably mounted on a unit receiving portion provided in an apparatus case, wherein the unit type image forming apparatus is detachably mounted on a unit receiving section facing an opening for attachment and detachment of the apparatus case. A first unit and a back unit receiving portion communicating with the unit receiving portion of the first unit via a mounting / removing mechanism which enables a mounting / removing operation using the space from which the first unit has been removed. A unit-type image forming apparatus, comprising: a second unit freely mounted. 2. The unit type image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rear unit receiving portions of the second unit are arranged to communicate with the unit receiving portions of the plurality of first units, respectively. Image forming apparatus. 3. The unit-type image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all units to be replaced are either the first unit or the second unit. 4. A unit type image forming apparatus in which a plurality of units are mounted on a unit receiving portion provided in an apparatus case, wherein at least a unit whose device performance is changed is detachably mounted on a corresponding unit receiving portion. A unit type image forming apparatus in which a new unit having a different device performance can be removably mounted in place of the existing unit mounted on the unit receiving portion. 5. The unit-type image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising control specification changing means for changing an existing control specification to a corresponding new control specification under a condition that a new unit is mounted in place of the existing unit. A unit type image forming apparatus characterized in that: