JP2002108049A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color image forming device to/from which a processing frame consisting of plural photoreceptors, intermediate transfer units and developing means or the like can be attached/detached and which is excellent in the attachability/detachability and maintainability of the developing means in a state where the processing frame is drawn out. SOLUTION: This color image forming device is provided with the processing frame 8 where at least plural image carriers 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K and plural developing means 4Y, 4M, 4C and 4K are attachably/detachably disposed and integrated, and supporting rails 82L and 82R supporting and sliding the frame 8 so that the frame 8 can be drawn out to the outside of a device main body A. The rails 82L and 82R support the frame 8 at a position where they do not hinder the attachability/detachability of the means 4Y, 4M, 4C and 4K.

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 using an electrophotographic method, such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., and more particularly to a plurality of image carriers, a plurality of latent image forming means, and a plurality of developing means. The present invention relates to a tandem type color image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image formed on a carrier to an intermediate transfer member or a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, a plurality of image forming units are arranged in parallel in a conveying direction and formed on a photosensitive drum (image carrier) in the image forming unit. Various methods have been proposed for sequentially transferring toner images of different colors onto a recording medium held on a transport belt.

There is also known a color image forming apparatus using a transfer drum around which a recording medium fed from a paper feeding unit is wound instead of the transport belt. A full-color image is formed on the recording medium by sequentially transferring the toner images visualized by the developing unit onto the recording medium wound around the transfer drum. Thereafter, the recording medium is separated from the transfer drum, and after the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit, is discharged.

[0004] In still another color image forming apparatus,
After arranging a plurality of image forming sections in parallel in the transport direction and sequentially transferring toner images of different colors formed on the photosensitive drums in the image forming sections onto an intermediate transfer body to form a primary transfer image in a superimposed manner A method has been proposed in which the primary transfer image is secondarily transferred onto a recording medium held on a transport belt.

In such a tandem type color image forming apparatus having a plurality of photoconductors, a color image is formed by rotating a single photoconductor a plurality of times in order to form a color image by one rotation of the plurality of photoconductors. A full-color image can be output at a higher speed than a multi-rotation type color image forming apparatus that forms.

[0006]

A plurality of photoconductors and a plurality of developing means need to be removed from the apparatus main body for maintenance and life. Therefore, a structure in which a plurality of photoconductors and a plurality of developing units can be easily removed has been demanded for the tandem type color image forming apparatus.

That is, for maintenance of a plurality of photoconductors, it is necessary to make the structure easy for a user to work.

Therefore, at least a plurality of photoconductors are mounted on the mount,
And a plurality of developing means, so that a plurality of photoconductors and the like can be integrally pulled out of the apparatus main body. In this case, maintenance and detachment operations can be performed at the position where the process base including the photoconductor is pulled out, so that operability is improved. Further, since the plurality of photoconductors and the plurality of developing units can be integrally pulled out by the process frame, maintenance for the plurality of photoconductors can be performed at one time, and the operability is further improved.

Such a process gantry has a considerable mass, and the support rails for supporting the process gantry must ensure the mass balance of the apparatus body even when the gantry is pulled out.

However, depending on the location of the support rail, there is a case where the attaching / detaching operation of the developing means is hindered.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of photoconductors,
A process stand consisting of a plurality of developing means is detachable,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a color image forming apparatus which is excellent in operability of attaching / detaching a developing unit and maintainability in a state where a process stand is pulled out.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that at least a plurality of image carriers and an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carriers are visualized with toner. A plurality of developing means, and a process platform in which at least the plurality of image carriers and the plurality of developing means are detachably provided and integrated, and the process platform is provided. And a support rail that slides so as to be able to be pulled out of the apparatus so as to be able to be pulled out of the apparatus, wherein the support rail supports the process gantry at a position where it does not hinder the attaching / detaching operation of the developing unit.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This color image forming apparatus is called a tandem type color image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of sets of image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10K, an intermediate transfer unit 7, a sheet feeding and conveying unit and a fixing unit. 24.
A document image reading device SC is disposed above an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, referred to as an apparatus main body) A.

Image forming section 1 for forming a yellow image
0Y includes a charging unit 2Y, an exposing unit 3Y, a developing unit 4Y, a primary transfer unit 5Y, and a cleaning unit 6Y arranged around the image carrier (photoconductor) 1Y. The image forming unit 10M that forms a magenta image includes an image carrier (photoconductor) 1M, a charging unit 2M, an exposure unit 3M, and a developing unit 4.
M, a primary transfer unit 5M, and a cleaning unit 6M. An image forming unit 10C for forming a cyan image includes an image carrier (photoconductor) 1C, a charging unit 2C, an exposure unit 3C,
Developing unit 4C, primary transfer unit 5C, cleaning unit 6
C. The image forming unit 10K for forming a black image includes:
Image carrier (photoconductor) 1K, charging unit 2K, exposure unit 3
K, a developing unit 4K, a primary transfer unit 5K, and a cleaning unit 6K.

The intermediate transfer unit 7 has a semiconductive endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 70 that is wound around a plurality of rollers and rotatably supported.

Image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10
The image of each color formed from K is transferred to primary transfer units 5Y and 5Y.
M, 5C, and 5K successively transfer the image onto the rotating intermediate transfer body 70 to form a combined color image. A recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet) P stored in the sheet cassette 20 is fed by a sheet feeding unit 21, passes through a plurality of intermediate rollers 22 </ b> A, 22 </ b> B, 22 </ b> C, 22 </ b> D, a registration roller 23, and The color image is conveyed to the transfer means 5A and is collectively transferred onto the paper P. The paper P to which the color image has been transferred is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing unit 24, and is held by a paper discharge roller 25 and placed on a paper discharge tray 26 outside the apparatus.

On the other hand, after the color image is transferred onto the paper P by the secondary transfer means 5A, the residual toner is removed by the cleaning means 6A from the intermediate transfer body 70 obtained by separating the curvature of the paper P.

During the image forming process, the primary transfer means 5K is always in pressure contact with the photosensitive member 1K. Other primary transfer means 5
Y, 5M, and 5C are in pressure contact with the corresponding photoconductors 1Y, 1M, and 1C only during color image formation.

The secondary transfer means 5A comes into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer member 70 only when the paper P passes therethrough and the secondary transfer is performed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the process base 8 is pulled out from the apparatus main body A. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the process gantry 8, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process gantry 8.

The process base 8 includes an image forming unit 10Y, 1
0M, 10C, and 10K, and the intermediate transfer unit 7.

Image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10
K are arranged in tandem in the vertical direction. Photoconductor 1Y, 1
An intermediate transfer unit 7 is disposed on the left side of M, 1C, and 1K in the figure. The intermediate transfer unit 7 includes a roller 71,
An endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 70 rotatable by winding 72, 73, 74, and primary transfer means 5Y, 5M, 5
C, 5K, and cleaning means 6A.

The process base 8 can be pulled out of the apparatus main body A. That is, the front door 101 of the apparatus main body A is opened, and the process gantry 8 is gripped and pulled out to the near side. The process gantry 8 slides while being guided by the left and right support rails 82L and 82R, and is pulled out forward. The image forming units 10Y, 10M,
10C and 10K and the intermediate transfer unit 7 are integrally pulled out from the apparatus main body A.

The support rail 8 on the left side of the process stand 8 in the figure
2L is disposed in the space above the fixing unit 24 on the left side of the intermediate transfer body 70. The support rail 82R on the right side of the process gantry 8 in the figure is disposed near the lower part of the lowermost developing unit 4K. The support rail 82R is provided with the developing means 4
The Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are arranged at positions that do not interfere with the operation of attaching and detaching the Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K to and from the process base 8.

The photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1 of the process base 8
The right side of C, 1K in the figure is the developing means 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4
K, the charging means 2Y, 2M, 2
C, 2K and cleaning means 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6
The left side of the figure is surrounded by an intermediate transfer member 70.

The space above the photoreceptor 1Y is shielded by a top plate (upper shielding member) 83 fixed to a housing (frame) 81 of the process gantry 8. A bottom plate (lower shielding member) 84 fixed to the housing 81 of the process gantry 8 protects the intermediate transfer body 70 at the time of attachment / detachment, and also serves as an upper guide plate of a paper conveyance path.

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view showing a state in which the intermediate transfer unit 7 and the developing means 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K are removed from the process base 8, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the intermediate transfer unit 7, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a housing 81. In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the left half of the intermediate transfer member 70 has been removed to make the inside of the intermediate transfer unit 7 easier to see.

With the process base 8 pulled out of the apparatus main assembly A, the intermediate transfer unit 7 is slightly moved to the left in the figure, and then the intermediate transfer unit 7 is gripped and pulled up vertically upward. The positioning pins 75 implanted on the upper sides of the both sides of the intermediate transfer unit 7 are moved leftward in the figure along a horizontal groove 85 formed in the process base 8, and then vertically upward along a vertical groove 86. Be moved.

When the intermediate transfer unit 7 is lifted, the intermediate transfer unit 7 has
Since the intermediate transfer member 70 moves while being restricted by the vertical groove 86,
Does not come into contact with the members of the process base 8 and is not damaged.

On the inner surface side of the intermediate transfer member 70, a primary transfer means (hereinafter, also referred to as a primary transfer roller) supported horizontally.
5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K and pressing rollers 76Y, 76
M, 76C and 76K are arranged in tandem. Lever 77Y supporting primary transfer roller 5Y and pressure roller 76Y
A lever 77M that supports the primary transfer roller 5M and the pressure roller 76M, a primary transfer roller 5C and the pressure roller 76M.
The lever 77C supporting C is simultaneously swung by the regulating plate 78 to press and release the intermediate transfer body 70.

FIG. 8 shows four photoreceptor units 11Y and 1
It is a perspective view of 1M, 11C, and 11K.

After removing the intermediate transfer unit 7 from the process base 8, the four photoconductor units 11Y, 11M,
11C and 11K can be taken out. The uppermost photoreceptor unit 11Y includes a photoreceptor 1Y, a charging unit 2Y, and a cleaning unit 6Y. Second stage photoconductor unit 11
M is a photoconductor 1M, a charging unit 2M, a cleaning unit 6
M. The third-stage photoconductor unit 11C includes a photoconductor 1C, a charging unit 2C, and a cleaning unit 6C.
The lowermost photoconductor unit 11K includes a photoconductor 1K, a charging unit 2K, and a cleaning unit 6K.

When the process gantry 8 is pulled out of the apparatus main body A, the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K are moved from the reference axes of the respective photoconductors (not shown) fixedly supported in the apparatus main body A.
The center holes of the photoconductor unit 1 are detachable and movable.
1Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K are mounted on the support bases 87Y, 87M, 87C, and 87K of the process base 8, respectively.

In this state, the photoreceptor unit 11Y can be slid on the support table 87Y and moved in the direction of the white arrow shown in FIG. 5 to take it out of the space after the intermediate transfer unit 7 has been removed. Photoconductor unit 11M, 11
Similarly, C and 11K also support bases 87M, 87C, 87
It can be taken out from above K.

The developing means 4Y facing the photoreceptor 1Y, the developing means 4M facing the photoreceptor 1M, the developing means 4C facing the photoreceptor 1C, and the developing means 4K facing the photoreceptor 1K,
Each of them can be taken out from a predetermined storage portion of the process base 8 in the direction of the right white arrow shown in FIG.

The process base 8 is connected to the support rails 82L, 82L.
It is slid along R, mounted in the apparatus main body A, stopped at a predetermined position, and fixed by a lock lever (not shown). The gantry operation detecting means is such that the process gantry 8
At a predetermined position. Alternatively, the gantry operation detecting means detects that the lock lever has completed a predetermined operation.

In the above embodiment, the intermediate transfer body 70 in the form of a seamless endless belt has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the intermediate transfer body in the form of a seamless endless belt is used. Is also applicable.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a color image forming apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming process base. Note that, in the reference numerals used in the drawings, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, points different from the above embodiment will be described.

The process base 8 includes a plurality of photoconductors 1Y, 1
M, 1C, 1K, charging means 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, developing means 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K, cleaning means 6
Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, transfer means 50Y, 50M, 50
C, 50K image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10
C, 10K, a conveyor belt 27, and the like.

The conveyor belt 27 is wound around a plurality of rollers.
It is rotatably supported. Inside the conveyor belt 27,
Transfer units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K are arranged at opposing positions of the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

Image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10
K forms images of respective colors on the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. Paper P fed from paper cassette 20
Is transferred by the transfer belt 27, and the transfer means 50Y,
The color images are sequentially transferred onto the paper P by 50M, 50C, and 50K. The paper P on which the color image has been transferred is
The sheet is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing unit 24, and is placed on a sheet discharge tray 26 while being sandwiched between sheet discharge rollers 25.

Around the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, charging means 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, developing means 4Y,
4M, 4C, 4K, leaning means 6Y, 6M, 6C,
6K, and is surrounded by a conveyor belt 27 and the like.

The upper space of the uppermost photosensitive member 1K is shielded by a top plate 83 fixed to a housing 81 of the process gantry 8. The bottom plate 84 fixed to the housing 81 of the process gantry 8 protects the lowermost photosensitive member 1Y at the time of attachment / detachment, and also serves as a guide plate for a sheet conveyance path.

The process gantry 8 is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body A. That is, the front door 101 (see FIG. 2) of the apparatus main body A is opened, and the process gantry 8 is gripped and pulled out to the near side. The process mount 8 includes left and right support rails 82L, 8L.
It is guided by 2R, slides, and is pulled out forward.
The image forming unit 10 is pulled out by pulling out the process base 8.
Y, 10M, 10C, 10K and the conveyor belt 27
It is pulled out of the apparatus main body A as one.

The maintenance and replacement operations of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K including the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, and the processing of paper conveyance failure near the conveyance belt 27 are performed by pulling out the process stand 8. carry out.

In the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the light emitting elements (LE) are used as the exposure means 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K.
D) An array may be used and arranged at a predetermined position in the process base 8.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes an image carrier (including an electrostatic recording medium),
The present invention is also applicable to other color image forming apparatuses including an intermediate transfer member and a plurality of developing units (including a wet developing unit and an ion flow control system).

[0049]

According to the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of image carriers and a plurality of developing means are arranged on a process pedestal, and the process pedestal is pulled out from the operator's side of the apparatus main body. By making the developing means removable, operability and maintainability were improved. Also,
By considering the arrangement of the support rails that support the process gantry, the detachability of the developing means has been improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a process gantry is pulled out from an apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming process base.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an image forming process gantry.

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of a gantry, an intermediate transfer unit, and a developing unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an intermediate transfer unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a housing.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of four photoconductor units.

FIG. 9 is a sectional configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an image forming process mount.

[Explanation of symbols]

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image carrier (photoconductor) 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K Charging means 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K Exposure means 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K Developing means 5A Secondary transfer means 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K Primary transfer unit (primary transfer roller) 6A, 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K Cleaning unit 7 Intermediate transfer unit 8 Process stand 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K Image forming unit 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K Photoconductor unit 27 Conveying belt 50Y, 50M, 50C, 50K Transfer unit 70 Intermediate transfer member 82L, 82R Support rail 83 Top plate (upper shielding member) 84 Bottom plate (lower shielding member) 101 Front door A Image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body)

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Shigetomi 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Kosuke Minoshima 1 Konica Sakuracho, Hino-shi, Tokyo In-house F-term (reference) 2H030 AA06 AA07 AB02 AD16 BB23 BB42 BB46 2H071 BA04 BA13 BA19 BA22 BA27 DA08 DA15 DA21 EA18 2H077 BA09 BA10 GA04 GA13

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A color image forming apparatus, comprising: at least a plurality of image carriers; and a plurality of developing means for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with toner. A process gantry in which at least the plurality of image carriers and the plurality of developing means are detachably disposed and integrated; and a support rail for supporting the process gantry and sliding so as to be drawn out of the apparatus. A color image forming apparatus, wherein the support rail supports the process gantry at a position where the support rail does not hinder the attaching / detaching operation of the developing unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member that sequentially transfers toner images formed on the image bearing member and carries a superimposed color toner image. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image forming apparatus is detachably provided on a process base. 3. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a conveying unit that holds a recording medium and sequentially transfers the toner images on the plurality of image carriers onto the recording medium. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image forming apparatus is detachably provided. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process gantry can be pulled out toward the front side of the apparatus.
Item 10. A color image forming apparatus according to item 9. 5. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image carriers and the plurality of developing units are arranged substantially vertically.