JP2002123152A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device realizing the facilitation of the jamming disposal of transfer material and maintenance care by saving working occupied space to the utmost. SOLUTION: This image forming device having an image reading part provided at the upper part of a device main body is constituted so that an image forming part provided inside the device main body on the lower side of the image reading part is integrally moved with its one end as a fulcrum while leaving a fixing means on an opposite side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus devised for the purpose of improving workability such as jam clearance and maintenance of the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an electronic device having a structure in which an apparatus is divided into a structure including an image forming unit and a structure including a transfer material conveying unit, and the transfer material conveying unit is vertically opened and closed with respect to the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus using a photographic system is called a clamshell type, and is exclusively adapted to the field of small-scale spread machines.

The image forming section is composed of, for example, a document table serving as an image reading section (image reading means), a document irradiation lamp reciprocating below the document table, a reflection mirror, a fixed projection lens and a reflection mirror. It comprises a scanning optical system, a photosensitive drum, a charging unit disposed close to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum after the transfer process. . On the other hand, the transfer material transporting unit includes a transfer material transporting unit that transports the transfer material toward the lower side of the photosensitive drum surface, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto the transfer material surface, and a separation unit that separates the transfer material from the photosensitive drum. Means and fixing means, etc.
It is made compact overall.

Conventionally, this type of image forming apparatus has, for example,
The photosensitive drum and the developing means are formed as one unit and detachably attached to the apparatus, or the photosensitive drum unit and the developing means unit are separately detachably attached to each other. There is something.
When the transfer material transporting unit is opened, various operations such as inspection for maintenance of each unit, cleaning and replacement of the unit can be easily performed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional system, the mass of the image forming section including the image reading section and the image forming means is rotated around the pivot shaft and opened and closed in the vertical direction. It was bulky and poor in workability at the time of opening and closing.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a structure in which such inconvenience is reduced while maintaining a small size.

[0007]

The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.

(1) In an image forming apparatus having an image reading section provided in an upper portion of the apparatus main body, an image forming section provided in the apparatus main body below the image reading section and on the opposite side with one end as a fulcrum. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is configured to be integrally movable while leaving the fixing means.

(2) In an image forming apparatus having an image reading section provided in an upper portion of the apparatus main body, an image forming section provided in the apparatus main body below the image reading section and opposite to the one end portion as a fulcrum. And an intermediate transfer belt, which is arranged below the image forming unit and is stretched in the horizontal direction, and a fixing unit disposed downstream of the intermediate transfer belt. An image forming apparatus, wherein a reversing sheet discharging section is provided in which a sheet discharging section of a transfer material including the sheet is curved, and the transferred transfer material is discharged to an upper portion of a frame body integrating the image forming section. .

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The names of the members (means) shown in the drawings do not limit the technical scope and the meaning of the terms.

In the following description of the embodiments,
The image transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to the transfer material is referred to as a first toner image (back image), and the image transferred directly from the photosensitive drum to the transfer material is referred to as a second toner image (front image).

In the terms used in the present description, the image forming means includes an image carrier, a charging means, an exposing means, a developing means,
A unit related to image formation, such as a cleaning unit. The image forming unit refers to a unit including the image forming unit, the paper charging unit, the second transfer unit, the separation / discharge unit, and a frame (housing) in which these units are provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the entire configuration of the image forming apparatus, and shows a state where a front door of the apparatus main body is opened.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a front door is attached to the apparatus main body shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where the image forming unit and the lower guide member are opened by rotation.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an image carrier (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum), 11 denotes a scorotron charger (charging means), 12 denotes an exposure optical system (exposure means) as an image writing means, and 13 Denotes a developing unit (developing unit), and 14 denotes a cleaning device (cleaning unit) for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, and these units constitute the image forming unit 100. The image forming means 100 is a cartridge type, and can be pulled out along a guide rail (not shown). Reference numeral 15 denotes a cleaning blade, 16 denotes a developing sleeve, and 20 denotes an intermediate transfer belt. Reference numeral 33 denotes an image forming unit (see FIG. 3), reference numeral 34 denotes a transfer material transport unit (see FIG. 3), reference numeral 40 denotes a fixing device, reference numeral 43 denotes a transport unit, reference numeral 50 denotes a reversing sheet discharge unit, and reference numeral 62 denotes a paper feed for storing the transfer material P. A cassette 70 is an image reading section, and the apparatus main body 7
5 are mounted on four support columns 71 provided at the four corners.

The photoreceptor drum 10 has a conductive layer, a-
A photosensitive layer such as an Si layer or an organic photoreceptor (OPC) is formed, and is rotated clockwise as indicated by an arrow in the figure with the conductive layer grounded.

When the front door of the photosensitive drum 10 is opened, there is a concern that the external light may affect the photosensitive layer. Therefore, it is not shown that external light enters the side surface of the image forming section 33 (see FIG. 3) as much as possible. Light-shielding walls.

The intermediate transfer belt 20 has a volume resistivity of 10 ⁶
It is an endless belt having a thickness of 0.1 to 10 ¹² Ωcm. It is a seamless belt having a two-layer structure in which a fluorine coating having a thickness of 5 to 50 μm is preferably formed on the outside of a semiconductive film substrate having a thickness of 1.0 to 1.0 mm, preferably as a toner filming preventing layer. In addition, a semiconductive rubber belt having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in which a conductive material is dispersed in silicon rubber, urethane rubber, or the like can be used as the base of the belt.

The movement of the intermediate transfer belt 20 is performed by rotation of a drive roller 21 by a drive motor (not shown).
Reference numeral 22 denotes a tension roller. Reference numeral 23 denotes a first transfer roller (first transfer unit) that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the transfer material P. The first transfer roller is provided in a loop of the intermediate transfer belt 20. Have been. Reference numeral 25 denotes a separation static eliminator (separation and static elimination means) for assisting the separation of the transfer material P from the intermediate transfer belt 20, reference numeral 26 denotes a driven roller, reference numeral 24 denotes a ground roller, and reference numeral 27 denotes an intermediate transfer belt. A second transfer unit (second transfer unit) for re-transferring the toner image transferred onto the transfer material 20 to the back surface of the transfer material P;

In the present embodiment, the rotatable image forming unit 33 (see FIG. 3) is located below the image reading unit 70, and includes the image forming unit 100, the paper charger 64, and the second transfer unit 27. , Separation static eliminator 25 and frame 3 in which they are installed
5, the frame 36 and the like. The frame body 36 is configured so that the upper portion functions as a transfer material discharge unit 55 on which the transferred transfer material P can be placed, and is integrally formed with the second transfer unit 27 and the electrode erection unit 32 having the separation static eliminator 25. Has been

The transfer material transport section 34 (see FIG. 3) is a means for moving the transfer material, and includes a paper feed cassette 62, an intermediate transfer belt 20, a transport section 43, a fixing device 40, and a reverse discharge section 5.
The transfer path of the transfer material is formed in cooperation with 0 or the like. The transfer material transport section 34 is fixed in position inside the apparatus main body 75.

The fixing device 40 has a first fixing roller 41 and a second fixing roller 42 as heating means, and the configuration itself is known.

The transport section 43 has a spur 44 as a spur member, and is provided between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the fixing device 40. The spur 44 has a plurality of protrusions 45 on the peripheral surface,
The rotation support shaft 46 is provided so as to be rotatable around the rotation support shaft 46. The spur 44 guides the back surface of the transfer material P to convey the transfer material P, prevents disturbance of the back surface toner image of the transfer material P having a toner image on both sides, and transfers the transfer material P to the fixing device 40. The transfer material P is transported to the fixing device 40 while keeping the entering direction constant.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a paper feed cassette, 60 denotes a feed roller, 61 denotes a timing roller, 63 denotes a transfer material conveying roller, and 64 denotes a paper charger.

A DC voltage having the same polarity as the toner is applied to the paper charger 64, and the transfer material P is charged with the same polarity as the toner.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a cleaning device having a cleaning blade 29 for removing the transferred toner remaining on the peripheral surface after the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred.

Next, the image forming process (double-sided image forming step) will be described. A scorotron charger 11 is provided for the photosensitive drum 10 which starts rotating upon the start of image recording.
Gives the potential.

Next, image writing corresponding to the image data from the image reading device 70 is started on the photosensitive drum 10 through the exposure optical system 12, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is reversely developed by the developing device 13.

The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20 by a first transfer roller 23 to which a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied. Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 10 is moved to the cleaning device 14.
, And enters the next image forming cycle.

On the other hand, the transfer material P is sent out from a paper feed cassette 62 by a feed-out roller 60, is sent out in synchronization with the start of rotation of the timing roller 61, and is transferred onto the first toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20. The sheet is fed to the area of the first transfer roller 23 in a superimposed and attracted state. (By charging the transfer material to the same polarity as the toner by the paper charger 64, the first toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is It prevents the attraction and prevents the toner image from being disturbed.)

On the other hand, a second toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10, and the toner image area and the transfer material P on the intermediate transfer belt 20 enter the transfer area in synchronization with each other, and The second toner image is transferred to the surface of the transfer material P by the transfer roller 23.

The transfer material P to which the second toner image has been transferred is supported and conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 20 and is subjected to the action of the second transfer device 27. As a result, the first toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is retransferred to the back surface of the transfer material P, and the transfer process on the front and back surfaces is completed.

After the back side image is transferred to the transfer material P, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 is cleaned by the cleaning blade 29 of the cleaning device 28 while being conveyed.

On the other hand, the transfer material P on which the toner images are placed on both the front and back sides is subjected to the charge removal operation of the separation charge removal device 25, and is then separated from the intermediate transfer belt 20 by the KT portion of the drive roller 21 by a curvature. The sheet is conveyed to the fixing device 40 through the fixing device 40.

Transfer material P fixed by fixing device 40
Is sent along a guide plate 51 leading to a curved reversing sheet discharging section 50, is turned upside down by a reversing sheet discharging section 50 arranged at the end of the transfer material moving path, and is discharged to a transfer material discharging section 55. You.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 72 denotes a front door attached to the apparatus main body, which can be opened in the forward direction through hinges 73 on the lower right and left sides. There is a space 74 between the image reading section 70 and the apparatus main body 75, and a part thereof serves as a transfer material discharge section 55.

In FIG. 3, the image forming section 33 below the image reading section 70 is structured so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A about a pivot 30 provided at one side end in the apparatus. It has become. Here, the fixing device 40, the transport unit 43, the reverse sheet discharging unit 50, and the like are fixed in position, and the image forming unit 3
By rotating 3 in the direction of arrow A, a wide open angle can be realized. Therefore, if a jam has occurred on the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 or near the conveyance section 43, the transfer material P can be easily removed. Further, the image forming section 33 has a structure that does not protrude outside the apparatus main body even when released.

The frame 36 is positioned so as to abut the frame 35 of the image forming section 33 via the pivot 31.
It is rotatable in the direction of arrow B. That is, when the image forming section 33 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the frame 36 that has been positioned against the frame 35 is unlocked with the frame 35 (not shown), and the photosensitive member is exposed as shown by arrow B. The mechanism automatically rotates toward the body drum 10 and wraps around the photosensitive drum 10. As a result, the photoconductor drum 10 is protected, and the open space is widened as compared with the case where the frame body 36 is fixed, so that the jam processing space can be further expanded.

When the image forming section 33 is returned to the closed position, the frame 36 returns to the original abutting position.

The reverse discharge section 50 reverses the image surface of the transfer material P, which has been fixed by the fixing device 40, facing the upper side, and turns the transfer material P downward.
Along the guide 58 composed of the upper guide member 53 and the lower guide member 56 of FIG. The reversing sheet discharge section 50 forms a transfer material moving path from the upper guide member 53 whose position is fixed, the lower guide member 56 that is rotatable, and the transport rollers 52 and 54.

When a jam occurs, the image forming section 33 is turned in the direction of arrow A to be in an open state, and the rotation support shaft 57 of the transport roller 52 far from the transfer material discharge section 55 is used as a fulcrum. In other words, the lower guide member 56 is rotated clockwise as shown by the arrow C with the transfer material discharge unit 55 side as a free end to open the guide 58,
The transfer material P can be easily removed.

As described above, in the present image forming apparatus, the space occupied by the operation is small, and even if a jam occurs while the transfer material P is being conveyed, the image forming section 33 and the lower guide member 56 are opened. Jam processing can be easily performed. Also,
Prints can be stacked on the transfer material discharge unit 55 using the space below the image reading unit 70.

[0044]

According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having an image reading section provided in an upper portion of an apparatus main body, an image forming section provided below the image reading section and provided in the apparatus main body is provided.
The image forming apparatus is configured to be integrally movable while leaving the fixing unit on the opposite side with one end as a fulcrum, thereby facilitating the jam processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a front door is attached to the apparatus main body shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state where an image forming unit and a lower guide member are opened.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 photoconductor drum 11 scorotron charger 13 developing device 14 cleaning device 20 intermediate transfer belt 23 first transfer roller 27 second transfer device 32 electrode arranging portion 33 image forming portion 34 transfer material transporting portion 43 transporting portion 40 fixing device 50 reversing discharge Paper part 56 Lower guide member

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having an image reading section provided at an upper portion of an apparatus main body, wherein an image forming section provided under the image reading section and provided inside the apparatus main body is provided on an opposite side with one end serving as a fulcrum. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be integrally movable while leaving a certain fixing unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate transfer belt stretched in a horizontal direction is provided below the image forming unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transfer unit provided to face the intermediate transfer belt is movable together with the image forming unit. 4. An image forming apparatus having an image reading section provided on an upper portion of an apparatus main body, wherein an image forming section provided below the image reading section and provided inside the apparatus main body is provided on an opposite side with one end as a fulcrum. An intermediate transfer belt that is configured to be integrally movable while leaving a certain fixing unit and that is stretched in the horizontal direction below the image forming unit, and includes a fixing unit that is disposed downstream of the intermediate transfer belt. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a transfer sheet having a curved reversal sheet discharge portion, wherein the transfer material having been transferred is discharged to an upper portion of a frame body that integrates the image forming section. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the curved reverse discharge section is configured to be openable.