JP2002127495A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate maintenance by enabling a dust-proof glass to be cleaned without removing a cover of a body apparatus. SOLUTION: Dust-proof glass-holding members 20a and 20b formed integrally to a body frame 20 which positions and holds a write unit 10a are set to positions at the side of an operation face and the opposite side respectively, thereby holding the dust-proof glass 11 detachably. Although the dust-proof glass 11 can be mounted/demounted from the side of the operation face of the apparatus, the write unit 10a alike can be easily set/detached irrespective of the presence/absence of the dust-proof glass 11 because the write unit is held to the body frame 20.

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, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a dust-proof glass of a writing unit is detachable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In many cases, a writing optical unit is provided with a dust-proof glass so as not to stain the inside thereof.
Also, if the dustproof glass becomes dirty, image defects will occur,
Cleaning of dustproof glass is required. However, since the writing optical unit is disposed near the center of the inside of the device due to the configuration of the device, it is not easy to clean the dustproof glass. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional writing unit.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between the writing unit and the main unit. The writing unit 10 includes a laser diode (not shown), a polygon mirror, a motor, an fθ lens, and the like, and modulates a laser beam based on write data.
Scan. The dustproof glass 11 is provided so that dust and the like from the outside do not enter through an exposure opening formed on the front surface of the writing unit 10, and has a structure that can be attached and detached from the opening of the main body frame 20. The dust-proof lath holding members 12a and 12b are slide-shaped members, and are installed in the main unit 10 so that the dust-proof glass 11 can be slid from the side and detached.

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-073657 discloses a structure for cleaning dust-proof glass in conjunction with opening and closing operations of an upper structure. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-128959 discloses a structure in which a cleaning member is provided in an image forming magazine, and dust is cleaned when the magazine is attached or detached. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-129060 discloses a structure in which a shutter of a writing optical unit is provided with a cleaning member, and dust is cleaned by opening and closing the shutter.

[0004]

In the method of the prior art described above, the dust proof is extended to a position where the dust proof can be operated so that the lass can be detached independently for cleaning. Has been
This may hinder the removal of the writing unit for maintenance or the like, and in the worst case may damage the dust-proof glass. In addition, the above-mentioned publications have problems such as a countermeasure when the cleaning member is soiled, an increase in the number of components due to an increase in the number of components, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide an image forming apparatus which has a simple structure and has both dust proofing and ease of maintenance of a writing unit with a simple structure.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a unit for holding a recording sheet, a unit for conveying the recording sheet, and scanning the recording data with a laser beam. Writing means, means for turning a laser beam into a latent image,
Developing means for visualizing the latent image, transfer means for transferring the visible image to recording paper, fixing means for fixing the transferred visible image on recording paper, and recording paper on which the visible image is fixed An image forming apparatus provided with means for discharging paper, a writing means, comprising: an opening for emitting a laser beam; and a dust-proof glass holding part integrally formed with a main body frame for positioning and holding the writing means. Is an image forming apparatus that can be attached to and detached from the dust-proof glass holder from outside the image forming apparatus. Also,
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus provided with a protruding guide plate in a longitudinal direction below an exposure opening of a writing unit. Thus, the dustproof serves as a guide for attaching and detaching the lath, and the attaching and detaching operation is facilitated. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which a crank-shaped slide guide plate integrally formed with a main body frame is provided on a front surface of a projecting guide plate. Thereby, the guide shape is formed by the cover of the writing unit and the frame of the main body, so that the operability is further improved. Further, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that there is provided means for urging the dustproof glass toward the writing means. Thus, since the dust proof presses the lath against the writing unit, the dust proof improves the hermeticity of the lath and further improves the dust proof effect.

[0007]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a paper feed tray 2 for holding recording paper, a paper feed roller 3 for conveying the recording paper, a pair of registration rollers 4 for timing the recording paper sent out by the paper feed roller 3, and recording data. Writing unit 10 for scanning the surface with laser light, photoreceptor 1 for converting the laser light into a latent image, and developing device 5 for visualizing the latent image on photoreceptor 1
, A transfer roller 6 for transferring the visible image to the recording paper, a fixing device 7 for fixing the transferred visible image on the recording paper, and a paper discharge unit 8 for discharging the recording paper on which the visible image is fixed. And a scanner 9 for reading a document.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the writing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the writing unit and the dust-proof lath according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The writing unit 10a includes a laser diode (not shown), a polygon mirror, a motor, an fθ lens, and the like, and has a function of modulating and scanning a laser beam based on write data. The writing unit 10a has an opening 13 for exposure, but is not provided with dustproof glass. A writing unit 10 is provided on the device body side.
Dust-proof glass holding members 20a and 20b formed integrally with the main body frame 20 for positioning and holding a are provided on the operation surface side and the opposite side, respectively, so that the dust-proof lath 11 is detachably held. I have. The dustproof glass 11 is detachable from the operation surface side of the apparatus. However, since the dustproof glass 11 is held by the main body frame 20, the dustproofing of the writing unit 10a can be easily performed regardless of the presence or absence of the lath 11.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a writing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between the writing unit of the second embodiment of the present invention and dustproof glass. It is. In FIGS. 6 and 7, parts that are the same as the parts of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted. The present embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in that a projection-like guide plate 14 is further added in the longitudinal direction below the exposure opening 13 of the writing unit 10a. Thus, the dust proof serves as a guide for attaching and detaching the lath 11, and the attaching and detaching operation is facilitated.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a writing unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8A is a positional relationship between the writing unit of the third embodiment of the present invention and a crank-shaped slide guide plate. FIG. 8 and 8a
In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the duplicate description will be omitted. The present embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in that a crank-shaped slide guide plate 21 is further provided on the apparatus main body side. Is suppressed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a writing unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between the writing unit and a biasing member of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. In FIGS. 9 and 10, parts that are the same as the parts of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted. 8 and 8a of the present embodiment is that the apparatus main body has an urging member 22 for urging the dust-proof glass 11 in the direction of the writing unit 10;
The dustproof glass 11 is urged toward the writing unit 10 at both ends of the exposure opening 13. Thereby, the hermeticity of the dustproof glass 11 is improved, and the dustproof effect is further improved.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. Things. For example, a mechanism for releasing the urging member when the dust-proof glass is attached or detached may be provided.

[0013]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the dust-proof glass is provided detachably with respect to the frame of the apparatus main body. Since the dust-proof glass is separated, maintenance of the writing unit can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a writing unit in a conventional example.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between a writing unit and a main body device in a conventional example.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the writing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a positional relationship between the writing unit and the dust-proof glass according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a writing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a positional relationship between a writing unit and dust-proof glass according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a writing unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a writing unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a positional relationship between a writing unit and an urging member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoreceptor 2 Paper feed tray 3 Paper feed roller 4 Registration roller pair 5 Developing device 6 Transfer roller 7 Fixing device 8 Paper discharge part 9 Scanner 10, 10a Writing unit 11 Dust proof 12a, 12b, 20a, 20b Dust proof is held Part 13 Exposure opening part 14 Guide plate 20 Body frame 21 Exterior 22 Urging member 23 Slide guide plate

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A means for holding a recording paper, a means for conveying the recording paper, a writing means for scanning recording data with a laser beam, a means for making the laser beam a latent image, and a method for making the latent image visible Developing means for forming an image, transfer means for transferring the visible image to the recording paper, fixing means for fixing the transferred visible image on the recording paper, and discharging the recording paper on which the visible image is fixed In the image forming apparatus provided with the means, the writing means includes an opening for emitting laser light, and a dust-proof glass holding part formed integrally with a main body frame for positioning and holding the writing means, and the dust-proof glass is provided with the image. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is detachable from the dust-proof glass holding unit from outside the forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a projecting guide plate is provided in a longitudinal direction below the exposure opening of the writing unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a crank-shaped slide guide plate integrally formed with the main body frame is provided on a front surface of the projecting guide plate. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for urging said dust-proof glass toward said writing means.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.