JP2002333810A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately and easily align the positional relation of a multiple number of photoreceptor drums and transfer rolls to each other in a simple constitution, in an imaging device provided with the multiple number of photoreceptor drums and the multiple number of transfer rolls transferring a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum. SOLUTION: In the imaging device, a belt frame F2, an imaging apparatus body U2 provided with a toner imaging device for storing space storing the multiple number of toner imaging devices and a belt module storing space storing a belt module BM and a front side alignment plate 63 with a front side photoreceptor shaft alignment hole 63a aligning the front end part of a photoreceptor support shaft and supporting it to be able to be rotated and a front side shaft guiding groove 63b guiding a transfer roll shaft into a specified operating position, when the belt module BM is moved to a rising position.

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 copying machine or a printer for forming a color image using a plurality of rotating photoconductors, and more particularly, to transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of positioning a transfer roll and a photoconductor in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer for forming a color image using a plurality of photoconductors, a transfer roll for transferring toner images formed on the surfaces of the plurality of photoconductors to a transfer material. An apparatus for positioning between the photoconductor and each of the photoconductors is described in the following publication (J01). (J01) JP-A-10-240026 discloses a transfer roll which opposes a plurality of photosensitive drums via a transfer material conveying belt and transfers a toner image on the photosensitive drum to a transfer material, A transfer / conveying belt unit having a positioning unit that is in contact with a forming unit to set a relative position between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roll is described.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] (Problem of (J01)) In the above-mentioned prior art, each photosensitive drum and the transfer roll can be positioned in the vertical direction. Direction), there is a problem that the positioning of each photosensitive drum and the transfer roll cannot be performed accurately. For this reason, there is a problem that an image quality defect occurs. Therefore, in order to accurately position the photosensitive drum and the transfer roll in the left-right direction, it is necessary to severely suppress the accumulated tolerance due to the components. There was a problem that the necessity increased the assembly cost. In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides the following description (O0
1) and (02) are technical issues. (O01) In an image forming apparatus including a photosensitive drum and a transfer roll for transferring a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto a transfer material, the mutual positional relationship between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roll can be determined with a simple configuration. To be able to position accurately and easily. (O02) In an image forming apparatus including a plurality of photosensitive drums and a plurality of transfer rolls for transferring a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a transfer material, a mutual positional relationship between the plurality of photosensitive drums and the transfer rolls Can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems In the description of the present invention, in the description of the present invention, the elements of the embodiments are indicated by parentheses in order to facilitate correspondence with the elements of the embodiments described later. Add the items enclosed in. The reason why the present invention is described in correspondence with reference numerals in the embodiments described below is to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(1st invention) In order to solve the aforementioned problem,
The image forming apparatus of the first invention has the following constituent requirements (A01)-
(A04). (A01) A plurality of photoconductor support shafts extending in the front-rear direction (14)
The surface of the photoreceptor that rotates and rotates around the charger (CCk, CC
y, CCm, CCc), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface by a latent image forming device (ROSk, ROSy, ROSm, ROSc), and a developing device (G
k, Gy, Gm, Gc) and a plurality of toner image forming apparatuses (Uk, Uy, Um, U) having photoconductors (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) on which the electrostatic latent images are developed into toner images.
c), (A02) the plurality of toner image forming apparatuses (Uk, U
y, Um, Uc), a belt (B) that sequentially contacts the respective photoconductor surfaces and sequentially passes through respective transfer areas where toner images on the respective photoconductor surfaces are sequentially superimposed and transferred; A plurality of belt supporting rolls (Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) including a supporting belt driving roll (Rd) and a plurality of driven rolls (Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a); Transfer rolls (T1k, T1k, T1k,
1y, T1m, T1c) and the belt support roll (R
d, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) and a belt frame (F2) rotatably supporting the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c), and the transfer roll (T1).
k, T1y, T1m, and T1c) have an elastic member (88) that movably supports the axes of up, down, left, and right within a predetermined movement range and constantly urges the axis upward, and an operating position that has moved upward and a lower position. A belt module (BM) movably supported between the maintenance position and the toner image forming device housing space for housing the plurality of toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc). A belt module housing space for housing the belt module (BM), and the toner image forming device housing space removably houses the plurality of toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc); The image forming apparatus main body (U2) in which the belt module (BM) is detachably accommodated in the belt module accommodation space, (A04) the photoconductor support shaft (14).
And a transfer roller shaft (T1a) formed below the front photoreceptor shaft positioning holes (63a, 11a) for rotatably supporting the front end of the photoconductor shaft when the belt module (BM) is moved to a raised position. And a front positioning plate (63, 11) having a front shaft guide groove (63b, 11b) for guiding the shaft to a predetermined operation position.

(Operation of the First Invention)
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus main body (U2)
Are the plurality of toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy, Um,
Uc) and a belt module housing space for housing the belt module (BM). The toner image forming device housing space includes the plurality of toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy). , Um, Uc) are detachably accommodated, and the belt module (BM) is detachably accommodated in the belt module accommodation space. A plurality of toner image forming apparatuses (Uk, Uy, Um, U
Each photoconductor (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) of c) rotates around a photoconductor support shaft (14) extending in the front-rear direction. The chargers (CCk, CCy, CCm, CCc) charge the surface of the rotating photosensitive member. Latent image forming device (ROSk, R
OSy, ROSm, and ROSc) form an electrostatic latent image on the charged photoreceptor surface. Developing device (Gk, Gy, G
m, Gc) develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The belt module (BM) is movably supported between an upwardly moved operation position and a downwardly moved maintenance position. A belt frame (F2) of the belt module (BM) includes a plurality of belt supporting rolls (Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) including a belt driving roll (Rd) and a plurality of driven rolls (Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a).
a) and transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1)
c) is rotatably supported. The belt support roll (R
d, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a), the belt (B) supported by the plurality of toner image forming apparatuses (Uk, Uk).
(y, Um, Uc), and sequentially passes through the respective transfer areas where the toner images on the respective photoconductor surfaces are sequentially superimposed and transferred. The transfer rolls (T1k, T1y,
The shaft of T1m, T1c) is supported so as to be movable up and down, left and right within a predetermined movement range, and is constantly urged upward by an elastic member (88). Front positioning plate (63, 1
1) is a front-side photoconductor shaft positioning hole (63a, 11a) and a front-side shaft guide groove (63b, 11) formed thereunder.
b), and the front photoconductor shaft positioning hole (63)
a, 11a) position and front rotatably support the front end of the photoreceptor support shaft (14), and provide a front shaft guide groove (63).
b, 11b) guides the transfer roll shaft (T1a) to a predetermined operating position when the belt module (BM) moves to a raised position. Therefore, when the belt module (BM) is moved to the upper operation position, the front end of the transfer roll shaft (T1a) is moved to the front shaft guide groove (6).
3b, 11b), and is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the photoconductor support shaft (14). The positioned transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T
1c) transfers the toner image on each photoconductor surface to the belt surface side in each transfer area. Therefore, the photoconductor supporting shaft (1) is formed by the front photoconductor shaft positioning holes (63a, 11a) formed in the front positioning plate (63, 11) and the front shaft guide grooves (63b, 11b).
4) and the transfer roll axis (T1a) are positioned, so that their mutual positions can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

(Second Invention) An image forming apparatus according to a second invention comprises:
The following components (A01) to (A03) and (A05) are provided. (A01) A plurality of photoconductor support shafts extending in the front-rear direction (14)
The surface of the photoreceptor that rotates and rotates around the charger (CCk, CC
y, CCm, CCc), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface by a latent image forming device (ROSk, ROSy, ROSm, ROSc), and a developing device (G
k, Gy, Gm, Gc) and a plurality of toner image forming apparatuses (Uk, Uy, Um, U) having photoconductors (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) on which the electrostatic latent images are developed into toner images.
c), (A02) the plurality of toner image forming apparatuses (Uk, U
y, Um, Uc), a belt (B) that sequentially contacts the respective photoconductor surfaces and sequentially passes through respective transfer areas where toner images on the respective photoconductor surfaces are sequentially superimposed and transferred; A plurality of belt supporting rolls (Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) including a supporting belt driving roll (Rd) and a plurality of driven rolls (Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a); Transfer rolls (T1k, T1k, T1k,
1y, T1m, T1c) and the belt support roll (R
d, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) and a belt frame (F2) rotatably supporting the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c), and the transfer roll (T1).
k, T1y, T1m, and T1c) have an elastic member (88) that movably supports the axes of up, down, left, and right within a predetermined movement range and constantly urges the axis upward, and an operating position that has moved upward and a lower position. A belt module (BM) movably supported between the maintenance position and the toner image forming device housing space for housing the plurality of toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc). A belt module housing space for housing the belt module (BM), and the toner image forming device housing space removably houses the plurality of toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc); The image forming apparatus main body (U2) in which the belt module (BM) is detachably accommodated in the belt module accommodation space, (A05) the photoconductor support shaft (14).
The photoreceptor shaft positioning holes (80a, 12a) for positioning the rear end of the photoreceptor shaft and rotatably supporting the same are formed below the photoreceptor shaft positioning holes (80a, 12a), and when the belt module (BM) moves to the raised position, the transfer roll shaft ( Rear positioning plates (80, 12) having rear shaft guide grooves (80b, 12b) for guiding T1a) to a predetermined operation position.

(Operation of the Second Invention)
In the description of the operation of the image forming apparatus of the invention, the description of the same operation as the operation of the first invention will be omitted. The rear positioning plate (80, 12) of the image forming apparatus according to the second invention includes a rear photoconductor shaft positioning hole (80a, 12a) and a rear shaft guide groove (80b, 12b) formed thereunder. The rear photoreceptor shaft positioning holes (80a, 12a) position the rear end of the photoreceptor support shaft (14) and rotatably support the rear photoreceptor support shaft (14), and the rear shaft guide grooves (80b, 12b).
Guides the rear end of the transfer roll shaft (T1a) to a predetermined operating position when the belt module (BM) moves to the raised position. Accordingly, the rear photoconductor shaft positioning holes (80a, 12a) formed in the rear positioning plates (80, 12) and the rear shaft guide grooves (80b, 12).
According to b), the rear ends of the photoconductor support shaft (14) and the transfer roll shaft (T1a) are positioned, so that their mutual positions can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

(Third invention) An image forming apparatus according to a third invention comprises:
The following components (B01) to (B04) are provided. (B01) The surface of the photoreceptor that rotates around the photoreceptor support shaft (14) extending in the front-rear direction has a charger (CCk, CCy, C
Cm, CCc) and a latent image forming apparatus (ROS)
k, ROSy, ROSm, ROSc), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface, and the developing devices (Gk, Gy,
Gm, Gc), a toner image forming apparatus (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc) having a photoconductor (Pk, Py, Pm, Pc) on which the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image; (B02) the toner image Transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c) for transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor surface of the forming device (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc) to a transfer material in the transfer area, and the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y). , T1m, T1c)
Is constantly urged upward by an elastic member (88) and supported movably up and down, left and right within a predetermined movement range, and between an operation position moved upward and a maintenance position moved downward. (B03) The transfer roll (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c) movably supported, and (B03) the toner image forming device housing space for housing the toner image forming device (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc) and the transfer roll ( T1
k, T1y, T1m, T1c), and a transfer roll accommodation space for accommodating the toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc) in the toner image forming device accommodation space. The image forming apparatus main body (U2) in which the belt module (BM) is detachably accommodated in the belt module accommodation space, and (B04) the front end of the photoconductor support shaft (14) is positioned and rotatably supported. A front-side shaft guide for guiding the transfer roll shaft (T1a) to a predetermined operation position when the belt module (BM) is moved to a raised position and the front photoconductor shaft positioning holes (63a, 11a) to be moved. Grooves (63b, 11
b) a front positioning plate (63, 11).

(Operation of the Third Invention) The third invention having the above-described structure
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus main body (U2)
Has a toner image forming device housing space for housing the toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc) and a belt module housing space for housing the belt module (BM), and the toner image forming device housing space. , The toner image forming apparatus (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc) is detachably accommodated, and the belt module (BM) is detachably accommodated in the belt module accommodation space. Photoconductor (Pk, Pk) of toner image forming apparatus (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc)
y, Pm, Pc) are photosensitive member support shafts (1) extending in the front-rear direction.
4) Rotate around. Charger (CCk, CCy, CC
m, CCc) charges the rotating photoreceptor surface. Latent image forming devices (ROSk, ROSy, ROSm, ROS
c) forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged photoreceptor surface. The developing devices (Gk, Gy, Gm, Gc) develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The transfer roll (T1k, T1k
The axes 1y, T1m, T1c) are supported so as to be movable up and down, left and right within a predetermined movement range, and are constantly urged upward by an elastic member (88). Front positioning plate (6
3, 11) are front-side photoconductor shaft positioning holes (63a, 11).
a) and a front shaft guide groove (63b,
11b), and the front photoconductor shaft positioning hole (6
3a, 11a) position and front rotatably support the front end of the photoreceptor support shaft (14), and provide a front shaft guide groove (6).
3b, 11b) are the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y,
When T1m, T1c) moves to the raised position, the front end of the transfer roll shaft (T1a) is guided to a predetermined operating position. Therefore, the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1
1m, T1c) is moved to the upper operation position, the front end of the transfer roll shaft (T1a) is inserted into the front shaft guide groove (6).
3b, 11b) and is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the photoreceptor support shaft (14). The positioned transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T
1c) transferring the toner image on the photoconductor surface to the transfer material in the transfer area. Therefore, the front photoconductor shaft positioning holes (63a, 11a) formed in the front positioning plates (63, 11) and the front shaft guide grooves (6).
3b, 11b), the front ends of the photoconductor support shaft (14) and the transfer roll shaft (T1a) are positioned, so that their mutual positions can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

(Fourth Invention) An image forming apparatus according to a fourth invention comprises:
The following components (B01) to (B03) and (B05) are provided. (B01) A photoreceptor (Pk, Py, Pm, Pm, Pm) having a surface rotating and moving around a photoconductor support shaft (14) extending in the front-rear direction sequentially passes through a charging area, a latent image forming position, a development area, a transfer area, and a cleaning area. Pc), chargers (CCk, CC) for uniformly charging the photoconductor surface in the charging area
y, CCm, CCc), a latent image forming device (ROSk, ROSy, ROSm, ROSc) for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged photoreceptor surface at the latent image forming position, and the electrostatic latent image in the developing area. A developing unit (Gk, Gy, Gm, Gc) for developing the image into a toner image, and a cleaner (CLk) for collecting in the cleaning area residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor surface on which the toner image has been transferred to the transfer material when passing through the transfer area ), A toner image forming apparatus (Uk, U
y, Um, Uc), (B02) the toner image forming apparatus (U
k, Uy, Um, Uc) on the transfer roller (T1) for transferring the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor to the transfer material in the transfer area.
k, T1y, T1m, T1c), wherein the axes of the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c) are constantly urged upward by an elastic member (88) and can move up and down, left and right within a predetermined movement range. And the transfer rolls (T1k, T1k,
T1y, T1m, T1c), (B03) Toner image forming device housing space for housing the toner image forming devices (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc) and the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T).
1m, T1c), and a transfer roll accommodating space for accommodating the toner module. The toner image forming device (Uk, Uy, Um, Uc) is detachably accommodated in the toner image forming device accommodating space. An image forming apparatus main body (U2) in which the belt module (BM) is detachably accommodated in a space, and (B05) a rear side for positioning and rotatably supporting a rear end of the photoconductor supporting shaft (14). A rear shaft guide groove formed at the photoconductor shaft positioning hole (80a, 12a) and below the same, and for guiding the transfer roll shaft (T1a) to a predetermined operation position when the belt module (BM) moves to a raised position. (80b, 12b) and the rear positioning plate (80, 12).

(Operation of the Fourth Invention)
In the description of the operation of the image forming apparatus of the invention, the description of the same operation as the operation of the third invention will be omitted. The rear positioning plate (80, 12) of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth invention includes a rear photoconductor shaft positioning hole (80a, 12a) and a rear shaft guide groove (80b, 12b) formed below the rear photoconductor shaft positioning hole. The rear photoreceptor shaft positioning holes (80a, 12a) position the rear end of the photoreceptor support shaft (14) and rotatably support the rear photoreceptor support shaft (14), and the rear shaft guide grooves (80b, 12b).
Are the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1
c) when the transfer roll shaft (T1) moves to the raised position.
a) Guide the rear end to a predetermined operating position. Therefore, the transfer rolls (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1
c) is moved to the upper operation position, the rear end of the transfer roll shaft (T1a) is positioned at the rear shaft guide groove (80b, 1).
2b) guided by the photoreceptor support shaft (14)
Is positioned at a predetermined position. The positioned transfer roll (T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c)
Transfers a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor to a transfer material in the transfer area. Therefore, the rear photoconductor shaft positioning holes (80a, 12a) formed in the rear positioning plates (80, 12) and the rear shaft guide grooves (80b, 80b).
12b), the rear ends of the photoconductor support shaft (14) and the transfer roll shaft (T1a) are positioned, so that their mutual positions can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

[0013]

(Embodiment 1) An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the following configuration requirement (A06) is provided. (A06) A plurality of front photoconductor shaft positioning holes (63a, 11a) for positioning and rotatably supporting the front end portions of the plurality of photoconductor support shafts (14), and the belt modules (BM) formed below the plurality of front photoconductor shaft positioning holes. ) Is moved to the raised position, a plurality of front shaft guide grooves (63b, 11b) for guiding the plurality of transfer roll shafts (T1a) to a predetermined operation position.
A front positioning plate (63, 11) having:

(Operation of the First Embodiment) In the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration, when the belt module (BM) moves to the upper operation position,
The front ends of the plurality of transfer roll shafts (T1a) are guided by the plurality of front shaft guide grooves (63b, 11b),
It is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to each of the plurality of photoconductor support shafts (14). Therefore, the plurality of front photoconductor shaft positioning holes (63a, 11a) formed in the rear positioning plates (80, 12) and the front shaft guide grooves (63b, 1).
By 1b), the front ends of the plurality of photoconductor support shafts (14) and the transfer roll shaft (T1a) are positioned, so that their mutual positions can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

(Embodiment 2) An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention or Embodiment 1, the following configuration requirement (A05) is provided. (A05) A rear bearing (77) mounted on the rear end of the photoconductor support shaft (14) is provided with a removable rear photoconductor shaft positioning hole (80a, 12a), and is formed under the rear photoconductor shaft positioning hole (80a). Rear positioning plates (80, 12) having rear shaft guide grooves (80b, 12b) for guiding the transfer roll shaft (T1a) to a predetermined operation position when the module (BM) moves to the raised position.

(Operation of the Second Embodiment) In the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the rear photoconductor shaft positioning holes (80, 12) formed in the rear positioning plates (80, 12). 80a, 12a) and the rear shaft guide groove (80
(b, 12b), the rear ends of the photoconductor support shaft (14) and the transfer roll shaft (T1a) are positioned, so that their mutual positions can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

(Embodiment 3) An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is characterized in that the following constitutional requirements (A07) are provided in Embodiment 2 or 2 (A07). A plurality of rear photoreceptor shaft positioning holes (80a, 12a) for positioning and rotatably supporting the rear end of the photoreceptor support shaft (14), and the belt module (BM) is formed below the plurality of rear photoreceptor shaft positioning holes. A plurality of rear shaft guide grooves (80b, 12b) for guiding the plurality of transfer roll shafts (T1a) to a predetermined operation position when moved to a raised position.
A rear positioning plate (80, 12) having:

(Effect of Third Embodiment) In the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration, a plurality of rear photosensitive member shafts formed on the rear positioning plates (80, 12) are positioned. The plurality of photoconductor support shafts (1) are formed by the holes (80a, 12a) and the rear shaft guide grooves (80b, 12b).
4) and the rear end of the transfer roll shaft (T1a) are positioned, so that their mutual positions can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

(Examples) Next, specific examples (examples) of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. To facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.
Axial direction and directions indicated by arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, Z, -Z or sides indicated are forward, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front, rear, right, respectively. , Left side, upper side, lower side. Also, in the figure, those in which “•” is described in “○” mean an arrow pointing from the back of the paper to the front,
A mark with "x" in "o" means an arrow pointing from the front to the back of the paper.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem digital color copying machine) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the front positioning plate shown in FIG. 1 is omitted and the rear front support plate is shown. FIG. 3 is a view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the front-side support plate shown in FIG. 2 is omitted and the toner image forming apparatus on the rear side is shown. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front perspective view of the toner image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a front view in a state where the front support plate in FIG. 4 is omitted. 1 to 3, an image forming apparatus U includes a copier U2 having an automatic document feeder U1 and a platen glass PG supporting the automatic document feeder U1.
And

(Automatic Document Feeder U1) Referring to FIG.
The automatic document feeder U1 has a document feed tray TG1 on which a plurality of documents Gi to be copied are placed in an overlapping manner. The plurality of documents Gi placed on the document feed tray TG1 are configured to sequentially pass through a copy position on the platen glass PG of the copying machine U2 and are discharged to a document discharge tray TG2. The automatic document feeder U1 is rotatable with respect to the copying machine U1 by a hinge shaft (not shown) extending at the rear end (-X end) and extending in the left-right direction. Is rotated upward when placed on the platen glass PG by hand.

(Copying machine U2) In FIG.
Are the image scanner U2a and the developer supply device U2
b has a printer U2c that supports b on the upper surface. (Image Scanner U2a) A platen glass PG is provided on the upper surface of the image scanner U2a, and the automatic document feeder U2 is supported on the upper surface of the platen glass PG. In the image scanner U2a, the document Gi passing through the copy position on the platen glass PG is illuminated by the exposure light source of the exposure optical system A, and the illuminated document Gi is illuminated.
Is reflected by the mirror of the exposure optical system A,
R (red), G (green), B (blue) for CD (solid-state image sensor)
Is converted into an electric signal. The RGB electric signal is IP
K (black), Y in S (image processing system)
The image data is converted into (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) image data, subjected to image processing such as density correction, enlargement, and reduction, and then input to the printer U2c at a predetermined timing. Note that the image scanner U2a is provided with a UI (user interface). The UI is provided with a copy start key (not shown), a numeric keypad, a display, and the like.

(Developer replenishing device U2b) The developer replenishing device U2b includes developer cartridges Ky and Km containing developers of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K (black). , Kc, and Kk are detachably mounted, and each developer cartridge K
The developer in y, Km, Kc, and Kk is supplied to the developing units Gk, Gy, Gm, and Gc of each color of the printer U2c. Details of the developer supply device U2b are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-171248 filed by the present applicant.

(Printer U2c) In FIG. 3, the laser drive circuit DL (see FIG. 3) of the printer U2c includes Y (yellow) input from the image scanner U2a,
The laser drive signals corresponding to the image data of M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are supplied at predetermined timings, and the latent image forming devices ROSy and ROSm of the toner image forming devices UY, UM, UC, and UK of each color. , ROSc, and ROSk. 3 and 5, the K (black) toner image forming apparatus UK has a photosensitive drum Pk that is driven to rotate, and the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum Pk has a charger CCk.
(See FIG. 5), and is irradiated with a laser beam Lk emitted from a ROSk (black latent image forming apparatus) to form an electrostatic latent image, and the developing device Gk develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image And the toner image is transferred to a primary transfer roll T1.
k, the toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B, and the transfer residual toner is cleaned by the cleaner CLk. Then, the photosensitive drums (rotating components of the image forming apparatus) P of the other toner image forming apparatuses UY, UM, and UC (see FIG. 3).
The chargers CCk, CCy, CCy, and Pc are also provided around y, Pm, and Pc, respectively, similarly to the periphery of the photosensitive drum Pk shown in FIG.
CCm, CCc (not shown), the developing devices Gy,
Gm, Gc, primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc and the like are arranged.

Therefore, the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, P
c and Pk are uniformly charged by respective chargers CCk (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and CCy, CCm and CCc (not shown), respectively, and then the latent image forming devices ROSy and ROS are respectively charged.
m, ROSc, ROSk output laser beams Ly,
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by Lm, Lc, and Lk (see FIG. 3). The photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc,
The electrostatic latent image on the Pk surface is represented by developing units Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk.
Thus, toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K (black) are developed. The toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk (see FIG. 5) are primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1.
The image is sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt (transfer material) B in accordance with k and a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is transported to the secondary transfer area Q5. In the case of only the black image data, only the toner image forming apparatus UK having the K (black) photosensitive drum Pk and the developing device Gk is used.
Only a black toner image is formed.

In FIG. 3, the photosensitive drums P of the respective colors
Below y, Pm, Pc, and Pk, a slide frame F is provided by a pair of left and right slide rails SR, SR (see FIG. 3).
1 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3) is the front and back (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface)
Is slidably supported. The slide frame F1 has a belt frame F2 of the belt module BM.
Is supported so as to be able to move up and down between a raised operating position and a maintenance position moved downward. A configuration for moving the slide frame F1 back and forth and a configuration for raising and lowering the belt module BM are known in the related art (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
171248), and various conventionally known configurations can be employed. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt driving roll Rd, a tension roll Rt, and a walking roll R.
w, a belt supporting roll (R) including a plurality of idler rolls (free rolls) Rf and a backup roll T2a.
d, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) and the primary transfer rolls T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c. The intermediate transfer belt B is supported by the belt support rolls (Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a) so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow Ya.

A secondary transfer unit Ut is provided below the backup roll T2a. The secondary transfer unit Ut is supported by the slide frame Fs so as to be rotatable around a hinge axis Uta between a raised position rotated upward and a lowered position rotated downward. The secondary transfer roll T2b of the secondary transfer unit Ut is arranged so as to be able to be separated (separated and pressed) from the backup roll T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. Area (nip) to be pressed against
As a result, a secondary transfer area Q5 is formed. The backup roll T2a has a contact roll T2c.
Are in contact with each other, and two rolls T2a to T2c
The next transfer roll T2 is configured. A secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the control T2c from the power supply circuit E controlled by the controller C at a predetermined timing.

Below the belt module BM, a sheet feeding tray TR1 containing sheets S and a sheet conveying path SH
Is provided. The sheet S stored in the paper feed tray TR1 is picked up by a pickup roll R at a predetermined timing.
The sheets are taken out by p, are separated one by one by a separation roll Rs, and are conveyed to a registration roll Rr. The recording sheet S conveyed to the registration roll Rr is adjusted to the timing at which the primary-transferred multi-toner image or single-color toner image moves to the secondary transfer area Q5, by the registration-side sheet guide SGr and the pre-transfer sheet. The sheet is conveyed from the guide SG1 to the secondary transfer area Q5. When the recording sheet S passes through the secondary transfer area Q5, a secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the charged polarity of the toner is applied to the contact roll T2c of the secondary transfer roll T2 from the power supply circuit E controlled by the controller C. Is done. At this time, the color toner image primary-transferred on the intermediate transfer belt B is secondarily transferred onto the recording sheet S in the secondary transfer area Q5. The residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer by the belt cleaner CLB. Further, the secondary transfer roll T2b
The toner adhered to the surface is collected by the secondary transfer roll cleaner CLt.

The secondary transfer roll T2b and the belt cleaner CLB are arranged so as to be able to freely contact (separate and press) the intermediate transfer belt B, and when a color image is formed, the final color is not determined. It is separated from the intermediate transfer belt B until the applied toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B. The secondary transfer roll cleaner CLt
Performs the separation / contact movement together with the secondary transfer roll T2b. The recording sheet S on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is conveyed to a fixing area Q6 by a post-transfer sheet guide SG2 and a sheet conveying belt BH, and includes a heating roll Fh and a pressure roll Fp when passing through the fixing area Q6. The fixing is performed by a fixing device F having a pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp. Recording sheet S on which toner image is fixed
Is discharged to the recording sheet discharge tray TR2. The sheet conveying device SH is constituted by the elements indicated by the reference characters Rp, Rs, Rr, SG1, SG2, and BH.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the toner image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of the toner image forming apparatus mounted at a mounting position inside the printer, and is a cross sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the toner image forming apparatus mounted at a mounting position inside the printer.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII. 9 is a side sectional view of the toner image forming apparatus, showing a state in which the handle is pulled forward in the state of FIG. 8 to move the toner image forming apparatus forward from the position of FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a photosensitive member support shaft on which the photosensitive member of the toner image forming apparatus is detachably mounted. 4, 5, and 8, a front support plate positioning member 1 is fixed to a printer front frame Ff of the printer U2c by a fixing screw 2. Also, FIG.
8, a pair of right and left fixed rail support members 4 extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) are fixed to the printer front frame Ff by fixing screws 3. As shown in FIG.
The fixed rail support member 4 has a vertically elongated through hole 4a.
Are formed. The connecting pins 5 passing through the through holes 4a are movable in the vertical direction, and two connecting pins 5 are provided before and after as shown in FIG. The outer end of each connecting pin 5 is pulled upward by a tension spring 6.

A fixed slide rail 7 is supported on the inner end of the connection pin 5. The fixed side slide rail 7 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) is provided on two right and left sides. The movable slide rails 8, 8 are supported by the left and right fixed slide rails 7, 7 so as to be slidable back and forth (X-axis direction). 5 and 8, a pair of front and rear connecting members 9, 9 (see FIGS. 6, 8) are connected to the movable slide rails 8, 8, respectively. A front support plate 11 is connected to the front connection member 9. The front support plate 11 is provided with a through hole (rear photoconductor positioning hole) 11a (see FIG. 4).
The upper end of the front support plate 11 is positioned in contact with the front support plate positioning member 1.

The rear connecting member 9 has a through hole 12a.
Rear support plate 12 having (photoconductor support shaft through hole)
(See FIG. 8). Therefore, the front support plate 11 and the rear support plate 12 are slidable forward and backward (X-axis direction) together with the connecting member 9 and the movable slide rail (see FIGS. 5 and 8) supporting the connecting member.

(Description of Toner Image Forming Apparatus UK) Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, a photoconductor supporting shaft (other rotating member, component mounting shaft) 14 on which a photoconductor Pk of the toner image forming apparatus UK is detachably mounted. Is a drive unit D whose rear end is described later.
U (see FIG. 10). In FIG. 10, a rotational force transmitting pin 14a is provided on the front end side portion of the photosensitive member support shaft 14.
Further, a female screw hole 14b is formed at the front end, and a ring-shaped projection 14c for line contact is formed at the front end. The line-shaped ring-shaped protrusion 14c is a ring-shaped portion having a diameter larger than that of the peripheral surface of the photoconductor support shaft 14, and its function will be described later. Further, a cylindrical rear positioning sleeve 15 (see FIG. 9) is mounted and fixed to the rear end portion of the photoconductor support shaft 14. The front end of the rear positioning sleeve 15 is formed with a conical tapered surface 15a that tapers toward the front.

The black toner image forming apparatus UK having the photosensitive drum Pk, the developing unit Gk, the cleaner CLk, and the like shown in FIG. 3 includes a photosensitive drum unit Ua and a cleaner unit Ub, as shown in FIGS. And a developing unit Uc. The toner image forming apparatus UK has a mounting position (see FIG. 8) mounted inside the printer U2c, and a pull-out position (a position further moved forward from the position shown in FIG. 9). (Not shown).

(Photosensitive Drum Unit Ua) FIGS. 6 to 9
, The photosensitive drum Pk of the photosensitive drum unit Ua
Has a photoreceptor sleeve 22, a front end flange member 23 for supporting a front end of the photoreceptor sleeve 22, and a rear end flange member 24 for supporting a rear end of the photoreceptor sleeve 22. The front end flange member 23 has a mounting cylindrical portion 23a (see FIGS. 8 and 9) extending forward and backward, and the mounting cylindrical portion 23a has a support shaft through hole 23b. The support shaft through-holes 23b are provided with the engaging unevenness 2 formed at the rear end thereof.
3c. In a state where the photoconductor drum Pk is mounted on the photoconductor support shaft 14, the support shaft through hole 2
A cylindrical space (a space into which a tapered surface 56c at the rear end of a front positioning sleeve 56 described later is inserted) is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion 3b and the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor support shaft 14.

The rear end flange member 24 has a mounting cylindrical portion 24a, and the mounting cylindrical portion 24a is
4b. With the photoconductor drum Pk mounted on the photoconductor support shaft 14, the support shaft through hole 24
b between the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor support shaft 14 (the cylindrical rear positioning sleeve 1).
5 is formed (a space into which the tapered surface 15a at the front end portion is inserted). The portion of the photosensitive member support shaft 14 that supports the torque transmitting pin 14a is formed to have a smaller diameter than the rear portion of the photosensitive member support shaft 14, and the torque transmitting pin 1
4a is a support shaft through hole 24a of the rear end flange member 24.
Is formed so as to be able to pass through. The rotational force transmitting pin 14a (see FIG. 8) of the photoconductor support shaft 14 is engaged with the engaging unevenness 23c, and transmits the rotation of the photoconductor support shaft 14 to the front end flange member 23. A gear G1 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end flange member 24.
This gear G1 is connected to the photosensitive member support shaft 9 and the photosensitive drum Pk.
And is used to transmit rotational force to the cleaning brush of the cleaner unit Ub and the developing roll 46 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) of the developing unit Uc.

A front cylindrical member 27 is rotatably supported by the mounting cylindrical portion 23a (see FIG. 8) via a bearing 26. A rear cylindrical member 30 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rear cylindrical end 24 a of the rear flange member 24 via a bearing 29. A bearing 31 is mounted on a rear inner peripheral surface of the rear cylindrical member 30. The inner hole of the bearing 31 is formed so that the rear positioning sleeve 15 of the rear end of the photoconductor support shaft 14 can be inserted. The elements indicated by reference numerals 22 to 31 and the gear G1 constitute the photosensitive drum unit Ua (see FIG. 8). The photoconductor drum unit Ua is mounted on the photoconductor support shaft 14 and rotates integrally with the photoconductor support shaft 14. When the slide rails 8, 8 move back and forth, the connecting members 9, 9 (FIGS.
(See FIG. 2) together with the front support plate 11 and the rear support plate 12.

(Cleaner Unit Ub) The cleaner unit Ub shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a charger CCk, a cleaner CLk having a cleaning brush CLk1, and a support frame 32 (see FIG. 6) for supporting them. I have. The support frame 32 has a front end wall 34 and a rear end wall 35. The front end wall 34 has a U-shaped front cylindrical member fitting groove 3.
4a (see FIG. 6) is fitted to the outer periphery of the front cylindrical member 27 (see FIG. 8) of the photosensitive drum unit Ua,
Is fixed by The rear end wall 35 (see FIGS. 8 and 9)
Similarly to the front end wall 34, the rear cylindrical member fitting groove 35a
(See FIGS. 8 and 9) are fitted to the outer periphery of the rear cylindrical member 30 and fixed by screws 37. The cleaner unit U
“b” is composed of the elements indicated by the symbols CCk, CLk and 32-37, and is integrally connected to the photosensitive drum unit Ua. Further, the cleaning brush CLk1 (see FIG. 5) is configured so that the rotational force is transmitted from the gear G1 of the photosensitive drum unit Ua via a gear G2 (see FIG. 7).

(Developing Unit Uc) In FIGS. 5 to 8, the developing unit Uc has a developing device Gk (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and the developing device Gk is connected to a connecting frame 41 (see FIG. 6).
It is connected to. The connecting frame 41 includes a central connecting plate 42 and a front end connecting plate 43 (FIGS. 6 and 8).
) And a rear end connection plate 44 (see FIG. 8). A U-shaped front cylindrical member fitting groove 43a (see FIG. 6) is formed in the front end connecting plate 43 of the connecting frame 41. The front cylindrical member fitting groove 43a is slidably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the front cylindrical member 27 (see FIG. 8) of the photosensitive drum unit Ua so as to be slidable in the axial direction (in the front-back direction). Like the front end connecting plate 43, the rear end connecting plate 44
The rear cylindrical member fitting groove 44a (see FIG. 8) is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the rear cylindrical member 30 of the photosensitive drum unit Ua so as to be slidable in the axial direction (front-rear direction).

The U-shaped front cylindrical member fitting groove 43a and the rear cylindrical member fitting groove 44a of the U-shape of the developing unit Uc.
The developing unit Uc and the photosensitive drum unit Ua are connected to the photosensitive drum Pk and the developing roll 46 in a state where the outer peripheral surfaces of the front cylindrical member 27 and the rear cylindrical member 30 of the photosensitive drum unit Ua are fitted. The elastic members (not shown) are configured to be in pressure contact with each other. Further, the front and rear positions of the developing unit Uc and the photosensitive drum unit Ua are positioned by pressing one of them to a pressing member (not shown) in the axial direction in a state where they are mounted on the photosensitive support shaft 14. You.

5 and 6, the developing unit Gk of the developing unit Uc has a developing container V, and the developing container V is provided with a pair of upper and lower front projections Va, Va (see FIGS. 4 to 6). ing. The developing device Gk includes a developing roll 46 (see FIG. 5) housed inside the developing container V, and a pair of upper and lower developer stirring and conveying members 47, 47 (see FIG. 7).
The front ends of the pair of upper and lower developer stirring and conveying members 47, 47 extend into the pair of upper and lower front projections Va, Va, and circulate the developer in the developing container V while stirring.
In FIG. 6, the rotation axis of the developing roll 46 and the rotation axis of the developer stirring and conveying member 47 are rotatably supported by the front wall and the rear wall of the developing container V. The (-X end) extends rearward through the rear wall of the developing container V. A rotational force is transmitted to the developing roll 46 and the developer stirring and conveying member from gears G1 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) of the photosensitive drum unit Ua via gears G3 to G6 (see FIG. 7). It is configured as follows.

A forward / backward extending developer discharging tube 48 is fixed to the connecting frame 41 (see FIG. 6), and a front projecting portion Va is provided between the front end of the developer discharging tube 48 and the front projecting portion Va. A discharge communication path forming member 49 for discharging the discharged developer discharged from the section Va to the front end of the developer discharge cylinder 48 is provided. An unillustrated discharged developer transport member (auger) that transports the discharged developer backward is disposed in the developer discharge tube 48. From the gear G1 (see FIG. 7) of the photosensitive drum unit Ua to the gears G3 to G7 and the shaft 51 (see FIG. 7) on the discharge developer conveying shaft (auger shaft).
The torque is transmitted via the. The discharged developer transported rearward (−X direction) in the developer discharge tube 48 is discharged to a developer collection tank T connected to the rear end of the developer discharge tube 48.

4 to 6, a developer inlet forming member 52 is provided on the upper surface of the upper front projecting portion Va of the pair of upper and lower front projecting portions Va. The lower end of a unit-side replenishing transport path forming member 53 (see FIG. 5) is connected to the upper end of the developer inlet port forming member 52. It is supported by. A developer supply port 54 is provided at the upper end of the unit-side supply path forming member 53.
Are formed, and the developer supply device U2 shown in FIG.
The developer is supplied from b. The specific configuration for replenishing the developer from the developer replenishing device U2a is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
001-42587. The developing unit Uc is constituted by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 41 to 54, G3 to G7, T, and the like. Developing unit U
“c” is movable on the photoconductor support shaft 14 integrally with the photoconductor drum unit Ua.

7 to 9, the photosensitive member supporting shaft 1
The inner peripheral surface of the front positioning sleeve 56 attached to the front end of the front side 4 is in line contact with the line-contacting ring-shaped projection 14c of the photoreceptor support shaft 14 on a circular contact line. Galling between the photoconductor support shafts 14 is prevented. The front positioning sleeve 56
The positioning cylindrical portion 56a inserted from the front side into a cylindrical space formed in the front end portion of the support shaft through hole 23b of the front end flange member 23 and the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member support shaft 14.
And a fixing portion 56b provided at the front end of the positioning cylindrical portion 56a. The front positioning sleeve 5
A conical tapered surface 56c is formed at the rear end of the positioning cylindrical portion 56a. In a state where the tapered surface 56c is inserted inside the front end of the support shaft through hole 23b (see FIG. 8), a fixing is made to penetrate the fixing portion 56b and screw with the female screw 14b of the front end surface of the photoconductor support shaft 14. Screw 57
Is tightened, the front positioning sleeve 56 moves rearward on the photoconductor support shaft 14, and accordingly, the photoconductor drum Pk also moves rearward.

The rear end of the mounting cylindrical portion 24a of the rear end flange member 24 has a tapered surface 15 of a cylindrical rear positioning sleeve 15 fixed on the photoreceptor support shaft 14.
a (see FIG. 9), and the front end of the mounting cylindrical portion 23a of the front end flange member 23 and the front positioning sleeve 5
The front positioning sleeve 56 is fixed on the photoreceptor support shaft 14 by a screw 57 in a state where the tapered surface 56c is in contact with the front side. 6 to 9, a bearing 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the front end of the front positioning sleeve 56.
The front support plate 11 is disposed in contact with the rear side surface of the bearing 60. A handle 61 is fixed to the front surface of the front support plate 11 with screws.

8 and 9, a front plate fixing member 62 is fixed to the printer front frame Ff with a screw N1. A front positioning plate 63 is fixed to the front plate fixing member 62 with a plurality of screws N2. 1 and 7, handles 64, 64 are fixed to both left and right ends of the front surface of the front positioning plate 63. In FIG. 1, the front positioning plate 63 is one large plate extending left and right, and is disposed on the front surface of the four front support plates 11 (see FIG. 2). Figure 1,
In FIG. 8, four bearing fitting holes (front photosensitive member positioning holes) 63a, front shaft guide grooves 63b, and handle through holes 63c are formed in the front positioning plate 63, which are separated in the left-right direction. . The four bearing fitting holes 63a are provided with bearings 6 on the front positioning sleeve 56 fixed to the front ends of the four photoconductor support shafts 14.
0 to position the front ends of the four photoconductor support shafts 14. The four front shaft guide grooves 63b are:
When the axes of the primary transfer rolls T1k, T1y, T1m, and T1c are raised (details will be described later), positioning is performed by guiding the front end of the shaft. Therefore, the four photoconductor support shafts 14
The front end of the primary transfer roll shaft is positioned at a predetermined position.

The front positioning plate 63 shown in FIG.
When the handle 61 is pulled out from the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 with a predetermined force or more in a state in which the screws 57 are removed, the front support plate 11 moves forward as shown in FIG. . At this time, the front-side positioning sleeve 56 and the bearing 60
Move forward, connecting members 9, 9 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) connected to the front supporting plate 11, and a rear supporting plate 12 connected to the rear ends of the connecting members 9, 9.
Is pulled out (forward) together with the movable slide rails 8, 8, the photosensitive drum unit Ua, the cleaner unit Ub, and the developing unit Uc. The symbols 1 to
15, 56 to 67, the K (black)
Of the toner image forming apparatus UK movably between a mounting position where the toner image forming apparatus UK is mounted inside the printer U2c and a pull-out position where the toner image forming apparatus UK is drawn out.
15, 56 to 67). The Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) toner image forming apparatuses UY, UM, and UC are configured similarly to the K (black) toner image forming apparatus UK.

FIG. 11 is an overall explanatory view of a drive unit for rotating the photosensitive member support shaft of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XII in FIG. FIG.
In FIGS. 0 to 12, a frame wall (image forming apparatus frame) FP is provided at a rear portion (−X side portion) of a frame of the printer U2c, and the frame wall FP has a motor unit MU and an output unit SU. The drive unit DU is supported. The output unit SU has an output frame K1, and the motor unit MU has a motor case K2. The motor case K2 includes a case body K2a and a case cover K connected by connecting screws.
2b. The output frame K1 and the case body K2a are connected by connecting screws.

A stator 71 is disposed inside the motor case K2. The lower end of the motor case main body K2a is fixed to the upper end of the output frame K1,
A bearing 72a is provided at the lower end of the motor case body K2a.
A bearing 72b is supported on the upper case cover K2b, and the shaft 73a of the rotor 73 is rotatably supported by the bearings 72a and 72b. At the lower end of the rotor shaft 73a, a hypoid pinion 73b composed of a pinion gear that meshes with a hypoid gear 79a (described later) described below is provided on the rotor shaft 73a.
And are integrally formed. A magnetic force generating member (permanent magnet or electromagnet) 73c is mounted on the rotor shaft 73a at a position facing the stator 71. As described above, since the hypoid pinion (pinion gear that meshes with the hypoid gear 79a (described later)) 73b is integrally formed at the tip of the shaft 73a of the rotor 73, it is possible to obtain a large reduction ratio by meshing with the hypoid gear described later. And high rotational force transmission efficiency can be obtained.

The output frame K1 has a pair of front and rear bearing support member receiving holes K1a formed therein.
A gap is formed between the bearing support member 76 and the output shaft 78.
Can be adjusted in the radial direction. The bearing support member 76 is fixed to the output frame K by the fixing screw N3.
Fixed to 1. The bearing support members 76, 7
The bearings 77 are supported by 6. An output shaft 78 extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) is rotatably supported by the bearings 77,77. Output shaft 7
8 includes a gear forming member 79 having a hypoid gear 79a.
Is mounted, and the hypoid gear 79 and the hypoid pinion 73b of the rotor 73 are engaged with each other. The gear forming member 79 is made of resin, and a hypoid gear 79a is formed on a ring-shaped flat surface formed on its rear end surface (the end surface on the −X side). The hypoid gear 79a formed on the flat surface is formed as a high ratio hypoid gear having a high reduction ratio. The front end of the output shaft 78 passes through a through hole FPa formed in the frame wall FP. The photosensitive member support shaft (another rotating member) 14 extending in the X-axis direction (front-rear direction) is connected to a front end (X end) of the output shaft 78 by a coupling 82. The photoconductor support shaft 14 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotor 73 of the drive unit DU.

The drive unit DU having the above-mentioned structure is provided at the rear end of the support shaft 14 of the photoconductors Pk, Py, Pm, Pc of the toner image forming apparatuses UK, UY, UM, UC of the respective colors. And a total of four are used. A rear positioning plate 80 is fixed to the front surfaces of the four output frames K1 by screws N4. Similarly to the front positioning sleeve 56, the rear positioning plate 80 has four bearing fitting holes (rear photoreceptor positioning holes) 80a and a rear shaft guide groove 80b. The four bearing fitting holes 80a are fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 77, respectively, and the four rear shaft guide grooves 80b are respectively fitted with the primary transfer rolls T1.
When the axes of k, T1y, T1m, and T1c are raised (details will be described later), positioning is performed by guiding the rear ends of the axes. Therefore, the rear ends of the four photoreceptor support shafts 14 and the primary transfer roll shaft are positioned at predetermined positions.

The drive units DU and the rear positioning plate 80 are fixed to the frame wall FP by screws N4. Frame wall F through which screw N4 passes
A gap is formed between the inner diameter of the screw through hole FPb of P and the outer shape of the screw N4, and the positions of the drive units DU and the rear positioning plate 80 can be adjusted with respect to the frame wall FP.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part in a state where the belt module and the secondary transfer unit are lowered from the state of FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the belt module, and FIG.
14B is a front view of the front plate of the belt frame, FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIVB-XIVB in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14C is a view seen from the arrow XIVC in FIG. 14B. FIG.
3, in FIG. 14, the belt module BM has a belt frame F2, and the belt frame F2 has a pair of front and rear belt support plates F2a and a connecting plate (not shown) for connecting them. A guide plate F2b is provided at the lower end of each belt support plate F2a.
Has been fixed. A guide groove F2c for guiding the axis of the secondary transfer roll T2b is formed in the guide plate F2b.

Four primary transfer shaft through holes 86 through which the primary transfer roll shafts T1a of the primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k pass are formed at the upper end portions of the pair of guide plates F2b. A spring support bracket 87 is fixed to a lower portion of each primary transfer shaft through hole 86 of the guide plate F2b, and a leaf spring 8 is provided on an upper surface of the spring support bracket 87.
8 is fixed, and the primary transfer roll axis T1a is
As shown in FIG. 14Cu, the upper surface of the leaf spring 88 presses the upper end of the primary transfer shaft through hole 86.

(Operation of Embodiment 1) FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which the front positioning plate is fixed to the front plate fixing member in the state of FIG. FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of FIG. 15 and 16, the front positioning plate 63 is fixed to the front plate fixing member 6 by a screw N2.
It is fixed to 2. In this state, the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 60 is fitted into the four bearing fitting holes 63a of the front positioning plate 63, and the front positioning sleeve 56 with the bearing 60 mounted thereon and the front ends of the photosensitive member support shafts 14 are connected to the front side. It is positioned and fixed to the positioning plate 63. At this time, as can be seen from FIG. 16, the output shafts 78 connected to the rear ends of the four photoconductor support shafts 14 are provided.
Is mounted on a rear positioning plate 80 via a bearing 77.
Are positioned and supported by the four bearing fitting holes 80a.

In FIGS. 15 and 16, the belt module BM has moved to the lowered position, and the secondary transfer unit Ut has also been rotated to the lowered position around the hinge axis Uta. The primary transfer roll shaft T1a is arranged below the front shaft guide groove 63b and the rear shaft guide groove 80b.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a state where the belt module and the secondary transfer unit are raised in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a side sectional view of FIG. When the belt module BM is raised from the state shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the primary transfer roll shaft T1a is
b and the rear side shaft guide groove 80b from below, and is guided by the respective guide grooves 63b, 80b so as to be guided by the respective guide grooves 63b.
b, 80b. At this time, since the leaf spring 88 supporting the primary transfer roll shaft T1a is elastically deformed, the primary transfer roll shaft T1a and the guide grooves 63b, 80
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of galling between b.
The primary transfer roll axis T1a is connected to each of the guide grooves 63b,
It is positioned and fixed at the upper end position of 80b.

Therefore, the front ends of the photosensitive member support shaft 14 and the primary transfer roll shaft T1a are connected to the bearing fitting hole 63a of the front positioning plate 63 and the front shaft guide groove 6 respectively.
3b positions and is fixed in a predetermined positional relationship. That is, the front positioning plate 63 positions the four photosensitive member support shafts 14 and the front ends of the primary transfer roll shafts T1a. Further, the rear end portions of the photoconductor support shaft 14 and the primary transfer roll shaft T1a are provided with the bearing fitting hole 80a of the rear positioning plate 80 and the rear shaft guide groove 8 respectively.
0b fixes the position in a predetermined positional relationship. That is, the rear positioning plate 80 positions the four photosensitive member support shafts 14 and the rear ends of the primary transfer roll shaft T1a. Therefore, four photoconductor support shafts 1
The front ends of the four and primary transfer roll shafts T1a are positioned by one front positioning plate 63, and the four photosensitive member support shafts 14 and the rear ends of the primary transfer roll shaft T1a are positioned one sheet later. Since it is performed with the side positioning plate 80,
Four photoconductor support shafts 14 and a primary transfer roll shaft T1a
Can be easily and accurately positioned.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 19 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem-type digital color copying machine) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 1 of Embodiment 1 described above.
In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but has the same configuration as the first embodiment in other points. In the second embodiment, the front positioning plate 63 is ROSy-RO
Sk is fixed to the front of the case. Although not shown, the rear positioning plate 80 (not shown) is
y to ROSk are fixed to the rear surface of the case.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, the front surfaces of the ROSy to ROSk cases and the front ends of the photosensitive member support shaft 14 and the primary transfer roll shaft T1a are
The positioning is fixed by one front positioning plate 63. Also, the back of the case of ROSy to ROSk,
The photoconductor support shaft 14 and the rear end of the primary transfer roll shaft T1a are connected to one rear positioning plate 80 (not shown).
With this, it is positioned and fixed. Therefore, four ROS
The mutual positional relationship between the cases y to ROSk and the four photoconductor support shafts 14 and the primary transfer roll shaft T1a can be easily and accurately determined.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 20 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 21 shows the third embodiment.
3 is a side sectional view of a main part of FIG. 20 and 21, in the third embodiment, the front positioning plate 6 of the first embodiment is used.
3 and the rear positioning plate 80 are omitted,
The front support plate 11 and the rear support plate 12 of the first embodiment have a function of positioning the photoconductor support shaft 14 and the primary transfer roll shaft T1a. The front support plate 11 is fixed to the front support plate positioning member 1 with a screw N5.

That is, a bearing fitting hole (front photosensitive member positioning hole) 11a and a front shaft guide groove 11b are formed in the front support plate 11, and the outer periphery of the bearing 60 is pressed into the bearing fitting hole 11a. Fixed. Further, the front shaft guide groove 11b is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Of the primary transfer roll shaft T as in the case of the front shaft guide groove 63b.
When 1a rises, it guides and positions its front end. The rear support plate 12 is provided with a through hole (rear photoreceptor positioning hole) 12a and a rear shaft guide groove 12b. The through hole 12a allows the rear cylindrical member 30 and the bearing 31 to pass through. Then, the rear end of the photosensitive member support shaft 14 is positioned. Also, the rear shaft guide groove 12
b is 1 as in the case of the rear shaft guide groove 80b of the first embodiment.
When the next transfer roll axis T1a rises, the rear end is guided and positioned. In the third embodiment, one front support plate 11 and one rear support plate 12 are used.
One photoconductor support shaft 14 and primary transfer roll shaft T1a
Is positioned. In this case, it is possible to accurately and easily determine the positional relationship between one photoconductor support shaft 14 and the primary transfer roll shaft T1a.

(Modifications) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but falls within the scope of the present invention described in the appended claims. Thus, various changes can be made. Modified embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified below. (H01) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus configured to directly transfer a toner image on a photosensitive member surface onto a sheet conveyed by a sheet conveying belt using a sheet conveying belt instead of the intermediate transfer belt. It is also possible to apply. (H02) The present invention can be applied to image forming apparatuses other than the tandem type.

[0064]

The rotary connection structure and the image forming apparatus having the rotation connection structure of the present invention described above have the following effects (E0).
1) and (E02) can be performed. (E01) In an image forming apparatus including a photosensitive drum and a transfer roll for transferring a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a transfer material, the mutual positional relationship between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roll can be determined with a simple configuration. Accurate and easy positioning can be achieved. (E02) In an image forming apparatus including a plurality of photosensitive drums and a plurality of transfer rolls for transferring a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a transfer material, a mutual positional relationship between the plurality of photosensitive drums and the transfer rolls Can be accurately and easily positioned with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem digital color copying machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the image forming apparatus in a state where a front positioning plate illustrated in FIG. 1 is omitted and a rear front support plate is illustrated.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the front-side support plate shown in FIG. 2 is omitted and the toner image forming apparatus on the rear side is shown.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front perspective view of the toner image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a state where the front support plate of FIG. 4 is omitted.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the toner image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of the toner image forming apparatus mounted at a mounting position inside the printer, and is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 5;
It is a line sectional view.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the toner image forming apparatus mounted at a mounting position inside the printer, and is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VI of FIG. 5;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II.

9 is a side sectional view of the toner image forming apparatus, showing a state in which the handle is pulled forward in the state of FIG. 8 to move the toner image forming apparatus forward from the position of FIG. 8; is there.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a photosensitive member support shaft on which a photosensitive member of the toner image forming apparatus is detachably mounted.

FIG. 11 is an overall explanatory diagram of a drive unit that rotationally drives a photosensitive member support shaft of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along arrow XII in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part in a state where the belt module and the secondary transfer unit are lowered from the state of FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a belt module, FIG. 14A is a front view of a front plate of a belt frame, and FIG.
4B is a sectional view taken along the line XIVB-XIVB in FIG.
FIG. 4C is a view as seen from the arrow XIVC in FIG. 14B.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which the front positioning plate is fixed to the front plate fixing member in the state of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view showing a state where the belt module and the secondary transfer unit are raised in the state of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a side sectional view of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem digital color copying machine) according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a side sectional view of a main part of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

B: Belt, BM: Belt module, CC
k, CCy, CCm, CCc ... charger, CLk ...
・ Cleaner, F2: Belt frame, Gk, Gy,
Gm, Gc: developing unit, Pk, Py, Pm, Pc,.
Photoreceptor, Rd: belt drive roll, Rd, Rt,
Rw, Rf, T2a: belt support roll, ROS
k, ROSy, ROSm, ROSc: latent image forming device, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a: driven roll, T1
a: Transfer roll axis, T1k, T1y, T1m, T1
c: transfer roll, Uk, Uy, Um, Uc: toner image forming device, U2: image forming device main body, 14.
..Photoconductor support shafts, 63, 11 ... front side positioning plates, 63a, 11a ... front side photoconductor shaft positioning holes,
63b, 11b: front shaft guide groove, 77: rear bearing, 80, 12: rear positioning plate,
80a, 12a ... rear side photoreceptor shaft positioning holes, 80
b, 12b: rear shaft guide groove, 88: elastic member.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H030 AA07 AB02 AD16 BB42 BB43 2H071 BA03 BA04 BA13 BA14 BA29 DA09 DA15 EA06 EA18 2H200 FA12 GA12 GA23 GA47 HA02 HB12 HB22 JB06 JB10 JC03 LA03 LA07 LA24

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having the following constitutional requirements (A01) to (A04): (A01) a surface of a photoreceptor rotating and moving around a plurality of photoreceptor support shafts extending in a front-rear direction is charged by a charger. A plurality of toner image forming apparatuses having a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface by a latent image forming apparatus and the developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image; A belt that sequentially contacts each photoconductor surface of the toner image forming apparatus and sequentially passes through each transfer area where the toner image on each photoconductor surface is sequentially superimposed and transferred, a belt driving roll that supports the belt, and a plurality of belts. A plurality of belt support rolls including a driven roll, a transfer roll for transferring the toner image on each photoconductor surface to the belt surface side in each of the transfer areas, and the belt support roll and the transfer roll are rotatable. And a resilient member that movably supports the axis of the transfer roll up and down, left and right within a predetermined movement range, and constantly urges it upward. A belt module movably supported between the moved maintenance position, and (A03) a toner image forming device housing space for housing the plurality of toner image forming devices and a belt module housing space for housing the belt module. An image forming apparatus main body in which the plurality of toner image forming apparatuses are detachably accommodated in the toner image forming apparatus accommodation space, and the belt module is detachably accommodated in the belt module accommodation space; (A04) A front-side photoreceptor shaft positioning hole for positioning and rotatably supporting a front end of the photoreceptor support shaft; Front positioning plate having a front shaft guide grooves for guiding the transfer roller shaft in a predetermined operating position when Le is moved to the raised position. 2. The following components (A01) to (A03), (A
05) an image forming apparatus comprising: (A01) a photoreceptor surface rotatably moving around a plurality of photoreceptor support axes extending in the front-rear direction is charged by a charger, and the charged surface is charged by a latent image forming apparatus to an electrostatic charge. A plurality of toner image forming apparatuses each having a photoconductor on which a latent image is formed and the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by a developing device; (A02) sequentially contacting each photoconductor surface of the plurality of toner image forming apparatuses A belt sequentially passing through each transfer area where the toner images on the respective photoreceptor surfaces are sequentially superimposed and transferred, a plurality of belt support rolls including a belt driving roll supporting the belt and a plurality of driven rolls, A transfer roll for transferring the toner image on each photoconductor surface to the belt surface side in each transfer area, the belt support roll, and a belt frame for rotatably supporting the transfer roll; An elastic member that movably supports the axis of the transfer roll up and down, left and right within a predetermined movement range, and constantly urges upward, between an operation position moved upward and a maintenance position moved downward. (A03) a belt module movably supported, comprising: a toner image forming device housing space for housing the plurality of toner image forming devices; and a belt module housing space for housing the belt module. An image forming apparatus main body in which the plurality of toner image forming apparatuses are detachably accommodated in a space, and the belt module is detachably accommodated in the belt module accommodating space; (A05) a rear end of the photoconductor supporting shaft; The rear photoreceptor shaft positioning hole for positioning and rotatably supporting the portion and formed below the photoreceptor shaft positioning hole and the Side positioning plate after having a side shaft guide grooves after guiding the copy roll axis to a predetermined operating position. 3. An image forming apparatus having the following constitutional requirements (B01) to (B04): (B01) The surface of a photoreceptor rotating around a photoreceptor support shaft extending in the front-rear direction is charged by a charger, and a latent image is charged. A toner image forming apparatus having a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface by an image forming apparatus and the developing device develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image; (B02) the toner image forming apparatus A transfer roller for transferring the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive member to a transfer material in the transfer area,
The axis of the transfer roll is constantly urged upward by an elastic member and is supported movably up and down, left and right within a predetermined movement range, and moves between an operation position moved up and a maintenance position moved down. (B03) a transfer roll housing space for housing the transfer roll, the transfer roll housing space for housing the toner image forming device, and a transfer roll housing space for housing the transfer roll. A main body of the image forming apparatus in which the toner image forming apparatus is detachably accommodated, and the belt module is detachably accommodated in the belt module accommodating space; (B04) a front end of the photosensitive member support shaft is positioned; A front-side photoreceptor shaft positioning hole rotatably supported and formed below the photoreceptor shaft positioning hole, and when the belt module moves to a raised position, the transfer roll shaft is moved to a predetermined position And a front-side positioning plate having a front-side shaft guide groove for guiding to an operation position of the front side. 4. The following components (B01) to (B03), (B03)
05) an image forming apparatus comprising: (B01) a photoreceptor surface rotatably moving around a photoreceptor support shaft extending in the front-rear direction is charged by a charger, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface by a latent image forming apparatus. Is formed, and a toner image forming apparatus having a photoconductor on which the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by a developing device,
(B02) A transfer roll for transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor surface of the toner image forming apparatus to a transfer material in the transfer area, wherein the axis of the transfer roll is constantly urged upward by an elastic member, and is vertically and horizontally (B03) the transfer roller supported movably in a predetermined movement range and movably supported between an operation position moved upward and a maintenance position moved downward. A space for accommodating the toner image forming apparatus and a transfer roll accommodating space for accommodating the transfer roll, wherein the toner image forming apparatus is detachably accommodated in the toner image forming apparatus accommodating space; The image forming apparatus main body in which the belt module is detachably housed,
(B05) A rear photoreceptor shaft positioning hole for positioning and rotatably supporting a rear end of the photoreceptor support shaft, and the transfer roll shaft is formed under the rear photoreceptor shaft positioning hole when the belt module moves to a raised position. A rear positioning plate having a rear shaft guide groove for guiding to a predetermined operation position.