JP2002368442A - Unit member fixing device and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a unit member fixing device that positions and fixes a unit member to and at a prescribed position on the main body of the device with a simple constitution, can be operated easily, and can stably secure the member with a sufficient fixing force after fixation, and to provide an image forming apparatus using the fixing device. SOLUTION: The unit member is provided with an operating member which can be operated from the outside and an engaged member having a plurality of engaged sections which are actuated when the operating member is operated on its external side face. The main body of the fixing device is provided with a plurality of engaging members with which the engaged sections of the engaged member are engaged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic system,
Electrostatic recording system, ionography, adopting an image forming system such as a magnetic recording system, a copier for forming a color or black and white image, a printer, a fixing device of a unit member used in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, and, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using the same, and particularly to a fixing device for a unit member capable of easily and securely fixing a unit member such as a fixing device or a developing device to a predetermined position of an apparatus main body and using the same. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer or a facsimile which employs an image forming method such as the electrophotographic method described above, it is needless to say that image quality such as full color and high image quality is required. Satisfies various requirements, such as miniaturization of equipment, long life, high productivity, power saving, and reduction of first printout time (time from power-on until printing of the first sheet becomes possible). Is being sought.

In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, in order to improve maintainability, not only an image forming section but also an image forming member such as a fixing device is unitized, and the unitized member is formed. Has been configured to be exchangeably attached to the apparatus body.

[0004] By the way, as an attachment device for exchangeably attaching a unitized member such as the fixing device to the image forming apparatus main body, for example, as shown in FIG. One mounting part 1
001 is provided, and a screw 1002 is fixed to an apparatus main body (not shown) at four points via these four mounting portions 1001.

However, in this case, when attaching or detaching a unitized member such as a fixing device to or from the image forming apparatus main body, it is necessary to loosen or tighten the four screws 1002, which is very troublesome. However, there is a problem that workability is poor.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem,
As a device for attaching a unitized member such as a fixing device to the device main body so as to be exchangeable, one side of the unit member is hooked to a predetermined position of the device main body by a projection such as a claw, and the other side is a lock mechanism. A device that is configured to be fixed at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body by using a device has already been proposed and actually used.

[0007]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems. That is, in the case of the above-described conventional unit-member mounting apparatus, the lock mechanism is adopted on one side of the unit member to be mounted on the apparatus main body. Is complicated, and a relatively strong force is applied at the time of locking or unlocking. Therefore, the life of the lock mechanism is shorter than the life of a unit member such as a fixing device, and it becomes difficult to replace the unit member. There was a problem that. For this reason, the support force of the lock mechanism is set slightly lower so that the life of the lock mechanism is set to be substantially equal to the life of the unit members such as the fixing device. In addition to sacrificing stability, there is also a problem that the supporting force and the stability are not sufficient because the number of supporting portions of the lock mechanism is small.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to move a unit member to a predetermined position of an apparatus main body.
In a fixing device for a unit member to be positioned and fixed, a fixing device for the unit member, which has a simple structure and operation of the device and can obtain a sufficient fixing force and stability after fixing, and using the same. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing device for positioning and fixing a unit member at a predetermined position of an apparatus body. An operating member provided on the outer surface of the unit member so as to be operable from the outside, and an engaging member having a plurality of engaging portions that are operated by operating the operating member are provided. Is a unit member fixing device provided with a plurality of engaged members with which a plurality of engaging portions of the engaging member are engaged.

In the invention described in claim 2, the engaging member has two engaging portions, and two engaging members are provided, one at each end of the unit member. 2. The unit member according to claim 1, wherein the device main body is provided with four engaged members with which four engagement portions of the two engagement members are engaged. It is a fixing device.

Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 3, the positioning of the unit member is performed by a positioning portion provided at a position different from the engaging portion of the engaging member. It is a fixing device of the unit member described in 1 or 2.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the engaging portion of the engaging member positions the unit member, the direction in which the unit member moves is determined by the direction of engagement of the engaging member. The unit member fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the direction is set to be the same as the direction, and the positioning of the unit member is guided by the engaging member. is there.

Further, in the invention described in claim 5, a holding member for holding the engaging member at an engaging position with the engaged member of the apparatus main body and a non-engaging position is provided. An apparatus for fixing a unit member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

[0014] Still further, the invention according to claim 6 provides
The operation of engaging and disengaging the engagement member with the engaged member and the operation of holding and releasing the engagement member by the holding member can be performed in one operation. 6. A fixing device for a unit member according to any one of 1 to 5.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a unit member detachably attached to an apparatus main body, wherein the unit member includes an outer surface of the unit member. And an operating member provided to be operable from the outside, and an engaging member having a plurality of engaging portions that are operated by operating the operating member. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of engaged members to which the engaging portions are engaged.

As the unit member, for example, a unitized fixing device is used, but it is not limited to this, and it is a matter of course that a developing device or the like may be used.

[0017]

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

FIG. 2 shows a tandem-type full-color printer as an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 01 denotes a main body of a tandem type full-color printer.
The print head device (Print Head Device) 02 for performing full-color image formation is roughly divided into 01 inside.
An ROS (Raster Output Scanner) 03 as an exposure device for exposing four photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 as image carriers of the print head device 02, and developing each color of the print head device 02. Equipment 41, 42,
Four toner boxes 04Y, 04M, 04C, and 04K for supplying toners of colors corresponding to 43 and 44, a paper feed cassette 05 for supplying recording paper P as a recording medium to the print head device 02, and the print head A fixing device 70 that performs a fixing process on the recording paper P on which the toner image has been transferred from the device 02 and a recording paper P on which an image is fixed on one side by the fixing device 70 are again turned upside down. A double-sided conveyance path 07 for conveying to the transfer section of the print head device 02, a manual paper feeding unit 08 for feeding desired recording paper P from outside the printer main body 01, and a controller 09 for controlling the operation of the printer; An electric circuit 10 including an image processing circuit for performing image processing on an image signal and a high-voltage power supply circuit is provided. In FIG. 2, T indicates a discharge toilet for discharging the recording paper P on which an image has been formed, and the discharge toilet T is integrally disposed on the upper portion of the printer main body 01.

Of the various members disposed inside the printer main body 01, ROS03 as an exposure device corresponds to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Four semiconductor lasers driven to be lit based on the obtained image data, an f-θ lens or polygon mirror for deflecting and scanning four laser beams emitted from these four semiconductor lasers, or a plurality of reflections It is composed of a mirror and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a print head device of a tandem type full color printer as an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In addition, the arrow in FIG. 3 has shown the rotation direction of each rotating member.

As shown in FIG. 3, the print head device 02 has photosensitive drums (image carriers) 11, 12 for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Forming units 1, 2, 3, including
4 and a primary charging charging roller (contact type charging device) 21, 22, 23, 2 for contacting the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, 14.
4 and laser beams 31, 32, 33, 33 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
An ROS (exposure device) 03 (see FIG. 2) that irradiates the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 with yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C),
A developing device 41 for developing with toner of each color of black (K),
42, 43, 44 and the above four photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, 14
The first primary intermediate transfer drum (intermediate transfer member) 51 that contacts two of the photosensitive drums 11 and 12 and the second primary intermediate transfer drum (intermediate) that contacts the other two photosensitive drums 13 and 14 Transfer member) 52, a secondary intermediate transfer drum (intermediate transfer member) 53 that contacts the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52, and a final transfer roll (contact member) that contacts the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53. The main part thereof is constituted by the transfer member) 60.

The photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are arranged at regular intervals so as to have a common tangent plane M. Further, the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51 and the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52 have their respective rotating shafts of the photosensitive drums 11, 1.
They are arranged so as to be parallel to the axes 2, 13 and 14 and have a plane-symmetric relation with a predetermined plane of symmetry as a boundary. Further, the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 includes the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, 14
And the rotation axis are parallel to each other.

Signals corresponding to the image information for each color are rasterized by an image processing circuit provided in the electric circuit 10 (see FIG. 2) and input to the ROS03. This ROS
In 03, laser beams 31, 32, 33, and 33 of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)
34 is modulated, and the photoconductor drums 11, 12, 13,
Irradiated at 14.

Around the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14, an image forming process for each color is performed by a known electrophotographic method. First, the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 1
For example, photosensitive drums using an OPC photosensitive member having a diameter of 20 mm are used as the photosensitive drums 3, 14, and these photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are driven to rotate at a rotation speed of, for example, 95 mm / sec. You. The photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, 14
As shown in FIG. 3, the surface of is charged to about -300 V, for example, by applying a DC voltage of about -840 V to the charging rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24 as contact-type charging devices. The contact-type charging device includes a roll-type charging device, a film-type charging device, and a brush-type charging device, but any type may be used.
In this embodiment, a charging roll generally used in an electrophotographic apparatus in recent years is employed. Further, in this embodiment, in order to charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14, a charging method of applying only DC is used, but a charging method of applying AC + DC may be used.

Thereafter, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13 and 14 correspond to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) by ROS03 as an exposure device. The laser beams 31, 32, 33, and 34 are applied to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the input image information for each color. When an electrostatic latent image is written by ROS03 on the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14, the surface potential of the image exposed portion is
The charge is removed to about -60 V or less.

An electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) formed on the surface of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14. Are developed by the developing devices 41, 42, 43, and 44 of the corresponding colors, and yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are formed on the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14, respectively. Are visualized as toner images of the respective colors.

In this embodiment, the developing devices 41, 42, 4
The magnetic brush contact type two-component developing method is adopted for 3, 44, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this developing method, and the present invention can be sufficiently applied to the non-contact type developing method. Of course.

The developing devices 41, 42, 43, and 44 contain toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners of different colors and a developer composed of a carrier. Is filled. These developing devices 41, 42,
As shown in FIG. 2, when the toner is supplied from the toner boxes 04Y, 04M, 04C, and 04K of the corresponding colors, the supplied toner is sufficiently stirred with the carrier by the auger 404. Is charged by friction. Inside the developing roll 401, a magnet roll (not shown) having a plurality of magnetic poles arranged at a predetermined angle is arranged in a fixed state. By a paddle 403 for transporting the developer to the developing roll 401,
The developer transported near the surface of the developing roll 401 is
The amount conveyed to the developing section is regulated by the developer amount regulating member 402. In this embodiment, the amount of the developer is
30 to 50 g / m ² , and at this time, the developing roll 401
The charge amount of the toner present on the surface is approximately -20 to 35 μC / g.
It is about.

The toner supplied onto the developing roll 401 is in the form of a magnetic brush composed of carrier and toner by the magnetic force of the magnet roll, and this magnetic brush is used as the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14. Is in contact with An AC + DC developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roll 401 to apply toner on the developing roll 401 to the photosensitive drums 11, 12, and 12.
By developing the electrostatic latent image formed on 13, 14
A toner image is formed. In this embodiment, for example,
When the AC component of the developing bias voltage is 4 kHz and 1.5 kVpp,
The DC component is set to about -230V.

In this embodiment, the developing devices 41, 4
2, 43 and 44, the toner is a so-called "spherical toner" which is a substantially spherical toner and has an average particle diameter of 3 to
For example, the average particle diameter of the black toner is set to 8 μm, and the average particle diameter of the color toner is set to 7 μm.

Next, the respective photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, 14
The toner images of the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) formed on the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51 and the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52
Is electrostatically secondary-transferred. The yellow (Y) and magenta (M) toner images formed on the photoconductor drums 11 and 12 are formed on the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51 by the cyan (C) formed on the photoconductor drums 13 and 14. The toner images of C) and black (K) are respectively transferred onto the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52. Accordingly, on the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51, the monochrome image transferred from either of the photosensitive drums 11 and 12 and the two-color toner image transferred from both of the photosensitive drums 11 and 12 are superimposed. A double-color image is formed. Also, on the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52, similar single color images and double color images are formed from the photosensitive drums 13 and 14.

The first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 5
The surface potential required for electrostatically transferring the toner images from the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 onto the surface 1, 52 is approximately +250 to 500 V. This surface potential is set to an optimum value depending on the charged state of the toner, the ambient temperature, and the humidity. The ambient temperature and the humidity can be easily known by detecting the resistance value of a member having a characteristic in which the resistance value changes depending on the ambient temperature and the humidity. As described above, when the charge amount of the toner is in the range of -20 to 35 .mu.C / g and the environment is normal temperature and normal humidity, the surface potential of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 becomes , + 380V is desirable.

The first and second primaries used in this embodiment
The intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 have, for example, an outer diameter of 42 mm.
And the resistance is 10⁸It is set to about Ω. 1st, 2nd
The primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 are single-layer or
Consists of flexible or elastic cylindrical
Rotating body, generally made of metal such as Fe or Al
Conductive silicone rubber on metal pipe as core
Low resistance elastic rubber layer (R = 10^Two~Ten^ThreeΩ)
Is provided with a thickness of about 0.1 to 10 mm. Furthermore,
The outermost surfaces of the first and second intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 are typically
Is fluororubber with fluororesin microparticles dispersed in a thickness of 3 to
100 μm high release layer (R = 10^Five~Ten⁹Ω)
And connect with a silane coupling agent-based adhesive (primer).
Is being worn. What is important here is the resistance value and surface release.
And the resistance of the high release layer is R = 10 ^Five~Ten⁹About Ω
Yes, as long as the material has a high mold release property, the material is particularly limited
Not done.

As described above, the single-color or double-color toner images formed on the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 are
The image is electrostatically tertiarily transferred onto the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53. Therefore, on the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53, a final toner image from a single color image to a quadruple color image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is formed. Will be.

The surface potential required for electrostatically transferring the toner images from the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 onto the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is about +600 to 1200 V. . The surface potential is the same as when the toner is transferred from the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 to the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51 and the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52. Will be set to the optimum value. Also, since what is necessary for the transfer is the potential difference between the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 and the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53, the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 5 are required.
It is necessary to set the value according to the surface potential of 2.
As described above, the charge amount of the toner is in the range of -20 to 35 .mu.C / g, and the surface potential of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 is +380 V under normal temperature and normal humidity environment. In this case, the surface potential of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is about +880 V, that is, the potential difference between the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 and the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is +880 V. It is desirable to set to about 500V.

The secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 used in this embodiment has an outer diameter of, for example, 42 mm, which is the same as the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52, and a resistance value of 10 ¹¹ Ω.
Set to about. Also, the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 has a single-layer structure, similarly to the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52.
Alternatively, the rotating body is a cylindrical rotating body having a flexible or elastic surface having a plurality of layers, and is generally made of conductive silicone rubber or the like on a metal pipe as a metal core made of Fe, Al, or the like. A typical low-resistance elastic rubber layer (R =
10 ² to 10 ³ Ω) in a thickness of about 0.1 to 10 mm. Further, the outermost surface of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is typically made of a fluoro rubber in which fluoro resin fine particles are dispersed, having a thickness of 3 to
It is formed as a high release layer having a thickness of 100 μm, and is bonded with a silane coupling agent-based adhesive (primer). here,
The resistance value of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 needs to be set higher than those of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52.
Otherwise, the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 charges the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52, and it is difficult to control the surface potential of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52. Become. The material is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies such conditions.

Next, the final toner image from the single color image to the quadruple color image formed on the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is
The third transfer is performed by the final transfer roll 60 onto the sheet P passing through the sheet transport path. The paper P passes through a paper transport roll 90 through a paper feeding process (not shown), and is transferred to the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53.
Is transferred to the nip portion of the final transfer roll 60. After this final transfer step, the final toner image formed on the paper is fixed by the fixing device 70, and a series of image forming processes is completed.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the nip pressure is released, the fixing device 70 moves to a position different from a predetermined operation position, in the illustrated example, to a rightward position in FIG. It is possible. Further, the fixing device 70
When the transfer roller 60 is moved to a position different from the predetermined operation position, the transfer roll 60 can be separated from the final intermediate transfer member 53.

The fixing device according to this embodiment includes a heating roller having a heating source therein, a fixing belt formed in an endless belt shape, and a state in which the fixing belt is fitted inside both ends of the fixing belt. A belt guide member disposed rotatably on an inner surface of the fixing belt; a pressure contact member disposed inside the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the surface of the heating roll; An oil supply member for supplying oil to the inner surface, wherein the fixing is performed by passing a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image through a nip formed between the heating roll and the fixing belt. ing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the fixing device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the fixing device according to this embodiment.

The fixing device 70 according to this embodiment is similar to the fixing device 70 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device unit 70 is unitized, and the fixing device unit 70 is fixed to the printer main body by the fixing device of the unit member according to the present embodiment.
It is configured to be detachable from 01. The fixing device unit 70 can be easily replaced with a new fixing device unit 70.

The fixing device 70 according to this embodiment is different from the fixing device 70 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a heating roll 70 having a heating source 701 therein.
2, a fixing belt 703 having an endless belt shape, a belt guide member 704 supporting both ends of the fixing belt 703 so that the fixing belt 703 is rotatable,
The fixing roller 703 includes a pressing member 705 for pressing the fixing belt 703 against the surface of the heating roll 702, and a felt member 706 as an oil supply member for supplying oil to the inner surface of the fixing belt 703. It is configured. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 750 denotes an exit roll of the fixing device 70.

The heating roll 702 includes a thin cylindrical core made of iron, stainless steel, or the like, an elastic layer having a thickness of about 0.65 mm made of silicon rubber or the like coated on the surface of the core, And a release layer having a thickness of about 30 μm made of PFA or the like coated on the surface of the layer. Also, inside the heating roll 702, 60
A 0 W halogen lamp 701 is provided.

The fixing belt 703 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyimide and has an outer diameter of 30 mm and a thickness of 75 μm.
m, and is provided with a release layer made of PFA or the like on the surface as necessary.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the belt guide member 704 is constructed so as to be integrally assembled with the pressure contact member 705.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pressure contact member 705 includes a belt housing 707 made of synthetic resin, and a metal belt having a substantially U-shaped cross section which is mounted on the belt housing 707 in a fitted state. Frame 708 and fixing belt 703
Nip head member for pressing the heater against the heating roll 702
709 and a pad member 710 mounted on the nip head member 709.

The belt guide member 704 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the belt frame 708 is attached to both ends of the belt housing 707 in a state of being fitted to fitting portions 708a projecting in parallel from each other at both ends of the belt frame 708.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressure contact member 705 is connected to the arm member 71 via a belt guide member 704.
7, and the arm member 717 urges the pressing member 705 by the coil spring 718 to the heating roll 70.
It is configured so that it is brought into pressure contact with 2 at a predetermined pressure. 7 and 8, reference numeral 719 denotes a fixing belt and a pressing member.
705 shows a film-shaped sheet member made of synthetic resin interposed between the sheet member and the sheet member.

The fixing device for a unit member according to this embodiment is a fixing device for positioning and fixing the unit member at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body. An operation member provided operable from the outside and an engagement member having a plurality of engagement portions that are operated by operating the operation member are provided, and the device body includes a plurality of the engagement members. It is configured to provide a plurality of engaged members with which the engaging portions are engaged.

In the unit member fixing device according to this embodiment, the engaging member has two engaging portions, and the engaging members are respectively provided on both ends of the unit member. Two are provided, and the device main body includes:
It is configured such that four engaged members with which the four engaging portions of the two engaging members are engaged are provided.

Further, in the fixing device for a unit member according to this embodiment, the positioning of the unit member is performed by a positioning portion provided at a position different from the engaging portion of the engaging member. I have.

Further, in the fixing device for a unit member according to this embodiment, when the engaging portion of the engaging member positions the unit member, the moving direction of the unit member is changed to the direction of the engaging member. Are set in the same direction as the direction of engagement of the unit member, and the engagement member guides the positioning of the unit member.

Further, the unit member fixing device according to this embodiment is provided with a holding member for holding the engaging member at an engaging position and a non-engaging position with the engaged member of the apparatus main body. And the operation of engaging and disengaging the engagement member with the engaged member, and the operation of holding and releasing the engagement member by the holding member can be performed in one operation. Has become.

FIG. 1 is a structural view showing a unit member fixing device according to this embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 720 denotes a slide lever as an operating member provided on the upper surface of the fixing device unit 70 near each end along the longitudinal direction thereof. The slide lever 720 is connected to the fixing device unit 70.
Is provided so as to be slidable from outside. The slide lever 720 has protrusions 721 provided on both side surfaces thereof.
Thereby, it is slidably attached to the housing 722 of the fixing device unit 70 in the arrow direction.

At the lower end of the slide lever 720, a slide plate 723 as an engagement member is attached in a fitted state. This slide plate 723
As shown in FIG. 9, is formed by a metal plate such as SUS into a substantially rectangular section with an open lower end surface. On the lower end surface of the slide plate 723, two engaging portions 724 having a gap of a predetermined width are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction by bending from both sides in the width direction.
An opening 725 for guiding and releasing an engagement state with an engaged portion described later is formed in a substantially square shape inside one engagement portion 724 of the slide plate 723. I have. Further, the opening of the slide plate 723 is
Inside 725, a projection 727 for fixing the next spring plate 726 is provided.

A spring plate 726 is attached to the lower end surface of the slide plate 723 as a holding member for holding two compression springs 728 interposed between the slide plate 723 and the upper inner surface. ing. The spring plate 726 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. Above spring plate 726
Is moved by the two compression springs 728 interposed between the slide plate 723 and the slide plate 723.
The slide plate 723 is urged upward.
Is held at an engagement position with the engaged member and a non-engagement position of the apparatus main body 01 described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, two engagement portions of a slide plate 723 operated by a slide lever 720 of the fixing device unit 70 are provided on the printer body 01.
Four studs 730 as four engaged members are provided at positions corresponding to a total of four engaging portions 724 on the slide plate 723 on two sides 724. The upper end of the stud 730 has a slide plate 723 as shown in FIG.
An engaged portion 731 having a small diameter with which the engaging portion 724 is engaged;
An engaged receiving portion 732 provided above the engaged portion 731 is provided. The engaged receiving portion 732 of the stud 730
The lower end face and the upper end face of each are formed in a tapered shape, so that engagement with the slide plate 723 and holding of the engaged state can be performed easily and reliably.

In the above configuration, in the color printer using the unit member fixing device according to this embodiment, the unit member for positioning and fixing the unit member at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body is as follows. In this fixing device, the structure and operation of the device are simple, and it is possible to obtain sufficient fixing force and stability of the unit member after fixing.

That is, in the color printer according to the present embodiment, when the fixing device unit 70 is replaced, as shown in FIG. 11, the nip state is released by the nip releasing lever 734 of the fixing device unit 70. , FIG.
0, the covers 735 and 736 of the printer main body 01 are opened, and the four studs 730 for fixing the fixing device unit 70 are fitted so as to be at predetermined positions. Set to position. Next, the nip release lever 734 of the fixing device unit 70 is depressed to bring the fixing device unit 70 into a nip state.

In order to remove the fixing device unit 70, as shown in FIG. 12, after the nip state is released by the nip releasing lever 734 of the fixing device unit 70, the fixing release operation described below is performed to perform the fixing release operation. Equipment unit
70 is raised upward.

When replacing the fixing device unit 70, as shown in FIG. 13, the slide lever 720 provided on the fixing device unit 70 is slid to the disengaged position.

Next, when the fixing device unit 70 is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position of the printer main body 01,
As shown in FIG. 14, the slide lever 720 is slid to the engagement position. When releasing the fixing, the slide lever 720 is operated as shown in FIG.

At this time, the fixing device unit 70 and the studs of the printer main body 01 are studded into a substantially square opening 725 provided on the slide plate 723 of the fixing device unit 70 as shown in FIG. The upper end portion 732 of the fixing member 730 is positioned when it is fitted, so that the fixing device unit 70 and the stud 730 of the printer main body 01 can be accurately positioned.

Thereafter, when the slide lever 7207 of the fixing device unit 70 is slid to the engagement position as described above, the two engagement portions 724 provided on the slide plate 723 are provided.
Moves so as to engage with the engaged portion 731 of the stud 730 of the printer main body 01. These two engaging portions 724
Since it is provided on one slide plate 723, it moves together with the slide plate 723 by the same amount in the same direction. At that time, the two studs of the printer body 01
730 is arranged at the same interval as the two engagement portions 724 of the slide plate 723, so that one engagement portion 724 of the slide plate 723 is engaged with the engaged portion of the stud 730.
At the same time, the fixing device unit 70 is accurately positioned at a predetermined mounting position. Since the two engaging portions 724 of the slide plate 723 are formed with a gap having a predetermined width, the two engaging portions 724 are positioned and guided along the surface of the engaged portion 731 of the cylindrical stud 730. Is engaged.

Next, when the slide lever 720 of the fixing device unit 70 is slid to a predetermined engagement completed position, the two engagement portions 724 of the one side slide plate 723,
A total of four engaging parts 724 with slide plates 723 on both sides
1 is completely engaged with the engaged portion 731 of the stud 730 as shown in FIG. At this time, the slide plate 723 is urged upward by two compression springs 728 provided on the spring plate 726, and the two engagement portions 724 of the slide plate 723 are
When the stud 730 is pressed against the lower surface of the engaged receiving portion 732, the positioning and fixing state is maintained.

As described above, in the above embodiment, in the fixing device of the unit member for positioning and fixing the fixing device unit 70 at a predetermined position of the device main body 01, the structure and operation of the device are simple, and the fixing is simple. Later, it is possible to obtain sufficient fixing force and stability of the fixing device unit 70.

The direction of movement of the slide plate 723 may be set in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slide plate 723. It may be configured to engage with a part.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a unit member fixing device for positioning and fixing a unit member at a predetermined position of an apparatus main body, the structure and operation of the device are simple, and it is possible to obtain sufficient fixing force and stability of the unit member after fixing. It is possible to provide a fixing device for a unit member and an image forming apparatus using the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of a unit member fixing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a tandem-type full-color printer as an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a print head device of a tandem-type full-color printer as an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a fixing device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional configuration diagram showing a fixing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a pressing member.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a pressing member.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a fixing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a slide plate.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting state of the fixing device.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view showing a mounting state of the fixing device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a detached state of the fixing device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a mounted state of the fixing device.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory perspective view showing a mounting state of the fixing device.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory perspective view showing a detached state of the fixing device.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a conventional unit member fixing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

70: Fixing device, 720: Slide lever (operation member), 7
23: slide plate (engagement member), 724: engagement part, 0
1: Printer body, 730: Stud (engaged member), 731
: Engaged part.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yasutaka Goto 3-7-1, Fuuchi, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Fukuda 3-7-1, Fuuchi, Iwatsuki-shi, Saitama Fuji Xerox Corporation F-term (reference) 2H071 BA13 BA29 DA08 DA12 EA04 EA06 4E360 AB16 EC12 EC16 ED01 ED03 ED16 ED28 GA04 GA08 GA49 GB48 GC03

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A fixing device for positioning and fixing a unit member at a predetermined position of an apparatus main body, wherein the unit member includes an operation member provided on an outer surface of the unit member so as to be operable from outside, and An engagement member having a plurality of engagement portions that are operated by operating an operation member; and a plurality of engaged members in which the plurality of engagement portions of the engagement member are engaged with the apparatus main body. A fixing device for a unit member, comprising a member. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging member has two engaging portions, and two engaging members are provided, one at each end of the unit member.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein four engaged members are provided with which four engaging portions of the two engaging members are engaged.
The fixing device for a unit member according to item 1. 3. The fixing of the unit member according to claim 1, wherein the positioning of the unit member is performed by a positioning portion provided at a position different from the engaging portion of the engaging member. apparatus. 4. A direction in which the unit member moves when the engaging portion of the engaging member positions the unit member is set to the same direction as the engaging direction of the engaging member. The unit member fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engagement member guides positioning of the unit member. 5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a holding member for holding said engaging member at an engaging position and a non-engaging position of said apparatus main body with said engaged member. A fixing device for a unit member according to any one of the above items. 6. An operation for engaging and disengaging an engaging member with an engaged member, and for holding and releasing an engaging member by a holding member in a single operation. The fixing device for a unit member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein 7. An image forming apparatus comprising a unit member detachably attached to an apparatus main body, wherein the unit member is provided on an outer surface of the unit member so as to be operable from outside. A member and an engaging member having a plurality of engaging portions that are operated by operating the operation member are provided, and the device main body is engaged with the plurality of engaging portions of the engaging member. An image forming apparatus comprising: