JP2004220047A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve maintainability of a photoreceptor and a latent image device and correcting a positional relation of the photoreceptor to the latent image device. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises the photoreceptor 1, and the latent image device 2 writing the static latent image by scanning with a laser light based on an image data on the photoreceptor 1, and a frame 3, on which an arranging member 3b connecting a cabinet A and the latent image device 2, is formed. The image forming apparatus is constituted, such that the latent image device 2 is freely insertable in its axial direction for the cabinet A, the frame 3 is fixed with the cabinet A, with the one side of the photoreceptor 1 and with another side of the photoreceptor 1 being fixed by a positioning pin P1 with the cabinet A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that writes an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor from a latent image device and records the image on a predetermined medium.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a conventional image forming apparatus. In this image forming apparatus, the photoconductor 1 is attached to the main body casing A via the side plate 5, and the latent image device 2 is attached to the main casing A via the support 6.

The shaft 1a of the photoconductor 1 is inserted into the side plate 5 via the bearing B, and makes the photoconductor 1 rotatable. The side plate 5 is detachably attached to the main body housing A via the positioning pin P3. Further, the support 6 supporting the latent image device 2 is attached to the main body housing A by the positioning pin P4.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of optical systems are fixed to the same support member. Further, Patent Literature 2 discloses a configuration in which a latent image device and a photoreceptor shaft are positioned in a vertical split type image forming apparatus.

JP-A-64-70774 JP-A-6-242463

  However, such an image forming apparatus has the following problems. That is, in this image forming apparatus, since the latent image device is attached to the main body housing via the support, and the photoconductor is attached to the main body housing via the side plate, the distance between the latent image device and the photoconductor is reduced. The tolerances are accumulated among the latent image device, the main body case, the side plate, and the photoconductor (axis), and it is difficult to accurately position the manufacturing apparatus and the photoconductor. This causes so-called color misregistration particularly in a color image forming apparatus, making it difficult to obtain a good image.

  For example, when the side plate is detached from the positioning pins and the photosensitive member is inserted and removed from the main body housing, a slight displacement occurs in the positional relationship between the latent image device and the photosensitive member depending on the mounting state, thereby deteriorating the image quality. Cause.

  Further, since the latent image device and the photosensitive member are positioned via a large number of components as described above, strong fastening between the latent image device and the photosensitive member cannot be obtained, and the latent image device and the photosensitive member are transmitted to each other. There is a problem that the image quality is deteriorated due to the vibration.

  Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of optical systems are fixed to the same support member is disclosed. However, high-precision positioning between a latent image device and a photoconductor, and strong It does not provide a proper fastening, and causes deterioration of image quality due to so-called color shift and vibration.

  Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, a configuration is disclosed in which a latent image device and a photosensitive member shaft are positioned in a vertical split type image forming apparatus. There is a problem that the method cannot be applied to an image forming apparatus that draws out the image.

  The present invention is an image forming apparatus made to solve such a problem. That is, according to the present invention, a photosensitive member, a latent image device that scans a laser beam based on image data to write an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, a main body housing, and an arrangement member for mounting the latent image device are formed. And an image forming apparatus having a latent image device held in the frame and being freely insertable in the axial direction of the photoconductor with respect to the main body housing. On one side in the direction, the photosensitive member is positioned by the axis of the photosensitive member, and on the other side, the positioning pin is used to position the main body.

  According to the present invention, the photosensitive member and the latent image device are collectively attached to the main body housing, and the holding member for detachably holding the photosensitive member and the latent image device maintains the positional relationship between the photosensitive member and the latent image device. Can be inserted and removed from the main body housing. Further, by attaching the holding member to the main body housing via the elastic member, the vibration from the main body housing side can be absorbed by the elastic member and can be prevented from being transmitted to the photoconductor and the latent image device. Further, since one side of the frame is positioned on the main body by the axis of the photoconductor and the other side is positioned by the positioning pin, the frame can be easily and accurately fixed.

  Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, in the present invention, since the supporting member for supporting the shaft of the photoreceptor and the disposing member for attaching the latent image device are formed integrally, it is possible to keep these positional relations strong. Thus, the photosensitive member and the latent image device can be accurately positioned.

  Further, the transfer function in the vibration between the photosensitive member and the latent image device can be improved, and good image quality can be obtained. Further, the photosensitive member and the latent image device can be simultaneously pulled out, the frame can be easily and accurately fixed by the positioning pins, and the maintainability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. That is, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a latent image device 2 that writes an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 1 by scanning laser light based on image data with a polygon mirror or the like. The embodiment is characterized in that a support member 3a for supporting the shaft 1a of the photoconductor 1 and an arrangement member 3b for attaching the latent image device 2 are configured as an integral frame 3.

  One end of the shaft 1a of the photoreceptor 1 is inserted through a bearing B into one support member 3a, which is a substantially vertical plate-like body in the frame 3, and the other end is a substantially vertical plate-like body in the frame 3. Is inserted through the bearing B into the support member 3a on the other side and the main body housing A.

  The latent image device 2 is mounted on an arrangement member 3b which is a substantially horizontal plate-like body in the frame 3.

  The frame 3 supporting both the photoconductor 1 and the latent image device 2 is attached to the main body housing A via a holding member 4. The holding member 4 is positioned with respect to the main body housing A by the positioning pin P1, and determines the arrangement position of the photoconductor 1 and the latent image device 2 via the frame 3.

  Since the latent image device 2 and the photoconductor 1 are supported by the integral frame 3 as described above, the tolerance of the distance between the latent image device 2 and the photoconductor 1 is limited only between the support member 3a and the shaft 1a. Thus, highly accurate positioning can be performed.

  Further, since the latent image device 2 and the photoconductor 1 are firmly fastened by the integral frame 3, even if vibration is transmitted to the latent image device 2 and the photoconductor 1, the latent image device 2 and the photoconductor 1 are connected to each other. The transfer function in the vibration between is improved.

  2A and 2B are schematic perspective views showing a mounted state and a removed state of the frame 3 on which the photoconductor 1 and the latent image device 2 are mounted, wherein FIG. 2A shows the mounted state and FIG. 2B shows the removed state.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, when four latent image devices 2 such as C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) are arranged like a color copying machine, The latent image device 2 is attached to the arrangement member 3 b of each frame 3, and each frame 3 is attached to the main housing A via the holding member 4. Each holding member 4 is positioned on the main housing A by positioning pins P1 and P2.

  Each frame 3 is slidable by rails R provided along the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 2B, the frame 3 is pulled out from the main body housing A and the holding member 4 is positioned. The rails R support the pins P1 and P2.

  When the frame 3 is pulled out from the main body casing A, the holding member 4 is disengaged from the positioning pins P1 and P2 of the main body casing A, and the bearing B comes off the shaft 1a. In this state, the frame 3 is supported by the rail R and can be pulled out in a substantially horizontal direction. By pulling out the frame 3, the photoconductor 1 and the latent image device 2 attached to the frame 3 can be removed together from the main housing A.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a state of removing the frame in the order of (a) and (b). First, as shown in FIG. 3A, by pulling out the holding member 4 in the left direction in the figure (see the two-dot chain line arrow), the holding member 4 is disengaged from the positioning pin P1 of the main body housing A and the frame 3 The bearing B attached to the supporting member 3a comes off the shaft 1a.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, by further pulling out the frame 3, the frame 3 moves in a substantially horizontal direction along the rail R shown in FIG. Is removed, and the photosensitive member 1 is removed from the shaft 1a.

  By simply pulling out the frame 3 as described above, the photoconductor 1 and the latent image device 2 are simultaneously pulled out, so that an image reading unit (not shown) or the like disposed above the latent image device 2 in the main body housing A can be used. The maintenance of the latent image device 2 and the photoconductor 1 can be easily performed without being disturbed by various members.

  Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus. That is, the image forming apparatus differs from the first embodiment in that a support member 3a for supporting the shaft 1a of the photoconductor 1 and an arrangement member 3b for mounting the latent image device 2 are formed as an integral frame 3. Although they are common, the difference is that a holding member 4 for holding the frame 3 in the main body housing A is attached to the main body housing A via an elastic member D.

  That is, the holding member 4 for holding the frame 3 is positioned on the main body housing A by the positioning pin P1, and the elastic member is provided between the holding member 4 and the main body housing A while being inserted into the positioning pin P1. The member D is sandwiched.

  As the elastic member D, for example, a rubber-like or resin-like material is applied. Since this elastic member D is provided between the main body housing A and the holding member 4, the vibration transmitted from the main body housing A is absorbed by the elastic member D, and the light is sensitized from the holding member 4 via the frame 3. Transmission to the body 1 and the latent image device 2 can be prevented.

  The frame 3 can be pulled out from the inside of the main body housing A by removing the holding member 4 from the positioning pins P1 of the main body housing A and pulling out the same as in the first embodiment. Thus, the photoconductor 1 and the latent image device 2 can be taken out together with the frame 3.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an attachment state and a removal state. It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining the state of removal. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining a prior art example.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photoreceptor, 2 ... Latent image device, 3 ... Frame, 3a ... Support member, 3b ... Arrangement member, 4 ... Holding member, A ... Body housing, B ... Bearing, D ... Elastic member

Claims (3)

A photoconductor, a latent image device that scans laser light based on image data to write an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, a main body housing, and a frame on which an arrangement member for mounting the latent image device is formed; An image forming apparatus, wherein the latent image device is held in the frame and is freely insertable in the axial direction of the photoconductor with respect to the main body housing;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame is positioned on the main body housing on one side in the axial direction of the photoreceptor by the axis of the photoreceptor and on the other side by a positioning pin. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of frames each corresponding to a plurality of colors on which image formation is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of colors are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

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