JP2005070218A - Intermediate transfer body and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the rigidity of an apparatus body to which an intermediate transfer body is attached and to make it possible to attach or detach an intermediate transfer body without scratching a belt. <P>SOLUTION: By opening a first opening/closing body 15 when a paper jam occurs on a first paper path 3 for conveyance for image formation on recording paper, an intermediate transfer unit 6 having the transfer belt 8 is exposed in the opening. I addition, a transfer roller 7c which brings the recording paper into contact with the transfer belt is disposed on the first opening/closing body. By opening the first opening/closing body, the transfer roller is deserted from the transfer belt. The opening/closing body on the recording paper conveyance side can be used for removal of the paper jam and intermediate transfer body replacement. This eliminates the need to independently provide an opening for the intermediate transfer body replacement, and prevents a decrease in the rigidity of the main body. In addition, providing the frame of the intermediate transfer body with a handle member prevents the belt from being touched and scratched by hands, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer member used for image formation in a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printing device, or a multifunction device thereof, and an image forming apparatus including the intermediate transfer member.

  In general, an image forming apparatus (such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printing apparatus, or a complex machine thereof) that can form a color image is provided with an intermediate transfer body including an intermediate transfer belt, and a plurality of colors for each color. The image forming units are arranged in parallel in the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer belt, and the toner images for each color formed on the photosensitive drums in the respective image forming units are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt (primary transfer image), There has been proposed a system in which a primary transfer image formed on an intermediate transfer belt is secondarily transferred onto a recording sheet that is in contact with a part of the intermediate transfer belt.

  In the tandem type color image forming apparatus having a plurality of photosensitive drums, a single photosensitive drum is rotated a plurality of times corresponding to the number of colors in order to form a color image by one rotation of each photosensitive drum. Compared to a multi-rotation type color image forming apparatus that forms a color image, there is an advantage that a full color image can be output at a high speed. Therefore, an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member has become the mainstream of high-speed color image forming apparatuses. It has become. However, even in the tandem color image forming apparatus having the plurality of photosensitive drums, it is necessary to remove the plurality of photosensitive drums or the plurality of developing units or the intermediate transfer member from the apparatus main body for maintenance and life.

The intermediate transfer member is formed as a belt unit that includes a frame, a plurality of rollers that are pivotally supported by the frame, and a belt wound around the plurality of rollers. There is one that can be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis and parallel to the horizontal portion of the belt and that can be detached from the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus opposite to the recording paper conveyance path (for example, a patent Reference 1).
JP 2001-356546 A (FIGS. 1, 2, and 5)

  However, the above-described image forming apparatus has the following problems. First, an opening of the intermediate transfer member in the recording paper conveyance path is provided on one of the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus main body, and an opening for attaching and detaching the intermediate transfer member is provided on the other of the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus main body. Since the openings are provided on both side surfaces of the apparatus main body frame, the rigidity of the frame of the apparatus main body is reduced.

  Next, in order to replace the intermediate transfer member, an attachment / detachment door that covers an opening for attaching / detaching the intermediate transfer member is opened, and the used intermediate transfer member is pulled out from the apparatus main body in the horizontal direction. . In that work, it is necessary to pull out while keeping the old intermediate transfer body in a horizontal state, and for that purpose, the intermediate transfer body is pulled out by directly gripping the frame or belt. Cannot be done easily.

  When a new intermediate transfer member is mounted instead of the removed old intermediate transfer member, the new intermediate transfer member is inserted in the horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus main body, contrary to the above. Even in this operation, it is necessary to keep the new intermediate transfer member in a horizontal state, and the frame or belt of the intermediate transfer member is pushed in by directly gripping the intermediate transfer member. Installation work cannot be easily performed. Further, when the belt is gripped, the belt may be damaged.

  By solving such problems, the rigidity of the apparatus main body to which the intermediate transfer member is mounted can be increased, and the intermediate transfer member that can be attached and detached without damaging the belt, and an image provided with the intermediate transfer member In order to realize the forming apparatus, in the present invention, a plurality of image carriers having a frame and an endless belt provided around the frame so as to be able to circulate, and provided in a peripheral circuit of the endless belt. Development is transferred onto the endless belt, the transferred development is held on the endless belt, and the recording paper is conveyed while being sandwiched between a part of the peripheral circuit of the endless belt and the transfer body An intermediate transfer body for transferring the held development, wherein a transfer body support member that supports the transfer body moves the frame body in a longitudinal direction in a peripheral circuit of the endless belt. Position that does not interfere with the frame It was assumed to be provided tiltably between a working position.

  Alternatively, the image forming apparatus includes a conveyance path for conveying the recording paper, and an intermediate transfer body disposed in the middle of the conveyance path to form an image on the conveyed recording paper, the intermediate transfer body Has a frame and an endless belt provided on the frame so as to be able to circulate, and development is transferred onto the endless belt from a plurality of image carriers provided in a peripheral circuit of the endless belt, The transferred development is held on the endless belt, and the held development is transferred to a recording sheet conveyed while being sandwiched between a part of a peripheral circuit of the endless belt and the transfer body, and the transfer body The transfer body support member for supporting the frame is provided so as to be tiltable between a position where the frame body does not interfere with the frame body and an operating position when the frame body is moved in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral circuit of the endless belt. It was.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the transfer member supporting member that supports the transfer member can be tilted in the direction away from the endless belt, when a paper jam occurs at the intermediate transfer member, When the gap between the endless belt and the transfer body is opened and the jammed paper can be easily removed, and when the frame is moved in the longitudinal direction in the peripheral circuit of the endless belt, such as by replacing the endless belt of the intermediate transfer body Since the transfer body support member can be tilted to a position where it does not interfere with the frame body, paper jam processing and replacement of the intermediate transfer body can be performed simply by opening the transfer body support member serving as an opening / closing body on the recording paper transport side. Work becomes possible. Therefore, it is only necessary to provide an opening at one position in the main body of the image forming apparatus provided with the intermediate transfer member, and it is possible to prevent the rigidity of the frame of the main body from being lowered. Further, in the replacement operation of the intermediate transfer body, the frame body can be moved in the longitudinal direction in the peripheral circuit of the endless belt. For example, by attaching the longitudinal direction to the horizontal direction in the apparatus main body, the frame body can be easily attached and detached. be able to.

  In particular, since the frame member is provided with a gripping member, the frame member can be handled by gripping the gripping member during transportation or the like in exchange work, so that it is possible to prevent the hand from touching the endless belt. Thus, the intermediate transfer member can be reliably replaced with a simple operation without damaging the endless belt. In addition, since the upper gripping member is provided at the upper part of the frame body on the transfer body side, the upper part on the transfer body side, which is the exposed part of the frame body at the time of replacement work, can be gripped. In addition, since the frame body can be easily pulled out and pushed in, the replacement operation can be performed more easily. Furthermore, since the upper gripping member is provided on the transfer body side of the frame body, the recording paper can be guided by the upper frame body so as to prevent the recording paper from being caught in the endless belt. A guide can also be used, and it is not necessary to provide a separate winding prevention guide, which can reduce the cost of the apparatus.

  In addition, since the lower gripping member is provided at the lower part of the frame body on the transfer body side, the lower part on the transfer body side, which is the exposed part of the frame body during replacement work, can be gripped, improving handling during transportation In addition, since the frame body can be easily pulled out and pushed in, the replacement work can be performed more easily. Further, since the lower gripping member is provided on the transfer body side of the frame body, the recording paper can be guided toward the endless belt and the transfer body, and such a guide member can also be used. There is no need to provide a separate guide member, and the apparatus can be made inexpensive.

  In addition, a leg member that protrudes below the frame body in a state in which the frame body is gripped and supported by an exchange operation or the like is provided, so that when it is temporarily placed on a table, the leg member is interposed. Since it can be placed, it can be prevented that the endless belt touches the surface of the base and is damaged in such a case, and the replacement work that needs to be performed without damaging the endless belt is facilitated. be able to. Further, when the frame body is mounted on the apparatus main body, the leg member can be rotated and fit within the frame body, so that the mounting work can be performed without requiring the work of lying down the leg member. Exchange work can be performed easily.

  Also, by providing a movable gripping member that can stand up and down in the vicinity of the center of the upper surface of the frame body, the movable gripping member can be raised and gripped during replacement work, and can be supported with one hand, for example. , Handling can be improved. Further, since the gripping position is a position away from the endless belt, it can be more suitably prevented from touching the endless belt. Thereby, the attachment / detachment operation of the frame can be performed easily and reliably without damaging the endless belt. In addition, when the frame body is attached to the main body device, the movable gripping member may be laid down, and the attachment operation can be performed without any problem.

  In addition, by providing a cover on the upper surface of the frame body, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the endless belt when the frame body is placed in a horizontal state, and it is also possible to be damaged by contact with foreign matter. Since it can prevent, it can work easily with respect to the case where it works while paying attention to them.

  The object of mounting the intermediate transfer member can be increased in rigidity, and the purpose of attaching / detaching the intermediate transfer member without damaging the belt is realized by a simple mechanism.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of, for example, a facsimile / copy multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The recording paper conveying apparatus or the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the application to the above-described multifunction peripheral, and can be applied to various image forming apparatuses using an intermediate transfer member.

  In the MFP shown in the drawing, a sheet feeding cassette 2 that accommodates a bundle of recording sheets PP and is disposed at the lower part of the main body 1 and a recording sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 2 are moved upward in the figure. A paper path 3 is provided as a conveyance path serving as a conveyance path. The paper path 3 includes a plurality of pairs of rollers arranged at appropriate positions so as to convey the recording paper while sandwiching the recording paper, and a guide surface that forms a conveyance path between the pair of rollers.

  Each pair of rollers may be a combination of a driving roller and a driven roller, and at least one of them is coated with a rubber material to generate a frictional force between the recording paper and the recording paper. For example, a driven roller is elastically urged against the driving roller so as to be in pressure contact between the rollers. Therefore, one of each pair of rollers is provided on one guide surface side of the transport path, and the other roller is provided on the other guide surface side facing the transport path.

  In the main body 1, an intermediate transfer member 6 is provided that constitutes an intermediate transfer device for transferring an image onto a recording paper passing through a paper path 3. The intermediate transfer member 6 has a configuration in which a transfer belt 8 formed of an endless belt is stretched between a pair of rollers 7 a and 7 b that are spaced apart from each other and provided in parallel, and one roller 7 a is placed in the middle of the paper path 3. It is set to face. At a position facing the roller 7a, a transfer roller 7c as a transfer body for bringing the recording paper PP into contact with a portion wound around the roller 7a which is a part of the peripheral circuit of the transfer belt 8 is disposed. . The recording paper is conveyed while being sandwiched between both rollers 7a and 7c.

  Below the intermediate transfer member 6, four developing units 9 including three primary and black OPCs and developing units as image carriers are disposed. On each OPC of each developing unit 9, LSU ( A latent image exposed by a laser scanning unit 10 is formed and developed by each developing device. The development for each color formed in each developing unit 9 is transferred as color development onto the belt as the transfer belt 8 passes through, and the transfer belt 8 holds the development, and the transfer belt 8 rotates the roller 7a. At this time, the development is transferred from the transfer belt 8 onto the recording paper that is pressed by the transfer roller 7 c and contacts the transfer belt 8.

  The paper path 3 is disposed on the upper portion of the main body 1 from a paper feed roller 3a provided at an adjacent position so as to face a pickup roller 2a provided at a recording paper feed port of the paper feed cassette 2. It is provided so as to reach the paper discharge roller 3b. The paper path 3 is provided with a fixing device 12 at an appropriate position on the recording paper discharge side with respect to the intermediate transfer member 6 and a pair of conveying rollers at appropriate positions according to the specification of the length in the conveying direction of the recording paper. Are arranged respectively.

  Although a manual feed tray 21 is provided at the lower part of the main body 1, the manual feed tray 21 is optional and may not be attached. An upper part of the main body 1 is provided with a document placing table, an optical image reading device 22, a document cover, an ADF 23, and the like, but these are not different from a known copying machine. Description is omitted. An internal paper discharge tray 24 having a shape in which the portion is recessed with respect to the front surface of the main body 1 is provided at a portion below the image reading device 22 in the main body 1.

  The portion that forms the paper path 3 can be opened and closed with respect to the side surface of the main body 1 on which the paper path 3 is provided so that the recording paper can be removed when a paper jam occurs in the middle of the paper path 3. An opening / closing body is provided. In the illustrated example, the paper path 3 is divided into an upper half including the fixing device 12 and a lower half below the first half body 15 and the second opening / closing body 15 that can expose the paper path 3. The opening / closing body 17 is provided.

  The inner and outer guide surfaces of the paper path 3 are formed by the surfaces of the main body 1 and the opening / closing bodies 15 and 17 facing each other, and the pair of driving rollers and driven rollers are provided separately for each guide surface. The paired rollers are separated from each other when the opening / closing bodies 15 and 17 are opened. The first opening / closing body 15 is between the first paper supply roller 3a and the front of the fixing device 12 in the paper path 3, and is in a range before and after the one roller 7a and the transfer roller 7c of the intermediate transfer body 6. An outer guide surface is formed, and the second opening / closing body 17 forms an outer guide surface in an upper range from the fixing device 12 in the paper path 3. Each of the first and second opening / closing bodies 15 and 17 is pivotally supported at the lower end with respect to the main body 1 and is locked by latch means (not shown) provided between the upper end and the main body 1. It is like that.

  When a paper jam occurs in the paper path 3, for example, a paper jam occurrence position can be detected by each paper passage sensor (not shown) disposed at an appropriate position and displayed on the operation panel. In accordance with the position display, the openable bodies 15 and 17 are opened to perform paper jam processing.

  When a paper jam occurs in the lower half of the paper path 3, the first opening / closing body 15 can be opened for processing. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower part of the first opening / closing body 15 is supported by the main body 1 via a pivot 43, and can tilt with respect to the main body 1 as indicated by an arrow B. Further, on the main body 1 side, the lower end of the first opening / closing body 15 is opened to hold the first opening / closing body 15 at a predetermined opening angle (an angle between the door closing position and the maximum door opening position). A stopper 45 that locks in a predetermined position with respect to the direction is provided.

  As a result, when a paper jam occurs in the lower half of the paper path 3, the latching state of the first opening / closing body 15 with respect to the main body 1 is released, and the first opening / closing body 15 is moved as shown in FIG. It can be opened outward from the main body 1 to perform paper jam processing. The guide surface (inner surface) 15a of the first opening / closing body 15 is provided with one roller R1 of the pair of transport rollers and the transfer roller 7c described above. When the first opening / closing body 15 is opened, the roller R1 and the transfer roller 7c move outward together with the first opening / closing body 15, so that the transfer belt 8 wound around the roller 7a of the intermediate transfer body 6 and the transfer belt 8 are transferred. Since the jammed paper that causes the paper jam between the roller 7c and between the roller R1 and the pair of rollers is released from the state of being held between the rollers, the jammed paper is easily removed without receiving the resistance of the roller. be able to.

  When the first opening / closing body 15 is opened, the paper path 3 side of the intermediate transfer body 6 is exposed in the opened portion. The intermediate transfer body 6 is set in a horizontal state with respect to the main body 1 and is moved in the horizontal direction during maintenance. Note that the length of the first opening / closing body 15 (the radius of rotation during the arc motion) is short and the opening angle of the first opening / closing body 15 can be increased, so that the intermediate transfer body 6 is indicated by an arrow D in FIG. As shown, it is possible to easily perform the operation of sliding the body 1 outward and removing it. When the first opening / closing body 15 is provided so as to divide the paper path 3 in substantially half as in the illustrated example, from the side surface of the main body 1 to the projecting end of the first opening / closing body 15 when the door is opened. The distance LS1 is shortened and the operator can approach the main body 1 as much as that, so that the paper jam processing and the attaching / detaching operation of the intermediate transfer body 6 can be easily performed.

  In this way, by opening the opening / closing body (first opening / closing body 15) that needs to be opened when paper jam processing is performed, the intermediate transfer body 6 is taken out and attached through the opened opening. be able to. As a result, the opening on the recording paper conveyance path side of the intermediate transfer body 6 can also be used as an opening for replacement of the intermediate transfer body 6, so that the main frame of the main body 1 (the portion that forms an image on the recording paper is configured. The total area and the number of locations of the openings provided in the frame) can be minimized, and the main frame rigidity of the main body 1 can be prevented from being lowered.

  For example, in the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 3, the opening 1 a is provided only on one side of the main frame on both sides of the main frame 1. The opening 1a appears when the first opening / closing body 15 is opened, and is used for both paper jam processing and attachment / detachment of the intermediate transfer body 6 as described above. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an opening for attaching / detaching the intermediate transfer body 6 separately from the paper jam processing, and therefore the number of openings provided in the main body 1 is minimized, and as the number of openings increases. The lowering of the rigidity of the frame of the main body 1 can be preferably prevented. In the drawing, a drum associated with the intermediate transfer member 6 and a replacement opening 1b for the developing unit 9 are provided on the front surface of the main body 1.

  Next, the intermediate transfer member 6 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the drawing, the frame body 51 of the intermediate transfer body 6 is spanned between a pair of left and right long plate-like bodies 51a that are parallel to each other and one longitudinal end portion of both plate-like bodies 51a. The upper gripping member 52 and the lower gripping member 53 are combined. The gripping members 52 and 53 ensure the rigidity of one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the frame body 51.

  The rollers 7a and 7b are pivotally supported at both ends of both plate-like bodies 51a so as to be parallel and rotatable with each other, and the transfer belt 8 is placed on the rollers 7a and 7b so as to circulate between the rollers 7a and 7b. It is wrapped around. The longitudinal direction in the peripheral circuit of the transfer belt 8 is the longitudinal direction of the plate-like body 51a, and the frame 51 is formed on a support frame (not shown) formed by a part of the frame of the main body 1 and provided in a horizontal state. It is designed to be slidably mounted on.

  By closing the first opening / closing body 15 with the frame 51 attached to the main body 1, the transfer roller 7 c provided on the first opening / closing body 15 is elastically applied to the portion of the transfer belt 8 that is wound around the roller 7 a. Contact spontaneously. The transfer belt 8 circulates between the rollers 7a and 7b by driving the roller 7a, and the transfer roller 7c also rotates in synchronization therewith.

  Further, the frame body 51 is provided with a cover 54 made of a thin plate that is coupled to the upper edge portions of the two plate-like bodies 51a and is spanned between the two plate-like bodies 51a. The cover 54 in the illustrated example covers the upper portion of the transfer belt 8 in the central portion of the upper surface of the frame 51, but may have a size covering the entire surface. Moreover, since the rigidity between the two plate-like bodies 51a is ensured by the cover 54, another member may not be provided between the two plate-like bodies 51a in order to ensure the rigidity of the frame body 51.

  A movable gripping member 55 that can be gripped during transportation is attached to the upper surface of the cover 54 via a pair of left and right hinges. The movable gripping member 55 can stand up and down as shown by an arrow E in FIG. 4 between two positions of a position lying along the upper surface of the cover 54 and a position standing substantially vertically, and exceeds the standing position. It is designed to be locked at the hinge portion so that it does not. This inclining direction is set to the paper path 3 side when the intermediate transfer body 6 is mounted on the main body 1 (the pulling direction side when the intermediate transfer body 6 is replaced).

  Also, a pair of left and right sides that are supported on both sides of the frame 51 in the vicinity of the roller 7b side end so as to be able to swing as indicated by the arrow F in the figure outside the two plate-like bodies 51a. The leg member 56 is provided (only the front leg member 56 is shown in the figure). Further, the leg member 56 is elastically biased in a direction in which the tip end portion protrudes from the lower surface of the frame 51 by, for example, a torsion coil spring 57 wound around the pivot. In the illustrated example, the displacement of the leg member 56 in the projecting direction is stopped by coming into contact with a stopper (not shown) at a position slightly beyond the vertical position with respect to the lower surface of the frame 51. When the leg member 56 is rotated from the protruding state toward the storage position indicated by the imaginary line in the drawing, for example, a stopper is provided at a corresponding portion of the plate-like body 51a so as to stop at the storage position. good. For example, the side surface of the plate-like body 51a may be recessed in a sector shape matching the swing angle of the leg member 56, and the leg member 56 may be swingable within the recess.

  Next, an exchange work procedure when the intermediate transfer body 6 configured as described above is attached to and detached from the main body 1 for maintenance or the like will be described. When it is necessary to replace the intermediate transfer member 6, the first opening / closing member 15 is opened in the same manner as in the paper jam processing (FIG. 2). As a result, as described above, the transfer roller 7c of the intermediate transfer device is separated from the roller 7a (belt 8) of the intermediate transfer member 6, and the end of the intermediate transfer member 6 on the roller 7a side is exposed. The intermediate transfer body 6 is mounted in a horizontal state with respect to the main body 1 and is pulled out in the horizontal direction (arrow D) for removal. This pull-out operation can be performed, for example, by hooking a finger on the flange portion 52 a extending upward at the upper end of the upper gripping member 52 or the lower end portion of the lower gripping member 53.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper grip member 52 is provided with a recessed portion 52 b that opens to the back side (the roller 7 a side). Thus, when the frame 51 is pulled out from the main body 1 to some extent (for example, as shown in FIG. 5), a finger can be put into the recessed portion 52b of the upper gripping member 52, and the upper gripping member 52 can be stably moved. It can be gripped.

  Further, the frame 51 is pulled out from the main body 1, and the movable gripping member 55 is moved to the arrow E in FIG. 6 before the end of the roller 51b side of the frame 51 is detached from the support frame of the main body 1 as shown in FIG. By standing up as shown, the movable gripping member 55 can be gripped. As a result, the intermediate transfer body 6 can be handled by gripping it with the two parts of the upper gripping member 52 and the movable gripping member 55 (with both hands), so that it is transported to a table on which it is temporarily placed for replacement work. In some cases, the transportation work can be performed in a stable state.

  As described above, in the operation of pulling out and transporting the intermediate transfer body 6, it is possible to perform the operation by gripping the portions (the gripping members 52 to 54) separated from the transfer belt 8. Thereby, it is possible to easily prevent the hand from touching the transfer belt 8 by mistake, for example, by gripping the frame 51 at the time of drawing or carrying work.

  When the intermediate transfer body 6 is almost pulled out from the main body 1, the leg member 56 is detached from the support frame on the main body 1 side, so that the leg member 56 is elastically biased by the torsion coil spring 57 as described above. Can rotate in the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG.

  When the frame body 51 is placed on a table or the like as shown in FIG. 7, the leg member 56 protrudes below the frame body 51 just by being pulled out from the main body 1 as described above. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the lower gripping member 53 and the leg member 56 are legs that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the frame 51, and the frame 51 can be placed on the table. In this mounted state, as shown in FIG. 7, there is a large space between the lower surface portion of the transfer belt 8 and the table, so that the transfer belt 8 can be prevented from coming into contact with the table during the loading. Therefore, the work can be performed without paying special attention, and the replacement work of the intermediate transfer member 6 can be simplified.

  In addition, you may make it rotate the leg member 56 below the frame 51 by the dead weight, without providing the torsion coil spring 57. FIG. In this case as well, by providing a stopper so as to stop at a position that passes the vertical position as described above, the leg member 56 in a standing state when the frame 51 is placed on a table or the like is stopped. Since the state can be stabilized by making it abut against, it can be placed in the same manner as described above.

  Further, when a new intermediate transfer member for replacement is mounted on the main body 1, for example, the upper end of the upper gripping member 52 and the movable gripping member 55 are gripped with both hands in the same manner as described above, and the end of the frame 51 on the roller 7b side When the roller 7b side end is supported by the support frame on the main body 1 side, the frame body is held while holding the upper holding member 52 or supporting the lower holding member 53 from below. Just push in 51.

  4 and 6 against the elastic biasing force of the torsion coil spring 57 by the leg member 56 abutting against the support frame on the main body 1 side with respect to the inserting direction of the frame 51 at the time of mounting. As shown by the imaginary line, it is pushed back in the direction of tilting horizontally. In addition, the movable gripping member 55 can be rotated in a natural falling direction by striking against the side surface of the main body 1 even when standing upright, so that only the operation of pushing the frame 51 into the main body 1 is possible. Thus, even if the leg member 56 is urged by bullets, it can be returned to the accommodated state. As described above, in the mounting work of the frame body 51, it is not necessary to perform the work of tilting the leg member 56 and the movable gripping member 55, so that it is possible to prevent the hand from touching the transfer belt 8 accidentally by the lying work. Accordingly, even in the mounting operation, a series of operations can be easily performed without supporting the frame body 51 and without performing an operation that touches the transfer belt 8 as described above.

  In the illustrated example, an image forming apparatus for single-sided recording is shown, but the present invention can also be applied to a double-sided recording type image forming apparatus. For example, a second paper path is provided in parallel to the outside of the paper path 3, and the single-side recorded recording paper that has once passed through the paper path 3 is reversed by the conveyance reversing means and returned to the second paper path. By returning to the paper feeding side of the paper path 3 through the paper path and transporting it again, recording can be performed on both sides of the recording paper. In this case, it is conceivable that a second paper path is provided outside the first opening / closing body 15 and a separate opening / closing body is provided for the paper jam processing. The first opening / closing body 15 can be opened, and there is no change in the attachment / detachment work of the intermediate transfer body 6.

  The intermediate transfer member and the image forming apparatus including the intermediate transfer member according to the present invention can increase the rigidity of the apparatus main body to which the intermediate transfer member is mounted and can perform the attaching / detaching operation of the intermediate transfer member without damaging the belt. And is useful as an intermediate transfer member in a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printing apparatus, or a multifunction machine thereof, and an image forming apparatus provided with the intermediate transfer body.

1 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state where an opening / closing body corresponding to an intermediate transfer body is opened. It is a typical perspective view which shows the opening part provided in the main body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire intermediate transfer member. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where an intermediate transfer member starts to be pulled out. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the intermediate transfer member is almost pulled out. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted the intermediate transfer body on the base.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 1a Opening part 6 Intermediate transfer body 7a * 7b Roller 7c Transfer body 8 Transfer belt 15 1st opening-and-closing body 51 Frame body 52 Upper holding member 53 Lower holding member 54 Cover 55 Movable holding member 56 Leg member

Claims (18)

A frame, and an endless belt provided on the frame so as to be able to go around,
Development is transferred onto the endless belt from a plurality of image carriers provided in the peripheral circuit of the endless belt, the transferred development is held on the endless belt, and a part of the peripheral circuit of the endless belt; An intermediate transfer member adapted to transfer the held development to a recording sheet conveyed while being sandwiched between the transfer member,
A transfer body support member that supports the transfer body is provided so as to be tiltable to a position that does not interfere with the frame body when the frame body is moved to the transfer body side in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral circuit of the endless belt. An intermediate transfer member characterized by The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the frame member is provided with a gripping member that can be gripped when the intermediate transfer member is moved. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1, wherein an upper holding member that can be held when the intermediate transfer member is moved is provided on an upper portion of the frame member on the transfer member side. The said upper holding member is formed so that the recording paper conveyed between the said endless belt and the said transfer body may be prevented from being wound in the said endless belt. Intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1, wherein a lower gripping member that can be gripped when the intermediate transfer member is moved is provided at a lower portion of the frame member on the transfer member side. 6. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 5, wherein the lower gripping member is formed so as to guide a recording sheet conveyed toward the endless belt and the transfer member. The frame body is rotatable between a position protruding from the lower surface of the frame body and a position within the frame body while holding and supporting the frame body, and the protrusion state can be maintained. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1, further comprising a leg member. The intermediate transfer member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a movable gripping member that can stand up and down is provided near the center of the upper surface of the frame. 9. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1, wherein a cover that covers the endless belt is provided on an upper surface of the frame. An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveyance path for conveying a recording sheet; and an intermediate transfer member disposed in the middle of the conveyance path to form an image on the conveyed recording sheet,
The intermediate transfer body includes a frame body and an endless belt provided on the frame body so as to be able to circulate, and development is performed on the endless belt from a plurality of image carriers provided in a peripheral circuit of the endless belt. The transferred development is held on the endless belt, and the held development is transferred to a recording sheet that is conveyed while being sandwiched between a part of a peripheral circuit of the endless belt and a transfer body. ,
A transfer body support member that supports the transfer body is provided so as to be tiltable to a position that does not interfere with the frame body when the frame body is moved to the transfer body side in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral circuit of the endless belt. An image forming apparatus provided with an intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer body according to claim 10, wherein the frame body is provided with a gripping member that can be gripped when the intermediate transfer body is moved. The image forming apparatus provided with the intermediate transfer body according to claim 10, wherein an upper gripping member that can be gripped when the intermediate transfer body is moved is provided on an upper portion of the frame body on the transfer body side. . 13. The upper gripping member is formed so as to prevent a recording sheet conveyed between the endless belt and the transfer body from being caught by the endless belt. An image forming apparatus provided with an intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer body according to claim 10, wherein a lower gripping member that can be gripped when the intermediate transfer body is moved is provided at a lower portion of the frame body on the transfer body side. . 15. The intermediate transfer member according to claim 14, wherein the lower gripping member is formed so as to guide a recording sheet conveyed toward the endless belt and the transfer member. Image forming apparatus. The frame body is rotatable between a position protruding from the lower surface of the frame body and a position within the frame body while holding and supporting the frame body, and the protrusion state can be maintained. 16. An image forming apparatus comprising the intermediate transfer member according to claim 10, further comprising a leg member. The image forming apparatus comprising the intermediate transfer member according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein a movable gripping member that can stand up and down is provided near the center of the upper surface of the frame. The image forming apparatus comprising the intermediate transfer member according to claim 10, wherein a cover that covers the endless belt is provided on an upper surface of the frame body.

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