JP2013003191A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate jam removal even in an image forming apparatus in which a photoreceptor cannot be removed from an apparatus body.SOLUTION: A photoreceptor cartridge 1 is swingable around a support shaft 13. When a developer cartridge 3 is removed from an apparatus body 70, the contact between the developer cartridge 3 and the photoreceptor cartridge 1 is released, and the photoreceptor cartridge 1 moves to a separation position from a transfer position. The photoreceptor cartridge 1 may as well be configured to be movable from the separation position to a first retreat position near a fixing device 6 or to a second retreat position near an exposure device 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a developing cartridge is detachable from a main body of the apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a combination of these functions, the surface of the photoconductor is uniformly charged by a charging device and then electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor by an exposure device. Form an image. Then, the developing device supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor to visualize the toner image, and the transfer member transfers the toner image to a transfer material such as paper, and then heats the transfer material. The toner image is melted and fixed on the transfer material by applying pressure.

  In recent years, in order to make the functions of the image forming apparatus complex and to further reduce the size and weight of the apparatus, the body cover that supports the transfer roller, which has been openable in the past, cannot be opened or closed, and a photoconductor is provided. An apparatus that makes it impossible to remove the photosensitive cartridge from the apparatus main body has been under development. In the case of such an apparatus, when a paper jam occurs between the photosensitive member and the transfer member, the photosensitive member and the transfer member are in contact or close to each other. Is not easy. Further, there is a possibility that the photosensitive member and the transfer member may be scratched during the removal work of the transfer material.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for securing a large jam processing space between a photosensitive member and a transfer roller by supporting the transfer roller with a bendable holding member and bending the holding member during jam processing. . Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 provides a technique for moving the transfer roller from the transfer position to the retracted position by providing a slider for moving the transfer roller to and away from the photosensitive member and moving the slider in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the developing device. Has been proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-236995 JP 2005-157186 A

  All of the proposed technologies are intended to secure a space for jamming between the photosensitive member and the transfer roller by moving the transfer roller. For practical use from the viewpoint of downsizing and cost reduction of the apparatus. It is considered unsuitable.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can easily perform jam processing even if the photosensitive member cannot be removed from the apparatus main body. is there.

  According to the present invention, with respect to a photoconductor cartridge having a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and an apparatus main body that supplies a developer to the electrostatic latent image and visualizes it as a toner image. An image forming apparatus comprising a detachable developing cartridge and a transfer member for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor to a transfer material, wherein the developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. In conjunction with this, the photosensitive cartridge moves to a transfer position where a toner image can be transferred from the photosensitive member to a transfer material, and a separation position where the photosensitive member and the transfer member are sufficiently separated from each other. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  Here, when the photosensitive cartridge is swingable about a support shaft and the developing cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the developing cartridge comes into contact with the photosensitive cartridge, and the photosensitive cartridge is moved away from the separated position. You may make it move to a transfer position.

  The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing device that melts and fixes the toner image transferred to the transfer material. When the developing cartridge is removed from the apparatus main body, the photosensitive cartridge is moved away from the separation position in the vicinity of the fixing device. It may be movable to the retracted position.

  Further, an exposure device for irradiating the uniformly charged photoconductor with light to form an electrostatic latent image is further provided, and when the developing cartridge is removed from the main assembly, the photoconductor cartridge is separated. The position may be movable to a second retracted position in the vicinity of the exposure apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the photosensitive member cartridge moves between the transfer position and the separation position in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge, so that the transfer material is jammed between the photosensitive member and the transfer member. By removing the developing cartridge from the apparatus main body, a space is formed between the photosensitive member and the transfer member, and the jammed transfer material can be easily removed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a photosensitive cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a transfer roller. FIG. 5 is a state diagram in the middle of removing the developing cartridge from the apparatus main body. FIG. 5 is a state diagram in the middle of removing the developing cartridge from the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a state diagram in which the developing cartridge is removed from the apparatus main body and the paper is removed. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating still another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 7 shown in FIG. 1 irradiates light on the surface of the photoconductor D, and a charging device 11 that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor D around a cylindrical photoconductor D that rotates counterclockwise. And an exposure device 2 for forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing cartridge 3 for supplying toner to the photosensitive member D and developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member D to form a toner image, and developing by the developing cartridge 3 A transfer roller (transfer member) 4 that transfers the toner image that has been transferred from the photoconductor D to a sheet (transfer material) P, and a cleaning blade that removes untransferred toner remaining on the photoconductor D without being transferred to the sheet P 12.

  The photoconductor D, the charging roller 11, the cleaning blade 12, and a waste toner storage unit (not shown) are housed in one case to constitute the photoconductor cartridge 1.

  The charging device 11 is illustrated as a charging roller to which a high voltage is applied. However, the type of charging method is not limited, and any charging device 11 may be used as long as it has a function of uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor D.

  The exposure device 2 selectively irradiates light on the surface of the photoconductor D uniformly charged by the charging device 11 based on image data input from an external device such as a personal computer. A predetermined electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

  The developing cartridge 3 is spaced from and opposed to the housing 31 and the photosensitive member D, and is capable of rotating, a rotatable developing roller 32, a plurality of conveying rollers 33 that stir and mix the developer, and a developer containing the developer. And a storage chamber 34 to be replenished. A developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller 32, and the charged toner moves to the photosensitive member D due to a potential difference between the voltage applied to the developing roller 32 and the voltage of the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member D. The electrostatic latent image on D is visualized with toner. The developing cartridge 3 is detachable from the apparatus main body 70, and when the toner in the storage chamber 34 runs out, the developing cartridge 3 is replaced with a new one.

  The transfer roller 4 is rotatably provided by a drive motor (not shown) connected to the transfer roller 4 and is pressed against the photoreceptor D by a biasing member (not shown). In addition, a voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity is applied to the transfer roller 4 by a voltage applying unit (not shown). When the paper P passes between the photoconductor D and the transfer roller 4, the voltage is applied to the transfer roller 4, and the toner image formed on the photoconductor D is transferred to the paper P.

  A paper feed cassette 51 containing paper P is detachably stored in the lower portion of the developing cartridge 3 with respect to the apparatus main body 70, and the paper P is a paper feed roller disposed on the upper side of the paper feed cassette 51. By the rotation of 52, the sheets are fed one by one from the uppermost sheet to the conveyance path W in order. The paper P sent out from the paper feed cassette 51 is sent out between the transfer roller 4 and the photoconductor D in synchronization with the rotation of the photoconductor D, and the toner image is transferred onto the paper P as described above.

  The image forming apparatus 7 includes a fixing device 6 that melts and fixes the toner image transferred from the photoreceptor D to the paper P. The fixing device 6 includes a fixing roller 61 with a built-in halogen heater H and a pressure roller 62 that presses against the fixing roller 11. When the paper P passes through the nip portion between the fixing roller 61 and the pressure roller 62, the toner image is heated and pressurized and melted and fixed on the paper P. Then, the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 72.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 7 is provided with a control device 71 that comprehensively controls components related to image formation. The control device 71 includes the photoconductor D, the charging roller 11, the developing roller 32, and the transfer roller 4. , The rotation driving of the paper feed roller 52 and the fixing roller 61, and the operation of the exposure device 2, the developing cartridge 3, the halogen heater H, the voltage applying means, and the like are controlled. Furthermore, it has functions such as processing and storage of image data.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the photosensitive member cartridge 1, the developing cartridge 3, and the transfer roller 4. The state shown in FIG. 2 is a transferable state in which the photoconductor D and the transfer roller 4 are in pressure contact. The transfer roller 4 is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body 70 so as to be rotatable. The photosensitive cartridge 1 has a support shaft 13 that protrudes outward from both side surfaces in the width direction and engages with semi-cylindrical receiving portions 73a formed on both side surfaces in the width direction of the apparatus main body so as to be swingably supported. Yes.

  A handle 36 for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge 3 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 31 of the developing cartridge 3, a protrusion 35 is provided on the side surface facing the photosensitive cartridge 1, and lower portions on both side surfaces in the width direction are provided. An attachment / detachment guide portion 8 is formed. The attachment / detachment guide portion 8 has two engagement recesses 81a and 81b. On the other hand, a pressing roller 91 urged upward by a compression coil spring 92 is provided at a corresponding position of the apparatus main body 70 to which the developing cartridge 3 is mounted.

  In FIG. 2, the pressing roller 91 is engaged with the engaging recess 81 b of the attaching / detaching guide portion 8, and the developing cartridge 3 is rotated counterclockwise around the projection 35 by the compression coil spring 92, so that the photosensitive cartridge 1 In this state, the photosensitive cartridge 1 is rotated counterclockwise about the support shaft 13 to form a transfer position where the photosensitive member D and the transfer roller 4 are in pressure contact with each other.

  When a paper jam occurs between the photoconductor D and the transfer roller 4 when the photoconductor cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 2 is at the transfer position, the photoconductor cartridge 1 is removed by removing the developing cartridge 3. The photosensitive member D and the transfer roller 4 are separated from each other, and the jammed paper is removed. 3 and 4 show state diagrams when the developing cartridge 3 is removed from the apparatus main body 70. FIG.

  When the developing cartridge 3 is slightly rotated clockwise using the handle 36 from the state shown in FIG. 2, the developing cartridge 3 is rotated clockwise around the protrusion 35 as shown in FIG. It disengages from the engaging recess 81b and engages with the engaging recess 81a. Then, the photosensitive member cartridge 1 also rotates clockwise around the support shaft 13 by its own weight, and the photosensitive member D is separated from the transfer roller 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the developing cartridge 3 is pulled upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the paper P jammed between the photoconductor D and the transfer roller 4 is removed using the space after the developing cartridge 3 is removed.

  When the developing cartridge 3 is attached to the apparatus main body 70, the procedure is the reverse of the above. That is, the developing cartridge 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 70, and the pressing roller 91 is engaged with the engaging recess 81a of the guide wall 8 (FIG. 3). Next, the handle 36 of the developing cartridge 3 is operated in the lower left direction, and the pressing roller 91 is engaged with the engaging recess 81b. As a result, the developing cartridge 3 rotates counterclockwise around the protrusion 35, contacts the photoconductor cartridge 1, rotates the photoconductor cartridge 1 counterclockwise around the support shaft 13, and the photoconductor D And the transfer roller 4 are pressed against each other.

  FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus main body 70 of the image forming apparatus 7 includes the fixing device 6 that becomes high temperature, and it is dangerous if the user touches it incorrectly during jam processing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the photosensitive member cartridge 1 that is in the separated position can be further moved to the first retracted position in the vicinity of the fixing device 6 so that the fixing device 6 is covered with the photosensitive member cartridge 1 and the user makes an error. The fixing device 6 is not touched. Specifically, in addition to the receiving portion 73a that pivotally supports the photosensitive cartridge 1, a receiving portion 73b is provided in the apparatus main body 70 in the vicinity of the fixing device 6, and a support shaft between the receiving portion 73a and the receiving portion 73b. A pair of guide plates 74 for guiding 13 movements are provided. In order to move the photosensitive cartridge 1 from the separated position to the first retracted position, the photosensitive cartridge 1 is moved so that the support shaft 13 passes between the pair of guide plates 74 with the grip 16.

  FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Some image forming apparatuses that place importance on the responsiveness of the image forming operation do not turn off the exposure apparatus 2 even during jam processing. In such an apparatus, there is a possibility that laser light may accidentally enter the user's eyes during jam processing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the photosensitive cartridge 1 that has been in the separated position can be further moved to the second retracted position in the vicinity of the exposure apparatus 2 so that the exposure apparatus 2 is covered with the photosensitive cartridge 1, and the exposure apparatus 2 The emitted laser light was prevented from entering the user's eyes by mistake. Specifically, in addition to the receiving portion 73a that pivotally supports the photosensitive cartridge 1, a receiving portion 73c is provided in the apparatus main body 70 in the vicinity of the exposure apparatus 2, and a support shaft between the receiving portion 73a and the receiving portion 73c. A pair of guide plates 75 for guiding 13 movements are provided. In order to move the photosensitive cartridge 1 from the separated position to the second retracted position, the photosensitive cartridge 1 is moved so that the support shaft 13 passes between the pair of guide plates 75 with the grip 16.

  In addition to the embodiment described above, when the developing cartridge 3 is removed from the apparatus main body 70 and the photosensitive cartridge 1 is in the separated position, the exposed portion of the photosensitive member D is shielded in conjunction with the movement of the photosensitive cartridge 1. The cover may be covered. Thereby, it can prevent that external light is irradiated to the photoconductor D, and can suppress the photodegradation of the photoconductor D. FIG.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the photosensitive cartridge 1 moves between the transfer position and the separation position in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the developing cartridge 3, so that the paper P is placed between the photosensitive body D and the transfer roller 4. When the paper is jammed, the developer cartridge 3 is removed from the apparatus main body 70, so that a space is formed between the photoreceptor D and the transfer roller 4, and the jammed paper P can be easily removed, which is useful.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive cartridge 2 Exposure apparatus 3 Developing cartridge 4 Transfer roller (transfer member)
6 Fixing device 7 Image forming device 8 Attachment / detachment guide D Photoconductor P Paper (Transfer material)
13 Support shaft 70 Device body 73a Receiving portion 73b, 73c Receiving portion 91 Pressing roller

Claims (4)

A photoconductor cartridge having a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developer cartridge detachably attached to the apparatus main body that supplies a developer to the electrostatic latent image to visualize it as a toner image. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer member that transfers a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member to a transfer material;
In conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body, the photosensitive cartridge can transfer a toner image from the photosensitive member to a transfer material, and the photosensitive member and the transfer member. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus moves to a separated position where the distance between them is sufficiently separated.   The photosensitive cartridge is swingable about a support shaft. When the developing cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the developing cartridge comes into contact with the photosensitive cartridge, and the photosensitive cartridge is moved away from the separated position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus moves to a transfer position.   A fixing device for fusing and fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer material; and when the developing cartridge is removed from the apparatus main body, the photosensitive cartridge is moved away from the separation position in a first retracted position in the vicinity of the fixing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is movable.   The exposure apparatus further includes an exposure device that irradiates light to the uniformly charged photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image, and when the developing cartridge is removed from the apparatus main body, the photoconductor cartridge is moved away from the separated position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is movable to a second retracted position in the vicinity of the exposure apparatus.