JP2017211589A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus capable of while improving maintainability such as replaceability of an intermediate transfer unit and jam processing, improving position precision between the intermediate transfer unit and a secondary transfer device, and preventing "a wrinkle and an earthworm-like image" and "density unevenness".SOLUTION: An intermediate transfer unit is constituted slidably relative to an image formation part, a secondary transfer device is mounted on a drawer unit constituted slidably relative to the image formation part independently of the intermediate transfer unit, and the drawer unit comprises a positioning member 78 coupled to a secondary transfer device, a fixing member 79 fixing the position of the positioning member, and a support member 80 supporting the positioning member and fixing member. The positioning member 78 and fixing member 79 are fitted to the support member 80, and a gap is provided between the support member 80 and fixing member 79 so as to adjust the position of the secondary transfer device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent electrophotographic image processing apparatuses, a printing method is generally employed in which toner is sprayed on a recording sheet and then burned with a laser to fix the image on the recording sheet. Such laser printing uses a part called an intermediate transfer unit. However, since the intermediate transfer unit is a kind of consumables, for example, in an image forming apparatus used for a large number of prints such as a business printer. In many cases, it is necessary to replace the intermediate transfer unit, and this replacement operation is often performed not by the manufacturer's engineer but by the user himself / herself.

  Furthermore, when a paper jam occurs in the image processing apparatus, the user may need to move the intermediate transfer unit to remove the paper jammed in the apparatus.

  However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, it is not easy for the user to move the intermediate transfer unit, and the user moves the intermediate transfer unit every time the intermediate transfer unit is replaced or a paper jam (jamming) process is performed. There was a situation that they were struggling with.

  As means for solving such a problem, there is an image forming apparatus in which the intermediate transfer unit is configured to be slidable and can be inserted into and removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus in order to improve the maintainability such as the exchangeability of the intermediate transfer unit and jam processing It has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  However, although the intermediate transfer unit is configured to be slidable and the burden of moving the intermediate transfer unit for the user can be reduced, the positional accuracy between the intermediate transfer unit and the secondary transfer device is deteriorated, and “wrinkles, earthworms”. However, the problem of “density unevenness” cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the intermediate transfer unit 2 and the intermediate transfer unit 2 are improved while improving the interchangeability of the intermediate transfer unit and the maintenance performance such as jam processing. The object is to improve the positional accuracy with the next transfer device and prevent “wrinkles, earthworms” and “density unevenness”.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and a paper feeding unit that supplies the recording medium to the image forming unit. Comprises an intermediate transfer unit that transfers the image to an intermediate transfer belt, and a secondary transfer device that transfers the image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt to the recording medium, the intermediate transfer unit including the image The secondary transfer device is configured to be slidable with respect to the forming unit, and the secondary transfer device is mounted on a drawer unit configured to be slidable with respect to the image forming unit independently of the intermediate transfer unit. A positioning member connected to the secondary transfer device; a fixing member that fixes the position of the positioning member; and a support member that supports the positioning member and the fixing member. The positioning member and the fixing member are fitted to the supporting member, and a gap is provided between the supporting member and the fixing member, thereby enabling adjustment of the position of the secondary transfer device. .

  With this configuration, since the secondary transfer device and the intermediate transfer unit are positioned independently, the other unit does not get in the way when the secondary transfer device or the intermediate transfer unit is pulled out. Improved workability during replacement and maintenance.

  Further, by adopting a configuration in which the position of the secondary transfer device can be adjusted, the positional accuracy between the intermediate transfer unit and the secondary transfer device can be improved, so that “wrinkles and earthworms due to pressure deviation”, “ “Density unevenness” can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy between the intermediate transfer unit and the secondary transfer device while improving the maintainability of the intermediate transfer unit and jam processing. In addition, “wrinkles, earthworms” and “density unevenness” can be prevented.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement of a secondary transfer device in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of intermediate transfer units in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a perspective view showing a relative positional relationship between a secondary transfer apparatus and an intermediate transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a position adjustment mechanism of the secondary transfer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a position adjustment mechanism of the secondary transfer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear side of the image forming apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the clearance gap provided between the fixing member and support member which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the positioning reference | standard of the adjustment jig which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the site | part which performs positioning which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 10 and an image forming apparatus main body 11. The image forming apparatus main body 11 includes a paper feeding unit 3, an image reading unit 4, and an image forming unit 5. A front cover 6 provided on the front surface of a drawer unit 76 described later is disposed on the front side F of the image forming unit 5.

  In this specification, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2, the front side F of the image forming apparatus 1 means the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the rear side R means the back side of the image forming apparatus 1. Means.

  The ADF 10 includes a document tray 20, a paper feed roller 21, a conveyance belt 22, a paper discharge roller 23, and a paper discharge tray 24. The ADF 10 is attached to the image reading unit 4 so as to be freely opened and closed via an opening and closing mechanism such as a hinge.

  The paper feed roller 21 separates the originals placed on the original tray 20 one by one and conveys them toward the image reading unit 4. The conveyance belt 22 conveys the original document separated by the paper feed roller 21 to the image reading unit 4. The paper discharge roller 23 discharges a document discharged from the image reading unit 4 by the conveyance belt 22 to a discharge tray 24 below the document tray 20.

  The sheet feeding unit 3 includes a sheet feeding cassette 30 and a sheet feeding unit 31. The paper feed cassette 30 accommodates recording media having different paper sizes. The sheet feeding unit 31 conveys the recording medium stored in the sheet feeding cassette 30 to the image forming position of the image forming unit 5.

  The image reading unit 4 includes a housing 40, a scanning optical unit 41, a contact glass 42, and driving means.

  The scanning optical unit 41 is provided inside the housing 40 and includes an LED unit. The scanning optical unit 41 emits light in the main scanning direction from the LED unit, and is scanned in the sub-scanning direction in the entire irradiation region by the driving unit. Thereby, the scanning optical unit 41 reads a two-dimensional color image of the document.

  The contact glass 42 is provided on the upper portion of the housing 40 of the image reading unit 4 and constitutes the upper surface portion of the housing 40. The driving means includes a wire fixed to the scanning optical unit 41, a plurality of driven pulleys and driving pulleys bridged by the wires, and a motor for rotating the driving pulley.

  The image forming unit 5 includes an exposure unit 51, an intermediate transfer unit 77, an intermediate transfer belt 54, an intermediate transfer roller 55, a secondary transfer device 52, a fixing unit 53 as an example of a fixing device, and a main conveyance path. 70 and a reverse conveyance path 73.

  The exposure unit 51 is disposed adjacent to the tandem image forming apparatus 50. The exposure unit 51 performs exposure on the photosensitive drum 74 provided for each color.

  The intermediate transfer unit 77 is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt 54 and includes four image forming units 75 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 54. Each of the image forming units 75 includes a charging device, a developing device, a photoconductor cleaning device, a charge removal device, and the like around the photoconductor drums 74 provided for the respective colors. Each photosensitive drum 74 and each of the devices provided around the photosensitive drum 74 are unitized to form one process cartridge.

  The intermediate transfer unit 77 forms a visible image (toner image) formed of toner by color-coding the photosensitive drums 74 on the basis of the image information read by the image reading unit 4 and separated by color. It is like that. The visible image formed on each photosensitive drum 74 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 54 between each photosensitive drum 74 and the intermediate transfer roller 55.

  On the other hand, a secondary transfer device 52 is provided on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer unit 77 with the intermediate transfer belt 54 interposed therebetween. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the secondary transfer device 52 is configured by spanning a secondary transfer belt 56 that is an endless belt between two support rollers 57. Then, by pressing the secondary transfer belt 56 against the intermediate transfer belt 54, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 54 is transferred to the recording medium conveyed from the paper feeding unit 3 via the main conveyance path 70. It is comprised so that. As the secondary transfer device 52, a secondary transfer roller may be employed instead of the secondary transfer belt 56.

  A fixing unit 53 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium of the secondary transfer device 52. The fixing unit 53 is configured to press a pressure roller 59 against a fixing belt 58 that is an endless belt. Then, the fixing unit 53 applies heat and pressure to the recording medium by the pressure roller 59 to melt the toner of the toner image transferred to the recording medium and fix it as a color image on the recording medium. Yes.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a reverse conveyance path 73 is provided below the secondary transfer device 52 and the fixing unit 53. In order to form an image on both sides of the recording medium, the reverse conveying path 73 reverses the front and back of the recording medium discharged from the fixing unit 53 and supplies it again to the secondary transfer device 52 via the main conveying path 70. belongs to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 6 is attached to the front portion of the carrier 71. The carrier 71 is supported by the rail 72 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (arrow FR in FIG. 2) with respect to the image forming unit 5. Further, the carrier 71 is provided with the secondary transfer device 52, the fixing unit 53, the main conveyance path 70, and the reverse conveyance path 73 shown in FIG. A drawer unit 76 is configured by the carrier 71, the secondary transfer device 52, the fixing unit 53, the main conveyance path 70, and the reverse conveyance path 73. That is, the front cover 6 is configured integrally with the drawer unit 76, and the user grips the operation recess 6a provided in the front cover 6 so that the front cover 6 is moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the image forming unit 5 (FIG. 2). The drawer unit 76 can be pulled out or stored with respect to the image forming unit 5 by moving to the arrow FR).

  As described above, the secondary transfer device 52, the fixing unit 53, the main conveyance path 70, and the reverse conveyance path 73 are movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the image forming unit 5 while being held by the carrier 71. When the forming apparatus 1 is used, it is housed in the image forming unit 5. On the other hand, when the above apparatuses are replaced or when the recording medium jammed in the image forming unit 5 is removed, the drawer unit 76 is connected to the image forming unit 5. 5 can be replaced and the recording medium can be removed.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 11 including an image forming unit 5 that forms an image on a recording medium and a paper feeding unit 3 that supplies the recording medium to the image forming unit 5. It is like that.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a part of the apparatus constituting the image forming unit 5, a drawer unit 76 configured to be slidable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 11, and a drawer unit. 76 has a bundled wire for electrically connecting the apparatus main body, a holding member for holding the bundled wire, and a notification means for notifying a jam processing position provided in the drawer unit. Further, in the present embodiment, the drawer unit 76 is provided with at least the fixing unit 53 and the reverse conveyance path 73.

  Next, the arrangement of the secondary transfer device 52 and the intermediate transfer unit 77 and the relative positional relationship between them will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the secondary transfer device 52 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the secondary transfer device 52 is mounted on a drawer unit 76 that is slidable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 11. By pulling out the drawer unit 76, the secondary transfer device 52 forms an image. The apparatus main body 11 can be taken out.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the intermediate transfer unit 77 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate transfer unit 77 is configured to be slidable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 11, and can be removed from the image forming apparatus main body 11 by being pulled out.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a relative positional relationship between the secondary transfer device 52 and the intermediate transfer unit 77 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 5, since the secondary transfer device 52 is not positioned by the intermediate transfer unit 77, the secondary transfer device 52 and the intermediate transfer unit 77 do not overlap when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. It has become.

  Next, a position adjustment mechanism of the secondary transfer device 52 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  6 and 7 are perspective views illustrating a position adjustment mechanism of the secondary transfer device 52 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view as seen from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 7 is a view as seen from the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the secondary transfer device 52 is connected to a positioning member 78, and the position of the secondary transfer device 52 is determined by the position of the positioning member 78.

  Here, it will be described with reference to FIG. 8 that the position of the secondary transfer device 52 can be adjusted by the above-described configuration. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a gap provided between the fixing member and the support member according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, an adjustment jig 83 for adjusting the position is used. The adjustment jig 83 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the positioning member 78 to which the secondary transfer device 52 is connected and the fixing member 79 that fixes the position of the positioning member 78 are fitted to the support member 80, and between the support member 80 and the fixing member 79. The position of the secondary transfer device 52 can be adjusted by providing a gap (back). That is, since a gap is provided between the fixing member 79 and the support member 80, the position of the fixing member 79, and thus the positioning member 78 and the secondary transfer device 52, is adjusted within the range of the gap. Is possible.

  Accordingly, since the secondary transfer device 52 is positioned by the fixing member 79 via the positioning member 78, as a result, the position of the secondary transfer device 52 can be adjusted within the gap. .

  In FIG. 8, the support member 80 is formed with a hole having a shape that is a combination of horizontal bars (horizontal squares) in a substantially circular shape, and the range in which the fixing member 79 can move in the hole is 4 mm left and right. Although an example in which the top and bottom are 1.5 mm is shown, the shape of the hole is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 8, for example, by making it circular or square, The upper and lower adjustable ranges may be equal.

  Furthermore, the shape of the hole can be any shape such as a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a triangle, a combination thereof, or a complex shape other than a basic figure, and the fixing member 79 can be changed by changing the shape. As a result, the range in which the positions of the positioning member 78 and the secondary transfer device 52 can be adjusted can be arbitrarily set.

  When the adjustment of the position is completed, the secondary transfer device 52 can be fixed to the drawer unit 76 so that the secondary transfer device 52 is held at the adjusted position. Needless to say.

  In summary, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 5 that forms an image on a recording medium, and a paper feeding unit 3 that supplies the recording medium to the image forming unit 5. The intermediate transfer unit 77 includes an intermediate transfer unit 77 that transfers the image to the intermediate transfer belt 54 and a secondary transfer device 52 that transfers the image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 54 to a recording medium. The intermediate transfer unit 77 includes an image forming unit. The secondary transfer device 52 is mounted on a drawer unit 76 that is configured to be slidable independently of the intermediate transfer unit 77 with respect to the image forming unit 5. A positioning member 78 connected to the secondary transfer device 52; a fixing member 79 that fixes the position of the positioning member 78; and a support member 80 that supports the positioning member 78 and the fixing member 79. The second member 78 and the fixing member 79 are configured to be fitted to the supporting member 80, and a gap is provided between the fixing member 79 and the supporting member 80 so that the position of the secondary transfer device 52 can be adjusted. ing.

  With this configuration, by positioning the secondary transfer device 52 and the intermediate transfer unit 77 independently, the other unit does not interfere with each other when the secondary transfer device 52 or the intermediate transfer unit 77 is pulled out. As a result, the workability during replacement and maintenance is improved.

  Further, since the position of the secondary transfer device 52 can be adjusted, the positional accuracy between the intermediate transfer unit 77 and the secondary transfer device 52 can be improved. ”And“ density unevenness ”can be prevented.

  Next, positioning of the positioning member 78 using the adjustment jig 83 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The adjustment jig 83 is a jig that can determine the relative positional relationship between the positioning member 78 connected to the secondary transfer device 52 and the intermediate transfer unit 77.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the positioning reference of the adjusting jig according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a part for positioning according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when positioning the positioning member 78, for example, an adjustment jig that is configured by a flexible member and can determine the relative positional relationship between the intermediate transfer unit 77 and the positioning member 78. A tool 83 can be used.

  By using the adjustment jig 83, the relative positional relationship between the secondary transfer device 52 connected to the positioning member 78 and the intermediate transfer unit 77 including the intermediate rolling force roller shaft 81 can be accurately set. .

  To explain how to use the adjustment jig 83, first, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the adjustment jig 83 is the main reference position that is the position of the intermediate transfer repulsive roller shaft 81 provided in the intermediate transfer unit 77. Further, the positioning is performed based on the slave reference which is a position different from the master reference position and is the position of the slave reference hole 82 provided in the intermediate transfer unit 77. After the adjustment jig 83 is positioned, the positioning member 78 is set at a position where the positioning member 78 is fitted in a fitting hole provided in the adjustment jig 83.

  When the positioning member 78 is positioned as described above, the transfer unit 52 connected to the positioning member 78 is also positioned at the same time.

  The secondary reference position may be a position of a pin or an emboss provided in the transfer unit 52 in place of the secondary reference hole 82 position.

  As described above, the adjustment jig 83 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is positioned at two positions of the intermediate transfer unit 77, that is, at the positions of the main reference and the sub-reference described above. Stabilize. In order to stabilize the adjustment jig 83 better, a plurality of sub-references may be provided so that the adjustment jig 83 is positioned at three or more positions of the intermediate transfer unit 77.

  As understood from the above description, in the adjustment jig 83, the position of the intermediate transfer repulsive roller shaft 81 and the position of the secondary reference hole 82 provided in the intermediate transfer unit 77 and the positioning member used for positioning of the secondary transfer device 52. The main reference position, the secondary reference position, and the position of the positioning member fitting hole into which the positioning member 78 is fitted are determined at positions suitable for the appropriate positions of 78. That is, the main reference position, the secondary reference position, and the positioning member fitting hole in the adjustment jig 83 are determined according to the dimensions of the components of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Note that the adjustment jig 83 is not an essential component of the image forming apparatus 1 itself, but may be provided together as an “image forming apparatus with an adjustment jig” as one of methods for providing the customer. Is possible. For example, the adjustment jig 83 can be provided in a form bundled with the image forming apparatus 1 when sold to a customer.

  When such an “image forming apparatus with an adjustment jig” is the subject of the invention, the adjustment jig 83 is an essential component.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned one embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the position between the intermediate transfer unit and the secondary transfer apparatus is improved while improving the maintainability of the intermediate transfer unit and jam processing. Accuracy can be improved, and “wrinkles, earthworms” and “density unevenness” can be prevented. The present invention is useful in the field of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Paper supply part 5 Image forming part 52 Secondary transfer apparatus 54 Intermediate transfer belt 76 Drawer unit 77 Intermediate transfer unit 78 Positioning member 79 Fixing member 80 Support member 81 Intermediate transfer repulsive roller shaft 82 Sub-reference hole 83 Adjustment process Ingredients

JP 2013-008011 A

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; and a paper feeding unit that supplies the recording medium to the image forming unit.
The image forming unit includes:
An intermediate transfer unit for transferring the image to an intermediate transfer belt;
A secondary transfer device for transferring the image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt to the recording medium,
The intermediate transfer unit is configured to be slidable with respect to the image forming unit,
The secondary transfer device is mounted on a drawer unit configured to be slidable independently of the intermediate transfer unit with respect to the image forming unit,
The drawer unit is
A positioning member connected to the secondary transfer device;
A fixing member for fixing the position of the positioning member;
A support member for supporting the positioning member and the fixing member;
The positioning member and the fixing member are fitted with the supporting member, and a gap is provided between the supporting member and the fixing member, thereby enabling adjustment of the position of the secondary transfer device. Image forming apparatus.   An image forming apparatus with an adjustment jig, wherein the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided with an adjustment jig capable of determining a relative positional relationship between the intermediate transfer unit and the positioning member.   The adjustment jig is provided in the intermediate transfer unit at a position different from the main reference position of the intermediate transfer repulsive roller shaft provided in the intermediate transfer unit and the position of the main reference in the intermediate transfer unit. 3. The image forming apparatus with an adjusting jig according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is positioned based on a slave reference which is a position of the slave reference hole, pin or emboss.

Images