JP2022038396A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to simplify maintenance work of an exposure unit and prevent damage to the exposure unit during the maintenance work.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has an exposure device that is movably disposed and exposes an image carrier, and a lock mechanism that locks to immobilize the exposure device at a lock position that is set to be a predetermined position in a moving direction. When a predetermined cover member of a housing surrounding an apparatus main body is removed from a housing main body, the lock mechanism is allowed to lock the exposure device. When the predetermined cover member of the housing is removed from the housing main body, the lock mechanism is allowed to lock the exposure device, and thereby maintenance work of the exposure unit can be simplified. Since the maintenance work is not performed in a wrong way, damage to the exposure unit can be prevented during the maintenance work. It is possible to prevent an operator of the image forming apparatus other than a maintenance worker from performing the maintenance work of the exposure unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, an image forming unit such as an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and a compound machine, for example, an electrophotographic printer is provided with an image forming unit, and the image forming unit is uniformly charged by a charging roller. The surface of the photoconductor drum is exposed by an LED head as an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image, the electrostatic latent image is developed by toner to form a toner image, and the toner image is formed by a transfer roller. It is designed to be transferred to paper. Then, the toner image is fixed on the paper in the fuser provided in the printer to form an image and print (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-78542

However, in the conventional printer, the maintenance work of the exposure unit including the LED head and the flexible printing cable for supplying the image data to the LED head is complicated, and if the maintenance work procedure is mistaken, The exposure unit may be damaged.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of solving the problems of the conventional printer, simplifying the maintenance work of the exposure unit, and preventing the exposure unit from being damaged in the maintenance work. The purpose is.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the exposure apparatus that is movably arranged and exposes the image carrier and the exposure apparatus cannot be moved at the lock position set at a predetermined position in the moving direction. It has a locking mechanism to lock.

Then, when the predetermined cover member of the housing surrounding the device main body is removed from the housing main body, the exposure device can be locked by the lock mechanism.

According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the exposure apparatus that is movably arranged and exposes the image carrier and the exposure apparatus are immovable at a lock position set at a predetermined position in the moving direction. It has a locking mechanism to lock.

Then, when the predetermined cover member of the housing surrounding the device main body is removed from the housing main body, the exposure device can be locked by the lock mechanism.

In this case, when the predetermined cover member of the housing is removed from the housing main body, the exposure device can be locked, so that the maintenance work of the exposure unit can be simplified. Therefore, since the maintenance work is not erroneously performed, it is possible to prevent the exposure unit from being damaged in the maintenance work.

Further, by operating the lock mechanism to lock the exposure device by the maintenance worker of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent the operator of the image forming apparatus other than the maintenance worker from performing the maintenance work of the exposure unit. can.

It is a figure which shows the state which the cam on the left side wall side in 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam exposure position. It is a 1st perspective view of the printer in 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a second perspective view of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the printer in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st perspective view which shows the state of the printer when the front cover is opened in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the printer when the image forming unit is removed from the apparatus main body in 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a second perspective view showing a state of the printer when the front cover is opened according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the cooperation mechanism on the left side wall side when the front cover is opened in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the cooperation mechanism on the left side wall side when the front cover is closed in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a main part perspective view of the cooperation mechanism on the left side wall side in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a main part exploded view for demonstrating the attachment state to the inner panel of the cooperation mechanism on the left side wall side in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement state of the head holder in the apparatus main body in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement state of the blindfolded sheet metal in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the LED head in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in the exposure position. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the LED head is put in the retracted position in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the head holder in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the state which the LED head in 1st Embodiment of this invention is held by a head holder. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the LED head in 1st Embodiment of this invention is held by a head holder. It is a perspective view of the blindfolded sheet metal in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the control board and the LED head in 1st Embodiment of this invention are connected with a flexible printing cable. It is a front view of the cam on the left side wall side in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the cam on the left side wall side in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the cam on the left side wall side in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam lock position. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of unlocking the LED head in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the outer panel in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the main part of the outer panel in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the main part of the outer panel in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam retracting position. It is a figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam exposure position. It is the first figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam is placed in the cam lock position in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in a cam lock position. It is a figure which shows the state which the cam on the right side wall side in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam retracting position. It is a figure which shows the state which the cam on the right side wall side in 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam exposure position. It is a figure which shows the state which the cam on the right side wall side in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in a cam lock position. It is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the printer in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the operation panel and a cam in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the top protrusion when the cam in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam exposure position. It is a perspective view of the outer panel in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the main part of the outer panel in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam exposure position. It is a figure explaining the state which the side protrusion in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention moves a cam forward. It is a figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam exposure position.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, a printer as an image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is the first perspective view of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the printer in the embodiment of. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the X-axis positive direction is the rear direction in the printer 10, the X-axis negative direction is the front direction in the printer 10, and the Y-axis positive direction is the left direction in the printer 10, and the Y-axis negative direction. The direction is the right direction in the printer 10, the Z-axis positive direction is the upward direction in the printer 10, and the Z-axis negative direction is the downward direction in the printer 10.

In the figure, 10 is a printer, Bd is the main body of the printer 10, that is, the device main body, and Cs is a housing surrounding the device main body Bd as the device exterior of the printer 10.

The housing Cs is a left side wall Ws1 and a front wall as a first wall member arranged on the left side when viewed from the front of the front wall Wf, the back wall Wr, and the front wall Wf, and as a first side wall. It includes a right side wall Ws2 as a second wall member and a second side wall arranged on the right side when viewed from the front of the Wf, and a top wall Wt.

The front cover Pf is openably and closably arranged from the upper half Wfa of the front wall Wf to the front half Wtb of the top wall Wt, and by opening the front cover Pf, the operator of the printer 10 accesses the apparatus main body Bd. Then, from the image forming unit (developer) 20, the paper P or the like as a medium made of cut paper that has generated jam can be taken out, and each part in the apparatus main body Bd can be maintained and managed. .. Further, a front panel 22f of the paper cassette 22 as a medium accommodating portion is arranged in the lower half of the front wall Wf so as to be openable and closable. In the present embodiment, cut paper is used as the paper P, but roll paper, fan folding paper, or the like can also be used.

An operation panel 65 is arranged at a portion of the top wall Wt adjacent to the front wall Wf and the side wall Ws2. The operation panel 65 includes a display unit 66 including an LED screen for displaying the status of the printer 10, and an operation unit 67 including switches, keys, and the like for the operator to input an instruction to the printer 10. When the operation panel 65 is formed by a touch panel, the operation panel 65 functions not only as a display unit but also as an operation unit. Further, a stacker sk as a medium loading portion is formed from the central portion of the top wall Wt to the back wall Wr, and a discharge port Hh1 for discharging the paper P on which the image is formed is formed so as to face the stacker sk. A discharge roller pair 26 as a discharge member is rotatably arranged in the discharge port Hh1.

Further, a top cover Pt is openably and closably arranged in a portion of the top wall Wt adjacent to the left side wall Ws1, and the operator can access the inside of the left side wall Ws1 by opening the top cover Pt.

Then, the image forming unit 20 and the paper cassette 22 are detachably arranged in the housing Cs with respect to the apparatus main body Bd, and the LED head 21 as an exposure apparatus is movable in the vertical direction. Further, it is detachably arranged, a transfer roller 24 as a transfer member is rotatably arranged below the image forming unit 20, and a fixing device 25 as a fixing device is arranged adjacent to the image forming unit 20. To.

The image forming unit 20 includes a main body 20a and a toner accommodating unit 17 as a developer accommodating unit for accommodating toner as a developer. A toner storage unit 18 as a developer storage unit is formed below the toner storage unit 17 in the main body 20a, and the toner supplied from the toner storage unit 17 is stored in the toner storage unit 18.

Further, the image forming unit 20 is rotatably arranged facing the photoconductor drum 11 as an image carrier and the photoconductor drum 11 and adheres toner to the photoconductor drum 11 to form a developer image. The developing roller 12 as a developing agent carrier forming a toner image, the supply roller 13 as a developing agent supplying member for supplying toner to the developing roller 12, and the photoconductor drum 11 are rotatably arranged so as to face each other. A charging roller 14 as a charging device that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 is arranged by pressing the tip against the developing roller 12, and the toner supplied on the developing roller 12 is thinned to form a toner layer. The developing blade 19 as a developer regulating member, the cleaning blade 15 as a cleaning member for scraping and removing the residual toner as a transfer residual developer on the photoconductor drum 11, and the cleaning blade 15 scrape off. It is provided with a waste toner transport path 16 as a waste developer transport path for transporting the removed residual toner as waste toner which is a waste developer.

The LED head 21 is arranged above the main body 20a so as to face the photoconductor drum 11 and exposes the photoconductor drum 11 charged by the charging roller 14 based on image data to expose the photoconductor drum 11 to the photoconductor drum 11. An electrostatic latent image as a latent image is formed on the surface. The developing roller 12 exposes the photoconductor drum 11 by adhering the toner to the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the photoconductor drum 11.

The transfer roller 24 is arranged below the main body 20a so as to face the photoconductor drum 11 and transfers the toner image on the photoconductor drum 11 to the paper P supplied from the paper cassette 22.

The fuser 25 includes a heating roller R1 as a first fixing member and a pressure roller R2 as a second fixing member, and a heating element such as a halogen lamp (not shown) is arranged in the heating roller R1. To. In the fuser 25, the toner image transferred to the paper P is heated by the heating roller R1 and pressed by the pressure roller R2 to be fixed on the paper P.

Further, in FIG. 4, 27 is a sealing member formed of a film or the like and the tip of which is pressed against the developing roller 12 to be arranged. In the sealing member 27, the toner in the toner storage portion 18 is outside the main body portion 20a. Prevents leakage to.

The photoconductor drum 11, the developing roller 12, the supply roller 13, the charging roller 14, and the transfer roller 24 are each rotated in the direction of the arrow.

The paper P in the paper cassette 22 is fed to the medium transport path Rt1 in the direction of arrow A by the feed roller 23, is carried by the transport roller m1 as a transport member, and is transported between the photoconductor drum 11 and the transfer roller 24 (nip). The toner image is transferred in the direction of arrow B, and the toner image is fixed in the fuser 25 to form an image. Subsequently, the paper P is conveyed in the direction of arrow C, is discharged in the direction of arrow D (outside the device main body Bd) through the discharge port Hh1 by the discharge roller pair 26, and is loaded on the stacker sk.

By the way, for example, when the operator attaches / detaches the image forming unit 20 to / from the apparatus main body Bd,
If the LED head 21 is accidentally touched or an impact is applied to the LED head 21, the LED head 21 will be damaged. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as the front cover Pf is opened by the operator, the LED head 21 is moved by the cooperation mechanism 33 (FIG. 8) described later and placed in the retracted position. ing.

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view showing a state of the printer when the front cover is opened according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an image forming unit from the main body of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a perspective view showing the state of the printer when the front cover is opened, FIG. 7 is a second perspective view showing the state of the printer when the front cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened, and FIG. 8 is a second perspective view showing the state of the printer when the front cover is opened. A figure showing the state of the cooperation mechanism on the left side wall side when the front cover in the first embodiment is opened, FIG. 9 shows the state of the left side wall side when the front cover in the first embodiment of the present invention is closed. A diagram showing a state of the cooperation mechanism, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part of the cooperation mechanism on the left side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a view on the left side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention. An exploded view of a main part for explaining a state in which the cooperation mechanism is attached to the inner panel, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the head holder is arranged in the apparatus main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view. A perspective view showing a state in which the blindfold sheet metal is arranged according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the LED head according to the first embodiment of the present invention is placed at an exposed position. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the LED head is placed in the retracted position according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the head holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a present. A front view showing a state in which the LED head in the first embodiment of the present invention is held by the head holder, FIG. 18 is a cross section showing a state in which the LED head in the first embodiment of the present invention is held by the head holder. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a blindfold sheet metal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 shows a control substrate and an LED head according to the first embodiment of the present invention connected via a flexible printing cable. It is a perspective view which shows the state which was done. In FIGS. 5 to 9, the X-axis positive direction is the rear direction in the printer 10, the X-axis negative direction is the front direction in the printer 10, the Y-axis positive direction is the left direction in the printer 10, and the Y-axis negative direction. The direction is the right direction in the printer 10, the Z-axis positive direction is the upward direction in the printer 10, and the Z-axis negative direction is the downward direction in the printer 10.

In the figure, 10 is the printer, Wf is the front wall, Wr is the back wall, Ws1 is the left wall, Ws2 is the right wall, Wt is the top wall, Pf is the front cover, Wfa is the upper half of the front wall Wf, and Wtb is the top. The first half of the wall Wt, Bd is the main body of the device, Hh1 is the discharge port, 21 is the LED head, 26 is the discharge roller pair, and 30 is immovably arranged with respect to the main body Bd of the device. A cover member that covers an exposure unit including a head holder 45 as a member, a flexible printing cable (FFC) 53 as a cable, and protects an LED head 21 and a flexible printing cable 53 held by the head holder 45. As a blindfolded sheet metal 31 as a protective member, 31 is a predetermined portion of the front cover Pf, and in the present embodiment, as an engaging portion formed so as to project from the left and right side edges of the upper half Wfa. The protrusions and 33 are arranged on the left side wall Ws1 and the right side wall Ws2, respectively, and are a cooperation mechanism for moving the LED head 21 according to the operation of the front cover Pf by the operator. The cooperation mechanism 33 arranged on the left side wall Ws1 and the cooperation mechanism 33 arranged on the right side wall Ws2 function only in the shape of the cam 41 described later as a moving member and as a guided member. Is almost the same. Therefore, in FIGS. 8 to 11, only the cooperation mechanism 33 arranged on the left side wall Ws1 will be illustrated and described, and the description of the cooperation mechanism 33 arranged on the right side wall Ws2 will be omitted.

The left side wall Ws1 and the right side wall Ws2 have a double structure, and each of the inner panels In1 and In2 and the outer panels Ou1 and Ou2 covering the inner panels In1 and In2 are provided. Is arranged.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the operator opens the front cover Pf when attaching / detaching the image forming unit 20 to / from the apparatus main body Bd so that the LED head 21 is not damaged. The head holder 45 is moved upward by each of the cooperation mechanisms 33, and the LED head 21 is placed behind the blindfold sheet metal 30 and protected by the blindfold sheet metal 30.

Therefore, each cooperation mechanism 33 is a cam member 35 as a first cooperation member, which is movably arranged in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) as the front cover Pf is opened and closed by the operator. A lever member 36 as a second coordinating member that is swingably arranged with respect to the device main body Bd, and is arranged so as to extend between the left side wall Ws1 and the right side wall Ws2 of the device main body Bd. The head holder 45 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) as the lever member 36 swings.

Each cam member 35 includes the cam 41, and a contact surface s1 to be brought into contact with the protrusion 31 is formed at the front end of each cam 41, and as an engaged portion from the front end to the rear end of each cam 41. The long groove dt1 of the above is formed so as to penetrate, and a long hole h1 as a guide portion extending in the vertical direction is formed on the rear end side of each long groove dt1. Then, the engagement member is projected toward the outer panels Ou1 and Ou2 at positions corresponding to the long grooves dt1 in the inner panels In1 and In2 of the left side wall Ws1 and the right side wall Ws2 at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. And as a guide member, a pair of guide shafts ps1 and ps2 are formed. The cams 41 are movably arranged along the guide shafts ps1 and ps2, and the guide shafts ps1 and ps2 are housed in the long groove dt1 while the cams 41 move.

Therefore, as the guide shafts ps1 and ps2 move in the long groove dt1, each cam 41 is guided and each cam member 35 is moved in the front-rear direction. An E-ring egg as a fixing member is locked to the tip of the guide shafts ps1 and ps2 via a washer ws as a spacer so that the guide shafts ps1 and ps2 do not come off from the long groove dt1.

Each of the lever members 36 includes a lever 43 having a "dogleg" shape, and a guide as a locking member that is moved to the end of each lever 43 on the cam member 35 side along the elongated hole h1. The shaft ps3 is formed so as to project toward the cam 41, and a sleeve SL1 having a tubular shape is formed so as to project toward the inner panels In1 and In2 and the outer panels Ou1 and Ou2 at the center of each lever 43. At the end of each lever 43 on the head holder 45 side, a long hole h2 as a guide portion is formed so as to extend radially outward from the sleeve SL1. Then, at the positions corresponding to the sleeve SL1 in the inner panels In1 and In2, the swing shaft sh1 supporting the lever member 36 projects toward the outer panels Ou1 and Ou2, respectively, and penetrates the sleeve SL1. Arranged. Further, a torsion spring sp1 as an urging member is externally fitted to a portion of the sleeve SL1 that protrudes toward the inner panels In1 and In2, and one end of the torsion spring sp1 is at a predetermined position of the lever member 36 and the other end is an inner. The panels In1 and In2 are locked at predetermined positions. As a result, the lever member 36 is urged in the clockwise direction in FIG. 10, and the cam member 35 is urged forward accordingly.

When each of the cam members 35 is moved in the front-rear direction, the guide shaft ps3 is moved along the elongated hole h1 and the lever member 36 is swung with respect to the device main body Bd.

The head holder 45 is formed at a main body portion 75 extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and at both ends of the main body portion 75, that is, at each end on the left side wall Ws1 and the right side wall Ws2 side. The holding portions 45a and 45b formed by hanging from the portions 75 are provided, and the LED head 21 is accommodated and held in the region Ar1 between the holding portions 45a and 45b.

Therefore, the holding portions 45a and 45b include locking pieces am1 and am2 formed by hanging from the main body portion 75, and the LED head 21 raises the locked portions 21a and 21b formed at both ends. Be prepared. The LED head 21 is held by the head holder 45 by locking the claws ne1 and ne2 of the locking pieces am1 and am2 to the locked portions 21a and 21b.

Spring seats sph1 and sph2 as urging member holders are formed by hanging spring seats sph1 and sph2 as urging member holders at locations adjacent to the holding portions 45a and 45b closer to the center than the holding portions 45a and 45b of the head holder 45. A head grounding spring 55 is provided as an urging member and as a grounding member. The head grounding spring 55 grounds the LED head 21 and urges the LED head 21 toward the photoconductor drum 11 (FIG. 4) with a predetermined urging force.

Further, a pair of holder bosses bs1 and bs2 are formed on the end faces of the holding portions 45a and 45b so as to project toward the inner panels In1 and In2 at predetermined intervals, and are formed in the inner panels In1 and In2 in the vertical direction (Z). The guide groove dt2 is formed so as to extend in the axial direction).

Therefore, the head holder 45 slides the holder bosses bs1 and bs2 along the guide groove dt2, and one of the holder bosses bs1 and bs2, in the present embodiment, the lower holder boss bs1 is described. It is moved in the vertical direction while sliding along the elongated hole h2.

The blindfold sheet metal 30 extends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and is disposed immovably with respect to the device main body Bd, and covers the front of the head holder 45 and the upper end of the main body 30a. It is formed so as to extend from the rear to the rear, and has a mounting portion 30b that covers the upper part of the head holder 45, and is mounted on the top wall Wt via the mounting portion 30b.

When the lever member 36 is swung with respect to the device main body Bd, each holder boss bs1 is moved along the elongated hole h2, and the head holder 45 moves up and down along the guide groove dt2 behind the blindfold sheet metal 30. It is moved in the direction, and the LED head 21 is moved in the vertical direction together with the head holder 45.

Next, the operation of the cooperation mechanism 33 will be described.

As the front cover Pf is closed by the operator, the protrusion 31 moves the cam member 35 backward against the urging force of the torsion spring sp1, and the lever member 36 moves in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 8 and 9. It is rotated to. As a result, the head holder 45 is moved downward, and the LED head 21 is placed at an exposure position for exposing the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 (FIG. 4) as shown in FIG.

Further, as the front cover Pf is opened by the operator, the torsion spring sp1 moves the cam member 35 forward by the urging force, and the lever member 36 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 8 and 9. .. As a result, the head holder 45 is moved upward, and the LED head 21 is retracted from the exposure position and placed in the retracted position. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, since the blindfold sheet metal 30 is arranged so as to extend in the left-right direction in front of the head holder 45, the LED head 21 is covered with the blindfold sheet metal 30 at the retracted position. .. Therefore, for example, when the operator attaches / detaches the image forming unit 20 to / from the apparatus main body Bd, the operator mistakenly touches the LED head 21, or the image forming unit 20 comes into contact with the LED head 21 and an impact is applied. Since there is no such thing, it is possible to prevent the LED head 21 from being damaged.

In the present embodiment, print data is sent to the printer 10 from a host computer (not shown) as a higher-level device, print data is edited by a control unit (not shown) to generate image data, and the image data is transferred to the LED head 21. It is fed and the LED head 21 is driven.

Therefore, a control board 51 as a board constituting the control unit is arranged in the apparatus main body Bd of the printer 10, and the control board 51 and the LED head 21 are connected to each other via a flexible printing cable 53. It is electrically connected.

By the way, for example, the operator may maintain the exposure unit by removing and inspecting the exposure unit including the head holder 45, the flexible printing cable 53, and the like, and then reattaching or replacing the exposure unit. In that case, the maintenance work is complicated, and if the maintenance work procedure is incorrect, the exposure unit may be damaged.

Therefore, a predetermined position in the moving direction of the LED head 21, in the present embodiment, a position adjacent to the exposure position is set as a lock position, and is shown between the cooperation mechanism 33 and the housing Cs. A lock mechanism that is not locked is formed, and a maintenance worker who performs maintenance work on the printer 10 activates the lock mechanism when maintaining the exposure unit, thereby placing the LED head 21 in the lock position and immovable in the lock position. And lock it. Therefore, when the LED head 21 is placed in the locked position and locked, it does not move to the exposure position, the retracted position, etc. above it, and is placed in a stable state, so that the maintenance work of the exposure unit is simplified. Is made.

Further, in the present embodiment, the housing Cs (FIG. 2) is restricted from locking the LED head 21 by the locking mechanism so that only the maintenance worker of the printer 10 can lock the LED head 21. A lock regulation mechanism (not shown) is provided, and when the lock regulation of the LED head 21 by the lock regulation mechanism is released, the LED head 21 can be locked by the lock mechanism.

First, a lock mechanism formed on the cam 41 on the left side wall Ws1 side and a lock regulation mechanism arranged on the outer panel Ou1 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the cam on the left side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention is placed at a cam exposure position, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the cam on the left side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention is placed. A front view, FIG. 22 is a rear view of the cam on the left side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 23 is a rear view of the cam on the left side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a state, FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a method of unlocking the LED head according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an outer panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 26 is a perspective view of a main part of the outer panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a main part of the outer panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 28 is the first aspect of the present invention. The figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam in the embodiment is placed in the cam retracted position, FIG. 29 is a figure of the side protrusion when the cam in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is placed in a cam exposure position. A figure showing a state, FIG. 30 is a first figure showing a state of a side protrusion when a cam is placed in a cam lock position in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 31 is a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the 2nd figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam in the form is placed in the cam lock position. In FIGS. 1, 21 to 23 and 25 to 30, the positive X-axis direction is the rear direction in the printer 10, the negative X-axis direction is the front direction in the printer 10, and the positive Y-axis direction is the left direction in the printer 10. The negative Y-axis direction is the right direction in the printer 10, the positive Z-axis direction is the upward direction in the printer 10, and the negative Z-axis direction is the downward direction in the printer 10.

In the figure, 41 is a cam, 43 is a lever, 45 is a head holder, In1 is an inner panel, Ou1 is an outer panel, h1 is a long hole, dt1 is a long groove, and ps1, ps2, and ps3 are guide shafts.

The outer panel Ou1 constitutes a predetermined cover member constituting the housing Cs (FIG. 2), and the inner panel In1 constitutes the main body of the housing Cs, that is, the housing main body.

The cam 41 is arranged so as to extend from the front end where the contact surface s1 is formed to the rear end where the elongated hole h1 is formed, and the width in the height direction is narrowed from the front end to the central portion. A third cam portion 41a whose width is widened in the height direction from the central portion to the rear end, and a third cam portion 41a and 41b whose width changes by connecting the first and second cam portions 41a and 41b in the central portion. The long groove dt1 is provided with the cam portion 41c of the above, and the long groove dt1 is extended over almost the entire cam 41 from the front end of the cam 41 to the long hole h1.

Then, in the vicinity of the front end of the cam 41 in the long groove dt1, the inner peripheral edge of the long groove dt1 is projected inward to form a regulation protrusion wr as a pair of regulation members. The regulation protrusion wr is formed so that the width of the long groove dt1 is smaller than the diameter of the guide shaft ps2, and the cam 41 moves in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) with respect to the guide shaft ps2 due to the deformation. Regulate by the force to do. When the cam 41 is moved and the guide shaft ps2 is moved against the urging force of the regulation protrusion wr, the regulation protrusion wr bends, the long groove dt1 becomes wider, and the restriction on the movement of the guide shaft ps2 is released. The cam 41 is formed of a flexible resin material so that the regulation protrusion wr is easily bent, and a through hole (not shown) is formed in a portion of each regulation protrusion wr facing each other.

The cam 41 is placed in the cam exposed position as shown in FIG. 1 when the LED head 21 is placed in the exposed position, and the cam 41 is placed in the cam retracted position as shown in FIG. 28 when the LED head 21 is placed in the retracted position. Placed in. When the cam 41 is moved between the cam exposed position and the cam retracted position, the guide shaft ps2 is placed in the non-locking range Ar11 behind the regulation protrusion wr shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 23, when the cam 41 is placed at the cam lock position adjacent to the cam exposure position and slightly behind the cam exposure position, the guide shaft ps2 becomes the lock range Ar12 in front of the regulation protrusion wr. It is placed and the LED head 21 is locked. The guide shaft ps2 is within a certain backlash range in the lock range Ar11, is not subjected to an external force, and does not move from the lock range Ar12 to the non-lock range Ar11.

Further, the cam 41 has first and second regulation grooves mk1 and mk2 at a predetermined depth from the surface of the cam 41 in parallel with the long groove dt1 above and below the long groove dt1 in the first cam portion 41a. Is formed, and the regulation surfaces Sr1 and Sr2 are formed at the front ends of the first and second regulation grooves mk1 and mk2 at the positions corresponding to the regulation protrusions wr.

Then, a lock release portion Ska is formed so as to project toward the long groove dt1 at a predetermined position in the first regulation groove mk1, at a position slightly behind the regulation protrusion wr in the present embodiment. Further, as shown in FIG. 24, a top frame Ft is formed on the upper edge of the inner panel In1 so as to extend toward the outer panel Ou1 side, and the top frame Ft is operated at a position corresponding to the unlocked portion Ska. The hole h3 is formed. When a maintenance worker opens the top cover Pt (FIG. 2), inserts a thin operation rod such as a driver through the operation hole h3, and presses the unlocked portion Sk, the regulation protrusion wr is deformed as the cam 41 is deformed. Then, the regulation of the movement of the guide shaft ps2 by the regulation protrusion wr is released.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, side protrusions Prs as protrusion members are formed on the outer panel Ou1 of the left side wall Ws1 so as to project toward the first and second regulation grooves mk1 and mk2 of the cam 41, respectively. Will be done. Each side protrusion Prs is formed at a position where the maintenance worker does not lock the LED head 21 while the outer panel Ou1 is attached to the inner panel In1.

Therefore, when the front cover Pf is opened by the maintenance worker, the cam 41 is moved forward by the urging force of the torsion spring sp1, and the cam 41 is placed in the cam retracted position as shown in FIG. It is placed at the rear end of the first and second regulation grooves mk1 and mk2.

Further, when the cam 41 is moved rearward and placed in the cam exposure position as shown in FIG. 29, each side projection Prs is placed at the front end of the first and second regulation grooves mk1 and mk2, respectively. It is brought into contact with the regulation surfaces Sr1 and Sr2.

On the other hand, even if the cam 41 is placed at the cam lock position behind the cam exposure position as shown in FIG. 30, the side protrusions Prs prevent the regulation surfaces Sr1 and Sr2 from moving, and the side protrusions Prs and the cam 41 Interferes and the cam 41 cannot be placed in the cam lock position as shown in FIG.

That is, as the LED head 21 moves between the retracted position and the exposed position, the first and second regulating grooves mk1 and mk2 accommodate the side projection Prs, and the LED head 21 is placed in the locked position. At this time, it is prevented that the side protrusions Prs are accommodated in the first and second regulation grooves mk1 and mk2.

Therefore, when locking the LED head 21, the maintenance worker needs to remove the outer panel Ou1 so that the side projection Prs and the cam 41 do not interfere with each other.

In the present embodiment, the moving side lock member is configured by the regulation protrusion wr formed on the cam 41 movably arranged with respect to the device main body Bd (FIG. 8), and moves via the device main body Bd. The fixed side lock member is configured by the guide shaft ps2 formed on the inner panel In1 which is irrelevantly arranged, and the locking mechanism on the left side wall Ws1 side is configured by the regulation protrusion wr and the guide shaft ps2.

Further, the moving side lock restricting member is configured by the first and second restricting grooves mk1 and mk2 formed in the cam 41 movably arranged with respect to the apparatus main body Bd, and moves via the apparatus main body Bd. The fixed side lock regulating member is configured by the side protrusions Prs formed on the outer panel Ou1 which is impossible to be arranged, and the lock regulation mechanism on the left side wall Ws1 side by the first and second regulation grooves mk1, mk2 and the side protrusions Prs. Is configured.

Next, the lock mechanism formed on the cam 41 on the right side wall Ws2 side and the lock regulation mechanism formed on the operation panel 65 will be described.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a state in which the cam on the right side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention is placed in the cam retracted position, and FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a state in which the cam on the right side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention is placed. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a state in which the cam is placed in the cam exposure position, FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a state in which the cam on the right side wall side in the first embodiment of the present invention is placed in the cam lock position, and FIG. 35 is the first aspect of the present invention. 36 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the relationship between the operation panel and the cam according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 37 is the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the top protrusion when the cam is placed in the cam exposure position. In the figure, the positive X-axis direction is the rear direction in the printer 10, the negative X-axis direction is the front direction in the printer 10, the positive Y-axis direction is the left direction in the printer 10, and the negative Y-axis direction is the printer. 10 is the right direction, the Z-axis positive direction is the upward direction in the printer 10, and the Z-axis negative direction is the downward direction in the printer 10.

In the figure, 10 is a printer, Bd is a device main body, 33 is a cooperation mechanism, 35 is a cam member, 36 is a lever member, 45 is a head holder, 41 is a cam, 43 is a lever, h1 is a long hole, dt1 is a long groove, ps1. , Ps2 and ps3 are guide shafts, Wtc is the main body of the apex wall Wt, that is, the apex wall main body as a substrate support portion, 51 is a control board supported by the apex wall main body Wtc, and 65 is the operation panel. The cooperation mechanism 33 is arranged on the inner panel In2 of the right side wall Ws2, and the cam 41 is moved in the front-rear direction.

The operation panel 65 constitutes a predetermined cover member that covers and protects the control board 51, and a protective cover, and the top wall body Wtc constitutes a housing body.

A third regulation groove mk3 is formed at a predetermined depth in parallel with the long groove dt1 on the upper edge of the cam 41, and a regulation surface is formed at a position corresponding to the regulation protrusion wr at the front end of the third regulation groove mk3. Sr3 is formed.

On the other hand, the operation panel 65 formed on the top wall Wt on the right side wall Ws2 side is detachably arranged with respect to the top wall main body Wtc, and is attached to the lower end of the operation panel 65 as shown in FIGS. 35 to 37. The top protrusion Prt is formed so as to project toward the third regulation groove mk3. The top protrusion Prt is formed at a position where the maintenance worker does not lock the LED head 21 with the operation panel 65 attached to the top wall main body Wtc.

Therefore, when the cam 41 is moved rearward and placed in the cam exposure position as shown in FIG. 37, the top protrusion Prt is placed at the front end of the third regulation groove mk3 and hits the regulation surface Sr3. Be touched.

On the other hand, even if the cam 41 is placed in the cam lock position as shown in FIG. 34, the top protrusion Prt and the cam 41 interfere with each other, and the cam 41 cannot be placed in the cam lock position.

Therefore, when locking the LED head 21, it is necessary to remove the operation panel 65 so that the top protrusion Pr and the cam 41 do not interfere with each other.

In the present embodiment, the moving side lock member is configured by the regulation protrusion wr formed on the cam 41 movably arranged with respect to the device main body Bd, and is arranged immovably via the device main body Bd. The fixed side lock member is configured by the guide shaft ps2 formed on the inner panel In2, and the locking mechanism on the right side wall Ws2 side is configured by the regulation protrusion wr and the guide shaft ps2.

Further, the moving side lock restricting member is configured by the third restricting groove mk3 formed in the cam 41 movably arranged with respect to the apparatus main body Bd, and is arranged immovably via the apparatus main body Bd. The fixed side lock regulating member is configured by the top protrusion Prt formed on the operation panel 65, and the lock regulating mechanism on the right side wall Ws2 side is configured by the third regulating groove mk3 and the top protrusion Prt.

The maintenance worker locks the LED head 21 when maintaining the exposure unit including the head holder 45, the flexible printing cable 53, etc. At this time, the maintenance worker opens the front cover Pf and forms an image. When the unit 20 (FIG. 4) is taken out, the cam member 35 is moved forward by the urging force of the torsion spring sp1, the cam 41 is placed in the cam retracted position as shown in FIG. 32, and the LED head 21 is retracted. Placed in position.

Since it is difficult to visually check the exposure unit in this state, the maintenance worker removes the outer panel Ou1 and the operation panel 65 on the left side wall Ws1 (FIG. 5) side, pushes the contact surface s1, and pushes the cam 41 backward (X-axis). When moved in the positive direction), as shown in FIGS. 1, 29 and 33, the guide shaft ps2 hits the regulation protrusion wr, the cam 41 is stopped at the cam exposure position, and the LED head 21 is placed at the exposure position.

Subsequently, when the maintenance worker pushes the contact surface s1 to lock the LED head 21 at the exposure position and pushes the cam 41 further backward against the urging force of the regulation protrusion wr, the regulation protrusion The wr bends, the long groove dt1 widens, the guide shaft ps2 is placed in the lock range Ar12, and the cam 41 is placed in the cam lock position as shown in FIGS. 23 and 34. As a result, the LED head 21 is locked.

The cam 41 is formed of a flexible resin material so that the regulation protrusion wr is easily bent, and a through hole (not shown) is formed in a portion of each regulation protrusion wr facing each other.

Therefore, the guide shaft ps2 is contained within a certain backlash range in the lock range Ar12, is not subjected to an external force, and does not move from the lock range Ar12 to the non-lock range Ar11.

When the maintenance work is completed, the maintenance worker inserts a thin operation rod through the operation hole h3 (FIG. 24), presses the lock release portion Ska, releases the regulation by the regulation protrusion wr, and moves the guide shaft ps2 from the lock range Ar12. Move to the non-locking range Ar11.

As a result, the side protrusion Pr does not interfere with the cam 41, so that the maintenance worker can attach the outer panel Ou1 to the inner panel In1.

In the present embodiment, when the maintenance worker pushes the contact surface s1 on the left side wall Ws1 side and the cam 41 is placed in the cam exposure position, the LED head 21 moves from the lock position to the exposure position. The movement is transmitted to the cam 41 on the right side wall Ws2 side via the head holder 45, and the cam 41 on the right side wall Ws2 side is also placed at the cam exposure position. Therefore, the maintenance worker can attach the outer panel Ou1 and the operation panel 65 to the top wall main body Wtc.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the maintenance worker of the printer 10 operates the lock mechanism to lock the LED head 21 immovably, so that the operator of the printer 10 can use the head holder 45 and flexible printing. It is possible to prevent maintenance work of the exposure unit such as the cable 53.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the outer panel Ou1 and the operation panel 65 of the housing Cs are removed from the inner panel In1 and the top wall main body Wtc, respectively, the LED head 21 can be locked, so that the maintenance work of the exposure unit is performed. Can be simplified. Therefore, since the procedure of the maintenance work is not mistaken, it is possible to prevent the exposure unit from being damaged in the maintenance work.

By the way, in the present embodiment, as long as the guide shaft ps2 is placed in the lock range Ar12, the outer panel Ou1 and the operation panel 65 cannot be attached to the inner panel In1 and the top wall main body Wtc, respectively.

Therefore, regarding the second embodiment of the present invention, the outer panel Ou1 and the operation panel 65 can be attached to the inner panel In1 and the top wall body Wtc, respectively, even if the guide shaft ps2 is placed in the lock range Ar12. explain. The same reference numerals are given to those having the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and the effects of the same embodiment are used for the effects of the invention due to having the same structure.

38 is a perspective view of the outer panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 39 is a sectional view of a main part of the outer panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 40 is a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a state of a side protrusion when the cam is placed at a cam exposure position, and FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the side protrusion moves the cam forward in the second embodiment of the present invention. Is a figure which shows the state of the side protrusion when the cam in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is placed in the cam exposure position. In the figure, the positive X-axis direction is the rear direction in the printer 10 as an image forming apparatus, the negative X-axis direction is the front direction in the printer 10, and the positive Y-axis direction is the left direction in the printer 10. The negative axis direction is the right direction in the printer 10, the positive direction in the Z axis is the upward direction in the printer 10, and the negative direction in the Z axis is the downward direction in the printer 10.

In the figure, 41 is a cam as a moving member having a rectangular shape and as a guided member, s1 is a contact surface, mk1 is a first regulation groove, Ska is an unlocked portion, and Sr1 is the first. The regulation surface formed at the front end of the regulation groove mk1, In1 is the inner panel of the left side wall Ws1 (FIG. 6) as the first wall member and the first side wall, and Ou1 is the outer panel of the left side wall Ws1. .. A side protrusion Prst as a protrusion member is formed on the outer panel Ou1 so as to project toward the first regulation grooves mk1 and mk2 (FIG. 1) of the cam 41.

The side projection Prst is inclined at an angle of 45 [°] from the front end of the facing surface Sa formed so as to face the cam 41 over about half in the width direction, that is, about half in the X-axis direction, toward the outer panel Ou1 side. It is provided with a tapered surface Sb as a guide portion formed in the above direction and a hanging lower surface Sc as a regulating portion formed by hanging from the front end of the tapered surface Sb.

Then, when the maintenance worker tries to move the cam 41 from the cam exposure position to the cam lock position while the outer panel Ou1 is attached to the inner panel In1, the side projection Prst hits the hanging bottom surface Sc with the regulation surface Sr1. Further, when the maintenance work is completed and the outer panel Ou1 is attached to the inner panel In1, the tapered surface Sb is formed at a position where the tapered surface Sb hits the edge ed1 of the regulation surface Sr1 of the cam 41 placed at the cam lock position.

As shown in FIG. 40, when the cam 41 is placed at the cam exposure position, the hanging surface Sc of the side protrusion Prst and the regulation surface Sr1 in the first regulation groove mk1 are opposed to each other, so that a maintenance worker Even if the cam 41 tries to place the cam 41 in the cam lock position by pushing the contact surface s1 (FIG. 8) at the front end of the cam 41, the hanging lower surface Sc restricts the cam 41 from moving backward.

Therefore, since the cam 41 cannot be placed in the cam lock position, the maintenance worker removes the outer panel Ou1 from the inner panel In1, places the cam 41 in the cam lock position, and locks the LED head 21.

After the maintenance work is completed, when the maintenance worker tries to attach the outer panel Ou1 to the inner panel In1, the cam 41 is placed in the cam lock position, and as shown in FIG. 41, on the edge ed1 of the regulation surface Sr1. Since the tapered surface Sb hits, when the outer panel Ou1 is pushed toward the inner panel In1 side as it is, the side projection Prst is guided into the first regulation groove mk1 by the component force of the pressing force, and the cam 41 is shown in FIG. 42. Moved forward as shown in.

Therefore, when the outer panel Ou1 is attached to the inner panel In1, the cam 41 is placed at the cam exposure position.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the maintenance worker of the printer 10 simply attaches the outer panel Ou1 to the inner panel In1 after the maintenance work is completed, and the cam 41 is moved from the cam lock position to the cam exposure position. Therefore, not only the maintenance work can be further simplified, but also the exposure unit such as the LED head 21, the flexible printing cable 53, and the side protrusion Prst are not damaged.

Although the printer 10 is described in each of the above embodiments, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction device.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the printer 10 provided with one image forming unit 20 is described, but the present invention can be applied to a printer provided with a plurality of image forming units, or as an intermediate transfer member. It can be applied to a printer that transfers a toner image to an intermediate transfer belt and transfers it to paper.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, as the LED head 21 as an exposure apparatus, a linearly moving type that moves in the vertical direction is used, but a rotary type, a swing type, or the like LED head is used. Can be used.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

10 Printer 11 Photoreceptor drum 21 LED head Bd Device body Cs Housing In1 Inner panel Ou1 Outer panel ps2 Guide shaft wr Regulatory protrusion Wtc Top wall body

Claims (9)

(A) An exposure apparatus that is movablely arranged and exposes an image carrier,
(B) The exposure apparatus has a locking mechanism that locks the exposure apparatus immovably at a locking position set at a predetermined position in the moving direction, and also has a locking mechanism.
(C) An image forming apparatus characterized in that when a predetermined cover member of a housing surrounding the device main body is removed from the housing main body, the exposure device can be locked by the locking mechanism. (A) The cover member is an outer panel of a housing.
(B) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing body is an inner panel. (A) The cover member is a protective cover that covers and protects a substrate electrically connected to the exposure apparatus.
(B) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing body is a substrate support portion that supports the substrate. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the protective cover is an operation panel arranged on the top wall of the housing. (A) A guide member formed so as to project from the inner panel toward the outer panel, and
(B) It has a moving member that is movably arranged along the guide member and moves the exposure apparatus with the movement, and also has a moving member.
(C) The locking mechanism is formed on the guide member and the moving member, and is formed from a regulating member that regulates the movement of the moving member with respect to the guide member when the exposure device is placed in the locked position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. (A) The moving member includes a long groove for accommodating the guide member while moving.
(B) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the regulating member is formed by projecting the inner peripheral edge of a long groove. (A) The cover member includes a protrusion member formed so as to project toward the moving member.
(B) The moving member accommodates the protruding member as the exposed member moves between the retracted position and the exposed position, and the protruding member accommodates the exposed member when the exposed member is placed in the locked position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a regulation groove is formed to prevent the image from being formed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion member includes a guide portion for guiding the protrusion member into the regulation groove as the cover member is attached to the housing body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the moving member is moved as the front cover is opened and closed.

Images