JP2945052B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile using an electrophotographic process.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, for example,
As shown in JP-A-34543, the photoreceptor is left in a fixed position of the apparatus main body, and each of the image forming wrestling means acting on the photoreceptor is formed as a unit by combining two or more, and is detachable from the apparatus main body. There is something.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 64-13054, a transfer unit and a transfer paper guide are also integrated with the photosensitive unit.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-34543, for example, when trying to use the transfer paper commonly for a plurality of models, the transfer path of the transfer paper is limited, and the transfer path is restricted. Cannot be set. That is, it cannot be used in common for models having different paper feed port directions. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to change the transport path side, it is necessary to change the area around the photoconductor unit, which deviates from the purpose of common use. This is the same in the case of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 64-13054 in which a transfer device and the like are also integrated.

Means for Solving the Problems Around a cylindrical image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, a room for a developing unit, a room for a transfer unit, a room for a cleaning unit, a room for a charge removing / charging unit, To form an image forming unit having a cylindrical shape without protrusions, which are separately arranged, and for exposing the image carrier between the room for development and the room for static elimination / charging means. A transfer in which a gap is formed, an entrance is formed between the transfer unit room and the developing unit room, and an exit is formed between the transfer unit room and the cleaning room. A paper transport path was formed.

Action Since the overall shape is an external cylindrical shape with no protrusion on the outer periphery, the dimensions of the mounting part can be the same even for different models, and the gap for exposure and the transfer paper transfer path Since the relative positions of the entrance and the exit are unique, if the condition that the relative positions of these three members are constant is satisfied, the three members correspond to the relatively rotated positions. Different models can be set by arranging the devices, and components can be shared.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First,
A hollow drum-shaped photoconductor 1 as an image carrier is provided. Around the photoreceptor 1, there are disposed, in the image forming process means, processing means which directly acts on the photoreceptor 1, that is, developing means 2, transfer means 3, cleaning means 4, and discharging / charging means 5. Here, these processing means are arranged in order around the photoreceptor 1 so as to form a circumferential shape, and the entire image forming unit 6 formed integrally with them has a cylindrical shape with no protrusion. Due to such a configuration, there are roughly four rooms A around the photoconductor 1.
To D are provided and partitioned. First, the room A is for the developing means 2 and includes a developing roller 7 which comes into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 1, a blade 8 for regulating the thickness of a developer (toner) layer, a developer conveying / leveling auger 9, and the like. . Further, a developer involved in development is also filled. Room B is for the transfer means 3 and has a transfer roller 10 facing the photoreceptor 1 and a transfer paper transport path 11 for transporting the transfer paper is formed open (rooms A and C and room B). A gap for paper conveyance is ensured between the two.) If necessary, transfer roller
A cleaning device for 10 is provided. Room C is for the cleaning means 4 and has a cleaning blade 12 for removing residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 1.
It is configured to be collected through. The room D is for the static elimination / charging means 5, and includes a quenching lamp (for example, an LED array) 13 for static elimination and a charging charger 14 for charging.
(Comprising a discharge electrode 14a and a potential control grid 14b). A space 16 is provided between the rooms D and A in order to form an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photosensitive member 1 with image light 15.

Further, in the present embodiment, a developer storage and replenishing means 17 is provided by utilizing a room E existing inside the photoconductor 1.
The developer storing and replenishing means 17 is mainly composed of an inner cylinder 18 which is one size smaller than the photoreceptor 1 and stores a replenishing developer. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner cylinder 18 is folded at one end of the photoreceptor 1 and is formed integrally with the surrounding processing means, particularly the developing means 2 and the like. On the front side, the toner supply port 19 communicates with the room A for the developing means 2. Also, inner cylinder 18
A transport member drive shaft 20 is stretched in the longitudinal direction, and the developer stored by the rotation of the transport member drive shaft 20 is sent to the front side to be supplied to the room A side through the toner supply port 19. Toner transport members (eg, augers) 21 and 22 are built-in.

Here, the drive of the transport member drive shaft 20 is performed using a drive shaft 23 for driving the photoconductor 1. First, the drive shaft 23 is supported by the back side plate 24 of the apparatus main body, and rotates the photoconductor 1 via the drum receiver 25. The transport member drive shaft 20 is located coaxially at the tip of the drive shaft 23,
A drive face plate 28 having a notch 28a with which a drive pin 27 biased by a spring 26 attached to the inside of the drum receiver 25 engages is provided integrally with the transport member drive shaft 20.

By such a developer storage and supply means 17, the toner supply port
The toner supplied from 19 is conveyed in the room A by the auger 9 and supplied to the developing roller 7 to be used for development.

Prior to the visualization of the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1 by the developing roller 7, uniform light irradiation by the quenching lamp 13, uniform charge by the charge 14, and image light according to a normal electrophotographic process. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation with 15 light. After the visualization, the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer paper is performed by the transfer roller 10, and the transfer paper after the transfer is separated from the photoconductor 1 and conveyed to the fixing device side.
On the other hand, the surface of the photoreceptor 1 after the transfer is cleaned by the blade 12 of the cleaning means 4, and one cycle is completed.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 6 is loaded by being guided by a guide groove 30 bridged between the rear side plate 24 and the front side plate 29 of the apparatus main body, and is moved from the image forming unit 6 to the rear side plate 24.
And a lock ring 32 having a function of fixing the protrusion 31. This back plate
On the back side of 24, a drive gear 33 integrated with the shaft of the developing roller 7 is provided.
The drive gear 34 for transmitting the drive force to the drive gear 34 is opposed to the drive gear 34.

The end surface (wall surface) of the image forming unit 6 on the front side plate 29 side is a cover 35, which can be opened as necessary, such as filling the inner cylinder 18 with toner and reproducing the unit. Further, a handle 36 is provided on the lid 35, and operability such as attachment and detachment of the unit is secured.

The photoreceptor 1 receives a driving force from a driving shaft 23 at the same time that one end on the back side is inserted and supported on the outer periphery of the drum receiver 25. One end on the front side of the photoconductor 1 is provided with a bearing 37 provided in the inner cylinder 17.
Supported by Therefore, when the image forming unit 6 is removed from the apparatus main body (side plates 24 and 29), the photoconductor 1 basically remains in the apparatus in a cantilevered support state. Therefore, maintenance and reproduction of the image forming unit 6 can be performed without the photoconductor 1. However, in the case where the photoconductor 1 is loaded in the apparatus, the photoconductor 1 is previously stored in the inner cylinder 17 of the image forming unit 6.
It is also possible to load the entire unit into the apparatus in a state of being integrated with the photoconductor 1, and the photoconductor 1 can be easily loaded. Here, since the developer storing and replenishing means 17 (room E) involving the developer is integrally formed with the developing means 2 (room A) and the cleaning means 4 (room C),
Replacement of consumables such as toner can be performed in a state where there is no toner drop or stains on hands due to toner.

According to such a configuration of the image forming unit 6, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be commonly used for different types of apparatus main bodies.

First, FIG. 3 shows a case where the transfer paper 40 is applied to an image forming apparatus in which the paper is fed in a straight line. The transfer paper 40 is fed from a cassette 41 to a transfer position via a paper feed roller 42 and a registration roller 43, and is transferred to the transfer position. Thereafter, the sheet is turned upward through the fixing device 44. 45 is a writing optical system. In this case, the entrance side of the transfer paper transport path 11 faces the registration roller 43,
The image forming unit 6 may be attached to the apparatus main body from the near side such that the exit side faces the fixing device 44. Reference numeral 46 denotes a cylindrical guide adapted to the outer shape of the image forming unit 6.

FIG. 4 shows a case in which the transfer paper 40 is applied to an image forming apparatus in which the transfer paper 40 is reversed, and the conveyance between the registration roller 43 and the fixing device 44 is turned as compared with that in FIG. Therefore, the image forming unit 6 may be loaded by rotating the transfer paper transport path 11 so that the transfer paper transport path 11 is slightly inclined in accordance with such a paper feed port.

Effect of the Invention The present invention provides a developing device room, a transfer device room, a cleaning device room, a charge removing / charging device room around a cylindrical image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image. Form an image forming unit having a cylindrical shape without protrusions, each of which is separately arranged, and wherein the developing room and the static elimination /
A gap for exposing the image carrier is formed between the charging unit and the room for the transfer unit, and an entrance is formed between the room for the transfer unit and the room for the developing unit. Since the transfer paper transport path in which the exit portion was formed between the room and the cleaning room was formed, the overall shape was an external cylindrical shape with no protrusion on the outer periphery. The dimensions of the mounting portion can also be the same, and the relative positions of the exposure gap and the entrance and exit of the transfer paper transport path are fixed. If the condition that the position is constant is satisfied, different models can be set by arranging devices corresponding to the three at relatively rotated positions, and the effect that common parts can be achieved Having.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view, FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view thereof, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic longitudinal sectional front views showing states of attachment to different models. FIG. 1 image carrier, 2, 3, 4, 5 each image forming process means 6 image forming unit 11 transfer paper transport path

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-62-201467 (JP, A) JP-A-62-31865 (JP, A) JP-A-1-147479 (JP, A) JP-A-2-311853 (JP) , A) Japanese Utility Model Application Sho 61-140357 (JP, U) Patent 2883147 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16-21/18

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A room for developing means, a room for transfer means, a room for cleaning means, and a room for static elimination / charging means are respectively provided around a cylindrical image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image. Forming an image forming unit having a cylindrical shape with no protrusion and arranged separately, and the developing room and the static elimination /
A gap for exposing the image carrier is formed between the charging unit and the room for the transfer unit, and an entrance is formed between the room for the transfer unit and the room for the developing unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein a transfer paper transport path having an outlet formed between a room and the cleaning room is formed.