JP3288688B2 - Image forming apparatus and frame of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers are used. For example, as an image forming method, there are a powder phenomenon method, a thermal transfer printing method, an ink jet printing method, and the like. In each method, a monochrome image and a color image are used separately.

In the conventional image forming apparatus, the apparatuses of the respective systems are individually manufactured, and if it is desired to use the ink jet printing system and the thermal transfer printing system, at least two printers must be prepared. Further, when there is a printer for black and white and color printing is required, a printer for color printing must be additionally prepared or replaced with a device that can be used for black and white and color. Therefore, a lot of expense is required for the user, and there is a problem that a maker has to manufacture many devices.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to make the image forming apparatuses of various types small in cost and in small space by using common components. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that is enabled.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a frame for easily configuring the above-mentioned image forming apparatus.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a frame supporting at least one of a plurality of units constituting an image forming apparatus, comprising: a horizontal frame; A pair of left and right side frames consisting of a vertical frame connected to a part other than the end of the unit, the side frames are connected by a connection frame, provided to be exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and the front and back of the plurality of units. At least one side of the other side is open to the outside of the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a frame for supporting at least one of a plurality of units constituting an image forming apparatus, wherein the frame includes a horizontal frame and an end other than the end of the horizontal frame. A pair of left and right side frames consisting of a vertical frame connected to the side frame, the side frames being connected to each other by a connection frame, and provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the device, and at least three side surfaces of the plurality of units to the outside of the device. The problem is solved by a frame of the image forming apparatus that is open.

[0008] At least one unit mounting portion,
It is preferable that at least one of the plurality of units is configured to be mounted on the unit mounting portion.

[0009] It is preferable that the frame has a locking portion for locking at least one of the plurality of units.

[0010] It is preferable that the frame has a slide portion for slidingly mounting at least one of the plurality of units.

Further, the above-mentioned object is achieved by an image forming apparatus comprising the frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

It is preferable that one of a plurality of units constituting the image forming apparatus is an image forming unit, and a sheet discharge tray is provided on an upper surface of the image forming unit.

It is preferable that one of a plurality of units constituting the image forming apparatus is a paper feeding unit, and the paper feeding unit is arranged below the image forming unit.

It is preferable that at least one of the plurality of units constituting the image forming apparatus is electrically connected to the other unit by stacking the unit on the other unit.

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 2. Description of the Related Art Various image forming apparatuses basically include a paper feed section for storing and supplying recording paper, an image forming section for recording an image on the fed recording paper, and an electric section for controlling the paper feed section and the image forming section. It can be seen that the image forming section has a writing section for writing an image based on an image signal and an image processing section for processing the written image so that it can be recorded on a recording sheet. .

When the image forming apparatus was disassembled into several components, it was found that a combination as shown in FIG. 1 could be obtained. FIG. 1A is the most basic, with a base unit 1 including an electrical control unit and, if necessary, a drive unit;
This is a model in which each unit of a sheet feeding unit 2 including a sheet feeding cassette and a first image forming unit 3 including a component for forming an image is detachably assembled. In this case, the paper feed unit 2
Is incorporated into the base unit 1 to form one unit,
Only the sheet cassette can be detachably attached to the base unit 1.

The type shown in FIG. 1A is called A-1 type. The image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image by electrophotography or the like, visualizes it with a powdered developer (powder developer) such as toner, and transfers the visual image to recording paper. Then, it is necessary to fix the visible image of the recording paper after the transfer. Although this fixing device can be provided in the first image forming unit 3, the fixing unit 4 is formed as one unit separately from the image forming unit as shown in FIG. It can be a structure to be attached to. The configuration of the fixing unit 4 separately is advantageous when a plurality of image forming units described later are used and the recording paper is conveyed through each of the image forming units.

When the fixing unit 4 is provided separately, it is not necessary to include a fixing device in the image forming unit. The combination of the modified second image forming unit 3 'and the fixing unit 4 is the type shown in FIG. 1B, and this type is called A-2 type.

When the latent image forming member in the image forming unit 3 or 3 'is a photoreceptor, an optical device such as a laser scanning optical device can be used as the image writing device. When a writing optical system such as an LED array or a liquid crystal shutter is used as the writing device, the writing device can be easily incorporated in the image forming unit, so that the writing device can be applied as an A-1 type or an A-2 type. In a configuration in which a Ne laser or a semiconductor laser is scanned, it is convenient to configure the writing unit as one unit and to detachably attach to the image forming unit. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a writing device in the image forming unit. The combination of the writing unit 5 and the third image forming unit 3 ″ modified so as not to have a writing device is of the type shown in FIG. 1C.
This type is called A-la type. Similarly, as a modification of the second image forming unit 3 ′, the first image forming unit 3 ″ without the writing device and the first image forming unit
The configuration shown in FIG. D is obtained. This is shown in FIG.
This is a modification of type 2 and is referred to as type A-2a.

In each of the types shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, one image forming unit 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'" is provided, and has a configuration based on a normal single-color image forming apparatus. However, it is necessary to use two or more image forming units in order to cope with a case where two or more color single-color images or multi-color images are formed, or a case where a different type of image forming method is used. For this purpose, a plurality of first image forming units 3 as shown in FIG. 1E as a modification of the A-1 type shown in FIG.
Can be considered. In the figure, an example in which two first image forming units 3 are overlapped is shown as a representative, but it is not particularly limited to two. The same applies to other examples. The model shown in FIG. 1E is called A-1 'type.

A-2 and A-1 shown in FIGS. 1B to 1D.
Each of the models a and A-2a can be similarly modified to use a plurality of image forming units 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'". F, and this type is called A-2 'type.

Similarly, the modification to FIG. 1C is as shown in FIG. 1G, and the modification to FIG. 1D is as shown in FIG. 1H, which are called A-1'a type and A-2'a type, respectively. . In the case where a plurality of fourth image forming units 3 ′ ″ are provided, as shown in FIG. 1H, the writing unit 5 is individually assembled to each fourth image forming unit 3 ′ ″. It is also possible to incorporate one writing unit 5 'into a plurality of fourth image forming units 3''''as shown in FIG. This type is called A-2'b type. In the example shown in FIG. 1G, similarly, the writing units 5 can be individually assembled.

The recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 2 is provided in each of the image forming units 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'" in an image forming apparatus of the type shown in FIGS. It is guided upward in the figure through the feed path, or when a plurality of image forming units 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'" are used, the recording paper conveying means is united as a single unit. 6, the base unit 1 and the imaging units 3, 3 ',
3 ", 3 '" can be configured to be detachable.

FIGS. 1J to 1N show an example in which the transport unit 6 constituted independently is used, FIG. 1J is a modification to the A-1 'type shown in FIG. 1E, and FIG. FIG. 1L is a modification to the A-1'a type shown in FIG. 1G, and FIG. 1M is a modification to the A-1'a type shown in FIG. 1G. -2'a type, the first
FIG. N is a modification to the A-2'b type shown in FIG. In the models shown in FIGS. 1K, 1M and 1N, an example is shown in which the transporting unit 6 and the fixing unit 4 are formed as a single unit and the transporting and fixing unit 6 'is used.

In the example shown in FIGS.
6 'are configured separately, so that the imaging units 3, 3',
3 "and 3 '" can be modified so as to omit the recording paper transport portion. In FIG. 1J, as a modification of the first image forming unit 3 shown in FIG. The omitted fifth image forming unit 3a is used. Similarly, in FIG. 1K, the sixth image forming unit 3'a is a modification of the second image forming unit 3 'of FIG. Is
A sixth imaging unit 3 ″ a is provided as a modification of the third imaging unit 3 ″ of FIG. 1G. In FIGS. 1M and 1N, a seventh image forming unit 3 '''is provided as a modification of the third image forming unit 3''' in FIGS. 1H and 1I.

The external appearance of each of the above-mentioned structural units can be configured as schematically shown in FIG. FIG. 2A shows the transport unit 6, which has an upper discharge tray 6a and a horizontal discharge tray 6b for discharging the recording paper. It can be switched to the case of the tray 6b.

FIG. 2B shows the transport fixing unit 6 '.
FIG. 2A shows a configuration in which the transport unit 6 and the fixing unit 4 shown in FIG. 2A are integrally formed. Upper discharge tray 6a and horizontal discharge tray 6
b can be formed in the same manner as the transport unit 6.

FIG. 2C shows the fixing unit 4, FIG. 2D shows the first image forming unit 3 or the second image forming unit 3 ', and FIG. 2E shows the deformation of the image forming units 3 and 3'. The figure shows an example in which the image forming main body 3a and the transport section 3b are configured to be splittable. The image forming main body 3a can be used in the example shown in FIG. 1J. Each of the image forming units 3 ″ and 3 ″ ′ can be similarly configured to be dividable.

FIG. 2F shows an example in which the base unit 1 and the paper feed unit 2 are integrally formed. FIG. 2G shows a writing unit 5, in which a rotating polygon mirror for scanning a He—Ne laser or a semiconductor laser, a member for controlling ON / OFF of laser light by AO modulation, an fθ lens,
A reflection mirror or the like is incorporated, and the laser light emitted from the exit opening 5a of the case of the writing unit 5 is introduced into the third imaging unit 3 ″ and the fourth imaging unit 3 ′ ″ as indicated by arrows.

FIG. 2G shows a writing unit which is individually assembled to each image forming unit, whereas 1 shown in FIG. 1I can be used in common for a plurality of image forming units.
FIG. 2H shows a structure constructed as one writing unit 5 '.
Shown in In the writing unit 5 ', a plurality of openings 5a can be provided so that a laser beam can be emitted at a position corresponding to each image forming unit.

When assembling the units shown in FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the frames 7 are used as shown in FIG. The frame 7 connects side frames composed of a horizontal frame 7a and a vertical frame 7b with a connecting rod 7c (see FIG. 3). If desired, the connecting rod 7c can be omitted.

As a first example, the frame 7 is formed in a mouth shape as shown in FIG. 3A, and the base unit 1 and the paper feed unit 2 are mounted on two horizontal frames 7a and a vertical frame 7b of the frame 7. Fixed,
Further, one of the image forming units 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'" is fixed to the upper horizontal frame 7a. If necessary, the writing units 5, 5 'may be fixed to the frame 7 if necessary. it can.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the frame 7 can be formed in an L shape by a horizontal frame 7a and a long vertical frame 7b 'as a second example. In this case, the vertical frame 7b 'is suitable for fixing the transport units 6, 6'. The image forming unit 3'a can be fixed to the vertical frame 7b '.

The base unit 1 comprises a vertical frame 7b 'and a horizontal frame 7
a, and the horizontal frame 7a is placed on the floor on which it is installed.
As a modification of the frame 7 shown in FIG. 3B, as shown in FIG. 3C, a part of the horizontal frame 7a can be formed to protrude backward from the vertical frame 7b '. This example provides a more stable state than the example shown in FIG. 3B.

The structure of the frame shown in FIG. 3C can be configured as shown in FIG. 3F as an example. An extension member can be provided on the horizontal frame 7a so as to support the base unit 1 slightly above the floor surface.

As a modification of FIG. 3B, in order to raise the horizontal frame 7a to the upper end of the base unit 1 or the position of the sheet feeding unit 2, one short vertical frame 7b and one long vertical frame 7 are used.
By b ', it can be constructed in a chair shape as shown in FIG. 3D. Further, as shown in FIG. 3E, a long vertical frame 7b '
Can be increased by one to form a U-shaped frame.

Each unit can be mounted on the frame 7 by a method using a slide and a stopper using a groove, a method using a screw, or the like. Alternatively, the vertical frame may be formed in a convex shape, and the unit may be provided with a concave groove in which the convex portion of the frame is fitted.

An example of a more detailed structure of each unit will be described. The base unit 1 has a case 11 provided with a paper feed port 12 as shown in FIG.
The substrate 13 and the drive motor 14 and the drive of the drive motor 14 which constitute a circuit of an electric control device, for example, an image processing system including a CPU, an interface, a signal memory and the like, and a drive system for operating a system in the image forming unit. Mechanical drive 15 for transmitting force to the imaging unit 3
Is stored.

The mechanical drive unit 15 is provided with, for example, a first bevel gear 16a, and the first bevel gear 16a is provided with, for example, a bevel gear provided in the image forming unit 3 and the like mounted on the base unit 1. The gear 17 meshes. The second bevel gear 16b meshes with a bevel gear provided in the image forming unit 3 above.

In the image forming unit, the bevel gear 17 is connected to the transmission shaft 1
8 from the transmission shaft 18 to each rotating body such as a roller via an acceleration / deceleration mechanism 19 including a combination of a worm 19a and a worm gear 19b and other mechanisms and a transmission ON / OFF mechanism 19c such as a clutch or a solenoid. Is transmitted.

In each of the image forming units 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'", etc., similarly to the base unit 1, it is connected to the transmission shaft 15a for transmitting the drive to the image forming unit mounted thereon. A possible transmission shaft 15b is provided, and the transmission shaft is provided with a bevel gear 16b and the like.

The above example is merely an example, and any structure can be used as long as the drive can be transmitted from one unit to another unit. Imaging unit 3
The image forming unit 3A shown in FIG. 5 is used as an example of a powder developing system. The first-a image forming unit 3 </ b> A has one case 21, and the case 21 has a paper feed port 22.
And a paper discharge port 23 are formed.

In the case of the thermomagnetic writing method, a heating roller 24 and a pressure roller 2 pressed against the heating roller are provided in the middle of a substantially linear paper passage which enters from the paper supply port 22 and exits from the paper discharge port 23.
5 is provided.

A latent image belt 27 is wound around a heating roller 24 and a tension roller 26. As the latent image belt, for example, a magnetic belt (for example, made of a magnetic material containing CoO2) is used. The latent image belt 27 is driven in the direction of the arrow, and an image forming process is performed by a write head 28, a developing device 29, a cleaner 30, and an eraser 31 arranged along the traveling path of the latent image belt 27. That is, a write head 28 records an image latent image on a latent image pelt 27 in response to a write signal from the base unit 1, develops the latent image with a developing roller 29 a of a developing device 29 to develop the latent image, and The image is transferred onto the recording paper 32 passing between the pressure roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 and is simultaneously fixed. The latent image belt 27 after the transfer is removed of the residual developing material by the cleaner, and the latent image is erased by the eraser 31. In order to prevent the latent image belt 27 and other components from being unnecessarily heated by the heat from the heating roller 24, a heat insulating member 33 is provided beside the heating roller 24, and further, for cooling the latent image belt 27. The heat radiating member 34 is arranged.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the heating roller 24, the pressure roller 25, the tension roller 26, and the developing roller 29a can form a flat unit by arranging their central axes substantially in the same plane. . In this case, it is convenient that the container of the developing device 29 is also configured as a thin container extending along the plane on which the rollers are arranged.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1A can be formed by the base unit 1 and the 1a-th image forming unit 3A. A concave portion 21 a used as a paper discharge tray is formed on the upper surface of the case 21.

When it is desired to switch between a black image and a monochromatic color image for use, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of image forming apparatuses 3A can be stacked, one containing a black developer and the other containing a respective color developer to meet the demand.

In FIG. 5, at the time of image formation, the recording paper 32 fed by the paper feed roller 2a from the paper feed cassette 2 in the base unit 1 disposed below the 1a image forming unit 3A is used. 1a is fed from a paper feed inlet 22 of the image forming unit 3A, is transferred and fixed by a heating roller 24, and is discharged from a paper discharge opening 23. In the case of one 1a image forming unit 3A, the recording paper to be laid is immediately stored in the concave portion 21a, and when two or more 1a image forming units 3A are overlapped, the recording paper is passed to the uppermost image forming unit. The paper is discharged. When a plurality of the first 1a image forming units 3A are used in an overlapping manner, the desired first 1a image forming unit 3A is operated to form an image so as not to form an image in another 1a image forming unit 3A. There is a need. For this reason, it is preferable that one or both of the pressure roller 25 and the heating roller 24 move to release the pressure contact state, so that transfer is not performed.

When the image forming system is a thermal transfer system, for example, a 1b image forming unit 3B shown in FIG. 6 can be used as the image forming unit 3. The first image forming unit 3B is a case 4 having a paper feed port 42 and a paper discharge port 43.
One.

A thermal head 44 capable of printing one line in a substantially straight paper path from the paper feed port 42 to the paper discharge port 43
And a printing position by a back roller 45 facing the thermal head 44. The ink ribbon 54 is arranged so as to be able to move between the recording paper to be passed and the thermal head 44 in the same direction as the recording paper. Ink ribbon 5
4 is sent out from the supply roll 46 and the first deflecting roller 47
The printing position is guided by the second deflecting roller 48 and the third deflecting roller 49 to the take-up roll 50.

The thermal head 44, the back roller 45, the supply roll 46, and the take-up roll 50 are arranged such that their respective axes are substantially in the same plane, and the case 41 can be formed flat.

In the case 41, pairs of transport rollers 51 and 52 are arranged in the paper passage as required. A switching claw 53 can be provided for switching between a case where the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port 43 is directed to the discharge tray concave portion 41a provided in the case 41 and a case where the recording paper is discharged to the left in the drawing. . The paper ejection direction can be switched by tilting the switching claw 53 to the right or left. It is possible to provide a configuration in which the center of rotation of the switching claw 53 is moved in a case where the recording paper is directed to the paper feed port of the image forming unit arranged above. The switching claw 53 can be provided in the case 21 of FIG.

The thermal head 44 presses the recording paper against the back roller 45 as shown by the arrow, and prints the position.
It is formed so as to be movable between a standby position where it is separated from the back roller 45.

A plurality of 1b image forming units 3B each having an ink ribbon of a desired color arranged as an ink ribbon 54 for color image formation are arranged, and color switching printing is enabled. In the case of the ink jet image forming method, for example, a 1c image forming unit 3C shown in FIG. 7 can be used as the image forming unit 3.

The first c image forming unit 3 C has a case 61 provided with a paper feed port 62 and a paper discharge port 63. A recording head 6 is provided in a substantially straight paper passage from the paper supply port 62 to the paper output port 63.
4 is provided. A platen 65 and an ink absorber 66 are provided to face the recording head 64.

An ink tank 67 is detachably mounted on the recording head 64, and the recording head 64 ejects ink according to an image information signal from the base unit 1 to print on recording paper. A recording head 64, a platen 65, an ink absorber 66, and an ink tank 67 are arranged in a line, and the case 61 can be formed flat.

In the case 61, conveying roller pairs 68 and 69 are arranged as necessary. The case 61 has a paper exit 63.
A concave portion 61a is formed to form a paper discharge tray for receiving recording paper to be discharged. A switching claw can be provided in the paper discharge port 63 as in the example of FIG.

By selecting the color of the ink contained in the ink tank 67, a plurality of the first c image forming units 3C are arranged in an overlapping manner, and a unit for actually forming an image according to the recording color is instructed from the base unit 1. Can be selected.

The ink jet image forming system includes an on-demand type such as a gould type, a valve jet type, and a slit jet, a pressurized vibration type or a charge amount control type demand type. One unit can be housed in a flat case. The on-demand type is advantageous for reducing the size of the image forming unit.

As an image forming method, there is an electrophotographic method, a thermal method, a wire dot method, or the like. In each case, the image is stored in a case similar to the above-described examples, and one image forming unit is formed. can do. Here, the description with reference to the drawings is omitted.

In each image forming unit, a cooling fan, a detecting device and a circuit for satisfactorily performing the image forming, a solenoid, a small motor, and the like can be stored as necessary in addition to the above-described constituent members.

FIG. 1A shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming unit 3 is overlaid on the base unit 1 as shown in FIG. If necessary, another image forming unit is superimposed on the image forming unit 3 as shown in FIG. 1E.

For stacking, alignment and fixed connection between the base unit 1 and the image forming units 3 and between the image forming units 3 and connection of mechanical and electrical systems are required.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show that these various connections can be easily performed by simply placing another unit on one unit.
As shown in the figure, the cases 11, 21, 4,
A first joint 81 and a second joint 82 for connecting to a unit to be mounted on an upper portion, and a drive system for connecting a mechanical drive system are provided on the upper surfaces of the base units 1 and 61 (shown as an example of the base unit 11 in FIG. 8). Connection port 83, electrical high-voltage connector 84, electrical signal connector 85, and third joint 8
The sixth and fourth joints 87 are provided at the same positions and in the same form for each unit. These components are also provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit.

Cases 21, 41, 61 of each image forming unit
The joints 81 'and 8 are respectively provided on the bottom surface of each of the joints 81' and 8
2 ', 86', 87 'and drive system connection port 8 (not shown)
3 ', an electrical high-voltage connector 84' and an electrical signal connector 85 'are formed.

The third joint 86 and the fourth joint 8
One specific example of 7 is as shown in FIG. On the upper surfaces of the case 11 of the base unit 1 and the case 21 of each image forming unit, flat support members 86b and 87b rotatably supported by support shafts 86a and 87a as joints 86 and 87 are illustrated by springs or the like. As shown, it is kept open by the angle θ. As the opposing members of the third joint 86 and the fourth joint 87, the case 21 of the image forming unit has joints 8 for inserting the support members 86b and 87b, respectively.
6 ', 87'.

When the image forming unit 3 is mounted on the base unit 1, the support members 86b and 87b are inserted obliquely into the joints 86 'and 87' as receiving ports, and tilted and mounted on the base unit 1. . The base unit 1 includes a first joint 81, a pin 81c as a second joint 82,
Hooks 81b rotatably supported by 82c, respectively.
82b are provided, and joints 81 ', 82' formed as engaging holes (or engaging pins) with which the hooks 81b, 82b are engaged are provided in the case 21 of the image forming unit, respectively. Since the hooks 81b and 82b are held at the engagement positions by a spring or the like, the case (for example, 2
When 1) is placed on the base 1, the hooks 81b, 81b,
82b is engaged with the engagement holes 81 'and 82'. To release the engagement, the hooks 8lb and 82b are moved by appropriate means such as pins 81c and 82c to engage the engagement holes 81 'and 82'.
Is released. The joint is only an example, and any structure can be used as long as the structure can connect and lock the image forming units or the image forming unit and the base unit.

The third and fourth joints 86 and 87 can be provided not only on the case 11 of the base unit but also on the upper surface of the case 21 of each image forming unit. Base unit 1
A circuit constituting a control device as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, an AC power supply supplies AC input from a power cord to the inside of the base. The low voltage DC power supply supplies DC to each electric circuit board and motor. The control unit controls the entire apparatus and controls image signals and the like to the image forming unit.

The display device is a device for displaying the operating state of the base and the image forming unit to the operator. The operation switch is set in accordance with the image forming unit to perform manual operation or feature detection (reading) of the image forming unit.

For image processing and memory control, an image signal is transmitted to a thermal head or an ink jet driving circuit in the image forming unit. The motor and the solenoid control the operation drive of the image forming unit.

A to e indicate input / output of electric signals. a supplies a DC voltage to an electrical circuit in the imaging unit. b sends operation signals of solenoids in the same unit. c receives signals from sensors and the like from within the imaging unit. d transmits an image signal. "e" is a connector cooler connected to a facsimile scanner and a word processor.

A to d are composed of Centronics. e
Is composed of RS-232C. A indicates a rotating shaft that transmits the rotational drive of the motor to the image forming unit. Each image forming unit is not provided with a drive source and a control device in principle, but a cooling fan, a detecting device and a circuit, a solenoid, a small motor, etc. for performing image forming in the image forming unit. May be incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 1E, a plurality of image forming units 3 of the same type of image forming system are stacked on the base unit 1 for color image forming. The number to be stacked is determined by the number of colors to be imaged. On the recording paper fed from the base unit 1, an image of one color is formed by the first image forming unit 3, and an image of another color can be formed on the next image forming unit 3.

When forming a full-color image, three or four
It is necessary to overlap two imaging units. In this case, the paper discharge direction can be selected by switching the paper discharge of the uppermost image forming unit, and the switching of the switching claw is selected so that the intermediate image forming unit passes vertically.

Paper can be fed not only from a cassette but also from outside. When a plurality of image forming units 3 are superposed on the base unit 1 to form a color image, a transport roller (for example, 35, 36, or 35) in which the recording paper is disposed in each image forming unit 3 as described above. 51,5
(2, 68, 69, etc.), if the recording paper is sagged or bent, the color shift of the image may occur and the image quality may be degraded.

To solve this problem, it is convenient to convey the recording paper by a common conveying means for a plurality of image forming units. In order to enable conveyance by such a common conveyance means, the 1a-th imaging unit 3A, the 1b-th imaging unit 3B, and the 1c-th imaging unit 3C are respectively connected to the fifth imaging unit 3C.
6 and 7, the image forming body 3A ', 3B' or 3C 'including the image forming means and the conveying means, that is, the conveying means including the conveying rollers 35 and 36 and the pressure roller 25. Section 3A ", conveying section 3B" including conveying rollers 51 and 52 and back roller 45, or conveying roller 6
8, 69 and a transport section 3C "including a platen 65 and an ink container 66. The transport section 3C" is formed, for example, as shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 13, the case 21 of the 1a image forming unit 3A, the case 41 of the 1b image forming unit 3B, or the 1c
The case 61 of the image forming unit 3C can be divided into a main body case 111 and a transport case 112. Body case 111
Is used as a case of the image forming main body 3A ', 3B' or 3C '.
Used as C "case.

A paper feed port 113 and a paper discharge port 114 are formed in the transport case 112, and a surface facing the main body case 111 is formed as an opening 115. Necessary members are provided. The paper feed port 113 corresponds to the paper feed port 22 in the case of the first-a image forming unit 3A, and corresponds to the paper feed port 42 in the case of the first-b image forming unit 3B. The paper discharge port 114 corresponds to the paper discharge port 23 in the case of the first-a image forming unit 3A, and corresponds to the paper discharge port 43 in the case of the first-b image forming unit 3B.

On the upper surface of the carrying case 112, two upper engaging hooks 116 are formed so as to protrude on the side of the opening 115, and on the lower surface, two lower engaging hooks 117 are formed. The main body case 111 has an opening 11 of the transport case 112.
An opening 118 is formed in a surface facing the opening 5 and the opening 118 is formed.
The upper part is covered by the upper cover plate 119. The upper cover plate 119 is rotatably supported by the upper plate of the main body case 111 by the pin 120, and is disposed at a cover position (solid line position) extending obliquely downward at a predetermined angle to the outside as shown in FIG. It rotates between the folded open position (broken line position). Upper cover plate 119
Is held by a spring or the like at an oblique position at a predetermined angle when no external force acts.

The lower part of the opening 118 is covered by a lower cover plate 121. The lower cover plate 121 is rotatably supported on the bottom plate of the main body case 111 by a pin 122, and extends obliquely upward at a predetermined angle to the outside as shown in FIG.
Between the open position (broken line position) folded inward. When no external force acts on the lower cover plate 121,
It is held at an oblique position at a predetermined angle by a spring or the like.

When the transport case 112 is inserted into the main body case 111, the upper cover plate 119 is pushed by the upper engaging hook 116, and the lower cover plate 121 is pushed by the lower engaging hook 117 to be turned. When the transport case 112 reaches the predetermined position by rotating to the open position, the upper engaging hook 116 is inserted into the notch 124 formed in the upper cover plate 119 as shown in FIG.
1 is engaged with an upper hole 123 formed in the upper plate. Similarly, the lower engagement hook 117 is engaged with a blind hole 125 formed in the bottom plate of the main body case 111 through a notch 126 formed in the lower cover plate 121. When the projecting portions of the upper engaging hook 116 and the lower engaging hook 117 are pressed by hand, the engagement is released, and the transport case 112 can be easily separated from the main body case 111. By making the transport case 112 separable from the main body case 111 in this way, it is easy to take out the recording paper that has been jammed during the transport.

As shown in FIG. 1E, in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of first image forming units 3 are stacked,
12 is released from the main body case 1 by releasing the hooks 116 and 117.
When the image forming unit 3 is removed, the opening 118 of the main body case 111 in each image forming unit 3 is exposed to the outside.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the transport unit 6 is arranged so as to close the opening 118 of the main body case 111 (or 21). That is, they are arranged in the base unit 1 and the image forming units 3′a, 3 ″ a or 3 ′ ″ a, and the transport unit 6 is attached so as to bridge between the base unit and the image forming units and between the image forming units. The transport unit 6 is mounted on the image forming main body 1A 'of the first image forming unit 1a.

In the case of an electrophotographic 1d image forming unit 3D as a modification of the 1a image forming unit 3A shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG.
Only the main body case 111 shown in FIG.
2 is not used, and the transport unit 6 is arranged instead of the transport case 112.

In the first image forming unit 3D shown in FIG. 14, the latent image belt 27 is wound around the first roller 24 'and the tension roller 26'. A photosensitive belt is used as a latent image belt. The latent image belt 27 is driven in the direction of the arrow, and an image forming process is performed by a primary charging roller 34 ′, a writing optical system 28, a developing device 29, a cleaner 30, and an eraser 31 arranged along the traveling path of the latent image belt 27. Will be That is, it is uniformly charged by the primary charging roller 34 ′, and the writing optical system 28, for example, the LED array is driven by the writing signal from the base unit 1, and the latent image belt 27 is
The latent image is recorded in a developing device 29, and the latent image is developed by a developing roller (or sleeve) 29a of a developing device 29 to be visualized.
The visualized image is transferred to a recording paper 32 passing between the first roller 24 'and the transfer roller 25' disposed opposite to the first roller 24 '. The recording paper 32 is sent out from the paper feed cassette 2 of the base unit 1 by the paper feed roller 2a, and is transported by the transport unit 6. The residual developer is removed from the latent image belt 27 after the transfer by the cleaner 30, and the residual charge is erased by the eraser 31. The latent image belt 27 can be a dielectric belt on which a latent image can be formed by a stylus or a thermal head, or a ferroelectric material.

The transfer roller 25 'can be connected to an independent power source for generating an electric field necessary for transferring the visualized particles. If necessary, a common power supply may be used. 14th
In the illustrated example, the first roller 24 'and the tension roller 26'
The developing roller 29a and the developing roller 29a can form a flat unit by arranging their central axes in substantially the same plane. In this case, it is convenient that the container of the developing device 29 is also configured as a thin container extending along the plane on which the rollers are arranged.

When it is desired to switch between a black image and a monochromatic color image for use or to form a multicolor image, one image forming unit is provided with a black developer and the other color developers are provided with a multicolor image. In the case of (1), it is possible to meet the demand by containing developers of three colors, for example, yellow, magenta, and cyan, or four colors including black as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 15, the transport unit 6 includes a case 91 and a driving roller 92 disposed in the case 91.
And a driven roller 93. A transport belt 94 is wound around the drive roller 92 and the service roller 93. Although a drive motor for driving the drive roller 92 is not shown, the case 9
1 can be arranged.

The driven roller 93 is interposed with the conveying belt 94 interposed therebetween.
, A potential forming roller 95 is rotatably supported. The potential forming roller 95 is connected to a potential forming power supply 96. The driven roller 93 is grounded.

The transport belt 94 is formed as a dielectric sheet, and is applied with a voltage by a potential forming roller 95 to attract and transport a recording sheet, for example, a positive potential and a negative potential in a striped or checkered pattern. An electric potential is formed.

The transport belt 94 is guided by a guide roller 97 between the driving roller 92 and the driven roller 93. Each guide roller 97 can be configured to also serve as the back roller 45 in the first image forming unit 3B. The platen 65 and the ink absorber 66 of the first image forming unit 3C are arranged in the case 91 of the transport unit 6, and the recording heads 44, 6 of the respective image forming units 3B, 3C are arranged.
4 may be arranged to face.

In FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the paper feed cassette 2 is supplied with the recording paper 32 fed by the paper feed roller 2a.
Is attracted to and conveyed by a conveyance belt 94 having a potential formed by a potential forming roller 95, and is conveyed to each of the image forming units 3A, 3A.
Images are sequentially formed on the recording paper 32 at the recording positions of B, 3C, and 3D. When the guide roller 97 is also used as the back roller 45, an image is formed by the recording head 44 with the recording paper 32 pressed against each guide roller 97.

The recording paper is conveyed by suction into the transport belt and passes through a plurality of image forming units to sequentially form images, so that the positional deviation of the recording paper and the color deviation are prevented. The recording paper on which image formation by all the image forming units has been completed
8, the sheet is separated from the conveyor belt 94 and is discharged to the upper paper tray 6a or discharged to the horizontal discharge tray 6b by switching the switching claw 99. The upper discharge tray 6a and the horizontal discharge tray 6b can be fixed to or integrally formed with the case 91. The upper end of the case 91 is covered by a cover 100.

When the image forming unit 3 uses a powder developer as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 14, fixing is required. Although a fixing device can be provided for each image forming unit, it is often the case that all image forming units 3 have been transferred and fixed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, a transport fixing unit 6 'in which the transport unit 6 and the fixing unit 4 are integrated can be used.

The transport unit 6 'has a fixing device 105 provided integrally on the transport unit 6 shown in FIG. In the transport unit, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as the unit shown in FIG. 15, and the description is omitted.

The transport belt 94 is guided by a guide roller 97 between the driving roller 92 and the driven roller 93. Each guide roller 97 may have a structure that also serves as the transfer roller 25 'in the 1d image forming unit 3D.

A power supply for applying a voltage to the transfer roller can be built in the case 91. The drive motor and various power supplies are controlled by the CPU in the base unit 1. 14th
In FIG. 16 and FIG. 16, the recording paper 32 fed from the paper feed cassette 2 by the paper feed roller 2a
The image is sequentially transferred from the latent image belt 27 to the recording paper at the transfer position of the 1d image forming unit 3D by being attracted to and conveyed by the transfer belt 94 formed with the potential by the transfer belt 5. When the guide roller 97 is also used as the transfer roller 25 ', each guide roller 97 is attached to the first roller 24' of the respective 1d image forming unit 3D by the transport belt 27 and the recording paper 32.
Is arranged to be pressed against the latent image belt 27.

The recording paper 32 which has been transferred by all the first image forming units 3D is separated from the conveyor belt 94 by the curvature of the drive roller 92 and the separation claw 98, and is fixed by the fixing device 105 provided in the case 91. , Outlet 1
08. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the fixing unit 105 is integrated with the transport unit 6 to form a transport fixing unit. However, the fixing device may be configured as a separate unit and assembled to the transport unit 6.

After the separation of the recording paper, the transport belt 94 is cleaned by a cleaner 101 having a cleaning blade 102, and is gradually charged by a charging roller 103 or a charging brush. The process from the potential formation by the roller 95 is repeated.

The cleaner 101 has a cleaning breaker.
A container 104 for storing the toner, paper powder, and the like removed by the storage unit 102. A switching claw 109 is provided at the discharge port 108 of the fixing device 105, and the upper discharge tray 6 a and the horizontal discharge tray 6 b are formed integrally or detachably in the case 91 as shown in FIGS. 1K and 15. In this case, the recording paper 32 is discharged to the upper discharge tray 6a or the horizontal discharge tray 6
b is switched.

The fixing device 109 is provided with, for example, a heat fixing roller 106 and a pressure roller 107 as shown in the figure. The transport belt 94 is set to an appropriate length in advance so that it can be applied to a case where a large number of image forming units such as three or four stages are stacked. Some of them can be used only for conveying the recording paper without facing the image forming unit. In order to prevent the recording paper from being unnecessarily transported unnecessarily, the state of attachment of the transport unit 6 to the base unit 1 can be changed according to the number of image forming units 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, a guide rod 11a is attached to the case 11 of the base unit 1, and the case 91 of the transport units 6, 6 'is mounted.
Guide member provided in the ball bearing 91, for example.
c is engaged with the guide rod 11a to guide the transport units 6, 6 'up and down. When a plurality of image forming units, for example, two or three image forming units are stacked, the upper discharge tray 6 fixed to or integrally formed with the case 91 of the transport units 6, 6 '.
a is positioned by being placed on the uppermost image forming unit 3, and when only one image forming unit is stacked, a stopper (not shown) provided on the case 11 of the base unit 1. Positioned and transport unit 6,
Consideration is made so that the case 91 of 6 'is held so as not to protrude below the case 11 of the base unit 1.

As shown in FIG. 17, a guide member 91c, for example, a slide ball bearing, in which the case 91 is slidably mounted on a guide rod 11a provided on the case 11 of the base 1, is fixed to the transport units 6, 6 '. Standing case 91
a can be modified to a structure having a movable case 91b whose lower part is rotatably supported at a. In this example, the movable case 9lb is rotatably supported around the axis of the driven roller 93, and includes a driving roller 92, a motor for driving the driving roller 92, a conveyance belt 94, a guide roller 97, a cleaning blade 102, a cleaner 101, The neutralizing roller 103 and the container 104 are supported by the movable case 91b and tilt together with the movable case 91b.

The fixing device 105 and the switching claw 98 are provided on the stationary case 91a. When the movable case 91b is set to the operating position as shown by the broken line, the guide roller 97 comes into contact with the first roller 24 'used as a transfer roller of each image forming unit 3 via the latent image belt 27.

When a jam or a check is made on the recording paper being conveyed, the movable case 9lb is tilted and opened in a state shown by a solid line. It is convenient if a handle is provided to easily open and close the movable case 91b.

It is also possible to form the movable case 92b so as to be rotatable around the axis of the drive roller 92 and open the lower part of the transport unit 6 in the opposite manner to the example shown in the figure.
The movable case 92b of the transport unit 6 is configured to be openable and closable so that the transport belt 94 is being transported (arrow 1), the exit of the paper feed cassette 2 (arrow 2), and the state where only the leading end is held in the fixing roller 106 ( The operation of removing jammed paper such as the arrow 3) becomes easy.

[0112]

According to the image forming apparatus and the frame of the present invention, it is possible to easily realize an image forming apparatus having various device configurations. In addition, the apparatus can be expanded at low cost as needed by adding units as needed.

Since the image forming apparatus can be easily divided into a unit and a frame, loading and setting operations of the apparatus become easy.

According to the constitutions of claims 3 to 5, it is easy to mount the unit on the frame.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire configuration of an image forming apparatus, and is an illustration A to N
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in a combination of the constituent units.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating units that can be disassembled in the image forming apparatus, and A to H are diagrams illustrating respective units.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a relationship between a frame and a unit, and FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a base unit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an image forming unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another example of the image forming unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of still another example of the image forming unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an upper surface of a base unit or an image forming unit.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection state between the base unit and the image forming unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing components in a base unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the image forming main body of the image forming unit and the disassembly of the transport unit.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a casing of an image forming main body of the image forming unit.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between an image forming main body and a casing of a transport unit.

FIG. 14 is a partial view when the image forming unit and the transport unit are connected.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of a transport unit.

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of a transport fixing unit.

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of a modified example of the transport fixing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 base unit 2 paper feed unit 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'" image forming unit 4 fixing unit 5, 5 'writing unit 6, 6' transport unit 7 frame

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-83044 (JP, A) JP-A-54-102130 (JP, A) JP-A-59-160158 (JP, A) JP-A-3-3 151238 (JP, A) JP-A-60-230154 (JP, A) JP-A-60-230164 (JP, A) Patent 3006846 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16-21/18 B41J 29/00-29/02

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A frame supporting at least one of a plurality of units constituting an image forming apparatus, comprising: a horizontal frame; and a vertical frame connected to a portion other than an end of the horizontal frame. It has one set of left and right side frames, the side frames are connected by a connection frame, and provided so as to be exposed outside the device.
A frame of the image forming apparatus, wherein at least one side of the plurality of units other than the front and back sides is open to the outside of the apparatus. 2. A frame for supporting at least one of a plurality of units constituting an image forming apparatus, comprising: a horizontal frame; and a vertical frame connected to a portion other than an end of the horizontal frame. It has one set of left and right side frames, the side frames are connected by a connection frame, and provided so as to be exposed outside the device.
A frame of the image forming apparatus, wherein at least three side surfaces of the plurality of units are open to the outside of the apparatus. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one unit mounting portion, wherein at least one of the plurality of units is mounted on the unit mounting portion. Frame. 4. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a locking portion that locks at least one unit of the plurality of units. body. 5. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes a slide portion for sliding and mounting at least one of the plurality of units. Frame. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising the frame according to claim 1. Description: 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of units constituting the image forming apparatus is an image forming unit, and a discharge tray is provided on an upper surface of the image forming unit. Item 7. An image forming apparatus according to Item 6. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of units constituting the image forming apparatus is a sheet feeding unit, and the sheet feeding unit is disposed below the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of units constituting the image forming apparatus is electrically connected to another unit by stacking the unit on another unit. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8.