JP3476440B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus having an image forming portion including a photosensitive drum, a main charger, an LED print head, a developing device and the like. In this type of image forming apparatus, the surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by the main charger and then selectively exposed by the LED print head to write a so-called electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by the developing device, and this toner image is transferred to the recording paper.

Since heat is generated from the LED print head, it is necessary to cool the image forming section. Further, there is a problem that the main charger discharges to generate oxidation products such as ozone and NOx. Therefore, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which an air inlet is provided in the housing of the image forming apparatus and a fan is connected to the air inlet. In this type of image forming apparatus, the operation of the fan guides the air outside the housing to the inside of the housing through the intake port, cools the image forming unit, and the oxidation products generated by the discharge of the main charger are generated. It is dispersed in the apparatus so as not to stay around the photosensitive drum.

For example, in a wide image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a sheet of size A column 1 (hereinafter referred to as "A1") of Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) or larger, the photosensitive drum is laterally arranged. There are some that are arranged so as to be long. The front upper part of the housing is slidable, for example, toward the front side.When exchanging or maintaining the photosensitive drum, a part of the housing is slid toward the front side to expose the photosensitive drum. The body drum can be taken out.

The developing device is arranged, for example, on the rear side of the photosensitive drum. When performing maintenance such as replacement and cleaning of the developing device, if the developing device is to be taken out from the space formed by sliding a part of the housing, the photoconductor drum must be taken out first, which is troublesome. . So, for example, if the rear upper part of the housing is composed of a removable rear upper cover,
After this, the developing device can be taken out by removing the upper cover. The intake port is formed on the upper cover after this,
The fan is held by the rear top cover.

The fan includes vanes for rotating and guiding air outside the housing to the inside of the housing, and a motor for rotationally driving the vanes. The motor is connected to a control unit provided inside the housing via a connector. This connector is removed when the rear upper cover is removed from the housing.

[0007]

However, there is a case where the connector is forgotten to be inserted after the maintenance is completed. If the image forming apparatus is used with the connector left unplugged, the fan will not operate, and the temperature of the image forming section will rise, and the oxidation products generated by the discharge of the main charger will remain around the photosensitive drum. Will end up. The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing forgetting to insert a fan connector after maintenance.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an exterior cover forming a part of a housing, and an opening / closing unit attached to the exterior cover so as to be openable and closable. An image forming apparatus having a cover and capable of maintaining the inside of the housing by removing the exterior cover from the housing, the fan being held by the exterior cover and sucking air outside the housing into the housing. A drive control means for controlling the drive of the fan, an opening / closing detection switch which is switched according to opening / closing of the opening / closing cover, and a notification for notifying the opening / closing state of the opening / closing cover based on the switching state of the opening / closing detection switch. Means, electrical connection between the fan and the drive control means, and the open / close detection switch and the notification means A connector for electrical connections, an image forming apparatus which comprises a connector in which the outer cover is removed vent as they are removed from the housing.

The outer shape of the image forming apparatus is partitioned by a substantially rectangular housing. The upper rear side of the housing is configured by a removable exterior cover.
The exterior cover holds a fan for sucking air outside the housing into the inside of the housing. Maintenance such as replacement and cleaning of the developing device
This is done by removing the outer cover from the housing. The fan is connected to the drive control means via a connector, and the connector is removed when the exterior cover is removed from the housing.

According to the structure of the present invention, when the connector is removed, not only the electrical connection between the fan and the drive control means but also the electrical connection between the open / close detection switch and the notification means is interrupted, so The detection switch is switched. Thus, for example, when the notifying unit notifies the open state of the opening / closing cover when the connector is not connected, when the connector is forgotten, the notifying unit opens and closes. The open state of the cover is notified. At this time, if the opening / closing cover is closed, the worker can notice that he / she has forgotten to insert the connector, and thus can prevent forgetting to insert the connector.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Although a copying machine will be described as an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the copying machine and can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a copying machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side. The copying machine 1 is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a wide sheet of A0 size or the like. In FIG. 1, the back right side is the front and the front left side is the rear.

The copying machine 1 is partitioned by a housing 2 having a substantially rectangular outer shape. On the upper surface of the housing 2,
A document feeder 3 for feeding a document is attached. On the upper surface of the housing 2, a mounting table 4 for setting a document is provided on the front side of the document conveying device 3. The document set on the mounting table 4 is conveyed backward by the document conveying device 3 through a space between the upper surface of the housing 2 and the document conveying device 3. A scanner (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the housing 2 so as to face the document transport device 3, and the document set on the mounting table 4 is transported backward by the document transport device 3. , The image is read by the scanner.

The document conveyed backward by the document conveying device 3 is conveyed in a state of hanging downward from the rear end edge of the upper surface of the housing 2. The upper surface and the back surface of the housing 2 form a document transport path for transporting a document.
An intake port 5 for taking in air outside the housing 2 into the housing 2 is provided at an upper portion of the back plate 2a of the housing 2.
It is provided at both left and right ends. However, the intake port 5 is not limited to the left and right ends of the upper portion of the back plate 2a, but may be formed at other positions. Further, the number of the intake ports 5 is not limited to two, and may be only one or three or more.

The rear end of the upper surface of the housing 2 is constituted by an openable / closable cover 6. Open / close cover 6
Is rotatably held by a rotary shaft 57 provided along the rear edge thereof (see FIG. 4). A knob 7 is provided at both left and right ends of the upper surface of the opening / closing cover 6, and the operator extends the opening 7 from the front side of the copying machine 1 and picks the knob 7 to rotate the opening / closing cover 6 to the rear side. It can be opened by moving it.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the copying machine 1. The copying machine 1 includes a paper storage unit 11 for storing paper such as roll paper, and the paper transport path 1 from the paper storage unit 11.
An image forming unit 14 for transferring a toner image based on an image of an original read by a scanner 13 to a sheet conveyed through the sheet 2, and a fixing device 15 for fixing the toner image transferred on the sheet. And so on. The image forming unit 14 is arranged in the upper portion of the housing 2,
In FIG. 2, the photoconductor drum 16 is driven to rotate counterclockwise. The photoconductor drum 16 has a photoconductor layer on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and after being uniformly charged by the discharge of the main charger 17, the photoconductor drum 16 is driven by the LED print head 18 based on the image of the document read by the scanner 13. It is exposed by the irradiated light. As a result, a so-called electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 16.

Toner is adhered by the developing device 19 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, so that a toner image is formed. When the photoconductor drum 16 is further rotated, the transfer device 20 transfers the toner image onto the sheet conveyed from the sheet storage unit 11 through the sheet conveyance path 12. The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 after the transfer of the toner image is collected by the cleaning device 21. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is fixed by the fixing device 15
And is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 15, and then discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the discharge roller 22.

A duct 23 is connected to the intake port 5 at the upper rear side inside the housing 2. In the duct 23,
A fan 24 for introducing the air outside the housing 2 into the housing 2 from the intake port 5 is provided. The fan 24 and the duct 23 guide the air outside the housing 2 to the image forming unit 14. Has become. As a result, the image forming unit 14 can be cooled, and the oxidation products such as ozone and NOx generated by the discharge of the main charger 15 can be dispersed in the apparatus so as not to remain around the photosensitive drum 16. it can.

The housing 2 includes an intermediate plate 48 that appears when the opening / closing cover 6 is opened. The upper part of the back plate 2 a of the housing 2 and the middle plate 48 are provided with a removable rear upper cover 51.
Is doing. The open / close cover 6 and the duct 23 are attached to the rear upper cover 51.
It is designed to be integrally removed by removing. Maintenance such as replacement and cleaning of the developing device 19 is performed by removing the rear upper cover 51 from the housing 2.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the copying machine 1 with the rear upper cover 51 removed, as seen from the rear side. A toner hopper 52 for supplying toner to the developing device 19 is arranged between the positions where both ducts 23 are arranged. A toner supply port (not shown) is formed at the bottom of the toner hopper 52, and toner is supplied to the developing device 19 from this toner supply port. A toner replenishing port 53 for replenishing the toner in the toner hopper 52 is formed on the upper surface of the toner hopper 52.

The housing 2 includes an inner plate 70 which is revealed by removing the rear upper cover 51. A vent hole 54 is formed in the inner plate 70 at a position where the front ends of the ducts 23 are continuously provided. The ducts 23 are arranged in the spaces on the left and right sides of the toner hopper 52, and the air outside the housing 2 can be guided to the image forming unit 14 via these ducts 23, so that the space can be effectively used.
For example, substantially U-shaped grips 69 are fixed to the left and right ends of the developing device 19. By gripping both grips 69, the operator can lift the developing device 19 upward and remove it. The developing device 19 is detached from the copying machine 1 in this manner, and is replaced and cleaned.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the rear upper cover 51 as seen obliquely from above with the openable cover 6 open. 3 and 4, plate-shaped hinge members 55 extending in the front-rear direction are attached to the left and right ends of the upper surface of the intermediate plate 48. Hinge member 5
5 is formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate having a larger thickness than the middle plate 48 and the open / close cover 6. Each hinge member 55 includes an opening / closing cover attachment piece 56 that is bent so as to project upward from the upper surface of the middle plate 48. A rotating shaft 57 is attached to each opening / closing cover mounting piece 56, and the opening / closing cover 6 is rotatably held by the rotating shaft 57.

A rear upper cover 51 is attached to the intermediate plate 48 to form a copy machine 1.
The opening 67 is formed so as to face the toner supply port 53 of the toner hopper 52 in the state of being attached to. When the toner in the toner hopper 52 is used up, the opening / closing cover 6
After opening, the toner can be replenished from the toner replenishing port 53 through the opening 67. Each hinge member 55
Is a switch mounting piece 5 that extends downward through the intermediate plate 48.
Including 8. An opening / closing detection switch 59 for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 6 is attached to the switch mounting piece 58.

The opening / closing cover 6 is made of, for example, one metal plate, and its four sides are bent substantially vertically in the same direction, and the front side piece 6a, the rear side piece 6b, and the left side piece are formed. It includes a piece 6c and a right piece 6d. The open / close cover 6 is rotatably held by the left and right ends of the rear side piece 6b being supported by corresponding rotating shafts 57. The left side piece 6c and the right side piece 6d include a pressing piece 60 formed by being bent inward so as to be parallel to the front side piece 6a and the rear side piece 6b, respectively. The pressing piece 60 is for pressing an operating portion (not shown) of the opening / closing detection switch 59 when the opening / closing cover 6 is closed, and includes a pressing portion 61 that projects thinly.

A through hole 62 is formed in the intermediate plate 48 at a position corresponding to the pressing portion 61. When the opening / closing cover 6 is closed, the pressing portion 61 is inserted into the through hole 62, and the tip of the pressing portion 61 opens and closes the open / close detection switch. The operation portion of 59 is pressed. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining detection of opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 6 by the opening / closing detection switch 59. Figure 5
FIG. 5A shows a state in which the open / close cover 6 is opened, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which the open / close cover 6 is closed.

The open / close detection switch 59 has an operation portion 63 which is held inside so as to be vertically displaceable. The operation portion 63 is urged upward, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, when the open / close cover 6 is opened, it projects upward from the upper surface of the open / close detection switch 63. At this time, the open / close detection switch 59 is in the off state. When the opening / closing cover 6 is closed as shown in FIG. 5B, the operating portion 63 is pressed downward by the tip of the pressing portion 61 of the opening / closing cover 6 and is displaced inside the opening / closing detection switch 59. At this time, the open / close detection switch 59 is turned on.

The open / close detection switch 59 is a control unit (drive control means, notification means) including a microcomputer for controlling the entire apparatus via the connector 68.
Connected to 64. In the ON state as shown in FIG. 5B, a signal is constantly given to the control unit 64 from the open / close detection switch 59, and when the OFF state as shown in FIG. The signal from the open / close detection switch 59 is not provided.

Further, the control section 64 is connected to an operation panel 65 arranged on the right side of the upper surface of the housing 2 and including a plurality of buttons (not shown) for performing various operations (see FIG. 1). ). The operation panel 65 includes, for example, a display unit 66 with a touch panel. On the display unit 66, keys for performing various operations and various information regarding image formation are variably displayed. When the opening / closing cover 6 is opened, the control unit 64 detects that the signal from the opening / closing detection switch 59 is no longer applied, and causes the display unit 66 to display a message prompting the closing of the opening / closing cover 6.
Thus, the operator can be notified that the open / close cover 6 is in the open state, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to close the open / close cover 6.

The fan 24 includes a blade 25 for rotating and guiding the air outside the housing 2 to the inside of the housing 2, and a motor 26 for rotationally driving the blade 25. The motor 26 is connected to the control unit 64 via the same connector 68 as the open / close detection switch 59. Therefore, when the connector 68 is removed, the connection between the open / close detection switch 59 and the control unit 64 and the connection between the motor 26 and the control unit 64 are interrupted.

At the time of maintenance such as replacement and cleaning of the developing device 19, after removing the connector 68, the rear upper cover 51 is removed from the housing 2.
At this time, the signal from the open / close detection switch 59 is not given to the control unit 64, so that the control unit 64 displays a message on the display unit 66 to prompt the user to close the open / close cover 6. Therefore, after maintenance is completed,
When the rear upper cover 51 is attached to the housing 2 by forgetting to insert the connector 68, a message prompting the display unit 66 to close the opening / closing cover 6 is displayed even if the opening / closing cover 6 is closed. You can notice that you forgot to insert the connector. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to insert the connector, so that the copying machine 1 is used without the fan 24 operating, the temperature of the image forming unit 14 rises, and oxidation products generated by the discharge of the main charger are generated on the photoconductor. It is possible to prevent the drum 16 from being stuck around the drum 16.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the control unit 64 includes the display unit 66.
By displaying a message prompting the user to close the open / close cover 6, the operator is not limited to notifying the operator that the open / close cover 6 is in the open state, but may be a sound, for example.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of a copying machine.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the copying machine with a rear upper cover removed, as viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view seen from diagonally above with the rear upper cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining open / close detection of an open / close cover by an open / close detection switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Copier 2 housing 6 Open / close cover 24 fans 51 Rear top cover 59 Open / close detection switch 64 control unit (drive control means, notification means) 68 connector

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI G03G 21/20 G03G 21/00 534 (56) Reference JP-A-11-296031 (JP, A) JP-A-60-107660 (JP, A) ) JP 2000-66470 (JP, A) JP JP 2-141274 (JP, A) JP JP 5-301419 (JP, A) Actual development JP 2-78963 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 G03G 15/00 303 G03G 15/00 550 G03G 15/36 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 21/02-21/04 G03G 21/14-21 / 20 B41J 29/00-29/70

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An exterior cover forming a part of a housing, and an opening / closing cover attached to the exterior cover so as to be openable and closable. By removing the exterior cover from the housing, maintenance inside the housing is possible. An image forming apparatus, which is held by the outer cover and sucks air outside the housing into the housing; drive control means for controlling driving of the fan; and switching according to opening and closing of the opening and closing cover. An open / close detection switch, an informing means for informing the open / closed state of the open / close cover based on the switching state of the open / close detection switch, an electrical connection between the fan and the drive control means, and the open / close detection switch and the above A connector for making electrical connection with the notification means, wherein the exterior cover is removed from the housing. An image forming apparatus comprising the connector and to be removed vent as they are removed. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means notifies the open state of the open / close cover when the connector is not connected.