JP3589180B2 - Color image forming equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a color image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming process units arranged in a line.
[ 0002 ]
[Prior art]
In an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus, as a method advantageous for speeding up, a single-color image forming process means of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is provided by an intermediate transfer belt or a conveyance belt of a recording material (paper, OHP sheet, etc.). (Tandem system) in which toner images of respective colors are formed on a recording material on the intermediate transfer belt or the conveyance belt (tandem system).
[ 0003 ]
In such a color image forming apparatus includes an exposure means for performing exposure to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color to the laying image forming process unit to a position determined for each color. Then, each image forming process unit forms a toner image corresponding to each color from the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure, and transfers each toner image by superimposing it on a recording material or an intermediate transfer belt. I have.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the exposure position of each image forming process unit is generally determined for each color, and if it is not arranged at the predetermined position for each color image forming process unit, normal color printing can be performed. You can not do it.
[0005]
However, in such a color image forming apparatus, each image forming process unit is taken out of its housing and re-arranged due to defective conveyance of the recording material, maintenance of each image forming process unit, or replacement due to life. Sometimes you have to. Since the functions of the image forming process units are the same, their external shapes are often similar, and there is a possibility that the order in which the image forming process units are arranged is erroneous. In addition, there has been a problem that the trouble of taking out and replacing each image forming process unit individually is complicated.
[0006]
[Object of the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a color image forming apparatus which can solve the inconvenience of the conventional example and can perform the work of arranging the image forming process means for each color accurately and more smoothly.
[ 0007 ]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the invention according to claim 1, image forming process means for each of a plurality of colors arranged in a line in a predetermined order, and a housing for storing these in a line along the direction of the line of the image forming process means In the color image forming apparatus comprising: a fitting means provided between adjacent ones of the image forming process means arranged in a line in a predetermined order; It is composed of a fitting part provided on one side of the means and a fitted part provided on the other side, and for each fitting means, each fitting part is limited to a fitted part that makes the fitting means equal. In this case, one of the adjacent image forming process units has a unique structure that fits when one of the image forming process units moves toward the other image forming process unit along the direction of the row .
[0008]
In such a configuration, each image forming process unit forms a toner image formed from an electrostatic latent image by exposure for each color. Such a toner image is directly transferred to the recording material being conveyed, or is transferred to the recording material via a belt-like intermediate transfer belt.
[ 0009 ]
In the above configuration, when the image forming process means for each color is arranged at each predetermined position in the housing, one of the image forming process means adjacent to each other is arranged in the column only when the arrangement order is correct. Is moved toward the other image forming process means in the direction of (1), the fitting portion and the fitted portion facing each other between the adjacent image forming process means are appropriately fitted. If the arrangement order is incorrect, the fitting portion between the adjacent image forming process means and the fitted portion cannot be fitted, and it is possible to immediately know that the arrangement order is incorrect.
[0010]
Note that the arrangement of each image forming process means is not limited to the rearrangement due to maintenance, replacement by life, jam (improper conveyance of recording material) processing, etc., but also includes arrangement work in the manufacturing process of the color image forming apparatus.
[0011]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the same configuration as that of the first aspect of the present invention is provided, and each fitting means has the same arrangement of the fitting portion and the fitted portion. A configuration is adopted in which the arrangement of the fitted parts is different for each fitting means.
[0012]
According to the second aspect of the invention, the same operation as that of the first aspect of the invention is performed, and when the image forming process units are arranged, if the arrangement order is correct, the arrangement of the fitting portion and the fitted portion is changed. Since they match, they are fitted, and if the arrangement order is incorrect, the arrangement of the fitted portion and the fitted portion does not match, and they are not fitted.
[ 0013 ]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to having the same configuration as the first aspect of the present invention, each fitting means has a fitting portion and a fitted portion whose shapes can be freely fitted to each other. A configuration is adopted in which the shape of the part and the part to be fitted to each other is different for each fitting means.
[0014]
According to the third aspect of the invention, the same operation as that of the first aspect of the invention is performed, and when the image forming process units are arranged, if the arrangement order is correct, the mutual relationship between the fitting portion and the fitted portion is determined. If the shapes can be fitted and the arrangement order is incorrect, the mutual shape of the fitting portion and the fitted portion does not fit.
[0015]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the same configuration as the first, second or third aspect of the present invention is provided, and the fitting portion and the fitted portion can be freely connected and disconnected for each fitting means. To do.
[0016]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the same operation as that of the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention is performed, and when the arrangement order of the image forming process means is correct, the fitting portion is engaged with the fitting portion. The parts can be fitted and connected, and if the arrangement order is incorrect, the fitting part and the fitted part do not fit, and therefore cannot be connected.
[ 0017 ]
By arranging the image forming process means in the housing in a connected state, when taking out the image forming process means from the housing, by pulling out the image forming process means located at one end , It is possible to draw out the remaining other image forming process means in succession. Further, after taking out from the housing, the connection of each image forming process unit may be released.
[ 0018 ]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, each of the image forming process means is provided so as to be slidable along the direction of a row in which the respective image forming process means are arranged, while having the same configuration as the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention. A configuration is adopted in which guides for taking out and storing the image forming process means for supporting the process means are provided .
[ 0019 ]
In the above configuration, the same operations as those of the above-described configurations are performed, and the image forming process units are taken out or arranged by sliding sequentially along the guides.
[0020]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the same configuration as the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, and the toner image of each color is sequentially transferred by being conveyed along each image forming process means. And a direction in which the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer belt is arranged in parallel with the direction in which each image forming process unit is arranged, and the direction in which the intermediate transfer belt is inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the housing. I have.
[0021]
In the above configuration, the same operations as those described above are performed, and after the primary transfer is performed from each image forming process unit to the intermediate transfer belt, the secondary transfer is performed from the intermediate transfer belt to the recording material.
[0022]
The present invention is intended to achieve the above-described object by each of the above-described configurations.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Overall Configuration of Embodiment)
One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the entire configuration of a color image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment, viewed from the right side. The color image forming apparatus 10 includes image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 for each of a plurality of colors arranged in a line in a predetermined order, an exposing unit 15 that performs exposure, and an image forming process unit 11. , 12, 13, and 14, an intermediate transfer belt 16 on which a toner image of each color is transferred, and a secondary transfer roller for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 to a recording material P 17, a fixing unit 20 for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording material P, and a housing 30 for storing each of these components. Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.
[0024]
(Housing)
The housing 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a removable recording material stocker 32 at the bottom thereof, and a pickup roller (not shown) provided above the recording material stocker 32. In addition, a stock area 33 of a printed recording material is formed on the upper surface of the housing 30. Further, a door 31 facing a region above the intermediate transfer belt 16 in the housing 30 is provided on a front surface (left surface in FIG. 1) 34 which is one side surface of the housing 30.
[0025]
(Intermediate transfer belt)
The intermediate transfer belt 16 is stretched around at least two rollers whose axes are in the horizontal direction, and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 16 is disposed such that one end thereof is closer to the front surface 34 of the housing 30 than the other end and one end is higher than the other end. That is, the intermediate transfer belt 16 is set in a direction inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the housing 30.
[ 0026 ]
The toner image of each color is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16 by the above-described image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14. Each code 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a is a primary transfer roller provided in correspondence with the predetermined arrangement position of each image forming process unit 11, 12, 13, 14. Each of the primary transfer rollers 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a is configured to apply toner to the intermediate transfer belt 16 by applying a voltage.
[0027]
The intermediate transfer belt 16 is in contact with the secondary transfer roller 17 at a lower end thereof at a predetermined pressure, and the storage material P picked up from the above-described recording material stocker 32 is sandwiched between the belts and fed, thereby performing the intermediate transfer. A toner image on the belt 16 on which each color is layered is secondarily transferred. The secondary transfer roller 17 also has a function of drawing the toner toward the recording material P when a voltage is applied thereto, and additionally causes the toner to adhere to the recording material by a pressing force.
[ 0028 ]
Further, a cleaning unit is provided below the intermediate transfer belt 16 and downstream of the secondary transfer position. As a result, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 16 after the transfer is scraped off, and the charge on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is removed .
[0029]
(Fixing means)
The fixing unit 20 is configured to fix the toner on the recording material P by nipping and conveying the recording material P between the heating roller and the pressure roller. It is arranged in.
[0030]
(Exposure means)
The exposing unit 15 is disposed above the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14, and exposes the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 from above. The exposure unit 15 is a laser light source, and irradiates a laser beam for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image signal corresponding to each color to a position determined for each color. Note that a linear light source such as an LED array arranged for each of the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 may be used as the exposure unit.
[0031]
(Image forming process means)
Each of the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 has a yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color toner, respectively, and has almost the same structure and appearance. That is, toner is attached to the image carriers 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b on which the electrostatic latent images are formed by the above-described exposure means 15 and the electrostatic latent images on the image carriers 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b. Developing means (not shown) for forming a toner image.
[0032]
These image forming process means 11, 12, 13, and 14 are all supported by a slide type guide 19, and the guide 19 is provided in the housing 30 in parallel to the direction in which the intermediate transfer belt 16 is provided. I have. The guide 19 is a pair of rail-shaped members that engage with engaged portions (not shown) provided on both side surfaces of each of the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, and 14. It is composed of a groove provided corresponding to each rail-shaped member or a pair of rolling wheels for holding the rail-shaped member from above and below.
[0033]
Since each of the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, and 14 is slidably supported by the guide 19, the door 31 of the housing 30 is opened from the state shown in FIG. It is possible to take it out of the housing 30 by sliding.
[0034]
When the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 are provided in the housing 30, the door 31 is opened and the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 may be slid obliquely downward and to the right in a state where it is engaged. In such a case, the image forming process means 14 at the head in the sliding direction is positioned at the black exposure position by the exposure means 15 by a stopper (not shown) inside the housing. As long as the remaining image forming process units 11, 12, and 13 are stored in the correct order, they are sequentially arranged in the sliding direction without any gaps, so that the image forming process units 11, 12, and 13 are similarly exposed. It is positioned at each exposure position of yellow, magenta, and cyan by the means 15. That is, the irradiation direction of each laser beam for exposing each color of the above-mentioned exposure unit 15 is determined by the position of the image forming process unit 14 by the stopper in the housing 30 and each of the image forming process units 11, 12, 13,. The direction is set so that these image carriers 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b are appropriately irradiated when the image carriers 14 are stored in a predetermined order without gaps.
[0035]
(Mating means)
By the way, as described above, the exposure unit 15 irradiates each laser beam toward an exposure position determined for each color. Therefore, if the order in which the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 are stored is incorrect, a correct toner image cannot be formed for each color, and a correct color image cannot be finally printed.
[0036]
Therefore, each of the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 is fitted between adjacent ones of the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 arranged in a line in the correct order. Means 40, 50, 60 are provided. The fitting means 40, 50, 60 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the image forming process means 13, FIG. 3 is a state explanatory diagram when two image forming process means 11, 12 are arranged in the housing 30 in the correct order, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 stored in the housing 30 are taken out of the housing 30 in the correct order. FIG.
[0037]
The fitting means 40 is provided at these opposed portions between the adjacent image forming process means 11 and 12 in the correct order, and the fitting means 50 is provided between the adjacent image forming process means 12 and 13 in the correct order. The fitting means 60 is provided at these opposing parts, and is provided at these opposing parts between the adjacent image forming process means 13 and 14 in the correct order.
[0038]
The configuration of each of the fitting means 40, 50 and 60 will be described by taking the fitting means 50 as an example. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an engaging member 51 as a fitting portion provided in a state protruding horizontally from the right end surface of the image forming process means 12, and a pull for maintaining the horizontal state of the engaging member 51. A spring 52, a pressing switch 53 for releasing the engaging state of the engaging member 51, a connecting rod 54 for transmitting the pressing operation of the pressing switch 53 to the engaging member 51, and a mounting provided at the distal end of the engaging member 51. The claw receiving portion 55 is provided on the left end surface of the image forming process means 13 in which the claw portion 51a is locked.
[0039]
The engaging member 51 has a mounting claw 51a protruding downward at one end thereof, and a pressing switch 53 connected to the other end thereof via a connecting rod 54. The engaging member 51 is supported in the image forming process means 12 so as to be rotatable about the intermediate portion thereof, and is normally tensioned by the tension spring 52 in the direction in which the mounting claw 51a moves downward. Accordingly, the engagement member 51 maintains the horizontal state. When the pressing switch 53 is pressed, the mounting claw 51 a of the engaging member 51 is pulled up against the tension spring 52.
[0040]
On the other hand, when the image forming process means 12 and 13 are adjacent to each other on the guide 19, the lower edge of the claw receiving hole 55 is slightly smaller than the lower end of the mounting claw 51 a of the horizontal engaging member 51. It is a horizontal hole provided at a high position, and the inside thereof is depressed downward so that the mounting claw 51a is locked. Therefore, when the image forming process means 12 moves to the image forming process means 13 side, the tapered portion provided at the distal end of the mounting claw portion 51a contacts the lower edge of the claw receiving hole 55, and the engaging member 51 is moved. It rotates against the tension spring 52, and after that, the mounting claw 51a is locked in the recess in the claw receiving hole 55, and the image forming process means 12 and 13 are connected. The connection state can be released by pressing the push switch 53 and pushing up the mounting claw 51a.
[0041]
Similarly, the fitting means 40 and 60 other than the fitting means 50 include an engaging member, a tension spring, a connecting rod, a pressing switch, and a claw receiving hole. The height setting of the nail receiving hole is different. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, if the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 are stored in the wrong order, for example, if the image forming process unit 12 is stored next to the image forming process unit 14, one of the fittings is performed. The engaging member 51 of the engaging means 50 cannot be connected to the claw receiving hole 65 of the other engaging means 60, and the leading end of the engaging member 51 comes into contact with the left end face of the image forming process means 14 so that each image forming process can be performed. The means 12 and 14 are separated from each other. This is the same even if the order of any of the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 is incorrect, so that it is easy to recognize when the order of storage of the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 is incorrect. .
[0042]
Further, when the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, 14 are stored in the correct order, the mounting claw at the tip of the engaging member of each of the fitting means 40, 50, 60 is locked in the claw receiving hole. The respective image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 are connected. Therefore, when taking out the connected image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 from the housing 30, the door 31 of the housing 30 is opened and the image forming process unit 11 located closest to the door 31 is opened. By pulling out, as shown in FIG. 5, all of the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, and 14 move along the guide 19 and can be taken out at once. After taking out, all the connected states can be easily released by pressing the pressing switches of the respective fitting means.
[0043]
(Operation of color image forming apparatus)
The operation of the color image forming apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the door 31 of the housing 30 is opened, and the black image forming process unit 14, the cyan image forming process unit 13, the magenta image forming process unit 12, and the yellow image forming process unit 11 are arranged along the guide 19 in this order. And stored in the housing 30.
[0044]
At this time, if the order of the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, and 14 is correct, the engaging members of the fitting means 40, 50, and 60 are inserted into the claw receiving holes to be connected (FIG. 3). ), Each of the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, and 14 is stored in a close state, and since the image forming process means 11 enters a specified position, it can be easily confirmed that the order is correct. In such a state, each of the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 is arranged at a correct exposure position of each color of the exposure unit 15.
[0045]
If the order of the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, 14 is incorrect, the engaging member cannot be inserted into the claw receiving hole (see FIG. 4). Since the image forming process unit 11 does not enter the specified position when viewed from the door 31 side, it is easy to confirm that the order of storage is incorrect.
[0046]
After the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 are stored, in the color image forming apparatus 10, the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, Exposure is performed by exposure means, which is a laser light source that generates four beams scanned in the same manner, to form a toner image for each color, and primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16.
[0047]
On the other hand, the recording material P is fed from the recording material stocker 32 to the secondary transfer roller 17, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is secondarily transferred onto the recording material P by the secondary transfer roller 17 by the potential difference and the pressure. . Then, the toner image transferred onto the recording material P is fixed by the fixing unit 20, and is discharged to the stock area 33 in the upper part of the housing 30.
[0048]
When the image forming process units 11, 12, 13, and 14 are taken out of the housing 30 for maintenance or replacement, the door 31 is opened and the image forming process unit 11 is pulled as shown in FIG. Accordingly, all of the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, and 14 can move together along the guide 19 and can be taken out at once. After taking out, all the connected states can be easily released by pressing the pressing switches of the respective fitting means.
[0049]
(Other)
The number of the individual image forming process units may be plural, and is not limited to four.
Further, each of the fitting means 40, 50, and 60 prevents the fitting between the engaging member and the claw receiving hole between different fitting means by changing the arrangement of the respective engaging members and the claw receiving holes in the vertical direction. However, the arrangement is not particularly limited in the vertical direction, and the arrangement of each fitting means 40, 50, 60 within the range of the opposing portion between the image forming process means 11, 12, 13, 14 It should be different.
[0050]
Further, the shape of the locking member in the vertical cross section in the longitudinal direction is set to a different shape for each of the fitting means 40, 50, and 60, and an insertion hole having a shape equal to the cross-sectional shape of each locking member is replaced with a claw receiving hole. It is good also as a structure provided. In this case, since it is difficult to provide a mounting claw portion at the tip of the engaging member, a configuration may be provided in which the engaging member is held inside the insertion hole and the holding state can be released by pressing the pressing switch. .
[ 0051 ]
Further, an optical sensor or a microswitch is provided at a position slightly closer to the take-out side than the take-out side end of the image forming process means 11 in the correct arrangement inside the housing 30, and when the image forming process means is detected by these, In addition, a configuration may be provided in which the order of storage is incorrect, and if not detected, normal storage is detected, and if storage is incorrect, a warning lamp, buzzer, or panel display is performed.
In the above embodiment, an electrophotographic process is described as an image forming process, but the image forming process is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a method of forming an electrostatic latent image by an ion flow of a dielectric drum or the like, an ink method, or a method of directly fusing toner particles onto paper .
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has a structure in which, for a plurality of fitting means provided between image forming process means, a fitting part of each fitting means does not fit with a fitted part of another fitting means. I have. Therefore, if the order in which the image forming process units are stored is wrong, the adjacent fitting portion and the fitted portion do not fit, and it is possible to easily and quickly know the correctness of the storing order.
[0053]
These fitting means can be easily realized by changing the arrangement of each fitting means or changing the shapes of the fitting portion and the fitted portion for each fitting means.
[0054]
Further, by freely connecting and disconnecting the fitting portion and the fitted portion of the fitting means, each connected image forming process means can be taken out of the housing integrally, and Is quick and easy, and the maintainability can be improved.
[0055]
In addition, by providing a guide that slidably supports each image forming process unit, it is possible to store and take out each image forming process unit by moving along the guide, and it is convenient to handle. It is possible to further improve maintainability.
[0056]
Further, by setting the arrangement direction of the intermediate transfer belt and the plurality of image forming process means in a direction inclined with respect to the bottom of the housing, the size of the apparatus in the width direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the apparatus is arranged in the horizontal direction. Becomes possible.
[0057]
Since the present invention is configured and functions as described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent color image forming apparatus which has never existed before.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the entire configuration of an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the right side.
FIG. 2 is a right side view of the image forming process unit.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which two image forming process units are arranged in a housing in a correct order.
FIG. 4 is a state explanatory diagram when two image forming process units are arranged in an incorrect order.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which each image forming process unit stored in the housing in a correct order is taken out of the housing.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 color image forming apparatus 11, 12, 13, 14 image forming process means 16 intermediate transfer belt 30 housing 31 doors 40, 50, 60 fitting means 51 engaging member (fitting portion)
55,65 Claw receiving hole (Mating part)

Claims (6)

A color image forming apparatus includes: an image forming process unit for each of a plurality of colors arranged in a line in a predetermined order; and a housing that stores the image forming units in a line along the direction of the line of the image forming process unit . ,
Providing a fitting means between adjacent ones of the image forming process means arranged in a line in the predetermined order,
Each of the fitting means includes a fitting portion provided on one of the image forming process means adjacent to each other and a fitted portion provided on the other, and
For each of the fitting means, one of the image forming process means adjacent to each other is arranged along the direction of the row so that the other of the image forming processes is the same as that of the fitting part. A color image forming apparatus having a unique structure that fits when moving toward the means . Each of the fitting means has a matching arrangement between the fitting portion and the fitted portion. The matching arrangement of the fitting portion and the fitted portion is different from each other for each of the fitting means. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Each of the fitting means is configured such that the mutual shape of the fitting portion and the fitted portion is freely fittable, and the shape of the fitting portion and the fitted portion to be fitted to each other is different for each of the fitting means. 2. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image forming apparatuses have different shapes. 4. A color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fitting portion and said fitted portion are freely connected and released for each said fitting means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guide for taking out and storing the image forming process means that slidably supports each of the image forming process means along a direction of a row in which the image forming process means is arranged. 5. A color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. An intermediate transfer belt that is conveyed along each of the image forming process means and sequentially transfers toner images of each color is provided, and a longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer belt and a direction in which each of the image forming process means is arranged in parallel. 6. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image forming apparatus is set in a direction inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the housing.

Images