JP3893405B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus to which a belt unit including a belt is attached.

  The structure of a conventional transfer belt unit built in the electrophotographic printing apparatus will be described. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional electrophotographic printing apparatus and a transfer belt unit.

  In FIG. 16, an electrophotographic printing apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as “printing apparatus 1”) includes a transfer belt 4 in which a loop-shaped transfer belt 4 having a width equal to or larger than the maximum printing width of the printing apparatus 1 is incorporated. A unit 3 (hereinafter referred to as a belt unit 3) is provided. The belt unit 3 cleans the transfer belt 4, a drive roller 5, an idle roller 6 around which the transfer belt 4 is wound, a roller such as a transfer roller (not shown), and the transfer belt 4. A blade or the like (not shown) is incorporated.

  Note that the surface of the drive roller 5 is formed of a member having a high frictional resistance, and a gear (not shown) is attached to a shaft (not shown) to which the drive roller 5 is attached. A gear (not shown) connected to a drive source (not shown) provided in the device 1 is engaged. The drive roller 5 rotates the transfer belt 4 by the driving force of the driving source. On the other hand, the idle roller 6 is a roller for applying tension to the transfer belt 3 to smoothly rotate the transfer belt 4. The shaft to which the drive roller 5 is attached and the shaft to which the idle roller 6 is attached are held by a belt frame (not shown). The belt frame (not shown) is held by a belt case 8, and positioning with the printing apparatus 1 is performed by the belt case 8. A belt unit 3 is constituted by the belt case 8 and members built in the belt case 8.

  For example, if the printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus in which the belt unit 3 is a user replacement part, a guide rail 9 is provided inside the printing apparatus 1, and the belt case 8 is movable on the guide rail 9. The groove | channel which is not shown in figure is formed so that it may become. When the belt unit 3 is taken out from the inside of the printing apparatus 1 or attached to the inside of the printing apparatus 1, the side frame 2 that is rotatably provided in the printing apparatus 1 is opened to open the belt unit 3. Is inserted and removed along the guide rail 9. Note that positioning when the belt unit 3 is mounted inside the printing apparatus 1 is performed by a fitting portion (not shown) provided in the belt case 8 and the printing apparatus 1 respectively.

In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228561 describes a device that moves in the horizontal direction when the belt unit is attached to and detached from the apparatus.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-236993

  In the conventional belt unit 3 described above, the side frame 2 must be opened and the belt unit 3 must be detached from the side surface or the front surface of the printing apparatus 1, so that it is necessary to increase the installation area of the printing apparatus 1. there were.

In order to solve the above problems, the solution provided in the present invention is a printing apparatus in which the upper part of the apparatus is releasable, a plurality of rollers, and a belt wound around the plurality of rollers and loaded with a medium and rotated. A belt unit having a handle attached to a side surface of the belt, a support member that detachably supports the belt unit in a vertical direction of the printing apparatus, and power to one of the plurality of rollers of the belt unit. a second gear for transmitting, one of said plurality of rollers is fixed to the shaft, the second gear and the first gear in the normal direction of engagement and disengagement are performed Is provided.

  According to this solution, since the belt unit can be lifted and held with one hand by holding the handle, the belt unit can be detached in the vertical direction instead of being pulled out and detached from the side or front of the apparatus. It becomes possible to do.

  According to the present invention, both ends of the belt unit are rotatably attached to both side surfaces, and the handle is configured by providing a handle that is configured such that the both ends are connected to each other by the handle portion. As a result, the belt unit can be lifted and held with one hand, so that the belt unit can be detached in the vertical direction instead of being pulled out from the side or front of the device, improving operability. Can be made.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element common to each drawing.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a transfer belt unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an electrophotographic printing apparatus and a transfer belt unit according to the first embodiment. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the transfer belt unit of the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the transfer belt unit and the ID unit of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the electrophotographic printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a transfer belt unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the apparatus and a part of the electrophotographic printing apparatus. In FIGS. 1 and 4, the shafts 21 and 35 and the bearing 22 are not shown. 5 and 7, the lock portion 14 is not shown.

  1 and 2, a transfer belt including an electrophotographic printing apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as a printing apparatus 10) having a loop-shaped transfer belt 11 having a width equal to or larger than the maximum printing width of the printing apparatus 10. A unit 12 (hereinafter referred to as a belt unit 12) is provided. The belt unit 12 includes a belt frame 23 shown in FIG. 3, a transfer belt 11, a drive roller 20 around which the transfer belt 11 is wound, an idle roller 34, a roller such as a transfer roller (not shown), It is composed of a blade (not shown) for cleaning the transfer belt 11.

  Note that the surface of the drive roller 20 is formed of a member having a high frictional resistance, and a gear 24 as a first gear is attached to a shaft 21 to which the drive roller 20 is attached. 24 is meshed with a reduction gear, which will be described later, connected to a drive source (not shown) provided in the printing apparatus 10. The drive roller 20 rotates the transfer belt 11 by the driving force of the driving source. On the other hand, the idle roller 34 is attached to a shaft 35, and is a roller for applying tension to the transfer belt 11 and rotating the transfer belt 11 smoothly. The shaft 21 to which the drive roller 20 is attached and the shaft 35 to which the idle roller 34 is attached are held by the belt frame 23. The belt unit 12 is positioned with the printing apparatus 10 by the belt frame 23.

  As shown in FIG. 1, lock portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d that protrude outward are provided on both side surfaces of the belt frame 23, respectively. A lock (not shown) for positioning the belt unit 12 is fitted inside the printing apparatus 10 when the belt unit 12 is mounted inside the printing apparatus 10 and is fitted with the lock portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d. A mechanism is provided.

  Both end portions 15a and 15b of the handle 15 are rotatably attached to both side surfaces of the belt frame 23, and both end portions 15a and 15b are connected by a handle portion 15c. As a result, the handle 15 holds the transfer belt unit 12. The handle 15 is positioned such that the center of gravity of the handle 15 comes into contact with a stopper, which will be described later, with respect to both end portions 15a and 15b, which are rotation axes of the handle 15. Therefore, the handle portion 15c falls in the direction of the transfer belt 11 due to its own weight in the released state that is not held by the operator. Further, stoppers 17 are further provided on both side surfaces of the belt case 13, and the stoppers 17 come into contact with the handle 15 at a position where the handle 15 does not contact the transfer belt 11 when the handle portion 15c is tilted. The rotation of the handle 15 is stopped. Thereby, the position of the handle 15 is fixed.

  The belt unit 12 is attached to the printing apparatus 10 while the handle 15 is positioned by the stopper 17, and in this state, the handle 15 is an ID unit provided inside the printing apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 16 is located within the gap of 16, avoids interference with the ID unit 16, and passes a sheet (not shown) without contacting the handle 15 c between the handle 15 c and the position where the transfer belt 11 is positioned. It falls into a position with enough space to do so.

  In FIGS. 3 and 5, bearings 22 (22 a and 22 b) that serve as the rotation shaft of the drive roller 20 are fitted into the shaft 21 to which the drive roller 20 is attached. Note that about half of the thickness of the outer ring of the bearing 22 is engaged with the belt frame 23 on which the shaft 21 is held. A portion of the bearing 22 that is not fitted to the belt frame 23 is fitted to a bearing receiving portion 27 formed on a frame 26 (26a, 26b) provided on the printing apparatus 10 side shown in FIG.

  By attaching the belt unit 12 to the printing apparatus 10, a portion of the bearing 22 that is not fitted to the frame 23 is fitted to the bearing receiving portion 27. The shape of the bearing receiving portion 27 is a shape that fixes the movement of the bearing 22 in three directions excluding the direction in which the bearing 22 is inserted as shown in FIG. At this time, the upward movement of the bearing 22 is fixed by the lock member 28 rotatably provided on the frame 26 holding the upper portion of the bearing 22. In the state where the position of the bearing 22 is fixed by the bearing receiving portion 27 and the lock member 28, the gear 24 is provided on the printing apparatus 10 side as shown in FIG. Meshes with a reduction gear 29 which is the second gear. The lock member 28 is always urged in the direction of arrow A by a spring (not shown).

  Next, the operation of attaching / detaching the belt unit 12 in the above configuration to the printing apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing the transfer belt unit of the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, the shafts 21 and 35 and the bearing 22 are not shown.

  First, the operation of removing the belt unit 12 from the inside of the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

  When the belt unit 12 is mounted on the printing apparatus 10, the handle 15 is positioned at a position that does not hinder the ID unit 16 and the paper as shown in FIG. 4. When the belt unit 12 is attached or detached, the operator holds the handle 15c of the handle 15 and lifts it in the direction of the arrow L shown in FIG. Then, the handle 15 rotates with both end portions 15a and 15b as fulcrums, and the rotation stops at the position where the gap between the handle portion 15c and the paper travel position of the belt unit 12 is the maximum.

  Therefore, the handle portion 15c is held at a position where it can be easily gripped, and the operator can hold the center portion of the handle portion 15c so that the belt unit 12 can be easily lifted with one hand.

  When the operator lifts the handle 15c of the handle 15, the engagement between the lock portions 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d of the belt unit 12 and the lock mechanism (not shown) of the printing apparatus 10 is released, as shown in FIG. Further, since both end portions 15a and 15b of the handle 15 are positioned on the right side of the central portion of the transfer belt unit 12, the belt unit 12 is inclined so that the left side (idle roller 34 side) is on the lower side. By tilting in this way, the belt unit 12 is easier to remove from the printing apparatus 10 than in the horizontal state. In this state, the belt unit 12 is detached from the inside of the printing apparatus 10.

  On the other hand, when the belt unit 12 is removed from the printing apparatus 10, the belt unit 12 moves upward to move the bearing 22 upward. At this time, the lock member 28 is moved against the urging force of the spring as shown in FIG. Is rotated in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. As a result, the lock member 28 is detached from the upper portion of the bearing 22.

  Next, an operation for mounting the belt unit 12 to the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

  The operator holds the handle 15 c of the handle 15 as it is, and puts the belt unit 12 into the printing apparatus 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, since both end portions 15a and 15b of the handle 15 are positioned on the right side of the central portion of the transfer belt unit 12, the belt unit 12 is inclined so that the left side is on the lower side. By tilting in this way, the belt unit 12 is easier to be mounted inside the printing apparatus 10 than in the horizontal state. Then, the lock portions 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and 14 d of the belt unit 12 are fitted with a lock mechanism (not shown) of the printing apparatus 10. Thereafter, when the hand is released from the handle 15c, the handle 15c of the handle 15 falls in the direction of the transfer belt 11 due to its own weight, contacts the stopper 17 and stops rotating. As shown in FIG. 4, it is positioned so as to fit in a gap between the ID units 16 provided inside the printing apparatus 10, avoids interference with the ID unit 16, and is illustrated between the handle 15 c and the transfer belt 11. The sheet is placed in a position having a sufficient gap to allow the sheet to pass without contacting the handle portion 15c.

  On the other hand, when the belt unit 12 is attached to the printing apparatus 10, the bearing 22 applies a pressing force to the lock member 28 from above. Then, the lock member 28 rotates in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 7 against the urging force of a spring (not shown) by the pressing force of the bearing 22, and the portion of the bearing 22 not fitted to the belt frame 26 is the bearing. It fits into the receiving part 27. Thereafter, the lock member 28 is rotated back in the direction of arrow A by the urging force of the spring and restricts the upper portion of the bearing 22. Thereby, the bearing 22 is fixed at an accurate position with respect to the printing apparatus 10.

  At this time, since the bearing 22 is inserted into the shaft 21 to which the gear 24 is fixed, the shaft 21 is positioned at an accurate position. As a result, the gear 24 is positioned at an accurate position. As a result, the accuracy of meshing between the reduction gear 29 and the gear 24 is increased as shown in FIG. By fixing the bearing 22 to the printing apparatus 10 at an accurate position, the belt unit 12 with which the bearing 22 is fitted is positioned at an accurate position. The transfer belt 11 is always stretched at 90 degrees with respect to the drive roller 20.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the handle 15 is not used, interference with the ID unit 16 is avoided, and a sheet (not shown) passes between the handle portion 15c and the transfer belt 11 without contact. By adopting a structure that is positioned at a position having a sufficient gap to do so, a handle shape that holds both sides of the belt unit 12 can be obtained. In addition, since the balance of the center of gravity when lifting the belt unit 12 is eliminated, it can be lifted and held with one hand, and operability can be improved.

  In addition, there is sufficient clearance between the handle 15 to avoid interference with the ID unit 16 and to allow a sheet (not shown) to pass between the handle 15c and the transfer belt 11 without contacting the handle 15c. By adopting a shape having a balance of the center of gravity that is positioned by its own weight at the held position, an operation of tilting the handle portion 15c of the handle 15 becomes unnecessary, and the operability can be further improved.

  Furthermore, since the belt unit 12 can be lifted and held with one hand by holding the handle 15, the belt unit 12 is not pulled out from the side surface or the front surface of the printing apparatus 10 and is attached and detached. Desorption is possible. As a result, the operability is improved and a space for opening the side frame and detaching the belt unit 12 from the side surface or the front surface of the printing apparatus 10 is not required, so that the installation area of the printing apparatus 10 can be reduced. .

  In addition, when the belt unit is positioned by the belt frame as in the past, the dimensions of the belt frame are adjusted to the meshing accuracy between the drive roller and the coaxial gear and the reduction gear on the printing apparatus side meshing with the gear. Although errors are included, positioning the gear 24, the drive roller 20, and the belt frame 23 with the bearing 22 can improve the positioning accuracy when the belt unit 12 is mounted on the printing apparatus 10. . As a result, the accuracy of meshing between the gear 24 and the reduction gear 29 is improved, and uneven rotation of the transfer belt 11 is eliminated. As a result, the print quality can be improved.

  Further, the belt unit 12 can be positioned by the drive roller 20 by fitting the bearings 22 attached to both ends of the drive roller 20 to the bearing receiving portions 27 of the frame 26 on the printing apparatus 10 side. As a result, the accuracy with which the drive roller 20 is positioned at a predetermined position when the belt unit 12 is mounted is increased, and an angle shift between the rotation direction of the transfer belt 11 and the sheet feeding direction of the printing apparatus 10 does not occur.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing part of the belt unit and part of the electrophotographic printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the positional relationship between the gear 24 and the reduction gear 29 that meshes with the gear 24 in the first embodiment is defined. As shown in FIG. 9, when the reduction gear 29 rotates in the direction of arrow C, the side surface 27 a of the bearing receiving portion 27 of the frame 26 and the line D connecting the center of the gear 24 and the center of the reduction gear 29. The reduction gear 29 is positioned such that the angle θ1 (approximately 20 degrees) formed by the above is greater than the gear pressure angle θ2.

  By setting such an angular relationship, the angle θ3 between the force F2 received by the gear 24 from the reduction gear 29 and the side surface 27a is 90 degrees or less. That is, the force F2 received by the gear 24 from the reduction gear 29 is 90 degrees or less with respect to the side surface 27a, so that the downward component force F1 acts on the gear 24 and the gear 24 moves upward (the bearing 22 receives the bearing). (The direction away from the part 27) does not move. Therefore, the bearing 22 is positioned only on three sides of the three side surfaces forming the bearing receiving portion 27.

  Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the angle θ1 (about 20) formed between the side surface 27a of the bearing receiving portion 27 of the frame 26 and the line D connecting the center of the gear 24 and the center of the reduction gear 29. By making the gear angle greater than the gear pressure angle θ2, the gear 24 is given a component force F1 that is pulled downward with respect to the side surface 27a of the bearing receiving portion 27, and the gear 24 escapes upward. Nothing will happen. As a result, accurate and stable positioning of the bearing 22 in the bearing receiving portion 27 is performed.

  Further, since no upward force is generated on the gear 24, the lock member 28 on the upper surface shown in the first embodiment is not necessary, and as a result, the unlocking operation of the lock member 28 when removing the belt unit 12 can be performed. It becomes unnecessary and the operability is improved. Further, the reduction of the lock member 28 can simplify the mechanism and reduce the cost.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location similar to the said 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a part of the transfer belt unit and the electrophotographic printing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, bearings 32 are fitted to both ends of the shaft 35 shown in FIG. 3 to which the idle roller 34 is attached to the belt unit 12 shown in the first embodiment. The frame 42 provided on the printing apparatus 10 side is formed with a bearing receiving portion 36 into which the bearing 32 is fitted.

  About half of the thickness of the outer ring of the bearing 36 is fitted to the belt frame 23 shown in FIG. 7 in the same manner as the bearing 22 fitted to the shaft 21 to which the drive roller 20 is attached. Further, a portion of the bearing 32 not fitted with the belt frame 23 is a bearing receiving portion formed on a frame 42 provided on the printing apparatus 10 side when the belt unit 12 is mounted on the printing apparatus 10. 36. By fitting the bearing 22 into the bearing receiving portion 27, the positions in the vertical direction (direction in which the belt unit 12 is detached) and the horizontal direction (direction parallel to the rotation direction of the transfer belt 11) are fixed. By fitting into the bearing receiving portion 36, the position in the vertical direction is fixed. Note that the bearing receiving portion 36 has a long groove shape whose bottom portion extends in a direction parallel to the rotation direction of the transfer belt 11. Therefore, the bearing 32 is movable in the left-right direction (direction parallel to the rotation direction of the transfer belt 11) when the bearing 32 is fitted to the bearing receiving portion 36.

  Although not shown, a bearing receiver similar to the bearing receiver 36 is also formed on the frame 42 opposite to the side on which the bearing receiver 36 is formed. The frame 42 has the same configuration as the frame 26 shown in the first embodiment except that a bearing receiving portion 36 is formed.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the operation of attaching / detaching the belt unit 12 in the above configuration will be described.

  First, an operation for attaching the belt unit 12 to the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

  As in the first embodiment, the operator holds the handle 15c of the handle 15 shown in FIG. 1 and holds the belt unit 12 into the printing apparatus 1 as it is. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, both end portions 15a and 15b of the handle 15 are positioned on the right side of the central portion of the belt case 13, so that the belt unit 12 has the left side (idle roller 34 side) on the lower side. Tilt to be. Then, the bearings 32 fitted to both ends of the shaft 35 are inserted into the bearing receiver 36 from the openings 36a of the bearing receiver 36, respectively, and then moved from the position indicated by the broken line along the bottom surface to the normal position. Move in the direction of arrow G to the indicated position. As a result, the bearing 32 is engaged with the bearing receiving portion 36 at a proper position. Next, the bearing 22 on the drive roller 20 side is inserted into the bearing receiving portion 27 in the vertical direction, and the bearing 22 is brought into a fitted state with respect to the bearing receiving portion 27 at a normal position. At this time, since the bearing 32 can move in the bearing receiving portion 36 in a direction parallel to the rotation direction of the transfer belt 11, the position of the idle roller 34 is shifted due to variations in the length of the transfer belt 11. Even in this case, the tension of the transfer belt 11 can be kept constant. When the belt unit 12 is attached to the printing apparatus 10, the lock portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d of the belt unit 12 shown in FIG.

  Since other operations at the time of mounting are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, an operation of removing the belt unit 12 from the inside of the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

  As in the first embodiment, in FIG. 8, the operator holds the handle 15 c of the handle 15 and lifts it in the direction of the arrow L as it is. Then, the handle 15 rotates with both end portions 15a and 15b as fulcrums, and the rotation stops at the position where the gap between the handle portion 15c and the paper travel position of the belt unit 12 is the maximum.

  In this state, when the engagement state between the lock portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d of the belt unit 12 and the lock mechanism (not shown) of the printing apparatus 10 is released and the handle 15 is lifted, the drive roller 20 in FIG. The side bearing 22 moves upward to disengage from the bearing receiving portion 27. Next, the bearing 32 on the idle roller 34 side is moved in the direction of the arrow H, and then the handle 15c is further lifted, whereby the idle roller 34 side The bearing 32 moves upward and is removed from the bearing receiving portion 36, and the belt unit 12 is detached from the inside of the printing apparatus 10.

  Since other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the shaft 21 to which the drive roller 20 is attached and the shaft 35 to which the idle roller 34 is attached are always mounted at regular positions with respect to the printing apparatus 10. When the belt unit 12 is mounted on the printing apparatus 10, the accuracy of the mounting positions of the drive roller 20 and the idle roller 34 with respect to the printing apparatus 10 can be improved. As a result, twisting of the transfer belt 11 wound around the drive roller 20 and the idle roller 34 can be prevented. As a result, the problem that the transfer belt 4 swings during rotation does not occur.

  Further, since the position of the opening 36a of the bearing receiving portion 36 is shifted from the position where the bearing 32 is positioned when the belt unit 12 is fixed, the bearing 32 is detached from the bearing receiving portion 36 when the belt unit 12 is fixed. There is no end. As a result, since it is not necessary to provide a lock mechanism for the bearing 32, the mechanism can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the bearing 32 is movable in the left-right direction (direction parallel to the rotation direction of the transfer belt 11) when fitted to the bearing receiving portion 36, the length of the transfer belt 11 varies. Even when the position of the idle roller 34 is shifted, the tension of the transfer belt 11 can be kept constant. That is, the idle roller 34 can be freely moved to a position that matches the variation in the circumferential length of the transfer belt 11, so that the tension of the transfer belt 11 can be kept constant.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location similar to the said 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a part of the transfer belt unit and the electrophotographic printing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, the shape of the frame 42 in the third embodiment is changed. As shown in FIG. 11, the frame 41 has the same structure as that in the third embodiment. A guide slope 41a extending obliquely upward from the opening 27a of the bearing receiving portion 27 in a direction away from the opening 27a is formed. That is, a guide slope 41 a is formed from the upper part where the belt unit 12 is mounted toward the bearing receiving portion 27. Except for the above, the frame 41 has the same configuration as the frame 42 described in the third embodiment, and the configuration other than the frame 41 is the same as that of the third embodiment, so that the description thereof is omitted. .

  Next, the operation of attaching / detaching the belt unit 12 in the above configuration will be described.

  First, an operation for attaching the belt unit 12 to the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

  As in the third embodiment, the operator holds the handle 15c of the handle 15 shown in FIG. 1 and holds the belt unit 12 into the printing apparatus 10 as it is. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, since both end portions 15a and 15b of the handle 15 are positioned on the right side of the central portion of the belt unit 12, the belt unit 12 has the left side (idle roller 34 side) on the lower side. Tilt to be. And the bearing 22 is made to contact | abut to the slope 41a for guides (it is set as the position shown with a broken line). At this time, the bearings 32 fitted into both end portions of the shaft 35 are respectively inserted into the bearing receiving portion 36 from the openings 36a of the bearing receiving portion 36, and are positioned at the positions indicated by broken lines. Next, when the bearing 22 is lowered along the guide inclined surface 41a to the bearing receiving portion 27 to the position indicated by the solid line, the bearing 22 is fitted to the bearing receiving portion 27 at a proper position as indicated by the solid line. . At this time, the bearing 32 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow G from the position indicated by the broken line in the bearing receiving portion 36 to the position indicated by the solid line, and is engaged with the bearing receiving portion 36 at a regular position. When the belt unit 12 is attached to the printing apparatus 10, the lock portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d of the belt unit 12 shown in FIG.

  Since other operations are the same as those of the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted. The operation of removing the belt unit 12 from the inside of the printing apparatus 10 is the same as that in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the third embodiment, a guide slope 41a connected to the bearing receiving portion 27 of the bearing 22 on the drive roller 20 side is formed on the frame 41. If the belt unit 12 is attached to the printing apparatus 10, the bearing 32 can be automatically fitted to the bearing receiving portion 36 at a regular position. As a result, after the bearing 32 on the idle roller 34 side is inserted into the bearing receiving portion 36, there is no need for the operator to perform an operation for moving the bearing 32 to the proper position. As a result, operability can be improved.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location similar to the said 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing a part of the transfer belt unit and the electrophotographic printing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

  In the fifth embodiment, the shapes of the belt frame 23 and the frame 42 in the third embodiment are changed. As shown in FIG. 12, the frame 40 is the same as that in the third embodiment. An inclined surface 40a extending obliquely upward in the direction away from the opening 36a is formed from the opening 36a of the bearing receiving portion 36 similar to the third embodiment. In the vicinity of the bearing receiving portions 36 on both side surfaces of the frame 40, long groove-shaped guide grooves 38 that extend in the attaching / detaching direction of the belt unit 12 are formed. Further, a part of the belt frame 39 is opposite to the side where the drive roller 20 is attached from the vicinity of the part where the idle roller 34 is attached to the belt frame 23 in the third embodiment. A guide post 37 is provided at each end of both sides of the extended portion of the belt frame 39. That is, the guide post 37 is provided at a position opposite to the bearing 22 with the bearing 32 interposed therebetween. The opening 36a of the bearing receiving portion 36 escapes the locus of the bearing 32 when the guide post 37 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the guide groove 38 and the belt unit 12 rotates around the guide post 37 in this state. It has a different shape.

  Next, the operation of attaching / detaching the belt unit 12 in the above configuration will be described. 13 and 14 are schematic side views showing a part of the transfer belt unit and the electrophotographic printing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a part of the transfer belt unit according to the fifth embodiment and the electrophotographic printing. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of apparatus.

  First, an operation for attaching the belt unit 12 to the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

  As in the first embodiment, the operator holds the handle 15c of the handle 15 shown in FIG. 1 and holds the belt unit 12 into the printing apparatus 10 as it is. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, since both ends 15a and 15b of the handle 15 are positioned on the right side of the central portion of the belt unit 12, the belt unit 12 has the left side (the idle roller 34 side) on the lower side. Tilt. In this state, the belt unit 12 is lowered, and the guide post 37 is inserted into the guide groove 38 as shown in FIG.

  When the belt unit 12 is further lowered, the guide post 37 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the guide groove 38 as shown in FIG. When the belt unit 12 is further lowered, as shown in FIG. 13, the belt frame 39 rotates in the direction of arrow J with the guide post 37 in contact with the bottom surface of the guide groove 38 as a fulcrum, and also on the idle roller 34 side. The bearing 32 enters the bearing receiving portion 36 from the opening 36a and contacts the bottom surface. If the operation of lowering the belt unit 12 further is continued in this state, the belt frame 39 tries to rotate in the direction of arrow J with the bearing 32 as a fulcrum, but the guide post 37 comes into contact with the first side surface 38a of the guide groove 38. The belt unit 12 is moved horizontally in the direction of arrow G.

  At this time, since the bearing 22 on the drive roller 20 side is positioned almost directly above the bearing receiving portion 27, the bearing 22 is smoothly fitted into the bearing receiving portion 27 when the belt unit 12 is further lowered. It will be in the state shown in The bearing 22 is fitted to the bearing receiving portion 27 at a regular position, and the bearing 32 is fitted to the bearing receiving portion 36 at a regular position. When the belt unit 12 is attached to the printing apparatus 10, the lock portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d of the belt unit 12 shown in FIG.

  Since other operations are the same as those of the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, an operation of removing the belt unit 12 from the inside of the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

  As in the first embodiment, in FIG. 8, the operator holds the handle 15 c of the handle 15 and lifts it in the direction of the arrow L as it is. Then, the handle 15 rotates with both end portions 15a and 15b as fulcrums, and the rotation stops at the position where the gap between the handle portion 15c and the belt unit 12 is maximum as shown in FIG.

  In this state, when the engagement state between the lock portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d of the belt unit 12 and the lock mechanism (not shown) of the printing apparatus 10 is released and the handle 15 is lifted, the bearing 22 on the drive roller 20 side. Moves upward and disengages from the bearing receiving portion 27, and the belt unit 12 tries to rotate in the direction of arrow K with the bearing 32 as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. Then, the guide post 37 abuts on the second side surface 38b of the guide groove 38, and the bearing 32 moves horizontally in the direction of the arrow H and moves to the position indicated by the solid line. When the belt unit 12 is further lifted, the belt frame 39 is rotated in the direction of the arrow K with the guide post 37 as a fulcrum, the bearing 32 is disengaged from the bearing receiving portion 36, and the belt unit 12 is further lifted, whereby the guide post 37 comes out of the guide groove 38. In this way, the belt unit 12 is detached from the inside of the printing apparatus 10.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the third embodiment, the guide groove 38 is formed in the frame 40 and the guide post 37 is provided in the belt frame 39, so that the idle roller 34 side can be provided. The bearing 32 can be easily attached to the bearing receiving portion 36, and the bearing 32 on the idle roller 34 side can be easily detached from the bearing receiving portion 36, so that the operability can be improved.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the transfer belt unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the electrophotographic printing apparatus and transfer belt unit of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a transfer belt unit according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the transfer belt unit and ID unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows a part of transfer belt unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows a part of electrophotographic printing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows a part of transfer belt unit of 1st Embodiment, and a part of electrophotographic printing apparatus. It is a schematic side view showing the transfer belt unit of the first embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of belt unit and a part of electrophotographic printing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of transfer belt unit and electrophotographic printing apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of transfer belt unit and electrophotographic printing apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of transfer belt unit and electrophotographic printing apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of transfer belt unit and electrophotographic printing apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of transfer belt unit and electrophotographic printing apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of transfer belt unit of 5th Embodiment, and a part of electrophotographic printing apparatus. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the printing apparatus and transfer belt unit of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus 11 Transfer belt 12 Transfer belt unit 15 Handle 17 Stopper 20 Drive roller 22 Bearing 23 Belt frame 24 Gear 26 Frame 27 Bearing receiving part 29 Reduction gear 32 Bearing 34 Idle roller 36 Bearing receiving part 37 Guide post 38 Guide groove 39 Belt frame 40 Frame 41 Frame 42 Frame

Claims (3)

The upper part of the device is a releasable printing device,
A belt unit having a plurality of rollers, a belt wound around the plurality of rollers and rotated by a medium, and a handle attached to a side surface of the belt;
A support member that removably supports the belt unit in a vertical direction of the printing apparatus;
A second gear for transmitting power to one of the plurality of rollers of the belt unit;
Wherein the plurality of one of the rollers is fixed in its axial, printing apparatus characterized by having a first gear engagement and disengagement is performed to the second gear and the normal direction. 2. The printing according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the handle are rotatably attached to both side surfaces with respect to the rotation direction of the belt, and the both ends are connected to each other by a handle portion. apparatus.   3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member supports the belt unit such that a medium mounting surface of the belt unit is substantially horizontal and is positioned on an upper side. 4.

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