JP3935630B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, unevenness may occur in a formed image due to slight rotational vibration of a photosensitive drum. For this reason, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-8-202205 and JP-A-9-160432, a flywheel as an inertial body is fixed to the shaft of the photoconductor drum to rotate the photoconductor drum. A technique for suppressing vibration is known.
[0003]
When performing maintenance work on an image forming apparatus equipped with such a flywheel, the cover of the main body may be opened. If the flywheel rotates with the cover open, the maintenance work will not be performed. Hateful.
[0004]
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-314052 discloses that a brake member is provided below the flywheel fixed to the shaft of the photosensitive drum, and this brake member is operated in conjunction with the operation of opening the cover of the main body. A technique is known in which the rotation of the photosensitive drum is stopped by applying a brake.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, for maintenance work, for example, a copy operation may be performed while the cover is opened, and the maintenance work may be performed while checking the operation of the main body. In the conventional technology provided with the brake member described above, together with the flywheel Since the photosensitive drum stops, there is a problem that maintenance work involving such an operation cannot be performed.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing maintenance work while checking the operation of the main body with the cover opened.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1, between a photosensitive member, an image forming apparatus having a full Raihoiru, provided between the flywheel and the photosensitive member, the photosensitive member and the flywheel And a motor for transmitting a driving force to a gear on a shaft connecting the photoconductor and the coupling means, and when the coupling by the coupling means is released, the photoconductor The driving force is transmitted only to the shaft connecting the connecting means and the photosensitive member is rotated, and the flywheel is stopped .
[0008]
In the invention as set forth in claim 1, when performing maintenance work, the flywheel is rotating hard to maintenance work, by operating the coupling means, releasing the connection of the first and second rotary shaft Then, since the rotation of the flywheel is stopped, for example, maintenance work around the flywheel such as screwing the flywheel becomes easy. Further, since the photoconductor is rotating, maintenance work can be easily performed while confirming the image forming operation (copying operation).
[0009]
Invention according to claim 3, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, and openable cover, and a detection means for detecting the opening and closing of said cover, said connecting means, said by the sensing means When the open state of the cover is detected, the connection of the connecting means is released.
[0010]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the connection of the connecting means is released and the rotation of the flywheel is automatically stopped by simply opening the cover, the efficiency of the maintenance work is improved.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the cover that can be opened and closed, a detection unit that detects opening and closing of the cover, a copy start command unit that transmits a copy start signal, When the open state of the cover is detected by the detecting means, the energization to the motor is cut off, and when the closed state of the cover is detected after the open state of the cover is detected, and when the cover is opened. Control means for releasing the interruption of energization to the motor when the copy start signal is received after the state is detected, and the control means receives the copy start signal, The connection is released .
[0012]
In the invention as set forth in claim 4, the control means, the detecting means, when the open state of the cover is detected, cuts off the power supply to the motor, by shutting off the power supply to the motor, once the photosensitive Body and flywheel rotation stops.
[0013]
Further, after the state opening the cover, when detecting that the closing cover cancels the interruption of power supply to the motor. Alternatively, when maintenance work is performed while checking the copy operation after the cover is opened , the operation unit is operated to cause the main body to perform the copy operation. At this time, when the control means receives a copy start signal, performs energization to unblock power supply to the motor, and to release the connection of the connecting means. Accordingly, the motor is driven and the photosensitive member starts rotating, but the flywheel remains stopped because the connection of the connecting means is released.
[0014]
As described above, when performing maintenance of the image forming apparatus equipped with the flywheel, when the cover is opened, the rotation of the photosensitive member and the flywheel is temporarily stopped, and when the control unit receives the copy start signal , the connection is started. The connection by the means is released, the driving force is transmitted only to the shaft connecting the photoconductor and the connection means, the photoconductor is rotated, and the flywheel is stopped . For example, the periphery of the photoconductor such as cleaning the photoconductor is stopped . maintenance work Ri more easily name in the case of maintenance work while confirming the copy operation, only by operating the operation unit, while stopping the flywheel, it is possible to rotate the photosensitive member.
[0015]
In other words, when performing maintenance work that requires stopping the photoconductor and flywheel, the photoconductor and flywheel are stopped, and when performing maintenance work while checking the copy operation, only the photoconductor is rotated. Since the maintenance work can be performed according to the situation, the efficiency of the maintenance work is further improved.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. The copying machine (image forming apparatus) 1 has a photosensitive drum (photosensitive body) 3, and the photosensitive drum 3 carries an electrostatic latent image on its peripheral surface by a writing device (not shown). The copying machine 1 includes a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 3 as a toner image with toner, a paper feeding device that feeds paper, a transfer device that transfers a toner image to paper, and a transfer to paper. Devices such as a fixing device for fixing the toner image thus arranged are arranged, but in the present embodiment, illustration and description thereof are omitted.
[0017]
The photosensitive drum 3 is provided with a first rotating shaft 7, and the first rotating shaft 7 rotates the photosensitive drum 3 by driving a motor 5 described later. A second rotating shaft 11 is connected to one end of the first rotating shaft 7 via an electromagnetic clutch ( connecting means) 9.
[0018]
A drum driving gear 13 is attached between the photosensitive drum 3 and the electromagnetic clutch 9 on the first rotating shaft 7. A motor 5 is disposed in the vicinity of the drum drive gear 13, and the motor 5 has an output gear 17 attached to its output shaft 15. A belt 19 is stretched between the drum driving gear 13 and the output gear 17.
[0019]
When the motor 5 is driven, the rotation of the output gear 17 is transmitted to the drum drive gear 13 via the belt 19. The drum driving gear 13 rotates the first rotating shaft 7 and the photosensitive drum 3 rotates.
[0020]
The second rotary shaft 11, and flywheel 21 is fixed, the second rotating shaft 11, the connection between the first rotation axis 7, and rotates with rotation of the first rotary shaft 7, rotation of the flywheel 21 Let The rotation of the flywheel 21 suppresses the rotational fluctuation of the photosensitive drum 3.
[0021]
That is, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 3, the irradiation control of the light, or the main scanning by the emission control of the laser light, it is formed by combining a sub-scan using the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3. Therefore, when the rotation varies due to the load variation of the photosensitive drum 3, the electrostatic latent image to be formed is collapsed or misaligned, and the image quality is degraded. For this reason, the flywheel 21 is fixed to the second rotating shaft 7 to suppress the rotational fluctuation of the photosensitive drum 3.
[0022]
The electromagnetic clutch 9 is disposed at a connecting portion (not shown) of the first and second rotating shafts 7 and 11 and releases and connects the first rotating shaft 7 and the second rotating shaft 11. When the electromagnetic clutch 9 is on, the first and second rotary shafts 7 and 11 are connected. When the electromagnetic clutch 9 is off, the first and second rotary shafts 7 and 11 are disconnected.
[0023]
The on / off control of the electromagnetic clutch 9 is controlled by a CPU (central processing unit) 25 of a main control (control means) 23 as shown in FIG. That is, the electromagnetic clutch 9 normally connects the first rotating shaft 7 and the second rotating shaft 11, but when receiving a release signal that is a signal for releasing the connection from the CPU 7, the electromagnetic clutch 9 is turned off. The connection between the first rotary shaft 7 and the second rotary shaft 11 is released.
[0024]
Further, the copying machine 1 is provided with an openable / closable cover 27 on the flywheel 21 side, and a micro switch (detecting means) 29 for detecting the opening / closing of the cover 27 is disposed in the vicinity of the cover 27. ing. In the present embodiment, the cover 27 is an exterior plate that covers the rear part of the main body.
[0025]
The microswitch 29 is turned on when the cover 27 is closed, and turned off when the cover 27 is opened, and the CPU 7 controls the electromagnetic clutch 9 by this on / off (see FIG. 2). That is, when the micro switch 29 is turned off, in other words, when the cover 27 is opened, the CPU 7 that has received this off signal (open detection signal) sends a release signal to the electromagnetic clutch 9. Needless to say, when the micro switch 29 is turned on (when the cover 27 is closed), the electromagnetic clutch 9 is turned on by a signal from the CPU 7 and connects the first and second rotary shafts 7 and 11. .
[0026]
Next, based on the above-described configuration, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0027]
When performing maintenance work on the copying machine 1, the cover 27 may be opened to perform the maintenance work. In this case, when the cover 27 is opened (OPEN) in step S1, the micro switch (micro SW) 29 is turned off (OFF) in step S2.
[0028]
When the micro switch 29 is turned off, the CPU 7 sends a release signal to the electromagnetic clutch 9, and in step S3, the electromagnetic clutch 9 is turned off to release the connection between the first and second rotary shafts 7 and 11. When the connection is released, the flywheel 21 is stopped in step S4. Needless to say, the photosensitive drum 3 is rotated by the drive of the motor 5 even when the flywheel 21 is stopped.
[0029]
When performing the maintenance work with the cover 27 opened, the maintenance work is difficult if the flywheel 21 is rotating. In this embodiment, however, the flywheel 21 stops rotating when the cover 27 is opened. Maintenance work such as adjustment of the screw around the flywheel 21 is facilitated. Even if the rotation of the flywheel 21 is stopped, since the photosensitive drum 3 is rotating, maintenance work can be easily performed while confirming the image forming operation (copying operation). Furthermore, since the rotation of the flywheel 21 is automatically stopped only by opening the cover 27, the efficiency of the maintenance work is improved.
[0030]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the description, the same parts as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control operation of the copying machine according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the relay 31 is provided between the motor 5 and the main control 23, which is different from the above-described embodiment. Reference numeral 33 denotes an operation unit. By operating the operation unit 33, various operations of the copying machine 1 such as a copy operation can be performed.
[0032]
In the second embodiment, when the CPU 7 receives an off signal from the micro switch 29 (the cover 27 is opened), the CPU 7 sends a cut-off signal to the relay 31 to cut off energization. When receiving an input signal from the operation unit 33, an energization signal for energizing the relay 31 is sent and a release signal is sent to the electromagnetic clutch 9. Needless to say, the CPU 7 sends an energization signal to the relay 31 when receiving an ON signal from the micro switch 29 (the cover 27 is closed).
[0033]
As described above, the relay 31 is controlled by the CPU 7 that has received the on / off signal of the micro switch 29 and the input signal of the operation unit 33. Turn off the power. When the relay 31 receives a cut-off signal from the CPU 7, the relay 31 is turned off to cut off the energization to the motor 5, and when the relay 31 receives the energization signal from the CPU 7, the relay 31 is turned on to energize the motor 5. I do.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. When the cover 27 is opened in step S11, the microswitch 29 is turned off in step S12, and an off signal is sent to the CPU 7. When the CPU 7 receives the off signal from the micro switch 29, it sends a cut-off signal to the relay 31.
[0035]
In step S13, the relay 31 that has received the cutoff signal is turned off, the power supply to the motor 5 is cut off, and the motor 5 stops. When the motor 5 is stopped, the photosensitive drum 3 and the flywheel 21 are stopped. Since the photosensitive drum 3 and the flywheel 21 are stopped, maintenance work around the photosensitive drum 3 such as cleaning of the photosensitive drum 3 is further facilitated. In the second embodiment, when the maintenance work is completed at the stage of step 13, the cover 27 may be closed as it is.
[0036]
If it is desired to perform maintenance work while confirming the copy operation, the operation unit 33 is operated in step S14 to start the copy operation (copy start). When copying is started, the input signal is sent to the CPU 7, which sends a release signal to the electromagnetic clutch 9 and sends an energization signal to the relay 31.
[0037]
In step S15, the electromagnetic clutch 9 that has received the release signal is turned off, and the connection between the first and second rotary shafts 7 and 11 is released.
[0038]
In step S16, the relay 31 that has received the energization signal starts energizing the motor 5, and the motor 5 is driven.
[0039]
In step S17, when the motor 5 is driven, the photosensitive drum 3 starts rotating while the flywheel 21 is stopped. As a result, maintenance work can be performed while confirming the copy operation.
[0040]
When maintenance work is performed while confirming the copy operation, the photosensitive drum 3 can be rotated while the flywheel 21 is stopped only by operating the operation unit 33. As described above, when the normal maintenance work is performed, the photosensitive drum 3 and the flywheel 21 are stopped, and when the maintenance work is performed while checking the copy operation, only the photosensitive drum 3 is rotated. Therefore, the maintenance work efficiency can be further improved.
[0041]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, various deformation | transformation are possible. For example, the electromagnetic clutch 9 may be configured to be turned on / off manually. Further, the electromagnetic clutch 9 and the relay 31 may be turned on / off by operating the operation unit 33. Furthermore, the present invention is applied to a copying machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same effects can be obtained when applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
In the invention according to claim 1, 2, the connecting means, when releasing the connection of the first and second rotation axis, the rotation of the flywheel is stopped, thereby facilitating maintenance work. Further, since the photoconductor is rotating, maintenance work can be easily performed while confirming the image forming operation (copying operation).
[0043]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, simply opening the cover releases the connection of the connecting means and automatically stops the rotation of the flywheel, thereby improving the efficiency of the maintenance work.
[0044]
In the invention according to the fourth aspect , since the rotation of the photosensitive member and the flywheel is once stopped when the cover is opened, the maintenance work is further facilitated. Further, since maintenance work according to the situation can be performed, the efficiency of the maintenance work is further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a main part of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing control of the copier shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the copier of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing control of the copying machine according to the second embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the copier of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Copier 3 Photosensitive drum 5 Motor 7 First rotating shaft 9 Electromagnetic clutch 11 Second rotating shaft 21 Flywheel 23 Main control (control means)
27 Cover 29 Micro switch 31 Relay 33 Operation section

Claims (4)

A photosensitive member, an image forming apparatus having a full Raihoiru,
A connecting means provided between the photoconductor and the flywheel for connecting and releasing the photoconductor and the flywheel;
A motor for transmitting a driving force to a gear on a shaft connecting the photoconductor and the connecting means;
With
When connected by the connecting means is released, the photosensitive member and the saw driving force in the axis connecting the connecting means to transmit by rotating the photosensitive member, wherein the flywheel is an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the stop . An image forming apparatus including a photoconductor and a flywheel,
A first rotating shaft coupled to the photoreceptor;
A second rotating shaft coupled to the flywheel;
Connecting means for connecting and releasing between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft;
A motor for transmitting a driving force to a gear on the first rotating shaft;
With
When the connection between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft by the connecting means is released, the supply of the driving force of the motor to the flywheel via the gear and the second rotating shaft stops. An image forming apparatus. A cover that can be opened and closed;
Detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the cover,
With
Said coupling means, said when the open state of the cover is detected by the detection means, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to release the connection of said connecting means. A cover that can be opened and closed;
Detecting means for detecting opening and closing of the cover;
A copy start command means for transmitting a copy start signal;
When detecting the open state of the cover by the detecting means, the energization to the motor is cut off, and when the closed state of the cover is detected after the open state of the cover is detected, Control means for releasing the interruption of energization to the motor when the copy start signal is received after an open state is detected;
With
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit releases the connection of the connection unit when receiving the copy start signal.

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