JP4331954B2 - Unit support device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a unit support device and an image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a configuration for setting the positional relationship between image carriers when a structure in which a plurality of image carriers are arranged in parallel is a target.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a printing machine, an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member that is a latent image carrier is subjected to a visible image processing by a developing device, and a visible image is obtained. A recording output can be obtained by transferring to a sheet or the like.
[0003]
In addition to the configuration in which one photoconductor is provided for only a single color, there is a configuration in which a plurality of photoconductors are provided for forming images of a plurality of colors. In the latter case, a multicolor image including a full color image is formed. Used in cases.
For example, as a method for obtaining a full-color image, a color image formed for each photoconductor using toner of a color complementary to the color separation color is sequentially superposed and transferred onto a conveyed sheet or a photosensitivity. The color images for each body are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer body or the conveyed sheet, and the respective images are superimposed.
When the superimposed image is directly superimposed on the sheet, the sheet is fixed by being conveyed to the fixing device, and is also collectively transferred to the sheet conveyed when the intermediate transfer member is used. After that, the image is fixed.
[0004]
On the other hand, as one of the configurations in the case of using a plurality of photoconductors, in the configuration employing the latter method among the above methods, a photoconductor capable of forming an image for each color is superimposed on an image from this photoconductor. There is a so-called tandem structure in which an intermediate transfer member using a belt capable of adsorbing and conveying a transfer or a sheet is juxtaposed along the extending direction (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
In the image forming apparatus, there are cases where maintenance and inspection are performed on devices and members used starting with the photosensitive member. For this reason, a configuration has been proposed in which a photosensitive member and various image forming apparatuses arranged around the photosensitive member are configured as a unit, and these units can be inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus (for example, patents). Reference 1).
[0006]
In a configuration in which the unit can be inserted and removed, particularly in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of photoconductors so that multicolor image formation is possible, the positional relationship between various apparatuses inserted in the image forming apparatus is made appropriate. It is necessary to prevent image misalignment when overlaid and transferred.
[0007]
Conventionally, as a configuration for setting the positional relationship between photoconductors, as shown in Patent Document 1, a support shaft of the photoconductor is mounted on a face plate that can open and close an insertion / removal opening formed in an image forming apparatus. The structure which provides an insertion support part and positions the spindle insertion support parts is proposed.
[0008]
As another configuration, there is a configuration in which a guide member in which a hole into which the unit can be inserted is formed for each unit is provided, and the guide member is detachable from the image forming apparatus (for example, Patent Document 2).
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-139976 (paragraph "0056" column, FIG. 7)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-8-36346 (paragraph “0029” column, FIG. 4)
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a configuration in which the support shaft or unit of the photosensitive member can be inserted, it is necessary to provide a margin for fitting in the insertion portion. For this reason, when a photoconductor or a unit is inserted, a dimensional difference is generated between the photoconductor and the object to be inserted in the insertion portion, and the positional relationship between the photoconductors or the units is slightly due to the dimensional difference. However, unlike the intended state, as a result, there is a possibility of causing an image transfer position shift at the time of color overlap transfer performed at the time of multicolor image formation. The deviation of the image transfer position causes a defective image such as a color deviation.
[0011]
On the other hand, in the case of using a face plate as in Patent Document 1 when inserting or removing the photosensitive member or unit, in the case of a configuration in which the insertion / removal opening is exposed by lifting the face plate upward and opening it, the face plate in the open position When observing the insertion / removal opening, the direction of the line of sight is obstructed, and it is difficult to perform the insertion / removal operation. The face plate may be damaged.
[0012]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the problems in the conventional photoconductor or unit support device, it is an object of the present invention to easily and practically perform positioning between image forming portions that do not cause color misregistration and breakage of a member used for positioning or a unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a unit support device and an image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of reliably eliminating the danger at the time of insertion / removal operation.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus for supporting a plurality of units in which a device for performing one step of image forming processing can be inserted into and removed from a storage position and a pull-out position. A face plate that faces the insertion / removal opening and that can open and close the insertion / removal opening is provided, and the face plate is provided with a support portion of the device provided in the plurality of units, and the insertion / removal opening Is provided with an insertion fitting portion having a V-shaped inclined surface that expands upward, through which the support shaft of the device is inserted, and the support portion is provided when the face plate closes the insertion / removal opening. The support shaft of the device is biased toward the V-shaped inclined surface in contact with the support shaft of the device. With a configuration The configuration for biasing the spindle is as follows: An inclined surface that can be brought into contact with the bearing of the support shaft, and a biasing setting member that is slidable in a direction in which the inclined surface comes into contact with and pushes and moves the bearing. With The plurality of bias setting members are moved in a direction in which a support shaft inserted into the insertion portion of the support portion is pushed toward a V-shaped inclined surface provided in the insertion portion. The ability to position the spindles between units It is a feature.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the invention according to claim 1, the face plate is configured to be able to open and close the opening by being tilted with the lower edge side of the opening for insertion / removal as a fulcrum. Yes.
[0016]
Claim 3 In addition to the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the bias setting member is arranged in one of the sliding directions and is rotated according to the pressing state of the eccentric member that can be rotated from the outside of the cover member. By sliding, a part of the device is pressed against a part of the insertion part of the positioning member to be positioned.
[0017]
Claim 4 The described invention is claimed. 3 In addition to the described invention, the eccentric member is characterized in that it can maintain the pressing state against the displacement setting member by maintaining its rotational position.
[0018]
Claim 5 The invention described in claim 3 to claim 3 4 In addition to the invention described in one of the above, the insertion portion into which the part of the device in the positioning member is inserted has an inclined surface into which a part of the device can be fitted, and the inclination It is characterized in that it can be positioned by pressing a part of the device against one of the surfaces.
[0019]
Claim 6 The invention described in claims 1 to 5 The unit support device described in one of the above is used for an image forming apparatus.
[0020]
Claim 7 The described invention is claimed. 6 In addition to the described invention, the plurality of units are used for an image forming unit capable of forming images of different colors.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus that uses a unit support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is a color that can form a full-color image using a tandem method. It is a printer. In the present invention, not only the printer shown in FIG. 1 but also a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printing machine or the like is included as an image forming apparatus.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 20 includes the following apparatuses.
Image forming devices 21Y, 21C, 21M, and 21K that form images of respective colors according to the original image, transfer devices 22 that are arranged to face the image forming devices 21Y, 21C, 21M, and 21K, and the respective image forming devices A manual feed tray 23 as a sheet supply means for supplying a recording sheet to a transfer area where the devices 21Y, 21C, 21M, 21K and the transfer device 22 face each other; a paper feed cassette 24A provided in the paper feed device 24; A registration roller 30 that supplies the recording sheet conveyed from the tray 23 or the paper feed cassette 24 in accordance with the image forming timing by the image forming devices 21Y, 21C, 21M, and 21K, and fixing of the sheet-like medium after transfer in the transfer region. The fixing device 1 performs the above.
Although not described in detail, the fixing device 1 undergoes processes of melting and softening and permeating the image by the action of heat and pressure using a heating roller and a pressure roller that can face each other across the conveyance path of the recording sheet. A heat roller fixing method for fixing an image on a recording sheet is used.
[0023]
The transfer device 22 uses a belt (hereinafter referred to as a transfer belt) 22A that is wound around a plurality of rollers as a transfer body, and applies a transfer bias to a position facing the photosensitive drum in each image forming device. The transfer bias means 22Y, 22C, 22M, and 22K are arranged so as to apply a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner, thereby sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner images formed by the respective image forming devices.
In the transfer device 22, secondary transfer bias means 22 </ b> F for transferring the toner images superimposed and transferred onto the transfer belt 22 </ b> A to the recording sheet at once is arranged on the recording sheet conveyance path.
[0024]
The image forming apparatus 20 includes plain paper generally used for copying and the like, 90K paper such as an OHP sheet, a card, and a postcard, and a basis weight of about 100 g / m. ² Any of so-called special sheets having a larger heat capacity than that of paper such as considerably thicker paper or envelopes can be used as the recording sheet.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, each of the image forming devices 21Y, 21C, 21M, and 21K develops colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, respectively, and uses the same toner color, but has the same configuration. The configuration of the image forming device 21K will be described as a representative of the image forming devices 21Y, 21C, 21M, and 21K.
The image forming device 21K includes a photosensitive drum 25K as an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging device 27K, a developing device 26K, and a cleaning device 28K that are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 25K. A configuration is used in which an electrostatic latent image is formed between the device 27K and the developing device 26M according to image information corresponding to the color separated by the writing light 29K from the writing device 29. In addition to the drum shape, the electrostatic latent image carrier may have a belt shape. Image forming devices arranged around these photosensitive drums, in other words, image forming devices are collectively housed in a cartridge to constitute an image forming unit.
In the image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1, since the transfer device 22 extends obliquely, the space occupied by the transfer device 22 in the horizontal direction can be reduced.
[0026]
In the image forming apparatus 20 having the above configuration, image formation is performed based on the following steps and conditions. In the following description, an image forming apparatus in which image formation is performed using black toner denoted by reference numeral 21K on behalf of each image forming apparatus will be described, but the same applies to other image forming apparatuses. Preface.
At the time of image formation, the photosensitive drum 25K is rotationally driven by a main motor (not shown), is neutralized by an AC bias (DC component is zero) applied to the charging device 27K, and its surface potential is set to a reference potential of about −50V. Is done.
Next, the photosensitive drum 25K is uniformly charged to a potential substantially equal to the DC component by applying a DC bias superimposed with an AC bias to the charging device 27K, and the surface potential thereof is approximately −500 V to −700 V (target). The charging potential is determined by a process control unit).
[0027]
When the photosensitive drum 25K is uniformly charged, a writing process is executed. An image to be written is written for forming an electrostatic latent image using a writing device 29 in accordance with digital image information from a controller unit (not shown). That is, in the writing device 29, laser light from a laser light source that emits light based on a laser diode light emission signal binarized for each color corresponding to digital image information is converted into a cylinder lens (not shown), a polygon motor 29A, A photosensitive drum that carries an image for each color via the fθ lens 29B, the first to third mirrors, and the WTL lens. In this case, for convenience, the photosensitive drum 25K is irradiated with the irradiated portion. The surface potential on the surface of the photosensitive drum becomes approximately −50 V, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed.
[0028]
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 25K is subjected to visible image processing by using a toner having a color complementary to the color separation color by the developing device 26K. In the developing process, an AC bias is applied to the developing sleeve. The toner (Q / M: -20 to -30 μC / g) is developed only in the image portion where the potential is lowered by the irradiation of the writing light by applying DC: −300 V to −500 V with the superimposed toner, and the toner image Is formed.
[0029]
Each color toner image that has undergone a visible image process in the development process is transferred to a recording sheet that is fed out with registration timing set by a registration roller 30, but the recording sheet is transferred to a roller before reaching the transfer belt 22A. The sheet is biased electrostatically to the transfer belt 22A by applying a suction bias by the sheet suction bias means configured as described above.
The transfer belt 22A is separated from the photosensitive drum by applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner by the transfer bias means 22Y, 22C, 22M, and 22BK provided in the transfer device 22 at a position facing the photosensitive drum in each image forming device. The toner image is electrostatically transferred and the superimposed toner image is collectively transferred to the recording sheet by the secondary transfer bias unit 22F.
[0030]
The recording sheet that has undergone the transfer process of each color is separated from the transfer belt 22A by the driving side roller (for convenience, indicated by reference numeral 22A1 in FIG. 1), is conveyed toward the fixing device 1, and is added to the fixing belt. By passing through a fixing nip composed of a pressure roller, the toner image is fixed on the recording sheet and discharged to the paper discharge tray 32.
The image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 can perform not only image formation on one side of a recording sheet discharged after fixing, but also image formation on both sides. At the time of image formation on both sides, The recording sheet after fixing is conveyed to the reverse circulation path RP, and is fed toward the registration roller 30 by a feeding roller RP1 that is positioned at the end of the circulation path and also serves to feed out the sheet from the manual feed tray 23. Switching of the conveyance path of the recording sheet at the time of image formation on one side or both sides is performed by a conveyance path switching claw RP2 disposed behind the fixing device 1.
[0031]
The physical properties including the above-described charging potential are not limited to the above values, and can of course be changed according to color, density, and the like. In FIG. 1, reference numerals T1 to T4 denote toner supply tanks used in the developing device.
[0032]
FIG. 2 is a view showing a support structure of each image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 2, a side wall panel 40 which is a part of a chassis provided in the image forming apparatus 20 is shown. .
The side wall panel 40 is provided with an insertion / removal opening 40 </ b> A composed of openings inclined along the arrangement direction of the image forming devices 25 </ b> Y, 25 </ b> C, 25 </ b> M, 25 </ b> K.
The insertion / removal opening 40A is an opening used when exchanging a replacement target part in the image forming apparatus, and so that each image forming apparatus unitized can be attached / detached via the insertion / removal opening 40A. It has become.
[0033]
An openable / closable face plate 41 is provided in the insertion / removal opening 40A.
The face plate 41 is an opening / closing member for the insertion / removal opening 40A, and the position of the photosensitive drum used in the image forming apparatus constituting the unit is biased in one direction to define a predetermined positional relationship between the image forming apparatuses. It is used as a member for
FIG. 3 is an exploded view for explaining the configuration of the face plate 40. In the figure, the face plate 40 is mounted in a cover 42 having a size capable of covering the insertion / removal opening 40A and the inside of the cover 42. A bearing 43 (see FIG. 2) attached to a spindle that forms a part of the photosensitive drum on the image forming unit side, and rollers (rollers indicated by reference numerals 22A1, 22A2 in FIG. 1) around which the transfer belt is wound. Positioning member 44 having insertion portions 44A and 44B into which a bearing into which a support shaft is inserted (for convenience sake, only one location is shown in FIG. 2 and indicated by reference numeral 43 ') can be inserted; A biasing setting member 45 is provided between the member 44 and slidable along the surface of the positioning member 44.
[0034]
The cover 42 is a molded product having a dish-shaped cross section, and a pair of hinge portions 42A are formed on the lower edge. A hinge shaft 46 is provided between the hinge portion 42A and the support portion of the side wall panel 40. It is designed to be inserted.
When the hinge shaft 46 is positioned on the lower edge side of the insertion opening 40A, the face plate 41 is raised and lowered with the lower edge side of the insertion opening 40A as a fulcrum so that the insertion opening 40A can be opened and closed.
[0035]
An opening / closing handle 47 for holding the face plate 40 in a closed state is provided at the opening / closing end of the cover 42, that is, at the opening / closing end facing the upper edge side of the insertion opening 40 </ b> A. It has become.
The opening / closing handle 47 is attached to a surface facing the cover 42 with an elastic piece 48 having a pair of cross-sections that can be engaged by sandwiching a locking portion formed on the upper edge of the cover 42 and having a U-shaped sideways. And integrated with the cover 42.
[0036]
The elastic piece 48 can hold the opening / closing handle 47 on the side of the wall panel 40 by engaging the engaging part (not shown) provided in the wall panel 40 with the open part, whereby the face plate 41 is inserted and removed. 40A can be kept closed. Therefore, when the face plate 41 is opened, the elastic piece 48 is detached from the engaging portion of the wall panel 40 by applying a force equal to or greater than the clamping pressure in the meshed state of the elastic piece 48 in the opening direction of the face plate 41.
[0037]
The positioning member 44 is integrated by being fastened to the cover 42, and among the insertion portions, the insertion for the bearing 43 through which the support shaft of the photosensitive drum is inserted. As shown in FIG. 4, the portion 44A has a V-shaped inclined surface 44A1 that expands upward, and is inserted into rollers 22A1 and 22A2 around which the transfer belt is wound (for convenience, FIG. Similarly, the insertion portion 44B, which is indicated by reference numeral 43 'in FIGS. 3 and 4, has a V-shaped inclined surface 44B1 that expands upward. In FIG. 4B, reference numeral 44C denotes a slope formed at the inner edge of the V-shaped slope, and the slope 44C is a bearing 43, 43 when the face plate 41 closes the insertion opening 40A. It is used as a guide that makes it easy to introduce 'into the insertion part.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 3, the bias setting member 45 is configured such that a screw 49 fastened to the positioning member 44 is inserted into the elongated hole 45 </ b> A so that each image forming device is guided along the surface of the positioning member 44 using the screw 49 as a guide. The inclined surfaces 45B and 45C are formed at positions facing the bearings 43 and 43 'located in the insertion portions 44A and 44B of the positioning member 44, respectively. Yes.
[0039]
The inclined surfaces 45B and 45C abut against the bearings 43 and 43 'and push them to deflect the bearings 43 and 43' in one direction. As a drive structure for biasing, the eccentric surfaces shown in FIG. A member 50 and a return spring 51 are provided. The eccentric member 50 is a swinging member that is inserted into the cover 41 and whose shaft end of the support shaft is fitted to the positioning member 44 and is rotatably supported. The eccentric member 50 faces the one end in the sliding direction of the deviation setting member 45. A cam 50A and an operation handle portion 50B provided coaxially with the cam 50A and capable of rotating from the outside are provided.
3 and 4, the eccentric cam 50A in the eccentric member 50 has a swing end formed of a cam profile having a swing radius with the support shaft of the eccentric member 50 as a base end, and an operation handle portion. The position of the cam profile is set so that the maximum diameter portion on the extension line from the center to the swing end in the cam profile is parallel to the state opposed to one end in the sliding direction of the deflection setting member 45 and parallel to the state. It can be done.
[0040]
The return spring 51 has a biasing force that pulls the bias setting member 45 in a direction opposite to the direction pushed by the eccentric member 50, and one end is formed on the positioning member 44 side and the other end is formed on the bias setting member 45. Each of the latching portions 45A is latched and the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the juxtaposing direction of the image forming apparatus.
[0041]
The eccentric member 50 has a minimum diameter portion facing the bias setting member 45 in the cam profile, and when the so-called maximum diameter portion is parallel to one end surface in the sliding direction of the bias setting member 45, the return spring 51 is provided. The state is maintained under the urging force of. In contrast to this state, when the maximum diameter portion of the cam profile is opposed to the one end surface in the sliding direction of the bias setting member 45 at a right angle, the original state, that is, the maximum The state where the small diameter portion does not return to the state where the small diameter portion abuts against the bias setting member 45 is maintained.
In the present embodiment, when the maximum diameter portion of the cam profile comes into contact with one end surface of the deviation setting member 45 in the sliding direction, the bearings 43, 43 ′ are inserted into the positioning member 44 by the inclined surfaces 45 A, 45 B of the deviation setting member 45. This is a state of pressing against one of the inclined surfaces of the fitting portions 44A and 44B. In this state, the operation handle portion 50B of the eccentric member 50 is in a suspended state.
[0042]
The operation handle 50B has a swingable shape, and a locking piece 50B1 (see FIG. 3) is provided on a part of the swing end extended from the base end so as to project in a direction perpendicular to the swing end. . The locking piece 50 </ b> B <b> 1 has an overhanging length that overlaps with the opening / closing handle 47 when the operation handle portion 50 </ b> B is suspended, and is positioned on the front surface of the opening / closing handle 47 to cover the opening / closing handle 47. ing. The timing at which the locking piece 50B1 overlaps with the opening / closing handle 47 is when the image forming devices are positioned by operating the operation handle 50B. At this time, the locking piece 50B1 moves the opening / closing handle 47 open. This prevents the face plate 41 from being inadvertently opened.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the insertion / removal opening 40A is opened when the imaging device is exchanged in the above-described configuration. In this case, the face plate 41 can open the insertion opening 40 </ b> A by holding the opening / closing handle 47 and tilting the cover 42 downward with a force equal to or greater than the clamping pressure of the elastic piece 49.
Since the face plate 40 is tilted with the lower edge side of the insertion opening 40A as a fulcrum, the open / close end side is positioned on the lower edge side of the insertion opening 40A, thereby making the insertion opening 40A easily visible from above. This makes it easy to take out the image forming apparatus during replacement work and confirm the work position during installation. In addition, since it has a downward opening structure, in other words, since it is open in the direction of gravity, the insertion / removal opening 40A is not inadvertently closed, thereby avoiding the danger of pinching a hand. Can do.
[0044]
When closing the insertion opening 40 </ b> A by the face plate 41, the face plate 41 is raised by a procedure reverse to the above-described opening, and the elastic piece 49 is clamped and fixed to the side wall panel 40 side.
When the face plate 41 is closed in a state of covering the insertion opening 40 </ b> A, the eccentric member 50 is operated to position the image forming devices by the bias setting member 45. That is, the eccentric member 50 inserted through the face plate 42 in the closed state is rotated so that the maximum diameter portion of the eccentric cam 50 </ b> A contacts and abuts one end of the displacement setting member 45 in the sliding direction. As a result, the deflection setting member 45 is pushed and moved by the eccentric cam 50B, and as shown in FIG. 4, the deflection setting member 45 is slid and the inclined portions 44A and 45B insert the insertion portions 44A and 44B of the positioning member 44. The bearings 43 and 43 ′ inserted and attached are biased toward one of the inclined surfaces and pressed. As a result, the position of the photosensitive drum in each image forming device and the positional relationship of the transfer belt 22A facing the photosensitive drum are both defined by the inclined surface of the insertion portion of the positioning member 44 due to the deviation in the same direction. This means that the predetermined positioning has been performed.
[0045]
When the face plate 41 closes the insertion opening 40 </ b> A, the elastic piece 48 is maintained in the closed state by engaging the wall panel 40, and the locking piece included in the operation handle portion 50 </ b> B of the eccentric member 50. By maintaining the state where 50B1 overlaps the opening / closing handle 47, the state where the face plate 41 is not opened carelessly is maintained.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
According to invention of Claim 1, in the support part provided in the face plate which can open and close the opening for insertion / removal When the face plate closes the insertion / removal opening, the face plate abuts against the support shaft of the device and biases the support shaft of the device toward the V-shaped inclined surface. A bias setting member is formed which is formed with an inclined surface capable of abutting against the bearing, and is slidable in a direction in which the bearing can be deflected by abutting and moving the inclined surface against the bearing. Because it has The plurality of bias setting members are moved in a direction in which a support shaft inserted into the insertion portion of the support portion is pushed toward a V-shaped inclined surface provided in the insertion portion. The spindles between the units can be positioned. This Even when a dimensional error or the like occurs in the support part of the device, a plurality of units can be forcibly positioned at appropriate positions, and color misalignment when using a plurality of units can be prevented. .
[0047]
According to the invention described in claim 2, since the opening can be opened and closed by raising and lowering the face plate using the lower edge of the insertion / removal opening as a fulcrum, the opening is brought down when the opening is opened. Thus, the insertion / removal opening does not obstruct the line-of-sight direction from above by the face plate, and the state near the opening during the insertion / removal operation can be easily visually recognized from the upper outside, thereby improving the operability. At the same time, it is possible to prevent danger such as pinching a hand by not inadvertently closing the insertion / removal opening.
It becomes possible.
[0049]
Claim 3 and 4 According to the described invention, the bias setting member uses a configuration in which each unit is biased in one direction by a pressing operation by the eccentric member, and further, the biased state can be maintained, so that each unit is biased in one direction. It is possible to maintain a state that defines a positional relationship corresponding to the state.
[0050]
Claim 5 According to the described invention, since the insertion portion included in the support portion of the positioning member has a shape having an inclined surface into which a part of the device can be fitted, each unit even when biased in one direction Since they are positioned on the inclined surface under the same conditions, it is possible to define the positional relationship between the units under the same conditions.
[0051]
Claim 6 and 7 According to the described invention, when a plurality of units perform image formation of different colors, it is possible to define the positional relationship between the units, thereby preventing the occurrence of defective images such as color misregistration. Become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus to which a unit support device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an installation position of a unit support device in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.
3 is an exploded view for explaining a main configuration of the unit support device shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation by the configuration of the main part of the unit support device shown in FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view, and FIG. 4B is denoted by reference numeral (B) in FIG. It is a cross section of a direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Printer
40 Wall panel
40A insertion opening
41 face plate
42 Cover
44 Positioning member
44A, 44B Insertion part
44A1, 44B1 inclined surface
45 Deviation setting member
45A, 45B inclined surface
50 Eccentric member
50A eccentric cam
50B operation unit

Claims (7)

An apparatus for supporting a plurality of units that can be inserted into and removed from a storage position and a pull-out position of a device for performing one step of image forming processing,
A face plate that faces the insertion / removal openings of the plurality of units and that can open / close the insertion / removal openings is provided. The insertion / removal opening is provided with an insertion portion having a V-shaped inclined surface that expands upward, through which the support shaft of the device is inserted,
The support unit includes a structure in which the surface plate is Ru biases the support shaft of the device toward the V-shaped inclined surface in contact with the support shaft of the instrument when the closing the insertion and removal opening,
In the configuration for biasing the support shaft, an inclined surface that can contact the bearing of the support shaft is formed, and the inclined surface contacts the bearing and is pushed and moved to slide the bearing in a direction that can be biased. A movable bias setting member is provided,
The plurality of bias setting members are moved in a direction in which a support shaft inserted into the insertion portion of the support portion is pushed toward a V-shaped inclined surface provided in the insertion portion. A unit support device capable of positioning a spindle between units. The unit support device according to claim 1,
The unit support device according to claim 1, wherein the face plate is configured to be able to open and close the opening by being tilted with the lower edge side of the insertion / removal opening as a fulcrum. The unit support device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The displacement setting member is arranged in one of the sliding directions and slides according to the pressing state of the eccentric member that can be rotated from the outside of the cover member, thereby inserting a part of the device into the positioning member. A unit support device characterized by being configured to be pressed against a part of a portion for positioning . The unit support device according to claim 3 , wherein
The unit support device according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric member is configured to be able to maintain a pressing state of the eccentric setting member by holding its rotational position . In the unit support device according to claim 3 or 4 ,
The insertion portion into which a part of the device in the positioning member is inserted has an inclined surface into which a part of the device can be fitted, and a part of the device is pressed against one of the inclined surfaces. A unit support device characterized in that positioning is possible . An image forming apparatus using the unit support device according to claim 1 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the plurality of units are used in an image forming unit capable of forming images of different colors .

Images