JP4487886B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, paper (recording medium) is separated and fed one by one while being sandwiched between a paper feed roller and a paper feed pad. Therefore, paper dust and other deposits are likely to be generated on the paper due to rubbing with the paper feed pad, and if such deposits enter the toner or adhere to the formed image, the image quality will deteriorate. I will invite you.

Therefore, for example, an antistatic deposit removing roller (paper dust removing roller) is provided in the paper transport path, and the deposit generated on the sheet is transferred to the deposit removing roller when the deposit removing roller rotates. While adhering, the adhering matter adhered to the adhering matter removing roller is scraped off by a scraping member made of sponge or the like. And the deposit | attachment scraped off by the scraping member is stored in an deposit | attachment storage container.
JP 2003-81477 A

  By the way, when a paper jam occurs during image formation, it is necessary to open the cover of the main body casing and perform a jam clearing operation. At this time, if the deposit removing roller is present in the main body casing, the deposit removing roller may be in the way and it may be difficult to remove the jam.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily eliminating a jam.

As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is provided with a main body casing , a cover capable of opening and closing the opening of the main body casing, and the main body casing to form an image on a recording medium. A process cartridge for the recording medium; a belt unit disposed below the process cartridge for conveying the recording medium; and a conveyance path for conveying the recording medium toward the belt unit. in the image forming apparatus having a deposit removal means for removing deposits adhering to the medium, and a deposit storage means is deposits removed is stored by the deposit removal means, the deposit removal means Is provided in the cover, and the deposit storage means is provided in the main body casing. That.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium according to the first aspect, the cover removes the deposit removed by the deposit removing means in the width direction of the transport path of the recording medium. The deposit | attachment conveyance means conveyed to the outside of this conveyance path | route is provided, and the deposit | attachment conveyed by the said deposit | attachment conveyance means has the characteristics in the place stored by the said deposit | attachment storage means.

Invention of Claim 3 is the thing of Claim 1 or Claim 2, The said deposit storage means is a deposit storage container by which deposit is stored inside, The said deposit storage container is the said characterized in arranged on the lower side of the space of the belt unit Tei Rutokoro.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention , the belt unit for conveying the recording medium to the downstream side is provided on the downstream side of the deposit removal means, and the deposit storage means is The adhering matter passage hole through which the adhering matter removed by the adhering matter removing means passes is arranged in the vertical direction at the end of the belt unit in the width direction of the conveying path. It is characterized in that deposits that are formed through and pass through the deposit passage holes are stored in the deposit storage means .

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided the paper feeding cassette according to the third or fourth aspect , wherein the recording medium is stored below the belt unit and can be inserted into and removed from the main casing. The deposit storage container is characterized in that it is disposed on the side of the paper feed cassette.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided the paper feeding cassette according to the third or fourth aspect , wherein the recording medium is accommodated below the belt unit and can be inserted into and removed from the main casing. The deposit storage container is characterized in that it is provided at an end portion in the width direction of the transport path of the recording medium inside the sheet feeding cassette.

<Invention of Claim 1>
According to this structure, since the deposit removing means is provided on the cover, the deposit removing means can be moved along with the opening of the cover when the cover is opened. Therefore, even when the recording medium is jammed inside the main body casing, the deposit removing means does not get in the way, so that it is easy to eliminate the jam. Further, since the deposits are stored in the deposit storage means provided inside the main body casing, it is easier to secure the volume necessary for storing deposits than the configuration in which the deposit storage means is provided on the cover side. . Furthermore, since deposits are stored inside the main casing, the deposits are less likely to be scattered when the cover is opened than when deposits are stored on the cover side.

<Invention of Claim 2>
When the deposit storage means is provided above the transport path of the recording medium, it is often necessary to provide the deposit storage means in a limited small space. However, according to this configuration, the deposit storage means can be provided in a relatively wide space outside the transport path of the recording medium. In addition, since the adhering material conveying means is provided in the cover in the same manner as the adhering material removing means, the adhering material conveying means can be moved along with the opening of the cover when the cover is opened. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a jam of the recording medium that occurs inside the main casing.

<Invention of Claim 3>
According to this configuration, not only can the space below the conveyance path be effectively used, but also a sufficient storage volume for the deposit can be secured. Further, the deposit can be stored naturally without going against the direction of gravity.

<Invention of Claim 4>
According to this configuration, the removed deposit can be stored in the deposit storage means below the belt unit.

<Invention of Claim 5 >
According to this configuration, the space on the side of the paper feed cassette can be used effectively.

<Invention of Claim 6 >
According to this configuration, the space inside the paper feed cassette can be used effectively.

<Embodiment 1>
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1. Overall Configuration of Laser Printer FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a laser printer 1 as an image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the laser printer 1 with the front cover 3 opened. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the laser printer 1 in a state in which the paper feed cassette 7 is pulled out. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the laser printer 1. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the AA plane in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which paper dust attached to the paper is removed. In the following description, the right side in FIG.

  The laser printer 1 is a direct transfer tandem type color laser printer, and includes a substantially box-shaped main body casing 2 as shown in FIG. A front cover 3 (corresponding to the “cover” of the present invention) that can be opened and closed is provided on the front surface of the main casing 2, and as shown in FIG. As a result, the process cartridge 26 and the belt unit 15 in the main body casing 2 can be replaced (detached), and the paper 4 jam occurring inside the main body casing 2 can be eliminated. The front cover 3 is provided with a configuration for removing paper dust from the paper 4, and the specific configuration will be described in detail later.

  On the upper surface of the main casing 2, a paper discharge tray 5 on which the paper 4 after image formation is stacked is formed.

A paper feed cassette 7 on which paper 4 for forming an image is loaded is attached to the lower portion of the main casing 2 so as to be drawn forward (inserted / removed).
The paper feed cassette 7 has a box shape with the top opened, and a paper pressing portion that can tilt to lift the front end side of the paper 4 by the bias of the spring 8 is applied to the paper storage portion 7B in the paper feed cassette 7. A plate 9 is provided. Further, a pickup roller 10 and a separation pad 11 that presses against the pickup roller 10 by biasing of a spring (not shown) are provided above the front end portion 7C of the sheet storage portion 7B. Further, a pair of paper feed rollers 12 (12A, 12B) are provided obliquely in front of the pickup roller 10, and a pair of registration rollers 13 (13A, 13B) are provided above the pair of paper feed rollers 12 (12A, 12B). Note that the registration roller 13A also functions as a paper dust removing roller described later.

  Here, the front side paper feed roller 12A (corresponding to the “guide roller” of the present invention) and the separation pad 11 are integrally provided in the paper feed cassette 7. Therefore, when the paper feed cassette 7 is pulled out, the paper feed roller 12A and the separation pad 11 are pulled out integrally with the paper feed cassette 7 as shown in FIG. As a result, even when the paper 4 is jammed in the vicinity of the pickup roller 10 or the paper feed rollers 12A and 12B, the paper jam is resolved by taking out the paper 4 after the paper feed cassette 7 is pulled out. Can be easily done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the uppermost sheet 4 of the sheet feeding cassette 7 is pressed toward the pickup roller 10 by the sheet pressing plate 9, and the pickup roller 10 is rotated between the pickup roller 10 and the separation pad 11 by the rotation of the pickup roller 10. Each sheet is separated when sandwiched between. Then, the paper 4 sent out between the pickup roller 10 and the separation pad 11 is sent (guided) to the registration roller 13 by the paper feed roller 12. The registration roller 13 registers the paper 4 at a predetermined timing and sends it out toward the downstream (rear) side conveying belt 18.

  Here, a protruding portion 98 that protrudes slightly upward is formed in the conveyance path of the paper 4 from the registration roller 13 to the belt unit 15 within the main body casing 2. The paper 4 is conveyed to a conveyance path on the belt unit 15 at a slightly lower position.

Inside the main casing 2, a scanner unit 27, four process cartridges 26, and a belt unit 15 are provided.
The scanner unit 27 is fixed to the upper part inside the main casing 2 and irradiates the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 31 with laser light L for each color based on predetermined image data at high speed.

The four process cartridges 26 are arranged below the scanner unit 27, and can be attached and detached in the front-rear direction corresponding to the colors magenta, yellow, cyan, and black.
Each process cartridge 26 includes a frame-shaped cartridge frame 30, a photosensitive drum 31 and a scorotron charger 32 provided below the cartridge frame 30, and a developing cartridge 34 that is detachably attached to the cartridge frame 30. And.

  The photoconductor drum 31 includes a grounded metal drum body, and the surface layer thereof is covered with a positively chargeable photoconductive layer made of polycarbonate or the like.

  The scorotron charger 32 is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 31 at a predetermined interval so as not to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 31 in the diagonally upper rear side of the photosensitive drum 31. The scorotron charger 32 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to positive polarity by generating corona discharge from a charging wire such as tungsten.

  The developing cartridge 34 has a substantially box shape, and a toner storage chamber 38 is provided in an upper portion thereof, and a supply roller 39, a developing roller 40, and a layer thickness regulating blade 41 are provided below the developing cartridge 34. Each toner storage chamber 38 stores, as a developer, positively chargeable nonmagnetic one-component toner of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Each toner storage chamber 38 is provided with an agitator 42 for stirring the toner.

  The supply roller 39 is configured by coating a metal roller shaft with a conductive foam material, and the developing roller 40 is configured by coating the metal roller shaft with a conductive rubber material. Yes. The toner discharged from the toner storage chamber 38 is supplied to the developing roller 40 by the rotation of the supply roller 39 and is positively frictionally charged between the supply roller 39 and the developing roller 40. Further, the toner supplied onto the developing roller 40 enters between the layer thickness regulating blade 41 and the developing roller 40 with the rotation of the developing roller 40, where it is further sufficiently frictionally charged to have a constant thickness. It is carried on the developing roller 40 as a thin layer.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is first uniformly charged positively by the scorotron charger 32 when rotating. Thereafter, exposure is performed by high-speed scanning of laser light from the scanner unit 27, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image to be formed on the paper 4 is formed.

  Next, when the developing roller 40 rotates and the positively charged toner carried on the developing roller 40 comes into contact with and faces the photosensitive drum 31, a static image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is formed. The electric latent image is supplied. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is visualized, and a toner image by reversal development is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

  Thereafter, the toner image carried on the surface of each photosensitive drum 31 is transferred while the paper 4 conveyed by the conveying belt 18 passes through each transfer position between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 19. The images are sequentially transferred onto the paper 4 by a negative transfer bias applied to the roller 19. The sheet 4 having the toner image transferred thereon is then conveyed to the fixing device 43.

  The fixing device 43 is disposed behind the conveyance belt 18 in the main body casing 2. The fixing device 43 includes a heating roller 44 that is rotationally driven with a heat source such as a halogen lamp, and a pressure roller 45 that is disposed below the heating roller 44 so as to face the heating roller 44 and is driven to rotate. It has. The fixing device 43 fixes the toner image on the paper 4 by heating the paper 4 carrying the four color toner images while being nipped and conveyed by the heating roller 44 and the pressure roller 45. The heat-fixed paper 4 is transported to a paper discharge roller 47 provided on the upper portion of the main body casing 2 by a transport roller 46 disposed obliquely above and rearward of the fixing device 43, and the paper discharge roller 47 performs the above-described operation. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 5.

  The belt unit 15 is provided below the process cartridge 26, and includes a pair of support rollers 16 and 17 that are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and a conveyor belt 18 that is horizontally installed between the support rollers 16 and 17. And is detachable from the main casing 2.

  The rear support roller 17 of the pair of support rollers 16 and 17 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven by the power of a motor (not shown), and the front support roller 16 applies tension to the conveyor belt 18 as will be described later. This is a tension roller. The conveying belt 18 is an endless belt made of a resin material such as polycarbonate, and the paper is placed on the upper surface thereof by circulating and moving counterclockwise in FIG. 1 when the supporting roller 17 as a driving roller is driven to rotate. 4 is conveyed backward. Inside the conveying belt 18, four transfer rollers 19 arranged to face each photosensitive drum 31 included in the process cartridge 26 described later are arranged in a front-rear direction at regular intervals, and correspond to each photosensitive drum 31. The conveyance belt 18 is sandwiched between the transfer roller 19 and the transfer roller 19. At the time of transfer, a transfer bias is applied between the transfer roller 19 and the photosensitive drum 31. The support roller 17 is connected to a gear mechanism (not shown) provided in the main casing 2 when the belt unit 15 is mounted on the main casing 2, and is also a motor provided in the main casing 2. It is driven by the power of (not shown).

  A cleaning roller 21 is provided below the belt unit 15 to remove toner, paper dust, and the like attached to the conveyance belt 18. The cleaning roller 21 has a structure in which a foam material made of silicon is provided around a metal shaft member, and is opposed to the metal backup roller 22 provided in the belt unit 15 with the conveyance belt 18 interposed therebetween. Yes. A predetermined bias is applied between the cleaning roller 21 and the backup roller 22, whereby the toner and the like on the conveyor belt 18 are electrically attracted to the cleaning roller 21 side. Further, the cleaning roller 21 is in contact with a metal recovery roller 23 that removes toner or the like adhering to the surface, and the recovery roller 23 is a blade for scraping off the toner or the like adhering to the surface. 24 abuts.

2. Configuration for Removing Paper Dust Adhering to Paper In the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment, the configuration for removing paper dust adhering to paper 4 includes the front cover 3 and the main body casing 2 (“main body casing”). 2 ”does not include the configuration of the front cover 3).
<Configuration of front cover>
As shown in FIG. 1, the front cover 3 includes a cover main body 95 that closes the opening 2 </ b> A of the main body casing 2, and a connecting portion 96 that connects the lower end portion of the cover main body 95 and the rotating shaft 3 </ b> A on the main body casing 2 side. It is composed of

  The cover body 95 has a triangular shape that increases in thickness toward the lower side. The bottom surface of the cover body 95 corresponds to the protruding portion 98 inside the main body casing 2 and is a curved portion 97 that curves inward (see FIG. 3). ) In the state where the front cover 3 is closed, the gap between the overhanging portion 98 and the curved portion 97 is a conveyance path through which the paper 4 is conveyed.

  A storage chamber 68 is provided in a substantially lower half of the cover main body 95, and a paper dust removing unit 70 for removing paper dust adhering to the paper 4 is disposed in the storage chamber 68 (the “attachment removal means of the present invention”). ”) And an auger member 80 (corresponding to“ adherent conveying means ”of the present invention) that conveys the paper dust removed by the paper dust removing unit 70 to the paper dust storage container 90 disposed inside the main body casing 2. And is housed.

The paper dust removing unit 70 includes a paper dust removing roller 13A that draws the paper dust attached to the conveyed paper 4 to the surface, a sponge member 72 that scrapes the paper dust on the surface of the paper dust removing roller 13A, and a sponge member 72. And a paper dust receiving portion 73 for receiving the scraped paper dust.
The paper dust removing roller 13 </ b> A has a metal roller shaft parallel to the rotation shaft 3 </ b> A of the front cover 3, and a peripheral surface of the portion facing the facing roller 13 </ b> B inside the main body casing 2 is exposed from the storage chamber 68. . The surface of the paper dust removing roller 13A is made of a fluororesin that is easily charged, and static electricity is generated on the surface of the paper dust removing roller 13A due to contact (friction) with the sponge member 72 when the paper dust removing roller 13A rotates. It has come to occur. And the paper dust of the paper 4 is drawn near by this static electricity.

  Further, the roller shaft of the paper dust removing roller 13A is supported by a support member (not shown) of the cover main body 95, and at a predetermined timing via a gear mechanism that is driven and connected in a state where the front cover 3 is closed. The counter roller 13B and the paper dust removing roller 13A in the main body casing 2 are rotated in the same direction (clockwise) as the conveying direction by the driving of a motor (not shown), and are also rotated counterclockwise by the motor. The paper 4 is sandwiched between them and conveyed at a predetermined timing. Therefore, the paper dust removing roller 13A and the counter roller 13B also have a function as a registration roller for registering the paper 4.

  The sponge member 72 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is made of, for example, urethane foam. One surface of the sponge member 72 is connected to the upper wall of the storage chamber 68 via an elastic body 69 such as a spring, and the sponge member 72 is biased by the elastic force of the elastic body 69 and the paper dust removing roller 13A. It comes in contact with the surface.

  As a result, when the paper dust removing roller 13A rotates clockwise, the paper dust on the surface of the paper dust removing roller 13A is accumulated while being scraped off from the surface of the paper dust removing roller 13A by the sponge member 72. It falls to the receiving part 73 (refer FIG. 6).

  The paper dust receiving portion 73 is recessed in an arc shape over the entire width of the transport path of the paper 4, and the lump of paper dust scraped off by the sponge member 72 is dropped on the paper powder receiving portion 73. It is like that.

  The auger member 80 is disposed along the paper dust receiving portion 73 and conveys the paper dust on the paper dust receiving portion 73 to both side end portions inside the main body casing 2 where the paper dust storage port 90A is arranged. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the auger member 80 is integrally provided with a shaft member 82 and a spiral portion 83 formed in a spiral shape around the shaft member 82. One end of the shaft member 82 is provided with an auger drive gear (not shown) to which power is input from a motor (not shown).

  The spiral portion 83 has a different rotational direction at the substantially central portion of the shaft member 82, and the paper powder conveyance direction is different at the substantially central portion. That is, the paper powder is conveyed toward the near side wall by the rotation of the auger member 80 in a predetermined direction.

  Further, in the front cover 3, the paper dust receiving portion 73 located at the end of the conveyance path by the auger member 80 is provided with a paper dust passage portion 81 through which the conveyed paper dust passes (falls). The paper powder that has passed (dropped) through the paper powder passage portion 81 is stored in a paper powder storage container 90 provided inside the main body casing 2.

  The paper dust passage portion 81 is provided in a tubular shape having a thickness that penetrates in the vertical direction and allows paper dust to pass therethrough, and is provided continuously with the paper dust receiving portion 73. The paper dust passage portion 81 communicates with the paper dust storage container 90 (paper dust storage port 90A) inside the main body casing 2 when the front cover 3 is closed.

<Configuration inside main casing>
On the other hand, a paper dust storage container 90 in which the paper dust from the paper dust passage portion 81 is stored is provided inside the main body casing 2.
As shown in FIG. 4, the paper dust storage container 90 has a space where paper dust can be stored therein, and a pair of paper dust storage containers 90 are provided on both ends in the width direction of the transport path of the paper 4.

  More specifically, the paper dust storage container 90 includes a first storage portion 91 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape provided between the belt unit 15 and the paper feed cassette 7 (a space below the conveyance path of the recording medium), The first storage unit 91 communicates with the first storage unit 91 and includes a second storage unit 92 provided between the paper feed cassette 7 and the side wall 2 </ b> B of the main body casing 2.

  A protrusion 91A protruding upward is provided on the upper surface of the first storage part 91, and a paper dust storage port 90A penetrating vertically is provided in the central part of the protrusion 91A. The paper dust that has passed (dropped) through the paper dust passage portion 81 is stored in the first storage portion 91 and the second storage portion 92.

  Moreover, the convex part 93 which protrudes below is provided in the lower surface side of the bottom wall of the 1st storage part 91 (refer FIG. 5). On the other hand, an interference part 94 whose upper surface protrudes in a mountain shape is provided at the upper part of both side walls of the paper feed cassette 7. One end side of the interference part 94 is rotatably supported by a shaft 94B, and the lower surface side is It is biased upward by an elastic body 94A such as a spring. Thereby, when the paper feeding cassette 7 is pulled out, the interference portion 94 interferes with the convex portion 93, so that the paper dust container 90 is vibrated. Due to this vibration, the paper powder that has fallen almost directly below the paper powder storage port 90A in the first storage unit 91 is gradually leveled, and the paper powder is easily stored also on the second storage unit 92 side. It has become.

3. Attachment / Removal of Process Cartridge 26 and Belt Unit 15 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the process cartridge 26 and the belt unit 15 are attached / detached.
When the process cartridge 26 and the belt unit 15 are attached / detached, as shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 3 is opened, for example, 90 degrees (until the front wall of the paper feed cassette 7 is horizontal). At this time, the height C of the upper end of the curved portion 97 of the front cover 3 is lower than the height B1 of the overhanging portion 98 inside the main casing 2 (lower by B in FIG. 2). ). 2, the opening position of the front cover 3 is changed so that at least a part of the curved portion 97 is lower than the height B1 of the overhang portion 98 (the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). The position may be inclined by a predetermined angle so as to be a position slightly rotated downward from the position indicated by.

  In this way, when the process cartridge 26 is removed from the opening 2A of the main casing 2, not only does the process cartridge 26 hardly interfere with the front cover 3, but also work for eliminating jamming of the paper 4 is easy. become.

  For example, when the overhanging portion 98 inside the main body casing 2 is not overhanging as in this embodiment (for example, the height of the overhanging portion 98 inside the main body casing 2 is the same as the height of the upper surface of the belt unit 15 A1. In this case (not shown), at least a part of the curved portion 97 may be positioned lower than the height of the upper surface of the belt unit 15 (for example, when the front cover 3 is in a horizontal position). Is lower by A).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, with the four process cartridges 26 removed from the main casing 2, the belt unit 15 is removed from the main casing 2 through the opening 2 </ b> A.

4). Advantages of the present embodiment (1) According to this configuration, the paper dust removing unit 70 (attachment removing means) is provided in the front cover 3, and therefore, when the front cover 3 is opened, the paper dust removing unit 70 (attachment removal means) can be moved as the front cover 3 is opened. Therefore, unlike the case where the paper dust removing unit 70 is fixed inside the main body casing 2, even when the paper 4 (recording medium) is jammed inside the main body casing 2, the paper dust removing unit 70. Since it does not get in the way, it is easy to eliminate jams. Further, since the paper dust (attachment) is stored in the paper dust storage container 90 (attachment storage means) provided in the main body casing 2, the paper dust storage container 90 is also provided on the front cover 3 side. However, it is easy to secure a volume necessary for storing paper dust. Further, since the paper dust is stored in the paper dust storage container 90 inside the main body casing 2, the scattering of the paper dust is less likely to occur when the front cover 3 is opened than when the paper dust is stored on the front cover 3 side. Become.

  (2) When the paper dust storage container is provided above the conveyance path of the paper 4 or the like, it is often necessary to provide the paper powder storage container in a limited small space. However, according to this configuration, the paper dust storage container 90 is provided in a relatively wide space outside the conveyance path of the paper 4. In addition, since the auger member 80 (adherent conveying means) is also provided in the front cover 3 like the paper dust removing unit 70, the auger member 80 (adherent conveying means) is also provided on the front surface when the front cover 3 is opened. It moves as the cover 3 opens. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a jam of the paper 4 that occurs inside the main casing 2.

  (3) According to the present embodiment, the first storage portion 91 of the paper powder storage container 90 (attachment storage means) is a space between the belt unit 15 and the paper feed cassette 7 (the space below the transport path of the paper 4). Therefore, not only can the space below the conveying path be effectively used, but also a sufficient storage volume of paper dust can be secured. Moreover, paper dust can be stored naturally without going against the direction of gravity.

(4) The interference portion 94 is provided on the paper feed cassette 7 side, and a convex portion 93 is provided on the lower surface of the paper dust storage container 90. When the paper feed cassette 7 is inserted / removed, the interference portion 94 is provided. The portion 94 interferes with the convex portion 93 on the paper powder storage container 90 side while being urged by the elastic force of the elastic body. Therefore, the bias of the stored paper dust can be reduced by the vibration caused by the interference.
(5) Since the paper feed cassette 7 is provided with a paper feed roller 12A (guide roller) for guiding the paper 4 in the transport direction, the paper 4 is guided by the paper feed roller 12A during image formation. At the same time, when the paper 4 is jammed, the paper feed roller (guide roller) is separated from the transport path as the paper feed cassette 7 is pulled out.

  (6) The second storage portion 92 of the paper dust storage container 90 (attachment storage means) is disposed between the paper feed cassette 7 and the side wall 2B of the main casing 2 (side of the paper feed cassette 7). The space on the side of the paper feed cassette 7 can be used effectively.

  (7) The paper dust removing unit 70 (attached matter removing means) includes a pair of registration rollers for registering the paper 4 by the paper dust removing roller 13A and the opposed roller 13B arranged to face the paper dust removing roller 13A. Therefore, the registration roller can have a function of removing paper dust. Moreover, the minimum roller configuration is achieved, and the apparatus can be made small and simple.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the laser printer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 shows how the process cartridge 26 and the belt unit 15 are attached and detached.
Unlike the first embodiment, the laser printer of the second embodiment has a belt unit case 100 that accommodates the belt unit 15 as shown in FIG. 8, and the attachment / detachment of the belt unit 15 is integrated with the attachment / detachment of the belt unit case 100. Is to be done. In addition, about the structure same as the said Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the belt unit case 100 includes a unit accommodating portion 102 that can accommodate the entire belt unit 15, and a guide member 101 that guides the paper 4 conveyed from the upstream side in front of the unit accommodating portion 102. And are configured integrally.
The unit accommodating portion 102 has a box shape slightly larger than the belt unit 15, and is fixed to the bottom surface of the unit accommodating portion 102 above the backup roller 22 provided on the belt unit 15 side and the sheet feeding cassette 7. A through hole 102A is provided so that the cleaning roller 21 is in contact with the cleaning roller 21.

  The guide member 101 is provided at the front end of the belt unit case 100 and guides the paper 4 taken out by the pickup roller 10 provided in the main body casing 2 onto the transport belt 18 as shown in FIG. It is supposed to be.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, paper powder passage holes 110 penetrating vertically are formed in the guide member 101 at both ends in the width direction of the transport path. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the paper dust that has dropped (passed) through the paper dust passage portion 181 of the front cover 3 passes through the paper dust passage hole 110 of the guide member 101 and is stored in the paper dust storage container 190. It is like that.

  When attaching / detaching the belt unit 15, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the front cover 3 is opened, and the four process cartridges 26 are removed from the opening 2 </ b> A of the main body casing 2. Next, with the four process cartridges 26 removed from the main casing 2, the belt unit case 100 is slightly lifted by grasping the guide member 101. Then, the engagement between the bearing portion that supports the shafts of the rollers 16 and 17 and the positioning member (not shown) provided on the main body side for positioning the bearing portion is released. The belt unit 15 is integrally removed from the inside of the main body casing 2 through the opening 2A.

  In this way, the removed paper dust can be stored in the paper dust storage container 190 below the belt unit 15 by passing through the paper dust passage hole 110 (attachment passage hole) of the belt unit 15. .

<Embodiment 3>
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the laser printer according to the third embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the second storage portion 92 of the paper dust storage container 90 is provided in the gap between the paper feed cassette 7 and the side wall 2B of the main casing 2. In the third embodiment, FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the paper feed cassette 117 having a larger width than that of the above embodiment is used, and the second storage unit 111 has both ends of the paper feed cassette 7 where the paper 4 is not arranged. Is provided.
Thus, since the paper dust storage container 90 is provided at the end of the paper feed cassette 7 where the paper 4 is not arranged, not only can the space inside the paper feed cassette 7 be used effectively, By pulling out the paper feed cassette 7, paper dust can be removed.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the interference unit 94 provided in the paper feed cassette 7 interferes with the paper dust storage container 90. However, the configuration is not limited thereto as long as the paper powder storage container 90 is vibrated. I can't. For example, the structure in which the interference part 94 is provided in the paper dust storage container 90 side may be sufficient.
(2) In the above embodiment, the paper powder is stored in the paper powder storage container 90. However, the configuration is not limited to the form of the container, and the paper powder is stored in other forms (paper powder storage means). It is good.

1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a laser printer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the front cover of the laser printer of FIG. 1 is opened. 1 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the paper feed cassette of the laser printer of FIG. 1 is pulled out. Cross section of laser printer Side sectional view which shows schematic structure of the AA surface of FIG. The figure which shows a mode that the paper dust adhering to paper is removed The figure which shows a mode that a belt unit etc. are attached or detached Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the laser printer which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows a mode that a belt unit etc. are attached or detached Sectional drawing of the laser printer concerning Embodiment 3

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Laser printer 2 ... Main body casing 3 ... Front cover 7,117 ... Paper feed cassette 12A ... Paper feed roller (guide roller)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Registration roller 13A ... Paper dust removal roller 15 ... Belt unit 70 ... Paper dust removal part (attachment removal means)
72 ... Sponge member 73 ... Paper dust receiving portion 80 ... Auger member (adherent conveying means)
81,181 ... Paper dust passage part 90,190 ... Paper dust storage container (attachment deposit storage container)
91 ... 1st storage part 92, 111 ... 2nd storage part 93 ... Convex part 94 ... Interference part 110 ... Paper dust passage hole (attachment passage hole)

Claims (6)

A body casing;
A cover capable of opening and closing the opening of the main body casing;
A process cartridge provided in the main body casing for forming an image on a recording medium;
A belt unit disposed below the process cartridge for conveying the recording medium;
An adhering matter removing means that is provided in a conveying path for conveying the recording medium toward the belt unit and removes adhering substances adhering to the recording medium;
In an image forming apparatus comprising: a deposit storage unit that stores a deposit removed by the deposit removal unit;
The deposit removing means is provided in the cover,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the deposit storage means is provided inside the main casing. The cover includes an adhering material conveying unit that conveys the adhering material removed by the adhering material removing unit to the outside of the recording medium conveying path in the width direction of the recording medium conveying path. And
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deposit transported by the deposit transport unit is stored in the deposit storage unit. The deposit storage means is a deposit storage container in which deposits are stored inside,
The deposit storage container is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in Tei Rukoto disposed in the space on the lower side of the belt unit. A belt unit that conveys the recording medium downstream is provided on the downstream side of the deposit removal means, and the deposit storage means is disposed below the belt unit,
At the end in the width direction of the transport path of the belt unit, a deposit passage hole through which deposits removed by the deposit removal means pass is formed in a vertical direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the deposit that passes through the deposit passage hole is stored in the deposit storage unit. Below the belt unit, there is provided a paper feed cassette that accommodates the recording medium and can be inserted into and removed from the main body casing.
The deposit reservoir is an image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that disposed on the side of the paper feed cassette. Below the belt unit, there is provided a paper feed cassette that accommodates the recording medium and can be inserted into and removed from the main body casing.
The deposit reservoir is an image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that provided in the end portion in the width direction of the transport path of the recording medium of the internal the paper feed cassette .

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