JP4707134B2 - Transfer device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention was primarily transferred to the transfer belt a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member, and at about the transfer equipment for transferring the secondary to the recording material the toner image transferred to the transfer belt.

  In general, in a single-drum type color image forming apparatus, after an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum according to image information, for example, development is sequentially performed by developing units of magenta, yellow, cyan, and black. The toner image (color image) formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt surface of the transfer device and sequentially superposed, and the color image formed on the transfer belt surface is transferred from a paper feed tray or the like. The recording material is secondarily transferred to the recording material to be fed and transported, and after the color image on the recording material subjected to the secondary transfer is fixed by the fixing device, the recording material is discharged onto a paper discharge tray. ing.

  In such an image forming apparatus, the transfer belt is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum so that the photosensitive drum and the transfer belt are in contact with each other with a predetermined nip amount. This nip amount is in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. If not uniform, the frictional force acting on both ends of the transfer belt becomes unbalanced, and there is a risk that the transfer belt is skewed and the transferred image is distorted due to the skew of the transfer belt.

  Therefore, a transfer apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 6 has been devised. In the transfer device 100 shown in FIG. 6, an arm 102 is rotatably attached to the transfer device side frame 101, and a transfer roller 103 is rotatably supported at the tip of the arm 102. A support roller (pre-transfer roller) 106 that presses the transfer belt 105 to the photosensitive drum 2 side together with the transfer roller 103 is biased toward the photosensitive drum 104 by a spring (not shown) via 102. It is fixed to the transfer device side frame 101. The conventional transfer device 100 is configured to bring the photosensitive drum 104 and the transfer belt 105 into contact with each other at a low pressure by pressing the transfer roller 103 against the photosensitive drum 104 (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-163503 A

  However, in such a conventional transfer device 100, since the pre-transfer roller 106 is positioned on the transfer device side frame 101, the transfer device side frame 101 is twisted or distorted, or the transfer device side. When the dimensional accuracy of the frame 101 is low, the dimension between the pre-transfer roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 is different at both end portions in the axial direction of the pre-transfer roller 106, so In some cases, the contact pressures with the photosensitive drum 104 at both ends in the orthogonal direction (the direction along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 104) are different. As a result, the nip pressure between the photosensitive drum 104 and the transfer belt 105 becomes nonuniform in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 104. In the transfer device 100 having such a conventional structure, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the transfer device side frame 101 and increase the dimensional accuracy of the transfer device side frame 101 in order to eliminate the above-described problems. However, it must be installed in a limited space, and it is not easy to take such countermeasures under design conditions that require reduction in size and weight.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a high rigidity and precision of the transfer device side frame, providing a transfer equipment which can nip between the transfer belt and the photosensitive drum constant along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum For the purpose.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the transfer belt is pressed onto the surface of the photoreceptor by a plurality of rollers, and the toner image formed on the surface of the rotating photoreceptor is transferred onto the surface of the rotating endless transfer belt. The transfer device is configured such that the photoconductor is rotatably supported by a photoconductor side frame, the transfer belt is rotatably supported by a transfer device side frame, and the transfer device side frame is supported by the photoconductor. The present invention relates to a transfer device that is held at a predetermined position. In the transfer device according to the present invention, the plurality of rollers include a transfer roller and a pre-transfer roller positioned upstream of the transfer roller in the rotation direction of the transfer belt. Both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by arms that are rotatably supported at both ends in the sheet passing width direction of the transfer device side frame. The arm is pressed by an arm-side spring in a direction to bring the pre-transfer roller closer to the photoconductor. The pre-transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photoconductor by the arm being held in a state where the arm is brought into contact with the photoconductor side frame by the elastic force of the arm side spring. Both shaft end portions of the transfer roller are rotatably supported by bearing members housed in bearing member housing grooves of the arm so as to be slidable in the photoreceptor side direction. The bearing member is pressed in a direction to bring the transfer roller closer to the photoreceptor by a bearing-side spring accommodated in a compressed state in the bearing member accommodation groove. The transfer roller is held in a state in which positioning rollers attached to both ends of the transfer roller are pressed against the photoconductor or the photoconductor-side frame by an elastic force of the bearing-side spring. It is designed to be positioned with respect to the body.

According to the second aspect of the present invention , the transfer belt is pressed onto the surface of the photosensitive member by a plurality of rollers, and the toner image formed on the surface of the rotating photosensitive member is transferred to the surface of the rotating endless transfer belt. The transfer device is configured such that the photoconductor is rotatably supported by a photoconductor side frame, the transfer belt is rotatably supported by a transfer device side frame, and the transfer device side frame is supported by the photoconductor. The present invention relates to a transfer device that is held at a predetermined position. In the transfer device according to the present invention, the plurality of rollers include a transfer roller and a pre-transfer roller positioned upstream of the transfer roller in the rotation direction of the transfer belt. Both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by arms that are rotatably supported at both ends in the sheet passing width direction of the transfer device side frame . Before Symbol arms are pressed by arm spring in a direction to approach the pre-transfer roller to the photosensitive member. The pre-transfer roller is held in a state in which positioning rollers attached to both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are in contact with the photoconductor or the photoconductor-side frame by the elastic force of the arm-side spring. Is positioned with respect to the photosensitive member. Both shaft end portions of the transfer roller are rotatably supported by bearing members housed in bearing member housing grooves of the arm so as to be slidable toward the photoreceptor side direction. The bearing member is pressed in a direction to bring the transfer roller closer to the photoreceptor by a bearing-side spring accommodated in a compressed state in the bearing member accommodation groove. The transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photosensitive member by holding the bearing member pressed against the photosensitive member side frame by the elastic force of the bearing side spring.

According to a third aspect of the present invention , the transfer belt is pressed onto the surface of the photoreceptor by a plurality of rollers, and the toner image formed on the surface of the rotating photoreceptor is transferred onto the surface of the rotating endless transfer belt. The transfer device is configured such that the photoconductor is rotatably supported by a photoconductor side frame, the transfer belt is rotatably supported by a transfer device side frame, and the transfer device side frame is supported by the photoconductor. The present invention relates to a transfer device that is held at a predetermined position. In the transfer device according to the present invention, the plurality of rollers include a transfer roller and a pre-transfer roller positioned upstream of the transfer roller in the rotation direction of the transfer belt. Both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by arms that are rotatably supported at both ends in the sheet passing width direction of the transfer device side frame. The arm is pressed by an arm-side spring in a direction to bring the pre-transfer roller closer to the photoconductor. The pre-transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photoconductor by the arm being held in a state where the arm is brought into contact with the photoconductor side frame by the elastic force of the arm side spring. Both shaft end portions of the transfer roller are rotatably supported by bearing members housed in bearing member housing grooves of the arm so as to be slidable in the photoreceptor side direction. The bearing member is pressed in a direction to bring the transfer roller closer to the photoreceptor by a bearing-side spring accommodated in a compressed state in the bearing member accommodation groove. The transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photosensitive member by holding the bearing member pressed against the photosensitive member side frame by the elastic force of the bearing side spring.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention , the transfer belt is pressed onto the surface of the photoreceptor by a plurality of rollers, and the toner image formed on the surface of the rotating photoreceptor is transferred onto the surface of the rotating endless transfer belt. The transfer device is configured such that the photoconductor is rotatably supported by a photoconductor side frame, the transfer belt is rotatably supported by a transfer device side frame, and the transfer device side frame is supported by the photoconductor. The present invention relates to a transfer device that is held at a predetermined position. In the transfer device according to the present invention, the plurality of rollers include a transfer roller and a pre-transfer roller positioned upstream of the transfer roller in the rotation direction of the transfer belt. Both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by arms that are rotatably supported at both ends in the sheet passing width direction of the transfer device side frame. The arm is pressed by an arm-side spring in a direction to bring the pre-transfer roller closer to the photoconductor. The pre-transfer roller is held in a state in which positioning rollers attached to both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are in contact with the photoconductor or the photoconductor-side frame by the elastic force of the arm-side spring. Is positioned with respect to the photosensitive member. Both shaft end portions of the transfer roller are rotatably supported by bearing members housed in bearing member housing grooves of the arm so as to be slidable in the photoreceptor side direction. The bearing member is pressed in a direction to bring the transfer roller closer to the photoreceptor by a bearing-side spring accommodated in a compressed state in the bearing member accommodation groove. The transfer roller is held in a state in which positioning rollers attached to both ends of the transfer roller are pressed against the photoconductor or the photoconductor-side frame by an elastic force of the bearing-side spring. It is designed to be positioned with respect to the body.

  As described above, according to the transfer device of the present invention, both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by the arms, and both shaft end portions of the transfer roller move independently of each arm. The roller is supported rotatably by a possible bearing member, and the arm is biased and positioned by the arm side spring on the photosensitive member side, whereby the pre-transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photosensitive member, and the bearing member is positioned on the photosensitive member side. Since the transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photosensitive member by being biased and positioned by the bearing side spring, the transfer belt and the photosensitive member can be positioned without increasing the rigidity and accuracy of the transfer device side frame. The nip can be made constant along the axial direction of the photoreceptor.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus using the transfer device of the present invention can make the nip between the photosensitive member and the transfer belt constant along the axial direction of the photosensitive member, and therefore the nip width along the axial direction of the photosensitive member. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the skew of the transfer belt due to the non-uniformity of the image, and to effectively prevent the image quality deterioration such as the color shift of the transferred image and the distortion of the image accompanying the skew of the transfer belt.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In this figure, a drum-shaped photoreceptor (hereinafter abbreviated as “photoreceptor drum”) 2 is uniformly charged by a charging device 3 on its surface 2a, and then applied to the surface 2a by a drawing device 4 comprising a laser unit or the like. An electrostatic latent image is formed. Next, toner is supplied from the developing device 5 to the surface 2a on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image on the surface 2a is visualized as a toner image.

  The developing device 5 has a black developing device 5a, a yellow developing device 5b, a magenta developing device 5c, a cyan developing device 5d in this order in the circumferential direction toward the downstream side in the rotational direction of the rotary rack 6 (the direction of arrow a in FIG. 1). Arranged at intervals. In the developing device 5, the rotary rack 6 that rotates about the central axis 7 is rotated in the clockwise direction (arrow a direction) in the drawing by a driving device (not shown), and the developing devices 5a to 5d are exposed to light. The toner is sequentially moved to a developing position 8 facing the photosensitive drum 2, and black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toners are sequentially supplied to the surface 2a of the photosensitive drum 2. Each color toner image is sequentially formed on the surface 2 a of the photosensitive drum 2. When the primary transfer is completed for each color (K to C), the toner remaining on the surface 2a is removed by the cleaning device 9 after the primary transfer is completed.

  The toner images of the respective colors (K to C) formed on the surface 2 a of the photosensitive drum 2 are primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 11 of the transfer device 10 in order. When the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed and transferred onto the surface of the transfer belt 11 of the transfer device 10, a color toner image is formed on the surface of the transfer belt 11. When the primary transfer from the photosensitive drum 2 to the transfer belt 11 is completed, the secondary transfer roller 12 separated from the transfer belt 11 is in contact with the transfer belt 11 during the primary transfer, A recording material (sheet-like copy paper, plastic film, etc.) P is fed from the paper supply unit 13 to the next transfer roller 12 (secondary transfer position), and a color toner image on the transfer belt 11 is transferred to the recording material P. Is secondarily transferred.

  The recording material P onto which the color toner image has been transferred is transported along the transport path 14 to the fixing device 15, fixed by the fixing device 15, transported upward along the transport path 16, and discharged. The paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 18 by a roller 17.

(Transfer device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 10 has an endless transfer belt 11 wound around a driving roller 20 and a tension roller 21, and a pre-transfer roller 22 disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum 2. The transfer belt 11 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 by the transfer roller 23.

  In FIG. 1, the pre-transfer roller 22 is positioned upstream of the primary transfer position in the rotation direction of the transfer belt 11 and is positioned so as to face the photosensitive drum 2 with a predetermined gap. The pre-transfer roller 22 is made of, for example, a metal or a hard resin material.

  The transfer roller 23 is located downstream of the pre-transfer roller 22 in the rotation direction of the transfer belt 11. The transfer roller 23 is abutted against the photosensitive drum 2 via the transfer belt 11 or positioned so as to face the photosensitive drum 2 with a predetermined gap. The transfer roller 23 is made of soft urethane rubber, ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM) or the like having at least a conductive surface, and is formed of, for example, a sponge-like material that is easily elastically deformed as compared to the pre-transfer roller 22. Or made of conductive metal or hard resin material (resin material whose surface is not easily elastically deformed like metal). A predetermined transfer bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller.

  Here, when the transfer roller 23 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 2 via the transfer belt 11, it is preferably an elastic roller in which at least the surface of the transfer roller 23 is formed of a soft rubber material. With this configuration, for example, even when the photosensitive drum 2 is an OPC photosensitive member, wear of the photosensitive drum 2 is suppressed, and stable image formation can be performed for a long period of time.

  Further, when the transfer roller 23 is formed of a hard metal or resin material, the transfer roller 23 is positioned so as to face the photosensitive drum 2 with a predetermined gap, and the transfer belt 11 is formed by the pre-transfer roller 22 and the transfer roller 23. It is preferable to press only the photosensitive drum 2 with a predetermined nip width. With this configuration, a stable transfer operation can be performed for a long time without impairing the durability of the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer roller 23.

  When the transfer roller 23 abuts against the photosensitive drum 2 via the transfer belt 11, a positioning roller (positioning means) 24 having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the transfer roller 23 at both shaft end portions of the transfer roller 23. And the positioning roller 24 is brought into rolling contact with the shaft end of the photosensitive drum 2 so that the nip width between the transfer roller 23 and the photosensitive drum 2 may be made constant (FIG. 3, see FIG.

  Further, when the transfer roller 23 is disposed with a predetermined gap with respect to the photosensitive drum 2, a positioning roller (positioning means) having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the transfer roller 23 at both shaft end portions of the transfer roller 23. ) 24 may be fitted, the positioning roller 24 may be brought into rolling contact with the shaft end portion of the photosensitive drum 2, and the transfer roller 23 may be disposed at a position separated from the photosensitive drum 2 by a predetermined dimension.

  The transfer belt 11 can be a single-layer belt or a laminated belt whose conductivity is controlled. Examples of the material of the transfer belt 11 include polyimide (PI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyarylene sulfide (PAS), polyamideimide (PAI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyethernitrile (PEN), Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), thermoplastic polyimide (TPI), and the like are used, and polyimide is often used in consideration of heat resistance and mechanical strength. In addition, as the transfer belt 11, a fluorine-based belt ETFE, a PVDF single-layer configuration belt, or a multilayer configuration belt can also be used. Moreover, it is also possible to use a single layer constitution belt or a laminated constitution belt using various elastomers. The transfer belt 11 of the present embodiment uses, for example, a resin belt having a thickness of 80 μm to which carbon black is added, and the surface resistivity is adjusted to 1E + 10Ω / □ on both the front side and the back side to electrostatically print an image. It is devised so that it can be transferred without disturbing.

  2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining a support structure for the pre-transfer roller 22 and the transfer roller 23 of the transfer device 10. Among these, FIG. 2 is a front view of the transfer apparatus 10. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the main part showing a support structure for the pre-transfer roller 22 and the transfer roller 23 of the transfer device 10. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a support structure for the pre-transfer roller 22 and the transfer roller 23 with the transfer belt 11 removed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the transfer device 10, the arms 25 that rotatably support both ends of the pre-transfer roller 22 and the transfer roller 23 are arranged on both sides (both ends in the sheet passing width direction) of the transfer device side frame 26. Each of which is swingably attached to both ends of the transfer belt in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the transfer belt.

  The arm 25 is made of a synthetic resin material. One end of the arm 25 is supported by a support shaft 27 so as to be able to rotate to the transfer device side frame 26, and a shaft support portion 28 provided on the other end of the arm 25 is transferred. The shaft end 30 of the front roller 22 is rotatably supported. Further, the arm 25 is formed with a spring receiving recess 33 for accommodating a spring 32 that urges the lower surface 31 side of the shaft support portion 28 toward the photosensitive drum 2 (the arm 25 is rotated in the clockwise direction). Yes. One end (lower end) of the spring 32 accommodated in the spring receiving recess 33 is supported by the transfer device side frame 26 in a state where the transfer belt 11 is wound around the driving roller 20 and the tension roller 21, and the other end ( The upper end is in contact with the lower surface 31 side of the arm 25 and is accommodated in a compressed state so that the transfer belt 11 is always urged toward the photosensitive drum 2 side. The arm 25 and the spring 32 constitute a pressing member that presses the pre-transfer roller 22 toward the photosensitive drum 2 side.

  Further, a stopper projection 35 that engages with a stopper projection receiving hole 34 formed in the transfer device side frame 26 is integrally formed at the lower end on the tip side of the arm 25. The stopper projection 35 of the arm 25 includes a leg portion 36 extending from the arm 25 and a hook portion 37 formed at the tip of the leg portion 36, and the leg portion 36 is bent and deformed in the right direction of FIG. Then, after inserting into the stopper projection receiving hole 34 of the transfer device side frame 26, the leg portion 36 is elastically returned to the original posture, so that the hook portion 37 is hooked on the lower opening opening edge of the stopper projection receiving hole 34, and the arm 25. The maximum amount of rotation is regulated.

  Further, the arm 25 is formed with a bearing member receiving groove 41 so that the bearing member 40 which rotatably supports the shaft end portion 38 of the transfer roller 23 can slide and move toward the photosensitive drum 2 side. As shown in FIG. 2, the bearing member receiving groove 41 is formed with a projecting wall 42 so as to be substantially L-shaped, and a recess 43 is formed on the lower surface side of the projecting wall 42. The hook portion 45 of the retaining protrusion 44 of the bearing member 40 is engaged, and the hook portion 45 is hooked on the edge of the recess 43, thereby preventing the bearing member 40 from coming out above the bearing member receiving groove 41. is doing. A spring 46 that presses the lower surface side of the bearing member 40 toward the photosensitive drum 2 is accommodated in the bearing member accommodation groove 41 in a compressed state. The bearing member 40 and the spring 46 constitute a pressing member that presses the transfer roller 23 toward the photosensitive drum 2 side.

As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the bearing member 40 includes a pair of guide protrusions 47 and 47 that engage the projecting wall 42 so as to hold the side surface of the projecting wall 42 from both sides, and a side wall of the arm 25 from both sides. A pair of guide walls 48, 48 that engage with the opening edge of the bearing member receiving groove 41 is provided so that the above-described retaining projection 44 protrudes from the lower surface side of the base 50 of the pair of guide projections 47, 47. Is formed. The pair of guide protrusions 47 and 47 engage with the side surface of the overhanging wall 42 with a slight clearance, and the pair of guide walls 48 and 48 engage with the side wall of the arm 25 with a slight clearance and the bearing member 40. Can be smoothly slid along the bearing member receiving groove 41.

  Here, in order to engage the bearing member 40 with the bearing member receiving groove 41, the plate-like leg portion 51 of the retaining projection 44 is bent and deformed, and the tip of the hook portion 45 is guided to the guide surface in the bearing member receiving groove 41. The bearing member 40 is moved into the bearing member receiving groove 41 against the force of the spring 46 until the tip of the hook portion 45 engages with the recess 43 (from the upper side to the lower side in FIG. 2). ) Push in. When the bearing member 40 is pushed to a predetermined position in the bearing member receiving groove 41, the leg portion 51 of the retaining projection 44 is elastically restored to the original posture, and the hook portion 45 is fitted in the recess 43.

  The arm 25 configured as described above is always urged to rotate clockwise by the spring 32 (a direction in which the pre-transfer roller 22 approaches the photoconductive drum 2), and the pre-transfer roller 22 is urged by the photoconductive drum 2. , The upper surface 53 in the vicinity of the pre-transfer roller 22 comes into contact with the positioning portion 55 of the photosensitive drum side frame 54 (for example, the positioning projection of the photosensitive drum side frame) 55 by the force of the spring 32, This position is held by the elastic force of the spring 32 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the pre-transfer roller 22 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive drum 2. As described above, in a state where the pre-transfer roller 22 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive drum 2, the gap between the hook portion 37 of the stopper protrusion 35 and the opening edge on the lower surface side of the stopper protrusion receiving hole 34. A gap is generated, and the arm 25 is reliably pressed against and held by the photosensitive drum side frame 54 by the force of the spring 32. The arm 25 and the photosensitive drum side frame 54 constitute positioning means for the pre-transfer roller 22.

  The bearing member 40 slidably attached to the arm 25 is always urged toward the photosensitive drum 2 by a spring 46, but the positioning roller 24 attached to the shaft end of the transfer roller 23 has a positioning roller 24. The shaft 46 of the photoconductive drum 2 or the positioning unit 56 of the photoconductive drum side frame 54 is abutted by the force of the spring 46 and is held in a predetermined position with respect to the photoconductive drum 2 (FIG. 2). In this way, in a state where the transfer roller 23 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive drum 2, between the hook portion 45 of the retaining protrusion 44 and the upper surface of the recess 43 (the lower surface of the overhanging wall 42). The positioning roller 24 is surely pressed against the shaft end portion of the photosensitive drum 2 or the positioning portion 56 of the photosensitive drum side frame 54 by the force of the spring 46 acting via the bearing member 40. To be held.

(Operation and effect of this embodiment)
As described above, according to the transfer device 10 of the present embodiment, both the shaft end portions 30 of the pre-transfer roller 22 are rotatably supported by the arms 25, and both the shaft end portions 38 of the transfer roller 23 are respectively armed. The roller 25 is supported by a bearing member 40 that can move independently with respect to 25, and the arm 25 is urged and positioned by the spring 32 toward the photosensitive drum 2, whereby the pre-transfer roller 22 is moved to the photosensitive member. The transfer roller 23 is positioned with respect to the photosensitive drum 2 by being positioned on the drum 2 and the bearing member 40 is biased and positioned by the spring 46 toward the photosensitive drum 2, so that the transfer device side frame is positioned. The nip between the transfer belt 11 and the photosensitive drum 2 can be made constant along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2 without increasing the rigidity and accuracy of the belt 26.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 using the transfer device 10 of this embodiment, the nip between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer belt 11 can be made constant along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2. In addition, the skew of the transfer belt 11 due to the non-uniform nip width along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2 can be effectively prevented, and the color shift of the primary transfer image and the distortion of the image due to the skew of the transfer belt 11 are referred to. It is possible to effectively prevent deterioration in image quality.

(Modification of the transfer device of this embodiment)
In the transfer device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the arm 25 rotated and biased by the spring 32 is abutted against the photosensitive drum side frame 54 so that the arm 25 is positioned with respect to the photosensitive drum 2. Although a positioning roller (not shown) is fitted to the shaft end of the pre-transfer roller 22, the positioning roller is pressed against the photosensitive drum side frame 54 or pressed against the photosensitive drum 2. The arm 25 and the pre-transfer roller 22 may be positioned with respect to the photosensitive drum 2.

  Further, in the transfer device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the bearing member 40 is urged toward the photosensitive drum 2 by the spring 46, and the shaft end portion 38 of the transfer roller 23 supported rotatably by the bearing member 40 is provided. The positioning roller 24 fitted to the photosensitive drum 2 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 to position the transfer roller 23 with respect to the photosensitive drum 2, but the bearing member 40 biased by the spring 46 is photosensitive. The bearing member 40 may be positioned against the photosensitive drum 2 by being pressed against the body drum side frame 54, and the transfer roller 23 may be positioned at the photosensitive drum 2.

  Further, the pre-transfer roller 22 and the transfer roller 23 are each a photosensitive drum 2 by a pressing member (which is not limited to the pressing member of the above-described embodiment) that is independently attached to the transfer device side frame 26. It may be pressed to the side.

  The present invention is widely applied to printers, facsimiles, copiers, and multi-function machines of these as image forming apparatuses. The transfer device is not limited to a color transfer device, and can be used as a monochrome transfer device.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part external perspective view which shows the support structure of the pre-transfer roller and transfer roller of the transfer apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a pre-transfer roller and a transfer roller support structure, with the transfer belt of the transfer apparatus according to the present invention removed. It is an external appearance perspective view of the bearing member which comprises the transfer apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional transfer apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Photosensitive drum (photosensitive body), 2a ... Surface, 10 ... Transfer device, 11 ... Transfer belt, 15 ... Fixing device, 22 ... Roller before transfer, 23 ... ... transfer roller, 24 ... positioning roller, 25 ... arm, 26 ... transfer device side frame, 30 ... shaft end, 32 ... spring (arm side spring), 38 ... shaft end, 40 ... Bearing member 46... Spring (bearing side spring) 54... Photosensitive drum side frame (photosensitive body side frame) P... Recording material

Claims (4)

The transfer belt is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor by a plurality of rollers, and the toner image formed on the surface of the rotating photoreceptor is transferred to the surface of the rotating endless transfer belt,
The photosensitive member is rotatably supported on the photosensitive member side frame, the transfer belt is rotatably supported on the transfer device side frame, and the transfer device side frame is held in a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive member. In the device
The plurality of rollers includes a transfer roller and a pre-transfer roller positioned on the upstream side of the transfer belt in the rotation direction of the transfer belt,
Both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by arms that are rotatably supported at both ends of the transfer device side frame in the sheet passing width direction,
The arm is pressed by an arm-side spring in a direction to bring the pre-transfer roller closer to the photoconductor,
The pre-transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photoconductor by the arm being held in a state in which the arm is brought into contact with the photoconductor side frame by the elastic force of the arm side spring,
Both shaft end portions of the transfer roller are rotatably supported by bearing members housed in the bearing member housing grooves of the arm so as to be slidable toward the photoreceptor side direction.
The bearing member is pressed in a direction to bring the transfer roller closer to the photoreceptor by a bearing-side spring accommodated in a compressed state in the bearing member accommodation groove,
The transfer roller is held in a state in which positioning rollers attached to both ends of the transfer roller are pressed against the photoconductor or the photoconductor-side frame by an elastic force of the bearing-side spring. Positioned relative to the body,
A transfer device characterized by that. The transfer belt is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor by a plurality of rollers, and the toner image formed on the surface of the rotating photoreceptor is transferred to the surface of the rotating endless transfer belt,
The photosensitive member is rotatably supported on the photosensitive member side frame, the transfer belt is rotatably supported on the transfer device side frame, and the transfer device side frame is held in a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive member. In the device
The plurality of rollers includes a transfer roller and a pre-transfer roller positioned on the upstream side of the transfer belt in the rotation direction of the transfer belt,
Both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by arms that are rotatably supported at both ends of the transfer device side frame in the sheet passing width direction,
The arm is pressed by an arm-side spring in a direction to bring the pre-transfer roller closer to the photoconductor,
The pre-transfer roller is held in a state in which positioning rollers attached to both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are in contact with the photoconductor or the photoconductor-side frame by the elastic force of the arm-side spring. Is positioned relative to the photoreceptor,
Both shaft end portions of the transfer roller are rotatably supported by bearing members housed in the bearing member housing grooves of the arm so as to be slidable toward the photoreceptor side direction.
The bearing member is pressed in a direction to bring the transfer roller closer to the photoreceptor by a bearing-side spring accommodated in a compressed state in the bearing member accommodation groove,
The transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photoconductor by the bearing member being held in a state of being pressed against the photoconductor side frame by the elastic force of the bearing side spring.
A transfer device characterized by that. The transfer belt is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor by a plurality of rollers, and the toner image formed on the surface of the rotating photoreceptor is transferred to the surface of the rotating endless transfer belt,
The photosensitive member is rotatably supported on the photosensitive member side frame, the transfer belt is rotatably supported on the transfer device side frame, and the transfer device side frame is held in a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive member. In the device
The plurality of rollers includes a transfer roller and a pre-transfer roller positioned on the upstream side of the transfer belt in the rotation direction of the transfer belt,
Both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by arms that are rotatably supported at both ends of the transfer device side frame in the sheet passing width direction,
The arm is pressed by an arm-side spring in a direction to bring the pre-transfer roller closer to the photoconductor,
The pre-transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photoconductor by the arm being held in a state in which the arm is brought into contact with the photoconductor side frame by the elastic force of the arm side spring,
Both shaft end portions of the transfer roller are rotatably supported by bearing members housed in the bearing member housing grooves of the arm so as to be slidable toward the photoreceptor side direction.
The bearing member is pressed in a direction to bring the transfer roller closer to the photoreceptor by a bearing-side spring accommodated in a compressed state in the bearing member accommodation groove,
The transfer roller is positioned with respect to the photoconductor by the bearing member being held in a state of being pressed against the photoconductor side frame by the elastic force of the bearing side spring.
A transfer device characterized by that. The transfer belt is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor by a plurality of rollers, and the toner image formed on the surface of the rotating photoreceptor is transferred to the surface of the rotating endless transfer belt,
The photosensitive member is rotatably supported on the photosensitive member side frame, the transfer belt is rotatably supported on the transfer device side frame, and the transfer device side frame is held in a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive member. In the device
The plurality of rollers includes a transfer roller and a pre-transfer roller positioned on the upstream side of the transfer belt in the rotation direction of the transfer belt,
Both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are rotatably supported by arms that are rotatably supported at both ends of the transfer device side frame in the sheet passing width direction,
The arm is pressed by an arm-side spring in a direction to bring the pre-transfer roller closer to the photoconductor,
The pre-transfer roller is held in a state in which positioning rollers attached to both shaft end portions of the pre-transfer roller are in contact with the photoconductor or the photoconductor-side frame by the elastic force of the arm-side spring. Is positioned relative to the photoreceptor,
Both shaft end portions of the transfer roller are rotatably supported by bearing members housed in the bearing member housing grooves of the arm so as to be slidable toward the photoreceptor side direction.
The bearing member is pressed in a direction to bring the transfer roller closer to the photoreceptor by a bearing-side spring accommodated in a compressed state in the bearing member accommodation groove,
The transfer roller is held in a state in which positioning rollers attached to both ends of the transfer roller are pressed against the photoconductor or the photoconductor-side frame by an elastic force of the bearing-side spring. Positioned relative to the body,
A transfer device characterized by that.

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