JP4962398B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus, as a technique for protecting a member such as a photoconductor that is easily damaged or smeared by contact between members disposed inside during transportation or storage from light or the like, it is described in Patent Documents 1 to 4. Technology is known.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-259625 as Patent Document 1 discloses four electrophotographic photosensitive drums (1C, 1Y, 1M, 1Bk) arranged in a straight line in the vertical direction, and the photosensitive drum (1 ), A color image forming apparatus (100) having transfer rollers (8C, 8Y, 8M, 8Bk) arranged in parallel to each other is described. The color image forming apparatus (100) includes a photosensitive drum. A transfer material conveyance belt (2) for conveying the transfer material (S) is disposed at a transfer position between (1) and the transfer roller (8). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a photoconductor protection sheet (40) is sandwiched between a photoconductor drum (1) and a transfer material transport belt (2), which are inside a color image forming apparatus (100). When the color image forming apparatus (100) is transported, the photosensitive drum (1) and the transfer material transport belt (2) are protected by reducing sliding friction. The sheet is discharged to the discharge tray (17) by the transfer material conveying belt (2) or the like, so that it is automatically discharged from the inside or manually opened from the inside by opening the maintenance door.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-148965 as Patent Document 2 describes a development process unit (13) having a photosensitive drum (7) and the like, with the photosensitive drum (7) exposed. In the technique of Patent Document 2, a protective cover (13) is attached to the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum (7) of the development process unit (13) to protect the photosensitive drum (7) from contact. In the technique of Patent Document 2, when mounted on an image forming apparatus and used, the conveyance system of the sheet conveyance path (6) is driven by the drive of the motor (37), and is protected from the process unit (13). The cover (22) is peeled off and automatically discharged from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the paper discharge unit (5).

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-300849 as Patent Document 3 describes an image forming unit (96) having a photoconductor (50), an intermediate transfer member (64), and the like and mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. Yes. In the technique of Patent Document 3, a protective sheet (101) that covers the exposed portions of the photosensitive member (50) and the intermediate transfer member (64) is attached to a new image forming unit (96), and the photosensitive member (50) and the intermediate transfer member are transferred. The body (64) is protected from contact and the like. In the technique of Patent Document 3, after the image forming unit (96) is mounted on the image forming apparatus body (12), the protective paper (from the image forming unit (13) is opened with the open / close cover (16) opened. 22) is extracted by the user.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-285091 as Patent Document 4 describes an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge (26) in which a photosensitive drum (1) and others are integrated is detachably mounted. In the technique described in Patent Document 4, a protective sheet (40) is sandwiched between the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge (26), the process cartridge (26) itself is protected from vibration during transportation, and the door is opened during use. The user has removed it from the inside of the image forming apparatus.

JP 2006-259625 A (“0010” to “0017”, “0033” to “0034”, “0050” to “0054”) JP-A-6-148965 ("0023" to "0024", "0028" to "0030", FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-300849 (“0090” to “0097”, FIGS. 14 and 15) JP 2006-285091 A (“0014” to “0017”, “0027”, “0029”, FIGS. 1 and 5)

  This invention makes it a technical subject to be able to take out a thin plate member easily, and to reduce forgetting to take out.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
An image forming apparatus main body comprising: an image holding body that holds an image on a surface; and a transfer unit that is disposed to face the image holding body and transfers an image on the surface of the image holding body to a medium;
A sheet feeding unit that accommodates a medium transported to a transfer region where the image carrier and the transfer unit face each other, and is detachably supported with respect to the image forming apparatus main body;
A thin plate-like thin plate member sandwiched between the transfer regions, the lead member having a lead-out portion led out of the image forming apparatus main body through a gap between the image forming apparatus main body and the paper feeding unit; The thin plate member that can be pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body without opening the inside of the image forming apparatus main body by pulling a portion;
It is provided with.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
A plurality of the image holders, a plurality of the transfer means arranged opposite to the image holders, and supported by the plurality of transfer means and sandwiched between the transfer means and the image holders An endless belt-shaped transfer conveying member that is placed in a state where the medium is carried on the surface, and the image forming apparatus main body,
The thin plate member sandwiched between the plurality of image holding members and the transfer unit via the transfer conveying member;
It is provided with.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
A plurality of urging members for urging the plurality of transfer units toward the plurality of image holding members, wherein the urging force by the urging member is set to be larger as it goes downstream along the medium conveyance direction. A force member;
Possess the derivation portion provided on the upstream side of the transfer means of the medium conveying direction upstream end, when drawn off, the downstream end of the direction to be withdrawn passes through the transfer region toward the medium conveyance direction upstream side The thin plate member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The thin plate member having an information storage member in which information on the thin plate member is stored;
An information reading device for reading information in the information storage member, and a thin plate member presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the thin plate member is inside the image forming apparatus main body based on information read by the information reading device; An operation stop control means for stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus main body when it is determined that the thin plate member is inside the image forming apparatus main body, and the image forming apparatus main body.
It is provided with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The thin plate member made of conductive conductive paper,
It is provided with.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The image forming apparatus main body having a medium transport timing adjusting member that is arranged adjacent to the upstream side of the transfer area and adjusts the timing of transporting the medium to the transfer area;
The thin plate member disposed avoiding the medium transport timing adjustment member;
It is provided with.

According to invention of Claim 1, 2, an image holding body, a transfer means, etc. by a thin plate member,
An image forming apparatus that prevents direct contact and rubbing during transportation and storage, and pulls a lead-out portion in the vicinity of the paper feeding means when used as compared with the case without the configuration of the present invention. It can be easily removed from the main body, and forgetting to remove can be reduced.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, as the thin plate member passing between the image carrier and the transfer unit is pulled out, the resistance at the time of pulling out decreases, and as a whole , compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. The thin plate member can be pulled out easily with a weak force.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus main body from malfunctioning before removing the thin plate member.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the thin plate member in contact with the image carrier is extracted, the image carrier is hardly affected by frictional charging, and image quality deterioration can be reduced.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the thin plate member does not contact the medium transport timing adjustment member, and damage to the medium transport timing adjustment member accompanying the contact with the thin plate member can be prevented.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as front, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

1 is a perspective explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the side cover opened.
1 to 3, a printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention feeds paper as an example of a paper feeding unit that stores a recording medium S as an example of a medium on which an image is recorded. A container TR1 is accommodated in the lower part, and a manual feed unit TR11 for manually feeding the recording medium S is provided on the front surface of the paper feed container TR1. A medium discharge portion TRh is provided on the upper surface of the printer U. Further, an operation unit UI for performing various operations such as button input is provided on the upper portion of the printer U.

The printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment is provided on the image forming apparatus main body U1, a front cover U2 as an example of an openable opening / closing unit provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body U1, and a side surface of the image forming apparatus U1. And a side cover U3 as an example of an openable / closable opening / closing part. The front cover U2 is opened when the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U1 is opened in order to replace the image carrier cartridge, the developing device, a failed member, etc., cleaning maintenance, or removing the recording medium S that is jammed. The side cover U3 is opened when the developer supply container, so-called toner cartridge, is replaced.
In FIG. 3, when the side cover U3 of the printer U is moved to the open position, the side of the printer U is opened, and toner cartridges TCy, TCm, TCc, TCk as an example of a developer supply container can be handled. In the first exemplary embodiment, the toner cartridges TCy to TCk are detachably mounted in order of the toner cartridge TCy, the toner cartridge TCm, the toner cartridge TCc, and the toner cartridge TCk from the bottom. The toner cartridges TCy, TCm, TCc, and TCk contain Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) developers, respectively, and each color is stored in the image forming apparatus main body U1. The developer is replenished.

2, the printer U includes a control unit C that performs various controls of the printer U, an image processing unit IPS that is controlled by the control unit C, an image writing device driving circuit DL, a power supply device E, and the like. ing. The power supply device E includes charging rolls CRy, CRm, CRc, CRk as an example of a charger to be described later, a developing roller as an example of a developer holding member, and a transfer roll T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k as an example of a transfer unit. Apply voltage to
The image processing unit IPS converts print information input from an external image information transmission device or the like into latent images corresponding to four color images of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). The image information is converted into image information for image formation and output to the image writing device driving circuit DL at a predetermined timing. The image writing device driving circuit DL outputs a driving signal to the latent image writing device ROS according to the input image information of each color. The latent image writing device ROS emits laser beams Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lk as an example of image writing light for image writing of each color in accordance with a drive signal.

In FIG. 2, a toner image as an example of a visible image of each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) can be formed in front of the latent image writing device ROS. Visual image forming apparatuses UY, UM, UC, UK are arranged.
The K (black) visible image forming apparatus UK has a photoconductor Pk as an example of a rotating image carrier. Around the photosensitive member Pk, a charging roll CRk as an example of a charger, a developing device Gk for developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member into a visible image, and a developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member Pk are removed. A photoconductor cleaner CLk as an example of an image carrier cleaner is disposed.

The surface of the photoconductor Pk is uniformly charged by the charging roll CRk in the charging area facing the charging roll CRk, and then the latent image is written by the laser beam Lk in the latent image forming area. The written electrostatic latent image is visualized in the developing area facing the developing device Gk.
The black visible image forming apparatus UK according to the first exemplary embodiment includes an exchangeable image carrier cartridge in which the photoconductor Pk, the charging roll CRk, and the photoconductor cleaner CLk are integrally formed, and a developing device Gk. And a possible developing cartridge.
The visible image forming apparatuses UY, UM, and UC of other colors are also composed of an image carrier cartridge and a developing cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body U1 in the same manner as the black visible image forming apparatus UK. ing. In the first embodiment, the four visible image forming devices UY to UK are supported by a detachable frame Ut, a so-called exchange frame Ut, and the four visible image forming devices UY to UK form an image. The apparatus main body U1 is configured to be exchangeable integrally.

  In FIG. 2, a belt module BM as an example of a recording medium transport device supported by a front cover U2 is disposed in front of the photoreceptors Py to Pk. The belt module BM includes a medium conveying belt B as an example of a transfer conveying member, a belt driving roll Rd as an example of a driving member that supports the medium conveying belt B, and a driven roller Rj as an example of a driven member. A belt support roll (Rd + Rj) as an example of a member support system, transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k as an example of transfer means arranged to face the respective photoreceptors Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk, and transfer A belt cleaner CLb as an example of a conveying member cleaner. The medium transport belt B is rotatably supported by the belt support roll (Rd + Rj).

  The transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k are urged toward the photoreceptors Py, Pm, Pc, Pk by compression springs SPy, SPm, SPc, SPk as examples of urging members, The medium transport belt B contacts the photoconductors Py to Pk with a predetermined contact pressure. Here, the urging force by the compression springs SPy to SPk is set so as to increase in the order of the photosensitive member Py, the photosensitive member Pm, the photosensitive member Pc, and the carrying photosensitive member Pk in the order of the downstream side in the transport direction. In the first embodiment, the biasing force by the compression spring SPy is set to 170 gw, the biasing force by the compression spring SPm is set to 180 gw, the biasing force by the compression spring SPc is set to 190 gw, and the biasing force by the compression spring SPk is set to 200 gw.

  The image density sensor SN1 is for detecting the density of a density detection image formed by an image density adjusting means (not shown) of the control unit C, that is, a so-called patch image, at a predetermined time. The adjusting means adjusts the voltage applied to the charging rolls CRy to CRk, the developing devices Gy to Gk, and the transfer rolls T1y to T1k based on the image density detected by the image density detecting member, and the latent image writing light Ly to By adjusting the intensity of Lk, image density adjustment and correction, so-called process control is performed.

The recording medium S in the paper feeding container TR1 disposed below the medium conveying belt B is taken out by a pickup roll Rp as an example of a paper feeding member, and is separated one by one by a judgment roll Rs as an example of a paper feeding member. Then, it is conveyed to the recording medium conveyance path SH.
The recording medium S in the recording medium conveyance path SH is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of a medium conveyance timing adjustment member. The registration roll Rr conveys the recording medium S to the transfer area Q3y at a predetermined timing. The registration roll Rr according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a registration roll unit URr as an example of a medium transport timing adjustment unit. The registration roll unit URr is supported by the image forming apparatus body U1 so as to be exchangeable integrally when the registration roll Rr is soiled.

  On the other hand, the recording medium S supplied from the manual feeder TR11 is inserted by the user until the front end of the recording medium S reaches the registration roll Rr, and is conveyed to the transfer region Q3y by the registration roll Rr at a predetermined timing.

By the medium conveying belt B, the recording medium S sequentially passes through the transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with the photoreceptors Py to Pk.
To the transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the medium conveying belt B in the transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k, toner is supplied at a predetermined timing from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity is applied.
In the case of a multicolor image, the toner images on the respective photoreceptors Py to Pk are transferred onto the recording medium S on the medium conveying belt B by the transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Further, in the case of a monochromatic image, so-called monochrome image, only a K (black) toner image is formed on the photoreceptor Pk, and only this K (black) toner image is transferred to the recording medium S by the transfer roll T1k. .
The photoreceptors Py to Pk after the toner image transfer are cleaned by the toner remaining on the surface being collected by the photoreceptor cleaners CLy to CLk, and charged again by the charging rolls CRy to CRk.

The recording medium S to which the toner image has been transferred is in contact with a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of a fixing device F as an example of a fixing device and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member. Fixing is performed in the fixing region Q5 formed in this manner. The recording medium S on which the image is fixed is discharged from a discharge roll Rh as an example of a medium discharge member to the medium discharge unit TRh.
The medium conveying belt B after the recording medium S is separated is cleaned by the belt cleaner CLb.

(About manual feed channels)
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 4, an upper manual feed guide portion 1 extending from the manual feed port TR11a of the manual feed portion TR11 is formed in the paper feed tray TR1. In addition, a lower manual feed guide portion 2 facing the upper manual feed guide portion 1 is formed in the paper feed tray TR1. The outer end of the lower manual feed guide 2 is formed by an arcuate surface that curves smoothly downward. The image forming apparatus body U1 is formed with an upper body side guide portion 3 extending from the upper manual feed guide portion 1 to the registration roll Rr, and further, a lower body side guide extending from the lower manual feed guide portion 2 to the registration roll Rr. Part 4 is formed.
The upper manual feed guide 1, the lower manual feed guide 2, the upper main body guide 3 and the lower main guide 4 constitute a manual supply path SH <b> 11. A thin plate member passage gap 6 is formed between the upper manual feed guide 1 and the upper main body guide 3 in the manual feed path SH11.

  The registration roll unit URr is disposed above the upper main body side guide portion 3 and the lower main body side guide portion 4. A gap between belt registrations as an example of a main body side thin plate member passage gap between the upper surface of the registration roll unit URr and the lower end of the medium transport belt B at the lower end portion of the belt module BM. 7 is formed. In addition, a thin plate member passage space 8 that is wide in the medium width direction is formed between the registration roll unit URr and the front cover U2. The lower part of the thin plate member passage space 8 is connected to the thin plate member passage gap 6. Further, the upper part of the thin plate member passage space 8 is connected to the gap 7 between the belt registrations. The thin plate member passage gap 6, the belt registration gap 7 and the thin plate member passage space 8 constitute a thin plate member passing portion 6 + 7 + 8. An information reading device 11 is disposed above the registration roll unit URr and behind the driven roll Rj of the belt module BM.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus on which the thin plate member is mounted.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of the image forming apparatus on which the thin plate member is mounted.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a thin plate member, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are explanatory views when no information storage member is provided, and FIG. 7C is an explanatory view when an information storage member is provided.
5 to 7, the conductive paper Se as an example of the thin plate member has a rectangular and thin plate shape, a so-called sheet shape. The conductive paper Se is extracted from a path length passing through the manual feed port TR11a, the thin plate member passage portion 6 + 7 + 8, and between the conveyance belt B and the photosensitive members Py to Pk in the image forming apparatus U1 of the first embodiment. Long direction length. In Embodiment 1, the length of the conductive paper Se in the extraction direction is such that one end is sandwiched by the contact portion between the upper photosensitive member Pk and the medium transport belt B, and the other end is outward from the manual feed port TR11a. And is set to a length that allows the user to pick up the other end of the conductive paper Se and extract it. In Example 1, the width of the conductive paper Se is longer than the lengths of the photoconductors Py to Pk and the transfer rolls T1y to T1k in the left-right direction.

  7A and 7B, the conductive paper Se has a lead-out portion Se1 on the other end side. The derivation unit Se1 includes an instruction display 21 that allows the user to remove the conductive paper Se1 from the image forming apparatus main body U1. In the conductive paper Se of Example 1 shown in FIG. 7A, as an example of the instruction display 21, a caution note 21 a indicating that the described thin plate member Se is pulled is described. Further, in another example of the conductive paper Se shown in FIG. 7B, a pulling arrow 21b is described as another example of the instruction display 21. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the instruction display 21 is visually recognized by the user when the lead-out portion Se1 which is the other end portion of the conductive paper Se is led out from the manual feed port TR11a. In addition, the conductive paper Se is attached to the printer U.

  In FIG. 7C, a protective sheet Sp as another example of a thin plate member can be mounted on the printer U instead of the conductive paper Se. The protective sheet Sp has the same shape as the conductive paper Se, and has a derivation part Sp1, and an instruction display 21 is described in the derivation part Sp1. In addition, an information storage member 22 is disposed on the protective sheet Sp at a position corresponding to the information reading device 11 when the protective sheet Sp is attached to the printer U as shown in FIGS. The information storage member 22 according to the first embodiment employs a technology capable of transmitting and receiving information without contact, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. As a result, when the image forming apparatus main body U1 is powered on, the information in the information storage member 22 is read by the information reading device 11, and based on the information, the thin plate member presence / absence determining means C1. Then, it is determined whether or not the protective sheet Sp is inside the image forming apparatus main body U1. In Example 1, when information is read from the information storage member 22, the thin plate member presence / absence determining unit C1 determines that the protective sheet Sp is inside the image forming apparatus main body U1. When the thin plate member presence / absence determining means C1 determines that the protective sheet Sp is inside the image forming apparatus main body U1, the operation stop control means C2 of the control unit C stops the operation of the image forming apparatus main body U1. That is, before the protective sheet Sp is removed from the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U1 with the power supply of the image forming apparatus main body U1 turned on, print information is sent from the external image information transmitting apparatus or the like to the image forming apparatus main body U1. Even if this occurs, the medium conveying belt B or the like of the image forming apparatus main body U1 is not driven, and the protective sheet Sp that is a thin plate member is prevented from being clogged in the conveying path SH1.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the printer U of Embodiment 1 having the above-described configuration, when the thin plate members Se and Sp are mounted, the thin plate members Se and Sp are moved to the photoreceptors Py to Pk with the front cover U2 moved to the open position. The thin plate members Se and Sp are led out from the manual feed supply unit TR11 through the thin plate member passage unit 6 + 7 + 8 that bypasses the resist roll Rr. And placed on the front surface of the paper feed tray TR1. When the front cover U2 is moved to the normal position, the thin plate members Se and Sp are attached to the image forming apparatus main body U1 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the compression springs SPy to T1k of the transfer rolls T1y to T1k. By SPk, it is held in a state of being sandwiched between the photoreceptors Py to Pk and the medium transport belt B. When the protective sheet Sp is attached, the information storage member 22 is attached so as to come to the reading position of the information reading device 11.
Accordingly, the photoconductors Py to Pk are protected from contact and wear with the medium transport belt B and the transfer rolls T1y to T1k, and the printer U is transported, stored, and installed. Further, when the printer U is installed and used, the lead-out portions Se1 and Sp1 led to the front surface of the paper feed container TR1 and the manual feed portion TR11 are visually recognized.

  When the printer U is installed and used, the user who has visually recognized the instruction display 21 of the derivation units Se1 and Sp1 pulls the derivation units Se1 and Sp1 according to the instruction of the instruction display 21. The thin plate members Se and Sp are pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body U1. At this time, the thin plate members Se and Sp are pulled by the curved lower manual feed guide portion 2 in the manual feed portion TR11 without being cut in the middle due to excessive force applied to the thin plate members Se and Sp. Further, the thin plate members Se and Sp pass through the thin plate member penetrating portion 6 + 7 + 8 bypassing the resist roll Rr, and the resist roll Rr is not rubbed and damaged, and may be subjected to resistance due to the clamping force of the resist roll Rr. Pulled without. Then, one end side of the thin plate members Se and Sp is a photosensitive member Py to Pk and a medium conveying belt whose contact pressure becomes weaker toward the upstream side by compression springs SPy to SPk whose urging forces are weak in the order of SPk, SPc, SPm and SPy. As the thin plate members Se and Sp are pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body U1 through the space between B, the resistance decreases, and the thin plate members Se and Sp are pulled out with a small force. Therefore, the thin plate members Se and Sp can be easily taken out from the image forming apparatus main body U1 by pulling the lead-out portions Se1 and Sp1 in the vicinity of the paper feed container TR1 without opening the front cover U2, and forgetting to remove it. Few. When the conductive paper Se is mounted, even if the conductive paper Se moves while touching the photoconductors Py to Pk, the electroconductivity reduces the occurrence of contamination of the photoconductors Py to Pk due to frictional charging. Pulled out in state. In addition, the photoconductors Py to Pk are hardly affected by frictional charging, and deterioration of image quality transferred to the recording medium S is reduced.

  When the protective sheet Sp is attached to the printer U, even if the printer U is turned on without removing the protective sheet Sp, information in the information storage member 22 is read by the information reader 11 and the printer U is activated. do not do. That is, before taking out the protective sheet Sp, an operation that erroneously operates the printer U with the printer U powered on, for example, an operation that sends print information to the printer U from an external information output device. The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus main body U1 is not performed, and the protective sheet Sp is prevented from being pulled into the image forming apparatus main body U1 and being clogged. Further, even if the printer U is operated with the information storage member 22 and the information reading device 11 being out of position after being extracted halfway, the information storage is performed while the protective sheet Sp is being pulled in by the medium transport belt B. The member 22 reaches the position of the information reading device 11, and the operation of the printer U is stopped by the thin plate member presence / absence determining means C1 and the operation stop control means C2.

FIG. 8 is an entire explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

(Printer U ')
In FIG. 8, the printer U ′ according to the second embodiment includes an image forming apparatus main body U1 ′, a front cover U2 ′ on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body U1 ′, and a paper feed container TR1 ′ below the image forming apparatus main body U1 ′. Etc. The front cover U2 ′ is opened when the interior of the image forming apparatus main body U1 ′ is opened in order to replace a process unit PU (to be described later), a failed member, etc., cleaning maintenance, or removing the jammed recording medium S. The The front cover U2 'is opened when the recording medium S is supplied manually.
The image forming apparatus main body U1 ′ includes a control unit C ′, an image processing unit IPS ′, an image writing device driving circuit DL ′, and the like. The control unit C ′ includes a thin plate member presence / absence determining unit C1 ′. Operation stop control means C2 'is provided.
The image processing unit IPS ′ converts print information input from an external image information transmission device or the like into image information for forming a latent image corresponding to a K (black) image, and outputs the image document at a predetermined timing. Output to the driving device driving circuit DL '. The image writing device driving circuit DL ′ outputs a driving signal to the latent image writing device ROS ′ according to the input image information. The latent image writing device ROS ′ emits a laser beam Lk ′ in accordance with a drive signal.

A process unit UP as an example of a visible image forming apparatus is detachably mounted below the latent image writing device ROS ′. The process unit UP includes a photoconductor unit UP1 as an example of an image carrier unit. The photoconductor unit UP1 includes a photoconductor Pk ′, a charging roll CRk ′ around the photoconductor Pk ′, a photoconductor cleaner CLk ′, and the like.
A developing unit UP2 is supported on the upper front side of the photosensitive unit UP1. The developing unit UP2 includes a developer container TCk ′, a developing device Gk ′, and the like.
The photosensitive unit UP1 and the developing unit UP2 constitute a process unit UP of Example 2. An image writing light passage hole UPa is formed between the photosensitive unit UP1 and the developing unit UP2 of the process unit UP, and the laser beam Lk ′ passes through the image writing light passage hole UPa. Then, a latent image is written on the photosensitive member Pk ′.

  A transfer unit UT is disposed below the process unit UP. The transfer unit UT has a transfer roll T1k ′ as an example of a transfer member on the upper front side, and a post-transfer sheet guide SGT as an example of a medium guide member on the lower rear side of the transfer roll T1k ′. Yes. The transfer roll T1k ′ forms a transfer area Q3 ′ by the contact area with the photoreceptor Pk ′, and transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor Pk ′ to the recording medium S.

A pickup roller Rp ′ is disposed at the front upper side of the paper feed container TR1 ′. A separating roller Rs ′ is provided in front of the pickup roller Rp ′. The recording medium S accommodated in the paper supply container TR1 ′ is conveyed to the upper medium conveyance path SH1 ′ by the pickup roller Rp ′ and the separation roller Rs ′. Then, the sheet is conveyed to the transfer region Q3 ′ by the conveyance roller Ra ′ and the registration roller Rr ′ arranged in the medium conveyance path SH1 ′.
On the other hand, when the recording medium S is supplied manually, the front cover U2 'is opened, and the recording medium S is supplied to a manual supply path SH2' formed above the paper feed container TR1 '. The manual feed path SH2 ′ is provided with a carry-in roll Rn ′ as an example of a carry-in member. The recording medium S is transported to the transport roller Ra ′ in the medium transport path SH1 ′ by the carry-in roll Rn ′, and is transported to the transfer region Q3 ′ by the transport roller Ra ′ and the registration roller Rr ′.

  The recording medium S on which an image is recorded in the transfer area Q3 ′ is guided by the post-transfer sheet guide SGT and conveyed to the fixing device F ′ disposed behind the transfer unit UT. In the fixing device F ′, the recording medium S that has passed through the fixing region Q5 ′, which is the contact region of the pressure roll Fp ′ and the heating roll Fh ′, is a switching gate as an example of a switching member that switches the conveyance direction of the recording medium S. It is guided to the discharge path SH3 ′ by GT. Then, the paper is discharged to a discharge tray TRh ′ by a discharge roll Rh ′ as an example of a discharge member. The reversing path SH4 ′ extends from the position where the switching gate GT ′ is disposed in the discharge path SH3 ′ to the sheet feeding container TR1 ′. Thus, at the time of duplex printing, the recording medium S once transported to the discharge path SH3 ′ is transported in the direction opposite to the discharge direction. Then, the recording medium S is guided to the reversing path SH4 'by the switching gate GT, and is stored in the paper feed container TR1' in a state where the recording medium S is reversed, and an image forming operation is performed again, and an image is recorded on the other side. Is done.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part in a state where a thin plate member is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.
In FIG. 9, the front side of the pair of separating rolls Rs ′ is supported on the upper part of the sheet feeding container TR1 ′. Further, the rear side of the separating roll Rs ′ is supported by the upstream end of the medium transport path SH1 ′ of the image forming apparatus main body U1 ′. When the paper feed container TR1 'is mounted on the printer U', the front and rear separating rolls Rs' come into contact with each other, and when the recording medium S is supplied, the recording medium S is separated.
A thin plate member passage gap 6 'is formed between the paper feed container TR1' and the image forming apparatus main body U1 'in front of the separating roll Rs' in the printer U 'to which the paper feed container TR1' is mounted. Yes.
An information reading device 11 'is arranged above the separating roll Rs' and reads information stored in the information storage device 22 'of the protective sheet Sp'.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the printer U ′ according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, one end side of the thin plate members Se ′ and Sp ′ is disposed so as to cover the upper side of the transfer roll T1k ′, and the lead-out portion Se1 ′, which is the other end side. Sp1 ′ passes through the medium conveyance path SH1 ′ and is arranged on the image forming apparatus main body U1 ′ in a state of being led outward. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the thin plate members Se ′ and Sp ′ are sandwiched between the photosensitive member Pk ′ and the transfer roll T1k ′, and lead-out portions Se1 ′ and Sp1 ′ are interposed via the thin plate member passage gap 6 ′. Is mounted in a state that is visible to the user. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the printer U ′ is transported, stored and installed in a state protected from contact and abrasion between the photosensitive member Pk ′ and the transfer roll T1k ′. 'And Sp' are easily and almost reliably extracted from the image forming apparatus main body U1 '.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of the image forming apparatus to which the thin plate member of Example 3 is mounted, and corresponds to FIG.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a thin plate member of Example 3, corresponding to FIG. 7, wherein FIG. 11A is a view of the surface of the thin plate member, and FIG. 11B is a view of the back surface of the thin plate member.
Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

  In FIG. 11, in the conductive paper Se of Example 3, the instruction display 21 is described only on one side of the conductive paper Se of Example 1, and instructions are given to both the front surface Se2 and the back surface Se3 of the conductive paper Se. A display 21 is described. In the third embodiment, as an example of the instruction display 21, an instruction figure 21d including an arrow 21c in a pulling direction and an explanatory diagram showing an operation to be performed by the user is described.

  In FIG. 10, instead of the derivation unit Se1 of the first embodiment being only led out from the manual feed port TR11a, in the third embodiment, the derivation unit led out from the manual feed port TR11a. Se1 is lifted upward, and the lead-out portion Se1 is stuck to the printer U by a tape 23 as an example of a sticking member.

(Operation of Example 3)
In the printer U of the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the conductive paper Se is mounted, in the first embodiment, the derivation unit Se1 is only led out from the manual feed unit TR11. The lead-out part Se1 is led out from the manual feed part TR11, is further bent upward, and the lead-out part Se1 is attached to the printer U with the tape 23. This prevents the conductive paper Se from falling off during transportation, storage, and installation, and prevents the mounting state with respect to the printer U from shifting compared to when the tape 23 is not attached. When the user peels off the tape 23 and pulls out the conductive paper Se from the image forming apparatus main body U1, the indication display 21 is written on both sides even if the surface of the lead-out portion Se1 changes as the user pulls out. Thus, the instruction display 21 continues to be visually recognized and is extracted from the image forming apparatus main body U1.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part of the image forming apparatus to which the thin plate member of Example 4 is attached, and corresponds to FIG.
Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the second embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the second embodiment in other points.

In the conductive paper Se ′ of the fourth embodiment, the instruction display 21 is displayed on both sides in the same manner as the conductive paper Se of the third embodiment, instead of the instruction display 21 on only one side of the conductive paper Se ′ of the second embodiment. Is described.
The conductive paper Se ′ mounted on the image forming apparatus main body U1 ′ of the second embodiment is only led out through the thin plate member passage gap 6 ′, but the image forming apparatus main body U1 of the fourth embodiment. As in the third embodiment, the conductive paper Se ′ to be attached to ′ is bent upward and a lead-out portion Se1 ′ led out is attached to the printer U ′ with a tape 23.

(Operation of Example 4)
In the printer U ′ according to the fourth embodiment having the above-described configuration, the conductive paper Se ′ is affixed to the printer U ′. As in the third embodiment, the conductive paper Se ′ is prevented from falling off and the printer U ′. Even if the attached state is difficult to shift and the surface of the lead-out portion Se1 ′ that is visually recognized changes, the instruction display 21 is extracted while being visually recognized by the user.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H05) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In each of the above-described embodiments, the printers U and U ′ are illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copying machine, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions. It is.

(H02) In each of the embodiments described above, it is desirable that the indication display 21 is described in the derivation portions Se1, Sp1, Se1 ′, Sp1 ′ of the thin plate members Se, Sp, Se ′, Sp ′. It can be omitted.
(H03) In each of the above embodiments, the conductive paper Se, Se ′ or the protective sheet Sp, Sp ′ is exemplified as the thin plate member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an image carrier that is easily affected by frictional charging. It is possible to use a thin plate member having a different characteristic in the partial portion of the thin plate member, in which conductive paper is disposed in the protective portion, and an information storage member of the protective sheet is disposed in the reading position of the information reader.

(H04) In each of the embodiments, the information storage members 22 and 22 'are not provided on the conductive paper Se and Se'. Information storage members 22, 22 'can be provided on the 11' side.
(H05) In the third and fourth embodiments, the configuration in which the conductive paper Se, Se ′ is pasted with the tape 23 using the conductive paper Se, Se ′ as an example of the thin plate member is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the protective sheet Sp, Sp ′ may be affixed by the tape 23 using another thin plate member, for example, the protective sheet Sp, Sp ′.

1 is a perspective explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the side cover opened. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus on which the thin plate member is mounted. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of the image forming apparatus with the thin plate member attached. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a thin plate member, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are explanatory views when no information storage member is provided, and FIG. 7C is an explanatory view when an information storage member is provided. FIG. 8 is an entire explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part in a state where a thin plate member is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of the image forming apparatus to which the thin plate member of Example 3 is mounted, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a thin plate member of Example 3, corresponding to FIG. 7, wherein FIG. 11A is a view of the surface of the thin plate member, and FIG. 11B is a view of the back surface of the thin plate member. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part of the image forming apparatus to which the thin plate member of Example 4 is attached, and corresponds to FIG.

Explanation of symbols

6,6 '... Gap,
11, 11 '... information reading device,
22, 22 '... information storage member,
B: Transfer conveyance member,
C1, C1 '... thin plate member presence / absence judging means,
C2, C2 '... operation stop control means,
Pk, Py, Pm, Pc, Pk ′... Image carrier,
Q3, Q3 '... transfer area,
Rr, Rr ′: medium timing adjusting member,
S ... medium
Se, Se ′: thin plate member, conductive paper,
Sp, Sp ′: thin plate member,
SPk, SPy, SPm, SPc ... biasing member,
Se1, Sp1, Se1 ', Sp1' ... derivation unit,
T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k '... transfer means,
TR1, TR1 '... paper feeding means,
U, U ′: Image forming apparatus,
U1, U1 ′... Image forming apparatus main body.

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus main body comprising: an image holding body that holds an image on a surface; and a transfer unit that is disposed to face the image holding body and transfers an image on the surface of the image holding body to a medium;
A sheet feeding unit that accommodates a medium transported to a transfer region where the image carrier and the transfer unit face each other, and is detachably supported with respect to the image forming apparatus main body;
A thin plate-like thin plate member sandwiched between the transfer regions, the lead member having a lead-out portion led out of the image forming apparatus main body through a gap between the image forming apparatus main body and the paper feeding unit; The thin plate member that can be pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body without opening the inside of the image forming apparatus main body by pulling a portion;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A plurality of the image holders, a plurality of the transfer means arranged opposite to the image holders, and supported by the plurality of transfer means and sandwiched between the transfer means and the image holders An endless belt-shaped transfer conveying member that is placed in a state where the medium is carried on the surface, and the image forming apparatus main body,
The thin plate member sandwiched between the plurality of image holding members and the transfer unit via the transfer conveying member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of urging members for urging the plurality of transfer units toward the plurality of image holding members, wherein the urging force by the urging member is set to be larger as it goes downstream along the medium conveyance direction. A force member;
Possess the derivation portion provided on the upstream side of the transfer means of the medium conveying direction upstream end, when drawn off, the downstream end of the direction to be withdrawn passes through the transfer region toward the medium conveyance direction upstream side The thin plate member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The thin plate member having an information storage member in which information on the thin plate member is stored;
An information reading device for reading information in the information storage member, and a thin plate member presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the thin plate member is inside the image forming apparatus main body based on information read by the information reading device; An operation stop control means for stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus main body when it is determined that the thin plate member is inside the image forming apparatus main body, and the image forming apparatus main body.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The thin plate member made of conductive conductive paper,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image forming apparatus main body having a medium transport timing adjusting member that is arranged adjacent to the upstream side of the transfer area and adjusts the timing of transporting the medium to the transfer area;
The thin plate member disposed avoiding the medium transport timing adjustment member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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