JP5093728B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer provided with an unnecessary material container for storing unnecessary materials such as waste toner and paper dust.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer, as described in, for example, [Patent Literature 1] and [Patent Literature 2], a waste toner collecting device that collects waste toner generated during image formation. The one with is known. Such waste toner is generated by cleaning an image carrier such as a photosensitive member and an intermediate transfer member, and other transfer members such as a transfer roller and a transfer belt in order to maintain the performance of the image forming apparatus. In general, the toner is recovered from an opening provided in the toner recovery apparatus into the apparatus.

  Since the waste toner collecting device is filled with the waste toner while repeating the image formation and cleaning, it is necessary to perform maintenance such as replacement every time the toner becomes full or waste internal waste toner.

  [Patent Document 1] describes a configuration in which the waste toner collecting device can be taken out from the image forming apparatus by opening the outer cover of the image forming apparatus, which facilitates such maintenance. .

  However, in such a configuration, when the outer cover is opened, the waste toner collecting device is tilted together with the outer cover, so that the waste toner collected inside the waste toner collecting device from the opening is outside the device. There is a risk of splashing or spilling.

  On the other hand, [Patent Document 2] describes a configuration in which a waste toner collecting device is provided with a shutter for closing an opening. With such a configuration, during the maintenance, waste toner is hardly scattered or spilled from the opening.

JP 2002-108159 A JP 2002-311772 A

However, the provision of a shutter in the waste toner collecting device causes an increase in size, weight, and cost of the device.
Further, in the image forming apparatus, when the recording medium on which image formation is performed is paper, paper dust is generated. In addition to the waste toner, there are unnecessary items to be removed and collected. It is necessary to store in an unnecessary object container.

  The present invention includes a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer that include an unnecessary container for storing unnecessary substances such as waste toner and paper dust, and that can prevent scattering and spilling of unnecessary objects from the unnecessary container without providing a shutter. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 includes an unnecessary object container for storing unnecessary objects, and the unnecessary object container together with the unnecessary object container in a predetermined direction with an opening / closing body support shaft as a center. An opening / closing body that rotates and opens and closes and exposes the unwanted object container to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body when rotated in one of the predetermined directions and opened to the image forming apparatus main body; and the opening / closing body the such that the maintaining the attitude of the unwanted matter container when opened to the image forming apparatus main body, have a support means for supporting the same undesired substance container to the closing member, said support means The unnecessary object container supporting shaft that rotatably supports the unnecessary object container with respect to the opening / closing body, and one end engaged with the opening / closing body and the other end engaged with the unnecessary object container. The unnecessary object container is disposed around the unnecessary object container supporting shaft. In an image forming apparatus and a biasing means providing a biasing force for rotating in the direction opposite to the direction in the required product container.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the unneeded object container has an opening for taking in an unneeded object therein, and the support means is an attitude of the undesired object container. Is maintained in a state in which an unnecessary object is introduced from the opening.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the support means includes a regulating member provided on the opening / closing body, and the regulating member includes the unnecessary object container. When the unnecessary object container rotates about a predetermined amount in the reverse direction around the unnecessary object container support shaft with respect to the opening / closing body, the unnecessary object container is restricted from rotating further in the reverse direction.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the opening / closing body support shaft faces a direction parallel to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus.

  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 opening / closing body includes a part of a conveyance path of a recording medium on which image formation is performed. Features.

  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 unwanted object container is in contact with a recording medium on which image formation is performed, and on the image carrier. A transfer member for transferring an image to the recording medium and a recovery means for recovering an unnecessary object attached to the transfer member in the unnecessary object container are integrally provided.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the opening / closing body includes a part of the transport path of a recording medium on which image formation is performed. A part of the path is located on the opposite side of the image carrier with respect to the transfer member.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect , the opening / closing body is rotated in the one direction about the opening / closing body supporting shaft with respect to the image forming apparatus main body together with the unnecessary object container. The unnecessary object container is rotated in the reverse direction about the unnecessary object container support shaft by the biasing means, and a part of the transport path is exposed outside the image forming apparatus main body. .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the transfer member has a belt shape or a roller shape.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the support means is provided in a guide pin provided in the unnecessary object container and an image forming apparatus main body. A guide plate that can be engaged with the guide pin. The guide plate has the opening / closing body in the reverse direction with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus together with the unnecessary object container in the reverse direction. When rotating, the guide pin has two continuous first and second planes that run in order, and the first plane has a distance from the opening / closing body support shaft and the opening / closing body support shaft. The surface that is substantially equal to the distance to the guide pin and smoothly contacts the guide pin, and the second plane has a distance from the opening / closing body support shaft that is greater than the distance between the opening / closing body support shaft and the guide pin. Characterized by a distant surface .
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the support means detachably supports the unnecessary object container with respect to the opening / closing body. It is characterized by that.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the urging means is a torsion spring, the unnecessary object container support shaft is a support shaft integral with the opening / closing body, and the support shaft. A cylindrical portion having a shaft inserted therein and rotatably supported by the support shaft, and the torsion spring wound around the outer peripheral surface thereof. The unnecessary object container can be attached to and detached from the opening / closing body by moving it relative to the support shaft in a direction parallel to the installation surface.

The invention, and unwanted material container for containing waste materials, wherein around the opening and closing member support shaft with respect to the image forming apparatus main body to open and close by rotating in a predetermined direction together with the unnecessary matters container, among the predetermined direction An opening / closing body that exposes the waste container to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body when rotated in one direction and opened to the image forming apparatus main body, and when the opening / closing body is opened to the image forming apparatus main body wherein to maintain the posture of the unnecessary matters container, have a support means for supporting the same undesired substance container to the closing member, said support means, said unnecessary material container in the opening and closing body An unnecessary object container support shaft that is rotatably supported with respect to the unnecessary object container support shaft, with one end engaged with the opening / closing body and the other end engaged with the unnecessary object container. The urging force that rotates the container in the direction opposite to the one direction is the same. A biasing means for giving a principal object container, since the image forming apparatus having, can der to prevent or inhibit splashing and spillage of unwanted substances from the undesired substances container without providing a member of the shutter or the like Rutotomoni, can access to the required product container constitutes a layout easier when opening the opening and closing member with respect to the image forming body and the Do Ri, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having excellent usability.

  The unwanted object container has an opening for taking in unwanted objects therein, and the support means maintains the posture of the unwanted object container in a state in which unwanted objects are taken in from the opening. For example, it is possible to prevent or suppress the scattering and spilling of unwanted objects from the unwanted container without providing a member such as a shutter that closes the opening, and to provide an image forming apparatus with excellent usability. it can.

  If the opening / closing body support shaft is oriented in a direction parallel to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent scattering and spilling of unnecessary objects from an unnecessary object container without providing a member such as a shutter. When the opening / closing body is opened with respect to the image forming main body, the space above the opening / closing body is opened, and the unnecessary container is exposed in this space, so that the unnecessary container can be easily accessed. A layout can be configured, and an image forming apparatus with excellent usability can be provided.

  If the opening / closing body includes a part of a conveyance path of a recording medium on which image formation is performed, it is possible to prevent scattering and spilling of unnecessary objects from an unnecessary object container without providing a member such as a shutter. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be suppressed, has an excellent feeling of use, and does not need to separately provide such a conveyance path, and can be simplified, downsized, and inexpensive.

  The unwanted object container includes a transfer member that transfers an image on the image carrier to the recording medium while abutting on a recording medium on which image formation is performed, and the unwanted object adhered to the transfer member. It is possible to prevent or suppress the scattering and spilling of unnecessary objects from the container for unnecessary objects without providing a member such as a shutter. An image forming apparatus that is excellent in feeling and that does not require a separate transport path for transporting unneeded objects collected by the collecting means to an unneeded container, and that can simplify, downsize, and reduce the cost of the apparatus. Can be provided.

  In the image forming apparatus in which the opening / closing body includes a part of the transport path of the recording medium on which image formation is performed, a part of the transport path is located on the opposite side of the image carrier with respect to the transfer member. If this is the case, it is possible to prevent or suppress the scattering and spilling of unwanted objects from the unwanted object container without providing a member such as a shutter, and to facilitate the jam processing of the recording medium. This makes it easy to use, and it is not necessary to provide a separate transport path for transporting unnecessary materials collected by the recovery means to the waste container. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving the above.

  If the transfer member is belt-shaped or roller-shaped, the design of the transfer member and its surroundings is highly flexible, and unnecessary materials from the unnecessary-material container can be removed without providing a member such as a shutter. It is possible to prevent or suppress scattering and spillage, and to make it easy to handle the jam of the recording medium. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a transport path for transporting the image, and an image forming apparatus capable of simplifying, downsizing, and reducing the cost of the apparatus can be provided.

  Assuming that the support means detachably supports the unnecessary object container with respect to the opening / closing body, it is possible to prevent the unnecessary object from being scattered or spilled from the unnecessary object container without providing a member such as a shutter. In addition to being able to prevent or suppress, it is possible to facilitate the attachment / detachment of the unnecessary container, and it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with excellent usability.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome multifunction machine including a laser copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, but is another type of copying machine such as a color machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and these multifunction machines. May be. The image forming apparatus 1 performs image forming processing based on image data of a document read by the image forming apparatus 1 or an image signal corresponding to image information received from the outside. The image forming apparatus 1 can form an image using plain paper generally used for copying, OHP sheets, thick paper such as cards and postcards, and envelopes as sheet-like recording media. .

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 4 disposed substantially at the center in the height direction of the housing 1A, and a paper discharge storage unit serving as a paper discharge unit disposed above the image forming unit 4. A document reading unit 3 serving as a reading unit for reading a document and positioned above the image forming unit 4 with the paper tray 2 and the paper discharge tray 2 interposed therebetween, and a paper feeding unit disposed below the image forming unit 4 A sheet feeding device 11, a control unit (not shown) that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1, and whether an operator performs image formation start instruction by pressing a copy button or the like, performs single-sided image formation or double-sided image formation It has an operation panel (not shown) that can perform various operations such as instructions.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an in-body discharge type image forming apparatus that discharges paper within a housing 1 </ b> A, and a paper discharge tray 2 is positioned between the image forming unit 4 and the document reading unit 3. Thus, a sheet P as a recording medium on which an image is formed is discharged and stored on the discharge tray 2.

  The image forming unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum 5 as an image carrier that is a drum-like latent image carrier. The photosensitive drum 5 is rotated at a predetermined speed in the X direction, which is counterclockwise in the drawing, by a main motor as a drive source (not shown).

  The image forming unit 4 is also arranged around the photosensitive drum 5 along the rotation direction X, and a charging device 6 as a charging unit that performs a charging process on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 and an image to be formed. On the basis of the image information corresponding to the writing device 6, a writing device 7 as writing means as an exposure device for irradiating a beam L for scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 charged by the charging device 6, and a photosensitive member exposed by the beam L. A developing device 8 as developing means for developing and visualizing an electrostatic latent image as a latent image formed on the surface of the drum 5 with toner, and a toner formed by developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 5 A transfer device 9 serving as a transfer unit that transfers an image to a sheet P to be transferred, and an image carrier that removes and collects unnecessary materials such as toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 after transfer by the transfer device 9 And a cleaning device 10 as a cleaning means.

  The image forming unit 4 also passes between the photosensitive drum 5 and the transfer device 9, and the conveyance path Y of the sheet P indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow, and the sheet P indicated by a broken line arrow branched from the conveyance path Y. Transport path Z.

  The image forming unit 4 also takes over the transport of the paper P fed from the paper feeding device 11 from the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P in the transport path Y and further transports the paper P further downstream in the transport direction Y. A registration roller 14 that is disposed downstream of the transport roller 17 and upstream of the transfer device 9 in the transport direction Y and feeds the paper P to a transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 5 and the transfer device 9; A fixing device 12 that is a fixing device as a fixing unit disposed downstream of the transfer device 9 and upstream of the paper discharge tray 2 in the direction Y, and a rear end of the paper P that has passed through the fixing device 12 And a paper discharge sensor 25 for detecting discharge of the paper P to the paper discharge tray 2 and a paper discharge roller that rotates forward and backward, and discharges the paper P onto the paper discharge tray 2 during forward rotation. Paper discharge device as a paper discharge means for discharging to the outside of the body 1A And 13, has in this order.

  The image forming unit 4 also includes a cover 31 as an opening / closing body that is integrated with the transfer device 9 and includes a part of the conveyance path Z therein, and that opens and closes with respect to the main body 51 of the image forming device 1 together with the transfer device 9. A branching claw 32 for enabling the paper P in the transport path Y to be guided into the transport path Z, and a support means 40 shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document reading unit 3 includes a contact glass 3E serving as a document placement table, and a light source 3A serving as a document illumination light source for scanning a document G placed on the contact glass 3E. A reading traveling body 3F provided with a reflection mirror 3B for optical path conversion, a reading optical system 3C including a lens that transmits reflected light from a document formed by the reading traveling body 3F, and light transmitted through the reading optical system 3C is incident. And an optical element 3D such as a CCD for reading this as an image signal. The document image information read by the optical element 3D is output to the control unit, digitized, and subjected to image processing.

  The writing device 7 forms a semiconductor laser 7A as a laser diode that performs irradiation in accordance with image information and the like of the document input to the control unit, and an imaging optical system for imaging light emitted by the semiconductor laser 7A. A reflecting mirror and an imaging lens (not shown), a polygon mirror 7B as a deflecting means for scanning light from the semiconductor laser that has passed through the reflecting mirror and the imaging lens, and a driving means 7C for rotationally driving the polygon mirror 7B; Light scanned by the polygon mirror 7B is used as a beam L, which is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 5 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  The semiconductor laser 7A is controlled to emit light based on the image signal from the control unit. In the control unit, not only the image information from the document reading unit 3, but also a print signal and a facsimile when used as a printer. The drive control of the semiconductor laser is performed by an image signal corresponding to a transmission signal when used as an apparatus. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 has a function as a digital multifunction peripheral having functions as a printer and a facsimile machine as well as a copying machine.

  The paper feeding device 11 stacks the paper P and supplies the stacked paper P to the image forming unit 4. The paper feeding device 11 feeds the paper P to the image forming unit 4. A paper feed roller 11B as a feed roller that abuts on the topmost paper P among the papers P stacked on the tray 11A and feeds it toward the image forming unit 4, specifically, the registration roller 14 by rotation thereof. A separation roller 11C is provided that separates the uppermost sheet P from other sheets P and feeds it toward the conveyance roller 17 when there are a plurality of sheets P fed out by the sheet roller 11B. Another sheet feeding device can be added to the sheet feeding device 11 as necessary.

  The registration roller 14 is abutted against the leading edge of the paper P fed from the paper feeding device 11 to temporarily stop the conveyance, and the positional relationship between the leading edge of the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 and the leading edge of the paper P. The rotation is started at a predetermined timing at which the two coincide.

  The fixing device 12 includes a fixing roller 12A capable of interlocking rotation by contacting and facing each other so that the paper P can be nipped and conveyed, and a pressurizing member as a pressing member disposed facing the fixing roller 12A. The paper P having a roller 12B and having the toner image transferred to the surface by the transfer device 9 is passed between the fixing roller 12A and the pressure roller 12B, and heating and pressurization are performed at this time. The toner image is fused and fixed on the paper P.

  The branching claw 32 normally occupies a home position for guiding the paper P, on which one side of the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 12, to the paper discharge device 13. When the passage of the rear end of the paper P on which the toner image is fixed on one surface by the fixing device 12 is detected by the paper discharge sensor 25, the front end of the paper P swings upward. .

  The paper discharge device 13 discharges the paper P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 12 onto the paper discharge tray 2 by normal rotation, but when the operation panel or the like is instructed to perform double-sided image formation, When the leading end of the branching claw 32 swings upward, the reverse is reversed, and the paper P enters the transport path Z from the rear end.

  In the transport path Z, the paper P that has entered from the transport path Y passes through the cover 31 and then enters the transport path Y of the paper P again. The position where the transport path Z causes the paper P to enter the transport path Y is upstream of the registration rollers 14 in the transport direction of the paper P in the transport path Y.

  Therefore, the paper P that has entered the transport path Y again from the transport path Y through the transport path Z is in a state of being switched back and reversed, and the surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image has already been fixed is photosensitive. The sheet is fed by the registration roller 14 to the transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 5 and the transfer device 9 so as to face the body drum 5 side.

  Note that when the entire sheet P enters the transport path Z in a state where the leading end swings upward, the leading end swings downward and returns to the home position. The branch claw 32 is maintained in the home position except when the paper P is guided from the transport path Y to the transport path Z as described above.

  The photosensitive drum 5, the charging device 6, the developing device 8, and the cleaning device 10 constitute a part of the process cartridge 15. In addition to the photosensitive drum 5, the charging device 6, the developing device 8, and the cleaning device 10, the process cartridge 15 has a support body (not shown) that integrally supports them. The support is detachably provided on the main body 51.

  Therefore, the process cartridge 15 is configured such that the photosensitive drum 5, the charging device 6, the developing device 8, and the cleaning device 10 are integrated and detachable from the main body 51. As a result, workability such as maintenance and replacement of the photosensitive drum 5, the charging device 6, the developing device 8, and the cleaning device 10 is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the charging device 6 includes a charging roller 16 that is disposed so as to face and contact the photosensitive drum 5 and charges the photosensitive drum 5, and a toner that adheres to the charging roller 16. And a cleaning device 21 as a charging roller cleaner for removing paper dust and the like for cleaning. The diameter of the charging roller 16 is φ14 mm.

  The cleaning device 21 rotates in contact with the charging roller 16 as a cleaning object, that is, a cleaning roller 22 that rotates as a driven member, and presses and biases the cleaning roller 22 toward the charging roller 16. It has a spring (not shown) which is a compression spring as an urging member.

  The developing device 8 is a developing device that uses a two-component developer including toner and carrier, and has a developing roller 24 that is in contact with the photosensitive drum 5 and an agent supply member 23 that supplies the developer to the developing roller 24. is doing. The developing roller 24 rotates in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 5 at a position facing the photosensitive drum 5. The developing roller 24 carries a two-component developer and supplies toner contained in the two-component developer to the photosensitive drum 5. Then, development corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is performed. The diameter of the developing roller 24 is φ19 mm. In order to perform high-quality development, such a developer contains spherical toner.

The cleaning device 10 has a well-known configuration including a cleaning blade that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 and scrapes and cleans unnecessary materials on the surface.
The beam L includes a position where the charging device 6, specifically, the charging roller 16 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 5, and a position where the developing device 8, specifically, the developing roller 24 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 5. The photosensitive drum 5 is irradiated at a position in between.

  The transfer device 9 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 5 with the cover 31 closed, and a roller-shaped transfer roller 52 as a transfer member that transfers the toner image, which is an image on the photosensitive drum 5, to the paper P, and a transfer A cleaning blade 36 as a transfer cleaning means, which is a recovery means for removing unnecessary toner and paper dust adhered to the roller 52 and recovering it, and a transfer blade 52 rotatably supported and transferred by the cleaning blade 36 The transfer roller 52 is rotationally driven in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 5 in a region facing the photosensitive drum 5 and an unnecessary object container 37 that collects and stores unnecessary materials scraped off from the roller 52 inside (not shown). A diagram in which a transfer bias for transferring a motor as a drive source and a toner image on the photosensitive drum 5 to the paper P is applied to the transfer roller 52. And a transfer bias application means not.

  The unnecessary container 37 supports the transfer roller 52 in a rotatable manner, and also supports the cleaning blade 36 in a fixed manner, and integrally includes them. The unnecessary object container 37 has an opening 38 for taking in an unnecessary object attached to the transfer roller 52, and the transfer roller 52 is positioned in the opening 38. The upper surface of the cleaning blade 36 constitutes an unnecessary object transfer path for transferring unnecessary objects. By arranging the transfer roller 52 and the cleaning blade 36 in this manner, an unnecessary material conveyance path for conveying and introducing the unnecessary material scraped from the transfer roller 52 by the cleaning blade 36 to the unnecessary material container 37 is separately provided. In addition to simplifying, downsizing, and reducing the cost of the device, leakage and scattering of unnecessary materials are prevented or suppressed.

  When transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 5 to the paper P, the transfer roller 52 contacts the paper P and is rotated by a motor to convey the paper P. Therefore, the transfer device 9 also has a function of transporting the paper P, and functions as a transfer transport device.

  The cover 31 is integrated at its lower end with a shaft 39 as an opening / closing body support shaft that forms the center of rotation of the cover 31 when the cover 31 is opened / closed with respect to the main body 51, and a support means 40. And a recess 49 for receiving the transfer device 9 when the transfer device 9 is closed with respect to the main body 51. The bottom surface of the recess 49 constitutes a part of the transport path Z shown in FIG.

  The shaft 39 extends in a direction parallel to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus 1 and in a direction parallel to the surface of the paper P passing through the transport paths Y and Z. Therefore, when the cover 31 is opened with respect to the main body 51 around the shaft 39, the upper end side of the cover 31 is opened and the transfer device 9 is exposed to the outside of the main body 51. Therefore, when the cover 31 is opened with respect to the main body 51, access to the transfer device 9 is facilitated, and the maintenance performance for the transfer device 9 including the unnecessary material container 37 is high. For example, the unnecessary material container 37 can be replaced. It has become easier.

  Further, since the cover 31 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 5 with respect to the transfer roller 52, a part of the transport path Z shown in FIG. A part of the transfer portion between the body drum 5 and the transfer device 9 is also located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 5 with respect to the transfer roller 52, so that the cover 31 is located with respect to the main body 51. When opened, a part of the transport paths Y and Z is exposed, and access to this becomes easy, so that maintainability is high. That is, even when a jam of the paper P occurs in a part of the scale, it can be easily removed, and the maintainability is high.

  Since the cover 31 also serves as an unnecessary object container 37, the transfer device 9 including the waste container 37, and a part of the cover for the transport path Y, it is not necessary to separately provide a cover for these, and the apparatus is simplified. Downsizing and cost reduction have been made.

  When the cover 31 is opened with respect to the main body 51, the registration rollers 14 and the fixing device 12 are also exposed. The fixing device 12 can be pulled out and detached from the main body 51 with the cover 31 opened with respect to the main body 51 and the fixing device 12 exposed, and the maintenance performance including jam processing and replacement thereof is high. . Further, when the cover 31 is opened with respect to the main body 51, the process cartridge 15 is also exposed to the outside of the main body 51, and can be pulled out and attached to and removed from the main body 51. It has become. Since the cover 31 also serves as a cover for the registration roller 14, the fixing device 12, and the process cartridge 15, the apparatus is simplified, miniaturized, and inexpensive as in the case of the unnecessary container 37. Yes.

  When the cover 31 is opened with respect to the main body 51, the support unit 40 maintains the posture of the transfer device 9 in a state in which unnecessary objects are taken in from the openings 38 and in a state in which unnecessary objects do not leak from the openings 38. To do.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the support means 40 supports the unnecessary object container 37 so as to be rotatable with respect to the cover 31, and serves as a center of rotation of the unnecessary object container 37 with respect to the cover 31. The shaft 41 disposed below the unnecessary object container 37 as a support shaft and the shaft 41 that urges the unnecessary object container 37 to stand up against the cover 31 that is open to the main body 51. The wound torsion spring 42, the butting portion 43 provided on the cover 31 with which one end of the torsion spring 42 is engaged, and the unnecessary object container 37 with which the other end of the torsion spring 42 is engaged are provided. A regulating member 45 disposed on the abutting portion 44, the cover 31 and regulating excessive rotation of the unnecessary container 37 with respect to the cover 31 by the urging force of the torsion spring 42; The guide pin 46 disposed on the upper portion of the container 37 and the guide pin 46 engage with the guide pin 46 when the cover 31 is closed. Specifically, the guide pin 46 is disposed integrally with the housing 1A. And a guide plate 47. In addition, the member shown with the code | symbol 48 in the figure is a control member which controls the excessive opening of the cover 31. FIG.

  The shaft 41 is disposed in parallel to the shaft 39. The shaft 41 has a cylindrical portion 41A as an integral supporting shaft on the cover 31 side, and the cylindrical portion 41A is inserted into the inside thereof and is rotatably supported by the cylindrical portion 41A, and a torsion spring 42 is wound around the outer peripheral surface thereof. And a cylindrical portion 41B as a supported shaft. By inserting and removing the cylindrical portion 41B in a direction parallel to the installation direction of the image forming apparatus 1 which is generally substantially equal to the horizontal direction or the horizontal direction with respect to the cylindrical portion 41A, the transfer device 9 can be easily made. It is separated from the cover 31 and can be taken out from the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the support unit 40 supports the transfer device 9 so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 1.

  The torsion spring 42 has a biasing force in the counterclockwise direction around the shaft 41 in the drawing in a direction in which the abutting portion 43 and the abutting portion 44 are separated from each other. Is generated with respect to the cover 31.

  The regulating member 45 is in a state in which the posture of the transfer device 9 that attempts to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing by the urging force of the torsion spring 42 matches the posture of the transfer device 9 when the cover 31 is closed. The transfer device 9 is prevented from further rotating in the same direction by coming into contact with the outer surface of the waste container 37 when it is touched.

  When the cover 31 is rotated about the shaft 39 in a state where the transfer device 9 is controlled to be rotated by the regulating member 45, the guide pin 46 is a circle centered on the shaft 39 as indicated by a one-dot difference line. An arc-shaped locus C is drawn.

  The guide plate 47 has two continuous flat surfaces 47A and 47B on which the guide pin 46 rides. The plane 47A is a surface that has a distance from the shaft 39 substantially equal to the distance between the shaft 39 and the guide pin 46 and smoothly contacts the guide pin 46 moving on the locus C. The plane 47 </ b> B is a surface whose distance from the shaft 39 is farther than the distance between the shaft 39 and the guide pin 46.

  When the cover 31 is closed, the guide pin 46 is pushed up by the flat surface 47B, and the cover 13 is closed against the urging force of the torsion spring 42 by the frictional force between the guide pin 46 and the flat surface 47B. Maintained. The difference between the frictional force and the urging force is such that the cover 31 does not open with respect to the main body 51 due to disturbance caused by driving of the image forming apparatus 1 or external vibration, and the operator covers the cover. When opening 31 to the main body 51, it is set so as not to apply a great force.

  Since the support means 40 is configured as described above, even if the operator opens the cover 31 with respect to the main body 51 to expose the transfer device 9 to the outside of the main body 51, the transfer means 9 is 2 is rotated about the shaft 41 so as to stand up from the recess 49 shown in FIG. 2, and as shown in FIG. 3, the state substantially the same as the state shown in FIG. 1 is maintained. Further, when the operator closes the cover 31 and houses the transfer device 9 in the main body 51, the guide pin 46 rides on the planes 47A and 47B sequentially while maintaining the substantially same state as shown in FIG. The transfer device 9 rotates about the shaft 41 and is housed in the recess 49, and is in the state shown in FIG.

  Therefore, during the opening / closing operation of the cover 31 with respect to the main body 51, the posture of the transfer device 9 is maintained, and unnecessary materials are prevented from leaking from the opening 38 to the outside of the unnecessary material container 37. In other words, only by opening and closing the cover 31 with respect to the main body 51, the transfer device 9 is exposed to the outside of the main body 51 in a state in which the posture is maintained. Note that due to the structure of the support means 40, the posture of the transfer device 9 is not always completely constant when the cover 31 is opened and closed, but leakage of unnecessary materials from the opening 38 due to the shake of the posture of the transfer device 9 is prevented. ing. That is, the maintenance of the posture when the support means 40 maintains the posture of the unnecessary object container 37 includes a shake of the posture of the unnecessary object container 37 within a range in which unnecessary objects are prevented from leaking.

  Since the transfer device 9 is detachably supported by the image forming apparatus 1 by the support means 40, the transfer device 9 is detached from the main body 51 as necessary, and unnecessary internal materials are discarded under a predetermined working environment, or a new one. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unwanted scattering and spillage of unintended items during maintenance. In particular, since the transfer device 9 can be easily taken out by detaching the cylindrical portion 41B from the cylindrical portion 41A, such maintainability is extremely high. Further, the transfer device 9 can be easily mounted by inserting the cylindrical portion 41B into the column portion 41A in the extending direction, which is usually a horizontal direction. Further, the shaft 39 and the shaft 41 are separate shafts. When the shaft 41 is positioned above the shaft 39 and the cover 31 is opened, the transfer device 9 is exposed with the opening 38 positioned above the cover 31. Since the space for attaching / detaching the transfer device 9 to / from the main body 51 is greatly opened simply by opening the cover 31, this also improves the maintainability.

  Although the above has described the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome machine, the present invention can be similarly applied to a color machine.

  FIG. 4 shows an image forming apparatus 1 which is a color machine to which the present invention is applied. The same components as those described for the monochrome machine are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Further, the description overlapping with the description of the monochrome machine is omitted, and different parts are mainly described.

  The reference numerals shown in FIG. 4 ending with Y, M, C, and K, respectively, form an image forming system for forming toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and the image forming system. The Y-, M-, C-, and K-suffixes are added to the above-described symbols attached to the monochrome machine, and their actions, operations, positions, etc. are indicated by the corresponding symbols. This is the same as the configuration and position of the monochrome machine.

  In the tandem type image forming apparatus 1 which is a color machine shown in FIG. 4, the transfer device 9 is configured to include a primary transfer device 26 and a secondary transfer device 56 described below. Although the transport path Y extends in the left-right direction in the figure, it actually extends in the up-down direction and is vertically transported as shown in FIG.

  The primary transfer device 26 is an intermediate transfer device serving as an intermediate transfer unit, and is provided as a primary transfer unit. The primary transfer device 26 stores toner images of respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. Transfer bias rollers 52Y, 52M, 52C, and 52K that are superimposed and transferred in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black on a belt 19 that is a belt-shaped transfer member and an image carrier as an intermediate transfer member provided in A cleaning blade 54 similar to the above-described cleaning blade 36 is provided as a recovery means for recovering unnecessary materials from the belt 19. The transfer bias rollers 52Y, 52M, 52C, and 52K each function as a primary transfer bias roller that performs such primary transfer.

  The secondary transfer device 56 is provided as a secondary transfer unit, and transfers a color toner image obtained by being superimposed and transferred onto the belt 19 onto the paper P. The secondary transfer device 56 includes a counter roller 57 around which the belt 19 is wound, a secondary transfer bias roller 58 as a transfer member that applies the secondary transfer bias to the counter roller 57 with the belt 19 interposed therebetween, and a secondary transfer device. A cleaning blade 55 similar to the above-described cleaning blade 36 is provided as a recovery unit for recovering unnecessary materials from the transfer bias roller 58.

  In addition, the transfer device 9 accommodates an unnecessary object collected by the cleaning blades 54 and 55 as an unnecessary object container. As a cover (not shown) and support means similar to the cover 31, there are support means (not shown) similar to the support means 40 described above, and the posture of the unnecessary object container is maintained as in the transfer device 9 described above. It has functions such as

  Further, in the tandem image forming apparatus 1 which is the color machine shown in FIG. 4, the transfer device 9 is provided in the secondary transfer device 56 of the above-described primary transfer device 26 and secondary transfer device 56. Only the secondary transfer bias roller 58 may be provided as a transfer member. The transfer device 9 in this case is similar to the above-described unwanted object container 37, which accommodates an unnecessary object collected by a cleaning blade 55 as a collecting means as an unnecessary object container in addition to the secondary transfer bias roller 58. As the above-described transfer device 9, it has an unnecessary object container, an opening / closing body, a cover (not shown) similar to the above-described cover 31, and a support means (not shown) similar to the above-described support means 40. It has a function of maintaining the posture of the unnecessary object container.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and the present invention described in the claims is not specifically limited by the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the above.
For example, the support means may maintain the posture of the unnecessary object container using the center of gravity of the unnecessary object container itself.

  Further, although the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to vertically convey the recording medium in the above-described monochrome machine and color machine, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that horizontally conveys the recording medium, in other words, horizontally. The transfer member may be either a belt shape or a roller shape.

  The unnecessary material differs depending on what is collected by the collecting means, and may be constituted by paper powder or the like without including toner. The developing device may perform development using a one-component developer instead of a two-component developer.

  In the above-described example, the unnecessary material container support shaft is a mode in which the columnar portion 41A serving as the support shaft is engaged with the inside of the cylindrical portion 41B serving as the supported shaft, but the mode of engagement may be reversed. It is also possible to engage from the axial direction, such as when the end portions abut each other from the axial direction.

  The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

1 is a schematic front view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of an unnecessary object container, an opening / closing body, and a periphery thereof provided in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of an unnecessary object container, a supporting unit, and a periphery thereof provided in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is the schematic of the image forming apparatus of the other structure to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 5, 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5BK Image carrier 19 Image carrier, transfer member 31 Opening and closing body 36 Collecting means 37 Unnecessary substance container 38 Opening 39 Opening and closing body support shaft 40 Support means 41 Unnecessary substance container support Shaft 51 Image forming apparatus main body 52 Transfer member 54 Collecting means 55 Collecting means 58 Transfer member P Recording medium Z Recording medium transport path, a part of which is provided in the opening / closing body

Claims (12)

An unnecessary object container for storing unnecessary objects;
Together with the unnecessary container, the image forming apparatus main body rotates in a predetermined direction around the opening / closing body support shaft, opens and closes, and rotates in one of the predetermined directions to open the image forming apparatus main body. An opening / closing body that exposes the waste container to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body,
So as to maintain a posture of the unwanted matter container when opening said opening and closing member relative to the image forming apparatus main body, it has a support means for supporting the same unwanted materials container relative to the closing member,
The support means includes an unnecessary object container support shaft for rotatably supporting the unnecessary object container with respect to the opening / closing body, one end engaged with the opening / closing body, and the other end engaged with the unnecessary object container. And an urging means for applying an urging force to the unnecessary object container to rotate the unnecessary object container in a direction opposite to the one direction about the unnecessary object container support shaft . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The unwanted object container has an opening for taking unwanted objects inside,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit maintains the posture of the unnecessary object container in a state where unnecessary objects are taken in from the opening. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The support means has a regulating member provided on the opening / closing body,
The restricting member is configured such that when the unnecessary object container rotates a predetermined amount in the reverse direction about the unnecessary object container support shaft with respect to the opening and closing body, the unnecessary object container is further in the reverse direction. An image forming apparatus that restricts rotation . The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing body support shaft is oriented in a direction parallel to an installation surface of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing body includes a part of a conveyance path of a recording medium on which image formation is performed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The unwanted object container includes a transfer member that transfers an image on the image carrier to the recording medium while abutting on a recording medium on which image formation is performed, and the unwanted object adhered to the transfer member. An image forming apparatus having a collection unit for collecting the image forming apparatus therein. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the opening / closing body includes a part of the transport path of a recording medium on which image formation is performed.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the transport path is located on the opposite side of the image carrier with respect to the transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 .
When the opening / closing body is rotated in the one direction around the opening / closing body support shaft with respect to the image forming apparatus main body together with the unnecessary object container, the unnecessary object container is moved by the biasing means to the unnecessary object container. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus rotates in the opposite direction about a support shaft and a part of the transport path is exposed outside the image forming apparatus main body . 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the transfer member has a belt shape or a roller shape.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
  The support means includes a guide pin provided in the unwanted object container, and a guide plate provided in the image forming apparatus main body and engageable with the guide pin.
  The guide plate includes two continuous second guide pins when the opening / closing body rotates together with the unnecessary object container with respect to the image forming apparatus body in the reverse direction about the opening / closing body support shaft. A first plane and a second plane;
  The first plane is a surface in which the distance from the opening / closing body support shaft is substantially equal to the distance between the opening / closing body support shaft and the guide pin, and smoothly contacts the guide pin,
  2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second plane is a surface that is farther from the opening / closing body support shaft than the distance between the opening / closing body support shaft and the guide pin.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting unit detachably supports the unnecessary object container with respect to the opening / closing body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.
  The biasing means is a torsion spring,
  The unnecessary object container support shaft includes a support shaft integral with the opening / closing body, the support shaft is inserted into the support shaft and is rotatably supported by the support shaft, and the torsion spring is wound around the outer peripheral surface thereof. Having a cylindrical portion,
  The unnecessary object container can be attached to and detached from the opening / closing body by moving the cylindrical portion with respect to the support shaft in a horizontal direction or a direction parallel to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus.

Images