JP5867347B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a handle of a waste toner collection container that is attached to and detached from a mounting portion, and is interlocked with rotation of a rotary scum that locks and unlocks the waste toner collection container. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that cleans a writing head.

  Conventionally, there is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In this image forming apparatus, generally, a photosensitive drum is uniformly charged and initialized, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by optical writing, and the electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image. Is directly or indirectly transferred onto a transfer material such as paper and fixed by a fixing device.

  In such an image forming apparatus, a unit for image formation such as a paper transport unit, an image forming unit, a transfer belt unit, and a fixing unit is generally positioned and held by a frame of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Has been adopted.

  These units need to be replaced with new ones or to be subjected to maintenance work, such as cleaning, when their lifetimes have expired or become dirty after a certain period of use. For this reason, many of the units described above are configured to be detachable from the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body.

  By the way, waste toner that has not been used for transfer is generated from the image forming unit and the transfer belt unit. These waste toners are collected in a waste toner collection container via a waste toner transport pipe.

  The waste toner collecting container is also an important unit for the image forming apparatus, and is often detached from the mounting portion for maintenance work such as cleaning. On the other hand, the writing head for optically writing image information on the image carrier of the image forming unit, particularly in the case of the rear transfer system, is easily attached with dirt because the head surface is arranged upward.

  With regard to the waste toner collecting container, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a color image forming apparatus is provided with a waste toner box having a sufficient internal capacity without increasing the size of the apparatus itself. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)

  As for the writing head, an optical writing head is provided on the upper body that can be opened and closed with a hinge as a fulcrum with respect to the lower body, and cleaning is performed on the side surface of the hinge so that the imaging lens of the optical writing head can move in the short direction. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus in which a cum protection member is provided, and the cleaning member cleans the lens surface by moving the cleaning and protection member in the head direction according to opening and closing of the machine body. (For example, see Patent Document 2.)

JP 2001-318498 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-232450

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 focuses on ensuring the sufficient capacity of the waste toner collection container without increasing the size of the apparatus itself, and the operation of members related to the waste toner collection container is not limited to other techniques. There is no disclosure or suggestion of a concept linked to the operation of members related to the unit.

  Further, the technique described in Patent Document 2 is that the upper body that opens and closes with respect to the lower body is provided with a writing head, so that the transfer structure is a top surface transfer system, and the imaging lens of the optical writing head is cleaned with the upper body. There is a problem that it cannot be applied to the recent back surface transfer system in two respects that are linked to the opening and closing of the (upper cover member).

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and is a handle of a waste toner collection container that is attached to and detached from the mounting portion, and rotation of a rotary scum that locks and unlocks the waste toner collection container to the mounting portion. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus for cleaning a writing head in conjunction with the above.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a writing head arranged to write image information on an image carrier of an image forming unit that is detachably attached to a unit mounting portion, and the image carrier. a head support member for supporting the close position to close the write viewed head, to be movable in a spaced position spaced from the close position to the write viewed head to the body, along a longitudinal direction of the writing head And a waste toner collecting container that is detachably attached to a mounting portion adjacent to the unit mounting portion. When the write head is in the proximity position, the head cleaner is moved from the write head to the write head. The head cleaner is separated in the short direction of the head, and the head cleaner is moved to a position where it slides on the write head when the write head is in the separated position. A cleaner support member for supporting the head, a first link portion for moving the head support member to the proximity position or the separation position, and a position at which the head cleaner separates the cleaner support member from the write head or the head cleaner A link mechanism having a second link portion that moves to a position in sliding contact with the writing head, a link cam provided in the link mechanism, and the waste toner collection container provided on the front surface of the waste toner collection container Rotating stagnation that rotates to a lock position that locks to the part, an unlocking position that releases the lock, or a cleaning position that cleans the waste toner collection container, and engages with the link cam in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation stagnation Or an interlocking cam unit having a plurality of cams for releasing the engagement .

  The present invention is a handle for a waste toner collecting container that is attached to and detached from a mounting portion, and is an image forming device that cleans the writing head in conjunction with rotation of a rotary stag that locks and unlocks the waste toner collecting container to the mounting portion. An apparatus can be provided.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of a full-color image forming apparatus (printer, apparatus main body) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating only a waste toner conveyance unit, a waste toner collection container, an image forming unit mounting unit, a writing head, and an interlock cam unit extracted from the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where the waste toner collection container of the printer according to the first embodiment is mounted on the mounting unit and the rotational stagnation on the front surface is turned to the lock position. The state where the waste toner collection container of the printer according to the first embodiment is rotated in the clockwise direction of the rotational stagnation, and the triangular symbol of the rotating body is moved from the triangular symbol indicating the lock position to the triangular symbol indicating the cleaning position. FIG. (a), (b) explains the configuration of the first link portion and the second link portion of the link mechanism by taking out only one write head of the printer according to the first embodiment, its link mechanism, and their related members. It is a figure to do. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure by removing an outer half of a housing of a waste toner collecting container of the printer according to the first embodiment.

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

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of a full-color image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer or an apparatus main body) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  A printer 1 (hereinafter also referred to as an apparatus main body 1) shown in FIG. 1 is an electrophotographic secondary transfer tandem type color image forming apparatus, and includes an image forming unit 2, a transfer belt unit 3, and a toner supply unit 4. , A sheet feeding unit 5, a belt-type fixing unit 6, and a duplex printing conveyance unit 7.

  The image forming unit 2 is in contact with the lower traveling portion surface 8a of the transfer belt 8 from the upstream side to the downstream side (same as above) in order to transfer the toner image to the lower traveling portion surface 8a of the transfer belt 8 by a so-called back transfer method. The configuration is such that four image forming units 9 (9k, 9c, 9m, 9y) are arranged side by side in a multistage manner from the right side to the left side of the figure.

  Of the four image forming units 9, the three upstream image forming units 9y, 9m, and 9c are subtractive mixed primary color yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) color toners, respectively. To form a monocolor image.

  The image forming unit 9k forms a monochrome image using black (K) toner mainly used for characters and dark portions of images. Each of the image forming units 9 has the same configuration except for the color of the toner for developing the image. Accordingly, the configuration of the image forming unit 9y for yellow (Y) toner will be described below as an example.

  The image forming unit 9 includes a photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier at the top. The photosensitive drum 10 has a peripheral surface made of, for example, an organic photoconductive material. A cleaner 11, a charging roller 12, a writing head 13, and a developing roller 15 of the developing device 14 are disposed in contact with or surrounding the periphery of the photosensitive drum 10.

  The cleaner 11 includes a conveyance screw inside, and waste toner that is removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and stays at the bottom is sent to a waste toner conveyance path, which will be described later, by the conveyance screw, and the waste toner is discharged to waste toner. The transport unit transports the waste toner to the waste toner collecting container 29.

  In FIG. 1, the waste toner conveying unit is disposed behind the transfer belt unit 3, that is, on the other side in the depth direction of the drawing, so that it cannot be seen as a shadow of the transfer belt unit 3.

  The developing device 14 includes a unit housing 16 that covers the outside, a partition wall 17 provided inside, a developing roller 15, a first stirring and conveying screw 18, and a second stirring and conveying screw 19. Although not specifically shown, the first and second agitating and conveying screws 18 and 19 include a screw shaft and a fin that is integrally formed with the screw shaft and rotates.

  The developing unit 14 includes a toner supply container 20 (20y, 20m, 20c, and 20k) of the toner supply unit 4, and yellow (Y) and magenta (M) as indicated by Y, M, C, and K in FIG. ), Cyan (C), or black (K) toner is supplied.

  The transfer belt unit 3 includes the above-described endless transfer belt 8 extending in a flat loop shape in the left-right direction in the figure at the approximate center of the apparatus main body, and the transfer belt 8 spanned over the transfer belt 8. A driving roller 21 and a driven roller 22 are provided to circulate and move counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow a in the figure.

  The transfer belt 8 includes a primary transfer roller 23 integrated with the unit. The primary transfer roller 23 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 via the transfer belt 8 and directly transfers (primary transfer) the toner image to the lower running portion surface 8a of the transfer belt 8 that circulates downward.

  The transfer belt 8 conveys the toner image to the paper secondary transfer unit 24 for further transfer (secondary transfer) to the paper. The secondary transfer unit 24 includes a transfer auxiliary roller 25 disposed on the downstream side (upward in the drawing) adjacent to the drive roller 21, and a secondary transfer roller 26 that is in pressure contact with the transfer auxiliary roller 25 via the transfer belt 8. And is formed.

  A belt cleaner 27 is disposed on the transfer belt 8. The belt cleaner 27 includes a cleaning blade 28 that contacts the surface of the transfer belt 8 that is stretched around the driven roller 22. A waste toner collection container 29 is detachably disposed adjacent to the belt cleaner 27 from the left to the bottom.

  The belt cleaner 27 scrapes off and removes the waste toner remaining on the surface of the transfer belt 8 by the cleaning blade 28 and sends the waste toner to a waste toner collection container 29 via a waste toner conveyance path described later.

  The toner supply unit 4 includes four toner supply containers 20 (20y, 20m, 20c, and 20k) that are detachably disposed above the upper running unit of the transfer belt 8. As described above, the four toner supply containers 20 contain yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners.

  These four toner replenishing containers 20 are hidden behind the opposite side of the transfer belt unit 3 in FIG. 1 but are not visible, but each corresponding image forming unit 9 via a toner supply path following the toner supply port of the mounting portion. The developing device 14 is connected.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the toner supply unit 4 is held on the frame of the main body of the printer 1 through a mounting unit so as to be movable up and down from a printing execution position shown in FIG. 1 to a maintenance position above it.

  The paper feed unit 5 includes two paper feed cassettes 30 (30a, 30b) arranged in two upper and lower stages. A paper take-out roller 31, a feed roller 32, a separating roller 33, and a standby conveyance roller pair 34 are disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed opening (right side in the figure) of the two paper feed cassettes 30, respectively.

  In the paper conveyance direction (vertical upward direction in the drawing) of the standby conveyance roller pair 34, the above-described secondary transfer portion 24 to the paper by the transfer belt 8, the transfer auxiliary roller 25, and the secondary transfer roller 26 is formed.

  A belt-type heat fixing unit 6 is disposed downstream (upward in the drawing) of the secondary transfer unit 24, and a sheet after fixing is fixed to the belt-type heat fixing unit 6 further downstream of the belt-type heat fixing unit 6. A pair of carry-out rollers 36 for carrying out the paper and a pair of paper discharge rollers 38 for discharging the carried paper to a paper discharge tray 37 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus are disposed.

  The conveyance unit 7 for double-sided printing also serves as an opening / closing member whose outer surface (right outer surface in the drawing) opens or shields the inside of the printer 1 from the side surface to the outside.

  The duplex printing transport unit 7 has a return start path 39a that branches rightward in the figure from immediately before the paper discharge roller pair 38, a return intermediate path 39b that bends downward, and a left lateral direction opposite to the above. Thus, a return path 39 including a return end path 39c for finally inverting the return sheet is provided.

  In the middle of the return path 39, five pairs of return rollers 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) are arranged. The exit of the return termination path 39c joins a conveyance path to the standby conveyance roller pair 34 corresponding to the sheet feeding cassette 30b below the sheet feeding section 5.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing only the waste toner conveying unit, the waste toner collecting container 29, the image forming unit mounting portion, the writing head 13, and the interlocking cam unit in the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration.
This figure shows a state immediately after the waste toner collecting container 29 is removed from the mounting portion as indicated by an arrow b, or just before being mounted as indicated by an arrow c. As shown in the figure, the waste toner transport unit 42 includes a pipe-shaped waste toner transport path 43 that is disposed so as to extend horizontally in the rear portion of the apparatus main body 1.

  The waste toner conveyance path 43 is connected to a belt waste toner vertical conveyance unit 44 formed at a position corresponding to the belt cleaner 27 of the transfer belt unit 3 shown in FIG. A waste toner receiving port 45 is formed on the upper front surface of the belt waste toner vertical conveyance unit 44.

  The four image forming units 9 shown in FIG. 1 are mounted on the image forming unit mounting portion 46 formed of a fixed frame on the apparatus main body side adjacent to the mounting portion of the waste toner collecting container 29. The cleaner 11 of the image forming unit 9 removes the waste toner from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 that executes development and primary transfer of the toner image, and discharges the removed waste toner from the discharge port.

  The waste toner transport path 43 is connected to drum waste toner vertical transport portions 47 (47y, 47m, 47c, 47k) formed at positions corresponding to the waste toner discharge ports of the cleaner 11 of the image forming unit 9, respectively. Yes. A waste toner receiving port 48 is formed on the front upper surface of the drum waste toner vertical conveyance unit 47.

  The waste toner conveyance path 43 has a left end bent toward the front surface and an end opening forming a waste toner discharge port 49. The waste toner discharge port 49 is connected to the waste toner recovery port of the waste toner recovery container 29 when the waste toner recovery container 29 is mounted on the mounting portion.

  The waste toner discharge port 49 of the waste toner conveyance path 43 is provided with a shutter 51 when the connection with the waste toner collection port of the waste toner collection container 29 is disconnected as shown in the figure. A waste toner full sensor 52 for detecting that the waste toner collection container 29 is full of waste toner is disposed in the vicinity of the waste toner discharge port 49.

  Inside the waste toner conveyance path 43, a conveyance screw is incorporated. The conveying screw is connected to a gear 53 provided at the right end of the waste toner conveying path 43. The gear 53 is rotated by being engaged with a drive system gear (not shown) on the apparatus main body side.

The conveying screw is driven to rotate by the gear 53 and conveys the waste toner sent from the drum waste toner vertical conveyance unit 47 and the waste toner sent from the belt waste toner vertical conveyance unit 44 to the waste toner discharge port 49 to be discarded. The toner is discharged into a waste toner collecting container 29.
Let

  On the front surface of the waste toner collection container 29 surrounded by a double-dotted circle d, a horizontally long stagnation 53 serving as a handle when the waste toner collection container 29 is taken in and out of the mounting portion, and the stagnation 53 are fixed. A rotating stag 55 comprising a rotating body 54 provided is attached.

  On the rotary body 54 of the rotary stag 55, a triangular symbol 56 by printing, engraving, or molding is formed at one end in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the stagnation 53 (upper end in the figure). One corner is arranged toward the outside of the rotating body 54.

  Further, the rotation squeeze 55 has a link mechanism that protrudes in a plate shape in the right direction in the longitudinal direction of the stagnation 53 from the position where the stagnation 53 is in the horizontal position as shown in the drawing. A drive plate 57 is formed.

  When the waste toner collecting container 29 is mounted on the mounting portion as indicated by an arrow c, the link mechanism drive plate 57 moves to a position where it can be engaged with the interlocking cam unit 58 together with the rotation stagnation 55.

  The interlocking cam unit 58 includes a front cover 59 and a back side main body portion 61, and four pieces mounted on the device main body side of the image forming unit mounting portion 46 on the surface of the back side main body portion 61 facing the inside of the apparatus main body. Four unit cams 62 corresponding to the write head 13 are fixed.

  Below the writing head 13, a link mechanism 65 configured by integrating a long slide rail 63 and a long plate-like member 64 is disposed. Link cams 66 respectively corresponding to the four unit cams 62 of the interlocking cam unit 58 are fixed on the front surface of the long slide rail 63 of the link mechanism 65.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the waste toner collecting container 29 is mounted on the mounting portion from the state shown in FIG. 2 and the rotational stagnation 55 on the front surface is turned to the lock position. In FIG. 3, the front cover 59 shown in FIG. 2 is removed for easy understanding of the configuration of the back side main body 61 of the interlocking cam unit 58.

  Also, in FIG. 3, only the parts necessary for the explanation are shown with the same components as in FIG. 2 assigned the same numbers as in FIG. 2, and other parts given new numbers. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, around the rotational stagnation 55 on the front surface of the waste toner collecting container 29, a triangular symbol 67 indicating the unlocking position at the uppermost position, and a triangular symbol 68 indicating the locking position at the position next to it. A triangular symbol 69 indicating the cleaning position is displayed obliquely below.

  FIG. 3 shows a state of the rotational stagnation 55 in which the outward corner of the triangular symbol 56 of the rotator 54 is rotated to a position facing one corner of the triangular symbol 68 indicating the locked position.

  Further, in the interlock cam unit 58, the rollers 71 are arranged at five locations on the lower surface of the back-side body portion 61 so that a part of the lower portion protrudes outside the lower surface of the back-side body portion 61. Thereby, the interlocking cam unit 58 can easily slide in the left direction indicated by the arrow e or the right direction indicated by the arrow e ′.

  In addition, long hole grooves 72 are formed at two locations on the lower surface of the back-side body portion 61. In these long hole grooves 72, restriction pins 73 that are fixedly installed on the frame on the apparatus main body 1 side are fitted from below. Thereby, the sliding range is regulated so that the interlocking cam unit 58 slides in the left-right direction indicated by the arrow e or the arrow e ′ within the length range of the long hole groove 72.

  One end of the return spring 75 is locked to one (right in FIG. 3) of the two restriction pins 73 fitted into the long hole groove 72 on the lower surface of the back-side main body 61. The other end of the return spring 75 is engaged with a pin 76 fixed to the back side main body 61.

  Further, a rotary stagnation engagement pin 74 having a length protruding forward from the front cover 59 in FIG. 2 is disposed at the left end portion of the back surface side main body portion 61. The left side surface of the link mechanism drive plate 57 of the rotary stag 55 turned to the lock position is in contact with the right side surface of the rotary stagnation engagement pin 74.

  FIG. 4 shows the cleaning position from the position of the triangular symbol 68 indicating the locked position, with the outward corner of the triangular symbol 56 of the rotating body 54 being rotated clockwise in the clockwise direction. The state which moved to the position of the triangle symbol 69 is shown.

  In this state, the rotation mechanism engaging plate 74 is pushed to the left by the link mechanism drive plate 57 extending from the flange 53, and the biasing force of the return spring 75 whose one end is locked to the right regulating pin 73 is applied. On the other hand, the interlocking cam unit 58 has moved to the left as indicated by the arrow e until the two restricting pins 73 are in contact with the right ends of the long hole grooves 72, respectively.

  When the interlocking cam unit 58 moves in this way, the most convex surface of the unit cam 62 is slidably engaged with the most convex surface of the link cam 66. Thereby, the link mechanism 65 composed of the long slide rail 63 and the long plate-like member 64 is pushed backward, and the cleaning function of the link mechanism 65 is activated.

  When the cleaning function of the link mechanism 65 is activated, the head support member 77 that supports the write head 13 is lowered together with the head frame 78, and has been disposed adjacent to the write head 13 and along the longitudinal direction of the write head 13. The head cleaner 79 moves to the write head 13 side and slides on the upper surface (lens surface) of the write head 13 to clean the write head 13.

  When the rotational stagnation 55 returns from the position of the triangular symbol 69 indicating the cleaning position to the position of the triangular symbol 68 indicating the lock position as shown in FIG. 3, the rotational stagnation engagement pin 74 is moved to the link mechanism drive plate. 57 and the interlocking cam unit 58 returns to the right position indicated by the arrow e ′ by the urging force of the return spring 75.

  Thereby, the sliding contact engagement between the most convex surface of the unit cam 62 and the most convex surface of the link cam 66 is released, and the link mechanism 65 including the long slide rail 63 and the long plate-like member 64 is pushed backward. The head cleaner 79 returns from the position to the front position, the head cleaner 79 returns to the retracted position adjacent to the writing head 13, and the writing head 13 returns to the printing position when optical writing on the photosensitive drum 10 is possible.

  5A and 5B illustrate the configuration of the first link portion and the second link portion of the link mechanism 65 by taking out only one write head 13 and its link mechanism 65 and their related members. It is a figure to do.

  5A is a view of the write head 13, the link mechanism 65, and their related members as viewed from the front side of the apparatus body 1, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view thereof. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the same components as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 3 and 4, and will not be described in FIGS. A new number is assigned to each part.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the write head 13 is supported by a head support member 77, and the head support member 77 is supported by a head frame 78 on the side surfaces and upper surfaces of both ends. Further, the head support member 77 is provided with a push spring 82 between the lower surfaces of both ends and the mounting portion fixing frame 81 on the apparatus main body 1 side. As a result, the write head 13 is always biased to the upper optical writing position.

  The first link portion of the link mechanism 65 is engaged with a head vertical slide stay 83 whose upper ends are rotatably engaged with both side surfaces of both ends of the head frame 78 and a rear end of the head vertical slide stay 83. The slide stay holding shaft 84 is formed.

  The slide stay holding shaft 84 is erected by being fixed to the long plate-like member 64 of the link mechanism 65, and the rear end of the head vertical slide stay 83 is located at a position where the head vertical slide stay 83 is inclined downward. keeping.

  In this state, when the unit cam 62 of the interlocking cam unit 58 and the link cam 66 of the link mechanism 65 are slidably engaged with each other and the link mechanism 65 is pushed backward as shown in FIG. The plate-like member 64 moves rearward together with the slide stay holding shaft 84.

  The long plate-like member 64 slides in the longitudinal direction, but is fixed in the vertical direction and is not allowed to move up and down. Therefore, the rear end is pulled backward by the slide stay holding shaft 84 of the long plate-like member 64. The head vertical slide stay 83 is forced to be in a substantially horizontal state.

  When the head vertical slide stay 83 is forced to be in a nearly horizontal state, the upper end of the head vertical slide stay 83 is relatively lowered. As a result, the head frame 78 engaged with the upper end of the head vertical slide stay 83 is lowered. That is, the head support member 77 and the write head 13 are moved to a lower position away from the upper optical writing position.

  The cleaner 79 is held by a cleaner holding member 85. From the lower end portion of the cleaner holding member 85, a projecting plate member 86 projects between the lower portion of the head support member 77 and the upper surface of the long plate member 64 of the link mechanism 65. An engaging pin 87 projects downward from the projecting plate member 86, and the upper end of the engaging pin 87 is fixed to the projecting plate member 86 by a set screw 88.

  On the other hand, an arcuate deformation groove 89 formed through the front and back of the long plate-like member 64 is formed at a position corresponding to the engagement pin 87 of the long plate-like member 64 of the link mechanism 65. Yes. The engagement pin 87 is slidably fitted in the deformation groove 89. The second link portion is formed by the engagement pin 87 and the deformation groove 89.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 4, when the unit cam 62 of the interlocking cam unit 58 and the link cam 66 of the link mechanism 65 are slidably engaged and the link mechanism 65 is pushed backward as indicated by an arrow f, The deformation groove 89 moves backward together with the long plate member 64.

  The long plate-like member 64 slides in the longitudinal direction but is fixed in the left and right (short direction) and is not allowed to move left and right, so that it is inserted into the deformation groove 89 of the long plate-like member 64. The coupling pin 87 is pulled out to the right along the arc of the deformation groove 89 from the position of FIG.

  As a result, the head cleaner 79 is pulled out to the right, that is, in the direction of the write head 13 via the engagement pin 87, the extended plate member 86, and the cleaner holding member 85, and slidably contacts the upper surface of the write head 13. Clean the lens surface.

  A return spring 91 having a biasing force is disposed on the long plate-like member 64 of the link mechanism 65. An elongated notch 92 is formed in the long plate member 64 at a position below the return spring 91. A fixed frame shaft 93 erected from the lower fixed frame passes through the notch groove 92 from the bottom to the top.

  The front end of the return spring 91 is locked to the fixed frame shaft 93. The rear end of the return spring 91 is locked to a fixed shaft 94 fixed to the long plate member 64. FIG. 5 shows a state where the sliding contact between the unit cam 62 of the interlock cam unit 58 and the link cam 66 of the link mechanism 65 is released.

  When the unit cam 62 of the interlocking cam unit 58 and the link cam 66 of the link mechanism 65 are slidably engaged with each other and the link mechanism 65 is pushed backward as shown in FIG. It is pulled and extended.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the engagement between the unit cam 62 and the link cam 66 is released, the return spring 91 contracts so as to return toward the fixed frame shaft 93.

  As a result, the link mechanism 65 returns to the front position of the apparatus body as indicated by the arrow g, and the engagement pin 87 moves to the right position shown in FIG. That is, the head cleaner 79 moves to a position away from the write head 13 via the engaging pin 87, the extended plate-like member 86, and the cleaner holding member 85.

  With the series of operations, the slide stay holding shaft 84 also moves forward. When the slide stay holding shaft 84 moves forward, the head vertical slide stay 83, whose rear end portion is held by the slide stay holding shaft 84, is forced to return to a position standing diagonally as shown in FIG.

  When the head up / down slide stay 83 returns to the position where the head up / down slide stay 83 stands diagonally, the upper end of the head up / down slide stay 83 is lifted upward. As a result, the write head 13 rises through the head vertical slide stay 83, the head frame 78, and the head support member 77 and returns to the printing position.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing the internal structure by removing the outer half of the casing of the waste toner collecting container 29. 6 is not directly related to the waste toner collecting container 29 itself, but the members that have been described so far are visible in the same structural portions as those in FIGS. 2 to 5 for reference. 2 to 5 are assigned the same numbers.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the waste toner stirring rod 96 is attached to the rotation shaft 95 of the rotation stagnation 55 at different intervals in the direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft 95 at different intervals. It has been.

  Each time the rotational stagnation 55 is rotated to the unlocked position indicated by the triangular symbol 67, the locked position indicated by the triangular symbol 68, and the cleaning position indicated by the triangular symbol 69 shown in FIGS. Rotate in any of the directions shown, and stir so that the waste toner inside does not solidify.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.
[Appendix 1]

A writing head arranged to write image information on an image carrier of an image forming unit which is detachably mounted on the unit mounting portion;
A head support member that supports the writing head so as to be movable to a proximity position where the writing head is brought close to the image carrier and a separation position separated from the proximity position;
A head cleaner formed along the longitudinal direction of the write head;
A waste toner collecting container that is detachably attached to a mounting portion adjacent to the unit mounting portion;
Interlocking means for cleaning the writing head by the head cleaner in conjunction with the operation of the waste toner collecting container;
An image forming apparatus.
[Appendix 2]

The interlocking means is
A position where the head cleaner is separated from the write head in the short direction of the write head when the write head is in the proximity position, and the head cleaner is slidably contacted with the write head when the write head is in the separated position. A cleaner support member for supporting the
The first link portion for moving the head support member to the proximity position or the separation position and the cleaner support member at a position where the head cleaner is separated from the write head or a position where the head cleaner is in sliding contact with the write head. A link mechanism having a second link part to be moved;
A link cam provided in the link mechanism;
Rotation stagnation which is provided on the front surface of the waste toner collection container and rotates to a lock position for locking the waste toner collection container to the mounting portion, a lock release position for releasing the lock, or a cleaning position for cleaning the waste toner collection container. When,
An interlocking cam unit having a plurality of cams engaged with or disengaged from the link cam in conjunction with the rotation of the rotational stagnation;
Comprising
The image forming apparatus as set forth in appendix 1, wherein:
[Appendix 3]

The interlock cam unit engages with the link cam in conjunction with the rotation when the rotational stagnation rotates to the cleaning position,
The link mechanism is disposed below the head support member so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the head support member, and resists the biasing force of the return spring when the interlock cam unit is engaged with the link cam. The second link portion is moved in the direction of being pushed in the longitudinal direction and pulled down from the proximity position to the separation position by the first link portion against the urging force of the push-up spring. The cleaner support member is moved to a position where the head cleaner is in sliding contact with the writing head.
The image forming apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein
[Appendix 4]

The interlock cam unit releases the engagement with the link cam in conjunction with the rotation when the rotational stagnation rotates from the cleaning position to the lock position or the lock release position,
The link mechanism is returned to a position before the interlock cam unit and the link cam are engaged with each other by the urging force of the return spring, and the head cleaner is used to write the cleaner support member by the second link portion. Move it to a position away from the head,
The head support member returns to a position where the writing head moves to a position close to the image carrier by the cooperation of the urging force of the push-up spring and the first link portion.
The image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein
[Appendix 5]

The first link portion includes a rotation member that supports a rotation fulcrum at a fulcrum fixed to the head support member, and a rotation that is fixed to the link mechanism and engages with a rotation free end of the rotation member. A free-end support part,
The rotation free end support part changes the mode of the rotation member between a state approaching horizontal and a state approaching vertical as the link mechanism is pushed and returned in the longitudinal direction.
The image forming apparatus according to appendix 2, 3 or 4, characterized by the above.
[Appendix 6]

The second link portion includes an engagement pin fixed to an extended plate-like member protruding from the cleaner support member between a lower portion of the head support member and an upper surface of the link mechanism, and a slide on the engagement pin. A deformation groove that is movably fitted and formed through the front and back of the plate-like member of the link mechanism,
The deformation groove has a position where the head cleaner slides on the writing head and the position where the head cleaner slides through the engagement pin and the protruding plate-like member as the link mechanism is pushed and returned in the longitudinal direction. Move to a position away from the write head,
The image forming apparatus according to appendix 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein

  The present invention is a handle for a waste toner collecting container that is attached to and detached from a mounting portion, and is an image forming device that cleans the writing head in conjunction with rotation of a rotary stag that locks and unlocks the waste toner collecting container to the mounting portion. Can be used in the device.

1 Full-color image forming device (printer, device body)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Image formation part 3 Transfer belt unit 4 Toner supply part 5 Paper feed part 6 Belt type fixing unit 7 Conveyance unit for double-sided printing 8 Transfer belt 8a Lower travel part surface 9 (9m, 9c, 9y, 9k) Image formation unit 10 Photosensitive Body drum 11 Cleaner 11a Housing side surface 11b Housing bottom 12 Charging roller 13 Writing head 14 Developer 15 Developing roller 16 Unit housing (engaging portion)
16a Rub portion 16b Absent portion 17 Partition 18 First stirring and conveying screw 19 Second agitating and conveying screw 20 (20y, 20m, 20c, 20k) Toner supply container 21 Drive roller 22 Followed roller 23 Primary transfer roller 24 Secondary transfer Section 25 Transfer auxiliary roller 26 Secondary transfer roller 27 Belt cleaner 28 Cleaning blade 29 Waste toner collection container 30 (30a, 30b) Paper feed cassette 31 Paper take-out roller 32 Feed roller 33 Rolling roller 34 Standby transport roller pair 36 Transport roller pair 37 discharge tray 38 discharge roller pair 39 return path 39a return start path 39b return intermediate path 39c return end path 40a front door 40b open / close member 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e) return roller pair 42 waste toner transport unit 43 Waste toner transport 44 Belt waste toner vertical conveyance unit 45 Waste toner reception port 46 Image forming unit mounting unit 47 (47y, 47m, 47c, 47k) Drum waste toner vertical conveyance unit 48 Waste toner reception port 49 Waste toner discharge port 51 Shutter 52 Waste toner full Tan sensor 53 Stagnation 54 Rotating body 55 Rotation stagnation 56 Triangle symbol 57 Link mechanism drive plate 58 Interlocking cam unit 59 Front cover 61 Back side main body 62 Unit cam 63 Long slide rail 64 Long plate member 65 Link mechanism 66 Link cam 67 Triangular symbol indicating the unlocking position 68 Triangular symbol indicating the locking position 69 Triangular symbol indicating the cleaning position 71 Roller 72 Long hole groove 73 Restriction pin 74 Rotating stagnation engagement pin 75 Return spring 76 Pin 77 Head support member 78 Head frame 79 Head cleaner 81 Mounting part fixing frame 82 Push spring 83 Head vertical slide stay 84 Slide stay holding shaft 85 Cleaner holding member 86 Overhang plate member 87 Engaging pin 88 Set screw 89 Deformation groove 91 Return spring 92 Notch groove 93 Fixed frame shaft 94 Fixed shaft 96 Waste toner Stir bar

Claims (5)

A writing head arranged to write image information on an image carrier of an image forming unit which is detachably mounted on the unit mounting portion;
A proximity position for close the write viewed head relative to the image bearing member, and the head supporting member for supporting the movably said write seen head on and spaced position away from said proximate position,
A head cleaner formed along the longitudinal direction of the write head;
A waste toner collecting container that is detachably attached to a mounting portion adjacent to the unit mounting portion;
A position where the head cleaner is separated from the write head in the short direction of the write head when the write head is in the proximity position, and the head cleaner is slidably contacted with the write head when the write head is in the separated position. A cleaner support member for supporting the
The first link portion for moving the head support member to the proximity position or the separation position and the cleaner support member at a position where the head cleaner is separated from the write head or a position where the head cleaner is in sliding contact with the write head. A link mechanism having a second link part to be moved;
A link cam provided in the link mechanism;
Rotation stagnation which is provided on the front surface of the waste toner collection container and rotates to a lock position for locking the waste toner collection container to the mounting portion, a lock release position for releasing the lock, or a cleaning position for cleaning the waste toner collection container. When,
An interlocking cam unit having a plurality of cams engaged with or disengaged from the link cam in conjunction with the rotation of the rotational stagnation;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a. The interlock cam unit engages with the link cam in conjunction with the rotation when the rotational stagnation rotates to the cleaning position,
The link mechanism is disposed below the head support member so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the head support member, and resists the biasing force of the return spring when the interlock cam unit is engaged with the link cam. The second link portion is moved in the direction of being pushed in the longitudinal direction and pulled down from the proximity position to the separation position by the first link portion against the urging force of the push-up spring. The cleaner support member is moved to a position where the head cleaner is in sliding contact with the writing head.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The interlock cam unit releases the engagement with the link cam in conjunction with the rotation when the rotational stagnation rotates from the cleaning position to the lock position or the lock release position,
The link mechanism is returned to a position before the interlock cam unit and the link cam are engaged with each other by the urging force of the return spring, and the head cleaner is used to write the cleaner support member by the second link portion. Move it to a position away from the head,
The head supporting member, in cooperation with the first link portion and the urging force of the push-up spring, to return to the position where the write viewed head is moved to the close position relative to the image carrier,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 . The first link portion includes a rotation member that supports a rotation fulcrum at a fulcrum fixed to the head support member, and a rotation that is fixed to the link mechanism and engages with a rotation free end of the rotation member. A free-end support part,
The rotation free end support part changes the mode of the rotation member between a state approaching horizontal and a state approaching vertical as the link mechanism is pushed and returned in the longitudinal direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The second link portion includes an engagement pin fixed to an extended plate-like member protruding from the cleaner support member between a lower portion of the head support member and an upper surface of the link mechanism, and a slide on the engagement pin. A deformation groove that is movably fitted and formed through the front and back of the plate-like member of the link mechanism,
The deformation groove has a position where the head cleaner slides on the writing head and the position where the head cleaner slides through the engagement pin and the protruding plate-like member as the link mechanism is pushed and returned in the longitudinal direction. Move to a position away from the write head,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.