JPH01161368A - Image forming device applying process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability when a process cartridge is attached/detached by allowing the attaching/detaching direction of the process cartridge to coincide with the pressing direction of a cartridge for a developing unit different from the former cartridge. CONSTITUTION:The title process cartridge is integrally provided with a photosensitive drum 1, an electrifier 2, re-electrifier 21, a 1st developing device 6 and a cleaning device 11. The detaching direction of the process cartridge 31 is allowed to approximately coincide with the pressing direction of a 2nd developing device 4. To detach the process cartridge 31, the 2nd developing device 4 need not to be released, while eliminating trouble from an operator. In addition, an accident caused by misoperation can be prevented beforehand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having developing units for a plurality of colors within the main body of the apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

At present, an electrostatic recording method using electrophotography is often applied to printers serving as terminal devices for information equipment such as computers, facsimiles, and CAD.

These printers use a laser beam, L
An electrostatic latent image is written on an electrostatic latent image holder, that is, a photosensitive drum, using an ED, LCD, etc., and it is made into a visible image using a developing device.
Then transfer it to transfer paper.

A recorded image is obtained through the printing process, and in conventional printers, the recorded image is of one color, for example, black.

However, recently, for reasons such as recording images becoming clearer and information easier to understand, for example, the color of the format and the color of the calculated value or data value are expressed in different colors, and CAD It is desirable to distinguish between two or more colors, such as outputting a part of the output drawing in another color.

An example of an image forming apparatus that enables such multicolor recording is shown in FIG.

A drum-shaped electrophotographic photoreceptor 1, which serves as an electrostatic latent image holder and is formed by coating a photoconductive layer on a conductive substrate, is rotatably provided, and the photoreceptor drum 1 is uniformly charged with a charger 2. Then, a first information signal is exposed by a light emitting device such as a laser beam to form a first electrostatic latent image, and a first developing device 4
Visualize with. Thereafter, a second information signal 5 is similarly exposed using a light emitting element such as a laser to form a second latent image, which is visualized by a second developer 6. Next, the image is transferred to a transfer paper 9 via a post charger 7, and further fixed by a fixing device 10. Further, residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 after transfer is cleaned by a cleaning device 11 .

When such an image forming apparatus is used for a long time, it becomes necessary to replace the photoreceptor and replenish or replace the developer.

The charging wires will need to be cleaned, and other adjustments and replacements will be required, and maintenance work will be carried out by specialized service personnel.

However, a method has been proposed in which maintenance work can be performed without relying on service personnel with specialized knowledge to keep the image forming apparatus operating in good condition at all times.

An example of this is a charging device and a developing device included in the device.

There is a method of converting an image forming means such as a cleaning device or a photosensitive drum into a cartridge, and simply replacing the cartridge with a new one. FIG. 3 (the reference numerals are the same as those in FIG. 2) shows a conventional example thereof.

In the figure, the process cartridge 31 includes a photosensitive drum l.
, charger 2. Recharger 21. A second developing device 6° and a cleaning device 11 are integrally provided, and the first developing device 4
is provided separately.

Conventionally, in such a process cartridge, the direction in which it is attached to and removed from the main body usually coincides with the longitudinal axis direction of the photosensitive drum l. Therefore, when the user attempts to remove the process cartridge from the apparatus main body, the following operation is required.

First, the main body cover (not shown) is opened, the transfer charger 8 is separated from the photosensitive drum 1, and the first developing device 4 is further separated from the photosensitive drum 1, and then the process cartridge 31 is pulled out in the longitudinal direction. Become.

[Problem that the invention is trying to solve]

However, in the conventional example described above, many operations are required before the user can pull out the process cartridge, making the user feel tedious. Also, if the user performs one action,
For example, if an attempt is made to forcefully pull out the process cartridge without remembering to separate the developing device, there is a drawback that accidents such as damage to the developing sleeve or the photosensitive drum are likely to occur.

[Means to solve the problem]

In the present invention, the direction in which the process cartridge is attached and removed is made approximately coincident with the direction in which the developing device, which is separate from the process cartridge, is brought into pressure contact with the cartridge. This makes it possible to position the second developing device on the photoreceptor in conjunction with the device movement of the cartridge to the main body of the device without requiring a separate operation of the developing device each time the process cartridge is attached or removed. [Example] Fig. 1 shows an example of the present invention. In the figure, 31 is a photosensitive drum l, a charger 2. Recharger 21. First developer6.
It is a process cartridge that has a cleaning device 11 integrated therein. The second developing device 4 is slidably supported by a developing device guide 12 in addition to the process cartridge, and is urged in the direction of the arrow by a pressure means 13. The second developing device 4 further has a fourth longitudinal section.
As shown in the figure, rollers 42 rotatably supported on both coaxial ends of a magnet roller 41 correspond to photosensitive drum 1, so that they are at a predetermined position relative to photosensitive drum 2. .

3 and 5 are first and second information signals as in FIG.
The beam is deflected by the beam and irradiated onto the photosensitive drum.

On the other hand, the transfer paper 9 is sequentially separated by a paper feeder 16.

The toner image is fed and sent to the transfer charger 8 by the register roller 17 in a timely manner relative to the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 1 . Further, after passing through the conveying section 18, the fuser lO
is fixed on the tray 20 by the paper ejection roller 19.
loaded on top. As shown in FIG. 1, the paper guide 22. Register roller 22. Transfer charger8. Transfer paper conveyance means such as the conveyance unit 18 are provided on the right cover 23, and the right cover 23
is rotatably supported on the main body of the device about a rotation shaft 24.

When the main body of the apparatus is in operation, it is in the position shown by the dotted chain line in the figure, and when cleaning paper jams, maintenance work, etc., by rotating the right cover 23, it is in the position shown by the solid line.

The right cover 23 also functions to mount the process cartridge 31 in a predetermined position in the main body of the apparatus.

The bottom surface of the process cartridge 31 is supported by the rail 24, and its positioning is as shown in FIG. That is, the pins 51 protruding from both ends of the photosensitive drum l are located in U-shaped grooves 52 formed in a support member 52 provided in the main body of the apparatus.
It is in a predetermined position by fitting into a. Furthermore, pin 51
The open side 51a of the left cover 23 is pressed against a fixing member 54 that is biased by a biasing means 53 provided on the left cover 23. Therefore, when the right cover 23 is opened, the fixing member 54
is completely separated from the pin 51, and the process cartridge 3
1 is slidable along the U-shaped groove in the direction of arrow C.

The attachment and detachment of the process cartridge 31 in the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

First, the right cover 23 is opened and rotated to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. At this time, the process cartridge 31 becomes free in the direction of arrow C as described above.

In this state, the process cartridge 31 can be pulled out to the right. As the process cartridge 31 moves from a predetermined position to the right, the second developing device 4 also
Move to the right to a position where it is out of effect.

Further, when attaching or detaching the second developing device 4, it is sufficient to pull out the second developing device 4 to the right while keeping the upper state.

When installing the second developing device 4 and the process cartridge 31 into the main body of the apparatus, move them to their approximate positions along the developing device guide 12° rail 24, and position them by closing the left cover 23. done automatically.

Therefore, in addition to attaching and detaching the process cartridge 31, the only operation required of the operator is to open and close the right cover 23.
It does not feel cumbersome like conventional methods, and there is no fear of causing an accident due to incorrect operation.

[Pond example]

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the movement of the second developing device 4 was described as a linear movement, but it may also be caused to move by a rotational movement about a rotational shaft 61 as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, as described above, the direction in which the second developing device 4 is attached to and removed from the main body of the apparatus is not limited to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the photosensitive drum l, but may be in any direction including the longitudinal axis direction of the photosensitive drum l. good. Further, the photoreceptor is not limited to a drum shape, but may be a bell shape.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, by making the mounting/removal direction of the process cartridge 31 approximately coincide with the pressure contact direction of the second developing device 4, the operation of releasing the second developing device 4 when the process cartridge 31 is inserted can be performed. It is not necessary, does not cause the operator to feel troubled, and has the effect of preventing accidents due to erroneous operation.

Furthermore, when the second developing device is being loaded, the positioning of the second developing device with respect to the photoreceptor becomes possible automatically in conjunction with the operation of loading the process cartridge into a predetermined position.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming process, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus showing a conventional example, and FIG. 4 is a first developing device 4 and FIG. 5 is a front view of the positioning portion of the photosensitive drum I, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a photosensitive drum, 2 is a charger, 3 is a first image signal, 4 is a second developing device, 5 is a first image signal, and 6
11 is a cleaning device, 21 is a recharging device, and 31 is a process cartridge.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A process cartridge integrally having an electrophotographic photoreceptor and at least one first developing means, and a second developing means other than the above are each supported in a detachable manner with respect to the apparatus main body, and the second developing means An image forming apparatus employing a process cartridge, characterized in that the direction in which the developing means is brought into pressure contact with the photoreceptor is approximately equal to the direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and removed from the main body.