JPH0123141Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention relates to a recording device in which a recording body unit including an endless belt-shaped recording body can be inserted into and removed from a predetermined position of a main unit.

In general, an endless belt-shaped recording medium is flexible and is stretched between a plurality of rollers that support and drive it. Since such a recording medium becomes fatigued and deteriorates due to repeated use, it is necessary to periodically replace it with a new one. Also,
When the developing toner runs out, it is necessary to replenish it. Therefore, in order to facilitate the replacement of this recording medium and the replenishment of developing toner, the developing section is made into a unit as a developing device unit, which can be inserted into and removed from the main unit, and the recording medium unit can be connected to this developing device unit. The present applicant has already proposed a device that supports the device in a detachable manner. The details thereof will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The recording medium is a photosensitive belt 3 stretched between a driving roller 1 and a driven roller 2. The recording device uses a charger 4 to uniformly charge the surface of the photoreceptor belt 3 rotating in the direction of the arrow to a predetermined polarity, and then an exposure device 5 to irradiate light containing information of the image to be recorded. to form an electrostatic latent image. Next, a developing device 6 is applied to this electrostatic latent image.
Developed toner is supplied from the recording paper cassette 7 to be visualized, and this toner image is transferred to the recording paper 10 fed by the feed roller 8 and the registration roller 9 from the recording paper cassette 7 in synchronization with the formation of the latent image on the photoreceptor belt 3. Overlap at charger 11 position, transfer charger 1
The image is transferred onto the recording paper 10 by the action of step 1. Thereafter, the recording paper 10 is separated from the photoreceptor belt 3 and sent to a fixing device 12, where it is fixed, and then discharged onto a tray 14 by a paper discharge roller 13. On the other hand, a charger 15 removes the residual potential on the photoreceptor belt 3.
At the same time, the remaining toner is removed by a cleaning device 16.

Here, the photoreceptor belt 3 and the developing device 6 are each formed into a unit and assembled integrally.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 17 is first composed of a photoreceptor belt 3, a driving roller 1, a driven roller 2, and a support plate 18 that rotatably supports both ends of both rollers. . Here, the driven roller 2 is pressed outward by a spring 19 provided on the support plate 18, and is set to apply tension to the photoreceptor belt 3. Further, the support plate 18 has a top plate 20 on the upper part, and the photoreceptor belt 3
It supports the upper and lower surfaces of. Furthermore, the support plate 18
Two protrusions 21 and 22 are formed at the lower part of the photoreceptor belt 3 so as to protrude from the lower surface of the lower part of the photoreceptor belt 3. On the other hand, the developer unit 23 uses the developer toner 2
The toner tank 25 has a lidded toner tank 25 containing a toner 4, and a developing sleeve 26 rotatably supported at the lower part of the toner tank 25. The side plates and bottom plate of the toner tank 25 are connected to the developing sleeve 26.
extends perpendicularly from the supporting part,
A receiving portion 27 that supports the recording unit 17 is configured. A groove 29 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the receiving portion 27 is formed in the vicinity of the developing sleeve 26 on both side plates 28 of the receiving portion 27, and the recording unit 1 is inserted into this groove 29.
The shaft 30 of the drive roller 1 of No. 7 is inserted, and the photoreceptor belt 3 is positioned with respect to the developing sleeve 26 . The recording body unit 17 is simply placed on the bottom plate 31 of the receiving portion 27 of the developer unit 23, and the shaft 30 is simply inserted into the groove 29, so that although its movement in the left and right direction is restricted, it is free to move upward. It's summery. When the recording unit 17 is placed on the bottom plate 31, only the protrusions 21 and 22 come into contact with the bottom plate 31, so that the photoreceptor belt 3 will not be damaged. Further, a groove 32 is provided at the tip of the receiving portion 27 in parallel thereto, and serves for positioning when the developing device unit 23 is attached to the main body of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows the state in which the recording unit 17 is assembled to the developing unit 23. In this figure, a bearing 23 is mounted on the shaft 30 and is engaged in the groove 29. Also,
As is clear from this figure, the recording unit 17
A spacer 34 is disposed between both support plates 18 and both side plates 28 of the developer unit 23, and the photoreceptor belt 3 is positioned in the width direction with respect to the developer unit 23 of the recording unit 17.

A developing unit 23 supporting such a recording unit 17 is attached to the main unit so that it can be inserted into and pulled out from the main unit. As shown in FIG. 4, a guide plate 35 for guiding the upper part of the developer unit 23 and a guide plate 36 for guiding the lower bottom plate 31 are attached to the main unit. It is inserted into the main body device along these lines. As shown in FIG. 5, the main unit is provided with guide plates 37 for guiding both sides of the developing unit 23, which allows the developing unit 23 to be aligned in the width direction of the photoreceptor with respect to the main unit. positioning is performed. Furthermore, the main unit includes a pin 38 for positioning the developing unit 23 in the insertion direction.
is provided protruding from the side plate 39 of the main unit, and this pin 38 fits into the groove 32 at the tip of the developing unit 23.
The developer unit 23 is positioned in the insertion direction by engaging with the developer unit 23. The side plate 39 of the main unit is further provided with a bracket 4 for supporting the shaft 30 of the drive roller 1 and the shaft 40 of the driven roller 2 in the recording unit 17 when these are inserted.
1 and 42 are provided at predetermined positions, respectively.
These brackets 41 and 42 are used to position the photoreceptor belt 3 in the vertical direction via each roller. As a result, the rollers 1 and 2 and the developing sleeve 26 are aligned substantially in a straight line parallel to the insertion direction. A gear 43 provided on the shaft 30 of the drive roller 1 is connected to a gear of a drive source on the main unit side.

As a result, by simply inserting the developer unit 23 into the main unit to a predetermined position, the mutual positional relationship with other members in the main unit and the apparatus can be securely and easily secured, and if necessary, the developing unit 23 can be By pulling out the container unit 23 from the main device, developer toner can be replenished and the photoreceptor belt 3 can be easily replaced.

Here, the photoreceptor belt 3 is replaced when its characteristics have deteriorated to the point that it cannot withstand use.
As for this judgment, there is a method in which the user makes a judgment based on the image quality. In this case, the criteria for judgment will be influenced by intuitive things. There is also a method in which the user makes a decision based on means for counting and storing the number of sheets to be recorded or the number of times the recording device has operated, but the device is complicated and expensive. Furthermore, there is a method in which periodic replacement is performed at regular intervals, but this is not appropriate because the lifespan varies depending on the frequency of use. and,
Replacement of the photoreceptor belt 3 and replenishment of developing toner are performed at different periods and times, which requires a large amount of maintenance work for the user and is troublesome.

This invention was devised in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a recording device in which the recording medium can be easily replaced.

In this invention, a toner end detection means for detecting the presence or absence of developing toner, a toner end display means, and a developing sleeve are attached to the main unit, and the main unit is removably attached to a support opposite to the developing sleeve. The recording body and a toner tank containing the required amount of developing toner to be consumed within the allowable use period of the recording body and having an opening formed on the bottom surface are supported by the support body and integrated, and a handle is provided on the outer surface side. The formed recording body unit is attached in a removable manner. Therefore, when replacing the recording medium,
Remove the recording unit from the main unit and discard it.
All you have to do is install a new recording unit, which is an extremely simple operation, and the recording unit can be replaced by the user without the need for service personnel.Especially, since the recording unit has a handle, It is easy to remove, and since the recording body unit is made up of a recording body to be discarded and a developing tank, it is possible to dispose of inexpensive parts. Since only the required amount of developing toner to be consumed is stored, there is no wastage of developing toner, and when the developing toner runs out, the state can be known by the toner end display means. It is something.

A first embodiment of this invention will be explained based on FIGS. 6 to 8. Components that are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted. First, the developing sleeve 26 is attached to the main unit side at the lower part of the drive roller 1 so as to face the photoreceptor belt 3, and the toner tank 25 is integrally formed on one end side of the support plate 18 as a support body.
As a result, the driving roller 1, the driven roller 2, the photoreceptor belt 3, the support plate 18, and the toner tank 25
A recording unit 44 is configured, and can be inserted into and removed from the main unit. Here, a guide groove 45 for guiding and positioning the shaft 30 of the drive roller 1 is formed in the main device, and this guide groove 45 allows the shaft 30 and the axis of the developing sleeve 26 to be aligned when the recording unit 44 is set in the main device. The center-to-axis distance La between the photoreceptor belt 46 and the developing sleeve 26 is set with high accuracy, so that a developing gap between the surface of the photoreceptor belt 3 and the surface of the developing sleeve 26 is ensured. Further, in this state, the drive gear 47 on the shaft 46 meshes with the gear 43 provided on the shaft 30 of the drive roller 1, and the drive roller 1 and therefore the photoreceptor belt 3 are driven under the required transmission ratio. (However, the transmission means are not limited to gears,
Of course, other coupling means may also be used). The toner tank 25 stores a necessary amount of developing toner 24 to be consumed within the life of the photoreceptor belt 3, and supplies this developing toner 24 into the developing frame 48 around the developing sleeve 26. An opening 49 is formed at the bottom side. Here, before the recording body unit 44 is inserted into the main body device, a toner cover 50 that closes the opening 49 so that the developing toner 24 does not flow out from the opening 49 is inserted by a slide guide 51 attached to the toner tank 25. It is provided so that it can be slid freely in the removal direction. This toner cover 5
0 has a bent portion 52 at the tip, and an opening 53 from which the opening 49 can be opened. On the other hand, a stopper 54 is provided in the main unit for sliding the toner cover 50 so that the opening 53 faces the opening 49 by receiving the bent portion 52 when the recording unit 44 is set at a predetermined position. . Further, the developing frame 48 is provided with a toner end sensor 55 as a toner end detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the developing toner 24 supplied into the developing frame 48 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the toner tank 25
A handle 56 is integrally formed on the outer surface of the recorder unit 44 to facilitate insertion and removal of the recording unit 44. (The same applies to the following embodiments.) In such a configuration, a recording unit 44 including a toner tank 25 in which a required amount of developing toner 24 is stored is set in the main unit. Since the opening 49 is closed by the toner cover 50 before this insertion, the developing toner 24 will not flow out from the toner tank 25. However,
When set in the specified position inside the main unit,
Since the bent portion 52 collides with the stopper 54, the toner cover 50, which had been blocking the opening 49, slides backward, and the opening 53 becomes opposite to each other.
When the recording unit 44 is set, the supply of the developing toner 24 to the developing sleeve 26 is automatically started. Therefore, the recording operation becomes possible in the same manner as in FIG.

Then, as the recording operation progresses and the developing toner 24 is consumed, when this developing toner 24 runs out, this is detected by the toner end sensor 55.
A toner end signal is output, and the fact that the developing toner 24 is used up is displayed by a toner end display means provided in the main unit. Therefore, the recording body unit 44 is pulled out from the main unit and the developing toner 24 is replenished. here,
The developing toner 24 is stored in advance in the toner tank 2 in the amount necessary to be consumed within the life of the photoreceptor belt 3.
5, and its amount is related to the lifespan of the photoreceptor belt 3. Therefore, when the developing toner 24 runs out and the recording unit 44 is pulled out to replenish it, the photoreceptor belt 3 is removed at the same time. The time to replace the belt 3 can be determined as the lifespan of the belt 3, and the replenishment of the developing toner 24 and the replacement of the photoreceptor belt 3 can be performed at the same time, thereby simplifying maintenance work. In this way, developing toner 2
The life cycle of the photoreceptor belt 3 is determined based on the consumption of the photoreceptor belt 3, and is appropriate as it is in accordance with the actual frequency of use of the photoreceptor belt 3. Further, when the toner end is detected, it is preferable to discard the recording unit 44 and insert a new recording unit 44 into the main unit, thereby simplifying the operation. At this time, even if the previous recording unit 44 is disposable, the toner tank 2
No developing toner 24 remains in the recording body unit 5, and the developing sleeve 26 side
It is different from 4 and is the minimum necessary material, so
There is little waste.

Note that FIG. 9 shows a modified example, in which a toner conveying roller 57 is provided between the opening 49 of the toner tank 25 and the developing sleeve 26 for efficiently conveying the developed toner 24 to the developing sleeve 26. ing. This toner conveying roller 57 has a gear that meshes with the drive gear 47, although not particularly shown, and rotates in accordance with the developing sleeve 26.

Next, a second embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. This example is
The opening/closing method of the opening 49 of the toner tank 25 has been changed, and the toner tank 25 has the opening 49.
A toner cover 58 having a length that can close the toner cover 58 is provided so as to be openable and closable about a hinge fulcrum 59. This toner cover 58 is urged to close the opening 49 by a spring 62 stretched between its pin 60 and a pin 61 provided on the toner tank 25. A pin guide groove 63 is formed on the main unit side to guide and restrict the pin 60 of the toner cover 58 in the direction in which the toner cover 58 is opened when the recording unit 44 is inserted.

Therefore, before insertion into the main unit, the opening 49 is closed by the toner cover 58 as shown in FIG. 10 to prevent the developing toner 24 from flowing out. When inserted into the main unit, the pin 60 is guided into the pin guide groove 63 during this insertion operation, and the toner cover 58 resists the spring 62 and slides into the opening 4 as shown in FIG.
9 is opened, and the supply of the developing toner 24 is automatically started at the same time as the setting.

Next, a third embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the toner tank 25
The toner cover 64 that can close the opening 49 of the cover guide 6 is formed of a flexible thin film-like member such as paper, film-like resin, or thin metal plate.
5 so that it can be freely pulled out, one end is a pull-out piece 66, and the other end is a bent piece 67 that locks onto the cover guide 65.

As a result, after inserting and setting the recording unit 44 into the main unit with the opening 49 closed by the toner cover 64, by grasping the pull-out piece 66 and pulling the toner cover 64 outward, The bent piece 67 is extended and the cover guide 6
5, the toner cover 64 is removed, the opening 49 is opened, and the developing toner 24 is supplied.

FIG. 13 shows a modified example, in which a toner cover 68 is flexible like the toner cover 64.
is provided so as to wrap around the entire circumference of the toner tank 25, leaving a pull-out piece 69, and the toner cover 68 can be pulled out by gripping the pull-out piece 69 and pulling the toner cover 68.

In these embodiments, the recording unit 44 in which the toner tank 25 was also integrated was used, but the toner tank 2 as shown in FIGS.
This can be similarly applied to the case of using a recording body unit 17 that does not include the toner 5, and the necessary amount of developer toner 24 to be consumed within the life of the photoreceptor belt 3 is stored in the toner tank 25 of the developer unit 23. Just leave it there. As a result, when the developer toner 24 runs out, the developer unit 2
3 is pulled out and the same amount of developer toner 24 is replenished into the toner tank 25. At the same time, the recording unit 17 is removed from the developer unit 23, and the photoreceptor belt 3 can be replaced.

In addition, in these embodiments, including those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a photoreceptor belt in which an organic or inorganic photoconductor is provided on a base film such as polyethylene terephthalate is used as a recording medium, and electrophotographic recording is performed. However, other recording methods such as an electrostatic recording method and a magnetic recording method can also be used.

As described above, in this invention, a toner end detection means for detecting the presence or absence of developing toner, a toner end display means, and a developing sleeve are attached to the main unit, and the main unit is detachably attached to a support opposite to the developing sleeve. The recording body attached to the recording body and the toner tank, which stores the required amount of developing toner to be consumed within the allowable period of use of this recording body and has an opening formed on the lower surface, are supported by the support body and integrated, and the outer surface Since the recording unit with a handle formed on the side is attached in a removable manner, when replacing the recording unit, it is only necessary to remove the recording unit from the main unit, discard it, and install a new recording unit. The work is extremely simple, and the recording medium can be replaced by the user without the need for service personnel.
In particular, since the recording unit has a handle,
It is easy to remove, and since the recording body unit is made up of a recording body to be discarded and a developing tank, it is possible to dispose of inexpensive parts. Since only the required amount of developer toner to be consumed is stored, there is no wastage of developer toner, and when the developer toner runs out, the status can be known by the toner end display means. have

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a recording device showing a conventional example;
FIG. 2 is an exploded side view showing the recording unit and developer unit, FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view,
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the main unit side, FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view thereof, FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view of the recording unit showing the first embodiment of this invention, and FIG.
The figure is a partially cutaway side view showing the set state.
Fig. 8 is a side view showing the drive system, Fig. 9 is a partially cutaway side view showing a modified example, Fig. 10 is a side view showing the second embodiment of this invention, and Fig. 11 is its set state. FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway side view showing a third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway side view showing a modification thereof. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Drive roller, 2... Followed roller, 3... Photoreceptor belt (recording body), 17... Recording body unit, 18
...support plate, 24...developing toner, 25...toner tank, 44...recording body unit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A toner end detection means for detecting the presence or absence of developing toner, a toner end display means, and a developing sleeve are attached to the main device, and a recording body is detachably attached to a support opposite to the developing sleeve, and the recording body is attached to the main device. A recording medium in which a toner tank containing a required amount of developing toner to be consumed within an allowable period of use of the recording medium and having an opening formed on the lower surface is supported by the support body and integrated with the toner tank, and a handle is formed on the outer surface side. A recording device characterized in that a body unit is attached in a removable manner.