JPH02127658A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect the presence or absence of a cartridge and whether it is appropriately mounted by providing the cartridge with an acting projection and arranging a detector so that the acting projection can be detected in a condition where the cartridge is mounted in a prescribed position and an open/ close part is closed. CONSTITUTION:When the new cartridge 5 is mounted on a mounting part 6 to replace the old one 5, a guide stripe 10 is engaged with the groove rail 11 of a mounting member 12, with the upper main body 3 opened upward, to insert the cartridge 5. When the recessed part 10a of the guide stripe 10 is engaged with the projecting part 11a of the groove rail 11, the cartridge 5 is mounted in the prescribed position. In this state, an acting member 23 is rotated by a cam 21, and the acting projection 25 protrudes to an acting position corresponding to a safety switch 26. Afterward, the upper main body 3 is closed to set the cartridge 5 in a prescribed position where an image can be formed appropriately. Ultimately, the safety switch 26 is closed by the acting projection 25.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a cartridge that integrates elements necessary for constructing electrophotography.

(Prior Art) Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses that use a cartridge that integrally includes elements necessary for forming an electrophotographic image, such as a photoreceptor, a developer, and a cleaner, have been known for some time. There are also known devices that are provided with an opening/closing part such as an openable/closable cover or a taram shell part so that cartridges can be easily replaced and jams can be cleared.

There is also a safety switch that stops the power supply for safety if the opening/closing part is not closed correctly, and a detector that detects whether the cartridge is installed in the specified position so that image formation can be performed correctly. It is also known that there is a

In addition, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1321/1983 includes a safety switch that detects the open state of the cover and makes the device inoperable, and also provides a safety switch on the cover that detects the open state of the cover and disables the device when the image forming element is not in the proper position. An image forming apparatus has been disclosed which is provided with a protrusion that contacts the cover and prevents the cover from closing.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) L7 However, if a safety switch and a cartridge detector are provided separately, it is possible to identify abnormalities in the cartridge separately from malfunctions of the device due to abnormalities in the opening/closing part, etc. Although it can be detected, there are problems in that the number of parts increases, the configuration becomes complicated, and the cost increases, which is a drawback that cannot be ignored in the case of an inexpensive, small-sized image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, in the case of the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-1321, only a single safety switch is provided, and even if the image forming element is in an incorrect position, the safety switch does not operate and becomes inoperable. Just by providing one safety switch, it is possible to detect the opening of the cover and the inappropriateness of the image forming element.Moreover, in the case of a small image forming apparatus, the structure is simple and the function is simple, so the cause of the malfunction can be detected. Since it can be seen at a glance, there is very little need to distinguish and detect the two.

Therefore, it is conceivable to apply such a configuration to detecting the mounted state of the cartridge, but there is a problem that the state cannot be detected when the cartridge is not mounted. Therefore, even though the cartridge is not installed, it may be determined that the cartridge is normal and continues to operate, and it may be assumed that an image has been formed even though the image has not been formed. This situation is particularly likely to occur when the image forming device is installed in a location far away from the operator of the work equipment, such as a computer printer. There is a problem in that after canceling the data, you may find that the image has not been formed and have to create the image data again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that reduces the number of detectors to reduce costs, and that can detect the presence or absence of a cartridge and its proper mounting state. do.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a cartridge that integrates elements necessary for configuring an electronic photograph, and an opening/closing part that opens and closes when replacing the cartridge or handling a jam. The image recording apparatus is characterized in that the cartridge is provided with a working protrusion, and a detector is arranged to detect the working protrusion when the cartridge is mounted in a predetermined position and the opening/closing part is closed.

In addition, instead of providing an operating protrusion on the car trichine, an operating member is provided on the car I ridge, and an operating protrusion that moves to the operating position by the operating member when the cartridge is installed in a predetermined position in the cartridge mounting portion is provided. The detector may be arranged so as to detect the working protrusion at the working position when the opening/closing part is closed.

(Function) Since the present invention has the above configuration, the protrusion of the cartridge is detected by the detector only when the cartridge is properly installed in a predetermined position and the opening/closing part is closed, and based on the detection, the protrusion of the cartridge is detected by the detector. By enabling operation, safety can be ensured and images can be formed properly at all times. -If force is not detected, it is possible that the cartridge has been forgotten to be installed or is installed incorrectly, or that the opening/closing part is not completely closed. There may be a cause, but since the configuration of a small device is simple, the cause can be easily identified and dealt with.

Also, instead of directly detecting the protrusion of the cartridge,
When the cartridge is properly installed, the cam moves the operating protrusion to the operating position, and when the opening/closing part is closed, the detector is activated, the same effect will be achieved, and it is necessary to provide the protrusion on the cartridge. Since there are no protrusions, there are no inconveniences such as getting in the way when handling the protrusions or colliding with other parts when the protrusions are improperly installed.

(Embodiment) An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a laser printer will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

First, the overall configuration of the laser printer 1 will be explained based on FIGS. 1 and 5. The main body structure is a talamusiel type structure in which an upper main body 3 is configured to be able to be opened and closed upwards with one end thereof as a pivot center relative to a lower main body 2.

The upper body 3 includes an exposure device 4 consisting of a laser light source, an optical system, etc., and main elements I necessary for constructing electrophotography such as a photoreceptor, a charger, a developer, and a cleaner.
A mounting portion 6 for the cartridge 5, a paper ejection passage 7, an ejection roller 8, and a paper ejection tray part 9 are provided.

The mounting portion 6 includes a mounting member 12 provided with a holding groove rail 11 into which a guide line 10 formed along the mounting direction is inserted on both sides of the cartridge 5;
A pivot bracket 13 that pivots one end, and a mounting member 1
a guide bracket 15 formed with a guide groove 14 that swingably guides the other end of the bracket 2 and restricts its swing range;
It is composed of. In addition, in order to position the cartridge 5 at a proper mounting position, a recess 10a is provided in the guide strip 10.
is formed, and a convex portion 11a is also formed on the groove rail 11.

A paper feed section 16 , a register roller 17 , a transfer charger 18 , and a fixing section 19 are arranged in the lower main body 2 .
6 and the register roller 17, and between the transfer charger 18 and the fixing section 19, paper conveyance paths 20a and 20b are provided, respectively.

A cam 21 is provided on an example of the cartridge 5 (in FIG. 1, the side surface on the back side with respect to the paper surface), and a cam 21 is provided on the back side mounting member 12.
A window 22 is provided at a corresponding position, and the cam 2 is provided with a window 22 at a corresponding position.
An operating member 23 that can be rotated at 1 is disposed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, this action member 23 is connected to an L that is fixed to a pin 24 that is rotatably disposed in the window portion 22.
It consists of a rod, from one end of which a working protrusion 25 is suspended, and the working protrusion 25 is rotationally biased to a fixed position along the mounting member 12 by a biasing means (not shown) as shown in FIG. There is. When the cartridge 5 is installed in a predetermined position, the cam 21 rotates the cartridge 5 from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. There is.

A switch box 27 is disposed in the lower body 2 and includes a safety switch 26 that is pushed and closed by an operating protrusion 25 projecting to an operating position when the cartridge 5 is attached and the upper main body 3 is closed. .

As shown in FIG. 6, the circuit configuration is such that the power supplied from the primary side is stepped down to 5V and 24V in the power supply unit 30 and output, and the output 24V power is applied to the safety switch 26.
is configured to supply power to various loads 31 for operating the laser printer 1 via the safety switch 26, and to supply power to the control board 32 for controlling the laser printer 1 with the output power of 5. When the safety switch 26 is closed, power is also supplied to the photocoupler 33 disposed on the control board 32, so that the CPU on the control board 32 detects the open/closed state of the safety switch 26.

In the above configuration, when mounting the cartridge 5 in the mounting section 6 for replacement of the cartridge 5, etc., as shown in FIG. 11 with the guide strip 10, and the cartridge 5 is inserted. When the concave portion 10a of the guide strip 10 engages with the convex portion 11a of the groove rail 11, the cartridge 5
is mounted at a predetermined mounting position. In this state, the cam 21
The C iron operating member 23 rotates from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 3, and the operating protrusion 25 projects to the operating position corresponding to the safety switch 26. Thereafter, when the upper body 3 is closed, the cartridge is opened as shown in FIG.

The camera 5 is set at a predetermined position where proper image formation can be performed.
Safety switch 26 is closed at actuating projection 25. As a result, power is supplied to the various loads 31 of the laser printer 1, and the photocoupler 33 of the control base 32 is supplied with power.
The CPU detects that the power is being supplied to the CPU and shifts to an image forming operation.

To explain the image forming operation, the exposure device 4 is controlled by a control signal from the CPU, and a predetermined image is exposed on the photoreceptor built in the cartridge 5 by the outputted laser light, and is developed by a developing device. Move to a position facing the transfer charger 18. On the other hand, the paper feed section 16 operates and the paper is fed to the register rollers 17 and is on standby.
Transfer charger 1 synchronizes with the image formed on the photoreceptor.
8 and the photoconductor, the image on the photoconductor is transferred to paper, and the image is fed to the fixing section 19 where it is fixed.
The sheet is discharged via a discharge path 7 onto a part 9 of a paper discharge tray by a discharge roller 8 .

On the other hand, if the cartridge 5 is not installed or is not installed properly, the operating protrusion 25 will not protrude, so the safety switch 26 will not close even if the upper main body 3 is completely closed. Also, cartridge 5
Even if the upper body 3 is properly installed, the operating protrusion 25 will not act on the safety switch 26 unless the upper body 3 is completely closed, so the safety switch 26 will not close and power will not be supplied, making it impossible for the operator to access the inside of the machine. You can avoid various dangers caused by electric shocks and careless movements. In this way, safety can be ensured with the single safety switch 26 when the upper main body 3 is open, and it is also possible to detect forgetting to install a cartridge or an improperly installed state.

In the above embodiment, when the cartridge 5 is installed, the operating member 23 provided in the mounting portion is brought into an operating state with respect to the safety switch 26. As in the embodiment, the cartridge 5 itself may be provided with an operating projection 41 for the safety switch 26. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in the first embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Furthermore, in the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the operating protrusion 41 is provided integrally with the cartridge 5, but as shown in FIG.
The operating protrusion 4 is attached to the holding case 43 provided on the cartridge 5.
2 may be held so as to be able to protrude and retract 7, and the operating protrusion 42 may be urged to protrude by a spring 44 (in this case, since the operating protrusion 42 retracts when it comes into contact with an obstacle, etc., the cartridge 5 is easy to handle, and there is no fear that the operating protrusion 42 will damage other components even if the upper body 3 is closed in an improperly installed state.

FIG. 8 shows the internal structure of the cartridge 5, in which 51 is a photoreceptor, 52 is a photoreceptor during charging, and 5 is a photoreceptor.
3 is an exposure opening, 54 is a developing device, and 55 is a cleaner.

In the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a laser printer, but the present invention can also be applied to other electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as copying machines.

Further, in the above embodiment, a clamshell type image forming apparatus is shown in which the upper body opens upward, but the present invention is also applicable to an apparatus in which a cover is opened as an opening/closing part.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, as is clear from the above description, the protrusion of the cartridge opens only when the cartridge is properly installed in a predetermined position and the opening/closing part is closed. It is detected by a detector and is enabled to operate based on the detection, thereby ensuring safety and always properly forming an image. On the other hand, if the cartridge is not detected, it may be due to the cartridge being forgotten or improperly installed, or the opening/closing part not being completely closed, but in the case of a small device, the configuration is simple, so You can easily identify the cause and deal with it.

Also, instead of directly detecting the protrusion of the cartridge,
When the cartridge is properly installed, the cam moves the operating protrusion to the operating position, and when the opening/closing part is closed, the detector is activated, the same effect will be achieved, and it is necessary to provide the protrusion on the cartridge. Since there are no protrusions, there are no inconveniences such as getting in the way when handling the protrusion or colliding with other parts when the protrusion is improperly installed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the state before the cartridge is installed, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vicinity of the same operating protrusion, and FIG. 3 is a cartridge Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the mounting part and the safety switch, Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional rear view in the operating state, Fig. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram, Fig. 7 is the second aspect of the present invention
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a state before the cartridge of the embodiment is installed, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the same operating state, and FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the structure of the operating projection of the third embodiment of the present invention. . 1-・-・−−−−1・−・−・−・−・−Laser printer 2−・・−1−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
・−・Lower body 3−・−・−−1−−−・−−−1−
−−−−−−−Upper body 5・−・−−1111...
−・−・−・−Cartridge 6・−・−・・−・−・−
・・−・−・Mounting part 21・−・・−・−・・−・−1−
−−−−−−−−−−Cam 25, operating protrusion safety switch (detector)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image recording device that is equipped with a cartridge that integrates the elements necessary for configuring an electrophotographic image, and is equipped with an opening and closing section that opens and closes when replacing the cartridge or clearing a jam, an operating protrusion is provided on the cartridge, and the cartridge is An image forming apparatus characterized in that a detector is arranged so as to detect the working protrusion when it is mounted in a predetermined position and the opening/closing part is closed. (2) In an image recording device that is equipped with a cartridge that integrates the elements necessary for composing an electrophotographic image, and is provided with an opening and closing part that can be opened and closed when replacing the cartridge or clearing a jam, the cartridge is provided with an operating member, and the cartridge An operating protrusion that moves to the operating position by an operating member when the cartridge is installed in a predetermined position is provided in the mounting part of the cartridge, and a detector is arranged to detect the operating protrusion in the operating position when the opening/closing part is closed. An image forming apparatus characterized by: