JPH02248962A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the releasing of a transfer paper carrying path at a time of jamming processing by constituting a member in the outer side of the carrying path of a vertical carrying part and an image formation carrying part and a heat transfer means in an integral unit, and by opening to the outer side of the copying machine with its bottom tip part as a shaft. CONSTITUTION:To release a vertical paper feeding path 37 and the image forming part carrying path including a transfer part following it, the vertical carrying belt 35 which constitutes the vertical paper feeding path, a roller outside a resisting roller 38, and a transfer belt 20 are supported by a pair of side plates 40, and constitutes the integral unit 42 with a housing side wall 41 of that part. Then it is hinged to the device main body at its bottom tip with a shaft 43 which extends in the front and back direction, rotated with the shaft 43 as an axis, and the upper part is pulled out to open widely. Therefore, in the condition where the unit 42 is opened, the vertical carrying belt 35 is separated from the roller 36, the pair of resisting rollers are separated from each other, and the transferring belt 20 is separated from a photosensitive drum and a destaticizing charger 26. Thus, a hand can be inserted to extract a jammed piece of paper easily through the upper part which has opened wide, or the front part.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] 11 minutes! - The present invention is directed to an electrophotographic copying machine that transfers and fixes a toner image formed on a photoconductor onto a transfer paper fed from a paper feeding section to create a copy, particularly for a transfer paper conveyance path of a digital copying machine. This invention relates to an opening means for handling jams, etc.

Joraiki! In an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor by exposing an original is developed into a toner image, and then transferred to a transfer paper fed from a paper feed section to a photoconductor under the action of a transfer charger. After the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the photoreceptor and the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper to create a copy. In a copying machine having such a configuration, there is a possibility that a jam of the transfer paper may occur at a position such as a conveyance roller, registration roller, transfer charger, fixing roller, etc. on the conveyance path of the transfer paper.

In conventional analog copying machines that directly expose and scan the photoreceptor with original scanning light, the contact glass on which the original is placed must be placed at the top of the copying machine. is disposed directly above the photoreceptor, and the exposure position is usually above the photoreceptor. When the exposure position is at the top of the photoreceptor, if the photoreceptor is drum-shaped, a series of electrostatic photographic processes such as development, transfer, cleaning, and charge removal are performed in this order, so the transfer section is located below the photoreceptor drum. Come to my side.

Although it is possible to provide a transfer position above the photoreceptor, in that case the machine, especially the optical system, becomes larger and is not suitable for small office copying machines.

As mentioned above, when the transfer position is set below the photoreceptor drum, the conveyance path of the transfer paper crosses the main body of the copying machine under the image forming engine consisting of the photoreceptor drum, developing device, cleaning unit, etc. This is to remove the jammed paper when it occurs in the conveyance path of the transfer paper.

The main body of the device is divided into two units, upper and lower, with the transfer paper conveyance path as a boundary, and the two units are pivotally connected to each other at the rear side of the device or on either the left or right side of the device, so that the mouth is wide open.

In the case of a so-called clamshell type, the upper unit that must be lifted and opened includes an exposure system and an image forming engine, which increases the weight, making it not only difficult to operate but also dangerous. .

Recently, even small copying machines are becoming more oriented toward one-touch operation, and it has become common for them to be equipped with automatic magnification functions, including single-sided copying and composite copying. .

The entire machine is becoming larger in the vertical direction. When multiple paper feed trays are installed at the bottom of the device, a vertical conveyance path is provided on the side of the paper feed tray group to transport the transfer paper sent out from each paper feed tray to the image forming section. The paper conveyance path is inverted.

It has become increasingly difficult to open the transfer paper conveyance path with a single touch when dealing with a jam.

In the case of a laser printer, there is no need for a contact glass and an exposure optical system to place the original for exposure, and the alternative laser writing optical system does not require the original to be placed on the photoreceptor drum. It is also possible to arrange it below the photoreceptor drum so that writing can be performed at the bottom of the photoreceptor drum and transfer can be performed at the upper side of the photoreceptor drum. In that case, the transport path of the transfer paper can be placed above the image forming engine including the photoreceptor drum, etc., and if the top of the transfer paper transport path is opened as a unit in a clamshell type, the upper unit will be thinner. It is smaller and weighs less, making it easier to operate.

Now, as one type of copying machine, there is a digital copying machine that has an optical device for reading a document and an optical writing device that inputs an image information signal of the read document and performs optical writing on a photoreceptor. In this copier, the writing optical system is the same as the writing optical system of a laser printer, so it does not necessarily need to be placed on top of the imaging engine.Therefore, in order to save the height of the machine, the writing optical system vertically,
A separate proposal was made for a copying machine placed to the side of the imaging engine.

In this copying machine, writing is performed on the side of the photosensitive drum, a transfer position is provided at the top on the opposite side, and multiple transfer means such as a transfer charger and a transfer belt are installed at the bottom of the copying machine body across the transfer path. When a paper feeding unit is installed in a stage, if the transfer paper vertical transport path extending to the side is set on the same side as the transfer position, the transfer paper transport path of the image forming section that contacts the photoreceptor drum at the transfer position will be the same as above. It can be arranged continuously in the vertical conveyance path without any difficulty.

However, even with this machine, the contact glass on which the original is placed must be provided on the top of the machine, so the original reading optical system is also placed at the top of the machine.

If the main body of the device is divided into upper and lower units and the upper unit is lifted up to open the mouth wider, the upper unit will include the contact glass and the reading optical system, which will only increase the weight. 1) If the height of the machine body is high, it may be difficult to open/close the machine.

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above-mentioned situation regarding the means for opening the transfer paper conveyance path for jam removal in conventional copying machines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying machine having a transfer paper transport path as described above, which can easily open the transfer paper transport path when handling a jam with a simple configuration.

for The copying machine of the present invention solves the above problems.

As mentioned above, there is a group of paper feed units arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction at the bottom of the copying machine main body, and a group of paper feed units arranged in the vertical direction on one side of the copying machine on the side of the paper feed unit group, A vertical conveyance section that conveys the transfer paper sent out from each paper feeding unit upward; and a vertical conveyance section that is connected to the upper end of the vertical conveyance section, and is connected to the top of the photoreceptor on the same side as the vertical conveyance section. an image-forming unit transport unit that transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor to a transfer paper that is in contact with the photoreceptor, extends upward toward the fixing device, and is transported at a position in contact with the photoreceptor; and a transport path of the image-forming unit transport unit. In a copying machine having a transfer means disposed opposite to a photoreceptor with a photoreceptor in between.

The members on the outside of the conveyance path of the vertical conveyance section and the first image forming section conveyance section and the transfer means described above are configured as an integrated unit, and the lower end thereof is rotated toward the outside of the copying machine. The lower end is pivoted to the copying machine body so that the copying machine can be opened.

The member on the outside of the conveyance path of the image forming section conveyance section and the transfer means are configured as an integrated unit, and the lower end portion is opened by rotating outward from the copying machine about the lower end portion as an axis. It may also be pivotally supported on the main body of the copying machine.

Further, the member on the outside of the conveyance path of the vertical conveyance section of the transfer paper and the copying machine housing side door are constructed as an integrated unit, and the lower end thereof is rotated outward of the copying machine to open. It's okay.

According to the first configuration of the means for solving the above problem, if the unit is opened outward from the apparatus with its lower end as an axis, the transfer paper path of the vertical conveyance section and the image forming section conveyance section can be opened with one touch. be able to. Moreover, since the unit does not include a heavy and bulky document reading optical system, contact glass, pressure plate, etc., operation is easy and there is no danger.

According to the second configuration, the opening unit becomes smaller and the opening/closing operation becomes easier. In this case, paper jams in the vertical conveyance path are removed by opening the front door.

According to the third configuration, since the transfer belt, transfer charger, etc. are not included in the open unit, the weight of the unit is small, opening and closing operations are easy, and paper jams in the vertical conveyance section can be easily removed. The conveyance path and transfer means such as the transfer belt remain on the main body of the device, but if a paper jam occurs in the transfer section, for example, if a transfer belt is used, the transfer belt must be deformed so that the transfer paper path can be accessed. You can remove it by doing so.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital multicolor copying machine. This copying machine can be broadly classified into
It is composed of a document reading section 1, a printer section 2, and a paper feeding section 3.

A contact glass 4 is provided on the top surface of the document reading section 1, and the document placed on the contact glass 4 is illuminated by an illumination lamp 5, and is imaged on a CCD 7 via a reading optical system 6 and read, thereby providing image information. send a signal.

In the printer section 2, laser beams are emitted from a charger 11, a writing optical system 12, and carry image information transmitted from a reading optical system, in the order of rotation direction indicated by an arrow around the photosensitive drum 10. An incident position 12a, a black developer 13, two chromatic developers such as a red developer 14, a blue developer 15, a transfer charger 16, and a cleaning unit 17 are provided. The writing optical system 12 includes a photosensitive drum 10 and a charger 1 disposed around the photosensitive drum 10.
1. Developing units 13, 14, 15, cleaning unit 1
The laser beam, which is vertically arranged on the left side in the diagram of the image forming engine consisting of 7 and is repeatedly deflected by the rotating polygon ill 2a, is reflected by the mirror 12b provided at the top of the writing optical system and is reflected by the optical system casing. The light is emitted from the photoreceptor drum 10 and enters the left side of the photoreceptor drum 10. Due to this relationship, the transfer position is on the right side of the photosensitive drum 10 and above N. A transfer belt 20 made of an endless dielectric belt is connected to a plurality of support rollers 21 and 22 so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 at a transfer portion between the photoreceptor drum 10 and the transfer charger 16.
, 23, and 24, and is configured to move in synchronization with the photosensitive drum 10 at the same circumferential speed. On the upstream side of the transfer paper entrance part of the transfer belt 20, there is a transfer belt 20.
A second charging charger 25 is provided opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt 20, and the transfer belt 2
A static elimination charger 26 is provided opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the battery.

The paper feed section 3 is provided with three paper feed trays 30 and an intermediate tray 31 for back side copying above them.

A reversing section 32 is provided on the side of these paper feed trays to reverse the transfer paper sent from the printer section 2 after one-sided copying is completed. In the drawing, a paper feed roller 33 and a separation roller 34 are provided at the right end of each paper feed tray 30 and intermediate tray, respectively, and these rollers separate the double feeding from the tray and send out the transfer paper one by one. In these 30.degree. 31 views, on the right side there is provided a vertical sheet feeding path 37 consisting of a vertical conveying belt 35 disposed vertically and driven rollers 36 disposed at appropriate intervals in contact with the vertical conveying belt 35. Since the vertical paper feed path 37 is located on the same side as the installation side of the transfer section with respect to the photoreceptor, the vertical paper feed path 37 is smoothly connected to the image forming section transfer paper conveyance path by the transfer belt via the connection section.

The transfer paper fed from each paper feed tray and exiting the vertical paper feed path 37 passes through a pair of registration rollers 38 and is electrostatically attracted to the dielectric transfer belt 20 charged by the second charging charger 25 and transferred. The photoreceptor drum is conveyed together with the belt 20 to a transfer section, and under the action of the transfer charger 16, a toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum by a known process is transferred.

In the device of this embodiment, two of the support rollers around which the transfer belt 20 is wound, indicated by reference numerals 23 and 24, can be selectively displaced between the position indicated by the solid line and the position indicated by the chain line in the figure. It becomes. When these support rollers are at the positions shown by the solid lines, the transfer belt 20 is in a straight line between the rollers 21 and 23, and the transfer paper fed from the registration rollers 38 passes through the transfer position and is transferred to the static elimination charger 26. The electrostatic attraction force between the transfer belt 20 and the transfer paper is released by the action of the static eliminating charger 26, and the transfer paper separates from the transfer belt due to the stiffness of the transfer paper itself. It is suitable for conveying to a fixing device 27 provided.

On the other hand, when the support rollers 23 and 24 are at the positions shown by the chain lines, each support roller occupies a position inscribed in one circle, and the transfer belt 20 is separated from the static elimination charger 26 and is attracted to the transfer paper belt 20. By being supported and rotated a required number of times, toner images of different colors can be superimposed and transferred.

Therefore, in monochrome copy mode such as black and white copy,
When performing multi-color copying by holding the support rollers 23 and 24 in the positions shown by solid lines, move the support rollers 23 and 24 to the positions shown by chain lines and rotate them the required number of times to print different colors. The toner images are superimposed and transferred, and when the required number of transfers are completed, the support rollers 23 and 24 are returned to their original positions.

The static elimination charger 26 is activated to transfer the transfer paper to the transfer belt 2.
0 and guided to the fixing device 27.

The fixed transfer paper is then discharged to a paper discharge tray 29, the aforementioned intermediate tray 31, a sorter (not shown), etc. with the discharge direction selected by the branch claw 28 through subsequent operations.

Now, in this device, in order to clear the jam, the vertical paper feed path 3
7 and subsequently, in order to open the conveyance path of the image forming section including the transfer section, the vertical conveyance belt 35, the outer rollers of the registration rollers 38, and the transfer belt 20, which constitute the vertical paper feeding path, are supported by a pair of side plates 40. It constitutes an integrated unit 42 together with the housing side wall 41 of that part, and is pivotally connected to the main body of the device by a shaft 43 extending in the front-rear direction at its lower end, and rotates about the shaft 43 as shown by the chain line in FIG. , the upper part can be pulled out to open the mouth.

When the unit 42 is open, the vertical conveyance belt 35 is separated from the roller 36, the pair of registration rollers is also separated from each other, the transfer belt 20 is separated from the photoreceptor drum and the static elimination charger 26, and the upper part or the front part of the wide open mouth is removed. You can easily insert and remove jammed paper.

Further, since this unit 42 does not include an image forming engine, a heavy and bulky reading optical device 6, a contact glass 4, and a document pressure plate (not shown), it is easy to handle and there is less danger.

Since the side for taking out the paper from the paper discharge tray 29 and the side for opening the unit 42 and taking out the jammed paper are on the same side, the operator's work area does not expand and the machine installation space can be reduced.

It is also possible to include the fixing device 27 and the ejection rollers to the paper ejection tray in the opening/closing unit 42, but this would increase the weight of the unit and there is a risk of burns caused by the fixing device, so the above-mentioned method is not recommended. range is considered optimal.

Next, another embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

In this embodiment, a transfer belt 20, support rollers 21, 22, 23, 24 around which it is wound, a transfer charger 16,
Only the transfer means constitutes an integral unit 51 with the side plate 50, and its lower end is pivotally connected to the machine body by a pivot shaft 52.

Therefore, by opening the unit 51 to the position shown by the chain line in the figure, jammed paper in the transfer section, the registration section, and the fixing section can be easily removed. In this example.

The weight and dimensions of the opening unit 51 are reduced, making handling convenient. Note that in this case, any jam that occurs in the vertical paper feed path will be handled by opening the front door.

Still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the right side wall of the machine main body has a door 61 extending all the way to the top, and can be rotated about a shaft 60 at the lower end to open the upper part.

The vertical conveyor belt 35 that constitutes the vertical paper feed path 37 is connected to this door 6.
1 to form a unit 62.

When this unit 62 is opened, the transfer belt 20 is
If the parts 23 and 24 of the support roller around which the transfer belt 20 is wound, which remain in the machine, are moved further from the position at the time of multiple transfer to the position 23124' shown by hatching in the figure, and the transfer belt 20 is deformed. The jammed paper in the transfer section can be easily removed by inserting a hand between the paper discharge tray 29 and the deformed transfer belt 20. The opening unit of this embodiment has the advantage that the head is not large and the opening operation is easy.

Now, recent copiers have a large capacity paper tray (LCT').
Peripheral devices such as the above are being combined with the main body of the copying machine to create a system with enhanced functions.

If the LCT is attached to the copying machine described in this embodiment, it will be installed adjacent to the equipment on the right side of the machine where the transfer paper feeding path is provided.

In that case, if the equipment on the right side is part of the open unit as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 3, the unit cannot be opened unless the LCT is removed first, and the jam may occur. After closing the unit after treatment, the LCT must be placed in place again.

A method will be described with reference to FIG. 4 in which this trouble is avoided and the peripheral devices such as the LCT are automatically evacuated when the unit is opened, and the peripheral devices are automatically set in a predetermined position when the unit is closed. FIG. 4 is a diagram in which this method is applied to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in the figure, a vertically long slit 45 is bored in the side plate 40 of the opening/closing unit 42 provided on the right side of the copying machine main body 80 at a predetermined set position. A coupling pin 71 installed in a corner in the front-rear direction is slidably engaged. The position and length of the slit 45 are sufficient to achieve the functions described below.

Casters 72 are attached to the bottom of the LCT 70 at four corners, and the LCT 70 is placed on the same floor surface 81 as the main body 80 of the copying machine. When the opening/closing unit 42 is closed for use, the coupling pin 71 engages with the slit 45 of the side plate 40 of the opening/closing unit 42, and the LCT is positioned so as to be coupled to the copying machine main body 80 in an operable state. It has become.

When the opening/closing unit 42 is opened in the state shown in FIG.
The CT 70 is pushed in a direction away from the copying machine main body 80.

The LCT 70 can be moved freely on the floor 81 by casters 72, and the connecting pin 71 is connected to the long slit 4.
5, the LCT moves effortlessly and smoothly away from the copying machine main body 80 without interfering with the opening operation of the opening unit 42.

When the removal of the jammed paper is completed and the operator closes the second opening/closing unit 42, the LCT 70 moves to a predetermined set position and is positioned by the engagement of the coupling pin 71 and the slit 45 of the opening/closing unit 42. Set.

As described above, with the above configuration, it is possible to open and close the opening/closing unit and remove jammed paper with almost the same operating force as when no LCT peripheral equipment is installed, and by closing the opening/closing unit, the paper can be removed automatically. Peripherals can be set in predetermined mounting positions.

As described above, according to the present invention, by rotating and opening the relatively lightweight opening/closing unit around the lower end, the transfer paper conveyance path can be opened, and jammed paper can be easily removed. This is effective in improving operability and safety.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 are diagrams each showing the overall configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a method for connecting peripheral equipment when peripheral equipment is attached to the copying machine of the present invention. It is a front view. 10... Photosensitive drums 13, 14, 15... Developing device 16... Transfer charger 20... Transfer belt 21, 22, 23° 16.20, 21° 30... Paper feed tray 30. 33.34... Paper feed unit 35... Vertical conveyance belt 37... Vertical conveyance path (vertical conveyance section) 38... Registration rollers 42.51, 62... Opening/closing unit 43.52.60. ... Pivot shaft 70 ... Peripheral equipment (LCT) 24 ... Transfer belt support roller 22.23.24 ... Transfer means

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A group of paper feeding units arranged vertically in multiple stages at the bottom of the copying machine main body, and a group of paper feeding units arranged vertically on one side of the copying machine on the side of the paper feeding unit group, A vertical conveyance section that conveys the transfer paper sent out from each paper feeding unit upward; and a vertical conveyance section that is connected to the upper end of the vertical conveyance section, and is connected to the top of the photoreceptor on the same side as the vertical conveyance section. an image-forming unit transport unit that transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor to a transfer paper that is in contact with the photoreceptor, extends upward toward the fixing device, and is transported at a position in contact with the photoreceptor; and a transport path of the image-forming unit transport unit. In a copying machine having a transfer means disposed opposite to the photoconductor with the image forming section in between, the above-mentioned vertical conveyance section and a member on the outside of the conveyance path of the image forming section conveyance section and the above transfer means are integrated. 1. A copying machine configured as a unit, the lower end of which is pivoted to a main body of the copying machine so that the lower end of the unit can be rotated outward from the copying machine to open the lower end. (2) A paper feed unit disposed at the bottom of the copying machine body receives the transfer paper that is sent out from the paper supply unit and is conveyed upward along one side of the copying machine, and the transfer paper is placed in an upward direction. A process in which the toner image on the photoconductor is transferred to a transfer paper that contacts the top of the photoconductor on the same side as the side that is conveyed toward the photoconductor, extends upward toward the fixing device, and is conveyed at the position where it contacts the photoconductor. In a copying machine having an image section transport section and a transfer means disposed opposite to the photoreceptor across a transport path of the image forming section transport section, a member located on the outside of the transport path of the image forming section transport section. and the above-mentioned transfer means are constituted as an integrated unit, and the lower end thereof is pivoted to the main body of the copying machine so that the lower end thereof can be rotated toward the outside of the copying machine and opened. Machine. (3) A group of paper feed units arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction at the bottom of the copying machine main body, and a group of paper feed units arranged in the vertical direction on one side of the copying machine on the side of the paper feed unit group, and In a copying machine having a vertical conveyance section that conveys transfer paper sent out from each paper feeding unit toward an upper image forming section, members on the outside of the conveyance path of the vertical conveyance section and the copying machine housing side door are used. What is claimed is: 1. A copying machine, characterized in that the lower end of the unit is pivoted to a main body of the copying machine so that the lower end of the unit can be rotated outward from the copying machine to open the lower end of the unit.