JPH03100664A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively utilize a space inside a container and to smoothly recover waste toner by equipping a process cartridge with a grip part and providing a toner recovering container with a toner recovering port in a direction the same as the grip part. CONSTITUTION:The process cartridge 30 possesses the toner recovering container 4A inside a belt shape image forming body 1 and is attachable to/detachable from a device main body. The process cartridge 30 is provided with the grip part 35, and the toner recovering port 34A of the toner recovering container 4A is provided in a direction the same as the grip part 35. Consequently, the cartridge 30 is hung on the grip part 35 and the toner recovering port 34A is positioned in the upper part of the recovering container 4A. The waste toner which has been accumulated in the vicinity of the toner recovering port 34A drops on the bottom part of the toner recovering container 4A, whereby the accumulation can be eliminated. Thus, the waste toner can be throughly contained in the flat toner recovering container provided inside the belt shape image forming body and can be recovered as much as the container can afford.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus in which a single toner image is formed on a belt-like image forming member by an electrophotographic method and transferred onto a transfer material to obtain an image. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[Background of the invention]

There are many ways to obtain color images using electrophotography.
A device has been proposed. For example, JP-A-61-10077
As disclosed in Publication No. 0, a latent image is formed and developed in accordance with the number of separated colors of an original image on a photoreceptor drum serving as an image forming member, and is transferred onto a transfer drum each time the development is performed. There is a method of forming a multicolor image on a paper and then transferring it onto recording paper to obtain a color copy. A device using this method requires a transfer drum large enough to transfer one sheet of image onto its circumferential surface in addition to the photoreceptor drum, and the device does not have a large and complicated structure. Inevitable.

For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-149972, a latent image is formed and developed on a photoreceptor drum according to the number of separated colors of the original image, and is transferred onto a transfer material each time it is developed. This is a method of obtaining multicolor copies. With this method, it is difficult to overlap multicolor images with high precision, and it is impossible to obtain high-quality color copies.

Another method is to repeatedly form a latent image on a photoreceptor drum according to the number of separated colors of an original image and develop it with color toner, and then overlap the color toner images on the photoreceptor drum and then transfer the images to obtain a color image. The basic process of forming a multicolor image is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-75850 and No. 60-7 by the present applicant.
No. 6766, No. 60-95456, No. 60-9545
No. 8, No. 60-158475, etc.

In a multicolor image forming apparatus that obtains a color image through such superimposition, a plurality of developing units containing different color toners are arranged around the periphery of the photoreceptor drum. The photoreceptor drum is rotated multiple times to develop the latent image on the photoreceptor drum to obtain a color image.

On the other hand, in terms of structure, copying machines are generally
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. B-54392, a proposal has been made in which a photoreceptor drum, a developer, and a cleaner are integrally attached to a support member to facilitate replacement and repair of each unit.

In addition, as a compact and simple monochrome compatible device that can be easily handled by general users, these integrated devices can be further constructed in a disposable format;
No. 154255, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-195357, etc. are disclosed.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 147366/1983 discloses a printer that incorporates a laser writing system into a similar device.

Furthermore, as an apparatus for forming mono-color or full-color images, a disposable single-color process cartridge and a (color) cartridge containing multiple developing units, which are also disposable, can be exchanged, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. A multicolor image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 58-72159 has been proposed, but it is not easy to operate, small, and inexpensive, and does not necessarily provide a satisfactory image to the user when reproducing color images. This has not yet been achieved.

Furthermore, the present applicant has disclosed various types of replacement such as a single color cartridge and a color cartridge having multiple developing units in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-293563.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application No. 62-234493 and No. 62-2344 disclose a color image forming apparatus in which a removable mount is provided on the main body of the apparatus and a photoreceptor drum, multiple developing devices, cleaners, etc. can be attached and removed on the mount.
239748, etc., but it lacks user-friendliness due to unbalanced lifespans of consumables such as toner and developer stored in multiple developing devices, and the circular mechanism is complicated and the device is difficult to use. Due to the large size, it was not possible to provide a compact and inexpensive device, and there remained a large problem that led to loss of users.

In particular, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 108552/1983 describes the relationship between the center of gravity of the cartridge and the handle, which is provided with a handle on the single-color cartridge to prevent the toner from agglomerating within the cartridge and to facilitate handling. 59-58
Proposals have been made in Publication No. 444 and the like.

Regarding the image forming body, as explained above, a photoconductor drum having a photoconductor coated or vapor-deposited on the circumferential surface of the drum,
In addition, belt-like image forming bodies have also been proposed in which a photoconductor is coated or mounted on a flexible belt. The shape of the belt-shaped image forming body (hereinafter also referred to as a photoconductor belt) is determined by stretching it between rotating rollers including a drive roller, so it is possible to effectively utilize space and create a compact color image forming apparatus. It is effective when configured. In addition, since the photoreceptor belt can run along a small curvature, it is possible to prevent poor separation of the transfer material by using a rotating roller with a small diameter and using this curvature to separate the transfer material. can.

When using such a belt-like image forming body, as in the case of using the photosensitive drum described above, the space inside the belt-like image forming body is used as a space for installing a toner collection container that collects waste toner collected from the image forming body during cleaning. be done.

[Purpose of the invention]

However, belt-shaped image forming bodies often have a flat conveyance path for the image forming means, especially for the arrangement of multiple image points, and for the purpose of reducing the height of the apparatus body as much as possible. This results in a thin, flat container that spreads horizontally.

Therefore, the waste toner that is collected from the cleaning device into the toner collection container via the conveyance pipe reaches the top of the container near the toner collection port, which obstructs the smooth collection of the waste toner that is connected and transported. In such cases, it may become impossible to collect waste toner while leaving space in the container.

As a result of solving and improving this problem, the present invention aims to provide a color image forming apparatus that can effectively utilize the space inside the container and always smoothly collect waste toner.

[Structure of the invention]

The above object is to provide a color image forming apparatus in which a belt-like image forming member and a process cartridge having a toner collection container in a circular portion of the belt-like image forming member are removably attached to an apparatus main body. This is achieved by a color image forming apparatus characterized in that a toner collection port of the toner collection container is provided in the same direction as the handle.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

In FIG. 1, l is a flexible photoreceptor belt which is a belt-like image forming member, and the photoreceptor belt l-1 is installed between rotating rollers 2 and 3, and is driven by the rotating roller 2. Transported clockwise.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a guide member inscribed in the photoreceptor bell l-1, and the photoreceptor bell l-1 is brought into a tensioned state by the action of the tension roller 5 urged outward, so that its inner peripheral surface is rubbed against the guide member 4.

Therefore, the photoreceptors on the outer circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 are always maintained at a constant position relative to the surface of the guide member 4 even during conveyance, making it possible to form a stable image forming surface.

6 is a scorotron charger which is a charging means; 7 is a laser writing system unit which is an image exposure means; and 8 to 11 are developing devices which are a plurality of developing means each containing a developer of a specific color. is arranged at a position facing the guide member 4 of the photoreceptor belt l. In order to maintain a gap without interfering with the movement of the photoreceptor belt 1, the guide member 4 is brought into contact with the guide member 4 on the outside of the photoreceptor belt 1 with a gap maintaining means.

In addition to the optical system shown in the drawings, the laser writing system unit 7 may also include an optical system that integrates a light emitting section and a convergent light transmission body.

The developing devices 8.9, 10, and 11 contain, for example, yellow magenta, cyan, and black developers, respectively, and the developing sleeves 8A, 9A maintain a predetermined gap from the photoreceptor bell 1-1. , 10A, and 11A, and has a function of developing a latent image on the photoreceptor belt l by a non-contact development method. Unlike contact development, this non-contact development has the advantage of not interfering with the movement of the photoreceptor belt.

12 is a transfer i, 13 is a cleaning device as a cleaning means, and a blade 13A and a toner conveying roller 13B of the cleaning device 13 are connected to the photoreceptor belt 1 during image formation.
The photoreceptor belt 1 is kept in a position apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1, and is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 as shown in the figure only during cleaning after image transfer.

The process of forming a color image by the color image forming apparatus is performed as follows.

First, the formation of a multicolor image according to this embodiment is performed according to the image forming system shown in FIG. That is, the color image data input section (Fig. 4 (a)) where the image sensor scans the original image.
) is subjected to arithmetic processing in the image data processing section (FIG. 4 (b)) to create image data, which is then stored in the image memory (FIG. 4 (c)). Then, the image memory is taken out at the time of recording and sent to the recording section (FIG. 4 (d)).
For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, t is input to a color image forming apparatus.

That is, when a color signal output from an image reading device separate from the printer is input to the laser writing system unit 7, the laser writing system unit 7 outputs a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown). is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror 7B rotated by a drive motor 7A, and passes through an fθ lens 7C to mirrors 7D and 7E.
The optical path is bent by this, and the light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l, which has been charged in advance by a charger 6 serving as a charging means, to form a bright line.

On the other hand, when scanning is started, the beam is detected by the index sensor, modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam scans the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoreceptor belt l. This latent image is reversely developed in a non-contact state by a developing device 8 loaded with yellow (Y) toner (developing medium) of the developing means, and a toner image is formed on the belt surface. The obtained toner image, while being held on the belt surface, passes under a cleaning device 113, which is a cleaning means, which is separated from the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1, and enters the next copy cycle.

That is, the photoreceptor belt l is charged again by the charger 6, and then the second color signal outputted from the signal processing section is input to the writing system unit 7, and the second color signal is inputted to the writing system unit 7, and the second color signal is inputted to the writing system unit 7. In the same manner, writing is performed on the drum surface to form a latent image. The latent image is reversely developed in a non-contact manner by a developing device 9 loaded with magenta (M) toner as a second color.

This magenta (M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image.

IO is a developing device having cyan (C) toner, which forms a cyan (C) toner image on the belt surface based on a control signal generated by a signal processing section.

Further, numeral 11 denotes a developing device having black toner, which forms a black toner image superimposed on the drum surface by the same process. These developing devices 8, 9゜lO and 11
A bias of direct current or even single current is applied to each sleeve, and jumping development is performed using a one-component or two-component developer, which is a developing means, and the photoreceptor bell (1) whose base is grounded is exposed without contact. Reversal development is now performed.

The color toner image thus formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 is transferred to a transfer material fed from the paper feed cassette 14 via the paper feed guide 15 at the transfer section.

That is, the top layer of the transfer material stored in the paper feed cassette 14 is carried out by the rotation of the paper feed roller 16, and transferred to the transfer device 12 via the timing roller 17 in synchronization with the image formation on the photoreceptor belt l. supplied to.

The transfer material that has undergone image transfer and charge removal is reliably separated from the photoreceptor belt l, which suddenly changes direction along the rotating roller 2, without being affected by image quality such as toner scattering due to the charge removal effect. After the image is fused by the fixing roller 18, the sheet is discharged onto the tray 20 via the discharge rollers 19A and 19B.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt l, which has completed the transfer to the transfer material, continues to be transported, and the remaining toner is removed by the cleaning device I3, in which the blade 13A facing the rotating roller 3 and the rotating toner transport roller 13B are brought into pressure contact with each other. After the removal is completed, the blade 13A is removed again, and a little later, the toner conveying roller 13B is removed to begin a new image forming process.

The image forming means of the photoreceptor belt 1, guide member 4, scorotron charger 6, and cleaning device 13 are connected to the front and rear substrates 30A as shown in FIG.
and 30B, and is attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus as a unit.

The cartridge 30 integrates the front and rear substrates 30A and 30B via a guide member 4 and two stays 31, holds each of the image forming means between them, and is inserted horizontally from the front of the apparatus main body. is stored.

That is, the color image forming apparatus of the present invention has a ram shell configuration as shown in FIG. 3, in which the upper housing housing the cartridge 30 can be held open up to a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction with the rotating shaft 21 as a fulcrum. , the cartridge 30 has two drive and fixed parts protruding into the open upper housing.
The rotating rollers 2 and 3 are fitted onto the shaft of the book and held therein.

Figure 5 shows the AA cross section in Figure 2.
The rotary rollers 2 and 3 are supported in a loosely fitted manner by ring-shaped ribs R1 and R2 formed opposite to each other on the inner sides of the respective substrates 30A and 30B in the cartridge rig 30 alone.

- A drive shaft 2A and a fixed shaft 3A having a gear G connected to the power system of the device are protruded from the hero part casing, and the drive shaft 2
By fitting the rotary rollers 2 and 3 onto the fixed shaft 3A and the fixed shaft 3A, the cartridge 30 is supported, and at the same time, the position and spacing of the rotary rollers 2 and 3 are determined. The photosensitive surface No. 1 is also set at a predetermined position.

The drive shaft 2A and the fixed shaft 3A are connected to each rotary roller 2 and 3.
After passing through, the nut 2B is tightened to fix the rotary roller 2 to the drive shaft 2A to make it integral, and the rotary roller 3 is held rotatably with respect to the fixed shaft 3A by attaching the nut 3B.

It is assumed that the cartridge 30 itself is also held by locking either the substrate 3OA or 30B to the upper housing after being attached to the upper housing.

When attaching and detaching the cartridge 30 to and from the upper housing, the handle portion 3 provided at its left end, that is, near the rotating roller 2, is used.
5 is used. The handle portion 35 is attached to each of the front and rear boards 30A.
and 30B, respectively, so that the cartridge 30 removed from the upper housing can be hung and carried with both hands.

The cartridge 30 has a toner conveying tube 34 with a built-in flexible toner conveying screw 33 as a toner conveying means on its front surface, one end of which is connected to the bottom of the cleaning device 13, and the other end connected to the guide member. The toner collection port 34A is connected to a toner collection container 4A formed as a part of the toner collection container 4A.

The toner conveying screw 33 is driven and rotated by power from the main body of the apparatus, whereby the cleaning apparatus 13
The collected toner is sent to the toner collection container 4A through the toner transport pipe 34 and stored therein.

The toner collection port 34A is also opened in the same direction as the handle portion 35, that is, at the left end of the toner collection container 4A near the rotating roller 2.

Therefore, when the cartridge 30 is suspended by the handle 35, the toner collection port 34A is located at the upper part of the toner collection container 4A.
The waste toner accumulated near A falls to the bottom of the toner collection container 4A, that is, the right end in the state shown in FIG. 2, and the accumulation is eliminated.

As a result, when the cartridge 30 is mounted on the upper housing again and the image forming process is opened from both sides, the waste toner conveyed from the cleaning device 13 is transferred to the toner conveying screw 33.
The toner is collected into the toner collection container 4A without any trouble by the conveying action of the toner collection container 4A, and the storage capacity of the toner collection container 4A is fully utilized.

From a similar point of view, when the handle portion 135 is provided at the right end of the cartridge 130 shown in FIG. Toner collection container 104A near device 113
It is opened at the right end of the

Since the cartridge 130 is also suspended by the handle 135 when the upper housing is removed, the waste toner accumulated near the toner collection port 134A is collected at the bottom of the toner collection container 104A, that is, at the left end in the state shown in FIG. It falls to the surface and dissolves its volume.

In addition, if the handle part is provided at the center of the cross section of the cartridge, when it is removed from the upper housing and hung, the stored toner will fall and move to the back of the toner collection container, so the toner collection opening will be located on the front side of the toner collection container. If there is one, it can be opened in either side, left or right.

As long as the opening position of the toner collection port satisfies the conditions explained above, the opening direction of the upper housing relative to the main body of the device may be clockwise as shown in Figure 1 or counterclockwise. However, it may be released in the front-rear direction, that is, in any direction that releases from the front to the back.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, even in a horizontally flat toner collection container provided inside a belt-like image forming body, the transported waste toner is evenly stored in the container and collected up to the storage limit of the container. As a result, a color image forming apparatus that can collect a large amount of toner over a long period of time despite having a compact apparatus body has been provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 3 are cross-sectional configuration diagrams of a color image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 are views of the main parts of the apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an image forming system. figure. 1.101... Photoreceptor belt 2, 3.102, 103... Rotating roller 4.104
...Guide member 4A, 104A...Toner collection container 6.106.
... Charger 7 ... Laser writing system units 8 to 11. ...Developer 12...Transfer device 13,113...Cleaning device 18...Fixing roller 21...Rotary shaft 30,130...Cartridges 30A (30B), 13OA (130B)... Substrate 33, 133... Toner conveying screw 34, 134
... Toner transport pipes 34A, 134A ... Toner collection port 35.135 ... Handle part

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a color image forming apparatus in which a belt-like image forming member is provided with a process cartridge having a toner collection container in a circular portion of the belt-like image forming member that is detachable from the apparatus main body, the process cartridge is provided with a handle portion and the handle portion and the process cartridge are detachable from each other. A color image forming apparatus characterized in that a toner collection port of the toner collection container is provided in the same direction.