JPH03154070A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the common differences of respective parts from being cumulated and to avoid the blurring of an image by integrally disposing an image carrier and a working body for forming the image on the image carrier in one holding member. CONSTITUTION:As to a printer functioning as an image forming device, for example, an LED array 25, a lens array 27 and a photosensitive body 1 are integrally disposed in a case 40 as the holding member. The parts are regularly spaced and fixed in the case 40 so that the appropriate image may be formed on the photosensitive body 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles.

(Conventional technology) FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the printer.

In the figure, a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1 as an image carrier rotates clockwise, and the photoreceptor 1 is uniformly charged by a charger 3. Then, an optical writing device 5 as a working body is placed on the photoreceptor 1. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing device 7 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1, and a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 1.

On the other hand, a transfer paper is sent onto the photoreceptor 1 from the paper cassette 9, and the toner image on the photoreceptor 1 is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer device 13. Then, the transfer paper is peeled off from the photoreceptor 1 by the peeler 15, and the transfer paper is conveyed to the fixing device 17.
After the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed, it is discharged to the stacker 19.

The photoreceptor 1 further rotates clockwise, and the residual toner on the photoreceptor 1 is removed by the cleaner 21, and then the charge is removed by the charge removal lamp 23, and the above-described image forming operation is performed again.

The optical writing device 5 is composed of an LED array 25 and a lens array 27, as shown in detail in FIG.
The LED array 25, lens array 27, and photoreceptor 1 are each independently arranged within the printer. When forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1, the LED array 2
Flash 5.

Light emitted from the LED array 25 is irradiated onto the photoreceptor 1 by the lens array 27 as a spot light.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Since the life of the photoreceptor 1 is usually shorter than that of other parts, it is necessary to replace it several times during the life of the printer. Therefore, it is necessary to layout each component so that the photoreceptor can be easily replaced. In the above conventional example, the LED array 25
．． The lens array 27° photoreceptor 1 is arranged independently,
The LED array 25 and lens array 27 are not replaced, and only the photoreceptor 1 is replaced. Therefore, the layout of each component is subject to considerable restrictions.

Also LED array 25. Lens array 27. Since the photoreceptors 1 are arranged separately and independently, the tolerances of these parts accumulate, resulting in variations in the image formation position with respect to the photoreceptor 1, which may cause image blurring. 8th
As shown in the figure, there is also a device in which an LED array 25, a lens array 27, and a heat dissipation device 29 are integrated into an optical box 30 to prevent dust and simplify maintenance. However, since the optical box 30 and the photoreceptor 1 are disposed separately and independently, this is insufficient to prevent image blur due to accumulation of tolerances of both parts.

Furthermore, if the LED array, lens array, and photoreceptor are arranged separately, the number of parts will increase, making efficient mass production impossible and hindering cost reduction.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been made to solve the above conventional problems, and the invention as set forth in claim 1 provides an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. and a working body for forming an image on an image bearing member, wherein the image bearing member and the working body are integrally disposed on one holding member.

In the invention according to claim 2, the image carrier is a photoreceptor,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the effecting body is constituted by a light source body and an imaging lens, and each of these parts is fixed to a holding member at a constant distance.

(Function) According to the invention set forth in claim 1, since the image carrier and the effecting body are integrally arranged in one holding member, the tolerances of each component do not accumulate.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the photoreceptor, the light source, and the imaging lens are each fixed to the holding member at a certain distance, an image in an appropriate state is always formed.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention has substantially the same structure as the apparatus shown in FIG. Reference numerals are given and explanations of their structures and functions will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 40 indicates a case as a holding member. Inside this case 40, an LED array 25, a lens array 27, and a photoreceptor 1 are integrally arranged by means of molding or the like. Each of these parts is fixed to the case 40 at a certain distance so that an appropriate image is formed on the photoreceptor 1.

FIG. 2 shows details of the arrangement of the LED array 25, lens array 27, and photoreceptor 1.

As shown in the figure, the distance 11 between the LED unit portion of the LED array 25 and the lens array 27 is set to a constant dimension. Further, the distance 12 between the lens array 27 and the photosensitive surface 1a of the photosensitive member 1 is also set to a constant dimension.

Further, the LED lens array 25 and the photoreceptor 1 are arranged such that the optical axis A of the LED array 25 is perpendicular to the rotation center axis B of the photoreceptor 1. The LED unit portion of the LED array 25 is set to be parallel to the rotation center axis B of the photoreceptor 1.

The detailed structure of the LED array 25 is shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 41 indicates the main body of the LED lens array 25, and the entire surface of the main body 41 is covered by a lid 43. A slit 42 is formed on the front surface of the lid 43.

The main body is provided with an LED unit section 44.

FIG. 4 shows the detailed structure around LED unit section 4.

In the figure, reference numeral 45 indicates a heat radiating device, and this heat radiating device 35 is provided with a circuit board 46. Furthermore, a connector 47 is attached on this circuit board 46. A metal substrate 38 is formed in the LED unit section 41, and a driver IC is mounted on this metal substrate 48.
A plurality of 49 are arranged. Further, an LED chip 50 is disposed between the driver ICs 49 on the metal substrate 48.

The photoreceptor 1, along with the LED array 25 and lens array 27, are permanent parts that do not need to be replaced during the life of the printer. Conversely, a multi-stylus or the like may be used as the effecting body, and by making its lifespan match the lifespan of the photoreceptor 1, parts such as the photoreceptor 1 may be replaced together with the case 40.

Although an LED array is used in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to an image forming apparatus using a liquid crystal shutter array, an FLD array, or an LD.

In the magnetic printer shown in FIG. 5, writing is performed by a magnetic head 31 on a recording drum 38 that rotates counterclockwise, and a magnetic recording image is formed on the recording drum 38. Next, developer is supplied to the magnetic recording image on the recording drum 38 by the developing device 32, and a visible image is formed on the recording drum 38.

On the other hand, transfer paper is transferred from a paper feeder (not shown) to the recording drum 3.
8 and the transfer roller 33, the visible image on the recording drum 38 is transferred to the transfer paper, and the transfer paper is sent to the fixing device 34, where the visible image on the transfer paper is fixed. , this transfer paper is discharged outside the machine.

The recording drum 38 further rotates counterclockwise, the drum circumferential surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 35, and residual magnetism is erased by the erasing head 36.
The above operation is repeated.

Recording head 31 and recording drum 3 of this magnetic recording printer
8 are integrally arranged. Further, the recording portion of the recording head 31 and the rotation center axis of the recording drum 38 are set to be parallel to each other.

Further, the present invention can also be applied to copying machines and facsimile machines other than printers.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, since the image carrier and the effecting body are integrally disposed on the holding member, the lifespan of each part is made the same, and the holding member can be replaced together. It becomes possible. Therefore, restrictions on the layout of parts constituting the image forming apparatus are relaxed.

Furthermore, since the tolerances of each component do not stack up, image blurring can be prevented.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus can be downsized and has a structure suitable for mass production, thereby reducing costs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the main parts of a printer according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the main part of the printer shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the detailed structure of the LED array, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the detailed structure around the LED unit of the LED array. , FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a magnetic recording printer according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the printer, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining a conventional example. 1... Photoreceptor, 25... LED array, 27...
Lens array, 40... Case, 38... Recording drum, 31... Recording head location 3 ■ Steam 4 ■ Location? ■ Ryo ■

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and an effecting body for forming an image on the image carrier, wherein the image carrier and the effecting body are An image forming apparatus characterized in that: are integrally arranged on one holding member. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier is a photoreceptor, the effecting body is constituted by a light source body and an imaging lens, and each of these parts is fixed to a holding member at a certain distance. Forming device.