JPH03180860A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out the operation of bringing into contact and separating operating members against a photosensitive body with a simple constitution by bringing into contact and separating operating members, such as a developing part and a cleaning part with the photosensitive body by one operating means. CONSTITUTION:When a front cover 15 is closed, operating projections 14a and 14b are abutted to pressure plates 13a and 13b, plate springs 12a and 12b are rotated by rotating shafts 11a and 11b, the developing part 6 and the cleaning part 7 are brought close to or into contact with a photosensitive body belt 2 against repulsive force of springs 16a and 16b. When the cover 15 is released, since the abutting of the projections 14a and 14b with the pressure plates 13a and 13b are released, the plate springs 12a and 12b are freed, therefore the developing part 6 and the cleaning part 7 receive tension force of the springs 16a and 16b and are simultaneously rotated in the direction separating from the photosensitive body belt 2 with the rotating supporting shafts 9a and 9b as centers.

Description

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

[Conventional technology]

In conventional image forming apparatuses, in order to facilitate the installation and removal work during maintenance and replacement of the photoreceptor, developing section, cleaning section, etc., the methods described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 57-1.92985 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-39411 have been proposed. Inventions and ideas are proposed.

In the invention of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5'l-192985,
In order to move a nearby member such as a developing section toward and away from the photoreceptor, two pivot points are required on the support of the near TG member.
Moreover, in the invention of Utility Model Publication No. 55-39411, the cleaning unit is a cam.

Links, solenoids, etc. are used to bring it into contact with and separate from the photoreceptor.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, each part is provided with an independent operating mechanism with a complicated structure in order to bring the developing part and the cleaning part into and out of contact with the photoreceptor, which leads to an increase in the size of the device or an increase in cost. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has a simple and simplified structure and allows an operating member to move toward and away from a photoreceptor.

[Means for resolving curricular issues]

The above purpose involves multiple operations that operate close to or in contact with the photoconductor, such as a developing section that forms a visible image on the photoconductor and a cleaning section that removes residual toner on the photoconductor after the transfer operation. In an image forming apparatus including a member,
This is achieved by a first means provided with one operating means that separates the plurality of operating members from the photoreceptor when the image forming operation is stopped, and brings the plurality of operating members closer to or in contact with the photoreceptor during the image forming operation.

In addition, there are multiple operating members that operate in close proximity to or in contact with the photoconductor, such as a developing section that forms a visible image on the photoconductor and a cleaning section that removes residual toner on the photoconductor after the transfer operation. In the image forming apparatus, a front cover provided on an exterior body of the image forming apparatus is arranged such that the plurality of operating members are separated from the photoreceptor when the front cover is opened, and the plurality of operating members are separated from the photoreceptor when the front cover is closed. This can also be achieved by a second means of providing an operating protrusion that is brought close to or in contact with.

[Effect]

According to the first means, a plurality of operating members are moved toward and away from the photoreceptor at the same time by operating one operating means that operates in close proximity to or away from the photoreceptor, such as a developing section or a cleaning section. Ru.

Further, according to the second means, the similar approaching/separating/approaching operations of the operating members can be performed in conjunction with the opening/closing operations of the front cover of the exterior body.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part showing the operating state of the first embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is a plan view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1, where ■ is a photoreceptor cartridge, 2 is a photoreceptor belt built in the photoreceptor cartridge I and rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow, and 3 is a photoreceptor cartridge L. 4 is a charger, 5 is an exposure light, 6 is a developing section that includes a developing roller 6a, 7 is a cleaning section that includes a cleaning blade 7a, a roller 7b, etc., and 8 is a static neutralizer. 9a and 9b are rotational shafts 10a that rotatably support the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7, which are operating members that are close to or in contact with the photoreceptor heald 2;
,]Ob is a reference bottle that abuts and positions a part of the developing section 6 and cleaning section 7, and 112.11b is a reference bin that urges the developing section 6 and cleaning section 7 in a direction toward or in contact with the photoreceptor heald 2. One end of the leaf springs 12a, 12b is supported by the rotating shaft, and one end of the leaf spring 13a, 13b is the rotating shaft 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure plates 14a and 14b, which are pivotally supported by the pressure plates 1a and llb, project from the front cover 15, which is the operating means, and the pressure plates 13a.

13b and a removable operation protrusion; 16a and 16b are springs that bias the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 in a direction away from the photoreceptor belt 2; and 173. Stopper pin 1 in Fig. 3, especially for regulating the rotation when it rotates to separate from the belt 2.
Reference numeral 8 denotes an exterior body of the image forming apparatus in which the front cover 15 is provided so as to be openable and closable.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, the front cover 15 is closed and the image forming operation is possible. In this state, the operation protrusion 1
4a, 14b abut against the pressure plates 13a, 13b, and the leaf springs 12a, 12b are rotated by the rotating shafts 11a, llb, thereby connecting the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 to the springs 15a, 13b.
It is brought close to or in contact with the photoreceptor belt 2 against the elastic force of the photoreceptor belt 16b. At this time, the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7
The rotation is restricted by reference bins 10a and 10b.

Is the image forming operation a known technique? The photoreceptor belt 2, which has been uniformly charged by the charger 4, is irradiated with the light image of the document by the exposure light 5, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is visualized by toner development in the developing section 6, and is transferred by the transfer charger 3 onto a transfer paper conveyed from a paper feed section (not shown). Then, the transfer paper is fixed in a fixing section (not shown) and then discharged.

After the above transfer, the residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor heald 2 is removed by the cleaning section 7, and the residual potential on the photoconductor heald 2 is returned to approximately O volts by the static eliminating section 8, and the next image forming operation is performed. Be prepared.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the front cover 15 is opened and the image forming operation is stopped, and the operating members of the photoreceptor 1, the developing section 6, or the cleaning section 7 can be taken out for replacement or maintenance. is in a state.

When the state shown in the figure is reached, the operating protrusion 1 of the front cover 15
4a, 14b and the pressure plates 13a, 13b are released, the temporary springs 1, 7a, 12b become free, and therefore the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 are connected to the spring 16a.
, 16b, they simultaneously rotate in the direction away from the photoreceptor heald 2 around the pivot shafts 9a, 9b.At this time, the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 are moved by the stopper bins 17a, 16b. 17b, and excessive co-movement is prevented.

In this manner, simply by opening the front cover 15, the operating members, the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7, can be detached from the photoreceptor heald 2, and each section can be attached and detached with a single touch. In addition, since the operating members 6.7 are reliably separated from the photoreceptor belt 2, it is possible to prevent the photoreceptor belt 2 from being inadvertently scratched.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are block diagrams showing a second embodiment of the interlocking mechanism of the operating means for disengaging the operating member,
The photoreceptor cartridge 1 is omitted. In the same figure,
Reference numeral 20 denotes a solenoid as an operating means, and 21a and 21b are link bodies each having one end connected to the developing section 6 and the +1-ning section 7, and the other end connected to the operating section 20a of the solenoid 20.

FIG. 4 fat shows a state in which the image forming operation is possible, and the operation section 20a of the solenoid 20 is connected to the link body 213.2.
1b is pulled downward (in the direction of the arrow), the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 come into contact with the reference bins lQa and 10b, and the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 are pulled against the photoreceptor belt 2.
Maintaining close proximity and contact with.

FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the image forming operation is stopped, in which the power to the solenoid 20 is turned off and the operation unit 20a is turned off.
Since the suction force of the springs 15a, 16b is lost, the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 rotate about the pivot shafts 9a, 9b in a direction away from the photoreceptor belt due to the tensile force of the springs 15a, 16b, and the stopper bins 17a, ! 7b will restrict excessive rotation.

FIG. 5 (al, bl is configuration 1 showing the third embodiment of the interlocking mechanism of the operating member)'The photoreceptor belt 2 is omitted.The configuration in the same country is I:'A! 'I = As a member interlocking mechanism, the so-called Scott Russell (5co
ttRussel) mechanism, 30 is a solenoid as an operating means, 31a and 31b have one end connected to the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7, respectively, and the other end N is a first solenoid which is rotatable with respect to each other. The link pair 32 is a second link whose one end is connected to the operating portion 30a of the solenoid 30 and the other end is connected via a spring 33 to the other end N of the first link pair 313.31b. 2 links 32
The length is 1/2 of the length (21), one end is supported at the center M of the second link 32, the other end is on the axis of the solenoid 30 in the suction direction, and a circle with a radius l is formed around the center M. This is a third link that can rotate around the intersection 35 when drawn.

FIG. 5(a) shows a state in which the image forming operation is possible, in which the operating portion 30a of the solenoid 30 is pulling the second link 32 to the left, and as the third link 34 rotates, the spring 3
3, the first link pair 31a31b and #AN are pulled downward, and the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 are connected to the base L Sebin 1.
0a, lob and this F keep the developing member 6 and the cleaning section 7 close to and in contact with the photoreceptor heald.

FIG. 5(b) shows the stopped state of the image forming operation,
Since the power to the solenoid 30 is turned off and the suction force of the operation part 30a is lost, each link 31a, 31b, 32
．． 34 becomes free, and due to the tensile force of the springs 16a and 16b, the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7 rotate about the pivot shafts 9a and 9b in a direction away from the photoreceptor belt, and the stopper pins 17a and 17b will restrict excessive rotation.

Although the operating members are described as the developing member 6 and the cleaning section 7, the present invention can also be applied to other members installed around the photoreceptor belt 2.

Further, the present invention can be applied to a known drum or belt-shaped photoreceptor instead of a cartridge.

Furthermore, although the developing section 6 and the cleaning section 7, which are operating members, have been described as being rotatable, they may be movable laterally to the side of the photoreceptor belt 2.

Also second. In the third embodiment, the timing of the contact and separation of the operating members 6 and 7 is determined from the known copy start button or the off signal of the paper ejection sensor, so that the operating members 6 and 7 are operated for the minimum necessary time. Since it can be brought into contact with the photoreceptor, stress on the photoreceptor can be reduced and the life of the photoreceptor can be improved.

In the third embodiment, in order to accurately position the operating member 6.7 (to ensure that it contacts the reference bins 10a, 10b), the operating stroke of the operating portion 30a of the solenoid 30 is given excessively. , it is better to adjust the dimensions with the spring 33. It is also conceivable to provide the above-mentioned spring for size adjustment between the link bodies 21a, 21b of the second embodiment and the operating portion 20a of the solenoid 20.

Further, in the third embodiment, there is a disadvantage that the number of links increases compared to other embodiments, but the operation part 3 of the solenoid 30
The operating stroke of 0a can be made smaller, and solenoid 3
0 can be placed horizontally, which is effective in saving space.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the inventions described in claims 1 and 2, the plurality of operating members are moved toward and away from the photoreceptor by opening and closing one operating means or the front cover, so the structure is different from that of the conventional device. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which is simple and simple, and which can save space and reduce costs.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part showing the operating state of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the first embodiment. Plan view, Fig. 4(a),
FIG. 4(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and operating state of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and operating state of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 fb) is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and operating state of a third embodiment of the present invention. 2... Photoreceptor, 6.7... Operating member (developing section, cleaning section), 14a, 14b-... Operating projection, 15
20.30...Operation means.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of operating members that operate in close proximity to or in contact with the photoconductor, such as a developing section that forms a visible image on the photoconductor and a cleaning section that removes residual toner on the photoconductor after a transfer operation. In the image forming apparatus, there is provided one operating means that separates the plurality of operating members from the photoreceptor when the image forming operation is stopped, and brings the plurality of operating members closer to or in contact with the photoreceptor during the image forming operation. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (2) A plurality of operating members that operate in close proximity to or in contact with the photoconductor, such as a developing section that forms a visible image on the photoconductor and a cleaning section that removes residual toner on the photoconductor after a transfer operation. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a front cover provided on an exterior body of the image forming apparatus, the plurality of operating members are separated from the photoreceptor when the front cover is opened, and the plurality of operating members are moved to the photoreceptor when the front cover is closed. An image forming device characterized by being provided with an operation protrusion that is brought close to or in contact with the body.