JPH03180861A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a stable and appropriate image and to facilitate attaching/ detaching operation by rising up or laying down a handle of a processing unit which is attachable/detachable to/from a main body and automatically releasing or engaging and fixing an engaging claw and a stopping part. CONSTITUTION:When the handle 43 is pulled up at the time of exchanging the processing unit 15, a leading tip of a working part 45 is abutted to a part to be operated 49 of the engaging claw 47, an engaging recessed part 50 is separated from a stopping projection 46 against energizing force of a pulling spring 52, releasing a locked state, and the part is easily taken out. When the unit 15 is loaded to the main body, if it is inserted from an upper direction holding the handle 43, before the projecting part 46 is lowered while the claw is being rotated against the energizing force of the spring 52 along an inclined guide surface 51 of the claw 47 and the recessed part 50 is reached, the working part 45 is engaged to the part to be operated 49 the specified position is reached by the unit 15 while the claw 47 is retained in an unengaged position, and by laying down the handle 43, the projecting part 46 and the recessed part 50 are engaged and are locked in the appropriate image recording state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image recording apparatus, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus equipped with a process unit in which a photoreceptor and at least one of its surrounding processing means are integrated into a unit. It is related to.

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an electrophotographic image recording apparatus is constructed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, a main body 71 includes a paper feed section 72, a process section 73, a fixing section 74, and an optical section 75.
etc. are provided. The paper feed unit 72 takes out the sheets 77 stacked on the paper feed tray 76 one by one and conveys them to the process unit 73. The process section 73 includes a photoreceptor 78, a charging section 79,
It includes a developing section 80, a transfer section 81, a cleaning section 82, etc., and charges the photoconductor 78 with a charging section 79.
The photoconductor 78 is exposed to light by an optical system 75 disposed above the photoconductor 78 to form an electrostatic latent image, which is developed with toner 83 in a developing section 80. The image is transferred onto a paper 77 sent out from 72 and sent out to a fixing section 74 .

The developing section 80 is provided with a developing roller 84 made of a magnetic roller, and toner 83 supplied from a toner case 85 adheres to this developing roller 84 . After the transfer is completed, residual toner is removed from the photoreceptor 78 by a cleaning section 82 that includes a scraping member 86 that comes into contact with the photoreceptor 78 to scrape off the residual toner, and a waste toner box 87 .

The paper 77 that has been transferred and conveyed in the process section 73 is thermally fixed in the fixing section 74 and then discharged onto the paper discharge table 88 .

In order to deal with paper jams and the like, the main body 71 is divided into two parts that can be opened vertically at a paper passing path that passes under the photoreceptor 78.

In addition, as shown in the illustrated example, in order to minimize troublesome maintenance, the process section 73 except the transfer section 81 is integrated into a single case 89 as a process unit 90, and the toner case 85 is It is also known that when the toner 83 runs out, the front cover of the main body 71 is opened and the entire process unit 90 is replaced.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-299865 discloses that when the front cover is opened, a paper passing path formed in the vertical direction is opened, and a photoreceptor, a charging section, an exposing section, a developing section, and a cleaning section are arranged inside the paper passing path. A process unit is disclosed in which a process unit in which a photoreceptor and at least a cleaning section are integrated can be pulled out upward from the open front surface of the main body and replaced. A handle is integrally formed on the top of the process unit, and the process unit can be pulled out from the main body by the handle and transported as is.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, in the case where the front cover of the main body 71 is opened and the process unit 90 is pulled out horizontally to be replaced as shown in FIG.
When installing the device, it is necessary to insert it into the installation part while supporting it horizontally by holding a handle formed on the side of the device, and then position and fix it by operating the locking means as appropriate.There is a problem that the installation operation is complicated. Ta. Further, if the user forgets to operate the locking means, there is a problem that proper image recording operation may be hindered.

Furthermore, in the method disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the process unit can be inserted into the mounting section from above while being held by the handle, but since no locking means is provided, There is a risk that a stable image may not be obtained due to slight movement, and if a locking means is provided, it is necessary to operate the opening means after mounting, which causes the same problem as above.

In addition, in any of the above devices, the transfer section is not integrated into the process unit but is provided on the main body side, so a paper passage path is formed between the main body and the process unit that is detachable from the main body. Since the positional relationship between the two is not stable, problems such as paper jams are likely to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that can stably obtain appropriate images while using a removable process unit, and that can be easily attached and detached.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has integrated a photoreceptor and at least one of processing means such as a charging section, a developing section, a transfer section, and a cleaning section disposed around the photoconductor into a unit. In an image recording apparatus in which a process unit is configured to be removably attached to the main body, the process unit is provided with a handle that can swing between a lying position and an upright position along the frame of the process unit, and the process unit and the main body are One side of the process unit mounting part is provided with a locking part for locking the mounted process unit, and the other side is provided with a locking part that is movable between an engaged position and a non-engaged position with respect to this locking part. The present invention is characterized in that a pawl is provided, and the handle is provided with an operating portion that moves the engaging pawl to a non-engaging position when the handle is in the upright position.

Preferably, the process unit is provided with at least a photoconductor and a transfer section located above the photoconductor, and a paper passing path passing between the photoconductor and the transfer section.

Function According to the above structure of the present invention, when the handle of the process unit is placed in the upright state, the action part is positioned so as to move the engaging claw to the non-engaging position relative to the locking part, so that the mounting part of the main body is moved to the non-engaging position. When attaching or detaching the unit, the lock is automatically released by raising the handle upright, allowing the unit to be attached or detached.If the handle is laid down while attached, the engaging pawl engages with the locking part and the process unit automatically closes. Positioned and fixed.

Furthermore, by providing a transfer section in the process unit and providing a paper passing path between it and the photoreceptor, the positional relationship therebetween is always constant, improving the reliability of paper passing.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

First, the overall schematic configuration of the image recording device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. 1 is the main body of the image recording device, and on the front side inclined forward and backward, the lower end can be opened and closed around the frame support shaft 2a. A pivotally supported main body cover 2 is provided, and an operating section 3 is provided at the front portion of the upper surface of the main body 1. The main body 1 includes a paper feed section 4, a process section 5, an optical section 6, a fixing section 7, a control section 8, and the like.

In the paper feeding section 4, as shown in FIG. 6, a paper tray 9 is installed on the upper surface of the main body 1 in an inclined position diagonally upward, and the paper is passed diagonally downward along the front surface of the main body 1. A pickup roller 11, a feed roller 12, a paper sensor 13, a registration roller 14, etc. are arranged so that a path is formed.

The process section 5 includes a process unit 1-15, a developing unit 16, a toner bottle 17, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the process unit 15 includes a photosensitive drum 18 and a charging section 1 disposed below the photosensitive drum 18.
9, a transfer section 20 disposed above the photosensitive drum 18 with the paper passing path 10 in between, and a cleaning section 21 disposed between the paper passing path 10 and the charging section 19.

The cleaning section 21 includes a cleaning blade 22 that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 18 and removes residual toner, and a waste toner box 23.

The developing unit 7 16 is arranged so as to face the photosensitive drum 18 between the charging section 19 and the transfer section 20 in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 18 and is located at the bottom of the paper feed section 4 . . This developing unit 16 includes a developing roller 24,
First and second stirring screws 25 and 26 are built in and configured to replenish the second stirring screw 26 with toner from the toner bottle 17. This toner bottle 17 is detachably attached to the developing unit 16.

The optical section 6 includes a semiconductor laser 27 and a collimator lens 28.
, an optical scanning unit 30 using a rotating reflecting mirror 29, and a reflecting mirror 31 are arranged in a case 32. The light emitted backward from the photoreceptor drum 18 is reflected diagonally forward and upward by a reflecting mirror 31, and the photoreceptor drum 18 is exposed between the charging section 19 and the developing unit 16.

The fixing section 7 includes a heat roller 33, a pressure roller 34, a separating claw 35, and the like, and continuously heats and presses the paper sent out from the process section 5, melts the toner, and fixes the toner on the paper. Further, the paper on which fixing has been completed is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 38 by a paper discharge roller 36 via a static elimination brush 37.

The control unit 8 uses a microcomputer or the like, and integrally controls the paper feed unit 4, process unit 5, optical unit 6, etc. based on commands from the operation unit 3 or commands from an external device (not shown). The image information entered manually is recorded on paper.

Next, the installation structure of the process unit 15 in the image recording apparatus having the overall structure as described above will be explained in detail based on FIGS. 1 to 4.

In the process unit 15, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging section 19, the transfer section 20, and the cleaning section 21 are integrated into a unit by a frame 41 made of synthetic resin. Both free ends 43a of a gate-shaped handle 43 are pivotally attached to the upper ends of the side walls 42 on both sides of the frame 41, and the handle 43 can be placed in a lying position approximately along the upper wall 44 of the frame 41 or in an upright position vertically upward. By making the handle 43 swingable between the upright position and the upright position, the frame 41 can be carried in a suspended state by holding the handle 43. Also, this handle 43
An action portion 45 extends from the pivot portion in an abbreviated shape.

Furthermore, locking protrusions 46 are provided on both side walls 42 of the frame 41 in a protruding manner.

On the other hand, locking protrusions 46 are provided on both sides of the mounting portion of the process unit 15 on the main body l side to guide the process unit 15.
Guide grooves (not shown) for positioning are appropriately formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an engaging pawl 47 whose intermediate portion is rotatably supported by a pivot pin 48 is provided. At the upper end of the engagement claw 47, an operated portion 49 is formed, with which the operating portion 45 comes into contact, and an engagement recess 50 for the locking protrusion 46 is formed below the operated portion 49.

A locking protrusion 46 is provided between the engagement recess 50 and the operated portion 49.
An inclined guide surface 51 that comes into contact with is formed. Further, a tension spring 52 is coupled to the lower end of the engagement claw 47 for rotationally biasing the engagement claw 47 so that the engagement recess 50 engages with the locking protrusion 46 . A guide groove 53 is formed between the pivot pin 48 and the engagement recess 50 for guiding the engagement claw 47 and regulating the rotation range, and is engaged with a guide pin 54 protruding from the main body side. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a sticker serving as a memo writing section 55 is pasted on one side of the frame 41 of the process unit I5, so that information such as replacement timing and history can be written. .

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 56 and 57 are paper guides protruding from the lower surface of the upper wall 44 of the frame 41 and the upper surface of the earthen wall of the waste toner box 23, and regulate the paper passage path 10.

Next, the action will be explained.

In the above configuration, when commands and image data are manually input to the control unit 8, the optical unit 6 irradiates the photosensitive drum 18 with laser light, the paper feed unit 4 supplies paper to the process unit 5, and the process unit 5 In the electrophotographic process, the toner image is continuously fixed on the paper by the fixing unit 7, and an image is recorded on the paper.

In this image forming apparatus, a paper feed section 4 is provided at the top of the main body 1, and a conveyance path 10 for paper passing through the processing section 5 and the fixing section 7 is formed diagonally downward along the front surface of the main body 1. Therefore, the installation area of the apparatus can be reduced compared to an apparatus in which the paper passing path 10 is formed horizontally.

Also, if a paper jam etc. occurs during image recording operation,
Since most of the paper passage path 10 is exposed by opening the main body cover 2, appropriate measures can be easily taken.

When replenishing toner, all you need to do is remove the paper tray 9 and replace the toner bottle 17, which eliminates the need for the expensive developing unit 16.
toner bottle 17 can be effectively used up to its service life limit regardless of the capacity of the toner bottle 17. Also, toner bottle 17
Since it can be easily replaced, its capacity can be reduced and the device can be configured more compactly.

Furthermore, since the entire optical section 6 and the optical scanning unit 30 are integrated into a unit, replacement and maintenance thereof can be easily performed.

The process unit 15 includes a photoreceptor drum 18, a charging section 1
9. Since the transfer section 20 and the cleaning section 21 are integrated, the process unit 15 can be efficiently operated by designing the capacity of the waste toner box 23 of the cleaning section 21 according to the service life limit of the photoreceptor drum 18. can be used. Also, this waste toner box 23
serves to insulate the optical scanning unit 30 from the heat of the fixing unit 7. The process unit 15 can be taken out and replaced by opening the main body cover 2, and maintainability is extremely high.

When taking out the process unit 15 for replacement or the like, first pull up the handle 43 as shown by the arrow in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the operated portion 49 of the engaging pawl 47 is pressed at the tip of the acting portion 45 against the biasing force of the tension spring 52, and the engaging pawl 47 rotates to move into the engaging recess. 50 is disengaged from the locking protrusion 46, and the locked state of the process unit 15 is released. Therefore, by holding the handle 43 and pulling it upward, the process child knit 15 can be removed.
can be taken out.

On the other hand, when attaching the process unit 15 to the main body 1, when the process unit 15 is suspended by the handle 43 and inserted into the attachment part of the main body 1 from above, the locking protrusion 46 will engage the inclined guide surface of the engagement claw 47. 51 and rotates the engaging pawl 47 to the non-engaging position against the biasing force of the tension spring 52 and descends. As shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the operating portion 45 engages with the operated portion 49, and the process unit 15 is installed at a predetermined position while the engaging claw 47 is held in the non-engaging position. Then, move the handle 43 to the third
As shown in the figure, by setting the frame 41 in a lying position along the upper wall 44, the pressure on the operated part 49 by the operating part 45 is released, and the holding of the engaging claw 47 in the non-engaging position is released. , and the engaging recess 50 is closed by the urging force of the tension spring 52.
engages with the locking protrusion 46, the process unit 15 is reliably locked in its installed position, and a proper image recording state is maintained.

Further, in this process unit 15, as shown in FIG. 2, a transfer section 20 is provided in a fixed positional relationship above the photoreceptor drum 18, and a paper passage path 10 is formed between them. The paper path 10 has high dimensional stability;
Paper jams in the transfer section 20 are less likely to occur, and there is no need to separately provide a paper guide on the main body side such as the main body cover 2, so the number of parts can be reduced and costs can be reduced.

Furthermore, the process unit 15 can be managed rationally by recording the history such as replacement timing and record count in the memo writing section 55 of the process unit 15.

In the above embodiment, the photosensitive drum 18, the charging section 19, the transfer section 2o, and the cleaning section 21 are provided as the process unit 15, but other equipment such as a developing section is also required. It may be selected as appropriate. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the process unit 15
Although a process unit that is attached and detached by pulling it upward is shown as an example, the present invention is also applicable to a process unit that is attached and detached in a horizontal direction.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the locking protrusion 46 was provided on the process unit 15 and the engaging claw 47 was provided on the main body 1 side, but the arrangement may be reversed.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, when the handle of the process unit that is removable from the main body is placed in an upright position, the engaging claw is moved to the non-engaging position with respect to the locking part in the action part. When the handle is raised up when attaching or detaching from the attachment part of the main body, the lock is automatically released and the handle can be attached or detached as is, and when the handle is laid down while attached, the engaging claw engages with the locking part. Since the process unit is automatically and reliably positioned and fixed, it is possible to stably obtain an appropriate image while using a removable process unit, and it is also possible to easily attach and detach the process unit.

Further, by providing a transfer section in the process unit and providing a paper passage path between the transfer unit and the photoconductor, the positional relationship between them is always constant and the reliability of paper passage is improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 6 show an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a process unit, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the same, and FIG. 3 is a process unit and its FIG. 4 is a side view showing the state of the locking means during attachment and detachment, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the overall configuration of the image recording device, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional image recording apparatus. ■・・−−−・−・−・ 1 0−−−−−−・・ l 5・−−−−・・・・・− 16−−−・−−−1−−−・ 18・・−・−・・・・− 19−・ 20−・−−−−−・・−・− 2L−−−1−・− 4l・−−−・−m−・-m- Main body paper passing path Process unit Developing unit Photoconductor drum Charging section Transfer section Cleaning section Frame 43-...------1---45-------46-- −1−−・−・− 47−・−・・−・−−−−・ Handle action part locking protrusion engaging claw

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A photoconductor and at least one of processing means such as a charging section, a developing section, a transfer section, and a cleaning section arranged around the photoconductor.
In the image recording apparatus, the process unit is configured to be removably attached to the main body, and the process unit is provided with a handle that can swing between a lying position and an upright position along the frame of the process unit, One of the process unit and the process unit mounting part of the main body is provided with a locking part for locking the installed process unit, and the other is provided with a locking part for locking the installed process unit, and the other is provided with a locking part between an engaged position and a non-engaged position with respect to this locking part. An image recording device characterized in that a movable engagement claw is provided, and the handle is provided with an operating portion that moves the engagement claw to a non-engagement position when the handle is in an upright position. (2) Image recording according to claim 1, characterized in that the process unit is provided with at least a photoconductor and a transfer section located above the photoconductor, and a paper passing path passing between the photoconductor and the transfer section is provided. Device.