JPH03271754A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate each operation, maintenance work, etc., by carrying out process cartridge replacement, manual paper feeding operation, and inserting/removing operation for a transfer paper storing means, from one side of the device. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with a first paper feeding means by manual paper feeding from a releasable, manual guiding plate 21 at the side of the device main body, and with a second paper feeding means by which the paper is automatically fed from a paper feeding cassette 14. A photosensitive belt 1 and each developing unit are integrated in the cartridge 30 incorporating an electrifier 6, cleaner 13, a paper feeding path 15 being a transfer material carrying path, and one of a pair of timing rollers 17. They are all together attached to and detached from the device main body by a cartridge inserting guide provided on the upper housing. Therefore, each operation for copying, the paper feeding operation including manual insertion and various types of maintenance can be carried out one side of the device. Thus, operation and maintenance inspection can be facilitated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention forms a color toner image on a belt-like image forming member using an electrophotographic method, and transfers the skeleton toner image onto a transfer paper to obtain an image. The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

There are various types of color image forming devices, but generally there is a belt image forming body (also called a photoreceptor belt) between two axes.
A plurality of developing devices each containing toner of a different color are arranged along the lower side of the developing device, and while the photoreceptor belt is rotated multiple times, an original image is formed on the photoreceptor belt. After forming a latent image according to the number of separated colors and developing with the developer group to form a color image, the color image is fed from a paper feed cassette in a cassette storage chamber provided below the developer group. A color copy can be obtained by transferring the image onto printed transfer paper.

Unlike the photosensitive drum, the photosensitive belt of such a color image forming apparatus has the advantage that it can be made to make a U-turn with a small curvature, so it can be run flat, and space can be used effectively. Further, by providing a separation pole for the transfer paper after transfer at the small diameter curvature portion where the U-turn is made, there is an advantage that separation of the transfer paper is improved.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the case of the above-mentioned color image forming apparatus, the photoreceptor belt and the cassette storage chamber are arranged in layers with a group of developing devices in between, and
A paper feeding path and a paper feeding means that connect the cassette storage chamber and the transfer section of the photoreceptor belt are provided along the inner surface of one side wall of the apparatus main body so as to go around the outside of the developing unit group. on the other hand,
The opening/closing lid of the cassette storage chamber was provided on the side wall of the main body opposite to the paper feeding path and the paper feeding means, so that the paper feeding cassette could be inserted in the same direction as the paper feeding direction.

Therefore, in addition to the opening/closing lid of the cassette storage chamber, it is necessary to provide a jam handling lid on the side wall of the main body on the paper feeding path side for removing jammed paper that occurs in the paper feeding path. A cartridge with a developing device integrated into the cartridge must have a large opening for attaching and removing it, and a cartridge with a manual paper feed function must have a paper feed slot, etc.
As a result, the structure of the main body becomes complicated, leading to high production costs, and the operation and work are performed over two or more sides of the device, reducing efficiency. Furthermore, there are problems in that the installation requires a large floor space. In recent days, the above-mentioned jam processing can be easily handled,
Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 63
-244058, JP-A-63-244059, JP-A-63-244064, JP-A-1-179168, etc. have proposed methods that can perform processing from the same direction. However, a device that has been intentionally developed and devised to handle all of the user tasks such as consumable product design, unit replacement, maintenance, maintenance work, etc., has not yet been provided.

The present invention solves this problem and improves the color image forming apparatus, thereby providing a color image forming apparatus configured such that all of the above-mentioned operations and works can be performed on the same side of the apparatus.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above object is to provide a process cartridge that includes at least a replaceable belt photoreceptor and a plurality of developer units in the upper body of an apparatus body that has a divided structure consisting of an upper body that is openable to a lower body that is placed in a fixed position. , the lower body of the apparatus main body includes a transfer material conveying section with at least one side openable with the transfer material conveying path as an opening surface, a wC1 sheet feeding means consisting of a manual transfer material guide, and at least one insertion/removal mechanism. tIg2 paper feeding means consisting of transfer paper storage means, and the exchange of the process cartridge, manual paper feeding operation, and insertion/removal operation of the transfer paper storage means can be performed from the one side. This is accomplished by a forming device.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible photoreceptor belt as a belt image forming member, and a sensitive photoreceptor belt 1 is stretched between a driving roller 2 and a driven roller 3 and is conveyed in a clockwise direction.

Reference numeral 4 designates a guide member fixed to the main body of the apparatus so as to inscribe the lower side of the photoreceptor belt 1, and reference numeral 5 designates a tension roller that causes the photoreceptor belt 1 to be inscribed in the guide member 4 in a tensioned state. The guide member 4 and the tension roller 5 make it possible to form a stable image forming surface on the photoreceptor belt l.

6 is a scorotron charger which is a charging means, and 7 is a laser writing system unit which is an image exposure 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.

Reference numeral 8.9.10.11 denotes a plurality of developing devices each containing a developer of a different color, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.
is arranged to face the photoreceptor belt l in which the guide member 4 is inscribed. Each of these developing units 8 to 11 has developing sleeves 8A, 9^, which maintain a predetermined gap with the photoreceptor belt 1.
It is equipped with an IOA and an IIA, and has a function of developing a latent image on the photoreceptor bell 1-1 using 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 device, 12A is a static eliminating bar, and 13 is a cleaning device. The blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B of the cleaning device 13 are kept at a position apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 during image formation, and only during cleaning after image transfer, as shown in the figure, the photoreceptor belt 1
is pressed against the surface of

The process of the color image forming apparatus using 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 original image is obtained at the color image data input section (a) scanned by the image sensor;
The image data processing unit (b) performs arithmetic processing on the data to create image data, which is then stored in the image memory (c). Then, the image memory is taken out at the time of recording and inputted into the color image forming apparatus shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 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, a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown) in the laser writing system unit 7 A polygon mirror 7B is rotated by a drive motor 7A.
is rotated and scanned by the mirror 7D via the fθ lens 7C.
and 7E, the optical path is bent, and the light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1, which has been charged in advance by the charger 6, which is 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 developed by a developing device 8 loaded with yellow (Y) toner (developing medium) of the developing means, and a toner image is formed on the drum surface. The obtained toner image passes under the blade 13A of the cleaning device 13, which is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 while being held on the drum surface, and enters the next copy cycle.

The photoreceptor belt l is charged again by the charger 6, and then the second color signal output from the signal processing section is input to the writing system unit 7, and is processed in the same manner as in the case of the first color signal described above. Writing is performed on the drum surface to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by a developer 9 loaded with magenta (M) toner as a second color. Magenta C
The M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image. In the same way, cyan (C) is produced in the developing device 1O containing cyan (C) toner.
A developing device 11 containing black toner further forms a black toner image superimposed on the belt surface.

A direct current or alternating current bias is applied to each sleeve of each of these developing devices 8.9.10.11, and jumping development is performed using a two-component developer as a developing means, and the photoreceptor belt whose base body is grounded 1. Development is performed in a non-contact manner. Note that non-contact development using a one-component developer can also be used for development.

As described above, the color toner image formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor bell l-1 is transferred to the transfer paper. The transfer paper is transferred from the top layer by the friction of the paper feed roller 16 from the paper feed cassette 14 in the cassette storage chamber 140 below the developing WF8 to WF11.
The sheets are sent out one by one to the paper feed path 15, and the timing roller I
7 and is supplied to the transfer device 12 in synchronization with the image formation on the photoreceptor belt l. As a means for separating the transfer paper, a separating roller 16A is used.

As described above, the transfer paper that is supplied to the transfer device 12 and subjected to image transfer and static electricity removal is reliably separated from the photoreceptor belt 1, which changes direction rapidly (with a small diameter curvature) along the drive roller 2. After the images are fused upward by the fixing roller 18, the sheets are discharged onto the paper discharge tray 20 via the paper discharge roller 19 and stacked.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor bell l-1, which has completed the transfer to the transfer paper, continues to be conveyed to the blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13.
The remaining toner is removed in the cleaning device 13 with B in pressure contact.

After cleaning is completed, the blade 13A is pulled away again, and a little later, the toner conveyance roller 13B smoothes the toner accumulated on the tip of the blade 13A, and then the toner conveyance roller 13B is pulled away to begin a new image forming process.

Furthermore, for the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1(a), FIG. 1(b) shows a partially enlarged view of the paper feed conveyance path.
). When paper is fed from the manual feed guide plate 21, special paper such as transfer paper or OHP paper is fed from the transport guide (a).
A confluence point 101 where the cassette feed conveyance guide (c) 101a passes between the conveyance guide (b) 100a and the cassette feeding conveyance guide (c) 101a.
c, and rises along the conveyance guide (d) 101d, with a slight gap a (a≧0.preferably 0.2
~3 +m+m) The paper feed path 15 formed by the cartridge side plate 310, which is one side plate of the housing of the cartridge 30 inserted and coupled to the main body of the apparatus, and the conveyance guide (a) looa is connected to the end of each conveyance guide and The transfer paper is conveyed toward the transfer device 12 without being caught by the cartridge side plate eaves 310a.

Similarly, the transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassette 14 passes through the confluence point 101c, and then passes through the horizontal cover with a slight gap b (b≧0, preferably 0.2 to 3 mm) in the normal direction above it. 161 and conveyance guide (d)lOlb
The transfer paper is conveyed to the paper feed path 15 through the space facing the guide without being caught at the end of the guide conveyance. In either case, the transfer paper is placed on one side by the conveyance guide (a) 100a.
The other side is conveyed through a paper feed path 15 that is shared by the side surface of the cartridge case and a conveyance guide.

The photoreceptor belt 1 and each developing device are integrated into a cartridge 30 including a charger 6, a cleaning device 13, a paper feed path 15 serving as a transfer material conveyance path, and one member of a plurality of timing rollers 17. Cartridge insertion guide (not shown) provided in the upper housing relative to the main body of the device
It can be attached and detached all at once.

When the cartridge 30 is installed in the main body of the apparatus, each tray transport pipe 151 of the corresponding toner hopper 150 is automatically connected to each developing device, and toner is supplied to the developing device.

The device serves as a paper feeding means for feeding transfer paper to the paper feeding path 15, and includes an openable manual feed guide plate 2 on the side of the main body of the device.
1, and a second paper feeding means that automatically feeds paper from the paper cassette 14.

On the other hand, the main body of the apparatus has a ram shell structure that can be divided into upper and lower parts, and has the cartridge 30 and the fixing roller 18.
, open the upper body containing the paper ejection roller 19 in a clockwise direction with respect to the lower body containing the laser writing system unit 7 and the cassette storage chamber 140, etc., in a clockwise direction using the hinge 160 shown in FIG. It is possible to hold it.

FIG. 3 shows that the paper feed path 15 is opened only by opening the lid of the upper body, and then the cartridge 30 is inserted into the upper body.
This figure shows an embodiment of an AT that can be inserted and removed by sliding diagonally from the left as shown by arrow A.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment in which in addition to the paper feed path 15, the pressure contact surface of the fixing roller 18 can also be opened at the same time, and as in the previous embodiment of tIgl, it shows a talam shell type. Then, just by using the clamshell format as in the first embodiment, the paper feed line #&15 can be opened and the cartridge 30. Since the paper feed cassette 14 can be inserted and removed, the first 51! By providing a horizontal cover 151 that opens and closes in the horizontal direction with a support shaft 161A as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. It is also possible to transport and collect the waste toner from the cleaning device 13 through the toner collection pipe. Further, as shown in FIG.
A replaceable waste toner collection unit can be formed by being removably installed at the left end or right end (not shown) as shown in the figure.

Toner collection container 170 and collection toner pipe (not shown)
This can be achieved as appropriate by using a mechanism (illustrated in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)) between the toner conveying pipe 151 for toner replenishment and each developing device, which will be described later.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveyance guide (d) 1
It is also possible to provide 01b integrally with the cartridge 30 to configure a cartridge that can be inserted into and removed from the main body of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 further shows a third embodiment in which the entire left side of the device main body is constructed with a horizontal cover 162 that can be opened and closed using a support shaft 162A as a fulcrum. Since the inside of the device main body can be largely opened, operations such as jam removal, inspection and cleaning of various parts can be carried out more easily.

FIG. 6 shows a mechanism for engaging and disengaging the toner conveying tube 151 and each developing device when the cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the main body of the apparatus, taking the developing device 8 as an example.
6 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 6(B) is a plan view thereof taken in the direction of arrow A.

A rectangular seven-lunge plate 15 is provided at the lower end of the toner transport pipe 151.
1A is integrally formed, and a shirt flap plate 152 having a guide pin PI that engages with a pair of elongated plates 151B provided on the seven lunge plate 151A is slidably supported on the lower surface of the seven lunge plate 151A.

When the cartridge 30 is not attached, the shirt flap plate 152 slides to the left by the bias of a pair of tension springs 153 stretched between the guide pin Pi and the fixing pin P2 on the seven-lunge plate 151A. The toner drop hole 151C is covered to prevent the toner from falling.

On the other hand, a shutter plate 154 having a pair of claws 154A that engages with guide grooves 8B provided on both sides of the toner receiving portion is slidably supported on the upper surface of the developing device 8, and when the cartridge 30 is not installed, the shutter plate 154 is slidably supported. It slides to the right under the force of a tension spring 155 stretched between the claw portion 154A and the fixing pin P3 on the toner receiving portion, and blocks the toner receiving hole 8C of the toner receiving portion to prevent toner from scattering and flowing out. It is prevented.

When the developing device 8 is moved in parallel in the direction of arrow B by inserting the cartridge 30 into the main body of the apparatus, the rising portion of the shutter plate 154 is connected to the end of the seventh lunge plate 151A of the toner conveying tube 151 and then to the receiving portion. The upper pressing pins P4 come into contact with the rising portions of the shutter plate 152, and at the same time as the cartridge 30 is installed, both the toner drop port 151C and the toner receiving port 8C are fully opened as shown in the figure, so that toner can be replenished. .

Further, when the cartridge 30 is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus, the shutter plates 152 and 154 automatically return to their initial positions and once again shield the toner drop opening 151c and the toner receiving opening 8C, respectively.

The mechanisms for engaging and disengaging each developing device from the toner transport tube 151 are three-dimensionally arranged at different positions in the vertical direction of the paper in FIG. It is constructed so that the engagement and disengagement action can be performed without interference.

FIG. 7 shows a transfer paper storage means for mounting the paper feed cassette 14 on the main body of the apparatus.

The cassette storage chamber 140 has a vertical groove 141A on its inner surface.
The guide member 141 is provided with a pair of guide members 141 facing each other, and is supported in a state in which an elevating member 143 holding the push-up member 142 in the vertical groove 141A can slide up and down by engaging its bent portion. There is. A pair of push-up members 142 are provided in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and each is biased upward by a compression spring 144.

The cassette storage chamber 140 further includes a rotating roller 145.
A pair of rocking levers 146 are rotatably mounted around a support shaft 147, and the skeleton rocking levers 14
The tip of 6 is the engagement pin 14 on the outer surface of the elevating member 143.
Holds 3A.

When the paper feed cassette 14 is attached, the swing lever 146 is in a counterclockwise rotated position due to the bias of the torsion spring 148, and the elevating member 143 slides upward to move the push-up member 142 to the paper feed cassette 14. The inner bottom plate 14A is pressed against the bottom plate 14A by the biasing force of the compression spring 144.
The transfer paper stacked above is brought into pressure contact with the paper feed roller 16.

The push-up member 142 moves upward as the number of transfer sheets decreases, and continues to keep the uppermost transfer sheet in pressure contact with the paper feed roller 16.

The paper feed cassette 14 is horizontally inserted into and removed from the cassette storage chamber 140 by sliding in the direction of arrow C via the handle 14B, but at this time, the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette 14 does not touch the rotating roller 145. Press down to rotate the swing lever 146 clockwise.

As a result, the elevating member 143 slides downward and the upper end of the push-up member 142 is lowered and retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette 14, thereby making it possible to insert and remove the paper feed cassette 14 from the horizontal direction. Become.

The above-mentioned cassette storage chamber 140 may further include the above-mentioned transfer paper storage means to accommodate a plurality of paper feed cassettes containing transfer papers of different sizes at the same time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention opens the entire area of the transfer material conveyance path by opening the lid on one side of the apparatus main body, and utilizes the opening to connect the process cartridge that accommodates the photoreceptor and a plurality of developing units, and the paper feed. It is configured so that the cassette can be attached and detached, and as a result, all copying operations, paper feeding operations including manual feeding, and various maintenance operations can be performed from one side of the device.As a result, operations and maintenance inspections are easy, and installation is easy. A highly practical color image forming apparatus that does not require a large floor space has now been provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1(a) is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a transfer material conveyance path, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an image forming system, and FIG. Figure 5
The figure is an explanatory view showing the main body structure of the device, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are side views and plan views showing the main parts of the device. 1... Photoreceptor belt 4... Guide member 6...
Charger 7...Laser writing system unit 8.9.10.11...Developer 13...Cleaning device 14...Paper feed cassette 14B...Handle 16...Paper feed roller 17...・Timing roller] 8... Fixing roller 21... Manual feed guide plate 30... Process cartridge 140... Cassette storage chamber 143... Lifting member 146... Rocking lever 151... Toner transport pipe 152.154... Shirt plate 12... Transfer device 14A... Bottom plate 15... Paper feed path 16A... Sorting roller 19... Paper discharge roller 22... Manual feed guide roller run 142...・Pushing member 145...Rotating roller 150...Toner hopper 151C...Toner falling port 161.162...Side cover (Figure 1(b) (A) (B) (C))

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) The upper body of the device body has a split structure consisting of an upper body that can be opened to a lower body that is placed in place.
A process cartridge including at least a replaceable belt photoreceptor and a plurality of developer units is provided, and a lower body of the apparatus main body includes a transfer material transport section with at least one side openable with the transfer material transport path as an opening surface; A first paper feeding means consisting of a material manual feed guide and a second paper feeding means consisting of at least one removable transfer paper storage means are provided, and the process cartridge replacement, manual paper feeding operation, and transfer paper storage are provided. A color image forming apparatus characterized in that the means can be inserted and removed from the one side. (2) The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper main body is provided with a plurality of toner hopper sections.