JPH03272924A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit operation carried out from only the front surface of a device and maintenance work by installing a motor for the shift in the horizontal direction of a paper feeding cassette and an insertion detecting means on a device body and carrying out the automatic insertion of the paper feeding cassette and setting of the paper feeding state. CONSTITUTION:When a cassette 14 is inserted from the front surface of a device body, a microswitch S1 operates, and a motor M1 is revolved, and the cassette 14 is automatically inserted by a rack R and a pinion P in meshing. When the cassette 14 reaches a prescribed position, a photocoupler S2 is operat ed by the projection 14A on the side surface of the cassette 14, and the motor M1 is brought into stop, and a motor M2 is revolved to raise a roller 142A, and a cassette bottom plate 14B is pushed up, and a recording paper is brought into contact with a paper feeding roller 16, and a paper feeding state is generat ed. When the cassette 14 is taken out, the reverse process is carried out. Accord ingly, the paper feeding cassette can be automatically mounted/demounted, and set with an exceedingly simple structure.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is directed to forming a color toner image on a belt-like image forming member using an electrophotographic method, and transferring the 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 - For boat fishing, there is a belt-like image forming body (also called a photoreceptor belt) between two axes.
A plurality of developing units each containing toner of a different color are arranged along the lower side of the belt, 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 turned in a U-turn with a small curvature, so that it can be run in a flat manner, and space can be used effectively. Further, by providing a portion of the transfer paper after transfer at the small diameter curvature portion where the I-turn is made, there is an advantage that separation of the transfer paper is improved.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the case of the color image forming apparatus described above, the photoreceptor belt and the cassette storage chamber are arranged in a layered manner with the developer group sandwiched in between. A paper feeding path and a paper feeding means connecting to the transfer section 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 device group.On the other hand, the insertion opening of the cassette storage chamber is It is provided on the side wall of the main body on the opposite side from where the paper feed path and paper feed means are installed, and allows the paper feed force cera to be inserted in the same direction as the paper feed direction.
) was.

However, if the paper feed cassette is inserted from the opposite side of the paper feed path and paper feed means, it is possible to open all two sides of the device at any time in preparation for tasks such as clearing transfer paper jams. Therefore, it takes up a large amount of space for installation and is often inconvenient in terms of copying operations and maintenance work.

In order to improve this point, we installed the insertion slot of the paper feed force cellar (*) on the side of the main unit on the same side as the paper feed path. An image forming apparatus has been provided that allows maintenance work to be performed from one side of the front of the apparatus without having to perform maintenance work.

However, in such an image forming apparatus, the paper feeding power
As a result, the direction of the insertion force is reversed to the direction of the feeding direction of the transfer paper, and as a result, it is unavoidable that the mechanism for moving and retracting the paper feeding means becomes complicated when inserting or ejecting the paper feeding cassette.

In addition, in a device that can accommodate multiple paper feed units at the same time, it is necessary to install a paper feed kite that guides the transfer paper upward from the lower paper feed cassette. Therefore, it is necessary to install a mechanism to move and evacuate the paper feeding means mentioned above.
The evacuation mechanism becomes even more complex.

As a result of solving this problem and improving it, the present invention has made it possible to manually move and retreat the paper feed means when inserting and removing the paper feed cassette using an extremely simple device, thereby making it possible to move and retreat the paper feed means only from the front side. The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which each part can be operated and maintenance work can be performed.

[Failure to solve the problem]

The above purpose is that the main body of the apparatus has a motor for horizontally moving the recording paper storage cassette and a cassette detection means, and after the detection means detects the inserted recording paper storage cassette, the feeding Achieved by an image forming apparatus characterized by having a paper feeding device that can be set to a paper feeding state by moving a roller or pushing up a recording paper storage cassette or a recording paper in a recording paper storage cassette. ．．
Ru.

〔Example〕

The present invention will now be described based on one embodiment, which is shown in the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, l denotes a flexible photoreceptor belt I, which is a belt-like image forming member, and l denotes a driving roller 2.
and the driven roller 3, and is conveyed in the clockwise direction.

4 is a guide member fixed to the main body of the apparatus so as to be inscribed in the lower side of the photoreceptor belt 1; 5 is a tension member that brings the photoreceptor bell l-1 into contact with the guy 1: member 4; and E is a roller. be. Guide member 4J) and extension roller 5
This makes it possible to form a stable image forming surface on the photoreceptor belt.

6 is a scorotron charger which is a charging means, and 7 is a laser writing system which is an image exposure means. To,
It is also possible to use an optical system that integrates a light emitting part and a convergent light transmission body.

8.9.10.11 is a developer of a different color, for example yellow. A developing unit is a plurality of developing means each containing magenta, cyan, and black developers.
Reference numeral 1 is arranged to face the photoreceptor belt 11 in which the guide member 4 is inscribed. Each of these developing devices 8 to 11 includes a developing sleeve 8A that maintains a predetermined gap with the photoreceptor belt 1;
9A, IOA, and IIA, and has a function of developing a latent image on the photoreceptor belt l by a non-contact development method. Second, non-contact development has the advantage of not interfering with the movement of the photoreceptor belt, unlike contact development.

12 is a transfer device, 12A is a static elimination bar, and 13 is a cleaning device. The blade 13A of the cleaning device 13 and the toner conveying roller 13B 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 data is subjected to arithmetic processing in the image data processing section (b) to create image data, which is stored in the star image memory (c). Then, during recording, the image memory is taken out and inputted into the recording section (for example, the color image forming apparatus shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1). 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 l, 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 1 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoreceptor belt 1. 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 peripheral 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 without contact. 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 belt 1 is transferred to recording paper.

The recording paper used for transfer is fed by either an upper or lower paper feeding roller 16 and a separating roller 16A depending on its size.
Due to the rotational action of the recording paper storage cassette (hereinafter simply referred to as a cassette) 14 in either the upper or lower tier within the cassette storage chamber 140, the paper is carried out and fed.

Each of the cassettes 14 has a slit-shaped guide hole 141A in the side end facing the front side of the device main body (corresponding to the left side in FIG. 1); the passage guide 141 is fixed by gluing or the like. and the upper cassette 14
The blade hole 1.41A of the passage guide 141 attached to the
is the lower cassette +4. ! : Insert the recording paper that has been transported and guide the recording paper along the paper feed path 15 as shown by the knee dotted chain line, and move the recording paper to the transport guide F(a)1
A paper feed path 15 is constructed by OOa, 8, a conveyance guide (b) 1001), a cartridge body side plate 310, etc.
The paper is fed in the direction of the transfer device 12 through the.

The cassette 14 is inserted into the cassette storage chamber 1 from the front side of the device main body by a handle 141B formed by a passage guide 1410).
40 in a horizontal state, and the cassette/storage chamber 14
The sheet slides along a guide member (not shown) inside the sheet and is locked at the mounting position to return to the sheet feeding state.

When installing the cassette 14σ) apparatus main body-N, the paper feeding device provided in the cassette storage chamber 140 is activated.
The paper feeding state described above is set.

FIG. 3 shows the state of operation of the paper feeder when the cassette I-14 is inserted.

The cassette 14 has a plate-like protrusion +4A at the end opposite to the end on which the passage guide 141 is attached *L, and a rack tooth 414R on one side thereof, -'
There is C.

Ichiriki (cassette) storage room 140 i:': lj -1
- Data Ml and M2 and MicroSwitzer 81 and further 7
A photoelectric switch S2 consisting of a first power grapher is provided.

The motor M1 is provided with a vinyl member P on the rotating shaft of A, and the cassette opening is in the cassette storage chamber. 8. Also, put M7 in its horizontal state and push it onto the shaft twice. 1. Fix lever 142. 1. Furthermore, σ) There is a mark on the tip”14
2A is mounted on the shaft and the cassette/h14 has not reached the mounting position, the previous i%, -1: M2 is rotated counterclockwise (I), position l: a-) and the cassette 42A is l
'14 is retracted below the insertion path.

On the other hand, the paper feeding foiler 16 is rotated by the twisting C1-: flap 16A.
σ) Feed the paper 11 times with the axis as the fulcrum...＼
An elastic member (not shown) supported at the tip of the paper feed L bar 16B and biased clockwise to the lower limit stop position of the paper feed L bar 16B. Place J'1,
It is held above the insertion path of the cassette 14.

When the cassette 14 is manually inserted into a predetermined position in the 1,000 cassette storage chamber 140, the rack teeth R of the cassette 14 are engaged with the binions P of t to Ml as shown in FIG. The state will be as follows.

From this state, if the insertion of the cassette 14 is slightly controlled, the third
As shown in Figure (B), the microphone jj switch S1 is switched from OFF to ONi1m by the suppression of the bottom surface of the cassette 14, the motor M1 is activated, and the insertion operation of the cassette 14 is automatically continued by the rotation of the binion P1. , When the cassette 14 reaches the mounting position, the photoelectric switch S
2 is switched from 0/F to ON by the protrusion 14A on the side surface of the cassette 14, stopping the operation of the motor M1 and locking the cassette 14 in that position.

The photoelectric switch 52f17) is switched from OFF to ON at the same time 1: The motor M2 is activated and the 5 raising lever 1.42 is rotated clockwise.
A) to push up the bottom plate 14B inside the cassette j4 onto the upper blade.

The bottom plate 14B has recording paper stacked thereon, and by the above-mentioned pushing up operation, the paper feed roller 16 is pushed to one side with the uppermost recording paper and positioned at a predetermined height. The shaft support L of the paper lever 16B: The installed torque limiter T operates to turn off the motor M2 and feed the recording paper to the paper feed roller 161 as shown in FIG. 3(C) 1.
Maintain the pressing force of (o) and (m) in contact with (c) and use force to set the soto 14 to the paper feeding state.

From the state shown in FIG. 3(C), the recording paper is fed and unloaded from the bottom plate by the rotating operation of the separating 111-ra 16A and the bottom plate. When the number decreases, the paper feed lever 1.6B is returned clockwise due to the accompanying lowering of the paper feed slot/roller 16, and as a result, the torque limiter 'F returns to its initial state M+=, and then the paper feed lever 1.6B returns to its initial state M2. The rotation operation is restarted, thereby raising the recording paper again to continue to maintain the feeding state of the tray 14.

This operation is repeated 12 times during paper feeding.
4 in the case/storage chamber 1.40 J removal 1 brown combination
This is done by switching the motors 1, 41 and M2 to the reverse rotation mode by pressing the release button provided on the front of the device, etc. ．． Rotate the push-up lever 142 counterclockwise to release the roller 1.
42A is retracted from below the cassette 14, and at the same time, the binion P is reversed, thereby automatically pushing out the cassette [4] to a predetermined position in the cassette storage chamber 140.

Therefore, the cassette 14 can be easily removed from the main body of the apparatus by slightly pulling it out using the handle 141B.

In an apparatus having a slideable tray on which each cassette 14 is placed inside the Naori set storage chamber 1.40, the rack teeth R are formed on the side surface of the tray, and the cassette 14 can be attached or detached by moving the tray. You can also do this.

In addition to pressing the recording paper against the paper feed roller 16 by pushing up the bottom plate 14B shown in this embodiment, it is also possible to push up the entire cassette 14 and tilt it to bring the paper into the paper feed state.

Each recording paper carried out and fed from the cassette 14 is sent out one by one directly or through the passing kite 141 to the paper feeding path 15, and passes through a timing roller 17 to form an image on the photoreceptor belt l and the timing. are supplied to the transfer device 12 together.

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 belt 1 that has completed the transfer to the transfer paper continues to be conveyed to the blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B.
The remaining toner is removed in the cleaning device 13 which is brought into pressure contact with the toner.

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

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt 1, each developer, and the charger 6,
The cleaning device 13 is integrated into the cartridge 30 including the paper feed path 15 which is a transfer material conveyance path and one member forming each village of the timing roller 17, and is integrated into the main body of the device! The two pairs can be attached and detached at once.

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

In addition to automatic paper feeding from the cassette 14 described above, the apparatus is also equipped with manual paper feeding means.

When manually feeding paper, the manual feeding guide plate 21 provided on the side of the main body of the device is opened horizontally, and the inserted recording paper is
The paper feed path 1 is fed through the manual feed guide roller 22 one by one.
5.

Further, the main body of the apparatus has a ram shell structure that can be divided into upper and lower parts, and the upper main body housing the toner hopper 150 is connected to the cartridge 30. The lower main body housing the laser writing system unit 7, cassette storage chamber 140, etc. can be opened clockwise using a hinge 160 shown in FIG. 1 as a fulcrum and held in that position.

FIG. 4 shows a first configuration example in which, in addition to the opening of the upper body, the left side of the lower body is formed with a horizontal cover 101 that opens and closes using a support shaft 161A as a fulcrum.
61 as shown in the figure, the entire area of the transfer paper conveyance path from the paper feed path 15 to the paper ejection roller 19 is opened, and at the same time, the insertion and removal of the car (ridge 30 into and out of the lower body is shown in the arrows in the horizontal position). The attachment/detachment operation is extremely easy by sliding in the A direction and in the B direction.

FIG. 5 shows a second configuration example in which the left side surface of the lower body is formed with a horizontal cover 162 that opens and closes in the horizontal direction with a support shaft 162A as a fulcrum.
2. Manual feed kite board 21, manual feed guide roller 22, paper feed path 15 and timing roller] One member forming each village is supported for attachment.

Accordingly, when the horizontal cover 162 is opened, the cartridge 30 and the cassette 14 slide from the left to the lower main body and are attached to and removed from the lower body in the direction of arrow A while maintaining the horizontal state. Further, as shown in the figure, it is also possible to extend the cartridge side plate 310 downward to form the paper feed path 15.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention provides a paper feeding means that has an extremely simple structure, but can quickly move and retreat when the recording paper storage cassette is attached or removed, and can set the cassette in a reliable paper feeding state at the blade attachment position. An image forming apparatus with excellent operability that can automatically attach and detach a recording paper storage cassette from the front of the fruiting apparatus has been realized.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming system, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of installing a recording paper storage cassette into the apparatus, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of each main body of the device. 1... Photoreceptor belt 6... Charger 7... l
, -The writing system unit 8.9.10.11...Developer 12...Transfer unit 1
3... Cleaning device 14... Recording paper storage cassette 14A... Protrusion j5... Paper feeding meridian 16... Paper feeding roller 16A... Sorting roller 17... Timing roller 19... Paper ejection Roller 22...Manual guide roller 14.0...Cassette storage chamber 141A...Guide hole 142...Pushing lever 150...Toner hopper 161.1.62...Side cover Sl, S2... ··switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) The main body of the apparatus has a motor for horizontally moving the recording paper storage cassette and a cassette detection means, and after the detection means detects the inserted recording paper storage cassette, the feeding roller is moved. An image forming apparatus comprising a paper feeding device that can be set to a paper feeding state by pushing up a recording paper storage cassette or a recording paper in the recording paper storage cassette. (2) The ejecting of the recording paper storage cassette is performed by horizontal movement of the recording paper storage cassette following movement of the feeding roller, release of the recording paper storage cassette, or pushing up of the recording paper. image forming device. (3) A replaceable process cartridge including at least a belt photoreceptor and a plurality of developer units is located above the recording paper storage cassette, and the process cartridge opens a conveyance path for the recording paper. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can be inserted and removed in the same direction as the recording paper storage cassette.