JPH04157477A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To conduct process cartridge movement and exchange by means of simple operation, by providing a movement means that conducts a fixed quantity release of a process cartridge horizontally or obliquely upward and an upper part cover opening means that conducts opening automatically in linkage with the release. CONSTITUTION:At the time of jam being generated or a process cartridge 15 being exchanged, trouble is first inspected, and then, the action of image formation is stopped. And the display of the details is turned on/off at an operation panel 11 as a message, and at the same time the cartridge 15 is retreated to the 2nd position in linkage with it, and at the same time an upper part cover 12 is automatically opened by means of a movement inspection signal MS1 or MS2, and a jammed transfer material can be easily confirmed and removed from the upper part of a device main body 10. Also, in the case of photosensitive belt service circuit expiration, the cartridge 15 at the 2nd position is slightly drawn out and can be taken off, and the exchange of cartridges 15 becomes easy. As a result, trouble disposal can be conducted simply and surely.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on an image carrier using an electrophotographic method and transfers it onto a transfer material to obtain an image. . In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc., which is provided with a removably attachable process cartridge that integrates an image carrier and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art As image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines become smaller, lighter, and more sophisticated, image forming apparatuses are becoming more dense and complex. On the other hand, an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge that integrates an image carrier and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means has been developed so that maintenance and management can be easily performed by an operator who is a general user.

In image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines equipped with this process cartridge, when the image bearing member inside the process cartridge becomes worn out or deteriorated, the process cartridge itself can be replaced, allowing operators without specialized knowledge to image the image by themselves. This makes it possible to easily maintain and manage the forming device. For this purpose, a guide member for the process cartridge is provided in the main body of the apparatus, and the process cartridge can be loaded by simply inserting the process cartridge along this guide member so as to obtain an optimal image.

In such cases, in conventional devices, the insertion direction of the process cartridge and the loading direction of the transfer material are perpendicular to each other.
Therefore, the handling direction of the process cartridge and the handling direction of the transfer material are different, which not only makes these operations troublesome, but also increases the spatial constraints for installing the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, in the case of maintenance, it was necessary to take up a large work space.

In order to solve these drawbacks, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-279870 was proposed. In other words, by matching the loading direction of the transfer material with the loading/unloading direction of the process cartridge provided in the upper housing, it is possible to form an image that not only facilitates handling and operation of consumables but also reduces work space constraints. A device has been proposed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-279870, when replacing the process cartridge, the operator opens the upper housing and pulls out the process cartridge from the upper housing. I have to take it out. Therefore, this work is not only very troublesome, but also requires considerable force from the operator if the process cartridge is heavy or thick. Furthermore, if a jam occurs, it is necessary to reach into a narrow space and remove the transfer material, and no matter how much the upper housing is opened, it is not possible to secure enough work space, and the jam is removed. The work was tedious and involved direct contact with areas stained with toner and the image carrier. In addition, in order to secure the work space,
Even if the process cartridge is to be moved or removed, the operator must pull the process cartridge out from the upper housing, and such removal and loading operations require careful handling without damaging the surrounding areas, making these operations cumbersome. This method requires careful attention, and therefore has the disadvantage that only an experienced person can handle the jam safely.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible for process cartridges to be moved and replaced with simple operations, and to be able to be used easily by beginners even if troubles such as poor transportation occur. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which has excellent maintainability and can be easily and reliably handled in the event of a failure.

[Means to solve the problem]

This objective is achieved by the following technical means.

A moving means for releasing a process cartridge including an image carrier slidably mounted on a frame of an integrated image forming apparatus main body by a certain amount horizontally or diagonally upward; and an upper part that automatically opens in conjunction with the release. An image forming apparatus comprising a cover opening means.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 81 shows a main cross section of a color printer to which the present invention is applied, viewed from the left side. The device main body 10 has an operation panel 11 and an openable/closeable upper cover 12 on its front side.
It is surrounded by a toner supply cover 13, a front cover I4, etc., and a removable process cartridge 15 and a paper feed cassette 16 are housed inside.

In FIG. 1, the photoreceptor belt 17, which is an image carrier, is
A photosensitive layer is coated on the surface of a flexible belt, and the belt is stretched between a driving roller 18 and a driven roller 19. The drive roller 18 (described later) rotates and conveys the photoreceptor belt 17 in a clockwise direction via a drive gear meshing with a gear provided in the main body IO of the apparatus. Further, the distance maintaining member 20 allows the developing devices 23a to 23d to be connected to the photoreceptor belt 1.
7, it is possible to maintain a constant distance and form a stable and good image. In this embodiment, the photoreceptor belt 17 is used as the image carrier, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to existing image carriers having a photosensitive layer such as a photoreceptor drum.

Around the photoreceptor belt 17, a charging means 21, an exposure means 22, developing means 23a to 23d1, a transfer means 24, and a cleaning means 25 are arranged.

The charging means is provided to uniformly charge the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 with a predetermined polarity, and is an existing charger 21 such as a corona charger or a Suflotron charger, and is used to charge the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17. For this purpose, a Suflotron charger is preferably used.

The exposure means is a semiconductor laser writing system unit 22, which exposes the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 charged by the charger 21 to form an electrostatic latent image.

The developing means includes a plurality of developing devices 23a to 23d each containing different color developers, such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color toners (developer), respectively. Each of these developing devices 23a to 23d is connected to the photoreceptor belt 17.
Developing sleeves 231a to 231d that maintain a predetermined gap and stirring screws 232a to 232 that stir the toner of each color.
d, and has a function of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor belt 17 into a toner image by a non-contact development method. This non-contact development method differs from the contact development method in that the photoreceptor belt 1
Since the toner image formed on the toner image 7 is not damaged and the movement of the photoreceptor belt 17 is not hindered, a good color image can be obtained. The developing means is not limited to color development using toner of four different colors as in this embodiment, but may also use toner of a single color, two colors, or three colors, and in this case, the number of developing means is equal to the number of toner colors. It is sufficient to arrange the developing device around the photoreceptor belt 17.

The transfer means transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 onto a transfer material using a transfer pole 24 such as a transfer corona discharger. As this transfer means, an existing transfer member such as a transfer drum may be used instead of the transfer pole 24.

The cleaning means 25 includes a cleaning blade 251
During the image forming process, the photoreceptor belt 17
It is maintained at a position spaced apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17, and is provided so as to come into pressure contact with the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 to clean the photoreceptor belt 17 only during cleaning after transferring the toner image to the transfer material.

The collection box 26 is for collecting and storing residual toner on the photoreceptor belt 17 removed by the cleaning means 25 through a toner collection pipe 262 by a waste toner screw 261.

In this embodiment, the image forming section of the printer described above includes a photoreceptor belt 17, a charger 21, developing devices 23a to 23d containing toner of each color, and a cleaning means 25.
The process parts of the toner recovery unit 26 are housed in the integrated process cartridge 15 to form a unit, and can be attached to and removed from the apparatus main body 10 all at once. However, the process section that is unitized in the process cartridge 15 is not limited to this, and at least the photoreceptor belt 1-17 and the developing devices 23a to 23d or the photoreceptor belt 17 and the cleaning means 25 are integrated into a unit. It is only necessary that the process unit be integrated into a single unit, and other process units may also be integrated into a unit.

The color image forming process by the color image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration is performed as follows.

First, the process cartridge 15 is loaded in the first position and is ready for image formation.

When an image signal of the first color output from an image reading device separate from the main body lO of the apparatus is input to the laser writing system unit 22, a semiconductor laser (not shown) in the laser writing system unit 22 is used. A laser beam is generated. The laser beam is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror 221 rotated by a drive motor (not shown), passes through an fθ lens 222, a cylindrical lens 224, and three mirrors 223, and is uniformly charged to a predetermined charge by a charger 21. The light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the charged photoreceptor belt 17 to form a bright line.

On the other hand, regarding the sub-scanning direction, a belt index (not shown) corresponding to a specific position of the photoreceptor belt 17 is detected, or a print command signal is received, and the image signal is determined based on this detection or command signal. A main scanning line on which modulation of the semiconductor laser starts is determined. When scanning is started, in the main scanning direction, the laser beam is detected by an index sensor (not shown), and based on this detected signal, modulation of the semiconductor laser by the image signal of the first color is started. , a modulated laser beam scans over the surface of photoreceptor belt 17. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the uniformly charged surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoreceptor belt 1-17. This latent image is developed by a developing device 23 a containing yellow toner corresponding to the first color among the developing means, and a yellow toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 . Thereafter, the photoreceptor belt 17 passes under the cleaning blade 251 which is spaced apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 while holding the yellow toner image on its surface.
Image formation for the second color begins.

That is, the photoreceptor belt 17 on which the yellow toner image has been formed is uniformly charged again by the charger 21, and then the image signal of the second color is transferred to the laser writing system unit 2.
2, and as in the case of the first color image signal described above, writing is performed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by a developer 23b containing magenta toner as the second color. A magenta toner image is formed in the presence of a previously formed yellow toner image.

Similarly, after the latent image is formed by the image signal of the third color, a toner image is formed in the developing device 23c containing the antoner, and after the latent image is formed by the image signal of the second and fourth colors, the black toner is formed. A color toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 by superimposing a black toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 using a developing device 236 accommodated therein.

Developing sleeve 231a of each of these developing devices 23a to 23d
231d is applied with a direct current or even an alternating current bias, and non-contact development (jumping development) is performed on the photoreceptor belt 17 whose base body is grounded. Note that this non-contact development uses a one-component developer or a two-component developer.
Any component developer can be used. l
When a component developer is used, the size can be reduced, but a development method using a two-component developer is superior in terms of development stability and is therefore preferable in terms of color reproduction.

The color toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 as described above is transferred from the paper feed cassette 16 to the paper feed roller 27.
The color toner image is supplied by the timing roller 28 and transferred onto a transfer material (transfer paper) in synchronization with the color toner image. The transfer device 24 performs transfer by applying a high-voltage power output having a polarity opposite to that of the toner.

The transfer material, onto which the color toner image has been transferred, is reliably separated by the photoreceptor belt 17 that rapidly changes direction (with a small diameter curvature) along the drive roller 18, and is conveyed upward by the conveyor belt 29. Note that this conveyor belt 2
9 is provided with a suction means 291 to reliably convey the material upward while sucking it. After the toner on the transfer material is melted and fixed by the fixing roller 30, the transfer material is discharged onto the upper surface of the upper cover 11, which also serves as a paper discharge tray, by the paper discharge roller 31.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt 17 that has finished transferring the color toner image to the transfer material is further conveyed in a clockwise direction, and a static elimination device or exposure means consisting of a static elimination lamp or electrode is provided on the main body frame. After passing through the block 102 of the action member, the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 is neutralized, and the remaining toner is removed and cleaned by the cleaning means 25 with the cleaning blade 251 in pressure contact.

After cleaning is completed, use the cleaning blade 25 again.
1 or away from the photoreceptor belt 17, and a new image forming process begins.

Next, a drive system for the process cartridge 7 and a drive system for moving the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the drive system for the process cartridge 7 and the drive system for moving the process cartridge from the right side. The drive system for the process cartridge 15 and the drive system for moving the process cartridge shown in this embodiment are driven using two motors M1 and M2.

First, the drive system for the photoreceptor belt 17 uses the driving force from the motor Ml. Gear G12 is arranged to mesh with gear Gll of the shaft of motor Ml. Furthermore, when the process cartridge 15 is in a position where image formation is possible, the drive gear G14, which is provided coaxially with the drive roller 18 that conveys the photoreceptor belt 7, rotates with the gear G13, which rotates integrally with the gear G12. mesh. That is, the rotation of the motor Ml is caused by the rotation of the gear Gll.

The rotational speed is transmitted to the drive gear G14 via the gear ct12 and the gear G13, and the rotation speed is adjusted to an appropriate level.
The photoreceptor belt 17 is rotated together with the photoreceptor belt 4 to convey the photoreceptor belt 17.

Next, the developing units 23a to 23d, the waste toner screw 26
1. The drive system of the toner hocher 35 and process cartridge moving means will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

A motor M2 is used in this drive system. The rotational force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the gear G2 via the gear G21 of the shaft of the motor M2.
2. Furthermore, coaxially with gear G22, and
The signal is transmitted to the integrally provided gear G23, and the developing device 23a
~23d drive system is driven.

First, the drive system of the developing devices 23a to 23d will be explained.

The rotational force of motor M2 transmitted to gear G23 is
24b and gear G24c, and is also transmitted to gear G2
5a and gear G25b to gear G24a and gear G24d. Furthermore, an open type spring clutch C21a is used to transmit rotation in only one direction.
-C21d, the gear G is connected coaxially with the gears G24a to G24cl and meshes with the developing device drive gears G27a to G27d provided on the process cartridge 15 when the process cartridge 15 is in the position where image formation is possible. 26a-G 26d are arranged. The rotational force transmitted to the developing unit drive gears G27a to G27d is transmitted to the developing sleeves 231a to 231d and the stirring screws 232a to 232d via gears provided in the process cartridge 15, thereby driving the developing units.

That is, the rotation of motor M2 is caused by gear G21. Gear G2
2. Gear G24b and gear G24 via gear G23
C, further transmitted to gear G24a and gear G24b via gear G25a and gear G25b, and
Connect the clutch as necessary to connect the developer drive gear G2.
7a-G 27d to drive the developing units 23a-23d. Note that the developing devices 23a to 23d are driven during image formation by driving only the developing devices corresponding to each color of image formation, and not driving the developing devices 23a to 23d when moving the process cartridge 15, which will be described later. It is better to do this. For this purpose, the respective cams (not shown) having claws that come into contact with the ratchets (not shown) of the clutches C21a to C21d are set at different phases, and five positions are set, including a position where no clutch is engaged. Preferably, selection positions are provided and controlled by a stepper motor (not shown). For example, four cam pawls corresponding to each clutch can be set to 72
By providing a degree phase difference on the same axis and rotating the step motor by 72 degrees, it is possible to control so that only one of the developing units 23a to 23d is driven or none of them are driven.

Next, the means for moving the process cartridge 15 will be explained.

The rotational force of motor M2 transmitted to gear G22 is
The signal is transmitted to the pulley P22 via the timing belt TBI and the pulley P21 which rotates together with the timing belt TBI, and drives the drive system of the process cartridge moving means.

Regarding the drive system of the process cartridge moving means, the rotational force transmitted to the pulley 22 is transmitted to a gear G29 that meshes with a gear G28 that rotates together with the pulley P22, and further meshes with the gear G29. The signal is transmitted to gear G30. The rotational force is then transmitted to gear G31 via electromagnetic clutch C22 as necessary. Gear G31 and gear G32 are cross-shaft gears, and gear G31
The rotational force is transmitted to the pinion P (see Fig. 4). This binion P is the process cartridge 15
The process cartridge 15 can be engaged with a rack R provided on the side surface of the rack R, and the rotation of the binion P and the sliding of the rack R move the process cartridge 15 in the left-right direction.

The movement of the process cartridge 15 will be explained in detail later.

Next, a drive system for collecting waste toner will be explained.

The rotational force of the motor M2 transmitted to the pulley P22 is transmitted to the pulley P23 via an open type spring clutch C22A as necessary, and the rotational force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the waste toner screw 26.
1 drive system is driven.

Regarding the drive system of the waste toner screw 261, a gear G33 that rotates integrally with the pulley P23 meshes with a waste toner screw drive gear G34 provided on the side surface of the process cartridge 15, and rotational force is transmitted to the pulley P23. drives the waste toner screw 261. The waste toner screw 261 transports the residual toner on the photoreceptor belt 17 that has been removed by the cleaning means 25 to the toner collection box 26 through a toner collection pipe 262 that incorporates a rotating coil bar.

Next, the drive system of the toner hoppers 35a to 35d will be explained.

The rotational force of motor M2 transmitted to bus P23 is transmitted to pulley P24 via timing belt TB2,
If necessary, the signal is transmitted to gear G35 via spring clutch C24, and further to gear G36 meshing with gear G35. Then, if necessary, spring clutch C25a
-C25d are connected and the gears G38a-G38d meshing with the gears G37a-G37d, which rotate together with the gear G36, rotate. Then, the toner ho/bar stirring members 351a to 351d or the gear G38a
=Toner hoppers 35a to 3 rotate together with G38d
While stirring the supplied toner in 5d, the gear G3
Gear G39a-G3 meshing with 8a-G 38d
Supply toner screw 352a provided coaxially with 9d
~352d rotates to convey the supply toner to the developing devices 23a~23cl in the process cartridge 15.

Note that the toner hoppers 35a to 35d are connected to the developing device 2.
It is driven in correspondence with the drive of 3a to 23cl. In other words, if the developing device corresponding to the color during image formation is driven,
Only toner hoppers containing supply toner of the same color are driven. To control this drive, a spring clutch C25
a-C25d is used, and the control can be performed using a step motor and a cam (both not shown) in the same way as the control of the developing device drive.

In this embodiment, the drive system for the photoreceptor belt 17, the development units 23a to 23d1, the waste toner screw 261, the toner hopper 35, and the process cartridge moving means are driven using two motors Ml- and M2. However, it goes without saying that these drives may be performed by a single motor, or a dedicated motor may be provided for the process cartridge moving means.

Next, move the process cartridge 15 to AA in FIG.
FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows, and process cartridge 1
The movement of 5 will be explained using FIG. 6 which schematically shows the movement.

The process cartridge 15 is provided with a protruding member 36 for movement and a rack R on its side, and also includes a drive gear G14 for image formation and a developer drive gear G27a.
G27d and a waste toner screw drive gear G34 are provided.

On the other hand, inside the process cartridge storage chamber of the apparatus main body 10, there are a guide member 37 that suspends the process cartridge 15 by fitting the protrusion member 36 of the process cartridge 15 therein, a drive gear G14, and a developer drive gear G.
27a-G 27d and gear G13 corresponding to waste toner screw drive gear G34, gears G26a to G26
d and gear G33 are provided. Further, a pinion P is provided so as to be able to mesh with a rack R provided on the process cartridge 15. In this way, the process cartridge 15 can be moved horizontally or in a diagonal direction close to the horizontal direction. Such a direction of movement is extremely safe and easy to operate when attaching and detaching the process cartridge 15, and also, as will be described later, when the joint between the toner hopper 35 and the developing unit 23 is separated during movement, the development of the process cartridge will be prevented. This has the advantage that toner does not spill or scatter from the container. Furthermore, this guide member 37
have first and second microswitches MS1, MS2
is provided. The first and second microswitches MSIMS2 are detection means for detecting the position of the process cartridge 15. Here, the first and second microswitches MS1. MS2 includes a drive gear G14 provided in the process cartridge 15, developer drive gears G27a to G27d, a waste toner screw drive gear G34, and a gear G1 provided in the apparatus main body IO.
3. A first position where gears G26a to G26d 1 mesh with gear G33 and image formation is possible;
The first position is further away from the transfer device 24 compared to the position , that is, in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the process cartridge 15
detecting a release position, that is, a second position that has been evacuated from the position;
The position signal is output to the control section. However, the second position is preferably such that the center of gravity of the process cartridge 15 is not outside the apparatus IO. This means that if the center of gravity of the process cartridge 15 is outside the device, the rack R and pinion P
This is because the engagement of the cartridges becomes poor, making it difficult to remove and insert the process cartridge 15. The position detection sensors for detecting these first and second positions are not limited to microswitches, and various existing sensors using photoelectric switches, magnetic switches, etc. may be used.

In addition, the first and second microswitches MSI', M
S2 does not need to be provided on the guide member 37 and may be provided on the device main body 10 as long as the first and second positions can be detected.

First, when removing the process cartridge 15, the sixth
As shown in Figure (a), the process cartridge 15 is
The drive roller 18 and the transfer pole 24 are located at a desired distance (if the transfer member is a transfer drum, have an appropriate pressure force), and the drive gear G14 provided in the process cartridge 15 and the developing device Drive gear G27a-G27
d, Waste toner screw drive gear G34 and device main body I
gear G13 for driving each provided in O;
Gears G 26a = G 26d and gear d33 are in mesh with each other, and are in a state where image formation can be performed optimally. Further, the rack R and the pinion P are meshed with each other.

When the front cover 14 is opened and the eject button on the operation panel 11 provided on the front of the main body IO of the apparatus is pressed, an eject signal is input to the control section. At this time, a print signal from the print button on the operation panel 11, a photoconductor belt drive signal, a fixing drive signal indicating that the image forming process such as the photoconductor belt drive section, fixing section, paper ejecting section, paper feeding section, etc. are operating. , a paper discharge drive signal, a paper feed drive signal, and other image forming process signals are not output, the control section issues signals to the motor M2 and the electromagnetic clutch C22, which are the drive sections of the process cartridge moving means, to move the process cartridge. 15 from the first position to the second position, the pinion P is rotated, and the process cartridge 15 is moved in the direction of the second position along the guide member 37 (see FIG. 6(b)). . and the first microswitch MS
I turns OFF and the second microswitch MS2 turns ON.
The state continues.

At this time, the process cartridge 15 moves while being guided by a precise path as described above, and therefore moves without damaging the surrounding area.

Then, when the process cartridge 15 moves as shown in FIG. 6(C), the second microswitch MS2 is turned OFF, detecting that the process cartridge 15 has moved to the second position, and controlling the control unit. send that signal to. When the control section receives the signal, it releases the electromagnetic clutch C22 and stops the rotation of the motor M2.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned microswitch MSI and/or MS2
7(a) and (b) as will be explained later.
The solenoid 42 shown in FIG. 1 is activated and the upper cover 12 is opened.

That is, the process cartridge 15 stops at the second position with the rack R and pinion P engaged, and retreats from the first position to the second position.

Therefore, in this position, a large work space can be secured for jam removal, etc., and in this state, the distances between the mutual members are also large, so that the process cartridge 15 can be operated with confidence without requiring any skill. By slightly pulling it out from position 2, it becomes possible to easily take it out from the device main body IO.

Conversely, when inserting the process cartridge 15 into the apparatus main body lo, the protrusion 36 of the process cartridge 15 is inserted and placed along the guide member 37 in the process cartridge housing chamber, and the rack R and pinion P are engaged. The process cartridge 15 comes to the second position shown in FIG. 6(c), and is further moved slightly past that position to a position where the second microswitch MS2 is turned on as shown in FIG. 6(b). This means that the operation is extremely simple, and the work can be completed safely and reliably in a short period of time without having to worry about disturbing the surrounding area.

In order to move the process cartridge 15 from this state to the first position where image formation is possible, the process cartridge 15 in the second position can be further inserted or the set button on the operation panel 11 can be pressed. Input the set signal to the section. When this set signal is input, the control unit sends a signal to the motor M2 and the electromagnetic clutch C22, and rotates the pinion P to move the process cartridge 15 from the second position to the first position. (rotate in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation in case), and then rotate the guide member 3.
7 in the direction of the first position of the process cartridge 1
5 in an extremely sophisticated and safe manner (Fig. 6(b)
)).

Furthermore, when the process cartridge 15 moves, the sixth
As shown in Figure (a), the first microswitch MSI detects that the process cartridge 15 has moved to the first position and sends a signal thereof to the control section. When the control section receives the signal, it releases the electromagnetic clutch C22 and stops the rotation of the motor M2. That is, the process cartridge 15 is stopped at the first position, and the drive gear G14 provided on the process cartridge 15, the developer drive gears G27a to G27d, the waste toner screw drive gear G34, and the drive gear G14 provided on the apparatus main body 10 are connected to each other. It meshes with gear G13, gears G26a to G26cl, and gear G33, and further,
By closing the upper cover 12, image formation becomes possible. At this time, the tip joint portions of the toner transport pipes 353a to 353d of the corresponding toner hoppers 35a to 35cl are automatically connected to the toner supply ports 38a to 38d of the developing devices 23a to 23d in the process cartridge 15, and the toner supply ports 38a to 38d of the developing devices 23a to 23d in the process cartridge 15 are automatically connected. The situation is such that replenishment is being carried out. In addition,
Although not shown, the joint part is automatically removed and the door is closed during movement. However, since the opening on the developing device side has the cartridge in a horizontal or nearly horizontal state, there is an advantage that toner will not spill out even if the opening is left open upward. Therefore, after replacing the process cartridge I5 or clearing a jam, the process cartridge 15 is automatically inserted with a simple operation, which not only greatly reduces the operator's hassle but also ensures reliable image formation. Process cartridge 1 in position
You can set 5.

On the other hand, the upper cover opening means will be explained using FIG. 7.

The upper cover 12 is pivotally supported by an upper cover shaft 39. Further, the upper cover 12 is opened by means of a coiled spring 40 wound around the upper cover shaft 39 and a pin 4I attached to the apparatus main body 10 on one side and the upper cover on the other, that is, in a counterclockwise direction in the figure. is spring-loaded. In addition, the solenoid 42 is connected to the upper cover 1.
2 is arranged so that its upper cover 12 can be latched when it is closed.

With the upper cover opening means having the above-described configuration, the upper cover 12 is in a closed state during the image forming process,
The upper cover 12 also serves as a discharge tray for the transferred transfer material discharged by the discharge roller 31 (see Fig. 7(a).
)). In case of jam removal, etc., the device main unit lO
If the eject button on the operation panel 11 provided on the front side of the controller is pressed and the image forming process signal is not output, the controller moves the process cartridge 15 to the process cartridge moving means as described above. At the same time, an opening signal is issued to the solenoid 42, which is the upper cover opening means. When the solenoid 42 receives the release signal, it moves its axis backward, that is, it stops locking the upper cover 12 . Then, the upper cover 12, which had been biased by the spring, is opened by the biasing force (see Fig. 7).
b)). The transfer material that caused the jam can be easily located and removed from the opening of the upper cover 12 opened in this way. Note that the upper cover opening means is not limited to this embodiment, and a member that can be hooked on the side opposite to the upper cover shaft 39 may be provided. Further, the upper cover shaft 39 is provided with a gear and a motor that meshes with the gear, and the process cartridge 1
5, the microswitch MS1 and/or M
The motor may be rotated to open the upper cover 12 by detecting it in S2 and outputting it as an opening signal. In this case, when a set signal is input to the control section, the motor may rotate in the opposite direction to close the upper cover 12.

The movement control of the process cartridge 15 and the opening control of the upper cover 12 described above are as shown in FIG. 8. That is, a take-out signal is input to the control section and displayed on the operation panel 11. At this time, in conjunction with the display, a print signal from the operation unit and the photoreceptor belt drive unit,
If the photoconductor belt drive signal, fixing/paper ejection drive signal, and paper feed drive signal are not output from the fixing/paper ejecting unit and the paper feeding unit, respectively, the control unit controls the process cartridge moving unit. Emit a movement signal. The process cartridge moving unit moves the process cartridge 15 to the first position.
The process cartridge moving drive system is controlled to move the process cartridge 15 from the position to the second position.
When a position detection signal is obtained that detects that the cartridge has moved to the second position, the process cartridge movement drive system is stopped. On the other hand, the control section issues a movement signal to the process cartridge moving means, and also issues an opening signal to the upper cover opening means in response to a movement detection signal of the cartridge 15, specifically, an activation signal of MSI or MS2 shown in FIG. Open the cover 12. In other words, when a jam occurs or a trouble is detected when replacing the process cartridge 15, the image forming operation is stopped. Then, the content is displayed as a message on the operation panel II and blinks, and in conjunction with this, the process cartridge 15 is retracted to the second position as shown in FIG. 9, and the movement detection signal MSI or The upper cover 12 is automatically opened by the MS2, and the jammed transfer material can be easily checked and removed from above the main body 10 of the apparatus.In addition, when the photoreceptor belt has reached the end of its service life, the sign will be activated. As shown on panel 11, process cartridge 1 at the $2 position
Since the process cartridge 5 can be slightly pulled out and removed, the process cartridge 15 can be easily replaced.

In addition, a toner replenishment sign, a waste toner full sign, and a paper-out sign in the supply cassette are displayed on the operation panel 11, making processing operations easier. Here, a waste toner collection box 26 located at the rear of the process cartridge 15
When the process cartridge is retracted to the second position, the box 2 is exposed to the outside of the device main body ■0.
The waste toner collected in the bag inside 6 can be easily removed together with the bag.

In this embodiment, as an image forming process, an image forming method is described in which a color toner image is formed on a photoreceptor belt and then transferred to a transfer material. A color imaging method of transferring may also be used. It can also be applied to regular monochrome printers that use a monochrome process. Furthermore, although a non-contact development method has been described as a developing method, the present invention is not limited to this non-contact development, but can also be applied to contact development. Further, the drive system shown in this embodiment is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the drive system is not limited to combinations of gears, clutches, belts, etc.

FIG. 10 shows a transfer drum type image forming apparatus as another embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

The process cartridge 15 is roughly the same as the previous embodiment, but the toner hopper 35a is integrated into the process cartridge 15. The transfer drum type image forming apparatus has a transfer drum 50 in contact with the transfer portion of the photoreceptor belt 17, and the transfer drum 50 rotates counterclockwise in synchronization with the photoreceptor belt 17. A transfer material is wrapped around the outer periphery of the transfer drum 50, and the toner images of each color formed on the photoreceptor bell 1-17 are transferred onto the wrapped transfer material, and the toner images of each color are superimposed on the transfer material. After matching, transfer drum 5
0 and discharged to the upper part of the fixing inspection device main body 10.

A charger 501 is provided at the peripheral edge of the transfer drum 50 to electrostatically attract the transfer material. transfer material to transfer drum 5
A winding member 502 is provided for mechanically winding the transfer material around the transfer drum 50. The winding member 502 has a roller at its tip, and comes into contact only when the transfer material first winds around the transfer drum 50. . Further, a gripper 503 is provided on the circumferential surface of the transfer drum 50, and the transfer drum 50 is synchronously conveyed.
It acts to hold the leading edge of the transfer material. Transfer device 504
electrostatically transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor belt 17 onto a transfer material.

The separation/removal electrode 505 and the separation claw 506 separate the transfer material after transfer from the transfer drum 50. Further, the reach 507, which can be approached and separated, removes the adhered toner remaining on the transfer drum 50 after the transfer material is separated.

The transfer material fed from the cassette 16 is charged by a charger 501 while maintaining synchronization; it enters the transfer drum 50, is wrapped around by a member 502, and the leading edge of the transfer material is held by a gripper 503; Rotate to the transfer section, rotate,
In the production section, the yellow toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 is transferred onto a transfer material by a transfer device 504. After completing the first transfer, the transfer drum 50 continues to rotate, is cleaned by a cleaner 507, and transfers the next toner image. That is, in the second rotation, the magenta toner image is
A cyan toner image is transferred in the first rotation, and a black toner image is transferred in a superimposed manner in the fourth rotation. When the transfer of the four-color toner images is completed, the transfer material is neutralized by a separation/elimination electrode 505 , the leading edge of the transfer material is released from being held by a separation claw 506 , and separated and conveyed to the fixing roller 30 .

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the transfer drum 50 is located on the apparatus main body 10 side, and the movable process cartridge 1
This structure is not included in 5. Therefore, the process cartridge 15 is moved in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

When the process cartridge 15 is moved from the first loading position to the second loading position, the upper cover 12 is opened, and the area around the transfer device 24, the transport path 29, and the fixing device 30 is opened with a wide space. This will make troubleshooting easier, but if left as is, the exposed portion of the photoreceptor belt will suffer from optical fatigue, so a support fixed to the main body is attached to the tip of the process cartridge 15 provided in the main body 10 along the guide member 37. Photoconductor cover 37 rotating around axis 371
2, the cover is always urged by a torque spring to rotate counterclockwise, and the process cartridge 15
When in the first loading position, the photosensitive belt is pushed up by the upper surface of the outside of the leading end of the cartridge, and the photosensitive belt is opened facing the transfer device 24 or the transfer drum 50, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1O. .

However, when the cartridge 15 is retreated to the second loading position as shown in FIG. 9, the exposed portion of the photoreceptor at the front end of the cartridge 15 is surrounded by the photoreceptor cover 372, making it light-tight.

On the other hand, windows 154 and 155 are opened at positions corresponding to the process cartridge 15 at the first loading position with respect to the operating member block 102 in which a static eliminating device or exposure means consisting of a static eliminating lamp or electrode is disposed.

After the transfer to the transfer material is completed, the charge on the photoreceptor belt 17 can be removed.

However, when the process cartridge 15 is retracted to the second position and the upper cover 12 is opened, external light enters the window 154.
155, causing optical fatigue to the photoreceptor. To prevent this, the process cartridge 15
when the window 154.15 is retracted to the second loading position.
5 is hidden by entering the stand +03 of the toner hopper 35 disposed in the main body 10 along the guide member 37 or the back side of a special shielding plate 103A as shown in FIG. 10 to maintain light tightness. did.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, the present invention receives the detection signal in response to a signal such as occurrence of trouble, expiration of service life, or fullness of waste toner, and moves the process cartridge to a position where image formation is possible automatically or by button operation by the operator. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily and reliably troubleshoot problems by evacuating the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus and opening the upper cover in conjunction with a movement detection signal at the time of the evacuation.

Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the process cartridge is automatically moved with a simple operation, and the upper cover is opened, so the operator can easily remove the process cartridge without hesitation and without the need for great force. can be exchanged. Also, when clearing a jam, the process cartridge can be retracted to the second position and the inside of the main body of the device can be viewed through the open opening of the top cover, ensuring a large working space and greatly improving the work efficiency of jam clearing. This not only eliminates the risk of damage to the image carrier when taking out the transfer material, but also eliminates the possibility of an operator's hand directly touching the image carrier. Additionally, the process cartridge can be mechanically held horizontally.
; is moved at an angle of inclination that is close to horizontal, so the process cartridge can be replaced or jammed without causing any unnecessary vibration to the process cartridge or with almost no developer scattering, which has the effect of improving maintainability. be. If the image forming apparatus is a color printer, all operations such as loading and unloading the process cartridge, loading and unloading the cassette, clearing jams, replenishing toner, etc. can be performed from the front of the unit, making it as easy to use as the one-way operation of a monochrome printer. Maintainability was achieved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main cross section of a color printer to which the present invention is applied from the left side. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the drive system according to the present invention from the right side. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the drive system for moving the process cartridge from above. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main parts of the drive system for moving the process cartridge. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing movement of the process cartridge. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the upper cover release mechanism. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the control system. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the color printer from the left side when the process cartridge is in the second position. 1st O
The figure is a main sectional view of a transfer drum type image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 10...Device main body 11...Operation panel 12
...Top cover 15...Process cartridge 17...Photoreceptor belt 18...Drive roller 21...
- Charger 22...Laser writing system unit 23...Developer 24...Transfer pole 25...Cleaning means 26...Toner collection box 36...Protruding member 37...Guide member 27
... Paper feed roller 28 ... Timing roller 2
9... Conveying means 30... Fixing roller 31.
...Paper ejection roller 39...Top cover shaft 40...
- Winding spring 42... Solenoid 50... Transfer drum 35... Toner hopper 102...
Action member block 103... Frame 154.155... Window 3
71... Support shaft 372... Photoconductor cover M
l, M2...Motor G14...Drive gear G27a-G27d...Developer drive gear G1
3. G 26a -G 26d-... Gear P... Pinion R... Rack MSI... First micro switch MS2... Second micro switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] A moving means for releasing a process cartridge including an image carrier slidably mounted on a frame of an integrated image forming apparatus main body by a certain amount horizontally or diagonally upward; and an upper part that automatically opens in conjunction with the release. An image forming apparatus comprising a cover opening means.