JPH04350044A - Recording paper jamming releasing mechanism, open/close mechanism, and electronic photograph recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a jamming releasing mechanism in which releasing operation is facilitated. CONSTITUTION:A photosensitive drum 3, an electrifier 5, a developer tank 8, and a cleaner 15 are integrally housed inside a case to form a cartridge 18. The cartridge 18 is supported inside a structure 2, and the structure 2 is constituted in such a way that it can be opened by turning it around a fulcrum 19. And, the position of a recording paper is detected by recording-paper-position detecting sensors 26, and 27. When the forefront end of a recording paper is jammed at a position 28 (not shown), and when the recording-paper-position detecting sensor 27 detects the jam, a control part 29 thereby opens the pertinent access door for removing the jammed recording paper in accordance with a prescribed procedure for a solenoid 24 and a turning-driving system 21.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording paper jam release mechanism, an opening/closing mechanism, and an electrophotographic recording apparatus.

0002

[Background Art] In conventional devices, when a paper jam occurs, a paper position detection sensor detects it with a delay from the specified timing, stops the operation of the device, and displays the paper jam on the operation panel. All that was done was to display an alarm to notify the operator that a jam had occurred, and to prompt the operator to clear the jam.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In this conventional jam release mechanism, in order for an operator to release a jam that has occurred, the device instruction manual etc. describes the location where the jam has occurred and how to open the access door at that location. There was a problem that required investigation and removal work.

Furthermore, in conventional electrophotographic recording apparatuses, when it is detected that it is time to replace the integrated cartridge, an alarm is displayed on the operation panel to inform the user of the time. In the case of the conventional method, the problem is that the alarm on the operation panel is overlooked and the cartridge is used past its replacement time, causing printing problems.Also, the replacement cycle is relatively long, so it is difficult for printers to become proficient in this process. Even if the replacement alarm is confirmed, there is a drawback in that the user must refer to the instruction manual of the device to confirm the replacement procedure, especially how to open the access door of the device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording paper jam release mechanism, an opening/closing mechanism, and an electrophotographic recording apparatus that solve the above problems.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a recording paper jam release mechanism according to the present invention is an apparatus having a mechanism for printing characters or images on recording paper, and which includes a recording paper running system. A recording paper position detection sensor installed inside the camera, a control unit that receives signals from the sensor and monitors for incorrect positioning of the recording paper (recording paper jam), and a control unit that monitors each recording paper transport system using signals from the control unit. and a drive section for opening the cover.

[0007] Furthermore, in the opening/closing mechanism according to the present invention,
Among devices that have a mechanism for printing characters or images on recording paper, this is a device that uses electrophotography as the printing mechanism, and includes some or all of the photoreceptor drum, developer, cleaner, and charger. a structure that is pivotally supported in an openable and closable manner on a device main body, supports the cartridge, and allows the cartridge to be taken out by opening with respect to the device main body; It has a drive unit that controls the opening and closing of objects, and an electric switch that operates the drive unit.

Further, the electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus that employs an electrophotographic method as a printing mechanism among devices that have a mechanism for printing characters or images on recording paper, and is a device that uses a photosensitive method. A cartridge that includes a part or all of a body drum, a developing device, a cleaner, and a charger, and a cartridge that is pivotably supported in an apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, supports the cartridge, and opens the cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body. a structure that allows the structure to be taken out; an electrically driven drive unit that controls opening and closing of the structure; a sensor that detects when to replace the cartridge; and a control that receives a signal from the sensor and operates the drive unit. It has a section.

[0009]

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 3, charger 5, developer 8, and cleaner 15 are housed together in a case to form a cartridge 18. Cartridge 18 is supported within structure 2 and
has a structure that rotates around a fulcrum 19 and opens. Further, the detection position of the recording paper is determined by a recording paper position detection sensor 26,
This is performed by the recording paper position detection sensor 27. When the leading edge of the recording paper jams at position 28 and the recording paper position detection sensor 27 detects this, the control unit 29 causes the solenoid 24 and the rotary drive system 21 to correct the jam in a fixed procedure. Open the corresponding access door to remove the raised recording paper.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 and 2 are sectional views showing an embodiment in which a recording paper jam release mechanism according to the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic recording apparatus. FIG. 1 shows the upper structure in a closed state, and FIG. 2 shows the upper structure in an open state.

In the figure, a photosensitive drum 3 inside an electrophotographic printer 1 is rotated in the direction of an arrow 4 by a drive system (not shown). Along with the rotation, the photoreceptor drum 3
A charge is applied to the top by a charger 5, and then an optical system 6
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed on the photoreceptor drum 3 by the laser beam 7 . This electrostatic latent image is made visible by the toner in the developing device 8. This visible image is
The paper is sent out from the paper cassette 10 by the transfer device 9 and transferred to the roller 1.
The image is transferred onto the recording paper 14 that has passed through the paper sheets 1, 12, and 13. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is scraped off by a cleaner 15, and also electrostatically initialized by a static eliminator 16.

On the other hand, the toner on the recording paper 14 that has passed the transfer device 9 is fixed by a thermal fixing device 17.

The photosensitive drum 3, charger 5, developer 8, and cleaner 15 are housed together in a case to form a cartridge 18. Cartridge 18 is supported within structure 2. The structure 2 is configured to rotate around a fulcrum 19 to open and close. A gear 20 in the form of a part of the circumference cut off is fixed to the structure 2 coaxially with the fulcrum 19. The gear 20 meshes with a pinion gear 22 at the tip of a rotational drive system 21.

Further, the position of the recording paper is detected by a recording paper position detection sensor 26 and a recording paper position detection sensor 27.

If the leading edge of the recording paper jams at position 28 and the recording paper position detection sensor 27 detects this, the control section 29 will cause the solenoid 24 and rotational drive system 21 to perform the following operations. Perform the opening operation of the corresponding access door to remove the jammed recording paper in the step.

First, the solenoid 24 pulls out the lock pin 23 to unlock the structure 2. Subsequently, the rotary drive system 21 operates to rotate the pinion gear 22 and the gear 20 meshing therewith in the direction of the arrow 25.

Since the gear 20 is fixed to the structure 2, the structure 2 rotates about the fulcrum 19 in the direction of the arrow 25, and the structure 2 opens from the main body as shown in FIG.

The rotational drive system 22 rotates the structure 2 to a certain predetermined position by an upper limit sensor (not shown) of the structure 2.
The operation will stop at the open position.

[0020] As a result, the structure 2 is opened and the recording paper transport path is exposed to the operator's eyes, making it easy to release the jammed recording paper.

Further, when the recording paper position detection sensor 26 detects a jam, a drive system (not shown)
Similarly, the release door 30 opens and the recording paper can be easily taken out.

Further, when the leading edge of the recording paper jams at position 28 and the recording paper position detection sensor 27 detects this, the control unit 29 causes the lighting circuit 31 to light the indicator lamp 32. give a signal. This makes it clear which door must be opened to clear the jam.

Further, when the recording paper position detection sensor 26 detects a jam, the display lamp 33 similarly lights up to prompt the user to open the release door 30.

[0024] In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic recording device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to other office machines such as printers and facsimile machines.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views showing an embodiment in which the opening/closing mechanism according to the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic recording apparatus. FIG. 3 shows the upper structure in a closed state, and FIG. 4 shows the upper structure in an open state.

In the figure, a photosensitive drum 3 inside an electrophotographic printer 1 is rotated in the direction of an arrow 4 by a drive system (not shown). Along with the rotation, the photoreceptor drum 3
A charge is applied to the top by a charger 5, and then an optical system 6
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed on the photoreceptor drum 3 by the laser beam 7 . This electrostatic latent image is made visible by the toner in the developing device 8. This visible image is sent out from a paper cassette 10 by a transfer device 9 and transferred onto a recording paper 14 that has passed through rollers 11, 12, and 13. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is scraped off by a cleaner 15, and also electrostatically initialized by a static eliminator 16.

On the other hand, the toner on the recording paper 14 that has passed the transfer device 9 is fixed on the recording paper 14 by a thermal fixing device.

The photosensitive drum 3, charger 5, developer 8, and cleaner 15 are housed together in a case to form a cartridge 18. Cartridge 18 is supported within structure 2. The structure 2 has a structure that rotates around a fulcrum 19 and opens. At the fulcrum 19, a gear 20 having a part of the circumference cut out coaxially with the fulcrum 19 is connected to the structure 2.
Fixed. The gear 20 meshes with a pinion gear 22 at the tip of a rotational drive system 21.

Now, when the structure 2 shown in FIG. 1 is in the closed state, by operating a switch (not shown), the solenoid 24 pulls the lock pin 23 and the structure 2 is unlocked. Subsequently, the rotary drive system 21 operates to rotate the pinion gear 22 and the gear 20 meshing therewith in the direction of the arrow 25.

Since the gear 20 is fixed to the structure 2, the structure 2 rotates about the fulcrum 19 in the direction of the arrow 25.
The structure 2 opens from the main body as shown in FIG.

The rotational drive system 22 rotates the structure 2 to a certain predetermined position by an upper limit sensor (not shown) of the structure 2.
The operation will stop at the open position.

Conversely, when closing the structure 2, the rotary drive system 22 is rotated in the opposite direction by a switch (not shown) until it is sensed by the lower limit sensor of the structure 2 (not shown). It works and then stops working. The stop position is the closed position of the structure 2 shown in FIG. 1, and after the rotary drive system 21 stops operating, the lock pin 23 is inserted into the structure 2 by the solenoid 24, and the structure 2 is fixed to the main body of the electrophotographic printer 1. Ru.

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic recording apparatus has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to other office machines such as printers and facsimile machines.

(Embodiment 3) FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views showing an embodiment of an electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the upper structure in a closed state, and FIG. 6 shows the upper structure in an open state.

In the figure, a photosensitive drum 3 inside an electrophotographic printer 1 is rotated in the direction of an arrow 4 by a drive system (not shown). Along with the rotation, the photoreceptor drum 3
A charge is applied to the top by a charger 5, and then an optical system 6
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed on the photoreceptor drum 3 by the laser beam 7 . This electrostatic latent image is made visible by the toner in the developing device 8. This visible image is sent out from a paper cassette 10 by a transfer device 9 and transferred onto a recording paper 14 that has passed through rollers 11, 12, and 13. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is scraped off by a cleaner 15, and also electrostatically initialized by a static eliminator 16.

On the other hand, the toner on the recording paper 14 that has passed the transfer device 9 is fixed onto the recording paper by a thermal fixing device 17.

The photosensitive drum 3, charger 5, developer 8, and cleaner 15 are housed together in a case to form a cartridge 18. Cartridge 18 is supported within structure 2. The structure 2 has a structure that rotates around a fulcrum 19 and opens. At the fulcrum 19, a gear 20 having a part of the circumference cut out coaxially with the fulcrum 19 is connected to the structure 2.
Fixed. The gear 20 meshes with a pinion gear 22 at the tip of a rotational drive system 21.

Now, when the amount of toner (not shown) filled in the developing device 8 in the cartridge 18 falls below a predetermined amount, the toner sensor 34 detects this and outputs a signal to the control section 29 . As a result, a signal from the control unit causes an alarm to be displayed on the operation panel (not shown) to notify that it is time to replace the cartridge, and the solenoid 24
is operated to pull the lock pin 23 and unlock the structure 2. Subsequently, the rotary drive system 21 operates to rotate the pinion gear 22 and the gear 20 meshing therewith in the direction of the arrow 25. Since the gear 20 is fixed to the structure 2, the structure 2 rotates about the fulcrum 19 in the direction of the arrow 25, and the structure 2 opens from the main body as shown in FIG.

The rotational drive system 22 rotates the structure 2 to a certain predetermined position by an upper limit sensor (not shown) of the structure 2.
The operation will stop at the open position.

[0040]

As described above, according to the recording paper jam clearing mechanism according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a jam clearing mechanism that is easy to clear.

Furthermore, according to the opening/closing mechanism according to the present invention,
It is possible to obtain an opening/closing mechanism that operates reliably and is easy to operate.

Furthermore, according to the electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the present invention, when the image forming cartridge reaches the replacement time,
It is possible to obtain an electrophotographic recording apparatus that is easy to operate, in which the cartridge storage section is automatically opened from the main body, prompting the operator to replace the cartridge, and disclosing the cartridge storage section to the operator.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a recording paper jam release mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a recording paper jam release mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an opening/closing mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an opening/closing mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an electrophotographic recording device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an electrophotographic recording device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1　Electronic photo printer 2 Structures 3 Photoreceptor drum 4 Photoreceptor drum rotation direction 5 Charger 6. Optical system 7 Laser light 8 Developing device 9 Transfer device 10 Paper cassette 11 Pick up roller 12 Feed roller 13 Registration roller 14 Recording paper 15 Cleaner 16 Static eliminator 17 Heat fixing device 18 Cartridge 19 Fulcrum 20 Gear 21 Rotary drive system 22 Pinion gear 23 Lock pin 24 Solenoid 25 Gear rotation direction 26 Recording paper position detection sensor 27 Recording paper position detection sensor 28 Recording paper leading edge position during jam 29 Control section 30 Release door 31 Lighting circuit 32 Indicator lamp 33 Indication lamp 34 Toner sensor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A device having a mechanism for printing characters or images on recording paper, which includes a recording paper position detection sensor installed in a recording paper running system, and detecting the position of the recording paper in response to a signal from the sensor. A recording paper jam release mechanism comprising: a control section that monitors irregularities (recording paper jams); and a drive section that opens the covers of each recording paper transport system in response to a signal from the control section. Claim 2: Among devices having a mechanism for printing characters or images on recording paper, the device employs an electrophotographic method as the printing mechanism, and includes a photoreceptor drum, a developing device,
A cartridge that includes a part or all of a cleaner and a charger, and a structure that is pivotally supported in an apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, supports the cartridge, and allows the cartridge to be taken out by opening with respect to the apparatus main body. An opening/closing mechanism characterized by having: a drive section that is electrically driven and controls the structure to open and close; and an electric switch that operates the drive section. 3. Among devices having a mechanism for printing characters or images on recording paper, the device particularly employs an electrophotographic method as the printing mechanism, and includes a photoreceptor drum, a developing device,
A cartridge that includes a part or all of a cleaner and a charger, and a structure that is pivotally supported in an apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, supports the cartridge, and allows the cartridge to be taken out by opening with respect to the apparatus main body. and an electrically driven drive unit that controls opening and closing of the structure, a sensor that detects when to replace the cartridge, and a control unit that receives a signal from the sensor and operates the drive unit. Characteristic electrophotographic recording device.