JPH05341616A - Color electrophotographic recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve print quality by preventing ink particles from distributed nonuniformly or spilling. CONSTITUTION:A color electrophotographic recorder is provided with a developing device support plate 12 which supports a developing device 11 having a plurality of development devices and rotates and moves the development unit 11 around a fixed shaft 14; a fixed gear 16 fixed to the fixed shaft 14; an idle gear 18 which meshes with the fixed gear 16 and is rotatably held by a shaft 19 supported by the developing device support plate 12; a rotating gear 17 which meshes with the idle gears 18a-18d and is fixed to a support shaft 13 supporting the development devices rotatably; and a rotating mechanism for driving the development unit support plate 12. As the developing device support plate 12 rotates, a rotating gear 17 revolves and rotates on its axis by the meshing of the gears, so that the developing devices rotate. Thus, even when the developing device support plate 12 rotates, the development devices can be kept horizontal with the ground.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color electrophotographic recording device used in a color printer, a color copying machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electrophotographic recording devices such as printers and copiers have been changed from single-color devices to devices capable of printing in color colors and are becoming popular. However, such a color electrophotographic recording apparatus is difficult to perform high quality printing due to its structure and the like. Therefore, improvement of the apparatus for high quality printing has become a major issue. By the way, as a document relating to a conventional color electrophotographic recording apparatus, for example, "8. The application of photographic technology is described in "8.6.3 Full-color digital copying machine" (P644).

A conventional technique will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a partial side view for explaining the principle of a full-color copying machine as an example of the color electrophotographic recording apparatus described in the above-mentioned document.

The apparatus shown in the figure is a rotary developing mechanism having a four-color developing unit 1 for faithfully reproducing the color information read from an original on an original table (not shown) and subjected to various processing conversions. The developing device unit 1 contains ink particles of different colors, for example, the developing device 1a contains yellow, the developing device 1b contains magenta, the developing device 1c contains cyan, and the developing device 1d contains black. There is. The developing device unit 1 is rotated and moved around the rotation shaft 3 by the rotation moving device 2 so that the positions of the four colors can be exchanged. On the photosensitive drum 4, ink particles corresponding to the color of the original are laser-exposed by a video signal to form an electrostatic latent image. In the recording medium 5, the ink particles on the photosensitive drum 4 are transferred onto the transfer paper which is fed in advance and electrostatically attracted and wound on the drum sheet to perform color printing.

The operation of the full-color copying machine will be described below. When the developing device unit 1 directly faces the photosensitive drum 4, the ink particles contained therein are brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 4 to form an image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. In the figure, it is the yellow developing device 1a that faces the photosensitive drum 4, so in this case, a yellow image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. When an image is formed in another color, for example, magenta, the rotary moving device 2 is rotated clockwise by 90 degrees so that the developing device 1b faces the photosensitive drum 4, so that the magenta image is transferred to the photosensitive drum 4.
Formed on the surface of. The image thus formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is obtained by rotating the recording medium 5 in the direction of the arrow 5a and thus rotating the photosensitive drum 4 in the direction of the arrow 4a.
It is directly transferred onto the transfer paper which is previously fed onto the recording medium 5.

[0006]

Since the conventional color electrophotographic recording apparatus is constructed as described above, the developing unit is rotated by the rotation moving device in order to change the color. When the developing device unit is rotationally moved, the postures of the developing devices of the four colors are rotated 360 degrees with the openings facing outward, so that the inks contained in the developing devices are rotated. Particles are biased,
There was a problem such as spilling from the opening. For this reason, there are major problems that the quality of printing is deteriorated and the apparatus itself becomes dirty.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is intended to improve the quality of printing by eliminating unevenness and spillage of ink particles.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color electrophotographic recording apparatus comprising: (i) a pair of developing device unit support plates rotatably provided around a fixed shaft; )
A rotary drive means for rotationally driving the developing device unit supporting plate, (iii) a fixed gear fixed to the fixed shaft, and (iv) a rotatably mounted member between the pair of developing device unit supporting plates. A plurality of rotating shafts, (v) a plurality of developing unit units supported rotatably integrally with each of these rotating shafts, and (vi) fixed to each of the rotating shafts, A rotating gear that rotates together with the rotating shaft and the developing device unit, and (vii) connects the fixed gear and the rotating gears, respectively, and meshes with the fixed gear as the developing device unit support plate rotates and revolves around it. And an idler gear that rotates and transmits the rotation to the rotary gear.

A color electrophotographic recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: (i) a pair of developing device unit support plates rotatably provided around a fixed shaft; and (ii) this developing device unit support. A rotary drive means for rotationally driving the plate; (iii) a fixed gear fixed to the fixed shaft; and (iv) a plurality of rotary shafts rotatably provided between the pair of developing device unit support plates. , (V) a plurality of developing device units rotatably supported integrally with the respective rotating shafts around the respective rotating shafts, and (vi) fixed to each of the rotating shafts, the rotating shafts and the developing devices. A rotating gear that rotates with the unit,
(vii) An idler gear that connects the fixed gear and each of the rotary gears, meshes with the fixed gear as the developing device unit support plate rotates and revolves around its periphery while rotating, and transmits the rotation to the rotary gear. And (viii) a handle that is provided so as to be connected to the rotation driving means and has a rotation ratio that is an integral multiple of the developing unit support plate, and (ix) a mark that indicates the rotation position of the handle. It is characterized by.

A color electrophotographic recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes (i) a pair of developing device unit support plates rotatably provided about a fixed shaft, and (ii) this developing device unit support. A rotary drive means for rotationally driving the plate; (iii) a fixed gear fixed to the fixed shaft; and (iv) each having a rotary support shaft at one end and a hollow cylindrical shape at the other end. And a plurality of developing device support pedestals rotatably supported between the two developing device unit support plates by the outer circumference of the hollow cylindrical shape, and (v) with respect to each of these developing device support pedestals, A developing device that can be detached from the side,
(vi) a rotary gear that is fixed to each of the developing device support pedestals and that rotates together with the developing device support pedestal, and (vii) connects the fixed gear and each of the rotating gears together, and rotates the developing device unit support plate. An idler gear that meshes with the fixed gear and revolves around its periphery while transmitting its rotation to the rotary gear, and a developer unit support for supporting the hollow cylindrical end of the developer support pedestal. It is characterized in that the plate is provided with an opening for attaching and detaching the developing device.

[0011]

In the color electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the idler gear revolves around the periphery of the idler gear while meshing with the fixed gear as the developing device unit supporting plate rotates, and the rotation of the idler gear becomes the rotating gear. Transmitted. As a result, the developing device unit rotates and its horizontal state is maintained.

In the color electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle having a rotation ratio which is an integral multiple of the developing unit support plate and interlocking with the rotation driving means, and a mark indicating the rotation position of the handle. With the provision of, it is possible to accurately specify the attachment / detachment position of the developing device by operating the handle.

In the color electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the developing device can be attached / detached from the hollow cylindrical end side of the developing device support pedestal through the opening provided in the developing device unit supporting plate. Becomes

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a color electrophotographic recording apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a side view thereof, and (b) is a front view thereof. 2A and 2B are side views of the gear portion for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the developing device unit support plate rotates, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the rotary gear further rotates. There is.

The developing device unit 11 has a structure similar to that of the prior art.
The developing unit 11a includes yellow, 11b contains magenta, 11c contains cyan, and 11d contains black. Both ends of each developing device are the developing device unit support plates 12
rotation center shafts 13a, 13b, 13 with respect to a, 12b
It is rotatably held via c and 13d. The two developing device unit support plates are rotatably supported by the fixed shaft 14 at their centers so that the developing device unit 11 can be rotated. Both ends of the fixed shaft 14 are side plates 1 of the apparatus main body.
It is fixed to 5a and 15b. A fixed gear 16 is fixed to the fixed shaft 14 between the developing device unit support plate 12a and the side plate 15a by press fitting or the like. Rotation gears 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d are fixed to the rotation center shafts 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d of the four developing devices, respectively. Then, between the fixed gear 16 fixed to the fixed shaft 14 and the four rotary gears 17 held by the respective rotation center shafts 13, four idler gears 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d are meshed with both gears. Of the four shafts 19a, 19b, 19 provided on the developing unit supporting plate 12a.
It is rotatably held by c and 19d. In addition, the above 9
Individual gears, namely fixed gear 16, rotary gear 17a, 1
7b, 17c, 17d, idler gears 18a, 18b,
18c and 18d are all formed with the same tooth profile.

A gear 12aa is provided on the outer circumference of one developing device unit supporting plate 12a for holding the developing device unit 11.
And is meshed with a gear 21a rotatably supported by a shaft 20a fixed to a side plate 15a of the apparatus body. This gear 21a meshes with a gear 21b supported by a shaft 20b fixed to the side plate 15a, and a gear 21c supported coaxially with the gear 21b and having the same rotation meshes with a gear 21d fixed to the motor 22. There is. The gears 21a to 21d form a deceleration gear train 21, and transmit the rotation of the motor 22 to the developing device unit support plate 12a.

Next, the operation of the color electrophotographic recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 8
As described above, the photosensitive drum 4 (indicated by a chain double-dashed line) has the yellow developing device 1 in the developing device unit 11.
It is assumed that 1a corresponds. Now, in order to form an image with a magenta color which is another color, the motor 22 is driven to change the position of the developing device unit 11. Then, the developing device unit support plate 12a is rotated by the gear 12aa via the gear train 21. In order to rotate the developing device unit support plate 12a clockwise, for example, according to the gear train 21 in the drawing, the motor 22 may be rotationally driven counterclockwise. As a result, the developing device 11b comes to a position corresponding to the photosensitive drum 4. At this time, since the developing device unit support plate 12a rotates about the fixed shaft 14, the four rotary gears 17 also revolve around the fixed shaft 14. Since the fixed gear 16 does not rotate by the fixed shaft 14, the idler gear 18 is rotated by the rotation of the developing device unit support plate 12a. For this reason, the rotary gear 17 meshing with the idler gear 18 is rotated about its own axis, so that each developing device interlocking with the rotary gear 17 also rotates.

The rotating state of the developing device at this time will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 describes only the developing device 11b. Therefore, when paying attention to the rotary gear 17b,
(A) As shown in the figure, the developing unit supporting plate 12a is indicated by the arrow 2.
Suppose that it is rotated 45 degrees clockwise like 3a. Then, the rotary gear 17b also revolves 45 degrees in the direction of the arrow 23b.
Considering only the revolution of the rotary gear 17b, the position of the developing device 11b becomes a state like 11ba shown by the dotted line. However, as shown in (b), the rotary gear 17b also rotates.

In this embodiment, the rotary gear 17b meshes with an idler gear 18b having the same tooth profile and number of teeth.
The idler gear 18b also meshes with the fixed gear 16 having the same tooth profile and the same number of teeth. That is, the fact that the developing device unit supporting plate 12a has rotated as shown by the arrow 23a means that the fixed gear 16 has rotated as shown by the dotted line arrow 23c when the developing device unit supporting plate 12a is fixed. It can be changed. That is, because of this, the idler gear 18b has the same tooth profile as the fixed gear 16, so that the idler gear 18b rotates in the direction of the arrow 23d by the same angle as 45 degrees revolving around the fixed gear 16. Exactly the same, the rotary gear 17b has the same angle of rotation as the idler gear 18b rotates.
It rotates about the rotation center axis 13b by 5 degrees in the direction of the arrow 23e. That is, the rotary gear 17b rotates about the same time as the revolution. Therefore, the developing device 11b is located at the position 11b.
The state of a is changed to the state of position 11bb indicated by the solid line. The state of the position 11bb shows the state in which the developing device 11b relatively maintains its horizontal position even if the developing device unit support plate 12a rotates. Thus, the developing device 1 in FIG.
Even when 1b comes to the position of the developing device 11a, the vertical and horizontal directions of the developing device 11b do not change, and the horizontal posture is maintained. The same applies to other developing devices.

As described above, since the rotational position of the developing device is adjusted by the rotary gear through the idler gear, even when the developing device unit supporting plate is rotated to change the color, the developing device is turned upside down or has an angle. It is possible to prevent the ink particles contained in the developing device from being unbalanced and spilling from the opening because the ink particles contained in the developing device can always be kept horizontal without being liable to be formed.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a partial front view of the developing device unit. The present embodiment is characterized in that the developing device unit 11 is divided into a developing device 11a and a pedestal 24a. That is, the developing device 11
a is removably fixed to the pedestal 24a, and the pedestal 24a is interlocked with the rotary gear 17a so that the developing device unit support plate 12a,
It can rotate with respect to 12b. Of course, the developing device unit support plates 12a and 12b are held by the fixed shaft 14 on the side plates 15a and 15b. By using the pedestal in this way, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and even when the trouble occurs in the developing device, it is possible to easily replace the developing device.

FIG. 4 is a color electrophotographic recording apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a side view thereof, and (b) is a front view thereof. Developer unit support plate 12 and fixed gear 16
Since the configuration of the rotary gear 17 and the like is the same as that of FIG. 1 and the configuration of the developing device unit 11 is the same as that of FIG. 3, the detailed description will be omitted. Although the developing device 11a is fixed to the pedestal 24a in FIG. 3, this configuration provides a structure that facilitates replacement of the developing device.

In FIG. 4, when the developing device is replaced, it can be easily removed when the position of the pedestal is in the position of the developing device 11b, but it is difficult to replace it when it is in the position of the pedestal 24d. .. Therefore, the developing device unit support plate 12
The gear 25 meshing with the gear 12aa of a is fixed to a shaft 26 rotatably supported with respect to the side plate 15a.
A handle 27 is provided on the opposite side of the side plate 15a.
Then, by manually turning the handle 27, the developing device unit support plate 12a is forcibly rotated and the base 2
4 is rotated to a position where the developing device can be easily replaced, so that the developing device can be easily replaced. The above handle corresponds to the gear 2 in FIG.
The shaft 20a may be extended and attached to the position 1a, or may be attached to any other position that is easy to operate.

Further, in FIG. 4, the gear 25 interlocking with the handle 27 and the gear 12 of the developing device unit support plate 12a are further provided.
If the reduction ratio with respect to aa is set to 1: 4, one rotation of the handle 27 causes the developing device unit support plate 12a to rotate 1/4, so that the developing device position can be easily adjusted without looking at the developing device position. You can know. This number of 4 is derived from the number of developing devices in the developing device unit. Also,
If markers 28 and 29 indicating one rotation are provided on the handle 27 and the side plate 15a, respectively, the markers 28 and 2
The proper rotation angle of the handle 27 can be known from the position of 9, and the developer can be replaced more easily.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a partial front view of the developing device unit, and (b) is a sectional view taken along the line A--A. In this embodiment, a cylindrical block shape 2 is provided on the pedestal on the side of the developing unit supporting plate 12b.
4 ae is formed, and the pedestal 24a can be rotated by the eight rollers 30 attached to the developing device unit support plate 12b. An opening 31 is formed on the side surface of the pedestal 24a on the block shape 24ae side. If the developing unit supporting plate 12b and the side plate 15b are also provided with openings 12ba and 15ba, respectively, the developing unit 11a can be pulled out through the openings 12ba and 15ba in the longitudinal direction of the shaft for easy replacement. Although the rotating member has been described as a plurality of rollers, it is not limited to the rollers as long as the pedestal 24a can rotate.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a partial front view of the developing device unit, and (b) is a sectional view taken along line BB thereof. This embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment of FIG. 5, except that two notches 32 are provided around the opening of the block shape 24ae of the pedestal 24a, while the developing device 11a is provided with this notch 32. A protrusion 33 that fits into the notch 32 is formed. When the developing device 11a is attached, the notch 32 and the protrusion 33 are fitted together. With this configuration, the position of the developing device 11a is determined, and at the same time, the strength of the pedestal 24a around the opening 31 can be increased.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the handle 2 in FIG.
Instead of 7, the handle 34 is provided on the side plate 15b side in the vicinity of the opening 31 of the pedestal 24a shown in the fifth embodiment. Then, according to the opening 31 of the pedestal 24a,
The handle 34 is provided with a notch 34a which is a notch of approximately 1/4. As a result, the replacement position of the developing device 11a is mechanically limited, and replacement of the developing device becomes more convenient. Of course, by providing the markers 35 and 36, the handle 3
Installation of 4 becomes easy.

[0028]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, with the rotation of the developing device unit support plate, each developing device unit is rotated in the opposite direction to maintain its horizontal state. It is possible to prevent unevenness and leakage of the developing ink particles contained in the container. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to maintain good print quality.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by providing the handle having the rotation ratio which is an integral multiple of the developing unit support plate and interlocking with the rotation driving means, and the mark indicating the rotation position of the handle. It is possible to accurately specify the attachment / detachment position of the developing device by operating the handle. This has the effect of facilitating replacement and maintenance of the developing device.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the developing device can be attached and detached from the hollow cylindrical end side of the developing device support pedestal through the opening provided in the developing device unit supporting plate. This has the effect of facilitating the replacement and maintenance of vessels.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a color electrophotographic recording apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a side view thereof, and (b) is a front view thereof.

2A and 2B are side views of a gear portion for explaining the operation of the first embodiment, in which FIG. 2A shows a state in which a developing device unit support plate rotates, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which a rotary gear rotates.

FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the developing device unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a color electrophotographic recording apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a side view thereof, and (b) is a front view thereof.

5A and 5B show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a partial front view of a developing device unit, and FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a partial front view of the developing device unit, and (b) is a BB sectional view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial side view for explaining the principle of a full-color copying machine which is an example of a color electrophotographic recording apparatus.

[Description of Reference Signs] 11 developing unit 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d developing unit 12a, 12b developing unit supporting plate 12ba, 15ba, 31 opening 14 fixing shaft 15a, 15b side plate 16 fixing gear 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d Rotating gears 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d Idler gears 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 25 Gears 22 Motors 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d Pedestal 27, 34 Handles 28, 29, 35, 36 Marker 30 Roller 32 Notch 33 Protrusion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A unit 1 rotatably provided around a fixed shaft.
A pair of developing device unit supporting plates, a rotation driving unit that rotationally drives the developing device unit supporting plates, a fixed gear fixed to the fixed shaft, and a pair of developing device unit supporting plates are rotatably inserted. A plurality of passed rotary shafts, a plurality of developing device units supported rotatably integrally with the rotary shafts around the respective rotary shafts, and fixed to each of the rotary shafts. A rotary gear that rotates together with the developing device unit, and the fixed gear and the rotary gears are connected to each other, and rotate with the rotation of the developing device unit support plate while meshing with the fixed gear and revolving around it to rotate. A color electrophotographic recording apparatus comprising: an idler gear that is transmitted to the rotary gear. 2. A device provided so as to be rotatable around a fixed shaft.
A pair of developing device unit supporting plates, a rotation driving unit that rotationally drives the developing device unit supporting plates, a fixed gear fixed to the fixed shaft, and a pair of developing device unit supporting plates are rotatably inserted. A plurality of passed rotary shafts, a plurality of developing device units supported rotatably integrally with the rotary shafts around the respective rotary shafts, and fixed to each of the rotary shafts. A rotary gear that rotates together with the developing device unit, and the fixed gear and the rotary gears are connected to each other, and rotate with the rotation of the developing device unit support plate while meshing with the fixed gear and revolving around it to rotate. An idler gear that transmits to the rotary gear; a handle that is connected to the rotary drive means and that has a rotation ratio that is an integral multiple of the developing unit support plate; Color electrophotographic recording apparatus characterized by comprising a label which indicates the rotational position of the bundle, the. 3. A device provided so as to be rotatable around a fixed shaft.
A pair of developing device unit supporting plates, a rotation driving means for rotationally driving the developing device unit supporting plate, a fixed gear fixed to the fixed shaft, a rotary supporting shaft at one end, and a hollow cylindrical shape at the other end. And a plurality of developing device supporting pedestals rotatably supported between the two developing device unit supporting plates by the rotation supporting shaft and the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical shape, and for each of these developing device supporting pedestals, A developing device that is removable from the end of the hollow cylindrical shape, a rotary gear that is fixed to each of the developing device support pedestals and rotates together with the developing device support pedestal, and connects the fixed gear and each of the rotating gears, respectively, And an idler gear that meshes with the fixed gear as the developing device unit support plate rotates and revolves around the fixed gear to revolve around it and that rotation is transmitted to the rotating gear. A color electrophotographic recording apparatus, wherein an opening for attaching and detaching the developing device is provided on a developing device unit support plate on a side supporting a hollow cylindrical end of a pedestal.