JPH0535005A - Image forming device and its imaging cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily execute paper jamming processing and maintenance such as the cleaning of a photosensitive body and a transfer device by making it possible to open an image cartridge by coupling and separating a photosensitive block and a transfer block by setting a paper carrying path as a boundary. CONSTITUTION:In the imaging cartridge 12 which incorporates plural image forming members including at least the photosensitive body 1 and a transfer means 8, and is attached to/detached from an image forming device main body, the photosensitive block 12a in which the photosensitive body 1 is housed and the transfer block 12b in which the transfer roller 8 is housed can be separated to two blocks by setting the paper carrying path A as the boundary. In addition to the photosensitive body 1, an electrostatic charging brush 2, a developing device 4, and a cleaner 11 are housed in the housing 13 of the photosensitive block 12a. Meanwhile, in addition to the transfer roller 8, a destaticizing needle 17, and a blade 18 for cleaning the surface of the transfer roller 8 are housed in the transfer block 12b. Therefore, when the imaging cartridge is exchanged, it is replaced by a new one in a coupled state, and cleaning is easily executed by separating it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine,
An imaging cartridge which is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a printer, and the imaging cartridge.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which a tridge is attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example, a photosensitive drum, together with process means such as a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device, is provided in an imaging cartridge detachable from the image forming device. Has been proposed (for example, JP-A-51-243).
Such a cartridge has an advantage that, among the process means such as the photoconductor, the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device, it is possible to easily replace the parts that are easily worn by the use. Further, by preparing a plurality of imaging cartridges of different developing colors, it is easy to form a plurality of colors.

[0003]

However, when the imaging cartridge is taken out of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the transfer portion of the photoconductor drum is exposed to damage or expose the surface of the photoconductor drum. However, there is a problem that the characteristics of the photoconductor are deteriorated.

In order to solve the above problems, there is an imaging cartridge provided with an openable and closable shutter for protecting the photosensitive drum. That is, the shutter is moved to the closed position that covers the transfer portion of the photosensitive drum in conjunction with the operation of removing the imaging cartridge from the image forming apparatus main body, and the shutter is moved to the closed position in association with the operation of mounting the cartridge to transfer the image. Expose the part. In such a case, it is necessary to separately provide a shutter and a mechanism for opening and closing the shutter in association with the mounting and demounting operation of the cartridge, which is disadvantageous in that the cost becomes high.

Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-163863, there has been proposed a device in which a transfer device is also housed in a cartridge so that transfer is performed inside the cartridge. In this case, since the transfer is performed inside the cartridge, the surface of the transfer portion of the photosensitive drum is not exposed from the cartridge, and it is not necessary to provide the shutter as described above in the cartridge, and the cost is reduced. Further, it is not necessary to separately replace the transfer device when replacing the cartridge, and the transfer device is automatically replaced by replacing the cartridge, which improves usability.

However, when the transfer device is housed in the cartridge, there is a paper transport path inside the cartridge. When the jammed paper in the transport path is removed, the photoconductor slides against the paper, and This will damage the surface of the body drum. Further, when the cartridge is to be taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus while the paper is present in the transport path, the surface of the photosensitive drum may be damaged in the same manner.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it incorporates a plurality of image forming members including at least a photoconductor and a transfer unit, and is provided with a main body of an image forming apparatus. In a removable imaging cartridge, a photoconductor block containing a photoconductor, a transfer block containing a transfer unit, and a connection / separation unit that connects and separates the photoconductor block and the transfer block with a sheet conveyance path as a boundary. And is capable of opening the paper transport path.

[0008]

The function of the imaging cartridge according to the present invention is as follows.
The photoconductor block containing the photoconductor and the transfer block containing the transfer device are separated from each other with a sheet conveying path as a boundary, and a connecting / separating unit for connecting and separating the two is provided. Such an imaging cartridge can be taken out of the main body of the apparatus while being connected when the imaging cartridge is replaced.On the other hand, when paper is jammed in the imaging cartridge or when the photoconductor or the transfer unit is cleaned, the paper conveyance path is used as a boundary. Can be separated and taken out.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a laser beam printer which forms an image by an electrophotographic method.

Reference numeral 1 in the drawing denotes a photosensitive drum, which is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. The photoconductor drum 1 is first charged to a predetermined potential by the charging brush 2 and then exposed to a laser beam from the print head 3 which is modulated according to an image signal to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 4. On the other hand, the paper is contained in the paper feed cassette 5 and is fed by the paper feed roller 6. The fed paper is conveyed to the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 8 via the conveying roller pair 7. Here, the toner image is transferred onto the paper from the photosensitive drum. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred has the toner image fixed by the fixing roller pair 9, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 10 outside the machine. The residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is cleaner 1.
The toner scraped by the blade 11a of No. 1 is stored in the waste toner tank 11b inside the cleaner 11.

The photosensitive drum 1, the charging brush 2, the developing device 4, the transfer roller 8 and the cleaner 11 are housed in an imaging cartridge 12 which is detachable from the image forming device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the imaging cartridge 12. Imaging cartridge 1
2 is a photoconductor block 12 in which the photoconductor drum 1 is housed.
It is possible to separate into two blocks, a and a transfer block 12b in which the transfer roller 8 is accommodated, with a sheet conveyance path A as a boundary.

Inside the housing 13 of the photoconductor block 12a, in addition to the photoconductor drum 1, a charging brush 2, a developing device 4, and a cleaner 11 are housed. In the developing device 4, the toner filled in the toner tank 15 partitioned by the partition wall 14 integrally formed with the housing 13 and the resin is supplied to the developing sleeve 4a through the opening 14a. The cleaner 11 is located above the block 12a, and the toner scraped off by the blade 11a is stored in the housing 13
It is stored in the waste toner tank 11b formed in the upper space. An opening 16 through which the laser beam from the print head 3 passes is provided between the developing device 4 and the cleaner 11, and the laser beam is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 through the opening 16.

On the other hand, in the transfer block 12b, in addition to the transfer roller 8, a charge eliminating needle 17, a blade 18 for cleaning the surface of the transfer roller 8 and the like are accommodated. The static elimination needle 17 is a conductive metal plate in which a tip portion is notched in an uneven shape, and the other end is fixed to the inner surface of the exterior so that the tip portion faces the conveyance path A of the sheet after transfer. Is held. Although the leading edge does not come into direct contact with the paper, it discharges the charge on the paper to eliminate the charge on the paper. Blade 18 is
One end of the transfer block 12b is fixed to the housing 19 of the transfer block 12b, and the other end of the transfer block 12b is a flexible member that is pressed against the peripheral surface of the transfer roller 8 to remove dirt such as toner on the surface of the transfer roller 8. Scrape off. The scraped toner is stored in the space inside the housing 19 below the blade 18. In the figure, 20 is a smoke prevention mylar, which is a blade 1
It is provided between the housing 19 and the transfer roller 8 so as not to scatter the toner scraped off by the outside 8, one end of which is adhered to the inner surface of the housing 19 and the other end is lightly applied to the surface of the transfer roller 8. Touching. Further, the housing 19 forms a conveyance guide 19a upstream of the transfer roller 8 in the sheet conveyance direction, and guides the conveyed sheet to the transfer portion. On the other hand, a plurality of ribs 21 projecting vertically from the inner surface of the housing 19 are arranged downstream of the transfer roller 8 in the axial direction of the transfer roller 8 so that the paper passing through the transfer portion is fixed to the heat fixing device 9 in the next stage. Guide you to.

3A and 3B show the imaging cartridge 12 in a state in which the photoconductor block 12a and the transfer block 12b are connected to each other. FIG. 3A is a top view thereof, and FIG.
It is the side view. On both side surfaces of the photoconductor block 12a of the imaging cartridge 12, the first lock plate 22,
22 is pivotally supported at its central portion so as to be rotatable in the plane of the drawing. Side end portions 22a, 2 of the first lock plates 22, 22
2a is bent to the transfer block 12b side,
The transfer block 12b and the photoconductor block 12a are connected by engaging the tip portion thereof with a groove provided in the transfer block 12b. Also, the first lock plate 2
The compression springs 23, 23 urge the pressure elements 2, 22 in the arrow α direction (the direction in which the tip portion of the first lock plate 22 is engaged with the transfer block 12b). Further, second lock plates 24, 24 are also rotatably supported in the central portion of the photoconductor block 12a so as to be rotatable in the central portion, and the compression springs 25, 2
5 is biased in the direction of arrow β. The tip portions 24a, 24a of the second lock plates 24, 24 are bent toward the end portions of the first lock plates 22, 22, and in the connected state, the tapered portion of the tip portion 24a has the first lock plate 22. , 22 are pressed against each other.

As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging cartridge 12 is held on a holding frame 26 provided on the upper part of the housing of the main body. The holding frame 26 is rotatable around a fulcrum 26a. By rotating the holding frame 26 upward to open it, the imaging cartridge 12 is exposed to the outside and the holding frame 2 is held.
I can take it out from 6. Further, when the holding frame 26 is closed, the imaging cartridge 12 is positioned at a predetermined position in the main body, and the printing operation becomes possible. When the imaging cartridge 12 is positioned at a predetermined position in the main body, a regulation plate 27, which will be described later,
The photoconductor block 12a and the transfer block 12b are separated or connected by a connection / separation device in the main body 28.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the coupling / separating device and the imaging cartridge 12, (a) is a top view thereof,
(B) is a side view. The connecting / separating device includes a regulating plate 27,
27 and a lock release plate 28. The restriction plates 27, 27 are provided at the lower part of the main body housing so as to be slidable in the direction of approaching and separating from each other, and are biased in the direction of approaching each other by a spring (not shown). Outer end portions 27a, 27a of the regulation plate 27
Are bent upward, and the imaging cartridge 12 is housed between the regulation plates 27, 27. The lock release plate 28 has a cross shape when viewed from above, and is slidable in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the regulation plates 27, 27. The end 28a of the lock release plate 28 is located between the regulation plates 27, 27 and determines the distance between the regulation plates 27, 27. That is, the end portion 28a is provided with a taper, and when the lock release plate 28 is pushed in the direction of the imaging cartridge 12, this tapered portion spreads the regulation plates 27, 27, and when the lock release plate 28 is pulled out in the opposite direction, the regulation plates 27, 27 are pulled. Approach each other. Further, the end portions 28b, 28b of the lock release plate 28 are bent upward,
It is located at a height facing the second lock plate 24. An end 28c of the lock release plate 28 is exposed to the outside from the printer body and forms an operation knob. The operator connects and disconnects the imaging cartridge 12 with this operation knob. This operation will be described below.

When the imaging cartridge 12 is accommodated in the printer main body in a coupled state (see FIG. 3), as described above, when the lock release plate 28 is pulled, the regulation plates 27, 27 are moved toward each other. Move (Fig. 5
(See (a)). Thereby, the regulation plate end portions 27a, 27
a presses the first lock plates 22 and 22, and rotates them in the direction of the arrow γ in the figure to release the engagement between the lock plate tips 22a and 22a and the transfer block 12b. At the same time, the first lock plate 2
Since 2 and 22 are in contact with the lock plate end portions 24a and 24a, the second lock plates 24 and 24 are rotated in the arrow δ direction. Further, when the first lock plates 22 and 22 are rotated beyond the acute angle ends of the lock plate end portions 24a and 24a, the second lock plates 22 and 22
The lock plates 24, 24 return to their original state by the biasing force of the spring member 25, and lock the first lock plates 22, 22.
Therefore, when the holding frame 26 is rotated upward in this state, only the photoconductor block 12a is taken out and the transfer block 12b remains in the main body as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the lock release plate 28 is further pushed from the state of FIG. 5 (a), the lock release plate end portions 28b, 28b push the second lock plates 24, 24, and the arrow γ Rotate in the direction. As a result, the lock plate end portions 24a, 24a and the first lock plates 22, 22 are unlocked. At the same time, the lock release plate end 28a
However, since the restriction plates 27, 27 are spread in the direction of separating them, the first lock plates 22, 22 are released along with the previous unlocking.
Is rotated by the spring 23 in the direction of arrow α, and the tip 22
The a and 22a lock the transfer block 12b. In this state, when the holding frame 26 is rotated upward, it is taken out in a state where the photoconductor block 12a and the transfer block 12b are connected as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show another embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the separation and connection of the photoconductor block 12a and the transfer block 12b were performed by the manual operation of the operator, but in another embodiment, the connection / separation device is provided inside the printer to automatically What controls the separation and the connection is described below.

As shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), solenoids 102, 102 are provided inside the printer main body facing the tips of the lock plates 122, 122 to move the lock plates 122, 122. . That is, when the solenoids 102, 102 are not energized, the compression springs 123, 123 cause the lock plates 122, 12 to move.
2 is urged in the direction of the arrow α, and its tip portions 122a, 12
2a engages with the transfer block (see FIG. 8A). When the solenoids 102, 102 are excited, the spring 1
Against the biasing force of 23, 123, the lock plates 122, 1
22 is attracted toward the solenoids 102, 102,
The engagement with the transfer block is released, and the imaging cartridge is separated (see FIG. 8B).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the imaging cartridge is mounted inside the printer. Paper sensors 100 and 101 are provided before and after the paper transport path A of the imaging cartridge. In this way, it is determined whether or not paper is present inside the imaging cartridge. Based on this determination, the energization state of the solenoid is switched to separate and connect the imaging cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of connection / separation control.

In STEP 1, the connection / separation control routine is started. This routine is a subroutine in the control of the whole image forming apparatus. In STEP 2, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus main body is executing printing. If printing is not being executed, the process proceeds to STEP 3, and if printing is being executed, ST
Proceed to EP6. In STEP 3, the paper sensor 100 determines whether or not paper exists at the entrance of the transport path A.
If paper is present, in STEP 4, the paper sensor 101 determines whether or not paper is present at the exit of the transport path A. If paper is present, in STEP 5, the solenoids 102, 1 are detected.
02 is turned on and the photoconductor block 12a and the transfer block 12 are turned on.
Separate from b. When it is determined that no paper is present in STEPs 3 and 4, the solenoid 1 is activated in STEP 6.
02 is turned off and the two blocks are kept connected.
The connection / separation control is not limited to this, and the photoconductor block 12a and the transfer block 121b may be separated when at least one paper sensor of the two paper sensors detects the presence of paper.

Although not shown, a jam detecting device may be provided in the paper conveyance path to separate the transfer block when a jam occurs and to connect the transfer blocks in other cases.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the transfer block is separated when the paper is present inside the imaging cartridge or when there is a high possibility that the paper is present inside the imaging cartridge, the transfer block is separated. The operation of taking out the imaging cartridge does not damage the photoconductor.

[0027]

[Effect] As is clear from the above description, when removing the paper jammed in the imaging cartridge, the photoconductor block and the transfer block are separated, only the photoconductor block is taken out, and then the jammed paper can be taken out. In this case, the paper can be removed without rubbing the photoconductor drum and the paper. Further, maintenance such as cleaning of the photoconductor and the transfer unit can be easily performed. On the other hand, when the imaging cartridge is replaced, it is easy to replace it with a new one by connecting the photoconductor block and the transfer block and taking out the imaging cartridge.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an imaging cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a top view and a side view of the imaging cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which an imaging cartridge in which a photoconductor block and a transfer block are connected is taken out.

5A and 5B are a top view and a side view of the imaging cartridge in a state where the photoconductor block and the transfer block are separated from each other.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which an imaging cartridge in which a photoconductor block and a transfer block are separated is taken out.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the imaging cartridge in a state where the photoconductor block and the transfer block are connected to each other.

FIG. 8 is a top view of an imaging cartridge for connecting and disconnecting using a solenoid.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounted state of the paper sensors 100 and 101.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a connection / separation control routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 ... Imaging cartridge 12a ... Photosensitive block 12b ... Transfer block 22 ... First lock plate 24 ... Second lock plate 28 ... Lock release plate 100, 101 ... Paper sensor 102 ... Solenoid

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An imaging cartridge which contains a plurality of image forming members including at least a photoconductor and a transfer unit, and which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The photoconductor block containing the photoconductor and the transfer unit. An imaging cartridge comprising a transfer block and a connection / separation unit that connects and separates the photosensitive block and the transfer block with a sheet conveyance path as a boundary so that the sheet conveyance path can be opened. 2. An image forming apparatus to which the imaging cartridge according to claim 1 is mounted, the image forming apparatus comprising an operating means for operating a connecting and separating means of the imaging cartridge. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising first detecting means for detecting whether or not paper is present inside the imaging cartridge, and the actuating means is exposed to light based on the detection of the first detecting means. An image forming apparatus characterized by connecting and separating a body block and a transfer block. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second detecting means for detecting a paper jam inside the main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein the actuating means is a photosensitive member block based on the detection of the second detecting means. An image forming apparatus characterized by connecting and separating a transfer block.