JPH06110271A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attach a recording unit even when a process unit and a unit attaching part do not correspond to each other and to make image forming operation infeasible so as to prevent the damage of parts at such a time. CONSTITUTION:This device is equipped with plural unit attaching parts which are disposed corresponding to plural process units 10BK, 10C, 10M and 10Y in a device main body 1 and to which the process units are attached, and a control circuit which makes the operation of photosensitive drums 1BK, 1C, 1M and 1Y, electrostatic charging devices 2BK, 2C, 2M and 2Y, and developing devices 3BK, 3C, 3M and 3Y infeasible when the non-corresponding process units 10BK, 10C, 10M and 10Y are attached to the unit attaching parts; and the plural unit attaching parts allow attachment even when the non- corresponding process units 10BK, 10C, 10M and 10Y are attached to the unit attaching parts.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, in which an image is formed on a plurality of photosensitive drums to form a multicolor color image.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus of this type has a plurality of units (hereinafter referred to as process units) in its main body.
Is detachably installed. These process units are mounted in a plurality of unit mounting portions arranged corresponding to each process unit in the apparatus main body.

Each of the above process units includes a photosensitive drum carrying an image, a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, and a developer remaining on the photosensitive drum after the image transfer. It is equipped with a cleaning device for removal.

In the image forming apparatus, for maintenance, inspection, repair, etc., each process unit is taken out from the apparatus main body and then mounted again in the unit mounting portion of the apparatus main body.

By the way, the unit mounting portion in the apparatus body cannot be mounted to the unit mounting portion when the process unit and the unit mounting portion do not correspond to each other when mounting the process unit. Alternatively, it is configured to be in an incompletely mounted state.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
If the above process unit and the unit mounting part do not correspond to each other, there is a problem that the user may try to forcibly mount the device and damage the parts, resulting in a failure even though the user cannot mount the process unit. It was

Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the unit and the unit mounting portion to which the unit is mounted do not correspond to each other, the unit can be mounted to the unit mounting portion, and at this time, the image forming means is disabled. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing breakage of parts and occurrence of failure.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of units having image forming means are detachably arranged in the apparatus main body.
When a plurality of unit mounting portions arranged corresponding to the plurality of units in the main body of the apparatus for mounting the units and units not corresponding to the unit mounting portions are mounted, the image forming unit And a control means for disabling the operation, wherein the plurality of unit mounting portions has a structure that enables mounting even when a unit not corresponding to the unit mounting portion is mounted.

[0009]

[Function] Even if a unit that does not correspond to the unit mounting portion is mounted, the mounting can be performed. At this time,
By disabling the image forming operation, it is possible to prevent damage or malfunction of parts in advance.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS.

An outline of a color image forming apparatus will be described as an example to which the present invention is applied.

In this image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2, process units 10BK, 10C, 10M and 10Y as four sets are arranged side by side in the apparatus main body 1.

Each of the process units 10BK, 10C,
Since 10M and 10Y are composed of the same constituent members, the process unit 10C will be described and the other process units 10B will be described in order to simplify the description.
Omit K, 10M and 10Y.

It should be noted that the same parts are assigned the same reference numerals for each color, and in order to distinguish the constitution of each color, the reference numerals are attached to the reference numerals for each color.

The process unit 10C comprises a photosensitive drum 1C as an image forming mechanism, a charging device 2C, a developing device (color developing means) 3C, a cleaning device 4C and the like. An exposure device (latent image forming means) 5C and a transfer device 6C are attached to the outside.

On the photosensitive drum 1C whose surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 2C, a latent image of a cyan light image is formed by exposure by the exposure device 5C, and the developing device 3C is formed.
To develop a visible image.

On the other hand, the recording paper is sent out from the paper feed cassette 23 by the paper feed roller 24, and the registration roller 25 sends the recording paper to the transfer conveyance belt 26 which is the transfer conveyance means at the same timing and at the same timing.

The recording paper conveyed by the transfer / conveyance belt 26 has a photosensitive drum 1 on which a visible image is formed.
BK, 1C, 1M, 1Y are sequentially transferred to transfer devices 6BK, 6
The image is transferred under the action of C, 6M and 6Y.

The transferred recording paper is fixed by a fixing roller 27 and discharged by a paper discharging roller 28.

The recording sheet can be accurately conveyed at the speed of the transfer / conveying belt 26 by being attracted to the transfer / conveying belt 26 by feeding.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a method for regulating the meandering and deviation of the transfer / conveying belt 26 will be described.

A yellow image is first transferred from the first photosensitive drum 1Y onto the recording paper 29. Next, the magenta image is transferred from the second photosensitive drum 1M.
Here, if the transfer / conveyance belt 26 has a meandering or deviation,
Color misregistration (color misregistration in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction A of the recording paper 29) occurs on the recording paper 29. The same applies to the third and fourth sections below.

Therefore, in order to prevent the above-mentioned color misregistration, a means for regulating the meandering and deviation of the transfer / conveying belt 26 was considered.

Flange 45C for axially supporting the photosensitive drum 1C is attached to both ends of the photosensitive drum 1C, and the end portion of the flange 45C has a convex shape 46C, and the flange convex portion 46C is provided. Transfer conveyor belt 2
When the end of 6 hits, meandering and deviation are regulated.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 1C itself is the recording paper 2
Similar color misregistration also occurs when moving in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction A of 9 (direction B in the figure).

Therefore, in order to restrict the movement of the photosensitive drum 1C in the direction B in the figure, the flange 45 of the photosensitive drum 1C is formed.
C is regulated by the side plate 51 supporting the photoconductor drum 1C and the transfer conveyance belt device side plate 63.

Further, the photosensitive drums 1BK, 1C, 1M
Although power transmission means 1Y is not shown in the drawing, it is carried out by means of a helical gear and a worm gear. B in the figure
In the direction, the side plates 51 and 63 are made to abut.

Next, the photosensitive drums 1BK, 1C, 1M
The 1Y shaft support structure will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the radial bearing 71 supports the shaft, it is necessary to remove the support shaft 58C from the radial bearing 71 when maintenance such as repair or effect occurs. .

In this case, in order to be removable, a gap (X in the figure) as a dimensional tolerance is generated between the support shaft 58C and the radial bearing 71, and the force in the thrust direction causes the radial bearing 71 to move. The performance deteriorates, and vibrations and speed fluctuations occur in the support shaft 58C, disturbing the image.

Therefore, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the support shaft 58C is provided with a taper and supported by the pivot bearing 72.

By doing so, even if maintenance such as repair or replacement occurs, since the taper is supported,
Since no gap is formed between the bearing and the support shaft 58C itself serves as an inner ring of the bearing, the performance of the bearing does not deteriorate due to the thrust force.

Therefore, the photosensitive drums 1BK, 1C can be safely used.
A force in the thrust direction can be applied to 1M and 1Y, and the movement in the thrust direction can be restricted.

By the way, the process units 10BK, 10C, 10M, and 10Y of the respective colors are as shown in FIG.
It is detachably attached to the unit attachment portions 52, 53, 54, 55 formed between the main body frames 50, 51.

The above process units 10BK, 10C, 1
Positioning pins 30BK and 30C for positioning with the main body frames 50 and 51 on both sides of 0M and 10Y.
, 30M, 30Y, 38BK, 38C, 38M, 38Y
Is provided.

Positioning pins 30BK, 30C, 30M
, 30Y, 38BK, 38C, 38M, and 38Y, the positioning pins 30BK, 30C, 30M, and 30Y are for mounting determination, and the process units 10BK and 10C for each color are provided.
The shape is different for 10M and 10Y.

Further, each color process unit 10BK, 10
Attachment detection means 31BK and 31C for C, 10M and 10Y
, 31M, 31Y are provided.

In such a structure, the unit mounting portions 52, 53, 54 and 55 have the respective color process units 1
Even if 0BK, 10C, 10M, and 10Y are mounted on the unit mounting part other than the fixed position, they can be mounted without causing interference with other parts.

The mounting detecting means 31BK, 31C, 31M
, 31Y are, as shown in FIG.
0 to the control circuit 71 of the image forming means, and the control circuit 51 is connected to the latent image forming means 5BK, 5C, 5M, 5
The Y, color developing means 3BK, 3C, 3M, 3Y and the transfer / transport means 26 are connected.

Next, a method for detecting the mounting of the process unit will be described by taking the cyan process unit 10C as an example.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the correct process unit (cyan process unit 10C) is mounted on the cyan process unit mounting portion 53, the slider 32
The tip of C enters the recess 36C of the positioning pin 30C, and the other end of the slider 32C separates from the detection sensor 34C. The slider 32C is slidably attached to a bracket 35C having a U-shaped cross section, and the spring 33
It is biased forward by C.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when incorrect process units 10BK, 10M and 10Y are mounted,
Since the tip of the slider 32c cannot enter the recess 36C, the other end of the slider 32C comes into contact with the detection sensor 34C.

When it is judged from the on / off information of the detection sensor 34C that the mounting is normal, as shown in FIG. 13, the latent image forming means 5BK, 5C, 5M, 5Y.
, The color developing means 3BK, 3C, 3M, 3Y and the transfer / transport means 26 can be operated to enable the printing operation.

On the contrary, when it is judged that the mounting is abnormal, the latent image forming means 5BK, 5C, 5M and 5Y, the color developing means 3BK, 3C, 3M and 3Y and the transfer conveying means 26 are formed.
And the printing operation is disabled.

By doing so, the process unit 10B
K, 10C, 10M, 10Y and unit mounting parts 52,5
When 3, 54 and 55 do not correspond to each other, the printing operation is not started and no malfunction occurs.

In the above embodiment, the positioning pin 3 is used.
Although the concave portion 36C is formed at 0C, the present invention is not limited to this, and the positioning pin 30C as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
You may form the convex part 37C in. In this case, the operation of the detection sensor-34C is the reverse of that of the above-mentioned one embodiment.

Further, the present invention may be configured as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, each color process unit 10
Positioning pins 30BK, 3 for BK, 10C, 10M and 10Y
The positions of 0C, 30M and 30Y are different.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, in the positioning window frame 60 facing the positioning pins 30BK, 30C, 30M and 30Y, all the process units 10BK, 10C, 10M and 10Y of each color are irrespective of whether they are correct or not. Process unit positioning windows 40, 41 for mounting
42, 43 and each color process unit 10BK, 10C
A common positioning pin window 44 of 10M and 10Y is provided.

This process unit positioning window 40, 4
Detection means 31BK, 31C, 31M and 31Y are attached to the outside of 1, 42 and 43 facing the positions of the process unit positioning pins 30BK, 30C, 30M and 30Y of the respective colors.

With this configuration, all process units 10BK, 10C, 10M, 10Y can be installed even if they are installed incorrectly.
Is installed without causing interference with other parts.

Only when the correct process unit is mounted, the positioning pins 30BK, 30C, 30M,
The positions of 30Y and the detecting means 31BK, 31C, 31M and 31Y coincide with each other, and the detecting sensors-34BK, 34C and 34M
, 34Y operates.

In the above embodiment, the process units 10BK, 10C, 10M and 10Y are the photosensitive drums 1BK, 1C, 1M and 1Y as the image forming means and the charging device 2.
BK, 2C, 2M, 2Y, developing device (color developing means) 3
BK, 3C, 3M, 3Y, cleaning device 4BK, 4C,
4M, 4Y, etc. are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, a process unit having only a developing device.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the mounting position of the unit is wrong, the unit can be mounted, and at this time, the image forming operation is disabled, so that the other units are not mounted. There is an effect that interference does not occur and damage to parts and the like, failure of the image forming means, and the like can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an arrangement configuration of a process unit that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus including the process unit of FIG.

3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement relationship between a photosensitive drum and a conveyor belt provided in the process unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement relationship between the photosensitive drum and the conveyor belt of FIG. 4 in a partially enlarged manner.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a support structure of the photosensitive drum of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a support structure of the photosensitive drum of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a state in which the process unit of FIG. 1 is correctly mounted.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a state in which the process unit of FIG. 1 is erroneously attached.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of another embodiment showing a state in which the process unit of FIG. 1 is correctly mounted.

10 is an enlarged view of another embodiment showing a state in which the process unit of FIG. 1 is erroneously mounted.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a mounted state of a process unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounted state of the process unit of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a method for determining the mounting of each process unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a control system for determining whether or not each process unit is mounted according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1BK, 1C, 1M, 1Y Photoconductor drums (image forming means), 2BK, 2C, 2M, 2Y ... Charging device (image forming means), 3BK, 3C, 3M, 3Y ... Developing device (image forming means), 10BK 10C, 10M, 10Y ... Process unit (unit), 1 ... Device body, 52, 53, 54,
55 ... Unit mounting portion, 71 ... Control circuit (control means).

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of units each including an image forming unit are detachably disposed in an apparatus body, wherein the unit is disposed in the apparatus body in correspondence with the plurality of units. A plurality of unit mounting sections for mounting the plurality of unit mounting sections, and a control section for disabling the operation of the image forming section when a unit that does not correspond to these unit mounting sections is mounted. The image forming apparatus, wherein the mounting portion has a structure that enables mounting even when a unit that does not correspond to the unit mounting portion is mounted. 2. The control means comprises a unit mounting section and a detecting section for detecting a correspondence relationship between the unit mounting section and a unit mounted in the unit mounting section, and the operation of the image forming section based on the detection information of the detecting section. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: