JPH06222631A - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain printing without generating a black line, etc., and with excellent quality and simultaneously, to prevent the deterioration of an image carrier, even if a device is used under conditions where it is irradiated with external light by providing a light shutting off part for preventing the external light from being projected toward an image carrier, on a part on which the external light entering a device main body via an opening part, is made incident. CONSTITUTION:The light shutting off part 21 is composed of a light absorbing member 22 adhered to the part of the rear 4 of a top part cover 3 on which the external light L such as the direct rays of the sun entering the device main body 1 via a fan opening part 16 is made incident. Even if the external light L such as the direct rays of the sun enters the device main body 1 via the fan opening part 16, the external light L is absorbed by a vinyl chloride sheet 22 adhered to an incident part, that is, the rear 4 of the top part cover 3 and not reflected toward the image carrier 5. Therefore, the image carrier 5 is never exposed to the external light L and the black streak, etc., are never generated on a transfer form at the time of printing. Moreover, the deterioration of the image carrier is not accelerated, as well.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus such as a laser printer and an electronic copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electrophotographic devices are widely used in offices and the like as indispensable for office automation. As shown in FIG. 5, the electrophotographic apparatus includes an apparatus main body 1, an image carrier 5, a charging device 6, a developing device 7, a transfer device 8 and a fixing device 9 and the like.

The surface of the image carrier 5 (for example, a photosensitive drum) is covered with a photosensitive layer, and during printing, the surface is uniformly charged by a charger 6 and then irradiated with a laser beam based on print data. It is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 5 is developed by the developing device 7, and then transferred and fixed on the paper P by the transfer device 8 and the fixing device 9. After the transfer, the developer remaining on the image carrier 5 is removed by the cleaning unit 11. The residual charges on the image carrier 5 after the transfer are removed by the charge remover 12 in preparation for the next charging.

In addition, as shown in FIG.
Fan 1 to discharge ozone generated during printing to the outside
Generally, 5 is provided.

[0005]

By the way, in the electrophotographic apparatus described above, external light L such as direct sunlight enters the apparatus main body 1 through the opening (for example, the fan opening 16) during printing, and Inner surface (for example, the back surface 4 of the upper cover 3)
It may be reflected on the image carrier 5 and incident on the image carrier 5. When such a situation occurs, the surface of the image carrier 5 is exposed by the external light L, and black stripes may appear on the transfer paper P. Further, even when the image carrier 5 is stopped, if the external light L is incident on the surface of the image carrier 5, it may cause deterioration earlier.

Therefore, although it is prohibited in the user's manual or the like to use the electrophotographic apparatus under the condition that the external light L such as direct sunlight is irradiated, the direct sunlight is not allowed due to the indoor space of the office or the layout. It may be installed near windows that are often exposed to.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can print with good quality even when it is used under a condition where it is exposed to external light such as direct sunlight and does not accelerate deterioration of the image carrier. To provide a photographic device.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention is an electrophotographic apparatus in which an image carrier having a surface covered with a photosensitive layer is provided in the apparatus body, and the apparatus body is provided through an opening. A light blocking portion that blocks the reflection of the external light toward the image carrier is provided at a portion where the external light that has entered the lens is incident.

[0009]

According to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, even if external light such as direct sunlight enters the main body of the apparatus through the opening, it is reflected by the light blocking portion provided at the incident portion toward the image carrier. Be blocked. Therefore, the image carrier is not exposed to external light, and black stripes or the like do not appear on the transfer sheet during printing. Further, the deterioration of the image carrier is not accelerated.

From the above, it is possible to print with high quality even when used under the condition where external light such as direct sunlight is irradiated, and the deterioration of the image carrier is not accelerated.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The electrophotographic apparatus has the same basic configuration as the conventional one (the apparatus main body 1, the image carrier 5, and a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device (not shown), etc.) A light blocking unit 21 that blocks the reflection of the external light L toward the image carrier 5 is provided at a portion where the external light L such as direct sunlight that has entered the inside of the apparatus main body 1 is incident. There is.

The apparatus main body 1 is composed of a lower cover 2 and an upper cover 3. Inside the main body 1, an image carrier 5 and a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, etc. (not shown) are provided. It is provided with a predetermined positional relationship. The image carrier 5 is formed in a drum shape as a whole, and its surface is covered with a photosensitive layer. A fan 15 is attached to the apparatus body 1 for discharging ozone and the like generated during printing to the outside. A paper cassette (not shown) is detachably attached to the apparatus body 1. Further, the apparatus main body 1 is provided with a paper discharge section (not shown) for discharging printed paper to the outside.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light blocking portion 21 is an upper portion on which the external light L such as direct sunlight entering the apparatus main body 1 through the fan opening 16 is incident. The light absorbing member (2
It is formed from 2). As the light absorbing member, a black vinyl chloride sheet 22 (in this embodiment, Mitsubishi resin vinyl foil C-850-AB) is selected. The vinyl chloride sheet 22 is attached to the outside light incident portion of the back surface 4 of the upper cover with a double-sided tape. Practically, the sticking position of the vinyl chloride sheet 22 is determined by inferring it from the place where the image carrier 5 is exposed to the external light, the slit position and the angle of the fan opening 16.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
Even if external light L such as direct sunlight enters the apparatus main body 1 through the fan opening 16, the incident portion, that is, the upper cover 3
It is absorbed by the vinyl chloride sheet 22 attached to the back surface 4 of the sheet and is not reflected toward the image carrier 5. Therefore,
The image carrier 5 is not exposed to the external light L, and black stripes or the like do not appear on the transfer paper during printing. Further, the deterioration of the image carrier 5 is not accelerated.

Here, the case where the light blocking portion 21 is provided at the incident portion of the direct sunlight (the back surface 4 of the upper cover 3) (when the vinyl chloride sheet 22 is attached) and when not provided (conventional example).
FIG. 3 shows the result of an experiment conducted on the presence or absence of the occurrence of black stripes in FIG. The models A and B used are two typical commonly used laser printers.

When the vinyl chloride sheet 22 is not attached, the rear surface 4 of the upper cover 15000 to 20000 Lux
When exposed to direct sunlight of (Lux), black streaks occurred on the transfer paper. On the other hand, when the vinyl chloride sheet 22 was attached, black streaks did not occur even when exposed to direct sunlight of 37,000 to 40,000 Lux.

According to this embodiment, however, a vinyl chloride sheet as a light absorbing member is formed on the back surface 4 of the upper cover on which the outside light L such as direct sunlight entering the apparatus body 1 through the fan opening 8 enters. 22 is attached to the outside light L.
Even when the electrophotographic apparatus is used under the condition of being irradiated with, it is possible to print with high quality without generating black stripes and the deterioration of the image carrier 5 is not accelerated.

Further, since the light shielding portion 21 is formed by attaching the vinyl chloride sheet 22 to the back surface 4 of the upper cover 3, the structure does not become complicated and large. Also, the cost does not increase. By appropriately changing the position where the vinyl chloride sheet 22 is attached, it is possible to cope with changes in usage conditions and expand adaptability.

In the above embodiment, the light blocking section 2
1 is formed from a vinyl chloride sheet 22 as a light absorbing member. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the back surface 4 of the upper cover 3 is textured to make it uneven, thereby scattering incident external light L such as direct sunlight. The image carrier 5 may be formed so as not to be reflected.

Further, the light absorbing member is a vinyl chloride sheet 22.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed of, for example, black paint applied to the back surface 4 of the upper cover 3.

Further, although the light blocking section 21 is provided on the back surface 4 of the upper cover 3, the installation location is not limited to this, and the opening of the apparatus body 1 (the fan opening 16, the paper cassette loading section) is provided. It is provided in the area where external light enters from the gap, the gap of the paper discharge section, etc.).

[0022]

According to the present invention, a light blocking portion for blocking the reflection of the external light toward the image carrier is provided at a portion where the external light entering the apparatus main body through the opening is incident. With this configuration, even when used under the condition where external light is irradiated, high-quality printing can be performed without generating black stripes and deterioration of the image carrier is not accelerated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an essential part of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is also a perspective view for explaining the position of a light absorbing member (black vinyl chloride sheet) attached to the back surface of the upper cover.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an experimental result of whether or not a black streak is generated by direct sunlight with and without a light blocking unit.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a light blocking portion formed by subjecting a back surface of an upper cover to a texture treatment to scatter incident external light.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how external light such as direct sunlight is incident on the image carrier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Device Main Body 4 Back Side of Top Cover 5 Image Carrier 16 Fan Opening 21 Light Blocking Section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an electrophotographic apparatus in which an image carrier whose surface is covered with a photosensitive layer is arranged in the apparatus body, the outside light is incident on a portion where the outside light enters into the apparatus body through an opening. An electrophotographic apparatus provided with a light blocking section for blocking light from being reflected toward an image carrier.