JPH06273985A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the supply of toner to a developing unit in a color image forming device easy, to prevent the contamination of toner and to make a process cartridge compact and maintenance, checking and cleaning easy. CONSTITUTION:The color image forming device is provided with the process cartridge 30 having at least, a belt photosensitive body 1 as an image forming body vertically arranged and plural developing units 6 vertically arranged in parallel along the vertical surface of a belt photosensitive body surface, so as to attach/detach the process cartridge 30 in a horizontal direction and constituted to provide a replenishing port 23 capable of replenishing the toner from the above of the process cartridge 30, in a state where it is laid so that the developing region facing the image forming body of each developing unit 6 faces down, at the time of removing the process cartridge 30 and an opening/ closing cover 24 for the replenishing port 23, on each developing unit 6, as a characteristic and simultaneously, easily remove a cleaning device 10 and a waste toner box 10E and further, has structure for replenishing the toner in such a manner that each developing unit is lined up like stairs and a prescribed one is pulled out to a fixed position.

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 a plurality of developing devices are provided on the peripheral surface of an image forming body, particularly to a developing device replacing means, a toner replenishing means, and a cleaning means of a color image forming apparatus, or waste. The present invention relates to a technique for improving toner recovery means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a color image forming apparatus, since image processing of a plurality of colors is performed, a plurality of developing devices each having a monochromatic developing function are provided on the peripheral portion of the image forming body, and a developing device for each of these developing devices. A plurality of toner storage containers that supply toner to the toner are incorporated.

On the other hand, since the developing device group is frequently maintained, the developing device group is often housed in a process cartridge together with an image forming body and a cleaning device so as to be easily taken out from the main body of the device. Under the present circumstances, the developing device is connected to and disconnected from the toner storage container and the waste toner collection box each time the cartridge is attached or detached.

[0004]

However, the connecting portion between the developing device and the toner storage container or the waste toner collecting box has a complicated structure for preventing toner leakage and is troublesome to handle, and the connection is released. In such a case, the toner leakage cannot be avoided even though it is slight, so that the inside of the apparatus may be contaminated with the toner for a long period of time and the image may be damaged.

As a means for coping with this problem, there is a method in which a toner storage container is integrated with a developing device and then included in a cartridge. As described above, the color image forming apparatus requires 3 to 4 developing devices. Since the cartridge becomes large, the weight becomes considerably heavy, and it is necessary to take the cartridge out of the apparatus every time the toner is replenished, the daily handling property and maintenance workability become extremely poor.

As a result of solving and improving this point, the present invention provides
It does not require a complicated connection mechanism for supplying toner, and has a structure in which the cartridge is made as compact as possible so that it can be easily moved to the outside of the apparatus, or a very simple movement such as a slight movement. When replenishing toner by handling, or when removing the waste toner collection box, remove it from the cartridge together with the cleaning device, or when replenishing toner,
When only the waste toner box is extracted and processed, the direction of the process cartridge at that time is also limited, and the toner does not spill out and does not contaminate the inside or outside of the color image forming apparatus, especially the color forming apparatus. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a color image forming apparatus in which a developing device is incorporated in a process cartridge and toner can be replenished from the operating direction of the apparatus while the cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

[0008]

This object is achieved by any one of the following technical means a, b, c, d, e and f.

(A) A process cartridge having a belt photosensitive member as an image forming member arranged in at least a vertical direction and a plurality of developing devices arranged in parallel vertically along a vertical surface of the belt photosensitive member is horizontal. A color image forming apparatus that is detachably attached in a direction, and when the process cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus, the process cartridge has a developing area facing the image forming body on the lower side. A color image forming apparatus characterized in that each developing device is provided with a replenishing port and an opening / closing lid for replenishing toner from above the process cartridge in the state of being tilted.

(B) In item (a), the process cartridge is detachably provided with a cleaning device having a waste toner box, and when the process cartridge is horizontally removed from the color image forming apparatus, the process cartridge remains as it is without being tilted. In this state, the waste toner box can be taken out from the cleaning device of the process cartridge in the horizontal direction and removed.

In (c) a, the process cartridge is detachably provided with a cleaning device having a waste toner box, and the cleaning is performed in a state where the process cartridge is horizontally removed from the color image forming apparatus and laid down. The device contains the waste toner box,
A color image forming apparatus, wherein the color image forming apparatus can be detached horizontally from the process cartridge.

(D) A process cartridge having a belt photosensitive member as an image forming member arranged in at least a vertical direction and a plurality of developing devices arranged in parallel vertically along the vertical surface of the belt photosensitive member is attached and detached. A color image forming apparatus capable of being provided, wherein each of the developing devices is horizontally moved by a specific distance so as to be exposed to the outside of the process cartridge and the color image forming apparatus, and a toner supply port is provided at the exposed portion. The color image forming apparatus is characterized in that it is possible to supply toner to each developing device while the process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

(E) A belt photosensitive member as an image forming body arranged at least in the vertical direction, and a plurality of developing devices of different sizes arranged in parallel in the vertical direction along the vertical surface of the belt photosensitive member. A color image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachably provided in a horizontal direction, toner supply ports of the plurality of developing devices are arranged in a staircase pattern, and the process cartridge is mounted. A color image forming apparatus characterized in that it is possible to replenish toner to each toner replenishing port in the state as it is or in the state of moving in the horizontal direction.

(F) A belt photosensitive member as an image forming body having at least a linear portion inclined, and the belt photosensitive member are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction along the linear inclined surface of the belt photosensitive member and arranged horizontally. A process cartridge having a plurality of stepwise developing devices is detachably provided in the color image forming apparatus,
Color image formation characterized in that toner can be replenished to the developing device by opening the lid of the developing device of the color image forming apparatus with the cartridge mounted or moving in the horizontal direction. apparatus.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Of the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, first, an embodiment of the color image forming apparatus of claims 1, 2 and 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation direction of this color image forming apparatus is the right side of the drawing, and the process cartridge can be attached and detached and the toner can be supplied from the right side.

1 (a), 1 (b), and 1 (c) show an embodiment of the overall construction of these claims and each position of a process cartridge, and 1 is a flexible belt-shaped image forming body. The photosensitive belt 1 is a flexible photosensitive belt which is vertically installed between the rotating rollers 2 and 3 and is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow by the driving of the rotating roller 2.

Reference numeral 4 is a charging device, 4A is a transfer electrode, 5 is a laser writing system unit, 6 to 9 are respective developing devices for accommodating a developer of a specific color, and 10 is a cleaning device.
Is a fixing device. The developing units 6, 7, 8 and 9 are arranged in parallel on the linear portion of the peripheral surface of the photoconductor belt 1 and contain, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan and black developers, respectively. Each developing sleeve roller 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A which keeps a predetermined gap is provided, and has a function of visualizing the latent image on the photosensitive belt 1 by a non-contact reversal developing method. Unlike the contact development, the non-contact development has an advantage that it does not hinder the movement of the photosensitive belt 1.

Further, the blade 10 of the cleaning device 10
A is kept at a position separated from the surface of the photoconductor belt 1 by the cam 10B during image formation, and is pressed against the surface of the photoconductor belt 1 as shown only during cleaning after image transfer.

The color image forming process by the above-mentioned color image forming apparatus is performed as follows.

First, the formation of a multicolor image according to this embodiment is performed according to the following image forming system. That is, the data obtained by the color image data input unit in which the image sensor scans the original image is processed by the image data processing unit to create image data, which is once stored in the image memory. Next, the image memory is taken out at the time of recording and is input to the color image forming apparatus shown in the embodiment of FIG.

That is, when a color signal output from an image reading apparatus separate from the image forming apparatus is input to the laser writing system unit 5, a semiconductor laser (not shown) is provided in the laser writing system unit 5. The laser beam generated in step 5 is rotationally scanned by the polygon mirror 5B rotated by the drive motor 5A, and the fθ lens 5C and the mirror 5D are scanned.
Thus, the optical path is bent and projected onto the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1 to which electric charges have been previously applied by the charger 4 to form a bright line.

When an image formation start signal is input to the control section, the charging unit 4 applies a charging voltage to the photosensitive belt 1 by turning on a charging power source (not shown). At that time, the transfer power source is switched off.

On the other hand, when the scanning is started, the beam is detected by the index sensor, the modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam scans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1. . Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photosensitive belt 1. This latent image is subjected to reversal development in a non-contact state by the developing device 6 in which yellow (Y) toner (visual medium) is loaded in the developing means to form a toner image on the belt surface. The obtained toner image passes through the cleaning device 10, which is a cleaning means separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1 while being held on the belt surface, and enters the next copy cycle.

That is, the photoconductor belt 1 has the charger 4
Then, the second color signal output from the signal processing unit is input to the laser writing system unit 5, and writing is performed on the belt surface in the same manner as the case of the first color signal described above. A latent image is formed. The latent image is reversely developed in a non-contact state by the developing device 7 loaded with magenta (M) toner as the second color.

This magenta (M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image.

A developing device 8 having cyan (C) toner forms a cyan (C) toner image on the belt surface based on a control signal generated by a signal processing section.

Further, 9 is a developing device having a black toner, which is formed by superposing a black toner image on the belt surface by the same process. A DC or further AC bias is applied to each sleeve of each of these developing devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 in accordance with the development of the toner of each specific color, and the one-component or two-component developer as the image developing means is used. Jumping development is performed, and reversal development is performed in a non-contact manner on the photoconductor belt 1 on which the substrate is installed.

Thus, the color toner image formed on the peripheral surface by the four revolutions of the photosensitive belt 1 is conveyed by the sheet feeding cassette 12 at the transfer pole 4A and is conveyed by the timing roller 13.
Is transferred to the transfer paper that is fed by the drive of.

That is, before and after the drive signal of the timing roller 13 from the control unit, the transfer power source is turned on by the operation of a changeover switch (not shown), and the transfer voltage is applied to the transfer paper to cause the photosensitive belt. The toner image on 1 is transferred.
At that time, the charging power source for the charger 4 is switched off.

The transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the peripheral surface of the photoconductor belt 1 and has a suction function.
The toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 11 and the toner image is fused on the fixing device 11 and then discharged onto the tray 15.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt 1 from which the transfer paper is separated
In the fifth cycle, the cam 10B of the cleaning device 10 is actuated to press and contact the cleaning blade 10A to remove and clean the residual toner, and the charger 4 is again charged to start the next image forming process.

16, 17, 18 and 19 are the developing units 6, 7, 8 and
A toner storage hopper that stores toner to be supplied to the developing unit 9, and is integrated with the developing devices 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Each of the toner storage hoppers 16, 17, 18,
The toner supply port 23 for the toner 19 is provided with a toner supply lid 24 as shown, which is normally closed.

The developing devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 and the toner storage hoppers 16, 17, 18 and 19 thereof are incorporated in the process cartridge 30 together with the photosensitive belt 1, the charger 4 and the cleaning device 10 described above. It is integrated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b) and 1 (c), the tip of the cleaning blade 10A of the cleaning device 10 is biased to the image forming belt (photosensitive belt) 1 with a constant pressure. However, the tip of the blade 10A is in a state of being separated from the surface of the image forming belt 1 by the cam 10B in most of the five rounds in which the development of each toner is performed.
At the time of cleaning, the tip of the blade 10A touches the belt 1 to clean the belt 1 and prepare for the next cycle of development.

Further, the cleaning device 10 is provided with a waste toner box 10E so that the waste toner removed by cleaning the surface of the photosensitive belt can be stored.

The waste toner thus removed by the cleaning device is reliably collected in the waste toner box 10E, scattered around, and scattered around the process cartridge.
It does not pollute the inside of 30, the inside of the image forming apparatus, or the outside thereof.

The process cartridge 30 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the cover 31 on the side of the device can be opened to move it to the right along the guide rail 33.

The above-described embodiment has toner storage parts (hoppers) 16, 17, 18, 19 as shown in detail in FIG. 1C when the developer used is a two-component developer. The developing devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 are used, and the toner supply lid 24
The toner supplied to the toner hoppers 16, 17, 18, and 19 of each developing device after being opened is once stored in the toner reservoirs 6E, 7E, 8E, and 9E.
After entering E, the toner replenishing rollers 6F and 7D are generated in accordance with the decrease in the toner density in the developer tanks 6D, 7D, 8D and 9D.
By rotating F, 8F, and 9F, the developer tank 6D,
7D, 8D, 9D is conveyed, stirring members 6C, 7C,
After being uniformly mixed with the carrier by the operation of 8C and 9C, it is supplied to the developing sleeves 6A, 7A, 8A and 9A by the developer supplying rollers 6B, 7B, 8B and 9B.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the two-component developer, and in the case of the one-component developer, a developing device of almost the same type is used, and the toner supplied by opening the toner supply lid 24 is supplied. Directly depends on the consumption of the developer tank 6D, 7
D, 8D, 9D are conveyed, and stirring members 6C, 7C, 8
The new and old toners are agitated by the operations of C and 9C so as to be evenly distributed, and then supplied to the developing sleeves 6A, 7A, 8A and 9A.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1C, the process cartridge 30 is pulled out from the color image forming apparatus and further tilted by 90.degree. As shown in the side view of the developing device in FIG. 2, a lid 24 of any one of the developing devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 is opened so that a predetermined toner can be replenished from the toner replenishing port 23. In this configuration, the toner is not spilled from the cleaning device, which is an advantageous arrangement.

In the second embodiment, the toner can be replenished as in the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 4, the process cartridge 30 is pulled out and laid down, and the cleaning device 10 is held along its rail 10G with its handle 10F. The waste toner in the waste toner box 10E is removed, and the maintenance and cleaning of the cleaning device 10 are facilitated. It can be said that the cleaning device 10 can be safely withdrawn along the rail 10G without touching the photosensitive belt surface. Further, any one of the developing devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 is taken out to facilitate maintenance and cleaning.

In the third embodiment, as shown in the front sectional view of FIG. 3 which is the same as the posture shown in FIG. 1 (b), the opening / closing lid 35 of the process cartridge 30 is picked up and the clamp 36 of the process cartridge 30 is released to perform cleaning. Only the waste toner box 10E of the apparatus 10 can be taken out by horizontally moving it along the rail 10K with the handle 10H. Of course, toner replenishment can be easily performed in the same state as shown in FIG.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the front sectional view of the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

The constitution of this embodiment is almost the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but the toner replenishing port 23A of each developing unit 6, 7, 8, 9 is
Is provided on the upper part, and the lid 24A can be opened and closed. Then, by opening the cover 31 of the image forming apparatus while the process cartridge 30 is still attached to the apparatus, only the necessary developing device is pulled out to the right by the handle 6H, 7H, 8H or 9H. In this state, the lid 24A is opened so that the toner can be replenished.
Then, the replenished developing device can be returned to a predetermined position on the left side in the process cartridge and can continue to operate again. In this way, it is not necessary to move the heavy process cartridge.

Of course, the process cartridge 30 can be taken out rightward along the rail 33 of the image forming apparatus to facilitate maintenance and inspection cleaning, and the developing device can also be taken out from the cartridge for maintenance and cleaning. It is also possible to replace it with a new developing device.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the front sectional view of the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

In the structure of this embodiment, the developing device of the same size as that shown in FIG. 5 is used, but the developing device is increased stepwise toward the lower part. . The supply port 23B of each toner hopper faces upward in a mounted state and is provided with a lid 24B. A large cutout 30A is formed above the process cartridge 30, and when the cover 31 of the image forming apparatus is opened, the lid 24B of any given developing device is left in the same mounted state.
The opening is opened and the toner supply device is connected so that the toner can be easily and easily supplied.

Of course, the process cartridge 30 may be pulled out along the rails 33 to replenish the toner, or may be taken out to facilitate maintenance and cleaning.

Finally, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the front sectional view of the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

In the structure of this embodiment, the linear conveying portion of the belt photosensitive member 1 is arranged so as to travel obliquely, and the toner replenishing port 23C is arranged upward along the oblique linear traveling surface of the same size. Four developing units are arranged, and the toner replenishing ports 23C are arranged so as to be stepwise in each developing unit. This configuration has the advantages that toner spillage from the cleaning device is small and each developing device can have the same shape, unlike the case of FIG.

The upper surface of the process cartridge 30 has a large cutout 30A for toner supply.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, while the process cartridge 30 is still attached to the color image forming apparatus, the cover 31 is opened and the lid 24C of the toner replenishing port 23C is removed to connect the toner replenisher to supply the toner. It becomes possible to replenish.

After the replenishment is completed, each lid 24C can be provided again to close the cover 31 and restart the operation. Of course, the process cartridge may be pulled out from the main body along the rail 33 to replenish the toner, or the process cartridge may be taken out and removed to facilitate maintenance and cleaning of the main body and the process cartridge independently.

[0055]

According to the present invention, the developing device of the process cartridge constituting the color image forming apparatus and the cleaning device can be safely withdrawn to replenish toner, the waste toner can be processed, and maintenance and cleaning can be easily performed. Became. Further, since the process cartridge can be removed from the main body, it remains as a main body, and cleaning and maintenance of the entire color image forming apparatus can be facilitated.

Further, according to the present invention, with the process cartridge mounted in the main body, each developing device of the cartridge is moved so that the toner replenishing port appears outside the main body by partially sliding only the necessary developing device. It becomes possible to easily replenish the toner, and further, not only the process cartridge but also the developing cartridges are still attached to the main body, and only a part of the cover and the lid are removed, or the process cartridge is removed. It has become possible to easily replenish the toner by pulling it out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front sectional view of a color image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is mounted. FIG. 6B is a front sectional view of the process cartridge taken out horizontally from the state of FIG.
(C) is a front sectional view in which the state of (b) is tilted by 90 °.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a developing device.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a state in which the waste toner hopper is taken out in the horizontal direction in the state of FIG. 1 (b).

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing a state in which the cleaning device is taken out in a horizontal direction below the process cartridge and a developing device is taken out above the cartridge in the state of FIG. 1 (c).

FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which an appropriate developing device is pulled out from the cartridge for replenishing toner while the process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing that the toner replenishing port of each developing device of the process cartridge is provided in a step-like manner so as to face upward, and the toner is replenished while the process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of a color image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge in which developing units are arranged in a staircase pattern along an inclined belt photosensitive member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Photoreceptor Belt (Image Forming Belt) 2,3 Rotating Roller 4 Charging Device 4A Transfer Electrode 5 Laser Writing System Unit 6,7,8,9 Developing Device 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A Developing Sleeve 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B Developer supply roller 6C, 7C, 8C, 9C Stirring member 6D, 7D, 8D, 9D Developer tank 6E, 7E, 8E, 9E Toner reservoir 6F, 7F, 8F, 9F Toner supply roller 6H, 7H, 8H , 9H handle 16, 17, 18, 19 Toner storage hopper 10 Cleaning device 10A Cleaning blade 10B Cam 10E Waste toner box 10F Handle 10G rail 10H handle 10K rail 23A, 23B, 23C Supply port 24A, 24B, 24C Lid 30 Process cartridge 31 Cover 33 rail

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G03G 21/00 113 (72) Inventor Shizuo Morita 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji, Tokyo Konica Stock Company

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge having a belt photosensitive member as an image forming member arranged in at least a vertical direction and a plurality of developing devices arranged in parallel vertically along a vertical surface of the belt photosensitive member. A color image forming apparatus detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, and when the process cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus, the developing unit of each of the process cartridges faces the image forming body downward. A color image forming apparatus characterized in that each developing device is provided with a replenishing port and an opening / closing lid for replenishing toner from above the process cartridge in such a state that the developing cartridge is laid down. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a cleaning device having a waste toner box is detachably provided, and when the process cartridge is removed from the color image forming apparatus in a horizontal direction, the process cartridge remains as it is without being tilted. In this state, the waste toner box can be taken out from the cleaning device of the process cartridge in the horizontal direction and removed. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is detachably provided with a cleaning device having a waste toner box, and the process cartridge is horizontally removed from the color image forming apparatus and is tilted.
A color image forming apparatus, wherein the cleaning device can be removed horizontally from the process cartridge while including a waste toner box. 4. A process cartridge having a belt photosensitive body as an image forming body arranged at least in a vertical direction and a plurality of developing devices arranged in parallel vertically along a vertical surface of the belt photosensitive body is attachable and detachable. In the color image forming apparatus provided in the above, each of the developing devices is horizontally moved by a specific distance so that the developing device can be exposed to the outside of the process cartridge and the color image forming apparatus. A color image forming apparatus provided, wherein the process cartridge can be replenished with toner while the process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. 5. A process having a belt photosensitive member as an image forming member arranged at least in a vertical direction and a plurality of developing devices of different sizes arranged in parallel in a vertical direction along a vertical surface of the belt photosensitive member. A color image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachably provided in a horizontal direction, and toner supply ports of the plurality of developing units are arranged in a staircase pattern, and the process cartridge is mounted as it is. A color image forming apparatus capable of replenishing toner to each toner replenishing port in a state of being moved in a horizontal state or in a horizontal direction. 6. A belt photoconductor as an image forming body having at least a linear portion inclined and a vertical staircase along a linear inclined surface of the belt photoconductor and arranged horizontally to each other to form a staircase. A process cartridge having a plurality of developing devices arranged in a striped manner is detachably provided in the color image forming apparatus, and the developing device of the color image forming apparatus can be attached to the color image forming apparatus with the cartridge mounted or in the state of being horizontally moved. A color image forming apparatus characterized in that toner can be supplied to the developing device by opening a lid.