JPH065443B2 - Electrostatic copying machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electrostatic copying apparatus, and more particularly, to an electrostatic copying apparatus including a toner particle collecting container for collecting toner particles removed from the surface of a photoconductor.

<Prior Art> Conventionally, an electrostatic copying apparatus includes a cleaning device that removes toner particles remaining on the surface of a photoconductor after transfer and a toner particle recovery mechanism that recovers the toner particles removed by the cleaning device. Things have been proposed and put into practical use. In such an electrostatic copying apparatus, the toner particle collecting mechanism includes a toner particle moving means and a toner particle collecting container, the toner particles removed by the cleaning device are moved by the toner particle moving means, and the toner particles are removed. It is configured to be housed in a toner particle collection container.

However, in the electrostatic copying apparatus described above, the collected toner particles are designed to drop from the discharge side of the toner particle moving means into the toner particle collection container, and therefore the discharged toner particles are counted as the toner particle count. There is a problem that the toner particles are accumulated in the container in a mountain shape, and due to this, the volume of the toner particle recovery container cannot be effectively used (that is, the toner particle filling efficiency is low).

Therefore, in order to improve the filling efficiency of the toner particles, there has been proposed a device provided with an operating mechanism for vibrating the toner particle collecting container. However, in these electrostatic copying apparatuses, the configuration becomes complicated and There is a problem that the manufacturing cost also rises.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its main purpose is to improve the filling efficiency of toner particles in a toner particle recovery container without providing a special device or mechanism. An object is to provide an electrostatic copying apparatus.

<Summary of the Invention> As a result of intensive studies, the inventor of the present invention has found that, in an electrostatic copying apparatus configured to open at least a specific portion of a copy paper conveyance path, a so-called paper jam occurs in the specific portion. When it occurs, paying attention to removing the jammed paper by opening the specific part, attach the toner particle collection container movably between the installation position and the open position, and open the toner particle collection container. If the paper is not taken out at the specific position unless it is set to the position, and if the toner particle collection container is configured to support so as to tilt along with the movement to the open position, the toner will be removed every time a paper jam occurs at the specific position. It is necessary to move the particle collection container, and since the toner particle collection container is tilted along with this movement, the mountain-shaped toner particles in the toner particle collection container can be made to flow as required. It has been found that the filling efficiency of toner particles can be improved without providing a specific device or mechanism.

That is, according to the present invention, a copy paper transport path for transporting a copy paper as required through a transfer area, and a cleaning device for removing toner particles remaining on the surface of the photoconductor after being transferred in the transfer area. And a toner particle collecting mechanism having a toner particle collecting container for collecting the toner particles removed by the cleaning device and a collecting container supporting mechanism for rotatably supporting the toner particle collecting container. In an electrostatic copying apparatus configured such that at least a specific portion of a transport path is opened, a recovery container support mechanism of the toner particle recovery mechanism has a first position from a mounting position to a specific angle position in the toner particle recovery container. Within a predetermined angle range of, the rotatably supported about a substantially vertical first axis, in the second predetermined angle range from the specific angle position to the open position. The toner particle collecting container is configured to be pivotally supported about the first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and further, the toner particle collecting container in the copy paper conveyance path There is provided an electrostatic copying apparatus characterized in that, when paper jam occurs in a specific portion, the jammed paper cannot be taken out unless the toner particle collecting container is set to the open position. It

<Preferred Specific Examples of the Invention> Preferred specific examples of an electrostatic copying apparatus configured according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated electrostatic copying apparatus includes a copying machine housing 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 2 includes a bottom plate 4, and on the bottom plate 4, a vertical front substrate 6 and a vertical front substrate 6 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction (direction substantially perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1, direction from the lower left to the upper side in FIG. 2). A vertical rear substrate (not shown) is fixed. Vertical front substrate 6
And a drum unit 8 between the vertical rear substrate (not shown).
Is mounted so as to be movable in the front-back direction. The drum unit 8 has a front wall 10 and a rear wall (not shown) that are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, and in a specific example, a peripheral wall is provided between the front wall 10 and the rear wall (not shown). A rotating drum (not shown) on the surface of which the photoconductor is arranged, a developing device which visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor surface into a toner image, and removes toner particles remaining on the photoconductor surface The cleaning device is detachably attached as required. The drum unit 8 is movable in the front-rear direction between the device position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the drawing position where the drum unit 8 is located in front of the vertical front substrate 6. In a specific example, a grip portion 12 is provided on the front surface of the front wall 10 of the drum unit 8, and holes are formed on both sides of the front wall 10. On the other hand, a pair of pins 14 are planted on the front surface of the vertical front substrate 6. Since it is as described above, when the drum unit 8 is moved backward and forward, the hole of the front wall 10 and the pin 14 of the vertical front substrate 6 are engaged with each other as shown in FIGS. The drum unit 8 is securely positioned at the mounting position (at this mounting position, the rotary drum, the developing device, and the cleaning device (none of which are shown) are held at the required positions in the housing 2 and thus the copying process is performed. On the other hand, when the grip portion 12 of the front wall 10 is gripped and moved forward in the front-rear direction, the engagement between the hole of the front wall 10 and the pin 14 is released, and the hiding drum unit 8 is It is positioned from the mounting position to the pull-out position (at this pull-out position, as will be described later, a specific portion of the copy paper transport path near the rotary drum is opened).

Below the drum unit 8 described above, a copy paper transport mechanism that defines a copy paper transport path for transporting copy paper through the transfer area is provided. The copy paper transport path is the first
It extends substantially horizontally from the upstream portion located on the right side in the figure toward the downstream portion located on the left side in FIG. The copy paper transport mechanism is composed of a transport roller pair (not shown) for each copy, a guide plate pair (not shown) for each copy, a transport belt mechanism 16 and the like, some of which are a vertical front substrate 6 and a vertical rear substrate. It is attached to a transport unit 18 which is openably and closably attached (not shown). The transport unit 18 has a front support wall 20 and a rear support wall (not shown) which are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, and the front support wall 20 pivots to the rear side of the vertical front substrate 6 via a pin 22. A rear support wall (not shown) is rotatably attached to the front side of a vertical rear substrate (not shown) via a pin (not shown). The transport unit 18 further includes a rotary drum (not shown).
Transfer corona discharger 24 for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor to the copy paper in the transfer area, and a peeling corona discharger for peeling the copy paper adhered to the surface of the photoconductor from the surface. An electric appliance 26 is detachably attached. In the specific example, the above-described transport unit 18 is configured to define a specific portion of the copy paper transport path. In connection with the transport unit 18, a unit operating mechanism 28 for moving the transport unit 18 is provided.
The illustrated unit actuating mechanism 28 includes a support shaft 30 rotatably supported between a vertical front substrate 6 and a vertical rear substrate (not shown).
The operation member 32 is fixed to one end of the support shaft 30 that has a position that passes through the vertical front substrate 6 and projects forward. A pair of support members 34a and 34b are fixed to the middle portion of the support shaft 30 at intervals in the front-rear direction, and a pair of rollers 38a and 38b are freely rotatable between the support members 34a and 34b via a shaft member 36. Mounted on a pair of rollers 3
8a and 38b are configured to be able to contact the lower surface of the transport unit 18. As described above, when the operating member 32 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 40 (FIG. 2), the supporting members 34a and 34b are integrally rotated with the supporting shaft 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow 40 through the supporting shaft 30. Moved, roller 38a
And 38b act on the lower surface of the transport unit 18 to swivel it upwards, and thus the transport unit 18 is brought to the closed position shown in FIG. 1 (in such a closed position, the various units mounted on the transport unit 18). Elements are held in place in the housing 2 and thus allow the transport of copy paper). On the other hand, operate the operation member 32 with the arrow 42
When it is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 1, the supporting members 34a and 34b are rotated integrally with it in the direction shown by the arrow 42, and the transport unit 18 is swung downward by its own weight to move to the second position. The open position shown in the figure is set (at such open position, as shown in FIG. 2, a specific portion of the copy paper transport path is opened in a wedge shape, and in this state, when the drum unit 8 is set to the pull-out position, As will be easily understood, the above specific site is completely opened).
In the specific example, in the closed position, the upper end of the front support wall 20 of the transport unit 18 is located on the rear side of the front wall 10 of the drum unit 8 and the upper end of the rear support wall (not shown). The drum unit 8 is configured to be located on the front side of the rear wall (not shown). Therefore, in order to move the drum unit 8 from the mounting position to the pulling position, the transport unit 18 is moved from the closed position. It has to be pushed to the open position.

The above electrostatic copying apparatus further includes a toner particle number mechanism for collecting the toner particles removed by the cleaning device (not shown). With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated toner particle recovery mechanism is a toner particle moving means for moving the toner particles removed by the cleaning device as required. Four
4 and the toner particle collecting container 46 for collecting the above-mentioned toner particles. Mainly referring to FIG. 3, the toner particle moving means 44 includes a cylindrical body 48 and a spiral moving blade 50. The cylindrical body 48 is provided on a front side wall (not shown) that defines a receiver of the cleaning device, and one end side of the cylindrical body 48 penetrates the front wall 10 and projects forward. A discharge opening 52 for discharging is formed. The moving blade 50 is disposed in the receiver of the cleaning device and the tubular body 48, the front end of the shaft portion is rotatably supported by the end wall of the tubular body 48 (FIG. 3), and the rear end is It is rotatably supported on the rear sidewall (not shown) defining the receiver. The moving blade 50 is configured to be rotated in a predetermined direction. Therefore, the toner particles removed from the surface of the photoconductor by the action of the cleaning device (not shown) and dropped into the receiver are Moving blade 5
By the action of 0, it is moved in the direction shown by the arrow 54 (FIG. 3), and is made to drop downward through the discharge opening 52 at one end of the tubular body 48. Mainly referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the toner particle recovery container 46 is composed of a hollow container having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a protrusion connecting portion 46 a is provided at one corner of the upper surface thereof. An introduction opening 56 (FIG. 2) is formed at 46a. The toner particle recovery container 46 is detachably mounted on a container support 58, and the container support 58 is rotatably supported via a recovery container support mechanism 60 (described later). Accordingly, the toner particle collecting container 46 is mounted on the front surface of the vertical front substrate 6 via the number-of-times container supporting mechanism 60 so as to be rotatable between the mounting position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position shown in FIG. .

The toner particle collecting mechanism described above further includes a toner particle fall prevention unit 62. The toner particle drop prevention means 62 shown in the drawing includes a cylindrical sleeve member 64, and the sleeve member 64 is slidably mounted on the outer peripheral surface of one end of the cylindrical body 48. An elongated opening 66 is formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall of the sleeve member 64, and a projection 68 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 48 is received in the opening 66. Therefore, the sleeve member 64 is in the open position shown by the solid line in FIG.
6) and a closed position indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3 (at the closed position, the projection 68 has an opening 66).
(Located at the inner end of) and is not rotated around the tubular body 48. An annular protrusion 70 is provided at the inner end of the sleeve member 64, and an annular protrusion 72 is provided at the portion of the tubular body 48 located on the front surface of the front wall 10, and both the protrusions 70 and 72 are provided. A coil spring 74 is interposed between them. As described above, when the toner particle recovery container 46 is moved to the device position as described later, the inner peripheral edge of the projecting connecting portion 46a acts on the outer end surface of the sleeve member 64, and this is applied to the coil spring 74. Move it to the right in Fig. 3 against the force,
The sleeve member 64 is thus positioned in the open position shown in solid lines in FIG. In such a state, as can be understood from FIGS. 1 and 3, one end of the tubular body 48 is fitted by the protruding connecting portion 46a of the toner particle collecting container 46 and is formed on the tubular body 48. The discharged discharge opening 52 is opened, and the toner particles thus moved by the moving blade 50 are dropped into the toner particle collecting container 46 through the discharge opening 52 and the introduction opening 56 (FIG. 2). on the other hand,
When the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved from the above-mentioned device position to the open position as described later, the toner particle collecting container 46 is
The protruding connection portion 46a of the
The sleeve member 64 is moved to the third position by the operation of the coil spring 74.
It is moved to the left in the figure and is positioned at the closed position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. In this state, the peripheral wall of the sleeve member 64 closes the discharge opening 52 formed in the cylindrical body 48, and thus the toner particles in the cylindrical body 48 are not discharged to the outside through the discharge opening 52.

Next, the configurations of the toner particle recovery container 46 and the container support 58 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The toner particle collecting container 46 has a bottom wall (not shown),
It has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a front wall 76, a rear wall 78 (FIG. 2), a right side wall 80, a left side wall (not shown) and an upper wall 82, and a corner portion of the upper wall 82 (in the specific example, the front wall 76 And the protruding connection portion 46a is provided at the corner defined by the right side wall 80). At the rear of the upper wall 82 where the protruding connecting portion 46a is provided, an elongated opening 84 (fifth portion) is formed.
(Fig.) Is formed, and the opening 84 is covered with a transparent member 86 made of a transparent material. The transparent member 86 has an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a substantially inverted U-shaped recess 88 as shown in FIG.
The openings are aligned with the openings 84 in the top wall 82. Therefore, when the amount of toner particles in the toner particle collection container 46 increases, a part of the toner particles will be opened by the opening 84.
Through the concave portion 88 of the transparent member 86. Further, the container support 58 has a support bottom wall 90, side walls 92 and 94, and an upper wall 96, and the front surface and the rear surface are open. The front end side of the support bottom wall 90 has side walls 92 and 9
4 projecting forward from the leading edge of 4 and the trailing ends thereof are bent substantially vertically upward at the trailing edges of the side walls 92 and 94. Further, the upper wall 96 is made to project upward at the right end portion thereof, and the detecting means 98 is arranged on the inner surface of the projecting wall 96a. Illustrated detection means 9
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 8 is a combination of a light emitting element 100 and a light receiving element 102 arranged at intervals in the left-right direction, and the light emitting element 100 and the light receiving element 102 have a protruding wall 96a.
It is mounted on a support member 104 fixed to the inner surface of the.
A light blocking member 106 is further arranged inside the protruding wall 96a. The light blocking member 106 is a light emitting element 10.
0 and the light receiving element 102 are movably mounted in the mounting direction of the toner particle collecting container 46 indicated by an arrow 108. In relation to the light blocking member 106, an elastic member 110 is mounted on the inner surface of the right side wall 80, and the elastic member 110 acts on the rear end surface of the light blocking member 106. With such a configuration, in order to detachably mount the toner particle recovery container 46 on the container support 58, the toner particle recovery container 46 is installed on the support bottom wall 90 of the container support 58 and the upper surface thereof is installed. It may be moved in the direction indicated by arrow 108 along with. As a result, the toner particle collecting container 46 is accommodated in the container support 58, the rear wall 78 of the toner particle number container 46 contacts the bent portion 90a of the support bottom wall 90, and thus the toner particle collecting container 46 is supported by the container. It is attached to the body 58 as required. A locking means may be provided to securely hold the toner particle recovery container 46 in the mounted state. In the case of the above-mentioned apparatus, the transparent member 86 provided in the toner particle collecting container 46 moves the light emitting element 100 and the light receiving element 102 of the detecting means 98 provided in the container support 58, Therefore, when the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 108, the end of the transparent member 86 abuts the light blocking member 106, which resists the force of the elastic member 110 (FIG. 2). The transparent member 86 is moved to the fifth position by retracting in the direction indicated by 108 and thus mounting the toner particle collecting container 46 as described above as required.
As shown in the figure, it is positioned between the light emitting element 100 and the light receiving element 102 (note that the toner particle collecting container 46 is completely mounted on the supporting bottom wall 90 of the container support 58 as shown in FIG. But its front part projects in front of this space without being housed in the space defined by the side walls 92 and 94 and the upper wall 96). In this mounted state, when the amount of toner particles in the toner particle collection container 46 increases and a part of the toner particles flows out into the recess 88 of the transparent member 86, the toner particles block light from the light emitting element 100. Thus, the detecting means 98 detects that the toner particles are sufficiently filled in the toner particle collecting container 46. On the other hand, when the toner particles in the toner particle collecting container 46 are discarded, the toner particle collecting container 46 can be taken out from the container support 58 by grasping the front part of the toner particle collecting container 46 and supporting the container support 58. Bottom wall 9
It suffices to move 0 in the direction opposite to arrow 108.
When it is moved in this way, the light blocking member 10
6 is moved forward by the action of the elastic member 110 (FIG. 2), and when the toner particle collecting container 46 is taken out as required, the light blocking member 106 causes the light emitting element 100 and the light receiving element 102 as shown in FIG. Located in between. Therefore,
When the toner particle collecting container 46 is taken out, the light blocking member 106
Will block the light from the light emitting element, and the detecting means 9
8 also detects that the toner particle recovery container 46 is not attached to the container support 58. In the specific example, the above-mentioned detecting means 98 is used when the light projected from the light emitting element 100 to the light receiving element 102 is blocked (that is, when the toner particles are sufficiently filled in the toner particle collecting container 46, When the toner particle collecting container 46 is detached from the container support 58), a copy prohibition signal is generated, and the copying process cannot be performed based on the copy prohibition signal.

Next, the recovery container support mechanism 60 that supports the toner particle recovery container 46 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. Mainly referring to FIG. 6, the illustrated collection container support mechanism 60 includes a first connecting member 112 and a second connecting member 114.
And a third connecting member 116. The first connecting member 112 has a main body portion 118 extending substantially vertically, and the upper support portion 1 extending inward at the upper and lower ends of the main body portion 118.
20 and the lower support 122 are provided, and the main body 118
An attachment portion 124 extending outward is provided at one end of the. In the specific example, the mounting portion 124 is mounted on the front surface of the vertical front substrate 6 (see FIG. 1). In addition, the second connecting member 114 has a body portion 126 that extends substantially vertically.
An upper support portion 128 and a lower support portion 130 that extend inward are provided at the upper and lower ends of the main body member 126, and a vertical support portion 132 is further provided at the tip of the lower support portion 130. The first connecting member 112 and the second connecting member 1
Reference numeral 14 is pivotally connected about a first axis extending substantially vertically. That is, in the specific example, the first
Upper support portion 120 and lower support portion 122 of the connecting member 112 of
A connecting pin 113 (constituting a first axis) extending substantially vertically therebetween is rotatably mounted, and the upper support portion 12
The upper support 128 and the lower support 130 of the second connecting member 114 are rotatably connected between the 0 and lower support 122 via a connecting pin 133. Also, the third connecting member 1
Reference numeral 16 denotes a main body portion 134 that extends substantially vertically, and an upper support portion 1 that extends inward is provided at the upper and lower ends of the main body portion 134.
36 and a lower support portion 138 are provided, and a vertical support portion 140 is further provided at the end on one end side of the lower support portion 138.
The third connecting member 116 and the second connecting member 114 described above.
Are pivotally connected about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. That is, in the specific example, the connecting pin 142 (constituting the second axis) extending substantially perpendicular to the connecting pin 133 between the main body 126 of the second connecting member 114 and the vertical support 132 is rotatable. Mounted on the main body 126 and the vertical support 13
One end of the main body portion 134 of the third connecting member 116 and the vertical support portion 140 are rotatably connected between the two through a connecting pin 142. In the specific example, a mounting portion 144 extending inward is provided at the other end of the third connecting member 116, and the lower support portion 138 thereof further extends beyond the mounting portion 144. Lower support 1
The above-mentioned container support 58 is attached to 38 as required, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Therefore, in the recovery container support mechanism 60 described above, one end side of the first connecting member 112 is attached to the vertical front substrate 6, and the first connecting member 11 is attached.
The other end of the second connecting member 114 and the one end of the second connecting member 114 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable about the first axis, and the other end of the second connecting member 114 and the one end of the third connecting member 116. Are pivotally connected about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and the container support 58 is attached to the other end of the third connecting member 116. In the specific example, as understood from FIG. 6, each of the first connecting member 112, the second connecting member 114, and the third connecting member 116 is respectively
It is formed by bending the boot-shaped member as required.

The recovery container support mechanism 60 is configured to rotate the toner particle recovery container 46 about the first axis in the first predetermined angle range from the mounting position (the position shown in FIG. 1) to the specific angle position. In the second predetermined angle range from the specific angle position to the open position (position shown in FIG. 2), the toner particle collecting container 46 can be swung about the first axis and the second axis. Is configured to support. To further explain, the first connecting member 11
A first pin member 146 is rotatably mounted between the upper support portion 120 and the lower support portion 122 of No. 2. The upper end side of the first pin member 146 penetrates the upper support portion 120 and projects further upward. A second pin member 148 is fixed between the upper support portion 136 and the lower support portion 138 of the third connecting member 116, and the upper end side of the second pin member 148 penetrates the upper support portion 136. It projects further upward. Then, the protruding end portion of the first pin member 146 and the protruding end portion of the second pin member 148 are connected by the fourth connecting member 150. Rectangular oblong holes 152a and 152b are formed at both ends of the fourth connecting member 150, and the first pin member 146 is rotatable in one oblong hole 152a and movable along the oblong hole 152a. The second pin member 148 is received in the other long hole 152b so as to be rotatable and movable along the long hole 152b. Therefore, the fourth connecting member 150 is movably mounted over the predetermined range between the first pin member 146 and the second pin member 148. This fourth connecting member 15
In the concrete example, 0 has both ends rotatably and movably connected to each other, but instead of this, one end is rotatably connected and the other end is rotatably and over a predetermined range. You may make it connect so that movement is possible. First above
Of the pin member 146 and the second pin member 148 of the toner particle collecting container 46 from the mounting position (FIGS. 7-A, 7-B) to the open position (FIGS. 8-A, 8-). B
It is important to arrange so that the distance between the two will gradually increase with the movement. That is, in the specific example, the first pin member 14
6 and the second pin member 148, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7-B, their axes and the first axis (the axis of the connecting pin 133) in the device position (the position shown in FIG. 1). ) And are arranged in a triangular shape. Further, in a specific example, the second connecting member 114 is further provided with a second
An L-shaped engaging portion 154 that can engage with the protruding end of the pin member 148 is provided. The engaging portion 154 extends from the tip of the upper support portion 128 of the second connecting member 114 to the other side. The engaging portion 154 is located at the device position (7-A
(Fig. 7-B) between the second pin member 148 and the second pin member 148 between the second pin member 148 and the second pin member 148 with respect to the second pin member 148. Prevents relative rotation in a predetermined direction.

In the collection container support mechanism 60 having the above-described configuration, at the mounting position, the engaging portion 154 of the second connecting member 114 is at the second position as shown in FIGS. 6, 7-A, and 7-B. The third connecting member 1 is engaged with the protruding end of the pin member 148.
16 is counterclockwise in FIGS. 6 and 7-A relative to the second connecting member 114 about the connecting pin 142 (which constitutes the second axis) (in detail in FIG. 6). Is counterclockwise when viewed from the lower right to the upper left), and thus the toner particle count container 4
6 is held substantially horizontally by its own weight as shown in FIG. The toner particle collecting container 46 is directed from the mounting position to the opening position as indicated by arrow 1 in FIG. 7-B.
When swung in the direction indicated by 56, the toner particle collecting container 46 is, in effect, substantially free from the connecting pin 133, that is, the first connecting member 112 and the second connecting member 114 are initially rotatable via the connecting pin 133. It is moved substantially horizontally about a vertical first axis. During this movement, as understood from FIGS. 6 and 7-B, the distance between the first pin member 146 and the second pin member 148 gradually increases as the toner particle recovery container 46 turns. However, since the fourth connecting member 150 is movable,
The first pin member 146 and the second pin member 148 are the fourth
Of the second connecting member 11 is only relatively moved within the long holes 152a and 152b of the connecting member 150 of FIG.
The engagement state between the engaging portion 154 of No. 4 and the second pin member 148 is not released, and the toner particle collecting container 46 is held substantially horizontally as in the mounting position. When the toner particle collecting container 46 is swung to a specific angle position between the mounting position and the opening position, the distance between the first pin member 146 and the second pin member 148 increases due to the turning. Due to this, the first pin member 146 causes the long hole 1 to move.
A second pin member 148 located at the outer end of 52a.
Is located outside the long hole 152b (hence,
The movement of the fourth connecting member 150 is restricted at the specific angular position). When the toner particle collecting container 46 is swung from the specific angle position toward the open position, the first pin member 146 and the second pin member 146 are swung along with the swiveling.
Although the distance between the pin members 148 of FIG.
On the other hand, when the specific angle position is exceeded, the first pin member 146 and the second pin member 148 cannot relatively move within the elongated holes 152a and 152b of the fourth connecting member 150, and accordingly, the fourth pin member 146 and the second pin member 148 cannot move. The connecting member 150 is the first pin member 14
6 and the second pin member 148, the first pin member 146 and the second pin member 146 are rotated by rotating the toner particle collecting container 46. The increase in the distance between the members 148 causes the third connecting member 116 to pivot clockwise about the connecting pin 142 relative to the second connecting member 114 in FIGS. 6 and 7-A. Therefore, in the specific example, in order to allow the pivotal movement around the connecting pin 142 described above, the fourth connecting member 150 is used.
Both ends of the first pin member 1 are movable in the vertical direction to some extent.
46 and the second pin member 148). Therefore, when the toner particle collecting container 46 is rotated beyond the specific angular position, the comparison between FIGS. 7-A and 7-B and FIGS. 8-A and 8-B is performed. As will be understood, the second connecting member 114 is rotated relative to the first connecting member 112 about the connecting pin 133 (first axis), and the third connecting member is accompanied by this turning. The member 116 is pivoted upward relative to the second connecting member 114 about the connecting pin 142 (second axis),
Thus, the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved obliquely upward from the specific angle position to the open position (FIGS. 8-A and 8-B). In the specific example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toner particle collecting container 4 at the mounting position is shown.
A protective cover 158 for covering electric parts and the like in the electrostatic copying apparatus is provided above the toner image collecting container 6.
By moving 46 as described above, it is avoided that the toner particle recovery container 46 abuts the lower part of the protective cover 158.

In the electrostatic copying apparatus described above, the toner particle collecting container 46 is further moved from the mounting position to the opening position when a paper jam occurs at a specific portion (near the transfer area in the specific example) of the copy paper transport path. It is configured so that the jammed paper cannot be taken out unless it is positioned at. Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the toner particle collecting container 46 is located in front of the drum unit 8 in the mounting position as is apparent from FIG. At the open position, as is apparent from FIG. 2, the toner particle collecting container 46 is placed in the drum unit 8.
It is configured to move from the front to the side and open the front. Therefore, as described above, the transport unit 18
To open the drum unit 8 to the pull-out position to completely open the specific portion of the copy paper transport path, the toner particle collecting container 46 must be moved from the mounting position to the open position.

Furthermore, in the electrostatic copying apparatus of the specific example, a locking means 160 for locking the toner particle collecting container 46 to the mounting position is provided, and the locking state by the locking means 160 is due to the operation of the unit operating mechanism 28 described above. It is configured to be released. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as FIG. 9, mainly FIG. 9, the illustrated locking means 160 includes an engaging member 162, the rear end of the engaging member 162 being on the front surface of the vertical front substrate 6. Attached support member 1
It is attached to 64 via a pin member 166 so as to be rotatable. A coil spring 168 is provided at the rear end of the engaging member 162.
Is provided, and an engaging portion 172 and an abutting portion 174 are provided at the tip thereof. The coil spring 168 acts on the engaging member 162 to elastically bias the engaging member 162 upward. On the other hand, the support member 164 is in contact with the upper surface of the engagement member 162 and prevents the contact piece 1 from rotating upward.
70 is provided. With this structure, the above-mentioned engaging member 162 is normally in the lock position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 9) where the upper surface of the engaging member 162 contacts the contact piece 170 by the action of the coil spring 164. Retained. At this locking position, as shown in FIG.
2 engages with the front surface of the lower right corner of the toner particle collecting container 46 at the mounting position, and thus the toner particle collecting container 46
Is securely held in the mounting position. In order to hold the toner particle collecting container 46 in the mounting position more reliably, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is preferable to provide an elastic member such as a leaf spring 176 capable of acting on the rear surface of the toner particle collecting container 46 on the front side of the container, and in this case, if the biasing force of this elastic member is strengthened, the locked state is released as described later. At this time, due to this biasing force, the toner particle recovery container 46 can be moved from the mounting position to the opening position. On the upper surface of the contact portion 174 of the engaging member 162 described above, as can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 9, the operating member 3 of the unit operating mechanism 28 is provided.
2 can be contacted. Therefore, the transport unit 18
When the operating member 32 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 42 (FIG. 1) to move the operating member 32 to the open position, the operating member 32 is rotated.
Of the engaging member 162 abuts on the abutting portion 174 of the engaging member 162, and the operating member 32 moves the engaging member 162 downward due to the weight of the transport unit 18 acting on the operating member 32 against the force of the coil spring 168. Swivel and thus the engagement member 162 is in the second position.
It is held in the non-locked position shown. At the non-lock position, the engagement state between the engaging portion 172 of the engaging member 162 and the front wall 76 of the toner particle collecting container 46 is released, and thus the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved from the mounting position to the opening position. It can be turned freely. In the specific example, the engaging member 162 is configured to be brought to the non-locking position by the action of the unit actuating mechanism 28, but instead, the engaging member 162 is engaged separately from the operation of the unit actuating mechanism 28. The member 162 may be configured to be in a non-locking position.

Next, with reference to mainly FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation and effect of the electrostatic copying apparatus as described above will be described.

When a paper jam occurs at the above-mentioned specific portion of the copy paper transport path, in order to remove the jammed copy paper, first, the operation member 32 of the unit operating mechanism 28 in the state shown in FIG. ) Rotate in the direction indicated by. Thus, the support members 34a and 34b are integrated with the operation member 32.
2 (FIG. 2) is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 42, and the transport unit 18 is pivoted downward about the pin 22 by its own weight and is held in the open position shown in FIG. Immediately before the transport unit 18 is moved to the open position,
As can be seen from FIG. 9, the distal end portion of the operating member 32 abuts on the abutting portion 174 of the engaging member 162 in the locking position, and the operating member 32 resists the force of the coil spring 168. Rotate 162 downward. Therefore, when the transport unit 18 is held in the open position as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, a specific portion of the copying and transporting path is opened in a wedge shape, and as a result, as described above. It is possible to move the drum unit 8 to the pull-out position,
The engagement member 162 is held at the non-lock position to release the engagement state between the engagement portion 172 of the engagement member 162 and the toner particle recovery container 46, and the above-described turning movement of the toner particle recovery container 46 is enabled. Become.

Then, the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved to the arrow 156 (7th-
The mounting position (position shown in FIG. 1) in the direction shown in FIG.
To the above open position (the position shown in FIG. 2). When the toner particle collecting container 46 is swung toward the open position, the first position from the mounting position to the specific angle is reached.
In the predetermined angle range of, the toner particle number container 46 forms the first axis as described above, and the connecting pin 133 (FIG. 6).
Is moved substantially horizontally, and in the second predetermined angle range from the specific angle position to the open position, the toner particle recovery container 46 is connected to the connecting pin 133 (FIG. 6) and the second position as described above. The connecting pin 142 (FIG. 6) that constitutes the axis of is moved diagonally upward.
During this movement, the toner particles accumulated in a mountain shape flow in the toner particle collecting container 46, and in particular, the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved obliquely upward in the second predetermined angle range. The toner particles, which are mountain-shaped on the side of the protruding connection portion 46a, flow toward the other side and become mountain-shaped on the other side. Therefore, when the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved to the mounting position later, the toner particles inside the container are biased to the other side, and thus, as will be easily understood, the toner particle filling efficiency is effectively increased. Can be increased. When the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved to the open position as described above, the front of the drum unit 8 is opened as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the drum unit 8 is pulled out forward in the front-rear direction and positioned from the mounting position shown in FIG. 1 to the pull-out position. As a result, as described above, the specific portion of the copy paper conveyance path is completely opened, and thus the copy paper stuck in the specific portion can be taken out very easily.

After removing the jammed copy paper, the drum unit 8 is positioned from the withdrawal position to the mounting position, and then the operating member 32 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 40 (FIG. 2). Position 46 from the open position to the mounting position. When the operating member 32 is rotated in this way, the supporting members 34a and 34b are integrated with the operating member 32 (FIG. 2).
Is also rotated, and the transport unit 8 is brought to the closed position shown in FIG. 1 as described above. Further, when it is rotated in this manner, the contact state between the contact portion 174 of the engaging member 162 and the operating member 32 is released, and the engaging member 162 is held at the lock position shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. Next, when the toner particle collecting container 46 is moved to the mounting position, as will be easily understood, the container support 58 and the toner particle collecting container 46.
Passes over the engaging portion 172 of the engaging member 162 (in this case, the engaging member 162 is slightly lowered by the action of the container support 58 and the toner particle collecting container 46 against the force of the coil spring 168. Thus, the toner particle collecting container 46 is securely held in the mounting position by the engaging member 162 in the locking position, and copying can be performed.

As described above, in the electrostatic copying apparatus described above, the toner accumulated in the toner particle collecting container 46 in a mountain shape at the time of removing the copy paper clogged at least at the specific portion of the copy paper transport path. Since the particles are caused to flow as required and the mountain-like state is eliminated, the efficiency of filling the toner particles in the toner particle collecting container 46 can be effectively improved.

Although the specific example of the electrostatic copying apparatus configured according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific example, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.

For example, in the electrostatic copying apparatus of the specific example, the locking means 160 is provided to securely hold the toner particle recovery container 46 at the mounting position. However, instead of the locking means 160,
Toner particle collecting container 4 is provided by the front cover of the electrostatic copying apparatus.
6 can also be configured to be held securely in the mounting position.

Further, in a specific example, a configuration is provided in which the transport unit 18 and the drum unit 8 are provided, and a specific portion of the copy paper transport path is opened by moving the transport unit 18 to the open position and the drum unit 8 to the pull-out position. However, the present invention is not limited to the electrostatic copying apparatus of the above-described form, but is simply provided with a drum unit and the drum unit is moved to the pull-out position so that An electrostatic copying apparatus in which a specific portion is opened, or an electrostatic copying apparatus in which a transport unit is simply provided and the drum unit is moved to an open position so that a specific portion of the copy paper transport path is opened. By providing the lower support and the upper support openably and closably attached to the lower support, the upper support is moved to the open position to increase the size of the copy paper conveyance path. Min can be applied to an electrostatic copying apparatus or the like so-called shell-type being opened.

<Effects of the Invention> The electrostatic copying apparatus according to the present invention is configured as described above, and when a paper jam occurs at a specific portion of the copy paper transport path,
The jammed paper cannot be taken out unless the toner particle collecting container is set to the open position, and the toner particle collecting container is substantially in the first predetermined angle range from the mounting position to the specific angle position. The toner particle collecting container is swung about the first vertical axis and is in the second predetermined angle range from the specific angular position to the open position, and the toner particle collecting container is moved with respect to the first axial line and the first axial line. The toner particle collecting container is tilted by being swung to the open position because it is supported so as to swivel about the substantially vertical second axis. Therefore, the toner particles accumulated in the toner particle collecting container in a mountain shape can be made to flow as required, so that the filling efficiency of the toner particles in the toner particle collecting container can be effectively achieved without providing any special device or mechanism. Can be improved. Further, according to the present invention, as described above, the toner particle collection container is swung substantially horizontally from the mounting position to the specific angle position about the substantially vertical first axis, and from the specific angle position. Since it is pivoted and tilted about the second axis which is substantially vertical until reaching the open position, even if other devices and parts are arranged above the toner particle collecting container, they do not interfere with them. Therefore, there is an effect that the entire device can be configured compactly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the front side of an electrostatic copying apparatus constructed according to the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the toner particle collecting container of the electrostatic copying apparatus of FIG. 1 is in an open position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the discharge side of the toner particle moving means of the electrostatic copying apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a toner particle recovery container and a container support of the electrostatic copying apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the state where the toner particle collecting container is attached to the container support of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a recovery container supporting mechanism of the electrostatic copying apparatus of FIG. 1 as seen from behind. 7A and 7B are a rear view and a plan view showing the relative positional relationship of various members of the recovery container support mechanism when the toner particle recovery container is at the mounting position, respectively. 8A and 8B are a rear view and a plan view showing the relative positional relationship of various members of the recovery container support mechanism when the toner particle recovery container is in the open position, respectively. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a locking means for holding the toner particle collecting container at the mounting position. 2 ... Copier housing 8 ... Drum unit 18 ... Conveying unit 28 ... Unit operating mechanism 44 ... Toner particle moving means 46 ... Toner particle collecting container 58 ... Collection container support 60 ... Collection container supporting mechanism 160 ... Lock means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A copy paper transport path for transporting copy paper as required through a transfer area, a cleaning device for removing toner particles remaining on the surface of a photoconductor after being transferred in the transfer area, and the cleaning. A toner particle recovery mechanism having a toner particle recovery container for recovering the toner particles removed by the apparatus and a recovery container support mechanism for rotatably supporting the toner particle recovery container, and at least a specific portion of the copy paper transport path. In the electrostatic copying apparatus configured so that the toner particle recovery mechanism is opened, the recovery container support mechanism of the toner particle recovery mechanism is configured to operate in the first predetermined angle range from the mounting position of the toner particle recovery container to the specific angle position. The toner particles are rotatably supported about a substantially vertical first axis, and the toner particles are in a second predetermined angular range from the specific angular position to the open position. A collection container is configured to be pivotally supported about the first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and further, at a specific portion of the copy paper conveyance path. An electrostatic copying apparatus characterized in that, when a paper jam occurs, the jammed paper cannot be taken out unless the toner particle recovery container is set to the open position. 2. The recovery container support mechanism includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member connected to the first connecting member so as to be rotatable about the first axis, and the second connecting member. Connected to the connecting member of the third pivotally rotatable about the second axis.
In the first predetermined angle range, the second connection member is swiveled relative to the first connection member about the first axis, and the second predetermined connection member is rotated about the second connection member. In the angular range, the second connecting member is pivoted relative to the first connecting member about the first axis and the third connecting member is about the second axis. The second
The electrostatic copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic copying apparatus is configured to be rotated relative to the connecting member. 3. The first connecting member is provided with a first pin member, the third connecting member is provided with a second pin member, and the first pin member and the second pin member are provided. The member is arranged so that when the toner particle collecting container is swung from the device position toward the open position, the distance between the two is gradually increased along with the swiveling, and the first pin member and the A fourth connecting member is mounted between the second pin members so as to be rotatable and movable over a predetermined range.
Within a predetermined angle range, the fourth connecting member is movable, and thus the second connecting member is pivoted about the first axis relative to the first connecting member.
The movement of the fourth connecting member is restricted in the second predetermined angle range, and thus the second connecting member pivots relative to the first connecting member about the first axis. An electrostatic copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said third connecting member is pivoted relative to said second connecting member about said second axis. 4. The second connecting member is engaged with the second pin member in the first predetermined angle range to move the third connecting member in a predetermined direction with respect to the second connecting member. An electrostatic copying apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an engaging portion for preventing relative rotation. 5. A lock means for locking the toner particle collecting container at the mounting position is additionally provided, and the locking means is a lock position for engaging the toner particle collecting container and a non-locking position for separating from the toner particle collecting container. Claims 1 to 4 including an engagement member movable between and.
An electrostatic copying apparatus according to any one of paragraphs. 6. The specific portion of the copy paper transport path is defined by a transport unit movably mounted between an open position and a closed position, and further, a unit operating mechanism for moving the transport unit is provided. The unit operating mechanism is provided to operate the engaging unit of the locking means to move the engaging member from the locked position to the unlocked position when the unit operating mechanism is operated to move the transport unit to the open position. An electrostatographic copying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the electrostatographic copying apparatus is constructed so as to be strict. 7. The cleaning device is mounted on a drum unit having a rotating drum mounted thereon, the drum unit being mounted so as to be movable back and forth between a mounting position and a drawing position, and the copying paper conveying path at the drawing position. The toner particle collecting container is located in front of the drum unit at the mounting position and is open at the opening position in front of the drum unit. An electrostatic copying apparatus according to claim 6.