JPH07248714A - Image forming unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an image forming unit capable of strongly engaging a first unit with a second unit and simultaneously facilitating its detachment as well and excellent in operability. CONSTITUTION:At the time of coupling, the locking part 3 of the first unit 1 is engaged with the projection 5 of the second unit 2. The first and second units 1 and 2 restrained each other via the engagement of the locking part, 3 and the projection 5 are strongly coupled in such a manner that the holding part 6 of the second unit 2 is abutted on the plane part 4 of the first unit 1, to reinforce the restraining state. On the other hand, at the time of their separation, the locking part 3 of the first unit 1 is disengaged from the projection 5 of the second unit 2, so that the abutting of the holding part 6 of the second unit 2 against the plane part 4 of the first unit 1 is simultaneously released to separate the first and second units 1 and 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming unit which can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic printer or a copying machine, and more particularly to a first unit including an image carrier and other image forming units. The present invention relates to an image forming unit configured to be separable from a second unit including a participating member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image forming apparatus adopting an electrophotographic system, a developing device converts an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing member into a toner image and transfers the toner image onto a sheet to form an image. Is being done. For the purpose of simplifying parts replacement and consumables safety inspection work due to deterioration of the photoconductor, toner consumption, etc. and downsizing the device itself, the members involved in image formation are integrated and attached / detached in units. An image forming unit has been proposed. FIG. 13 is an overall view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus (here, a printer apparatus is shown as an example). This apparatus generally includes a sheet feeding cassette 16, a sheet feeding roll 17, an image forming unit 18 (photoreceptor). Drum 19, charging device 20, optical writing head 21, developing device 22, transfer device 23, cleaner 24, etc.), fixing device 25
Is provided in the apparatus body M, and the apparatus body M is divided into an upper machine body M ₁ and a lower machine body M _2, and the upper machine body M ₁ is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the lower machine body M ₂ with a hinge shaft 26 as a fulcrum. ing. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, some of the image forming members constituting the image forming unit 18 are configured as an image forming unit that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. This image forming unit is divided into two units U ₁₁ and U ₁₂ so that only the one that has reached the end of its life can be replaced in consideration of the difference in the lives of the photoconductor drum 19 and the developing device 22. It is composed. That is, the photoconductor drum 19 as the image carrier and the charger 2
0, cleaner 24, etc. are integrated into the first unit U ₁₁
And the developing device 22 constitutes a second unit U ₁₂ , and these two units U ₁₁ and U ₁₂ can be separated from each other, and the upper machine body M ₁ is opened as shown in FIG. A vertical direction (arrow B
Direction) is removable.

The first and second units U ₁₁ and U _{12 which} are separable in this way are constructed as shown in detail in FIGS. 7 to 11. Note that FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the unit U _11, U ₁₂ in the divided state, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the unit U _11, U ₁₂ in the combined state, FIG. 9 of the unit U _11, U ₁₂ in split state Side view, FIG. 10 is a side view of the units U ₁₁ and U ₁₂ in a united state, and FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining mounting of the units U ₁₁ and U ₁₂ in a united state to the image forming apparatus main body. .

As shown in these figures, the second unit
U₁₂On both sides of the unit casing 27 of
Knit U₁₂Positioning protrusion when mounting the
The raised portions 28 and 29 are provided so as to project, and the first unit U₁₁
At both ends of the unit casing 30 of the
Utto₁₂The protrusions 28, 2 extending in the shape of an arm toward the side.
9 are provided with hooking portions 31 and 32 that can be hooked, respectively.
There is. The hook portions 31 and 32 are respectively formed as the protrusion portions 28 and 29.
In the engaged state, the second unit U₁₂In place
Unit U of 1₁₁Are positioned and are in a united state. Yo
The first and second units U₁₁, U₁₂To the device body M
For mounting, the first and second units U ₁₁, U₁₂The above
As shown in FIG. 11, the second unit
Utto₁₂With one hand, then the first unit U
₁₁Is the second unit U₁₂As it remains united in
It is mounted in a predetermined device position on the device body M in the state. Well
Also, the first and second units U₁₁, U₁₂From the device body M
To take it out, reverse the order of installation.
Chi second unit U₁₂With one hand and pull out to the top
Then, the second unit U₁₂To the first unit U₁₁Is united
You can take it out as it is. The first and the first
2 units U₁₁, U₁₂To the device body M separately
To install, first the first unit U₁₁The protrusion 2
8 and 29 are fitted in a predetermined positioning groove on the apparatus main body M side.
To the predetermined mounting portion of the apparatus main body M, and then the first
Unit U₁₁The engaging portions 31, 32 of the protrusions 28, 2
While hooking on 9, the first unit U₁₁Of the device body M
Attach it to the specified attachment part. First and second units U₁₁,
U₁₂In order to take out the
Unit U₁₁The hook portions 31, 32 and the protrusions 28, 2
9 is removed from the apparatus main body M while being disengaged from
Later, the second unit U₁₂Take out.

Incidentally, in recent years, the photosensitive drum of the first unit is
An extremely small diameter (about 30 mm diameter) was developed.
Cage, second unit U₁₂The developer of the developer (toner
-) Is stored in the second unit to extend its life.
Knit U₁₂Is the first unit U ₁₁Bigger than
Cage, second unit U₁₂To the first unit U₁₁Engage
It is structured to Also, a split type image forming unit
In order to improve the operability of the second unit U, for example₁₂And the first
Unit U₁₁Separately set up a basket to hold
Things, the second unit U₁₂To the first unit U₁₁To
Those having a receiving part for receiving have also been developed.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
However, conventionally, the second unit U₁₂The first unit U
₁₁When the unit is attached to the main unit and mounted in the main unit,
When placing on a bull or the like (both are the second unit U₁₂
Holding the lid of the unit (see Figure 11)), the first unit
U₁₁To the second unit U,₁₂of
Since it is only engaged with the protrusion, it is very easy to remove
When carrying it, it sometimes came off due to vibration. on the other hand,
In order to avoid this, the first unit U₁₁In the shape of an arm
Extended hook and second unit U₁₂The engagement of the
The second unit U if configured to₁₂And the first
Unit U₁₁When installed in the main body of the
Unit U of 1₁₁It is difficult to take out only the operability
Will be reduced.

In the case where the basket and the receiving portion are provided as described above, the operation must be performed with both hands when attaching or detaching the unit to or from the apparatus body, which is a drawback.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to form an image with good operability in which the first and second units can be firmly engaged and can be easily removed. To provide a unit.

[0009]

An image forming unit of the present invention comprises a first unit having an image bearing member and detachable from an image forming apparatus, and an image forming member acting on the image bearing member. An image forming unit comprising a second unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus and provided to cooperate with the image forming apparatus to form an image when mounted on the image forming apparatus. On the other side, a hooking portion capable of being hooked on the protrusion and a holding means for reinforcing the hooked state of both units engaged with each other via the protrusion and the hooking portion are provided. .

[0010]

[Function] A first image carrier having an image carrier and detachable from the image forming apparatus.
The unit has a protrusion. On the other hand, a second unit that has an image forming member that acts on the image carrier and is detachable from the image forming apparatus has a hooking portion that can be hooked on the protrusion. The first unit and the second
When the unit is attached to the image forming apparatus, the protrusion of the first unit and the hooking unit of the second unit are engaged with each other. The holding means reinforces the hooked state of the two units engaged with each other. Both units mounted on the image forming apparatus cooperate to form an image.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are views showing an image forming unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view when the first and second units 1 and 2 are in a separated state, and FIG. Two
1 is a side view of the unit 2 of FIG. 1 (a) viewed from the left side,
FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming unit of the embodiment when the first and second units 1 and 2 are in a combined state.

As shown in these figures, the image forming unit of the present embodiment is divided into the first and second unit 1, which can be divided, like the conventional image forming unit shown in FIGS.
2, a first unit 1 including a photoconductor drum as an image carrier and a second unit 2 including a developing device. These two units 1 and 2 are respectively formed in the image forming apparatus main body. It is removable with respect to.

Here, on both side surfaces of the second unit 2, projections which engage with positioning grooves (grooves 50 in FIG. 4) on the apparatus body side when the unit 2 is mounted in the apparatus body. 5 are provided, and both side surface portions of the first unit 1 are provided with hook portions 3 that extend in an arm shape toward the first unit 2 side and can be hooked on the protrusions 5, respectively. . In the present embodiment, further, a holding that reinforces the hooked state of both the units 1 and 2 when the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 are engaged with each other via the hook 3 and the protrusion 5. As a means, there is provided a holding portion 6 that comes into contact with the flat surface portion 4 of the first unit 1. Here, when the second unit 2 is viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the second unit 2 has a rectangular shape, and the holding portion 6 is located in front of the protruding portion 5 and protrudes. It is arranged so as to cross the upper side of the portion 5 approximately half and perpendicularly intersect the protruding portion 5.

An example of the operation of the image forming unit of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in the same drawing, first, when they are combined, the hooking portion 3 of the first unit 1 engages with the protrusion 5 of the second unit 2. The first unit 1 and the second unit 2 that are in a hooked state with each other through the engagement of the hooking portion 3 and the protrusion 5.
The holding portion 6 of the second unit 2 is brought into contact with the flat surface portion 4 of the first unit 1 so that the hooked state is reinforced, and they are firmly united. On the other hand, at the time of separation, by removing the latching portion 3 of the first unit 1 from the protrusion 5 of the second unit 2, the holding portion 6 of the second unit 2 with respect to the flat portion 4 of the first unit 1 is removed. The contact is released at the same time, and the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 are separated.

Since the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 can be firmly integrated by the extremely simple operation as described above, the mounting on the main body of the image forming apparatus becomes very smooth, and the table etc. It is possible to avoid easy separation even when placed in.

Next, a second embodiment of the image forming unit of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a view showing the arrangement of the image forming unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the first unit 1 is
A lock portion 7 formed so as to be rotatable in the A direction is provided at the tip of the hook portion 3 so as to engage with the protrusion portion 5 of the second unit 2. The lock portion 7 can freely rotate in the A direction, but in the opposite direction, a lock (stopper) is applied at a predetermined position to prevent further rotation. In addition, the shaft 11 is provided on the side surface of the first unit 1.
An arm 11 that is rotatable about a and a arm 41 that is rotatable about a shaft 41a (coaxial with the rotation shaft of the photosensitive drum in the figure) at a position different from the shaft 11a are provided. A cover member 9 for covering the lower exposed surface of the photosensitive drum is provided at the tip of each of the arms 11 and 41.
Are rotatably connected by shafts 8 and 42, and these two arms 11 and 41 and the cover member 9 constitute a kind of four-joint link mechanism. In this link mechanism,
The cover member 9 when the arm 11 is in the position shown in FIG.
Is positioned so as to cover the lower exposed surface of the photosensitive drum, while the cover member 9 exposes the lower exposed surface of the photosensitive drum when the arm 11 rotates clockwise from this position by a predetermined angle (see FIG. (Position shown in 5). The arm 11 is constantly biased counterclockwise by the tension spring 10, and is engaged with a stopper (not shown) at the position shown in FIG. 3 to maintain that position.

Further, a rod-shaped or elongated lock portion 12 slidably supported in the horizontal direction by a guide portion 43 is provided as a holding means below the mounting position of the hook portion 3, and the arm 11 is also provided. One end of an arm 45, which is rotatably supported by a shaft 44, and one end of the lock portion 12 are rotatably connected by a shaft 46, and the lock portion 12 slides in the horizontal direction as the arm 11 rotates. It constitutes a kind of slider crank mechanism. In this mechanism, when the arm 11 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the tip portion (the right end portion in the figure) of the lock portion 12 moves to just below the hook portion 3, while the arm 11 moves clockwise from this position. When the lock portion 12 rotates by a predetermined angle, the tip portion of the lock portion 12 moves to a position (a position shown in FIG. 5) retracted from directly below the hook portion 3.

The operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the drawings. 4, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of this embodiment.

First, in order to combine the first and second units 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the left side surface of the second unit 2 is horizontally oriented with respect to the right side surface of the first unit 1. It is operated so as to be pressed against each other, and at that time, the protrusion 5 of the second unit 2 pushes the lock portion 7 in the direction of arrow A, and the arrow D is drawn between the hook portion 3 and the lock portion 12 of the first unit 1. Try to enter in the direction. After that, the lock portion 7 is further rotated in the direction of arrow A by a manual operation and is held at a position where it is engaged with the protrusion portion 5 as shown in FIG. As a result, the protrusion 5 is engaged with the latching portion 3 and the lock portion 7, and the latched state is reinforced by the lock portion 12, and the protrusion 5 is no longer in any of the upper, lower, left, and right directions. It is impossible to break the hooked state and move in the same direction. That is, the first and second units 1 and 2 are firmly combined with each other, and it becomes possible to carry both units 1 and 2 at the same time by holding only the second unit 2 with one hand. At this time, the above engagement does not come off. Further, in this state, the cover member 9 is in a position to cover the lower exposed surface of the photosensitive drum, and even if the units 1 and 2 are placed on a table, for example, the surface of the photosensitive drum directly contacts the table surface. There is no such thing.

Both units 1, which are thus in a united state,
2 is mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 4, the second positioning groove 50 is provided in the main body of the apparatus.
While engaging the protruding portion 5 of the unit 2 of No. 2, the both units 1 and 2 are gradually mounted in the apparatus main body from above as shown in FIG. In addition to the groove 50, an opening / closing groove 15 which is curved in a substantially J shape and is engageable with the shaft 8 of the first unit 1 is formed in the main body of the apparatus, and the protrusion 5 is formed in the groove 5.
The shaft 8 starts to engage with the opening / closing groove 15 almost at the same time as the engagement with 0 starts. The shaft 8 has a protrusion similar to the protrusion 5, and the protrusion engages with the opening / closing groove 15. When both units 1 and 2 are gradually installed in the main body of the apparatus in this manner, the projection 5 moves downward along the groove 50 and, at the same time, the shaft 8 is opened and closed.
Follow 5 and go deep into it. As a result, the arm 11 rotates in the clockwise direction against the urging force of the tension spring 10, and when both units 1 and 2 are positioned at the final device position as shown in FIG. 9
Moves to a position where the lower exposed surface of the photosensitive drum is exposed. In this state, normal image formation becomes possible. Also,
At this time, as the arm 11 rotates in the clockwise direction, the lock portion 12 moves from directly below the protrusion 5 to a retracted position.

Next, when the second unit 2 is taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus while the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 are united, the protrusion 5 and the shaft 8 are respectively provided with the groove 50, Since the arm 11 is urged in the counterclockwise direction by the tension spring 10, the shaft 8 moves in the groove 15
The arm 11 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction as it moves along. Then, when both units 1 and 2 are completely removed from the apparatus main body, the cover member 9 moves to a position for covering the photosensitive drum as shown in FIG. Moves right below the protrusion 5 to reinforce the hooked state of both units 1 and 2. On the other hand, when the first unit 1 alone is taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus (not shown), the handle 13 provided on the upper portion of the first unit 1 is held and pulled up in the direction C as shown in FIG. At the time of starting the pulling up, as is apparent from FIG. 6, since the lock portion 12 is retracted from the position directly below the protrusion portion 5, the lock portion 12 does not work as a holding means,
The engagement between the hook portion 3 and the lock portion 7 and the protrusion portion 5 is easily released. After that, when the first unit 1 is gradually pulled up, the arm 1 is pulled up in the same manner as when pulling up in the above-mentioned united state.
1 rotates counterclockwise, and the lock portion 12 gradually moves to the right with this, but when the tip of the lock portion 12 reaches a position where it can come into contact with the protrusion 5, the lock portion 1 has already been moved.
Since the tip of 2 has moved above the protrusion 5, it is possible to smoothly lift the tip. By performing the reverse operation, it is possible to mount the first unit 1 alone to the apparatus main body to which the second unit 2 has already been mounted.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 from falling off when the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 are attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, so that stable operability can be realized. Moreover, even after both units 1 and 2 have been attached to the apparatus main body, only the first unit 1 can be taken out as a single unit, so that further excellent operability can be obtained.

The opening / closing groove on the image forming apparatus main body side may have any shape as long as it can be slidably engaged with the protrusion of the cover member. Further, the configuration of the first embodiment and the configuration of this embodiment may be combined.

[0025]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION By providing a projection on one of the image forming units and a hooking portion capable of hooking on the projection on the other image forming unit, and a holding means, the projections of both image forming units can be provided. Since the latching portion engages with each other and the retaining means reinforces the latched state of both units, when both united units are mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus, they drop off due to some vibration or shock. Can be easily installed without incident. Further, since the hooked state of both units is surely realized, separation from the image forming apparatus main body is facilitated and operability can be improved. Furthermore, if the holding means of both units in the hooked state mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus can be released, the hooked state of both units can be released, so that one unit can be taken out alone.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a front view and (b) is a side view thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of units U ₁₁ and U ₁₂ in a divided state.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of units U ₁₁ and U ₁₂ in a combined state.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the units U ₁₁ and U ₁₂ in a divided state.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the units U ₁₁ and U ₁₂ in a combined state.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the mounting of the units U ₁₁ and U _{12 in} the combined state to the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 1st unit 2 2nd unit 3 Latch part 4 Plane part 5 Projection part 6 Holding part 7 Lock part 8 Shaft 9 Cover member 10 Extension spring 11 Arm 11a Shaft 12 Lock part 13 Handle 14 Lid 15 Opening / closing groove 41 Arm 41a Shaft 42 Shaft 43 Guide part 44 Shaft 45 Arm 46 Shaft 50 Groove

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first unit having an image carrier and detachable from an image forming apparatus, and a second unit having an image forming member that acts on the image carrier and detachable from the image forming apparatus. In an image forming unit provided to cooperate with the image forming apparatus to form an image when mounted on the image forming apparatus, one of the units has a protrusion, and the other of the units has a hook capable of being engaged with the protrusion. An image forming unit comprising: a stop portion; and a holding unit that reinforces a hooked state of both units that are engaged with each other via the protrusion and the hook portion. 2. The image forming unit according to claim 1, wherein the one unit is the second unit, and the other unit is the first unit. 3. The first unit includes a cover member that is movable between a position exposing a part of the image carrier and a position covering the image carrier in association with an attachment / detachment operation to / from the image forming apparatus, The image forming unit according to claim 2, wherein a cover member constitutes the holding means.