JPH07261489A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily replace a laser scan unit and to prevent the generation of a strain due to the fixing of the laser scan unit. CONSTITUTION:The laser scan unit can be easily attached to a base plate 4a without causing the strain of it by attaching an attaching piece 26 at one end of the laser scan unit 20 to an attaching part 27 provided on the base plate 4a of the device main body 4, pressing and fixing the piece 26 with a leaf spring 27b, and screwing only the supporting plate parts 28 on both sides on the opposite end to the supporting leg 29 disposed on the base plate 2a. Moreover, at the time of replacing the laser scan unit, detaching of the member located above is made unnecessary by allowing the laser scan unit 20 to be loaded and unloaded in the extended direction as shown by the arrow A.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus provided with a laser scanning unit for scanning a photosensitive member with laser light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus of a type in which a photoconductor is scanned with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image has been used.
In this type of recording apparatus, in order to facilitate manufacturing and maintenance of the apparatus, laser light scanning means for scanning the photosensitive member with laser light, that is, a laser light irradiation device, a polygon mirror for scanning laser light, and driving thereof A laser scan unit is used in which a motor, an optical system including a lens for forming an image of laser light on a photoconductor, a mirror for changing a necessary optical path, and the like are incorporated into a housing to form a unit. There is. This laser scan unit is mounted horizontally with respect to the bottom plate of the main body of the recording apparatus, so that the rotation axis of the polygonal mirror is vertical, and usually, the front end and the rear end are each provided with 2
It was fixed by screwing four places in total.
Further, when mounting the laser scanning unit, a method of mounting the laser scanning unit on the bottom plate of the apparatus main body from above is adopted.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional recording apparatus, since the laser scan unit is fixed by screws at four places, there is a problem that a large number of screws are required and it is troublesome. When the flatness of the laser scan unit and the flatness of the bottom plate are different, the laser scan unit is made to match the flatness of the flat plate because the four points of the laser scan unit are firmly screwed to the bottom plate. Therefore, there is a problem in that an unreasonable force is applied to the laser scanning unit to deform it and adversely affect the accuracy of the laser beam scanning position.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, since the laser scan unit is mounted on the bottom plate from above the bottom plate at a predetermined position, it is necessary to remove the laser scan unit for repair or replacement. ,
There is also a problem in that workability is poor because it is necessary to remove a member above the laser scan unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the laser scan unit can be easily attached to the apparatus main body, and when the laser scan unit is attached, an unreasonable force is applied to the laser scan unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device having a unique configuration.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus having a structure in which the laser scan unit can be easily replaced without removing other members arranged above the laser scan unit.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, first, as a mechanism for attaching a laser scan unit to an apparatus body, one end side of the laser scan unit is pressed against the apparatus body. It is provided with a structure in which both sides of the other end side are screwed to the apparatus main body.

More specifically, an insertion piece is attached to the front end side of the laser scan unit when it is inserted into the apparatus main body.
Screwing parts are formed on both sides on the rear end side, and on the other hand, the laser scanning unit is attached to the main body of the device so that the laser scanning unit is located almost on the extension line of the laser scanning unit. In addition to forming an insertion path through which the scan unit can be inserted and removed, a spring-pressing type insertion portion is provided at a position corresponding to the insertion piece of the laser scan unit inserted at a predetermined position, and a supporting leg is provided at a position corresponding to the screw fastening portion. By providing a portion, the laser scanning unit, by inserting the insertion piece on the front end side into the insertion portion to press and stop, by screwing the screwed portions on both sides on the rear end side to the support leg portion,
The structure is such that it is fixed to the apparatus main body.

Secondly, the laser scan unit is constructed so as to be attached to the apparatus body in a slanted state,
The insertion path formed in the main body of the apparatus is arranged almost on the extension line of the laser scan unit attached at a predetermined position in the upward direction.

Thirdly, in a recording apparatus having a structure in which a laser scan unit and a process cartridge are attached to the main body of the apparatus, the laser scan unit attached to a predetermined position on the main body of the apparatus is on a substantially extended line on the process cartridge side. The laser scanning unit and the process cartridge are provided with an insertion path so that the laser scanning unit and the process cartridge can be taken in and out.

Fourthly, the apparatus main body is provided with a side plate for holding the side surface of the process cartridge, and the side plate also serves as a guide for preventing the laser scan unit from rotating when the laser scan unit is inserted. It was done.

[0012]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, first, the laser scan unit is attached to the apparatus main body by screwing only at two positions on both sides of one end and by simply pressing the other end with a spring. Therefore, it is easy to install and remove. Further, even if there is a difference in flatness between the laser scan unit and the main body of the apparatus, no unreasonable force is applied to the laser scan unit and the laser scan unit is not distorted and the accuracy of the laser light scanning position is not deteriorated. .

Further, by forming an insertion path through which the laser scan unit can be put in and taken out, approximately on an extension line of the laser scan unit attached at a predetermined position, the laser scan unit can be replaced through the insertion path. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove a member provided above the laser scan unit, and the laser scan unit can be easily replaced. Also, when fixing the laser scan unit, simply insert the insert piece on the front end side of the laser scan unit inserted through the insertion path into the insert part of the main body of the device, and the screwing parts on both sides of the rear end side to the support legs of the main body of the device. Since it may be screwed to the portion, it is extremely simple and the work of fixing the laser scan unit can be easily performed.

Secondly, in addition to the above operation, the insertion path of the laser scan unit is slanted, so that the laser scan unit may be slanted downward when the laser scan unit is inserted into a predetermined position. ,
Moreover, at this time, since the lower surface of the laser scan unit can be supported by the lower surface guide, the laser scan unit can be slid down and slid down using its own weight while being placed on the lower surface guide. It becomes extremely easy to insert.

Thirdly, by providing an insertion path through which the laser scan unit and the process cartridge can be taken in and out, approximately on the extension line on the process cartridge side of the laser scan unit attached to the predetermined position of the apparatus main body. The process cartridge and the laser scan unit can be taken in and out using the same insertion path, and it is not necessary to remove the members above the insertion path, so that the process cartridge and the laser scan unit can be easily replaced.

Fourthly, the side plate provided for holding the process cartridge in the main body of the apparatus acts as a guide for restricting the rotation of the laser scan unit when the laser scan unit is inserted. Since it is not necessary to provide a special guide for inserting, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a facsimile apparatus equipped with a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the facsimile apparatus cut at a portion different from FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state before the opening / closing part of the apparatus is opened, the process cartridge is removed, and the laser scan unit is inserted. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the laser scan unit and the process cartridge arranged in the facsimile apparatus. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before the laser scan unit is inserted into the facsimile machine, and FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the laser scan unit provided in the facsimile machine. 1 to 6, 1 is a facsimile device, 2 is a reception / recording unit that constitutes a recording device, 3 is a transmission unit,
Reference numeral 4 is the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body 4 includes a bottom plate 4a normally made of sheet metal, a resin side plate 4b fixed to the bottom plate 4a, and the like, and a groove 5 for holding a side surface of a process cartridge described later is formed in the side plate 4b. ing.

Reference numeral 6 is a paper feed roller for feeding the recording paper from a paper feed cassette (not shown) set in the apparatus main body 4, 7a and 7b are registration rollers for feeding the recording paper at a predetermined timing, and 8 Is a process cartridge. The process cartridge 8 has a housing 9 in which a photoconductor 10, a charger 11, a developing roller 12 and the like are incorporated and integrated, and the housing 9 includes a developing roller 12 and a developing roller 12.
A toner box 9a for supplying the toner to the toner, a waste toner box 9b for containing the waste toner removed from the photoconductor 10,
A light entrance path 9c for the laser light to the photoconductor 10 is formed. Further, an elongated protrusion 9d is formed on the side surface of the housing 9, and the process cartridge 8 is fixed at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body 4 by inserting the protrusion 9d into the groove 5 of the side plate 4b.

Reference numeral 14 is a transfer roller for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 10 onto recording paper, 15 is a fixing roller for fixing the toner image on the recording paper, 16 is a discharge roller for discharging the recorded recording paper, 17 is a support shaft 18 with respect to the apparatus main body 4.
It is an opening / closing unit that is openable and closable around the center. The registration roller 7b and the transfer roller 14 are held by the opening / closing section 17. Reference numeral 19 denotes a recording paper conveyance path in the reception recording unit 2.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a laser scanning unit for scanning the photoconductor 10 with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image according to received information, and a laser beam scanning means 21 for scanning the photoconductor with the laser beam. It has a housing 22 in which the laser beam scanning means 21 is arranged. The laser light scanning means 21 is a laser light irradiation device 21 that outputs laser light.
a, a polygonal mirror 21b for scanning a laser beam and its drive motor 21c, an fθ lens 21d for focusing the laser beam on the photoconductor 10, and the like. Here, the laser light irradiation device 21a is arranged so that the laser light is directly incident on the polygonal mirror 21b without changing the optical path using a mirror or the like, and the polygonal mirror 21b is arranged such that the reflected laser light is reflected by the mirror or the like. Is arranged so that the light can be directly incident on the fθ lens 21d without changing the optical path and the surface of the photoconductor 10 can be irradiated. By adopting this configuration, the optical system of the laser light can be simplified and the thickness of the laser light scanning means 21 and the thickness of the housing 22 accommodating it can be reduced, which leads to cost reduction and packing performance. Can be improved.

The casing 22 comprises a casing main body 22a for accommodating the laser beam scanning means 21 and an upper lid 22b for covering the upper end thereof. The fθ lens 21d arranged at the end of the laser light output side in the housing 22 has an arc shape, as can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 6, but the fθ lens 2 having the arc shape.
The upper lid 22b of the housing 22 located on the upper side of 1d forms an eaves-shaped portion, that is, an extension portion 22c that extends forward of the arc-shaped fθ lens 21d, and has a tip 22d that is linear.

On the upper surface of the housing 22, a wall 2 extending upward in the vicinity of the periphery except the tip 22d on the laser light output side is provided.
5a and 25b are formed. This wall 25a, 25b
Is provided in order to prevent a component such as a screw from falling from the upper surface of the laser scan unit 20 to the outside when a component such as a screw falls on the upper surface of the laser scan unit 20 due to a work mistake or the like. The wall 25a formed on the side opposite to the output side of the laser light is high,
The other wall 25b is made low. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the housing 22 is obliquely attached so that the output side of the laser light is high, and therefore, the wall 25a formed on the upper surface of the laser scan unit 20,
The height of 25b is the highest at the wall 25a at the lowest position on the upper surface of the housing 22 when the laser scan unit 20 is obliquely attached. This is to prevent the screw 25 or other parts that have rolled on the upper surface of the inclined housing 22 from colliding with the wall 25a at the lowest position and not to climb over the wall 25a. Is set with this in mind. A wall extending upward may be provided on the tip 22d on the laser light output side.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 6, the housing 2
2 has a shape in which its laser light output side is wide and its opposite side is narrow in its plan view. Therefore, the interval between the walls 25b is wide on the laser light output side and narrow on its opposite side. Therefore, the space between the walls 25b on the upper surface of the housing 22 is wide at the upper position (close to the laser light output side) and is at the lower position when the laser scan unit 20 is obliquely arranged as shown in FIG. It is getting narrower. This configuration is preferable because it provides an advantage that a component such as a screw falling on the laser scan unit 20 can be received in a wide area at the upper position and can be guided to a narrow area at the lower position.

The housing 22 has a flat insertion piece 26 at the center of one end (the side opposite to the output side of the laser light), and flat plate-like screw fastening portions on both sides near the other end. Two
Have eight. The screwing portion 28 has a hole 28a for screwing the screwing portion 28 to a support leg portion described later.
And a positioning groove 28b is formed. The screwing portion 28 does not necessarily have to be formed in a plate shape, and may have any shape as long as it can be screwed to the supporting leg portion. As shown in FIG. 3, the laser scan unit 20 is inserted in the direction of arrow B with the side provided with the insertion piece 26 as the front side, and is attached at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body 4. The position where is formed is the front end in the insertion direction of the laser scan unit. In addition, in the present invention, the insertion piece 2 formed in the laser scan unit 20.
The positions of 6 and the screwing portion 28 are not limited to the front end and rear end positions of the laser scanning unit as shown in the embodiment, and may be positions appropriately separated from the front end and the rear end,
In short, with respect to the insertion direction of the laser scan unit, the insertion piece 26 is at the front side (that is, the front end side), and the screw fastening portion 28 is provided.
Should be on the rear side (that is, the rear end side). However, it is preferable to form the insertion piece 26 and the screwing portion 28 at a position sandwiching the center of gravity of the laser scan unit because the laser scan unit can be stably placed and attached on the bottom plate 4a.

On the other hand, on the bottom plate 4a of the apparatus body 4 to which the laser scan unit 20 is attached, a spring-pressing type insertion is made at a position corresponding to the insertion piece 26 on the front end side in the insertion direction of the laser scanning unit inserted at a predetermined position. A supporting leg portion 29 is provided at a position of the portion 27 corresponding to the screwing portion 28 on the rear end side, and further, a lower surface guide 30 capable of supporting the lower surface of the laser scanning unit 20 during insertion is also provided. The insertion portion 27 has a receiving surface 27a and a leaf spring 27b, and the insertion piece 26 inserted between the two.
Can be pressed and stopped by the spring force of the leaf spring 27b, and is attached so as to receive the insertion piece 26 inserted in the arrow B direction. The support leg portion 29 is mounted on the screw fixing portion 28 of the laser scan unit 20 so that the screw 3
It has a screw hole and a positioning projection (not shown) that fits into the positioning groove 28b of the screwing portion 28.
As shown in FIG. 7C, a guide 32 for guiding the insertion piece 26 of the laser scan unit 20 is provided in front of the insertion portion 27 of the bottom plate 4a.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the distance between the side plates 4b provided in the apparatus main body 4 is set to be slightly larger than the maximum width of the laser scan unit 20, and therefore the laser scan unit 20 is set to the maximum width. Side plate 4b
It is possible to take it in and out in the direction parallel to the direction of arrow A, the direction of arrow B. Further, the side plate 4b also serves as a guide for restricting the laser scanning unit 20 inserted in the direction of arrow B from rotating in the horizontal plane.

1 to 3, the laser scan unit 20 can be put in and taken out of the apparatus main body 4 almost on an extension line of the laser scan unit 20 attached at a predetermined position in the upward direction (that is, in the direction of arrow A). An insertion path is formed. Here, the insertion path may simply be a large space through which the laser scan unit 20 can pass, and it is not necessary to provide a guide or the like that strictly regulates the passing position of the laser scan unit 20. In the assembled state of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge 8 and the opening / closing part 17 are located on this insertion path. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing part 17 is opened and the process cartridge is removed, so that the laser scanning is performed. The insertion path of the unit can be opened. Furthermore, the insertion path of the laser scan unit is
The mounting position of the process cartridge 8 and the outer side thereof are wide in the vertical direction, and the process cartridge 8 can be taken in and out substantially in the same direction as the laser scan unit 20 by using the insertion path.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 33 denotes a circuit board arranged on the bottom plate 4a and on both sides of the laser scan unit 20. A harness (not shown) that connects the circuit boards 33 on both sides is passed through a space formed in the lower region of the laser scan unit 20. in this way,
When the laser scan unit 20 is obliquely arranged and a space is created in the lower region, the harness can be passed through the space, and the advantage that the wiring structure can be facilitated is obtained.

In FIG. 1, the transmitter 3 is arranged in the area above the laser scan unit 20 with respect to the apparatus body 4. Reference numeral 35 is a cover that also serves as a tray for receiving the recorded recording paper, and 36 is a cover that also serves as a tray for receiving the document discharged from the transmission unit 3, both of which are removable. The cover 35 is arranged above the support leg portion 29. Therefore, by removing the cover 35, the screw 31 can be tightened or loosened from above. Further, the size of the cover 36 is determined so that the upper surface of the laser scan unit 20 can be accessed by inserting a hand under the transmitter 3 when the cover 36 is removed.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described. The facsimile apparatus 1 is assembled in the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 during normal use, and the photoconductor 10 of the process cartridge 8 rotates in the direction of the arrow, at which time the charging device 11 makes the surface of the photoconductor 10 uniform. The laser scanning unit 20 scans the surface of the photoconductor 10 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image according to the received information, and the developing roller 12 applies toner to the photoconductor 10 to form a visible image. To do. In parallel with this, the paper feed roller 6 and the registration roller 7
a and 7b supply the recording paper to the photoconductor 10, and the transfer roller 1
4 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 10 to the recording paper.
After that, the recording paper carrying the toner image is heated and fixed by the fixing roller 15 and discharged by the discharge roller 16.

Here, the laser scan unit 20 is fixed to the bottom plate 4a of the apparatus main body 4.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, only one of the two screw fastening portions 28 on both sides is screwed on one end side, and the insertion piece 26 is attached on the other end side.
However, even if there is a difference in flatness between the laser scan unit 20 and the bottom plate 4a, an unreasonable force is applied to the laser scan unit 20 to cause distortion. It does not occur, and the accuracy of the laser beam scanning position of the laser scanning unit is not reduced.

Next, when replacing the laser scan unit 20, the opening / closing portion 17 is opened from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3 and the process cartridge 8 is pulled out in the direction of the groove 5 formed in the side plate 4b. And remove the cover 35 on the upper surface, insert a screwdriver from that position to remove the screw 31 (see FIG. 1), and then insert a hand from the side where the process cartridge 8 was attached, Grasp the tip, lift it up a little, and slightly above the lower surface guide 30, and pull it out in the direction of arrow A. In this way, the process cartridge 8 and the laser scan unit 20 can be removed.

Next, in mounting the laser scan unit 20 and the process cartridge 8, first,
In FIG. 3, the laser scanning unit 20 is inserted in the direction of arrow B with the insertion piece 26 in the front,
After being inserted to some extent, as shown in FIG. 7A, the lower surface of the laser scan unit 20 is placed on the lower surface guide 30 to be supported, and the insertion piece 26 at the front end is guided by the guide 32, and the weight is also used in that state. And push it in. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the insertion piece 26 on the front end side in the insertion direction is inserted into the insertion portion 27 provided on the bottom plate 4a, and the screwed portion 28 on the rear end side is supported by the support leg 29. Can be placed on top. Then, the screwing portion 28 is screwed to the support leg portion 29 with the screw 31. This allows
The laser scan unit 20 is attached at a predetermined position. After that, the process cartridge 8 is inserted and attached so that the projection 9d on the side surface thereof fits into the groove 5 formed in the side plate 4b. Thus, the members mounted above the process cartridge 8 and the laser scan unit 20 (fixing roller 15, discharge roller 16, transmitting unit 3).
It is possible to remove and attach the process cartridge 8 and the laser scan unit 20 without removing the process cartridge 8 and the like. Moreover, the laser scan unit 20
The attachment and detachment of 2 requires only attachment and detachment of the two screws 31, and therefore the work is extremely easy. Although the guide 32 for guiding the insertion piece 26 at the front end is provided in the above embodiment, the guide 32 may be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the laser scan unit 20 having a unique structure is used, but the laser scan unit used in the present invention is not limited to this structure and can be changed as appropriate. However, the laser scanning unit 20 used in this embodiment has various advantages, which will be described below.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the facsimile machine 1
In assembling the above, the members below the device body 4 are attached one after another. Therefore, after the laser scan unit 20 is attached at a predetermined position, the parts above it, for example, the transmitting unit 3, the fixing roller 15, the discharge roller 16 and the like are attached. In this mounting step, components such as mounting screws and washers may be dropped due to a work mistake, and these components fall onto the laser scan unit 20. Conventionally, there has been a problem that this component rolls down from the upper surface of the laser scan unit 20 and is caught in the device and cannot be taken out. However, in the present embodiment, the component dropped on the laser scan unit 20 does not collide with the peripheral walls 25a and 25b and fall to the outside even if it rolls on the upper surface thereof. Never. In addition, the components dropped on the laser scan unit 20 are
0 has a tendency to roll downwards according to the inclination of the upper surface, so that it is guided by the walls 25b on both sides into a narrow area and is securely stopped by hitting the high wall 25a provided at the lowest position. Collected in. Therefore, by removing the cover 36 and inserting a hand from that position,
The falling parts near the wall 25a can be easily taken out.

Further, the dropped component may hit the upper surface of the laser scanning unit 20 and then bounce toward the output side of the laser beam. However, an extension 22c is provided at the top end of the laser scan unit 20 so that the end 22d
Is linear, and, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the entire width of the extension 22c is in a state of entering the laser beam incident path 9c (see FIG. 2) of the process cartridge 8, so that the laser scanning unit 20 over the entire width of the tip and the process cartridge 8
There is no large gap between the and such that a component such as a screw falls in, and therefore, the component does not fall to the tip side of the laser scan unit 20. If the extension 22c is not provided at the tip of the laser scan unit 20 and the tip has the same curvature as that of the fθ lens 21d disposed inside, the gap between the process cartridge 8 and the process cartridge 8 on both sides of the tip is provided. A large gap is created, and parts such as screws fall down from this part. As described above, in this embodiment, the extension portion 2 is provided at the tip of the laser scan unit 20.
By providing 2c, the laser scan unit 20
Parts such as screws do not fall from between the process cartridge 8 and the process cartridge 8, and also from this point, the parts do not get mixed in the apparatus. Thus, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, components such as screws do not roll down to the outside of the laser scan unit 20, and therefore, in order to search and take out the rolled components as in the conventional case,
The work of disassembling the already assembled members is unnecessary, and the workability of assembly is improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the laser scan unit 20 is obliquely arranged so that the laser output side becomes higher, and the laser scan unit 20 is arranged to be taken in and out obliquely. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and the laser scan unit 20 may be horizontally arranged and horizontally taken in and out. When the laser scan unit 20 is obliquely arranged as shown in the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Since the laser scanning unit 20 is obliquely arranged and therefore the rotation axis of the polygon mirror 21b provided therein is also oblique, the laser light reflected from the polygon mirror 21b can be directly applied to the photoconductor 10 and the laser beam can be emitted. The configuration of the scan unit 20 can be simplified. If the polygon mirror 21
b is arranged so that its rotation axis is vertical, and the photosensitive member 1
When irradiating laser light obliquely from below with respect to 0, it is necessary to change the direction of the laser light from the polygon mirror 21b by a mirror, and the optical system in the laser scan unit 20 becomes complicated. Such complication can be avoided. In addition, since it is not necessary to use a mirror for changing the optical path in the laser scan unit 20, the thickness of the laser scan unit 20 as a whole can be reduced and the packaging property can be improved. If the polygonal mirror 21b is installed such that the rotation axis of the polygonal mirror is vertical as in the conventional case, the height of the polygonal mirror 21b is set to the photoconductor 1.
The height is the same as 0, and the arrangement is such that the laser light from the polygon mirror 21b is horizontally incident on the photoconductor 10. If such an arrangement is adopted, the installation height of the polygonal mirror 21b becomes high, and naturally the transmitter 3 must also be installed at a high position,
This is against the demand for miniaturization of the device. In contrast,
In this embodiment, the laser scan unit 20 is replaced with a polygon mirror 21.
By installing diagonally so that the part of b becomes low,
It is possible to reduce the size of the device. In order to install the laser scan unit 20 horizontally and at a low position, it is considered that the position of the photoconductor 10 should be lowered. However, in order to lower the position of the photoconductor 10, the capacity of the toner box 9a of the process cartridge 8 must be reduced. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the capacity of the toner box 9a is not reduced,
The laser light from the lower surface mirror 21b arranged at a low position can be directly applied to the photoconductor 10, and the size of the device can be reduced. By arranging the laser scan unit 20 diagonally, a space can be formed between the laser scan unit 20 and the bottom plate 4a that is horizontally provided, and that portion can traverse a harness connecting circuit boards arranged on both sides of the laser scan unit 20. It is possible to make the wiring configuration easy.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the facsimile apparatus has been described, but it goes without saying that the recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the facsimile apparatus and can be applied to only the recording apparatus. .

[0039]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, firstly, the laser scan unit is pressed against the main body of the apparatus by simply pressing the one end with a spring, and the other end is provided with two on both sides.
Since only a few places are screwed in and installed, the number of screws used is small and the work of installation and removal is easy. Moreover, even if there is a difference in flatness between the laser scan unit and the main body of the device, laser scanning is possible. Since no force is applied to the unit forcibly, distortion does not occur and the accuracy of the laser beam scanning position is not deteriorated.

Furthermore, by forming an insertion path through which the laser scan unit can be taken in and out, approximately on an extension line of the laser scan unit attached at a predetermined position, the laser scan unit can be replaced through the insertion path. Since it is not necessary to remove the member provided above the laser scan unit, it is easy to replace the laser scan unit, and when fixing the laser scan unit, the front end of the laser scan unit inserted through the insertion path is fixed. It is very easy because you can simply insert the insertion piece provided on the side into the insertion part of the device body and screw the screwed parts provided at two locations on both sides of the rear end side to the support legs of the device body. Yes, you can easily fix the laser scan unit It has the results.

Secondly, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, since the insertion path of the laser scan unit is slanted, the laser scan unit should be slanted downward when it is inserted into a predetermined position. It suffices, and at that time, since the lower surface of the laser scan unit can be supported by the lower surface guide, the laser scan unit may be slanted downward while being mounted on the lower surface guide so as to slide down using its own weight. There is also an effect that the work of inserting the laser scan unit becomes extremely easy.

Thirdly, the apparatus main body is provided with an insertion path through which the laser scan unit and the process cartridge can be taken in and out, on a substantially extended line on the process cartridge side of the laser scan unit attached at a predetermined position. Since the process cartridge and the laser scan unit can be exchanged using the same insertion path and the member above the insertion path need not be removed, there is an effect that these exchange operations can be easily performed. ing.

Fourthly, in addition to the above effects, the side plate provided for holding the process cartridge in the apparatus main body serves as a guide for preventing the laser scan unit from rotating when the laser scan unit is inserted. Working, thus eliminating the need for a special guide for insertion of the laser scanning unit,
This has the effect of reducing the number of parts.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a facsimile apparatus including a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1 cut at a portion different from FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in a state before the opening / closing section is opened, the process cartridge is removed, and the laser scan unit is inserted.

4 is a schematic plan view showing a laser scan unit and a process cartridge arranged in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in a state before the opening / closing section is opened and the laser scan unit is inserted.

6 is a schematic perspective view of a laser scan unit used in the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

7A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the laser scanning unit 20 is inserted on the bottom plate 4a in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7B is a predetermined position on the bottom plate 4a in the embodiment of FIG. Schematic sectional view showing a state in which the laser scan unit 20 is attached to (c) is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the bottom plate 4a.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile device 2 Receiving / recording unit 3 Transmitting unit 4 Device body 4a Bottom plate 4b Side plate 6 Paper feed rollers 7a, 7b Registration roller 8 Process cartridge 10 Photoconductor 14 Transfer roller 15 Fixing roller 16 Discharge roller 20 Laser scan unit 22 Housing 26 26 Insert 27 insertion part 27a receiving surface 27b leaf spring 28 screwing part 29 supporting leg part 30 lower surface guide 31 screw

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus main body, and a laser scan unit that is inserted along an insertion path provided in the apparatus main body and is press-fastened on the front side in the insertion direction and screwed on the rear side in the insertion direction. Recording device. 2. An apparatus main body and an apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body is inserted along an insertion path obliquely provided downward, and the front side in the insertion direction is pressed and the rear side in the insertion direction is fixed with screws. Recording device equipped with a laser scan unit. 3. A toner cartridge including a photoconductor,
A recording apparatus comprising: a laser scan unit for outputting a laser beam for irradiating the photoconductor; and an apparatus main body provided with an insertion path for first inserting the laser scan unit and subsequently inserting the toner cartridge. 4. A toner cartridge having a photoconductor,
A laser scan unit for outputting a laser beam for irradiating the photoconductor, and an apparatus main body provided with an insertion path for inserting the laser scan unit and then inserting the toner cartridge are provided. The recording apparatus is characterized in that the side wall regulates a side surface of the toner cartridge and regulates rotation in an insertion direction when the laser scan unit is inserted.