JPH07304540A - Transfer material carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry a transfer material in a proper loop shape, and reduce an image registering deviation by arranging a pair of guide members on a chute member to guide the transfer material to a target area, and rotatably supporting one of these with a target area side end part as its center. CONSTITUTION:A transfer material P is carried by a regist roller 41, and is passed between both upper and lower guide members 43 and 44 of a chute member 42, and enters a transfer material attracting part B on a carrier belt 21, and dashes in an attracting roller 32 together with the carrier belt 21. On the other hand, the carrier belt 21 is electrified by an electrifier 31 for attraction, and the transfer material P is attracted to the carrier belt 21. By the way, speed of the regist roller 41 is set slightly faster than speed of the carrier belt 21, and a loop is formed in the transfer material P. The upper guide member 43 is rotated (C) with a fulcrum shaft 43a as its center by the loop of the transfer material P, and a load F is applied to the transfer material P from the upper guide member 43. Thereby, since the load applied to the transfer material P is reduced, an image registering deviation is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer material conveying device used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, and more particularly to a transfer material conveying device provided with a chute member for guiding the transfer material to a predetermined target area. Regarding the device. The transfer material conveying device of the present invention is a toner image transfer section for transferring a toner image of an image carrier onto the transfer material, or a transfer material adsorbing section for adsorbing the transfer material on a moving transfer material carrier (transfer material conveying belt). It can be used to guide the transfer material to.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, there is a gap between the toner image transfer portion and a registration roll arranged upstream thereof.
Chute members for guiding the transfer material from the registration rolls to the transfer material carrier are arranged on opposite sides of the transfer material. The transfer material transfer speed (hereinafter referred to as “roll speed”) of the registration roll that transfers the transfer material (transfer paper) to the toner image transfer portion is
Taking into account wear of the transport rolls and variations in paper thickness, 0.5-1.0% from the process speed (transfer material transport speed at the transfer position)
It's set a little faster. The speed difference between the process speed and the roll speed is due to the registration roll and the toner image transfer portion (or
This is compensated for by forming a loop of the transfer material between the transfer material and the transfer material suction portion).

Conventionally, the following technique is known as a technique capable of always stably forming the loop. (J01) Technique described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-69848 This technique discloses a technique in which upper and lower guides constituting a chute are swung.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

(Problem of the technique of (J01)) In the technique of (J01), the swing center of the upper and lower guides is provided at a portion far from the transfer portion. In this case, due to the loop of the transfer material, the position of the end portion of the guide near the transfer portion changes greatly. Therefore, a large loop is formed in the portion adjacent to the transfer portion. Therefore, the following problems occur.

In an image forming apparatus equipped with a transfer material carrier (transfer belt) and a transfer material adsorbing device, the transfer material is easily influenced by the registration control of an image. That is, when the transfer material is attracted to the transfer material carrier, the load due to the guide that holds down the loop of the transfer material is transmitted through the transfer material,
Improper loop shape of the transfer material portion immediately before reaching the suction portion (a shape that causes an external force to act on the suction portion, for example, the transfer material carrier (transfer material transport belt) is elastically deformed to cause image registration shift The shape is such that Further, when the front end of the transfer material is curled, the direction in which the transfer material enters the suction portion is not constant, and the front end of the transfer material does not arrive at a predetermined position of the transfer material suction portion, causing a paper jam. Image misregistration occurs.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides the following (O0
The content of 1) is the subject. (O01) To allow the transfer material to be conveyed to a predetermined target area in an appropriate loop shape.

[0007]

The present invention devised to solve the above problems will now be described. The elements of the present invention are to facilitate correspondence with the elements of the embodiments described later. Note that the reference numerals of the elements of the embodiments are enclosed in parentheses. Further, the reason why the present invention is described in association with the reference numerals of the embodiments described later is to facilitate understanding of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(First Invention) In order to solve the above problems,
The transfer material conveying device (H) of the first invention of the present application is a means (41, 72) for conveying a transfer material (P) for recording an image to a predetermined target area (B), and the transfer material (H). Chute member (42, 7) for guiding P) to the target area (B)
3) The transfer material transporting device (H) having the following features. (Y01) The chute members (42, 73) face both sides of the transfer material (P). A pair of guide members (43, 44, 74, 75) arranged
(Y02) the pair of guide members (43,
44, 74, 75), one of which is fixedly arranged, and the other one of which is an end portion (43a, 44a, 74) close to the target area (B).
Being rotatably supported around a, 75a).

The transfer material conveying device (H) of the second invention of the present application includes means (41, 72) for conveying the transfer material (P) for recording an image to a predetermined target area (B). A transfer material conveying device (H) including a chute member (42, 73) for guiding the transfer material (P) to the target area (B).
In (Y), the following requirements are satisfied, (Y
03) The chute members (42, 73) are a pair of guide members (43, 4) arranged to face both surfaces of the transfer material (P).
4, 74, 75), (Y04) the pair of guide members (43, 44, 74, 75) have end portions (43a, 44a, 74a, 75a) on the side closer to the target area (B).
Being rotatably supported around.

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the transfer material transporting device (H) of the present invention is the transfer material transporting device (H) of the first or second invention of the present application, which has the following requirements. It is characterized by (Y001) The target area (B) in which the chute members (42, 73) guide the transfer material (P) is a toner image transfer for transferring the toner image of the latent image carrier (K) to the transfer material (P). Be part (B).

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the transfer material transporting device (H) of the present invention is the transfer material transporting device (H) of the first or second invention of the present application, which has the following requirements. (Y002) The transfer material carrying device (H) transfers the transfer material carrier (21) to the transfer material carrier (21) by a predetermined transfer material attracting section (B). (Y003) The target area (B) for guiding the transfer material (P) by the chute members (42, 73) is the transfer material. Must be a suction unit (B).

[0012]

Next, the operation of the present invention having the above features will be described. (Operation of First Invention) In the transfer material transporting device (H) of the first invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the means (41, 72) for transporting the transfer material (P) is for recording an image. The transfer material (P) of a predetermined target area (B) (transfer section or suction section)
Transport to. The chute members (42, 73) are a pair of guide members (43, 4) arranged on both sides of the transfer material (P).
4, 74, 75), and the transport means (41, 72)
The transfer material (P) conveyed by is guided to the target area (B). The pair of guide members (43, 44, 7)
4, 75), one of which is fixedly arranged, and the other of which has ends (43a, 44a, 74a, 75a) on the side closer to the target area (B).
It is rotatably supported around. Therefore, the loop formed by the transfer material (P) rotates the rotatable guide members (43, 44, 74, 75), and the guide members (43, 44, 74, 75) are Ends (43a, 44a, 74a, 75a) on the side closer to the target area (B)
(That is, the downstream end) is rotated. In this case, the downstream end portions (43a, 44a, 74a, 75a) of the guide members (43, 44, 74, 75) are not moved because they are supported by the pivots. Therefore, the downstream end portions (43a, 43a, 43) of the guide members (43, 44, 74, 75) are
The loop of the transfer material (P) between the target area (B) and the guide member (43, 44, 7).
4,75) is not much affected by the rotation. Therefore, the transfer material (P) on the downstream side of the downstream end of the guide member (43, 44, 74, 75) is in the state of forming an appropriate loop, and the target area (B) (transfer portion or suction portion).
Will enter.

(Operation of the Second Invention) Further, in the transfer material carrying device (H) of the second invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the means (41, 72) for carrying the transfer material (P) is The transfer material (P) for recording an image is conveyed to a predetermined target area (B) (transfer section or suction section). Chute member (42,
73) has a pair of guide members (43, 44, 74, 75) arranged on both sides of the transfer material (P), and transfers the transfer material (P) conveyed by the conveying means (41, 72). Guide to the target area (B). The pair of guide members (4
3, 44, 74, 75) are rotatably supported around the ends (43a, 44a, 74a, 75a) on the side closer to the target area (B). Therefore, the loop of the transfer material (P) has the pair of rotatable guide members (43, 44, 7).
4, 75) are rotated, but these guide members (4
3, 44, 74, 75) are end portions (43a, 44a, 74a, 75a) on the side closer to the target area (B) (that is,
Rotate around the downstream end). In this case, the downstream end (43) of the guide member (43, 44, 74, 75)
a, 44a, 74a, 75a) are not moved because they are supported by the pivots. Therefore, the guide members (43, 4
4, 74, 75) downstream end (43a, 44a, 74)
a, 75a) and the transfer material (P) between the target area (B)
The loop of the guide member (43, 44, 74, 7
5) Not affected much by the rotation. Therefore,
The transfer material (P) on the downstream side of the downstream end of the guide member (43, 44, 74, 75) enters the target area (B) (transfer section or suction section) in a state where an appropriate loop is formed. It will be. In the second invention, the lower guide member (4
4, 75) can be rotated downward, the load applied to the transfer material (P) when the loop of the transfer material (P) is formed downward can be effectively reduced.

(Operation of Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the present invention
In the transfer material conveying device (H), the guide members (74, 7
The loop of the transfer material (P) between the downstream side end portions (74a, 75a) of 5) and the toner image transfer portion (the portion that transfers the toner image of the latent image carrier to the transfer material (P)) is It is not so much affected by the rotation of the guide members (74, 75).
Therefore, the transfer material (P) on the downstream side of the downstream end of the guide member (74, 75) enters the toner image transfer portion (B) in a state where an appropriate loop is formed.

(Operation of Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the present invention
In the transfer material conveying device (H), the guide members (43, 4)
4) the downstream side end portions (43a, 44a) and the transfer material adsorbing portion (B) (the portion for adsorbing the transfer material (P) to the transfer material carrier (21) by the adsorbing charger (31)). The loop of the transfer material (P) between the guide members (43, 44)
Is not much affected by the rotation of. Therefore, the transfer material (P) on the downstream side of the downstream end of the guide member (43, 44) enters the transfer material adsorbing portion (B) in a state where an appropriate loop is formed.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of a transfer material conveying device according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multiple transfer laser printer (image forming apparatus) to which is applied. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the transfer material conveying device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple transfer type laser printer U of this embodiment includes four toner image forming devices U1 to U4 which are provided independently of each other.
The toner image forming devices U1 to U4 are devices that form toner images of respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

The toner image forming devices U1 to U4 are provided with photosensitive drums K1 to K4 and laser scanning systems L1 to L4 arranged around them. Each toner image forming device U1 to
Since all U4 have the same configuration, one toner image forming apparatus U1 will be described. A laser scanning system L1 of this toner image forming apparatus U1 is a semiconductor laser oscillator 1 as a laser light source, A collimating lens 2 that collects a laser beam and collimates it.
A polygon mirror 3 for deflecting the beam from the collimator lens 2 in the scanning direction, a convex lens 4 for image-forming and irradiating the deflected beam onto the photosensitive drum K1, and a cylindrical mirror 5 for correcting the surface tilt of the polygon mirror 3. , 6 and the like. Further, the laser scanning system L is connected to an image processing device (not shown) for sending an image information signal to the semiconductor laser oscillator 1.

A charger 7 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum K1 is provided around the photosensitive drum K1. Further, around each of the photoconductor drums K1, a developing device 8 containing color toner and a toner image on the photoconductor drum K1 are sequentially transferred from the charging device 7 in the rotational direction of the drum.
(Refer to FIG. 2), a transfer device 9 for transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum K1, a cleaner 10 for removing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum K1,
And a static eliminator 11 for removing the residual charge on the photoconductor drum K1. The toner image forming devices U1 to U4 are respectively connected to the photosensitive drums K1 to K4.
K4, laser scanning systems L1 to L4, a charging device 7, a developing device 8, a transfer device 9, a cleaner 10, and a charge eliminator 11.

Below the photosensitive drums K1 to K4,
The transfer material P is mounted on the surface, and the transfer material P is attached to each of the drums K1 to K4.
And an endless transfer material transport belt (that is, a transfer material carrier) 21 for transporting between the respective transfer devices 9 arranged corresponding to them. The transfer material transport belt 21 is formed by stacking both ends of a single heat-fusible film having a predetermined thickness (75 μm) and width. As the transfer material transport belt 21, various conventionally known belts can be used. In FIG. 1, the transfer material conveying belt 21 is a driving roller 2.
2, the peeling roller 23, the tension roller 24, and the idler roller 25. Below the drive roller 22, a conveyor belt cleaner 26 for removing adhered toner on the transfer material conveyor belt 21 is arranged. The cleaner 26 is a destarvation brush 26
It is composed of a and a blade 26b for scraping off the toner.

In FIG. 2, an adsorbing charger 31 and an adsorbing roller 32 are arranged adjacent to the downstream side of the drive roller 22 with the conveying belt 21 interposed therebetween. The adsorption charger 31 is a corotron wire 31a to which a DC voltage is applied.
And a shield 31b provided so as to cover the side surface of the corotron wire 31a opposite to the conveyor belt 21. The suction roller 32 is made of metal and electrically grounded, and the entire weight of the suction roller 32 is applied to the conveyor belt 21 by long hole bearings (not shown) at both ends of the roller shaft. Therefore, when the drive roller 22 rotationally drives the belt, the suction roller 15 rotates accordingly. As a result, no matter what thickness the transfer material is conveyed, the transfer material P is always pressed by the own weight of the suction roller 32 (for example, 200 gf). A portion of the transport belt 21 adjacent to the suction roller 32 is a transfer material suction portion B, and the transfer material P is transported from a transfer material supply tray described later with the transfer material suction portion B as a transport target area. It has become.

In FIG. 1, transfer material supply trays 36 and 3 are provided.
The transfer material (paper) P taken out from the papers 7, 38 is conveyed to the registration roller (conveyance roller) 41 by the conveyance roller 39. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the registration roller 41 is arranged on the upstream side of the drive roller 22. A chute member 42 is provided between the registration roller 41 and the drive roller 22. This chute member 42
Is arranged so that the transfer material P passing therethrough is transported toward the transfer material suction portion B (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the transfer material transport belt 21. The chute member 42 is composed of an upper guide member 43 and a lower guide member 44. The upper guide member 43 has a fulcrum shaft 43a at the downstream end (the left end in the figure, that is, the end near the transfer material adsorbing portion B), and is configured to be rotatable around the fulcrum shaft 43a. Has been done. The lower guide member 44 is fixed to a frame (not shown).

The upper guide member 43 and the lower guide member 44 are held at a predetermined interval so that the transfer material P can pass therethrough. The interval is held by an upper guide support member (not shown) arranged outside the portion through which the transfer material P passes (outer side in the width direction of the transfer material P). That is,
Upper guide member 43 rotatable about the downstream end
The upstream portion is the upper guide support member (not shown)
It is placed on the upper side so that a predetermined space is maintained between it and the lower guide member 44. For this reason, when a loop is formed in the transfer material P passing between the upper guide member 43 and the lower guide member 44 and the loop pushes the upper guide member 43 from below, the upper guide member 43 rotates the downstream end portion. It is configured to rotate counterclockwise around the center of motion (fulcrum shaft 43a). The transfer material conveying device H of the present embodiment is constituted by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 21 to 44.

In FIG. 1, in order to separate the transfer material P adsorbed by the transfer material adsorbing section B, the separating roller 2
Electrostatic elimination corotrons 46 and 47 for weakening the electrostatic attraction force of the conveyor belt 21 are arranged on the upstream side of the sheet No. 3. Further, the conveyor belt 2 curved along the surface of the peeling roller 23
A peeling claw 48 for peeling the transfer material P from the sheet 1 is provided. Further, a guide member 51 for guiding the transfer material P separated by the separation claw 48 to the fixing device 49 and a discharge tray 52 for discharging the fixed transfer material P are provided.

(Operation of First Embodiment) Next, the operation of the first embodiment having the above-described structure will be described. The multi-transfer laser printer U forms toner images of the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) 4
Each of the toner image forming devices U1 to U4 starts writing an image at a predetermined timing. That is, the toner image forming apparatus U1 uses the laser scanning system L1 to drive the photosensitive drum K1.
Start writing the image to. The image writing start times of the other toner image forming apparatuses U2 to U4 are started with a delay of a predetermined time. The photosensitive drum (image carrier) K1 on which the electrostatic latent image is written by the laser scanning system L1 rotates.
Then, the surface on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is developed into a toner image by the developing device 8 and moves to the position of the transfer device 9.

On the other hand, the transfer material P taken out from any one of the transfer material supply trays 36 to 38 is conveyed to the registration roller 41 by the conveying roller 39 and temporarily stopped there. The temporarily stopped transfer material P is started to be conveyed by the registration roller 41 in synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive drum K1 of the toner image forming apparatus U1. The transfer material P, which has been conveyed by the registration roller 41, is transferred to the upper guide member 43 and the lower guide member 4 of the chute member 42.
4 and the transfer material adsorbing portion B on the conveyor belt 21 and enters the adsorption roller 32 together with the conveyor belt 21. At the position where the transfer material P has passed the suction roller 32, the conveyance belt 21 is positively charged by the suction charging device 31. Induced by this positive charging, a negative charge is injected into the transfer material P from the suction roller 32 provided above, an electric field is generated between the two, and the transfer material P is attracted to the transport belt 21. Therefore, the moving speed of the transfer material P after passing through the suction roller 32 is the same as that of the transport belt 21.

The moving speed of the transfer material P on the suction roller 32 is very stable by a highly accurate motor (not shown) for the drive roller 22, but the transfer material conveying speed of the registration roller 41 is due to abrasion of the registration roller 41 and Since the transfer materials P having various thicknesses are conveyed, the transfer materials P vary. Here again, cash register 4
When the transfer material conveyance speed of 1 is slower than the conveyance belt 21, the registration roller 41 pulls the conveyance belt 21 via the transfer material P, and an image registration deviation occurs. In order to improve this problem, the transfer material transfer speed of the registration roller 41 is set to the transfer belt 21.
It is set to 0.5-1.0% faster than the moving speed of.

With this setting, the transfer material P tries to form a loop as shown by the dotted line D (see FIG. 2). Here, the lower guide member 44 is fixed to the machine body, but the upper guide member 43 is adapted to rotate in the direction of arrow C about the fulcrum shaft 43a. The upper guide member 4 is formed by the loop D.
When 3 rotates in the direction of arrow C, the loop D of the transfer material P receives a load (force) indicated by arrow F from the upper guide member 43. The magnitude of the load F is smaller than that when the upper guide member 43 does not rotate. Moreover, the direction of the load F is opposite to that on the side where the conveyor belt 21 is present, and the registration roller 41
Direction. Therefore, even if the transfer material P receives the load F, the load applied to the conveyor belt 21 due to the load F is reduced, and the image registration deviation is reduced.

Even when the upwardly curled transfer material P enters from the registration roller 41, since the fulcrum shaft 43a of the upper guide member 43 is located close to the transfer material suction portion B, the transfer material of the upper guide member 43 is transferred. The position on the suction portion B side does not move, and the leading edge of the transfer material P curled upward is the conveyance belt 21.
Securely enters the transfer material adsorbing portion B, and enters the adsorbing roller 32 and is adsorbed by the conveying belt 21.

The transfer material P adsorbed on the conveyor belt 21 is
It is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Then, by the transfer devices 9 of the four toner image forming apparatuses U1 to U4 that form the toner images of the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) shown in FIG. Toner images of respective colors are sequentially formed on the transfer material P. The transfer material P on which the toner images of the respective colors are formed and the transport belt 2 that supports the transfer material P
1 is discharged by the static eliminating corotrons 46 and 47 (see FIG. 1). Then, the transfer material P is peeled off by the peeling claw 48 and conveyed to the fixing device 49 through the guide member 51. The transfer material P on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 49 is discharged to the discharge tray 52.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the transfer material conveying apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the transfer material conveying device according to the second embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in the following points.
However, in other respects, the configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment. (S01) A fulcrum shaft 44a is provided at the downstream end of the lower guide member 44 (the end closer to the transfer material attracting portion B).
A spring 45 is arranged at the upstream end. Spring 45
Has a function of holding the lower guide member 44 at the solid line position in FIG. 3 at all times and allowing the lower guide member 44 to rotate clockwise around the fulcrum shaft 44a when a downward external force is applied by a loop of the transfer material P or the like. have. This Example 2 also
The ends of the upper guide member 43 and the lower guide member 44 of the chute member 42 on the side closer to the transfer material attracting portion B (the fulcrum shaft 4
3a and 44a) are arranged close to the transfer material adsorption portion B, and the portions do not move. For this reason, as in the first embodiment, the transfer material P can surely enter the transfer material suction portion B (target area) from the chute member 42. Further, since the upper guide member 43 can be rotated around the end portion (fulcrum shaft 43a) close to the transfer material attracting portion B as in the first embodiment, the load that the transfer material P receives from the upper guide member 43. The load applied from the transfer material P to the conveyor belt 21 due to F is reduced, and the image registration deviation does not occur as in the first embodiment. Further, in the second embodiment, when the downward loop is formed on the transfer material P, the lower guide member 44 can rotate downward, so that the transfer material P is transferred from the chute member 42.
The effect of reducing the load received by is better than that of the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the transfer material conveying apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the third embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points. (S02) The upper guide member 43 of the chute member 42 has a cross section L
A point that is configured in a letter shape. The upper guide member 43 is made of a lightweight plastic material. In this third embodiment, the fulcrum shaft 43a of the upper guide member 43 is connected to the transfer material suction portion B.
It can be used when it cannot be placed close to.
In the third embodiment, since the upper guide member 43 is made of a lightweight plastic material, the upper guide member 43 rotates upward with a small force, so that the load F received by the transfer material P from the upper guide member 43 is increased. Get smaller. The third embodiment also has the same operation as the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the transfer material conveying apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the fourth embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in the following points, but is configured similarly to the third embodiment in other points. (S02) The upper guide member 43 of the chute member 42 is composed of a downstream side member 43b and an upstream side member 43c. The downstream member 43b is made of metal having an L-shaped cross section and has a fulcrum shaft 43a. The upstream member 43c
Is made of a thin plastic material having a thickness of 100 to 200 μm and is bonded to the downstream side member 43b. The fourth embodiment also has the same operation as the third embodiment.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the transfer material conveying apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus in which a transfer material conveying device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. In FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus G has a toner image forming apparatus U6. The toner image forming apparatus U6 has a laser scanning system L. The laser scanning system L of the toner image forming apparatus U6 includes a semiconductor laser oscillator 61 as a laser light source, a collimator lens 62 that collects a laser beam 61a from the semiconductor laser oscillator 61 and collimates the laser beam 61a, and a collimator lens 62. Polygon mirror 63 for deflecting the beam in the scanning direction, and the deflected beam for the photosensitive drum (that is, latent image carrier) K
The convex lens 4 that illuminates the image upward and the cylindrical mirror 65 that corrects the surface tilt of the polygon mirror 63.
Etc. Further, the laser scanning system L is
It is connected to an image processing device (not shown) for sending an image information signal to the semiconductor laser oscillator 61.

Around the photosensitive drum K, a charger (charging roller) 66 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum K.
Is provided. In addition, around each of the photosensitive drums K, in order from the charger 66 in the drum rotation direction,
A developing device 67 containing toner, a transfer device (transfer roller) for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum K onto a transfer material.
68, a cleaner 69 for removing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum K, and a static eliminator (static elimination roller) 70 for removing the residual charges on the photosensitive drum K are provided. The transfer device (transfer roller) 68 is a semiconductor made of rubber and has a volume resistivity of 107 to 1010 Ωcm.
It is in contact with the photosensitive drum K. The toner image forming device U6 includes the photoconductor drum K, a laser scanning system L, a charging device 66, a developing device 67, a transfer device 68, a cleaner 69, and a static eliminator 70.

The transfer material P accommodated in the transfer material supply tray 71 is taken out from the delivery roller 72 at the same timing as the operation of the laser scanning system L and transferred to the transfer device 68.
And the portion where the photosensitive drum K faces (toner image transfer portion) B
It is supposed to be transported to. A chute member 73 is provided between the delivery roller 72 and the toner image transfer section B. The chute member 73 has substantially the same structure as the chute member 42 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the upper guide member 43, the lower guide member 44, and the spring 45 (see FIG. 3) of the chute member 42 of the second embodiment.
Corresponding to (see), the chute member 73 of the fifth embodiment
Has an upper guide member 74, a lower guide member 75, and a spring 76. A fulcrum shaft 74a is provided at the end of the upper guide member 74 closer to the toner image transfer portion B (downstream end), and the end of the lower guide member 75 closer to the toner image transfer portion B is provided. The fulcrum shaft 75
a is provided. The transfer material conveying device H of the present embodiment is constituted by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 71 to 77.
The transfer material P passing through the toner image transfer section B is guided by the guide 7
7 is conveyed to the fixing device 78, and is ejected from the ejection roller 79 to the ejection tray 80.

(Operation of Embodiment 5) In Embodiment 5, the upper guide member 74 and the lower guide member 7 of the chute member 73 are arranged.
5 end portion (fulcrum shaft 74
a, 75a) is arranged close to the toner image transfer portion B, and that portion does not move. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, the transfer material P can surely enter the toner image transfer portion B (target area) from the chute member 73. Further, as in the second embodiment, since the upper guide member 74 can be rotated around the end portion (fulcrum shaft 74a) on the side closer to the toner image transfer portion B, the load that the transfer material P receives from the upper guide member 74 is increased. The load applied from the transfer material P to the transfer portion due to F is reduced, and the image registration deviation is reduced. Further, in the fifth embodiment, since the lower guide member 75 can also be rotated downward, the load that the transfer material P receives from the chute member 73 is further reduced. The transfer material P on which the toner image is transferred by the toner image transfer section B is conveyed to a fixing device 78 along a guide 77, and the toner image is fixed. This transfer material P
Are discharged from the discharge roller 79 to the discharge tray 80.

[0037]

The belt conveyor of the present invention described above can achieve the following effects. (E01) The transfer material can be conveyed to a predetermined target area in an appropriate loop shape. Therefore, it is possible to output a high-quality image with less image registration deviation without an extra load on the transfer material and the elements (transfer material carrier, transfer roller, etc.) arranged in the target area. Further, it is possible to manufacture a highly reliable image forming apparatus that does not cause paper jam even when the transfer material is curled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a multiple transfer type laser printer (image forming apparatus) to which a first embodiment of a transfer material conveying device of the present invention is applied.
2 is a schematic configuration diagram of FIG.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a transfer material conveying device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of the transfer material transport device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a transfer material conveying device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a transfer material conveying device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a transfer material conveying device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

B ... Target area (transfer material adsorption section, toner image transfer section), H ...
Transfer material conveying device, K ... Latent image bearing member (photosensitive drum), P
... transfer material, 21 ... transfer body carrier (conveying belt), 41,
72 ... conveying means (registration roll, delivery roll), 4
2, 73 ... Chute member, 43, 44, 74, 75 ... Guide member, 43a, 44a, 74a, 75a ... A fulcrum shaft (end near the target area B, downstream end),

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A transfer material conveying device comprising means for conveying a transfer material for recording an image to a predetermined target area, and a chute member for guiding the transfer material to the target area. (Y01) the chute member has a pair of guide members arranged so as to face both sides of the transfer material, and (Y0)
2) One of the pair of guide members is fixedly arranged, and the other is rotatably supported around an end portion near the target area. 2. A transfer material transporting device comprising means for transporting a transfer material for recording an image to a predetermined target area and a chute member for guiding the transfer material to the target area, wherein the following requirements are met: (Y03) The chute member has a pair of guide members arranged so as to oppose each other on both sides of the transfer material, (Y03)
4) The pair of guide members are rotatably supported around the ends near the target area.