JPH0772779A - Image reading and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily exchange a photoreceptor cartridge, a developing cartridge and a toner cartridge in an image reading and printing device such as a facsimile equipment. CONSTITUTION:In the facsimile equipment housing the consumable parts such as the photoreceptor cartridge 9 or the toner cartridge 15 by arranging them in front and behind toward the pivotally supporting end side of an upper housing 2 from the open end side thereof; an aperture part for exchanging 31 is provided on the housing 2 according to the cartridge 15 or the like near the pivotally supporting end side. Then, the developing cartridge 13 or the cartridge 15 is exchanged through the aperture part 31 and the cartridge 9 is exchanged from the open end side of the housing 2 by opening the housing 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading and printing apparatus such as a facsimile machine and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus is shown as an example of a general image reading and printing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 7, the facsimile apparatus includes a paper passing base plate 1 and an upper casing 2 which is rotatably supported on the paper passing base plate 1. The image printing unit A is configured so as to extend over both the sheet passing base plate 1 and the upper housing 2, and the upper housing 2 is equipped with the document reading unit B.

The image printing section A mainly includes a recording paper conveyance surface 3 formed on the upper surface of the paper passing base plate 1, a paper feed roller 4 and a conveyance roller 5, and the like. A sheet feeding unit for transporting along the transport surface 3, a transfer unit 7, a fixing unit 8, a photosensitive drum 10, a cleaner 11, and a charger 1.
A photoconductor cartridge 9 including 2 and the like, a developing cartridge 13 including a developing tank 14, a toner cartridge 15,
An exposure head 16 using an LED, which forms a latent image based on image information received by facsimile by the exposure head 16 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 uniformly charged by the charger 12, and develops the latent image. The subsequent toner image is transferred to the recording paper conveyed by the paper feeding means in synchronism, and then permanently fixed by the fixing device 8, while the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer is prepared for the next charging by cleaning.

The document reading section B mainly includes a document transport surface 17 and
A sheet feeding unit that includes a sheet feeding roller 18, a conveying roller 19 and the like to convey an original along the original conveying surface 17, and an optical system unit 20 that reads an image from the original conveyed on the original conveying surface 17. The read image information is transmitted by facsimile.

In such a facsimile apparatus, the photosensitive cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 13
Also, the replacement of the consumable cartridge such as the toner cartridge 15 is performed by rotating the upper housing 2 in the direction of the arrow about the pivot shaft (point P) and opening it from the open end side of the upper housing 2. Was configured into.

[0006]

By the way, the consumables have different lifespans and are replaced at different times. In the conventional device, a plurality of consumable cartridges are installed from the open end side of the upper housing 2. Since the front and rear parts are arranged and housed toward the supporting end side, for example, when the developing cartridge 13 or the toner cartridge 15 near the pivotal supporting end side of the upper housing 2 is replaced, the photoconductor cartridge 9 that does not need to be replaced once. It is necessary to remove and replace the developing cartridge 13 and the toner cartridge 15 in this state, which not only makes the work troublesome and troublesome, but also accidentally scratches the removed photosensitive cartridge 9, especially the photosensitive drum 10. In addition, there is a risk that the cartridges may be damaged, and the mounting order of the cartridges may be wrong, which may cause damage to the mounting portions.

However, according to the present invention, each consumable cartridge can be replaced by a simple operation, and further, the unnecessary cartridge can be removed to eliminate the problems caused by the image reading and printing apparatus. I will provide a.

[0008]

A sheet feeding base plate having a recording sheet conveying surface and an upper casing including an original reading unit pivotably supported on the sheet passing base plate are provided. In an image reading / printing apparatus that stores a plurality of consumable cartridges such as cartridges in a front-rear direction from the open end side of the upper housing toward the pivot end side, the upper housing has the plurality of consumable parts. A replacement opening is provided corresponding to the consumable cartridge located near the pivot end of the upper housing, and a position near the pivot end of the upper housing is provided through this opening. The consumable cartridge placed in the above is attached and detached.

[0009]

With the above structure, the replacement of the consumable cartridge on the front side close to the open end side of the upper casing is performed with the upper casing opened, and the consumable cartridge on the rear side near the pivot end side of the upper casing is replaced. Replacement of the consumable cartridge can be done through the replacement opening in the upper housing.

Therefore, when replacing the consumable cartridge on the back side, it is not necessary to once remove the consumable cartridge on the front side.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of the same apparatus, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the same apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a photoconductor cartridge extracting operation in the same apparatus. 1 to 4, parts common to those in FIG. 7 are designated by common reference numerals.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, the paper feed base plate 1 is formed with projecting receiving portions 21 for carrying the photosensitive body cartridge 9 on both sides of the recording paper carrying surface 3, and the receiving body 21 allows the photosensitive body to be carried out. By supporting the cartridge 9, the photoconductor cartridge 9 and the recording paper conveyance surface 3 including the transfer device 7 are held in a predetermined positional relationship.

The photoconductor cartridge 9 has its frame 22.
Drum shaft 10a of the photoconductor drum 10 outward from both side surfaces of
And the drum shaft 10a is carried by the receiving portion 21 of the paper feed base plate 1. Further, the photoconductor cartridge 9 projects a waste toner pipe 23 for discharging the used toner from the side surface of the frame 22, and
Protrusions 24 are provided on both side surfaces of the above in the vicinity of the drum shaft 10a. Reference numeral 23a denotes a toner shutter provided at the tip of the waste toner pipe 23, and 25 denotes a handle of the photoconductor cartridge 9.

On both side surfaces of the upper housing 2, a lateral groove 26a which is open at one end and a vertical groove 26b which is continuous with the other end of the lateral groove 26a.
A guide groove 26 consisting of
Then, the drum shaft 10a and the protrusion 24 of the photoconductor cartridge 9 are sequentially inserted from the open end of the lateral groove 26a to temporarily carry the photoconductor cartridge 9 in the upper housing 2. In the photosensitive cartridge 9, the drum shaft 10a is located at the lower end (end) of the vertical groove 26b in the temporary carrying state, and the protrusion 24
Is located in the lateral groove 26a. Thus, the upper housing 2 is pivotally supported on the paper passing base plate 1 so as to be openable and closable around the point P as a center of rotation, and when the upper body 2 is closed with respect to the paper passing base plate 1, the photoconductor cartridge 9 causes the drum to move. The receiving portion 21 with the shaft 10a
The drum shaft 10a is supported by the vertical groove 26 of the guide groove 26.
It is designed to be lifted slightly above the lower end of b.

The exposure head 16 is composed of an LED head portion 27 and a mounting angle 28 for supporting the LED head portion 27. The exposure head 16 is elastically supported by a spring 29 inside the upper housing 2. The biasing force of the spring 29 causes the photoconductor cartridge 9 to move. Pressure contact. On the other hand, in the photoconductor cartridge 9, the portion extending from the upper edge to the rear edge of the frame 22 is formed in an arc shape to form the cam portion 30, and the operation of the cam portion 30 will be described in detail in the operation description of the latter stage. To do.

The developing cartridge 13 and the toner cartridge 15 are housed in the upper housing 2 through a replacement opening 31 provided in the rear half of the upper surface of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 5, on the inner surface of the upper housing 2, a guide groove 32 extending in the vertical direction and having an upper end opened to the replacement opening 31 and an engaging round hole 33 connected to the lower end of the guide groove 32 are provided. On the other hand, a shaft 13a having an elliptical cross section is provided on both side surfaces of the developing cartridge 13 so that the shaft 13a is inserted into the round hole 33 through the guide groove 32, and then the developing cartridge 13 is slightly rotated. The developing cartridge 13 is attached by engaging the shaft 13a in the round hole 33.

The toner cartridge 15 is removably and rotatably attached to the upper surface of the developing cartridge 13. As shown in FIG. 6, on the upper surface of the developing cartridge 13, a bearing 34 having a notch in a part is formed so as to form an engaging round hole 35, while the toner cartridge 15 has a cross section similar to the developing cartridge 13. Elliptical shaft 15a
The shaft 15a through a notch to form a round hole 35
The toner cartridge 15 is attached by rotating the shaft 15a after inserting the shaft 15a into the round hole 35. still,
The opening 31 for replacement is covered with a cover (not shown) which can be detached or opened and closed.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 36 denotes an original conveying block which is rotatably supported by the upper housing 2 and has a conveying roller 19 and the like.
Reference numeral 37 denotes a handle of the developing cartridge 13.

Next, the operation of replacing the photoconductor cartridge 9 in the above structure will be described. When removing the photoconductor cartridge 9 after use, first set the upper housing 2 to the point P.
Rotate around to open. At this time, the upper housing 2
The drum shaft 10a at the lower end of the vertical groove 26b of the guide groove 26.
And the photoconductor cartridge 9 is removed from the paper base plate 1.

In the opened state of the upper housing 2, the photoconductor cartridge 9 is in a temporary carrying state, and as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the drum shaft 10a is provided with the protrusion 24 at the lower end of the vertical groove 26b.
Are located in the lateral grooves 26a, respectively. When the handle 25 is pushed down from this state, the photoconductor cartridge 9
Rotates about the projection 24 as a fulcrum against the spring 29, so that the drum shaft 10a moves to the vertical groove 2 as shown in FIG. 4 (b).
The lower end of 6b is moved to the connecting portion with the lateral groove 26a, and while keeping the state as it is, the photosensitive member cartridge 9 is pulled forward by the handle 29 and pulled out from the guide groove 26 of the upper housing 2. At this time, the urging force of the spring 29 that presses the exposure head 16 against the photoconductor cartridge 9 causes the drum shaft 10a to be pulled out from the lateral groove 26a with respect to the photoconductor cartridge 9 by the action of the cam portion 30 of the frame 22. Therefore, the work of removing the photoconductor cartridge 9 is facilitated.

Next, when mounting a new photoconductor cartridge 9, first, the drum shaft 10a and the protrusion 24 of the photoconductor cartridge 9 are guided from the state of FIG.
6 are sequentially inserted into the lateral grooves 26a. During the insertion, the cam portion 30 of the photoconductor cartridge 9 has the exposure head 1
6 and then moves while compressing the spring 29, the exposure head 16 gradually shifts its contact position along the cam portion 30.

When the drum shaft 10a eventually reaches the connecting portion of the horizontal groove 26a and the vertical groove 26b, as shown in FIG. 4B, the photosensitive member cartridge 9 rotates by its own weight with the protrusion 24 as a fulcrum. The drum shaft 10a is moved to the lower end of the vertical groove 26b by the movement. At this time, spring 2
The biasing force of 9 acts to push the drum shaft 10a toward the lower end of the vertical groove 26b with respect to the photoconductor cartridge 9 by the action of the cam portion 30, and finally holds the temporarily held state shown in FIG. 4C. Contribute to. In this temporary carrying state, the photoconductor cartridge 9 and the exposure head 16 are already in a predetermined positional relationship, that is, the photoconductor drum 10 and the LCD head portion 27 are in a predetermined positional relationship.

In this way, after the photoconductor cartridge 9 is temporarily carried on the upper casing 2, the paper feed base plate 1 of the upper casing 2 is carried out.
2, the photosensitive drum 9 is held in a normal state by the drum shaft 10a being carried by the receiving portion 21 and separated from the lower end of the vertical groove 26b, as shown in FIG. It is positioned with respect to the surface 3.

When the drum shaft 10a is carried by the receiving portion 21, the photoconductor cartridge 9 is slightly lifted, but at this time, the spring 29 is simply compressed.
The photoconductor cartridge 9 and the exposure head 16 maintain a predetermined positional relationship.

Next, the replacement operation of the toner cartridge 15 will be described. First, the replacement opening 34 is opened by removing or opening the cover, and in this opened state, the toner cartridge 15 is moved from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 to the position where the shaft 15a can pass through the notch. After rotating, the shaft 15a is removed by pulling it up and pulling the shaft 15a through the notch. After that, a new toner cartridge 15 is mounted in the reverse order of the above.

Further, the replacement operation of the developing cartridge 13 can be removed from the upper housing 2 by performing the same operation procedure as the above-mentioned toner cartridge 13 with the handle 37.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the replacement of the photoconductor cartridge 9 on the front side close to the open end side of the upper housing 2 is performed by opening the upper housing 2 from the open end side. The developing cartridge 13 on the back side near the pivot end of the upper housing 2
And the toner cartridge 15 is replaced by the opening 31 for replacement.
Via the toner cartridge 1
Since it is not necessary to remove the photoconductor cartridge 9 one by one when exchanging 5, etc., the exchanging work becomes extremely simple.

Further, when the developing cartridge 13 is replaced, the toner cartridge 15 is also taken out from the upper housing 2. However, since the developing cartridge 13 has a very long life and a long replacement cycle as compared with other cartridges, it is necessary for the operator. On the other hand, there is no particular annoyance.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily replace a consumable cartridge, and it is also possible to eliminate the risk of accidentally removing cartridges that do not need replacement and accidentally damaging them. Therefore, it is possible to provide a practically excellent image printing apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an exploded configuration explanatory view showing a main part of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a photoconductor cartridge extracting operation in the same apparatus, in which (a) to (c) show different operation states.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a mounting structure of a developing cartridge in the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a mounting structure of a toner cartridge in the same apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a facsimile device which is an example of an image reading / printing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Paper passing base plate 2 Upper housing 3 Recording paper conveying surface 9 Photosensitive cartridge 10 Photosensitive drum 13 Developing cartridge, 15 Toner cartridge 31 Replacement opening

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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of photoconductor cartridges, developing cartridges, etc., each of which comprises a paper feed base plate having a recording paper conveyance surface and an upper housing including an original reading unit pivotably supported on the paper feed base plate. In an image reading and printing apparatus, wherein the consumable cartridges are arranged and housed in the front-rear direction from the open end side to the pivot end side of the upper housing, the upper housing is provided with a plurality of consumable cartridges. A replacement opening is provided corresponding to a consumable cartridge located near the pivot end of the upper housing, and the replacement opening is located near the pivot end of the upper housing through the opening. An image reading and printing apparatus, characterized in that a consumable cartridge is attached and detached.