JPH0830887B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a light and pressure sensitive sheet.

(B) Conventional Technology In recent years, development of an image forming apparatus for forming an image using a light and pressure sensitive sheet has been advanced. The light- and pressure-sensitive sheet is a resin film coated with microcapsules having a particle size of approximately 5 to 6 μm, and the microcapsules enclose a resin polymerized by light and a color forming dye in a resin shell.
This light and pressure sensitive sheet is paired with the receiver sheet. That is, the receiver sheet is coated with a developer that develops the color-forming dye, and if the microcapsules are destroyed and the color-forming dye flows out, the developer develops color. During image formation, when the light- and pressure-sensitive sheet is exposed to image-forming exposure light such as document reflection light, the microcapsules exposed to light are polymerized and cured (a latent image is formed). If the receiver sheet is superposed on this light and pressure sensitive sheet and pressed, only the uncured microcapsules are destroyed, and the color-forming dye in that portion develops a color to form an image on the receiver sheet.

By the way, the light and pressure sensitive sheet must be protected from light and pressure in its unused state due to its photosensitivity and pressure sensitivity. Therefore, conventionally, an unused photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet has been wound around a supply shaft and housed in a light-shielding media cartridge. This media cartridge is also provided with a take-up shaft for taking up a used photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet, and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the sheet exchange is performed for each cartridge. When the cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet is pulled out from the supply shaft, and an exposure position where image forming exposure light such as document reflected light is guided,
The pressure roller for performing pressure development provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus is passed through the take-up shaft, and after the exposure and development, the take-up shaft is taken up for winding.

(C) Problem to be Solved by the Invention However, in the conventional apparatus, it was very difficult to replace the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet once mounted in the image forming apparatus main body during use. That is, since the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet is hung between the supply shaft and the take-up shaft via the pressure roller provided in the image forming / mounting main body, the sheet must be cut before removing it. However, there is a drawback that workability is deteriorated because the work is performed in a narrow device. Also,
When the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet that was removed during use is reattached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the cut edge is passed through the exposure position and between the pressure rollers and hung on the take-up shaft. There was a problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of facilitating replacement of the light and pressure sensitive sheet and preventing waste of the light and pressure sensitive sheet.

(D) Means for Solving the Problem The present invention draws out a photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet wound around a supply shaft from a supply shaft, and exposes an image forming exposure light such as reflected light of a document and an exposure position between a pair of pressure rollers. In an image forming apparatus that passes through the film and winds the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet around the take-up shaft, and a take-up shaft that pulls out and winds up the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet wound around the supply shaft. An image forming apparatus, in which one of the pressure rollers is housed, and the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet wound around the supply shaft is set to be wound around the winding shaft through the one pressure roller. The image forming apparatus main body is detachably attached to the main body, and the other pressure roller forming a pair with the one pressure roller housed in the cartridge and the other pressure roller housed in the cartridge A means for switching the pressure roller to a pressure state or a pressure release state is provided to the force roller, and further, the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet passes between the exposure position and the pressure roller when mounted on the main body of the cartridge image forming apparatus. It is characterized in that it is wound around the winding shaft.

(E) Function In the present invention, the light and pressure sensitive sheet is passed through only the cartridge which is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and when the cartridge is attached to the main body, the light and pressure sensitive sheet is used in the image forming process. It is taken up by the take-up shaft after passing between the exposure position and the pressure roller which must pass. That is, it is not necessary to pass the light and pressure sensitive sheet on the image forming apparatus main body side. Therefore, when exchanging the light and pressure sensitive sheet, the sheet can be carried out in a state of being stretched between the supply shaft and the winding shaft without cutting the sheet. In addition,
The other side of the pressure roller is provided inside the main body of the image forming apparatus and is normally pressed against the pressure roller of the cartridge with a pressure high enough to break the microcapsules of the light and pressure sensitive sheet. The pressure can be easily switched, and the pressure can be released when removing the cartridge so that it can be done easily without adding extra force when attaching or detaching the cartridge, and damage to the cartridge or the main body of the image forming apparatus can be prevented. Can be prevented.

(F) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This copying machine is of a movable type. An original table 2 is provided on the upper surface of the copying machine main body 1, and F (feed) is shown in the figure.
Direction and R (return) direction. Below the platen 2, light sources 3, 3 and a light converging transmitter 4 are provided.
When the document table 2 moves in the F direction, the document on the document table is scanned and the reflected light is guided to the exposure unit described later. A media cartridge 5 is detachably attached to the main body of the copying machine 1 at the right center thereof. The media cartridge 5 has vertical rails 51a and 51b on the left and right sides in the figure, and the rail portions are engaged with the rails 11a and 11b provided on the copying machine main body to pull it out toward the front side of the copying machine main body. Or it can be inserted.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the media cartridge 5. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the media cartridge portion. FIG. 4 shows the media cartridge pulled out from the copying machine main body, and FIG. 5 shows it pushed in.

The media cartridge 5 has a supply shaft 52 and a take-up shaft 53.
Is rotatably supported. A storage chamber in which an unused photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet 54 is wound around the supply shaft 52 and shielded from external light.
It is stored in 55. A roller 55a is provided in a corner of the storage chamber 55 in parallel with the supply shaft 52, and an opening 55b is formed in the vicinity of the roller 55a. The photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet of the supply shaft 52 is pulled out from the opening 55b via the roller 55a. Note that 55c provided in the opening 55b is an elastic light blocking material that blocks light from the outside.

A conveyance roller 56, an upper pressure roller 57, and the above-described winding shaft 53 are provided outside the storage chamber 55 of the media cartridge. The upper pressure roller 57 is paired with the lower pressure roller 6 provided on the copying machine main body side (see FIG. 1). As will be described later, when the media cartridge 5 is inserted into the copying machine main body 1 by operating the lever, the lower pressure roller 6 is urged upward to bring the upper and lower pressure rollers 57 and 6 into pressure contact with each other. When the cartridge is pulled out from the copying machine main body 1, the pressure of the lower pressure roller 6 is released so that the media cartridge can be pulled out easily. The contact position between the upper pressure roller 57 and the lower pressure roller 6 is the pressure developing position.

Light and pressure sensitive sheet 5 pulled out from the opening 55b of the storage chamber
4 is a conveyance roller 56, an upper pressure roller 57 (pressure developing position),
It is taken up by the take-up shaft 53 via. Further, when the media cartridge 5 is inserted in the copying machine main body 1,
The exposure position where the reflected light obtained by scanning the original on the original table is guided and the image forming position 58 between the opening 55b and the conveying roller 56 coincide with each other. That is, when the media cartridge 5 is attached to the copying machine main body 1, the light and pressure sensitive sheet 54 passes through the exposure position, then passes through the pressure developing position, and is wound around the winding shaft 53. In addition, 12 in FIG.
Is a light-shielding guide that protects an unused or latent image-formed photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet from being exposed to stray light or the like. Further, the supply shaft 52 is biased in the direction opposite to the direction in which the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet 54 is pulled out, and the winding shaft 53
Is urged in the direction to wind up the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet 54.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism for pressurizing and releasing pressure of the pressure roller.

The lower pressure roller 6 has its shaft 61 supported from below by an arm 62. The arm 62 is rotatably supported with a fulcrum shaft 63 provided at one end as a fulcrum, and at the other end, a cam 64 is arranged on the upper side and a spring 65 is arranged on the lower side. . The cam 64 can be rotated almost 90 degrees by a lever 66. Show the cam 64 with arrow A
When rotated in the direction, the cam diameter becomes smaller as shown by the solid line so that the cam 64 does not press the arm 62, and the lower pressure roller 6 is pushed upward by the force of the spring 65. On the contrary, when the cam 64 is rotated in the B direction, the cam diameter of the portion in contact with the arm is increased as shown by the chain double-dashed line, and the arm is pushed down against the biasing force of the spring 65. Then, the lower pressure roller 6 is lowered, and the pressure of the pressure roller is released.

In this way, the upper and lower pressure rollers can be pressed and released. As described above, when the media cartridge is inserted into the main body of the copying machine by the lever operation, the pressure roller is pressed and the pressure state is set, and when the media cartridge is replaced, the pressure is released and the pressure is released. Here, in the copying machine 1, if the lever 66 is set to the upper side in the pressurized state as shown in FIG. 5, the lever 66 becomes an obstacle and the media cartridge 5 cannot be pulled out. Then, when the lever 66 is operated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5, the pressure roller is brought into a pressure release state, and the lever is leveled so as to be retracted from the front surface of the media cartridge 5 to easily replace the cartridge. You can That is, in this copying machine, when the upper and lower pressure rollers 57 and 6 are under pressure, the lever 66 interferes with the replacement of the media cartridge 5. Since the user is easily disturbed by the lever 66, the user can easily know that the pressurizing condition is present. It is possible to prevent the situation.

As shown in the above configuration, the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet 54 is designed to be sent from the supply shaft 52 to the take-up shaft 53 only through the inside of the media cartridge 5, and when the media cartridge is replaced, the lever operation is performed. After releasing the pressure of the pressure roller with, pull out the mounted media cartridge along the rail, then insert another media cartridge and press the pressure roller by lever operation. There is no need to perform subsequent work such as routing the light and pressure sensitive sheet.
Further, when the light and pressure sensitive sheet is changed during use (for example, when changing to a sheet of a different color), it is not necessary to cut the sheet, and waste of the sheet can be prevented.

The pressure release and pressure switching of the pressure roller may be automatically performed by using a motor, a solenoid or the like.

A paper cassette 7 accommodating a receiver sheet is provided on the right side surface of the copying machine main body 1, and the receiver sheet is fed between the pressure rollers 57 and 6 by the paper feeding device 71. A latent image is formed on the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet 54 when passing through the exposure position 58, and then the latent image is sent between the pressure rollers 57 and 6, and is superposed and pressed with the receiver sheet fed here. An image is formed by the color forming dye on the receiver sheet by applying pressure, and the image is sent to the heating device 8. The heating device 8 accelerates the color development reaction by heating the receiver sheet and softens the thermoplastic resin previously applied to the receiver sheet to cover the receiver sheet and give a gloss to the color image. This receiver sheet is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9 on the left side surface of the copying machine body.

(G) Effect of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, since the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet is passed only through the inside of the media cartridge, it is not necessary to cut or pull the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet when exchanging the media cartridge. It is possible to reduce time and effort and improve operability. Conventionally, a jam may occur when the light and pressure sensitive sheet is mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus when the cartridge is replaced, but this problem can be solved because it is not necessary to lay it around when replacing the cartridge. Further, even when the cartridge is exchanged during the use of the light and pressure sensitive sheet, the sheet is no longer pulled around, so that the waste of the sheet can be prevented.

Further, since the pressure roller provided inside the media cartridge and the pressure roller provided inside the image forming apparatus main body can be easily switched between the pressed state and the pressure released state, the replacement of the cartridge is switched to the pressure released state. By performing after the cleaning, it is possible to improve the operability of replacing the cartridge and protect the device from damage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the media cartridge, FIG. 3 is a view showing the pressing mechanism of the vertical pressure roller, FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the media cartridge, and FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state of being pulled out from the main body of the copying machine, and FIG. 5 shows a state of being pushed in. 5 ... Media cartridge, 6 ... Lower pressure roller, 11a, 11
b ... Rails, 51a, 51b ... Rails, 52 ... Supply shaft, 3 ... Winding shaft, 4 ... Photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet, 55 ... Storage chamber, 57 ... Upper pressure roller, 58 ... Exposure position, 61 ... Shaft, 62 ... Arm, 63 ... fulcrum axis,
64 ... Cam, 65 ... Spring, 66 ... Lever.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet wound around a supply shaft is pulled out from the supply shaft, passed through an exposure position where image-forming exposure light such as document reflected light is guided and between a pair of pressure rollers, and wound around a winding shaft. In the image forming apparatus, a supply shaft around which the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet is wound, a take-up shaft around which the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet wound around the supply shaft is pulled out and wound up, and one of the pressure rollers is housed. A cartridge set so that the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet wound around the supply shaft is wound around the winding shaft via the one pressure roller is detachably provided to an image forming apparatus main body. On the side of the image forming apparatus main body, the other pressure roller paired with the one pressure roller housed in the cartridge, and the other pressure roller pressed against the one pressure roller housed in the cartridge, or A means for switching to a force release state is provided, and further, the photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet passes through the exposure position and between the pressure rollers and is wound around the winding shaft when the cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.