JPH10177332A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly remove jammed transfer material by providing an interlocking means actuating a releasing means as soon as a carrying means is supported after it is moved from an actuation position to a retreat position. SOLUTION: When a pressing cam is rotated counterclockwise and a cam receiving plate is lowered, the elastic energy of a pressing spring 26 is released and a transfer unit is separated from a drum unit, moved and held at the retreat position. Simultaneously, a detecting flag is rotated counterclockwise and inserted in the space part of a detecting sensor attached to a main body. At such a time, the detecting sensor detects the retreat of the transfer unit, and a releasing solenoid 35 is actuated, so that a current flows to a solenoid coil inside and induction magnetic field is generated, then an outgoing/incoming part 36 is drawn inside the solenoid coil. Thus, the part 36 imparts moment equal to or above the elastic force of a lock spring 37 to a setting part 31 so as to rotate the setting part 31 with a pin 32 as an axis, whereby a hook 34 locking a surface plate unit is disengaged from a fixed pin 28.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a conveying means when a transfer sheet is jammed, or a transfer means or a transfer means after the transfer means and the transfer means retreat from the image forming apparatus. Or the transfer means or the support means supporting the transfer means and the transfer means,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be taken out of the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional image forming apparatus, an image carrying means for carrying a latent image, a carrying means for carrying a sheet-like transfer material located upstream of the image carrying means to the image carrying means, A transfer unit for transferring an image to the transfer material, a support unit for supporting the transfer unit and the transfer unit, and any one of an operation position of the transfer unit and the transfer unit or a retreat position separated from the operation position Control means for moving the transfer means to one position and supporting the transfer means and the transfer means, holding means for disposing and holding the support means and the control means, and setting means for setting the holding means to a copy position; There is known an image forming apparatus having a releasing unit for releasing the setting unit.

In the conventional apparatus having the above structure, when removing the transfer material jammed in the transfer means from the image forming apparatus, first, the control means moves the transfer means and the transfer means to the operating position. The holding means is removed from the image forming apparatus after the setting means is released from the holding means.

[0004]

However, in order to remove the transfer material jammed in the transfer means or the transfer means, the holding means must be pulled out of the image forming apparatus.
For this purpose, it is necessary to perform a two-stage operation of releasing the setting unit by the release unit after the control unit moves and supports the transfer unit and the transfer unit from the operating position to the retracted position. This is a very troublesome operation because the purpose of moving the transfer means and the transfer means from the operating position to the retracted position is only to remove the transfer material jammed in the transfer means or the transfer means. there were.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising:
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of quickly removing a transfer material jammed in one or both of a transfer unit and a transfer unit.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the above object is to provide an image carrying means for carrying a latent image,
Conveying means for conveying a sheet-like transfer material to the image carrying means located upstream of the image carrying means, transferring means for transferring the latent image to the transfer material, supporting means for supporting the conveying means, A control means for moving the transport means to one of an operation position and a retreat position remote from the operation position to support the transport means; and disposing and holding the support means, the control means, and the transfer means. And a setting unit for setting the holding unit to the copy position, and a release unit for releasing the setting unit, wherein the control unit moves the transport unit from the operating position to the retracted position. This is achieved by the provision of the interlocking means for actuating the release means at the same time that the transfer means is supported by being moved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image bearing means for carrying a latent image, and a sheet-like transfer material located upstream of the image bearing means. Transfer means for transferring the latent image to the transfer material, a support means for supporting the transfer means, and any one of an operation position of the transfer means and a retracted position away from the operation position. Control means for moving the transfer means to the position, supporting the transfer means, arranging and holding the support means, the control means and the transport means, setting means for setting the holding means to a copy position, A release unit for releasing the setting unit, wherein the control unit moves the transfer unit from the operating position to the retracted position to support the transfer unit and actuate the release unit at the same time. Is provided It is achieved by.

Further, according to the third invention of the present application,
The object is to provide an image carrying means for carrying a latent image, a conveying means located upstream of the image carrying means for carrying a sheet-like transfer material to the image carrying means, and transferring the latent image to the transfer material. A transfer unit, a support unit for supporting the transfer unit and the transfer unit, and moving the transfer unit and the transfer unit to one of an operation position or a retreat position away from the operation position, Control means for supporting the transport means and the transfer means; holding means for disposing and holding the support means and the control means; setting means for setting the holding means to a copy position where a copying operation is performed; In the image forming apparatus having release means for releasing the setting means, the control means moves the transport means and the transfer means from the operating position to the retracted position to support the transport means and the transfer means. At the same time, It is achieved by the dynamic interlocking means are provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the interlocking means operates when the control means operates. This is achieved by providing a detection actuating means for detecting the pressure and actuating the release means.

Further, according to the fifth invention of the present application,
An object of the present invention is to provide, in one of the first to fourth inventions, a retracting means for retracting the holding means from the copy position when the holding means is released from the copy position. Is achieved by

That is, in the first invention according to the present application, when a paper jam occurs due to the transfer material in the transport means, the interlocking means causes the control means to perform a retreat operation from the operating position of the transport means to the retreat position. Since the releasing means is linked with the releasing operation of the holding means from the setting means, the holding means is quickly taken out from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside, and the transfer material is removed.

Further, in the second invention according to the present application, when paper jam occurs due to the transfer material in the transfer means, the interlocking means causes the control means to perform a retreat operation from the operation position of the transfer means to the retreat position. Since the releasing means is linked with the releasing operation of the holding means from the setting means, the holding means is quickly taken out from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside, and the transfer material is removed.

Further, in the third invention according to the present application,
When a paper jam occurs due to the transfer material in at least one or both of the transfer unit and the transfer unit, the interlocking unit controls the retreat operation from the operation position of the transfer unit and the transfer unit to the retreat position by the control unit. Since the releasing means is linked with the releasing operation of the holding means from the setting means, the holding means is quickly taken out from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside, and the transfer material is removed.

In the fourth invention according to the present application, the interlocking means of the first to third inventions has detection operation means for detecting the operation of the control means and activating the release means. The interlocking between the control operation by the control unit and the release operation by the release unit is realized by a simple configuration, and the holding unit is quickly taken out of the image forming apparatus to the outside.

Further, in the fifth invention according to the present application,
At the same time when one of the holding means of the first to fourth inventions is released from the copy position, the retracting means retracts the holding means from the copy position. Is taken out from the inside to the outside.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, a series of copying processes in an image forming apparatus which can utilize an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

When a copied original (not shown) is inserted into a copying machine 2 disposed on a main body 1 of the image forming apparatus, the original is automatically fed onto a platen glass 4 by an automatic original feeder 3. .

The information such as the characters of the document converted into light through the platen glass 4 is electrostatically transferred onto the photosensitive drum 13 serving as an image carrier rotating clockwise while the course is changed by the optical system 5. Create a latent image.

The electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the charge charged on the photosensitive drum 13 by the charging unit 16 to light, and is not yet a visible image.

Therefore, the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the developing sleeve 1
By applying the toner by 4, a visible image is formed.

The transfer paper (not shown) to be copied is supplied to a feeding cassette 40 which is divided into respective sizes in advance.
The sheet is fed to the pre-registration feeding section 23 from a, 40b, 40c, and 40d via the vertical path section 41 or directly from a manual feeding section (not shown) externally connected to the main body 1.

At this time, the transfer paper is not always sent to the pre-registration feeding section 23 in a direction corresponding to the transfer. For this reason, the pair of registration rollers 19 provided as a conveying means downstream of the pre-registration feeding unit 23 are kept intact with respect to the transfer paper in the direction corresponding to the transfer and with respect to the transfer paper in the direction incompatible with the transfer. The transfer paper is conveyed to the guide section 22 after being corrected in a direction corresponding to the transfer.

The transfer paper conveyed to the guide section 22 in this manner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 13 and serves as a transfer means.
When the toner image is sent to the separation unit 20, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 13 is attracted and transferred to the transfer paper by the electrostatic force of the transfer / separation unit 20.

After the completion of the transfer, the transfer / separation unit 20 further separates the transfer paper from the photosensitive drum 13 by electrostatic force.

Although the process of transferring the original to the transfer paper by the above process has been described, the toner image on the transfer paper is merely placed in a predetermined place on the transfer paper in an unstable state. is there.

Therefore, in order to stabilize the toner image at a predetermined place on the transfer paper, the fixing unit 42 applies heat and pressure to the whole to melt and fix the toner image on the transfer paper.

Thereafter, the transfer paper is discharged out of the main body 1 from the paper discharge unit 43, and the copying is completed.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The registration roller pair 19 and the transfer / separation unit 20 are inserted and supported in a fixed transport unit 27 as holding means. This is a member for pulling out the transfer / separation unit 20 from inside the main body 1.

The fixed transport unit 27 has a column-shaped fixing pin 28 protruding on the outer bottom surface, and is moved on a rail portion 44 by wheels 29 provided on the left and right, so that the fixed transport is performed. The unit 27 is pulled out from the inside of the main body 1.

The concave portion 3 of the fixed transport unit 27
The handle 7 is moved from the hole formed in the
The detection flag 8 and the pressurizing cam 9 protrude outside and are inserted into the constant carrying unit 27, and the cam portion 6 is rotatably supported by the constant carrying unit 27.

In FIG. 1, the fixed transport unit 2
7, a pre-registration unit 45 that supports the pre-registration feeding unit 23, a sending unit 46 that sends out transfer paper from the transfer / separation unit 20 to the fixing unit 42, and a fixing unit 4 from the right side of the drawing.
2. The paper discharge section 43 is disposed and held, and the transfer unit 18 as support means is inserted into the constant transport unit 27 from above the constant transport unit 27, and the pressing spring 26
2, the fixed conveyance unit 27 shown in FIG. 2 includes the pre-registration unit 45, the sending unit 46, the fixing unit 42, and the paper discharging unit 43. The transfer unit 18 is omitted.

The cam section 6 is a member for moving and supporting the transfer unit 18 to either the operating position or the retracted position.

For this purpose, a handle 7, a detection flag 8, and a pressure cam 9 are fixed to the cam portion 6 in a direction parallel to the axis of the cam shaft 10, and the center of the pressure cam 9 is connected to the cam shaft. It is eccentric from the center of 10.

The handle 7 is provided with a handle 11 so that the cam 6 can be easily rotated.

The shape of the handle portion 11 is not limited to this, and any shape that can rotate the cam portion 6 is sufficient.

The detection flag 8 is formed in a generally used flat plate shape because it does not require much space. However, the detection flag 8 only needs to have a detectable shape. Therefore, it is not necessarily limited to this shape.

The pressing cam 9 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a thickness smaller than the diameter. As the shape of the pressure cam, a complicated shape used for automobiles and the like can be considered, but a cylindrical shape is easily formed and is sufficient as a means for moving and supporting the transfer unit 18. The above-mentioned pressure cam 9 is more preferable than the cams of other shapes.

An image forming section 11 is located in the lower half of the transfer unit 18, and a drum unit 12 is provided in the upper half of the image forming section 11.

In order to carry a latent image, the photosensitive drum 13 and the developing sleeve 14 are supported by the drum unit 12 so as to be close to each other and to rotate in opposite directions.

The drum unit 12 includes a drum cleaning unit 15 that collects toner that has not been used for transfer, and a charging unit that applies a charge necessary for forming an electrostatic latent image to the photosensitive drum 13. The part 16 is disposed and held.

In the charging section 16, a high voltage is applied to the wire 16a extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing to charge the photosensitive drum 13.

Further, two positioning blocks 17 are provided on the drum unit 12 so as to be parallel to two rows on a plane perpendicular to the paper surface, one of which is shown in FIG.

On the other hand, a registration roller pair 19 is rotatably supported by the transfer unit 18, and the transfer / separation unit 2
0, a register stay 21 and a guide portion 22 are provided and held, respectively.

The pre-registration feeding section 23 is provided with a constant transport unit 27.
Is supported by the pre-registration unit 45 which is held by the printer.

In the transfer / separation section 20, a high voltage is applied to the wires 20a, 20b and 20c for transfer.
The air in the vicinity of the wires 20a, 20b, 20c is charged to the charging unit 1
By charging the transfer paper to the opposite polarity to the charging of 6,
This is performed by attracting toner onto the transfer paper.

In the separation, the wires 20a, 20a,
The transfer paper 20b and 20c separate the transfer paper from the photosensitive drum 13 by the own weight of the transfer paper by removing the charges charged during the transfer.

Further, when the transfer unit 18 comes into contact with the drum unit 12, a contact portion 24 is formed at a position corresponding to the positioning block 17 of the transfer unit 18, which rises smoothly.

The transfer unit 18 is supported by the drum unit 12 so that the cam 6 contacts the positioning block 17 with the abutment 24 during transfer.

In FIG. 7, the constant transport unit 27 is locked by a setting section 31 as setting means, and the setting section 31 is a member for setting the constant transport unit 27 to a copy position of the main body 1. .

The setting section 31 includes a setting body section 33 rotatably supported by a pin 32 provided on the main body 1.
And a hook 34 projecting from the center of the setting body 33.

On the other hand, a release solenoid 3 as release means
Reference numeral 5 has a function of a release unit for releasing the setting state of the setting unit 31, and an access unit 36 which enters and exits from the release solenoid 35 is fixed to one end of the setting main unit 33.

The other end of the setting main body 33 has one end fixed to the main body 1 and the other end of a lock spring 37 for applying a moment to the setting main body 33 by an elastic force.

When the constant transport unit 27 is set at the copy position by the setting unit 31, the push-out spring 38 and the micro switch 39 provided at the respective positions of the main body 1 as shown in the drawing are used. It is in contact with the constant transport unit 27.

Finally, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

At the time of copying, the cam 6 supports the transfer unit 18 by the elastic energy of the pressure spring 26 while the abutment 24 is in contact with the positioning block 17 as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the transfer / separation unit 20 in the main body 1
When the transfer paper is jammed, for example, the handle 7 is rotated to the left.

As a result, the following two operations are performed simultaneously.

That is, as the first operation, since the pressure cam 9 rotates to the left simultaneously, the cam receiving plate 25 is lowered because of the eccentricity.

Then, the elastic energy of the pressure spring 26 supporting the transfer unit 18 is released by the contraction until immediately before, so that the transfer unit 18 is moved to the drum unit as shown in FIG. 12 and is moved and held at the evacuation position.

In the second operation, the detection flag 8 also rotates to the left at the same time and is inserted into the space t of the detection sensor s attached to the main body 1.

At this time, the detection sensor s detects the retreat of the transfer unit 18 by the cam section 6.

In response to the detection signal, the release solenoid 35 is actuated to cause a current to flow through a solenoid coil (not shown) inside the release solenoid 35 to generate an induced magnetic field. Pull inside the coil.

As a result, the entry / exit unit 36 is set to the setting unit 3
A moment greater than the elastic force of the lock spring 37 is applied to 1, and the setting portion 31 is rotated about the pin 32, so that the hook 34 that has locked the constant transport unit 27 is disengaged from the fixing pin 28.

As can be seen from the above, two operations of retreating the transfer unit 18 from the drum unit 12 and canceling the setting of the constant carrying unit 27 are simultaneously performed only by rotating the handle 7 to the left.

Further, in this embodiment, the pushing spring 38 and the microswitch 39 are connected to the release solenoid 3.
5 is stopped.

That is, the main body 1 and the fixed transport unit 27
The push-out spring 38, which has been contracted between the fixed transport unit 2 and the fixed transport unit 2
7 is pushed out from the back of the main body 1.

Thus, the microswitch 3
9 moves away from the constant transport unit 27. Then, the switch unit 39a separates from the micro switch main body 39a and sends a release stop signal to the release solenoid 35.

Then, the release solenoid 35 receives the release stop signal and terminates the release operation, and at the same time, the elastic force of the lock spring 37 becomes effective again, so that the setting section 31 can be set.

The means for stopping the release of the release solenoid 35 is not limited to this. If a release solenoid provided with means for automatically terminating the release operation after a predetermined time from the start of the release operation is used. Thus, an image forming apparatus having a simpler configuration can be obtained.

Further, in order to reload the fixed transport unit 27 whose setting has been released into the main body 1, the constant transport unit 27 is mounted on the rail portion 44 and is pushed deep into the main body 1.

At this time, since the distal end 34a is as shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the fixing pin 28 can be pushed deeper than the distal end 34a.
4 is fixed to the fixing pin 28, so that the fixed transport unit 27
Is set to the copy position.

At this time, since the switch section 39a comes into contact with the micro switch body 39b, the micro switch 39 is turned off from the ON state as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, by turning the handle 7 lying left to the right to make it vertical, the butting portion 24 comes into contact with the positioning block 17 and the transfer unit 18 is supported by the pressing spring 26 at the transfer position. Then, copying is possible.

[0075]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a paper jam occurs due to a transfer material in the transporting means, the interlocking means operates the transporting means by the control means. Since the evacuation operation from the position to the evacuation position and the release operation of the holding unit by the release unit from the setting unit are linked,
The holding means is quickly taken out from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside, so that the user can quickly remove the transfer material.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when paper jam occurs due to the transfer material in the transfer means, the interlocking means retreats from the operating position of the transfer means to the retreat position by the control means. Since the operation and the releasing operation of the holding unit from the setting unit by the releasing unit are linked, the holding unit is quickly taken out from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside, and the user can quickly remove the transfer material. .

Further, according to the third invention of the present application,
When a paper jam occurs due to a transfer material in at least one of the transfer unit and the transfer unit, the interlocking unit is configured to perform a retreat operation from the operation position of the transfer unit and the transfer unit to the retreat position by the control unit, Since the releasing means is linked with the releasing operation of the holding means from the setting means, the retaining means is quickly taken out from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside, so that the user can quickly remove the transfer material.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation of the control means of the first to third aspects is detected and the detection operation means activates the release means. And the interlocking operation of the release operation by the release unit is realized with a simple configuration, the holding unit is quickly taken out from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside, and the user can select either the transport unit or the transfer unit. The transfer material stuck in one or both can be removed more quickly.

Further, according to the fifth invention of the present application,
The evacuation means retreats the holding means from the copy position at the same time when the holding means of the first invention to the fourth invention is released from the copy position, so that the holding means can more quickly operate the image forming apparatus. The transfer material taken out from the inside to the outside can be more quickly removed by the user, and the transfer material jammed in one or both of the transport unit and the transfer unit can be removed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a constant carrying unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cam portion during a copying operation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cam portion when copying is released.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the image forming unit during a copying operation.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the image forming unit when copying is released.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the state of the constant transport unit and the setting unit when copying is set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state of the constant transport unit and the setting unit when copying is released.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing an operation state in copy release and copy setting.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 6 Cam section 7 Handle (interlocking means) 8 Detection flag 9 Pressure cam (control means) 10 Cam shaft 11 Handle 12 Drum unit 13 Photosensitive drum (image holding means) 17 Positioning block 18 Transfer unit (supporting means) 19 Registration roller pair (Transportation means) 20 Transfer / separation unit (Transfer unit) 21 Register stay 24 Abutment unit 27 Constant transport unit (Holding unit) 28 Fixing pin 29 Wheel unit 31 Setting unit (Setting unit) 34 Hook 35 Release solenoid (Release unit) 36 Access port 37 Lock spring 38 Push-out spring (evacuation means) 39 Microswitch s Detection sensor (detection operation means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image carrying means for carrying a latent image, a carrying means located upstream of the image carrying means for carrying a sheet-like transfer material to the image carrying means, and transferring the latent image to the transfer material. Transferring means, supporting means for supporting the conveying means, control means for moving the conveying means to one of an operating position or a retracted position away from the operating position to support the conveying means, An image forming apparatus comprising: holding means for arranging and holding the supporting means, the control means, and the transfer means; setting means for setting the holding means to a copy position; and releasing means for releasing the setting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: interlocking means for controlling the transfer means to move the transfer means from the operating position to the retracted position to support the transfer means and to operate the release means at the same time. 2. An image carrying means for carrying a latent image, a carrying means located upstream of the image carrying means for carrying a sheet-like transfer material to the image carrying means, and transferring the latent image to the transfer material. A transfer unit that supports the transfer unit; a support unit that supports the transfer unit; a control unit that moves the transfer unit to one of an operation position and a retracted position away from the operation position to support the transfer unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: holding means for arranging and holding the supporting means, the control means, and the transport means; setting means for setting the holding means to a copy position; and releasing means for releasing the setting means. An image forming apparatus, further comprising an interlocking means for controlling the transfer means to move the transfer means from the operation position to the retracted position to support the transfer means and to operate the release means at the same time. 3. An image carrying means for carrying a latent image, a carrying means located upstream of the image carrying means for carrying a sheet-like transfer material to the image carrying means, and transferring the latent image to the transfer material. Transferring means, supporting means for supporting the transfer means and the transfer means, and moving the transfer means and the transfer means to one of an operating position or a retracted position away from the operating position, and Control means for supporting the means and the transfer means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: holding means for disposing and holding the support means and the control means; setting means for setting the holding means to a copy position; and release means for releasing the setting means. An interlocking means for moving the transfer means and the transfer means from the operation position to the retreat position to support the transfer means and the transfer means and operating the release means at the same time, Image forming apparatus. 4. The interlocking means, when the control means operates,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection operation unit that detects this and activates a release unit. 5. A retracting means for retracting the holding means from the copying position when the holding means is released from the copying position. Image forming apparatus.