JPH10187002A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the exchanging operation at the time of exchanging a carrying belt. SOLUTION: A side cover is attached to the main body of a color recorder 1 so that it can be freely opened/closed. A carrying belt unit 30 is provided below printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3 and P4. The unit 30 is freely attached to/detached from the main body of the recorder in a state where the side cover is opened. The unit 30 has the carrying belt 31 and a driving roller 32, driven rollers 33, 34 and 35 and a transfer roller 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C and 4K) on which the carrying belt 31 is laid. When the unit 30 is attached to the main body, the belt 31 is laid between a photoreceptor and the transfer roller 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for adsorbing a recording medium on a conveyor belt and conveying the recording medium between an image forming means and a transfer means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recording apparatus has an image forming means having a recording head, a transfer means, and a transport belt disposed between the two means. In particular, the recording medium is electrostatically attracted to the transport belt, the recording medium is transported by moving the transport belt, and the image formed on the image forming unit is transferred to the recording medium by the transfer unit based on the image data. The transport belt has been selected to have an appropriate surface resistance value determined in advance by experiments or the like in order to be able to electrostatically attract the recording medium so as not to be displaced and to increase the transfer efficiency.

[0003]

When a high voltage is supplied to the transfer means and the toner image formed on the image forming means is transferred to the recording medium while the recording medium is electrostatically attracted to the conveying belt and conveyed, Under the influence of the high voltage supplied to the transfer means, the surface resistance of the transport belt changes with time, and the surface resistance of the transport belt decreases, resulting in poor transfer. That is, the transport belt has a life,
The conveyor belt that has reached the end of its life has been replaced by a new conveyor belt by the operator.

In the conventional method of replacing the conveyor belt, the image forming means must first be removed from the apparatus main body, and then the conveyor belt must be removed by removing screws or the like. Therefore, the replacement operation is complicated for the operator. There was a problem. Further, in the replacement work, there is a possibility that the operator may damage the image forming means, the conveyor belt, and the like. Therefore, a method has been adopted in which a maintenance person performs a replacement operation.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, a solution taken by the present invention is to transport a recording medium by moving a transport belt disposed between an image forming means and a transfer means. The image recording apparatus includes a unit having a transport belt and a transfer unit, the unit being detachably attached to the apparatus main body, and a surface of the apparatus main body on a width direction side of the transport belt and facing the unit. The cover can be opened and closed freely.

According to the above-mentioned solution, when removing the unit from the apparatus main body, the cover is opened and the unit is removed. When the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, the cover is opened, the unit is mounted, and then the cover is closed.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a color recording device of an electrophotographic recording system will be described as an example of an image recording device. Elements common to the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0008] schematic perspective view showing a color recording apparatus of the first embodiment according to the first embodiment Figure 1 embodiment of the present invention, configuration diagram 2 showing a color recording apparatus of the first embodiment FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the color printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

In the color recording apparatus 1, four sets of printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3, and P4 shown in FIG. 2 are arranged in order from the supply side of the recording medium S to the discharge side (along the direction of arrow A). . The first printing mechanism P1 is an electrophotographic type L for yellow.
In the ED (light emitting diode) printing mechanism, the second printing mechanism P2 is an electrophotographic LED printing mechanism for magenta, and the third printing mechanism P3 is an electrophotographic LE for cyan.
The D printing mechanism and the fourth printing mechanism P4 are electrophotographic LED printing mechanisms for black. Each printing mechanism P
1, P2, P3, and P4 differ only in the toner color, and each component is the same.

The first printing mechanism P1 includes a yellow image forming cartridge 2Y, an LED head 3Y for exposing a photosensitive member to be described later in accordance with image data, and a toner image formed by the image forming cartridge 2Y on a sheet-like recording medium S.
And a transfer roller 4Y that transfers the image to the printer.

The second printing mechanism P2 includes a magenta image forming cartridge 2M, an LED head 3M for exposing a photoreceptor described below in accordance with image data, and a transfer roller for transferring a toner image formed by the image forming cartridge 2M to a recording medium. 4M.

The third printing mechanism P3 includes an image forming cartridge 2C for cyan, an LED head 3C for exposing a photosensitive member to be described later according to image data, and a transfer roller for transferring a toner image formed by the image forming cartridge 2C to a recording medium. 4C.

The fourth printing mechanism P4 includes a black image forming cartridge 2K, an LED head 3K for exposing a photosensitive member to be described later in accordance with image data, and a transfer roller for transferring a toner image formed by the image forming cartridge 2K to a recording medium. 4K.

Each of the image forming cartridges 2 (2Y, 2M,
2C, 2K) differ only in the toner color and are composed of the same components.
Will be described as a representative.

The image forming cartridge 2Y comprises a photosensitive member 6 rotating in the direction of arrow a about the axis 5, a charging roller 7 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive member 6, and a developing section 8. The developing unit 8 includes a developing roller 9 made of a semiconductive rubber material, a developing blade 10 that contacts the developing roller 9 with a constant pressure, a sponge roller 11 that transports an appropriate amount of toner to the developing blade 10, a toner tank 12, and a stirring unit. It is composed of a member 13.

First, the function of the developing unit 8 will be described. The non-magnetic one-component toner supplied from the toner tank 12 is stirred by the stirring member 13. A bias is applied between the developing roller 9 and the sponge roller 11, and the charged toner is easily transferred to the developing blade 10 via the sponge roller 11. The toner supplied from the toner tank 12 passes through the sponge roller 11 to the developing blade 10
And the thickness of the developing roller 9 is reduced on the circumference of the developing roller 9 by the rotation of the developing roller 9, and reaches the contact surface with the photoconductor 6. The toner is frictionally charged by being strongly rubbed by the developing roller 9 and the developing blade 10 when the thin layer is formed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the toner is frictionally charged to a negative polarity.

When the toner runs out, the toner can be newly supplied to the image forming cartridge 2Y by replacing the toner tank 12.

The LED head 3Y includes an LED array and an LE.
It has a substrate (not shown) on which a drive IC for driving the D array is mounted, and a selfoc lens array (not shown) for condensing light of the LED array, etc., and is input from an external device (not shown). The LED array emits light in accordance with the image data signal, and the surface of the photoconductor 6 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 6. The toner on the circumference of the developing roller 9 adheres to the electrostatic latent image by electrostatic force to form an image.

The aforementioned components (6 to 13) of each image forming cartridge 2 are supported by a cartridge frame 14.

The LED heads 3 (3Y, 3M, 3
C, 3K) are supported by the holding member 16, and the LED head 3 is pressed downward (toward the photoconductor 6) in the figure by a spring 17 provided on the holding member 16. The holding member 16 is provided with a spring 18. The spring 18 allows the left and right (arrows W and U directions) 2 of the cartridge frame 14 to be moved.
14 d of spring receiving parts are pressed. Both springs 17,
18 and the mounting guide grooves 20b, 20c to be described later.
1 (see FIG. 1), the image forming cartridge 2Y can be reliably held by the color recording apparatus 1 and positioned.

The main body of the color recording apparatus 1 has an upper surface 98 (hereinafter referred to as an upper cover 98) having a rotation center 9 shown in FIG.
It can be freely opened and closed in the directions of arrows D and E with 8b as the center of rotation.

With the upper cover 98 opened, each image forming cartridge 2 is detachable from the main body of the color recording apparatus 1. The handle portion 14 is provided on the cartridge frame 14.
is formed, and the operator holds and removes the handle 14a by hand.

Further, the image forming cartridge 2M shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, positioning guides 14b and 14c (the right side in the direction of the arrow U is not shown) are formed on both sides of the cartridge frame 14 of each image forming cartridge 2 in the directions of the arrows W and U. . The guide frame 20 fixed to the main body frame (not shown) has mounting guide grooves 20b at positions facing the positioning guides 14b and 14c.
20c (the left side in the arrow W direction is not shown) is formed.

When each image forming cartridge 2 is mounted, the positioning guides 14b and 14c are guided and positioned by the mounting guide grooves 20b and 20c. When the image forming cartridge 2 is removed, the positioning guides 14b and 14c are guided by the mounting guide grooves 20b and 20c. It is removed.

A spring 19 is provided below the discharge side (in the direction of arrow A) of the cartridge frame 14 of each image forming cartridge 2. The spring 19 is a compression spring and is held by a spring support 20d attached to the guide frame 20. The upper part of the spring 19 (upper cover 98)
The pressing force to the (side) is weaker than the pressing force of the springs 17 and 18 described below.

A transport belt 31, which will be described in detail later, is movably disposed between the photosensitive member 6 and the transfer roller 4.

The developing device 8 of the image forming cartridge 2Y contains yellow (Y) toner, the developing device 8 of the image forming cartridge 2M contains magenta (M) toner, and the developing device 8 of the image forming cartridge 2C. 8 contains cyan (C) toner, and the image forming cartridge 2K
Each of the developing devices 8 contains black (K) toner.

The LED head 3 of the first printing mechanism P1
A yellow image signal of the color image signal is input to Y, a magenta image signal of the color image signal is input to the LED head 3M of the second printing mechanism P2, and a color is input to the LED head 3C of the third printing mechanism P3. A cyan image signal among the image signals is input, and a black image signal among the color image signals is input to the LED head 3K of the fourth printing mechanism P4.

The main body of the color recording apparatus 1 has a side surface 55 (hereinafter referred to as a side cover 55) on the arrow W side shown in FIG. A lock portion 55a is provided on the side cover 55, and when the side cover 55 is closed in the direction of arrow G,
The locking portion 55a engages with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body, and the side cover 55 is locked.

A transport belt unit 30 is provided below the printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3, and P4. The transport belt unit 30 is in a state where the side cover 55 is opened,
It is detachable from the apparatus main body in the directions of arrows U and W.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport belt unit 30 includes a transport belt 31, a driving roller 32, driven rollers 33, 34, 35, a cleaning blade 36, and the above-described transfer roller 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C). , 4K), a suction roller 38, a static elimination brush 39, and a frame 40 supporting these components.

The transport belt 31 is made of a high-resistance semiconductive plastic film and is formed in a seamless endless shape. The transport belt 31 is wound around a driving roller 32, driven rollers 33 to 35, and a transfer roller 4. The surface resistance value of the transport belt 31 is such that a recording medium S, which will be described later, can be electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 31, and when the recording medium S is separated from the transport belt 31,
It is assumed that the remaining static electricity is within a range where the static electricity can be removed naturally.

The driven roller 34 is urged in a direction indicated by an arrow d by a spring (not shown), whereby the transport belt 31 is always stretched. When the transport belt unit 30 is mounted on the main body, the transport belt 31 is stretched between the photoreceptor 6 of each of the printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3, and P4 and the transfer roller 4, as shown in FIGS. . In this embodiment, the photoconductor 6 and the transfer roller 4 are in contact with the transport belt 31 respectively.

A cleaning blade 36 is pressed against the driven roller 33 via the conveyor belt 31. The cleaning blade 36 is formed of a flexible rubber or plastic material. The leading end of the cleaning blade 36 is in pressure contact with the transport belt 31 and the transport belt 3
The residual toner adhering to the surface of the first member 1 is removed and dropped into a waste toner tank portion 37 surrounded by a frame.

That is, when the transport belt 31 is moving in the direction of arrow A, the transport belt 31 is always cleaned by the cleaning blade 36.

A suction roller 38 provided upstream of the printing mechanism P1 (in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow A) is in pressure contact with a driven roller 35 via a transport belt 31. Suction roller 38
Is made of a high-resistance semiconductive rubber material or the like, and charges the recording medium S sent from a sheet feeding mechanism 60 described later in detail and electrostatically adsorbs the recording medium S on the surface of the transport belt 31. .

The details of the frame 40 will now be described with reference to FIG.

A guide portion 40a is formed on the discharge side of the recording medium S of the frame body 40, and a static elimination brush 39 is provided near the guide portion 40a. The static elimination brush 39
The recording medium S that has been attracted to and conveyed to the conveyor belt 31 by being charged is neutralized, the adsorption state is released, and the recording medium S is easily separated from the conveyor belt 31. Guide part 40
A guides the recording medium S attracted to the conveyor belt 31 and sent to the charge removing brush 39 to a fixing device described later.

On the bottom surface of the frame 40, guide grooves 40b and 40c are formed parallel to the directions of the arrows W and U. The guide groove 40 is provided in the frame 50 fixed to the bottom surface of the apparatus main body side facing the conveyor belt unit 30.
Guides 50b and 50c are formed to engage with the conveyor belt unit 30 when the carrier belt unit 30 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.
b, 50c.

Further, lock levers 42 and 43 are provided on both sides of the frame 40 on the side of the drive roller 32 and the driven roller 35, respectively.
Are provided respectively. By both lock levers 42 and 43,
The transport belt unit 30 is locked when mounted on the apparatus main body. The lock levers 42 and 43 are fixed to both ends of a shaft 44, respectively, and the shaft 44 is rotatably attached to a frame body 44. Thereby, both lock levers 42 and 43 can rotate together.

One end of a tension coil spring 45 is hooked on the lock lever 42. Extension coil spring 4
The other end of 5 is hooked on a part 46 of the frame 40, and urges the lock lever 42 toward the bottom surface of the frame 40.
Accordingly, the lock levers 42 and 43 rotate in the direction of arrow Q, but the stopper 47 formed on the frame 40 abuts on the inclined portion 42 a of the lock lever 42, and the rotation is restricted.

On the stopper 47 side of the lock lever 42, a key portion 42b is formed. A key portion (not shown) similar to the key portion 42 b is also formed on the lock lever 43. The two key-shaped portions 42b are connected to the transport belt unit 30.
The fixed shaft 5 formed on the device body when the device is mounted on the device body
Engagement with 2 and 53 is ensured by the apparatus body.

To release the engagement between the key portions 42b and the fixed shafts 52 and 53, the lock lever 42 is rotated in the direction of arrow P. The lock lever 43 also rotates in the direction of arrow P. Thereby, the lock lever 42,
The engagement between the key-shaped portion 42b of 43 and the fixed shafts 52 and 53 is released. Therefore, the transport belt unit 30 can be pulled out in the direction of the arrow W and detached from the apparatus main body.

Further, a handle 48 is fixed to the surface of the frame 40 in the direction of the arrow W (the front surface of the frame 40), and when the conveyor belt unit 30 is attached or detached, the operator holds the handle 48 and holds the arrow U. The transport belt unit 30 is moved in the direction (mounting direction) or the direction of the arrow W (drawing direction).

As shown in FIG. 1, a gear 4 is provided at one shaft end of a drive roller 32 provided on the side of the transport belt unit 30.
1 is fixed. When the conveyor belt unit 30 is mounted on the apparatus main body, the gear 41 meshes with a motor gear (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body side. The motor gear is connected to a motor (not shown), so that the drive roller 32 rotates in the direction of arrow c by driving the motor.

In FIG. 2 and FIG.
A paper feed mechanism 60 is provided below the transport belt unit 30. The paper feeding mechanism 60 includes a paper storage cassette 60a that stores the recording medium S, a hopping mechanism 60b that feeds the recording medium S one by one from the paper storage cassette, and a pair of registration rollers 70 that corrects the skew of the fed recording medium S. 71.

The sheet accommodating cassette includes 60 a, a recording medium accommodating box 61, a push-up plate 62, and pressing means 63. The hopping mechanism 60b includes a discriminating means 64, a paper feed roller 66, and a spring 65 for pressing the discriminating means 64 against the paper feed roller 66. Guides 68 and 69 for guiding the recording medium S are provided between the hopping mechanism 60b and the registration rollers 70 and 71. Hopping mechanism 60
b, the recording medium S fed out by guides 68 and 69
To reach between the registration rollers 70 and 71.

A hole 69a is formed on the guide roller 69 side of the guide 69, and a photo sensor 72 is provided near the hole 69a. The photo sensor 72 detects the leading end and the trailing end of the recording medium S guided by the guides 68 and 69.

A fixing device 80 is provided downstream of the transport belt unit 30 in the transport direction of the recording medium S. Fixing device 80
Fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium S, which is guided and sent by the guide section 40a, by heat and pressure. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixing device 80 includes a heating roller 81 that heats the toner on the recording medium S, and a pressing roller 82 that presses the recording medium S together with the heating roller 81.

The pressure roller 82 is in pressure contact with the heating roller 81 by a spring (not shown). The heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 are rotatably supported by driving means (not shown). The heating roller 81 has a structure in which a heat-resistant elastic layer such as a silicone rubber-based layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a hollow cylindrical cored bar made of aluminum or the like, and a release type layer formed by coating a fluororesin or the like on the upper layer. Is done. Heating roller 8
A heater 83 composed of a halogen lamp or the like is provided inside one hollow cylindrical shape.

The pressure roller 82 has a heat-resistant plastic inelastic layer on the outer peripheral surface of a core metal made of aluminum, stainless steel or the like, and a fluororesin-based PFA or ETF on the upper layer.
It is provided with a release layer formed by coating E or the like.

By providing a heat-resistant elastic layer on the heating roller 81 and making the heat-resistant inelastic layer of the pressure roller 82 rigid,
A pressure contact portion (nip portion) is formed between the pressure roller 82 and the heating roller 81. On the outer surface of the heating roller 81,
A thermistor 84 for detecting the surface temperature of the heating roller 81 is provided in contact therewith. Based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 84, a well-known temperature control means (not shown)
By controlling the energization of No. 3, the surface temperature of the heating roller 81 is maintained at a predetermined temperature.

A felt roller 86 rotatably supported by a support member 85 fixed to the apparatus main body is provided in contact with the outer surface of the heating roller 81. The felt roller 86 is impregnated with an anti-offset liquid such as dimethyl silicone oil, so that the toner is hardly offset. Further, a cleaning roller 87 is rotatably supported by the support member 85. The cleaning roller 87 has a function of removing toner, paper powder, and the like remaining on the outer surface of the heating roller 81.

The separation claw 8 for separating the recording medium S from the heating roller 81 is provided on the discharge side of the recording medium S of the heating roller 81.
8 are provided. A plurality of separation claws 88 are provided in the axial direction of the heating roller 81, and the tip portion is in contact with the outer surface of the heating roller 81.

The support member 85 is held by the upper case 89 and is configured to be detachable from the upper case 89. The upper case 89 supports the heating roller 81, the thermistor 84, and the support member 85. Upper case 8
A lower case 89 is provided below the lower case 9, and the lower case 89 supports the pressure roller 82 and also serves as a guide for guiding the recording medium S.

Downstream of the fixing device 80 in the conveying direction of the recording medium S, a pair of conveying rollers 91 and guides 92, 93, 94, and 9 for guiding the recording medium S conveyed by the conveying rollers 91.
5, and discharge rollers 96 and 97 for discharging the recording medium S to the upper cover 98 are provided. Upper cover 98
Is formed with a discharge stacker section 98a. That is, the printed recording medium S is discharged to the discharge stacker 98a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the holding member 16, the guides 94 and 95, and the discharge rollers 96 and 97 of the LED head 3 are connected to the inner surface of the upper cover 98 (the printing mechanism P1,
P2, P3, and P4).

A hole 92 is formed in the guide 92 on the side of the conveying roller 91.
a is formed, and a photo sensor 79 is provided near the hole 92a. The photo sensor 79 detects the leading end and the trailing end of the recording medium S guided by the guides 92 and 93.

Immediately below the conveyor belt unit 30, high-voltage power is supplied to the suction roller 38, the charging roller 7, the developing roller 9, the sponge roller 11, and the transfer roller 4 of each of the printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3, and P4. High voltage power supply 57
Are arranged. A circuit controller 5 that controls the overall operation of the color recording apparatus 1 having the above configuration is provided below the fixing device 80.
8, and a low-voltage power supply 59 for supplying a voltage to the circuit control unit 58
Are arranged.

Next, the color recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment
The operation of attaching and detaching the conveyor belt unit will be described.

First, the operation of removing the conveyor belt unit 30 will be described.

When the operator opens the upper cover 98 in the direction of arrow D, the pressing force on each image forming cartridge 2 by the springs 17 and 18 is released because the holding member 16 is supported by the upper cover 98. As a result, each image forming cartridge 2 is pressed upward by the spring 19, and the positioning guide 14 of each image forming cartridge 2 is
b and 14c move upward along the mounting guide grooves 20b and 20c. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the photoconductor 6 of each image forming cartridge 2 is separated from the transport belt 31.

Next, the operator opens the side cover 55 in the direction of arrow F with respect to the main unit. Then, the lock lever 42 (or the lock lever 43) is rotated in the direction of arrow P. Therefore, the engagement between the lock levers 42 and 43 and the fixed shafts 52 and 53 on the main body device side is released. In this state, the operator holds the handle 48 and pulls out the conveyor belt unit 30 in the arrow W direction. At this time, since each photoconductor 6 is separated from the transport belt 31 as described above, there is nothing that interferes with the movement of the transport belt 31. Accordingly, the transport belt unit 30 is provided with the guide grooves 40b and 40c.
Is guided by the guides 50b and 50c on the main unit, and is removed from the main unit.

The upper cover 98 and the side cover 55 may be opened in any order, as long as the upper cover 98 is opened when the conveyor belt unit 30 is moved in the direction of the arrow W.

Next, the mounting operation of the transport belt unit 30 will be described.

The operator inserts the guide grooves 40b, 40c of the conveyor belt unit 30 into the guides 50b, 5
The transport belt unit 30 is moved in the direction of the arrow U while holding the handle 48. Conveyor belt unit 3
0, the inclined portions 42 of the lock levers 42 and 43 are moved.
a is pressed against the fixed shafts 52 and 53, respectively, and the arrow P
Rotate in the direction.

When the transport belt unit 30 is further moved in the direction of the arrow U, the key-shaped portions 4 of the lock levers 42 and 43 are moved.
The lock levers 42 and 43 rotate in the direction of the arrow Q by the biasing force of the tension coil spring 45 at the position where 2b is opposed to the fixed shafts 52 and 53, and the key-shaped portion 42b is fixed to the fixed shafts 52 and 53.
Engage with. At the same time, the gear 41 shown in FIG.
Is attached to the main body.

Thereafter, when the side cover 55 is rotated in the direction of arrow G and closed, and the upper cover 98 is closed, the photosensitive members 6 of the respective image forming cartridges 2 are pressed by the springs 17 and 18 provided on the upper cover 98. As a result, it comes into contact with the transport belt 31. In this state, the color recording apparatus 1 is in a state where the printing operation can be started.

In the first embodiment, the color recording device 1
The transfer belt unit 30 is detachable in the directions of arrows U and W with respect to the apparatus main body, so that the transfer belt unit 30 can be attached and detached without removing the image forming cartridge and other members. That is, since only the transport belt unit 30 needs to be attached and detached when attaching and detaching the transport belt unit 30, the replacement operation is easier than in the past.

Further, since the transport belt unit 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, jam clearance when the recording medium S is jammed in the color recording apparatus 1 can be easily performed. As a result, so-called maintenance work such as replacement of the transport belt unit 30 and jam clearance can be performed more easily than in the past.

In the first embodiment, when the upper cover 98 is opened, the photosensitive member 6 is brought into contact with the spring 19 provided on the main unit.
Thus, the transport belt unit 30 can be attached and detached without the transport belt unit 30 being interfered by the photoconductor 6.

In the first embodiment, when the transport belt unit 30 is mounted, the guide grooves 40b and 40c of the transport belt unit 30 are aligned with the guides 50b and 50b on the main unit side.
Since the conveyor belt unit 30 is mounted on the main body device while being guided by 50c, the positioning of the transport belt unit 30 at the time of mounting can be easily performed.

[0073] The conveyor belt unit of the second embodiment the second embodiment, the connection member is provided with the high-voltage power from the power supplied. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a color printing apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a connection state between a connection member and a contact of the color printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a positional relationship between a photosensitive member, a charging roller, a developing roller, a sponge roller, and a connection member.

In FIG. 4, the high voltage power supply 57 of the color recording apparatus 100 is provided with a conductive high voltage supply contact 24. The high voltage supply contact 24 is composed of ten high voltage supply contacts 24c.
h, 24db, 24sp, 24gr, 24fg, 24t
k, 24tc, 24tm, 24ty, 24et. Further, inside the frame 40 of the transport belt unit 300, the conductive relay connecting member 22 and the conductive connecting member 2 are provided.
3 is fixedly supported. Further, the color recording device 10
A conductive connection member 21 is supported by a body frame 0 (not shown).

The high-voltage power of the high-voltage power supply 57 is supplied from the high-voltage supply contact 24 to each of the image forming cartridges 2 and the transport belt unit 300 via the relay connection member 22, the connection member 23, and the connection member 21. Details will be described below.

The connecting member 21 is provided on the side of the color recording apparatus 100 in the direction of the arrow W, and has one end (reference numeral J).
Are exposed from the color recording apparatus 100 when the side cover 55 is opened. Also, the connection member 21
The contact portion on the other end (the side indicated by reference numeral I in FIG. 5) comes into contact with a contact (not shown) of each image forming cartridge 2 when each image forming cartridge 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body.

The connecting member 21 has four connecting members (21c).
h, 21db, 21sp, 21gr) and is fixed to the apparatus main body. As shown in FIG. 5, the CH voltage connection member 21ch supplies high-voltage power to each charging roller 7 and
The voltage connection member 21db supplies high-voltage power to each developing roller 9, the SP connection member 21sp supplies high-voltage power to the sponge roller 11 of each image forming unit 2, and the ground connection member 21gr grounds each photoconductor 6 to ground. I do.

That is, four contact portions are formed at the other end of the CH voltage connection member 21ch, and each contact portion comes into contact with the contact 7p of each charging roller 7. DB voltage connection member 21db
At the other end, four contact portions are formed, and each contact portion contacts a contact 9p of each developing roller 9. Four contact portions are formed at the other end of the SP voltage connection member 21sp, and each contact portion contacts the contact 11p of each sponge roller 11.
Four contact portions are formed at the other end of the ground connection member 21gr, and each contact portion contacts the contact 5p of the photosensitive drum shaft 5.

The relay connecting member 22 fixedly supported on the handle 48 side of the transport belt unit 300 has four connecting members (2
2ch, 22db, 22sp, 22gr). One end of the relay connection member 22 (the contact portion on the symbol L side) protrudes upward from the conveyor belt unit 300, and the other end of the relay connection member 44 (the contact portion on the symbol N side) is
8 protrudes below. One end of the relay connecting member 22 contacts one end of the connecting member 21 with the transport belt unit 300 mounted on the apparatus main body.

That is, one end of the relay connecting member 22ch is C
One end of the H voltage connection member 21ch is in contact with the contact portion, and one end of the relay connection member 22db is connected to the DB voltage connection member 21d.
b, and one end of the relay connection member 22sp is connected to one end (reference numeral J) of the SP voltage connection member 21sp.
Side), and one end of the relay connection member 22gr contacts the contact portion of one end of the ground connection member 21gr.

The other end of the relay connecting member 22ch contacts the high voltage supply contact 24ch, and the relay connecting member 22db
Of the relay connection member 22sp contacts the high-voltage supply contact 24sp, and the other end of the relay connection member 22sp contacts the high-voltage supply contact 24sp.
The other end of the relay connection member 22gr is a high voltage supply contact 24gr.
Contact with.

The handle 4 of the conveyor belt unit 300
The connection member 23 fixedly supported on the 8 side includes five connection members (23et, 23ty, 23tm, 23tc, 23t).
k, 23fg). As shown in FIG. 4, one end of the connection member 23 (a contact portion on the side of the symbol N) protrudes below the conveyor belt unit 300, and the other end (the symbol T
(A contact portion on the side) is in contact with a contact (not shown) at the shaft end of the transfer roller 4.

The ET voltage connecting member 23et is
8 is supplied with high-voltage electric power for adsorption. TY voltage connection member 23
ty supplies the high voltage power for charging to the transfer roller 4Y and outputs TM
The voltage connecting member 23tm supplies a high voltage for charging to the transfer roller 4M, and the TC voltage connecting member 23tc
C is supplied with high-voltage power for charging, and the TK voltage connecting member 23t
k supplies a high voltage for charging to the transfer roller 4K.

The FG ground connection member 23fg connects each metal part of the conveyor belt unit 300 to the color recording apparatus 1.
(Not shown). Conveyor belt 31
Is wound around the FG ground connection member 2
3fg, and is grounded to the ground via the suction roller 3
The recording medium S can be electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 31 by the potential difference from the recording medium S.

When the transport belt unit 300 is mounted on the apparatus main body, one end of the ET voltage connection member 23et contacts the high voltage supply contact 24et provided on the high voltage power supply 57, and one end of the TY voltage connection member 23ty is connected to the high voltage supply contact 24ch. One end of the TM voltage connection member 23tm contacts the high voltage supply contact 24tm, one end of the TC voltage connection member 23tc contacts the high voltage supply contact 24tc, and one end of the TK voltage connection member 23tk Contact with 24tk,
One end of the ground connection member 23fg is connected to a high voltage supply contact 24fg.
Contact with.

Further, the other end of the ET voltage connection member 23et contacts the contact at the shaft end of the attraction roller 38, the other end of the TY voltage connection member 23ty contacts the contact at the shaft end of the transfer roller 4Y, and TM The other end of the voltage connecting member 23tm contacts the contact at the shaft end of the transfer roller 4M, the other end of the TC voltage connecting member 23tc contacts the contact at the shaft end of the transfer roller 4C, and the other of the TK voltage connecting member 23tk. The end is in contact with the contact point at the shaft end of the transfer roller 4K.

The conductive connecting members 21 described above,
Reference numerals 22, 23, and 24 are formed of a conductive and elastic metal material such as phosphor bronze.

The body frame is provided with a switch that is linked to the opening and closing of the side cover 55 and a switch that is linked to the opening and closing of the upper cover 98, which will be described later.

Next, a control system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit according to the second embodiment. It should be noted that reference numerals Y, M,
C and K are the printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3 and P4 of the image forming cartridges for yellow, magenta, cyan and black.
It corresponds to.

The control circuit 101 comprises a microprocessor or the like, and controls the operation of the entire color printing apparatus 100.
The control circuit 101 includes an SP bias power supply 102, a DB bias power supply 103, a charging power supply 104, and a transfer power supply 10.
5Y, 105M, 105C, 105K, and a power supply 106 for adsorption and charging are connected to each other.
ON / OFF control is performed according to the instruction.

The high-voltage power output from the SP bias power supply 102 is supplied to the high-voltage supply contact 24sp and the relay connection member 22sp.
The voltage is supplied to the sponge roller 11 of each image forming cartridge 2 via the voltage connection member 21sp (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The high-voltage power output from the DB bias power supply 103 is supplied to the developing roller 9 of each image forming cartridge 2 via the high-voltage supply contact 24db, the relay connection member 22db, and the voltage connection member 21db.

The high-voltage power output from the charging power source 104 is supplied to the charging roller 7 of each image forming cartridge 2 via the high-voltage supply contact 24ch, the relay connecting member 22ch, and the voltage connecting member 21ch.

Transfer power supplies 105Y, 105M, 105
C, 105K are respectively high voltage supply contacts 24ty, 24tm, 24tc, 24tk and TY
Voltage connecting member 23ty, TM voltage connecting member 23tm, T
It is supplied to each transfer roller 4 via a C voltage connection member 23tc and a TK voltage connection member 23tk.

The high-voltage power output from the power supply 106 for suction charging is supplied to the suction roller 38 via the high-voltage supply contact 24et and the ET voltage connection member 23et.

The control circuit 101 includes a print control circuit 1 corresponding to each of the image forming cartridges 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K.
08 (108Y, 108M, 108C, 108K), the interface unit 110, and the memory 109 (109Y, 109M, 109C, 10C, 10C) for storing image data sent from an external device (not shown) via the interface unit.
9K) is connected. The print control circuit 108 receives the image data from the memory 109, transmits these data to the LED head 3 in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 101, controls the LED exposure time, and applies an electrostatic force to the surface of the photoconductor 6. Control for forming a latent image is performed.

The interface unit 110 separates image data transmitted from an external device, for example, a host computer for each color, and stores it in each memory.

The control circuit 101 is connected to a fixing device driver 111, a motor drive circuit 112, and a sensor receiver driver 116.

The fixing device driver 111 receives the temperature detected on the outer peripheral surface of the heat roller 81 by the thermistor 84 provided in the fixing device 80, and receives the heater 8 in the heat roller 81.
3 is controlled so as to keep the temperature of the heat roller 81 constant.

The motor drive circuit 112 includes the paper feed roller 6
The motor 113 for rotating the motor 6 and the motor 114 are rotationally driven. The motor 114 includes the photosensitive member 6, the charging roller 7,
Developing roller 9, sponge roller 11, transfer roller 4, drive roller 32, registration rollers 70, 71, suction roller 38, discharge rollers 96, 97, a pair of transport rollers 91,
The heat roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 of the fixing device 80 are driven. The rollers rotated by the motors 113 and 114 are connected by gears or belts (not shown) so that the rotational force of the motors 113 and 114 is transmitted.

The sensor receiver driver 116 drives the photo sensors 72, 79, and the photo sensors 72, 73
And outputs it to the control circuit 101.

The low-voltage power supply 59 supplies a direct current (DC) voltage to the above-described circuits and the high-voltage power supply 57. The high-voltage power supply 57 receives a DC voltage from the low-voltage power supply 59 and converts the DC voltage into a high voltage by using a transformer, for example, as is known. Switches 117 and 118 are provided between the low-voltage power supply 59 and the high-voltage power supply 57. A to supply / interrupt 100 AC commercial power
The C switch 119 is provided on the low voltage power supply 59 side.

The switch 117 is connected to the side cover 5 described above.
The switch 117 is turned on / off in conjunction with the opening and closing of the switch 5. The switch 117 is turned off when the side cover 55 is opened in the direction of arrow F, and turned on when the side cover 55 is closed. The switch 118 is a switch that is turned on / off in conjunction with the opening and closing of the upper cover 98 described above.
Reference numeral 18 denotes an OFF state when the upper cover 98 is opened, and an ON state when the upper cover 98 is closed. That is, when either the upper cover 98 or the side cover 55 is opened with respect to the main body,
The power supply to the high-voltage power supply 57 is cut off to ensure safety for the operator.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Next, the mounting operation of the conveyor belt unit 300 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the operation of removing the conveyor belt unit 300 will be described. When the operator opens the upper cover 98, the switch 118 is turned off, whereby the power from the high voltage power supply 57 is cut off. Further, as described in the first embodiment, the photosensitive member 6 of each image forming cartridge 2 is separated from the transport belt 31 by the spring 19.
Next, the operator opens the side cover 55.

As in the first embodiment, the upper cover 98 and the side cover 55 may be opened in any order. When the transport belt unit 300 is moved in the direction of arrow W, the upper cover 98 is opened. Just do it. Even when the AC switch 119 is on at this time, the power from the high-voltage power supply 57 is cut off when the upper cover 98 or the side cover 55 is opened, as described above. Is secured.

The subsequent operation of removing the transport belt unit 300 by moving it in the direction of the arrow U is the same as the operation described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the mounting operation of the transport belt unit 300 will be described. The guide grooves 40b and 40c of the conveyor belt unit 300 are connected to the guides 50b and 50c on the main unit side.
After the transport belt unit 300 is moved in the direction of the arrow U, the lock levers 42 and 43 are
The operation up to the engagement with 53 is the same as the operation described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

When the gear 41 of the conveyor belt unit 300 meshes with the motor gear on the main unit side and the conveyor belt unit 300 is mounted on the main unit side, the high voltage supply contact 24 is connected to the connection member 23 and the relay connection member 22. At the same time, the relay connecting member 22 and the connecting member 21 are connected.

Thereafter, when the side cover 55 and the upper cover 98 are closed, the photosensitive member 6 comes into contact with the transport belt 31 in the same manner as the operation described in the first embodiment. At the same time, the switches 117 and 118 are turned on. In this state, the color recording apparatus 100 is ready to start a printing operation.

Next, the printing operation of the color recording apparatus 100 will be described.

First, when the AC switch 119 of the color recording apparatus 100 is turned on, the low-voltage power supply 59 rises and supplies a predetermined voltage to each circuit and the high-voltage power supply 57. FIG.
After the respective circuits shown in (1) execute predetermined initialization, the control circuit 101 drives the fixing device driver 111 to warm up the heat roller 81 in the fixing device 80 until a predetermined temperature is reached. The control circuit 101 controls so that the heat roller 81 is always kept at a constant temperature.

Thus, the initial setting of the color recording apparatus 100 is completed, and the control circuit 101 waits for image data to be sent from an external device via the interface 110.

When the control circuit 101 receives image data sent from an external device, that is, a host computer, through the interface 110, it issues an instruction to the interface 110 and each memory 109. According to this instruction, the interface 110 separates the received image data signal for each color, and stores the image data for each color in each memory for each color.

That is, the yellow image data is stored in the memory 10.
9Y, the magenta image data is stored in the memory 109M, the cyan image data is stored in the memory 109C, and the black image data is stored in the memory 109K. Each memory 10
9Y, 109M, 109C, and 109K have a storage medium S
Image data of each color for one page to be printed thereon is stored respectively.

The control circuit 101 drives the motor 113 via the motor drive circuit 112 to rotate the paper feed roller 66. One sheet of the recording medium S in the sheet storage box 61 is sent to the guides 68 and 69 shown in FIG. 2 by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 66, and the control circuit 101 detects the leading end of the recording medium S through the sensor receiver driver 116. It is detected by the interrupter 72. The control circuit 101 is a motor drive circuit 112
Is controlled, and the recording medium S is further conveyed from the position detected by the photo interrupter 72 by a predetermined amount.

The predetermined amount is determined when the recording medium S is moved from the position detected by the photo interrupter 72 to the registration rollers 70 and 7.
It is set so as to be transported longer than the distance up to one. The registration rollers 70 and 71 are not rotating, and therefore, the leading end of the recording medium S is
The skew of the recording medium S is corrected by being bent by being pressed in between.

Next, the control circuit 101 drives the motor 114 via the motor drive circuit 112, and the printing mechanism P1,
P2, P3, P4 photoconductor 6, charging roller 7, developing roller 9, sponge roller 11, transfer roller 4, drive roller 32, registration rollers 70, 71, suction roller 38, discharge rollers 96, 97, a pair of transport rollers 91, fixing device 8
The 0 heat roller 81 and the pressure roller 38 are respectively rotated.

At the same time, the control circuit 101 turns on the suction charging power supply 106 and supplies a voltage to the suction roller 38. The registration rollers 70 and 71 are rotating in the directions of arrows c and a, respectively.
1 and guided by the medium guide 73 to be conveyed. When the leading end of the recording medium S reaches between the attraction roller 38 and the transport belt 31, the leading end of the recording medium S is attracted to the transport belt 31 by the electrostatic force between the attraction roller 38 and the driven roller 35.

Note that the trailing end of the recording medium S is
After passing through the discriminating means 64, the control circuit 101 stops driving the motor 113 via the motor driving circuit 112.

When the leading end of the recording medium S has passed the suction roller 38, the control circuit 101
The bias power supply 103 and the SP bias power supply 102 are turned on, and a voltage is supplied to the charging roller 7, the developing roller 9, and the sponge roller 11 of the printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3, and P4. As described above, the printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3, P4
The surface of the photosensitive member 6 is uniformly charged via the charging roller 7, and the sponge roller 11 and the developing roller 9 of the printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3, and P4 are charged to a predetermined high voltage.

Next, the control circuit 101 transmits the yellow image data from the memory 109Y to the print control circuit 108Y of the first printing mechanism P1. The print control circuit 108Y changes the image data sent from the memory 109Y in accordance with a command from the control circuit 101 into a form that can be sent to the LED head 3Y of the first printing mechanism P1, and sends the image data to the LED head 3Y.

The LED head 3Y turns on the LED corresponding to the transmitted image data, and the charged photoconductor 6Y
An electrostatic latent image for one line corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface of. In this manner, the memory 109Y is provided for each line.
Is sequentially formed on the surface of the photoconductor 6Y as an electrostatic latent image, and the yellow image data corresponding to the length in the sub-scanning direction (parallel to the direction of arrow A) is formed into a latent image. Exposure ends.

On the surface of the photoreceptor 6Y on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, the yellow toner adhered to the charged developing roller 9 is attracted and adhered by the potential difference. By the rotation of the photoconductor 6Y, the electrostatic latent images are successively developed with yellow toner.

When the leading end of the recording medium S reaches between the photosensitive member 6Y and the transfer roller 4Y, the control circuit 101 turns on the transfer power supply 105Y. Thus, the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 6Y is electrically attracted by the transfer roller 4Y and is transferred to the recording medium S.

Thus, the transfer of the yellow toner image onto the recording medium S by the image forming cartridge 2Y is completed. Then, when the rear end of the recording medium S reaches between the photosensitive member 6 and the transfer roller 4Y, the control circuit 101 turns off the transfer power supply 105Y of the image forming cartridge 2Y.

The transport belt 31 is continuously moving.
The recording medium S moves from the image forming cartridge 2Y to the image forming cartridge 2M, and exposure, development, and transfer of magenta image data by the image forming cartridge 2M are performed.

As in the operation of transmitting the yellow image data to the LED head 3Y, the control circuit 101 transfers the image data from the memory 109M storing the magenta image data to the print control circuit 1 of the image forming cartridge 2M.
08M. The print control circuit 108M of the image forming cartridge 2M receives a command from the control circuit 101 to
The image data sent from the memory 109M is changed to a form that can be sent to the LED head 3M of the image forming cartridge 2M and sent to the LED head 3M.

Similarly to the above-described exposure operation of yellow image data, the LED head 3M turns on the LED corresponding to the sent magenta image data, and places one line corresponding to the image data on the surface of the charged photoconductor 6. Of electrostatic latent image. In this manner, the memory 109 is stored for each line.
The magenta image data sent from M is successively turned into an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 6, the magenta image data corresponding to the length in the sub-scanning direction is turned into a latent image, and the exposure ends.

Hereinafter, the transfer operation of the magenta toner image will be described.
This is the same as the above-described yellow toner image transfer operation, and a description thereof will be omitted. The recording medium S is an image forming cartridge 2M
To the image forming cartridge 2C, and then the cyan toner image is transferred by the image forming cartridge 2C. The operations of transmitting, exposing, developing, and transferring the cyan image data are the same as those in the above-described image forming cartridge 2Y, and a description thereof will be omitted.

When the transfer operation of the cyan toner image is completed, the recording medium S moves from the image forming cartridge 2C to the image forming cartridge 2K, and then the operation of transmitting, exposing, developing and transferring black image data by the image forming cartridge 2K. Is performed in the same manner as the operation in the image forming cartridge 2Y described above. When the transfer operation of the black toner image is completed, the control circuit 101 turns off the transfer power supply 105K.

As described above, the toner images of each color are transferred onto the recording medium S in a superimposed manner. Thereafter, the recording medium S is sent to the charge removing brush 39 by the movement of the transport belt 31, and the charge is removed by the charge removing brush 39. Accordingly, the recording medium S is released from being attracted to the transport belt 31 and is separated from the transport belt 31 when passing through the drive roller 32, and is fed to the paper guide section 40a.
And is guided to the fixing device 80.

In the fixing device 80, the temperature of the heat roller 81 has already reached the fixing temperature, and when the recording medium S is conveyed between the heat roller 81 and the pressing roller 82 pressed against the same, the recording medium The S color toner image is fixed on the recording medium S by heat and pressure.

When the fixing is completed, the recording medium S is sent to guides 92 and 93 by a discharge roller 91,
2 and 93 and guides 94 and 95 to reach discharge rollers 96 and 97. Then, the paper is discharged to the discharge stacker 98a by the discharge rollers 96 and 97. The control circuit 101 determines that the recording medium S has been ejected by the photo interrupter 79.
Can be detected by detecting the rear end of the recording medium S.

When the discharging operation is completed, the control circuit 101 turns off the SP bias power supply 102, the DB bias power supply 103, and the charging power supply 104, and stops the motor 114 via the motor drive circuit 112. Note that the control circuit 101 turns off the charging power supply 104 when the toner transfer is completed in each image forming cartridge 2.

As described above, the color image is recorded on the recording medium S fed from the paper feeding mechanism 60.

In the second embodiment, the high voltage supply contact 24
And the connecting member 23, and the conveying belt unit 300
The high-voltage supply contact 24 and the contact portion of the connecting member 23 are connected in a state in which the high-voltage power supply 57 is attached to the apparatus main body, so that high-voltage power can be supplied from the high-voltage power supply 57 to the transfer roller 4 and the suction roller 38. In spite of the configuration in which 300 is detachable from the position of the side cover 55, the wiring for supplying high-voltage power can be made simpler than before.

Further, the high-voltage power supply 57 is provided close to the conveyor belt unit 300 (in this embodiment, immediately below the conveyor belt unit 300). When the high-voltage supply contact 24 and the connection member 23 are provided so that the contact 24 and the connection member 23 can be brought into and out of contact (connection / separation), the shapes of these members can be simplified.

Furthermore, the relay connecting member 22 and the connecting member 2
1, the high-voltage supply contact 24, the contact portion of the relay connection member 22, and the contact portion of the connection member 21 are connected in a state where the conveyor belt unit 300 is mounted on the apparatus main body, and the sponge roller 11, Since high-voltage power can be supplied to the developing roller 9 and the charging roller 7, the wiring line for supplying high-voltage power is simpler than before, despite the configuration in which the conveyor belt unit 300 is detachable from the side cover 55. Can be.

In the second embodiment, the low-voltage power supply 5
9 and the high-voltage power supply 57, a switch 117 that is turned on / off in conjunction with opening and closing of the side cover 55, and a switch 11 that is turned on / off in conjunction with opening and closing of the upper cover 98.
Since the cover 8 is provided, even if either the sided cover 55 or the upper cover 98 is opened with respect to the main body, the power supply to the high-voltage power supply 57 is cut off, and safety for the operator is ensured.

[0141] Third Embodiment A third embodiment of a color recording apparatus of the device body front face is opened and closed. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a color printing apparatus according to the third embodiment, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are configuration explanatory views showing the color printing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

A front cover 74 is attached to the front side of the main body of the color recording apparatus 200 on the hopping roller 66 side. Lock portions 74a are provided on the left and right sides of the front cover 74 in the directions of the arrows W and U, and when the front cover 74 is closed in the direction of the arrow I, the right and left engagement portions shown in FIG. 75 and locked. Registration rollers 71,
The suction roller 38 and the sheet guide 69 are integrally supported.

[0143] The front cover 74 is
4 is attached to the left and right fixed shafts 74b so as to be openable and closable in the directions of arrows H and I around the center of rotation. When the operator puts his hand on the drawer portion 74c formed on the front cover 74 and opens the drawer portion 74c in the direction of arrow H, the lock portion 74c is opened.
a is disengaged from the engaging portion 75 of the main unit.

When the lock portion 74a is disengaged from the engaging portion 75 of the main assembly, the registration roller 71, the suction roller 38, and the sheet guide 69 are disengaged from the main assembly together as shown in FIGS. The shafts at both ends of the registration roller 71 and the suction roller 38 are rotatably supported by guide shafts 76 and 77.

More specifically, two grooves are respectively formed inside the left and right side parts 74d and 74e of the front cover 74 (the 74d side is not shown), and a spring 56 is provided in each groove.
78 are provided. The springs 56 and 78 are compression springs and press the shaft of the registration roller 71 and the shaft of the suction roller 38. Therefore, when the front cover 74 is in the closed state shown in FIG.
5 and the registration roller 70 is
Press against.

As in the second embodiment, the driven roller 35 is grounded to the ground via the FG ground connection 23fg, and when the front cover 74 is closed, the shaft end of the suction roller 38 is closed. The portion 38a comes into contact with the contact portion on the symbol T side of the ET voltage connection member 23et, and the recording medium S can be electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 31 by this potential difference.

The other structure is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Next, the opening and closing operation of the upper cover provided in the color recording apparatus of the third embodiment will be described. Note that the mounting operation of the transport belt unit and the printing operation of the color recording apparatus are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

When the recording medium S jams in the apparatus main body during the printing operation, the operator puts his hand on the drawer 74c of the front cover 74 and opens it in the direction of arrow H. As a result, the lock portion 74a is deformed and disengaged from the engaging portion 75 of the apparatus main body, and the registration roller 71, the suction roller 38 and the sheet guide 69 are disengaged from the apparatus main body together with the front cover 74. Note that the lock portion 74a returns to its original shape. Then, the front cover 74 is in the state shown in FIGS.

In this state, if there is a jammed recording medium S (jam paper), the jam paper is removed, and the front cover is turned in the direction of arrow I and closed. If no jammed paper is found at this time, the conveyance belt unit 300 can be removed from the apparatus main body by the operation described in the first embodiment to remove the jammed paper.

In the third embodiment, not only the registration roller 71 and the sheet guide 69 but also the suction roller 38 can be integrally removed from the front side of the apparatus main body. If the rear end of the recording medium S is jammed, the front end of the front cover 74 is opened, and then the conveyor belt unit 300 is removed from the apparatus main body. Can be done easily.

The opening / closing structure of the front cover 74 according to the third embodiment is different from the color recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the removal of jammed paper becomes easier.

In the second and third embodiments, the charging roller 7, the developing roller 9 and the sponge roller 11 for each color are used.
The power supply to the transfer roller 4 is common, and the description is easy to understand.
The developing roller and the sponge roller may have high-voltage power for each color, and the high-voltage power may supply power to these three rollers in accordance with printing timing.

In the first to third embodiments, the means for writing a latent image on the photoreceptor 6 has been described with the LED head 3; There may be.

Fourth Embodiment When printing is performed in each of the printing mechanisms P1, P2, P3, and P4, toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member 6 without being transferred to the recording medium S (hereinafter referred to as waste toner). ) Occurs slightly. Such waste toner can be removed by various methods, for example, a cleaning blade or a cleaning roller.
And collected in a collection bottle. 4th
The transport belt unit according to the embodiment has a mechanism for sending the waste toner collected from the photoreceptor 6 to a collection bottle. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a color recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a duct provided in a transport belt unit according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission path to a duct provided in the transport belt unit of FIG. Note that the transport belt is omitted in FIG.

Each of the image forming cartridges 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) of the color recording apparatus 300 is provided with a cleaning mechanism (not shown) for removing waste toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 6. The removed waste toner 400 is discharged to the outside of the image forming cartridge 2 by being sent to a waste toner discharge path 302 provided in each image forming cartridge 2 by, for example, a spiral 301. A hole 302a is formed in the waste toner discharge path 302.

Inside the frame 40 of the transport belt unit 303, a substantially L-shaped duct 304 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the waste toner discharge paths 302 described above. Duct 3
04 is a hole 3 in the waste toner discharge path 302.
02a. A waste toner outlet 304b is provided below the duct 304, and the waste toner outlet 3b is provided.
A collection bottle 305 is detachably connected to 04b. That is, the waste toner 400 removed from the photoconductor 6 passes through the waste toner discharge path 302 and the duct 304 and is collected in the collection bottle 305.

Here, the structure of the duct 304 will be described with reference to FIGS. A spiral 304c is provided on the collection bottle 305 side in the duct 304. The spiral 304c is provided in the fixed cap 315. The spiral 304c transfers the rotational force of the transfer roller 4 to the gears 310, 311, 312, 313, 314.
And is driven through. Each gear 310-314
Is attached to the frame 40 or a bracket (not shown) provided on the frame 40. Spiral 304 is gear 3
As the 14 rotates, the waste toner is transported in the arrow Z direction.

A movable cap 306 is provided inside the duct 304 and outside the fixed cap 315. The movable cap 306 is attached so as to be movable in the directions of arrows X and Z, and a hole 306 a (FIG.
1) is formed. When the movable cap 306 moves in the direction of the arrow Z, the waste toner discharge port 304b is closed by the movable cap 306, and the cap f306 is moved to the arrow X direction.
When moved in the direction, the waste toner discharge port 304b is opened. The spring 3 shown in FIG.
06b is provided to constantly bias the movable cap 306 in the arrow Z direction. The spring 306b is isolated from the waste toner by the fixing cap 315.

A groove 307 is formed in the duct 304. When the side cover 55 is closed, the rib 308 formed on the side cover 55 enters the groove 307, and pushes the movable cap 306 in the direction of the arrow X to move it.

A driving gear (described later) of the transfer roller 4 is provided on the side opposite to the gear 310.

Next, the operation of collecting waste toner in the color recording apparatus 300 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

After the completion of the transfer operation in the color recording apparatus 300, the cleaning mechanism operates in each image forming cartridge 2 to remove the waste toner 400 from the photosensitive member 6. The spiral 301 is driven, and therefore, the waste toner 400 removed by the cleaning mechanism
1 is sent in the direction of arrow Z. Then, it is sent to the duct 304 from the hole 302a and the upper opening 304a. During this time, the transfer roller 4 is rotating, and accordingly, the spiral 304c is also driven.

The waste toner 400 sent to the duct 304 is sent in the direction of arrow Z by the spiral 304c,
6a and a collection bottle 305 from the waste toner discharge port 304b.
And is collected.

When the side cover 55 is opened by taking out the collection bottle 305 or the like, the rib 308 moves together with the side cover 55 and comes out of the groove 307 of the duct 304. The movable cap 306 of the duct 304 is a spring 3
06b moves in the direction of arrow Z, whereby the waste toner discharge port 304b is closed. Therefore, in this state, even if the collection bottle 305 is taken out, the waste toner 400 in the duct 304 does not scatter from the waste toner discharge port 304b.

Further, even if the transport belt unit 303 is pulled out, the waste toner discharge path 302 and the duct 304 are not integrated, so that the pull-out can be performed smoothly. Also, when the transport belt unit 303 is mounted,
An operation for connecting the waste toner discharge path 302 and the duct 304 is not required.

In the fourth embodiment, the duct 304 has a substantially L-shape. However, the shape of the duct 304 changes according to the shape of a vacant gap in the conveyor belt unit 303. Not limited. Further, the position of the collection bottle 305 is not limited to the position shown in the present embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the side cover 55
Is closed, the rib 308 enters the groove 307 and the hole 304
Release b. Therefore, the collection of the waste toner 400 can be started immediately by closing the side cover 55.

In the fourth embodiment, the example in which the structure for collecting the waste toner is provided in the color recording apparatus of the first embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and the second and second embodiments are not limited thereto. The present invention is also applicable to the color printing apparatus of the third embodiment. Further, the present invention is not limited to color printing, and can be applied to a monochrome recording apparatus.

As a configuration for transmitting the driving force to the transfer roller 4, as shown in FIG. 13, the driving force of the driving gear 320 provided on the rotating shaft side of the photosensitive member 6 is transferred via the drum gear 321. The transmission is performed to a transfer gear 322 provided on the rotation shaft side of the roller 4. With such a configuration, the above-described gear trains 310 to 314 can be arranged on the side opposite to the transfer gear 322, and a compact drive system is configured. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the driving force is transmitted to the transfer roller according to the fourth embodiment.

[0171]

As described in detail above, the present invention provides
By disposing a unit having a transport belt and a transfer unit detachably with respect to the apparatus main body, and forming a cover that can be opened and closed on the surface of the apparatus main body facing the unit and the width direction side of the transport belt, When replacing the conveyor belt,
There is no need to remove the image forming means, and it is sufficient to open the cover and take out the unit, so that there is no risk that the operator will damage the image forming means or the transport belt, etc.
Replacement work is simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a color recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a color printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a color printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a color printing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a connection state of the color printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a color printing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a color printing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a color printing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a color printing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a duct of a transport belt unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission path to a duct of the transport belt unit according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state of transmitting a driving force to a transfer roller according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 100, 200, 300 Color recording device 21, 23 Connecting member 22 Relay connecting member 30, 300, 303 Conveyor belt unit 55 Side cover 74 Front cover 98 Upper cover 101 Control circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Yoshiki Okiyama, Inventor 4-11-22, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Within the offshore data of the Corporation (72) Naoki Ono 4--11, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. 22 Inc.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus which conveys a recording medium by moving a conveyance belt disposed between an image forming means and a transfer means, comprising: the conveyance belt and the transfer means; An image recording apparatus, comprising: a unit detachably disposed; and a cover, which is openable and closable, on a surface of the apparatus main body on a side in a width direction of the transport belt and facing the unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a first cover, a surface of the apparatus main body facing the conveyance belt via the image forming unit is openable and closable, and this surface is a second cover. A first urging unit attached to the cover and pressing the image forming unit against the transfer unit in a state where the second cover is closed; and forming the image in a direction opposite to a pressing direction of the first urging unit. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second urging means for pressing the means. 3. A transfer power supply for supplying power from a power supply to the apparatus main body, the power supply contact being connected to the power supply contact with the unit mounted on the apparatus main body, and supplying power to the transfer means. 3. The unit according to claim 1, wherein a contact is provided on the unit.
The image recording apparatus as described in the above. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said unit is provided with an image forming electrical contact which is connected to said power supply electrical contact when said unit is mounted on the apparatus main body and supplies electric power to said image forming means. apparatus. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the unit has a suction unit that electrostatically attracts a recording medium to the transport belt. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the unit is provided with a suction electric contact for supplying power to the suction means, the contact being connected to the power supply electric contact while the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a guide unit for guiding the unit in a mounting / removing direction. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said power supply is provided close to said unit. 9. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit is provided with a detachable handle. 10. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a duct through which the toner discharged from the image forming means passes is provided in the unit, and a container for collecting the toner passing through the duct is detachably provided in the duct. apparatus. 11. The image recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the duct has a built-in conveyance unit for conveying toner in the duct, and the conveyance unit is provided with a driving force transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force of a transfer unit. .