JPH1039587A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep a distance between the inside circumferential surface of an image forming body and an image exposure means constant and to easily form a clear color image without color slippage by freely rotatably supporting the image forming body by using an optical system supporting means to which the plural image exposure means are fitted. SOLUTION: The drum-like image forming body 10 and the linear image exposure means 12Y-12K are integrated as a unit. Then, the optical system supporting means is constituted of a unit shaft 31 and a pair of front and back brackets 32 and 33 fixed by being engaged with the outside diameter of the shaft 31. The image forming body 10 is freely rotatably supported because a bearing 10C respectively engaged with the end part ring 10A and the end part gear ring 10B of both ends thereof is engaged with the image forming body bearing supporting parts 321 and 331 of the brackets 32 and 33. Then, both end parts of the exposure means 12Y-12K are adjusted through a sticking member 34 so that the distance between the inside surface of the photoreceptor drum part of the image forming body becomes prescribed positional relation and fixed to the exposure means fixing parts 320 and 330 of the brackets 32 and 33 by adhesion.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic color copying machine or a recording apparatus, and more particularly, to an optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted therein, and the image forming apparatus provided therein. The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus including a drum-shaped image forming body containing an exposure unit, and a plurality of developing units arranged around the image forming body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a color image forming apparatus as described above, a plurality of image exposing means are accommodated in an image forming body, so that a small-diameter image forming body having a relatively short peripheral surface can be used. Therefore, the apparatus can be miniaturized, and the image exposure is incident on the inner peripheral surface of the image forming body on which the toner is not adhered, so that the electrostatic images of the second color and thereafter have the same sharpness as the electrostatic image of the first color. And a color image with good color balance can be formed. On the other hand, on the other hand, the conventional one has a compact structure, so that it takes time and effort to assemble, disassemble, and maintain the image forming apparatus. There is a problem that it is difficult to make the rotation of the image forming body smooth while keeping the distance between the peripheral surface of the forming body and the plurality of image exposing means constant, and the color image to be formed tends to cause color misregistration.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem of the color image forming apparatus, and is directed to a color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of image exposure means are accommodated inside an image forming body. The present invention provides an apparatus in which the distance between an inner peripheral surface of an image forming body and a plurality of image exposing means is kept constant, the image forming body can be smoothly rotated, and therefore a clear color image without color shift can be easily formed. With the first purpose,
A second object is to provide an apparatus capable of easily performing assembly, disassembly, maintenance, and the like, and a third object is to provide an apparatus in which the integration of an image forming body and a plurality of image exposure means is reduced. And

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided an optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a drum surrounding the image forming means. In a color image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of developing devices arranged, the optical system supporting means according to claim 1 is arranged such that the optical system supporting means has a diameter outside of an exposure means fixing portion to which the image exposure means is attached. Has an image forming body bearing support portion that is larger than the exposure unit fixing portion, and rotatably supports the image forming body having a passive gear on the outer periphery at one end side by the image forming body bearing support portion. The first and second objects are achieved by a configuration in which a shaft portion protruding outward from the support portion is mounted on the apparatus main body while being held by the apparatus main body side plate.

That is, in the apparatus according to the first aspect, since the optical system supporting means to which the plurality of image exposing means are mounted rotatably supports the image forming body by the image forming body bearing support portion, the peripheral surface of the image forming body and the plurality of the image forming body are supported. The first object is achieved in which the distance of the image exposure means is kept constant, the image forming body can be smoothly rotated, and therefore a clear color image without color shift can be easily formed. In addition, since the diameter of the image forming body bearing support portion is larger than the diameter of the exposure device fixing portion, the assembly and disassembly of the optical system supporting means to which a plurality of image exposure means are fixed and the image forming body can be easily performed, and By having a passive gear on the outer periphery on one end side, the passive gear is disengaged from the drive gear on the apparatus main body side when the optical system supporting means integrated with the image forming body is disengaged from the apparatus main body side plate. A second object that can be easily assembled and disassembled is achieved.

The apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized in that an outer diameter of a shaft portion of the optical system supporting means held by the apparatus body side plate is in a range of 10 to 30 mm. Accordingly, the structure for supporting the optical system supporting means, in which the image forming body is integrated, on the apparatus main body side plate can be made compact, and the apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 can be made compact.
Wherein the length of the shaft portion of the optical system supporting means held by the side panel of the apparatus and protruding outward from the image forming body bearing supporting portion is in the range of 20 to 100 mm. This makes it possible to easily and reliably support the optical system supporting means on which the image forming body is integrated on the side plate of the apparatus main body. With the addition of the configuration characterized in that the operation is performed from the side opposite to the side, the wiring processing of the image exposing means is particularly easy, and the rotation transmission to the image forming body is transmitted to the apparatus body side plate on the passive gear side of the image forming body. The means can be easily provided, and the assembling and disassembling of the optical system supporting means with respect to the apparatus main body side plate can be performed particularly easily.

The present invention also provides an optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing devices arranged around the image forming body. 6. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the optical system supporting means has a larger diameter than the exposing means fixing part at a position outside the exposing means fixing part to which the image exposing means is attached. An image forming body bearing support having a hole or a groove, the image forming body bearing supporting portion rotatably supporting the image forming body having a passive gear on an outer periphery at one end side, the image forming body bearing supporting portion; The first to third objects are achieved by a configuration in which a shaft portion protruding further outward is held on the apparatus main body side plate and mounted on the apparatus main body.

That is, a third object of the present invention is to reduce the weight of an optical system supporting means in which an image forming body is integrated by providing a lightening hole or a groove in an image forming body bearing support portion of the optical system supporting means. Since the present invention is the same as the device of the first aspect except that the above-mentioned is achieved, the first and second objects are also achieved in the same manner as the device of the first aspect.

The image forming body is integrated with the apparatus according to claim 5 by adding the constitution according to claim 6 wherein the outer diameter of the bearing for the image forming body is in the range of 30 to 100 mm. In order to reduce the size of the optical system supporting means, and to reduce the weight of the image forming body bearing supporting portion, or to provide a lightening hole or a groove for passing cooling air of the electric wiring of the image exposing means or the image forming body. It is easy to provide, and helps achieve the object of the device of claim 5.

According to a fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the electric wiring of the image exposing means is passed through a lightening hole or a groove of the image forming body bearing supporting portion according to the seventh aspect of the present invention. The structure, and further, the electric wiring of the image exposing means is connected to a power supply on a side opposite to the passive gear side of the image forming unit, and the image forming unit is connected to the image forming unit. Since the wiring processing of the image exposure means in the integration of the optical system support means is facilitated, and the optical system support means integrated with the image forming body is easily engaged and disengaged from the side plate of the apparatus, the second object is further achieved. Achieved.

[0011] Further, the apparatus according to claims 5 to 8 has a ninth aspect.
The structure according to claim 10, wherein an air flow is passed through a lightening hole or a groove of the image forming body bearing support portion.
12. The configuration according to claim 11, wherein the air flow flows into a lightening hole or a groove of an image forming body bearing support portion of the optical system supporting means from a side of the image forming body opposite to a passive gear side. By adding a cooling fin in the lightening hole or groove of the image forming body bearing support portion, the temperature rise of the image forming body having the image exposing means inside is prevented by the air flow. Therefore, the rotation of the image forming body, charging, electrostatic image formation, and toner image formation are stably performed, and the first object of forming a clear color image without color misregistration is promoted. I do.

Further, the present invention provides an optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing devices arranged around the image forming body. In the color image forming apparatus provided with a device, the optical system supporting means according to claim 12 is hollow, at a position outside the exposure means fixing part to which the image exposure means is attached, and has a diameter larger than that of the exposure means fixing part. An image forming body bearing support portion, the image forming body bearing supporting portion rotatably supports the image forming body having a passive gear on an outer periphery at one end side, and protrudes outward from the image forming body bearing supporting portion. The first to third objects are attained by a configuration in which the hollow shaft portion thus formed is mounted on the apparatus main body while being held by the apparatus main body side plate.

That is, the apparatus according to the twelfth aspect is the same as the apparatus according to the first aspect, except that the third object is achieved in that the optical system supporting means is hollow and the image forming body is integrated, and the third object is achieved. Therefore, the first and second objects are achieved in the same manner as the device of claim 1.

The apparatus according to the twelfth aspect is further provided with the configuration according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the outer diameter of the hollow shaft portion of the optical system supporting means supported by the side panel of the apparatus is in the range of 30 to 80 mm. Thereby, the strength of the hollow shaft portion is sufficiently maintained, and the hollow hole is easily used for purposes other than weight reduction. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the electric wiring of the image exposure means is passed through the hollow hole of the hollow shaft portion of the optical system support means.
The addition of a configuration characterized in that the electric wiring of the image exposure unit is connected to a power supply on the side opposite to the end of the passive gear of the image forming body, thereby facilitating wiring processing of the image exposure unit, Further, it is easy to provide a rotation transmitting means to the image forming body on the apparatus main body side plate on the passive gear side of the image forming body, and the second assembly in which the optical system supporting means is easily assembled and disassembled with respect to the apparatus main body side plate. Facilitate achievement of objectives.

The apparatus according to claims 12 to 15 has the following features.
18. The configuration according to claim 6, wherein an air flow is passed through a hollow hole of the hollow shaft portion of the optical system supporting means, and the air flow is opposite to the passive gear side of the image forming body according to claim 17. And a cooling fin provided in the hollow hole of the hollow shaft portion of the optical system supporting means. With the addition of the characteristic configuration, the temperature rise of the image forming body having the image exposure means therein can be prevented by the air flow, so that the rotation of the image forming body, charging, electrostatic image formation, and toner image formation can be performed stably. As a result, it is possible to form a clear color image without color misregistration, which promotes the achievement of the first object.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing means arranged around the image forming body. 20. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the optical system supporting means includes a cavity in which an exposing means fixing part for attaching the image exposing means fixes fixing both ends of the image exposing means. And a connection portion of the electric wiring of the image exposure means is exposed to the cavity, and an image forming body bearing support portion is provided outside the fixing portion of the exposure means. The first to the first to the fourth aspect, wherein the body is rotatably supported, and a shaft portion protruding outward from the image forming body bearing support portion is mounted on the apparatus main body while being held by the apparatus main body side plate. Achieve the third objective.

That is, the apparatus according to claim 19 is characterized in that:
Similarly to the apparatuses 5 and 12, the optical system supporting means supporting a plurality of image exposing means is integrated with the image forming body and supported by the side plate of the apparatus main body. Assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of the optical system support means, which integrates the first object and the image forming body, in which a clear color image without color shift can be easily formed while the distance of the means is kept constant. The second object of the present invention is that the image forming body is easily formed, and the optical system support means forms a cavity between the fixed portions to which both ends of the plurality of image exposure means are fixed, so that the image forming body is integrated. The third object of reducing the weight of the optical system supporting means is achieved. Further, since the connection portion of the wiring of the image exposure unit faces the cavity formed in the optical system support unit, the wiring of the image exposure unit can be easily performed, and the optical system support unit integrated with the image forming body. The second object of facilitating assembly, disassembly, maintenance and the like of the apparatus is also achieved.

The present invention also provides an optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing means arranged around the image forming means. In a color image forming apparatus provided with a device, the optical system supporting means of claim 20, wherein the connection portion of the electric wiring is fixed to the image exposing means positioned on the end face or side face while being mounted on the outer surface, An image forming body bearing support portion is provided outside the image exposing means fixing portion, the image forming body is rotatably supported by the image forming body bearing support portion, and is projected outward from the image forming body bearing support portion. The first and second objects are achieved by a configuration in which the shaft portion is mounted on the apparatus main body while being held by the apparatus main body side plate.

That is, in the apparatus according to the twentieth aspect, the optical system supporting means supporting a plurality of image exposing means is integrated with the image forming body and supported by the side plate of the apparatus body.
Since the configuration is the same as that of the apparatus 19, the first and second objects are achieved in the same manner, and the optical system support means is provided with an image exposure means in which the connection portion of the electric wiring is located on the end face or side face. The second object of the present invention is that the wiring of the image exposure means can be easily carried out and the assembling, disassembling, maintenance, etc. of the optical system supporting means integrated with the image forming body are also facilitated. To achieve.

The image forming apparatus supported by the image forming body bearing support according to claim 21 is characterized in that the image forming body supported by the image forming body bearing support portion has a passive gear on an outer periphery on one end side. Is added, it is easy to disengage the driving means provided on the apparatus main body side and the passive gear of the image forming body, so that the optical system supporting means integrated with the image forming body can be easily engaged and disengaged from the apparatus main body side plate. The second object of becoming is also achieved.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the electric wiring of the image exposing means of the twenty-second aspect passes through the inside of a bearing supported by the image forming body bearing supporting part of the optical system supporting means. 24. The configuration according to claim 23, wherein the connection portion and the power source are connected, and the power source of the electric wiring of the image exposure unit is located on the side opposite to the passive gear side of the image forming body. This configuration facilitates wiring processing of the image exposing means in integrating the image forming body and the optical system supporting means, and further enables the optical system supporting means integrated with the image forming body to be disengaged from the apparatus body side plate. This facilitates the achievement of the second object.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial front view showing an attached state of an optical system supporting means integrated with an image forming body, and FIG.
Is an axial partial cross-sectional view showing an attached state of an optical system supporting means in which the image forming bodies according to the examples 1 to 11 and 20 to 23 are integrated, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view in the axial direction showing an attached state of the optical system supporting means in which the image forming body is integrated. FIG. 5 shows the optical system supporting means in which the image forming bodies according to the examples of claims 19 and 21 to 23 are integrated. FIG. 6 is an axial partial cross-sectional view showing an attached state, and FIG. 6 is an axial partial cross-sectional view showing an attached state of an optical system supporting means in which an image forming body according to the examples of claims 20 to 23 is integrated.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a drum-shaped image forming body. The image forming body 10 has a transparent conductive layer and an organic photoreceptor layer (a transparent conductive layer and an organic photoreceptor layer) on the outer periphery of a cylindrical base made of a transparent member such as optical glass or transparent acrylic resin. OPC) is formed by coating or the like to form the photosensitive drum portion, and the end ring 1 in which the bearing 10C is fitted on the inner periphery of each of the inner diameters of both ends of the photosensitive drum portion.
0A and an end gear ring 10B having a drum gear 10G as a passive gear on the outer circumference are integrally fitted.
Here, the drum gear 10G is not limited to the external gear, and may have internal teeth. Even if the end ring 10A or the end gear ring 10B is fitted to the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum part, the drum gear 10G may Needless to say, it may be formed integrally.

11Y to 11K are chargers using a scorotron corona discharger, and 12Y to 12K are image forming members 1
This is a line-shaped image exposure means composed of LEDs arranged in parallel to the 0 axis direction and an imaging element (trade name: Selfoc lens). The image exposure means 12Y to 12K sequentially take out color-specific image signals such as separated colors read by a separate image reading device from a memory and input them as electric signals.

Image forming body 10 and image exposing means 12Y to 12K
Are integrated as a unit. That is, the unit shaft 31 and a pair of front and rear brackets 32, 33 fitted and fixed to the outer diameter thereof constitute an optical system support means, and the image exposure means 12Y is provided at an outer diameter of a portion of the brackets 32, 33 close to each other. ~ 12K is fixed, bracket 3
The image forming body 10 is rotatably supported by the outer diameters of the separated portions 2 and 33. Therefore, the brackets 32, 3
3 are exposure means fixing portions 320 and 330, and the separated portions of the brackets 32 and 33 are image forming body bearing support portions 321 and 331.

The image forming body 10 is formed by fitting the bearings 10C fitted to the end ring 10A and the end gear ring 10B at both ends to the image forming body bearing support portions 321 and 331 of the brackets 32 and 33, respectively. , Rotatably supported. Prior to this, both ends of the image exposing means 12Y to 12K are attached to the sticking members 34 so that the distance of the image forming body 10 to the inner surface of the photosensitive drum portion has a predetermined positional relationship.
And fixed to the exposure means fixing portions 320 and 330 of the brackets 32 and 33 by bonding.

According to the above, claims 1, 5, 12, 19, 2
Since the optical system supporting means integrated with the image forming body described in 0 or the like is configured, the relative positions of the image exposing means 12Y to 12K with respect to the image forming body 10 can be accurately set.
The positions of the electrostatic latent images formed on the image forming body 10 can be easily adjusted accurately by the image exposure units 12Y to 12K, and a color image without color shift can be easily formed.

In the examples of FIGS. 3 to 6, the image exposure means 12Y
Exposure Means Fixing Section 32 Fixing Both Ends of Up to 12K
The space between 0,330 forms the cavity 30 according to claim 19, thereby reducing the weight of the unit.
In the example, the connection of the electric wiring 121 is facilitated by providing the connection portion 122 of the electric wiring 121 for driving the image exposure units 12Y to 12K on the cavity 30 side. On the other hand, if the weight reduction by the cavity 30 is not considered as in the configuration of the first, fifth, twelfth and twelfth aspects, the image exposure means 12Y is provided on the outer surface of the bracket in which the brackets 32 and 33 are integrally connected. ~ 12K is affixed.
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
Even in the configuration according to claim 20, in which the connection portions 122 are disposed on the end face or side face, the connection with the electric wiring 121 of the image exposure means 12Y to 12K can be easily performed.

The unit shaft 31 is composed of brackets 32, 33 holding the image forming body 10 and the image exposing means 12Y to 12K, and having both sides 35A of a U-shaped bracket 35 composed of both sides 35A and a connecting beam 35B. It is rotatably mounted on both side plate portions 35A such that both end portions protrude from both side plate portions 35A. And U-shaped bracket 35
Unit shaft 31 protruding outside one side plate portion 35A
A phase pin 36 is implanted at the end of the other side plate 35
A front plate 38 is fastened and fixed to the end protruding outside A by a tip nut 37 screwed later.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the unit is formed by attaching the U-shaped bracket 35 as described above, and the U-shaped bracket 35 is provided with the unit in the apparatus main body as described later. In addition to being used for mounting, the image forming body 10 and the image exposure units 12Y to 12
It is also used as a table without K coming into contact with the floor.

3, 5, and 6, the unit shaft 31 is a solid shaft, and the image forming body 10 is rotatable on image forming body bearing support portions 321 and 331 of brackets 32 and 33 fixed thereto. FIGS. 3 and 6 show the structure of claim 1, 5, 19, and 20 which are supported. FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 show that the connection portions 122 of the image exposure means 12Y to 12K in the structure of claim 20 are end faces and side faces, respectively. The example shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the nineteenth aspect as described above. 5 and 6, the image exposure means 1
Electric wiring 12 connected to connection section 122 of 2Y to 12K
1 is an exposure means fixing portion 320 of the bracket 32, 33,
Through the lightening holes or grooves (hereinafter simply referred to as lightening holes) 32A which also serve to reduce the weight of the image forming body bearing support portion 321 of the bracket 32 between the rows of the image exposure means 12Y to 12K fixed to 330. The notched portion 35 of the side plate portion 35A of the U-shaped bracket 35 which is taken out of the image forming body 10
C and the connection terminal at the tip is connected to a power supply through a groove or a hole provided in the front plate 38. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 3, since the connection portions 122 of the image exposure units 12Y to 12K are located on the end faces, even if there is no gap between the arrangement of the image exposure units 12Y to 12K, the wiring is similarly drawn out of the unit. Can be connected to power supply. In each case, the wiring process is easy and the unit can be easily attached and detached.

In the example shown in FIG.
The unit is formed in a hollow shaft as in the configuration 2 to reduce the weight of the unit. Also, the electric wiring 121 of the image exposure means 12Y to 12K
Are connected to a connection portion 122 provided on the back surface of the image exposure means 12Y to 12K facing the unit shaft 31 side.
1 enters the hollow hole 31H through the hole 31A provided in the tube wall, and exits from the hollow hole 31H through the hole 31B provided in the tube wall of the unit shaft 31 on the front plate 38 side of the bracket 32.
Notch 35C of side plate 35A of U-shaped bracket 35
And connecting the leading connection terminal to a power supply through a groove or hole provided in the front plate.
5 is provided. This facilitates connection and disconnection of the wiring when the unit is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, so that the unit can be easily attached and detached.

The outer diameter of both end portions of the hollow unit shaft 31 protruding from the U-shaped bracket 35 is in the range of 30 to 80 mm in the structure of claim 13, and the electric wiring 121 is maintained with sufficient strength. This is preferable because a hollow hole through which the image forming apparatus can be easily passed can be provided, and the size of the image forming apparatus does not need to be increased. Further, the image exposure means 12Y to 12Y
An air flow can be made to flow through the hollow hole (31H) of the unit shaft (31) so as to prevent the temperature inside the image forming body (10) from rising due to the driving of K, and the front plate (38) can be used.
The structure according to claim 17 is preferable because the flow duct can be connected irrespective of driving means such as the image forming body 10 and the developing roller of the developing device. To further increase the cooling efficiency,
The cooling fin is preferably provided in the hollow hole 31H or the outer diameter of the unit shaft 31 or the like. By providing such a cooling unit, stable image formation can be performed.

Also in the examples of FIGS. 3 to 6, the connection of the connection terminal of the electric wiring 121 to the power supply is performed after the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body, but when the connection part of the power supply is inside the front plate 38, This is performed when the unit before the front plate 38 is attached is inserted into the apparatus main body. In that case, there is no need for a groove or hole through which the wiring passes through the front plate 38. Also, contrary to the illustrated example, the wiring can be extended to the side where the phase pin 36 is implanted and connected to the connection terminal of the power supply provided on the back side plate 70B side in the unit insertion direction of the apparatus main body. The connection terminals of the unit need to be fixedly provided on the unit shaft 31 so that the connection is performed when the insertion of the unit is completed. That is, the electric wiring 121 extends to the side opposite to the drum gear 10G side of the image forming body 10 and is connected to a power source.

In each of the examples shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the image forming body bearing support portion 32 for supporting the bearing 10C of the image forming body 10 of the brackets 32 and 33 of the optical system supporting means.
3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first and third image bearing members is larger than the diameter of the exposing means fixing portions for fixing the image exposing means.
The structure according to claim 5, wherein the lightening holes 32A and 33A are provided in the image forming means, makes it easy to integrate the image forming body 10 with the optical system supporting means to which the image exposing means 12Y to 12K are attached, and The lightening holes 32A, 33A serving as passages of the electric wiring 121 having the structure of claims 4, 7, 8, 22, 23 are easily provided in the image forming body bearing support portions 321, 331, and the lightening holes 32A, 33A are further provided. Is preferable because it facilitates the passage of the cooling air according to the ninth and tenth aspects.

In the structure according to the fifth aspect, the lightening holes 32A, 33A are provided in the image forming body bearing support portions 321, 331 of the brackets 32, 33, the outer diameter of the flange portion is 30 to 100 mm as in the structure according to the sixth aspect. In addition to the purpose of reducing the weight of the lightening holes 32A, 33A,
Electric wiring 1 of the image exposure means 12Y to 12K as shown in FIG.
It is preferable because it can be used for passing through 21 and can be used for passing airflow as in the constitutions of claims 9 and 10, and it is not necessary to increase the size of the apparatus. Then, an air flow is passed through the lightening holes 32A and 33A of the image forming body bearing support portions 321 and 331, and the inner peripheral surface of the image forming body 10 and the image exposing means 12
11. The structure according to claim 10, wherein air flows into the lightening hole 32A of the image forming body bearing support portion 321 from the side opposite to the drum gear 10G side of the image forming body 10, that is, from the front plate 38 side. Is preferable because there is no heat source such as the image forming body driving means on the inflow side.

When the air flow is passed through the lightening holes 32A and 33A, it is preferable to provide the cooling fins in the lightening holes 32A and 33A from the viewpoint of cooling efficiency.
When the lightening holes 32A and 33A are released, the scattered toner enters the inside of the image forming body 10 and contaminates the inner peripheral surface and the light emitting surfaces of the image exposure units 12Y to 12K. It is preferable to prevent the intrusion of the toner and the like by closing the cover.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention which does not require a lightening hole, the U-shaped bracket 3 of the unit shaft 31 is provided.
The outer diameter of a portion protruding from the supporting member 5 and supported by bearings on both side plates 70A and 70B of the apparatus main body is 10 to 30 mm according to the configuration of claim 2.
Is preferable because the fixing structure of the unit, which will be described later, can be made compact and of sufficient strength, and the length protruding from the U-shaped bracket 35 is 20 to 100 mm in the configuration of claim 3. This is preferable because stable fixation can be performed and the device does not need to be enlarged.

2 to 6, the mounting of the unit on the apparatus main body is performed as follows. In other words, the unit starts with the phase pin 36 side of the unit shaft 31
The connecting beam portion 35B of the U-shaped bracket 35 is engaged with the guide support rail 71 provided between the front and rear side plates 70A and 70B of the U-shaped bracket 35 from the insertion hole 70A1 provided in the front side plate 70A of the apparatus main body. The drum gear 10G of the image forming body 10 is meshed with a reduction drive gear 62 from a motor (not shown) installed on the back side plate 70B side, and the phase pin 36 is connected to the back side plate 70B of the apparatus body. The front plate 38 is fixed and mounted on the front side plate 70A of the apparatus body by screwing in this state. As a result, the image forming body 10 and the image exposing means 12Y to 12K are installed in the apparatus main body at an accurate position and phase.

In the example of FIG. 2, in order to fix the front plate 38 to the front plate 70A of the apparatus main body, a plurality of reference holes H1 provided in the front plate 38 are provided with reference pins P provided in the front plate 70A.
2 is engaged to position the front plate 38, so that the front plate 38 is firstly moved to the front side plate 70 of the apparatus main body.
When fixing to unit A, the unit shaft 31 and the tip nut 3
In step 7, the front plate 38 is tightened and fixed so as not to rotate after the reference hole H1 and the reference pin P2 are engaged. The front plate 38 is provided with insertion openings 38A for the chargers 11Y to 11K.

The chargers 11Y to 11K are inserted into the apparatus main body from the insertion opening 38A of the front plate 38 attached to the front side plate 70A with the power receiving terminal side at the head, and provided between the front and back side plates 70A and 70B. After the power receiving terminal is guided by the guide support rail 73 so as to be connected to the power supply terminal provided on the rear side plate 70B, the push cover 39 is screwed into the insertion opening 38A, thereby allowing the image forming body 10 to have a predetermined shape. It is installed so that it can be operated while maintaining the interval position. Therefore, to remove the unit from the apparatus body, the chargers 11Y to 11K are first taken out from the insertion opening 38A, and then the front plate 38 is removed from the front side plate 70A and pulled out. In addition, prior to the removal of the unit, the respective pressing operations of the developing units 13Y to 13K, the intermediate transfer belt 14, and the cleaning blade of the cleaning device 100 with respect to the peripheral surface of the image forming body 10 are released by a conventionally known means. Needless to say, it is necessary to evacuate and place about 1 mm or more.

The developing units 13Y to 13K are respectively yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K).
And is inserted into the apparatus main body from the front side plate 70A side, and is stopped by the locking guide 75 according to the guide support rail 74 provided between the front and rear side plates 70A and 70B. And then Figure 3
In the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 6, the eccentric groove cam 41 is rotated by the contact / separation operation handle 40, and the contact / separation action shaft 42 engaged with the eccentric groove cam 41 supported on the lower surface side of the guide support rail 74 is pivoted. In the main body of the apparatus by pressing the developing units 13Y to 13K with springs provided on the shafts so that the rotatable spacer rollers on both sides of the developing sleeve 130 are pressed against the image forming body 10. Will be installed. As a result, the sleeve gears 133-
136 meshes with reduction drive gears 53 to 56 from a motor (not shown) installed on the back side plate 70B side. By the reverse of the above operation, the pressing of the developing units 13Y to 13K to the image forming body 10 is released and the developing units 13Y to 13K are taken out of the apparatus main body.

The installed developing units 13Y to 13K correspond to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the developing sleeve 130, which is a developer layer transport roller, occupies a position substantially symmetric to the left and right of a perpendicular passing through the rotation center of the image forming body 10 and above and below a horizontal line passing through the rotation center. 10 and rotates in the same surface movement direction while maintaining a predetermined gap, and forms an electrostatic latent image formed on the image forming body 10 by charging by the chargers 11Y to 11K and image exposure by the image exposure means 12Y to 12K, respectively. When the developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 130, the developer layer transported by the developing sleeve 130 is subjected to reversal development under a non-contact condition.

Next, an image forming process of the above-described color image forming apparatus will be described.

Image information obtained by reading an original image with an image sensor by an image reading device separate from the present device or image information edited by a computer is temporarily stored in a memory as image signals for each of Y, M, C and K colors. Stored and stored.

At the start of image recording, the photosensitive member drive motor starts, and the drive gear 62 is rotated to rotate the image forming body 10 as described above. At the same time, the charging operation of the charger 11Y is started to uniformly apply a potential to the peripheral wall of the image forming body 10. Image exposure means 12Y is provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall to which the potential is applied.
Receives an image exposure modulated by an image signal of the first color, for example, Y from the above-mentioned memory, and the Y of the original image is formed on the peripheral wall surface.
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the component image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is reversely developed by the developing device 13Y under the condition that the developer layer on the developing sleeve 130 is kept out of contact, and a Y toner image is formed on the surface of the image forming body 10.

Next, the image forming body 10 is uniformly charged with a potential by the charging operation of the charger 11M on the surface of the peripheral wall holding the Y toner image, and the inner surface of the peripheral wall to which the potential is applied is the first surface of the image exposing means 12M. Image exposure based on image signals of two colors, for example, M, is input. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral wall surface is developed into an M toner image by non-contact reversal development by the developing device 13M, so that the Y toner image and the M toner image are superimposed on the surface of the image forming body 10. Is formed.

Similarly, the peripheral wall of the image forming body 10 for holding the two-color image receives a charging operation by the charger 11C, the image exposure means 12C and the developing unit 13C, the image exposure incident and the development to form a C toner image on the surface. Thus, a three-color image formed by superimposing three toner images of Y, M, and C is formed. Further, if necessary, the peripheral wall of the image forming body 10 that further holds a three-color image is similarly charged by the charger 11K, the image exposure means 12K, and the developing device 13K, is subjected to image exposure and development, and has a K toner on its surface. By forming an image, Y, M,
A four-color image is formed by superimposing four C and K toner images. That is, a three-color or four-color image is formed on the peripheral surface within one rotation of the image forming body 10.

As described above, in the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the image exposure means 12Y to 12K enter the image exposure from the inside of the image forming body 10 to the organic photosensitive layer through the transparent substrate, the image exposure of the first color is performed. But also the second, third and fourth
Is also incident without being affected by the previously formed toner image, and forms an electrostatic latent image that gives a similar clear toner image. And developing units 13Y to 13Y
When developing with K, the developing sleeve 130
Is applied with a developing bias, whereby toner from the one-component or two-component developer layer on the developing sleeve 130 flies and adheres to the transparent conductive layer on the grounded image forming body 10, Non-contact reversal development is performed without affecting the previously formed toner image.

The color image of three or four colors formed on the peripheral surface of the image forming body 10 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 14 used for reducing the diameter of the image forming body 10.
The intermediate transfer member 14 has an electric resistance of 10 ⁸ to 10 ¹¹ Ω · c
m, a belt in which a Teflon layer having a similar resistance value is provided as a separation surface layer on a urethane rubber layer having a thickness of 100 to 500 μm, and rollers 14A, 14B, 14C and 1
4D, the roller 14A and the roller 14B
Between the roller 14C and the opposite transfer roller 15 as a transfer area for transferring the color image to a transfer material such as transfer paper. 1 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 in synchronization with the peripheral speed of the image forming body 10 by the power transmitted to the roller 14D.

The color image adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the image forming body 10 is guided by the grounded roller 14A so as to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image forming body 10, and a bias of 1 to 2 kV having a polarity opposite to the charge of the toner. Roller 14 to which voltage is applied
The toner is efficiently transferred without scattering the toner to the intermediate transfer member 14 in the transfer region guided by the B to be separated from the outer peripheral surface of the image forming member 10, and is transferred to the transfer region by the intermediate transfer member 14.

On the other hand, the transfer paper P is carried out by the action of a paper feed roller 17 of a paper feed cassette (not shown) and fed to a timing roller 18, and the transfer roller P is synchronized with the transfer of the color image on the intermediate transfer body 14. The paper is fed to a transfer area 15.

The transfer roller 15 rotates in a counterclockwise direction in synchronization with the peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer member 14, and the transfer paper P
Between the roller 14C and the intermediate transfer body 14
And 1 to 2 having the opposite polarity to the charge of the toner.
A bias voltage of kV is applied to transfer the color image on the intermediate transfer body 14 onto the transfer paper P.

The transfer paper P on which the color image has been transferred is neutralized, conveyed to the fixing device 21 via the conveyance plate 19, and heated and compressed between the heat roller 21A and the pressure roller 21B to fix the toner. Thereafter, the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus via the sheet discharge roller 22.

The image forming body 10 after the transfer of the color image,
On the surfaces of the intermediate transfer member 14 and the transfer roller 15, the respective cleaning devices 100 and 140
In addition, since the cleaning blade of the cleaning device 150 is always in pressure contact to remove adhered dirt such as residual toner, any surface is always maintained in a clean state. The toner collected by the cleaning device 100 and the cleaning device 140 is stored in a waste toner storage container by a toner transport pipe with a built-in transport screw (not shown).

[0057]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
In a color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of image exposing means having the constitutions (1) to (23) are housed inside the image forming body, the image forming body is rotatably supported by an optical system supporting means to which the image exposing means is attached, and is integrated. Therefore, the relative positional accuracy between the inner peripheral surface of the image forming body and the plurality of image exposure means is stably and accurately maintained,
The image forming body can be rotated smoothly, so that a clear color image without color shift can be easily formed, and the assembly, disassembly, maintenance, and attachment / detachment of the integrated optical system supporting means to / from the apparatus main body are easy. It has the effect of being able to do it.

Further, in the apparatus having the constitution of the fifth to eleventh aspects, a lightening hole or a groove is provided in the image forming body bearing support portion of the optical system supporting means, and the lightening hole or the groove is used for the image forming means. Since the integrated optical system support means is used for air cooling, the integrated optical system support means is reduced in weight, and a more stable and clear color image can be formed, and the integrated optical system support means can be assembled and disassembled. This also has the effect of making it easier to perform. Further, in the apparatus having the constitution of the twelfth to eighteenth aspects, the optical system supporting means is hollow, so that the same light weight and stable color image formation, assembling, and disassembly can be more easily obtained. In the apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect and the configuration according to the twenty-first to twenty-third aspects attached thereto, the exposing means fixing portion of the optical system supporting means forms a cavity between fixing portions for fixing both ends of the image exposing means. This also has the effect of reducing the weight of the integrated optical system support means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial front view showing an attached state of an optical system supporting means in which an image forming body of the color image forming apparatus according to the present invention is integrated.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view in the axial direction showing an attached state of an optical system supporting means in which the image forming bodies according to the examples of claims 1 to 11 and 20 to 23 are integrated.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view in the axial direction showing an attached state of an optical system supporting means in which an image forming body according to claims 12 to 18 is integrated.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view in the axial direction showing an attached state of an optical system supporting means in which the image forming bodies according to the nineteenth and twenty-first to twenty-third examples are integrated.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view in the axial direction showing an attached state of an optical system supporting means in which an image forming body according to any one of claims 20 to 23 is integrated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming body 10A End ring 10B End gear ring 10C Bearing 10G Drum gear 11Y-11K Charger 12Y-12K Image exposure means 13Y-13K Developing device 130 Developing sleeve 133-136 Sleeve gear 30 Cavity 31 Unit shaft 31H Hollow Hole 32, 33 Bracket 320, 330 Exposure means fixing part 321, 331 Image forming body bearing support part 35 U-shaped bracket 35B Connecting beam part 36 Phase pin 38 Front plate 70A Front side plate 70B Back side plate 71, 73, 74 Guide support Rail 72 bearing seat

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masayasu Onodera 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor ▲ Hama ▼ Tajuta 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation ( 72) Inventor Toshihide Miura 5-14-14 Midoricho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. An optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing devices arranged around the image forming means. In the color image forming apparatus provided, the optical system supporting means has an image forming body bearing supporting part whose diameter is larger than the exposing means fixing part at a position outside the exposing means fixing part to which the image exposing means is attached, The image forming body having a passive gear on one end side is rotatably supported by the image forming body bearing support portion, and the shaft portion projecting outward from the image forming body bearing support portion is held by the apparatus body side plate. A color image forming apparatus, which is mounted on an apparatus main body. 2. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of a shaft portion of said optical system supporting means held by said apparatus main body side plate is in a range of 10 to 30 mm. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of the shaft portion of the optical system supporting means held by the side plate of the apparatus and protruding outward from the image forming body bearing supporting portion is in a range of 20 to 100 mm. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein electric wiring to said image exposure means is performed from a side opposite to a side of said passive gear.
The color image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. An optical system supporting means to which a plurality of image exposing means are attached, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing devices arranged around the image forming body. In the color image forming apparatus provided, the optical system supporting means has an image forming body having a larger diameter than the exposing means fixing part and having a lightening hole or groove at a position outside the exposing means fixing part to which the image exposing means is attached. A shaft portion having a bearing support portion, the image forming member bearing support portion rotatably supporting the image forming member having a passive gear on the outer periphery at one end side, and projecting outward from the image forming member bearing support portion. A color image forming apparatus characterized in that the color image forming apparatus is mounted on the apparatus main body while holding the device on a side plate of the apparatus main body. 6. An outer diameter of the image forming body bearing support portion is 30 to
The color image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the distance is within a range of 100 mm. 7. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein electric wiring of said image exposure means is passed through a lightening hole or a groove of said image forming body bearing support portion. 8. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the electric wiring of the image exposure unit is connected to a power supply on a side of the image forming body opposite to a side of the passive gear. 9. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an air flow is passed through a lightening hole or a groove of the image forming body bearing support portion. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the airflow flows from a side of the image forming body opposite to the passive gear side into a lightening hole or a groove of the image forming body bearing support portion of the optical system supporting means. 10. The color image forming apparatus according to item 9. 11. A cooling fin is provided in a lightening hole or a groove of the image forming body bearing support portion.
Or a color image forming apparatus according to item 10. 12. An optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing units arranged around the image forming means. In the color image forming apparatus provided, the optical system supporting means is hollow, and at a position outside the exposing means fixing part to which the image exposing means is attached, an image forming body bearing supporting part having a diameter larger than the exposing means fixing part is provided. An apparatus body having a hollow shaft portion rotatably supporting the image forming body having a passive gear on the outer periphery at one end side by the image forming body bearing support portion and projecting outward from the image forming body bearing support portion; A color image forming apparatus, wherein the color image forming apparatus is mounted on an apparatus main body while being held by a side plate. 13. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the outer diameter of the hollow shaft portion of said optical system supporting means held by the apparatus main body side plate is in the range of 30 to 80 mm. 14. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein electric wiring of said image exposure means is passed through a hollow hole of a hollow shaft portion of said optical system support means. 15. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the electric wiring of the image exposure unit is connected to a power supply on a side of the image forming body opposite to a side of the passive gear. 16. An air flow is passed through a hollow hole of a hollow shaft portion of said optical system supporting means.
The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 17. The color image according to claim 16, wherein said air flow flows from a side of said image forming body opposite to a side of a passive gear into a hollow hole of a hollow shaft portion of said optical system supporting means. Forming equipment. 18. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a cooling fin is provided in a hollow hole of a hollow shaft portion of said optical system supporting means. 19. An optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing devices arranged around the image forming body. In the color image forming apparatus provided with, the optical system supporting means is configured such that an exposing means fixing part for attaching the image exposing means forms a cavity between fixing parts for fixing both ends of the image exposing means to form a cavity. Facing the connection portion of the electric wiring of the image exposure means, having an image forming body bearing support portion outside the exposure means fixing portion, rotatably supporting the image forming body by the image forming body bearing support portion, A color image forming apparatus, wherein a shaft portion protruding outside of the image forming body bearing support portion is held by an apparatus main body side plate and mounted on the apparatus main body. 20. An optical system supporting means having a plurality of image exposing means mounted thereon, a drum-shaped image forming body accommodating the image exposing means therein, and a plurality of developing devices arranged around the image forming means. In the color image forming apparatus, the optical system supporting means fixes the image exposing means in which the connection portion of the electric wiring is located on an end face or a side face in a state of being placed on the outer surface, and is provided outside the image exposing means fixing part. An image forming body bearing supporting portion, the image forming body rotatably supported by the image forming body bearing supporting portion, and a shaft portion projecting outward from the image forming body bearing supporting portion is held on the apparatus main body side plate. A color image forming apparatus characterized by being mounted on the apparatus main body. 21. The color image according to claim 19, wherein the image forming body supported by the image forming body bearing support portion has a passive gear on an outer periphery on one end side. Forming equipment. 22. An electric wire of the image exposing means passes through a bearing supported by the image forming body bearing supporting part of the optical system supporting means to connect a connection part of the image exposing means to a power supply. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein: 23. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the power supply of the electric wiring of the image exposing means is on the opposite side of the image forming body from the passive gear side.