JPH11291539A - Method for assembling image exposing means and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an accuracy of an attaching position of a line type exposing optical system to an optical system supporting body by a method wherein plural couples of image exposing means are adhered to the supporting body by using an ultraviolet curable resin and the adhering is carried out such that the ultraviolet radiation is executed by grasping the exposing positions of the image exposing means. SOLUTION: When adhering and fixing an image exposing means 12 to an optical system supporting body 120, inclined faces are provided to bottom faces at both sides of a holding member 12c of the image exposing means 12 in the direction (x) and position adjusting in the direction (z) (pint position direction) is executed by using wedge-shaped spacers 122A each having an inclination angle the same as that of the inclined face. At that time, an ultraviolet curable resin is coated on faces of each of the spacers 122A opposing to the holding member 12c and optical system supporting body 120 and the position adjusting is carried out by monitoring the position of the image exposing means 12. The ultraviolet radiation is executed by means of ultraviolet ray emitting devices 300A, 300B in order to cure the resin. The position shift of the image exposing means 12 in the direction (x) (main scanning direction) is eliminated by changing emission balance by the emitting devices 300A, 300B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., which forms an image by forming a charging means, an image exposing means and a developing means around an image forming body. And a method of assembling an image exposing means in the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one method of forming a multi-color image, a color image is formed by sequentially performing charging, image exposure and development for each color within one rotation of one image forming body. Image forming apparatuses are known.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned color image forming apparatus is capable of forming a high-speed image in a method of forming a multi-color image, but the charging means, the image exposing means and the developing means within one rotation of the photosensitive member. It is necessary to arrange a plurality of sets, and there is a risk that the image exposure means may be stained by toner leaking from the developing means adjacent thereto and impair the image quality. To avoid this, it is necessary to increase the distance between the image exposure means and the developing means. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that the diameter of the photoreceptor is inevitably increased and the size of the apparatus is increased. For the purpose of avoiding this drawback, the substrate of the photoreceptor is formed of a translucent material, and a plurality of image exposure means are accommodated therein, and an image is exposed to the photoreceptor layer formed on the outer periphery thereof through the substrate. For example, an apparatus of the type is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-307307.

[0004]

The image forming apparatus according to the above proposal requires a small image exposing means for accommodating a plurality of image exposing means therein, and a small exposing element is used for the image exposing means. Used. Therefore, an image exposure unit in which a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) are linearly arranged on a substrate as light emitting elements is particularly often used. In the image forming apparatus having such an optical system-incorporated type exposure unit, the light condensing position of each line-shaped light-emitting unit exactly matches the image forming surface of the peripheral surface of the image forming body, and Each arrangement position must be precisely arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval. For this reason, conventionally, each line-shaped exposure optical system is temporarily mounted on an optical system support, and further, a color image process is executed using an image forming apparatus loaded in the image forming body, and the formed image quality is checked. Then, the mounting position of each linear light emitting means was corrected. This adjustment work for correcting the position requires skill and time, which is a problem in assembling the apparatus. Alternatively, each linear exposure optical system is mounted on an optical system support, and position adjustment and focus adjustment are performed using an optical system assembling jig, and then fixed to the optical system support. After attaching the regulating member, it is attached to a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus. However, in the above-described conventional adjustment, even if the optical system assembly jig is accurately adjusted, when the optical system assembly jig is mounted on an actual image forming apparatus, the focus adjustment accuracy and the assembly accuracy of the position control member may cause the optical system focus accuracy and accuracy to be reduced. There is a problem in that the position accuracy in the main scanning direction and the position accuracy in the sub-scanning direction are reduced, and it is necessary to perform readjustment after mounting on an actual machine.

According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having an optical system-incorporated type exposure means, the accuracy of the mounting position of the linear exposure optical system on the optical system support is improved, and the mounting adjustment work time is shortened and the work is facilitated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which achieves image formation and obtains a good image, and a method for assembling image exposure means in such an image forming apparatus with high accuracy.

[0006]

The above object of the present invention is to provide a method of assembling an image exposing means, which comprises an image forming apparatus for exposing a rotating image forming body by an image exposing means on a support. The image exposure means is adhered to the support using an ultraviolet curable resin, and the adhesion is performed by irradiating the ultraviolet light while grasping the exposure position of the image exposure means. This is achieved by a method of assembling exposure means. In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, a plurality of sets of image exposing means are fixed to predetermined positions on a support for an image forming body which rotates in a sub-scanning direction, and main scanning is performed. In an image forming apparatus that performs image exposure in a direction, the image exposure unit is bonded to the support using an ultraviolet curable resin, and in performing the bonding, an ultraviolet light is used while grasping an exposure position by the image exposure unit. This is achieved by an image forming apparatus characterized by being fixed by irradiation. (Invention according to claim 3)

[0007]

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the present application does not limit the technical scope of the claims and the meaning of terms. Also, the following assertive description in the embodiment of the present invention indicates the best mode, and does not limit the meaning of the terms of the present invention or the technical scope.

The color image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment uses a photosensitive drum in which a conductive layer and a photosensitive layer are provided on the outer peripheral surface of a transparent substrate as an image forming body, and is provided inside the photosensitive drum. An image exposure device also has a charger, a developing device,
This is a structure in which image forming process means such as a transfer device, a static eliminator, and a cleaning device are arranged.

The photosensitive drum 10 serving as an image forming body has a cylindrical base formed of a transparent member of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin provided inside, and a transparent conductive layer, an a-Si layer, or an organic photosensitive layer (OPC). ) Is formed on the outer periphery of the substrate, and is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 1 in a grounded state.

In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the photoconductive layer of the photosensitive drum has an exposure light amount capable of providing an appropriate contrast. Therefore, the light transmittance of the transparent substrate of the photosensitive drum in the present embodiment does not need to be 100%, and may be such that a certain amount of light is absorbed when the exposure beam is transmitted. As the material of the translucent substrate, an acrylic resin, particularly one polymerized using methyl methacrylate monomer, has transparency, strength, accuracy,
Acrylic, fluorine used for other general optical members, etc.
Various translucent resins such as polyester, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate can be used. Further, as the light-transmitting conductive layer, a light-transmitting property made of indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide, lead oxide, indium oxide, copper iodide, Au, Ag, Ni, Al, or the like was maintained. A metal thin film is used, and as a film forming method, a vacuum deposition method, an active reaction deposition method, various sputtering methods, various CV
D method, dip coating method, spray coating method and the like are used.
As the photoconductor layer, amorphous silicon (a
-Si) alloy photosensitive layer, amorphous selenium alloy photosensitive layer, and various organic photosensitive layers (OPC) can be used.

Scorotron charger 11 as charging means
(Y), 11 (M), 11 (C), and 11 (K) are used in image forming processes of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The above-mentioned organic photoconductor layer of the drum 10 is charged by a control grid maintained at a predetermined potential and corona discharge by a discharge wire to give a uniform potential to the photoconductor drum 10.

12 (Y), 12 (M), 12 (C), 1
2 (K) is a linear image composed of light-emitting elements arranged linearly in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 10 and a light-collecting fiber lens array (selfoc lens) as an equal-magnification imaging element. Exposure means (image exposure apparatus). These image exposure means 12 (Y), 12 (M), 12 (C), 1
2 (K) is adjusted after the optical support 12 is adjusted.
0, and the image signals of each color read by a separate image reading device are sequentially taken out from the memory, and the exposure devices 12 (Y), 12 (M), 12 (C), 1
2 (K) are input as electric signals.

Developing device 13 as developing means for each color
(Y), 13 (M), 13 (C), and 13 (K) represent one-component or two-component developers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The developing sleeves 130 are accommodated and rotate in the same direction while maintaining a predetermined gap with respect to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

The developing units 13 (Y, M, C,
K) is the scorotron charger 11 (Y, M,
C, K) and the image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C,
K), the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 formed by the image exposure is reversely developed in a non-contact state by a non-contact development method by applying a developing bias voltage.

An original image is temporarily stored in an image read by an image sensor of an image reading apparatus separate from the apparatus or an image edited by a computer as an image signal for each color of Y, M, C and K. And store it.

At the start of image recording, a photoconductor drive motor (not shown) is rotated to rotate the photoconductor drum 10 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1, and at the same time, a scorotron charger 11Y disposed to the right of the photoconductor drum 10. , The application of a potential to the photosensitive drum 10 is started.

After the photoreceptor drum 10 is applied with a potential, the image exposure device 12 (Y) starts exposure with an electric signal corresponding to a first color signal, that is, an image signal of Y, and rotates the photoreceptor drum 10 for rotational scanning. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the Y image of the original image is formed on the photosensitive layer on the surface.

The latent image is reversal-developed by the developing device 13 (Y) in a state where the developer on the developing sleeve 130 is not in contact with the latent image, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed according to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10. .

Next, the photosensitive drum 10 applies a potential to the yellow (Y) toner image by a charging action of a scorotron charger 11 (M) disposed on the right side of the photosensitive drum 10 and above Y. Then, exposure is performed by an electric signal corresponding to the second color signal of the exposure device 12 (M), that is, the image signal of M, and the yellow (Y) of the yellow (Y) is developed by non-contact reversal development by the developing device 13 (M). A magenta (M) toner image is sequentially superimposed on the toner image.

In a similar process, a third device is further provided by a scorotron charger 11 (C), an image exposure device 12 (C) and a developing device 13 (C) arranged above the photosensitive drum 10.
A cyan (C) toner image corresponding to the color signal of the photoconductor drum 10 and a scorotron charger 11 (K) disposed below the C image forming means on the right side of the photosensitive drum 10;
(K) and the developing device 13 (K), a black (K) toner image corresponding to the fourth color signal is sequentially superimposed, and a color image is formed on the peripheral surface within one rotation of the photosensitive drum 10. A toner image is formed.

These image exposure devices 12 (Y), 12
(M), 12 (C), 12 (K) photosensitive drum 1
The exposure of the organic photosensitive layer of No. 0 is performed from the inside of the photosensitive drum 10 through the above-mentioned transparent substrate. Therefore, the exposure of the images corresponding to the second, third, and fourth color signals is performed without any influence from the previously formed toner image, and is equivalent to the image corresponding to the first color signal. It is possible to form an electrostatic latent image.

Thus, the color toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is temporarily transferred to the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 provided as an intermediate transfer means.

[0023] In an endless rubber belt of the intermediate transfer belt 14 has a thickness 0.5~2.0mm as an intermediate transfer member, the silicone rubber or urethane rubber 10 ⁸ ~10 ¹² Ω · cm
And a resistance value of 10 ¹⁰ to 10 ¹⁶ Ω as a toner filming preventing layer on the outside of the rubber substrate.
-It has a two-layer structure in which a fluorine coating having a thickness of 5 to 50 µm is performed in cm. This layer also preferably has a similar semiconductivity. 0.1-0.5m thickness instead of rubber belt base
m, a semiconductive polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like can also be used. The intermediate transfer belt 14 has rollers 14A, 14B,
The photosensitive drum 10 is stretched between the rollers 14C and 14D, and is circulated clockwise in synchronization with the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 10 by the power transmitted to the roller 14D.

The intermediate transfer belt 14 has a roller 14A.
The belt surface between the roller 14B and the roller 14B is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10, while the belt surface on the outer periphery of the roller 14C is in contact with the transfer roller 15, which is a transfer member, to form a toner image transfer area at each contact point. ing.

The color toner image adhered to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is first intermediate-transferred by applying a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the roller 14B at the contact point with the intermediate transfer belt 14. The image is transferred to the peripheral surface of the belt 14. That is, the color toner image on the drum is conveyed to the transfer area without scattering the toner by the guidance of the roller 14A that is grounded,
The intermediate transfer belt 14 is applied by applying a bias voltage of kV.
It is efficiently transferred to the side.

On the other hand, the transfer paper P as a transfer material is carried out by the operation of the paper feed roller 17 of a paper feed cassette (not shown) and fed to the timing roller 18, and the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 14 is formed. Transfer roller 1 in synchronization with conveyance
No. 5 is fed to the transfer area.

The transfer roller 15 is connected to the intermediate transfer belt 14.
The transfer paper P fed in the counterclockwise direction is synchronized with the peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer in the transfer area formed by the nip portion between the transfer roller 15 and the roller 14C in the ground state. The color toner images are successively transferred onto the transfer paper P by applying a bias voltage of the opposite polarity to the toner of 1 to 2 kV to the transfer roller 15 in close contact with the color toner image on the belt 14.

The transfer paper P to which the color toner image has been transferred is neutralized, conveyed to the fixing device 91 via the conveyance plate 19, sandwiched and conveyed between the heat roller 91A and the pressure roller 91B, and heated. After the toner is fused and fixed, the toner is discharged to the outside of the apparatus via a discharge roller 92.

Cleaning devices 100 and 140 as cleaning means are installed on the photosensitive drum 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 14, respectively, and the blades of the respective devices are constantly pressed to remove the remaining adhered toner. The surrounding surface is always kept clean.

In general, the outer diameter of the photoconductor drum 10 depends on the size of the apparatus and the restrictions imposed by the plurality of scorotron chargers 11, the plurality of developing devices 13, the cleaning device 100, and the like provided on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 10. A drum having a diameter between 50 mm and 200 mm is preferably used.
The thickness of the substrate is 2 mm to 10 m corresponding to the drum diameter.
m, while the optical support 120 supporting these photosensitive drums 10 has a smaller diameter by the image exposure device 12 and its imaging distance, and has an outer diameter of 20 mm to 160 mm in the case of a cylindrical pipe. By setting the thickness of the support member 20 to 0.5 mm to 5 mm corresponding to the outer diameter,
It is possible to install the image exposure devices 12 on the optical support 120 with sufficient strength and with a margin.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a main part of the image exposure apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of FIG. 2A. Each image exposure device 12 (Y), 12 (M), 12 (C), 12
Since (K) has the same structure, the image exposure apparatus 12 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2, an exposure device 12 as an image exposure unit for each color includes FL (phosphor emission), EL (electroluminescence), PL (plasma discharge), PL (plasma discharge) arranged in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 10. A linear exposure element in which light-emitting elements such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are arranged in an array, an LISA (magneto-optical effect light shutter array),
PLZT (Transmissive piezoelectric element shutter array), LCS
A light emitting element 1 for emitting exposure light by a linear exposure element or the like in which elements having an optical shutter function such as a (liquid crystal shutter) are arranged.
2a and a light-condensing fiber lens array (selfoc lens) 12b as an equal-magnification imaging element
2a and a Selfoc lens 12 as an equal magnification imaging element
The optical support 120 is configured as a unit attached to a holding member 12c for holding the exposure device b, and has a cylindrical pipe-like or hollow polygonal column-like optical support 120 for fixedly holding an exposure device provided inside the photosensitive drum 10. The image signal of each color stored in the memory is sequentially read out from the memory and input to the image exposure device 12 for each color as an electric signal. The emission wavelength of the light emitting element 12a used in this embodiment is 600 to 900 n.
m.

The light emitting element 12a is, for example, an array in which LEDs are linearly arranged, and is formed on a substrate 12d using, for example, ceramics, Pyrex glass, or the like. Further, the selfoc lens 12b is a small black circle in the figure, and the substrate 12d of the light emitting element 12a is
2c, the image exposure device 12 is configured. The image exposure device 12 for each color is held at a predetermined position by an assembling method to be described later using an assembling jig described below, and is attached and fixed to the optical support 120.

As the optical support 120, which is a common support for each of the image exposure apparatuses 12, a thin hollow member made of a light metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel, preferably a cylindrical pipe or a square pipe is used. Optical support 120 using a metallic hollow member.
The weight and weight of the image forming section are reduced, the heat capacity is small, and the thermal conductivity is good,
The efficiency of temperature control has been increased. In addition, cylindrical and prismatic pipes are also resistant to mechanical deformation.

As the metal hollow member used as the optical support member 120, a metal member such as an aluminum material, a stainless steel material, or a steel material is used. On the other hand, the metal member 12e of the light emitting element 12a is also used, for example, a steel material or the like. A metal member such as an aluminum material or a stainless steel material is used. Further, as a member of the metal spacer 122, which is a block member for adjustment, a metal member such as an aluminum material, a stainless steel material, or a steel material is used. As the metal member used by the three members, other nickel materials, nickel alloys, invar alloys having low thermal expansion, and the like can be used. By using a metal member for the three members, the heat generated in the exposure element 12a portion can be quickly changed to the metal holding member 1.
The uneven temperature distribution and temperature rise of the exposure element 12a, which are transmitted and diffused to the optical support 120 through the spacer 2c and the spacer 122 and affect the displacement and the light quantity fluctuation between the exposure elements 12a due to thermal expansion, are prevented. You.

FIG. 3 shows a state before the image forming body 10 is mounted.
The image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C, K) is
3 (A) is a side view of the image exposure apparatus, and FIG. 3 (B) is a front view of FIG. 3 (A). The x-axis direction (main scanning direction) corresponds to the photosensitive drum 10
And the direction in which the linear light emitting element 12a provided in the image exposure device 12 is positioned parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 10 and the direction of the y-axis (sub-scanning direction). Shows the movement in the movement direction of the. The z-axis direction (focal position direction) indicates the diametrical movement of the photosensitive drum 10 of the image exposure device 12, and indicates the adjustment direction of the focal point position of the selfoc lens 12b using the spacer 122.

FIG. 4 shows the image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C,
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an image forming body 10 containing K) is mounted between device body fixing side plates 1A and 1B of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5A shows the image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C, K).
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the image forming body 10 including the image forming member 10 is mounted between the fixed side plates 1A and 1B, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA, and FIG. B sectional view, FIG.
(D) is a CC sectional view. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a state of adjusting the position of the image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C, K), and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view along the line AA.

The optical support 120 is mounted on the image exposure device 12.
It is divided into two left and right optical supports 120A, 120B supporting both ends of (Y, M, C, K), and both are inserted and supported by a shaft 121 which is a central axis. The optical support 120 is integral and has both ends 120.
A, 120B, the image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C,
K) may be supported. Both ends of the image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C, K) are attached and fixed to the outer peripheral surfaces of the optical supports 120A, 120B. The shaft 121 has two pins 121a and 12a.
1b is implanted at a predetermined position, and the image exposure device 12
After inserting (Y, M, C, K) into the shaft 121, the right optical support 12 shown in FIG.
OB, the V-shaped groove on the right side thereof is brought into contact with the left side pin 12.
The right side surface of the optical support 120A on the left side in the figure is brought into contact with 1a, and positioning in the axial direction is performed.

If the optical support 120 has the optical supports 120A and 120B and the shaft 121 integrally formed from the beginning, the above operation is not necessary.

The optical supports 120A, 120A supporting and attaching both ends of the image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C, K)
B support portions 120a and 120b have side surfaces of a polygonal column shape (the illustrated shape is a regular hexagonal column shape).
The reference numerals 0a and 120b are set in advance so as to be coplanar on the surface plate. The image exposure device 12 (Y, M, C,
K) is fixed via a wedge-shaped spacer 122 after the position adjustment described below is performed. When the accuracy of each member is sufficiently maintained, the spacer 122 may not be used.

The other end (the left end in the figure) of the optical support 120A is a cylindrical surface 120 concentric with the shaft 121.
The inner ring portion of the ball bearing member (position regulating member) 123 is press-fitted into the cylindrical surface portion 120b. The outer ring portion of the ball bearing member 123 is pressed into the inner diameter portion at the left end of the image forming body 10 in the figure.

The other end (the right end in the figure) of the optical support 120B is a cylindrical surface 120 concentric with the shaft 121.
The inner ring portion of the ball bearing member (position regulating member) 124 is press-fitted into the cylindrical surface portion 120c. The outer ring portion of the ball bearing member 124 is pressed into the inner diameter portion of the image forming member driving member 125. The image forming body driving member 125 is fitted and fixed to the inner diameter portion of the image forming body 10.

At the leftmost end of the shaft 121 in the figure,
The inner diameter portion of the left side plate attachment member 126 is fitted, and the flange portion of the left side plate attachment member 126 is positioned and fixed to the left side plate 1A of the image forming apparatus. Further, an inner diameter portion of a right side plate attaching member 127 is fitted to the rightmost end of the shaft 121 in the figure,
The flange portion of the right side plate attaching member 127 abuts on the right side plate 1B of the image forming apparatus, and is positioned and fixed to the right side plate 1B by a screw screwed to the rightmost end of the shaft 121. The pin 121c near the right end of the shaft 121 is fitted in a mounting reference groove (not shown) provided in the inner diameter portion of the right side plate mounting member 127 to position the shaft 121 in the rotation direction.

With the above configuration, after the position of the image exposure means 12 (Y, M, C, K) shown in FIG. 6 is adjusted, each mounting position of the image exposure means 12 (Y, M, C, K) is adjusted. And the outer diameters of the ball bearing members 123 and 124 are integrally fixed and coaxial, so that there is no relative position error. Therefore, in this state, if the image forming body 10 is mounted and assembled as shown in FIG. 5, and further mounted to the image forming apparatus main body as an actual machine as shown in FIG. Can be installed accurately.

FIG. 7 shows the image exposure means 12 (Y, M, C,
Exposure optical system assembly adjustment device 200 for adjusting the position of K)
FIG. 8 is a front view of the assembling adjustment device 200, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing adjustment control means of the assembly adjustment device 200.

Image exposure means 12 by assembly adjustment device 200
In adjusting the assembly of (Y, M, C, K), first, the optical support 1 supporting the image exposure means 12 (Y, M, C, K)
20A and 120B are connected to ball bearing members 123 and 12 respectively.
4, it is fitted to support members 128A, 128B on the surface plate and is rotatably supported.
The shaft 121 passing through 120B is adjusted and erected so as to be horizontal. A scale plate of a rotary encoder 206 is attached to one shaft end of the shaft 121, and each of the image exposure units 12 (Y), 12 (M), 1
Precise positioning in the rotational direction (sub-scanning direction y) when mounting and fixing 2 (C) and 12 (K) is performed.

Two sets of left and right fine movement stages 201A, 201 are provided near both ends of the image exposure means 12 during the mounting adjustment.
B has gripping portions 202A and 202B, and the vicinity of both ends of the image exposure means 12 is gripped by the gripping portions 202A and 202B. Fine movement stages 201A, 201B
Is installed on a fixed base 203, and the gripping portions 202A,
By finely moving 202B in a three-dimensional direction (x, y, z directions), a fine adjustment of the mounting position of the image exposure means 12 to 10 μm or less is performed. Note that the gripping portions 202A, 202B
A cylindrical resin member or the like is used for the leading end gripping portion, and is gripped without damaging the image exposure means 12 and slipping.

A column 204 fixed on the fixed base 203
Light detecting means (light detecting sensors) 205A and 205B are arranged on the upper end of the image exposing means 12Y on the side opposite to both ends of the linear selfoc lens 12b. The light detecting means 205A and 205B are, for example, two-dimensional C
A position formed by a CD sensor and formed by the exposure optical system 12 using the reference image forming body 10, that is, a position equivalent to the image forming reference position on the outer peripheral surface of the reference image forming body 10 (acrylic having a refractive index different from air). (Because the LED light passes through a resin-made transparent substrate). Then, while specific pixels at both ends of the line-shaped light emitting element 12a are turned on, the x, y position and the focus position z of the image exposure unit 12 are adjusted while being detected by the light detection units 205A and 205B.
The light detecting means 205A and 205B are, for example, 500 × 50
This is a two-dimensional CCD sensor composed of 0 pixels, and the size of one pixel is 5 to 10 μm. The fine movement stage 201
A, 201B causes the image exposure means 12 to slightly move in the X, Y, and Z directions so that the image formation position of the lit specific LED is set to a specified pixel in the area of the two-dimensional CCD sensors 205A and 205B. A state of the coincidence is detected, and the detected state is displayed on the display means (CRT monitor) 208.

The adjustment of the mounting position of the image exposure means 12 on the optical support 120 is performed for the x, y, and z positions while observing the display on the display means 208. The adjustment of the z position is detected by the image formation state (illuminance or spot diameter) of the lit specific pixel received by the light detection means 205A and 205B, and the wedge-shaped spacer 122 is placed between the exposure means 12 and the optical support 120. This is performed by inserting and fixing the position.

In the present invention, in particular, in fixing the image exposure means 12 to the optical support 120 after adjustment in the x and y directions, an ultraviolet curable resin is used as the fixing means, and both ends of the linear light emitting element 12a are specified. CR
The UV curable resin is used as the adhesive to fix the position by adjusting the position of the exposure light by ultraviolet irradiation while grasping the exposure position by the T monitor 208.・ Because it is fixed. However, according to the study of the present inventor, it takes about 1-2 minutes to adhere and fix by ultraviolet irradiation, though it depends on the amount of ultraviolet irradiation. As the ultraviolet curable resin, those having anaerobic curability are mainly used. This anaerobic curability works by blocking the air. The ultraviolet curable resin is applied so as to protrude to the side surface of the image exposure means 12, and is irradiated with ultraviolet light to be cured, whereby the air is shut off and the part not irradiated with ultraviolet light is also cured. In particular, due to the shrinkage of the ultraviolet curable resin that has protruded on this side surface during curing by irradiation with ultraviolet light, a position shift of about 100 μm may occur in the irradiation direction during curing.

In the present invention, the optical support 12 of the image exposure means 12 is used.
In fixing to the position 0, the position of the image exposure means 12 is monitored by the CRT monitor 208, and ultraviolet light is irradiated to the position where the ultraviolet curable resin is applied. If the position of the image exposure means 12 tends to shift during the process of bonding and fixing, the irradiation balance of the ultraviolet light to be irradiated is changed to correct the position shift of the image exposure means 12 in the direction of zero. By performing bonding and fixing while monitoring using such an ultraviolet curable resin, the image exposure means 12 can be fixed while suppressing the deviation from a predetermined adjustment position within a range of 0 to 20 μm. It becomes possible.

Next, the fixing of the image exposure means 12 to the optical support 120 will be described with reference to a specific example.

FIG. 10 shows a first specific example, in which FIG. 10 (a) is a plan view and FIG. 10 (b) is a side view. An inclined surface is provided on both bottom surfaces in the x direction of the holding member 12c of the image exposure means 12, and the position adjustment in the z direction (focus position direction) is performed by a wedge-shaped spacer 122A having the same inclination angle. Holding member 1 for spacer 122A
UV curable resin is applied to the inclined surface facing 2c and the surface where the spacer 122A faces the optical support 120,
The position of the image exposure means 12 is adjusted to a predetermined position while monitoring the position of the image exposure means 12 (in the drawing, the coating surface is indicated by B), and ultraviolet light is irradiated from two opposing directions in the x direction by ultraviolet light irradiators 300A and 300B using, for example, optical fibers. I do.

When monitoring is performed while irradiating the ultraviolet rays, the positional deviation in the y direction (sub-scanning direction) can be suppressed during bonding and fixing, but the image exposing means 12 can be displaced in the x direction (main scanning direction). Often occur. In this case, the irradiation balance by the ultraviolet irradiators 300A and 300B is changed in the direction to eliminate the above-mentioned positional deviation, and the ultraviolet irradiation is continued while correcting the positional deviation, and the image exposure means 12 is fixed to the complete optical support 120. In this manner, the displacement from a predetermined position can be suppressed to within 20 μm by such an adjustment and fixing method.

FIG. 11 shows a second specific example. FIG. 11 (a) is a plan view and FIG. 11 (b) is a side view. In order to adjust the position of the image exposure means 12 in the z direction (focus position direction), two wedge-shaped spacers 122B and 122C having the same inclination angle are provided as a set and provided on both bottom surfaces in the x direction of the holding member 12c. , X, y directions as well as the z direction. An ultraviolet-curable resin is applied to the surfaces of the holding member 12c, the spacers 122B, 122C, and the optical support 120, which are in contact with each other, and a predetermined position is determined by fine adjustment of the grippers 202A, 202B (the application surface is indicated by B in the figure). Set to. Then, while monitoring, as shown in the figure, a four-way ultraviolet irradiator 3 was used.
Ultraviolet irradiation from 00C, 300D, 300E, and 300F is performed, and adhesion and fixing are performed while performing fine adjustment in the x direction (main scanning direction) and the y direction (sub scanning direction) by changing the irradiation balance.

For example, when the image exposure means 12
When there is a displacement in the direction, the ultraviolet irradiator 300
The irradiation balance between the total amount of ultraviolet irradiation by C and 300D and the total amount of ultraviolet irradiation by ultraviolet irradiators 300E and 300F is changed in a direction to eliminate the above-mentioned positional deviation, and the ultraviolet irradiation is performed while correcting the positional deviation. . When the image exposure means 12 is displaced in the y direction during the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays, the total irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiators 300C and 300E and the ultraviolet irradiators 300D and 300E
The irradiation balance with the total amount of ultraviolet irradiation by F is changed in a direction to eliminate the above-described positional deviation, and the ultraviolet irradiation is performed while correcting the positional deviation. Further, when a displacement occurs in the x direction and the y direction, the change of the irradiation balance when the displacement in the x direction occurs and the change in the irradiation balance when the displacement occurs in the y direction are combined. By continuing the ultraviolet irradiation and performing assembly adjustment while monitoring so that the image exposure means 12 is completely fixed to the optical support 120, the displacement in both the x and y directions is 20 μm.
It is possible to keep it below.

FIG. 12 shows a third specific example. FIG. 12 (a) is a plan view and FIG. 12 (b) is a side view. This is an example in which the component accuracy is sufficiently maintained and the position adjustment using a spacer is not required in the z direction. The holding member 12c of the image exposure unit 12 is directly bonded to the optical support 120 using an ultraviolet curable resin. Fix it. In this specific example, an ultraviolet curable resin is applied to the bottom surface of the central portion in the x direction of the image exposure means 12 and set to a predetermined position by fine adjustment of the gripping portions 202A and 202B (indicated by the application surface B in the figure). Do.

Then, ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet ray irradiators 300G and 300H facing each other in the y direction at the central portion while monitoring. Although the displacement in the x direction (main scanning direction) is suppressed during the bonding and fixing, the image exposure means 12 often causes a displacement in the y direction (sub scanning direction).
In this case, the irradiation balance by the UV irradiators 300G and 300H is changed in a direction to eliminate the above-mentioned positional deviation,
By continuously irradiating ultraviolet rays while correcting the misalignment in the zero direction and performing assembly adjustment so that the image exposure means 12 is completely fixed to the optical support 120, the misalignment from a predetermined position can be suppressed within 20 μm. It becomes possible.

When the attachment of the image exposure means 12 (Y) to the optical support 120 is completed as described above, the optical support 120 is rotated by a predetermined angle while the rotation angle is detected by the rotary encoder 206. The positions of the image exposure means 12 (M), 12 (C), and 12 (K) are sequentially adjusted, and high-precision bonding and fixing are performed while monitoring using an ultraviolet curable resin.

After the adjustment and bonding of the image exposure means 12 (Y, M, C, K), the optical support 120 has the ball bearing members 123, 124, the image forming body 10, and the image forming body driving member 1.
25 are sequentially mounted (see FIG. 5).

Fixed side plate 1 of image forming apparatus 1 as an actual machine
A, 1B, the image exposure means 12 (Y, M, C, K)
Is inserted, and the left side plate attaching member 12 is inserted.
6 and the right side plate mounting member 127 are axially mounted on the shaft 121, and are fixed to the apparatus main body fixing side plates 1A and 1B using screws or the like, and the assembly is completed.

Further, even when the image exposure means 12 is placed outside the image forming body 10 or when a laser exposure system unit is used as the image exposure means 12, the same effect can be obtained by the same method.

[0062]

According to the present invention, when the position adjustment is performed using an ultraviolet curable resin to fix the image exposure means on the optical support, ultraviolet light irradiation is performed to perform bonding and fixing. The image exposure means shifts with respect to the optical support because it cures while shrinking from the part where the ultraviolet irradiation was performed. The adhesive is fixed in the adjusted form (claims 1 and 2).

A color image formed by incorporating an optical support having the image exposure means assembled by the method of assembling the image exposure means according to the first and second aspects into an image forming body has no color shift or blur. No image forming apparatus has been provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus suitable as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view and a perspective view of a main part of the image exposure apparatus.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a side view and a front view showing a state where the image exposure apparatus is mounted on an optical support.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an image forming body including the image exposure apparatus is mounted between fixed side plates of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before an image forming body including an image exposure device is mounted between fixed side plates, and FIG.
-A sectional view, (C) is BB sectional view, (D) is CC sectional view.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the image exposure apparatus during positioning adjustment, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view along AA.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an assembly adjustment device that adjusts the position of an image exposure unit.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the assembly adjusting device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing adjustment control means of the image exposure means.

FIG. 10 is a first specific example in which image exposure means is mounted and fixed.

FIG. 11 shows a second specific example of mounting and fixing the image exposure means.

FIG. 12 is a third specific example of mounting and fixing the image exposure means.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image Forming Apparatus 10 Image Forming Body (Photosensitive Drum) 12, 12 (Y, M, C, K) Image Exposure Unit (Image Exposure Apparatus) 12a Light Emitting Element 12b 1: 1 Imaging Element (Concentrating Fiber Lens Array, Selfoc lens) 12c Holding member 120, 120A, 120B Optical support 121 Shaft 122 Spacer 200 Assembly adjustment device 201, 201A, 201B Fine movement stage 202A, 202B Gripping portion 205A, 205B Light detection means (light detection sensor, two-dimensional CCD sensor) ) 206 Rotary encoder 207 Control means 208 Display means (CRT monitor) 300 UV irradiator

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus for exposing a rotating image forming body to image by means of image exposing means on a support, wherein an ultraviolet curable resin is used to fix a plurality of sets of image exposing means on the support. A method of assembling an image exposure unit, wherein the bonding is performed by irradiating an ultraviolet ray while grasping an exposure position by the image exposure unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in fixing the image exposure unit, irradiation is performed by changing an irradiation balance of ultraviolet light to be applied from a symmetric direction in accordance with a change in an exposure position by the image exposure unit. A method for assembling the image exposure means according to the above. 3. An image forming body which rotates in the sub-scanning direction.
In an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of sets of image exposure means are fixed at predetermined positions on a support and image exposure is performed in a main scanning direction, the image exposure means is adhered to the support using an ultraviolet curable resin. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the bonding is performed by irradiating ultraviolet rays while grasping the exposure position by the image exposure means. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the fixing of the image exposure means is performed by changing an irradiation balance of ultraviolet light to be applied from a symmetrical direction in accordance with a change in an exposure position of the image exposure means. The image forming apparatus as described in the above.