JPS585428B2 - Electrophotocopy machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine, and particularly relates to an improvement of a wet-type electrophotographic copying machine. A wet-type electrophotographic copying machine has a photosensitive paper feeding device for inserting photosensitive paper into the copying machine, It is comprised of a charging device for placing charges, an exposure device for exposing photosensitive paper according to an original image, a developing device equipped with a developing tank and a developer supply pump, a photosensitive paper conveying device, and the like.

In conventional wet-type electrophotographic copying machines, problems have arisen because each part is driven simultaneously with a signal to start operation of the copying machine, and other parts are not properly controlled in relation to each other.

For example, after the photosensitive paper is stopped at the exposure position by the conveyance device, exposure is started immediately without a certain time lag, so due to problems such as the expansion and contraction of the conveyor belt, the state is not ready for normal copying instantly, and therefore the exposure Sometimes image blur occurs,
Alternatively, since the developer pump is configured to constantly operate to circulate the developer, problems such as a large amount of evaporation of the developer and an increase in the number of times the developer is replenished occur.

In addition, replacing and replenishing the developer is very troublesome because the developer pump is installed inside the developer tank.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, to obtain stable images at all times with simple operation, and to simplify maintenance, as well as to appropriately control the driving of each part of a copying machine in relation to each other. It is desirable to provide an electrophotographic copying machine with a control mechanism, and more preferably, allows for easy and accurate loading of originals, the ability to use different or special sizes of photosensitive paper, and the ability to replace developer. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic copying machine that allows easy work.

Therefore, the electrophotographic copying machine according to the present invention has the following features (a) to (
(a) a photosensitive paper feeding device for inserting the photosensitive paper in the photosensitive paper storage container into the copying machine;
(b) a charging device that charges the supplied photosensitive paper;
(c) an exposure device for exposing the photosensitive paper according to the original image; (d) a photosensitive paper detector installed at the entrance for inserting the photosensitive paper to detect the presence or absence of the photosensitive paper; (e) a developing tank; a developing device equipped with a developer supply pump; (f) a photosensitive paper conveying device for transporting the exposed photosensitive paper to the developing device; and (g) a detection signal from the photosensitive paper detector configured to sequentially operate a plurality of switch means. It is a control mechanism operated by

In addition, in the present invention, the developer supply pump, the photosensitive paper transport device, and the exposure device are connected to each (contact point) of the control mechanism.
It is connected to a switch means, and the operation of the switch means controls the drive of each part.

Further, in the present invention, the developer pump can be drawn out from the developer tank with a simple structure, and the supply of photosensitive paper can be switched between automatic and manual operation.

The present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

A document guide film 3 through which light passes is installed between a document placing table 1 made of transparent optical glass and a document holding plate 2 made of a flexible material.

3-1 is the manuscript.

The photosensitive paper 5-1 is stored in a sheet photosensitive paper storage container 5, and a photosensitive paper manual insertion guide 5-3 is provided on the storage container lid 5-2.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an automatic feed roller for photosensitive paper, and a switching lever 7 is provided integrally with a bearing plate 6-1 of the automatic feed roller 6.

8 is a photosensitive paper detection switch, 9 is a first paper feed roller, 10
11 is a charger, 11 is a photosensitive paper transport section, 11-1 is a transport belt, and 11-2 is a vacuum box.

An optical box 12 that constitutes an exposure device includes an optical lens 12
-1, a surface reflecting mirror 12-2, an exposure lamp 12-3, and a positioning lamp 4 are provided, and one end of each of left and right light-shielding belts 13 and 14 in the drawing is fixed.

This optical box 12 reciprocates along a defined section along a guide bar 15 in response to a defined signal.

16 is a second paper feed roller, 17 is a developing section, 17 is a squeeze roller, 19 is a developing tank, and 20 is a developer supply pump which supplies the developer 19-1 in the developer tank 19 to the developing section 17.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a developer tray for refluxing the developer supplied to the developing section to the developer tank 19.

22 is a drying section, 22-1 is a drying fan, 22-2 is a heater, 22-3 is a photosensitive paper delivery belt, 23 is a holder for a copy receiver, 24 is a copy receiver, and 24-1 is a fulcrum shaft for the copy receiver. .

Next, the operation will be explained. First, when the power is turned on, the original positioning lamp 4 lights up at the bottom of the original placing table 1.

Open the document presser plate 2 in the direction of arrow B (Fig. 2). When the document 3-1 is placed face down on the document placement table 1, the image of the document 3-1 will be on the back side by the light of the alignment lamp 4. A guide film 3 as shown in FIG.
The original 3-1 can be set in the correct position by aligning it with the reference line marked.

At this point, the document holding plate 2 is closed by tilting it toward you, and the document setting work is completed.

Next, when a print button (not shown) is pressed, the automatic feed roller 6 rotates at a constant rate, and one sheet of the uppermost photosensitive paper 5-1 in the document storage container 5 is sent in the direction of the first paper feed roller 19.

The leading edge of the sent-out photosensitive paper 5-1 operates the photosensitive paper detection switch 8, whereby the optical box 12 starts moving rightward and the positioning lamp 4 is turned off.

The photosensitive paper 5-1 is further fed by the first paper feed roller 9, charged by the charger 10, reaches the photosensitive paper conveying section 11, and further conveyed by the conveying belt 11-1.

When the trailing edge of the photosensitive paper passes the detection switch 8, a control mechanism (described later) shown in FIG. Stay in place.

In addition, the second signal from the control mechanism causes the developer supply pump 2 to
0 starts operating, and the developer 19-1 in the developer tank 19 is sent to the developer section 17.

The developer 19-1 sent to the developing section 17 wets the squeezing roller 18, is collected in the developer tray 21, and is returned to the developer tank.

On the other hand, the optical box 12 has already completed its movement to the right end, and the exposure lamp 12 is activated by the third signal issued from the control mechanism after a certain period of time after the photosensitive paper stops on the conveying section 11.
-3 lights up and a fourth signal is issued after a certain period of time to start moving to the left and exposure begins, and the image of the original 3-1 is sequentially exposed through the front reflecting mirror 12-2 and the optical lens 12-1. projected onto the paper.

At this time, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged photosensitive paper surface.

When the optical box 12 reaches the left end, exposure is completed, the exposure lamp 12-3 is turned off, and the alignment lamp 4 is turned on.

At the same time, the conveyance bell port 11-1 starts moving, and the exposed photosensitive paper is sent to the developing section 17 by the second paper feed roller 16, and is immersed in a developing solution to be developed, and the electrostatic latent image becomes visible. Become a statue.

The developed photosensitive paper is further fed, the developer is squeezed out by a squeeze roller 18, and the paper is sent to a drying section 22 where a drying fan 2
2-1, it is dried by warm air from a heater 22-2, and is carried out onto the copy receiving tray 24 by a carrying-out belt 22-3.

At this point, one cycle of operation of the control mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is completed and a fifth signal is issued.

This fifth signal stops the operation of the pump 20, and the supply of developer to the developing section 17 is stopped.

The above describes the operation during automatic paper feeding, but this machine also allows manual insertion of photosensitive paper by adding an extremely simple mechanism.

That is, for example, if you use photosensitive paper of other sizes or special sizes,

The bearing of the automatic feed roller 6 shown in FIG. It is held at an upper position of the storage container 5, creating a passage for manual insertion.

Therefore, photosensitive paper 5-4 of other sizes or special sizes can be inserted along the manual insertion guide 5-3.

The leading edge of the manually inserted photosensitive paper operates the detection switch 8 and reaches the first paper feed roller 9.

Thereafter, the turning operation as in the case of automatic insertion described above is performed.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the document placing table. The document placing table 1 made of transparent optical glass is placed on the main body frame 100, and the inclined ends 101-1, 101-1 of the external covers 101, 102 are placed on the main body frame 100.
It is held down by 2-2.

The original holding plate 2 and the guide film 3 are attached to the main body frame 1.
The guide film 3 is pivotally supported by a fulcrum metal fitting 105 provided at 00 and a flexible original holding plate support metal fitting 106, and a reference line is marked on the guide film 3.

When a thick document is used, the document presser plate 2 and guide film 3 can be easily removed by pulling out the flexible document presser plate support fitting 106 in the direction of arrow C.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the control mechanism section.

A chain wheel 201 is fixed to the output shaft of a drive motor 200.

A chain wheel 203 is fixed to the shaft of the worm 204, and both chain wheels 2
01,203 are connected by chain 202.

205 is a worm wheel, 206 is a one-turn clutch, 2
07 is a one-turn clutch output shaft, and 208 is a one-turn clutch solenoid.

The one-turn clutch lever 209 is operated by a solenoid 208.

210 is a fulcrum shaft of the lever 209, and 211 is a lever return spring.

A control cam 212 is attached to the end of the one-turn clutch output shaft 207.

First to fifth signal contact switches 213 to 217, which are operated by the rotation of the control cam 212, are arranged around the cam 212 in a predetermined order.

When the trailing edge of the photosensitive paper passes the detection switch 8 (FIG. 1), a solenoid 208 is activated by a signal from the detection switch 8.

At this time, the rotation of the drive motor 200 is caused by the chain wheel 201 and the chain 20.
2 and a chain wheel 203 to the worm 204.

A worm wheel 205 that engages with the worm 204 is supported on a one-turn clutch output shaft 207 and idles due to the action of a clutch 206.

The lever 209 is moved to the shaft 210 by the operation of the solenoid 208.
The bent end portion 209- of the lever 209 rotates using the lever 209 as a fulcrum.
1 is removed from the groove 206-1 of the clutch 206.

Therefore, the clutch 206 operates, the rotation of the worm wheel 205 is transmitted to the output shaft 207, and the cam 212 fixed to the output shaft 207 starts rotating.

By the time the cam 212 completes one revolution, the operation of the solenoid 208 is released by a signal (not shown), and the lever 209 is rotated in the opposite direction with the fork 210 as a support shaft by the action of the lever return spring 211, and the cam 1 is rotated in the opposite direction. After the rotation is completed, the bent tip 209-1 fits into the groove 206-1 and the clutch 2
06 stops after one rotation.

Each of the contact switches 213 to 217 operates in a predetermined order and at a predetermined time during one rotation of the cam 212 to generate the first to fifth signals.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the developing device.

A developing tank guide member 30 is attached to the lower surface of the main body frame 300.
1 is attached, and a vertical movement guide member 302 of the pump 20 is attached to the upper surface of the main body frame 300.

A pump drawer bar 304 is rotatably attached to the pump coupling fitting 305.

A knob 303 is fixed to the upper end of this bar 304.

A protruding member 3 for preventing the pump from falling is placed at a predetermined position on the bar 304.
06 is provided.

A pump fall prevention plate 30 is attached to the upper end of the guide member 302.
7 is fixed.

This plate 307 includes a bar 304 and a projection member 30.
A groove 307-1 corresponding to ← is formed.

One end of the flexible slurry supply pipe 308 is connected to the pump head 20-1, and the other end is connected to the developer delivery pipe 17-2.
Connect to.

Reference numeral 17-3 is a lower developing guide, and 17-4 is an upper developing section guide.

When the developing device is used, the pump 20 is operated by the second signal, and the developer 19-1 in the developer tank 19 is sent from the pump head 20-1 to the developer delivery pipe 17-2 via the supply pipe 308. , is further sent between the lower and upper developing guides 17-3 and 17-4, moistens the squeezing roller 18, is collected in the developer tray 21, and is returned to the developer tank 19 from its outlet.

The photosensitive paper, on which an electrostatic latent image has been formed by exposure and is fed into the developing section 17 by the second paper feed roller 16, is moved by both guides 17-
3 and 17-4, excess developer is squeezed out by a squeezing roller 18, and sent to a drying section 22.

When replacing the developer, hold the knob 303 and move the rod 304 upwards, and simultaneously move the pump 20 connected to it upwards so that the bottom surface of the pump head 20-1 is inserted through the developer tank 19's developer return port 19-2. Pull it upwards.

At this time, the protrusion member 306 is formed in advance so that the protrusion member 306 is positioned above the groove 307-1, and if the knob 303 is rotated in the direction of arrow E, the protrusion member 306 is supported on the plate 307 and the pump 20 The pump head 20-1 is held above the developer tank 19.

Therefore, the developer tank can be moved in the direction of the arrow (toward the equipment operation side), taken out, and replaced with developer.

As described above, the electrophotographic copying machine of the present invention has a structure that uses a guide film marked with a reference line, so that originals can be set easily and accurately. It is equipped with a control mechanism that sequentially sends out control signals for each part based on the output of a detector, and is configured to provide a certain time difference between the time when the photosensitive paper stops and the start of exposure. This method has advantages such as being able to prevent blurring and minimizing evaporation of the developer since the developer pump is stopped except when necessary, which helps stabilize the image.

Furthermore, since the developer pump can be pulled up and held, the developer can be easily replaced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electrophotographic copying machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of the document mounting table according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a control mechanism according to the present invention. 4 are detailed views of the photosensitive paper supplying device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the developing device according to the present invention. 3-1... Original document, 5... Photosensitive paper storage container, 6... Automatic feed roller, 8... Photosensitive paper detection switch, 11-1. ...conveyor belt,
12...Optical box, 19...Developing tank, 20...Developer supply pump, 212...
...Control cam, 213, 214, 215° 216
．． 217...Contact switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 (a) A photosensitive paper supply device for inserting photosensitive paper into a copying machine; (b) A charging device for charging the photosensitive paper; (c) Exposure of the photosensitive paper in accordance with an original image (d) A photosensitive paper detector installed at the inlet for photosensitive paper insertion to detect the presence or absence of photosensitive paper; (e) A developing device equipped with a developing tank and a developer supply pump; (f) ) a photosensitive paper conveying device that conveys the exposed photosensitive paper to a developing device; and (g) a control mechanism configured to be activated by a detection signal from the photosensitive paper detector and to sequentially operate a plurality of switch means. In a developed electrophotographic copying machine, a developer supply pump drawer member is attached to the developer supply pump, a protrusion is formed on this member, and a support member that supports the protrusion is fixed to the copying machine main body to perform development. An electrophotographic copying machine characterized in that the developer supply pump can be fixedly held at a position where the pump head immersed in the tank is pulled out above the developer tank. 2. The electrophotographic copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive paper feeding device includes an automatic feed roller that engages with the uppermost side of the photosensitive paper in the photosensitive paper storage container, and this roller receives a copy start signal. The uppermost sheet of photosensitive paper is inserted into the copying machine, and the automatic feed roller has a mechanism for fixing and holding this automatic feed roller at a position away from the photosensitive paper in the container, and the photosensitive paper is inserted from the photosensitive paper insertion entrance. An electrophotographic copying machine characterized in that paper can be manually inserted.