JPS6067970A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To replace a developing device easily by providing a selecting means which positions plural developing devices which contain different-color developers selectively at a development position. CONSTITUTION:Developing devices 8a-8d for the three primary colors and black are arrayed in a line on a rail 17 and a moving table 18 as shown by an arrow X perpendicular to the axial direction of a photosensitive body, and the developing devices are moved forth and back by roller guides 20a-20d on columns 19a-19d stood on the moving table 18 in a line as shown by an arrow Z. Therefore, a selected developing device 8 is only pressed in a main body 1 from a through hole 1a in a developing process to replace the developing device 8 easily, and storage and maintenance control are facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of making color hard copies.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems] Many types of electronic color hard copy devices have been proposed in the past, but most of them have the drawbacks of complicated and expensive mechanisms. ing. Furthermore, although hard copy devices can only produce monochrome color, a method has been proposed in which developing devices of different colors are prepared and the developing devices are exchanged to make color hard copies. This often causes inconveniences in use, such as having trouble finding a place to put it, or the developing device of the color you want to use not being nearby.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of developing units containing developers of different colors can be easily replaced. There is a particular thing.

[Summary of the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of developing devices containing developers of different colors, and a selection means for selectively positioning these developing devices at a developing position. It is characterized by Chino.

[Embodiment of the Invention] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 shows an electronic projection 1 which is an image forming apparatus, and 1 in the figure is a main body. On the top surface of the main body 1, there is provided a document placing table 2 which moves according to the copying process, and approximately in the center of the main body 1 there is a drum-shaped photosensitive drum which rotates in synchronization with the document placing table 2. Body 3 is pivoted. An exposure system 7 consisting of a lamp 4, a self-focusing fiber lens array 5, a color filter 6, etc. is located between the photoreceptor 3 and the original table 2.
is provided, which illuminates the original on the original table 2 and guides the reflected light to the photoreceptor 3 to form an image of the original. Further, around the photoreceptor 3, a developing device 8, a transfer device 9, a blue 1110, a charging device @11-, etc. are arranged in order from this image forming position along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 30.

Further, at the bottom of the main body 1, there is provided a transport path 12 for the copy paper p passing through a transfer section between the photoreceptor 3 and the transfer device 9, which is independent from the manual guide 13 or the paper feed cassette 14. The photoconductor 3 is driven at the same speed as the original platen 2, and the copy paper P is fed to the photoconductor 3 and transferred to the paper output tray 16 via the transfer section and the fixing device 15. First, the surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 11. Next, an optical image of the original is projected to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic layer image is then developed by a developing device 8. Then, a transfer corona is applied to the transfer device 9 from the side where the developer 1 and the copy paper 1) have been twisted at the same timing and are transferred onto the copy paper p. The transferred copy paper p is fixed by the fixing device 15 and then discharged.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor 3 after the transfer is cleaned by a cleaning device @10, and the next copying process is repeated.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the developing device 8 has four color developing devices 8a, 8b, 8c, magenta, cyan, yellow, and black, on the side surface of the main body 1.
, 8d are arranged in a - row in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the photoreceptor 3: arrow X direction). Supports 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d are mounted on a movable table 18 that can reciprocate on the base rail 17 in the direction of arrow X (the direction in which the developing devices 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d are arranged).
These branch offices 19a and 19b are erected in a row.

tLO-lar guide 20a on 19C and 19d, respectively.

20b, 20C, and 20d are fixed, and these roller guides 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are movable in the axial direction of the developing devices 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d (axial direction of the photoreceptor 3: arrow Z direction). On the moving side are the four color developing units 8a, 8b, and 8c.

8d is installed. And these developing devices Qa,
8b, 3c, and 8d are moved in the direction of arrow X by the moving table 18,
Roller guides 201'', 20b, 20c, and 20d allow reciprocating movement in the Z direction.

Therefore, the developing units 8a and 8b of the color desired to be copied.

When setting the developing device 8C or 8d at the developing position facing the photoreceptor 3, the developing device 8a, 8b, 8c.

Alternatively, move the moving table 18 in the direction of arrow X so that 8d matches the developing position of the main body 1, and then
, 8c, or 8d may be moved in the direction of arrow Z and pushed into the main body 1 through the through hole 1a. Therefore, the developing devices 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d can be easily replaced.
Not only is it easier to store and maintain the developing units 8a, 8b, 8C, and 8d, but also color hard copies can be easily and inexpensively obtained.

Note that when copying in monochrome, the developer 8a is used.

It is sufficient to simply replace 8b, 8c, and 8'd, but in the case of multi-color or full-color documents, it is necessary to separate the originals by color. In that case, select the color filter 6 of the exposure system 7 to , and perform the copying process on the same copy paper p a number of times according to the number of colors to be copied.

Further, the developing devices 8a, 8b, 8G, and 8d are not limited to being arranged on a plane, but may be arranged in vertical directions and moved up and down on the movable stage 18.

Furthermore, the developing device [8 may be configured as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. That is, on the side of the main body 1, there are four color developing devices 8a, 8b, 8 of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black.
c, 8d are set so that x>ji v-21, and can be rotated around a horizontal axis 220 that is parallel to that axis. That is, the changer 21 has a rotatable arm 24.24 attached to a side plate 23.23. The rotating arm 24.2/Hm has developing devices 8a, 8b, and 8c.

The number of roller guides 25a corresponds to the number of roller guides 8d.

25b, 25c, and 25d are installed. The roller guides 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d are provided with a developing device 8a,
8b, 8c, and 8d are fixed, movable in the two directions of arrows (directions parallel to the horizontal axis 22), and can be set at the developing position in the main body 1 through the through hole 1a. Further, one rotary arm 24 has a rotary handle 26 and a gear 27 integrated therein. This gear 27 meshes with a gear 29 rotatably attached to a fixed shaft 28.

The ratio of the number of teeth between the gear 27 and the gear 29 is 2:1. -Also, a gear 30 is integrated with the two gears, and meshes with a gear 31 which is rotatable relative to the gear 27 (= J-shaped gear 31). 25b, 25c.

It meshes with a gear 32 connected to the side end of 25d. Here, gear 30, gear 31, gear 32°32.
The number of teeth of 32.32 is the same. However, handle 2
6, the gear 31 rotates twice as much as the gear 27, so the four developing units 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d
Rotate while maintaining the positional relationship shown in the figure. Then, the developing devices 8a and 8b have come to the position where they will be used (the position corresponding to the developing position).

Only 8c and 8d are moved in the two directions of the arrows and set in the main body 1.

Note that 33 is a detent for rotating and positioning the rotating arm 24, and the rotating arm 24 is provided with a hole seat so that it can be fixed in a fixed position. Further, 34 is a rotary encoder, which detects the position of the rotary arm 24 and informs the main body 1 of the color of the developing device in use. Thereby, the selection of the color filter 6 and the adjustment between exposures can be performed as necessary on the main body 1 side.

Even with the above arrangement, effects similar to those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

Note that in the above two embodiments, the developing units 8a, 8b, 8c
, 8d has been explained manually, but the developing units 8a and 8d are driven by a motor and are replaced by commands from the main unit 1.
The rotations and linear movements of b, 8c, and 8d may be performed automatically.

Further, regarding the exposure method, although the case of a copying machine using a lens in the optical system has been described, it can also be applied to a printer using a laser operation, a CRT tube, a light emitting diode array, etc.

Furthermore, regarding the replacement of the color filter 6, not only is the color filter 6 automatically replaced in the main body 1, but the color filter 6 is also fixed to the developer unit in the developer units 8a, 8b, and 8c.

8d and the color filter 6 are located close to each other in terms of distance, so they can be integrated), and the developing units 8a and 8b.

It may be possible to replace them at the same time as replacing 3c and 8d.

Further, developing units 8a, 8b, 8. In addition to replacing c, 8d and color filter 6, it is also important to use photoconductors with different wavelength characteristics, or since photoconductors are sometimes considered consumables, parts with different characteristics, Consumable parts, such as charging devices, transfer devices, cleaning devices? 7 may be integrated into a consumable unit (color hard copy replacement unit).

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, since the present invention includes a plurality of developing devices containing developers of different colors and a selection means for selectively positioning these developing devices at the developing position, This provides excellent effects such as facilitating the replacement of a plurality of developing devices containing developers of different colors.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a sectional view of the electronic copying machine, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the developing device, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing device and main body, and FIGS. 4 to 7 show other embodiments of the present invention. 4 is a side view of the developing device, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the developing device and main body with some parts removed.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the developing device, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the developing device. 8...Developing device, 8a, '8b', 8c, Bd-.
・Developer, i a-...Moving table, 20a, 20b, 20
c, 20d...roller guide, 21...changer, 24...rotating arm, 25a, 25b, 25C
, 25d...Roller guide. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a plurality of developing devices containing developers of different colors, and a selection means for selectively positioning these developing devices at development positions. (2) The selection means includes a means for arranging a plurality of conveyors in a line in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction thereof and reciprocating them along the arrangement direction, and a means for reciprocating the plurality of conveyors in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction thereof, and a means for reciprocating the plurality of conveyors in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction thereof, and each 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for reciprocating the developing device in its axial direction. (3) The selection means includes a means for arranging a plurality of developing devices around a horizontal axis parallel to the axial direction of the developing devices and rotating them along the arranging direction, and a developing device that is rotationally moved by this means and corresponding to the developing position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for reciprocating the 1g unit in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis.