JPS61129663A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To erase easily the optional part of an original image by irradiating spot light and fiber lens array light to the specific position and range of the original surface to assign said position and range and erasing the electric charge of a photosensitive device applied preliminarily with the charge. CONSTITUTION:A spot light source 58 is provided slidably in an x-axis direction on a carriage 44 which is shielded of the light from a lamp 5 for irradiating an original tray 2. The operator operates keys 42a-42d to drive 78 pulse motors 49, 60 via a CPU77 so as to move the light source 58 to, for example, the points S1, S2 on the original. The coordinates x1, y1 and x2, y2 of the points S1, S2 are stored in the CPU77. A latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum 3 by a copying device not shown. An array 73 consisting of light convergent fiber lenses is provided on the down stream of an exposing optical system. When the operator pushes an erasing button 42e, an LED lighting circuit is driven by the command from the CPU77 to light the LED between x1 and x2 of the array 73 from y1 to y2 so that the electric charge of the latent image corresponding to the hatched part shown in the figure is erased. The optional part of the image is thus easily erased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine.

(Technical Background of the Invention and Problems Therewith) Generally, electronic copying machines copy original images onto paper as they are, or enlarge or reduce original images to make copies. By the way, there may be unnecessary parts in the content of the manuscript. However, with conventional copying machines, it is not possible to selectively erase the contents of a document before copying.

Therefore, recently, for example, a spot light is irradiated onto the original image, the spot light is moved to specify an erasing range, and the electrostatic latent image is irradiated with light on the photoreceptor drum corresponding to this specified erasing range. Alternatively, a device in which an image is formed by erasing the charge has been proposed prior to the present invention.

However, this used an ordinary convex lens as a means for forming a spot light. For this reason, if the focal length is shortened, the convex lens itself becomes very small, so not only can the focal length not be shortened and miniaturization cannot be achieved, but high precision is also required. Furthermore, in order to accurately position the lens, the supporting structure thereof becomes very complicated.

Further, there are problems such as the fact that the focal length cannot be easily changed by processing the same lens.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to be able to form an image by erasing any part of the original image, to achieve precision miniaturization, and to simplify the support structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ITF&forming device that allows for the improvement of the focal length, shortening of the focal length, and facilitation of changing the focal length.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention irradiates a spotlight onto the document surface, moves this spotlight to designate an erasing range, and applies light to a photoreceptor in accordance with the designated erasing range. This is a configuration in which an image is formed by irradiating the image to erase the charge on the photoreceptor, and is characterized in that a light-converging fiber lens is used to form a spot light that is irradiated onto the surface of the document.

[Embodiments of the invention]

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

23 and 24 show a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and in these figures 1
is the main body. A document table 2 for supporting a document is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1, and a photoreceptor drum 3 that rotates in a predetermined direction is pivotally supported approximately at the center of the main body 1. An exposure optical system 4 is provided between the photosensitive drum 3 and the document table 2, and a scanning lamp 5 and a scanning mirror 6 scan the document on the document table 2 at a predetermined speed. At the same time, the guide mirror 7.8 reciprocates in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 while moving at half the speed of the scanning mirror 6 to keep the optical path length constant. The document on the document table 2 is illuminated by a scanning lamp 5, and the reflected light is guided onto the photosensitive drum 3 by a mirror 6° 7, 8, 9 and a lens 10 to form an image of the document. There is.

Also, in order from this image forming position along the rotational direction of the photoreceptor drum 3, a developing device 11, a transfer charger 12, a peeling charger 13, a cleaning device 14, and a static elimination lamp 15 are provided.
, and a charger 16 are provided.

Further, at the bottom of the main body 1, a paper feed section 17 is provided on the minus side, and a paper discharge section 18 is provided on the other side.

The paper feed section 17 includes upper and lower paper feed cassettes 19 and 20 that accommodate paper p of different sizes, and paper feed rollers 2) that feed the paper p independently from these cassettes 19 and 20. 22, and the paper ejection section 18 is composed of a pair of paper ejection rollers 23 and a paper ejection tray 24.

Furthermore, a conveyance path 25 is provided at the bottom of the main body 1 for conveying the paper p substantially horizontally, and this conveys the paper p fed from the paper feed section 17 through a pair of registration rollers 26 and a photoreceptor drum. 3, transfer charger 12 and peeling charger 13
The sheet is conveyed to the paper discharge section 18 through a transfer section 27 between the paper and a fixing roller pair 28 serving as a fixing device.

First, the photoreceptor drum 3 is charged to the charger 16.
After being charged to a predetermined potential by corona discharge caused by the exposure, it is exposed by the exposure optical system 4, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original. This electrostatic latent image is developed by applying a developer by the developing device 11, thereby forming a developer image. This developer image is transferred onto the paper p by the transfer charger 12 in the transfer section 27, and the paper p to which this developer image has been transferred is transferred to the peeling charger 1.
3, it is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 3. Then, the developer image is fixed by passing through the pair of fixing rollers 28 , and then the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24 . On the other hand, the developer remaining on the photoreceptor drum 3 without being transferred onto the copy paper ρ is removed by a cleaning device 14, and the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 from which the residual developer has been removed is cleaned by one static eliminating lamp. The charge is removed and the next copying process begins.

In addition, in FIG. 24, 29.30 is a cassette size detection switch composed of a plurality of microswitches that are turned on and off according to the insertion of cassettes of different sizes, and 31 is a switch for preventing temperature rise inside the main body 1. It is a cooling fan for

Further, an operation panel 32 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the main body 1, and as shown in detail in FIG. a numeric keypad 34 to display the operating status of each part, a display section 35 that displays the jam of paper p, etc., a cassette selection key 36 that selects either the upper or lower paper feed cassette 19.20, and the selected cassette 19.20. A cassette display section 37 for displaying, a magnification setting key 38 for setting the magnification and reduction magnification for copying in a predetermined relationship, a zoom key 39 for setting the magnification and reduction magnification steplessly, a display section 40 for displaying the set magnification, and copying. a density setting section 41 for setting density;
Operation keys 4a to 4d for moving a spotlight indicating a document erasure position, which will be described later; a position specification key 428 for inputting a coordinate position indicated by the spotlight; and an erasure range specification key 43a for specifying an erasure range at a specified position; 43b etc. are arranged.

Further, the exposure optical system 4 is configured to reciprocate the scanning lamp 5, scanning mirror 6, and guide mirror 7.8 by a drive mechanism shown in FIG. 26, for example. That is, the scanning lamp 5 and the scanning mirror 6 are supported by a first carriage 44, and the guide mirror 7.8 is supported by a second carriage 45, and these first and second carriages 44.45 are supported by a guide shaft 46. It is guided by a guide rail 47 and can freely move in parallel in the direction of arrow a. Further, one end side of the first carriage 44 is fixed to a midway part of an endless belt 48 stretched along a guide shaft 46, and this endless belt 48 is connected to a pulse motor 4.
9 and a driven pulley 51 provided apart from the drive pulley 50. On the other hand, a pair of pulleys 52 and 53 are rotatably provided at one end of the second carriage 45 and spaced apart in the axial direction of the guide shaft 46, and a wire 54 is hung between these pulleys 52 and 53. It has been passed. This wire 54 has one end connected directly to the fixed part 55, the other end connected to the fixed part 55 via a coil spring 56, and a middle part connected to the first carriage 44.
are fixed to one end of each. Therefore, when the pulse motor 49 rotates, the belt 48 rotates and the first carriage 44 moves, and accordingly, the second carriage 44 moves.
The carriage 45 also moves. At this time, the pulley 53,
54 serves as a movable pulley, the first carriage 44
In contrast, the second carriage 45 moves in the same direction at 1/2 the speed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a guide shaft 57 is provided along the lamp 5 in a portion of the first carriage 44 where the light of the lamp 5 is blocked.
A movable spot light source 58 is provided at 7 as a means for instructing the document erasing range. This spot light source 58 is connected to a timing belt 59 disposed endlessly along a guide shaft 57.
is stretched between a drive pulley 63 driven by a pulse motor 60 via reduction gears 61 and 62, and a driven pulley 64 provided apart from the drive pulley 63. Therefore, by rotating the pulse motor 60, the spot light source 58 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the first carriage 44. Further, a position sensor 65 consisting of a microswitch that detects the initial position of the spot light source 58 is provided on one end side of the first carriage 44. For example, when the spot light source 58 is moved, the spot light source 58 is first moved. The initial position is detected by contacting the position sensor 65.

In addition, the above-mentioned spot light source 58, guide shaft 57, timing belt 59, pulley 63, 64, pulse motor 6
0, reduction gears 61, 62, position sensor 65, etc. are mounted on the same base 66 as a unit, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The entire unit can be removed by simply removing the

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the spot light source 58 is
It consists of a light-emitting element 68, such as a light-emitting diode or a lamp, and a light-converging fiber lens 69, such as a SELFOC (trade name) lens, which is provided opposite to the document table 2.
A light emitting element 68 is positioned at one focal point of the light converging fiber lens 69, so that, as shown in FIG. 7, the light incident on the light converging fiber lens 69 is emitted from the opposite side as parallel light. It is now possible to do so. The parallel light emitted from the spot light 1II58 in this manner is irradiated onto the document table 2 as a spot light having a diameter d, as shown in FIG. This spot light has a brightness that allows it to pass through the document G set on the document table 2, which is, for example, as thick as a postcard. In addition, the above-mentioned light-focusing fiber lens (Selfoc lens) 6
9 is different from the conventional optical fiber R472, which consists of a core 70 and a cladding 71, as shown in FIG. 9(A), and as shown in FIG. Since it changes continuously in the circumferential direction (radial direction), the light incident on one end travels while meandering around the optical axis. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, the imaging conditions can be changed simply by changing the length when cutting in the axial direction, and as mentioned above, the point emitted light ray can be converted into parallel light rays. is possible.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, an erasing array 73 serving as an erasing means is provided in close opposition to each other between, for example, the charger 16 of the photosensitive drum 3 and the position where the original image is formed by the exposure optical system 4. There is.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in this erasing array 73, a plurality of light-shielding selfies 4... are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 3, and these selfies 4... As shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), a light emitting element 7 made of, for example, a light emitting diode is installed inside each of the
5 is provided. Furthermore, a lens 76 that focuses the light from the light emitting element 75 onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 is provided in an opening facing the photoreceptor drum 3 of each selfie 4 . The number of light emitting elements 75 arranged in this erase array 73 matches, for example, the capacity of the memory in the column direction, which will be described later. Here, if the distance between the light emitting elements 75 and 75 is P and the number is N, the total length of the erasing array 73 is Q-N.
It becomes XP.

FIG. 16 shows a control circuit, which includes a CPU 77 that controls the whole, a pulse motor drive circuit 78 that drives the pulse motor 49.6o, and an LED lighting circuit 79 that lights the light emitting elements 75 of the erasing array 73. It is composed of etc.

Therefore, when erasing a specific range of document G, first,
This spot light source 58 is moved by operating the operation keys 42a to 42d. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, when the operation keys 42b and 42d are pressed, the motor 49 is driven, and the first carriage 44 and the spot light source 58 are moved in the scanning direction (arrow y direction). In addition, the operation keys 42a,
When 42c is pressed, the motor 60 is driven and the spot light source 58 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction (arrow X direction). The operator operates the operation keys 42a to 42d while visually observing the spot light transmitted through the document G, and presses the position designation key 42e after moving the spotlight to a point S1 on the document G shown in FIG. 18, for example.

Then, the coordinate position designated by this S1 point is stored in the CPU 77 shown in FIG. In the same way, move the spotlight to 82 points on the document G and press the position designation key 4.
When e is pressed, the positions of 82 points are stored in the CPU 77.

The position of this spot light is controlled by a pulse motor 49.6, for example.
This can be detected by counting the number of zero drive pulses. Thereafter, when the erasure range designation key 42e is pressed, a rectangular area (indicated by diagonal lines) having diagonal points 81 and 82 is designated as the erasure range, as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 19, if points 83 and 84 of the original IG are specified and the erase range specification key 42e is pressed, the area other than the rectangle with diagonal points of points 83 and 84 will be set as the erase range. It is specified. In this way, when the erasure range designation key 428 is pressed, the CPU 7
7, and the memory stores a high level signal "1" in the erase range part and a low level signal "0" in the other parts.In other words, this memory stores, for example, each row direction The capacity of the spot light source 58 in the X direction is approximately equal to (position resolution in the X direction), and the capacity in each row direction is (movement distance of the spot light source 58 in the y direction)/(position in the y direction). The 18th
In the case of the figure, high level signals are stored in addresses corresponding to the shaded areas, and low level signals are stored in other addresses.

After specifying the erasing range of the original G in this way, when the copy key 33 is pressed, the data is sequentially read out from the memory in the row direction in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3, and based on this, the LED lighting circuit 79 is the light emitting element 7 of the erase array 73
5 is selectively turned on, and thereby the corresponding portion of the photoreceptor drum 3 is neutralized. Therefore, even if exposed to light, an electrostatic latent image is not formed in the portion from which the charge has been removed, and the original image is erased.

When specifying the range to be erased on the original IG, turn the front side (image side) of the original G upwards as shown in Figure 20 so that the operator can see the contents of the original G. Let's do it. When this is completed, as shown in FIG. 2), the original G is turned over and copied.

According to the above configuration, unnecessary portions of the document G can be specified and erased, which is convenient for editing a copy image.

Also, a spot light source 58 that irradiates a spot light onto the document surface.
Since the optical convergence fiber lens 69 is used, high-precision miniaturization is easily possible, and its support structure can be greatly simplified. Furthermore, since the focal length can be shortened, the size can be reduced.

Furthermore, the focal length can be easily changed. That is, even if the positional relationship between the light-focusing fiber lens 69 and the light-emitting element 68 is changed vertically, the focus can be easily aligned with the light-emitting point of the light-emitting element 68 by simply changing the length of the light-focusing fiber lens 69. Not only can it be
By simply changing the length of the light beam 9, the emitted light can be used not only as parallel light but also as focused light, and the size of the spot light irradiated onto the document G can be easily changed.

In addition, the spot light [58, guide shaft 57, timing belt 59, pulley 63, 64, pulse motor 60, reduction gears 61, 62, position sensor 65, etc. are mounted on the same base 66 to form a unit. Since the entire unit can be removed simply by removing 67, assembly, maintenance, and parts replacement are easy.

The erasing array 73 is not limited to the position between the charger 16 and the image forming position formed by the exposure optical system 4 as shown in FIG. It may also be configured to be disposed between the device 11 and to erase the formed electrostatic latent image according to a designation.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the surface of a document is optically scanned, and a photoreceptor to which a charge is applied in advance is used.

In an image forming apparatus configured to expose to light and form an electrostatic image corresponding to an original image, an instruction means for instructing a specific position or range on the surface of the original document, and an instruction means for instructing a specific position or range on the document surface; and an erasing means for erasing the charge on the photoreceptor, and the indicating means is configured by providing a light emitting element and a light focusing fiber lens for irradiating a spot light onto the surface of the document, so that any part of the document image can be erased. It is possible to form an image by erasing the image, and it also has excellent effects such as precision miniaturization, simplification of the support structure, shortening of the focal length, and ease of changing the focal length.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a spot light source portion, Fig. 2 is a side view, and Fig. 3 is a side view.
The figures are also perspective views, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, Figure 5 is a view showing the spot light source unit removed, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the spot light source, and Figure 7 is a light-focusing fiber lens. The figure shown in FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the action of the spot light source,
Figure 9 is a comparison diagram of a conventional optical fiber and a light-focusing fiber lens, Figures 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams of a light-focusing fiber lens, and Figure 12 is an arrangement of the erasing array. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the same, and FIG.
Figure 4 shows the same front view, Figure 15 shows the configuration of the erasure array, Figure (a) is a side view, Figure (b) is a partially cutaway front view, and Figure 16 shows the control circuit. 17 to 19 are plan views shown to explain the operation of specifying the erasing range of an original using a spot light source, and Fig. 20 is a plan view showing the state of the original when specifying the erasing range of the original. Figure 2) is a perspective view for explaining the state of the document during copying, Figure 22 is a side view showing another example of the arrangement of the erasing array, and Figure 23 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus. 24 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the apparatus, FIG. 25 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel, and FIG. 26 is a perspective view schematically showing the drive mechanism of the exposure optical system. G... Original, 3... Photosensitive drum, 58... Spot light source, 68... Light emitting element, 69... Light focusing fiber lens, 73... Erasing array. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue 4 Figure 115 Figure ji 6 Figure 7 and Figure 8 Figure 9 M Figure 14 Figure 15 (a) (b) M Figure 17 Figure 18 fli 19 Figure fIi and Figure IN 2) 23 diagrams of the flute

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a device that optically scans the document surface and exposes a pre-charged photoreceptor to form an electrostatic image corresponding to the document image, a specific position or range on the document surface is specified. and erasing means for erasing the charge on the photoreceptor according to a specific position or range indicated by the indicating means, and the indicating means includes a light emitting element and a light emitting element for irradiating a spot light onto the surface of the document. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is configured by providing a light-focusing fiber lens. (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicating means is removable as a unit.