JPS6167875A - Electrophotographic copying machine having printing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute development similarly as a printer and a copying device by arranging two pairs of LED arrays so that the lighting areas of respective LEDs in the LED arrays exist on the same bus and one light area is positioned between other lighting areas. CONSTITUTION:Irradiation light rays from lead arrays 8A, 8B are irradiated on the same bus of a photosensitive body 4 through SELFOC lenses 9A, 9B. The lighting areas B1-Bn of respective LEDs in the LED array 8B exist in intermediate positions of the lighting areas A1-An of respective LEDs in the LED array 8A and adjacent areas are superposed. Charge on the photosensitive body 4 is not left by exciting the LEDs in the lead arrays 8A, 8B which provide adjacent lighting areas (e.g. A1 and B1, A2 and B2,...) by the same picture signal. Consequently, copies of high quality can be obtained without providing the developing device 6A with two kinds of developing characteristics.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine with a print function that is inexpensive and highly reliable. It is something.

(Prior Art) A conventional electrophotographic copying machine with a print function (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine printer) will be briefly described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a conventional copier printer.

In the figure, there is a document 11 on the top surface of the copier blinker.
A document table 1 is arranged on which a document is placed. A scanner 2, a lens 3, a fourth mirror 24, and a photoreceptor 4 are arranged below the document table 1 so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with each other. The scanner 2 includes first to third mirrors 21 to 23 as shown in the figure.

A charger 5, a developing device 6, a transfer device 7, a recording paper transport device, and a fixing device are all shown around the photoconductor 4 so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the photoconductor 4. ) etc. are arranged.

The reflected light from the original 11 is reflected by the first to third mirrors 21 to 23 in six directions of arrows, focused by the lens 3, and then directed toward the photoreceptor 4 by the fourth mirror 24.

An LED array 8 connected to an LED drive control device 1o is arranged between the charger 5 and the developing device 6. The arrangement of the LED array 8 includes LEDs arranged in a straight line.
The light emitting section D is oriented in the direction perpendicular to one generatrix of the photoreceptor 4, that is, the plane of the paper.

A SELFOC lens 9 is provided in each of the light emitting portions of the LEDs.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the irradiation range of the above-mentioned ED irradiation light on the photoreceptor 4 of FIG. 2. FIG.

When each LED in the LED array 8 is turned on, the respective illumination lights are focused by the SELFOC lens 9 and can be irradiated onto the surface of the photoreceptor 4. Each region shown in FIG. 3, for example, the regions indicated by numerals 01 to C5, respectively indicate the irradiation range of the irradiated light of the LEDs adjacent to each other.

As is clear from the figure, the light irradiation ranges of adjacent LEDs on the photoreceptor 4 are independent from each other.In other words, in the generatrix direction of the photoreceptor 4 (arrow X direction),
They don't overlap each other.

Now, the operation of the conventional copier/printer having the above configuration will be explained using FIG. 2 again.

First, when the copying machine printer is used as an electrophotographic copying machine, first, the original 11 placed on the original platen 1 is
is illuminated by an exposure lens (not shown) within the scanner 2. The reflected light from the original is irradiated onto the surface of the photoreceptor 4 along the optical path indicated by the arrow A, as described above.

Then, at the same time as the photoreceptor 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow B by a drive device (not shown), the scanner 2 is scanned in the direction of arrow C (as is well known, the moving speed of the first mirror 21 is (twice the moving speed of the second mirror 22 and the third mirror 23), the photoreceptor 4
An electrostatic latent image is formed thereon.

Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by a developing device 6 and transferred to a recording sheet (not shown) by a transfer device 7.

Note that the electrostatic latent image is formed by forming an image of reflected light (image-like light) from the original on the photoreceptor 4 and dissipating the electric charge in the non-image area on the photoreceptor 4 by a photoconductive phenomenon. be done.

Therefore, the developing device 6 visualizes the electrostatic latent image by attaching a developer to the charged portion remaining on the photoreceptor 4.

Next, the question? Q When the TF1m printer is used as a printer, first, the image signal read by the image reading device (not shown), or the image signal output from the display device or memory (both not shown) is As a coded electrical signal, the LED drive control device 10
supplied to

The LED drive control device 10 energizes the LED array 8 according to the supplied image signal, and lights up each LED.

The LED is turned on when the supplied image signal corresponds to the image area, and when the image signal does not correspond to the image area, the LED is turned off.

That is, if the electrostatic latent image formed when the copier/printer operates as an electrophotographic copier is a positive image, the electrostatic latent image formed when the copier printer operates as a printer is a negative image. .

Therefore, in this case, the developing bag @ 6 is used on the photoreceptor 4, contrary to the visualization of the electrostatic latent image formed by the reflected light of the original.
The electrostatic latent image must be visualized by not applying a developer to the charged portions that remain on the surface, but by applying a developer to the portions where the charges have disappeared.

The reason why the electrostatic latent image formed when the copier printer operates as a printer is an inverted image of the electrostatic latent image formed when it operates as an electrophotographic copying machine is as follows. .

That is, in front of the illumination light on the photoreceptor 4 of mutually adjacent LEDs in the LED array 8! l) As shown in FIG. 3, the ranges do not overlap with each other, so even if adjacent LEDs are turned on, there will be areas between the LED illumination parts that are not illuminated.

Therefore, when a positive electrostatic latent image is visualized by attaching a developer (toner) to a portion of the photoconductor 4 where the charge is not lost due to a photoconductive phenomenon, the background area of the copy surface is A streak pattern is formed in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow Y), staining the copy surface, and significantly reducing the quality of the copy.

On the other hand, when a negative electrostatic latent image is visualized by attaching toner to the area where the charge has disappeared, a white streak pattern appears in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction) in the image area. However, since no black streaks are formed in the background area of the copy surface, the overall copy quality is improved.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The above-described conventional techniques had the following problems.

(1) The developing device has two types of developing characteristics:
In other words, when operating as an electrophotographic copying machine, toner adheres to areas on the photoreceptor where electric charge remains, and when operating as a printer, toner adheres to areas where electric charge has disappeared. Since the toner is configured to adhere, visualization of the electrostatic latent image (toner adhesion state) becomes unstable, making it difficult to obtain high-quality copies.

Furthermore, since the configuration of the current device becomes complicated, its manufacturing cost increases, and the price of the copier printer also increases.

(2) Even if the negative electrostatic latent image is well visualized in the copies obtained when the copying machine/printer operates as a printer, white streaks will be formed in the image area. , the quality of the copy decreases.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems.

(Means 6 and Effects for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides two sets of dim light element arrays, and blacks out the illumination light of each LFD on one side of the light emitting element arrays. The two sets of light emitting element arrays are arranged such that the light emitting area is located between the illumination light irradiation areas of each LED of the other light emitting element array, and the light emitting area of one of the two sets of light emitting element arrays is Depending on the image signal that energizes at least one of the mutually adjacent light emitting elements arranged in the element array,
Means is provided for energizing the light emitting elements arranged so as to illuminate between the illumination light irradiation areas of the mutually adjacent light emitting elements in the other light emitting element array. When the LEDs arranged in the same direction are turned on, the illumination light irradiation areas of adjacent LEDs overlap, so that the electrostatic latent image formed when the copier printer operates as a printer can be visualized by the copier printer. The present invention is characterized in that it has the effect of being able to be visualized by the same method as that used to visualize an electrostatic latent image formed when an electrophotographic copying machine is operated.

(Example) The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

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

In the figure, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 refer to the same or equivalent parts, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In the first and second LED arrays 8A and 8'8, a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a straight line. First and second SELFOC lenses 9A, 9B/) are provided in the light emitting portion of each of the LEDs.

The first LED array 8A is arranged so that the illumination light of each LED in the first LED array 8A is lined up and irradiated onto one generatrix of the photoreceptor 4.

The second LED array 8B is arranged such that each LED in the second LED array 8B is
The illumination light of each L in the first LED array 8A
It is arranged so that it is irradiated almost in the middle of the part irradiated with illumination light by the ED.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the irradiation range of the LED illumination light J3 on the photoreceptor 4 of FIG. 1.

Each region shown in FIG.
The area indicated by ~A5 indicates the illumination light irradiation range of each LED in the first LED array 8A, and the area indicated by 81 to B4 indicates the illumination light irradiation range of each LED in the second LED array 8B.
This shows the illumination light irradiation range.

As is clear from the figure, the illumination light irradiation portions of the LEDs arranged on one generatrix of the photoreceptor 4 (in the direction of the arrow X) overlap each other.

Note that the first and second LED arrays 8A.

8B are each connected to the LED control device 10 by 1a, and this connection is for illuminating adjacent areas of each of the LEDs in the first and second LED arrays 8A and 8B. This is done so that the same cells are energized by the same image signal.

That is, for example, A1 and Bl in FIG.

A2 and B2. The LEDs corresponding to . . . are energized by the same image signal.

Now, when one embodiment of the present invention is operated as a printer, when the LEDs arranged in succession in each LED array are turned on, the areas irradiated with adjacent LED illumination light overlap, so that the exposure to light is prevented. Charges on the body 4 remain in a streak-like manner in the sub-scanning direction.

It disappears.

Therefore, in this case, even if the electrostatic latent image that is formed is developed so that the toner adheres to the portion where charge remains, black streaks or stains will not occur in the non-image area (background). , you can get a high quality copy with no smudges.

As a result, it is no longer necessary to provide the developing device 6△ with the development characteristics of class 21/E, so the "11 structure" of the developing device 6A is simplified, and the reliability of the copy printer is improved.
Moreover, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In FIG. 4, in order to simplify the drawing, the illumination light irradiation range (coded B1 to B4) of the LEDs in the second LED array 8B is the same as that of the LEDs in the first LED array 8A. Although they are drawn smaller than the illumination light irradiation ranges (symbols A1 to A5), it is preferable that they have the same size.

Also, first and second LED arrays 8A.

The LEDs in 8B are arranged such that those illuminating adjacent areas are energized by the same image signal - i.e., A1 and 81, A2 and 82 in FIG.
．． Although the explanation has been made assuming that the LEDs corresponding to ... are connected so as to be energized by the same image signal,
Two adjacent LEDs in one LED array
The LED of the other LED array that illuminates between the illumination light irradiation areas of the two adjacent LEDs may be energized by the OR or AND output of the image signals that energize the LEDs.

Furthermore, although it is assumed that a SELFOC lens for focusing the LED illumination light is arranged in each LED light emitting part, if it has the function as a focusing light transmission body,
In particular, it is not limited to only SELFOC lenses.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the converging light transmitting body is not necessary if the LED is capable of directly illuminating the area on the photoreceptor corresponding to each pixel.

Furthermore, in this copy, when the printer operates as a printer, the light emitting elements and light emitting element arrays for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor are LEDs and LED arrays. It can be replaced with a long light source such as an LD (hemibody laser), an LD array, a fluorescent lamp, an LCD (liquid crystal display) array, or the like.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the following effects are achieved. That is, two sets of LED arrays are provided for forming an electrostatic latent image when the copier printer operates as a printer, and the two sets of LEDs
The illumination area of each LED in the array is arranged on the same generatrix on the photoreceptor, and the illumination area of each LED in one LED array is the same as that of each LED in the other LED array.
the LED of [21] above so as to be located between the illumination areas of D;
Since the arrays are arranged, when the LEDs consecutively arranged in each LED array are turned on, the adjacent LED illumination lights 11 overlap each other.

Therefore, the visualization of electrostatic latent images performed when the copier printer operates as a printer, and the visualization of electrostatic latent images performed when the copier printer operates as an electrophotographic copying machine, etc. Similar to fi imaging, even if toner is applied to the residual charge area on the photoreceptor, no black streaks or stains will occur in the background of the copy surface. It is no longer necessary to provide such characteristics, and the reliability of the developing device can be improved.

(2) The electrostatic latent image can be visualized stably.

(3) The configurations of the developing device and the copier/printer can be simplified, and they can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a conventional electrophotographic copying machine with a printing function, and FIG. Schematic diagram showing the irradiation range of each LED illumination light on the photoreceptor, 4th
The figure is a 1" schematic diagram showing the irradiation range of each LED illumination light on the photoreceptor in FIG. 1. 1...Original table, 2...Skillena, 3...Lens,
4... Photoreceptor, 5... Charger, 6A... Developing device, 7... Transfer device, 8A... First LED array,
8B...Second ED array, 9A...First SELFOC lens, 9B...Second SELFOC lens, 10...Patent attorney representing ED drive control device Kazuhito Hiraki Outside 1 person 21 genius 2 figure 3 figure 24 figure

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A document table for placing an original, a photoconductor for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the document, a charger for charging the surface of the photoconductor, and a document table for placing the document on the document table. illuminate,
An optical device that directs reflected light from a document onto the surface of a charged photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor into a visible image. , an electrophotographic copying machine having a transfer device that transfers a visible image visualized by the developing device onto recording paper, and a fixing device that fixes the visible image transferred onto the recording paper; and the charging device. and a light emitting element array arranged so that light is irradiated onto one generatrix on the surface of the photoreceptor between the developing devices, and the light emitting element array arranged so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor. An electrophotographic copying machine with a printing function, comprising a light emitting element drive control circuit that energizes each light emitting element in the light emitting element according to an image signal, the light emitting element array being two sets, and
The light emitting element drive control circuit is arranged such that the illumination light irradiation area of each light emitting element in one light emitting element array is located between the illumination light irradiation area of each light emitting element in the other light emitting element array. Depending on the image signal that energizes at least one of the mutually adjacent light emitting elements arranged in one of the two light emitting element arrays, the mutually adjacent light emitting elements in the other light emitting element array are activated. An electrophotographic copying machine with a print function characterized in that light emitting elements arranged so as to illuminate between illumination light irradiation areas of matching light emitting elements are energized. (2) The light emitting element drive control circuit controls each light emitting element in the other light emitting element array to illuminate one side of the area adjacent to both sides of the illumination light irradiation area of each light emitting element. An electrophotographic copying machine with a print function according to claim 1, wherein each light emitting element in the light emitting element array is energized by an image signal. (3) The light emitting element drive control circuit controls each light emitting element in the other light emitting element array to illuminate an area adjacent to both sides of an illumination light irradiation area of each light emitting element in the one light emitting element array. 2. An electrophotographic copying machine with a print function according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is energized by a logical OR or AND output of image signals. (4) The electronic photograph with a printing function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light emitting element is an LED, and the light emitting part thereof is equipped with a SELFOC lens. Copy machine.