JPS63186274A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the titled device from generating noise and the damage of components by separating developing means from an image carrier by a 2nd driving means under the stopped state of a 1st driving means. CONSTITUTION:In the case of separating the developing devices 121, 122 from a photosensitive drum 10, a motor 52 is stopped at first, and under said status, the motor is driven to move the developing devices 121, 122. Thereby, a gear 56 engaged with the gears 59, 62 of the developing devices 121, 122 or gears 60, 61 engaged with the gear 56 are stopped. At the time of engaging or releasing the gears 56, 59-62, the generation of noise can be prevented and the gears 56, 59-62 can be prevented from being damaged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied to, for example, an electronic copying machine.

(Prior Art) Recently, for example, in a copying machine capable of performing multi-color copying, a developing device is provided so as to be able to approach and separate from the photosensitive drum, and one of Only the developing device containing developer is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum.

Incidentally, the developing roller of the developing device is driven by a motor, and this motor also drives a cooling fan that cools the interior of the copying machine. That is, when the developing roller of the developing device is in contact with the photosensitive drum, a gear provided on the shaft of the developing roller meshes with a gear rotated by the motor, and in this state, The developing roller is rotated. With such a configuration, one motor can selectively drive a plurality of developing units and also drive a cooling fan.

However, since the cooling fan is operated even during standby, when the developer is selected and operated, the #1 wheel of the developer may be engaged or disengaged while the gear is being rotated by the motor. Therefore, noise was generated at that time, and both gears were likely to be damaged.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) This invention solves the problems associated with moving the developing device with respect to the image carrier, and its purpose is to prevent the generation of noise. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent parts from being damaged.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides an image carrier on which an image corresponding to a document image is formed, a developing means for developing the image formed on the image carrier, a first driving means for operating the developing means, which is provided so that the developing means can be moved toward and away from the image carrier; a second driving means for moving the developing means to move the developing means toward and away from the image carrier; and a control means for stopping the first driving means when the developing means is moved by the first driving means.

(Function) The present invention prevents noise and removes parts by moving the developing means toward and away from the image carrier using the second driving means while the first driving means is stopped. Prevents damage.

(Example) Hereinafter, a practical example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically show an image forming apparatus of the present invention, such as a copying machine. That is, 1 is a main body of a copying machine, and an original platen (transparent glass) 2 for holding an original is fixed to the upper surface of this main body 1. The document table 2 is provided with a fixed scale 2 that serves as a reference for setting the document, and furthermore, a document cover 11 that can be opened and closed is provided near the document table 2. The original placed on the original platen 2 is moved back and forth by an optical system consisting of an exposure lamp 4 and mirrors 5, 6, and 7 along the lower surface of the original platen 2 in the direction of arrow a. It is designed to be exposed and scanned.

In this case, mirror 6.7 moves at half the speed of mirror 5 so as to maintain the optical exposure length. The light reflected from the original by the scanning of the optical system, that is, the light reflected from the original by the light irradiation of the exposure lamp 4, is reflected by the mirror 5, 6, 7, passes through the variable magnification lens block 8, and further passes through the mirror 91. .92, reflected by 93 to the photoreceptor drum 1
0, so that the image of the document is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

The photosensitive drum 10 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, and first, the surface is charged by the charging device 11, and then the image is exposed to light at the exposure section ph.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

This electrostatic latent image is produced by a developing device 12 that contains, for example, red or black toner, and is selectively operated as required.
Possible 7 due to toner being attached by 1,122
5i! i! It is becoming more and more popular.

The developing units 121 and 122 are detachably attached to the copying machine main body 1, and the color of the toner contained in these developing units 121 and 122 can be determined by, for example, a connector (not shown) provided on the copying machine main body. It is set by the connection status of multiple bins.

On the other hand, the paper (material to be transferred) is delivered from the selected upper paper feed cassette 131 or lower paper feed cassette 132 to the feed rollers 141, 142 and the roller pair 15r N 152.
The sheets are taken out one by one by the paper guide paths 161 and 162.
The image is guided through the image to a pair of registration rollers 17, and guided to a transfer section by the pair of registration rollers 17.

Here, the paper feed cassettes 131 and 132 are removably provided at the lower right end of the main body 1, and either one can be selected on the operation panel described later. In addition, each of the above-mentioned paper feed force cellars 1 to 131 and 132 are as follows:
The cassette size is detected by cassette size detection switches 601 and 602, respectively.

The cassette size detection switches 60r and 602 are composed of a plurality of microswitches that are turned on and off in accordance with the insertion of cassettes of different sizes.

Furthermore, the paper feed cassette 13! A manual feed guide 13a is provided on the top surface of the manual feed guide 13a.
The paper manually inserted through the feed roller 14a
The sheet is guided to the pair of rollers 151 by the roller pair 151, and is then conveyed in the same manner as sheets fed from the sheet feed cassette 131.

On the other hand, the paper sent to the transfer section comes into close contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 at the transfer charger 18, so that the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 10 is transferred by the action of the charger 18. . This transferred paper P is transferred to the peeling charger 1
The transferred image is electrostatically separated from the photoreceptor drum 10 by the action of step 9, is conveyed by a conveyor belt 20, and is sent to a fixing roller 21 as a fixing device provided at the end of the conveyor belt. It will be established. After fixing, the sheet is discharged to a tray 25 outside the main body 1 by a pair of delivery rollers 22. Further, after the photosensitive drum 10 has been transferred, residual toner on the surface is removed by a cleaner 26, and afterimages are erased by a static elimination lamp 27, so that the photosensitive drum 10 returns to its initial state. Two cooling fans are used to prevent the temperature inside the main body 1 from rising.

Further, the exposure lamp 4 and the mirror 5 are connected to the first carriage 4.
11, and the mirror 6.7 is mounted on the second carriage 412.
It is set in.

Further, the first carriage 411 is provided with a spot light source 131 that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first carriage 411.

Furthermore, an erasing array 15 in which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 10 is located between the charging charger 11 of the photosensitive drum 10 and the exposure section Ph.
When performing partial erasure of a document image, the light emitting elements constituting this erasing array are turned on corresponding to the erasing area specified by, for example, the spot light source 131, and the photosensitive drum 10 is illuminated. It is designed to remove static electricity. Therefore, an electrostatic latent image is not formed in the portion from which the charge has been removed even if it is subsequently exposed to light at the exposure portion ph, so that the document image is erased.

FIG. 4 shows an operation panel 30 provided on the main body 1 of the copying machine. 30a is a copy key for commanding the start of copying;
30b is a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, etc.; 30G is a display unit that displays the operating status of each part, paper jams, etc.;
30d is a density setting section for setting the copy density, 30e is a Callanmill command key for displaying the total number of copies and the number of copies for each color, and 30f is an identification code (ID code).
30Q is the ID count key used to display the number of copies corresponding to each ID code when the ID copy mode is set, which allows copying only when the numbers match. Edit keys 30 to be operated when performing deletion, multiple copying, double-sided copying, etc.
h is the magnification key operated when setting the copy magnification, 30
i is a cassette selection key that is operated to select the upper and lower paper feed cassettes 131 and 132; 30j is a color change key that is operated when copying with a different toner color; and 30 is, for example, an edit key 30Q that is operated. In this state, when the erasing range of the document is specified using the spot light source 131, an operation is performed to store the specified erasing range in the memory or to read out information such as the erasing range that has been stored in the memory in advance. The mode memory key 301 is an information key that is operated when you want to obtain information corresponding to each mode.For example, if you operate this key when a paper jam occurs, the display 300 (described later) will display a message to clear the paper jam. Information for doing so is now displayed.

30m is a function check key, and by operating this function check key 30m, it is possible to display on the display 300 what kind of function is set. 30n is a dial for adjusting the contrast of the display 300. Reference numeral 300 denotes a display device consisting of, for example, a liquid crystal dot matrix panel, and the display device 30o displays, for example, the setting status of the copying machine in characters, and the various keys 30e, 30f, 30g to 30m
When operated, the corresponding character will be displayed. Furthermore, during the copying operation,
For example, when a paper jam occurs, the display 30° displays the location of the paper jam and countermeasures using text and graphics.

On both sides of the display 30o are operation keys 301 to 304.3 for selecting various functions displayed on the display 300.
0s to 308 are arranged. Further, 30p is a movement key for moving the aforementioned spot light source 131, and this movement key 30p can be tilted in all directions as shown by arrows 30q to 30t.
When operated, the spot light source 131 is moved in the same direction. 30u is the spot light II! 131 is a position designation key for inputting the coordinate position indicated.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a drive system for copying. The motor 51 drives the first carriage 411 and the second carriage 412. The motor 52 drives the cooling fan 29 and
The power is transmitted via a gear 53, a belt 54, and a gear 55 to a gear 56 provided coaxially. This gear 56
is for driving the developing rollers 57 and 58 of the developing devices 121 and 122, and when the developing device 122 is selected, is meshed with a gear 59 provided on the developing roller 58,
When the developer 121 is selected, the idle gear 6
0. The developing roller 57 is connected to a gear 62 provided on the developing roller 57 via a gear 61 provided coaxially with this gear 60 .

Further, the motor 63 drives the photosensitive drum 10 and the fixing roller pair 20. That is, the power of the motor 63 is transmitted via a gear 64, a chain 65, gears 66 to 69, and a belt 70 to a gear 71 coaxially provided on the photoreceptor drum 10. Furthermore, the power of the motor 63 is transmitted via the chain 65 and gears 72 to 78 to a gear 79 provided coaxially with the pair of fixing rollers 21 .

FIG. 6 shows the driving means for the developing units 121 and 122.

The motor 81 is connected to the developing device 121. The power of this motor 81 is transmitted to a gear 88 via a gear 82, a belt 83, and gears 84 to 87. This gear 88 is coaxially provided with cams 89 and 90. One end of an L-shaped lever 91,92 is abutted on each of these cams 89,90. The intermediate portions of these levers 91, 92 are rotatably held, and the other ends are connected to the intermediate portions of arms 93, 94, each of which has one end connected to a developing device 121, 122.

The other ends of these arms 93 and 94, and the lever 9L
A spring 95.96 is stretched between the other ends of the lever 92, and the spring 95.96 presses one end of the lever 91.92 against the cam 89.90.

Further, an operator 98 of a switch 97 is in contact with the cam 89, and this switch 97 causes the developing device 12 to
1.122 operating positions are detected.

In FIG. 6, the developing device 122 is selected, and this developing device 122
This shows the state in which development is possible. In this state, when the developing device 121 is selected, the motor 81 is driven and the cams 89.90 are rotated in the direction shown by arrow A in the figure, and the arms 93.94 are moved toward the lever 91.
．． 92, they are moved in the directions of arrows 8 and C, respectively.

Therefore, the developing device 122 is separated from the photoreceptor drum 10, and the developing device 122 is brought into contact with the photoreceptor drum 10. The state in which the developing device 12r is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1° is detected by a switch 97, and the operation of the motor 81 is stopped in accordance with this detection output.

In this state, if the developing device 122 is selected,
In response to the rotation of the motor 81, an operation opposite to that described above is performed, and the developing device 122 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in the figure.

FIG. 1 shows the main parts of the control circuit. Control unit 10
0 controls the operation of the entire copying machine according to the program stored in the memory 101, and this control unit 1o
o includes the aforementioned operation panel 30, the exposure lamp 4, various sensors 102 such as the switch 97, and a motor 51 that drives the first carriage 411 and the second carriage 412.
, a motor 52 that drives the developing devices 121, 122, etc., a motor 63 that drives the photosensitive drum 10, etc., the developing devices 121.
a motor control unit 103 that controls the operation of the motor 81 and the like for selecting 122; the spot light source 131 (not shown);
An erase array 150 and the like are connected.

In the above configuration, the gist of the invention will be explained.

The developing units 121 and 122 are separated from the photosensitive drum 10 in a normal standby state in which no copying operation is performed. Both developing devices 121 and 122 are connected to the photosensitive drum 10.
The state of being separated from is detected by the switch 97. Further, it is assumed that, for example, the developing device 122 is selected on the operation panel 30, and the motor 52 is rotated to cool the inside of the copying machine body 1.

In this state, when the copy key 30a of the operation panel 30 is operated, a command to stop the motor 52 is supplied from the control section 100 to the motor drive section 103, and the motor 52 is stopped. After this, the control section 100 controls the developing devices 121 and 122.
A selection command is supplied, and the motor 81 is operated by the motor driving section 103 to bring the developing device 122 into contact with the photosensitive drum 10. When the developing device 122 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 10, this is detected by the switch 97.
Motor 81 via control unit 100 and motor drive unit 103
will be stopped. At this time, the gear 59 of the developing device 122 meshes with the gear 56 which is in a stopped state.

After that, in the control section 100, the exposure lamp 4 is turned on, and the motors 51, 52, and 63 are driven, and the developing device 1 is turned on.
A copying operation by 22 is performed.

When this copying operation is completed, first, the motor 52 is stopped via the control unit 1001 and the motor drive unit 103, and the gear 56 and the gear 59 of the developing device 122 are stopped. Thereafter, the motor 81 is driven, and the developing device 122 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

When the developing device 122 is moved to a predetermined position, the switch 9
7 detects this, the motor 81 is stopped, and the developing units 121 and 122 are returned to a standby state in which they are separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

According to the embodiment described above, when bringing the developing units 121 and 122 into and out of contact with the photoreceptor drum 10, first the motor 52 is stopped, and in this state, the motor 81 is driven and the developing units 121 and 122 are moved toward and away from the photosensitive drum 10.
122 is moved. Therefore, the gear 56 with which the gears 59 and 62 of the developer 121 and 122 are meshed
, or the gears 60 and 61 that are meshed with these gears are stopped, so it is possible to prevent the generation of noise when these gears 56, 59 to 62 are engaged or disengaged. 56. It is possible to prevent damage to 59-62.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electronic copying machine equipped with a plurality of developing devices, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an electronic copying machine with a single developing device. It is also possible to apply

It goes without saying that various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the control means causes the second driving means to move the developing means toward and away from the image carrier while the first driving means is stopped. By doing so, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent noise and damage to parts.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively show the configuration of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view, and FIG. Figure 3 is a side sectional view, Figure 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel,
Figure 5 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the drive system;
The figure is a configuration diagram showing the driving means of the developing device. 1... Copying body, 121.122... Developing device, 3
0...Operation panel, 51.52.63.81...Motor, 100...Control unit, 103...Motor drive unit. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) an image carrier on which an image corresponding to the original image is formed; a developing means for developing the image formed on the image carrier;
a first driving means for operating the developing means, which is provided so that the developing means can be moved toward and away from the image carrier; a second driving means for moving the developing means to move the developing means toward and away from the image carrier; An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for stopping the first driving means when the developing means is moved by the first driving means. (2) A patent characterized in that the image carrier is provided with a plurality of developing means, and the developing means are selectively moved relative to the image carrier by a second driving means under control of the control means. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first driving means drives the developing means and the cooling fan.