KR20240028676A - Structure for opening and closing sensor UNIT for image quality calibration - Google Patents

Abstract

A shutter device is started. The shutter device includes a shutter, a shutter link for moving the shutter to a first position closing the image quality adjustment sensor or a second position for opening the image quality adjustment sensor, and pressing the shutter link to move the shutter to the second position. It may include a pusher and a power transmission member that transmits a driving force provided from inside the image forming device to the pusher.

Description

Structure for opening and closing sensor unit for image quality adjustment {Structure for opening and closing sensor UNIT for image quality calibration}

An image forming device forms an electrostatic latent image by scanning light through an exposure unit onto a rotating photoconductor. The image forming device forms a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor by supplying toner to the photoconductor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed through a developing unit. The image forming device transfers the toner image of the photoreceptor to a transfer unit, transfers it again to a printing medium, and forms an image on the printing medium by pressing and heating the image shape transferred to the printing medium through a fixing unit.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an example.
FIG. 1B is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an example.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a mode switching unit that switches the printing mode of the transfer belt.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the sensor unit for ACR (Auto Color Registration) correction is closed by a shutter device.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the sensor unit for ACR correction is opened by a shutter device.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the shutter device of an image forming apparatus according to an example is disposed on a frame disposed inside the main body.
Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing a shutter device of an image forming apparatus according to an example.
FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating an example in which a sensor unit is closed by a shutter device of an image forming apparatus according to an example.
10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating an example in which a sensor unit is opened by a shutter device of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below may be modified and implemented in various different forms. In order to more clearly explain the characteristics of the embodiments, detailed descriptions of matters widely known to those skilled in the art in the technical field to which the following embodiments belong will be omitted.

Meanwhile, in this specification, when a configuration is said to be “connected” to another configuration, this includes not only the case of being “directly connected,” but also the case of being “connected with another configuration in between.” Additionally, when a configuration “includes” another configuration, this means that other configurations may be further included rather than excluding other configurations, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Additionally, “image forming device” refers to a device that prints print data generated by a terminal device such as a computer onto a recording print medium. Examples of such image forming devices include copiers, printers, facsimiles, and multi-function printers (MFPs) that implement these functions in a complex manner through a single device.

The embodiments described below are shown as examples to aid understanding of the present disclosure, and it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein.

However, in describing the present disclosure below, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known functions or components may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed descriptions and specific illustrations will be omitted. Additionally, in order to facilitate understanding of the disclosure, the attached drawings are not drawn to scale and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the image forming device 1 according to an example may be implemented as a printer, copier, scanner, and facsimile, and the functions of the printer, copier, scanner, and facsimile are complexly implemented through one device. It may be a multi-function peripheral (MFP). As shown in FIG. 1A, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body 101 that forms the appearance, a paper feeding unit 11, an exposure unit 12, a photoreceptor 13, a developing unit 14, and a transfer unit 15. ), a fixing unit 16, a discharge unit 17, a cassette unit 18, a sensor unit 19, and a shutter device (20 in FIG. 5). According to one example, the photoreceptor 13 and the developing unit 14 may be configured as a single unit, or as shown in FIG. 1A, they may be configured as a plurality of four units depending on the color of the toner.

The paper feeding unit 11 can pick up a printing medium such as paper on which an image is formed and transfer it to the transfer path P inside the main body 101. The paper feeding unit 11 can pick up the paper loaded in the cassette unit 18 one by one and insert it into the transfer path (P). The paper feeding unit 11 may include a pickup roller that picks up sheets of paper one by one and a plurality of transport rollers disposed on the transport path (P).

The cassette unit 18 includes a cassette body 181 detachably coupled to the lower part of the main body 101, a pickup plate 182 on which the printing medium is loaded, and a pickup elastic body 183 that elastically supports the pickup plate 182. It can be included. A plurality of print media loaded inside the cassette body 181 can be picked up one by one by the pickup roller of the paper feeding unit 11 while being supported by the pickup plate 182.

Although FIG. 1A shows a single cassette unit 18 being detachably coupled to the lower part of the main body 101 as an example, the cassette unit 18 may be composed of multiple cassette units 18. The image forming device 1 may further include a multipurpose tray that is coupled to the side or top of the main body 101 and can supply printing media into the main body 101.

The exposure unit 12 may form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 13 by scanning light containing image information onto the photoconductor 13 . The developing unit 14 can form a toner image by supplying toner to the photoconductor 13 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The development unit 14 may include first, second, third, and fourth development units 141, 142, 143, and 144. The first, second, third, and fourth developing units 141, 142, 143, and 144 respectively produce cyan (C, cyan), magenta (M, magenta), yellow (Y), and black (K, black) color toner may be included.

The photoconductor 13 may be implemented in the form of a photoconductor drum. The photoconductor 13 includes first, second, third, and fourth photoconductors 131, 132, and corresponding first, second, third, and fourth development units 141, 142, 143, and 144, respectively. 133, 134). On the outer peripheral surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth photoreceptors (131, 132, 133, and 134), a device is provided to charge the first, second, third, and fourth photoreceptors (131, 132, 133, and 134). First, second, third, and fourth charging rollers (not shown) may be disposed. The first, second, third, and fourth charging rollers uniformly charge the surfaces of the rotating first, second, third, and fourth photoconductors (131, 132, 133, and 134) to a predetermined potential, respectively. You can do it.

The exposure unit 12 is disposed below the first, second, third, and fourth photoreceptors 131, 132, 133, and 134 and charges the first, second, third, and fourth photoreceptors 131. , 132, 133, and 134), electrostatic latent images can be formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth photoreceptors (131, 132, 133, and 134). . The exposure unit 12 may scan light containing image information for each color of each toner onto the first, second, third, and fourth photoreceptors 131, 132, 133, and 134.

The first, second, third, and fourth developing units 141, 142, 143, and 144 are opposite to the first, second, third, and fourth photoconductors 131, 132, 133, and 134. It may include first, second, third, and fourth developing rollers (1411, 1421, 1431, and 1441). The first, second, third, and fourth developing rollers (1411, 1421, 1431, and 1441) respectively form the first, second, third, and fourth photoconductors (131, 132, 133, and 134) on which electrostatic latent images are formed. ) can be accessed selectively.

The first, second, third, and fourth developing rollers 1411, 1421, 1431, and 1441 are in contact with the first, second, third, and fourth photoconductors 131, 132, 133, and 134. By rotating, toner of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) colors is electrostatically formed on the first, second, third, and fourth photoconductors 131, 132, 133, and 134. It can be moved to a latent image. Through this, the surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth photoreceptors 131, 132, 133, and 134 have visible colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). In-toner burns may form.

The transfer unit 15 includes a transfer belt 151, first and second rotating rollers 1521 and 1522 that rotate the transfer belt 151, and a nip through which the printing medium passes while facing the transfer belt 151. It may include a transfer roller 153 forming a .

The first and second rotation rollers 1521 and 1522 may rotatably support the transfer belt 151. For example, the first rotation roller 1521 maintains the tension of the transfer belt 151, and the second rotation roller 1522 rotates the transfer belt 151 by rotating through a separate driving unit. The transfer unit 15 may further include a plurality of rotating rollers in addition to the first and second rotating rollers 1521 and 1522.

The transfer belt 151 may rotate while in contact with the first, second, third, and fourth photoconductors 131, 132, 133, and 134. In this case, toner images with the first, second, third, and fourth photoconductors 131, 132, 133, and 134 can be sequentially transferred to the transfer belt 151.

For example, as the transfer belt 151 rotates counterclockwise with respect to FIG. 1A, the first, second, third, and fourth photoreceptors 131, 132, 133, and 134 are attached to the transfer belt 151. ) and cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner images can be transferred sequentially. Through this, a color toner image in which cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner images are overlapped can be formed on the transfer belt 151. The color toner image formed on the transfer belt 151 may be transferred to a printing medium passing between the transfer belt 151 and the transfer roller 153.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an image forming apparatus 1 according to an example includes a photoconductor 13 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a development unit 14 that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image on printing paper, and It may include image quality adjustment sensors 191, 192, 193 for detecting marks on the transfer belt for color image quality adjustment, and a shutter device 20 for opening and closing the image quality adjustment sensors 191, 192, 193. You can. The shutter device 20 includes a shutter 28, a shutter link 26 for moving the shutter 28, a pusher 25 for pressing the shutter link 26 in one direction, and driving the pusher 25. It may include a power transmission member 21 that transmits power for.

The shutter 28 can selectively open and close the image quality adjustment sensors 191, 192, and 193 in conjunction with the shutter link 26. The shutter link 26 can move the shutter 28 to a first position closing the image quality adjustment sensors 191, 192, 193 or a second position opening the image quality adjustment sensors 191, 192, 193. there is. The pusher 25 may receive power for mode switching from the transfer unit and press the shutter link 26 so that the shutter 28 moves to the second position.

The power transmission member 21 may transmit the driving force provided inside the image forming apparatus 1 to the pusher 25. The power transmission member 21 may receive power for driving the pusher 25 from the mode conversion motor (1541 in FIG. 6) of the mode conversion unit (154 in FIG. 6), but is not limited to this and may be used in an image forming device ( 1) Power can be transmitted from one of the motors that are placed inside and generate power.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a mode switching unit that switches the printing mode of the transfer belt. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the sensor unit for ACR (Auto Color Registration) correction is closed by a shutter device. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the sensor unit for ACR correction is opened by a shutter device.

Referring to FIG. 2, the transfer unit 15 is used to switch the transfer belt 151 to one of the printing modes: color mode, mono mode, and initial mode. It may include a mode switching unit 154. For example, color mode is a mode that can print color images on print media, mono mode is a mode that can print black and white images, and initial mode is a print standby/off state or a mode that can replace toner. You can.

The mode conversion unit 154 is a mode conversion motor 1541 capable of driving in forward and reverse rotation, a plurality of power transmission gears (1543 and 1544 in FIG. 6), and a plurality of power transmission gears 1543 and 1544. It may include a mode switching gear 1545 that rotates by receiving the driving force of the switching motor 1541, and a mode detection sensor 1546. The mode conversion gear 1545 may include first, second, and third ribs 1547, 1548, and 1549 arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the mode conversion gear 1545 on one side. The first, second, and third ribs 1547, 1548, and 1549 may be detected by the mode detection sensor 1546 when the mode conversion gear 1545 rotates.

For example, when the controller (not shown) drives the mode switching motor 1541 to set the transfer belt 151 to the color mode, the mode switching gear 1545 rotates at a preset angle. In this case, when the controller receives the detection signal of the first rib 1547 from the mode detection sensor 1546, it can determine that the transfer belt 151 is set to the color mode. In this way, the second rib 1548 may correspond to the mono mode and the third rib 1549 may correspond to the initial mode.

The fixing unit 16 may include first and second fixing rollers 161 and 162. The color toner image may be fixed by pressing and heating the printing medium onto which the color toner image is transferred while passing between the rotating first and second fixing rollers 161 and 162.

The discharge unit 17 may include first and second discharge rollers 171 and 172. The printing medium on which the color toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 16 may be discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 by passing between the rotating first and second discharge rollers 171 and 172.

The sensor unit 19 may detect a registration mark transferred to the transfer belt 151 to perform an image quality adjustment function, for example, ACR (Auto Color Registration) correction. The sensor unit 19 is disposed close to the transfer belt 151 and may be disposed downstream of the fourth photoconductor 134 based on the rotation direction of the transfer belt 151.

3 and 4, the sensor unit 19 may include a plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 that are image quality adjustment sensors. A plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 may be arranged at intervals on the structure 102 disposed adjacent to the transfer belt 102. The plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 may be image sensors such as, for example, an optical sensor, a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, or a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensor.

When the development unit is replaced, the image forming device continuously performs a large amount of printing, or the image forming device has not been operated for a long period of time, the color registration of the color toner image output by the image forming device 1 may not match. It may not be possible. In this case, the toners of each color may overlap at a misalignment from their exact positions, resulting in quality degradation such as blurring of the edges of the color toner image.

For ACR correction, the image forming apparatus 1 transfers a transfer belt through the first, second, and third photoconductors 131, 132, and 133 and the first, second, and third developing units 141, 142, and 143. A registration mark can be transferred to (151). In the ACR correction mode, the controller can control the paper feed roller 111 of the paper feed unit 11 not to rotate so that the print medium is not fed from the cassette unit 18.

The sensor unit 19 can detect the registration mark transferred to the transfer belt 151. For example, the registration mark may display cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) toner images independently or overlapping according to a preset width and length.

The controller detects the width, length, etc. of a plurality of registration marks through the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 to determine whether the plurality of marks formed on the transfer belt 151 do not match the standard. You can judge. If each mark formed on the transfer belt 151 corresponds to the preset ACR correction conditions, the controller controls the exposure unit 12 photoconductor 13, development unit 14, or transfer unit 15 to transfer the transfer belt 151. ) and correction of the color toner image formed on the printing medium.

The sensor unit 19 may be closed by the shutter 28 of the shutter device 20 as shown in FIG. 3 when not in the ACR correction mode. The sensor unit 19 may be opened by the shutter 28 of the shutter device 20 as shown in FIG. 4 in the ACR correction mode. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the sensor unit 19 from being contaminated by toner or print media particles scattered within the main body 101 or to reduce the degree of contamination.

Below, the shutter device 20 for opening and closing the sensor unit 19 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the shutter device of an image forming apparatus according to an example is disposed on a frame disposed inside the main body. Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing a shutter device of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the shutter device 20 may be placed on a frame 103 disposed approximately vertically inside the main body 101. The paper feeding unit 11 may be arranged approximately horizontally on one side of the frame 103. The shutter 28 of the shutter device 20 may be disposed above the paper feeding unit 11 and may be arranged substantially parallel to the paper feeding unit 11.

The shutter device 20 may move the shutter 28 from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the rotation of the paper feeding roller 111 of the paper feeding unit 11. For example, the first position may be a position where the shutter 28 closes the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19, as shown in FIG. 3. The second position may be a position where the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 are opened, as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the shutter device 20 is connected to gear chains 21, 23, and 24, which are power transmission members that receive power from the mode switching motor 1541, and gear chains 21, 23, and 24. It may include a pusher 25 driven in a straight direction, a shutter link 26 pressed by the pusher 25, and a shutter 28 connected to the shutter link. The shutter device 20 may include a stopper 27 capable of locking the shutter link 26, and an unlocking member 29 capable of unlocking the shutter link 26 by operating the stopper 27. there is.

The gear chains 21, 23, and 24 are a first connection gear 21 connected to the gear 1542 coupled to the drive shaft of the mode switching motor 1541, and a second connection connected to the first connection gear 21. It may include a gear 23 and a final gear 24 gear-coupled with the second connection gear 23. Mode switching so that a plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 can be opened by the shutter 28 at the time the transfer belt 151 is converted to the color mode by the mode switching unit 154. The reduction ratio from the motor 1541 to the final gear 24 disposed at the end may be the same or an integer multiple.

The final gear 24 may include an axis protrusion 241 protruding toward the side where the shutter link 26 is disposed. The shaft protrusion 241 may have a cam inclined surface 242 formed on its outer periphery in a spiral direction. For example, when the final gear 24 rotates clockwise based on FIG. 7, it can move the pusher 25 in contact with the cam toward the shutter link 26.

The pusher 25 may be placed between the final gear 24 and the shutter link 26. The pusher 25 may have a cam protrusion 251 formed at the rear end that contacts the cam inclined surface 242 of the final gear 24. The pusher 25 may be pulled toward the final gear 24 by a first elastic member (not shown) and maintained in a state spaced apart from the shutter link 26. For example, the first elastic member that pulls the pusher 25 toward the final gear 24 may be a coil spring.

As the final gear 24 rotates, the pusher 25 can rotate the shutter link 26 counterclockwise while the cam protrusion 251 of the pusher 25 makes cam contact with the cam inclined surface of the final gear 24. there is. Since the cam inclined surface 242 of the final gear 24 is formed in a spiral shape, when the final gear 24 rotates above a certain angle, the cam protrusion 251 of the pusher 25 and the cam inclined surface of the final gear 24 The cam contact between (242) can be released. In this case, the pusher 25 may move toward the final gear 24 and return to its original position by the elastic force of the first elastic member.

One end of the shutter link 26 may be hingedly connected to the shutter 28 and the other end may be rotatably connected to a predetermined structure (not shown) inside the main body 101. For example, the shutter link 26 rotates the shutter 28 by a predetermined angle counterclockwise with respect to FIG. 8 by the pusher 25 to move the shutter 28 from the first position (sensor closed position, see FIG. 3) to the second position. It can be moved to (sensor open position, see Figure 4). When the locking by the stopper 27 is released, the shutter link 26 rotates clockwise at a predetermined angle based on FIG. 8 and moves the shutter 28 from the second position (sensor open position) to the first position (sensor closed position). It can be moved to .

A first rotation axis 261 may be formed at a lower portion of the shutter link 26 to be approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the paper feeding roller is disposed. The shutter link 26 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise at a predetermined angle around the first rotation axis 261. A long hole 262 may be formed in the upper part of the shutter link 26 into which the hinge shaft 285 coupled to one end of the shutter 28 is slidably inserted. A locking groove 263 may be formed in the central portion of the shutter link 26 into which the locking protrusion 272 of the stopper 27 is removably inserted.

The shutter link 26 may be formed with an extension portion 264 that can be pressed by the pusher 25. The extension portion 264 of the shutter link 26 may protrude a predetermined length from the side end of the central portion of the shutter link 26 to face the pusher 25.

The stopper 27 can lock or unlock the shutter link 26. When the stopper 27 locks the shutter link 26 during ACR correction, the shutter 28 may maintain the second position to open the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193.

The stopper 27 may rotate in a direction approximately perpendicular to the first rotation axis 261 along which the shutter link 26 rotates. In this case, a second rotation axis 271 may be formed at approximately the center of the stopper 27. The stopper 27 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the second rotation axis 271. The stopper 27 may be elastically supported to rotate counterclockwise with respect to FIG. 9 by a second elastic member (not shown). The second elastic member that provides elastic force to the stopper 27 may be, for example, a torsion spring coupled to the second rotation axis 271 of the stopper 27.

The stopper 27 may have a locking protrusion 272 formed on one side of the stopper 27 facing the shutter link 26. The locking protrusion 272 of the stopper 27 may be formed to protrude into a substantially hemispherical shape so that it can be removably inserted into the locking groove 263 of the shutter link 26.

A groove 273 may be formed in a substantially arc-shaped lower portion of the stopper 27. The groove 273 of the stopper 27 may be located outside the trajectory along which the pressing protrusion 291 of the unlocking member 29 rotates when the unlocking member 29 rotates. In this case, the pressing protrusion 291 of the unlocking member 29 may not interfere with the stopper 27.

A locking protrusion 274 may be formed at the point where the groove 273 of the stopper 27 ends, for example, at the lowest part of the stopper 27. The locking protrusion 274 of the stopper 27 may be located inside the trajectory along which the pressing protrusion 291 of the unlocking member 29 rotates while the stopper 27 locks the shutter link 26. In this case, the locking protrusion 274 of the stopper 27 may be pressed by the pressing protrusion 291 of the unlocking member 29 that rotates counterclockwise with respect to FIG. 9 . Accordingly, the stopper 27 can rotate clockwise based on FIG. 9 to unlock the shutter link 26.

The shutter 28 may be disposed along the direction in which the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 are arranged so as to open or close the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19. The shutter 28 may have a plurality of openings 281, 282, and 283 formed at the same or similar intervals as the spacing between the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193. The shutter 27 can be pulled from a second position (sensor open position) to a first position (sensor closed position) by a third elastic member (not shown). The shutter 27 may maintain the first position by the elastic force of the third elastic member.

The plurality of openings 281, 282, and 283 of the shutter 28 are disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193, respectively, when the shutter 28 is in the second position (sensor open position). You can. In this case, the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 may detect corresponding registration marks transferred to the transfer belt 151. When the shutter 28 is in the first position (sensor closed position), the plurality of openings 281, 282, 283 of the shutter 28 are at positions different from the positions of the corresponding plurality of sensors 191, 192, 193. can be placed. In this case, as the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 are closed by the shutter 28, they may not be contaminated by toner or dust from the printing medium scattered within the main body 101.

The unlocking member 29 is coupled to one end of the paper feeding roller 111 and can rotate together with the paper feeding roller 111. The unlocking member 29 can unlock the shutter link 26 locked by the stopper 27. The unlocking member 29 is coupled to one end of the paper feeding roller 111 and can rotate together with the paper feeding roller 111.

The unlocking member 29 may have a pressing protrusion 291 formed at a position corresponding to the groove 273 of the stopper 27. The pressing protrusion 291 of the unlocking member 29 can rotate without interfering with the locking protrusion 274 of the stopper 27 when the stopper 27 unlocks the shutter link 26. The pressing protrusion 291 of the unlocking member 29 may interfere with the locking protrusion 274 of the stopper 27 when the stopper 27 locks the shutter link 26. In this case, when the locking protrusion 274 of the stopper 27 is pressed by the pressing protrusion 291 of the rotating unlocking member 29, the stopper 27 rotates to unlock the shutter link 26. You can.

Hereinafter, a state in which the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 are closed by the shutter 28 of the shutter device 20 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating an example in which a sensor unit is closed by a shutter device of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

8 and 9, the shutter device 20 closes the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 by moving the shutter 28 to the first position after ACR correction is completed. (see Figure 3). For example, when the transfer belt 111 switches from ACR correction mode to printing mode (e.g., color mode or mono mode), the paper feeding roller 111 of the paper feeding unit 11 may rotate to supply printing media. . Additionally, when the transfer belt 111 is switched from the ACR correction mode to the initial mode, the paper feeding roller 111 of the paper feeding unit 11 can be stopped so as not to supply printing media.

In this way, when the shutter 28 of the shutter device 20 closes the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19, the pusher 25 and the shutter link 26 of the shutter device 20 ), the stopper 27, and the states of the unlocking member 29 will be described.

The pusher 25 may be pulled in a direction away from the shutter link 26 (direction from left to right with respect to FIG. 8) by the first elastic member. Accordingly, the pusher 25 is spaced apart from the extension portion 264 of the shutter link 26 and may not apply pressure to the shutter link 26.

The shutter 28 may be pulled toward the gear chain by the third elastic member and moved to a first position to close the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19. As the shutter 28 moves to the first position, the shutter link 26 may maintain a state rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle with respect to FIG. 8 around the first rotation axis 261 of the shutter link 26. . In this case, the shutter link 26 may be unlocked by the stopper 27.

In this way, in a state in which the shutter 28 closes the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19, when the pressing protrusion 291 of the unlocking member 29 rotates as shown in FIG. 9 It may not interfere with the catching protrusion 274 of the stopper 27. For example, in a print mode other than the ACR correction mode, a print standby mode, or a state in which the image forming device 1 is turned off, the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 may be closed by the shutter 28.

The shutter 28 can open the sensor unit 19 in ACR correction mode. The ACR correction mode may be set to correspond to a partial rotation section of the mode switching gear 1545. For example, as the mode switching gear 1545 rotates by driving the mode switching motor 1541, the mono mode can be switched to the color mode. In this case, the shutter 28 can move from the first position to the second position in order to open the plurality of sensors 191 , 192 , 193 of the sensor unit 19 . And the shutter 28 is set to the color mode by rotating the mode switching gear 1545 of the sensor unit 19. A plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 can be kept open.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an operation in which the shutter 20 of the shutter device 20 moves from the first position to the second position to open the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 will be described. do. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating an example in which a sensor unit is opened by a shutter device of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the mode switching motor 1541 is driven, the gear chains 21, 23, and 24 can transmit the driving force of the mode switching motor 1541 to the pusher 25. For example, as the final gear 24 of the pusher 25 rotates, the cam protrusion 251 of the pusher 25 may come into contact with the cam along the cam inclined surface 242 of the final gear 24. The pusher 24 may move toward the shutter link 26 to press the extension portion 264 of the shutter link 26 from right to left.

The shutter link 26 may rotate counterclockwise about the first rotation axis 264 as it is pressed by the pusher 25. The shutter 28 can be moved from the first position to the second position by rotation of the shutter link 26. Accordingly, when the plurality of openings 281, 282, and 283 of the shutter 28 are at positions corresponding to the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193, the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 may be opened. .

Referring to FIG. 11, the stopper 27 may be arranged in a state being pulled toward the shutter link 26 by the second elastic member. For example, when the shutter link 26 rotates counterclockwise so that the plurality of openings 281, 282, and 283 of the shutter 28 are in positions corresponding to the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193, the shutter link The locking groove 263 of (26) may be at a position corresponding to the locking protrusion 272 of the stopper (27). In this case, the locking protrusion 272 of the stopper 27 may be inserted into the locking groove 263 of the shutter link 26.

When the shutter link 26 is locked by the stopper 27, the plurality of openings 281, 282, and 283 of the shutter 28 can maintain the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 in an open state.

The pusher 25 is a first elastic member as the cam contact between the cam protrusion 251 of the pusher 25 and the cam inclined surface 242 of the final gear 24 is released when the final gear 24 rotates above a certain angle. It can be moved to the final gear 24 side and returned to its original position due to the elastic force of .

A plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 opened by the shutter 28 can detect the registration mark transferred to the transfer belt 151. The controller detects the width, length, etc. of a plurality of registration marks through the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 to determine whether the plurality of marks formed on the transfer belt 151 do not match the standard. You can judge. If each mark formed on the transfer belt 151 corresponds to the preset ACR correction conditions, the controller controls the exposure unit 12 photoconductor 13, development unit 14, or transfer unit 15 to transfer the transfer belt 151. ) and correction of the color toner image formed on the printing medium. In the ACR correction mode, the controller can control the paper feed roller 111 of the paper feed unit 11 not to rotate so that the print medium is not fed from the cassette unit 18.

When the ACR correction mode is completed, the controller can control the paper feeding roller 111 of the paper feeding unit 11 to rotate. The unlocking member 29 may rotate counterclockwise together with the paper feeding roller 111 with respect to FIG. 11 . The pressing protrusion 291 of the unlocking member 29 may rotate and press the locking protrusion 274 of the stopper 27 downward. In this case, as the stopper 27 rotates clockwise about the second rotation axis 271, the locking protrusion 272 of the stopper 27 may be pulled out from the locking groove 263 of the shutter link 26.

When the shutter link 26 is unlocked, the shutter 28 is moved from the second position to the first position by the third elastic member, and the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 can be closed.

According to an example of the present disclosure, the shutter device 20 does not have a separate driving motor for driving the shutter 28, but uses the driving force of the mode switching motor 1541 included in the mode switching unit 154. and a separate sensor for detecting the open/closed state of the shutter 28 can be omitted. Accordingly, an example of the present disclosure can reduce manufacturing costs and secure space for implementing various functions inside the main body 101 by omitting a separate motor and a separate sensor.

In addition, according to an example of the present disclosure, in cases other than the ACR correction mode, the plurality of sensors 191, 192, and 193 of the sensor unit 19 are kept closed through the shutter 28 of the shutter device 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sensor unit 19 from being contaminated by toner or print media particles scattered within the main body 101 or to reduce the degree of contamination.

In one example, the gear chains 21, 23, and 24 are described as receiving the driving force of the mode switching motor 1541, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the gear chains 21, 23, and 24 may drive the pusher 25 by receiving a driving force from one of the driving motors provided in the image forming apparatus 1 in addition to the mode switching motor 1541. As an example, a paper feeding motor for driving the paper feeding roller 111 can be used as a power source for the pusher 25. In this case, at least one gear may be added to the gear chains 21, 23, and 24 so that they can be connected to the drive shaft of the paper feeding motor, or the number of gears may be reduced.

The paper feeding roller 111 may be set to rotate when the paper feeding motor rotates in the forward direction and not to rotate when the paper feeding motor rotates in the reverse direction. Accordingly, when the paper feeding motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the gear chains 21, 23, and 24 transmit the driving force of the paper feeding motor to the pusher 25 to move the shutter 28 from the first position (sensor closed position) to the second position. It can be moved to the position (sensor open position). In this case, the paper feeding roller 111 does not rotate, so print media may not be fed.

Conversely, when the paper feeding motor is rotated in the forward direction, the paper feeding roller 111 rotates and the unlocking member 29 rotates together to drive the stopper 27. As the shutter link 26 is unlocked by driving the stopper 27, the shutter 28 moves from the second position (sensor open position) to the first position (sensor closed position) to close the sensor unit 19. A number of sensors 191, 192, and 193 can be closed.

The present disclosure has been described above in an exemplary manner. The terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in accordance with the above contents. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the present disclosure may be freely implemented within the scope of the claims.

20: shutter device 21: first connecting gear
23: second connecting gear 24: final gear
242: Cam slope 25: Pusher
251: Cam projection 26: Shutter link
263: Locking groove 27: Stopper
272: Locking protrusion 274: Locking protrusion
28: shutter 281, 282, 283: opening
29: unlocking member 291: pressing protrusion

Claims (15)

In the shutter device,
shutter;
a shutter link that moves the shutter to a first position closing the image quality adjustment sensor or a second position opening the image quality adjustment sensor;
a pusher that presses the shutter link to move the shutter to the second position; and
A shutter device comprising a power transmission member that transmits a driving force provided inside the image forming device to the pusher. According to paragraph 1,
A shutter device in which the shutter is moved from the second position to the first position in conjunction with the rotation of a paper feed roller. According to paragraph 1,
A shutter device in which the power transmission member receives driving force from a mode switching unit for switching printing modes. According to paragraph 2,
a stopper locking the shutter link to maintain the shutter in the second position; and
An unlocking member that drives the stopper to move the shutter from the second position to the first position and to unlock the shutter link locked by the stopper in conjunction with the rotation of the paper feeding roller; further comprising: Shutter device. According to paragraph 1,
The power transmission member includes a plurality of gears,
A shutter device in which a final gear among the plurality of gears selectively makes cam contact with the pusher to move the pusher in a straight line. According to clause 5,
A shutter device further comprising: a first elastic member elastically supporting the pusher in a direction from the second position to the first position. According to clause 6,
The pusher is,
Cam contact with the final gear in a first rotation angle range of the final gear to press the shutter link in a direction from the first position to the second position,
A shutter device in which the cam contact with the final gear is released in a second rotation angle range of the final gear and returned to the original position by the first elastic member. According to clause 5,
The final gear includes a cam inclined surface formed in a spiral direction along the central axis,
The pusher is a shutter device including a cam protrusion that moves along the cam inclined surface. According to paragraph 4,
The shutter link includes a locking groove into which a portion of the stopper can be inserted and detached,
The stopper is a shutter device including a locking protrusion detachably inserted into a locking groove of the shutter link. According to clause 9,
The stopper is,
A shutter device comprising a rotation axis rotating in a first rotation direction in which the locking protrusion is inserted into the locking groove or a second rotation direction in which the locking protrusion is separated from the locking groove. According to clause 10,
A shutter device further comprising a second elastic member elastically supporting the stopper in the first rotation direction. According to clause 10,
The unlocking member rotates the stopper in the second rotation direction to separate the locking protrusion inserted into the locking groove from the locking groove in conjunction with the paper supply roller,
The stopper is a shutter device including an unlocking groove into which a pressing protrusion provided on the unlocking member is selectively inserted and a portion of the stopper is pressed by the pressing protrusion. According to paragraph 1,
A shutter device further comprising a third elastic member elastically supporting the shutter in a direction in which the shutter moves from the first position to the second position. In the image forming device,
A photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
a developing unit that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image on printing paper;
A sensor for detecting marks on the transfer belt for color image quality adjustment; and
It includes a shutter device for opening and closing the sensor,
The shutter device is,
shutter;
a shutter link that moves the shutter to a first position closing the sensor or a second position opening the sensor;
a pusher that receives power for mode switching from a transfer unit and presses the shutter link so that the shutter moves to the second position; and
An image forming apparatus comprising a power transmission member that transmits a driving force provided inside the image forming apparatus to the pusher. According to clause 14,
The shutter device moves the shutter from the second position to the first position in conjunction with the rotation of a paper feeding roller.

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