JP2003255805A - Image forming unit and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can be equipped with a toner cartridge with a large capacity, has high operability when an upper cover is opened and closed and can avoid an increase in cost for the relaxation of the rigidity of the upper cover due to the relaxation. <P>SOLUTION: The configuration in which a LED head is fixed integrally to the upper cover is avoided in such a manner that a LED head unit 1 is configured so as to be detachably mounted on a developing device 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer to which an electrophotographic method is applied, and more particularly to an LED for writing an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier.
The present invention relates to a method of mounting exposure means such as a head on a main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus or the like, an LED head unit is provided, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2838018. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a main part schematically showing an arrangement configuration of a conventional image forming mechanism, in which an upper cover 101 of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as an image forming apparatus) 100 is closed. The recording paper conveyance direction A
It is the figure seen from the direction orthogonal to.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 includes an LED head unit 102 held by an upper cover 101 and a developing device 1 mounted on an apparatus body 105.
04, and four image forming mechanisms including a transfer roller 106 in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 103 of the developing device 104. The developing device 104 is equipped with a removable toner cartridge 104a.

These image forming mechanisms are provided for each photosensitive drum 1.
No. 03 and the transfer roller 106 are arranged along the conveyance path of the recording paper that is adsorbed by the carrier belt 107 that moves in the direction of arrow A and moves in the same direction, and is for yellow (Y) in order from the upstream side. The developing devices 4 for magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B) are mounted.

Further, as shown in the figure, each LED head unit 102 has a desired tip end portion in the vicinity of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 103 of the developing device 104 facing the developing device 104 with the upper cover 101 closed. Move to a position where exposure is possible.

The X, Y, and Z coordinate axes in the figure are set parallel to the conveying direction of the recording paper (direction of arrow A), and are parallel to the moving plane of the recording paper and orthogonal to the X axis. The Y axis is set in the direction, and the Z axis is set in the direction orthogonal to these two axes.

[0007]

In recent years, in an image forming apparatus used in a network or the like, the operating rate has increased, so that a large amount of toner can be replenished by replacing the toner cartridge once. A cartridge with a large capacity is required.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional device,
LE that moves in an arc when opening and closing the upper cover
Since the moving space area of the D head unit is required, there is a problem that the capacity of the toner cartridge cannot be increased.

Further, the upper cover is equipped with four LED head units, and the weight of the upper cover itself becomes heavy in order to obtain the rigidity necessary to support these. Therefore, when the operator opens and closes the upper cover equipped with four LED head units, there is a problem that he feels heavy and cannot expect light operability. Further, in terms of manufacturing, there is a problem in that the rigidity of the upper cover itself is increased and the cost is increased.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
(EN) An image forming apparatus capable of being equipped with a toner cartridge having a large capacity, improving the operability when opening and closing the upper cover, and relaxing the rigidity of the upper cover to avoid a corresponding increase in cost. Especially.

[0011]

An image forming unit according to claim 1 is an electrophotographic image forming unit using an exposing means as a light source for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier. It is characterized in that the exposing means is detachable from the image forming unit including the electrostatic latent image carrier.

The image forming unit of claim 2 is the image forming unit of claim 1.
The image forming unit described above is characterized by further comprising mounting means for moving the exposing means in the longitudinal direction when the exposing means is attached to and detached from the image forming unit.

An image forming unit according to a third aspect is the image forming unit according to the second aspect, wherein the mounting means has a guide means for guiding the movement of the exposing means.

The image forming unit of claim 4 is the image forming unit of claim 3.
In the image forming unit described above, the guide means is
It is characterized in that the first engaging means provided in the exposing means and the second engaging means provided in the image forming unit are guided so as to be engaged with each other.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming unit according to the fourth aspect, the mounting means is provided at a position where the first engaging means and the second engaging means engage with each other. , And a biasing unit for biasing the exposure unit with respect to the image forming unit.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an electrophotographic system which uses an exposing means as a light source for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier of an image forming unit having a toner cartridge detachably mounted. In the image forming apparatus, at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the exposing unit is located at a position where the exposing unit can be arranged close to the electrostatic latent image carrier of the image forming unit mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is characterized in that it is supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein an LED head is used as the exposing means and a photosensitive drum is used as the electrostatic latent image carrier.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the LED head can be combined with or separated from the photosensitive drum in a state where the LED head is maintained in a substantially parallel state. It is characterized by

An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the LED head is rotatably supported along a plane including a rotation axis of the photosensitive drum. It is characterized by having a holding means for holding the one end of the head.

An image forming apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein one end is rotatably supported by the image forming unit coaxially and the other end is the aforesaid one. It is characterized by having a pair of links that engage with both ends of the LED head.

An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, in which the upper cover of the image forming apparatus is opened / closed or is displaceably formed on the upper cover. It is characterized by having setting means for bringing the LED head into close contact with the image forming unit in association with the movement of the setting member. An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the setting unit has a force transmission member arranged in the toner cartridge.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The X, Y, and Z coordinate axes shown in the drawings in the respective embodiments are common to the coordinates shown in FIG. 16 described above. The description is given assuming the orientation when the forming apparatus body is installed at a predetermined mounting position. Also,
Since the basic structure of the image forming apparatus main body may be the same as that of the image forming apparatus main body 105 shown in FIG. 16, the drawing and description thereof are omitted, and only different portions are disclosed.

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a developing device corresponding to an image forming unit and an LED head unit corresponding to an exposing unit according to the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. It is a perspective view which similarly shows the principal part structure of each member.

The developing device 2 and the LED head unit 1 form a pair, and like the four sets of the LED head unit 102 and the developing device 104 shown in FIG. 16 described above, for yellow (Y) and magenta ( M), cyan (C), and black (B) are provided in the image forming apparatus main body (not shown). Also 4 sets of each LE
Since the D head unit 1 and the developing device 2 have the same configuration, only one set will be described in detail as an example.

The LED head unit 1 includes a developing device 2
The LED lens 1a protruding and extending below the LED head unit 1 through the upper opening 2a (see FIG. 5) formed above the photosensitive drum 3 which is the electrostatic latent image carrier.
It is installed so that it enters. The toner cartridge 4 is detachably attached to the developing device 2,
The inside thereof is divided into a first storage chamber 4a for storing toner supplied to the developing device 2 and a second storage chamber 4b for storing waste toner from the developing device 2.

The developing device 2 comprises a frame 5, a developing roller 6, a developing blade 7, a supply roller 8, a charge roller 9, a cleaning blade 10, a photosensitive drum 3 and a toner hopper 30, and the toner hopper 30 includes a toner cartridge. The toner supplied from the first storage chamber 4a of No. 4 remains. On the other hand, the transfer roller 11 is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus (not shown), and the connector 12 (FIG. 2) is also arranged in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the contact pins exposed on the upper surface thereof.

Next, the structure of the LED head unit 1 and its mounting mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

The LED head unit 1 is formed with a circuit pattern exposed on a lower flat surface 25 of a projecting portion formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction thereof, and is formed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in the vicinity of the same end portion. ), A pilot pin hole 13 is formed. Further, in the other end side end portion, a substantially U-shaped pilot pin groove 14 (see FIG. 5) that spreads in a fan shape toward the end portion is formed.

Further, on both longitudinal side surfaces 15 of the LED head unit 1, U-shaped grooves 16 extending from the other end side end portion to the vicinity of the one end side end portion are respectively formed. The position of the bottom portion 16a of the U-shaped groove 16 in the longitudinal direction is
It substantially coincides with the pilot pin hole 13.

A pair of crankshafts 17 are present in the vicinity of the long side surface 15 of the LED head unit 1, and a fulcrum shaft 17a of the crankshafts 17 is rotated by bearings 18 and 19 formed on the frame 5 of the developing device 2. It is pivotally supported. Further, the rotation range of the crankshaft 17 is from a position slightly lower than the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2 to a vertical position, and further rotation is restricted by a stop means (not shown) at this vertical position. .

A pair of action shafts 17b parallel to the respective fulcrum shafts 17a are formed at the tip of each crankshaft 17. A roller 20 slidably fitted in the U-shaped groove 16 is rotatably held at each one end of each acting shaft 17b facing the long side surface 15 of the LED head unit 1. U-shaped handle 2
4 is suspended between a pair of working shafts 17b, and both ends thereof are respectively the other end parts 17 of the respective working shafts 17b described above.
It is rotatably held by c.

A fulcrum post 22 is formed in the portion near the bearing 18 and on the side opposite to the working shaft 17b when the crankshaft 17 is in the horizontal position.
A curved link 23 is rotatably held by the fulcrum post 22 so as to straddle the fulcrum shaft 17 a supported by the bearing 18. A tension coil spring 21 is stretched between the tip of the curved link 23 and the action shaft 17b.

To be more precise, the fulcrum post 22 is formed at a position on a substantially line connecting the working shaft 17b and the fulcrum shaft 17a when the crankshaft 17 is rotated about 45 degrees from the horizontal position. .

The fulcrum post 22 is similarly formed in the vicinity of the bearing 19, and the curved link 23 and the tension coil spring 21 are similarly arranged on the opposite side of the LED head unit 1.

On the other hand, on the LED head unit mounting surface (hereinafter, simply referred to as mounting surface) 2b extending parallel to the Y axis of the developing device 2, a pilot fitted into the pilot pin hole 13 of the LED head unit 1 is provided. Pins 26 are erected, and shoulder pins 27 (see FIG. 5) are erected at the ends in the Y-axis negative direction.

The shoulder pin 27 has a shoulder 27a at its upper end, and holds a flange 28 into which the shoulder pin 27 is fitted so as to be vertically movable along the pin. The upper limit of the movement range of the flange 28 is regulated by the shoulder 27a, and the lower limit thereof is set to a position slightly lower than the upper surface of the LED head unit 1 on which it is mounted. Downward movement is prevented.

The upper surface of the flange 28 and the shoulder 2
A compression coil spring 29 in a compressed state is arranged between the lower surfaces of 7a to urge the flange 28 downward. Then, the peripheral surface 28a of the flange 28 (see FIG.
(A)) has a conical inclined surface shape with the lower part as the apex.

With the above-mentioned structure, the attaching / detaching operation of the LED head unit 1 with respect to the developing device 2 will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 4. In order to avoid making the drawings complicated, in FIGS. 3 and 4,
The handle 24 (FIG. 2) is omitted.

In FIG. 3A, the pilot pin 26 of the developing device 2 is fitted into the pilot pin hole 13 of the LED head unit 1, and the LED head unit 1 is substantially U-shaped.
The shoulder pin 27 of the developing device 2 is inserted into and engaged with the character-shaped pilot pin groove 14. Further, the flange 28 presses the upper surface 1b of the LED head unit 1 downward, and presses this end portion against the mounting surface 2b (FIG. 2) of the developing device 2.

On the other hand, at this time, the working shaft 1 at the tip of the crankshaft 17 for rotatably holding the roller 20.
The position of 7b is located below a reference line 150 that connects the fulcrum shaft 17a of the crankshaft 17 and the fulcrum post 22 that is the rotation fulcrum of the curved link 23. Therefore, the tension of the tension coil spring 21 is
Is urged in the direction of arrow B around the X axis, the roller 20 fitted in the U-shaped groove 16 presses the contact portion of the LED head unit 1 against the mounting surface 2b (FIG. 2) of the developing device 2. .

As described above, in the state of FIG. 3A, both ends of the LED head unit 1 are pressed against the mounting surface 2b of the developing device 2, and the two are kept in close contact with each other. In this close contact state, the circuit pattern on the lower flat surface 25 of the protruding portion of the LED head unit 1 comes into contact with the circuit pattern of the connector 12 formed on the main body of the image forming apparatus (not shown) to establish electrical conduction.

When the LED head unit 1 is detached from the developing device 2 in the above state, the operator first detaches the toner cartridge 4 from the developing device 2 and resists the urging force of the tension coil spring 21 so that the handle 24 (see FIG. 2) Pull up the crankshaft 17 while pulling it up.
It rotates in the direction of arrow C around the axis.

Along with this, the roller 20 held by the working shaft 17b moves so as to draw an arc, so that the LED
As shown in FIG. 3B, the head unit 1 is in a state in which the pilot pin hole 13 is disengaged from the pilot pin 26 and the left end portion floats upward and is inclined.

When the handle 24 (FIG. 2) is further pulled upward, the crankshaft 17 eventually reaches the vertical position shown in FIG. 4 (a). In the process of this rotation, the crankshaft 17 has its rotational position at the reference line 150 (FIG. 3).
At the stage of exceeding, the tension coil spring 21 receives the urging force in the arrow C direction around the X axis. And
In the vertical position shown in FIG. 4 (a), the crankshaft 17 is restrained from further turning by stop means (not shown), and is kept in the vertical position while being pressed by the stop means.

On the other hand, in the LED head unit 1, the engaging portion moves in an arc along with the roller 20 that engages with the bottom portion 16a of the U-shaped groove 16, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 4 (a). In addition, the other end is disengaged from the flange 28 and the whole is moved in the plus direction of the Y-axis and the inclination thereof is increased.

After that, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the operator pulls out the LED head unit 1 in the direction of arrow D,
In the LED head unit 1, the U-shaped groove 16 has the roller 2
It moves in the same direction while engaging with 0, and is eventually completely separated from the developing device 2.

Next, when mounting the LED head unit 1 on the developing device 2, the roller 20 of the crankshaft 17 in the vertical position is moved to the U-shaped groove 16 of the LED head unit 1 as shown in FIG. 4B. Insert it so that it fits into the tip of the. After that, when the lower end of the tip end portion of the LED head unit 1 in which the pilot pin groove 14 is formed is kept in contact with the mounting surface 2b of the developing device 2, the roller 20 contacts the bottom portion 16a of the U-shaped groove. Fig. 4 (a)
The state becomes as shown in.

Thereafter, when the tension coil spring 21 is further inserted against the urging force of the crank coil 17 around the X axis in the direction of arrow C, the crank shaft 1
7 rotates in the direction of arrow B around the X axis. The rotation position of the crankshaft 17 is the reference line 150 (see FIG.
When (a) is exceeded, the urging force of the tension coil spring 21 changes in the direction of arrow B, and the pilot pin groove 14 of the LED head unit 1 engages with the shoulder pin 27, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 3 (b). .

When the insertion is further continued, the pilot pin hole 1
3, the pilot pin 26 is fitted, and eventually the flange 28
Both ends of the LED head unit 1 are pressed against the mounting surface 2b of the developing device 2 by means of the roller 20 and the roller 20, and the two are brought into close contact with each other, whereby the mounting is completed.

The above description of the attachment / detachment operation of the LED head unit 1 with respect to the developing device 2 has been made on the assumption that the developing device 2 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus (not shown). 2 may be performed with the image forming apparatus main body removed to the outside.

The mounting and dismounting operation in this case is also performed according to the above-mentioned procedure. Further, as described above, the step of mounting the LED head unit 1 in the developing device 2 at a predetermined mounting position of the image forming apparatus main body. Is added. At this time, the developing device 2 is locked by the locking means (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the circuit pattern of the lower flat surface 25 of the protruding portion of the LED head unit 1 is formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus (not shown). The circuit pattern of the connector 12 thus formed is brought into contact with the circuit pattern to establish electrical continuity. When removing the developing device 2 from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the developing device 2 is pulled out upward.

The LED head unit 1 is shown in FIG.
The mechanism for changing the state of (a) to the state of FIG. 4 (b) corresponds to the mounting means, the U-shaped groove 16 and the tora 20 correspond to the guide means, and the pilot pin groove 14 and the shoulder pin 27 are the first and the second, respectively. The LED head unit 1 corresponds to the second engaging means, and the LED head unit 1 is developed by the urging force of the tension coil spring 21 and the compression coil spring 29.
The mechanism for urging the mounting surface 2b corresponds to the urging means.

As described above, according to the apparatus of the first embodiment, since the LED head unit is attached to the developing device 2, it is not necessary to provide the LED head unit on the upper cover of the image forming apparatus, and the upper cover itself. Can be made light and simple. Therefore, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus which is easy to use and has excellent cost performance.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of relevant parts for explaining each configuration and mounting operation of the developing device and the LED head unit according to the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

The developing device 32 and the LED head unit 31 of the second embodiment differ from the developing device and the LED head unit of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the developing device 32 has a guide convex portion as a guide means. 35 and the engaging projection 34 as guide means is additionally formed on the LED head unit 31, respectively. Therefore, the same or corresponding portions to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, or A description thereof will be omitted without disclosure, and different points will be mainly described with reference to FIG. 5.

At the other end of the LED head unit 31 in the longitudinal direction, together with the pilot pin groove 14 described above, the pilot pin groove 14 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction from the upper portion thereof and in a direction toward the front wall 2c of the developing device 32. Engaging projections 34 that project are formed. On the other hand, the front wall 2 of the developing device 32
A guide groove 35 for engaging and slidingly moving the engaging projection 34 is formed in c in the substantially Y-axis direction.

On the pilot pin 26 side, the guide groove 35 is located at a position where the LED head unit 31 becomes substantially horizontal when the LED head unit 31 is supported by the roller 20 when the crankshaft 17 is in the vertical position. The height is formed so that the engaging protrusion 34 can be guided. The guide groove 35 is formed substantially parallel to the Y-axis up to the central portion and has a predetermined width such that the engaging projection 34 can be fitted therein. Spread, and again extend in a wide state parallel to the Y-axis to the other end. Further, the end portion 35a of the guide groove 35 on the pilot pin 26 side has a groove width that widens in a fan shape so that the engagement protrusion 34 can be easily fitted therein, as described later.

In the above structure, when the LED head unit 31 is mounted on the developing device 2, first, the engaging projection 3 is formed.
4 is introduced into the end portion 35a of the wider guide groove 35, and the roller 20 is connected to the U-shaped groove 1 of the LED head unit 1.
Insert in 6 and insert. After that, the LED head unit 31 comes into a state of being in close contact with the developing device 32 to complete the mounting as in the case of the first embodiment, but in the process, the engaging projection 34 is guided to the guide groove 35. , Its inclination is restricted to a predetermined state.

As described above, the developing device 3 of the second embodiment
According to 2 and the LED head unit 31, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the inclination when the LED head unit 31 is mounted can be regulated, so that the insertion operation can be performed stably and the LED head unit 31 can be performed. The lower end of the front end portion in which the pilot pin groove 14 is formed is the developing device 3
It becomes possible to slide or avoid the second mounting surface 2b, and a smoother mounting operation can be realized as compared with the case of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a developing device and an LED head unit and an attachment / detachment mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is an outline perspective view showing an attachment-and-detach mechanism.

The developing device 42 and the LED head unit 41 of the third embodiment are different from the developing device and the LED head unit of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 mainly in the developing device 42 and the LED head. This is a part relating to the attachment / detachment mechanism with respect to the unit 41. Therefore, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or a description thereof will be omitted without disclosure, and different points will be mainly described below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the LED head unit 41 is composed of a head supporting member 43 and an LED head 44 which is connected to a lower portion of the head supporting member 43 by an urging member made of an elastic member (not shown). There is. In FIG. 7, the toner cartridge 4 mounted on the developing device 42 and the area around the toner cartridge 4 are omitted for the sake of clarity.

A rotary fulcrum shaft 43a is integrally formed at one end of the head support member 43 in the longitudinal direction in a direction orthogonal to the same direction. The rotation support shaft 43a is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) of the main body of the image forming apparatus so as to be slightly movable in the directions of the arrows A and E, which are the X-axis directions, and to be rotatable with some fitting backlash. Has been done.

At both ends of the LED head 44, there are formed a guide hole 46 and a guide slot 47 into which a pair of pilot pins 45, which stand from both ends of the mounting surface 42b of the developing device 42, are fitted. There is.

In the vicinity of the other end of the head support member 43, a hook member 48 rotatably supported by a frame of the image forming apparatus main body (not shown) is provided. The hook member 48 has a rotation shaft 48a parallel to the X axis, and is biased in the direction of arrow B around the X axis by a bias spring 49 suspended between the hook member 48 and the image forming apparatus.

As will be described later, the LED head unit 4
1 for holding 1 in a predetermined standby position, and a compression coil spring 51 for urging the LED head unit 41 in a predetermined position in the direction of arrow B around the X axis.
Are arranged on the frame of the image forming apparatus main body (not shown).

In the above construction, the developing device 42 and L
The attachment / detachment operation of the ED head unit 41 is shown in FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of (b) and (c). It should be noted that in FIG. 8, the area around the toner cartridge 4 of the developing device 42 is removed for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 8A shows the developing device 42 and the LED.
The head unit 41 is shown mounted in each predetermined mounting position of the image forming apparatus (not shown). At this time, in the LED head unit 41, a pair of pilot pins 45 that stand upright from the mounting surface 42b (FIG. 7) of the developing device 42 are formed in the LED head 44, respectively. It is inserted into 47 and positioned,
Further, by the bias spring 49, an arrow B around the X axis
The end portion is locked by the hook 48b of the hook member 48 biased in the direction, and the mounting surface 4 of the developing device 42 shown in FIG.
The mounted state in close contact with 2b is maintained.

At this time, the LED lens 44a, which projects downward from the LED head 44 and extends in the longitudinal direction, enters the inside from the upper opening 42a (FIG. 7) formed in the mounting surface 42b of the developing device 42 and is exposed. It is in contact with the peripheral surface of the drum 3. The LED head unit 41 is biased by the compression spring 51 in the direction of arrow B around the X axis, and is pressed by the hook 48b to lock the rotation position.

From the above state, when replacing the developing device 42 or cleaning the lens surface of the LED head 44, for example, first remove the toner cartridge 4 (FIG. 6).
The hook member 48 is rotated in the direction of arrow C around the X axis against the biasing force of the bias spring 49 to unlock the LED head unit 41.

Then, the LED head unit 41 is moved in the direction of the arrow B around the X axis about the rotation fulcrum shaft 43a.
As shown in (b) of the figure, it becomes substantially vertical and rotates until it reaches a standby position held by the head locking member 50.

In this state, after replacing the developing device 42 or cleaning the LED head 44, the LED head unit 41 is closed again. At this time, the compression coil spring 51 also functions as a damper when the LED head unit 41 suddenly drops. The operator sets the LED head unit 41 to the developing device 42 from the state shown in FIG.
It is pressed against the urging force of the compression coil spring 51 until it comes into close contact with the mounting surface 42b.

At this stage, the hook 48 of the hook member 48 is
b locks the end of the LED head unit 41,
The head unit 41 returns to the predetermined mounting position shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the apparatus of the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, the LE is structurally configured.
Since it is only necessary to secure a space for mounting the D head unit 41, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having excellent space efficiency and suitable for increasing the capacity of the toner cartridge.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a developing device and an LED head unit and an attachment / detachment mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is an outline perspective view showing an attachment-and-detach mechanism.

The developing device 42 and the LED head unit 41 of the fourth embodiment have exactly the same structure as the developing device and the LED head unit of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, but the toner cartridge 60 is the same. (Figure 11)
The configuration and the attachment / detachment mechanism of the LED head unit 41 held by the main body of the image forming apparatus (not shown) are different. Therefore, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or a description thereof will be omitted without disclosure, and different points will be mainly described below.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the LED head unit 41, the rotation fulcrum shaft 43a of the LED head unit 41 has an arrow F, which is parallel to the Z axis, due to the frame of the image forming apparatus main body (not shown).
It is rotatably supported by a bearing member 55 as a holding means that is slidably movable in a predetermined range in the G direction.

Further, between the bearing member 55 and the frame of the image forming apparatus main body (not shown), and the LED head unit 4
Compression springs 52 and 51 are respectively arranged between the open end portion of No. 1 and the frame of the image forming apparatus main body (not shown), and a predetermined amount is compressed by the weight of the LED head unit 41 and the bearing member 55. There is.

At this time, the LED head unit 41 is
Above the mounting surface 42b of the developing device 42, the guide hole 46, the elongated guide hole 47, and the LED lens 44a,
At a position opposed to the pair of pilot pins 45 and the upper opening 42a that are respectively planted from the mounting surface 42b,
It is configured so that it can stay substantially parallel to the mounting surface 42b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, flange portions 61a and 61b are provided at both ends in front of both side surfaces 60a and 60b of the toner cartridge 60 (in the negative direction of the X axis).
The rod-shaped member 61 as a pair of force transmission members having the above is arranged in parallel with the Z axis. These rod-shaped members 61 are axially supported by a pair of bearings 62 and 63 formed on both side surfaces 60a and 60b of the toner cartridge 60 so as to be slidable by a predetermined distance in the directions of arrows F and G parallel to the Z axis. Has been done.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the toner cartridge 60 is provided on the upper cover 65 of the image forming apparatus.
Upper flange portion 61a of the pair of rod-shaped members 61 disposed in the
A pair of pressing protrusions 65a formed integrally with the upper cover 65 are formed at positions facing each other. The pressing protrusions 65a, the rod-shaped member 61, and the members that support them correspond to the setting means.

As described above, the space distance L (FIG. 9) between the upper surface of the LED head unit 41 and the toner cartridge 60 is set so that the LED head unit 41 has the compression spring 5
1, 52 are provided to enable the desired distance to levitate from the mounting surface 42b of the developing device 42.

In the above structure, the developing device 42 and L
The attachment / detachment operation of the ED head unit 41 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The operation will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagram.

In FIG. 12, the developing device 42 and the LED head unit 41 are attached to the image forming apparatus (not shown) to obtain the state shown in FIG. 10, the toner cartridge 60 is further attached, and the upper cover 65 is left open. It shows the state of being done. At this time, the LED head unit 41 is pushed up by the compression springs 51 and 52 (FIG. 10), and a predetermined space is formed between the LED head 44 and the mounting surface 42b of the developing device 42. Therefore, the pair of rod-shaped members 61 arranged in the toner cartridge 60 are also pushed up.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper cover 6
5 is closed, the pressing protrusions 65a are replaced by the pair of rod-shaped members 61.
In order to push the LED head unit 41 downward, the LED head unit 41 is moved by the downward movement of the rod-shaped member 61.
It is approached while maintaining a substantially parallel state with respect to, and eventually comes into contact with and maintains a close contact state.

On the other hand, when the developing device is replaced or the LED head 44 is cleaned, the toner cartridge 60 is first removed and the LE is removed, as in the case of the third embodiment.
Rotate the fulcrum shaft 43a (FIG. 10) to the D head unit 41.
Can be performed by rotating in a direction of an arrow B around the X-axis to become a substantially vertical position until it reaches a standby position where the head locking member 50 holds it.

However, when cleaning the LED head 44, as shown in FIG.
However, it is also possible to perform it in a state of being separated from the mounting surface 42b of the developing device 42 by a predetermined amount.

As described above, according to the device of the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the LED head unit 41 is separated from the developing device 42 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the upper cover. Therefore, LE of LED head
It is possible to easily clean the D lens. Also,
Since the LED head unit 41 is closely attached to or separated from the developing device 42 while maintaining a parallel state, the attachment / detachment operation can be performed more smoothly.

Embodiment 5. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a developing device and an LED head unit and an attachment / detachment mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is an outline perspective view showing an attachment-and-detach mechanism.

The developing device 42 and the LED head unit 71 of the fifth embodiment are different from the developing device and the LED head unit of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 mainly in the parts relating to the attaching / detaching mechanism of the LED head unit 71. Is. Therefore, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, or the description thereof will be omitted without disclosure, and different points will be mainly described below.

As shown in FIG. 14, at both ends of the head support member 73 of the LED head unit 71 in the longitudinal direction,
A pair of projecting shafts 73 projecting coaxially from both ends
a and 73b are formed.

On the other hand, in the pair of links 75, the rotary shafts 75a formed at one ends thereof are located near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 42 arranged in the main body of the image forming apparatus (not shown).
The frame of the image forming apparatus is rotatably supported around the Y axis.

The pair of links 75 has shaft holes 75b at their other ends, which are loosely fitted in the projection shafts 73a and 73b of the head support member 73, respectively.
Guide hole 46, guide elongated hole 47, and LED lens 4
4a holds the LED head unit 71 at a position where it can engage with the pair of pilot pins 45 standing upright from the mounting surface 42b and the upper opening 42a.

The pair of links 75 are also formed on the frame while the rotation of the pair of links 75 around the Y axis in the arrow J direction is restricted by a pair of stoppers 78 formed on the frame of the image forming apparatus main body (not shown). A torsion spring 77 suspended between the post 76 and the post 76 urges the same in the same direction and presses the stopper 75. In this state, the LED head unit 71 is separated from the mounting surface 42b of the developing device 42, is above the mounting surface 42b, and is held at a predetermined interval.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the toner cartridge 6 is provided on the upper cover 80 of the image forming apparatus.
Upper flange portion 61 of a pair of rod-shaped members 61 arranged at 0
At a position facing a, a set button 80a as a pair of setting members, which is held slidably in the vertical direction, is provided on the upper cover 80, and is configured so that it can be locked at the set position shown in the figure as described later. Has been done.

In the above construction, the developing device 42 and L
The attachment / detachment operation of the ED head unit 71 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The operation will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagram of No. 5.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the set button 80a of the upper cover 80 of the image forming apparatus is open,
When the ED head unit 71 is in the state shown in FIG. 14 in which it is held at the uppermost position by the urging force of the torsion bar spring 77, the developing device 42 with the toner cartridge 60 mounted thereon is moved along the Y axis to form an image. The device is detached from the predetermined mounting position or mounted in the predetermined mounting position.

It is assumed that the image forming apparatus main body according to the fifth embodiment is provided with a front cover for enabling the developing device 42 having the toner cartridge 60 mounted therein to move in the Y-axis direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, after mounting the developing device 42 equipped with the toner cartridge 60 at a predetermined position on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the set button 80a is pushed to the position shown in FIG.
Push down to the set position shown in and lock in that set position. As the push-down operation is performed, the pair of rod-shaped members 61 arranged in the toner cartridge 60 are also pushed down, so that the LED head unit 41 is placed on the mounting surface 42b by the lower flange portion 61b of the rod-shaped member 61.
It is approached while maintaining a substantially parallel state with respect to, and eventually comes into contact with and maintains a close contact state.

On the other hand, when replacing the developing device, the set button 80a is unlocked to bring it to the state of FIG. 15 again, and the developing device 42 equipped with the toner cartridge 60 is moved along the Y axis as described above. And carry out. Also, L
When the ED head 44 is cleaned, as shown in FIG. 15, the LED head unit 71 is separated from the developing device 42, and further, the developing device 42 including the toner cartridge 60 is pulled out to the front. be able to.

As described above, according to the device of the fifth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the fourth embodiment described above, by providing an opening / closing cover on the side surface of the device, it is possible to fix the upper cover while it is closed. Since this is possible, the degree of freedom in design can be increased according to the application.

[0102]

According to the image forming unit and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the upper cover of the image forming apparatus is provided with L
It is not necessary to provide the ED head unit, and the upper cover itself can be made light and simple. Therefore, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus which is easy to use and has excellent cost performance.

Further, since a space for moving the LED head is not required structurally, the toner cartridge can be increased in size accordingly, and the image forming apparatus suitable for increasing the capacity of the toner cartridge having excellent space efficiency. Can be realized.

Further, since the LED head can be maintained in a state of being separated from the developing device, it is possible to take out only the developing device having the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus, or to clean the LED head without taking out the developing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the main configuration of each of the developing device and the LED head unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of each of the developing device and the LED head unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view for explaining an attaching / detaching operation of the developing device and the LED head unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view for explaining an attaching / detaching operation of the developing device and the LED head unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of relevant parts for explaining each configuration and mounting operation of the developing device and the LED head unit.

FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of a developing device and an LED head unit, and an attachment / detachment mechanism.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a configuration and a mounting / demounting mechanism of a developing device and an LED head unit according to a third embodiment.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are operation explanatory views for explaining an attaching / detaching operation of the developing device and the LED head unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration and a mounting / demounting mechanism of a developing device and an LED head unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main part configuration and an attachment / detachment mechanism of a developing device and an LED head unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the toner cartridge according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an attaching / detaching operation of the developing device and the LED head unit according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a main part configuration and a mounting / demounting mechanism of a developing device and an LED head unit according to a fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a main part configuration and an attachment / detachment mechanism of a developing device and an LED head unit according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory view illustrating an attaching / detaching operation of the developing device and the LED head unit according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a main part schematically showing an arrangement configuration of a conventional image forming mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 LED head unit, 1a LED lens,
1b upper surface, 2 developing device, 2a upper opening, 2
b mounting surface, 2c front wall, 3 photosensitive drum, 4
Toner cartridge, 4a First storage chamber, 4b
Second storage chamber, 5 frames, 6 developing roller,
7 developing blade, 8 supply roller, 9 charge roller, 10 cleaning blade, 11 transfer roller, 12 connector, 13 pilot pin hole, 14 pilot pin groove, 15 long side surface, 1
6 U-shaped groove, 16a bottom part, 17 crankshaft, 17a fulcrum shaft, 17b action shaft, 17c
The other end, 18, 19 bearings, 20 rollers, 21
Tension coil spring, 22 fulcrum post, 23
Curved link, 24 handle, 25 lower plane, 2
6 Pilot pin, 27 Shoulder pin, 27
a shoulder, 28 flange, 28a peripheral surface,
29 compression coil spring, 30 toner hopper,
31 LED head unit, 32 developing device, 3
4 engagement protrusions, 35 guide protrusions, 41 LED head unit, 42 developing device, 42a upper opening, 42b mounting surface, 43 head support member, 4
3a Rotating fulcrum shaft, 44 LED head, 44a
LED lens, 45 pilot pin, 46 guide hole, 47 guide elongated hole, 48 hook member, 48
a rotating shaft, 48b hook, 49 bias spring, 50 head locking member, 51 compression spring, 52 compression spring, 55 bearing member, 6
0 toner cartridge, 60a, 60b side surface,
61 bar-shaped member, 61a, 61b flange portion, 6
2, 63 bearings, 65 upper cover, 65a pressing protrusion, 71 LED head unit, 73 head supporting member, 73a, 73b protrusion shaft, 75 link, 75a rotating shaft, 76 post, 77 torsion spring, 78 stopper, 80 upper Cover, 80a set button, 100 electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus), 101 upper cover, 102 LED head unit, 103 photosensitive drum, 104 developing device, 104a toner cartridge, 105 device body, 106 transfer roller, 107 carrier belt .

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 15/04 111 F term (reference) 2C061 AQ06 BB11 BB30 BB35 2C162 AE28 AE40 AE47 AE54 FA04 FA17 FA66 2H071 BA03 BA13 BA14 BA19 BA23 BA27 BA29 DA03 EA04 2H076 AB18 AB42 AB60 EA11

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic image forming unit using an exposing means as a light source for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier, said image forming unit including said electrostatic latent image carrier. An image forming unit, wherein the exposure means is detachable. 2. The image according to claim 1, further comprising mounting means for moving the exposing means in the longitudinal direction when the exposing means is attached to and detached from the image forming unit. Forming unit. 3. The image forming unit according to claim 2, wherein the mounting means includes guide means for guiding the movement of the exposure means. 4. The guide means guides the first engaging means provided in the exposing means and the second engaging means provided in the image forming unit so as to engage with each other. The image forming unit according to claim 3. 5. The attaching means attaches the exposing means to the image forming unit at a position where the first engaging means and the second engaging means engage with each other. The image forming unit according to claim 4, further comprising a biasing unit. 6. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an exposing means as a light source for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier of an image forming unit having a toner cartridge removably attached, wherein the exposure is performed. At least one end of the exposing means in the longitudinal direction is supported by the image forming apparatus main body at a position where the means can be arranged close to the electrostatic latent image carrier of the image forming unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an LED head is used as the exposing means, and a photosensitive drum is used as the electrostatic latent image carrier. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the LED head can be connected to or separated from the photosensitive drum while maintaining a substantially parallel state. 9. The LE for rotatably supporting the LED head along a plane including a rotation axis of the photosensitive drum.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a holding unit that holds the one end of the D head. 10. The image forming unit has one end rotatably supported on a coaxial line, and the other end having a pair of links engaging with both ends of the LED head, respectively. 7. The image forming apparatus according to 7 or 8. 11. A setting for bringing the LED head into close contact with the image forming unit in association with an opening / closing operation of the upper cover itself of the image forming apparatus or a movement of a setting member displaceably formed on the upper cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a unit. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the setting unit includes a force transmission member arranged in the toner cartridge.