JPH05257340A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate periodical inspection and maintenance and everyday maintenance management. CONSTITUTION:The device is constituted so that the inspection and maintenance and maintenance management can be easily carried out by having a transfer range of an image opened in a state where the surface of the belt is covered and protected by a belt cover member 31, feeding of toner can be carried out by having each toner feeding part exposed from the device main body and furthermore, the attachment and detachment of the waste toner box 100 can be facilitated, by slightly moving a processing cartridge 30 where a photosensitive belt 1, each of developing devices, a cleaning device, each toner hopper and furthermore a waste toner box in the periphery of the belt are integrated in the horizontal direction through a guide rail R.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus in which an image forming body, a developing device and the like are housed in a process cartridge and detachably housed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, since the performance of photoconductors, developing means and the like is greatly deteriorated and consumed, and frequent maintenance is required, it is possible to easily and always attach / detach the main body of the apparatus properly. A method is adopted in which the process cartridge is incorporated into one process cartridge and integrated into the process cartridge.

Further, a toner hopper connected to the developing means and a waste toner box connected to the cleaning means are also provided.
In order to omit a complicated connection / separation mechanism, the device is directly connected to the developing means and the cleaning means and incorporated in the cartridge, thereby simplifying the structure of the apparatus and reducing the cost.

[0004]

However, if the toner hopper and the waste toner box are also incorporated in the cartridge, it is necessary to remove the cartridge from the main body of the apparatus each time the toner is supplied or the waste toner is disposed. ..

Further, as a result of the size of the cartridge itself being enlarged and the transfer area of the image being widely covered, the problem that the jam treatment of the recording paper becomes difficult occurs.

As a result of solving and improving this point, the present invention provides
It is an object of the present invention to provide a color image forming apparatus capable of supplying toner, disposing of waste toner, removing jammed paper, etc. without removing the process cartridge from the apparatus main body.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above object is to provide a process in which a belt-shaped image forming body stretched in a horizontal direction, a plurality of developing devices and toner hoppers arranged in parallel on the peripheral surface of the belt-shaped image forming body are incorporated. In a color image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachable, a toner supply portion of the toner hopper is exposed by a pulling operation of the process cartridge from the apparatus main body, and a transfer area of the apparatus is opened. Apparatus, and a color image forming apparatus in which a belt-shaped image forming body stretched in the horizontal direction, a process cartridge containing a plurality of developing devices and toner hoppers arranged in parallel on the peripheral surface of the belt-shaped image forming body are detachable In the above procedure, after the transfer area of the apparatus is opened, the process cartridge is pulled out from the apparatus main body and the toner hopper Over the supply part is achieved by a color image forming apparatus characterized by being exposed.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a color image forming apparatus of the present invention.
Through FIG.

1 and 2 show a first embodiment, in which 1 is a flexible photosensitive belt which is a belt-shaped image forming body, and the photosensitive belt 1 is composed of rotating rollers 2 and 3. It is installed in the horizontal direction between and is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow by driving the rotating roller 2.

Reference numeral 4 is a charging device which also serves as transfer means, 5 is a laser writing system unit, 6 to 9 are respective developing devices for accommodating a developer of a specific color, and 10 is a cleaning device.
11 is a fixing device. The developing devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 are arranged in parallel on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor belt 1 and accommodate, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developers, respectively. The developing sleeves 6A, 7A, 8A, and 9A for maintaining the above are provided, and have a function of visualizing the latent image on the photosensitive belt 1 by the non-contact reversal developing method. Unlike the contact development, the non-contact development has an advantage that the movement of the photosensitive belt 1 is not hindered.

Further, the blade 10 of the cleaning device 10
A is kept at a position apart from the surface of the photosensitive belt 1 during image formation and is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive belt 1 only as shown in the figure during cleaning after image transfer.

The color image forming process by the color image forming apparatus is performed as follows.

First, the formation of a multicolor image according to this embodiment is performed according to the following image forming system. That is, the data obtained by the color image data input section in which the image sensor scans the original image is processed by the image data processing section to create image data, which is once stored in the image memory. Next, the image memory is taken out at the time of recording and is input to the color image forming apparatus shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, which is a recording unit.

That is, when a color signal output from an image reading apparatus separate from the image forming apparatus is input to the laser writing system unit 5, a semiconductor laser (not shown) is provided in the laser writing system unit 5. The laser beam generated in 1. is rotationally scanned by the polygon mirror 5B rotated by the drive motor 5A, the optical path is bent by the mirror 5D via the f.theta. Lens 5C, and the photoconductor belt 1 previously charged by the charger 4 is charged. Is projected onto the peripheral surface to form a bright line.

The charging device 4 has a built-in charging electrode which also serves as a transfer electrode. As shown in FIG. 5, when an image forming start signal is input to the control section by operating the copy button, the charging is performed by operating the changeover switch. The power is turned on and a charging voltage is applied to the photosensitive belt 1. At that time, the transfer power source is switched off.

On the other hand, when the scanning is started, the beam is detected by the index sensor, the modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam scans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1. .. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photosensitive belt 1. This latent image is subjected to reversal development in a non-contact state by the developing device 6 loaded with yellow (Y) toner (visual medium) in the developing means to form a toner image on the belt surface. The obtained toner image passes through the cleaning device 10, which is a cleaning means separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1 while being held on the belt surface, and enters the next copy cycle.

That is, the photoconductor belt 1 has the charger 4
Then, the second color signal output from the signal processing unit is input to the laser writing system unit 5, and writing is performed on the belt surface in the same manner as the case of the first color signal described above. A latent image is formed. The latent image is reversely developed in a non-contact state by the developing device 7 loaded with magenta (M) toner as the second color.

The magenta (M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a developing device having a cyan (C) toner, which forms a cyan (C) toner image on the surface of the belt based on a control signal generated by a signal processing section.

Further, 9 is a developing device having a black toner, and a black toner image is formed on the surface of the belt by superimposing it by the same process. DC or further AC bias is applied to each sleeve of each of these developing devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 to perform jumping development with a one-component or two-component developer which is a developing means, and a base is set. The reversal development is performed on the photoconductor belt 1 in a non-contact manner.

Thus, the color toner image formed on the peripheral surface by the four revolutions of the photosensitive belt 1 is transferred onto the transfer paper by the paper feed cassette 12 in the charger 4 and driven by the timing roller 13. Transcribed.

That is, before and after the drive signal of the timing roller 13 from the control section, the transfer power is turned on by the operation of the changeover switch, the transfer voltage is applied to the transfer sheet, and the toner image on the photosensitive belt 1 is formed. Transcribed. At that time, the charging power source is switched off.

The transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1 and the toner image is fused on the fixing device 11 and then discharged onto the tray 15 via the paper discharge roller 14.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt 1 from which the transfer paper is separated
Is the blade 10A of the cleaning device 10 on the fifth lap
The residual toner is removed / cleaned by receiving the pressure contact of 1), and after one round, the charging device 4 receives the charge again to start the next image forming process.

Yellow on the upper part of the photosensitive belt 1,
Toner hoppers 60, 70, 80, and 90 containing magenta, cyan, and black toners, respectively, are arranged, and are connected to respective target developing devices to supply toner.

A waste toner box 100 for storing waste toner is arranged under each of the developing units, and is connected to the cleaning device 10 to receive the collected toner.

The photoconductor belt 1, the developing devices, the toner hoppers, and the waste toner box 100 are assembled in the process cartridge 30 and are attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus.

When the process cartridge 30 is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the pin P1 on the upper surface pushes up the cam surface 15A on the lower surface of the tray 15 as shown in FIG. The moving tray 15 is supported horizontally.

On the other hand, the rotary shafts 31 on both sides of the cartridge 30
The belt cover member 31 supported by A is a tension spring.
The action of 32 brings the pin P2 into contact with the cartridge 30,
It is placed at a position retracted from the transfer area of the photosensitive belt 1.

The process cartridge 30 is slid to the left as shown in FIG. 2 through the handle H1 by opening the door 40 with the paper feed cassette 12 taken out from the apparatus main body.

That is, the process cartridge 30 is supported on both sides by the double guide rails R provided in the main body of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, and the stopper 33 biased by the tension spring 34 is provided with the guide rails R. It is configured so that it can move in parallel to a position where it engages with the R notch.

The movement of the cartridge 30 causes the pin P to move.
As a result, the tray 15 rotates clockwise due to its own weight and the transfer area of the image and the conveying surface of the recording paper are completely opened, and the charging device 4 and the fixing device 11 are inspected / checked and jam paper is removed. Removal is easy.

At the same time, the belt cover member 31 is pressed by the pin P3 fixed to the main body of the apparatus and rotated clockwise to cover and protect the belt surface.

On the other hand, by moving the cartridge 30, the toner supply portions 60A, 70A, 80A of the respective toner hoppers are respectively moved.
And 90A is exposed from the main body of the apparatus and toner can be supplied, and the waste toner box 100 can be easily pulled out through the handle H2 and the collected toner can be discarded.

If the stopper 33 is manually rotated counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 30 can be taken out of the apparatus main body out of the engagement with the guide rail R. Becomes

It should be noted that the rotating tray 15 is inclined to the lower left in the figure so that the transfer material discharged from the discharge roller 14 from the apparatus main body is brought into contact with the tray tip portion 15E as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. (Preferably 5 ° to 30 °) is provided, and the inclination of the movable portion 15D that is pivotally opened about the fulcrum 15B at the time of jam handling is provided as a steeper slope than the fixed portion 15C (+
(5 ° to 15 °) It is also possible to ensure that the tip portion 15E is abutted and aligned.

Further, the fixed portion 15C is based on the rotation fulcrum 15B.
And the length of the movable part 15D is at least the total length of the fixed part 15C with respect to the maximum transfer size that can be used in the apparatus.
/ 2 or more, preferably about 2/3, and up to 2/3 of the most frequently used transfer size (1/2 or more of the maximum size) so that the movable part 15D is open (two-dot chain line 15D ').
Also in this case, it is preferable that the transfer material is discharged and kept on the tray.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the second embodiment. The structure of the process cartridge 130 and the image forming process therefor are exactly the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

In the main body of the apparatus of the present embodiment, the right main body 140 of the apparatus including the writing system unit 105 serving as the exposing means can rotate about the hinge shaft 140A as a fulcrum.
As a result, the image transfer area and the recording paper conveyance surface are entirely opened, and the process cartridge 130 is slid to the right through the guide rail R and moved from that state.

The opening of the right main body 140 is performed in a state where the apparatus main body is first placed on the pedestal 300 and the paper feed cassette 112 is removed.

When the cartridge 130 moves, the belt cover member 131 rotates clockwise due to the action of the tension spring 132 until the belt cover member 131 is released from the pressure contact of the pin 103 fixed to the apparatus main body, and abuts the pin 102 to contact the belt surface. To the position that covers.

The stopper 133 engages with the guide rail R to stop the movement of the cartridge 130, and at that position, the toner supply portions 160A, 170A, 180A and 190A of the respective toner hoppers are exposed from the apparatus main body to supply the toner. Therefore, the waste toner box 200 can be easily pulled out.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when inspecting / checking the charging device 104 and the fixing device 111 and removing the jammed paper, only the right main body 140 is opened, and the toner is supplied and the waste toner is disposed of. The process cartridge 130 is further moved from the state.

In both the first and second embodiments, the developing device group may be arranged above the photosensitive belt, that is, directly below the respective toner hoppers, whereby the toner supply path can be shortened. It is also possible to arrange the cleaning device upstream of the developing device group.

[0045]

The present invention has an extremely simple structure and can easily perform daily maintenance work such as inspection and maintenance of equipment, supply of toner, disposal of waste toner and removal of jammed paper. As a result, it has become possible to provide a color image forming apparatus capable of recording a high-quality image with its function and performance kept high.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a color image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a developed state of the device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a color image forming apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional configuration diagram showing a developed state of the device.

FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram for switching the power source of the charger.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,101 Photoconductor belt 4,104 Charging (transfer) device 5,105 Writing system unit 6,7,8,9,106,107,108,109 Developing device 60,70,80,90,160,170,180 , 190 Toner hopper 10, 110 Cleaning device 11, 111 Fixer 12, 112 Paper cassette 13, 113 Timing roller 15, 115 Tray 30, 130 Process cartridge 31, 131 Belt cover member 33, 133 Stopper 40 Door 100, 200 Waste toner Box 140 Right body R Guide rail

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A color image in which a belt-shaped image forming body stretched in the horizontal direction, a plurality of developing devices arranged in parallel on the peripheral surface of the belt-shaped image forming body, and a process cartridge containing a toner hopper are detachable. In the forming apparatus, the toner supply section of the toner hopper is exposed by the operation of pulling out the process cartridge from the apparatus main body, and the transfer area of the apparatus is opened. 2. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of pulling out the process cartridge is stopped at a position where the toner supply portion of the toner hopper is exposed. 3. A color image forming method in which a belt-shaped image forming body stretched in the horizontal direction, a plurality of developing devices arranged in parallel on the peripheral surface of the belt-shaped image forming body, and a process cartridge containing a toner hopper are detachable. In the apparatus, after the transfer area of the apparatus is opened, the toner supply unit of the toner hopper is exposed by an operation of pulling out the process cartridge from the apparatus body. 4. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation of pulling out the process cartridge is stopped at a position where the toner supply portion of the toner hopper is exposed. 5. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transfer area is opened by moving an exposure unit with respect to the belt-shaped image forming body.