JPH08171248A - Image forming device provided with belt module and method for positioning belt module in image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To secure reproducibility and the positioning accuracy of a belt module with respect to an image carrier. CONSTITUTION: This image forming device is equipped with the belt module B used to transfer a toner image formed on the image carrier Dy on a transfer material, an elevating member 61 on a moving base A, a module supporting member 711 provided in the elevating member 61 and supporting the belt module B so as to move back and forth, right and left and downward, a pair of right and left members to be guided 33 and 29 provided on the belt module B, and a pair of right and left module guide members 87 guiding the belt module B to a specified position with respect to the image carrier Dy by engaging with the members to be guided 33 and 29 on the belt module B when the member 61 is elevated; and the driving roll shaft line of the belt module B and the nip line of a fixing device are kept so that their positions may be parallel or torsional.

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 and a laser beam printer.
An image having a configuration in which a toner image formed on the surface of an image carrier of a main body side device of an image forming apparatus is transferred to a transfer material by using a belt module configured to be movable and removable with respect to the main body side device. Forming apparatus The belt module movably supports an endless intermediate transfer belt, which transfers a toner image directly on the belt surface, or an endless transfer material transport belt, which transports a transfer material such as paper, by a plurality of rollers. It means the parts of the unit structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a main portion of a digital color copying machine as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 40, a digital color copying machine U as an image forming apparatus has a main body side device U1 and a belt module B detachable from the main body side device U1. The main unit U1 has an image processing section S to which R, G, B image data read by an image scanner section (not shown) is input. The image processing unit S is composed of a microcomputer, a memory, etc., and inputs the input image data of R, G, B into k (black), y (yellow), m (magenta),
And a digital image signal of c (cyan), which is temporarily stored in the memory of the image processing unit S and output to the four toner image forming devices Uk, Uy, Um, Uc at a predetermined timing. Have The toner image forming device Uk,
Uy, Um and Uc are devices for forming toner images of respective colors of k (black), y (yellow), m (magenta) and c (cyan). The toner image forming device Uk of the above-mentioned k includes an image carrier Dk, a laser scanning system 01k arranged around the image carrier Dk, a developing device 02k, a cleaner 03k, and a charger 0.
It has 4k etc. The toner image forming devices Uy, Um,
Each Uc has the same structure as that of the k toner image forming apparatus Uk.

The toner image forming devices Uk, Uy, Um, Uc
Is the k, y, input from the image processing unit S.
The laser scanning systems 01k, 01y, 01m, and 01c are driven according to the digital image signals of the colors m and c, and the charger 04k,
An electrostatic latent image is written on the image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm and Dc which are uniformly charged by 04y, 04m and 04c. Image carrier D
The electrostatic latent images of k, Dy, Dm and Dc are developed by the developing devices 02k, 0.
A toner image is developed by 2y, 02m, and 02c. The image processing section S, the toner image forming devices Uk, Uy, Um, Uc,
Laser scanning system 01k, 01y, 01m, 01c, developing device 0
2k, 02y, 02m, 02c, cleaner 03k, 03y, 0
3 m, 03c, chargers 04k, 04y, 04m, 04c and the like constitute a main unit U1.

The image carrier D is attached to the main unit U1.
Below k, Dy, Dm, and Dc, a space in which the belt module B is detachably mounted is provided. The belt module B includes a driving roll 06, a peeling roll 07, an idler roll 08, a tension roll 09, and a transfer material conveying belt 011 supported by these rolls. At the transfer positions where the image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc and the belt 011 come into contact with each other, transfer devices (not shown) are arranged on the lower surface of the belt 011. The transfer device is also a component of the belt module B. Also,
Although not shown, a sheet P (not shown) as a transfer material is configured to be supplied from a right side of the belt module B of FIG. 40 to a predetermined transfer material suction position on the upper surface of the belt 011 at a predetermined timing. There is.

The sheet P (not shown) attracted to the belt 011 at the transfer material attracting position is conveyed by the belt 011. At that time, the writing start position of the sheet P conveyed by the belt 011 and the leading end of the k (black) image on the k (black) image carrier Dk arranged on the most upstream side in the transfer material conveying direction are: The conveyance timing and the image writing timing of the sheet P are determined so that they coincide with each other at the transfer point (the position between the image carrier Dk and the transfer device (not shown)). The toner image on the image carrier Dk is transferred to the sheet P that has reached the transfer point by the transfer device (not shown). The sheet P to which the k toner image is transferred is sequentially conveyed to the transfer points between the image carriers Dy, Dm, Dc and the respective transfer devices, but the image writing on the image carriers Dy, Dm, Dc is performed. The timing is set so that the leading edge of each of the y, m, and c toner images matches the leading edge of the k toner image transferred to the sheet P.

The sheet P on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred
Is peeled by a peeling corotron (not shown) or a stripper at the position of the peeling roller 07 and is conveyed to a fixing device (not shown) arranged on the left side in FIG.

In the multiple transfer type image forming apparatus for sequentially transferring a plurality of toner images to the transfer material as described above, each of the image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm and Dc is a frame (not shown) of the image forming apparatus. ) Holds it in place. The belt module B must be fixed at predetermined positions in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction with respect to the image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm, and Dc held by the frame.

Conventionally, as a method of fixing the belt module B at a predetermined position, the following technique (J01) is known. (J01) Technology described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-35008 In this publication, first and second reference pins 85a and 8
Rear plate 61, front plate 62 and support plate 6 having 5b
A frame 28 having 2, 63, support plates 51, 52 supported by the frame 28, and a roller 2 supported by these
A transport unit 40 including a module (belt module) having 5, 26 and a transfer belt 21 and a fixing device supported by a support plate 62 of the frame 28 is described. Then, there is described an apparatus capable of positioning the frame body 28 and the fixing device when the transport unit is pushed into the inner side of the main body of the image forming apparatus and set.

Then, the first and second reference pins 85
The frame 28 is positioned by fitting a and 85b into the reference holes 185a and 185b of the main body frame plate 45, and the reference pin 95 of the fixing device is attached to the frame plate 4.
No. 5, the reference hole 195 is fitted to position the fixing device. Further, in this publication, there is described a device for supporting the drive shaft 26 of the belt on a frame 28 and rotating the support plates 51, 52 for supporting the belt around the drive shaft 26 to raise the belt. Has been done. Further, in this publication, it is assumed that the conveying unit 40 is pushed inward and set, and when the two axes Q1 and Q2 of the fixing roller 22 and the driving roller 25 of the transfer belt 21 are not parallel at this time, the screws 69a, A technique for obtaining parallelism between both axes Q1 and Q2 by loosening 69b and 69c and turning a knob 82 to rotate an eccentric cam 80 is described.

[0010]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

(Problem of the technique of (J01)) In the technique of (J01), when the frame body 28 is positioned with respect to the main body side device, the reference pins 85a and 85b of the frame body 28 are aligned with the reference hole 18
5a, 185b will be twisted and the reference pin 8
A force in a direction perpendicular to the approaching direction acts between 5a, 85b and the reference holes 185a, 185b. In this case, the reference pin 8
5a, 85b and the reference holes 185a, 185b are deformed or damaged, and accurate positioning cannot be performed.

In general, when the belt module is arranged close to the transfer device and the belt module is positioned close to the image carrier to perform positioning, the belt module is not free to move back and forth, right and left, and downward. As described above, when the belt module is not freely movable in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, a guide member (a module guide member provided in the apparatus on the main body side) and a guided member for positioning the belt module at a predetermined position with respect to the image carrier. When the members (guided members provided in the belt module) approach each other, if the positions of the module guide member and the guided member are displaced in the direction perpendicular to the approaching direction, the module guide member and the guided member are approached However, there is a problem that the positioning reproducibility becomes low due to deformation or damage. In particular, when positioning in the front-back, left-right, up-down three-dimensional direction,
When the positioning in the three-dimensional direction is performed at one time, the deformation or damage that occurs in the module guide member and the guided member becomes larger than the positioning in the front-back, left-right, and top-bottom directions sequentially, and the position is reproduced at an early stage. Sex deteriorates.

Further, (J01) does not mention anything about the positioning of the belt when the belt is raised. Therefore, it is unclear how to correctly position the belt with respect to the image carrier of the main body side device. With respect to the bearing that supports the rotating shaft of the image carrier, without directly positioning the position of the belt module, when the belt module is indirectly positioned at a position apart from the bearing,
The cumulative tolerance between the position and orientation of the image carrier and the position and orientation of the belt becomes large, and the distance and tilt of the belt module with respect to the image carrier occur, and the fixed position is accurately reproduced every time the drawer unit is inserted or removed (inserted). It is difficult to secure sex. In this case, it becomes difficult to match the transfer positions of the toner images of the respective colors formed on the image carriers of the respective colors onto the sheet (transfer material), and color misregistration occurs.

Further, the technique of (J01) does not describe a standard for determining the parallelism between the drive shaft of the belt and the axis of the fixing device. (J01) In the case of the structure in which the belt is rotated around the drive shaft of the belt and lifted up, and the drive shaft of the belt is near the fixing device, they are compared by comparing them. It may be possible to show a degree. However, when the driving roll of the belt is arranged on the side away from the fixing device, it is difficult to compare the driving roll axis of the belt and the fixing device to obtain their parallelism. Further, in the case of the configuration in which the belt module is raised for each drive roll axis, the direction of the drive roll axis of the belt module changes at the time of raising, so that the drive roll of the belt module and the fixing device are arranged close to each other. However, it is impossible to obtain their parallelism.
If the parallelism between the belt module and the fixing device cannot be achieved,
That is, when the transfer material conveyance directions are not the same, it causes a non-uniform loop in the transfer material in the axial direction. The problem of this loop occurrence will be described later.

Further, in general, when the belt module is not freely movable downward, it is not easy to appropriately maintain the contact pressure when the belt module is brought into close contact with the image carrier and brought into contact therewith. The contact pressure is likely to be excessive, in which case the deformation or damage when the module guide member and the guided member for positioning the belt module at a predetermined position of the image carrier approach each other. Therefore, conventionally, there is a problem in that the guide member and the guided member are deformed or damaged by the work of attaching and detaching the belt module to and from the image carrier several times, and the belt module cannot be accurately positioned to the image carrier. There was a point. That is, conventionally, the reproducibility of the accurate positioning of the belt module on the image carrier has been poor.

Further, conventionally, the belt module is generally lifted while guiding the guided member provided in the belt module to the module guide member provided in the main body side device, and the positioning is performed at the belt module rising position. There is. The module guide member has a cylindrical guide hole whose upper part is narrowed and whose lower part is open, and the guided member has a cylindrical protrusion whose upper part is narrowed. Then, the cylindrical projection whose upper part is narrowed is inserted into the cylindrical guide hole whose upper part is narrowed to position the guided member. In such a configuration, the positions of the guided member in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are positioned substantially at the same time, so that the horizontal force acting between the guide hole of the module guide member and the protrusion of the guided member is growing. If the horizontal force is large, the elastic deformation or damage of the guide hole and the protrusion becomes large, and thus the reproducibility of accurate positioning is deteriorated. Therefore, it is desirable that the horizontal force acting between the guide hole and the protrusion of the guided member is small. When guiding the guided member to the module guide member, the other is positioned while the guided member is free to move in either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, and then the one positioning method is performed. When adopted, the horizontal force acting between the guide hole of the module guide member and the protrusion of the guided member can be reduced.

While the transfer material such as paper is conveyed by the belt of the belt module, y,
In a full-color image forming apparatus that transfers toner images of colors m, c, and k onto a transfer material, if the conveyance direction of the unfixed transfer material conveyed by the belt module and the conveyance direction of the fixing device are different, the belt module and A force perpendicular to the conveying direction acts on the belt of the belt module via the transfer material existing between the fixing devices. The reason is that the transfer speed of the fixing device arranged on the downstream side of the belt module in the transfer material transfer direction is set to be lower than the transfer speed of the belt module, so that the transfer material is looped to absorb the speed difference. This is because a non-uniform loop is formed in the axial direction when the conveying directions are different. The elastic repulsive force of the transfer material caused by the loop formation causes a force in the conveyance direction and a force in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction to act on the belt of the belt module.

The belt is elastically deformed due to the occurrence of non-uniform loops in the axial direction of the transfer material, causing image distortion and color misregistration, which makes it difficult to obtain high image quality. Further, if the speed difference in the transport direction is larger, the belt moves on the roll, and the above problem is further exacerbated. Further, the above-mentioned problem becomes more remarkable in a so-called transfer material having a strong elasticity such as OHP and thick paper, and the image quality is further deteriorated.

In addition to the conventional technique (J01), the following technique has been proposed for the purpose of solving the above problems. (J02) JP 62-161157 A, JP 62
Techniques described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1182, etc. These techniques describe a technique of switching the conveyance speed of the fixing device to limit the loop amount. (Problem of (J02) above) However, the above (J02)
However, it is difficult to reduce the elastic repulsion force of the transfer material even though the control of the conveyance speed becomes complicated.

(J03) Technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-296078 This publication describes a device for raising and lowering a conveying means (belt module). (Problems of (J03) above) However, (J03) above
In the above, the position reproducibility of the transporting means (belt module) is not taken into consideration, and the transporting means (belt module) must be controlled to move up and down at the time of image formation.

(J04) Technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-313531 This publication describes a technology for incorporating a fixing device into a belt module. (Problems of (J04) above) However, (J04) above
Then, obstacles caused by oil adhering to the belt from the fixing device,
Another problem, such as the material of the belt in consideration of heat influence, occurs.

(J05) Technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-9096 This technology describes a technology in which the distance to the fixing device is made longer than the maximum transfer material size. (Problem of (J05) above) However, the above (J05)
Then, there is a problem that it is difficult to downsize the entire device.

(J06) Technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-341675 This publication describes a technology in which a position adjusting means of a fixing device with respect to a conveying means (belt module) is provided as in the case of (J01). . (Problems of (J06) above) However, (J06) above
Then, it has the same problem as the problem of the above (J01).

As described above, by aligning the direction of the axis of the drive roll that determines the conveyance direction of the transfer material of the belt module and the direction of the nip line that determines the conveyance direction of the fixing device, the axial direction of the transfer material is changed. It is conventionally known that the occurrence of non-uniform loops can be reduced. As a result of research conducted by the present inventors, the relationship between the direction of the axis of the drive roll and the direction of the nip line that determines the transport direction of the fixing device is not parallel, but the relationship of twist (both the drive roll axis and the nip line is a straight line). It was found that even if there is a (vertical relationship with), a large difference does not occur in the transfer material conveyance direction, the loop is unlikely to occur, and a force perpendicular to the belt conveyance direction is unlikely to occur. .

Further, conventionally, as shown in (J01), the driving roll of the belt module is arranged on the side close to the fixing device side, and the transfer material conveying portion of the belt (the portion on the side in contact with the image carrier). ) Is often used by a drive roll. However, according to the study by the present inventors, it has been found that the following problems occur when the drive roll is arranged on the side closer to the fixing device and used as the peeling roll. That is, there is a case in which the transfer material straddling between the fixing device and the belt is conveyed by the fixing device in a direction different from the transfer material conveying direction of the belt and pulled. In such a case or when a loop is generated in the transfer material, a force in the axial direction or the vertical direction of the peeling roll acts on the belt via the transfer material. Then, due to the axial force of the peeling roll acting on the belt, the belt is displaced in the axial direction of the peeling roll. In this case, if the axial belt holding force on the peeling roll is large, the belt once moved in the axial direction of the peeling roll does not easily return to the original position. Further, the drive roll needs to set a large contact area with the belt in order to surely convey the belt, which inevitably results in a roll having a large diameter, which causes deterioration of the paper peeling performance.

Therefore, as a result of further research by the present inventor,
I found the following: When the drive roll is arranged on the side far from the transfer device and the belt holding force of the peeling roll on the side close to the transfer device is made smaller than the belt holding force of the drive roll,
When a loop is generated due to the deviation of the transfer material conveyance direction between the belt module and the transfer device or when a loop is pulled in a direction different from the transfer material belt conveyance direction, a force is exerted on the belt from the transfer material in the axial direction of the peeling roll. The belt easily moves in the axial direction of the peeling roll. Then, the force applied to the belt is reduced. Then, the belt, the belt conveyance direction of which is determined by the driving roll having a large axial holding force, immediately returns to the original position in the axial direction of the peeling roll when the transfer material is separated from the belt.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances and research results, the present invention aims at the contents described in the following (O01) to (O03). (O01) To improve the image quality of a formed image by an image forming apparatus using a belt module. (O02) To secure the positioning accuracy and reproducibility of the belt module on the image carrier. (O03) The transfer material conveyance direction of the belt module and the fixing device should be the same. (O04) To reduce the adverse effect of acting on the belt due to a loop formed on the transfer material that straddles the belt module and the fixing device.

[0027]

The present invention devised to solve the above problems will now be described. The elements of the present invention are to facilitate correspondence with the elements of the embodiments described later. Note that the reference numerals of the elements of the embodiments are enclosed in parentheses. The reason why the present invention is described in association with the reference numerals of the embodiments described later is to facilitate the understanding of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(First Invention) In order to solve the above problems,
The image forming apparatus of the first invention of the present application has the following requirements: (Y01) image carrier (Dk, Dy, D)
m, Dc), (Y02) the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, D
c) Optical writing device (16k, 16k) that writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface
y, 16m, 16c), (Y03) developing device (17k, 17y, 17m, 17c) for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image,
(Y04) A belt module (B) used for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) to a transfer material, (Y05) Using the belt module (B) Fixing device (79), (Y06) for fixing the unfixed toner image transferred to the transfer material by the image carrier (D
k, Dy, Dm, Dc) can be inserted / removed below the movable table (A) and (Y07) which is stopped at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction when the movable table (A) is installed. Member raising and lowering means, (Y08) raising and lowering member (61) raised and lowered by the raising and lowering member raising and lowering means, (Y09) the raising and lowering member (6
1), a module supporting member (74) for supporting the belt module (B) so as to be movable in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, (Y010) The belt module (B)
And (Y011) the guided member (33) provided on the belt module (B) engages with the guided member (33) of the belt module (B) when the lifting member (61) is raised. The image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc)
A module guide member (87) that guides it in place with respect to.

(Second Invention) An image forming apparatus provided with the belt module (B) of the second invention of the present application is the same as the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module (B) of the first invention. Characterized by having requirements, (Y
[0112] In the vicinity of a position where a vertical plane extending forward and backward including the center of gravity of the drawer unit composed of the movable table (A) and a member supported by the movable table (A) intersects the front surface of the movable table (A). An insertion / extraction operation member (51b) provided on the front surface of the movable table (A) and used when inserting and removing the movable table (A).

(Third Invention) An image forming apparatus provided with the belt module (B) of the third invention of the present application is the belt module (B) of the first or second invention.
An image forming apparatus including: (Y013) a descending unit provided on the front surface of the movable table (A) for holding the module supporting member (74) in a descended position. Elevating and lowering operation members (51b) and (Y014) provided on the moving base (A), which are operated to move between a holding position and an ascending and holding position for holding at an elevated position and which elevates and lowers the module support member (74). At the insertion position of the movable table (A), the lifting operation member (51
When b) moves from the lowered holding position to the raised holding position, it moves from the longitudinal movement allowance position to the longitudinal movement fixed position, and the longitudinal movement control members (52b, 53b) and (Y015) are provided on the main body frame (F). Longitudinal movement control member (52b,
When 53b) is in the front-back movement allowance position, the moving base (A)
A movable table locking member (84) that allows the forward and backward movement of the movable table (A) but fixes the forward and backward positions of the movable table (A) when the movable table (A) is at the fixed position.

(Fourth Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the fourth invention of the present application is an image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of any one of the first to third inventions. The device is characterized by having the following requirements: (Y016) When the moving base (A) is inserted and the belt module (B) is subsequently raised, either one of front, rear, left and right is provided. The module guide member (8) having a shape in which one positioning is performed, the other positioning is performed, and then the up and down positioning is performed.
7) and the guided member (33).

(Fifth Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the fifth invention of the present application is an image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of any one of the first to fourth inventions. In the apparatus, the following requirements are provided, (Y017) A pair of left and right supported front and rear sides of the belt module (B) and each supported supported horizontally by the module support member (74) Any of the direction in which the member (28) is directed toward the center of the belt module (B), the direction toward the center line in the left-right direction, the direction toward the center line in the front-rear direction, and the direction outward from the center part and each center line. Module position stabilizing means for stabilizing the horizontal position of each of the supported members (28) by urging in one direction.

(Sixth Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the sixth invention of the present application is an image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of any one of the first to fifth inventions. The module support member (74) elastically deformable downward (Y018), characterized in that the device has the following requirements.

(Seventh Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the seventh invention of the present application is the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the first to sixth inventions. Characterized by having the following requirements,
(Y019) The module support member (74) configured by a torsion spring (74) having linear portions at both ends and an intermediate portion formed in a coil shape, and supporting the supported member (28) by one of the linear portions. ).

(Eighth Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the eighth invention of the present application is the same as the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the seventh invention. Characterized by having requirements, (Y
020) The module support arranged so that the linear portion of the torsion spring (74) supporting the supported member (28) is inclined downward or upward toward the central portion of the belt module (B). Member (74).

(Ninth Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the ninth invention of the present application has the following requirements (Y021), which is a rotation shaft extending in the front-rear direction. An image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) on which a toner image is formed on the surface moving around, and the image carrier (D
k, Dy, Dm, Dc) a belt module (B) insertion space provided below, and a module guide member (87) for positioning the belt module (B) inserted in the belt module (B) insertion space. Main body side device (U1), (Y022) said image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, D
c) A movable table (A), (Y023) which can be inserted into and removed from the lower belt module (B) insertion space, is supported by the movable table (A) so as to be able to move up and down, and the main body side device (U1) ) The guided member (33) which is guided by the module guide member (87) and positioned at a predetermined raised position, and the toner image on the surface of the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) at the raised position. An endless belt (25) used for transferring the image, a driving roll (21) and a driven roll (22) around which the belt (25) is wound, and the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, D
c) Transfer device for transferring the toner image on the surface (26k, 26y,
26m, 26c) with a belt module (B),
(Y024) A pair of fixing rolls (79a, 79b) for fixing the unfixed toner image transferred onto the transfer material using the belt module (B), and the fixing rolls (79).
a, 79b) having a fixing roll supporting member (79c) that rotatably supports the fixing device (79) supported by one of the main body side device (U1) and the moving base (A),
(Y025) A pair of left and right module guide members (87), (Y026) a drive roll position adjusting device provided on the belt module (B) so that the direction of the drive roll axis can be adjusted and the drive roll can be adjusted. The drive roll (21) whose axis is set in a direction perpendicular to a straight line connecting the pair of left and right guided members (33).

(Tenth Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the tenth invention of the present application is the same as the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the ninth invention. Characterized by having requirements,
(Y027) The main body having a rear side main body frame (F) having a rear side fixing device guide member (F1, F2) and a front side main body frame (F) having a front side fixing device guide member (F3) Side devices (U1), (Y028) Rear side guided members (79d, 79e) positioned by being guided by the rear side fixing device guide members (F1, F2) and the front side fixing device guide member (F3) Has a front side guided member (79h) which is guided and positioned by each of the front and rear guided members (79d, 79e, 79).
The fixing device (79), (Y029), the rear side fixing device guide members (F1, F2), the front side fixing device guide member (F3), and the rear part are unitized so that h) is fixed in a positioned state. One of the side guided members (79d, 79e) and the front side guided member (79h) is provided for position adjustment, and the front and rear guided members (79d, 79e, 79h) are positioned. In this state, the nip line of the pair of fixing rolls (79a, 79b) is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right module guide members (87) of the main body side device (U1). Front and rear fixing device guide members (F1, F2, F3)
And each guided member (79d, 79e, 79h).

(Eleventh Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the eleventh invention of the present application has the following requirements in the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module of the tenth invention. (Y
030) A peeling roll constituted by the driven roll (22) arranged on the side closest to the fixing rolls (79a, 79b) and the drive roll (on the side far from the fixing rolls (79a, 79b)). 21) and the belt module (B), (Y031) having the belt (25) conveyed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the nip line of the fixing roll (79a, 79b) and the drive roll axis, (Y031) the drive roll ( 21. The peeling roll having a belt holding force smaller than that of 21).

(Twelfth Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the twelfth invention of the present application is characterized by having the following requirements: (Y032) Image carrier (Dk) , Dy, Dm, Dc), and (Y033) a belt module (B) used for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) to a transfer material,
(Y034) First positioning means for positioning one of front and rear and left and right of the belt module (B),
(Y035) Second positioning means for positioning the front and rear and left and right of the belt module (B) on which one of the front and rear and left and right is positioned, (Y036)
Third positioning means for vertically positioning the belt module (B) which has been subjected to the front-rear and left-right positioning.

(Thirteenth Invention) An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) according to the thirteenth invention of the present application has the following requirements and is formed with a (Y037) toner image. An image carrier (Y038), an endless belt (25), a driving roll (21) and a driven roll (22) around which the belt (25) is wound, and the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm). , Dc) and a transfer device (26k, 26y, 26m, 26c) for transferring the toner image on the surface, and the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) in contact with the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc).
(k, Dy, Dm, Dc) A belt module (B) capable of moving up and down between an ascending position for transferring the toner image onto a transfer material and a horizontally movable descending position, and (Y039) a belt module at the descending position. Movement restriction means (57a, 77) for restricting the horizontal movement of (B).

(Fourteenth Invention) Further, a method of positioning the belt module (B) in the image forming apparatus of the fourteenth invention of the present application is characterized by having the following requirements:
(Y040) A movable table (A) that can be inserted / removed from the front / rear direction at a predetermined position in the left / right direction into a belt module (B) insertion space of a main body side device (U1) having a pair of left and right module guide members (87). And an inserting step of inserting the belt module (B), which is horizontally movable and has a guided member (33), into a vertically movable module supporting member (74) provided on the moving table (A), (Y041) The moving base (A) fixing step of fixing the movable base (A) of the drawer unit to the insertion position, (Y042) The module guide member (87) is guided to the guided member (33), and the belt module (B) is fixed. Positioning of the guided member (33) with respect to the module guide member (87) in one of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction and the other while rising. The belt module (B) ascending step of sequentially performing the above steps and then performing the vertical positioning.

(Fifteenth Invention) A positioning method of the belt module (B) in the image forming apparatus of the fifteenth invention of the present application is characterized by having the following requirements.
(Y040) A movable table that can be inserted / removed from the front / rear direction at a predetermined position in the left / right direction into a belt module (B) insertion space of a main body side device (U1) having a pair of left and right vertically movable module guide members (87). (A) and a module supporting member (74) provided on the moving table (A) and capable of moving up and down.
An inserting step of inserting the belt module (B), which is supported horizontally movable into the
(Y040 ′) Guide the guided member (33) to the module guide member (87) that can be moved up and down in the final stage of the inserting process to move the guided member (33) forward and backward with respect to the module guide member (87). Insertion positioning step of positioning in either the horizontal direction or the left-right direction, (Y041) Step of fixing the moving table (A) of the drawer unit to the insertion position (A) fixing step,
(Y042) The module guide member (87) guides the guided member (33) to raise the belt module (B), and the front-back direction of the guided member (33) with respect to the module guide member (87). And a belt module (B) ascending step of performing the other positioning in the left-right direction and then performing the positioning in the vertical direction.

[0043]

Next, the operation of the present invention having the above features will be described. (Operation of First Invention) In the image forming apparatus of the first invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the optical writing device (16k, 16y, 1
6m, 16c) writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc). Developing device (17k, 17y, 17
m, 17c) develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The movable base (A) which can be inserted and removed below the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) is positioned and stopped at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction when inserted. The elevating member elevating / lowering means provided on the movable table (A) includes an elevating member (6
1) Raise and lower. A module supporting member (74) provided on the elevating member (61) supports the belt module (B) so as to be movable back and forth, left and right, and downward.

When the elevating member (61) is raised, the belt module (B) moves to the module supporting member (7).
4) rises with At this time, the guided member (33) of the belt module (B) is engaged with the module guide member (87) and ascended while being guided to the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc). On the other hand, it is guided to a predetermined position. Since the belt module (B) rises while being supported by the module support member (74) so as to be movable in the horizontal and vertical directions, the position of the guided member (33) and the module guide member (87). The position is easily corrected according to the module guide member (87) even if the position is shifted in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. For this reason,
Guided member (33) and module guide member (87)
Between them and a large force in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which they approach each other do not act. Therefore, the guided member (33) and the module guide member (87) are not deformed or damaged. Further, the belt module (B) is raised while being supported by the module support member (74) so as to be movable downward, and the belt module (B) is moved to the image carrier (D).
k, Dy, Dm, Dc) Pressed on the lower surface. Therefore, the belt module (B) is attached to the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, D
c) When pressing on the lower surface, if the pressing force is large,
The belt module (B) moves downward and the pressing force is adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a large force from acting between the guided member (33) and the module guide member (87).

As described above, the image carrier (Dk, Dy,
The belt module (B) pressed by Dm, Dc) at an appropriate position with an appropriate pressing force,
m, Dc) is used to transfer the toner image formed on the transfer material. The unfixed toner image transferred onto the transfer material using the belt module (B) is fixed by the fixing device (7
It is fixed by 9).

(Operation of the Second Invention) In the image forming apparatus having the belt module (B) of the second invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, when the moving base (A) is inserted and removed. The insertion / extraction operation member (51b) used has a vertical plane extending back and forth including the center of gravity of the drawer unit composed of the movable table (A) and a member supported by the movable table (A). ) It is provided on the front surface of the movable table (A) in the vicinity of the position intersecting with the front surface. Therefore, when the drawer unit is inserted or extracted in the front-rear direction, if a force in the front-rear direction is applied to the insertion / removal operation member (51b), the line of action of the force passes near the center of gravity of the drawer unit. In this case, since the rotation moment acting on the drawer unit is small, the drawer unit can be moved back and forth smoothly.

(Operation of Third Invention) In the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module (B) of the third invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the lifting operation member provided on the front surface of the movable table (A). By operating (51b) between the lowered holding position and the raised holding position, the module support member (7
4) Raise and lower. When the lifting operation member (51b) is in the lowered holding position, the module support member (7
4) is held in the lowered position, and when it is in the raised holding position, it is held in the raised position. When the lifting operation member (51b) moves from the lowered holding position to the raised holding position at the insertion position of the moving table (A), the moving table (A)
The front-rear movement control members (52b, 53b) provided in the front-rear movement position move from the front-rear movement allowable position to the front-rear movement fixed position. A movable table locking member (8) provided on the main body side device (U1)
4) allows the back-and-forth movement of the movable table (A) when the front-rear movement control members (52b, 53b) are in the front-rear movement permitted position, but moves the movable table (A) when it is in the front-rear movement fixed position.
Fix the front and rear positions of. Therefore, when the module support member (74) is moved up and down, the lifting operation member (51
When b) moves from the lowered holding position to the raised holding position, the front and rear positions of the moving base (A) are fixed, so that the module supporting member (74) is fixed in a stable state with the moving base (A) fixed. Can be raised. Therefore, the belt module (B) supported by the module support member (74) can be lifted and positioned in a stable state with the movable table (A) fixed.

(Operation of Fourth Invention) In the image forming apparatus including the belt module (B) of the fourth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the guided member (33) with respect to the module guide member (87). ) Is positioned when either the front or rear or the left or right is positioned and the other is positioned when the moving base (A) is inserted and the belt module (B) is subsequently raised. Then, the up and down positioning is performed.

(Operation of Fifth Invention) In the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module (B) of the fifth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the module position stabilizing means includes the supported members (28). Of the belt module (B) toward the center, the direction toward the center line in the left-right direction, the direction toward the center line in the front-rear direction, and the direction outward from the center and each center line. By biasing in the direction, the horizontal position of each supported member (28) is stabilized.

(Operation of Sixth Invention) In the image forming apparatus including the belt module (B) of the sixth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the module supporting member (74) is elastically deformable downward. When the belt module (B) is raised, if the pressing force is too strong, the pressing force is absorbed by the downward elastic deformation of the module support member (74). Therefore, the excessive pressing force of the guided member (33) against the module guide member (87) does not act.

(Operation of Seventh Invention) In the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module (B) of the seventh invention of the present application having the above-mentioned features, the linear portions are provided at both ends and the intermediate portion is formed into a coil shape. The module support member (74) formed by the torsion spring (74) is supported by the one of the straight portions to support the supported member (28).

(Operation of Eighth Invention) In the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module (B) of the eighth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the torsion spring (74) which constitutes the module supporting member (74). ) Supports the supported member (28). Since the straight portion of the torsion spring (74) is arranged to incline either downward or upward toward the central portion of the belt module (B), it is provided before and after the belt module (B), respectively. The pair of left and right supported members (28), that is, a total of four supported members (28), simultaneously urge the belt module (B) toward the central portion or outward from the central portion. . Therefore, the horizontal position of the belt module (B) is stably maintained.

(Operation of Ninth Invention) In the image forming apparatus including the belt module (B) of the ninth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the image carrier (U1) provided on the main body side unit (U1) Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) forms a toner image on the surface that moves around the rotation axis extending before and after (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc). A movable table (A) that can be inserted into and removed from the belt module (B) insertion space below the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc)
Is used in the insertion position. The guided member (33) of the belt module (B) is guided by the module guide member (87) of the main body side device (U1) when the belt module (B) is lifted, and is positioned at a predetermined rising position. The endless belt (25) wound around the rotatably supported drive roll (21) and driven roll (22) has the surface of the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) in the raised position. Used to transfer the toner image. The image carrier (Dk, Dy, D
The toner image on the surface (m, Dc) is transferred to the belt (25) or a transfer material conveyed by the belt (25) by the transfer device (26k, 26y, 26m, 26c) of the belt module (B).

A fixing device (79) supported on either one of the main body side device (U1) and the moving base (A).
Has a pair of fixing rolls (79a, 79b) rotatably supported by a fixing roll support member (79c),
The belt module (B) is used to fix the unfixed toner image transferred to the transfer material. The orientation of the drive roll axis is set by the drive roll position adjusting device provided in the belt module (B) in a direction perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right guided members (33) of the belt module (B). R. The pair of left and right guided members (33) of the belt module (B) are positioned and fixed by the pair of left and right module guide members (87) provided in the main body side device (U1). Therefore, the direction of the drive roll axis set in the direction perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right guided members (33) of the belt module (B) is such that When positioned, it is perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right module guide members (87) of the main unit (U1).

(Operation of Tenth Invention) In the image forming apparatus including the belt module (B) of the ninth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the fixing device (7) is unitized.
9) The rear side guided member (33) and the front side guided member (33) are the rear side fixing device guide and the front side main body of the main body side device (U1) rear side main body frame (F). The front fixing device guide of the frame (F) guides, positions, and fixes. The rear side fixing device guide member (F1, F2), the front side fixing device guide member (F3), the rear side guided member (33), and the front side guided member (33) are any of them. The position of the heel is adjustable, and the nip line of the pair of fixing rolls (79a, 79b) is aligned with the main body side device (U) when the front and rear guided members (33) are positioned.
It is arranged so as to be in a direction perpendicular to a straight line connecting the pair of left and right module guide members (87).

Therefore, in the fixing device (79), the nip line of the pair of fixing rolls (79a, 79b) is a pair of left and right module guide members (8) of the main body side device (U1).
It is fixed at a position perpendicular to the straight line connecting 7).
In this case, the driving roll axis of the belt module (B) guided and positioned by the module guide member (87) should be set in a direction perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right guided members (33). Thus, the direction of the drive roll axis and the direction of the nip line of the fixing rolls (79a, 79b) can be made parallel or twisted.

(Operation of Eleventh Invention) In the image forming apparatus having the belt module (B) of the tenth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the driven roll (22) of the belt module (B) is used. The peeling roll is arranged on the side closest to the fixing rolls (79a, 79b). The drive roll (21) of the belt module (B) is
It is arranged on the side far from the fixing rolls (79a, 79b). The peeling roll has a belt holding force smaller than the belt holding force of the drive roll (21). In such a case, when the transfer material straddling between the fixing device (79) and the belt (25) is conveyed by the fixing device (79) in a direction different from the transfer material conveying direction of the belt (25). Causes a force in the axial direction of the peeling roll to act on the belt (25) via the transfer material. In this case, since the peeling roll has a small belt holding force in the axial direction, the belt (25) easily moves in the axial direction. The transfer material of the belt (25) whose belt conveyance direction is determined by the drive roll (21) having a large holding force in the axial direction is the belt (25).
When it is separated from, it immediately returns to the original position in the axial direction of the peeling roll.

If the belt holding force in the axial direction of the peeling roll is larger than the belt holding force of the driving roll (21),
When the transfer device moves the belt (25) in the axial direction of the peeling roll via the transfer material, the moved belt (25) does not easily return to the original position in the axial direction of the peeling roll. In that case, the belt (25) will meander for a long period of time. Therefore, according to the tenth aspect of the invention, the meandering of the belt (25) can be reduced, so that a high quality image can be formed.

(Operation of the Twelfth Invention) In the image forming apparatus having the belt module (B) of the twelfth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the first positioning means includes the image carrier (Dk, Dy). , Dm, Dc) of the belt module (B) used for transferring the toner image formed on the transfer material to the front or rear and right or left. Second
The positioning means positions the other one of the front and rear and the left and right of the belt module (B) on which one of the front and rear and the left and right is positioned. The third positioning means is
The belt module (B), which has been subjected to the front-rear and left-right positioning, is positioned in the vertical direction. Therefore,
The belt module (B) is sequentially positioned in one direction by the first, second and third positioning means. Therefore, as compared with the case where positioning is performed in a plurality of directions at a time, the interference force between the positioning member (guide member) and the positioned member (guided member) of each positioning means becomes smaller, so that each positioning means is not damaged. Getting smaller,
It is possible to extend the life of each positioning means. In addition, the reproducibility of positioning accuracy is improved.

(Operation of Thirteenth Invention) In the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module (B) of the twelfth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) is provided on the image carrier. When transferring the formed toner image to the transfer material, the belt module (B) having the endless belt (25) wound around the drive roll (21) and the driven roll (22) moves to the raised position. To do. In the raised position,
The toner image on the surface of the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) is transferred by the transfer device (26k, 26y, 26m, 26c). The belt module (B) used when transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier (Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc) to a transfer material is a horizontally movable descent for maintenance and inspection. To the position. At this lowered position, the movement restricting means (57a, 77) restricts the horizontal movement of the belt module (B).

(Operation of Fourteenth Invention) In the positioning method of the belt module (B) in the image forming apparatus having the belt module (B) of the fourteenth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, the left and right sides are inserted in the inserting step. A movable base (A) that can be inserted / removed from the front-rear direction at a predetermined position in the direction, and a vertically movable module support member (74) provided on the movable base (A) so as to be horizontally movable and to be guided ( The belt module (B) having 33) is inserted into the belt module (B) insertion space of the main body side device (U1) having the pair of left and right module guide members (87). In the moving base (A) fixing step, the moving base (A) of the drawer unit is fixed at the insertion position. The guided member (33) is attached to the module guide member (87).
In the belt module (B) raising step of guiding the belt module (B) to raise the belt module (B), the guided member (3) with respect to the module guide member (87).
Positioning in either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction of 3) and the other is sequentially performed, and then the up-down direction is positioned. Therefore, as compared with the case where positioning is performed in a plurality of directions at a time, the interference force between the module guide member (87) and the guided member (33) becomes smaller, so that the damage of each guide member becomes smaller and each guide member becomes smaller. It is possible to extend the life of the. In addition, the reproducibility of positioning accuracy is improved.

(Operation of Fifteenth Invention) In the positioning method of the belt module (B) in the image forming apparatus of the fifteenth invention of the present application having the above-mentioned characteristics, in the inserting step,
A movable base (A) that can be inserted / removed from the front / rear direction at a predetermined position in the left / right direction, and a guided member that is horizontally movable supported by a module support member (74) that is provided on the movable base (A) and that can be moved up and down. The belt module (B) having (33) is inserted into the belt module (B) insertion space of the main body side device (U1) having the pair of left and right module guide members (87). In the insertion positioning step performed in the final step of the insertion step, the guided member (3) is attached to the module guide member (87) that can be moved up and down.
3) to guide the module guide member (87)
The guided member (33) is positioned with respect to either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction. Mobile stand (A)
In the fixing step, the movable base (A) of the drawer unit is fixed at the insertion position. In the belt module (B) raising step of raising the belt module (B) by guiding the guided member (33) to the module guide member (87), the guided member (33) with respect to the module guide member (87). ), One of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction and the other are sequentially positioned, and then the up-down direction is positioned. Therefore, as compared with the case where positioning is performed in a plurality of directions at a time, the interference force between the module guide member (87) and the guided member (33) becomes smaller, so that the damage of each guide member becomes smaller and each guide member becomes smaller. It is possible to extend the life of the. In addition, the reproducibility of positioning accuracy is improved.

[0063]

Embodiment 1 Next, referring to the drawings, Embodiment 1 of the present invention
The image forming apparatus will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, arrows X,
Cartesian coordinate axes X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are defined in the Y and Z directions,
The arrow X direction is the front, the arrow Y direction is the left, and the arrow Z direction is the up. In this case, the direction opposite to the X direction (front) (-X
The direction is rearward, the direction opposite to the Y direction (leftward) (-Y direction) is rightward, and the direction opposite to the Z direction (upper) is downward (-Z direction). The front (X direction) and the rear (-X direction) are referred to as the front-back direction or the X-axis direction, and the left (Y direction) and the right (-Y direction) are included in the left-right direction or the Y-axis direction. Good,
The upper direction (Z direction) and the lower direction (-Z direction) will be referred to as the vertical direction or the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, in the figure, the ones with "・" in the "○" mean the arrows from the back of the paper to the front, and the ones with "X" in the "○" are from the front of the paper. It means an arrow pointing to the back.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the belt module B in the first embodiment shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a belt module B and a moving base that supports the belt module B according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, showing a state in which the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 shows V- of FIG.
It is the figure seen from the V line. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the belt module B, which is seen from the arrows VI-VI in FIG. 7 is a plan view of the belt module B, which is indicated by the arrow V in FIG.
It is the figure seen from II-VII. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the rotating mechanism of the belt module B in the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module B is held in a horizontal posture. FIG. 9 shows the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a rotation mechanism of the belt module B in FIG. 3, and is a view showing a state in the middle of a horizontal posture and a rotation position. FIG.
FIG. 0 is an explanatory diagram of the rotating mechanism of the belt module B in the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module B is held at the rotating position.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a side cross section of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module is lifted after the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus. FIG. 12 is a view as seen from the line XII-XII in FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of means for raising and lowering the belt module B in the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a front view of the elevating member in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of the elements supported by the elevating member in the first embodiment, and is a view seen from the same direction as FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a cam that raises and lowers the raising and lowering member in the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a lateral position regulating member of the belt module B in the first embodiment,
18A is a perspective view and FIG. 18B is a sectional view taken along the line XB-XB in FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of a guide member for guiding the belt module B to a predetermined position when the belt module B is raised in the first embodiment. FIG. 19A is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4, and FIG. XIXB-XIXB
FIG. 19C is a sectional view taken along the line XIXC-XIX in FIG. 19A.
FIG. 19D is a cross-sectional view taken along line C, and FIG. 19D shows XIXD-XI in FIG. 19A.
FIG. 19E is a cross-sectional view taken along line XD, and FIG. 19E is XIXE-X of FIG. 19A.
It is a sectional view taken along the line IXE.

FIG. 20 shows the belt module B of the first embodiment.
20A is a front view and FIG. 20B is a plan view of a method for adjusting the direction of the drive roll shaft of FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of the jig shown in FIG. 20, FIG. 21A is a sectional view taken along line XXIA-XXIA of FIG. 20B, and FIG. . 22A and 22B are explanatory views of a method of adjusting the orientation of the fixing device 79 of the first embodiment by a jig, FIG. 22A is a front view, and FIG. 22B is a plan view.

A digital color copying machine U as an image forming apparatus has a transparent platen glass 2 on which an original 1 is placed. Below the platen glass 2, a document illumination unit 3 that scans while illuminating the document 1 is arranged. The document illumination unit 3 includes a light source 4 for document illumination.
And a first mirror 5. Further, below the platen glass 2, a mirror unit 6 that moves at a speed half that of the original illumination unit 3 is arranged. The mirror unit 6 has a second mirror 7 and a third mirror 8 which are emitted from the illumination light source, are reflected by the original 1, and reflect the original image light reflected by the first mirror 5. The original image light reflected by the third mirror passes through the imaging lens 9 and is read by the color image reading sensor 10 into R,
It is read as a G, B analog signal. The signals read by the color image reading sensor 10 are k (black), y (yellow), m (magenta),
And c (cyan) digital image signal,
It is temporarily stored in the memory of the image processing unit S.

The digital color copying machine U comprises four toner image forming devices Uk, Uy, Um and Uc. The toner image forming devices Uk, Uy, Um, Uc are respectively k
(Black), y (yellow), m (magenta), and c
This is a device that forms a toner image of each color of (cyan). The toner image forming device Uk of k has an image carrier Dk, a laser scanning system 16k arranged around the image carrier Dk, a developing device 17k, a cleaner 18k, a charger 19k, and the like. The toner image forming devices Uy, Um, and Uc are all configured in the same manner as the toner image forming device Uk of k.

The image processing section S outputs the k, y, m, and c digital image signals temporarily stored in the memory to the toner image forming devices Uk, Uy, Um, and Uc. The toner image forming devices Uk, Uy, Um, Uc drive the laser scanning systems 16k, 16y, 16m, 16c in accordance with the digital image signals of the respective colors input from the image signal processing unit S, and the chargers 19k, 19y. , 19m, 10c uniformly write the electrostatic latent image on the image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm, Dc.
The electrostatic latent images on the image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm and Dc are developed into toner images by the developing devices 17k, 17y, 17m and 17c. On the right side of the k (black) toner image carrier Dk, the suction roll 20 supported by the developing device 17k is arranged. The suction roll 20 is a roll for pressing the transfer material P against a belt for transferring the transfer material, which will be described later, to suck the transfer material P.

(Explanation of Belt Module B) A belt module B is arranged below the image bearing members Dk, Dy, Dm and Dc. The belt module B is supported by the moving base A shown in FIGS. In FIG. 2, the belt module B has a front plate Pf and a rear plate Pr. The front plate Pf is
It is composed of a main plate Pf1 and a sub-plate Pf2. The sub-p-sert Pf2 is driven by a drive roll position adjusting device composed of two slots and screws.
It is connected to the main plate Pf1 so that its position can be adjusted. The rear plate Pr is composed of one plate Pr.

The belt module B is a belt supporting drive roll 21 and a peeling roll 2 rotatably supported by the front plate Pf and the rear plate Pr.
2, idler roll 23, and tension roll 24
have. The drive roll 21 is rotatably supported by the sub plate Pf2 of the front plate Pf and the rear plate Pr. Therefore, the axis of the drive roll 21 is connected to the main plates Pf1 and Pr1 by the drive roll position adjusting device so as to be positionally adjustable. A belt 25 for transferring the transfer material is supported by the rolls 21 to 24. A driven gear 21a is mounted on the rear end portion of the drive roll 21, and a drive motor M for rotationally driving a drive gear Ma meshing with the driven gear 21a is mounted on the rear surface of the sub-plate Pr2 of the rear plate Pr. ing. Although the drive motor M is illustrated as being separated from the rear plate Pr in FIG. 2, a unit component in which the reduction gear and the drive motor M are integrally housed in a case is actually used.

In this Example 1, as can be seen from FIG.
The drive roll 21 is composed of a rigid metal roll, and is arranged on the side that sends out the belt 25 (on the right side in FIG. 1), that is, on the side away from the transfer device described below. An LLF roll (a roll having a small reaction force against the movement of the belt in the roll axial direction) is used as the peeling roll (driven roll) 22 arranged on the side closer to the transfer device. Further, a cleaner (described later), which is the maximum load on the belt conveyance, is arranged in the vicinity of the drive roll 21 and on the upstream side thereof. By such arrangement and configuration of the drive roll 21 and the peeling roll, it is possible to reduce the unevenness in the conveyance of the belt.

Transfer devices 26k, 26y, 26y, 26y, 26y
26m, 26c and belt guides 27k, 27y, 27
m and 27c are arranged. Further, the front plate Pf and the rear plate Pr are provided with two rods (supported members) 28 projecting outward. The rod 28 is a member supported by a module support member (74) whose position is controlled to be moved up and down, which will be described later. One front guided member 29 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is provided at the upper end of the front plate Pf. The front guided member 29 is formed with an auxiliary positioning hole 29a in the shape of a long hole that is long in the front-rear direction. Also, the front plate Pf
A handle 30 is provided at the center of the upper end portion in the left-right direction. The handle 30 is a handle used when the belt module B is rotated upward about a rotation shaft (described later) at the rear end thereof.

2 and 4, the rear plate Pr
A pair of left and right brackets 32 protruding outward are provided on the upper end of the bracket 32, and a rear guided member 33 protruding upward is provided on each bracket 32. In FIG. 6, the rear plate Pr is provided with a pair of left and right shaft support brackets 36. A shaft 37 is supported by the shaft support brackets 36, 36. Both ends of the shaft 37 project outward in the left-right direction of the support bracket 36. 6 and 8, the rear plate Pr is provided with a plate supporting bracket 38, and the plate supporting bracket 38 has a rotation posture when the belt module B is rotated around the shaft 37. The posture holding plate 39 for holding is a fulcrum 38a.
It is rotatably supported.

The posture holding plate 39 has a locked recess 39a on the outer periphery thereof. This posture holding plate 39
The rear end of the rotating operation lever 40 is rotatably connected to the. The front end of the rotating operation lever 40 penetrates through the front plate Pf and projects forward. In FIG. 8, a compression spring 41 is provided between the rear surface of the front plate Pf and the rotating operation lever 40. FIG.
In, the rotating operation lever 40 is always pushed rearward (-X direction) by the compression spring 41. Therefore, the posture holding plate 39 is given a clockwise rotating force around the fulcrum 38a. A belt module B is configured from the elements indicated by the reference numerals 21 to 41 and the like.

In FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6, the movable base A which supports the belt module B and moves in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) includes front and rear side plates Qf and Qr and left and right side plates 43 and 4.
4. Left and right side plates 43, 4 of the movable table A
4 is supported on the frame of the digital color copying machine U by movable rails 45 and 46 that can slide back and forth. In addition, as such a moving rail, a commercially available one can be used. The movable table A is the front side plate Qf.
It has a pair of left and right rollers 47 supported by. The moving table A also has a pair of left and right pins 48 supported by the rear plate Pr.

In FIG. 6, on the front side plate Qf and the rear side plate Qr of the movable table A, an operation shaft 51 extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) is rotatably provided at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). It is provided. Similarly, a pair of left and right lifting rotary shafts 52, 53 parallel to the operation shaft 51 are rotatably provided on the movable table A. The front end portion of the operating shaft 51 and the front end portions of the raising rotary shafts 52, 53 project forward of the front side plate Qf, and pulleys 51a, 52a, 53a are fixed to the front end portions thereof. A handle (that is, an elevating operation member) 51b is fixed to the front end of the operation shaft 51.
The front side plate Qf is provided with a rotatable idler pulley 54 between the pulleys 51a and 52a.

The rear end of the operating shaft 51 projects rearward of the rear side plate Qr, and a retaining clip is attached to the rear end thereof. Cams 52b and 53b are fixed to the rear end portions of the rotating shafts 52 and 53 for raising. These cams 52b and 53b are members for fixing the moving base A to a predetermined position of the main body side device U1 of the digital color copying machine U. This will be described later. The pulleys 51a, 5
A wire 56 is wound around 2a, 53a, 54,
When the handle 51b is rotated clockwise in FIGS.
The raising rotary shaft 52 rotates counterclockwise, and the raising rotary shaft 53 rotates clockwise.

6 and 8, the movable table A supporting the belt module B and moving back and forth (X-axis direction).
Has a pair of left and right brackets 57 for supporting the left and right ends of the shaft 37 on the front surface of the rear side plate Qr. The bracket 57 has a shaft through hole 57a (see FIG. 8) into which the outer end portion of the shaft 37 is loosely fitted. The outer diameter of the shaft 37 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft 37, and the upper portion of the shaft 37 is considerably larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 37. This is to keep the stop position constant when the belt module B is in the lowered position, so that the side surface of the shaft 37 can contact the side surface of the lower end portion. If the lower end portion is formed as a V groove, the side surface of the shaft 37 surely contacts the side surface of the lower end portion, and the stop position can be made more constant.

Further, the belt module B is lifted (described later).
This is because when the shaft 37 rises in the shaft through hole 57a as a result, the belt module B can freely move back and forth and left and right at the raised position. Further, by forming the shape of the shaft through hole 57a in this way, the shaft 3
When 7 is in the lowered position, the shaft through hole 57a has a function of restricting the longitudinal movement of the shaft 37. This will be described later. Further, the rear side plate Qr is provided with a locking member 58 for locking the locked recess 39a formed on the outer peripheral portion of the posture holding plate 39 of the belt module B. As shown in FIG. 10, by locking the locked concave portion 39a with the locking convex portion 58a of the locking member 58, the belt module B can be held in the posture rotated upward. It has become.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 13 to 17, a structure for moving the belt module B on the moving base A up and down will be described. The lifting member 61 shown in FIGS. 4 and 13 includes a front side plate 62 arranged along the rear surface of the front side plate Qf, a rear side plate 63 parallel to the front side plate 62, and lower edges thereof as shown in FIG. It is composed of a lower plate 64 for connecting the. This elevating member 61, as shown in FIGS.
The height of the front side plate 62 is partially increased. A shaft penetrating groove 65 is formed in the lower part of the elevating member 61, through which the elevating rotary shaft 53 penetrates. The lifting member 61
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one is arranged on the left side (Y side) through which the lifting rotary shaft 52 penetrates, and one arranged on the right side (−Y side) through which the lifting rotary shaft 53 penetrates. There is. They are symmetrically arranged when viewed from the front side, but here, the elevating member 61 arranged on the right side where the elevating rotary shaft 53 penetrates the shaft penetrating groove 65 will be described.

14 and 15, the front side plate 62 of the elevating member 61 is provided with vertical elongated holes 62a at three positions. A screw 66 fixed to the front side plate Qf of the moving base A, a flanged nut 67 screwed onto the outer periphery of the screw 66, and a resin material disposed on the outer periphery of the flanged nut 67 are provided in these elongated holes 62a, respectively. The cylindrical collar 68 of is penetrated. The elevating member 61 can move up and down while the elongated hole 62a is guided by the collar 68 arranged around the three pins 66 fixed to the front side plate Qf.

A cam 69 is attached to a portion within the shaft penetrating groove 65 of the elevating rotary shaft 53 penetrating the shaft penetrating groove 65 of the elevating member 61. The cam 69 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
have. In FIG. 17A, the cam groove 70 is indicated by an arrow R.
The portions indicated by 1 and R3 have the same radius from the center of rotation, but the portion indicated by the arrow R2 has a radius increasing from the portion of R3 to the portion of R1. As shown in FIG. 13, a pin 72 supported by the elevating member 61 penetrates the cam groove 70 of the cam 69. Therefore, FIG.
In this state, rotate the cam 69 clockwise 90 degrees,
The pin 72 and the elevating / lowering member 61 move up to the state shown in FIG.

A spring support shaft 73 is provided on the elevating member 61, and a spring (module support member) 74 having straight portions at both ends and a coiled middle portion is wound around the spring support shaft 73. There is. As shown in FIG. 16, this spring 74 is attached to a spring support shaft 73, one linear portion of which is supported by the lower plate 64 of the elevating member 61, and the other linear portion of which is a spring retainer 75 provided on the rear side wall 63. This prevents the upward jump. At the upper end of the rear side plate 63 adjacent to the spring retainer 75, the rod 28 provided on the front plate Pf and the rear plate Pr of the belt module B is provided.
A rod passing cutout portion 76 for passing the rod is provided. The rod 28 is supported on the upper end of the spring 74 through a rod passage cutout portion 76. Therefore,
In this embodiment, the spring 74 constitutes a module support member 74 for movably supporting the belt module B in the front, rear, left, right and downward directions.

The rod 28 of the belt module B supported by the module support member 74 is movable in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) within the range in which it does not come into contact with the side edge of the rod passage cutting portion 76. Further, the movement of the rod 28 of the belt module B supported by the module support member 74 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) moves the shaft 37 when the shaft 3 is in the lowered position, as shown in FIGS. It is regulated by the shaft through hole 57a having a function of regulating the forward and backward movement. That is, in this embodiment, the front and rear movement restricting member of the belt module B is constituted by the shaft through hole 57a having a narrow lower portion.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the elevating member 61 and the members 72 to 75 (see FIGS. 13 and 14) supported by the elevating member 61 operated by the left elevating rotary shaft 52 and the right elevating rotary shaft 53. The elevating member 61 that operates and the members 72 to 75 supported by the elevating member 61 are laterally inverted. And the belt module B
The rod 28 is supported by an upper portion of a module support member 74 composed of a spring. Further, the upper portion of the module support member 74 is inclined so that the outer end thereof becomes higher. In this way, the rod 28 of the belt module B supported by the upper portion inclined so that the outer end of the module support member 74 is raised receives a force that is always pushed inward in the left-right direction, so that the position is stable. That is, in this embodiment, the module position stabilizing means is constituted by the inclined upper portion of the spring constituting the module supporting member 74.

In the first embodiment, the rod 28
The horizontal movement range of is regulated by a lateral position regulating member 77 shown in FIGS. The left-right direction position regulating member 77 is a member fixed to the rear surface of the front side plate Qf and the front surface of the rear side plate Qr of the movable table A. FIG. 18 shows the left-right position regulating member 7 provided on the front surface of the rear plate Qr shown in FIG.
It is explanatory drawing of 7. As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 18, the left-right direction position restricting member 77 has a pair of leg portions 77a whose lower parts are separated into left and right parts. The distance between the pair of legs 77a is
In the lower part, it is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod 28, but in the upper part, the interval is large. Therefore, the rod 28 cannot move left and right at the lowered position, but can move right and left at the raised position. Therefore, in this Example 1,
The shaft through hole 57a and the lateral direction position regulating member 77 for regulating the front and rear movement of the belt module B constitute a horizontal movement regulating means (57a + 77) for regulating the horizontal movement of the belt module B in the lowered position. ing.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, on the movable table A,
A stripper (peeling claw) is provided on the downstream side of the peeling roll 22.
78 are arranged. Further, a fixing device 79 is arranged on the left side of the stripper 78, and the driving roller 21
A belt cleaner 80 for collecting the toner adhering to the surface of the belt 25 between the idler roller 23 and the idler roller 23.
Is arranged.

In FIGS. 1 and 4, a pair of left and right rollers 47 provided on the front side of the movable table A are a left rail 81 and a right rail 82 supported by the frame F of the main body unit U1 of the digital color copying machine U. Supported by. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the left rail is a rail having a flat upper surface, and the right rail 82 is a rail with a guide that regulates the position of the roller 47 in the left-right direction. The moving table A is positioned in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) by the moving rails 45, 46 that guide the left and right side plates 43, 44 and the rails 81, 82, and is moved in the front-back direction (X-axis direction). Can be moved. In FIG. 4, corresponding to the pins 48 provided on the rear side plate Qr of the movable table A,
A rotatable roller 8 is attached to the frame F of the main unit U1.
3 is provided. Therefore, when the movable table A is inserted from the front side (X side) to the rear side (-X side) of the apparatus U1 on the main body side, the pin 48 rides on the roller 83 and moves up and down the rear end of the movable table A. The position of the direction is fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 13, a cam penetrating into the frame F of the main unit U1 corresponding to the cams 52b and 53b provided at the rear ends of the lifting rotary shafts 52 and 53. A groove 84 is provided. The movable table A is connected to the main unit U
In the state in which it is inserted to the rear end of 1, the cams 52b, 53b are
Is configured to enter the cam through groove 84. When the raising / lowering rotary shafts 52, 53 are rotated in this state, the front cam surfaces of the cams 52b, 53b come into contact with the rear face of the frame F in which the cam penetrating groove 84 is formed, and the raising / lowering rotary shafts 52, 53 53 is pulled backward. That is, at this time, the movable table A is pulled rearward together with the lifting rotary shafts 52 and 53, and is reliably positioned and fixed at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction. Therefore,
The cams 52b and 53b form the front-rear movement control members (52b and 53b) of the first embodiment, and the cam penetrating grooves 84 form the moving base locking member of the first embodiment.
The cams 52b, 53b and the cam penetrating groove 84 constitute front-rear position fixing means (52b, 53b, 84) that determines the front-rear position when the movable table A is inserted.

In FIG. 4, an auxiliary positioning protrusion 86a of the front positioning member 86 is provided in the frame F of the main unit U1 so as to correspond to the auxiliary positioning hole 29a of the front guided member 29 of the belt module B. ing. The front side positioning member 86 includes the image carriers Dk, Dy,
It is provided on the frame that directly supports Dm and Dc. The auxiliary positioning protrusion 86a is formed so that the outer diameter of the tip (lower end) portion is small and increases toward the upper end. Therefore, when the belt module B moves up, the lower end portion of the auxiliary positioning protrusion 86a having the smaller outer diameter is first fitted into the auxiliary positioning hole 29a. In this case, since the outer diameter of the lower end of the auxiliary positioning protrusion 86a is small, the auxiliary positioning protrusion 86a can be easily fitted into the auxiliary positioning hole 29a. The auxiliary positioning hole 29a and the auxiliary positioning protrusion 86a are mainly
The belt module B is a member having a function of determining a tilted posture in the front-rear direction. Groove 8
7a (see FIG. 7).

In FIG. 4, the frame F of the main body side device U1 is provided with a module guide corresponding to an upwardly protruding rear side guided member 33 provided at an upper end portion of the rear plate Pr of the belt module B. A member 87 is provided. The module guide member 87 is directly provided on the frame that supports the image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm, and Dc. The module guide member 87 has a recessed groove 87a (see FIG. 7) extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) at the lower end. 19A which is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4 and FIG. 19B to FIG. 1 which are sectional views of a predetermined portion of FIG. 19A.
As can be seen from 9E, the concave groove 87a widens toward the lower portion, and the upper end portion is fitted into the rear guided member 33 to perform positioning in the front-rear and left-right directions.
Connected to

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 7, when the belt module B is placed on the moving base A and inserted into the main body side device U1, the rear guided member 33 is recessed in the module guide member 87. It is arranged so as to be inserted into the groove 87a. Then, when the belt module B is lifted, the rear guided member is first fitted into the lower portion of the positioning hole 87b having a large outer diameter. In this case, since the outer diameter of the lower end of the positioning hole 87b is large, the rear guided member 33 easily fits in the positioning hole 87b. After that, when the belt module B further rises, the tip end portion of the rear guided member 33 is fitted into the small inner diameter portion of the upper end portion of the positioning hole 87b so that the positioning is accurately performed.

Next, referring to FIGS. 20, 21, and 22, when the belt module B is inserted into the main unit U1,
A configuration and method for positioning the axis of the driving roll 21 and the nip line of the fixing device 79 (tangential line of the upper and lower fixing rolls) in parallel will be described. 20 and 21, a method of setting the axis of the drive roll 21 in a direction (front-rear direction) perpendicular to a straight line (a straight line extending left and right) connecting the pair of left and right guided members 33 will be described.
The jig T1 for adjusting the drive roll position is the base plate T1.
1 and a pair of left and right rail support members T12, T12. The rail support members T12, T12 have the same moving rails 4 as the moving rails 45, 46 of the main body side device U1.
5, 46 are supported in the same positional relationship as the main unit U1.

The base plate T11 is provided with four support columns T13, and the two support plates T14 and T14 extending in the front-rear direction are fixed by the support columns T13. As shown in the perspective view from below in FIG. 21B, the positioning plate T14 has cut-off portions formed on the lower surfaces of both end portions that are associated with the upper ends of the columns T13. The cutout portion is used when positioning the positioning plate T14 on the column T13. A hole 87b similar to the positioning hole 87b of the module guide member 87 of the main body side device U1 is formed in the rear portion of the lower surface of each positioning plate T14. Further, among the positioning plates T14 and T14, FIG.
A protrusion 86a similar to the auxiliary positioning protrusion 86a (see FIG. 4) of the front side positioning member 86 of the main body side device U1 is provided on the front surface of the lower surface of the positioning plate T14 arranged on the right side of FIG. Then, the positioning holes 87b, 87b on the lower surface of the positioning plates T14, T14 of the jig T1,
The arrangement structure of the protrusions 86a is exactly the same as the arrangement structure of the main body side device U1.

On the upper surface of the positioning plate T14 arranged on the right side of the jig T1, a pair of front and rear distance sensors T16,
T16 is placed. The distance sensor T16 has a fixed member T16a fixedly arranged and a moving member T16b movable in the left-right direction. The fixing member T16a includes a detection light emitting member, a reflected light detecting member, and the like. Moving member T16b
Has a detection light reflecting member.

The jig T1 for adjusting the drive roll position is
The position of the drive roll 21 is adjusted as follows. That is, the moving table A supporting the belt module B
Is inserted rearward along the moving rails 45 and 46 of the jig T1. Then, raise the belt module B,
The pair of left and right guided members 33 of the belt module B
And the auxiliary positioning hole 29a is provided in the positioning plate T1.
4, positioning holes 87b and 87b on the bottom surface of T14 and projection 86a
To fit. Next, the lower end of the rear moving member T16b is brought into contact with the belt module B, and the distance between the fixed member T16a and the moving member T16b is measured. Then, the lower end of the moving member T16b on the front side is brought into contact with the belt module B so that the distance between the fixed member T16a and the moving member T16b becomes the same measured value as the measured value on the rear side. Adjust the position of. As a result, the roll shaft of the drive roll 21 has the pair of left and right guided members 3
It can be perpendicular to the straight line connecting 3, 33.

In FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the fixing device 79 is
A pair of fixing rolls 79a and 79b and a fixing roll support member 79c that rotatably supports them are unitized. The fixing device 79 has a rear side guided member 79d extending rearward from a left upper portion of the rear surface and a positioning rear side guided member 79e extending rearward from a lower right portion. Further, the fixing device 79 includes a rotatable positioned roller 79f supported on the upper surface of the front end and a pin support plate 79 extending downward from the lower front end toward the front.
have g. A supported pin 79h extending rearward is provided at the lower end of the pin support plate 79g.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the fixing device 79 has two upward bulging portions A on the bottom surface of the moving base A.
It is supported so as to be movable upward by support pins P1 and P1 provided upright on 1 and A2. 6 and 7, the main unit U
When the movable table A is inserted into the frame F of No. 1, fitting holes F1 and F2 are provided at positions where the rear guided member 79d on the rear surface of the fixing device 79 and the rear guided member 79e for positioning are fitted. It is provided. The fitting hole F1 is a stupid hole, and is fitted to the rear side guided member 79d with play allowing relative movement. The fitting hole F2 is fitted to the positioning rear side guided member 79e such that the relative movement in the vertical direction is impossible and the relative movement in the horizontal direction is possible. The rear-side guided member 79d and the positioning rear-side guided member 79e have thin ends so that they can be easily fitted into the fitting holes F1 and F2 of the main body side device U1.

6 and 7, the main unit U1
The frame F has a fitting hole F3 (see FIGS. 6B and 7B) at a position where the supported pin 79h is fitted under the front surface of the fixing device 79 when the movable table A is inserted. The fitting hole F3 does not have a radial relative movable play with the supported pin 79h, but is rotatably fitted therein.
Further, as shown in FIG. 22, when the movable table A is inserted into the frame F of the main body side device U1, the fixing device 7
9. A positioning bracket F4 (see FIG. 22) is provided at a position above the front surface 9 where the positioned roller 79f is fitted.

In FIG. 22, the positioning bracket F4
Is a pair of left and right roller holding members F4a, F protruding forward.
4a, and a roller fitting space F4b is formed between them. The positioning bracket F4 has a pair of left and right long holes F4.
It has c and F4c so that the position can be adjusted when it is fixed to the frame F with screws. That is, the positioning bracket F4 can be fixed to the frame F by adjusting the lateral position of the roller fitting space F4b. Therefore, the fitting holes F1, F2, F3
The pins 79d, 79e, 70h of the fixing device 79
By positioning the positioned roller 79f of the fixing device 79 in the left-right direction in a state where the fixing device 79 is fitted, the inclination of the nip line of the fixing device 79 in the left-right direction can be adjusted.

Next, a method for positioning and fixing the nip line of the fixing device 79 in the direction perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right module guide members 87 of the main body side device U1 will be described with reference to FIG. The jig T2 for adjusting the position of the fixing device shown in FIG. 22 is an image carrier arranged outside the shafts respectively supporting the four image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm and Dc of the main unit U1. It has three guided members T21 that are loosely fitted to the axes Gk and Gc of Dk and Dc, and a substantially triangular base plate T22 that supports them. The three guided members T21 are loosely fitted to the shafts Gk and Gc and moved backward. Then, the positioning member T24 is penetrated from below into the two positioning member through holes T23 formed in the base plate T22 corresponding to the positioning holes 87b, 87b of the pair of left and right module guide members 87, 87. Then, the tip end of the positioning member T23 is fitted into the positioning hole 87b. The jig T2 in this state is positioned at exactly the same position as the belt module B in use.

The jig T2 for adjusting the position of the fixing device has a pair of front and rear distance sensors T25 and T25 fixed to the left end thereof. The pair of front and rear distance sensors T25, T25 are provided with the module guide member 87, when the jig T2 is positioned at exactly the same position as the belt module B.
They are arranged on a straight line perpendicular to the straight line connecting 87. The fixing device 79 is supported but the belt module B is supported in a state where the jig T2 is mounted on the main body side device U1 and the positioning bracket F4 is not fixed to the frame F of the main body side device U1. Insert the movable base A, which is not present, into the main unit U1. When the movable table A is inserted and fixed at the rear end of the main body side device U1, the pins 79 of the fixing device 79 are fixed.
d, 79e and 70h are the fitting holes F of the main body side device U1.
Fits 1, F2, F3.

In this state, the position of the positioned roller 79f of the fixing device 79 in the left-right direction has not been decided yet. The fixing device 7 supported on the moving table A in this state
On the right side of 9, the pair of front and rear distance sensors T25, T25
Corresponding to, the reflecting members T26, T26 are fixed. In this state, if the mounting position of the position determining bracket F4 on the frame F of the main body side device U1 is moved in the left-right direction, the measured distance of the rear distance sensor T25 and the measured distance of the front distance sensor T25 change. To do. Therefore, by positioning the positioned roller 79f of the fixing device 79 in the left-right direction at a position where the measured distance of the rear distance sensor T25 and the measured distance of the front distance sensor T25 are equal.
The nip line of the fixing device 79 can be positioned in a direction perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right module guide members 87. Therefore, the positioning bracket F4 is fixed to the frame F of the apparatus U1 on the main body side with the nip line of the fixing device 79 positioned in a direction perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right module guide members 87.
Thereafter, the jig T2 is removed, the belt module B is mounted on the moving table A, and the digital color copying machine (image forming apparatus) U is used.

In FIG. 1, the frame F of the main unit U1 of the digital color copying machine U is provided with the stripper 78.
A peeling corotron 88 disposed on the upstream side of is supported. Further, a transfer material (transfer material) P is accommodated in a paper feeding cassette 89 arranged below the belt module B. The sheet P is taken out by the transfer material take-out roll 90 and conveyed to the registration roll 91. Cash register roll 9
1 is configured to convey the conveyed sheet P to a transfer material suction position between the belt 25 and the suction roll 20 at a predetermined timing. On the sheet P adsorbed to the belt 25 at the transfer material adsorbing position, the unfixed toner images of the image carriers Dk, Dy, Dm, and Dc of the respective colors are sequentially transferred, separated by the stripper 78, and fixed by the fixing device 79. To be done. The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is ejected from the ejection roller 92 to the paper ejection tray 93.

(Operation of First Embodiment) Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above-described structure will be described. The elevating member 61 on the movable table A that can be inserted and extracted from the front-rear direction at a predetermined position in the left-right direction below the image carrier has the following features. Figure 4,
The position 5 (lower position) is maintained. At this time, the handle 51b is tilted to the left (two-dot left chain line in FIG. 3,
And FIGS. 5 and 6). In this state, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15, the elevating member 61 is held at a lower position with respect to the screw 66 (see FIG. 15) fixed to the front side plate Qf of the moving table A and the collar 68 arranged around the screw 66. In this state, the belt module B supported by the module support portion 74 on the elevating member 61 is also held at the lower position. Then, the rod 28 of the belt module B has a protrusion 71 (FIG. 13) for controlling the position of the cam 69.
The movement in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) is restricted by the reference position), and the movement in the left-right direction is restricted by the left-right direction position restriction member 77 (see FIGS. 4 and 18). In addition, the movement of the belt module B in the front-back direction on the moving table A is as follows.
It is regulated by narrowing the shape of the lower end of the shaft through hole 57a that supports the shaft 37.

As described above, with the horizontal movement (movement in the front-rear, left-right direction) of the belt module B on the moving table A being restricted, the moving table A is inserted into the apparatus U1 on the main body side. This state is shown in FIG. When moving stand A is inserted,
Each of 79d, 79e and 70h of the fixing device 79 is fitted into the fitting holes F1, F2 and F3 of the main body side device U1. The positioned roller 79f of the fixing device 79 is fitted in the roller fitting space F4b of the positioning bracket F4 fixed to the frame F. At this time, the nip line of the fixing device 79 has a pair of left and right module guide members 87, 87.
It is set to be perpendicular to the straight line connecting.

In the state shown in FIG. 4, the handle 51b is
3 is rotated in the clockwise direction from the state of the chain double-dashed line in FIG.
The cam surface on the front surface side of 3b contacts the rear surface of the frame F, and the lifting rotary shafts 52 and 53 are pulled rearward. At this time, the movable table A is pulled rearward together with the lifting rotary shafts 52, 53, and is reliably positioned and fixed at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction. Further, in the state of FIG. 4, the handle 51b is moved clockwise from the state of the two-dot chain line in FIG.
When the pulleys 51a, 52
The elevating rotary shaft 52 rotates counterclockwise via the a, 53a, 54, the wire 56, etc., and the elevating rotary shaft 53 rotates clockwise. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the cams 69 mounted on the shafts 52 and 53 also rotate in opposite directions due to the rotation of the lifting rotary shafts 52 and 53 in opposite directions. At this time, the respective elevating members 61 rise simultaneously.

When the elevating member 61 rises, the belt module B supported by the elevating member 61 via the module supporting member 74 also rises at the same time. At this time, the rod 28 of the belt module B ascends with respect to the lateral position regulating member 77 shown in FIGS. As can be seen from FIG. 18, when the rod 28 moves up, the pair of leg portions 77a of the lateral position regulating member 77 moves from a narrow lower portion to a wide upper portion. You cannot move left or right, but you can move left or right when you are in a raised position. Also, the lifting member 61
When the belt module B simultaneously rises with the rise of the belt module B, the shaft 37 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) at the rear end of the belt module B rises from the state of being disposed under the shaft through hole 57a shown in FIG. Move to the upper part of the shaft through hole 57a. As can be seen from FIG. 8, since the upper portion of the shaft through hole 57a is formed larger than the lower portion, the shaft 37 of the belt module B can move freely in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). That is, the belt module B starts rising from a certain stop position where the side surface of the shaft 37 contacts the side surface of the lower end portion.

As described above, when the belt module B moves up, it is free to move in the horizontal direction (front-rear, left-right direction). Further, since the belt module B is supported by the module supporting member 74 composed of a spring, it can move downward when it receives downward pressure. That is, the raised belt module B is freely movable in the front, rear, left, and right directions. In this state,
The elevating member 61, the module supporting member 74, and the belt module B are further raised. In this case,
As can be seen from 19, the rear guided member 33 is initially guided along the guide groove 87a of the module guide member 87 and ascended to be positioned in the left-right direction.
Then, while being guided by the guide hole 87b, it ascends to be positioned in the front-rear direction. That is, in the first embodiment,
The guide groove 87a and the rear guided member 33 guided by the guide groove 87a constitute a first positioning means. The lower end portion of the guide hole 87b and the rear guided member 33 guided by the guide hole 87b constitute second positioning means.

Finally, the module guide member 87
The upper surface of the bracket 32 comes into contact with the lower surface, and the upper surface of the front guided member 29 comes into contact with the lower surface of the front positioning member 86 to perform vertical positioning. That is, in the first embodiment, the lower surface of the front-side positioning member 86 and the front-side guided member 29 contacting the front-side positioning member 86 constitute the third positioning means. In this way, the positioning of the guided member 33 with respect to the pair of left and right module guide members 87 is
Since it is sequentially performed one by one in the left-right direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction, the rear-side guided member 33 and the module guide member 8
Large forces do not act on each other. Further, during this ascending period, the belt module B is freely movable in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, so that the belt module B ascends without exerting a large force between the rear side guided member 33 and the module guide member 87.

Drive roll 21 of the belt module B
The direction of the axis line is set to a direction perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right guided members 33. Further, as described above, the direction of the nip line of the fixing device 79 is set to be a direction perpendicular to the straight line connecting the pair of left and right module guide members 87 into which the pair of left and right guided members 33 are fitted.
In a state where the module guide member 87 and the guided member 33 are fitted, the straight line connecting the pair of left and right module guide members 87 and the straight line connecting the pair of left and right guided members 33 are the same. The axis of the drive roll 21 of the belt module B perpendicular to these straight lines and the nip line of the fixing device are parallel or twisted. In such a state, a loop of the transfer material is unlikely to occur between the belt module B and the fixing device 79.

Further, the auxiliary positioning protrusion 86a is inserted into the front auxiliary positioning hole 29a of the belt module B at the end of the ascent of the belt module B. Then, the upper surface of the front guided member 29 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the front positioning member 86 and pressed in the vertical direction, whereby the position of the front portion of the belt module B is fixed. In FIG. 17A, R of the cam groove 70 of the cam 69
Since part 1 has the same radius from the center of rotation, the cam groove 7
The pin 72 of the elevating member 61 engaging with 0 does not rise at the final stage of rotation of the cam 69. Then, when the rotation of the cam 69 is completed, the pin 72 of the elevating member 61 has the cam groove 7
It is stably held in the ascending position by the portion R1 having the same radius from the center of rotation of 0.

When the raising position of the elevating member 61 is too high, the belt module B and the image carriers Dk, Dm, D
Contact pressure acting between y and Dc, the front side guided member 29
And the contact pressure acting between the front side positioning member 86 and the contact pressure between the rear guided member 33 and the module guide member 87.
Holds properly due to the downward deflection of 4. As described above, the belt module B rises from the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and finally becomes the state shown in FIGS. That is, as described above, the belt module B that has started to rise from a certain stop position is raised while being restricted in movement and the pin 72 is stably held at the raised position.
It rises from a fixed stop position and is always positioned at the same position.

When carrying out maintenance of the belt module B,
The moving base A is pulled out from the main unit U1 and the belt module B on the moving base A is rotated from the state of FIG. 8 to the state of FIG. 8 to 10, on the movable table A extracted from the apparatus U1 on the main body side, the operation lever 40 for rotating the belt module B is pulled forward to release the engagement between the lower surface of the posture holding plate 39 and the upper surface of the locking member 58. When the handle 30 is lifted in this state, the belt module B rotates upward around the shaft 37 from the state shown in FIG.

The belt module B is rotated further upward from the state shown in FIG. 9, and as shown in FIG. 10, the locked recessed portion 39a of the posture holding plate 39 becomes the locking projection 58a of the locking member 58. Lock it. Belt module B is shown in FIG.
When the belt module B is rotated further upward from the posture of FIG. 10, the rotation operation lever 40 is pulled to rotate the belt module B from the posture of FIG.
The engaged concave portion 39a of the posture holding plate 39 is engaged with the engaging member 5
The engaging projection 58a of No. 8 is detached. In this state, the belt module B is rotated downward.

When copying is performed using the above-mentioned digital color copying machine U, the belt module B is used as shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, copying can be performed in a state of being held at the raised position in the same manner as a general digital color copying machine.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the description of the second embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 23
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a main part of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus including the belt module of the present invention, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 13 of the first embodiment. FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of a main part of the second embodiment, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 16 of the first embodiment. Example 2
Is different from Example 1 in the following points, but is configured similarly to Example 1 in other points.

In FIG. 23, the cam 69 according to the second embodiment.
Has a position regulating protrusion 71. The rod 28 of the belt module B supported by the module support member 74 is movable in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) within a range in which it does not come into contact with the side edge of the rod passage cutout portion 76. The movement of the rod 28 of the belt module B supported by the module support member 74 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) is restricted by the position restricting protrusion 71 of the cam 69, as shown in FIGS. Has been done. That is, in the first embodiment, the movement of the belt module B in the front-rear direction on the moving base A is restricted by narrowing the shape of the lower end portion of the shaft through hole 57a that supports the shaft 37. However, in the second embodiment, the position regulating protrusion 71 of the cam 69 arranged at a position facing the tip of the rod 28 when the belt module B is in the lowered position.
It is regulated by.

When the belt module B is raised, the cam 69 rotates, so that the position-regulating protrusion 71 of the cam 69 rotates from the position that regulates the longitudinal movement of the rod 28 of the belt module B. Thus, the movement of the rod 28 of the belt module B in the front-rear direction is not restricted. In the second embodiment, it is not necessary to narrow the shape of the lower end portion of the shaft through hole 57a that supports the shaft 37.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the third embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 25 is a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of FIG. 7, corresponding to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points.

In FIG. 25, in the third embodiment, the spring support shaft 73 supported by the elevating member 61 is arranged in an inclined manner, and the module support constituted by the spring wound around the spring support shaft 73 is provided. The member 74 is also arranged to be inclined. Since the portion of the module support member 74 that supports the rod 28 is high outward, the rod 28 is urged toward the center of the belt module B in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. That is, the belt module B of the first embodiment is always urged toward the center portion in the left-right direction, whereas in the third embodiment, the belt module B is always urged toward the center portion in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In the third embodiment as well, similar to the first embodiment, the module position stabilizing means is formed by the inclined upper portion of the spring forming the module support member 74.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the fourth embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 26 is a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory view of the essential part of FIG. 25, corresponding to FIG. 25 of the third embodiment. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points.

In FIG. 26, in the fourth embodiment, the portion of the module supporting member 74 supported by the elevating member 61 that supports the rod 28 is higher inward, so that the rod 28 is placed in front of and behind the belt module B. It is urged outward from the central portion in the horizontal and horizontal directions. That is, while the belt module B of the third embodiment is always biased toward the center portion in the left-right direction, in the fourth embodiment, the belt module B is always biased outward from the center portion in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. ing. In the fourth embodiment as well, similar to the first embodiment, the module position stabilizing means is composed of the inclined upper part of the spring forming the module support member 74.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points. In the first embodiment, the module supporting member 7 is used.
4 supports the rod 28, the fifth embodiment supports the bearing 28a provided on the outer circumference of the rod 28. By providing the bearing, resistance to the lateral movement of the belt module B is reduced.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points. In the first embodiment, the module supporting member 7 is used.
4 is composed of a coil spring, the embodiment 6 is composed of a leaf spring.

(Seventh Embodiment) Next, referring to FIG. 29, a seventh embodiment of the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module of the present invention will be described. The seventh embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points. In the first embodiment, the module support member 74 supported by the elevating member 61 is composed of the coil spring, whereas in the seventh embodiment, the elevating member 61 is used.
It is composed of a tension spring whose upper end is supported by a spring support rod 61a provided on the. The belt module B suspended from the spring supporting rod 61a of the elevating member 61 via the module supporting member 74 composed of a tension spring moves up and down as the elevating member moves up and down.

(Embodiment 8) Next, Embodiment 8 of the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The eighth embodiment differs from the seventh embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the seventh embodiment in other points. In the seventh embodiment, the supporting rod 61a of the elevating member 61 extends in the horizontal direction, whereas a vertically extending portion is provided at the tip of the supporting rod 61a, and the compression coil spring arranged around the portion provides a module. The support member 74 is configured. A downward spring receiving seat 28a is fixed to the lower surface of the rod 28, and the module support member 74 formed of the compression coil spring supports the rod 28 via the spring receiving seat 28a.

(Ninth Embodiment) Next, a ninth embodiment of the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The ninth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points. The ninth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the shape of the guide groove 87a of the module guide member 87 is gradually narrowed from the opening end.
Therefore, in this ninth embodiment, the belt module B
Is first determined in the left-right direction, then in the front-rear direction, and finally in the up-down position.

(Embodiment 10) Next, Embodiment 10 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the description of the tenth embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals,
Detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 33 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus, which is equivalent to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. Is. FIG. 34 shows the same example 10
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a side cross-section of FIG. 11, showing a state in which the belt module is lifted after the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11 of the first embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a guide mechanism when the belt module B is moved up and down, which is an essential part of the tenth embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module B is in a lowered position. FIG. 36 is the same example 1
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a guide mechanism when the belt module B is raised and lowered, which is a main part of 0, and is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module B is in a raised position.

The tenth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points. Instead of the two brackets 32 protruding outward from the upper end portion of the rear plate Pr of the belt module B and the rear-side guided member 33 protruding upward provided on each bracket 32 in the first embodiment, the rear guided member 33 is rearward. A guided plate 96 having a protruding guided portion 96a (see FIGS. 35 and 36) is provided. The frame F of the apparatus U1 on the main body side is provided with a slider 97 that fits into the guided portion 96a, a guide member 98 that vertically guides the slider 97, and a stopper 99 that regulates the rising position of the slider 97. point. In addition, the fitting portion of the slider 97 with the guided portion 96a is configured such that the lower portion is wide and the upper portion is narrow, and the positioning is performed in a state where the narrow upper portion and the guided portion 96a are fitted. ing.

In place of the front guided member 29 protruding forward from the upper end of the front plate Pf of the belt module B in the first embodiment, a front guided member 101 having the shape shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 is provided. The guided portion 101a at the tip of the guided member 101 is rearward (-X
Direction). The frame F of the apparatus U1 on the main body side is provided with a slider 102 fitted to the front guided portion 101a and a guide member 103 for vertically guiding the slider 102. And slider 1
The fitting portion of 02 with the guided portion 101a is configured such that the lower portion is wide and the upper portion is narrow, and positioning is performed in a state where the narrow upper portion and the guided portion 101a are fitted. Inclined guide surface 105a for positioning in the front-rear direction when the front plate Pf rises
The front side guide member 105 having the above is provided on the frame F.

(Operation of the Tenth Embodiment) In the tenth embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, when the movable table A is inserted into the main body unit U1, the guided portion 96a on the rear side of the belt module B is guided.
Is fitted to the slider 97, and the guided portion 101a on the front side is fitted to the slider 102. In this state, the guided parts 96a and 101a are fitted in the sliders 97 and 102 with play. In this state, the lifting member 6
1, when the module support member 74 and the belt module B are raised, the belt module B can be freely moved in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction as in the first embodiment. In this state, the guided portions 96a and 101a of the belt module B are
Is engaged with the narrow upper part of the fitting portion of the sliders 97 and 102 for positioning. Also, the front plate P
The f is guided by the inclined guide surface 105a of the front guide member 105 to perform front-back positioning. In this way, the belt module B is positioned in the left-right direction by the sliders 97 and 102, and is positioned in the front-rear direction by the inclined guide surface 105a of the front guide member 105.

(Embodiment 11) Next, referring to FIG. 37, an embodiment 11 of the image forming apparatus of the invention will be described. In addition,
In the description of the eleventh embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the tenth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram of a guide mechanism when the belt module B is moved up and down, which is a main part of the eleventh embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module B is in the lowered position.

The eleventh embodiment differs from the tenth embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the tenth embodiment in other points. In the tenth embodiment, the positioned projection 96b is provided on the upper surface of the guided plate 96 having the guided portion 96a (see FIGS. 35 and 22) protruding rearward from the upper end of the rear plate Pr of the belt module B. . The frame F of the apparatus U1 on the main body side has a vertically extending guide groove Fa directly fitted with the guided portion 96a, and a stopper 99 for restricting an ascending position of the guided plate 96 ascending along the guide groove Fa.
Is provided. Further, on the lower surface of the stopper 99, a positioning recess (not shown) that fits with the projection 96b to be positioned is provided.

(Operation of Embodiment 11) In Embodiment 10 having the above-mentioned structure, when the movable table A is inserted into the main body unit U1, the guided portion 96a on the rear side of the belt module B is guided.
Fits in the guide groove Fa of the frame F. In this state, the guided portion 96a is fitted with play in the guide groove Fa. In this state, when the elevating member 61, the module supporting member 74, and the belt module B are raised, the belt module B is the same as in the first embodiment.
The movement in the front, back, left and right directions is free. When the belt module B is raised in this state, the positioning projection 96b on the upper surface of the guided plate 96 fits into the positioning recess (not shown) on the lower surface of the stopper 99 for positioning.

(Embodiment 12) Next, Embodiment 12 of the image forming apparatus of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the description of the twelfth embodiment, the tenth embodiment will be described.
The same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements corresponding to those constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 38 is an explanatory view of a side cross section of an image forming apparatus according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus, which is equivalent to FIG. 33 of the tenth embodiment. Is. 39 is an explanatory view of a side cross section of the twelfth embodiment, showing a state in which the belt module is raised after the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus, and corresponds to FIG. 34 of the tenth embodiment. It is a figure.

The twelfth embodiment differs from the tenth embodiment in the following points, but is configured similarly to the first embodiment in other points. In the tenth embodiment, the front guided member 101 is provided, and the guided portion 101a at the tip of the guided member 101 projects upward (−X direction). A front guide member 103 that fits with the front guided portion 101a is provided on the rear surface of the front portion of the frame F of the main unit U1.

(Operation of the twelfth embodiment) In the twelfth embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, when the movable table A is inserted into the main body side device U1, the guided portion 96a on the rear side of the belt module B is guided.
Fits on the slider 97. In this state, if the elevating member 61, the module supporting member 74, and the belt module B are raised, the belt module B can be freely moved in the front-rear direction as in the first embodiment. In this state, the guided portions 96a and 101a of the belt module B are
Is fitted to the narrow upper part of the fitting portion of the slider 97 and the front guide member 103 for positioning. In this way, the belt module B is first positioned in the left-right direction by the slider 97, and is positioned in the front-rear direction by fitting with the front guide member 103.

(Modification) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but is within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Thus, various changes can be made. A modified embodiment of the present invention is illustrated below.

(H01) The present invention can be applied to a belt module having an intermediate transfer belt instead of the belt module having the transfer material conveying belt. In that case, the toner image on the image carrier is first transferred to the belt of the belt module and then transferred to the transfer material. (H02) In the present invention, the belt module may be configured to be used in a state of being incorporated in the main body of the image forming apparatus, instead of being configured to be insertable into and removable from the main body side device. (H03) In the present invention, it is possible to add a function as a moving stand by providing the belt module with legs, wheels, etc., and to configure a movable belt module. In that case, the movable belt module as a whole. It is possible to employ a configuration that raises.

[0142]

The belt conveyor of the present invention described above can achieve the following effects. (E01) It is possible to improve the image quality of an image formed by the image forming apparatus using the belt module. (E02) The positioning accuracy and reproducibility of the belt module on the image carrier can be ensured. (E03) It is possible to make the transfer direction of the belt module and the fixing device the same. (E04) It is possible to reduce the adverse effect that acts on the belt due to the loop formed on the transfer material that straddles the belt module and the fixing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the belt module B in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a belt module B and a moving base that supports the belt module B according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory side cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, showing a state in which the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus.

5 is a view seen from the line VV of FIG. 4;

6 is a plan view of the belt module B, which is a view as seen from arrows VI-VI in FIG.

7 is a plan view of the belt module B, which is a view as seen from arrows VII-VII in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a rotating mechanism of the belt module B according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module B is held in a horizontal posture.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a rotating mechanism of the belt module B in the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in the middle of a horizontal posture and a rotating position.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a rotating mechanism of the belt module B according to the first embodiment and is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module B is held at a rotating position.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a side cross section of the first embodiment,
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module is lifted after the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a view as seen from line XII-XII of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of means for moving the belt module B up and down according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an elevating member according to the first embodiment.

15 is a sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG.

16 is an explanatory view of an element supported by an elevating member in the first embodiment, and is a view seen from the same direction as FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a cam that raises and lowers an elevating member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a lateral position regulating member of the belt module B in the first embodiment, FIG. 18A is a perspective view, and FIG. 18B is a sectional view taken along the line XB-XB in FIG.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of a guide member that guides the belt module B to a predetermined position when the belt module B is raised in the first embodiment. FIG. 19A is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4, and FIG. XIXB-XIX of FIG. 19A
FIG. 19C is a sectional view taken along the line B, and FIG. 19C shows XIXC-XI in FIG. 19A.
FIG. 19D is a cross-sectional view taken along line XC, and FIG. 19D shows XIXD-X in FIG.
FIG. 19E is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXD, FIG.
It is a sectional view taken along line XIXE.

FIG. 20 is a belt module B of the first embodiment.
20A is a front view and FIG. 20B is a plan view of a method for adjusting the direction of the drive roll shaft of FIG.

21 is an explanatory view of the jig shown in FIG. 20, FIG. 21A is a sectional view taken along line XXIA-XXIA of FIG. 20B, and FIG. 21B is seen from diagonally below a positioning plate of the jig. It is a perspective view.

22A and 22B are explanatory views of a method of adjusting the orientation of the fixing device 79 of the first embodiment by a jig, FIG. 22A is a front view, and FIG. 22B is a plan view.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view of a main part of an image forming apparatus including a belt module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 13 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of a main part of the second embodiment, which corresponds to FIG. 16 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view of a main part of an image forming apparatus including a belt module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view of a main portion of an image forming apparatus including a belt module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 25 of the third embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of the essential parts of Embodiment 5 of the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view of the essential parts of Embodiment 6 of the image forming apparatus provided with the belt module of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view of the essential parts of Embodiment 7 of the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory view of a main part of an image forming apparatus including the belt module according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view of a main part of an image forming apparatus including a belt module according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, which is a perspective view of a guide member and a guided member.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view of main parts of the ninth embodiment.
9A is a plan sectional view, and FIG. 9B is a vertical sectional view.

FIG. 33 is a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of No. 0, showing a state in which the movable table has entered the inside of the image forming apparatus, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view of a side cross-section of the tenth embodiment, showing a state in which the belt module is lifted after the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of a guide mechanism at the time of raising and lowering the belt module B, which is a main part of the tenth embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which the belt module B is in a lowered position.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory view of a guide mechanism at the time of raising and lowering the belt module B, which is a main part of the tenth embodiment, and is a view showing a state in which the belt module B is in a raised position.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a guide mechanism when the belt module B that is a main part of FIG.

38 is a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention. FIG.
FIG. 33 is an explanatory view of a side cross section of FIG. 2, showing a state in which the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus, and FIG.
It is a figure equivalent to.

FIG. 39 is a side cross-sectional view of the twelfth embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the belt module is raised after the movable table is inserted into the image forming apparatus. It is a figure corresponding to 34.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a main part of a digital color copying machine as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... moving base, B ... belt module, Dk, Dy, Dm,
Dc ... Image bearing member, U1 ... Main body side device, 16k, 16y, 16
m, 16c ... Optical writing device, 17k, 17y, 17m, 17c ...
Developing device, 21 ... drive roll, 22 ... driven roll (peeling roll), 25 ... belt, 26k, 26y, 26m, 26c
... Transfer device, 29 ... Guided member, 33 ... Guided member,
57 ... Movement restricting means, 61 ... Elevating member, 74 ... Module supporting member (spring), 77 ... Movement restricting means, 79 ... Fixing device, 87 ... Module guide member,

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Yukio Hayashi 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mikio Kobayashi 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ryoichi Tsuruoka 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus equipped with a belt module having the following requirements: (Y01) an image carrier, (Y02) an optical writing device for writing an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier. , (Y03) a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, (Y04) a belt module used for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to a transfer material, (Y05) the belt A fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image transferred to a transfer material by using a module, (Y06) Insertable and removable below the image carrier, and when inserted, it is stopped at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction. A moving table, (Y07) elevating member elevating / lowering means provided on the moving table, (Y08) elevating / lowering member moved up and down by the elevating / lowering member elevating means, (Y09) provided on the elevating / lowering member to horizontally move the belt module. Be mobile A module supporting member to be held, (Y010) a guided member provided on the belt module, (Y011) engaged with a guided member of the belt module when the elevating member is raised, and the belt module A module guide member that guides the carrier to a predetermined position. 2. An image forming apparatus equipped with a belt module according to claim 1, wherein the following requirements are met:
(Y012) A vertical plane extending forward and backward including the center of gravity of the drawer unit composed of the movable table and a member supported by the movable table is provided on the front surface of the movable table near a position intersecting the front surface of the movable table, An insertion / extraction operation member used when inserting and removing the movable table. 3. An image forming apparatus provided with a belt module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the following requirements: (Y013) provided on the front surface of the moving table to lower the module supporting member. An elevating and lowering operation member for moving and moving the module support member up and down while being moved between a lowering and holding position for holding it in a raised position and an ascending and holding position for holding it in a raised position; A forward / backward movement control member (Y015) provided on the main body frame, which moves from the forward / backward movement allowance position to the forward / backward movement fixed position when the lifting operation member moves from the lowered holding position to the rising holding position in the insertion position of the platform, When the movement control member is in the front-back movement allowable position, it allows the front-back movement of the moving base, but when it is in the front-back movement fixed position, it moves the front-back position of the moving base to be fixed. Base locking member, 4. An image forming apparatus equipped with the belt module according to claim 1, characterized by the following requirements: (Y016) insertion of the moving table and subsequent belt module. The module guide member and the guided member configured in such a shape that when the ascending is performed, one of the front and rear and the left and right is positioned and then the other is positioned, and then the up and down positioning is performed. . 5. An image forming apparatus provided with the belt module according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has the following requirements: (Y017) a pair of right and left provided before and after the belt module, and The supported members supported by the module support member so as to be horizontally movable are directed toward the center of the belt module, toward the center line in the left-right direction, toward the center line in the front-rear direction, the center and the center lines. Module position stabilizing means for stabilizing the horizontal position of each of the supported members by urging in one of the directions from the outside to the outside. 6. An image forming apparatus provided with a belt module according to claim 1, wherein the module support member (Y018) is elastically deformable downward. 7. An image forming apparatus comprising a belt module according to claim 1, wherein the following requirements are met, (Y019) having straight portions at both ends and a middle portion formed in a coil shape. And a module supporting member configured to support the supported member by one of the linear portions. 8. An image forming apparatus equipped with a belt module according to claim 7, wherein the following requirements are met:
(Y020) The module support member arranged so that the linear portion of the torsion spring that supports the supported member is inclined downward or upward toward the central portion of the belt module. 9. An image forming apparatus provided with a belt module having the following requirements, (Y021) an image carrier on which a toner image is formed on a surface moving around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction, A main body side device having a belt module insertion space provided below the image carrier and a module guide member for positioning the belt module inserted into the belt module insertion space, (Y022) A movable base that can be inserted into and removed from the belt module insertion space, (Y023) supported by the movable base so as to be able to move up and down, and positioned at a predetermined raised position by being guided by a module guide member of the main body side device when rising. A guided member, an endless belt used to transfer the toner image on the surface of the image carrier at the raised position, A belt module having a driving roll and a driven roll around which a belt is wound, and a transfer device for transferring the toner image on the surface of the image carrier, (Y02
4) A pair of fixing rolls for fixing an unfixed toner image transferred onto a transfer material using the belt module, and a fixing roll supporting member for rotatably supporting each of the fixing rolls, A fixing device supported by either one of the moving stands. (Y025) The module guide member provided as a pair on the left and right. (Y026) The drive roll position adjusting device provided on the belt module adjustably supports the direction of the drive roll axis, and the drive roll axis is set in a direction perpendicular to a straight line connecting the pair of left and right guided members. The drive roll described above. 10. An image forming apparatus provided with a belt module according to claim 9, wherein (Y027) a rear side main body frame having a rear side fixing device guide member and a front side side are provided. The main body side device having a front side main body frame having a fixing device guide member,
(Y028) A rear side guided member that is guided and positioned by the rear side fixing device guide member and a front side guided member that is positioned by being guided by the front side fixing device guide member. (Y029) The rear side fixing device guide member, the front side fixing device guide member, the rear side guided member, and the front part. One of the side guided members is provided so that its position can be adjusted, and when the front and rear guided members are positioned, the nip line of the pair of fixing rolls is a pair of left and right module guides of the main body side device. The front and rear fixing device guide members and the guided members which are arranged so as to be perpendicular to a straight line connecting the members. 11. An image forming apparatus provided with a belt module according to claim 10, wherein (Y030) said driven roll arranged closest to said fixing roll. A belt module having a peeling roll and the drive roll arranged on the side far from the fixing roll, and having a belt conveyed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the nip line of the fixing roll and the drive roll axis, (Y031) The peeling roll having a belt holding force smaller than that of the drive roll. 12. An image forming apparatus equipped with a belt module, comprising: (Y032) an image carrier; and (Y033) a transfer material for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier. A belt module used to transfer the image onto the belt module, (Y034) first positioning means for positioning one of front and rear and left and right of the belt module,
(Y035) Second positioning means for positioning the front and rear and left and right of the belt module which has been positioned front and back or left and right, (Y036) Up and down the belt module where front and back and left and right have been positioned Third positioning means for directional positioning. 13. An image forming apparatus provided with a belt module having the following requirements, (Y037) an image carrier on which a toner image is formed, (Y038) an endless belt, and the belt. It has a driving roll and a driven roll that are wound around and a transfer device that transfers the toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer material in contact with the image carrier. A belt module that can be moved up and down between a raised position and a horizontally lowered position (Y03
9) Movement restricting means for restricting horizontal movement of the belt module in the lowered position. 14. A method of positioning a belt module in an image forming apparatus, comprising: (Y040) a belt module insertion space of a main body side apparatus having a pair of left and right module guide members, and An inserting step of inserting a belt module having a guided member horizontally supported by a movable base that can be inserted / removed from the front-rear direction at a predetermined position and a vertically movable module support member provided on the movable base, (Y041 ) A moving table fixing step of fixing the moving table of the drawer unit to the insertion position, (Y042) the guided member with respect to the module guiding member while raising the belt module by guiding the guided member to the module guiding member. Position one of the front and back and left and right of the Next, the belt module lifting process that performs vertical positioning. 15. A method of positioning a belt module in an image forming apparatus, comprising: (Y040) a belt module insertion space of a main body side apparatus having a pair of left and right vertically movable module guide members; An insertion step of inserting a movable base that can be inserted / removed from the front / rear direction at a predetermined position in the left / right direction and a belt module that is horizontally movable and supported by a vertically movable module support member provided on the movable base. , (Y04
0 ') Insertion in which the guided member is guided by the module guide member that can be moved up and down in the final stage of the inserting step to position the guided member with respect to the module guide member in either the front-back direction or the left-right direction. Positioning step, (Y041) Moving table fixing step of fixing the moving table of the drawer unit to the insertion position, (Y041)
2) While guiding the guided member to the module guide member to raise the belt module, the other of the front and rear direction and the left and right direction of the guided member with respect to the module guide member is positioned, and then the vertical positioning is performed. Belt module raising process to be performed.