JP2002108050A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color image forming device where operating function and the maintainability of a process frame consisting of a multiple number of image carriers, an intermediate transfer unit and a multiple number of developing devices can be improved. SOLUTION: In the color image forming device, a first frame 8A where at least a multiple number of image carriers 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K and the intermediate transfer unit 7 are installed and integrated and which can be independently pulled out outside a device main body A and a second frame 8B where a multiple number of developing means 4Y, 4M, 4C and 4K are integrated and can be independently pulled out outside the device main body A are provided.

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 using an electrophotographic method, such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., and more particularly to a plurality of image carriers, a plurality of latent image forming means, and a plurality of developing means. The present invention relates to a tandem type color image forming apparatus that transfers a toner image formed on a carrier to an intermediate transfer member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, a plurality of image forming units are arranged in parallel in a conveying direction, and toners of different colors formed on a photosensitive drum in the image forming units, respectively. Various methods have been proposed for sequentially transferring images onto a recording medium held on a transport belt.

There is also known a color image forming apparatus using a transfer drum around which a recording medium fed from a paper feeding unit is wound instead of the transport belt. A full-color image is formed on the recording medium by sequentially transferring the toner images visualized by the developing unit onto the recording medium wound around the transfer drum. Thereafter, the recording medium is separated from the transfer drum, and after the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit, is discharged.

[0004] In still another color image forming apparatus,
After arranging a plurality of image forming sections in parallel in the transport direction and sequentially transferring toner images of different colors formed on the photosensitive drums in the image forming sections onto an intermediate transfer body to form a primary transfer image in a superimposed manner A method has been proposed in which the primary transfer image is secondarily transferred onto a recording medium held on a transport belt.

In such a tandem type color image forming apparatus having a plurality of photoconductors, a color image is formed by rotating a single photoconductor a plurality of times in order to form a color image by one rotation of the plurality of photoconductors. A full-color image can be output at a higher speed than a multi-rotation type color image forming apparatus that forms.

[0006]

A plurality of photoconductors, an intermediate transfer member, a plurality of developing means, etc., need to be removed from the apparatus body for maintenance and life. Therefore, a structure in which a plurality of photoconductors and the like can be easily removed has been required for the tandem type color image forming apparatus.

That is, for maintenance of a plurality of photoconductors and the like, a structure that is easy for a user to work has been required for a tandem type color image forming apparatus.

[0008] For example, at least a plurality of photoreceptors are mounted on a base,
A structure is conceivable in which an intermediate transfer member and a plurality of developing means are arranged so that a plurality of photosensitive members and the like can be integrally pulled out to the apparatus main body.

However, a plurality of photoconductors, an intermediate transfer member, and a plurality of developing means are arranged on one stand, and the stand is pulled out of the apparatus main body, and a plurality of photoconductors, an intermediate transfer member, and a plurality of developing means are attached and detached. When the operation is performed, the photoconductor is located between the intermediate transfer member and the developing unit, and it is difficult to remove only the photoconductor without causing interference with the intermediate transfer member and the developing unit.

Further, since the plurality of developing means are arranged on a pedestal including a plurality of photoconductors, intermediate transfer members and the like, the entire pedestal must be pulled out of the apparatus main body when the plurality of developing means are attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Must. For this reason, it is not easy to pull out a large and massive gantry from the apparatus main body and return it to the inside of the apparatus main body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has improved color operability with improved maintenance and operability with respect to a plurality of photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer unit, a plurality of developing means, and the like. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a color image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of image carriers; a latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carriers; A plurality of developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with toner, and a color toner image superimposed by sequentially transferring the toner images formed on the image carrier to a recording medium; , A transfer unit for transferring the color toner image on the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium, and the transfer unit and the intermediate transfer member pressed against each other. A color image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that conveys, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred by the transfer unit to the recording medium, wherein at least the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer body are Arranged and integrated, outside the device A first frame which can be pulled out and stand, by integrating the plurality of developing means, is characterized in that it has a second frame which can be pulled out independently to the outside of the apparatus, the.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This color image forming apparatus is called a tandem type color image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of sets of image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10K, an intermediate transfer unit 7, a sheet feeding and conveying unit and a fixing unit. 24.
A document image reading device SC is disposed above an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, referred to as an apparatus main body) A.

Image forming section 1 for forming a yellow image
0Y includes a charging unit 2Y, an exposing unit 3Y, a developing unit 4Y, a primary transfer unit 5Y, and a cleaning unit 6Y arranged around the image carrier (photoconductor) 1Y. The image forming unit 10M that forms a magenta image includes an image carrier (photoconductor) 1M, a charging unit 2M, an exposure unit 3M, and a developing unit 4.
M, a primary transfer unit 5M, and a cleaning unit 6M. An image forming unit 10C for forming a cyan image includes an image carrier (photoconductor) 1C, a charging unit 2C, an exposure unit 3C,
Developing unit 4C, primary transfer unit 5C, cleaning unit 6
C. The image forming unit 10K for forming a black image includes:
Image carrier (photoconductor) 1K, charging unit 2K, exposure unit 3
K, a developing unit 4K, a primary transfer unit 5K, and a cleaning unit 6K.

The intermediate transfer unit 7 has a semiconductive endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 70 that is wound around a plurality of rollers and rotatably supported.

Image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10
The image of each color formed from K is transferred to primary transfer units 5Y and 5Y.
M, 5C, and 5K successively transfer the image onto the rotating intermediate transfer body 70 to form a combined color image. A recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet) P stored in the sheet cassette 20 is fed by a sheet feeding unit 21, passes through a plurality of intermediate rollers 22 </ b> A, 22 </ b> B, 22 </ b> C, 22 </ b> D, a registration roller 23, and The color image is conveyed to the transfer means 5A and is collectively transferred onto the paper P. The paper P to which the color image has been transferred is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing unit 24, and is held by a paper discharge roller 25 and placed on a paper discharge tray 26 outside the apparatus.

On the other hand, after the color image is transferred onto the paper P by the secondary transfer means 5A, the residual toner is removed by the cleaning means 6A from the intermediate transfer body 70 obtained by separating the curvature of the paper P.

During the image forming process, the primary transfer means 5K is always in pressure contact with the photosensitive member 1K. Other primary transfer means 5
Y, 5M, and 5C are in pressure contact with the corresponding photoconductors 1Y, 1M, and 1C only during color image formation.

The secondary transfer means 5A comes into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer member 70 only when the paper P passes therethrough and the secondary transfer is performed.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the process base 8.
The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are vertically arranged in tandem. Photoconductor 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1
An intermediate transfer unit 7 is arranged on the left side of K in the figure. The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K and the intermediate transfer unit 7 form a process base 8.
The intermediate transfer unit 7 includes rollers 71, 72, 73, 74
And an intermediate transfer body 70 in the form of an endless belt that can be rotated and rotated, primary transfer units 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, and a cleaning unit 6A.

The process gantry 8 comprises a first gantry 8A and a second gantry 8B, each of which can be independently pulled out from the apparatus main body. The first gantry 8A includes the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1
C, 1K, charging means 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, cleaning means 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, and an intermediate transfer unit 7 are arranged and integrated. The second gantry 8B is one in which developing means 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are arranged in tandem and integrated.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the process base 8 is pulled out from the apparatus main body A.

The first gantry 8A and the second gantry 8B constituting the process gantry 8 can be independently pulled out from the apparatus main body A. That is, the front door 101 of the apparatus main body A is opened, and the first gantry 8A and / or the second gantry 8B is gripped and pulled out to the near side.

The first gantry 8A slides while being guided by the support rail 82A and the guide member 83A, and is pulled out forward. When the first frame 8A is pulled out, the photosensitive member 1 is moved.
Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, charging means 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2
K, the cleaning units 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, and the intermediate transfer unit 7 are integrally pulled out of the apparatus main body A.

The second gantry 8B is guided and slid by the support rail 82B and the guide member 83B, and is pulled out forward. By the operation of pulling out the second gantry 8B, the developing means 4
Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are integrally pulled out of the apparatus main body A.

The support rail 82 on the left side of the first stand 8A in the figure is shown.
A is disposed on the left side of the intermediate transfer member 70 in the space above the fixing unit 24. The support rail 82B on the right side in the drawing of the second gantry 8B is arranged near the lower part of the lowermost developing unit 4K. The support rail 82B is provided with the developing means 4Y, 4
M, 4C, and 4K are arranged at positions that do not interfere with the operation of attaching and detaching the second mount 8B.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the first base 8A.
(B) is a sectional view of the second gantry 8B.

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of the process base 8. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the intermediate transfer unit 7. FIG. 7 shows a first housing 81A of the first frame 8A and a second housing 81A of the second frame 8B.
It is a perspective view of housing 81B. In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the left half of the intermediate transfer member 70 has been removed to make the inside of the intermediate transfer unit 7 easier to see. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of four photoconductor units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K.

With the first frame 8A pulled out of the apparatus main assembly A, the intermediate transfer unit 7 is slightly moved to the left in the figure, and then the intermediate transfer unit 7 is gripped and lifted vertically upward. The positioning pins 75 implanted on the upper sides of the both sides of the intermediate transfer unit 7 are moved leftward in the figure along a horizontal groove 85 formed in the process base 8, and then vertically upward along a vertical groove 86. Be moved.

When the intermediate transfer unit 7 is lifted, the positioning pin 75 is moved to the horizontal groove 85
Since the intermediate transfer member 70 moves while being restricted by the vertical groove 86,
Does not come into contact with the members of the first gantry 8A and is not damaged.

On the inner surface side of the intermediate transfer body 70, primary transfer means (hereinafter also referred to as primary transfer roller) supported horizontally.
5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K and pressing rollers 76Y, 76
M, 76C and 76K are arranged in tandem. Lever 77Y supporting primary transfer roller 5Y and pressure roller 76Y
A lever 77M that supports the primary transfer roller 5M and the pressure roller 76M, a primary transfer roller 5C and the pressure roller 76M.
The lever 77C supporting C is simultaneously swung by the regulating plate 78 to press and release the intermediate transfer body 70.

When only the first gantry 8A is pulled out from the apparatus main body A, the right side of the first gantry 8A in the drawing is in an open state, and the four photoconductor units 11M, 11C and 11K can be taken out. Top photoconductor unit 11Y
Are a photoreceptor 1Y, a charging unit 2Y, a cleaning unit 6Y
Consists of The second-stage photoconductor unit 11M includes the photoconductor 1
M, charging means 2M and cleaning means 6M. The third-stage photoconductor unit 11C includes a photoconductor 1C, a charging unit 2C, and a cleaning unit 6C. The lowermost photoconductor unit 11K includes a photoconductor 1K, a charging unit 2K, and a cleaning unit 6K.

When the first gantry 8A is pulled out of the apparatus main body A, the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K are moved from the reference axes of the respective photoconductors (not shown) fixedly supported in the apparatus main body A.
The center holes of the photoconductor unit 1 are detachable and movable.
1Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K are respectively mounted on the support bases 87Y, 87M, 87C, and 87K of the first gantry 8A. In this state, the photoconductor unit 11Y is mounted on the support 87Y.
It can be taken out from the right side of the first gantry 8A by sliding upward and moving in the direction of the white arrow shown in FIG. Similarly, the photoreceptor units 11M, 11C, and 11K can be taken out by being moved rightward from above the support tables 87M, 87C, and 87K.

When the second gantry 8B is pulled out of the apparatus main assembly A, the developing means 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K respectively
It can be taken out from a predetermined storage portion of the gantry 8B in the direction of the right white arrow shown in FIG. Therefore, the developing means 4
Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K can be attached and detached by pulling out only the second frame 8B, which is smaller and lighter than the process frame 8, from the device frame A without pulling out the entire process frame 8 from the apparatus main body A.

The first frame 8A and the second frame 8B are slid along the support rails 82A and 82B and the guide members 83A and 83B, mounted in the apparatus main body A, and stopped at a predetermined position.
It is fixed by a lock lever (not shown). The gantry operation detecting means detects by a sensor that the first gantry 8A and the second gantry 8B are mounted at predetermined positions of the apparatus main body A. Alternatively, the gantry operation detecting means detects that the lock lever has completed a predetermined operation.

In the above embodiment, the intermediate transfer member 70 in the form of a seamless endless belt has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Is also applicable.

A plurality of image forming units are arranged in the conveying direction, and the toner images of different colors formed on the photosensitive drums of the image forming units are sequentially transferred onto a sheet held on a conveying belt. The present invention is also applicable to a color image forming apparatus of a system.

Further, in the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the light emitting element (LE) is used as the exposure means 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K.
D) An array may be used and arranged at a predetermined position in the process base 8.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes an image carrier (including an electrostatic recording medium), an intermediate transfer member, a plurality of developing means (wet developing means, ion current (Including a control method, etc.).

[0041]

According to the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of image forming means such as an image carrier and an intermediate transfer unit are arranged on a first mount, and a plurality of developing means are arranged on a second mount.
The first frame and the second frame are independently mounted so as to be able to be pulled out from the apparatus main body to the operator's side, thereby causing a plurality of image carriers, an intermediate transfer unit, a plurality of developing means, and the like to interfere with each other. It can be safely and easily attached and detached without any problems. Thereby, the operability and maintenance of the image forming unit of the color image forming apparatus have been improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a process base.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a process gantry is pulled out from the apparatus main body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first gantry and a second gantry.

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of a process gantry.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an intermediate transfer unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first housing of a first gantry and a second housing of a second gantry.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of four photoconductor units.

[Description of Signs] 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image carrier (photosensitive member) 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K Charging means 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K Exposure means 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K Developing means 5A Secondary transfer Means 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K Primary transfer means (primary transfer rollers) 6A, 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K Cleaning means 7 Intermediate transfer unit 8 Process mount 8A First mount 8B Second mount 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K Image Forming parts 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K Photoconductor unit 70 Intermediate transfer body 81A First housing 81B Second housing 82A, 82B Support rails 83A, 83B Guide member 101 Front door A Image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Shigetomi 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kosuke Minoshima 1st Konica Sakuracho, Hino-shi, Tokyo In-house F-term (reference) 2H030 AA06 AA07 AB02 BB02 BB42 BB46 2H071 BA04 BA05 BA13 BA22 BA27 DA05 DA08 DA09 DA15 EA18

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image carriers, a latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized with toner. A plurality of developing means, an intermediate transfer member for sequentially transferring the toner images formed on the image carrier to a recording medium and carrying a superposed color toner image, and a color toner image on the intermediate transfer member. A transfer unit that transfers the recording medium onto a recording medium, a transfer unit that transfers the recording medium to a transfer unit where the transfer unit and the intermediate transfer body can be pressed and released, and the toner image transferred by the transfer unit be recorded. A fixing unit for fixing to a medium, wherein at least the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer body are arranged and integrated, and the first image forming apparatus is capable of being independently pulled out of the apparatus. The gantry and the plurality of developing means are integrated A second frame that can be independently pulled out of the apparatus. 2. After the first frame is pulled out of the apparatus,
2. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier and the intermediate transfer body are detachable. 3. After the second gantry is pulled out of the apparatus,
2. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developing means is detachable. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first gantry and / or the second gantry are supported on the front side of the apparatus main body so as to be able to be pulled out. Color image forming apparatus. 5. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image carriers and the plurality of developing units are arranged substantially vertically. .