JP2004240329A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of realizing not only the operation of a cover member, the lock operation of the cover member for an apparatus main body and the movement of a transfer roller with respect to a photoreceptor drum but also the improvement of the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller with respect to the photoreceptor drum by one action of an opening/closing lever. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with the cover member 2, the opening/closing lever 5 turnably provided at the proper place of the cover member 2, having an operation part 5a operated from the outside of the cover member 2 and a hook part 5b performing lock and lock release at the closing position of the cover member 2 with respect to the apparatus main body, and realizing at least lock release action out of the lock action and the lock release action for the hook part 5b by operating the operation part 5a, a transfer roller supporting member 7 constituted to allow the movement of the transfer roller 3 with respect to the drum 4, a guide 9 regulating the movement of the transfer roller 3, and a separation member 8 moving the transfer roller 3 to the abutting position of the guide 9 in accordance with the opening operation of the lever 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, as an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile, a cover member that rotates around a rotation axis supported by the apparatus main body can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body by turning. It is known that a transfer roller is supported so as to be able to contact and separate from a photosensitive drum in accordance with an opening and closing operation.
[0003]
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the inside of a plotter portion is largely opened by opening a transfer cover, and the transfer roller attached to the transfer cover is positioned with respect to the plotter portion by closing the transfer cover. The technology of the image forming apparatus is disclosed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-231321 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, even if the unlocking operation of the cover member with respect to the apparatus main body can be performed by the operation of the unlocking mechanism of the transfer cover attached to the transfer cover, the operation of the cover member and the transfer There is a problem that the operation is different from the movement of the roller with respect to the photosensitive drum.
[0006]
Further, there is a problem that the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller with respect to the photosensitive drum is limited.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and not only can the operation of the cover member, the locking operation of the cover member with respect to the apparatus main body, and the movement of the transfer roller with respect to the photosensitive drum be performed by one operation of the opening and closing lever. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can improve the positioning accuracy of a transfer roller with respect to a photosensitive drum.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for solving the above problems includes a photosensitive drum for forming an image, a one-side structure of a sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet, and a transfer roller for transferring the image of the photosensitive drum to a sheet. And a cover member rotatable around a rotation axis supported by the apparatus main body can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body by the above-mentioned rotation, and the transfer roller is exposed to the photosensitive member according to the opening and closing operation. An image forming apparatus supported so as to be able to contact and separate from a body drum, an operation unit rotatably provided at an appropriate position on the cover member and operable from outside the cover member, and an apparatus for the cover member An opening that locks the main body in a closed position and a hook portion for releasing the lock, and operates the operation portion to open and lock at least the unlocking operation of the hook and the unlocking operation thereof; A lever, at a closed position of the cover member with respect to the apparatus main body, the transfer roller is configured to be movable between a contact position and a separation position with respect to the photosensitive drum, and the transfer roller is moved toward the contact position. A transfer roller supporting member having an urging member for urging; a guide provided on the apparatus main body side for regulating the movement of the transfer roller between the contact position and the separation position; and a guide connected to the open / close lever. And a separating member for moving the transfer roller to a separating position of the guide in accordance with an opening operation of the opening / closing lever when the cover member is in a closed position with respect to the apparatus main body.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the hook portion locks and releases the cover member and the apparatus main body at the closed position, and the opening / closing lever enables the locking and releasing operation of the hook portion, and the transfer roller supporting member. However, the transfer roller can be moved between the contact position with respect to the photosensitive drum and the separation position, and the separation member moves the transfer roller to the separation position of the guide according to the opening operation of the opening and closing lever. The opening operation of the cover member, the release of the lock at the closed position between the cover member and the apparatus main body, and the movement of the transfer roller from the contact position to the photosensitive drum can be performed by one operation called the opening operation.
[0010]
In addition, one operation of closing the opening / closing lever is to close the cover member, lock the cover member at the closed position between the apparatus main body, and move the transfer roller from the separated position to the photosensitive drum to the contact position. it can.
[0011]
Further, since the guide regulates the movement of the transfer roller between the contact position and the separation position, the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller with respect to the photosensitive drum is improved.
[0012]
Here, the guide guides the transfer roller in the direction of the rotation center of the photosensitive drum, and the guide direction of the guide and the rotation direction of the cover member intersect with each other. Is preferred.
[0013]
According to this preferred aspect, the guide is configured to guide both ends of the transfer roller in the direction of the rotation center of the photosensitive drum, and the guide direction of the guide intersects the rotation direction of the cover member. As a result, the transfer roller can be prevented from coming off, so that the accuracy of positioning the transfer roller with respect to the photosensitive drum is improved.
[0014]
Further, the separation member includes a shaft connected to the opening / closing lever, and a transfer roller contact portion connected to the shaft, and the transfer roller contact portion is connected to the transfer roller contact portion in accordance with the operation of the opening / closing lever. It is preferable that the transfer roller is moved between the contact position and the separation position by pressing and moving the roller support member.
[0015]
According to this preferred aspect, the transfer roller is moved between the contact position and the separation position by moving the transfer roller support member at the transfer roller contact portion by operating the opening / closing lever, so that the efficiency is improved. The opening and closing lever can be moved by moving the transfer roller support member via the shaft and the transfer roller contact portion to move the transfer roller between the contact position and the separated position.
[0016]
Further, it is preferable that two transfer roller contact portions are provided on the shaft, and the transfer roller contact portions press and move the transfer roller support members provided at both ends of the transfer roller.
[0017]
According to this preferred aspect, since the two transfer roller contact portions move the transfer roller support members provided at both ends of the transfer roller, respectively, the contact position of the transfer roller and the separation position The movement between and can be assured.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the transfer roller unit 10 provided in the image forming apparatus 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a transfer view provided in the image forming apparatus 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a separating member 8 of the roller unit 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a surface of the transfer roller unit 10 provided on the image forming apparatus 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention on the main device side.
[0019]
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile or the like, and includes a main body housing 100 and an upper housing 101 mounted on an upper part thereof. It is partitioned. An intermediate portion between the main body housing 100 and the upper housing 101 is formed with a sheet stack space portion 102 which enters substantially inward from the right side surface. The sheet stack space 102 receives a sheet discharged from the main housing 100 in the lateral direction. Further, a sheet tray 103 for stacking sheets discharged to the outside of the main body housing 100 is provided on a side portion of the main body housing 100.
[0020]
The upper housing 101 has a document transport unit 200 that transports a document to an image reading position to read a document image, and an unillustrated document reading unit that exposes and scans the document at the image reading position to read the image. . Further, the main body housing 100 incorporates a sheet supply unit, a photosensitive drum 4 (FIG. 2) and a developing unit for forming a toner image on the sheet, and a fixing unit for fixing the toner image on the sheet. And a connecting housing 105 having a built-in sheet conveyance path for conveying the sheet after fixing and discharging the sheet to the sheet stack space 102 or the sheet tray 103. At the lower part of the front surface of the main body housing 100, a sheet body cassette 106 for accommodating a sheet body is attached so as to be able to be pulled out from the near side in the depth direction.
[0021]
The transfer roller unit 10 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on a side surface of the lower housing 104 of the image forming apparatus 50. The transfer roller unit 10 is, as shown in FIG. The cover member 2 supported on the rotation shaft 1 supported by the rotation of FIG. 1) can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body by the rotation, and the transfer roller 3 moves the lower housing 104 in accordance with the opening and closing operation. It is provided inside and is supported so as to be able to contact and separate from the photosensitive drum 4 supported by the drum bearing 4b.
[0022]
Then, in one operation, the cover member 2 is opened, the lock between the cover member 2 and the apparatus main body is released, and the transfer roller 3 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4 from the separated position 3a (FIG. 6) to the contact position 3b (FIG. 7), the cover member 2 is closed by a single operation, the cover member 2 is locked to the apparatus main body, and the transfer roller 3 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 4 in a single operation. In order to be able to move from (FIG. 7) to the separation position 3a (FIG. 6), the transfer roller unit 10 of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an opening / closing lever 5 and a transfer roller support member. 7 and a separating member 8 (FIG. 3).
[0023]
The transfer roller unit 10 of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention regulates the movement of the transfer roller 3 so that the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller 3 with respect to the photosensitive drum 4 can be improved. The guide 9 is provided.
[0024]
The cover member 2 faces the photoreceptor drum 4, and the one-side structure 11 a (FIG. 4) of the sheet conveying path 11 and the transfer roller 3 are assembled. The cover member 2 is rotatably provided around a rotation shaft 1 supported by an unillustrated apparatus main body. (FIG. 5) and the closed position 2b (FIG. 7) can be opened and closed.
[0025]
The opening / closing lever 5 is rotatably provided around a hook rotating shaft 5 d provided at an appropriate position of the cover member 2, and an operation portion 5 a operable from outside the cover member 2, the cover member 2 and the device. A hook 5b is provided for locking and unlocking the main body at the closed position 2b (FIG. 7), and a hook is provided to the hook engaging portion 6 provided on the lower housing 104 by operating the operating portion 5a. A member that locks the concave portion 5c of the 5b and enables at least the releasing operation of the locking and releasing operation of the hook portion 5b. In the present embodiment, a hard plastic integrally molded product is employed.
[0026]
The tip of the hook 5b on the side of the main unit prevents the transfer roller 3 and the guide 9 from interfering with each other when the cover member 2 is moved to the closed position 2b, and smoothly fixes the transfer roller 3 to the photosensitive drum 4. In order to be able to be positioned at the set position, the lower housing 104 is formed so as to have a guide surface 5e that is oblique to the direction of entry into the hook locking portion 6 (FIG. 6) provided on the lower housing 104, When the cover member 2 shifts from the open position 2a to the closed position 2b, the hook locking portion 6 presses the guide surface 5e of the hook 5b to operate the hook 5b, and the transfer roller 3 interlocked with the hook 5b. Is moved from the separation position 3a to the contact position 3b.
[0027]
The transfer roller support member 7 (FIGS. 2 and 3) supports the transfer roller 3 and holds the cover member 2 at the closed position 2b with respect to the apparatus main body, and moves the transfer roller 3 to the separation position 3a with respect to the photosensitive drum 4 and the contact position. 3b. In this embodiment, an integrally molded product of hard plastic is employed.
[0028]
Although not shown, the transfer roller supporting member 7 has a spring-like urging member for urging the transfer roller 3 toward the separation position 3a, so that the transfer roller 3 can be appropriately attached to the photosensitive drum 4. It can be pressed with an appropriate pressure.
[0029]
Referring to FIG. 3, the separating member 8 is connected to the opening and closing lever 5, and moves the transfer roller 3 to the separated position 3a (FIG. 6) in the guide 9 (FIG. 2) according to the opening operation of the opening and closing lever 5. In order to move the transfer roller supporting member 7 efficiently by the operation of the opening / closing lever 5, a metal shaft 8a connected to the opening / closing lever 5 and a shaft 8a And a transfer roller contact portion 8b also made of metal, which is connected to the transfer roller support member 7 at the transfer roller contact portion 8b by operating the opening / closing lever 5 to move the transfer roller 3 to the separation position 3a. , And the contact position 3b.
[0030]
Two transfer roller contact portions 8b are provided on the shaft 8a to ensure the movement between the separation position 3a of the transfer roller 3 and the contact position 3b. The transfer roller support members 7 provided at both ends of the transfer roller are moved.
[0031]
Referring to FIG. 2 again, the guide 9 is provided on the photosensitive drum 4 side, and regulates the movement of the transfer roller 3 between the separation position 3a and the contact position 3b of the transfer roller 3. A metal die-cast product or a hard plastic integrally molded product is employed.
[0032]
The guide 9 is configured to guide both ends of the transfer roller 3 in the direction of the rotation center 4 a of the photosensitive drum 4 in order to improve the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller 3 with respect to the photosensitive drum 4. The guide direction of the guide 9 and the rotation direction of the cover member 2 intersect with each other, and the transfer roller supporting member 7 holds the transfer roller 3 with play provided. The transfer roller 3 can be moved, and the guide 9 can guide the photosensitive drum 4 in the direction of the rotation center 4a.
[0033]
The guide 9 prevents the transfer roller 3 from coming off at a U-shaped end that guides the transfer roller 3 toward the rotation center of the photosensitive drum 4 at the contact position 3b. At the separation position 3a, the transfer roller 3 is retracted from the guide 9 so as to release the prevention of detachment by the U-shaped end.
[0034]
Next, an operation of the transfer roller unit provided in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state where the cover member 2 is in the open position 2a. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the hook portion locking portion 6 is in contact with the guide surface 5e of the hook portion 5b. In this figure, the hook portion 5b is detached from the hook portion locking portion 6. It also shows the unlocked state. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the hook portion 5b is locked by the hook portion locking portion 6 and the cover member 2 is in the closed position 2b.
[0035]
Hereinafter, a procedure from the opening position 2a to the closing position 2b of the cover member 2 will be described in the order of FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG.
[0036]
Referring to FIG. 5, when the cover member 2 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is in the open position 2a and the opening / closing lever 5 is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. , Protruding from the photosensitive drum 4. In this state, the cover member 2 is pressed toward the main body device and rotated, so that the hook locking portion 6 abuts on the guide surface 5e of the hook 5b.
[0037]
Next, referring to FIG. 6, in a state immediately before the cover member 2 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed, the hook locking portion 6 contacts the guide surface 5e of the hook 5b. In this case, as shown in the figure, the opening / closing lever 5 is pushed up as the hook portion 5b is pushed down by the hook engaging portion 6, whereby the separation member 8 pulls the transfer roller support member 7 and the transfer roller 3 Comes to the separated position 3a with respect to the photosensitive drum 4.
[0038]
Further, in a state where the cover member 2 is pressed toward the main body device and rotated, and the cover member 2 is at the closed position 2b, as shown in FIG. By being locked, the position of the hook portion 5b moves upward, the opening / closing lever 5 is pulled down, and the transfer roller support member 7 and the transfer roller 3 protrude from the photosensitive drum 4 and come into contact with the contact position 3b. become.
[0039]
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the hook 5b locks and releases the cover member 2 and the apparatus main body at the closed position 2b, and the open / close lever 5 , The locking of the hook portion 5b and the releasing operation thereof are enabled, and the transfer roller supporting member 7 enables the transfer roller 3 to move between the separation position 3a and the contact position 3b with respect to the photosensitive drum 4, and the separation member 8 moves the transfer roller 3 to the contact position 3b of the guide 9 in accordance with the opening operation of the opening / closing lever 5, so that the opening operation of the opening / closing lever 5 can be performed by one operation of opening the opening / closing lever 5. The lock of the transfer roller 3 at the closed position 2b between the transfer roller 3 and the apparatus main body can be released, and the transfer roller 3 can be moved from the separation position 3a to the photosensitive drum 4 from the contact position 3b.
[0040]
In addition, one operation of closing the opening / closing lever 5 closes the cover member 2, locks the cover member 2 at the closed position 2 b between the apparatus main body, and contacts the transfer roller 3 with the photosensitive drum 4 at the contact position 3 b. To the separated position 3a.
[0041]
Further, since the guide 9 regulates the movement of the transfer roller 3 between the separation position 3a and the contact position 3b, the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller 3 with respect to the photosensitive drum 4 is improved.
[0042]
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the guide 9 guides both ends of the transfer roller 3 in the direction of the rotation center 4 a of the photosensitive drum 4. Since the rotation direction of the member 2 intersects with the rotation direction, the transfer roller 3 can be prevented from coming off, so that the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller 3 with respect to the photosensitive drum 4 is improved.
[0043]
According to the image forming apparatus of the embodiment, the separating member 8 includes the shaft 8a connected to the opening / closing lever 5, and the transfer roller contact portion 8b connected to the shaft 8a. The transfer roller 3 is moved between the separation position 3a and the contact position 3b by moving the transfer roller support member 7 by the transfer roller contact portion 8b by the operation of the above operation. In operation 5, the transfer roller support member 7 is moved via the shaft 8a and the transfer roller contact portion 8b to move the transfer roller 3 between the separation position 3a and the contact position 3b.
[0044]
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, two transfer roller contact portions 8b are provided on the shaft 8a to move the transfer roller support members 7 provided at both ends of the transfer roller 3, respectively. Therefore, the movement between the separation position 3a of the transfer roller 3 and the contact position 3b can be ensured.
[0045]
In addition, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the tip 5b of the hook 5b on the main unit side has the guide surface 5e oblique to the direction in which the hook 5b enters the hook engaging portion 6. When the cover member 2 shifts from the open position 2a to the closed position 2b, the hook locking portion 6 presses the guide surface 5e of the hook 5b to operate the hook 5b, and the hook 5b is moved. Since the linked transfer roller 3 is moved from the separation position 3a to the contact position 3b, the transfer roller 3 is smoothly exposed while preventing the transfer roller 3 from interfering with the guide 9 when the cover member 2 is in the closed position 2b. The body drum 4 can be positioned at a predetermined position.
[0046]
The above embodiment is merely an example of a preferred specific example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0047]
For example, the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile. A cover member 2 that rotates around a rotation shaft 1 supported by the apparatus main body can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body by the rotation, and the transfer roller 3 is moved to the photosensitive drum 4 in accordance with the opening and closing operation. The present invention can be applied to other printing apparatuses and the like as long as they are supported so as to be capable of coming and going.
[0048]
Further, the opening / closing lever 5 and the transfer roller supporting member 7 are not necessarily limited to hard plastic molded products. Metal products such as aluminum die cast can also be used. Further, the spacing member 8 is not limited to a metal product, but may be a molded product of a hard plastic.
[0049]
In addition, it goes without saying that various design changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, not only the operation of the cover member by the operation of the opening / closing lever, the locking operation of the cover member with respect to the apparatus main body, and the movement of the transfer roller with respect to the photosensitive drum, but also the photosensitive drum There is a remarkable effect that the positioning accuracy of the transfer roller can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a transfer roller unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a separating member of a transfer roller unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a surface of the transfer roller unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention on a main body device side.
FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a state where a cover member of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is in an open position.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which a hook locking portion of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is in contact with a guide surface of the hook; and FIG. It also shows a state in which it is released from the locking portion and unlocked.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state where the hook portion is locked by the hook portion locking portion and the cover member is in the closed position.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rotating shaft 2 Cover member 2b Close position 3 Transfer roller 3a Separation position 3b Contact position 4 Photoreceptor drum 5 Opening / closing lever 5a Operation part 5b Hook part 5e Guide surface 6 Hook part locking part 7 Transfer roller support member 8 Separation member 8a Shaft 8b Transfer Roller Contact Section 9 Guide 10 Transfer Roller Unit 11 Sheet Conveyance Path 11a One Side Structure

Claims (4)

A photoconductor drum for forming an image, a structure on one surface side of a sheet conveyance path for conveying the sheet, and a transfer roller for transferring the image of the photoconductor drum to the sheet; The cover member that rotates around the dynamic axis is opened and closed by the rotation so that the cover member can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and the transfer roller is supported so as to be able to contact and separate from the photosensitive drum according to the opening and closing operation. Image forming apparatus,
An operation unit that is rotatably provided in an appropriate position of the cover member and that can be operated from the outside of the cover member, and has a hook unit that locks and unlocks the cover member at a closed position with respect to the apparatus main body, An opening / closing lever that enables at least a release operation of a lock and a release operation of the hook portion by an operation on the operation portion,
The transfer roller is configured to be movable between a contact position and a separation position with respect to the photosensitive drum at a closed position of the cover member with respect to the apparatus main body, and biases the transfer roller toward the contact position. A transfer roller support member having an urging member,
A guide provided on the apparatus main body side, for regulating movement of the transfer roller between the contact position and the separation position;
A separating member connected to the opening / closing lever, wherein the cover member moves the transfer roller to a separating position of the guide in accordance with an opening operation of the opening / closing lever when the cover member is in a closed position with respect to the apparatus main body. Image forming device. The guide guides the transfer roller in the direction of the rotation center of the photoconductor drum, and a guide direction of the guide and a rotation direction of the cover member intersect with each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A shaft connected to the opening / closing lever,
A transfer roller contact portion connected to the shaft,
The transfer roller is moved between the contact position and the separation position by pressing and moving the transfer roller support member with the transfer roller contact portion in accordance with the operation of the opening / closing lever. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The transfer roller contact portion according to claim 3, wherein two of the transfer roller contact portions are provided on the shaft and press and move the transfer roller support members provided at both ends of the transfer roller. Image forming device.

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