JP2006056065A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means which enables a process unit to be inserted into/extracted from an apparatus body without damage to an LED head by using a simple constitution, without reducing flexibility of the design of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: This copy/facsimile complex machine 1 comprises: the process unit 21 which has a photo conductor drum 14, and which is insertably/extractably provided in the apparatus body 4; the LED head 16 which exposes the drum 14 to light; a supporting member 31 which has rack gears 45 and 46 and a supporting part 47 for supporting the LED head 16, and which are provided in such a manner as to be movable in parallel between an adjacent position to bring the LED head 16 close to the drum 14, and a receding position to separate the LED head 16 from the drum 14; and an operation member 32 which has pinion gears 53 and 54 meshed with the rack gears 45 and 46, and an operation part 55 for rotating the pinion gears 53 and 54. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, or a copying machine that forms an image such as characters and graphics on a recording sheet.

  Conventionally, image forming apparatuses for recording characters and graphics on recording paper include printers, facsimiles, and multifunction machines. FIG. 11 shows an example of a conventional image forming apparatus. The surface of the photosensitive drum 102 is charged by the charging device 101 to which a predetermined bias voltage is applied, and the LED head 103 corresponds to the image information. By selectively exposing the photosensitive drum 102, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 102. The developing device 104 supplies charged toner to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet by a transfer roller 105 to which a predetermined bias voltage is applied. Thereafter, heat and pressure are applied to the recording paper by the fixing device 106, and the transferred toner image is fixed. On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 102 to which the toner has been transferred is removed by the neutralization device 107, and then the toner remaining on the surface is removed by the cleaning device 108, and is again charged by the charging device 101. Yes.

  In the image forming unit as described above, for example, the charging device 101, the photosensitive drum 102, the developing device 104, the neutralizing device 107, and the cleaning device 108 are accommodated as a process unit 109 in an integral cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. . Thus, for example, when the maintenance is performed such that the photosensitive drum 102 is deteriorated or the toner is insufficient, the process unit 109 can be replaced as a unit, and the maintenance work is simplified.

  The LED head 103 is configured by arranging LED arrays in parallel for the number of recording pixels, but is disposed close to the surface of the photosensitive drum 102 because the focal length of the LED array is short. . Therefore, it is necessary to separate the LED head 103 from the photosensitive drum 102 in order to prevent the photosensitive drum 102 and the LED head 103 from coming into contact with and being damaged when the process unit 109 is detached from the apparatus main body.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 tilts the lever 110 in the clockwise direction so that the conveyance belt 111 is separated from the photosensitive drum 102 and holds the LED head 103. The LED holding holder 112 is moved away from the photosensitive drum 102, that is, in the direction of arrow D in the figure, so that the LED head 103 is separated from the photosensitive drum 102. More specifically, when the lever 110 that supports the conveyor belt 111 is tilted clockwise, the conveyor belt 111 rotates clockwise around the drive roller 113 and is separated from the photosensitive drum 102. Further, when the lever 110 is tilted clockwise, the wire 115 connected to the fulcrum 114 of the lever 110 is pulled in the direction of arrow E. By pulling the bracket 116 to which the wire 115 is connected via a pulley (not shown) in the direction of arrow F, the bracket 116 moves in the direction of arrow F against the urging force of the spring 117 (in the direction of arrow G). It has become. When the bracket 116 moves in the direction of arrow F, the pin 118 provided on the LED holding holder 112 is guided by the tapered portion 120 of the guide hole 119 provided on the bracket 116, and the LED holding holder 112 is biased by the spring 121 ( It moves in the direction of arrow D against the direction of arrow H). Then, when the pin 118 comes into contact with the locking portion 122 of the guide hole 119, the LED holding holder 112 is held at that position. In this way, the LED head 103 is separated from the photosensitive drum 102.
JP 2001-175046 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, since the wire 115 is stretched from the lever 110 disposed below the conveyance belt 111 to the bracket 116 disposed above the photosensitive drum 102, the wiring path of the wire 115 In addition, the wiring space must be secured, and the design and structure of the device are complicated. Further, although the configuration in which the LED head 102 is separated from the photosensitive drum 103 using the spring 121 is suitable for vertical movement, it is not suitable for horizontal movement, so that the degree of freedom in designing the apparatus is reduced. There was also a problem. Furthermore, since the movement distance of the LED head 103 is short, there is a problem that the LED head 103 is accidentally damaged when the process unit is inserted and removed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. The process unit is inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body with a simple configuration without reducing the degree of freedom in designing the apparatus and without damaging the LED head. The object is to provide a means that can.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 has a photosensitive drum, a process unit provided so as to be able to be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body, an LED head for exposing the photosensitive drum, A support member and a rack gear for supporting the LED head, and a support member provided so as to be able to move in parallel between a proximity position in which the LED head is brought close to the photosensitive drum and a retracted position in which the LED head is separated from the photosensitive drum; And a pinion gear meshing with the rack gear and an operation member having an operation unit for rotating the pinion gear.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when the support member is located at the close position, the operation member is attached in a direction in which the LED head is brought close to the photosensitive drum. And an elastic member for urging the operation member in a direction in which the LED head is separated from the photosensitive drum when the support member is located at the retracted position.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the support member swings as the support member moves from the close position to the retracted position to cover the LED head at the retracted position in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Is provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the support member moves from the close position to the retracted position, or when the support member moves from the retracted position to the close position. The protective member cleans the LED head.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, since the LED head is moved from the proximity position to the separation position using the rack gear and the pinion gear, the LED head is separated from the photosensitive drum with a simple configuration. The process unit can be inserted and removed. Further, since the LED head can be moved in the horizontal direction, the degree of freedom in designing the device is not impaired. Furthermore, the LED head can be moved for a long distance.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, since the elastic member biases the operation member, the operation member does not rotate unless an external force is applied. Thereby, it can prevent that a supporting member moves carelessly.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, since the LED head separated from the photosensitive drum is covered by the protection member, it is possible to prevent the user from coming into contact with the LED head when the photosensitive drum is inserted / removed. be able to.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, since the protective member cleans the LED head, the LED member can be removed by the protective member.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 equipped with an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. An image reading unit 2 that functions as a bed scanner, an operation panel 3 for inputting start of image reading and recording, a main body 4 incorporating an image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording paper, and the recording paper And a paper feed cassette 5 to be supplied. The copier / facsimile multifunction machine 1 has a front cover 6 on the front surface of the main body 4, that is, the surface on which the operation panel 3 is provided, and a jam access cover 7 on the right side. By opening, the inside of the main body 4 can be accessed.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the main body 4 and the paper feed cassette 5 constituting the image forming apparatus in the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral 1. As shown in the drawing, a paper feed cassette 5 for sequentially supplying recording paper is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus, an image forming portion 8 is disposed above the paper feed cassette 5, and a paper discharge tray is disposed above it. 9 is disposed. A conveyance path 10 for conveying recording paper from the paper feed cassette 5 to the paper discharge tray 9 extends upward from one end side of the paper feed cassette 5 to the image forming unit 8 and further extends upward. Then, it is formed so as to bend in the horizontal direction and lead to the paper discharge tray 9. Although not shown in the drawing, the image reading unit 2 and the operation panel 3 are disposed above the paper discharge tray 9.

  The paper feed cassette 5 has a box shape capable of storing recording papers of various sizes, and is provided at the bottom of the apparatus so as to be able to be drawn out, so that the recording papers can be loaded as needed. A guide 11 for holding a recording paper of a predetermined size at the paper feeding position is disposed inside the paper feeding cassette 5. The guide 11 is provided so as to be able to swing within a predetermined range, and its bottom plate is biased upward by a spring or the like (not shown) to hold a plurality of recording sheets in a stacked state, One end of the uppermost paper is always positioned at the paper feed position. A paper feed roller 12 and a separation pad 13 are provided at the paper feed position, and the uppermost paper positioned at the paper feed position by the guide 11 is pressed against the paper feed roller 12. The paper feed roller 12 is rotated while being pressed against the uppermost paper so that the recording paper is fed into the transport path 10. The separation pad 13 is disposed below the paper feed roller 12 so as to be movable up and down, and is urged upward by a spring (not shown), whereby the separation pad 13 is moved to the roller surface of the paper feed roller 21. The recording sheets that are pressed against each other and pass through the pressed portion are separated and supplied one by one.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming unit 8 includes a charging device 15, an LED head 16, a developing device 17, a transfer roller 18, and a cleaning device 19 disposed around the photosensitive drum 14. The fixing device 20 is disposed in the conveyance path 10 on the downstream side of the body drum 14. Among these, the photosensitive drum 14, the charging device 15, the developing device 17, and the cleaning device 19 are housed in a cartridge as a process unit 21 and integrated.

  The photoconductive drum 14 has a photoconductive film formed of an organic photoconductor formed on the surface thereof, is rotated at a predetermined speed by a motor, and is charged to a constant voltage by the charging device 15. The charging device 15 is a non-contact corona charging method called a so-called scorotron charger, and although not shown in detail in the drawing, a discharge wire is disposed at substantially the center of a casing electrode forming a half space. In addition, a grid electrode is disposed on the photosensitive drum 14 side, and a predetermined voltage is applied to the discharge wire to generate corona discharge, and the amount of ions generated by the corona discharge is controlled by the grid electrode. . The charging device 15 may employ another charging device such as a contact roller charging method instead of the non-contact corona charging method.

  The LED head 16 is a so-called self-light-emitting printer head in which LED arrays are arranged in parallel for the number of recording pixels, and light emitted from the LED array is imaged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 by a Selfoc lens array. It is supported by the LED head mounting portion 22 disposed below the paper tray 9 and is close to the photosensitive drum 14 at a predetermined angle. The LED head 16 selectively exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 to the photosensitive drum 14 based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface. The surface of the photosensitive drum 14 charged by the charging device 15 is attenuated by being exposed by the LED head 16, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by a potential difference from the unexposed portion. The image information is such that, for example, an image of a document read by the image reading unit 2 functioning as a flatbed scanner is transmitted to the LED head 16 as an electrical signal.

  The development device 17 includes a supply roller 23, a development roller 24, and a toner container 25. The toner is generated by a difference in bias voltage applied to the supply roller 23 and the development roller 24 from an electric circuit (not shown). The toner in the container 25 is supplied to the developing roller 24 through the supply roller 23, and a toner layer is formed on the surface of the developing roller 24. The developing roller 24 on which the toner layer is formed is rotated at a position close to the photosensitive drum 14, and the toner on the developing roller 24 moves to the photosensitive drum 14 due to a potential difference from the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 14. A toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 based on the electrostatic latent image. Such a developing device 17 is an example, and selection of magnetic toner or non-magnetic toner, selection of contact development method or non-contact development method, and the like are arbitrary.

  The transfer roller 18 is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 14 at a position facing the conveyance path 10, and a bias voltage is applied from an electric circuit (not shown). A toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 is applied by applying a bias voltage by nipping the recording paper supplied from the paper feeding cassette 5 through the conveying path 10 between the photosensitive drum 14 and the transfer roller 18. Is transferred to the recording paper.

  The cleaning device 19 is a cleaning blade pressed against the photosensitive drum 14 after transfer, and removes toner and paper powder remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 and erases the electrostatic latent image with an eraser lamp. . As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 is cleaned and continuous use is possible. As the cleaning device 19, other contact type or non-contact type using a cleaning roller or the like can be adopted, and a cleaningless type that does not use a cleaning device can also be adopted.

  The fixing device 20 includes a heating roller 26 and a pressure roller 27 that are respectively disposed at positions opposed to the conveyance path 10, and fixes the toner image on the recording paper conveyed through the conveyance path 10 by heating and pressing. is there. The surface of the heating roller 26 is maintained at a predetermined temperature by a heater, and a pressure roller 27 is pressed against the heating roller 26 with a predetermined pressure. The recording sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is nipped between the heating roller 26 and the pressure roller 27 so that the toner on the recording sheet is melted and fixed. The image forming unit 8 configured as described above forms an image of a document read by the image reading unit 2 on a recording sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording sheet is conveyed from the sheet feeding cassette 5 along the conveyance path 10 to the image forming unit 8 configured as described above, and an image is formed by the image forming unit 8. Is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9. The conveyance path 10 extends substantially upward from the paper feed cassette 5 to the image forming unit 8, and a pair of registration rollers 28 and 29 provided in the middle convey the recording paper to the image forming unit 8. To do. Further, a conveyance roller 30 is appropriately provided in the conveyance path 10 between the image forming unit 8 and the paper discharge tray 9, and the recording paper on which an image is formed is conveyed by the conveyance roller 30, and the paper discharge tray 9. Is discharged. By such a conveyance path 10, a reverse C path is formed from the paper feed cassette 5 to the paper discharge tray 9.

  As described above, the photosensitive drum 14, the charging device 15, the developing device 17, and the cleaning device 19 are integrated as a process unit 21 in a cartridge made of, for example, a synthetic resin. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the photosensitive drum 14 and the LED head 16 are close to each other in the state of image formation, as shown in FIG. The LED head 16 needs to be separated from the photosensitive drum 14 so as not to damage the LED head 16. Hereinafter, a structure for separating the LED head 16 from the photosensitive drum 14 will be described in detail.

  As described above, the LED head 16 is supported by the LED head mounting portion 22 at a position close to the photosensitive drum 14, and the LED head mounting portion 22 is attached to the frame of the main body 4 with bolts (not shown) or the like. It is fixed. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an external configuration of the LED head mounting portion 22, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the LED head mounting portion 22. As shown in the figure, the LED head mounting portion 22 supports the LED head 16, and a proximity position where the LED head 16 is brought close to the photosensitive drum 14 and a retracted position where the LED head 16 is separated from the photosensitive drum 14 are parallel to each other. A moving support member 31, an operation member 32 for moving the support member 31 to a close position and a retracted position, a protection member 33 for protecting the LED head 16, a support member 31, an operation member 32, and It consists of a pair of support bases 34 and 35 that support the protection member 33.

  The support bases 34 and 35 are for fixing the LED head mounting portion 22 to the frame or the like of the main body 4, and the support bases 34 and 35 are symmetrically configured. Each of the support bases 34 and 35 includes a base plate 36, a side wall 37 provided along the outer shape of the surface of the base plate 36 on the front side of the main body 4, a hole 38 provided in the base plate 36, A concave guide rail 39 provided below the hole 38, stopper racks 40 and 41 (FIG. 6) provided below the guide rail 39, and a recess 42 provided between the stopper racks 40 and 41. (FIG. 6) and a bearing 43 provided on a surface of the base plate 36 facing the support member 31. The side wall 37 is provided to reinforce the strength of the base plate 36 made of synthetic resin or the like, and has a bolt hole or the like (not fixed) for attaching the LED head mounting portion 22 to the frame or the like of the main body 4. (Shown) is provided as appropriate. The hole 38 rotatably supports a shaft 52 of the operation member 32 described later. The guide rail 39 is provided across the moving direction of the support member 31 and supports the support member 31 slidably. The concave portion 42 and the stopper racks 40 and 41 are for restricting the range of movement of the support member 31, and are supported by engaging the stopper claw 50 of the support member 31 with the stopper rack 40, as will be described later. The member 31 is positioned at the close position, and the stopper claw 50 of the support member 31 is engaged with the stopper rack 41, so that the support member 31 is positioned at the retracted position. The bearing 43 is for rotatably supporting the protection member 33.

  The support member 31 includes a base plate 44 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, rack gears 45 and 46 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 44 in the moving direction of the support member 31, and the base plate 44. A support portion 47 provided on the surface facing the photosensitive drum 14, that is, the right front surface of the base plate 44 in FIG. 5, pins 48 provided at both ends of the support portion 47, and the base plate 44. 7 includes a convex portion 49 provided on a surface facing the support bases 34 and 35, and a locking claw 50 (FIG. 7) projecting below the convex portion 49. Further, reinforcing ribs 51 are appropriately provided between the base plate 44 and the support portion 47. The support portion 47 supports the LED head 16, and the LED head 16 (not shown) is attached to the support portion 47 at a predetermined angle by means such as an e-ring, and further receives image information (not shown). Signal lines and the like are connected. In addition, in order to wire a signal line or the like to the LED head 16, a hole for wiring or the like may be appropriately provided in the support member 31. The pin 48 is inserted into a locking portion 64 (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 14 to position the LED head 16 at a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive drum 14. The pin 48 may be integrally assembled with the LED head 16. The convex portion 49 is fitted into each guide rail 39 of the support bases 34 and 35, and the support member 31 is slidably supported between the support bases 34 and 35 by the convex portion 49. The convex portion 49 has an appropriate length in the moving direction of the support member 31, and the posture of the support member 31 is held by the convex portion 49. Moreover, the latching claw 50 is retractable so that it can be engaged with the stopper racks 40, 41 provided at both ends of the recess 42 from the respective recesses 42. As will be described in detail, when the convex portion 49 is guided by the guide rail 39, the support member 31 smoothly translates in a range where the locking claw 50 is in the concave portion 42. The latching claw 50 that contacts one end of the recess 42 is further sunk so that the latching claw 50 bends when force is further applied in the moving direction, and moves from the edge of the recess 42 to the stopper racks 40 and 41. The stopper racks 40 and 41 are engaged. Accordingly, the support member 31 is fixed at the close position or the retracted position unless an external force is applied.

  The operation member 32 includes a shaft 52, pinion gears 53 and 54 provided near both ends of the shaft 52, and an operation lever attached to one end of the shaft 52 on the front side of the main body 4 with a support base 34 interposed therebetween. (Operation unit) 55. The shaft 52 is for attaching the operation member 55 to the support bases 34, 35. The shaft 52 is inserted into the hole 38 of the support bases 34, 35, and the operation member 32 is attached to the support bases 34, 35. The pinion gears 53 and 54 that are rotatably attached and provided on the shaft 52 mesh with the rack gears 45 and 46 of the support member 31, respectively. The operation lever 55 is for rotating the operation member 32. When the user rotates the operation lever 55, the pinion gears 53 and 54 are rotated via the shaft 52 and meshed with the pinion gears 53 and 54. Rotational force is transmitted to the rack gears 45 and 46. By this rotational force, the support member 31 is guided by the guide rail 39 and moved in parallel. When the user rotates the operation lever 55 clockwise, the support member 31 moves in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 14, and when the operation lever 55 is rotated counterclockwise, the support member 31 is photosensitive. It moves in the direction close to the body drum 14.

  As shown in FIG. 8, an arm 56 is attached to both ends of the shaft 52 of the operation member 32 so as to extend in the radial direction, and protrusions 57 of the support bases 34 and 35 are attached to the tips of the arm 56. A spring (elastic member) 58 fixed to the head is connected. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a state of the arm 56 when the support member 31 is located at the close position. As shown in the figure, the shaft 52 is rotated counterclockwise by the spring 58, that is, the support member. It is urged in a direction to bring 31 close to the photosensitive drum 14. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the support member 31 is in the retracted position, the shaft 52 is attached in the clockwise direction by the spring 58, that is, in the direction in which the support member 31 is separated from the photosensitive drum 14. Be forced. Therefore, when the support member 31 is located at the close position or the retracted position, the shaft 52 does not rotate unless the user or the like actively operates the operation lever 55. Further, as described above, the engaging claw 50 of the support member 31 in the proximity position or the retraction position engages with the stopper racks 40 and 41 so that the support member 31 is not moved from the proximity position or the retraction position unless it receives external force. It does not move. Accordingly, unless the user operates the operation lever 55, the support member 31 is prevented from moving from the proximity position or the retracted position. Further, when the operation lever 55 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined amount from the state of FIG. 8A, the spring 58 urges the operation member 32 in the clockwise direction, and the operation lever 55 from the state of FIG. Is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by a predetermined amount, the spring 58 biases the operating member counterclockwise. That is, when the user starts to rotate the operation lever 55 by applying a predetermined force in a state where the support member 31 is in the proximity position or the retracted position and rotates the operation lever 55 by a predetermined amount, the operation lever smoothly 55 can be rotated, and the support member 31 can be moved to the close position or the retracted position. Further, when the user rotates the operation lever 50 to move the support member 31 to the close position or the retracted position, the user can obtain a click feeling due to the engagement between the locking claw 50 and the stopper racks 40 and 41. Accordingly, it can be confirmed that the support member 31 is located at the close position or the retracted position. In the present embodiment, the arms 56 are provided at both ends of the shaft 52, but the arms 56 may be provided only at one end of the shaft 52 and the shaft 52 may be biased by the spring 58.

  The protection member 33 includes a frame 59 obtained by bending a substantially rectangular member in plan view into a U-shape, and a surface of the frame 59 facing the support member 31, that is, a brush 60 provided on the lower surface in the drawing. , And rotating shafts 61 provided on the surfaces facing the support bases 34 and 35, respectively. The rotating shaft 61 is for attaching the protection member 33 to the support bases 34, 35. The rotation shaft 61 is supported by the bearings 43 of the support bases 34, 35, and the protection member 33 is supported by the support base 34. , 35 are swingably attached. Further, the protection member 33 is urged clockwise by springs (not shown) provided at both ends of the rotating shaft 61 so that the protection member 33 comes into contact with the upper surface of the support member 31 in a state where the support member 31 is located at the close position. As the support member 31 moves from the close position to the retracted position, the support member 31 swings clockwise by the biasing force of the spring to cover the LED head 16 at the retracted position. Further, as the support member 31 moves from the retracted position to the close position, the protection member 33 is pushed up by the LED head 16 and swings counterclockwise against the urging force of the spring. Therefore, the LED head 16 is open at the close position. The brush 60 is for cleaning toner or the like adhering to the LED head 16, and the LED head 16 is moved when the protection member 33 swings as the support member 31 moves from the close position to the retracted position. The LED head 16 is cleaned so as to swing with respect to the surface. An acrylic moquette can be suitably used for the brush 60.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the LED head mounting portion 22 is placed below the paper discharge tray 9 so that the support member 31 moves in parallel in the horizontal direction (arrow A in FIG. 9). It is arranged. This is because the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment has a reverse C path and thus has a space below the paper discharge tray 9. For example, when there is a space in the extension direction of the exposure direction of the LED head 16 (arrow B in FIG. 9), the support member 31 can be translated in the extension direction of the exposure direction of the LED head 16. In this case, since the exposure direction of the LED head 16 and the parallel movement direction of the support member 31 are the same, the LED head 16 may be attached to the support portion 47 at the same angle as the movement direction of the support member 31. Thus, the direction in which the support member 31 is translated can be changed as appropriate by appropriately changing the mounting angle of the LED head 16. Therefore, since the exposure direction of the LED head 16 and the direction of translation of the support member 31 can be different, the degree of freedom in designing the apparatus is not impaired.

  In the LED head mounting portion 22 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the user applies a predetermined force while the support member 31 is positioned in the proximity position, so that the operation lever 55 is moved to the timepiece. When rotated in the rotation direction, that is, in the clockwise direction in the drawing, the support member 31 moves in the direction separating the LED head 16 from the photosensitive drum 14, that is, in the left direction in the drawing, as shown in FIG. 9B. To do. When the user further rotates the operation lever 55 clockwise, the support member 31 moves to the left while the brush 60 of the protection member 33 cleans the LED head 16. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the support member 31 moves to the retracted position, as described above, the user obtains a click feeling and confirms that the support member 31 has moved to the retracted position. Exit. In this way, the user can separate the LED head 16 from the photosensitive drum 14. When the support member 31 is in the retracted position, the protection member 33 covers the LED head 16, and the user touches the LED head 16 when inserting or removing the process unit 21 from the main body 4. It is preventing. Further, the support member 31 does not move unless the user operates the operation lever 55 due to the urging force of the spring 58 and the engagement between the locking claw 50 and the stopper rack 40.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9C, with the support member 31 positioned at the retracted position, the user applies a predetermined force to move the operation lever 55 counterclockwise, that is, counterclockwise in the figure. When rotated, as shown in FIG. 9B, the support member 31 moves in the direction in which the LED head 16 is brought close to the photosensitive drum 14, that is, in the right direction in the figure. When the user further rotates the operation lever 55 counterclockwise, the support member 31 moves to the right, and the brush 60 of the protection member 33 swings while cleaning the LED head 16, and the LED head 16 opens. . Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the support member 31 moves to the proximity position, as described above, the user obtains a click feeling and confirms that the support member 31 has moved to the proximity position. Exit. In this way, the user can move the LED head 16 to a position close to the photosensitive drum 14. Further, the support member 31 does not move unless the user operates the operation lever 55 due to the urging force of the spring 58 and the engagement between the locking claw 50 and the stopper rack 41.

  Further, in order to accurately position the support member 31 at the close position, as shown in FIG. 10A, pin receiving portions 62 are provided near both ends of the photosensitive drum 14 in the axial direction. The pin receiving portion 62 includes an inclined portion 63 and a locking portion 64. When the support member 31 moves in a direction approaching the photosensitive drum 14, the pin 48 first comes into contact with the inclined portion 63 and is guided and inclined. The LED head 16 is moved up to the surface so as to be lifted upward (in the direction of arrow C in the figure). Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, a pin 48 is engaged with a concave locking portion 64 provided above the inclined portion 63 so that the LED head 16 is fixed to the photosensitive drum 14 with a predetermined amount. Positioned in position. This is because the support member 31 may be caused by slight backlash in the vertical direction generated between the guide rails 39 of the support bases 34 and 35 and the convex portion 50 of the support member 31, or the dimensional error of each part of the LED head mounting portion 22. This is to prevent an error from occurring in the position of the LED head 16 with respect to the photosensitive drum 14 and to position the LED head 16 at an accurate position. The rib 51 of the support member 31 is provided in order to prevent the support portion 47 provided on the base plate 44 from being damaged by the pressure received when the pin 48 comes into contact with the inclined portion 62.

  As described above, according to the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment, by using the rack and pinion mechanism, the LED head 16 is separated from the photosensitive drum 14 with a simple configuration, and the process is performed. The unit 21 can be inserted into and removed from the main body 4.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external configuration of a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration within a main body 4 of a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of a process unit 21. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an external configuration of an LED head mounting portion 22. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an LED head mounting portion 22. It is an enlarged view of the A section in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the B section in FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the state of the arm 56 when the supporting member 31 is located in a proximity position, (b) is a figure which shows the state of the arm 56 when the supporting member 31 is located in a retracted position. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement at the time of the supporting member 31 moving between a proximity position and a retracted position. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement when the supporting member 31 moves to a proximity position. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration in which an LED head 103 is brought close to a photosensitive drum 102 in a conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration in which an LED head 103 is separated from a photosensitive drum 102 in a conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral (image forming device)
4 Body (device body)
14 Photosensitive drum 16 LED head 21 Process unit 31 Support member 32 Operation member 33 Protection member 45, 46 Rack gear 47 Support part 53, 54 Pinion gear 55 Operation lever (operation part)
58 Spring (elastic member)

Claims (4)

  A process unit having a photoconductive drum and detachably provided in the apparatus main body; an LED head that exposes the photoconductive drum; a support unit that supports the LED head; and a rack gear. A support member provided so as to be movable in parallel between a proximity position close to the photosensitive drum and a retracted position separated from the photosensitive drum, a pinion gear meshing with the rack gear, and an operation for rotating the pinion gear An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation member having a section.   When the support member is positioned at the close position, the operation member is urged in a direction to bring the LED head close to the photosensitive drum, and when the support member is positioned at the retracted position, the LED head is moved. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member that urges the operation member in a direction away from the photosensitive drum.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a protective member that swings as the support member moves from the close position to the retracted position and covers the LED head at the retracted position.   The said protection member cleans the said LED head when the said supporting member moves to a retracted position from a proximity position, or when the said supporting member moves to a proximity position from a retracted position, The LED head of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus.

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