JPH04116569A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively prevent the dropping and scattering of toner by providing a sealing member press-contacting/uncontacting to/from a belt-like image carrier at the front/rear positions of a developing part and/or a cleaning part according to the attachment/detachment of a process cartridge. CONSTITUTION:When the process cartridge 30 is removed from a device main body, the cartridge 30 is removed in a sealed state so that the toner leaked from respective developing units and the cleaning device 13 is not dropped and scattered inside and outside the cartridge 30. In other words, the process cartridge 30 incorporates rotary plates 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, and 41E, which are fixed on elastic sealing members 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40E, by sticking, etc., on the front/rear of the developing part, the upper/lower parts of the cleaning device 13, and further, the upper part of a turning roller 2, respectively, and is turnably supported via respective rotary shafts 42A - 42E integrally fixed. Thus, the dropping and scattering of the toner accompanying with the attachment/detachment of the process cartridge can be effectively prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a transfer material, such as a copying machine or a printer.

[Background of the invention]

In image forming devices such as monochrome analog copying machines using electrophotography and copying machines and printers using semiconductor laser and LED scanning systems, various photoreceptors, developer carriers, cleaning members, and developer toners that have a long service life are used. A part of the image forming means is made into a cartridge for replenishment and replacement when worn out, etc., and a member integrating the main parts of the image forming means is taken out of the apparatus for maintenance or replacement. something is proposed. Furthermore, various configurations have been proposed in which the conveyance path of the transfer material on which an image is formed by the image forming means is opened to make it easier to take out the transfer material when clearing a jam.

A typical configuration of these is as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-54392, in which the photoreceptor drum, developer, cleaner, etc. are integrally attached to a support member, and can be pulled out from the main body of the apparatus, and each unit is Proposals have been made to make replacement and repair easier, and the next step was to integrate the main parts of these image forming means and make them disposable in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-15.
4255, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 147366/1989 discloses a printer configuration that uses a similar disposable cartridge and forms a latent image on a photosensitive drum by dot exposure scanning writing using a semiconductor laser. There is.

Further, these publications disclose a structure in which the upper housing of the split structure is opened to open the transfer material conveyance path and take out the transfer material in the event of a jam. A structure is adopted in which a disposable process cartridge is replaceably disposed in an upper housing having a two-part structure, and attempts are made to improve the workability of cartridge replacement and ease of jam removal. In addition, with emphasis on ease of replacement of process cartridges, mainly replenishment toner cartridges and linting cartridges for recovered toner, the structure is divided into two parts, and the process cartridges are placed in the lower casing to facilitate maintenance work. Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1973 (1973)
It is disclosed in the publication No. 8-1161.

In addition, the above structure is made vertical, and JP-A-63-2
No. 44058, No. 63-244059, No. 63-24
No. 4064, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-179168, etc., have been proposed, and these are aimed at improving the same direction operation and jam handling.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, when the process cartridge is attached to and removed from the main body of the apparatus, toner is likely to spill or scatter from the developing device, cleaner, etc., especially in cartridges equipped with cleaners that require the cleaning member to be released from the pressure bond, such as in color image forming apparatuses. In addition, color mixing of the developer is likely to occur.

As a result of solving and improving this problem, the present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge that effectively prevents toner from spilling and scattering by adding an extremely simple device.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above object is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge having a belt-like image carrier and a developing section and/or a cleaning section located opposite to each other is removably attachable to an apparatus main body. This is achieved by an image forming apparatus characterized in that a sealing member is provided that presses against and releases the belt-shaped image carrier at the front and rear positions of the developing section and/or the cleaning section.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the color image forming apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

In FIG. 1, ``■'' is a flexible photoreceptor belt consisting of a belt-shaped image carrier t; is transported clockwise.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a support member or guide member fixed to the main body of the apparatus so as to be inscribed in the photoreceptor belt 1, and the photoreceptor belt 1 is kept in a tensioned state by the outward biasing action of the rotary roller 3. The inner circumferential surface of the guide member 4 is
Let it rub.

Therefore, the photoreceptors on the outer circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 are always maintained at a constant position relative to the surface of the guide member 40 even during conveyance, making it possible to form a stable image forming surface.

61 is a scorotron charger which is a charging means; 7 is a laser writing system unit which is an image exposure means; 8 to 11 are a plurality of developing sections or developing units each containing a developer of a specific color; The means is disposed facing the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 with the guide member 4 on the back side.

The laser writing system unit 7 is housed in a holding casing 70 having a slit-shaped exposure opening 70A on its upper surface, and is incorporated into the main body of the apparatus.

In addition to the optical system shown in the drawings, the laser writing system unit 7 may also include an optical system that integrates a light emitting section and a convergent light transmission body.

Each of the developing units 8.9.10.11 accommodates, for example, yellow magenta, cyan, and black developers, respectively, and maintains a predetermined gap with the photosensitive belt 1 (equipped with each developing sleeve, the photosensitive belt It has a function of visualizing the latent image on the photoreceptor belt by a non-contact development method.This non-contact development, unlike contact development, has the advantage of not interfering with the movement of the photoreceptor belt.

12 is a transfer device; 12 is a static elimination bar; 13 is a cleaning unit, that is, a cleaning device; and the cleaning device I3
The blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B are kept at a position apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 during image formation, and are brought into pressure contact with the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1, as shown, only during cleaning after image transfer.

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

First, the formation of a multicolor image according to this embodiment is performed according to the following image forming system. That is, data obtained by a color image data input section in which an image sensor scans an original image is processed by an image data processing section to create image data, which is stored in a star image memory. Then, the image memory is taken out at the time of recording and stored in a recording section, for example, the first
The image is input to the color image forming apparatus shown in the illustrated embodiment.

That is, when a color signal output from an image reading device separate from the printer is input to the laser writing second unit 7, the laser writing system unit 7 outputs a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown). The beam is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror 7B rotated by a drive motor 7A, and passes through an fθ lens 7C to mirrors 7D and 7E.
, 7F, the optical path is bent, and the light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l, which has been charged in advance by the charger 6, which is a charging means, to form a bright line.

On the other hand, when scanning is started, the beam is detected by the index sensor, modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam scans the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoreceptor belt l. This latent image is developed by a developing device 8 loaded with yellow (Y) toner (developing medium) of the developing means, and a toner image is formed on the drum surface. The obtained toner image passes under a cleaning device 13, which is a cleaning means, which is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 while being held on the drum surface, and enters the next copying site.

That is, the photoreceptor belt l is charged again by the charger 6, and then the second color signal outputted from the signal processing section is input to the writing system unit 7, and the second color signal is inputted to the writing system unit 7, and the second color signal is inputted to the writing system unit 7. In the same manner, writing is performed on the drum surface to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by a developer 9 loaded with magenta (M) toner as a second color.

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

IO is a developing device having cyan (C) toner, which forms a cyan (C) toner image on the drum surface based on a control signal generated by a signal processing section.

Furthermore, 11 is a developing device having black toner, and forms a black toner image superimposed on the belt surface by the same process. These developing units 8.9°10 and 11
A direct current or even alternating current bias is applied to each sleeve, and jumping development is performed using a two-component developer, which is a developing means, and development is performed without contact on the photoreceptor belt 1 whose base is grounded. It has become. Incidentally, as the development, non-contact development using a -component developer can also be used.

The color toner image thus formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l is transferred to a transfer material fed from the paper feed cassette 14 via the paper feed guide 15 at the transfer section.

That is, the top layer of the transfer material stored in the paper feed cassette 14 is carried out by the rotation of the paper feed roller 16, and transferred to the transfer device 12 via the timing roller 17 in synchronization with the image formation on the photoreceptor belt l. supplied to.

The transfer material that has undergone image transfer and static electricity removal is transferred to the rotating roller 2.
The image is reliably separated from the photoreceptor belt 1, which suddenly changes direction along the direction of the photoreceptor belt 1, and moves upward via the suction type conveyor belt 17k, and after the image is fused by the fixing roller 18, it passes through the paper ejection roller 19 and is transferred to the top lid 20. It is discharged onto the formed tray.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt l that has completed the transfer to the transfer material continues to be conveyed to the blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B.
The remaining toner was removed in the cleaning device 13 which was brought into pressure contact with the blade 13A, and after the cleaning was finished, the blade 13A was separated again, and a little later, the toner conveying roller 13B leveled the toner accumulated on the tip of the blade 13A. Afterwards, the toner conveying roller 13B is separated and a new image forming process begins.

The photoreceptor belt 11, the charger 6, each developer, and the cleaning device 13 are connected to an independent process cartridge 30.
After being assembled and integrated into the device, it is inserted and installed into the device by sliding from the direction indicated by the dashed line.

That is, the process cartridge 30 has a rail member 3 having a convex cross-sectional shape on both sides thereof, as shown in FIG.
1, and is attached to the device by being inserted into and engaged with a guide member 32 having a concave cross-sectional shape built inside the device.

The position of the process cartridge 30 is determined by the contact of the end portion 31A of the rail member 31 with the guide member 32, and at the same time, the top portion 33A of the locking plate 33 provided on the main body side is engaged with the notch portion 31B of the rail member 31. This fixes the internal process materials in positions that enable image formation.

The process cartridge 3o has a handle 30A for inserting and removing the process cartridge 30 by deforming and protruding a part of the outer wall forming the cleaning device 13.

Therefore, the process cartridge 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus without additionally installing a separate handle or the like, and since it can be stored compactly, there is also a side cover 35 for exterior use on the front side. It is also possible to install the .

The locking plate 33 has a part thereof as a release lever 33B that protrudes to the side of the cartridge, and the release lever 33B
By pushing down the locking plate 33, the tension spring 34
can be evacuated downward against the urging force.

Therefore, when the process cartridge 3o is opened with the cover 35 open and the release lever 33B pressed down, the process cartridge 3o is
It can be easily taken out from the apparatus by pulling it out to the side opposite to the image transfer section using the handle.

When the process cartridge 30 is removed from the apparatus main body, it is removed in a sealed state to prevent toner leaking from each developing device or the cleaning device 13 from spilling or scattering inside or outside the cartridge 30 due to vibration or the like.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge 30 has elastic seal members 40A,
40B, 40C, 40D, 40E and rotary plates 41A, 41B, 4IC, 41D, 41E fixed by adhesive etc. are built in, respectively, and each rotary shaft 42A is fixed integrally.
, 42B.

It is rotatably supported via 42G, 42D, and 42E.

Each of the rotation shafts mentioned above protrudes from the front surface of the cartridge 3o, and as shown in FIG. 4, a rotation lever 50A is provided at the tip thereof.
, 50B, 50C, 50D, and 50E are each integrally combined.

Each of the above-mentioned rotating levers has spring hooks attached to the bins 51A, 51B, and 5.
The torsion spring 52 is connected between 1C, 51D, and 51E.
A, 52B.

52C, 52D, and 52E bias clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively. Therefore, when the cartridge 30 is used as a single unit, each of the sealing members is pressed against the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt, and the openings of the developing section and cleaning device 13 are automatically shielded as shown in FIG. 3 or 4. , the toner is in a state where it is prevented from spilling or scattering.

Furthermore, when the process cartridge 30 is installed in the apparatus main body, each of the rotary levers is connected to each of the regulating bins 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60 fixed to the apparatus main body as shown in FIG.
D and 60E (both shown with dashed lines), and are forcibly rotated in the direction opposite to their respective urging directions. Therefore, each of the above-mentioned seal members is connected to the photoreceptor belt 1.
The photoreceptor belt 1 is kept in a state where it can be conveyed and rotated, that is, in a state where image formation is possible.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent toner from spilling or scattering due to the installation and removal of a process cartridge using an extremely simple device, and as a result, it is easy to handle, and the inside of the device is not contaminated, making it possible to work cleanly and with high practicality. A forming device will be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main parts thereof, and FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are views of the main parts of a process cartridge of the apparatus. l...Photosensitive belt 6...Charger 7...Writing system unit 8-l]...Developer 12...Transfer unit 13...
-Cleaning device 20...Top lid 21...Toner supply hopper 30...Process cartridge 30A...Handle 31...Rail member 31
A... End portion 31B... Notch portion 32...
Guide member 33...Locking plate 33A...Top part
33B...Release lever 35...Side cover 40A-40E...Seal member 41A-41E
...Rotary plate 50A-50E...Rotary lever 60A-60E...Regulation pin

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge having a belt-like image carrier and a developing section and/or cleaning section located opposite thereto can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus, An image forming apparatus characterized in that a sealing member is provided that presses against and releases the belt-shaped image carrier at a position before and after the developing section and/or the cleaning section. (2) The pressure contact release of the sealing member is performed at the second
Claim (1) characterized in that the method is carried out between the positions of
The image forming apparatus described above. (3) Claim (1) characterized in that the pressure release means for releasing the pressure contact of the seal member is provided in the main body of the apparatus.
).