JPH0484162A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To move and exchange a process cartridge with a simple operation and to improve the ease of maintenance by providing a command means which outputs a command signal and a control means which outputs a movement signal to a process cartridge moving means in accordance with the command signal. CONSTITUTION:A control section emits the movement signal to the process cartridge moving means and emits a release signal to an upper cover releasing means as well to open an upper cover 12. In other words, the process cartridge 15 retreats to a 2nd position and the upper cover 12 opens simply when a taking-out button of an operation panel 11 is pushed when a jam arises or at the time of exchanging the process cartridge 15. The transfer material which is the cause for the jam is, therefore, easily checked and removed from above a device body and the process cartridge 15 existing in the 2nd position is removed by slightly drawing-out. The process cartridge is moved and exchanged by the simple operation in this way and the ease of maintenance is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on an image carrier using an electrophotographic method and transfers it onto a transfer material to obtain an image. . In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc., which is provided with a removably attachable process cartridge that integrates an image carrier and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art As image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines become smaller, lighter, and more sophisticated, image forming apparatuses are becoming more dense and complex. On the other hand, an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge that integrates a carrier and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means has been developed so that even an operator, who is a general user, can easily perform maintenance and management.

In image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines equipped with this process cartridge, when the image bearing member inside the process cartridge becomes worn out or deteriorated, the process cartridge itself can be replaced, allowing operators without specialized knowledge to image the image by themselves. This makes it possible to easily maintain and manage the forming device. To this end, a guide member for the process cartridge is provided in the main body of the apparatus, and the process cartridge can be loaded by simply inserting the process cartridge along the guide member so as to obtain an optimal image.

In such cases, in conventional devices, the insertion direction of the process cartridge and the loading direction of the transfer material were perpendicular to each other, so the handling direction of the process cartridge and the handling direction of the transfer material were different, which made these operations troublesome. Therefore, the space constraints for installing the image forming apparatus inevitably become large. Furthermore, it was necessary to take up a large work space for maintenance.

In order to solve these drawbacks, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-279870 was proposed. In other words, by matching the loading direction of the transfer material with the loading/unloading direction of the process cartridge provided in the upper housing, it is possible to form an image that not only facilitates handling and operation of consumables but also reduces work space constraints. device has been proposed.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-279870, when replacing the process cartridge/two cartridges, the upper housing must be opened and the user himself must replace the process cartridge in the upper part. You have to pull it out of the case and then take it out. Therefore, not only is this work extremely troublesome, but the process cartridge is heavy and
Or, if it is large, the operator will need considerable force. Furthermore, if a jam occurs, it is necessary to reach into a narrow space and remove the transfer material, and no matter how much the upper housing is opened, it is not possible to secure enough work space, and the jam cannot be cleared. The work was difficult, and children often came into direct contact with areas contaminated with toner or the image carrier. In addition, in order to secure the work space, even if the process cartridge is moved or removed, the operator must pull the process cartridge out from the upper housing, which is cumbersome. It has the disadvantage of not being able to

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge can be moved and replaced with simple operations and is easy to maintain. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which even a relatively heavy process cartridge such as a process cartridge for a color image forming apparatus can be replaced safely and easily.

Means for Solving Problem C] The above object is to removably provide a process cartridge in which an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means are integrated; a process cartridge moving means for moving the process cartridge from a first position where image formation is possible to a second position opposite to the insertion direction of the erroneous process cartridge; a command means for outputting a command signal; This is achieved by an image forming apparatus characterized in that it has a control means that outputs a movement signal to the process cartridge movement means based on a command signal.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a main cross section of a color printer to which the present invention is applied, viewed from the left side. The device main body 10 has an operation panel 11 on the front, an upper part that can be opened and closed, a cover 12,
It is surrounded by a toner supply cover 13, a front cover 14, etc., and a removable process cartridge 15 and a paper feed cassette 16 are provided inside.

In FIG. 1, the photoreceptor belt 17, which is an image carrier, is
A photosensitive layer is coated on the surface of a flexible belt, and the belt is stretched between a driving roller I8 and a driven roller I9. The drive roller 18 rotates (described later) via a drive gear meshing with a gear provided on the main body 10 of the apparatus, and conveys the photoreceptor bell 1-17 in a clockwise direction. Also, the distance maintaining member 20 allows the developing devices 23a to 23d and the photoreceptor bell)
By keeping the distance to 17 constant, it is possible to form stable and good images. In this embodiment, the photoreceptor belt 17 is used as the image carrier, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to existing image carriers having a photosensitive layer such as a photoreceptor drum.

A charging means 21, an exposure means 22, developing means 23a to 23d, a transfer means 24, and a cleaning means 25 are arranged around the photoreceptor belt 17.

The charging means is provided to uniformly charge the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 with a predetermined polarity, and is an existing charger 21 such as a corona charger or a scorotron charger. For this purpose, a scorotron charger is preferably used.

The exposure means is a semiconductor laser writing system unit 22, which exposes the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 charged by the charger 21 to form an electrostatic latent image.

The developing means includes a plurality of developing devices 23a to 23d each containing a developer of a different color, such as yellow magenta, cyan, and black toner. Each of the developing devices 23a to 23d includes a developing sleeve 231a to 231d that maintains a predetermined gap with the photoreceptor bell 17, and a stirring screw 232a to 232d that stirs the toner of each color. It has the function of visualizing the image into a toner image using a non-contact development method. This non-contact development method differs from the contact development method in that the photoreceptor belt 17
Since the toner image formed thereon is not damaged and the movement of the photoreceptor belt 17 is not hindered, a good color image can be obtained. The developing means is not limited to color development using four different color toners as in this embodiment, but also monochromatic,
Toners of two or three colors may be used, and in this case, as many developing devices as there are toner colors may be disposed around the photoreceptor belt 17.

The transfer means transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 onto a transfer material using a transfer pole 24 such as a transfer corona discharger. As this transfer means, an existing transfer member such as a transfer drum may be used instead of the transfer pole 24.

The cleaning means 25 includes a cleaning blade 251
During the image forming process, the photoreceptor belt 17
The photoreceptor belt 1-17 is maintained at a position spaced apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1-17, and is provided so as to come into pressure contact with the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 to clean the photoreceptor belt 1-17 only during cleaning after the toner image is transferred to the transfer material.

The collection box 26 is for collecting the residual toner on the photoreceptor bell 1=17 that has been removed by the cleaning means 25 through a toner collection pipe 262 using a waste toner screw 261, and storing the toner therein.

In this embodiment, the image forming section of the printer described above includes a photoreceptor belt 17, a charger 21, developing devices 23a to 23d1 containing toner of each color, and a cleaning means 2.
5 and the toner collection box 26 are housed in an integrated process cartridge 15 to form a unit, and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 10 all at once. However, the process section unitized in the process cartridge 15 is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least the photoreceptor belt 17 and the developing units 23a to 23d or the photoreceptor belt 17 and the cleaning means 25 are integrated into a unit. , and other process sections may be combined into a unit.

The color image forming process by the color image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration is performed as follows.

First, the process cartridge 15 is loaded in the first position and is ready for image formation.

When the first color image signal output from the image reading device separate from the main body 10 is input to the laser writing system unit 22, a semiconductor laser (not shown) in the laser writing system unit 22 is used. A laser beam is generated. The laser beam is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror 221 rotated by a drive motor (not shown), passes through an fθ lens 222, a cylindrical lens 224, and three mirrors 223, and is uniformly charged to a predetermined charge by a charger 21. The light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the charged photoreceptor belt 17 to form a bright line.

On the other hand, regarding the sub-scanning direction, a belt index (not shown) corresponding to a specific position of the photoreceptor belt 17 is detected, or a print command signal is received, and the image signal is determined based on this detection or command signal. A main scanning line on which modulation of the semiconductor laser starts is determined. When scanning is started, in the main scanning direction, the laser beam is detected by an index sensor (not shown), and based on this detected signal, modulation of the semiconductor laser by the image signal of the first color is started. , a modulated laser beam scans over the surface of photoreceptor belt 17. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the uniformly charged surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoreceptor belt 17. This latent image is developed by a developing device 23 a containing yellow toner corresponding to the first color among the developing means, and a yellow toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 . Thereafter, the photoreceptor belt 17 passes under the cleaning blade 251 which is spaced apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 while holding the yellow toner image on its surface, and then begins to form an image of the second color.

That is, the photoreceptor belt 17 on which the yellow toner image has been formed is uniformly charged again by the charger 21, and then an image signal of the second color is applied to the laser writing system unit 2.
2, and as in the case of the first color image signal described above, writing is performed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by a developer 23b containing magenta toner as the second color. A magenta toner image is formed in the presence of a previously formed yellow toner image.

Similarly, a cyan toner image is formed in the developing device 23c that accommodates cyan toner after forming a latent image based on the image signal of the third color, and further contains black toner after forming the latent image based on the image signal of the fourth color. A developing device 23d superimposes a black toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17, and a color toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1-17.

Developing sleeve 231a of each of these developing devices 23a to 23d
A direct current or even an alternating current bias is applied to 231d, and reversal development (jumping phenomenon) is performed in a non-contact manner on the photoreceptor belt 17 whose base is grounded. Note that when using a single-component developer, which can be either an l-component developer or a two-component developer, for this non-contact development, there is no need to provide a toner hopper separately from the developing section. A developing method using a two-component developer is preferable in terms of color reproduction because it allows for miniaturization but is superior in terms of development stability.

The color toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor bell l-17 as described above is transferred from the paper feed cassette 16 to the paper feed roller 2.
7 and is transferred to a transfer material by a timing roller 28 in synchronization with the color toner image. The transfer device 24 performs transfer by applying a high-voltage power output having a polarity opposite to that of the toner.

The transfer material onto which the color toner image has been transferred in this way is reliably separated by the photoreceptor belt 17 that changes direction rapidly (with a small diameter curvature) along the drive roller 18, and is transported upward by the transport belt 29. Note that this conveyor belt 2
9 is provided with a suction means 291 to reliably convey the material upward while sucking it. After the toner on the transfer material is melted and fixed by the fixing roller 30, the transfer material is discharged onto the upper surface of the upper cover 11, which also serves as a paper discharge tray, by the paper discharge roller 31.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt 17 that has finished transferring the color toner image to the transfer material is further conveyed clockwise, and the cleaning means 25 brings the cleaning blade 251 into pressure contact with the photoreceptor belt 17.
The remaining toner is removed and cleaned. After cleaning is completed, the cleaning blade 251 separates from the photoreceptor belt 17 again and begins a new image forming process.

Next, a drive system for the process cartridge 15 and a drive system for moving the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the drive system of the process cartridge 15 (7) and the drive system for moving the process cartridge from the right side. The drive system for the process cartridge 15 and the drive system for moving the process cartridge shown in this embodiment are driven using two motors M1 and M2.

First, the drive system for the photoreceptor belt 17 uses the driving force from the motor Ml. Gear G12 is arranged to mesh with gear Gll of the shaft of motor M1. Furthermore, when the process cartridge 15 is in a position where image formation is possible, the drive gear G14, which is provided coaxially with the drive roller 18 that conveys the photoreceptor belt 17, meshes with the gear G13 that rotates together with the gear G12. . That is, motor M
The rotation of the drive roller 18 is transmitted to the drive gear G14 through the gears G12 and G13, and adjusted to an appropriate rotational speed. The photoreceptor belt 17 is rotated and conveyed.

Next, the developing units 23a to 23d, the waste toner screw 26
1. The drive system for the toner hopper 35 and process cartridge moving means will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

A motor M2 is used in this drive system. The rotational force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the gear G2 via the gear G21 of the shaft of the motor M2.
2. Furthermore, coaxially with gear G22, and
The signal is transmitted to the integrally provided gear G23, and the developing device 23a
~23d drive system is driven.

First, the drive system of the developing devices 23a to 23d will be explained.

The rotational force of motor M2 transmitted to gear G23 is
24b and gear G24c, and is also transmitted to gear G2
5a and gear G25b to gear G24a and gear G24d. Furthermore, an open type spring clutch C21a is used to transmit rotation in only one direction.
-C21d, the gear G is connected coaxially with the gears G24a to G24d and meshes with the developing device drive gears G27a to G27d provided on the process cartridge 15 when the process cartridge 15 is in a position where an image can be formed. 26a-G 26d are arranged. and,
The rotational force transmitted to the developing unit drive gears G27a to G27d is transmitted to the developing sleeves 231a to 231d and the stirring screw 2 through gears provided in the process cartridge 15.
32a to 232d to drive the developing devices. That is, the rotation of motor M2 is caused by gear G21, gear G22,
It is transmitted to gear G24b and gear G24c via gear G23, and further transmitted to gear G24a and gear G24b via gear G25a and gear G25b, and then, if necessary, a clutch is connected to connect the developing unit drive gear G27a.
-G 27d to drive the developing devices 23a to 23d. Note that the developing devices 23a to 23d are driven during image formation by driving only the developing devices corresponding to each color of image formation, and not driving the developing devices 23a to 23d when moving the process cartridge 15, which will be described later. It is better to do this.

For this purpose, the respective cams (not shown) having claws that come into contact with the ratchets (not shown) of the clutches C21a to C21d are set at different phases, and five positions are set, including a position where no clutch is engaged. Preferably, selection positions are provided and controlled by a stepper motor (not shown). For example, by providing four cam claws corresponding to each clutch on the same axis with a phase difference of 72 degrees and rotating the step motor 72 degrees at a time, only one of the developing devices 23a to 23d is driven or It can be controlled so that neither of them is driven.

Next, the means for moving the process cartridge 15 will be explained.

The rotational force of motor M2 transmitted to gear G22 is
The signal is transmitted to the pulley P22 via the timing belt TBI and the pulley P21 which rotates together with the timing belt TBI, and drives the drive system of the process cartridge moving means.

Regarding the drive system of the process cartridge moving means, the rotational force transmitted to the pulley 22 is transmitted to the gear G29 that meshes with the gear G28 that rotates together with the pulley P22, and further meshes with the gear G29. The signal is transmitted to gear G30. Then, the rotational force is transmitted to gear G3'l via electromagnetic clutch C22 as necessary. Gear G31 and gear G32 are cross-shaft gears, and gear G3
The rotational force transmitted to pinion P is transmitted to pinion P (see Fig. 4). This pinion P is the process cartridge 15
The rotation of the pinion P and the sliding of the rack R move the process cartridge 15 in the left-right direction.

The movement of the process cartridge and the thread 15 will be explained in detail later.

Next, a drive system for collecting waste toner will be explained.

The rotational force of the motor M2 transmitted to the pulley P22 is transmitted to the pulley P23 via the open type spring clutch C22 as necessary, and the rotational force of the motor M2 is transmitted to the waste toner screw 261.
drive system.

Regarding the drive system of the waste toner screw 261, the gear G33 that rotates together with the pulley P23 and the waste toner screw drive gear G34 provided on the side surface of the process cartridge 15 mesh with each other, and the rotation transmitted to the pulley P23. The force drives waste toner screw 261. The waste toner screw 261 transports the residual toner on the photoreceptor belt 17 removed by the cleaning means 25 to the toner collection box 26 through a toner collection pipe 262 containing a rotating coil spring.

Next, the drive system of the toner hoppers 35a to 35d will be explained.

The rotational force of motor M2 transmitted to pulley P23 is transmitted to pulley P24 via timing belt TB2,
If necessary, the signal is transmitted to gear G35 via spring clutch C24, and further to gear G36 meshing with gear G35. And if necessary, )<Western clutch C25
Gears G 38a to G 38d meshing with gears G 37a to G 37d, which rotate together with gear G36 by connecting a to C25cl, rotate. The toner hopper stirring members 351a to 351d are connected to the gear G38.
a - G 38 Rotate together with d to toner hopper 3
A gear G39 that stirs the toner to be supplied in 5a to 35d and meshes with the gears G38a to G38d.
Supply toner screws 352a to 352d provided coaxially with a=G39d rotate to convey the supplied toner to the developing units 23a to 23d in the process cartridge 15.

Note that the toner hoppers 35a to 35d are connected to the developing device 2.
It is driven in correspondence with the driving of 3a to 23d. That is,
If the developing device corresponding to the color during image formation is being driven, only the toner hopper containing supply toner of the same color is driven. To control this drive, a spring clutch C25a
-C25d is used, and it can be performed using a step motor and a cam (both not shown) in the same way as the control of the developing device drive.

In this embodiment, the drive system for the photosensitive belt 17, the developing units 23a to 23d1, the waste toner screw 2611, the toner hopper 35, and the drive system for the process cartridge moving means are driven using two motors Ml and M2. However, these drives may be performed by one motor,
Alternatively, it goes without saying that a dedicated motor may be provided for the process cartridge moving means.

Next, move the process cartridge 15 to AA in FIG.
FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows, and process cartridge 1
The movement of 5 will be explained using FIG. 6 which schematically shows the movement.

The process cartridge 15 is provided with a protruding member 36 for movement and a rack R on its side, as well as a drive gear G14 for image formation, and a developer drive gear G27a.
-G27d and waste toner screw drive gear G34
is provided.

On the other hand, inside the process cartridge storage chamber of the apparatus main body 10, there are a guide member 37 that suspends the process cartridge 15 by fitting the protrusion member 36 of the process cartridge 15 therein, a drive gear G14, and a developer drive gear G2.
7a-G 27d and gear G13 corresponding to waste toner screw drive gear G34, gears G26a to G26d
and a gear G33. Also, pinion P
is provided so as to be able to engage with a rack R provided on the process cartridge 15. Furthermore, this guide member 37
The first and second microswitch MS I MS
2 is provided. The first and second microswitches MS15M52 are connected to the process cartridge 1.
This is a detection means for detecting the position of 5. Here, the first and second microswitches MSI and MS2 are connected to a drive gear G14 provided in the process cartridge 15,
Developing unit drive gear G27a-G27d, waste toner screw drive gear G34, gear G13 provided in the apparatus main body IO, gear G26a-G26d, gear G33
a first position where the cartridges are engaged with each other and image formation is possible; and a position further away from the transfer device 24 compared to the first position, that is, a position retracted from the first position in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the process cartridge 15. The second position is detected and the position signal is output to the control section. However, the second position is preferably such that the center of gravity of the process cartridge 15 is not outside the apparatus 10. This is the process cartridge 15
If the center of gravity of the process cartridge 15 is outside the apparatus, the rack R and pinion P will not mesh well with each other, making it difficult to remove and insert the process cartridge 15. These first and second
The position detection sensor for detecting the position is not limited to microswitches, and various existing sensors using photoelectric switches, magnetic switches, etc. may be used.

In addition, the first and second microswitches MSiMS2
There is no need to provide the guide member 37, and it is sufficient to detect the first and second positions, so it may be provided in the device main body 10.

First, when removing the process cartridge 15, the sixth
As shown in Figure (a), the process cartridge 15 is
The drive roller 18 and the transfer pole 24 are kept at a desired distance (if the transfer member is a transfer drum, have an appropriate pressure force), and the drive gear G14 provided in the process cartridge 15 and the developer drive Gear G 27a - G 27d
, waste toner screw drive gear G34 and device main body 10
t second gear G13, which drives each provided in the
Gears G26a to G26d and gear G33 are in mesh with each other, and are in a state where image formation can be performed optimally. Further, the rack R and the pinion P are meshed with each other.

When the front cover 14 is opened and the eject button on the operation panel 11 provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 10 is pressed, an eject signal is input to the control section. At this time, a print signal from the print button on the operation panel 11, a photoconductor belt drive signal indicating that the image forming process such as the photoconductor belt drive unit, printing unit, paper ejection unit, paper feed unit, etc. are operating, and the fixing drive If image forming process signals such as a signal, a paper ejection drive signal, a paper feed drive signal, etc. are not output, the control unit issues a signal to the motor M2 and the electromagnetic clutch C22, which are the drive units of the process cartridge moving means, to start the process. In order to move the cartridge 15 from the first position to the second position, the pinion P is rotated, and the process cartridge 15 is moved in the direction of the second position along the guide member 37 (
(See Figure 6(b)).

When the process cartridge 15 moves as shown in FIG. 6(C), the second microswitch MS2 detects that the process cartridge 15 has moved to the second position and sends a signal to the control unit. . When the control section receives the signal, it releases the electromagnetic clutch C22 and stops the rotation of the motor M2.

That is, the process cartridge 15 stops at the second position with the rack R and pinion P engaged, and retreats from the first position to the second position.

Therefore, a large amount of work space can be secured for jam removal, etc.
By slightly pulling out the process cartridge 15, it can be easily taken out from the apparatus main body 10.

Conversely, when inserting the process cartridge 15 into the apparatus main body 10, the protrusion 36 of the process cartridge 15 is inserted along the guide member 37 inside the process cartridge housing chamber, the rack R and the pinion P are engaged, and the process cartridge 15 is inserted into the apparatus main body 10. 15 is in the second position (Fig. 6(C)).

In order to move the process cartridge 15 from this state to the first position where image formation is possible, the process cartridge 15 in the second position can be further inserted or the set button on the operation panel 11 can be pressed. Input the set signal to the section. When this set signal is input, the control unit sends a signal to the motor M2 and the electromagnetic clutch C22, and rotates the pinion P in order to move the process cartridge 15 from the second position to the first position. (rotate in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation), and then rotate the guide member 3.
7 in the direction of the first position of the process cartridge 1
5 (Fig. 6(b)).

Furthermore, when the process cartridge 15 moves, the sixth
As shown in Figure (a), the first microswitch MSI detects that the process cartridge 15 has moved to the first position and sends a signal thereof to the control section. When the control section receives the signal, it releases the electromagnetic clutch C22 and stops the rotation of the motor M2. That is, the process cartridge 15 is stopped at the first position, and the drive gear G14 provided on the process cartridge 15, the developer drive gears G27a to G27d, the waste toner screw drive gear G34, and the gear provided on the apparatus main body 10 are connected. G13
, gears G26a to G26d, and gear G33, and image formation is possible. At this time, the toner supply port 3 of each developing device 23a to 23d in the process cartridge 15 is
8a to 38d, corresponding toner hoppers 35a to 3
Each of the toner conveying pipes 353a to 353d of 5d is automatically connected to be in a state where toner is replenished. Therefore, after replacing the process cartridge 15 or clearing a jam, the process cartridge 15 is automatically inserted with a simple operation. The process cartridge 15 can be set in the position.

On the other hand, the upper cover release means will be explained using FIG. 7.

The upper cover 12 is pivotally supported by an upper cover shaft 39. In addition, the upper cover 12 is released by a coiled spring 40 wound around the upper cover shaft 39 and a pin 41 attached to the apparatus main body lO on one side and the upper cover on the other, that is, in a counterclockwise direction in the figure. is spring-loaded. In addition, the solenoid 42 is connected to the upper cover 1.
2 is arranged so that its upper cover 12 can be latched when it is closed.

With the top cover release means having the above-described configuration, the top cover 12 is in a closed state during the image forming process;
The upper cover 12 also serves as a discharge mold for the transferred transfer material discharged by the discharge roller 31 (see Fig. 7(a).
)). Then, in case of jam processing, etc., the device main body IO
If the eject button on the operation panel 11 provided on the front side of the controller is pressed and the image forming process signal is not output, the controller moves the process cartridge 15 to the process cartridge moving means as described above. At the same time, a release signal is issued to the solenoid 42, which is the upper cover release means. Upon receiving the release signal, the solenoid 42 moves its shaft backward, that is, stops the upper cover 12 from being latched. Then, the upper cover 12, which had been biased by the spring, is released by the biasing force (see Fig. 7).
b)). The transfer material that caused the jam can be easily located and removed from the opening of the upper cover 12 released in this way. Note that the upper cover release means is not limited to this embodiment, and a member that can be hooked on the side opposite to the upper cover shaft 39 may be provided. Alternatively, the upper cover shaft 39 may be provided with a gear and a motor that meshes with the gear, and when a release signal is output from the control section, the motor rotates to release the upper cover 12. In this case, when a set signal is input to the control section, the motor may rotate in the opposite direction to close the upper cover 12. Furthermore, although this embodiment is described using an image forming apparatus provided with the upper cover 12, the present invention is not limited to this, and in a so-called two-part image forming apparatus, the upper cover 12 of this embodiment is A release means may be provided in the upper casing instead of the release means.

The movement control of the process cartridge 15 and the opening control of the upper cover 12 described above are as shown in FIG. That is, when the eject button on the operation panel 11 is pressed, an eject signal is input to the control section. At this time,
Print signals from the print button on the operation unit, photoconductor belt drive signals, fixing/discharge drive signals, and paper feed drive signals that are driven by the photoconductor belt drive unit, fixing/paper ejection unit, and paper feed unit, respectively. If not, the control section issues a movement signal to the process cartridge movement means. The process cartridge moving unit controls the process cartridge moving destination in order to move the process cartridge 15 from the first position to the second position, and detects that the process cartridge 15 has moved to the second position. When the position detection signal is obtained, the process cartridge movement drive system is stopped. On the other hand, the control section issues a movement signal to the process cartridge moving means and also issues a release signal to the upper cover release means to open the upper cover 12.

In other words, when a jam occurs or when replacing the process cartridge 15, simply pressing the eject button on the operation panel 11 will retract the process cartridge 15 to the second position and close the upper cover as shown in FIG. 12
The transfer material that caused the jam can be easily checked and removed from above the device main unit IO.
Further, since the process cartridge 15 in the second position can be slightly pulled out and removed, the process cartridge 15 can be easily replaced. Further, even if the eject button is pressed during the operation of the image forming process, the control section cancels the signal, and the process cartridge 15 does not move and the upper cover 12 does not open.

In this embodiment, as an image forming process, an image forming method was described in which a color toner image is formed on a photoreceptor belt and then transferred to a transfer material. A color imaging method may also be used. It is also applicable to ordinary monochrome printers using monochrome processes. Furthermore, although a non-contact development method has been described as a developing method, the present invention is not limited to this non-contact development, but can also be applied to contact development. Further, the drive system shown in this embodiment is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the drive system is not limited to combinations of gears, clutches, belts, etc.

FIG. 10 shows a transfer drum type image forming apparatus as another embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

The process cartridge 15 is roughly the same as the previous embodiment, but the toner hopper 35a is integrated into the process cartridge 15. The transfer drum type image forming apparatus has a transfer drum 50 in contact with the transfer portion of the photoreceptor belt 17, and the transfer drum 50 rotates counterclockwise in synchronization with the photoreceptor belt 17. The transfer material is wound around the outer periphery of the transfer drum 50, and the toner image of each color formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 is transferred onto the transfer material, and the toner images of each color are superimposed on the transfer material. After that, transfer drum 5
0 and discharged to the upper part of the apparatus main body 10 after fixing.

A charger 501 is provided at the peripheral edge of the transfer drum 50 to electrostatically attract the transfer material.
A winding member 502 is provided for mechanically winding the transfer material around the transfer drum 50. The winding member 502 has a roller at its tip, and comes into contact only when the transfer material first winds around the transfer drum 50. . Further, a gripper 503 is provided on the circumferential surface of the transfer drum 50, and acts to hold the leading end of the transfer material that is synchronously conveyed. The transfer device 504 electrostatically transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor belt 17 onto a transfer material.

The separation/removal electrode 505 and the separation claw 506 separate the transfer material after transfer from the transfer drum 50. Further, the reach 507, which can be approached and separated, removes the adhered toner remaining on the transfer drum 50 after the transfer material is separated.

The transfer material fed from the cassette 16 advances to the transfer drum 50 charged by the charger 501 while maintaining synchronization, is wrapped around by the member 502, and the leading edge of the transfer material is held by the gripper 503. The photoreceptor belt 17 is rotated to a transfer section, where the yellow toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 is transferred onto a transfer material by a transfer device 504. After completing the first transfer, the transfer drum 50 continues to rotate, is cleaned by a cleaner 507, and transfers the next toner image. That is, in the second rotation, the magenta toner image is
A cyan toner image is transferred in the first rotation, and a black toner image is transferred in a superimposed manner in the fourth rotation. When the transfer of the four-color toner images is completed, the transfer material is neutralized by a separation/elimination electrode 505 , the leading edge of the transfer material is released from being held by a separation claw 506 , and separated and conveyed to the fixing roller 30 .

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the transfer drum 50 is located on the apparatus main body 10 side, and the movable process cartridge 1
This structure is not included in 5. Therefore, the process cartridge 15 is moved in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, in the present invention, by pressing a button on the operation unit, the process cartridge is retracted from a position where image formation is possible, and the upper cover is released.On the other hand, when inserting the process cartridge, the process cartridge is placed in the optimal position for image formation. This provides an image forming apparatus that can be configured.

As a result, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the process cartridge automatically moves with a simple operation, and the upper cover is released, so the operator can easily and easily move the process cartridge without hesitation.
Process cartridges can be replaced without requiring much force. In addition, when clearing a jam, the process cartridge can be retracted to the second position and the inside of the device body can be visually inspected through the release opening of the top cover, so a large work space can be secured and the workability of jam clearing can be greatly improved. This not only eliminates the risk of damaging the image carrier when taking out the transfer material that caused the jam, but also eliminates the operator's direct contact with the image carrier. Furthermore, since the process cartridge is moved mechanically, the process cartridge can be replaced or jammed without any unnecessary vibrations or developer scattering, resulting in improved maintainability. be.

If the image forming apparatus is a color printer, all operations such as loading and unloading the process cartridge cassette, clearing jams, toner replenishment, etc. can be performed from the front of the main unit, so it has the same ease of use and maintenance as the one-way operation of a monochrome printer. I was able to make it happen.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main cross section of a color printer to which the present invention is applied from the left side. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the drive system according to the present invention from the right side. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the drive system for moving the process cartridge from above. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main parts of the drive system for moving the process cartridge. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the movement of the process cartridge. Figure 7 shows
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a top cover release mechanism. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the control system. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the color printer when the process cartridge is in the second position. FIG. 1O is a main sectional view of a transfer drum type image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 10...Device main body, 11...Operation panel, 12
...Top cover 15...Process cartridge
17...Photoreceptor belt, 18...Drive roller, 21...Charger, 22...Laser writing system unit, 23...Developer, 24...・・・
Transfer pole, 25...Cleaning means, 26...
Toner collection box, 36...Protruding member, 37...
...Guide member, 27...Paper feed roller, 28...
・Timing roller, 29... Conveyance means, 30...
...Fixing roller, 31... Paper ejection roller, 39...
・Top cover shaft, 40... Winding hole, 42...
・Solenoid, 50...Transfer drum, Ml, M2・
...Motor, G14...Drive gear, G27a
-G 27d...Developer drive gear, G13, G 26a -G 26d...Gear, P
...Pinion, R...U-Nk, MSl...
・First micro switch, MS2...Second micro switch.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A process cartridge that integrates an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means is removably provided, and the process cartridge is attached to a first cartridge capable of forming an image. a process cartridge moving means for moving the process cartridge from a position to a second position in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the process cartridge; a command means for outputting a command signal; An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for outputting a signal. (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the process cartridge so as not to move during operation of the image forming process. (3) An upper cover provided on an upper part of the process cartridge is opened in conjunction with the movement of the process cartridge from the first position to the second position. Image forming device.