JPS63128366A - Copying machine provided with optical system unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable other image forming functions to be added, by constituting an optical path relating to another function regarding an optical system in another body by providing an optical system unit constituted separably, and loading it between the optical system unit and a copying machine main body. CONSTITUTION:On a copying machine having the optical system unit 1, a mem ber relating to one image forming function is housed in the optical system unit 1 set for the copying machine main body 3 attachably/detachably freely. Therefore, the member relating to one image forming function is set attachably/ detachably freely for the copying machine main body 3. Also, an additional function unit 2 in which a member relating to another image forming function for the copying machine main body 3 is housed, is set attachably/detachably freely. In other words, the member relating to another image forming function is set for the copying machine main body 3 attachably/detachably freely. On the additional function unit 2, the optical system unit 1 is set attachably/ detachably freely, and it is possible to load the additional function unit 2 on which the optical system unit 1 is loaded, on the copying machine main body 3, and to provide the member relating to two image forming functions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a copying machine having an optical system unit that can include members related to a plurality of image forming functions.

(bl Conventional Technology) In recent years, in response to the demand for multifunctional copying machines, some have been equipped with an automatic collation function, automatic double-sided copying function, and even an image creation function. An image other than the original image is formed on a sheet of paper by electrophotography.

Therefore, in addition to the normal optical system constructed between the lower surface of the document table and the copying process section, an optical system is required that distributes light onto the surface of the photoreceptor as images of numbers and alphabets.

Generally, the automatic collation function, automatic double-sided copying function, etc. can be realized by installing separate devices to the main body of the copying machine. This is because the device provided in the main body of a general copying machine can be used as is or with some modifications. However, multifunctional optical systems require a separate optical path between the image and the surface of the photoreceptor, and conventional copying machines require space inside the copying machine body to store components related to other image forming functions. The optical path from the image to the surface of the photoreceptor is formed here. Other functions related to such an optical system include a laser unit and an optical system for transparent originals.

(C1 Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional copying machine described above, members related to other image forming functions are already provided inside the copying machine body, which are unnecessary for users who do not use these functions at all. This results in poor cost performance.

In addition, only a space is provided inside the copying machine body for storing members related to other image forming functions, and only for users who require this function, the provided space is used to store members related to other image forming functions. It is also possible to store the copying machine, but this has the drawback of increasing the size of the copying machine due to the dead space.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical system unit that is configured to be separable from the main body of a copying machine, so that optical paths related to other functions related to the optical system are configured separately. Provided is a copying machine having an optical system unit that allows other image forming functions to be added by installing the device between the optical system unit and the main body of the copying machine, and prevents a decrease in cost performance and an increase in the size of the device. It's about doing.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems A copying machine having an optical system unit according to the present invention has an optical system unit and a device that are detachably attached to the copying machine body and that house members related to one image forming function. The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising an additional function unit which is detachably attached to the main body, detachably holds the optical system unit, and houses members related to other image forming functions.

te1 effect In the copying machine having the optical system unit of this invention,
A member related to one image forming function is housed in an optical system unit that is detachably attached to the copying machine main body. Therefore, a member related to one image forming function can be attached to and detached from the main body of the copying machine.

Further, an additional function unit containing members related to other image forming functions is detachably attached to the main body of the copying machine.

That is, members related to other image forming functions are detachably attached to the main body of the copying machine. The optical system unit is removably attached to this additional function unit, and the additional function unit equipped with the optical system unit can be attached to the main body of the copying machine, and members related to two image forming functions can be installed. can.

(f) Embodiment FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a copying machine having an optical system unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The copying machine main body 3 is provided with an optical system unit 1 that can be opened and closed using one end as a fulcrum, as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure.

A rotating shaft 4 is fitted into a bearing 1a provided in the optical system unit 1, and this rotating shaft 4 is exposed to the outside by opening the operation side panel 5. The bearing 1a and the rotating shaft 4 are similarly formed on the opposite side of the optical system unit 1 and the copying machine main body 3. The fitting of the rotating shaft 4 into the bearing 1a can be released by a means described later. When the fitting state of the rotating shaft 4 is released on both sides of the copying machine main body 3, the optical system unit 1 can be removed from the copying machine main body 3.

The optical unit 1 removed in this manner as shown by the solid line in the figure can be mounted on the top surface of the additional function unit 2. Additional function unit 2 includes optical system unit 1
A mounting hole 2a is formed at a position facing the bearing 1a, and by fitting a pin (not shown) into both the bearing 1a and the mounting hole 2a, the optical unit 1 can be attached to the additional function unit 2.
It can be opened and closed freely. Further, a bearing 2b is formed in the additional function unit 2 at a position facing the rotating shaft 4 of the copying machine main body 3. By fitting the rotating shaft 4 into the bearing 2b, the additional function unit 2 can be attached to the copying machine main body 3 so as to be openable and closable.

Note that the optical system unit 1 and the copying machine main body 3, the optical system unit 1 and the additional function unit 2, and the additional function unit 2 and the copying machine main body 3 are all positioned and fixed by a positioning member and a locking member of the same shape (not shown). .

FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are diagrams showing the configuration and operation of a rotating shaft that supports the optical system unit and the additional function unit on the copying machine main body.

The rotating shaft 4 is formed by fixing a handle 4a to one end of a shaft body 4b having a flange 4c formed near the center. The handle 4 is exposed to the outside from the frame 3a of the copying machine main body 3. A coil spring 6 is provided between the frame 3a and the flange 4C. With the above configuration, the rotating shaft 4
is movable in the direction of arrow A or B with respect to the frame 3a, and the elastic force of the coil spring 6 acts in the direction of arrow B.

As shown in FIG. 3(A), when only the elastic force of the coil spring 5 is acting on the rotating shaft 4, the other end of the shaft body 4b fits into the bearing 1a (2b). As shown in FIG. 2B, when the handle 4a is pulled in the direction of the arrow A, the coil spring 6 is compressed and the shaft portion 4b is removed from the bearing 1a (2b). As a result, the optical system unit 1 or the additional function unit 2 is not supported by the copying machine main body 3.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic front cross-sectional views showing the structure and operation of a copying machine having the optical system unit described above.

Inside the copying machine main body 3, a process unit 31 is connected to the shaft 3.
It is provided so that it can be opened and closed using 2 as a fulcrum.

The process unit 31 is equipped with various devices including a photosensitive drum 33, a developing device 35, and a charger 34. On the other hand, the copying machine main body 3 is equipped with a transport device (not shown), and forms a paper transport path.

A document table 19 is configured on the upper surface of the optical system unit 1 . A light source 11 and mirrors 12 to 1 are provided on the lower surface of this document table 19.
7 and a lens 18. The light source 11 and the mirror 12 are mounted on a first mirror base (not shown), and the mirror 1
3 and 14 are similarly mounted on a second mirror base (not shown). These mirror bases move horizontally on the lower surface of the document table 19 during the copying process, and scan the image of the document placed on the document table 19. The light from the light source 11 is irradiated onto the original image, and the reflected light is distributed onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum 33 via an optical path indicated by a chain line in the figure.

An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 33 by the distribution of this reflected light.

As shown in FIG. 1(B), the additional function unit 2 includes a light source 22, mirrors 23, 24, and rollers 25, 2.
6 is provided with a passed film 21. This film 21 is made of a transparent resin material, and numbers, alpha vents, symbols, etc. are written on the surface using a translucent paint. This additional function unit 2 is the copying machine main body 3.
When the light source 22 of the additional function unit 2 is mounted on the film 2, as shown in FIG.
1, and this transmitted light is distributed onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum 33 via mirrors 23 and 24, as shown by the dashed line in the figure. As a result, the characters or symbols written on the film 21 are formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 33 as an electrostatic latent image.

The operator can select a character or symbol to be irradiated with light from the light source 22 using a selection device (not shown) provided on the top surface of the additional function unit 2. When a particular character or symbol is selected, rollers 25 , 26 rotate so that the selected character or symbol faces light source 22 .

In the state shown in FIG. 1(C), the reflected light from the document table 19 of the optical system unit 1 can also be distributed to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 33, and the operator can use the document table 19 to form an image. The image forming operation can be performed by selectively enabling either or both of the reflected light from the film 21 and the transmitted light from the film 21. In this case, the optical system unit 1 moves slightly above the standard position due to the presence of the additional function unit 2, but by appropriately adjusting the positions of the lenses 15 and 16, the optical system unit 1 moves from the document table 19 to the photoreceptor drum 3.
The length of the optical path up to 3 can be made to match the length of the optical path without the additional function unit 2 shown in FIG. 1(A). As a result, the original image placed on the original stacking table 19 can be accurately formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33.

In this embodiment, the additional function unit 2 is provided with a character printing means, but it may also be provided with a laser unit or a light distribution means for transparent originals.

(A) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the optical unit and the additional function unit can be detachably installed in the main body of the copying machine, and the optical system unit can be detachably attached to the additional function unit. , it is possible to selectively provide one or two image forming functions to the copying machine by installing only the optical unit or both the optical system unit and the additional function unit into the copying machine body. It is possible to configure a copying machine with only functions, improve cost performance, and reduce the size of the device by eliminating dead space.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1A to 1C are schematic front sectional views showing the configuration of a copying machine having an optical system unit according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a copying machine having the same optical system unit, and FIG. 3
Figures (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the configuration and operation of a rotating shaft that supports an optical system unit and an additional function unit in a copying machine body in a copying machine having the same optical system unit. 1-optical system unit, 2-additional function unit, 3-copier main body.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) an optical system unit that is detachable from the copying machine body and houses members related to one image forming function; What is claimed is: 1. A copying machine having an optical system unit comprising: an additional function unit that holds and stores members related to other image forming functions; and an optical system unit.