JPH02285366A - Electrophotographic printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic printer that simplifies the setting of cartridges and does not damage the optical unit, regarding an electrophotographic printing device. An electrophotographic printing apparatus in which a cartridge including a body is attached and detached, wherein a part of an optical unit held by an elastic body fixed to a lower body is brought into contact with the image carrier, and the distance between the image carrier and the image carrier is reduced. The optical unit, which is kept constant, is provided with a retracting means that retracts downward in conjunction with the opening of the cover.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic printing apparatus.

In an electrophotographic printing apparatus, a developer is used to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier. The developer needs to be replaced depending on use.

Recently, the developer has been replaced by the user, so in order to easily replace the developer, the developer
The image carrier is integrated into a cartridge.

[Conventional technology]

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are explanatory diagrams of a conventional electrophotographic printing apparatus.

In FIG. 4(A), an electrophotographic printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an electrophotographic printer) includes an image carrier 1, a pre-charger 2, an optical unit 3 serving as a latent image forming means, a developing section 4, and a transfer unit. The unit 5 includes a static eliminator 6, a fixing unit 7, a cleaner (blade) 8, and the like. 9 is a pick roller that feeds out the paper, 1O111 is a feed roller, 12 is a fan for cooling the fixing section 7, and 13 is an eject roller that ejects the paper.

The image carrier 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the paper sent from the hopper 18 is fed onto the conveyance path by the feed roller 10, and is fed to the transfer section 5 by the feed roller 11 in synchronization with the rotation of the image carrier 1. .

On the other hand, the image carrier 1 is uniformly charged by the pre-charger 2,
An electrostatic latent image is formed by the optical unit 3, and the developing section 4 converts the latent image into a toner image. The toner image on the image carrier 1 is transferred to a sheet of paper in a transfer section 5 , the transferred sheet is fixed in a fixing section 7 , and is ejected to a stacker 19 by an eject roller 13 . Note that the image carrier 1 that has completed the transfer
The surface of is neutralized by the static eliminator 6 and cleaned by the cleaner 8. Note that the developer needs to be replaced after use, and in order to simplify the replacement, a cartridge (pre-charger 2 and optical unit) containing the developing section 4 and at least the image carrier 1 is installed, as shown in FIG. 4(B). (excluding 3) is set at 15.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the electrophotographic printer configured as shown in FIG. 4(A), in order to replace the developer, the cartridge 15 containing the image carrier 1 is attached to and removed from the lower body 17 as shown in FIG. 4(C). The cartridge 15 is set by opening the cover (upper body) 16.

However, in this case, in order to keep the distance between the image carrier 1 and the light emitting section of the optical unit 3 constant, a part of the optical unit 3 was brought into contact with the image carrier 1.

For this reason, the cartridge 15 is intricately arranged as shown in FIG. 4(B), and the optical unit 3 is positioned in the intricate part as shown in FIG. 4(C).
5 is difficult to set, or optical unit 3
There was a risk that the cartridge 15 would be hit and damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic printer in which the cartridge can be easily set and the optical unit is not damaged.

(Means for Solving the Problem) As shown in FIG. 1, the above problem is an electrophotographic printing apparatus in which the cartridge 15 containing at least the image carrier l is attached or detached by opening the cover 16, A part of the optical unit 3 (23
) is brought into contact with the optical unit 3 and the distance from the image carrier 1 is kept constant. solved by.

[Operation] That is, when replacing the cartridge 15 (consisting of the image carrier 1, the developing section 4, and the waste toner portion 33), when the cover 16 is opened, the evacuation means (link mechanism) 20 moves counterclockwise around the fulcrum 21. The optical unit 3, which is rotated in the direction and engaged with the retracting means 20, retracts downward and leaves the image carrier 1.

In this way, the optical unit 3 is opened in conjunction with the opening of the cover 16.
Since the cartridge 15 is retracted from the image carrier 1, the cartridge 15 can be easily set and reset, and the optical unit 3 will not be damaged.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C) are diagrams of the retracting operation of the optical unit of the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes a cover, and the cover 16 has a hopper 18 for storing paper to be supplied, and further includes a lower main body 1.
7 and a support shaft 22. A cartridge 15 (consisting of an image carrier 1, a developing section 4, and a portion of waste toner 33) is housed inside the lower body 17, and an optical Unit 3 is placed. This optical unit 3 is supported by a spring (elastic body) 24 fixed to the lower main body 17, and a part (roller 23) of the optical unit 3 is in contact with the image carrier 1.
A constant optical path length of the optical unit 3 is maintained. The Itabane 24 is provided with a link ■ that can rotate at a fulcrum 25,
This link ■ is a fulcrum 21 fixed to the lower body 17.
is supported by Note that the engagement part of the fulcrum 25 at the end of the link (■) is an elongated hole, and the other side of the link (■) is also provided with an elongated hole as shown in the figure, and this elongated hole and the fulcrum 26 provided at one end of the link (2) engage. It matches. The other side of link ■ is cover 1
It is rotatably supported on a fulcrum 27 fixed to 6.

19 is a stacker.

FIG. 2(A) shows the initial stage of closing the cover 16 from the open state, FIG. 2(B) shows the intermediate state, and FIG. 2(C) shows the completely closed state.

When the cover 16 is opened as shown in FIG. 2(A), the optical unit 3 is retracted to the bottom of the lower body 17. If the cartridge 15 is set in the lower body 17 in this state,
Since the cartridge 15 and the optical unit 3 are separated from each other, the cartridge 15 can be easily set, and the optical unit 3 will not be damaged by hitting the cartridge 15.

After setting the cartridge 15, when the cover 16 is lowered as shown in FIG. It rises and approaches the image carrier 1 (.

When the cover 16 is completely closed as shown in FIG. It comes into contact with the image carrier 1 to keep the distance between the image carrier 1 and the light emitting section of the optical unit 3 constant.

In the above embodiment, the link mechanism 20 is used as a retracting means for retracting the optical unit 3 in conjunction with opening and closing of the cover 16, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a roller 28 may be pivotally supported at one end of the optical unit 3, and a cam 29 that engages with the roller 28 may be connected to a motor shaft 30.

Electrophotographic printers typically have a cover oven switch that shuts off the machine when the cover is opened. The cam 29 uses the cover open signal to
The motor 31 is driven to lower the optical unit 3. The motor 31 is stopped by contact between the switch 32 provided at the bottom and the leaf spring 24, and when the cover is closed, the motor 3
1 is turned over and stopped at a predetermined position.

As in the above embodiments, when the cover 16 is opened, the optical unit is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the setting, so the cartridge 15 can be easily set and the optical unit 3 will not be damaged.

Further, when the cover 16 is closed, the optical unit 3 comes into contact with the image carrier 1, so that a constant optical path length can be ensured.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, by retracting the optical unit in conjunction with opening and closing of the cover, the cartridge can be easily set and the optical unit is not damaged.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2(A) to (C) are diagrams of the retracting operation of the optical unit of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the retracting mechanism of another optical unit of the present invention. , FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are explanatory diagrams of a conventional electrophotographic printing apparatus. In the figure, 1 is an image carrier, 3 is an optical unit, 4 is a developing section, 15 is a cartridge, 16 is a cover l7 is a lower main body, 18 is a hopper, 19 is a stacker, 20 is a link mechanism (evacuation means), and 21 is a 22 is a support shaft, 25, 26, 27 is a fulcrum, 23 is a roller (part), 24 is a leaf spring (elastic body), 28 is a roller, 29 is a cam, 30 is a motor shaft, 31 is a motor, 32 is a switch , '#2 Diagram (Zono 2) Another seven U22 of the present invention... Throat's 1 pick-up mechanism diagram Figure 3 Conventional IQ electrophotography
e01) Procedural amendment (method) Display of the case No. 108365 of 1999 Name of the invention Electrophotographic printing device 3, person making the amendment Relationship to the case Patent applicant address 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Yozaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Address Name (522) Fujitsu Limited Address 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Yozaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Date of correction order July 25, 1999 (shipment date) (1) "No. Figures 4 (a) and (b) show conventional electrophotographic printing equipment...
・” will be corrected as follows. "Figure 4 (a) to (c) are conventional electrophotographic printing devices...
...”

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An electrophotographic printing device in which a cartridge (15) containing at least an image carrier (1) is attached/detached by opening a cover (16), wherein a lower main body is attached to the image carrier (1). A part of the optical unit (3) held by an elastic body (24) fixed to (17) (
The optical unit (3), which is in contact with the image carrier (1) and which maintains a constant distance from the image carrier (1), operates a retracting means (20) that retracts downward in conjunction with the opening of the cover (16). An electrophotographic printing device characterized by: