JPH04246573A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a plurality of image formation units available for mounting with highly accurate positioning applied. CONSTITUTION:Image formation-composing members or supporting members 111 are housed in a case 21' of an image formation unit 3D' so that the members become floatable. Positioning means are provided either to the image formation-composing members or the supporting members 111, and the image formation-composing members or the supporting members are positioned directly with each other.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image recording apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, and the like.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of image recording apparatuses such as copying machines and printers are used. For example, image forming methods include a powder development method, a thermal transfer printing method, an inkjet printing method, etc., and each method is used for monochrome images and color images.

[0003] In conventional image recording apparatuses, devices for each type are manufactured separately, and if it is desired to use an inkjet printing method and a thermal transfer printing method, at least two printers must be prepared. Furthermore, if you require color printing in addition to a black and white printer, you will need to prepare an additional printer for color printing or replace it with a device that can be used for both black and white and color. Therefore, there was a problem in that the user was required to spend a lot of money, and the manufacturer had to manufacture a large number of devices.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present applicant has proposed a base unit, which is not yet known, in which at least an electrical control device is housed in one case, and a paper feed cassette is detachable. an image forming unit in which each component that forms an image based on an image signal is housed in one case;
a conveying unit in which a conveying means for conveying recording paper to an image recording position by each image forming unit is housed in one case; the image forming unit is removably stacked on the base unit; An image recording apparatus has been proposed in which the image forming unit is operated by a mechanical drive device to record an image on recording paper.

[0005] In the above-mentioned image recording apparatus proposed by the present applicant, there is an unsolved problem in ensuring highly accurate positioning of a plurality of image forming units and positioning of each image forming unit with respect to a transport unit.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an improvement on the above-mentioned invention of the present applicant, and aims to provide an image recording device that can ensure mutual positioning accuracy when a plurality of image forming units are combined. Take it as a challenge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can ensure mutual positioning accuracy by ensuring the positioning accuracy of a plurality of image forming units with respect to the transport unit.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention solves the above problems by providing a base unit in which an electrical control device for controlling image information signals, etc. is housed in one case, a paper feeding device is provided, and a base unit based on image signals. a plurality of image forming units in which image forming components for forming an image are housed in one case; and a conveying unit in which a conveying means for conveying recording paper to an image recording position by each image forming unit is housed in one case. The problem has been solved by an image recording apparatus having a structure in which an image forming member is floatingly housed in a case of the image forming unit, and a part of the image forming member can be exposed outside the case.

[0009]

[Operation] According to the present invention, the imaging component is supported in a floating manner by the case, and a part of the imaging component is exposed outside the case, so that the imaging component of the adjacent imaging unit or the transport unit An imaging component or a support member between which the component is supported can be directly positioned.

Positioning means that engage with each other for positioning between adjacent image forming units or between a transport unit and an image forming unit, for example, one positioning means is a concave member and the other is a convex member that fits into the concave member. is formed on the imaging component or support member.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be explained based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Various image recording devices basically have a paper feeding section that stores and supplies recording paper, an image forming section that records an image on the fed recording paper, and a control section that controls the paper feeding section and the image forming section. The image forming section further includes a writing section that writes an image based on an image signal, and an image processing section that processes the written image so that it can be recorded on recording paper. When an image recording device that can be seen is broken down into several component parts, a combination as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

FIG. 1A is the most basic one, and includes a base unit 1 including an electric control device and a drive device if necessary, a paper feed unit 2 including a paper feed cassette, and constituent members for forming an image. This is a type in which each unit of the first image forming unit 3 is detachably assembled. In this case, the paper feed unit 2 can be incorporated into the base unit 1 to form one unit, and only the paper feed cassette can be formed to be detachable from the base unit 1. The type shown in FIG. 1A is called the A-1 type.

[0014] In the image forming unit, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a latent image forming body such as a photoconductor, and the image is visualized using a powdery image forming material (powder developer) such as toner, and the developed image is recorded. In an image forming method such as an electrophotographic method in which images are transferred onto paper, it is necessary to fix the developed image on the recording paper after the transfer. This fixing device is connected to the first image forming unit 3.
However, the fixing unit 4 may be provided as one unit separately from the image forming unit as shown in FIG. 1B.
It is possible to form a structure in which the image forming unit is detachably assembled to the image forming unit. Configuring the fixing unit 4 separately is advantageous when using a plurality of image forming units, which will be described later, and conveying the recording paper through each of the image forming units. When the fixing unit 4 is provided separately, the image forming unit does not need to include a fixing device, so the image forming unit can be modified to a configuration without the fixing device. This modified combination of the second image forming unit 3a and the fixing unit 4 is of the type shown in FIG. 1B, and this type is referred to as the A-2 type.

When the latent image forming body in the image forming unit 3 or 3a is a photoreceptor, an optical device such as a laser scanning optical device can be used as the image writing device. When using a writing optical system such as an LED array or a liquid crystal shutter as this writing device, it can be easily incorporated into the image forming unit, so it can be applied as the A-1 type or A-2 type. In a configuration in which a He-Ne laser or a semiconductor laser is used for scanning, it is convenient to configure the writing unit as one unit and to configure it so that it can be separately attached to and detached from the image forming unit. In this case, there is no need to provide a writing device in the image forming unit. The type shown in FIG. 1C is a combination of the writing unit 5 and the third image forming unit 3b modified so that no writing device is provided. This type is called the A-1a type. Similarly, as a modification of the second image forming unit 3a, the configuration shown in FIG. 1D is obtained by combining the fourth image forming unit 3c, which excludes the writing device, and the writing unit 5. This is A-2 shown in Figure 1B.
This is a modification of the type and is called the A-2a type.

The models shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D each have one image forming unit 3, 3a, 3b, and 3c, and have a configuration based on a normal monochrome image recording device.
It is necessary to use two or more image forming units in order to form a monochromatic image or a multicolor image of two or more colors, or to use different image forming methods. For this purpose, as a modification of the A-1 type shown in FIG. 1A, a type in which a plurality of first image forming units 3 are stacked as shown in FIG. 1E can be considered. In the figure, an example in which two first image forming units 3 are stacked is shown as a representative example, but the number is not limited to two. The same applies to other examples. The type shown in FIG. 2A is called the A-1' type.

A-2, A-1a, shown in FIGS. 1B to 1D,
Each type of A-2a can be similarly modified to a type using a plurality of image forming units 3a, 3b, and 3c. A modification to FIG. 1B is as shown in FIG. 1F,
This type is called the A-2' type. Similarly, the modification to FIG. 1C is as shown in FIG. 1G, and the modification to FIG. 1D is as shown in FIG. 1H, and these are called A-1'a type and A-2'a type, respectively.

In the case where a plurality of fourth image forming units 3c are provided, a plurality of fourth image forming units 3c are provided, as opposed to an example in which a writing unit 5 is individually assembled to each fourth image forming unit 3c as shown in FIG. 1H. It is also possible to incorporate one writing unit 5' for the image forming unit 3c as a common writing unit as shown in FIG. 1I. This type is called the A-2'b type. Similarly, the example shown in FIG. 1G can also have a configuration in which the writing units 5 are assembled individually. This model is A-1'b
It is called a type.

In the image recording apparatus of the type shown in FIGS. 1A to 1I, the recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 2 passes through the feeding path provided in each image forming unit 3, 3a, 3b, and 3c. Although guided upward, a plurality of image forming units 3
, 3a, 3b, and 3c, the recording paper conveyance means are combined into one unit to constitute the conveyance unit 6, and the base unit 1 and the image forming units 3, 3a, 3b,
3c can be configured to be attachable and detachable.

FIGS. 1J to 1N show examples of using the image recording apparatuses of the type shown in FIGS. 1E to 1I, respectively, in which individually constructed conveyance units 6 are used. In this case, FIG.
This is a modification to the A-1' type shown in Figure 1K, and Figure 1F
This is a modification to the A-2' type shown in Figure 1L and Figure 1G.
This is a modification to the A-1'a type shown in Figure 1M.
This is a modification to the A-2'a type shown in H, and FIG. 1N is a modification to the A-2'b type shown in FIG. 1I. Figure 1K,
In the models shown in FIGS. 1M and 1N, an example is shown in which a transport fixing unit 6' is used in which the transport unit 6 and the fixing unit 4 are configured as one unit, but it is of course possible to use the transport unit 6 and the fixing unit 4 as separate units.

In the example of FIGS. 1J to 1N, the transport unit 6,
Since the transport fixing unit 6' is constructed separately, each of the image forming units 3, 3a, 3b, and 3c can be modified to a structure in which the recording paper transport portion is omitted. In Figure 1J, Figure 1
As a modification of the first imaging unit 3 shown in FIG. In FIG. 1L, the imaging unit 3a' is a seventh imaging unit 3b' as a modification of the third imaging unit 3b in FIG. 1G, and in FIGS. An eighth image forming unit 3c' is provided as a modification of the fourth image forming unit 3c.

The external appearance of each of the above-mentioned structural units can be constructed as schematically shown in FIG.

FIG. 2A shows the transport unit 6, which includes an upper paper discharge tray 6a and a side paper discharge tray 6b for discharging recording paper.
It is possible to switch the discharge of recording paper between the upper paper discharge tray 6a and the horizontal paper discharge tray 6b.

FIG. 2B shows a conveying and fixing unit 6', which is an integral structure of the conveying unit 6 and fixing unit 4 of FIG. 2A. The upper paper discharge tray 6a and the lateral paper discharge tray 6b can be formed similarly to the transport unit 6.

FIG. 2C shows the fixing unit 4, FIG. 2D shows the first image forming unit 3 or the second image forming unit 3a,
FIG. 2E shows the image forming body 3 as a modification of the image forming units 3 and 3a.
An example is shown in which the image forming unit 3' and the conveying section 3'' are separable.The image forming body 3' can be used as the fifth image forming unit 3' such as the example shown in FIG. 1J.Each image forming unit 3b, 3c can also be configured to be divisible in the same way.

FIG. 2F shows the base unit 1 and paper feed unit 2.
An example is shown in which these are integrated.

FIG. 2G shows the writing unit 5, which includes a rotating polygon mirror for scanning a He-Ne laser or a semiconductor laser, and a rotating polygon mirror for scanning a He-Ne laser or a semiconductor laser, and a laser beam for turning on and off by AO modulation.
A member for FF control, an fθ lens, a reflection mirror, etc. are incorporated, and the laser light emitted from the exit opening 5a of the case of the writing unit 5 passes through the third image forming unit 3b, as shown by the arrow.
It is introduced into the fourth image forming unit 3c.

While FIG. 2G shows a writing unit that is individually attached to each image forming unit, as shown in FIG. 1I, it is configured as one writing unit 5' that can be used in common for a plurality of image forming units. The result is shown in Figure 2H. In the writing unit 5', a plurality of openings 5a can be provided so that laser light can be emitted at positions corresponding to each image forming unit.

An example of a more detailed structure of each unit will be explained.

The base unit 1 has a case 11 provided with a paper feed port 12 as shown in FIG. A substrate 13 and a drive motor 14 forming a circuit of a drive system for moving the system within the image forming unit, and a mechanical drive device 15 for transmitting the driving force of the drive motor 14 to the image forming unit 3 are stored. .

The mechanical drive device 15 is provided with, for example, a first bevel gear 16a, and the first bevel gear 16a is provided with, for example, a bevel gear provided in the image forming unit 3 placed on the base unit 1. It meshes with gear 17. The second bevel gear 16b meshes with a bevel gear provided in the image forming unit 3 further above.

In the image forming unit, the bevel gear 17 is connected to the transmission shaft 1.
8, and from the transmission shaft 18 through an acceleration/deceleration mechanism 19 including a combination of a worm 19a, a worm gear 19b, other mechanisms, and a transmission ON/OFF mechanism 19c such as a clutch or solenoid, each rotation of a roller, etc. communicated.

Similarly to the base unit 1, each of the image forming units 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, etc. also has a transmission shaft 15b connectable to the transmission shaft 15a for transmitting drive to the image forming unit placed above. A bevel gear 16b and the like are provided on the transmission shaft.

The above example is just one example, and any structure can be used as long as it is capable of transmitting drive from one unit to another.

As the image forming unit 3, an image forming unit 1a shown in FIG. 4 is used as an example of a powder developing system. The 1a-th image forming unit 3A has one case 21, and a paper feed port 22 and a paper discharge port 23 are formed in the case 21.

In the case of the thermomagnetic writing method, there is a heating roller 24 in the middle of a substantially linear paper path that enters from the paper feed port 22 and exits from the paper discharge port 23, and a pressure roller 2 that is pressed against the heating roller.
5 and 5 are arranged.

A latent image belt 27 is wound around the heating roller 24 and the tension roller 26. As the latent image belt, for example, a magnetic belt (for example, made of a magnetic material containing CoO2) is used. The latent image belt 27 is driven in the direction of the arrow, and an image forming process is performed by a writing head 28, a developing device 29, a cleaner 30, and an eraser 31 arranged along the traveling path of the latent image belt 27. That is, the write head 28 is activated by the write signal from the base unit 1.
records an image latent image on the latent image belt 27, and develops the latent image with the developing roller 29a of the developing device 29 to make it visible,
The developed image is transferred to the recording paper 32 passing between the heating roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 and fixed at the same time. After the transfer, residual developer is removed from the latent image belt 27 by a cleaner, and the latent image is erased by an eraser 31. In order to prevent the latent image belt 27 and other parts from being heated unnecessarily due to the heat from the heating roller 24, a heat insulating member 33 is provided next to the heating roller 24, and a heat insulating member 33 is provided next to the heating roller 24, and a heat insulating member 33 is provided to cool the latent image belt 27. A heat radiation member 34 is arranged.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the heating roller 24, the pressure roller 25, the tension roller 26, and the developing roller 29a can constitute a flat unit by arranging their respective central axes within substantially the same plane. In this case, it is advantageous for the container of the developing device 29 to also be constructed as a thin container extending along the plane in which the rollers are arranged.

The image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1A can be formed by the base unit 1 and the 1a-th image forming unit 3A. A recess 21a used as a paper ejection tray is formed on the upper surface of the case 21 of the 1a-th image forming unit 3A.

When it is desired to use a black image and a monochromatic color image by appropriately switching between them, as shown in FIG. 1E, a plurality of the same 1a image forming devices 3A are stacked one on top of the other, and one is loaded with black developer and the other is loaded with black developer. can meet the demand by accommodating developers of respective colors.

In FIG. 4, during image formation, the recording paper 32 fed by the paper feed roller 2a from the paper feed cassette 2 in the base unit 1 disposed below the 1a image forming unit 3A is transferred to the 1a image forming unit 3A. The paper is fed from the paper feed inlet 22 of the image forming unit 3A, transferred and fixed by the heating roller 24, and then sent to the paper discharge port 2.
The paper is ejected from 3. In the case of one 1a image forming unit 3A, the ejected recording paper is immediately accommodated in the recess 21a,
When two or more 1a-th image forming units 3A are stacked, the paper is passed up to the uppermost image forming unit and then ejected. When a plurality of 1a image forming units 3A are used in a stacked manner, the desired 1a image forming unit 3A is operated to form an image, and the other 1a image forming units 3A are not formed. There is a need. For this purpose, it is preferable that either or both of the pressure roller 25 and the heating roller 24 be moved to release the pressed state and prevent transfer from occurring.

When the image forming method is a thermal transfer method, the image forming unit 3 may be, for example, the 1b image forming unit 3B shown in FIG. The 1b image forming unit 3B has a case 41 provided with a paper feed port 42 and a paper discharge port 43.
has.

A printing position is provided by a thermal head 44 capable of printing one line on a substantially linear paper path from a paper feed port 42 to a paper discharge port 43, and a back roller 45 facing the thermal head 44. The ink ribbon 46 is arranged so that it can move between the recording paper being passed and the thermal head 44 in the same direction as the recording paper. Ink ribbon 46
is sent out from the supply roll 47, guided to the printing position by the first direction change roller 48 and second direction change roller 49, guided to the take-up roll 51 by the third direction change roller 50, and wound up.

The thermal head 44, the back roller 45, the supply roll 47, and the take-up roll 51 are arranged so that their respective axes lie substantially in the same plane, allowing the case 41 to be formed flat. Inside the case 41, as necessary,
Two pairs of transport rollers 52 and 53 are arranged in the paper passage.

The recording paper to be ejected from the paper ejection port 43 is placed in the case 4.
A switching claw 54 is used to switch between directing the paper to the recess 41a for the paper ejection tray provided in 1 and ejecting the paper to the left in the figure.
can be provided. By tilting the switching claw 54 to the right or left, the paper ejection direction can be switched. In order to direct the recording paper to the paper feed port of the image forming unit disposed above, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the center of rotation of the switching claw 54 is moved. The switching claw 54 is case 2 in Fig. 4.
1 can be provided in exactly the same manner.

The thermal head 44 has a printing position where it presses the recording paper against the back roller 45 as shown by the arrow to print.
It is formed to be movable between a standby position away from the back roller 45. For color image formation, a plurality of 1b image forming units 3B each having an ink ribbon of a desired color as the ink ribbon 46 are arranged, thereby making it possible to perform color switching printing.

In the case of the inkjet image forming method, the image forming unit 3 may be, for example, a 1c image forming unit 3C shown in FIG.

The 1c image forming unit 3C has a case 61 provided with a paper feed port 62 and a paper discharge port 63. A recording head 6 is installed in a substantially linear paper path from a paper feed port 62 to a paper discharge port 63.
4 printing positions are provided. A platen 65 and an ink absorber 66 are provided opposite the recording head 64.

An ink tank 67 is detachably attached to the recording head 64, and in response to an image information signal from the base unit 1, the recording head 64 jets ink to print on recording paper. A recording head 64, a platen 65, an ink absorber 66, and an ink tank 67 are arranged in a line, and the case 61 can be formed flat. case 61
A pair of conveying rollers 68 and 69 are arranged therein as required.

A recess 61 a is formed in the case 61 and forms a paper discharge tray for receiving recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port 63 . The paper discharge port 63 can also be provided with a switching claw as in the example shown in FIG.

By selecting the color of the ink stored in the ink tank 67, a plurality of 1c image forming units 3C are arranged one on top of the other, and the image forming unit that actually performs image formation according to the recording color is separated from the base unit 1. It can be selected by the command.

Inkjet image forming methods include Gould type, bulb jet type, on-demand type such as slit jet, pressurized vibration method, charge amount control type, etc.; It can be housed in a case to form a single unit. An on-demand type is advantageous in order to make the image forming unit compact.

There are other image forming methods such as an electrophotographic method, a thermal method, and a wire dot method, but each method is stored in a case in a form similar to the above examples to form one image forming unit. can do. Explanation using drawings will be omitted here.

In addition to the above-mentioned components, each image forming unit can house a cooling fan, a detection device or circuit for good image forming, a solenoid, a small motor, etc., as necessary.

When constructing an image recording apparatus, an image forming unit 3 is stacked on a base unit 1 as shown in FIG. 1A. If necessary, another image forming unit may be superimposed on the image forming unit 3 as shown in FIG. 1E.

When stacking, it is necessary to align and fixedly connect the base unit 1 and the image forming unit 3 and between each image forming unit 3, and to connect the mechanical system and the electrical system. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the unit cases 11, 21, 41, 6
(In FIG. 7, the base unit 11 is shown as an example.) On the top surface is a first joint 8 for connecting with a unit placed on the top.
The first and second joints 82, the drive system connection port 83 for connecting the mechanical drive system, the electrical system high voltage connector 84, the electrical system signal connector 85, the third joint 86, and the fourth joint 87 are located at the same position for each unit. are provided in the same format. Each of these parts is also provided on the top surface of the image forming unit.

Cases 21, 41, 61 of each image forming unit
(Hereinafter, only 21 will be explained as a representative).
As shown in FIG.
', 82', 86', 87', and although not shown, a drive system connection port 83', an electrical system high voltage connector 84', and an electrical system signal connector 85' are formed.

[0058] Third joint 86 and fourth joint 8
A specific example of 7 is shown in FIG. Base unit 1
On the upper surface of the case 11 of the case 11 and the case 21 of each image forming unit, flat support members 86b and 87b, which are rotatably supported by support shafts 86a and 87a as joints 86 and 87, are attached to the upper surfaces of the case 11 and the case 21 of each image forming unit. It is held open by θ. A supporting member 8 is provided in the case 21 of the imaging unit as a member facing the third joint 86 and the fourth joint 87.
The sockets into which 6a and 87a are inserted are joints 86',
87'.

When placing the image forming unit 3 on the base unit 1, the supporting members 86a and 87a are inserted obliquely into the joints 86' and 87' which are sockets, and the image forming unit 3 is tilted and placed on the base unit 1. . The base unit 1 includes a pin 81a as a first joint 81 and a second joint 82.
hooks 81b rotatably supported by 82a,
Joints 81' and 82' formed as engagement holes (or engagement pins) into which 82b engages are provided, respectively. Since the hooks 81b and 82b are held in the engagement position by springs or the like, when the imaging unit case (for example, 21) is placed on the base 1, the hooks 81b and 82b automatically close the engagement holes 81' and 82b. 82'. When releasing the engagement, use appropriate means such as pins 81c and 82c to release the hook 81.
b, 82b to release the engagement with the engagement holes 81', 82'. Since only one example of the joint is shown, any type of joint can be used as long as it can connect and lock the image forming units or the image forming unit and the base unit.

The third and fourth joints 86 and 87 can be provided not only on the case 11 of the base unit 1 but also on the upper surface of the case 21 of each image forming unit. A circuit constituting a control device as shown in FIG. 9 is formed on the substrate 13 (FIG. 3) in the base unit 1. In FIG. 9, the AC power input supplies AC input from the power cord to the interior of the base. A low voltage DC power supply provides DC power to each electrical circuit board and motor. The control unit drives the entire apparatus and controls image signals to the image forming unit.

The display device is a device that displays the operating status of the substrate and the image forming unit to the operator.

The operation switch is set in accordance with the image forming unit to perform manual operation or detect (read) characteristics of the image forming unit.

For image processing and memory control, image signals are transmitted to the thermal head or inkjet drive circuit in the image forming unit.

The motor and solenoid control the operation of the image forming unit.

[0065] a to e indicate input/output of electric signals. a supplies DC voltage to the electrical circuit within the imaging unit. b sends operating signals for solenoids within the same unit. c receives signals from sensors from within the image forming unit. d transmits an image signal. e is a connector to be connected to a falsimile, scanner, or word processor.

[0066] a to d are composed of centronics. e
is configured with RS-232C. A indicates a rotation shaft that transmits the rotational drive of the motor to the image forming unit.

[0067] In principle, each image forming unit is not provided with a driving source or a control device, but inside the image forming unit there are a cooling fan, a detection device and circuit, a solenoid, and a circuit for performing image forming properly. A small motor etc. may be incorporated.

For color image formation, a plurality of image forming units 3 of the same type of image forming method are stacked on the base unit 1, as shown in FIG. 1E. The number of layers to be stacked is determined by the number of colors to be imaged. On the recording paper fed from the base unit 1, an image of one color is formed by the first image forming unit 3, and an image of another color can be superimposed and formed by the next image forming unit 3.

When forming a full color image, three or four
It is necessary to stack two imaging units. In this case, the paper ejection direction can be selected by switching the paper ejection of the uppermost image forming unit, and the switching of the switching claws of the intermediate image forming units is selected so that the paper passes vertically.

Paper can be fed not only from the cassette but also manually from the outside.

When a plurality of image forming units 3 are placed one on top of the other on the base unit 1 to form a color image, as shown above, the recording paper is placed between the conveying rollers (for example, 35 , 36, 52, 53, 68, 69
If the recording paper is sagged or bent when being transported by a transporting means such as (e.g.), the image quality may deteriorate due to color shift in the image.

In order to solve this problem, it is convenient to transport the recording paper by a common transport means for a plurality of image forming units.

In order to enable conveyance by such a common conveyance means, the 1a image forming unit 3A, the 1b image forming unit 3B and the 1c image forming unit 3C are arranged as shown in FIG.
At the position shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 5 and 6, the image forming body including the image forming means and the conveying means, that is, the conveying roller 35
, 36 and the pressure roller 25 or the transport rollers 52 and 53 and the back roller 45 or the transport rollers 68 and 69, and a transport section that includes the platen 65 and the ink container 66.

As shown in FIG. 1E, in an image recording apparatus in which a plurality of first image forming units 3 are stacked, the transport unit 6 is arranged so as to close the opening 37 of the main body case 21', as shown in FIG. do. That is, the base unit 1 and the image forming units 3a', 3b', or 3c' are arranged side by side, and the transport unit 6 is attached so as to bridge between the base unit and the image forming units and between each image forming unit. For example, the transport unit 6 is attached to the image forming body 21' of the first image forming unit 3.

In the 1d image forming unit 3D shown in FIG. 10, the latent image belt 27 is wound around the first roller 24' and the tension roller 26'. A photosensitive belt is used as the latent image belt. The latent image belt 27 is driven in the direction of the arrow,
Image forming processing is performed by a primary charging roller 34', a writing optical system 28, a developing device 29, a cleaner 30, and an eraser 31, which are arranged along the running path of the latent image belt 27. That is, it is uniformly charged by the primary charging roller 34',
The writing optical system 2 is activated by the writing signal from the base unit 1.
8. For example, an LED array is driven to record a latent image on the latent image belt 27, and the latent image is developed and visualized by the developing roller (or sleeve) 29a of the developing device 29, and the developed image is Transfer roller 2 facing roller 24'
The image is transferred onto the recording paper 32 passing between the recording paper 5' and the recording paper 32. The recording paper 32 is sent out by the paper feed roller 2a from the paper feed cassette 2 of the base unit 1, and is transported by the transport unit 6. After the transfer, residual developer is removed from the latent image belt 27 by a cleaner 30, and residual charges are erased by an eraser 31. The latent image belt 27 can also be made of a dielectric belt or ferroelectric material on which a latent image can be formed using a stylus or a thermal head.

Each of the transfer rollers 25' can be connected to an independent power source that generates an electric field necessary for transferring the developer particles. A common power source may be used if necessary.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the first roller 24', the tension roller 26', and the developing roller 29a can constitute a flat unit by arranging their respective central axes within substantially the same plane. In this case, it is advantageous for the container of the developing device 29 to also be constructed as a thin container extending along the plane in which the rollers are arranged.

[0078] When it is desired to use a black image and a monochromatic color image by appropriately switching between them, or when it is desired to form a multicolor image, one image forming unit uses a black developer, and the other units use a multicolor developer for each color. In this case, the demand can be met by storing developers of colors corresponding to the separated colors, for example, three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, or four colors including black if necessary.

As shown in FIG. 11, the conveying unit 6 has a case 91, a driving roller 92 and a driven roller 93 arranged inside the case 91. A conveyor belt 94 is wound around the drive roller 92 and the driven roller 93. Although the drive motor that drives the drive roller 92 is not shown, the case 91
can be placed within.

Driven roller 93 with conveyor belt 94 in between
A potential forming roller 95 is rotatably supported opposite to. The potential forming roller 95 is connected to a potential forming power source 96. The driven roller 93 is grounded.

The conveyor belt 94 is formed as a dielectric sheet, and a voltage is applied by a potential forming roller 95 to form a pattern convenient for attracting and conveying the recording paper, such as a striped or checkered pattern with positive and negative potentials. A potential is formed.

The conveyor belt 94 is guided by a guide roller 97 between the drive roller 92 and the driven roller 93. Each guide roller 97 can have a structure that also serves as the back roller 45 in the 1b image forming unit 3B. The platen 65 and ink absorber 66 in the 1c image forming unit 3C are arranged in the case 91 of the transport unit 6, and the recording heads 44, 64 of each image forming unit 3B, 3C are
It is also possible to arrange them so that they face each other.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the recording paper 32 fed out of the paper feed cassette 2 by the paper feed roller 2a is attracted to a conveyor belt 94 with a potential formed by a paper feed roller 95, and is conveyed to each image forming unit. 3A, 3B, 3C
, 3D recording positions, images are sequentially formed on the recording paper 32. When the guide rollers 97 are also used as the transfer rollers 25', the image is transferred from the latent image belt 27 while the recording paper 32 is pressed against each guide roller 97.

The recording paper 32 is attracted and conveyed by the conveyor belt 94, passes through a plurality of image forming units, and images are sequentially formed on the recording paper, thereby preventing misalignment of the recording paper and color misregistration.

The recording paper on which image formation by all the image forming units has been completed is separated from the conveyor belt 94 by the separation claw 98, and is ejected to the upper paper discharge tray 6a or to the side paper discharge tray 6b by switching the switching claw 99. The paper is ejected. The upper paper discharge tray 6a and the horizontal paper discharge tray 6b can be fixed to the case 91 or can be formed integrally with the case 91. The upper end of the case 91 is covered by a cover 100.

When the image forming unit 3 uses a powder developer as shown in FIG. 4 or 10, fixing is required. Although a fixing device can be provided in each image forming unit, in many cases, the image is fixed after the transfer of all the image forming units 3 is completed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to use a transport fixing unit 6' in which the transport unit 6 and the fixing unit 4 are integrated.

The transport fixing unit 6' has a fixing device 105 (corresponding to the fixing unit 4 in FIGS. 1 and 2) integrally provided on the transport unit 6 shown in FIG. 12. Portions of the transport unit that are the same as or correspond to the transport unit shown in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The conveyor belt 94 is guided by a guide roller 97 between the drive roller 92 and the driven roller 93. Each guide roller 97 can have a structure that also serves as the transfer roller 25' in the 1d image forming unit 3D.

A power source for applying voltage to the transfer roller can also be built into the case 91. The drive motor and various power supplies are controlled by the CPU within the base unit 1.

In FIGS. 10 and 12, the paper feed cassette 2
The recording paper 32 fed by the paper feed roller 2a is transferred to a conveyor belt 94 whose potential is formed by a potential forming roller 95.
The latent image belt 27 sequentially transfers the image onto the recording paper at the transfer position of the 1d image forming unit 3D. When the guide roller 97 is also used as the transfer roller 25', each guide roller 97 connects the conveyor belt 2 to the first roller 24' in the respective 1d image forming unit 3D.
7 and the recording paper 32 are arranged so as to be in pressure contact with the latent image belt 27.

The recording paper 32 that has been transferred by all the 1d image forming units 3D is separated from the conveyor belt 94 by the curvature of the drive roller 92 and the separation claw 98, and is fixed by the fixing device 105 provided in the case 91. , outlet 1
It will be discharged from 08. Although the example shown in FIG. 12 constitutes a transport fixing unit in which the fixing device 105 is integrated into the transport unit 6, the fixing device may be assembled into the transport unit 6 as a separate unit.

After the recording paper has been separated, the conveyor belt 94 is cleaned by a cleaner 101 having a cleaning blade 102, and is destaticized by a static eliminating roller 103 or a static neutralizing brush, so that the electrostatic potential is made uniform, and the potential is formed again. The process from forming the potential by the roller 95 is repeated.

The cleaner 101 includes a container 1 for storing toner, paper powder, etc. removed by the cleaning blade 102.
04 can be provided.

A switching claw 109 is provided at the discharge port 108 of the fixing device 105, and the upper paper discharge tray 6a and the horizontal paper discharge tray 6b are integrated in the case 91 as shown in FIG. 1K or as shown in FIG. Or, if the recording paper 32 is made removable, the recording paper 32 is ejected to the upper paper ejection tray 6a or the side paper ejection tray 6b.
Switch whether or not to discharge.

The fixing device 105 is provided with a heat fixing roller 106 and a pressure roller 107, as shown in the figure, for example.

The conveyor belt 94 is preset to an appropriate length so that it can be applied even when a large number of image forming units such as three or four stages are stacked, and when only one image forming unit is used, A part of the conveyor belt can also be used only for conveying the recording paper without facing the image forming unit. In order to avoid wastefully transporting the recording paper more than necessary, the attachment state of the transport unit 6 to the base unit 1 can be changed depending on the number of image forming units 3. For this reason, Figure 1
3, a guide rod 11a is attached to the case 11 of the base unit 1, and a guide member such as a slide ball bearing 91c provided in the case 91 of the transport unit 6 and fixing transport unit 6' is engaged with the guide rod 11a. Then, the transport unit 6 and the fixing transport unit 6' are vertically slidably guided. When a plurality of image forming units, for example two or three, are stacked, an upper paper ejection tray 6 is fixed to or integrally formed with the case 91 of the transport unit 6 and the fixing transport unit 6'.
a is placed on top of the uppermost image forming unit 3, and when only one image forming unit is stacked, a stopper (
(not shown), and the cases 91 of the transport unit 6 and the fixing transport unit 6' are held in a state in which they do not protrude below the case 11 of the base unit 1.

As shown in FIG.
A guide member 91c that is slidably attached to a guide rod 11a provided in the guide member 91c, for example, a movable case 91b whose lower part is rotatably supported by a stationary case 91a to which a slide ball bearing is fixed. Can be done. In this example, the movable case 91b is rotatably supported around the axis of a driven roller 93, and includes a drive roller 92, a motor that drives the drive roller 92, a conveyor belt 94, a guide roller 97, a cleaning blade 102, and a cleaner 101.
, the destaticizing roller 103, and the container 104 are supported by the movable case 91b and tilt together with the movable case 91b.

The fixing device 105 and the switching claw 98 are provided in the stationary case 91a.

When the movable case 91b is set to the operating position as shown by the broken line, the guide roller 97 is moved to the first roller 2 used as a transfer roller of each image forming unit 3.
4' via the latent image belt 27.

[0100] When a jam occurs in the recording paper during conveyance or when it is to be inspected, the movable case 91b is tilted and opened to the state shown by the solid line.

[0101] It is convenient if a handle is provided in order to easily open and close the movable case 91b.

Contrary to the illustrated example, it is also possible to form the movable case 92b so as to be rotatable around the axis of the drive roller 92 so that the lower part of the transport unit 6 can be opened.

By configuring the movable case 92b of the transport unit 6 so that it can be opened and closed, only the tip of the transport belt 94 can be caught during transport (arrow 1), at the exit of the paper feed cassette 2 (arrow 2), or by the fixing roller 106. This makes it easier to remove jammed paper in the state (arrow 3).

In FIG. 14, the 1d image forming unit 3D' shown as an example of the image forming unit 3 has an image forming component floating in a case 21', as shown in FIG. 14A. movably housed in. When the image forming members are accommodated in a floating manner, it is not necessary to accommodate all the constituent members in a floating manner, and in particular, members that require high positional accuracy in relation to image formation on recording paper are accommodated in a floating manner. It is also possible for the imaging component to be associated with a support member 111 which can be accommodated in a floating manner, i.e. freely movable in all directions. A developing device 29 having electrophotographic image forming components such as a first roller 24', a tension roller 26', an initialization unit 34', a static eliminating/charging member, a writing member 28, and a developing roller 29a is mounted on the support member 111. A cleaner 30 and the like are attached, and a latent image belt 27 is wound around the first roller 24' and the tension roller 26'. In order to prevent rattling noise between the case 21' and the support member 111, for example, a cushioning material or the like is inserted between the case 21' and the support member 111.

The case 21' is arranged so that a part of the image forming component or a part of the support member 111 can be exposed outside the case 21'.
An opening 112 is formed at a required position, and a positioning means 113 is formed at a position corresponding to the opening 112 in the imaging component or support member 111 (only the support member will be described below). The positioning means 113 is provided to position the supporting members 111 of adjacent image forming units, and is composed of a recess (concave portion) and a convex portion (convex portion) that fit into each other. For ease of distinction, the concave portion is indicated by 113a, and the convex portion is indicated by 113b. In order to facilitate the positioning action, the positioning means 113 as a recess 113a has a protruding arm 1 projecting from the opening 112 to the outside of the case 111.
11a.

The end of the image forming unit 3, for example, the 1d image forming unit 3D' adjacent to the transport unit 6 is connected to the case 21.
cover 11 supported by a shaft 114 to be movable to open and close.
5 so that it can be opened and closed. When mounting on the transport unit 6, the cover 115 is opened to expose the first roller 24' as shown in FIG. 14A.

When removed from the transport unit 6 and carried, the cover 115 is closed as shown in FIG. 14B, so that the first roller 24' is isolated from the outside. cover 11
5 has a shaft fixing recess 11 that fits into the shaft 24'a of the first roller 24' when closed and fixes the position of the first roller 24'.
6 is formed. An avoidance hole 117 is formed in the case 21' as necessary to prevent the shaft fixing recess 116 from hitting each other when the image forming units 3 are stacked one on top of the other.

FIG. 15 shows an arrangement in which the image forming units 3 shown in FIG. 14 are arranged so as to overlap the base unit 1, and the ends of each image forming unit 3 are assembled to be joined to the transport fixing unit 6'. Indicates the condition. The case 11 of the base unit 1 is also formed with positioning means that engages with the positioning means 113 of the image forming unit 3, such as a positioning recess 113a. Although not shown, a paper feed cassette is attached to the base unit 1 and is configured to be able to feed recording paper. Although the figure shows the transport fixing unit 6', the transport unit 6 may also be used.

The base unit 1 and the transport fixing unit 6' are integrally formed as one L-shaped unit. In this case, the conveying and fixing unit 6' can be configured to be detachable from the base unit 1, and can also be formed separately from the base unit 1 and arranged in an L-shape.

[0110] The image is transferred by the first roller 24' of each image forming unit 3 onto the recording paper transported by the transport belt 94 as a transport means of the transport fixing unit 6'. , pressure roller 92
It is fixed between the two and discharged. The pressure roller 92 is also used as a roller around which the conveyor belt 94 is wound, but it can also be constructed separately from the drive roller 92 of the conveyor belt 94, as in the example shown in FIG. The conveyor belt 94 is wound around the drive belt 92 and the driven belt 93. A transfer roller or the like is used during the transfer by the first roller 24', but is omitted in the figure.

Although the figure shows an example of the 1d image forming unit 3D' using an electrophotographic method, various image forming units such as a thermal transfer method and an ink jet method can also be positioned with the image forming component member or the support member 111 using the same technical idea. Associated configurations of means 113 can be formed. The same applies to the following examples.

[0112] By configuring as shown in Fig. 14, case 2
1' has nothing to do with positioning, so the support member 111
Assembling errors between the case 21' and the case 21' are prevented from affecting positioning, and positioning accuracy is improved.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the support member 111' is accommodated in the case 21' in a floating manner, and the support member 111'
In the example of the electrophotographic method, the first roller 24', the tension roller 26', and the initialization unit 3 are used as image forming components.
4', a writing member 28, a developing device 29 having a developing roller 29a, a cleaner 30, etc. are attached, and a latent image belt 27 is wound around the first roller 24' and the tension roller 26'.

From FIG. 16A showing a plan sectional view and FIG. 16C showing a front sectional view, a support pin 118 is provided on the end member of the supporting member 111' opposite to the first roller 24'.
It is engaged with a hole in the case 21'. 16A and FIG. 16B showing a left side view, both ends of the shaft 24'a of the first roller 24' are formed to be able to engage with the recess 119 of the case 21' with play, and the support member is attached to the case 21' at three points. 111'
is supported.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 17, the case 21' includes:
A cover 115 is releasably supported by a shaft 114, and as shown in FIG. 17A, the cover 115 is opened when attached to the transport fixing unit 6', and as shown in FIG. 17B, it is removed from the transport fixing unit 6' and transported. When doing so, cover 11
5 is closed. Shaft fixing recess 11 provided in cover 115
6 is fitted onto the shaft 24'a of the first roller 24', whereby the first roller 24' is fixed in position with respect to the case 21'.

FIG. 18 shows an example in which the 1d image forming unit 3D' shown in FIG. 17 is assembled to the base unit 1 and the transport fixing unit 6' formed in the same manner as in FIG. 15. Identical or corresponding parts of the base unit 1 and the conveying/fixing unit 6' are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0117] Naturally, the transport unit 6 can be used instead of the transport fixing unit 6'.

A pin 120 is formed on the conveyance fixing unit 6' as a mounting means, and a pin 120 is formed as a mounting means to attach the case 2 of the image forming unit 3D'.
A hook 121 is formed at 1'. When the hook 121 of the case 21' is hooked on the pin 120 and the state shifts from the tilted state to the horizontal state, the shaft 24'a of the first roller 24' of the 1d image forming unit 3D' is formed on the case of the transport fixing unit 6'. It engages with the recess 122 .

[0119] The recess 122 and the first
The shaft 24'a of the roller 24' constitutes a second positioning means, and positions the image forming unit 3 with respect to the conveying and fixing unit 6'. A plurality of recesses 12 of the transport fixing unit 6'
By forming the relative positions of the two image forming units 3 with high accuracy, the positioning of adjacent image forming units 3 becomes highly accurate. The position and attitude of the image forming unit 3 with respect to the transport fixing unit 6' are determined by the second positioning means and the attaching means. When the hook 121 of the attachment means is formed on the support member 111' instead of the case 21', the second positioning means is attached to the recessed member 12.
2 and shaft 24'a, and a pair of pin 120 and hook 121, higher accuracy can be ensured.

In the image forming unit shown in FIG. 17, a shaft fixing recess 116 is provided in the cover 115, and when the cover 115 is closed, the shaft of the first roller 24' is fixed to the case 21' by engaging with the shaft fixing recess 116. However, as shown in FIG. 19, the cover 115 is not provided with the shaft fixing recess 116, but has an elongated hole 124 that is deformed to perform a mere lid function and that engages with a pin 123 provided on the case 21'. Shaft fixing plate 1
25, and the shaft fixing plate 125 is provided with a shaft engaging recess 126 into which the shaft 24'a of the first roller 24' is fitted with almost no play. By engaging the shaft engagement recess 126 of the shaft fixing plate 125 with the shaft 24'a of the first roller 24', the first roller 24 as an image forming component is
' is fixed to the case 21'. Contrary to the diagram, a long hole 124 is formed in the case 21', and a pin 123 is formed in the shaft fixing plate 125.
It is also possible to provide

The shaft fixing plate 125 is biased by a spring or the like (not shown), and is given the habit of moving in the direction in which the shaft engaging recess 126 engages with the shaft 24'a of the first roller 24'. Other parts that are the same as or correspond to those in the example of FIG. 17 are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

When installing the image forming unit 3 shown in FIG. 19 on the transport unit 6 or the transport fixing unit 6', cover 1
15, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the case 2
1' or the hook 121 of the support member 111 is attached to the case of the transport unit 6 or the transport fixing unit 6'.
21, and rotates from the diagonal state shown above to the horizontal state shown below. When the shaft fixing plate 125 is initially hooked onto the hook 121 (the upper state in the figure), the shaft engaging recess 126 of the shaft fixing plate 125 is in a state engaged with the shaft 21'a.

When the case 21' is rotated around the pin 121, the end of the shaft fixing plate 125 comes into contact with the case of the transport unit 6 or the transport fixing unit 6', and the shaft is fixed by sliding between the pin 123 and the elongated hole 124. The fixing plate 125 moves relative to the case 21', the shaft engaging recess 126 separates from the shaft 24'a, and almost at the same time, the shaft 24'a moves as shown in the 1d image forming unit 3D' at the bottom of FIG. The shaft 24'a, ie, the first roller 24', is positioned by fitting into the recess 122 as a second positioning means.

[0124] When removing the case 21' on the contrary,
When the shaft 24'a is rotated around the shaft 20 and tilted, the shaft engaging recess 126 of the shaft fixing plate 125, which is moved by being pressed by a spring or the like, engages the shaft 24'a, which moves away from the recess 122, thereby fixing the shaft 24'a. state. Then attach the hook 121 to the pin 120
When removed from the holder, the 1d image forming unit 3D' can be removed and transported. Then, the cover 115 is closed and transported.

[0125] When the shaft 24'a engages with the shaft fixing recess 116 or the shaft engaging recess 126 of the shaft fixing plate 125, the first roller 24' and the support member 111, which are image forming components, are connected to the case 21'. The first state is a fixed state, and the axis 2
4'a is separated from the shaft fixing recess 116 and the shaft engaging recess 126, the case 21', the supporting member 111, and the first roller 24' are connected in a floating state with a degree of freedom. There are two states. The shaft fixing plate 125 having the shaft fixing recess 116 and the shaft engaging recess 126 acts as a fixed connection means for fixedly connecting the support member 111 as an image forming component to the case 21'.

In the example shown in FIG. 17, the support member 111 can be switched between the second floating state and the fixed first state in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover 115.

When removing the intermediate image forming unit in FIG. 21, the image forming unit immediately above the image forming unit to be removed is lifted and rotated, and tilted like the upper image forming unit in FIG. 20. At this time, the image forming unit further above is also lifted and tilted in the same manner.

Since a gap G is formed between the image forming unit to be pulled out and the upper tilted image forming unit, the lower image forming unit can be tilted and lifted to remove the hook 121 from the pin 120 and pulled out. . In this case, the distance G is set to be larger than the length H required to remove the hook 121 from the pin 120.

Even after one image forming unit has been pulled out, if you release your hand from the upper image forming unit, the upper image forming unit returns to a nearly horizontal position, and each image forming unit The unit is held in place in a substantially horizontal position.

The shaft fixing recess 116 provided in the cover 115 in the example of FIG. 14 is removed, and the shaft fixing plate 1 is
25 can also be provided. An example of this case is shown in FIG. Components that are the same as or correspond to those shown in FIGS. 14 and 19 are given the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

The difference between FIG. 22 and FIG. 14 is that the shaft fixing recess 116 is not provided in the cover 115, and a separate case 21' is provided.
The main feature is that a shaft fixing plate 125 is provided so as to be slidable on the shaft.

One image forming unit is positioned with respect to the base unit 1 by engagement of the positioning means 113 consisting of the recess 113a provided in the base unit 1 and the positioning means 113 consisting of the convex portion 113b of the 1d image forming unit 3D'. Set it in this state.

Until it is set, the support member 111 is engaged with the shaft 24'a and the shaft engagement recess 126 of the shaft fixing plate 125, as shown in the first image forming unit 3D' shown at the top of FIG. is in the first state where it is fixed to the case 21'.

Positioning means 11 near shaft fixing plate 125
A sector gear 127 is rotatably supported concentrically on the projection 113b of No. 3, and a pin 128 is fixed to the sector gear 127.

When the image forming unit 3 is set on the base unit 1 or another image forming unit 3, the concave portion 113b engages with the convex portion 113a, and during this engagement, the support member 11
The upper end surface of the first protruding arm 111a contacts the pin 128, and by pushing up the pin 118, the sector gear 127 is rotated clockwise in the figure. The sector gear 127 is attached to the shaft fixing plate 12
5, the shaft fixing plate 125 is moved to the right in the figure, leaving the shaft 24'a free. In this way, the support member 111 is switched from the first state, which is a fixed state, to the second state, which is a floating state.

[0136]

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, since the image forming component or the supporting member as a part of the image forming component performs a positioning function between the respective image forming units or between the base unit and the case, the case is not used for positioning. Therefore, accurate positioning is possible without the influence of assembly error between the case and the image forming unit. Therefore, when a large number of images are recorded in a superimposed manner by each image forming unit, a great effect is obtained in improving the image quality, especially in the case of color recording.

[0137] It is also possible to directly position each component that requires relative positioning with respect to each other without intervening a support member, and in that case, the accuracy is further improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to position the supporting member of the image forming unit with respect to the transport unit, and it is also possible to position the image forming units with each other at the same time as positioning with the transport unit, and to form an image on recording paper. Improved location accuracy.

[0139] According to the present invention, a fixed connection means is provided for fixedly connecting the image forming component or a support member supporting the image forming component to the case, and when the image forming member is installed in the recording apparatus, the image forming member is floating relative to the case. When removed from the recording device, the image forming member can be switched to a fixed connection state with the case using the fixed connection means, which allows for highly accurate positioning when installed and prevents the image forming member from wobbling relative to the case during transportation. Obtained. It is also possible to provide a fixed connection means on the cover and interlock it with the opening and closing of the cover.

According to the present invention, by stacking the image forming unit on the base unit or the image forming unit, the image forming component or supporting member is automatically switched between the fixed connection state and the floating state with respect to the case, thereby improving assembly operability. improves.

[0141] According to the present invention, by attaching and detaching the image forming unit to the transport unit, the image forming unit constituent members or supporting members are automatically switched between the fixed connection state and the floating state with respect to the case, and the assembly operation is performed. sex has improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and A to N are diagrams showing changes in the combination of each component unit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing disassembleable units of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, and A to H are diagrams showing respective units.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the base unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an imaging unit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an imaging unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another imaging unit embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the top surface of the base unit or the image forming unit.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state of connection between the base unit and the image forming unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing components within the base unit.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the image forming body and the conveyance section of the image forming unit.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the transport unit.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the transport fixing unit.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the transport fixing unit.

14A and 14B are cross-sectional views of the image forming unit, with A showing the state when installed and B showing the state when being transported.

15 is a schematic diagram of an image recording apparatus formed by combining the image forming units shown in FIG. 14. FIG.

FIG. 16 shows another example of the image forming unit, in which A is a plan sectional view, B is a left side sectional view, and C is a front sectional view.

FIG. 17 shows another example of the image forming unit, in which A is a cross-sectional view of the image forming unit when it is installed, and B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming unit when it is being transported.

18 is a schematic diagram of an image recording device formed by combining the image forming units shown in FIG. 17. FIG.

19 is a sectional view of a modification of the image forming unit of FIG. 17. FIG.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming unit of FIG. 19 in a state in which it is being installed.

21 is a schematic diagram of an image recording device formed by combining the image forming units shown in FIG. 19. FIG.

22 is a schematic diagram of an image recording device formed by combining modified examples of the image forming units shown in FIG. 14. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Base unit 3.3D' Imaging unit 6 Transport unit 6' Transport fixing unit 21′ case 111 Support member

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim 1: A base unit in which an electrical control device for controlling image information signals and the like is housed in one case and provided with a paper feeding device, and an image forming component that forms an image based on the image signal are housed in one case. multiple image forming units stored in the
a conveying unit in which a conveying means for conveying the recording paper to an image recording position by each image forming unit is housed in one case; an image forming component is floatingly housed in the case of the image forming unit; An image recording device characterized in that a part of an image forming member can be exposed outside the case. 2. The image forming component according to claim 1, wherein the image forming component includes a support member and a component supported by the support member, and a part of the support member is exposed outside the case. The image recording device described. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming member has positioning means that engages with an image forming member of an adjacent image forming unit. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming component has second positioning means that engages with the transport unit. 5. A fixed connecting means for fixedly connecting the image forming component housed in the case to the case, and the supporting member is configured to be switchable between a floating state and a fixedly connected state. The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A cover that can be opened and closed is provided on the surface of the case facing the conveyance means, and the fixed connection means is provided on the cover, and the operation is performed in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover when the case is attached to the conveyance unit. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming member is configured to be switchable from a floating state to a fixed connected state with respect to the case.