JPH0425708Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Field of industrial application) This invention is applicable to electrophotographic copying machines, facsimile machines,
This invention relates to a photoreceptor unit for an image device such as a printer.

(Prior Art) The image device uses an endless belt-shaped or cylindrical photoreceptor, and as the photoreceptor runs or rotates, predetermined processes are sequentially performed on the photoreceptor by various process units arranged around the photoreceptor. After the toner image thus formed is transferred to transfer paper, it is fixed to obtain a hard copy, but the photoreceptor surrounded by each of the process sections is removed for maintenance, inspection, etc. In order to facilitate this, it is made into a unit, and the main body of the imaging device is divided into two parts, an upper structure and a lower structure, which are pivotally connected at the rear edge and the front edge is shaped like an alligator mouth. It has been proposed that the opening is made to open in the opposite direction (Japanese Patent Application No. 59-62300).

In this conventional technology, among the process sections, the static elimination lamp, charger, light source, and exposure section are attached to the upper structure, and the developing unit, transfer charger, paper feeding device, and fixing device are attached to the lower structure. The photoreceptor and its support device are attached to a photoreceptor unit along with a cleaning device, and the photoreceptor unit is removably attached to the upper structure.

Therefore, when the upper and lower structures are opened in a crocodile-like manner, the photoreceptor unit moves upward with the upper structure, so that its lower surface is exposed. There is a transfer portion facing the transfer charger on the lower surface, and there is a wide area where a cover cannot be provided because the transfer paper and photoreceptor are in close contact with each other.

As a result, there is a risk that the photoreceptor may be damaged by touching the photoreceptor with a hand or foreign matter from the exposed portion.

Therefore, in the prior art, a removable cover is provided on the exposed portion, and when the photoreceptor unit is attached to the upper structure, the work is carried out with the cover attached, and after the work is completed, the cover is removed. This prevents damage to the photoreceptor.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the purpose can be achieved to some extent in the task of replacing a deteriorated photoreceptor, but it is not very useful in other tasks.

In other words, since the transfer area of the photoconductor is widely exposed when the upper structure is raised and opened, there is a possibility that it may be touched by hands, so it is necessary to remove the jam from the lower structure or clean the transfer charger. The danger is extremely high when performing such work.

Furthermore, when removing the photoreceptor unit and inspecting or cleaning each process section attached to the upper structure, there is a risk of damaging the photoreceptor inside the removed photoreceptor unit (replacement of deteriorated photoreceptors is not recommended). Even if it is damaged, there is no real harm and the new photoconductor is protected by a removable cover.)

Furthermore, there is a problem in that the cover becomes useless and long when the imaging apparatus is in use, and there is a risk that it may be lost.

(Structure and operation of the invention) The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes an upper structure on which a photoreceptor unit in which a photoreceptor is supported by a frame is removably attached, and an upper structure that In an electrophotographic image device, the lower structure is connected to be freely rotatable in the vertical direction, and the lower structure is provided with a transfer charger. A frame body having an opening formed at a position corresponding to the transfer portion, and a cover fixed to the frame body straddling the outside of the opening and having a window portion formed at a position corresponding to the transfer charger. A transfer paper passage is formed between the cover and the opening, and a portion of the photoreceptor extends from the opening into the passage.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given based on examples. The main body 1 consists of an upper structure 2 and a lower structure 3,
The rear edge of the upper structure 2 is connected to the lower structure 3 by a shaft 4.
It is pivoted on the rear edge of the. The upper structure 2 can therefore be open like a crocodile with respect to the lower structure 3 or closed as shown in FIG. A static elimination lamp 5, a charger 6, a light source 7, and an imaging element 8 are attached to the lower surface of the upper structure 2, and a developing unit 9 and a transfer charger 10 are attached to the lower structure 3.
is provided. A paper feed section 43 is provided below the developing unit 9, and the transfer paper 11 set there is transferred to the paper feed roller 12 and the transport separation roller 1.
3. It moves along a path D that passes above the transfer charger 10 via the registration roller 14, and then reaches the discharge tray 17 via the conveyance roller 15 and the fixing unit 16.

On both side walls 18 of the upper structure 2, rails 19 having a U-shaped cross section are pivotally supported at their rear ends by shafts 20. The rail 19 can be rotated within a predetermined range (FIG. 2 shows the lower limit) in the directions of arrows B and B', and can be locked in a snap-like manner at its upper limit position. 44 is a photoreceptor unit equipped with a protrusion 26 that fits into the rail 19, and is equipped with an endless belt-shaped photoreceptor 29, and is attached to the upper structure 2 by inserting it as shown by arrow C. (See also Figure 4).

Details of photoreceptor unit 44 are shown in FIG. The photoreceptor unit 44 is divided into a lower case 25, which is a frame main body, and an upper cover 32, and the lower case 25 has an endless belt shaped like a triangle stretched between pulleys 21, 22 and a tension pulley 23. A running section 45 for the photoreceptor 29 and a cleaning section 31 are provided. The tension pulley 23 is supported by a triangular lever 28 that rotates about a shaft 27 of the pulley 22 as a fulcrum. By fixing the upper cover 32 to the lower case 25 as shown, the spring 42 provided on the upper cover 32
presses down on the lug 41 of the lever 28 and urges it in the direction of arrow E, so the tension pulley 23 moves toward the photoconductor 2.
Give tension to 9. A cleaning blade 30 is elastically attached to the upper cover 32, and the cleaning blade 30 comes into pressure contact with the photoreceptor 29 on the pulley 22 to perform cleaning. The toner collected by this cleaning is stored in the cleaning section 31.

Photoconductor unit 4 attached to the structure 2
4 is connected to the charger 6, image forming element 8, etc. by rotating the rail 19 in the directions of arrows B and B', and by lowering and locking the upper structure 2, as shown in FIG. The developing unit 9 and the transfer charger 10 face the photoreceptor 29 in the usage state shown in FIG. Transfer paper 11 fed from paper feed section 43
The toner image is transferred to the transfer section A through the path D, fixed by the fixing unit 16, and discharged onto the discharge tray 17.

The photoreceptor 29 in the photoreceptor unit 44 is almost covered at its upper surface by the upper cover 32 and at its lower surface by the bottom wall 24 of the lower case 25. An opening 46 is formed at a position corresponding to .

In the transfer section A, the transfer paper 11 fed from the paper feed section 43 through the path D gradually approaches the photoreceptor 29, runs parallel to it, comes into close contact with it, and is subjected to the action of the transfer charger 10. Since it is separated from the photoreceptor 29 at the tension pulley 23, the photoreceptor 29 is widely exposed from the bottom wall 24 of the lower case 25.

However, in the present invention, a cover 40 is provided across the transfer paper path D outside the opening 46 of the lower case 25, and both edges of the cover 40 are fixed to the bottom of the lower case 25. It overlaps with 24 with a sufficient distance. Further, the outlet portion 39 is sufficiently extended. Since a window 38 is provided at a position of the cover 40 facing the transfer charger 10 to a size that does not impede its operation, the transfer charger 10 can directly act on the transfer paper 11 on the photoreceptor 29. The cover 40 further includes wall-like legs 36 and 37 that project downward.

These legs 36 and 37 are attached to the removed photoconductor unit 4.
4 when placed outside, and acts to prevent damage to the photoreceptor 29 even if the mounting surface has some unevenness, and also prevents foreign objects from approaching the photoreceptor 29 from the window 38. It also plays a role.

The cover 40 prevents the photoreceptor 29 from being exposed in the transfer section A, but its installation position is in the path D.
Since the transfer paper 11 straddles the area, there is no problem in passing the transfer paper 11.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the present invention is implemented using a drum-shaped photoreceptor 50. The photoreceptor unit 35 is also equipped with a cleaning unit 33, and the bottom wall/cover 51 faces the photoreceptor 50 with a passage D in between, and is provided with a window 38 for the transfer charger 10. In this example as well, leg 3
6 and 37 are provided and cooperate with the legs 34 to support the photoreceptor unit 35.

(Effects) As described above, the present invention consists of an upper structure on which a photoreceptor unit in which a photoreceptor is supported by a frame is removably attached, and a lower part to which the upper structure is connected so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. In an electrophotographic image device comprising a structure and a transfer charger disposed in the lower structure, a photoreceptor and an opening that supports the photoreceptor and is formed at a position corresponding to the transfer portion of the photoreceptor. and a cover fixed to the frame main body across the outside of the opening and provided with a window at a position corresponding to the transfer charger, between the cover and the opening. A passage for the transfer paper is formed in the opening, and a portion of the photoconductor protrudes from the opening into the passage, so the photoconductor is widely exposed from the bottom wall of the lower case, so the transfer paper is in close contact with the photoconductor. In addition, when the upper structure is opened, the photoreceptor is not exposed to the outside, and damage to the photoreceptor can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a photoconductor unit as a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of a copying machine equipped with the photoconductor unit in an open state, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a copying machine in a closed state. Figure 4 is - of Figure 3.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 10...Transfer charger, 24...Bottom wall, 2
5... lower case, 29, 50... photoreceptor, 35,
44...Photoconductor unit, 36, 37...Legs, 4
0...cover, 47...opening, 51...bottom wall/cover, A...transfer section, D...passage.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] It consists of an upper structure on which a photoreceptor unit with a photoreceptor supported by a frame is removably mounted, and a lower structure to which the upper structure is connected so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. In an electrophotographic imaging device equipped with a transfer charger,
a photoconductor, a frame body supporting the photoconductor and having an opening formed at a position corresponding to the transfer portion of the photoconductor, and a transfer charger fixed to the frame body across the outside of the opening; a cover provided with a window at a position corresponding to the opening, a passage for transfer paper is formed between the cover and the opening, and a part of the photoreceptor extends from the opening into the passage. A photoreceptor unit for an electrophotographic imaging device, characterized in that: