JPH0562333B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus which is modularized and records images on recording paper using an electrophotographic process.

[Prior Art] Image recording devices using conventional electrophotographic processes are designed based on fixed specifications for each model and are provided as products. In the process of designing and producing a large number of models, standardization of technology and common parts have progressed, but each model is fundamentally different. For manufacturers, this means that an increase in the number of new products means an increase in the number of parts that need to be managed for after-sales service, etc., and in order to suppress this, they have to stop supporting models that have been commercialized in the past. I need to put it away. For example, items that should be kept in stock as repair parts for 7 years may be kept in stock for 5 or 3 years.
The plan was to discontinue the service in about 2019 and ask users to upgrade to a new model. However, this method is often unpopular with users. Another problem for users when using conventional methods is that since only image recording devices with predetermined specifications can be obtained, users are unable to purchase an image recording device with specifications that completely meet their needs. That is mentioned. All a user can do is get a product that is ``as close as possible'' to his or her needs. In the end, users have no choice but to settle for a product with unsatisfactory specifications or spend extra money to purchase a product with specifications that exceed their needs.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention eliminates the drawbacks of conventional image recording devices that were designed, produced, and sold for each model, and eliminates the need for manufacturers to design and produce multiple models, while also providing a user-friendly experience. The object is to provide an image recording device that can completely meet the needs.

[Structure of the invention]

The present invention aims to achieve the above object,
The present invention includes: an image signal generating section that generates an image signal; an image forming section that receives the image signal and forms an image on an intermediate image carrier; and a transfer paper for transferring the image formed in the image forming section. and a transfer paper conveying section that feeds the transfer paper to the image transfer position, each of which is configured as a unit, and each of the three units described above has a power source and a control means. is not provided with a mechanical power transmission means but is provided with a signal transmission means, and the above three units can be removed in the order of a single image signal generation section, a single image forming section, and a single or plural transfer paper conveyance sections from above. The present invention provides an image recording device characterized in that the image recording device is stacked and coupled to the image recording device.

That is, the present invention provides an image signal generating section such as a scanning exposure section,
By modularizing the image forming section and the transfer paper conveying section where the electrophotographic process is performed as a unit, and preparing several types of each unit, it is possible to create image recording devices with many specifications by combining them in various combinations. It is designed to completely meet the needs of users by combining units that meet the specifications required by the users.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a unit according to the present invention and an image recording apparatus formed by a combination thereof.

FIG. 1a shows an example of a unit of an image signal generating section.
All of them are designed to form an original image by scanning at a common position, L1 is a laser exposure unit that scans and exposes the original image with a laser, L2
L is an exposure unit with a fixed document table that scans and exposes the document image by moving the optical system.
Reference numeral 3 denotes an exposure unit of a moving document table type, which scans and exposes an image of the document using an optical system fixed to a document table which moves with a document placed thereon.

FIG. 1b shows an example of a unit of an image forming section, in which a document image formed by the image signal generating section is formed as a latent image on an intermediate image carrier provided inside, and the original image is formed as a latent image. An electrophotographic process in which a latent image is developed into a toner image in a developing section, which is then transferred onto transfer paper fed from a transfer paper transport section, which will be described next, and then fixed, and the fixed transfer paper is discharged from the device. P1 is a black and white type general copying unit that uses black toner as a developer, P2 is a color A unit that uses a single color other than black (red) as a developer, and P3 also uses a single color other than black. Color B uses color (blue) as a developer
It is a unit.

FIG. 1c shows a paper supply section, which has the function of supplying transfer paper to the image forming section through a common transfer paper conveyance path. C1 is a cut paper A supply unit which contains and supplies A size sheet paper. C2 is a continuous paper supply unit that contains a roll of continuous paper, cuts it into the required length, and supplies it.
C3 is a cut paper B supply unit which contains and supplies B size sheet paper.

Image recording apparatuses with various specifications are constructed by combining arbitrary units of the image signal generating section, arbitrary units of the image forming section, and arbitrary units of the paper supply section. An example of this is shown in Fig. 1d. For example, the image recording devices L1, P2, and C2 have a function of scanning a document with a laser beam and recording a red image on cut continuous paper. have.

It is also possible to add further modules to the paper supply section, for example image recording devices L2, P1,
C1 and C3 show one example. A document placed on a fixed document table is scanned by an optical system, and an image is created as a black and white image on a selected transfer paper of A size or B size. A record is made.

The structure of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, which is made up of a combination of such units, will be explained using a specific example shown in FIG.

In the image signal generating section L2, an exposure lamp L2
At the same time as the first mirror unit consisting of mirrors L23 and L22 starts moving and scanning at a constant speed, the second mirror unit with fixed mirrors L23 and L24 starts moving in the same direction at half the speed.
The projection lens L25 mirrors the entire image of the document D
6, L27, and the image signal generating section L via L28.
The electrostatic latent image is projected vertically downward from a predetermined position of 2 and formed on the circumferential surface of the intermediate image carrier P11 rotating within the image forming section P1 connected to the lower part thereof, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image.

Next, in the image forming section P1 connected to the lower part of the image signal generating section L2, the intermediate image carrier P1
The electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of 1 is developed into a black toner image, and the transfer paper carried in from the transfer paper conveying section C1 connected to the lower part via guide devices P12 and P13 is transferred to the registration rollers. 14, the intermediate image carrier P11 is fed after being synchronously synchronized with the image position and circumferential speed of the intermediate image carrier P11, so that the intermediate image carrier P11 is fed with the toner image of the document D formed on its circumferential surface. The entire surface of the image is transferred onto the transfer paper, and the transfer paper is transferred to a conveyor roller (not shown).
The toner image is fed to the fixing device P15 via the toner image forming section P15, and after the toner image is fused thereon, it is discharged to the outside of the image forming section P1.

In addition, in the transfer paper conveyance section C1, a paper feed cassette C11 containing A-size transfer paper is installed, and a carry-out belt C12 carries out the transfer paper in the uppermost position one by one from the paper feed cassette C11. When the transfer paper is fed to the guide device C13, the conveyance roller C14 further feeds the transfer paper to the guide device P12 of the image forming section P1, and as described above, the transfer paper is fed to the guide device P12 of the image forming section P1.
1, the toner image is transferred.

That is, in FIG. 2, the image signal generating section L2, the image forming section P1, and the transfer paper conveying section C1 are shown separately for the sake of explanation, but the image forming section P1 is The image signal generating section L2 and the transfer paper conveying section C1 are closely connected and fixed to the image forming section P1 by the connecting member C40, respectively, so that it is possible to configure a three-part image recording device. Moreover, each unit can be selected and replaced from the various units mentioned above.

Furthermore, the transfer paper conveyance section C1 is not only compatible with the transfer paper conveyance section C2 or C3, but also each of these units can be additionally installed, and different types of paper conveyed from these units can be attached. It is also possible to receive transfer paper of the same size from the guide device 15 and feed it to the image forming section P1.

FIG. 3 shows the circuits of each unit in such an image recording apparatus and their connections.

Each unit constituting the image recording apparatus includes a power converter L51, which is a power supply unit connected to an external power supply.
P51 and C51 are built in, respectively, and a drive motor L52, which is a power source, is provided in each unit.
P52, C52 and control means CPU L53, P
53, C53 and the image forming section P1, power is supplied to a high voltage power supply circuit P64.

Each unit has drive motors L52, P52, and C52, which are power sources, built in and operated, so a mechanical power transmission means is required between each unit to transmit power between them. do not.

The CPUs L53, P53, and C53 control the mechanical operations within each unit, and synchronize the operations between the units via communication modules L54, P54, and C54, which serve as signal transmission means provided in each unit. The function as an image recording device is organicized by controlling the related matters.

Note that the communication modules L54, P54, C
The signal transmission means 54 can be implemented, for example, by a cable that is connected at the same time as the above-mentioned connecting members P40 and C40 are attached and fixed.

On the other hand, the CPU L53 monitors the state of the document D by connecting with the document position sensor L61 and the exposure illuminance sensor L62 in the image signal generating section L2.
The CPU P53 checks the surface potential and temperature of the intermediate image carrier P11 in the image forming section P1, and detects the jam of the conveyed transfer paper through sensors P61, P62, P.
63, and the CPU C5
3, the size and presence or absence of the transfer paper accommodated in the transfer paper conveying section C1 are detected by sensors C61 and C62, respectively, and a display or warning is provided on the outside of the image recording device.

As described above, according to the image recording device of the present invention, the user can freely select the unit to obtain an image recording device that suits their needs, and the manufacturer can also choose several models of each unit. This alone makes it possible to provide an image recording device system that can meet a variety of needs.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention makes it possible to maintain the original copying function completely even if each unit constituting the image recording device is arbitrarily replaced according to the purpose of use. The objective of this invention is to provide a systemized image recording device that can be completely adapted to various needs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a combination diagram of each unit in an image recording apparatus according to the present invention. 2 and 3 are a side sectional view and a block circuit diagram showing a combination structure according to one example. L1, L2, L3...image signal generation section, P1, P
2, P3... Image forming section, C1, C2, C3... Transfer paper transport section, L25... Projection lens, L28...
Mirror, P11...Intermediate image carrier, P12,1
3, C13, 15... Guide device, P14... Registration roller, C11... Paper feed cassette, C12
...Conveyance belt, C14...Conveyance roller, P4
0, C40...Connecting member, L51, P51, C5
1...Power exchange device, L52, P52, C52...
...Drive motor, L53, P53, C53...
CPU, L54, P54, C54... Communication module, P64... High voltage power supply circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image signal generating section that generates an image signal, an image forming section that receives the image signal and forms an image on an intermediate image carrier, and that transfers the formed image in the image forming section. A transfer paper conveying section that stores transfer paper for image transfer and feeds the transfer paper to an image transfer position is configured as a unit, and each of the above three units has a power source and a control means, and the above three units each have a power source and a control means. No mechanical power transmission means is provided between the three units, but a signal transmission means is provided, and the above three units are connected from above to a single image signal generating section, a single image forming section, and a single or plural transfer paper transporting section. An image recording device characterized in that parts are removably stacked and combined in order.