JPH0574064B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a process unit and an image forming apparatus to which the process unit can be installed.

Here, the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine. It may be a printer or a micro device.

Hereinafter, an explanation will be given using an electrophotographic copying apparatus as an example.

First, the electrophotographic process unit described below refers to one in which an electrophotographic photoreceptor and at least one other process means are accommodated in a frame that is detachable from a predetermined position within the main body of an electrophotographic apparatus.
The process means means a means for performing a predetermined action on the photoreceptor in order to carry out the image forming process, such as a charger for the photoreceptor, a developer for electrostatic latent images, and a cleaning device for removing toner remaining on the photoreceptor. The main body of an electrophotographic apparatus is a device that contains means for housing and supporting the upper process unit, a transfer paper conveying means, a fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred from the photoreceptor onto the transfer paper, and an exterior plate. refers to something that is surrounded by.

Now, in an electrophotographic device, in addition to replacing the photoreceptor as an image carrier, replenishing developer, disposing of waste toner that has been cleaned and removed from the photoreceptor after transfer, and cleaning the charging wire, various consumable parts are replaced and adjusted. etc., as necessary.

Many of the above-mentioned operations are concentrated around the photoreceptor, which traditionally took time and effort, but in recent years, the photoreceptor, developing device, cleaner, charger, and other process means around the photoreceptor have been integrated into one framework. An electrophotographic device has been proposed which is housed in the body and configured so that the unit can be pulled out and held from a predetermined position in the device body, or in which each frame unit is configured to be removable from the device body, thereby making it easier to perform each of the above operations. ing. In this way, work efficiency can be improved, work time can be shortened, running costs can be reduced, and the work can be done by the user himself rather than by a service person. Furthermore, since the developing device can be easily replaced with one of another color, an image of a desired color can be easily formed.

Furthermore, a process unit is constructed in which image forming means such as a photoreceptor, developer, cleaner, and charger are integrated into a frame, and when the photoreceptor is replaced, the entire unit can be replaced, making maintenance easier. The idea is to reduce the workload.

With this configuration, users can easily replace process-related units that require periodic maintenance, and maintenance work by service personnel can be eliminated or reduced, improving work efficiency. Significantly improved. Furthermore, an image of a desired color can be formed by replacing the process unit with a process unit that stores toner of a different color.
Alternatively, by replacing the process unit with a process unit incorporating a value developing means, there is an advantage that a developing means corresponding to the original image can be used.

On the other hand, in these electrophotographic apparatuses, the photoreceptor is removed from a predetermined position within the electrophotographic apparatus body during maintenance work or replacement of the process unit, so the photoreceptor is not exposed to external light. There is a risk of exposure. Such exposure of the photoreceptor to external light affects the performance of the photoreceptor and promotes deterioration of the photoreceptor. This is an inconvenience when the photoreceptor is made of materials that are susceptible to deterioration due to strong light, such as organic photoconductors, zinc oxide, and selenium.In particular, organic photoconductors can be exposed to external light for a long period of time. Extreme care must be taken, as it may become unusable.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned process unit, an opening for irradiating light onto the photoreceptor for image formation;
An opening for transferring the formed image is formed in the frame. Therefore, as mentioned above, when the unit is removed from its predetermined position in the main body of the apparatus or when the unit is replaced, external light is exposed to the photoreceptor through the above opening, causing the above-mentioned problems. I end up.

Therefore, when the electrophotographic process unit is inserted into a predetermined position in an electrophotographic image, the opening is open, and when the electrophotographic process unit is removed from the predetermined position, the opening is closed. It has been proposed to provide a light shielding means.

Now, the image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor is transferred to a transfer paper, and while the transfer paper is separated from the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and conveyed to a fixing means, the transfer paper itself is strained at a place immediately after separation. Alternatively, the electrostatic adhesion force may cause the transfer paper to lift up, thereby causing the transfer paper to come into contact with a part of the electrophotographic processing unit, such as a cleaner. This is especially likely to occur when humidity is low. As a result, the toner image on the transfer paper becomes smudged, disturbed, or jammed. To solve this problem, at least one paper-shielding roller is installed above the paper transport section immediately after separation, and the upper surface of the transfer paper that has lifted up too much is brought into contact with the roller to prevent the transfer paper from lifting up any further. There are ways to solve this problem.

However, as described above, if the process unit is made to be removable from a predetermined loading position of the apparatus main body, the paper guard roller provided on the apparatus main body becomes an obstacle when the process unit is attached or removed.

Furthermore, if toner or the like adheres to the paper guard roller provided on the main body side of the apparatus, or if the paper guard roller is misplaced, it is necessary to perform maintenance thereof. However, there is a problem in that maintenance work must be performed inside the device main body, which has only a narrow space, making the work difficult.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a process unit and process unit that improves the operability of attaching and detaching the process unit to the main body of the apparatus, and further improves the ease of maintenance of the regulating member. A wearable image forming apparatus is provided.

First, an electrophotographic copying machine using an embodiment of the process unit according to the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a copying machine main body X surrounded by an exterior plate Z. In the figure, 1 is a document mounting table made of a transparent member such as glass, and the main body
It moves forward in the direction of arrow a to scan the original, and moves backward in the opposite direction of the arrow when scanning the original. Reference numeral 2 denotes an imaging optical system in which a large number of short-focus, small-diameter imaging elements such as SELFOC (trade name) and bar lenses are arranged in an array, and is fixed to a plate 16 fixed within the main body X. The original Y placed on the original placing table 1 is illuminated by the illumination lamp L, and the reflected light image is projected onto the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 3 by the array 2 through an opening formed in the frame of the process unit 17. A
The slit is exposed through the slit. Note that this photosensitive drum 3 rotates in the direction of the arrow around the shaft 3b. A charger 4 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 3 coated with, for example, a zinc oxide photosensitive layer or an organic photoconductive photosensitive layer 3a. The drum 3, which is uniformly charged by the charger 4, has an element array 2.
Image exposure of the reflected light image is performed by the , and an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is then visualized by a developing device 5 consisting of a magnet roller 5a and a toner reservoir 5b. On the other hand, transfer paper storage box S
The upper sheet P (which can be attached to and detached from the main body They are sent to the transcription department under guidance. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer discharger 8. Thereafter, the sheet P is separated from the drum 3 by a separating means 9 (such as a separating belt or a separating corona discharger as shown in FIG. 1).
is guided to a fixing device 11 by a guide 10'', and after the toner image on the sheet P is fixed, it is discharged onto a tray 13 by a discharge roller 12.
The guides 10', 10'', rollers 6, 7, 12, transfer discharger 8, separation means 9, and fixing device 11 are attached to a stay or the like (not shown) fixedly supported within the main body X. In other words, the passage for the paper P is provided within the main body X at all times.

After the toner image is transferred, the remaining toner on the drum 3 is removed by the cleaner 14. This cleaner 14 has blades 14 dialyzed on the drum 3.
a, a waste toner reservoir 14b, and a scooping sheet 14c that receives the waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 3 by the blade 14a. drum 3
is an opening 15' provided in the reflective shade 15 for reflecting the light from the lamp L onto the document Y.
The inside of the unit U is irradiated through an opening 16' provided in the partition plate 16 provided to separate the upper and lower parts, and an opening C provided in the pair of frames of the unit U, and residual charges on the surface thereof are removed. . Note that such exposure before the photoreceptor is charged by the charger 4 is referred to as pre-exposure. On the other hand, before the document table starts moving forward and during the backward movement, the charge applied by the charger 4 to the non-image area on the drum 3 is removed by irradiating light from the lamp Q through the aperture A (blank exposure). Ru.

Next, the structure of one embodiment of the process unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. This professional varnish unit U mainly consists of a frame 17 (made of opaque synthetic resin, metal, etc. to prevent external light from being exposed to the photoreceptor), a drum 3 housed in the frame 17, and a charged drum 3. Container 4, developer 5, cleaner 1
It consists of four process means. In addition, other process means may be used as unit U, such as a separate corona discharger 9 and a cleaner 14.
It may include a corona discharger for static elimination placed between the drums, or it may include a drum and at least one other process means. First, the structure of the frame 17 will be explained based on FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame 17 with each process means removed. The frame 17 is the front plate 1
7a, a rear side plate 17b, and a right stay 7c and a left stay 17d that are mutually fixed to these, forming a box-like structure, with the upper left side covered by a charger support plate 19 (described later) and the upper right side covered by a developer cover 20. It is becoming. Guide members 17e are provided on the outside of the right stay 17c and the left stay 17d, respectively.
17f is fixed, and these guide members 17
e and 17f are slidably mounted on positioning guide members 18a and 18b fixed within the copying machine body X, so that the process unit U is positioned at a predetermined position within the copying machine body, that is, the photoconductor and other parts. The processing means is operated to position and support the image forming apparatus as described above. When taking out the process unit from the copying machine main body, open the front exterior plate Z' (front door) of the main body in direction b (Fig. 2), and use the handle 17a ₁ provided on the front side plate 17a. , and guide it in the direction of arrow D, and pull it out under the guidance of members 18a and 18b. Furthermore, when the unit U is installed in a predetermined position within the main body, the above-mentioned operation is reversed. FIG. 2 shows the process unit in the process of being attached to and detached from the main body of the copying machine. In this figure, the frame 17 is excluded and only the drum 3, charger 4, developer 5, and cleaner 14 are shown in order to make it easier to understand the attachment/detachment state. Once the unit U has been installed at a predetermined position within the main body, the front door Z' is lifted in the direction opposite to the arrow b to close it.

Next, a method of attaching each process means to the frame 17 of this embodiment will be explained. First, a method for attaching the charger 4 will be explained based on FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 3 clearly shows the mounting state of each image forming means in this process unit, excluding the front plate 17a. In this figure, the positioning and holding member indicated by the two-dot chain line is the front plate 17.
It shows the members installed in a. Note that the members indicated by the two-dot chain lines are also provided at positions of the rear side plate 17b facing the front side plate, so that each image forming means can be positioned and held with respect to the frame 17. Under such a configuration, the charger 4 has a plate member 19 (made of metal, opaque synthetic resin, etc. to prevent exposure of external light to the photoreceptor) forming the upper part of the frame.
A leg portion 4a1 installed on the shield plate 4a is slidably fitted into a guide 20 provided on the shield plate 4a, and is positioned. Furthermore, when taking out the charger 4 from the unit U, the charger 4 should be taken out in the direction D (fourth direction) of the frame 17 mentioned above.
By pulling the leg portion 4a1 toward the figure), the leg portion 4a1 is guided by the guide 20 and pulled out.

Next, a method of attaching the drum 3 to the unit U will be explained based on FIGS. 3 to 6.

Here, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the exposure openings A and C are closed by the respective shielding means, including the drum 3, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the opening A for image exposure and blank exposure. 3 is a diagram illustrating a means for closing the drum 3 when viewed from a central axis cross section of the drum 3. Flanges 3a and 3b are press-fitted and fixed to the end faces of the drum 3 in the central axis direction, respectively. Further _, drum positioning shafts 3a ₁ and 3b 1 are fixed to the flanges 3a and 3b, and bearings 3a ₂ and 3b ₂ are fitted into the outer circumferences of these positioning shafts 3a ₁ and 3b ₁ , and these bearings 3a ₂ and 3b ₂ As a result, the positioning shafts 3a ₁ and 3b ₁ are rotatably supported (FIGS. 5 and 6). On the other hand, the front side plate 17a of the frame body 17,
The rear side plate 17b has a U-shaped groove 17, respectively.
a ₂ , 17b ₁ are formed, and these groove portions 17a ₂ ,
By supporting the bearings 3a ₂ and 3b ₂ on 17b ₁ , the drum 3 as a whole is supported within the frame 17 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Furthermore, the plate member 19
Drum presser legs 19a and 19b are provided at positions corresponding to the ends of the drum in the center axis direction, and the groove portions 17a ₂ and 19b are formed of an elastic material such as rubber at the tips of the legs.
Drum pressing members 19a ₁ and _19b 1 are fixed to press the bearings 3a ₂ and 3b ₂ fitted into the drum 17b ₁ . Further, fixed legs 19a ₂ , 19b ₂ are provided on the drum presser legs 19a, 19b, and these fixed legs 19a ₂ ,
19b ₂ is fixed by fixing means 19a ₃ and 19b ₃ such as screws in the receiving parts 17a ₂ and 17b 2 formed on the front and rear side plates 17a and _17b of the frame, and the plate-like member 19 constitutes the frame 17 as a whole ( Figures 3 to 6).
As a result, the drum 3 presses the holding members 19a ₁ and 19b ₁
It is pressed down and securely held by the frame 17.
A gear portion is formed on the flange 3b, and the drum 3 is rotated by connecting this gear portion to a drive source (not shown) provided on the main body of the copying machine. This gear portion also transmits driving force to the magnet roller 5a of the developing device 5 in the process unit. Further, the plate member 19 has a fulcrum portion 19a ₄ ,
19b ₄ (19b ₄ is not shown) is formed, and these fulcrum parts 19a ₄ and 19b ₄ are connected to the frame 14 of the cleaner 14.
Axes 14d ₁ , 14d ₂ (14d ₂
(not shown) are engaged with each other. Figure 3,
As shown in FIG. 5, the axes 14d ₁ and 14d ₂ are
The fulcrum portions 19a ₄ and 19b ₄ have openings that removably fit into the two-sided shape, and the shafts 14d ₁ and 14d in the engaged state. ₂ , it has a rotatable shape. Therefore, the plate member 19 has screws 19a ₃ , 19b ₃
By removing the cleaner or drum, it can be removed from the frame 17 in the direction of arrow E when removing or replacing the drum.
It is possible to rotate about the shafts 14d ₁ and 14d ₂ in the direction of . This removal in the direction of arrow E, arrow F
In either direction, the plate member 19 is retracted from above the drum 3, so the drum 3 can be removed from the frame 17 in the direction of arrow E and replaced.

Next, a method for attaching the developing device 5 to the unit U will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

The developing device 5 has a frame 5C that is removably placed on shafts 17a ₄ , 17b ₃ and 17a ₅ , 17b ₄ provided at positions facing the front plate 17 a and the rear plate 17 b of the developing device 5 . As a result, the roller 5a is positioned in the frame 17, and a predetermined gap is formed between the roller 5a and the photoreceptor 3. Further, the frame 5c is provided with shafts 5c ₁ and 5c ₂ . Although 5c ₂ is not shown, the shaft 5c ₁
are provided at opposite positions in the direction of the center axis of the drum. On the other hand, the front side plate 17a and the rear side plate 17b have shafts 17a ₆ , 17b ₅ and 17 at opposing positions, respectively.
a ₇ , 17b ₆ are provided, and levers 17a ₈ , 17 are provided on the shafts 17a ₆ , 17b ₅ so as to be rotatable around these shafts.
_b7 is installed. and levers 17a ₈ , 17
A spring 17 is installed between b ₇ and the shafts 17a ₇ and 17b ₆ , respectively.
A ₉ , 17b ₈ are multiplied. Therefore, this spring moves the levers 17a ₆ , 17 due to the tension of 17a ₉ , 17b ₈
b ₇ presses down the shafts 5c ₁ and 5c ₂ , and the developing device 5 is attached to the frame 17.
securely held inside. Further, above the developing device 5, there are supporting points 19a ₅ and 1 formed on the plate member 19.
A cover 21 is provided which is rotatable in the direction of arrow G about _9b5 . The cover 21 is the rear plate 1
One end rests on a shaft 17b ₉ provided at 7b to prevent it from falling toward the developing device 5 side. Since the developing device 5 and _its peripheral _members are configured in this manner, the developing device 5 can be taken out from the frame 17 from the unit U in the direction of the arrow.

Next, a method for attaching the cleaner 14 to the unit U will be explained based on FIGS. 3 and 4. On both sides of the cleaner frame 14d in the direction of the drum center axis, there are shafts 14d ₃ , 14d ₄ and a shaft 14 at opposing positions, respectively.
d ₅ , 14d ₆ are formed (axes 14d ₅ , 14d ₆
(not shown). From now on, the shafts are connected to the grooves 17a ₁₀ provided in the front side plate 17a and the rear side plate 17b of the frame 17,
By being removably placed on the drum 17b ₁₀ , the blade 14a is positioned so as to come into contact with the drum 3. Further, shafts 1 are provided on both sides of the cleaner frame 14d.
4d ₇ and 14d ₈ (14d ₈ is not shown) are formed at opposing positions. On the other hand, shafts 17a ₁₁ and 17b ₁₁ (17b ₁₁ is not shown) are provided on the side plates 17a and 17b,
Lever 17a ₁₂ and 17b ₁₂ which can be rotated around these shafts 17a ₁₁ and 17b ₁₁ are installed. In addition, levers 17a ₁₂ , 17b ₁₂ and groove rear portions 17a ₁₀ , 17
Spring 17a ₁₃ and 17b ₁₃ (17b ₁₃ not shown) are applied between b 10 and b ₁₀ . This spring 17a ₁₃ , 17
The levers 17a _{12 and} 17b ₁₂ press down on the cleaner shafts 14d ₇ and 14d ₆ due to the tension of the cleaner 14
is securely held in frame 17. Also cleaner 1
4 is a lever 17 as in the case of the developing device 5 described above.
By rotating and retracting a ₁₂ and 17b ₁₂ in the direction of arrow J, they can be taken out from the frame 17 in the direction of arrow K.

Above, we have explained the frame structure of the process unit and the installation status of each process means.
The process unit is formed with exposure openings A _and C and a transfer opening B in a transfer section where a transfer discharger 8 faces the drum. When the process unit is removed from the main body of the copying machine, external light enters through these openings and has an adverse effect on the photoreceptor. Therefore, processing for closing these openings is required for the process unit, but the following requirements are required for the configuration for performing this processing. First, the opening must be closed as soon as possible when the process unit is removed from the copying machine main body. This is because the influence of external light on the photoreceptor increases as the time the photoreceptor is exposed to external light increases. Next, the treatment must be carried out reliably.
To this end, it is necessary to configure the system so that the measures are performed as automatically as possible. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above matters.

Next, a light shielding mechanism for closing the transfer opening B will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7. In Figure 3, the light shielding mechanism that blocks the transfer aperture B is
The closed state and the positioning members 18a and 18b provided on the copying machine main body side are also shown by two-dot chain lines. Figure 7 shows the light shielding mechanism of the transfer aperture B with the frame 17.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the inside, with the cleaner 14 excluded. The state shown in FIG. 7 shows the position of the light shielding mechanism when the opening B is open, and the front plate 17a side of the frame is indicated by a two-dot chain line. On the other hand, the state of the light shielding mechanism shown in FIG. 4 shows the state in which the opening B is closed. Front plate 17a of frame 17
On the outer surface of the rear side plate 17b, shafts 17a ₁₄ , 17b ₁₄ and 17a ₁₆ , 17 are provided at opposing positions, respectively.
b ₁₆ is formed, and a lever 22 and a lever 23 are rotatably attached to the shafts 17a ₁₄ and 17b ₁₄ . And levers 22 and 23 have shafts 22
₁ , 23 ₁ are fixed, and these shafts 22 ₁ , 23 ₁
There are gaps 24, 2 between the shafts 17a ₁₅ and 17b ₁₅ .
It is multiplied by 5. Also lever 22 and lever 2
Pins 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ protruding from a cover 26 made of opaque synthetic resin, metal, etc. and capable of shielding the photoreceptor from light are loosely fitted into the holes 22 ₂ and 23 2 provided in the holes 22 2 and 23 ₂ provided in the photoreceptor. Furthermore, the cover 26 has pin 2.
6 ₃ , 26 ₄ are fixed, and these pins 26 ₃ ,
An arcuate groove 17a ₁₆ and a shaft 17b ₁₆ for slidably guiding the frame 17 are formed in the front plate 17a and rear plate 17b of the frame 17 _, respectively. On the other hand, a guide groove 17d ₁ is formed in the left stay 17d of the frame 17, and this groove 1
A slidable slide member 27 is installed in _7d1 . Also, the left stay 17d has 17d ₂ , 17
d ₃ and 17d ₄ are fixed, and pulleys 28, 29, and 30 are installed to be rotatable around these axes.
One end of a wire 31 is fixed to one end of the cover 26, and the other end of the wire 31 is fixed to the slide member 27 via a pulley 30. Further, one end of a wire 32 is fixed to the other end of the cover 26, and the other end is fixed to the slide member 27 via wire pulleys 28 and 29. Note that the member shown by the two-dot chain line behind the left stay 17d in FIG. 9 is the locking member 33 fixed to the positioning member 18b in FIG. 3. The light shielding mechanism for closing the transfer opening B configured as described above operates as follows. First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, when the process unit is positioned at a predetermined position within the copying body, the cover 26
Although the slide member 27 receives a force to move in the direction of the arrow N by the springs 24 and 25 via the slide member 3, the slide member 27 is prevented from moving in the groove _17d1 because it is in contact with the locking member 33. . Therefore, the cover 26 is in a position retracted from the transfer section opening B, and the opening B is open. As the process unit is pulled out in the direction D shown in _FIG . Move in the direction of arrow M (Fig. 7). As the slide member 27 moves, the cover 26 is pulled by the springs 24 and 25 and moves in the direction of arrow N (Fig. 3), and when the slide member 27 reaches the end _17d5 of the guide groove _17d1 , 2 in Figure 3
The position shown by the dotted chain line 26 is reached, that is, the position where the opening B is completely closed and external light is prevented from being exposed to the photoreceptor. After this process unit U
is further pulled out in the direction of arrow D and taken out from the main body of the copying apparatus. Cover 26 also prevents damage to the photoreceptor through opening B. When inserting the unit U into the main body of the copying machine and setting it in a predetermined position, the member 27 comes into contact with the member 33 and the groove 17
By relatively moving in the direction opposite to M in _d1 , the cover 26 moves in the direction opposite to N, and when the unit is set at a predetermined position in the main body, the opening B is opened.

Next, let's talk about the third paper guard roller that moves when the cover 26 that closes the transfer opening B is opened and closed.
This will be explained using FIG. As described above, when the process unit is positioned at a predetermined position within the main body of the apparatus, the cover 26 is in a position retracted from the transfer section opening B. In this case, the paper shielding roller 40 rotatably supports the paper shielding roller 40 at its tip, and the other end is connected to the cleaner by a wire 41 rotatably supported by the cylindrical bent portion 42a of the mounting bracket 42. 14 in the lower operating position. This means that the spring 43 is connected to the wire 41 and the cleaner 1.
This is because the wire 41 is biased by this spring force in the direction of the stopper part 42b of the mounting bracket 42, and is regulated by coming into contact with the stopper part 42b. Yes (Figure 8). At this position, the paper guard roller 40 prevents the paper from floating too high immediately after separation, and promotes good conveyance of the paper.

Now, as the process unit U is pulled out from the predetermined loading position of the main body in the direction D, the cover 26 moves in the direction of the arrow N as described above, but at this time, the paper guard roller 40 or the wire 41 26a or its inner surface 26b, and as the cover 26 slides to the closed position, the wire 41 rotates in the direction of arrow L against the spring force of the spring 43, and moves into the inside of the process unit U. It will be stored. When the process unit U is mounted and positioned again in a predetermined position in the main body of the apparatus, the cover 26 is retracted from the transfer section opening B, so that the paper guard roller 40 is also moved to the stopper section 42b of the mounting bracket 42. It moves in the opposite direction of the arrow L by the spring force of the spring 43 until the wire 41 comes into contact with the roller, and returns to the position where it functions as a paper-shielding roller. In this way, the paper guard roller 40 of this embodiment
moves between a predetermined operating position and a storage position within the unit U in conjunction with the movement of the cover 26. Therefore, the paper guard roller can be prevented from being damaged and the function of the paper guard roller can be fully performed without complicating the operation of attaching and removing the unit U from the predetermined loading position in the main body of the apparatus. In this embodiment, a star-shaped paper guard roller is used as an example of the regulating member that regulates the floating of the sheet after the image formed on the image carrier is transferred, but the regulating member is not limited to this, and may be used, for example. It may be circular or rectangular, and does not necessarily have to be rotatable, and may be made of an appropriate material such as rubber or resin. Furthermore, the support member for supporting the regulating member is not limited to wire, but may be made of resin or the like, and its shape may also be cylindrical, rectangular, or the like. Further, the size, length, etc. of the regulating member and the supporting member may be any suitable size, and in this embodiment, an example in which they are arranged at three locations in the width direction of the conveyance path after transfer is shown, but the arrangement may also be selected as appropriate. . Further, in the above embodiment, the paper guard roller 40 rotates in response to the movement of the cover 26, but the paper guard roller does not displace and the cover moves to avoid it, and the cover moves to the transfer area. It may be configured to cover the paper shielding roller as well as the opening.

As mentioned above, when removing the process unit U from the equipment main body, the paper guard roller may come into contact with a part of the equipment main body, and when it is removed and stored, it may not be touched by hand or placed on a desk, etc. In this case, it is possible to solve problems such as the paper-shielding roller being damaged or not functioning properly, and hands getting dirty by touching the paper-shielding roller. Furthermore, this can be achieved simply by the operation of attaching and detaching the process unit U to the main body of the apparatus.

Next, examples of process units to which the present invention can be applied are shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F (the cover and paper guard roller are omitted in the figures).

9A is the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the imaging lens 2 added, B is the embodiment with the lens 2 and separation means (separation belt) 46 added, C is the embodiment without the charger cleaner, and D is the embodiment shown in FIG. Excluding charger and developer,
E is the one excluding the cleaner, and F is the one excluding the developing device. In addition to these, it is conceivable to install a corona discharger for static elimination under the cleaner, but in any case, the unit should include an image carrier and at least one other process unit means. . Further, even if these units cannot be completely removed from the main body of the apparatus, they may be of a drawer type, for example, as long as they can be attached to and removed from a predetermined loading position of the main body of the apparatus. Furthermore, even if the individual process means cannot be attached or detached from the unit, they may be fixedly installed. In addition, the image carrier is not limited to a photosensitive drum, but also a magnetic drum,
It may be an insulated drum or the like, and it may also be belt-shaped instead of a drum. Therefore, in the above embodiments, the light-shielding cover was explained as an example, but in the present invention, the cover may have a light-shielding function, and may be made of metal,
The cover may be made of resin, cloth, etc. to prevent damage to the image carrier, or may be made to prevent it from being touched by hands or the like. The point is that the cover protects the image carrier by preventing it from deteriorating due to light or being damaged by collision with objects.

As described above, the present invention provides a process unit equipped with a regulating member for regulating the floating of a sheet, and an image forming apparatus using this unit.

According to the present invention described above, even if toner adheres to the regulating member when the regulating member regulates the movement of the sheet away from the predetermined path, the toner does not adhere to the regulating member when the process unit is removed from the apparatus main body. Maintenance such as cleaning the toner can be performed. Therefore, the efficiency of maintenance work for the regulating member can be significantly improved. Furthermore, even if maintenance such as cleaning is not performed, when the process unit reaches the end of its service life, the regulation member will be removed from the equipment body along with the process unit, and the regulation member will be replaced with a new process unit, so the regulation member should be replaced regularly. This provides the same effects as maintenance.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the "supporting means" has the configuration as described in the claims, the regulating member can be automatically moved in conjunction with the movement of the protective cover. Therefore, according to the present invention, when the protective cover is located in the closed position, the regulating member can be automatically stored inside the protective cover. Therefore, according to the present invention, when the process unit is removed from the image forming apparatus, the regulating member is automatically stored inside the protective cover, so that the regulating member is not inadvertently touched by other members. This not only prevents damage due to bumping but also improves the ease with which the process unit is placed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a copying machine using an embodiment of the process unit according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating how the process unit is pulled out from the copy machine main body, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the process unit inside the process unit. FIG. 4 is a side view explaining each image forming means, FIG. 4 is a perspective view explaining the frame structure of the process unit, FIG. 5 is a perspective view explaining the light shielding mechanism of the exposure aperture, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the light shielding mechanism of the transfer opening, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the mechanism of the paper shielding roller, and FIGS. 9A to 9F are side views of an embodiment of the process unit. In the figure, U is a process unit,
is a charger, 5 is a developer, 14 is a cleaner, 17
is a frame, 26, 34, 36 is a cover, 40 is a paper guard roller (regulating member), 41 is a wire (supporting means), 4
2 is a mounting fitting (supporting means), and 43 is a spring (supporting means).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A process unit that is removably attached to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, comprising: an image carrier; and a cleaner that acts on the image carrier to remove residual toner on the image carrier. , a protective cover that is movable between a closed position that covers the transfer area of the image carrier and a retracted position that is evacuated from the closed position; a frame body; a regulating member that regulates movement; and a support means for supporting the regulating member and moving the regulating member in conjunction with movement of the protective cover, the supporting means for supporting the regulating member and moving the regulating member in conjunction with movement of the protective cover, when the protective cover is located at the retracted position. Supporting means for locating the regulating member in a regulating position where it is exposed from the protective cover and regulating movement of the sheet, and housing the regulating member inside the protective cover when the protective cover is in the closed position. and, when the process unit is attached to the image forming apparatus, the regulating member is exposed from the protective cover in conjunction with the movement of the protective cover and positioned at a regulating position to regulate movement of the sheet. and, when the process unit is removed from the image forming apparatus, the regulating member is housed inside the protective cover in conjunction with movement of the protective cover. 2. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member has a rotatable roller having a star-shaped peripheral surface, and a plurality of the regulating members are provided below the frame of the cleaner. 3. The process unit according to claim 1, further comprising a developing means for developing the latent image on the image carrier. 4. The process unit according to claim 1, comprising charging means for charging the image carrier. 5. The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is integrally provided with the frame. 6. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet and has a removable process unit, comprising: an image carrier; a cleaner that acts on the image carrier to remove residual toner on the image carrier; and the image carrier. a protective cover movable between a closed position covering a transfer area of a carrier and a retracted position retracted from the closed position; a frame body; and a protective cover provided on the frame body of the cleaner for regulating movement of the sheet. a regulating member that supports the regulating member and moves the regulating member in conjunction with the movement of the protective cover, the regulating member supporting the regulating member when the protective cover is in the retracted position. supporting means that is exposed from the protective cover and located in a restriction position that restricts movement of the sheet, and stores the restriction member inside the protective cover when the protective cover is located in the closed position; a mounting means for removably mounting a process unit mounted on the mounting means; a transfer means for transferring an image formed on an image bearing member of the process unit mounted on the mounting means onto the sheet; a cover moving means for moving the protective cover located at the closed position from the closed position to the retracted position in conjunction with the mounting operation of the process unit; The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in conjunction with the movement of the protective cover, the regulating member housed inside the protective cover is exposed from the protective cover and positioned at a regulating position that regulates movement of the sheet. .