JPH06314014A - Image forming device and method for handling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To make it possible to replace the charging means of an image forming apparatus with a charging means suitable for the intended use or purpose of the image forming apparatus. [Configuration] Corona charging device 2a and contact type charging device 2b
In (1) and (2), the same engaging member 26 that engages with the guide rail 12 of the copying machine 1 is attached, and the fitting portions 23a and 203 having the same shape and the same size are provided and the same. The connection terminals 25a are provided and are configured so that their outer dimensions are substantially the same. As a result, any charging device can be attached to the copying machine 1 without making any changes to the opening 10 and the guide rail 12 of the copying machine 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to replace the corona charging device 2a of the copying machine 1 which is once distributed in the market with the contact type charging device 2b, and the copying machine can be a non-polluting copying machine with a reduced ozone generation amount. .

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer, and a method for handling the image forming apparatus, and more specifically, to an image forming process means including a charging means for charging the surface of an image carrier. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with and an operating method of the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a charging means used in this type of image forming apparatus, for example, a shield case having an opening formed on a surface facing the image carrier is used in the moving direction of the image carrier. A corona discharger having a corona wire as a charging member stretched in a vertical direction is known (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-44057). This corona discharger is effective in uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier, and is widely used as a charging means in the current image forming apparatus. However, this corona discharger has drawbacks in that a high voltage is required for corona discharge, power efficiency is poor, and a relatively large amount of ozone is generated when corona is generated.

Therefore, as a charging means which replaces the corona discharger, for example, a contact type charging means having a charging processing member which is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the image carrier when a bias voltage is applied is also known. In this contact type charging means, the charge processing member to which the bias voltage is applied is brought into contact with the surface of the image carrier to directly inject the charge, so that the charge processing can be efficiently performed at a relatively low voltage, and the ozone generation amount is relatively small. It has the advantage of being small. As the contact type charging means, for example, in an image forming apparatus provided with a detachable process cartridge including an image carrier, the contact type charging means attached to the image forming apparatus main body is used when the process cartridge is attached or detached. It is known that the process cartridge is displaced so as not to interfere with the contact with the process cartridge (see, for example, JP-A-3-126979). Further, as the charging processing member, there is known a member that employs a roller configured to be rotatable in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier.

Further, today, a color image forming apparatus has been widely used as an image forming apparatus using the above charging means. As this color image forming apparatus, for example, a plurality of developing devices are arranged around one image carrier so that the image carrier is rotated once to perform image formation for one color. A configuration is known in which a plurality of color development images are superimposed on an image carrier to obtain a color image by rotating the image carrier a plurality of times (for example, JP-A-3-62).
077).

[0005]

By the way, by replacing the corona discharger equipped with the corona discharger and already attached to the image forming apparatus currently on the market with the contact type charging means. It is conceivable that the image forming apparatus in the market is a non-polluting image forming apparatus in which the amount of ozone generated is suppressed. However, in the image forming apparatus in the market, a charging means suitable for the use and purpose (for example, a contact type charging means for a non-polluting image forming apparatus in which the amount of ozone generated is suppressed, and A corona discharger is installed from the beginning) in a color image forming apparatus for performing multi-color superimposing development as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-62077, and the charging means can be replaced with another kind of charging means. It is not taken into consideration and is designed to have a different size or shape for each type, so that it cannot be replaced with another type of charging means. Therefore, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus currently on the market cannot be made pollution-free (ozone-less) by a simple modification.

Further, the color of the toner accommodated in the developing device using any one of the developing device and the full-color image forming device capable of obtaining a full-color image using the developing device. As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-62077, a multi-monocolor image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a monocolor image corresponding to the above-mentioned image forming apparatus has a structure in which the main part of the main body of the image forming apparatus has one image carrier. It is possible to have the same configuration in which a plurality of developing devices are arranged around the body. However, due to the difference in image forming process between the full-color image forming apparatus and the multi-mono color image forming apparatus, different charging means (corona discharger for the full-color image forming apparatus, (Contact type charging means) is attached, and the charging means are generally designed in advance in different sizes or shapes for each type as described above. It is necessary to provide an appropriate charging means mounting portion or the like. Therefore, even if the structure of the main part of the image forming apparatus main body can be made the same as described above, since the structure of the charging means mounting part and the like is different, the main body of the image forming apparatus can be combined with the multi-color image forming apparatus. There is a problem that it cannot be shared with a color image forming apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which the charging means can be replaced with a charging means suitable for the use or the purpose if necessary. A method of handling a forming apparatus is provided.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus provided with an image forming process means including a charging means for charging the surface of an image carrier. And a guide member for guiding the charging member to the mounting position in the image forming apparatus, and is applicable to the image forming apparatus. An engaging member that is engageable with the guide member for each of a plurality of types of charging means having different charging processing members provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier, and The outer shape of each of the plurality of types of charging means is configured to be mountable at the mounting position. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, as at least one of the plurality of types of charging means, the contact-type charging device includes the charging processing member that contacts the surface of the image carrier to perform a charging process. The contact type charging means is configured to be displaceable between a charging processing position where the charging processing member comes into contact with the image carrier surface and a non-charging processing position where the charging processing member is separated from the image carrier surface. It is a thing. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the charging processing member is displaced to the non-charging processing position when the contact type charging means is attached to or detached from the mounting position. The invention of claim 4 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus main body is provided with a connection terminal for voltage application shared by the plurality of types of charging means, and each of the plurality of types of charging means has a connection terminal. It is characterized in that an engageable connection is provided.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the engaging member provided on each of the plurality of types of applicable charging means can be engaged with the guide member provided on the image forming apparatus. Since the outer shape of the charging device is configured to be mountable at a predetermined mounting position, any type of charging means can be mounted at a predetermined mounting position in the image forming apparatus. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the charging processing member of the contact type charging means is configured so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the image bearing member, for example, the charging processing member is brought into contact with the image bearing member only when the charging process is performed. You can According to the third aspect of the invention, since the charging processing member is separated from the image carrier when the contact charging device is attached to or detached from the mounting position, the contact charging device does not contact the charging member with the surface of the image carrier. Can be removed. In the invention of claim 4, the image forming apparatus main body is provided with a connection terminal for voltage application shared by a plurality of types of charging means, and each of the plurality of types of charging means can be engaged with the connection terminal. Since such a connection is provided, the connection terminal provided on the charging means is engaged with the connection terminal provided on the image forming apparatus body, whichever type of charging means is attached to the image forming apparatus body. It is possible to apply a voltage to the charging means.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) which is an image forming apparatus will be described below. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the copying machine according to this embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming process means provided in the copying machine. Copier 1 shown
Is an image of a document on a document table (not shown) read by an image reading device (not shown), and the read image is laser-charged on a photoconductor 3 as an image carrier uniformly charged by a charging device 2 as charging means. The latent image is written as a latent image by the exposure device 4 including an optical system, the latent image is visualized as a toner image by the developing device 5, and the toner image is not shown on the transfer paper (not shown) conveyed from the transfer paper cassette 6. The transfer paper on which the developed image is transferred by the transfer device is conveyed to the copy receiver 7.
Then, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 3 after the toner image is transferred is removed by the cleaning device 8, and the photoconductor 3 is prepared for the next image forming process. This copying machine 1 is provided with a body cover 9 that can be opened and closed on the front side, and by opening the body cover 9, the charging device 2 is opened from the opening 10 formed in the front side plate 1a of the copying machine 1. It is designed to be taken out.

Next, the charging device 2 which can be mounted on the copying machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a corona charging device as a charging device attached to the copying machine 1,
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the corona charging device as seen from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. The corona charging device 2a is the photoconductor 3
A concave shield case 21 extending in the axial direction and having an opening 20 formed in a surface facing the photoconductor 3, and insulating blocks 22 and 23 attached to both ends of the shield case 21.
It has and. The insulating block 22 has a knob portion 22a protruding in the longitudinal direction of the shield case 21 and a wire attachment portion 22b to which one end of the discharge wire 24 for attaching the discharge wire 24 as a charging processing member is attached.
And are provided. Further, in the insulating block 23, a fitting portion 23 a fitted to the connector 11 as a connection terminal for voltage application provided on the main body of the copying machine 1 and a discharge wire 24.
A wire support portion 23b that supports the other end portion is provided. Further, the fitting portion 23a is provided with a conductive connection terminal 25a which comes into contact with an electrode member 111 described later when the corona charging device 2a is mounted on the copying machine 1. A conductive connection member 25b is attached to the connection terminal 25a, and the discharge wire 24 is attached to the connection member 25b.
The other end is attached.

The connector 11 is provided at a predetermined position facing the fitting portion 23a of the corona charging device 2a mounted on the copying machine 1. The connector 11 has a recess 110 into which the fitting portion 23a of the corona charging device 2a is fitted, and the conductive electrode member 111 connected to a power source (not shown) and the electrode member 111 are provided in the recess 110. Recess 1
10 and a conductive spring 112 that biases the opening direction.

On the upper surface of the shield case 21, the corona charging device is engaged with the guide rails 12 as two guide members mounted at a predetermined interval from the front side plate 1a to the rear side plate 1b of the copying machine 1. An engagement member 26 for guiding the 2a to a predetermined mounting position in the copying machine 1 is attached.

In the corona charging device 2a having the above structure, the engaging member 26 provided on the corona charging device 2a is used.
By engaging with the guide rail 12 provided in the copying machine 1 and pushing it in from the opening 10, it can be mounted at a predetermined mounting position in the copying machine 1. Further, at the mounting position, the fitting portion 23 provided in the corona charging device 2a
The connection terminal 25a of the corona charging device 2a and the electrode member 111 of the copying machine 1 are connected to each other by fitting a and the connector 11 provided in the copying machine 1 to each other, and the corona charging device 2
It is possible to make a conductive.

Next, the structure of another charging device that can be mounted on the copying machine 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a contact type charging device which is one of the other charging devices that can be mounted on the copying machine 1, and FIG. 5 shows the same contact type charging device attached to the copying machine 1. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 to 6, the same members as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted in the following description. The illustrated contact type charging device 2b is provided with a casing 201 extending in the axial direction of the photoconductor 3 (see FIG. 5) and having an opening 200 formed in a surface facing the photoconductor 3. A knob portion 201 protruding in the longitudinal direction of the casing 201 is formed at one end of the casing 201, and a fitting portion 203 that fits into the connector 11 provided in the main body of the copying machine 1 is formed at the other end. Here, the shapes and sizes of the knob portion 202 and the fitting portion 203 are the same as the knob portion 2 of the corona charging device 2a.
2a and the fitting portion 23a, respectively. Further, the fitting portion 203 is provided with the same connection terminal 25a as that provided in the corona charging device 2a.

Further, the contact type charging device 2 is engaged with the guide rail 12 on the upper plate 201a of the casing 201.
for guiding b to a predetermined mounting position in the copying machine 1,
The same engagement member 26 as that attached to the corona charging device 2a is attached. Further, in the casing 201, a conductive charging roller 204 as a charging processing member having metal shafts 204a and 204b at both ends is rotatably provided. Specifically, the charging roller 20
4 is a bearing lever 205 in which the respective metal shafts 204a, 204b are displaceably attached to the casing 201.
It is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 205a.

Here, each of the bearing levers 205 supporting the metal shafts 204a and 204b has a hole 2 formed at one end 205b of the side plate 201b of the casing 201.
01d, the other end 205c is projected from the moving groove 201e formed in the other side plate 201c of the casing 201 to the outside of the casing 201, and the other end 205c side is movable around the one end 205b.
It is bridged between both side plates 201b and 201c. The bearing lever 205 is the upper plate 20 of the casing 201.
The spring 2 attached to 1a and abutting on the bearing portion 205a
It is biased toward the opening 200 by 01f.

Further, the fitting portion 203 of the contact type charging device 2b
The metal shaft 204b on the end portion side where the
It is provided so as to come into contact with the conductive connecting member 25c attached to the connecting terminal 25a provided on the.

Outside the side plate 201c of the casing 201, the other end 205c side of the bearing lever 205 is attached to the spring 2.
A moving mechanism 206 for moving in the direction opposite to the urging direction of 01f is provided (see FIG. 4). The moving mechanism 206 is formed in an L-shape and has a center portion for supporting the spindle 20.
6d is rotatably supported, and one arm is provided so that the other end 205c of the bearing lever 205 comes in contact with the other end from below, and a support shaft 206e is rotatably supported by the knob 206c. A lever 206b rotatably provided in a predetermined range from above 202 to below
Is attached to the other arm of the moving member 206a by the support shaft 206f, and the lever 20 is attached by the support shaft 206g.
6b, and a connecting rod 206c that transmits the rotational movement of the lever 206b to the moving member 206a. According to this structure, when the lever 68b is moved downward, the connecting rod 206c moves to the right side in FIG. 4, and the moving member 206a moves the supporting member 20a by the movement of the connecting rod 206c.
It rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure around 6d. The rotation of the moving member 206a causes the bearing lever 2 to move.
By moving one of the arm portions that abut on 05 from below, as shown in FIG.
The other end 205c side of 5 can be moved in a direction opposite to the urging direction of the spring 201f.

In the structure of the contact type charging device 2b, the lower end position of the charging roller 204 when the contact type charging device 2b is mounted on the copying machine 1 is, as shown in FIG. Since it is located below the lower edge 10 a of the contact type charging device 10, the lever 206 b is pushed down and the charging roller 204 is moved upward as described above when the contact-type charging device 2 b is attached to or removed from the copying machine 1. Try to move.

Further, the contact type charging device 2 according to the above description
The outer dimension of b is configured to be substantially the same as that of the corona charging device 2a so that it can be mounted from the opening 10 formed in the front side plate 1a of the copying machine 1.

In the corona charging device 2a and the contact type charging device 2b according to the above description, as described above, the same engaging member 26, the fitting portions 23a and 203a having the same shape and the same size are formed. And the same connection terminal 25a is provided, and the outer dimensions thereof are substantially the same, so that any change should be made to the opening 10 and the guide rail 12 of the copying machine 1. Without any charging device, it can be mounted on the copying machine 1, and in any charging device, the guide rail 1
2 by engaging the engaging member 26 with the front side plate 1a of the copying machine 1.
When it is pushed in from the opening 10 formed in the
By fitting a and 203a into the connector 11, the connection terminal 25a and the electrode member 111 are connected, and the corona charging device 2a and the contact type charging device 2b can be brought into a conductive state.

Therefore, the corona charging device 2a according to the present embodiment.
According to the configuration of the contact type charging device 2b, the corona charging device 2a provided with the above-mentioned corona charging device 2a and already attached to the copying machine 1 once distributed in the market is replaced with the contact type charging device 2b. Therefore, the copying machine once distributed in the market can be made a pollution-free copying machine in which the amount of ozone generated is suppressed. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a copying machine having a configuration in which a plurality of developing devices 5a and 5b are arranged around one photosensitive member 7 is used, and all the developing devices 5a and 5b are installed by mounting the corona charging device 2a. It is configured as a full-color copying machine by controlling it to be used in one image forming process, or any one developing device is used in one image forming process by mounting the contact type charging device 2b. By controlling in this way, a multi-monocolor copying machine can be constructed. Therefore, as described above, the main body of the copying machine having the same main structure can be shared by the full-color image forming apparatus and the multi-monocolor image forming apparatus. As a result, it becomes possible to mass-produce the copying machine main body having the same structure of the main part, and it is possible to reduce the cost. In addition, the above-mentioned JP-A-3-620.
A full-color copying machine configured to perform multi-color overlapping development as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 77, and also used as a multi-monocolor copying machine which can obtain a monocolor image by using only one developing device. In the case of a structure which can be used, a corona charging device 2a is attached so as not to disturb the toner image when used as a full-color copying machine, and ozone is used when used as a multi-monocolor copying machine. The contact-type charging device 2b is mounted to suppress the amount of generation, and can be easily replaced with the charging device 2 suitable for the intended use or purpose. Also,
Even when the developing device 5 as shown in FIG. 1B is a single copying machine and the corona charging device 2a is essential to be installed in the image forming process condition, the configuration other than the charging device 2 is required. The same structure as that of the copying machine equipped with the contact type charging device 2b can be used in common, and the cost can be reduced by mass production as in the above case. Further, according to the configuration of the corona charging device 2a and the contact type charging device 2b according to the present embodiment, it can be easily detached from the copying machine 1. Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-126979. The replacement and cleaning can be performed more easily than the contact-type charging means, which does not allow easy access to the outside of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, in the configuration of the contact type charging device 2b according to the present embodiment, the lower end position of the charging roller 204 when the contact type charging device 2b is mounted on the copying machine 1 is as shown in FIG. Since it is located below the lower edge 10a of the opening 10, the contact type charging device 2b cannot be taken out from the copying machine 1 unless the charging roller 204 is moved upward. Therefore, the charging roller 204 is connected to the photoconductor 3
With the contact-type charging device 2b taken out from the copying machine 1 while being kept in contact with, the surface of the photoconductor 3 is not damaged, and defective image formation due to scratches on the surface of the photoconductor 3 can be prevented. Further, in the contact type charging device 2b, if the charging roller 204 is brought into contact with the photoconductor 3 only when the charging process is executed, fatigue over time due to the contact of the charging roller 204 with the photoconductor 3 can be suppressed.

[0024]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of types of charging means can be mounted, so that there is an effect that the charging means can be replaced with a charging means suitable for the intended use or purpose of use. For example, the corona discharger is replaced with a contact-type charging means that generates a relatively small amount of ozone without any modification, etc., to the image forming apparatus that includes a corona discharger that generates a large amount of ozone as a charging means. it can. Further, for example, it becomes possible to replace the corona discharger which is already attached to the image forming apparatus which is provided on the market with the corona discharger and which is already attached to the contact type charging means. The image forming apparatus can be a pollution-free image forming apparatus in which the amount of ozone generated is suppressed. In addition, since any type of charging means can be mounted at a predetermined mounting position in the image forming apparatus, the configuration other than the charging means can be made common, and therefore mass production effect by mass production can be achieved. There is an effect that an inexpensive image forming apparatus capable of exhibiting the above can be provided. Further, by replacing the charging means as necessary as described above, there is an effect that an image forming apparatus suitable for the intended use or purpose can be obtained. That is, for example, a certain image forming apparatus can be used as a color image forming apparatus by attaching a corona charger or as a non-polluting image forming apparatus by attaching a contact type charging means. According to the invention of claim 2, for example, the charging member can be brought into contact with the image carrier only when the charging process is performed, so that fatigue over time due to contact of the charging member with the image carrier can be suppressed. effective. According to the invention of claim 3, the contact type charging means can be attached and detached without contacting the charging processing member with the surface of the image bearing member, so that it is possible to prevent the image bearing member surface from being scratched when the contact type charging means is attached and detached. There is an effect that it is possible to eliminate defective image formation due to scratches on the surface of the image carrier. According to the invention of claim 4, only by mounting the charging means at the mounting position, the charging means is in a state where the voltage can be applied, so that there is an effect that the charging means can be easily mounted without mistake. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 6B is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming process means provided in the copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the corona charging device attached to the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a corona charging device viewed from a direction of an arrow A shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a contact type charging device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the contact type charging device attached to the copying machine.

6A is a schematic configuration diagram of the same contact type charging device in a state where the charging roller is in contact with the photoconductor when viewed from a direction of an arrow C shown in FIG. FIG. 6B is a schematic configuration diagram of the contact type charging device in a state where the charging roller is not in contact with the photoconductor when viewed from the same direction.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the lower end of the charging roller and the lower edge of the opening.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming process unit having a plurality of developing devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 2a Corona charging device 2b Contact type charging device 3 Photoconductor 10 Opening 11 Connector 12 Guide rail 23 Fitting part 24 Discharge wire 25a Connection terminal 26 Engaging member 203 Fitting part 204 Charging roller 205 Bearing lever 206 Moving mechanism

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming process means including a charging means for charging the surface of an image carrier, wherein the charging means is attachable to and detachable from a predetermined mounting position in the image forming apparatus. Then, the image forming apparatus is provided with a guide member for guiding the charging member to the mounting position, and is applicable to the image forming apparatus so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier. An engaging member that can engage with the guide member is provided to each of a plurality of types of charging means having different charging processing members, and the outer shape of each of the plurality of types of charging means has a shape that can be attached to the attachment position. An image forming apparatus having the above structure. 2. A contact-type charging means having at least one of the plurality of types of charging means, the contact-type charging means having the charging processing member for contacting with the surface of the image bearing member to carry out charging processing. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charging processing member is configured to be displaceable between a charging processing position in contact with the surface of the image carrier and a non-charging processing position separated from the surface of the image carrier. 3. The method of handling an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the charging processing member is displaced to the non-charging processing position when the contact type charging means is attached to or detached from the mounting position. 4. The main body of the image forming apparatus is provided with a connection terminal for voltage application shared by the plurality of types of charging means, and each of the plurality of types of charging means can be engaged with the connection terminal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection.