JPH07314779A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a structure in which dirt on the surface of the lens of a SELFOC lens array can be simply removed and the damage to the array due to contact of an article with the array from the exterior can be prevented. CONSTITUTION:The printer comprises cleaner means located to cover the front surface of a SELFOC fens array 18 while wiping OFF the lens surfaces of the array 18 in cooperation with the opening of a switching cover 2 and retracted from the front surface of the array 19 while wiping OFF the lens surfaces of the array 18 in cooperation with the closing operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus such as an electrophotographic printer, and more particularly to a printing apparatus having an opening closed by an opening / closing lid having an optical print head having a SELFOC lens array arranged on one surface. It relates to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of an electrophotographic printer using a conventional LED (light emitting diode) head. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view thereof, and FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical sectional side view of FIG. Is.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, reference numeral 101 is a box-shaped printer main body, and an opening 103 closed by an opening / closing lid 102 is formed in the upper part of the printer main body 101.

More specifically, the photoconductor unit 104 is provided inside the printer body 101 corresponding to the opening 103.
A toner cartridge 106 for supplying the toner 105, a transfer roller 107, and the like are provided in the photoconductor unit 104. In the photoconductor unit 104, the developing roller 108, the photosensitive drum 109, the charging roller 11
0, a cleaning roller 111 and the like are provided.

One end of the opening / closing lid 102 is attached to one side of the opening 103 via a pivot 112 so as to be vertically rotatable. The opening / closing lid 102 closes the opening 103, and when the opening 103 is opened, the toner is opened. The cartridge 106 can be switched to the “open position” for enabling replacement of the cartridge 106 and maintenance of the photoconductor unit 104.

Further, an LED head holding portion 115 consisting of a pair of left and right holding pieces 113 and a pair of front and rear holder plates 114 is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 102, and the LED head holding portion 115 has an LED head inside thereof. 116 is provided. The LED head 116 is formed by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) on a straight line and is formed as an elongated rod-shaped body having a square cross section.
On the lower surface facing 4 is a SELFOC lens array that collects light from the light emitting element.
ray: commonly known as “SLA”) 117 is attached. Both ends of the LED head 116 are slidably held in the holding pieces 113 of the opening / closing lid 102 in the vertical direction, and the front and rear surfaces thereof are also the same.
The holder plate 114 is held in contact with the holder plate 114 so as to be vertically slidable. In addition, the LED head holding unit 1
When mounted on the LED head 15, a pressing spring 118 is interposed between the upper surface of the LED head 116 and the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 102, and the LED head 11 is biased by the pressing spring 118.
6 is always held in a state of being urged downward.
Then, when the opening / closing lid 102 is closed, the LED head 116 comes into contact with the upper surface of the photoconductor unit 104 immediately before the closed position, and when further pressed, the LED head 116 is pushed back against the biasing force of the pressing spring 118, and at this closed position. LED head 11
6 is set in a state of being pressed against the photoconductor unit 104.

[0007]

However, in the above-described electrophotographic printer having the conventional structure, the self lock attached to the LED head 116 is mounted at the time of printing or when the toner cartridge 106 or the photoconductor unit 104 is replaced. Toner or the like may adhere to the lens surface of the lens array 117 to deteriorate the printing quality, and the lens surface must be cleaned each time. Therefore, there is a problem that maintenance is troublesome. Further, when the opening lid 102 is opened, the SELFOC lens array 117 is exposed to the outside, and there is a problem that something may come into contact with the lens surface and scratch the lens surface.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to easily remove stains on the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array and to prevent the SELFOC lens array from being externally damaged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing device that can prevent the printer from being damaged by being hit.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having an opening closed by an opening / closing lid having an optical print head having a selfoc lens array arranged on one surface thereof. In which the front surface of the SELFOC lens array is disposed while wiping the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array in conjunction with the opening operation of the opening / closing lid, and the SELFOC lens array is operated in association with the closing operation. This is achieved by providing a cleaner means that is retracted from the front surface while wiping the lens surface.

[0010]

According to this structure, the cleaner means automatically wipes the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array twice each time when the opening / closing lid is opened / closed, when the opening / closing lid is opened or closed. The surface of the lens of the SELFOC lens array can be kept clean by this wiping. When the opening / closing lid is moved to the open position, the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array is hidden by the cleaner means. With this, it is possible to reliably prevent the object surface from being scratched by being touched by something when the opening / closing lid is opened.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional side view showing a first embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, this printing apparatus is an example of an electrophotographic printer using an LED (light emitting diode) head, and reference numeral 1 is a box-shaped printer body. An opening 3 that is closed by an opening / closing lid 2 is formed in the upper portion of the printer body 1.

More specifically, inside the printer body 1, there are provided a photoconductor unit 4 corresponding to the opening 3, a toner cartridge 6 for supplying toner 5 into the photoconductor unit 4, a transfer roller 7, and the like. It is arranged. A developing roller 8, a photosensitive drum 9, a charging roller 10, a cleaning roller 11 and the like are arranged in the photoconductor unit 4.

One end of the opening / closing lid 2 is attached to one side of the opening 3 via a pivot 12 so as to be vertically rotatable, and a "closed position" for closing the opening 3 and opening the opening 3 for toner. The cartridge 6 can be switched to the “open position” for enabling replacement of the cartridge 6 and maintenance of the photoconductor unit 4.

An LED head 14 is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 2 via a pair of left and right holding pieces 13, and a cleaner member 15 is arranged adjacent to the LED head 14.

The pair of left and right holding pieces 13 are arranged such that one end is fixed to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 2 and the other end side is hung from the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 2 and is extended vertically. The slit 16 is formed.

The LED head 14 includes a plurality of light emitting elements (L
ED) are arranged in a straight line to form a long and slender rod-shaped body having a rectangular cross section, and a selfoc lens array 18 for condensing light from the light emitting element is formed on the lower surface facing the photoconductor unit 4. Is attached. Further, pins 17 slidably engageable with the slits 16 are provided on both left and right surfaces. And this LE
The D head 14 is held by the holding piece 13 by engaging the pin 17 with the slit 16, is rotatable about the pin 17 as a fulcrum, and is vertically slidable. Further, a coil spring 20 is stretched between the pin 17 and the hook 19 on the holding piece 13, and the LED head 14 is always urged downward by the urging force of the coil spring 20. . In addition, a pivot 21 is attached to both left and right sides of the LED head 14 at a position closer to the pivot 12 than the pin 17 and above the pin 17, and one end of the elongated link piece 22 is vertically attached to the pivot 21. It is linked so that it can rotate in any direction.
It should be noted that the other end of the link piece 22 is linked to the LED head 14 via a pivot 23 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction at a position farther from the LED head 14 than the pivot 12 and above the pivot 21.

The open / close lid 2, the LED head 14, the link piece 22, the pivot 12, the pin 17, the pivot 21, and the pivot 23 thus formed constitute a parallel link mechanism. FIG. 2 schematically shows this parallel link mechanism. As can be seen from this figure, in the structure of this embodiment, when the opening / closing lid 2 is rotated in the opening / closing direction with the pivot 12 (point C) as a fulcrum, the link piece 22 is pivoted 23 (point D).
Is a fulcrum, and at this time is a line connecting points C and D (C-D) and a line connecting points A and B (A-B) which are parallel to each other.
Since the LED head 14 moves without changing its orientation, the posture (direction) of the LED head 14 does not change, and the opening / closing lid 2 remains unchanged.
It rotates and moves relatively.

The cleaner member 15 juxtaposed with the LED head 14 is made of a rubber material and is formed as an elongated plate-like elastic body. The cleaner member 15 is parallel to the LED head 14 across the left and right ends of the LED head 14. And the upper end is fixed to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 2. Further, the lower end of the cleaner member 15 is such that the surface side facing the LED head 14 is gradually moved downward as it goes downward.
Is formed as a curved surface 15a in a state of going away from the surface, and a cleaner pad 29 made of non-woven fabric or the like is attached to the surface on the curved surface 15a side so as to correspond to the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 on the LED head 14. There is. The curved surface 15a of the cleaner member 15 functions as a guide when the SELFOC lens array 18 on the LED head 14 is wiped against the cleaner member 15.

Next, the operation of the LED head 14 associated with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid 2 will be described. First, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, when the opening / closing lid 2 is closed, the LED head 14 is set by being pressed against the upper surface of the photoconductor unit 4. Further, in this state, the cleaner member 1
5 has its tip facing downward and is separated from the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18.

When the opening / closing lid 2 is opened from this state in the direction of the arrow 26 in FIG. 1, the LED head 14 is rotated relative to the opening / closing lid 2 and its posture does not change, but the cleaner member 15 is When the opening / closing lid 2 is opened, the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 is moved below the lens surface so as to wipe the lens surface, and the lens pad is automatically wiped by the cleaner pad 29 by this movement.
Then, the opening 3 is opened by opening the opening / closing lid 2, and the toner cartridge 6 can be replaced and the photoconductor unit 4 can be maintained through the opening 3. The state indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 shows the state in which the opening / closing lid 2 has been moved to the open position in this manner, and the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 is hidden by the cleaner member 15 in this open position. , Protects the lens surface by preventing it from being touched and scratched. The arrow 27 in FIG. 1 indicates the direction in which the LED head 14 effectively rotates with respect to the cleaner member 15 as the opening / closing lid 2 is opened (actually with respect to the LED head 14). The cleaner member 15 moves).

When the opening / closing lid 2 is pivoted from this open position to the closed position side for closing the opening 3, the cleaner member 15 is moved from below the LED head 14 in accordance with the closing operation of the opening / closing lid 2. On the contrary, the lens surface is retreated, and the lens surface is automatically wiped again by the cleaner pad 29 by this movement. In other words, each time the opening / closing lid 2 is opened / closed, the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 is automatically wiped twice, once for going and once for returning. Then, in the final closed position, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
4 is pressed against the upper surface of the photoconductor unit 4 and set.

3 to 5 show the structure of the main part of the second embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional side view showing a state in which the opening / closing lid is closed, and FIG. 3 is a schematic side view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal side view showing a state in which the opening / closing lid is partially closed. Further, in FIGS. 3 to 5, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same as those in FIG. 3 to 5, the opening / closing lid 32 that closes the opening of the printer body 1 is
One end is rotatably attached to one side of the opening through a pivot shaft (not shown) in the up-down direction, and the opening is closed in a “closed position” (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and the opening opens the toner. It can be switched to the "open position" to enable replacement of the cartridge and maintenance of the photoconductor unit.

An LE (not shown) is provided on the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 32.
The LED head 34 is attached via the D head holding portion, and a cleaner portion 35 is arranged adjacent to the LED head 34.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the LED head 34 is formed by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) in a straight line and is formed as an elongated rod-shaped body having a square cross section. The SELFOC lens array 1 for condensing the light from the light emitting element is provided on the lower surface facing the unit 4.
8 is attached. A coil spring 40 is arranged between the opening / closing lid 32 and the LED head 34,
The LED head 34 is always urged downward by the urging force of the coil spring 40.

The cleaner section 35 includes a cleaner plate stay 41, a cleaner plate 42, and a coil spring stay 43.
And a coil spring 44 and the like.

Of these, the cleaner plate stay 41 is L
One end, that is, a pair, is provided with one end fixed to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 32 outside the left and right ends of the ED head 34.

The cleaner plate 42 is a plate-shaped main body 4
2a and a pair of left and right arm portions 42b that are provided in a state of corresponding to the pair of cleaner plate stays 41 so as to project from both ends of the main body portion 42a at substantially right angles, respectively, A cleaner pad 49 corresponding to the SELFOC lens array 18 is provided on the one surface 42a of the main body 4a.
It is formed across the left and right ends of 2a. Further, the arm portion 42b is formed in a substantially triangular shape having a through window 45 in the center, and one apex of the triangular shape is attached to the cleaner plate stay 4.
Rotatably attached to the tip of 1 via a pivot 46,
The main body 42a is juxtaposed across the left and right ends of the LED head 34. Further, on the outer surface of the arm portion 42b, a pin-like opening / closing hook 47 and a coil spring hook 4 are formed so as to project at a substantially right angle from the arm portion 42b.
8 is formed. The opening / closing hook 47 is the opening / closing lid 3.
When 2 is closed halfway, it is brought into contact with the upper peripheral surface 3a of the opening of the printer body 1, and when the closing operation of the opening / closing lid 32 further proceeds, only the opening / closing lid 32 is left in the closed position while the cleaner plate 42 is left in that position. It functions to be able to turn to.

The coil spring stay 43 is a cleaner plate 4.
A pair of two arm portions 42b is provided, and one end of each is fixedly attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 32. Further, a pin-shaped coil spring hook 43a is provided at the tip of each coil spring stay 43, and the coil spring hook 43a and the cleaner plate 42 are provided.
The coil spring 4 is provided between the coil spring 4 and the coil spring hook 48 on the side.
4 is stretched, and the cleaner plate 42 is biased by the biasing force of the coil spring 44 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 about the pivot 46 as a fulcrum.

Further, in this structure, when the opening / closing lid 32 is closed, the opening / closing hook 47 has the opening / closing hook 47.
, The cleaner plate 42 is released to the side surface of the LED head 34 with the coil spring 44 extended, and the LED head 34 is moved to the photoconductor unit 4.
It is set so that it is pressed against the upper surface of.

From this state, the opening / closing lid 32 is opened in the direction of the arrow 51 in FIG. 3, and when this is opened to a predetermined position, the cleaner plate 42 causes the coil spring 4 to move.
3 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 about the pivot 46 as a fulcrum by the urging force of 4, and with this rotation, a cleaner pad 49 is formed on the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 below the lens surface. Move by sliding and wiping. Then, with this movement, the lens surface is automatically wiped by the cleaner pad 49, and then the cleaner pad 49 stops on the lens surface. FIG. 5 shows this state. In this state, the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 is hidden by the cleaner member 15 to prevent something from touching the lens surface and being scratched, thereby protecting it. Then, when the opening / closing lid 32 is opened to the final open position, the toner cartridge can be replaced and the photoconductor unit can be maintained through this opening.

When the opening / closing lid 32 is pivoted from this open position to the closing position side for closing the opening, when the opening / closing lid 32 is closed halfway, the opening / closing hook 47 is opened.
Is contacted with the upper surface 3a around the opening of the printer body 1 and the closing operation of the opening / closing lid 32 further proceeds, only the opening / closing lid 32 and the LED head 34 are rotated to the closed position with the cleaner plate 42 left in that position. To be done. This causes the cleaner plate 42 to move to the LED head 3 while the coil spring 44 is extended.
4 is released to the side surface side, and the LED head 34 is pressed against the upper surface of the photoconductor unit 4 to return to the initial state set. Further, when only the opening / closing lid 32 and the LED head 34 are rotated to the closed position while leaving the cleaner plate 42, the cleaner pad 49 slides on the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 to wipe it. The lens surface is moved to the cleaner pad 49 by this movement.
Will be wiped automatically again. That is, even in the case of this embodiment, the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 is automatically wiped twice every time the opening / closing lid 32 is opened / closed, that is, the forward and backward movements. Then, in the final closed position, the LED head 34 is pressed against the upper surface of the photoconductor unit and set.

In the second embodiment, the structure in which the cleaner plate 42 is made movable is disclosed. Conversely, when the cleaner plate 42 is fixed and the LED head 34 is made movable, the opening / closing lid 32 is opened. At the same time, the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array 18 may be in close contact with the cleaner plate 42 during the wiping operation.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the invention is applied to the electrophotographic printer using the LED head has been described. However, for example, a liquid crystal shutter array head using a SELFOC lens array, an EL (electrolumi) is used.
The present invention can be applied to a printing device having an optical print head such as an array head, and further to a printing device such as a facsimile using the optical print head.

[0034]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, every time the opening / closing lid is opened / closed, the cleaner means has the selfoc lens array twice when the opening / closing lid is opened and when it is closed. The lens surface of the SELFOC lens array is moved so as to be automatically wiped, and the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array can be always kept clean. Also, when the opening / closing lid is moved to the open position, the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array is hidden by the cleaner means, so something may come into contact with the lens surface when the opening / closing lid is opened and scratches may occur. It can be expected to have the effect of being able to surely prevent this.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional side view showing a first embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation state diagram of a parallel link mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional side view showing a second embodiment of the device of the present invention with the opening / closing lid closed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional side view showing a second embodiment of the device of the present invention with the opening / closing lid closed.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view schematically showing an example of a conventional printing apparatus.

7 is a schematic vertical sectional side view of the same device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Printer Main Body 2 Open / Close Lid 3 Opening 14 LED Head (Optical Print Head) 15 Cleaner Member 18 SELFOC Lens Array 32 Open / Close Lid 34 LED Head (Optical Print Head) 35 Cleaner Part 42 Cleaner Plate

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location G03G 15/04 111 21/10 // B08B 1/00 (72) Inventor Minoru Teshima Minato-ku, Tokyo Toranomon 1-7-12 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus having an opening closed with an opening / closing lid having an optical print head having a SELFOC lens array arranged on one surface attached to an inner surface thereof, wherein the SELFOC lock is interlocked with an opening operation of the opening / closing lid. A cleaner disposed while covering the front surface of the SELFOC lens array while wiping the lens surface of the lens array, and retracted from the front surface while wiping the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array in conjunction with a closing operation. A printing apparatus comprising means. 2. A link mechanism is arranged between the optical print head and the opening / closing lid, and the optical print head is moved with respect to the cleaner means in association with opening / closing of the opening / closing lid. The printing apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cleaner means is formed of an elastic body such as rubber, and a cleaner pad is provided on a surface for wiping the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaner means is moved with respect to the optical print in association with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid. 5. A spring means is provided on the front surface of the lens surface of the SELFOC lens array for urging the cleaner means so that the cleaner means moves, and the opening / closing lid is closed to a predetermined position. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for preventing the cleaner means from moving to the front surface of the SELFOC lens array against the biasing force of the spring means when the cleaner means is contacted. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical print head is moved with respect to the cleaner means in association with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid.