JPH04220373A - Image output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To further enhance the functional density of an apparatus as a whole by more effectively using the space in a U-turn part allowing recording paper to take a U-turn. CONSTITUTION:An optical write unit 5b is received in a U-turn part. An upper cover 27 is revolved upwardly to be set to an open state and revolved around a fulcrum 28. At this time, a charger 4 and a developing unit 6 follow the upper cover 27 but the optical write unit 5a does not follow. By revolving the opening and closing part 14a provided to a part of a guide plate 14 upwardly around a fulcrum 13 to open the same, the optical write unit 5b can be received in the receiving part 37 provided in the U-turn part, if necessary, or taken out of the receiving part 37.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device, and more particularly, to an image output device that uses an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, a magnetic recording method, or the like.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, analog copying machines, digital copying machines,
There were image output devices such as digital printers and analog/digital multifunction machines, and there were some that wrote only in analog or digital, and others that wrote in both analog and digital in recording processes such as electrophotography.

[0003] Also, as small printers, laser printers, LED (light emitting diode) printers, and liquid crystal printers are considered for office use, but LED printers and liquid crystal printers eliminate moving parts from the writing head and aim for high reliability. The company aims to lower prices because it can utilize semiconductor manufacturing processes. On the other hand, laser printers are trying to reduce the price by lowering the required precision of polygon mirrors by improving the optical system. The above three printers are all types of electrophotographic printers that use photosensitive drums, similar to PPCs (plain paper copying machines). The difference is that laser printers use a laser to expose a photosensitive drum, whereas LED printers and liquid crystal printers use LED arrays and liquid crystal shutters for exposure, reducing the number of mechanically moving parts, resulting in higher reliability, smaller size, and We are trying to lower prices. In particular, LED printers are attracting attention because they can compete with laser printers in terms of miniaturization. However, L
A problem with ED printers is the correction of variations in the amount of light from the LEDs.

[0004] As described above, image output devices such as analog copiers, digital copiers, digital printers, and analog/digital copiers are increasingly entering offices as office automation advances, and the number of devices per office is increasing. It's coming. If multiple image output devices are installed, installation space will be taken up. In addition, problems with installation space, arrangement, price, etc., such as the fact that multiple devices become expensive, are only increasing gradually.

FIG. 4 shows the previously proposed patent application No. 2-105.
This is a configuration diagram of the image output device described in No. 781, in which 101 is the main body of the device, 1021 to 1024 are a plurality of rollers, 103 is a photoreceptor, 104 is a charger, and 10
5 is a solid-state scanning optical writing unit (print head); 1
06 is a developing unit, 107 is a developing sleeve, 108 is a paper feeding unit, 109 is a recording paper, 110 is a paper feeding roller,
111 is a turn guide, 112 is a conveyance roller, 113 is a space, 114 is a guide plate, 115 is a conveyance path, 116 is a conveyance roller, 117 is a transfer charger, 118 is a sensor section, 119 is a guide, 120 is a fixing unit, 1201 is a A fixing roller, 1202 a pressure roller, 121 a paper discharge roller, 122 and 123 a paper discharge section, 124 a cleaning unit, 125 a blade, 126 a collection roller, 12
7 is the upper cover, 128, 134, 136 are fulcrums, 129
130 is a protective member, 131 is a rib,
132 is a guide part, 133 is an operation panel, 1
35 is a guide member. The electrical component storage section 129 stores a power source and the like.

According to the above proposal, in an image output device that supplies and transports recording paper to an image forming section, forms an image, and outputs the image, the conveyance path of the recording paper supplied to the image forming section is changed from the recording paper to the image forming section. By turning the recording paper by more than 180 degrees and folding the recording paper without creating creases, the internal space of the device can be used effectively, making it possible to downsize the entire device and increase its functional density. It has been shown that it will happen.

However, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to turn the recording paper over 180° without creating creases,
The curvature of the turn cannot be increased beyond a certain level, and the U-turn needs to be larger than a certain level accordingly. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the utilization efficiency of the space 113 (indicated by the dashed line) inside the U-turn section is lower than the utilization efficiency of other parts within the device.

[0008]

[Purpose] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides an image processing system that further increases the functional density of the entire device by more effectively using the space inside the U-turn section for turning recording paper. It was created for the purpose of providing an output device.

[0009]

[Structure] In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides (1)
a photoreceptor; a charger for charging the surface of the photoreceptor; an optical writing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor charged by the charger; A developing unit that develops and visualizes the recording paper, and a conveyance path including a turn guide section that turns the recording paper by 180 degrees or more and folds the recording paper without creating a crease. In an image output device that supplies and conveys an image to form an image, a U that turns the recording paper
A storage section for accommodating parts (replacement parts, tools, etc.) is provided inside the turn section, and furthermore, (2) an optical writing unit can be accommodated inside the U-turn section for turning the recording paper. or (3) a photoconductor, a charger for charging the surface of the photoconductor, and optical writing for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor charged by the charger. unit, and a developing unit that develops and visualizes the electrostatic latent image, and a turn guide section that turns the recording paper by 180 degrees or more and folds the recording paper without creating a crease. In an image output device that is provided with a conveyance path including a conveyance path, and forms an image by supplying and conveying recording paper, the optical writing unit for forming the electrostatic latent image includes:
held on the photoreceptor unit by a holding member provided integrally with the photoreceptor unit including the photoreceptor;
By applying pressure to the photoreceptor unit during image formation,
or (4) a photoconductor, a charger for charging the surface of the photoconductor, and a static charge applied to the surface of the photoconductor charged by the charger. It has an optical writing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image and a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image into a visible image, and turns the recording paper by 180 degrees or more to create a crease in the recording paper. In an image output device that supplies and transports recording paper to form an image, the optical writing unit is housed inside a U-turn section that turns the recording paper. The optical writing unit for forming the electrostatic latent image is held on the photoconductor unit by a holding member provided integrally with the photoconductor unit including the photoconductor, and the optical writing unit for forming the electrostatic latent image is The optical book housed inside the U-turn section is fixed substantially integrally with the photoreceptor unit by applying pressure to the photoreceptor unit at times, and is removable when not forming an image. It is characterized by being freely replaceable with the included unit. Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of an image output device according to the present invention, and in the figure, 1 indicates the main body of the device;
21 to 24 are a plurality of rollers, 3 is a photoreceptor, 4 is a charging charger, 5a and 5b are solid-state scanning optical writing units (print heads), 6 is a developing unit, 7 is a developing sleeve,
8 is a paper feed unit, 9 is a recording paper, 10 is a paper feed roller, 1
1a and 11b are turn guides, 12 is a conveyance roller, 13
14 is a fulcrum, 14 is a guide plate, 14a is an opening/closing part, 15 is a conveyance path, 16 is a conveyance roller, 17 is a transfer charger, 18 is a sensor part, 19 is a guide, 20 is a fixing unit, 201
202 is a fixing roller, 202 is a pressure roller, 21 is a paper ejection roller, 22 and 23 are paper ejection sections, 24 is a cleaning unit,
25 is a blade, 26 is a collection roller, 27 is an upper cover,
28, 34, 36 are fulcrums, 29 is an electrical component storage section, 30
31 is a protection member, 31 is a rib, 32 is a guide portion, 33 is an operation panel, 35 is a guide member, and 37 is a storage portion. The electrical component storage section 29 stores a power source and the like.

A belt-shaped photoreceptor 3 is disposed approximately in the center of the apparatus main body 1 and is supported by a plurality of rollers 21, 22, and 23 and rotated clockwise. Process components disposed around the photoreceptor 3 according to the electrophotographic process will be described below.

First, a charger 4 is provided for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor 3. Next, a solid-state scanning optical writing unit (also referred to as a print head) 5a is provided that irradiates writing light for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged photoreceptor 3. The solid-state scanning optical writing unit 5a includes a fluorescent dot array, an LED array, and an L
A C shutter array, an EL dot array, a plasma dot array, etc. are used.

Further, the opposing roller 24 is placed in contact with the back surface of the photoreceptor 3 with respect to the solid state scanning type optical writing unit 5a in order to maintain the relative position between the solid state scanning type optical writing unit 5a and the photoreceptor 3. , and is configured to follow the photoreceptor 3 in order to prevent it from being damaged. Next, a developing unit 6 is provided which develops and visualizes this electrostatic latent image, and this developing unit 6 is equipped with a developing sleeve 7 and the like.

On the other hand, a paper feed unit 8 is loaded in the lower part of the main body 1 of the apparatus, and the recording paper 9 is separated and fed one by one by a paper feed roller 10. Feeded recording paper 9
continues to be conveyed by a pair of conveyance rollers 12 via turn guides 11a and 11b, further passes through a conveyance path 15 formed by a guide section 32 having ribs 31 and a guide plate 14, and passes through a sensor section 18.

That is, the conveyance path of the recording paper 9 is configured to turn the recording paper 9 by 180 degrees or more and fold the recording paper 9 without creating a crease in the recording paper 9. This makes it possible to downsize the device, in other words, to increase the functional density described above. The recording paper 9 that has passed through the sensor section 18 is conveyed toward the photoreceptor 3 by a pair of subsequent conveyance rollers 16 (which can also function as so-called registration rollers), and is then conveyed by the action of the transfer charger 17. to undergo image transfer. The sensor section 18 basically generates different electrical signals depending on the presence or absence of the recording paper 9, but it is possible to detect the leading edge of the recording paper 9 by using this electrical signal. A controller section (not shown) determines the exposure timing of the solid-state scanning optical writing unit 5 based on the point in time when the leading edge of the recording paper 9 is detected.

That is, since it is necessary that the leading edge of the recording paper 9 and the leading edge of the image area on the photoreceptor 3 are positioned at the transfer charger 17 at the same timing, Using the known time from when the leading edge passes through the sensor section 18 until it contacts the photoreceptor 3 and is located at the transfer charger 17 section, and based on the point in time when the leading edge of the recording paper 9 is detected, It is determined at what point an image should be formed on the photoreceptor 3. After the transfer, the recording paper 9 is separated from the photoconductor 3 due to the curvature of the photoconductor 3 and the weight of the recording paper 9, and is sent to the fixing unit 20 via a guide 19. In the fixing unit 20, the fixing roller 201
The recording paper 9 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the pressure roller 202 and the pressure roller 202, and further conveyed to the paper discharge roller 21 side and discharged onto a paper discharge section 22 or 23 formed at the upper part of the main body of the apparatus.

On the other hand, residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 3 after transfer is removed by a blade 25 of a cleaning unit 24 and collected by a collection roller 26 into a collection container (not shown). Thereafter, the photoreceptor 3 is again subjected to charging by the charging charger 4.

When replacing each unit or disposing of a paper jam, the upper cover 27 is rotated upward and opened about the fulcrum 28 as shown by the imaginary line (two-dot chain line) in the figure. When the upper cover 27 is opened, the charging charger 4 and the developing unit 6 follow as shown by the imaginary lines, thereby widening the area around the photoreceptor 3.

When paper is to be fed manually rather than from the paper feed unit 8, the operation panel 33 is rotated about the fulcrum 34 as shown by the imaginary line in the figure. In other words, operation panel 3
3, the guide member 35 rotates about the fulcrum 36 along an imaginary line, so after inserting the desired recording paper along the guide member 35 until it collides with the transport roller 12, the operation panel 33 When a print button (not shown) is pressed, the image forming operation starts, and the image is formed on the recording paper through the process described above, and the paper is ejected.

In the above structure, the turn guides 11a and 11b are for conveying the recording paper while turning it, and are shown as inner and outer turn guides, respectively. The space between the turn guides 11a and 11b becomes a conveyance path for the recording paper. Further, an optical writing unit indicated by 5b is accommodated inside the U-turn portion. Virtual line (double-dashed line) in the diagram
As shown in , the upper cover 27 is rotated upward and placed in the open state (rotated around the fulcrum 28. At this time, the charger 4 and the developing unit 6 follow the upper cover 27, The optical writing unit 5a does not follow the optical writing unit 5a unlike in FIG.
Rotate upwards around the fulcrum 13 (two-dot chain line)
By this, the accommodation section 37 provided inside the U-turn section
The structure is such that the optical writing unit 5b can be housed in or taken out as needed.

Next, a method of holding the optical writing unit 5 for forming an electrostatic latent image will be explained. When the optical writing unit 5a rotates around the upper cover 27 and the fulcrum 28 and is in the open state, it does not follow the upper cover 27, and at least the photoconductor unit consisting of the photoconductor 3 and the photoconductor holding part. It is configured so that it is held integrally with the photoreceptor unit via a holding member (not shown) provided above and integrally with the photoreceptor unit, and can be taken out by pulling it upward.

That is, when the upper cover 27 is closed, the optical writing unit 5a held on the photoreceptor unit is moved downward (on the photoreceptor side) by the upper cover 27 via a buffer member such as a spring member or directly. By being pressed against the photoreceptor unit, it is substantially fixed integrally with the photoreceptor unit. Therefore, since the distance between the optical writing unit 5a and the photoreceptor unit can always be kept constant, stable images can be obtained without being affected by vibrations inside and outside the apparatus.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing the structure of the accommodating portion. In the figures, 38 is a gap, and other parts having the same functions as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. The air gap 38 is shown in FIG.
This is the gap in which the conveyance roller 12 is placed. Here, the accommodating portion 37 is provided integrally with the turn guide 11a inside the U-turn portion.

That is, among the plurality of ribs provided on the turn guide 11a for guiding the recording paper, a part of the inner rib is formed into a concave shape to constitute the storage portion 37, and the concave shape The ribs at both ends, which are not formed in the middle, define the longitudinal position of the accommodating portion 37. Here, the accommodating part 37 may be provided below the opening/closing part 14a integrally with the opening/closing part, or the accommodating member may be provided inside the U-turn part independently from other members. Further, the storage portion 37 may store anything as needed, such as other replacement parts such as toner, parts and tools used for maintenance, repair, etc.

FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) show the optical writing unit 5.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a holding means for holding the photoreceptor unit a on the photoreceptor unit. In the figure, 41a and 41b are holding members provided integrally with the photoreceptor unit (Figures (b) and (c)).
), and by fitting this with the holding parts 40 provided at both ends of the optical writing unit 5a in FIG. By applying downward pressure when the upper cover is closed, the optical writing unit 5a is fixed integrally with the photoreceptor unit.

Although not shown, holding members 41a,
A photoreceptor is arranged between the holding members 41b and 41b.
The lower surfaces of the holders 42a, 42b of the holders 42a, 41b are brought into contact with the lower surface of the holder 40 of the optical writing unit, thereby holding the photoreceptor and the optical writing unit 5a at a predetermined distance. Each side (3 sides each)
and each side surface of the holding section 40 define the position of the optical writing unit 5a in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) and the paper feeding direction (sub scanning direction). Further, when the upper cover 27 is opened upward, the optical writing unit 5a is released from the downward force and can be freely pulled upward and can also be freely attached.

[0027]

[Effects] As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) Effect corresponding to claim 1: Since the storage section for accommodating parts is provided inside the U-turn section for turning the recording paper of the image output device, the functional density of the device can be further increased. That is, the space actually required by the device, including replacement parts, tools, etc., can be reduced. (2) Effect corresponding to claim 2: A spare optical writing unit or a separate optical writing unit that differs in functionality such as pixel density can be housed in the device, so optical writing This makes it easy to replace the built-in unit and to make the device multi-functional. (3) Effect corresponding to claim 3: Since the optical writing unit is fixed and held integrally with the photoreceptor unit during image formation, a stable image can be obtained (high image quality, high reliability), and the upper cover By opening the optical writing unit, the optical writing unit can be easily attached and detached (easier to operate and assemble). (4) Effect corresponding to claim 4: As stated in claim 3, a stable image can be obtained. The optical writing unit can be easily attached and detached, and a separate optical writing unit can be housed in the device, so it can be easily replaced when the optical writing unit reaches the end of its life or stops functioning due to an accident. In addition, by accommodating separate optical writing units with different functions such as pixel density in the housing section, pixel density switching can be performed within the space occupied by the device (or by itself even when the device is moved). Functional changes to the device can be made by the user at any time as needed. That is, the functionality of the device is significantly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of an image output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a storage section.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing holding means for holding the optical writing unit on the photoreceptor unit.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a previously proposed image output device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Apparatus main body 3 Photoreceptor 4 Chargers 5a, 5b Solid-state scanning optical writing unit (print head) 6 Developing unit 8 Paper feeding unit 9 Recording paper 10 Paper feeding rollers 11a, 11b Turn guide 12 Conveying roller 13 Fulcrum 14 Guide plate 14a Opening/closing section 15 Conveyance path 16 Conveyance roller 17 Transfer charger 18 Sensor section 19 Guide 20 Fixing unit 21 Paper discharge rollers 22, 23 Paper discharge section 24 Cleaning unit 25 Blade 26 Collection roller 27 Upper cover 28, 34, 36 Fulcrum 29 Electrical components Storage section 32 Guide section 33 Operation panel 35 Guide member 37 Storage section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A photoreceptor, a charger for charging the surface of the photoreceptor, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor charged by the charger. and a developing unit that develops and visualizes the electrostatic latent image, the recording paper is turned by 180 degrees or more, and the recording paper is folded without forming creases. A conveyance path including a turn guide section is provided to supply the recording paper,
An image output device that forms an image by conveying the recording paper, characterized in that a storage section for storing parts is provided inside a U-turn section for turning the recording paper. 2. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein an optical writing unit can be housed inside a U-turn portion for turning the recording paper. 3. A photoreceptor, a charger for charging the surface of the photoreceptor, and an optical writing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor charged by the charger; a developing unit that develops and visualizes an electrostatic latent image, and a conveying path including a turn guide section that turns the recording paper by 180 degrees or more and folds the recording paper without creating a crease. In the image output device that forms an image by supplying and transporting recording paper, the optical writing unit for forming the electrostatic latent image is provided with a holder integrally provided with a photoconductor unit including the photoconductor. An image output device characterized in that it is held on the photoreceptor unit by a member and is substantially fixed integrally with the photoreceptor unit by applying pressure to the photoreceptor unit during image formation. 4. A photoreceptor, a charger for charging the surface of the photoreceptor, and an optical writing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor charged by the charger; It has a developing unit that develops and visualizes an electrostatic latent image, and has a conveyance path that includes a turn guide section that turns the recording paper by 180 degrees or more and folds the recording paper without creating creases. , an image output device that feeds and conveys recording paper to form an image, in which an optical writing unit can be housed inside a U-turn section for turning the recording paper; and an optical writing unit for forming the electrostatic latent image; The optical writing unit is held on the photoconductor unit by a holding member provided integrally with the photoconductor unit including the photoconductor, and is substantially attached to the photoconductor by applying pressure to the photoconductor unit side during image formation. An image output device characterized in that it is fixed integrally with the unit and is detachable when not forming an image, thereby making it freely replaceable with the optical writing unit housed inside the U-turn portion. .