Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: a body having a first surface and a second surface; a first photosensitive member disposed inside the main body and configured to carry a first toner image; a first exposure portion disposed inside the main body and configured to expose the first photosensitive member with light; a second photosensitive member disposed inside the main body and configured to carry a second toner image; a second exposure portion disposed inside the main body and configured to expose the second photosensitive member with light; and a controller disposed on the first surface of the main body and configured to transmit a first control signal for controlling the first exposure portion and a second control signal for controlling the second exposure portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an imaging device including an exposure apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Imaging devices employing electrophotographic systems form images by exposing a photosensitive drum to light. Therefore, such imaging devices include an exposure apparatus. In the exposure apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-025381, multiple light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic electroluminescent (EL) elements) are arranged in a row.

[0003] In the exposure apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-025381, an exposure unit (exposure apparatus) is provided for each of a plurality of photosensitive drums. That is, the exposure apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-025381 includes a plurality of exposure units. Since signal lines are wired to transmit control signals to each of the plurality of exposure units, the number of signal lines is increased.

[0004] The imaging unit, including the photosensitive drum, is structurally arranged inside the main body of the imaging device. The exposure unit is also located near the photosensitive drum. On the other hand, electrical component units, including control units that control the operation of the imaging unit and the exposure unit, are grouped together at the rear of the main body of the imaging device. Therefore, the wiring of the signal lines used to transmit control signals to the exposure unit often becomes complex. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An imaging apparatus according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: a body having a first surface and a second surface; a first photosensitive device disposed inside the body and configured to carry a first toner image; a first exposure device disposed inside the body and configured to expose the first photosensitive device with light; a second photosensitive device disposed inside the body and configured to carry a second toner image; a second exposure device disposed inside the body and configured to expose the second photosensitive device with light; a control device disposed on the first surface of the body and configured to transmit a first control signal for controlling the first exposure device and a second control signal for controlling the second exposure device; and a relay unit disposed on the second surface of the body and configured to relay the first control signal and the second control signal transmitted from the control device, wherein the relay unit includes a receiving connector device configured to receive the first control signal and the second control signal, a first connector device configured to transmit the first control signal received by the receiving connector device to the first exposure device, and a second connector device configured to transmit the second control signal received by the receiving connector device to the second exposure device.

[0006] The features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of embodiments is by way of example. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a diagram used to illustrate the construction of an imaging device.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a perspective view used to show the exposure unit when viewed from above.

[0009] Figure 3 It is a perspective view used to show the exposure unit when viewed from below.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a perspective view used to show the exposure unit mounted on the cassette tray.

[0011] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 The sectional view taken by line BB.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a perspective view used to show the cooling unit.

[0013] Figure 7 It is along Figure 1 The sectional view taken by line AA.

[0014] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7The sectional view taken by the CC line.

[0015] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram used to show the electrical components of an imaging device.

[0016] Figure 10 It is a perspective view used to show the imaging device.

[0017] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram used to show the left side surface of the imaging device. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Now, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a description of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is given. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide an imaging apparatus in which wiring for control signals is simplified.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram illustrating an imaging apparatus according to at least one embodiment. The imaging apparatus 100 of at least one embodiment is a four-color full-color printer employing a tandem intermediate transfer system using electrophotographic technology. The imaging apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet S based on signals input from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer to a controller (not shown). Figure 1 The internal structure of the imaging device 100 when viewed from the front is shown.

[0020] Imaging device 100 includes an imaging section 1 as an imaging unit, which is generally arranged in the middle of the main body 100A. Imaging section 1 is used to form toner images of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Imaging section 1 includes four imaging units U corresponding to the respective colors. The four imaging units U have substantially the same structure. A description of the structure of the imaging unit U that forms the cyan toner image is given here, but a description of the structure of the imaging units U that form toner images of the other colors is omitted.

[0021] The imaging unit U includes a drum unit and a developing unit. The drum unit includes a rotating drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive component (hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum") 2, which serves as an image carrier. The developing unit includes a developing sleeve 5 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 to generate a toner image. The drum unit and the developing unit can be replaced, and the drum unit and the developing unit can be installed on and removed from the imaging device 100.

[0022] The drum unit, in addition to the photosensitive drum 2, includes a charging roller 3 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and a drum cleaner section (not shown). The developing unit, in addition to the developing sleeve 5, includes a screw 7 for agitating the toner and supplying the agitated toner to the developing sleeve 5. The exposure unit 4, as an exposure device, is arranged between the drum unit and the developing unit. The exposure unit 4 includes multiple light-emitting elements, such as LED elements or organic EL elements.

[0023] The cartridge tray 30 is positioned below the imaging unit U. The cartridge tray 30 guides the drum unit and developing unit into the imaging device 100. A cooling unit 60 is positioned below the cartridge tray 30. The cooling unit 60 includes a fan 62 for cooling the exposure unit 4.

[0024] An intermediate transfer belt unit 8 is positioned above the imaging section 1, and a sheet cassette 12 is positioned below the imaging section 1. The intermediate transfer belt unit 8 includes: four primary transfer rollers 6 arranged opposite to photosensitive drums 2 of corresponding colors; a belt drive roller 10; and a belt 9. The sheet cassette 12 includes two cassettes, specifically, a cassette 12A positioned on the upper layer and a cassette 12B positioned on the lower layer.

[0025] On the upper side of the intermediate transfer belt unit 8 are toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K corresponding to their respective colors. Toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K store supplemental toner for the corresponding developing units of the four imaging units U. Toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K can be installed and removed for replacement. At appropriate timing, a toner supply mechanism (not shown) supplies an appropriate amount of toner from each of the toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K corresponding to the corresponding developing units of the four imaging units U.

[0026] During the imaging process, electrostatic latent images are formed on the corresponding photosensitive drums 2 of the four imaging units U. As a preparatory operation, a high voltage is applied to the charging roller 3 when it is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 2, causing the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 2 to be uniformly charged. The light emitting element of the exposure unit 4 illuminates the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with light. The exposure unit 4 is an exposure section used to control the light emission of each light emitting element according to the indicated image and the control signal transmitted from the controller (not shown). The potential of the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is a value that varies between the illuminated and unilluminated positions. This difference allows an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the control signal to be formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0027] The developing sleeve 5 includes a built-in magnet, and inside the developing unit, its surface is uniformly coated with charged toner. Inside the developing unit, a screw 7 circulates the toner at high speed. The rotational speed of the screw 7 is much higher than that of the developing sleeve 5 or the photosensitive drum 2. Therefore, the developing sleeve 5 is uniformly coated with toner without any unevenness. High voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 5 via a different path than that applied to the charging roller 3, causing the toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image, thus developing the toner. In this way, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2.

[0028] The toner images of the corresponding colors formed on the corresponding photosensitive drum 2 are transferred sequentially one by one onto the drive roller 10 along the [unclear text - possibly a continuation of the image]. Figure 1 The toner images are transferred onto the surface of the belt 9 in a counter-clockwise direction. In at least one embodiment, toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are transferred in that order. In this way, toner images of the corresponding colors are formed on the belt 9 in an overlay manner.

[0029] When viewed from the front, the imaging device has a sheet transport path on the right side of the imaging section, which is configured to transport the sheet S from the bottom to the top. Along the sheet transport path, a sheet feed roller pair 13, an alignment roller pair 15, a secondary transfer roller 16, a fixing device 19, and an exit roller pair 20 are arranged in order from bottom to top. The secondary transfer roller 16 is brought to a point where it abuts against the belt drive roller 10 of the intermediate transfer belt unit 8 with a predetermined pressing force across the belt 9, and a secondary transfer clamping portion 17 is formed between the secondary transfer roller 16 and the belt 9.

[0030] According to the imaging process, the sheet feed roller pair 13 is driven at a predetermined control timing, so that the sheet S is separated and fed one by one from either the sheet cassette 12A or the sheet cassette 12B. The fed sheet S is conveyed to the alignment roller pair 15 through the sheet transport path. The alignment roller pair 15 corrects the skewed feed of the sheet S and conveys the sheet S to the secondary transfer clamping unit 17 in a timing synchronized with the timing of the toner image transferred to the toner transfer onto the belt 9 being transferred to the secondary transfer clamping unit 17.

[0031] The secondary transfer clamping unit 17 clamps and conveys the belt 9 and the sheet S. The secondary transfer clamping unit 17 transfers the four colors of toner images formed on the belt 9 onto the sheet S in a collective manner. In this way, an unfixed toner image is formed on the sheet S. The sheet S is conveyed from the secondary transfer clamping unit 17 to the fixing device 19. The fixing device 19 applies heat and pressure to the sheet S on which the toner image is formed to fix the toner image onto the sheet S. The sheet S on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 19 is discharged as the product of image formation by the discharge roller pair 20 onto the discharge tray 21 provided above the toner bottles 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K.

[0032] <Exposure Unit>

[0033] Figure 2 This is a perspective view used to show the exposure unit 4 when viewed from above. Figure 3 This is a perspective view used to show the exposure unit 4 when viewed from below. For example... Figure 1 As shown, with the exposure unit 4 installed in the imaging device 100, the photosensitive drum 2 is positioned towards the upper side of the exposure unit 4 when viewed from the exposure unit 4. Furthermore, in Figure 1 In the image, when viewed from the exposure unit 4, the cooling unit 60 is positioned below the exposure unit 4.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the exposure unit 4, when mounted to the imaging device 100, has a shape extending along the drum axis direction of the photosensitive drum 2. That is, the longitudinal direction of the exposure unit 4 is substantially parallel to the drum axis direction of the photosensitive drum 2. The exposure unit 4 includes a lens assembly 49 in its upper portion. The lens assembly 49 is fixed to the retainer 41 with an adhesive or the like. A slit is formed in the surface of the retainer 41 opposite to the photosensitive drum 2. The lens assembly 49 is inserted into the slit. Light emitted from each of the light-emitting elements of the exposure unit 4 is imaged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 through the lens assembly 49. The retainer 41 is supported by a support member 42.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, the exposure unit 4 includes a mounting plate 50. On a first surface of the mounting plate 50 opposite to the lens assembly 49, a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a longitudinal direction. More specifically, the mounting plate 50 includes a printed circuit board on which wiring is formed. The mounting plate 50 also includes a plurality of chips mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board. Furthermore, the plurality of light-emitting elements are formed in the plurality of chips. As described above, LED elements, organic EL elements, etc., are used as the plurality of light-emitting elements. The mounting plate 50 is fixed to the retainer 41 using adhesives or the like. Since the light-emitting elements are disposed on the first surface of the mounting plate 50, the first surface of the mounting plate 50 is a light-emitting surface.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, connector 57 is mounted on a second surface of mounting plate 50 opposite to the first surface. Connector 57 is connected to a flexible flat cable (hereinafter referred to as "FFC") 58, which serves as a signal line to which control signals for controlling the drive of the light-emitting element are transmitted. Connector 57 is disposed near one end portion of exposure unit 4 along the longitudinal direction of exposure unit 4. In at least one embodiment, with exposure unit 4 mounted to imaging device 100, connector 57 is arranged in... Figure 1 On the front. Furthermore, as... Figure 3As shown, the second surface of the mounting plate 50 is exposed to the space surrounded by the retainer 41 and the support member 42. (As shown from...) Figure 3 As understood, an opening is formed in the bottom surface of the support member 42 to allow the space to communicate with the outside of the exposure unit 4. In at least one embodiment, three openings 43a to 43c are formed.

[0037] Next, the state in which the exposure unit 4 is mounted to the imaging device 100 will be described. In at least one embodiment, when the exposure unit 4 is mounted to the imaging device 100, the exposure unit 4 is integrally disposed with the cartridge tray 30. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the exposure unit 4 mounted on the box tray 30 when viewed from above. Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 The sectional view taken from line BB in the middle.

[0038] The tray 30 is a tray used to mount the drum unit and developing unit for guiding insertion into the main body 100A of the imaging device 100. The exposure unit 4 is arranged approximately at the center of the tray 30 in the space defined between the drum unit and the developing unit. The inner door 102 is rotatable at the front end of the tray 30. When the tray 30 is mounted into the imaging device 100, the front end of the tray 30 is positioned at... Figure 1 The front part. The inner door 102 is configured to be rotatable so as to close the opening for mounting the imaging unit U after the imaging unit U is mounted to the imaging device 100.

[0039] The tray 30 includes a lifting pipe 69 approximately in its middle portion, the lifting pipe being able to... Figure 5 The exposure unit 4 is mounted to the lifting pipe 69 in the W direction so as to be integrally formed with the tray 30. The lifting pipe 69 is tubular and has openings at its upper and lower ends. The lifting pipe 69 is configured to communicate with the back (second surface) of the mounting plate 50 of the exposure unit 4 when the exposure unit 4 is mounted thereon. That is, as described above, the space exposing the second surface of the mounting plate 50 is interconnected with the space surrounded by the lifting pipe 69 via an opening at the bottom surface of the support member 42 and an opening at the upper end of the lifting pipe 69.

[0040] FFC 58 is arranged to overlap with the lift pipe 69 to prevent interference with the insertion of the drum unit and developing unit into the imaging device 100. That is, when viewed from the front of the device, FFC 58 is positioned in front of the lift pipe 69. FFC 58 is along... Figure 5 The signal is transmitted in the direction indicated by the middle arrow X.

[0041] Cooling Unit

[0042] Exposure unit 4 dissipates heat during the driving of the light emitting element. Specifically, in cases of repeated imaging processes at high frequencies (high productivity) or continuous output of images with high image density, the light emission time period of the light emitting element becomes longer, and further, the light emission amount of the light emitting element increases. Therefore, the heat generated by exposure unit 4 increases. Furthermore, exposure unit 4 is arranged near the developing unit using toner. Toner is easily altered in quality due to heat. In view of the above, at least one embodiment of the imaging apparatus 100 includes a cooling unit 60 for cooling exposure unit 4.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a perspective view illustrating a cooling unit 60 for cooling the exposure unit 4. The cooling unit 60 includes two fans 62 and 63 at its end portions. One of the fans 62 and 63 functions as an intake fan for drawing in fresh air (air outside the imaging device 100), while the other functions as an exhaust fan for discharging air. Fans 62 and 63 are disposed on any surface of the body 100A of the imaging device 100. In at least one embodiment, fans 62 and 63 are disposed on the left side surface of the body 100A. The fan 62, located closer to the front of the imaging device 100, functions as an intake fan, and the fan 63, located closer to the rear of the imaging device, functions as an exhaust fan.

[0044] With ample space in front of the fan, the fan's intake / exhaust volume can be increased. Therefore, it has been considered in the relevant technical field that it is preferable not to arrange obstructions around the imaging device 100. In contrast, in at least one embodiment, fans 62 and 63 are arranged on a single surface. Therefore, even if obstructions are arranged near some surfaces within the imaging device 100, the intake / exhaust volume of fans 62 and 63 can be maintained, thereby maintaining the cooling performance of the cooling unit 60. Furthermore, when the intake fan and exhaust fan are arranged at a distance, for example, in at least one embodiment, the cooling performance of the cooling unit 60 can be improved. This is because even if high-temperature air is released from the exhaust fan, the temperature of the air drawn in by the intake fan is not easily raised.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the cooling unit 60 is arranged directly below the tray 30. The cooling unit 60 is configured to communicate with the mounting plate 50 within the exposure unit 4 via a lifting conduit 69. The cooling unit 60 includes an intake duct 64 for supplying fresh air, supplied by the fan 62, to the lifting conduit 69, and an exhaust duct 65 for supplying air to the fan 63 after cooling the exposure unit 4. Four openings 66a are formed in the upper surface of the intake duct 64. Four openings 66b are formed in the upper surface of the exhaust duct 65. Figure 6In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals are provided for openings 66a and 66b corresponding to the cyan imaging unit U. The opening 66a of the air intake duct 64 connects to the opening 43a of the support member 42 of the exposure unit 4 via the lifting duct 69. Figure 3 The exhaust pipe 65 opening 66b is connected to the exposure unit 4's support member 42 opening 43c via the lifting pipe 69. Figure 3 ( ) Connect. As described above, the cooling unit 60 is arranged in the space directly below the imaging section 1, so the exposure unit 4 can be effectively cooled with the shortest airflow path (see Figure 1 ).

[0046] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The description of the airflow path for cooling the exposure unit 4 through the cooling unit 60 is given. Figure 7 It is along Figure 1 The sectional view taken by line AA. Figure 7 The upper side corresponds to the rear side of the main body 100A of the imaging device 100. Figure 7 The riser duct 69 is shown in its transparent state, making the positional relationship between the cooling unit 60 and the tray 30 clearly apparent. In the following description, the Y, M, C, and K at the end of the reference numerals denote the corresponding colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black).

[0047] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the diagram, the airflow path of the cooling unit 60 is indicated by dashed lines. The fan 62 draws fresh air from outside the imaging device 100 into the imaging device 100. The air entering the imaging device 100 passes under the cartridge trays 30 (30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K) corresponding to the respective colors, through the interior of the lift ducts 69 (69Y, 69M, 69C, and 69K). The air passes through the lift ducts 69 to be delivered to the space surrounded by the retainer 41 and the support member 42. The second surface of the mounting plate 50 is exposed to this space. Therefore, the mounting plate 50 is cooled by the incoming air. The air then passes through the lift ducts 69 and the exhaust duct 65 to be discharged to the outside of the imaging device 100 via the fan 63. As described above, the cooling unit 60 cools the exposure unit 4.

[0048] The cooling unit 60 is disposed in the space between the front side plate 122 and the rear side plate 123. The front side plate 122 is a side plate disposed on the front side of the imaging device 100 relative to the cooling unit 60, and the rear side plate 123 is a side plate disposed on the rear side of the imaging device 100 relative to the cooling unit 60. The imaging unit 4 is disposed between the front side plate 122 and the rear side plate 123. The cooling unit 60 is disposed between the front side plate 122 and the rear side plate 123, and thus effectively cools the exposure unit 4 using the shortest airflow path.

[0049] Given Figure 7 Description of the arrangement of FFC 58. FFC 58 is configured to start from the left side surface of imaging device 100 and pass through... Figure 7 The FFC 58 is routed along a path 70 and then connected to the corresponding color exposure unit 4. The range 70 is the space between the front panel 122 and the cooling unit 60. By routing the FFC 58 along this path, interference with the airflow path of the cooling unit 60 is prevented. Therefore, the FFC 58 does not reduce cooling efficiency.

[0050] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 The sectional view is taken by line CC. To avoid complicating the accompanying drawings, details are omitted. Figure 5 The reference numerals for the corresponding portions of the exposure unit 4 are shown in the figures. Starting from the lower side of the imaging device 100, the cooling unit 60, the lifting ducts 69 (69Y, 69M, 69C, 69K), and the exposure unit 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) are arranged in a vertically stacked manner. Fresh air drawn in by the fan 62 is blown into the exposure unit 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) through the air intake duct 64 of the cooling unit 60. The air that has entered the exposure unit 4 proceeds to the rear side of the main body 100A and enters the exhaust duct 65 of the cooling unit 60 through the lifting duct 69. Then, the air in the exhaust duct 65 is discharged to the left side surface of the imaging device 100 by the fan 63. The cross-sectional structure of the exhaust duct 65 is substantially the same as that of the air intake duct 64.

[0051] <Signal transmission path to the exposure unit>

[0052] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the electrical components of the imaging device 100. Figure 9 The arrangement of multiple electrical component parts (e.g., controller) and the connections between the electrical component parts are shown when the imaging device 100 is viewed from the rear side.

[0053] In at least one embodiment, the electrical components include a power supply section 300 to which a power cable 290 is to be connected, and controllers 301, 302, 303, and 304 for controlling units inside the imaging device 100. The power supply section 300 is powered by a commercial power source via the power cable 290. The power supply section 300 supplies power to each of the controllers 301, 302, 303, and 304 based on the power supplied by the commercial power source. In at least one embodiment, controller 304 controls the exposure unit 4. Controller 304 is, for example, a controller for controlling the entire imaging device 100. The power supply section 300 and controllers 301 to 304 are disposed on the rear side of the main body 100A of the imaging device 100. Of the power supply section 300 and controllers 301 to 304, controller 304 is arranged at the uppermost position. Each of the power supply section 300 and controllers 301 to 304 is formed from a circuit board, for example, on which electrical components are mounted. A relay unit 110 is disposed on the left side surface of the main body 100A of the imaging device 100. Figure 9 (The right side of the middle).

[0054] FFC 59 interconnects controller 304 and relay unit 110. FFC 59 is a cable containing all signal lines for transmitting control signals for the exposure units 4, corresponding to the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The control signals for the exposure units 4 are generated based on image data. When the exposure units 4 are controlled by the control signals, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the corresponding photosensitive drum 2, and a toner image is formed. Connectors are provided at both ends of FFC 59. One connector of FFC 59 connects to controller 304, and the other connector connects to relay unit 110. Figure 9 As shown, the FFC 59 is arranged from the connector of the controller 304 toward the left side surface of the main body 100A of the imaging device 100. The FFC 59, having reached the left side surface of the main body 100A, is arranged in the left side surface of the main body 100A to connect to the relay unit 110. Figure 10 ).

[0055] Relay unit 110 transmits the control signals for the corresponding colors of exposure units 4 (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black), which have already been transmitted by FFC 59, to the corresponding exposure units 4, wherein the control signals are separated by color. Therefore, four FFC 58s corresponding to the four colors of exposure units 4 are connected to relay unit 110. The four FFC 58s are respectively connected to the corresponding exposure units 4. In this configuration, FFC 59 and FFC 58 are used to transmit the control signals for the corresponding colors from controller 304 to exposure units 4 via relay unit 110.

[0056] Furthermore, wiring harness 280 interconnects controller 302 and relay unit 110. Wiring harness 280 comprises multiple wires bundled together. Wiring harness 280 is a power cable for supplying power from controller 302 to semiconductor devices mounted on relay unit 110. Examples of semiconductor devices mounted on relay unit 110 include application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). An opening 270 is formed in the back of imaging device 100. One connector of wiring harness 280 is connected to controller 302, and another connector extends from the back of the body 100A of imaging device 100 to the left side surface via opening 270 to connect to relay unit 110. In at least one embodiment, controller 302 outputs control signals for controlling the operation of fans 62 and 63.

[0057] A description of the arrangement of FFC 58 and 59 on the left side surface of the main body 100A is given. Figure 10 This is a perspective view when viewed from the left front side of the imaging device 100. Figure 10 The imaging device 100 is shown with the outer cover removed. To facilitate easy understanding of the signal transmission path to the exposure unit 4, Figure 10 Only the frame body 101 of the imaging device 100 and the peripheral components around the signal transmission path are shown.

[0058] For reference Figure 9 As described, the FFC 59 is positioned from the rear side of the imaging device 100 (frame body 101) to the left side surface. For example... Figure 10 As shown, FFC 59 is arranged from top to bottom on the rear side of the left side surface of imaging device 100. Next, FFC 59 is bent to change direction towards the front, and FFC 59 is connected to relay unit 110. Relay unit 110 is a circuit board used to divide the control signals of the corresponding colors already transmitted by FFC 59 by color and transmit the control signals to the corresponding color exposure unit 4 via FFC 58. Multiple FFC 58 connected to relay unit 110 are stacked. Multiple FFC 58 are arranged from the back side to the front side on the left side surface of imaging device 100 (frame body 101). Next, FFC 58 is bent to the right. Then, each of the multiple FFC 58 passes through the underside of the cartridge tray 30. Figure 7 (70) in the range, to be connected to the corresponding exposure unit 4. Figure 10 An inner door 102 (102K) for inserting and removing the cassette tray 30 is shown, the inner door being arranged on the front side of the imaging device 100. The cassette tray 30 is arranged on the rear side of the corresponding inner door 102.

[0059] As described above, a wiring harness 280, which runs from the back of the main body 100A through an opening 270, is connected to the repeater unit 110. The wiring harness 280, which has passed through the opening 270, is run below the fan 63 to connect to the repeater unit 110. The wiring harness 280 is connected to the repeater unit 110 in an arrangement and path different from that of FFC 59.

[0060] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram showing the left side surface of the frame body 101 of the imaging device 100. The front side plate 122 and the rear side plate 123 are interconnected via a bracket 120. The relay unit 110 is fixed to the bracket 120 and the bracket 121, which is a component of the frame body, at multiple points using screws. In this manner, the relay unit 110 is securely fixed to the frame body 101, while the ground potential is stabilized by the fixed points.

[0061] The FFC 59, wired from the upper rear side of the left side surface of the imaging device 100, branches into multiple FFCs 58 corresponding to their respective colors via a relay unit 110. Therefore, the relay unit 110 includes a receiving connector 591 to which the FFC 59 is connected, and connectors 581 to 584 to which the multiple FFCs 58 are connected. Control signals output from the controller 304 are transmitted from the FFC 59 to the relay unit 110, and separated by color by the relay unit 110 for transmission to the corresponding exposure units 4 via the FFCs 58. The multiple FFCs 58 corresponding to their respective colors are stacked. Each of the FFCs 58 passes over the fan 62, bending in a direction toward the interior of the imaging device 100. Each of the FFCs 58 is then wired to the underside of the cartridge tray 30. The exposure units 4 are arranged side-by-side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the left side surface of the imaging device 100, and thus the FFCs 58 are wired in a substantially vertically bent manner.

[0062] Relay unit 110 is arranged between fan 62 and fan 63. In at least one embodiment, in the front-rear direction of imaging device 100 ( Figure 11 In the left-right direction, starting from the front, fan 62, relay unit 110, and fan 63 are arranged in the order stated above. Cooling unit 60 is arranged to cool exposure unit 4 in a compact and efficient manner. As mentioned above, fans 62 and 63 are arranged at a distance, thus improving the cooling performance of cooling unit 60. In view of the above, when relay unit 110 is arranged between fans 62 and 63, the size of imaging device 100 can be reduced. Furthermore, in order to arrange relay unit 110 close to exposure unit 4 without obstructing the airflow path obtained by cooling unit 60, it is appropriate to arrange relay unit 110 in the space between fans 62 and 63.

[0063] The relay unit 110 includes an ASIC 118 and a power cord connector 114. A wiring harness 280, configured to start from the controller 302, pass through the opening 270, and be routed to the left side surface of the body 100A, is routed below the fan 63 to connect to the power cord connector 114. The ASIC 118 is responsible for processing at least a portion of the control signals transmitted to the exposure unit 4.

[0064] When the ASIC 118 is mounted to the relay unit 110 instead of the controller 304, the control signals for the exposure unit 4 are processed near the exposure unit 4. Therefore, the path for inputting the processed control signals to the exposure unit 4 can be shortened. Furthermore, since the processing for controlling the exposure unit 4 is centralized in the relay unit 110, it can therefore be easily adapted to changes in the exposure unit 4. Thus, scalability is improved.

[0065] The relay unit 110 includes fan connectors 112 and 113. Signal lines (wiring harnesses) for transmitting drive signals used to control the operation of fans 62 and 63 are connected to fan connectors 112 and 113, respectively. This configuration means that control signals are transmitted to fans 62 and 63 via the relay unit 110. The relay unit 110 is arranged between fans 62 and 63, and therefore the transmission paths of control signals to fans 62 and 63 can be converged to the relay unit 110. In this way, the number of signal lines, etc., used to transmit control signals to fans 62 and 63 can be reduced, thereby reducing costs.

[0066] In addition to transmitting control signals to fans 62 and 63, wiring harness 280 also supplies power to fans 62 and 63. Relay unit 110 generates drive signals for fans 62 and 63 based on the control signals for fans 62 and 63 obtained from controller 302 via wiring harness 280. As described above, the FFC 59 for transmitting control signals for the corresponding exposure unit 4 and wiring harness 280 for transmitting other signals and power are clearly separated and connected to relay unit 110 as two separate systems. This configuration means that signals are input to relay unit 110, where they are distributed to FFC 59 for high-speed control signal transmission with higher noise levels and wiring harness 280 for power transmission with lower noise levels. In this way, the possibility of noise mixing due to mutual interference is reduced.

[0067] Fans 62 and 63, as well as the connectors for relay unit 110, are all clustered on the left side surface of imaging device 100. Therefore, fans 62 and 63, and FFCs 58 and 59, can be easily replaced by removing the left cover of imaging device 100. As mentioned above, it is also advantageous to cluster these components on one surface of imaging device 100 from a service interchangeability perspective. In at least one embodiment, the components are clustered on the left side surface, but they could also be clustered on other surfaces.

[0068] A shielded FFC, covered with a shielding element effective in noise suppression, is used as FFC 59 for transmitting control signals of the corresponding color from controller 304 to relay unit 110. An unshielded FFC, at least partially uncovered with a shielding element effective in noise suppression, is used as FFC 58 for transmitting control signals from relay unit 110 to exposure unit 4 corresponding to the corresponding color. Shielded FFCs are more expensive, rigider, and bulkier than unshielded FFCs. Therefore, shielded FFCs are less advantageous in terms of wiring than unshielded FFCs.

[0069] The path from controller 304 to relay unit 110 is long and has a relatively small number of bends; therefore, it is suitable to use a shielded FFC 59, which is effective in noise suppression. It is also suitable to use an unshielded FFC 58, which is effective in routing, in which four FFCs are stacked and routed at locations with a larger number of bends. FFC 58 has a short path, so even with an unshielded FFC, the likelihood of noise affecting the signal is low. By using different types of FFCs according to the routing location as described above, the impact of noise on the signal can be minimized while reducing the cost of suppression. Furthermore, the routing for control signals transmitted to the exposure unit can be simplified.

[0070] At least one embodiment of the imaging device 100 includes a relay unit 110. Therefore, the transmission of control signals from the control unit 304 to the exposure unit 4 can be achieved through simple signal line wiring. In at least one embodiment, a case has been described where the exposure unit 4 is an exposure unit in which multiple light-emitting elements are arranged in one direction, but the construction of the exposure device is not limited to this. The above-described imaging device 100 can be achieved as long as a construction in which the exposure device is set for each color to correspond to the photosensitive drum 2 of each color is adopted. Therefore, the exposure device can employ, for example, a laser scanning system in which the photosensitive drum 2 is scanned by rotating a rotating polygon mirror.

[0071] While this disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0072] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-093666, filed on June 10, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An imaging device, the imaging device comprising: The body has a first surface and a second surface; A first photosensitive device is disposed inside the main body and configured to carry a first toner image; A first exposure device is disposed inside the main body and configured to expose the first photosensitive device with light; A second photosensitive device is disposed inside the main body and configured to carry a second toner image; The second exposure device is disposed inside the main body and configured to expose the second photosensitive device with light; A control device is disposed on the first surface of the body and configured to transmit a first control signal for controlling the first exposure device and a second control signal for controlling the second exposure device; and A relay unit is disposed on the second surface of the main body and configured to relay the first control signal and the second control signal transmitted from the control device. The relay unit includes: A receiving connector device, the receiving connector device being configured to receive the first control signal and the second control signal; A first connector device, configured to transmit the first control signal received by the receiving connector device to the first exposure device; and A second connector device is configured to transmit the second control signal received by the receiving connector device to the second exposure device.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: A first flexible flat cable device is provided, which interconnects the control device with the receiving connector device of the relay unit and is configured to transmit the first control signal and the second control signal. The second flexible flat cable device connects the first connector device of the relay unit to the first exposure device and is configured to transmit the first control signal. and A third flexible flat cable device is provided, wherein the third flexible flat cable device interconnects the second connector device of the relay unit with the second exposure device, and is configured to transmit the second control signal.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2, in, The first flexible flat cable device is covered with a shielding element, and Both the second flexible flat cable device and the third flexible flat cable device are at least partially uncovered by shielding.

4. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein, The first flexible flat cable device is a signal line that is more effective in noise suppression than the second flexible flat cable device, and is also more effective in noise suppression than the third flexible flat cable device.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: An intake fan is configured to draw in air for cooling the first exposure device and the second exposure device; and An exhaust fan configured to discharge the air.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein, The intake fan and the exhaust fan are arranged on the second surface of the main body.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein, The relay unit is located between the intake fan and the exhaust fan.

8. The imaging device according to claim 5, in, Each of the first exposure device and the second exposure device includes: A plate having a light-emitting surface, wherein a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged on the light-emitting surface; and A lens, the lens being arranged opposite the light-emitting surface, and The air is blown onto the surface of the plate opposite to the light-emitting surface to cool the plate.

9. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein, The relay unit is configured to transmit drive signals for controlling the drive of the intake fan and the exhaust fan.

10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein, The relay unit includes: A first fan connector device is used to connect the signal line that transmits the drive signal to the intake fan to the first fan connector device; A second fan connector device is used to connect the signal line that transmits the drive signal to the exhaust fan to the second fan connector device.

11. The imaging device according to claim 10, in, The intake fan and the exhaust fan are arranged on the second surface of the main body, and The relay unit is located between the first fan and the second fan.

Images