Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of dividable frame bodies.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises three structures which are: a supply block 110, an image forming block 120, and an ejection block 130, which are dividable. The supply block 110, the image forming block 120, and the ejection block 130 have a supply frame body, an image forming frame body, and an ejection frame body, respectively, and various units and components are assembled inside the frame bodies. In this way the units and components can be assembled for each of the supply block 110, image forming block 120, and ejection block 130, which can greatly reduce the assembly man-hours for an apparatus body and improve the product quality of the apparatus body. By dividing the apparatus body into the supply block 110, image forming block 120, and ejection block 130, units for achieving new functions can be easily added and assembled to the supply frame body, image forming frame body, and ejection frame body, and thereby functions of the image forming apparatus can be easily enhanced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional image forming devices, a single main body frame is formed by combining multiple metal plates and integrating them with screws or welding (Patent Document 1). Various units are then supported on the single main body frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-39153 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors of the present application have discovered that conventional techniques for assembling various units into a single main body frame have problems. For example, it is difficult to expand the functionality of an image forming apparatus. It is sometimes desirable to replace some units of an image forming apparatus with units that have different functions. However, a single main body frame, as in the past, is designed to support a specific unit. As a result, it is often impossible to replace some units with other units. Another example is when multiple image forming apparatuses with different specifications are required to meet various user needs. In the case of an image forming apparatus with a single main body frame, the main body frame must be designed from scratch to suit each individual specification. This creates a burden in development, design, and manufacturing.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus including a plurality of separable frames. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording material, and is equipped with a first frame, a transport roller for transporting the recording material, a transfer unit for transferring the toner image onto the recording material, a second frame attached to the first frame so as to be separable from the first frame, and a discharge unit that discharges the recording material transported from the first frame to the second frame to the outside, characterized in that at least a portion of the transfer unit and the transport roller are supported by the first frame, and the discharge unit is supported by the second frame.

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording material, and is equipped with a first frame, a photosensitive body, a transfer unit for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive body to the recording material, a second frame attached to the first frame so as to be separable from the first frame, and a discharge unit that discharges the recording material transported from the first frame to the second frame to the outside, characterized in that at least a portion of the transfer unit and the photosensitive body are supported by the first frame, and the discharge unit is supported by the second frame.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material using ink, and is characterized by comprising: a first frame; a transport roller supported by the first frame for transporting the recording material; a recording unit supported by the first frame for ejecting ink toward the recording material; a second frame attached to the first frame so as to be separable from the first frame; and a discharge unit disposed on the second frame for discharging the recording material transported from the first frame to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus including a plurality of separable frames. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2]1A is a schematic diagram showing a divided configuration of an image forming apparatus, FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram explaining the positioning of a registration roller, and FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram explaining the positioning of a fixing unit. [Figure 3] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a discharge frame, FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an imaging frame, and FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing a supply frame. [Figure 4] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a divided configuration of an image forming apparatus, FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram explaining the positioning of a registration roller, and FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram explaining the positioning of a fixing unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a divided configuration of an inkjet image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [First embodiment] <Image forming device> The present embodiment will be described below. First, the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described using FIG. 1. Note that the terms "front" and "rear" used in the following description refer to the front side of the image forming apparatus and the rear side of the apparatus, and "right" and "left" correspond to the apparatus as viewed from the front side. The front side of the apparatus is the side where the user operates the apparatus, such as the side where the operation panel is located or the side where the cassette containing the recording material is pulled out. The "vertical direction" refers to the vertical direction when the image forming apparatus is installed on an installation surface such as the floor. FIG. 1 shows the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from the front side.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an intermediate transfer type full-color printer. Four color image forming stations PY, PM, PC, and PK that form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged facing an intermediate transfer belt 21. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 500. The image forming unit 500 forms a toner image on a recording material S based on an image signal received from a document reading unit 30 or an external terminal (not shown) such as a personal computer. The image forming unit 500 includes the image forming stations PY, PM, PC, and PK and an intermediate transfer unit 600.

[0013] The conveyance process of the recording material S in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The recording material S is stored in a stack in one or more (here, two) cassettes 31 and 32 serving as containers. Conveyance of the recording material S is initiated by a supply unit 300 serving as a supply section. The supply unit 300 has supply rollers 31a and 32a. The recording material S is supplied to a conveyance path 60 one sheet at a time from either cassette 31 or 32 by the supply rollers 31a and 32a in accordance with the image formation timing. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the conveyance path 60 is configured to convey the recording material S from below upward (a so-called vertical conveyance system). This conveyance direction is an example, and the recording material S may be conveyed left and right (horizontally) depending on the configuration of the apparatus. Examples of the recording material S include various types of sheet materials such as plain paper, cardboard, rough paper, textured paper, coated paper, plastic film, cloth, etc.

[0014] The recording material S supplied from cassettes 31 and 32 to the conveying path 60 is conveyed to a pre-registration roller pair 41 disposed midway along the conveying path 60. A registration roller pair 42 is disposed downstream of the pre-registration roller pair along the conveying path 60. The pre-registration roller pair 41 and the registration roller pair 42, which function as conveying rollers, correct skew of the recording material S. Specifically, the leading edge of the recording material S conveyed by the pre-registration roller pair 41 strikes the nip portion of the stationary registration roller pair 42. As the leading edge of the recording material S is aligned with the nip portion of the registration roller pair 42, the recording material S loops or bends, thereby correcting skew. After skew correction, the registration roller pair 42 starts rotating in synchronization with the secondary transfer, and conveys the recording material S. The intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer unit are disposed above the registration roller pair 42. The pair of registration rollers 42 transport the recording material S from below to above toward the secondary transfer portion in accordance with the timing at which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the recording material S (secondary transfer timing). The pair of registration rollers 42 is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer portion in the transport direction (vertical direction) of the recording material S transported along the transport path 60, and is positioned closest to the secondary transfer portion. The secondary transfer portion is formed by the inner secondary transfer roller 22 and the outer secondary transfer roller 44 (second transfer portion). The inner secondary transfer roller 22 and the outer secondary transfer roller 44 face each other with the intermediate transfer belt 21, which serves as an intermediate transfer body, sandwiched therebetween. The inner secondary transfer roller 22 is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the outer secondary transfer roller 44 is disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt 21. The inner secondary transfer roller 22 and the outer secondary transfer roller 44 form the secondary transfer portion, and transfer the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the recording material S by applying a predetermined pressure and secondary transfer voltage.

[0015] The process of forming an image sent to the secondary transfer unit at the same timing as the process of conveying the recording material S to the secondary transfer unit described above will now be described. First, the image forming units PY to PK will be described. However, since the image forming units PY to PK for each color are basically the same except for the color of the toner, the following description will be made using the yellow image forming unit PY as an example.

[0016] The image forming unit PY includes a photosensitive drum 11Y as a photosensitive member, a charger 12Y as a charging unit, an exposure unit 13Y as an exposure unit, and a developing unit 14Y as a developing unit. The surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y, which is driven to rotate, is uniformly charged in advance by the charger 12Y, and then an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by laser light emitted from the exposure unit 13Y, which is driven based on an image signal. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11Y is then developed into a toner image by the developing unit 14Y. The developing unit 14Y develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using a developer containing toner and carrier. Note that toner is consumed during development, and toner is replenished to the developing unit 14Y at appropriate times from a toner bottle 90Y containing replenishment toner.

[0017] A primary transfer voltage is applied to the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11Y (photosensitive member) by a primary transfer roller 25Y (first transfer unit) disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 11Y with the intermediate transfer belt 21 sandwiched therebetween, and the toner image is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 11Y to the intermediate transfer belt 21. Primary transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11Y after the primary transfer is removed by a photosensitive drum cleaner.

[0018] The intermediate transfer belt 21 is an endless belt that is stretched around a secondary transfer inner roller 22, a drive roller 23, a tension roller 24, and the like and moves in the direction of arrow A in the figure. That is, the intermediate transfer belt 21 is configured in a circular shape. The tension roller 24 is a driven roller that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 21 and rotates following the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the drive roller 23. The image formation processes for each color, which are processed in parallel by the image forming units PY to PK described above, are performed at a timing that sequentially superimposes the color toner images that were primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 upstream in the movement direction. As a result, a full-color toner image is finally formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the toner image is transported to the secondary transfer unit as the intermediate transfer belt 21 moves. Note that in this embodiment, the primary transfer rollers 25Y to 25K, the intermediate transfer belt 21, the secondary transfer inner roller 22, the drive roller 23, and the tension roller 24 are integrally configured as an intermediate transfer unit 600. However, the technology disclosed herein is not limited to this configuration.

[0019] Through the conveying process and image forming process described above, the timing of the recording material S and the full-color toner image coincides at the secondary transfer unit, and secondary transfer is performed in which the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording material S. Any residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 21 after passing through the secondary transfer unit is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 21 by a belt cleaner. The recording material S with the transferred toner image is conveyed along a conveying path 60 to the fixing device 50, where the toner image is fixed to the recording material S by applying heat and pressure. The fixing device 50 as a fixing unit has a fixing roller heated by a heater (not shown) and a pressure roller that comes into contact with the fixing roller and forms a fixing nip, and fixes the toner image to the recording material S by applying heat and pressure to the recording material S passing through the fixing nip.

[0020] The recording material S, on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 50, is conveyed further upward along the conveying path 60 and discharged to the outside by a discharge unit 700 serving as a discharge section. The discharge unit 700 has discharge rollers 61 and 62, and the recording material S is discharged by the discharge rollers 61 and 62 and stacked on discharge trays 81 and 82. In this embodiment, when the operating mode is a double-sided mode in which images are formed on both sides of the recording material S, the recording material S is conveyed to a double-sided conveying path 701 for inverting the recording surface so that an image can be formed on the other side of the recording material S with an image formed on one side. In the double-sided mode, the discharge rollers 61 rotate forward to convey the recording material S until its trailing edge passes a flapper 63, and then the discharge rollers 61 are rotated reversely to reverse the leading and trailing edges and convey the recording material S to the double-sided conveying path 701. The recording material S conveyed to the double-sided conveying path 701 is returned to the pair of registration rollers 42. The subsequent conveyance and the image formation process on the back side are the same as those described above, and therefore will not be described here. The recording material S, on whose other side an image has also been formed, is discharged to the outside by a discharge unit 700.

[0021] <Device body> Next, the apparatus main body 1A of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3(c). In this embodiment, the apparatus main body 1A (structure) is divided into three separable structures: a supply block 110, an imaging block 120, and a discharge block 130, as shown in FIG. 2(a). Note that the term "structure" as used herein refers to a state in which various units and components are assembled to a frame formed by pillars, stays, etc. The state in which various units and components are assembled to a frame is, in other words, a state in which the various units and components are supported by the frame. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c), the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130 each have a supply frame 100e, an imaging frame 100f, and a discharge frame 100g. To enable the three structures to be separated, the supply frame 100e, the imaging frame 100f, and the discharge frame 100g are configured to be separable from one another.

[0022] Returning to FIG. 2(a), in this embodiment, the apparatus main body 1A, which realizes a series of functions for forming an image on the recording material S, is configured such that the imaging block 120 is stacked on top of the supply block 110, and the discharge block 130 is stacked on top of the imaging block 120. Although not shown in the figure, the imaging block 120 and the discharge block 130 in the stacked state are connected by, for example, a metal plate-like member (connecting member) that is hung between support columns located above and below and fastened with screws. The supply block 110 and the imaging block 120 are also connected by a connecting member in a similar manner.

[0023] In this embodiment, a duplex conveying block 70 (duplex conveying section) forming the duplex conveying path 701 is prepared in advance as a separate structure from the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130. The duplex conveying block 70, which serves as a rotating section, is rotatably attached to the supply block 110 or the imaging block 120 so as to straddle the imaging block 120 and the discharge block 130. That is, the boundary surface between the imaging block 120 and the discharge block 130 divides the duplex conveying block 70. The duplex conveying block 70 forms a conveying path 60 (see FIG. 1 ) between the imaging block 120 and the discharge block 130. The conveying path 60 is formed when the duplex conveying block 70 is in the closed position and is opened when the duplex conveying block 70 is in the open position. As a result, if the recording material S becomes jammed in the conveying path 60, the user can remove the jammed recording material S by opening the duplex conveying block 70, which rotates open and closed. In order to open the conveying path 60, the double-sided conveying block 70 is provided with one roller 421 of the pair of registration rollers 42, the outer secondary transfer roller 44, and one of a pair of rollers that convey the recording material S in the conveying path 60. When the double-sided conveying block 70 is closed, it is locked by a locking mechanism (not shown) provided in the discharge block 130 so that the conveying path 60 is not automatically opened.

[0024] <Supply block, imaging block, discharge block> The supply block 110 is a structure in which a supply unit 300 and a supply conveying section 610 are assembled to a supply frame 100e. Also, a support section (not shown) such as a rail member that supports cassettes 31 and 32 so that they can slide forward and backward is assembled to the supply block 110. The imaging block 120 is a structure in which an image forming unit 500 having an intermediate transfer unit 600 and an image forming conveying section 620 are assembled to an imaging frame 100f. The image forming unit 500 may be detachably attached to the imaging frame 100f. Also, a roller positioning section 420 and a fixing positioning section 52 (described later) are assembled to the imaging block 120. The discharge block 130 is a structure in which a discharge unit 700, a discharge conveying section 630, toner bottles 90Y, 90M, 90C, and 90K as toner storage sections, and a fixing unit 50 are assembled to a discharge frame 100g.

[0025] In this embodiment, a conveying path 60 that conveys the recording material S from below upward is divided and formed into a supply block 110, an imaging block 120, and a discharge block 130. That is, a supply conveying section 610 forms a part of the conveying path 60 in the supply block 110, an imaging conveying section 620 forms a part of the conveying path 60 in the imaging block 120, and a discharge conveying section 630 forms a part of the conveying path 60 in the discharge block 130.

[0026] In this embodiment, since the vertical transport path 60 is used, the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130 are stacked vertically. If the transport path is left-right (horizontal), the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. In other words, the arrangement direction of the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130 is not limited to the vertical direction. The supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130 may be arranged side by side in any direction in accordance with the main direction of the transport path.

[0027] <Discharge frame, imaging frame, supply frame> The discharge frame 100g, imaging frame 100f, and supply frame 100e will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c). As shown in FIG. 3(a), the discharge frame 100g, serving as the second frame, includes a right front support column 114ga, a rear plate 115g, an upper right stay 113ga, a lower right stay 113gb, a left stay 113gc, and a front stay 113gd. The right front support column 114ga extends vertically. The upper right stay 113ga and the lower right stay 113gb are aligned vertically with respect to the right front support column 114ga and arranged substantially parallel to each other, connecting the right front support column 114ga and the rear plate 115g. The left stay 113gc is arranged substantially perpendicular to the rear plate 115g so as to face the lower right stay 113gb and be substantially parallel to it. The front stay 113gd is disposed in a direction parallel to the rear side plate 115g (in the left-right direction) so as to connect the left stay 113gc and the right front support pillar 114g.

[0028] The discharge frame body 100g also includes a front support 114gb, an upper stay 113ge, and an upper right stay 113gf. The front support 114gb is disposed between the left stay 113gc and the lower right stay 113gb, to the right of the center of the front stay 113gd in the left-right direction, and is disposed substantially parallel to the right front support 114ga. The front support 114gb is connected to the front stay 113gd. The upper stay 113ge is disposed substantially parallel to the upper right stay 113ga so as to connect the front support 114gb to the rear side plate 115g. The upper right stay 113gf is disposed substantially parallel to the front stay 113gd so as to connect the right front support 114ga to the front support 114gb. The discharge unit 700 described above is installed in the space secured by these 114ga, 114gb, 113ga, 113gb, 113ge, 113gf and rear side plate 115g.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3B, the imaging frame 100f, which serves as the first frame, includes a right front support column 114fa, a left front support column 114fb, a rear side plate 115f, an upper right stay 113fa, a lower right stay 113fb, an upper left stay 113ff, a lower left stay 113fc, an upper front stay 113fe, and a lower front stay 113fd. The right front support column 114fa extends vertically. The upper right stay 113fa and the lower right stay 113fb are aligned vertically with respect to the right front support column 114fa and arranged substantially parallel to each other, connecting the right front support column 114fa and the rear side plate 115f. The left front support column 114fb extends vertically so as to face the right front support column 114fa and be substantially parallel to each other. The upper-left stay 113ff and the lower-left stay 113fc are arranged vertically and generally parallel to each other relative to the left front support column 114fb, connecting the left front support column 114fb and the rear side plate 115f, respectively. The upper-front stay 113fe is arranged in a direction parallel to the rear side plate 115f (left-right direction) so as to connect the right front support column 114fa and the left front support column 114fb at their upper ends. The lower-front stay 113fd is arranged in a direction parallel to the rear side plate 115f (left-right direction) so as to connect the right front support column 114fa and the left front support column 114fb at their lower ends. To increase the strength of the imaging frame 100f, reinforcing members 1151 corresponding to the supports provided on the right front support column 114fa, the left front support column 114fb, and the rear side plate 115f are arranged at the four corners of the frame. The reinforcing members 1151 are provided on both left and right ends of the rear plate 115f.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3(c), the supply frame 100e, which serves as the third frame, includes a right front support column 114ea, a left front support column 114eb, a rear side plate 115e, an upper right stay 113ea, a lower right stay 113eb, an upper left stay 113ef, a lower left stay 113ec, an upper front stay 113ee, and a lower front stay 113ed. The right front support column 114ea extends vertically. The upper right stay 113ea and the lower right stay 113eb are aligned vertically with respect to the right front support column 114ea and arranged substantially parallel to each other, connecting the right front support column 114ea to the rear side plate 115e. The left front support column 114eb extends vertically so as to face the right front support column 114ea and be substantially parallel to it. The upper-left stay 113ef and the lower-left stay 113ec are arranged vertically and generally parallel to each other relative to the left front support column 114eb, and connect the left front support column 114eb to the rear side plate 115e. The upper-front stay 113ee is arranged in a direction parallel to the rear side plate 115g (left-right direction) so as to connect the right front support column 114ea to the left front support column 114eb at their upper ends. The lower-front stay 113ed is arranged in a direction parallel to the rear side plate 115e (left-right direction) so as to connect the right front support column 114ea to the left front support column 114eb at their lower ends. In the vertical direction, the connection position of the upper-right stay 113ea to the right front support column 114ea and the connection position of the upper-left stay 113ef to the left front support column 114eb are lower than the connection positions of the upper-front stay 113ee to the right front support column 114ea and the left front support column 114eb. To ensure the strength of the supply frame 100e, reinforcing members 1152 corresponding to the supports provided on the right front support 114ea, the left front support 114eb, and the rear side plate 115e are disposed at the four corners of the frame. The reinforcing members 1152 are provided at both left and right ends of the rear side plate 115e.

[0031] An example of a method for connecting the imaging block 120 and the supply block 110 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c), the right front support 114fa of the imaging frame 100f is placed on the right front support 114ea of ​​the supply frame 100e, and the left front support 114fb of the imaging frame 100f is placed on the left front support 114eb of the supply frame 100e. Furthermore, the reinforcing member 1151 on the rear side plate 115f of the imaging frame 100f is placed on the reinforcing member 1152 on the rear side plate 115e of the supply frame 100e. In this state, the imaging block 120 and the supply block 110 are connected by a connecting member (not shown). Note that a configuration in which the imaging block 120 is simply placed on the supply block 110 without using a connecting member may also be used.

[0032] An example of a method for connecting the imaging block 120 and the discharge block 130 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the right front support 114ga of the discharge frame 100g is placed on the right front support 114fa of the imaging frame 100f, and a reinforcing member (not shown) on the rear plate 115g of the discharge frame 100g is placed on a reinforcing member 1151 on the rear plate 115f of the imaging frame 100f. In this state, the imaging block 120 and the discharge block 130 are connected by a connecting member (not shown). As mentioned above, a connecting member need not be used.

[0033] As described above, in this embodiment, the discharge frame 100g, the imaging frame 100f, and the supply frame 100e, each having units and parts assembled thereto, are stacked and connected in the vertical direction. This configuration makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus 1 in which the apparatus main body 1A can be separated into multiple parts. There are several technical advantages to having the main body frame be separable into multiple parts, and examples are given below.

[0034] One aspect of the above-mentioned technical advantages is that a common discharge block 130 and a common supply block 110 can be used in multiple image forming apparatuses, while each of the multiple image forming apparatuses can use an imaging block 120 with a different configuration. This reduces the burden on development, design, and production, as only the imaging block 120 needs to be designed for each apparatus. Alternatively, by replacing an image forming apparatus originally equipped with a monochrome imaging block 120 with a color imaging block 120, the functionality of the image forming apparatus can be expanded.

[0035] Another aspect of the above-mentioned technical advantages is that the device main body 1A can be assembled by stacking the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130, each of which has various units and parts assembled therein, thereby significantly reducing the number of steps required to assemble the device main body 1A and improving the product quality of the device main body 1A.

[0036] In other words, assembling the device main body 1A by assembling units and parts into a single, pre-formed main body frame has the advantage of ensuring the precision of each unit's positioning by relying on the rigidity and strength of the main body frame, but it also makes assembling the units and parts difficult and time-consuming. For example, when assembling a unit to the rear of the main body frame, the unit must be assembled by avoiding the main body frame's supports and stays, which can reduce the product quality of the device main body 1A due to the difficulty of assembly. Furthermore, assembling many units and parts into a single main body frame lengthens the assembly process, and the assembly method depends on the worker's level of skill, resulting in variations in assembly time, which can ultimately increase production costs.

[0037] In contrast, in this embodiment, the apparatus main body 1A can be assembled by dividing it into the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130. This allows units and parts to be assembled separately for the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130, significantly reducing the number of steps required to assemble the apparatus main body 1A and improving the product quality of the apparatus main body 1A. Furthermore, by dividing the apparatus main body 1A into the supply block 110, the imaging block 120, and the discharge block 130, it is easy to add and assemble units that realize new functions (such as a second fixing unit) to the supply frame 100e, the imaging frame 100f, and the discharge frame 100g, making it easy to expand the functions of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0038] [Second embodiment] As a second embodiment, an image forming apparatus that can further improve the positioning accuracy of units and parts assembled to the apparatus main body 1A will be described. Note that the configurations described as the first embodiment are all the same in the second embodiment, so repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0039] As in the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the discharge frame 100g, imaging frame 100f, and supply frame 100e, each of which has units and components assembled thereto, are stacked vertically and connected. However, in this case, compared to the conventional method of assembling the apparatus main body 1A by assembling various units and components into a single main body frame, it is more difficult to ensure the relative positional relationships between the units assembled in the discharge frame 100g, imaging frame 100f, and supply frame 100e. This is because, when considering the positional tolerance of a shape relative to a reference shape, the dimensions can be directly defined for a single component, whereas when the dimensions are defined via multiple components, the tolerance is multiplied by the number of components involved. Therefore, in this embodiment, we will explain several examples of areas where improving positioning accuracy significantly contributes to improving the quality of image formation.

[0040] <Roller positioning part> As shown in FIG. 2A, the double-sided conveying block 70 is disposed across the imaging block 120 and the discharge block 130. The outer secondary transfer roller 44 provided in the double-sided conveying block 70 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 21 provided in the imaging block 120 between itself and the inner secondary transfer roller 22, thereby forming a secondary transfer portion. A roller 421 is provided in the double-sided conveying block 70 so as to be detachable from the imaging frame 100f. The roller 421 (second roller) provided in the double-sided conveying block 70 comes into contact with the roller 422 (first roller) provided in the imaging block 120, thereby forming a registration roller pair 42 (see FIG. 1). The registration roller pair 42 conveys the recording material S to the secondary transfer portion in accordance with the timing at which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the recording material S. Therefore, if there is an alignment error between roller 421 and roller 422, the recording material S cannot be transported to the secondary transfer section in the appropriate position, which causes transfer failure when the toner image is transferred to the recording material S.

[0041] Therefore, in this embodiment, a roller positioning unit 420 is provided in the imaging block 120 to correctly position the registration roller pair 42 with respect to the secondary transfer unit without causing misalignment between the rollers 421 and 422. As shown in FIG. 2B, the roller positioning unit 420 has a recess 420a formed therein that rotatably holds the shaft 421a of the roller 421 provided in the duplex conveying block 70. The roller positioning unit 420 determines the position of the roller 421 when the roller 421 is installed. By providing the roller positioning unit 420 for the registration roller pair 42 in the imaging block 120 to which the intermediate transfer unit 600 is attached, the possibility of transfer defects caused by roller alignment errors can be reduced even when the device main body 1A is formed by stacking multiple separable blocks.

[0042] 2(b) shows an example in which the shaft portion 421a of the roller 421 is fitted into the roller positioning portion 421b, but this is not limiting. For example, a fitting protrusion may be provided on the double-sided conveying block 70 having the roller 421, and a fitted portion that fits into the fitting protrusion may be provided on the imaging block instead of the roller positioning portion 42b. In this case, by fitting the fitting protrusion on the double-sided conveying block 70 into the fitted portion of the imaging block, alignment errors that occur between the rollers 421 and 422 can be reduced, and the registration roller pair 42 can be correctly positioned with respect to the secondary transfer unit.

[0043] Furthermore, a roller positioning unit similar to the roller positioning unit 420 provided for the roller 421 may be provided for the outer secondary transfer roller 44. With this configuration, alignment errors between the inner secondary transfer roller 22 and the outer secondary transfer roller 44 can be reduced. As a result, the positional accuracy of the secondary transfer unit can be improved, and therefore the accuracy of the relative position between the secondary transfer unit and the registration roller pair 42 can be improved. Note that only one of the roller positioning unit 420 provided for the roller 421 and the roller positioning unit provided for the outer secondary transfer roller 44 may be provided.

[0044] <Fixing positioning unit> In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the fixing device 50 is provided in the discharge block 130, and the recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is delivered from the imaging block 120 to the discharge block 130 and transported to the fixing device 50. As shown in FIG. 2(c), the fixing device 50 has a fixing roller 501 and a pressure roller 502, and the pressure roller 502 comes into contact with the fixing roller 501 to form a fixing nip portion for fixing the toner image onto the recording material S. Therefore, in order to properly fix the toner image onto the recording material S, the recording material S that has passed through the secondary transfer portion needs to be transported to the fixing nip portion of the fixing device 50 in the correct orientation.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the discharge block 130 is attached to the imaging block 120, a fixing positioning portion 52 is provided in the imaging block 120 to correctly position the fixing unit 50 attached to the discharge block 130 relative to the image conveying portion 620 through which the recording material S is conveyed in the imaging block 120. As shown in FIG. 2( a), the fixing positioning portion 52 protrudes upward from the imaging block 120 toward the discharge block 130 so as to enter the interior of the discharge block 130 when the discharge block 130 is attached to the imaging block 120. As shown in FIG. 2( c), a protrusion 51 is provided on the fixing unit 50, and a fitting hole 52 a is formed in the fixing positioning portion 52. The protrusion 51 is fitted into the fitting hole 52 a, thereby correctly positioning the fixing unit 50 relative to the image conveying portion 620 of the imaging block 120. In this way, by providing a fixing positioning section 52 for the fixing device 50 in the imaging block 120, even if the device main body 1A is formed by stacking multiple divisible blocks, the recording material S that has passed through the secondary transfer section is transported to the fixing nip section of the fixing device 50 in the correct posture.

[0046] <Modification of Fixing Positioning Unit> Next, modified examples of the fixing positioning unit will be described using Figures 4(a) to 4(c) while referring to Figure 1. In Figures 4(a) to 4(c), the same components as those shown in Figures 1 to 3(c) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the apparatus main body 1A (structure) is divided into three separable structures: a supply block 110, an imaging block 120, and a discharge block 130. That is, the apparatus main body 1A, which realizes a series of functions for forming an image on the recording material S, is configured such that the imaging block 120 is stacked on top of the supply block 110, and the discharge block 130 is stacked on top of the imaging block 120. However, as can be understood by comparing FIG. 4(a) with FIG. 2(a), toner bottles 90Y to 90K and a fixing unit 80 are assembled to the imaging block 120 (more specifically, the imaging frame 100f (see FIG. 3(b))). The supply block 110 and the duplex conveying block 70 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0048] The imaging block 120 is a structure in which the image forming units 500, the image conveying section 620, the toner bottles 90Y-90K, and the fuser 80 are assembled to the imaging frame 100f. The imaging block 120 also has a roller positioning section 420 and a fuser positioning section 52 assembled thereto. As shown in FIG. 4B, the roller positioning section 420 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4C, the fuser positioning section 52 may also have the same configuration as in the first embodiment. However, in the first embodiment, the fuser positioning section 52 protruded above the imaging frame 100f so as to enter the discharge block 130 (see FIG. 2A). However, in the modified example of the second embodiment, the fuser 50 is detachably attached to the imaging frame 100f, and the fuser positioning section 52 is housed within the imaging frame 100f (within the first frame) without protruding above the imaging frame 100f.

[0049] As described above, in the modified example of the second embodiment, the discharge block 130 is stacked and attached to the imaging block 120 to which the fixing unit 50 is attached in a state where the fixing unit 50 has been positioned in advance by the fixing positioning unit 52. This improves the ease of assembly, thereby improving the product quality of the apparatus main body 1A and making it easier to expand the functions of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0050] <Installation of photosensitive drum, transfer unit, and transport roller> Next, another technique for improving positioning accuracy in this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, a portion of the intermediate transfer unit 600 and a portion of the conveying roller for conveying the recording material S are supported by the imaging frame 100f (see FIG. 3B). Specifically, the inner secondary transfer roller 22 of the intermediate transfer unit 600 is supported by the imaging frame 100f, and one roller 422 of the registration roller pair 42 is supported by the imaging frame 100f. As described above, the registration roller pair 42 conveys the recording material S to the secondary transfer section in synchronization with the timing at which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the recording material S. This configuration improves the accuracy of the relative distance from the registration roller pair 42 to the roller 421, thereby reducing the possibility of transfer failures occurring when the toner image is transferred to the recording material S. Furthermore, by incorporating roller positioning units for the roller 421 and the outer secondary transfer roller 44 into the imaging frame 100f, the positioning accuracy can be further improved.

[0051] Another technique for improving positioning accuracy in this embodiment will now be described. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the photosensitive drum 11K and a portion of the intermediate transfer unit 600 are supported by the imaging frame 100f (see FIG. 3(b)). Specifically, the primary transfer roller 25 of the intermediate transfer unit 600 is supported by the imaging frame 100f. Note that, since there is no distinction between colors here, the suffixes "Y, M, C, K" at the end of the reference numerals have been omitted. As described above, toner images of multiple colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Therefore, by accurately positioning the primary transfer portion of each color, it is possible to reduce color misregistration.

[0052] In the second embodiment, several techniques for improving alignment accuracy have been described. These techniques can be combined as appropriate depending on the purpose and application. For example, even if a roller positioning unit is not provided, a single frame can support part of the intermediate transfer unit 600 and part of the photosensitive drum or transport roller, thereby improving quality through improved position accuracy.

[0053] Furthermore, as long as the above-mentioned two elements are supported by a single frame, the quality of the formed image can be improved by improving positioning accuracy, even if other elements are supported by separate frames. As an example, a configuration has been described in which the inner secondary transfer roller 22 of the intermediate transfer unit 600 is supported by the imaging frame 100f, and one roller 422 of the pair of registration rollers 42 is supported by the imaging frame 100f. In this case, all elements of the intermediate transfer unit 600 other than the inner secondary transfer roller 22 may be supported by the discharge frame 100g (see FIG. 3(a)). As a structure for achieving this, a positioning configuration has been described for the fuser 50 in which components inside the discharge frame 100g are supported by other frames, such as the imaging frame 100f. A similar configuration to that for the fuser 50 is used.

[0054] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the exposure devices 13Y to 13K are provided in the imaging block 120, but this is not limiting, and the exposure devices 13Y to 13K may also be provided in the discharge block 130.

[0055] In the first and second embodiments described above, the image forming apparatus 1 is described as an intermediate transfer type in which the toner image of each color is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drums 11Y to 11K of each color to the intermediate transfer belt 21, and then the toner image of each color is secondarily transferred to the recording material S. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus may be a direct transfer type in which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is directly transferred to the sheet by applying a voltage to a transfer roller disposed opposite the photosensitive drum and the conveying belt, with a nip formed between the photosensitive drum and the recording material S conveyed by the conveying belt.

[0056] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. The present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus described above, but may also be applied to, for example, an inkjet image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 shows the divided configuration of an inkjet image forming apparatus as the third embodiment. Note that in the third embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment described above are assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be simplified or omitted. In the third embodiment, the supply block 110 and the discharge block 130 are the same as those in the second embodiment. The double-sided conveying block 70 differs from the second embodiment in that it does not have the outer secondary transfer roller 44 and roller 421.

[0057] 5, in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment described above, the device body (structure) of the inkjet printer 900 is divided into three separable structures: a supply block 110, an image-forming block 120, and a discharge block 130. That is, in the third embodiment as well, the device body that realizes a series of functions for forming an image on the recording material S is configured such that the image-forming block 120 is stacked on top of the supply block 110, and the discharge block 130 is stacked on top of the image-forming block 120.

[0058] In the inkjet printer 900, the imaging block 1201 is a structure in which a recording unit 940, a pair of LF (Load Feeder) rollers 920, and an imaging transport unit 620 are assembled to an imaging frame 100f (see FIG. 2B). The recording material S transported from the supply block 110 is transported to the recording unit 940 after its inclination and position are corrected by the pair of LF rollers 920. In other words, the pair of LF rollers 920 is a transport roller equivalent to the pair of registration rollers 42 described above. The recording unit 940 has a recording head 911 that ejects ink onto the recording material S and a platen 912 that supports the recording material S from behind at a position facing the recording head 911. Therefore, both the recording head 611 and the platen 912 are supported by the frame of the imaging block 120. The recording head 911 has a total of five line-type recording heads corresponding to four colors of ink: Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and B (black), as well as reaction liquids. The LF roller pair 920 is correctly positioned with respect to the gap between the recording head 911 and the platen 912 without causing misalignment between the pair of rollers.

[0059] In FIG. 5, ink bottles 901Y, 901M, 901C, and 901K for supplying ink of each color to the corresponding line-type recording head are arranged in the image-forming block 1201, but this is not limited thereto, and the ink bottles 901Y, 901M, 901C, and 901K may also be arranged in the discharge block 130.

[0060] In this way, even in the inkjet printer 900, the device main body 1A can be assembled by dividing it into the supply block 110, the image-forming block 1201, and the discharge block 130. In this way, it is only necessary to assemble units and parts for each of the supply block 110, the image-forming block 1201, and the discharge block 130, which significantly reduces the number of steps required to assemble the device main body 1A and also improves the product quality of the device main body 1A. Furthermore, since it is easy to add and assemble units that realize new functions, it is easy to expand the functions of the image forming device 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 (900)... Image forming apparatus (inkjet printer), 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K... Photosensitive member (photosensitive drum), 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K... Charging unit (charger), 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K... Exposure unit (exposure unit), 14Y, 14M, 14C, 14K... Development unit (developer), 21... Intermediate transfer body (intermediate transfer belt), 22... Second transfer unit (inner roller, secondary transfer inner roller), 23... Drive roller, 24... Driven roller (tension roller), 25Y, 25M, 25C, 25K... First transfer unit (primary transfer roller), 31, 32... Storage body (cassette), 41... Conveyor roller (pre-registration roller pair), 42... Conveyor roller (registration roller roller pair), 44...second transfer section (outer roller, secondary transfer outer roller), 50...fixing section (fuser), 52...fixing positioning section, 70...rotating section (double-sided conveying section, double-sided conveying block), 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K...toner storage section (toner bottle), 100f...first frame (imaging frame), 100g...second frame (discharge frame), 100e...third frame (supply frame), 300...supply section (supply unit), 420...roller positioning section, 421...conveying roller (second roller, roller), 422...conveying roller (first roller, roller), 700...discharge section (discharge unit), 910...recording section, 911...recording head, 912...platen, 920...conveying roller (LF roller pair), S...recording material

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, A first frame body; a conveying roller for conveying the recording material; a transfer section for transferring a toner image onto a recording material; a second frame body attached to the first frame body so as to be separable from the first frame body; a discharge section that discharges the recording material conveyed from the first frame to the second frame to the outside, at least a part of the transfer unit and the conveying roller are supported by the first frame; The discharge portion is supported by the second frame. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. a photoreceptor supported by the first frame; the transfer unit transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive member onto a recording material; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. The transfer unit includes: an intermediate transfer member; a first transfer section that transfers a toner image from the photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer member; a second transfer section that transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer body to a recording material; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. the transfer unit includes a drive roller and a driven roller that tension the intermediate transfer body, The drive roller and the driven roller are supported by the first frame.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. the first transfer unit includes a primary transfer roller for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer member; the primary transfer roller is supported by the first frame; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. the transfer unit includes a drive roller and a driven roller that tension the intermediate transfer body, the first transfer unit includes a primary transfer roller for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer member; the drive roller, the driven roller, and the primary transfer roller are supported by the first frame; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. the intermediate transfer member includes a circular intermediate transfer belt, the second transfer unit includes an inner roller disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt and an outer roller disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred onto a recording material by the inner roller and the outer roller; The inner roller is supported by the first frame.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. a rotation part that supports the outer roller and rotates to be openable and closable relative to the first frame; 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

9. a roller positioning portion supported by the first frame and configured to position the outer roller when the rotating portion is in the closed position; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

10. the conveying rollers include a roller pair consisting of a first roller supported by the first frame and a second roller supported by the rotating portion, a roller positioning portion supported by the first frame and configured to position the second roller when the rotating portion is in the closed position; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

11. When the conveyed recording material comes into contact with the pair of rollers while the pair of rollers is stopped, the pair of rollers corrects skew of the recording material.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. the conveying rollers include a roller pair consisting of a first roller supported by the first frame and a second roller configured to be detachable from the first frame, the first frame has a roller positioning portion for determining the position of the transport roller when the transport roller is attached; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

13. When the conveyed recording material comes into contact with the pair of rollers while the pair of rollers is stopped, the pair of rollers corrects skew of the recording material.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

14. a fixing unit supported by the first frame and configured to fix a toner image on a recording material; the fixing portion is detachable from the first frame body, the first frame has a fixing positioning portion for determining the position of the fixing unit when the fixing unit is attached; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

15. a fixing unit supported by the first frame so as to be disposed inside the second frame, the fixing unit fixing a toner image onto a recording material; the first frame has a fixing positioning portion that enters the inside of the second frame when the second frame is placed therein and that determines the position of the fixing portion when the second frame is attached; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

16. A photoreceptor; a charging unit that charges the photosensitive member; an exposure unit that exposes the charged photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member into a toner image, At least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the exposure unit is supported within the first frame.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

17. a toner storage unit that stores toner to be replenished to the developing unit; the toner storage unit is supported by the second frame; 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

18. a toner storage unit that stores toner to be replenished to the developing unit; the toner storage unit is supported by the first frame; 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

19. the transport rollers include a pre-registration roller pair and a registration roller pair disposed downstream of the pre-registration roller pair on the transport path; The pair of pre-registration rollers conveys the recording material while the registration roller is stopped, thereby correcting skew of the recording material; At least a portion of the pair of registration rollers is supported by the first frame.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

20. a container for containing recording material; a supply unit that supplies a recording material from the container toward the first frame; the first frame body and a third frame body separably attached to the first frame body, the container and the supply unit are supported by the third frame; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

21. A connecting member is provided to connect the first frame body and the second frame body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

22. a double-sided conveying section for reversing the recording surface of the recording material; the double-sided conveying unit is disposed across the first frame and the second frame; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

23. An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording material, A first frame body; A photoreceptor; a transfer section for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive member onto a recording material; a second frame body attached to the first frame body so as to be separable from the first frame body; a discharge section that discharges the recording material conveyed from the first frame to the second frame to the outside, at least a part of the transfer unit and the photosensitive member are supported by the first frame; The discharge portion is supported by the second frame. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

24. a conveying roller supported by the first frame for conveying a recording material; 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23.

25. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using ink, A first frame body; a conveying roller supported by the first frame for conveying a recording material; a recording unit supported by the first frame and configured to eject ink toward a recording material; a second frame body attached to the first frame body so as to be separable from the first frame body; a discharge section disposed in the second frame and configured to discharge the recording material conveyed from the first frame to the outside, An image forming apparatus characterized by:

26. a container for containing recording material; a supply unit that supplies a recording material from the container toward the first frame; the first frame body and a third frame body separably attached to the first frame body, the container and the supply unit are disposed within the third frame; 26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 25.

27. the recording unit has a recording head that ejects ink, and a platen that is disposed opposite the recording head and supports a recording material from behind at a position opposite the recording head; Both the recording head and the platen are supported by the first frame.

26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 25.

Images