Image forming device

Abstract

To improve operability in attaching and detaching a drum unit to and from an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, in a state in which a drum unit is mounted on an apparatus body and a wire bundle holding member of a predetermined unit is attached to the drum unit, a wire bundle of the predetermined unit overlaps the movement locus of the drum unit when the drum unit is attached to or detached from the apparatus body, and in a state in which the drum unit is mounted on the apparatus body and the wire bundle holding member is attached to the apparatus body, the wire bundle does not overlap the movement locus. The drum unit can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body through a take-out port formed in the image forming apparatus in the state in which the drum unit is mounted on the apparatus body and the wire bundle holding member is attached to the apparatus body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a drum unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a drum unit having a photosensitive drum and a housing that houses the photosensitive drum is detachably provided in an image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-44845 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming apparatus, parts and units (e.g., a unit for detecting registration density) that require periodic cleaning and other maintenance are located near the drum unit. If these parts and units rub against the surface of the photosensitive drum when removing them from the image forming apparatus, there is a risk that the surface of the photosensitive drum may be damaged. Therefore, when removing these parts and units from the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to remove them from a direction different from the direction in which the drum unit is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, or to remove the drum unit beforehand.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that can improve operability when attaching and detaching a drum unit to and from an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: That is, the image forming apparatus includes a device main body, a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a housing that houses the photosensitive drum, and a predetermined unit that includes a drum unit that is detachable from the device main body, the unit main body, a connector, a cable connected to the device main body via the connector, and a cable holder that movably holds the cable, wherein when the drum unit is attached to the device main body and the cable holder is attached to the drum unit, the cable overlaps a movement trajectory of the drum unit when the drum unit is attached to or detached from the device main body, and when the drum unit is attached to the device main body and the cable holder is attached to the device main body, the cable does not overlap the movement trajectory, and the device main body is formed with an access opening through which the drum unit can be attached and detached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability when attaching and detaching a drum unit to and from an image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between an intermediate transfer unit and a registration density detection unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a registration concentration detection unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the drum unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a registration concentration detection unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a registration concentration detection unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]2 is a front view showing the configuration of a registration concentration detection unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a registration concentration detection unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a registration concentration detection unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in a variety of applications, such as printers, various printing machines, copiers, fax machines, and multifunction machines.

[0010] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is an intermediate transfer type color digital printer that includes one drum unit 3 and three color process cartridges 4 along an intermediate transfer belt 2.

[0012] The drum unit 3 is composed of a large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 as an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a cleaner container 8 having a cleaner blade 7. After this drum unit 3 is installed in the device body, a primary charger 10 is attached.

[0013] For the three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow, a color process cartridge 4 is formed by combining two drum units 14 each consisting of a photosensitive drum 6, a cleaner blade 7, and a charging roller 12, and a developing unit 15 having a developing roller 13.

[0014] The color process cartridge 4 is mounted by moving it in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 6 along a guide rail 16 attached to the main body of the apparatus.

[0015] The guide rail 16 is provided on the surface facing the drum unit 3. The guide rail 16 has a drum guide portion 17 that serves as a guide on the right side of the front of the color process cartridge 4 when the color process cartridge 4 is installed in the main body of the apparatus. The guide rail 16 is also provided on the surface facing the developing unit 15 and has a developing guide portion 18 that serves as a guide on the left side of the front of the color process cartridge 4 when the color process cartridge 4 is installed in the main body of the apparatus.

[0016] The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will now be described.

[0017] The photosensitive drums consist of one large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 and three photosensitive drums 6. The surface of the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 is uniformly charged by a corona-charging primary charger 10. The surface of the photosensitive drum 6 is uniformly charged by a contact-charging charging roller 12.

[0018] Ozone is generated when the primary charger 10 charges the surface of the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an air circulation means 20 for removing the generated ozone from the vicinity of the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5.

[0019] The air circulation means 20 is composed of an air intake fan 21, a primary air intake duct 22, an exhaust duct 23 having one or more intake ports 24, an exhaust fan 25 provided in the exhaust duct 23, and an ozone filter 26. The primary air intake duct 22 is disposed above the primary charger 10. The exhaust duct 23 is disposed downstream of the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 of the primary charger 10.

[0020] Air taken in by air circulating means 20 from air intake fan 21 passes through primary air intake duct 22 and is sent to primary charger 10. After passing near the outer circumferential surface of large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 and the exposure position, the air sent to primary charger 10 passes through intake port 24, exhaust duct 23 whose pressure is reduced by exhaust fan 25, and is discharged outside the machine via ozone filter 26.

[0021] Image signals for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are input to the laser scanner 27, which irradiates the drum surface with laser light in accordance with these image signals, neutralizing the charge and forming a latent image. At this time, the primary charger 10 not only charges the opposing large-diameter photosensitive drum 5, but also generates ions. The generated ions float downstream in the direction of rotation of the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 due to the airflow that exhausts ozone and the rotation of the photosensitive drum.

[0022] If ions float up to the vicinity of the exposure position on the photosensitive member and attach to the latent image portion formed on the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5, they may recharge the portion that was neutralized by exposure, resulting in a defective image. Therefore, in order to collect the floating ions, a conductive sheet 28 is provided that is grounded on the surface of the exhaust duct 23 facing the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5, so that the ions are attracted to the exhaust duct 23 side.

[0023] Between the exposure position and the development position, a surface potential detecting means 29 is provided to detect the surface potential of the photosensitive member in order to improve the in-plane uniformity of the latent image potential. The surface potential detecting means 29 is attached to the exhaust duct 23.

[0024] The latent images formed on the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 and the photosensitive drum 6 are developed with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner by the respective developing rollers 13. The toner images developed on the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 and the photosensitive drum 6 are sequentially transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 2 by primary transfer rollers 31 that form primary transfer roller nips 11 with the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 and the photosensitive drum 6, respectively. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 2.

[0025] A registration density detection unit 32, which is a unit for detecting registration density, is disposed downstream of the primary transfer roller 31 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 2 and upstream of the secondary transfer section 45 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 2. The registration density detection unit 32 has a registration detection sensor and a density sensor, which are disposed corresponding to the positions of the registration patches and gradation patches.

[0026] For Bk, a Bk density detection unit 19 is disposed between the developing unit 13 and the primary transfer roller nip 11 to read the gradation patch on the large diameter photosensitive drum 5. The Bk density detection unit 19 is disposed downstream in the rotation direction of the large diameter photosensitive drum 5 from the position on the large diameter photosensitive drum 5 that is closest to the developing roller 13k, and upstream in the rotation direction of the large diameter photosensitive drum 5 from the primary transfer roller nip 11.

[0027] Residual toner remaining on the large diameter photosensitive drum 5 and the photosensitive drum 6 after transfer is scraped off by a cleaner blade 7, conveyed through a drum cleaner container, and collected in a collected toner box.

[0028] Meanwhile, a transfer material P such as paper conveyed from a paper feed unit is sent to a secondary transfer unit 45 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 2. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 2 is transferred to the transfer material P at the secondary transfer unit 45, and then sent to a fixing unit 46. The transfer material P sent to the fixing unit 46 has the toner image fixed to the transfer material P by heat and pressure at the fixing unit 46, and is then discharged outside the image forming apparatus 1.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the intermediate transfer belt 2 and the registration density detection unit 32. As shown in FIG.

[0030] In this color image forming apparatus, a detection toner patch pattern (hereinafter referred to as a detection patch 49) consisting of a predetermined pattern is formed at a predetermined timing.

[0031] The detection patches 49 include images for correcting toner density, images for correcting position (color) misalignment, and images for detecting the timing of toner image formation. The detection patches 49 are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2 and detected by a reflective sensor 47 configured in the registration density detection unit 32, and control is performed to optimize the density and formation timing of the toner image to be formed.

[0032] The reflective sensors 47F, 47C, and 47R are arranged on the driven roller 48 in a state corresponding to the positions where the detection patches 49 are formed in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 2 (axial direction of the driven roller 48).

[0033] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a registration density detection unit 32 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0034] The reflective sensor 47 is attached to the sensor holder 42. Detection information of the detection patch 49 detected by the reflective sensor 47 is transmitted to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 via the sensor cable 43 of the registration density detection unit 32 and the sensor cable connector 44.

[0035] The registration density detection unit 32 according to the first embodiment is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 without removing the drum unit 3 from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0036] In the first embodiment, when the drum unit 3 is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus 1, the attachment position of the sensor cable 43 is moved by the cable holding member 39 for holding the sensor cable 43 of the registration density detection unit 32 and the protrusion 40 of the cable holding member 39. This makes the drum unit 3 attachable to or detachable from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the drum unit 3 installed in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0038] The drum unit 3 has a large-diameter photosensitive drum 5, a cleaner container 8, and a Bk drum frame 9 (a housing that houses the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5). The Bk drum frame 9 has a front plate 34 on the upstream side and a rear plate 35 on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the drum unit 3 to the image forming apparatus 1, so as to sandwich the large-diameter photosensitive drum 5 and the cleaner container 8. The Bk drum frame 9 also has a center stay 36 that is arranged to connect the front plate 34 and the rear plate 35.

[0039] On the surface of the front side panel 34 opposite to the surface that abuts against the cleaner container 8, there are arranged a drum positioning member 37 for fixing the large diameter photosensitive drum 5, a handle portion 38 for pulling out the drum unit 3, and an attachment portion 41 for the drum unit 3 for attaching the cable holding member 39.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows the configuration of the registration density detection unit 32 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention. The registration density detection unit 32 is an example of a predetermined unit arranged near the drum unit 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the drum unit 3 and the registration density detection unit 32 are arranged adjacent to each other. The registration density detection unit has a sensor holder 42 (unit main body), a sensor cable connector 44, a sensor cable 43 connected to the apparatus main body via the sensor cable connector 44, and a cable holding member 39 that movably holds the sensor cable 43.

[0041] When removing the registration concentration detection unit 32 from the image forming apparatus 1, the service person (user) removes the cable holding member 39 from the attachment portion 41, and then removes the sensor cable connector 44 from the connector attachment portion. This makes it possible to attach and detach the registration concentration detection unit 32 to and from the image forming apparatus 1 without removing the drum unit 3 from the image forming apparatus 1. In this way, the service person (user) can easily attach and detach the registration concentration detection unit 32 to and from the image forming apparatus 1, which makes it easier to perform maintenance such as cleaning the registration concentration detection unit 32.

[0042] 6, 7, 8 and 9 show the configuration of the registration density detection unit 32 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention.

[0043] 6 and 7, when the drum unit 3 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the cable holding member 39 is positioned at the attachment portion 41 of the drum unit 3. Furthermore, when the drum unit 3 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the protrusion 40 of the cable holding member 39 interferes with the protrusion 52 of the image forming apparatus 1, so the drum unit 3 cannot be inserted or removed.

[0044] In this way, by providing the protrusion 40 of the cable holding member 39, it is possible to prevent the drum unit 3 from being inserted or removed by a service person (user) by mistake.

[0045] Furthermore, when removing the drum unit 3 from the image forming apparatus 1 to replace the drum unit 3, the serviceman (user) moves the cable holding member 39 from the mounting portion 41 of the drum unit 3 to the mounting portion 50 of the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0046] By moving the bundle holding member 39 from the mounting portion 41 of the drum unit 3 to the mounting portion 50 of the image forming device 1, an extraction opening 51 for the drum unit 3 is formed, allowing the drum unit 3 to be inserted into or removed from the image forming device 1.

[0047] In the first embodiment described above, a configuration is adopted in which the registration density detection unit 32 can be inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus 1 without removing the drum unit 3 from the image forming apparatus 1. In this configuration, when replacing the drum unit 3, the cable 43 of the registration density detection unit 32 is moved away from the insertion / removal path (movement path) of the drum unit 3, thereby forming the removal opening 51 for the drum unit 3.

[0048] That is, when the drum unit 3 is attached to the apparatus main body and the cable holder 39 is attached to the drum unit 3, the sensor cable 43 overlaps with the movement trajectory of the drum unit 3 when the drum unit 3 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body. On the other hand, when the drum unit 3 is attached to the apparatus main body and the cable holder 39 is attached to the apparatus main body, the sensor cable 43 does not overlap with the movement trajectory of the drum unit 3 when the drum unit 3 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body. As a result, when the drum unit 3 is attached to the apparatus main body and the cable holder 39 is attached to the apparatus main body, an access opening 51 is formed that allows the drum unit 3 to be attached to or detached from the apparatus main body.

[0049] Therefore, in the process of removing the drum unit 3 from the image forming device 1, there is no risk of the drum unit 3 getting caught on the cable 43 of the registration density detection unit 42, thereby improving operability when attaching and detaching the drum unit 3 to and from the image forming device 1.

[0050] The mounting portion 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be disposed vertically above the drum unit 3 or vertically below the drum unit 3, or may be disposed on the sensor holder 42. In this case, the mounting portion 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed between the sensor holder 42 and the sensor cable connector 44. On the other hand, by disposing the mounting portion 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 near the sensor holder 42 and the sensor cable connector 44, there is an advantage in that the length of the sensor cable 43 of the registration density detection unit 32 can be shortened.

[0051] In the first embodiment described above, an example has been described in which, for example, registration density detection unit 32 is disposed near drum unit 3 as a part or unit that requires periodic cleaning or other maintenance. Furthermore, there is no risk of drum unit 3 getting caught on cable 43 of registration density detection unit 42 during the process of removing drum unit 3 from image forming apparatus 1, improving operability when attaching or detaching drum unit 3 to or from image forming apparatus 1. Note that the present invention can be similarly applied to parts or units other than registration density detection unit 32 that require periodic cleaning or other maintenance near drum unit 3 by providing mounting portion 50 on image forming apparatus 1.

[0052] (Other embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the respective embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to use the intermediate transfer belt 2 as shown in Fig. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus configured to perform transfer by directly contacting the transfer material P with the photosensitive drums in sequence. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Image forming device 3 Drum Unit 5 Large diameter photosensitive drum 9 Black drum frame 39 Wire bundle holding member 41 Mounting part 42 Sensor holder 43 Sensor bundle 44 Sensor bundle connector 50 Mounting part 51 Outlet 52 Protrusion

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, A device body, a drum unit detachably attached to the device main body, the drum unit having a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a housing that houses the photosensitive drum; a predetermined unit having a unit body, a connector, a cable connected to the device body via the connector, and a cable holder that movably holds the cable; Equipped with When the drum unit is attached to the apparatus main body and the cable holding member is attached to the drum unit, the cable overlaps with a moving path of the drum unit when the drum unit is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, When the drum unit is mounted in the device main body and the cable holder is attached to the device main body, the cable does not overlap with the moving locus, and an opening is formed in the device main body that allows the drum unit to be attached and detached. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. The cable holder has a protrusion, The apparatus main body has a protrusion that interferes with the protrusion when the drum unit is attached to the apparatus main body.

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

3. The device body has an attachment portion for attaching the cable holder to the device body, and the attachment portion is disposed between the unit body and the connector.

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

4. The predetermined unit is a unit for detecting the registration density.

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

Images