JP2008158548A

JP2008158548A - Image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP2008158548A
Application number: JP2008042452A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazuyoshi Matsumoto; 和悦松本; Junichi Murano; 順一村野; Katsunori Shoji; 勝則庄司; Toshiyuki Uchida; 俊之内田; Osamu Takashima; 修高島
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-25
Filing date: 2008-02-25
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-30
Also published as: JP4435238B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of surely preventing falling of toner etc., and staining due thereto when a photoreceptor drum unit, a developing unit, etc., are removed. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has the developing unit 2, a toner supply unit, the photoreceptor drum unit, etc., in an apparatus housing 1. A front cover 3 is made openable and closable around a fulcrum 3a as the turning center for removal, and maintenance of the respective units. The inside surface of the front cover (facing up when the front cover is opened) is disposed below a surface of a lower base 10 of the apparatus housing 1 where the respective units are housed. When the front cover 3 is opened, the gap between the lower base 10 and front cover 3 is positioned below the lower base 10 and even if toner etc., falls when the developing unit 2 etc., is maintained, the falling toner stays on the top surface of the lower base 10 or the top surface of the front cover 3 not to stain a paper feed tray in a paper feeder 5 below the apparatus housing 1, contained transfer paper, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、複写機やファクシミリ等の画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile.

複写機やファクシミリ等の画像形成装置においては、装置筐体内部にトナー供給ユニット、感光体ドラムユニット、現像ユニット等を脱着可能に備えて装置筐体外へ引き出したり、引き出したものを再度収容したり、また装置筐体内部のメンテナンスを行えるようにするために、開閉可能な前カバーあるいは前ドア（本明細書においては前カバーと称する。）を備えるものが多い。 In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile, a toner supply unit, a photosensitive drum unit, a developing unit, etc. are detachably provided inside the apparatus casing, and are pulled out of the apparatus casing or stored again. In addition, in order to perform maintenance inside the apparatus housing, many have a front cover or a front door (referred to as a front cover in this specification) that can be opened and closed.

このような画像形成装置の多くは、その動作時に、装置筐体内部にあるトナー供給ユニットから感光体ドラムユニット内のトナー経路を通り、現像ユニットにトナーを供給し、感光体ドラム上に画像を形成するが、サ−ビス技術者が感光体ドラムユニットをメンテナンスする際、感光体ドラムユニット及び現像ユニット等を脱着し、各ユニット間にあったトナー等がこぼれ、下方にある給紙トレイや給紙トレイ内の転写紙を汚す場合がある。 In many of such image forming apparatuses, during operation, toner is supplied from a toner supply unit in the apparatus casing through a toner path in the photosensitive drum unit to the developing unit, and an image is formed on the photosensitive drum. However, when a service engineer performs maintenance on the photosensitive drum unit, the photosensitive drum unit and the developing unit are detached, and toner or the like existing between the units is spilled. The paper may be soiled.

例えば図１、図２に示す従来の画像形成装置のように、装置筐体１に内蔵する現像ユニット２を引き出そうとして前カバー３を開け、現像ユニット２を引き出す（引き出し方向を図中に矢印Ｘで示す）と、前カバー３に形成してある補強リブ４等に現像ユニット２が突き当たってスムーズに引き出せず、さらには補強リブ４にぶつけたショックで現像ユニット２内からトナーや現像剤がこぼれ、上述のように装置筐体１の下方にある給紙装置５内の給紙トレイやそれに収納してある転写紙等、さらには機内の諸所の部位を汚したり、さらには装置筐体１と前カバー３の隙間からこぼれでて機外を汚したりすることがある。 For example, as in the conventional image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front cover 3 is opened to draw out the developing unit 2 built in the apparatus housing 1, and the developing unit 2 is pulled out (the drawing direction is indicated by an arrow in the figure). X)), the developing unit 2 hits against the reinforcing rib 4 formed on the front cover 3 and cannot be pulled out smoothly, and further, the toner or developer is discharged from the developing unit 2 by a shock hitting the reinforcing rib 4. As described above, the paper feed tray in the paper feed device 5 below the device housing 1, the transfer paper stored in the paper feed tray 5, etc., and various parts in the machine, and the device housing 1 may spill from the gap between the front cover 3 and the outside of the machine.

本発明はこのような従来の問題点にかんがみてなしたもので、感光体ドラムユニットや現像ユニット等を脱着する際のトナー等のこぼれやこれに起因する汚れを確実に防ぐことができる画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an image forming apparatus that can reliably prevent spillage of toner, etc., and dirt caused by this when a photosensitive drum unit, a developing unit, and the like are attached and detached. The purpose is to provide.

また本発明は、感光体ドラムユニット等のユニットの脱着をスムーズに行え、ユニットをぶつけて、壊したり、内容物をこぼしたりする恐れをなくせる画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。 Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a unit such as a photosensitive drum unit can be attached / detached smoothly, and there is no fear of hitting the unit and breaking it or spilling contents.

本発明の請求項１に係る画像形成装置は、上記目的を達成するために、装置筐体内部へのユニット脱着や装置筐体内部のメンテナンスのために開閉可能な前カバーを備える画像形成装置において、上記前カバーを開けた際に上面となる該前カバー内側面が、上記ユニットを搭載する上記装置筐体の下部ベースの下面よりも下方に位置する配置としてなることを特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with a front cover that can be opened and closed for attaching / detaching a unit to / from the inside of the apparatus casing or for maintenance inside the apparatus casing. The inner surface of the front cover, which is the upper surface when the front cover is opened, is disposed below the lower surface of the lower base of the apparatus housing on which the unit is mounted.

同請求項２に係るものは、上記目的を達成するために、請求項１の画像形成装置において、上記下部ベースが、上記前カバーとの間の部位に、袋状または溝状の凹状部を有することを特徴とする。 According to the second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, a bag-like or groove-like concave portion is provided at a position between the lower base and the front cover. It is characterized by having.

同請求項３に係るものは、上記目的を達成するために、装置筐体内部へのユニット脱着や装置筐体内部のメンテナンスのために開閉可能な前カバーを備える画像形成装置において、上記前カバーを開けた際に上面となる該前カバー内側面に、上記ユニット引出し方向に沿って位置して上記ユニットの引出しガイドを兼ねる補強リブを備えてなることを特徴とする。 According to the third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus provided with a front cover that can be opened and closed for attaching / detaching the unit to / from the inside of the apparatus casing or for maintenance inside the apparatus casing, the front cover The inner surface of the front cover, which is the upper surface when the cover is opened, is provided with a reinforcing rib that is positioned along the unit pull-out direction and also serves as a pull-out guide for the unit.

請求項１に係る画像形成装置は、以上説明してきたように、装置筐体内部へのユニット脱着や装置筐体内部のメンテナンスのために開閉可能な前カバーを備え、この前カバーを開けた際に上面となる前カバー内側面がユニットを搭載する装置筐体の下部ベース下面よりも下方に位置する配置としてなるので、サ−ビス技術者等が現像ユニットや感光体ドラムユニットをメンテナンスする際、これらユニット等を脱着することによってトナー等がこぼれても、装置内や装置外へのトナー等の飛散とそれによる汚れを防止でき、装置筐体の下方にあることが多い給紙トレイ及び給紙トレイ内の転写紙を汚れから確実に防ぐことができるという効果がある。 As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect includes a front cover that can be opened and closed for attaching / detaching the unit to / from the inside of the apparatus housing or for maintenance inside the apparatus housing, and when the front cover is opened. Since the inner surface of the front cover, which is the upper surface, is positioned below the lower surface of the lower base of the device housing on which the unit is mounted, when service engineers maintain the developing unit and the photosensitive drum unit, Even if toner or the like is spilled by attaching or detaching a unit or the like, it is possible to prevent scattering of the toner or the like inside or outside the apparatus and contamination due to the toner, and the sheet feeding tray and the sheet feeding tray that are often located below the apparatus casing There is an effect that the transfer paper inside can be surely prevented from being stained.

請求項２に係る画像形成装置は、以上説明してきたように、装置筐体の下部ベースが前カバーとの間の部位に袋状または溝状の凹状部を有するので、上記請求項１との共通の効果に加え、感光体ドラムユニットや現像ユニット等のメンテナンスの際にトナー等がこぼれても、凹状部にたまるようにすることができ、機内及び機外を汚すことをいっそう確実に防ぐことができるようになるという効果がある。 In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, as described above, the lower base of the apparatus housing has a bag-shaped or groove-shaped concave portion at a portion between the lower base and the front cover. In addition to the common effects, even if toner etc. is spilled during maintenance of the photosensitive drum unit, development unit, etc., it can be accumulated in the concave part, further preventing contamination inside and outside the machine. There is an effect that it becomes possible.

請求項３に係る画像形成装置は、以上説明してきたように、装置筐体内部へのユニット脱着や装置筐体内部のメンテナンスのために開閉可能な前カバーを備え、前カバーを開けた際に上面となる前カバー内側面にユニット引出し方向に沿って位置してユニットの引出しガイドを兼ねる補強リブを備えてなるので、コストを上昇させずにユニットのスムーズな出し入れができる構造とすることができるという効果がある。 As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect includes a front cover that can be opened and closed for attaching / detaching the unit to / from the inside of the apparatus housing and maintenance inside the apparatus housing, and when the front cover is opened. Since the front cover inner surface, which is the upper surface, is provided along the unit pull-out direction and is provided with a reinforcing rib that also serves as a unit pull-out guide, the structure can be smoothly inserted and removed without increasing the cost. There is an effect.

以下本発明を実施するための最良の形態を、図に示す実施例を参照して説明する。なお以下では従来と共通する部分には共通する符号を付すにとどめ重複する説明は省略する。 The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the following description, common parts are denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

図３は本発明に係る画像形成装置の第１実施例の概略斜視図、図４（Ａ）、（Ｂ）は同要部拡大断面図である。本実施例の画像形成装置は、装置筐体１内部に現像ユニット２やトナー供給ユニット、感光体ドラムユニット等を備え、各ユニットの脱着及びメンテナンスのために前カバー３を支点３ａを回動中心に開閉可能としたもので、前カバー３の内側の面、すなわち開けた際に上側になる面が、各ユニットが収納されている装置筐体１の下部ベース１０の面よりも、さらに下方に位置するように構成してある。 FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged sectional views of the main part. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a developing unit 2, a toner supply unit, a photosensitive drum unit, and the like inside the apparatus housing 1, and the front cover 3 is pivoted about a fulcrum 3a for attachment and detachment of each unit and maintenance. The inner surface of the front cover 3, that is, the upper surface when opened, is positioned further below the surface of the lower base 10 of the apparatus housing 1 in which each unit is housed. It is comprised so that it may do.

このため、図４（Ａ）に示す前カバー３を閉じた状態から、図４（Ｂ）に示すように前カバー３を開けた際に、下部ベース１０と前カバー３との隙間が下部ベース１０の下に位置する。したがって、サ−ビス技術者が前カバー３を開けて現像ユニット２等をメンテナンスする際に、現像ユニット２等を脱着してトナー等がこぼれたとしても、こぼれたトナーが下部ベース１０上面または前カバー３上面にとどまり、装置筐体１の下方にある給紙装置５内の給紙トレイやそれに収納してある転写紙等、機内の諸所の部位を汚すことを確実に防ぐことができる。 For this reason, when the front cover 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 4B from the state where the front cover 3 shown in FIG. 4A is closed, the gap between the lower base 10 and the front cover 3 becomes the lower base. Located below 10. Therefore, when the service engineer opens the front cover 3 and performs maintenance on the developing unit 2 or the like, even if the developing unit 2 or the like is detached and the toner or the like is spilled, the spilled toner remains on the upper surface of the lower base 10 or the front. It stays on the upper surface of the cover 3, and it is possible to reliably prevent the parts of the machine such as the paper feed tray in the paper feed device 5 below the apparatus housing 1 and the transfer paper stored therein from being soiled.

図５（Ａ）、（Ｂ）は本発明に係る画像形成装置の第２実施例の要部拡大断面図である。本実施例は、装置筐体１の下部ベース１０の先端に、袋状または溝状の凹状部１１を形成したものである。これにより、サ−ビス技術者が前カバー３を開けて現像ユニット２等をメンテナンスする際に、現像ユニット２等を脱着してトナー等がこぼれたとしても、こぼれたトナーのほとんどが凹状部１１に入り、入らなかった少量のトナーも下部ベース１０上面または前カバー３上面にとどまる。したがって、トナーで汚すことを確実に防ぐことができるとともに、こぼれたトナーの清掃、除去も容易になる。 5A and 5B are enlarged cross-sectional views of the main part of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a bag-like or groove-like concave portion 11 is formed at the tip of the lower base 10 of the apparatus housing 1. As a result, when the service engineer opens the front cover 3 and performs maintenance on the developing unit 2 and the like, even if the developing unit 2 and the like are detached and the toner or the like is spilled, most of the spilled toner is the concave portion 11. A small amount of toner that enters and does not enter also remains on the upper surface of the lower base 10 or the upper surface of the front cover 3. Therefore, it is possible to surely prevent the toner from being soiled and to easily clean and remove the spilled toner.

なお図６は、上述した凹状部１１の内側面端縁部やコーナ部を曲線形状に形成することで、こぼれたトナーの清掃を簡単かつ確実に行えるようにした変形例を示す。 FIG. 6 shows a modification in which the spilled toner can be easily and reliably cleaned by forming the inner side edge and corner of the concave portion 11 in a curved shape.

図７は本発明に係る画像形成装置の第３実施例の要部斜視図である。本実施例の画像形成装置は、前カバー３の内側面に現像ユニット２等のユニット引き出し方向（図中矢印Ｘ）と直交する方向に伸びる補強リブ４と同一の高さでかつユニット引き出し方向Ｘと同方向に向いたガイドリブ４ａを形成してある。このガイドリブ４ａにより現像ユニット２等の引出し、挿入がスムーズになり、ショックなどによるトナーのこぼれを避け得る。 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an essential part of a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has the same height as the reinforcing rib 4 extending on the inner side surface of the front cover 3 in a direction orthogonal to the unit pulling direction (arrow X in the figure) of the developing unit 2 and the unit pulling direction X The guide rib 4a is formed in the same direction as the guide rib 4a. With this guide rib 4a, the developing unit 2 and the like can be pulled out and inserted smoothly, and toner spillage due to shock or the like can be avoided.

図８は本発明に係る画像形成装置の第４実施例の要部斜視図である。本実施例の画像形成装置は、上記第３実施例のガイドリブ４ａに加え、現像ユニット２の左右幅ｗに合わせた位置に一対の横ズレ防止リブ４ｂを間隔Ｗが若干だけ現像ユニット２の左右幅ｗより広くなるように設け、現像ユニット２の引き出し、挿入のガイドとし、ほぼまっすぐに現像ユニット２を出し入れできるようにして、現像ユニット２や装置筐体１側の挿入口を壊す恐れをなくしてある。 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an essential part of a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, in addition to the guide rib 4a of the third embodiment, a pair of lateral misalignment prevention ribs 4b are arranged at positions corresponding to the left and right width w of the developing unit 2 with a slight gap W between the left and right sides of the developing unit 2. It is provided so as to be wider than the width w and serves as a guide for pulling out and inserting the developing unit 2 so that the developing unit 2 can be taken in and out almost straight, thereby eliminating the possibility of breaking the developing unit 2 and the insertion opening on the apparatus housing 1 side. It is.

従来の画像形成装置の前カバーを開けた状態を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the front cover of the conventional image forming apparatus. 同現像ユニットの引き出し状態を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the drawer state of the developing unit. 本発明に係る画像形成装置の第１実施例の概略斜視図である。1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 同要部拡大断面図である。It is the principal part expanded sectional view. 本発明に係る画像形成装置の第２実施例の要部拡大断面図である。It is a principal part expanded sectional view of 2nd Example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. 第２実施例の変形例の要部拡大断面図である。It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the modification of 2nd Example. 本発明に係る画像形成装置の第３実施例の要部斜視図である。It is a principal part perspective view of 3rd Example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る画像形成装置の第４実施例の要部斜視図である。It is a principal part perspective view of 4th Example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１：装置筐体
２：現像ユニット
３：前カバー
４：補強リブ
４ａ：ガイドリブ
４ｂ：横ズレ防止リブ
５：給紙装置
１０：下部ベース
１１：凹状部
ｗ：現像ユニットの左右幅
Ｗ：横ズレ防止リブの間隔
Ｘ：現像ユニットの引き出し方向
1: Device housing 2: Development unit 3: Front cover 4: Reinforcement rib 4a: Guide rib 4b: Horizontal displacement prevention rib 5: Paper feeding device 10: Lower base 11: Concave portion w: Horizontal width of development unit W: Horizontal displacement Interval between prevention ribs X: Pull-out direction of development unit

Claims

装置筐体内部へのユニット脱着や装置筐体内部のメンテナンスのために開閉可能な前カバーを備える画像形成装置において、上記前カバーを開けた際に上面となる該前カバー内側面が、上記ユニットを搭載する上記装置筐体の下部ベースの下面よりも下方に位置する配置としてなることを特徴とする画像形成装置。 In an image forming apparatus having a front cover that can be opened and closed for attaching / detaching a unit to / from the apparatus housing and for maintenance inside the apparatus housing, the inner surface of the front cover that becomes an upper surface when the front cover is opened is An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed below the lower surface of the lower base of the apparatus housing on which the apparatus is mounted.

請求項１の画像形成装置において、上記下部ベースが、上記前カバーとの間の部位に、袋状または溝状の凹状部を有することを特徴とする画像形成装置。 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower base has a bag-shaped or groove-shaped concave portion at a portion between the lower base and the front cover.

装置筐体内部へのユニット脱着や装置筐体内部のメンテナンスのために開閉可能な前カバーを備える画像形成装置において、上記前カバーを開けた際に上面となる該前カバー内側面に、上記ユニット引出し方向に沿って位置して上記ユニットの引出しガイドを兼ねる補強リブを備えてなることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
In an image forming apparatus having a front cover that can be opened and closed for attaching / detaching the unit to / from the apparatus housing or for maintenance inside the apparatus housing, the unit is disposed on the inner surface of the front cover that becomes an upper surface when the front cover is opened. An image forming apparatus comprising a reinforcing rib located along the drawing direction and serving also as a drawing guide for the unit.