Patent Grant
6944414
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a developer leakage preventing member for using the same and a method for shipping/transporting an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine integrating their functions, that records an image on a recording medium, such as a recording sheet or a card, using an electrophotographic system. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image bearing body, such as a photosensitive drum, and a developing apparatus.
Conventional image forming apparatuses, such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a composite machine integrating their functions, that use the electrophotographic system are each constructed so as to operate in the manner described below. First, the surface of a photosensitive drum is uniformly electrified to a predetermined potential. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed by performing image exposure on the electrified surface of the photosensitive drum and a toner image is formed by visualizing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum using a developing apparatus. Finally, the toner image is transferred onto and fixed on a recording sheet, thereby forming an image.
Also, various image forming apparatuses that are each capable of forming a color image using a four-cycle system, a tandem system, or the like are proposed and are already commercially available. Among these apparatuses, the image forming apparatus adopting the four-cycle system sequentially forms electrostatic latent images corresponding to various colors, such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, on a photosensitive drum and sequentially develops the electrostatic latent images using corresponding developing devices of a rotary developing apparatus. Toner images in the colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum are multiplex-transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt. Then, these toner images on the intermediate transfer belt are collectively transferred onto and fixed on a recording sheet, thereby forming a color image.
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus adopting the tandem system is provided with multiple photosensitive drums corresponding to various colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. First, toner images are formed on the multiple photosensitive drums and are primarily transferred onto an intermediate transfer body such as an intermediate transfer belt or an intermediate transfer drum. Then, the toner images on the intermediate transfer body are secondarily transferred onto a recording medium by one operation, thereby forming a full-color image or the like.
By the way, after manufacturing at factories, the image forming apparatuses are shipped with developing apparatuses being fitted to apparatus main bodies. By doing so, it becomes possible for users to use the image forming apparatuses immediately after arrival of the apparatuses.
If the image forming apparatuses are shipped under such a state, however, there occurs a problem that leakage of developers from the developing apparatuses occurs due to vibrations, shocks, and the like at the time of transportation and therefore the insides of the apparatus main bodies are soiled.
In view of this problem, various techniques are already proposed, examples of which are disclosed in JP 01-49953 A, JP 2000-19839 A, JP 2002-214906 A, and the like.
For instance, JP 01-49953 A discloses a developing apparatus for a copying machine, where a main body of the developing apparatus includes a developer vessel and a replenishing vessel for replenishing a developer to the developer vessel, the replenishing vessel is divided by a partition wall into a toner replenishing chamber storing a toner and a developer replenishing chamber storing the developer, a toner replenishing opening and a developer replenishing opening are respectively established in the toner replenishing chamber and the developer replenishing chamber on a developer vessel side, and a sealing member for preventing leakage of the developer at the time of transportation of the developing apparatus main body is peelably provided for each of the toner replenishing opening and the developer replenishing opening.
Also, JP 2000-19839 A discloses a rotary developing apparatus that includes multiple developing devices storing developers, which each contain at least a toner and a carrier, and supply the developers to developing rolls, developer cartridges that are detachably attachable to the developing devices and replenish the developing devices with the developers, and a rotation body that makes rotation while holding the developing devices. When the rotation body is rotated, the developing rolls are sequentially set so as to oppose a photosensitive drum, thereby forming a multi-color image. In the rotary developing apparatus, a detachably attachable blocking member is provided which blocks opening portions of the developing devices through which the developing rolls are exposed.
Further, JP 2002-214906 A discloses a developing apparatus including a moving member that is moved at the time of image formation, a seal member that seals a developer by pressing the moving member, and a pressing force switching member for switching a pressing force exerted on the moving member by the seal member.
As described above, with the technique disclosed in JP 01-49953 A, the sealing member for preventing the leakage of the developer at the time of transportation of the developing apparatus main body is peelably provided for each of the toner replenishing opening and the developer replenishing opening. Also, with the technique disclosed in JP 2000-19839 A, the detachably attachable blocking member is provided which blocks the opening portions of the developing devices through which the developing rolls are exposed. Further, with the technique disclosed in JP 2002-214906 A, the seal member that seals the developer by pressing the moving member, such as a developing roller, and the pressing switching member that switches the pressing force exerted on the moving member by the seal member are provided. With these constructions, it becomes possible to prevent leakage of a developer from a developing apparatus due to vibrations and the like at the time of transportation. However, recent image forming apparatuses are small in size, so that there occurs a problem that it is impossible to secure an attachment space for such a member that prevents leakage of a developer in addition to attachment spaces for members already fitted to an apparatus main body. Also, at the time of use of an image forming apparatus, it is required to detach the sealing member, the blocking member, or the seal member, which leads to another problem that users are required to conduct cumbersome work before using the image forming apparatus.
In particular, the latter problem becomes serious and workability is impaired in the case of an image forming apparatus including multiple developing apparatuses corresponding to various colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black because it is required to repeatedly perform the detachment of the sealing member, the blocking member, or the seal member by a number of times corresponding to the number of the developing apparatuses.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the conventional techniques described above, and provides an image forming apparatus and a developer leakage preventing member for using the same and a method for shipping/transporting an image forming apparatus that not only prevents leakage of a developer from a developing apparatus due to vibrations and the like at the time of transportation but also enables attachment of a developer leakage preventing member to a miniaturized image forming apparatus and facilitates attachment and detachment of the developer leakage preventing member at the time of use of the image forming apparatus.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided an image forming apparatus that is shipped with a developing member being fitted to an apparatus main body, including: a developer leakage preventing member that prevents leakage of a developer from the developing member, in which the developer leakage preventing member is fitted at an attachment position opposing the developing member in place of a component that is detachably attachable to the apparatus main body at the attachment position.
With this construction, it becomes possible to easily secure an attachment space for the developer leakage preventing member even in the case of a miniaturized image forming apparatus. In addition, it becomes possible to extremely easily detach the leakage preventing member.
Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which: the detachably attachable component is a regularly-replaced component; the regularly-replaced component is an image forming unit including an image bearing body; and the apparatus main body is provided with a positioning portion for the image bearing body and the developer leakage preventing member is provided with a positioning protrusion that is fitted to the positioning portion.
Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which: the developer leakage preventing member is provided with a seal member in an area opposing the developing member; and with the developer leakage preventing member being fitted to the apparatus main body, the seal member is not abutted against a developing roll of the developing member but is abutted against a housing of the developing member.
Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which: the developing member is provided with a guide rail that guides the developer leakage preventing member; and the developer leakage preventing member is guided by the guide rail at a time of fitting, and the seal member is abutted against the housing of the developing member at a position at which the fitting is completed.
Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which in order to set the image forming apparatus inoperable with the developer leakage preventing member being fitted to the apparatus main body, a storage medium is used which is provided for an image forming unit and stores identification information with reference to which the image forming unit is identified on an apparatus main body side.
Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which in order to set the image forming apparatus inoperable with the developer leakage preventing member being fitted to the apparatus main body, an operation prohibition displaying tag is used which is provided for the developer leakage preventing member and is exhibited outside the apparatus main body.
Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that is shipped with a developing member being fitted to an apparatus main body, including: a developer leakage preventing member that prevents leakage of a developer from the developing member, wherein the developer leakage preventing member is fitted to the apparatus main body in place of an image bearing body opposing the developing member and is fixed to the apparatus main body using a member that is also used to fix the image bearing body thereto.
Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided a developer leakage preventing member that is fitted to an image forming apparatus shipped with a developing member being attached to an apparatus main body so as to oppose an intermediate transfer body, and which prevents leakage of a developer from the developing member, the developer leakage preventing member including :a first surface having a shape with which an opening portion of the developing member is closed; and a second surface having a shape that approximately resembles a part of a shape of the intermediate transfer body.
Further, to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for shipping/transporting an image forming apparatus with a developing member being fitted to an apparatus main body, including :at the time of shipment, retracting a unit including the developing member to a rearward and fitting a developer leakage preventing member in place of an image bearing body unit opposing the developing member; and after transportation, detaching the developer leakage preventing member and fitting the image bearing body unit.
According to the present invention, an intermediate transfer body is any of an intermediate transfer drum, an intermediate transfer belt, and a transport and transfer belt.
As described above, the present invention can provide an image forming apparatus and a developer leakage preventing member for using the same and a method for shipping/transporting an image forming apparatus that not only prevents leakage of a developer from a developing apparatus due to vibrations and the like at the time of transportation but also enables attachment of a developer leakage preventing member to a miniaturized image forming apparatus and facilitates attachment and detachment of the developer leakage preventing member at the time of use of the image forming apparatus.
Preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) are each a perspective construction diagram showing a bearing member;
FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b) are each a perspective construction diagram showing a first positioning member;
FIGS. 23(a) and 23(b) are each a construction diagram showing a developing bias applying member;
FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b) are each an external perspective view showing the developer leakage preventing member;
FIGS. 29(a) and 29(b) are each an external perspective view showing the developer leakage preventing member.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
In
Among these members disposed in the printer main body 01, the ROS 03 serving as an exposing apparatus includes four semiconductor lasers that are driven to emit laser beams based on image data corresponding to respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C). The ROS 03 also includes an f-θ lens, a polygon mirror, or multiple reflection mirrors for deflecting and scanning the laser beams emitted from the four semiconductor lasers, and the like.
As shown in
The photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are aligned parallel to each other at constant intervals so as to have a common tangent plane M. Also, the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51 and the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52 are arranged so that their rotation axes are parallel to the axes of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 and have a relationship of plane symmetry with respect to a predetermined symmetry plane. Further, the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is arranged so that its rotation axis is parallel to the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14.
Signals corresponding to image information for the respective colors are rasterized by the image processing circuit disposed on the electric circuit 10 (see
Around each of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14, an image forming process for a corresponding color is performed with a known electrophotographic system. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are each an OPC photosensitive drum having a diameter of 30 mm and are rotationally driven at a rotation speed (peripheral speed) of 104 mm/sec. Also, as shown in
After the electrification described above, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are irradiated with the laser beams 31, 32, 33, and 34 for the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C) emitted from the ROS 03 serving as an exposing apparatus. As a result, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the input image information for the respective colors are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14. Here, as a result of the writing of the electrostatic latent images by the ROS 03, the surface potentials of image exposure portions of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are diselectrified to around −60 V or less.
Then, the electrostatic latent images for the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C) formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are each developed by corresponding one of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44. By doing so, the electrostatic latent images for the respective colors are visualized as toner images in the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C) on the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14.
In this embodiment, the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 are each a two-component development system of a magnetic brush contact type, although the present invention is not limited to this development system. That is, it is of course possible to apply the present invention to a development system of a non-contact type without any problems.
The developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 are each filled with a developer containing a toner in one of the colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C) and a carrier. As shown in
The toner supplied onto each developing roll 403 is shaped as a magnetic brush including the carrier and the toner by the magnetic force of the magnet roll. This magnetic brush contacts corresponding one of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14, so that when an AC and DC developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roll 403, the electrostatic latent image formed on each photosensitive drum are developed by the toner on the developing roll 403. By doing so, toner images are formed. In this embodiment, for instance, the AC component of the developing bias voltage is set at 4 kHz and 1.5 kVpp and the DC component thereof is set at around −230 V.
In this embodiment, so-called “spherical toners” (toners having an approximately spherical shape) with an average particle diameter of around 3 to 10 μm are used in the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44. Here, for instance, the average particle diameter of a black toner is set at 8 μm and the average particle diameter of color toners is set at 7 μm.
Next, the toner images in the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C) formed on the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are electrostatically and primarily transferred onto the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51 and the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52. The toner images in yellow (Y) and magenta (M) formed on the photosensitive drums 11 and 12 are transferred onto the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51, while the toner images in black (K) and cyan (C) formed on the photosensitive drums 13 and 14 are transferred onto the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52. Accordingly, a one-color image transferred from one of the photosensitive drum 11 and the photosensitive drum 12 or a two-color image, in which the toner images in two colors respectively transferred from the photosensitive drum 11 and the photosensitive drum 12 are superimposed on each other, is formed on the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51. In a like manner, a one-color image from the photosensitive drum 13 or 14 or a two-color image from the photosensitive drums 13 and 14 is formed on the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52.
The surface potentials of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 required to electrostatically transfer the toner images from the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 onto the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 is around +250 to 500 V. The surface potentials are each set at an optimum value in accordance with the electrification state of the toner, the atmospheric temperature, and the humidity. The atmospheric temperature and the humidity can be easily known by detecting the resistance value of a member having characteristics where a resistance value varies in accordance with the atmospheric temperature and the humidity. As described above, the electrification amount of the toner is in the range of −20 to 35 μC/g, so that it is desirable that the surface potentials of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 are each around +380 V under normal temperature and humidity circumstances.
The first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 used in this embodiment are formed so as to have an outside diameter of 60 mm and a resistance value of around 108Ω, for instance. Also, the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 are each a cylindrical rotation body including a single layer or multiple layers and having a surface with flexibility or elasticity. Generally, a low-resistance elastic rubber layer (R=102 to 103Ω) typified by a layer made of conductive silicon rubber or the like is provided so as to have a thickness of around 0.1 to 10 mm on a metal pipe serving as a metal core made of Fe, Al, or the like. Then, typically, the outermost surfaces of the first and second intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 are each formed by producing a high-releasable layer (R=105 to 109Ω) with a thickness of 3 to 100 μm using fluororubber, in which fluororesin fine particles are dispersed, and bonding this layer using a silane coupling agent-based adhesive (primer). Here, the important factors are the resistance value and the surface releasability. Therefore, the material of the high-releasable layer is not specifically limited and it is possible to use any material so long as the material achieves high releasability and a resistance value of around R=105 to 109Ω.
The one-color or the two-color toner image formed on each of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 in this manner is electrostatically and secondary transferred onto the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53. As a result, a final toner image ranging from a one-color image to a four-color image in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is formed on the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53.
The surface potential of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 required to electrostatically transfer the toner images from the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 onto the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is around +600 to 1200 V. This surface potential is set at an optimum value in accordance with the electrification state of the toner, the atmospheric temperature, and the humidity, like in the case of the transfer from the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 onto the first primary intermediate transfer drum 51 and the second primary intermediate transfer drum 52. Also, a potential difference between the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 and the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is required to perform the secondary transfer, so that it is required to set the surface potential of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 at a value corresponding to the surface potentials of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52. As described above, the electrification amount of the toner is in the range of −20 to 35 μC/g. Therefore, when the surface potentials of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 are around +380 V under the normal temperature and humidity circumstances, it is desirable that the surface potential of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is set at around +880 V. As a result, it is desirable that the potential difference between the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 and the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is set at around +500 V.
The secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 used in this embodiment is formed so as to have an outside diameter of 60 mm, which is the same as the outside diameters of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52, and have a resistance value of around 1011Ω, for instance. Also,like the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52, the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is a cylindrical rotation body including a single layer or multiple layers and having a surface with flexibility or elasticity. Generally, a low-resistance elastic rubber layer (R=102 to 103Ω) typified by a layer made of conductive silicon rubber or the like is provided so as to have a thickness of around 0.1 to 10 mm on a metal pipe serving as a metal core made of Fe, Al, or the like. Then, typically, the outermost surface of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is formed by producing a high-releasable layer with a thickness of 3 to 100 μm using fluororubber, in which fluororesin fine particles are dispersed, and bonding this layer using a silane coupling agent-based adhesive (primer). Here, it is required to set the resistance value of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 higher than those of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52. This is because if not so, the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 would electrify the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 and therefore it becomes difficult to control the surface potentials of the first and second primary intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52. The material of the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is not specifically limited and it is possible to use any material so long as the material satisfies such conditions.
Next, the final toner image ranging from the one-color image to the four-color image formed on the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 is tertiarily transferred by the final transfer roll 60 onto a sheet P passing through a sheet transport path. After a not-shown sheet feeding step, the sheet P passes through between sheet transport rolls 90 and is sent into a nip portion between the secondary intermediate transfer drum 53 and the final transfer roll 60. After this final transfer step, the final toner image formed on the sheet is fixed by the fixing apparatus 06 and a series of image forming processes are completed.
The process cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment that includes at least the multiple electrostatic latent image bearing bodies and the intermediate transfer bodies is detachably attachable to a predetermined position of the apparatus main body. Also, supporting axes of the multiple electrostatic latent image bearing bodies and the intermediate transfer bodies are attached to the process cartridge under a temporary positioning state. When the process cartridge is fitted to the predetermined position of the apparatus main body, the supporting axes of the multiple electrostatic latent image bearing bodies and intermediate transfer bodies are positioned at their regular positions by a first positioning member provided for the apparatus main body.
Also, in this embodiment, the process cartridge includes a first unit having the multiple electrostatic latent image bearing bodies and the electrification apparatuses for electrifying the surfaces of the electrostatic latent image bearing bodies and a second unit having at least the multiple intermediate transfer bodies and the cleaning apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of the intermediate transfer bodies.
Further, in this embodiment, the first unit and the second unit of the process cartridge are each provided with an engaging member with which at least one of the units is engaged with the other thereof. With this construction, the first and second units are engaged with each other through the engaging members and are integrally attached to and detached from the apparatus main body under the engagement state.
It should be noted here that the first and second units may be detachably attachable to the apparatus main body independently of each other.
In this embodiment, as shown in
In addition, as shown in
On the other hand, as shown in
It should be noted here that in
As shown in
As shown in
In addition, the front-side panel of the intermediate transfer unit 104 has a dual structure. As shown in
Also, as shown in
Referring to FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b), in a rear panel 150 of the printer main body 01, insertion holes 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157 are established each serving as a first positioning member for positioning the supporting axes 109, 110, 111, and 112 of the photosensitive unit 103 and the supporting axes 118, 119, and 120 of the intermediate transfer unit 104, respectively. These insertion holes 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157 are used to position the supporting axes 109, 110, 111, and 112 and the supporting axes 118, 119, and 120 at regular positions. When the photosensitive unit 103 and the intermediate transfer unit 104 are fitted to the predetermined positions of the printer main body 01, the supporting axes 109, 110, 111, and 112 of the photosensitive unit 103 and the supporting axes 118, 119, and 120 of the intermediate transfer unit 104 are fitted into the insertion holes 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157 to be positioned thereat. The rear panel 150 of the printer main body 01 is a member made of a single sheet-like metal, so that it is easy to precisely establish the insertion holes 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157 in the rear panel 150 in a predetermined positional relationship. Also, it is possible to perform precise positioning at the predetermined positions merely by fitting the supporting axes 109, 110, 111, 112 of the photosensitive unit 103 and the supporting axes 118, 119, and 120 of the intermediate transfer unit 104 into the insertion holes 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157. Note that it is desirable that the tip portions of the supporting axes 109, 110, 111, and 112 of the photosensitive unit 103 and the supporting axes 118, 119, and 120 of the intermediate transfer unit 104 are formed in a tapered shape. This is because with this construction, it becomes easy to fit the supporting axes 109, 110, 111, and 112 and the supporting axes 118, 119, and 120 into the insertion holes 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157.
Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the developing apparatuses are retractable in a direction in which the developing apparatuses are set close to/apart from the photosensitive drums.
As shown in
With this construction, the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 for yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C) are moved close to/apart from the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 by, for instance, around 4 mm. That is, when the driving rod 75 having the approximately L-letter shape is driven in the vertical direction by the eccentric cam 78, the four actuation levers 73 operationally connected to the driving rod 75 through the protrusions 76 and the longitudinal holes 77 are rocked about the fulcrums 74 and the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 are pushed or pulled by these four actuation levers 73. Note that as shown in
Referring to
As shown in
In addition, as shown in
As described above, as shown in
By the way, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is shipped with the developing members being fitted to the apparatus main body. When doing so, a developer leakage preventing member for preventing leakage of the developers from the developing members is fitted to an attachment position opposing the developing members in place of a component that is detachably attachable to the apparatus main body at the attachment position.
In this embodiment, the detachably attachable component is a regularly-replaced component that is, for instance, an image forming unit including the image bearing bodies. Also, the developer leakage preventing member is provided with positioning protrusions that are fitted into the holes established in the apparatus main body for the positioning of the image bearing bodies.
In addition, in this embodiment, the developing members are movable between a position opposing the image bearing bodies and a position retracted from the image bearing bodies and are set to be in an immovable state when the developer leakage preventing member is fitted to the apparatus main body.
In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus that is shipped with a developing member being fitted to an apparatus main body, including: a developer leakage preventing member that prevents leakage of a developer from the developing member, wherein the developer leakage preventing member is fitted to the apparatus main body in place of an image bearing body opposing the developing member and is fixed to the apparatus main body using a member that is also used to fix the image bearing body thereto.
In this embodiment, a developer leakage preventing member that is fitted to an image forming apparatus shipped with a developing member being attached to an apparatus main body so as to oppose an intermediate transfer body, and which prevents leakage of a developer from the developing member, the developer leakage preventing member including: a first surface having a shape with which an opening portion of the developing member is closed; and a second surface having a shape that approximately resembles a part of a shape of the intermediate transfer body.
Further in this embodiment, a method for shipping/transporting an image forming apparatus with a developing member being fitted to an apparatus main body, including: at the time of shipment, retracting a unit including the developing member to a rearward and fitting a developer leakage preventing member in place of an image bearing body unit opposing the developing member; and after transportation, detaching the developer leakage preventing member and fitting the image bearing body unit.
In this embodiment, as shown in
The tandem-type full-color printer according to this embodiment is shipped from a factory under the state shown in
By the way, if the full-color printer is shipped from a factory under this state and is sent to a stockroom or the like or is delivered to a user, this leads to a situation where the developers leak from the opening portions of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 due to vibrations, shocks, and the like at the time of transport. This leakage of the developers from the opening portions of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 occurs even when the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are fitted because spaces exist between the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 and the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14. Also, this developer leakage occurs more prominently when the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are not fitted.
Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in
The developer leakage preventing member 200 is made of a synthetic resin, such as ABS, and has an approximately vertical rectangular parallelepiped external shape resembling the external shape of the photosensitive unit 103, as shown in FIG. 25. Also, a surface on the intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 side of the developer leakage preventing member 200 is fully opened. Note that although the external shape of the developer leakage preventing member 200 is set approximately the same as that of the photosensitive unit 103, the width of the developer leakage preventing member 200 is set somewhat larger than that of the photosensitive unit 103. With this construction, the developer leakage preventing member 200 abuts against the housing of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 under the state where the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 are retracted.
In more detail, as shown in
In addition, the side surface of the developer leakage preventing member 200 on the intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 side is fully opened and portions 205 (second surface) corresponding to the surfaces of the intermediate transfer drums 51 and 52 are cut away in a circular arc shape.
Also, the developer leakage preventing member 200 includes concave portions 206, against which the space setting members 80 of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 are abutted, in the rear-side end portion of the side surface on the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 side. Also, concave portions 207, against which the axis portions of the developing rolls 403 of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 are abutted, are provided in the front-side end portion of the developer leakage preventing member 200.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b), four protrusions 208, 209, 210, and 211 corresponding to the front-end portions of the four supporting axes 109, 110, 111, and 112 of the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14 are protrudingly formed on the front-side end surface of the developer leakage preventing member, and four protrusions 212, 213, 214, and 215 corresponding to the rear-end portions of the four supporting axes 109, 110, 111, and 112 are protrudingly formed on the rear-side end surface of the developer leakage preventing member. Like the four supporting axes 109, 110, 111, and 112 of the photosensitive drums, the protrusions 208, 209, 210, and 211 on the front side are fitted into and are positioned by the concave portions 139 of the bearing members 138 and the protrusions 212, 213, 214, and 215 on the rear side are fitted into and are positioned by the insertion holes 151, 152, 153, 154, 156, and 157 of the rear panel 150 (see FIG. 18(a)).
As shown in
However, in the case of the developer leakage preventing member 200, the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 are retracted to positions at which they are retracted and set apart from the photosensitive drums 11, 12, 13, and 14. Under this state, as shown in
Also, in this embodiment, when the developer leakage preventing member is fitted to the apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus is set inoperable. In this embodiment, in order to set the image forming apparatus inoperable under the state where the developer leakage preventing member is fitted to the apparatus main body, a storage medium is used which is provided for the image forming unit and stores identification information with reference to which the image forming unit is identified on the apparatus main body side.
Also, in this embodiment, in order to set the image forming apparatus inoperable under the state where the developer leakage preventing member is fitted to the apparatus main body, an operation prohibition displaying tag is used which is provided for the developer leakage preventing member and is exhibited outside the apparatus main body.
That is, in this embodiment, as shown in
Accordingly, under the state where the developer leakage preventing member 200 is fitted to the printer main body 01 instead of the photosensitive unit 103, the photosensitive unit 103 is not identified on the printer main body 01 side and any image forming operation is prohibited.
With this construction, there is prevented a situation where a print operation is started under the state where the developer leakage preventing member 200 is fitted to the printer main body 01 causing the retracting mechanism of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 to be damaged.
Also, in this embodiment, as shown in
With this construction, there is prevented a situation where a print operation is started under the state where the developer leakage preventing member 200 is fitted to the printer main body 01 causing the retracting mechanism of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44 is damaged.
It should be noted here that it is of course possible to adopt only one of the storage medium M and the operation prohibition displaying tag 217.
With the above construction of the full-color printer according to this embodiment, in addition to an effect of preventing the leakage of the developers from the developing apparatuses due to vibrations and the like at the time of transportation, there are provided effects that it is possible to attach the developer leakage preventing member even when the image forming apparatus is miniaturized and it is possible to easily perform attachment and detachment of the developer leakage preventing member at the time of use of the image forming apparatus. These effects will be described in detail below.
As shown in
When doing so, like the photosensitive unit 103, the developer leakage preventing member 200 is inserted toward the rear-side end portion of the printer main body 01 while being guided by the guide rails 114 and 115 provided for the intermediate transfer unit 104 and the guide rails provided for the printer main body 01. When the insertion is completed, the supporting axes 118, 119, and 120 of the intermediate transfer unit 104 and the axis members 212, 213, 214, and 215 of the developer leakage preventing member 200 are fitted into and positioned by the insertion holes 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157 of the rear panel 150. Then, the handle 130 is rotationally operated and the developer leakage preventing member 200 is fixed to the printer main body 01 together with the intermediate transfer unit 104 by the locking mechanism.
Under this state, as shown in
Second Embodiment
In the above first embodiment, as shown in
In view of this problem, in this second embodiment, the developer leakage preventing member 200 is provided with seal members 220 for sealing the rear-side and the front-side side surfaces of the opening portions of the developing apparatuses 41, 42, 43, and 44, as shown in FIGS. 29(a) and 29(b). Also, as shown in
Other constructions and operations are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so that the description thereof is omitted.
Third Embodiment
In this third embodiment, the image forming unit itself is used as the developer leakage preventing member and the full-color printer is shipped with the developing members being moved to developing positions opposing the image bearing bodies.
That is, in this third embodiment, the full-color printer is shipped under the state shown in
With this construction, it becomes possible to prevent the leakage of the developers using the photosensitive unit 103 fitted to the printer main body 0l. As a result, the developer leakage preventing member becomes unnecessary.
It should be noted here that in this embodiment, the developing apparatuses are set at the developing positions opposing the photosensitive unit 103 by the retracting mechanism, so that it also becomes possible to prevent a situation where the developing apparatuses involuntarily move and abut against the photosensitive drums.
Other constructions and operations are the same as those described in the above embodiments, so that the description thereof is omitted.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-359861 | Dec 2002 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6484000 | Ogawa et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6549735 | Fujita et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6813457 | Yoshiki | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 64-49953 | Mar 1989 | JP |
| 2000-19839 | Jan 2000 | JP |
| 2002-214906 | Jul 2002 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040165908 A1 | Aug 2004 | US |
