JP2002103717A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which the installation area is decreased without sacrifice of stability of the apparatus. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises a section 1 for containing recording media P not recorded with an image and a section 2 for containing recording media recorded with an image wherein the recording media P are contained substantially vertically to the installation plane of the apparatus. A section 3 for recording an image onto the recording media P carried from the containing section 1 is disposed to be clamped between the containing sections 1 and 2 at the lowermost part of a recording media carrying passage extending from the containing section 1 to the containing section 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a main body of the image forming apparatus is of a vertical type and the installation area of the apparatus is reduced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, various arrangements for reducing the installation area in an image forming apparatus have been undertaken.
For example, as a recording device that saves installation space,
There are a configuration in which the recording apparatus itself is embedded in a wall surface, and a configuration in which the paper feed and discharge paper placement locations are devised. Further, there is an apparatus that uses a roll paper wound in a roll form instead of a cut sheet or folded continuous paper as a form of paper to be fed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-441 discloses a method for further reducing the installation space.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-2004, the paper supply storage section for storing the recording medium before recording and the paper discharge storage section for storing the recording medium after recording are set almost upright, and the recording section is provided on the upper part thereof. A configuration for minimizing the area is disclosed.

[0003]

However, in the configuration in which the recording unit is disposed above the entire apparatus as in the disclosed apparatus, the stability is poor because the center of gravity is located above the entire apparatus. In a configuration in which the recording head of the unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction, there is a possibility that the printing quality may be degraded due to the vibration of the apparatus, or the apparatus may fall due to poor stability.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus which saves installation space and does not impair the stability of the apparatus.

[0005]

According to an image forming apparatus of the present invention, a recording medium is substantially stored in a paper feed storage section for storing a recording medium before recording and a discharge storage section for storing a recording medium on which an image is recorded. A recording unit that is configured to be stored vertically on the apparatus installation surface and that records an image on a recording medium conveyed from the paper supply storage unit is disposed sandwiched between the paper supply storage unit and the paper discharge storage unit. In addition, a configuration is provided at the lowermost part of the recording medium transport path from the paper feed storage unit to the paper discharge storage unit.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the recording medium is substantially placed on the surface where the apparatus is installed in a paper feed storage section for storing a recording medium before recording and a discharge storage section for storing a recording medium on which an image is recorded. The recording unit is configured to be stored vertically, and the recording unit is configured to be arranged below the paper feed storage unit.

[0007] With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can save installation space, and does not lose its stability even when the apparatus moves.

[0008] The image forming apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which the paper supply storage section has a partition wall, and the first storage section and the second storage section are formed. With this configuration, an image forming apparatus that can select an appropriate recording medium according to print image quality is provided.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a configuration in which a cutout in which a wall member is cut out is provided at an upper portion of a side wall of a paper discharge storage section provided outside the apparatus, and a stored recording medium is exposed. Have. With this configuration, the presence or absence of the discharged recording medium can be easily recognized, and the handling thereof is facilitated.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a first storage section and a second storage section are formed by providing a partition wall in the sheet storage section, and the image forming apparatus is stored in the sheet storage section and the discharge storage section. The upper end of the recording medium is a paper discharge storage unit, a first storage unit, a second storage unit,
In that order from the device installation surface. With this configuration, the storage state of the discharged recording medium and the fed recording medium can be immediately recognized.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the paper feed storage unit, the paper discharge storage unit, and the recording unit can be separated. Further, the paper supply storage unit is configured to be a charging station including a charging terminal of the recording unit. With this configuration, the portability of the image forming apparatus is improved.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a configuration in which a visible portion in which the inside of the storage unit can be seen is provided on a side wall provided outside the paper discharge storage unit. With this configuration, it is possible for the user to recognize not only the presence or absence of the recording medium stored in the paper discharge storage unit but also the printed content without touching the recording medium.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the embodiment. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers have penetrated homes, and demands for image formation have been increasing even at homes. However, at present, as the shape of the printer, the shape that has been conventionally used in offices is followed. Further, as a place where image formation is performed in a future home, digital TV, Internet TV, and the like, a home TV by digitalization,
It can be a source of image formation. From such demands, it is considered that the use of the image forming apparatus around the television becomes large.

FIG. 13 shows an installation example of an image forming apparatus which can be installed compactly around a TV. FIG. 13 (a)
The installation example shown in the figure is a CRT TV20 with a long depth dimension.
, An image forming apparatus 21a having a depth and a small width is arranged. Further, in the installation example shown in FIG. 13B, a configuration is conceivable in which an image forming apparatus 21b having a wide width and a depth as narrow as the thin TV is arranged beside the thin TV (liquid crystal, plasma, etc.) 22. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a configuration example of the image forming apparatus adjacent to the home TV as described above will be described. For convenience, the image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG.
A configuration example of 1a will be described. Here, the image forming apparatus 21a
The extension surface of the screen of the CRT TV 20 is referred to as a front side 210, and the depth surface is referred to as a side surface 212.

(Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 21a will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus 21a.
1A is a cross-sectional view of the front side 210 in the case of the ink jet printer 21a, and FIG. The image forming apparatus 21a includes a paper feed storage unit 1, a paper discharge storage unit 2, and a recording unit 3. The paper feed storage unit 1 can store a plurality of recording media P on which images and the like are printed, and unloads the recording media P at any time by operating the pickup roller 4 or the like in response to a print request from the outside. The recording unit 3 has a recording head 3a that performs printing on the recording medium P,
The recording medium P unloaded from the sheet storage unit 1 in the previous process is
The recording medium P is carried in by the S roller 5, and the recording head 3a reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium P by a shaft or a driving mechanism (not shown), thereby performing printing on the recording medium P. The printed recording medium P is conveyed to the discharge storage unit 2 by the discharge roller 6 as needed. The paper discharge storage unit 2 is a tray for carrying the recording medium P carried out from the paper discharge rollers 6 by the transport rollers 7 and stocking the printed recording medium P until the user removes it.

The image forming apparatus 21a operates in the recording section 3 as described above.
Is sandwiched between the paper feed storage unit 1 and the paper discharge storage unit 2. The paper feed storage unit 1 and the paper discharge storage unit 2 are configured to store the recording medium P in a direction perpendicular to the apparatus installation surface 200. That is, the recording medium P is stored in the longitudinal direction of each of the storage sections 1 and 2 with its longitudinal direction. As described above, since the recording medium P can be stored vertically with respect to the installation surface 200, space saving of the installation area of the image forming apparatus is achieved. Further, the recording unit 3 is configured to transport the recording medium P (see FIG.
(shown by an arrow a)). With this configuration, the center of gravity of the image forming apparatus 21a can be positioned at the lower part, and the stability of the apparatus is sufficiently ensured.

In FIG. 2, the recording head 30a of the recording section 30 is disposed below the conveyance path of the recording medium P. In this image forming apparatus, the recording head 30a moving in the recording section 30 is located lower than the position where the recording head 3a of the apparatus shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 2)... See FIGS. 3 and 4 In this embodiment, the number of storage locations of the paper feed storage section is two. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the components is omitted. The paper feed storage unit 10 has a partition plate 1 inside.
1, two interior storage sections, a first accommodation section 10A and a second accommodation section 10B, are formed in the interior of the accommodation.

With this configuration, for example, the photo paper P1 is stored in the first storage section 10A and the second storage section 10
B stores a normal recording medium P2. The user can select a recording medium (photo paper P1 or ordinary recording medium P2) to be used according to the application.
As an example, when printing an image, photo paper stored in the first storage unit 10A is selected as a recording medium having high print quality, and when printing a document, the second storage unit 10B having a low running cost is selected. The normal recording medium P2 stored in the storage medium is selected.

The recording medium is transferred from each storage section to the recording section 3.
The pickup roller 4a communicating with the recording unit 3 is disposed in the first paper storage unit 10A, and the pickup roller 4b communicating with the recording unit 3 is disposed in the second paper storage unit 10B. Arrange. When the printing is performed by transporting the recording medium P1 in the first storage section 10A, the pickup roller 4a is operated and the pickup roller 4b is not operated. When printing is performed by transporting the recording medium P2 from the second storage unit 10B, the pickup roller 4b is operated and the pickup roller 4a is not operated.

Here, the recording medium transport mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The recording medium P1 is transported from the first paper feed storage unit 10A.
... FIG. 4 (a) The motor gear 400 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow. The motor gear 400 meshes with the oscillating gear 40 and rotates the oscillating gear 40 clockwise as indicated by the arrow.
Due to this rotation, the swing gear 40 swings and meshes with the pickup gear 40a which is integrally formed with the pickup roller 4a disposed on the transport path of the first storage section 10A. This swinging causes the pickup gear 40a to rotate in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow, thereby rotating the integrally formed pickup roller 4a in the counterclockwise direction, and the recording medium (photograph) stored in the first paper storage unit 10A. The paper P1) is fed to the recording unit 3.

The recording medium P2
Is transported. ... FIG. 4 (b) By rotating the motor gear 400 clockwise as indicated by the arrow, the oscillating gear 40 rotates counterclockwise. Accordingly, the swing gear 40 swings toward the idler gear 41, and the pickup gear 40b meshed with the idler gear 41 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow. The pickup roller 4b integrally formed with the pickup gear 40b rotates counterclockwise, and the recording medium P2 stored in the second sheet storage unit 10B is fed to the recording unit 3.

Here, as shown in FIG.
a, a cutout portion 22 formed by cutting a wall material is formed on an upper portion of an outer wall surface 2a of a box body of the paper discharge storage section 2 formed by an inner wall surface 2b. With this configuration, the upper portion of the recorded paper is exposed from the cutout portion 22, so that the type of the paper currently used can be easily determined. Further, it becomes easier to remove the recording medium P from the paper discharge storage unit 2.

(Embodiment 3) ... See FIGS. 6 and 7 This embodiment is configured to change the storage height of the recording medium stored in each storage section. Paper feed storage unit 100
Has a partition plate 11 disposed therein to form a first storage section 10C and a second storage section 10D. At this time, the pickup roller 4a provided in the first storage section 10C is connected to the pickup roller 4b provided in the second storage section 10D.
It is arranged at a position higher than the arrangement position. The height of the sheet storage unit 100 is set higher than the height of the sheet storage unit 2. The height of the side wall 100a of the first storage unit 10C of the sheet storage unit 100 is set higher than the height of the side wall 100b of the second storage unit 10D.

That is, when the recording medium P1 is stored in the first storage section 10C and the recording medium P2 is stored in the second storage section 10D, the image forming apparatus is opened from the side of the discharge storage section 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the recording medium P stored in the second paper storage unit 10D is
2 is exposed, and the first storage unit 10C is provided above the recording medium P2.
Is exposed. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the side surface side of the image forming apparatus 21b is set as the same plane as the screen of the TV 22,
The storage state of the sheet storage unit 100 can be known, and the usability is improved without being obstructed by the recording medium stored in another storage unit.

(Embodiment 4)... See FIGS. 8 and 9 In this embodiment, the recording section can be separated from the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the signal connection unit 12 is provided on the mounting table 30 of the recording unit 3. The recording section 3 is installed on the mounting table 30 and is electrically connected to the signal connection section 12, whereby an image forming apparatus sandwiched between the paper supply storage section 1 and the discharge storage section 2 is configured. You. And PS roller 5,
The recording unit 3 including the discharge roller 6 can be taken out by disconnecting the connection with the signal connection unit 12. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the taken out recording unit 3 is turned into a manual image forming apparatus by connecting the cord 13 to a household AC power supply or the like.

As described above, by supplying signal information and power supply to other electronic devices via the signal connection section 12 of the recording section 3, the pickup roller 4 of the sheet storage section 1 is provided.
And the operation control of the transport roller 7 of the paper discharge storage unit 2 is enabled. Further, since the recording unit 3 is separable from the main body, it is easy to move only the recording unit 3 from the place where the entire image forming apparatus is installed as the image forming apparatus to a different place, and the transport path is straight. Therefore, it is possible to correspond to a special use mode such as recording on cardboard.

(Embodiment 5) ... See FIGS. 10 and 11 In this embodiment, the recording section 3 is detachable, and the portability of the recording section 3 is improved. The recording section 3 of the image recording apparatus includes a battery section 13. The charging of the battery unit 13 is performed via the charging terminal 14 of the apparatus main body. With this configuration, when the recording unit 3 is used separately from the apparatus, the power supply is performed by a household AC power supply or the like, whereas the battery unit 13 disposed inside the recording unit 3 is disposed. Therefore, it can be executed even in a place where there is no power supply, and the handling when the recording unit 3 is separated is facilitated. When the recording unit 3 is separated from the main unit as in the above-described embodiment, a trigger for controlling ON / OFF of the PS roller 5, the discharge roller 6, and the like is required to carry the recording medium into the recording unit 3. However, this can be easily realized by using a known technique such as a paper-in sensor near the PS roller 5.

(Embodiment 6)-See FIG. 12 This embodiment shows an image forming apparatus that can further reduce the installation area. The image forming apparatus includes a sheet storage unit 110 and a sheet storage unit 2 that includes the recording unit 30.
0. The paper feed storage unit 110 forms a first storage unit 10C and a second storage unit 10D by the partition plate 11, and the storage height of the first storage unit 10C is the second storage unit 10C.
The height is set to be higher than the height of D. Paper output storage unit 20
Are connected to a recording section 30 having a recording head 3a.
Further, the recording unit 30 is disposed so as to be located below the sheet storage unit 110.

In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the first storage section 10C or the second storage section 10D
The recording medium P1 or P2 which is selected from the list and is conveyed to the recording unit 30 is guided by conveyance rollers 8a and 8b arranged downstream of the recording head 3a in the U-shaped direction and conveyed to the paper discharge storage unit 20. In the meantime, recording is performed by the recording head 3a in which the head is disposed so as to face the conveyance path of the recording medium. As described above, in the image forming apparatus, the recording unit 3
And the sheet storage 110 of the sheet discharge storage 20.
By being continuously provided at the side position, the installation space of the recording unit 3 can be saved.

The printing direction of the recording head 3a is not the downward printing as in the first to fifth embodiments but the horizontal printing, so that printing can be performed on the outer surface in the transport direction of the recording medium. Accordingly, the recording surface of the recording medium stored in the paper storage unit 20 can correspond to the outer wall 20a, and the printing surface of the recording medium P stored in the paper storage unit 2 can be easily viewed from the outside. Can be. Further, by using a transparent material for the outer wall 20a, it is possible to easily recognize the presence or absence of the recording medium P in the paper discharge storage unit 20. Further, when the outer wall 20a of the paper discharge storage unit 20 is made transparent, not only the presence or absence of the recording medium P but also the print contents of the recording medium can be recognized from the outside. Similar effects can be obtained by forming the outer wall 20a into a cut-out shape instead of making the outer wall 20a of the paper discharge storage unit 20 transparent and transparent.

[0032]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the recording section is arranged at the lower portion of the entire apparatus, the center of gravity is located at the lower side of the entire apparatus, the sense of stability of the apparatus is increased, and the apparatus may fall down accidentally. Accident can be prevented beforehand. Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a two-layer structure of the paper feed storage unit,
Plain paper and photo paper, which are often used at home, can always be placed in the paper supply storage unit, eliminating the need to replace each recording medium for image recording purposes.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the upper part of the outer wall member facing the outside of the paper discharge storage portion is cut out so as to expose a part of the upper part of the recording medium, so that the discharged recording paper is formed. The presence / absence of the medium can be easily recognized, and the recording medium can be easily taken out from the paper discharge storage section. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the height of the recording medium stored in each of the storage units may be adjusted by changing the height of the discharge storage unit, the second sheet storage unit near the recording unit, and the first sheet storage unit. By configuring the paper output storage unit to face the user,
The remaining amount of the recording medium before recording can be recognized from the user direction, and convenience can be improved.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium storage unit including the paper supply storage unit and the paper discharge storage unit can be separated from the recording unit, and only the recording unit can be removed and carried. When the image forming apparatus is used at home, it can be used as a manual printer in a place different from the place where the present image forming apparatus is installed, and the portability of the printer can be improved. Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes:
By installing a battery member in the recording unit, the recording unit can be driven by a battery, so that the convenience is further improved and portability is increased. At this time, it is possible to charge the recording unit simply by placing the recording medium storage unit as a charging station in a normal installation position without being conscious of charging, so that preparation before carrying the recording unit is unnecessary, and only the recording unit is required. You can use it immediately when you want to use.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the installation area can be saved and the stability of the apparatus can be increased.
Accidental accidents such as a fall of the device can be prevented. Furthermore, there is no restriction on the printing direction by the inkjet method,
It is possible to eliminate the trouble in the case where the direction of the recording medium to be discharged is given the highest priority. Also, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which the surface facing the outside of the paper discharge storage unit is transparent or has a large cutout so that the recording medium can be almost seen, and the discharged recording medium is stored in the storage unit. You can see the image without having to remove it from In addition, it is possible to easily confirm an abnormality during printing, thereby improving convenience.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front and side sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment in which a recording unit is located below a sheet feeding path.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet storage unit according to the first embodiment having a two-layer structure.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a recording medium transport mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a side wall provided with a notch.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state of a recording medium stored in each storage unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory front sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a recording unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory front sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a recording unit.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory front sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of installation of an image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 10, 110 Paper feed storage unit 10A, 10C First paper feed storage unit 10B, 10D Second paper feed storage unit 11 Partition plate 12 Signal connection unit 13 Battery unit 14 Charging terminal 2, 20 Paper discharge storage unit 2a , 20a Outer wall of paper discharge storage part 22 Notch 3, 30 Recording part 3a Recording head 4 Pickup roller 4a Pickup roller for first storage part 4b Pickup roller for second storage part 40 Harmonic gear 41 Idler gear 400 Motor gear 5 PS roller 6 Discharge Paper roller 7, 8a, 8b Conveyance roller 20 CRT TV 21 Image forming device 22 Thin TV (liquid crystal, plasma, etc.) 200 Installation surface

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A paper supply storage unit for storing a recording medium before recording, a recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium conveyed from the paper supply storage unit, and a paper discharge for storing a recording medium on which an image is recorded. In the image forming apparatus provided with a storage unit, the paper supply storage unit and the paper discharge storage unit are configured to store a recording medium substantially vertically on a device installation surface, and the recording unit includes a paper supply storage unit and a paper discharge storage unit. And an image forming apparatus disposed between the sheet storage unit and the lowermost part of a recording medium transport path from the sheet storage unit to the sheet discharge storage unit. 2. A paper supply storage unit for storing a recording medium before recording, a recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium conveyed from the paper supply storage unit, and a paper discharge for storing a recording medium on which an image is recorded. In the image forming apparatus provided with a storage unit, the paper supply storage unit and the paper discharge storage unit are configured to store a recording medium substantially vertically on a device installation surface, and the recording unit is provided below the paper supply storage unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by being arranged. 3. The paper feed storage section has a partition wall, and forms a first storage section and a second storage section.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 4. The paper discharge storage section is provided with a cutout in which a wall member is cutout at an upper portion of a side wall disposed outside the apparatus, so that a stored recording medium is exposed. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2. 5. The paper supply storage section has a partition wall to form a first storage section and a second storage section, and the upper end of a recording medium stored in the paper supply storage section and the paper discharge storage section. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage section, the first storage section, and the second storage section are sequentially higher than the apparatus installation surface.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper feed storage unit, the paper discharge storage unit, and the recording unit are configured to be separable. 7. The paper feeding storage unit is a charging station including a charging terminal of a recording unit.
Or the image forming apparatus according to 2. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the paper discharge storage unit is provided with a visible portion on a side wall disposed outside so that the inside of the storage unit can be seen.