JP2004137078A - Image forming apparatus and medium supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably convey medium by easily taking out the medium when paper clogging occurs. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus comprises a swing body swingably disposed on a device body and a supply member rotatably supported by the swing body and holdingly conveying the medium 17 supplied from a medium supply part to an image forming part forming images on the medium 17. Since an operator can easily make an access to the medium supply part as the swing body is swung, the medium 17 can be easily extracted when the paper clogging occurs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a medium supply device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and facsimile apparatuses have a feeder unit as a medium suction unit, and sheets of paper, OHP sheets, and the like stored in a sheet cassette are separated one by one by a hopping roller. And a skew is corrected by being abutted between a registration roller and a pressure roller disposed in the feeder unit, and thereafter, a photoconductor drum and a transfer roller are provided by the registration roller and the pressure roller. The image data is supplied to an image forming unit, an image processing unit including a reading unit for reading an image, and the like. Note that a supply member is configured by the registration roller and the pressure roller.
[0003]
Incidentally, in order to maintain the positional accuracy of the image formed in the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to maintain the parallelism between the transfer section between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller and the registration roller. Therefore, the feeder unit is integrated with the main body of the image forming apparatus, that is, the apparatus main body, and is fixed to the apparatus main body.
[0004]
Further, when the medium being transported causes a paper jam (jam), the medium that has caused the paper jam must be removed. Therefore, the opening / closing cover of the apparatus main body is provided so as to be freely opened and closed, and when a paper jam occurs, the operator opens the opening / closing cover, pulls out the medium in which the paper jam has occurred, and releases the paper jam ( For example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-343046
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when pulling out the medium in which the paper jam has occurred, a rotational force in the opposite direction is applied to the registration roller and the pressure roller, and a load is applied to the medium, The media may be torn. Therefore, it is conceivable to arrange one of the registration roller and the pressure roller on the opening / closing cover side and the other on the apparatus main body side. In this case, when the opening / closing cover is opened, the registration roller and the pressure roller are separated from each other, so that the pressing relationship between the registration roller and the pressure roller changes over time, and the medium cannot be transported stably. .
[0007]
A belt unit is provided to supply a medium to the image forming unit. However, one of the registration rotor and the pressure roller is provided on the apparatus main body side, so that the belt unit can be easily brought forward. Will not be able to be withdrawn.
[0008]
When the operator pulls the medium forward, a load is applied to the sensor lever constituting the medium detection sensor in a direction opposite to the direction in which the medium is fed, and the sensor lever rattles, and the detection accuracy of the medium detection sensor is increased. Will be lower.
[0009]
The present invention solves the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus, and when a paper jam occurs, the medium can be easily taken out and the medium can be stably transported. It is intended to provide a supply device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this purpose, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a device main body including a medium supply unit for supplying a medium, and an image forming unit for forming an image on the medium is provided, and is swingably provided with respect to the device main body. And a supply member rotatably supported by the oscillator and supplying the medium supplied from the medium supply unit to the image forming unit.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile apparatus, and a medium supply apparatus used in the image forming apparatus will be described. The medium supply device can be used in a scanner to supply a medium to an image processing unit having a reading unit.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
[0013]
In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a paper feeding device as a medium supply device for supplying a medium, and 11 denotes a feeder unit as a rocking member which is disposed swingably with respect to the apparatus main body and functions as an opening / closing cover and a medium suction unit. Reference numeral 101 denotes an image forming unit that forms a toner image (toner image) as an image of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Reference numeral 12 denotes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier provided in the image forming unit 101. A charging roller (not shown) serving as a charging device, an LED head serving as an exposure device, a developing roller serving as a developing device, a supply roller, and a cleaning roller or cleaning blade serving as a cleaning device are provided around the photosensitive drum 12. Is done. When the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is uniformly and uniformly charged by the charging roller, and subsequently the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is exposed by the LED head, an electrostatic latent surface is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. An image is formed. Then, a developing roller develops the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. At this time, the photosensitive drum 12 and each roller such as a charging roller, a supply roller, and a cleaning roller are rotated.
[0014]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a transfer belt unit as a belt unit that is disposed to be freely drawn out from the apparatus main body. The transfer belt unit 13 includes a driving roller R1, a driven roller R2, and a driving roller R1 and a driven roller R2. Transfer belt 102 as an endless belt (transfer member) for transferring the toner images of the respective colors, and opposed to the photosensitive drums 12 with the transfer belt 102 interposed therebetween. The photosensitive drums 12 are arranged along the running direction of the transfer belt 102. The drive roller R1 is rotated by driving a transport motor (not shown) as a first drive unit, and causes the transfer belt 102 to run. Reference numeral 14 denotes a double-sided image forming unit for forming images on both sides of a medium 17 such as a sheet or an OHP sheet. The double-sided image forming unit 14 is a unit for transporting the medium 17 on which one side is printed, and switches the transport direction of the medium 17 on which one side is printed before the double-sided image forming unit 14 (left end in the figure). A switching unit (not shown) is provided.
[0015]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a sheet cassette as a medium storage unit detachably provided to the apparatus main body. The sheet cassette 15 stores the medium 17 on a sheet receiving plate 16 in a stacked state. A hopping roller 18 is provided at a front end (right end in the figure) of the paper feed cassette 15, and below the sheet receiving plate 16, the sheet receiving plate 16 is urged toward the hopping roller 18. A spring 16a as one urging member is disposed, and the uppermost medium 17 in the paper feed cassette 15 is pressed against a hopping roller 18 by the urging force of the spring 16a. The hopping roller 18 is rotated by driving a first paper feed motor (not shown) as a second drive unit, and feeds and supplies the media 17 one by one.
[0016]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a sub-roller arranged in contact with the uppermost medium 17 in the paper feed cassette 15, and the sub-roller 19 is provided with a predetermined urging force by a spring (not shown) as a second urging member. And is pressed against the medium 17 to assist the conveyance of the medium 17. Reference numeral 20 denotes a separation frame provided with a separation member 20a pressed against the hopping roller 18 to separate the media 17 one by one. Reference numeral 21 denotes a first frame disposed on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction by the hopping roller 18. A first medium sensor (not shown) is attached to one end of the first medium detection lever 21. The first medium detection lever 21 and the first medium sensor constitute a first medium detection unit that detects the front end (right end in the figure) of the fed medium 17. Note that a first medium supply unit is configured by the sheet cassette 15, the hopping roller 18, the sub roller 19, the separation frame 20, and the like.
[0017]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a first registration roller, and reference numeral 23 denotes a first pressure roller which is pressed against the first registration roller 22 by a spring (not shown) serving as a third urging member. The one pressure roller 23 constitutes a supply member rotatably supported by the feeder unit 11 and a first registration roller pair as a first roller pair (a pair of rollers). When the first medium detection unit detects the front end of the medium 17 fed by the hopping roller 18, the control unit (not shown) abuts the front end of the medium 17 against the first pair of registration rollers, and presses the medium 17 to a predetermined position. After the conveyance, the driving of the hopping roller 18 is stopped. Therefore, the skew generated in the medium 17 can be corrected by the first pair of registration rollers.
[0018]
Reference numeral 24 denotes a multi-purpose feeder, the multi-purpose feeder 24 includes a multi-purpose feeder roller 25, and the multi-purpose feeder roller 25 drives a second paper feed motor (not shown) as a third driving unit. Then, the medium 17 is fed and supplied one by one. A second medium detection lever 27 is disposed downstream of the multi-purpose feeder 24 in the paper feeding direction, and a second medium detection sensor (not shown) is attached to one end of the second medium detection lever 27. The second medium detection lever 27 and the second medium detection sensor constitute a second medium detection unit that detects the front end of the fed medium 17. The multi-purpose feeder 24, the multi-purpose feeder roller 25 and the like constitute a second medium supply unit.
[0019]
Reference numeral 28 denotes a second registration roller. Reference numeral 29 denotes a second pressure roller which is pressed against the second registration roller 28 by a spring (not shown) as a fourth urging member. The two pressure rollers 29 constitute a supply member rotatably supported by the feeder unit 11 and a second registration roller pair as a second roller pair. When the second medium detection unit detects the front end (left end in the figure) of the medium 17 fed by the multi-purpose feeder roller 25, the control unit detects the front end of the medium 17 with the second registration roller pair. After the abutment and the conveyance of the medium 17 by a predetermined amount, the rotation of the multi-purpose feeder roller 25 is stopped. Therefore, the skew generated in the medium 17 can be corrected by the second pair of registration rollers.
[0020]
When the skew is corrected by the first and second registration roller pairs in this manner, the first and second registration rollers 22 and 28 are rotated, and the medium 17 is moved to the first and second registration rollers. The image is conveyed by the transfer belts 22 and 28, further conveyed by the transfer belt 102, and sent to the image forming unit 101.
[0021]
A write sensor lever 30 is disposed downstream of the second pair of registration rollers 28 in the transport direction of the medium 17, and a third medium detection sensor 30 a is provided at one end of the write sensor lever 30. It is attached. The write sensor lever 30 and the third medium detection sensor 30a constitute a third medium detection unit that detects the front end of the medium 17 transported by the second registration roller pair 28.
[0022]
When the front end of the medium 17 is detected by the third medium detection unit, the control unit transfers the toner image formed on each photosensitive drum 12 to the medium 17 conveyed by each transfer roller 103 at a predetermined timing. Transfer to
[0023]
The feeder unit 11 includes first and second registration roller pairs, first and second medium detection levers 21 and 27, a write sensor lever 30, a front cover 31, a multipurpose feeder 24, and the like. The first position shown in FIG. 1 (the position where the feeder unit 11 is closed with respect to the device main body) and the second position shown in FIG. The position 2 (position where the feeder unit 11 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body) is adopted.
[0024]
Then, when removing the medium 17 in which the paper jam has occurred, when the operator rotates the feeder unit 11 in the direction of arrow A and places it in the second position, the medium 17 sandwiched between the first and second registration roller pairs. Can be easily accessed. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs, the medium 17 can be easily pulled out.
[0025]
When the feeder unit 11 is placed at the second position, the transfer belt unit 13 is pulled out along the tangent line in the rotation direction of the feeder unit 11 in the direction in which the feeder unit 11 is opened, that is, in the direction of arrow B. And the operator can access the transfer belt unit 13. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs in the transfer belt unit 13, the transfer belt unit 13 can be pulled out, the medium 17 can be easily pulled out to the front, and the paper jam can be easily cleared.
[0026]
Further, the operator can easily pull out the transfer belt unit 13 from the front surface (the right side in FIG. 2) of the apparatus main body. Therefore, the transfer belt unit 13 can be easily replaced.
[0027]
When the feeder unit 11 is opened, the first and second registration roller pairs are separated from the apparatus main body, but the feeder unit 11 is opened. Accordingly, the first and second registration rollers 22 and 28 do not separate from the first and second pressure rollers 23 and 29. Therefore, the pressing relationship between the first and second registration rollers 22 and 28 and the first and second pressure rollers 23 and 29 does not change over time, so that the medium 17 can be stably conveyed.
[0028]
Further, since the first and second medium detection levers 21 and 27 and the write sensor lever 30 are provided in the feeder unit 11, when the feeder unit 11 is opened, the first and second medium detection levers 21 and 27 are opened. 27 and the writing sensor lever 30 are separated from the apparatus main body. Therefore, when the medium 17 in which the paper jam has occurred is pulled out toward the user (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2), the medium 17 is fed to the first and second medium detection levers 21 and 27 and the write sensor lever 30. No load is applied in the opposite direction. As a result, rattling of the first and second medium detection levers 21 and 27 and the write sensor lever 30 can be prevented, and the detection accuracy of the first to third medium detection units can be increased. Can be.
[0029]
Since the first and second registration roller pairs are separated from the apparatus main body by opening and closing the feeder unit 11, the first and second pressure rollers 23 and 29 and the first and second registration rollers 22 and 28 are separated. But never occurs.
[0030]
Further, since the first and second registration roller pairs and the first to third medium detection units are separated from the apparatus main body together with the feeder unit 11, the transfer belt unit 13 is moved forward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2) from the apparatus main body. It can be more easily pulled out.
[0031]
Next, the configuration of the front cover 31 and the medium guide of the feeder unit 11 will be described.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a front view of the feeder unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back side of the feeder unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the front cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the front cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0033]
In the drawing, 11 is a feeder unit, 21 is a first medium detection lever, 21a 27a and 30a are first to third medium sensors, 22 is a first registration roller, 23 is a first pressure roller, and 27 is a second pressure roller. Is a second registration roller, 29 is a second pressure roller, 30 is a write sensor lever, and 31c is a conveyance path of the medium 17.
[0034]
The feeder unit 11 includes a front cover 31 which is both an exterior cover and a medium guide. The front cover 31 guides a medium 31 and a receiver 31f of a rotation fulcrum 31a (FIG. 1) for swinging the feeder unit 11. Media guides 31b and 31d are provided. A feeder frame 32 is attached to the front cover 31. The feeder frame 32 includes medium guides 32a to 32c for guiding the medium 17, and a receiver 32f for the rotation fulcrum 31a. The medium 17 fed from an optional tray (not shown) constituting the third medium supply unit is guided to a first registration roller pair by a medium guide 31b as shown by a broken line L1 in FIG. The medium 17 supplied along the roller pair is guided to the second registration roller pair along the medium guides 31d and 32b as shown by the broken line L2, and the medium 17 fed by the multipurpose feeder roller 25 is Are sent to the image forming unit 101 along the medium guides 31d and 32c as shown by a broken line L3.
[0035]
The feeder frame 32 holds first and second pairs of registration rollers, first and second medium detection levers 21 and 27, and a write sensor lever 30. Reference numeral 33 denotes a top guide as a medium guide that guides the medium 17 fed by the multi-purpose feeder roller 25 to the second pair of registration rollers. The top guide 33 holds the multi-purpose feeder roller 25.
[0036]
Reference numeral 34 denotes an inner guide. The inner guide 34 serves as a medium guide for guiding the medium 17 supplied from the optional tray and the medium 17 supplied from the duplex image forming unit 14 to the first pair of registration rollers. It has the function of Reference numeral 52 denotes a release lever as an operation member for opening and closing the feeder unit 11, and reference numeral 55 denotes a slide post for engaging and disengaging the release lever 52 with respect to the apparatus main body as the release lever 52 is operated. It is housed in a housing part 33 a formed in the top guide 33.
[0037]
Next, the first and second registration roller pairs will be described. Since the first and second registration roller pairs have the same structure, only the first registration roller pair will be described.
[0038]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a first registration roller pair according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another first registration roller pair according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0039]
In FIG. 8, reference numeral 22 denotes a first registration roller, reference numeral 23 denotes a first pressure roller made of metal, and the first registration roller 22 includes a shaft portion 22a made of metal and a main body portion 22b made of rubber.
[0040]
The static electricity generated by frictional sliding of the medium 17 (FIG. 1) and the medium guides 31b (FIG. 5), 31d, 32a to 32c, etc., remains on the medium 17 to charge the medium 17. To prevent this, the ground plate 35 is brought into contact with the shaft 22a and the first pressure roller 23. In this case, if the static electricity is removed in a short time, the charge of the toner of the toner image escapes through the medium 17. Therefore, the earth plate 35 is grounded via the resistor 36.
[0041]
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the other first registration roller pair, the first registration roller 42 is connected to a metal shaft portion 42a and, for example, 1.0 × 10 ⁹ [Ω] is formed by a non-conductive rubber main body 42b having a resistance value of not less than [Ω], and the first pressure roller 43 is formed by a metal shaft portion 43a and a non-conductive resin coating portion 43b. When formed, the earth plate 35 can be directly grounded.
[0042]
Next, the operation of the feeder unit 11 having the above configuration will be described.
[0043]
First, a case where paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 15 will be described.
[0044]
When the medium 17 is stacked on the sheet receiving plate 16 and set in the paper feed cassette 15, the uppermost medium 17 is pressed against the hopping roller 18. When receiving the paper feed signal, the control unit drives the first paper feed motor to simultaneously rotate the hopping roller 18, the sub-roller 19, and the second registration roller pair. Along with this, the medium 17 is separated one by one by the separation frame 20 and fed.
[0045]
When the medium 17 reaches the first medium detection lever 21, the front end of the medium 17 is detected by the first medium detection sensor 21a. Subsequently, the control section abuts the front end of the medium 17 against the first pair of registration rollers, and then conveys the medium by a predetermined amount to correct the skew of the medium 17, and the hopping roller 18 and the sub-roller 19 adjust the skew. When finished, it is stopped. Subsequently, the first registration roller pair is rotated, and the medium 17 is conveyed toward the second registration roller pair.
[0046]
The second pair of registration rollers has already been rotated and further transports the medium 17. When the medium 17 passes through the second pair of registration rollers and reaches the write sensor lever 30, the front end of the medium 17 is detected by the third medium detection sensor 30a. Then, the control unit adjusts the print start timing based on the detection of the front end of the medium 17 and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 12 to the medium 17.
[0047]
Next, the rear end of the medium 17 passes through the first medium detection lever 21 and is detected by the first medium detection sensor 21a. Then, when it is detected that the rear end of the medium 17 has passed the first pair of registration rollers, the control unit determines that the next medium 17 can be fed. If there is data to be printed, the next sheet feeding operation is started.
[0048]
Next, a case where paper is fed from the multi-purpose feeder 24 will be described.
[0049]
When receiving the feed signal, the control unit drives the second feed motor to rotate the multi-purpose feeder roller 25 (at this time, the second registration roller pair is not rotated). Along with this, the media 17 stacked on the multi-purpose feeder 24 are separated one by one by a multi-purpose feeder roller 25 and fed. Then, when the medium 17 reaches the second medium detection lever 27, the front end of the medium 17 is detected by the second medium detection sensor 27a. When the front end abuts on the second pair of registration rollers, the skew of the medium 17 is corrected, and when the skew is corrected, the multi-purpose feeder roller 25 is stopped.
[0050]
Subsequently, the second pair of registration rollers is rotated to transport the medium 17 again, and when the medium 17 reaches the write sensor lever 30, the front end of the medium 17 is detected by the third medium detection sensor 30a. The control unit adjusts the print start timing based on the detection of the front end of the medium 17 and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 12 to the medium 17 at a predetermined timing.
[0051]
When the rear end of the medium 17 passes through the second medium detection lever 27, the rear end of the medium 17 is detected by the second medium detection sensor 27a. Subsequently, when determining that the rear end of the medium 17 has passed the second pair of registration rollers, the control unit determines that the next medium 17 can be fed. Then, when the sheet feeding signal is sent, the control unit starts the next sheet feeding operation.
[0052]
Next, the mounting state of the feeder unit 11 to the apparatus main body will be described.
[0053]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a feeder unit and a main frame according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main frame according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the release lever according to the embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the slide post when closing the feeder unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0054]
In the drawing, 11 is a feeder unit, 31 is a front cover, and 61 and 62 are main frames of the printer. When the feeder unit 11 is closed, a predetermined portion of the front cover 31 is closed as shown in FIG. The frames 61 and 62 are brought into contact with the front end surfaces (right end surfaces in FIG. 10). Reference numeral 52 denotes a release lever which has a substantially "L" shape and is supported at the upper end of the front cover 31 so as to be swingable about hinges 52b and 52c. The lever 52 includes a handle 52a extending horizontally from the hinges 52b and 52c and operated by an operator, and a hanging portion 52d extending downward from the hinges 52b and 52c. At both ends at the lower end of the hanging portion 52d, locking portions 52e and 52f are formed diagonally from the front side to the rear side, and the locking portions 52e and 52f form a cam.
[0055]
Also, 54 and 55 are slidably disposed in the housing portion 33a, and are moved in conjunction with the operation of the release lever 52 to move the feeder unit 11 to and from the apparatus main body. Locking grooves 54b and 55b are formed on the inner ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 as locked portions. The locking grooves 54b and 55b are provided with the locking portions 52e and 52f. Correspondingly, an inclined surface constituting a passive body for the cam is formed. The outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 are removably accommodated in circular burring holes 61a and 62a formed in the main frames 61 and 62, respectively. The outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 constitute a first positioning element, and the burring holes 61a and 62a constitute a second positioning element.
[0056]
In order to bias the slide posts 54 and 55 toward the main frames 61 and 62, reset springs 56 and 57 as biasing members are provided, and the inner ends of the reset springs 56 and 57 At a predetermined location, the outer end is brought into contact with annular projections 54a, 55a formed at predetermined locations on the slide posts 54, 55. The lock mechanism is constituted by the slide posts 54 and 55, the reset springs 56 and 57, the burring holes 61a and 62a, and the like.
[0057]
By inserting the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 into the burring holes 61a and 62a, respectively, the feeder unit 11 is positioned and fixed with respect to the apparatus body and the main frames 61 and 62, and the slide posts 54 and 55 are fixed. Is pulled out from the burring holes 61a and 62a, the feeder unit 11 can be swung and opened and closed.
[0058]
Next, an opening and closing operation of the feeder unit 11 when removing the medium 17 (FIG. 1) that has caused a paper jam will be described.
[0059]
First, a case where the feeder unit 11 is opened will be described.
[0060]
When the operator puts his hand on the release lever 52 and rotates it in the direction of arrow D, the locking portions 52e and 52f move with respect to the locking grooves 54b and 55b, and the slide posts 54 and 55 are reset springs 56 and 57. Is moved inward (in the direction of arrow E) against the urging force of. Accordingly, the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 come out of the burring holes 61a and 62a, respectively, and the lock of the feeder unit 11 with respect to the apparatus main body is released. Therefore, the feeder unit 11 can be opened by pulling the release lever 52 as it is.
[0061]
On the other hand, a case where the feeder unit 11 is closed will be described.
[0062]
When the operator puts his hand on the release lever 52 and presses the feeder unit 11, the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 hit the guide portions 61b and 62b of the main frames 61 and 62 as shown in FIG. 13, only the slide post 54, the main frame 61, and the guide portion 61b are shown.) Thereafter, the outer end moves in the arrow direction along the guide portions 61b and 62b, and accordingly, the slide post 54, 55 is moved inward against the biasing force of the reset springs 56 and 57. When the feeder unit 11 is completely closed, the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 enter the burring holes 61a and 62a, respectively, and the feeder unit 11 is positioned and locked with respect to the apparatus main body. The guide portions 61b, 62b are formed obliquely from the front end surfaces (the right end surfaces in FIG. 11) of the main frames 61, 62 to the burring holes 61a, 62a, and the outer ends of the slide posts 54, 55 are burred holes 61a. , 62a.
[0063]
In this way, the feeder unit 11 can be positioned with respect to the left and right main frames 61 and 62 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the feeder unit 11. Also, since the positioning of the feeder unit 11 is performed at both edges of the feeder unit 11, the parallelism between the image forming unit 101 and each transfer unit and the first and second registration roller pairs can be maintained. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the image formed in the image forming apparatus can be maintained.
[0064]
Further, since the feeder unit 11 can be opened and closed only by operating the release lever 52, the operation can be simplified.
[0065]
Meanwhile, in order to increase the positioning accuracy of the feeder unit 11, as shown in FIG. 5, the second registration roller 28 is disposed between the rotation fulcrum 31a and the slide posts 54 and 55 on the feeder frame 32. Is established. Further, the bearing portion of the second registration roller 28, the housing portion 33 a for housing the slide posts 54 and 55, and the receiver 32 f of the rotation fulcrum 31 a are supported by the feeder frame 32. The housing portion 33a is formed near the second registration roller 28.
[0066]
By the way, unless the parallelism (position accuracy) between the transfer portion and the second registration roller 28 is set to ± 0.05, the printing accuracy cannot be increased. Therefore, the distance Ls between the bearing portion of the second registration roller 28 and the storage portion 33a is 40 [mm] when the feeder frame 32 is formed of a resin such as PPE resin (polyphenylene ether) or PPHOX. It must be: The distance Ls is determined by a resin obtained by mixing the glass such as the ABS / PC resin (GF20 [%]) (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene / polycarbonate) or the like. In this case, it is necessary to make it 100 mm or less.
[0067]
By the way, in the present embodiment, the feeder unit 11 is positioned by the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 entering the burring holes 61a and 62a. In this case, the slide posts 54 and 55 are movably arranged in the width direction X of the image forming apparatus (printer), and the positioning is performed simultaneously in the depth direction Y and the height direction Z of the image forming apparatus. It is difficult to make the outer ends of the burring holes 61a and 62a enter the burring holes 61a and 62a, so that the tension of the reset springs 56 and 57 is increased. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the operation force applied to the release lever 52, and the operability is reduced.
[0068]
Therefore, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in which it is not necessary to increase the operation force applied to the release lever 52, and the operability can be improved. In addition, about what has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching the same code | symbol.
[0069]
FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the front cover in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the front cover in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a feeder unit and a main frame according to a second embodiment, FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a main frame according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a feeder unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a first diagram illustrating the operation of the slide post when closing the feeder unit, and FIG. 19 is a second diagram illustrating the operation of the slide post when closing the feeder unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0070]
In the drawing, 70 is a feeder unit as an oscillating body, 52 is a release lever as an operating member, 71 and 72 are main frames of the image forming apparatus, and are outer ends of reset springs 56 and 57 in the main frames 71 and 72. Long holes burring holes 71a and 72a are formed at a position facing the end face with a long diameter in the height direction Z and a short diameter in the depth direction Y. The locking mechanism is constituted by the slide posts 54 and 55 as the engaging and disengaging members, the reset springs 56 and 57, the burring holes 71a and 72a, and the like.
[0071]
When the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 enter the burring holes 71a and 72a, respectively, the feeder unit 70 is positioned and fixed in the depth direction Y with respect to the apparatus main body.
[0072]
Further, the vicinity of the upper end of the front end surface (the right end surface in FIG. 16) of the main frames 71 and 72 facing the feeder unit 70, that is, the second registration roller 28 and the second pressure roller 29 are rotatably supported. The burring holes 71b and 72b are formed in the vicinity of the support portion with the short diameter in the height direction Z and the long diameter in the width direction X. On the other hand, on the front cover 73, positioning posts 73a, 73b are formed at positions corresponding to the burring holes 71b, 72b so as to protrude, and the positioning posts 73a, 73b enter the burring holes 71b, 72b, respectively. As a result, the front cover 73 is positioned and fixed to the apparatus main body. The first positioning element is formed by the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55, the second positioning element is formed by the burring holes 61a (FIG. 11) and 62a, and the third positioning element is formed by the positioning posts 73a and 73b. A fourth positioning element is constituted by the burring holes 71b and 72b.
[0073]
By the way, a case where the feeder unit 70 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body to release a jam or the like will be described.
[0074]
First, when the operator puts his hand on the release lever 52 and rotates it in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 12), the locking portions 52e and 52f move with respect to the locking grooves 54b and 55b of the slide posts 54 and 55. The slide posts 54, 55 are moved inward against the biasing forces of the reset springs 56, 57. Accordingly, the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 come out of the burring holes 71a and 72a, respectively, and the lock of the feeder unit 70 with respect to the apparatus main body is released. Therefore, the operator can open the feeder unit 70 by pulling the release lever 52 as it is. At this time, the positioning posts 73a and 73b come out of the burring holes 71b and 72b, respectively.
[0075]
On the other hand, a case where the feeder unit 70 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body will be described.
[0076]
When the operator puts his hand on the release lever 52 and presses the feeder unit 70, the positioning posts 73a and 73b enter the burring holes 71b and 72b, respectively, as shown in FIG. Only the positioning post 73a and the burring hole 71b are shown.), And the feeder unit 70 is positioned in the height direction Z with respect to the apparatus main body. Also, as shown in FIG. 19, the outer ends of the slide posts 54, 55 hit the guides 71c, 72c of the main frames 71, 72, and thereafter, the outer ends move in the direction of the arrows along the guides 71c, 72c. Accordingly, the slide posts 54, 55 are moved inward against the urging forces of the reset springs 56, 57 (only the guide portion 71c and the slide post 54 are shown in FIG. 19). When the feeder unit 11 is completely closed, the outer ends of the slide posts 54 and 55 enter the burring holes 71a and 72a, respectively, and the feeder unit 70 is positioned in the depth direction Y with respect to the apparatus main body, and the lock is performed. Is done.
[0077]
As described above, in the present embodiment, first, the positioning posts 73a, 73b enter the burring holes 71b, 72b, respectively, whereby the positioning in the height direction Z is performed. Each outer end can easily enter the burring hole 71a, 72a, respectively. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the tension of the reset springs 56 and 57, and the operation force applied to the release lever 52 can be reduced, and the operability can be improved.
[0078]
By the way, in the first embodiment, when the feeder unit 11 rotates around the rotation fulcrum 31a, the feeder unit 11 and the motor gear for rotating the first and second registration roller pairs and the like are engaged. (Kami) is coming off. Accordingly, the feeder unit 11 is suddenly subjected to its own weight and falls forward around the rotation fulcrum 31a. Therefore, in order to prevent the feeder unit 11 from suddenly falling forward, a damper (not shown) is provided. However, if the damper is provided, the cost of the image forming apparatus increases accordingly. .
[0079]
Therefore, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in which the feeder unit 11 can be prevented from suddenly falling forward without using a damper.
[0080]
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state of the driving force transmission mechanism when the feeder unit is opened according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a driving force when closing the feeder unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state of a transmission mechanism, and FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a driving force transmission mechanism of a feeder unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0081]
In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a feeder unit as a rocking body, and the feeder unit 11 is disposed so as to be swingable with respect to the apparatus main body around a rotation fulcrum 31a as a swing center. The feeder unit 11 has a front cover gear G22 having a fan-like shape at the end portion meshing with the gear train.
[0082]
Next, a gear train that meshes with the front cover gear G22 will be described.
[0083]
G21 meshes with the front cover gear G22 and is a planetary gear to which a driving force is transmitted from the front cover gear G22; G20 is a reduction gear which meshes with the planetary gear G21 and to which a driving force is transmitted from the planetary gear G21; G9 meshes with the reduction gear G20, an idle gear to which the driving force is transmitted from the reduction gear G20, G5 meshes with the idle gear G9, and a ring gear to which the driving force is transmitted from the idle gear G9, G4 A planet gear G3 meshing with the ring gear G5 and transmitting the driving force from the ring gear G5 is a sun gear meshing with the planet gear G4 and transmitting the driving force from the planet gear G4. G2 is a reduction gear to which driving force is transmitted from the sun gear G3 and meshes with a motor gear G1 attached to the shaft 121a of the motor 121, and C1 is a carrier for instructing each of the planetary gears G4 to be rotatable.
[0084]
Therefore, the feeder unit 11 and the motor 121 can be disengaged via the gear train. Note that the driving force represents a rotational force of a gear generated when the feeder unit 11 is opened.
[0085]
Next, an operation when the feeder unit 11 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body will be described.
[0086]
When the operator opens the feeder unit 11 with respect to the apparatus main body, the front cover gear G22 is rotated in the direction of arrow a as shown in FIG. In this case, since the planetary gear G21 is swingably engaged with the elongated hole 65 formed in the apparatus main body, the planetary gear G21 rotates in the direction of arrow b with the rotation of the front cover gear G22. While moving in the long hole 65 in the direction of the arrow F, it meshes with the reduction gear G20.
[0087]
As a result, the reduction gear G20 rotates in the direction of the arrow c with the rotation of the planetary gear G21 in the direction of the arrow b, and the rotation (driving force) of the rotation of the reduction gear G20 is transmitted to the idle gear G9. The idle gear G9 rotates in the direction of arrow d. When the rotation of the idle gear G9 in the direction of the arrow d is transmitted to the ring gear G5, the ring gear G5 rotates in the direction of the arrow e, and the rotation of the ring gear G5 is transmitted to the planetary gear G4. The planetary gear G4 rotates in the direction of the arrow f, and the rotation (driving force) of the planetary gear G4 is transmitted to the sun gear G3, and the sun gear G3 rotates in the direction of the arrow g.
[0088]
The driving force of the sun gear G3 is transmitted to the reduction gear G2, and the reduction gear G2 rotates in the direction of arrow h. The rotation of the reduction gear G2 in the direction of arrow h is transmitted to the motor gear G1, and the motor gear G1 It rotates in the direction of arrow i.
[0089]
Thus, when the feeder unit 11 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body, the feeder unit 11 and the motor 121 are engaged, and rotation (driving force) is transmitted from the front cover gear G22 to the motor gear G1 via a gear train. Is done. Therefore, the feeder unit 11 does not suddenly rotate by its own weight due to the detent torque of the motor 121.
[0090]
That is, since the detent torque of the motor 121 functions as a damper effect when the feeder unit 11 is opened, the feeder unit 11 can be prevented from suddenly falling forward without disposing a damper. Therefore, the cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.
[0091]
Next, an operation of closing the feeder unit 11 with respect to the apparatus main body will be described.
[0092]
When the operator closes the feeder unit 11 with respect to the apparatus main body, the front cover gear G22 is rotated in the direction of arrow j as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the planetary gear G21 moves in the elongated hole 65 in the direction of the arrow G, and the engagement with the reduction gear G20 is released.
[0093]
Therefore, the rotation (driving force) of the planetary gear G21 is not transmitted to the gear train and is separated from the detent torque of the motor 121. That is, when the feeder unit 11 is closed, the detent torque of the motor 121 disappears, so that the damper effect also disappears. As a result, the engagement between the feeder unit 11 and the motor 121 is released, so that the feeder unit 11 can be closed with respect to the apparatus main body with a small force.
[0094]
In the present embodiment, a plurality of gears are used as an example of a gear. However, the number of gears is reduced to simplify the gear train, or the front cover gear G22 and the motor gear G1 are directly connected. Thus, the structure of the driving force transmission system can be simplified. Further, a belt can be used instead of the gear train.
[0095]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus, a rocking body disposed to be swingable with respect to the apparatus main body, and the medium supply device rotatably supported by the rocking body. And a supply member that conveys the medium supplied from the unit, and supplies the medium to an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium.
[0097]
In this case, since the operator can easily access the medium supply unit as the rocking body is rocked, the medium can be easily pulled out when a paper jam occurs.
[0098]
Further, since the pressing relationship of the supply member does not change over time, the medium can be stably conveyed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the feeder unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the feeder unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the front cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the front cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a first pair of registration rollers according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another first registration roller pair according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a feeder unit and a main frame according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main frame according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a release lever according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the slide post when closing the feeder unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a front cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of a front cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a feeder unit and a main frame according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a main frame according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a first diagram illustrating an operation of the slide post when the feeder unit is closed according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a second diagram illustrating the operation of the slide post when closing the feeder unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state of a driving force transmission mechanism when a feeder unit is opened according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state of a driving force transmission mechanism when a feeder unit is closed according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a driving force transmission mechanism of a feeder unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Paper feeder
11, 70 Feeder unit
13 Transfer belt unit
15 Paper cassette
17 Medium
18 Hopping roller
19 Sub Roller
20 Separation frame
21, 27 First and second medium detection levers
21a, 27a, 30a First to third medium detection sensors
22, 28 First and second registration rollers
23, 29 First and second pressure rollers
24 Multipurpose Feeder
25 Multipurpose feeder roller
30 Write sensor lever
42 Registration Roller
54, 55 slide post
56, 57 reset spring
61a, 62a, 71a, 72a Burring hole
73a, 73b Positioning post
101 Image forming unit
102 Transfer belt
121 motor

Claims (18)

(A) an apparatus main body including a medium supply unit that supplies a medium, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium;
(B) an oscillating body arranged to be swingable with respect to the apparatus main body;
(C) an image forming apparatus comprising: a supply member rotatably supported by the oscillating body and supplying a medium supplied from the medium supply unit to the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply member includes at least a pair of rollers. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a medium detection unit that detects a medium is provided on the oscillating body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism that locks the oscillating body with respect to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the oscillating body and the apparatus main body each include a positioning element for positioning the oscillating body with respect to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the positioning element is disposed near a support that rotatably supports the roller pair. (A) a belt unit that conveys the medium supplied by the supply member,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein (b) the belt unit is arranged such that the oscillating body is opened with respect to the apparatus main body and the oscillating body can be pulled out in an opened direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the belt unit includes a transfer member. (A) having a motor that can be disengaged from the rocking body,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the oscillating body and the motor are engaged when the oscillating body is opened with respect to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the oscillator is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, the engagement between the oscillator and the motor is released. (A) In a medium supply device including an apparatus main body and an image processing unit provided in the apparatus main body,
(B) an oscillating body arranged to be swingable with respect to the apparatus main body;
And (c) a supply member rotatably supported by the oscillator and supplying a medium supplied from a medium supply unit to the image processing unit. The medium supply device according to claim 11, wherein the supply member includes at least a pair of rollers. 13. The medium supply device according to claim 12, wherein a medium detection unit that detects a medium is provided on the rocking body. 14. The medium supply device according to claim 13, further comprising a lock mechanism for locking the oscillating body with respect to the apparatus main body. 13. The medium supply device according to claim 12, wherein the oscillating body and the apparatus main body each include a positioning element for positioning the oscillating body with respect to the apparatus main body. 16. The medium supply device according to claim 15, wherein the positioning element is disposed near a support that rotatably supports the roller pair. (A) having a motor that can be disengaged from the rocking body,
The medium supply device according to claim 11, wherein (b) when the oscillator is opened with respect to the apparatus main body, the oscillator and the motor are engaged. 18. The medium supply device according to claim 17, wherein when the oscillating body is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, the oscillating body and the motor are disengaged.

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