JP2001109210A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an MFP constituted by attaching an original reading means to a printer as an image forming device and to improve handleability. SOLUTION: This device has a cassette 1 housing recording paper for forming an image, an image forming part A forming the image on the recording paper housed in the cassette 1, a paper discharging tray 14 on which the recording paper having the image formed by the part A is carried, and a paper discharging roller pair 13 discharging the recording paper on the tray 14; an image reader part B reading the image of the original while carrying the original is arranged on an upper part covering the pair 13, the original which has been read by the part B is discharged from the paper discharging roller pair 39 of the part B in the same direction as the direction that the pair 13 discharges the recording paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunction printer (MFP) comprising an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet and an image reading apparatus for reading image information of a document. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an MFP (multi-function printer) can be constructed by a simple means such as mounting an image reader as an image reading means in an image forming apparatus such as a printer.

[0003]

However, at present, the convenience varies greatly depending on how the image reader unit is mounted on the printer main body.

[0004] Therefore, when configuring the MFP, it is necessary to consider (1) reduction of the occupied area of the MFP, (2) operability of the image reader unit and the printer, and (3) printer and image reader unit according to the needs of the user. Combinations.

(1) Regarding the reduction of the area occupied by the MFP, the problem is that the apparatus area occupied by the printer body should not be increased as much as possible when the image reader unit is mounted.

(2) Regarding the operability of the image reader unit and the printer, there is a problem in that it is easy to take out the read original or the recording paper discharged to the paper discharge tray.

(3) Regarding the combination of the printer and the image reader unit according to the needs of the user, if the user who has purchased only the printer desires to install the image reader unit later, the image reader unit can be easily installed. The challenge is to make such a device configuration.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an image forming section for forming an image on a recording sheet, and a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming section. In an image forming apparatus including: a paper discharge tray stacked on an upper surface of an apparatus main body having an image forming unit; and paper discharge means for discharging recording paper to the paper discharge tray, a document is provided above the paper discharge means. Document reading means for reading the image of the document while transporting the document, and the document read by the document reading means is placed in the same direction as the direction in which the paper discharge means discharges the recording paper. It is characterized by being discharged from the discharging means.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an MFP used for describing the present invention. The MFP includes an image reader unit B as an image reading unit shown in FIG. 3 and a laser beam printer having an image forming unit A, and is configured by combining both as shown in FIG.

The image reader unit B and the image forming unit A
Positioning is performed by fitting a pin 40 provided on the lower surface of the image reader unit B into a hole 29 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body having the image forming unit A. At this time, the connector pins 30 and the connector sockets 31 are coupled, so that power supply and communication between the image forming unit A and the image reader unit B can be performed. Further, after the both are combined, the document feed tray 32 is attached to the image reader section B (insertable type),
It feeds paper. Reference numerals 33a and 33b denote document width regulating plates.

Here, the laser beam printer A as an image forming unit will be described. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the laser beam printer A.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a paper cassette which is detachable from the frame of the image forming apparatus, and a recording material P is loaded in the paper cassette 1. This recording material P is a paper cassette 1
The sheet is separated and fed one by one by a sheet feed roller 2 disposed on the upper front end side of the sheet, and is conveyed to a transfer section through a guide section 15a formed integrally with the frame 15 by conveying rollers 3a and 3b.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a registration sensor, which is a laser scanner 5 which is a tip position of the recording material P and an exposure light source.
Are synchronized with each other, and an image is drawn from a predetermined position on the recording material P.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a folding mirror, which is fixed to the frame 15 via a mirror holder 6a.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a process cartridge including image forming means such as a photoconductor 8, a developing device (not shown), a cleaner, and a charger.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a transfer roller for transferring the visible image on the photoconductor 8 onto the recording material P. Reference numeral 9 denotes a conveyance guide for guiding the transferred recording material P to the fixing device 11. Heat and fix the image. The recording material P includes a guide portion 15 b integrally formed with the frame 15 and the outer cover 12.
The paper is then discharged onto a paper discharge tray 14 by a paper discharge roller 13 as a paper discharge means through a guide portion 12a integrated with the paper.

Next, the image reader section B will be described.

As described above, when the original 34 is placed on the tray 32 with the printing surface facing upward, the paper feed roller pair 3
5, the paper is fed while being separated one by one from the top.
While the fed document is being transported in the apparatus by the transport roller pairs 36 and 38, an image on the document is read by the sensor 37. Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 14 by a paper discharge roller pair 39 as a document discharge means.

As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 4, the image reader section B is disposed substantially vertically above the discharge roller 13 of the printer A, and is discharged from the discharge roller 13 of the printer A by the lower surface of the image reader section B. It is arranged so as to cover the tray 14.

Further, as can be seen from FIG. 1, the above-mentioned tray 32 is disposed so as to be located within a substantially upper space range of the paper cassette 1 protruding leftward in the drawing of the printer A.

By arranging the image reader section B with respect to the printer A main body in this way, the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

Next, a method of discharging the printed matter produced by the laser beam printer and the original read by the image reader unit B onto the discharge tray 14 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, a laser beam printer A
Is printed in the direction of arrow α, and the trailing end is stacked at the position of point D. And FIG.
As shown in (1), the document discharged from the image reader section B is discharged in the direction of arrow β, and the rear end is stacked at the position of point E.

In this way, the printed matter from the printer unit and the original from the image reader unit are displaced in the paper transport direction and are stacked on the paper, so that the printed matter and the original can be distinguished at a glance.

In the above-described embodiment, the printed matter and the original are ejected after being shifted (shifted) in the paper conveying direction. However, the printed matter ejection port of the laser beam printer and the document ejection port of the image reader are moved in the conveying direction. May be shifted (shifted in the horizontal direction) in a direction perpendicular to the direction. By doing so, it is possible to discharge and stack the printed matter and the original so that the printed matter and the original can be distinguished at a glance as in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of another modification.

In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 7, the image reader section B is composed of two parts B1 and B2. The section B1 includes a paper transport section and a document reading section, and the section B2 includes an interface for communicating with the printer section. B1 and B2 are also connected so that they can communicate with each other or supply power.
The portion B1 is movable in the direction of arrow δ in the figure. For this reason, B2 is always at a fixed position with respect to the printer, but B1 can slide in the δ direction.
The position of the discharge port having the document discharge roller pair 39 can be changed while normally communicating with the position of the discharge port having the discharge roller 13.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the original to be read is a small-size paper (40 in the figure), the original can be stacked at a position where the rear end is at the position of the point γ. It can be shifted from the place where the paper is loaded and can be identified at a glance. Since the tip 40a protrudes from the lower bundle, it is easy to remove the bundle.

In the case of an MFP operated from the cassette opening (the right side of the machine in the figure), when the recording paper and the original are stacked on the common tray as in the present embodiment, the deviation amount at the leading end portion 40a is increased. This has the advantage that the distinction is clear.

As is apparent from FIG. 4, since the direction in which the paper cassette 1 is pulled out and the direction in which the original and the recording paper are discharged are the same, the user can operate the MFP from the direction opposite to the discharge direction. Therefore, usability is improved.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus embodying the present invention, 1) the image reader is installed above the paper outlet of the printer main body, and the paper discharge tray is shared, so that the size of the machine is reduced. And cost reduction. 2) Since the user can easily attach and detach the image reader by himself / herself, it is not necessary to determine the necessity of the image reader when purchasing the main body of the machine. 3) The user can select his favorite combination of printer and image reader. 4) The printed material and the original are shifted and discharged / stacked on the shared paper output tray, so that the original and the printed material can be distinguished at a glance. There are advantages.

[0031]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image reading means for reading image information of a document is provided above a discharge opening for discharging a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming section. In addition, the size of the device can be reduced, and the usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the M.P. used in Examples of the present invention. F. P. FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an M.P.M. used in Examples of the present invention. F. P. Sectional view of the printer section of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an M.P. used in an example of the present invention. F. P. FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an M.P. used in an example of the present invention. F. P. FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an M.P. used in an example of the present invention. F. P. Paper ejection
The figure which showed the mode of loading.

FIG. 6 shows an M.P. used in an example of the present invention. F. P. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of loading originals.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a second example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List A Image forming unit B Image reader unit (image reading unit) 13 Discharge roller pair (discharge unit) 14 Discharge tray 39 Discharge roller pair (document discharge unit)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B65H 29/22 B65H 29/22 Z 31/00 31/00 Z H04N 1/00 108 H04N 1/00 108Q

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet; a discharge tray on which a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit is stacked on an upper surface of an apparatus main body having the image forming unit; A sheet discharging means for discharging recording paper to a sheet discharging tray, wherein an original reading means for reading an image of a document while transporting the original is disposed above the cover for discharging the sheet; An image forming apparatus, wherein the document read by the means is discharged from the document discharge means of the document reading means in the same direction as the direction in which the paper discharge means discharges the recording paper. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has a paper cassette for storing the recording paper, and a drawing direction of the paper cassette is the same as a discharging direction of the recording paper and the document. Image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit is detachably attached to the apparatus main body having the image forming unit. apparatus. 4. The image reading means is fixed to the apparatus main body by fitting a hole provided on an upper surface of the apparatus main body with a pin provided on a lower surface of the image reading means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. 5. A connector portion is provided on an upper surface of the apparatus main body, and by connecting a connector pin provided on a lower surface of the image reading means to the connector portion, electricity supply and / or communication can be performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit is disposed so as to cover a part of the discharge tray. 7. The image according to claim 2, wherein a conveyance path of the recording paper formed from the paper cassette to the paper discharge tray is disposed in the apparatus main body in a substantially S-shape. Forming equipment. 8. The document reading means has a tray on which a document to be read is placed, and the tray is arranged in a space vertically above a portion where a paper cassette containing recording paper protrudes from the apparatus main body. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.