JP2001114428A - Electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeder storing a sheet cassette to be mounted as a great capacity of paper cassette is generally required. SOLUTION: Paper feeders in which paper cassettes for storing paper are stored are mounted in stages in an electrophotographic image forming device body. For example, when the paper feeders are mounted in two stages in the electrophotographic image forming device body, if one of paper cassettes is pulled out, the other paper cassette cannot be pulled put. In this way, the paper feeders can be mounted therein with more safety, without giving unbalance to the device body due to careless operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus receives print data and develops it into image data.
An image is formed by irradiating the photosensitive member with a light beam such as a laser beam.
On the other hand, a medium such as paper is transported to the photoconductor by a transport unit such as a roller, and an image formed on the photoconductor is transferred. Then, the image is fixed on the paper by the fixing device,
Print (print).

In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a paper feeder containing a paper cassette is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-104436 and 10-181901. This is the usual form.

In recent years, as the printing speed of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has been increased, it is necessary to mount a paper feeder containing a paper cassette in order to supply a large amount of sheets to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Therefore, it was necessary to devise the capacity of the paper cassette in accordance with the market requirements.

However, when a paper cassette containing paper is pulled out or a large amount of paper is stored, when a plurality of paper cassettes are drawn out, the center of gravity of the main body changes due to the weight of the paper cassette. Unbalance occurs, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body tilts, causing a phenomenon of impairing the operation.

[0006]

Generally, as the printing speed of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is increased, a large-capacity paper cassette to be used for the printing is required. The need to install paper devices has arisen.

In particular, when the paper feeder is used by stacking in multiple stages, the height of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is increased. By pulling out the paper cassette stored in the paper feeding device, the center of gravity of the apparatus body changes more and becomes unstable, and in some cases, a plurality of paper cassettes are simultaneously pulled out. In some cases, there is a risk that the apparatus body may fall.

As a result, the overall handleability has deteriorated, and there has been a problem in the maintenance of paper as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

For this reason, taking into account the overall handling, the inexpensive configuration is used to reduce the size and size, and the drawing of the paper cassette is restricted in accordance with the type of paper to be stored, thereby improving safety. Therefore, it is a problem to be able to mount a paper feeding device which is easy to operate as a whole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the size and size of the entire apparatus in consideration of handleability, to apply a simple configuration, and to restrict the manner in which a paper cassette is pulled out from a paper feeding apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which an unbalanced main body of the apparatus can be eliminated and a sheet feeding apparatus with improved safety can be mounted.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured so that a paper feeder containing a paper cassette for storing paper can be mounted in multiple stages on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Then, for example, in the case where the sheet feeding device is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a two-tiered manner, and when one of the paper cassettes is pulled out,
The other paper cassette has a structure that cannot be pulled out.

Specifically, an S-shaped metal fitting connected to a rail for pulling out a paper cassette by a joint is provided inside the paper feeding device so as to be able to move up and down. Is provided, and when either one of the paper cassettes is pulled out,
The other paper cassette has a structure that cannot be pulled out.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The printing apparatus main body 25 includes developing devices 1 to 4,
Optical unit 5, charger 8, photosensitive belt 2 as a photosensitive member
2. The transfer drum 21, the registration roller 12, the transfer roller 13, the charge remover 15, the fixing device 19, the paper discharge roller 18, and the paper feed cassette a6 are main components. The control block diagram is shown in FIG. The control block includes the printing apparatus main body control section 100 and the transfer paper apparatus control section 10.
1, two large blocks. The printing device main body control unit 100 exchanges data with the host, an I / F unit, an exposure, a development, a fixing unit, a motor as a power source, a driving unit of a solenoid, an operation unit, a display unit, a paper feeding unit, It comprises a sequence control unit for controlling some detectors and the like and a paper reversal control unit. Also, the anti-transfer paper device control unit 1
Reference numeral 01 includes a motor as a power source, a drive unit for a solenoid, some detectors, and the like, and is activated by a signal from a sheet reversal control unit.

The operation of the printing device 25 will be described.

The charger 8 uniformly charges the photosensitive belt 22 in response to a print start signal from a host (not shown). The optical unit 5 draws a latent image on the photosensitive belt 22 based on print data sent from the host. The drawn latent image is developed by any one of the developing units 1 to 4, and the colored particles in the developing unit are applied on the photosensitive belt 22. The photosensitive belt 22 is rotated by a driving source not shown here, and the photosensitive belt 2 is placed on the transfer drum 21.
2. Transfer the colored particles on 2. Excess colored particles remaining on the transfer drum 21 are removed by the drum cleaner 20.

Excess colored particles remaining on the photosensitive belt 22 are removed by a belt cleaner 23 and charged by the charger 8 again. In the case of color printing, this process is repeated a plurality of times while switching the developing device.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which printing is performed.
On the top, a visible image is formed by colored particles of a single color or a plurality of colors, and at the time when the desired transfer is completed, or in advance,
Paper a27 is fed from paper cassette a6 to paper feed roller a10.
And stand by at the registration roller 12. After a predetermined time, the paper feed roller a10 stops. The position of the visible image formed on the transfer drum 21 is
At a timing coincident with the transfer position on the sheet, the sheet that has been waiting at the registration roller 12 starts conveying again, and the visible image is transferred to the sheet side at the transfer roller 13. The paper is separated from the transfer drum 21 by the neutralizer 15, and the colored particles are fixed to the paper by the fixing device 19. In the case of printing on only one side, the switch 17 does not operate,
The paper aa40 is discharged to the discharge tray 28 side.

The paper feeder b37 contains a paper cassette b7 containing paper b35. A paper cassette c storing paper c36 is provided in the paper feeding device c38.
In this case, the sheet is supplied from a sheet supply / conveyance path a29 provided in the printing apparatus main body 25 through a conveyance roller and a conveyance path (not shown).

In such a configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention, first, as shown in FIG.
From the directions of the arrows b42 and c43, the sheet feeding device b37,
The paper feeding device c38 is mounted.

In FIG. 6, the paper cassette b7 storing the paper b35 is pulled out from the paper feeding device b37. In that state,
The paper cassette c34 storing the paper c36 is fed into the paper feeding device c.
38, the center of gravity of the printing apparatus main body 25 changes and becomes unbalanced depending on the weight of the paper stored in the paper cassette, and the printing apparatus main body 25 tilts in the direction of the arrow a41 or may be installed depending on the installation state. There was a case where I fell.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, the structure of one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

9, 10, and 11, a main shaft b46 is provided at an inner portion b51 of the sheet feeding device b37.
An S-shaped fitting a44 and an S-shaped fitting b48 are attached to both sides of the arm 46 via an arm a50 and an arm b64. The S-shaped fitting b48 has a pin b49. S-shaped bracket a44
Has a bent portion a45. Also, S-shaped bracket b4
8 has a bent portion b47.

The S-shaped fitting a44 and the S-shaped fitting b48 are
It is configured to move up and down by a link mechanism via an arm a50 and an arm b64. Also, the inner part b51
Is provided with a rail b68.

The operating means b53 is attached to the paper cassette b7, and the operating means b53 includes an inclined portion b63, a metal fitting b5.
There is a pressing portion b60 having 5.

Similarly, a main shaft c73 is provided on the inner side c52 of the paper feeding device c38, and an S-shaped fitting c59 and an S-shaped fitting d58 are provided on both sides of the main shaft c73 with arms c65 and d6.
Attach via 6. A pin c is attached to the S-shaped bracket d58.
There are 57. The S-shaped fitting c59 has a bent portion c69. The S-shaped fitting d58 has a bent portion d74.

The S-shaped fitting c59 and the S-shaped fitting d58 are:
It can be moved up and down by a link mechanism via an arm c65 and an arm d66. Also, the inner part c52
Is provided with a rail c62.

The operating means c56 is attached to the paper cassette c34, and the operating means c56 has an inclined portion c67, a metal fitting c.
There is a pressing portion c61 having 54.

The operation of each of these components will be described.

The positions of the components in FIG.
FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which the sheet cassette b7 and the sheet cassette c34 are not pulled out from the respective sheet feeding devices.

FIG. 12 illustrates the case where the paper cassette b7 is pulled out. Point the paper cassette b7 to the arrow d.
When it is pulled out in the direction of 70, the operating means b53 provided in the paper cassette b7
Work on. After that, the inclined portion b63 provided on the operation means b53 comes into contact with the pin b49 on the S-shaped bracket b48. The operation means b53 pushes up the pin b49 by the inclined portion b63 together with the operation to the arrow d70.

As a result, when the pin b49 moves in the direction of the arrow e71, the S-shaped bracket b48 also moves in the direction of the arrow e7.
Operate in one direction. Accordingly, the S-shaped fitting a44 and the S-shaped fitting b48 are vertically moved by the link mechanism via the arm a50 and the arm b64, and the S-shaped fitting a44 operates in the direction of the arrow f72.

At this time, the bent portion a45 provided on the S-shaped fitting a44 is connected to the S-shaped fitting c59 on the paper feeder c38 side.
Is pressed down in the direction of arrow f. Therefore,
The S-shaped fitting c59 and the S-shaped fitting d58 are connected to the arm c6.
5, the link mechanism moves up and down via the arm d66.
It moves in the direction of 71.

At this time, if the user attempts to pull out the paper cassette c34 in the direction of arrow d70,
The pressing portion c61 having the metal fitting c54 of 56 hits the pin c57 of the S-shaped metal fitting d58, and the paper cassette c
34 cannot be pulled out. This is the state shown in FIGS.

Next, FIG. 13 illustrates a case where the paper cassette b7 is pulled out. Paper cassette c34
Is pulled out in the direction of arrow d70, the paper cassette c34
Operating means c56 provided on the rail c62 of the inner portion c52. After that, the inclined portion c67 provided in the operating means c56 contacts the pin c57 in the S-shaped bracket d58. The operation means c56 pushes up the pin c57 by the inclined portion c67 together with the operation to the arrow d70.

Thus, when the pin c57 moves in the direction of the arrow e71, the S-shaped bracket d58 also moves in the direction of the arrow e7.
Operate in one direction. Therefore, the S-shaped fitting c59 and the S-shaped fitting d58 are vertically moved by the link mechanism via the arm c65 and the arm d66.
The S-shaped bracket d58 moves in the direction of arrow e71. At this time, the bent portion d74 provided in the S-shaped bracket d58
Is the bent part b4 of the S-shaped bracket b48 on the paper feeder b37 side.
7 is pushed up in the direction of arrow f. Therefore, the S-shaped bracket a
44 and the S-shaped bracket b48 include an arm a50 and an arm b6.
The S-shaped bracket a44 moves in the direction of the arrow f72 by moving up and down by a link mechanism via the S4.

At this time, if the user attempts to pull out the paper cassette b7 in the direction of arrow d70, the operation means b5
The pressing portion b60 having the third metal fitting b55 hits the pin b49 of the S-shaped metal fitting b48, and the paper cassette b7
Is to be unable to pull out. This is the state shown in FIGS.

Accordingly, the safety can be enhanced by restricting the method of pulling out the paper cassette in accordance with the use situation. Further, the paper feeder can be shared and standardized, so that the printing apparatus system can be configured at low cost.

[0039]

According to the present invention, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the size of the whole apparatus is reduced in size in consideration of the handleability, and the arrangement of the paper cassette from the paper feeding apparatus is restricted with a simple configuration. In addition, the unbalance of the apparatus main body due to an inadvertent operation can be eliminated, and a paper feeder with improved safety can be mounted.

Further, the paper feeder can be shared and standardized, and the printing apparatus system can be configured at a low cost in consideration of handling properties. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be used as a system according to the purpose of printing. It can be positioned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus illustrating a state in which a paper cassette is pulled out from a first-stage paper feeding apparatus and a main body apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus illustrating a state in which a paper cassette is pulled out from a second-stage paper feeding apparatus and a main body apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus illustrating a state in which the paper cassette is pulled out from the main body apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus illustrating a state in which a paper cassette is drawn out of a first-stage paper feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus illustrating a state in which a paper cassette is pulled out from a second-stage paper feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus illustrating a state in which the paper cassettes are simultaneously pulled out from the first-stage paper feeder and the second-stage paper feeder, and the main unit is unbalanced.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus illustrating a state in which a first-stage paper feeder and a second-stage paper feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention are installed.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus illustrating a state in which a first-stage paper feeder and a second-stage paper feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention are mounted on a main body device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part of a first-stage sheet feeding device and a second-stage sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part illustrating components of a first-stage paper feeder and a second-stage paper feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an essential part for explaining an operation of the first embodiment of the present invention in a state where the paper cassettes of the first-stage paper feeder and the second-stage paper feeder are stored.

FIG. 12 is a main part plan view for explaining an operation in a state in which the paper cassette is drawn out of the first-stage paper feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a main part plan view for explaining an operation in a state where the paper cassette is pulled out from the second-stage paper feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of a printing apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 developing device 1, 2 developing device 2, 3 developing device 3, 4 developing device 4, 5 developing device 4, 5 optical unit 6, paper cassette a, 7… paper cassette b, 8 charging device 10, supply Paper rollers a, 12
... Registration roller, 13 ... Transfer roller, 15 ... Static eliminator,
17 switcher, 18 discharge roller, 19 fixing device, 20
... Drum cleaner, 21 ... Transfer drum, 22 ... Photosensitive belt, 23 ... Belt cleaner, 25 ... Printer main body, 27
... Papers a, 28 ... Discharge tray, 29 ... Paper supply / transport paths a, 34 ... Paper cassettes c, 35 ... Paper b, 36 ... Paper c, 37 ... Paper feeders b, 38 ... Paper feeders c, 40 ... Paper aa, 41: Arrow a, 42: Arrow b, 43: Arrow c, 4
4 S-shaped bracket a, 45 Bending portion a, 46 Spindle b, 4
7 ... bending part b, 48 ... S-shaped bracket b, 49 ... pin b, 5
0 ... arm a, 51 ... inner part b, 52 ... inner part c, 53
.. Operating means b, 54 ... metal fittings c, 55 ... metal fittings b, 56 ... operating means c56, 57 ... pins c, 58 ... S-shaped metal fittings d, 5
9 S-shaped metal fittings c, 60 ... Pressing parts b, 61 ... Pressing parts c, 62 ... Rail c, 63 ... Inclination b, 64 ... Arm b, 65 ... Arm c, 66 ... Arm d, 67 ... Inclination Part c, 68 ... rail b, 69 ... bending part c, 70 ... arrow d,
71 ... arrow e, 72 ... arrow f, 73 ... spindle c, 74 ... bending part d, 100 ... printing apparatus main body control section, 101 ... non-transfer paper apparatus control section.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takamitsu Ikesue 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Within the Office Information Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Makoto Otaka Higashitaga, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture 1-1-1, Machi, Hitachi, Ltd. Office Information Equipment Division (72) Inventor Shoji Shoji 1-1-1, Higashitagacho, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Hitachi Office Information Equipment Division F-term (Reference) 2H071 AA35 AA37 AA38 AA39 3F343 FA02 FB02 FC26 FC27 HA14 HA22 HA28 HA37 HB03 KB03 KB12 KB14 LA04 LA13 LC12 LC19 LD12 LD25

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A paper cassette for storing a recording medium, a photoreceptor on which a latent image is formed, a developing device for developing the latent image on the photoreceptor, and a transfer for transferring the developed image to the recording medium Means, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a fixing device for fixing an image on the recording medium, further comprising a paper feeder containing a paper cassette stacked in a plurality of stages. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: means for inhibiting a predetermined sheet cassette from being pulled out of a sheet feeding device stacked in a stage so that another sheet cassette cannot be pulled out. 2. A paper cassette for storing a recording medium, a photosensitive member on which a latent image is formed, a developing device for developing the latent image on the photosensitive member, and a transfer for transferring the developed image to the recording medium And an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a fixing device for fixing an image on the recording medium, further comprising a paper feeder accommodating a paper cassette which can be stacked in a plurality of stages. When the paper device is additionally mounted, and when the paper cassette is pulled out, the paper cassette stored in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the paper feeding device additionally mounted in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus are used. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein only one paper cassette can be pulled out to the front. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the sheet feeding device is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a two-tiered manner, when one of the sheet cassettes is pulled out,
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the other paper cassette has a structure that cannot be pulled out. 4. The paper feeding device according to claim 3, further comprising an S-shaped fitting connected to a rail for pulling out the paper cassette by a joint, and sliding on the rail toward the paper cassette. When one of the paper cassettes is pulled out by providing an operation means for performing the operation, the sliding operation means causes the S connected to the joint by the joint.
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a metal fitting is configured to move up and down by a link mechanism. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the S-shaped metal fitting located in one of said paper feeders moves up and down.
By the operation, the S positioned in the other sheet feeding device is
When the letter-shaped bracket moves up and down and pulls out the paper cassette housed in the paper feeder, the operating means that slides on the rail provided in the paper cassette hits a part of the S-shaped bracket, An electrophotographic image forming apparatus wherein a paper cassette cannot be pulled out. 6. An S-shaped fitting connected to a rail provided on the paper feeder by a joint according to claim 3, wherein the S-shaped bracket is located on a left side of the paper feeder when viewed from a paper cassette pull-out direction. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation means for sliding on the rail is located on the left side of the paper cassette when viewed from the paper cassette drawing direction.