JP2002244381A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device to which the several kinds of sheet loading means are attached, whose useability at the time of attaching the sheet loading means to a device main body is improved and by which the control of the device main body is simplified. SOLUTION: An outside case 59 constituting the outside case of the device main body with paper feeding cassettes 1U and 1L is attachably/detachably provided at the device main body in accordance with the paper feeding cassettes 1U and 1L attached out of the several kinds of the paper feeding cassettes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine having a function of forming an image on a recording medium such as a sheet.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus 200 for explaining a conventional example, and shows a full-color LBP. The LBP is provided with two sheet cassettes, an upper sheet and a lower sheet.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 30 denotes a scanner serving as a light emitting means, 15 denotes a photosensitive drum, 20Y, 20M, and 20C denote yellow toner, magenta toner,
Developing devices for supplying cyan toner are arranged in the storage sections of the rotary device 22, and are switched by rotation control. In addition, Bla outside the rotary device 22.
A developing device 21B for supplying the ck toner is provided.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an intermediate transfer drum, which is a photosensitive drum 15
Is to transfer the single-color toner image formed in step (4) onto paper in a superimposed manner for four colors. Reference numeral 8 denotes a registration roller pair, which includes a pickup roller 3U (3L in the lower stage), a feed roller 4U (4L in the lower stage), and a retard roller 5U.
The sheet P picked up and conveyed from inside the sheet feeding cassette 1U (1L in the case of the lower stage) by the sheet feeding means formed from (5L in the case of the lower stage) once abuts on the registration roller pair 8 and waits. After that, the timing is measured and driven and transported so that the image leading edge register of the intermediate transfer drum 11 and the sheet P leading edge register match.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a transfer / conveyance belt, which is driven while being stretched between a driving roller 10a and a driven roller 10b. And simultaneously transfer the four-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer drum 11 simultaneously.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a fixing device, which is a transfer conveying belt 1
After the unfixed paper P conveyed from 0 is heated and pressurized by the fixing roller 26 and the pressure roller 27 to form a fixed image, the F / D discharge set outside the main unit by the discharge roller pair 36. It is discharged to the paper tray 37.

With the above arrangement, while forming a latent image on the photosensitive drum 15 by the laser emitted from the scanner 30, toner is first supplied from the Y developing device 20Y in the rotary device 22, developed, and the intermediate transfer member is developed. Drum 1
1 is primarily transferred to the toner image.

In this process, the development is performed by the M developing unit 20M, the C developing unit 20C, and the Bk developing unit 21B provided outside the rotary unit 22 by switching the rotation of the rotary unit 22, and the intermediate transfer drum 11 is developed. Is formed with toner images of four colors.

Then, the leading end register of the sheet P, which has been picked up and conveyed from the inside of the sheet feeding cassette 1 by the sheet feeding roller and is waiting by the registration roller pair 8 in advance, matches the leading end register of the toner image on the intermediate transfer drum 11. The registration roller pair 8 is driven.

At this time, the transfer / conveying belt 10 is driven by a cam member (not shown) on the driven roller 10b side.
After the toner image on the intermediate transfer drum 11 is secondarily transferred while being held in the nip portion, the sheet P is conveyed to the nip portion between the fixing roller 26 and the pressure roller 27 of the fixing device 25. And undergoes a fixing action. The sheet P on which the fixed image has been formed is discharged to an F / D discharge tray 37 by a pair of discharge rollers 36.

On the other hand, the LBP uses a large-capacity cassette 1E instead of using two cassettes as shown in FIG. 6 in addition to the configuration using two upper cassettes shown in the above-mentioned conventional example. It is also possible.

As described above, when a two-stage cassette as shown in FIG. 5 is used for one image forming apparatus,
When a large capacity cassette is used as shown in FIG.
There is an image forming apparatus that can use a plurality of variations of a sheet cassette for one image forming apparatus (LBP). The image forming apparatus having such a configuration is proposed by the present applicant.

In the image forming apparatus 200 having the above configuration, three cassettes 1U, 1L, and 1E must be mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.

As shown in FIG. 7, in order to mount the cassette 1U, an opening indicated by reference numeral 51 is required, and in order to mount the cassette 1L, an opening indicated by reference numeral 52 is required. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, in order to mount the cassette 1E, an opening 53 is required. As a result, it is necessary to provide the opening 54 shown in FIG. 9 so that the three cassettes can be mounted on the main body.

In the conventional image forming apparatus, even if a plurality of sheet cassettes can be used for one image forming apparatus main body as described above, the configuration of the apparatus main body (including the outer cover) is changed. I didn't do anything.

On the other hand, the surface of the paper feed cassette is formed to be a part of the exterior of the apparatus main body so that when the paper feed cassette is mounted on the paper feed cassette side, the entire image forming apparatus is covered with the exterior. .

When a plurality of paper cassettes can be mounted on the same main body and used, the engine must perform optimal control according to the mounted paper cassettes.

For this reason, it is necessary to detect what kind of paper cassette has been inserted into the apparatus main body, and to perform control in accordance with the paper cassette.

For this reason, the engine detects the installed state of each of the sheet cassettes, and when a plurality of sheet cassettes are installed, obtains information on all of the installed sheet cassettes, and It was necessary to judge comprehensively.

[0021]

However, in the case of the above-described prior art, the following problems have occurred.

1) In order to obtain the same appearance regardless of what paper feed cassette is installed in the apparatus main body, not only the cassette has the same exterior part but also the exterior is Had a size and shape that had nothing to do with the size.

That is, despite the small size of the cassette body, the exterior is sized to fit the maximum size paper feed cassette, so that it is very difficult for the user to handle this cassette.

For example, the outer portion of the cassette 1E has to be made larger than the shape originally required for the cassette, in order to close a hole for accommodating another cassette.
This means that, in the cassette 1E shown in FIG. 10, the exterior part originally required for the cassette 1E is only the α portion,
For the above reason, the β part is also added.

2) Also, on the main body side, the outer configuration around the paper feed cassette is adapted to the maximum size paper feed cassette, and when a small size cassette is mounted, the insertion opening is formed in the cassette. The size is large compared to the size, and there is a possibility that confusion may occur because it is not clear where the cassette should be mounted, which is not favorable from the viewpoint of usability.

3) Further, the configuration of the cassettes mounted on the apparatus main body, in which a plurality of cassettes may be mounted at one time, is detected by the detecting means of each cassette for each cassette, and which cassette is mounted. It is necessary to judge comprehensively whether it is done. Therefore, the firmware for controlling the engine becomes very complicated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention that a plurality of types of sheet stacking means can be mounted, and the sheet stacking means is mounted on an apparatus main body. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving usability in performing the operation and simplifying control of the apparatus main body.

[0028]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided so as to be detachable from an apparatus body,
In an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of types of sheet stacking means constituting the exterior of the apparatus main body when mounted on the apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus includes: An exterior member constituting the exterior of the apparatus main body together with the loading means is detachably provided on the apparatus main body.

When the exterior member is mounted on the apparatus main body, the exterior of the exterior member and the apparatus main body is substantially equal in cross section to the mounted sheet loading means, and the sheet stacking means can be inserted therethrough. It is also preferable that an opening is provided.

[0030] It is also preferable that the exterior member has an opening substantially equal to a cross section of the sheet stacking means to be mounted and through which the sheet stacking means can be inserted.

A detecting means provided in the apparatus main body for detecting which sheet stacking means of the plurality of types of sheet stacking means is mounted; and a detecting means provided on the exterior member, wherein the exterior member is mounted on the apparatus main body. It is also preferable to provide a detection unit that causes the detection unit to detect that the sheet stacking unit to be mounted from the opening of the exterior member is mounted in such a case.

The exterior member provided in accordance with a plurality of types of sheet stacking means which can be simultaneously mounted corresponds to the sheet stacking means when there is a sheet stacking means which is not mounted among the plurality of types of sheet stacking means. It is also preferable to provide a detachable cover member for closing the opening.

A detecting means provided in the main body of the apparatus for detecting which sheet stacking means of the plurality of types of sheet stacking means is mounted, and provided on the exterior member and the cover member; It is also preferable that the apparatus further comprises a detected part for causing the detecting means to detect that the sheet stacking means to be mounted from the opening of the exterior member is mounted when mounted on the main body.

It is also preferable that the cover member is fixed to the exterior member by a snap action.

It is preferable that the exterior member is fixed to the apparatus main body by a snap action.

[0036]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
The material, the shape, and the relative arrangement thereof should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments.

(First Embodiment) An image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same basic configuration as the full-color LBP used in the description of the conventional example, and the same configuration as the configuration described in the section of the related art is the same. The reference numerals are attached and the description is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the conventional example, the exterior is all fixed with respect to the image forming apparatus 200 except for the surface of the sheet cassette. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
An exterior 59 as an exterior member around the sheet cassette as the sheet stacking means is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the exterior member is formed of a plurality of types of attachable sheet cassettes. According to the paper cassette to be mounted, the paper cassette together with the paper cassette constitute the exterior of the apparatus main body. Therefore, with the change of the paper feed cassette, the exterior member is also changed.

Here, the attachment / detachment of the exterior 59 to / from the apparatus main body 100 is fixed by a snap action, and is performed by a snap fit (not shown). That is, since the exterior 59 is fixed to the apparatus main body 100 by snap-fitting, no tools or the like are required for attachment / detachment. For example, even when the user changes the paper feed cassette in the market, the user can easily replace the exterior member. be able to.

In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, a two-stage cassette of an upper cassette 1U and a lower cassette 1L is used.

Therefore, the outer cassette 59 is provided with the upper cassette 1.
Openings 55 and 56 are provided to allow two-stage paper cassettes U and the lower cassette 1L to be mounted. The shapes of the openings 55 and 56 are basically the same as the cross-sectional shapes of the upper cassette 1U and the lower cassette 1L mounted here, so that the user can easily and easily mount the paper feed cassette without hesitation. A paper cassette can be installed in the printer. Further, since the sheet cassette itself is provided with only a minimum necessary exterior part, the shape is simplified and the operability of the sheet cassette itself is improved.

When the sheet feeding cassette is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the exterior member and the apparatus main body, the opening may be provided in the exterior composed of the exterior member and the apparatus main body.

The apparatus main body 100 is provided with a sensor 57 as a detecting means. When the exterior 59 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, the sensor 57 is located at a position facing the sensor 57 attached to the apparatus main body 100. , The sensor 57
A member 58 is provided as a part to be detected. FIG. 3A shows a detailed view thereof.

In this case, the sensor 57 has two tact switches 57a and 57b. On the other hand, a projection 58a is provided on the member 58 side. One of the switches 57a is
N.

Accordingly, the apparatus body 100 can determine that the two-stage paper feed cassette of 1U and 1L has been used only by mounting the exterior 59, and the optimum Control can be performed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram when a large-capacity cassette 1E is used instead of the paper feed cassettes 1U and 1L. In this case, instead of the exterior 59, an exterior 60 adapted to the large-capacity cassette 1E is used.

The exterior 60 has an opening 61 so that the large-capacity cassette 1E can be mounted. Further, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the device main body 100 is provided with a sensor 57, and when the exterior 60 is mounted on the device main body 100, the position is opposite to the sensor 57 mounted on the device main body 100. Is provided with a member 62 as a detected part for detecting the sensor 57. FIG. 3B shows a detailed view thereof.

In this case, the sensor 57 has two tact switches 57a and 57b. On the other hand, the projections 62a and 62b are provided on the member 62 side. Tact switches 57a, 57b
Turn ON.

Therefore, it is possible to determine that the apparatus main body 100 is configured to use the large-capacity cassette 1E only by mounting the outer casing 60, and it is possible to perform optimal control in accordance with the configuration. .

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment. In the above-described first embodiment, the exterior around the paper feed cassette is replaced. For example, one of the paper feed cassettes is removed from the apparatus main body to which two paper feed cassettes can be mounted. A cover member as a blind cover can be attached to the opening. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus main body 100
Has a configuration in which two upper and lower paper cassettes can be mounted. However, even in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed cassettes as standard, it is possible to set one of the products by removing one of the paper feed cassettes and inserting a blind cover into that portion.

In this case, there is an advantage that the selling price can be reduced, and by setting the paper cassette as an option, a user who needs the paper cassette after purchasing the apparatus main body 100 can use the paper cassette. By purchasing an optional cassette and removing the blind cover attached to the apparatus main body 100, the apparatus can be used as an image forming apparatus having a two-stage cassette. In other words, in the case of the present embodiment, two openings 64 and 65 are provided so that a two-stage paper cassette can be mounted.

In this embodiment, although the lower cassette 1L is mounted, a blind cover 63 is mounted instead of the upper cassette. In addition, since the blind cover 63 is attached to the apparatus main body 100 by a snap fit (not shown) which is fixed by a snap action, a tool or the like is not required when the cover is removed. Is changed, the user can add optional cassettes.

Further, by providing the sensor system (not shown) as described in the first embodiment also in the blind cover, it is possible to easily perform the optimal control according to the paper cassette mounted. Can do it.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
According to the sheet stacking means to be mounted among the plurality of types of sheet stacking means, the sheet stacking means is detachably provided on the apparatus main body together with the sheet stacking means so that the sheet stacking means can be attached to the apparatus main body. Since it is possible to easily handle the sheet stacking means when the sheet stacking unit is mounted on the device, it is possible to improve usability.

Further, since the sheet stacking means to be mounted can be detected by mounting the exterior member on the apparatus main body, optimal engine control can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a sensor unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a paper feed cassette in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1U Upper cassette 1L Lower cassette 1E Large capacity cassette 55, 56, 61, 64, 65 Opening 57 Sensor 57a, 57b Tact switch 58, 62 Member (detected part) 58a, 62a, 62b Projection 59, 60 Exterior 63 Cover lid 100 Image Forming Apparatus Main Body

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Kentaro Suga 1-11-2 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Inside Japan Taiplier Corporation (72) Keisuke Matsuo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (72) Inventor ▲ Taka ▼ Yoshikazu Hashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Jun Saito 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Non-corp. F term (reference) 2H071 BA03 BA13 BA17 BA23 DA22 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB03 FB04 FC30 GA03 GB01 GC01 GD02 HB03 HB07 HB10 HC04 HC27 HC28 JA01 KB02 KB03 KB13 KB14 KB15

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus which is detachably provided on an apparatus main body and which can mount a plurality of types of sheet stacking means constituting an exterior of the apparatus main body when mounted on the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus, wherein an exterior member forming an exterior of the apparatus main body is provided detachably with the apparatus main body together with the sheet stacking means in accordance with the sheet stacking means to be mounted. 2. When the exterior member is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the sheet stacking means is inserted into an exterior composed of the exterior member and the apparatus main body substantially equal to a cross section of the mounted sheet stacking means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a possible opening is provided. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member has an opening substantially equal to a cross section of the mounted sheet stacking means and through which the sheet stacking means can be inserted. . 4. A detecting means provided in the apparatus main body, for detecting which sheet loading means of the plurality of types of sheet loading means is mounted, and provided on the exterior member, wherein the exterior member is mounted on the apparatus main body. And a detection section that causes the detection section to detect that a sheet stacking section to be mounted from the opening of the exterior member is mounted when the section is mounted. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 5. An exterior member provided in accordance with a plurality of types of sheet stacking means which can be simultaneously mounted, wherein the sheet stacking means includes a sheet stacking means which is not mounted among the plurality of types of sheet stacking means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cover member that covers the opening, the cover member corresponding to the image forming apparatus. 6. A detecting means provided in the apparatus main body, for detecting which sheet stacking means of the plurality of types of sheet stacking means is mounted, and provided on the exterior member and the cover member, wherein the exterior member is provided. And a detection unit for causing the detection unit to detect that a sheet stacking unit to be mounted from the opening of the exterior member is mounted when the unit is mounted on the apparatus main body. 6. The image forming apparatus according to 5. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cover member is fixed to the exterior member by a snap action. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member is fixed to the apparatus main body by snap action.