JP2003015503A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily support a member, such as an optional module, when arranging the optional module and a manual paper feeding tray on the side part of the body of a compact imaging apparatus and to easily perform maintenance care for the body of the device. SOLUTION: A reference module 30 is fixed and attached to the side part of the body 2 of the compact imaging device 1, and a handle part 31 is provided at the lower part thereof, and also the manual paper feeding tray 40 and the optional module 35, equipped with a carrying path corresponding to double-sided copying, are supported rockingly via a support shaft 34. Then, opening/closing the opening/closing door 3 of the device body is prevented from being hindered by rocking the tray 40 and the module 35 with respect to the module 30, so that jamming disposal or the like in the paper carrying path of the body is conducted easily.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which an optional module having a manual feed tray and a conveying path for both sides is arranged on one side of the apparatus main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser beam printer, it is possible to integrally arrange a sorter device in a copy discharge portion or a paper conveying device unit for double-sided copying. Has been done. And
Even when the structure of the apparatus main body is simplified, the function of the image forming apparatus can be easily expanded, the application of the image forming apparatus is expanded, and the usability is improved. For example, in the example disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-308354, etc., it has been proposed that an electrophotographic copying machine main body is arbitrarily combined with a device such as a paper reversing / conveying unit and a paper handling unit. In the above-mentioned conventional example, an intermediate tray function is incorporated in the paper handling unit and combined with a paper reversing / conveying unit so as to have a function of making a double-sided copy or a multiple copy.

An example of equipping a laser beam printer with an optional function is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-250.
A device as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 464 or the like has been proposed. In the conventional example, as shown in FIG. 6, a compact image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an image forming unit using an electrophotographic method. Writing device 1 for drum 10
A means for irradiating a laser from 2 to write an image, a developing device 11, a transfer device and the like are arranged. Further, a paper feed tray 6 provided in the main body and a paper feed tray 6a of an additional paper feed device are arranged below the image forming unit, and paper is fed using the paper feed devices 7 and 7a provided in the respective trays. After the toner image is sent out and the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor drum, the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 14 arranged on the upper portion. Then, the paper discharged as a copy is discharged to the discharge tray 17 arranged at the upper part of the apparatus main body or the paper reversing unit 25.
The discharge tray 29 can be discharged.

In the paper reversing unit 25, a reversing path 28 connected to a paper feeding path in the lower part of the apparatus main body and a path for discharging to a discharge tray 29 via a gate 26 are formed. Then, the sheet is conveyed toward the reverse path, and in order to cope with the copy on the back side, the sheet is sent from the fixing device 14 toward the discharge tray 17, and the rear end portion of the sheet is nipped by the discharge roller device 16. In this state, the discharge roller device is driven in reverse. Therefore, the sheet to be conveyed corresponding to the double-sided copy passes through the gate 15 and is sent out from the apparatus main body, and is guided from the discharge roller device 18 to the inversion path 28 via the gate 26 of the sheet inversion unit 25. be able to. As described above, in the conventional small-sized image forming apparatus, the sheet reversing device is disposed in the main body of the apparatus by connecting the copy ejection path and the sheet feeding path from the sheet feeding tray to the sheet reversing ejection and double-sided ejection. It can be adapted to copy.

[0005]

However, as shown in the above-mentioned conventional example, when a small laser beam printer or the like is equipped with an optional module on the side of the main body of the apparatus, movement of the apparatus, etc. There are many problems involved. For example, the module placed on the side of the main body of the device is placed so as to block the handle part of the main body and other parts on which the hand is put, so that it is an obstacle when trying to move the device. There is. Further, when a small module such as an image forming apparatus is integrally provided with other modules on its side, the center of gravity of the entire apparatus moves to the side, so that careless handling is required. Doing so may cause the device to fall over and toner may scatter inside the device.
Problems such as soiling other members also occur. Further, since the strength of the frame of the option module is not designed to be sufficiently strong, it is difficult to directly handle the module by hand, which may hinder the handling.

In addition to the above-mentioned problems, in a small-sized image forming apparatus, there is a case where the front door of the apparatus main body is opened for maintenance. However, when performing jam processing in the sheet conveying path, etc. , Means for opening the side door to perform the work. However, if an option module is provided on the side of the main body of the apparatus, the option module needs to be removed when performing work such as paper jam processing, which causes a problem that the workability of jam processing is significantly reduced. However, the attachment of the option module has a drawback that a large number of screw members and locking means are used, so that an inexperienced person cannot easily perform the work.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve the operability and downsize the apparatus in a multifunctional apparatus in which a double-sided function and a manual sheet feeding function are added to the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus. To do.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus main body and an option module for expanding the function of the apparatus by being connected to the image forming apparatus main body. According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus main body is provided rotatably on a side portion of the image forming apparatus main body, and is coupled to the image forming apparatus main body to convey a sheet for double-sided sheet conveyance. And an optional module that is provided at the bottom of the optional module and is foldable to the upper side when not in use, and the optional module in the state where the manual tray is not folded. It is characterized in that it is restricted to a position where it does not interfere with the manual feed tray when it is rotated in the direction of separating from the side surface. The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the option module and the manual feed tray are attached to a module detachably provided to the image forming apparatus main body. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes an opening / closing door on a side of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the opening / closing door for performing a jam process on a sheet conveyance path of the apparatus main body, and the option module covers the opening / closing door. The opening / closing door can be opened by being coupled with the main body of the image forming apparatus and rotating the option module in a direction away from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

By virtue of the above-mentioned structure, even when it is necessary to perform a jam process or the like when using the manual feed tray, the manual feed tray can be used as it is for the processing. It becomes possible to easily perform the processing. Further, when it is not necessary to perform processing such as jam processing and use of the manual feed tray, the device can be downsized.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example. The example shown in FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an opening / closing door 3 on the side of the apparatus main body 2 via a hinge 4, and a discharge tray 17 at the top. Are arranged. Further, as in the case of the conventional image forming apparatus, one sheet feeding tray 6 arranged inside the apparatus main body 2 is provided so as to be drawn out to the front side of the apparatus so that the operation of replenishing the sheets can be easily performed. Configured as one. Further, the paper feed tray 6
On the other hand, a paper feeding device including a pickup roller 7 and a paper separating device 8 is arranged to constitute a mechanism for feeding the paper taken out from the paper feeding tray toward the paper carrying path. A registration roller device 9 is arranged in the sheet conveyance path immediately before the toner image transfer position from the photoconductor drum 10.
A means for causing the leading end portion of the paper fed from the paper feed tray to enter the nip position of the registration roller device 9 and forming a loop on the paper by giving an extra feeding action by the paper feed device to configure a matching action is constituted. There is. The side opening / closing door 3 is used when performing jam processing or the like on the sheet conveying path of the apparatus main body, and also performs maintenance or the like for members that cannot be seen from the front side. Used when.

An image writing device 12 for writing an image is arranged on the photoconductor drum 10, and a mirror 13 for irradiating the photoconductor drum with a laser beam output from the image writing device. Then, the electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Further, the developing device 11, a cleaning device (not shown), an image transfer member, and the like are arranged on the photosensitive drum in the same manner as a device using a general electrophotographic method. Then, with respect to the paper fed from the paper feed tray, the registration roller device 9 performs a paper conveyance action at a speed corresponding to the peripheral speed of the photoconductor drum to transfer the toner image, and the toner image is transferred. The transferred sheet is fixed by the fixing device 14 to complete a copy, and is discharged to the discharge tray 17.

In the image forming apparatus 1, a path for discharging the paper is provided on the right and left sides of the fixing device 14 at the downstream side (upper part) of the fixing device 14 through the gate 15. From the discharge path on the right side of FIG. The sheet is ejected toward the ejection tray 17 through the device 16 with the image surface of the sheet facing downward. Further, the sheet is discharged from the discharge path provided on the left side of the gate 15 to the discharge tray 19 with the image surface of the sheet facing upward through the discharge roller device 18. A reference module 30 is attached to the left side portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a manual feed tray 40 is arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the reference module 30 via a hinge member 41 to feed sheets. The roller 45 is used to configure a device that can feed paper toward the paper transport path. Further, a paper feed path that joins the paper feed path from the manual feed tray 40 is arranged with respect to the paper feed path of the image forming apparatus. It is connected to the paper transport path of the module so that it can handle operations such as double-sided copying.

In the image forming apparatus constructed as described above, as in a general small-sized image forming apparatus, handle portions formed by recesses or the like are provided at the four corners of the bottom of the main body for carrying hands. ing. When the option module is not attached, the respective handle portions can be used to correspond to the movement operation of the device. Further, in this embodiment, the reference module 30 is removably arranged on the side of the main body of the apparatus, but the handle module 31 is provided on the lower surface of each of the front and rear sides with respect to the reference module 30 so that the reference module 30 can be moved. So that it can be used as an aid.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a paper feed tray 6 that can be pulled out on the front side, and a front door is provided above the paper feed tray. 5 is provided so as to be openable and closable, and the door can be opened to perform work when performing maintenance on the internal device. In addition, the device body 2
The reference module 30 is attached to the side of the reference module 30, the hinge member 41 of the manual feed tray 40 is supported with respect to the reference module 30 via the support shaft 34, and the manual feed tray 40 is swingably provided. . When the manual feed tray function is not used, the manual feed tray function is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure so that the manual feed tray function is folded up and leans parallel to the side of the main body.

As described above, the reference module 30 arranged on the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus can be constructed as shown in FIG. 3, and the frame 32 is attached to the side of the main body 2 of the apparatus. The fixing means (not shown) is used for attachment. Also, inside the frame,
The reinforcing member 33 is arranged to perform the reinforcement corresponding to the handle portion 31 as shown in FIG. 2, and the reinforcing member 33 is configured to correspond to the weight of the option module. Since the main body of the apparatus is moved through the frame 32, the frame 32 is configured to be strong.

In this embodiment, the manual feed tray 40 is attached to the frame of the reference module 30 by the support shaft 34.
The hinge member 41 of the tray is attached to the support shaft 34 so as to be swingable.
In the manual feed tray 40, with respect to the tray body 42,
The auxiliary plate 44 is slidably provided so that a large size sheet can be supported with the auxiliary plate 44 pulled out. Further, with respect to the tray main body 42, side guides 43, 43a for restricting both side surfaces of the sheet are provided.
Although the two side guides are provided so that each of the two side guides is movable in the width direction of the sheet in the image forming apparatus in which the sheet conveying method in the sheet conveying path of the image forming apparatus is the center registration method, In the side register type device, only one is movable.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in addition to the case where only the manual feed tray is provided for the reference module 30, as for the reference module 30, as shown in FIG. Another optional module 35 can be arranged. The option module 35 can constitute a paper reversing unit or the like as shown in FIG. 6, and the hinge member 3 is provided so as to project below the frame of the option module.
It is supported by the support shaft 34 of the reference module 30 via 6. Then, when the option module 35 is swung via the support shaft 34, the option module 35 can be regulated so as not to come into contact with the manual feed tray 40, and the manual feed tray 40 and the option module 35 are respectively arranged. The opening / closing door 3 on the side of the main body of the apparatus can be opened in a state in which the main body 2 is swung in the direction of separating from the side surface.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the manual feed tray 40 and the option module 35 are provided for the reference module 30, the reference module 30 is integrally provided with a paper feed roller or the like corresponding to the manual feed tray. Then, the sheet feeding means from the manual feed tray is configured. Further, by arranging a paper reversing mechanism in the option module 35, it is possible to cope with double-sided copying and multiple copying operations. Since the optional module 35 can be incorporated with an arbitrary sheet conveying mechanism, it is not necessary to incorporate a mechanism for inverting the sheet by using the gate of the discharge section as shown in FIG. It is also possible to add a reversing function to the paper transport path inside the option module.

In the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to mount only the option module 35 without disposing the manual feed tray on the reference module 30. In the device shown in FIG. 5, the spindle 34 is attached to the frame of the reference module 30.
Since the hinge member 36 is attached via the and the option module 35 is swingably mounted, the swinging operation of the option module 35 can be easily performed. Further, in the option module 35 shown in each of FIGS. 4 and 5, the discharge path of the apparatus main body in FIG. Since it is configured, it is not necessary to change the configuration of the paper transport path of the apparatus main body even when mounting any optional module.

[0020]

Since the device of the present invention is constructed as described above, when the manual feed tray is used,
Even when it is necessary to perform processing such as jam processing, the processing can be performed with the manual feed tray as it is, and the processing can be easily performed. Further, when it is not necessary to perform processing such as jam processing and use of the manual feed tray, the device can be downsized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a manual feed tray is mounted on a side portion of an image forming apparatus main body via a reference module.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reference module.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which an option module is swung with respect to a reference module via a support shaft.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which only the option module is attached to the reference module.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image forming apparatus, 3 opening / closing door, 5 front door, 10 photosensitive drum, 17 discharge tray, 25 paper reversing unit, 30 reference module, 31 handle section, 32 frame,
34 spindle, 35 option module, 36
Hinge member, 40 manual feed tray, 41 hinge member, 42 tray body.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H028 BA06 BA09 BA12                 2H072 AA02 AA16 AA17 BA06 BA12                       CB00 EA16 FB03                 2H171 FA02 FA03 FA22 FA28 GA03                       GA11 GA12 GA29 GA31 GA32                       HA05 HA06 HA15 HA20 HA23                       JA17 JA21 JA42 KA05 KA18                       KA22 KA26 QA02 QA08 QB15                       QB19 QB32 QC36 SA08 SA10                       SA11 SA14 SA15 SA18 SA19                       SA20 SA22 SA26 SA31 SA35                       WA08 WA17                 3F343 FA02 FB01 FC10 GA01 GB01                       GC01 GD02 HB02 HB03 HC05

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus main body, and an option module that is rotatably provided on a side portion of the image forming apparatus main body and is configured to be coupled to the image forming apparatus main body so as to carry double-sided sheets. A manual feed tray that is provided at the bottom of the option module and that can be folded up when not in use; and a direction that separates the option module from the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the manual feed tray is not folded. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is regulated to a position where it does not interfere with the manual feed tray when it is rotated to the left. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the option module and the manual feed tray are attached to a module detachably provided to the main body of the image forming apparatus. 3. An image forming apparatus main body further includes an opening / closing door for performing a jam processing on a sheet conveying path of the apparatus main body, wherein the option module covers the opening / closing door. 3. The opening / closing door can be opened by being coupled to a main body of the image forming apparatus and rotating the option module in a direction away from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Image forming device.