JP2003095454A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device capable of reducing an installation space and improving jam processing operation property. SOLUTION: In this image formation device having a sheet storage means for loading and storing sheets, a paper feeding roller abutting on a fringe part of the sheet to feed the sheet, a paper feeding frame body storing the sheet storage means, a conveyance roller supported on the paper feeding frame body to convey the sheet conveyed by the paper feeding roller, and an ejecting part receiving the sheet ejected from an image formation device main body, the sheet storage means is provided with a first sheet conveyance passage for feeding stored sheets onto an innermost side of the sheet storage means by supplying sheets from a front side of the image formation device main body and a second sheet conveyance passage for conveying the sheets stored in the other sheet storage means, and the ejecting part is provided on the front side of the image formation device main body.

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 such as a copying machine or an LBP which conveys a sheet material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming operation in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or an LBP is performed as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a copying machine main body, and an original table 2 made of a transparent glass plate fixedly provided on the copying machine main body 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a document pressure plate, which presses and fixes the document O placed at a predetermined position on the document table 2 with the image facing downward.

Below the document table 2, a lamp 4 for illuminating the document O and an image processing unit 8 for displaying a light image of the illuminated document O are provided.
Reflecting mirrors 5, 6, 7 and the imaging lens 11 for guiding
An optical system consisting of and is provided. The lamp 4 and the reflecting mirrors 4, 5, 6, 7 move in the direction of arrow a at a predetermined speed to scan the original O.

The image forming section includes a photosensitive drum 12 and a charger 13 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 12.
For developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the optical image emitted from the laser unit 9 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 charged by the charger 13 to form a toner image to be transferred to the sheet S. A developing device 14, a transfer charger 19 for transferring the toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 to the sheet S, and a separation charger for separating the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 12. 20 and a cleaner 26 for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 after the toner image is transferred.

On the downstream side of the image forming section, a conveying section 21 for conveying the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred, and an image on the sheet S conveyed by the conveying section 21 are fixed as a permanent image. The fixing device 22 is provided. Further, a discharge roller 24 for discharging the sheet S having the image fixed by the fixing device 22 from the copying machine main body 1 is provided, and the sheet discharged by the discharging roller 24 is provided outside the copying machine main body 1. A discharge tray 25 for receiving S is provided.

Next, the paper feeding section will be described.

The copying machine shown in the figure is provided with four-stage paper feed units, and each paper feed unit has paper feed cassettes 30a to 30d for accommodating sheet materials and the paper feed cassettes 30a to 30.
Sheet feeding units 31a to 31 provided with rollers for picking up and conveying the sheet material S in d and a driving unit thereof.
and d. In this conventional example, a retard separation type sheet feeding unit is taken as an example.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the paper feeding section.

In the sheet feeding unit 31, the sheet feeding roller 51 contacts the upper surface of the sheet material S in the sheet feeding cassette 30 to pick up the sheet material S. Transport roller 52
Conveys the sheet material S picked up by the paper feed roller 51 to the downstream side. A separation roller 53 is provided at a position facing the transport roller 52.

The separation roller 53 receives a drive force for pushing the sheet S back to the sheet cassette 30 (upstream side) via a torque limiter (not shown). The torque value of the torque limiter and the separation roller are transmitted to the separation roller 53. The pressing force of 53 on the conveyance roller 52 is such that when only one sheet S is nipped between the rollers 52 and 53, the separation roller 53 is rotated together with the sheet material S in the sheet feeding downstream direction, and a plurality of sheets are nipped. When it is present, it is set so as to rotate in the direction in which the second and subsequent sheets S are pushed back into the paper feed cassette 30.

A pull-out roller 54a is provided further downstream of the transport roller 52, and the pull-out roller 54a is provided.
a serves to take over the conveyance of the sheet material S sent from the conveyance roller 52 and send it to the vertical path 32, and also has a vertical path 32 of the sheet material S conveyed from another sheet feeding unit 31 located below. It also plays a role in transporting inside.

A pull-out driven roller 54b is arranged at a position facing the pull-out roller 54a, and the pull-down driven roller 54b is provided in the middle of a vertical path guide 55 assembled to the copying machine main body 1 side. A sheet detection sensor 57 is provided near the pull-out roller 54a, and its output is used for controlling the paper feeding operation and detecting a jam. A conveyance guide 56 is provided at a portion of the paper feeding unit 31 that faces the vertical path guide 55. A vertical path 32 is formed.

A paper feed drive section for controlling the drive of the rollers is provided on the back side of the paper feed unit 31, and a stepping motor as a drive source is also incorporated therein.
Further, the paper feed drive unit is configured to partially face the back surface of the paper feed cassette 30, and when the paper feed cassette 30 is set in that portion, it is driven to the paper feed cassette 30. Is provided to adjust the height of the paper surface. A guide rail 58 for attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette 31 is integrally formed in the lower portion of the paper feed unit 31.

On the other hand, on the paper feed cassette 30, an intermediate plate 61 for lifting the sheet material S, a lifter 62 for lifting the intermediate plate 61, and a coupling on the side of the paper feed unit 31 are connected to the lifter 62. A coupling (not shown) for transmitting drive is provided. Paper feeding unit 31
Is driven by the lifter 62 and the intermediate plate 61.
Lifts the sheet material S so that the uppermost surface of the sheet material S is located at the sheet feeding height. In the paper feed cassette 30,
In addition to the sheet feeding set position, there is a replenishment position that is pulled out from the copying machine main body 1 to replenish the sheet material S, but it can also be completely removed from the copying machine main body 1.

[0016]

However, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described structure, the sheet discharge tray 25 projects to the left side of the main body 1, and the user can insert the sheet material S after the image formation into the main body 1.
Since it is necessary to take out the sheet material S from the left side, a space for taking out the sheet material S must be secured on the left side of the main body 1.

When a JAM occurs in the left and right vertical paths, the left and right JA of the image forming apparatus main body 1 are processed as shown in FIG.
It is necessary to open the M processing covers 33 and 34 and perform JAM processing. As a result, in addition to the spaces L1 and L2 required for jam clearance being required to be set aside on the vertical path side of the main body 1 at the time of installation, an external large-capacity sheet feeding unit is provided on the vertical path 32 side. Vertical path 32
There are restrictions on installation, such as having to move the large-capacity sheet feeding unit each time the jam is processed.

By the way, it is extremely rare that the user actually installs the image forming apparatus in an environment where a sufficient space can be secured around the apparatus. In many cases, the corners of the room or objects In most cases, it is installed so as to be pushed in between. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, the jam processing spaces L1, L are moved by moving the copying machine main body 1 each time a jam occurs or moving the surrounding obstacles.
2 had to be secured, and a great burden was placed on the user.

Further, in recent years, the image forming apparatus has been in the direction of downsizing and space saving, and in this respect also, the reduction of the space required for the jam processing is a big problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the installation space and JAM.
An object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving processing operability.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sheet material storing means for stacking and storing sheet materials, and a sheet feeding means for feeding the sheet materials in contact with the edge of the sheet material. A paper roller, a paper feed frame for accommodating the sheet material accommodating means, a conveyance roller for conveying the sheet material supported by the paper feed frame and conveyed by the paper feed roller, and ejected from the image forming apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus having a discharging unit for receiving the sheet material, the sheet material storing means supplies the sheet material from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body,
A first sheet material conveying path for feeding the stored sheet material and a second sheet material conveying path for conveying the sheet material stored in the other sheet material storing means are provided on the inner side of the sheet material storing means. The discharge unit is located on the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the left side is the front surface of the main body and the right side is the rear surface of the main body.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the image forming unit is arranged so that it is rotated by 90 degrees when viewed from above as compared with the conventional example. In the sheet material conveying path, the vertical path is changed from the left and right side surfaces of the main body to the inner side, and the sheet material conveying at the transfer portion is changed from horizontal conveying to vertical conveying. As a result of this change, the sheet S replenished in the sheet material accommodating means from below the front side of the main body is conveyed upward in the vertical path from the back side of the sheet material accommodating means, and the photosensitive drum 12 at the upper side is conveyed.
The toner image formed on the surface is transferred by the transfer charger 19, and further passes through the upper transport unit 21 and the fixing unit 22 and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 25. Since the other image forming operations are the same as those of the conventional example, description thereof will be omitted.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the user forms an image in all operations such as handling the original O, replenishing the sheet material to the sheet material accommodating means, and taking out the sheet material after the image formation. Since it can be performed from the front of the apparatus main body, the installation space can be reduced, and at the same time, the main body can be easily handled.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, in which the left side is the front surface of the main body and the right side is the rear surface of the main body. Since the present embodiment has many components in common with the first embodiment, differences will be mainly described.

Sheet material accommodating means 30d during image forming operation
When JAM occurs in the vicinity, as shown in Fig. 2,
The sheet material accommodating means 30d is pulled out to the front side. Then,
The jammed sheet material is nipped and exposed by the roller pair on the back side of the sheet material accommodating means 30d. Therefore, this sheet material is removed and the sheet material accommodating means 30d is returned to the original position.

As a result, even in the case of JAM in the vertical path, it is possible to perform JAM processing without providing JAM processing covers on the left and right of the main body, so that it is not necessary to secure an extra jam processing space in advance at the time of installation, and the installation space is further increased. Can be reduced.

Further, even when an external large-capacity paper feed unit is arranged on the vertical pass side, it is not necessary to move the large-capacity paper feed unit each time the vertical pass JAM processing is performed, and the JAM processability is improved. improves.

Further, since the upper sheet material accommodating means in which the JAM sheet does not exist can convey the sheet material, the continuous running of the image forming apparatus becomes possible even during the JAM processing.

<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, in which the left side is the front surface of the main body and the right side is the rear surface of the main body. Since the present embodiment has many components in common with the first and second embodiments, differences will be mainly described.

Sheet material accommodating means 30 during image forming operation
When a JAM occurs across a, 30b, 30c, 30d, a sheet having a JAM sheet in a sheet material conveying path in a sheet material accommodating means by a locking means (not shown) based on information from a JAM sensor (not shown) The material storage means are locked to each other.

Thereafter, the locked sheet material accommodating means 3
0a, 30b, 30c, 30d are pulled out to the front side at once. Then, the sheet material accommodating means 30a, 30b, 30
Since the jammed sheet material is pinched and exposed by the roller pair on the back side of c and 30d, this sheet material is removed and the sheet material accommodating means 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d are returned to their original positions. Then, the locking means (not shown) is released.

As a result, it is not necessary to pull out the sheet material accommodating means in a plurality of stages during the JAM processing, so that the JAM processing becomes easy. Further, since the upper sheet material storing means where the JAM sheet does not exist can convey the sheet material,
The continuous running of the image forming apparatus becomes possible even during the processing.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in which the left side is the front surface of the main body and the right side is the rear surface of the main body. The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.
Since there are many components common to 3 to 3, the differences will be mainly described.

Sheet material accommodating means 30a during image forming operation
When JAM occurs in the vicinity, the nipping pressure of the roller 27 on the main body side is released by a mechanism (not shown) based on information from a JAM sensor (not shown). After that, when the sheet material accommodation means 30a is pulled out to the front side, the sheet material accommodation means 30
Since the jammed sheet material is sandwiched and exposed by the roller pair on the back side of the sheet a, the sheet material is removed and the sheet material accommodating means 30a is returned to the original position. After that, the holding pressure of the roller 27 on the main body side is restored by a mechanism (not shown).

Thus, when the sheet material storage means is pulled out during the JAM processing, the JAM sheet is not pulled by another sheet material storage means or the roller pair on the main body side, so that the JAM processing is facilitated.

In the above first to fourth embodiments, as shown by broken lines in FIGS. 1 to 4, by setting the sheet discharge post-processing means 28 in the sheet discharge section 25, punching, stapling, etc. It is also possible to perform post-discharge processing.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the sheet material storing means for stacking and storing the sheet material and the sheet feeding means for contacting the edge portion of the sheet material and delivering the sheet material. A paper roller, a paper feed frame for accommodating the sheet material accommodating means, a conveyance roller for conveying the sheet material supported by the paper feed frame and conveyed by the paper feed roller, and ejected from the image forming apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus having a discharging unit for receiving the sheet material,
A first sheet material conveying path for feeding the sheet material from the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus and sending the stored sheet material to the inner side of the sheet material storage means, and the sheet material stored in the other sheet material storage means. Since the second sheet material transporting path for transporting the sheet is provided and the discharging section is located on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body, there is an effect that the installation space can be reduced and the JAM processing operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet feeding unit of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols] 25 Paper output section 28 Paper ejection post-processing means 30 sheet material accommodation means 31 Sheet material transport unit 32 vertical path S sheet material

Continued front page    F term (reference) 2H072 AA02 AA16 BA03 BA12 BB00                       CA01 EA11 FA05                 3F049 AA04 CA32 DA12 DB04 LA02                       LA05 LA07 LB03                 3F054 AA01 AC02 AC03 AC05 BA02                       BJ01 DA17                 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB03 FC29 FC30                       GA01 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA07                       HA16 HA36 HB03 HC04 HC27

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sheet material accommodating means for stacking and accommodating sheet materials, a sheet feeding roller for abutting an edge portion of the sheet material and delivering the sheet material, and a sheet feeding frame accommodating the sheet material accommodating means. An image forming apparatus having a body, a conveying roller that is supported by the sheet feeding frame and conveys a sheet material conveyed by the sheet feeding roller, and an ejecting unit that receives the sheet material ejected from the image forming apparatus main body; The sheet material storage means replenishes the sheet material from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body, and feeds the stored sheet material to the inner side of the sheet material storage means. In the first sheet material conveying path and other sheet material storage means. An image forming apparatus, wherein a second sheet material conveying path for conveying the sheet material accommodated in the image forming apparatus is provided, and a discharging section is located on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at the time of JAM, the sheet material storage means is pulled out from the second sheet material conveying path to perform JAM processing. 3. The sheet material accommodating means has a structure in which a plurality of layers are stacked, and JA is provided in the second sheet material conveying path.
2. At the time of M, a plurality of sheet material storing means existing in the second sheet material conveying path lock the JAM sheet with each other, and the locked sheet material storing means is pulled out to perform JAM processing. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. The sheet feeding roller supported by the sheet feeding frame and the sheet feeding roller of the sheet material storing means in which the JAM sheet is not present in the second sheet material feeding path releases the holding pressure for sheet feeding. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein: