JP2003186270A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an image forming device main body from striking against a wall by force exerted by a user and to realize smooth feed of paper within the device. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device has a main cover, an opening/closing cover provided at one end, and a paper feed cassette which is inserted from the one end of the device and the other end of which projects from the main cover. The image forming device supplies paper from the paper feed cassette and forms an image on the supplied paper. The image forming device has a projection member which is on the side of the other end of the paper feed cassette. The projection member projects from the main body cover further away, compared with the end of the paper feed cassette. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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 printer, a copying machine and a facsimile machine. Further, the present invention particularly relates to an image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover that can be opened and closed at one end side, and when the paper feed cassette is mounted from the one end side, the end portion of the paper feed cassette projects to the other end side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus of this type has a plurality of removable paper feed cassettes in addition to a printer main body, and supplies paper from the paper feed cassettes to the printer main body via a guide member. There is. In addition, there is a guide member inside the image forming apparatus and a printing apparatus main body having an opening / closing cover that can be opened and closed at one end side of the image forming apparatus for maintenance and inspection without disassembling the image forming apparatus.

[0003]

However, in the image forming apparatus as described above, the user himself or herself takes in and out the paper feed cassette, and if there is a paper jam, the open / close cover is opened to deal with this. Further, since the image forming apparatus is a semi-permanent installation type apparatus, it is often used by being placed close to a wall or the like. Therefore, when the protruding portion of the cassette from the image forming apparatus faces this near a wall or the like,
When the main body of the image forming apparatus moves due to the above-mentioned operation of the user and the cassette comes into contact with a wall or the like, the paper guide member inside the cassette is displaced from the guide member of the main body of the apparatus, and the paper is jammed at the position of the guide member. There were challenges.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a highly reliable image forming apparatus in which paper is not jammed even when a user opens and closes an opening / closing cover. It is in.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the main invention is to provide a main body cover, an openable / closable open / close cover provided on one end side, and an end portion inserted from the one end side to the one end. And a sheet feeding cassette protruding from the main body cover on the other end side opposite to the side, the sheet is supplied from the sheet feeding cassette, and an image is formed on the supplied sheet. It is characterized in that it has a protruding member on the other end side that protrudes further from the main body cover than the end portion.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION === Summary of Disclosure === By the description in the detailed description of the invention in the present specification,
At least the following is revealed.

A main body cover, an openable / closable open / close cover provided at one end side, and a paper feed inserted from the one end side and having an end portion protruding from the main body cover at the other end side opposite to the one end side. In an image forming apparatus having a cassette, to which a sheet is fed from the sheet feeding cassette and which forms an image on the fed sheet, a projecting member that is more projecting from the main body cover than the end portion is provided. An image forming apparatus having the other end.

According to such an image forming apparatus, for example, an operation of closing the opening / closing cover or an operation of pushing one of the sheet feeding cassettes into the main body cover moves the image forming apparatus, and the other of the main body cover is moved. When the end side is likely to collide with the wall, the projecting member most projecting on the other end side collides with the wall. Therefore, it is possible to feed the paper in the image forming apparatus without changing the position of the paper feed cassette due to the collision between the paper feed cassette and the wall.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the paper feed cassette may have a guide member for guiding the paper when the paper is supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

According to such an image forming apparatus, since the paper feed cassette is prevented from being displaced from the main body cover, the paper is guided to the printing apparatus by the guide member in the paper feed cassette. It can be reliably sent.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, the guide member may guide the paper to a contact portion between a pair of rollers provided in the printing apparatus main body.

According to such an image forming apparatus, in order to prevent the sheet feeding cassette from being displaced from the body cover, the sheet passes through a contact portion between a pair of rollers in the image forming apparatus body. It can be reliably sent to the printing apparatus.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, a plurality of the paper feed cassettes may be arranged vertically.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when one of the paper feed cassettes is taken in and out, it is prevented that the other moves and the plurality of paper feed cassettes are displaced from each other. It is possible to reliably feed the paper from the paper feed cassette to the printing device.

In the image forming apparatus, the upper sheet feeding cassette arranged on the upper side has an opening on the bottom surface, and the sheet is opened from the lower sheet feeding cassette below the sheet feeding cassette. It may be supplied to the main body of the printing apparatus through a section.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when one of the paper feed cassettes is taken in and out, the other is prevented from moving and the positions of the plurality of paper feed cassettes are prevented from being displaced from each other. It is possible to reliably feed the paper from the lower paper feed cassette to the printing device through the opening of the upper paper feed cassette.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, the sheet provided in the lower sheet feeding cassette is guided to the sheet guiding member provided in the upper sheet feeding cassette after passing through the opening. It may be supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when one of the paper feed cassettes is taken in and out, it is prevented that the other moves and the positions of the plurality of paper feed cassettes are displaced from each other, so that the paper is not fed. It is possible to reliably feed the paper from the lower paper feed cassette to the printing device through the opening of the upper paper feed cassette.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the protruding member may be foldable.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when there is no space for using the projecting member, the projecting member can be folded.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, the projecting member may be movable back and forth in the projecting direction.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when there is no space for using the projecting member, it is possible to push the member into the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus, the projecting member may be capable of supporting a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus.

According to such an image forming apparatus, the member supporting the sheet on which the image is formed can also serve as the projecting member.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, the projecting member may have a contact detecting member at a tip thereof for detecting contact.

According to such an image forming apparatus, the user can confirm whether or not the protruding member is in contact with the wall by directly checking whether or not the contact detecting member is operating. .

In the image forming apparatus, a warning may be issued when the contact detecting member detects that the protruding member contacts an object.

According to such an image forming apparatus, since no more force is applied to the apparatus due to the warning, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being applied with more force than necessary.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the projecting members may be provided on the left and right when viewed from the other end side to the one end side.

According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to rotate the image forming apparatus on the floor so as not to collide with the wall even when a force is exerted on either the left side or the right side of the body cover. Becomes

In the image forming apparatus, the paper feed cassette is restricted from moving in the direction from the one end side to the other end side, and the movement in the direction from the other end side to the one end side is restricted. May be acceptable.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when the paper feed cassette is inserted, the main body cover is caused by the impact from the one end side to the other end side of the image forming apparatus due to the above regulation. Also, it is possible to prevent misalignment between the paper feed cassettes and misalignment between the plurality of paper feed cassettes. Therefore, it becomes possible to reliably send the paper from the paper feed cassette to the printing device.

Further, the main body cover, the openable and closable cover provided at one end side, and the end portion inserted from the one end side and protruding from the main body cover at the other end side opposite to the one end side. In an image forming apparatus having a paper feed cassette, the paper being fed from the paper feed cassette and forming an image on the fed paper, a projecting member projecting more from the main body cover than the end portion. Is provided on the other end side, and the paper feed cassette has a guide member for guiding the paper when the paper is supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the guide member is provided in the main body of the printing apparatus. The paper is guided to the contact portion between the pair of rollers, and the plurality of paper feeding cassettes are arranged in the vertical direction. The upper paper feeding cassette arranged on the upper side has an opening on the bottom surface. The lower feed on the bottom of the paper cassette Paper is supplied from the cassette to the printing apparatus main body through the opening, and the paper provided in the lower paper feeding cassette is provided in the upper paper feeding cassette after passing through the opening. The sheet is guided by a guide member that guides the sheet and is supplied to the image forming apparatus main body, and the projecting member can support the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and the projecting member is provided at the tip thereof. A contact detection member for detecting contact is provided, and when the contact detection member detects that the projecting member has come into contact with an object, a warning is issued, and the projecting member extends from the other end side to the one end. When viewed from the side, the paper feed cassettes are provided on the left and right, and movement of the paper feed cassette in the direction from the one end side to the other end side is restricted, and movement in the direction from the other end side to the one end side is restricted. Is allowed, An image forming apparatus comprising and.

According to such an image forming apparatus, since the deviation between the main body cover and the paper feed cassette and the deviation between the plurality of paper feed cassettes are prevented, the paper is guided by the guide member and the paper feed cassette. Through the contact portion and the opening, it is possible to surely feed the printing apparatus.

=== Outline of Image Forming Apparatus (Laser Beam Printer) === Next, referring to FIG. 1, taking a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of an image forming apparatus, its outline will be described. explain. FIG. 1 shows a printer 10.
It is the figure which showed the main components which comprise.

The printer 10 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the charging unit 30, the exposure unit 40, the YMCK developing unit 50, the primary transfer unit 60, and the intermediate transfer member 70 along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 that is a latent image carrier that carries the latent image. , A cleaning unit 75, a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 9
0, a display unit 95 including a liquid crystal panel that does not notify the user, a main body cover 96 for accommodating the above, an opening / closing cover 97, a paper support member 98 for supporting a paper on which an image is formed, and one embodiment of the present invention. It has a projecting member 100 as an embodiment. Each of these units is controlled by a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the printer.

The photoconductor 20 has a cylindrical conductive base material and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. In this embodiment, it shall rotate clockwise.

The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a laser 45.
Is a device for forming a latent image on the charged photoconductor 20 by irradiating with. The exposure unit 40 has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and based on an image signal input from a host device (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor,
The modulated laser 45 is applied to the charged photoconductor 20.

The YMCK developing unit 50 includes the photoconductor 20.
This is a device for developing the latent image formed on the surface using yellow (Y) toner, magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner, and black (K) toner.

The YMCK unit 50 includes a black developing device 51 containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 52 containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 53 containing cyan (C) toner, and a yellow developing device. (Y) Four holding portions 55a, 55b, 55 that respectively hold the yellow developing device 54 containing the toner
c and 55d. The four developing devices 51, 5
2, 53, and 54 are configured to be rotatable about the central axis 50a, and selectively oppose the photoconductor 20 each time the photoconductor 20 makes one rotation, and the developing devices 51, 5 are provided.
The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed with the toners contained in 2, 53, and 54.

The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring the monochromatic toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer member 70. When the four color toners are sequentially transferred in an overlapping manner, the intermediate transfer member 70 is transferred. A full-color toner image is formed on. The intermediate transfer member 70 is an endless belt, and is rotationally driven at the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 20. The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring the single-color toner image or the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 onto a paper such as paper, film, cloth or the like.

The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing the single-color toner image or the full-color toner image transferred on the sheet to the sheet to form a permanent image.

The cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a rubber cleaning blade 76 that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. The primary transfer unit 60 performs intermediate transfer. This is a device for scraping off the toner remaining on the photoconductor 20 by the cleaning blade 76 after the toner image is transferred onto the body 70.

Next, the printer 10 configured as described above.
The operation will be described with reference to other components.

First, an image signal from a host device (not shown) is passed through an interface (not shown) to the photoconductor 20 of the printer 10, the developing roller as a toner carrier provided in the developing device, and the intermediate transfer member 70. Rotates. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

The charged area of the photoconductor 20 is equal to that of the photoconductor 2.
With the rotation of 0, the exposure position is reached, and the exposure unit 40 forms a latent image corresponding to the image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, in the area. Further, the YMCK developing unit 50 positions the yellow developing device 54 containing the yellow (Y) toner at the developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the developing position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoconductor 20.

The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates,
The image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70 by the primary transfer device 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. In addition,
During this time, the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer body 70.

By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the toner images of four colors corresponding to the respective image signals are overlapped on the intermediate transfer member 70. Transcribed. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.

The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer member 70 rotates, and is transferred onto the sheet by the secondary transfer unit 80. The paper is conveyed from the paper feed tray 140 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 130, the roller pair 120, and the like. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.

The full-color toner image transferred to the paper is
The fixing unit 90 heats and pressurizes and fuses the sheet.

On the other hand, after the photoconductor 20 has passed the primary transfer position, the toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75 to form the next latent image. Prepare for charging. The scraped off toner is collected by the residual toner collecting section of the cleaning unit 75.

The photoconductor 20 is unitized together with the charging unit 30 and the cleaning unit 75 and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the printer 10. Also,
The black developing device 51, the magenta developing device 52, the cyan developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54 are detachable from the main body of the printer 10, respectively.
Retaining portions 55a, 55 provided in the developing unit 50
It is configured so that it can be attached to any of b, 55c, and 55d.

=== Outline of Paper Guide Mechanism === An outline of the paper guide mechanism of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main components that make up the paper guide portion of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper guide mechanism of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment has a first guide member 111, a second guide member 112, a roller pair 120, and a paper feed roller 130 provided on the main body of the printer 10. , And the upper paper feed cassette 15
1, and a third guide member 113, a fourth guide member 114, a paper feed tray 140, which are provided in the lower paper feed cassette 152,
It has a bottom opening 160 and a movement restricting panel 170.

Upper paper feed cassette 151 and printer 1
In the above-mentioned constituent elements of the main body 0, the paper feed tray 140 is
The paper is supported to bring the paper feed roller 130 into contact with the paper, and the rotational torque of the paper feed roller 130 is exerted on the paper. The third guide member 113 guides the sheet fed to the paper feed roller 130 to the first guide member 111, and the first guide member 111.
Guides the sheet to the contact portion of the roller pair 120.
On the bottom surface of the upper paper feed cassette 151, there is a bottom opening 160 for passing the paper sent from the lower paper feed cassette 152, and this has a predetermined size through which the paper can pass. Also, the roller pair 1 on the lower side of the printer 10 main body
The paper sent from the second guide member 112 and the fourth guide member 112.
The guide member 114 guides in the vertical direction.

Lower paper feed cassette 152 and printer 1
In the above-mentioned constituent elements of the main body 0, the paper feed tray 140 is
The paper is supported to bring the paper feed roller 130 into contact with the paper, and the rotational torque of the paper feed roller 130 is exerted on the paper.

The third guide member 113 has a paper feed roller 130.
Guide the sheet sent to the first guide member 111,
The first guide member 111 guides the sheet to the contact portion of the roller pair 120.

Next, the step of feeding the sheet by the above guide mechanism will be described. Upper paper feed cassette 151
In, the paper supported by the paper feed tray 140 is sent out by the counterclockwise rotation of the paper feed roller 130, and the leading end of the paper leaves the paper feed tray 140 (S200).
It slides on the third guide member (S201), slides upward by the first guide member (S202), reaches the contact portion of the roller pair 120 (S203), and is sent to the secondary transfer unit 80 (S204).

The paper is sent by the frictional force between the paper feed roller 130 and the paper feed tray 140 and between the paper feed roller 130 and the third guide member.

In the lower paper feed cassette 152, the paper supported by the paper feed tray 140 is sent out by the counterclockwise rotation of the paper feed roller 130, and the leading end of the paper leaves the paper feed tray 140 (S300). , Slide on the third guide member (S301), slide upward by the first guide member (S302), and reach the contact portion of the roller pair 120 (S).
303), the bottom opening 160 of the upper sheet feeding cassette 151
(S304), and the upper sheet feeding cassette 151
The first guide member 111 and the second guide member 11 are passed through between the guide member 113 and the fourth guide member 114 (S305).
After passing between the two (S306), reaching the contact portion of the roller pair 120 (S307), it is sent to the secondary transfer unit 80 (S308).

The paper is sent by the frictional force between the paper feed roller 130 and the paper feed tray 140 and between the paper feed roller 130 and the third guide member.

=== Failure Cause and Paper Jam Operation ==
= The cause of the problem of the paper guide mechanism that occurs when the protruding member 100, which is a constituent feature of the present invention, does not exist will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the force acting on the printer 10, the movement of the printer 10 caused by the force, and the movement of the members of the printer with arrows. The causes of the defects are classified into the following three cases.

In FIG. 3A, when the opening / closing cover 97 is closed, the main body of the printer 10 moves toward the wall on the floor by the force applied to one end side of the printer 10, and the upper sheet feeding cassette 151 and the lower sheet feeding cassette 151 are moved downward. The case where the other end of the side sheet feeding cassette 152 collides with a wall and both cassettes project from one end of the main body is illustrated.

In FIG. 3B, when both the upper sheet feeding cassette 151 and the lower sheet feeding cassette 152 are in contact with the wall, the upper sheet feeding cassette 151 is pulled out to one end side of the main body of the printer 10. When the movement restricting panel 170 collides with one end side of the main body due to closing, the other end sides of both cassettes hit the wall by this force, and the impact causes the lower sheet feeding cassette 152 to project to one end side of the main body. Is illustrated.

In FIG. 3C, when both the upper paper feeding cassette 151 and the lower paper feeding cassette 152 are in contact with the wall, the lower paper feeding cassette 152 is pulled out to one end side of the main body of the printer 10. When the movement regulating panel 170 collides with one end side of the main body due to the closing, the other end sides of both cassettes hit the wall by this force, and the impact causes the upper sheet feeding cassette 151 to project to one end side of the main body. Is illustrated.

The phenomenon in which the sheet feeding is blocked in each of the above three cases will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal shift of the paper guide mechanism as seen from a cross section of the paper guide mechanism.

In FIG. 4A, the upper sheet feeding cassette 15
The phenomenon in which sheets are blocked is illustrated for both the first sheet feeding cassette 152 and the lower sheet feeding cassette 152. In the upper paper feed cassette 151, the paper supported by the paper feed tray 140 is sent out by the counterclockwise rotation of the paper feed roller 130, and the leading edge of the paper leaves the paper feed tray (S20).
0), the space between the second guide member 112 and the third guide member 113 is blocked. In the lower paper feed cassette 152, the paper supported by the paper feed tray 140 is sent out by the counterclockwise rotation of the paper feed roller 130, and the leading edge of the paper leaves the paper feed tray 140 (S300), but the main body cover It is sent to the inner wall of 96 and stops.

In FIG. 4B, the lower paper feed cassette 152
For, the phenomenon that the paper is blocked is illustrated. In the lower paper feed cassette 152, the paper supported by the paper feed tray 140 is sent out by the counterclockwise rotation of the paper feed roller 130, and the leading edge of the paper leaves the paper feed tray 140 (S300), but the main body cover It is sent to the inner wall of 96 and stops.

In FIG. 4C, the upper sheet feeding cassette 15
The phenomenon in which sheets are blocked is illustrated for both the first sheet feeding cassette 152 and the lower sheet feeding cassette 152. In the upper paper feed cassette 151, the paper supported by the paper feed tray 140 is sent out by the counterclockwise rotation of the paper feed roller 130, and the leading edge of the paper leaves the paper feed tray (S20).
0), the space between the second guide member 112 and the third guide member 113 is blocked. In the lower paper feed cassette 152, the paper supported by the paper feed tray 140 is fed by the counterclockwise rotation of the paper feed roller 130, and the leading end of the paper leaves the paper feed tray 140 (S300), It slides on the guide member (S301) and slides upward by the first guide member (S302) to reach the contact portion of the roller pair 120 (S303), but stops on the bottom surface of the upper sheet feeding cassette 151.

=== Configuration and Function of Projecting Member === The causes of the paper jam described above are all caused by the displacement between the upper paper feeding cassette 151 or the lower paper feeding cassette 152 and the main body of the printer 10, or This is attributed to the misalignment between the upper sheet feeding cassette 151 and the lower sheet feeding cassette 152. Therefore, if the above deviation is prevented, the paper can be fed inside the printer 10 without jamming.

As shown in FIG. 5, the projecting member 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention projects most at the other end surface of the main body of the printer 10. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an appearance of the printer 10 including the protruding member 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When the opening / closing cover 97 is closed, the upper sheet feeding cassette 151 is closed, or the lower sheet feeding cassette 152 is closed, the projecting member 100 first hits the wall, so that both cassettes come from one end surface of the main body of the printer 10. It prevents the paper from sticking out and prevents paper jams.

In FIG. 5, as one embodiment of the present invention, a projecting member 100 which is rotatable and hingeable on the hinge 101 is illustrated. When there is no space to use the projecting member 100, it is possible to fold the member and arrange the member along the surface of the main body cover 96.

=== Other Embodiments === The printing apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on some embodiments. However, the above-described embodiments of the present invention should be understood as an understanding of the present invention. It is for the purpose of facilitation and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

In FIG. 6, as one embodiment of the present invention, a projecting member 102 that can move forward and backward in the projecting direction is shown. When there is no space to use the projecting member 102, the projecting member 102 can be pushed into the storage space of the main body of the printer 10 to be stored. The projecting member 102a is
The protrusion member 102 is arranged so as to be ejected from the surface of the protrusion member 102 by the force of a bent spring. The pop-out member 102a is pushed into the projecting member 102 in the storage space of the main body of the printer 10, but pops out of the printer and receives a force due to the collision between the projecting member 102 and the wall.

In FIG. 7, as one embodiment of the present invention, the case where the projecting member 103 also serves as the sheet supporting member 98 is shown. For example, since the discharge space for B4 and A3 size sheets is not sufficient only in the upper portion of the main body of the printer 10, a member for supporting the sheet is necessary, and the projecting member 103 also has a function of supporting the sheet. .

In FIG. 8, as an embodiment of the present invention, a contact detection member 104a for detecting contact with a wall is provided at the tip of the protruding member 104, and a warning member 104b for warning the display unit 95 by lighting the contact. Illustrated printer 10 is shown. For example, according to FIG. 8, the contact detection member 104a has a function of a switch in a circuit that applies a current from the power supply 104c to the warning member 104b. With the contact detection member 104a, it is possible to confirm whether or not the protruding member 104 is in contact with the wall by directly checking whether or not the light is turned on. Further, if the warning is issued, it is possible to prevent the user of the printer from exerting excessive force on the printer.

In FIG. 9, as one embodiment of the present invention, 2
The external appearance of the printer 10 having the projecting member 105 of the book as viewed from the side and the top is illustrated. Two protruding members 10
Reference numerals 5 are provided on the left and right sides when viewed from the other end side to the one end side of the printer 10. In this case, the printer 10 does not rotate on the floor even if the user's force is applied to either the left or right side of the main body cover 96, and thus does not collide with the wall.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus main body from colliding with the wall by the force from the user and realize the paper feeding in the apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main components constituting a print function portion of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing main components constituting a paper guide function portion of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing, by arrows, the force acting on the image forming apparatus body, and the movement of the apparatus body and the apparatus member caused by the force.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an internal displacement of a paper guide mechanism of the image forming apparatus
It is the figure seen from the cross section of this mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a foldable protruding member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a projecting member capable of advancing and retracting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sheet supporting member and a projecting member as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a contact detection member according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus provided with a warning member.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an external appearance of an image forming apparatus having two projecting members as seen from a side surface and an upper portion, as an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Laser beam printer 20 tourist bodies 30 charging unit 40 exposure unit 45 laser 50 YMCK development unit 50a rotating shaft 51 black developing device 52 Magenta developing device 53 Cyan developing device 54 yellow developing device 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d Holding section 60 Primary transfer unit 70 Intermediate transfer unit 75 cleaning unit 76 cleaning blade 80 Secondary transfer unit 90 fixing unit 95 display unit 96 body cover 97 Open / close cover 98 Paper support member 100 protruding member 101 Hinge 102 protruding member 102a projecting member 103, 104 protruding member 104a contact detection member 104b warning member 104c power supply 105 protruding member 111 First guide member 112 Second guide member 113 Third guide member 114 fourth guide member 120 roller pair 130 paper feed roller 140 paper feed tray 151 Upper paper feed cassette 152 Lower paper cassette 160 Bottom opening 170 Movement restriction panel

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Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A main body cover, an openable / closable cover provided at one end side, and an end portion inserted from the one end side and protruding from the main body cover at the other end side opposite to the one end side. An image forming apparatus that includes a paper feed cassette, supplies paper from the paper feed cassette, and forms an image on the supplied paper. A projecting member that projects further from the main body cover than the end portion. An image forming apparatus having: the other end side. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper feed cassette has a guide member that guides the paper when the paper is supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide member guides the sheet to a contact portion between a pair of rollers provided in the printer main body. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the paper feed cassettes are arranged in a vertical direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the upper sheet feeding cassette arranged on the upper side has an opening on the bottom surface, and the lower sheet feeding cassette located below the sheet feeding cassette An image forming apparatus, wherein a sheet is supplied to the printing apparatus main body through the opening. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sheet provided in the lower sheet feeding cassette guides the sheet provided in the upper sheet feeding cassette after passing through the opening. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is guided by a guide member for supplying the image forming apparatus main body. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member is foldable. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member is movable in the protruding direction. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member can support a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus. Forming equipment. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member has a contact detection member for detecting contact at the tip thereof. apparatus. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a warning is issued when the contact detecting member detects that the protruding member contacts an object. . 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member is provided on the left and right when viewed from the other end side to the one end side. Image forming apparatus. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein movement of the paper feed cassette in a direction from the one end side to the other end side is restricted, and An image forming apparatus, wherein movement in a direction from an end side to the one end side is allowed. 14. A body cover, an openable and closable cover provided at one end side, and an end portion inserted from the one end side and protruding from the body cover at the other end side opposite to the one end side. An image forming apparatus that includes a paper feed cassette, supplies paper from the paper feed cassette, and forms an image on the supplied paper. A projecting member that projects further from the main body cover than the end portion. Is provided on the other end side, the paper feed cassette has a guide member for guiding the paper when the paper is supplied to the image forming apparatus main body, and the guide member is provided in the printing apparatus main body. The paper is guided to the contact portion between the pair of rollers, and the plurality of paper feed cassettes are arranged in the vertical direction. The upper paper feed cassette arranged on the upper side has an opening on the bottom surface. The lower feed on the bottom of the paper cassette Paper is supplied from the cassette to the printing apparatus main body through the opening, and the paper provided in the lower paper feeding cassette is provided in the upper paper feeding cassette after passing through the opening. , Guided by a guide member for guiding a sheet and supplied to the image forming apparatus main body, the projecting member can support the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and the projecting member has a tip end thereof. A contact detection member for detecting contact is provided, and when the contact detection member detects that the projecting member has come into contact with an object, a warning is issued, and the projecting member is provided from the other end side to the one end. When viewed from the side, they are provided on the left and right, and the movement of the paper feed cassette in the direction from the one end side to the other end side is restricted, and the movement in the direction from the other end side to the one end side is restricted. Is allowed An image forming apparatus characterized by.