JP2004051240A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform the replacement operation of electrical equipment by detachably forming a delivery tray in such a shape that can increase the storability of recording paper and storing the electrical equipment with a large replacement frequency in a space part formed at the lower part of the delivery tray. <P>SOLUTION: The delivery tray 40 storing the recording paper sheets prepared in an image forming apparatus is detachably installed on the upper plate 44 of an apparatus body so that an auxiliary tray 42 can be withdrawn. The recording paper loading surface of a tray body member 41 is formed in a curved shape so that the portion thereof corresponding to a delivery roller device 39 becomes lower and the downstream side thereof in the delivery direction of the recording paper sheets becomes higher. The electrical equipment such as a control substrate 46 is stored in the space part 45 provided at the lower part thereof. In addition, a conduction layer 43 is formed, as a thin-film, on the tray body member 41 to provide an electromagnetic wave shielding performance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a discharge tray on which recording paper discharged from an image forming apparatus is placed, and more particularly, to improving the storage capacity of the recording paper in the discharge tray and effectively utilizing the space below the discharge tray. Equipment related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a small-sized image forming apparatus, a recording paper creating unit (recording unit) using an electrophotographic method is disposed between an image reading device provided at an upper part and a paper supply part disposed at a lower part, and the recording paper is formed. A discharge tray for discharging is provided on a side of the recording unit. When the image reading apparatus is configured by combining an FBS (flatbed scanner) and an ADF (automatic document feeder) in the small-sized image forming apparatus, the image reading apparatus may have a large size such as A3 size. In many cases, the apparatus is configured as an apparatus capable of placing an original of a size on a platen and reading an image. Some paper feed trays arranged at the lower portion of the apparatus main body can feed paper corresponding to the large-sized document. Therefore, in the recording section disposed between the reading apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus, it is possible to provide a space on the recording sheet discharge side of the recording section by reducing the size of the components, and the discharge tray Is provided at a position where it enters the lower part of the reading device.
[0003]
In the image forming apparatus, a control panel for inputting information on the operation of the apparatus is arranged on the front side of the image reading apparatus. In addition to an on / off switch, buttons for inputting information required to create recording paper are provided. , Enlargement / reduction ratio and other information are set, and display means for displaying the set information are arranged. Further, a control device for controlling the operation of the device is arranged on the rear side of the device body in combination with a plurality of control boards. In the control device, for controlling the operation of the basic device in the image reading device and the recording unit, a program for controlling the operation, and information from various sensors and the like are input and based on the information. A circuit and the like for controlling the operation are provided.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The recording paper placed on the discharge tray provided in the image forming apparatus is discharged in a curled state by being heated through the fixing device, depending on the moisture content of the paper. However, since the discharge tray on which the recording paper is placed is generally formed as a flat sheet, if the curl paper is deposited on the discharge tray, the recording paper cannot be easily stored. have. In addition, if the specifications of the image forming apparatus differ depending on the country of use, etc., and if the control board is installed only on the rear side of the main body of the apparatus, make it correspond to the destination (country or region of use). It is necessary to replace the control board on the rear side of the apparatus according to the changed specification, and there is also a problem that the work of replacing the control board and the like in accordance with the specification change is troublesome.
[0005]
The present invention is intended to solve the problem of the configuration of the discharge tray and replacement of the control board and the like.A space is provided between the lower part of the discharge tray and the apparatus main body, and the control board is changed in accordance with the specification change. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of performing replacement with respect to a lower portion of a discharge tray.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a discharge tray of an image forming apparatus. The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is detachable from an apparatus main body, and a recording paper discharged from a fixing device is placed on an upper surface side. A discharge tray is provided, and a space is formed between a main body member of the discharge tray and the apparatus main body.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that an electronic circuit board for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus is provided in a space provided between the discharge tray and the apparatus main body.
[0008]
The invention according to a third aspect is characterized in that the upper surface of the discharge tray on which the recording paper is placed is a curved portion inclined downward on the upstream side in the recording paper discharge direction.
[0009]
As described above, since the discharge tray is configured to be detachable, operations such as replacement of a control board disposed below the discharge tray can be easily performed. Further, since the recording paper mounting surface of the discharge tray is formed in a curved shape, the accommodation of curled recording paper can be improved, and the space on the lower surface of the discharge tray can be effectively used.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The configuration of the device of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example. The example shown in FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a small-sized image forming apparatus, and an image reading apparatus 3 is disposed above an apparatus main body 2 provided with a recording unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 1. A large platen 15 corresponding to the FBS and a small platen 16 corresponding to the ADF 5 are arranged above the frame 10 of the image reading device 3. An opening / closing member 4 provided with a platen cover for pressing a document to be set on a large platen 15 is disposed above the frame 10 of the image reading device 3, and an ADF 5 is provided at one end of the upper portion of the opening / closing member 4. I have. The ADF 5 configures a document conveyance path 7 between the document tray 6 and the document discharge tray 9 as a U-shaped curved path in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of conveyance rollers for conveying the document in the document conveyance path. An apparatus 8 is provided, and an image of a conveyed document is read at a position of the small platen 16 below the document conveyance path.
[0011]
The reading device 11 is provided in the frame 10 of the image reading device 3 using a driving unit (not shown) so as to be movable in the left-right direction in the drawing, and the reading device 11 is positioned at a position indicated by a solid line in the drawing. , The reading mode by the ADF 5 is set. Further, by moving the reading device 11 at a predetermined speed in the horizontal direction of the drawing inside the frame 10, the image of the document set on the large platen 15 is read in the FBS mode. The reading device 11 may be provided so as to be movable by combining a full-rate carriage equipped with a lamp and one mirror and a half-rate carriage equipped with two mirrors, like a commonly used device. it can. Further, it is also possible to configure a device that forms an image on a CCD by a lens disposed at a fixed position in the device frame, converts an optical signal into a digital signal, and outputs read information to an image recording unit.
[0012]
In the illustrated example, the reading device 11 is provided with a lamp 12 and a plurality of mirrors, and a lens 13 and a CCD 14 combined in one moving frame. By configuring the reading device 11 as one unit, the configuration of the driving mechanism for the reading device 11 can be simplified, and the image information of the read document can be transferred to the apparatus main body by using a flexible signal cable. Can be transmitted to the control device. The optical path length of a plurality of mirrors provided in the reading device 11 can be formed by combining an arbitrary number of mirrors, and the optical path length can be set to an arbitrary value as in the case of using two general carriages. The length can be set.
[0013]
At the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, a paper feed unit 20 is arranged, and the paper feed unit 20 is equipped with one paper feed tray 21. However, two or many paper feed trays are arranged so as to overlap each other. Then, it is also possible to configure so that sheets of any size can be fed from each of the sheet feeding trays. The paper feed tray 21 disposed in the paper feed unit 20 raises the leading end of the paper placed on the flapper 23 toward the paper feed roller 24 with the rear end regulated by the end guide 22, and The paper taken out by the paper roller 24 is transported through a paper transport path 25. Transport roller devices 26 and 27 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the paper transport path 25, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 33 of the recording unit 30 is transferred to the paper by a transfer roller 34.
[0014]
The recording unit 30 is provided with a combination of a developing device 31 for holding toner and a photoconductor unit provided with a photoconductor drum 33. Based on the image information obtained by the reading device, the writing unit 35 irradiates light to the photosensitive drum 33 to form an electrostatic latent image, and the developing device 31 The toner is supplied from the developing roller 32 to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet by applying a predetermined potential from the transfer roller 34. The paper on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed by applying heat and pressure through a fixing device 38, and the recording paper is discharged toward a discharge tray 40 by a discharge roller device 39. Although the discharge roller device 39 is described as a combination of a drive roller and a pinch roller as shown in FIG. 2, a single drive roller is used to slide the recording paper upward. It may be configured with a mechanism that conveys the sheet while pressing it against the plate.
[0015]
The discharge tray 40 is configured as shown in FIG. 2. The tray main body member 41 on which the discharged recording papers are stacked is integrally formed of a resin material. It is detachably provided on the top 44 and its upper surface is curved. The curved shape of the tray main body member 41 is formed so as to gradually decrease from the downstream end portion on the discharge side of the recording paper toward the discharge roller device 39 on the upstream side. The discharged recording paper is discharged so as to rise along the inclined surface of the tray main body member 41. The curved shape of the tray main body member 41 in the recording paper discharging direction is not particularly limited as long as the recording paper accommodation property can be set well. It is possible to form. The auxiliary tray 42 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out with respect to the tray main body member 41, and when a large-sized recording paper is stored, the leading end of the recording paper on the discharge side hangs outward from the tray main body member 41. It can be held so as not to be done.
[0016]
A space 45 is formed between the curved tray body member 41 and the upper plate 44 of the apparatus body, and a control board 46 can be disposed in the space 45. It is assumed that the control board 46 is mounted with a control board or the like of a control device whose specification is changed in accordance with a destination (use area or country) of the image forming apparatus. For example, basic control means among the functions of the control device need to be provided on a control board concentrated on the rear side of the device main body, and it is necessary to replace it based on changes in device specifications. The control board or the like is provided in the space 45 of the discharge tray. As described above, when the tray body member 41 is formed using a resin material, if the resin material is an insulator, the electrical components such as the control board 46 housed in the space 45 below the tray body member 41 are used. Even if the product touches, there is no short circuit, and since the upper plate 44 of the apparatus body is also made of a resin material, it is possible to secure electrical safety for the control board 46. is there.
[0017]
When the control board 46 and its attached parts are exchanged (replaced), the tray main body member 41 of the discharge tray 40 is provided as a detachable member. The control board 46 can be easily attached and detached, and the work of reattaching the tray main body member 41 after replacement can be easily performed. In order to provide the tray main body member 41 detachably, the plate member of the tray main body member 41 is provided so as to be screwed, or a hooking (locking) means and a screw are combined to facilitate the attaching / detaching operation. It is possible to make it possible. In addition, any conventionally known locking means can be used for attaching and detaching the tray main body member 41, and locking to a space formed between the image reading device and the paper feeding unit is possible. What is necessary is just to insert a tool for attaching and detaching the means so that the means can be easily attached and detached.
[0018]
If there is a possibility that electromagnetic waves may leak out of the control board 46 provided below the tray main body member 41 of the discharge tray 40, the conductive body may be placed on one of the front and back surfaces of the tray main body member 41. The conductive layer 43 can be integrally formed by applying a treatment such as applying the above-mentioned paint. Further, the conductive layer 43 may be formed as a thin film by using a means such as vapor deposition of a conductive material. The conductive layer 43 provided on the tray body member 41 may be formed by a metal frame of the apparatus body. By connecting to and grounding, it is possible to perform processing to prevent electromagnetic waves from leaking out from the control board 46 or the like mounted in the space 45.
[0019]
In addition, the tray main body member 41 constituting the discharge tray can be formed into a curved shape having an arbitrary curvature in accordance with the curl generated on the recording paper, and the length and width thereof are appropriately formed. The auxiliary tray 42 supported by the tray main body member 41 and capable of being pulled out can be provided with a stopper member protruding upward at the protruding end, similarly to a conventionally known auxiliary tray. Further, the conductive layer for electromagnetic wave shielding provided on the tray main body member 41 may be formed integrally with the coating of the surface on which the recording paper slides.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the apparatus of the present invention, since the discharge tray is configured to be detachable, operations such as replacement of a control board disposed below the discharge tray can be easily performed. Further, since the recording paper mounting surface of the discharge tray is formed in a curved shape, the accommodation of curled recording paper can be improved, and the space on the lower surface of the discharge tray can be effectively used. Further, by performing processing such as providing the tray body member with a function of shielding electromagnetic waves, it is possible to prevent electromagnetic waves generated from the control board and the like from leaking out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a structure of a discharge tray.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 image forming apparatus, 2 apparatus main body, 3 image reading apparatus,
4 opening / closing member, 5 ADF, 6 document tray,
7 document feed path, 8 feed roller device, 9 document output tray,
10 reading frame, 11 reading device, 12 lamp,
13 lens, 14 CCD, 15.16 platen,
20 paper feed unit, 21 paper feed tray, 22 end guide,
23 flapper, 24 paper feed roller, 25 paper transport path,
26/27 transport roller device, 30 recording unit, 31 developing device,
32 developing roller, 33 photosensitive drum, 34 transfer roller,
35 writing means, 38 fixing device, 39 discharge roller device,
40 discharge tray, 41 tray body member, 42 auxiliary tray,
43 conductive layer, 44 body upper plate, 45 space,
46 control board.

Claims (3)

It has a discharge tray on which the recording paper discharged from the fixing device is placed, which is detachable with respect to the apparatus main body and on the upper surface side,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a space is formed between a main body member of the discharge tray and an apparatus main body. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an electronic circuit board for controlling operation of the image forming apparatus is provided in a space provided between the discharge tray and the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the discharge tray on which the recording paper is placed is a curved portion that is inclined downward at an upstream side in a recording paper discharge direction.

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