JP2004122370A - Image forming apparatus and sheet feeder connected with image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which the structure of a member being held while opening a door is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced, and to provide a sheet feeder connected with the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet feeder 101 connected with the image forming apparatus 1 to feed sheets S to the image forming apparatus 1 compris a door 110 provided rotatably with respect to the body of the image forming apparatus or the sheet feeder, a means for stopping the door 110 to the body of the image forming apparatus or the sheet feeder such that the angle between them does not exceed a specified angle, and a stopper member 131 also serving as a means 140 for holding the rotational state of the door. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, and the like, and a sheet feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus and supplying a sheet to the image forming apparatus. And a technique for holding or holding a door rotatably provided in a sheet feeding apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that transfers an image to a sheet, and a sheet supply unit that supplies the sheet to the image forming unit. In addition, there is a sheet supply device connected to the image forming apparatus, separately from a sheet supply unit in the image forming apparatus. The sheet supply device includes a supply cassette that is a plurality of sheet supply units so that sheets of a plurality of sizes can be supplied into the image forming apparatus.
[0003]
The configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0004]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view near the center of rotation of the sheet feeding apparatus.
[0005]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sheet feeding apparatus 101 has a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to an upper portion thereof. Then, when the user supplies the sheet S, releases the jam of the sheet S, and changes the size of the sheet S, the user opens the door 110 as shown in FIG. In the sheet feeding apparatus 101, the door 110 is configured to rotate horizontally about the rotation center 122.
[0006]
Next, a flow of a process in which the sheets S stacked on the sheet supply device 101 are supplied to the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0007]
When the user stacks the sheets S on the sheet tray 103 and closes the door 110, the door closing detection mechanism (not shown) detects the closing of the door. When the door is detected to be closed, a sheet tray raising motor (not shown) is driven, the sheet tray 103 starts to rise, and the height of the top of the sheet S is reduced by the height detection flag 112 and the height detection sensor 113. When the height reaches a predetermined height, the sheet tray 103 stops.
[0008]
Thereafter, in response to a sheet feed signal from the image forming apparatus 1, the pickup roller 105 descends to pick up the sheet S. The sheet S separated into only one sheet by the feed roller 106 and the retard roller 107 is transported into the image forming apparatus 1 by the transport roller 109 and the pinch roller 108.
[0009]
The sheet S conveyed into the image forming apparatus 1 is conveyed to a registration roller 7 by a conveyance roller 5 and a pinch roller 6 arranged in the image forming apparatus 1, and the registration is performed by the registration roller 7 so that the photosensitive drum 9 is aligned. The image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer roller 10. The transferred image is fixed to a sheet by applying heat and pressure by a fixing roller 14 and a pressure roller 13, and is discharged to a discharge unit 18 by a discharge roller 17.
[0010]
By the way, when the size of the sheet S is changed and the sheet S is supplied, the lever 111 is operated to a predetermined paper size with the door 110 opened, and then the sheet S is stacked on the sheet tray 103.
[0011]
Therefore, the conventional door 110 is provided with a holding member 123 for holding the door 110 in an open state and a locking member 121 for preventing the door 110 from opening too much and breaking the door 110.
[0012]
That is, in the case of the horizontally rotating door 110, if the installation state of the image forming apparatus 1 or the sheet feeding apparatus 101 is inclined or the like, the door 110 starts to move due to gravity, and if the user does not hold the door 110, the door 110 closes, which hinders the work. Become. For this purpose, the conventional image forming apparatus 1 or the sheet feeding apparatus 101 is provided with a holding member 123 that can hold the door 110 open during operation.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 6, the holding member 123 is urged by an urging member such as a spring 124, and is configured to give a force for holding the door 110 when the door 110 is opened by a certain angle or more.
[0014]
The locking member 121 is for locking the door 110 so as not to open more than a predetermined angle. One end of the locking member 121 is fixed to the door 110 with a screw or the like, and the other end is used for sheet feeding. It is attached to a frame (apparatus main body) of the apparatus 101 with screws or the like. The locking member 121 is generally made of a foldable plastic member or a wire.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described configurations of the conventional image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet feeding apparatus 101, both the locking member 121 for preventing the breakage of the door 110 and the holding member 123 for holding the door 110 in an open state are necessary. However, there is a disadvantage that the manufacturing cost is high. Further, since the holding member 123 for holding the door 110 is disposed near the center of rotation of the door 110, it is difficult to adjust the force for holding the door 110, and there is a disadvantage that the assembling work is not easy.
[0016]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost and to easily form an image forming member that holds a door open. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding apparatus connected to the apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a sheet supply unit that supplies a sheet to an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus is rotatable with respect to the sheet supply unit main body. A door provided, locking means for locking the angle of rotation of the door with respect to the sheet supply means main body so as not to exceed a predetermined angle, and holding means for holding a rotating state of the door And a stopper member also serving as a stopper.
[0018]
Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, one end of the stopper member is rotatably attached to the door, the other end is slidably attached to the sheet supply means main body, and the door is provided on the sheet supply means main body side. Has a holding means for holding in a rotating state.
[0019]
Still further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the door is rotatable horizontally with respect to the sheet supply unit main body.
[0020]
Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the door is rotated when the sheet is clogged, the sheet is supplied, or the size of the sheet is changed.
[0021]
Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, the stopper member serves as the locking means and the holding means, so that the price can be reduced, and a configuration that is easy to manufacture becomes possible. An image forming apparatus that can be locked and held can be provided.
[0022]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in a sheet feeding apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus and supplying a sheet to the image forming apparatus, the sheet feeding apparatus is provided rotatably with respect to the sheet feeding apparatus main body. A door, locking means for locking so that the angle formed by the rotation of the door with respect to the sheet feeding device main body does not exceed a predetermined angle, and holding means for holding the rotation state of the door; And a stopper member also serving as the stopper member.
[0023]
Further, in the sheet feeding device connected to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, one end of the stopper member is rotatably attached to the door, and the other end is slidably attached to the sheet feeding device main body. It is characterized in that the sheet supply device has a holding means for holding the door in a rotating state on the main body side.
[0024]
Still further, in the sheet feeding device connected to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the door is horizontally rotatable with respect to the sheet feeding device main body.
[0025]
Still further, in the sheet feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the door is rotated when the sheet is clogged, the sheet is supplied, or the size of the sheet is changed.
[0026]
Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, the stopper member serves as the locking means and the holding means, so that the price can be reduced, and a configuration that is easy to manufacture becomes possible. A sheet feeding device connected to an image forming apparatus that can be locked and held can be provided.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto unless otherwise specified. Absent.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is suitably applied and a sheet feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. In FIG. The device is shown. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the sheet feeding apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the image forming apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus.
[0029]
In the following description, first, the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be briefly described, and then the sheet feeding apparatus 101 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail.
[0030]
First, the image forming apparatus 1 will be briefly described.
[0031]
At the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a feeding cassette 20 capable of stacking and storing sheets S is arranged so as to be drawn out and stored. The sheet S is selectively supplied from a sheet supply unit including the feed cassette 20 or the like or a sheet supply device 101 described later. Here, the case where the sheet S is supplied from the feeding cassette 20 will be briefly described.
[0032]
When the sheet S is supplied from the feed cassette 20, when the feed cassette 20 receives a feed signal from a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1, the pickup roller 2 of the feed cassette 20 is lowered. The uppermost sheet S on the feeding cassette 20 is brought into contact with the sheet S, and the pickup of the sheet S is started.
[0033]
The sheet S fed by the pickup roller 2 is separated into only one sheet by the feed roller 4 and the retard roller 3. The sheet S separated into only one sheet by the feed roller 4 and the retard roller 3 is conveyed toward the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit includes a photoreceptor drum 9, a process cartridge 11 having a process unit (a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit) acting on the photosensitive drum 9, a laser scanner unit 12, and the like.
[0034]
The conveyed sheet S is conveyed to the registration rollers 7 and 8 by the conveyance rollers 5 and the pinch rollers 6, and the leading end position adjustment (skew correction) is performed by the stopped registration rollers 7 and 8. On the other hand, in the image forming section, a toner image according to image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 9.
[0035]
Then, the sheet S is conveyed by the registration rollers 7 and 8 so that the timing is synchronized with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 9 in the image forming unit, and the image on the photosensitive drum 9 is transferred onto the sheet S by the transfer roller 10. You. The transferred image is fixed to the sheet S by applying heat and pressure by the fixing roller 14 and the pressure roller 13. The sheet S on which the image has been fixed is discharged to a discharge unit 18 by a discharge roller 17.
[0036]
Next, the sheet feeding device 101 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 1, a door (hereinafter, referred to as a front door) 110 that is rotatable with respect to the apparatus main body is attached to the front of the sheet feeding apparatus 101. Opening the front door 110 as shown in FIG. 1 allows the user to supply the sheet S, perform a sheet clogging process, or change the size of the sheet S.
[0038]
The front door 110 is configured to rotate horizontally around the center of rotation as shown in FIG. When the size of the sheet S is changed, the lever 111 is operated to adjust the size to a predetermined sheet size, and thereafter, the sheet S is stacked on the sheet tray 103.
[0039]
The flow of the stacked sheets S will be described with reference to FIG. When the sheets S are stacked on the sheet tray 103 which is an elevating member capable of elevating and lowering, and the front door 110 is closed, the door close detection mechanism (not shown) detects the door close. When the door close is detected, the sheet tray raising motor (not shown) is driven, the sheet tray 103 starts to rise, and the height of the top of the sheet S is reduced by the height detection flag 112 and the height detection sensor 113. When the height reaches a predetermined height, the sheet tray 103 stops.
[0040]
Thereafter, in response to a feed signal from the image forming apparatus 1, the pickup roller 105 descends and contacts the uppermost sheet S on the sheet tray 103, and starts picking up the sheet S. The sheet S fed by the pickup roller 105 is separated into only one sheet by the feed roller 106 and the separating member.
[0041]
In this embodiment, as a separating member, a retard roller 107 which is mounted on a retard shaft rotating in the same rotation direction as the feed roller 106 via a torque limiter and abuts on the feed roller 106 to separate the sheet S is used. Used.
[0042]
The sheet S separated into only one sheet by the feed roller 106 and the retard roller 107 is transported into the image forming apparatus 1 by the transport roller 109 and the pinch roller 108. Then, the sheet S conveyed into the image forming apparatus 1 passes through the conveying rollers 5 and the pinch rollers 6, and the operation described in the description of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 is repeated.
[0043]
In the sheet feeding device 101, the front door 110 is attached so as to be able to rotate horizontally.
[0044]
The front door 110 is rotatable by a rotation shaft 141, and the rotation shaft 141 is held by a rotation shaft holding member 142. When closing the front door 110, the position is determined by fitting the positioning shaft 143 into the positioning hole 144.
[0045]
The front door 110 has a rotatable latch member 145. The latch member 145 is rotated by pressing a lever (not shown) on the front of the front door 110. The front door 110 is locked by the latch member 145 being hooked on the latch receiving member 146 attached to the sheet feeding apparatus 101.
[0046]
Further, the front door 110 has an urging member 147 that urges the front door 110 with a spring in the opening direction so that the latch member 145 surely hits the latch receiving member 146. Then, when opening the front door 110, a lever (not shown) is pressed to release the latch member 145 from the latch receiving member 146 and open the door.
[0047]
The front door 110 has a stopper member 131 for preventing the front door 110 from opening more than a predetermined angle (for example, 100 degrees). As shown in FIG. The portion 131a is rotatable. The other end 131b of the stopper member 131 is slidable in a groove 132 provided below the sheet feeding device 101. In FIG. 2, the front door 110 indicates an open state, the front door 110a indicates an open state, and the front door 110b indicates a closed state.
[0048]
That is, when the front door 110 is opened from the closed state, the stopper member 131 slides along the groove 132, and the front door 110 does not rotate any more when the stopper end 131b abuts on the end of the groove 132 ( Locking means).
[0049]
On the near side of the end of the groove 132 (that is, on the side of the sheet feeding apparatus 101), as shown in FIG. 3, a holding portion configured to include a protrusion protruding into the groove 132 and a recess following the protrusion. Means 140 are provided. The convex portion of the holding means 140 has a function of narrowing the width of the groove on the near side by a predetermined section by a protruding shape, while the concave portion has a function of temporarily storing the stopper end 131b. Then, in order for the stopper end 131b to slide in the groove 132 again in the opposite direction, the stopper end 131b must climb over the convex portion of the holding means 140. Therefore, the holding means 140 is provided with the holding means 140 for keeping the front door 110 open. The holding means 140 can hold the front door 110 open while the stopper end 131b is temporarily stored in the recess. In FIG. 2, reference numerals 135 and 136 denote members constituting the groove 132, reference numeral 135 denotes a bottom member of the groove, and reference numeral 136 denotes a side member of the groove.
[0050]
That is, the end 131a of the stopper member 131 also functions as both a locking means and a holding means for the front door 110.
[0051]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the sheet feeding apparatus 101 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A sheet supply unit (supply cassette 20) that is incorporated in the forming apparatus 1 and supplies sheets to the image forming unit may be provided. Even when the present invention is applied to the sheet supply unit, the same effects as described above are obtained. can get.
[0052]
In the above-described embodiment, a laser printer is described as an example of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction peripheral having these functions may be used. The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to the image forming apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus and supplying a sheet to the image apparatus, the image forming apparatus main body or the sheet feeding apparatus main body is rotated. A door provided freely, locking means for locking so that the angle formed by the rotation of the door with respect to the image forming apparatus main body or the sheet feeding apparatus main body does not exceed a predetermined angle, and By providing the stopper member which also serves as a holding means for holding the rotating state, it is possible to reduce the cost and to make the structure easy to manufacture, and to stably lock the rotating door. An image forming apparatus that can be stopped and held and a sheet feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the image forming apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the image forming apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is also used for schematically explaining a conventional image forming apparatus and sheet feeding apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a door rotation center of a conventional sheet feeding apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming apparatus 20 Supply cassette 101 Sheet supply apparatus 103 Sheet tray 105 Pickup roller 106 Feed roller 107 Retard roller 110 Front door (door)
111 Lever 112 Detection flag 113 Detection sensor 121 Locking member 122 Rotation center 123 Holding member 124 Spring 131 Stopper member 131a Stopper end 131b Stopper end 132 Groove 140 Holding means 141 Rotation shaft 142 Rotation shaft holding member 143 Axis 144 Hole 145 Latch Member 147 urging member S sheet

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus having a sheet supply unit that supplies a sheet to an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet,
A door provided rotatably with respect to the sheet supply means main body,
A stopper serving also as a locking means for locking an angle formed by the rotation of the door with respect to the main body of the sheet supply means so as not to exceed a predetermined angle, and a holding means for holding a rotation state of the door. Components,
An image forming apparatus comprising: One end of the stopper member is rotatably attached to the door, the other end is slidably attached to the sheet supply means main body, and a holding means for holding the door in a rotating state is provided on the sheet supply means main body side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the door is horizontally rotatable with respect to the sheet supply unit main body. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the door rotates when the sheet is clogged, the sheet is supplied, or the size of the sheet is changed. 5. In a sheet feeding apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet and supplying a sheet to the image forming apparatus,
A door rotatably provided with respect to the sheet feeding device main body,
A stopper serving also as a locking means for locking an angle formed by the rotation of the door with respect to the sheet feeding apparatus main body so as not to exceed a predetermined angle, and a holding means for holding a rotating state of the door. Components,
A sheet supply device connected to the image forming apparatus. One end of the stopper member is rotatably attached to the door, and the other end is slidably attached to the main body of the sheet feeding apparatus, and a holding means for holding the door in a rotating state on the side of the main body of the sheet feeding apparatus. A sheet feeder connected to the image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The sheet supply device connected to the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the door is rotatable horizontally with respect to the sheet supply device main body. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the door rotates when the sheet is clogged, the sheet is supplied, or the size of the sheet is changed. Sheet feeding device.

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