JP2004196511A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device equipped with a manual paper feeding tray with a positive lock disposed without using an exclusive lock release mechanism because of allowing the release of an opening/closing lock of the manual paper feeding tray by applying external force in a direction of pushing in an extension sub-tray of the manual paper feeding tray. <P>SOLUTION: In this image forming device, the manual paper feeding tray 2 is provided with the extension sub-tray 3 with projecting shape 5 in a pull-out direction, and an elastic member 6 elastically moved in a reverse direction to the pull-out direction. Fitting shape is formed to be fitted into a position corresponding to the projecting shape 5 of the extension sub-tray 3 in the closed state of the manual paper feeding tray 2, and the opening/closing lock of the manual paper feeding tray 2 is released by applying external force to the elastic member 6 in a direction of pushing in the extension sub-tray 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an image forming apparatus for an electrostatic copying process such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer that forms an image on a recording member such as a recording sheet. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an openable / closable manual paper feed tray for feeding recording paper by itself.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an image is formed on a recording member such as a recording sheet as described below. For example, in a copying machine, a document is first converted into an electric signal by a scanner or an optical system. The electrical signal is written as an optical image on the photoconductor by writing with a laser or the like, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged photoconductor. A colored fine powder typified by toner is electrostatically attached to the latent image by a developing device. Further, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor is electrostatically transferred to transfer paper. Next, the toner on the transfer paper is melted and fixed by heat and pressure to form an image.
At this time, the recording paper is transported from a device on which the recording paper is loaded, such as a paper feed cassette provided in the copying machine, to a transfer position. However, in many copiers, a manual feed tray may be provided in addition to a paper feed cassette in order to feed non-standard recording papers or recording papers not normally used. The manual paper feed tray is provided along the image forming apparatus main body in order to reduce the area occupied by the image forming apparatus and to prevent the operation of the image forming apparatus from being hindered. However, when used, release the lock and open and close to feed paper.
However, many methods have been conventionally used to lock the opening and closing of the manual paper feed tray, but from the viewpoint of cost and environmental considerations (easiness of disassembling and separating different kinds of parts), they are integrally molded of resin. In many cases, a projection is formed in a claw shape and the opening and closing lock is performed using the elasticity of the projection claw itself (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus including a conventional open / close lock. In the method using the elasticity of the protruding claw that is integrally molded of resin, the opening and closing operation must rely on the elasticity of this protruding claw both when opening and closing. In particular, there is a large difference in the operating force at the time of opening. That is, if the convex amount is increased, the operation force is increased, and a burden is imposed on the user. Conversely, if the size is reduced, there is a problem that the machine opens naturally due to the movement of the machine or the vibration during operation.
Furthermore, on machines where the manual feed tray is opened and closed, as opposed to the open / close cover for attaching and detaching the process cartridge, which is often seen in recent small printers, the user operates the open / close cover for attaching and detaching the process cartridge. When the cover is bent, the protrusions are caught by a small amount, and the lock is inadvertently released due to the weight of the manual paper feed tray itself. In such a case, a dedicated operation lever for unlocking is required to reliably perform the locking operation.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-39323 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-21027
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, in the present invention, the opening and closing lock of the manual paper feed tray can be released by applying an external force in the direction of pushing in the extension sub-tray of the manual paper feed tray. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including a manual paper feed tray on which a lock is provided.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus including an operation button that cannot open and close the manual sheet feeding tray unless an operator intentionally operates the operation button, and a manual sheet feeding tray provided with a lock claw. I do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus provided with an openable / closable manual paper feed tray, wherein the manual paper feed tray includes an extension sub-tray having a protrusion shape in a pull-out direction and a pull-out direction. And an elastic member that elastically moves in a direction opposite to the direction in which the manual feed tray is closed, a fitting shape that fits in a position corresponding to the projection shape of the extension sub-tray is formed, and the extension sub-tray is pushed in, An image forming apparatus wherein an open / close lock of a manual paper feed tray is released by applying an external force to an elastic member.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the elastic member in a direction in which the extension sub-tray is pushed is formed of resin integrally with the extension sub-tray.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when the projection shape provided on the extension sub-tray and the fitting shape of the image forming apparatus main body are in contact with each other immediately before fitting during the contraction operation. An image forming apparatus, wherein a slope is provided in a projection shape and / or a fitting shape.
[0006]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus provided with an openable / closable manual paper feed tray, the manual paper feed tray includes an extension sub-tray having an opening / closing lock claw, and a cover of the manual paper feed tray is provided. An image forming apparatus, wherein an operation button is provided in a provided small window.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, an operation button in the small window is operated to release an open / close lock claw.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, a slit is provided on an outer periphery of the operation button of the extension sub-tray and a lock claw located on the opposite side, and the operation button generated by an external force is provided. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the displacement of the lock is transmitted directly to the lock claw.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, showing an open state of a manual paper feed tray. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a manual paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
A manual paper feed tray (2), which can be opened and closed via a hinge (1) with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, includes an extension sub-tray (3) adapted to the size of loaded paper, and is provided on the paper feed tray main body. Move along the rail (4). A lock claw (5) engaging with the main body is integrally formed on the front side (pull-out side) of the extension sub-tray (3), and an elastic projection (6) is integrally formed on the opposite side. When the extension sub-tray (3) is fully pushed along the rail (4), the elastic projection (6) is elastically deformed by several mm. A part of the extension sub-tray (3) is exposed from a notch provided on the outer surface of the manual paper feed tray (2), and a handle (7) provided on the exposed portion is operated, whereby a lock claw (5) is provided. Can be depressed. The lock is provided with a slope on the image forming apparatus side of the claw (5), and when the lock is closed, the slope comes into sliding contact with the other party to complete the lock.
[0008]
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing a state in which a manual sheet feed tray is opened. An opening / closing cover (10) for opening / closing a process cartridge that can be opened / closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body is provided via a hinge (11), and a manual paper feed tray (20) is attached / detached with the opening / closing process cartridge. The opening and closing cover (10) can be further opened and closed. The manual paper feed tray (20) includes a cover (21), a tray (22), and an extension sub-tray (23) adapted to the size of paper to be loaded. The extension sub-tray (23) slides along a pair of rails (211) provided on the cover (21). A lock claw (231) is provided inside the extension sub-tray (23), and an operation button (232) is disposed immediately outside the lock claw (231). The operation button (233) on the cover (21) side is a small window (211), and the operation button (233) is exposed.
[0009]
On the other hand, a lock member (24) is mounted on the opening / closing cover (10) for attaching and detaching the process cartridge at a position where the lock claw (231) is engaged. The lock member is provided with a mechanism such that when the lock member is opened or closed, the operation thereof is achieved by pressing the protrusion apex (for example, NS latch (manufactured by Knicks Corporation)).
Further, the cover (21) has its rigidity secured by a pair of slide rails (211) and a plurality of other ribs, and is in contact with the opening / closing cover (10) for attaching and detaching the process cartridge. Even when an external force is applied to the surface of the cover (21), the lock claw (231) is not displaced.
[0010]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a manual paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. By providing a slit (233) on the outer periphery of the operation button (232) located outside the extension sub-tray (23) and the lock claw (231) located on the opposite side, elastic deformation is promoted and the operation button (232) is provided. ) Directly appears on the lock claw (231).
As a result, conventionally, the manual paper feed tray can be locked by the use of the elasticity of the projection claw itself to eliminate the instability caused by being locked to the open / close cover.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the lock mechanism for releasing the open / close lock of the manual paper feed tray is also used as the extension sub-tray, so that the lock can be securely performed without using a dedicated lock release mechanism. be able to. In addition, since the elastic member itself is an integral part of the extension sub-tray, a product that is reduced in parts cost and environmentally friendly can be provided. Further, when the projection provided on the extension sub-tray and the fitting portion of the image forming apparatus main body contact each other during the closing operation, they slide away from each other, so that even if the user performs a rough operation at the time of closing, the fitting portion is not damaged. .
Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the extension sub-tray itself has the opening / closing lock mechanism, reliable locking can be performed without using a dedicated lock release mechanism. In addition, since the manual paper feed cover itself has sufficient rigidity, there is no problem that the manual paper feed tray is unexpectedly opened by an external force at the time of opening / closing the opening / closing cover for attaching / detaching the process cartridge. Unless the user intentionally operates the operation button, the user cannot open or close the manual paper feed tray. Further, the manual sheet feeding tray can be opened and closed with a small operation force by the elastic deformation near the slit.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing an open state of a manual paper feed tray.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a manual paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing a state in which a manual sheet feed tray is opened.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a manual paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an external view of the conventional image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing an open state of a manual paper feed tray.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 hinge 2 manual feed tray 3 extension sub-tray 4 rail 5 lock claw 6 elastic projection 7 handle 10 opening / closing cover 11 hinge 20 manual feed tray 21 opening / closing cover 22 tray 23 extension sub-tray 24 lock member 211 small window 212 slide rail 231 lock claw 232 Operation butane 233 Slit

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus provided with an openable / closable manual feed tray,
The manual paper feed tray includes an extension sub-tray having a protruding shape in a pull-out direction and an elastic member that elastically moves in a direction opposite to the pull-out direction,
A fitting shape is formed to fit at a position corresponding to the projection shape of the extension sub-tray when the manual sheet feeding tray is closed, and is a direction in which the extension sub-tray is pushed in. An image forming apparatus characterized by releasing an open / close lock of a paper feed tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the elastic member for pushing in the extension sub-tray is formed of resin integrally with the extension sub-tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the projection provided on the extension sub-tray and the fitting shape of the image forming apparatus main body are provided with a slope in the projection shape and / or the fitting shape when they come into contact with each other immediately before fitting during the contracting operation. In an image forming apparatus provided with an openable / closable manual feed tray,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manual paper feed tray includes an extension sub-tray having an open / close lock claw, and an operation button is provided in a small window provided on a cover of the manual paper feed tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
An image forming apparatus, wherein an operation button in the small window is operated to release an open / close lock claw. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
An image forming apparatus, wherein a slit is provided on an outer periphery of an operation button of the extension sub-tray and a lock claw located on the opposite side, and a displacement of the operation button caused by an external force is directly transmitted to the lock claw.

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