JP2005266824A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus constituted so that a recording medium can be easily confirmed and pulled out, and also, the apparatus can be installed in a small space, and the apparatus can cope with user's operating state and operating situation. <P>SOLUTION: A toner image forming part and an image reading part are stored in individual housings. 1st casters 8 are attached to the 1st housing 1 for storing the toner image forming part, and a recording medium ejection port 4 and an ejected paper receiving part 6 for accumulating the ejected recording medium are arranged in the upper part of the housing 1. The 2nd housing 2 for storing the image reading part can be placed on a rack 3 with 2nd casters 11 attached. And the 1st housing can be stored under the 2nd housing, and the rack is supported from the floor face while being independent from the 1st housing. In such the image forming apparatus, the 1st housing and the 2nd housing can be independently moved, and also, independently operated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on a digital signal.

  In general, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is provided with a document scanning unit in an upper part of a housing and a toner image forming unit in a lower part. In such an image forming apparatus, an original is placed on the upper surface of the housing, and the original is exposed and scanned by the original scanning unit, and image information is temporarily converted into a digital signal to write an image, or reflected light is guided to a photoconductor. It is like that. In the toner image forming unit, an electrostatic latent image is formed by image writing based on the above-mentioned digital signal or image exposure by reflected light, development is performed by toner adhesion, and then the image is transferred and fixed on a recording medium. Get. In such an image forming apparatus, a paper discharge tray is provided so as to protrude laterally from the housing, and a recording medium having a toner image fixed in the housing is discharged to the paper discharge tray.

On the other hand, among such image forming apparatuses in recent years, a digital image forming apparatus in which an original scanning unit converts image information into a digital signal and an image writing based on a digital signal is widely used in a toner image forming unit. This digital image forming apparatus is multifunctional, for example, having both a copying machine and a facsimile, and as a result, the installation location and usage mode of the apparatus are diversified.
JP-A-63-172172

However, the conventional image forming apparatus as described above has the following problems.
First, there is a problem that the installation space becomes large because the paper discharge tray protrudes to the side. As a technique for reducing the installation space of the image forming apparatus, for example, a housing is opened below the toner image forming unit as in a copying machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-172172 (Patent Document 1). A configuration in which a paper discharge tray is incorporated in the opening is known. According to this image forming apparatus, the sheet discharge tray does not protrude from the apparatus main body, and the exclusive area can be reduced. However, in such a copying machine, since the paper discharge tray is positioned below the image reading unit and the toner image forming unit, it is inconvenient to check and take out the discharged recording medium.

  Second, the conventional image forming apparatus has a problem that little consideration is given to using the image reading unit, the toner image forming unit and the like in a multifunctional manner. In other words, the functions and modes required for image forming apparatuses differ depending on the user due to the multi-functionality of the image forming apparatus, but the conventional apparatus is installed in a dedicated space in the same way for any purpose. It is inconvenient because the installation form of the apparatus cannot be changed according to the operator's work and preference.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object thereof is to easily check and take out a discharged recording medium, and the area required for installation is small, and the operator's work Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be used in an installation form according to the user's preference.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes a toner image forming unit that forms an image based on the supplied image information on a recording medium. A first housing provided with a discharge sheet receiving portion on the upper surface for depositing a recording medium on which an image is formed; and scanning the original surface to read an image of the original; and reading the read image information to the toner image An image reading unit to be supplied to the forming unit, and a second housing independent of the first housing;
A support member independent of the first housing that lifts and supports the second housing at a position higher than the first housing, and the second housing is removable from the support member. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the toner image forming unit has a function of forming a copy image of the document based on image information supplied from the image reading unit. And a function of performing printing based on an image signal received from an external device.

The image reading unit places a document on a platen glass and exposes and scans the document surface from the lower surface, includes a document feeding device, reads a document surface to be conveyed by a fixed sensor, and both of them. It is possible to use a variety of other types.
The toner image forming unit can form a toner image based on a digital image signal input from an external device such as a computer, a word processor or another facsimile in addition to the image signal obtained by the image reading unit. It is.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present application, since the toner image forming unit and the image reading unit are housed in separate housings, the discharge sheet receiving unit is provided above the first housing in which the toner image forming unit is housed. It became possible to establish. Therefore, it is not necessary to project the discharge tray from the housing to the side, and it can be installed in a small space. Further, since the discharge sheet receiving portion is provided on the upper portion of the first housing that accommodates only the toner image forming portion, the height of the discharge sheet receiving portion takes out the recording medium or observes the image state of the recording medium. To be appropriate.

  Further, the image reading unit and the toner image forming unit are accommodated in the first housing and the second housing, respectively, and the support member that supports the second housing is independent of the first housing and the second housing. Therefore, for example, copying or facsimile transmission can be performed while desk work is performed only on the second housing in which the image reading unit is accommodated on the desk side. Further, when the first housing in which the toner image forming unit is accommodated can run, the first housing moves and moves, and is used as a printer near a computer or the like. It is possible to easily move and arrange only.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present application, the image reading unit is supported above the toner image forming unit by the support member, and the toner image forming unit is housed in the first housing that can run independently. When it is necessary to frequently take out the discharged recording medium, the first housing is used by pulling it toward the front side of the operator, or the second housing is highly supported and discharged to the upper part of the first housing. Therefore, it is possible to arrange in accordance with the use mode, such as providing a space for easily taking out the recorded recording medium.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner image forming unit is housed in the first housing independent of the image reading unit, whereby the recording medium on which the image is fixed is placed on the upper surface of the first housing. It can be discharged. Therefore, it is not necessary to attach a paper discharge tray, and it can be installed in a small space. It is also easy to take out the recording medium and observe the state of the formed image. Furthermore, it is possible to install and operate only the second housing independently at hand.

Further, since the first housing is supported so as to be able to run on the floor surface, when only the toner image forming portion is required, such as when used as a printer, only the first housing can be moved and used.
In addition, by supporting the second housing above the first housing by the rack, the first housing can be pulled out to the front side of the operator, or the space between the first housing and the second housing can be opened widely. The first housing and the second housing can be appropriately arranged according to various usage modes.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment also functions as a copier, a facsimile machine, and a computer printer.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view and a schematic front view showing the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a first housing 1 that houses a toner image forming unit, a second housing 2 that houses an image reading unit, A rack 3 is provided to support the second housing 2 above the first housing.

The first housing 1 has paper discharge ports 4 in three directions near the edge of the upper surface, and the upper surface of the housing 1 serves as a discharged paper receiving portion 6. Furthermore, a plurality of recording medium storage portions 7 are detachably provided at the lower portion. A first caster 8 is attached to the lower surface of the first housing 1, and the first housing 1 is supported by the first caster 8 so as to be able to travel on the floor surface.
The second housing 2 includes a platen glass (not shown) on which an original is placed and an operation panel 9 for inputting various operation conditions. In addition, the original presser 10 is a platen glass (not shown). Butterfly so as to cover.

  The rack 3 accommodates the first housing 1 inside, and places and supports the second housing 2 on the upper surface. Further, the first housing 1 can be easily pulled out from the opened front surface or stored again. Further, a second caster 11 is attached to the bottom so that the second housing 2 can be easily traveled on the floor surface.

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.
A toner image forming unit is accommodated in the first housing 1. The toner image forming unit is irradiated with laser light on a cylindrical image carrier 41 that is rotatably supported in one direction, a charger 47 that uniformly charges the surface of the image carrier 41, and the image carrier 41. A laser light generator 43 for forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing device 44 for forming a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, a transfer device 45 for transferring the toner image to a recording medium, and an image after the toner image is transferred A cleaning device 46 for cleaning the surface of the carrier and a CPU 42 for controlling each part in the device are arranged. A sheet carrying path 48 through which the transfer device 45 feeds the recording medium from the recording medium storage portion 7 to a portion facing the image carrier is provided along one side surface of the first housing 1. Further, in the vicinity of the discharge port 4 on the upper surface, a fixing device 49 for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording medium, and the recording medium onto which the toner image has been transferred are transferred from the image carrier 41 through the fixing roll 49. A paper guide 50 sent out to the discharge port 4 is disposed.

  An image reading unit is accommodated in the second housing 2. The image reading unit 61 is provided with an image reading device 61 that exposes a document on the platen glass 62 while traveling along the platen glass 62, reads image information, converts the image information into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the laser light generator 43. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading unit may include a document feeding device 63, and a document that is conveyed by the document feeding device 63 may be read by a fixed image reading device 64.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration, when operated as a copying machine, the image carrier 41 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure, and the surface is uniformly charged by the charger 47. At the same time, the image reading device 61 irradiates light on the document surface while traveling in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 2, and image information is obtained by the reflected light. The image reading device 61 converts the image information into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the CPU 42. The CPU 42 controls the laser light generator 43 and generates laser light (image light) based on the digital signal from the laser light generator 43. The laser beam is applied to the surface of the rotating image carrier 41, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the image carrier. To this electrostatic latent image, toner is attached from the developing device 44, and a toner image is formed on the image carrier 41. The image carrier 41 further rotates, and the toner image moves as the image carrier 41 rotates. Then, in synchronization with the movement of the toner image to the position facing the transfer device 45, the recording medium is sent between the image carrier 41 and the transfer device 45 from the paper conveyance path 48. Subsequently, the transfer device 45 transfers the toner image to the recording medium. The recording medium on which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 49 by the paper guide 50, and after the toner image is fixed, the recording medium is discharged out of the first housing 1 from the discharge port 4. Deposited in the upper discharge paper receiving portion 6.

  When operating as a printer, signal lines are connected so that digitized image signals can be input from an external device such as a computer. The digital image signal input from the external device is input from the CPU 42 to the laser light generator, and a toner image is formed on the image carrier 1 in the same manner as when operated as a copying machine, and this toner image is recorded on the recording medium. After being transferred and fixed, it is discharged to the discharge paper receiving portion 6.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, since the recording medium is discharged and deposited on the upper surface of the first housing 1, it is not necessary to provide a paper discharge tray that protrudes laterally from the housing. Can be installed. Further, since the discharge sheet receiving portion 6 on which the recording medium is deposited is located above the first housing 1 that accommodates only the toner image forming portion, the height is easy for the operator to take out the recording medium. In particular, in the present embodiment, the second housing 2 is supported by the rack 3, and the first housing 1 is supported by the casters 8, so that the first housing is pulled out to the front side of the operator. In addition, it is easy to take out the recording medium on which the toner image is fixed and to observe the state of the image on the discharged paper.

  That is, by arranging the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 as shown in FIG. 4A, the exclusive area of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed as much as possible. On the other hand, when it is necessary to frequently take out the discharged recording medium, as shown in FIG. 4B, only the first housing 1 is pulled out from the rack 3 and used for further recording. It is also possible to facilitate removal of the medium from the discharged paper receiving portion 6. At this time, in this embodiment, since the discharge ports 4 through which the recording medium is discharged are provided in three directions, a sorter 71 is attached above the first housing 1 as shown in FIG. be able to. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, by using a paper feeding device 72 that reverses the recording medium on which the toner image is fixed and discharged, and feeds the recording medium again into the paper conveyance path 48, on the side of the first housing 1. It is also possible to form a toner image on the back side and perform double-sided copying or double-sided printing.

  Further, since the image reading unit 60 is accommodated in a housing independent of the toner image forming unit 40, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the image reading unit 60 travels and moves on the first housing 1 in which the toner image forming unit is accommodated. As a printer placed near the computer 70, or as shown in FIG. 8, only the second housing 2 containing the image reading unit is placed on the desk side, and a copy or facsimile is transmitted while performing desk work. The device can be moved and arranged according to the operator's business or the like.

It is the side view and front view which show the image forming apparatus which is one Example of the invention which concerns on this application. It is an internal block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. It is an internal block diagram which shows the image reading apparatus used with the other Example of the invention which concerns on this application. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a first example of a usage mode of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a second example of a usage mode of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a third example of a usage mode of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a fourth example of a usage mode of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a fifth example of a usage mode of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing 2 2nd housing 3 Rack 6 Discharged paper receiving part 7 Recording medium storage part 8 1st caster 11 2nd caster 40 Toner image formation part 61 Image reading apparatus

Claims (2)

A toner image forming unit that forms an image based on the supplied image information on a recording medium is accommodated therein, and a discharge sheet receiving unit for depositing the recording medium on which the image is formed by the toner image forming unit is provided on the upper surface. A first housing provided in
An image reading unit that exposes and scans the document surface to read an image of the document and supplies the read image information to the toner image forming unit; and a second housing that is independent of the first housing; ,
A support member independent of the first housing that lifts and supports the second housing at a position higher than the first housing;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second housing is removable from the support member. The toner image forming unit has a function of forming a copy image of the document based on image information supplied from the image reading unit and a function of performing printing based on an image signal received from an external device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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