JP2006151618A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording device of favorable operation performance with relation to visibility and taking-out easiness of delivery paper, document handling easiness, etc., while reducing the size of a device main body. <P>SOLUTION: In an MFP having a reader disposed at an upper part of a printer, the reader is composed openable and closable for improving operation performance related to handling easiness of documents and handling easiness of delivery paper both. A delivery paper switching means is provided below the reader, and the destination of delivering recorded paper is switched between a printer upper surface and a reader upper surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which an image reading unit including an image reading unit is disposed on an upper surface of an image forming unit including an image forming unit.

  Conventionally, an image reading unit has been arranged on the upper surface of a small image forming unit, and an image having a multifunction (hereinafter referred to as MFP) function capable of performing a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a copy function, and a facsimile function with one apparatus. Forming devices have become popular in recent years.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printer unit (image forming unit) 30 having such a small MFP function conveys the paper P from the cassette 17 on which the paper is stacked, and displays an image using yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners. Each process kit of 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk is formed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 so that the full-color toner image is transferred to the paper by the secondary transfer roller 12. The toner is pressurized and heated by a fixing device 16 to record an image on a sheet, and the sheet is stacked on a sheet discharge tray 22 provided on the upper surface of the printer unit.

  A reader unit (image reading unit) 40 that reads an original is disposed at a position where the space S necessary for taking out the sheet material stacked on the paper discharge tray 22 is maintained above the printer unit 30, and the recorded paper is taken out. And the ability to load the original to be read.

As another conventional example, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 can be cited.
JP 2003-118918 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-051579

  However, in such a configuration, since the leader portion is disposed above the paper discharge tray on the upper surface of the printer portion, in order to take out the recorded paper that has been discharged, the upper portion of the printer portion and the lower portion of the leader portion are required. It is necessary to ensure that there is sufficient space S between them so that the discharged paper can be seen and the operator can put in his hand and take out the paper. The height of the recording apparatus is increased, the height of the document reading surface of the reader unit is increased, and the operability such as handling of the document is deteriorated.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides an image recording apparatus having good operability such as the visibility of a discharged sheet, the take-out ability, and the handling of an original while reducing the size of the apparatus main body. is there.

  In an image forming apparatus provided with an image forming unit having an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet and an image reading unit having an image reading unit for reading a document above the image forming unit, the image reading unit A first recording paper stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit, a second recording paper stacking unit provided on the upper part of the image reading unit, and an image There is provided a switching unit for selectively stacking the recording sheet on which the image is formed in the forming unit on the recording sheet stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit and the recording sheet stacking unit provided on the upper part of the image reading unit. It was.

  As described above, the image reading unit is configured to be movable with respect to the image forming unit, the first recording paper stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit, and the upper part of the image reading unit. A second recording paper stacking means, a recording paper stacking means provided on the upper surface of the image forming section, and a recording paper stacking means provided on the upper part of the image reading section. By providing switching means for selectively loading, an image forming apparatus having excellent operability and space saving can be provided.

  Further, by using the sheet conveying means provided at the lower part of the image reading unit as the switching means, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is excellent in handling of recording paper and saves space.

  The switching unit is a moving unit that moves the image reading unit, and is located above the first recording paper stacking unit and the image reading unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit with respect to the discharge unit of the image forming unit. By selectively arranging the provided second recording paper stacking means, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with excellent operability and space saving by selectively stacking recording paper.

  Further, when recording is performed by the image recording unit while the image data is being read by the image reading unit, the sheet is discharged and stacked on the first recording sheet stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit, and the image data is read by the image reading unit. When the image recording unit performs image recording without performing the reading operation, the paper is discharged and stacked on the second recording paper stacking unit provided at the top of the image reading unit, so that the operation can be performed in either case. An image forming apparatus having excellent properties could be provided.

(Example 1)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a state when the image forming apparatus according to the present invention operates as a printer. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part when the image forming apparatus embodying the present invention operates as a copying machine. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part in a state where the leader part of the image forming apparatus embodying the present invention is opened.

  The printer unit 30 which is an image forming unit of the present invention is a full-color image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer member in an electrophotographic system, and the reader unit 40 which is a document reading unit is a line sensor type reading unit along a document. This is an image reading apparatus that moves and reads an original, and is a multi-function apparatus that can perform a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a copy function, and a facsimile function by combining the two.

  The image forming apparatus is configured such that the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the front side of the apparatus, and the paper cassette 17 can be attached and detached, and the paper can be loaded on the manual feed tray 20 from the front side of the apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer unit 30 includes a process kit 1Y that forms a yellow image, a process kit 1M that forms a magenta image, and a process kit 1C that forms a cyan image. Equipped with four process kits (image forming units) of a process kit 1Bk that forms a black image, and these four process kits 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk can be attached and detached in a line in the front-rear direction of the apparatus at regular intervals. Placed in.

  In each of the process kits 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk, drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive members (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drums) 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are installed as image carriers. Around the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, there are primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, transfer rollers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d as transfer means, Drum cleaner devices 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are arranged, respectively, and a laser exposure device 7 is installed below the primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d and the developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. Yes.

  The developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d store yellow toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and black toner, respectively.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is a negatively charged OPC photosensitive member having a photoconductive layer on an aluminum drum base, and is driven in a direction indicated by an arrow (clockwise in FIG. 1) by a driving device (not shown). Direction) at a predetermined process speed.

  Primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d as primary charging means uniformly apply the surface of each photosensitive drum 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to a predetermined negative potential by a charging bias applied from a charging bias power source (not shown). Is charged.

  The developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d contain toner, and each color latent image formed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is attached to the toner of each color and developed as a toner image ( Visualization).

  Transfer rollers 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d as transfer means are in contact with the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d via the intermediate transfer belt 8 at each primary transfer nip portion.

  The drum cleaners 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are configured with a cleaning blade or the like for removing residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum during the primary transfer from the photosensitive member.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched between a driving roller 9, a secondary transfer counter roller 10, and a tension roller 11 provided on the transfer frame 36, and driven by the driving roller 9 in the direction of arrow A (counterclockwise in FIG. 1). Rotated (moved) in the rotation direction). The intermediate transfer belt 8 is made of a dielectric resin such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate resin film, polyvinylidene fluoride resin film, or the like.

  The secondary transfer counter roller 10 is in contact with the secondary transfer roller 12 via the intermediate transfer belt 8 to form a secondary transfer portion. A belt cleaning device 13 that removes and collects transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is installed outside the intermediate transfer belt 8 and in the vicinity of the tension roller 11.

  Further, a fixing device 16 having a fixing roller 16a and a pressure roller 16b is installed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper P that is a transfer material of the secondary transfer portion.

  The fixing device 16, the secondary transfer roller 12, one of the registration roller pair 19, and a part of the conveyance path 18 are held by the front door unit 32 and are configured to be able to be integrally opened during the JAM processing of recording paper. ing.

  The exposure device 7 includes laser light emitting means for emitting light corresponding to time-series electric digital pixel signals of given image information, a polygon lens, a reflection mirror, and the like, and exposes each photosensitive drum 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of each color corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d charged by each primary charger 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.

  A central discharge tray 22 that is a first recording paper stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the printer unit that is an image forming unit is provided downstream of the conveyance path of the fixing device 16.

  The reader unit 40 disposed above the printer unit has the following configuration.

  The reader unit 40 receives a document G (FIG. 2) on which a full line type CCD reading unit 41, an illuminating unit 42, and a lens 43 are placed on a platen glass 45 by a driving unit shown in the drawing along a guide rail 44. After scanning to read an image and converting it into a digital signal, the printer unit 30 performs image recording, data transfer as a facsimile, and the like.

  Further, an upper discharge tray 46a, which is a second recording paper stacking means, is formed on the upper surface of the openable / closable original pressing plate 46 that holds the original on the original table glass 45.

  Under the reader unit 40, the image-formed recording paper P is selectively stacked on a recording paper stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit and a recording paper stacking unit provided on the top of the image reading unit. A transport path switching device 61 constituting the switching means and a leader section transport device 60 for transporting the recording paper transported from the transport path switching device 61 to the upper paper discharge tray 46a are provided.

  The transport path switching device 61 is configured so as to be capable of rotating between the state shown in FIG. 1 and the state shown in FIG. 2 by a driving means (shown) with a rotation center 61a provided at the lower portion of the leader section 40 as a center.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance path switching device 61 is provided with a conveyance roller pair 62 at a downstream portion of the paper discharge roller pair 21, and a recording sheet P is provided at the entrance of the reader portion conveyance device 60 downstream thereof. A transport path switching guide 63 for transporting to the leader section transport roller pair 64 is provided.

  The leader part transport device 60 is attached in front of the lower part of the leader part 40, and a leader part transport roller pair 64 is provided at the downstream outlet of the transport path switching guide 63 provided in the transport path switching device 61. The guided recording sheet P is guided to the leader section discharge roller pair 66.

  Next, an image forming operation by the above-described image forming unit will be described.

  When an image formation start signal is issued, the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d of the process kits 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk that are rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed are respectively primary chargers 3a, 3b, and 3c. , 3d is uniformly negatively charged. The exposure apparatus irradiates an externally input color-separated image signal from the laser light-emitting element, passes through a polygon lens, a reflection mirror, and the like, and electrostatically charges each color in the shape of each photosensitive drum 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. A latent image is formed.

  First, yellow toner is adhered to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a by the developing device 4a to which a developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the photosensitive drum 2a is applied. Visualize as an image. This yellow toner image is rotated (moved) by a transfer roller 5a to which a primary transfer bias (a reverse polarity (positive polarity) to toner) is applied at a primary transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 2a and the transfer roller 5a. Primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 onto which the yellow toner image has been transferred is rotated (moved) toward the image forming unit 1M. Also in the process kit 1M, the magenta toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2b in the same manner as described above is superimposed on the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and transferred at the primary transfer portion.

  At this time, the transfer residual toner remaining on each photosensitive drum 2 is scraped off and collected by a cleaner blade or the like provided in the drum cleaner devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d.

  Similarly, cyan and black toner images formed by the photosensitive drums 2c and 2d of the process kits 1C and 1Bk on the yellow and magenta toner images superimposed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are respectively transferred to the primary transfer portions. Are sequentially superposed to form a full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The paper feed cassette 17 is moved from the manual feed tray 20 in accordance with the timing at which the front end of the full color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is moved to the secondary transfer portion between the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and the secondary transfer roller 12. The recording sheet (transfer material) P that is selected and fed through the transport path 18 is transported to the secondary transfer section by the registration roller 19. Full-color toner images are secondarily transferred collectively to the recording paper P conveyed to the secondary transfer portion by the secondary transfer roller 12 to which a secondary transfer bias (opposite polarity (positive polarity) to the toner) is applied. .

  The recording paper P on which the full-color toner image is formed is conveyed to the fixing device 16, and the full-color toner image is heated and pressed at the fixing nip portion between the fixing roller 16 a and the pressure roller 16 b to form the surface of the recording paper P. Heat fixing is performed, and image recording on the recording paper P is completed.

  The secondary transfer toner and the like remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed and collected by the belt cleaning device 13.

  When the above operation is an image recording operation only by the printer unit 30 that does not read an image by the reader unit 40 (for example, image recording as a printer or image recording as FAX reception), the following is performed. Continue to operate.

The driving path switching device 61 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 1 by the driving means shown in the figure, and the recording paper P discharged from the paper discharge roller pair 21 is transported to the transport roller pair 62 provided in the transport path switching device 61. To do. The recording paper P transported by the transport roller pair 62 is guided by the transport path switching guide 63 and transported to the leader section transport roller pair 64 provided in the leader section transport apparatus 60. The recording paper P transported to the leader section transport device 60 is transported along the leader section transport path 65 by the leader section transport roller pair 64 and is provided on the upper surface of the document pressing plate 46 by the leader section discharge roller pair 66. The paper is stacked on the upper discharge tray 46a which is the second recording paper stacking means. (P1 in FIG. 1)
In the case of performing an image recording operation in the printer unit while loading an original G on the platen glass 45 of the reader unit 40 and reading an image (image recording operation as a copying machine), the following operation is performed. It becomes.

  The image information of the document G placed on the platen glass 45 is read by the full-line type CCD reading means 41, the illumination means 42, and the lens 43, and based on the image information, the printer unit records the recording paper P described above. The image recording operation is performed.

  At this time, the transport path switching means 61 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 2 by the driving means shown in the figure, and the recorded recording paper P2 ejected from the paper ejection roller pair 21 is provided on the upper surface of the printer unit 30. The paper is discharged and stacked on the central discharge tray 22 which is the first recording paper stacking means.

  After the recording operation is completed, the user opens the reader unit 40 upward with the rotation center 51 as the center, and takes the recording paper P2 loaded on the paper discharge tray 22 in the state shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the printer unit 30 that does not use the reader unit 40 and performs an operation as a FAX reception, the recording sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 46a on the reader upper surface which is the upper surface of the main body. By loading, it is easy for the user to check and take out the recording paper.

  When an operation such as a copying machine that records an image while reading an image by the reader unit 40 is performed, an opening / closing operation of the document pressing plate 46 is required to place the document G on the document table glass 45. At the same time, it is necessary to accurately place it at a predetermined position on the platen glass. For this reason, when the recording paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 46a on the original pressure plate, the recording paper P2 must be taken out every time the original G is exchanged, which is troublesome for the user and takes time. .

  Therefore, when an image recording operation accompanied by an image reading operation by the reader unit 40 is performed (when used as a copying machine), the recording paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 22 at the top of the printer unit, and the top surface of the main body is handled as a document. It is a space to do.

  The recording paper P2 discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 22 on the upper surface of the printer unit 30 is in a portion that is difficult for the user to see, but when using the document as a copying machine while handling the document, the user loads the document. Since the image is recorded by directly operating the apparatus, such as pressing the start button, it is recognized that the recording paper P2 has been discharged onto the paper discharge tray 22 after the image recording is completed. Even if the document is not discharged and stacked on the tray on the upper surface as in the case of reception, there is no problem, and by configuring the reader unit 40 to be movable, the conveyance path switching means 61 also moves together with the reader unit 40. Therefore, there is no obstacle to the recording paper P2 discharged and stacked on the first paper discharge tray 22, and the user can easily perform the take-out operation. .

  In addition, since the printer unit 30 and the reader unit 40 can be arranged up and down only through the space corresponding to the conveyance path means, a space-saving image recording apparatus in which the height of the apparatus main body is reduced.

  In this manner, by selecting and switching the tray on which the recording paper is discharged and stacked in accordance with the usage form of the apparatus, an image recording apparatus having optimum operability according to each state can be obtained.

  Further, a paper discharge stacking unit and a switching unit may be further provided, and a recording paper discharge stacking unit may be selected as necessary.

(Example 2)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  4 and 5 are sectional views of an image recording apparatus embodying the present invention.

  Since the configuration, operation, and the like related to image formation are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same numbers are assigned to the same operations and actions, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the view side shown in FIG.

  The reader unit 40 also includes a rotating arm 71 that is a switching unit that selectively loads a recording sheet stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit and a recording sheet stacking unit provided on the upper side of the image reading unit. The position with respect to the printer unit 30 can be changed by the rotation.

  Two rotation arms 71 are provided on the left and right sides of the printer unit, and are rotated by a driving means shown as a rotation center 71a on the printer unit 30 side, and are attached at a rotation center 71b at the other end. The reader unit 40 can be in two positions, the state shown in FIG. 4 and the state shown in FIG. 5, and the reader unit 40 can move with respect to the printer unit 30.

  When the image forming apparatus is used as a printer or FAX reception and image reading by the reader unit is not performed, the reader unit 40 is brought into the state shown in FIG.

  In this state, the leader unit 40 is positioned on the paper discharge tray 22 provided on the upper part of the printer unit 30, and the second paper discharge tray 46 a provided on the upper part of the leader unit 40 is connected to the paper discharge roller pair. The discharged recording paper P1 is positioned on the downstream side of the paper 21 and is stacked.

  In the case of an image forming operation in which it is not necessary to place a document on the platen glass 45 of the reader unit 40, the recording paper P is discharged and stacked on the upper surface of the apparatus body in this manner, The device is excellent in operability with excellent takeout and the like.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus is used as a copying machine to record an image while reading an image with a reader unit, the rotating arm 71 is rotated in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. Then, the reader unit 40 is brought into the state shown in FIG.

  In this state, the leader unit 40 is positioned above the paper discharge roller 21, and a space is provided between the first paper discharge tray 22 and the leader unit 40, and the recording paper P <b> 2 discharged from the paper discharge roller 21 is stored. The paper is stacked on a first paper discharge tray 22 provided at the top of the printer unit 30.

  When the original is placed on the platen glass 45 of the reader unit 40 and the image forming operation is performed, the recording paper P2, which can be simply taken out, is given priority in terms of operability in placing the original. Paper is stacked on the paper tray 22 and the reader unit 40 is used to improve the operability of the entire image recording operation.

  By adopting such a configuration, the height of the main body of the apparatus can be made very low during image recording as a frequently used printer or FAX reception, and it is also high during image recording as a copying machine that handles documents. Operability can be maintained.

  In this embodiment, an appropriate space is secured between the lower part of the leader unit and the first paper discharge tray in the state of FIG. 5 so that the user can take out the recording paper. However, this space is small and the operability is poor. In some cases, the reader unit may be configured to be able to further rotate and so on, so that the recording paper can be taken out.

  In the first and second embodiments, the upper surface of the document crimping plate at the top of the reader portion is the second paper discharge tray. However, an automatic document feeder is attached instead of the document crimping plate, and the document of the automatic document feeder is used. The recording paper may be discharged to a loading table or the like.

  In the first and second embodiments, the electrophotographic image recording apparatus has been described. However, the same effect can be obtained when used in other image recording apparatuses using, for example, an inkjet image recording system. Can be obtained.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Process kit 22 1st discharge tray 30 Printer part 31 Intermediate transfer unit 40 Leader part 46a 2nd discharge tray 60 Leader part conveyance apparatus 61 Conveyance path switching means 71 Rotating arm

Claims (4)

An image forming unit including an image forming unit that forms an image on paper;
In an image forming apparatus provided with an image reading unit provided with an image reading unit for reading a document above an image forming unit,
The image reading unit is configured to be movable with respect to the image forming unit,
First recording paper stacking means provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit;
Second recording paper stacking means provided at the top of the image reading unit;
A switching unit that selectively stacks the recording paper on which the image is formed in the image forming unit on the recording paper stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit and the recording paper stacking unit provided on the upper side of the image reading unit;
An image forming apparatus provided.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is a sheet conveying unit provided below the image reading unit.   The switching unit is a moving unit that moves the image reading unit, and is provided above the first recording paper stacking unit and the image reading unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit with respect to the discharge unit of the image forming unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording paper is selectively stacked by selectively arranging the second recording paper stacking means.   When recording with the image recording unit while reading the image data with the image reading unit, the paper is discharged and stacked on the first recording sheet stacking unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit, and the image data is read with the image reading unit. The sheet is discharged and stacked on a second recording sheet stacking unit provided at an upper part of the image reading unit when the image recording unit performs image recording without performing the reading operation. The image forming apparatus according to 3.

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