JP2009184758A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of loading discharged paper sheets without jamming in a paper discharge stock part, and taking out paper sheets safely without jamming fingers or nails when taking out the discharged paper sheets by putting hands in the paper discharge stock part from the front direction of the discharge direction. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device having the paper discharge stock part stocking the discharged paper sheets, wherein the paper discharge stock part is constituted of a plurality of plate members divided by a borderline which is nearly orthogonalized to the paper discharge direction. The plate members form a comb-shaped part having continuous recesses and projections at end portions, and recessed parts and projecting parts of two members arranged across the borderline are engaged with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can prevent jamming in a paper discharge unit and can safely take out paper from the paper discharge unit.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a conventional copying machine or printer, a discharge tray for discharging and loading the paper after the image is transferred and fixed on the paper is externally attached to the side surface of the apparatus main body. The paper was supposed to be discharged.

  However, in the market, for the purpose of space saving, it is desired to reduce the size of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, with regard to paper discharge, an image reading unit disposed at the upper part of the apparatus and an image forming part disposed at the lower part are also provided. A so-called in-cylinder paper discharge type is proposed and adopted, in which an internal cylinder open space is provided in between, and that space is used as a paper discharge stock section, and paper is discharged and stacked, eliminating the need for an external discharge tray. Space has been realized.

  In such an in-body paper discharge type image forming apparatus, the image forming unit below the paper discharge stock unit is often provided with a developing device, a conveyance path, and the like. For maintenance such as replacement or processing when a jam occurs in the transport path, it is necessary to be able to open and close the discharge stock part mounting surface as a lid.

  However, since the in-body discharge stock section has a limited space, it is difficult to open and close the loading surface greatly, and the loading surface is divided into two or more parts by a linear boundary line orthogonal to the discharging direction. It is often configured and opened and closed for each part.

  However, in the conventional apparatus in which such a stacking surface is divided into two or more parts, the leading edge of the discharged paper enters the gap between the parts and is caught by the parts on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction. There was a problem that there is a high possibility of generating.

  As a technique for solving such a problem, in the divided discharge tray, the downstream tray is disposed below the upstream tray in the paper discharge direction (see Patent Document 1), or in the vicinity of the gap between the upstream components in the paper discharge direction. There are those provided with a raised portion (see FIG. 6).

  However, in the image forming apparatus, when ejecting discharged paper, a hand is often inserted and removed from the front side in the paper discharge direction. If there is a step in the paper discharge stock section, the tip of the finger or nail is caught on the step. There is a risk of injury. In particular, the in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus in which the upper portion of the discharge stock portion is covered with the image reading portion and the visibility cannot be ensured has a high risk.

JP 2006-188336 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the discharged paper is stacked without jamming in the paper discharge stock section, and the hand is inserted into the paper discharge stock section from the front side in the paper discharge direction and discharged. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of safely taking out a paper without catching a fingertip or a nail when taking out the paper.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having a paper discharge stock portion for stocking discharged paper, wherein the paper discharge stock portion is divided by a boundary line substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction. Composed of a plurality of plate-like members, the plate-like members are formed with comb-like portions having concavities and convexities at the ends, and the recesses of the two plate-like members arranged with the boundary line in between The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus characterized in that convex portions mesh with each other.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the convex portion of the plate-like member is inclined downward with respect to the discharge stock portion mounting surface toward the tip thereof. Relates to the device.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the convex portion of the plate-like member located downstream in the paper discharge direction across the boundary line is disposed at a position where the width direction edge of the discharged paper passes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

  The invention according to claim 4 relates to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plate-like members can be opened and closed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the discharge stock unit is disposed in a cylinder space located between the image reading unit and the image forming unit, and the cylinder space takes out a sheet to the front side in the sheet discharge direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an opening for the purpose.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, since the dividing boundary line of the paper discharge stock portion is comb-shaped, there is no need to provide a step between the upstream member and the downstream member in the paper discharge direction. The leading edge of the paper is not easily caught in the gap, and the paper is discharged smoothly. Further, since the step can be eliminated, the sheet can be safely taken out without being caught by a fingertip or a nail.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the convex portion of the comb-like portion is inclined downward with respect to the loading surface, the leading end of the ejected paper is less likely to be caught and the paper is smoothly ejected. The

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the convex portion of the plate-like member located on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction across the boundary line is at a position where the width direction edge of the paper to be discharged passes, The sheet is smoothly discharged without the edge in the width direction of the sheet being caught between the member gaps.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since at least one of the plate-like members can be opened and closed, it is easy to access the internal mechanism below the paper discharge stock section. For example, jam processing, developing device replacement, etc. Excellent maintainability.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the paper discharge stock portion having no step is located in the apparatus body, space can be saved while ensuring the safety of the fingertips and nails.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of each component in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a support unit 4, and a paper discharge stock unit 5.
In the present invention, a paper discharge stock unit 5 as shown in FIG. 1 is arranged in a cylinder space provided between the image reading unit 2 and the image forming unit 3 to ensure visibility in the operation of taking out discharged paper. Although it is most effectively applied to the in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus 1 that is difficult to perform, the present invention can also be applied to apparatuses other than the in-cylinder discharge type.

The image reading unit 2 includes a scanner unit that reads a document placed on a contact glass, and an input unit through which a user inputs operation control of the image forming apparatus 1 and an operation start signal.
The scanner unit reads a document placed on the contact glass by moving a reading traveling body including a document illumination light source and a mirror. The read image information is subjected to image processing via a mirror, a lens, and a CCD, and after driving the laser transmitter and reflecting the laser beam by the polygon mirror, it is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 3 via the mirror. Is done.
As the input means, basic operation keys of the image forming apparatus 1 such as a start key, a clear / stop key, and a numeric keypad are arranged. The input unit is arranged to display an operation state of the image forming apparatus 1, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The input means is not particularly limited as long as the user can input a signal, and examples thereof include a button method and a touch panel method.
The scanner unit and the input unit are fixed to the frame and attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

The image forming unit 3 includes a paper feeding unit, an image forming unit, and a duplex conveying unit.
The paper feed unit includes a paper feed cassette and a pickup roller. When an image forming signal is input from the input means, the paper fed to the paper feed cassette is sent to the image forming section through the paper transport path one by one by the pickup roller. The number of paper feed cassettes may be single, or a plurality of paper feed cassettes may be installed for different paper.
The image forming unit includes a charging device, an exposure device, an image carrier, a developing device, a registration roller, a transfer device, and a fixing device. The image bearing member charged by the charging device is irradiated with light by an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image. A toner is attached to the surface of the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by a developing device to form a toner image. The paper fed from the paper transport path is once held by the registration rollers and sent to the transfer device at a predetermined timing. The toner image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer device, and the image is fixed by the fixing device.
The double-sided conveyance unit includes a switching flapper, a double-sided conveyance path, and a switchback unit. When performing double-sided printing of paper, the switching flapper introduces the paper into the double-sided conveyance path, reverses the image forming surface at the switchback unit, and further passes the double-sided conveyance path to the paper again to the registration rollers. It is sent. The paper fed again to the registration roller is image-formed on the back side of the paper in the same manner as normal single-sided image formation.

  The support unit 4 supports the image reading unit 2 above the image forming unit 3, and lifts the image reading unit 2 to leave a distance from the image forming unit 3, thereby opening a space in the apparatus body. To do. As shown in FIG. 2, when an opening is provided on the front side in the paper discharge direction of the space, the support portion 4 is disposed on the rear side in the paper discharge direction.

The paper discharge stock unit 5 discharges and stacks the paper on which the image has been transferred and fixed by the image forming unit 3. The paper discharge stock unit 5 is provided between the image reading unit 2 and the image forming unit 3. It is installed in the inner space. The paper discharge stock unit 5 has a take-out opening 6 for taking out paper on the side of the front side device in the paper discharge direction.
The paper discharge stock unit 5 is composed of a plurality of divided plate-like members that form a loading surface.
In FIG. 2, it is composed of two plate-like members, ie, an upstream tray 7 (hereinafter referred to as tray 7) in the paper discharge direction and a downstream tray 8 (hereinafter referred to as tray 8) in the paper discharge direction. It can also consist of members.

  It is preferable that one or both of the tray 7 and the tray 8 can be opened and closed by rotating. This is because it is possible to easily perform maintenance work such as periodic replacement of the developing device disposed in the image forming unit 3 below the paper discharge stock unit 5 or jam processing in the transport path. FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which the tray 8 can be opened and closed using the vicinity of the dividing boundary line 9 of the paper discharge stock unit 5 as a rotation axis. With respect to the opening and closing direction of the tray 7 and the tray 8, it does not matter whether the division boundary line side end is the rotation axis side or the other end is the rotation axis side.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the shape of the vicinity of the dividing boundary line 9 between the tray 7 and the tray 8. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a plan view. The tray 7 and the tray 8 are formed with a comb-like portion having unevenness as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. The convex portion 13 of the tray 8 and the convex portion 11 of the tray 7 and the concave portion 12 of the tray 8 mesh with each other. Since the comb-like end portions mesh with each other in this way, the paper leading edge is not easily caught in the gap between the members and is smoothly discharged without providing a step. Further, since the step can be eliminated, the sheet can be safely taken out without being caught by a fingertip or a nail.
The shape of the comb-like portion in plan view is not particularly limited, such as a rectangular shape or a triangular shape, but FIG. 3B shows a trapezoidal shape in which the tip of the convex portion has a short side.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the convex portion 11 of the tray 7 and the concave portion 12 of the tray 8. Although the loading surface may be smooth before and after the dividing boundary line 9, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the convex portion 11 of the tray 7 and the convex portion 13 of the tray 8 that are engaged with each other are It is preferable that it is gently inclined downward with respect to the loading surface toward the tip. This is because the paper can be discharged more smoothly by inclining the tip of the convex portion downward.
The angle A formed by the inclined surface of the convex portion of the tray 7 and the tray 8 is preferably an obtuse angle. By making the angle A an obtuse angle, the difference in height between the tip of the convex portion inclined downward and the loading surface can be reduced, so that the paper removal operation performed by inserting a hand from the extraction opening 6 on the front side in the paper discharge direction is safe. It is because it can be performed. In addition, since the resistance when the front end of the paper comes into contact with the dividing boundary line 9 is reduced, the paper can be discharged more smoothly.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the positional relationship between the sheet 14 and the concave and convex portions 10 to 13 of the comb-like portions of the trays 7 and 8 on the dividing boundary line 9 of the discharge stock portion 5 according to the present invention. . The sheet 14 on which the image is formed and discharged is discharged from the tray 7 toward the tray 8 to the discharge stock unit 5. Since the paper 14 is discharged at substantially the same position, the edge in the width direction of the paper 14 passes through a substantially constant position. Here, the width direction of the paper 14 refers to a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 5, the convex portion 13 of the tray 8 on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction is preferably located at the position where the width direction edge of the paper 14 passes on the division boundary line 9. This is because when the discharged paper 14 is warped or deformed, it can be discharged without catching the edge in the width direction, which is likely to cause a jam.

  In general, the paper 14 is a paper whose size is determined by a standard (for example, A3 size, A4 size, B4 size, etc.). The convex portion 13 of the tray 8 on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction is preferably arranged in accordance with the edge position of the paper for all paper sizes corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention. This is because the paper can be smoothly discharged regardless of the paper size.

  The present invention is preferably used for an image forming apparatus having a paper discharge stock section that is opened and closed in a divided manner.

1 is an overall view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship between components in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged display diagram in the vicinity of a division boundary line of a paper discharge stock portion of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a dividing boundary line of a paper discharge stock portion of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a sheet and a concave portion and a convex portion of a comb-like portion on a division boundary line of a paper discharge stock portion of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram simply illustrating a paper discharge stock unit having a jam prevention configuration in a conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image reading part 3 Image forming part 4 Supporting part 5 Paper discharge stock part 6 Takeout opening part 7 Outlet tray in the paper discharge direction 8 Tray in the paper discharge direction downstream 9 11, 13 Convex part 14 Paper

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus having a paper discharge stock unit for stocking discharged paper,
The paper discharge stock portion is composed of a plurality of plate-like members divided by a boundary line substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction,
The plate-like member is formed with a comb-like portion having concavities and convexities at the end, and the concave and convex portions of the two plate-like members arranged across the boundary line mesh with each other. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion of the plate-like member is inclined downward with respect to the discharge stock portion mounting surface toward the tip thereof.   The convex part of the plate-like member located on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction across the boundary line is disposed at a position where the width direction edge of the discharged paper passes. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plate-like members can be opened and closed. The paper discharge stock unit is disposed in a cylinder space located between the image reading unit and the image forming unit;
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the internal space has an opening for taking out a sheet on a front side in a paper discharge direction.

Images