JP2010105234A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a dustproofing cover capable of preventing a crease from being attached on a sheet of paper placed even if a paper feeding tray is carelessly closed and the dustproofing cover is turned together with the paper feeding tray, and to provide the image forming apparatus equipped with the dustproofing cover capable of easily feeding the paper. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a body 2; the paper feeding tray 13a which turns around a first shaft 23 so as to open and close a paper feeding part 13b provided on the body 2, and places the paper S in an open state; and the dustproofing cover 21 which covers the paper S on the paper feeding tray 13a, and is provided so as to be turnable around a second shaft 32. In the image forming apparatus 1, a rib 30 projecting toward the dustproofing cover 21 is provided on the body 2, and a projecting part 34 which is engaged the rib 30 when the dustproofing cover 21 is turned around the second shaft 32 and opened at a specified angle is provided at the dustproofing cover 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a dustproof cover that protects a sheet placed on a sheet feeding tray.

  Conventionally, various dustproof covers have been provided in a paper feed unit of an image forming apparatus as a dustproof measure for paper placed on a paper feed tray.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, as a dust-proof measure, a dust-proof member 72 that covers the upper portion of the paper feed tray 71, an opening / closing member 73 that is provided in front of the paper feed tray 71 and opens and closes to replenish paper, and paper feed A frame 74 provided on the side surface of the tray 71 is provided in the image forming apparatus 76.

  However, since the dustproof member 72, the opening / closing member 73, and the frame 74 are separate parts, the manufacturing cost increases, the size and weight of the image forming apparatus 76 increase, and the image forming apparatus 76 is moved. Therefore, when these members are removed, there is a concern that they may be lost or damaged.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, a dustproof cover 81 simplified for size reduction and weight reduction has been proposed. The dust cover 81 is composed of a single component, and is attached to the image forming apparatus 82 by fitting the peripheral edge 83 of the dust cover 81 into the opening 84.

  If the paper feed tray 85 is inadvertently closed while the dust cover 81 is attached, the dust tray 81 can be easily removed or the dust cover 81 can be damaged by rotating the paper feed tray 85 about its axis. There was a fear. In addition, there is a problem in that a crease is formed on the loaded paper when the paper feed tray 85 is rotated and closed.

  Further, Patent Document 1 proposes a protective cover that can easily replenish paper in a paper feed tray by opening the protective cover around the rotation coupling shaft even when the protective cover is attached. .

  However, with this protective cover, when replenishing paper to the paper feed tray, it is necessary to hold the protective cover open with one hand and replenish paper with the other hand. There was a problem.

JP 2006-282362 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and prevents the sheet placed from being folded even if the paper feed tray is inadvertently closed and the dust cover rotates together with the paper feed tray. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided with a dustproof cover. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus including a dustproof cover that can easily replenish paper.

As a means for solving the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
The main body, a paper feed tray provided on the main body, and a paper feed tray on which the paper is placed in an open state while rotating about the first axis so as to open and close the paper feed unit and the paper on the paper feed tray are covered In addition, in the image forming apparatus provided with a dust-proof cover that is rotatably provided around the second axis,
Provide a rib projecting toward the dust cover on the main body,
The dust cover is provided with a protrusion that engages with the rib when the dust cover is rotated about the second axis and opened at a predetermined angle.

  As a result, even if the paper feed tray is inadvertently closed and the dustproof cover rotates about the axis together with the paper feed tray, the ribs of the main body and the protrusions of the dustproof cover engage with each other at a predetermined angle to cause friction. As a result, the force for closing the paper feed tray is reduced, and the dustproof cover is fixed at a predetermined angle, thereby fixing the paper feed tray. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the placed paper from being creased. Further, since the dustproof cover is fixed at a predetermined angle, it is possible to easily replenish paper in the paper feed tray while the dustproof cover is attached.

The main body further includes an inverted U-shaped fitting portion that fits with the second shaft of the dustproof cover, and a slope provided to face a part of the dustproof cover,
In a state where the rib and the protrusion are engaged, it is preferable that a height of the inverted U-shaped fitting portion is longer than a vertical distance between the dustproof cover and the inclined surface.

  Since the height of the inverted U-shaped fitting part is longer than the vertical distance between the dust-proof cover and the inclined surface with the rib and the protrusion engaged, the dust-proof cover is more than the height of the fitting part. It cannot be lifted. Therefore, in a state where the rib and the protrusion are engaged, the dustproof cover is not removed from the main body.

  It is preferable that the protrusions include at least two triangular protrusions arranged in the vertical direction.

  Since the protrusions are composed of at least two triangular protrusions arranged in the vertical direction, when the paper feed tray is inadvertently closed and the dustproof cover rotates about the axis together with the paper feed tray, the two protrusions are The friction is generated by engaging with the ribs in order, and the force for rotating the paper feed tray is dispersed and reduced, so that the dustproof cover can be fixed to the main body.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even if the paper feed tray is inadvertently closed, and the dustproof cover rotates together with the paper feed tray, the force to close the paper feed tray is reduced, and Since the dustproof cover is fixed at a predetermined angle, the paper feed tray is also fixed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the placed paper from being creased and to easily replenish the paper in the paper feed tray with the dustproof cover attached.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a developing rotary unit 4 that holds a developing unit 3 that supplies cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner in an annular shape inside a main body 2, and a rotation that can form an electrostatic latent image on the surface. An imaging unit 9 that holds an intermediate transfer belt 8 to which an image formed on the photoreceptor 5 is transferred by a possible photoreceptor 5, a charger 6 that charges the photoreceptor 5, a primary transfer roller 7, and a primary transfer roller 7. An exposure unit 10 that exposes the photoreceptor 5, a secondary transfer roller 11, a fixing unit 12, and a paper feed unit 13 are provided. The paper feed unit 13 has a paper feed tray 13a, and this paper feed tray 13a forms a paper feed unit 13b.

  The imaging unit 9 includes a photoreceptor frame 14 that holds the photoreceptor 5, the charger 6, and the primary transfer roller 7, an intermediate transfer belt that holds the tension rollers 15 and 16 and the tension roller 17 that stretch the intermediate transfer belt 8. Frame 18. The photoconductor 5 is located outside the intermediate transfer belt 8, the primary transfer roller 7 is in contact with the inside of the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the photoconductor 5 and the primary transfer roller 7 are connected via the intermediate transfer belt 8. It is held so as to face each other.

  The imaging unit 9 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 1 by opening the lid 19 of the main body 2, and the photosensitive member 5 faces one of the toner cartridges 3 of the developing rotary unit 4 in the mounted state. At the same time, the tension roller 15 is in pressure contact with the secondary transfer roller 11 via the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a dustproof cover 21 according to the present invention is disposed in the paper feed unit 13 b of the main body 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the paper supply unit 13 b is provided with a paper supply tray 13 a that opens and closes a paper supply port 22 provided on the front surface so as to rotate around the first shaft 23. In addition, a slope 24 is provided that inclines toward the near side as it goes upward from the upper edge of the paper feed port 22. Further, fitting portions 25 are provided on both sides of the sheet feeding port 22, and ribs 30 extending in the vertical direction are formed between the sheet feeding tray 13 a and the fitting portion 25.

  The fitting portion 25 includes a base portion 26 provided on the inclined surface 24 and an L-shaped arm portion 27 extending from the base portion 26, and has an inverted U-shape as a whole. The arm portion 27 includes a horizontal wall 28 extending in the horizontal direction from the base portion 26 and a standing wall 29 extending in the vertical direction from the horizontal wall 28.

  A reinforcing rib 30a having a triangular cross section for reinforcing the rib 30 may be provided at the joint between the rib 30 and the main body 2 (see FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the dustproof cover 21 installed on the paper feed tray 13 a is provided on the upper surface wall 31 a covering the upper surface of the opening 13 b, the side wall 31 b provided on the side surface, and the front side of the main body 2. The housing 31 integrally molded from the front wall 31c, the second shaft 32 formed on the body 2 side of the housing 31 as shown in FIG. 3, and the side wall 31b of the housing 31 toward the body 2 The projecting portion 34 is formed on the outer surface of the extending blade portion 33, and the projecting portion 35 is formed in the vertical direction on the housing 31 side of the projecting portion 34.

  The second shaft 32 is reinforced by a plurality of ribs 37 provided on the periphery. Further, the second shaft 32 is fitted to the fitting portion 25 in a state where the opening / closing cover 21 is mounted on the main body 2.

  The protrusion 34 includes two protrusions 38a and 38b arranged in the vertical direction. The first protrusion 38a is further away from the second shaft 32 in the radial direction than the second protrusion 38b. These protrusions 38 a and 38 b have a triangular shape as shown in FIG. 5 and protrude from the dust cover 21 toward the main body 2.

  The protrusion 35 protrudes from the dust cover 21 toward the main body 2 and engages with the rib 30 of the main body 2 in a state where the dust cover 21 is closed, and the lower edge of the dust cover 21 and the periphery of the paper feed tray 13a. Is in contact with the top surface.

Next, the operation of the dustproof cover 21 having the above configuration will be described.
First, in order to attach the dustproof cover 21 to the main body 2, the second shaft 32 of the dustproof cover 21 is attached to the paper feed port 22 while holding the dustproof cover 21 so that the upper surface wall 31 a of the dustproof cover 21 is substantially horizontal. The fitting part 25 is fitted and attached from above. Then, the lower edge of the side wall 31 b and the front wall 31 c is brought into contact with the upper surface of the paper feed tray 13, whereby the dustproof cover 21 is held closed at the paper feed port 22.

  In order to remove the dust cover 21 from the main body 2, the dust cover 21 is lifted so that the second shaft 32 is positioned higher than the standing wall 37 of the fitting portion 25 with the dust cover 21 closed to the paper feed port 22. The dustproof cover 21 can be removed from the main body 2 by pulling in the direction opposite to the inclined surface 24.

  In order to supply the paper S to the paper feed tray 13a, the dust cover 21 is rotated around the second shaft 32 toward the main body 2 as shown in FIG. Then, the first protrusion 38a first gets over the rib 30 as shown in FIG. Further, when the dust cover 21 rotates around the first shaft 23, the second protrusion 38b slides over the rib 30 as shown in FIG. As described above, the first protrusion 38 a and the second protrusion 38 b sequentially get over the rib 30 and engage with the rib 30. As a result, the force for rotating the paper feed tray 13a is distributed and reduced, and the dust cover 21 is stopped at a predetermined angle. Accordingly, the paper S can be easily supplied to the paper feed tray 13a with the dust cover 21 attached. The predetermined angle is an angle at which, for example, 200 sheets of paper can be supplied to the paper feed tray 13a. In order to complete the replenishment of the paper S and close the dust-proof cover 21 to the paper feed unit 13b, an operation reverse to the opening is performed.

  Next, when the paper feed tray 13a is inadvertently closed and rotates around the first shaft 23 with the dust cover 21 closed, the dust cover 21 also rotates around the second shaft 32. The same operation as described above is performed. That is, the first protrusion 38a and the second protrusion 38b get over the rib 30 in order. Further, in this manner, in a state where the dustproof cover 21 is at a predetermined angle with respect to the paper feed tray 13a, the height H1 of the standing wall 28 of the fitting portion 25 is set to be inclined with the housing 31 as shown in FIG. 24 is longer than the vertical distance H2. As a result, even if a force is applied to lift the dustproof cover 21 that rotates together with the paper feed tray 13a closed carelessly, the dustproof cover 21 first comes into contact with the inclined surface 24 and is above the distance H2. It is not possible to move to the vertical wall 28 of the height H1 of the fitting portion 25. Therefore, the dust cover 21 is not removed from the main body 2.

  Further, when the dust cover 21 is pressed upward via the paper feed tray 13a, the dust cover 21 rotates around the second shaft 32, and as shown in FIG. The inclined surface 24 comes into contact. Therefore, since the dust cover 21 cannot be rotated any more, it is possible to prevent the placed paper S from being creased.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

  The shape and the number of the protrusions 38a and 38b constituting the protrusion 34 are not particularly limited as long as the opening / closing cover 21 is fixed in sliding contact with the rib 30 of the main body 2, and may be, for example, a semicircular shape. The protrusion 34 may be composed of three or more protrusions with respect to the number.

  The shape and dimensions of the slope 24 and the fitting portion 25 formed on the main body 2 are not particularly limited as long as the dustproof cover 21 is prevented from being removed between the slope 24 and the fitting portion 25.

1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the state which attached the dustproof cover which concerns on this invention to the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, and closed. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where the dust cover shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where the dust cover shown in FIG. The AA line expanded sectional view of FIG. The perspective view which shows the state which opened the dustproof cover of FIG. The partial expanded sectional view which shows the state which opened the dustproof cover of FIG. The partial expanded sectional view which shows the state which further opened the dustproof cover of FIG. The partial expanded sectional view which shows the state where the dust-proof cover of FIG. 8 is fully opened. (A) is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus to which a conventional dustproof cover is attached, and (b) is a partially enlarged sectional view thereof. (A) is a perspective view of a conventional dustproof cover, (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a state in which the dustproof cover of (a) is attached to an image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body 13a Paper feed tray 13b Paper feed part 21 Dust-proof cover 23 1st axis | shaft 24 Slope 25 Fitting part 30 Rib 32 2nd axis | shaft 34 Protrusion part

Claims (3)

The main body, a paper feed tray provided on the main body, and a paper feed tray on which the paper is placed in an open state while rotating about the first axis so as to open and close the paper feed unit and the paper on the paper feed tray are covered In addition, in the image forming apparatus provided with a dust-proof cover that is rotatably provided around the second axis,
Provide a rib projecting toward the dust cover on the main body,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the dust cover is provided with a protrusion that engages with the rib when the dust cover is rotated about the second axis and opened at a predetermined angle. The main body further includes an inverted U-shaped fitting portion that fits with the second shaft of the dustproof cover, and a slope provided to face a part of the dustproof cover,
The height of the inverted U-shaped fitting portion is longer than the vertical distance between the dust-proof cover and the inclined surface in a state where the rib and the protrusion are engaged. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes at least two triangular protrusions arranged in a vertical direction.

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