JP2011123112A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, improving the opening and closing performance of a top cover without any increase in apparatus size and lowering of operability in simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: In the case of replacing toner cartridges 4a-4d, with the lower part of a console panel 20b held, an image read part 20 is rocked upward. Since the image read part 20 and the top face cover 23 are connected to each other by a link member 27, the top face cover 23 is also rocked upward with rocking of the image read part 20. Subsequently, the image read part 20 is rocked up to a predetermined open angle, so that a support arm 30 provided on the image read part 20 is engaged with an engagement part (not shown) of a composite machine 100 body. Thus, the image read part 20 and the top face cover 23 are maintained in the open state, so that the toner cartridges 4a-4d are exposed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to improvement in maintainability of a multi-function peripheral including an image reading unit above an image forming unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is known in which toner is attached to an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier to form a visible image (toner image) and transferred onto a recording medium. In such an image forming apparatus, a method for improving maintainability by using a toner cartridge in which a toner container for supplying toner to the developing device is used as a cartridge or a developing cartridge in which the developing device and the toner container are integrated is used. It has become.

  By the way, when a toner cartridge or a developing cartridge is mounted in the upper part of the image forming apparatus, the cartridge is replaced by opening the top cover provided in the discharge section (recording paper stacking section) on the top surface of the apparatus main body. However, in the multi-function peripheral in which the image reading unit is installed above the apparatus main body, the upper surface cover cannot be opened largely, and the cartridge replacement workability is deteriorated.

  In order to increase the opening angle of the upper surface cover, the space from the upper surface of the apparatus to the image reading unit may be widened. However, since the position of the image reading unit is increased, the image reading unit and the operation unit attached thereto are arranged. Usability is reduced. In addition, the overall size of the apparatus is increased, which is contrary to the demands for miniaturization and compactness that have been recently demanded.

  As a countermeasure, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which an image reading unit (image scanner) is mounted on an open / close cover on the upper surface of the apparatus, and the cartridge is easily taken out by opening the open / close cover together with the image reading unit. It is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 2, after a rotatable reading table on which an image reading unit is mounted is rotated upward, a cartridge is pulled out by opening a top cover that can be opened and closed, and jammed. The method of performing is described (paragraph [0011], FIGS. 2 to 5).

JP 2003-101704 A JP 2002-156005 A

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, since the swinging fulcrum of the image reading unit and the opening / closing cover is the same, it is necessary to arrange the image reading unit and the opening / closing cover so that the configuration is limited. Further, when the opening angle of the opening / closing cover is increased, the opening angle of the image reading unit is inevitably increased, but when the opening angle of the heavy image reading unit is increased, the load applied to the swing fulcrum also increases. Therefore, it is necessary to make the swing fulcrum a structure capable of withstanding the load, leading to an increase in cost and a problem in safety.

  Further, the method of Patent Document 2 has a problem in that since it is necessary to sequentially rotate the reading table and the top cover, the procedure for exchanging cartridges increases and the exchanging operation becomes complicated. Here, the configuration in which the cartridge is arranged directly below the upper surface cover has been described as an example, but there is a similar problem with respect to maintainability when another unit is disposed immediately below the upper surface cover. Further, not only in the electrophotographic system but also in the ink jet system, for example, when the image reading unit is installed above the apparatus main body, there is a possibility that the maintainability such as ink cartridge replacement may be deteriorated.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the opening / closing performance of the top cover with a simple configuration without causing an increase in the size of the apparatus or a decrease in operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus main body having an image forming unit therein, an openable and closable upper surface cover provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body, and a predetermined interval above the upper surface cover. An image forming apparatus including an image reading unit that is disposed and scans and reads a document. The image reading unit and the upper surface cover are supported to be swingable in the same direction with respect to the apparatus main body at different swinging fulcrums. And an image forming apparatus provided with a link member swingably connected to the image reading unit and the upper surface cover.

  In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the swing fulcrum supporting the upper surface cover is disposed at a distance from the swing fulcrum supporting the image reading unit in the swing end direction of the image reading unit. It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus configured as described above, a support arm that supports the image reading unit at a predetermined opening angle is provided.

  According to the first configuration of the present invention, the image reading unit and the upper surface cover are supported by different rocking fulcrums and connected by the link member, so that the image reading unit positioned above when opening the upper surface cover Since there is no interference, it is not necessary to increase the position of the image reading unit and increase the distance between the image reading unit and the upper surface cover. Accordingly, maintenance workability such as cartridge replacement can be improved with a simple configuration without causing an increase in the size of the apparatus and a decrease in operability. Further, since the top cover can be opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the image reading unit, the procedure for opening and closing the top cover is further simplified.

  According to the second configuration of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the first configuration, the swing fulcrum supporting the top cover is moved from the swing fulcrum supporting the image reading unit to the swing of the image reading unit. By disposing a distance in the end direction, it is possible to increase the opening angle of the top cover without opening the image reading unit to a high position, further improving maintenance workability and reducing the labor of the operator. . In addition, since the rotational moment applied to the swing fulcrum by the swing of the image reading unit is reduced, the structure of the swing fulcrum is simplified, and deformation and breakage of the parts constituting the swing fulcrum can be prevented, and safety Also gets higher.

  According to the third configuration of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the first or second configuration, the image reading unit and the upper surface are provided by providing the support arm that supports the image reading unit at a predetermined opening angle. The cover can be held in an open state, and an operator can perform maintenance work such as replacement of the toner cartridge safely and efficiently.

External perspective view of image forming apparatus of the present invention Side surface sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention External perspective view showing a state in which the image reading unit and the top cover of the image forming apparatus are opened The side view which shows the state which opened the image reading part and upper surface cover of an image forming apparatus

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are an external perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Here, a tandem type color multifunction peripheral is shown. The image forming unit Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged in the multifunction apparatus 100 main body in order from the upstream side in the transport direction (the right side in FIG. 1). These image forming portions Pa to Pd are provided corresponding to images of four different colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), and cyan, magenta, and yellow are respectively performed by charging, exposure, development, and transfer processes. And a black image are sequentially formed.

  The image forming portions Pa to Pd are provided with photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d that carry visible images (toner images) of the respective colors, and are further driven by a driving unit (not shown). The intermediate transfer belt 8 that rotates clockwise is provided adjacent to the image forming portions Pa to Pd. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are sequentially primary-transferred and superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that moves while contacting the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and then the secondary transfer roller. 9 is secondarily transferred onto a transfer paper P as an example of a recording medium, and further fixed on the transfer paper P in the fixing unit 13 and then discharged from the apparatus main body. An image forming process for each of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is executed while rotating the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d counterclockwise in FIG.

  The transfer paper P onto which the toner image is transferred is accommodated in a paper cassette 16 at the lower part of the apparatus, and drives a secondary transfer roller 9 and an intermediate transfer belt 8 described later via a paper feed roller 12a and a registration roller pair 12b. It is conveyed to the nip portion with the roller 11. A sheet made of dielectric resin is used for the intermediate transfer belt 8, and a (seamless) belt having no seam is mainly used. A blade-like belt cleaner 19 for removing toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer roller 9.

  The image reading unit 20 includes a scanner lamp that illuminates the document during copying, a scanning optical system equipped with a mirror that changes the optical path of reflected light from the document, and a condensing lens that focuses the reflected light from the document to form an image. , And a CCD sensor or the like (none of which is shown) that converts the imaged image light into an electrical signal, and reads a document image and converts it into image data. The image reading unit 20 is supported at a swing fulcrum 21 of the multifunction peripheral 100 main body so as to be swingable from the discharge tray 17 at a predetermined interval. Further, in order to restrict unnecessary swinging of the image reading unit 20, a lock mechanism (not shown) for connecting the image reading unit 20 to the main body of the multifunction peripheral 100 in the state of FIG. 1 is provided.

  On the upper surface of the image reading unit 20, a document placing table 20a to which a transparent glass plate (contact glass) is attached and an operation panel 20b protruding to the front side of the apparatus are disposed. Although not shown here, on the upper surface of the image reading unit 20, a document holding plate on which a document conveying device for conveying a document to an image reading position on the document placing table 20a is supported so as to be freely opened and closed.

  Next, the image forming units Pa to Pd will be described. There are chargers 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d for charging the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d and image information on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d around and below the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d that are rotatably arranged. The exposure device 5 for exposing the toner, the developing units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d for forming toner images on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and the developer (toner) remaining on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are removed. Cleaning parts 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are provided.

  When image data is input from the image reading unit 20, first, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are uniformly charged by the chargers 2a to 2d, and then light is irradiated according to the image data by the exposure device 5, An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on each of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d. Each of the developing devices 3a to 3d is filled with a predetermined amount of a two-component developer containing toner of each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In addition, when the ratio of the toner in the two-component developer filled in each developing device 3a to 3d falls below a specified value due to the formation of a toner image described later, each developing device 3a to 3d is transferred from the toner cartridge 4a to 4d. Toner is replenished. The toner in the developer is supplied onto the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d by the developing devices 3a to 3d and electrostatically adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure from the exposure device 5. A toner image is formed.

  Then, by applying a predetermined transfer voltage to the primary transfer rollers 6 a to 6 d, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner images on the photosensitive drums 1 a to 1 d are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. These four color images are formed with a predetermined positional relationship predetermined for forming a predetermined full-color image. Thereafter, the toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is removed by the cleaning units 7a to 7d in preparation for the subsequent formation of a new electrostatic latent image.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched between an upstream conveyance roller 10 and a downstream drive roller 11, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 rotates clockwise as the drive roller 11 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). When the rotation starts, the transfer paper P is conveyed from the registration roller 12b to the nip portion (secondary transfer nip portion) between the drive roller 11 and the secondary transfer roller 9 provided adjacent thereto at a predetermined timing. The full color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred onto the transfer paper P. The transfer paper P onto which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 13.

  The transfer paper P conveyed to the fixing unit 13 is heated and pressurized by the fixing roller pair 13a, and the toner image is fixed on the surface of the transfer paper P, so that a predetermined full color image is formed. The transfer paper P on which the full-color image is formed is distributed in the transport direction by the branching portion 14 that branches in a plurality of directions. When an image is formed only on one side of the transfer paper P, it is discharged as it is onto the discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 15.

  On the other hand, when forming images on both sides of the transfer paper P, the transfer paper P that has passed through the fixing unit 13 is once transported in the direction of the discharge roller 15, and the discharge roller after the rear end of the transfer paper P has passed through the branching unit 14. 15 is rotated in the reverse direction and the conveyance direction of the branching portion 14 is switched, so that the paper is distributed from the rear end of the transfer paper P to the paper conveyance path 18 and re-conveyed to the secondary transfer nip portion with the image surface reversed. . Then, after the next image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 9 to the surface of the transfer paper P where the image is not formed and conveyed to the fixing unit 13 and the toner image is fixed. , And discharged to the discharge tray 17.

  Further, the sheet stacking surface of the discharge tray 17 also serves as the upper surface cover 23. The upper surface cover 23 is swingably supported on the upper surface of the main body of the multifunction peripheral 100 at the swing fulcrum 25. Furthermore, one end of a link member 27 (see FIG. 3) is rotatably connected to two places in the width direction of the top cover 23. The other end of the link member 27 is rotatably connected to the image reading unit 20.

  3 and 4 are an external perspective view and a side view showing a state in which the image reading unit and the upper surface cover are opened. A toner cartridge replacement procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a lock release button (not shown) is operated from the state shown in FIG. 1 to release the lock mechanism that connects the image reading unit 20 and the multifunction peripheral 100 main body, and grips the lower part of the operation panel 20b. The reading unit 20 is swung upward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4). Since the image reading unit 20 and the upper surface cover 23 are connected by the two link members 27, the upper surface cover 23 also swings upward as the image reading unit 20 swings.

  Next, the image reading unit 20 is swung to a predetermined opening angle, and the support arm 30 provided in the image reading unit 20 is engaged with an engagement unit (not shown) of the multifunction peripheral 100 main body. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the image reading unit 20 and the upper surface cover 23 are held open, and the toner cartridges 4a to 4d are exposed.

  After the toner cartridges 4a to 4d are replaced, when the support arm 30 is disengaged and the image reading unit 20 is swung downward (in the direction of arrow A ′ in FIG. 4), the upper surface connected by the link member 27 The cover 23 also swings downward in conjunction with it. Thereafter, when the image reading unit 20 and the upper surface cover 23 are returned to the state shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 20 and the MFP 100 main body are connected again by the lock mechanism, and the replacement operation of the toner cartridges 4a to 4d is completed.

  According to the above procedure, when the toner cartridges 4a to 4d are replaced, the upper surface cover 23 and the image reading unit 20 positioned above the upper surface cover 23 do not interfere with each other. There is no need to increase the distance between the reading unit 20 and the upper surface cover 23. Therefore, cartridge replacement workability can be improved with a simple configuration without causing an increase in the size of the apparatus or a decrease in operability. In addition, since the upper surface cover 23 can be opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the image reading unit 20, the procedure for cartridge replacement is further simplified.

  Here, the swing fulcrum 25 that supports the top cover 23 is disposed closer to the swing end (operation panel 20 b) of the image reading unit 20 than the swing fulcrum 21 that supports the image reading unit 20. Therefore, as the image reading unit 20 swings upward, the interval between the operation panel 20b of the image reading unit 20 and the swinging end 23a of the upper surface cover 23 becomes narrower.

  As a result, the opening angle of the upper surface cover 23 can be made larger than the opening angle of the image reading unit 20, and the replacement workability of the toner cartridges 4a to 4d can be improved. Further, since it is not necessary to open the heavy image reading unit 20 to a high position, the labor of the operator can be reduced. Further, since the rotational moment applied to the swing fulcrum 21 due to the swing of the image reading unit 20 is also reduced, the configuration of the swing fulcrum 21 is simplified, and deformation and breakage of the parts constituting the swing fulcrum 21 can be prevented. In addition, safety is increased.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the tandem type color multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1, but a digital or analog monochrome multifunction peripheral, a color multifunction peripheral having an inkjet image forming unit, or the like, reads an image above the apparatus main body. The present invention can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses having a section.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus provided with an image reading unit with a paper discharge space above the apparatus main body. This is an image forming apparatus that is supported so as to be able to swing, and in which an image reading unit and an upper surface cover are connected using a link member. As a result, the top cover can be greatly opened while avoiding interference with the image reading unit, so maintenance workability such as cartridge replacement can be improved with a simple configuration without causing an increase in the size of the device or a decrease in operability. Image forming apparatus can be provided.

  Further, since the swing fulcrum supporting the upper surface cover is arranged closer to the swing end of the image reading unit than the swing fulcrum supporting the image reading unit, the upper surface cover is not opened to a high position. The opening angle can be increased, which is advantageous in terms of workability, durability of parts, and safety.

Pa to Pd Image forming section 1a to 1d Photosensitive drum 3a to 3d Developing device 4a to 4d Toner cartridge 20 Image reading section 20a Document placement table 20b Operation panel 21 Oscillation fulcrum (image reading section)
23 Top cover 25 Swing fulcrum (Top cover)
27 Link member 30 Support arm 100 MFP

Claims (3)

An apparatus main body having an image forming unit therein;
An openable and closable top cover provided on the top surface of the apparatus body;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that is disposed above the upper surface cover at a predetermined interval and scans and reads a document.
The image reading unit and the upper surface cover are supported so as to be swingable in the same direction with respect to the apparatus main body at different swing fulcrums.
An image forming apparatus comprising a link member that is swingably connected to the image reading unit and the upper surface cover.   The swing fulcrum that supports the upper surface cover is disposed at a distance from the swing fulcrum that supports the image reading unit in the swing end direction of the image reading unit. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support arm that supports the image reading unit at a predetermined opening angle.

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