JP2012150151A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that prevents an end user from holding a carrying handle of an image forming apparatus body at all, and prompts an end user to hold only a carrying handle provided at the lowest portion of an option tray device side when carrying the apparatus, for example, to improve operability of the apparatus without causing misunderstanding.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a printer 1 as a main device, and an option tray device 42 as an option device that is added and installed to the main device. The image forming apparatus further includes a carrying handle 40 provided to the printer 1, and blank covers 43 and 44 provided to the option tray device 42 as covering members which cover the carrying handle 40.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that includes an original reading unit and an image forming unit and to which an optional tray device can be attached.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, and multi-function machines, an image reading unit (scanner unit) is often disposed above an image forming unit (printer unit). The extension option tray can be attached to the lower part of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is simply placed in multiple stages on the lower part of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  Here, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which an auxiliary cassette as an auxiliary tray is provided as an option of the image forming apparatus, and a multi-stage tray is configured by attaching the auxiliary cassette to the lower part of the image forming apparatus. ing.

JP 2007-96889 A

  However, as described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when the image forming apparatus needs to be moved from the installation location or the like, the image forming apparatus main body and the optional tray apparatus are separated if the image forming apparatus main body is held. There was a case.

  In view of the above technical problems, the present invention adds a blank cover as a configuration on the option tray device side and completely covers the handle portion of the image forming apparatus main body with the blank cover so that the end user can An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the handle portion of the forming apparatus main body cannot be held at all and the operability can be further improved without causing misunderstanding.

  In order to solve the technical problem as described above, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a main body device and an optional device installed in addition to the main body device. It has a handle part provided in the main body device, and a covering member provided in the option device and covering the handle part.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a main body device and an optional device installed in addition to the main body device, and a first handle portion provided in the main body device. A second handle portion provided in the option device, and the first handle portion and the second handle portion are engaged after the option device is installed in the main body device. Features.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a blank cover is added as a configuration to the option tray apparatus side, and the end user completely covers the handle portion of the image forming apparatus main body with the blank cover, so that the end user can Thus, it is possible to improve the operability without causing misunderstanding.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image reading device portion of the composite device of FIG. 1 in more detail. (A) thru | or (c) is a figure which shows the structure of the characteristic part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention in detail. (A) thru | or (d) is a figure which shows the structure of the characteristic part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention in detail. When printing on a small sheet (A5 or the like) and the leading end of the sheet is not visible, the scanner unit is rotated and lifted to take out the printed sheet. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a scanner unit and a printer stacker cover are opened and an empty toner cartridge is replaced when toner is replenished. (A) thru | or (c) is a figure which shows the structure of the characteristic part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention in detail. (A) thru | or (d) is a figure which shows the structure of the characteristic part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention in detail. When printing on a small sheet (A5 or the like) and the leading end of the sheet is not visible, the scanner unit is rotated and lifted to take out the printed sheet. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a scanner unit and a printer stacker cover are opened and an empty toner cartridge is replaced when toner is replenished.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the following description, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(First embodiment)

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a composite apparatus as an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a printer (image printing apparatus main body), reference numerals 2 to 11 denote constituent members of the image printing apparatus main body, and reference numerals 13 to 15 denote image reading apparatuses. The image printing apparatus main body and the image reading apparatus are connected to each other. It has become a composite device. Reference numeral 31 denotes a paper cassette of an optional tray apparatus as an optional apparatus, and reference numerals 32 to 36 denote constituent members thereof. Hereinafter, each configuration will be further described in detail.

  The printer 1 includes a paper cassette 2 that supplies paper to the image printing apparatus main body. The paper feed roller 3 plays a role of feeding paper sheets one by one from the paper cassette 2 to the image printing apparatus main body, and has a built-in one-way clutch function (transmitting driving force in only one direction and idling when reversed). is doing. At the end of the transport path of the paper feed roller 3, sensors 4 and 7 for detecting the passage of paper, a transport roller 5 for transporting the paper from the paper cassette 2 to the skew correcting means and also feeding it to the image drum, a paper cassette 2 and a sheet conveying roller 6 for feeding the sheet to the image drum, an image forming unit 8 including an image drum and a transfer roller for forming an image on the sheet, and an image formed by the image forming unit 8. A fixing unit 9 for fixing to a sheet, which is composed of a heater and a pressure roller, and a discharge roller 10 for sending the sheet fixed by the fixing unit 9 from the image printing apparatus main body to the outside are disposed. . In addition, a printer cover 12 is also provided. The travel route of the paper fed from the paper cassette 2 mounted on the image printing apparatus main body 1 corresponds to the paper travel route 11.

  As in the image printing apparatus main body 1, the option tray apparatus is provided with a paper feed roller 32 for feeding sheets from the paper cassette 31 to the image printing apparatus main body 1 one by one, and a one-way clutch (one direction only). It has a built-in function that transmits driving force and idles when it reverses. A sensor 33 for detecting the passage of the paper is provided at the tip of the transport path, and further, there are paper transport rollers 34 and 35 having a skew correcting means from the paper cassette 31. The travel route of the paper fed from the paper cassette 31 mounted on the option tray device corresponds to the paper travel route 36.

  In addition, the image reading apparatus includes a scanner unit 13 (image reading apparatus main body), a scanner cover 14 that covers a flat bed portion, and an ADF (automatic document feeding) that automatically and sequentially sends a large number of sheets using a part of the scanner cover 14. Paper device) unit 15.

  Here, FIG. 2 shows and describes the configuration of the image reading device portion of the composite apparatus of FIG. 1 in more detail. As shown in the figure, the ADF unit 15 includes a document tray 16 and a document sub-tray 17 for setting a scanned document, a sheet presence / absence sensor 19 for determining the presence / absence of the scanned document, an ADF roller 18 for separating a document, and a document transport roller. 20 includes a sensor 21 for detecting the passage of paper and a document discharge roller 22, and reads a document set on the ADF unit 15 at a position of a movable image reading unit 23a on the scanner unit 13 side. A route from setting the read document to the ADF unit 15 until the document is discharged is a document travel route 24. Further, the image reading unit is movable, and when the image reading unit moves to the position of the image reading unit 23b, it is possible to read a document by a flat bed method.

  3 and 4, the characteristic portions of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention are shown and described in detail. Normally, the state as shown in FIG. 3A is the purchase form of the user.

  First, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3A, a scanner unit (image reading apparatus main body) 13 is disposed on the printer 1 as a main body apparatus. A recess 41a (see detail -A) and a recess 41b (see detail -B) are formed as engaging portions on the inside of the handle portion 40 provided on the lower left and right sides of the printer 1, respectively. The recesses 41a and 41b may have the same shape. In addition, the perspective view of FIG. 3A also shows the configuration of an optional tray device 42 as an optional device. On the upper surface of the option tray device 42, a connector 45 for transmitting / receiving a paper feed start / stop command based on an instruction from the printer 1 and transmitting / receiving a signal for operating a motor or a sensor is disposed. Further, blank covers 43 and 44 as covering members are provided on the upper left and right side surfaces.

  When the printer 1 is disposed on the option tray device 42, the state is as shown in FIG. In this state, the blank covers 43 and 44 as the covering members are accommodated in such a manner that they do not protrude from the side surface and the upper surface of the option tray device 1 as the optional device (see detail -C).

  In FIG. 3C, the optional tray device 42 is mounted on the printer 1, and the blank covers 43 and 44 on both sides are rotated, and the blank covers 43 and 44 are recessed 41 a and 41 b of the handle portion 40 on the printer 1 side. The perspective view of the state attached and locked to is shown. When the blank covers 43 and 44 are rotated, the blank covers 43 and 44 protrude from the upper surface of the option tray device 42, but are parallel to the printer 1 and the side surfaces of the option tray device 42 (detail -D reference).

  FIG. 4A shows an enlarged state before the blank covers 43 and 44 are locked in a state where the optional tray device 42 is mounted on the printer 1. The option tray device 42 has front and rear holes (not shown) in which the rotation support shafts 48 of the blank covers 43 and 44 rotate inside the attachment portions of the blank covers 43 and 44.

  As shown in FIGS. 4B to 4D, the blank covers 43 and 44 are provided with a lock lever 46 as a lock member that engages with the concave portions 41a and 41b on the printer 1 side, and the lock levers 46 respectively. A spring 47 is provided. 4C is a perspective view showing a state seen from the arrow (E) in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4D is a view seen from the arrow (F) in FIG. 4B. It is a perspective view shown.

  In the above configuration, the printer 1 (with the scanner unit 13) as the main body device is placed on the option tray device 42 as the optional device, and the blank covers 43 and 44 as the covering members are rotated in the direction (a). As a result, the lock lever 46 as the lock member of the blank covers 43 and 44 enters the recesses 41a and 41b as the engaging portions of the handle portion 40 of the printer 1 by the urging force of the spring 47 and is locked to the printer 1 side. (FIG. 3C shows a state where the blank covers 43 and 44 are rotated from the option tray device 42 and enter the printer 1).

  Further, when printing on a small sheet (A5 or the like) and the leading end of the sheet is not visible, the scanner unit 13 is rotated up as shown in FIG. 5 and the printed sheet is taken out. Further, when the toner is replenished, the scanner unit 13 and the stacker cover of the printer 1 are opened and the empty toner cartridge is replaced as shown in FIG.

  When removing the optional tray device 42, the blank covers 43, 44 are rotated in the direction (a) (see FIG. 3 detail -D) to rotate in the direction opposite to the direction (a), and the lock lever 46 is moved to the printer. The recesses 41a and 41b on one side (see details-A / details-B) are removed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus including the printer 1 as the main body apparatus and the option tray apparatus 42 as the optional apparatus installed in addition to the main body apparatus, An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a handle portion 40 provided in the main body device and blank covers 43 and 44 as covering members provided in the optional device and covering the handle portion 40.

  Here, blank covers 43 and 44 as covering members of the optional device may be disposed on both the left and right sides on the lower side of the main body device, and may be rotated. Further, the handle unit 40 on the main unit side has recesses 41a and 41b as engaging portions, and blank covers 43 and 44 as covering members of the optional device can be rotated and provided on the handle unit 40 on the main unit side. It may be characterized by engaging with the recessed portions 41a and 41b as the engaged portions. Further, the blank covers 43 and 44 as the covering members have a rotation support shaft 48 as a center of rotation and a lock lever 46 as a lock member. A lock lever 46 as the lock member may be engaged with recesses 41a and 41b as engagement portions provided in the handle 40 on the apparatus side.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, by adding the blank covers 43 and 44 to the option tray device 42 side and completely covering the handle portion 40 of the device main body, the end user can have it at all. In such a case, it is possible to improve the operability without causing misunderstanding by always urging the user to hold the lowermost handle portion on the option tray side when moving or the like.

  Further, at the time of maintenance and inspection, it is possible for the service person to rotate the blank covers 43 and 44 in the direction (a) and replace only the option tray device 42.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, by adding blank covers 43 and 44 that are rotatable to the optional tray device 42 and incorporate a lock lever 46 as a lock member, when replacement by toner replenishment or paper jam occurs, The printer 1 side and the optional tray device 42 side can be securely connected even when the user is handling the machine somewhat rough, and so-called hot-line insertion / extraction can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Since the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the redundant description is omitted here, and the features are mainly described with reference to FIGS. explain.

  Note that, as in the first embodiment described above, the state shown in FIG. 7A is usually the purchase mode of the end user.

  First, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 7A, a scanner unit (image reading apparatus main body) 13 is disposed on the printer 1 as a main body apparatus. Then, a recess 51a (refer to detail -G) and a recess 51b (refer to detail -H) as the engaging portions are formed inside the handle portion 50 as the first handle portion provided on the lower left and right sides of the printer 1, respectively. Has been. The recesses 51a and 51b may have the same shape. The configuration of an optional tray device 52 as an optional device is also shown in the perspective view of FIG. On the upper surface of the option tray device 52, a connector 55 for transmitting / receiving a paper feed start / stop command based on an instruction from the printer 1 and transmitting / receiving a signal for operating a motor or a sensor is disposed. Further, blank covers 53 and 54 as second handle portions are provided on the upper left and right side surfaces of the option tray device 52.

  When the printer 1 is disposed on the option play device 52, the state is as shown in FIG. In this state, the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle portions are accommodated so as not to protrude from the side surface and the upper surface of the option tray device 1 as the option device (see detail -J).

  FIG. 7C is a perspective view in which the optional tray device 52 is mounted and the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle portions on both sides are moved in the (c) direction, and the blank covers 53 and 54 are moved to the printer 1. The state which attached and locked to recessed part 51a, 51b as an engaging part of the handle part 50 as a 1st handle part of the side is shown. That is, the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle portions are slidable in the (c) direction and the (d) direction, that is, in the vertical direction (see detail -K).

  FIG. 8A shows an enlarged state before the blank covers 53 and 54 are locked in a state where the optional tray device 42 is mounted on the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 8A, the option tray device 52 has a guide (not shown) that moves the blank covers 53 and 54 up and down.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the blank covers 53 and 54 include a lock lever 56 as a lock member that engages with the recesses 51a and 51b on the printer 1 side, and the respective lock levers. A spring 57 for biasing 56 is provided.

  8B is an enlarged view of the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle, and FIG. 8C is an internal view of the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle. It is the figure which expanded and showed the structure.

  In the above configuration, the printer 1 (with the scanner unit 13) as the main unit is mounted on the option tray device 52 as the optional device, and the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle portions are arranged in the (c) direction. By the sliding movement, the lock lever 56 as the lock member enters the recesses 51a and 51b as the engaging portions of the handle portion 50 as the first handle portion of the printer 1 by the urging force of the spring 57. The recesses 51a and 51b (see details-G / details-H) are locked. As described above, FIG. 7C shows a state where the blank covers 53 and 54 have slid from the option tray device 52 and entered the printer 1.

  Further, when printing on a small sheet (A5 or the like) and the leading end of the sheet is not visible, as shown in FIG. 9, the scanner unit 13 is raised and the printed sheet is taken out. Further, when the toner is replenished, as shown in FIG. 10, the scanner unit 13 and the stacker cover of the printer 1 are opened and the empty toner cartridge is replaced.

  Further, when removing the optional tray device 52 from the printer 1, the blank cover 53, 54 is pushed in the direction (D), that is, in the downward direction, and is slid in the direction (C), that is, in the direction opposite to the upward direction. 56 will be removed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus including the printer 1 as the main body apparatus and the option tray apparatus 52 as the optional apparatus installed in addition to the main body apparatus. The apparatus has a handle 50 as a first handle provided in the main unit and blank covers 53 and 54 as second handles provided in the option device. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus is provided in which the handle 50 as the first handle and the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle are engaged.

  Further, the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle on the option device side may be positioned below the handle 50 as the first handle of the main device and can be pulled out upward. . Further, the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handle portions may be pulled out upward to function as the handle portions of the main body device. Also, the handle 50 as the first handle is provided with recesses 51a and 51b as the engaging portions, and the blank covers 53 and 54 as the second handles are the lock levers as the lock members. 56, and pulling out the blank covers 53, 54 as the second handle part upward, the lock lever 56 as the lock member is recessed 51a, 51b as the engaging part of the first handle part. It is good also as engaging.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the handle shape of the blank covers 53 and 54 moves and completely covers the handle portion of the apparatus main body, so that the end user has the handle shape of the blank cover. Supports the weight of the main body side and the optional tray device, and when moving, it can have either the handle shape of the blank covers 53, 54 or the lowermost handle portion on the option tray device 52 side, Convenience goes up. Further, at the time of maintenance inspection, it is also possible to replace only the option tray device 52 by the serviceman sliding the blank covers 53 and 54 in the (d) direction.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, by adding blank covers 53 and 54 having a lock lever 56 as a lock member that can be slid in the vertical direction and locked to the option tray device 52, toner replacement or a jam occurs. Even when the user is somewhat rough, the printer 1 side and the optional tray device 52 side can be reliably connected, and so-called hot-swap can be prevented.

  The image forming apparatus includes an optional tray device that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body of a document reading apparatus or an image forming apparatus (such as a printer, a facsimile apparatus, or a multifunction machine having a printer function and a scanner function). It is what you have.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Paper cassette 3 Feed roller 4 Sensor 5 Conveyance roller 6 Paper conveyance roller 7 Sensor 8 Image forming unit 9 Fixing unit 10 Discharge roller 11 Paper travel route 12 Printer cover 13 Scanner unit 14 Scanner cover 15 ADF unit 16 Document tray 17 Document sub-tray 18 ADF roller 19 Paper presence sensor 20 Document conveyance roller 21 Sensor 22 Document discharge rollers 23a and 23b Image reading unit 31 Paper cassette 32 Paper feed roller 33 Sensor 34 Paper conveyance roller 35 Paper conveyance roller 36 Paper travel route 40 41b Recess 42 Option tray device 43 Blank cover 44 Blank cover 45 Connector 46 Lock lever 47 Spring 50 Hand part 51a, 51b Recess 52 Option tray 53 blank cover 54 blank cover 55 connector 56 locking lever 57 spring

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus comprising a main device and an optional device installed in addition to the main device,
A handle provided in the main unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a covering member that is provided in the optional device and covers the handle portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the covering member of the optional device is disposed on both the left and right sides of the lower side of the main body device and rotates. The handle portion on the main device side has an engaging portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the covering member of the optional device is rotatable and engages with an engaging portion provided in the handle portion on the main body device side.   The covering member has a rotation support shaft serving as a center of the rotation and a lock member. The cover member rotates about the rotation support shaft and is provided in the handle portion on the main body device side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the lock member is engaged with the portion. In an image forming apparatus comprising a main device and an optional device installed in addition to the main device,
A first handle provided in the main device;
A second handle provided in the optional device;
Have
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first handle portion and the second handle portion are engaged after the optional device is installed in the main body device.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second handle portion on the option device side is located below the first handle portion of the main body device and can be pulled out upward. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus functions as a handle portion of the main body device by pulling the second handle portion upward. The first handle portion is provided with an engaging portion,
The second handle has a lock member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the lock member is engaged with an engagement portion of the first handle portion by pulling the second handle portion upward.