JP2512699Y2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying apparatus or a laser beam printer.

(Conventional technology and its disadvantages)

Conventionally, a transport path for transporting a sheet member through a transfer area, a first supply means and a second supply means for supplying the sheet member to the transport path, and a sheet member delivered from the first supply means. An image forming apparatus provided with a first feeding path that leads to a conveyance path and a second feeding path that guides a sheet member fed from a second feeding means to the conveyance path is widely put into practical use.

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the first
There is a problem to be solved such as that the mechanism for opening the feeding path and the second feeding path is complicated, and the operation for opening and closing these feeding paths is complicated.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and an object thereof is to open the first transport path and the second transport path independently with a relatively simple configuration. (EN) An image forming apparatus capable of being configured from an open state to a working state reliably by a simple operation and capable of configuring the first transport path and the second transport path with an extremely small number of parts. It is to be.

<Outline of the Invention> According to the present invention, an apparatus main body, a conveyance path for guiding a sheet member as required through a transfer region formed in the apparatus main body, and a first member for supplying the sheet member to the conveyance path. A supply unit and a second supply unit; a first feeding route for guiding the sheet member fed from the first feeding unit to the conveyance route; and a sheet member fed from the second feeding unit. In an image forming apparatus including a second feeding path that leads to a conveyance path, at least a majority of one side of the first feeding path is defined by a first opening / closing member that forms an outer wall of the apparatus main body. And at least most of the other side is defined by one surface of the second opening / closing member, and at least most of the second feeding path is defined by the other surface of the second opening / closing member. The opening / closing member is the first feeding path. It is rotatable between a first position that defines one side and an open position that opens the first feeding path, and the second opening / closing member has one side that is different from the first feeding path. Is pivotable between a closed position that defines the side and the other surface that defines the second feed path and an open position that opens the second feed path; and The second opening / closing member operates independently from the closing position to the opening position, and when the first opening / closing member is operated from the opening position to the closing position, the second opening / closing member operates. An image forming apparatus is provided, which is configured to be operated in a closed position.

[Specific example of device]

Hereinafter, a specific example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, the illustrated laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a device body 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the device body 2 includes a lower frame body 4 and a shaft member on the lower frame body 4. It is composed of an upper frame body 6 mounted so as to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position (position shown in FIG. 1) via 5 (extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1).

At a substantially central portion of the apparatus main body 2, a process unit indicated by numeral 8 is arranged. The process unit 8 includes a unit frame 10 which is detachably attached to the upper frame body 6, and a rotary drum 12 is rotatably attached to the unit frame 10. An electrostatic photoconductor is provided on the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12. Around the rotating drum 12 which is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 14, a charging corona discharger 16 and a developing device 1 are provided.
8. A transfer corona discharger 20 and a cleaning device 22 are provided. The developing device 18 includes a magnetic brush mechanism including a hollow sleeve 26 that is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow 24 and a stationary permanent magnet 28 that is disposed in the hollow sleeve 26.
The charging corona discharger 16, the developing device 18, and the cleaning device 22 are mounted on the unit frame 10, and the transfer corona discharger 20 is installed.
Is attached to the lower frame 4.

In the upper space of the upper frame 6, that is, above the process unit 8, an optical unit indicated by the numeral 34 is arranged.
The optical unit 34 includes a box-shaped unit housing 36. Inside the unit housing 36, a laser light source (not shown), a rotary polygon mirror 38, a first reflecting mirror 40, a second reflecting mirror 42, and A lens 44 is provided. A laser light source (not shown) irradiates a rotary polygon mirror 38 with laser light based on image information output from a computer, for example. The laser light reflected from the rotating polygon mirror 38 is, as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1, the first reflecting mirror 40 and the second reflecting mirror.
The light is reflected by 42 and further projected through the lens 44 in the projection area 46 onto the surface of the rotating drum 12.

In the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, that is, in the lower frame body 4, a sheet member which may be plain paper is provided with a rotary drum 12 and a transfer corona discharger 20.
Conveying means 50 for conveying through the transfer area 48 existing therebetween is provided. The illustrated conveyance means 50 includes a conveyance roller pair 52, a guide member 54, a guide member 56, and a fixing roller 58, and a conveyance path extending from the nip portion 60 of the conveyance roller pair 52 to the nip portion 62 of the fixing roller pair 58 in a substantially linear shape. Specifies 51. In the specific example, a manual feeding means 64 is arranged at the right end of the transport path 51. Further, a first supply means 66 and a second supply means 68 for automatically supplying a sheet member are arranged below the conveying means 50, that is, below the lower frame 4. The manual feeding means 64 is provided with a table 70 which is rotatable between a supply position shown in FIG. 1 and a storage position which is rotated approximately 90 degrees upward from the supply position. When the manual feeding means 64 is used, the table 70 is rotatable. 70 is held in the supply position.
When the sheet member is positioned on the table 70 and inserted through the opening 72 formed on the right side of the apparatus main body 2, the sheet member is guided to the conveying roller pair 52 through between the upper guide portion 74 and the lower guide portion 76. Further, the first supply means 66 is a receiving portion defined on the bottom of the apparatus main body 2, and hence on the bottom of the lower frame body 4.
78, a cassette 82 detachably attached to the receiving portion 78 through an apparatus opening 80 formed on the left side of the apparatus main body 2, and a feeding roller 84 disposed above the receiving portion 78.
A sheet member is loaded in the 82. When the feeding roller 84 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow, the uppermost sheet member accommodated in the cassette 82 is fed from the cassette 82, and the fed sheet member passes through the first feeding path 86. It is delivered to the transport route. The second supply means 68 located above the first supply means 66 has a receiving portion 88 defined in the upper portion of the lower frame body 4 and a receiving portion through the device opening 90 formed in the left surface of the device main body 2. Cassette 92 that is detachably attached to 88 and receiver
It is composed of a feeding roller 94 arranged above 88, and a sheet member is loaded in the cassette 92. When the feeding roller 94 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow, the uppermost sheet member is fed from the cassette 92, and the thus fed sheet member is conveyed through the second feeding path 96, as described above. Sent to the route.

At the left end of the apparatus main body 2 in FIG. 1, a receiving tray 98 which constitutes a first receiving means is arranged. Illustrated saucer 98
Is the upper surface (upper surface in the state shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1)
Is composed of a first plate 100 having a somewhat concave shape and a second plate 102 extending in a substantially straight line, and the first plate 100 and the second plate 102 are in contact with each other via a pin 104. The position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, and the pivotal movement of the second plate 102 beyond the above-mentioned operating position is prevented by the contact of the base portion of the second plate 102 with the tip of the first plate 100). Storage position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and the tip of the second plate 102 comes into contact with the base of the first plate 100 so that the second plate 102
Is prevented from swinging beyond the above-mentioned action position). The tray 98 is rotatable about the protrusion 105 between a receiving position shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 and a storage position shown by a solid line in FIG. When in the receiving position, the second plate 102 is held in the operating position, and the tray 98 extends substantially horizontally from the apparatus body 2. On the other hand, when in the storage position (at this time, the second plate 102 is also set to the storage position, and the second plate 102 is stored in the concave portion of the upper surface of the first plate 100 as required) 98 extends substantially vertically upward. There is a first space between the tray 98 and the transport path 51.
The discharge path 106 is provided. The illustrated first discharging path 106 is defined by the guide member 108 and the first discharging roller pair 110, and when the tray 98 is in the receiving position,
The sheet member conveyed through the conveyance path 51 and the first discharge path 106 is directly discharged onto the tray 98. In the specific example,
In addition, a second receiving means is provided on the upper end of the apparatus body 2. The second receiving means is defined by the inclined upper surface 112a of the upper wall 112 of the apparatus main body 2, and the upper end portion of the inclined upper surface 112a is located above the inclined upper surface 112a and above the inclined upper surface 112a. An auxiliary receiving member 114, which is rotatable between storage positions to be stored, is attached. A second transport path 116 is provided between the second receiving means and the first discharge path 106. The second discharge path 116 is provided with the tray 98 in the storage position (particularly the first plate 102 of the second plate 102 in the storage state).
(Right side in the figure), a plurality of guide ribs 120 (one shown in FIG. 1) provided on the inner surface of the wall 118, and a second discharge roller pair 122, and the tray 98 is in the storage position. Sometimes, the sheet member conveyed through the conveyance path 51 and the first discharge path 106 is guided further upward, and passes through the second discharge path 116 and the second discharge roller pair 122.
Is discharged onto the inclined upper surface 112a of the upper wall 112.

The operation of the above laser beam printer will be outlined below. While the rotating drum 12 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 14, the charging corona discharger 16 is rotated.
Twelve photoconductors are charged to a specific polarity, and then laser light from a laser light source (not shown) of the optical unit 34 is projected on the photoconductors in the projection area 46, thus corresponding to image information on the photoconductor surface. An electrostatic latent image is formed. After that, the developing device
The magnetic brush generated by the magnetic brush mechanism 30 of 18 acts on the photoconductor, and thus by the action of the developing device 18,
A toner image corresponding to image information is formed on the surface of the photoconductor. Then, the sheet member supplied from the supply means (the manual supply means 64, the first supply means 66 or the second supply means 88) to the conveyance path 51 is brought into close contact with the photoconductor of the rotary drum 12 in the transfer area 48. The toner image on the photoconductor is transferred to the sheet member by the action of the transfer corona discharger 20. The sheet member on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the rotary drum 12 and conveyed to the fixing roller pair 58, and the toner image is fixed on the surface of the sheet member by the action of the fixing roller pair 58. The sheet member is further fed to the first discharge path 106,
When the tray 98 is in the receiving position, it is discharged from the first discharge roller pair 110 as it is onto the tray 98. When the sheet member is discharged as described above, as easily understood from FIG. 1, the sheet member is discharged with the surface on which the image is formed facing up. On the other hand, when the tray 98 is in the storage position, the sheet member is introduced from the first discharge path 106 to the second discharge path 116, and passes through the second discharge path 116 and the second discharge roller pair 122. Is discharged onto the inclined upper surface 112a of the upper wall 112. When the sheet member is discharged onto the inclined upper surface 112a,
As can be easily understood from FIG. 1, the sheet is ejected with the surface on which the image is formed facing down. Therefore, at this time, it is not necessary to perform page alignment of the ejected sheet members. On the other hand, the rotary drum 12 continues to rotate, and the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor is removed by the action of the cleaning blade 32.

Next, a first feeding path 86 that guides the sheet member sent from the first feeding means 66 to the conveyance path, and a second feeding means that guides the sheet member sent from the second feeding means 68 to the conveyance path. 96 and the related elements are explained.

With reference to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 1, most of the first feeding path 86 is defined by the first opening / closing member 124 and the second opening / closing member 126, and the second feeding path 96 is large. The portion is defined by the second opening / closing member 126. Then, the downstream side portion of the first feeding route 86 and the downstream side portion of the second feeding route 96 are merged, and the joining portion of both routes is connected to the upstream end of the transport route 51.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the illustrated first opening / closing member 124 is
It has a pair of end walls 128 and 130 arranged at a predetermined interval, and an outer wall 132, an inner wall 134, a bottom wall 136 and an upper wall 138 are provided between the end walls 128 and 130 (first). See also figure).
In the exemplary embodiment, the inner wall 134 has a substantially flat lower portion 140 and an upper portion 142 that curves in an arc and extends upwardly, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper portion 142 of the inner wall 134. The inner surface defines one side of the first feeding path 86, that is, the right side in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of guide ribs 144 are integrally provided on the upper portion 142 of the inner wall 134 at intervals in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). These guide ribs are omitted in the figure). Further, at both widthwise ends of the upper portion 142 of the inner wall 134,
A contact prevention recess 146 is defined. In the example, the inner wall 1
The central portion in the width direction of the upper portion 142 of 34 is curved relatively largely from the substantially central portion in the vertical direction and extends downward, while the upper portion 1 of the inner wall 134 is
Both ends of the width direction 42 are curved relatively small and extend downward from a substantially central portion in the vertical direction, and contact preventing recesses 146 are provided at both ends thereof due to the difference in curvature of the curved surface. In the specific example, further, at the upstream end of the central portion in the width direction of the upper portion 142 of the inner wall 134, the introduction protrusion 148 protruding substantially horizontally in the receiving portion 78 of the first supply means 66 in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Are provided integrally. The introduction protrusion 148 is formed on the inner wall 134.
A guide rib 144 provided on the upper part 142 of the inner wall 134 extends to the introduction protrusion 148.

The ends 128 and 130 of the first opening / closing member 124 are provided with supporting portions 150 and 1 by removing a part of them into a substantially U shape.
52 is integrally provided, and pins 154 and 156 protruding outward are provided at the tips of the supporting portions 150 and 152. on the other hand,
The lower frame body 4 has a pair of vertical substrates (not shown) arranged at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG.
A support plate piece 162 on the inner surface of the vertical substrate (only the one provided on the inner surface of the front vertical substrate is shown in FIG. 2)
Is provided. The supporting plate piece 162 has an elongated hole 164 extending substantially horizontally to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 (the hole 1 formed in one supporting plate piece 162 in FIG. 2).
64, and only the holes 164 of the other support plate piece 162 not shown in FIG. 1 are formed), and one end portion (the left end portion in FIGS. 1 and 2) of these elongated holes 164 is formed. Bending upward for a minute. A pin 154 provided on the first opening / closing member 124 is provided in the pair of elongated holes 164.
And 156 are detachably received. The first opening / closing member 124 can be formed of synthetic resin, and can be elastically deformed inward by pressing the base portions of the supporting portions 150 and 152 inward, and the pair of pins 154 can be elastically deformed. And 156 can be disengaged from the corresponding holes 164. The first opening / closing member 124 is
The working position where the pins 154 and 156 are located at one end of the hole 164 (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and the pins 154 and 156 are holes.
Drawing position located at the other end of 164 (position shown in FIG. 6)
Between the first position and the closed position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) that is movable along the hole 164 and defines one side of the first supply route 86. It is rotatable between open positions (positions shown in FIG. 6) for opening.

Next, referring to FIG. 4 together with FIG. 1 and FIG.
The second opening / closing member 126 shown in the figure is a pair of end walls 128 of the first opening / closing member 124.
And a pair of end walls 182 and 184 spaced apart by a distance greater than 130, and a lower body wall 186 that extends linearly downwardly between the pair of end walls 182 and 184 and an upper curved wall. An upper arcuate wall 188 extending therethrough is provided. In the specific example,
As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower body portion 186.
And the outer surface of the upper arcuate portion 188 (the right surface in FIGS. 1 and 2) defines the other side of the first feeding path 86, that is, the left side in FIG. 1, and the inner surface of the upper arcuate wall 188 (the first surface). The left side in FIGS. 2 and 3 defines one side of the second feeding path 96, that is, the right side in FIG. In the second opening / closing member 126, as clearly shown in FIG. 1, the outer surfaces of the lower main body wall 186 and the upper arcuate wall 188 have a width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 1 and 2). A plurality of guide ribs 190 are provided at intervals, and a plurality of guide ribs 192 are provided on the inner wall of the upper arcuate wall 188 at intervals in the width direction,
A plurality of contact ribs 194 are provided on the inner surface of the lower main body wall 186 at intervals in the width direction (in FIG. 4, these guide ribs 190 and 192 and the contact rib 194).
Is abbreviated). In the second opening / closing member 126 as well, similar to the first opening / closing member 124, the contact prevention concave portions 196 are defined at both widthwise ends of the upper arc-shaped wall 188 that acts as a guide surface of the second feeding path 96. In addition, an introduction protrusion 198 is provided at the center of the upper arcuate wall 188 in the width direction so as to project somewhat to the cassette receiving portion 88 of the second supply means 68. In the specific example, the central portion in the width direction of the upper arc-shaped wall 188 extends in a relatively large curve, while the both end portions in the width direction of the upper arc-shaped wall 188 extend in a substantially straight line sloping downward. Thus, the contact preventing recesses 196 are provided at both ends thereof. Further, the introduction projection 198 is provided over substantially the entire width of the portion between the contact prevention concave portions 196 in the upper arcuate wall 188, and the cassette receiving portion 88 is provided.
1 and 2, the guide rib 192 extends to the introduction protrusion 198 substantially horizontally to the left.

On the lower end walls of the end walls 182 and 184 of the second opening / closing member 126,
The supporting protrusion 200 protruding leftward in FIGS. 1 and 2.
And 202 are integrally provided, and the support protrusions 200 and 202 are provided with outwardly projecting pins 204 and 206. on the other hand,
A plate 208 that defines the lower surface of the cassette receiving portion 88 is provided between a pair of vertical substrates (not shown) of the lower frame body 4, and a pair of support brackets 210 (second A front side bracket 210 is shown in the drawing, and a rear side bracket 210 is shown in FIG. 1). The pins 204 and 206 provided on the second opening / closing member 126 are detachably and pivotally mounted on the pair of support brackets 210. The second opening / closing member 126 can also be formed of synthetic resin, and the support protrusion 2
By pressing the bases of 00 and 202 inward, they can be elastically deformed inward, and by elastically deforming them, the pins 204 and 206 can be disengaged from the support bracket 210. The second opening / closing member 126 has an outer surface that defines the other side of the first feeding path 86 and an inner surface that is the second side.
The closed position that defines one side of the feeding path 96 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
It is rotatable between a position (shown in the drawing) and an open position (the position shown in FIG. 6) that opens the second feeding path 96.

First locking means 220 is provided for releasably locking the first opening / closing member 124 in the closed position when the first opening / closing member 124 is in the operating position. The first locking means 220 is the first
The opening / closing member 124 is disposed at both upper end portions in the width direction. The first locking means 220 comprises an engagement member 222,
The shaft portion 224 provided on the engaging member 222 is the first opening / closing member 124.
Is rotatably mounted on the inner surface of the end wall of the end wall (on one inner surface of the end wall 128 in the case of the first locking means 220 and on the inner surface of the end wall 130 in the other first locking means 220). ing.
One end 222a of the engaging member 222 acts as an operating portion, and is operated in the direction indicated by an arrow 226 (FIG. 1) when the engaging member 222 is released. Further, a claw portion 228 is provided on the other end of the engaging member 222. The claw portion 228 can project upward through the openings 230 formed in the upper wall 138 and the inner wall 134 of the first opening / closing member 124. The engaging member 222 includes
Further, a biasing spring (not shown) for biasing the engaging member 222 in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow 226 is provided, and the engaging member 222 is normally provided with the claw portion 228 by the action of the biasing spring. By abutting the open end of 138, it is held in the locked position (the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6).

Further, a second lock means 232 for releasably locking the second opening / closing member 126 in the closed position is provided. The second locking means 232 is provided at both ends in the width direction of the second opening / closing member 126, and the operation protrusion 234 (the one operation protrusion 234 is one of the operation protrusions 234 is projected from the end wall to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2). End projection 234 is provided on the end wall 182, and the other operation projection 234 is provided on the end wall 184), and a locking pin 236 protruding on both sides is provided at the tip of each operation projection 234. ing. In the specific example, cuts are formed in the end walls 182 and 184 so that the operation protrusion 234 can be relatively large and elastically deformed inward. In addition, the right outer wall 238 of the device body 2 (second
A pair of plate pieces 240 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) is provided on the inner surface of the drawing) corresponding to each operation protrusion 234, and the pin 236 of the operation protrusion 234 is disengaged from each plate piece 240. A hole 242 for free reception is formed.

Further, below the first opening / closing member 124, a bias spring 244, which can be formed of, for example, a leaf spring, is arranged. The biasing spring 244 is attached to a mounting piece 248 mounted on the bottom wall 246 of the apparatus main body 2, and an arcuately curved tip portion acts on the bottom wall 136 of the first opening / closing member 124 to cause the first opening / closing member 12 to move.
4 is biased counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2 about pins 154 and 156.

In the apparatus shown in the drawing, when the first opening / closing member 124 is positioned at the working position and swung to the closed position, the second opening / closing member 124 is moved to the second position.
The opening / closing member 126 is configured to be pushed to the closed position. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, rectangular action pieces 250 and 252 are provided on the outer surfaces of the end walls 128 and 130 of the first opening / closing member 124 so as to project to both sides. . Such action pieces 250 and 252 are equivalent to the opening / closing member 126 of FIG.
When the first opening / closing member 124 is swung toward the closed position, the action piece 250 is provided corresponding to the operation protrusion 234 in the.
And 252 act on the corresponding operating projection 234.

When locked in the closed position by the first locking means 220 and the second locking means 232, the first opening / closing member 12
The 4th and 2nd opening / closing member 126 is hold | maintained at the state shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. That is, the engagement member 222 of the first locking means 220 is held in the lock position, and the claw portion 228 protruding upward through the opening 230 of the first opening / closing member 124 engages with the lower end portion of the cover member 256, Thus, the first opening / closing member 124 is releasably locked in the closed position in the operating position. In this closed state, the first opening / closing member 124 is biased clockwise by the action of the biasing spring 244, and thus the first opening / closing member 124 is elastically held in the closed position. Further, the pin 236 of the second locking means 232 is removably received in the hole 242 of the plate piece 240, and thus the second opening / closing member 126 is locked in the closed position. In the above-mentioned state, as shown in FIG. 1, most of the first feeding path 86 has the first opening / closing member 12
The sheet member defined by the inner surface of 4 and the outer surface of the second opening / closing member 126 and delivered from the first supply means 66 passes between the first opening / closing member 124 and the second opening / closing member 126, and is further covered. Guide rib 258 and feed roller 26 provided on the inner surface of 256
It is fed to the upstream end of the conveyance path through 0. Also,
Most of the one side of the second feeding path 96 is the second opening / closing member 126.
The sheet member that is defined by the inner surface of the sheet and is fed from the second supply means 68 is guided by the second opening / closing member 126, and further passes between the guide rib 258 and the feeding roller 260, and the conveying path 51.
Is delivered to the upstream end of.

To open the first feeding path 86, the first opening / closing member 12
The engaging member 222 of the first locking means 220 is swung in the direction indicated by the arrow 226 (FIG. 2) through the opening defined in the outer wall 132 of the four. As a result, the engaging member 222 is moved from the upper lock position to the lock release position, and the claw portion 228 is moved to the first position.
Is substantially accommodated in the opening / closing member 124 and is disengaged from the cover member 256, thus allowing the movement of the first opening / closing member 124. Thereafter, the first opening / closing member 124 is swung in the direction indicated by the arrow 261 while moving along the hole 164 of the support plate piece 162. When the first opening / closing member 124 is moved from the operating position to the pulling position, the pins 154 and 156 move to the right in the hole 164 of the support plate piece 162 in FIG. By abutting the other end on 164, the first opening / closing member 124 is positioned at the drawn-out position shown in FIG. When the first opening / closing member 124 is swung in the direction indicated by the arrow 261 from the closed position,
The first opening / closing member 124 is provided with pins 154 and 15 with respect to the apparatus main body 2.
It is turned clockwise around 6. When the first opening / closing member 124 is moved to the open position shown by the solid line in FIG.
The lower end abuts on the upper surface of the table 260 on which the apparatus main body 2 is mounted, and thus the first opening / closing member 124 is held in the open position in the pulled-out position as shown in FIG. In this open state, as can be seen from FIG.
Most of the feeding path 86 is opened, and thus the jammed sheet member can be easily removed when a so-called jam occurs in the first feeding path 86. It should be noted that the pins 154 and 156 can be disengaged from the holes 162 and 164 by elastically deforming the support members 150 and 152 inward in this open state, thus removing the first opening / closing member 124 from the apparatus main body 2. be able to. In the specific example, the first opening / closing member 124 is movable between the working position and the pulling-out position, and is opened when the first supply path 86 is opened.
The opening / closing member 124 of the first opening / closing member 124 is pulled out to the open position and is brought to the open position. Therefore, the first opening / closing member 124 is configured to be rotatable between the open position and the closed position. The feeding path 86 can be largely opened, and the clogged sheet member can be removed extremely easily as compared with the conventional case. Further, in the specific example, as can be understood from FIG. 6, since the biasing spring 244 biases the first opening / closing member 124 in the clockwise direction, that is, toward the open position, the biasing action of the biasing spring 244 causes It is possible to easily swivel the first opening / closing member 124 toward the open position. Further, the biasing spring 244 also acts as a support guide when moving the first opening / closing member 124 between the working position and the pulling-out position, and therefore allows the first opening / closing member 124 to move smoothly. be able to.

Next, in order to open the second feeding path 96 as well, the operation protrusion 234 of the second locking means 232 is moved inward through the opening created by positioning the first opening / closing member 124 in the open position. Press. Then, the operation protrusion 234
Is elastically deformed inward from the locked position, the pin 236 is disengaged from the hole 242 of the plate piece 240, and thus the second opening / closing member 126 can be rotated. Then, when the operation protrusion 234 is elastically deformed inward, the arrow 262 (the sixth
Rotate in the direction shown in (Fig.). When the second opening / closing member 126 is swung from the closed position to the position shown in FIG. 6,
The lower end of the lower main body wall 186 of the second opening / closing member 126 abuts on the introduction protrusion 148 of the first opening / closing member 124 in the open position, and thus the second opening / closing member 126 is moved to the open position shown in FIG. Retained. In this open state, as can be understood from FIG. 6, most of the second feeding path 96 is opened, and thus the jammed sheet member is removed when a so-called jam occurs in the second feeding path 96. It can be easily removed. In the specific example, as described above, the first feeding path 86 can be largely opened as compared with the conventional one, and in connection with this, the second feeding path 86 can be opened.
By pivoting the opening / closing member 126 relatively large, it comes into contact with the first opening / closing member 124, and thus the second feeding path 96 can also be opened widely.

The second feeding path 96 and the first opening which are opened as described above.
To restore the feeding path 86 of the first state, the first opening / closing member 12
It suffices to turn 4 in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by arrow 261 while moving 4 toward the above-mentioned operating position. As a result, the introduction protrusion 148 of the first opening / closing member 124 is initially arranged in the second opening / closing member 12.
6 and swivels in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow 262 toward the closed position, and thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the action pieces 250 and 252 of the first opening / closing member 124 are moved. Second
The operation projection 234 provided on the opening / closing member 126 is actuated to swivel toward the closed position. And the first opening / closing member
When 124 is moved to the operating position and swung to the closed position, the engaging member 2 in the first locking means 220 is moved.
22 engages the lower end of the cover member 256, thus locking the first opening / closing member 124 in the closed position. Also,
Thus, the action piece 250 provided on the first opening / closing member 124.
And 252, the second opening / closing member 126 is pivoted to the closed position, the pin 236 of the second locking means 232 engages with the hole 242 formed in the plate piece 240, and thus the first opening / closing member 124. Is also locked and held in the closed position. In the specific example, as will be understood from FIG. 8, the second opening / closing member
When 126 is swiveled to the vicinity of the closed position, the pin 236 provided on the operation protrusion 234 acts on the inner surface of the plate piece 240, and thus the operation protrusion 234 is elastically deformed somewhat inward by the pin 236. Become so. Then, the second opening / closing member 12
When 6 is rotated to the above closed position, as shown in FIG.
Due to the elastic restoring action of the operation projection 234, the pin 236 is removably received in the hole 242 of the plate piece 240.

Since it is as described above, the first feeding path 86 can be opened as required by moving the first opening / closing member 124 to the open position, and the second opening / closing member 126 can also be opened to the open position. Thus, in addition to the first feeding path 86, the second feeding path 96 can be opened as required.
On the other hand, in order to return the first feeding path 86 and the second feeding path 96 to the original state, the first opening / closing member 124 may be swung toward the closed position. When is set to the closed position, the action of the first opening / closing member 124 also positions the second opening / closing member 126 in the closing position. Therefore, the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing member 124 and the second opening / closing member 126, particularly the closing operation, can be simplified as compared with the related art.

Although a specific example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this specific example, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the illustrated specific example, the first opening / closing member 124 has been described as being applied to a form in which it can move between the operating position and the withdrawing position and can freely swivel between the closed position and the open position. However, the first opening / closing member is not limited to the above, but can be similarly applied to the first opening / closing member that is simply rotatable between the open position and the closed position.

<Effect of the Invention> As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, at least most of one side of the first feeding path is defined by the first opening / closing member forming the outer wall of the apparatus body, and the other side. Of at least most of the second opening / closing member is defined by the other surface of the second opening / closing member, and at least most of the second feeding path is defined by the other surface of the second opening / closing member. The following operational effects are achieved.

Most of the first feeding path and the second feeding path are first
And the second opening / closing member, and since the first opening / closing member is formed of the member forming the outer wall of the apparatus body, the number of parts can be minimized, and Its actuation mechanism can also be minimized. Therefore, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Also, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member operate independently from the closed position to the open position, and the first opening / closing member operates from the open position to the closed position. Since the second opening / closing member is configured to be actuated to the closed position when biased, the following operational effects are obtained.

When a so-called jam occurs in the first feeding path, the first feeding path can be opened by operating only the first opening / closing member forming the outer wall of the apparatus main body, The sheet member clogged in the first feeding path can be easily removed. Therefore, when a so-called jam occurs in the first feeding path, only the first opening / closing member forming the outer wall of the apparatus main body needs to be operated.
Since it is not necessary to operate the opening / closing member, the operation is simple and easy.

When a so-called jam occurs in the second feeding path, the second feeding path is opened by operating the first opening / closing member to the open position and then operating the second opening / closing member to the open position. By doing so, the sheet member clogged in the second feeding path can be easily removed.

Since the second opening / closing member is operated to the closed position when the first opening / closing member is operated from the open position to the closed position, the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member are moved to the open position. Therefore, when positioning the first feeding path and the second feeding path from the opened state to the closed position, operate the first opening / closing member forming the outer wall of the apparatus main body from the open position to the closed position. The second opening / closing member can also be positioned at the closed position, and its operation is simple and easy, and the image forming operation of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member can be confirmed by checking from the outside of the apparatus body. It can be assured that it has been positioned in a possible predetermined position.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a specific example of a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the first part of the laser beam printer of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member and elements related thereto. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first opening / closing member of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the second opening / closing member of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows the first part of the laser beam printer of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member of FIG. FIG. 6 shows the first part of the laser beam printer of FIG.
The figure which shows the state which opened the feeding path and 2nd feeding path of a figure. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the first opening / closing member is turned toward the closed position. FIG. 8 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 7. 2 ... Device body 4 ... Lower frame 6 ... Upper frame 12 ... Rotating drum 18 ... Developing device 48 ... Transfer area 51 ... Conveyance path 60 ... First supply means 68 ... Second Supply means 86 ...... first feeding path 96 ...... first feeding path 98 ...... sink 124 ...... first opening / closing member 126 ...... second opening / closing member 220 ...... first locking means 232 ... Second locking means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Hirohide Yamaguchi 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Akemi Fuchi 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 28 Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Nakamura 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 28 Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshinori Makiura 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Naoyuki Ishida 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-62-119557 (JP, A) JP-A-59 -217545 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A main body of an apparatus, a conveyance path formed in the main body of the apparatus for guiding a sheet member through a transfer area as required, a first supply means and a second supply for supplying a sheet member to the conveyance path. Means, a first feeding path for guiding the sheet member fed from the first feeding means to the conveyance path, and a second feeding path for guiding the sheet member fed from the second feeding means to the conveyance path. In an image forming apparatus including a feeding path, at least a majority of one side of the first feeding path is defined by a first opening / closing member that forms an outer wall of the apparatus body, and at least the other side of the first feeding path is defined. Mostly defined by one surface of the second opening / closing member, at least most of the second feeding path is defined by the other surface of the second opening / closing member, and the first opening / closing member defines the first opening / closing member. The first to define one side of the feeding path of The second opening / closing member is rotatable between a position and an open position that opens the first feeding path, and one side of the second opening / closing member defines the other side of the first feeding path and the other side thereof. Is rotatable between a closed position that defines the second feed path and an open position that opens the second feed path, and the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member are , Operating independently from the closed position to the open position, and when the first opening / closing member is operated from the open position to the closed position, the second
An image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing member is configured to be operated in the closed position.