JP3465701B2 - Copier - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital type image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus (mainly an image forming apparatus having a recording paper discharging section disposed between an image reading section and an image forming section).
Copier) improvement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional digital image forming apparatus, for example, a recording paper discharging unit is provided above a recording paper creating unit such as an electrophotographic system, and an original moving image is provided above the recording paper discharging unit. A mode in which a reading unit is provided is already known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-120125). According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the installation space of the apparatus as compared with the aspect in which the ejection tray as the recording sheet ejection section is arranged in a protruding manner on the side of the apparatus main body (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-131668). There is.

[0003]

However, in the image forming apparatus of this type, the recording paper is ejected to the recording paper ejection unit provided between the recording paper preparation unit and the image reading unit. However, a technical problem has been found that the work of taking out the recording paper discharged to the recording paper discharging unit is easily troublesome.

The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and facilitates the work of taking out the recording paper discharged to the recording paper discharging unit while reducing the installation space of the apparatus. Image forming device (mainly copying
Machine) .

[0005]

That is, according to the present invention, a recording paper preparation unit in which an image forming unit for forming an image on a paper to form a recording paper is arranged, and a space above the recording paper preparation unit are provided. provided through, with reading the original state which is horizontally fixed at the document holder, the image information read collector
It is formed between an image reading unit that converts the signal into an air signal and supplies it to the image forming unit, and the recording paper creating unit and the image reading unit.
A recording paper placement surface corresponding to substantially the entire area of the image reading section
To accommodate the recording sheet discharged from the recording sheet creation unit to the recording sheet discharge unit having the image and the recording sheet creation unit
Supporting means for lifting and supporting the image reading part between the image reading part and the image reading part, and a recording sheet preparation part and an image reading part, which are provided below the image forming part, are capable of recording operation.
A sheet accommodating means that can be inserted in a state where the recording sheet creating section and the image reading section are arranged.
And it is open at least adjacent two opposite sides, between,
One side of the two side surfaces is the insertion direction side of the paper storage means
The open part is formed so that the recording paper can be taken out.
As to and is characterized in that a said support means. Another aspect of the present invention is to print an image on paper.
The image forming unit that forms the recording paper is placed inside.
Through the space above the recording paper creation unit and above the recording paper creation unit
Documents that are provided and fixed horizontally by the document retainer
And read the image information into an electrical signal.
And an image reading unit that supplies the image forming unit to the image forming unit.
It is formed between the recording paper creating unit and the image reading unit and
It has a recording paper placement surface that covers almost the entire area of the image reading section.
The recording paper ejected from the recording paper preparation unit
Hold the image reading unit above to accommodate the recording paper.
Supporting means for raising and supporting and below the image creating part.
The recording paper creation unit and the image reading unit perform recording operation.
For being configured so that it can be inserted in a position where it is possible
The paper accommodating means, the recording paper creating unit, and the image reading unit
It is open on three sides between and one of the three sides is
Recording paper can be taken out to the insertion direction side of the paper storage means
And an open part that is open to the
It is a copying machine.

In the technical means as described above, supplementary description will be given to the supporting means, for example, [0008] in the embodiment.
"In addition, the image reading unit 2 is supported via the hinge 4 with respect to the recording paper creating unit 10 arranged in the lower part," or as in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The convex portion extending upward from the upper surface of the recording paper creating unit 10, the convex portion extending downward from the lower surface of the image reading unit 2, and the hinge 4 connecting the two convex portions correspond to “supporting means”. In FIG. 5, the vertically extending portions on both sides of the recording paper discharge unit 5 of the image forming apparatus support the image reading unit 2 above the recording paper creating unit 10 with a space. Therefore, it is obvious that they correspond to “supporting means”. Further, the opening section is the same as the recording paper creating section.
It only needs to be formed between the image reading unit and
Adjacent to the opening side of at least the sheet storage means
Two sides that fit together, or the insertion direction side of the paper storage means
It suffices if it is open on three sides including the surface. In this case
The insertion direction of the paper accommodation means
The recording unit and the image reading unit are placed at positions where recording can be performed.
The condition is that As used herein, the "state in which the recording paper creating unit and the image reading unit are arranged at positions where the recording operation is possible" means, for example, in the case where the image reading unit is movable, as shown in FIGS. The state in which the image reading unit is arranged at a position where recording is possible, for example, when the image reading unit is fixed in position, refers to the state in FIG.

Further, from the viewpoint of simplifying the structure of the image forming apparatus, the lower surface of the image reading portion and the upper surface of the recording paper forming portion form an opening portion for taking out the recording paper, As the recording paper discharging unit, it is preferable that the recording paper is discharged onto the upper surface of the recording paper creating unit . Further, if the supporting means is provided on the upper surface of the recording paper preparation section, the supporting means can be downsized.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described according to the illustrated embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as an apparatus in which an image reading unit 2 and a recording paper creating unit 10 are overlapped with each other, and recording paper discharge is performed between both devices. The portion 5 is formed so that the recording paper can be ejected. In the image reading section 2, as in the case of a general image reading apparatus, a mechanism for setting an original on the main body of the apparatus and scanning an image of the original is provided, and the original is pressed and held. A platen cover 3 is provided. Further, the image reading unit 2 is supported by a recording paper creating unit 10 arranged below through a hinge 4, and the image reading unit 2 is swung rearward through the hinge 4. Be made to be able to.

The recording paper preparation section 10 arranged below the image reading section 2 is constructed such that the front frame 12 side of the main body of the apparatus can be opened and closed via a hinge 13, and by opening the front frame 12, The maintenance of each internal device and the processing of jammed paper in the paper transport path 40 in the main body of the apparatus can be performed. Further, an opening 15 for inserting the paper feeding unit 20 is formed in the front frame 12, and the paper feeding unit 20 can be attached and detached through the opening 15. further,
By arranging the control panel 11 at a predetermined position of the recording paper creating unit 10, it is possible to control the operations of the image reading unit 2 and the recording paper creating unit 10.

In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the recording paper creating section 10 can be configured as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, in the image forming unit arranged inside the recording paper creating unit 10,
Similar to the case of a general laser printer, the photosensitive drum 3
The writing device 31 is arranged for 0, and the image reading unit 2
A laser beam is output in accordance with a digital signal input from, and the laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 30 to write an image. Around the photoconductor drum 30, the charging device 38 and the developing device 3 are provided as in the case of the image forming mechanism using the electrophotographic method.
2, transfer corotron 33, cleaning device 3
4 are arranged. Then, the photoconductor drum 30 is uniformly charged by the charger 38, writing is performed by the writing device 31 to form an electrostatic latent image, and toner is supplied from the developing device 32 to the electrostatic latent image. , A toner image is formed, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet by discharging the transfer corotron 33.

In order to feed a sheet toward the image forming section, the recording sheet forming section 10 employs a system in which a sheet feeding unit 20 is attached to a lower portion of an apparatus main body, and a front side of the sheet feeding unit 20 is used. The handle 21 is disposed on the paper storage unit 22 and the paper P is loaded into the paper storage device 22. Further, with respect to the sheet feeding unit 20, the conveying roller device 24 is arranged at a portion connected to a sheet supply port located at the lower end of the sheet conveying path 40 in the main body of the apparatus, and is fed out by the sheet feeding roller 23. The paper P is conveyed toward the paper conveyance path 40 of the apparatus body. The paper feed roller 23 for feeding the paper P out of the paper storage device 22 is connected to a supporting means and a drive mechanism (not shown), and the paper storage device 22 is attached to the recording paper creating unit 10 to feed paper. The roller 23 is pressed against the edge of the paper P so that the paper P can be fed out.

As the paper accommodating device 22, any device having an arbitrary structure can be used. In addition to the mechanism in which the conveying roller device 24 is provided in the paper feeding cassette, a conventional general paper feeding cassette is used. Or the input tray,
It is also possible to use a means for acting only as a sheet storage device. Further, in addition to the paper feeding means by the paper feeding unit 20, in the recording paper creating unit 10, a manual feed tray 26 is arranged at the front portion of the apparatus main body, and a paper feeding roller 27 is used to feed the paper P to the paper feeding path. It can be sent toward 40.

Further, a fixing device 35 is provided in the sheet conveying path 40 located on the downstream side of the transfer portion of the image forming portion, and the fixing device 35 is arranged on the sheet conveying path 40 located further downstream of the fixing device 35. A roller device 36 and a discharge roller 37 are provided, and the upper end of the paper transport path 40 serves as the recording paper discharge port 6. In this example, the transport roller device 36 and the discharge roller 3
7 and the recording paper discharge port 6 constitute the recording paper discharge means of the present invention.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 2, a space portion used as the recording paper discharge portion 5 is formed between the image reading portion 2 and the recording paper preparation portion 10, and in this embodiment, it is formed. , The recording paper discharge section 5 is replaced by the image reading section 2
With respect to the recording paper discharge unit 5, a portion of the space S formed on the front side between the image reading unit 2 and the recording paper creating unit 10, that is,
Recording paper can be taken out by inserting a hand from an opening formed in the insertion direction of the paper feeding unit 20. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the recording paper discharge portion 5 is configured as a mechanism in which a portion of the recording paper discharge portion 5 is opened in a side portion, that is, in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the paper feeding unit 20. In this case, the recording paper can be taken out from the side part of the apparatus body. Further, the portion of the space S is configured as a space that communicates from the rear side to the front side of the apparatus main body, and a hand can be inserted into the space S from either the left or right side of the apparatus main body to print the recording paper. You can take it out.

Further, in the present embodiment, the recording paper discharge section 5 is provided with a recording paper placement surface 5a as shown in FIGS.
And a substantially V-shaped concave groove 5b which is lower than other portions is formed on the recording paper placement surface 5a on the recording paper discharge port 6 side.

As described above, the paper P sent out from the paper feed unit (paper feed unit 20 or the manual feed tray 26) toward the paper transport path 40 in the apparatus body of the recording paper preparation unit 10 is the photosensitive drum 30. A registration roller 25 arranged immediately in front of the image transfer section (transfer corotron 33) from the sheet feeds the leading edge of the sheet P and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 at the same timing. Then, the toner image is transferred onto the paper P by the discharge of the transfer corotron 33, and the paper P carrying the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 35 to form a recording paper, and the conveying roller device 36 and the discharge roller 37 are set. Through the recording paper outlet 6
The recording paper is ejected toward the recording paper ejecting section 5.

The recording paper discharged to the recording paper discharging section 5 is sequentially placed on the recording paper mounting surface 5a. The recording paper mounting surface 5a is substantially V-shaped on the recording paper discharging port 6 side. Since the concave groove 5b of the recording paper is formed,
The recording paper is accommodated in the recording paper discharge unit 5 in a state where the recording paper is naturally moved to the side b by its own weight, and the recording paper discharge rear end is aligned with the concave groove 5b. Therefore, the recording paper can be easily taken out by inserting a hand from the space S formed on the front side. In particular, in the present embodiment, not only the front side but also the side portion is formed with the opening portion for taking out the recording paper, so that the recording paper can be taken out more easily.

Further, the recording paper creating section 1 shown in FIG.
0, a member on the front side of the sheet conveyance path 40 is provided in the front frame 12 and the front frame 12
Is configured to be opened from the main body of the device. As described above, the front frame 12 of the apparatus main body is configured to be openable and closable, so that it is possible to perform processing when a jam occurs in the sheet conveyance path 40, maintenance of each mechanism of the image forming apparatus, and the like. The work can be performed from the front side of the device. Further, by constructing a mechanism for pulling out the respective constituent members arranged inside the recording paper creating unit 10 to the front side, it is possible to pull out those members to the outside of the machine for inspection and the like.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a hand is inserted from the front side and both side portions into the recording paper discharge section 5 for containing the recording paper. ,
Instead of being configured so that the recording paper can be taken out, it can be configured as an apparatus as shown in FIG. In the image forming apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 4, the rising portions 7 and 8 are arranged on both sides of the recording paper creating unit 10, and the recording paper discharge port 6 is formed on one of the rising portions 7 to form the recording paper. The recording paper created by the creating unit 10 is ejected toward the recording paper ejecting unit 5. Further, the image reading unit 2 supported on the recording paper creating unit 10 is
Similar to the case of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus is configured to output the information obtained by scanning the document as digital information toward the recording paper creating unit 10.

Also in the image forming apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 4, a mechanism for swinging the image reading section 2 to the rear side via the hinge 4 is provided, and the front frame 12 is configured to be openable and closable. You can Further, the control panel 11, the insertion port 15 of the paper feeding unit 20, and the like can be provided on the front side of the recording paper creating unit 10, and a manual feed tray and the like can be arranged with respect to the front frame 12 as necessary. It is possible. Therefore,
Also in the example shown in FIG. 4, maintenance and the like can be performed from the front side of the apparatus to each electrophotographic mechanism arranged inside the recording paper creating unit 10.

[0021] In still another embodiment of the present invention,
An image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 5 can also be configured. In the image forming apparatus 1b shown in FIG. 5,
An image reading unit 2 for reading an image by pressing and holding an original by a platen cover 3 is arranged above the apparatus main body including the recording paper creating unit 10. Further, an opening of the recording paper discharging section 5 is provided below the image reading section 2. Further, a paper feeding unit 20 is attached to the lower part of the apparatus main body, and the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum is transferred onto the paper through a paper conveyance path arranged on the side of the apparatus main body. The sheet carrying the image is fixed through a fixing device and discharged to the recording sheet discharge section 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the sheet conveying path and the image forming section are arranged on the side of the main body of the apparatus, the opening and closing frame 12 is opened and closed to perform jam processing and the like. As in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, the jam processing and the maintenance of the apparatus cannot be performed only from the front side of the apparatus. However, by configuring the image forming apparatus 1b as shown in FIG. 5, the space occupied by the image forming apparatus can be reduced as compared with the image forming apparatus in which the discharge tray is projected to the side. Further, since the image forming apparatus 1b can be constructed in a relatively small size, when an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine has a jam in the sheet conveying path or maintenance is performed on the apparatus, the image forming apparatus 1b can be used. Can be easily moved. Therefore, even if there is some inconvenience when opening and closing the open / close frame 12 arranged on the side of the apparatus main body, it does not cause a big problem in a normal use state.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, the recording paper discharge unit 5 is arranged in the center of the image forming apparatus, and the recording paper can be taken out from the front side of the recording paper discharge unit 5. The image forming apparatus configured as described above can be used not only as an electronic copying machine, but also as a laser printer or a facsimile using a digital function. For example, in the case of constructing a device that combines the functions of an electronic copying machine and a facsimile, if a mechanism for automatically feeding a document to the image reading unit 2 is provided, as in the case of a general facsimile, a large number of sheets can be provided. It is possible to provide a function of continuously transmitting a document. Further, when the multifunction machine is provided with a connection mechanism for connecting to a device such as a computer, it can be used as a laser printer. Then, even when the image forming apparatus having such a multi-functionality is arranged in close contact with a computer or another apparatus, the recording paper can be taken out from the front side, and maintenance work of the apparatus can be performed. It can only be done from the front side.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the copying machine having the fixed original image reading section, the image is formed by the supporting means above the recording paper forming section in which the image forming section is arranged. The reading unit is lifted and supported so that the entire area of the image reading unit is supported between the recording material preparation unit and the image reading unit .
A recording paper discharge unit having a recording paper placement surface is provided, and the recording paper creation unit and the image reading unit are provided below the image forming unit.
Is provided with a sheet accommodating means that can be inserted in a state in which it is placed at a position where printing can be performed, and the supporting means is arranged.
By husband, open at least <br/> without even adjacent second side between the recording sheet creation unit and an image reading portion, and the insertion direction of the paper storage means for one side of the second side Since the opening portion that opens to the side is formed, it is possible to reduce the installation space of the device while ensuring the degree of freedom for forming the fixed document image reading unit, the recording paper creating unit, and the recording paper discharging unit. Of course, is it an open part that is open on the two sides?
Of the recording paper ejected to the recording paper output section
Of the recording paper from the recording paper output section.
Paper can be easily fed and paper can be supplied.
It is possible to easily perform the paper feeding operation. Also, the present invention
According to another aspect of the present invention, it has a fixed original image reading section.
In a copying machine, recording paper with the image forming unit inside
A fixed document type image reading unit is supported above the creation unit by supporting means.
It is supported by lifting it up, and the image is
A recording sheet mounting surface corresponding to substantially the entire area of the image reading unit.
A recording paper discharge section is provided, and the above-mentioned
Set the recording paper creation unit and the image reading unit to positions where recording can be performed.
The paper accommodating means that can be inserted when it is placed
It is installed on three sides between the recording paper creation section and the image reading section.
And the one side of the three side surfaces is released.
The recording paper is open at the side of the insertion
Since an open section is provided for the image reading section and recording
The flexibility to form the paper creation section and the recording paper ejection section must be ensured.
However, it is possible to reduce the equipment installation space.
Of course, due to the lighting from the opening that is opened on the three sides
Make the recording paper ejected to the recording paper ejection section easy to see.
Easier to take out the recording paper from the recording paper output section
Paper feeding work
It can be done easily .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a recording paper creation unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Image reading unit, 4 ... Hinge, 5
... recording paper discharge section, 6 ... recording paper discharge port, 10 ... recording paper creating section, 11 ... control panel, 12 ... front frame, open / close frame, 20 ... paper feed unit, 23 ... paper feed roller, 26 ... manual feed tray, 30 ... Photosensitive drum, 31
... writing device, 32 ... developing device, 35 ... fixing device

Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16-21/18

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording paper creating unit in which an image forming unit for forming an image on a paper sheet is arranged, and a document holding unit provided above the recording paper creating unit with a space therebetween. with reading the original state was fixed horizontally Te, formed between the read and converts the image information into an electric signal the image forming unit to supply the image reading section has, and the recording sheet creation unit and the image reading unit
A recording paper placement surface corresponding to substantially the entire area of the image reading section
To accommodate the recording sheet discharged from the recording sheet creation unit to the recording sheet discharge unit having the image and the recording sheet creation unit
Support means for supporting lifting the image reading unit upwardly between the image reading unit, provided under the image forming unit, the recording sheet creation unit及
And the image reading unit is placed at a position where recording can be performed.
And a sheet accommodating unit configured to be inserted into the recording sheet forming section, the recording sheet creating section and the image reading section are opened on at least two adjacent side surfaces, and one of the two side surfaces is opened. out one side takes the recording sheet in the insertion direction side of the paper storage means
As to form an opening which is capable of opening to the
A copying machine having a supporting means . 2. An image used as a recording sheet by forming an image on a sheet.
A recording paper creating unit in which a forming unit is arranged, and a space provided above the recording paper creating unit and including a document
When scanning a document that is fixed horizontally with the holding part,
The read image information is converted into an electrical signal and
It is formed between the image reading unit that supplies the image forming unit and the recording paper creating unit and the image reading unit.
A recording paper placement surface corresponding to substantially the entire area of the image reading section
Is discharged from the recording paper creating unit to the recording paper discharge unit having
The image reading section upward so that the recording paper
Supporting means for lifting and supporting, and a recording paper forming part and a recording part provided below the image forming part.
And the image reading unit is placed at a position where recording can be performed.
Between the recording paper creating section and the image reading section, and the sheet accommodating means that can be inserted by
Opened and one of the three sides accommodates the paper
The recording paper is opened in the insertion direction of the means so that it can be taken out.
A copying machine characterized by having an open part. 3. The copying machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the lower surface of the image reading section and the recording sheet forming section are provided.
Copying characterized by forming an open portion with the upper surface
Machine . 4. The copying machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the recording paper discharging section discharges the recording paper onto an upper surface of the recording paper creating section. A copy characterized by
Machine .