JP4319449B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color printer, a color copying machine, a color facsimile, or a complex machine thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms a color image on a recording material such as paper or film is known. Since color image forming apparatuses generally form color images using toner as a developer of four colors, the number of components can be increased easily and the number of sheets that can be discharged per unit time as compared with monochrome image forming apparatuses. That is, the speed during color printing is also reduced. With the widespread use of personal computers, image forming apparatuses are increasingly used as so-called printers connected to personal computers, and are being personalized. From the viewpoint of convenience, image forming apparatuses are installed near users who are apparatus users. Often. For this reason, considering the user's workability, the height of the apparatus is low, and considering the installation space and transport cost, it is desirable that the apparatus is small, such as a narrow apparatus width. Further, from the viewpoint of personalization of the image forming apparatus and reduction of maintenance cost, the user himself / herself is performing replacement and maintenance of consumables of the apparatus.
[0003]
In a color image forming apparatus, when the printing speed is increased, a developing device of a plurality of colors is provided around one photosensitive member, and the toner image developed by each developing device is rotated by the number of the developing devices. Rather than the well-known one-drum system in which a color image is synthesized on a photoconductor and transferred to a recording material, a plurality of developing devices are arranged close to each of a plurality of photoconductors arranged in a row. A tandem image forming apparatus that forms a single color toner image, sequentially transfers each toner image, and transfers a color image onto a recording material is more advantageous. In a tandem image forming apparatus, the amount of toner consumed generally increases. Therefore, a developer supply unit that supplies replenishment toner to the developing device is provided separately from the developing device rather than being integrated with the developing device as a cartridge. Is preferable in terms of workability. In addition, in order to reduce the installation space of the apparatus, it is desirable that not only the apparatus main body is small, but also that there is no member protruding from the apparatus main body. It is conceivable to use a loading section.
[0004]
Patent Document 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus in which the upper part of the apparatus main body is a stacking unit and the developer supply unit is provided separately from the developing device. Further, in order to reduce the installation area of the tandem apparatus, as in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the upper portion of the apparatus main body is used as a stacking unit, and the photosensitive member and the developing apparatus are arranged in a line. Alternatively, the intermediate transfer belt can be reduced by arranging it diagonally instead of horizontally as in Patent Document 1. In consideration of stackability of printed matter in the stacking unit, it is conceivable that the stacking surface is formed to be inclined as in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 3.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-362807 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-214868 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2003-50351 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In each patent document, various problems have been solved, but in recent years, an image forming apparatus adopting a tandem method for achieving high-speed and miniaturization has been required to have a large capacity for stacking printed materials. The applicant of the present application has examined whether a large amount of printed material can be loaded while solving the conventionally required problems.
[0007]
In the case of an image forming apparatus in which the upper part of the apparatus main body is a stacking unit, a printed matter discharge unit is generally positioned at one end side of the stacking unit and above the stacking unit. For this reason, the number of sheets loaded on the loading section is regulated by the height from the loading surface of the loading section to the discharge section. That is, when the height of the printed material loaded on the stacking unit is higher than that of the discharging unit, the discharged printed material is prevented from being discharged by the stacked printed material. In addition, when the stacked printed product reaches the height of the discharge section, the top of the stacked printed product is pushed in the paper discharge direction due to friction with the printed product to be discharged, which is also a limit in terms of stackability. There is. In particular, when the placement surface is not inclined, the phenomenon of the body appears remarkably.
[0008]
In order to load a large amount of printed matter, the distance between the lowermost part of the stacking surface and the discharge unit may be widened. Therefore, it is conceivable to increase the position of the discharge unit or to lower the placement surface. If this is to be realized by the image forming apparatus described in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3, it is only necessary to increase the height of each discharge section and increase the distance from the mounting surface. However, if the discharge section is increased, the height of the apparatus is increased. Considering new issues such as jam prevention due to a longer conveyance path of recording material to the discharge unit and delay in the first print time, which is the time until the first first sheet is discharged to the stacking unit Will have to do. In addition, when delivering an image forming device, a cushioning material that is formed along the shape of the product with foamed polystyrene or cardboard is placed in the packaging box for delivery. The material must be formed in a special shape, which requires delivery and packaging costs. In addition, when trying to lower the placement surface without changing the position of the discharge unit, various components are arranged below the placement surface, that is, inside the apparatus body, so the placement surface can be easily removed. It is difficult to lower. For example, if an attempt is made to adopt the configuration of Patent Document 2 for an image forming apparatus that requires a restriction on the height of the apparatus, the stacking surface cannot be lowered unless the angle of the intermediate transfer body is made close to the horizontal. The total length becomes longer. Further, in an image forming apparatus in which the developer supply unit is separate from the developing device, if there is a difference in the length of the replenishment path from the developer supply unit to the developing device, the flow resistance against the toner passing through the replenishment path is reduced. In contrast, the supply timing and supply amount of toner to be replenished to the developing device may become a factor.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can stack a large amount of recording materials to be discharged while suppressing the height and installation area of the apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a toner image formed by an image forming section having a plurality of image forming means having an image carrier according to the present invention is fixed to a recording material by a fixing means, and the recording material after fixing is fixed. In an image forming apparatus that discharges from a discharge unit to a stacking unit formed at the top of the apparatus main body in which an image forming unit is disposed, a plurality of developer storage members that replenish developer to each image forming unit are provided rather than a stacking unit. In the lower apparatus body, the developer storage members are juxtaposed in a direction closer to the discharge unit, and the developer storage member closest to the discharge unit is positioned more than the developer storage member located farthest from the discharge unit. It arrange | positioned so that it might become low. For this reason, the developer storage member is disposed in the apparatus main body so as to rise from the side closest to the discharge unit toward the farthest side from the discharge unit. It is possible to provide an inclined surface that rises from the side located above the member to the side located above the developer storage member located farthest, thereby increasing the distance between the stacking portion and the discharge portion.
[0010]
The discharge unit is disposed above the closest developer storage member and at the same height as the farthest developer storage member, thereby reducing the height of the apparatus and storing the closest developer storage. The space between the loading portion located on the member side and the discharge portion can be increased.
[0011]
When the stacking portion is formed so that the lowermost portion is lower than the discharge point of the discharge portion, the stacking portion rises from the closest developer storage member side toward the farthest developer storage member side. It becomes an inclined surface, and the space | interval of a discharge part and the lowest part of a loading part can be earned.
[0012]
In the case where the operation panel is arranged on the exterior of the apparatus main body, if the uppermost part of the stacking unit is substantially the same height as the uppermost part of the exterior where the operation panel is arranged, the discharge part is within the range of the height of the apparatus. And the stacking unit can be made flat, and the apparatus becomes flat. Therefore, the apparatus becomes small, and the cushioning material used for delivering the image forming apparatus is not formed in a special shape. And delivery and packaging costs are reduced.
[0013]
If the lowermost part of the stacking part is provided at a position lower than the uppermost part of the developer storing member located at the lowest position among the developer storing members, the distance between the stacking surface and the discharging part is not changed without changing the position of the discharging part. Is preferable because it can be further widened.
[0014]
When the stacking unit is configured with the exterior of the apparatus main body covering the developer storage member, the stacking unit is formed without increasing the number of parts, and the inclined surface on which the discharge unit side is lowered is formed on the exterior of the apparatus. The appearance of the device looks small.
[0015]
When the stacking portion has a plurality of ribs extending in a direction away from the discharge portion from an end portion located below the discharge portion and protruding upward from the stacking surface, a lower portion of the recording material loaded on the stacking surface; A space is formed between the loading surface. For this reason, when the recording material is stacked and the user picks up the hand by hand, the finger can be put into this space, so that it becomes easy to pick it up.
[0016]
When a plurality of ribs are arranged substantially radially from the center on the end side on the mounting surface, the ribs are widened on the side facing the discharge unit, and the recording material is stacked and placed by the user. When taking the recording material, it becomes easier to pick up the recording material because the finger can easily be put into the space formed between the loading surface and the lower portion of the loaded recording material. Basically, if there are two or more ribs, a space can be formed between the loaded recording material and the loading surface. However, if the number of loaded sheets increases, the recording material bends due to its weight and the space is reduced. Since it may become narrower, it is preferable to use three or more in consideration of supporting both sides and the center of the recording material from below. However, if the number of ribs is too large, the interval between the ribs becomes narrow and it becomes difficult to put a finger in the space, so 3 to 4 ribs are appropriate.
[0017]
When a plurality of curved surfaces are formed on the loading surface of the stacking portion so as to protrude upward in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction of the recording material discharged from the discharge portion, the sheet is discharged onto the loading surface. Since the recording material is loaded on the plurality of curved portions, a space is formed between the lower portion of the loaded recording material and the loading surface without the curved portion. For this reason, the user can put his / her finger in this space when the recording material is loaded and the user manually picks up the recording material.
[0018]
The loading surface of the stacking portion is formed so as to be inclined substantially in the same direction as the developer storage member, or the image forming portion is inclined substantially in the same direction as the developer storage member. However, if it is formed so as to be inclined in the same direction as these image forming units, it becomes easier to lower the lower part of the discharge unit into the apparatus main body as compared with the configuration in which these components are arranged horizontally.
[0019]
An intermediate transfer member to which an image formed by the image forming unit is transferred and an optical writing unit that performs optical writing on each image carrier are disposed so as to be inclined substantially in the same direction as the developer storage member. If the mounting surface of the stacking unit is formed to be inclined in the same direction as the intermediate transfer member and the optical writing unit, the lower part of the discharge unit can be easily lowered into the apparatus main body compared to the configuration in which these components are arranged horizontally. Become.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus is a color printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) that can form a full-color image by employing a tandem method. The image forming apparatus is not limited to the printer shown in FIG. 1, but may be a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or the like.
[0021]
The basic configuration and operation of the printer will be described with reference to FIG. 2, and the configuration and operation unique to this embodiment will be described thereafter. This printer has a configuration in which a paper feed unit 2 in which a sheet P as a recording material is stored is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 1 and an image forming unit 3 is disposed above the paper feed unit 2. The image forming unit 3 includes an image forming unit 8 including four image forming units 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8BK as a plurality of image forming units including an image carrier, and a plurality of rollers 4, 5, and 6. An intermediate transfer belt 7 as an intermediate transfer member constituted by a wound endless belt having flexibility, an optical writing unit 15 as an optical writing unit that performs optical writing on each image carrier, and toner on paper P Fixing means 22 for fixing the image is provided. A conveyance path R for conveying the paper P is formed between the paper feeding unit 2 and the fixing unit 11. The roller 6 is disposed facing the conveyance path R.
[0022]
The space between the roller 4 and the roller 5 of the intermediate transfer belt 7 corresponds to the lower belt running side of this belt. In the intermediate transfer belt 7, a secondary transfer roller 20 serving as a secondary transfer device is disposed at a portion facing the roller 6 so as to face the conveyance path R, and a belt for cleaning the belt surface at a portion facing the roller 4. A cleaning device 21 is provided.
[0023]
The image forming unit 3 is disposed below the intermediate transfer belt 7 by being disposed so as to face the lower running side. Each image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7. Around each photosensitive drum 10, a charging device 11, a developing device 12, and a cleaning device 13 are arranged. A transfer roller 14 as a transfer device that performs primary transfer is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 7 at a position where each photosensitive drum 10 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7. In the present embodiment, the image forming units 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8BK basically have the same structure, and in FIG. 1, only the structure of the image forming unit 8BK is given a reference. The difference between the image forming units is that the color of the toner as the developer stored in each developing device 12 is different. The developing devices 12 of the image forming units 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8BK store yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toners, respectively.
[0024]
The optical writing unit 15 irradiates the surface of each photoconductive drum with light modulated laser light L to form a latent image for each color on the photoconductive surface. In this embodiment, the optical writing unit 15 It is arranged below.
[0025]
When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive drums 10 of the respective image forming units 8 are rotationally driven clockwise by a driving device (not shown), and the surface of each photosensitive drum is uniformly made to have a predetermined polarity by the charging device 11. Charged. The surface of each charged photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light L from the optical writing unit 15 to form an electrostatic latent image on each surface. At this time, image information to be exposed on each photosensitive drum is single-color image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into color information of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. The electrostatic latent image formed in this way is visualized as a toner image by the toner of each developing device 12 when passing between each photosensitive drum 10 and each developing device 12.
[0026]
One of the plurality of rollers 4, 5 and 6 around which the intermediate transfer belt 7 is wound is driven to rotate counterclockwise by a driving device (not shown), whereby the intermediate transfer belt 7 is counterclockwise indicated by an arrow. Driven in the clockwise direction, the other rollers are driven to rotate. The yellow toner image formed by the image forming unit 8Y including the developing device 12 having yellow toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 traveling in this way by the transfer roller 14. A cyan toner image formed by the image forming units 8C, 8M, and 8BK, a magenta toner image, and a black toner image are sequentially transferred onto the transferred yellow toner image by the transfer roller 14, and thus the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred. Carries a full-color toner image on its surface.
[0027]
Residual toner adhering to the surface of each photosensitive drum after the toner image is transferred is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum by each cleaning device 13, and then the surface is subjected to a static eliminating action by a static eliminating device (not shown). The surface potential is initialized and prepared for the next image formation.
[0028]
The paper P fed from the paper feed unit 2 is sent to the transport path R, and the paper feed timing is measured by the registration roller pair 21 disposed on the paper feed side with respect to the secondary transfer roller 20. And the secondary transfer roller 20. At this time, a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charge polarity of the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is applied to the secondary transfer roller 20, whereby the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is collectively put on the paper P. Is transcribed. The paper P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing means 22 and when passing through the fixing means 22, heat and pressure are applied to melt and fix the toner image. The printed matter P1 on which the toner image is fixed is positioned at the end of the transport path R and is transported to the discharge unit 23 disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body 1 and is formed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1. To 36. After the toner image is transferred onto the paper P, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is removed from the cleaning device 21.
[0029]
The printer configured as described above is provided with four image forming units 8Y, 8M, 8C and 8BK facing the intermediate transfer belt 7, and sequentially transfers the toner images of the respective colors onto the intermediate transfer belt 7. The image forming time can be greatly shortened as compared with a type in which a single image means has a four-color developing device, and a toner image is superimposed and transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt and then transferred onto a sheet. In addition, since the stacking portion 36 is formed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1, the stacking section 36 does not jump out from the apparatus main body 1, and the installation area and the occupied area are reduced.
[0030]
The above description is an image forming operation when a full-color image is formed on the paper P. A single-color image is formed using any one of the image forming units of the image forming unit 8, or two colors or A three-color image can also be formed. When monochrome printing is performed using the printer of this embodiment, an electrostatic latent image is formed only on the photosensitive drum 10 of the image forming unit 8BK, developed by the unit, transferred to the paper P, and fixed. Fixing may be performed by means 22.
[0031]
Next, a characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described.
The discharge unit 23 that discharges the printed matter P1 to the stacking unit 36 formed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1 is formed on the upper right side of the apparatus main body 1. The exterior of the apparatus main body 1, that is, the exterior 1 </ b> A located above the discharge section 23 and covering the discharge section 23, is arranged so that the operation panel 60 of the printer can be operated from the right side that is the front of the apparatus body 1. Has been. In other words, in this embodiment, the right side of the apparatus main body 1 in which the discharge unit 23 is disposed is the apparatus operation side.
[0032]
A partition plate 50 is provided inside the apparatus main body 1 below the stacking unit 36. The partition plate 50 is disposed between the stacking portion 36 and the upper side of the intermediate transfer belt 7, and forms a storage space portion 51 for a developer storage member in the apparatus main body 1. In the storage space 51, toner storage containers 37, 38, 39, and 40 as a plurality of developer storage members are below the stacking unit 36 and away from the discharge unit 23 indicated by arrows C 1 and C 2. Are in parallel. An arrow C1 is a direction away from the discharge unit 23, and is also a discharge direction of the paper P discharged from the discharge unit 23 (hereinafter referred to as “discharge direction C1”). Arrow C <b> 2 is a direction approaching the discharge unit 23. In the toner storage containers 37, 38, 39, and 40, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toners are stored, respectively. The toner storage containers 37, 38, 39, and 40 are connected to the developing devices 12 of the image forming units 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8BK through a toner supply path (not shown), and the toner in each developing device 12 is reduced. Then, the replenishment toner is configured to be supplied to the corresponding developing device.
[0033]
The toner storage containers 37, 38, 39 and 40 are arranged such that the toner storage container 37 closest to the discharge unit 23 is lower than the toner storage container 40 located farthest from the discharge unit 23. In this embodiment, the toner storage container 40 is disposed so as to be gradually lowered as it goes from the toner storage container 40 toward the toner storage container 37. The discharge portion 23 is located above the toner storage container 37 and is disposed at substantially the same height as the toner storage container 40.
[0034]
A holder 52 for detachably holding the toner storage containers 37, 38, 39, 40 is disposed in the storage space 51. The toner storage containers 37, 38, 39, and 40 are respectively mounted on the holders 52 to be positioned in the apparatus main body 1. That is, the toner storage containers 37, 38, 39, and 40 are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1.
[0035]
The stacking portion 36 is formed in the apparatus main body 1 from the lower side of the discharge section 23 toward the discharge direction C1 and covers the toner storage containers stored in the storage space section 51. It consists of The stacking unit 36 is attached to the apparatus body 1 so as to be freely opened and closed. In this embodiment, the apparatus body 1 is configured to be open upward. The area of the stacking unit 36 is formed to be somewhat larger than the sheet size that can be fed from the sheet feeding unit 2. The stacking portion 36 is formed so as to be inclined so that the end portion 36A located on the discharge portion 23 side is lower than the end portion 36B located on the side far from the discharge portion 23. The lower end 36A of the stacking portion 36 is disposed at a position lower than the discharge point A of the discharge portion 23, and the end 36B which is the uppermost portion of the stacking portion 36 is also shown in FIG. In addition, the height is substantially the same as the position of the uppermost portion 1C of the exterior 1A. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge point A is an exterior surface facing the horizontal line O with respect to the nip portion 231 of the paper discharge roller pair 23 </ b> A that is arranged in the vertical direction of the apparatus and is opposed to and in contact with the stacking portion 36. Refers to the intersection of 1B. The end portion 36 </ b> A of the stacking portion 36 is disposed at a position lower than the uppermost portion 37 </ b> A of the toner storage container 37.
[0036]
As described above, when the toner storage containers 37, 38, 39, and 40 are arranged so that the toner storage container 37 closest to the discharge portion is lower than the toner storage container 40 positioned farthest from the discharge portion, the toner storage containers 37, 38, 39, and 40 are disposed. The containers 37, 38, 39, and 40 can be disposed in the apparatus main body 1 while being inclined so as to rise from the side closest to the discharge unit 23 toward the farthest side from the discharge unit 23. Therefore, the stacking unit 36 is positioned above the toner storage container 37, positioned above the toner storage container 40 from the end 36 </ b> A positioned on the discharge unit 23 side, and positioned on the side far from the discharge unit 23. An inclined surface that rises to 36B can be provided, and the interval between the stacking portion 36 and the discharge portion 23 can be increased without changing the position of the discharge portion 23. Therefore, the number of sheets that can be stacked on the stacking unit 36 can be increased without increasing the height of the apparatus.
[0037]
Since the discharge unit 36 is disposed above the toner storage container 37 and at substantially the same height as the toner storage container 40, the stacking unit positioned above the toner storage container 37 while suppressing the height of the apparatus. Since the interval between the end 36A serving as the part 36 and the discharge unit 23 can be increased, the number of sheets that can be stacked on the stacking unit 36 can be increased without increasing the height of the apparatus. That is, since the lower end 36A of the stacking portion 36 is formed at a position lower than the discharge point A of the discharge portion 23, the interval between the discharge point A and the end portion 36A of the stacking portion 36 is increased. In addition, since the distance H between the paper discharge point A and the end portion 36A of the stacking portion 36 can be increased, the number of sheets that can be stacked on the stacking portion 36 can be increased without increasing the height of the apparatus.
[0038]
Since the end portion 36B of the stacking portion 36 is substantially the same height as the uppermost portion 1C of the exterior 1A, the interval between the discharge portion 23 and the stacking portion 36 can be increased within the range of the height of the apparatus, The number of sheets that can be stacked in the section 36 can be increased.
[0039]
Since the end portion 36A is provided at a position lower than the uppermost portion 37A of the toner storage container 37, the interval between the end portion 36A (discharge point A) and the discharge portion 23 can be increased without changing the position of the discharge portion 36. Thus, the number of sheets that can be stacked on the stacking unit 36 can be increased.
[0040]
When the stacking portion 36 is configured by the exterior 1D, the stacking portion 36 can be formed in the apparatus main body 1 without increasing the number of parts, and an inclined surface with a lower discharge portion 23 side is formed on the exterior of the apparatus. Is visually smaller both in volume and volume.
[0041]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stacking portion 36 has a plurality of ribs 71, 72, and 73 that extend from the end portion 36 </ b> A in a direction away from the discharge portion 23. The ribs 71, 72, 73 are arranged substantially radially from the center portion 36D on the end portion 36A side of the placement surface 36C. The ribs 71, 72, 73 are arranged at intervals of 74, 75 in the width direction of the device (hereinafter referred to as “width direction D”) indicated by an arrow D orthogonal to the discharge direction C 1 in the same plane. The ribs 71, 72, and 73 are disposed in a range from the end portion 36 </ b> A side of the stacking portion 36 to a substantially central portion of the stacking portion 36. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the ribs 71, 72, and 73 are formed to protrude upward from the loading surface 36 </ b> C. In the present embodiment, the ribs 71, 72, 73 are integrally molded with the exterior 1D that constitutes the stacking portion 36, but may be retrofitted to the exterior 1D. In the present embodiment, these ribs correspond to the printed matter P1 discharged from the discharge portion 23 so that the length in the paper discharge direction C1 is approximately half of the stacking surface 36C.
[0042]
When the ribs 71, 72, 73 protruding upward from the stacking surface 36C are formed in the stacking portion 36 in this way, the lower portion P2 of the printed material P1 stacked on each rib and the stack as shown in FIG. Spaces S1 and S2 are formed between the surface 36C. For this reason, when the user picks up the stacked paper P by hand, a finger can be put into this space, so that it becomes easy to pick it up. Further, when the ribs 71, 72, 73 are arranged substantially radially from the center portion 36D on the end portion 36A side in the mounting surface 36C, as shown in FIG. 4, at the end portion 36B located on the side facing the discharge portion 23. Since the intervals 74 and 75 are widened, when the user picks up the stacked printed matter P1 by hand, the spaces 74 and 75 enter the spaces S1 and S2 formed between the stacking surface 36C and the lower portion P2 of the printed matter on the rib. Since it becomes easier to put a finger, it becomes easier to remove the stacked printed matter P1. Further, since three ribs are arranged in the width direction D and spaced apart by 74 and 75, even when the number of sheets to be stacked is large, the printed material P1 is prevented from being bent on the rib due to its weight. it can. Therefore, even when a large amount of printed material P1 is stacked, the spaces S1 and S2 formed between the stacking surface 36C and the lower portion P2 of the printed material P1 on the rib can be secured, and the printed material stacked in large amounts. Even when the user takes P1, it becomes easy to take.
[0043]
The loading portion 36 of this embodiment is further devised. That is, a plurality of curved surfaces 80 and 81 projecting from the mounting surface 36C upward are formed from the end portion 36B side of the mounting portion 36 to the central portion. The curved surfaces 80 and 81 are continuously formed in the width direction D, and are formed such that a boundary portion 83 between the curved surfaces 80 and 81 that is lower than the center portion is located at the center in the width direction D of the placement surface 36C. The curved surfaces 80 and 81 have a wide width in the width direction D on the end portion 36B side, and a planar shape in which the width decreases toward the discharge portion 23 forms a triangular shape. The tip portions 80A and 81A of the curved surfaces 80 and 81 extend to both ends of the rib 72 disposed at the center portion in the width direction D of the placement surface 36C. In the present embodiment, the curved surfaces 80 and 81 are for accommodating the printed matter P1 discharged from the discharge portion 23 so that the length in the discharge direction C1 reaches the end portion 36B of the stacking surface 36C. . The curved surfaces 80 and 81 correspond to the vertical discharge while each rib corresponds to the horizontal discharge.
[0044]
When the curved surfaces 80 and 81 projecting upward from the stacking surface 36C are formed from the end 36B to the center of the stacking portion 36, the printed matter discharged onto the stacking surface 36C as shown in FIG. P1 is stacked on the curved portions 80 and 81. For this reason, since the space S3 is formed between the lower part P2 of the printed matter P1 and the placement surface 36C in the vicinity of the boundary portion 83 where the curved portions 80 and 81 are lowered, the user can view the printed matter P1 from the end 36B side. Since the finger can be put into the space S3 when the hand is picked up by hand, it becomes easy to pick up. The number of the curved surfaces 80 and 81 is not limited to two, and it is preferable that the number of the curved surfaces 80 and 81 is appropriately determined in consideration of the size and stiffness of the paper P. However, if the number of curved surfaces is too large, the user's finger cannot be inserted. Therefore, at least the number of spaces 83 into which the user's finger can be inserted is appropriate.
[0045]
In this embodiment, a more specific configuration is provided. The intermediate transfer belt 6, the image forming unit 8, and the optical writing unit 15 are disposed in the apparatus main body 1 so as to be inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the toner storage members 37 to 40, and the stacking unit 36 ( The loading surface 36C) is also inclined in the same direction. In this way, not only the toner storage containers 37 to 40 but also the constituent members disposed in the apparatus main body 1 are inclined in the same direction so as to follow this, so that the intermediate transfer belt 6, the image forming unit 8, and the like. Compared to the configuration in which the optical writing unit 15 is horizontally arranged, the lower portion of the discharge portion 23 can be easily lowered into the apparatus main body 1, so that the discharge portion 23 and the end 36 </ b> A side can be reduced without increasing the height of the device. The interval can be widened, the inclination angle of the stacking portion 36 can be easily increased, and the stacking property can be easily improved. Since the stacking unit 36, the toner storage containers 37 to 40, the intermediate transfer belt 6, the image forming unit 8, and the optical writing unit 15 are inclined, the configuration in FIG. The length in the front-rear direction of the apparatus, which is the length relative to the paper direction, can be shortened, and the installation area and occupied area are reduced.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the developer storage members juxtaposed in the direction away from the discharge portion in the apparatus main body below the stacking portion formed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body are discharged from the side closest to the discharge portion. Is disposed in the apparatus main body so as to rise toward the farthest side from the head, so that the stacking portion is located on the farthest side from the side located above the nearest developer housing member. It can be set as the inclined surface which rises to the side located above. For this reason, it is possible to widen the interval between the stacking unit and the discharge unit without raising the position of the discharge unit, and it is possible to stack a large amount of recording materials to be discharged while suppressing the height and installation area of the apparatus. .
[0047]
According to the present invention, the discharge portion is disposed above the closest developer storage member and at substantially the same height as the farthest developer storage member, so that the discharge portion is positioned on the closest developer storage member side. The interval between the portion of the loading portion and the discharge portion can be earned without raising the position of the discharge portion, and a large amount of recording material to be discharged can be loaded while suppressing the height and installation area of the apparatus.
[0048]
According to the present invention, since the lowermost portion of the stacking portion is formed at a position lower than the discharge point of the discharge portion, the developer storage member positioned farthest from the developer storage member side closest to the stacking portion. It becomes an inclined surface rising toward the side. For this reason, it is possible to increase the distance between the discharge unit and the bottom of the stacking unit without raising the position of the discharge unit, and it is possible to stack a large amount of recording materials to be discharged while suppressing the height and installation area of the apparatus. it can.
[0049]
According to the present invention, the uppermost portion of the stacking portion is set to be approximately the same height as the uppermost portion of the exterior where the operation panel is arranged, so that the interval between the discharge portion and the stacking portion is within the range of the height of the apparatus. It is possible to earn a large amount of recording materials to be discharged while suppressing the height and installation area of the apparatus. In addition, since the apparatus is planar, the apparatus can be reduced in size, and the cushioning material used when delivering the image forming apparatus need not be formed in a special shape, thereby reducing delivery and packaging costs.
[0050]
According to the present invention, since the lowermost portion of the stacking portion is provided at a position lower than the uppermost portion of the developer storage member positioned at the lowermost position, there is no need to change the position of the discharge portion between the stacking surface and the discharge portion. It is possible to further widen the interval, and it is possible to load a large amount of recording materials to be discharged while suppressing the height and installation area of the apparatus.
[0051]
According to the present invention, by forming the stacking portion with the exterior of the apparatus main body covering the developer storage member, the stacking portion can be formed without increasing the number of parts, and the discharge surface side is lowered on the exterior of the apparatus Therefore, the external appearance of the apparatus can be visually reduced both in terms of volume.
[0052]
According to the present invention, the recording that is loaded on the loading surface by the plurality of ribs that are provided in the loading portion and extend in the direction away from the discharging portion from the end located below the discharging portion and project upward from the loading surface. Since a space is formed between the lower part of the material and the loading surface, when the user takes the loaded recording material by hand, the user can put his / her finger into this space, which makes it easier to remove. In addition, by arranging a plurality of ribs substantially radially from the central portion on the end side of the placement surface, the rib spacing is widened on the side facing the discharge portion, and the user can manually load the stacked recording materials. When picking up, it becomes easier to put a finger into the space formed between the loading surface and the lower part of the stacked recording material, so that it becomes easier to remove the recording material.
[0053]
According to the present invention, the recording material discharged onto the loading surface protrudes upward in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction of the recording material discharged from the discharge portion of the loading surface of the loading portion in the same plane. Since the sheets are stacked on the plurality of curved surfaces formed, a space is formed between the lower portion of the stacked recording materials and the stacking surface having no curved portion. For this reason, when the recording material is stacked and the user picks up the hand by hand, the finger can be put into this space, so that it becomes easy to pick it up.
[0054]
According to the present invention, not only the mounting surface of the stacking unit, but also the image forming unit having a plurality of image forming units, the intermediate transfer body to which the image formed by the image forming unit is transferred, and the respective images of the image forming unit The optical writing unit that performs optical writing on the carrier is also inclined in substantially the same direction as the developer storage member, so that the discharge member has a structure that is horizontal compared to the configuration in which these components are arranged horizontally. The lower part can be easily lowered into the apparatus main body, and the length of the apparatus in the front-rear direction is shortened. Therefore, without increasing the height of the device, the interval between the discharge portion and the loading portion can be widened, and a large amount of recording material can be loaded while suppressing the height and installation area of the device, The inclination angle of the loading portion can be easily increased, and stackability can be easily improved. Moreover, since the length of the apparatus in the front-rear direction is shortened, the installation area and the occupied area can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a distance between a discharge point of the discharge unit and an end of the stacking unit.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention when viewed from the rear side of the apparatus.
4 is a plan view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration and operation of a plurality of ribs provided in the stacking unit.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view for explaining a plurality of curved surfaces provided in the stacking unit and the operation thereof.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main unit
1A exterior
1B The top of the exterior
1D Exterior of the device body covering the developer storage member
7 Intermediate transfer member
8 Imaging Department
8Y, 8C, 8M, 8BK Multiple image forming means
10 Image carrier
15 Optical writing part
22 Fixing means
23 Discharge section
36 Loading section
36A The lowest part of the loading part (the end located below the discharge part)
36B The top of the loading section
36C Loading surface
36D Center on the end side
37 Developer storage member closest to
37, 38, 39, 40 Multiple developer storage members
37A Top of the lowest developer storage member
40 Developer storage member located farthest away
60 Operation panel
71, 72, 73 Multiple ribs
80, 81 Multiple curved surfaces
A Discharge point of the discharge unit
C1, C2 Perspective direction
C1 paper discharge direction
D Direction perpendicular to discharge direction
P Recording material

Claims (13)

A toner image formed by an image forming unit having a plurality of image forming units including an image carrier is fixed to a recording material by a fixing unit, and the fixed recording material is fixed to the main body of the apparatus in which the image forming unit is disposed. In the image forming apparatus for discharging from the discharge unit to the stacking unit formed at the top,
In the apparatus main body below the stacking unit, a plurality of developer storage members are arranged in parallel to the discharge unit and replenish the developer to each image forming unit, and the developer storage member The developer storage member closest to the discharge portion is disposed so as to be lower than the developer storage member located farthest from the discharge portion,
The loading unit extends from an end portion positioned below the discharge portion in a direction away from the discharge portion, and a plurality of ribs protruding upward from the stacking surface, the recording material is discharged from the front Symbol discharge portion of the discharge direction and the width direction perpendicular in the same plane, and a plurality of curved surface projecting upward,
The plurality of ribs are disposed in a range from an end portion of the stacking portion on the discharge portion side to a substantially central portion of the stacking portion, and are positioned at least in the center in the width direction and discharged from the discharge portion. Corresponds to a recording material whose length in the paper discharge direction is approximately half of the stacking surface,
The plurality of curved surfaces are arranged from an end portion side of the placement portion located on the side far from the discharge portion to a central portion of the placement portion, have a boundary portion in the width direction, and the boundary The length of the stacking surface is longer than the central portion of the curved surface and is formed on the installation surface so as to be positioned in the center of the width direction and discharged from the discharge portion. Corresponds to the recording material that reaches the end located on the far side from the part,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a tip end of the curved surface and the rib located on the center side of the placing portion are provided continuously in the paper discharge direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge portion is disposed above the closest developer storage member and at substantially the same height as the farthest developer storage member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the stacking portion is formed such that a lowermost portion thereof is positioned lower than a discharge point of the discharge portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An operation panel is arranged on the exterior of the apparatus body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the uppermost portion of the stacking portion has substantially the same height as the uppermost portion of the exterior on which the operation panel is disposed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lowermost portion of the stacking portion is provided at a position lower than the uppermost portion of the developer accommodating member located at the lowest position among the developer accommodating members. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stacking unit is an exterior of the apparatus main body that covers the developer storage member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged substantially radially from a central portion on an end side of the placement surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of the plurality of ribs is three. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the loading surface of the stacking portion is formed to be inclined in substantially the same direction as the direction in which the developer accommodating member is disposed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming unit is disposed to be inclined in substantially the same direction as the direction in which the developer storage member is disposed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting surface of the stacking unit is formed to be inclined in the same direction as the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An intermediate transfer member that is disposed in an inclined direction substantially in the same direction as the developer storage member and onto which an image formed by the image forming unit is transferred;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting surface of the stacking unit is formed to be inclined in the same direction as the intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An optical writing unit that is disposed in an inclined manner in substantially the same direction as the developer storage member, and performs optical writing on each image carrier,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting surface of the stacking unit is formed to be inclined in the same direction as the optical writing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An optical writing unit that performs optical writing on each image carrier, and an intermediate transfer member to which an image formed in the image forming unit is transferred,
The image forming unit, the optical writing unit, the intermediate transfer body, and the loading surface of the stacking unit are provided so as to be inclined in substantially the same direction as the direction in which the developer storage member is disposed. Image forming apparatus.

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