JP4575178B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a predetermined storage structure.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multifunction machines, manuals (booklets, etc.) for explaining how to use the apparatus, tools and parts for maintaining the apparatus (so-called service parts), spare sheets, etc. In regard to the “storage” of items related to image forming apparatuses such as paper supply paper (recording paper), how to effectively store them, that is, how much storage space is not taken up (the apparatus is Consideration has been made on whether to ensure a storage space without sacrificing the appearance and to be able to be stored in the apparatus with good convenience while reducing the size. In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the opening / closing lid member on the upper surface of the apparatus and the paper feed cassette are integrated to reduce the space required for pulling out the paper cassette during the paper loading / unloading operation. A technique for facilitating work is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a manual receiving tray for storing a booklet such as a manual is provided on a lower front portion of an operation panel or a wall surface of a housing. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique in which a recess for storing a booklet such as a manual is provided on a peripheral device height adjustment table of an image forming apparatus.
Japanese Patent No. 2595905 JP 2000-194172 A JP 2002-244376 A

  By the way, the image forming apparatus is generally provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF), but the patent document does not disclose any storage structure for the ADF.

  In Patent Document 1, it is considered effective in terms of reducing the space for pulling out the paper cassette and facilitating the removal of the paper, but it is only related to the storage of the paper for paper supply, and stores the manuals and service parts. This means that the viewpoint is different (in this case, it is impossible to store a manual or the like in the paper cassette). Further, in Patent Document 2, although a manual receiving tray is provided and a manual or the like can be stored, the appearance is impaired (designability is reduced) by separately providing the manual receiving tray in the apparatus. . In Patent Document 3, a separate height adjustment base must be provided to secure a storage space for a manual or the like. In other words, an image forming apparatus without a height adjustment base can obtain the storage space. It will not be. Furthermore, in this case, the visibility of the storage location is low (it is difficult to see where it is at first glance), and an operation of crouching at the time of storage or removal is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not impair the appearance of the apparatus, does not increase the size of the apparatus due to the storage space, and facilitates storage and removal (convenient for storage). An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing ADF.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including an automatic document conveying device that automatically conveys a document from a document tray to a document discharge tray. A storage unit is provided below, and the storage unit includes a recess recessed below the document discharge tray and a lid member that also serves as the document discharge tray with respect to the recess, and the cover member opens and closes the document tray. It is openable and closable structure in conjunction with the operation, characterized in Rukoto.

According to the above configuration, since the storage section is provided below the document discharge tray of the automatic document feeder (ADF), a booklet such as a manual, a service part, a spare document, or the like is stored in the storage section, that is, the ADF. It is possible to keep. Since an empty space below the document discharge tray of the ADF is used, a separate dedicated storage unit is provided so that the storage can be performed without increasing the size of the ADF (and thus the image forming apparatus) and without impairing the appearance of the apparatus. It becomes possible. Further, since the storage unit is provided in the ADF, the storage unit is provided on the side portion or the bottom of the image forming apparatus, and the storage unit is not bent and stored in the upper portion of the image forming apparatus without being stored or taken out. The ADF can be easily stored and taken out. Further, by providing the storage section below the document discharge tray, for example, by configuring the upper portion of the storage section with a transparent member, the inside of the storage section can be visually recognized from the outside, and the visibility is high at the ADF position. Become. Thus, the ADF can be effectively used for storage.

In addition , since the storage portion is composed of the concave portion and the lid member for the concave portion, the storage portion can be made simpler, and the storage and removal of the stored items in the concave portion can be performed by opening and closing the lid member. It becomes easy to do. In addition, since the lid member also serves as the document discharge tray, it is not necessary to separately provide the lid member and the document discharge tray, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Further , the lid member is configured to be openable / closable in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the document tray. According to this configuration, in the ADF, the lid member can be opened / closed in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the document tray normally disposed above the document discharge tray, so that the lid member can be easily opened / closed. Become.

In the above configuration, the automatic document feeder, it is desirable to further comprise a predetermined lock mechanism is configured to be stationary with open lid member. According to this configuration, the lid member can be stopped in the open state by the lock mechanism, for example, while the lid member is held open with one hand, it can be stored and taken out with the other hand. For example, both hands can be easily stored and taken out without performing such troublesome operations.

The said structure WHEREIN: It is desirable for the said cover member to be comprised with the transparent member so that the inside of a storage part can be visually recognized from the outside. According to this configuration, the lid member is made of a transparent member so that the inside of the storage portion can be visually recognized from the outside, and the stored items such as the manual placed in the storage portion can be easily visually recognized (where the manual etc. So you do n’t have to search for

Also, the document tray is preferably formed of a transparent member so as to allow viewing the storage portion from the outside. According to this configuration, the document tray is made of a transparent member (and the lid member is made of a transparent member), so that the inside of the storage unit can be easily visually recognized from the outside. For example, the inside of the storage unit can be visually recognized more easily with a standing posture or line of sight (as viewed from above) without checking the inside of the storage unit as if looking into it.

According to the image forming apparatus of one aspect of the present invention , since the storage unit is provided below the document discharge tray of the automatic document feeder (ADF), a booklet such as a manual or a service part is provided in the storage unit, that is, the ADF. Alternatively, it is possible to store a spare document or the like. Since the empty space below the document discharge tray of the ADF is used, a separate dedicated storage unit is provided, and the storage can be performed without increasing the size of the ADF (and thus the image forming apparatus) and without impairing the appearance of the apparatus. It becomes possible. In addition, since the storage unit is provided in the ADF, the storage unit is provided on the side portion or the bottom of the image forming apparatus, and the storage unit is not bent and stored in the upper portion of the image forming apparatus without being stored or taken out. The ADF can be easily stored and taken out. Further, by providing a storage section below the document discharge tray, for example, by configuring the upper portion of the storage section with a transparent member, the inside of the storage section can be visually recognized from the outside, and the visibility is high at the ADF position. It becomes. Thus, the ADF can be effectively used for storage.

In addition , since the storage portion is composed of the concave portion and the lid member for the concave portion, the storage portion can be made simpler, and the storage and removal of the stored items in the concave portion can be performed by opening and closing the lid member. It becomes easy to do. In addition, since the lid member also serves as the document discharge tray, it is not necessary to separately provide the lid member and the document discharge tray, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Further , since the lid member can be opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the document tray disposed above the document discharge tray in the ADF, the opening and closing operation of the lid member can be easily performed.

According to the image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, the lid member can be kept stationary by the lock mechanism, for example, while holding the lid member with one hand, For example, both hands can be easily stored and taken out without performing troublesome operations such as storing and taking out with one hand.

Further , the lid member is made of a transparent member so that the inside of the storage portion can be visually recognized from the outside, and the stored items such as the manual placed in the storage portion can be easily visually recognized (where the manual etc. are placed). You do n’t have to search for it).

Furthermore, the document tray is formed of a transparent member Runode, storage portion becomes easily visible from the outside, that is as it standing posture or Looking example without such check the containing portion so as to looking into the bottom side of the document tray The inside of the storage section can be visually recognized more easily (as viewed from above).

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a copying machine 1 which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The copying machine 1 includes an image forming unit 100, a document feeding unit 200 installed above the main body unit 10 including the image forming unit 100, a document reading unit 300 installed on the upper part of the main body unit 10, and a lower part of the main body unit 10. The sheet feeding unit 400 installed in the main unit 10 and the operation display unit 500 installed in the front unit of the main body unit 10 are provided.

  The document reading unit 300 reads a document and generates image data corresponding to the document. The document reading unit 300 includes a scanner 301 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor that generates image data from an optically acquired document image, an exposure lamp, and the like. One platen glass 302 and a second platen glass 303 for reading an ADF document are provided. The document reading unit 300 scans a document placed on the first platen glass 302 or a document transported (moved) in contact with the second platen glass 303 by the document feeding unit 200. The data is output to the control unit 20 described later.

  The document feeding unit 200 (ADF) automatically feeds a document to the document reading unit 300 (document reading position of the second platen glass 303) and also reads the document read by the document reading unit 300. It discharges to 200 discharge parts. The document feeding unit 200 includes a document tray 201 on which a document is placed, a carry-in roller, and the like. A discharge roller 205 that discharges the original conveyed by the discharge roller, a document discharge tray 206 on which the document discharged by the discharge roller 205 is placed (stacked), and the like. The document feeder 200 automatically transports the documents placed on the document tray 201 one by one in contact with the second contact glass 303 in response to an instruction to start copying, and the document at this position. The so-called sheet-through type document reading is realized in which the document is discharged onto the document discharge tray 206 after exposure scanning (reading).

  The document feeding unit 200 is configured to be tiltable with respect to the upper surface of the main body unit 10 (document reading unit 300), for example, with the back side of the apparatus as a rotation fulcrum, and the first platen glass 302 (second platen). By lifting the upper surface of the platen glass 303) so that the upper surface is opened upward and rearward, a reading document such as a book, for example, in a spread state can be placed on the upper surface of the first platen glass 302. It is configured to be possible.

  The paper feeding unit 400 feeds paper to the image forming unit 100. The paper feed unit 400 is a manual paper feed including paper feed cassettes 401 and 402 that store sheets of various sizes (recording paper), a manual feed tray 4031 configured to be openable and closable at one side of the main body unit 10, and the like. Part 403 is provided. The paper feed unit 400 includes a transport path 404 that transports paper from the paper feed cassettes 401 and 402 to the image forming unit 100, and a transport path 405 that transports paper from the manual paper feed unit 403 to the image forming unit 100. . Each of the paper feed cassettes 401 and 402 and the manual paper feed unit 403 includes pickup rollers 406, 407, and 408 for taking out the stored paper, and paper feed rollers 409, 410, and 411 for feeding the paper one by one to each transport path. It has. In the transport path 404, transport rollers 412 and 413 for transporting paper and registration rollers 414 for waiting the transported paper in front of the image forming unit 100 are provided. Note that the conveyance path 405 merges with the conveyance path 404 on the upstream side of the registration rollers 414.

  The image forming unit 100 forms (prints) a predetermined image on the paper conveyed by the paper supply unit 400. The image forming unit 100 includes a photosensitive drum 101 rotatably supported in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, a charging unit 102 disposed around the photosensitive drum 101, a developing unit 103, a cleaning unit 104, and a laser. A scanning unit 105, a transfer roller 106, and a fixing roller 107 disposed on the downstream side of the transfer roller 106 are provided.

  The charging unit 102 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 to a predetermined potential. The laser scanning unit 105 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 with a laser beam based on image data transmitted from an image storage unit 30 or the like, which will be described later, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. It is. The developing unit 103 makes the image (original image) appear by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image. The transfer roller 106 is configured to transfer the toner image that has been made visible on the photosensitive drum 101 to the paper in a state where the conveyed paper is pressed against the photosensitive drum 101. The fixing roller 107 fixes the toner image transferred to the paper. The fixing roller 107 includes a heat roller and a pressure roller (not shown). The toner on the paper is melted by the heat of the heat roller, and the pressure is applied by the pressure roller to fix the toner on the paper. The cleaning unit 104 cleans the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 after the transfer of the image onto the paper is completed.

  Paper discharge trays 108 and 109 are provided on the upper portion and the side surface portion of the main body 10, and the paper conveyed from the fixing roller 107 is discharged to the paper discharge trays 108 and 109 by the discharge rollers 110 and 111, respectively. The The paper transport direction can be switched between the discharge roller 110 side and the discharge roller 111 side by the discharge branch guide 112.

  The operation display unit 500 performs a predetermined instruction input according to a user operation. The operation display unit 500 displays a start key 501 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad 502 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for inputting various copying operation settings, and the like. In addition, a display 503 (display) including a liquid crystal display (LCD) on which various operation buttons and the like are displayed is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. The copying machine 1 includes a control unit 20 that controls operation of the entire apparatus. The control unit 20 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a control program of the copying machine 1, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data, a microcomputer that reads the control program from the ROM, and executes the program. The entire apparatus is controlled in accordance with predetermined instruction information input in the operation display unit 500 or the like and detection signals from various sensors provided in various parts of the apparatus. The control unit 20 is connected to the image forming unit 100, the document feeding unit 200, the document reading unit 300, the sheet feeding unit 400, the operation display unit 500, the image storage unit 30, the image processing unit 40, and the like.

  The image storage unit 30 is a memory that temporarily stores image data of a document read by the document reading unit 300 and image data transmitted from an external device via a network I / F unit (not shown).

  The image processing unit 40 performs various image processing on the image data, for example, gamma processing and enlargement / reduction processing. In the image processing unit 40, for example, A / D conversion of image data is performed on a document image obtained by reading by the document reading unit 300, and the above-described various image processes are performed using the A / D converted image data. .

  By the way, the copying machine 1 is generally a booklet such as a manual for explaining how to use the apparatus, tools and parts (service parts) for maintaining the apparatus, or spare (stock) paper. The features of the present invention that the equipment and the like are stored in the document feeder 200 will be described below.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 describe a more detailed configuration relating to the above-described housing of the document feeding unit 200. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the document feeding unit 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the document feeder 200 shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from the side. However, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the lid member 207 is opened in conjunction with the rotation of the document tray 201 as will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the document feeder 200 includes a cover member 207 and a connecting member 208 in addition to the components 201 to 206 described with reference to FIG. The cover member 207 is formed so as to be able to cover the discharged document stacking surface along the discharged document stacking surface (slope surface) in the arrow direction (arrow A direction) indicated by the symbol A of the document discharge tray 206. In addition to the so-called “lid”, it also serves as the document discharge tray 206, specifically, also serves as the tray surface of the document discharge tray 206 (the document that has been discharged is stacked on the upper surface of the lid member 207). ) The lid member 207 guides the lid main body 2071 formed of a plate-like body (flat plate) having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above and the document discharged from the discharge port, and extends in the conveyance direction that functions as a reinforcing material for the lid main body 2071. It comprises a plurality of rib bodies 2072 that are provided (in parallel).

  By the way, a recess is formed below the document discharge tray 206, that is, at a lower portion facing the cover member 207. The concave portion is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is open upward, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, and has a size (area) smaller than or equal to that of the lid member 207 and accommodates stored items such as a manual. The size is possible.

  For example, as shown in the schematic top view (with the lid member 207 removed) of the document discharge tray 206, the document discharge tray 206 includes a side wall portion 2061, and the side wall portion 2061 has four sides. (In FIG. 5, there is no side wall portion on the left side in the figure, and it is surrounded by three sides. However, in reality, the document feeding unit 200 or the lid member 207 functions as the side wall portion 2061 to surround the four sides. And a storage space (hereinafter referred to as a storage space S) formed by covering (mounting) the lid member 207 so as to abut on the upper surface T of the side wall portion 2061. That is, the storage space S (storage portion) is composed of the concave portion and the lid member 207.

  As shown in the side view indicated by reference numeral 210 in FIG. 5, the storage space S is configured such that the lower part of the document discharge tray 206 in the document feeding unit 200 is further deeply recessed toward the document reading unit 300. Also good. In this case, the bottom surface (bottom plate) of the storage space S may be the bottom surface (bottom plate) of the document feeding unit 200. In addition, as described above, the lid member 207 may be configured such that the lid member 207 is simply placed on the upper surface of the side wall portion 2061 as described above. A predetermined stepped portion may be provided at the end according to the shape of the lid member 207, and the lid may be fitted to the stepped portion.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cover member 207 includes a rotation shaft portion 2073 at the base end portion on the side of the document discharge port, and an arrow indicated by a symbol B with the rotation shaft portion 2073 as the rotation center (opening / closing fulcrum). It is comprised so that rotation in a direction (arrow B direction) is possible. The rotating shaft portion 2073 is pivotally supported on the side wall portion 2061 at, for example, the position indicated by reference numeral 2062 in FIG. Note that the pivot shaft 2073 does not have to be pivotally supported at the position indicated by the reference numeral 2062, and may be pivotally supported, for example, on the side wall of the document feeder 200 main body.

  The lid member 207 is made of a transparent member (transparent material), for example, transparent, that is, a resin (plastic or the like) having a high light transmission property, and the inside of the storage space S (concave portion) is visible from the outside. Yes.

  In relation to the lid member 207 being made of a transparent member, the document tray 201 is also made of a transparent member in the same manner as the lid member 207. Specifically, a flat plate-like transparent body 2010 is provided on the surface of the document tray 201 that faces the lid member 207. The transparent body 2010 is formed by forming a window (opening) of the same size as that of the transparent body 2010 on the document tray 201 and fitting the window. In other words, the peripheral portion of the facing surface portion of the document tray 201 is configured as a frame portion 2012 (frame body), and the transparent body 2010 is fitted to the frame portion 2012. However, the entire opposing surface portion including the frame portion 2012 may be made of a transparent member.

  In this way, by configuring the document tray 201 and the lid member 207 (in the upper part of the storage space S) with transparent members, for example, as shown in the enlarged perspective view of the document feeding unit 200 in FIG. The stored manual M can be easily viewed from the outside without opening the document tray 201 and the cover member 207. Moreover, because of the installation position of the document feeder 200 in the copying machine 1, when the user places a document on the document tray 201, for example, to copy, it is easy to keep the posture and line of sight without bending. This stored item M can be visually recognized.

  By the way, the document tray 201 is provided with a rotation shaft portion 2013 at the base end portion on the document carry-in entrance side, and this rotation shaft portion 2013 is pivotally supported by, for example, the main body side wall portion of the document feeding portion 200. It is comprised so that rotation in the arrow direction shown by (arrow C direction) is possible. Further, the document tray 201 is provided with a handle portion 2014 that protrudes toward the front side, for example, at a position near the front end portion of the document tray 201 (any handle portion can be suitably gripped). Good). Thus, the user can easily perform an operation of holding the handle portion 2014 and rotating the document tray 201 to lift it up or lowering it to the normal use position shown in FIG.

  Note that the upper surface of the base end portion of the document tray 201 is indicated by a symbol D in accordance with the width of the document placed on the document tray 201 (in order to properly align the document end portion and automatically carry it in). A pair of guide members 2015 configured to be slidable (width adjustment) in the arrow direction are provided.

  The lid member 207 and the document tray 201 are connected by a pair of connecting members 208 (connecting arms) on both side surfaces thereof, that is, on both left and right ends in a direction perpendicular to the document conveying direction. The connecting member 208 is formed of, for example, a linear plate-like body (or a rod-like body), and is rotatably connected to the document tray 201 (the base end side wall portion 2011 of the document tray 201) at the rotation shaft portion 2081. The rotary shaft 2082 is rotatably connected to the lid member 207 (both side surfaces of the lid main body 2071). The connecting position between the connecting member 208 and the lid member 207 is substantially the center of the lid member 207 in the document conveyance direction, but is not limited to this position, and may be the proximal end side or the distal end side. The connecting position of the connecting member 208 and the document tray 201 is not limited to the substantially central position of the base end side wall portion 2011 shown in the figure, and may be the base end side or the front end side.

  As described above, the document tray 201 and the lid member 207 are configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft portions 2013 and 2073, respectively, and are connected to each other by the connecting member 208 so that the document tray can be rotated. Since the cover member 207 also rotates in the direction of arrow B as the 201 is rotated in the direction of arrow C, the cover member 207 is opened and closed with respect to the storage space S (concave portion) in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the document tray 201. It becomes possible to make it. In other words, the lid member 207 can be opened and closed in synchronization with the document tray 201 (synchronous opening and closing).

  By the way, the document feeding unit 200 includes a predetermined lock mechanism configured to be able to stop the lid member 207 at that position with the lid member 207 opened, that is, to restrict rotation (fix the position) at that position. ing. Here, the locking mechanism is configured by the lid member 207 and the main body side wall 221 of the document feeding unit 200. Hereinafter, this locking mechanism will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a lock mechanism constituted by the lid member 207 and the main body side wall part 221, and is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the lock mechanism part. First, as a mechanism on the lid member 207 side of the lock mechanism, the protrusion 241 is provided on the side wall of the main body according to the rotation of the lid member 207 as will be described later, for example, at a position 231 (see also FIG. 4) of the lid member 207. The latching portion 240 is provided at a position where the rotation can be regulated at the stationary position), and the rotation is stationary at the position facing the latching portion 240 in the main body side wall portion 221. A hooked portion 250 is provided at a position to be locked.

  For example, the latching portion 240 protrudes from the lid member 207 toward the main body side wall portion 221 and has a substantially cylindrical shape (a flange-like body 2411 is integrally provided on one end side (bottom portion)) 241 The urging member 242 is made of a spring body or the like and urges the protrusion 241 toward the main body side wall 221 side, and the protrusion 241 and the urging member 242 are made of a housing (or frame body) or the like and can be supported. The support body 243 is configured. As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 241 is inserted into the support 243 via the biasing member 242 and is configured to protrude and retract in the arrow direction indicated by the symbol E (the width direction of the lid member 207). ing. Note that the support 243 is disposed on, for example, the lower surface side (the surface opposite to the document placement surface) of the lid member 207. An arrow direction indicated by a symbol F is a document conveying direction.

  As shown in the figure, the hooked portion 250 is formed on an inner wall surface 2211 facing the lid member 207 in the main body side wall portion 221, and can be fitted with a distal end portion 2412 (protruding portion) of the protrusion 241. A round hole-like recess (hereinafter referred to as a hooked recess 251) is provided.

  The projecting body 241 of the latching portion 240 is slidably contacted with the inner wall surface 2211 in an arc as the lid member 207 rotates in the arrow B direction in conjunction with the rotation of the document tray 201 in the arrow C direction. Then, when this comes to the position of the latched portion 250 (the latched recess 251), which is the stationary position, the protrusion that has been pushed down by the main body side wall portion 221 (inner wall surface 2211) and has been immersed in the support 243 until then. The distal end portion 2412 of 241 is pushed (latched) into the latched recess 251 by the urging force of the urging member 242, thereby entering a locked state in which the rotation is restricted. However, in this locked state, a protrusion that has been pushed into the latched recess 251 by applying a predetermined or higher external force (rotation force) to rotate the lid member 207 by the user or the like. It is released when the distal end 2412 of the body 241 is removed. The tip 2412 of the protrusion 241 may be formed in a hemispherical shape so that the locking or releasing operation can be performed smoothly.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus (copying machine 1) of the present invention, the storage unit is provided below the document discharge tray 206 of the ADF (document feeding unit 200). It is possible to store manuals and other stored items such as service parts or spare manuscripts (by storing the manuals, the documents such as manuals can be prevented from being deteriorated, damaged or lost over time. In addition, it is possible to reduce the individual cost of the service parts, the management cost, etc. In addition, maintenance by the end user is possible using the stored service parts).

Since the empty space below the ADF document discharge tray 206 is used as (storage space S), a separate dedicated storage section is provided to increase the size of the ADF (and thus the copying machine 1) and to increase the appearance of the apparatus. The storage is possible without impairing the operation. Further, since the storage unit is provided in the ADF, the storage unit is provided at the side portion or the bottom of the copying machine 1 so that the stored item is not bent and stored in and removed from the upper position of the copying machine 1. Easy storage and removal operations can be performed in the arranged ADF. Furthermore, by providing a storage section below the document discharge tray 206, for example, by configuring the upper portion of the storage section with a transparent member, the inside of the storage section can be visually recognized from the outside, and the visibility is high at the ADF position. It will be a thing. Thus, the ADF can be effectively used for storage.

  In addition, since the storage portion is composed of the concave portion and the lid member 207 for the concave portion, the storage portion can be made simpler, and the storage and removal of the stored items in the concave portion open and close the lid member 207. This makes it easy to do. Further, since the lid member 207 also serves as the document discharge tray 206, it is not necessary to separately provide the lid member 207 and the document discharge tray 206, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  In addition, in the ADF, since the lid member 207 can be opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the document tray 201 usually disposed above the document discharge tray 206, the lid member 207 can be easily opened and closed. Become.

  In addition, by providing a lock mechanism, the lid member 207 can be kept stationary with the lid member 207 opened, for example, while the lid member 207 is held open with one hand and stored with the other hand. For example, both hands can be easily stored and taken out without a troublesome operation such as taking out.

  Further, the lid member 207 is made of a transparent member so that the inside of the storage portion can be visually recognized from the outside, and the stored items such as a manual placed in the storage portion (the storage space S) can be easily visually recognized (where. You don't have to search for manuals etc.).

  Further, the document tray 201 is made of a transparent member (and the lid member 207 is made of a transparent member), so that the inside of the storage portion can be easily visually recognized from the outside, that is, the lower side of the document tray 201 is looked into. For example, the inside of the storage unit can be visually recognized more easily (as viewed from above) without checking the inside of the storage unit. In addition, this invention can take the following aspects.

  (A) As shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit of the document feeding unit 200 may include a drawer unit 270 provided detachably in the horizontal direction below the document discharge tray 206. The drawer portion 270 is a so-called storage box, and for example, a handle portion 271 is attached to one end thereof. The upper portion of the drawer portion 270 is formed of the same transparent member (transparent resin) as described above so that the inside of the drawer portion 270 can be visually recognized from the outside. It may be made of a transparent member so as to be visible. In addition, it is preferable that the stored items in the storage unit can be visually recognized from the outside as described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may not be visible from the outside (may be simply stored). In this case, the lid member 207 and the document tray 201 may not be formed of a transparent member (made of a normal material and cannot be visually recognized from the outside), and the storage unit may be formed of only the drawer portion 270. In addition, it is good also as a structure provided with this drawer part 270 with respect to the storage part with the cover member 207, ie, the removable space | gap part 270 shown in FIG. 8 in the storage space S in the said FIG.

  As described above, the storage unit is configured by the drawer 270 that is detachably provided below the document discharge tray 206 in the document feeding unit 200, thereby effectively utilizing the space below the document discharge tray 206. In addition, the storage portion can be realized with a simple configuration such as the drawer portion 270, and the storage items can be easily taken in and out. Further, since the upper part of the drawer part 270 in the document feeding part 200 is made of a transparent member, the inside of the drawer part 270 can be visually recognized from the outside, and the stored items such as a manual placed in the storage part can be easily visually confirmed. become able to. Further, the document tray 201 is made of a transparent member (and the upper part of the drawer 270 in the automatic document feeder is made of a transparent member), so that the inside of the drawer 270 can be easily seen from the outside. That is, without checking the inside of the drawer portion 270 by looking into the lower side of the document tray 201, the inside of the drawer portion 270 can be easily moved from the standing position or the line of sight (as viewed from above) while copying, for example. It becomes visible.

  (B) In the storage unit (storage space S), for example, a label on which a message such as a simple usage method of the copying machine 1 or handling precautions is written (printed) or a piece of paper on which the message is written is placed. The storage unit in the document feeding unit 200 may be used as a so-called message boat so that the message is viewed while performing a copy operation.

  (C) The shape of the storage space S does not have to be a rectangular parallelepiped (rectangular view as viewed from above), and may be any shape such as an ellipse, a circle, or a square. In short, it suffices if it is recessed in a shape in which a necessary storage item is suitably stored.

  (D) The connection structure between the lid member 207 and the document tray 201 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4. For example, the connection member 208 includes a plurality of (for example, two) connection members connected in series. The connection structure may be such that the connection member 208 is bent. In short, any connection structure may be used as long as the lid member 207 is rotated and lifted as the document tray 201 is rotated and lifted.

  (E) The document discharge tray 206 does not have to have a shape having an inclined discharged document stacking surface as shown in the direction of arrow A, and the discharged document stacking surface may be horizontal. In this case, the recess (storage space S) shown in FIG. 5 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the heights of the three-side (four-side) side wall portions 2061 are the same.

  (F) The cover member 207 does not have to be a side-view linear shape (flat plate shape) as shown in FIG. 4, may be an arc shape or a bent shape, and the rib body 2072 may be It does not have to be provided. In short, the lid member 207 may have any shape as long as the lid member 207 can cover the recess (the storage space S) and can place the discharged document.

  (G) The lid member 207 does not have to be completely transparent. In short, the inside of the storage space S (accommodated item) only needs to be visually recognized. For example, the lid member 207 is a transparent member with a predetermined color (for example, a colored plastic material). It may be configured. Further, the entire lid member 207 may not be a transparent member, and only a required part may be formed of a transparent member.

  (H) The lid member 207 or the document tray 201 may be, for example, a comb-like body (for example, a shape in which slits (notches) like a fork are formed) or a net-like body so that the inside of the storage portion can be visually recognized. As a result, the document is placed and the inside of the storage section can be visually recognized (without falling down).

  (I) The attachment position of the lock mechanism may not be the position indicated by reference numeral 231 in FIG. 4, and may be, for example, the proximal end side (position close to the fulcrum) or the distal end side of the lid member 207. Further, the lock mechanism may be provided in the connecting member 208 or the document tray 201 instead of the lid member 207. In short, any lock mechanism may be used as long as the lid member 207 is open and the rotation is restricted. Further, the locking mechanism is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 6, and for example, it may be configured only by a protrusion that does not have an urging member. In this case, the main body side wall part 221 (the part of the main body side wall part 221 where the projection 241 abuts (slidably contacts)), for example, may be configured by a plate-like body having required elasticity (flexibility). . Further, a spherical body (ball body) may be used instead of the protrusion 241. Further, a rail-like member may be formed along which the projecting body 241 is fitted (the sliding of the projecting body 241 with respect to the main body side wall portion 221 is guided) along the slidable turning radius.

  (J) A similar hooked portion 250 (locked concave portion 251) may be provided at a position where the lid member 207 is closed, whereby the document tray 201 and the lid member 207 can be easily attached. The closed state can be locked so as not to be lifted.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the copier illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a document feeding unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the document feeding unit shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from the side. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a recess in a document discharge tray. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of a locking mechanism. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a document feeding unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of a storage unit of a document feeding unit.

1 Copying machine (image forming device)
200 Document feeder (automatic document feeder)
201 Document tray 206 Document discharge tray 207 Lid member 208 Connecting member 221 Main body side wall portion 240 Latching portion 241 Protruding body 242 Energizing member 243 Support body 250 Hooked portion 251 Hooked recess 270 Drawer portion 2010 Transparent body 2011 Base end Side wall part 2061 Side wall part S Storage space

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus including an automatic document feeder that automatically conveys a document from a document tray to a document discharge tray,
In the automatic document feeder, a storage unit is provided below the document discharge tray,
The storage portion includes a concave portion provided below the document discharge tray, and a lid member that also serves as the document discharge tray for the recess.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid member is configured to be openable and closable in conjunction with opening and closing operations of the document tray.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder further includes a predetermined locking mechanism configured to be able to stand still with the lid member opened. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lid member is formed of a transparent member so that the inside of the storage portion can be visually recognized from the outside. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the document tray is formed of a transparent member so that the inside of the storage portion can be visually recognized from the outside.

Images