JP5069643B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an openable / closable sheet discharge tray provided with a sheet stopper, an image reading apparatus, and an openable / closable front cover.

  An image reading device above an openable and closable discharge tray provided on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus is particularly small among image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers that form images on paper by electrophotography. And a front cover that can be opened and closed on the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body, and a rotatable paper stopper provided at the front end of the paper discharge tray in the paper discharge direction.

  In such an image forming apparatus, for example, when the toner container is replaced, the paper discharge tray and the front cover are opened, and the toner container is taken in and out through an opening opening in the image forming apparatus main body. In this case, a configuration in which the discharge tray is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front cover may be employed.

  In addition, paper on which an image is formed through a predetermined process in the image forming apparatus main body is discharged to a paper discharge tray provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body. In order to prevent the paper from dropping from the tray, a paper stopper that can be rotated at the front end of the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge tray is provided. The paper stopper is rotatable, and when it is used, the paper stopper is raised at a predetermined angle.

  By the way, in Patent Document 1, an auxiliary provided so as to be able to be pulled out and stored with respect to a paper discharge tray (main body stacking means) fixed on the apparatus main body side so as to stack paper (sheet-like recording material) on which images are formed. When the stacking means is pulled out from the paper discharge tray, the paper stopper (recording material locking member) provided at the leading edge in the pulling direction is swung by the rotating rising means so as to make an appropriate inclination angle. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus that prevents falling of a sheet while maintaining good alignment and operability of the sheet by raising the height.

Further, Patent Document 2 provides a stopper storage portion and a window in which the mounting base of the paper stopper can be detachably and slidably stored in either the front or back state at the top of the image forming apparatus main body. By providing different indications that can be seen through the window on the front and back surfaces of the mounting base, it is possible to easily adjust the position of the paper stopper when changing the paper size and to visually check the storage state of the paper. Possible paper stacking devices have been proposed.
JP 2007-176893 A JP-A-2-310251

  By the way, when replacing the toner container or unit, a small-sized image forming apparatus adopting a configuration in which the paper discharge tray and the front cover are opened and the toner container and the unit are taken in and out through the opening opening in the image forming apparatus main body. In this case, when the paper discharge tray is rotated upward and opened while the paper stopper is in a standing state, the paper stopper collides with the image reading device provided above the paper discharge tray, and the paper discharge tray The opening angle of the toner container is limited, the opening area of the opening is kept small, and it becomes difficult to put in and out the toner container and unit.

  Therefore, if the position of the image reading device is increased in order to avoid the collision of the paper stopper with the image reading device, there arises a problem that the overall height of the image forming device increases and the size of the device increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to avoid interference between the paper stopper and the image reading apparatus without causing an increase in size of the apparatus even when the paper stopper is used. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily exchanging a toner container and a unit with good workability by widening a paper discharge tray.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an image reading device is disposed above an openable and closable discharge tray provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body, and the image forming apparatus can be opened and closed on the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus provided with a cover and provided with a rotatable paper stopper at the front end of the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge tray, the paper stopper is rotated in conjunction with the opening operation of the paper discharge tray or the front cover. The paper stopper is configured to avoid interference with the image reading device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the front cover regulates the rotation of the paper stopper, raises the paper stopper to a use state, opens the front cover, and uses the front cover. When the restriction of the rotation of the paper stopper is released, the paper stopper is configured to rotate and tilt in the paper discharge direction by its own weight.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the storage portion that stores the paper stopper is formed in the discharge tray, and the spring that biases the paper stopper in a direction in which the paper stopper is stored in the storage portion. Providing a member, restricting the rotation of the paper stopper by the front cover and standing the paper stopper in use, opening the front cover and releasing the rotation restriction of the paper stopper by the front cover, The sheet stopper is configured to rotate in the storing direction by the urging force of the spring member and be stored in the storing portion.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the discharge tray is configured to open and close in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front cover.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the paper stopper is rotated in conjunction with the opening operation of the paper discharge tray or the front cover so as to avoid the interference of the paper stopper with the image reading device. There is no need to increase the height of the image reading device in order to avoid interference with the image reading device, and even in a state where the paper stopper is raised and used, paper discharge is avoided while avoiding interference between the paper stopper and the image reading device. The tray can be greatly opened, and the toner container and the unit can be easily replaced with good workability by securing a large opening in the main body of the image forming apparatus without increasing the size of the apparatus.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the front cover is opened when the toner container or the unit is replaced, the rotation restriction of the paper stopper by the front cover is released, and the paper stopper rotates in the paper discharge direction by its own weight. The tilting prevents the paper stopper from interfering with the image reading device even when the paper discharge tray is opened wide, and ensures a large opening in the main body of the image forming apparatus without increasing the size of the apparatus. Can be easily exchanged with good workability.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the front cover is opened when the toner container or the unit is replaced, the rotation restriction of the paper stopper by the front cover is released, and the paper stopper is moved by the urging force of the spring member. Because it is stored in the storage section, it is possible to prevent the paper stopper from interfering with the image reading device even when the paper discharge tray is opened wide, and to secure a large opening in the image forming apparatus main body without increasing the size of the apparatus. The toner container and the unit can be easily replaced with good workability.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the discharge tray is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front cover, two operations including the opening and closing operation of the discharge tray are performed by one operation of opening and closing the front cover. Can be performed simultaneously, and operability is improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the image forming apparatus, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a discharge tray portion of the image forming apparatus. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the paper discharge tray and the front cover of the image forming apparatus are opened, FIG. 6 is a side view thereof, FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view thereof, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of a portion A in FIG. 9 is a partial side view showing a state in the middle of closing the paper discharge tray and the front cover of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the same.

  An image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a small-sized multifunction machine that serves both as a copying machine and a printer. A rectangular box-shaped image forming apparatus main body 2 includes a photosensitive drum, a charger, and an image carrier. Process devices (not shown) such as a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device are incorporated. A concave space that opens toward the front (the right side in FIG. 2 is the front) is formed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 2. A paper discharge tray 3 is provided in the space so as to be openable and closable. Yes.

  On the paper discharge tray 3, paper on which an image is formed in an image forming unit made up of process equipment (not shown) in the image forming apparatus main body 2 is discharged from the back side toward the front side and stacked. A rectangular plate-shaped paper stopper 4 is rotatably provided at the front end (front end) of the paper discharge tray 3 in the paper discharge direction. This paper stopper 4 is for receiving the leading edge of the discharged paper and aligning the paper, and for preventing the paper from dropping from the paper discharge tray 3. It is pivotally supported so that it can rotate. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a concave groove-shaped storage portion 5 for storing the paper stopper 4 is formed at the center in the width direction of the paper discharge tray 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a front cover 6 that can be opened and closed is provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body 2 so that the lower end portion thereof is pivotally supported. A paper feed cassette 7 that can be pulled out to the near side is loaded below. The paper feed cassette 7 contains a plurality of sheets.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an image reading device 8 is provided above the paper discharge tray 3 above the image forming apparatus main body 2, and an operation display unit 9 is provided in front of the image reading device 3. Yes.

  Thus, in the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the paper discharge tray 3 and the front cover 6 are both closed, and the paper stopper 4 stands up diagonally ( The image forming operation is performed at the standing angle θ), and the sheet on which the image is formed through the predetermined process as described above is discharged to the discharge tray 3. Then, the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 3 is aligned with the leading edge of the paper stopper 4 standing at an angle, and falling from the paper discharge tray 3 is prevented.

  By the way, in such a small image forming apparatus 1, when exchanging a toner container or a unit (not shown), as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the paper discharge tray 3 is rotated upward and opened. At the same time, the front cover 6 is rotated and opened to the front, and when both are opened, the toner container and the unit are taken in and out through the opening that opens greatly in the image forming apparatus main body 2 and is replaced.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the paper stopper 4 can be further rotated by a predetermined angle Δθ (see FIG. 7) in the paper discharge direction from the standing angle θ in the use state shown in FIGS. When this is in use as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, its rotation is restricted by the closed front cover 6, and it stands up in a state inclined by a predetermined angle θ to fulfill the above function. In this embodiment, the discharge tray 3 is configured to open and close in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front cover 6.

  Therefore, when the toner container or unit is replaced, first, when the front cover 6 is opened to the front side as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the paper discharge tray 3 is rotated upward in conjunction with this operation to open the image. Since a large opening is formed in the forming apparatus main body 2, the toner container and the unit can be taken in and out from the opening with good workability and exchanged.

  Thus, when the front cover 6 is opened when the toner container or unit is replaced as described above, the restriction of the rotation of the paper stopper 4 by the front cover 6 is released. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. The paper stopper 4 is rotated by a predetermined angle Δθ (see FIG. 7) in the paper discharge direction by its own weight and tilted. For this reason, even if the paper discharge tray 3 is opened widely, the paper stopper 4 does not interfere with the image reading device 8, and the paper stopper 4 is joined to the lower surface of the image reading device 8 and collides as shown in FIG. There is no need to increase the position of the image reading device 8 in order to avoid interference with the paper stopper 4. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a large opening can be secured in the image forming apparatus main body 2 without causing an increase in the size of the image forming apparatus 1, and a toner container or a unit can be taken in and out from the large opening. These exchanges can be easily performed with good workability. The rotation angle Δθ of the paper stopper 4 should be set such that the paper stopper 4 follows the inclined lower surface of the image reading device 8 as shown in FIG. 8 when the paper discharge tray 3 is fully opened. It is.

  In the present embodiment, since the discharge tray 3 is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front cover 6, the opening and closing operation of the discharge tray 3 is included in one operation of opening and closing the front cover 6. One operation can be performed at the same time, and the operability is improved.

  After the replacement of the toner container and the unit is completed, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the front cover 6 is pushed to the back side to be closed, but is discharged in conjunction with the closing operation of the front cover 6. The paper tray 3 is also pivoted downward and closed. At this time, the paper stopper 4 is kept open, but when the front cover 6 and the paper discharge tray 3 are completely closed as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the posture of the paper stopper 4 is set at a predetermined inclination angle. The state of use stands up at θ, and its rotation is restricted by the front cover 6.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a state in the middle of opening the paper discharge tray and the front cover of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and this figure is the same as that shown in FIGS. Elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted below.

  In the present embodiment, a spring member (not shown) such as a coil spring or a torsion spring that urges the paper stopper 4 in a direction in which the paper stopper 4 is stored in the storage portion 5 formed on the paper discharge tray 3 is provided on the support shaft of the paper stopper 4. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Here, since the urging force of the spring member is set to be smaller than the force for rotating the paper stopper 4 in the standing posture in the storing direction, the paper stopper 4 is maintained in the standing state at the time of use.

  Thus, as in the first embodiment, when the front cover 6 is opened when the toner container, the unit, or the like is replaced, the paper discharge tray 3 is also opened in conjunction with this operation, but the paper discharge tray 3 is opened. The rising angle of the paper stopper 4 decreases accordingly, and when the angle of the paper discharge tray 3 reaches a certain value, the biasing force of the spring member acts to turn the paper stopper 4 toward the storage side. Become. Thereafter, when the paper discharge tray 3 is further opened, the paper stopper 4 is rotated in the storage direction by a rotating moment due to its own weight, and is stored in the storage portion 5 of the paper discharge tray 3 as shown in FIG. For this reason, even if the paper discharge tray 3 is opened wide, interference of the paper stopper 4 with the image reading device 8 is prevented, and a large opening is secured in the image forming apparatus main body 2 without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus 1. The toner container and the unit can be taken in and out from the large opening and can be easily exchanged with good workability.

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a multi-function machine that serves both as a copier and a printer, the present invention includes a paper discharge tray on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and an image reading device thereon. Of course, the present invention can be similarly applied to a single copying machine, a single facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine thereof.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 3 is a perspective view of a paper discharge tray portion of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paper discharge tray portion of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a paper discharge tray and a front cover of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are opened. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which a paper discharge tray and a front cover of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are opened. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a paper discharge tray and a front cover of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are opened. It is the A section enlarged detail drawing of FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial side view showing a state in the middle of closing the paper discharge tray and the front cover of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in the middle of closing the paper discharge tray and the front cover of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in the middle of opening a paper discharge tray and a front cover of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus main body 3 Paper discharge tray 4 Paper stopper 5 Paper discharge tray storage part 6 Front cover 7 Paper feed cassette 8 Image reading device 9 Operation display part

Claims (4)

An image reading device is disposed above an openable and closable discharge tray provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body, and an openable and closable front cover is provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body. In an image forming apparatus provided with a movable paper stopper,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the paper stopper is rotated in conjunction with the opening operation of the paper discharge tray or the front cover to avoid interference of the paper stopper with the image reading device.   When the rotation of the paper stopper is restricted by the front cover and the paper stopper is brought into use, and the front cover is opened and the restriction of the rotation of the paper stopper by the front cover is released, the paper stopper is self-weighted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to rotate and tilt in the paper discharge direction.   A storage portion for storing the paper stopper is formed in the paper discharge tray, and a spring member for biasing the paper stopper in the storage direction is provided, and the rotation of the paper stopper is restricted by the front cover. Then, when the paper stopper is raised in use, the front cover is opened, and the rotation restriction of the paper stopper by the front cover is released, the paper stopper is rotated in the storing direction by the biasing force of the spring member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be stored in the storage unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tray is configured to open and close in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front cover.

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