JP5377425B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which is connected to an optional feeder without removing a cover member or the like on the side of an image forming apparatus body, and easily handles jams at a coupling part. <P>SOLUTION: A second opening/closing cover 22 which can be vertically opened/closed based on a fulcrum 22a is provided on a side surface of the body of a color printer 100. A driven roller 23 is supported on the second opening/closing cover 22. A roller insertion part 24 in which a driving roller 25 on the optional feeder 30 side is inserted is formed adjacent to the second opening/closing cover 22. The driven roller 23 constitutes, together with the driving roller 25 inserted in the roller insertion part 24, a relay roller pair 27 for transferring the paper P at the connection part between the color printer 100 and the optional feeder 30. By opening the second opening/closing cover 22, the driven roller 23 and the driving roller 25 constituting the relay roller pair 27 are separated from each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which an optional feeder for supplying a recording medium is detachably connected.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, a paper feed unit (optional feeder) for supplying paper of a size different from that of a paper feed tray mounted inside the apparatus is detachably connected to the lower part of the apparatus main body.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a sheet feeding unit that also serves as a base of an image forming apparatus main body and a consumable storage unit are stacked so as to be replaceable, and a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit is placed on the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus main body. An opening is provided, a guide means for guiding the conveyance of the paper is formed inside the paper feed unit, a vertical conveyance path extending in the vertical direction is formed, and an opening formed on the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus main body is a vertical conveyance path outlet. A communicating image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  In the conventional option feeder, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, a relay roller pair (relay roller 13) used for paper delivery at a connecting portion with the image forming apparatus main body is provided on the image forming apparatus main body side. Had been placed. Therefore, when the user does not use the option feeder, an unnecessary relay roller pair is attached, and there is a problem that the cost is increased.

  Therefore, Patent Document 2 proposes a method in which a pair of relay rollers (pass unit) used for paper delivery at the connecting portion is arranged on the option feeder side.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-22427 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-236693

  However, in the method of Patent Document 2, although an increase in cost of the image forming apparatus main body can be avoided, a space into which the relay roller pair enters is formed on the image forming apparatus main body side. In order to maintain the appearance of the forming apparatus main body, it is necessary to cover the space with a cover member or the like. Therefore, when the user sets the option feeder in the image forming apparatus main body, it is necessary to remove the cover member, and the user needs to discard the removed cover member, and the setup work becomes complicated. Further, the cost is increased by the amount of the cover member to be discarded.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 2, when the cover that covers the part where the relay roller pair of the image forming apparatus main body enters cannot be removed, in order to remove the jammed paper near the relay roller pair, There is a problem that the cover can be opened and closed and the nip of the relay roller pair must be released, and the configuration of the connecting portion between the option feeder and the image forming apparatus main body becomes complicated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which it is not necessary to remove a cover member or the like on the image forming apparatus main body side when an option feeder is connected, and a jam handling operation of the connecting portion is easy. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an option having a recording medium stacking plate on which recording media are stacked, and a separation transport mechanism that separates and transports the recording media stacked on the recording medium stacking plate one by one. An image forming apparatus in which a feeder is detachably connected to a lower portion of a main body, a roller insertion portion into which a drive roller on an option feeder side is inserted, and the optional feeder that is disposed adjacent to the roller insertion portion and the drive roller And a driven roller constituting a relay roller pair in a connecting portion between the image forming apparatus main body and the driven roller can be brought into contact with and separated from the driving roller in a state where the option feeder is connected. It is said.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the driven roller is provided inside an opening / closing cover constituting a part of an exterior cover of the image forming apparatus main body, and the driven roller is moved along with the opening operation of the opening / closing cover. It is characterized by being separated from the drive roller.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the pivot point of the opening / closing cover is provided below the opening / closing cover and closer to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, a side cover that opens and closes a sheet conveyance path in the option feeder is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the opening and closing cover, and the opening and closing cover is provided along with the opening operation of the side cover. It is characterized in that it is allowed to rotate downward.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the handle portion for rotating the opening / closing cover is a depression having a substantially triangular cross section that becomes continuously deeper from the upper part to the lower part of the opening / closing cover. It is characterized by.

  According to the first configuration of the present invention, since the driving roller constituting the relay roller pair is provided on the option feeder side, which is necessary only when the user uses the option feeder, the cost of the image forming apparatus main body is reduced. can do. In addition, since the driven roller can be brought into contact with and separated from the driving roller in a state where the optional feeder is connected, the recording medium sandwiched between the relay roller pair can be easily removed, so that the jam handling workability is improved. .

  According to the second configuration of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the first configuration, the driven roller is provided inside the opening / closing cover, and the driven roller and the driving roller are separated from each other while the opening / closing cover is opened. The contact / separation mechanism of the driven roller becomes simple.

  According to the third configuration of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the second configuration, the pivot point of the opening / closing cover is provided below the opening / closing cover and closer to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent the opening / closing cover from being opened when the image forming apparatus is directly installed on the installation surface without connecting the option feeder. Further, since the opening / closing cover is opened by turning downward, the opening / closing cover can be easily held in the opened state, and the jam handling workability is improved.

  According to the fourth configuration of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the third configuration, the opening / closing cover is opened only when the side cover of the option feeder disposed adjacently below the opening / closing cover is opened. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the opening / closing cover from being opened unnecessarily except during the jam processing of the connecting portion.

  Further, according to the fifth configuration of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the third or fourth configuration, the handle for rotating the opening / closing cover is continuously moved from the upper part to the lower part of the opening / closing cover. By forming a recess with a substantially triangular cross section, the opening / closing cover can be easily rotated downward by placing a finger on the bottom surface of the recess.

Side sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention to which the option feeder is connected Side view of option feeder External perspective view of optional feeder The perspective view which shows the state in the middle of connecting the option feeder 30 to the color printer 100 The perspective view which shows the state which connected the option feeder 30 to the color printer 100. 5 is a perspective view illustrating only the option feeder 30 and the second opening / closing cover 22 of the color printer 100 in FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the side cover 50 of the option feeder 30 and the second opening / closing cover 22 of the color printer 100 are opened from the state of FIG. Sectional enlarged view around the second opening / closing cover 22 when the color printer 100 is directly placed on the installation surface Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the 2nd opening / closing cover 22 in the part of the handle part 22c

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention to which an option feeder is connected will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a tandem type color printer is shown. In the main body of the color printer 100, four image forming portions Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are sequentially arranged from the upstream side in the conveyance direction (left side in FIG. 1). These image forming portions Pa to Pd are provided corresponding to images of four different colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), and cyan, magenta, and yellow are respectively performed by charging, exposure, development, and transfer processes. And a black image are sequentially formed.

  The image forming portions Pa to Pd are provided with photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d that carry visible images (toner images) of the respective colors, and are further driven by a driving unit (not shown). , An intermediate transfer belt 8 that rotates counterclockwise is provided adjacent to each of the image forming portions Pa to Pd. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are sequentially primary-transferred and superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that moves while contacting the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and then the secondary transfer roller. 9 is secondarily transferred onto a sheet P as an example of a recording medium, and further fixed on the sheet P in the fixing unit 13 and then discharged from the apparatus main body. An image forming process for each of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is executed while rotating the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d clockwise in FIG.

  The paper P onto which the toner image is transferred is housed in a paper cassette 16 at the lower part of the apparatus, and is driven by a secondary transfer roller 9 and a drive roller for an intermediate transfer belt 8 described later via a paper feed roller 12a and a registration roller pair 12b. 11 to the nip portion. A sheet made of dielectric resin is used for the intermediate transfer belt 8, and a (seamless) belt having no seam is mainly used. A blade-like belt cleaner 19 for removing toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer roller 9.

  Next, the image forming units Pa to Pd will be described. There are chargers 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d for charging the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d and image information on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d around and below the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d that are rotatably arranged. The exposure device 5 for exposing the toner, the developing devices 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d for forming toner images on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and the developer (toner) remaining on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are removed. Cleaning parts 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are provided.

  When image data is input from a host device such as a personal computer, first, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are uniformly charged by the chargers 2a to 2d, and then light is irradiated according to the image data by the exposure device 5. The electrostatic latent images corresponding to the image data are formed on the respective photosensitive drums 1a to 1d. Each of the developing devices 3a to 3d is filled with a predetermined amount of a two-component developer containing toner of each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In addition, when the ratio of the toner in the two-component developer filled in each developing device 3a to 3d falls below a specified value due to the formation of a toner image described later, each developing device 3a to 3d is transferred from the toner container 4a to 4d. Toner is replenished. The toner in the developer is supplied onto the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d by the developing devices 3a to 3d and electrostatically adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure from the exposure device 5. A toner image is formed.

  Then, by applying a predetermined transfer voltage to the primary transfer rollers 6 a to 6 d, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner images on the photosensitive drums 1 a to 1 d are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. These four color images are formed with a predetermined positional relationship predetermined for forming a predetermined full-color image. Thereafter, the toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is removed by the cleaning units 7a to 7d in preparation for the subsequent formation of a new electrostatic latent image.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched over an upstream tension roller 10 and a downstream drive roller 11, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 is counterclockwise as the drive roller 11 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). When rotation is started, the sheet P is conveyed from the registration roller 12b to a nip portion (secondary transfer nip portion) between the driving roller 11 and the secondary transfer roller 9 provided adjacent thereto at a predetermined timing. The full color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred onto the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image has been transferred passes through the paper transport path 18 and is transported to the fixing unit 13.

  The paper P conveyed to the fixing unit 13 is heated and pressurized by the fixing roller pair 13a, and the toner image is fixed on the surface of the paper P, thereby forming a predetermined full color image. The paper P on which the full-color image is formed is distributed in the transport direction by the branching section 14 that branches in a plurality of directions. When an image is formed on only one side of the paper P, it is discharged as it is onto the discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 15.

  On the other hand, when forming images on both sides of the paper P, the paper P that has passed through the fixing unit 13 is once transported in the direction of the discharge roller 15, and the discharge roller 15 is reversed after the trailing edge of the paper P has passed through the branch portion 14. By rotating and switching the conveyance direction of the branching section 14, the paper P is distributed from the rear end of the paper P to the double-side conveyance path 20, and is re-conveyed to the secondary transfer nip portion with the image surface reversed. Then, after the next image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the surface of the sheet P where the image is not formed by the secondary transfer roller 9 and conveyed to the fixing unit 13 to fix the toner image, It is discharged to the discharge tray 17.

  Further, a first opening / closing cover 21 and a second opening / closing cover 22 are provided on the side surface of the main body of the color printer 100, and the first opening / closing cover 21 and the second opening / closing cover 22 can be opened and closed around the fulcrums 21a and 22a, respectively. It has become. By opening the first opening / closing cover 21, the sheet conveyance path 18 from the sheet feeding roller 12a to the fixing unit 13 is opened.

  A driven roller 23 is supported inside the second opening / closing cover 22, and a roller insertion portion 24 into which the driving roller 25 on the option feeder 30 (see FIG. 2) side is inserted is formed adjacent to the second opening / closing cover 22. Has been. The driven roller 23, together with the driving roller 25 inserted in the roller insertion portion 24, constitutes a relay roller pair 27 that transfers the paper P at the connecting portion between the color printer 100 and the option feeder 30.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the option feeder connected to the color printer 100 of FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the option feeder, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the option feeder. The option feeder 30 stores paper having a different size from the paper cassette 16 (see FIG. 1) provided in the main body housing of the color printer 100, and the lower part of the color printer 100 according to the paper size used by the user. It is comprised so that attachment or detachment is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the option feeder 30 of this embodiment has a two-stage structure, with the upper half being a first paper feed unit 31 and the lower half being a second paper feed unit 33. The second paper feed unit 33 is used, for example, for feeding paper of a different type (size or thickness) from the first paper feed unit 31 to the color printer 100 (see FIG. 1).

  On the upper surface of the option feeder 30, a roller support portion 35 for supporting the driving roller 25 and a positioning pin 36 for positioning the option feeder 30 and the color printer 100 in the horizontal direction protrude, and the option feeder 30 is connected to the color printer. When connected to the lower part of 100, the roller support part 35 is inserted into the roller insertion part 24 (see FIG. 1), and the driving roller 25 and the driven roller 23 (see FIG. 1) abut. Note that the positioning pin 36 is not shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS.

  A sheet cassette 37 for storing sheets is disposed in the first sheet feeding unit 31 and the second sheet feeding unit 33, and a resin cassette cover 37 a is mounted on the front surface of the sheet cassette 37. The cassette cover 37a is exposed to the outside and constitutes a part of the exterior surface of the option feeder 30 main body. Further, the paper cassette 37 can be pulled out and inserted into the main body of the option feeder 30, and a grip 38 is formed at the center of the cassette cover 37a to be pulled out and held during insertion operation. Further, a side cover 50 that opens the option feeder transport path 47 from the paper feed unit 41 of the second paper feed unit 33 to the drive roller 25 is supported on the side surface of the option feeder 30 so as to be openable and closable around the fulcrum 50a. Yes.

  Next, the configuration of the first paper feeding unit 31 and the paper feeding operation will be described. The configuration of the second paper feed unit 33 and the paper feed operation are also the same as those of the first paper feed unit 31 and will not be described. In the sheet cassette 37, a sheet stacking plate 39 on which a plurality of sheets are stacked, a lift plate 40 for raising and lowering the sheet stacking plate 39, and a sheet feeding unit 41 are arranged. The paper feed unit 41 includes a pickup roller 43 and a paper feed roller pair 45, and separates and feeds the paper on the paper stacking plate 39.

  After a plurality of sheets are set on the sheet stacking plate 39, when a print command is input from the host device such as a personal computer to the color printer 100 and printing on the sheet stored in the first sheet feeding unit 31 is designated, The lift plate 40 pushes up the pickup roller 43 through the sheet stacking plate 39 and the sheet, and the weight of the sheet feeding unit 41 including the pickup roller 43 is added to the sheet, so that the upper surface of the sheet has a predetermined pressure (sheet feeding pressure). Is pressed against the pickup roller 43.

  Subsequently, the pickup roller 43 and the paper feed roller pair 45 are rotationally driven by a roller drive motor (not shown). The paper set on the paper stacking plate 39 is normally fed to the nip portion of the pair of paper feed rollers 45 by the pickup roller 43. Then, only the uppermost sheet is separated by the paper feed roller pair 45 and conveyed toward the relay roller pair 27 and the paper conveyance path 18 (see FIG. 1).

  4 is a perspective view showing a state where the option feeder 30 is being connected to the color printer 100, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the option feeder 30 is connected to the color printer 100, and FIG. 6 is an option in FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating only a feeder 30 and a second opening / closing cover 22 of the color printer 100. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the color printer 100 is overlapped by aligning positioning pins 36 (see FIG. 2) protruding from the upper surface of the option feeder 30 with positioning holes (not shown) formed on the back surface of the color printer 100. As a result, the option feeder 30 is connected to the lower part of the color printer 100 as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the roller support portion 35 on the option feeder 30 side is inserted into the roller insertion portion 24 (see FIG. 1) of the color printer 100, and the driving roller 25 supported by the roller support portion 35 is the second on the color printer 100 side. It contacts the driven roller 23 (see FIG. 1) supported by the opening / closing cover 22 to form a relay roller pair 27 (see FIG. 1). A through hole 22b serving as a grip for lifting the color printer 100 is formed at two positions on the left and right sides of the second open / close cover 22, and a handle for opening the second open / close cover 22 is provided between the through holes 22b. A portion 22c is formed.

  According to this configuration, even when the optional feeder 30 is not used, the roller insertion portion 24 is not visible, so that the cover member that covers the roller insertion portion 24 is not necessary, and the number of parts can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to remove the cover member or discard the removed cover member when connecting the option feeder 30, the workability when connecting the option feeder is improved.

  Further, when the paper jams at the connecting portion between the option feeder 30 and the color printer 100, the side cover 50 of the option feeder 30 is opened and the second opening / closing cover 22 of the color printer 100 is opened as shown in FIG. Open. As a result, the driven roller 23 and the driving roller 25 constituting the relay roller pair 27 are separated from each other, so that the sheet sandwiched between the relay roller pair 27 can be easily drawn downward.

  Here, since the second opening / closing cover 22 is disposed adjacent to the upper end of the side cover 50 of the option feeder 30, the opening of the second opening / closing cover 22 is allowed only when the side cover 50 is opened. Accordingly, since the second opening / closing cover 22 is not opened unless the side cover 50 is opened to perform jam processing, it is possible to reliably prevent the second opening / closing cover 22 from being opened unnecessarily except during jam processing.

  Further, when the paper jams between the relay roller pair 27 and the fixing unit 13, the first open / close cover 21 is opened together with the side cover 50 and the second open / close cover 22, thereby being sandwiched between the relay roller pair 27. The paper can be easily pulled upward.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the second opening / closing cover 22 when the color printer 100 is directly placed on the installation surface. As shown in FIG. 8, the fulcrum 22a of the second opening / closing cover 22 is disposed below the second opening / closing cover 22 and closer to the inside of the apparatus (left side in the figure), so that the color printer is not connected to the option feeder 30. When 100 is placed directly on the installation surface 60, there is no possibility that the second opening / closing cover 22 rotates downward and opens. As described above, since the second opening / closing cover 22 is opened when the paper jammed to the relay roller pair 27 is removed, it is not necessary to open the second feeder cover 30 when the option feeder 30 is not connected. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the second opening / closing cover 22 from opening unnecessarily. Further, since the second opening / closing cover 22 is opened by turning downward, it is easy to hold the second opening / closing cover in the opened state, and the jam handling workability is improved.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the second opening / closing cover 22 taken along the handle portion 22c. As shown in FIG. 9, the handle portion 22 c is a recess having a triangular cross section that continuously deepens from the upper part to the lower part of the second opening / closing cover 22. Since the second opening / closing cover 22 rotates up and down around the fulcrum 22a, for example, when the through hole 22b is used as a handle, the through hole 22b is inclined as the second opening / closing cover 22 is rotated. A finger is pinched by the upper and lower opening edges of the hole 22b. Further, in the case where a dent that deepens the upper part of the second opening / closing cover 22 is provided as a handle, it is necessary to pull the second opening / closing cover 22 by placing a finger on the upper surface of the dent, Difficult to open and close.

  Therefore, the handle 22c is formed as a depression having a triangular cross-section that continuously deepens from the upper part to the lower part of the second opening / closing cover 22, so that the user can simply press down the bottom surface 22ca of the depression and push it down. 2 The opening / closing cover 22 can be easily rotated.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the color printer 100 is described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention to which the option feeder 30 is connected. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the color printer 100 shown in FIG. In addition, the image forming apparatus can be connected to various image forming apparatuses to which an option feeder is connected, such as a monochrome copying machine.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an image forming apparatus in which an option feeder is detachably connected, and a relay roller pair in a connecting portion between the option feeder and the image forming apparatus main body is replaced with a driven roller and an option feeder on the image forming apparatus main body side. And the driving roller on the side. The use of the present invention eliminates the need for a cover that covers the roller insertion portion, thereby reducing the number of parts and improving the workability when connecting an optional feeder.

21 First Open / Close Cover 22 Second Open / Close Cover 22a Support Point 22c Handle 23 Drive Roller 24 Roller Insertion Port 25 Drive Roller 27 Relay Roller Pair 30 Option Feeder 31 First Paper Feed Portion 33 Second Paper Feed Portion 35 Roller Support Portion 39 Paper Loading plate (recording medium loading plate)
41 Paper feed unit (separation transport mechanism)
50 Side cover 100 Color printer (image forming device)

Claims (4)

A recording medium loading plate for loading the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus having an optional feeder detachably connected to a lower portion of a main body, and a separation / conveying mechanism that separates and conveys recording media stacked on the recording medium loading plate one by one;
On the upper surface of the option feeder, a roller support portion that supports a driving roller that constitutes a relay roller pair in a connection portion between the option feeder and the image forming apparatus main body protrudes.
The image forming apparatus main body has a roller insertion portion to which the roller supporting unit is inserted, and a driven roller constituting the front Symbol RELAY rollers with the drive roller disposed adjacent the roller insertion portion, a ,
The driven roller is provided inside an opening / closing cover constituting a part of an exterior cover of the image forming apparatus main body , and the driven roller is opened / closed in a state where the option feeder is connected, whereby the driven roller is moved to the driving roller. An image forming apparatus that contacts or separates from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a rotation fulcrum of the opening / closing cover is provided at a lower portion of the opening / closing cover and closer to an inner side of the image forming apparatus main body . A side cover that opens and closes the paper conveyance path in the option feeder is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the opening and closing cover, and the opening of the side cover allows the downward rotation of the opening and closing cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The handle according to claim 2 , wherein the handle for rotating the opening / closing cover is a recess having a substantially triangular cross section that becomes deeper continuously from the upper part to the lower part of the opening / closing cover. Image forming apparatus.

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