JP6515701B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  A face down discharge member for discharging a sheet to a face down tray, a face up discharge member for discharging a sheet to a face up tray, a face down conveyance path for transferring a sheet to a face down tray, and a sheet to be transported to a face up tray A face-up conveyance path, and a tray switching gate for conveying a sheet conveyed on the common conveyance path to the face-down conveyance path or face-up conveyance path, and is detachably mounted above the main body discharge member Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus provided with an optional discharge device.

JP, 2005-289540, A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily removing jammed paper.

In order to solve the problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is
A loading unit for loading the medium discharged from the discharging means disposed fixed to the apparatus main body;
A medium conveyance path which is branched from a predetermined branch position and conveyed toward the loading section in a state where the medium is concavely curved downward of the apparatus main body;
An opening and closing member that opens and closes so that the inside of the apparatus main body on the upstream side in the medium transport direction of the branch position is exposed;
A guiding surface constituting a first guiding surface is provided on one side of the medium transport path, and a guiding posture for guiding the medium, and the discharging means move in a direction approaching the discharging means without moving , the loading in a state where the closing member downward to the position of parts, comprising an open position for opening the guide face, and a guide member which is rotatably supported between,
It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The rotation center of the guide member is provided at a position away from the branch position on the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction of the medium conveyance path.
When the guide member is rotated to the open position, the space between the first guide surface of the medium conveyance path and the second guide surface opposed to the first guide surface is increased.
It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2
The guide member rotates from the guide attitude to the open attitude by its own weight.
It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
An engaged portion provided in the device body;
An engagement portion provided on the guide member and engageable with the engaged portion;
And a contact portion provided on the open / close member and moving relative to the engagement portion while in contact with the contact portion of the engagement portion when the open / close member moves from the open position to the closed position.
It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The guide member has a grip portion for releasing the engagement between the engagement portion and the engaged portion.
It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The loading unit is fixed to the device body,
It is characterized by

According to the first aspect of the present invention, jammed paper can be easily removed as compared with the configuration without the rotatably supported guide member.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the medium conveyance path can be widely opened to easily remove jammed paper.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the medium transport path can be reliably opened.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the guide member can be reliably engaged with the engaged portion of the apparatus body.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the user can reliably open the medium transport path.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the stacked media from falling.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1; FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a sheet conveyance path in the sheet conveyance device 70. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing sheet conveyance in the sheet conveyance device 70 in which the guide member is in the open position. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the sheet conveyance device 70 in which the guide member 75 is in the guiding posture. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the sheet conveyance device 70 in which the guide member 75 is in the open position. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the state which closes the opening / closing member 100 in the state in which the guide member 75 was engaged with the apparatus main body. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the state which closes the opening / closing member 100 in the state which the guide member 75 is not engaged with the apparatus main body. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the state in which the guide member 75 and the opening / closing member 100 were engaged with the apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the opening and closing member 100 is opened and the guide member 75 is in the open position.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of embodiments and specific examples with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples.
Moreover, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and that the ratio of each dimension is different from the actual one, and is necessary for the explanation to facilitate understanding. The illustration other than the members is appropriately omitted.

(1) Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control device 10, a sheet feeding device 20, a photosensitive unit 30, a developing device 40, a transfer device 50, a fixing device 60, and a sheet conveying device 70. A sheet discharge tray portion T1 is formed on the upper surface (Z direction) of the image forming apparatus 1 for discharging and storing sheets on which an image is recorded.

The control device 10 includes a controller 11 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, an image processing unit 12 whose operation is controlled by the controller 11, a power supply device 13, and the like. The power supply device 13 applies a voltage to the photosensitive unit 30, the developing device 40, the transfer device 50, and the like.
The image processing unit 12 converts print information input from an external information transmission apparatus (such as a personal computer) into image information for forming a latent image, and outputs a drive signal to the exposure apparatus LH at a preset timing. Do.

At the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1, there is provided a sheet feeding device 20 on which sheets P as a large number of media are stacked, and the sheet P whose position in the width direction is determined by a restriction plate (not shown) The sheets are drawn forward (in the −X direction) by the sheet drawer 22.
The sheet P drawn from the sheet drawer 22 is conveyed to the nip portion of the registration roller pair 23 through the sheet conveyance path.

  The photosensitive unit 30 includes photosensitive drums 31 which are provided in parallel above the sheet feeding device 20 (in the Z direction) and are rotationally driven. Toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are formed on the respective photosensitive drums 31 by the respective developing devices 40.

  Each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 of each photosensitive unit 30 is sequentially electrostatically transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 of the transfer device 50 to form a superimposed toner image on which each color toner is superimposed. Be done. The superimposed toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 51 are sent out from the registration roller pair 23 and collectively transferred by the secondary transfer roller 52 onto the sheet P guided by the conveyance guide.

In the fixing device 60, a fixing nip portion (fixing area) is formed by the pressure contact area of the pair of heating modules 61 and the pressure module 62.
The sheet P on which the toner image is collectively transferred in the transfer device 50 is conveyed to the fixing nip portion of the fixing device 60 through the conveyance guide 53 in a state where the toner image is not fixed. Thus, the toner image is fixed by the action of pressure bonding and heating.

  The sheet P on which the fixed toner image is formed is guided by the first conveyance path S1 of the sheet conveyance device 70, and is discharged and stored from the first discharge roller pair 80 into the sheet discharge tray T1 on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, when reversing for double-sided printing or discharging with the image recording surface up, the transport direction is switched toward the second transport path S2 by the first switching gate G1.

  In the second conveyance path S2, the face-down discharge is further discharged and stacked with the image recording surface downward from the second discharge roller pair 81 to the discharge tray T2 by the second switching gate G2, and the third discharge roller The face-up discharge is switched from the pair 82 to the discharge tray T3 with the image recording surface facing up.

(2) Configuration and Operation of Sheet Transporting Device FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport path in sheet transport device 70, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport path in sheet transport device 70 where guide member 75 is positioned in the open position. FIG.
The configuration and sheet conveyance of the sheet conveyance device 70 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(2.1) Configuration of Sheet Conveying Unit As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet conveying device 70 includes the guide guides 71a and 71b, the pair of conveying rollers 72, 73 and 74, the first switching gate G1, the second switching gate G2, A first discharge roller pair 80, a second discharge roller pair 81, a third discharge roller pair 82, and a guide member 75 are included.

  Guide guides 71 a and 71 b are provided on the downstream side of the fixing nip portion of the fixing device 60, and guides the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed to the conveyance roller pair 72. A first conveyance path S1 from the conveyance roller pair 72 to the first discharge roller pair 80 is formed by a first switching gate G1.

The first switching gate G1 is rotatably supported so as to take a first position for guiding the sheet P to the first discharge roller pair 80 and a second position for guiding the sheet P to the transport roller pair 73 (see arrow in FIG. 2). ).
In the state where the first switching gate G1 is positioned at the first position for guiding the sheet P to the first discharge roller pair 80, the first conveyance path S1 from the conveyance roller pair 72 to the first discharge roller pair 80 is curved In this state, the increase in the height of the apparatus is suppressed.

A second conveyance path S2 is formed on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 73 in the sheet conveyance direction, and a second switching gate G2 is disposed at a branch point.
The second switching gate G2 switches the second conveyance path S2 to a third conveyance path S3 guiding the second discharge roller pair 81 and a fourth conveyance path S4 guiding the third discharge roller pair 82 (FIG. 2 in FIG. See arrow).
The sheet P is accommodated in the sheet discharge tray T2 with the image recording surface facing down (face down). The sheet P is accommodated in the sheet discharge tray T3 with the image recording surface upward (face up).

(2.3) Formation of Sheet Conveying Path The second conveying path S2 is formed by a part of the sheet guiding surface 75a of the guiding member 75 and the guiding guide 76 forming one of the sheet guiding surface of the third conveying path S3. ing. The third conveyance path S3 is formed by the guide 76 and the first guide surface G2a of the second switching gate G2.

  The fourth conveyance path S4 is formed by the sheet guiding surface 75a of the guiding member 75 forming the concave side and the second guiding surface G2b of the second switching gate G2 forming the convex side on the upstream side of the conveying roller pair 74 in the sheet conveying direction. The downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 74 in the sheet conveyance direction is formed by the sheet guide surface 75 a of the guide member 75 and the guide 77.

The guide member 75 is pinched and supported so as to project from the sheet guiding surface 75a which is curved in its entirety and forms the concave side of the second conveyance path S2 and the fourth conveyance path S4 in a sectional view. have.
The pinch roller 73 b is rotatably press-contacted to the drive roller 73 a that constitutes the conveyance roller pair 73, and conveys the sheet P to the second conveyance path S <b> 2. The pinch roller 74b is rotatably pressed against the drive roller 74a constituting the pair of transport rollers 74, and transports the sheet P from the second transport path S2 to the third transport path S3.

(2.2) Opening of Paper Transport Path As shown in FIG. 3, the guide member 75 rotates with its own weight about the support shaft 75b, and opens the second transport path S2 and the fourth transport path S4.
The support shaft 75b serving as the rotation center is provided at a position separated to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction from the branch position, and when the guide member 75 rotates to the open posture, each of the second conveyance path S2 and the fourth conveyance path S4. Open to widen the space of the guide surface of (see arrow in Fig. 3).

(3) Removal Operation of Jammed Paper FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the sheet conveyance device 70 in which the guide member 75 is in the guide posture, and FIG. 5 is an inside of the sheet conveyance device 70 in which the guide member 75 is in the open posture. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening / closing member 100 is closed in a state where the guide member 75 is engaged with the apparatus main body. FIG. 7 is a state where the guide member 75 is not engaged with the apparatus main body. 8 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing a state in which the guide member 75 and the opening / closing member 100 are engaged with the apparatus main body, and FIG. 9 is a guide member with the opening / closing member 100 opened. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram in the state where 75 is located in an open posture.
Hereinafter, the jam removing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

(3.1) Removal Operation of Jammed Paper As shown in FIG. 4, when the opening / closing member 100 of the apparatus main body is opened so that the inside of the apparatus main body is exposed, fixing is performed with the sheet discharge tray T3 fixed to the apparatus main body. The sheet conveying device 70 disposed downstream of the device 60 is exposed.

  The opening and closing member 100 has an engaging portion 102 that rotates in conjunction with the operation lever 101. In the engaging portion 102, the engaging concave portion 102a is fitted to a boss 110 as an engaged portion provided in the apparatus main body, and the sheet extracting portion 22 of the sheet feeding device 20, the registration roller pair 23, the secondary transfer roller 52, The sheet conveyance path leading to the conveyance guide 53 is held.

  The guide member 75 is rotatably supported on the apparatus main body by the support shaft 75b on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and the engaging part 78 is engaged with the boss 120 as an engaged part provided on the apparatus main body. And hold the guiding attitude.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the operation lever 79 of the guide member 75 is operated in a state where the sheet conveying device 70 is exposed, the engagement portion 78 is released from the engagement with the boss 120 in conjunction with the operation lever 79. The guide member 75 rotates to be in the open position.
When the guide member 75 is in the open position, the second transport path S2 and the fourth transport path S4 are opened, and the guide 76 of the third transport path S3, the second switching gate G2, and the guide 77 of the fourth transport path S4. Exposed, jammed paper can be removed.

In the guide member 75, the support shaft 75b serving as the rotation center is provided at a position away from the branch position on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and when it rotates in the open posture, the guide shaft 75b of the second conveyance path S2 and the fourth conveyance path S4 Open to increase the distance between the guide surfaces.
Therefore, the user who removes the jammed sheet can easily remove the jammed sheet.

  Further, when exposing the sheet conveyance path of the sheet conveyance device 70, the sheet conveyance device 70 is exposed by operating the operation lever 101 of the opening / closing member 100 without moving the sheet discharge tray T3 on which the sheet P is loaded. After that, when the operation lever 79 of the guide member 75 is operated, the sheet conveyance path of the sheet conveyance device 70 is opened by its own weight (see FIG. 9).

As a result, the user can clear the jammed paper removal operation procedure and suppress erroneous operations.
In addition, since the sheet conveyance device 70 can be exposed without moving the sheet discharge tray T3 on which the sheets P are stacked, a mechanism for holding the sheets stacked on the sheet discharge tray T3 so as not to drop is disclosed. As unnecessary, the apparatus can be miniaturized.

(3.2) Closing Operation of Paper Transport Device FIG. 6 shows a state in which the opening / closing member 100 is closed in a state where the guide member 75 is engaged with the apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the guide member 75 forming the sheet conveyance path of the sheet conveyance device 70 is engaged with the boss 120 as the engaged portion provided with the engagement portion 78 in the apparatus main body. Are engaged and hold the guiding attitude.
When the opening and closing member 100 is opened so as to expose the inside of the device body and is rotated so as to close it (see the arrow in FIG. 6), the engaging portion 102 engages with the boss 110 as an engaged portion provided on the device body. The recessed portion 102 a is fitted to hold the sheet conveyance path leading to the sheet extraction unit 22, the pair of registration rollers 23, the secondary transfer roller 52, and the conveyance guide 53.

  Therefore, the reaction force of the contact pressure of the pinch rollers 73b and 74b in the transport roller pairs 73 and 74 of the sheet transport device 70 is not received by the engaging portion 78 of the guide member 75 and extends to the opening and closing member 100. The closing operation of the member 100 can be easily performed independently of the closing operation of the guide member 75.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the opening and closing member 100 is closed when the guide member 75 is not engaged with the apparatus main body.
The opening and closing member 100 has a pressing rib 103 formed so as to protrude to the inner surface side. The push-in rib 103 moves toward the sheet conveying device 70 in response to the closing operation of the opening and closing member 100, and contacts the sloped portion 78 a formed in the engaging portion 78 of the guide member 75.

  When the closing operation of the opening and closing member 100 is performed in a state where the pushing rib 103 of the opening and closing member 100 is in contact with the sloped portion 78a formed on the engaging portion 78 of the guiding member 75, the engaging rib 78 rotates 7 and moves relative to each other (refer to arrow R1 in FIG. 7), the engaging portion 78 is fitted to the boss 120 provided on the apparatus main body.

  When the opening / closing member 100 is further closed, the engagement recess 102a is fitted in the boss 110 as the engaged portion provided in the apparatus main body with the engagement portion 102, and the sheet extraction portion 22, the registration roller pair 23, The inside of the apparatus main body is closed in a state in which the sheet conveyance path leading to the secondary transfer roller 52 and the conveyance guide 53 is held.

  As a result, even if the closing operation of the opening / closing member 100 is performed in a state where the guide member 75 is not engaged with the apparatus main body, the guide member 75 of the sheet conveying apparatus 70 reliably engages the engaged portion of the apparatus main body Can be engaged with the boss 120 to maintain the guiding attitude.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the guide member 75 and the opening / closing member 100 are engaged with the apparatus main body.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in the sheet conveying apparatus 70, the engaging portion 78 of the guide member 75 engages with the boss 120 of the apparatus main body and holds the guiding attitude.
Then, the opening / closing member 100 is in a state in which the engagement portion 102 is engaged with the boss 110 of the apparatus main body and holds the sheet conveyance path leading to the sheet extraction portion 22, the registration roller pair 23, the secondary transfer roller 52, and the conveyance guide 53. The inside of the device body is closed.

  Therefore, the reaction force of the contact pressure of the pinch rollers 73b and 74b in the transport roller pairs 73 and 74 of the sheet transport device 70 is not received by the engaging portion 78 of the guide member 75 and extends to the opening and closing member 100. Deformation of the member 100 can be suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 10 ... Control apparatus 20 ... Paper feeding apparatus 30 ... Photosensitive body unit 40 ... Development apparatus 50 ... Transfer apparatus 51 ... Intermediate transfer belt 52 ... Secondary transfer roller 60 ... fixing device 61 ... fixing belt 62 ... pressure roller 70 ... sheet conveying device 71a, 71b ... guiding guide 72, 73, 74 ... conveying roller 75 · · Guide member 76 · · · Guide guide (third transport path)
77 ・ ・ ・ Guide guide (4th conveyance way)
78 ... engaging part 79 ... control lever (guide member)
80: first discharge roller 81: second discharge roller 82: third discharge roller 100: opening and closing member 101: control lever 102: engagement portion 103: push-in rib 110 , 120 ... boss (engaged portion)
G1 ··· First switching guide G2 ··· Second switching gate T1 ··· Paper discharge tray portion T2 ··· Paper discharge tray (face down)
T3 ... Ejection tray (face up)
P: Paper

Claims (6)

A stacking section for stacking the medium discharged from disposed fixed to the apparatus body discharge detemir stage,
A medium conveyance path which is branched from a predetermined branch position and conveyed toward the loading section in a state where the medium is concavely curved downward of the apparatus main body;
An opening and closing member that opens and closes so that the inside of the apparatus main body on the upstream side in the medium transport direction of the branch position is exposed;
Has a guide surface forming a first guide surface on one side of the medium conveying path, and guiding position for guiding the medium, the exhaust detemir stage is moved toward said discharge means without moving, the A guide member rotatably supported between an open position for opening the guide surface and the open / close member positioned below the loading unit;
An image forming apparatus characterized by The rotation center of the guide member is provided at a position away from the branch position on the downstream side in the medium conveyance direction of the medium conveyance path.
When the guide member is rotated to the open position, the space between the first guide surface of the medium conveyance path and the second guide surface opposed to the first guide surface is increased.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The guide member rotates from the guide attitude to the open attitude by its own weight.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein An engaged portion provided in the device body;
An engagement portion provided on the guide member and engageable with the engaged portion;
And a contact portion provided on the open / close member and moving relative to the engagement portion while in contact with the contact portion of the engagement portion when the open / close member moves from the open position to the closed position.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The guide member has a grip portion for releasing the engagement between the engagement portion and the engaged portion.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, The loading unit is fixed to the device body,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

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