JPH0519565A - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of the kinds of machines and to attain reduction in cost by sharing a device main body. CONSTITUTION:When attachment to a device main body 10 is attained, a guiding member 31 forming a straight ejecting path 30 following an after-fixing roller 26 on a unit cover 34 which is integrated with the external cover 10a of the device main body 10, and the upper ejecting roller 33a of first ejecting rollers 33, are integrally assembled, to constitute an ejecting unit 35 as one of plural ejecting units. Then, the ejecting unit 35 is selectively attached to the device main body.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus using a laser, such as a printer, a copying machine and a facsimile. Specifically, using an electrophotographic process of charging, writing, development, transfer, and cleaning, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor is transferred to a sheet such as paper, OHP paper, or envelope.
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus in which a transfer image on a sheet is fixed by a fixing device, then sent out by a roller after fixing, and sent out by a discharge roller through a discharge path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of electrophotographic apparatus, a guide member for forming a discharge path following the roller after fixing and a discharge roller for sending out a sheet are integrated into the main body of the apparatus.

[0003]

Therefore, in the conventional electrophotographic apparatus of this type, in response to the user's request, the sheet discharging direction from the apparatus main body or the sheet discharging mode of discharging the sheet face down or face up However, there was a problem that the number of models would increase and the cost would increase.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the cost by making the apparatus main body common and reducing the number of models.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 fixes a transfer image on a sheet 17 by fixing it with a fixing device 25 as shown in the following illustrated embodiment, for example. It is sent out by the rear roller 26, and the discharge path 30.4
In the electrophotographic apparatus which sends out by the discharge rollers 33, 42, 49 through 3.50, the guide member 31 which forms the discharge paths 30, 43, 50 following the roller 26 after fixing.
Also, a plurality of discharge units 35, 40, and 48 are configured by all or part of the discharge rollers 33, 42, and 49, and one of the discharge units 35, 40, and 48 is selective to the apparatus main body 10. It is characterized by being attached to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, for example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 below, a straight discharge passage 30 is provided as the discharge passage and one of the discharge units is provided. It is characterized by comprising.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, for example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 below, a reverse discharge passage 43 is provided as the discharge passage and one of the discharge units is provided. It is characterized by comprising.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a switchback discharge passage 50 is provided as the discharge passage as shown in the embodiment of FIG. It is characterized by comprising one.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the discharge units 35, 40, and 48 are attached to the apparatus main body 10 as shown in, for example, the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5 below. The discharge unit 35, 40, 48 is characterized in that the discharge unit 35, 40, 48 is provided with a unit cover 34 that is integrated with the exterior cover 10a of the apparatus body 10 when attached.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the invention described in claim 1, for example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5 below, the discharge roller 4 is continuously connected to the discharge unit 48.
Another unit 55 that conveys the sheet 17 sent in 2
Is detachable from the apparatus body 10.

[0011]

In the invention according to claim 1, the straight discharge passage 30, the reverse discharge passage 43, and the switchback passage 50 are provided.
One discharge unit is attached to the apparatus main body 10 by appropriately selecting from a plurality of discharge units 35, 40, and 48 having the above.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the discharge units 35, 40, and 48 are attached, the unit cover 34 is integrated with the exterior cover 10a of the apparatus main body 10.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the sheet 17 sent by the discharge unit 48 is continuously conveyed by another unit 55.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 shows the overall schematic construction of the internal mechanism of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 in the figure denotes the apparatus main body. In this device body 10,
A belt-shaped photoconductor 11 is provided at approximately the center. Around the photoconductor 11, a charging device 12, a developing device 13, a transfer device 14, and a cleaning device 15 are arranged in this order in a driving direction indicated by an arrow in the figure.
To place. The charging device 12 and the cleaning device 15
A laser writer 16 is provided on the lower side, and a sheet feeding cassette 18 for accommodating sheets 17 is detachably provided on the lower side.

A sheet feeding roller 22 is arranged on the sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette 18. The paper feed roller 22
A leading end of the sheet feeding path 23 for the sheet 17 is provided near the sheet.
The paper feed path 23 passes through the inside of the front side on the right side of the apparatus main body 10 in the drawing and passes above the photoconductor 11. On the right side of the transfer device 14, a pair of registration roller pairs 24 are arranged in the middle of the paper feed path 23, and a re-feed port 2 leading to the paper feed path 23 before the registration roller pair 24.
7 is provided. A fixing device 25 is arranged on the left side of the transfer device 14. A roller 26 after fixing is provided at the exit of the fixing device 25.

On the other hand, on the back side of the apparatus main body 10, a straight discharge path 30 is formed following the post-fixing roller 26. The straight discharge passage 30 is formed between the guide member 31 and the guide member 32, and the first discharge roller 33 is arranged at the outlet thereof. The upper discharge roller 33a of the first discharge roller 33 and the guide member 31 are integrally assembled to a unit cover 34 to form a discharge unit 35 as shown in FIG. The discharge unit 35 is detachable from the apparatus body 10. When attached to the apparatus body 10, the unit cover 34 of the discharge unit 35 is integrated with the exterior cover 10a of the apparatus body 10. In the apparatus main body 10, a paper feed tray 36 for manual feeding is arranged near the upper part on the front side, and a face-down stack part 37 is detachably provided near the upper part on the back side.

However, when forming an image by an electrophotographic process using this laser printer, the sheet feeding roller 22 is driven to send out the sheet 17 in the sheet feeding cassette 18 in the arrow direction. Then, the sheet 17 is abutted between the registration roller upper portion 24a and the registration roller lower portion 24b through the paper feeding path 23, and is conveyed to the upper side of the photoconductor 11 while timing there. The photoconductor 11 is driven counterclockwise as shown by the arrow, and at this time, the charger 12
The surface is uniformly charged by the irradiation with the laser light from the laser writing device 16 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 11. This latent image is visualized by toner as it passes through the developing device 13. Then, this visible image is transferred onto the lower surface of the sheet 17 conveyed to the upper side of the photoconductor 11 by the transfer device 14, and after transfer, the sheet 17 is transferred between the heating roller 25a and the pressure roller 25b of the fixing device 25. It is conveyed in between and fixed. On the other hand, the photoreceptor 11 after the transfer of the visible image is cleaned by the cleaning device 15.

After fixing, the one-side recorded sheet 17 is sent to the straight discharge path 30 by the post-fixing roller 26, further discharged by the discharge roller 33 as it is in the direction of arrow A, and stacked on the face-down stack portion 37.

By the way, in the laser printer of the illustrated embodiment described above, instead of the discharge unit 35, another discharge unit 40 can be replaceably attached as shown in FIG. When the discharge unit 40 is attached to the apparatus body 10, the guide member 3 is attached to the unit cover 34 that is integrated with the exterior cover 10a of the apparatus body 10.
1 and the upper discharge roller 33a of the first discharge roller 33 and the second discharge roller 42 are integrally assembled. A straight discharge path 30 is provided between the guide member 31 and the guide member 32 on the apparatus body 10 side, and subsequently, a reverse discharge path 43 is provided between the guide member 31 and the unit cover 34. In addition, this discharge unit 4
0 indicates the reverse discharge path 43 and the straight discharge path 3
A switching guide claw 44 in the discharge direction is rotatably provided at the connection portion of 0 about an unillustrated shaft as a fulcrum.

In the illustrated laser printer equipped with the discharge unit 40 described above, when the sheet 17 on which one-sided recording is performed face down is selectively discharged as it is face down, the switching guide is used. The pawl 44 is rotated counterclockwise from the illustrated position to switch the discharging direction. And the roller 26 after fixing
Then, the sheet 17 on which one-sided recording has been sent to the straight discharge path 30 is sent as it is in the direction of arrow B by the first discharge roller 33 and is stacked on the face-down stack portion 37. On the other hand, when the sheet 17 on which one-sided recording is performed in the face-down state is discharged in the face-up state, which is the opposite of the above, the switching guide claw 44 is returned to the illustrated position. After the fixing, the sheet 17 having been recorded on one side and sent out by the roller 26 is reversed from the straight discharge path 30 through the reverse discharge path 43, and the second discharge roller 42.
Is sent in the direction of arrow C and is stacked face up on the stacking portion 46 provided in the apparatus body 10.

By the way, in this laser printer, further another discharging unit 48 can be attached to the apparatus main body 10 in place of the above discharging units 35 and 40 as shown in FIG. This discharge unit 48
When it is attached to the apparatus body 10, the unit cover 34 integrated with the exterior cover 10a of the apparatus body 10 has a guide member 31, an upper discharge roller 33a and a switchback of the first discharge roller 33. The roller 49 and the second discharge roller 42 are integrally assembled. As with the above-described discharge units 35 and 40, the straight discharge path 30 and the reverse discharge path 43 are provided, and the switchback discharge is provided between the switchback roller 49 and the second discharge roller 42. It comprises a path 50. In addition,
Reference numeral 44 in the drawing denotes a switching direction guide claw.

In the illustrated laser printer to which the above-mentioned discharge unit 48 is attached, the sheet 17 on which one-sided recording is performed face down is selectively stacked as it is face down on the stack portion 46. In this case, the switching guide claw 44 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown to switch the discharging direction. Then, the sheet 17 having one side recorded thereon which is sent out by the roller 26 after fixing is sent out by the first discharge roller 33 through the straight discharge path 30 as it is, and further, the sheet 17 in the direction of arrow D by the switchback roller 49. Most of this is sent out once. After that, the switchback roller 49 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the seat 17 is not rotated in the direction indicated by arrow E.
Switch back in the direction and feed it to the switch back discharge path 50. Then, the second discharge roll is passed therethrough.
It is sent out in the direction of the arrow F by the la 42 and is stacked face down on the stack portion 46.

On the other hand, when the sheet 17 on which one-sided recording is performed in the face-down state is discharged in the face-up state contrary to the above, the switching guide claw 44 is returned to the illustrated position. Then, the sheet 17 on which one side has been recorded and sent out by the roller 26 after fixing is reversed from the straight discharge path 30 through the reverse discharge path 43, and is discharged in the direction of the arrow F by the second discharge roller 42, and the stack portion 46 is formed. Stacked face up on top.

Further, in this laser printer, as shown in FIG. 5, another unit 55 that conveys the sheet 17 sent out by the second discharge roller 42 is provided in succession to the discharge unit 48 described above. It can also be attached to 10. In this unit 55, the insertion port 54a of the sheet 17 is opened in the unit cover 54 at a height position facing the second discharge roller 42, and the stack portion 46 is provided inside.
The transport path 56 is formed along the stack surface of the. In the transport path 56, the transport roller 5 is opened at an appropriate interval on the way.
7 and 58 are arranged, and a sheet re-feeding path 59 communicating with the sheet re-feeding port 27 is provided in front of the sheet feeding direction. A switchback roller 60 is provided at a branch position between the refeeding path 59 and the conveying path 56. Further, the other unit 55 branches the discharge path 61 upward from the transport path 56 near the insertion port 54a, and a switching guide claw 62 is rotatably provided at the branch position with a shaft (not shown) as a fulcrum. It becomes. The discharge path 61 opens toward the sheet receiving surface 63, and a third discharge roller 64 is provided there.

Now, as described above, the discharge unit 48
In the illustrated laser printer to which another unit 55 is attached and used, when performing double-sided recording on a sheet, the switching guide claw 62 is rotated clockwise to the position shown by the dotted line in the figure. Then, after fixing the sheet 17 recorded on one side,
Is sent out by the roller 26, is reversed and conveyed through the reverse discharge path 43, and is horizontally conveyed by the second discharge roller 42.
Send to. Then, the sheet is conveyed by the conveying rollers 57 and 58, and most of the sheet 17 is once sent out by the switchback roller 60. After that, the switchback roller 60 is reversely rotated, the sheet 17 is switched back and sent to the re-feeding path 59, and again from the re-feeding port 27 to the paper feeding path 23 and the registration roller pair. Hit the 24. Then, the recording medium is conveyed onto the photosensitive member 11 and recording is performed on the other surface while timing is set. After that, when the double-sided recorded sheet 17 is to be discharged, the switching guide claws 44 and 62 and the switchback roller 49 are appropriately switched and the third discharging roller 64 is moved in the direction of arrow g in an appropriate manner from the third discharging roller 64. The sheets are discharged and stacked on the sheet receiving surface 63.

[0027]

According to the present invention, therefore, one of the discharge units is appropriately selectively attached and configured,
The number of models can be reduced and the cost can be reduced without manufacturing a separate model for each direction or mode of discharging the sheet from the apparatus body.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the discharge unit is attached, the unit cover is integrated with the exterior cover of the apparatus main body, so that the cost can be further reduced.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6,
Since the sheet sent out by the discharge unit is continuously conveyed by another unit, the functions of the entire apparatus can be diversified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire internal mechanism of a laser printer that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the discharge unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire internal mechanism of the laser printer in which another discharge unit is attached instead of the discharge unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire internal mechanism of the laser printer in which another discharge unit is attached instead of the discharge unit.

5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire internal mechanism of the laser printer with another unit attached in addition to the other discharge unit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Device body 17 sheets 25 fixer 26 Roller after fixing 30 straight discharge path 43 Reversed discharge path 50 Switchback discharge path 35/40/48 Discharge unit 55 another unit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 13, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location G03G 15/20 102 6830-2H

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic apparatus in which a transfer image on a sheet is fixed by a fixing device, sent out by a roller after fixing, and sent out by a discharging roller through a discharging path, and the discharging path following the fixing roller. An electrophotographic apparatus in which a plurality of discharge units are constituted by all or a part of the guide member and the discharge roller forming the discharge roller, and one of the discharge units is selectively attached to the apparatus main body. 2. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a straight discharge path is provided as the discharge path to configure one of the discharge paths. 3. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reverse discharge path is provided as the discharge path to configure one of the discharge paths. 4. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a switchback discharge path is provided as the discharge path to configure one of the discharge paths. 5. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit is provided with a unit cover that is integrated with an exterior cover of the apparatus main body when the discharge unit is attached to the apparatus main body. 6. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein another unit that continuously conveys the sheet sent by the discharge roller to the discharge unit is detachable from the apparatus main body.