JPH06186797A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming device constitution capable of realizing a desk top type compact device which is miniaturized, has excellent handleability and saves a space for installation by contriving the layout of both carrying paths of an original and a recording material. CONSTITUTION:In this image forming device recording an image corresponding to the read image information of the original 0 carried on the original reading part 18a of an image forming process means, on the recording paper P carried on the image recording part N of the image forming process means, an original carrying path A reaching an original carrying end point 25 from an original carrying start point 15 via the original reading part 18a is provided as a reversing path having the start point 15 and the end point 25 on the same side of a device and a recording material carrying path B reaching a recording material carrying end point 30 from a recording material carrying start point 26 via the image recording part N is provided as the reversing path having the start point 6 and the end point 30 on the same side of the device provided with the start point 15 and end point 30 of the original carrying path A, inside the original carrying path A.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a recording device.

More specifically, an image corresponding to the read image information of a document being conveyed through a document reading section of an image forming process means of an appropriate image forming principle or method such as an electrophotographic process or an electrostatic recording process is formed. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that records an image recording unit of a process unit on a recording material that is being conveyed.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, a method of feeding a document to a document reading section (a document reading system) is as follows. A sheet-through method in which a document conveyance path (sheet path) is provided, and the originals are fed one by one to the document reading unit and the image information of the conveyance document is flowed and read. B. A document table moving method of setting a document on a moving document table and moving the document table with respect to a document reading unit to scan and read image information of the document, c. There has been an optical system moving method in which an original is set on a fixed original table and a reading optical system is moved with respect to the original table to scan and read image information of the original.

Further, as a paper feeding method of the recording material to the image recording portion, d. A manual feeding method in which recording materials are inserted one by one into a paper feed port and the inserted recording materials are conveyed to an image recording section through a recording material conveyance path, e. A multi-manual paper feeding method in which a plurality of recording materials are stacked and set in a paper feed port, and the stacked recording materials are separated one by one by a separating and feeding unit and are conveyed to an image recording unit through a recording material conveying path, f ． The recording materials are stacked and stored in a paper feeding cassette (or a paper feeding deck device), the paper feeding cassette is attached to the image forming apparatus, and the recording materials in the stacked and storing are separated one by one by the feeding device and recorded. There has been a paper feed cassette system in which the material is conveyed to the image recording section through the material conveyance path.

Most conventional image forming apparatuses using a sheet-through method as a method of feeding a document to a document reading section are
A document reading section is provided in the upper part of the apparatus, and a document feeding path for the document reading section is arranged in the upper part of the apparatus, while a feeding path of the recording material to the image recording section is arranged in the lower part of the apparatus. Thus, the original document conveyance path and the recording material conveyance path are separately and separately arranged in the upper part and the lower part in the apparatus.

[0006]

However, the conventional apparatus in which the original conveying path and the recording material conveying path are separately and independently arranged in the upper portion and the lower portion of the apparatus has the following problems.

1) The rollers and guides for forming the document conveying path and the rollers and guides for forming the recording material conveying path are separately required, which increases the number of parts and increases the cost. .

2) The structure in which the original conveying path and the recording material conveying path are separately and independently arranged in the upper part and the lower part in the apparatus is limited in space saving and size reduction of the apparatus. It is difficult to construct a small table-top type (portable type) device that can be used at all times within easy reach while working.

3) In many cases, the document insertion section and the recording material insertion section for the apparatus are not on the same side of the apparatus, and the document ejection section and the recording material ejection section are not on the same side of the apparatus in many cases. Therefore, in addition to the space of the main body of the apparatus, it is necessary to provide a space for inserting and discharging the original / recording material on the left, right, front and back thereof, which requires a considerable installation area of the apparatus.

The present invention solves the above problems by devising the layout of both the original and recording material conveying paths, is compact, easy to use, and does not take up much space for installation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device configuration capable of realizing the above.

[0011]

The present invention is an image forming apparatus having the following configuration.

(1) An image forming apparatus for recording an image corresponding to read image information of a document being conveyed by the document reading unit of the image forming process means on a recording material being conveyed by the image recording unit of the image forming process unit. In FIG. 1, the document transport path from the document transport start point to the document transport end point via the document reading unit of the image forming process means is defined as an inversion path with the start point and the end point on the same side of the image forming apparatus. Inside the path, a recording material conveyance path from the recording material conveyance start point to the recording material conveyance end point via the image recording unit of the image forming process means is defined as the starting point and the ending point. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided as an inversion path on the same side as the provided image forming apparatus.

(2) An image forming apparatus for recording an image corresponding to the read image information of a document being conveyed by the document reading unit of the image forming process means on a recording material being conveyed by the image recording unit of the image forming process unit. In, the recording material conveyance path from the recording material conveyance start point to the recording material conveyance end point via the image recording section of the image forming process means is a reversal path with the start point and the end point on the same side of the image forming apparatus, Inside the recording material conveyance path, there is an original conveyance path from the original conveyance start point to the original conveyance end point via the image reading section of the image forming process means, and the starting point and the ending point are the starting point and the ending point of the recording material conveyance path. An image forming apparatus provided as an inversion path on the same image forming apparatus side as that provided with.

[0014]

That is, the original document conveyance path and the recording material conveyance path are not the reverse paths in which the start point and the end point of these paths are on the same side of the image forming apparatus, and one path is inside the other path. With the route layout provided, it is possible to share some of the constituent members of both routes, the number of parts is reduced, the space in the device is saved, and the entire device can be made more compact and compact. A desktop image forming apparatus can also be realized.

Further, the document insertion port as the starting point and the document ejection port as the end point of the document transportation route, and the recording material insertion port as the starting point and the recording material ejection port as the ending point of the recording material transportation route are on the same side of the apparatus. For example, by unifying the front side of the device or the upper side of the device, the operability is improved, the installation place is not selected, and the installation space is not required, which is advantageous in constructing a desktop image forming apparatus. Becomes

[0016]

【Example】

<Embodiment 1> (FIGS. 1 to 4) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a drive unit, and FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device with the opening cover of FIG.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is a small desk-top copying machine using a transfer type electrophotographic process.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a device housing (outer cover) having a cylindrical cross-section design, 2 is a seat provided on the lower surface side of the device housing 1, and D is a desk surface on which the device 1 is placed. . Reference numeral 3 denotes an opening cover provided on one side surface (front side) of the device housing 1, which is closed around the hinge shaft 4 on the lower side as shown in FIG. It can be freely opened and closed as shown in.

When the apparatus is not in use, the opening cover 3 is closed with respect to the apparatus housing 1 to prevent dust, dust, etc. from entering the apparatus through the front opening 5 of the apparatus housing 1. When using the device, keep it open. The opened cover 3 serves as a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray.

The image forming process mechanism is arranged in the apparatus housing 1. 6 is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, 7 is a charging roller,
8 is a fluorescent lamp as a document illumination light source, 9 is a short-focus imaging element array (selfoc lens), 10 is a developing device, 11 is a transfer roller, 12 is a cleaner, and 13a and 13b are near the front opening 5 of the apparatus housing 1. And a pair of fixing rollers arranged in the.
Photosensitive drum 6, charging roller 7, developing device 10, cleaner 1
Reference numeral 2 collectively represents a process cartridge 14 that can be attached / detached and replaced in the apparatus housing 1.

Reference numeral A is a document transport path, and the upper side of the front opening 5 of the apparatus housing 1 is the document transport start point (document insertion port) 15, and the lower side of the front opening 5 is the document transport end point (document transport port).
Reference numeral 25 denotes an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical device housing 1 along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical device housing 1, and a first guide plate (original insertion guide plate) 16 arranged along the inner peripheral surface. , First conveying roller pair (original pickup roller) 17a.17
b, the second guide plate (platen plate) 18, the second pair of conveying rollers (platen rollers) 19a, 19b, the outer surface 14a of the developing unit of the process cartridge 14, the third pair of conveying rollers 2.
0a, 20b, third plate pair 21a, 21b, fourth conveying roller pair 22a, 22b, fourth guide plate pair 23a, 23b,
The fifth transport roller pair 24a, 24b is formed.

Reference numeral S1 is a document insertion detection sensor provided at the document insertion port 15. In the second guide plate 18 as a platen plate, a slit opening is formed in a portion corresponding to immediately above the short focus image forming element array 9, and the platen glass 1 is formed in the slit opening.
8a is fitted. It is also possible to use only a slit opening without a platen glass.

The upper roller 24a of the fifth conveying roller pair 24a, 24b is brought into contact with the lower surface of the lower roller (compression roller) 13b of the fixing roller pair 13a, 13b so that both rollers 13b.
.. 24a constitutes a sixth conveying roller pair, and the upper roller 22a of the fourth conveying roller pair 22a, 22b is brought into contact with the lower surface of the transfer roller 11 so that both rollers 11.
Thus, the seventh conveying roller pair is constituted.

Reference numeral B denotes a recording material conveying path, wherein the sixth conveying roller pair 13b and 24a is used as a recording material conveying start point (recording material insertion port) 26, and the fixing roller pair 13a and 13b is used as a recording material conveying end point (recording material discharge end). Outlet) 30 and the sixth conveying roller pair 1
3b / 24a, fifth guide plate pair 27 / 23a, seventh conveying roller pair 11 / 22a, U-shaped guide plate pair 28a / 28b as a sixth guide plate pair, photosensitive drum 6 and transfer roller 1.
The first nip portion (transfer portion) N, the seventh guide plate 29, and the pair of fixing rollers 13a and 13b. The lower guide plate 23a of the fifth guide plate pair 27, 23a is also used as the upper guide plate 23a of the fourth guide plate pair 23a, 23b.

S2 is a recording material insertion detection sensor (paper feeding sensor) arranged at the recording material insertion port 26.

That is, in this copying machine, a document transport path from the document insertion port 15 as the document transport start point to the document discharge port 25 as the document transport end point via the platen glass 18a as the document reading section of the image forming process mechanism. A is an inversion path in which the original insertion port 15 and the original ejection port 25 are on the same front side of the copying machine, and inside the original document conveyance route A, a recording material insertion port 26 as a recording material conveyance start point is formed. A recording material conveyance path B reaching a recording material discharge port 30 as a recording material conveyance end point via a transfer unit N as an image recording unit of the image process mechanism is connected to the recording material insertion port 26 and the recording material discharge port 30. The document feeding path A has a structure in which it is arranged as a reversing path on the front side of the copying machine where the document insertion port 15 and the document discharging port 25 are provided.

In the drive section of FIG. 2, M is a drive motor, and the shaft of the photosensitive drum 6 is driven by this motor M so that the photosensitive drum 6 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). Driven.

The transfer roller 11 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 6 and is connected to the photosensitive drum 6 by a gear portion (not shown). As the photosensitive drum 6 is driven to rotate, the photosensitive drum 6 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. Rotates in conjunction with the same peripheral speed as.

PL ₆ is a drum shaft pulley which is concentric with the photosensitive drum shaft, PL _17a is a pickup roller shaft pulley which is concentric with the shaft of the lower roller 17a of the first conveying roller pair (original pickup rollers) 17a and 17b, and PL. _19a is second
A platen roller shaft pulley that is concentric with the shaft of the lower roller 19a of the pair of conveying rollers (platen rollers) 19a and 19b,
PL _20a is a conveyance roller shaft pulley concentric with the shaft of the upper roller 20a of the third conveyance roller pair 20a, 20b, and PL ₁₁ is a transfer roller shaft pulley concentric with the shaft of the transfer roller 11.
PL _13b is the lower roller 13 of the fixing roller pair 13a and 13b.
The fixing roller shaft pulley is concentric with the shaft b.

B1 is a drum shaft pulley PL ₆ , a pickup roller shaft pulley PL _17a, and a platen roller shaft pulley P
The first belt, which is stretched between the three members L _19a , B2 is a platen roller shaft pulley PL _19a and a conveyance roller shaft pulley PL.
Second belts stretched around between _20a, B3 is a third belt which is stretched around between the transfer roller shaft pulley PL ₁₁ fixing roller shaft pulley PL _13b.

Therefore, by the above power transmission system, the photosensitive drum 6 and the transfer roller 1 are driven by the rotation of the drive motor M.
1, the roller 17a, the roller 19a, the roller 20a, and the lower fixing roller 13b are rotationally driven in predetermined directions indicated by arrows in FIG. The roller 17b is the roller 17a, the roller 19b is the roller 19a, and the roller 20b is the roller 20.
a, the rollers 22a and 22b are driven by the transfer roller 11, and the rollers 24a and 24b are driven by the lower fixing roller 13b, respectively, to be in a rotating state. The upper fixing roller 13a is in contact with the lower fixing roller 13b, and is connected to the lower fixing roller 13b by a gear portion (not shown).
Rotates in conjunction with the rotation of.

Each pulley PL ₆ / PL _17a / PL _19a / P
By setting the diameters of the corresponding rollers of L _20a , PL ₁₁ and PL _13b so as to have the same peripheral speed as the drum 6,
When the motor M is driven, each corresponding roller rotates at a required speed in a required rotation direction.

When the opening cover 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 1, the drive motor M is kept off and the apparatus is kept in the standby state.

At the time of copying, one sheet of transfer material P as a recording material is placed on the opened opening cover 3 as a paper feed tray. The placed transfer material slides down naturally along the concave curved downward slope of the inner surface of the opening cover, and the leading end side thereof enters the recording material insertion port 26, and further, the sixth conveying roller pair 13b.24.
It will be in a state of hitting the nip portion of a. The set of the transfer material P is detected by the paper feed sensor S2.

Next, the original 0 is inserted into the apparatus with its image side facing downward from the original insertion port 15 along the upper surface of the first guide plate 16 as the original insertion guide plate. When the document insertion detection sensor S1 detects that the document 0 is inserted, the drive motor M is turned on, and the image forming process mechanism, the document conveyance path A, and the recording material conveyance path B are driven.

When the original 0 is sufficiently inserted into the apparatus until its leading edge hits the nip portion of the first conveying roller pair 17a, 17b serving as the original pick-up roller, the original 0 to be inserted follows the original conveying path A in a predetermined manner. It is transported at a speed.

The document insertion detection sensor S1 detects the insertion of the document on the condition that the paper feed sensor S2 detects that the transfer material P is set, and the drive motor M is detected.
Turn on. The drive motor M is not turned on even when only the document 0 is inserted into the apparatus in a state where the transfer material P is not set.

The transported document 0 is transported by the second transport roller pair 19a, 19b serving as a platen roller while closely contacting the upper surface of the second guide plate 18 provided with the platen glass plate 18a serving as an image reading section. Next, the downward image surface is illuminated by the fluorescent lamp 8 at the position of the platen glass plate 18a, and the image information of the conveyed original document is sequentially slit-imaged and exposed on the surface of the rotary photosensitive drum 6 by the short-focus image forming element array 9, and the original document is exposed. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to 0 image information is formed on the surface of the rotary photosensitive drum 6. Then, the latent image is developed by the developing device 10 as a toner image.

On the other hand, the set transfer material P is drawn into the apparatus by the sixth conveying roller pair 13b and 24a by driving the recording material conveying path B, and the fifth guide plate pair 27 and 23.
a, passing through the seventh conveying roller pair 11 / 22a, U-turned by a U-shaped guide plate pair 28a / 28b as a sixth guide plate pair, and a nip portion between the photosensitive drum 6 as an image recording unit and the transfer roller 11. (Transfer part) N is transferred to the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 to be transferred.

The transfer material on which the toner image has been transferred is guided by the sixth guide plate 29 to the nip portion of the fixing roller pair 13a, 13b, and the toner image is fixed by the heat and pressure of the fixing roller pair 13a, 13b to record the image. From the material discharge port 30, the opened opening cover 3 is discharged as a sheet discharge tray thereon.

In the recording material conveying path B, a U-shaped guide plate as a sixth guide plate pair that conveys a transfer material as a recording material from the seventh conveyor roller pair 11 / 22a to a transfer portion N as an image recording portion in a U-turn. The pair 28a and 28b is the upper roller 20 of the third conveying roller pair 20a and 20b in the U-turn sheet path so that the transfer material is not scratched at the U-turn portion.
A part of a is made to enter and the transfer material is backed up by the roller 20a so that the U-turn portion can smoothly pass through.

The original document 0 is conveyed through the original document conveyance path A to the fifth position.
The pair of transport rollers 24a and 24b discharges the document from the document discharge port 25 on the lower side of the front opening 5 onto the desk surface D below the opened opening cover 3.

When the image-formed transfer material P is discharged onto the opening cover 3 serving as a discharge tray, and the read document 0 is discharged onto the desk surface D, the drive motor M is turned off and the apparatus is turned on. A standby state is set until the next transfer material P is set and the original 0 is set. After using the device, the opening cover 3 is closed in the device housing 1 as shown in FIG.

In the copying machine as the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the document transport path A from the document insertion port 15 to the document ejection port 25 via the document reading unit 18a is provided with the document insertion port 15 and the document ejection port. 25 is an inversion path with the same front side of the copying machine as the inside.
The recording material transport path B from the recording material insertion port 26 to the recording material discharge port 30 via the image recording unit (transfer unit) N, and the recording material insertion port 26 and the recording material discharge port 30 are used as the original document transport route. Since the document insertion port 15 and the document ejection port 25 of A are arranged as a reversing path on the front side of the copying machine, A part of the constituent members of the document conveying path A and the recording material conveying path B are shared (in this embodiment, the roller 20 is used).
a, the roller 22a, the roller 24a, the guide plate 27), the number of parts is reduced, the space is saved, the entire apparatus can be made more compact, and a small desk-top copying machine is realized.

.. Inserting port 15 and discharging port 25 for document 0,
Further, since the insertion port 26 and the ejection port 30 of the recording material (transfer material) P are unified on the front side of the apparatus, the operability is improved, and the apparatus can be installed in any place, and no space is required for the installation place. So a more portable device was realized.

.. In the apparatus of this example, since the original document transport path A is a reversal path of a large radius along the inner surface of the apparatus housing (outer cover) 1 having a cylindrical shape, the original document can be transported without worrying that an important original document is tightly curled. .

The entrance / exit 15 for the original 0 and the recording material P
If only 25, 26, and 30 are placed on the same side of the apparatus to improve operability, as shown in the layout diagram of FIG. The recording material conveying path B is used as an inversion path, and the original 0 and the entrance / exit of the recording material P 15, 25, 26.3
It is sufficient to unify 0 on the same side of the apparatus. In this case, the original and recording material re-conveyance paths A and B are separate independent paths in the upper and lower parts of the apparatus, and the parts are shared by the components. It is not possible to reduce the number of points or save space, but rather, with the image forming process mechanism in the middle, the upper and lower parts of the apparatus have separate reversal paths A and B for originals and recording materials.
As a result, the height of the entire device becomes large.

<Embodiment 2> (FIG. 5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the apparatus. In this example, an insertion port 15 and an ejection port 25 for a document 0 and a recording material are provided on the upper surface side of the apparatus. This is a top-side operation type in which an (transfer material) P insertion port 26 and a discharge port 30 are provided. The same members and parts as those of the apparatus of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description will be omitted.

The original 0 inserted into the apparatus through the original insertion port 15 on the upper surface of the apparatus is drawn into the apparatus by the pickup rollers 17a and 17b and conveyed along the original conveyance path A which is a reversing path. Read by the discharge roller pair 45, 46 and the discharge port 25 on the top of the device.
Is discharged to the outside of the equipment.

Further, the transfer material P as a recording material inserted into the apparatus from the recording material insertion port 26 on the upper surface of the apparatus is drawn into the apparatus by the pair of drawing rollers 44 and 45, and the recording material conveying path B which is a reversing path. The image is transferred at the transfer section N as an image recording section on the way, and then the fixing roller pair 13
a ・ 13b undergoes fixing processing, and discharge roller pair 43/44
Is discharged to the outside of the apparatus from the discharge port 30 on the upper surface of the apparatus.

The recording material conveying path B, which is a reversing path, is arranged inside the original document conveying path A, which is a reversing path, so as to share some of the components of each path.

The recording material pull-in roller pair 44/45, the discharge roller pair 45/46, and the document discharge roller pair 43/44 are commonly used, and four rollers 43 to 46 are arranged in parallel contact with each other. One roller was driven and the other three rollers were driven to rotate. Numerals 47 to 51 and 52 are conveyance rollers and guide plates added to the conveyance paths A and B for originals and recording materials.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, since the manuscript 0 and the recording material P can be all put in and taken out from the upper surface of the apparatus, the apparatus is placed in a narrow space on the desk, for example, in a narrow place such as between a book stand and a small drawer to copy. It can be operated, and the gap can be effectively used, which is convenient as a desk-top copying machine.

<Embodiment 3> (FIGS. 6 and 7) FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the apparatus of the third embodiment when it is not used and when it is used. The apparatus of this example is used as a fixing device as disclosed in JP-A-63-313182 and JP-A-2-15787.
The fixing device 66 of the film heating type (surf type) disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8 / JP-A-4-44075 to 44083 is used. Film heating type fixing device 66
When the power is turned on, the temperature of the fixing section rises rapidly, and there is virtually no wait time, resulting in excellent quick start performance.

The same members and parts as those of the apparatus of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description will be omitted.

The apparatus housing 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape design in the apparatus of this example. Reference numeral 61 denotes a front cover plate that can be freely attached to and detached from the front opening 5 of the device housing 1. When the device is not used, it is closed in the front opening of the device housing 1 as shown in FIG.
Engage c · 63a to prevent it from coming off.

When using the apparatus, the front cover plate 61 is removed.
With the removed front cover plate 61 with the inner surface facing upward, the desk surface D
And the leg projections 61a and 61b provided on the lower side thereof are provided at the lower side of the front opening 5 of the device housing 1 facing the concave portion 63c.
・ By engaging and engaging with 63d, the device housing 1 as shown in FIG.
And the connection state. The connected front cover plate 61 serves as a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray for the recording material P.

Reference numeral 61d is a convex portion provided on the upper portion on the outer surface side of the lid plate 61, and becomes a leg portion which comes into contact with the desk surface D when the lid plate 61 is connected to the apparatus housing 1 as shown in FIG. A clearance passage 70 is formed between the desk surface D and the desk surface D.

Reference numeral 62 is a slit passage provided within the thickness of the lid plate 61 and having a width corresponding to the document size width.
The end surface of the lower side communicates with the central portion of the outer surface of the cover plate 61.
When the cover plate 61 is connected to the apparatus housing 1 as shown in FIG. 7, the lid plate 61 is in communication with the document discharge port 25 of the document conveyance path A on the apparatus body side.

In the state of FIG. 7, the front opening 5 of the apparatus is
The original 0 inserted into the apparatus through the original insertion port 15 on the upper side is drawn into the apparatus by the pickup rollers 17a and 17b and is conveyed along the original conveyance path A which is a reverse path, and is read by the image reading unit 18a in the middle. After being processed, it is sent from the discharge port 25 on the lower side of the front opening 5 of the apparatus through the slit passage 62 in the thickness of the lid plate 61, and is sent out to the gap passage 70 between the lid plate 61 and the desk surface D. It is discharged onto the surface D.

On the other hand, the recording material P is placed on the cover plate 61 as a paper feed tray, and the leading end portion thereof is inserted into the recording material insertion port 26 and gripped by the pair of drawing rollers 13b and 24a. The sheet is drawn in and conveyed along a recording material conveying path B which is a reversing path, and on the way, an image is transferred at a transfer section N as an image recording section, then subjected to a fixing process by a fixing device 66, and discharged from a recording material outlet 30. Cover plate 61 as a paper tray
Discharged on top.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, the front cover plate 61 as a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray for the recording material P can be smoothly attached to the apparatus main body 1, and is stably installed on the desk surface. As a result, stable paper feeding and discharging was achieved.

Since the external shape of the device is a rectangular parallelepiped, the installation is stable and the device can be smoothly used on a desk. In addition, a compact desk-top copying machine with excellent storability and installability has been realized, which makes it easy to stack with stationery that can easily be placed on a desk or to place them next to each other.

Even if the external shape of the apparatus is a rectangular parallelepiped, the original conveying path A has a smooth R shape so that smooth original feeding can be surely performed.

By mounting the film heating type fixing device 66 excellent in quick start property as the fixing means, the copying operation can be executed without waiting time when the user wants to use it immediately.

As shown in the layout diagram of FIG. 8, the recording material insertion port 26 from the recording material feeding start point to the image recording portion N
The recording material conveyance path from the recording material conveyance end point to the recording material discharge opening 30 is defined as an inversion path with the recording material insertion port 26 and the recording material discharge port 30 on the same side of the apparatus. Inside the transport path, a document transport path from the document insertion port 15 as the document transport start point to the document discharge port 25 as the document transport end point via the image reading unit 18a is provided. And the recording material conveyance path B
The recording material insertion port 26 and the discharge port 30 may be provided on the same device side as the reversing path.

The image reading means may be photoelectric reading means or the like.

The image recording means may be a print head, an ink jet head, a thermal recording head or the like.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to realize a desk-top type image forming apparatus which is easy to use and does not occupy an installation space, and the intended purpose is well achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a drive unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device with the opening cover closed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus with an opening cover opened.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Example 3 when not in use.

[Fig. 7] Cross-sectional view during use

FIG. 8 is another layout diagram of a document conveyance path and a recording material conveyance path.

FIG. 9 is still another layout diagram of the document conveyance path and the recording material conveyance path.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Device housing (outer cover) 3.61 Opening cover or front cover plate that also serves as a recording material feed tray / output tray 0 Original A Original transport path 15 Original insertion slot 18a Platen glass (original reading section) 25 Original exit P recording material (transfer material) B recording material transport path 26 recording material insertion port N image recording section (transfer section) 30 recording material discharge port 6 photosensitive drum 7 charging roller 8 light source 9 short-focus imaging element array 10 developing device 11 transfer Rollers 13a, 13b Fixing roller pair 66 Film heating type fixing device D Surface

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for recording an image corresponding to read image information of a document conveyed by a document reading section of image forming process means on a recording material conveyed by an image recording section of image forming process means. The original document conveyance path from the original document conveyance start point to the original document conveyance end point via the original document reading section of the image forming process means is not an inversion path with the start point and the end point on the same side of the image forming apparatus. Inside, the recording material conveyance path from the recording material conveyance start point to the recording material conveyance end point via the image recording section of the image forming process means is provided with the starting point and the ending point of the original document conveyance path. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided as an inversion path on the same side as the image forming apparatus. 2. An image forming apparatus for recording an image corresponding to read image information of a document conveyed by a document reading section of the image forming process means onto a recording material conveyed by an image recording section of the image forming process means. The recording material conveyance path from the recording material conveyance start point to the recording material conveyance end point via the image recording section of the image forming process means is an inversion path with the start point and the end point on the same side of the image forming apparatus. Inside the recording material conveyance path, an original conveyance path from the original conveyance start point to the original conveyance end point via the image reading unit of the image forming process means, the starting point and the ending point are defined as the starting point and the ending point of the recording material conveyance path. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided on the same side of the image forming apparatus as that on which the image forming apparatus is provided.