JPH1077137A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a paper jam easily detectable by forming a retransfer route by an upper/lower guide, and moving the upper guide to a retransfer route opening position interlocked with opening/closing of a front cover. SOLUTION: When a front cover 50 is rotated in a direction C to be opened, a tip end of an unlock part 50a comes into contact with a handle lower surface, a handle is pressed up, a magnet catch 40 is separated from a lower guide 37 by a distance x. Here, force of a torsion spring opening an upper guide 36 is set weaker than attraction force of the magnet catch 40 tightly stuck to the lower guide 37 and stronger than attraction force of the magnet catch 40 when it is separated from the lower guide 37 by a distance x. Accordingly, energizing force of the spring is larger than attraction force of the magnet catch 40, so as to open the upper guide 36 by spring tension. In this way, in the point of time opening the front cover 50, paper in a retransfer route 29 can be visually recognized.

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, a printer and a facsimile, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus for feeding paper and other sheet materials.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 shows an entire configuration of a copying machine which is a conventional image forming apparatus.

This copying machine is an electrophotographic copying machine capable of performing double-sided copying in which one sheet material is copied on both sides and multiple copying in which copying is performed a plurality of times on the same surface of one sheet material. Machine.

The copying machine 1 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 1.
5 and 16 are provided.
Sheet materials S of different sizes stacked and stored in the sheets 5 and 16, respectively, are selectively fed to the transfer section.

The sheet material S stacked and stored in the sheet cassette 15 or 16 is sequentially fed from the uppermost sheet material by a feed roller 17 or 19 rotating in the direction of the arrow.

Then, the feeding roller 17 or 19
The sheet material S fed out is separated one by one by the separation roller pair 20 or 21 rotating in the direction of the arrow, and is fed to the registration roller pair 22 which is not rotating.

When the leading end of the sheet material S fed by the separation roller pair 20 or 21 strikes the nip of the registration roller pair 22, a predetermined loop is formed to correct the skew state.

Thereafter, the sheet material S whose skew state has been corrected is
The transfer section between the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer charger 34 is moved by the registration roller pair 22 which starts rotating in the direction of the arrow at a timing when the position of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 rotating in the direction of the arrow is adjusted. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred onto the sheet surface by the transfer charger 34.

In this copying machine, the image of the original 3 set on the platen glass 5 is composed of an illumination lamp 6, reflection mirrors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and a zoom lens 1.
The light is projected onto the photosensitive drum 4 rotating in the direction of the arrow by an optical system including 3 and the like. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 4 by this is transferred to the first developing device 32.
Is visualized by the color toner supplied from the printer or the black toner supplied from the second developing device 33 to form a toner image.

The sheet material S on which the transfer of the toner image has been completed in the transfer section passes through a fixing device 25, and in the case of single-sided copying in a front-side discharge mode, a discharge roller 27 by a transport roller 24.
And is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown) outside the apparatus in a state where the image surface faces upward by the discharge roller pair 27.

The sheet material after the fixing process of the toner image is
In the case of single-sided copying in the front-side discharge mode, the sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 27 by the transport roller 24, and is discharged onto the discharge tray outside the apparatus with the image surface facing upward by the discharge roller pair 27. You.

In the case of single-sided copying and the back side discharge mode, the sheet material S after the fixing process of the toner image is once sent to the reversing path 28 by the transport roller 24 so that the image surface faces downward. At this time, the flapper 26 has been switched to the position 26b. Then, when a sensor (not shown) detects that the rear end of the sheet material has passed the flapper 26, the flapper 26 is switched to the position 26a, and the conveying roller pair 35 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow direction (reverse rotation). 2), the sheet material S is sent to the discharge roller pair 27, and is discharged outside the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 27 with the image surface facing down.

In the case of the double-sided copying mode, the sheet material after the fixing process of the toner image is circulated with the image surface inward.
The sheet is then conveyed to a sheet ejection tray outside the apparatus by the sheet ejection roller pair 27. At this time, the flapper 26 is 26b
Has been switched to the position. Then, when a sensor (not shown) detects that the rear end of the sheet material has passed the flapper 26, the flapper 26 is switched to the position 26b, and the paper discharge roller pair 27 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow direction (reverse rotation). 2), the sheet material S is sent to the re-transfer path 29, which is the second transport path, through the reversing path 28 with the image surface inside.

In the case of the multiple copying mode, the sheet material S having been subjected to the fixing process of the toner image is sent to the reversing path 28 with the image facing outward by the conveying roller 25, and passes through the reversing path 28. To the re-transfer path 29. At this time, the flapper 26 has been switched to the position 26b.

The sheet material S sent to the re-transfer path 29 is
The sheet is again fed to the registration roller pair 22 by the conveyance roller pairs 35, 30, 30.

In this copying machine, the retransfer path 29 is formed by upper and lower guides (path forming members) 36 and 37 arranged at a predetermined interval.

In the figure, the re-transfer path 29 is the upper guide 3
6. It is composed of a lower guide 37. The upper guide 36 and the lower guide 37 have a pair of re-feed rollers 30 for conveying the paper, and are pressed with a predetermined pressure by a pressing unit (not shown).

When the above-described operation is performed (during normal operation of the machine), the inside of the copying machine shown in FIG. 12 is covered with a front cover (not shown).

When a paper jam occurs and it is necessary to remove the paper from the re-transfer path 29, first open the front cover and lift the handle to release the upper guide 36 upward according to the operation panel or operation instruction seal. Thus, the space in the re-transfer path 29 is widened, and a paper jam is removed.

Conveying device 2 for forming a conveying path for sheet material
When removing the paper on 3, by operating a lever (not shown), the transport device 23 is rotated clockwise around the vicinity of the transport roller 23 c to expand the space on the transport device and improve operability. Has also been done.

[0021]

However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, a paper jam must be handled by the other hand while holding the upper guide so as not to fall with one hand. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that workability is poor and one hand holding the upper guide is obstructive and the paper in the re-transfer path 29 cannot be visually recognized well.

Further, the transport device 23 is located above the re-transfer path 29, and it is difficult to visually recognize the re-transfer path 29 itself. It is easy to close the front cover without noticing the paper in the re-transfer path 29 just by processing the paper jam in the transport device 23. As a result, the paper jam is detected again, and it is necessary to open the front cover again to perform the operation, or the user may be confused because the paper jam that should have been processed has not been completed. Was.

In order to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, it has been desired to have a structure in which a paper jam in the re-transfer path 29 can be easily found when the operator opens the front cover.

[0024]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a first guide member and a second guide member.
A sheet conveying path formed by the guide members of the sheet conveying device, wherein the second guide member can take a sheet conveying position for forming the sheet conveying path and a conveying path opening position for opening the sheet conveying path. Has a cover member, and the second guide member moves to the transport path opening position in conjunction with opening and closing of the cover member.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first guide member and a second guide member form a sheet conveying path, and the second guide member forms a sheet conveying path. In a sheet conveying device capable of taking a conveying position and a conveying path opening position for opening a sheet conveying path, the sheet conveying device has a cover member, and the second guide member is moved in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover member. The second guide member is moved to a sheet conveying position in conjunction with a closing operation of the cover member after moving to a conveying path opening position.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<< First Embodiment >> FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a re-transfer path 29 of a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention, FIG. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a retransmission path release mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an unlocking unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 are embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a retransmission path release mechanism according to Example 1.

In FIG. 1, the re-transfer path 29 includes an upper guide 36 and a lower guide 37.

The upper guide 36 and the lower guide 37 are provided with a pair of re-feed rollers 30 for conveying the paper, and are pressed with a predetermined pressure by a pressing means (not shown).

In FIG. 2, the upper guide 36 is rotatable around a hinge 38 at the back of the main body, and is opened upward. A torsion coil spring 42 is provided near the hinge 38 and urges the upper guide 36 to an open state.

A handle 39 is provided at substantially the center of the upper guide 36, and a magnet catch 40 is further provided. The suction surface 40 is attracted to the lower guide 37 to oppose the pressing force of the roller. Thus, the interval between the upper guide 36 and the lower guide 37 is maintained at a predetermined amount.

The front cover 50 is rotatable with respect to the hinge 51. In this case, the front cover 50 is closed with respect to the copying machine main body.

As shown in FIG. 4, the front cover 50 is provided with an unlocking portion 50a which is located below the handle, and the upper surface of the unlocking portion is flat and the lower surface is a handle. A taper 50b is provided to correspond to the taper on the top surface of the tip.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the handle 39 is composed of two members (39a, 39b) rotatable around a rotation axis.
Is biased in the direction. The mask at the tip is flat and the upper surface is provided with a taper 39d.

Next, as shown in FIG.
First, the front cover 50 is opened by rotating the front cover 50 in the C direction. At this time, the tip of the unlocking portion 50a contacts the lower surface of the handle, and the handle is pushed up, so that the magnet catch 40 is separated from the lower guide 37 by a distance x.

At this time, the force of the torsion spring 42 for opening the upper guide 36 is weaker than the attraction force of the magnet catch 40 which is in close contact with the lower guide 37, and the force of the magnet catch 40 when it is separated from the lower guide 37 by a distance x. The upper guide 36 is released by the force of the spring because the urging force of the spring 42 exceeds the attraction force of the magnet catch 40 (FIG. 6).

By performing the paper jam processing in this state, the paper S in the re-transfer path 29 can be visually recognized when the front cover is opened, so that the user can forget to clear the paper jam in the re-transfer path 29. There is no.

Since the upper guide 36 is kept open, the operator operates the handle to operate the upper guide 36.
Can be closed. When the upper guide 36 and the lower guide 37 are closed and the magnet catch 40 of the upper guide 36 and the lower guide 37 come into close contact with each other, the attraction force exceeds the urging force of the spring. 3
7 is held at a predetermined interval.

When the front cover is closed, the tapered portion on the lower surface of the unlocking portion comes into contact with the tapered portion on the upper surface of the handle.
The tip of the handle is opened as shown in FIG. 7, and the release portion slips through the tip of the handle and returns to the beginning.

<< Embodiment 2 >> FIGS. 8A and 8B
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a retransmission path release mechanism according to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the upper guide 3
The magnet catch 40 is used as means for holding the lower guide 6 and the lower guide 37 at a predetermined interval.
(A), as shown in FIG. 8 (b), a hook 39g formed on a handle 39 rotatable by a small angle and urged in the engagement direction by a torsion spring 46 may be used.

In this configuration, when the front cover 50 is opened, the unlocking member 50a comes into contact with the tip of the handle 39, the handle 39 rotates in the direction of arrow G, and the hook 39g comes off the hole 37a of the lower guide 37, The upper guide 36 is released by the force of the torsion spring 38.

As described above, the means for holding the upper guide 36 and the lower guide 37 at a predetermined interval is not limited as long as the guide is held with a force larger than the force for releasing the upper guide near the predetermined interval. It is good and is not limited to the above configuration.

Third Embodiment FIGS. 9 to 11 are diagrams showing a retransmission path release mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows that the upper guide 36 is provided with a rotatable handle 39 around the rotation shaft 43 and further provided with a spacer 40 so that the upper guide 36 abuts when the upper guide 36 is closed. The space between the upper guide 36 and the lower guide 37 is maintained at a predetermined amount by the surface 40 abutting against the lower guide 37.

A regulating plate 41 is provided below the first transport path, and regulates the angle of the upper guide 36 in the opening direction by abutting against the abutting portion 36a of the upper guide 36.

A torsion coil spring 44 is provided near the rotation axis of the handle 39 and urges the handle 39 in the direction of arrow D. The handle 39 has a slope 39e and an abutting portion 3
9f is formed, and the abutting portion 39f abuts on the upper guide 36 near the spacer 40. Inside the front cover 60, a holding portion 60c is formed at a position corresponding to the handle 39 of the upper guide, and a pressing spring 60d is attached to the holding portion 60c.

A roller 60 is attached to the tip of the pressing spring 60d.
e is held.

With the front cover 60 closed,
The roller 60e is in contact with the vicinity of the abutting portion 39f of the handle 39, and the pressing spring 60d overcomes the force F2 of the torsion spring 42 for opening the upper guide 36, and the spacer 40 contacts the lower guide 37. Force F
1, the handle is pressed.

When clearing a paper jam in the re-transfer path 29, the operator first opens the front cover 60. Then, since there is no pressing force for pressing the upper guide 36,
The handle 39 is rotated in the direction of arrow E by the force of the torsion coil spring 44, and the upper guide 36 is opened to a position where the abutting portion 39f abuts on the regulating plate 41.

By performing the paper jam processing in this state, the paper S in the re-transfer path 29 can be visually recognized when the front cover 60 is opened, so that the user can forget to clear the paper jam in the re-transfer path 29. There is no.

Further, since the upper guide 36 is kept open, the operator can take a free posture and can perform the process using both hands.

When the paper jam processing is completed and the operator closes the front cover, as shown in FIG. 11, the roller 60e is guided while pressing the slope 39e of the handle, and returns to the state of FIG.

[0053]

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a mechanism for opening and closing the sheet conveying path in conjunction with opening and closing of the outer cover of the apparatus body, for example, the front cover. Thereby, the visibility of the paper jam state can be improved, and the workability of the paper jam processing can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a retransmission route according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a retransmission path release mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a handle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lock release unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a retransmission path release mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a retransmission path release mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a handle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a retransmission path release mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a retransmission path release mechanism according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation of a retransmission path release mechanism according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation of a retransmission path release mechanism according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an entire configuration of a conventional copying machine.

Claims (10)

[Claims] A first sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet material through an image forming unit; and a second sheet for re-conveying the sheet material conveyed on the first sheet conveying path to the image forming unit. In the image forming apparatus having a transport path, the second sheet transport path is formed by a first guide member and a second guide member, and the second guide member forms the second sheet transport path The image forming apparatus may have a cover member that covers the sheet conveyance path, and may interlock with the opening and closing of the cover member. An image forming apparatus, wherein a second guide member moves to a transport path opening position. 2. The second guide member moves to a transport path open position by rotating about an axis parallel to a sheet transport direction on the back side of the main body in conjunction with opening and closing of the cover member, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport path is opened. 3. An urging means for urging the second guide member to a conveying path opening position in conjunction with opening and closing of the cover member, and the second guide member overcoming an urging force of the urging means. Holding means for holding the sheet at the sheet conveying position,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a holding force of said holding unit is set to be weaker than an urging force of said urging unit. 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said holding means is composed of a magnet and a magnetic material corresponding to the magnet. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the urging unit separates the magnet and the magnetic body in conjunction with opening and closing of the cover member. 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said holding means is a latch mechanism, and said urging means releases said latch mechanism in conjunction with opening and closing of said cover member. apparatus. 7. A first sheet transport path for transporting a sheet material through an image forming unit, and a sheet material located below the first sheet transport path and transported by the first sheet transport path. An image forming apparatus having a second sheet conveying path for re-conveying to the image forming unit, wherein the second sheet conveying path is formed by a first guide member and a second guide member; The guide member may have a sheet conveying position for forming the second sheet conveying path and a conveying path opening position for opening the second sheet conveying path, and the image forming apparatus has a cover member for covering the sheet conveying path. The second guide member moves to the transport path opening position in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover member, and the second guide member moves to the sheet transport position in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover member. Characterized by moving Image forming apparatus. 8. An urging means for urging the second guide member in a conveying path opening direction, and a holding means for holding the second guide member at a sheet conveying position by overcoming the urging force of the urging means. And wherein the urging means urges the second guide member to a sheet conveying position when the cover member is in a closed state,
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second guide member is urged to a conveying path open position when the cover member is in an open state. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the holding member is provided on a cover member. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said holding member is a leaf spring.