JPH11263456A - Picture image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture image formation device capable of stably loading a record medium even when many of cassette trays are drawn out. SOLUTION: A guide groove 90 to fit a guide member 56 into it and to guide it in the input and output direction is formed on a copying machine main body. A bottom wall surface 92a on which a bottom surface of the guide member 56 slides and an upper wall 94 on which an upper surface 58b of a protruded part 58a of the guide member 56 slides are formed in the guide groove 90. A first parallel surface 94a extending roughly in parallel with the bottom wall surface 92a toward the front from the depth in the output and input direction, an inclined surface 94b inclined in a direction to approach the bottom wall surface 92a toward the front continuously from a part of the front in the output and input direction out of the first parallel surface 94a and a second parallel surface 94c extending roughly in parallel with the bottom wall surface 92a toward the front continuously from a part of the front in the output and input direction out of the inclined surface 94b are formed on the upper wall 94.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a plotter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an output device of a computer or a work station, an ink jet type image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by discharging ink, or an electrophotographic type forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium using a developer or the like. Image forming apparatuses are known. These image forming apparatuses are usually provided with a cassette tray in which a plurality of recording media are stored in a stacked state. The cassette tray is incorporated in the main body of the image forming apparatus so as to be freely taken in and out, and the recording medium stored in the cassette tray is fed at a predetermined timing to an image forming unit on which an image is formed.

[0003] The cassette tray usually has a rectangular bottom wall, and includes a cassette tub (frame body) having an open upper surface, and a rectangular middle plate on which a recording medium is loaded. Of the cassette tray, guide portions extending in the insertion / removal direction are usually formed at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction of the cassette tray in / out of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, a guide groove is formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus to guide the guide portion in and out of the guide portion.

When loading a recording medium on the middle plate, the cassette tray is pulled out of the image forming apparatus, the middle plate is pressed down from above, and the recording medium is loaded. After the recording medium is stacked on the middle plate, the cassette tray is pushed into the image forming apparatus. As a result, preparation for sheet feeding is completed.

[0005]

By the way, the amount (length) of pulling out the cassette tray from the image forming apparatus is longer than the length of the recording medium loaded on the cassette tray.
However, when the amount of the cassette tray to be pulled out increases, the portion of the cassette tray on the front side in the pulling-out direction is lowered by the weight of the cassette tray, and the cassette tray is inclined such that the front side portion is lowered. When the cassette tray is tilted in this manner, the recording medium is pressed down from above when the recording medium is loaded, so that it is difficult to stably load the recording medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stably stacking recording media even if many cassette trays are pulled out.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first image forming apparatus, wherein guide portions extending in the insertion and removal direction are formed at both ends in a direction orthogonal to a predetermined insertion and removal direction. An image forming apparatus including a cassette tray incorporated so as to be capable of being taken in and out in the insertion / removal direction, and a guide groove which is fitted in the guide portion and guided in the insertion / removal direction, and a guide groove extending in the insertion / removal direction. (1) an upwardly projecting portion formed on a deep portion of the upper surface of the guide portion in the insertion / removal direction;
(2) an inclined surface formed at a portion of the bottom surface of the guide portion on the back side of the convex portion, which is inclined downward from the depth in the insertion / removal direction toward the front, and the guide groove includes: (3) a bottom wall on which the bottom surface of the guide slides;
(4) a first parallel surface extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall from the back in the insertion / removal direction to the front, and a portion of the first parallel surface continuing from the front in the in / out direction and further toward the front. An inclined surface inclined in a direction approaching the bottom wall, and a second parallel surface extending substantially in parallel with the bottom wall continuously toward the near side from a portion of the inclined surface in the front and rear direction are formed. , And an upper wall on which the upper surface of the projection of the guide slides.

Here, (5) the upward projection of the guide portion abuts on the inclined surface of the guide groove, and is further pulled out so that the convex portion follows the inclined surface and the predetermined portion of the bottom surface of the guide portion. May be configured so that the cassette tray rotates about the fulcrum.

According to a second image forming apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, wherein guide grooves extending in the direction of insertion and removal are formed at both ends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion and removal. An image forming apparatus comprising: a cassette tray that is incorporated so as to be able to be taken in and out; and a guide portion that is fitted into the guide groove and guides the guide groove in the insertion / removal direction, and extends in the insertion / removal direction. (6) a downward convex portion formed on a portion of the lower surface of the guide portion in front of the insertion / removal direction; and (7) a lower convex portion formed on the upper surface of the guide portion on the back side of the convex portion. The guide groove includes: an upper wall on which the upper surface of the guide section slides; and (9) an upper wall on which the upper surface of the guide section slides. A first parallel surface extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall from the front in the insertion direction to the back, and the first parallel surface continues from the back portion in the insertion and removal direction of the first parallel surface and further approaches the back wall toward the back; A guide surface formed with an inclined surface inclined in a direction, and a second parallel surface extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall from the deep portion of the inclined surface in the insertion / removal direction. And a lower wall on which the lower surface of the convex portion slides.

Here, the guide groove (10) is brought into contact with the convex portion of the guide portion at a portion of the upper wall of the guide groove in front of the guide direction, and the convex portion is moved from the guide groove. A stopper for preventing detachment may be formed.

Further, the guide groove includes: (11) both a boundary portion between the first parallel surface and the inclined surface of the guide groove and a boundary portion between the inclined surface and the second parallel surface of the guide groove. It may be smooth.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a copying machine which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

On the top surface of a copying machine (an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention) 10, an openable and closable original pressing plate 12 is arranged. On the front side of the top surface, an operation panel display 14 for inputting the number of copies and the like is arranged.
The copying machine 10 is provided with a universal cassette (which is an example of a cassette tray according to the present invention) 16 in which a plurality of cut sheets are stored so as to be able to be taken in and out of the main body of the copying machine 10. The right side wall of the copying machine 10 is provided with a rectangular manual tray 18 (see FIG. 2) capable of feeding small-size recording paper such as postcards. As shown in FIG. 2, the manual feed tray 18 rotates around the lower side 18a in the direction of arrow C and opens to a position where a recording medium can be placed (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line). The left side wall of the copying machine 10 is provided with a paper discharge tray 20 on which recording paper on which an image is formed is stacked.

At the front of the copying machine 10, a rectangular front door 22 is provided.
However, it is fixed so that it may open to the near side with the lower side portion 22a as the center of rotation. By opening the front door 22, the inside of the copier 10 can be observed. Further, with the front door 22 kept open, a hook (not shown) disposed near the front door 22 is removed, so that a repulsive force of a damper (not shown) causes the upper portion of the main body of the copying machine 10 ( The front side portion of the optical system 28 and the photosensitive drum 32 described later) is pushed up. As a result, the copying machine 10 is divided into an upper body and a lower body (a part in which the universal cassette 16 and the like are incorporated).

Referring to FIG. 2, a procedure for forming an image by the copying machine 10 of FIG. 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the internal structure of the copying machine 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the same components as those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

An original table glass 26 on which an original 24 is placed is disposed below the original cover 12. The original 24 is placed on the original platen glass 26 so that the image surface faces down.
Is placed, and the original 24 is pressed and fixed by the original cover 12. The image recorded on the document 24 is read by a well-known optical system 28 having a light source lamp (not shown) or the like, and light (broken line A) carrying information of the image recorded on the document is obtained. This light is applied to the photosensitive drum 32 uniformly charged by the charging unit 30 to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is developed with the developer (toner) supplied from the developing unit 34 to form a developed image. On the other hand, a recording medium such as recording paper is
And the developed image is transferred to the recording medium in the transfer unit 36. The recording medium to which the developed image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 40 by the transport unit 38. A heat roller 42 and a press roller 44 are disposed in the fixing unit 40. The recording medium is conveyed while being sandwiched between these two rollers 42, 44, and the developed image is fixed on the recording medium. The recording medium on which the developed image has been fixed in this manner is discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 20. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 32 after the transfer is scraped off by the cleaning device 46. In addition, the recording medium can be fed from the manual feed tray 18, and the procedure for forming an image on the recording medium fed from the manual feed tray 18 is the same as described above.

The general construction of the universal cassette 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the universal cassette with the middle plate lowered, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the universal cassette with the middle plate raised.

The universal cassette 16 stores the copy machine 10
(See FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).
The universal cassette 16 includes a cassette tub 50 having a rectangular bottom wall 52 and a side wall 54 rising from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 52. Bottom wall 52 of cassette tub 50
Is provided with a rectangular middle plate 60 which is about half the size of the bottom wall 52 and on which a recording medium is loaded. The recording medium loaded on the middle plate 60 is sent out in the direction of arrow E.

One side 62 of the middle plate 60 extends in the direction of arrow D, and is located near the center of the bottom wall 52 in the direction of arrow E. At both ends of this one side 62 in the direction of arrow D, a support plate 64 rises substantially at right angles from the one side 62. A hole 64a is formed in an upper portion of the support plate 64, and a protrusion (not shown) formed on the side wall 54 is fitted into the hole 64a. For this reason, the middle plate 60
Can rotate between the position shown in FIG. 3 and the position shown in FIG.

On the side opposite to one side 62 of the middle plate 60, another side 66 is formed extending in the direction of arrow D and coming into contact with and separating from the tip of the bottom wall 52 in the direction of arrow E. Two coil springs 69 (not shown) are arranged below a central portion of the other side portion 66. The upper ends of the two coil springs 69 are on the other side 6
6 is fixed to the central portion, and the lower end is fixed to the bottom wall 52. The central portion of the other side 66 of the middle plate 60 is constantly urged upward by these two coil springs 69. As described above, the central portion of the other side portion 66 of the middle plate 60 is urged upward to be pushed up, and the one side portion 62 rotates near the bottom wall 52, so that the middle plate 60 is
Inclined to.

The middle plate 60 has four rectangular openings 68 formed therein. These openings 68 are for movement of side regulation plates 70 that regulate both ends of the recording medium loaded on the middle plate 60. The side regulating plate 70 includes a pair of L-shaped plates 70a and 70b, and is fixed to the bottom wall 52 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow D. These pair of plates 70a,
70b moves in the direction of arrow D in conjunction with it, and its position can be changed according to the size of the recording medium. Accordingly, by moving the pair of plates 70a and 70b to an appropriate position in accordance with the size of the recording medium, the middle plate 60 can record one type of recording medium of a plurality of types of recording media. Media can be loaded selectively.

When the pair of plates 70a and 70b are moved, the V-shaped size switching knob (not shown) is moved while being pinched. When the size switching knob is released when the pair of plates 70a and 70b are located at predetermined positions, the tip of the size switching knob is fitted into a hole (not shown) formed in the bottom wall 52, and the predetermined position is adjusted. A pair of plates 70
a, 70b are fixed.

In the vicinity of the center of one side 62 of the middle plate 60, a rear end regulating plate 80 is disposed on the bottom wall 52. The rear end regulating plate 80 moves in the direction of arrow F in conjunction with the movement of the middle plate 60, and regulates the rear end of the fed recording medium.

A pair of plates 70 constituting the side regulating plate 70
An L-shaped separation claw (not shown) is fixed to each of a and 70b, and moves together with the pair of plates 70a and 70b. Also, the tip of this separation claw is bent,
Both ends of the leading end of the recording medium loaded on the middle plate 60 in the sheet feeding direction (the direction of arrow E) are pressed from above.

A prism-shaped guide member 56 is formed at the lower part of the outer surface of each of two side walls 54a extending in the insertion / removal direction (the direction of arrow D) among the side walls 54 of the cassette tub 50. The guide member 56 extends in the insertion / removal direction.

The guide member 56 and the guide groove into which the guide member 56 is fitted will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the universal cassette 16 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 6 shows that a guide member formed on the universal cassette moves in a guide groove formed on the main body of the copying machine. It is a side view which shows a mode schematically. In these figures, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As described above, the guide member 56 is formed below the outer surface of each of the two side walls 54a. An upwardly protruding portion 58a is formed on a portion of the upper surface 58 of the guide member 56 that is deeper in the insertion / removal direction. An inclined surface 59a is formed on a portion of the bottom surface 59 of the guide member 56 on the back side of the convex portion 58a. This inclined surface 59a
Is inclined downward from the back (the back of the copying machine 10) in the loading / unloading direction (the direction of arrow D).

The main body of the copying machine 10 (see FIG. 1)
As shown in FIG. 5, a guide groove 90 is formed to guide the guide member 56 into and out of the guide member 56. In the guide groove 90, a bottom wall surface 92a on which the bottom surface 59 of the guide member 56 slides, and an upper wall 94 on which the upper surface 58b of the protrusion 58a of the guide member 56 slides are formed.

The upper wall 94 has a first parallel surface 94a extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall surface 92a from the depth in the insertion / removal direction to the near side, and a continuous portion of the first parallel surface 94a from the near side in the in / out direction. And the bottom wall 92 further toward you
a inclined surface 94b inclined in a direction approaching a.
A second parallel surface 94c is formed to extend substantially in parallel with the bottom wall surface 92a from the near side in the insertion / removal direction of b. A stopper 94d protruding downward is formed at a portion of the second parallel surface 94c which is the foremost in the insertion / removal direction.

The projections 58a of the guide member 56 are in contact with the stoppers 94d so that the projections 58a do not come off the grooves 90.
6 does not fall off the main body of the copying machine 10. The bottom wall 9
The distance between 2a and the first parallel surface 94a is, for example, about 27.5 mm, and the distance between the bottom wall surface 92a and the second parallel surface 94c is, for example, about 26.8 mm. The distance between the bottom wall surface 92a and the upper surface of the projection 58a is, for example, about 27.0 mm. The height difference between the first parallel surface 94a and the second parallel surface 94c is, for example, about 0.7 mm, and the length of the inclined surface 94b is, for example, about 20 mm. Also, the guide groove 9
The boundary between the first parallel plane 94a and the inclined plane 94b and the boundary between the inclined plane 94b and the second parallel plane 94c are smoothly formed. Therefore, the universal cassette 16 can be pulled out smoothly.

The manner in which the universal cassette 16 incorporated in the main body of the copying machine 10 is pulled out will be described.

When the universal cassette 16 incorporated into the main body of the copying machine 10 is pulled out for replenishment of the recording medium, the bottom surface of the guide member 56 is set in the guide groove 90.
Slides on the bottom wall 92. At this time, the center of gravity of the universal cassette 16 is above the bottom wall surface 92a of the guide groove 90. Therefore, the universal cassette 16 is used for the copying machine 10.
It is pulled out in the same posture as when it was fully embedded in the main body.

When the universal cassette 16 is further pulled out, the center of gravity of the universal cassette 16
Then, it starts to come out of the guide groove 90 by being detached from the upper side of the bottom wall surface 92a. For this reason, the universal cassette 16
An attempt is made to take a posture in which the portion on the near side in the pullout direction is lowered. However, when the upper surface 58b of the convex portion 58a of the guide member 56 comes into contact with the inclined surface 94b, the convex portion 58a is interlocked with the withdrawal of the universal cassette 16 and the inclined surface 94b.
b, the corners 59b of the inclined surface 59a of the guide member 56 on the near side in the insertion / removal direction.
The universal cassette 16 is gradually rotated so that the universal cassette 16 can be lifted by using as a fulcrum. For this reason, the copier 10 is pulled out in almost the same posture as when the copier 10 is fully assembled. When the upper surface 58b of the projection 58a of the guide member 56 slides on the second parallel surface 94c, the second parallel surface 94c
Since c is located at a position lower than the first parallel surface 94a,
The universal cassette 16 is pulled out while maintaining a slightly rotated state so that the universal cassette 16 can be lifted around the corner 59b. Therefore, even if the universal cassette 16 is pulled out to the front side until the projection 58a abuts on the stopper 94d, that is, the universal cassette 16 is almost in the same posture as when the universal cassette 16 is fully inserted into the body of the copying machine 10, or The portion on the front side in the drawing direction is slightly raised, and the universal cassette 16
The part on the near side in the pull-out direction of the camera does not fall down. Further, since the projection 58a of the guide member 56 abuts against the stopper 94d, the universal cassette 16 is prevented from falling off. As a result, the universal cassette 16
Can be stably stacked even if a large number of papers are pulled out.

In the above example, the universal cassette 1
6, a guide groove 90 is formed in the main body of the copying machine 10. However, the guide member 56 is formed in the main body of the copying machine 10, and the guide groove 90 is formed in the universal cassette 1.
6 may be formed.

[0039]

As described above, according to the first image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the cassette tray incorporated into the image forming apparatus is pulled out, the upper surface of the convex portion of the guide section is formed by the guide groove. Slide on the upper wall. At this time, the center of gravity of the cassette tray is above the bottom wall of the guide groove. Therefore, when the upper surface of the convex portion of the guide portion slides on the upper wall of the guide groove, the cassette tray is pulled out in the same posture as when the cassette tray has been fully assembled in the image forming apparatus. When the upper surface of the projection of the guide portion approaches the inclined surface, the center of gravity of the cassette tray comes off from above the bottom wall of the guide groove and starts to come out of the guide groove. For this reason, the cassette tray tends to be in a posture in which the portion on the near side in the pulling-out direction is lowered. However, when the upper surface of the convex portion of the guide portion passes through the inclined surface,
Since the protruding portion is lowered along the inclined surface, the cassette tray is pivoted slightly so that the cassette tray can be lifted with the fulcrum of the inclined surface of the guide portion on the near side in the insertion / removal direction. For this reason,
It is pulled out in almost the same posture as when it is fully embedded in the image forming apparatus. When the upper surface of the convex portion of the guide slides on the second parallel surface, the second parallel surface is located lower than the first parallel surface, so that the cassette tray is slightly rotated so as to be lifted. It is pulled out while maintaining. Therefore, even if the cassette tray is pulled out to the front, the cassette tray has almost the same posture as when the cassette tray is installed to the back of the image forming apparatus, or a posture in which the portion on the front side in the drawing direction is slightly raised, The posture of the cassette tray on the front side in the pulling-out direction does not lower. As a result, even if the cassette tray is pulled out many times, the recording medium can be stably stacked.

According to the second image forming apparatus of the present invention, similarly to the above-described first image forming apparatus, even if the cassette tray is pulled out to the foremost, the cassette tray remains at the back of the image forming apparatus. The posture is almost the same as that when the cassette tray is incorporated, or the posture on the front side in the drawing direction is slightly raised, and the posture on the front side in the drawing direction of the cassette tray is not lowered. As a result, even if the cassette tray is pulled out many times, the recording medium can be stably stacked.

In this case, a stopper is formed at a portion of the upper wall of the guide groove near the insertion / removal direction of the guide groove, which is in contact with the protrusion of the guide portion to prevent the protrusion from coming off the guide groove. When the cassette tray is used, the projection of the guide portion comes into contact with the stopper, thereby preventing the cassette tray from falling off.

In the case where the guide grooves are both smooth at the boundary between the first parallel surface and the inclined surface of the guide groove and at the boundary between the inclined surface and the second parallel surface of the guide groove, a cassette tray is provided. Can be put in and out smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a copying machine which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of an internal structure of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the universal cassette with the middle plate lowered.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the universal cassette with the middle plate raised.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the universal cassette shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing how a guide member moves in a guide groove.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Copier 16 Universal cassette 56 Guide member 58a Convex part 58b Top surface 59 Bottom surface 90 Guide groove 92 Bottom wall 94 Top wall 94a First parallel surface 94b Inclined surface 94c Second parallel surface

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A cassette tray formed with guide portions extending in the insertion / removal direction at both ends in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined insertion / removal direction, and a cassette tray incorporated in the input / output direction so as to be freely inserted / removed, wherein the guide portion is fitted. An image forming apparatus comprising: a guide groove that guides in the insertion and removal direction and a guide groove that extends in the insertion and removal direction, wherein the guide portion includes an upwardly-facing convex portion formed on a top portion of the upper surface of the guide portion in a depth in the insertion and removal direction. And an inclined surface formed at a portion of the bottom surface of the guide portion on the back side of the convex portion, the inclined surface being inclined downward from the depth in the insertion / removal direction toward the front, and the guide groove includes: A bottom wall on which a bottom surface of the guide portion slides; a first parallel surface extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall from the depth in the insertion direction toward the near side; An inclined surface that is continuously inclined further toward the bottom wall in a direction approaching the bottom wall from a portion near the front of the direction, and the inclined surface that is continuously further toward the front from a portion closer to the insertion / removal direction. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a second parallel surface extending substantially parallel to a bottom wall; and an upper wall on which an upper surface of a protrusion of the guide portion slides. 2. The cassette having an upwardly projecting portion of the guide portion abutting on the inclined surface of the guide groove and being drawn out, so that the convex portion follows the inclined surface and a predetermined portion on the bottom surface of the guide portion as a fulcrum. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray rotates. 3. A cassette tray which is formed at both ends in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined insertion / removal direction and which extends in the insertion / removal direction, and is incorporated in the guide groove so as to be capable of being inserted / removed in the input / output direction. An image forming apparatus having a guide portion that guides the guide groove in the insertion / removal direction and a guide portion extending in the insertion / removal direction, wherein the guide portion is formed at a portion of the lower surface of the guide portion that is closer to the input / output direction. A downward convex portion, and an inclined surface formed on a portion of the upper surface of the guide portion on the back side of the convex portion, the inclined surface being inclined upward from the near side in the insertion / removal direction toward the back; The groove includes: an upper wall on which the upper surface of the guide portion slides; a first parallel surface extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall from the front to the back in the insertion / removal direction; Of the inclined surface continuously inclined further inward from the deep portion in the inward / outward direction and approaching the upper wall, and further inclined from the deepest portion in the inward / outward direction of the inclined surface. And a lower wall on which a lower surface of the projection of the guide portion slides, wherein a second parallel surface extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall is formed toward the bottom wall. 4. The guide groove is in contact with the convex portion of the guide portion on a portion of the upper wall of the guide groove, which is nearer to the insertion / removal direction, to prevent the convex portion from coming off the guide groove. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stopper is formed. 5. The guide groove includes: a boundary portion between the first parallel surface and the inclined surface of the guide groove;
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both a boundary portion between the inclined surface and the second parallel surface of the guide groove are smooth.