JPH113024A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a transfer material loading means from easily falling out from the device main body due to the vibration in the case the transfer material loading means is loaded to an image forming device main body, and to easily eject the transfer material loading means from the device main body with a small operation force in the case of replenishing a transfer material. SOLUTION: As for the image forming device provided with the image forming device main body equipped with an image forming part, the transfer material loading means 5 which is prepared for loading the transfer material to be fed to the image forming part and which is attached/detached to/from the device main body through an attachment port and an opening/closing cover 1 for opening/closing the attachment port, the opening/closing cover is freely rotatably supported by the device main body with the lower rotary shaft 1a as the center, and an abutting part 6 coming into contact with the cover near the center of rotation is installed on the transfer material loading means. And, the rotating moment of the cover 1 is reduced by the transfer material loading means so as not to easily open the opening/ closing cover.

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 an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copier / laser beam printer (LBP) and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows an example of an image forming apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an image forming apparatus main body, and 101 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is driven to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in a clockwise direction indicated by an arrow in the figure.

An original 110 is scanned by an optical lamp 102 and mirrors 103, 104, 105, 106, 10
The reflected light (hereinafter, referred to as image exposure) is bent by 7 and 108, and is irradiated on the photosensitive drum by the lens 109 so that the light is focused on the photosensitive drum. As a result, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum.
By means of 22, the toner is developed as a toner image using a toner as a developer. The image forming section is mainly formed by the photosensitive drum and the developing device.

On the other hand, a paper feed cassette 114 serving as a transfer material stacking means is mounted in an image forming apparatus main body through an attachment / detachment opening, and the transfer material S in the paper feed cassette is moved by a pickup roller 121 and a separation roller pair 111 to one sheet. The sheets are separated and fed one by one, and are conveyed to a registration roller pair 113 by a conveyance roller pair 112. The transfer material S is a registration roller pair 1
At 13, the image is sent to the transfer section at the timing when the leading end of the image on the photosensitive drum coincides with the leading end of the transfer material, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the transfer material S by transfer means 115 such as a roller.

The transfer material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 117 by the conveying device 116, and the toner image on the transfer material is fixed on the transfer material by the heat and pressure of the fixing roller pair. Thereafter, the transfer material is separated from the fixing roller by the separation claw 118, and is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body by the discharge roller 119.

Next, the attachment / detachment of the cassette as the transfer material loading means will be described. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cassette latch viewed from the right.

In the figure, reference numeral 131 denotes a handle, which is a component operated by a user. When pulling out the cassette, when pulling the handle 131, the handle rotates around the rotation center 132 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11, and the latch portion 133 provided integrally with the handle 131 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. The positioning plate 134 is released.

Next, FIGS. 12 and 13 are partial front sectional views of the latch portion. FIG.
Reference numeral 3 indicates a state in which the sheet stacking plate in the cassette is released.

In the figure, reference numeral 137 denotes a lifter motor,
Drive is transmitted to the gear 141 via 38, 139, 140. The gear 141 is provided with a rotation stop on the shaft 143, and the rotation drive is transmitted to the shaft 143. A tongue 144 is attached to the shaft 143 for raising the sheet stacking plate in the cassette.

When the user operates the handle 131 to pull out the cassette from the state shown in FIG. 12, the latch 133 is released from the positioning plate 134 as described above, and at the same time, the arm portion 135 formed integrally with the handle 131. Pushes down the lever 136, the lever 136 rotates around the shaft 143, and the cam portion 142 rotates the gear 140 around the rotation center of the gear 139 to release the engagement between the gear 140 and the gear 141.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the reaction force from the sheet stacking plate, the urging force of the urging spring 145, etc.
The shaft 143 rotates counterclockwise, and the tongue 144 retracts to the position shown. Here, naturally, the paper loading plate in the cassette is falling by its own weight. That is, in conjunction with the operation of pulling the handle by the user, the latch on the cassette side is released from the positioning plate, and the sheet stacking plate in the cassette is released. And as a conventional example shown below,
The cassette is fixed by engaging a hook attached to a main body of a pin provided on the cassette, and the cassette pin is released from the hook by an operation of pulling out the cassette, and the paper loading plate in the cassette is released.

FIGS. 14 to 17 show top views of this conventional example. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the cassette is mounted, and FIG. 15 shows a state in which the cassette is pulled out. FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of the cassette, and FIG. 17 is a side view of a gear train of the cassette.

In a state where the cassette is inserted,
The gear holder 153 and the gear 154 move in the axial direction,
Gear 154 meshes with gears 156,157.

Then, the drive of the lifter motor 155 is transmitted to the shaft 158 via the gears 160, 156, 154, 157, and 161 to rotate the tongue 159 attached to the shaft 158.

As in the above-described conventional example, the driving of the lifter motor 155 is transmitted, and the tongue 159 is rotated, whereby the sheet stacking plate in the cassette is raised to a predetermined position. Next, when the user removes the cassette, the cassette 151 is removed.
When the user pulls out the handle 152 provided on the image forming apparatus, the engagement between the cassette pin 162 and the hook 163 on the image forming apparatus main body side is released.

When the user pulls out the cassette, the gear holder 153 and the gear 154
4 moves in the axial direction, and the engagement between the gear 154 and the gear 157 is released. Then, gears 157, 16
1 is in a free state, the sheet stacking plate in the cassette falls by its own weight, and the user can completely pull out the cassette.

[0017]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following possibilities. First, in conjunction with the operation of pulling the handle, the latch on the cassette side is released from the positioning plate on the main body side, and the paper loading plate in the cassette is released. In such cases, a considerable force is required for the handle operation force for releasing the sheet stacking plate, and the operability of the user of the image forming apparatus may be reduced.

Also, without using a latch configuration, the pins provided on the cassette are regulated by spring-loaded hooks provided on the main body side, and the cassette pins are released from the hooks by pulling out the cassette. In the conventional example in which the sheet stacking plate in the inside is released, when vibration is applied to the image forming apparatus, for example, during an earthquake or during transportation of the image forming apparatus, the cassette may be pulled out of the image forming apparatus. As a countermeasure against this, if the spring urging force of the hook is increased, the operation force when the user tries to pull out the cassette is increased, and the operability is reduced.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and the cassette, that is, the transfer material stacking means is not pulled out of the apparatus main body without permission at the time of transportation of the image forming apparatus. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can be easily pulled out with a small force.

[0020]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus main body having an image forming unit, and a transfer material fed to the image forming unit. In an image forming apparatus having a transfer material stacking unit that is attached to and detached from the attachment / detachment opening and an opening / closing cover that opens and closes the attachment / detachment opening, the opening / closing cover is supported by the apparatus main body with its lower part as a center of rotation, and near the center of rotation. Wherein the abutting portion abutting on the opening / closing cover is provided on the transfer material stacking means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a handle portion for opening the opening / closing cover is provided on the opening / closing cover farther than the distance from the rotation center of the opening / closing cover to the abutting portion of the transfer material stacking means. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a transfer material loading means for loading a transfer material to be fed to the image forming unit, and attaching and detaching the transfer material to and from the apparatus main body through an opening. In an image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover for opening and closing an attaching / detaching opening, the opening / closing cover is supported by an apparatus main body with a lower portion thereof as a rotation center, and a handle operated when attaching / detaching the transfer material loading means. A lever having a first abutting portion driven by the handle and abutting on the opening / closing cover in the vicinity of the center of rotation of the opening / closing cover; and a lever located farther from the center of rotation of the opening / closing cover than the first abutting portion. A second abutting portion is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at the time of the operation of extracting the transfer material stacking means, the lever is turned via the handle to rotate the first material.
Is separated from the opening / closing cover, and thereafter, the second butting portion contacts the opening / closing cover to open the opening / closing cover.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a transfer material loading means for loading a transfer material to be fed to the image forming unit, and attaching and detaching the transfer material to and from the apparatus main body through an opening. In an image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover for opening / closing an opening / closing opening, the opening / closing cover is supported by the apparatus main body around a lower portion thereof, and a lever operated when the transfer material loading unit is attached to / detached from the opening / closing cover is rotatable. A first abutting portion provided to the transfer material stacking means and abutting against an end of a lever near a rotation center of the opening / closing cover; and a farther from the rotation center of the opening / closing cover than the first abutting portion. A second abutting portion is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, at the time of the operation of extracting the transfer material stacking means, the lever is rotated to release the engagement with the first butting portion, and thereafter the second butting portion is opened and closed. The opening and closing cover is opened by contacting the cover.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a first urging means for urging the transfer material loading means in the pull-out direction, a rotatable hook member, and a second urging force for urging the hook member are provided on the apparatus main body. Means is provided, the transfer material loading means is provided with an engaged member which engages with the hook member, and when the transfer material loading means is mounted on the apparatus main body, the force in the pullout direction of the first urging means is reduced. In contrast, the second urging means maintains the engagement between the hook member and the engaged member.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the engaged member is formed of a pin, and the hook member is constantly urged by a second urging means. Is temporarily retracted to the non-engagement position and then engages with the pin, and is moved to the non-engagement position by the force exerted on the pin by the user via the opening / closing cover when the transfer material stacking means is extracted. It is characterized by that.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a drawing showing best the features of the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic side view of a cassette mounting portion of an image forming apparatus.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes an opening / closing cover for opening / closing a loading / unloading opening of the transfer material loading means, ie, a cassette front cover, 2 a cover pin, 3 a hook member, and 4 a biasing means for biasing the hook member. 5 is a cassette as transfer material loading means, 6 is a first abutting portion, 7 is a cassette rail, 8 is a cassette biasing spring, 9 is a cassette front cover handle, 10
Denotes a cassette position adjusting screw.

The drive for raising the paper stacking plate in the cassette 5 is omitted from the drawings, but has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the cassette device shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, when the cassette urging spring 8 urges the cassette 5 to the left in the figure, the first butting portion 6 abuts on the cassette front cover 1 and the cassette 5
Has been positioned.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the first butting portion 6. In the figure, 11 is a square member integrally formed with the cassette, 12
Is a position adjustment frame. By loosening the screw 10 in FIG. 1, the position adjusting piece 12 can be moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 with respect to the square member 11, and after correcting the position, the screw is tightened again to make the first abutment. The position of the part 6 can be adjusted. Thus, the position of the cassette can be adjusted with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, and the image position with respect to the transfer material such as paper is adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first butting portion 6 is in contact with the vicinity of the center of rotation of the front cover 1 of the cassette. Even when vibration is applied, the moment when the cassette 5 pushes the cassette front cover 1 open is small. For this reason, the spring force of the hook urging spring 4 that holds the cassette front cover 1 can be extremely suppressed.

Further, since the handle 9 for the user to open the cassette front cover 1 is located at a position away from the center of rotation of the cassette front cover 1, a large moment in the opening direction can be given to the front cover. Therefore, the operation force for opening the cassette front cover 1 can be reduced. At this time, the hook member moves to the non-engagement position by the pin 2 moving on the inner tapered portion of the hook portion, and the engagement with the pin is released. Then, when the cassette front cover 1 is opened, the cassette 5 jumps out to the near side by the cassette urging spring 8, and the user can supply the transfer material to the cassette. Then, the cassette in which the transfer material is replenished is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the front cover is rotated in the closing direction.
The hook member urged to the engaging position by the pin 2 is moved in the non-engaging direction by engaging the pin 2 with the outer tapered portion of the hook portion, and the hook member is moved to the engaging position after the pin passes through the hook portion. To engage the pin.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show the features of the second embodiment of the present invention best. Components common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the drawing, 15 is a handle, 16 is a second abutting portion, 17 is a lever, 18 is a lever biasing spring, 19 is a lever rotation shaft, and 20 is a front cover opening. The butting portion 16 and the rotating shaft 19 are indicated by 16a, 16b, 19a, and 19b, respectively, in the left and right portions of FIG.

Here, only the configuration specific to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, similarly to the first embodiment, when the cassette urging spring 8 urges the cassette to the left in the figure, the first butting portion 6 abuts on the cassette front cover 1. , The cassette 5 is positioned.

When the user attempts to pull out the cassette by inserting his hand through the opening 20 of the cassette front cover 1 and pulling the handle 15, the lever 17 rotates about the lever rotation shaft 20 as shown in FIG. The first butting portion 6 is retracted from the cassette front cover 1.

The retracted amount is defined as a, and the second abutting portion 1
A> b, where b is the distance between the front cover 6 and the cassette front cover 1
It is set to be.

When the user pulls the handle as it is,
The second butting portion 16 comes into contact with the cassette front cover 1. As shown, the second abutting portion 16 is provided above the cassette 5, that is, at a position away from the center of rotation of the cassette front cover 1. The moment in the opening direction is very large.

For this reason, the user can operate the cassette 5 with a light force.
And the cassette front cover 1 can be opened as it is.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are drawings showing the features of the third embodiment of the present invention best.

In the figure, 25 is a small cover, 26 is a lever, 2
Reference numeral 7 denotes a lever biasing spring, and reference numeral 28 denotes a cassette handle.

Here, only the configuration specific to the third embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, as in the first embodiment, the first abutting portion 6 is provided on the cassette front cover 1 by the cassette urging spring 8 urging the cassette leftward in the figure. The cassette 5 is positioned by contact with the lever 26 that has been moved.

When the user attempts to pull out the cassette 5 and inserts his hand through the opening 20 of the cassette front cover 1 and lowers the small cover 25, the lever 26 rotates and the first
One end of the lever which has been in contact with the abutting portion 6 is retracted.

The first butting portion 6 in the retracted state
If the horizontal distance from the lever to the lever is c, and the distance between the second butting portion 16 and the cassette front cover 1 is d, c> d is set.

The user holds the cassette handle 28 as it is.
And the cassette 5 is pulled out, the second abutting portion 16 comes into contact with the cassette front cover 1. As shown, the second abutting portion 16 is provided above the cassette 5, that is, at a position away from the center of rotation of the cassette front cover 1. The opening moment given to 1 is very large.

Thus, the user can pull out the cassette 5 with a light force and open the cassette front cover 1 as it is.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The transfer material stacking means and the opening / closing cover are formed separately, and the opening / closing cover is rotatably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the transfer material stacking means itself or the transfer material stacking means near the rotation center of the opening / closing cover. So that it comes into contact with the lever
By providing a fixed or rotatable first abutting portion on the transfer material loading means, and by providing a handle of the open / close cover at a position away from the center of rotation, when the transfer material loading means is mounted, Since the first abutting portion of the transfer material loading means is in contact with the vicinity of the center of rotation of the opening / closing cover, the moment for opening the opening / closing cover can be suppressed to a small value. When the transfer material stacking means is to be pulled out, pull the handle of the open / close cover provided at a position distant from the center of rotation to open the open / close cover. The operating force for pulling the handle of the opening / closing cover can be reduced, and the transfer material loading means can be prevented from popping out due to the vibration of the transfer material loading means. It can be achieved both in the operation of chromatography.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an abutting portion in the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a main part of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a main part plan view of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a main part of a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a main part plan view of a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state where a cassette is mounted on a conventional image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a sheet stacking plate of a conventional cassette.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the operation of a sheet loading plate of a conventional cassette.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a sheet stacking plate of a conventional cassette.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a sheet stacking plate of a conventional cassette.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the operation of a sheet loading plate of a conventional cassette.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of an operation of a sheet loading plate of a conventional cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Opening / closing cover 1A ... Rotating shaft 2 ... Engagement member (pin) 3 ... Hook member 4, 8 ... Spring 5 ... Transfer material loading means 6 ... 1st butting part 15 ... Handle 16 ... 2nd thrust Abutment 17, 26 ... Lever 20 ... Opening

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a transfer material to be fed to the image forming unit, a transfer material loading unit to be detachably mounted on the apparatus main body through a mounting opening, and an opening and closing opening. In the image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover, the opening / closing cover is supported by the apparatus main body with its lower part as a center of rotation, and an abutting portion contacting the opening / closing cover near the center of rotation is provided on the transfer material loading means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 2. A handle for opening the cover, which is farther than the distance from the center of rotation of the cover to the abutting portion of the transfer material stacking means, is provided on the cover. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1. 3. An image forming apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a transfer material to be fed to the image forming unit, a transfer material loading means to be detachably mounted on the apparatus main body through a mounting opening, and an opening and closing opening. In the image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover, the opening / closing cover is supported by the apparatus main body with its lower part as a center of rotation, and the transfer material loading means is provided with a handle operated when attaching / detaching the transfer material loading means; A lever that is driven and has a first abutting portion that comes into contact with the opening / closing cover near the center of rotation of the opening / closing cover; and a second lever that is located farther from the center of rotation of the opening / closing cover than the first abutting portion. An image forming apparatus provided with an abutting portion. 4. An operation for unloading the transfer material stacking means, wherein a lever is rotated via a handle to separate the first abutting portion from the opening / closing cover, and thereafter, the second abutting portion is moved to the opening / closing cover. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the opening / closing cover is opened by contacting the opening. 5. An image forming apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a transfer material to be fed to the image forming unit, a transfer material loading means to be detachably mounted on the apparatus main body through a mounting opening, and an opening and closing opening. In the image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover, the opening / closing cover is supported by the apparatus main body with a lower portion thereof as a rotation center, and a lever operated when attaching / detaching transfer material stacking means is rotatably provided on the opening / closing cover, A first abutting portion that contacts the end of the lever near the center of rotation of the opening and closing cover, and a second abutting portion that is farther from the center of rotation of the opening and closing cover than the first abutting portion. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an abutting portion. 6. An operation for extracting the transfer material stacking means, wherein the lever is rotated to release the engagement with the first abutting portion, and thereafter, the second abutting portion abuts on the opening / closing cover. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the opening / closing cover is opened by opening. 7. The apparatus main body is provided with a first urging means for urging the transfer material stacking means in a pull-out direction, a rotatable hook member, and a second urging means for urging the hook member. The transfer material loading means is provided with an engaged member that engages with the hook member. When the transfer material loading means is mounted on the apparatus body, the transfer material loading means resists the force in the pull-out direction of the first urging means,
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engagement between the hook member and the engaged member is maintained by the second urging means. 8. The engaging member is formed by a pin, and the hook member is constantly urged by a second urging means, and is temporarily disengaged by the pin when the transfer material stacking means is mounted. Engaged with the pin after being retracted to the mating position, and
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the transfer material stacking unit is extracted, the transfer member is moved to a non-engagement position by a force exerted on the pin via an opening / closing cover by a user.