JP2002293454A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of preventing the fall of manual insertion tray even if the tray is turned to be operated with a device provided freely to contact and separate with/from a main body when opening the device provided to be turned to freely contact and separate with/from a main body. SOLUTION: This image forming device has an image forming device main body, the device to be turned to contact or separate with/from the main body, and the manual insertion tray 84 provided to be turned to contact or separate with/from the main body. A turning support point of the described device and a turning support point of the manual insertion tray 84 are different from each other. A holding mechanism 74 is provided in each of the described device and the manual insertion tray 84, and the holding mechanism 74 follows a relative change of the described device and the manual insertion tray 84 when they are turned, and maintains the holding condition of the manual insertion tray 84.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus used in an image forming apparatus, which is provided on a main body of a double-sided recording apparatus or the like so as to be detachable from the main body, and is separated from the main body by turning the main body. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a manually accessible tray, and more particularly, to a technique for preventing a manual tray from falling.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art related to the present invention, there is JP-A-8-146689. The publication discloses that in an image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus main body and a plurality of peripheral modules which are connected to the image forming apparatus main body to extend the functions of the apparatus, the plurality of peripheral modules can be attached. There is disclosed a technique in which a reference module is provided, and peripheral modules are configured to be swingable via a support shaft of the reference module.

[0003]

In recent years, an optional device used in an image forming apparatus, which is provided on a main body of a double-sided recording device or the like so as to be detachable from the main body, and which is rotated by the main body. 2. Description of the Related Art A type of image forming apparatus having a manual feed tray which can be freely attached and detached has been widely used. In such an image forming apparatus, with the opening operation of the optional device provided detachably by rotating to the main body, the manual feed tray also operates together, so that the opening of the optional device exceeds a certain angle. If it is tilted, the manual feed tray falls due to its own weight, causing a problem that the manual feed tray pops out carelessly during operation. In order to prevent such a problem, there has been known a device in which a spring for rotating the manual feed tray in a counterclockwise direction is interposed at a fulcrum of the manual feed tray to prevent the manual feed tray from dropping due to its own weight. However, if such a strong spring is interposed,
Needless to say, it is necessary to control the spring accuracy, and there is a problem that the space is restricted and the cost is increased. Therefore, the present invention
During the opening operation of the device provided so as to be able to freely contact and separate by rotating with respect to the main body, even if the manual feed tray operates together with the device provided so as to be able to freely attach and detach by rotating.
It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus that does not fall.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus main body, an apparatus provided so as to be detachable from the main body by rotating the main body, and a device separated from the main body by rotating the main body. In an image forming apparatus having a freely-supplied manual feed tray and a rotation fulcrum of the apparatus different from a rotation fulcrum of the manual feed tray, an apparatus and a manual feed tray which are provided so as to be detachable by being rotated by the rotation The holding mechanism is provided for each of the following, and the holding mechanism follows the relative change at the time of rotation of the device and the manual feed tray that are provided so as to be able to be separated and contacted by the rotation,
The most important feature is an image forming apparatus that maintains the holding state of the manual feed tray. According to the second aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the main feature of the image forming apparatus is that the holding mechanism is a link mechanism.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electrophotographic color printer (hereinafter, referred to as a color printer) as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. First, a schematic configuration and operation of a color printer will be described with reference to FIG. The color printer 1 includes a photoconductor unit 10, a writing optical unit 20, a developing unit 30, an intermediate transfer unit 40, a secondary transfer unit 50, and a fixing unit 6.
0, double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70, paper feeding unit 80
And so on. Black: Black (hereinafter, referred to as Black)
Bk), Cyan: cyan (hereinafter, referred to as C),
Magenta: Magenta (hereinafter referred to as M), Yel
low: Yellow (hereinafter, referred to as Y) color images are sequentially visualized on the photoreceptor belt 11 of the photoreceptor unit 10, and these are superimposed to form a final four-color full-color image.

The photoreceptor belt 11 rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow A. Around the photoreceptor cleaning device 1,
2, a charging roller 13, a selected developing unit of the developing unit 30, an intermediate transfer belt 41 of the intermediate transfer unit 40, and the like. The photoreceptor belt 11 includes the driving roller 1
4, which is stretched between the primary transfer facing roller 15 and the stretching roller 16 and is rotated in the direction of arrow A by a drive motor (not shown). When the photoconductive belt 11 having a seam is used, a seam mark is provided in a non-image forming area at the end of the photoconductive belt 11, detection is performed by a sensor (not shown), and an image is formed avoiding the seam. The writing optical unit 20 converts color image data into optical signals, performs optical writing corresponding to each color image, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor belt 11. The writing optical unit 20 includes a semiconductor laser 2 as a light source.
1, a laser emission drive controller (not shown), a polygon mirror 22, three reflection mirrors 23a, b, c, and the like. The developing unit 30 includes a Bk developing unit 31K, a C developing unit 31C, an M developing unit 31M, and a Y developing unit 3M.
1Y, and a contact / separation mechanism (not shown) that moves each developing unit in the left-right direction in the drawing to perform a contact / separation operation with respect to the photosensitive belt 11. Each of the developing devices 31K, C, M, and Y includes a developing sleeve 32K, C, M, and Y that rotates while supporting a developer on the surface to develop an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 11.
Y, developer paddles 33K, C, M, and Y that rotate to pump and agitate the developer, and developer storage cases 34K, C, M, and Y that store the developer. In each of the developer storage cases 34K, C, M, and Y, a one-component developer including toner of each color is stored as a developer. In the illustrated example, Bk containing black toner, developing unit 31K, C developing unit 31C containing cyan toner, M developing unit 31M containing magenta toner, and Y developing unit 31Y containing yellow toner are arranged in order from the lower side of the apparatus main body. It has become. Each developing unit 31K, C, M, Y
Is charged to a predetermined polarity, and a developing bias is applied to each of the developing sleeves 32K, C, M, and Y by a developing bias power supply (not shown).
K, C, M, and Y are biased to a predetermined potential with respect to the photoconductor belt 11. When the electromagnetic clutch (not shown) for transmitting the drive from the motor (not shown) to each of the developing units 31K, C, M, and Y is turned on, the drive mechanism uses the driving force to drive the developer accommodating case 34K, C, M , Y are moved to the photoreceptor belt 11 side (right side in the figure). At the time of development, any one of the developing devices 31K, C, M, and Y moves and comes into contact with the photosensitive belt 11. On the other hand, when the electromagnetic clutch is turned off and the drive transmission is released, the developing device that has been in contact with the photoreceptor belt 11 moves in a direction away from the photoreceptor belt 11 (left side in the figure).

In the standby state of the main body of the color printer, the developing unit 30 has all of the developing units 31K, C, M, and Y set at positions separated from the photoreceptor belt 11. Optical writing with a laser beam and formation of an electrostatic latent image are started based on the image data (hereinafter, an electrostatic latent image based on Bk image data is referred to as a Bk electrostatic latent image. The same applies to C, M, and Y). Before the front end of the electrostatic latent image reaches the Bk development position so that development can be performed from the front end of the Bk electrostatic latent image, the Bk developing sleeve 32K is started to rotate, and the Bk electrostatic latent image is filled with Bk toner. develop. Thereafter, the developing operation of the Bk electrostatic latent image area is continued.
When the trailing edge of the k electrostatic latent image passes through the Bk development position,
The k developing device 31k is separated from the photosensitive belt 11, and the developing device for the next color immediately contacts the photosensitive belt 11. This is completed at least before the leading end of the electrostatic latent image based on the next image data reaches the developing position. The intermediate transfer unit 40 includes an intermediate transfer belt 41, a belt cleaning device 42, a position detection sensor 43, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is stretched around a drive roller 44, a primary transfer roller 45, a secondary transfer opposing roller 46, a cleaning opposing roller 47, and a tension roller 48, and is driven and controlled in a direction indicated by an arrow B by a drive motor (not shown). . A plurality of position detection marks (not shown) are provided in the non-image forming area at the end of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and one of these position detection marks (the position detection mark The position detection sensor 43 first detects the position detection mark that has passed through the position sensor 43, and starts image formation at this detection timing. The belt cleaning device 42 includes a cleaning brush 42a, a contact / separation mechanism (not shown), and the like.
While the Bk image of the color is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the images of the second, third, and fourth colors are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41.
During the transfer, the cleaning brush 42a is separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the contact / separation mechanism. The toner cleaned from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 is stored in a waste toner tank 49 provided inside the intermediate transfer unit 40.

Further, the paper feed unit 8 of the color printer 1
In the configuration 0, the paper is fed and conveyed in the direction of the registration roller pair 83 by the transfer paper cassette 81 containing the transfer paper and the paper feed rollers 82a, 82b, and 82c. In the main body on the right side of the color printer 1, a manual feed tray 84 for mounting and feeding OHP paper, thick paper, and recording paper of a non-standard size is fixed. Further, the secondary transfer unit 5
Reference numeral 0 denotes a swing mechanism (not shown) provided with a clutch or the like for moving the secondary transfer roller 51 toward and away from the intermediate transfer belt 41. The secondary transfer roller 51 swings about the rotation axis of the swing mechanism in synchronization with the timing at which the transfer paper reaches the transfer position. This 2
The transfer paper and the intermediate transfer belt 41 are brought into contact with each other at a constant pressure by the next transfer roller 51 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 46. The position accuracy of the parallelism of the secondary transfer roller 51 with the secondary transfer opposing roller 46 is maintained by a positioning member (not shown) provided in the intermediate transfer unit 40. Also,
The secondary transfer roller 51 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 41 is moved by a positioning roller (not shown) provided on the secondary transfer roller 51.
The contact pressure is kept constant. At the same time when the secondary transfer roller 51 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 51, and the superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is collectively transferred onto transfer paper. The above units can be easily detached from the apparatus. For example, in FIG. 1, when removing the intermediate transfer unit 40, the front cover (not shown) is opened, and the unit can be easily removed by sliding the unit from the back side to the front side of the paper. In the color printer 1 having the above configuration, when the image forming cycle is started, first, the photosensitive belt 11 is rotated clockwise by an arrow A, and the intermediate transfer belt 41 is rotated counterclockwise by an arrow B by a drive motor (not shown). . A position detection mark (not shown) provided on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is detected by a position detection sensor 43, and a Bk toner image and a C toner image are formed on the photoreceptor belt 11 according to the detection timing of the position detection mark. , M toner image formation, Y toner image formation,
Finally, a toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the order of Bk, C, M, and Y. At this time, the bias applied to the primary transfer roller 45 generally increases the voltage sequentially, but differs depending on the resistance characteristics of the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the like.

The Bk toner image is formed as follows. The charging roller 13 is driven by an applied voltage of a power source (not shown).
Charges the photoreceptor belt 11 uniformly. Then, the laser light LD for writing performs exposure based on the Bk color image signal. When this exposure is carried out, the exposed portion of the photoreceptor belt 11 which is initially uniformly charged loses the charge proportional to the amount of exposure light, and a Bk electrostatic latent image is formed. Then, Bk on the Bk developing sleeve 32K is added to the Bk electrostatic latent image.
By contacting the k toner, the toner does not adhere to the portion of the photoreceptor belt 11 where the charge remains, and the Bk toner is adsorbed to the portion having no charge, that is, the exposed portion.
A Bk toner image similar to the electrostatic latent image is formed. And
The Bk toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 11 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 41 at the primary transfer position. This one
At the next transfer position, the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the photosensitive belt 1 are moved by the primary transfer roller 45 and the primary transfer opposing roller 15.
A nip is formed between the first transfer roller 4 and the first transfer roller 4.
5, the Bk toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the Bk toner image. A small amount of the untransferred residual toner on the photoreceptor belt 11 is transferred to the photoreceptor cleaning device 1 in preparation for reuse of the photoreceptor belt 11.
Cleaned in 2. The collected toner is stored in a waste toner tank (not shown) via a collection pipe. On the photoreceptor belt 11 side, the process proceeds to the C image forming process after the Bk image forming process, and the writing by the laser light LD based on the C image data is performed according to the detection timing of the position detection sensor 43, and the C electrostatic latent image is formed. Is formed. And
After the trailing edge of the previous Bk electrostatic latent image has passed and before the leading edge of the C electrostatic latent image has arrived, the Bk developing device retreats from the developing position, and the C developing device C is set to the developing position. Then, the C electrostatic latent image is developed with the C toner. Thereafter, the development of the C electrostatic latent image area is continued, but when the rear end of the C electrostatic latent image passes,
As in the case of the Bk developing device B, the C developing device C retreats from the developing position, and moves the next M developing device M to the developing position.
This is also completed before the leading end of the next M electrostatic latent image reaches the developing position. The M and Y image forming processes are the same as the processes of Bk and C described above, since the operations of forming and developing the electrostatic latent image are the same as those of the processes of Bk and C described above. The Bk, C, M, and Y toner images sequentially formed on the photoreceptor belt 11 are sequentially aligned on the same surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 to form a four-color superimposed toner image.
In the next transfer step, the four color toner images are collectively transferred to transfer paper.

At the time when the image forming operation is started, the transfer paper is fed from either the transfer paper cassette 81 or the manual feed tray 84, and stands by at the nip of the pair of registration rollers 83. When the leading end of the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 approaches the secondary transfer roller 51, the registration roller pair 83 is driven so that the leading end of the transfer paper coincides with the leading end of the toner image. The transfer paper and the toner image are aligned. Then, the transfer paper is superimposed on the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 and passes through the secondary transfer position. At this time, the transfer paper is charged by the transfer bias by the secondary transfer roller 51, and most of the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper. The transfer paper on which the four-color superimposed toner image is collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is
The toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 60 and is fused and fixed at the nip between the fixing belt 61 and the pressure roller 62 controlled at a predetermined temperature, sent out of the apparatus main body (in the direction of arrow C), and turned face down to the manual feed tray 84. To get a full color copy. On the other hand, the surface of the photoreceptor belt 11 after the primary transfer is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning device 12 and is uniformly discharged by a discharge lamp (not shown).
Further, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 after the transfer of the toner image to the transfer paper is cleaned by pressing the cleaning brush 42a of the belt cleaning device 42 by the contact / separation mechanism. The toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is stored in a waste toner tank 49. After the images are collectively transferred, the toner image is fused and fixed by the fixing unit 60 and sent out of the apparatus main body. When performing double-sided printing, the transfer paper that has passed through the fixing unit 60 is guided by the double-sided switching claw 85 in the direction of arrow D and sent to the double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70. After the rear end of the transfer paper has passed the reversing switching claw 71, the reversing roller pair 72 stops, and the transfer paper also stops. Then, the reversing roller pair 72 starts reverse rotation after a certain blank time, and the transfer paper starts switchback. At this time, the reversing switching claw 71 is switched, and the transfer sheet is guided in the direction of arrow E and sent to the registration roller pair 82. The transfer paper sent to the pair of registration rollers 82 stands by at the nip of the pair of registration rollers 82 in a state where the transfer paper is turned upside down. Then, the registration roller pair 82 is driven at a predetermined timing, the transfer paper is sent to the secondary transfer position, and the four-color superimposed toner image is collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 41, and then the toner image is fused by the fixing unit 60. Is established,
It is sent out of the device body.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to such an image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram in which the double-sided printing sheet reversing unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 1 indicated by a thick chain line in FIG.
When the double-sided printing sheet reversing unit 70 is opened in the direction of arrow D, the manual feed tray 84 provided with a fulcrum Q outside the double-sided printing sheet reversing unit 70 also initially accompanies. However, when the double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70 rotates by a certain angle or more due to the difference between the two fulcrums, the manual feed tray 84 separates from the double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70, and moves in the direction of arrow E by its own weight. Drops sharply. Such a drop poses a problem from the viewpoint of safety for the operator who has opened the duplex paper reversing unit 70. Therefore, in the present invention, such a fall is to be prevented. Based on FIG.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 3A shows a state before opening, that is, a state where the manual feed tray 84 is in contact with the double-sided printing sheet reversing unit 70. Reference numeral 73 in the figure denotes a long hole formed in the double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70.
A swinging holding mechanism 74 having a magnet 75 disposed on the side of the manual feed tray 84 is pivotally supported, and the swinging holding mechanism 7
Numeral 4 is configured to be slidable in the elongated hole. On the other hand, a holding mechanism including a plate 76 made of a magnetic material such as iron (Fe) is disposed on the manual tray at a position facing the magnet 75. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3B, even when the double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70 is rotated by a certain angle or more, the Fe plate 76 of the manual feed tray 84 is attracted to the magnet 75 and is not easily separated.
In addition, since the holding mechanism 74 that swings in the long hole formed in the double-sided printing sheet reversing unit 70 slides, the displacement caused by the difference in the fulcrum between the two is absorbed, and the holding can be performed without difficulty. .

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the holding mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a state before opening, that is, a state in which the manual feed tray 84 is in contact with the double-sided printing sheet reversing unit 70. In the figure, reference numeral 73 denotes a long hole formed in the double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70, and a shaft 77 is inserted into the long hole 73, and the shaft 77 can slidably move through the long hole 73. On the other hand, on the side of the manual feed tray 84, a holding member 78 having one end fixed to the manual feed tray 84 and the other end having a hook for locking the shaft 77 is disposed.
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4B, even if the double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70 is rotated by a certain angle or more, the holding member 78 having the hook portion of the manual feed tray 84 locks the shaft 77. Does not leave easily. In addition, since the shaft 77 slides in the long hole formed in the double-sided printing sheet reversing unit 70, the displacement caused by the difference between the fulcrums of the two can be absorbed, so that the holding can be performed without difficulty.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus main body, an apparatus provided so as to be detachable by rotating the main body, and a device provided so as to be detachable by rotating the main body. An image forming apparatus having a manual feed tray, and a rotation fulcrum of the apparatus and a rotation fulcrum of the manual tray are different.
A holding mechanism is provided for each of the device and the manual feed tray that are provided so as to be able to be separated and contacted by the above-mentioned rotation, and the device that is provided so as to be freely contactable and detachable when the holding mechanism is rotated when the manual tray is turned. , And the holding state of the manual feed tray is maintained.Therefore, during the operation of opening the device that is provided to be detachable by rotating the main body, It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which an unexpected drop can be prevented, protection of the apparatus and safety for a user can be secured, and operability is improved. According to claim 2, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
Since the holding mechanism is a link mechanism, it is possible to prevent the manual feed tray from falling unexpectedly with a very simple configuration,
The protection of the apparatus and the safety for the user can be ensured, and an image forming apparatus with improved operability can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a state explanatory view illustrating a state in which an apparatus provided so as to be detachable by rotating to a main body of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is opened.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 color printer, 10 photoreceptor unit, 11 photoreceptor belt, 12 photoreceptor cleaning device, 13 charging roller, 14 drive roller 14, 15 primary transfer opposing roller, 16 stretch roller, 20 writing optical unit, 21 semiconductor laser, 22 polygon mirror, 23
a, b, c reflection mirror, 30 developing unit, 31K
Bk developing device, 31CC developing device, 31MM developing device,
31Y Y developing unit, 32K, C, M, Y developing sleeve, 33K, C, M, Y developer paddle, 34K, C,
M, Y developer storage case, 40 intermediate transfer unit,
41 intermediate transfer belt, 42 belt cleaning device,
42a cleaning brush, 43 position detection sensor, 44 drive roller, 45 primary transfer roller, 462
Next transfer opposed roller, 47 Cleaning opposed roller, 4
8 tension roller, 49 waste toner tank, 50
Secondary transfer unit, 51 Secondary transfer roller, 60 Fixing unit, 61 Fixing belt, 62 Pressure roller, 70
Double-sided printing paper reversing unit, 71 reversal switching claw, 72
Reversing roller pair, 73 slot, 74 holding mechanism, 75
Magnet, 76 plate, 77 axis, 78 holding member, 80 paper feed unit, 81 transfer paper cassette, 82
a, b, c Feed rollers, 83 Registration roller pair, 84
Bypass tray, 85 paper output tray.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body; an apparatus rotatably attached to and detachable from the main body; and a manual feed tray rotatably provided to and from the main body. In an image forming apparatus in which the rotation fulcrum of the apparatus and the rotation fulcrum of the manual feed tray are different from each other, a holding mechanism is provided for each of the apparatus and the manual feed tray which are provided so as to be detachable by rotating, and the holding mechanism is provided. An image forming apparatus that maintains the holding state of the manual feed tray by following a relative change when the manual feed tray and the device provided so as to be able to freely contact and separate by rotating the manual feed tray. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the holding mechanism is a link mechanism.