JP4078139B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a door holding mechanism of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the image forming apparatus, for the processing of jammed paper or replacement of consumable parts of the apparatus, and in the paper feeding apparatus attached to the image forming apparatus, the exterior of the apparatus is supplied to replenish the sheet bundle for printing. In general, a door that also serves as a cover is configured to be openable and closable around a fulcrum shaft or a hinge.
[0003]
Many holding means for holding the door in an open state have also been put into practical use in order to ensure the workability of jam handling, consumable replacement or paper supply.
[0004]
Examples of the holding means include a method of fixing one end of a wire that holds an opened door to the apparatus frame, or a method of providing a holding lever that holds the hinge portion of the opened door on the apparatus frame.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with the recent increase in color and speed of image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus and the paper feeding apparatus tend to be larger and the structure thereof tends to be complicated. As a result, the door for jam handling, replacement of consumables or paper supply is also increased in size and the weight of the door itself is increased.
[0006]
For this reason, it is necessary to increase the strength of the door itself or the hinge portion and the door holding member for holding the door, which causes an increase in cost.
[0007]
Further, there are many cases where the door or the door holding member is damaged due to a trouble such as the user accidentally touching the open door or dropping a foreign object, and this countermeasure has been demanded.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to prevent damage to the door and the holding member, and to realize both door operability and door damage countermeasures with a simple configuration. and an image forming equipment.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a door that is openable and closable with respect to an apparatus main body, and a holding means that holds the door in a first position when the door is opened. Comprises an urging means for urging the door in a closing direction, and the door can be further opened from the first position against the urging force of the urging means. When in the first position, the door is not in contact with the floor on which the apparatus main body is installed, and when the door is further opened from the first position, the door is in contact with the floor. Thus, the movement in the opening direction of the door is restricted.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
<Embodiment 1>
Details of the image forming apparatus including the door holding mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment and a sheet feeding deck as a sheet feeding apparatus of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a door that also serves as an exterior cover of the sheet feeding deck is closed. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the upper door is opened, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the sheet feeding deck in a state in which the upper door and the side door are opened.
[0013]
In the figure, 1 is an image forming apparatus main body, 2 is a paper feed deck, 3 is an upper door, 4 is a side door, and 5 is a paper stacking base.
[0014]
First, schematic configurations of the paper feed deck and the image forming apparatus will be described.
[0015]
The sheet stacking table 5 in the sheet feeding deck 2 is suspended from a wire 6 via a pulley 7 and rises as the wire 7 is wound around the winding drum 8 with the door shown in FIG. The height of the sheet stacking table 5 is optimal so that the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle S on the sheet stacking table is fed by the sheet feeding roller 9 and smoothly enters the nip of the separation roller pair 10 by a sheet surface detection means and a controller (not shown). It is controlled to maintain a high height.
[0016]
When a paper feed signal is received from the image forming apparatus in this state, the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle S is fed by the paper feed roller 9, separated and fed one by one by the separation roller pair 10, and then the transport roller. 11 is fed into the image forming apparatus main body 1.
[0017]
The sheet S fed from the sheet feeding deck 2 is conveyed to the image forming unit 14 by the conveying roller 12 and the registration roller 13 to record an image. The image forming means in the present embodiment uses an electrophotographic system, and a photoreceptor and a developing device are mounted on the apparatus main body.
[0018]
When the sheet S is conveyed, a latent image is formed by irradiating the photosensitive drum with light corresponding to the image signal from the laser scanner in synchronization with this, and the latent image is developed with toner by a developing device. This makes it a visible image. The toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by applying a bias to the transfer roller, and the sheet S is conveyed to the fixing unit 15 and heated and fixed, and then discharged onto the discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 16.
[0019]
When a jam occurs inside the paper feed deck 2, the user opens the upper door 3 upward as shown in FIG. When the sensor (not shown) detects that the upper door has been opened, the controller lowers the paper stacking base 5. In this state, the user can access the jammed paper in a state where the user is sandwiched between the pair of separation rollers and the rear end is on the paper feed roller 9 side, and can remove the jammed paper.
[0020]
On the other hand, when there is no print paper in the paper feed deck 2, the user opens the side door 4 laterally at the same time as opening the upper door upward as shown in FIG. At this time, the side door 4 is held by a wire 18 having one end fixed to the frame of the paper feed deck 2. In this state, a sufficient space for stacking the sheet bundle S on the sheet stacking table 5 lowered to the lowest position is secured, so that the user can easily stack the sheet bundle on the sheet stacking table 5. .
[0021]
In addition, when the side door 4 is opened, a tension spring 19 is disposed at a connecting portion between the wire 18 that holds the side door 4 and the frame of the paper feed deck 2.
[0022]
When the user opens the side door 4, in a normal state, the side door 4 is held at a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. However, when an unexpected load is applied, such as when the user accidentally drops the sheet bundle onto the side door 4 or steps on the side door 4, the side door 4 resists the tension of the tension spring 19. 3 and moves to a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3, that is, a position where one side of the side door 4 contacts the floor. In the state described above, the load acting on the side door 4 can be supported by the floor surface, so that the side door 4 and the wire 18 are not damaged.
[0023]
By adopting this configuration, when an unexpected load is applied to the side door 4, the door will not be damaged, and when no load is generated, the side door may be grounded to the floor. Therefore, it is possible to secure a clue when closing the side door, and it is possible to prevent the side door that also serves as the exterior cover of the paper feed deck from being unintentionally soiled.
[0024]
<Embodiment 2>
Details of the image forming apparatus including the door holding mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a detailed view showing the open / close door portion. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of components that are not structurally and functionally changed are omitted.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a jam processing door that can be opened to the side of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0027]
A jam processing door 20 that is openable and closable around a fulcrum shaft 21 is provided substantially downstream of the fixing unit 15 with respect to the sheet S conveyance direction of the image forming apparatus 1, and between the fixing unit 15 and the discharge roller 16. When a jam occurs, the jam processing door 20 that also serves as a side exterior cover of the image forming apparatus can be opened to remove the jammed paper.
[0028]
A door holding arm 22 is attached to the fulcrum shaft 21 so as to be rotatable independently of the jam processing door 20, and one end thereof is rotated clockwise by a torsion coil spring 23 locked to a locking portion 24 of the image forming apparatus main body. Energized and locked in the position shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6a.
[0029]
The operation of removing the jammed paper remaining between the fixing unit 15 and the discharge roller 16 is performed by rotating the jam handling door 20 counterclockwise about the fulcrum shaft 21 and opening as shown in FIG. At this time, the jam processing door 20 is substantially fixed at a position where the protrusion 20 a protruding to a position substantially opposite to the cover holding arm 22 contacts the door holding arm 22.
[0030]
In the above-described state, a sufficient space for removing the jammed paper is secured on the conveyance path from the fixing unit 15 to the discharge roller 16. Further, the jam processing door 20 does not come into contact with the installation surface of the image forming apparatus, and a clue space for returning the jam processing door to the closed state is secured.
[0031]
On the other hand, when an unexpected load is applied, such as when the user accidentally touches the jam handling door 20, the jam handling door 20 and the door holding arm 22 resist the spring force of the torsion coil spring 23 around the fulcrum shaft 21. Then, it rotates counterclockwise and moves to the position shown in FIG. 6B, that is, the position where one side of the jam processing door 20 contacts the installation surface of the image forming apparatus. In the above state, the load acting on the jam handling door 20 can be supported by the floor surface, so that the jam handling door 20, the door holding arm 22 or the fulcrum shaft 21 is not damaged.
[0032]
<Reference example>
Details of an image forming apparatus including a door holding mechanism according to a reference example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0033]
7 to 9 are cross-sectional views of the image forming apparatus according to this reference example. Note that the same members as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of components that are not structurally and functionally changed are omitted.
[0034]
In this reference example, a consumable replacement door that can be opened above the image forming apparatus main body is described.
[0035]
Above the image forming apparatus 1, a cartridge door 25 that is a consumable part of the image forming apparatus 1 and for attaching and detaching a toner cartridge 14 as an image forming unit including a photosensitive drum is provided to be openable and closable around a fulcrum shaft 26. It has been.
[0036]
A door holding arm 22 is rotatably disposed around a shaft 22a at a position substantially opposite to the cartridge door 25, is urged by a tension spring 28, and is locked at a position shown in FIGS.
[0037]
The operation of replacing the toner cartridge 14 or removing the jammed paper staying in the image forming portion is performed by opening the cartridge door 25 counterclockwise around the fulcrum shaft 26 as shown in FIG. A protrusion 27a protruding at a position substantially opposite to the cover holding arm 22 is disposed on the hinge portion 27 formed integrally with the cartridge door 25. The protrusion 27a contacts the door holding arm 22 in the cartridge door 25. It is generally fixed in position.
[0038]
In the above state, a sufficient opening for taking out the toner cartridge 14 is secured at the top of the image forming apparatus 1. At this time, the weight of the cartridge door 25 is supported by the shaft 26 and the hinge portion 27.
[0039]
On the other hand, when an unexpected load is applied, such as when the user accidentally pushes the cartridge door 25 counterclockwise, the door holding arm 22 rotates clockwise around the fulcrum shaft 21 against the spring force of the tension spring 28. The cartridge door 25 moves to the position shown in FIG. 9, that is, the position where one side of the cartridge door 25 contacts the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus. In this state, since the load acting on the cartridge door 25 can be supported by the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus, the hinge portion 27, the door holding arm 22 or the fulcrum shaft 21 is not damaged.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the holding member that holds the door in the open state is urged by the spring, and when an excessive load is generated on the door, the door rotates against the spring force. By configuring the door so that it can move to a more stable state, it is possible to prevent damage to the door and the holding member, and it is possible to realize both door operability and countermeasures against door damage with a simple configuration. An effect is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view (with a door closed) of an image forming apparatus and a paper feed deck according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus and a paper feed deck according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention (only the upper door is open).
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet feeding deck according to the first embodiment of the present invention (a state where the upper and side doors are opened).
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention (a state in which an open / close door is closed).
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention (open / close door opened).
FIG. 6 is a detailed view showing an opening / closing door portion of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a reference example of the present invention (a state in which an open / close door is closed).
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a reference example of the present invention (a state in which an opening / closing door is opened).
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a reference example of the present invention (open / close door opened).
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Paper feed deck 3 Upper door 4 Side door 5 Paper loading stand 14 Image forming part 15 Fixing means 17 Paper discharge tray 18 Wire 19 Tension spring 20 Jam processing door 21 Supporting shaft 22 Door holding lever 23 Torsion coil spring 25 Cartridge door 26 fulcrum shaft 27 hinge portion 28 tension spring

Claims (1)

A door that is openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body; and a holding unit that holds the door in a first position when the door is opened. The holding unit biases the door in a closing direction. An image forming apparatus including a biasing unit, wherein the door can be further opened from the first position against a biasing force of the biasing unit;
When the door is in the first position, the door is not in contact with the floor surface on which the apparatus main body is installed, and when the door is further opened from the first position, the door is on the floor surface. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that movement in the opening direction of the door is regulated by contacting the door.

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