JP4596081B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can keep a space required for installation small.

  For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-97354, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-40168, and the like disclose laser beam printers in which process units can be exchanged.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 6-97354 Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-40168

  However, in the printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-97354, the upper part of the printer is opened and the process unit is exchanged, so that the space above the printer cannot be used effectively. In the printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-40168, the process unit is attached and detached in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the attachment and detachment direction of the paper feed cassette. For this reason, in addition to the space for attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette that is normally secured, a space for replacing the process unit is required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has a small installation area and can effectively use a surrounding space.

The invention according to claim 1 is disposed below the housing (2), and is disposed above the paper feeding cassette (10) in the housing (2) , and a paper feeding cassette (10) that accommodates stacked sheets. , the paper fed from the paper feed cassette (10), the image and the image forming means (20, 40, 50) which forms a by an electrophotographic method, image forming means (20, 40 in the housing (2), 50), a paper discharge unit on which the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming means (20, 40, 50) is discharged and stacked, and a paper feed cassette on the front side of the housing (2) (10) and a paper feed roller (14, etc.) provided between the image forming means (20, 40, 50).
The paper feed roller (14, etc.) transports the paper from the paper feed cassette (10) and makes a U-turn from the front side to the back side of the housing (2). 20, 40, 50), and after the image is formed, the U-turn from the back side to the front side of the housing (2) is arranged above the image forming means (20, 40, 50). In the image forming apparatus discharged to the paper discharge unit, a paper feed cassette storage unit that detachably stores the paper feed cassette (10) in the horizontal direction is provided below the housing (2). 2), an opening (34) for attaching and detaching the image forming unit (20) constituting a part of the image forming means (20, 40, 50) is formed, and the opening (34) is formed. Paper feed for attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette (10) to the front of the case (2) An opening for setting is formed, and the image forming unit (20) develops the single photosensitive drum (21) and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (21), and the photosensitive drum A single developing means (25, etc.) provided on the front side of the housing (2) relative to the body drum (21), and an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum above the image forming unit (20). An exposure unit (40) for forming an image is provided, and the paper discharge unit is provided such that the stacking surface is inclined upward from the back surface of the housing (2) toward the front surface of the housing (2). The exposure means (40) is provided so as to cover at least a part of the photosensitive drum (21) and the developing means (25, etc.), and the surface facing the image forming unit (20) is the opening (34). The image forming unit is provided so as to be inclined upward toward the casing (2) toward the 20) and the paper feeding cassette (10) is characterized in that it is removable from the front side of each housing (2).

  In the present invention, since the paper feed cassette storage unit, the image forming means (20, 40, 50) and the paper discharge unit (70) are arranged in the vertical direction, the installation area of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed. In addition, since the image forming unit (20) is detachable from the front surface of the housing (2), for example, when the image forming unit (20) is detached from the upper surface side of the housing (2), the housing ( It is not necessary to open the upper surface side of 2). Furthermore, since the opening for attaching and detaching the image forming unit (20) and the opening for paper feed cassette are arranged in front of the housing (2), a space for attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette (10). The image forming unit (20) can be attached and detached using. Therefore, when attaching / detaching the image forming unit (20), it is not necessary to open the periphery of the image forming apparatus.

  Furthermore, since the image forming unit (20) and the paper feed cassette (10) are configured to be detachable from the front side of the casing (2), it is only necessary to open the front side of the casing (2). The image forming unit (20) can be attached and detached and the paper feed cassette (10) can be attached and detached.

  2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a laser scanner (40) constituting a part of the image forming means (20, 40, 50) is mounted in the apparatus as in claim 2. It may be arranged above (20).

  In this case, since the laser scanner (40) is disposed above the image forming unit (20), the laser scanner (40) is attached when the image forming unit (20) is attached or detached from the front of the housing (2). Can be configured not to interfere with each other. For this reason, it is not necessary to move the laser scanner (40) before attaching or detaching the image forming unit (20). For example, it is not necessary to open the upper part of the housing (2) as in the case of moving the laser scanner upward, and the upper part of the housing (2) can be used effectively.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, as in claim 3, the paper discharge section (70) may be formed by being dropped from the upper end surface of the housing (2) (FIG. 1, see FIG.

In the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, as in claim 4, the upper end surface of the housing (2) may be formed in a planar shape. In this case, even if another device or the like is placed on the upper end surface of the housing (2), a discharge space for the paper discharge unit (70) is secured below the device or the like. It is possible to effectively use the upper part of 2).

  5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a notch portion that is notched downward from the upper end surface is formed on the front side of the housing (2), as in claim 5. May be connected to the paper discharge unit (see FIG. 6 and the like).

  In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, as in claim 6, the paper discharge section (70) may be dropped from the upper end surface of the housing (2) by 1 cm or more.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the paper discharge section (70) is formed so as to be housed in the housing (2) as in the seventh aspect, and is discharged into the housing (2). You may form the taking-out port (81b) of the paper discharged | emitted by the paper part (70). In this case, since the paper discharged to the paper discharge section (70) can be taken out via the takeout port (81b), the upper part of the housing (2) can be used effectively.

  The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the leading end of the paper discharged to the paper discharge section (70) projects to the front side of the housing (2). You may make it do. In this case, the discharged paper can be easily taken out.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, as in the ninth aspect, the upper surface of the housing (2) covering the upper portion of the paper discharge section (70) may be formed in a flat shape. In this case, for example, another device can be placed on the upper surface of the housing (2) formed in a planar shape, so that the upper portion of the housing (2) can be used effectively.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 9, the upper surface of the housing (2) may be removable as in the case of claim 10. In this case, the upper portion of the paper discharge section (70) can be opened as necessary.

  The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, as in claim 11, an operation panel for accepting a user operation and a manual sheet are inserted into the front surface of the housing (2). A manual paper insertion slot may be provided.

The invention according to claim 12 is arranged below the housing (2), and is disposed above the paper feeding cassette (10) in the housing (2) , and a paper feeding cassette (10) for accommodating stacked sheets. , the paper fed from the paper feed cassette (10), the image and the image forming means (20, 40, 50) which forms a by an electrophotographic method, image forming means (20, 40 in the housing (2), 50), a paper discharge unit on which the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming means (20, 40, 50) is discharged and stacked, and a paper feed cassette on the front side of the housing (2) (10) and an image forming means (20, 40, 50), and a paper feed roller (14 etc.) provided between the paper feed cassette (10). From the front side of the housing (2) to the back side The U-turned and conveyed paper is sent to the lower part of the image forming means (20, 40, 50). After the image is formed, the paper is U-turned from the back side to the front side of the housing (2), and the image is formed. An image forming apparatus for discharging to a paper discharge unit disposed above a forming unit (20, 40, 50), and a paper feed cassette (10) is detachable in a horizontal direction below a housing (2) And an image reading unit (110, 130, 140) that is provided above the paper discharge unit (70) and converts an image formed on the sheet into an electrical signal. An opening (34) for attaching and detaching the image forming unit (20) constituting a part of the image forming means (20, 40, 50) is formed on the front surface of the housing (2). 34) on the front surface of the housing (2) on which the paper feed cassette (10) The image forming unit (20) develops a single photosensitive drum (21) and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. And a single developing means (25, etc.) provided on the front side of the casing with respect to the photosensitive drum, and the photosensitive drum (above the image forming unit (20)). 21) is provided with an exposure means (40) for forming an electrostatic latent image, and the paper discharge section (70) has a stacking surface from the back surface of the housing (2) toward the front surface. The exposure means (40) is provided so as to cover at least a part of the photosensitive drum (21) and the development means (25, etc.), and The surface facing the image forming unit (20) is at the opening (34). The image forming unit (20) and the paper feed cassette (10) are detachable from the front side of the housing (2). It is characterized by being.

  In the present invention, since the paper feed cassette storage section, the image forming section (20, 40, 50), the paper discharge section (70), and the image reading unit (110, 130, 140) are arranged in the vertical direction, the image forming apparatus The installation area can be suppressed. In addition, since the image forming unit (20) is detachable from the front surface of the housing (2), for example, when the image forming unit (20) is detached from the upper surface side of the housing (2), the housing ( It is not necessary to open the upper surface side of 2).

  Furthermore, since the image forming unit (20) and the paper feed cassette (10) are configured to be detachable only from the front side of the casing, the image forming unit (20) and the sheet feeding cassette (10) can be used only by opening the front side of the casing (2). The forming unit (20) can be attached and detached and the paper feed cassette (10) can be attached and detached.

  13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image forming means (20, 40, 50) forms an image based on the output signal of the image reading unit (110, 130, 140) as in the thirteenth aspect. Good.

  In the image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect, as in the fourteenth aspect, the image reading unit (110, 130, 140) may be housed in the housing (2).

  15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, as in claim 15, transmitting means (130, 140) for transmitting a signal based on an output signal of the image reading unit (110, 130, 140). ) May be provided.

  In the image forming apparatus of the fifteenth aspect, as in the sixteenth aspect, the transmission means (130, 140) may be housed in the housing (2).

  In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the paper feed cassette storage unit, the image forming unit, and the paper discharge unit are arranged in the vertical direction, the installation area of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed. Further, since the image forming unit is detachable from the front surface of the housing, it is not necessary to open the upper surface side of the housing as in the case of detaching the image forming unit from the upper surface side of the housing. Furthermore, since the opening for attaching and detaching the image forming unit and the opening for the paper feed cassette are arranged on the front of the housing, the image forming unit can be attached and detached using the space for attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette. can do. Therefore, when attaching / detaching the image forming unit, there is no need to bother to open the periphery of the image forming apparatus, and the attaching / detaching work becomes easy.

Furthermore, since the image forming unit and the paper feed cassette are detachable only from the front side of the housing, the image forming unit can be attached and detached and the paper feed cassette can be attached only by opening the front side of the housing. It can be attached and detached.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the laser scanner is disposed above the image forming unit, the laser scanner can be configured not to interfere when the image forming unit is detached from the front of the housing. This eliminates the need to move the laser scanner before attaching or detaching the image forming unit. For example, it is not necessary to open the upper part of the housing as in the case of moving the laser scanner upward, and the upper part of the housing can be used effectively.

  According to invention of Claim 4, the upper end surface of a housing | casing may be formed in planar shape. In this case, even if another device or the like is placed on the upper end surface of the housing, the paper discharge space of the paper discharge unit is secured below the device or the like, so the upper portion of the housing is effectively used. It becomes possible.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, for example, another device can be placed on the upper surface of the casing formed in a planar shape, so that the upper part of the casing can be used effectively.

  According to the invention of claim 10, the upper part of the paper discharge section can be opened as necessary.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the paper feed cassette storage unit, the image forming unit, the paper discharge unit, and the image reading unit are arranged in the vertical direction, the installation area of the image forming apparatus can be reduced. Further, since the image forming unit is detachable from the front surface of the housing, it is not necessary to open the upper surface side of the housing as in the case of detaching the image forming unit from the upper surface side of the housing.

  Furthermore, since the image forming unit and the paper feed cassette are configured to be detachable from the front side of the housing, the image forming unit can be attached and detached and the paper feed cassette can be attached and detached simply by opening the front side of the housing. It can be performed.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of 1st Embodiment. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows a process cartridge. The control block diagram of 1st Embodiment. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a cover, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printer, and FIG. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of 2nd Embodiment. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a cover, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printer, and FIG. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of 3rd Embodiment. The control block diagram of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows 4th Embodiment, (a) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of 4th Embodiment, (b) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the printer which added the telephone function. The control block diagram of 4th Embodiment.

-First embodiment-
A first embodiment in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a laser beam printer will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the laser beam printer 1 includes a print unit PU having a housing 2. Under the substantially rectangular parallelepiped print unit PU, stacked sheets are stored, and a sheet feed cassette 10 including a handle 13 is mounted. The paper feed cassette 10 is detachable and can be removed by pulling it out in the front direction of the printer 1 (the direction of arrow P in FIG. 2). The paper feeding cassette 10 is provided with a paper pressing plate (not shown) urged upward by a pressing spring (not shown), and the uppermost sheet stacked on the paper pressing plate is the printer 1. Is provided so as to come into contact with a paper feed roller 14 that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow, and only one sheet is separated and fed by the action of the separation pad 15.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation unit 91 including an operation button 91a and an LED 91b and an insertion port 92 (FIG. 2) for inserting manual paper are provided on the front surface of the printer 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a process cartridge 20 shown in FIG. The process cartridge 20 is also detachable in the same manner as the paper feed cassette 10 and is pulled out in the arrow Q direction during maintenance such as toner replacement. The process cartridge 20 is a scorotron type that contacts the paper and transfers the toner, a transfer roller 22 that faces the photosensitive drum 21, and a corona discharge to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a positive potential. A developer cartridge 20B having a charger 28, a developer chamber 24 for containing toner, a developing roller 25 for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 21, and a supply roller 27 for supplying toner to the developing roller 25. It consists of. The developer chamber 24 is provided with an agitator 24a for stirring the toner.

  The photosensitive cartridge 20A and the developing cartridge 20B can be disassembled from each other. However, when the process cartridge 20 is removed from the main body of the printer 1, both are pulled out in an integrated state. On the front side of the printer 1, there is provided a cover 33 whose lower end is rotatably attached to a rotary shaft 33a. The cover 33 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 to open the front side of the printer 1. Thus, the process cartridge 20 can be attached and detached. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 34 indicates an opening for attaching / detaching the process cartridge 20, and an arrow R indicates a rotation direction when the cover 33 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of registration rollers 31 and a registration roller 32 are rotatably mounted between the process cartridge 20 and the paper feed cassette 10.

  Above the process cartridge 20, a laser generator (not shown) that emits a laser beam, a polygon mirror (hexahedral mirror) 41 that is driven to rotate, a lens 42, a reflection mirror 43, a reflection mirror 44, a lens 45, and a reflection mirror A laser scanner unit 40 including 46 and the like is attached. As shown in FIG. 2, the laser beam L shaken by the polygon mirror 41 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 21 through the lens 42, the reflecting mirrors 43 and 44, the lens 45 and the reflecting mirror 46, and An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

  On the left side of the process cartridge 20, a fixing unit 50 for fixing the toner on the paper is provided. The fixing unit 50 is provided with a heating roller 51 for heating and melting the toner on the transferred paper, and a pressing roller 52 disposed so as to face the heating roller 51 and pressing the fed paper toward the heating roller 51. And a pair of transport rollers 53 and 54.

In FIG. 2, a shooter 61 is formed on the left side of the transport rollers 53 and 54 so as to have a curved shape and is pivotally attached to reverse the direction of the sheet as required. A pair of paper discharge rollers 64 for supporting the paper transported along the shooter 61 and discharging the paper to a paper discharge tray 70 formed on the upper surface of the print unit PU is provided on the extended line of the shooter 61. , 65 are attached.

  On both sides of the discharge tray 70 (left and right sides and back side in FIG. 1, front side and back side in FIG. 2), protrusions 71 having a flat upper surface are provided, as shown in FIG. In addition, the paper discharge tray 70 is formed by being dropped from the upper surface of the protruding portion 71.

  FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing the control system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, an operation unit 91, a laser scanner unit 40, a fixing unit 50, and a motor 102 as a drive source for each drive mechanism are connected to a printer control unit 101. Is controlled.

  Next, a paper feeding operation will be described. When the paper supply roller 14 is rotated at a predetermined timing, the paper is discharged from the paper supply cassette 10 one by one. The sheet is reversed by the action of the guide 35, the position of the leading end is adjusted by the registration roller 31 and the registration roller 32, and then conveyed between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer roller 22.

  On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 charged by the charger 28 is irradiated with laser light emitted from the laser scanner unit 40 to form an electrostatic latent image. When the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 faces the developing roller 25, the toner conveyed through the supply roller 27 and the developing roller 25 makes the electrostatic latent image obvious, and the toner image becomes the photosensitive member. The image is transferred onto a sheet passing between the drum 21 and the transfer roller 22.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred next passes between the heating roller 51 and the pressing roller 52. At this time, the toner image is fixed on the sheet by applying heat and pressure to the toner image on the sheet. .

  Further, the sheet passes between the transport rollers 53 and 54 and is transported along the shooter 61, and is then discharged from the discharge rollers 64 and 65 to the discharge tray 70 with the printing surface facing down (face-down). Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a cover 81 can be placed on the upper surface of the protruding portion 71, and at this time, the paper discharge tray 70 is covered with the cover 81 as shown in FIG. 1. 5A is a perspective view of the printer 1 when the cover 81 is placed on the upper surface of the protrusion 71, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the cover 81. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cover 81 is provided with leg portions 81 a that protrude downward. The lower end surface of the leg portion 81 a is formed in a flat shape, and the cover 81 is placed so that the lower end surface is in contact with the upper surface of the protruding portion 71. A cutout portion 81b is formed on the front side of the cover 81 of the printer 1 (the front side in FIG. 5A), and the paper on the paper discharge tray 70 can be taken out through the cutout portion 81b. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, since the upper surface of the cover 81 covering the paper discharge tray 70 is formed in a flat shape, for example, various devices can be placed on the cover 81. The space above 1 can be used effectively. Further, since the discharged paper can be taken out through the notch 81b, the picking up of the paper is not hindered even when an object is placed on the cover 81. It is also possible to electrically connect a device (for example, a communication device such as a facsimile or a scanner that reads an image) placed on the cover 81 and the printer 1 to exchange image data.

  In the present embodiment, one end of the discharged paper is protruded to the outside of the cover 81 through the notch portion 81b, whereby the paper can be easily taken out by gripping one end of the paper. Therefore, the length of the paper discharge tray 70 from the abutting surface 72 (FIG. 2) against which the other end of the sheet is abutted to the notch 81b is somewhat shorter than the length of the sheet (for example, A4 or B5 sheet). It is desirable to set. This length may be set in accordance with the size of the paper expected to be used in the printer 1, but may be set in accordance with the minimum size paper to be used, for example.

  When the cover 81 is attached to the printer 1, the number of sheets that can be stacked depends on the vertical distance between the paper discharge tray 70 and the cover 81 or the vertical width of the opening formed by the notch 81b. Will be limited. Therefore, the interval or the width can be set in consideration of the number of sheets that can be discharged at one time. For example, the interval or the width is a value that allows the number of sheets stored in the sheet feeding cassette 10 to be stacked on the sheet discharge tray 70. It may be set to.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the cover 81 can be attached according to the intended use and situation.

  The first embodiment is configured such that the attachment / detachment of the paper feed cassette 10, the attachment / detachment of the process cartridge 20, the manual paper feed, the paper discharge, and the operation of the printer 1 can all be performed from the front side of the printer 1. . Therefore, all of these operations and operations can be performed simply by leaving the front side of the printer 1 open, and it is not necessary to open the side or top side of the printer 1 or move the printer 1. It is extremely convenient and can reduce the installation space.

-Second Embodiment-
Hereinafter, a second embodiment in which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a laser beam printer will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in 2nd Embodiment, 71 A of protrusion parts are extended upwards rather than the protrusion part 71 of 1st Embodiment. The protruding portion 71A is formed with a cutout portion 71b for extending the paper discharge tray 70A to the front side of the printer 1.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a flat cover 81A can be placed on the protrusion 71A. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state in which a flat cover 81A is placed, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the cover of the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 5B. It is.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the second embodiment, the protruding portion 71A functions as a spacer as an alternative to the leg portion 81a of the cover 81 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7A, since the sheet discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 70A is taken out via the notch 71b, the upper surface side of the cover 81A, that is, the space above the printer 1 can be freely used. be able to.

  In the second embodiment, a space for paper discharge is secured by the protrusion 71A, so that various devices and the like can be placed instead of the cover 81A. That is, in the case of a device or the like having a flat bottom surface, there is no inconvenience since a space for paper discharge can be secured with the device placed on the protrusion 71A. Therefore, even when there is no cover 81A, the upper part of the printer 1A can be used effectively. The sheet discharged to the tray 70A can be taken out to the front side of the printer 1 through a gap (notch portion 71b) between the tray 70A and the upper device.

  In the present embodiment, by projecting one end of the sheet to the outside of the cover 81A via the notch portion 71b, the sheet can be easily taken out by gripping one end of the sheet. Accordingly, the length of the paper discharge tray 70A from the abutting surface 72 against which the other end of the paper is abutted to the notch 71b is set to be longer than the length of the paper (for example, A4, B5 paper, or the smallest size paper). Also, it is desirable to set the length to some extent.

  When the cover 81A is attached to the printer 1, or when another device or the like is placed on the protruding portion 71A, the stackable sheets can be stacked depending on the vertical width of the space secured above the discharge tray 70A. The number of sheets will be limited. Therefore, the width can be set in consideration of the number of sheets that can be stacked, and the number of sheets stored in the sheet feeding cassette 10 may be stacked on the sheet discharge tray 70A. If at least the entire discharge tray 70A is dropped by 1 cm or more from the upper end surface of the projecting portion 73, it is possible to stack at least 50 sheets, and the possibility of becoming full with a single print output is small. It is practical.

-Third embodiment-
A third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a laser printer will be described below with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment is an example in which a reading unit (scanner unit) for reading an image is mounted above the printer 1 of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the printer 1B includes a print unit PU that is common to the first embodiment, and a reading unit 110 that is provided above the print unit PU and reads an image. The print unit PU and the reading unit 110 are included in the printer 1B. It is stored in one housing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a reading unit (scanner unit) 110 is provided above the print unit PU. The reading unit 110 includes a paper feed tray 111 that holds paper fed into the unit 110, an image reading unit 112 (FIG. 6) that scans and reads an image on the fed paper, and converts the image into an electrical signal, and a reading operation. And an operation unit 115 for receiving an operation or the like for instructing. The paper that has passed through the image reading unit 112 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 117.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram conceptually showing the control system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the reading unit 110 is connected to a driving motor 113 for driving a predetermined paper feeding mechanism to feed paper, an image reading unit 112, and an operation unit 115. 114.

  The reading control unit 114 and the printer control unit 101 of the print unit PU can communicate with each other, whereby an image read by the reading unit 110 can be printed in the print unit PU. In addition, a predetermined interface, connection terminal, and the like may be provided so that an image read by the reading unit 110 can be taken into a personal computer.

-Fourth Embodiment-
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a laser printer will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The fourth embodiment shows an example in which a print unit PU and a reading / communication unit are mounted above the printer 1 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the printer 1C includes a print unit PU common to the first embodiment, and a reading / communication unit 130 mounted above the printing unit PU. The printing unit PU and the reading / communication unit 130 are provided. Is housed in one housing.

  The reading / communication unit 130 includes an image reading function and an image communication (facsimile) function. As shown in FIG. 10A, the reading / communication unit 130 is provided with an operation unit 131 having a touch panel on the screen of the liquid crystal display device. An operation such as transmission can be instructed.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram conceptually showing the control system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the reading / communication unit 130 has a drive motor 113A for driving a predetermined paper feeding mechanism to feed paper, and an image on the paper fed through this paper feeding mechanism. Reading unit 112A that reads and converts it into an electrical signal, a reading control unit 114A to which the operation unit 131, the drive motor 113A and the image reading unit 112A are connected, and a receiving unit that receives data sent via a public line 132, a transmission unit 133 that transmits data via a public line, and a communication control unit 134 to which the operation unit 131, the reception unit 132, and the transmission unit 133 are connected.

  The reading control unit 114A, the printer control unit 101, and the communication control unit 134 can communicate with each other, whereby the image read by the image reading unit 112A is printed by the print unit PU or transmitted via the transmission unit 133. Can do. Further, the image received via the receiving unit 132 can be printed by the print unit PU or transmitted via the transmitting unit 132. A predetermined interface or connection terminal may be provided so that an image read by the image reading unit 112A or an image received via the receiving unit 132 can be taken into a personal computer.

  A printer 1D shown in FIG. 10B is obtained by adding a telephone function to the printer 1C shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, the printer 1D includes a print unit PU and a reading / communication unit 140 attached above the print unit PU. The reading / communication unit 140 includes an operation panel 141 that accepts operation instructions related to an image reading function and a facsimile / call function, and a receiver 142 that enables a call using a telephone line.

2 Housing 10 Paper cassette 20 Process unit 21 Photosensitive drum 34 Opening 40 Laser scanner unit 50 Fixing unit 70 Paper discharge tray 81 Cover 81b Notch 110 Reading unit 130 Reading / communication unit 140 Reading / communication unit

Claims (16)

A paper cassette placed below the housing and containing stacked paper;
An image forming unit that is disposed above the paper feed cassette in the housing and forms an image by electrophotography on paper fed from the paper feed cassette;
A paper discharge unit that is disposed above the image forming unit in the housing and on which the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is discharged and stacked;
A paper feed roller provided between the paper feed cassette and the image forming means on the front side of the housing;
The paper feed roller conveys the paper from the paper feed cassette and makes a U-turn from the front side to the back side of the housing,
The conveyed paper is sent to the lower part of the image forming unit, and after the image is formed, the paper discharge unit disposed above the image forming unit makes a U-turn from the back side to the front side of the housing. An image forming apparatus discharged to
Below the housing, a paper feed cassette storage unit that detachably stores the paper feed cassette in a horizontal direction is provided.
An opening for attaching and detaching an image forming unit constituting a part of the image forming unit is formed on the front surface of the housing.
A paper feed cassette opening for attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette is formed on the front surface of the housing in which the opening is formed,
The image forming unit develops a single photosensitive drum and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, and a single photosensitive drum is provided on the front side of the casing with respect to the photosensitive drum. Developing means,
Above the image forming unit, an exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is provided,
The paper discharge unit is provided such that the stacking surface is inclined upward from the housing toward the front from the back of the housing.
The exposure unit is provided so as to cover at least a part of the photosensitive drum and the developing unit, and a surface facing the image forming unit is inclined upward toward the opening toward the opening. Provided as
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit and the paper feed cassette are detachable from the front side of the casing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a laser scanner constituting a part of the image forming unit is disposed above the image forming unit mounted in the apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge unit is formed by being dropped from an upper end surface of the casing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an upper end surface of the casing is formed in a flat shape.   5. The front side of the casing is formed with a notch portion that is notched downward from the upper end surface, and the upper surface of the notch portion is continuous with the paper discharge portion. The image forming apparatus described.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the discharge unit is dropped from the upper end surface of the housing by 1 cm or more.   The paper discharge portion is formed so as to be housed in the housing, and an outlet for paper discharged to the paper discharge portion is formed on a front surface of the housing. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a leading end portion of the paper discharged to the paper discharge portion protrudes to a front side of the housing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an upper surface of the housing covering the upper portion of the paper discharge unit is formed in a flat shape.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an upper surface of the housing is detachable.   On the front of the housing, there is a cover that covers the opening from which the image forming unit is attached and detached, an operation panel that accepts a user operation, and a manual paper insertion slot for inserting manual paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided. A paper cassette placed below the housing and containing stacked paper;
An image forming unit that is disposed above the paper feed cassette in the housing and forms an image by electrophotography on paper fed from the paper feed cassette;
A paper discharge unit that is disposed above the image forming unit in the housing and on which the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is discharged and stacked;
A paper feed roller provided between the paper feed cassette and the image forming means on the front side of the housing;
The paper feed roller conveys the paper from the paper feed cassette and makes a U-turn from the front side to the back side of the housing,
The conveyed paper is sent to the lower part of the image forming unit, and after the image is formed, the paper discharge unit disposed above the image forming unit makes a U-turn from the back side to the front side of the housing. An image forming apparatus discharged to
Below the housing, a paper feed cassette storage unit that detachably stores the paper feed cassette in a horizontal direction is provided.
An image reading unit that is provided above the paper discharge unit and converts an image formed on the sheet into an electrical signal;
An opening for attaching and detaching an image forming unit constituting a part of the image forming unit is formed on the front surface of the housing.
A paper feed cassette opening for attaching and detaching the paper feed cassette is formed on the front surface of the housing in which the opening is formed,
The image forming unit develops a single photosensitive drum and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, and a single photosensitive drum is provided on the front side of the casing with respect to the photosensitive drum. Developing means,
Above the image forming unit, an exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is provided,
The paper discharge unit is provided such that the stacking surface is inclined upward from the housing toward the front from the back of the housing.
The exposure unit is provided so as to cover at least a part of the photosensitive drum and the developing unit, and a surface facing the image forming unit is inclined upward toward the opening toward the opening. Provided as
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit and the paper feed cassette are detachable from the front side of the casing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image forming unit forms an image based on an output signal of the image reading unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image reading unit is housed in the housing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits a signal based on an output signal of the image reading unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the transmission unit is housed in the housing.