JPH04235857A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a paper discharge tray from becoming an obstacle when a paper supply cassette is taken out of or housed in a main body in an image forming device which has the cassette below the paper discharge tray. CONSTITUTION:A paper discharge tray 20 can be inserted in and pulled out of a main body 2, and a rack 30 is formed on its bottom face. The rack 30 is formed on the top face of a paper supply cassette 19. A pinion gear 31 which meshes with both racks 25, 30 is provided between the paper supply cassette 19 and the paper discharge tray 20. When the paper supply cassette 19 is pulled out of the main body 2, the paper discharge tray 20 is pulled in the main body 2, and when the paper discharge tray 29 is pulled out of the main body, the cassette 19 is pulled in.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, facsimile machines, etc., and more specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a paper feed cassette disposed within an image forming apparatus main body.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art When image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimile machines are miniaturized, consideration has been given to minimizing the installation space. For example, a paper feed cassette loaded with a large number of sheet materials (recording papers) before image formation is disposed within the image forming apparatus main body so as to be removable from the side of the image forming apparatus main body. A paper discharge tray on which sheet materials after image formation are stacked is arranged above the paper feed cassette on the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 shows a miniaturized conventional image forming apparatus (
Copying machine). Here, reference numeral 100 is a paper feed cassette disposed inside the image forming apparatus main body 101 so as to be removable from the side surface 102 of the image forming apparatus main body 101, and reference numeral 103 is a paper cassette disposed on the side surface 102 of the image forming apparatus main body 101. It's a paper tray. This paper ejection tray 103 is directly attached to the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 101 using, for example, a coupling pin or the like.

In the case of such an image forming apparatus, since the paper feed cassette 100 is housed within the image forming apparatus main body 101, the installation space of the image forming apparatus is reduced. The sheet material fed from the paper feed cassette 100 passes through a conveyance path 105 as indicated by an arrow, and after an image is formed by an image forming unit 106, the sheet material is ejected onto a paper ejection tray 103.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, as described above, when the paper feed cassette 100 is disposed within the image forming apparatus main body 101, in order to replenish sheet materials into the paper feed cassette 100, it is necessary to The cassette 100 is pulled out from the side surface 102 of the image forming apparatus main body 101, and after replenishing the sheet material, the paper feed cassette 100 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 101.
1 into the image forming apparatus main body 101 from the side surface 102 and storing the image forming apparatus. Normally, this work is often performed from the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 101 in the environment where the image forming apparatus is installed (other devices are adjacent).

[0006] Such work is performed on the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus.
If there is no obstacle on the side surface 102 of the paper feed cassette 100 that would hinder the removal and storage of the paper feed cassette 100, this can be done smoothly. However, in the case of conventional image forming apparatuses, the paper ejection tray 103 is attached to the side surface 102 of the image forming apparatus main body 101, which becomes an obstacle and hinders the work of removing and storing the paper feed cassette 100. Ta.

When removing the paper feed cassette 100 from the image forming apparatus main body 101 to replenish sheet materials, move the paper feed cassette 100 in the direction of arrow A as shown by the imaginary line.
The paper is moved in the order of ■→■→■ to avoid the paper discharge tray 103 and take it out. On the other hand, the paper feed cassette 10 after sheet material replenishment
0 in the image forming apparatus main body 101, the paper feed cassette 100 is moved in the order of ■→■→■→■ in the direction of the arrow B to avoid the paper discharge tray 103 and store it.

Furthermore, in the space where the image forming apparatus is installed, there is not enough space on the side surface 102 of the image forming apparatus main body 101, and when taking out and storing the paper feed cassette 100, it is difficult to move it to the position shown by ■. If this is difficult, it may be necessary to remove the paper ejection tray 103 from the image forming apparatus main body 101 or to fold it by rotating it upward using a coupling pin or the like as a fulcrum.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is possible to prevent the paper ejection tray from becoming an obstacle when the paper feed cassette is taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus and stored therein, and to prevent the image forming It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that does not require removal of a paper discharge tray even if there is not enough space for installing the apparatus.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] For example, as shown with reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a side surface (21
), and a paper feed cassette (19) disposed within the image forming apparatus main body (2) and detachable from the side surface (21) of the image forming apparatus main body (2). related to image forming apparatus.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the paper output tray (20) and the paper feed cassette (19).
), when the paper feed cassette (19) is pulled out from inside the image forming apparatus main body (2), the paper ejection tray (20) is pulled into the image forming apparatus main body (2), and the paper ejection tray (20) is pulled out from inside the image forming apparatus main body (2). ) is provided with an interlocking mechanism (23) that pulls the paper feed cassette (19) into the image forming apparatus main body (2) when the paper feed cassette (19) is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body (2).

0012

[Function] According to the above structure, when the paper feed cassette (19) is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body (2) when replenishing sheet materials, the interlocking mechanism (23) acts to prevent the image forming apparatus main body (2) from opening on the side surface. The paper ejection tray (20) placed in (21) is pulled into the image forming apparatus main body (2).

[0013] With this, when removing the paper feed cassette (19) from the image forming apparatus main body (2) when replenishing sheet materials,
When storing the paper feed cassette (19) after replenishing sheet materials in the image forming apparatus main body (2), remove the paper feed cassette (19) from the side surface (21) of the image forming apparatus main body (2). There is no paper output tray that would obstruct storage, so
Paper feed cassette (19) from above the image forming apparatus main body (2)
) can be removed and stored smoothly.

Furthermore, even if there is not enough space on the side surface (21) of the image forming apparatus main body (2) in the space where the image forming apparatus is installed, it is possible to remove and store the paper feed cassette (19). There is no need to remove the paper discharge tray (20) from the image forming apparatus main body (2).

[0015] The above reference numerals in parentheses are used to refer to the drawings and do not limit the structure in any way.

[0016]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus (copying machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming means disposed approximately at the center of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, which includes a photosensitive drum 3, a primary charger 5, a developing device 6, a cleaner 7, and a transfer charger 9. , separator 10, etc. On the upstream side of the image forming means 1, a pair of registration rollers 11, a pair of conveying rollers 12, a feeding roller 13, and a pickup roller 15 are arranged. Further, on the downstream side of the image forming means 1, a conveyor belt 16 and a pair of fixing rollers 17 are arranged.

Reference numeral 19 is a paper feed cassette disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus main body 2, and reference numeral 20 is a paper ejection tray disposed above the paper feed cassette 19 on the side surface 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 2. . Note that the paper feed cassette 19 is removable from the side surface 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 2.

A large number of sheet materials (recording papers) (not shown) stacked in the paper feed cassette 19 are separated one by one by a pickup roller 15, with the topmost paper being separated one by one. This separated sheet material is fed by a feed roller 13, and further transferred to the image forming means 1 by a pair of conveying rollers 12 and a pair of registration rollers 11.
sent to. The sheet material sent to the image forming means 1 is imaged in a transfer charger 9 which is an image forming section, and then sent to a pair of fixing rollers 17 via a separator 10 and a conveyor belt 16. The sheet material that has been fixed by the pair of fixing rollers 17 is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 20 via a discharge port 22 .

Paper feed cassette 19 in this image forming apparatus
When an image is formed on a sheet material as described above, the paper feed cassette 19 is disposed within the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the paper ejection tray 20 is placed in the image forming apparatus main body 2. The tray 20 is arranged on a side surface 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 2.

However, when the paper feed cassette 19 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 2 to replenish sheet materials, the paper ejection tray 20 is pulled into the image forming apparatus main body 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 4). 5), and after replenishing sheet materials to the paper feed cassette 19, when the paper ejection tray 20 is pulled out from inside the image forming apparatus main body 2, the paper feed cassette 19
is drawn into the image forming apparatus main body 2. This interlocking operation of the paper feed cassette 19 and the paper ejection tray 20 is achieved by an interlocking mechanism 23 interposed between the paper feed cassette 19 and the paper ejection tray 20.

The paper feed cassette 19 can be freely removed and attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2 by pulling it out from the side surface 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 2 and inserting it. A rack 25 is formed on both left and right sides of the upper surface of the paper feed cassette 19 along the longitudinal direction of the cassette (see FIG. 3).
.

The paper ejection tray 20 can be inserted into and pulled out from the side 21 side of the image forming apparatus main body 2, but as shown in FIG. Since the pins 26, 26 are fitted into the grooves 29, 29 of the regulating plates 27, 27 fixedly installed in the image forming apparatus main body 2, they cannot be removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2. Insertion into the image forming apparatus main body 2,
When being pulled out, it moves along the grooves 29, 29 of the regulating plates 27, 27. A rack 30 is formed on the entire lower surface of the paper discharge tray 20 along the longitudinal direction of the tray (see FIG. 3).

A pinion gear 31 is interposed between the paper feed cassette 19 and the paper discharge tray 20 and engages with the racks 25 and 30 of both. The pinion gear 31 is arranged near the side surface 21 inside the image forming apparatus main body 2 . and,
This pinion gear 31 is arranged on the left and right sides of the paper feed cassette 19, respectively, and is mounted on each of the left and right racks 25, 25 (FIG. 3).
) are meshed with each other. Further, this pinion gear 31 can be moved in the axial direction by a drive means (not shown),
As shown in FIG. 3, there are cases where the rack 25 of the paper feed cassette 19 and rack 30 of the paper output tray 20 are engaged (position indicated by solid line A), and cases where the rack 30 of the paper discharge tray 20 is engaged only (position indicated by the broken line B). position) can be selected.

A rack 25 formed on the paper feed cassette 19, a rack 30 formed on the paper discharge tray 20, and a pinion gear 3 that meshes with both racks 25, 30.
1 constitutes an interlocking mechanism 23.

Now, as shown in FIG. 1, when the paper feed cassette 19, which is ready for image formation, is pulled out in the direction A from inside the image forming apparatus main body 2 to replenish sheet materials, this movement causes the pinion gear 31 to move in the direction of the arrow. The movement of the paper feed cassette 19 is transmitted to the paper discharge tray 20. As a result, the paper discharge tray 20 is drawn into the image forming apparatus main body 2 (in the direction of arrow B) as the paper feed cassette 19 is pulled out. At this time, the paper ejection tray 20 is rotated by the rotatable support roller 3.
It is supported by 2. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the paper feed cassette 19 is pulled out halfway, and FIG. stored). When pulled out to the state shown in Figure 5, the pinion gear 31
is removed from the rack 25, so that the paper feed cassette 19 can be removed from the image forming apparatus 2. At this time, the paper output tray 2 placed on the side surface 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 2
Since the paper feed cassette 19 is stored in the image forming apparatus main body 2, there are no obstacles on the side surface 21, and therefore, the work of removing and storing the paper feed cassette 19 from above the image forming apparatus main body 2 can be performed smoothly.

After replenishing the sheet material, the paper feed cassette 1
9 until it reaches the state shown in FIG. is transmitted to the paper feed cassette 19. This results in
As shown in FIG. 1, the paper discharge tray 20 is arranged on the side surface 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the paper feed cassette 19 is stored in the image forming apparatus main body 2, so that the image forming apparatus is ready for image formation. In addition,
This operation can also be performed by pushing in the paper feed cassette 19. In this way, when the paper ejection tray 20 is arranged on the side surface 21 of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the load receiving part 33 formed at the rear end of the paper ejection tray 20 is placed on the paper ejection tray 2.
Load applied to 0 (weight of loaded sheet material after image formation, etc.)
It is designed to receive.

As described above, when the paper feed cassette 19 is removed or stored, the pinion gear 31 is moved to a position where it engages with both the rack 25 of the paper feed cassette 19 and the rack 30 of the paper ejection tray 20 by a driving means (not shown). is moving to. If the pinion gear 21 is engaged only with the rack 30 of the paper output tray 20 by the driving means, when the image forming apparatus is not in use, the paper output tray 20 can be pushed in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG. It can be stored within the image forming apparatus main body 2. in this case,
Since the interlocking mechanism 23 of the paper feed cassette 19 is released, the paper feed cassette 19 is not interlocked with the movement of the paper ejection tray 20 and remains housed in the image forming apparatus main body 2 as shown.

Second Embodiment FIG. 7 shows the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus (copying machine) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment shows a case where the interlocking mechanism 23 interposed between the paper feed cassette 19 and the paper discharge tray 20 in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment is replaced with another means.

In this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 35 interposed between the paper feed cassette 19 and the paper ejection tray 20 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
One connecting wire 36 connects the rear end of the image forming apparatus main body 2 to the rear end of the connecting wire 36, and the connecting wire 3
6, and a plurality of pulleys 39 and 40 that guide the pulleys 6.

Both ends of the connecting wire 36 connect to the paper output tray 20.
The center portion of the connecting wire 36 is connected to the rear end 41 of the paper feed cassette 19 through grooves 42 and 43 formed in the left and right portions of the rear plate 41 of the paper feed cassette 19 .

In this embodiment, when the paper feed cassette 19, which is in the image forming position as shown in FIG. This is transmitted to the paper tray 20, and the paper discharge tray 20 is drawn into the image forming apparatus main body 2 together with the paper feed cassette 19 (in the direction of arrow B). At this time, the paper ejection tray 20 is supported by rotatable support rollers 32 and 45 arranged approximately at the center and near the side surfaces 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 2 . Then, by pulling out the paper feed cassette 19 to a predetermined position and removing the central portion of the connecting wire 36 from the rear plate 41, the paper feed cassette 19 can be removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2.

On the other hand, the center portion of the connecting wire 36 is connected to the rear plate 41.
When the paper ejection tray 20 stored in the image forming apparatus main body 2 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 2 after hanging on the paper, this movement is transmitted to the paper feed cassette 19 via the connecting wire 36, and the paper ejection tray 20 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 2. Paper feed cassette 1 along with 20 drawers
9 is drawn into the image forming apparatus main body 2. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus is placed on the side surface 21 of the image forming apparatus.

In this embodiment, when both ends of the connecting wire 36 are removed from both pins 26, 26 of the paper discharge tray 20, the interlocking state between the paper feed cassette 19 and the paper discharge tray 20 is released. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus is not used, by removing both ends of the connecting wire 36 from both pins 26, 26, the paper feed cassette 19 can be stored in the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus.
The paper discharge tray 20 can be stored within the image forming apparatus main body 2 as shown in FIG.

Although each of the above embodiments has been applied to an image forming apparatus of the type in which the paper feed cassette 19 is attached to and removed from the left side surface 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 2, the present invention The present invention can be similarly applied to an image forming apparatus of a type in which the paper feed cassette 19 is attached to and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2 from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 2.

[0038]

As explained above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is arranged between the paper ejection tray and the paper feed cassette, and when the paper feed cassette is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, An interlocking mechanism is provided that pulls the paper feed cassette into the image forming apparatus when the paper ejection tray is pulled out from the image forming apparatus. There is no paper ejection tray on the side of the image forming apparatus that would be an obstacle when removing the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly remove and store the paper feed cassette from above the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Furthermore, even if there is not enough space in the space where the image forming apparatus is installed, the paper output tray is stored inside the image forming apparatus when the paper cassette is removed, so it is easy to remove and store the paper cassette. There is no need to remove the paper discharge tray from the main body of the image forming apparatus in order to secure a space for this purpose.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus (copying machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure for a paper discharge tray provided in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the X arrow in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the operation when pulling out the paper feed cassette in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view showing the operation when pulling out the paper feed cassette in the same image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a state in which the interlocking mechanism of the image forming apparatus is released and the paper ejection tray is stored in the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus (copying machine) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a combination structure of a paper feed cassette and a paper discharge tray provided in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

2...Image forming apparatus main body, 19...Paper feed cassette
, 20... Paper ejection tray, 21... Side surface of image forming apparatus main body, 23, 35... Interlocking mechanism, 2
5...Rack formed in the paper feed cassette, 30...
Rack formed on paper output tray, 31... Pinion gear, 36... Connection wire, 39,4
0...pulley.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper ejection tray disposed on a side surface of the image forming apparatus main body; and a paper feed cassette disposed within the image forming apparatus main body so as to be removable from the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body. When the paper feed cassette is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body, the paper ejection tray is pulled into the image forming apparatus main body, and the paper ejection tray is inserted into the image forming apparatus between the paper ejection tray and the paper feed cassette. An image forming apparatus characterized in that an interlocking mechanism is provided which draws the paper feed cassette into the image forming apparatus main body when the paper feed cassette is pulled out from the main body.