JP3426098B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents
Image forming deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JP3426098B2 JP3426098B2 JP33037396A JP33037396A JP3426098B2 JP 3426098 B2 JP3426098 B2 JP 3426098B2 JP 33037396 A JP33037396 A JP 33037396A JP 33037396 A JP33037396 A JP 33037396A JP 3426098 B2 JP3426098 B2 JP 3426098B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- front housing
- housing
- sheet
- image forming
- forming apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Landscapes
- Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
- Color Electrophotography (AREA)
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は画像形成装置、特に
中間転写体を有するカラー複写機、カラープリンタ、カ
ラーファクシミリなどのカラー画像形成装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a color image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine, a color printer or a color facsimile having an intermediate transfer member.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術及び発明が解決しようとする課題】従来、
中間転写方式を使用したカラー画像形成装置の各ユニッ
ト配置としては、その搬送経路長を短くするために、装
置本体の下部に給紙部を、上部に定着部や排紙部を配置
した略垂直搬送経路としたものがある。中間転写体は、
その表面で用紙に転写する前の色重ねを行うため、用紙
のサイズが大きくなるとそれに合わせて中間転写体自体
も大きくする必要がある。Ａ３サイズ（２９７×４２０
ｍｍ）やＤＬＴサイズ（２７９×４３２ｍｍ）のような
大サイズに対応させると、Ａ４サイズ（２１０×２９７
ｍｍ）やＬＴサイズ（２１６×２７９ｍｍ）用の中間転
写体に比べ２倍の大きさとなる。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the problems to be solved by the invention
As for the unit arrangement of the color image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer method, in order to shorten the conveyance path length, a paper feed unit is arranged at the bottom of the main body of the device, and a fixing unit and a paper discharge unit are arranged at the upper part of the unit, which are substantially vertical. There is a transport route. The intermediate transfer body is
Since the color is superposed on the surface before the transfer onto the paper, it is necessary to increase the size of the intermediate transfer body according to the increase in the size of the paper. A3 size (297 x 420
mm) and DLT size (279 x 432 mm), it corresponds to A4 size (210 x 297 mm).
mm) and an LT size (216 × 279 mm) intermediate transfer member.
【０００３】ユーザは、ジャム処理や、中間転写体を含
むプロセスカートリッジ等の交換ユニットを交換する
際、前部筺体を開放してその操作を行うが、上述のよう
に装置の対応する用紙サイズが大きくなることにより、
中間転写体及びそれを含み搬送ガイドをも兼ねているプ
ロセスカートリッジ自体が大きくなることになる。従っ
て、一方の搬送ガイドをなす前部筺体に関してもそれに
つれて大きくなり、ユーザが前部筺体を開放してプロセ
スカートリッジを交換する際に前部筺体越しにプロセス
カートリッジにアクセスするための距離が遠くなること
になる。When jamming or replacing a replacement unit such as a process cartridge including an intermediate transfer member, the user opens the front housing to perform the operation. By getting bigger,
The intermediate transfer member and the process cartridge itself including the intermediate transfer member and also serving as the conveyance guide become large. Therefore, the front chassis forming one of the conveyance guides also becomes larger accordingly, and when the user opens the front chassis and replaces the process cartridge, the distance for accessing the process cartridge through the front chassis becomes longer. It will be.
【０００４】本発明は上述の点を考慮し、前部筺体を２
分割し、その上方、即ち開放した際にユーザ側となる上
方側の筺体の回転支点を装置（不動部）の内側に持って
いくことにより、上述のプロセスカートリッジへのアク
セス距離を小さくし、その際の装置（不動部）との干渉
を下方側の筺体の回転支点を変えることにより防ぐこと
ができる画像形成装置を提供することを目的としてい
る。In consideration of the above-mentioned points, the present invention has two front housings.
By dividing and bringing the rotation fulcrum of the upper side, which is the user side when opened, to the inside of the device (immovable part), the access distance to the process cartridge is reduced, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing interference with a device (immovable portion) at that time by changing a rotation fulcrum of a lower housing.
【０００５】本発明は、ユーザが前部筺体を開放する際
に、上方側及び下方側の筺体が連動することにより、一
度の操作により前部筺体を開放することができるよう操
作性の向上を図れる画像形成装置を提供することを目的
とする。According to the present invention, when the user opens the front housing, the upper and lower housings are interlocked with each other to improve the operability so that the front housing can be opened by one operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be achieved.
【０００６】本発明は、搬送ローラ、第２給紙部、転写
部及びそれらの駆動機構を上方側の筺体にすべて配置す
ることにより、それらに必要な位置関係を精度よく配置
できる画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which the transport rollers, the second sheet feeding section, the transfer section, and their drive mechanisms are all arranged in the upper housing so that the positional relationship required for them can be accurately arranged. The purpose is to provide.
【０００７】本発明は、下方側の筺体を樹脂の一体成形
により作成することで、他の部品をつけることなく用紙
搬送面、外装に両機能をだすことによるコストダウン、
組み付け性の向上を図れる画像形成装置を提供すること
を目的とする。According to the present invention, the lower housing is formed by integral molding of resin, thereby reducing the cost by providing both functions on the paper transport surface and the exterior without attaching other parts.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the assembling property.
【０００８】本発明は、下方側の筺体を単独でも開放可
能にすることにより、装置本体の下部に設ける給紙部
や、給紙部から少し送り出された箇所で詰まったジャム
紙を取り出すときの操作性の向上を図れる画像形成装置
を提供することを目的とする。According to the present invention, the lower housing can be opened independently, so that a jammed paper jammed at a paper feeding portion provided at the lower portion of the apparatus main body or a portion slightly fed from the paper feeding portion can be taken out. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving operability.
【０００９】本発明は、下方側の筺体を開放したまま装
置動作を行わせた場合、搬送ガイドがなくなって用紙の
ジャムとなることを防止できる画像形成装置を提供する
ことを目的とする。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a jam of a sheet due to loss of a conveyance guide when the apparatus operation is performed with the lower housing left open.
【００１０】本発明は、下方側の筺体の閉状態を検知す
る手段に用紙の有無検知をも兼ねさせることにより部品
点数、コスト削減を図れる画像形成装置を提供すること
を目的とする。An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the number of parts and cost by making the means for detecting the closed state of the lower housing also detect the presence or absence of paper.
【００１１】[0011]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明の画像形成装置の
うち請求項１に係るものは、上記目的を達成するため
に、装置本体の下方側に給紙部を、上方側に排紙部を配
置し、上記給紙部から上記排紙部へ至る方向に延びる転
写紙搬送経路を有し、上記装置本体が不動部筺体と、該
不動部筺体に対し下側に回転中心を有し、上記転写紙搬
送経路を開放するように回動可能な前部筺体と、上記不
動部筺体側にセットされ、その外装部が上記転写紙搬送
経路の一方となる中間転写体を含むプロセスカートリッ
ジからなるカラー画像形成装置において、上記前部筺体
が上記転写紙搬送経路の一方の搬送ガイドとなり、かつ
上記前部筺体が上方側の第１前部筺体と下方側の第２前
部筺体とに２分割され、これら第１前部筺体と第２前部
筺体とを異なる回転支点によりそれぞれ回動可能とし、
上記第１前部筺体の回転支点を上記第２前部筺体の回転
支点よりも上記不動部筺体の内側に配置したことを特徴
とする。In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has a sheet feeding section on the lower side of the apparatus body and a sheet discharging section on the upper side. And has a transfer paper transport path extending in the direction from the paper feed unit to the paper discharge unit, and the apparatus main body has a stationary part housing and a rotation center on the lower side with respect to the stationary part housing, The process cartridge includes a front housing that is rotatable so as to open the transfer paper transportation path, and a process cartridge that includes an intermediate transfer body that is set on the stationary portion housing side and has an exterior portion that is one of the transfer paper transportation paths. In the color image forming apparatus, the front housing
Serves as one of the transport guides for the transfer paper transport path, and the front housing is divided into an upper first front housing and a lower second front housing. The partial housing and the second front housing can be respectively rotated by different rotation fulcrums,
It is characterized in that the rotation fulcrum of the first front housing is arranged inside the immovable portion housing with respect to the rotation fulcrum of the second front housing.
【００１２】同請求項２に係るものは、上記第２前部筺
体を、付勢部材により第１前部筺体に付勢されて上記第
１前部筺体の開放動作に連動して開放可能とし、上記不
動部筺体へのロック部材を第１前部筺体にのみ設けてな
ることを特徴とする。According to the second aspect of the present invention, the second front housing can be opened by being urged by the urging member to the first front housing and linked with the opening operation of the first front housing. The locking member for the fixed part housing is provided only in the first front housing.
【００１３】同請求項３に係るものは、用紙を転写部や
定着部へ搬送する搬送ローラ及びその駆動機構、回動自
在の積載台の開放及び該積載台上に積載された用紙を上
記転写部や定着部に給送する第２給紙手段及びその駆動
機構を有し、上記プロセスカートリッジに対向し用紙に
トナー像を転写させるための上記転写部を第１前部筺体
に配したことを特徴とする。According to a third aspect of the present invention, a transport roller for transporting a sheet to a transfer section or a fixing section and a drive mechanism therefor, a rotatable loading platform is opened, and a sheet loaded on the loading platform is transferred to the transfer system. A second paper feeding unit for feeding to a fixing unit and a fixing unit, and a drive mechanism for the second paper feeding unit, and the transfer unit facing the process cartridge for transferring the toner image onto the paper is arranged in the first front housing. Characterize.
【００１４】同請求項４に係るものは、上記第２前部筺
体を樹脂等の１材料による部品とし、該第２前部筺体の
不動部筺体側の面を用紙搬送面とし、その他の面を装置
の外装面としてなることを特徴とする。According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the second front housing is a component made of one material such as resin, the surface of the second front housing on the side of the non-moving portion housing is the paper transporting surface, and the other surface. Is an exterior surface of the device.
【００１５】同請求項５に係るものは、上記第２前部筺
体を、それ単体でも開放可能としたことを特徴とする。A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the second front housing can be opened by itself.
【００１６】[0016]
【００１７】[0017]
【００１８】[0018]
【発明の実施の形態】以下本発明の実施の形態を図面を
参照して説明する。図１は本発明に係る画像装置の一実
施形態としてのカラー画像形成装置を示す断面図であ
る。図において、１はベルト状像担持体である感光体ベ
ルトで、感光体ベルト１は回動ローラ２、３の間に架設
されており、回動ローラ２、３の駆動により図中時計方
向に搬送される。図中４は帯電手段である帯電チャージ
ャ、５は像露光手段であるレーザ書込系ユニット、６は
イエロー、マゼンダ、シアンのカラー現像剤を収容した
３個の現像手段、即ち回転型カラー現像器で、７はカラ
ー現像器６とは別途設けた黒色の現像剤を収容した黒現
像器である。カラー現像器６及び黒現像器７は、各々所
定の位置で感光体ベルト１と近接あるいは接触する各現
像ローラを備え、レーザ書込ユニット５により形成され
た感光体ベルト１上の静電潜像を非接触現像あるいは接
触現像法により顕像化する。BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a color image forming apparatus as an embodiment of an image apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a photoconductor belt which is a belt-shaped image carrier, and the photoconductor belt 1 is provided between rotating rollers 2 and 3, and is driven clockwise by rotating the rotating rollers 2 and 3. Be transported. In the figure, 4 is a charging charger which is a charging means, 5 is a laser writing system unit which is an image exposing means, 6 is three developing means containing color developers of yellow, magenta and cyan, that is, a rotary color developing device. Reference numeral 7 denotes a black developing device which is provided separately from the color developing device 6 and accommodates a black developer. The color developing device 6 and the black developing device 7 are provided with respective developing rollers that come in close proximity to or contact the photoconductor belt 1 at predetermined positions, and an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor belt 1 formed by the laser writing unit 5 is provided. Are visualized by non-contact development or contact development.
【００１９】図中８は中間転写体である中間転写ベルト
であり、中間転写ベルト８は回動ローラ９、１０の間に
架設されており、回動ローラ９、１０の駆動により図中
反時計方向に搬送される。感光体ベルト１と中間転写ベ
ルト８とは、回動ローラ３の部位で接触しており、感光
体ベルト１上の第１回目の顕像が中間転写ベルト８内に
設けたバイアスブラシ１１により中間転写ベルト８上に
転写される。そのプロセスを４色であれば４回繰り返
し、中間転写ベルト８上に色ズレのないように各色の像
を重ね合わせる（１次転写）。感光体１、中間転写ベル
ト８及びそれぞれの回動ローラ、感光体ベルト１用のク
リーニング兼廃トナー収容箱１２、中間転写ベルト８用
クリーニングユニット１３は１つのプロセスカートリッ
ジとして一体としてある。Reference numeral 8 in the drawing denotes an intermediate transfer belt which is an intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 is installed between rotating rollers 9 and 10, and counterclockwise in the figure by driving the rotating rollers 9 and 10. Is conveyed in the direction. The photoconductor belt 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 are in contact with each other at the rotating roller 3, and the first visible image on the photoconductor belt 1 is intermediated by the bias brush 11 provided in the intermediate transfer belt 8. The image is transferred onto the transfer belt 8. If there are four colors, the process is repeated four times, and the images of the respective colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 so that there is no color shift (primary transfer). The photoconductor 1, the intermediate transfer belt 8 and respective rotating rollers, the cleaning / waste toner storage box 12 for the photoconductor belt 1, and the cleaning unit 13 for the intermediate transfer belt 8 are integrated as one process cartridge.
【００２０】不動筺体である本体フレーム１５の下部に
は、第１の給紙手段として、用紙１４をセットする給紙
カセット１６及び給紙ローラ１７が配置してある。一方
の搬送ガイドとなる回動可能な前部筺体は、上部の第１
前フレーム１８と下部の第２前フレーム１９とからな
り、それぞれ支点２０、支点２１を回転支点として回動
可能に本体フレーム１５に取り付けてあり、閉状態の時
にはロックレバー２２により本体フレーム１５に固定さ
れる。第１前フレーム１８の支点２０は、第２前フレー
ム１９の支点２１よりも本体フレーム１５の内側（図中
左側）に寄せてある。Below the main body frame 15 which is an immovable housing, a paper feed cassette 16 for setting the paper 14 and a paper feed roller 17 are arranged as a first paper feed means. The rotatable front housing that serves as one of the transport guides is
A front frame 18 and a lower second front frame 19 are rotatably attached to the body frame 15 with a fulcrum 20 and a fulcrum 21 as rotation fulcrums, respectively, and fixed to the body frame 15 by a lock lever 22 in the closed state. To be done. The fulcrum 20 of the first front frame 18 is closer to the inside (left side in the drawing) of the main body frame 15 than the fulcrum 21 of the second front frame 19.
【００２１】給紙カセット１６内の用紙１４は、給紙ロ
ーラ１７に加圧当接しており、給紙ローラ１７との摩擦
力により装置内部へ向け給紙される。給紙カセット１６
を出た用紙１４は、第２前フレーム１９の用紙搬送面を
通り、搬送ローラ対２３、レジストローラ対２４を経て
中間転写ベルト８と転写ローラ２５のニップに、紙と画
像の位置が正規のものとなるよう、タイミングを取られ
て搬送される。転写ローラ２５の作用で、中間転写ベル
ト８上の数色のトナー像を一括して受け渡され、用紙１
４は定着装置２６に送られ、トナー像を定着され、排紙
ローラ対２７により本体フレーム１５の上部の排紙スタ
ック部２８に排出される。The paper 14 in the paper feed cassette 16 is pressed against the paper feed roller 17 and is fed toward the inside of the apparatus by the frictional force with the paper feed roller 17. Paper cassette 16
The sheet 14 exiting the sheet passes through the sheet transport surface of the second front frame 19, passes through the transport roller pair 23 and the registration roller pair 24, and enters the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the transfer roller 25 so that the positions of the sheet and the image are normal. It is transported in a timely manner so that it becomes a product. By the action of the transfer roller 25, the toner images of several colors on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are collectively delivered, and the paper 1
The sheet 4 is sent to the fixing device 26, the toner image is fixed, and the sheet is discharged by the sheet discharge roller pair 27 to the sheet discharge stack portion 28 above the main body frame 15.
【００２２】また、第１前フレーム１８の操作者側（図
中右側）には、第２給紙手段である手差トレイ２９を設
けてある。用紙積載用の手差トレイ２９は、使用時にの
み図１中の２点鎖線で示す位置から実線で示す位置に開
放され、用紙を積載される。積載された用紙はピックア
ップローラ３０の当接動作によりフィードローラ３１へ
送られ、フィードローラ３１によりレジストローラ対２
４へ搬送され、それ以降前述のような転写、定着過程を
経て排紙スタック部２８に排出される。なお、搬送ロー
ラ対２３、レジストローラ対２４、転写ローラ及び第２
給紙手段である手差トレイ２９は、第１前フレーム１８
に取り付けてあり、第１前フレーム１８内の配置のため
ローラの位置精度が出る構成となっている。On the operator side of the first front frame 18 (on the right side in the drawing), a manual tray 29 as a second sheet feeding means is provided. The manual tray 29 for stacking sheets is opened from the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 to the position shown by the solid line only when used, and the sheets are stacked. The stacked sheets are sent to the feed roller 31 by the abutment operation of the pickup roller 30, and the feed roller 31 causes the registration roller pair 2 to move.
The sheet is conveyed to the sheet 4, and thereafter, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge stack unit 28 through the above-described transfer and fixing processes. The pair of transport rollers 23, the pair of registration rollers 24, the transfer roller, and the second roller
The manual tray 29, which is a paper feeding unit, is provided in the first front frame 18
It is mounted on the first front frame 18 and is arranged in the first front frame 18 so that the positional accuracy of the rollers is high.
【００２３】図２は図１の装置における前フレームの開
放状態を、図３に比較例として従来例での前フレームの
開放状態を示す。なお図３では本発明の実施形態装置と
同一又は類似の部分に共通する符号を付してある。図２
のように本発明の実施形態装置においては、第１前フレ
ーム１８が支点２０を回動支点として開放され、第２前
フレーム１９が支点２１を回動支点として開放された状
態で、操作者側から上述のプロセスカートリッジへの距
離（給紙カセット１６の左端〜第１前フレーム１８の開
放時の右端までの距離ｘ１で見ると）を図３の例（同じ
く給紙カセット１６の左端〜第１前フレーム１８の開放
時の左端までの距離ｘ２）と比較すると、その距離が小
さくなっていることが分かる。操作者は第１前フレーム
１８右端よりプロセスカートリッジにアクセスするた
め、この距離が近いほどプロセスカートリッジを運ぶ距
離、時間が短くなり操作性がよいといえる。FIG. 2 shows the opened state of the front frame in the apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows the opened state of the front frame in the conventional example as a comparative example. In FIG. 3, the same or similar parts as those of the embodiment of the present invention are designated by common reference numerals. Figure 2
As described above, in the embodiment apparatus of the present invention, the first front frame 18 is opened with the fulcrum 20 as the pivot fulcrum, and the second front frame 19 is opened with the fulcrum 21 as the pivot fulcrum. From the above to the process cartridge (when viewed from the left end of the paper feed cassette 16 to the right end when the first front frame 18 is opened) as an example of FIG. 3 (also the left end of the paper feed cassette 16 to the first end). It can be seen that the distance is smaller than the distance x2) to the left end when the front frame 18 is opened. Since the operator accesses the process cartridge from the right end of the first front frame 18, the shorter the distance, the shorter the distance and time for carrying the process cartridge, and the better the operability.
【００２４】図４、図５は、第１前フレーム１８と第２
前フレーム１９の連結部位を拡大して示す断面図であ
る。第２前フレーム１９は、スプリング３２により装置
フレーム１５へ引っ張られている。突き当て位置は第１
前フレーム１８に設けたコロ３３で、コロ３３は空回り
する。第１前フレーム１８を開放していくと、コロ３３
により第２前フレーム１９が図中の矢印方向に押され
る。コロ３３は第２前フレーム１９の搬送面側をレール
（但しコロ３３は用紙搬送部外の位置に設けてある。）
として第２前フレーム１９を押し続ける。スプリング３
２の力により、常に第２前フレーム１９は第１前フレー
ム１８へ押し付けられる。4 and 5 show the first front frame 18 and the second front frame 18.
It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the connection part of the front frame 19. As shown in FIG. The second front frame 19 is pulled to the device frame 15 by the spring 32. First butting position
The roller 33 provided on the front frame 18 makes the roller 33 idle. When the first front frame 18 is released, the roller 33
As a result, the second front frame 19 is pushed in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The rollers 33 are rails on the conveying surface side of the second front frame 19 (however, the rollers 33 are provided outside the sheet conveying portion).
Then, the second front frame 19 is continuously pressed. Spring 3
The second front frame 19 is always pressed against the first front frame 18 by the force of 2.
【００２５】第２前フレーム１９は、図示のように本体
フレーム１５側を用紙の搬送面とし、逆に操作者側を装
置の外装面とした樹脂一体部品であり、奥行き方向の中
央部は用紙の通過幅より大きい搬送ガイドとなり、その
外側にコロ３３が当接するレール部１９ａと回動のため
の支点２１を持つ。第２前フレーム１９は、第１前フレ
ーム１８へスプリング３２により押しつけられているだ
けなので、単独での開閉も可能である。The second front frame 19 is a resin-integrated part having the main body frame 15 side as the sheet conveying surface and the operator side as the exterior surface of the apparatus, as shown in the figure. Has a rail portion 19a with which the roller 33 contacts and a fulcrum 21 for rotation. Since the second front frame 19 is merely pressed against the first front frame 18 by the spring 32, it can be opened and closed independently.
【００２６】図６〜図８は本発明の第２の実施形態装置
における図４、５相当の断面図である。図６は、第２前
フレーム１９が開いた状態、図７は第２フレーム１９が
閉じた状態、図８は用紙１４が通過中の状態をそれぞれ
示している。この実施形態では、本体フレーム１５側の
搬送路中にフィラー３４とフォトセンサ３５からなる検
知手段を設けてある。フィラー３４は、第２前フレーム
１９の一部に当接した位置でのみフォトセンサ３５によ
り検知される（図７参照）。図７の状態（第２前フレー
ム１９を閉めた状態）から装置動作が始まると、給紙ロ
ーラ１７により給紙された用紙１４はやがてフィラー３
４を押し、図８の状態で搬送ローラ対２３へ搬送されて
いく。その状態では図８に実線で示すようにフィラー３
４は非検知状態となる。本実施形態装置が有するマイク
ロコンピュータ等の図示せぬ制御手段は、装置が稼働し
はじめた時にフォトセンサ３５の状態を確認し、フィラ
ー３４を非検知状態であれば第２前フレーム１９が開い
た状態（図６）であると認識し、これを適宜の表示、音
声等でユーザに報知し、第２前フレーム１９が閉じた状
態（図７）になりフィラー３４を検知するまで装置の動
作を停止させる。また、装置が稼働中、即ち給紙ローラ
１７が回転中に非検知状態となった場合には、用紙の通
過中であると認識し、ジャム検知等の検知手段に変わ
る。FIGS. 6 to 8 are sectional views corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 5 in the second embodiment device of the present invention. 6 shows a state in which the second front frame 19 is open, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the second frame 19 is closed, and FIG. 8 shows a state in which the sheet 14 is passing. In this embodiment, a detection unit including a filler 34 and a photo sensor 35 is provided in the conveyance path on the body frame 15 side. The filler 34 is detected by the photo sensor 35 only at the position where it is in contact with a part of the second front frame 19 (see FIG. 7). When the operation of the apparatus is started from the state of FIG. 7 (the state in which the second front frame 19 is closed), the sheet 14 fed by the sheet feed roller 17 will soon be filled with the filler 3.
4 is pushed and the sheet is conveyed to the pair of conveying rollers 23 in the state of FIG. In that state, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
4 is a non-detection state. A control unit (not shown) such as a microcomputer included in the apparatus of the present embodiment checks the state of the photo sensor 35 when the apparatus starts to operate, and opens the second front frame 19 if the filler 34 is not detected. It recognizes that it is in the state (FIG. 6), notifies this to the user by an appropriate display, voice, etc., and operates the apparatus until the second front frame 19 is closed (FIG. 7) and the filler 34 is detected. Stop. Further, when the apparatus is in operation, that is, when the paper feed roller 17 is in the non-detection state during rotation, it is recognized that the paper is passing and the detection means such as jam detection is changed.
【００２７】[0027]
【発明の効果】請求項１に係る画像形成装置は、以上説
明してきたように、前部筺体を２分割しその上方、即ち
開放した際にユーザ側にくる第１前部筺体の回転支点を
装置（不動部）の内側に持っていくことにより、装置本
体内のプロセスカートリッジへのアクセス距離を短く
し、その際の装置（不動部）との干渉を防ぐことができ
るようになるという効果がある。As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the front housing is divided into two parts, and the rotation fulcrum of the first front housing that comes to the user side above the front housing is opened. By bringing it inside the device (immovable part), it is possible to shorten the access distance to the process cartridge in the device body and prevent the interference with the device (immovable part) at that time. is there.
【００２８】請求項２に係る画像形成装置は、以上説明
してきたように、ユーザが前部筺体を開放する際に、第
１前部筺体と第２前部筺体とが連動することにより、上
記共通の効果に加え、ユーザは１度の操作により前部筺
体を開放することができ、操作性が向上するという効果
がある。As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the user opens the front casing, the first front casing and the second front casing are interlocked with each other. In addition to the common effects, the user can open the front housing with a single operation, which improves the operability.
【００２９】請求項３に係る画像形成装置は、以上説明
してきたように、搬送ローラ、第２給紙部、転写部、及
びそれらの駆動機構を第１前部筺体にすべて配置するこ
とにより、上記共通の効果に加え、それらに必要な位置
関係を精度よく配置することができるという効果があ
る。As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the conveying roller, the second sheet feeding section, the transfer section, and their drive mechanism are all arranged in the first front housing, In addition to the common effects described above, there is an effect that the positional relationship required for them can be arranged with high accuracy.
【００３０】請求項４に係る画像形成装置は、以上説明
してきたように、第２前部筺体を樹脂の一体成形により
作成することで、上記共通の効果に加え、他の部品をつ
けることなく用紙搬送面、外装の両機能を出すことによ
るコストダウンや組み付け性の向上を図ることができる
という効果がある。As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the second front housing is formed by integral molding of resin, so that in addition to the above-described common effects, other parts are not attached. By providing both functions of the paper transport surface and the exterior, it is possible to reduce the cost and improve the assemblability.
【００３１】請求項５に係る画像形成装置は、以上説明
してきたように、第２前部筺体を単独でも開放すること
が可能にすることにより、上記共通の効果に加え、装置
下部に設けられた給紙部や、そこから少し出たところで
のジャム紙を取り出すときの操作性の向上を図ることが
できるという効果がある。As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect is provided at the lower portion of the apparatus in addition to the above-mentioned common effects by making it possible to open the second front housing alone. Further, there is an effect that it is possible to improve the operability when taking out the paper feed unit and the jammed paper just after it is slightly ejected.
【００３２】[0032]
【００３３】[0033]
【図１】本発明に係る画像装置の一実施形態としてのカ
ラー画像形成装置を示す断面図である。FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a color image forming apparatus as an embodiment of an image apparatus according to the present invention.
【図２】図１の装置における前フレームの開放状態を示
す断面図である。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an open state of a front frame in the device of FIG.
【図３】比較例として従来例での前フレームの開放状態
を示す断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an open state of a front frame in a conventional example as a comparative example.
【図４】前フレームを閉じた状態での第１前フレームと
第２前フレームの連結部位を拡大して示す断面図であ
る。FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between a first front frame and a second front frame in a state where the front frame is closed.
【図５】前フレームを開けた状態での第１前フレームと
第２前フレームの連結部位を拡大して示す断面図であ
る。FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between the first front frame and the second front frame with the front frame opened.
【図６】本発明の第２の実施形態装置における前フレー
ムを閉じた状態での第１前フレームと第２前フレームの
連結部位を拡大して示す断面図である。FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between the first front frame and the second front frame in a state in which the front frame is closed in the apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
【図７】本発明の第２の実施形態装置における前フレー
ムを開けた状態での第１前フレームと第２前フレームの
連結部位を拡大して示す断面図である。FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between the first front frame and the second front frame in a state where the front frame is opened in the apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
【図８】本発明の第２の実施形態装置における前フレー
ムを閉じた状態でかつ用紙通過中の第１前フレームと第
２前フレームの連結部位を拡大して示す断面図である。FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion of the first front frame and the second front frame in the state where the front frame is closed and the sheet is passing in the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
１ 感光体ベルト ２、３ 回動ローラ ４ 帯電チャージャ ５ レーザ書込系ユニット ６ 回転型カラー現像器 ７ 黒現像器 ８ 中間転写ベルト ９、１０ 回動ローラ １１ バイアスブラシ １２ クリーニング兼廃トナー収容箱 １３ 中間転写ベルト用クリーニングユニット １５ 本体フレーム １４ 用紙 １６ 給紙カセット １７ 給紙ローラ １８ 第１前フレーム １９ 第２前フレーム １９ａ レール部 ２０、２１ 支点 ２２ ロックレバー ２３ 搬送ローラ対 ２４ レジストローラ対 ２５ 転写ローラ ２６ 定着装置 ２７ 排紙ローラ対 ２８ 排紙スタック部 ２９ 手差トレイ ３０ ピックアップローラ ３１ フィードローラ ３２ スプリング ３３ コロ ３４ フィラー ３５ フォトセンサ 1 photoconductor belt A few rotating rollers 4 Charger 5 Laser writing system unit 6 Rotating color developing device 7 Black developer 8 Intermediate transfer belt 9,10 rotating roller 11 bias brush 12 Cleaning and waste toner storage box 13 Cleaning unit for intermediate transfer belt 15 Body frame 14 sheets 16 paper cassettes 17 Paper feed roller 18 1st front frame 19 Second front frame 19a Rail part 20, 21 fulcrum 22 Lock lever 23 Conveyor roller pair 24 Pair of registration rollers 25 Transfer roller 26 Fixing device 27 Paper ejection roller pair 28 Paper output stack section 29 Bypass tray 30 pickup roller 31 Feed roller 32 spring 33 Roll 34 Filler 35 photo sensor
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (56)参考文献 特開 平８−44131（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平８−211685（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平７−114242（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平２−38241（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平４−292353（ＪＰ，Ａ) 実開 平１−78638（ＪＰ，Ｕ) (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.7，ＤＢ名) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16 - 21/18 G03G 15/00 303 G03G 21/00 370 - 540 G03G 21/14 G03G 15/01 - 15/01 117 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-8-44131 (JP, A) JP-A-8-212685 (JP, A) JP-A-7-114242 (JP, A) JP-A-2- 38241 (JP, A) JP-A-4-292353 (JP, A) Actual development 1-78638 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. 7 , DB name) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16-21/18 G03G 15/00 303 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 21/14 G03G 15/01-15/01 117
Claims (5)
排紙部を配置し、上記給紙部から上記排紙部へ至る方向
に延びる転写紙搬送経路を有し、上記装置本体が不動部
筺体と、該不動部筺体に対し下側に回転中心を有し、上
記転写紙搬送経路を開放するように回動可能な前部筺体
と、上記不動部筺体側にセットされ、その外装部が上記
転写紙搬送経路の一方となる中間転写体を含むプロセス
カートリッジからなるカラー画像形成装置において、上
記前部筺体が上記転写紙搬送経路の一方の搬送ガイドと
なり、かつ上記前部筺体が上方側の第１前部筺体と下方
側の第２前部筺体とに２分割され、これら第１前部筺体
と第２前部筺体とを異なる回転支点によりそれぞれ回動
可能とし、上記第１前部筺体の回転支点を上記第２前部
筺体の回転支点よりも上記不動部筺体の内側に配置した
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。1. A transfer sheet conveying path extending in a direction from the sheet feeding section to the sheet discharging section, wherein a sheet feeding section is arranged below the apparatus body and a sheet discharging section is arranged above the apparatus main body. The main body has a stationary portion housing, a rotation center on the lower side with respect to the stationary portion housing, a front housing rotatable to open the transfer paper transport path, and set on the stationary portion housing side, in the color image forming apparatus comprising a process cartridge including an intermediate transfer member to which the outer portion is the one of the transfer-sheet conveying path, on
The front housing is used as one of the transfer guides on the transfer paper transfer path.
And the front housing is divided into an upper first front housing and a lower second front housing, and the first front housing and the second front housing are respectively separated by different rotation fulcrums. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is rotatable and the rotation fulcrum of the first front housing is arranged inside the stationary portion housing with respect to the rotation fulcrum of the second front housing.
１前部筺体に付勢されて上記第１前部筺体の開放動作に
連動して開放可能とし、上記不動部筺体へのロック部材
を第１前部筺体にのみ設けてなることを特徴とする請求
項１の画像形成装置。2. The second front housing is urged by a urging member toward the first front housing so that the second front housing can be opened in association with the opening operation of the first front housing, and the second front housing can be opened. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lock member is provided only on the first front housing.
ーラ及びその駆動機構、回動自在の積載台の開放及び該
積載台上に積載された用紙を上記転写部や定着部に給送
する第２給紙手段及びその駆動機構を有し、上記プロセ
スカートリッジに対向し用紙にトナー像を転写させるた
めの上記転写部を第１前部筺体に配したことを特徴とす
る請求項１または２の画像形成装置。3. A transport roller for transporting a sheet to a transfer section or a fixing section, a drive mechanism for the transport roller, opening of a rotatable loading platform, and feeding the sheet loaded on the loading platform to the transferring section or the fixing section. 2. A second front sheet feeding means and a driving mechanism for the second sheet feeding means, and the transfer portion, which is opposed to the process cartridge and is for transferring a toner image onto a sheet, is arranged in the first front housing. 2 image forming apparatus.
る部品とし、該第２前部筺体の不動部筺体側の面を用紙
搬送面とし、その他の面を装置の外装面としてなること
を特徴とする請求項１ないし３のいずれかの画像形成装
置。4. The second front housing is a component made of one material such as resin, the surface of the second front housing on the stationary portion housing side is a paper transport surface, and the other surface is an exterior surface of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
可能としたことを特徴とする請求項２ないし４のいずれ
かの画像形成装置。5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second front housing can be opened by itself.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP33037396A JP3426098B2 (en) | 1996-11-25 | 1996-11-25 | Image forming device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP33037396A JP3426098B2 (en) | 1996-11-25 | 1996-11-25 | Image forming device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH10153939A JPH10153939A (en) | 1998-06-09 |
| JP3426098B2 true JP3426098B2 (en) | 2003-07-14 |
Family
ID=18231886
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP33037396A Expired - Fee Related JP3426098B2 (en) | 1996-11-25 | 1996-11-25 | Image forming device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3426098B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4383807B2 (en) * | 2003-08-29 | 2009-12-16 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
| JP2005266672A (en) * | 2004-03-22 | 2005-09-29 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Image forming apparatus and method for loading/unloading process cartridge |
| JP2010066777A (en) * | 2009-12-14 | 2010-03-25 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Image forming apparatus |
-
1996
- 1996-11-25 JP JP33037396A patent/JP3426098B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH10153939A (en) | 1998-06-09 |
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