Image forming apparatus and the paper feeding cassette for use in the same

The application of that proposed in Japanese Patent application 11 August 2011 2011-176026 based priority, and in the present application reference the basis of all the contents of the application.

Technical Field

The invention relates to minimizing the installation area of the main body of the device and will not hinder the handling of the hand for carrying Image forming device and its paper supply box.

Background Art

In the past, which are known to be located in the device with respect to the paper feeding cassette of the lower part of the main body and the mounting part of the inserted relatively small Image forming apparatus. Relatively small means that can be loaded in the size of the desk, for example, on the extent to which the size of the table.

The size of the Image forming apparatus from the factory in the office to move to from the past is new or has been used when the arrangement of the mobile sites, for example, two people grasp the device body at the two sides of the handle to enable the device to move.

In order to carry out the above-mentioned conveying, Japan opens especially 2005-189752 of a proposed in the communique effectively and narrow space with spare simple structure to reliably prevent the slipping of the handle just of the hands of the Image forming apparatus.

Furthermore, Japan opens especially 2007-106034 of an additional unit has set up the device, with means for preventing setting up the unit, wherein the printer or copier in the carrying of the electronic equipment such as, if at the same time the lower part of the carrying of additional connected with the generating unit will be dropped at the upper part of the bad conditions of electronic equipment, in order to prevent such adverse situation, the prohibition of the finger hook device for preventing the additional unit of the lower part of the handle of the shell.

However, observing the above-mentioned Japanese opens especially 2005-189752 of Image forming apparatus of the known structure of the handle, the front surface of the device body side and the rear surface side, to the shell of the body of the device is a hand-pointing handle is formed in such a manner is inserted into the region of the inserted finger.

The fingers are formed on the position of the insertion area of the inside of the device main body, configured with various internal device or component. Therefore, in order to avoid the interference with the internal device or component, from the to the outside in the direction of internal device or component, or in the internal device or component in the gap, the area of the handle structure configuration.

Along the external left the inner device is set up to the direction of and part of the area of the handle structure, will result in the maximization of the device body. Furthermore, in the interior of the device or component is disposed in the gap in the area of the handle structure, the only is more difficult to control the position of the handle structure is disposed on, or brought to the design is very greatly constrained. No matter on which kind of situation, the above-mentioned Japanese opens especially 2005-189752 are not shown, is the consideration of area reduction.

Furthermore, Japan opens especially 2007-106034 of an additional unit with the same as though the device for carrying an electronic device which aims at the technical scheme of the handle, but its is forced to carry separately as the setting of the main body of the electronic equipment and the technical scheme of an additional unit, have not shown the special consideration to set up the area reduction.

However, in recent years, not only is an Image forming apparatus, is arranged in the electronic equipment in the office are considered to be the better the smaller the setting area. On the other hand, in order to ensure that the hand hook, the opening of the handle move by the need for adequate depth.

Therefore, the opening of the handle for transportation is an important reason for the maximization of the device main body, on the other hand, in the handling of the time, the opening of the handle for the is not always being needed is the useless part of the function. In this there are the following topics: no special restrictions to the design with a simple structure to inhibit to the maximum extent by transport caused by the opening of the handle for the maximization of the device main body.

Content of the invention

This invention is used for solving the subject of the above-mentioned in the past, the purpose is to provide a use for carrying the body of the device the handle of the finger hook opening in the area of this body side and the inner member side of the device, thus minimizing the installation area of the device main body of the Image forming device and its paper supply box.

In order to realize the above purpose of this invention, the Image forming device of the invention constitutes, with the device body, in the device with a side surface of the body of the tray for carrying a finger, relative to the device body in the way of loading and unloading with freedom of paper and is formed with the hook finger box side for space portion of the carton, the above-mentioned hand means formed in part in the above-mentioned paper supply box is mounted to the device body with the above-mentioned for the opposed position of the side wall of the paper.

Furthermore, as described above of the Image forming apparatus of the present invention is configured to, in the above-mentioned device with a side surface of the body frame and the side plate of the present invention, the above-mentioned finger grasping Department as having the finger hook opening and the bending part is hooked the opening of the finger, the finger hook opening is formed in the above-mentioned present invention, the bent part and the above-mentioned finger hook opening formed in the corresponding to the frame the body side face.

Furthermore, as described above of the Image forming apparatus of the present invention as a, the above-mentioned loading and unloading position of the paper feeding cassette for the lower part of the main body for the above-mentioned device, the above-mentioned device for a side surface of the body side surface of the lower part of the main body the above-mentioned device. And, as a, the above-mentioned paper supply box along the horizontal direction relative to the lower part of the main body of the above-mentioned device for loading and unloading.

Furthermore, as described above the Image forming apparatus of this invention, also has transmission member, the transmission member will be accommodated in the above-mentioned paper feeding cassette with the above-mentioned paper to in the loading and unloading of the paper feeding cassette to convey in the direction intersecting the direction of, the above-mentioned finger hook part is arranged on the above-mentioned paper the direction of transfer of the rear side of the rear of the device main body. And, also can be, the above-mentioned fingers in the above-mentioned device main body part is provided with two at the rear side. With the above-mentioned device for the different side surfaces of a side surface of the body, has different from the above-mentioned finger of the single chip, the above-mentioned hand means for use with the part of the device main body together with the hand. Furthermore, preferably, the above-mentioned finger hook with the above-mentioned device main body is integrally arranged.

In order to realize the above purpose of this invention, a paper feeding cassette of the present invention for, accommodating a paper, relative to the device with a side surface of the body for carrying the fingers of the Image forming apparatus of the single chip device body can be free of loading and unloading, wherein in the above-mentioned paper supply box is mounted to the above-mentioned Image forming apparatus main body, the above-mentioned hand means in the opposite position of the tray, the finger hook space portion with box side.

Furthermore, as described above for a in a paper cassette of the present invention, the above-mentioned loading and unloading position of the paper feeding cassette for the lower part of the main body for the above-mentioned device, the above-mentioned device for a side surface of the body side surface of the lower part of the main body the above-mentioned device. Furthermore, as a, the above-mentioned paper supply box along the horizontal direction relative to the lower part of the main body of the above-mentioned device for loading and unloading.

Furthermore, as described above of the present invention formed as a paper feeding cassette, the finger hook space portion in the above-mentioned box side from the incised notches cross-and the internal side of the paper feeding cassette for a space, the incised notches formed in the part accommodated in the paper feeding cassette of the paper in the direction of transfer of the side wall at the rear of the.

Furthermore, as described above of a paper feeding cassette of the present invention is, with restricting member, the restricting member is accommodated in the above-mentioned for along the paper transport direction of the paper advance and retreat freely, the above-mentioned is accommodated to restrict back end position of the paper; the hooking fingers box side formed in the space portion in the above-mentioned paper feeding cassette is accommodated in the large-size paper, the above-mentioned restriction part of the keep out of the way around the part. And, as a, the above-mentioned box side finger hook space portion of the part with the above-mentioned restrictions in the above-mentioned advance and retreat in the direction intersecting the direction of the limit component is formed on the front and back of the two.

In this way, in the Image forming device of the invention and its use in paper feeding cassette, will be used for carrying the body of the device the handle of the finger hook opening are provided in a device area of this body side and the mounting of the device body the internal components of the side, therefore, can be obtained to the maximum extent to reduce the installation area of the device main body of the Image forming apparatus and the use of the same the effect of paper feeding cassette.

Description of drawings

By combining the following drawings of the specific embodiment below, to more clearly understand this application.

Figure 1 is the appearance three-dimensional view of the embodiment of the invention 1 with of the finger hook opening for carrying the color Image forming apparatus (printer).

Figure 2 is the cutaway view of illustrative embodiment 1 relates to the internal structure of the printer.

Figure 3 is the diagram of said embodiment 1 relates to a printer for the lower part of the left end of the paper (the paper feeding end the end part of the one side) of the shape and the shape of the left end of the device body.

Figure 4 is the diagram of the top view of the paper feeding cassette, is at the same time using two-dot chain line shows a virtual that the profile of the casing of the device body and the finger hook shadow virtual said handle area of the contour of the opening.

Figure 5 is the diagram of the embodiment used for said 1 of the printer of the prior art to compare the paper feeding cassette for the plan top view, is at the same time using two-dot chain line shows a virtual that the profile of the casing of the device body and the finger hook shadow virtual said handle area of the contour of the opening.

Figure 6 is the Figure of that example 2 relates to a printer for the lower part of the left end of the paper (the paper feeding end the end part of the one side) of the shape and the shape of the left end of the device body.

Mode of execution

The following, based on the Figure the embodiment of the invention to carry out a detailed description.

(Embodiment 1)

Figure 1 is the appearance three-dimensional view of the embodiment of the invention 1 with of the finger hook opening for carrying the color Image forming apparatus (printer). As shown in Figure 1, the printer 1 with the front door in front 2, the front door 2 mounted at the bottom of 2 for paper box 3 (3a, 3b).

2 for paper box 3 (3a, 3b) are respectively provided with a handle 4, the sheet-feeding cassette 3 through these handle 4 along behind it possible for the device described in detail are at the same time of positioning, along the body of the device is withdrawn and inserted into the front direction with respect to the mounting portion is loading and unloading.

Furthermore, printer 1 is provided with a distribution on the right in the upper surface of the operation panel 5, and is also formed an Image forming medium (hereinafter referred to as "paper") of the ejection portion 6.

The operation panel 5 of the liquid crystal display operation part, and a key joint, wherein in the key, although there is no special Callouts the Figure mark to express but configured with a plurality of keys, the liquid crystal display is based on from the not shown control part output display information to the display.

In the ejection portion 6 is arranged above the right end portion of the ejection port 7, and is disposed on the the ejection port 7 differentiating of 8. Switchback transportation 8 by the latter of the Image forming unit to form the color Image of the paper, from the ejection port 7 discharges sequentially in the ejection portion 6 are stacked on.

Furthermore, in the printer 1 of the lower part of the left side, two in the front and in the back, the handling device body formed with (printer 1) finger hook opening 9. On the finger hook peristome 9, will be in detail hereinafter.

Figure 2 is the cutaway view of the appearance of that has the above-mentioned embodiment 1 relates to the printer 1 of the internal structure. As shown in Figure 2, the printer 1 includes an Image forming section 11, the belt unit 12, double-sided printing transport unit 13, paper feeder 14 and fixation portion 15.

The above-mentioned Image forming part 11 through the 4 the Image forming unit 16 (16M, 16C, 16Y, 16K) in the Figure 2 in the right to left according to the order of the structure of the arranged a becomes multi-stage. Image forming unit 16K mainly used for forming based on the character or Image of the dark part of the black (K) toner black-and-white Image.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned 4 Image forming unit 16 to the upstream side of the in (the right side of the graph) the 3 Image forming unit 16M, 16C, respectively form 16Y based on subtractive color, the three primary colors magenta (M), indigo (C), yellow (Y) color Image of the color toner.

The above-mentioned each Image forming unit 16 in addition to be accommodated in the toner container (toner cartridge) in different color of toner outside of the, other exactly the same structure. Therefore, following by black (K) Image-forming unit 16K as an example to illustrate the structure.

Image forming unit 16 in its lowermost portion having a photosensitive drum 17. The photosensitive drum 17 by, for example, the peripheral surface of the organic photoconductive material.

With the photosensitive drum 17 contact the peripheral surface of adjacent to or surrounded by a peripheral surface of the cleaner 18, electrification roller 19, optical write head 21 and developing device 22 of the developing roller 23.

Developing device 22 on an upper portion of the toner container, such as the Figure 2 M in, C, Y, indicated by K containing a magenta (M), indigo (C), yellow (Y), black (K) of a kind of color toner, and the middle part is provided with a to a lower portion of the supply toner supply mechanism.

Furthermore, in the developing device 22 at the lower part of, the side openings possesses the above-mentioned developing roller 23, with the toner agitating member in the inside, to the developing roller 23 supplies the toner supply roller 24, a developing roller 23 is restricted to toner layer on the thickness of a layer such as a scraper.

The belt unit 12 substantially central of the device body with: from the left and right of the graph generally end-to-end a ring-like shape extending flat ring-shaped part of the strip 25, the transfer shelf hanging and 25 and the transfer belt 25 counter-clockwise direction in the Figure of the cyclic movement of the drive roller 26 and the driven roller 27.

The above-mentioned transfer belt 25 directly transferring the toner Image (a primary transfer) to the surface, in order to further the toner Image transfer (secondary transfer) on the paper and make the above-mentioned transfer belt 25 to the paper is conveyed to a transfer position of the transfer, therefore, the whole unit in the so-called intermediate transfer belt unit.

The belt unit 12 in the above-mentioned flat annular strip 25 with the ring position control mechanism 28. With position control mechanism 28 with the conductive foamed sponge is formed of a primary transfer roller 29, the a primary transfer roller 29 via the transfer belt 25 to the photosensitive drum 17 peripheral surface at the lower part of the press.

With position control mechanism 28 with the magenta (M), indigo (C), and yellow (Y) a total of 3 Image forming unit 16M, 16C and 16Y corresponding 3, a primary transfer roller 29 in order to hook the supporting shaft as the center of rotational movement in the same cycle.

And, with position control mechanism 28 through the black (K) Image forming unit 16K corresponding 1 a primary transfer roller 29 with the above-mentioned 3, a primary transfer roller 29 different cycle of the cycle of rotational movement of the rotary movement, the transfer belt 25 with respect to the photosensitive drum 17 contacts or separation.

In other words, with position control mechanism 28 can be the belt unit 12 of the transfer belt 25 is switched to the position of the: color mode (all 4 a primary transfer roller 29 to the transfer belt 25 abutment), black-and-white mode (only the Image forming unit 16K corresponding a primary transfer roller 29 with the transfer belt 25 abutment), all non-transfer mode and (4 and a primary transfer roller 29 all of the transfer belt 25 separation).

In the above-mentioned belt unit 12 in, with the upper surface portion of the most upstream side of the moving direction of the Image forming unit 16M the upstream side, with a clean configuration 31. Furthermore, along with unit 12 with a lower face, and is freely provided with a thin flat a waste toner recovery container 32.

Although not specifically shown, but with clean part 31 and waste toner recovery container 32 via the temporary storage unit, waste toner conveying screw and drops the tube and is connected.

Paper feeder 14 with Figure 1 the sub-shown in the upper and lower 2 layer configuration 2 for paper box 3 (3a, 3b). In 2 for paper box 3 of the paper in the vicinity (on the right of the graph), are respectively provided with a paper take-off roller 33, feed roller 34, separating roller 35, standby conveying roller pair 36.

In the standby conveyor roller pairs 36 conveying direction of the paper (in the direction of the vertical upward) via the transfer belt is arranged on 25 pressed and the driven roller 27 of the secondary transfer roller 37. Through the transfer belt 25, from the roller 27 and a secondary transfer roller 37, form the secondary transfer of the paper to the secondary transfer printing.

In the downstream of the secondary transfer printing (above in Figure) is disposed at a belt type thermal fixing unit by the above-mentioned fixation portion 15. In the fixation portion 15 on the downstream side, is equipped with the difference from the paper after fixation portion 15 of the efferent roller pair 38, to be discharged to the paper already formed on the upper surface of the device the paper discharge tray 39 of the differentiating 41.

Double-sided printing transport unit 13 the outer surface (outer side surface of the right side of the graph) as well as as the printer 1 to the right side of the opening-closing member of the mask. Double-sided printing transport unit 13 out from the roll pair 38 and the differentiating 41 the transfer direction of the middle part of the right horizontal direction in the picture of the fold-back path.

The fold-back path has started returns delivers the road 42a, the bend to below the middle fold-back path 42b, bending horizontal direction to the left and finally turning the end of the fold-back paper returns delivers the road 42c, and in these fold-back path configuration of 4 group of fold-back roller pair 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d.

The above-mentioned end returns delivers the road 42c with the outlet of the paper feeder 14 for the lower part of box 3b corresponding standby transfer roller pair 36 is connected to the transmission line.

As shown in Figure 2, the printer 1 does not adopt from the Image forming unit 16 directly transfer the toner Image on the paper mode, via the intermediate transfer belt 25 secondary transfer of the toner Image transfer roller from the standby to 36 along the direction of the secondary transfer printing of the paper.

Therefore, paper jam, the failure will not occur in the complete set of fittings matches supposes (kit), to so form, in fig. 2 a complete set of fittings on the left side of the consumables such as the loading and unloading operation only through opening Figure 1 is shown in the front door 2, front and rear direction along the body of the device with the operation of the complete component can be.

Therefore, reduced to the maximum extent the size of the complete fitting, can realize the miniaturization of the device body as a whole, in particular to realize the miniaturization of the transverse width dimension. Furthermore, optical write head itself can also miniaturization, a more close to the structure of the photosensitive drum.

In this, the printer 1 of the invention can realize transverse width of the further miniaturization. The following, description on this.

Figure 3 is the Figure of said Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown by 2 for paper box 3 for the lower part of box 3b left end of the (with for the paper end the end part of the one side) of the shape and the shape of the left end of the device body.

As shown in Figure 3, the casing of the device body 44 of internal, clings to the shell 44 to form the inner surface of a casing frame 45, the most of the device body portion is integrally formed with the lower end of the Figure 1 shown in a finger hook opening 9.

The finger hook opening 9 of the upper part of the inner side of the, clings to the extending part 45a is formed to the lower surface of finger hook handle 48, the clinging to the extending part 45a is through the vertical casing frame 45 at the lower part of the right-angle to the inside of the bend and form.

The casing frame 45 the inner surface of, the finger hook opening 9 above the of, formed with a cross-section for reverse " [...] " -shaped guide groove 46. The guide groove 46 with a paper feeding cassette combines 3b of the 2 the card gathers the axle a and 47.

For paper box 3b external Department the left side face of the 50 than the 2 loading and unloading the card gathers the axle a 47 of the central part on the lower part, a left end portion of the latter paper restriction part is located on the left end part of the outer part corresponding to the position of the front and rear, with the finger hook peristome 9 opposed part incised notches, thereby forming a cuts lacks 51.

On this cuts lacks 51 in the direction of the side (the right direction in the Figure) of the space 52, will be detailed below, the space 52 is left end portion of the paper with the restriction part (hereinafter referred to as "longitudinal restriction part") is located on the left end of the central internal installation department the left end of the part 53 and between the external Department of a part of the spare region.

The operator carrying the main body of the hand-held device, the operator grasps the hand to the hand is inserted into the opening 9 the inner, the palm or finger hooked on the finger hook which the handle 48, the finger into the compared to cuts lacks 51 more inner side of the space 52 and bending the finger tip, the end of the device body can be reliably.

Figure 4 is the diagram of the paper feeding cassette for 3b top view of the, is at the same time using two-dot chain line shows a device for virtual said body shell 44 and virtual shadow of the profile of the fingers of the said hook opening 9 the contour of the handle area.

Furthermore, because the Figure 4 is the diagram of cutaway view, therefore, can not view a configuration in the finger hook opening 9 above 3 shown in a guide groove 46 and loading and unloading the card gathers the axle 47. The paper supply box 3b accepts the surface of the size of the paper can be transmitted along the long-side direction to accommodate the maximum size of the A3 size of the paper.

In the paper supply box 3b than the sizes are accommodated in A3 small B4, A4, B5, when the paper, is located in the front and rear of the right side of the paper feeding cassette 2 transverse restricting member 54 relative to the conveying direction of the paper of the transverse direction (relative to the device body in the front-rear direction, in the Figure in up and down directions) mobile, so as to limit the position of the paper.

Furthermore, the conveying direction of the paper in a longitudinal direction of the restriction, is transmitting direction is the paper feeding cassette for the front end part 3b internal installation department on the right side of the 55 on the inner surface. And, the rear end of the paper is the direction of transfer of the longitudinal restriction part (paper for restriction part to a left end portion) 56 positioning limiting position.

Figure 4 the longitudinal restriction part shown in 56 is in the position of the lateral transfer of the A4 paper accommodated in the paper feeding cassette for 3b of the, direction of conveyance of the paper on the rear end portion of the limiting position.

In the paper supply box 3b is accommodated inside the printer 1 can use of the maximum size A3, the, transfer of the paper by right transverse position in front of the transverse limiting part 54 limit, transmitting the rear of the left end of the transverse position of the front and back of the box internal installation department 57 (57a, 57b) on the inner surface.

And, the maximum dimension of the A3 the conveying direction of the paper for the position of the paper feeding cassette for the front end part 3b internal installation department on the right side of the 55 on the inner surface. Furthermore, the position of the back end part of the transfer direction of the paper is 3b internal installation department the two sides of the left end of the 58 (58a, 58b) on the inner surface.

At this moment, a longitudinal restriction part 56 is retracted to keep out of the way position to recede and 59, retracted position 59 in the paper feeding cassette is 3b formed at the left end of the left end of the center of the central internal installation department 53 formed.

For paper box 3b central internal installation department the left end of the 53 is longitudinally restrain the part 56 to move and kept out of the way to the left end of the two side than the internal installation department 58 (58a, 58b) of the limit position A3 the back end of the paper portion (left end of the graph) by the places on the left side, so the paper feeding cassette for a 3b is of the most left end part.

The left end of the central internal installation department 53 because of the large-size paper containing the longitudinal restriction part 56 keep out of the way places, therefore, for paper box 3b of the purposes of the structure area is essential, however, as is only longitudinal restriction part 56 keep out of the way places, therefore will not need to be very large area of space.

Therefore, the left end of the central internal installation department 53 of the front and rear, is formed between the external Department and internal installation department a space 52. The space 52 does not damage the function of the paper feeding cassette paper. By Figure 3 of the external Department of cuts lacks shown in 51, the finger hook opening 9 with the space 52 is connected.

In this way, in the printer 1 in, will be used for carrying the finger hook opening part of the device main body 9 area of the effective region of the handle are distributively formed in the device main body side of the handle 48 and as the paper feeding cassette for of internal part 3b side of the space 52.

Therefore, in the paper feeding cassette for the otherwise be 3b external Department the left end face of 50 the left of the finger hook opening disposed on the outer side 9 of the handle area (finger grasps handle 48 and space 52) of approximately one half, is disposed in the paper feeding cassette for dispersing 3b side of the space 52, so as to correspondingly reduce the transverse width of the body of the device.

In other words, for the paper box 3b external Department the left end face of 50 the shell and the device body 44 for clearance of a finger hook opening 9 of the handle area (finger grasps handle 48 and space 52) of approximately one half.

Figure 5 is the diagram of a printer used for said with the embodiment 1 to compare top view of the existing paper supply box, at the same time using two-dot chain line shows a virtual that the profile of the casing of the device body and the finger hook shadow virtual said handle area of the contour of the opening.

In the existing printer, the paper feeding cassette for a 3b [...] external Department the left end face of the 50 [...] shell and the device body 44 the gap [...] need b to the left according to the existing way is formed on the external side of the finger hook opening 9 the handle region [...] (shadow portion) of the gap. Fig. 5 b is the clearance shown in Figure 4 is shown a clearance of about 2 times.

(Embodiment 2)

Figure 6 is the Figure of that example 2 relates to a printer for the lower part of the left end of the paper (the paper feeding end the end part of the one side) of the shape and the shape of the left end of the device body. In the embodiment 1 in, the framework of the housing perpendicular 45 of the right-angle bend and form the lower end of finger hook handle 48 the mounting part.

As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment 2 in, vertical casing frame 45 is not at the lower end of the bending processing but keep the vertical unchanged, instead, to reverse the " [...] " -shaped guide groove 46 opening in the hook configuration to the fingers 9 the upper end, the the guide groove 46 as the extending part of the lower part of the finger hook handle 48 the mounting part.

In this way, in the present invention, in which embodiment is to be used for carrying the body of the device the handle of the finger hook opening are provided in a device area of this body side and is installed in the device main body side of the internal components, thereby realizing reduced to the maximum extent of the area is arranged the body of the device and its paper tray of the printer.

Reference has been made to one or more of the preferred embodiments described and illustrated the principles of this application, it should be clear that the, can be without deviating from the principle of the herein disclosed the premise of modification in arrangement and detail of the preferred embodiments, and, intended to, the application will be understood to include all such modification and deformation, so that they fall into the disclosed herein within the spirit and scope of the subject.