JP3662451B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an outer storage member that forms an outer wall of a discharge sheet storage section that stores sheets discharged from a main body in a substantially vertical direction, and a high height in the discharge sheet storage section. An image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, which can be used in large format paper such as A1 paper, and which has a support member for supporting the lower end of the paper stored in the discharge paper storage section. It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in an image forming apparatus that can use large format paper such as A1 paper, such as a copying machine that copies an image of a document on large paper such as A1 paper, when the discharged paper is placed so as to support the paper surface, Since a space necessary for placing the discharged paper becomes large, a discharge tray is provided that supports the discharged paper in the substantially vertical direction at the lower end of the paper. FIG. 5 shows an example of the appearance of a copying machine capable of handling large format paper.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the discharge tray 2 'is provided on the lower front side of the main body of the copying machine C1'. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the discharge tray 2 'forms an outer wall of the discharge paper storage unit 1 for storing the paper P discharged outside the apparatus in a substantially vertical direction. The leading edge of the paper P discharged outside the apparatus comes into contact with the discharge tray 2 'and is guided below the discharge paper storage portion 1'.
When the length of the discharged paper is longer than the discharge tray 2 ', the discharged paper is finally put in a state where the rear end of the discharged paper hangs down from the upper end of the discharge tray 2'. It is stored in the storage unit 1.
In this case, the user can easily take out the paper from the discharged paper storage section 1 'by grasping the rear end portion of the paper protruding from the discharged paper storage section 1'.
On the other hand, when the length of the discharged paper is shorter than the discharge tray 2 'and the entire paper is stored in the discharge paper storage section 1', the paper is taken out from the discharge paper storage section 1 '. hard.
[0003]
The two discharge trays 2 'have a double-spread configuration that can be opened and closed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 (b), and the discharge tray 2' is opened to feed the paper from the discharge paper storage unit 1 '. It is possible to remove the paper or remove the paper from the upper part of the discharge paper storage unit 1 '. However, in consideration of convenience, the copying machine C1' has the discharge paper as shown in FIG. A stopper 3 'for supporting the lower end of the paper stored in the storage unit 1' is provided so that the height position can be adjusted.
As shown in FIG. 6 (a), if a stopper 3 'is provided above the lower end of the discharged paper storage section 1', the lower end of the discharged paper P is the lower end of the discharge tray 2 '. Instead, it is supported by the stopper 3 '. For this reason, even if the length of the discharged paper is shorter than the length of the discharged paper storage portion 1 'in the vertical direction, if the stopper 3' is disposed in advance at an appropriate height position. , The rear end of the sheet can be protruded outside the discharge sheet storage unit 1 ′ so that the user can easily take out the sheet from the discharge sheet storage unit 1 ′.
However, the length of the discharged paper varies. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6B, the fitting hole 3a 'for fitting the stopper 3' is an inner wall of the discharge sheet storage portion 1 ', in this case, as shown in FIG. The front cover is provided at a plurality of different height positions.
When the user changes the height position of the stopper 3 ′, the discharge tray 2 ′ is opened, the stopper 3 ′ is removed from one fitting hole 3 a ′, and the other fitting hole 3 a ′ is removed. The stopper 3 'may be fitted.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, as shown in FIG. 5, whether or not the stopper 3 ′ is disposed in the discharge sheet storage portion 1 ′ at first glance from the outside of the main body. It was difficult to understand. For this reason, the user may forget the presence of the stopper 3 '. Further, even if the presence of the stopper 3 'is remembered, it is troublesome to open the discharge tray 2' in order to adjust the height position of the stopper 3 '.
In order to solve the problems in the conventional technology, the present invention improves the image forming apparatus and forms an outer wall of a discharge paper storage unit that stores the paper discharged from the main body in a substantially vertical direction. An image forming apparatus comprising: an outer storage member; and a support member that is disposed in the discharge paper storage unit so that a height position thereof can be changed and supports a lower end of the paper stored in the discharge paper storage unit. By providing the outer storage member with a slit hole corresponding to the height position changing operation range of the support member, the user can easily access the height position of the stopper from the outside of the outer storage member through the slit hole. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which the user can easily adjust the image quality and the user can easily remember the presence of the stopper.
[0005]
[ Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object , the present invention provides a sheet of paper discharged from the main body in a substantially vertical direction between an inner storage member constituting a part of the main body casing and an outer storage member facing the inner possible member. and discharging the sheet storage unit for storing toward height position to the discharge paper storage unit is arranged to be changed in the vertical direction, a support member for supporting the lower end of the paper to be stored in the discharge paper storage portion, a In the image forming apparatus in which the outer storage member is provided with a slit hole corresponding to the height position changing operation range of the support member, the support member is supported on the inner storage material at a predetermined height position. A plurality of support projecting portions are provided, and the support member is provided with an engaging portion that engages with the support projecting portion, and the support member is inclined toward the inner storage member. The upper portion provided at a predetermined height position with the engaging portion. And a support projecting portion engages further configured as an image forming apparatus characterized by the support member by the support member is returned to the horizontal state is set to a predetermined height position .
According to the image forming apparatus configured as described above, since the upper kiss slit holes provided, the user adjusts the height position of the easily the stopper from the outside of the outer housing member through the slit hole It is possible, and the existence of the stopper can be easily recalled.
Further, in the image forming apparatus, the inner storage member is provided with a guide rail for guiding the support member in the vertical direction, and the support member is provided with a fitting groove for fitting with the guide rail. When the engagement between the support projecting portion and the engagement portion is released, the guide rail and the fitting groove are fitted, so that the support member is slidable in the vertical direction along the guide rail. It is configured to
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiment is a specific example of the present invention, and is not of a nature that limits the technical scope of the present invention.
First, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is embodied as a copier C1 capable of handling large format paper such as A1 paper. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the copier according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the main part of the copier according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a diagram for explaining the mounting state of the stopper provided in the copying machine, FIG. 4 is a single part of the stopper, FIG. 4 (a) is a side view of the stopper, and FIG. 4 (b) is a plan view. FIG. 4C is a front view.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the copying machine C1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a discharge tray that forms an outer wall of a discharge sheet storage unit 1 that stores sheets discharged from the main body in a substantially vertical direction. (Example of outer storage member) 2 and a stopper (corresponding to a support member) that is disposed in the discharge paper storage unit 1 so that the height position can be changed and supports the lower end of the paper stored in the discharge paper storage unit 1 ) And 3 is the same as the conventional one. On the other hand, the copying machine C1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is different from the conventional one in that the discharge tray 2 is provided with a slit hole 4 corresponding to the height position changing operation range of the stopper 3, and the slit This is the point that the handle portion 31 of the stopper 3 protrudes outward from the discharge tray 2 from the hole 4.
[0007]
First, the overall configuration of the copying machine C1 will be described. On the upper surface of the main body, a document cover (an example of a document insertion portion) 5 for forming a document insertion slot 51 for inserting a document into the machine, and a lower side of the document insertion slot 51 A document table 6 for guiding the document along the document guide surface 61 is provided.
Further, a resin member 7 is provided on the lower surface side of the document table 6 for placing a rolled document. A part 71 of the member 7 is folded when not necessary.
When inserting a document into the machine from the document insertion slot 51, the user can insert the document in the document insertion direction 51 from the front of the main body 6 if the document is not so long in the insertion direction and can be easily expanded. The original is placed on the original table 6 so as to follow the above. Document alignment in a direction (arrow L direction) perpendicular to the document insertion direction (arrow X direction) is adjusted by a document cursor 62 slidable in that direction. Then, the document is guided from the upper surface of the document to the document insertion port 51 along the document table 6 while the document is held by hand, and the document is inserted below the document insertion port 51.
When the document is stored and carried in a rolled state, the user places the rolled document on the member 7 and rotates the document on the member 7 while rotating the rolled document. The leading end portion is pulled out, and the leading end portion of the pulled out document is placed along the document table 6 and inserted from the leading end portion of the document to the lower side of the document insertion opening 51.
The document inserted into the apparatus from the document insertion port 51 is conveyed on the document reading surface included in the document guide surface 61, and the document image is read on the document reading surface. The read image is converted into an electric signal by a photoelectric conversion means such as a CCD (not shown), then converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter, and stored in a memory. In the copying machine C1, an image memory is used as the memory, and all images of the original read from the original are temporarily stored in the image memory. By using the image memory, processing such as reduction, enlargement, and movement of the image position can be easily performed in accordance with an instruction from the user using the operation unit 8. A toner image is formed on the photoconductor 101 based on the image stored in the image memory.
[0008]
The toner image formed on the photosensitive member 101 is transferred to a roll-like paper 102 (102a, 102b) set at the lower part of the main body of the copying machine C1. As shown in FIG. 1A , two doors 103 (103a, 103b), which are examples of inner storage members , are provided in front of the apparatus in order to replenish the paper 102 and perform maintenance inside the apparatus. It is attached. The two doors 103 can be opened and closed in the direction of arrows O (Oa, Ob) in FIG. 1B, and it is easy to perform operations such as replenishment of a large roll-shaped paper 102. is there.
The leading edge of the sheet 102 (102a or 102b) is pulled out along the arrow Y1a (or Y1b) in FIG. 1A, and is conveyed to the photoreceptor 101 along the arrow Y2. The photoreceptor 10 1 surface, the toner image corresponding to the document image read from the document as described above is formed by the developing device, not shown, the toner image is transferred to the sheet 102. The sheet 102 on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed in accordance with the arrow Y3, and after the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 104, the vertical discharge sheets attached to the outer surfaces of the two doors 102 as indicated by the arrow Y4. The paper is discharged into a discharge paper storage unit 1 having a paper tray 2 as an outer wall.
As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge paper storage unit 1 is provided with a stopper 3 that supports the lower end of the paper stored in the discharge paper storage unit 1 so that its height position can be adjusted. The stopper 3 is disposed on the door 103, for example. The door 103 is provided with a guide groove 301 and a guide rail 302 for guiding the stopper 3 in the vertical direction, and a support projecting portion 303 for supporting the stopper 3 at a predetermined height. .
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the stopper 3 is configured such that the handle 31 for the user to hold the stopper 3, the protrusion 32 inserted into the guide groove 301, and the guide rail 302 are fitted. It has the fitting part 33 which has the fitting groove | channel 331, and the engaging part 34 engaged with the said support protrusion part 303. FIG.
The stopper 3 is slidable in the height direction along the guide groove 301 and the guide rail 302 unless the support projecting portion 303 and the engagement portion 34 are engaged.
[0009]
The engagement between the support projecting portion 303 and the engagement portion 34 is performed by, for example, a user holding the handle portion 31 to lift the stopper 3, and using the projection portion 32 as a fulcrum to place the stopper 3 on the door 103. It can be released by tilting to the side.
When the stopper 3 is set at another height position, the engagement between the support projecting portion 303 and the engagement portion 34 is released, and then the guide groove 301 and the guide rail 302 are moved along the guide rail 302. After the stopper 3 is slid and moved to another height position, the reverse operation of releasing the engagement is performed, and the support projecting portion 303 and the engagement portion 34 are engaged, What is necessary is just to make the said handle part 31 into a parallel state.
By the way, in the copying machine C1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the discharge tray 2 is provided with a slit hole 4 corresponding to the height position changing operation range of the stopper 3, and from the slit hole 4 to the stopper 3 handle portions 31 protrude outward from the discharge tray 2.
The height position changing operation range is, for example, a rectangular area on the entire surface of the discharge tray 2 including the range in which the height position of the stopper 3 can be changed, and the user can move the stopper 3 from the slit hole 4 of the discharge tray 2. It is possible to know the existence easily.
Further, the user can easily change the height position of the stopper 3 by gripping the handle portion 31 protruding from the slit hole 4.
As described above, in the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, the discharge tray that forms the outer wall of the discharge sheet storage section that stores the sheets discharged from the main body in the substantially vertical direction, and the discharge sheet storage section. In the image forming apparatus, the height position of the stopper is arranged on the discharge tray, and the stopper is provided to support the lower end of the paper stored in the discharge paper storage section. Since the slit hole corresponding to the change operation range is provided, the user can easily adjust the height position of the stopper from the outside of the discharge tray through the slit hole, and the presence of the stopper can be easily determined. Can remember.
[0010]
In the above embodiment, the handle portion 31 of the stopper 3 is protruded to the outside of the discharge tray 2. Of course, it is preferable in terms of visibility and operability that the handle 31 of the stopper 3 protrudes to the outside of the discharge tray 2, but the stopper 3 is visible and operable from the outside of the discharge tray 2. If there is, the handle portion 31 may be arranged in the discharged sheet storage portion 1.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the said slit hole 4 was provided facing the apparatus front, it is not restricted to this, For example, if there exists a protrusion part in the front side of the said discharge tray 2, the right-and-left side surface will be shown. The handle 31 of the stopper 3 may be exposed therefrom.
In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a copying machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a printer.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention , the sheet discharged from the main body is substantially disposed between the inner storage member constituting a part of the main body casing and the outer storage member facing the inner possible member. A discharge paper storage section that stores the paper in the vertical direction, and a support member that is disposed in the discharge paper storage section so that the height position thereof can be changed in the vertical direction and supports the lower end of the paper stored in the discharge paper storage section When provided with, on the outer housing member, said image forming apparatus in which the slit holes are thus provided in accordance with the height position changing operation range of the support member, the said inner storage material, the height above the support member in a predetermined A plurality of support projecting portions for supporting in position, and the support member is provided with an engaging portion that engages with the support projecting portion, and is tilted toward the inner storage member side At a predetermined height position with the engaging portion of the support member And vignetting has the support projecting portion is engaged, further, since the support member by the support member is returned to the horizontal state is set to a predetermined height position, the user, the slit holes Thus, the height position of the stopper can be easily adjusted from the outside of the outer storage member, and the presence of the stopper can be easily recalled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a discharge tray which is a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a stopper attached state provided in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a single item diagram of a stopper provided in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a conventional image forming apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a paper support stopper provided in a conventional image forming apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Discharged paper storage part 2 ... Discharge tray 3 ... Stopper 4 ... Slit hole

Claims (2)

A discharge paper storage section for storing the paper discharged from the main body in a substantially vertical direction between an inner storage member constituting a part of the main body housing and an outer storage member facing the inner possible member ;
A support member for supporting a lower end of the paper stored in the discharge paper storage unit, the height position of the discharge paper storage unit being arranged to be changeable in a vertical direction .
In the image forming apparatus, wherein the outer storage member is provided with a slit hole corresponding to the height position changing operation range of the support member.
The inner storage member is provided with a plurality of support protrusions for supporting the support member at a predetermined height position,
The support member is provided with an engagement portion that engages with the support protrusion.
The engaging portion of the support member inclined to the inner storage member side is engaged with the support projecting portion provided at a predetermined height position, and the support member is returned to a horizontal state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member is set at a predetermined height position. The inner storage member is provided with a guide rail for guiding the support member in the vertical direction,
The support member is provided with a fitting groove for fitting with the guide rail,
When the engagement between the support projecting portion and the engagement portion is released, the guide rail and the fitting groove are fitted, so that the support member is slidable in the vertical direction along the guide rail. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to do so.

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