JP4882910B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus used for a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or the like, the peripheral surface of an image carrier represented by a photosensitive drum or the like is uniformly charged, and exposure light holding image information is supplied to the image forming apparatus. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the image carrier by irradiating the peripheral surface of the image carrier, and a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the image carrier by developing the electrostatic latent image. The toner image is transferred directly or, for example, via an intermediate transfer member, and finally transferred onto a recording medium, and the toner image is fixed on the recording medium by a fixing unit. An image is formed.

  In the image forming apparatus, for example, a conveyance roll drive source in the recording medium conveyance path, an image carrier drive source, a development roll drive source in the development apparatus, a transfer roll drive source in the transfer unit, Various driving sources such as a fixing roll driving source in the fixing unit are provided. Conventionally, noise caused by leakage of sound generated by these driving sources to the outside of the image forming apparatus has been a problem. Further, for example, noise due to a rubbing sound generated when the recording medium is transported along the transport path leaks out of the image forming apparatus is also a problem.

As such an image forming apparatus with reduced noise, for example, a fibrous sound absorbing member and a sound absorbing member cover made of a cloth covering substantially the entire surface of the sound absorbing member are arranged inside the open / close door facing the conveyance path for conveying the recording medium. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-47569 A

  According to the image forming apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1 described above, for example, sound generated by various driving sources in the transport path or the like, rubbing sound generated when the recording medium is transported along the transport path, and the like. However, since the sound is absorbed by the sound absorbing member attached to the inside of the open / close door, noise due to leakage of these sounds out of the image forming apparatus is reduced. However, since it is necessary to attach a sound absorbing material to the inside of the open / close door, there is a problem that the number of parts and assembly man-hours are large.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that is excellent in silence and has a reduced number of parts and assembly steps.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object provides:
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
A housing including the image forming unit and provided with an opening for supplying the recording medium to the image forming unit;
A recording medium table on which the recording medium is placed in an open state that is openable and closable between a closed state in which the opening of the housing is closed and an open state in which the opening is opened;
A sound insulating plate having a structure for inhibiting sound transmission and constituting at least a part of the recording medium mounting base and blocking the opening and the outside of the housing when the recording medium mounting base is in the closed state; It is provided with.

  Here, the “blocked” in the recording medium mounting table according to the present invention is not limited to a form in which the opening is completely closed, but also means a form in which the opening is closed so as not to be completely closed.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the sound insulating plate having a structure that inhibits the transmission of sound blocks between the opening and the outside of the housing when the recording medium mounting base is in the closed state. In the closed state, the sound generated by the drive source and the rubbing sound generated when the recording medium is transported along the transport path are sound-insulated by the sound insulating plate. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to realize an apparatus that is low in noise due to leakage of these sounds to the outside of the image forming apparatus and excellent in silence. Further, since the sound insulating plate constitutes at least a part of the recording medium mount, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is included in one component as the recording medium mount when the apparatus is assembled. The number of parts and assembly man-hours are reduced as compared with the conventional technique of mounting inside the door.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming unit forms an image with toner, finally transfers the image onto a recording medium, and fixes the image on the recording medium. Preferably there is.

  The location where the image is formed with the toner, the location where the image is transferred onto the recording medium, and the location where the image is fixed on the recording medium are, for example, a roll-shaped image carrier that holds the toner image on the peripheral surface. And a plurality of drive sources such as a transfer roll drive source and a drive roll drive source. Therefore, according to such a preferred embodiment, noise due to leakage of sound generated by the plurality of drive sources out of the image forming apparatus is low.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the sound insulating plate has a first structure comprising a sound absorbing material that absorbs sound and an outer wall containing the sound absorbing material as a structure, and an air gap lower than atmospheric pressure. It is more preferable to have at least one of the second structures formed of the outer wall including the.

  According to such a preferable mode, the sound generated by the various drive sources described above due to the sound absorbing material and the gap, the rubbing sound generated when the recording medium is transported along the transport path, and the like are efficient. Since the sound is well insulated, noise due to leakage of these sounds out of the image forming apparatus is low.

  In addition, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is also preferable that the recording medium mounting base includes a plurality of the sound insulating plates pressed against each other and having different natural frequencies.

  According to such a preferred embodiment, resonance by the plurality of sound insulation plates is prevented and an attenuation effect is obtained, so that further noise reduction can be achieved.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium mount includes a plurality of the sound insulation plates and a vibration inhibition member made of an inhibition material that inhibits the transmission of vibrations and supports the sound insulation plates. It is also a preferable form to have.

  According to such a preferable form, since propagation of vibration is suppressed, noise can be further reduced and noise caused by vibration of the apparatus can also be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is excellent in quietness and reduced in the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a photosensitive drum 110 in a housing 10, and accommodates a standard size paper represented by, for example, a B5 size paper or an A4 size paper. Two paper cassettes 20 are included. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a manual feed tray 30 that can set a specific size or a specific type of paper such as a postcard or an OHP sheet in addition to the regular size paper. .

  A photosensitive drum 110 shown in FIG. 1 rotates in a predetermined direction, and the image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a transfer roll 120 provided so as to be in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, an area where the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer roll 120 are in contact is a transfer area 50. The paper stored in the paper cassette 20 and the paper placed on the manual feed tray 30 are transported toward the transfer area 50 along the paper transport path 60 by various rolls.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper set on the manual feed tray 30 is transferred to the side surface 11 on the left side of the housing 10 when the user uses the image forming apparatus. An opening 10a is provided to supply toward the head. The housing 10 corresponds to an example of the housing according to the present invention, and the opening 10a corresponds to an example of the opening according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manual feed tray 30 includes a fixed tray 301, a first extension tray 302 that can be stored in the fixed tray 301, and a second extension that can be stored in the first extension tray 302. It comprises a tray 303. The manual feed tray 30 is connected to the housing via the rotary shaft 300 so as to be openable and closable in the arrow A direction between a closed state in which the opening 10a of the housing 10 is closed and an open state in which the opening 10a is opened. It is attached to the body 10. 1 and 2 show the manual feed tray 30 in a state where the opening 10a of the housing 10 is opened and the first extension tray 302 and the second extension tray 303 are extended. In this open state, a sheet is placed on the manual feed tray 30, and the sheet can be supplied toward the transfer region 50. The manual feed tray 30 corresponds to an example of a recording medium mounting table according to the present invention.

  A charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and the like are provided around the photosensitive drum 110 shown in FIG. 1, but are not shown here. The surface of the drum-shaped photoconductor drum 110 is uniformly charged by a charger, and then exposure light carrying image information is exposed by an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 110. Is done. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110 is developed by a developing device to become a toner image. This toner image is supplied from the paper cassette 20 or the manual feed tray 30 and transferred onto the paper that has been fed into the transfer region 50 along the paper conveyance path 60. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is also provided with a fixing device 130 for fixing an unfixed toner image onto a sheet. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred in the transfer region 50 is placed in the sheet conveyance path 60. Then, the toner image is fed to the fixing device 130 and the toner image is fixed on the paper, and an image composed of the fixed toner image is formed on the paper. The photosensitive drum 110, the transfer roll 120, the fixing device 130, and the charging device, the exposure device, and the developing device that are not illustrated in FIG. 1 constitute an example of the image forming unit referred to in the present invention.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a stacking tray 40 on which sheets after image formation is stacked, and a discharge unit 140 that discharges the conveyed sheets toward the stacking tray 40. It has been. The sheet on which the image composed of the fixing toner image is formed is conveyed along the sheet conveyance path 60 by various rolls, sent to the discharge unit 140, discharged from the discharge unit 140 toward the stacking tray 40, and loaded on the stacking tray 40. Loaded on top.

  Hereinafter, the manual feed tray 30 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the manual feed tray 30 that is closed by closing the opening 10a of the housing 10 shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 3, the second extension tray 303 is accommodated in the first extension tray 302, and the first extension tray 302 is attached to the housing 10 via the rotation shaft 300 in a state where the first extension tray 302 is accommodated in the fixed tray 301. A view in which the manual feed tray 30 is in a closed state in which the opening 10a of the housing 10 is closed is shown, and the manual feed tray 30 in such a closed state does not protrude from the housing 10 and is in the opening 10a. It is stored in.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four sound insulating plates 3011, 3012, 3013 and 3021 configured as a part of the manual feed tray 30, and the manual feed tray 30 is the case 10. It is provided to block between the opening 10a and the outside of the housing 10 when the opening 10a is closed. Of the four sound insulation plates 3011, 3012, 3013, and 3021, three sound insulation plates 3011, 3012, and 3013 are configured as a part of the fixed tray 301. The other sound insulating plate 3021 is configured as a part of the first extension tray 302. Each of the four sound insulating plates 3011, 3012, 3013, and 3021 has a structure including a sound absorbing material 31 that absorbs sound and an outer wall 32 that encloses the sound absorbing material 31. The sound insulation plates 3011, 3012, 3013 and 3021 correspond to an example of the sound insulation plate according to the present invention.

  According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, for example, various roll driving sources in the paper conveyance path 60, photosensitive drum 110 driving source, transfer roll 120 driving source, and fixing device 130 fixing. When the manual feed tray 30 is in a closed state, a noise generated by various drive sources such as a roll drive source, or a rubbing sound generated when the paper is conveyed along the paper conveyance path 60, the manual feed tray 30. Are sound-insulated by the sound-absorbing material 31 of each of the four sound-insulating plates 3011, 3012, 3013 and 3021. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment closes the manual feed tray 30 and forms an image on the paper supplied from the paper cassette 20, the various sounds described above leak outside the image forming apparatus 1. Noise due to coming out is low and quiet.

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the outer walls 32 of the sound insulating plates 3011, 3012, 3013 and 3021 can be easily formed integrally with the manual feed tray 30 by a known technique such as blow molding. Therefore, when assembling the apparatus, it is included in one component as the manual feed tray 30. For example, the number of components and the number of assembly steps are reduced as compared with the conventional technique in which a sound absorbing material is attached to the inside of the opening / closing door.

  Above, description of 1st Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished and 2nd Embodiment of this invention is described.

  In the second embodiment described below, the manual tray 30 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above is replaced with a manual tray 70 having a configuration different from that of the manual tray 30.

  Hereinafter, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the manual feed tray 70 that is closed by closing the opening 10a of the housing 10 in the second embodiment.

  The manual feed tray 70 shown in FIG. 4 includes a fixed tray 701, a first extension tray 702 that can be stored in the fixed tray 701, and a second extension tray 703 that can be stored in the first extension tray 702. The manual feed tray 70 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed between a closed state in which the opening 10a of the housing 10 is closed and an open state in which the opening 10a is opened. In FIG. 4, the second extension tray 703 is stored in the first extension tray 702, and the first extension tray 702 is attached to the housing 10 via the rotating shaft 700 in a state where the first extension tray 702 is stored in the fixed tray 701. The closed manual feed tray 70 is shown in a closed state in which the opening 10 a of the housing 10 is closed. The closed manual feed tray 70 is opened without protruding from the housing 10. 10a. The manual feed tray 70 corresponds to an example of a recording medium mounting table according to the present invention.

  Further, in FIG. 4, as a part of the manual feed tray 70, when the manual feed tray 70 is in a closed state in which the opening 10 a of the housing 10 is closed, the opening 10 a and the outside of the housing 10 are blocked. Four constructed sound insulation plates 7011, 7012, 7013, 7021 are shown. Of the four sound insulation plates 7011, 7012, 7013, and 7021, three sound insulation plates 7011, 7012, and 7013 are configured as a part of the fixed tray 701. The other sound insulating plate 7021 is configured as a part of the first extension tray 702. Each of the four sound insulation plates 7011, 7012, 7013, and 7021 has a structure including an outer wall 72 that encloses an air gap 71 that is evacuated. The sound insulation plates 7011, 7012, 7013, and 7021 correspond to an example of the sound insulation plate according to the present invention.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, for example, various roll driving sources in the paper conveyance path 60, the photosensitive drum 110 driving source, the transfer roll 120 driving source, and the fixing roll in the fixing device 130. When the manual feed tray 70 is in the closed state, a sound generated by various drive sources such as the drive source or a rubbing sound generated when the paper is transported along the paper transport path 60 is generated. Each of the four sound insulating plates 7011, 7012, 7013, and 7021 configured as a part is sound-insulated by the vacuumed air gap 71. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is similar to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above when the manual feed tray 70 is closed and an image is formed on the paper supplied from the paper cassette 20. The noise caused by the leakage of the various sounds described above to the outside of the image forming apparatus is low and the silence is excellent.

  Furthermore, two convex portions 721 are formed on the outer wall 72 of the sound insulating plate 7021 configured as a part of the first extension tray 702 of the manual feed tray 70 shown in FIG. 4, and this convex portion 721 is a fixed tray. One of the three sound insulation plates 7011, 7012, and 7013 configured as a part of 701 is pressed against the outer wall 72 of the central sound insulation plate 7012. The outer wall 72 of the sound insulating plate 7021 is made of a high-density glass material, and the outer walls 72 of the other three sound insulating plates 7011, 7012, and 7013 have different natural frequencies from the outer wall 72 of the sound insulating plate 7021. It is formed of a high-density glass-based material.

  Therefore, resonance by the four sound insulating plates 7011, 7012, 7013, and 7021 is prevented, and an attenuation effect is obtained. Therefore, there is a high noise reduction effect.

  Above, description of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished and 3rd Embodiment of this invention is described.

  In the third embodiment described below, the manual tray 30 in the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above is replaced with a manual tray 80 having a configuration different from that of the manual tray 30.

  Hereinafter, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the manual feed tray 80 that is closed by closing the opening 10a of the housing 10 in the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the manual feed tray 80 includes a fixed tray 301, a first extension tray 302 that can be stored in the fixed tray 301, and a second extension tray 303 that can be stored in the first extension tray 302. Yes. In FIG. 5, the second extension tray 303 is accommodated in the first extension tray 302, and the first extension tray 302 is attached to the housing 10 via the rotation shaft 800 in a state where the first extension tray 302 is accommodated in the fixed tray 301. The closed manual feed tray 80 is shown in a closed state in which the opening 10 a of the housing 10 is closed. The closed manual feed tray 80 is opened without protruding from the housing 10. 10a. The manual feed tray 80 corresponds to an example of a recording medium mounting table according to the present invention.

  In addition, between the outer walls 32 of the three sound insulating plates 3011, 3012, 3013 among the four sound insulating plates 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021 configured as a part of the fixed tray 301 of the manual feed tray 80 shown in FIG. Is supported by a vibration inhibiting member 81 made of foamed rubber, for example, which inhibits vibration transmission. This foaming rubber corresponds to an example of the inhibition material referred to in the present invention, and the vibration inhibition member 81 corresponds to an example of the vibration inhibition member referred to in the present invention.

  In addition, for example, a damper 82 that inhibits transmission of vibration is incorporated in a rotating shaft 800 that is an attachment portion of the manual feed tray 80 shown in FIG.

  Therefore, propagation of vibration is suppressed by the vibration inhibiting member 81 and the damper 82, so that there is a high noise reduction effect and noise due to the vibration of the apparatus is also suppressed.

  Above, description of 3rd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished and 4th Embodiment of this invention is described.

  In the image forming apparatus 2 according to the fourth embodiment described below, the manual feed tray 30 ′ provided with the attachment method different from the manual feed tray 30 in the manual feed tray 30 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. It has been replaced with. The manual feed tray 30 'is configured in the same manner as the manual feed tray 30 described with reference to FIGS.

  Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is an external view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front.

  A housing 90 of the image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 6 includes a photosensitive drum 110 (see FIG. 1), a transfer roll 120 (see FIG. 1), a fixing device 130 (see FIG. 1), and a paper cassette 20 (see FIG. 1). ), And a paper conveyance path 60 and the like. A mounting portion 91a for detachably attaching an external manual feed tray 30 'is provided on the left side surface 91 of the housing 90 when the user uses the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the manual feed tray 30 ′ is attached to the attachment portion 91 a. In this state, the manual feed tray 30 ′ protrudes from the housing 90. In addition, an opening 90 a for supplying a sheet set on the manual feed tray 30 ′ toward the sheet conveyance path 60 is provided at an upper portion of the attachment portion 91 a of the housing 10. The housing 90 corresponds to an example of the housing according to the present invention, and the opening 90a corresponds to an example of the opening according to the present invention.

  The manual feed tray 30 ′ attached to the attachment portion 91 a of the housing 90 can be opened and closed between a closed state in which the opening 90 a of the housing 90 is closed and an open state in which the opening 90 a is opened. Note that “the opening 90a is closed” in the closed state means that the opening 90a is covered to an extent as shown in FIG. This manual feed tray 30 'corresponds to an example of a recording medium mounting table according to the present invention.

  As described above, even when the external manual feed tray 30 protrudes from the housing 10 and is detachably attached, the manual feed tray 30 is closed to form an image on the paper supplied from the paper cassette 20. In addition, the noise caused by the leakage of the various sounds described above to the outside of the image forming apparatus 2 is low, and the silence is excellent.

It is an internal block diagram of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a manual feed tray that is closed by closing an opening of a housing illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the manual feed tray which closed the opening of the housing | casing in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a manual feed tray that is closed by closing an opening of a housing in a third embodiment. It is the external view which looked at 4th Embodiment of this invention from the front.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Image forming apparatus 10, 90 Case 11, 91 Side surface 10a, 90a Opening 91a Attachment part 110 Photosensitive drum 120 Transfer roll 130 Fixing device 20 Paper cassette 30,70,80,30 'Manual feed tray 300,700,800 Rotating shafts 301 and 701 Fixed trays 302 and 702 First extension trays 303 and 703 Second extension trays 3011, 3012, 3013, 3021, 7011, 7012, 7013, 7021 Sound insulation plate 31 Sound absorbing material 71 Gap 32, 72 Outer wall 721 Projection 81 Vibration inhibiting member 82 Damper 40 Stack tray 140 Discharge unit 50 Transfer area 60 Paper transport path

Claims (3)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
A housing including the image forming unit and provided with an opening for supplying the recording medium to the image forming unit;
A fixed tray that is openable and closable between a closed state in which the opening of the housing is closed and an open state in which the opening is open , and a natural frequency different from that of the fixed tray. A recording medium mounting base having an extension tray that is pressed against the fixed tray in a state of being accommodated in the fixed tray, and on which the recording medium is placed in the open state;
Image forming apparatus, wherein the fixed tray and the extension tray respectively, are those having a sound shield plate gap you inhibit the transmission of sound encapsulated outer wall structure of the lower air pressure than atmospheric pressure. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixed tray and the extension tray are formed of materials having different natural frequencies . 3. The image forming unit according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit forms an image with toner, finally transfers the image onto a recording medium, and fixes the image on the recording medium. Image forming apparatus.

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