Manual paper feeding device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a manual paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus. The manual paper feeding device includes: a paper feeding rotary body that separates and feeds one sheet of a recording medium placed in a manual paper feeding portion; a shielding unit that has an opening portion that exposes at least a portion of the paper feeding rotary body to the outside and covers an outer side surface of the paper feeding rotary body; and an opening and closing unit that opens and closes the opening portion of the shielding unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a manual paper feeding device and an image forming device. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, as a technology related to manual paper feeding devices, technologies disclosed in patent documents 1 or 2 have been proposed, for example.

[0003] Patent Document 1 is a cleaning tool for a paper feeding device having a paper feeding roller for feeding printed media and a retaining roller driven by the paper feeding roller to separate the printed media. The cleaning tool is configured to include: a cleaning bracket that is detachably fitted thereon to cover the paper feeding roller; and a cleaning component mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the cleaning bracket.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, the cleaning unit for cleaning the first roller has a first cleaning unit provided on a holding member supported by the main body of the device and a second cleaning unit provided on the guide member. On the holding member, a plurality of separate openings are formed on the upstream side of the first roller in the rotation direction at the cleaning position of the first cleaning unit, through which the cleaned material removed by the first cleaning unit passes. One of the openings, namely the opening that overlaps with the friction separation member of the paper separation mechanism provided in the paper feeding section and whose width is formed to be smaller than the total width of the paper to be conveyed, on the extension line of the conveying direction, is formed to be larger than the width of the friction separation member.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-150845

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 4478639 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to enable external cleaning of the paper feeding rotor of the manual paper feeding unit without employing a structure that requires pulling the manual paper feeding unit out of the main body of the device.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a manual paper feeding device is provided, comprising: A paper feed rotary body that separates and supplies recording media, one sheet at a time, placed in a manual paper feed unit; A shielding unit having an opening that exposes at least a portion of the paper feeding rotor to the outside and covering the outer surface of the paper feeding rotor; and An opening and closing unit that opens and closes the opening of the shielding unit.

[0013] According to a second approach, a manual paper feeding device according to a first approach is provided, wherein the opening and closing unit is configured to open and close along the width direction of the recording medium.

[0014] According to a third approach, a manual paper feeding device according to a second approach is provided, wherein the opening and closing unit has a latching mechanism for maintaining a closed position.

[0015] According to the fourth approach, a manual paper feeding device according to the second or third approach is provided, wherein the opening and closing unit has an eaves located above the paper feeding rotor to prevent powder falling from above from adhering to the paper feeding rotor.

[0016] According to the fifth method, a manual paper feeding device according to the first method is provided, wherein a manual paper feeding section is provided on the outer side of the shielding unit in an openable and closable manner.

[0017] According to the sixth method, a manual paper feeding device according to the second method is provided, which further includes a front cover, wherein the opening and closing angle of the front cover is set to be less than 90 degrees.

[0018] According to the seventh method, a manual paper feeding device according to the first method is provided, which further includes a separating rotating body configured to contact the paper feeding rotating body, wherein...

[0019] The paper feeding rotor rotates intermittently to separate the recording medium, one sheet at a time, from the clamping part between the paper feeding rotor and the separating rotor.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect, an image forming apparatus is provided, comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; and...

[0021] A manual paper feeding unit manually supplies the recording medium to the image forming unit. in, The manual paper feeding unit uses a manual paper feeding device according to any one of the first to seventh methods.

[0022] According to a ninth embodiment, an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment is provided, wherein a transport path for transporting the recording medium supplied from the manual paper feeding unit to the image forming unit is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0023] Invention Effects

[0024] According to the first method, the paper feeding rotor of the manual paper feeding unit can be cleaned from the outside without adopting a structure that removes the manual paper feeding unit from the main body of the device.

[0025] According to the second method, compared with the case where the opening and closing unit is configured to open and close in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the attachments on the opening and closing unit from falling onto the paper feeding rotor.

[0026] According to the third approach, compared to the case where there is no latching mechanism for maintaining the closed position, the opening and closing unit can prevent the opening from opening unintentionally.

[0027] According to the fourth method, compared with the case without an eave, the opening and closing unit can prevent powder falling from above from adhering to the paper feeding rotor.

[0028] According to the fifth method, compared to the case where a manual paper feeding part is not provided on the outer side of the shielding unit in a way that can be opened or closed, the paper feeding rotating body and the like will not be exposed to the outside.

[0029] According to the sixth method, compared with the case where the opening and closing angle of the front cover is set to 90 degrees, the installation space of the manual paper feeding device can be reduced.

[0030] According to the seventh method, the paper feeding mechanism of the manual paper feeding device can be simplified.

[0031] According to the eighth method, without adopting a structure that removes the manual paper feed unit from the main body of the device, the paper feed rotating body of the manual paper feed unit can be cleaned from the outside, and the image forming device can be miniaturized.

[0032] According to the ninth method, compared with the case where the manual paper feed unit is pulled out from the main body of the device, the rigidity of the conveying unit can be ensured, and the paper feed rotating body of the manual paper feed unit can be cleaned. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an image forming apparatus to which a manual paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an image forming apparatus to which a manual paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a perspective structural diagram showing the manual paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram showing the front cover of the image forming apparatus of the manual paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the open state.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lid when it is open and closed.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a front view structural diagram showing the inner side of the inner cover.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the left and right frame components together with the opening and closing cover.

[0040] Figure 8 This is a perspective structural diagram showing the open / closed state of the manual paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 9 This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus to which a manual paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] [First Implementation Method]

[0044] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing the overall overview of an image forming apparatus to which a manual paper feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0045] <Overall Structure of the Image Forming Apparatus>

[0046] The image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is configured as a color printer, for example. This image forming apparatus 1 is capable of forming full-color images and achieves significant miniaturization compared to conventional models, enabling it to handle A4-sized recording media. The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a plurality of imaging devices 10 that form toner images developed by a toner constituting a developer; an intermediate transfer device 20 that holds the toner images formed by each imaging device 10 and ultimately transports them to a secondary transfer position, where they are transferred a second time onto recording paper 5, an example of a recording medium; a paper feeding device 30 that receives and supplies the required recording paper 5 to be supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 20; and a fixing device 40 that fixes the toner images on the recording paper 5 transferred a second time by the intermediate transfer device 20. Furthermore, 1a in the figure represents the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, which is composed of a support structure and an outer cover, etc. In this embodiment, the plurality of imaging devices 10 and the intermediate transfer device 20 constitute an image forming unit.

[0047] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 has been miniaturized compared to conventional models. Compared to conventional full-color models that correspond to A4-sized recording paper 5, the height, depth, and width of the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 have been reduced, achieving a size approximately the same as that of conventional monochrome models.

[0048] The image forming apparatus 1 consists of multiple imaging devices 10, intermediate transfer devices 20, and paper feeding devices 30. In order to reduce the size of the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, it is necessary to reduce the height, depth, and width of each of the multiple imaging devices 10, intermediate transfer devices 20, and paper feeding devices 30.

[0049] The imaging device 10 consists of four imaging devices 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, which are specifically designed to form toner images in four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). These four imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged in a horizontal row within the internal space of the device body 1a.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) includes a rotating photosensitive drum 11, which serves as an example of an image holder. Around the photosensitive drum 11 are various devices, which serve as an example of a toner image forming unit. The apparatus includes the following components: a charging device 12 that charges the image-forming peripheral surface (image holding surface) of the photosensitive drum 11 to the required potential; an exposure device 13 that irradiates the charged peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with light based on image information (signal) to form an electrostatic latent image with a potential difference (for each color); a developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner of the corresponding color (Y, M, C, K) to form a toner image; a primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) that transfers each toner image to an intermediate transfer device 20; and a drum cleaning device 16 (Y, M, C, K) that cleans the image holding surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the primary transfer by removing residual toner and other deposits.

[0051] The photosensitive drum 11 has an image holding surface formed on the circumferential surface of a grounded cylindrical or cylindrical substrate. This image holding surface has a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of photosensitive material. The photosensitive drum 11 is supported to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A, powered by a drive device (not shown).

[0052] The charging device 12 is composed of a contact charging roller arranged in contact with the photosensitive drum 11. The charging device 12 has a cleaning roller 121 for cleaning its surface. A charging voltage is supplied to the charging device 12. When reverse development is performed in the developing unit 14, a voltage or current with the same charging polarity as the toner supplied from the developing unit 14 is supplied as the charging voltage. Alternatively, a non-contact charging device such as a grid corona tube arranged in a non-contact state on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 can be used as the charging device 12.

[0053] The exposure apparatus 13 uses a device consisting of an LED printhead, which forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photosensitive drum 11 with light corresponding to the image information by multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11 as light-emitting elements.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the developing apparatus 14 (Y, M, C, K) is a device constructed by arranging the following components inside a housing 140, which has an opening and a developer-containing chamber: a developing roller 141 that holds the developer and transports it to the developing area facing the photosensitive drum 11; two agitating and conveying components 142 and 143, such as screw conveyors, that agitate and transport the developer through the developing roller 141; and a layer thickness limiting component 144 that limits the amount (layer thickness) of developer held by the developing roller 141. In this developing apparatus 14, a developing voltage is supplied between the developing roller 141 and the photosensitive drum 11 by a power supply device (not shown). Furthermore, the developing roller 141 and the agitating and conveying components 142 and 143 are driven by a drive device (not shown) to rotate in the desired direction. Moreover, a two-component developing agent containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier is used as the four-color developing agent 4 (Y, M, C, K). Additionally, in the developing apparatus 14, a developing agent containing at least a corresponding color toner is supplied from a toner cartridge (not shown) disposed at one end of the stirring and conveying member 143 along the axial direction.

[0055] The primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) is a contact transfer device equipped with a primary transfer roller that contacts the periphery of the photosensitive drum 11 via the intermediate transfer belt 21 and rotates, and is supplied with a primary transfer voltage. As the primary transfer voltage, a DC voltage with a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is supplied by a power supply device (not shown).

[0056] like Figure 1As shown, the drum cleaning device 16 comprises the following parts: a container-shaped body 160 with a partial opening; a cleaning plate 161 configured to contact the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after a single transfer with the required pressure to remove residual toner and other deposits; and a delivery component 162, such as a screw conveyor, which collects the toner and other deposits removed by the cleaning plate 161 and delivers them to a recycling system (not shown). The cleaning plate 161 is a plate-shaped component (e.g., a scraper) made of a material such as rubber. Furthermore, the toner and other deposits conveyed by the delivery component 162 of the cleaning device 16 are collected into a first toner recycling bottle (not shown) disposed at one axial end of the delivery component 162. The first toner recycling bottle is disposed at the end in the same direction as the toner cartridge described above.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the intermediate transfer device 20 is positioned above each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K). The intermediate transfer device 20 consists of the following components: an intermediate transfer belt 21 that rotates in the direction indicated by arrow B while passing through the primary transfer position between the photosensitive drum 11 and the primary transfer device 15 (primary transfer roller); a plurality of belt support rollers 22 to 25 that hold the intermediate transfer belt 21 in a desired state from its inner surface and support it rotatably; a secondary transfer device 26, as an example of a secondary transfer unit, which is positioned on the outer peripheral surface (image holding surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by the belt support roller 24 and performs a secondary transfer of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5; and a belt cleaning device 27 that removes toner, paper dust, and other adhering substances that remain on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after passing through the secondary transfer device 26. The intermediate transfer belt 21 is supported by belt support rollers 22 and 24 with relatively large outer diameters to form a moving path that is basically parallel to each other.

[0058] As the intermediate transfer belt 21, for example, an annular belt made of a material in which a resistance modifier such as carbon black is dispersed in a synthetic resin such as polyimide resin or polyamide resin is used. In addition, the belt support roller 22 is configured as a tension applying roller that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 21, the belt support roller 23 is configured as a surface forming roller that forms the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21, the belt support roller 24 is configured as a drive roller that is rotated and driven by a drive device (not shown) and also serves as a back support roller for secondary transfer, and the belt support roller 25 is configured as a counter roller that faces the cleaning plate 271 with the cleaning device 27.

[0059] like Figure 1As shown, the secondary transfer device 26 is a contact transfer device equipped with a secondary transfer roller 261. This secondary transfer roller 261 contacts and rotates on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by a support roller 24 in the intermediate transfer device 20, at the secondary transfer position, and is supplied with a secondary transfer voltage. Furthermore, the secondary transfer roller 261 or the support roller 24 of the intermediate transfer device 20 is supplied with a DC voltage (not shown) as the secondary transfer voltage by a power supply device, which exhibits a polarity opposite to or the same as the charging polarity of the toner.

[0060] The cleaning device 27 comprises the following components: a container-shaped body 270 with a partial opening; a cleaning plate 271, as an example of a contact member, configured to contact the circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after secondary transfer with the required pressure to remove residual toner and other adhering substances for cleaning; and a conveying member 272, such as a screw conveyor, which collects the toner and other adhering substances removed by the cleaning plate 271 and conveys them to a recycling system (not shown). The cleaning plate 271 is a plate-shaped component (e.g., a scraper) made of a material such as rubber. Furthermore, the toner and other adhering substances conveyed by the conveying member 272 of the cleaning device 27 are collected into a second toner recycling bottle (not shown) disposed at one axial end of the conveying member 272. The second toner recycling bottle is disposed at the end in the same direction as the aforementioned toner cartridge and first toner recycling bottle.

[0061] The fixing device 40 is configured by arranging the following parts inside a frame (not shown) on which the inlet and outlet of the recording paper 5 are formed: a roller or belt heating rotating body 41, which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow and is heated by a heating unit to maintain its surface temperature at a predetermined temperature; and a belt or roller pressure rotating body 42, which rotates passively in contact with the heating rotating body 41 at a predetermined pressure in a state substantially along the axial direction of the heating rotating body 41. In this fixing device 40, the contact portion where the heating rotating body 41 contacts the pressure rotating body 42 becomes the fixing processing portion for performing the desired fixing process (heating and pressing).

[0062] The paper feeding device 30 is configured to be located on the lower side of the imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) along the vertical direction. The paper feeding device 30 consists of: a single (or multiple) paper container 31 that holds recording paper 5 of the desired size, type, etc.; and a delivery device 32 that separates and delivers the recording paper 5 one sheet at a time from the paper container 31. The paper container 31 is mounted such that it can be accessed from, for example, the front of the device body 1a, i.e., the side facing the user during operation (in this embodiment, the side facing the user). Figure 1 Pull it out from the left side.

[0063] Examples of suitable recording paper 5 include plain paper, tracing paper, or OHP sheets used in electronic photocopiers and printers. To further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is preferable that the surface of the recording paper 5 is also as smooth as possible. For example, coated paper formed by coating the surface of plain paper with resin or the like, or thick paper with a relatively high basis weight, such as coated paper for printing, can also be preferred.

[0064] A conveying device 50 is provided between the paper feeding device 30 and the secondary transfer device 26, which conveys the recording paper 5 fed from the paper feeding device 30 to the secondary transfer position. In addition to the recording paper 5 fed from the paper feeding device 30, as described below, the conveying device 50 also conveys the following types of recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position: recording paper 5 supplied from a manual paper feeding device 70, which is an example of a manual paper feeding unit; recording paper 5 with an image formed on one side and in a state of being reversed on both sides, conveyed via a double-sided conveying path 61; or recording paper 5 fed from an auxiliary paper feeding device (not shown) disposed as an optional device at the lower part of the device body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0065] The conveying device 50 has multiple paper feed paths consisting of one or more paper feed roller pairs 51 and multiple conveying guides. As described above, the multiple paper feed paths are configured as follows: a first paper feed path 52, which, corresponding to the paper feed device 30 that feeds the recording paper 5, conveys the recording paper 5 fed from the paper feed device 30; a second paper feed path 53, as described later, conveys the recording paper 5 fed from the manual paper feed device 70; a third paper feed path 54, which conveys the recording paper 5 with its sides reversed via a double-sided conveying path 61; and a fourth paper feed path 55, which conveys the recording paper 5 fed from an auxiliary paper feed device (not shown). In addition, the first to fourth paper feed paths 52 to 55 are configured as a common conveying path forming a part of them.

[0066] In the first to fourth paper feed paths 52 to 55, the paper feed roller pair 51, positioned immediately preceding the secondary transfer position, is configured as, for example, a roller (positioning roller) to adjust the feed time of the recording paper 5. Furthermore, a paper feed path 56 is provided between the secondary transfer device 26 and the fixing device 40, for conveying the secondary-transfer recorded paper 5 from the secondary transfer device 26 to the fixing device 40. Moreover, a discharge feed path 59 is provided on the portion of the image forming apparatus 1 near the discharge port of the recording paper 5 formed on the apparatus body 1a, which includes a paper discharge roller pair 58 for discharging the fixed recorded paper 5 from the fixing device 40 to the paper discharge section 57 at the upper part of the image forming apparatus body 1a.

[0067] A switching gate 60 for switching the paper transport path is provided between the fixing unit 40 and the paper discharge roller pair 58. The paper discharge roller pair 58 is configured such that its rotation direction can be switched between the forward direction (discharge direction) and the reverse direction. When an image is formed on both sides of the recording paper 5, after the rear end of the recording paper 5 with an image formed on one side passes through the switching gate 60, the rotation direction of the paper discharge roller pair 58 is switched from the forward direction (discharge direction) to the reverse direction. The recording paper 5, which is transported by the paper discharge roller pair 58 in the reverse direction, has its transport path switched by the switching gate 60 and is transported along the side of the device body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 to a double-sided transport path 61 formed in a substantially vertical direction. The double-sided transport path 61 includes a paper transport roller pair 62 that transports the recording paper 5 to the paper transport roller pair 51 in a reverse state, and transport guides 63, 64, etc.

[0068] exist Figure 1 In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 100 indicates a control device that performs unified control over the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown), or a bus, communication interface, etc., for connecting these CPUs, ROMs, etc.

[0069] In addition, reference numerals 101 and 102 indicate operation buttons for operating the image forming apparatus 1, and 103 indicates a display panel for displaying the operating status of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0070] <Operation of the image forming apparatus>

[0071] The basic image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained below.

[0072] Here, the operation in panchromatic mode, which uses the four imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) to form a panchromatic image composed of toner images combining four colors (Y, M, C, K), will be described.

[0073] When the image forming apparatus 1 receives an instruction from a user interface (not shown), printer driver, or other source that requests a full-color image forming action (printing), the four imaging devices 10 (Y, M, C, K), intermediate transfer device 20, secondary transfer device 26, and fixing device 40 are activated.

[0074] Then, in each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K), as Figure 1As shown, firstly, each photosensitive drum 11 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A, and each charging device 12 charges the surface of each photosensitive drum 11 to the desired polarity (negative polarity in the first embodiment) and potential. Next, the exposure device 13 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with light emitted based on the signal of converting information of the image input to the image forming device 1 into an image of each color component (Y, M, C, K), and forms electrostatic latent images of each color component with the desired potential difference on the surface.

[0075] Next, each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) supplies toner of the corresponding color (Y, M, C, K) charged to the desired polarity (negative polarity) from the developing roller 141 to the electrostatic latent images of each color component formed on the photosensitive drum 11, and develops them by electrostatic adhesion. Through this development, the electrostatic latent images of each color component formed on each photosensitive drum 11 are developed into toner images of four colors (Y, M, C, K) developed separately using toners of the corresponding colors.

[0076] Next, when the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 11 of each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) are transported to the primary transfer position, the primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) performs a primary transfer in the state where the toner images are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 of the intermediate transfer device 20, which rotates in the direction indicated by arrow B.

[0077] Furthermore, after each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) has completed one transfer, the drum cleaning device 16 scrapes off the adhering material and cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. As a result, each imaging device 10 (Y, M, C, K) is in a state where it can perform the next imaging operation.

[0078] Next, in the intermediate transfer device 20, the toner image that has been transferred once by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is maintained and transported to the secondary transfer position. On the other hand, in the paper feeding device 30, the required recording paper 5 is fed to the first paper feeding path 52 according to the imaging operation. In the first paper feeding path 52, the paper feeding roller pair 51, which serves as positioning rollers, feeds the recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position according to the transfer time.

[0079] At the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer device 26 batches and re-transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5. In addition, in the intermediate transfer device 20 after the secondary transfer is completed, the belt cleaning device 27 removes toner and other residues adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer to perform cleaning.

[0080] Next, the recording paper 5, with the toner image transferred twice, is conveyed to the fixing device 40 via the paper transport path 56 after being peeled from the intermediate transfer belt 21. In the fixing device 40, the recording paper 5 after the second transfer is guided and passed through the contact portion between the rotating heating rotor 41 and the pressure rotor 42, thereby performing the required fixing process (heating and pressure) to fix the unfixed toner image onto the recording paper 5. Finally, after fixing, the recording paper 5, during the image forming operation that forms an image on only one side, is discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 58 to, for example, the paper discharge section 57 provided on the upper part of the device body 1a.

[0081] Furthermore, when images are formed on both sides of the recording paper 5, while the recording paper 5 with an image on one side is conveyed to the paper discharge section 57 via the paper discharge roller pair 58, the rotation direction of the paper discharge roller pair 58 is switched to the opposite direction while the paper discharge roller pair 58 holds the rear end of the recording paper 5. The conveying direction of the recording paper 5 conveyed in the opposite direction via the paper discharge roller pair 58 is switched to the double-sided conveying path 61 side by the switching gate 60. Then, the recording paper 5 is conveyed to the paper conveying roller 51 via the double-sided conveying path 61 equipped with the conveying roller pair 62 in a reversed state. The paper conveying roller pair 51 feeds out the recording paper 5 according to the transfer time and supplies it to the secondary transfer position. The recording paper 5 has a toner image transferred on its back side (second side) by the intermediate transfer belt 21, is fixed by the fixing device 40, and is discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 58 with the second side facing down to the paper discharge section 57 provided on the upper part of the device body 1a.

[0082] The above actions output recording paper 5, on which a panchromatic image composed of toner images combining four colors is formed. Furthermore, when forming a monochrome image in the image forming apparatus 1, only the black imaging device 10K is used to form a monochrome image composed of black (K) toner images.

[0083] <Structure of Manual Paper Feeding Device>

[0084] Figure 3 This is a perspective structural diagram showing the manual paper feeding device of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0085] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a manual paper feeding device 70, which is used to feed paper from the front of the apparatus body 1a, i.e., the front surface that the user faces when operating it (in this embodiment, it is...). Figure 1 The desired recording paper 5 is manually supplied from the left side of the device body 1a. The manual paper feeding device 70 is located inside the front surface of the device body 1a.

[0086] like Figure 3As shown, the manual paper feeding device 70 includes: a feed roller 72, which is an example of a paper feeding rotating body, separates and feeds the recording paper 5 placed on a manual paper feeding tray 71, which is an example of a manual paper feeding unit, one sheet at a time; an inner cover 74, which is an example of a shielding unit, has an opening 73 that exposes at least a portion of the feed roller 72 to the outside and covers the outer surface of the feed roller 72; and an opening / closing cover 75, which is an example of an opening / closing unit, and opens and closes the opening 73 of the inner cover 74.

[0087] like Figure 1 As shown, on the front surface of the device body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, an inner cover 74 forms a recess 76 for accommodating a manual paper feed tray 71. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the recess 76 of the device body 1a is covered by a front cover 77. The front cover 77 is rotatable from a pivot point 78 located at its lower end (see reference). Figure 1 The front cover 77 is mounted on the main body 1a at an angle θ required for opening and closing. The front cover 77 is formed as a flat plate with a generally rectangular front surface. The opening and closing angle θ of the front cover 77 can be arbitrarily set; in the first embodiment, it is set to a required angle of less than 90 degrees. By setting the opening and closing angle θ of the front cover 77 to less than 90 degrees, when the user uses the manual paper feed device 70, the installation area of ​​the image forming apparatus 1 is prevented from expanding unintended as the front cover 77 is opened.

[0088] like Figure 3 As shown, on the inner side of the front cover 77, the manual paper feed tray 71 is mounted to tilt and move with the opening and closing of the front cover 77. The lower end of the manual paper feed tray 71 is supported by the device body 1a and is capable of tilting. Additionally, the upper end of the manual paper feed tray 71 is supported by the front cover 77 and is capable of tilting. When the front cover 77 is opened, the lower end of the manual paper feed tray 71 rotates together with the front cover 77 in the opening direction, and its upper end tilts and moves in an angle greater than the opening angle of the front cover 77. As a result, as... Figure 4 As shown, when the front cover 77 is opened, the manual paper feed tray 71 moves to a position tilted by an angle θ' greater than the opening angle θ of the front cover 77.

[0089] On the upper surface of the manual paper feed tray 71, a side guide 79 is provided, which is movable according to the size of the recording paper 5. The side guide 79 is used to guide the two ends of the recording paper 5 along the width direction of its surface, which intersects the paper feed direction of the recording paper 5. The recording paper 5 is placed on the manual paper feed tray 71 with the center of the width direction intersecting the paper feed direction as a reference (so-called center positioning).

[0090] Additionally, the manual paper feed tray 71 has a pull-out built-in extension tray 80. For example... Figure 4As shown by the double-dotted line, with the front cover 77 open, the extension tray 80 can be pulled out diagonally upwards by the user.

[0091] In addition, the extension tray 80 is built into the manual paper feed tray 71 in a manner that allows it to extend further as the manual paper feed tray 71 rotates.

[0092] The extension tray 80 is pulled out by the user and rotated (tilted) relative to the manual paper feed tray 71, so that the extension tray 80 can be used according to the size of the recording paper 5.

[0093] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower end of the manual paper feed tray 71 includes the following components: a guide member 81 that guides the recording paper 5 placed on the manual paper feed tray 71 to the feed roller 72; and an infeed member 82, which is composed of a metal plate or the like, disposed at an inclined position at the front end of the guide member 81, and infeeds the tip of the recording paper 5 into the clamping portion of the feed roller 72. Furthermore, an actuator 83 for a paper sensor that detects the tip of the recording paper 5 is rotatably disposed to the side of the infeed member 82.

[0094] like Figure 1 As shown, a feed roller 72 is provided inside the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, which rotates at predetermined intervals by a predetermined angle. A retaining roller 84, serving as an example of a separating rotating body, is disposed in contact with the feed roller 72. The feed roller 72 comprises: a roller body 721 made of an elastomer such as rubber and formed into a generally semi-cylindrical shape with a central angle greater than 180 degrees; two auxiliary rollers 722 integrally disposed at both ends of the roller body 721 along the axial direction; and a rotating shaft 723 having a generally rectangular cross-section.

[0095] The deflector roller 84 is formed as a cylindrical body made of rubber or the like, and has a length that includes the roller body 721 of the feed roller 72 and the two auxiliary rollers 722. The deflector roller 84 is a roller that contacts the front end of the recording paper 5 fed by the feed roller 72 to prevent the feeding of any recording paper 5 other than the topmost recording paper 5.

[0096] like Figure 1As shown, the feed roller 72 is typically stopped at a desired angle upstream of the clamping portion between the feed roller 72 and the stop roller 84 at the front end 721a along the rotation direction of the roller body 721. The roller body 721 is formed in a generally semi-cylindrical shape and is made of an elastomer such as rubber. Furthermore, during paper feeding, the feed roller 72 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, and the roller body 721 contacts the surface of the uppermost recording paper 5 to begin feeding the recording paper 5. The stop roller 84 rotates counterclockwise in the figure to prevent the feeding of subsequent sheets of recording paper 5. The feed roller 72 rotates one or more times... Figure 1 Stop at the indicated position.

[0097] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, a manual paper feed path 85 is provided horizontally on the downstream side of the feed roller 72 along the paper feeding direction. This path is used to transport the recording sheets 5, separated one by one by the feed roller 72 and the deflector roller 84, to the paper transport roller pair 51. The manual paper feed path 85 includes: guide members 86 and 87 that guide the front and back surfaces of the recording sheets 5; and multiple transport roller pairs 88, 89, and 90 that transport the recording sheets 5 along the manual paper feed path 85. Figure 3 As shown, multiple ribs 871 are provided on the guide member 87 along the conveying direction, which contact the back of the recording paper 5.

[0098] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of this first embodiment achieves significant miniaturization compared to conventional models. Since the height of the apparatus body 1a is set to be relatively small, the guide members 86 and 87 constituting the manual paper feed path 85 need to be thinner. Therefore, the rigidity of the guide members 86 and 87 is reduced, and they need to be fixed to the apparatus body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. It is difficult to adopt a structure in which the guide members 86 and 87 are fixed to the inner cover 74 and configured to be able to be pulled out integrally from the apparatus body 1a, so that the feed roller 72 is exposed to the outside for cleaning.

[0099] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, such as Figure 1 As shown, in order to achieve miniaturization of the device, the end of the movement path of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is located near the upper part of the feed roller 72. Therefore, soot-like toner, paper dust from the manually supplied recording paper 5, etc., which float around the intermediate transfer belt 21 as it rotates, will adhere to the feed roller 72. When soot-like toner (an example of powder), paper dust from the recording paper 5, etc., adhere to and accumulate on the feed roller 72, the feed roller 72 may slip when supplying the recording paper 5 placed on the manual paper tray 71, which may cause a failure in the transport of the recording paper 5.

[0100] Therefore, in order to eliminate the conveying failure of the recording paper 5 caused by the feed roller 72, the end 721a of the roller body 721 of the feed roller 72, which is made of rubber or the like, is cleaned by wiping with water or the like.

[0101] Previously, the feed roller 72 was covered by the inner cover 74 and was not exposed to the outside. Therefore, in order to clean the feed roller 72, the manual paper feed tray 71 was configured to be able to be pulled out relative to the device body 1a. The manual paper feed tray 71 was pulled out from the device body 1a to expose the feed roller 72 to the outside and clean the feed roller 72.

[0102] However, when the manual paper feed tray 71 is configured to be pulled out relative to the device body 1a, a guide mechanism such as a guide rail is required to allow the manual paper feed tray 71 to be detached from the device body 1a. Consequently, the height and width of the manual paper feed device 70 will increase, making it difficult to miniaturize the device.

[0103] Alternatively, in order to clean the feed roller 72, it is also possible to make the inner cover 74 in a cut-out state so that the feed roller 72 is exposed to the outside.

[0104] However, in this case, since the feed roller 72 is always exposed to the outside, the paper feeding mechanism of the manual paper feeding device 70 will be exposed to the outside when the front cover 77 is opened, which will cause new technical problems such as a deterioration of the device appearance and a lack of consideration for safety.

[0105] Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, the manual paper feeding device 70 of this first embodiment is configured to include: an inner cover 74 having an opening 73 that exposes at least a portion of the feed roller 72 to the outside and covering the outer surface of the feed roller 72; and an opening / closing cover 75 that opens and closes the opening 73 of the inner cover 74. Here, exposing at least a portion of the feed roller 72 to the outside means that at least the front end 721a of the roller body 721 of the feed roller 72 along the rotation direction is exposed to the outside.

[0106] That is, in this first embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, an opening (cutout) 73, roughly rectangular in shape on the front, is provided on the inner cover 74 at a position corresponding to the feed roller 72, exposing the front side region of the feed roller 72 to the outside. The opening 73 extends to the lower edge of the inner cover 74. The opening 73 of the inner cover 74 has a height higher than the upper end of the feed roller 72. In addition, the opening 73 of the inner cover 74 is set to be slightly longer than the total axial length of the feed roller 72. Therefore, when the front cover 77 is opened, the user can access the area of ​​the feed roller 72 exposed to the outside via the opening 73, extending approximately halfway from the upper end to the front side.

[0107] An opening / closing cover 75 is provided on the opening 73 of the inner cover 74, which is movable in the horizontal direction to open and close the opening 73. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the cover 75 is configured to include: a cover portion 751, which is formed as a flat plate with a generally rectangular front side; a guide rail portion 752, which is configured to extend horizontally in one direction on one side of the upper end of the cover portion 751 (left side in the figure); and a generally rectangular rim portion 753, which is configured to extend horizontally in the middle of the back side of the cover portion 751 toward the back side. The cover portion 751 is a flat plate with a generally rectangular front side, but it is not a completely flat plate. Instead, it matches the shape of the lower end of the inner cover 74, and is formed so that its lower end protrudes slightly toward the front side via a bend.

[0108] On the opening / closing cover 75, a narrow, slit-like guide groove 754 is provided from the upper end of the cover portion 751 to the guide rail portion 752, which is used to mount the opening / closing cover 75 to the inner cover 74 in a manner that allows it to move horizontally. Figure 6 As shown, a protrusion 771, which is configured to protrude toward the back of the inner cover 74, is inserted into the guide groove 754 of the opening / closing cover 75. Furthermore, a gripping portion 755 for opening and closing the opening / closing cover 75 is provided at one end of the opening / closing cover 75 along the width direction of the cover portion 751, in the vertical direction (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0109] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, a lower-level recess 756 is formed at the upper edge of the guide rail portion 752 of the opening / closing cover 75, extending to the cover portion 751, which restricts the movement area of ​​the opening / closing cover 75. In the recess 756 of the guide rail portion 752, a stop portion 757 with a small convex shape is provided at one end along its length direction, which holds the opening / closing cover 75 in the closed position. Figure 6 As shown, the stop portion 757 of the guide rail portion 752 extends beyond the protrusion 772 that protrudes towards the back of the inner cover 74, thereby holding the open / closed cover 75 in the closed position. The stop portion 757 of the guide rail portion 752 and the protrusion 772 of the inner cover 74 constitute a latching mechanism.

[0110] like Figure 1 As shown, the eaves 753 of the opening / closing cover 75 extends above the feed roller 72 to a position corresponding to the end of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and is set to extend to a length near the developing device 14 of the yellow imaging device 10Y.

[0111] like Figure 7As shown, left and right frame members 92 and 93 are respectively mounted on the back of the inner cover 74, guiding the opening and closing cover 75 to move horizontally. The left frame member 92 includes: a top 921 having the same length as the eaves 753 of the opening and closing cover 75; and a mounting part 922 provided on the front side of the top 921 for mounting the frame member 92 to the back of the inner cover 74. Holding parts 923 and 924 are provided on the top 921 of the left frame member 92 to hold the guide rail 752 of the opening and closing cover 75 in a clamped state. In addition, a shielding plate 925 is provided upright on the outer end of the top 921 of the left frame member 92 to shield the spread of floating toner, etc. An actuator 83 for a paper sensor is rotatably mounted on the back of the mounting part 922 of the left frame member 92.

[0112] On the other hand, the right frame member 93 includes: a top 931 having the same length as the eaves 753 of the opening / closing cover 75; and a mounting portion 932 provided on the front side of the top 931 for mounting the frame member 93 to the back of the inner cover 74. Multiple ribs 933 are provided horizontally on the mounting portion 932 of the right frame member 93, which slidably guide the opening / closing cover 75. Furthermore, a shielding plate 934 is provided upright on the outer end of the top 931 of the right frame member 93 to shield against the spread of floating toner or the like. The top 931 of the right frame member 93 is configured to face the eaves 753 of the opening / closing cover 75 in a non-contact state with a small gap.

[0113] <Function of Manual Paper Feeding Device>

[0114] In the image forming apparatus that uses the manual paper feeding device of the first embodiment, as described below, the feed roller 72 of the manual paper feeding device 70 can be cleaned from the outside without adopting a structure that removes the manual paper feeding tray 71 from the device body 1a.

[0115] In the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the user supplies recording paper 5 using the manual paper feeding device 70, the front cover 77 covering the front surface of the device body 1a opens.

[0116] Therefore, when the front cover 77 is opened, the image forming apparatus 1 is in the following state: as the front cover 77 is opened, the manual paper feed tray 71 installed on the inner side of the front cover 77 tilts at a predetermined tilt angle θ'.

[0117] The user pulls out the extension tray 80 as needed and places the recording paper 5 on the manual paper feed tray 71. When the control device 100 detects that the front cover 77 is open, it recognizes that the manual paper feed device 70 is being used. When the print start button or other printing instructions are output, the rotation drive of the feed roller 72, the transport rollers 88 to 90, etc., is started, thereby feeding the recording paper 5 placed on the manual paper feed tray 71 one sheet at a time.

[0118] However, as Figure 9 As shown, the feed roller 72 of the manual paper feeding device 70 will be covered with soot-like toner and paper dust from the manually supplied recording paper 5, which float around the intermediate transfer belt 21 as it rotates. When soot-like toner and paper dust from the recording paper 5 adhere to and accumulate on the feed roller 72, the feed roller 72 may slip when supplying the recording paper 5 placed on the manual paper feeding tray 71, which may cause a failure in the transport of the recording paper 5.

[0119] In this first embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, an eaves 753 is provided on the opening and closing cover 75, and tops 921 and 931 of the same size as the eaves 753 of the opening and closing cover 75 are also provided on the left and right frame components 92 and 93. However, sometimes the soot-like toner can spread to the eaves 753 of the opening and closing cover 75 and the tops 921 and 931 of the left and right frame components 92 and 93 and adhere to the feed roller 72. In addition, it is impossible to prevent the paper dust of the recording paper 5 from adhering to the feed roller 72.

[0120] Therefore, in the manual paper feeding device 70 of this first embodiment, in order to eliminate the paper feeding failure caused by the feed roller 72, the user or engineer performs the operation of opening and closing the cover 75 when the image forming apparatus 1 stops. Furthermore, the operation of opening and closing the cover 75 can be performed after a series of printing operations of the image forming apparatus 1 has ended, or when a paper feeding failure caused by the feed roller 72 occurs.

[0121] When the user opens the front cover 77, such as Figure 8 As shown, the inner cover 74 is exposed to the outside. At this time, the user places his hand on the handle 755 to open the opening and closing cover 75 of the inner cover 74, thereby opening the opening 73 of the front cover 77, and the feed roller 72, which is usually not exposed to the outside, will then be exposed to the outside.

[0122] Next, the user wipes the feed roller 72 and the front side of the feed roller 72 exposed to the outside by opening and closing the cover 75 with a damp cloth, thereby removing the soot-like toner, paper dust, etc. adhering to and accumulating on the surface of the feed roller 72.

[0123] Then, by having the user close the opening / closing cover 75, the feed roller 72 is not exposed to the outside, thus maintaining a good appearance of the device and preventing contact with the drive unit.

[0124] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 that uses the manual paper feeding device 70 of the first embodiment, the feed roller 72 of the manual paper feeding device 70 can be cleaned from the outside without adopting a structure that pulls the manual paper feeding tray 71 out of the device body 1a.

[0125] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the case of application to a panchromatic image forming apparatus as an image forming apparatus has been described, but it is not limited to this, and of course it can also be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus in the same way.

[0126] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the case of an image forming apparatus that forms an image by electrophotography as an image forming apparatus has been described, but it is not limited to this. Of course, it can also be applied to an apparatus that forms an image by inkjet or other methods.

[0127] Furthermore, the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus was mentioned in the above embodiments. Although the present invention is a technique that is particularly effective for miniaturized image forming apparatuses, a miniaturized image forming apparatus is of course not a prerequisite when applying the present invention.

Claims

1. A manual paper feeding device, comprising: A paper feed rotary body that separates and supplies recording media, one sheet at a time, placed in a manual paper feed unit; A shielding unit having an opening that exposes at least a portion of the paper feeding rotor to the outside and covering the outer surface of the paper feeding rotor; and An opening / closing unit that opens and closes the opening of the shielding unit. The opening and closing unit is configured to open and close along the width direction of the recording medium.

2. The manual paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein, The opening and closing unit has a latching mechanism for maintaining the closed position.

3. The manual paper feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The opening and closing unit has an eaves located on the upper part of the paper feeding rotor to prevent powder falling from above from adhering to the paper feeding rotor.

4. The manual paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein, A manual paper feeding section is provided on the outer side of the shielding unit in an openable and closable manner.

5. The manual paper feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising: Front cover, among which, The opening and closing angle of the front cover is set to less than 90 degrees.

6. The manual paper feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising: A separating rotating body configured to contact the paper feeding rotating body, wherein, The paper feeding rotor rotates intermittently to separate the recording medium, one sheet at a time, from the clamping part between the paper feeding rotor and the separating rotor.

7. An image forming apparatus comprising: Image forming unit, which forms an image on a recording medium; and A manual paper feeding unit manually supplies the recording medium to the image forming unit, wherein... The manual paper feeding unit uses the manual paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The transport path for conveying the recording medium supplied from the manual paper feeding unit to the image forming unit is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images